A hot end to May gives way to what is shaping up to be a beautiful, breezy and bustling weekend in our towns.  Highlights over the next few days include the 2011 edition of the extremely popular and expansive South Orange and Maplewood Artists Studio Tour, with related multi-artist shows at various galleries in the area, including 1978, The Pierro Gallery, and GAS Gallery and Studio.  In Millburn, The Berenstain Bears take the stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse for a Saturday morning presentation of three of the Bears' most popular children's books, combined into one happy and fun live musical…

This upcoming weekend may be the weekend we've all been waiting for!  A forecast of mostly sunny skies and breezy, pleasant conditions from Friday to Sunday, combined with a laundry list of varied activities all around us, should satisfy just about everyone's tastes, from the outdoor enthusiast to the cultural and arts maven to the volunteer activist and, even, the happy couch potato.  Town-to-town highlights include a chance to watch the Royal Wedding Live early Friday morning at St. Andrew & Holy Communion Church in South Orange via their 122 inch TV screen.  At Seton Hall, Christopher …

This year, due to the timing of Emancipation Day, a local Washington D.C. holiday, Americans get a three-day reprieve on their income tax filings.  So why not take advantage of this (very) brief tax break and, rather than pour over tax forms and bang on a calculator all weekend, take your family out instead.  You can attend a local book discussion, maybe see some theater or enjoy a music concert or two, drive over to the zoo or take a field trip outdoors for some great bird watching.  Big highlights to keep in mind this weekend include a celebrity book signing on Friday as Gwyneth Paltrow …

Events in Millburn have shifted focus to the upcoming festive winter season. There is plenty of holiday music to enjoy this weekend St. Rose of Lima Church will host its annual Christmas symphony concert, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Father Alphonse Stephenson and the 45-piece  St. Peter by the Sea Orchestra will perform. Tickets are $25-$50. The Summit Chorale on Friday will hold the second concert of its 102nd season, "Holiday Family Concert," at St. John's Lutheran Church, at 587 Springfield Ave. in Summit. This group is one of New Jersey's oldest community…

Hanukkah is in full swing. For those who aren't celebrating Hanukkah or are gearing up for another holiday or simply enjoying the season, there are plenty of other activities this weekend. The weekend is highlighted by the annual Snowflake Parade on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The parade starts at Holmes Street and travels west on Millburn Avenue to Spring Street. Santa will arrive on a fire truck, and he will pose for photos following the parade. Sunday also is the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Cross' annual 5K Run/Walk for Life, which kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Millburn Public …

As the countdown to the premiere of the seventh Harry Potter movie ends this weekend, other performers will be showing off their work for the first time this weekend. The Paper Mill Playhouse's 25th anniversary production of "Les Miserables" will open on Friday. It runs through December 30. Performances will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Single tickets are currently on sale from $25 to $92. Call 973-376-4343 or visit the Paper Mill's website, www.papermill.org, to purchase tickets…

Despite the holiday season being nearly a month away, Millburn-Short Hills is already gearing up. This weekend, check out some seasonal events or enjoy some outdoor activities. The Mall at Short Hills will kick off its holiday season on Friday with a live-streaming video of the stars of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader at 7 p.m. The mall will transofrm into winter wonderland with its incredible thirty-foot Ice Palace. Plus it's the arrival of Santa. On Sunday from 3-5 p.m., the Community Congregational Church will host the Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey's …

Students of New Jersey public schools have Thursday and Friday off this week, and Millburn students and their families will travel, study or just enjoy the long weekend at home. If your schedule isn't already full, check out some options for the four-day weekend. On Friday at 10:30-11:45 a.m. the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum will host its Fall Leaf-a-Thon. This fun leaf scavenger hunt is open to children in grades 1-3. A story will be read to inspire attendees to create their own creatures out of the leaves they collect. Admission is $15. On Friday at 8 p.m. breakout singer-songwriter James …

If you are not excited for Halloween yet, you're far behind many of your Millburn neighbors. Here are some events that will take place this weekend—be sure to check them out when you're not trick-or-treating, attending a party, handing out candy or eating it. Happy Halloween! On Sunday at 5 p.m., Community Congregational Church will host a Halloween-themed concert. Classical pieces by J.S. Bach, Fauré, Boëllmann, Franz Liszt will be performed by  pianist Paul DiDario and organist Allen Artz. Attendees of this kid- and family-friendly concert are encouraged to attend in costume. Admission is $…

It's the end of October, but there are chances to get outside this weekend in addition to seeing a movie about a piece of New Jersey history. On Sunday at 2-4 p.m., the Millburn Public Library will screen Revolution '67, an award-winning documentary about the riots that took place in Newark in 1967. After the film, the audience and filmmakers will engage in discussion along with a noted scholar. On Friday from 6-8 p.m., Cora Hartshorn Arboretum will host its annual Creatures of the Night event. Families will learn about nocturnal animals and walk the woodland trails with the help of …

There is plenty to do in and around Millburn this weekend.  Friday:  Millburn High School students can attend the Spirit/Homecoming Dance this Friday. The dance will be held right before the varsity football team's match with Barringer, which begins at 6:00 pm. Students may purchase admission wristbands this Thursday and Friday during fifth period lunch. The wristbands cost $15, but admission to the football game is free. Saturday:  The Millburn High School Habitat for Humanity Club will hold a car wash and tool drive from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the high school's circular driveway. Funds and …

This weekend offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the sunny fall weather. To wrap up Fire Prevention Week, the Millburn Fire Department will hold its annual open house on Saturday at noon to 3 p.m. The event will include demonstrations  using the "Jaws of Life", use of the 93-foot ladder truck and viewing of the new 2010 Crimson Fire Engine. The Newark Fire Department will also be on hand displaying their "Collapse Rescue Truck" that carries specialized equipment for natural or manmade disasters. Parking is available in the Wachovia Bank parking lot across the street or in …

Sunday is bound to be a busy day in Millburn-Short Hills, but there are plenty of things to get you through the weekend. On Sunday in downtown Millburn, there will be an art and street fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event, sponsored by the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Millburn Avenue and Spring Street. These streets will be closed to vehicles in order to host the crafters and artisans who will be selling their goods. There will be live music as well as children's games, and vendors will sell international food. Two bands, Kindred Souls and The Tonemasters…

The weather is getting cooler, but it's still warm enough to enjoy outdoor weekend activities. On Sunday at  1-5 p.m., the Paper Mill Playhouse will host a free event in downtown Millburn to celebrate the opening of "Hairspray." The event features rides and games for all ages, contests, giveaways, food and live entertainment from the girl group tribute band The Fantastic Party Dolls Show and Dance Band. There will be appearances by the cast of "Hairspray," which runs from Sept. 22 through Oct. 24 at Paper Mill. On Saturday New Eyes for the Needy will host its first Fabulous Finds showroom …

Whether you plan to spend your days outdoors or at a concert, there are plenty of local events on offer this weekend. On Saturday, bluegrass musician Ted Pitney and his band, Teddy and the Roosevelts, will perform in Chatham. This musician's career has spanned decades—he wrote several hit songs as a part of bluegrass band King Wilkie. Entry is $15, and there is limited space. The concert will take place from 7-10 p.m. pm at 54 Mountainview Road in Chatham. Also on Saturday, county officials will hold their annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony in West Orange. Essex County Remembers will be …