MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Retirees Education Association will hold its May meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, May 8 at The Birchwood Manor, 111 North Jefferson Road, Whippany.

The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. to be followed by the luncheon at noon.

The cost for members is $30.00 and guests is $35.00. The Association will also have elections for new officers at this meeting. Speaker will be Jamie Novak, author and humorist, to discuss downsizing.

Donations to the Interfaith Food Pantry, either food or monetary, will be collected at the meeting. For reservations call (973) 818-1353. For additional information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County School of Technology’s Learning Center, located in Denville, has  openings for preschool children to register for the morning session for the Fall 2019.

The morning program runs Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. School is in session from the end of September to the middle of June.The Learning Center is an on-site preschool program taught by students in the Academy for Education and Learning and supervised by two certified teachers. Lesson plans are developed using the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and address a plethora of topics, which infuse mathematics, literacy, language, social studies, and science concepts. Fine and gross motor skills are developed through a variety of daily activities.

Children must be three years old by October 1, 2019 and residents of Morris County. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Tuition for the year is $1,425, which is broken into four equal payments. The first payment is non-refundable and due at the time of enrollment to secure a spot.

For more information on how to enroll a child in The Learning Center please call (973) 627-4600 ext. 276 and leave a message or click here. You can also download an application by clicking here.

The Morris County Vocational School District is a countywide public school district that provides vocational and technical education to public high school students in Morris County. This school prepares high school students for future careers, through its academy programs, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program. Students apply to one of the 13 different academies in a process that starts with an application in 8th grade. The highly competitive process begins with a general admissions test and is followed by group interviews on an academy basis. The school has an overall acceptance rate of 30%.

The four-year academies focus on health-care science; visual and performing arts; education and learning; computer science; digital design; culinary arts; construction arts; finance and international business; animal science; math, science and engineering; law and public safety; and sports medicine. Several academies are located within area high schools and also partner with County College of Morris.

The school district also offers high school juniors entrance into the share-time and technical education programs, which allow students to attend their own high school for a half day. Students apply in 10th grade. Those programs include allied health; auto body and collision repair; auto service technology; carpentry; cosmetology; culinary arts and hospitality; cyber security and information protection; electrical trades; engineering, design and advanced manufacturing, fundamentals of building and grounds maintenance; fundamentals of food service; horticulture and landscape design; machining and welding technologies; and plumbing and pipe fitting.

MORRIS PLAINS — The area’s “First Watch” is preparing to open soon in the Briarwood Commons, 1711 Route 10 East, Morris Plains. They will be joining Chick-fil-a which is also under construction and is expected to open in the Summer.

The closest First Watch is located at 1235 West Chestnut Street, Union. There is also another New Jersey location at 1012 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill.

Some of the delicious items on their menu include Avocado Toast, Power Wraps, BLT Benedict, Bacado Omelet, Frittata Rustica, Asian Pork Belly Breakfast Bowl, Mediterranean “Baked” Eggs, Lemon Ricotta Pancake, Floridian French Toast as well as the traditional “two fresh cage-free eggs any style with your choice of bacon, smoked ham, savory chicken sausage patties, turkey or pork sausage links. Served with whole grain artisan toast, all-natural house preserves and fresh, seasoned potatoes. Substitute Udi’s Gluten Free toast at no additional charge.”

Other stores in Briarwood Commons include Kohls, Harmon Face Values, Pro-Haircutters, Massage Envy, GameStop, Village Spa, Terry’s Pet Depot, Chipotle Mexican Grill, GNC, Wells Fargo, Mattress Firm and Verizon Wireless.

Briarwood Commons has four spaces available: 40,239 square feet, 5,547 square feet, 8,368 square feet and 4,000 square feet. The shopping center is in the process of completing a complete remodeling.

First Watch opened as a daytime café in 1983 – a first-of-its-kind restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch only. The idea was that they would focus on daytime dining, work to perfect it, without trying to moonlight as a dinner place. That’s right… For our staff, that meant no night shifts. Ever. They could leave work in time to pick up the kids from school, play a round of golf, get homework done, or simply enjoy the afternoon. That philosophy still exists in their restaurants today!

First Watch was awarded the 2018 Business Intelligence Group Best Places to Work Award. The 2018 Best Places to Work identifies the organizations doing all they can to improve performance by challenging their employees in an environment that makes work fun and engaging. The Business Intelligence Group honors those companies who help their employees accelerate their careers, knowledge and performance. Come join our team and see what all the fuss is about!

For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY —Residents in many areas of Morris County, and throughout Northwest Jersey, may encounter black bears in the coming days as the bears begin emerging from winter dens and searching for food.

Black bears have been sighted in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, but the population is densest in the northwestern counties of Sussex, Warren, Passaic and Morris.

Black bears are not true hibernators. They are emerging from their dens after a period of winter dormancy known as torpor, during which they may lose up to 20 percent of their body weight. They need to restore this weight for the mating season, which begins in late May and continues well into summer.

One of their primary natural food sources in spring is skunk cabbage, a leafy plant that grows along edges of rivers and streams and other wetlands. Grasses, forbs, tubers, bulbs and insects are other natural food sources. Bears may also feed on carrion.

Bears have an acute sense of smell and can detect scents across great distances, making it critical to prevent bears from being attracted to other food sources around properties, such as trash, food residue on grills, bird seed and pet food.

“Bears are by nature wary of people, however, animals attracted to neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Acting Director Dave Golden. “When bears make that connection they may become aggressive, cause property damage or seek handouts from people.”

It is important to note that intentional feeding of a bear is dangerous, illegal and carries a fine of up to $1,000.

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife offers these tips to minimize encounters with bears:

• Secure trash and eliminate obvious sources of food, such as pet food, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residue in barbecue grills.
• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers, if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of a garage, the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.
• Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.
• Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only and bring feeders indoors at night. Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure they are at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.
• Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue. Store grills securely.
• Do not place meat or any sweet foods in compost piles.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.

Install electric fencing to protect crops, beehives and livestock.Morris Residents: Black Bears Leaving Winter Dens in Search of Food

If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking, fishing or camping, follow these tips:

• Remain calm and never run from a bear. Avoid direct eye contact, which a bear may perceive as a challenge. Back away slowly if a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping sounds by snapping its jaws or swats the ground. Make sure the bear can easily escape.
• If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. This is usually not a threatening behavior.
• If a bear does not leave the area or advances toward you, make loud noises to scare it away by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans or sounding an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your heads. Move to a secure area, such as a vehicle or building.
• If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known by talking loudly or clapping hands.
  Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
• Black bear attacks on humans are rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.
  DEP wildlife experts emphasize that a black bear passing through an area and not causing a specific problem, such as breaking into trash or otherwise trying to access food sources on people’s properties or posing a safety threat, should be left alone.

People should leave the area and allow the bear to continue on its way. When frightened, bears may seek refuge by climbing trees. If the bear does go up a tree, clear the area and give the bear time to climb down and escape.

Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793. During evenings and weekends, residents should call their local police department or the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers public education programs about how to safely coexist with black bears and minimize negative interactions with them. Presentations to school children, civic organizations, communities and other groups are available free of charge by calling biologist Michelle Smith at (609) 259-6961 or emailing Michelle.Smith@dep.nj.gov.

To learn more about New Jersey’s black bears click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that will allow terminally ill New Jersey adults to end their lives peacefully, with dignity, and at their own discretion.

The bill, which was sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Senator Nick Scutari, makes New Jersey the eighth state to allow such end-of-life decisions with the assistance of medical professionals.

“Allowing residents with terminal illnesses to make end-of-life choices for themselves is the right thing to do,” said Governor Murphy. “By signing this bill today, we are providing terminally ill patients and their families with the humanity, dignity, and respect that they so richly deserve at the most difficult times any of us will face. I commend Assemblyman Burzichelli for steering us down this long, difficult road, and thank the Legislature for its courage in tackling this challenging issue.”

“Over the course of seven years, we’ve heard countless heartbreaking stories of terminally ill patients and their families yearning to make a personal choice that simply was not provided for under law,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli. “The choice for patients, who are critically ill and with a short life expectancy prescribed by their doctors, to determine their final day on this earth with dignity deserved honest and intellectual discussion. I’ve had many, many conversations with religious and non-profit organizations such as Compassion and Choices of New Jersey to get their take on the legislation. I thank all who have contributed over the years to the open dialogue, for and against it, and to the Governor for giving it the attention it deserved. It’s been a long, learned discussion, one that I’m sure will continue as we move forward.”

“This will provide a humane choice for terminally-ill patients who are experiencing tremendous suffering and pain. It offers the freedom of choice for those with no hope of surviving beyond six months to end their suffering in a dignified way,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “It is a very personal decision. I watched someone I loved suffer for the last six months of her life from cancer while her children watched. Her suffering was prolonged to a point where she entered a hospice where her medications were increased until she passed away. I don’t think that was humane for her or for her loved ones. This will offer patients in end-of-life circumstances an option to decide their own fate in their final days.”

“There is no good reason for terminally ill patients to be forced to endure prolonged pain and suffering if they make the choice to end their lives with dignity,” said Senator Nicholas P. Scutari. “This law respects the free will of terminally ill patients and provides a humane and dignified process for those qualified to end their lives. I am very proud of New Jersey to support this law and the compassion it provides to those suffering.”

“There are many strong opinions on this issue, but the truth is, only these patients understand what it is like to know death is approaching,” said Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. “This law will give terminally ill patients the choice to meet their end on their own terms. This is the humane approach. We cannot prevent them from dying, but we can at least provide the option and let them to do it with dignity.”

The “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act” permits terminally ill, adult patients residing in New Jersey to obtain and self-administer medication to end their lives peacefully and humanely.  A patient’s attending and consulting physicians must determine that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less, has the capacity to make health care decisions, and is acting voluntarily, in order for the patient to obtain the medication. The bill establishes additional procedures and safeguards that patients, physicians, and other health care professionals must follow before a qualifying patient may legally obtain and self-administer the medication.

“My wife Brittany Maynard spoke up so terminally ill New Jerseyans in her predicament would not have to leave their home like we did just to secure the option of a gentle dying process,” said Dan Diaz, an advocate who works with Compassion and Choices. “New Jersey becomes the fifth state in the five years since her death to pass this vitally important legislation. With immense pride in her legacy, I am very thankful to the New Jersey legislators who passed this law without excessive regulations that would prevent dying New Jerseyans from using this option.”

“Given our growing tidal wave of momentum nationwide, it is only a matter of time before every resident of every state has this peaceful dying option. But today we thank Gov. Murphy for making this option within reach for dying New Jerseyans who desperately need it,” said Kim Callinan, CEO of Compassion & Choices, which led the grassroots campaign to pass the law in New Jersey and other states. “We will help the Murphy administration implement this law as smoothly and quickly as possible to ensure dying New Jerseyans can use this option, if they need it.” 

“It is impossible for my terminally ill sister Melissa and I to express our profound sense of relief that this legislation is now law,” said law supporter Laurie Wilcox, a retired nurse in Clark with rheumatoid arthritis that has invaded her lung tissue and requires her to wear an oxygen tank most of the day to breathe. “As nurses, we know the limits of modern medicine to relieve suffering and we are so grateful we now have the option to peacefully end our end-of-life suffering, if we need it.”

“I am eternally grateful to Gov. Murphy and Assemblyman Burzichelli, for giving me this option to die peacefully, if I decide I need it,” said supporter Susan Boyce, a Rumson resident who has a terminal lung disease. “Just having this option is a godsend that will enable me to live the rest of my life, however long it is, as fully as possible knowing I won’t have to suffer needlessly at the end.”

I watched my mother die a horrible, drawn-out death. She lost all of her dignity, all of her happiness. Everything hurt and we knew she was dying and all we could do was sit there and wait while she begged for relief,” said Jessica Guenzel, a supporter ad Rutherford resident. “She didn’t have to die that way. With the signing of this bill, terminally ill people in New Jersey who are suffering have another option. They can decide with those closest to them what their last days or hours will look like and they can leave this world on their terms. I think my mom would have liked to have spent her last hours at the park with her kids on a nice day, then taking a bubble bath and tucking into bed knowing she would gently slip away in her sleep. She deserved that option. Now others have it. Thank you to the legislators who pushed and voted for this bill and thank you to Governor Murphy for helping me fulfill a promise to my mom.

The bill will take effect on August 1, 2019.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Candidate Heather Darling held a breakfast fundraiser at The Park Avenue Club on Thursday, April 4.

Morris County Freeholder Heather Darling announced in February that she is running for county surrogate.

The current surrogate, Republican John Pecoraro, will be retiring at the end of this year, after being on the job for 25 years.

She joins the Republican race with Michael P. Carroll and Isabella Alfano.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 4. The winning candidate on the Republican slate will face off with Michael Thompson, a Democrat running for Morris County Surrogate in the General Election on Tuesday, November 5.