Bernards Republican Municipal Committee to meet at Bernards Township Library on Monday night, March 15, to screen candidates for Township Committee

The Republican Municipal Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, to interview and screen potential candidates who wish to represent the local Republican party in the June primary election for a three-year position on the Township Committee. The elected position would begin at the start of 2011.

The meeting is scheduled to be held downstairs in the Bernards Township Library at 32 S. Maple Ave., said Township Committeeman John Carpenter. Carpenter said the municipal committee will hear comments from potential candidates and ask questions. He said the municipal committee could then select a candidate who would receive the party's endorsement for the June primary election. The public is invited, he said

The Township Committee position expiring this year is now filled by Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer, this year's mayor in Bernards, said Carpenter.

_ Linda Sadlouskos

Nearly all Far Hills streets cleared by Sunday after weekend flooding and downed trees in storm

Far Hills Police Chief Kenneth Hartman said all streets that had been closed due to flooding or trees knocked down by Saturday's storm were cleared and reopened by Sunday, March 14, except for Campbell Road.

Hartman said Campbell Road remained closed off as of about 6 p.m. on Sunday because of trees and electrical wires knocked down by the storm since Saturday.

Unlike some other Somerset County municipalities, Far Hills sustained more damage on Saturday than on Sunday, the chief said. Water flooded from Peapack Road, across the Far Hills Fairground, and onto the intersection of Route 202 and Peapack Road, Hartman said. The flooding resulted in that area becoming impassable between Saturday evening and about 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, he said.

Downed trees and wires, as well as some flooding, had closed Lake Road on Saturday, Hartman said. Part of Route 202 was also closed because of a tree knocked over by the storm on Saturday, the chief said.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Meet some wild animals in Basking Ridge this Sunday, March 7

The naturalists at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge will present a family program, “What Big Teeth You Have!” featuring Travis Gale from Eyes of the Wild. The program is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 7. The Environmental Education Center is at 190 Lord Stirling Road in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township.

“What Big Teeth You Have!” will introduce nature’s incredible creatures who fight to scratch out an existence. The program will describe the survival techniques used by animals in their fight for survival. Gale will relate amazing stories about how animals find prey and escape from becoming prey for other predators. Descriptions will include the sharp claws of the raccoon-like Coatimundi, the sharp senses of Fennec Fox, the terrible teeth of the tiny short-tailed Opossum, and the ridiculous flexibility of the Ferret. Gale will bring some of his favorite furry friends as he mixes comedy, education, and wildlife from around the world.

The program is designed for both children and adults. Fee is $4 per person. Preregistration is not required. Information is available online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-766-2489.

Bernardsville invites public to plan for a lasting (sustainable) future

Those interested in the future of Bernardsville and in enhancing the quality of life in their hometown are invited to the Bernardsville Public Library at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. The program at the library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, will address how to practice "sustainable living" and cut costs by "going green.” Donna Drewes, Community Planner at the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey and one of the lead architects of the statewide Sustainable New Jersey program, will provide a presentation with an eye toward the future.

Sustainable living provides many benefits to individuals, families and communities. Besides protecting water, air and soil of planet earth, such practices make good economic sense, proponents say. Sustainable habits, from recycling to saving energy, save money in personal budgets and government budgets alike, according to advocates.

The program will point out small steps toward “going green” that can have a powerful and positive effect on everyone's life. At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to identify steps they can take to further their own sustainable styles of living. Tables will be set up to demonstrate activities in which community members are already involved or can become involved. Tables will display Green Club activities in local schools; describe a proposed community garden and compostin and growing vegetables at home; information about natural resources, storm water issues, and watershed protection; and energy conservation. Tables will be staffed by members of the Bernardsville Green Team. Information sheets and reusable shopping bags will be given out, along with refreshments in biodegradable containers.

Speaker Donna Drewes is a professional planner with nearly 29 years of experience in community and natural resource planning in New Jersey. She has worked as a professional planning consultant in the private sector and for both public agencies and non-governmental organizations.

The program is free. Advance registration is requested at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, or call the library at 908-766-0118.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Love your horse with a Valentine’s Day horseback ride at Lord Stirling Stable on Feb. 14

Lord Stirling Stable in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township will host the annual "I Love Horses" Valentine’s Day Ride on the scenic trails of the county-onwed property on Sunday, Feb. 14. Check-in time is 10:30 a.m. The ride will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Lord Stirling Stable is located at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.

This event is open to all riders tested at Intermediate 2 level and above. Children must be at least 12 years old unless currently enrolled in class at Lord Stirling Stable. Riders must weigh less than 240 lbs.

The leisurely one-hour ride is at a walk and trot only. Trail guides will be happy to answer questions, point out and attempt to identify the various plants, birds and animals that can be seen on the 18 miles of trails at Lord Stirling Stable.

Registration is open this month, and will continue through Thursday, Fe. 11. The fee for the ride is $28 for Somerset County residents and $36 for out of county residents. An approved helmet and riding boots or shoes are required and may be rented at the stable. A charge of $3 per item will apply.

For information, contact the stable office at 908-766-5955 (NJ Relay 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment).
Information on other events of the Somerset County Park Commission can be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Ridge High School Counselor Selected by Arcadia University for London Experience

Peggy Wu, a high school guidance counselor at Ridge High School in the Bernards Township school system was one of 12 high school counselors who have been selected for Arcadia University’s annual London Preview for Guidance Counselors in the summer of 2010. Wu will depart for London in July 2010 accompanied by staff from Arcadia University, which is located in Glenside, Pa.

This is the 12th year that Arcadia has conducted the London Preview for guidance counselors from multiple school systems. This year's 12 high school guidance counselors were selected last November, when their names were drawn from more than 120 attendees at Arcadia’s annual counselor workshop and luncheon sponsored by the University’s Office of Enrollment Management.

On their arrival in London, the counselors will meet with Arcadia’s London staff for an orientation. They will receive orientation packages that include tickets to attractions, maps and transportation passes. The counselors will then have the opportunity to explore Islington, the fashionable 18th century London neighborhood next to the Arcadia University residence hall, Thoresby House, which will serve as their accommodation while the British city.

The counselors also will be given the opportunity to visit King’s College and City University downtown, tour the great medieval Westminster Abbey, spend an evening at the theatre, take a day trip to Cambridge, as well as boat ride down the River Thames to the city of Greenwich. Free time also will be given to the counselors to explore other attractions London has to offer.

Arcadia University is a private university in the metropolitan Philadelphia area and a national leader in study abroad, ranked number 1 in undergraduate participation in study abroad by Open Doors in 2009. The university said it provides a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world, according to the university.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

New Cafe Carriage House opens in Bedminster

Cafe Carriage House has opened in Bedminster in the courtyard off Route 202/206, where it is open daily serving three meals a day and beverages.

The cafe opened on Saturday, Jan. 23, following about six months of renovations to the carriage house, said chef Brian McGrory. The address of the new cafe is 302 Route 202/206. The owner is John Kim, McGrory said.

Items on the menu include breakfast sandwiches, egg and omelet platters, a wide variety of salads, paninis, wraps, soups, hot and cold sandwiches and burgers.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Bernards mayor shares lunch and local issues with residents; another ‘brown bag’ lunch to be scheduled

Bernards Mayor Scott Spitzer said he shared lunch and discussion about township issues at his first "brown bag lunch," last Sat., Jan. 23. The conversational forum was instituted by the new mayor when he was selected for the position in January.

Spitzer said the discussion, held at the municipal building, focused on the township's situation regarding the Millington Quarry, local zoning and the municipality's recent open space acquisitions. Deputy Mayor John Malay also attended the session, he said.

Spitzer said some of the residents were longtime citizens with specific concerns. "One was someone who had recently moved in and wanted to find out more about the town," the mayor said.

Spitzer said he will schedule additional lunches, possibly at different locations. He said is still working out a schedule for the next lunch where residents will be invited to drop by with their own lunches.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Peapack-Gladstone rescue squad seeks donations of bottled water and hand towels

On Monday, Tom Scanlon, president of the Peapack-Gladstone first aid and rescue squad, said the squad seeks donations of bottled water and hand towels to replace those given firefighters last week while fighting a house fire on Highland Avenue and during another house fire earlier this month in the borough. Potential donors are asked to call the squad building at 908-234-0253 before dropping off supplies at squad headquarters, 1 St. Luke's Ave., Scanlon said.

Drop by the Hanukkah Bubble Party on Dec. 16

It's not too late for families to attend this afternoon's Hanukkah Bubble Party at the Chabad Jewish Center at Basking Ridge, 3048 Valley Road, in Bernards Township.

The party begins at 4:30 p.m. and is scheduled to end with an outdoor menorah lighting by the center's giant wooden dreidel along Valley Road at about 6 p.m. All are invited.

Rabbi Yitchok Moully said the party will include a bubble show, the creation of a bubble menorah and refreshments. Hanukkah latkes, chocolate gelt and donuts will be served. Moully said reservations are no longer needed, and families can drop by. The cost is $10 per person, or $40 for a family. More information is available at www.chabadcentral.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos