Tuesday, January 31, 2012

MAPLEWOOD POOL UNDER RECONSTRUCTION

We took a look at the Maplewood Pool this week and found a place unrecognizable from construction machinery, piles of dirt and ripped up grounds.

Looks like a complete overhaul that is supposed to include new water slides for this summer. Expect a fee boost to pay for it all.




CRANE'S DELI CLOSING

Just hours after finding out Kocafe was shutting down on Springfield Ave., Crane's Deli revealed it is closing.


This notice was posted at MerchantsCircle.com late Monday:


The Closing of Crane's Delicatessen & Cheese Shoppe

Dear Crane's Patrons,

 It is with deep regret that on Saturday, February 25th, at 5PM - Crane's will be closing it's doors. It has been our pleasure to serve you over the past 7 years, but unfortunately the decrease in our volume of business, due to the economic downturn and rising costs has made it difficult for us  to sustain our business model. We appreciate everyone who has supported us throughout the years. (Our future is unknown and look forward to future endeavors). Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at            973-763-2050       or via email at cranesdeli@gmail.com.

Our Sincere Thanks for your Loyalty and Support,
Steve&Janet Crane
Crane's Delicatessen & Cheese Shoppe


These Twitter posts also announced the news:


Crane's had toyed with closing a year go, but worked out a new lease deal that apparently was not enough to avoid the economic downturn.

Monday, January 30, 2012

NAIL SALON AND GASOLINE THEFTS TOP POLICE LIST

Maplewood Police issued the weekly blotter early Monday night:


January 21, 2012: Theft from Auto. On 1/21/12, a Durand Road resident reported that unknown suspect(s) removed an iPOD and an owner’s manual containing vehicle documents from an unlocked vehicle that was parked in the driveway overnight.

January 24, 2012: Commercial Burglary. On 1/24/12, a Maplewood Avenue nail salon was discovered to have been burglarized overnight by Officer R. Tannenbaum, who noticed broken glass at the location. The suspect(s) reportedly gained entry by smashing the glass on the rear door of the establishment. Suspect(s) then removed a cash register containing $40.00 in cash. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

January 24, 2012: Package Theft. On 1/24/12, a Lexington Ave. resident reported that unknown suspect(s) removed a package of Waterford glasses valued at $504.00 that had been delivered to her residence. The incident reportedly occurred on 10/28/11.

January 28, 2012: Bicycle Theft. On 1/28/12, a Springfield Ave. resident reported that at approximately 2:17 pm she heard a noise coming from her back yard. When she looked out of the window, she observed a group of males, ages 10-13. The homeowner reported that members of the group then removed a small pink child’s bicycle and two multi-color skateboards before fleeing east on Springfield Avenue. No detailed description is available.

January 30, 2012: Theft. On 1/30/12,   officers responded to a Springfield Ave. service station on a report of theft of gas from a parked rental truck. The complainant stated that the vehicle was last used on 01/21/12 and returned with a full tank of gas. When the vehicle was checked this date prior to rental it was missing 3/4 quarters of a tank of gas valued at $83.00.

KOCAFE TO CLOSE

Patch breaks the news today that Kocafe, one of three coffee spots to open in 2011 along Springfield Ave., will close next weekend. Not a surprise given the glut of outlets.


Remaining will be Edo's and I.D. Bakery, but how long can they last?


See story HERE:

Letter from the owners below:

It is with deep regret to announce that Kocafe will be closing its doors on Saturday, 2/4/2012. To prepare for our closure, we will not operate the week of 1/30, we will open on 2/4 (9AM – 5PM). We have had the pleasure of serving you over the last year but unfortunately the traffic was not enough to sustain our business.

I’ll close with this… Behind any small business, there is a family running the day-to-day operations to serve its customers; we need to do what we can to support small businesses in America.

ALT PRESS STORY UNFAIRLY TARGETS SOMA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

The Alternative Press website oddly uses the South Orange-Maplewood school board in a story to warn of background checks on school board candidates.


But why?


This story seems to suggest challengers might have something to hide while the current board members, who have had clean background checks, may not. Why point to our towns with no cause?
------------------------

NJ Legislator: School Board Candidates May Want to Check for Skeletons in Closet

Caitlin Carroll
Sunday, January 29, 2012 • 10:08am
Three members of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education will be up for re-election on April 17, if they choose to run, but the election may be a little different this year because of a state law that requires background checks for board members.
 The law was enacted in May 2011. In the South Orange-Maplewood School District, all the board members have undergone background checks and were cleared to continue serving, according to the district’s communication coordinator, Judy Levy.
However, for non-incumbent candidates, the background check acts a caution when deciding whether to run. Assemblyman Jerry Green, D-Union, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said the law does not require candidates for school board to undergo a background check. However, he said, it was unlikely a candidate would run knowing he or she had a previous conviction that would disqualify him or her.
"No one would want to embarrass themselves by knowing when they run they’ve been convicted of a crime” that would prevent the member from serving on the board, Green said.

HARLEM WIZARDS KNOCK 'EM DEAD

The Harlem Wizards wowed 'em big Sunday night at Maplewood Middle School, playing a township team that included likes of Mayor Vic De Luca, Superintendent Brian Osborne and several teachers.

TC member Jerry Ryan served as referee. The Cougar All Stars played well, but lost a tough one 73-66.

Highlights videos below.









This exchange followed a questionable "foul" by Mayor Vic De Luca. Well, not really, but the Wizards milked it for some comic relief.




Sunday, January 29, 2012

TOWN HALL CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE TODAY

See the Society of Musical Arts presentation of Cellist Jameson Platte as part of an afternoon performance today:


Sunday, January 29, 2012, 3 pm
Maplewood Town Hall 

HOLST:  St. Paul’s Suite
opus 29, no. 2

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS:  
Serenade to Music, 
                                              words by William Shakespeare
                                          with 16 Solo Voices

                                       ELGAR:  Cello Concerto
                                   in E minor, opus 85

                                      Stephen Culbertson,
                                    Conductor and Musical Director

JOE D LEADS POLITICOS ABUSING CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Great front page story in the Star-Ledger today on many of our state officials, including Essex County Executive Joe D., using campaign funds for personal use. Perhaps legal, but crummy.


See it HERE

.NJ_SL.jpg

Saturday, January 28, 2012

REPORT CARDS HOME?

Supe Brian Osborne tweets a reminder to parents to expect the progress reports for elementary schools....



Interim progress reports for SOMSD elementary students go home today. If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher.

DOG HUNT?

....Scanner shows police tracking dogs heading toward Irvington on Springfield Ave.....Just ran past HQ.....Now seen on Boyden...

Friday, January 27, 2012

PROPS TO MAPLEWOOD DELI AND GRILLE

Made a return visit after being away for more than a year and a great surprise.


Good lunch fare and service. Give 'em a try!

More HERE

SCHOOLS SUPE URGES GAY MARRIAGE SUPPORT

Schools Superintendent Brian Osborne in a Tweet today appeared to push for support of gay marriage. 


Way to go!


Lots of SOMSD kids are raised by parents in loving relationships who should have right to marriage. SOMSD honors ALL our kids & families.

POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS SEEK BUDGET INCREASES


PATCH reports:                       


Maplewood's police and fire chiefs made their 2012 budget requests to the Township Committee last Saturday. While Township Administrator Joseph Manning asked all department heads to keep there requests flat, both men asked for increases; however, the requests may or may not reflect final appropriations.
Fire Chief Joseph Richardella's request was up 5.48% overall — with salary and wages up $219,000 to $4.517 million in 2012 and "other expenses" up $23,950 to $162,284.
Police Chief Rober Cimino's request was up a modest 1.51% — beneath the state-mandated budget cap of 2% — with salaries and wages up $103,440 to $6.6 million in 2012 and "other expenses" down $880,000 to $298,618.


Next budget meetings set for Saturday, 9-1 at Town Hall.

DE HART FIELD NEEDS WORK, AGAIN

Believe it or not, the new field at De Hart, which has been the subject of much disagreement and a big money renovation, needs more work.


News-Record reports:


The entire athletic field at Maplewood’s DeHart Park has to be torn out and resodded because of a mistake made during the installation, the township said.

Plastic netting is throughout the grass field, said Mayor Vic De Luca, who expressed concern that someone might get injured playing there.

He could not explain the presence of the netting but made clear that the township will not be financially responsible.

Township officials are looking to Turco Golf, the firm that installed the field, to make things right. According to the township, Turco offered last year to replace the sod.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL DOES NOT GET ALL THE FACTS RIGHT

Not a big deal, but you would think the Maplewood Middle School sign announcing events would properly promote the Harlem Wizards coming to the school this Sunday, not the Newark Wizards.

HARLEM WIZARDS PLAY DISTRICT ALL STARS SUNDAY

The game is set. See the comical Harlem Wizards, a sort of lower-level Harlem Globetrotters, take on a school district all-star team that will reportedly include Superintendent Brian Osborne and Maplewood Middle School Principal Jeff Truppo.


Tickets are $7 for students, $9 for adults for the 6:30 p.m. game at Maplewood Middle School, and can be found on the Wizards website.
For more on this fun team, see video below.

WEIRD NJ NOTES THE GUM WALL

The latest issue of Weird NJ magazine offers some press for our beloved (and often derided) Gum Wall on Baker Street near Maplewood Middle School.


You cannot see it online, but order a copy of Issue 37 for $7 and hit page 73.


If you can't read the fine print, it describes the chewy mess as a "collection of dried gobs," but also "a sweet treat."


But this is not the first time the wall has gotten some top media attention. The New York Times and Maplewoodian Tina Kelley brought the gum garden some fame in 2005 when she wrote about it for the Grey Lady.


--------------------------------

A B C's of an Odd Collage: Already Been Chewed


Dith Pran/The New York Times
Used chewing gum makes a strange sugary collage on a wall in Maplewood, N.J.



Published: May 19, 2005
It is gross. It is tradition. And it is growing.
And it sticks on the soles of anyone walking the fine line between art and vandalism.
A sugary collage of sorts is evolving in Maplewood, N.J., a daily accretion of chewing gum wads stuck on the wall underneath the railroad overpass between Maplewood Junior High School and the center of town, the shortest distance between algebra class and a slice of pizza and a fountain drink for $2 at Arturo's.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

IRISH COFFEE DAY

Okay, two people have reminded me it is National Irish Coffee Day.


Hit The Gate, Cryan's or your favorite such pub.

CHRISTIE PUSHES GAY MARRIAGE VOTE

It may be his way to avoid having to support or veto a gay marriage bill, but could likely pass given a recent poll indicating majority support for gay marriage here.


See story HERE.


YES!

MAPLEWOOD ONLINE GIVES SOME LOVE?



I have purposefully stayed off MaplewoodOnline since August, but found out someone there posted a link to my Maplewood video.


Thanks.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DOG CANCELS TUSCAN SCHOOL RECESS - UPDATED

Animal control vehicle outside Tuscan School 
Students at Tuscan School were forced to stay indoors during part of the lunch hour today when Animal Control officers were called to pick up a dog.


In an e-mail, Superintendent Brian Osborne stated:


Tuscan had an indoor lunch today as a result of the animal control activity.


Sources within the school confirmed part of the lunch time was affected as students were ordered to remain inside the building. No students were in danger.


Evening Update: The dog in question apparently lives across the street on Harvard, has had past run-ins with escape, and has been returned home.

MAN THREATENS SHOOTING, ATTACKS POLICE, GETS ARRESTED

The aggravated assault and terroristic threats at the local DYFS office lead this week's police blotter, which also included two unidentified restaurants on Maplewood Avenue being ripped off, a stolen wallet and shoes taken at CHS.


January 19, 2012: Aggravated Assault on Police. On 1/19/12, at approximately 3:19 pm, officers responded to the Division of Youth and Family Services building on Burnett Ave. on a report of an individual threatening to shoot people. Officers arrived on scene and met with Ishmael A. Colon, 20, of 34 North 19th Street in East Orange, NJ. Colon was extremely agitated and verbally aggressive towards the officers. Officers conducted a field investigation, and learned that Colon had threatened a security guard at the location. Officers placed Colon under arrest and attempted to transport him to police headquarters for processing. However, during the transport, Colon kicked out the back driver’s side window of the police unit and continued kicking until the window was completely shattered. At this time, officers attempted to place leg shackles on Colon, however Colon struck an officer several times in the chest with his feet as he continued to yell and scream at officers. Colon was charged with the following: Terroristic Threats; Criminal Mischief; Aggravated Assault on Police; Assault on an Employee of the Division of Youth and Family Services.



January 17, 2012: Theft. On 1/17/12, a Hughes Street resident submitted a police report on behalf of her 16 year old son, alleging that her son’s Jordan sneakers were stolen from a pool locker room at Columbia High School. The sneakers were subsequently recovered. The Youth Aid Bureau and Columbia High School officials are investigating.

January 18, 2012: Theft. On 1/18/12, a Princeton Street resident reported that on 1/17/12, unknown suspect(s) burglarized his residence. The victim reported that after gaining entry to the home, the suspect(s) removed an Apple iPAD, $50.00 in cash, and three gold rings.

January 19, 2012: Theft. On 1/19/12, a Springfield, NJ resident reported the theft of his wallet from a Springfield Avenue convenience store. The victim reported that after purchasing an item, he left his wallet on the cashier’s counter. An unknown male then picked up the wallet, and handed it to another man outside the store.

 January 20, 2012: Vehicle Theft. On 1/20/12, a Fernwood Road resident reported that he left his 2009 Lexus running in his driveway at approximately 8:15 am. When he returned to the vehicle, it was gone.

January 21, 2012: Commercial Burglaries. On 1/21/12, two separate Maplewood Avenue restaurants were discovered to have been burglarized overnight. Actor(s) apparently gained entry through the rear door of each establishment. At the first scene, the suspect(s) removed a cash register. At the second scene, approximately $250.00 cash was removed from a register. The Detective Bureau is investigating.