Glen Rock May 9, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Anti-idling signs installed along borough streets by John Koster Members of the Glen Rock Environmental Commission were pleased that New Jersey Air Quality Awareness Week (April 30 through May 5) coincided with the installation of new street signs that warn motorists that prolonged automobile idling is against the law. Cindy Mehallow of the Glen Rock Environmental Commission credited fellow member Naomi Gamorra with the research and advocacy that led the borough to install about 25 signs at seven key locations where motorists tend to idle the most. “Idling is wasteful,” Gamorra said. “It’s like driving the car when you aren’t going anywhere and wastes gasoline as well as polluting the air.” “The two worst locations are in front of the schools, where mothers sometimes idle while they’re waiting to pick up their children, and the railroad stations, where motorists or their rides idle while waiting for the trains to arrive,” Mehallow said. “In New Jersey, state law makes it illegal to idle for more than three minutes, but some of these people have been clocked idling for as much as 25 minutes in the same location.” The signs, installed by the borough authorities, are intended to alert motorists that idling is illegal and environmentally unsound. The Glen Rock Environmental Commission has sponsored a number of programs, including a series of films that show the dangers of fracking and highlighting the waste that goes into plastic bags. A successful program last autumn used donated funds to purchase durable shopping bags for free distribution to residents. The yellow bags, with a cartoon logo donated by Glen Rock cartoonist Hy Eisman, are still being seen around town. “Individuals need to be mindful of how basic changes in their everyday routine can greatly improve air quality for everyone across our state, and improve public health and welfare in New Jersey,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. Commissioner Martin advised residents to keep their vehicle maintenance up to date. “Obey state law by not idling your vehicle for more than three minutes, and encourage your local government to enforce the law, as well as implement diesel reduction mea- sures,” Martin said. The commissioner also advised residents to turn off lights when they leave rooms, turn off the air conditioner when they leave the house, buy clothing that does not require dry cleaning, and avoid cleaners, paints, and pesticides that rely on volatile organic compounds. VOCs are emitted as gases that can persist in the air long after they are applied. He also advised against the use of wood-burning fireplaces on bad air days. Piano prodigy to perform May 19 Jae Young Kim Jae Young Kim will perform a free concert in the Glen Rock High School choir room on May 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This free will showcase Kim’s talent as an accomplished pianist. He will perform pieces by Bach, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Clementi, and Vine. Kim, a junior at Glen Rock High School, has been playing piano since he was five. While in Korea, he attended pre-college at Korean National University of Arts and graduated from Yewon School. He has received many prizes in Korea and the U.S. including awards from the Seoul Music Competition, Oberlin International Young Artist Piano Competition, MTNA New York State Competition, and KRB New York International Music Competition. He has performed at various venues such as Kumho Arts Hall, Yamaha Hall, Leipzig Music Conservatory, and Carnegie Hall. Members of all communities are invited to attend the concert. The high school is located at 400 Harristown Road in Glen Rock.