Motor carrier enforcement officers will be available in the Cameron Street lobby of the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The Farm Show runs Jan. 8-15.

Pawlowski said officers will help to resolve any lingering confusion about recent changes to motor carrier safety regulations for farm-related equipment.

“Effective and common-sense motor carrier safety regulations contribute to a safe driving experience for everyone,” Pawlowski said. “Though outreach and educational efforts like this, we’re helping Pennsylvania farmers to understand the rules and realize that our efforts are intended to help, not impede, Pennsylvania’s economy.”

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 290 commercial exhibitors. Admission is free and parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or call 717-783-5556.

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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Abington Recycling Center
Florey Lane (off of Easton Rd.)
Abington

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June 12, 2010 from 9am to 11am

Collegeville Community Park
4th & Park Avenue
Collegeville

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June 19, 2010 from 9am to 11am

Harleysville Senior Center
312 Alumni Ave (off of Main Street)
Harleysville

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June 26, 2010 from 9am to 11am

Burnside Oakland Park
Burnside Ave. & Oakland Rd.
West Norriton

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“More than 1,200 horses are being kept on a property where manure-laden stormwater and wastewater continually impact the Neshaminy Creek watershed,” said DEP Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola. “This untenable situation must end.”

The department’s order requires the owners of both operations to complete many short- and long-term projects that will stabilize the site and eliminate environmental threats.

Within the next two weeks, the racetrack owners must stop washing manure into storm grates, implement a water conservation plan, improve their efforts to collect and manage wastewater, and inspect their stormwater and sanitary sewage systems weekly.

Other short-term requirements include stabilizing all bare earth throughout the site and submitting a report to DEP that identifies any wetlands that may have been filled.

Once DEP approves that report, Parx officials must submit within 30 days a wetlands replacement and restoration plan to the department and an erosion and sediment control plan to the Bucks County Conservation District. Once those plans have been approved, the work must be completed within 120 days.

By June 30, the owners must replace all existing manure storage systems with covered roll-off bins and apply for permits to build a covered manure storage facility and an enclosed horse washing facility. They also must submit a revised nutrient management plan to the Bucks County Conservation District.

Within 90 days, the race track owners are required to submit a plan and schedule for installing stormwater inlets to improve the quality of the water reaching their catch basins and must repair malfunctioning valves that have allowed stormwater mixed with sewage to enter a nearby stream.

DEP has been working with Parx officials for more than a decade to bring them into compliance with the Clean Streams Law, but the facility has failed to make sufficient improvements.

In addition to ignoring the law, DEP documented through its frequent inspections, instances in which Parx made unapproved changes that have further degraded the environment. In its most recent inspection on March 11, DEP uncovered numerous violations.

In particular, contaminated runoff has long been a problem associated with the race track given the high volume of animals it houses. Pennsylvania put in place aggressive new standards in 2005 to protect rivers and streams from contaminated water runoff associated with large-scale animal operations.

Any operation with more than 500 animals on site must hold a permit as a concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO. Despite meeting that threshold, the corporate owners of the racetrack failed to make a good faith effort to obtain a CAFO permit.

For more information on requirements for concentrated animal feeding operations, visit DEP’s website at www.dep.state.pa.us

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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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(PRWEB) October 17, 2009 — Bucks County Zoo and A1 Savannahs are the latest facilities to be accredited by the Feline Conservation Federation, an international non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and propagating wild felids.

These two facilities join other USDA licensed zoos, sanctuaries, educational centers, breeding compounds, and private owners who comprise the growing list of FCF accredited facilities.

FCF Facility Accreditation was awarded Bucks County Zoo in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Founder ‘Jungle’ Joe Fortunato opened the Bucks County Zoo in July 2008.

Mr. Fortunato says, “Operating this zoo is my life’s dream. Being accredited by the Feline Conservation Federation is an extreme honor.”

The all-indoor zoological facility encloses 5,000 square feet of climate controlled living environments for tropical plants, raptors, tropical birds, primates, reptiles, and many mammal species from around the world.

The Bucks County Zoo also offers outreach programs through its Animal Junction program that exhibits live animal shows to enlighten audiences, while teaching respect and appreciation for wildlife, and the importance of recycling to protect the environment.

Pat Callahan who serves on the five-member accreditation board remarked, “It was a pleasure to review this well documented application. We respect the work done by Bucks County Zoo and congratulate them on their FCF accreditation.”

A1 Savannahs, located in Ponca City, Oklahoma, was also approved for FCF accreditation. A1 Savannahs is owned and operated by Martin and Kathrin Stucki. The FCF accreditation board judged A1 Savannahs to be operating with excellence in both facility management and feline husbandry.

“This is a step in the right direction”, says Mr. Callahan, adding, “It is important for professional breeders that raise and breed servals to meet high standards of husbandry.”

As an FCF accredited facility A1 Savannahs will raise the bar for others and set a positive example about the importance of supporting conservation of wild felids, including servals, which are used in breeding programs to create the exotic hybrid known as Savannahs.

The FCF accreditation is the seal of approval that assures donors, the media, and members of the public that accredited facilities are operating with the highest level of husbandry and management practices, encouraging emulation by others.

Bucks County Zoo Website Click Here

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Dietch has accomplished what few small business owners can do – turn a passion
into a business and then keep it alive for 20 years. The retail establishment
on Route 100 employs 15 full- and part-time people. It has thrived despite the
recent economic downturn and the opening of a national pet store just two
miles away – without resorting to layoffs. “We have seen a slight drop in
sales, so we really tightened control of expenses and thought of new ways to
service our customers,” Dietch explains.

For example, over the years Diane’s has introduced new services to keep up
with customers’ needs but also to keep cash flow strong. “We started offering
low-cost vaccine clinics several years ago,” Dietch adds. “This year we opened
a self-service dog wash so people can leave us with the bath-time aftermath.”

Dietch started her business in 1989 when she was 24 years old, but she was
already a veteran of the pet industry. “I started cleaning kennels when I was
12 years old. In high school I started working at a local pet shop where I
really learned the trade,” says Dietch. It was there that Dietch honed her
ability to connect with customers. That connection, and the pleasure she and
her staff derive from connecting pets with owners, has helped ensure her
business’s ongoing success while still looking after animals’ interests.

It’s no wonder, then, that one offering Diane’s is best known for besides its
fully stocked fish room and hand-raised birds is its pet adoption services.
“In the past 20 years, we’ve adopted out just over 12,000 dogs, cats, puppies,
and kittens,” Dietch adds. To encourage the spaying and neutering of these
pets, Diane’s offers a $50 to $75 refund when the owner presents proof that
the pet has been spayed or neutered.

Now that Diane’s offers on-site spay/neuter services through the work of
Dietch’s veterinarian husband Steven M. Silberman, DVM, the shop can better
uphold its drive to help control animal population. “We can now take a
proactive step to tackle an ongoing and under-addressed problem – the
unfortunate destruction of cats and dogs due to pet overpopulation,” Dietch
says.

Dietch’s resolve to help ensure no pets suffer through inhumane euthanasia is
evident in her past work with no-kill shelters and her current work with A
Shelter Friend, Inc., a nonprofit pet rescue group based in Elizabethtown, NC.
“A Shelter Friend sends daily e-mail messages for pets in shelters whose time
is running out. If no one commits to rescue the pets, then they are destroyed
in a gas chamber, which is a very cruel method of euthanasia,” says Dietch.
“We take in as many pets as we can – often meeting the transport van in other
states and many times in the middle of the night – so we can find homes for
these pets in Pennsylvania.”

Dietch’s unwavering commitment to both animal interests and her customers has
helped her business succeed and provide jobs in the local community. That’s
reason to celebrate – which is exactly what Diane’s is doing on Saturday,
October 24, 2009.

“To thank our customers and community, we’re having a ‘Barktoberfest’
celebration,” Dietch explains. “We’re having a big sale and free gifts plus
activities, demonstrations, and costume contests for pets.”

Activities include a K-9 North Coventry Police Demo at 1:00 pm, an Exotic
Animal Show at 2:00 pm, and Doggie Contests beginning at 3:00 pm for best
costume, biggest dog, smallest dog, and best look-a-like. Other attractions
include a canine mini-agility course, pet microchipping, face painting, and a
bounce house for kids, as well as visits from an animal herbalist, a pet
chiropractor, assorted vendors, and more. Food and beverages will also be
available.

To learn more visit www.ddpets.com or call 610.970.7500.

SOURCE  Diane’s Discount Pet Supplies & Adoption Center

Carol Dietch Long, +1-610-213-9245, cdlong@cdlbiz.com, for Diane’s Discount
Pet Supplies & Adoption Center

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Attorney General Tom Corbett said that the program being offered is specifically designed to lead to valuable dog-fighting tips and arrests in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania is not, and has never been immune to dog-fighting,” Corbett said. “It is a cruel and violent crime that impacts hundreds of thousands of animals every year, and despite the increased awareness, it continues to be on the rise across the country.”

In 2008, the Pennsylvania SPCA received more than 245 dog-fighting complaints. From January 2009 through June 2009 they received more than 400 complaints about dog fighting, with an average of more than 60 a month.

According to the HSUS, more than 40,000 people are involved in organized dog-fighting nationwide, and almost as many are involved in organized cockfighting.

“Animal fighters are criminals who force animals to mutilate each other for their own sick sense of entertainment,” said Sarah Speed Pennsylvania State Director for The HSUS. “The Humane Society of the United States is grateful to Attorney General Corbett for his support and dedication to cracking down on these criminals.”

“The reality of dog-fighting goes far beyond a single brutal match between two dogs,” Corbett said. “It is a blood-sport that promotes crime, not only cruelty to animals, but also violence against people.”

Animal fighting is closely associated with drug dealing, illegal gambling, gangs, guns and other violent crimes.

Corbett said that children are often present at dog-fighting matches and exposing them to this type of violence is just one of the many dangers associated with the subculture of animal fighting. Extensive research shows that people who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people.

“Young minds that are exposed to a culture of violence against animals often become desensitized to the cruel and vicious acts,” Corbett said. “Our job as law enforcement is to rid our cities and suburbs of this horrific crime and ensure that our children are not exposed to the brutality of animal fighting.”

The reward program has been implemented other states across the country over the past two years resulting in more than 50 rewards totaling nearly $160,000 paid to tipsters who reported animal fighting.

Corbett said that Pennsylvania ranks ninth among U.S. states for the toughest dog-fighting laws. Animal fighting is a third degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Individuals with information about animal fighting are encouraged to call their local law enforcement authorities or the HSUS at 877-TIP-HSUS. Financial rewards will be provided by The HSUS once it is confirmed that the information provided to law enforcement led to an arrest and conviction.

The HSUS reward program has been made possible through a grant by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation.

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If you have pets, please review the ordinance to make sure you are in compliance.

There are quite a few changes and you should make sure to read through this important information regarding your pets if you live inside the borough.

Not following the rules can result in penalties for pet owners in the area.

Learn More (This is a .pdf file to download)

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Second Chance Sundays will feature sales and promotions of Sports Blitz’s array of authentic, licensed, on-field apparel and collectibles at their family-owned stores in Easton, PA, at 3071 William Penn Plaza, and in Whitehall, PA at 2544 MacArthur Road at the MacArthur Towne Center.

The Pennsylvania SPCA will attend the kickoff events for Second Chance Sundays on September 13 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at both Sports Blitz locations with adoptable Second Chance Dogs.

The Second Chance Dogs of the Pennsylvania SPCA are Pit Bulls who have been rescued and rehabilitated from fighting rings and other abuses. They arrive at the Pennsylvania SPCA suffering from severe neglect, starvation, cruelty and injury, often as victims of illegal dog fighting operations. Pit Bulls also carry the added stigma from negative and erroneous media characterizations. Given a second chance, these dogs make loyal and loving companions.

“We’re thrilled to see compassionate sports fans step up to help tackle dog fighting and other animal abuse in Pennsylvania,” said Pennsylvania SPCA Chief Executive Officer Sue Cosby. “Second Chance Sundays are a great way for people to support their favorite team and at the same time do something positive for dogs in need.”

“We hope that increasing public awareness of the efforts of the Pennsylvania SPCA and supporting the work they do will help bring an end to animal cruelty and provide homes for abandoned and abused pets,” said Justin Madaus, Sports Blitz Chief Operating Officer.

Second Chance Sundays begin September 13, week-one of the 2009 professional football season, and return every second Sunday of each month throughout the 2009 season.

Sports Blitz is family owned and operated. Its mission is to provide passionate sports fans of a variety of leagues and teams with a selection of authentic, licensed, on-field apparel and collectibles. Visit them at www.spblitz.com and click on the Second Chance Sundays button to donate online.

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