Millions of mini-doses of COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be shipped to states this week after the federal government gave the go-ahead for shots in all children as young as 6 months old. But the rollout of this vaccination program will look different from past initiatives, at least in New Jersey. Pediatric vaccines will be available at the state’s two remaining regional COVID-19 mega-sites, but pediatricians and family doctors, community clinics and local health departments will also be among the first to offer the tot-sized doses. Drugstores have also requested early shipments. NJ state officials have provided millions of dollars to community-based organizations to operate testing and vaccination programs and develop effective strategies for attracting New Jerseyans. Many groups are focusing on families with young children, now that children under 5 years old are eligible for a COVID-19 shot. Ideas include weaving COVID-19 immunizations into regular well-child visits and back-to-school checkups, pop-up clinics with dedicated outreach in advance, and education campaigns targeted to under-vaccinated areas. Generally speaking, children are at less risk of bad COVID-19 outcomes than older, vulnerable adults, but they are far from immune and health experts agree that the protective power of the COVID-19 vaccines, while not as effective against some new coronavirus strains, is undeniable.

Back-to-school supplies - from pencils to laptops - will be tax-free in New Jersey for 10 days later this summer from August 27th to September 5th under a 7% sales tax holiday announced Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy and his fellow Democrats who lead the state Legislature. The items that can be purchased tax-free will include a range of school supplies, including pens, notebooks, art supplies, text books, computers, and computer supplies, as well as sports and recreational equipment and bicycle helmets, officials said. The holiday will apply to both online and in-person sales. Shortly after Wednesday’s announcement, Republican lawmakers, policy experts, and advocates slammed the proposal, dismissing it as a gimmick that will not make the state affordable for low-paid workers and their families. The average family spends about $800 on back-to-school shopping and would amount to a savings of about $50 on school supplies for the average family.

The state's population was estimated to have fallen by nearly 22,000 between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. More than half of the state's municipalities - 307 - are believed to have seen their populations shrink in those 15 months, while about 248 are thought to have grown. Ten were unchanged. Just seven of the 37 municipalities in Camden County grew in the 15 months since the 2020 Census, with two of them standing out. Cherry Hill is estimated to have gained 950, pushing its population beyond 75,000 residents. Merchantville seems to be holding pretty steady. Our 2020 Census was 3,814 and our 2021 estimate is 3,803 or a change of -0.29%. Read more here.

Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, of the Camden Diocese, announced the following priest personnel changes, effective July 1. Father Timothy E. Byerley was appointed to a second six-year term as Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville. Father Edward M. Friel is appointed to a second six-year term as Pastor, Mary, Queen of All Saints Parish, Pennsauken. Father John Fisher, OSFS, from Rector, Parish of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, to Pastor, Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, Pa., at the determination of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Father Ernest E. Amadi from Parochial Vicar, Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lindenwold.

John "Jack" R. Dillon, III passed away peacefully on June 5, 2022 at Virtua Hospital in Mt. Holly, NJ. Born in Camden to John R. And Cecilia M. Dillon, John was 74 years old. He was a resident of Moorestown for the last 24 years and formerly lived in Merchantville & Pennsauken. Husband of 51 years to Marion D. (nee Max) Dillon. Loving father of John (Laura) Dillon IV and Brian (Melissa) Dillon. Cherished Pop Pop to Patrick, Ryan, Kayla and Krista. Dear brother of Michael L. (Marie) Dillon, Carol M. (Matthew) Berghof and the late James M. (Christine) Dillon. Jack served his country in the National Guard during the Vietnam War and was 1st Vice President Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley in Mt. Laurel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack's memory to the Camden County College Foundation at www.camdencc.edu/donate. To share your fondest memories of Jack, please visit www.givnish.com

Eilandarts Center is offering week-long, themed art camps provide children with a range of classes and themes to fit any artistic interest. Students are encouraged to imagine and explore creatively, while making their own artistic masterpieces. Each week children will have the opportunity to learn a new craft. July 5-8 enjoy learning Papermaking and Sculpting, Painting and Mixed Media​ or Stop Motion Creations. July 11-15 try your hand at ​​ArtSplosions! Art + Science​​, Love to Sew!, Combining & Creating or Animals and Art. And, July 18-22 Art Explorations, Band Camp, Nature & Art Proijects or Fantasy Sculpture & Problem Solving. COVID: Our classes are held in the big room at Eilandarts Center where we can spread out and create art in a save way. Limited spots for all classes to keep them small. Masks are not required, but feel free to wear it. Please register to save your spot.

The public is welcome to join us for our 6th Annual Veteran PTSD/Suicide Awareness Walk in Merchantville on Saturday, June 25th at 10:00 a.am. We will walk the Merchantville bike path starting behind Eclipse Brewery around Wellwood Park and finishing up back at Eclipse for a social gathering. These walks bring awareness to the suicide epidemic that is taking too many lives of our Veterans - on average 22 a day. The walk is free however we accept donations and will be selling event shirts to benefit Americas Vetdogs. You will help another Veteran find his or her way with the assistance of a life saving service animal. The event is proudly hosted by Merchantville American Legion Post 68 and Team RWB Philadelphia. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Whether you're new to board games or a veteran, all are welcome to join in the fun on Saturday, June 4th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT Kids, families, adults, seniors - everyone has a place at the table. GOTCHA is a group dedicated to getting gamers together in New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. Any gamer is welcome; board games, role playing games, tabletop games, strategy card games, LARP, X-Wing Miniatures, and there are so many more options and opportunities. We play a lot of board games. We have a large gym to host and a few rooms near by, should the space become needed. In the event we are not able to use the gym, we will be on the top floor. Please use the back entrance connected to the church parking lot. The church's front doors will not be open. Do not let the stairs scare you, this event is handicap accessible with an elevator that can get you to the gym or the top floor. The church is allowing us to use this space for free. Follow our events.

The Oceanic Yogi Studio is offering private yoga classes are each one hour on Sunday, June 5th, at 44 West Chestnut Ave, Merchantville, NJ. During this class, the instructor will help you set your fitness, balance, and flexibility goals. The instructor will also give you a take-home plan so that you can continue your practice outside of the studio at your own pace. We bend so we don't break! Sign up for sessions through Eventbrite. The Oceanic Yogi Studio was created by Dianna Cortorreal, a bilingual yoga teacher and photographer based in South Jersey. Dianna credits her Yoga practice as her saving grace after struggling with depression and anxiety for many years. Today, she continues to share the benefits of yoga with her students online, in-studio, and outdoors. Dianna's fascination with capturing imagery began after her return to the U. S. from the Dominican Republic as a way of preserving memories. She offers group and private classes in-person as well as online. The instructor has mats and blocks available to borrow. We also enjoy outdoor yoga sessions during the warmer months at a nearby park in Camden Waterfront. If you have any questions or concerns, we’d love to hear from you! Namaste.