Page 4 Thursday, March 12, 1998 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION POPCORN™ Dark City: TheTheThe Official NeWestfieldWestfieldwspa per of the Town of Westfield andLL the Countyeadereader of Union Town Without Pity — Established 1890 — By Michael S. Goldberger Member of the New Jersey Press Association • Member of the National Newspaper Association • One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent AEROBIC Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey The word aerobic, coined by the scien- 3 popcorns that, there’s hardly a director who isn’t tific community in the 19th century, com- In order to mess with your mind, really offering up his film noir thing, even if it’s bines two Greek elements: aero meaning THE TIMES big time, the aliens in Dark City are an odd fusion with science fiction. Hence, “air” and bios, “life.” The result of this Official Newspaper of the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood particularly fond of administering large William Hurt as the hard-bitten detec- mating, aerobic, is defined as “an organ- — Established 1959 — injections of phony memory directly into tive is a sly wink to the movie’s noirish ism (aerobe) that required the presence Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey their victims’ foreheads. Employing an propensities. of air to sustain its life. extravagant syringe that looks like some Wearing fire engine red lipstick, Jenni- The system of aerobics is of more POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the offices of the newspapers at Victorian contraption used to examine fer Connelly as a torch singer in romanti- recent vintage, having first appeared in P. O. Box 250, Westfield, New Jersey 07091 immigrants at Ellis Island, this is but one cally dingy cabarets may or may not be print in 1969. According to the Morris way the invading “Strangers” exert their Murdoch’s wife. Supposedly, they quar- Dictionary of Word and Phase Origins, THE LEADER THE TIMES evil will. And it’s only one of the many reled after she did him wrong. Costuming aerobics is defined as “a system of build- P.O. Box 250 P. O. Box 368 weird aspects that spookily comprise his players just so, filmmaker Proyas cap- ing up the body by use of oxygen in the 50 Elm Street, Westfield, N.J. 07091 Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 director Alex Proyas’s wonderfully de- tures a look and feel that establishes him body, in which rigorous calisthenics and/ (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 (908) 232-4407 • Fax: (908) 232-0473 ranged and superbly creative variation as an ingenious evocator of mood. Juxta- or dance routines are used.” E-mail: [email protected] on a very old sci-fi theme. posing sci-fi with whatever artistic no- We have just about exhausted the When I returned home from the screen- tions please his greater vision, he dabs word aerobic(s) which, to many, is infi- PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ing of Dark City, my daughter, Erin, devilishly at a palette of favorite tempers nitely better than being exhausted by asked what it was about. I noted that it and tones: a little dadaism here, a schlock aerobics. Horace R. Corbin Gail S. Corbin concerned aliens “taking over our minds.” 50’s film motif there, and a soupcon of PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER Expressing the sort of world-weary cyni- Edward Hopper over here — all wrapped Suzette F. Stalker cism that comes with being 12 years old, up in a fatalistic aura smacking of Europe Paul J. Peyton Joanna B. Marsh she automatically responded, “That’s real between-the-wars. MANAGING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR MARKETING DIRECTOR new.” Serving as the mascot of this movie’s Thrift Shop Announces Karen M. Hinds David B. Corbin Debbie Geraci “I know, but it’s good,” I defended. soul, an accented Kiefer Sutherland is a Sale of Spring Apparel OFFICE MANAGER SPORTS ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE “Really.” whimsical hoot in the role Peter Lorre Visually stunning, the hugely inven- perfected. He is Dr. Daniel Schreber, the The Westfield Service League has SUBSCRIPTION PRICE tive mind-blower doesn’t make much mad scientist no self-respecting sci-fi announced that the Thrift Shop, lo- THE WESTFIELD LEADER & THE TIMES sense if you really stop to think about it. film can be without. cated at 114 Elmer Street in West- But while all the phantasmagoria is erupt- Doing the Strangers’ bidding is not field, is stocked with a large selec- One-year subscription in county $20 ing before you, there’s little inclination only a matter of survival for wily Herr tion of ladies’, men’s and children’s One-year subscription out-of-county $24 to scrutinize the thoroughly outrageous Docteur, but a sinister labor of love as One-year college (September to May) $16 spring apparel. doings, or the darkly psychedelic set- well; after all, the traitorous fiend gets to Patrons can also purchase jewelry, tings that serve as their backdrop. give those big needles and do all that Mr. Proyas (The Crow) zooms about human memory mixing. shoes and accessories to compliment his oddly captive world with lickety- It elicits more mood than meaning, their wardrobe, according to spokes- split skill, aided and abetted in his hallu- though there is the perfunctory, uplifting woman Kathy Seeley. Test Scores Are Best Method to Show cinogenic madness by editor Dov Hoenig. hokum about the human essence (those The Thrift Shop offers high qual- Recreated as stills, at least 12 Dark City cold aliens...they’ll never really under- ity merchandise at attractive prices, scenes by production designers George stand our inherent nobility). But spec- the spokeswoman said. All profits Student Success in the Classroom Liddle and Patrick Tatopolous would tacular, computer-enhanced imagery are donated to local charities. As the Westfield and Scotch Plains-Fanwood school and 76.7 percent in reading, mathematics and writing, make great wall hangings. reigns supreme, combining with more In an unnamed, post-apocalyptic city traditional art in a synergistic fusion of In addition to clothing, the shop boards begin their publicity campaigns for voter respectively, in Level I. These scores are up around that looks as grungy and seedy as New visual energy. Take this roller-coaster sells books, toys, bric-a-brac, house- approval of the amount of taxation needed to support seven to eight points from the previous year. York did in the 1970s, it is never day- ride through director Proyas’s veritable hold and vintage items. the annual school budgets, it is important that all On the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), West- time. But that little fact seems to be lost museum of science fiction mechanisms, The Thrift Shop is open for busi- on folks. They just appear to be going make a right just where Rod Serling’s residents begin considering themselves, more or less, field High School students were first in Union County ness Tuesday through Saturday, 9 about their business, including William Twilight Zone left off, and you’ll be in a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are ac- as shareholders with the “profit line,” if you will, in the mathematics portion of the SAT with an average Hurt as Inspector Frank Bumstead. He’s Dark City. cepted during shop hours. being the overall achievements of students. score of 572. They were second in the verbal section looking for a serial killer specializing in * * * * * prostitutes. Waking up in a bathtub, in a In Westfield, test scores have been on the incline the with an average of 555. Scotch Plains-Fanwood High haunting scene suggestive of Dali (re- Dark City, rated R, is a New Line past few years. On the Early Warning Test, given to School scored an average 537 in mathematics, rank- plete with broken goldfish bowl), John Cinema release directed by Alex Proyas Alzheimer’s Caregiver eighth graders to test abilities in reading, mathematics ing them fourth in the county, and 523 in verbal, which Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) thinks he may and stars Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Group Will Meet be the hunted killer — that is, if memory Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly and Will- and writing, Roosevelt Intermediate School students places the school fifth. serves him correctly. Could someone be iam Hurt. Running time: 104 minutes. had the highest rate of competence (Level I) on the test At Runnells Specialized Westfield SAT scores are up nearly 20 points over playing with his head? And if so, why? The next Caregiver and Alzheimer of any school in Union County — a first for the district the past year to an average total score of 1127. Scotch Director Proyas doesn’t quickly di- vulge the who, what and where of this Support Group of Runnells Special- — with 83.6 percent in reading, 86.8 percent in Plains-Fanwood scores are up about the same amount, intellectual anarchy, preferring instead ized Hospital of Union County will mathematics and 86.8 percent in writing. for a total of 1060. to fashion his eerily exotic plot in the Where Do They Get meet from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thurs- Edison Intermediate School students scored 74.3, In an effort to gain an idea of how students perform form of a mystery. And therein lies the day, March 19, in the Family Confer- film’s major rub. The premise as the Shark Oil to Produce 72.3 and 81.8 percent in reading, mathematics and at an even earlier age, fourth-graders will also now be ence Room of the facility, located at main course of suspense is an unwieldy, 40 Watchung Way in Berkeley writing, respectively, according to a summary on test if not outright strange, concept at best. Those Capsules? tested like their eighth-grade counterparts. Test re- Heights. scores released by the state Department of Education. sults will begin to be released for comparison some- While it is increasingly implied that the By Louis H. Clark ghoulishly imperialistic aliens (a civili- This professional support, educa- At Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, 71.2 time next year. zation “as old as time itself”) are using When I was a boy, my mother used tion and information group for percent of students showed complete competence in We encourage all residents to begin studying test the city as a huge test tube, with human- to give me Coca Cola syrup for an caregivers and family members is reading, 50 percent were completely competent in results and other areas used to compare successes of kind as their guinea pigs, there’s no upset stomach. They also used to use held the third Thursday of each knowing if this is true or false until the mathematics, and 75 percent reached this level in students, i.e. the number of college-bound students it for cleaning type in printing houses. month, and is open to the commu- final scenes. As I grew to the ripe age of 10, I nity, free of charge. writing. These scores are up an average of 10 points and National Merit Scholarship students, before head- No matter, though. Handsome, put- used to get cod liver oil so that I The group is facilitated by Kathleen over last year. ing to the election polls to vote on school budgets next upon, and confused, Mr. Sewell is the would “grow strong” and become a dauntless pilgrim trying to discover his Balascio, a Runnells Specialized Terrill Middle School students scored 66.2, 69.2 month. identity amidst the kaleidoscopic insan- home run hitter, as that was the Hospital licensed social worker. ity that bombards him. And his adven- dream of my life. The support group shares infor- ture is dramatic impetus enough to cata- Now along comes this doctor of mation on the disease, research up- POLICY ON LETTERS pult the intrigue. Yet just to complicate medicine at the United Nations who dates, practical care techniques and a Letters to the Editor the set of suppositions, his John Murdoch tells an interviewer that the best thing TO THE EDITOR is the only human who shares telekinetic list of community resources. in the world to make your immune An important part of the meeting All letters to the Editor must bear powers with the Strangers. He, like they, system stronger is shark oil. a signature, a street address and a can rearrange things — such as buildings is the time devoted to discussing the Mayor Papen and Township Council daytime telephone number so au- Now sharks, as you know, are the and landscapes. But is he really human? one monster that Disney has not been frustrations individuals feel in car- thors may be verified. Letters that In any case, the aliens would like a tete- ing for those stricken with Are Applauded for Study of FAA Test are E-mailed to the Editor also must a-tete with this heroic seeker of truth. able to make small children think that they are loving playmates whom Alzheimer’s disease. The residents of Scotch Plains are to emulate our council’s common sense contain a daytime telephone num- Particularly anxious for this meeting of Runnells sponsors the meetings in fortunate to have a Mayor and Council approach to learning the facts before ber. Our E-mail address is the minds, so to speak, is their leader, you can take into the bath with you “[email protected].” Mr. Book (Ian Richardson), the iciest, and have a good time playing ball conjunction with the Northern New who take the time to study an issue like making decisions. Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s the Federal Aviation Administration’s By resisting relentless pressure and Letters may be no longer than one- most willful zombie of them all. with. (FAA) 260 degree route test before act- distortion of facts, they proved that poli- and-a- half pages, typewritten and Mr. Proyas’s use of Rufus Sewell’s I also have read and seen people Association. ing. tics is not for the faint-hearted or easily double-spaced. Letters must be typed relatively unknown face (though remi- who say sharks are afraid of human Alzheimer’s is the nation’s fourth- Other elected officials would do well intimidated. upper and lower case. All letters are niscent of a youthful Tony Curtis) for his leading fatal disease among adults, subject to editing due to space limi- beings except when they smell blood It is downright scary that demands picture’s answer to Odysseus proves ju- in the water. No one ever explained afflicting some four million Ameri- were made on federal and state legisla- tations and style. dicious, giving the pivotal role just the No endosement letters will be ac- whose blood, however, was in the cans, according to a Runnells spokes- tors to tell our council to oppose the FAA right everyman quotient. It’d certainly man. Reader Thanks Town 260 degree route test. cepted. be a shame if he were the serial killer, or water. Plus, I will take bets that the Only those contemptuous of consen- The deadline for letters is Friday an alien, or both. same people who call the shark such The schedule for the remainder of For Efforts in Locating sus and civil discourse would hold de- by 4 p.m., if they are to appear in the Just as every chef today feels a faddish a gentle creature are the first ones out 1998 for the support group is Thurs- mocracy in such disregard. following issue. compulsion to present balsamic this or of the water when the beach master days, April 16, May 21, June 18, Lost 18-Yr. Old Dog I thank Mayor Joan Papen for inviting runs up a red flag and screams “shark” July 16, August 20, September 17, On February 23, my parents lost their the FAA to present the facts on the 260 into the loudspeakers. October 15, November 19 and De- dog. JoJo, a little white, fluffy, Bichon degree route change to the public. But where do they get all the shark cember 17. Frise, weighing 13 and 1/2 pounds, with It is gratifying to know that democracy Telephones for Crossing Guards not a lot of fur, who is 18 years old and oil that the good doctor says he takes For further information, please call is alive and well, at least in Scotch two capsules every day? doesn’t hear very well anymore. Plains. Applauded as Child Safety Measure (908) 771-5835. Because he is growing old, he wan- E. Dennis Hardie, Chairman It reminds me of what I think dered off their property and could not I am writing in response to your article the February 19 issue of The Westfield about when I am having my favorite Scotch Plains Aircraft Noise “Councilwoman Submits Application for Leader. find his way home. Little did we know Committee Inc. luncheon sandwich, tuna fish. our worst nightmare had begun. What 9-1-1 Phones for Crossing Guards” in I fully support this proposal. It means Where do they get the tunas they fill African Violet Group started out as a relatively clear morning a more assured safety of our town’s children. Whether accidents occur often millions of cans with? I’ve heard To Meet March 19 turned into the worst winter storm we that like sharks, tuna grow to huge have had this year with freezing, pouring Historic Designation For Clubhouse or not in this town, it is better to be safe The Union County chapter of rains and gale winds that continued than sorry. I am very happy that West- weights. But I prefer not to think the African Violet Society will about it and keep ordering what a through the night and into the next night. Would be Gift Back to Community field has taken more thought into the meet Thursday, March 19, at 1 To make a long story short, JoJo was safety of our community. friend of mine who stutters calls Last night, I attended the Planning field Woman’s Club would like to see p.m. in the Scotch Plains Library, found after being out there more than 30 I am sure with this emergency tele- tuna on toast, when he invariably located at 1927 Bartle Avenue in Board meeting about the sale of the the property preserved. I believe they are phone system, many parents will be less gets two sandwiches. hours in the freezing cold. When he was Scotch Plains. found his body temperature was only 80 property at Tremont and South Euclid sincere in their appreciation for the sup- anxious when their children go off to So how do they get that capsule? A degrees, (a dogs body tempurature should Avenues owned by the Westfield port the community has given them over school. It will assure them their children A program entitled, “All Over Woman’s Club. The lawyer for the the last 40 years. I believe they do have shark, according to the doctor him- the Place,” will be featured. All be 101) his little heart was barely beat- will be safer. self, only carries 20 pounds of oil in Woman’s Club put forth a case that the community’s interests in mind when county residents are invited to at- ing and he was going into shook. I congratulate Councilwoman Gail S. its boneless body, so you can only But he was alive, and it was a miracle seemed a sincere representation of the they attempt to find the best solution as Vernick, the Westfield Police Depart- tend the program. because it could not have happened with- position of the members of the club. to future of the property. ment, and Bell Atlantic for supporting make so many capsules from that. out the support and efforts of so many The members of the community spoke We all have had the experience of this issue and taking action. Or, and the thought terrifies me, fine people. eloquently about what the property and misspeaking our intentions and having If this is successful in Westfield and does someone have a shark farm and So, on behalf of my family I would like the club has represented to the commu- our words come out wrong. I believe the our neighboring towns, it might be nec- sells the oil at perfume prices? Or nity in the 40 years it has occupied the Westfield Woman’s Club has misspoken Role of the Railroad to extend sincere thanks to Mayor Joan essary to present this idea to other coun- have they synthesized or even cloned Papen, for taking time out of her very big white house, as well as the aesthetic its feelings by the actions it has taken. character of the property itself. The fait accompli of a mini-subdivi- cils of more dangerous cities in order to shark oil so that you and I can be In Fanwood’s History pressing schedule with township duties protect their children as well. healthy? and obligations, for her support of this The members of the Planning Board sion presented to the Planning Board is To be Program Topic felt the pressure of being in a situation not the way a club expresses its apprecia- Emilie Cobert If you know, don’t tell me. I’m not little dog; to the Scotch Plains postal going to buy the stuff anyway. Channel 35, Fanwood’s local ac- employees, not just once but twice. where they are charged with doing both tion for 40 years of community support Westfield the right thing and the legally correct and tax subsidy. If the club truly wants to cess television station, will present Had it not been for you then I would for the first time “Next Station Stop not have found my own dog last summer thing. give the community something back in and now again in a true emergency you I believed the lawyer for the Westfield appreciation, and truly has a love for the Fanwood” beginning tomorrow, Fri- were there. To Bob Merkle, who runs our Woman’s Club when he said that every property, then there is a very good way School Tours to Spotlight day, March 13. local cable station TV34. Had it not been member of the club was sad about the for them to show this. Only the Woman’s The program will be telecast again for his compassion and airing our plea demise of the clubhouse. He spoke well Club can allow the site to be designated on Sunday, March 15, and Tuesday, when he did, Jo would not be with us about the concern the club felt for the an historic site. community and the appreciation the club The Westfield Woman’s Club is a Middle Level Education March 17. It will be broadcast at 7:30 now. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Par- Foulks, Principal of Terrill Middle p.m. each of the three nights. To our Police Department, our own felt towards the community for the last non-profit organization that has per- 40 years. formed countless services to the commu- ent Teacher Association (PTA) Coun- School, as well as staff members The 58 minute audio-visual pro- Scotch Plains Animal Hospital, Garden cil will celebrate Middle Level Edu- State Animal Rescue, and even the United Here is where I have some confusion. nity. In these last days of the club being and PTA volunteers. gram describes the railroad’s role in Parcel Service workers, for taking those There are two ways of communicating. at the big white house, I suggest there is cation Week from Monday, March Parents will also learn about a the founding and development of the few minutes to call my parents and even One is through words, and the other is a beautiful swan song to be performed. 16, through Friday, March 20, with a typical middle school day and be able Borough of Fanwood, according to stopping by to let them know they were through actions. The words of the West- The members should act in character tour of both Terrill and Park Middle to see the schools in session with producer-director Joseph Nagy. out there. field Woman’s Club sound correct, but with the history and tradition of the club Schools. the actions tell a different story. and give one final gift back to the com- students learning. In the presentation, the historical And finally, the Brown family who The Terrill Middle School tour will The entire community is invited experience of Fanwood is placed in called my parents within minutes of see- The actions of the Westfield Woman’s munity: designate the site as historic. Club started with hiring a lawyer, then They will never feel good knowing be held on Wednesday, March 18, at to attend, especially parents of context with the economic forces that ing it aired on TV 34, and taking care of 9 a.m. and will begin in the Media Jo, until my mother got there. hiring a surveyor and drawing up plans they have turned it into a subdivision. fifth-grade students, who may have pushed railroading up to and then I’ve been told the Brown’s are new for a mini-subdivision, offering the prop- The property can still be sold to the Center. questions about the transition from down from the pinnacle of its golden residents in town, and I hope that their erty at closed bid, then presenting the highest bidder as a dwelling, and the The tour of Park Middle School elementary to middle school, ac- era, Mr. Nagy said. family enjoys as many wonderful, happy whole package to the Planning Board for house itself can be renovated so long as will be held on Friday, March 20, cording to a PTA Council spokes- The research and script was pre- and healthy years here as my family has approval without telling the community. the facade is preserved, but the historic The community would never have known designation will prevent it from being at 9 a.m. and will meet in the woman. pared by Mr. Nagy; the videography because Scotch Plains is a wonder place cafeteria. and editing was done by George to live because of people like them. about the sale and subdivision if not for leveled or turned into something the the vigilant attention to detail of the community would abhor. Visitors will have an opportunity We take for granted the very things that Weiss, and the narration was done by Kathy Sevell members of the Planning Board. Barton Stabler to meet Chester Janusz, Principal most deserve our gratitude. Sergeant T.J. Jedic of the Fanwood Scotch Plains I believe the members of the West- Westfield of Park Middle School, or John — Cynthia Ozick Police Department.