Christmas fire claims Cherry Hill woman

By DEBORAH HIRSCH

Douglas M. Bovitt/Courier-Post

Courier-Post Staff

Late at night on Christmas Eve, Barbara Hardwick got a call from her daughter, Sandra.

She'd been wrapping presents with her grandkids to prepare for the family Christmas celebration the next morning, Barbara Hardwick said.

About an hour after they hung up, the phone rang again. This time, it was Barbara Hardwick's son. There was a fire, he shouted, and she should come right away because Sandra might not make it.

Click here to view the Courier-Post "Cherry Hill Fatal Fire" photo gallery, and read the rest of the story after the jump...

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Township building closing early for Christmas holiday

Retailers, shoppers make up snow day

Faye Murman/Courier-Post

By EILEEN SMITH
Courier-Post Staff

An avalanche of shoppers swept into stores Monday, rushing to make up for time lost over the weekend, when most consumers were snowed in by a storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on South Jersey.

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Christmas needs are outstripping donations | The Philadelphia Inquirer

Denise Henhoeffer/Courier-Post

At the Camden Rescue Mission, the Rev. Al Stewart is facing a tough decision tonight.

He's collected about 2,500 toys for needy children from Camden and other South Jersey communities for the mission's annual Christmas party. But 6,000 children are registered to receive gifts.

Should Stewart hold the party as scheduled on Saturday and give out the toys he has - or postpone the event until he can collect more?

"The party will be rescheduled unless we get a miracle," Stewart said, "and God knows we believe in miracles."

Read the rest of the article at: Christmas needs are outstripping donations | The Philadelphia Inquirer.

No trash, recycling collection on Friday, Dec. 25

There will be no solid-waste and recycling collection in the Township on Friday, Dec. 25, due to the Christmas holiday. Collection will instead take place on Saturday, Dec. 26.

The same holiday collection schedule will apply the following Friday, Jan.1, New Year's Day. Friday pickups will take place on Saturday, Jan. 2.

These scheduling accomodations should have little to no impact on the overall collection schedule during this year's holiday season.

Should members of the community have any concerns, however, please address them with the Department of Public Works at (856) 424-4422, or call the Mayor' Office directly, at (856) 488-7878.

Send us your holiday photos!

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

Cherry Hill is a big community, that lives up to its size. Big communities, big shopping centers and BIG holiday spirit.

We want you to share your holiday spirit with the community, by sending your favorite holiday photos to Cherry Hill InJersey.

Read more after the jump...

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Procrastinating on holiday shopping, tweet #shopsj

John Jablonowski/for the Courier-Post

Many people have holiday traditions, like decorating the Christmas tree with family or lighting the candles of the menorah together.

I have a holiday tradition that I share with myself every year. It's called "How long can I wait before going shopping?"

And this year, I may be going for a new record...

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Holiday decorations a neighborly effort

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

By SHRUTI MATHUR DESAI
Courier-Post Staff

They started small. A string of lights here, a figurine there.

But soon the Christmas decorations on Deer Road turned into a holiday extravaganza of glowing, blinking, whirring and twinkling.

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This weekend: Holidays on parade

Scott Anderson/Courier-Post

South Jersey will keep celebrating the countdown to Christmas this weekend with Santa breakfasts, a firetruck parade, craft events and house tours.

There are also festive events for Hanukkah, which begins at sundown Friday. Here is a roundup of holiday highlights this weekend.

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Find Santa at events in South Jersey

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

He's more in demand than any American Idol or movie actor. And his plate is full of public appearances.

But if you check his schedule, you just might be able to get an audience with Santa Claus during his busiest season.

Over the next week, Santa will be sharing breakfast with kids and their parents aboard the Battleship New Jersey, at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, Pfeiffer Community Center in Williamstown and other locations.

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Santa at high risk for H1N1?

DENISE HENHOEFFER/Courier-Post

By JANE ROH
Courier-Post Staff

When tiny Angelina Owens climbed onto Santa's lap at the Deptford Mall on Thursday, she might have whispered, "I want Elmo Tickle Hands."

And Santa, lowering his gleaming white beard to her ear, might have whispered back, "I want the H1N1 vaccine."

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Breakfast with Santa photo gallery

Children met Santa Claus at Maggiano's Little Italy in Cherry Hill Saturday morning. The breakfast with Santa event benefited the Center for Family Services.

via Breakfast with Santa | courierpostonline.com | Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties South Jersey News | Courier-Post.

Shopping for Santa?

If the kids are pleading to see Santa Claus, and you're desperate to start your holiday shopping, you can accomplish two goals at once.

Cherry Hill Mall will hold Breakfast with Santa at Maggiano's Little Italy from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $19.95 per person and children under 2 years old are admitted free. Tickets are available at www.centerffs.org, and all proceeds benefit the Center for Family Services.

Area malls will make Santa Claus available for photos through Christmas Eve.

For more details on Santa happenings, including pet photo days at the malls, go to www.courierpostonline.com/events.

via Shopping for Santa? | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

Breakfast with Santa

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

Title: Breakfast with Santa
Location: Maggiano's Little Italy, 2000 Route 38
Link out: Click here
Description: Meet Jolly Old St. Nick over a breakfast of French toast, smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, and more while supporting the Center For Family Services. Santa and his friends will entertain with music, magic and holiday crafts for children of all ages. Tickets are $19.95 per person and children under 2 years old are admitted free. Tickets are available at www.centerffs.org, and all proceeds benefit the charity. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Win passes to a special advance screening of Santa Buddies

Disney’s irrestible talking puppies return in a heartwarming all-new holiday adventure! On Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD November 24! ? Enter for your chance to win a family 4-pack of passes to a special advance screening of SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS at the AMC Loews Cherry Hill on Saturday, November 14 at 10am.

Complete the Courier-Post's online entry form before 12 noon on Tuesday, November 10. One online entry per valid email address. Winners will be notified by email for online entries. No purchase necessary. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. Must be over 13 to enter. Film is not yet rated.

Register to win at: Win passes to a special advance screening of Santa Buddies | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.