Monday, Jan. 12: Spaghetti, meat sauce, mixed vegetables, salad, sliced peaches, chicken vegetable soup.

Tuesday, Jan. 13: Braised beef tips, buttered noodles, broccoli, carrot salad, coconut custard pie.

Wednesday, Jan. 14: Roast pork, gravy, stuffing, peas and carrots, salad, rice pudding.

Thursday, Jan. 15: Italian lasagna, Italian mixed vegetables, roll, cucumber salad, jello, cream of celery.

Friday, Jan. 16: Fried fish, augratin potatoes, green beans, tomato salad, apple.

Monday, Jan. 12: Bologna and cheese, white bread, cole slaw, vanilla pudding, orange juice.

While the NASCAR drivers are busy preparing for the 2009 season, some of the nation’s best short track drivers will be gathered in Atlantic City for the seventh annual Gambler’s Classic Indoor races at historic Boardwalk Hall on Jan. 16 and 17.

Considered one of the best short-track races on the East Coast, this year’s field features drivers from several different genres of racing. Along with the races, the Motorsports 2009 show, featuring displays and presentations showcases all types of motorsports, will accompany the event at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

It’s difficult to be critical of a football coach and general manager who has led his team to playoff competition in seven of 10 seasons. And you could throw out his first year with the club as being a recovery season from prior bad acts by the organization he inherited.

Thirty-one random facts that you may or may not know about me...

I want to share some random facts about me that will give you further insight into who I am as a person and what makes me really tick. I’ll offer one for every day of the month of January in this New Year. But then it will be your turn to share some truths about you.

I just returned to town from an annual Christmas trip to the family farm in Louisiana, where all 15 of our family members were present. As any of you with large families can attest, it is difficult to get everyone together, so when it happens, it is special. At my encouragement, my wife, Patricia, stayed for an additional week to soak up extra time with the grandchildren.

But, what did I return to? 2009, that is what! … and from all indications, it’s going to be a challenging year for most of us, given the state of the economy.

By MATT BLAKE

The recent announcement of the Conservation Fund’s successful acquisition of the 437-acre Braddock Tract in Middle Township represents a major environmental victory for the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and the residents of Cape May County. Its preservation could not have happened were it not for the support of multiple funding partners, including the state Green Acres Program, the county and leadership of the Conservation Fund.

“We all have anxiety, just by virtue of being human.” Lisa Lahey, Ed.D.

Brenda was distraught. “Nothing fits right. I have gained two pants sizes. I move too slowly and I feel out of sorts. And the last place I want to be is on a treadmill. So I’m going to Florida for January, but when I get back I have promised myself I will exercise.”

Max has been told that smoking is causing emphysema. He has stopped smoking six times for at least one month since 2003. Each time he stops, some life event stresses him so much he decodes to smoke, “just for another week.”

If it’s true that “a new broom sweeps clean,” this may be the year that a lot of criminals walking around Cape May County will get their day in court, and maybe get a new address within the next 12 months.

One of the many ideas Cape May County’s new Sheriff Gary Schaffer has is to reinstitute the county’s Most Wanted list of criminals.

We, at the Herald, hope that we can become an integral part of such a program, and get help rid the streets of some low-lifes and get them behind bars where they belong.

Monday, Jan. 5: Veal steak, gravy, fried onions, broccoli, mashed potatoes, carrot-raisin salad, chocolate cake w/icing, chicken vegetables soup.

Tuesday, Jan. 6: Baked chicken breast, gravy, parsley baked potato, green beans, banana, applesauce, apple pie.

Wednesday, Jan. 7: Spaghetti, sauce, meatballs, Italian vegetables, roll, salad, apple pie.

Thursday, Jan. 8: Roast turkey, gravy, baked stuffing, carrots, cole slaw, tropical fruit, cream of potato soup.

Friday, Jan. 9: Baked fish, potato wedges, stewed tomatoes, salad, tapioca pudding.

The nation’s economy continues to send ripples through the NASCAR community as the off season progresses. This past week, a storied NASCAR track shut its doors, and one of the community’s most successful truck series teams changed owners.

Mansfield Motorsports Park, located in Mansfield, Ohio, will not reopen for the 2009 race year. The track has in the past played host to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Camping World East Series, and the NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour.