Page 28 Thursday, October 30, 2008 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

Former Westfielder Bob Anderson to Direct ‘Simpsons’ Halloween Episode This Sunday By CHRISTINA M. HINKE bodied boy with spectacles, Ham, interview.” Story, according to Mr. Anderson. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times from “Bart’s Comet” episode and, “I did have some transmission For this year’s XIX episode, he WESTFIELD — As Halloween most recently, has worked with de- problem in Las Vegas,” he recol- said he cannot divulge the storyline, nears, some anticipate the candy, signers to create Joey Greco, the lected, “but I think it was just over- even reputing Internet talk of the the costumes or the parties, and host of the reality show “Cheaters.” heated. So after I let the car cool, it family turning to shades of grey as some look forward to the Hallow- He said the cut-out-like Simpsons was fine. And Sunday night, I rolled they are morphed into flesh-eating een specials on TV, especially the “look simple to draw, buts it’s elu- into Los Angeles and stayed at a zombies. He did say that if the yel- QUITE A PAIR...A pair of Clark residents has written and illustrated a children’s ever-original “Simpsons’ Treehouse sive. Their simplicity is pretty com- real sleazy motel on Highland and low-skinned family were painted book about Tom Belverio’s dog Cindy. Mr. Belverio, seen above, is joined by of Horror.” This year, on November plex.” Hollywood,” he said with a laugh. grey that it is a decision he would illustrator Nicole Eckert, a sophomore at Arthur L. Johnson School in Clark. 2, at 8 p.m., Westfielders can tune in Before he became one of “The He made it to his interview on make. to FOX knowing that a 1983 Simpsons’” clan, he “ignored all of time and met with the original ani- Mr. Anderson did dispel the ru- Residents Bridge Generation Gap, Produce Children’s Book By MARYLOU MORANO the colored pencil drawings that now Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times illustrate his words. CLARK – Two Clark residents – one Although she has been drawing since a senior citizen, the other a high school the age of 3, for Nicole, “Cindy Learns student – have collaborated on a a Lesson” is her first foray into the children’s book. world of illustration. Tom Belverio, a grandfather of seven, “I don’t usually draw animals,” she has authored “Cindy Learns a Lesson,” said, “I mostly draw cartoons.” a true story based on an incident that In addition to her high school art occurred to Cindy, a dog he had as a classes, Nicole also takes private les- child. sons. Bob Anderson, former “Cindy was a cocker-spaniel mutt She is exploring the possibility of a Westfield resident, who chased a ball into the street one career as a television cartoonist. day,” explained Mr. Belverio. She especially enjoys the animation directs this year’s “She came too close to a car, and it and stories found in Japanese comic “Treehouse of Horror” ran over her ear.” books. ~images courtesy of Mr. Anderson The book’s happy ending includes “Cindy Learns a Lesson” is available Cindy getting checked out by a veteri- through PublishAmerica, Target.com, narian (she turned out to be okay) and Amazon.com and other online book- learning a lesson; like little children, stores. Westfield High School graduate di- that stuff because most of it was mator and director of “The mor of the show ending, saying, “I dogs should never run out into the The Clark Public Library will hold a rected this year’s show. garbage,” he said of the new ani- Simpsons,” David Silverman. “I got know they are investing money in street. book reading and signing for Mr. Bob Anderson, 43, son of mated shows airing at the time. a callback saying they were inter- new technology, so the investment “After that day, Cindy never ran out Belverio and Ms. Eckert on November Brightwood Avenue resident Joan So when “The Simpsons” became ested,” he said. “And pretty much alone make me think they will keep into the street again,” continued the 9, at 2 p.m. Anderson, has worked on “The water-cooler talk amongst his col- the rest is history. I left New Jersey it going at least two or three more author. Copies of the book will be available Simpsons” since show nine of its leagues in Manhattan, he didn’t think a week later, and I have been here years.” Mr. Belverio, born and raised in New- at a discounted price on that day. second season in 1990 and made his much of it. “I thought, how long is ever since.” And as far as another movie, he ark, is a 35-year resident of Clark. The library is located at 303 Westfield directing debut with “Bart’s Inner that one going to last?” he chided. That move to Hollywood to work said, “I know they are going to do a Prior to his retirement, he worked in Avenue in Clark. Child” three years later. Then one ordinary weekend while on the family from Springfield, sequel. Not a direct sequel, just an- the financial systems industry. For more information, call the li- As a youngster his grandmother, visiting his aunt and uncle at their USA, would also bring him a part- other Simpsons movie.” “Any writing I did for my job was brary at (732) 388-5999. Lena Steckler, a fine artist who lived home outside of Philadelphia, that ner in life. His fiancée, Jung-A Yoo, Days later, he elusively e-mailed technical stuff,” he said. in York, Pennsylvania, introduced all changed. “They watched ‘The has worked with Mr. Anderson as a a link to Wikipedia, which includes Nicole Eckert, a sophomore at Arthur Oratorio Society of NJ Mr. Anderson to formal art. Simpsons’ every Sunday night. ‘The character layout artist on The a description of the three storylines L. Johnson Regional High School in “She always had me playing with Crepes of Wrath,’ where Bart goes Simpsons Movie and the Halloween to air – a take on Charlie Brown’s Clark, illustrates the tale of Cindy. To Present Fall Concert something, whether it was playing to France as an exchange student, show. “It’s the Great Pumpkin,” a parody Mr. Belverio had been narrating AREA – The Oratorio Society of with clay or sketching; it came out [was on]. After seeing that episode, “Treehouse” is Mr. Anderson’s of The Transformers and a spoof on Cindy’s misadventures to his grand- New Jersey, under the direction of of that, and I stuck with it,” said Mr. I was hooked,” he said. second Halloween episode to di- advertising TV show “Mad Men,” children long before he put pen to pa- Sandor Szabo, will present its fall Anderson, who would later receive That unsuspecting night in his rect, the first being Emmy-nomi- with an opening sequence surround- per. concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, No- his animation training under the aunt and uncle’s living room kick- nated season seven’s “Treehouse of ing an Obama-McCain voting The story particularly resonated with vember 15, at Immaculate Concep- wing of Wilt Neil, the creator of started a chain of events that would Horror VI,” where he created Homer switcheroo. grandson, Sam Curran, who was 7 when tion Church, located at 30 North Ful- “Howdy Doody” and an artist for forever change his life. After hav- in 3-D, a first for the “The Viewers will just have to wait and Mr. Belverio decided to write “Cindy lerton Avenue in Montclair. Disney, at The Joe Kubert School of ing worked on a failed NBC pilot of Simpsons” – and before Pixar’s Toy watch for themselves. Learns a Lesson.” Schubert’s Mass in E Flat Major Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover. the animated series, “The Jackie Both Sam and his sister, Emily, are and Mozart’s Missa Brevis in D Mi- Now, some of her paintings hang Bison Show,” at a time when he was characters in the book. nor will be featured, accompanied by on the wall of Mr. Anderson’s North in between jobs, the animator de- Halloween Calendar The true nature of the story provided professional orchestra and soloists, Hollywood, Calif. home, where he cided to take a road trip. Mr. Belverio with an idea of how the including Margaret Mack, soprano; sometimes works on layouts for epi- “I got into my ’63 Pontiac Grand Thursday, October 30 – Westfield Memorial Library: Poetry characters, especially Cindy, should look. Kathleen Myrick, mezzo soprano; sodes. As one of the many directors Prix and drove out to California,” Tribute to Charles Addams, 8 p.m. He presented Nicole with a few sug- Neal Harrelson, tenor; and Stefanos working for the show, he is in charge he said. “I scheduled an interview gestions, and she created preliminary Koroneos, bass. of creating a storyboard of the visu- from a payphone in Yellowstone Friday, October 31 – Joint SP, FW parade and costume drawings. General admission is $15. For more als based on a script, a process that National Park – 4 p.m. on a Friday contest. Trunk-Or-Treat commences at 5 p.m. at the “I am amazed at how wonderful the information, call (973) 783-3837 or takes about 16 to 20 weeks. afternoon and scheduled it for Mon- illustrations are,” Mr. Belverio said of visit oratorionsocietynj.org. Mr. Anderson also has a hand in day morning. I realized I better haul Fanwood Library; assemble at 6 p.m. in front of library for drawing up new characters. He is ass down to 15, go through Vegas parade; Parade begins at 6:15 p.m., costumes judged at responsible for designing the round- and get there so I can make my WSO’s Monster Music LaGrande Park Where Imagination Leads to Discovery Saturday, November 1 – Lawrence Kaplan, author of “House Features Costume Contest of Ghosts,” reads at the Town Book Store from 2 to 4 p.m. Winner of contest to take home $200 Saturday, November 1 – Westfield Symphony Orchestra WESTFIELD – This Saturday, newly created soundtrack live as the presents Monster Music at Westfield Presbyterian Church, 8 November 1, at 8 p.m., the Westfield original classic movie Frankenstein Symphony Orchestra (WSO) presents is projected above the orchestra and p.m. (see release at right) Monster Music. All patrons, young in full view of the audience. and old alike, are encouraged to come With split-second timing and pre- to the concert dressed in their Hal- cision, enhancing the dark, mysteri- For Kids For loween costumes. ous and chilling atmosphere of the A fun filled interactive art workshop experience A contest, which will be judged at whole movie, more than 50 fully pro- intermission, will offer three cash fessional WSO musicians, perform, FALL / WINTER SESSIONS FORMING prizes of $200, $75, and $25. in semi-darkness, from the master- The WSO will celebrate Hallow- pieces of Richard Strauss, Pre-K, Children, Teens & Adults een by bringing to life, in symphonic Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Liszt, All Levels Welcome • Kids Birthday Parties splendor, the original Frankenstein Mozart, Saint-Saens and more, creat- movie. ing a unique symbiosis of the popular Introducing . . . High School Portfolio Class Using masterworks of the classical idiom and fine arts. 500 North Avenue East, Westfield (908) 654-5663 repertoire, the fully professional or- The evening will also feature a chestra, under the direction of Mae- performance of Kodaly’s Variations stro David Wroe, will perform its on a Hungarian Folksong (“The Pea- cock”). A short lecture and pre-opera Halloween chat designed to make the music experience more enjoyable will be conducted by Dr. Shuang Goe Wroe prior to the concert in the the farmhouse store Westfield Presbyterian Church Sanc- tuary at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced between $25 and $70, are available to students for $10. DAVID WROE, MUSIC DIRECTOR Tickets may be purchased directly Saturday November 1, 2008 at 8pm from the WSO office (224 East Broad Presbyterian Church in Westfield Street) or by calling the box office at (908) 232-9400. Tickets are also avail- able at the Town Book Store in MONSTER Westfield and Martin Jewelers in Cranford. For further information, call (908) Halloween MUSIC 232-9400, e-mail Costume [email protected] or go Contest FEATURING to westfieldsymphony.org. FRANKENSTEIN Local Artists Take Part THE MOVIE In Swain Exhibit WITH LIVE! SYMPHONIC AREA – Roughly 20 gallery artists will mount “New Works to Honor SOUNDTRACK Swain’s 140 Years” at Swain Galler- ies of Plainfield. The exhibit cel- TICKETS: $25 - $70 ebrates the family-owned gallery, Students: $10 which has existed since 1868. Call: (908) 232-9400 Email: wso@westfieldsymphony.org Primarily from New Jersey, artists will show works chosen specifically Visit our ticket outlets: for the anniversary in the artist’s pre- TOWN BOOKS, Westfield ferred medium, including pastels, oils, MARTIN JEWELERS, Cranford watercolors and bronzes. Cranford’s Paul Casale, Fanwood’s Paula Pearl and Westfield’s Maxwell Design: MoldaveDesigns: Mountainside, NJ Mountainside, MoldaveDesigns: Design: Sang will take part in the exhibit, which opens on Sunday, November www.thefarmhousestore.com 2, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. 221 North Ave East, Westfield 908-654-0444 and continues through November 30. Funding has been made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a Swain is located at 703 Watchung partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Frank and Lydia Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 (Thursday nights ‘till 8pm) Bergen Foundation Avenue. For more information, call (908) 756-1707.