Millburn-Short Hills Patch: Latest Articles

Rains, Winds Bring Problems

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:56:18 -0400

There are trees and wires down, and the power is out in some spots.

By Jennifer Connic

March 14, 2010

Saturday's heavy rains and winds brought down trees and power lines and even caused some flooding in areas.

More than three inches of rain have fallen throughout the region with nearly 3.5 inches of rain reported at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

Roads through South Mountain Reservation had been closed due to downed trees and wires throughout the storm. One resident also reported there was flooding in the South Mountain section near Ridgewood Road and Locust Avenue.

Jersey Central Power & Light was reporting under 500 power outages in each of Millburn and Short Hills, according to its Web site. Reports say some parts of the Mall at Short Hills are without power.

Have a storm report? Or photos? Send them to jen@patch.com.

Editor's Notebook: Week in Review

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:34:34 -0400

A look back at the week that was in Millburn-Short Hills.

By Jennifer Connic

March 14, 2010

Spring doesn't start for another week, but the last week showed us the early signs of the change of seasons.

The week started with warm, sunny weather, but the storm clouds rolled in by the end of the week. There was pouring rain that caused some flooding and brought down trees and power lines in some spots.

The last week also brought you some school news, specifically with the budget and redistricting.

Miss something? Here's your chance to catch up with some of the top headlines.

On Monday, school officials said the proposed tax increase was down to 1.2 percent, but the bigger news was the ultimatum from We Love Millburn. The Miller boys basketball team lost in the state section final. The local history column focused on Millburn Feed, which recently closed. We showed you what happened at the New Eyes for the Needy fund-raiser.

On Tuesday, we brought you the redistricting news from Monday's school board meeting. It would take about six weeks to complete a plan. Four Millburn athletes are headed to the Maccabi Games. The career coach told you how to get your resume through the technology door.

On Wednesday, credit card use in the downtown parking pay machines was up and running. State officials held a hearing at the Paper Mill Playhouse about arts funding. Millburn High School has 12 merit scholar finalists. We reviewed the changing landscape of downtown Millburn.

On Thursday, we profiled the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the Red Cross' monthly blood drives. Speed humps are coming back to the Township Committee. We profiled local singer-songwriter David W. Jacobsen.

On Friday, Motherhood in Millburn detailed the experience of another failed food challenge. A must read for parents with children who have food allergies. "The Nutcracker" is moving from Paper Mill in December after 39 years. Hartshorn students learned about how to react to bullying in the Power than One program, a program that has been at all elementary schools. PetSmart opens next week. Wyoming school asked parents if they are smarter than their fifth graders. Take a look behind the scenes at the Paper Mill Playhouse's "Lost in Yonkers."

On Saturday, we wrapped up the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce's big band event. Kids got ready for the movie "How to Train Your Dragon." In her gardening column, Karin Rindal told you about the early blossoms in her Short Hills garden.

Miller Girls Should Return as Team to Beat

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0400

After losing in the state quarterfinals, it looks like Millburn should comeback stronger next season

By Jose Ortiz

March 14, 2010

If progress is the measure of where one is in relation to what one has been, then the Millburn girls basketball team made tremendous strides last season and looks strong to continue progressing next year.

A season ago the Miller girls finished 4-19 and third worse in the Northern Hills Skyline Division. This year in the Super Essex Conference Colonial Division the girls ended with a 13-2 division record, were co-champs with Science Park and finished 18-7 overall, after starting 1-3.

"It was successful as far as winning 18 games. But when you look at the losses, you have to shake your head a bit," said Millburn head coach Bill Drennan.

Their season ended in the second round of the North II Group 3 state sectional final at home to Somerville, 42-29.

"We just didn't have the normal zip that we have. Our defensive intensity wasn't the same," Drennan said.

While it was a forgettable performance by the girls in the quarterfinals against a Somerville team that reached the sectional final, it's the farthest any Millburn girls basketball team has gone in quite some time with three consecutive losing seasons before this one.

The loss of team captain Carly Feit will be a big blow, especially as a leader and as a rebounding and defensive presence. Feit led the team in scoring this season and embodied a spirit of toughness on the court, which will not be easy to replace.

"She was the heart and soul," Drennan said. "I never had to worry about her mood. I never had to worry about whether she was ready to play. She will be sorely missed."

Aside from losing Stephanie Weg to graduation too, everyone will be back for Millburn next year, including a few freshmen who Drennan is very excited about. Freshman Jenny Smith has led the team in scoring four times this season and has the look of a player who may have the ability to become a primary scorer.

The freshmen will be joined by a senior dominated class with a host of juniors, including Taylor Perreti, Samidee Kirson and Tori Graessle, as well as others who all played significant minutes this season.

The best news for Millburn is that the division may be there's to lose next season. Science Park graduates Ezinne Kalu, who scored over 2,000 points during her high school career. Cedar Grove remains a threat from behind, but Millburn should enter the 2010-2011 season as clear favorites to repeat as division champs and qualify for the state playoffs.

The one thing Drennan pointed to that must improve if the Miller girls hope to take the next step is scoring more. In their seven losses this season, they averaged 36.8 points as a team, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense.

Getting Ready to Train a Dragon

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:34:52 -0500

It was two hours of crafting for local children in getting ready for the movie that opens March 26.

March 13, 2010

It was a different kind of messy at the Millburn Public Library Saturday afternoon than it was outside.

Markers and crayons and coloring abounded as the kids prepared for the opening of "How to Train Your Dragon," which opens in theaters on March 26.

Among the things the kids crafted were a diorama, a word search and coloring pages. And there were prizes too, including stuffed dragons, t-shirts and hats from the movie. Included in the group of about 15 were students from St. Rose of Lima Academy.

Set in the mythical world of Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges he and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

Miss out? You can download the diorama cutouts here, the word puzzle here and the coloring pages here.

Spring Ahead: Set Your Clocks Ahead Tonight

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:00:00 -0500

Daylight savings time starts at 2 a.m. Sunday.

By Jennifer Connic

March 13, 2010

It's time to spring ahead, a signal warmer weather and more light is ahead. Daylight savings time starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Make sure to set your clock ahead one hour.

Gardening: Got Early Blossoms

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0500

Witch hazel and friends on display as the early spring flowers begin to bloom.

By Karin Rindal

March 13, 2010

For many years I was completely baffled by some people's fascination with witch hazels, botanically known as Hamamelis. The specimens I inherited from the previous owner always seemed somewhat pathetic or at least uninspiring.

Not this winter. Even with all the snow on the ground they began to bloom last month and haven't stopped.

This time there are enough blossoms on its bare stems to produce the scent that fellow gardeners swoon over. With an unusual citrusy floral smell like Sweet Tarts candy, I think my variety is probably one called "Arnold Promise."

I still regard the flowers like a representation of a really bad hair day up close but at least there is a congregation of blooms this year that attracts your attention from a distance. From a few feet away it looks more like little explosions of yellow color or some child went a little nuts with the spaghetti feature of a Playdoh machine.

As with so many plants you have color and even scent intensity options beyond my some what standard "Arnold Promise." In shades of yellow, red, orange and purple, the stringy petals vary in length and width, as well as how twisted or crimped they are. A spot across from a window is a great site to locate a specimen then add evergreens as a backdrop.

Its vase shape will need trimming to keep it from getting out of control. This is what I thought kept mine from blooming but after pondering and pondering I came to the conclusion that what made the difference was that a shrub across the lawn had been removed and so last fall it received some mid-day sun.

This week the witch hazels have been joined by blooming crocuses and hellebores in my yard. Hellebores were my very first plant discovery and passing fascination. In my experience they take quite awhile to really get going. Mine are at least seven years old and are just starting to produce substantial clusters of dusty purple this spring.

One disappointment is that variety I planted nod downward and you have to reach down to examine the beautifully intricate blossom. With increased hybridization, growers now are offering countless more options with fabulous double blossoms and those that don't nod as much. Other benefits beyond early blooming are that they are deer resistant and shade loving. The foliage is evergreen but often gets winter burn. Once again this year I will cut it back.

As for the crocuses, I was trying to naturalize them so they filled the whole yard but that also takes patience. It will be another great number of years before that happens. Meanwhile I can just keep driving by the house on the corner of Springfield Avenue and High in Summit, just beyond the Grand Summit hotel. Nearly its entire yard is awash in light lavender crocuses. It certainly is an uplifting sight to see.

Chamber Swings for the Big Band

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0500

The Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce holds a Big Band Extravaganza.

By Jennifer Connic

March 13, 2010

The wine was flowing, the music was playing and the people were dancing Friday night.

The Millburn-Short Hills hosted its Big Band Extravaganza at the Hilton Short Hills, featuring John Nobile's Summer Swing Orchestra. The music featured a special guest singing, Shayne Miller, Paper Mill Playhouse director of press and public relations. Miller also is chamber vice president.

In addition to music, dancing and a buffet dinner, there was a wine tasting courtesy of Gary's Wine and Marketplace in Bedminster. And if people didn't know how to dance, there was instruction for them on the dance floor. There was also a tricky tray silent auction and a live auction.

Wyoming School Asks: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:34:29 -0500

Students and parents face off in a version of the popular game show.

By Jaleh Teymourian Brahms

March 12, 2010

Wyoming Elementary School fifth graders went head to head with their parents Friday night in a battle of wits in the spirit of the popular game show "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" Questions ranged from who were the childrens' kindergarten teachers to what the Lenape Indians used for diapers and everything in between.

The kids beat the parents handily, winning an ice cream party for themselves in addition to bragging rights.

'Nutcracker' Moving from Paper Mill for 2010

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:04:28 -0500

Paper Mill officials cite the licensing for "Les Miserables" as the reason for the move.

By Jennifer Connic

March 12, 2010

The Paper Mill Playhouse won't be the host stage of the New Jersey Ballet's "The Nutcracker" this December.

Instead, the production, which has been at Paper Mill for 39 years, will move to the Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown for at least this December.

Paper Mill Executive Director Mark Jones mentioned "The Nutcracker" move during his testimony before the Assembly Tourism and Arts Committee meeting on Wednesday, citing the run of "Les Miserables" causing the conflict with the dates. He said he helped facilitate the move to the Mayo Center because "I'd hate to see our partner not be able to do their most important work."

Shayne Miller, Paper Mill spokesman, said the licensing of the play is the reason the dates were chosen for "Les Miserables." It is scheduled to be staged Nov. 19-Dec. 19. Paper Mill officials wanted to open the season with the production, but those were the dates they were given by the licensing agency.

There is a possibility for the production to be extended another week if it proves to be popular, but Miller said "The Nutcracker" couldn't be staged either way because of the time it would take to change sets.

"This is a great opportunity for Paper Mill, and we had to make the best decision for the theater," he said.

Carolyn Clark, New Jersey Ballet director, said she is thrilled to be able to move the production to the Morristown stage. The ballet, which is based in Livingston, has had a relationship with the Community Theatre for 15 years, and she described it as a fabulous opportunity.

And December's production will be exactly the same as it has been at Paper Mill just at a different location, she said. The Community Theatre has all of the ammenities the ballet needs to stage "The Nutcracker."

Neither Paper Mill nor ballet officials, though, are saying "The Nutcracker" will return to the playhouse in 2011 for sure.

"It depends how things go," said Hartman.

"Anything is possible," Miller said.

Rainy, Windy Weekend Ahead

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:42:50 -0500

Two-three inches of rain could fall, and winds could gust up to 50 miles per hour.

By Jennifer Connic

March 12, 2010

Indoor activities are probably the best bet this weekend as a lot of rain and winds are expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. It also issued a flood watch through Sunday evening.

Easterly winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour Saturday morning will increase during the day with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour expected by the evening, according to the weather alert. Winds will gradually diminish Saturday night.

The rain that has already pushed into the region is expected to become heavy at times late Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. Rainfall of two to three inches are possible by Sunday morning with some areas getting as much as four inches of rain, according to the alert. Occasional light rain is expected Sunday into Monday.