Getting Grungy with the School of Rock

Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 8:45pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

School of Rock Radio X.jpgBaristaville sounded like Seattle, circa 1994, this afternoon as the sounds of Nirvana and Pearl Jam blasted through Just Jakes. Montclair’s School of Rock performed a Radio X concert that was rounded out by hits from U2, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and yes . . . Marilyn Manson.
Missed the show? Watch the video:

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Things to Do This Weekend: July 30 – August 1

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 3:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

todotodaylist.jpgI don’t know about you, but I cannot believe August arrives on Sunday. Before you know it, the more relaxed, less scheduled summer will be over.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend with your family? Check our Upcoming Events calendar for all the details. While your at it, make sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know and get great deals.
Here are our top picks:

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Finding Treasure in…Baristaville

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

Looking for a family activity this summer that blends the technological with the great outdoors? Why not try geocaching? Part real world treasure hunt, part online tracking game, geocaching has grown in popularity since its inception in 2000. There are now participants in 225 countries worldwide.
Just what is geocaching? The name, derived from the words “geo” for earth and “cache” for a hiding place is an activity that involves stowing away and searching for caches or “treasure”. These caches can take the form of “micros”, really small caches, or larger boxes that contain trinkets and other loot for finders.
Participants find the location of caches by looking online for the GPS coordinates and then using a GPS device as simple as the one found in many phones to go in search of the caches.
Jersey has three Geocaching chapters. Madison resident John Neale, president of the Northern New Jersey Cachers, weighs in on just why this activity is so appealing for adults and children alike. “Kids catch on fast to geocaching. They get very excited in the buildup to finding a cache, and once that cache is found, kids want to move on to the next search! It becomes very addicting!” Kids love the trinkets and other inexpensive jewelry or toys in the caches that can make great trading amongst friends. For kids, opening a cache is like opening treasure!

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Little One & Co. Model Search Winners

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

modelwinnersloandco.JPGMany adorable kids were entered in Maplewood’s Little One & Co’s Facebook page model search contest. I’m glad I wasn’t a judge. Owner Hahn, with the help of others, made the hard decision and chose these six cute kids.
(From top left, clockwise: Julia Ebner, Julian Bock, Annabel Callahan, Gabriel Bock, Jordan Juter and Donovan Moreno.)

Poker & Birthday Gifts: Fun Ways to Help Kids

Friday, Jul 30, 2010 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

poker.jpgYouth Consultation Services is New Jersey’s leading non-profit provider of comprehensive mental health and education services for children in need. YCS serves a racially and ethnically diverse population, largely from urban areas and among the poorest families in New Jersey by maintaining over 70 programs – ranging from beds for over 400 children in group homes and shelters, to special education schools and autism programs, to addiction counseling and family preservation services, to foster care services and community outreach. Based in Newark, NJ, YCS has schools, groups homes and program throughout the state, including The Sawtelle Learning Center, in Montclair, for children ages 3 – 21 on the autistic spectrum.
With over 3,000 children benefiting from YCS’s services, funding is a must. Montclair husband and wife, Brian Saltzman and Alma Schneider, have created fundraising opportunities to help the organization.

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National Dance Day at Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 3:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Do you think you can dance? Give it a try on Saturday night at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Montclair. They’re participating in National Dance Day and they want you to bring the entire family for a fun, all-day dance party.
National Dance Day is a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move. dancers from Fred Astaire, along with Zumba class instructor Jennifer Donayre, and Certified Movement Analyst Kelley Blessing, will head over to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio to continue to generate national awareness for dance.
There wil be free 30-minute dance classes throughout the day, with something available for all ages.
Here is the schedule:

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Introducing….Cookies & Cream

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 2:28pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

cookiesandcreampenguins.JPGWith a crowd of zoo patrons gathered in front of the Penguin Coast exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo today, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that the names of the two new African Penguins are Cookies and Cream. The names were selected from hundreds of suggestions that were submitted by visitors and fans of Turtle Back Zoo over the last month.

National Night Out

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

NNO2010.jpgNational Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. For the past 27 years, towns and cities all over the country have participated in the event, which is designed to “heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.”
On Tuesday, August 3, people all over the country will participate in National Night Out.
This year, South Orange is really going all out to make this a fun family event. In addition to the public safety fair, there will be a Kids Zone featuring a bounce house, dunk tank, fire truck tours, face painting, kids activities with Mr. Kaesshaefer (South Mountain school Phys. Ed. teacher) and more. Live music from Aisle Five will entertain the whole family.
The night ends with an outdoor screening of Shrek.
South Orange National Night Out
Who: All ages.
What: The “27th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. There will be Public Safety Fair, Live music from Aisle Five, an outdoor screening of Shrek, Kids Zone, Fire Truck tours and much more!
Where: Meadowland’s Park (Flood Hill), South Orange, NJ.
When: Tuesday August 3 from 7 pm – 10 pm. Shrek starts at 8:30 pm.
Cost: Free.
Other local towns will also be having a National Night Out of their own….

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Reading Bash in Glen Ridge

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (1)

The Glen Ridge Library celebrated the conclusion of the Summer Reading Program with a party at the gazebo. Mime Craig Babcock entertained the crowd to the delight of the audience. Kids enjoyed the games, crafts and refreshments. It was a fun afternoon in The Glen.

Lice Rule

Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (3)

lice.jpgNot in a good way.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has just issued new rules regarding the treatment of this pest, which might be a cause of relief to some parents and distress to others.
The pediatricians’ group found the pest has become resistant to some forms of treatment, possibly making it even harder for parents to rid their children of the insect. But the AAP remained committed to its position that schools should not ban children from attending class and should abandon their “no-nit” policies.
With school age children the hardest hit, according to the Wall Street Journal, reporting an estimated 6 to 12 million cases of head lice a year in the US, mostly among children 3 to 12 years old, should they all be forced from school? Over the course of their schooling, your kids will likely come face to face with this tiny but terror-inducing critter, and while it’s a lousy situation, should it affect their education?

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