Sept 2017 West orange

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No. 13 Vol. 9 • September 2017

WEST ORANGE

News

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West Orange 15-Year Old Golfer Swings His Way To State Champion Story on page 2

2 Page 2 • September 2017 • West Orange News • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

West Orange 15 Year Old Golfer Swings His Way To State Champion

By Stefanie Sears est Orange High School junior Tyler Galantini takes golfing very seriously. He recently earned the 47th New Jersey Junior Golf Championship title on July 26 at Watchung Valley Golf Club.

“It was a Match Play event,” says Galantini. “Basically it was four rounds of Match Play that came after qualifying and I was the first seed. I had the lowest score of all the kids that tried to qualify.”

“Golf is generally a stroke play,” explains Galantini’s father Gene, who attributes himself as his son’s biggest fan. “The tournament that he played in July was a Match Play event in which you actually play one on one, sort of like tennis. So on the first day they had a stroke play qualifying all the kids who were playing and you have to do well enough to actually make it into the Match Play. He had the lowest score, so he was the one seed. So he went through the bracket.”

Galantini, 15, has been playing golf his entire life, much in part thanks to his family’s influence. He and his father, mother Amy, and 12-year-old younger sister Samantha- whom also compete in tournaments- frequently golf together recreationally. Gene is the one who initially turned him onto golf when he was just three years old. He then competed in his first tournament at age seven.

Tyler and his father emphasize that although golf may come across a low key, singular individual’s sport, it is still a great way to meet people.

“Even when people are competing against each other, they help each other out,” says Gene.

“You don’t help each other necessarily during the tournament itself, but if a friend of his was having problems with his putting, Tyler could help him out.

That’s just the way golf is. People want to help each other get better.”

One way Galantini meets people is participating in competitions throughout the country.

He has played in tournaments

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in North Carolina, Arizona and Florida. Every year Galantini goes down to Pinehurst, N.C., to compete in the US Kids Golf Teen Word Championship. This year’s experience, which took place from July 27-29, was one of his most memorable.

“I played really good the third day for about half of it and not so great on the second half, and that was kind of a learning experience,” he says.

Galantini prepares for tournaments both mentally and physically. Preparations include prior practice rounds on the course as well as some shoulder exercises.

“I do workout sometimes in the winter,” says Galantini, “There is a company that gives us golf specific training, such as the shoulders. I worked out a few times this summer, but not really before tournaments because it’s kind of risky.”

A fan of math with plans to possibly study engineering when college rolls around, Galantini incorporates his skills in these areas into the game as well, such as determining coordinates and angles.

Now Galantini looks forward to playing in further multiple tournaments, including the Tournament of Champions.

“If there is a tournament, he’s playing in it,” says Gene.

Another venture Galantini anticipates is playing in the spring for the co-ed West Orange High School Golf Team, which is looking for new recruits since former members have graduated.

Galantini states that golfer Erik Compton is one that truly inspires him because he has defied the odds by still competing in the game after undergoing a heart transplant.

Of course, Gene has also been an inspiration for him.

“He has helped me a lot with golf,” says Galantini, “About the age of maybe 9 he brought me to his clinic. That is now where I am a member. I practice a lot out there. He has told me to keep my head up because I have had a lot of rounds where it hit really low and so he has just taught me to keep my head in there and keep

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Gene continuously gives his son some excellent advice.

“Even though Tyler is a serious golfer, the most important thing I try to instill in him is to

just love the game, love what you’re doing. As long as you love playing golf, then it’s easier to want to practice it and try to get better and achieve what you want to achieve.”

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3 Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • West Orange News • September 2017 • Page 3

West Orange Couple Dedicates Treatment Room At JFS MetroWest To Fight Mental Illness

By Stefanie Sears ith the aim to translate their sorrows into hope for others, Mark and Eta Levenson have dedicated the Eric Eliezer Levenson Treatment Room to the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest in Florham Park.

The Levensons lost their son, Eric, on Feb. 4, 2016, when at the age of 28 he took his own life after a 14-year battle with depression.

“We, the Levensons, had approached JFS about making a significant donation to them, in memory of Eric,” they explain. “It

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was our hope that our donation would make a difference in helping individuals and families fighting mental illness, ultimately preventing any more suicides.

In consultation with Reuben Rotman, the past executive director of JFS, the treatment room was suggested to us and we agreed it would be a fitting, and lasting, memorial to Eric and his life.”

Mental Health Counseling is the core agency service at JFS MetroWest that is frequently updated to serve the needs of the community. The Eric Eliezer Levenson Treatment Room is

one of many rooms at the Florham Park location, but the first room named specifically after a community member who struggled with mental health firsthand.

JFS MetroWest offers therapeutic, psychoeducational, and support groups, including one for adults coping with depression and anxi-

ety. In the Eric Eliezer Levenson Treatment Room, licensed professional therapists provide the population with key mental health clinical services and counseling to clients and their families by covering a wide range of circumstances.

“JFS MetroWest provides mental health counseling on a regular and ongoing basis,” says Clinical Director Lauren Hennion.

“Treatment is individualized to meet the unique needs of each client in the most comprehensive manner possible.

With this room, we honor Eric’s memory and the battle that

he and his loved ones fought. We hope to help others in their journeys toward health and healing.”

The Eric Eliezer Levenson Foundation for Hope, a suicide prevention focused foundation created this year by the Levenson family to support programs fighting mental illness, provided funding for the room in memory of Eric.

“Our basic message is that there are people who love you and want to help you,” say the Levensons, “You are not alone. There are people to whom you are very important and for whom life

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would be significantly diminished without you. You are not a burden. There are people and programs out there who can help you get the help you need. You just need to reach out and take our hand - we will guide you through this.

Don’t give up!”

Echoing those sentiments, Hennion says, “There is hope, there is help and you do not need to do it alone. Mental illness is not something to keep hidden and deal with alone.

Approximately one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year. We as cont. on page 4

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4 Page 4 • September 2017 • West Orange News • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Couple Dedicates Treatment Room... continued from page 3 a society need to challenge the stigma, stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness. Struggling with mental health issues is not something to be ashamed of and with proper treatment and support many people are able to overcome challenges to move towards health and healing.”

A dedication ceremony for the Eric Eliezer Levenson Treatment Room took place on July 25 with the Levensons in attendance. The President of the JFS Board of Trustees, Marion Medow, addressed the Levensons at the event.

“JFS MetroWest will strive to preserve Eric’s memory and honor his life. How fitting that his name be memorialized at JFS, where those struggling with mental illness are understood

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with compassion, sympathy, and respect.”

The Levensons have also made a previous gift in support of annual JFS programming in the MetroWest Jewish community to promote mental health education and understanding.

“With these and other funds, JFS MetroWest will train its staff on treatment modalities, offer programming in the MetroWest Jewish community related to the stigma of mental and provide educational programming on suicide prevention,” says Hennion.

Regarding use of the room, Hennion issues the following statement: “Out of respect for client privacy and the confidential nature of the work that takes place in the Eric Eliezer Levenson Treatment Room it is not open to the public and is only used by JFS MetroWest Licensed Profession-

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al Therapists and clients of the agency. Community members who wish to utilize JFS MetroWest’s counseling services should call the Intake department at 973-765-9050.”

JFS MetroWest will be hosting a half-day workshop called “Preventing Suicide in Adolescents

and Young Adults” on Fri., Nov. 3. It will feature guest speaker Dr. Suzanne Levy, the co-developer and training director of the Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT) Training Program at Drexel University’s Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Check Out Garden State Yacht Club On Lake Hopatcong

oin the Garden State Yacht Club now through September and receive a bonus of three to four months with an application and deposit. Boat owners will also get three years free dock space for 2017-2018 based on availability. For those without a boat, members with boats are always happy to take people out to see the gorgeous lake.

Enjoy year round activities on beautiful Lake Hopatcong.

The private air-conditioned club offers outdoor and social activities for all ages including a

heated pool, wonderful summer entertainment on Friday & Saturday nights, Sunday live entertainment by the pool, speakers, delicious food, prepared by an in-house chef, dock space on premises, trips, tennis courts, a playground, locker rooms and lots more. During the fall, winter and spring months there are parties, trips, movie nights and other activities to enjoy.

Call the membership hotline at 973-398-0022 and ask for a tour of the facilities. Summer is a great time to see the club in

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Did You Know?

ccording to the pet adoption service Petfinder, dogs chase their tails for various reasons. Some dogs may be curious about the appendage or have a predatory instinct, while others may chase their tails just to get some exercise. Tail-chasing may also be a nervous tick that’s indicative of the dog’s anxiety.

Flea infestation is another rea-

son dogs may chase their tails.

Some dogs may believe they can alleviate itchiness from flea bites by latching onto their tails. Dog owners concerned about excessive tail-chasing should discuss those concerns with their veterinarian, who may offer insight as to why the dog is chasing its tail and how to reduce that chasing in the future.

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5 Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • West Orange News • September 2017 • Page 5

Preschool Named After Late Livingston Teacher

By Jason Cohen woman who taught students for more than 30 years in Essex County now has a school named after her.

Elizabeth “Betty” Maddalena, was a late Livingston resident, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 54. On Sept. 6, the West Orange School District officially opened the Betty Maddalena Early Learning Center at 747 Northfield Avenue.

According to the Board of Education’s website, the West Orange School District has battled with overcrowding at all of its 11 schools for several years. The district currently has trailers at three elementary schools and at some point in the recent past, at Edison Central Six and West Orange High School.

But, after lengthy research and discussions, the board recently selected a new location for its pre-school.

Board President Sandra Mordecai said this new space will

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benefit the community and it was a nice way to honor Maddalena.

“We are proud to announce that we have finalized our lease agreement with The Life Christian Church and will be moving our pre-school program from Kelly Elementary School to a new facility,” Mordecai said.

The board began discussing this space early this year, and during its budget workshops, set aside funds to pay for the lease.

In the past, other boards looked at space on Harrison Avenue, Main Street, Blessed Pope John XXIII Academy (formerly known as St. Joseph’s), Suburban Hills and many other locations.

The spaces it previously looked at were not financially feasible.

The board not only wanted to provide a safe learning space for children, but find a facility that is cost effective and doesn’t overburden the taxpayers.

As with all business operations in the school district, it has the necessary approvals of the county and state offices to move forward.

“Betty was always a true advocate for all of our children and extremely well respected by her peers,” Mordecai said. “The Board of Education wished to honor her legacy by naming the new pre-school in her memory.”

At a future date, the school will be hosting a reception and inviting the community and all who loved and supported Maddalena to attend.

Maddalena’s career began as a private school teacher at Aquinas Academy in Livingston. She was an educator for more than 30 years, and began her career as a teacher, advancing to coordinator, then supervisor and ultimately director, all in West Orange. She was the first to receive the prestigious Educator Medal of Honor Award in 2006 from Governor Jon Corzine and Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy.

She was the district’s director of student support services until her passing in 2011.Most recently, she was named West Orange Community House’s Educator of the Year.

Unity Charter School To Host Community Bike Swap

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nity Charter School in Morristown plans to hold a community-wide Bike Swap on Fri., Oct. 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., The school is looking for gently used bike donations in all sizes. All bikes will be sold at the bike swap for only $10 with all of the proceeds going to the Unity Charter School PTO. This is a great way to help community members purchase affordable bikes and help the en-

vironment by reusing bikes that would otherwise end up in the trash.

Please save any working bikes of all sizes that family members no longer use, or good bikes found on the side of the road, and park them at the back entrance of Unity Charter School from Oct. 2 through Oct. 12.

They will be stored, shined up and put out for sale on Oct. 13.

Email dina.artale@unitycharterschool.org. with any questions.

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6 Page 6 • September 2017 • West Orange News • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Investing In Parks Is A Win-Win In West Orange, Renovations Planned

By Lisa McNamara egnan and Lafayette Parks in West Orange will receive facelifts some time in 2018 courtesy of an approved $182,100 Green Acres grant.

“We applied for the grant because we believe these are great projects for these great parks,” says Mayor Robert Parisi. Catering to the demands of the neighborhood and to what is popular now was the inspiration behind the projects for both parks.

According to Parisi, “Lafayette Park demands soccer,” and Degnan Park will receive improvements since “it is arguably one of the more popular parks in West Orange. It is in use every day, almost all day.”

The New Jersey Department

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of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Acres Program provides funding to acquire open space and to develop and improve parks across New Jersey.

The DEP announced in July that West Orange was awarded the grant that will make the park improvements possible.

Bill Kehoe, West Orange’s director of Recreation, highlights some of those planned improvements to both parks, starting with Degnan.

The field there is too big and was used mostly for men’s softball along with high school girls and youth softball, explains Kehoe. However, “Men’s softball has faded out of the picture, so we shrank the field’s dimensions.”

Jenna Bush Hager To Speak At NCJW Essex Event

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he National Council of Jewish Women of Essex County will hold an open evening with teacher, author and journalist Jenna Bush Hager on Oct. 25.

In the Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park.

Bush Hager has seen firsthand how small change can make a large difference in a single life.

At this special evening event, Bush Hager, a contributing correspondent for NBC’s “Today” show, will share her own stories of creating change in someone’s life, sharing positive uplifting messages of regular people doing extraordinary things.

The V.I.P. Dinner with Jenna Bush Hager begins at 5:45 p.m., boutique shopping begins at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert

Another project component will be laser regrading which entails checking the pitch of the field to improve drainage.

Plans also include the removal of some fences and the installation of new ones. Fan seating is in an awkward spot now, and the project calls for repositioning the seating closer to the parking area. A new scoreboard is on the list too.

As for Lafayette Park, “It is a unique situation,” says Kehoe.

He explains it was once a vibrant baseball field for Little League, but baseball is not as popular in this neighborhood as it once was. The demographics have changed, and the town wants to do something to ensure families utilize the park. Soccer is big in West Orange, and Colgate Park already has a state-of-the-art soccer field. Therefore, installing a Futsal Court fashioned after the South American soccer fields is one of the planned improvements at Degnan along with a

new volleyball court.

“Soccer and volleyball are extremely popular in the neighborhood, and the two things go together,” adds Kehoe. This park also has a small field house, but he is unsure of the plans for the field house at this time.

Kehoe sums up the planned improvements.

“It’s simple,” he says. “Neighborhoods change.

People change. Interests change. We have to adapt and adjust to the changes. What we want, at the end of the day, is to get families and children into the parks. We want them filled and filled with positive activities.”

West Orange’s plan aims to do just that. Investing in parks is a win-win no matter what sport is played. With a nod to the changes in the neighborhoods, West Orange moves forward with efforts to not only improve their parks but also to enhance the quality of life for those who call West Orange home.

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7 Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • West Orange News • September 2017 • Page 7

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Make Mason Jar Salads At WOPL

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dults are invited to make mason jar salads Sept. 21 in the West Orange Public Library. Dietician Jackie Philbin of Shop Rite of West Orange will lead the session at 1:30 p.m. in

West Orange Plans Neil Simon Theater Trip For Seniors

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he Township of West Orange will sponsor a senior citizen bus trip to see Neil Simon’s “Come Blow Your Horn,’’ Sept. 26 at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse.

FREE CONSULTATION FOR IMPLANTS, COSMETICS

Tickets are $55 each and include transportation and the show.

For more information, call 973-325-9853.

Preview Night To Feature Wine, Cheese at WO Library

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he Friends of the West Orange Library will host a wine and cheese reception Sept. 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the library.

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the meeting room of the library.

Those interested should visit the library online calendar at http://www.libraryinsight.net/ calendar.asp to sign up in advance.

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No registration is required for this free preview night, which will feature opportunities to win a Fitbit, play tickets and movie tickets.

Flamenco Show Slated For West Orange Library

rammy nominated flamenco guitarist Hernan Romero will perform Sept.

25 at the West Orange Library.

The performance, spiced with the exotic traditions that infuse flamenco-gypsy, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean folk interwoven with textures of classical,

jazz, and Latin rhythms, will begin at 7 p.m. A composer and guitarist, Romero’s music is both sophisticated and accessible. It is sensuous, passionate and romantic.

Walk-ins are welcome, no registration is required.

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The AARP Foundation TaxAide Program is looking for those willing to help people in need get the the deductions and credits they deserve and only pay their fair share in taxes.

Training is provided in late fall/ early winter, and taxes are prepared in February thru April 15.

No prior tax experience is needed - just a willingness to participate.

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Have a human interest story?

We want to hear from you!

Email us at editor@newviewmg.com

Page 8 • September 2017 • West Orange News • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Elsa Warms Hearts Through Her Mild Manner And Companionship

By Cheryl Conway hen Chris Muench of Livingston first got her daughter a Chihuahua for college graduation she did not realize this would unleash her passion and lead to her current role- owner of a pet therapy dog.

“I wanted one of my own,” says Muench, when her daughter eventually moved out and took her dog, Baloo, named from “The Jungle Book,” with her. “That dog was fabulous.

These are really nice dogs.”

So Muench got her own Apple Head Chihuahua and named her Princess Fiona, from the movie “Shrek.” When Fiona died after nine years from her heart condition, Muench got an eight week old, long-haired Chihuahua and named her Elsa from “Frozen.”

She got her from her cousin in Pennsylvania who breeds them.

When Muench soon realized that Elsa was different than other dogs, she decided she needed to share her with others to brighten their day.

After a year of training, Elsa is now Elsa The Therapy Dog and even has her own Facebook page.

“Her personality was perfect for this,” says Muench. “I had another Chihuahua who was friendly but was skittish. Elsa is not afraid; she enjoys her work.

She doesn’t shake. Elsa does not make a peep; she’s just not a barker.”

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She earned her certification four months ago from Bright and Beautiful with a certificate and a red leash that says Bright And Beautiful. As a trained therapy dog, Elsa volunteers with hospice visiting patients one on one with Muench. They also visit schools, hospitals and activity centers.

In order to be certified, a dog must be at least one year old and pass certain criteria. Muench had been working with her since she was eight weeks old.

As a volunteer for hospice’s Bear Hugs program for the past eight years, Muench started bringing Elsa with her to the West Orange Hospice to see how she behaved around people.

With the Bear Hugs program, Muench volunteers her time to create 14-inch stuffed memorial bears out of clothing for grieving families.

When she had lost her job from cutbacks as a bookkeeper in Fairfield, “I saw hospice needed volunteers; I didn’t want to sit around,” Muench explains. “You have to prove you can sew,” which she says she learned in her high school home economics class. From there she also started to volunteer at the hospice thrift store in Montclair.

Instead of leaving her new puppy at home while she volunteers full time, Muench decided to bring four-pound Elsa along.

“I knew Hospice has a Paws Program,” says Muench. “We started training her right away.”

When she’d accompany Muench

to hospice, she learned to go in the elevator and greet people, says Muench. “I trained her by making sure she was socialized.”

She would also take Elsa to Inglemoore Nursing Home in Livingston for her training to work with wheelchairs and visit patients.

After a year of training, Muench had to pay a fee and travel one hour away for Elsa’s

certification test. She had to sit and stay; leave a pill and food on the floor, without touching it, if dropped.

“If a group of people are there she needs to stay,” says Muench. She also needs to remain calm and not get flustered if someone approaches with a wheelchair, cane and even crutches. She needs to know continued on page 9

9 Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • West Orange News • September 2017 • Page 9

Elsa Warms Hearts... continued from page 8 how to approach a wheelchair from the side. She was even tested to see how she responds to noisy pots and pans.

Bright and Beautiful has a list on its website on what potential therapy dogs need to do in order to pass, says Muench.

Once she passed, Muench registered Elsa with St. Barnabas Paws for Patients, earning her an orange leash.

They so far visited Care One in Whippany spending one-on one time with a patient to provide companionship and support for patients. Elsa sits on the bed, gets treats, lays down, sits down.

“They have a calming effect with patients,” says Muench.

“Elsa goes in the bed, she just sleeps and the lady pets her.”

“Sometimes we go on bereavement calls to caregivers who want to see a dog,” says Muench. “Having Elsa there breaks the ice for me,” and sometimes helps to strike up a

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conversation. I visit as well. ” They are scheduled to attend an AARP meeting Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. at the senior citizen center in Livingston which will feature a program on therapy dogs.

With two daughters grown and out on their own, Muench and Elsa keep themselves busy through their volunteer work.

“I just happened to like the program,” says Muench. “I like helping people; it’s rewarding to me. When I have a beautiful puppy who does so well with people, I love to share.

“It’s very rewarding meeting the people,” says Muench. When Elsa is with her “You feel like the mayor of the parade; everyone looks at you. That’s rewarding too. I’m always proud to say she’s a therapy dog. When they hear her name is Elsa, that’s what’s rewarding; when people see her and they want to be near her. It’s cute, when you know that’s mine they’re admiring.”

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CCM Exhibition Recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

I

n conjunction with the Counseling and Student Success department at County College of Morris, the college’s Art and Design Gallery will host an exhibition to recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

The exhibition, titled “Marisa Rincón: An Impression of Life,” will feature the artwork of Marisa Rincón, a 2007 CCM Fine Arts graduate, who died by suicide this past February.

The exhibit consists of more than 20 works by Rincón. Also featured in the show are painted portraits of Rincón created by prominent New Jersey artists Tim Maher, John B. Wolff and Lorraine deSmet. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, runs through Oct. 13, in Gallery B, which is the outer portion of the gallery.

A second exhibit featuring the work of CCM professors from the photography pro-

A

gram, titled “Photography Program Faculty Exhibition,” will be held in Gallery A, through Oct. 13.

There will be two receptions for the exhibits: The first reception, cosponsored by the Art and Design and Counseling and Student Success departments, will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 12.

The second reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 14.

The CCM Art and Design Gallery is located in the Sherman H. Masten Learning Resource Center on CCM’s Randolph campus. For gallery hours, visit http://tinyurl.com/z7xgj2v/.

To read a statement about Rincón, written by her mother, go to www.ccm.edu/pdf/MarisaWrite-up-art-bio-2017.pdf/. To learn more about the Art and Design programs at CCM, go towww.ccm.edu/academics/divdep/liberalarts/artdesign/.

Enjoy Ales, Tails, At Turtle Back October Beer Festival

craft beer festival- Ales and Tails Craft Beer Festival, featuring music and food, is set to be held Oct. 14, at the Turtle Back Zoo, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Funds raised at the event support the Essex County Parks Foundation, a 501c3 or-

ganization that supports local activities and programs in Essex County parks.

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raig Heard, of the New Jersey TaxRelief Team and a former Republican candidate for congress in the 7th District, is seeking the public’s help asking congress to adopt a simplified tax code by signing an online petition.

“This is not about politics or partisan issues, the need for tax relief is what all Americans need to make our tax code simple, fair and easy to understand,’’ said Heard, of Roxbury. “Additionally, we need tax relief for families to have more disposable income to help grow the economy and provide for themselves. A competitive tax code will create more jobs and stimulate corporations to invest in America, rather than trying to take advantage of lower taxes overseas.’’

The petition can be signed at https://www. whitehouse.gov/supporttaxreform?utm_ campaign=opa.

“We need to send a strong message to congress to pass the tax relief that we were promised by our president, and get it done now,’’ he said. To reach out to Heard, email TaxRelief4NJ@gmail.com.

Have a human interest story?

Email us at editor@newviewmg.com

12 Page 12 • September 2017 • West Orange News • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A

Five Ways To Get Acquainted With A New Neighborhood

cross the country, people are packing boxes, hiring trucks and moving short and long distances. The U.S. Census Bureau says that around 12 percent of the population moves each year. According to a survey by DuProprio, a Quebec-based real estate advice site, 28 percent of Canadians feel the need to move every five years. Surprisingly, DuProprio also found that 14 percent of owners wish they could move every year.

The main reasons people move are expansion of the family, a career change, retirement, empty nest situations, or when moving is more practical than large-scale home renovations.

While some people stick close to previous home locations, a 2015 American Community Survey found approximately 16.9 million people moved to a different county in 2015.

Whether a move is across county lines or overseas, it can take some time to acclimate to a new neighborhood. These tips can help anyone get acquaint-

ed with their new surroundings and make friends in the process.

1. Host a housewarming party. Get to know immediate neighbors by hosting a party.

After some unpacking is done, host a simple get-together for people who live nearby. Ask if neighbors can help out by bringing chairs. Offer light refreshments and some type of activities for children. The event doesn’t have to be extensive, just long enough to engage in some conversation and introduce yourself.

2. Walk and drive around.

Scout out the area by driving around and making note of shopping centers, parks and places of interest. Schedule times when you will get out of the car and walk around on foot, which makes it easier to take everything in. Use a website like Walkscore.com to find places within walking distance of your new home. Bring the dog along.

Dogs can be great ice breakers with new neighbors.

3. Check out community blotters. Community events may be posted in print and distribut-

W

To po be sto qu

ed through a local newspaper and also on municipal websites.

Find out where the locals go on weekends or during the week.

Communities may take pride in certain activities. It’s easier to get a feel for the neighborhood by spending time with the locals.

4. Become active in the community. Find a volunteer organization or join a local house of worship. Check with the local chamber of commerce for ways

to get involved or clubs to join.

Like-minded people can make living in a new locale more enjoyable.

5. Dine out once a week. If budget allows, try a new neighborhood eating establishment each week to get a lay of the land. You’ll identify hot spots and hidden gems and will also be able to mingle with the community. An app such as Open Table can help you find places to eat nearby.

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13 Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • West Orange News • September 2017 • Page 13

W

hen it comes to storms and hurricanes, you can never be too prepared.

To keep your family safe, it’s important to prepare for the worst because once a hurricane or storm hits, action must be taken quickly.

In the case of a power outage, a common side effect of natural disasters, one of the best pieces of equipment to have on hand is a portable generator. Portable generators can provide the power needed to access important radio or television weather updates, lights, hot water and refrigeration for safe food storage, among other necessities. After a storm, it is difficult to predict when power will be restored, so it’s best to be prepared with a backup power source.

When used properly, portable generators can save lives, but there are some risks that come along with using them. Safe use is critical to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide which you cannot see, taste or smell.

The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association recom-

Be Prepared For Inclement Weather mends taking time to reacquaint yourself with your generator’s features and safe operating instructions, as well as keeping these safety tips in mind: • Keep the operator’s manual in a safe place so you can refer to it easily for further information about safe operation and potential hazards.

• To avoid dangerous carbon monoxide accumulation from a portable generator, always “Take It Outside.” Never run a portable generator indoors, in areas such as garages, basements, crawl spaces, breezeways, sheds or other partially enclosed spaces.

• Always place a portable generator downwind and point the engine exhaust away from occupied spaces.

• Avoid placing a portable generator near windows, doors or vents, as carbon monoxide gas can accumulate and potentially be drawn indoors.

• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Replace batteries and test the alarm regularly to ensure it is in

Photo courtesy of Getty Images good working condition.

• Learn to recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness and fainting.

• If you feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a portable generator, get to fresh air immediately and call 911 for emergency medical attention.

Now is the perfect time to educate yourself and your family on the safe and proper use of portable generators in preparation for major storms and natural disasters. Learn more about safely operating a portable generator during severe weather at takeyourgeneratoroutside.com or pgmaonline.com.

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