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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Livingston's Baby New Year is a Girl Born on 1/1/11

Sophia Thomas arrives at 6:03 a.m. at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

Rose and Chris Thomas of Livingston predict their newborn girl Sophia will have some explaining when she fills in her birthday on forms for the rest of life. It really is her birthday, her parents said. She arrived as the new year dawned at 6:03 a.m. today, 1/1/11. "We were a little worried it would happen during the snowstorm," said her dad, Chris Thomas. Sophia wasn't due until Jan. 10, but during the final hours of 2010 her parents decided it was time to head to the hospital. They were settling into their room at Saint Barnabas when they heard the New Year celebration at the nurse's station. Six hours later, weighing 6 lbs. 14 ounces, Sophia arrived. She joins a sister, Kassandra, 10, a fifth grader at Burnett Hill Elementary School. …

In this Article:

Saint Barnabas Medical Center (in Livingston Patch)

2010: The Year In News

Verona-Cedar Grove Patch recalls the year's top stories.

Verona-Cedar Grove Patch may have joined 2010 in the home stretch, but we've certainly covered our share of news even during our few short months of existence. What follows is a recap of some of the top stories we've covered since our launch on Oct. 20. Resignations, Dismissals and Job Hunting. Both townships experienced job turnover this year. In October, Verona Councilman and former mayor Ken McKenna resigned after holding a seat on the council since 2005. The remaining members voted to keep his seat vacant until elections in May. In Cedar Grove, Councilman Patrick DeFrancisci resigned in late September, and was replaced by former councilman Peter Tanella shortly after. Also in October, a decision by the Cedar Grove Board of Education…

In this Article:

Open Verona Council Seat to Remain Vacant Until May Election, Cedar Grove Schools' Interim Business Administrator Resigns, Coach Banned After Taking Team Money, and 12 more ›

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

My Firm Resolve: Resolutions For 2011

A list of resolutions For 2011

I always get a little melancholy as the year draws to a close. It saddens me to think of another year gone and the one resolution I pulled off in 2010. And, really, how important is it to raise sea monkeys, anyway? This year will be different. I resolve to fix one serious flaw, accomplish  an important task and do a major public service. In other words, I think I'll bump off the guy who does those GEICO commercials. That fits in all three categories. Some other resolutions? 1) Read Better Books — I know I have a reputation for being well-read, but some of those books aren't very serious. Yes, the last one was a treatise on farm animals. But when you opened the book, the cow and the sheep popped up in the middle. So, I'm going to try and …

Ron Albanese

6:02 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Good luck - those are are some of the classic - and toughest - resolutions to follow through with! I'm going to resolve to be able to jog around the lake in Verona Park two minutes faster than in 2010!   more ›

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Cooking Countdown For The Holidays

Great recipes -- and good wishes -- for a stress-free holiday.

Holiday time invokes thoughts of family and friends getting together eating delicious foods and drinking yummy cocktails.  The problem is that someone has to host the warm evening and in order to have a stress-free, successful party, you have work your little bum off a few days before the event. All the hard work is worth it when you are able to drink a glass of wine, nibble on an appetizer and watch your guests having a wonderful time. The key, according to me, is to be super organized and have a list of things to do before the event. Last year we hosted 20 people for Christmas and I initially was very nervous about what I was going to make and how everything will be ready on time. For some reason I find myself gravitating towards an …

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Lateness: A Last-Minute Shopper's Emergency Primer

A Grab-Bag Shopping Guide for Last-Minute Shoppers.

Christmas shoppers: maybe you've been too busy this year to shop for your presents in a timely fashion. Perhaps your hard drive went kaput, and thus online shopping wasn't an option. Then again, maybe you're like this writer, and get some sort of strange kick out of running around at the last minute. It's risky business, but kind of fun - and although procuring a season's "must have" item may not be feasible, when one is under the gun it seems that cool, creative selections rise to the fore. The trick is to go local - by cutting travel time and not having to hear The Boss' version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" another 50 times, you'll have more time to get something for everyone - except perhaps Clarence Clemons. Here's an exclusive…

A Guide to Holiday Worship Services Around Verona and Cedar Grove

Local churches open their doors for the holiday.

  • THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
  • Chris Nesi
  • Friday, December 24, 2010

Verona The First Presbyterian Church, 10 Fairview Ave., will hold Christmas Eve services starting at 4 p.m. with a family service featuring music by the children's praise and junior hand bell choirs. The traditional service of lessons and carols is at 9 p.m., and a Christmas Healing service will be part of the worship at 10:15 on Sunday, Dec. 26. The First Congregational Church of Verona, 19 Church St., will hold a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 36 Gould St., will host Christmas Eve services at 4 and 10 p.m., the Service of the Holy Eucharist will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas morning. Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 32 Lakeside Ave., on Christmas Eve will host family Mass at 4 p.m. …

In this Article:

Christmas Worship at Verona's First Presbyterian Church, The First Congregational Church of Verona, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, and 2 more ›

Thursday, December 16, 2010

10 Outside-the-Box Presents for Kids

Running out of gift ideas for the kids? Read on!

As my kids get older, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to come up with original gift ideas for the holidays. My five year old is still thrilled with new markers and an Ugli doll but pleasing my seven and ten year olds is more of a challenge.   As I've said before, they don't need much but we always have to come up with a long list to satisfy the relatives. While parents can sometimes get away with new sneakers or books, grandparents want that "WOW!" reaction when the darlings break into their booty.   It's hard to find WOW presents year after year—especially with three boys, as everything for my oldest gets passed down twice. We have held out on a video game console for another year so that also eliminates a whole gift category. I …

In this Article:

Scrivener's Toys and Collectibles (in Maplewood Patch), Maplewood Theater (in Maplewood Patch), and Mt. Fuji Sushi (in Maplewood Patch)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Gardening: Gift Giving Options

Gloves, hats and more for the gardener in your life.

I go through a set of garden gloves every season. Cheap or expensive it doesn't seem to matter much, though the truly cheap don't last more than a month.  The problem usually is I break through a finger tip even with the really short fingernails that are a hallmark of a gardener. I have never had a pair that made into the next year until now. Granted this summer I did not garden as much because of the extreme heat and number of other reasons but I think these are the most rugged I have ever had. So here is my first suggestion for a holiday gift for the gardener in your life—a pair of West Country " Work" Gardening Gloves. I like the yellow color because if you drop one you stand a better chance of finding it. I can't quite understand why …

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Perfect "Man Gift" for that Favorite Fellow in Your Life

Surefire favorites—as well as gifts to avoid like the Plague

My husband has a jacket he loves. He wears it around town, blissfully unaware of its effect in public. It's the equivalent of a raggedy, faded flannel shirt with the sleeves cut off. I call it his redneck jacket. In terms of accessorizing, all it needs is a shotgun and a six-pack of beer. I once tried to get him to agree to wear it only in the dark. He refused. Ok, so now I have to go holiday shopping for him, which means the first thing I have to do is adjust my mindset. I recognize that the object is to get him something he'll love, not something I'll love. In other words, I have to think like a guy.   Easier said than done. But here's what I've learned through the years: The Dreaded DON'Ts of Buying For Men CLOTHES  I've come to realize…

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