Sunday, March 14, 2010
A look back at the week that was in Millburn-Short Hills.
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, …
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Witch hazel and friends on display as the early spring flowers begin to bloom.
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…
Friday, March 12, 2010
We all want the best for our kids, but what if we can't give it to them?
Tuesday morning I woke early to pack up peanut butter to take to New York for my son's second food challenge. We were both excited as we waited with the other early morning commuters for the Midtown Direct. We arrived in plenty of time and took a cab uptown to the hospital. We settled into the same room we had for his egg challenge. Just like his previous challenge my son began to react, and the challenge had to be stopped. I sat, yet again, in that tiny room waiting for the medicine to take effect and the doctor to give us the okay to go home.The hardest part about a challenge is the anticipation. You try not to get your hopes up, but it's futile. It's hard not to be hopeful that your child will be cleared from a life-threatening …
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
How do you overcome the technology or screening process for resumes?
Dear Career Coach Lisa, What value has technology brought to the recruitment process? How do you work around the technology screening to get an interview? F.T., Millburn For larger companies, technology has played a significant role in changing how applicants are selected. The technology, referred to as Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS, is used to screen candidates for qualifications based on matching terminology (key words) on one's resume relative to the job requirements. It allows the corporate recruiter to see only the candidates that are a match based on the programmed criteria. Many of the programming criteria for job boards prevent the resume from being viewed by the receiving company if it doesn't match enough of the job specific…
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Miller boys basketball team plays in the section final tonight.
If you're a Miller fan there are lost of reasons to rejoice for the boys basketball team. First, and most obviously, they advanced to the state sectional finals for the first time in school history. Second, they got a little lucky in the state semifinal game because Carteret couldn't hit a free throw all night. But finally, and most importantly, they'll be facing Mendham and not East Side Monday night in the state sectional final. I said last week I thought Mendham was the better match-up for Millburn, and somehow the Minutemen pulled off the upset in overtime against the Red Raiders. Now all I need is for the Millers to win and I'll look like a genius. But as they say, be careful what you wish for. Just because it was the best match-up …
Do you think the services are worth how much you spend on taxes?
It seems there are two general opinions on Millburn-Short Hills taxes. There's the people who say taxes are high, but they're receiving a lot of wonderful services for what they're paying. Then there's the people who think taxes are too high and want cuts. A little over a week ago, state officials released data that shows the average Millburn-Short Hills tax bill is the highest in the state at about $19,000. Last week, township officials said the figure is flawed and the median tax bill is what should be considered. Either way, taxpayers are paying some of the highest taxes in the state. The people who are upset about the high taxes and want cuts are the ones you see speaking at public meetings. They're also writing letters to the editor. …
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A look back at the week that was in Millburn-Short Hills.
There was plenty of news ranging from school events to government news to business news last week. The Township Committee met Tuesday night, and there was plenty of news from the meeting. In sports, it was playoff time for basketball, and the Millers boys team made some history. And NJ Transit announced its plans for fare increases and service reductions. If you missed anything, here is your chance to catch up. On Monday, county officials expressed their commitment to the annual deer hunt. Investigators are close to releasing their report on the fire at 517 Millburn Ave. in January. The local history column focused on Jowitt Motors and their classic cars. On Tuesday, the Township Committee put off its vote on the riverwalk funding. We …
Saturday, March 6, 2010
How to dress up your plastic pots for pennies.
You might have noticed small brightly-colored potted primrose (botanical name: Primula) plants in your local grocery store. Right now they are more inexpensive than a bunch of cut flowers and more long lasting. While they prefer cold weather, it is still too cold for them to be outside. When keeping them inside one way to make them look even better is to follow these steps to dress up the plastic pot inexpensively. You should not leave them in the plastic sleeve if one is provided. This will collect water and cause the roots to rot. To start you need: Find an inexpensive branch of artificial leaves. I used magnolia branches that I found for a dollar at Morris County Farms' rummage sale. I was able to cover three small pots with two …
Friday, March 5, 2010
You're sure to see your own family somewhere in the Paper Mill's latest performance.
If you think you have a dysfunctional family, maybe you should see "Lost in Yonkers" at the Paper Mill Playhouse. It might make you feel better about your own clan. The story is set as brothers Arty and Jay are sent off to live with their grandmother for a year while their father works back a debt, but the story is much more than about the boys. It's about their entire family—Grandma, Aunt Bella and Uncle Louie—and how they all grow together as a family. We learn how each member of the family actually grows throughout the play. Or at the very least, we learn what makes them tick. And while the story is set around Arty and Jay, it does feel to be more about Aunt Bella in the second act than it does about the brothers. The Paper Mill press …
How to use "Twilight" as a teaching tool.
A friend who has older kids gave me a wise piece of advice: Try to remain ahead of your kids. Read the books, know the slang and the music and keep up with technology. Not to be the hip mom, but rather to be aware of what the current culture is throwing at kids.My daughter recently asked me to read the "Twilight" books to see if they were appropriate for her. I am lucky in that she's really good at self policing and will ask if I will check out music, books, videos or movies she'd like to see or read before she does. I agreed and delved into the books. I was curious about the almost rabid devotion fans showed for the series, written by a stay-at-home mom of three Stephanie Meyers. The series heroine Bella Swan is a 16 year old child of…
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Wow, what a heartfelt essay. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I wish you and your son the best. Judie more ›