PEDESTRIANS STRUCK

PATCH Breaking News:

POLICE & FIRE  Maplewood Man Pinned Between Car and Snow Bank Has Non-Life-Threatening Injuries Two pedestrians were struck when a Toyota Camry exiting a driveway on Boyden Avenue suddenly accelerated. Both were transported to University Hospital in Newark and are expected to recover fully.

TUSCAN SCHOOL CLAMPDOWN

Tuscan School, which already disallows drop-offs and pick-ups in front, is now limiting parking nearby due to snow.


This notice out today:

***NOTICE: DUE TO HAZARDOUS SNOW CONDITIONS AROUND THE TUSCAN SCHOOL AREA, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ON EITHER SIDE OF HARVARD AVE, OSBORNE PL. AND PROSPECT ST. (NEAR HARVARD AVE.) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE IN VERY HAZARDOUS ROAD AND PARKING CONDITIONS. PLEASE CONSIDER WALKING YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL-- IF POSSIBLE-- AND/OR CARPOOLING IF YOU MUST DRIVE UNTIL THE SNOW CONDITIONS SUBSIDE. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS DIRECTING TRAFFIC AND MONITORING CONDITIONS DURING PICK-UP AND DROP OFF UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE***

 

Why not just remove the snow?

FIRE HYDRANT HUNT

We found these firefighters hunting for a hydrant on Harvard Ave. 


Give them a hand, dig out the hydrants as you can.

NEW TOWNSHIP WEBSITE

Looks like a re-designed township website was launched, and is seeking ads.


Way to draw in some more revenue.


But will the TC agendas be easier to find?


See it HERE.

MAPLEWOOD GANGS

You think gangs are only a problem in Newark, Irvington or other places?


A state report out late Friday reveals there are at least eight gangs with a presence in Maplewood, with some 65 members among them.


Not to mention that Essex County leads the state in such activities


Read more HERE

BUDGET PART TWO

The next budget meeting of the Township Committee is on now, 9-1, and focuses on non-profits, etc.

BIG SNOWMAN

Came across this big snowman on Bowdoin Street today. Nice work.

ROBO CALL REVENGE

Anyone who was annoyed at the 5 a.m. calls we received this week to tell us about snow days might appreciate this story of revenge by a parent in Maryland.


He recorded the following robo call and sent it back to school officials the next morning at an early hour.

WE SURVIVED

Back to work, school, etc. But is more coming? Never assume

CONCERT CANCELED

Latest from School District Twitter feed:

SOMSDK12 

  

January 27 - The South Orange-Maplewood School District Choral Concert,scheduled for tonight at South Orange Middle School,is cancelled.

SNOW DELAYS

Township offices opened two hours late, library to open at 1 p.m.


Hang in there!

MORE SNOW AGAIN?

This is getting crazy, but we can handle it.


We got the call from Superintendent Brian Osborne that schools were closed at about 5 a.m. and this e-mail around the same time:

January 27, 2011

Schools and offices are closed today due to inclement weather.  

Also NJ Transit buses cancelled and trains on changed schedules. See HERE

As usual, roads cleared well. Great work

AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS CANCELED

This notice came in from Superintendent Brian Osborne:

January 26, 2011

After school student activies and programs for students, including the after school program (ASP), are cancelled today due to inclement weather.  The public Board of School Estimate meeting will take place as previously scheduled. 

SNOW BACK UPS

This was the scene on Springfield Ave. going toward Irvington this morning.


Be careful!

MAPLEWOOD MARKET LATEST

The market that would not die. 


After shutdowns and court fights, Maplewood Market on Springfield Ave. reopened just in time for the snow storm.

NJ TRANSIT SNOW-RELATED NEWS

Check their delays and expanded service HERE.

LOCKDOWN

Scanner reports lockdown drill at Tuscan School - in this blizzard?

NEIGHBORS OUT EARLY

PATCH reports Millburn and Livingston schools have called for early dismissal.


No word on our classes yet. Check back.

BULK PICK-UP?

Here is Mayor De Luca's Twitter reminder about the first monthly bulk pick-up today.


Vic_DeLuca 

  

Waste Management 1st Bulk Pick-up under new monthly collection system is Wed, Jan 26th. Next pick-up is Feb 23rd. Must call 4 reservation.


But with the snow storm, can they do it?

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Yes, more snow is already falling.


Will there be an early dismissal today, snow day Thursday?


They have only one snow day left, so use it wisely.


Follow the forecast HERE

THREE BUSINESSES BURGLARIZED

This week's police report includes break-ins to two Maplewood Village eateries and one on Springfield Ave.


See HERE

PROPERTY TAX REMINDER

How nice of the township to e-mail me and remind me that my insanely high property taxes are due:

Maplewood E-Mail Reminder Program

1^st quarter 2011 property taxes are due February 1, 2011.  If you have already paid these charges or your mortgage company pays your property taxes, please disregard this e-mail.

PROPERTY TAX REBATES TO RETURN?

The Star-Ledger reports Gov. Christie made the promise, hold him to it:

Gov. Chris Christie said today he will restore property tax rebates that were eliminated in the budget last year."We're going to reinstitute the rebate this spring and you're going to get it quarterly as a credit on your property tax bill," Christie said at a town hall meeting.Christie said the rebates will not come as an annual check, as it did in previous incarnations.

NBC AT MMS

So NBC was filming something at the middle school on Sunday, but it apparently did not involve our students and the district does not know what it was for, or ready to release how much the district charged, if at all.


Asked via e-mail about details, District Spokeswoman Judy Levy wrote:


The building was rented out for filming. None of our students were involved.

I don’t know the nature of the show and the business office doesn’t have all the invoices in place yet. It usually takes a while for that to happen.

Judy

We will advise when we know.

BOFA SIGN SNAFUS

Bank of America just can't get a break.


The Springfield Avenue branch at Prospect Street had this sign knocked down last year, then someone crashed into their drive-thru window area.


They also have been ordered closed next month and now some plowed snow knocked down the same sign again.

FATHER MICHAEL DEPARTS

A nice tribute to Father Michael, who was leaving St. Joseph's Church last Sunday,


See HERE

FIRE ALARM AT CHS

Fire alarm from girls gym west at Columbia High School.


Hope the kids are bundled up for quick trip outside into the freeze.


UPDATE; Broken water pipe, hope it does not ice up.

GREEN TEAM MEETING TONIGHT

For those in the green, it is at 7:30 p.m. at Burgdorff Center.


More HERE

COLD COLD COLD

The freeze is on.


Check HERE


Be careful and bundle up.

LOCAL TALENT

Found this video of one of Maplewood's best dance presentations.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS

This notice says it all:

Registration for 2011 spring seasons for South Orange Maplewood Baseball (ages 5-15 as of April 30, 2011) and Maplewood South Orange Softball (Grades K-9) will be held on the following dates and times: 
Saturday and Sunday, January 22-23, 1-4 pm 
Saturday and Sunday, February 5-6, 1-4 pm 
The Baird in South Orange OR the Civic House in Maplewood 

All first time registrants MUST present copy of birth certificate. 

MINI MART UPROAR

The News-Record on concerns about a mini-mart going in the gas station near CHS.

BUDGET BLUES CONTINUE

The Township Committee budget hearings continue today, 9-1.


Show up and give 'em a piece of your mind.

ANOTHER SNOW DAY?

Well, two-hour delayed opening for the kids, but still snow for us.


Kudos, again, to DPW for clearing the roads. Be safe.

DELUCA TONIGHT

Mayor Vic De Luca has office hours tonight. Show up and give him a piece of your mind.

Time:	6:30pm
Information:	Mayor's office at town hall. No appointment necessary. Enter through rear door off parking lot.
Address:	574 Valley Street
Town:	Maplewood
Phone:	973-868-4611
Contact:	Vic De Luca vic@igc.org

SCHOOL BOARD FACES BUDGET, UNION

Patch details the tough budget fight ahead after last night's BOE meeting, while The News-Record has the teachers union declaring an impasse in their 18-month contract talks.

Perhaps the union could fork over some share of health benefits beyond the 1.5% like everyone else does.

TEACHERS UNION IN FULL SWING

They have worn "I am SOMEA" T-shirts to school for two days, and were set to demonstrate outside the Board of Ed Wednesday night.


We also have several reports of teachers telling students they don't make enough money.


But not sure what sympathy they expect when they remain unwilling to pay more than 1.5% of their health benefits and have not had a contract in 18 months.

SCHOOL BOARD TONIGHT

The Board of Education meets tonight at 7:30 p.m.


Among the items, discussion of the Shell Mini-Mart? What could that be?


See agenda HERE

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The TC on Tuesday night did the following:


1. Unanimously approved ordinance allowing alcohol to be served before noon on Sunday.


2. Amended Parkside District to include some of Dunnell Road.


3. Acting as Board of Health, approved Maplewood Market to receive new food license as of Friday.


Next meeting is on the budget, Saturday at 9 a.m. Show up and speak your piece.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE TONIGHT

Tonight's TC meeting is on, with an agenda that includes approval of expanded liquor sale hours on Sunday, expanded Parkside zoning and a request for bike racks at the train station?


See HERE

POLICE FILE JAN. 18

Vehicle theft, vandalism and a few warrants mark week.


See HERE

BACK DOOR DAMAGE

Scanner shows some kind of back door damage to Bill and Harry's in Maplewood Village......

MAPLEWOOD MAN WHO FOUGHT DEPORTATION FOUND DEAD

The Star-Ledger reports:

Dardar Paye, 33, was found shot to death inside one of three cars that led police on a pursuit from the city into Bucks County, Pa. Detectives are trying to find out where Paye was murdered, but it appears that the men in the cars were trying to dispose of his body.

DELAYED OPENING

We not only got the recorded call at about 5:30 a.m., but this e-mail from the top man himself: (You would hope it would not have such misspelled words. Well, it was early)



January 18, 2011
There is a two hour delayed opening today due to inclement weather and icy road conditions.  All buses will pick up students two hours later than regularly scheduled.  Columbia High School will open at 10:00 and period 3 will begin at 10:10.  There will be no AM pre-kiindergarten.

MLK EVENT

For those wishing to honor the great leader on his birthday:


• Martin Luther King Jr. 2011 Interfaith Worship Service and Volunteer Fair, featuring Columbia High School Special Dance Company, Voices in Harmony chorus, interfaith readings and reflections by author and speaker Patrick Swift, 3 p.m. today, Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel, 432 Scotland Road.www.tsti.org or (973) 763-4116.

OPEN MIC FUN

Great time last night at St. Joseph's Open Mic night.


Yes, I performed some comedy efforts, but other music and such stole the show.

Great time!

PURSE THEFT

Scanner indicates woman 


had purse stolen from front 


steps of Union Ave home.

NO TAX HIKE? DON'T BET ON IT

Could there really be no municipal tax hike?


Perhaps, but school taxes will still hit you with one. 


And there is always the reval impact.


See HERE

MLK MARCH TODAY

MICHELE TURNER ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PEACE MARCH

Who:              All students and staff from Maplewood Middle School (approximately 900 people)

What:             A silent peace march in honor of the lives and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michele Turner, longtime advisor of Maplewood Middle School MLK Club.

Where:          The march will begin on the sidewalks surrounding MMS, go through Maplewood Village and return back to the front of the school.

When:            Friday – January 14, 2011 from 9:17 a.m. to 10:07 a.m. (period 2)

Why:              The March is in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and achievements.  This unique silent march should help people reflect upon a man who was committed to fighting nonviolently for equality and peace.  His vision of America is indeed responsible for the diversity we so richly enjoy in the Maplewood community and school.  We are not only honoring the man, but his message as well.          

EBERSOLE DOES IT AGAIN

Maplewood's own Christine Ebersole gets a rave review for her latest production, a dinner show at Cafe Carlyle in New York City. 


The New York Times declares:


"In her frisky mode Ms. Ebersole suggests a blond, rosy-cheeked child, the ideal playmate of your youth when you rummaged through a trunk on a rainy afternoon and dressed up as pirates and princesses. Ms. Ebersole’s zany childlike side was epitomized by a version of 'Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead,' from 'The Wizard of Oz,' its adult counterpart by a hilarious Sophie Tucker number, 'You Can’t Deep Freeze a Red Hot Mama.' (And why can’t you? 'You can’t get her temperature down.')"

GREAT NEIGHBOR

Kudos to the neighbor on Yale Street who snow-blew about five homes' worth of sidewalk this morning.

MORE LATE OPENINGS

South Mountain YMCA to open at 9 a.m., Maplewood Library opening at 1 p.m.

SNOW HITS, ROADS CLEARING

As of this morning, good plowing as per usual from Maplewood DPW.


No school, no recycle pick-up and NJ Transit changes HERE 


Our streets cleared as of 7 a.m.


What about you?


Write in comments below