Test drive a Mazda: Really! According to the National Education Foundation Website, “Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has teamed up with Universal Studios, NEA’s Read Across America, and the NEA Foundation to benefit public school libraries nationwide. Mazda has pledged up to $1 million in support of the nation’s public school libraries through a unique test drive program. For each test drive of a Mazda vehicle between Feb. 21 and April 2, Mazda will donate $25 toward public school libraries nationwide, up to $1 million. Administered by the NEA Foundation, this donation will provide …

Roll out the red carpet: Head on over to The Quilted Nest in Collingswood and pick up a bolt of red fabric. It doesn’t have to be the fancy (and undoubtedly very expensive) kind they actually use at the Oscars; rather, any type will do. When you get home, roll the “carpet” from your front door all the way down to the street. If your carpet is running over grass, peg it down in as many places as possible to avoid any slipping. If it’s running over concrete, secure it with bricks on the sides (they’ll blend in). Your guests will love getting their moment in the spotlight! Play paparazzi: Grab a…

Shoot to ThrillFly! Enroll in trapeze school, or go skydiving and bungee jumping in the same weekend. Take risks, seek thrills, and experience the euphoria of embracing a challenge and its accompanying adrenaline surge. Imagine how beautiful life will look when you’re soaring through the air with nothing between you and the ether except whatever small piece of equipment is helping you stay aloft. Fall in LoveThe Animal Adoption Center of Camden County (856-435-9116), the only no-kill shelter in South Jersey, is in dire need of volunteers. Give your heart away to one of the sweet animals …

It's Groundhog Day! Celebrate Punxsutawney Phil's sagely annual weather forecast in true Patch style.   Watch the Movie— Groundhog Day, the 1993 classic starring Bill Murray, stands the test of time when it comes to hilarity. Murray plays a self-centered, down-and-out weatherman who’s doomed to repeat the same day over and over in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania—until he learns how to be a better person. It’s one of co-star Andie McDowell’s best roles, and Bill Murray provides non-stop comedy. Your family movie night will help ring in Groundhog Day 2012 with plenty of belly laughs.   Read the Book…

The Mansion on Main, 3000 Main St., Voorhees If you’re feeling really fancy on the first day of 2012, you may want to treat yourself to a gourmet food spectacular. The Mansion is going all-out this New Year’s Day with a “Dickens Feast,” featuring special decorations and sumptuous brunch choices ranging from traditional eggs and bacon to seafood and meats. Hold on to the holiday just a wee bit longer; you’ll be back to the old grind before you know it! For more information, visit mansiononmainstreet.com or call 856-751-1717. Cork, 90 Haddon Ave., Westmont   Enjoy an eclectic menu featuring …

This weekend is the official kick-off to the upcoming holiday sesaon. Check out Patch's picks for this weekend. Event: Collingswood Holiday Parade Where: Haddon Ave. and Zane Ave. in Collingswood When: Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 10 a.m. Why Go: The annual parade will be packed with local dancers, lively bands (including the mummers), and extraordinary floats for all to see. Sports mascots such as the Phillie Phanatic are also scheduled for an appearance on Saturday.  Local sports caster, Al Meltzer will also be at this year’s parade. He will be selling and signing copies of his new book. A…

Do turkey differently— Everyone loves traditions, but sometimes it’s also fun to shake things up a bit. Why not try something new with your turkey this Thanksgiving? If you’ve always thought about a change, but found it too intimidating, this is your year to delve into a realm of deep-fried holiday heaven. There are many safe, high-quality deep-frying tools on the market, including ones that can be used indoors. And prices for these items have decreased considerably in recent years. If deep-fried turkey just doesn’t strike your fancy, consider using a meat rub before baking. We recommend …

1. Your House You can have a gourmet meal that would rival those found in the finest restaurants for under $25. Why not add excitement to the drudgery of grocery shopping by choosing to make the fanciest dinner you can dream up? Lump crab with Dijon mustard and haricots verts is on the menu at Le Bec Fin. Sounds complicated, but it’s just lump crab meat with mustard and thin green beans. If you go to the grocery store, here are the average prices you might expect to pay for this meal: Jumbo lump crab meat: $7.50 per 4 ounces; 16 ounces Haricot Verts: $3.40; 8 oz. Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard: $3…

It’s time for one last barbque before we bid farewell to summer. These menu items are designed to be as labor-free as possible so you can kick back and enjoy your Labor Day! 1. Easy Peasy Zuchinni This super-easy Zuchinni casserole is a definite crowd pleaser, and they’ll never guess how simple it is…until they ask for the recipe! -Five large zucchini, sliced into rounds -Three jars of your favorite red pasta sauce (if you don’t want to “cheat” by using jarred sauce, you can make your own marinara by tossing three cans of crushed tomatoes in a pot, adding a handful of fresh basil, two shakes …

1. Oriental Pearl Restaurant 215 Kings Hwy E , Haddonfield  This fusion restaurant and Haddonfield favorite offers everything a fan of Asian cuisine could ask for all under one roof. Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai mingle in perfect harmony on their extensive menu, all for very reasonable prices. Lunch specials start at just $5.95 and dinner entrees begin at $11.95. Folks in town rave about the fresh, high quality sushi, which is made before your very eyes at the sushi bar by highly trained chefs. And, like all Haddonfield eating places, the fact that it’s BTOB makes it about as …

1. The Bistro at Haddonfield, 59 East Kings Highway, Haddonfield A carnivore, a vegetarian and a vegan go out to lunch together and they all want a burger. It sounds like the beginning of a joke (especially because it’s so difficult for those who would actually want to make this a reality), but it’s no joke at The Bistro at Haddonfield, where Angus burgers sit side by side on the menu with vegetarian and even vegan options. The vegan folks can chow down on a falafel burger topped with tomato basil bruschetta and served with spring greens dressed with roasted garlic hummus and sesame dressing…

1. Opera Appreciation Where: The Haddonfield Adult School, Haddonfield Memorial High School, 401 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield Beginning on October 13, the Haddonfield Adult School will present a class on Opera appreciation, with a focus on the Metropolitan Opera’s film presentation of Faust by Charles Gounod. You’ll learn about the life of the composer, analyze his work, examine the plot and characterization, and become fully prepared to view the film. Instructor Ennio Brugnolo, opera lover and native Italian, leads this class. He is also a singer with the Philadelphia Opera Company and The …

1. Pro Nails, 223 Kings Hwy East, Haddonfield Conveniently located right in the center of Haddonfield, Pro Nails specializes in all types of nail services, from gel manicures to spa pedicures. Make a day of it with a facial and eyebrow shaping to compliment your fancy hands. Sooth away your aches and pains with their massage chairs and bubbling foot baths. After you get done your pampering, step out with your new look and enjoy one of the nearby restaurants on Kings Highway. For more information, call 856-429-9585. 2.  Victoria's Nails & Spa, 4 S. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield With tons of special…

1. Personal Expressions Hair Studio, 23 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield If you have curly hair, you know how difficult it can be to find a stylist who knows how to make you look fantastic. Owner Mary Ann Gosik has been in the hair business for over twenty years and specializes in curly hair, which is a difficult-to-find expertise. Recently, Personal Expressions was awarded the “Best of the Best for Curly Hair” category from South Jersey Magazine. The philosophy of Personal Expressions reflects it’s name, because Gosik believes in studying the client’s style to create a work of art that …

1. Clementon Amusement Park And Splash World, 1144 Berlin Rd., Clementon You won’t have to choose between an amusement park and a water park at this family fun place, because Clementon has it all. Right next door to the giant amusements is a full-fledged water park with river rapids, water slides, and the brand new “Torpedo Rush.” After riding the giant ferris wheel, getting an upside-down view of the park on the “Ring of Fire,” and soaring through the air with the “Sea Dragon,” head next door for cool thrills on the rapids or chill out with a lazy river ride. For more information, visit …

1. Old School Summer Salad It might make your guests think it’s 1950, but after they taste this scrumptious dessert-like salad they’ll be longing for more “olden-days” dishes! 1 package Philadelphia brand cream cheese, softened 1 box of lime Jell-o 1 8-ounce can of pineapple cubes with juice 1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained 1 small can mandarin orange slices, drained ½ pint heavy cream Prepare the Jell-o according to package directions let it thicken. Whip the cream together with the softened cream cheese until thoroughly blended. Fold the pineapple, cherries and oranges into the …

Tre Famiglia, 403 North Haddon Ave., Haddonfield The name means “three families” and it’s family-owned as well. Their chefs stand ready to make your mouth water with their signature creations, and they have menu items just for kids, like chicken fingers and French fries. However, if your kid is a foodie, they will also make scaled-down versions of any adult entrée for your little gourmand. They’ve won numerous awards and are known for their homemade gnocchi  and well as all menu items being made from scratch. For more information, visit tresfamiglia.com. Animo Juice, 113 Kings Highway East, …

1. Cork’s Father’s Day Brunch, 90 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township Cork has a jam-packed agenda of fun on Father’s Day this year. Starting at 10 a.m., they’re offering an ala carte brunch menu featuring all of your favorites like eggs Benedict, pancakes, French toast and omelets, plus, the first 20 dads who come in will receive a free book, The Defenders of Freedom by George Skypeck. That’s not the only giveaway though. Each adult who purchases a meal will receive a complimentary mimosa to toast Dad. If dinner is more your style, from 3 p.m. onward, you can chow down on some whole roast pig, then…

We got the inside track to these five local innovative businesses, thanks, in part, to www.NJEntrepreneur.com and the Rutgers Camden Business Incubator. 1. mVisum, 200 Federal St., Suite 203, Camden Several years ago, Praveen Dala's father-in-law suffered a heart attack. Luckily, his cardiologist was just next door, and was able to ride in the ambulance as well as perform a quadruple bypass on the man that same night. A survivor, Dala's father-in-law is still going strong today, due to the lightening-fast speed of his emergency care. Dala didn't factor into the idea for his company, mVisum, …

1. Lisa Michaels, Lisa Michaels Salon, 77 Ellis St., Haddonfield Cherry Hill resident Lisa Michaels always wanted to be a hair stylist. She attended hairdressing school in Haddonfield 27 years ago at the Maison De Paris' old location,  and has been a leading innovator on the beauty scene ever since.  Her first salon was on Tanner street, and she opened her current shop seven years ago. Her mentor, the late Bill Lamb (also known as "Uncle Bill"), taught her everything she needed to know about the business. "He worked to the beat of his own drum and he was a master. There should be a monument …