Local News

HP’s Human Relations Commission Responds to the Recent Spate of Anti-Semetic Events

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The following is an open letter to the community from the members of the Highland Park Human Relations Commission

The Human Relations Commission is outraged, angry and saddened by the spate of anti-Semitic events that have happened in New York City and in New Jersey, including right here in Highland Park. It is essential for us to identify t he origins of this rising hatred and to address it deliberately. The Human Relations Commission welcomes the opportunity to work with the members of our community and with our elected officials on the local, county, and state level in order to make sure that hate truly has no home here. As a community, we have a moral obligation to learn fro one another and to understand one another through policy programming, education, and compassion

We all must act from a position of hope to empower and engage our neighbor so we never live in fear. We refuse to live in fear. READ MORE

Local News

Two Juveniles Charged with Acts of Criminal Mischief in HP

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Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet and Chief Richard Abrams of the Highland Park Police Department announced that two juveniles have been charged with criminal mischief regarding acts of graffiti in Highland Park. The juveniles, whose names will not be released due to their age, have been charged with acts of criminal mischief for the incidents that were reported on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at approximately 11:30pm when multiple areas near South First Avenue, Johnson Street and Cedar Ave were spray painted. Due to the close proximity to the Congregation Ahavas Achim and recent tragic events throughout the country, a joint investigation was conducted by Detectives from the Highland Park Police Department, Middlesex County Prosecutors Office and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Upon further investigation it was determined that these acts were not perpetrated with bias intent. On Monday, December 30, 2019, Detectives from Highland Park Police Department took a female juvenile into custody and charged her with four counts of criminal mischief. READ MORE

HP Police Department Went on a Special Assignment – Bringing Joy to Children

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Highland Park Police Officers last week played the role of Santa for
children at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick. They made a toy
delivery and also offered hugs to the children – and got hugs and big smiles in
return. These toys were purchased by the Officers, Dispatchers, and
Administrative Staff. Highland Park Police Department officers and staff were so pleased that they
could deliver Christmas cheer early – and receive such joy in return. READ MORE

Rutgers Professor Sheds New Light on Some of the Oldest Holiday Traditions

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Did you know yuletide caroling began 1,000 years before Christmas existed? Or how about the fact that mistletoe was used to represent immortality long before the holiday reached Europe? And before there was eggnog, the medieval English drank wassail made from mulled ale. Maria Kennedy, an instructor of folklore at Rutgers University–New Brunswick’s Department of American Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences, has researched the European holiday traditions that predate – and became an inseparable part of – Christmas. —What is the origin of Christmas caroling? READ MORE

Local News

Greg Schiano Returns as RU Head Football Coach – NJ native led Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances

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Greg Schiano, who led Rutgers to new heights from 2001-11, returns as the head football coach “On the Banks.” Schiano’s appointment as head coach comes following the Rutgers Board of Governors’ approval today of contract terms.

The Wyckoff, New Jersey, native directed the Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances, coached 83 RU players who signed NFL contracts and guided the program to the top APR score in the nation during his previous 11 seasons in Piscataway. He was named the 2006 National Coach of the Year. Schiano, who has three nine-win campaigns and coached 16 Rutgers All-America selections, holds a 68-67 record as the Rutgers head coach, including a 56-33 mark in his last seven seasons. The 68 wins are fourth in school history, behind Frank Burns (78), Harvey Harman (74) and John Bateman (73). “Rutgers University and this football program have meant the world to me and my family,” said Schiano.”I arrived here in 2000 with the goal to build a program that would be a source of pride for the state of New Jersey and develop great young men. READ MORE

Arts & Entertainment

Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers Is Certified Sensory Inclusive

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KultureCity has partnered with the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University to make all of the programs and events that the museum organizes to be sensory inclusive. This new initiative promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue who visit the Zimmerli. The certification process, coordinated by curator of education Amanda Potter, entailed the staff at the Zimmerli being trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those visitors with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker), and weighted lap pads also are available to all guests at the Zimmerli who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. READ MORE

Business

Celebrate and Support the Highland Park Retail Community – and Bring Joy to Everyone

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Don’t Miss the Fun! Small Business Weekend in Highland Park
Saturday Nov 30 & Sunday Dec 1

SMALL BUSINESS DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Follow our Small Business page — Highland Park’s business deals, discounts, and events will be posted on our page! HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET
Saturday 11/30, 12 pm – 7 pm & Sunday 12/1, 12 pm – 4 pm
212 Raritan Ave
Vendors, live music, photos with Santa, caroling, food trucks, and a gingerbread house contest

TREE LIGHTING
Saturday 11/30, 6 pm – 7 pm
212 Raritan Ave
Live music, caroling, hot chocolate…and Santa on the Highland Park fire truck! FREE MOVIE: STAR WARS
Saturday 11/30, 8 pm
Inside Pino’s, 4 North 4th Ave
The Highland Park Outdoor Movie Theater is delighted to present the original theatrical release of STAR WARS! CENTRAL JERSEY POP-UP FLEA MARKET
Saturday 11/30, 10 am – 7 pm & Sunday 12/1, 10 am – 4 pm
431 Raritan Ave
Vendors, food trucks, and live music

MUSIC AROUND TOWN
Roving caroling courtesy of the Highland Park Community Chorus on Saturday & roving troubadour Dennis MC DoNoUgh! READ MORE

Arts & Entertainment

Give a Gift of Love in Motion – Gift Certificate for Princeton Ballet School Classes

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Princeton
Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, now has gift
certificates available to make it easy to give the gift of dance to a
friend or loved one for the holidays…or anytime. The school offers a variety of
ballet programs and other dance classes for both beginner-level and experienced
dancers ages three through adult.

As a former
principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, and
currently the executive director of Princeton Ballet School and American
Repertory Ballet, Julie Diana Hench knows how well dancing can position
individuals for success throughout their lives. “Dance has many proven benefits
beyond the studio,” says Ms. Hench. “It teaches you how to be resilient, how to
work hard, problem solve, and express yourself creatively. Giving the gift of
dance can have a lasting positive impact on an individual’s life.”

Princeton
Ballet School gift certificates can be applied to Hand-in-Hand classes, Open
Enrollment classes, New Student registration, Current Student tuition and
Summer classes. READ MORE

Local News

State Climatologist Sheds Some Light on the Record Cold Temperatures in NJ

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Today’s low temperature in New Brunswick was 20 degrees, a record for Nov. 13 dating back to 1896, according to Dr. David A. Robinson, the New Jersey State Climatologist and a distinguished professor in the Department of Geography in the School of Arts and Sciences. The previous record was 23 degrees in 1920. Today’s low was also the fifth coldest temperature on record in New Brunswick for so early in the season, according to Dr. Robinson, who oversees the Rutgers NJ Weather Network and helps coordinate the New Jersey Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. Last Saturday’s low fell to 19 degrees and was the coldest for Nov. READ MORE