Highland Park Planet - Community journalism. Welcome to our Planet.

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) presents a fantastical forest of faries, eleves, and mischief grows in New Brunswick, N.J. with the world premiere of Ethan Stiefel’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, April 1-3, 2022 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. His first full-length ballet for the company since being named Artistic Director in the summer of 2021, Stiefel’s magical production for audiences of all ages will be performed in collaboration with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Bean. Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s iconic score with additional music written for film by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, the enchanting production will transport audiences to a fantastical forest filled with fairies, elves, mischief, romance, joy and love. ARB’s Artistic Associate and American Ballet Theatre principal ballerina Gillian Murphy will dance the role of Oberon, leader of the elves. “I can’t wait to dance in the world premiere of this incredibly unique, magical, and entertaining production,” says Murphy. “The story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is such a treat to watch or perform, and I’m thrilled to portray Oberon for the first time in such a brilliant new version created by the one and only Ethan Stiefel.”

Stiefel’s artistic vision employs an expansive choreographic vocabulary, with a style and dynamic that veers from tradition. READ MORE

The ordinance permits the operation of cannabis dispensaries (up to six retail dispensary licenses and one medical dispensary license) and delivery of cannabis products in the borough. The retail cannabis outlets can operate only in the Central Business District. The ordinance prohibits cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and wholesale
businesses from operating in the borough. READ MORE

Germany was the first to adopt daylight saving time on May 1, 1916, during World War I as a way to conserve fuel. The rest of Europe followed soon after. The United States didn’t adopt daylight saving time until March 19, 1918. It was unpopular and abolished after World War I.

On Feb. 9 ,1942, Franklin Roosevelt instituted a year-round daylight saving time, which he called “war time.” READ MORE

Middlesex County’s photography contest, Picture Middlesex County, is back by popular demand this Spring. The contest runs from March 8 – May 17, 2022, and is open to all New Jersey residents. 

“Once again the Picture Middlesex County photography contest is giving individuals the chance to shine by submitting photos that showcase life in Middlesex County,” said Director of the Board of County Commissioners Ronald G. Rios. “From photos of landscapes to close-ups of plants, insects, birds and other wildlife, there are many remarkable photograph opportunities in Middlesex County, and we look forward to seeing what residents submit this Spring. Not only is Spring a great time to get outdoors and explore what our beautiful County has to offer, but it’s the ideal backdrop to showcase Middlesex County’s diverse communities as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The photo contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers, youth to adult.  Ages 17 and under require parent/guardian consent on the entry form. Photos must be taken within Middlesex County, New Jersey, and must be taken within the timeframe of the contest. READ MORE

NJSpotlight March 10, 2022 by John Reitmeyer, Budget and Finance Writer

New Jersey’s lowest-income senior and disabled homeowners would get the biggest benefits under the expanded direct property-tax relief program Gov. Phil Murphy is calling on lawmakers to enact later this year. Many renters would become newly eligible for rebates, if lawmakers approve. And lower-income senior and disabled renters would also collect the largest of those checks, according to details provided by the Department of Treasury. Murphy included the property-tax relief proposal in the nearly $49 billion state budget he unveiled to lawmakers earlier this week. Murphy’s proposal would expand income limits and allow more than 1 million homeowners to receive the state-funded relief benefits. READ MORE

Since launching in May 2021, the Middlesex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program has distributed more than $11 million in combined assistance for renter households in Middlesex County. This includes more than $10.6 million in rental assistance and nearly $790K in utilities assistance.Millions of dollars are still available for distribution; eligible renters are urged to apply for assistance today. Information can be found atMiddlesexcountynj.gov/rentalassistance. MCERAP, which is funded through a $24.6 million grant from the federal government, is open to renter households in Middlesex County that meet specific criteria (see below). Funding is distributed on a priority basis, directly to landlords and utility companies. Assistance is limited to a maximum of 12 months of arrears and cannot be provided for rental and/or utility arrears incurred prior to March 2020. READ MORE

Police are looking for Jakil Bryant of Highland Park, who was last seen this morning, February 23, in the area of Magnolia Street and South 2nd Ave after he ran from arresting officers. READ MORE

This week, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) opened the application portal for the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program (ERMA). To help protect homeowners from foreclosure, this program will provide assistance to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If eligible, you could receive up to $35,000 in the form of a three-year forgivable loan, with no interest or payments due. NJHMFA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their families. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to internet or anyone needing assistance with the application. READ MORE

During this week’s COVID-19 briefing, Governor Murphy announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers, effective March 7th, 2022. School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandate is lifted in March. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying, should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask

Until March 7th, 2022, masks must be worn indoors by staff, students, and visitors in all situations except as described in EO 251. This includes physical education classes, prior to boarding the school bus, while on the bus and until students are completely off the bus. READ MORE

New Brunswick, New Jersey – American Repertory Ballet (ARB) will open its spring season with a festive evening of whimsy, world premieres, and gorgeous dancing at its Mask-erade Gala on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). This major fundraising event supports the organization’s artistic, educational, and community engagement programs.

The performance program will feature an exclusive sneak peek of Ethan Stiefel’s new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an exhilarating excerpt from the classical ballet Don Quixote; a bewitching duet created by American Ballet Theatre’s Claire Davison; and a showstopping pièce d’occasion by Michael Mindlin, a Princeton Ballet School alum and dance supervisor of Hamilton, among others. Students from Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, will also take the stage. The evening’s honorees include the Rutgers Global Health Institute; Jeffrey Grosser, Princeton’s Deputy Administrator of Health and Community Services; and the Princeton Spine & Joint Center, for enabling ARB and Princeton Ballet School dancers to safely return to the studio and the stage. “These health partners have been instrumental in helping us safely navigate the ongoing pandemic,” says Julie Diana Hench, Executive Director. READ MORE