The GaslightSouth Orange

This holiday season, get artistic: Seasonal Events The Gaslight is published 10 Shop The Baird! times yearly for ■ Tree Lighting the residents & Do you want another stuffed gallery exhibits and business bear dressed in your favorite sports special programs Enjoy local choirs, a visit from Santa, community of South Orange gear? Or a giant tin of caramel pop- offered throughout hot chocolate and cookies at the Holiday Tree Lighting sponsored by the South Orange Village. corn to tempt you off your diet? the year. Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony starts Of course not! So, this holiday Hours are noon to at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in front of November season, give what you’d like to get: 8 p.m. daily, 76 South Orange Avenue. 2006 gifts with style! Admission is free. Plenty of new artisans will be Preceding the four- ■ Village Aglow featured in Pierro Gallery’s 13th day sale will be the Meet your neighbors by the pond at annual Crafts at The Baird, taking kick-off preview sale Meadowland Park for Village Aglow. More place Thursday through Sunday, on Wednesday, Dec. than 500 luminaries will grace the pond and Dec. 7 to 10. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. walkways for six hours on Sunday, Dec. 10. From the practical to the artisti- For a $5 admission The fun will begin at 4 p.m. with a visit from cally sublime, there’s something for fee, previewers Santa, followed by seasonal music, cookies, everyone on your list. Choose from will have first dibs hot chocolate and the lighting of the lumi- contemporary art quilts, jewelry, on artistic buys naries at 5:30 p.m. A short fireworks display ceramics, hand-painted silks, wood while savor- will begin at 5:45 p.m. Inside and woven pieces, glass and wood ing a festive ■ ornaments, metal wall sculptures, evening of S. Orange Illumination ‘07 hand-made paper journals and sta- hors d’oeu- On New Year’s Eve, South Orange ■ Beth El cele- tionery. vres and Productions will stage its five-year-old tradi- brates its 60th The sale is Pierro’s major annu- conversa- tion of creating a luminous pathway into the ■ al fundraiser; buyers help support tion with coming year. If you did not receive a flier Three local about the wax-paper-bag-and-candle lumi- theater companies the artisans. offer December ▲ naries, there’s still time to join the fun. stage productions Call for an order form at (973) 761- Adena Traub heads 5970, or send e-mail to soproductions@ ■ SOPAC launches optonline.net. Be sure to leave your name, its inaugural sea- Main Street South Orange address and phone number. ▲ son

Adena Traub has town events the nonprofit is known ■ PBS’ David been elected for. Brancaccio speaks president of the Traub, her husband Matt (who New parking lot at CHS on Nov. 15 Main Street serves on the redevelopment com- coming ■ Marilyn Lehren South Orange mittee) and their son Jonah have Now that demolition of the named Villager of Board of lived in South Orange for three the Month former Gulf gas station at Valley Directors. She years. and Third streets is complete, succeeds Rob “South Orange is a wonderful the Village will be turning the Fisch who held community and I am thrilled to be site into a much-needed parking the position for five years. working with such a great group of lot. More than 50 spaces will be Traub is a professional event people to make it an even better created for a variety of uses. planner with a long list of corporate place to live and work,”she said. The construction work will go clients. Fisch will remain on MSSO’s out to bid later this fall.The start For the last year, she chaired board, co-chairing the design com- date will be weather-dependent. ▲ Main Street’s promotions committee, mittee. ▲ which develops many of the down- 1. Village Web site FLYING SHIP offers new features PRODUCTIONS (973) 378-7754 REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL A search engine, better access & KINDERENRICHMENT ■ to public documents and individual Winter (973) 378-7754 • http://www.thebaird.org department pages have been added Wonderland – to the Village Web site: www.south- Sunday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. Applications for 2007-2008 Kinder- orange.org. Join modern-day Alice as enrichment and Preschool at The Baird will The search engine, located in she searches for the real be accepted Jan. 22 to 25.A random draw- the upper right corner of the home meaning of the holiday ing of applications will determine who page, offers simple and advanced season. This multicultural holiday musical registers for the space-limited programs. search options, in current and based on Lewis Carroll’s classic is recom- Details and applications are on The Baird archived files. mended for ages 3 to 11. Tickets are $8. Web site. A new weblink interface access- The Baird Preschool program combines es public documents. Simply click educational and recreational activities. the “public documents” section of DREAMCATCHER Small classes are offered twice weekly for the “government” drop-down menu (973) 378-7754, x2228 • www.DreamcatcherRep.org two-year-olds, three days a week for three- on the home page, then search by year-olds, and five times a week for four- word or phrase. ■ A Very Special (Holiday) Special and five-year-olds. Individual department Web - Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 8 p.m. Kinderenrichment is available to South pages are being updated. Residents Enjoy the kind of holiday specials they used Orange children who will be entering should check back frequently to see to make, with seasonal songs, comic sketch- kindergarten in the local school district the additions. ▲ es and improv. Catch the spirit of good old- next fall. Playful learning reinforces the fashioned fun with this affectionate send-up kindergarten experience. Morning and of television's traditional holiday shows. All afternoon sessions will be offered, two and tickets are $15. Call (973) 378-7754, x2228, three times a week. Beth El celebrates or visit www.DreamcatcherRep.org. a mighty milestone PIERRO GALLERY It was 1946 when 20 families PENNY PRETZEL PLAYHOUSE OF SOUTH ORANGE began gathering at the home of (973) 378-7754 hardware store owners Stanley and (973) 378-7754, x3 • www.pierrogallery.org Jennie Beck to hash out plans for a ■ Super Circus Stuff with Mr. local house of worship and religious Fish, Thursday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. Mr. Fish, Paintings Emerge school. The fledgling synagogue held also known as John Lepiarz, blends circus Through Nov. 26 its first High Holiday service in that skills, magic and music to amaze and amuse Four artists -- John Day, Sue Jin Jo, year in rented space at the old children, adults and occasionally cats. (You Judith Kalina, and Neil Korn -- use layered Masonic lodge, at Prospect Street have to see the show!) Mr. Fish has per- surfaces, rich colors, and at times, groping and Irvington Avenue. formed in the ring of Big Apple Circus and forms, to represent a personal expose. At first, with no rabbi or cantor, theaters across the U.S., Canada and Asia. Visiting hours are Friday to Sunday, 1 to congregants conducted their own Tickets are $8 each. 4 p.m., or by appointment. services for as many as 250 worship- pers, including many from neighbor- ing towns. Now on its 60th year, home still used today. It was dedicat- Members reflect proudly on Congregation Beth El, has grown to ed in April 1949 in a ceremony being a driving force in creating the 525 families, many of whom gath- attended by Governor Alfred annual South Orange-Maplewood ered on Nov. 3 and 4 to celebrate the Driscoll. Interfaith Holocaust Memorial synagogue’s proud history and 6 By 1953, a more elegant sanctu- Service; Voices in Harmony, a com- bright future. 0 ary was added and The New York munity interfaith vocal ensemble; Within a year of organizing, the 6 Times heralded its contemporary and last year’s rally for Israel. They new congregation began planning 0 architecture and “richness of expres- also host a Holocaust survivors for a permanent building with sion.” group and support a local food prayer space, a Hebrew school, a 6 Beth El’s rabbis have included pantry. library and community room. They 0 Theodore Friedman for 16 years, To everyone at Beth El from the found a 60,000-square-foot site on 6 Jehiel Orenstein for 35 years, and Village of South Orange, congratula- Irvington Avenue and raised 0 now Rabbi Francine Roston and tions on your 60th anniversary! ▲ $250,000 to build the permanent years Cantor Perry Fine.

2. The South Orange Gaslight,November 2006 SHU HAPPENINGS Multicultural Film and Lecture Series Each free presentation begins at 6:30 p.m., in the Beck Room of Walsh Library. Call (973) 761-9385. David Brancaccio, SOPAC launches • Nov. 13 – NYU cinema studies Professor Ed Guerrero, “The Burden of host of the PBS weekly news magazine NOW, its inaugural Representation.” will speak Wednesday, Nov. 15, on “The • Nov. 20 – Film, “Brokeback Death of Journalism and Why It Matters to season Mountain.” Our Community, Our Country, Our World.” • Nov. 21 – Film, “Broken Flowers.” The South Orange Performing Arts Center will The 7:30 p.m. presentation at Columbia • Nov. 27 – Film, “Lone Star.” launch its inaugural season with “Music of Two Worlds,” • Dec. 4 – Film, “Control Room.” High School is sponsored by the South a fundraising gala on Thursday, Nov. 16, featuring a global Orange Maplewood Adult School. Tickets list of musicians: Latin saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, ■ Nov. 14 - The chamber music are $13. For information, call (973) 378- Chinese cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the wind ensemble Imani Winds, group, Musicians from Marlboro, will 7620 or visit www.somadultschool.org. ▲ Israeli pianist Alon Yavnai and soprano Brenda Feliciano. Tickets perform works by Beethoven, Brahms, are $250, $500 or $750. Mozart and Bartok, at SOPAC. Visit Upcoming stage performances at SOPAC include: artsci.shu.edu/artscouncil. LIBRARY LIBRARY LIBRARY ☛ Christine Lavin & Friends (folk music), Nov. 18. ■ Nov. 15 - Poetry-in-the-Round hosts ☛ poet, author and mortician Thomas Lynch, (973) 762-0230 Dirty Sock Funtime Band (children’s music), Nov. 19. ☛ Stacey Ken, cabaret vocalist (holiday music), Dec. 10. 7 p.m., Walsh Library. Admission is free. ☛ Leon Redbone, blues, ragtime and jazz, Dec. 14. Call (973) 761-5105. WEB WONDERS ☛ Bergen County’s Pro Art Chorale, “The Messiah,” Dec. 16. ■ Nov. 28 - The Dick Hyman and Ray A world of cool resources is available to ☛ The Western Wind (a cappella vocal sextet), “A Chanukkah Kennedy Jazz Piano Duo performs at 8 you 24/7 at www.sopl.org. Download audio- Story,” Dec. 17. p.m. in Jubilee Hall. Call (973) 313-6338. books. Check the card catalog. Get informa- ■ Dec. 1-3 and 6-9 - “The O'Connor tion not available on the open Web, using the For the complete schedule or tickets, call (973) 313-ARTS, visit Girls,” a Christmas comedy by Katie ▲ reference tab. Find a complete calendar of www.sopacnow.org, or go to the box office at 1 SOPAC Way. Forgette. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; events. Get reading suggestions. Sundays, 2 p.m., at SOPAC. Regular Or how about this? Gather friends or admission is $15; $12 for seniors. Visit schoolmates and request your own custom- artsci.shu.edu/artscouncil. designed class, generally two to 12 people. Mozart ■ Dec. 10 - Seton Hall Touring Choir Learn research techniques, how to create Benefit will perform at Our Lady of Sorrows mailing lists, use PowerPoint, find out about & More! Roman Catholic Church, at 4 p.m. digital photography, or whatever you’d like to for Suggested donation, $5. Call (973) 761- learn. The South Orange 9417. ▲ Angela Symphony’s first LECTURE SERIES concert of the 2006 Thursdays, 1 p.m. Bofill – 2007 season will • Nov. 16 – “The Ethics of Writing for be Saturday, Nov. South Orange artist featured Three years ago, jazz vocalist Angela Children,” Meredith Sue Willis. 18, at 8:15 p.m., Bofill performed in front of a packed house in SHU exhibit • Nov. 30 – “Wall Street Journal at South Orange at the Seth Boyden Demonstration School to Investigations: Profile on Warren Buffet, Middle School’s The image of a raise funds for the school’s music depart- Worldcom and Others,” WSJ investigative Sterling Hall. On politician is more than ment. Her generosity in behalf of the school reporter and writer, Susan Pulliam. the program are just a portrait. So says endeared her to the local audience. Since • Dec. 7 – “Literature with a Capital L,” works by Mozart Village artist Florence then, she has suffered a stroke and has no Tom Henthrone and Jonathan Silver, Pace and Schubert, Weisz whose artwork is medical insurance. University English professors. Weber’s “Oberon,” displayed in a Seton On Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m., a benefit • Dec. 14 – “Fighting the Man: People and Strauss’ “Tales Hall exhibit called concert will be held at Maplewood Middle vs. Multinational Companies in Equador and from the Vienna “Inter-Aktiv.” The juried show at Walsh School to support the school and the Angela Colorado,” Drew University anthropology Woods.” Admission Library includes 11 artists working in collage, Bofill Recovery Fund. The night’s performers professor Maria Masucci. is free. Arrive early digital art, sculpture and painting. will include , jazz and R&B star for pre-concert One example of Weisz’ art, “BushBush REGULAR PROGRAMS , Ray Goodman & Brown , flutist chamber music in Interactive,” mirrors, multiplies and reassem- • S. O. Book Review Group (adults ) – , jazz guitarist Jeff Golub, and the lobby at 7:45 bles George Bush’s image to express the con- Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. “Cider House Rules,” by sax man Marion Meadows. South Orange p.m. For informa- fusion and distortion of public personas. John Irving. resident John Lee, along with Nat Aderly, will tion, call (973) Her “Presidential Manipulations” also • Open Stage Teen Poetry Reading (9th perform as part of the Angela Bofill Band. 378-2772, or visit include “face part” studies of Ronald Reagan, grade and up) – Dec. 21, 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by WBLS personality www.southorange- Ross Perot and Bill Clinton. The public is • Children's Storytimes: Kindergarten, Vaughn Harper. symphony.org. ▲ invited to rearrange the parts as part of the Mondays, 11 a.m.; Toddlers, Tuesdays 11 Bofill herself will be in the audience but participatory intention of the exhibit. a.m.; Preschool, Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.; will not perform. The show extends through Dec. 15. Call Babies, Wednesdays 10 a.m.; Families, Tickets are available online at (973) 275-2033 or visit www.library.shu.edu/ ▲ Wednesdays 2 p.m. ▲ www.liveatnight.com. To charge by phone, gallery. call (973) 761-6801. ▲ The South Orange Gaslight, November 2006 3. Villager of the Month Mucci & Toledano Marilyn Lehren named scholarship semifinalists There’s magic in the library.” Village on Thursday She strums a guitar Columbia High School seniors mornings. People are for- called “Walter,”named Sarah Mucci and Anna Toledano have getting themselves and after her father, and been named semifinalists in the In living in the moment. knows that “the kids 2007 National Merit Scholarship Touch They’re singing, clap- connect to that” Program. Their high scores on last ping, stomping, wiggling because “they name year’s Preliminary SATs allow them with and dancing. their dolls and trucks. to compete for this year’s 8,000 col- Village Rows of preschool- Government They may not know lege scholarships sought by 16,000 ers, nannies, stay-at-home my name, but they semifinalists nationwide. moms and dads; tenors, know Walter.” Another 18 CHS seniors received General Info. sopranos and excited Her talents also letters of commendation for their (973) 378-7715 wee vocalists.They’re Emergency, 911 have provided unex- high PSAT scores and exceptional Clerk’s Office, x1 ringing out in chords of pected public bene- academic promise. ▲ Administrator, x2 joy. fits. Often, at the end Construction, x3 “I often don’t even of her library session, Tax Collector, x4 sing,”says magic-maker she opens her guitar Two Towns sing-in Assessor, x5 and guitarist Marilyn case and people drop Singers from novice to profes- Welfare, x5 Lehren.“I just let the in quarters and dollars sional are welcome to join the Finance, x6 voices fill the room.” bills. She raised more South Orange-Maplewood Com- Engineer, x7 “Songs and Stories,”Marilyn’s than $100 for a New Orleans library munity Coalition on Race for an Parking Auth., x8 one–hour weekly program has bolted Health Officer damaged by Hurricane Katrina and evening of American choral music x2012 to the top as one of the South contributed toward a new sound sys- on Monday, Nov. 13, at the Burgdorff Animal Control Orange Public Library’s most popu- tem for the Village library. Cultural Center, 10 Durand Road, in 378-7775, x7745 lar programs. Though she downplays her musi- Maplewood. For time and other Fire Dept. When she started three years cal talents –“I play four chords and I details, visit www.twotowns.org. ▲ 378-7751 ago, Marilyn sometimes brought her play them really well” – Marilyn has Library own nieces and nephews just to fill segued from journalism to a new 762-0230 the room. Now, as she drives into career. She teaches music to children Piano Instruction Police Dept. the neighborhood,“I see people and young adults at Jespy House, and Rewarding and fun for children 378-7775 pushing strollers and I get a little and adults interested in classical Public Works to preschoolers at The Baird. She and popular music. 378-7741 nervous.” also helps lead the children’s choir Fortunately,“I have reserved at St.Andrew and Holy Communion Recreation & Beginning, intermediate and parking on Thursday mornings. Cultural Affairs Church. advanced. 20 years experience. 378-7754 That’s very cool.” “I don’t ever want to have to Complementary trial lesson. Recycling Info. & A Village resident for eight give it up,”she said.“I’m doing some- (973) 762-6601 Street Dept. years, Marilyn is a former journalist thing joyful.” ▲ 378-7741 for the Trenton Times and Philadel- Water Service phia Business Journal.When she and 266-8869 husband Andy began a family six years ago, she started volunteering Township of South Orange Village Bulk at the library. South Orange, NJ 07079 U.S. Postage “They do so many good pro- PAID grams. I had time. I asked if they’d Permit No. 5 South Orange, NJ To submit be interested in someone with a information for guitar coming in doing stories and The South Orange singing songs.” Gaslight, Pretty soon,“It evolved into Postal Customer send to Editor rock and roll for little readers,”jokes Local 07079 Robin Patric, Marilyn, but there really aren’t sto- c/o Village Hall ries any more. The music is Bob Marley, the Beatles ,Tom Chapin, Dan Zanes, Rebecca Frezza – all “great children’s song writers. Village Web Site: www.southorange.org “I borrow,”says Marilyn.“It’s a E-mail for Village Administrator: [email protected]

4. The South Orange Gaslight, November 2006