She won a spot on the U.S. team that will compete in the World Youth Games in Ukraine next month.
See her take first place, below, in the final 400 meter race in the time trials June 26 in St. Louis.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
CHS TRACK STAR BAKER WINS SPOT ON NATIONAL TEAM - SEE THE VIDEO
She won a spot on the U.S. team that will compete in the World Youth Games in Ukraine next month.
See her take first place, below, in the final 400 meter race in the time trials June 26 in St. Louis.
NEW MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE STORE? NOT REALLY
No, just Kings new look. Makes one wonder if they really want to move across the street to the post office site when that building is renovated. But at least they are sprucing things up.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
NJ TRANSIT ALERTS
On Wednesday, June 26 and July 1-2 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gladstone Branch customers may experience delays of up to 10 minutes due to maintenance work on the overhead wires. |
| UPDATE: Gladstone Branch: Delays Expected during Midday Hours due to Maintenance Work on Overhead Wires - Weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 2, 2013 |
| Monmouth Park Station: Service to Monmouth Park Resumes through October 6, 2013 |
SUMMER FUN AT BURGDORFF
Dear Maplewood Residents,
SUMMER 2013 at Burgdorff Center:
Budding Learners Reading Camp: August 19-23 9-11:30am. For students entering grades Kindergarten through third grade in the fall. This camp focuses on decoding, fluency, sight words, and writing in preparation for the upcoming school year. All learning will be based around having fun in an under the sea adventure. $155 for the week. A nut free snack and drink should be provided. Any questions, please contact Christina at 908-419-2508 or buddinglearnerscamps@gmail.com
Budding Learners Math Camp: August 26-30 9-11:30am. For students entering grades Kindergarten through third grade in the fall. This camp focuses on addition and subtraction number facts, fractions, number sense, time, money, and word problems in preparation for the upcoming school year. All skills will be differentiated based on student ability. All learning will be based around a sports theme. $160 for the week. A nut free snack and drink should be provided. Any questions, please contact Christina at 908-419-2508 or buddinglearnerscamps@gmail.com
Super Scientists: August 12-16 9-11:30am. For students entering grades first through third. This camp will prepare students for the upcoming school year by exploring several different aspects of science enrichment. A fun scientific experiment will be done each day. A nut free snack and drink should be provided each day. Any questions, please contact Selina at 908-591-4572 or email atsmancino123@comcast.net
Register online at https://register.communitypass.net/maplewood
MAPLEWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Register online at https://register.communitypass.net/maplewood
MAPLEWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Friday, June 28, 2013
INSIDE THE NEW FORMER POLICE STATION APARTMENTS
We dropped by the new Station House apartments Friday on the site of the former police station on Dunnell Road.
Yes, the facade is a bit busy and perhaps even ugly, but the apartments inside are selling, half of the 50 units are now rented, and it seems like it is getting positive attention.
We took a tour, inside and out, led by realtor Alison Ziefert, which you can see below. Details on the units HERE.
TURTLE BACK ZOO NAMED IN BIRD NEGLECT LAWSUIT
From NJ.com:
WEST ORANGE — Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has been implicated in a lawsuit filed by PETA today against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its failure to protect birds covered by the federal Animal Welfare Act.
More than 500 parakeets at the West Orange zoo died from starvation or parasites during a two-year span, according to PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Also, a penguin died after being featherless for two years, among other incidents, the group claimed.
PETA, which filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims that birds at Turtle Back Zoo covered by the Animal Welfare Act since 2002 have been neglected and "found suffering from injuries and illness, filthy enclosures, and contaminated water, among other violations."
Read the rest HERE.
NEW MAPLEWOOD LEAFLET IS OUT
including this write up of the Post Office redevelopment plan.
Redevelopment of the Maplewood Post Office Site
In the late 1950's, Ricalton School was torn down to construct a new post office in our downtown. The cycle will continue next year when the post office is demolished and the site redeveloped with new retail space and up to 25 residential units. One possibility that has been discussed is for Kings Supermarket to move across the street and expand it selling space by about fifty percent.
Township representatives have discussed moving the post office since 1997, when a first class stamps was just 32 cents. The thinking, then and now, is that the mail sorting function of the post office is no longer suitable for a downtown area, particularly one next to the train station. The Township owns the land under the post office building and leases the property to a private company which in turn has a lease with the post office. All leases expire in November 2013 and the Township has notified the parties that it will not renew the lease.
As per state redevelopment laws, last year the Township Committee declared the site as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation. This designation gives the Township the ability to negotiate the sale of the property and control the type of development to be built. As part of the process, the Township Committee must adopt a Redevelopment Plan, essentially zoning regulations, prior to the search for a suitable developer.
In 2012, there were two community workshops to gather input for the Redevelopment Plan. Another community workshop was held this year and there have been public meetings by the Township Committee and Planning Board to solicit ideas and suggestions for the Redevelopment Plan.
The Township Committee is now prepared to move the Redevelopment Plan forward. On Tuesday, July 2nd it will introduce the Redevelopment Plan through an ordinance. The Planning Board will review the Redevelopment Plan on Tuesday, July 9th. The Township Committee will give final consideration to the ordinance and Redevelopment Plan on Tuesday, July 16th. At each of these meetings, the public will be given an opportunity to make comments.
After the Redevelopment Plan is adopted, the Township will issue a Request for Qualifications - Statement of Interest for redeveloping the site. It is expected that the fall will be used to evaluate the qualifications and proposals submitted by developers. The hope is to designate one preferred developer by the end of 2013.
Once a developer is selected, a site plan will be submitted to the Planning Board and the public will have amble opportunity to comment on the actual plans of the developer. It will be sometime in 2015 for the building to be completed and occupied.
See it all HERE.
FORMER POLICE STATION APARTMENTS HALF SOLD OUT ALREADY
Pretty good for a project that was just recently finished and ready to show.
They start at $2,400 for a one-bedroom and $3,200 for a two bedroom.
More on the units HERE.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
NEW FLOOD ADVISORY OUT
Flood Advisory for Essex County, NJ
until 11 pm EDT, Thu., Jun. 27, 2013
Radar Map
Updated 27 Jun 2013 8:55 pm Local Time
Get WeatherReady
Issued by The National Weather Service
New York City, NY
8:58 pm EDT, Thu., Jun. 27, 2013
New York City, NY
8:58 pm EDT, Thu., Jun. 27, 2013
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED AN
* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR MINOR FLOODING OF POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IN... ORANGE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... PUTNAM COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... ROCKLAND COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... KINGS (BROOKLYN) COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... HUDSON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND) COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... ESSEX COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... BERGEN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... WESTCHESTER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... BRONX COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... UNION COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... PASSAIC COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... QUEENS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT...
* UNTIL 1100 PM EDT...
FLASH FLOOD WARNING ISSUED - BIG RAINS COMING
Issued by The National Weather Service
New York City, NY
Thu, Jun 27, 2013, 3:46 AM EDT
Local Radar Map
Updated Jun 27, 2013, 3:30pm EDT
... FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT... NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS... IN SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT... NORTHERN FAIRFIELD... NORTHERN MIDDLESEX... NORTHERN NEW HAVEN... NORTHERN NEW LONDON... SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD... SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX... SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN AND SOUTHERN NEW LONDON. IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY... EASTERN BERGEN... EASTERN ESSEX... EASTERN PASSAIC... EASTERN UNION... HUDSON... WESTERN BERGEN... WESTERN ESSEX... WESTERN PASSAIC AND WESTERN UNION. IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK... BRONX... KINGS (BROOKLYN)... NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)... NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK... NORTHERN NASSAU... NORTHERN QUEENS... NORTHERN WESTCHESTER... NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK... ORANGE... PUTNAM... RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)... ROCKLAND... SOUTHEASTERN SUFFOLK... SOUTHERN NASSAU... SOUTHERN QUEENS... SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER AND SOUTHWESTERN SUFFOLK.
* FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
* LOW PRESSURE WILL APPROACH FROM THE WEST TODAY... THEN MOVE NORTH TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT AS THIS SYSTEM INTERACTS WITH A MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER THE AREA. THIS ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY.
* THIS SETUP IS CONDUCIVE TO BANDS OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TRAINING OVER THE SAME AREA. LOCALIZED RAINFALL RATES COULD EXCEED 2 INCHES IN AN HOUR IF THUNDERSTORMS TRAIN OVER THE SAME AREA FOR AN HOUR... WHICH WOULD CAUSE URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLASH FLOODING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
WATER QUALITY BULLETIN
Water Quality Update from NJ American Water
New Jersey American Water is running required tests of the system at its Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn.
During testing, water velocity from the plant has been increased and may stir up sediment in our distribution system. Customers in Maplewood, Millburn, Livingston and West Orange may experience discolored water.
New Jersey American Water is flushing fire hydrants to restore normal water quality. The testing is expected to be completed by late afternoon on Friday, June 28. Customers with discolored water should run their taps for a few minutes until clear.
FIRST TENANTS MOVING INTO FORMER POLICE STATION APARTMENTS THIS WEEKEND
The TC voted unanimously to approve the COP that allows people to begin living in the units, known as The Station House. No word on how many are moving in or how many of the units have been rented.
See info on the apartments HERE.
LIBRARY BINGO TODAY
| 4:00pm | |
| Garden Bingo All ages * Drop In Thurs 6/27 @ 4pm Hilton Branch You can play if you know your numbers. Prizes! |
BRAVO SUMMER BASEBALL, BUT NOT IN UNION
Credit coach Chris Nomura and his staff who walk the fine line between being competitive, but supportive and require the same of kids and parents.
Sad to say I cannot say that about some folks in Union we came across last night at a game there. One in particular was calling the umpire names and denigrating our team.
When politely asked to ease up, he went on the attack against me. As I walked away, he added, "yeah, go away, this is our house, we act the way we want in our house."
Classy!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
ADULT FREE HEALTH SCREENING TODAY
| 10:30am | ||||||||||||
| | Adult Health Program staffed by Maplewood Health Department Registered Nurse providing blood Pressure and weight screening, health and medication counseling, carotid bruits screening and diabetes risk assessment as needed. For an appointment, please call the Health Dept. 973-762-8120, ext 4300. Walk ins welcome. Program held at the Maplewood Memorial Library- Baker St. |
BURGLARY, PURSE SNATCHING LEAD POLICE WEEK
June 20, 2013: Burglary; A resident of Summit Rd contacted police to report that they came home and their front door was open. Officers responded to the home and found damage to the front door. Several drawers were rummaged through indicating that an actor/s gained entry. The resident was away from the home for several hours in the afternoon. At the time of the report nothing was known to be missing from the home. The area was checked by Maplewood officers, but a suspect was unable to be located.
June 20, 2013: Purse Snatch; A 16 year old female and her mother came into police headquarters at approximately 345 PM and reported a stolen purse. The juvenile reports that she was walking on Jefferson Ave toward her home in Maplewood around 2:45 PM. While walking she was approached from behind by a juvenile male. The male asked her the time and then proceeded to snatch a purse off her shoulder and run to a tan car that was waiting on Kendall Ave.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
TOWNSHIP REALLY WANTS YOU TO REVIEW POST OFFICE PLAN
Dear All,
The Township Committee invites the public to review the June 18th, 2013 proposed plan.
Residents can visit the Post Office Redevelopment Plan website to review the two versions of the Proposed Post Office Redevelopment Plan. The versions include;
1) Official copy with formatted text and maps
2) Text only copy with highlights of changes
The schedule for the proposed plan is as follows:
July 2nd - Township Committee is scheduled to introduce the proposed plan as an ordinance; the public may comment on the plan.
July 9th - Planning Board reviews the proposed plan and makes recommendations; the public may comment on the plan.
July 16th - Township Committee holds an official public hearing on the proposed plan and considers the ordinance for final passage; the public may comment on the plan.
After the plan is approved by the Township Committee, a Request for Qualifications/Letters of Interest will be prepared and made available to developers interested in the project. It is expected that submission of the RFQ/LOIs will be in September. Roughly a 90 day period of review will begin at that time. The Township Committee plans to designate a developer by the end of 2013.
LIBRARY SUMMER READING KICK-OFF TODAY
 4:00pm | |
| Summer Reading Kick-Off
Dig into Music Ages 3 and up. Come to the Main Library and dig into music with the City Winds Trio. Tuesday, June 25 at 4:00 pm. Registration suggested. |
MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S END OF YEAR NOTE
Maplewood
Middle School
Jeffrey Truppo
On behalf of the entire Maplewood
Middle School staff, I want to acknowledge and thank you for your continued
support of our school community. I don’t
think we as adults always appreciate the impact community and family
contributions to a school can have on students.
In addition to the impact of the actual contribution, be it funds for
field trips, supplies for classrooms, and special events that bring our school
together, the spirit of the involvement reinforces the message we want all our
students to embody, that of contributing to their community. I really believe that students leave MMS
after 8th grade realizing that their community contributed to their
middle school experience.
In addition to acknowledging the
support our community has provided, I would like to use this end of the year
communication to ask for feedback about our school. I realize you have been asked to fill out a
survey sent from the district office, and with it comment on aspects of our
school. However, as part of a year-long
effort to create a climate of respect at MMS, we are seeking your input on a
more granular level, specifically, our anti-bullying efforts. Following this paragraph are two links to surveys,
one for parents to complete and one for students. Please take a few
minutes to complete the survey, and ask your child to do the same. The results of these surveys are completely
confidential. We hope that you will
share your views. The data collected will be used to formulate a plan for
our anti-bullying efforts in the coming year.
MMS Parent Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-DHTMjKBycdrwMqV_6-g_QgvSAP9RNvTWxFAWvYmx5c/viewform
MMS Student survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VMD9XFs5NDmOzZtk0yktcCvz-H_qndcCD8az3EnxsKc/viewform
I would also ask you to join me on
Twitter @principalofmms
I am going to use Twitter for short
and frequent updates about happenings at MMS.
This summer I’ll update when the school supply lists have been posted on
our webpage, and when letters are mailed in August with opening day
information. I’m also hoping to send you
updates on the progress of our new science wing, which should see steel erected
in the next few weeks. Most importantly,
I think that this format will allow me to communicate information to you
quickly during the school year. While I
hope I don’t have to use it for the purposes of school closings due to power
outages, it can be an important mode of communication in the event of
emergencies.
For those of you that are leaving MMS,
I wish you and your family the best in your future endeavors. For those of you returning, or joining us in
grade 6, I look forward to seeing you in September. Enjoy your summer.
FORMER POLICE STATION SITE SPECIAL MEETING
Special Session of the Township Committee
Please Take Notice
The Maplewood Township Committee will meet in
Open Special Session on Thursday, June 27, 2013 beginning at 8:30AM, at
the Maplewood Municipal Building, 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ. The
purpose of the meeting is to consider a resolution "Approving
Improvement Completed by JERC Partners XVIII, LLC, Block 17.16, Lot 10;
File #PB-11-10 125 Dunnell Road. Official action may be taken.
No hint about exactly why it is needed for a Thursday meeting
No hint about exactly why it is needed for a Thursday meeting
Monday, June 24, 2013
COMMUNICATION CONCERNS LEADS SCHOOL DISTRICT SURVEY RESULTS
Among the findings:
Common Patterns
Satisfaction is generally high amongst students and the
community, with “satisfactory” or “very satisfactory”
selected most frequently in all questions.
• Areas of lowest satisfaction on both the community and
student survey include communications about level placement
and about high stake tests and what they mean.
Satisfaction is relatively high amongst faculty, with
“satisfactory” or “very satisfactory” selected most frequently
in 75% of all questions.
• Collegiality among faculty members in your department
consistently received the highest rating the past 3 years
• The ability to influence decisions in the district consistently
receives low ratings by the faculty.
See the entire report HERE.
CHS PROM NIGHT, BUT WHY?
A great venue, but why are they having it on a school night?
Yes, it is near the end of the year, but still?
And why not closer to home? We can assume Maplewood Country Club could not handle it or was too expensive. Would have been nice if they could give them a break.
Have fun kids!
MIDDLE SCHOOL WATER BOTTLES OKAY
Dear MMS Families,
Due to the predicted heat forecasted for the next two days, students may carry water bottles from class to class. Only water bottles or containers with water in them will be permitted. Students may not carry juice, soda, or other liquids besides water.
Sincerely,
Jeff Truppo
Sunday, June 23, 2013
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE IN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN SCANDAL
Among them our own Essex County Executive Joe Divincenzo, who seems to be brought up in such scandals too often.
According to the detailed story, Joe D received $5,900 in contributions that were apparently funneled through third-party employees of Birdsall.
No one from Maplewood's Township Committee was listed in the wrongful donations.
See the story HERE.
A BIG 21 OPEN HOUSES TODAY
Check them out for your next house, or see what the market has to bear.
But pack a lunch, it could be a long day.
See the list HERE.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
BIG 10-FAMILY SALE TODAY ON YALE STREET
Today, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Furniture, bikes, clothes, CDs, books, sports equipment. Come by and check out stuff at each house, and buy some lemonade
Friday, June 21, 2013
TUSCAN SCHOOL IN BED WITH ABUSIVE COMPANY NIKE
What we did not know is that this is in partnership with Nike, a company that continues a history of abuse of workers worldwide.
The latest example is occurring in Indonesia, according to Associated Press:
SUKABUMI, Indonesia (AP) -- Workers making Converse sneakers in Indonesia say supervisors throw shoes at them, slap them in the face and call them dogs and pigs. Nike, the brand's owner, admits that such abuse has occurred among the contractors that make its hip high-tops but says there was little it could do to stop it.
See that report HERE.
If you look at the fine print of the authorization parents must sign for their children (below), it indicates Nike has "unlimited permission to distribute, publish, exhibit, sell, license, digitize, broadcast, display, and otherwise use" the names and images of students whose parents give permission.
Do we want our school to get in bed with a company like this? We sought comment from the school and district, but nothing yet.
BIG MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE SATURDAY
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Furniture, bikes, clothes, CDs, books, sports equipment. Come by and check out stuff at each house, and buy some lemonade
JULY 4TH PLAN IS RELEASED - NEW LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED
The same programs and events are set for Independence Day, but with a big change in the space for the circus, zoo and the fireworks.
See below:
Is this good or bad?
Get the entire schedule of events HERE.