The Bloomfield Information Project hosted a debate for the six Bloomfield Board of Education candidates on Oct. 19.
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The six people running for the Bloomfield Board of Education participated in a debate on Oct. 19, hosted virtually by the Bloomfield Information Project. Three seats are open on the nine-member board. Michael Heller and Shane Berger are incumbent members running for reelection. Others running for seats on the board are Satenik Margaryan, Monica Charris Tabares, Pedro “Tony” Gongora and Yomara Knott.
When the new board members are sworn in, the COVID-19 pandemic will be close to entering its third year. The candidates spoke during the forum about safety protocols in the schools to keep students and staff from contracting the virus.
“I think following the CDC guidelines is important, I think following mandates is important, but I think we can do more and we can be more innovative,” Knott said at the event. “The way lunch is being addressed, are we doing it correctly? How are the kids feeling about it? Are they feeling safe? Are we addressing those concerns? I think we started off the right way, but I think we can be doing more.”
Margaryan suggested an online COVID-19 database to inform parents about cases of the virus that circulate among the community. The district does currently have a dashboard, but she wants to see it updated more frequently.
“I would like to see it updated more often and have cumulative statistics, as well as more information about transmission in the schools and outside of the school,” Margaryan said at the debate. “I would like to see random testing of students and staff, as well as mandating vaccinations for kindergarten through 12th-grade students when the vaccines are fully approved by the FDA.”
Heller said that, while it would be nice if the district could be more active and go above and beyond what the state and federal mandates and best practices are around COVID-19 safety, the guidelines often change. They have never been set in stone.
“We as a district invested in air-purification systems for our classrooms,” Heller said, highlighting some of the efforts that have already been made in the schools. “We can attempt to filter for the particles that cause COVID-19. What I do hope will happen and that we’ll be able to do in district, is that, when children who are under 12 are able to be vaccinated, is run vaccination clinics directly in the districts where the children are present so that you don’t have the additional complication of having to go get your children vaccinated wherever the vaccines may become available.”
Each candidate also talked about diversity, equity and inclusion priorities at the debate. Gongora said the board needs to make a bigger effort to hire staff that reflects the diversity of the community.
“We need to make sure that our staff looks like the community we are trying to serve,” he said. “Especially in this time right now, where people are leaving the workforce early and retiring and saying this is too hard and they just don’t want to do this job anymore, if we want to keep good people, we might have to pay them a little bit more. As the contract negotiation comes up in a year or two, that’s something we can address with the union.”
Berger wants to add teachers to the district.
“Right now, there are 12 new sustainable positions in the elementary schools to remedy this situation to get the student that needs it a little extra help,” he said. “It’s built now for remediation, but in the future, it will slide over to enrichment.”
To address the needs of different types of students, Charris Tabares said professional development for teachers should be prioritized.
“Children learn differently, and instead of being reactive we need to be proactive,” she said. “We need to start teaching our children with different methods. Not everyone can learn by hearing the teacher speak giving lectures. Teachers deserve to get training that will help them learn to change their teaching to help children who need to learn in a different manner. It’s our educators who need to learn how to reach those children.”
If yesterday’s Monmouth University and today’s Stockton University polls are accurate, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is poised to reverse a 40-year trend.
No Democrat New Jersey Governor since Brendan Byrne has won re-election to a second term.
Byrne was New Jersey’s 47th Governor, who served from 1974-1982.
The Monmouth University poll gives Governor Murphy an 11-point lead over Republican Nominee Jack Ciatterelli.
Today’s Stockton University poll has Murphy up by 9 points, 50% to 41%
Stockton added those voters leaning to Murphy and Ciatterelli into the mix, which is the right thing to do with the election actually underway … today is Day 6 of New Jersey’s first-ever early voting … which continues through Sunday, October 31, 2021.
The poll of 522 likely voters was conducted for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University and has a +/- 4.3% margin of error.
“When you consider that this poll was taken after the gubernatorial debates were done, it appears that voters’ feelings are fairly baked in at this point,” said John Froonjian, Hughes Center executive director. “The polling spread between the candidates is very consistent.”
Here are some interesting and seemingly inconsistent findings:
More voters (45%) thought the state was going in the wrong direction than the right direction (42%), with 13% unsure. But 52% still approved of Murphy’s job performance leading the state as governor, while 44% disapproved.
Property taxes (15%) and taxes in general (12%) continue to be a top issue identified by voters, followed by COVID safety (11%) and the economy (8%).
Nearly identical levels of extreme partisan polarization were evident among Democrats and Republicans across every measure, but Democrats have the advantage of more than one million more registered voters. Murphy also led with independents in the poll, showing improvement with that bloc of voters since the earlier Stockton Poll.
Ciattarelli leads among white voters and men while Murphy is supported at higher rates by those with a four-year degree or more, Hispanic voters, women, and, overwhelmingly, by Black voters, said research associate Alyssa Maurice.
Other key findings:
More than half (60%) of N.J. voters did not watch or listen to either Murphy-Ciattarelli governor debate, while 39% did.
Nearly all voters (95%) skipped the Lieutenant governor debate with only 3% tuning in.
“The fact that many did not view the gubernatorial candidate debates does not reflect negatively on the value of these debates,” Froonjian said. “Most partisans already know how they are going to vote, but debates have value in allowing undecided or uncertain voters to evaluate the candidates in action.”
Voters oppose college sports gambling in N.J.
The majority of voters (51%) opposed a constitutional amendment to allow gambling on college games held in N.J. or on games in which N.J. teams participate. This is up from 45% in a September Stockton poll. Thirty-seven percent support such an amendment while 11% are unsure.
Each county in the state will have between three and 10 early voting locations, open daily for the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for Sundays, when they will close at 6 p.m.
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New Jersey on Thursday reported another 20 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 1,554 cases, as hospitalizations decreased and vaccination rates continued to climb.
The state’s seven-day average for confirmed positive tests is now 1,149, down 9% from a week ago and 36% from a month ago.
The statewide rate of transmission ticked up to 0.85 from 0.83 on Wednesday. However, the rate of transmission remains well below the key benchmark of 1 that suggests the spread of COVID-19 is slowing. Any transmission rate below 1 indicates that each infected person is passing the virus to less than one other person and the outbreak is no longer expanding.
There were 745 people hospitalized with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases across 70 of New Jersey’s 71 hospitals as of Wednesday night. One hospital did not report data. Hospitalizations fell below 800 on Tuesday night after hovering around that number for more than a week.
There were 115 patients discharged in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday night. Of those hospitalized, 182 were in intensive care, with 97 of them on ventilators.
The statewide positivity rate for tests conducted Saturday, the most recent day available, was 5.2%.
Though New Jersey’s numbers are steadily improving, officials have warned that weather keeps getting colder and the holiday season is approaching. That will likely force more people to gather indoors and could cause another bump in the numbers.
More than 6 million people who live, work or study in New Jersey — a state of about 9.2 million residents — have now been fully vaccinated. Murphy has said more than 75% of those eligible in the state have been fully vaccinated.
More than 6.9 million people in the state have received at least one dose, and about 482,560 people have received third doses or boosters. That number is likely to go up after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an expansion in the eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots last week.
During Wednesday’s briefing, Murphy encouraged all those eligible to make appointments for boosters and third doses.
“If you’re in your window of eligibility for your booster shot, please go get it,” Murphy said. “Get the added protection.”
In addition, the state is preparing for the expected approval of the Pfizer vaccine for kids between the ages of 5 and 11.
Murphy on Wednesday also updated the state’s breakthrough numbers. From Oct. 4 to 10, the state had 12,633 positive tests. Of those, 2,766 were from fully vaccinated people that led to 24 hospitalizations (out of 734 total) and one death (out of 124 total).
“These numbers represent a slim minority of the total, thank God, hospitalizations and deaths reported for the week,” the governor said.
Twelve of New Jersey’s 21 counties are listed as having “high” rates of coronavirus transmission, while seven are listed with “substantial” transmission, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is recommending that all people in the high and substantial transmission counties wear masks for indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status.
In Essex and Union counties, where moderate transmission has been reported, the recommendation is indoor masking for those who are not vaccinated.
Through the first several weeks of the school year, districts in New Jersey have reported at least 137 in-school outbreaks, for a total of 715 cases as of Wednesday. That’s an increase of 11 outbreaks from the previous week.
“These 11 new outbreaks have been tied to 49 additional student cases and eight new cases among educators and staff,” Murphy said during a coronavirus briefing in Trenton. “This is a significant decrease from last week’s report.”
The state reported 30 new outbreaks the previous week. Every county except Burlington and Warren have reported at least one in-school outbreak. The total of 715 cases is cumulative and does not reflect active cases.
In-school outbreaks are defined as three or more cases that are determined through contact tracing to have been transmitted among staff or students while at school. They do not include total cases among staff and students.
New Jersey, an early epicenter of the pandemic, has now reported 27,949 total COVID-19 deaths since the start of the outbreak — 25,135 confirmed and 2,814 considered probable, according to the state dashboard.
New Jersey has reported 1,039,007 total confirmed cases out of the more than 15.8 million PCR tests conducted since it announced its first case March 4, 2020. The state has also reported 156,159 positive antigen or rapid tests, which are considered probable cases.
At least 8,627 of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to state data. There are active outbreaks at 152 facilities, resulting in 703 current cases among residents and 627 among staffers.
As of Thursday, there have been more than 245 million positive COVID-19 cases reported across the world, according to Johns Hopkins University, with more than 4.9 million people having died due to the virus. The U.S. has reported the most cases (more than 45.7 million) and deaths (more than 741,000) of any nation.
There have been more than 6.9 billion vaccine doses administered globally.
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Photo Credited to Tap Into Newark and Rebecca Panico.
The Essex County LGBTQ Democratic Caucus unequivocally supports Shannon Cuttle for the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education.
Shannon, already serving as the First Vice President of the SOMA Board of Education. They are the first non-binary individual elected to a school board in New Jersey. In 2020, Shannon became one of the first non-binary elected officials to serve as a Democratic National Convention Delegate.
Shannon helped launch the Safe Schools Network and advocated throughout our country, including Washington, D.C., and the South Orange Maplewood School District before their tenure on the board of education, for inclusive curriculum and safe schools free of bullying. Essex County is lucky to have a fearless leader like Shannon, a beacon of hope and leading the way for many students who will soon follow in their footsteps. We’re glad to have Shannon in leadership to ensure that quality education is possible for all South Orange-Maplewood School District students.
We need to continue the progress Shannon has made in the school district over the last three years. I am the former Vice President of the Essex County School Boards Association and a former Newark Board of Education Member. I understand the volunteer time commitments associated with serving on a School Board. Several factors go into helping families and students. Besides attending public meetings, New Jersey School Board Members sit on school board committees for long hours in the evenings and weekends. They often must go through several professional state mandatory training so that the school district is not panelized for not building capacity and complying with governance rules under NJQSAC indicators. NJQSAC is the N.J. Department of Education’s monitoring and district self-evaluation system for public school districts. Shannon has met if not exceeded those mandatory training requirements on top of their regular responsibilities that go into being a school board member.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs in U.S. schools, the South Orange Maplewood School District needs qualified proven leaders like Shannon at the table making critical decisions for the children and families in South Orange and Maplewood, NJ. We wholeheartedly support Shannon’s candidacy. On Tuesday, November 02, 2021, I hope you will join us by casting your vote to reelect a champion and leader for children, my good friend Shannon Cuttle for the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education.
What many have suspected for years is true: New Jersey does have more children on the autism spectrum than other states, according to a Rutgers University study.
In fact, up to 10% of children in some New Jersey communities have autism spectrum disorder, three to five times the national average.
Researchers analyzed data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network — a group of programs funded by CDC to estimate the number of children with autism — looking at 5,453 children in public school districts in Essex, Hudson and Union counties who were 8 years old in 2016.
They discovered an estimated ASD prevalence of 36 children per 1,000 in most regions, but greater than 70 per 1,000 in multiple school districts in the state. The national average of children with ASD is 2%.
Josephine Shenouda, a co-author of the study and a project coordinator at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, broke down the statistics further.
“When we focused on the district level, we recognized that many communities in our region —approximately one in five, including some of the largest — had ASD rates between 5% and 10%,” she said.
“These variations may reflect differences in use of services or access to care. Larger districts may provide more services from a greater number of professionals or have additional resources for detection or care of ASD. It is also possible that parents of children with learning or developmental disorders relocate from small districts to large districts to maximize their children’s educational attainment.”
The study also found that one in five school districts had ASD estimates greater than 5% and that Hispanic children were less likely to be identified with ASD, compared to white and Black peers, indicating a significant disparity in identification.
ASD prevalence was approximately 5% in Newark, the state’s largest school district. Toms River, which is the state’s largest suburban school district, had the highest ASD prevalence (7.3%), with a 12% prevalence among boys.
“We found that mid-socioeconomic status communities, like Toms River, had the highest ASD rates, which was contrary to expectation because, in earlier U.S. studies, ASD rates were highest in high- socioeconomic status communities,” Shenouda said.
Co-author Walter Zahorodny, an associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said the study suggests that effective educational and health planning should be informed by community and county level estimates and data as well as by state and national averages.
“It also shows that additional effort is needed to reduce disparities in the identification of ASD in the Hispanic community, including expansion of ASD screening of toddler-age children,” he said.
Other Rutgers authors include Emily Barrett, Amy Davidow, William Halperin and Vincent Silenzio.
I’ve taken a lot of heat over the past few weeks as people desperate to rid the state of carpetbagger Murphy aren’t happy with some of my comments about the GOP nominee. That’s OK. I am undeterred in my aggressive pursuit of the truth and real solutions.
As much as many don’t want to hear it, Jack is not a solution — he’s more of a temporary hold on the horror that is the Murphy administration.
The challenge is that when asked to act on behalf of the families, businesses, first responders, and kids suffering tremendously under the Murphy regime, Jack hides.
He’s told the medical-freedom moms that he’ll appoint a “medical freedom czar” then abruptly changed the plan from a direct link to the governor to pushing the position deep into the health department bureaucracy.
Then when asked to commit to signing two executive orders on Day One to end the mask nonsense for kids and prevent any vaccine segregation he avoided the issue and hid.
This is the guy that you expect to save this state?
The reality is we’ve been burned before. Thinking that we can save New Jersey from the top down. The reality is we can only turn back the assault on our families and kids by building from the ground up.
My focus is to fight hard across this state in hundreds of towns to get thoughtful, courageous smart candidates in local office so they can fight back against Trenton and Washington. It is not a quick solution but it’s a necessary one.
If Jack wins, then we already know that he’s going to put the burden on you as a local parent and school board. So we better make sure we have enough strong men and women to fight for our kids at the local level.
One of the big issues is going to be the push for vaccines for children as young as 5. All of the evidence and the state health officials admit this and have said so publicly, show that COVID is simply not the threat to children that the media portrays. So whether Jack or Phil are at the helm for the next four years, the fight is local.
My friend Jamel Holley, who serves as a Democratic member of the Assembly, joined me to discuss the dangers ahead as the vaccine has been completely politicized and what the Legislature needs to do to strip Murphy of the current emergency powers.
Phil Rizzo also joined us to discuss his new group Jersey Rising focused on directly helping local candidates, especially those courageous moms and dads running for local education boards.
We also heard from a courageous citizen journalist James Jacobi, who uncovered a lot of nonsense going on behind the scenes in Randolph with their local Board of Education election.
Then we heard from one of the state’s future leaders, Eli Moallem who is running strong in the Pascack Valley and clearly has a plan to score big wins for our kids.
I was also happy to discuss the local race in the center of the state with IBEW Local 102 member Joe Lukac, who is running for the Assembly.
Christian Baranco joined us as well. Another middle-class, regular guy running for local office.
Please listen to all of the conversations. Know that you are not alone and let’s keep fighting hard to change the narrative of failure ushered in by decades of hyper-partisan politics.
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill’s own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015.
Early voting locations in each NJ county
Each county in the state will have between three and 10 early voting locations, open daily for the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for Sundays, when they will close at 6 p.m.
New Jersey hospital’s were among the first in New Jersey to mandate that all employees receive vaccinations against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
They are also the first to mandate employees get a booster dose of the COVID vaccine.
In June, University Hospital in Newark was the first to tell workers to get the vaccine, or potentially lose their jobs. Hospital officials have now announced anyone who got the Johnson and Johnson one-shot vaccine, must have a booster shot to keep working.
Citing “strong evidence” that breakthrough infections are on the rise among healthcare workers, University Hospital has set a deadline of December 24 for those who had their one dose of J&J vaccine to get a booster.
The mandate does not cover employees who received the Pfizer or Moderna shots, for now, but hospital officials say they will “continue to monitor data to determine if any additional mandates will be required”
With respect to this mandate, all employees who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary vaccination are required to obtain their booster shot by Friday, December 24th. Employees will have the option to receive their choice of one of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines, as federal guidance allows for the “mix and match” of primary vaccination injections and the booster. Hospital leadership will continue to monitor data to determine if any additional mandates will be required for employees who received the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. – Statement/University Hospital
New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli is quoted in the hospital’s news release. “Healthcare workers have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus,” Persichilli said, “And with the Delta variant remaining active, booster doses will help increase immunity not only for recipients but will further protect the healthcare community.”
After University Hospital announced their vaccine mandate for employees earlier this year, other hospitals and hospital groups quickly followed with their own. So far, New Jersey’s two largest hospital groups, Hackensack Meridian and RWJ/Barnabas have not issued a policy on vaccination boosters.
Answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
Vaccinations for COVID-19 began being administered in the U.S. on Dec. 14, 2020. The quick rollout came a little more than a year after the virus was first identified in November 2019. The impressive speed with which vaccines were developed has also left a lot of people with a lot of questions. The questions range from the practical—how will I get vaccinated?—to the scientific—how do these vaccines even work?
Keep reading to discover answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions.
Early voting locations in each NJ county
Each county in the state will have between three and 10 early voting locations, open daily for the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for Sundays, when they will close at 6 p.m.
NEW JERSEY — Below you will find the most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.
Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot safe, effective for kids 6 to 11
FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine looks effective for young kids
Federal health regulators said late Friday, Oct. 22, that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the U.S. weighs beginning vaccinations in youngsters.
NJ among top vaccinated states in U.S.
New Jersey is among the top 10 states in the country with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 74%. Helping to lead the charge is Paterson, which has a 90% vaccination rate.
COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, teachers begins
Many state employees returned to in-person work on Monday, Oct. 18, the same day Gov. Phil Murphy’s requirement for them to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular virus testing went into effect. The vaccine or test mandate also applies to teachers in New Jersey.
IRS sending October installment of child tax credit after delay in September
Families across the country are starting to receive their October child tax credit. The IRS says the program’s fourth monthly payment is already hitting Americans’ bank accounts after a technical issue last month caused delays for some recipients.
New COVID safety guidance for the holidays released by the CDC
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated COVID-19 safety guidance for the holiday season on Friday, Oct. 15, including getting vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors if you’re not vaccinated and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
Rutgers team tries to understand ‘brain fog’ COVID connection
Dr. William Hu, the Chief of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is leading a team trying to figure out what brain fog is and how it’s connected to COVID-19.
FDA endorsement essentially calls for Johnson & Johnson to be 2-shot vaccine
An FDA panel unanimously recommended a Johnson and Johnson booster vaccine on Friday, Oct. 15. The terms of the endorsement essentially call for the J&J COVID-19 vaccine to be a two-dose shot, rather than the one-dose shot for which it’s been known since it first got emergency use authorization last spring.
The panel called for a second shot to be available to people 18 and older, at least two months after the first shot.
FDA panel recommends Moderna booster shot, but the process isn’t over
A panel of medical experts affiliated with the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a COVID vaccine booster from Moderna on Thursday, Oct. 14. The panel recommended a half dose as a booster.
Need to be vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Here are the deadlines
People who want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas are running out of time. Two of the three vaccines available in the U.S. require two doses spread weeks apart and a waiting period once the shots have been administered.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site
Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.
Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report
UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.
COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions
The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.
However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.
Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents
Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.
U.S. hits 700,000 COVID deaths just as cases begin to fall
The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, Oct. 1, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.
NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’
Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”
New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.
Pfizer submits vaccine data on kids to FDA
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.
In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses.
NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents
Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.
Is it safe to trick-or-treat this Halloween? CDC weighs in
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Face the Nation that kids can trick-or-treat safely this year, adding, “If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely.”
CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs
The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
Walensky disagreed and put that recommendation back in, noting that such a move aligns with an FDA booster authorization decision earlier this week.
FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans
The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose
Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.
Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11
Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.
Vaccine mandate for child care facilities
Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.
Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).
New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths
Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.
COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus
Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.
U.S. panel backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters only for 65 and over, high-risk
An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.
COVID outbreaks in NJ schools
As of Wednesday, Sept. 15, there were six outbreaks in New Jersey schools, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. An outbreak is defined as at least three cases that are epidemiologically connected and not from the same household.
The cases are a mix of students and staff, Persichilli said. More information will be released on the state Health Department website in the coming days.
COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study
A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.
Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms
The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.
Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.
These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues
Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.
‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022
The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.
Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?
Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.
Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?
Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.
NJ COVID hospitalizations top 1,000 for the first time since May: Gov. Murphy
For the first time since May, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There were 1,012 people hospitalized with COVID, 92 of whom were on ventilators, according to state Health Department data. The last time the state had more than 1,000 COVID hospitalizations was over three months ago on May 11, Murphy said.
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.
J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”
NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated
All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.
Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?
The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?
Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns
At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.
U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19
U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.
August child tax credit payments issued: Here’s why yours might be delayed
The second installment of expanded child tax credits was issued on Aug. 13 to millions of eligible families, but some payments will likely be delayed due to a technical glitch, the U.S. Department of Treasury said.
Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards
COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again
The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.
NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments
Health care officials in a northern New Jersey county began offering COVID-19 booster shots to qualified residents on Aug. 14. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said appointments for a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine were open at vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark.
Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say
Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.
Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.
When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.
Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?
It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone over the age of 12. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.
Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals
With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.
What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card
Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.
Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?
Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.
Will NJ mandate masks indoors?
Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”
COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines
Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.
How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?
So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.
COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?
Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?
Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.
U.S. averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day as delta surges
The United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge in yet another bleak reminder of how quickly the delta variant has spread through the country. The U.S. was averaging about 11,000 cases a day in late June. Now the number is 107,143.
NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision
New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.
NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.
50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says
The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.
CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection
Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.
‘You have lost your minds’: Murphy lashes out at anti-vax protesters
Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations
The White House COVID-19 response team said the delta variant continues to surge across the country. During a briefing on Aug. 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci called on Americans to take precautions to stop the virus from mutating. “The ultimate end game of all this is vaccination,” he said.
The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.
Vaccine mandate for state colleges?
Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.
More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says
Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.
Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees
In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.
Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years
The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.
New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.
CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.
Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months
The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.
Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status
Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says
Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID
As concern grows regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, health leaders are warning about somewhat different symptoms that come with it.
Most unvaccinated Americans unlikely to get COVID-19 shots, new AP poll finds
A new poll shows that most Americans who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to get the shots. About 16% say they probably will get the vaccine.
Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?
HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.
In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.
Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s not ready to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in September. Murphy says he “is comfortable where we are” on mask mandates but is also closely monitoring developments.
Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?
The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?
Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’
President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for the summer backslide.
Child tax credit: When to expect payments, how it may impact tax returns
Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study
Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are much less likely to die from the illness.
WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak
The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.
Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
What can I do if I didn’t get my child tax credit payment?
The official disbursement date for the first child tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service was July 15, but parents may not see the cash right away.
Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey
The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said on July 12. The governor urged New Jersey residents to get vaccinated against COVID if they haven’t already done so.
Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate
There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say
The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.
Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients
Along with $1,400 stimulus checks and monthly child tax credit payments, the American Rescue Plan has another important benefit available to people who qualified for unemployment assistance this year: free health care.
Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?
Yes, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.
Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire
With the economy growing rapidly as it reopens from the pandemic, many employers are increasingly desperate to hire. Yet evidence suggests that as a group, the unemployed aren’t feeling the same urgency to take jobs.
As of Wednesday, there have been 1,037,530 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 25,115 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
In Hillsborough, Fall Harvest Days are happening at the 1,200-acre Norz Hill Farm (120 South Branch Road, Hillsborough | 908.371.2697). The seasonal event, which runs through Nov. 7, offers oodles of autumn activities for visitors to enjoy.
For those interested in a farm tour, hay wagons take guests from the farm stand area to the farm where visits with cows, miniature donkeys, horses, alpaca, sheep, chickens, goats, pigs, bunnies and emus are allowed. Then, wagons will take visitors to the pumpkin patch where more than 60 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and winter squash are available for the picking. In addition, there is a corn maze and a Kids’ Corner featuring the Kids Bale Maze and Corn Boxes.
At the Farm Market, folks can purchase Halloween and fall crafts, Indian corn, straw bales and corn stalks. Also for sale are jams/jellies, pies, breads and cider donuts. Here, purchase Norz Farm-raised beef, pork and eggs and a variety of apples and apple cider.
For those more interested in Halloween than harvest, consider Norz’ Scare Farm, which has three haunted attractions including the Creepy Clown Hollow and Paranoia (haunted walking trails) and The Slay Ride, a haunted hayride. Scare Farm is open throughout the month of October on Friday, Saturday and some Sunday nights.
For walking, hiking, exploring and learning about stewardship
Bridge leading to Mediation Garden at Duke Farms in Hillsborough. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
James Buchanan Duke, who made his fortune in tobacco and hydroelectric power, transformed well more than 2,000 acres of farm and woodlands in Hillsborough into the bucolic landscape known as Duke Farms (1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough | 908.722.3700). Duke’s daughter, Doris, who had a strong interest in conservation and horticulture, inherited the property after her father’s death in 1925.
It was the wish of Doris Duke, who died in 1993, that Duke Farms should “serve to protect wildlife as well as be used for agriculture, horticulture and research.”
So, in 2012 Duke Farms opened to the public with a mission to “be a leader in environmental stewardship and to inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land.”
At Duke Farms, more than 1,000 acres is open to visitors to explore native species, walk, bike, take a class to learn about conservation.
A revolutionary look at local history
Field of Honor on display next to the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
A National and New Jersey historic site, the Jacobus Vanderveer House and Museum (3055 River Road, Bedminster | 908.396.6053) offers a glimpse of 18th century Dutch-Colonial life through the Vanderveer and Knox families.
The oldest part of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, which was constructed in the early 1770s by Jacobus Vanderveer Sr., is typical of the Dutch frame houses that dotted the local landscape before the American Revolution.
Upon his death in 1776, Jacobus Vanderveer left the 560-acre tract of land on which this house is situated to his son, Jacobus (Junior), who was an active member of the Somerset County Militia during the Revolutionary War and helped supply the Continental Army.
This historic house also served as headquarters for Gen. Henry Knox during the winter of 1778-79. The structure is the only surviving building associated with America’s first military academy, the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment. The academy is considered the forerunner of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where Knox would serve as commander. Fort Knox is also named for the Revolutionary War general.
History buffs and educators should know that the building is open for private group tours and school tours.
Beautiful blooms
Oksana Ivanova at Cut Flower Fields of Peony Envy at the English Farm in Liberty Corner. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Who doesn’t love the beautiful blossoms that the fragrant peony produces?
Kathleen Gagan, owner of Peony’s Envy (34 Autumn Hill Road, Bernardsville | peony@peonysenvy.com), certainly loves the flower. This linguist and international corporate communications consultant “turned lady farmer” who has studied horticulture at the Barnes Foundation and writes and lectures on peonies nationwide, grows peonies because of their “resilience, deer-resistance and beauty.”
At Peony’s Envy, Gagan offers the opportunity to shop for herbaceous, intersectional, tree, woodland categories of the flower.
Peony’s Envy is a nursery and display garden with an extensive collection of peonies. The nursery and display garden — laid out over seven acres with trails that meander throughout the peony collections — are to the public for the spring planting and bloom season and again in the fall for bare root sales.
This fall, Peony’s Envy is open for plant sales Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 13. Shop hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those who’d rather make their purchases online or via catalog, those are options, too. There is jewelry, garden tools, soaps, aprons, calendars and more.
Tommy Malle, Jimmy Maguire and Craig Uherek hanging out on Division Street just off Main Street and watching the world pass by in Somerville. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Downtown Somerville is what a downtown should be. There are wonderful shops, restaurants and services. Here, there is a street strictly for pedestrians and there is plenty of activities.
When compiling a list of the best small towns for the ultimate fall day trip, nj.com’s Pete Genovese wrote: “If you haven’t visited Somerville in the past 10 or so years, you may not recognize the place. New apartments, stores, restaurants and a pedestrian mall (Division Street) have turned the once-sleepy county seat into a thriving commercial center.”
The Downtown Somerville calendar is chock full of events — come here for movies, music, art, car shows, seasonal activities and more.
Coming soon is the “Somerville Spooktacular,” set for Oct. 29. The community event — presented by Somerville Recreation, Downtown Somerville Alliance, Empower Somerset and the Pioneer Family Success Center – will feature music, activities and entertainment at Division Street, Main Street, Borough Hall and the Courthouse Lawn. Children can collect candy at the Trunk or Treat and a free screening of “Hocus Pocus” will take place on the Courthouse Lawn. The event will be held rain or shine from 3 to 6 p.m.
One award-winning bistro
Outdoor dining at Verve restaurant and bar in Somerville. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
In the heart of downtown Somerville sits Verve (18 E Main St., Somerville | 908.707.8655), where French bistro fare and craft cocktails are king.
The proprietors write on their website, “Our provincial country style is grounded with slow cooked flavors, presenting a creatively prepared dish for every palette. To enhance your experience, we offer carefully selected Bistro Wines from our cellar, European and Domestic Beers.”
Verve has received repeated applause from nj.com’s Pete Genovese. On Genovese’s list of “The 50 dishes you need to eat in N.J. in 2020, Verve placed ninth with its steamed little neck clams. Verve also won nj.com’s 2019 N.J.’s best bar showdown, and that’s no small feat. Verve, Genovese wrote, “is the town’s nerve center, the place in which judges, prosecutors and just plain folk gather for cocktails.”
Customers can relax at Verve’s Landmark Bar, where the first drink was served in Somerville after Prohibition; The Red Room; The Soho-inspired 1933 Room; The Main Dining Room or the Pallet Patio.
A place for picnics and playing
Walking on a closed road enjoying a spring day at Colonial Park in Franklin Township, Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The 685-acre Colonial Park (156 Mettlers Road, Franklin Township | 908.722.1200, ext. 5008) offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
The park — with frontage on the Delaware and Raritan Canal as well as the Millstone River – sports recreational facilities, horticultural displays and natural areas spaced between broad lawns and ponds.
Colonial Park includes the 18-hole Spooky Brook Golf Course, picnic areas and the Morgan Pellowski playground with barrier-free equipment. There is a 1.4 mile fitness parcourse for walkers, joggers and bicyclists laid out along a paved path.
Three ponds in the park are stocked by the NJ State Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife and a softball field is available by reservation to leagues, tournaments and those looking for a pick-up game. For those looking for some solitude, there is the Lois Howe Nature Trail, where trails lead visitors into areas with varied plant and animal life.
In winter, supervised ice skating and cross-country skiing are offered when weather permits.
An equestrian experience
The Mars Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
There are about 42,500 horses in New Jersey … “more horses per square mile than any other state,” according to the State of New Jersey. And, Somerset County, home to the United States Equestrian Team, certainly has a rich horse history.
The Mars Essex Horse Trials (Moorland Farm, 50 Route 202, Far Hills | 908.234.9115), a pre-Olympic-qualifying event held at the United States Equestrian Team headquarters until 1998, was conceived in the 1960s as a competition for young riders.
In 1968, the first Essex Horse Trials was held at Hoopstick Farm in Bedminster. The inaugural event was held in the fall of that year and two levels of competition were offered, Training and Preliminary, in a one-day horse trials format.
The event grew throughout the 1970s and 1980s, attracting competitors from around the world. The competition, which expanded to a three-day format, moved to the USET headquarters in Gladstone and the Essex Horse Trials became an international event with competitors vying for U.S. Team positions at both the Olympic Games and World Championships.
After a 19-year hiatus — the original event ended in 1998 — the Essex Horse Trials returned in June 2017.
The event, which moved to the 230-acre Moorland Farm, includes two days of competition for Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels, with long-range plans to expand upper-level divisions.
An equestrian triathlon, eventing combines dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
So, if you’re a spectator who might enjoy tailgating and other festivities or an avid equestrian, this is an annual event you should consider attending.
For sipping hard cider
Hops hard cider. Burnt Mills Hard Cider in Bedminster. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Simply stated, Burnt Mills Cider Co. (3540 Route 206, Bedminster | 908.781.6000) is an awesome place to spend an autumn afternoon. Guests are welcome to sip crafted-on-site ciders in a relaxed atmosphere, indoors or outside.
The indoors 1,000-square-foot tasting room features a bar, TVs and tables. The oak paneling on the walls and the wood furniture in this space were made from trees that were harvested during construction.
Outdoors, there are picnic tables around a fire pit. The outdoor space — open spring through fall – offers guests an opportunity to play cornhole, make s’mores, or simply take in some sunshine.
At the Burnt Mills Cider Co., there is a focus on creating “a premium local hard cider for the underserved state of New Jersey.” The “core belief” here “is that high quality ingredients and processes yield a better product.”
At the Bedminster cidery, named for the section of town with “an impressive bit of Revolutionary-era history,” guests can try ciders such as sour cherry, jersey blue, pineapple, dry sparkling, semi dry, ginger, hops, hibiscus rose, fall spice, and immune booster.
Parades and festivals
In Somerset County, there are all sorts of parades and festivals — some held for decades, others relatively new. A sampling includes an annual parade that honors the memory of hometown hero and a festival that celebrates Chinese culture in the Somerset County community.
US Navy members marching in The John Basilone Parade in Raritan. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Every year since 1981, residents line the streets of Raritan to honor World War II hero John Basilone. Basilone, a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. The parade annually honors his memory. This year, more than 100 units marched in the parade, which was held on Sept. 19. Raritan is also home to the John Basilone statue.
Crowds look on as the Lion Dance is performed by the Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association at the Bridgewater Commons Mall in Bridgewater. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Chinese New Year | Bridgewater Commons
Like most shopping malls, Bridgewater Commons (400 Commons Way, Bridgewater | 908.218.0001) welcomes children to visit with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But this mall also invites folks to celebrate holidays such as Chinese New Year.
Last February, the mall rang in Lunar New Year treating shoppers to a traditional lion dance, in which performers imitated the animal’s movements to offer good luck and fortune. The New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club were on hand to provide the colorful performance in celebration of the Year of the Ox, thought to bring career advancement, success in business, prosperity and wellness for all zodiac signs. The family-friendly performance was followed by photos with the lions.
Also in 2021, together with the nonprofit Pride Center of New Jersey, the mall celebrated June’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month unveiling “Let the Love Flow,” a giant mural, symbolizing pride and acceptance. For more information on mall events, click here.
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You go to a restaurant, order a drink and then it comes to your table but without a straw.
Come November 4, it’ll be like that just about everywhere as the only way you’ll get a single-use plastic straw is if you ask for one.
On Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Business Action Center announced that starting next Thursday food-service businesses may only provide such straws upon customer request.
Listen to Vin Ebenau mornings on Townsquare Media Jersey Shore Radio Stations, email him news tips here, and download our free app.
To clarify, the NJDEP said that food-service businesses means that all restaurants, convenience stores and fast-food businesses must follow the guidelines and educate their employees and customers about the new restrictions.
You will still be able to buy packages of straws and pre-packaged drinks with a straw, like a juice box.
This is a concept that’s been in the works for some time after a state law was enacted last year which bans the sale or provision of single-use plastic carryout bags from stores and food-service businesses as well as single-use paper carryout bags from grocery stores larger than or equal to 2,500 square feet and use of polystyrene foam food-service products, according to the NJ-DEP, but these provisions of the law take effect on May 4, 2022.
“When we move beyond single-use plastics, we can reduce our reliance on the fossil fuels that create plastic, remove a source of litter from our communities, and protect wild and marine life from the harm of ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic products,” DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said in a statement.
These are the 25 Best Places To Live in New Jersey
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
