Bernards High School to present “Anything Goes” on March 19-21 in Bernardsville

The public is invited to join the cast and crew aboard the S.S. American as the ship sets sail with students from Bernards High School for their performance of "Anything Goes" at the Somerset Hills School District Arts Center at Bernards High School. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 19-20 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 21.

General seating admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Bernardsville Hardware and Equipment Rental, 139 Morristown Road in Bernardsville; at the front desk at Bernards High School or by emailing bhsdramatickets@yahoo.com.

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Bernards High School students’ photos of images from around the world at Bernardsville Public Library

Bernards High School student photos at Bernardsville Public Library

Photographs by students from Bernards High School in Bernardsville will be on display through the remainder of March, which is Youth Art Month, in the community room at Bernardsville Public Library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, Bernardsville.

"This Is The World We Live IN" will display the talents of the young photographers at Bernards High, who have photographed a wide variety of subject matters. The photos have captured images from scenes in the mountains of Peru to the farmlands of New Jersey, according to a news release from the library. "I am very excited to see the final outcome of the fruits of the students' hard labor,'' said Dennis Babicke, photography teacher at the high school, which is attended by students from Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster Township. "Everyone has been working diligently selecting and framing some of their best images for this exhibition."

The photographs will be on display during regular library hours unless a meeting is being held in the community room. For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118. Information on the library is also available at WWW.bernardsvillelibrary.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

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

Bernardsville police offered no pay raise, negotiation to continue

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Borough police have received an offer of zero-percent change in salary during a two-year period, said Sgt. John Remian, a negotiator for the police union.

The two police officers negotiating a contract on behalf of the local police bargaining unit said they will continue seeking a settlement with the town. Another negotiating session may be soon be scheduled as a follow-up to the most recent talks on Feb. 19, said Officer Jeff Melitski, president of the PBA.

Mayor Lee Honecker confirmed the zero-percent offer had been made at the mid-February meeting. He said town's request to police to keep their salaries at a flat level reflects the reality of the borough's finances, and also takes into account the financially stressed situation of some residents.

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Scott Cutaneo of Bernardsville prepares menus at home and at Olympics

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

There were two places someone might have sampled local chef Scott Cutaneo's cuisine this month -- at Equus Tavern, dining at his restaurant in his hometown of Bernardsville, or while attending the Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with luxury travel arrangements.

In March, diners can expect a third option. Following a year of planning and renovations, Cutaneo expects to open the Claremont Tavern on a picturesque winding back road not far from the borough's downtown.

The Claremont Tavern bears little resemblance to the restaurant formerly located in the same building, Le Petite Chateau, a bastion of classic French food that had been run by Cutaneo for 14 years. The Claremont Tavern is aimed at a different audience. Patrons are likely to be seeking a casual night out, and may or may not be accompanied by children, Cutaneo said.

A tentative menu includes steak and ribs, shepherd's pie and similar fare, according to information from Jackie Cutaneo, his wife.

Last Monday, the day after returning home from Vancouver, Cutaneo discussed the new menu, which he said may be simple, but will still be good.

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Miles S. Winder of Bernardsville nominated secretary of State Bar Association

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Miles S. Winder III of Bernardsville has received the nomination for becoming Secretary of the borough-based New Jersey State Bar Association at its annual meeting on May 20 in Atlantic City.

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Somerset Hills YMCA closed Thursday, Feb. 25, due to snow

The Somerset Hills YMCA in Bernards Township will be closed for the remainder of today, Thursday, Feb. 25. The closure is due to the snow storm impacting the area, along with hazardous road conditions.

The closure affects both the Mt. Airy Road and Riverwalk locations.

Before heading over to the YMCA tomorrow, Friday, members are advised to check their email and the Web site to look for updates and ensure the facilities are open. The staff of the YMCA urges its members to stay safe.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Bernardsville Library to celebrate 10th anniversary

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

The Bernardsville Public Library, in many ways the heart and soul of the community, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a public reception Sunday. Feb. 28

Stephanie Wallace, longtime president of the library board of trustees, said she remembers when the new Bernardsville Library opened its doors to the public on Feb. 27, 2000 in an atmosphere of "huge" anticipation.

That event will be celebrated with a party for residents to honor those instrumental in making the new library a reality, according to a news release from the library. U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J. 7th District, and Borough Mayor Lee Honecker are among the scheduled speakers.

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Far Hills Country Day School invites public to hear early childhood expert; school parent also raise money for soup kitchens

Far Hills Country Day School in Bernardsville is inviting the public to an evening with early childhood expert Dr. Sue Bredekamp, who will discuss her new book, "Effective Practices in Early Childhood Educaton: Building a Foundation," at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 24. The presentation is free.

Dr. Bredekamp will speak about best practices in early childhood education, according to the school. She is scheduled to lead a discussion of how to incorporate current teaching practices necessary to become more effective with all children while also retaining and enhancing the fundamental values of early childhood education. Refreshments will be served. The public is ask to reserve ahead with an email to Lizzie O'Mara at lomara@fhcds.org. The school is at 697 Route 202 (Mine Brook Road), in the Far Hills section of Bernardsville.

O'Mara, director of strategic marketing and communications at the school, also announced Far Hills Country Day will host its annual Family Fun night fundraiser to benefit the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 19. Parents of Far Hills students contribute an amount for a casual family dinner in the school's cafeteria with good food and a bingo game after dinner. The school's students are volunteer servers, and soup kitchen's volunteers are also in attendance. All proceeds generated from the event go to the soup kitchen. Last year, over two hundred and sixty attended the dinner, and we raised $4,250 to benefit the soup kitchen. "It raises a ton of money for them at a time when they need it most,'' O'Mara said.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Kevin J. Hannaford Sr. Foundation accepting scholarship applications from Bernards and Bernarsville residents

The Kevin J. Hannaford Sr. Foundation has released information regarding its 2010 Scholarship Program. Eligible applicants must be Bernards Township or Bernardsville residents.  Download additional information and the application here.

Deadline for submitting an application is April 15.  Awards will be announced in June.