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Annual ‘Insect Festival’ set for Sept. 9

This year’s theme is “Bugs Rule!”

Learn about the importance of insects in our lives and how to protect their habitats through fun, hands-on activities!

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County will sponsor the 2023 “Bugs Rule!” Insect Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Mercer Educational Gardens,431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free and on-site parking is available. Learn about the importance of insects in our lives and how they create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems through fun, hands-on activities!

This year’s festival will feature how insects are important because of their diversity, ecological role and influence on agriculture, human health and natural resources. There will be educational activities for visitors of all ages, including the popular Scavenger Hunt and Metamorphosis game. Other highlights include “Bugs in Water,” and Q&A with  Rutgers Cooperative Extension Horticulturist, Justine Gray and Mercer Master Gardeners. Local environmental agencies and experts will offer displays and information to the public. Representatives from the Watershed Institute, Abbott Marshlands, Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association, N.J. Department of Agriculture, and more!

Attendees are invited to view the demonstration gardens on site and learn how insects interact with the different plants. The public can also learn about various methods of composting. Along the way, there will be activities designed to teach children of all ages to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and essential roles of our insect friends.

About the Master Gardeners:

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is a volunteer educational outreach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the County. For home gardening, plant, turf, or insect questions, you can visit our Helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and speak with our Helpline team. You can also call us at (609) 989-6853 or send us an email at AsktheMGs@mercercounty.org. Visit our website at www.mgofmc.org for more information

PHOTO: Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County from left, Michele Berenwick of Lawrenceville; Amber Dalke of Princeton; Bev Phillips of Trenton; Marietta Hujber of Hamilton; and Susan Colket of Titusville don insect costumes at a previous Insect Fest and explain the importance of each insect. Look for these insects and fun activities at the upcoming 2023 Insect Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine at Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Pennington.

CONTACT: Justine Gray, (609) 989-6830 justinegray@njaes.rutgers.edu

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Art & Life Culture Foodies/Tastylicious International & World Lifestyle

Award-winning caterer inspires with her mantra: Food, fun and love

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — At her charming flat above a bistro in England, Pauline Parry was constantly enveloped in the comforting aromas of slow-roasted lamb and fresh-baked pie crusts, punctuated by the occasional whiff of freshly chopped garlic. It was the setting of Parry’s culinary apprenticeship, and where she discovered the secret recipe for a life filled with flavor and substance.

 

In her engaging new memoir, My Culinary Love Story, Parry invites readers inside her formative years in hospitality; the early days of her romance with her future husband and the life experiences that fed her entrepreneurial spirit. Along the way, she introduces readers to the people who nurtured her talents and helped shape the award-winning catering powerhouse she is today.

 

“In this book, I share my story with you. Food is an important part of it, as is love. Both are the foundation on which my marriage and my business are built and how we journeyed from England to America,” Parry writes. “It’s the reason I say that everything I do has been guided by food, fun, and love.”

 

It all begins when, as a newly single mother, Parry gets an unexpected invitation to work at a bistro in a quaint English market town. The job includes a flat above the bistro, so she would be able to work without being far from her children. After moving in, she finds she loves the excitement of the kitchen and of being on her own. But Parry is not alone for long.

 

She is soon joined on her journey by a handsome carpenter, and the result is a snowy, romantic Christmas wedding. Every juicy detail of Parry’s romantic relationship and every bite of the cuisine Parry learns to master are chronicled in a story that takes the reader from one English Christmas to the next.

 

Peppered with 64 delicious recipes, accompanied with beautiful watercolor illustrations by Janette Carpenter, My Culinary Love Story maps the author’s serendipitous encounters, the setbacks she faced with resilience and the many victories she met with gratitude.

 

In My Culinary Love Story, the lesson is clear: life is all about food, fun and love.

 

About the Author
Pauline Parry is the renowned and highly sought after founder and president of Good Gracious! Events, an award-winning food and beverage company, and the author of My Culinary Love Story, a memoir and collection of her favorite recipes that started her on her career path and journey.

 

Parry’s awards include Caterer of the Year, Best Event for a Corporation, Best Off Premise Caterer, The I-3 Award (Innovation, Inspiration and Instruction), ACE (Achievement in Catering Excellence) and the John Mossman Award for ICA, among others. She was an inductee into the Event Industry Hall of Fame and the Wedding Industry Hall of Fame.

 

Greatly respected by her peers, Parry serves as an expert consultant to her colleagues throughout the country.

 

She enjoys bringing friends and family around the table at her home, watching films, drinking a good red wine and munching popcorn. She is a lifelong Beatles fan. On the few occasions of downtime, she enjoys spending time with her husband and grandsons, and keeping on top of all her favorite magazines.

 

For more information, please visit https://paulineparry.net, or follow the author on Instagram (@paulineparry) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PaulineParryGG).

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Art & Life Culture Economics Lifestyle Programs & Events Regulations & Security

The Prospector creates competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — The Prospector, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing competitive and inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the operation of a first-run movie theater and online gourmet popcorn business.

 

 

With a mission to create meaningful work for millions, the Prospector operates a wide array of jobs and businesses while educating entrepreneurs, employers, and educators about their model.

 

 

The Prospector aims to address the pressing issue of unemployment among individuals with disabilities, where nearly 80% of Americans with disabilities do not have a job.

 

 

By showcasing the value that people with disabilities bring to the workforce, the Prospector is committed to transforming lives through meaningful work.  Prospects are paired with jobs that highlight their strengths and passions – or as the Prospector calls it, “sparkle.”   Approximately 75% of Prospects, the name given to all Prospector employees, self-identify with a disability.

 

“Our goal is to build a system where anyone with sparkle, determination, and drive can transform their lives through meaningful work,” the organization states.

 

“We are dedicated to creating a universally-designed, inclusive workplace where barriers are eliminated, and all individuals can thrive.”

 

Since its inception, the Prospector has established a workplace that embraces inclusivity at every level. Operating procedures are documented with accessibility in mind, while accommodations, modifications, and workarounds are integrated into daily operations. The organization believes in constant learning and teaching, adapting dynamic approaches to training and nurturing a supportive environment.

 

Prospects at the Prospector have trailblazed a revolutionary model of social enterprise, which can be adapted by businesses of all sizes. The key to their success lies in competitive and inclusive employment, with Prospects, both with and without disabilities, working together across various roles. This collaboration ranges from movie projection and production to concessions, clean team, grant writing, graphics, and more. Prospects earn competitive wages, benefit from upward mobility, professional development, and contribute to the organization’s high standards of excellence.

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Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Economics Government Lifestyle Local News News Now! Perks Programs & Events

County Exec. Hughes not long ago, announces Certified Diverse Vendor Directory

Building on his Small Business Set-Aside Program, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced that a digital directory of participating businesses is now available online on Mercer County’s website.

The  Mercer County New Jersey Certified Diverse Vendor Directory will include New Jersey State certified Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Veteran Owned/Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB/DVOB) and Small Business Enterprises (SBE).

“The online directory is an effort to support the business enterprises of women, minorities and veterans, along with small businesses,”  Mr. Hughes said.

“Small  businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, and our goal is to create and identify ways to increase business traffic to certified small businesses and encourage others to become certified. This online directory, managed by our Small Business Outreach Department, is another tool to support our business community.”

In his 2023 State of the County address, County Executive Hughes recognized Job One Lawn and Landscape, a Woman and Minority-owned small business in Ewing. Owned by Jocelyn and Stan Tucker of Ewing, Job One recently won a county contract for $75,000, and are just one of Mercer County’s set-aside success stories.

How will my business benefit?

No-cost advertising. The digital directory will be accessible to all Mercer County departments and the public, and for even greater exposure for businesses listed in the directory Mercer County will share information with municipal purchasing departments within the county. All businesses will be displayed by category and will include the business’s contact information and Capability Statement.

Hands-on help. Mercer’s Small Business Outreach pros will walk you through the process to learn how to participate in the county’s formal bidding process.

Free training. Mercer partners with the Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey to review business plans, and obtain funding from the UCEDC.

Please note, only current certified businesses registered with The State of New Jersey SAVI Selective Assistance Vendor Information Portal will be included.

Digital directory accessible at www.mercercounty.org

Sign me up!

 

Questions? Please contact James Chambers, Coordinator of Small Business Outreach at (609) 989-6212, jchambers@mercercounty.org.

Adopted in July 2018, the Qualified Minority-, Women-, Veteran-owned Business or Small Business Set-Aside Program reserves 10 percent of the dollar value of all the county’s goods, professional services and construction contracts to be utilized for qualified businesses. Of that 10 percent, 30 percent is allocated for qualified minority businesses; 30 percent for qualified women-owned businesses; 30 percent for qualified veteran-owned businesses; and 10 percent for small businesses. The Set-Aside Program makes it easier for qualified businesses to contract with the county, as it provides access to $70 million in procurement. An estimated $7 million worth of contracts will be available to eligible businesses as part of the new program.

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Government Local News Programs & Events Regulations & Security

Veterans: VA extends deadline to Aug. 14 for Veterans and survivors to apply for PACT Act benefits

Extension will ensure that no Veteran or survivor misses out on a single day of backdated PACT Act benefits

 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced lately that Veterans and survivors who apply (or submit their intent to file) for PACT Act benefits by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 will be eligible to have their benefits backdated to Aug. 10, 2022 – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law.

This is an extension from the original deadline of Aug. 9, 2023. Mercer County Veteran Services encourages all Veterans and their survivors to apply – or submit their intent to file – for PACT Act benefits now by visiting VA.gov/PACT.

Mercer County Veteran Services, in an effort to assist all Mercer veterans and their surviving family members, were to submit intent to file forms to the VA for Veterans and their survivors who have appropriate ID on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. They may also submit their forms Monday Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 2 to 3 p.m.

Please note, Veteran Services will only submit the “Intent to File” forms during these hours. No appointment needed for these help sessions.

Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, call Mercer County Veteran Services at 609-989-6120.

The office is located at 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, N.J.

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Culture Foodies/Tastylicious Healthcare Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events

Capital City Farm blossoms under new leadership in Trenton

As farm grows, so does artistry

 

The Mercer County Park Commission’s Capital City Farm (CCF), a flourishing urban farm in Trenton, recently welcomed its new Farm Manager, Corinne Gordon.

Corinne Gordon, new manager at Capital City Farm in Trenton.

Gordon brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Farm Specialist for the Carter Historic Farm in Bowling Green, Ohio. Her background in sustainable agriculture and community engagement is a perfect match for the Park Commission’s mission and goals for this vibrant space, which include providing locally grown produce for those with limited access to fresh food, lush floral cutting gardens — as well as the opportunity to learn about and participate in urban agriculture.

CCF and the Park Commission’s Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell donate tons of fresh produce and grains, including grits and whole wheat flour, to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Mercer County each year. In 2022, 21 tons of produce were donated.

“We were very fortunate to be able to bring Corinne aboard,” said Aaron T. Watson, Park Commission Executive Director. “With her education and experience, we know that the farm will continue to flourish under her leadership, strengthening our outreach to the community and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK).”

A bounty of flowers from the cutting gardens at Capital City Farm.

Capital City Farm and TASK have been great partners for many years, even prior to the first harvest, according to Joyce Campbell, TASK CEO.

“Having a farm next door to a soup kitchen is like a dream come true as it’s often difficult to get fresh produce donated,”  Campbell said. “The farm’s donation of fresh produce inspired the installation of a salad bar at TASK, which not only provides nutritious foods, but also provides choice for our patrons, most of whom live in poverty and don’t often have the choices many of us take for granted.”

Artist-turned-farmer, Walter Roberts, displays a portrait he painted.

Many farmers may be natural artists, with their carefully-sown beds, their gentle coaxing of seedlings, and their passion for creating a product that they can be proud of. Indeed, the work of farmers requires the touch and vision of craftsmen, and Capital City Farm has become a living canvas that showcases the beauty of agriculture and art.

Working closely with Gordon is Walter Roberts, an artist-turned-farmer whose unique set of skills have been a mainstay of Capital City Farm since it was first acquired by a coalition of local partners and converted into a farm. Starting as a volunteer and eventually becoming a full-time farmer for the Park Commission, Roberts is largely responsible for the growth and variety of crops produced on the farm, not to mention the art that adorns the fences and other structures there. Roberts’ artistry is on display in the meticulously-managed garden beds and the portraits he paints and displays along the farm’s enclosure.

Raven George, Capital City Farm florist.

Also contributing to the aesthetic is Raven George, New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Cut Flower Production Manager and CCF florist, who creates beautiful flower bouquets each Saturday from the cockscomb, zinnias, cosmos, and snapdragons grown at the farm. Occasionally, she holds free workshops to teach others how to create their own cut flower arrangements at home.

Capital City Farm’s commitment to sustainability and artistic expression has transformed a once-vacant lot into a dynamic space for the entire community to enjoy. Even beyond the garden beds and fruit trees at the edge of the farm, the work of Corinne Gordon, Walter Roberts, Raven George, and a host of volunteers and interns is fast finding new roots in the neighborhood, and throughout New Jersey’s capital city.

Participants in a floral design workshop show off their creations.
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Business Culture Entertainment News Lifestyle

New music video for Houston music artist DOM goes viral

Houston based music artist, DOM recently releases music video for new single, and it has garnered a phenomenal number of views.

 

Singer, producer, and rapper, DOM is the alter ego of Houston, Texas based music artist Dominique Side. She has become known for her fierce voice and unstoppable energy.
DOM recently released a wild music video for her latest single and it’s already received well over 300K  views, thus quickly becoming a viral visual sensation.

 

Born originally in Biloxi, Mississippi, Dominique had been a part of several R&B outfits until forming VgnBae Music Group in 2019. After producing and singing on different recordings at their studios, in 2021 she stepped into the spotlight, creating music as the force named DOM. Her first EP “IRL” was a full concept album following the journey of a woman pushed to the edge by a cheating partner. Critics called it  a “deliciously deranged, dark and sexy rollercoaster ride”, songs from the EP were featured on the radio, soundtracks, and in fashion retail stores.

 

Dominique has stayed busy in the 2 years since her last release came out creating her own luxury vegan clothing line, “Nikki Green”. and working on numerous projects with artists at VgnBae Music Group where she is the co-owner. Returning to the studio this summer DOM delivered a new, super twerk-able single entitled “SDA” featuring Erica Banks and a “Missy Elliot-esque” vibe.

 
Her latest single, abbreviated from “Shake Dat Ass”, gives fans a mouthwatering taste of DOM’s contagious songwriting and versatility in hip-hop and rap. Continuing her uncompromising views on female empowerment of sexuality and success, the accompanying music video has been called “gloriously bootylicious” and “shows that DOM will have her cake and eat it too.”

With a brand new EP on the way set for later this year, it would appear fans can continue looking forward to DOM releasing songs featuring her many different sides and undeniable boss energy.

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Culture Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events

Older adults display artistic talents at annual Mercer County Senior Art Show

A professional juror has selected the winners from 150 entries in this year’s Mercer County Senior Art Show, which is being held through August 14 at The Conference Center at Mercer on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus.

“Every year I look forward to seeing the talent that Mercer County has to offer, and every year the level of talent excites me,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

“What’s especially so amazing about this year is that the number of participants is just about back up to where we were before the COVID pandemic.”

Each year, the Mercer County Office on Aging and the Division of Culture and Heritage partner to produce the Mercer County Senior Art Show. All first-place winners from the County show will advance to the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show, which will be held in the fall.

Mercer County residents age 60 or older may submit artwork to the Mercer County Senior Art Show. There is no fee to enter. Submissions must be the original work of the applicant, created within the last three years, and not previously entered in a Mercer County Senior Art Show or the State Senior Art Show. This year, artwork was entered in the following categories: acrylic, craft, digital imagery, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper.

The winners were selected by professional juror Walter Czajkowski, a lifelong Trenton resident who was the co-owner and co-director of J & W Gallery in New Hope, Pa., for more than 20 years. His gallery represented more than 40 artists, and 60 percent of them are in permanent museum collections. Some of the more notable artists include Yaacov Agam, Glenna Goodacre, Esther Wertheimer, Marlene Baron Summers, and Fred Stein.

Twenty artists from the Mercer County Senior Art show — one “non-professional” winner and one “professional” winner in each of the nine categories — will move on to the State Show. Pictured, from top, are the Best in Show selections: “Peacock” by Orlando Loaiza of Hightstown, Acrylic, Non-Professional; and “Exiles” by William Plank of Lawrenceville, Acrylic, Professional.

Listed below are the individuals who were awarded first, second, and third place, as well as honorable mention in their respective categories.

NON-PROFESSIONAL

Acrylic

1. Orlando Loaiza, BEST IN SHOW, NON-PRO, Hightstown
2. Rochelle Clerkin, Hamilton
3. Annette Osterlund, West Windsor
HM – William Wolfe, Princeton

Craft

1. Darlene Duttry, East Windsor
2. Irwin Stoolmacher, Princeton Junction
3. Rima Phillips, East Windsor
HM – Peggy Bardon, Hamilton

Digital

1. Joel Finger, Pennington

Mixed Media

1. Eileen Johnson, Hamilton
2. Eugenia Travers, Trenton
3. Loreta Macaraig, Hamilton
HM – Susu Pat, Trenton

Oil

1. Andrea Pitluk, Princeton Junction
2. Carlo Fiorentini, Princeton
3. Raj Oberoi, Robbinsville
HM – Karen Brodsky, Princeton Junction; Suzanne Migliori, Hamilton

Pastel

1. Marilyn Sperry, East Windsor
2. Olga Skolka, East Windsor
3. Mary Raftery, Hightstown
HM – Steven Brodel, Ewing

Photography

1. Leslie Rothermal, East Windsor
2. Sari DeCesare, Pennington
3. Bill Boyles, West Windsor
HM – Patrick Compagnucci, Trenton

Sculpture

1. Kay Chen, East Windsor
2. Douglas Watt, Hamilton

Watercolor

1. Marion Crum, Ewing
2. Diane Hughes, East Windsor
3. Lorraine McCormick, East Windsor
HM – Cecelia Hetzer, East Windsor; Donna Kay, West Windsor

Works on Paper

1. Barbara Bingham, Pennington
2. Sulhiniso Rahmatullaeva, Lawrenceville
3. Vivien Cannata, Robbinsville
HM – Earl Brancolino, Hamilton; Marina Lam, East Windsor; David Potts, Hamilton; Susan Tsui, East Windsor

PROFESSIONAL

Acrylic

1. William Plank, BEST IN SHOW, PROFESSIONAL, Lawrenceville
2. Arcelio Brignoni, East Windsor
3. Ed Drago, Robbinsville
HM – Jane Conlon Goble, Lawrenceville; Leni Paquet-Morante, Hamilton

Craft

1. Caryn Newman, Ewing

Digital

1. Maia Reim, West Windsor

Mixed Media

1. Helene Plank, Lawrenceville
2. Renee Kumar, Princeton Junction
3. James Dashcund, Hopewell
HM – Eleni Litt, Princeton

Oil

1. Larry Chestnut, Trenton
2. Pat Proniewski, Hamilton
3. Bo Li, Hightstown
HM – Younghee Kim Chung, Princeton; Maxine Shore, East Windsor

Pastel

1. Lucia Stout, Hopewell
2. Margaret Kalvar-Bushnell, Princeton Junction

Photography

1. Janice Montervino, Trenton
2. Diana Frost, Princeton Junction
3. Lisa Shrager, Hamilton

Sculpture

1. Sue Chiu, Lawrenceville
2. Joy Kreves, Ewing
3. Stefanie Mandelbaum, East Windsor

Watercolor

1. Alexandra Indara, Hamilton
2. Lynn Varga, Hamilton
3. Margaret Simpson, Hamilton
HM – Robert Lowe, Trenton

Works on Paper

1. Eleanor Dock, Ewing
2. Terry Goldstein, East Windsor
3. Frank Pastore, Hightstown

The exhibition also can be viewed here on the County of Mercer website.

The Mercer County Department of Human Services fosters a comprehensive human service delivery system that enhances the health, safety, and quality of life for all residents of Mercer County. The department’s goal is to create an environment of public trust by empowering and strengthening individuals and families, advocating for sound policy, mobilizing resources, and acting as champions for those citizens who are most vulnerable and in need of services.

Through its offices and divisions, the Department of Human Services provides funding to community-based organizations for those organizations to provide direct services to Mercer County residents. The department does not provide direct services to Mercer County residents, but directs Mercer County residents to where they can access services. With this funding, the Department of Human Services complies with procurement practices in accordance with the New Jersey Public Contracts Law 40:A:11-1 et seq.

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Business Culture Economics Government International & World Lifestyle Programs & Events

PBGC approves SFA application for Newspaper Guild International Plan

Newspaper Guild International Plan averts insolvency and reduction of benefits through receipt of Special Financial Assistance

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) recently announced that it has approved the application submitted to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program by the the Newspaper Guild International Pension Plan (Newspaper Guild International Plan). The plan, based in Washington, D.C., covers 5,824 participants in the printing industry.

The Newspaper Guild International Plan will receive approximately $62 million in special financial assistance, including interest to the expected date of payment to the plan. The plan was projected to become insolvent and run out of money in 2034.

Without the SFA Program, the Newspaper Guild International Plan would have been required to reduce participants’ benefits to the PBGC guarantee levels upon plan insolvency, which is roughly 15 percent below the benefits payable under the terms of the plan. SFA will enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits without reduction for many years into the future.

“Today, the Biden-Harris administration kept our promise to fight for America’s workers and retirees by taking action to protect the retirement security of 5,824 workers across America,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su.

“As part of the American Rescue Plan, Special Financial Assistance will ensure workers get the secure and dignified retirement they deserve as we grow our economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”

 

About the Special Financial Assistance Program

The SFA Program was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. The program provides funding to severely underfunded multiemployer pension plans and will ensure that millions of America’s workers, retirees, and their families receive the pension benefits they earned.

The SFA Program requires plans to demonstrate eligibility for SFA and to calculate the amount of assistance pursuant to ARP and PBGC’s regulations. SFA and earnings thereon must be segregated from other plan assets and may be used only to pay plan benefits and administrative expenses. Plans are not obligated to repay SFA to PBGC. Plans receiving SFA are also subject to certain terms, conditions and reporting requirements, including an annual statement documenting compliance with the terms and conditions. PBGC is authorized to conduct periodic audits of multiemployer plans that receive SFA.

As of August 1, 2023, PBGC has approved nearly $52.2 billion in SFA to plans that cover over 751,000 workers, retirees, and beneficiaries.

The SFA Program operates under a final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022, which became effective August 8, 2022, and was amended effective January 26, 2023.

About PBGC

PBGC protects the retirement security of over 33 million American workers, retirees, and beneficiaries in both single-employer and multiemployer private sector pension plans. The agency’s two insurance programs are legally separate and operationally and financially independent. PBGC is directly responsible for the benefits of more than 1.5 million participants and beneficiaries in failed single-employer pension plans. The Single-Employer Program is financed by insurance premiums, investment income, and assets and recoveries from failed single-employer plans. The Multiemployer Program is financed by insurance premiums. Special financial assistance for financially troubled multiemployer plans is financed by general taxpayer monies.

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Business Culture Economics Education Government Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Regulations & Security Travel & Leisure

Mercer County Clerk continues to issue warnings to passport applicants

TRENTON — Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello is again issuing warnings to constituents in order to prevent them from wasting their precious time and money.

Residents should know the following:

Passport fees are required at all passport facilities

The U.S. Department of State advises all passport applicants that there are no free passports, nor fee waivers. Instead, it is true that a fee is required for all passport applications.

Payment is required at all Passport Acceptance Facilities, including the Mercer County Connection in Hamilton Township, and the Mercer County Clerk’s Office in Trenton.

There are recent social media videos circulating on the internet, which advise customers that passports can be free by submitting form I-912, but these are false, misleading and incorrect.

The form they are referring to is for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and not for Passport Services. The form is NOT a Department of State form and it is not honored by them.

Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello explained that videos on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, are not being produced by government officials, and have created confusion among constituents who believe they (the videos) are accurate.

For further information on the Form I-192 and the individuals eligible, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-192 for clear instructions and additional information.

It is recommended for those who are planning international travel to begin submitting their paperwork well in advance of any travel dates, to allow for any unforeseen delays. The current wait times for passport services are 7-9 weeks for expedited services and up to 14 weeks from the time of submission for a regular application. Please note, these times are estimates; if the workload is significantly heavy or light, that number can change.

For detailed information on documentation required for a passport, or office hours at the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, please visit https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-clerk-/office-services/passportsand for detailed information on services at the Mercer County Connection in Hamilton, please visit https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/county-connection/passport-application-information