Wednesday, May 16, 2012
With visions of 1994 dancing in metropolitan fans' heads, who do you think will win? Game 2 takes place tonight at 8 p.m.
It isn't always pretty. In fact, it rarely is. When the two top ice hockey squads in the New York-New Jersey metro area lace them up, it's always a spectacle. But it's never more so than when the matchups come in the playoffs. Of course, we're talking about the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers (sorry Islanders fans, but the '80s are behind us). The two NHL teams begin their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals series Monday night (8; NBC Sports Network) for the right to head to the Stanley Cup Finals. Of course, most fans remember the last time these two faced each other for that right. It was 1994. For Rangers fans, it was the precursor to a fantastic Stanley Cup championship victory over the Vancouver Canucks and the end of …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
This year Mama wants the things money can’t buy: peace, quiet and a little less nose-picking.
As a mom of three boys, my days are busy, loud and sometimes covered in chocolate and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But after a decade of macaroni necklaces and still-partially-frozen waffles that land syrup-side down on my duvet cover before even roosters are stirring, I’d like to share some other easy-on-the-wallet Mother’s Day gift ideas. Now I’m not crazy, I don’t expect all these things to last year-round but for one day, any of the following “gifts” would be priceless. Here, in an open letter to my fellas, is what I do and don’t want, in no particular order: I do want you to dress yourselves but not like rodeo clowns. I don’t want to hear any senseless arguments or competing such as, “Look, there’s a cat in the window!” “Yeah, …
Friday, May 11, 2012
A state legislative committee approved a bill this week that would bar the practice.
Can an employer force you to reveal your Facebook or other social media password as a condition for getting hired or keeping your job? That issue began to get some attention in March after a statistician in New York reported that during an interview with a potential employer, the woman interviewing him had searched for his Facebook and, upon discovering that it was private, asked him for the password. The statistician, Justin Bassett refused and left the interview, according to the Associated Press. But the story brought to light other instances where employers have sought similar access to social media accounts, and have led several states to consider legislation to ban the practice. California's assembly voted Thursday to approve such …
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The blockbuster hit is showing in Westfield, Mountainside, and Union.
The Avengers officially opened on Friday and is showing at the Union Theatre in Union, AMC Loews Mountainside, the Rialto Theatre of Westfield. Find showtimes here. Overall, The Avengers is one film that delivers, blending non-stop action with comedic relief. Expect many of the one-liners to be quoted this summer. This Marvel Film directed by Joss Whedon is great entertainment and not just for comic book fanatics. Take it from someone who easily tires of long action scenes. The superheroes with their unique skills and personalities and the stunning visual effects keep this movie interesting. Seeing all those superheroes in one film, interacting and battling through rivalries is really pretty cool. The superheroes are summoned together …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Amy Chiarello Barnett writes about one of the top 10 greatest nights of her life
I have always loved the music of “The Boss” although I cannot take credit for being one of “those” fans. The die hards who know every album, can argue song lyrics and set lists and tour dates and such. But I am a born and bred Jersey girl, and when our most famous native plays his premier gig in the largest city in the state, (not to mention in our own Essex County backyard,) ... well, attention must be paid. On Wednesday night, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played for the first time at the Prudential Center in Newark. And I was there. My invitation to last night’s show came via my well-connected friend Kathy. Her late night text message asking “What are you doing tomorrow night?” set into motion one of the Top Ten All Time …
Monday, April 30, 2012
A Member of Boy Scout Troop 75 is asking residents for help as he works toward reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.
My name is Nicholas Frediani and I am a member of the Cranford High School Marching and Jazz Bands. I am also a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 75, which is sponsored by The Cranford United Methodist Church. I am currently working toward earning my Eagle Scout Award. A large part of becoming an Eagle Scout is to perform a service project. For my service project, I have chosen to renovate the Cranford high school band room. The band room is in great need of renovation and many people, including the band director, would be very happy to see this accomplished. As a member of both bands, I spend a lot of time in the band room. I have made great friends as a result of band, and have wonderful memories that will remain with me forever. For these…
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tina Renna expresses her views on the human cost of the Union County budget plan.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, April 24
Despite the county budget climbing to just a shade under a half a billion dollars, the county is laying off approximately 10 percent of their work force. This does not include even one overpaid, unneeded patronage job. In fact politicaly connected employees were given generous raises in January. Freeholder Angel Estrada stated at the last freeholder meeting, “I am amazed that people who sit here week after week who consistently complain about A, B and C are not the first ones out here saying how great it is….we’re reducing the workforce by 10 percent. That’s what they’ve been asking for months, years.” I have never heard a citizen call for in the last few “months, years” for a 10 percent reduction in Runnells or Social Service employees, …
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The following is a monthly column by Alexander Mirabella, chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 12
As residents of an urban area, we in Union County are used to thinking about fire prevention in terms of our homes and other buildings. However, an extremely mild winter and dry spring have come together to underscore the importance of preventing forest fires in our public parks and nature preserves, too. Last month a small brush fire cropped up in Cranford, an unusual occurrence for Union County. Fire risk warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service and the New Jersey Forest Service, and major blazes have broken out elsewhere in the state, as well as nearby in Staten Island. The situation has added a new layer of complexity to the job faced by our career and volunteer fire fighters. I know they will rise to meet this new …
David Larsen, Congressional candidate for New Jersey’s 7th District, shares his thoughts on taxes and their impact on job creation and economic growth.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, April 12
Rising gas prices, wasteful government spending, Obama Care, now combined with our President’s rhetoric around raising taxes on investors and job creators, are all threatening to undermine our economic recovery. Rather than raising taxes, we should be lowering all tax rates, resulting in everyone paying into the system. This approach will not only bring fairness and stability to our tax code, but it will stimulate economic growth and job creation for millions of Americans. As we approach Tax Day, I believe there is something inherently unfair about a tax system that picks winners and losers. A core principle of conservatism is the idea that every citizen should be treated equally before the law, without regard to one’s station in society…
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
An editor's personal journey through autism.
This story is not mine to own. It could belong to you. It could belong to your sister, your friend, your neighbor, the waitress at Jersey Boys, the bank president, the school principal, the police officer directing traffic. In New Jersey, the story belongs to all of us. The findings of a federal study released last week show that one in 49 children, and one in 29 boys, are diagnosed with autism in New Jersey. Nationally, one in 88 children are diagnosed annually. Autism is a disease that gives itself freely and without prejudice. There is no way to protect your child from it; no diet or vaccine that will prevent it. It is, as experts will tell you, pervasive. Autism has been an unwanted guest in my house for 11 years. It has attached …
Mary Mann
11:04 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012
Hilarious and touching. Those are four lucky boys (including the husband, whom I hope has never hugged you while holding a fistful of worms)! more ›