The image to the left shows what Pottstown and surrounding would look like as of June 15, 2010 if it were centered on 19464.

An explosion on the BP operated Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed eleven crew members on April 20, 2010, sparking the greatest environmental disaster in United States history. In combination with the Texas City Refinery Explosion and the Prudohoe Bay Oil Spill, this marks the third serious incident involving BP in the United States in the last five years. Current estimates put the amount of oil being discharged from the broken well at above 1,050,000 US gallons per day! There are over 400 different species of animals living in the area affected by the spill. 330 sea turtles and 39 dolphins have been found dead within the spill area (NOAA). BP is operating oil skimmers and other cleanup tools to try to remove oil from the water and Louisiana is building oil containment berms to halt the spread of oil. Experts are uncertain what effect, if any, these efforts will have.

View what your town would look like here.

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The Department of State is working with the Harrisburg Senators baseball team to help consumers learn how to make better-informed decisions about charitable giving.

The department’s Bureau of Charitable Organizations led off the Harrisburg Senators’ “Organizations of the Game” program, which highlights a different charity during each home game.

“The Department of State helps Pennsylvania residents make better informed giving decisions by providing financial information about charities and professional fundraisers who solicit for charitable contributions,” said Tracy Boak, bureau director.

“We help donors learn what amount of their contribution is going to charitable services to ensure the organization’s practices match their expectations.”

Boak, who will throw the game’s first pitch, also urged the public to visit a website, www.dos.state.pa.us/charities, which contains tips and warnings for charitable giving.

They include:
• Never give to a charity about which you know nothing.
• Request written information from the charity about its programs and finances.
• Do not feel pressured into giving on the spot or allow someone to come to your house to pick up the contribution.
• Never commit to donate over the phone unless you are familiar with the organization.
• Never give cash, credit cards numbers or bank account numbers. Always write a check payable to the charity so you have record of your donations.
• All charities have expenses, so check carefully and know where your money will go.
• Consult with your tax advisor to determine whether your contribution is tax deductible.

The Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations administers the state’s charitable solicitation law. It also maintains registration and financial information for nearly 11,225 charities as well as more than 400 professional solicitors and fundraising counsels soliciting in the commonwealth.

Visit www.dos.state.pa.us and select “Charities” for more information.

Consumers without Internet access can call the Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations toll-free at 1-800-732-0999 to obtain information on charities.

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Exelon Nuclear will pump extra water into the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek in order to support the annual fishing derby sponsored by State Representative Robert W. Godshall and the Franconia Township Park & Recreation Commission on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

The resulting level of water will only be increased by a few inches, but will help enable the event to go on as planned. Authorized by the Delaware River Basin Commission, the pumping is dependent on the expected water level of the creek the day of the event. Exelon will not increase pumping if it is not needed.

Exelon Nuclear pumps water daily from various water sources in order to operate the power plant. Depending on Schuylkill River conditions, water is pumped from the Delaware River, discharged to the East Branch Perkiomen Creek and then withdrawn downstream for use at the Limerick Generating Station.

Limerick Generating Station is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The plant produces approximately 2,400 net megawatts of carbon-free electricity per hour, enough to power approximately two million homes.

Exelon Corporation is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. The company has one of the industry’s largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and southeastern Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 486,000 customers in the Philadelphia area. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.

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One of the largest used car warranty sales companies in the country, Missouri-based U.S. Fidelis Inc., along with the co-owners of that business, are the subjects of a lawsuit filed today by the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said the lawsuit was filed against U.S. Fidelis Inc., formerly known as National Auto Warranty Services Inc. and doing business as Dealer Services, of Wentzville, Missouri.  The consumer protection suit also names company President Darain E. Atkinson, of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, and Vice-president Cory C. Atkinson, of Wentzville, Missouri – brothers and co-owners of the company.

“U.S. Fidelis allegedly used deceptive, misleading or false information to convince thousands of Pennsylvania consumers to spend thousands of dollars on used car warranties that may not have provided the protection they were seeking,” Attorney General Tom Corbett said. “The company is also accused of disregarding ‘Do Not Call’ programs and other restrictions on telemarketing, flooding homes and cell phones across the country with an estimated one billion unwanted sales calls.”

Corbett said U.S. Fidelis is accused of numerous unfair and deceptive business practices, including:

* False statements that coverage would be the same as the original manufacturer’s warranties.
* Implying that products were associated with manufacturers or dealerships, including claims that they were authorized “factory warranties” or “extended warranties.”
* Deceptive claims about the extent of coverage, including terms such as “bumper-to-bumper,” “Gold” and “Platinum” warranties.
* Misleading statements implying that the company had official information about consumers’ vehicles.
* Bogus claims about “limited time” or “final” offers.
* Failure to honor “100% money back guarantee” offers.
* Repeated sales calls to consumers registered on the “Do Not Call” list.
* Improper “robo-call” sales calls, including automated calls to cell phone numbers.

“Drivers across Pennsylvania were bombarded by calls and letters loaded with misleading statements about ‘factory warranty coverage’ and ‘last chance’ offers,” Corbett said. “These confusing and high-pressure sales pitches urged consumers to spend up to $4,000 for service contracts that were supposed to protect them against costly repairs.”

Additionally, Corbett said that U.S. Fidelis allegedly failed to adequately inform consumers that they were not involved in the processing of warranty claims.  Instead, they were only marketing and selling services for third-party companies that were actually providing the warranty coverage.

“Based on deceptive ads, mail solicitations and sales calls, many consumers falsely believed that they were buying vehicle warranties directly from U.S. Fidelis,” Corbett said.  “In reality, U.S. Fidelis was simply re-selling service contracts that were offered by other warranty companies, and had no direct authority over the payment of consumer claims or other decisions about coverage.”

Corbett said the lawsuit seeks full restitution for all consumers who suffered losses as the result of unfair trade or deceptive business practices, along with civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation of Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and Do Not Call program (up to $3,000 for each violation involving senior citizens).

Additionally, the lawsuit asks the court to order Darain and Cory Atkinson, along with their businesses, to forfeit all money generated by their illegal practices and to permanently prohibit them from doing any business in Pennsylvania.

Corbett urged consumers with questions or complaints related to U.S. Fidelis to call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or file an online consumer complaint.

The lawsuit was filed in Commonwealth Court, in Harrisburg, by Senior Deputy Attorneys General Jesse F. Harvey and John M. Abel, from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Corbett said today’s consumer protection lawsuit in Pennsylvania is the result of a multi-state investigation that also includes similar lawsuits filed in Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

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Rebates are now available to help Pennsylvania residents conserve energy and save money by upgrading their home heating systems, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said today.

The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program offers rebates of up to $500 toward the cost of replacing non-electric residential hot water heaters, furnaces and boilers fueled by home heating oil, natural gas or propane with more efficient, ENERGY STAR-rated units.

The $11 million program is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“With the home heating season ending, many Pennsylvanians may now be thinking about replacing their old, inefficient heating systems,” said Hanger. “The Home Heating Rebate Program offers a financial incentive to upgrade two of the largest areas of energy use in a typical household—heating and water heating. It was designed to complement conservation efforts and rebates offered by electric utilities to upgrade household appliances.

“By focusing our federal Recovery Act money on heating and water heating, we are encouraging our residents to make investments in their homes that will enable them to save substantial amounts of energy and money over the next two decades,” he added.

Pennsylvania residents may reserve a rebate online at www.paheatingrebates.com. Those without Internet access can call 877-592-2061.

Once a reservation is made, consumers will have 30 days to submit the necessary documentation of purchase and installation. Rebates checks will then be mailed directly to the consumer.

The best way to ensure that rebate funding is available is to make the reservation in advance. The program’s website contains a real-time indicator of funds still available.

The rebate program could help 33,000 households become more energy efficient.

According to ENERGY STAR, the annual energy bill for a typical single-family home is $2,200. A resident could save more than $900 a year by upgrading to a more energy efficient furnace and water heater. The program also will provide a spark to the state’s economy by creating an estimated 120 jobs through manufacturing opportunities for new equipment, and job opportunities for the contractors who will install the units.

Hanger said the rebate program is one of several incentives available to consumers. A rebate can be combined with federal tax credits, a non-electric utility rebate, and/or a manufacturer’s rebate.

The Keystone HELP program, for example, offers low-interest loans to help finance purchases. These lower rates can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan, further enhancing the energy saving from the improvements being made and minimizing out-of-pocket costs. Visit www.keystonehelp.com for more information.

Homeowners should also consider performing a home energy audit to see where they can conserve energy or use it more efficiently to save money.

“An energy audit calculates how much energy is used, evaluates how efficiently it is used, and suggests ways to make a home even more energy efficient. Sealing leaky walls and ducts, and adding insulation are two examples of ways to make a household better equipped to retain the heat generated by a new heating system,” Hanger said.

“An audit can also ensure that the replacement system is properly sized for the job. Adequate air sealing and insulation may reduce the size and increase the efficiency of the new system.”

To learn about rebates for electric appliance upgrades, consumers should contact their electric utility. To learn more about how the federal Recovery Act and related investments are helping Pennsylvanians, visit www.recovery.pa.gov

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Have you ever visited the Website Craigslist?  Well local Entrepreneur, John Henning, has and there is something missing.

The one thing he misses the most is a local site that offers similar services for the Pottstown, Pa area.  So he created a site called ePottstown.com where local users can post local classified ads for free.

You can post an ad for free here.  Registration is required to help prevent misuse, but the registration is simple and quick. You can register for free here.

Looking for a dresser? Want to sell your car? Now you can do it for free at: www.ePottstown.com

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A new FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics center is now open in Pottstown, under the ownership of area resident Bill Wellen.

Located at 180 Shoemaker Road, the center provides a full range of sign and graphic solutions to area businesses, organizations and events, including banners, site and architectural signs, window and vehicle graphics, floor graphics, point-of-purchase signs, safety and identification signage, trade show displays and exterior signage.

“We are very excited about this new venture and look forward to building a reputation on hard work, high quality signage and exceptional service,” said Wellen, who will manage the sign and graphics center. “With our cutting edge printing technology, streamlined production capabilities and the team’s combined experience, we will be able to offer dynamic, cost-effective solutions that have not been readily available in the past.”

Joining Wellen in the opening of the center are Joan Emery and Bill Hess. With 30 years of customer service experience, including 10 years within the commercial printing industry, Emery will serve the Pottstown FASTSIGNS as its customer service representative. Hess will utilize a strong background in the sign business—including graphic design, commercial printing and close tolerance screen printing—as the center’s graphic designer and sign maker.

Prior to the center opening, the entire Pottstown FASTSIGNS team recently completed an intensive training program at the Carrollton, Texas, headquarters of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers.

“As a team, our goal is to provide a valuable resource to local businesses,” explains Wellen. “A well-designed, well-placed sign is an integral part of generating new sales, gaining repeat business from existing customers and forming new leads that can turn into future opportunities. Now more than ever, businesses and organizations should consider the many signage options available, which are cost-effective and flexible—and that’s where we can help.”

Members of the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce, the new FASTSIGNS team looks forward to becoming an integral part of the local business community. Wellen also currently belongs to the Greater Philadelphia Senior Executive Group, BNI, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia.

The new Pottstown FASTSIGNS can be reached by phone at 484-624-4874, or visit them online at www.fastsigns.com/566.

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“Quality custom remodeling”

Cooke Carpentry & Construction, LLC is a comprehensive custom remodeling, building, and carpentry company.  We are able to effectively and efficiently manage your home improvement project, from start to finish, from the simplest home repair to the most custom home remodel.

Combining superior customer service with an unparalleled construction process and finished product, Cooke Carpentry & Construction, LLC is committed to excellence and perfection in every client relationship as well as every remodeling project.

Our business revolves around one simple belief…that “quality custom remodeling” comes not from simply building things right, but by building lasting relationships while building things right.

Cooke Carpentry & Construction, LLC is fully insured and licensed in the State of Pennsylvania (PA#2783).  We are an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Pennsylvania and you can view our Reliability Report here: www.bbb.org.  We are also members of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry.

We are based out of the Philadelphia Main Line area, and proudly serve customers from the areas of Chester County, Montgomery County, Berks County and Delaware County.

Cooke Carpentry & Construction, LLC has a loyal customer base and an impeccable performance record.  So, before starting your next remodeling project, contact us first, and we guarantee you will never need another contractor.

Let us add you as one of our many satisfied customers!

Contact Us Today  (Please mention you saw us on the Pottstown Herald!!)

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(Pottstown, PA) – NFL Superbowl XL Pittsburgh Steelers champion and former 2000-2005 Temple University linebacker Rian Wallace will host his FREE 4th Annual Goals Over Obstacles Football Clinic for over 150 Pottstown students ages 7-17, on Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:00am – 4:00pm on Pottstown Senior High School’s Football Field.

With Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Farrior and Casey Hampton, Chris Roberson of the Cleveland Browns, and former Temple University football players Chonn Lacey, Donte Coles, Yazid Jackson, Rodney Wormley, and Anthony Degannes in attendance, this year’s football clinic will include health and education workshops, running drills, athletic development, and leadership development on and off the field.

From 10:00am to noon, Wallace and team will work primarily with elementary and middle school students on football fundamentals, as well as speed and agility training methods. From 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Wallace will shift gears and host the high school students, focusing on drill techniques and fundamentals for every position, upper body contact in drills, and hands-on direction from the professional athletes in attendance. For both groups, the focus is on teaching kids the ins-and-outs of football, while incorporating leadership skill training. Wallace will stress the importance of not just being great on the football field, but exerting that same energy in the classroom and in the community.

In 2005, Rian Wallace created Goals Over Obstacles (G.O.O.), a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting health and wellness via football, healthy eating, and community involvement. Focusing heavily on underserved communities, Wallace seeks to encourage healthy living, scholar athletes throughout the Philadelphia and surrounding areas; and primarily the youth in his native Pottstown, PA community.

Virtually every young athlete playing football has dreams of continuing to play at the collegiate level, or better yet, in the NFL. The reality is, however, thousands upon thousands of football players in the U.S. are competing for the same opportunity; and very few make it.  What Goals Over Obstacles seeks to do is equip young athletes with the tools necessary to make them a powerful force on the field, in their communities, their families, their schools, and in the lives of others.

What: Rian Wallace’s 4th Annual Goals Over Obstacles Football Clinic

When: Saturday, April 24, 2010; 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: Pottstown Senior High School, Football Field, 750 N. Washington St. Pottstown, PA 19464

Cost: Free

Register: GoalsOverObstacles@gmail.com

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GoalsOverObstacles or contact the Goals Over Obstacles Football Clinic directly at GoalsOverObstacles@gmail.com.

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Local Entrepreneur, John Henning, has expanded into Credit Restoration Services at his Hanover Street location.

John already owns another company in Pottstown. Open A Franchise, a company that helps people find the right business to own.

Over the past few years John has noticed an increase in the number of people that need credit help. So he partnered up with a 10 year old company and used some of the office space in his location on Hanover Street to help people start fixing their credit problems.

The company offers a guarantee and the fees are affordable, ranging from $250 to $900. The fee is dependent upon how much help a client needs, but each client knows exactly what they are going to pay before signing the paperwork.

Fun Fact: Did you know that just a 20 point increase on your credit score can be a savings of over $82,000 on your mortgage?

Most people don’t realize how much money they can save by simply fixing the issues that exist on their credit report. John’s company is able to help people fix about 70% of the issues on their report. If his company can’t help a client, they simply tell them that prior to taking any payment, so there is no risk for a client.

John’s company is usually able to fix enough issues on someone’s credit report to raise their score 60-100 points in as little as 45 days.

About Top Notch Credit Advisors

Top Notch Credit Advisors is owned & operated by John Henning & Marcus Shellenberger. Their location is 867 N. Hanover St. Pottstown, Pa.

Using a 4 prong approach, John & Marcus are usually able to remove 60-70% of the issues on a credit report.

Read more information here: http://TopNotchCreditAdvisors.com

Short video on credit here: http://topnotchcreditadvisors.com/learn-credit-in-11-minutes/

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