Let’s Clean Up Parsippany!

Frank L. Cahill
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Let’s Clean Up Parsippany!

PARSIPPANY — Earth Day Clean Up, organized by Parsippany resident Noah Lustig, will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Let’s Clean Up Parsippany! Join us in this township-wide event.

Registration is required by clicking here.   An email with additional details will be sent.

Several locations throughout Parsippany will be targeted to be cleaned up of debris and garbage including the Jersey City/Boonton Reservoir.

Check-in will be at the Smith Field C Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m.

Volunteers will be shuttled to various locations by Township Buses.

  • Heavy-duty gloves are recommended.
  • Bags and safety vests (as needed) will be provided.

Additional questions or need more info? Please get in touch with Parsippany Recreation at recreation@parsippany.net.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office Attains Eighth Reaccreditation Award

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Sheriff’s Office Attains Eighth Reaccreditation Award

MORRIS COUNTY — Sheriff James M. Gannon and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Bureau of Law Enforcement were proud to receive their eighth accreditation certification from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) at a recent ceremony in Montgomery, Alabama.

“I am so very thankful to all the personnel of the Bureau of Law Enforcement who, day in and day out, deliver the level of professionalism expected of the people of Morris County and outlined in the CALEA accreditation process. I especially want to thank our accreditation team of Detective Lieutenant Tracy Medwin, Sergeant Travis Somerville, Corporal Laura Bertelli, and Sheriff’s Officer Ashley Craig for their exceptional work in attaining this very notable accomplishment,” said Sheriff Gannon.

Accreditation by the CALEA is a demanding process that measures a law enforcement agency’s compliance with the most advanced standards on policy, procedures, operations, and administration and support services. CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations and is considered the top international standard in public safety evaluation.

In October 2023, CALEA Assessor Dennis Nelson completed a four-day onsite reaccreditation assessment, noting in his final report how committed Sheriff Gannon and the entire MCSO are to the accreditation process.

“All officers interviewed were knowledgeable and engaged in their job function, which translated into accreditation being embedded in the culture of the Office,” said Assessor Nelson, adding, “This is an important aspect to the Sheriff, and it shows throughout the agency in that everyone’s performance is as natural as breathing.”

The onsite review was the final step in the process of achieving reaccreditation and also included a review of policies, practices, and processes.

Sheriff Gannon expressed his gratitude for the level of detail and thoroughness of the CALEA review, stating how important it is for a law enforcement agency to have such a review by an independent, outside source. Accreditation becomes instilled in the agency’s DNA through years of undergoing the process, said Gannon.

“I am pleased to learn that the Morris County Sheriff’s Office has again achieved recertification by the prestigious CALEA. I do not doubt that the MCSO would satisfy all the applicable standards for accreditation, knowing that the leadership staff under Sheriff Gannon has developed a model of good and responsive law enforcement for all their operations,” said Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.

The MCSO adheres to 461 policy standards ensuring the agency operates within best practices. Reported areas of strength include the delivery of services to the public and the recruitment and retention of officers. The MCSO is a triple crown award recipient accredited in corrections standards set by the American Correctional Association (ACA), correctional healthcare standards under the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC), and law enforcement accreditation through the CALEA. The MCSO is also the first agency in New Jersey to be certified by the Highlands Forensic Investigations & Consulting as a top agency to meet industry standards in crime scene investigation.

“On behalf of the Morris County Chiefs Association, and all Morris County Chiefs of Police, congratulations to Sheriff Gannon and the MCSO for achieving this milestone of their eighth consecutive CALEA reaccreditation. Having been an accreditation manager, I know the effort that goes into achieving the accreditation status. The Morris County Chiefs of Police value our partnership with the MCSO and the invaluable services they provide,” said Morris Plains Police Chief Michael Koroski, president of the Chiefs Association.

Sheriff Gannon continues to invite scrutiny of his organization by gold-standard organizations and is consistently seeking input from municipal, county, state, and federal partners. The sheriff meets regularly, including one-on-one, with all 328 members of his staff to gauge the agency’s performance and to improve processes.

The sheriff also invites the citizens of Morris County to report on what the MSCO does right and where there are opportunities for improvement in a mutual effort to improve outcomes for the community. Click here for more information and to provide feedback.

Seeking: Female Volunteers and Sponsors for Morris Habitat’s ‘Women Build’ Initiative

Frank L. Cahill
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Seeking: Female Volunteers and Sponsors for Morris Habitat’s ‘Women Build’ Initiative

MORRIS COUNTY — Ladies, are you 18 or older and ready, willing, and able to build houses from the ground up? Then Morris Habitat for Humanity, the major builder and advocate for affordable housing in the state, is looking for you to participate in this year’s “Women Build” benefit, to be held from Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 17.

The volunteers affiliated with the Morris non-profit serve as the heart and soul of the organization, dedicating numerous hours of assistance and support to facilitate families’ journey towards homeownership. The program’s sustainability is attributed to the contributions of these volunteers, who generously offer their time and expertise across all facets of the organization.

To register to volunteer, click here.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting Scheduled for April 2

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting Scheduled for April 2

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will occur in the Council Chambers at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard within the Parsippany Municipal Building.

Formal action may or may not be taken.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for the meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request an auxiliary aid.

Click here for a copy of the agenda.

Click here for the 2024 calendar.

Mayor James Barberio
Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council Vice President Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
Councilman Matt McGrath
Councilwoman Judy Hernandez

Rite Aid Lake Hiawatha Pharmacy Joins List of Closures Across New Jersey

Frank L. Cahill
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Rite Aid Lake Hiawatha Pharmacy Joins List of Closures Across New Jersey

PARSIPPANY — The Rite Aid pharmacy located in Lake Hiawatha is set to close its doors soon. This decision comes as a result of various factors, including business strategy, lease and rent considerations, local business conditions, and store performance, as stated by a company spokesperson. According to a store employee, the pharmacy, located at 480 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, will conclude its operations on April 26, with the remaining store sections closing in early May.

With over 2,000 locations across 17 states, Rite Aid announced anticipated fiscal losses for 2024, expected to range between approximately $650 million and $680 million. A company spokesperson emphasized the regular review of locations to align with customer needs and overall business goals.

A settlement has been reached between Rite Aid and its lenders, the U.S. Department of Justice, and drug supplier McKesson Corp, facilitating the completion of Rite Aid’s bankruptcy case by late April, as per a company lawyer. This settlement, unrelated to ongoing lawsuits over opioid medications, addresses the pharmacy chain’s high debt and strategic restructuring efforts initiated since filing for bankruptcy in October 2023.

Apart from Lake Hiawatha, several other Rite Aid stores in New Jersey have either closed recently or are scheduled to close soon, including locations in Morristown, Bayonne, Haddon Township, Logan Township, Newark, and Newton. Nationwide, a total of 77 additional stores are slated for closure, bringing the total count of planned closures since last October to 431.

Customers seeking to transfer prescriptions before the closure can reach out to Greenhill Pharmacy at (973) 887-9444, located at 64 Parsippany Road, or Lakeshore Pharmacy at (862) 701-5808, situated at 299 Parsippany Road. Both pharmacies are locally owned and operated. Alternatively, Rite Aid will automatically transfer prescriptions to a nearby location for customers who do not opt for a transfer.

Troy Hills Shopping Center Vacancies Reflect Nationwide Retail Downturn

Frank L. Cahill
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Troy Hills Shopping Center Vacancies Reflect Nationwide Retail Downturn

PARSIPPANY — In the last half-year, the Troy Hills Shopping Center has seen a series of retail closures, totaling nearly 74,000 square feet of vacated space. The sequence began with the Dollar Store, followed by Esporta, iStore by St Moritz, Sport Clips, and most recently Berry Bowls. Additionally, a former Subway outlet had already been vacant before these closures.

The sole announced replacement is Phoenix Salon Suites, set to occupy 6,801 square feet within the former Dollar Store space.

The demise of traditional retail has been inexorably linked to the rise of online shopping. As e-commerce platforms burgeoned, offering convenience, extensive variety, and often lower prices, brick-and-mortar stores faced mounting challenges to stay afloat.

Consumers, drawn by the ease of browsing and purchasing from the comfort of their homes, began to shift their shopping habits online. The ability to compare prices, read reviews, and access a vast array of products with just a few clicks proved irresistible.

The respective areas occupied by the closed businesses were: Sports Clips (1,045 sq ft), Berry Bowls (900 sq ft), Former Subway (1,748 sq ft), iStore (1,998 sq ft), and Esporta (61,489 sq ft), totaling over 67,000 square feet.

For context, the total leasable space in the Troy Hills Shopping Center amounts to 211,000 square feet. Among its major tenants are Target, Michaels, Petco, Applebees, McDonalds, Wells Fargo, and Panera Bread.

For retailers, the overhead costs of maintaining physical stores, coupled with the need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements, posed significant hurdles. Many struggled to compete with the agility and cost-effectiveness of online counterparts.

The U-Haul truck was stationed in front of Berry Bowls, clearing out the establishment.

While some traditional retailers managed to pivot successfully by integrating online channels into their business models, others faltered, succumbing to the relentless march of digital disruption. As a result, countless iconic brands shuttered their doors, marking the end of an era in retail history.

Empowering Minds: Conference Aims to Improve Quality of Life

Frank L. Cahill
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Empowering Minds: Conference Aims to Improve Quality of Life

MORRIS COUNTY — In a world where the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise, education, and awareness play pivotal roles in fostering understanding and support. Join Arden Courts ProMedica Memory Care West Orange, Whippany, and Wayne as we learn from three experts on navigating these complex conditions during our POWER of the Mind conference.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Theresa Redling, DO, FACP, Chief of the Division of Geriatric Health and Disease Management at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, will provide valuable perspectives. Additionally, attendees will benefit from the expertise of Rachael Wonderlin, MS, Dementia & Senior Living Consultant at Dementia By Day, and Eric Goldberg, CELA, Owner & Managing Partner at NJ Elder Law Center, Goldberg Law Group, a three-time author published by Johns Hopkins Press.

Through education and heightened awareness, the aim is to cultivate a more supportive environment for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, enriching their lives and those of their loved ones. Prospective attendees are encouraged to reserve their spot promptly as space is limited. The first 25 registrants will receive a signed copy of Rachael Wonderlin’s book.

Participating Vendors include:
•Care Connect
•Care Patrol
•Coldwell Banker – Morristown
•Dementia By Day
•HomeWatch Caregivers
•NJ Elder Law Center Goldberg Law Group
•Patient Care
•Peace Aging
•Ramapo Behavioral Health/Christian Health
•RetireMD
•Right At Home of Essex County
•RJW Barnabas Health
•Simpler Life
•Summit Psychological Services
•Suncrest Hospice
•The Alzheimer’s Association New Jersey Chapter
•The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey

Staffed by specially trained caregivers, Arden Courts compassionately cares for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Arden Courts communities are purpose-built and specialized to accommodate the unique needs of its residents.

They offer programs that serve all levels of memory care, from early stages through end-
of-life care.

To learn more click here.

Skyward Delight: Liquid Church Drops 75,000 Easter Eggs for Spectacular Hunt

Frank L. Cahill
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Skyward Delight: Liquid Church Drops 75,000 Easter Eggs for Spectacular Hunt

PARSIPPANY — On Easter Weekend, Liquid Church, one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches, hosted a helicopter Easter Egg Drop event at its Parsippany campus. They also hosted similar Easter Egg Drop at Princeton, Wayne, and Mountainside.

Liquid Church hosted a helicopter Easter Egg Drop where 75,000 colorful Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes were shared with kids ages 12 and under.
The Easter basket will be their ticket to enter the free Easter Egg Drop activity. 

The community was invited to attend the free Easter Egg Drop, where 75,000 colorful Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes and shared with kids ages 12 and under. 

The fun began Saturday with the first drops at its Parsippany campus, where young children hunted down the eggs following services. Two drops were on Saturday, with three drops on Sunday.

To participate in the Easter Egg Drop, each child ages 12 and under received an Easter egg basket after attending Liquid Family. The Easter basket will be their ticket to enter the free Easter Egg Drop activity. 

Liquid Church added a colorful extra attraction to its Easter weekend services by hiring helicopters to drop a total of 75,000 Easter eggs
Clouds of Joy: Liquid Church Sets Free 75,000 Easter Eggs for Sky-Filled Hunt
Children of all ages had the opportunity to hang out with the Easter Bunny.
The helicopter dumped thousands of Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes, which were shared with kids ages 12 and under.

Rep. Sherrill Launches Sixth Annual Congressional Art Competition

Frank L. Cahill
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Rep. Sherrill Launches Sixth Annual Congressional Art Competition

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) launched her sixth annual Congressional Art Competition for NJ-11 students. The competition offers high school students a chance to showcase their creativity and artistic expression. 

“I am excited to once again launch the Congressional Art Competition! Each year, I am so impressed by the creativity, passion, and talent of our high school students. The Congressional Art Competition provides a unique opportunity to celebrate young artists in our community,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I strongly encourage each high school to participate and I look forward to seeing all of the artwork!”  

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of judges select the winning entries. The winner’s artwork will be displayed alongside winners from across the nation for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

Artwork submitted for NJ-11’s competition will be displayed at an art show and reception at Montclair State University, where this year’s winners will be announced. Art teachers interested in submitting their students’ work can reach out to georgia.turvey@mail.house.gov for additional information. 

Due to limitations of gallery space, NJ-11 high schools will be able to select ONE piece of artwork to represent their school and their selected art must be dropped off to Rep. Sherrill’s District Office. The decision on which artwork is submitted by each school is at the sole discretion of the school, and no entries outside of that process can be included in the competition.  

The deadline for schools to let Rep. Sherrill’s office know which piece they are submitting is Friday, April 12. Artwork must be submitted through the student’s school.

Rep. Sherrill’s office is located at 375 South Livingston Avenue, Suite 201, Livingston NJ 07039. To view more information about the Congressional Art Competition, click here.

A Night of Jazz and Recognition: Students Honored at Mayo Performing Arts Center

Frank L. Cahill
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A Night of Jazz and Recognition: Students Honored at Mayo Performing Arts Center

MORRIS COUNTY — Students from Parsippany, Mt. Olive, Whippany, Randolph, and Kinnelon, were honored as Mayo Performing Arts Center’s March 2024 Music Students of the Month – Outstanding Jazz Musicians — before the Sunday, March 24 performance by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Students were nominated by their teachers and were chosen by the Theatre’s Education Department based on their commitment to excellence in the performing arts. The students were honored on stage before the concert and had the opportunity to meet Wynton Marsalis and other band members. 

About the March Music Students of the Month 

Gary Goodson – Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Joseph Stella

Gary is a talented baritone saxophonist in our 8th-grade band.  He is always very conscientious of learning his parts for the band and has improved a great deal in the past year.  This is the first year that Gary decided to audition for the school’s jazz band and he has been doing a wonderful job anchoring the saxophone section on the baritone sax.  He is absorbing the jazz concepts and style very quickly and is becoming a stand-out player in the ensemble.  Aside from his musical accomplishments, he is also always very polite and responsible.  Gary’s musicianship and demeanor make him an excellent choice for this month’s MSOM.

Matthew Mendoza – Grade 12, Parsippany High School; Parsippany; Nominated by Gregory Dalakian

Matthew Mendoza has been the guitarist for our Jazz Ensemble for the past 3 years and has done a solid job providing rhythm and substance to our ensemble. He has a true passion for playing jazz music and is always willing to solo whenever the opportunity arises. He spends a great deal of time practicing during his lunch period so he can improve his skills on electric and acoustic guitar, and even gigs professionally with his family. Matt has been a great addition to the rhythm section of our Jazz Ensemble and is worthy of this recognition.

Nathan Bautista – Grade 12, Kinnelon High School; Kinnelon; Nominated by Ryan Stroud

Nate has been one of the most surprising students I’ve ever taught. He came to KHS right out of the pandemic, and things were really challenging that first year. We had so many restrictions. Nate was just a really positive force in the classroom. He made the best out of a rough situation, and once things got back to normal, he really started to shine. He’s been a French Horn player in our Wind Ensemble and Pit Orchestra, but little did I know he was holding out that he was a talented piano player, as well. I learned this when he came out for Jazz Band, and I was floored!  He’s very hardworking and disciplined. He’s really been a fantastic addition to our student ensembles at KHS. He also keeps dropping little bits of craziness on me…like I only learned a few months ago that he has his pilot’s license and he’ll be attending college to further his interest to seek a career in flying. We’re really going to miss him here at KHS, but wherever he “lands”, they’ll have a really great young man to work with. 

Ishaan Devanand – Grade 7, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; Nominated by Tom Davidson

Ishaan Devanand is a prodigious musician and dedicated scholar. Ishaan started his musical journey on the piano when he was four years old. Bringing seven years of piano experience to the table, Ishaan started playing the alto saxophone in 5th grade. As he became more experienced, Ishaan switched to the tenor saxophone in 6th grade and auditioned for the Randolph Middle School Jazz Ensemble and was accepted.  He quickly caught on to the harder levels of music and became a key player in the ensemble.  Ishaan also participated in the North Jersey School Music Association 6th Grade Honor Band while he was in 6th grade and the North Jersey Junior Area Band while in 7th grade, showing his musical skills outside of the Randolph band program. Outside of music, Ishaan plays tennis and cross-country running, making him a well-rounded student. He also enjoys mountain biking and motorcycle riding, and his hobbies include building things like RC planes and boats. He participates in 4-H, which covers archery and rifle shooting. Ishaan also maintains a garden, which includes a greenhouse. Overall, Ishaan is a great musical student and has high hopes for the future.  

James Fico – Grade 10, Whippany Park High School; Whippany; Nominated by Carl Sabatino

James has recently switched to Tenor Saxophone from Bass Clarinet and is working hard to improve his skills as a player and improviser.  He just started taking lessons and is a great lover of jazz music.  Having the opportunity to hear the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will undoubtedly be a highlight and a huge influence on him at this time.  He’s recently starting to listen to move jazz and Victor Goines would absolutely be someone to model!

Eli Kahn – Grade 10, Randolph High School; Randolph; Nominated by Nick Fantazzi

Eli is a fantastic piano player in our top Jazz Band.  He has been in the top Jazz Band since his freshman year.  He has a great ear and excels at improvising and making great musical choices.

Ansh Parikh – Grade 9, Mount Olive High School; Budd Lake; Nominated by Darrell Hendricks

Ansh is a fantastic bass player who listens to jazz ALL day!!  He is an outstanding citizen of our school and has a lot of respect for LCJO.

Aden Reckler – Grade 8, Pearl R Miller School; Kinnelon; Nominated by Brian Scanlon

Aden has been a member of our school’s Jazz-Rock Ensemble each of his three years in our Middle School. As a 6th-grade student Aden took on the challenge of Jazz guitar and has grown into a very solid and dependable player in our rhythm section. Aden is a very conscientious student who reports to rehearsals before school early and is always prepared with his assigned music. In the spirit of the Jazz style, Aden has grown into a confident improviser and those skills will be featured in our Spring performance. Aden is also a very strong member of our Grade 8 Band and our Advanced Band on Tenor Sax.

Evan Shapo – Grade 12, Randolph High School; Randolph; Nominated by James Scanlon

Evan has a deep theoretical and aural understanding of music and is an accomplished pianist and percussionist. It’s been a pleasure to listen to Evan put his knowledge of music into practice during jazz rehearsals every Wednesday night. Evan is a fearless and creative improviser, yet he is always open to constructive criticism. He does his best to improve his improvisations with the criticism given to him. It is clear to me that Evan comes prepared to each rehearsal having practiced his music and listened to the recordings assigned to the band for daily listening; Evan is truly trying to learn this highly complicated artform. I appreciate his dedication to the music.  Evan exhibits true leadership skills: arriving on time, moving equipment that is not his just to help out, volunteering to try new improvisation techniques when the band is unsure of the concept presented, modeling jazz piano techniques to the younger pianist in the group, and sitting in on drums when our percussionist is out sick. And most important to me, Evan is a kind and sensitive human being. This is why Evan Shapo deserves to be honored as an outstanding jazz musician.

The Theatre honors a group of students every month throughout the season and invites area teachers to nominate students for this honor.

The 2023-2024 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2023-2024 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. Mayo Performing Arts Center was named 2016 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres and is ranked in the top 50 mid-sized performing arts centers by Pollstar Magazine.

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