Mountain biking legend Ned Overend coming to Marty’s in Randolph

By Aaron Karlsruher

For a man who cites his hobbies as hanging out with the wife and kids, doing yard work and pulling weeds, Ned Overend is anything but ordinary.

After moving from San Diego to Durango, Colo., in 1980 to work as an auto mechanic, Overend quickly fell in love with the sport of bike racing. Within a few years he had earned the nickname “Deadly Nedly,” racking up a string of national and international mountain biking championships.

Overend will reveal what it takes to become king of the hill on Feb. 15, when he visits Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Randolph. He will hang out at the shop on 1164 Route 10 West for three hours. Admission is free.

“Ned was one of the best early riders in mountain bike racing and has continued to be a great competitor through the years,” says Marty Epstein, who also owns bike stores in Morristown and Hackettstown.

Although he is retired from the pro mountain bike circuit, Overend has not vanished from competitive events. A two-time national triathalon world champion, he currently serves as the Specialized cross country team captain while working closely with the company to develop, test, and promote its new gear.

“My role at Specialized has really evolved over the years; road (biking) is huge right now. Ours is a very competitive industry, and there are several categories growing all at once for the first time in years,” Overend, also known as “The Lung” for his incredible endurance, said in an interview with BikeRadar.com.

Simply put, Ned is a rider’s rider who loves to talk shop. And that is exactly what he will be doing at Marty’s this month. So bring your questions, kick some tires, and win prizes courtesy of Marty’s and Specialized Bikes.

Ned Overend in action:

Watch more video of Ned Overend on cyclingdirt.org

 

David Garrett’s fiery fiddling lights up the Mayo in Morristown

By Berit Ollestad

Have you ever seen someone make love to a violin?

Well, I have. And what beautiful music was created as a result!  Violinist extraordinaire David Garrett connected with his audience at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in a way that can only be described as intense.

Concert-goers were treated Wednesday to a sensory overload of the eyes and ears, as this Brad Pitt look-alike delivered unique interpretations of some of the greatest songs of all time, ranging from Nirvana to Mozart, AC/DC to Beethoven.

Some may conclude after listening to Garrett perform on his 1716 Stradivarius that he is the rock star of classical music, taking pieces by artists such as Metallica, Queen and Michael Jackson to places they’ve never been.

Garrett has committed himself to introducing young people to the classics and kindling enthusiasm for reputedly “serious” music.

A standing ovation appeared to say: “Mission accomplished.”

Photos by Berit Ollestad. Please click icon below for captions.

This video from a prior concert gives a musical flavor of David Garrett’s show.

What’s Happening at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown This Weekend

The Presbyterian Church in Morristown has a plethora of exciting things going on this Sunday.  The morning starts with our Children’s Musical.  We will be having one special service at 10 am featuring our Bel Melodia and Bel Canto children’s choirs (kindergarten through grade five) presenting the musical “Oh Jonah!” by Allan Pote as the sermon.  The children present a serious message about responsibility in a fun and appealing way.  The service will be followed by the annual Congregational Meeting.  Come learn about what is new at the church and make your voice heard about in what direction you would like our church to proceed in the next year. 

At 4:00 pm, the First Sundays concert series will be returning to the Church on the Green, featuring Duo Scorpio.  Harpists Kathryn Andrews and Kristi Shade play music for two harps by Boccherini, Massenet, Andres, Currier and Granados.  Duo Scorpio is a New York City based harp duo on a mission to expand the duo harp repertoire by commissioning new works and arranging existing repertoire. In 2011, the duo began searching for music for their newly formed ensemble and realized this particular part of the harp repertoire had yet to be fully explored in a contemporary setting.

Duo Scorpio was recently awarded the American Harp Society Grant which they have used to commission composer Robert Paterson. His work, “Scorpion Tales” will be premiered by Duo Scorpio at the AHS National Conference in New York City July 2012.  Duo Scorpio has performed with Florence + The Machine at the Met Gala, for Metro Harp New York and has performed together orchestrally in Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall.  Coincidentally, Katie and Kristi were both born on November 5, 1982. They met in New York City where they received their Master’s degrees studying with Susan Jolles. They have embraced their Zodiac alignment by using their talent and passion to team up and form this unique duo.

To learn more about all of the exciting things going on at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown this weekend and beyond, you can visit our website, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Yoga studio coming to former Gallery Egan in Morristown

Walls that once showcased abstract art soon will be reflecting toned muscle.

The Commit To Change Yoga & Pilates Studio is moving into the former Gallery Egan on Community Place, studio owner Denise Haydu said on Wednesday.

“We’ll be open in May,” said Denise, whose studio has been on Lackawanna Place near Hennessey’s Washington Bar for about eight years. “I have a lot of children’s classes, and this is a better location for moms.”

Community Place is off South Street, just a couple of short blocks from the Morristown Green. Denise’s new neighborhood includes the Dain Shoppe lingerie store, the Lauren B ladies boutique and assorted salons and cafés. Gallery Egan closed last spring.

“I loved it when it was an art gallery. It just has a good feeling here,” said Denise, as she conferred with her husband John and Kathleen D’Aloia of D’Aloia Designs.

Mirrors will cover a wall where giant murals formerly attracted art patrons to Friday night receptions. Plans call for a ballet barre, carpeting, new lighting and a new bathroom, and seating by the big front windows, which will be shaded. A glass wall toward the back of the main space will be relocated near the entrance, creating a long room where there had been two rooms before.

This actually is a homecoming of sorts for Denise, who had a basement studio at 50B South Street for years. The Morristown resident can’t wait to complete the renovations to her leased space at Community Place.

“More than 500 women go to the studio. This will be good for the neighborhood, good for these businesses,” she said.

Commit To Change is committed to fitness programs for mothers with young children. Denise practices what she preaches: She has a 21-month-old daughter named Somer and is expecting a baby boy next month.

 

 

Greater Morristown weekend preview: Tea, harps, Bards and Bowls

There is plenty of fun stuff to do around Greater Morristown this weekend, as you can see below. And there is plenty more on our handy calendar.

But we really have just one thing to say.

GO, GIANTS!!!

To put you in the proper mood, here is a fight song from our buddy, Bill Griese:

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THURSDAY, Feb. 2:

It may feel like spring, but they’re going ahead with the Winter 2012 exhibit at the Atrium Gallery. The opening is from 6 pm to 8:30 pm on floors 2-5 at the Morris County Administration and Records Building, 10 Court St., Morristown. Eight artists will be display 181 artworks including photos, mobiles, multimedia abstracts, oils and “naive” style Romanian creations by Alex Chereches.  Admission: Free. For the opening,  parking also is free in the garage below the building, accessible via Schuyler Place.

Everyone is raving about the LEGO®  exhibition at the Morris Museum. Discover why by seeing more than 25 large LEGO sculptures by artist Nathan Sawaya, at 6 pm, at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township. Admission: $7-10.  Call  973-971-3700 for more.

What is Karma? What is Dharma?  Chew on these concepts at Food for Thought: An evening with Buddhist teacher Peter Kuczynski, from 7 – 9 pm at Zebu Forno, 9 South St.,
Morristown. Cost: $15 per person; $25 per couple, includes Soup, salad and sandwich. Call  973-538-0890 for more.

Tony Bennett’s 8 pm concert at the Mayo Performing Arts Center is sold out. But if you’re determined to duet with the legendary crooner, try calling the box office at 973-539-8008. Tickets are $85 to $150.

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FRIDAY, Feb. 3:

Al Parrish made a name for himself as the “burly red-haired wildman bass player” of Tanglefoot. At 8 pm he dusts off his guitar, and his yarns, at the Minstrel in Morris Township. Michael Prysock gets the show going at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road. Admission: Adults $7, children 12 and under are free. Call  973-335-9489 for more.

Only one artist has won Grammys for Classical and Jazz recordings: Paquito D’Rivera. The Cuban-born saxophonist and clarinetist brings his diverse act to the Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Tickets: $37-$67. Call 973-539-8008 for more.

It’s Open Mic Night at Zebu Forno, 8 pm at 9 South St. in Morristown. If there’s a song in your heart, send it to your vocal cords!

Morristown’s ambassadors of friendly hip hop, Universal Rebel, light up Morristown’s Dublin Pub at 10 pm. Admission to the establishment at 4 Pine St. is free.

 

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SATURDAY, Feb. 4:

A photo scavenger hunt promises family fun from 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum,  at 353 East Hanover Ave. in Whippany. The cost is $10 per family; photograph every item and win prizes. Meet at the Haggerty Education Center; call 973-326-7600 for more details. Also offered on Sunday, same times.

And while you’re scavenging, take a break–a tea break–at the Arboretum from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. It’s the annual Matilda’s Tea, named for Matilda Frelinghuysen, who once lived at Whippany Farm, as the Arboretum formerly was known.  “What is a high tea and what other kinds of beverages might [Matilda] have imbibed? What kind of spices warm up a cold February table? Learn to pour, fold fancy napkins, and enjoy delicious tea sandwiches and treats both savory and sweet. All young tea-takers will make several different kinds of party favors to use in their own tea parties at home,” says the Morris County Parks Commission. Recommended for age 6 and up. The event at 353 E. Hanover Ave. in Morris Township is $25 for adults, $30 for children. Call 973-326-7601

John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame joins Italian guitar virtuoso Beppe Gambetta at 8 pm at the Sanctuary concert series in Chatham. Tickets are $25. The Sanctuary is at the Presbyterian Church on Green Village Road. Call 973-376-4946 for more.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH? Super Diamond brings its Neil Diamond tribute show to the Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Tickets are $32 to $52. Call 973-539-8008 for information.

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SUNDAY, Feb. 5:

Have a whale of a good time with Oh, Jonah!, an Allan Pote musical performed by the children’s choirs of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Showtime is 10 am, admission is free. At 57 Park Place (on the Green). Call  973-538-1776 for more.

Feeling guilty about all the bad stuff you’re going to eat and drink during the Super Bowl?  Make some Giant strides in Morristown’s first Super Sunday 4 Miler, at 11:30 am on Maple Avenue. Registration is $30 in advance, and $35 on race day.

Enjoy a Winter’s Day on the Farm from noon to 4 pm at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township. Wagon rides, maple-tapping, wood stove cooking, and more. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+), $4 for children ages 4 – 16, and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a valid membership I.D. Call 973-326-7644 for more.

Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon with a real (almost) dragon, crafts, stories and more, at 2 pm at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, 9 Main St., Madison. Cost: $3 for all participants and regular admission for all others. Call 973-377-2982 x 12 for more.

Bard’s language + modern staging = Romeo and Juliet by the Classical Theatre Project of Toronto, 3 pm at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center on 100 South St. All seats: $20. Call 973-539-8008 for details.

Speaking of Shakespeare…you can enjoy the soothing sounds of multiple harps without shuffling off your mortal coil. Duo Scorpio gives a free concert at 4 pm at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, 57 Park Place. Nothing quite says “Super Bowl” to us like two attractive young ladies with harps of gold.

At 6 pm it’s time for your weekly Open Drawing Session at Zebu Forno, 9 South St., Morristown. Three hours of live models, friendly instruction and pizza cost just $10. Bring your own art supplies; Chris and Danielle Merzatta provide the rest. Call 770-853-9727 for more information. Zebu has TVs, so you can cheer for the Giants while you sketch.

Task force tackles re-entry problems for parolees in Greater Morristown

There are many compassionate reasons for helping rehabilitated offenders re-enter society.

But the most compelling argument may involve the bottom line: It costs New Jersey taxpayers $160 a day to keep someone in prison, vs. about $12 to support them on parole, according to Robert Kantor, a hearing officer with the New Jersey State Parole Board.

Robert spoke in Morristown at Tuesday’s meeting of the Morris/Sussex/Warren Re-entry Task Force, a group of social workers dedicated to helping ex-convicts, nonviolent drug offenders and people with mental health issues become productive citizens.

“It’s a much wiser use of resources, a much more effective use of money, rather than just priming the pipeline for the prison management industry, why not have the money filter to the community where it belongs,” said Mark Wolkoff, a spokesman for the task force, one of 13 such groups across the state.

Please click icon below for captions.

Social workers attending the session at the County College of Morris offices in Morristown described a deck that is stacked against former offenders seeking a second chance.

In this economy, they said, it’s tougher than ever to persuade businesses to hire someone with a criminal record. People released from jail often have no clue about how to create a résumé and cover letter. Accepting a low-paying job, meanwhile, may jeopardize government benefits such as housing subsidies that keep parolees off the streets.

As welfare, food stamps and other benefits expire, ex-offenders without job prospects face stark choices, said Sonja Welch of Morristown’s Market Street Mission. It’s especially daunting for older clients.

“Where do they go?” Sonja asked.

Some positive changes are on the horizon, Robert Kantor said.

A pending state law would prohibit employers from automatically denying employment because an applicant is an ex-offender, he said.  Another bill would enable people with criminal records to work in establishments where liquor is served, as long as they don’t serve liquor.

“That’s a big [potential] source of income for people working as parolees, working in banquet halls,” Robert said.

Another policy, known as presumptive parole, automatically paroles non-violent drug offenders at their earliest eligibility if they behave in jail, he said. The challenge is preparing them for  re-entry.

An organization called Prevention Is Key had been mentoring children of imprisoned parents, with the aim of breaking the cycle of crime. But Barbara Kaufman said the federal government stopped funding that three-year mentoring program after only one year, for budgetary reasons.

Asserting that 80 percent of crimes are drug-related, Robert  urged more efforts to warn school children about the dangers of drugs and crime.

“It really easy to get into the [criminal] system, and really hard to get out,” he said.

Anyone with outstanding warrants can resolve matters swiftly between April 21-25 at the Grace Assembly of God Baptist Church in Atlantic City, Robert said. It’s not amnesty. But state officials will be there to expedite hearings in a special court that can dispose of warrants ranging from criminal cases to child support and traffic violations. It’s a way to get out from under the constant fear of being hauled to jail because of outstanding warrants, he said.

As for the task force, Mark Wolkoff said goals include pairing job- and life-coaches with ex-offenders take necessary  “baby steps” to re-enter society.

Another priority is finding a new home for Hospitality Link, a weekday shelter for the homeless and working poor that closed last year at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown. Hospitality Link provided job-hunting resources such as computer access, a telephone and a mailing address.

The local task force also plans to work closely with the new Governor’s Task Force on Recidivism Reduction, Mark said.

Tickets on sale for Morristown’s Got Talent, take 5! Judges announced

If there’s one thing we know from the first four editions of Morristown’s Got Talent!, it’s this: Don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets.

The Mayo Performing Arts Center was packed last year, and chances are the same will hold true for the fifth anniversary show, hosted by local comedian John Mruz on Feb. 29.

Tickets are $20 to $75 and proceeds benefit the Morris School District through the Morris Educational Foundation. Ninety-seven acts tossed their hats in the ring; 16 finalists emerged. They are vying for local glory and a top prize of $1,000.

If there is a sentimental favorite, it must be Timeless Jazz, an ensemble striving to repeat its victory in the very first MGT contest. But the competition will be formidable; this lineup offers something for everyone.

Danny Dones (third appearance), Ricky Webber (who won second place with his prior band, Boys Night Out), Joey Gatto and Jasmin Serrano all have been here before and know what it takes to shine. And there are some great newcomers, too.

The act will be judged by:

• Bruce Moran, president of the Latin American Division of Live Nation, the world’s largest live music company.
• Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager of the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
• David Hess, an award-winning actor whose Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd and Annie Get Your Gun.
• Ben Elliot, music producer and engineer and chief engineer and co-owner of Showplace Studios, who has worked with many top artists and bands in rock, blues and jazz genres.

Stay tuned for video previews.

Tickets are available from the Mayo box office, 973-539-8008.

MORE ABOUT MORRISTOWN’S GOT TALENT 2012

MORRISTOWN’S GOT TALENT 2011

 

‘Joe Mahoney’ and Punxsutawney Paparazzi, from Morristown cartoonist Matt Keown

This week’s Mahoney:  Punxsutawney Paparazzi

Don’t forget, Mahoniacs, you can read Joe Mahoney every day at JoeMahoneyComics.com

Please click to enlarge

Joe Mahoney is about a powerful and driven CEO struggling to groom his free-spirit son to someday take over the family business. Matt believes in Mahonifest Destiny, which is the view that all literate Americans from sea to shining sea should read Joe Mahoney every week. He brings this comic to MG with hopes of converting the good citizens of Morristown into Mahoniacs.

Want to enter law enforcement? Check out these Morris talks

Ever fancied a career in law enforcement? You can learn more at a series of free talks presented by the Morris County Prosecutors Office, starting on Feb. 1.

The first of eight presentations deals with…presentation: How to dress for success and communicate effectively when pursuing a job.

Subsequent sessions through April 4 will cover mock crime-scene investigations, search warrants, canine explosives detection training, and more. A career development certificate will be presented to those who attend five required lectures.

All talks start at 6 pm at the Morris County Public Safety Academy on West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany. To register, call the County College of Morris at 973-328-5245.

 

New Morris County Bar Association president calls for outreach to Hispanic community

The Morris County Bar Association’s service projects this year will include outreach to the Hispanic community and help for self-represented people in family law disputes in Superior Court, announced new association President Allan J. Iskra at his installation dinner earlier this month.

The Morristown-based association also will continue its partnership with Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey, said the attorney from Parsippany. Here is the formal announcement.

FROM THE MORRIS COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION:

Morris County Bar President Announced as Year of Service

Parsippany attorney, Allan J. Iskra was installed as President of the 1100 member Morris County Bar Association at a dinner held in his honor at the Meadow Woods Manor in Randolph on January 19, 2012. Assignment Judge Thomas Weisenbeck administered the oath of office to Mr. Iskra and the other members of the Morris County Bar Association Board of Trustees.

Allan Iskra has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris County Bar Association and in every leadership position of the Board as well as having served as President of the Morris County Bar Foundation. He served as the Chair of the District X Fee Arbitration Committee 2006-2007. Mr. Iskra has served on the Board of Trustees for many non-profit organizations and is presently a Member of the Board of Trustees of Legal Services of Northwest Jersey Inc. He is an adjunct Professor at The County College of Morris and has lectured elsewhere on numerous topics. Mr. Iskra is a graduate of St Louis University School of Law and practices law in Parsippany, New Jersey at Schonwald & Iskra. He served as a Morris County Assistant Prosecutor for seven years. He had previously served as a Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor for two and a half years and a Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor for five years. He was the recipient of the Equal Justice Award, presented by Legal Aid Services and the New Jersey State Bar Association in May, 2008.

Mr. Iskra announced a year of service to his colleagues at the Installation Dinner. The year will include outreach to the Hispanic Community, service to the self represented litigants in the Family Law Division of the Morris County Superior Court and continued partnership with Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey.

The following attorneys will also serve on the Morris County Bar Association’s Board of Trustees: Mark Wechsler, President Elect; John P. Robertson, II, First-Vice President; Diana C. Manning, Second Vice-Presidentl Robin C. Bogan, Treasurer; Patrick Galligan, Secretary; and Brian J. Fruehling, Immediate Past President and Trustees, Joseph Cadicina, Christopher Garibian; Stephanie Frangos Hagan, Julian L. Hill, Kurt Krauss, Devanshu Modi, James Porfido, Patricia Roche, Jane Simpson, John Paul Velez, Jennifer McAndrew Vuotto, Linda Mainenti Walsh, Timothy Ford and Melissa Ruvolo, Young Lawyer Co-Chairs and William Krais (N.J. State Bar Trustee).

Established in 1900, the Morris County Bar Association’s membership is comprised of 1100 Morris County attorneys and judges. The objectives of the organization are to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of law; to promote an understanding of the law and its application in society; to foster the due administration of justice; and to promote the capacity of the Bar for public service; and to support the objectives and goals of its charitable “arm,” the Morris County Bar Foundation.

 

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