Page 12 Thursday, March 25, 2010 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Devil’s Den Nothing Was Impossible Devil of the Week Will return With the Original Phelps On April 8

By BRUCE JOHNSON Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

The blonde man in the convertible perfectly-timed, almost-impossible-to- bara Bain), master of disguise Rollin Grant (now the library) – (Billy) Myers, would pull into a parking space. He’d believe stunt to keep the “free world” Hand (Martin Landau), electronics (Roger) Doyle. I don’t think there was look around, then walk into the three- safe. (Or at least that’s how one very wizard Barney Collier (Greg Morris) a lot of stickball at Columbus, maybe pictures-for-a-quarter photo booth, take gullible teenager of that period viewed and strongman Willy Armitage (Pe- (Charles) Mason, or McKinley, prob- out a key and unlock a drawer. He’d it back then.) ter Lupus) – and later magician the ably (Nick) Piscopo. The batter’s box pull out a big manila envelope with And now Jim Phelps … Peter Graves Great Paris (Leonard Nimoy), a doc- and strike zone are still in the same photos and click on a tape player. in the real world … has passed away, tor (Sam Elliott), and hotties Lee spot at Jefferson. Do kids play it any- “Good morning, Mr. Phelps … ” the last week at the age of 83. Meriwether, Leslie Ann Warren, more? That was a big thing in the early voice would start, and Jim Phelps would There have been a handful of shows Lynda Day George and Barbara ’60s. Everyone could pretend they be given that week’s assignment – that would be my “all-time” favorites, Anderson – there was nobody in the were their favorite ballplayer. 538 Rahway Avenue, Westfield $345,000 “should he decide to accept it” – for his that I would want the DVDs of every world who could get away with any- “(Post 3 Legion coach) Al Moeller team of special agents. episode, so I can watch them now and thing against the secret operatives of used to complain that we were playing It was the 1960s. The Cold War forever. In addition to Mission: Impos- the good ol’ U.S. of A. stickball, saying it would ruin our arms. Great opportunity! Move In Condition 2 Bedroom Bungalow close between America and the “bad guys” sible, you could include “The Honey- The voice on the tape, in a tone that I personally thought stickball strength- to town, schools and NYC transportation. Featuring a Living Room from the Soviet Union was in full mooners,” “Bonanza,” “The Fugitive,” might make you think the CIA was ened it. The more you exercise it, the swing, and the best show any red- “Hill Street Blues,” the early “Andy involved somewhere in all this, would stronger it would get. The former coach w/gleaming hdwd floors; cozy Kitchen open to a sunny Breakfast blooded American boy could want to Griffith” and “Happy Days” episodes, explain the assignment and at the end at Clemson, Bill Wilhelm, believed Room; walk up attic, basement and 1 car Garage for storage. watch was “Mission: Impossible.” “Miami Vice,” “X-Files” and would caution Phelps, “as always, kids today didn’t have as strong an Amenities include CAC and an updated full bath. Nestled on a nice From September 16, 1966, until March “Millenium.” should you or any of your IM force be arm because of a lack of playground 30, 1973 on CBS, Phelps and his Im- But Mission: Impossible may have fenced in corner lot with sprinkler system. caught or killed, the secretary will games.” possible Mission (IM) Force would been my favorite. I didn’t see much of disavow any knowledge of your ac- BASKTEBALL UPDATE weekly swing into clandestine action the first season, when the team leader tions. This tape will self-destruct in Backed by an 11-girl contingent of somewhere – behind the Iron Curtain was Dan Briggs (Steven Hill, now of five seconds. Good luck Jim.” And her Westfield High School (WHS) or in South America, later even in the Law and Order). But with Phelps, then the Lilo Schifrin theme song teammates, plus her father, mother, states – and pull off a perfectly-planned, femme fatale Cinnamon Carter (Bar- would play. It was worth waiting seven aunt, older sister Lisa, older brother days to find out the group’s latest Mike and his buddy Santo Nardi, Diana PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE democracy-saving assignment. Venezia participated in the annual SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION The ’60s was an era of “spy” and North-South All-Star Classic last Sun- NOTICE OF MEETINGS “espionage” type shows, with “I Spy,” day at Toms River High School North’s (In Compliance with OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT - Chapter 231) “The Avengers,” “The Man from “ADDENDUM TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS* Ritacco Center. Venezia, headed to ** MEETING TIME CHANGE ** U*N*C*L*E” on TV and, of course, NC-Wilmington in the fall, had two James Bond in the movies. But Mis- TYPE OF MEETING: Open Agenda/Public Meeting points on a lay-up with 2:30 left in the sion: Impossible was the best, and first half – which drew the biggest DATE OF MEETING: April 15, 2010 longest running. cheer of the day from her teammates, LOCATION: Administration Building The younger brother of James all wearing blue tie-dyed t-shirts. Evergreen Avenue & Cedar Street Arness – another early-television leg- At halftime she participated in a 3- 775 Fairacres Avenue, Westfield $619,000 Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076 end as Marshall Matt Dillon of point shooting contest, one of three TIME: 6:30 p.m. “Gunsmoke” fame – Peter Graves did players from each team. After making PURPOSE OF MEETINGS: The Board will meet in executive session at many other things, before and after 4 of 6 from the left corner, she hit 2 of Immaculate 3 Bedroom 2 bath Colonial with many updates 6:30 p.m. to discuss personnel items. Public Mission: Impossible. He was the NAZI 6 from the top of the circle, and 1 of 3 session will begin immediately following ex- spy Price in the movie “Stalag 17,” featuring a Living Room w/fplc; Formal Dining Room; Kitchen ecutive session. from the right corner before the 45- and Clarence Oveur – the bumbling second clock went off. She finished 7 w/granite counters & floor and top of the line appliances; Breakfast ACTION TO BE TAKEN: Action will be taken in public session. pilot who asks a little kid who wanders 1 T - 3/25/10, The Times Fee: $35.70 of 15, second by one basket on the Room/Den; large Master Bedroom w/custom built in wardrobe and into the cockpit, “Joey, do you like North squad, and third overall. movies about gladiators?” and “You Recreation Room & Office in the basement. PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE “She had me at (Holy) Trinity for ever seen a grown man naked?” – in two hours Saturday rebounding for NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the classic 1980 movie “Airplane!” her,” said Mike, who won the All-Star DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT, BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as his co- 1035 PARKWAY AVENUE, PO BOX 605 Classic’s 3-point contest in 2007. TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625 pilot, Roger Murdock). And later he Mike, a junior co-captain at Colgate, Notice is hereby given that bid proposals will be received via the Internet until 10:00:59 was involved as a host for the Biogra- suffered a season-ending foot injury A.M. on 4/15/10, downloaded, and publicly opened and read, from Bidders classified phy series on the A&E channel. under N.J.S.A. 27:7-35.1 et seq.; in the CONFERENCE ROOM-A, 1st Floor F & A in the third game. He still has three These days, if you say Mission: years of eligibility. Building, New Jersey Department of Transportation, 1035 Parkway Avenue, Trenton, Impossible or the name Phelps, the New Jersey 08625; for: HALL OF FAME UPDATE Maintenance Drainage Cleaning & Video Contract, North - 2010, Various locations first things anybody thinks of will be: Preparations are underway for the in Counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and 1) Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan ninth induction class for the Westfield Warren -Including and North of Route 57, North Region; 100% State; DP No: 09442 Hunt in the three Mission: Impossible Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of P.L. 1975, c. 127 N.J.A.C movies, and, b) Olympic swimming Athletic Hall of Fame, November 22 17:27. The awarded bidder must provide a completed Contractor Certification and superstar Michael Phelps. at the Westwood. Being inducted will Disclosure of Political Contribution Form(s) according to both P.L 2205, C.51 and be (alphabetically): Greg Chlan, Bob Executive Order No. 117 within fourteen (14) days from the award date. Executive Order And that’s as it should be. Every- thing and everybody has their time. Felter, Chris Jordan, Jim Kane, K.C. No: 117 is effective on November 15, 2008. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:32-44, all bidders Knobloch, Bob List, Don Mutz, Jenny must be registered with the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Revenue, But to many of a certain age, Phelps Business Registration, as of the date of bids. The awarded bidder must provide proof of will always be the calm, cool and Schwarzenbek, Kurt Stiefken, Janney 13 Endor Lane, Mountainside $729,000 valid business registration within fourteen (14) days from the Weichertaward date. Pursuant to the Zonnevylle, the 1976 girls tennis team, “Public Works Contractor Registration Act”, N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.48 et seq. (P.L. 2003, c. confident leader of the Impossible Mis- Weichert sions Force. Good night, Mr. Phelps. the 1985 softball team and coach/his- 91), all bidders must be registered with the New Jersey Department of Labor, Division of torian Bruce Johnson. Classic 3 Bedroom 2 ½ bath Wychwood Center Hall Colonial Wage and Hour Compliance, at the time of bid. The awarded bidder must provide proof STICKBALL, ANYONE? Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame com- nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac featuring a Liv Rm w/fplc; Formal Din of PWCR within fourteen (14) days from the award date. From Faithful Reader Ed Thorne The Department, in accordance with Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252 (’64) in Plymouth, Mass.: mittee is also preparing for future in- Rm; EIK with granite and breakfast bar; 1st Floor Fam Rm U.S.C., 49 C.F.R., Parts 21 and 23 issued pursuant to such Act, and Section 504 of the duction classes and needs post-high Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will afford minority business enterprises full opportunity to “Just finished reading the column w/custom built-in’s; enclosed 3 season Porch and finished and little story about Clif Zackey. school information (college and be- submit bids in response to this invitation and will not discriminate against any bidder on yond) for the following potential in- basement with walk out. The Master Suite has an updated bath the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, or handicap in the project award. Speaking of stickball, back then (in Plans, specifications, and bidding information for the proposed work are available at the ’60s) every school, especially the ductees: Dave Calvert, Dave Coleman, w/oversized open spa-style shower. Numerous updates include the Bid Express website www.bidx.com. You must subscribe to use this service. To Joey Deer, Clint Factor, Jay Isbrecht, subscribe follow the instructions on the website. Fees apply to downloading documents elementary ones, had their own guys 2 ½ baths with beautiful tile; landscaping; patio; and fence. who defended their turf. Jefferson – Jim Kovacs, Tom Pfeiffer, Dennis Pow- and plans and bidding access. The fee schedule is available on the web site. All fees are ers, Beth Rennicks, Buddy Robinson, directly payable to Bid Express. Plans, specifications, and bidding information may be the Thorne boys (Ed, Rick, Mel), inspected (BUT NOT OBTAINED) by contracting organizations at our Design Field (John) Hallam, (Rob) Schram, some- Dick Stotler and Lamont Turner. If Offices at the following locations: times Doug Carver; Lincoln – (Char- you can provide information, or have Weichert 200 Stierli Court Route 79 and Daniels Way 1 Executive Campus Rt 70W ley) Widmer, (Greg) Chlan; Washing- someone you’d like to nominate for Mt. Arlington, NJ Freehold, NJ Cherry Hill, NJ the Hall of Fame, please contact me at 973-770-5141 732-308-4025 856-486-6624 ton – (Dennis) Burke; Wilson – Pete 3 T - 3/25/10, 4/1/10 and 4/8/10, The Leader Fee: $198.90 Love, (Joe) Wiendl, (Dwight) Davies; [email protected]. A QUESTION OF BALANCE Through the first two seasons of the 2009-10 school year, there have been 37 subs for the Den’s Devils of the Week. Here is the breakdown of win- ners, by sport: soccer 7, cross-country and football 5 each, basketball and swimming 4 each, indoor track and wrestling 3 each, ice hockey and ten- nis 2 each, bowling and gymnastics 1 865 Shackamaxon Drive, Westfield $969,000 COLONIAL each. Weichert Devil of the Week – and the free sub from Westfield Subs on South Avenue Spacious 4 Bedroom 3.2 baths Colonial nestled on a large lot – will return on April 8. featuring a Liv Rm w/fplc; Formal Din Rm; Butlers Pantry leading NOBODY ASKED, BUT … to the new EIK w/granite open to the Fam Rm w/cathedral ceiling, If the rumor is true, it would be a skylights and custom built-in’s. The second floor boasts 4 sacrilege to replace the old White Dia- mond on North Avenue with a Burger bedrooms including the Master Suite w/cathedral ceiling, private King! That would be on a par with bath and his and hers walk in closets plus & additional Bedroom changing the Jolly Trolley’s name to suite w/private bath. All this and a Recreation Room & Powder The Office. What happened to pro- tecting local landmarks and historic Room in the basement. sites? IN PASSING Fess Parker, another icon of my youth, passed away last week at the age of 85. First he was Davy Crockett, getting the role over James Arness (see above). “Born on a mountain top in Tennes- see, greenest state in the land of the free. Raised in the woods so he knowed every tree, kilt him a b’ar when he was only three … Davy, Dave Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier!” Later, through the magic of TV, Parker re- turned in the ’60s to play another frontier legend, Daniel Boone. 8 Canterbury Lane, Westfield $1,599,900 Any red-blooded youth of the mid- ’50s had to have split allegiances … between the white-hat cowboy image Fabulous 5 Bedroom 4 ½ bath Center Hall Colonial built in 2008 on of Dave Crockett, fighting to the end, with his sidekick Georgie Russell one of Wychwood’s premiere lanes featuring a Foyer with (played by Buddy Ebsen, later better herringbone inlaid wood flooring flanked by the formal Living known as TV’s Jed Clampett and Room and Dining Rooms; gourmet EIK w/ss appliances, a center W Barnaby Jones) and Jim Bowie at the island, granite and exquisite tiled backsplash open to Fam Rm estfield. This very sunny 5 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Colonial features gleaming hardwood floors, Alamo, and the rebellious James Dean, Living Room with fireplace, Formal Dining Room, updated country Kitchen with granite Marlon Brando, Elvis Presley and the w/built in’s and fplc. The 2nd floor includes a MBR w/luxurious wild rock ‘n’ rollers who were just bath & great closet space, 3 additional Bdrms and a large Laundry countertops, updated baths, large sun porch, and a great location close to schools, town and starting to hit the radio airwaves. You Rm. The 3rd floor includes the 5th Bdrm & storage. The Rec Rm transportation. either wanted your own coonskin cap, or you walked around in a white t-shirt in the basement complete this perfect package! and jeans. It was difficult to be part of both worlds, trust me. SEE ALL HOMES FOR SALE FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE... But the thing I remember most about Davy Crockett was the collecting cards SIMPLY TEXT "ISOLDI" to "87778" … two 80-card sets … one with or- Frank D. Isoldi ange backs, the other with green backs. Call For Invite Susan in, Definitely, one of the greatest collec- Broker / Sales Associate tor sets ever. In fact, I still have both of More Information! and she’ll bring results! #1 Agent Westfield Office - 2004, 2006-2009 my complete sets! #1 Listing Agent Westfield Office - 2004-2009 Susan Devaney The Devil’s Den appears Thursday in The Westfield Leader during the www.frankdisoldi.com weichert.com school year. Contact me with com- email: [email protected] U Direct Dial: 908-301-2038 ments, complaints and suggestions at © 2010 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. WESTFIELD OFFICE / 185 Elm Street / 908-654-7777 [email protected]. Win or not, An Equal Opportunity Company. 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