PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) celebrated its annual Guru Vandana on June 1, 2024, at the Montville Senior Center in Montville. Around 130 attendees gathered to express heartfelt gratitude to 17 Teachers and Board of Education members for their invaluable contributions to society.
Across the US, more than 2000 educators and administrators have been recognized for their priceless contributions to society.
Guru (‘Gu’ means darkness, and ‘Ru’ means divine light of knowledge) removes darkness by lighting the lamp of knowledge in society. As such, Guru Vandana (Reverence to the teacher) is performed as an expression of gratitude to the teachers.
The event commenced with reciting the American pledge, followed by the lighting of diyas to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati. A cultural program unfolded, showcasing India’s rich heritage through captivating performances by children aged 4 to 12.
Students Honor Teachers with Reverence
A highlight was the touching demonstration of gratitude by students towards their teachers. With reverence and sincerity, they participated in traditional rituals, applying tilak, performing aarti, and offering respectful bows as symbols of their deep appreciation for their teachers’ guidance.
Celebrating Unity and Community
Beyond the cultural festivities, the Guru Vandana event was a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing respect and gratitude towards educators. It highlighted teachers’ pivotal role in shaping the future generation and fostering a society grounded in empathy and understanding.
The evening we concluded with a photo booth and a sumptuous vegetarian feast, further strengthening the bonds of community and camaraderie.
The Parsippany HSS Chapter’s Guru Vandana celebration was a testament to the enduring values of respect, gratitude, and unity that bind the community together. As part of a nationwide initiative, over 2,000 educators were honored across 80 HSS chapters during Teachers’ Appreciation Week.
About HSS
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, social, educational, and cultural organization of Hindus living outside India to promote, protect, and preserve Hindu culture. HSS has numerous local chapters across the USA. HSS performs various social activities across the USA. To learn more, click here.
PARSIPPANY — On July 1, 2024, Donald S. Dinsmore, formerly of Casha Casha & Evans, LLC, began working at Morris Plains/Parsippany-based Plosia Cohen LLC.
Dinsmore complements Plosia Cohen’s municipal, school law, and litigation practice and adds to it his considerable experience and expertise in these and related areas. Don has extensive experience assisting businesses to manage their relationships with the New Jersey State and local government. Don served the State of New Jersey for over ten years, first as legal counsel to the New Jersey State Legislature, Chief of Staff to a State Assemblymember, and later as senior staff of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. In addition to legally representing governments and businesses, Don adds to Plosia Cohen his experience handling trust and estates, family law, guardianships, and real estate matters. Don also solidifies the firm’s status as a leader in administrative law and brings with him relationships with government entities and Joint Insurance Funds (“JIF”), thereby supplementing the firm’s already established practices in these areas.
PARSIPPANY — Daiichi Sankyo relocated from Two Hilton Court in Parsippany to Basking Ridge in 2016. Despite vacating the premises in 2016, Daiichi Sankyo maintained the lease on the building until December 2022. Onyx Equities purchased the building in 2020, and the site is now set to be demolished to make way for a new warehouse.
Onyx Equities has been actively involved in various redevelopment projects in Parsippany, with several approvals from the local zoning board. Onyx acquired a significant portion of the former Mack-Cali complex, including nine buildings in Parsippany, as part of a 1.5 million square foot office portfolio.
The bulldozers are demolishing the former Daiichi Sankyo building at Two Hilton Court. The Hilton Parsippany is in the background of the photo.
Onyx Equities still owns several office buildings nearby, including The Arbors at Parsippany, located at One, Three, Five Sylvan Way, and Four and Six Campus Drive. Onyx’s renovation, which cost $15 million, introduced new amenities and programming that have fueled leasing interest. The enhancements include a fitness center, cafes, game rooms, outdoor activities, and walking trails.
The office buildings at Two and Three Campus Drive, formerly owned by Onyx Equities, were demolished, and AvalonBay Communities purchased the project. They are currently constructing high-density apartment buildings on the site. The new development includes approximately 430 multi-family apartments with an affordable housing component.
In addition, Seven Campus Drive is a 156,000-square-foot, three-story office building originally constructed in 1982. Mack-Cali Realty Corporation sold it to Birch Group in November 2020. The site is currently undergoing redevelopment as part of a PAR Development Urban Renewal project, which plans to convert the office space into industrial use. This redevelopment is part of the township’s broader efforts to repurpose vacant office buildings and introduce new uses to the area.
A rendering of the warehouse planned for the former Daiichi Sankyo site at Two Hilton Court has been released. According to sources, Onyx Equities, the company behind the project, currently does not have a tenant lined up to occupy the new warehouse.Debris from the demolition of Two Hilton Court is evident as the former Daiichi Sankyo building is being taken down to make way for a new warehouse. The demolition is part of a broader redevelopment strategy in Parsippany, where Onyx Equities, which purchased the property, is repurposing the site. The project is one of several initiatives to transform unused office spaces into more viable commercial or industrial uses.
When Daiichi Sankyo occupied Two Hilton Court, the facility accommodated approximately 480 employees. The 186,000-square-foot building underwent renovations to support the company’s expanding workforce, with plans to eventually house around 600 employees at full capacity. These upgrades were part of Daiichi Sankyo’s broader strategy to enhance their U.S. headquarters and meet the growing needs of their operations. However, the company later relocated to Basking Ridge to consolidate its New Jersey facilities and improve efficiency. This move aimed to foster greater collaboration among their commercial and development divisions, enabling innovation in therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, and pain management.
According to New Jersey property tax records, Two Hilton Court paid $693,610 in annual taxes 2016. By 2023, this amount had been reduced to $479,159.87. This significant decrease in property taxes reflects the building’s valuation and usage changes over the years. The adjustments in tax payments may be attributed to various factors, including property depreciation, changes in occupancy, or reassessment of the property value following Daiichi Sankyo’s departure and the subsequent redevelopment plans for the site.
MORRIS PLAINS — This month, my ravenous group of foodie friends was in the mood for some Asian cuisine. One place that we have been hearing good things about and that has been on our radar was a small Japanese/Korean neighborhood restaurant on Speedwell Avenue in nearby Morris Plains. Kiori is a standalone building attached to a neighboring restaurant, Delicias Latinas, a cute little Latin American eatery.
Kiori Japanese Kitchen, promising a fresh approach to Japanese cuisine, opened to local fanfare in October 2022, when it took over the site previously owned by Aji Sushi Japanese Restaurant. Mayor Karr even presented the ownership with a borough “Key to Success” at the ribbon cutting, proudly displayed on the kitchen’s wall.
A Culinary Journey at Kiori Japanese Kitchen Yong Cho, Patrick Minutillo, and Joe Cho
Speedwell Avenue is part of a bustling, vibrant street scene with limited parking, so I was pleased to find that Kiori had a private off-street parking lot in the rear of the restaurant. I arrived before my group, and on entry, I was warmly greeted by a smiling Yong Cho, who not only owns the eatery but manages, at least on this occasion, to amicably greet arriving guests, expediently bus tables, and serve customers.
That’s some front-of-the-house multi-tasking! That caring, personal touch is one of those things that is so cool about small, independently-owned businesses. While Mr. Cho is taking care of front-of-house operations, Joe Cho (best I could determine, Joe is Yong’s cousin) and his assistant are busy in the open-faced, immaculate kitchen, expertly preparing the dishes. As expected, all the dishes are made to order, and all ingredients are fresh and prepared at the restaurant, with regularly scheduled delivery of the fish. I should mention that Kiori is a BYOB establishment, and if you forget, do not worry; there’s a liquor store nearby.
Owner Yong Cho arrived in the U.S. 20 years ago from Korea, and Kiori Japanese Kitchen is his first restaurant. The energetic Mr. Cho comes from a restaurant-oriented family. His mother is a Chef in Japan, and he learned how to cook and prepare traditional Japanese food at an early age. His fairly extensive menu incorporates a wide selection of most traditional Japanese dishes and some modern twists on your classic favorites. Included are Appetizers, Bento Boxes ( traditional Japanese single-portion lunch), Donburi (rice bowl dish consisting of fish, meat, vegs), Japanese Fried Chicken (boneless and wings), Regular and Vegetable rolls, Signature rolls, Special rolls, Sushi & Sashimi combos (as well as A La Carte), Noodle dishes (assorted Ramen dishes), Lunch Combos (available 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), Katsu (fried pork, fish, cheese, or chicken with panko bread crumbs & sauce), soft drinks and dessert.
Japanese Fried Chicken (boneless and wings)
Kiori has about ten tables, including individual and booth seating along the side walls. There are also several stools along the open-faced sushi kitchen if you prefer. Our group of seven was seated at one of the booths, which proved to be comfortable. Seating is appropriately and thoughtfully spaced, and the small restaurant vibe is cozy, inviting, casual, and relaxing. The minimalistic design elements, sparse decorations, modern, dark-themed interior, and natural wood flooring and tables were simple, aesthetic, and reflective of a traditional Japanese restaurant. Ambient lighting from the exterior windows and dropped globe light fixtures were sufficient to create a suitable and desired mood where one can sit back and enjoy a great meal.
Beef Gyoza (handmade beef dumplings with steamed or deep fry)
As my group finally arrived and were seated, Mr. Cho happily addressed any questions about the menu, and we usually have quite a few. Friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, Mr. Cho even helped with our requested recommendations based on all our individual preferences. You felt immediately that this was going to be an enjoyable dining experience. As usual, we arrived at a selection of shared appetizers. After starting with a satisfying bowl of umami-rich Miso Soup, we opted for a couple of servings each of Fried Chicken Wings (deep fried chicken wings, with soy garlic and spicy sauce), Beef Gyoza (handmade beef dumplings with steamed or deep fry), Takoyaki (crispy octopus dumplings, with bonito flake, mayo, and okonomiyaki sauce), and the Appetizer Sampler (2 pieces each of Shumai, Vegetable Gyoza, Harumaki, and Takoyaki (deep fried only).
Takoyaki (crispy octopus dumplings with bonito flake, mayo, and okonomiyaki sauce),
Japanese cuisine is known for its delicate balance of flavors, fresh ingredients, and meticulous preparation, and this became noticeably more apparent as our meal progressed. Every choice was delicious, and the gorgeous presentation and detail showcased the artistry that Japanese cuisine is noted for. Devoured quickly, there was no debate that everyone thoroughly enjoyed these wonderfully tasteful treats, but now it was time to move on to our entrees.
Kalbi Box (broiled, marinated, bone-in short rib, with house-made kalbi sauce)
I went with the Kiori Special Roll (spicy tuna, eel, cucumber, rolled and layered Kani, mixed lobster salad, crunch, with avocado on top with spicy mayo). The roll was expertly crafted, and you could taste the fresh and high-quality ingredients. It was aesthetically enticing, and it was as delicious as it looked. As vast as the menu was, after much bantering, the rest of the group decided to opt for individual Bento Boxes. They included a Beef Bulgogi Box (marinated sliced rib eye beef, with house-made bulgogi sauce), Kalbi Box (broiled, marinated, bone-in short rib, with house-made kalbi sauce), Spicy Salmon Box (marinated and broiled salmon, with Kaori spicy sauce), and a Shrimp Tempura Box (4 pieces of deep-fried shrimp, house-made panko crumbs, with sauce). All the Bento Box selections came with steamed rice, house salad, Harumaki (Japanese Spring Roll), edamame, and a regular roll or Miso Soup. Sadly, I didn’t get to sample all the dishes personally, but everyone gave their choices a hearty thumbs up by unanimous agreement. Not only did everyone in the group agree that their dishes were delicious and their portion sizes were fulfilling, but they were also impressed with the polite, accommodating, and impeccable service. It was a very leisurely, unrushed meal and a dining adventure that was both delicious and culturally enriching.
Kiori Special Roll (spicy tuna, eel, cucumber, rolled and layered Kani, mixed lobster salad, crunch, with avocado on top with spicy mayo)
The meal ended with complimentary Mochi Ice Cream. Mochi is a confection from pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling. The frozen dessert comes wrapped in plastic. It is sweet and flavorful and a great palette cleanser after a meal. Before this visit, I was unfamiliar with Mochi despite many visits to Japanese eateries. That introduction itself made this visit a worthwhile experience. Enhancing my knowledge of the vast and diverse cuisines we are fortunate to have here in Morris County is a never-ending goal.
Overall, dining at Kiori Japanese Kitchen was a delightful experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Japanese cuisine. The delicious food, excellent service, reasonable prices, and inviting ambiance made it memorable.
Kiori Japanese Kitchen, 645 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. Phone: (973) 270-0886. kiorikitchen.com; Dine In – Take Out- Delivery; No Reservations – BYOB – Private Parking Lot In Rear; Catering – Party Platters; Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
“ごうちそうさまでした”
Gouchiisousama deshita
Dining at Kiori Japanese Kitchen was a delightful experience.
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine – July 2024. Click here to read the magazine.
MORRIS COUNTY — Quite a few bear sightings have recently been in and around the local township area. Concurrently, the township has more than doubled in population. Most of these newcomers hail from NYC and other urban areas. Many lack familiarity with the natural world and, as a result, exhibit an irrational fear of any critters, be they bugs, birds, raccoons, and, of course, bears. On our township website, people post incidents of various animals being seen. Their fears are usually expressed by comments such as: “Call the Police immediately,” or “Beware, it’s known to be rabid,” or “I got the fright of my life…!” Comments about bear sightings will normally solicit an unusual number of responses, which, in turn, pushed the recall button in my brain that unearthed the following scrap of memory:
“When in Eagle River, Alaska, a while ago, I, with two friends, Raissa The Brave and Lorissa The Agreeable, decided to walk down a precarious pathway to visit a small but beautiful chapel in the woods designed by a noted architect. We were quite surprised by coming across bear poop that was still steaming from its owner’s bodily warmth in the crisp, cool morning air. I, the newly appointed bear poop specialist, immediately recognized which species of animal welcomed us visitors to its realm.
Unfortunately, this was an: “Uh oh” moment because, at this time, we were at the point of no return. In other words, it would take the same amount of time to return to home base as to the safety of an open-air chapel-in-the-round. What to do?! I pondered that thought for a brief moment. “After all,” said I with the authority of a newly appointed poop specialist, “if the poop is still steaming, that means its depositor is still nearby.” In a flash, Raissa The Brave reached down and took up a large, quite heavy, thick stick about four feet in length that happened to be lying at her feet and said quite loudly and with abject authority: “I’m not going back. I want to see this chapel, and no bear poop is going to stop me.
Two friends, Raissa The Brave and Lorissa The Agreeable, decided to “With that she raised the stick up over her head and shook it as if to threaten any bear out there that this was war and she would be the ultimate victor come hell or high water. Our other companion in adventures, Lorissa The Agreeable, said, “OK, I’m game. Let’s keep on trucking: Chapel! Here we come!”
Being the plucked chicken of our small group, I whimpered softly: “But what if…?” I had no choice as I didn’t want to retreat to home base alone. After all, there’s strength in numbers.
With two friends, Raissa the Brave and Lorissa the Agreeable, she decided to “With that, she raised the stick up over her head and shook it as if to threaten any bear out there that this was war and she would be the ultimate victor come hell or high water. Our other adventure companion, Lorissa the Agreeable, said; the three of us then proceeded to continue our tour up, down, and around small mounds and more significant hills, stepping gingerly over rocks, stones, and branches through the mud-laden pathway toward the chapel. Eventually, we made it there and back without incident.
The other two were unscathed by the strange excremental cool-down encounter and, given the unending stream of chit-chat between them, most likely forgot all about it by this time. On the other hand, I headed for the nearest watering hole and ordered a double, followed by another. As I raised my glass to the barkeep, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a sob or two, said, ‘Never again! Never again! OMG, Never again!’”
(Based on an actual incident. Its accuracy is without question. Raissa, Lorissa, and I were at Eagle River, and yes, we decided to take a walk to the chapel in the woods, and yes, we came across bear poop that was still steaming. Raissa picked up a large stick, and we proceeded without incident. “Those are the facts, ma’am, just the facts.”)With two friends, Raissa the Brave and Lorissa the Agreeable, she decided to “With that, she raised the stick up over her head and shook it as if to threaten any bear out there that this was war and she would be the ultimate victor come hell or high water. Our other companion in adventures, Lorissa the Agreeable, said.
A bear visiting a resident in the Forge Pond area of Parsippany on Monday, July 1
Hanover resident Sonia S. Kraftician submitted this article.
PARSIPPANY — It’s almost Independence Day, and Parsippany is one of many towns in the Garden State set to light up the sky with fireworks to celebrate America’s independence.
This year’s show is on Thursday, July 4, and begins dark at Parsippany Hills High School. Gates open at 5:00 p.m., and the cover band, 90s Rockshow, returns to entertain guests before the fireworks start.
They’ll take the stage at 7:00 p.m., playing rock hits from the 1990s and beyond, including songs from Journey, Green Day, Nirvana, Kelly Clarkson, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, Blink 182, The Go-Go’s, Whitney Houston, Cher, Led Zeppelin, Bryan Adams, and more.
Parsippany Hills High School is at 20 Rita Drive.
Please note that no pets are permitted at the fireworks show. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to Friday, July 5.
A refreshing and invigorating breeze blew into Parsippany on a sultry summer afternoon. Unlike the heated and stifling rhetoric that all too frequently spews forth from the office of Parsippany’s Mayor Barberio, Councilman Justin Musella’s announcement that he is running for Mayor promises that Parsippany has better days ahead.
Speaking to the aspirations of residents with families and seniors on fixed incomes, Justin told out-of-town developers and their greedy attorneys that from now on, Parsippany will be about the residents and not about the ill-gotten gains offered by the Mayor and his two Council cronies.
Justin offers calm, rational, and innovative leadership. How refreshing and invigorating that will be.
PARSIPPANY—The Goddard School held its Annual Pre-K Graduation on Friday, June 28, at 311 Smith Road.
Pre-K graduate Abhinav Soni gives a thumbs up in front of his lawn sign after completing Goddard School Pre-K and is excited to start Kindergarten in September.
Fourteen students graduated Pre-K and will start Kindergarten in September. The graduates included Aarnav Nagpal, Abhinav Soni, Dhishan Tkakor, Harshil Patel, Hunter Hogstra, Mia Vargas Villegas, Ojas Joshi, Sachi Bhat, Tyler Dendulk, Vihaan Rana, Dhaara Bagali, James Lin, Vedant Praveen, and Landon Imhof.
The graduates of Goddard School Pre-K performing “Ready to Go.”
The graduates of Goddard School Pre-K performing “One Small Voice.”At the Goddard School Pre-K graduation, the graduates and their families and friends enjoyed a delicious piece of cake.The program included the Pledge of Allegiance, songs performed by the graduates, and the presentation of diplomas. After the ceremony, the graduates and their families and friends enjoyed a delicious piece of cake.The graduates proudly receive their diplomas during the Goddard School Pre-K Graduation ceremony.The graduates proudly receive their diplomas during the Goddard School Pre-K Graduation ceremony.The graduates proudly receive their diplomas during the Goddard School Pre-K Graduation ceremony.The graduates proudly receive their diplomas during the Goddard School Pre-K Graduation ceremony.
The Goddard School in Parsippany is a private preschool that offers early childhood education programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarten children. Located at 311 Smith Road, the school is known for its play-based learning approach, which balances academic, social, and emotional development. The curriculum includes a variety of subjects, such as math, science, literacy, and the arts, all designed to stimulate young minds and foster a love of learning.
The Goddard School strongly emphasizes creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can thrive. It employs qualified and caring teachers dedicated to providing personalized attention and support to each child. Additionally, the school incorporates enrichment programs, including physical fitness, music, and foreign language, to enhance the overall educational experience.
Parents appreciate the school’s commitment to communication and partnership, ensuring they are actively involved in their child’s education. The Goddard School in Parsippany also organizes numerous events and activities throughout the year, including the annual Pre-K graduation ceremony, which celebrates young learners’ achievements as they transition to kindergarten.
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine – July 2024. Click here to read the magazine.
PARSIPPANY — At the June 25th Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Council meeting, Mayor James Barberio swore in four new police officers: Cadet David Przybylo, Cadet Peter Jones, Cadet Keegan McCarthy, and Cadet Shyam Patel.
Parsippany’s Chief Pantina encourages cadets in their new journeyCadet David Przybylo signing his Oath of Office
In the presence of their families and friends, the cadets recited the Oath of Allegiance and received their badge assignments from Mayor Barberio and Chief Rich Pantina.
They will begin their 20-week training program at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy on July 8th. Mayor Barberio emphasized his commitment to public safety and praised the new officers.
Mayor James Barberio administering the Oath of Office to Cadet Peter JonesKeegan McCarthy takes his oath as a new Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer, administered by Mayor Barberio.Mayor Barberio conducts swearing-in ceremony for Cadet Shyam Patel
PARSIPPANY — The New Jersey Globe (click here to read) has reported that Parsippany Councilman Justin Musella, 32, is expected to launch his bid for mayor on Saturday, June 29, announcing plans to challenge incumbent Jamie Barberio in the June 2025 Republican primary. Parsippany Focus confirmed that the announcement will be held at 51 Gibraltar Drive at 1:00 p.m.
The two Republicans have clashed for most of the last three years, with Musella alleging that Barberio’s budget process lacks transparency and criticizing the mayor’s inability to deliver tax cuts while providing developers with 30-year tax breaks through Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs.
Musella, a former chairman of Morris County Young Republicans, was elected to the township council in 2021 after local Republicans split their ticket in a contested and divisive primary. Musella emerged as the top vote-getter in the general election among all the candidates.
Barberio was first elected mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2013. Soriano ousted him in 2017 by 834 votes, 53%-47%. In 2021, Barberio defeated Soriano by a margin of approximately 1,000 votes.
Barberio hasn’t officially announced his candidacy for Mayor, although he filed his intent to run for Mayor with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Committee (Click here to view). Previously, Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso and President Lou Valori challenged Barberio in a Republican primary. Valori has moved from Parsippany.
Peluso has filed his intent to run for Mayor with the New Jersey Election Enforcement Committee (Click here to view).
Musella and Neglia’s council and Barberio’s Mayoral seats are up for re-election in 2025. The Primary will be held on June 3, 2025.
