MADISON — Girl Scout Troop # 5631 and TMC members Susan Elko, Janice Corte, and TMC President Betty Landi met two nights in January at the Madison Community House to make fleece blankets. TMC members taught the Girl Scouts, all juniors at Madison High School, how to make the blankets.
It was a great partnership, and everyone enjoyed the project. The girls made nine blankets, which TMC Advocates for Children representative Janice Corte presented to CASA Director Lisa Firkser. These blankets are donated to children in foster care.
FLORHAM PARK – Florham Park Police department has announced the return of the Junior Police Academy.
The program will return this summer from June 26 through June 30.
The program application and requirements will be available in March.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Support Services Sgt. Joel Phillips at (973) 410-5428 or johillips@fppd.net with any questions regarding the Junior Police Academy.
Elan's Bistro Cafe is located at 48 Stiles Lane, Pine Brook
MORRIS COUNTY — We can agree to disagree, but as far as I’m concerned, New Jersey lays claim to many of the finest Italian American restaurants in the Country. In the general Parsippany area alone, we are very fortunate to experience and enjoy a memorable dining experience at any of those elite eateries. I recently did get that opportunity with a visit to a relative newcomer to the local culinary scene, Elian’s Bistro Café, located in Pine Brook.
The color scheme of grays over natural brick, with minimal but tasteful décor, perfectly suits this small, family-owned, operated eatery. In the true sense of a bistro, the ambiance is one of a comfortable, intimate, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. Simple, yet with an air of unpretentious refinement. Ten small tables are spaced comfortably throughout the limited dining area to ensure customer comfort.
The color scheme of grays over natural brick, with minimal but tasteful décor, perfectly suits this small, family-owned, operated eatery.
Large plate glass windows provide adequate and comfortable lighting throughout the entirety of the dining room. One large screen T.V. is set up quietly behind the host station, should that be of interest to anyone. The restaurant is named after Edgar and Merced’s five-year-old son, Elian.
Chef Edgar Sanchez, like so many accomplished chefs I have interviewed over the years, began his culinary journey working as a dishwasher at the young age of 16. Arriving in the U.S. from the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1997, Chef Sanchez first settled in the City of Hoboken, where his first job was at the City Bistro Restaurant Lounge, eventually moving on to the Sonoma Bistro in Rutherford, where his mastery of Italian cuisine blossomed.
Pat Minutillo, Merced, and Chef Edgar Sanchez
Eventually, working his way up the chain from Line Chef to the gifted Chef he is today. Always hungry to learn, the Chef began to hone his impressive culinary skills by watching, studying, and emulating the many talented chefs he has worked with throughout his career.
Like all outstanding Chefs, his passion, pride, and Joy of cooking are reflected in all his creations. Now, Chef Sanchez brings those attributes, developed and enhanced by his twenty-plus years of refining his Italian recipes, to Elian’s Bistro Café, his first venture as a business owner, which he opened along with his wife, Merced, in April of 2022.
Pat eating Chef Edgar Sanchez’s Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake with almond cinnamon crusted and fresh whipped cream.
After hearing several highly complementary reviews regarding Elian’s, my usual group of Friday dining friends and I were anxious to give Elian’s a try. Outside the restaurant is a spacious off-street parking lot, providing ample parking, which is always nice. The stylish, inviting, brown brick and sparkling glass-faced restaurant, with green signage announcing American, Italian (Brunch-Lunch-Dinner), is situated on the side of a small business complex. Less than half a mile from the Parsippany border. On entry, most of the seating was filled with diners enjoying their lunch, but I made reservations, and several tables were set up and prepared to accommodate our group.
Our host and co-owner, Merced, cheerfully greeted us and ensured we were comfortably seated.
Wine bottles were uncorked (did I mention Elian’s is a BYOB), water glasses were filled, and menus quickly arrived. Between lunch and dinner, we all opted to order off the menu. Though not extensive, the menu (common for Bistros) offered a tantalizing variety of appetizers, main courses, pasta, soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The Chef, who was busy in the kitchen, welcomed us to his restaurant, which is always a nice touch. After conversing with the owners during and following the meal, it was nice to see that Edgar and Merced were a beautiful couple who were immensely proud of and loved their new endeavor.
As usual, we ordered an assortment of shareable appetizers. Homemade Burrata Cheese (Orange marmalade, prosciutto di Parma, crostini, and crumbled candied pecans), Spicy Tuna Tartare (Avocado, jalapeno, sesame soy sauce, and crispy wonton), Crispy Fried Calamari (Hot Cherry Peppers, lemon, with house-made marinara sauce), and Guacamole en Molcajete (Fresh made guacamole, jalapenos, onions, lime juice, and fresh corn tortilla chips). Yes, I did say guacamole! What makes Elian’s unique is the eclectic nature of its menu. Besides gourmet-style Italian dishes and standard American fare, you will find several items particular to Chef’s homeland, including such dishes as Guacamole, Empanadas, and a Burrito Bowl (served with jasmine rice, lettuce, beans, corn Pico de Gallo, guacamole, mozzarella cheese, and homemade salsa) can be customized). Every app was fresh and delicious and quickly devoured, from the soft textured, creamy stracciatella Burrata Cheese (one of my favorites), to the light-tasting, soft tuna Calamari that was perfectly prepared and perfectly complemented by the tangy and tasty marinara sauce. Finally, the nutty flavor and smooth, creamy texture of the guacamole had that mild, sweet flavor one looks for in a well-made guacamole. I should note every dish was homemade and beautifully presented, utilizing only fresh, seasonal ingredients. The focus at Elian’s is clearly on quality, not quantity, though the portion sizes are more than adequate. Great start; every appetizer was a home run.
As we bantered with Merced while clearing our plates and as we sipped our diminishing wine, we began the challenging task of choosing our entrees. As I said earlier, the selection was not extensive, but every dish listed appeared more mouthwatering than the next.
For dinner, selections included pistachio Crusted Branzino, Pan Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Braised Beef of Short Ribs, Homemade Pappardelle Pasta, and Spicy Cajun Rigatoni, to name a few. Soups, salads, and burgers were tempting, with selections like Lobster Shrimp Bisque and Candied Pecan Pear Salad. Not an easy decision!
Braised Beef of Short Ribs (Truffle Manchego whipped potatoes and crispy onions)
For my entrée, I focused on the Braised Beef of Short Ribs (Truffle Manchego whipped potatoes and crispy onions). The short ribs were delectable, savory, moist, and juicy, and they broke apart at the touch of my fork. Absolutely exquisite dish, perfectly complimented by the Truffle Manchego cheese whipped potatoes, whose flavors were complex, earthy, and smooth. Masterfully made, well-balanced dish, equivalent to what I would expect in a high-end fine-dining restaurant.
Goat Cheese Potato Gnocchi (Italian hot sausage, petite broccoli rabe, toasted pine nuts, short ribs, and butter sauce).
Bobby A. ordered the Goat Cheese Potato Gnocchi (Italian hot sausage, petite broccoli rabe, toasted pine nuts, short ribs, and butter sauce). He loved it! The mild and lightly sweet goat cheese and flavorful sausage clearly melded perfectly with accompanying ingredients, all in a tasty and flavor-filled butter sauce.
Bucatini Pasta (Homemade veal meatballs, Chile flakes, basil, pecorino cheese, and spicy pomodoro sauce)
Mike Z. chose the Bucatini Pasta (Homemade veal meatballs, Chile flakes, basil, pecorino cheese, and spicy pomodoro sauce). The hole-centered, thick spaghetti-like pasta clearly hit the spot as all our plates were cleaned. The pomodoro sauce, thicker but smoother than marinara sauce, was perfect for the pasta. No take-home containers this day! As for Rich C., he went in a different direction with the French Dip Sandwich (Sliced New York strip steak, caramelized onions, provolone cheese, horseradish cream, and au jus). Our dining experience was completed with a Cappuccino and a complimentary, decadent dessert sent out by the Chef, his Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake with almond cinnamon crusted and fresh whipped cream. Wow, you must try this when you visit!
French Dip Sandwich (Sliced New York strip steak, caramelized onions, provolone cheese, horseradish cream, and au jus)
The consensus was that this was a delicious and satisfying meal. The service and hospitality were outstanding. Chef Edgar created magic in the kitchen. If you are looking for a nice stop for brunch, lunch, or dinner, do yourself a favor and try Elian’s Bistro Café. (The brunch menu consists of many regular fares, including eggs benedicts, bananas foster, stuffed French toast, grilled steak sandwich, El Burrito bowl, truffle egg flatbread, Mexican pork carnitas chilaquiles, among assorted other choices).
Whatever you choose, you will taste Chef Sanchez’s true passion and love of cooking in every bite. And as he says on his site, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”
Hours: Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dine In – Take Out – Delivery – Outside Dining (Weather Permitting); Off-Street Parking – Catering – Reservations Accepted.
MONTVILLE — The Attorney General’s Office released video from officers’ body-worn cameras about a deadly police-involved shooting at Knights Inn, Pine Brook, on Saturday, December 31.
James Allandale, 61, formerly known as James Allan, of Denville, sustained fatal injuries in the incident at the motel on Route 46 on New Year’s Eve.
According to the preliminary information, members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) were at the motel to assist Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives with taking Mr. Allandale into custody based on an arrest warrant issued for Mr. Allandale, charging him with attempted murder and other related charges in connection with an incident on December 27 in Elmwood Park.
Detectives ascertained that Mr. Allandale was inside a particular room, and members of the Morris County SERT made entry at approximately 7:18 p.m., whereupon Mr. Allandale exchanged gunfire with Sgt. Fred Jackson of the Denville Police Department and Morristown Police Sgt. James Krauss, who are members of the Morris County SERT.
A paramedic attached to the SERT was on the scene to provide advanced life support, but Mr. Allandale was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:27 p.m.
Authorities recovered a firearm near the decedent. The two officers were transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and were released.
The shooting is under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 designed to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a state law enacted in January 2019 (P.L. 2019, c.1), which requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct all investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. Separately, the Independent Prosecutor Directive, issued in December 2019, outlines a 10-step process for conducting these investigations. The Directive establishes clear procedures governing such investigations to ensure that they are conducted in a full, impartial, and transparent. Under state law and the Directive, when the entire investigation is complete, the case will be presented to a grand jury, typically consisting of 16 to 23 citizens, to decide whether criminal charges will be filed.
MORRIS COUNTY — “Assemblyman Jay Webber must immediately stop using my late husband’s name to gain political points,” declared BettyLou DeCroce, a former Assemblywoman who is now running for state legislature in the new 26th legislative district (Morris and Passaic).
Assemblyman Jay Webber
“Jay’s actions are unseemly, desperate and hurtful,” added DeCroce whose husband Alex, a former Assembly Minority Leader, who died on the floor of the Statehouse in 2012.
DeCroce said Webber has raised the name of Alex DeCroce before Republican organization gatherings and most recently on Thursday, February 9, at the Parsippany Republican club to suggest that he and the former minority leader had a shared political philosophy and strong friendship.
“Alex and Jay were never great friends, Alex did not share many of Jay’s views and he perceived Jay as overly ambitious and untrustworthy,” said BettyLou DeCroce.
“Jay may want Republican voters to think that he was close to my husband, but that’s not true. In fact, there was one huge difference between Alex and Jay. Alex went to Trenton to get things done. Jay goes to Trenton to make meaningless speeches and goes home,” said BettyLou DeCroce.
BettyLou DeCroce said her husband’s death was mourned by many Republican leaders including Gov. Chris Christie, State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Sen. Kevin O’Toole and Morris County Sherriff Edward Rochford and many others.
MORRIS COUNTY — Paul DeGroot of Montville has declared his candidacy for a seat on the Morris County Board of Commissioners and submitted his petition to be eligible for the Morris County Republican Committee convention on March 4, 2023.
DeGroot, a former Passaic County Prosecutor, says he is looking to bring his law enforcement credentials to county government at a time when car thefts, robberies, and home break-ins have become serious concerns for many residents.
“Thanks to the policies of New Jersey Democrats, criminals have become emboldened and are operating with little fear of being punished for their crimes,” says DeGroot. “I don’t think we can expect much help from the state, so county government will have to step up to protect our residents.”
DeGroot’s entry in the Commissioner race sets up a repeat battle between him and incumbent Commissioner Tayfun Selen, whom DeGroot defeated in last year’s Republican Primary for the right to represent the GOP in District 11 Congressional race.
“I have already shown that Commissioner Selen can be beaten and lacks commitment to core Republican values to represent our Republican Party,” said DeGroot, a lawyer in private practice.
DeGroot said Republicans cannot take the risk of Selen running in November. “New Jersey’s Democratic Party is coming after Morris County. They will pour money and manpower into the November campaign.”
“We don’t need a weak candidate who is more concerned with taking photos with Democrats than he is with standing up for conservative Republican values,” said DeGroot, referring to Selen. We need a County Commissioner candidate unafraid to take on the Democratic Party, which often bashes Republican positions on important issues such as illegal immigration.
“Commissioner Selen has little interest in working for the people of Morris County. He is more interested in propelling himself up the political ladder than fighting for conservative values,” said DeGroot, noting that Selen has gone from local office in Chatham to county office and attempted to run for Congress. During that time, said DeGroot, “Mr. Selen has amassed a totally undistinguished record.”
DeGroot said he could bring a new perspective to the commission board, including a new focus on financial issues. He noted that while Selen has been running on a stable county tax levy for the past three years, the reality is that the county budget has increased by millions. Still, the increases have been offset by growth in tax ratables – a result of new construction and property inflation. “You cannot keep increasing spending and hoping that tax ratables increase year after year to cover the costs to taxpayers. Eventually, the spending will catch up to you.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morristown Police Department Chief Darnell Richardson announce that 25-year-old Imani Glover, reported missing from Morristown, has been found.
Imani Glover, of Morristown, was initially reported missing to the Morristown Police Department by her mother on January 8, 2023.
Through the extensive cooperative efforts of the Morristown Police Department, New York City Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies working with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Missing Persons Unit, Glover was located.
Prosecutor Carroll thanked our law enforcement partners for their efforts during this investigation and the public for their assistance and expressions of concern about Glover’s wellbeing.
EAST HANOVER — The Morris County Republican Committee is ecstatic to welcome its newest Republicans to the party. After months of good conversations, Mayor Joseph Pannullo, Council President Frank DeMaio, Councilman Brian Brokaw, Councilwoman Carolyn Jandoli, and Councilman Michael Martorelli have officially switched parties from Democrat to Republican.
The party switch means that East Hanover has gone from a 5-0 Democratic town to a 5-0 Republican town.
Morris County Republican Chairwoman Laura Ali is thrilled. “The Republican Party in Morris County is welcoming Mayor Pannullo and East Hanover’s four Council members to our family with open arms and great excitement! East Hanover is an exceptionally run town with great leadership. We clearly share the same values as Mayor Pannullo and his Council, and we are so excited to have them be part of our Republican family. This wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary working relationship between Hanover Township Mayor Ace Gallagher and the local East Hanover government. I can’t thank Mayor Gallagher enough for his help in making this possible.”
Mayor Joseph Pannullo and the Township Council announced the change of political party from Democrat to Republican. “Municipal leaders have a responsibility to represent their constituents best, and it is our belief this change of party is in the best interest of the community,” explained Mayor Joe Pannullo. “As the nastiness, rhetoric, and social media vitriol of national politics continues to infiltrate local governance, we collectively determined this was the best course of action to keep the focus on local issues impacting our community – combating the overburdening & unrealistic fair-share housing mandates, keeping taxes stable, enhancing our parks and investing in public safety needs to be our local priorities. Every decision my administration makes is about putting East Hanover first; this is no different.”
Statewide and County Republican officials are also excited about this announcement. Mayor Pannullo and his team have the unanimous support of all Morris County party leaders.
State Senator Joe Pennachio, who will be representing East Hanover after the new redistricting takes place, said, “Congratulations to Chairwoman Ali and team. Allow me to be one of the first to welcome Mayor Pannullo and the Democrat Council into the Republican Party. Whether you are a lifelong Republican or a transplanted Democrat such as me, you are immediately welcomed and accepted without hesitation.
I look forward to working with my new Republican friends to make East Hanover an even better place to live.”
State Senator Anthony Bucco is also ecstatic with the news, “This is a major win for the Republican Party and shows how out of touch and extreme the Democrat party has become. We welcome these well-respected local leaders to our party as we continue to expand our party’s reach”.
Also representing East Hanover after redistricting will be Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who is looking forward to working with the Mayor and Council in East Hanover. “The Republican Party in Morris County has incredible momentum, a great indication of our progress. Mayor Pannullo and his entire Council are a great team, and we are glad to have them join us. 2023 will be a big year, and this is just the beginning.”
The local Republicans in East Hanover are equally excited. “I welcome Mayor Pannullo and the entire Council into the Republican party. We will work together moving East Hanover forward,” the local party chairwoman, Sue Tietjen, said.
This flip has major positive implications for the Republican party statewide. New Jersey Republican Party Chairman Bob Hugin is thrilled:
“I want to commend Mayor Joseph Pannullo, along with Council President Frank DeMaio, Jr, Councilwoman Carolyn Jandoli, and Councilmen Brian Brokaw, Sr. and Michael Martorelli, for making a commonsense choice that will best serve their constituents going forward. I also want to particularly thank Morris County GOP Chair Laura Ali for help facilitating a warm welcome to our new partners in fighting for greater affordability and against Trenton overreach.”
The Morris County Republican Committee will proudly support the Mayor and Council with their full endorsement. A celebration event is being planned for early March. Details will be provided in advance of the event.
For more information, reach out to the Chairwoman of the Republican Party at laura@morrisgop.org.
EAST HANOVER — The East Hanover Health Department will host a SMAC blood testing program for East Hanover and Roseland residents 18 years old and older from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Roseland Borough Hall at 19 Harrison Avenue, Roseland.
According to the Health Department, SMAC is a comprehensive blood test that analyzes more than 20 components, including total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, and a complete blood count.
Nursing staff will provide blood pressure screening, and health education brochures will be available.
To participate in this clinic, attendees must set up an appointment by calling (973) 888-6035; calls can be made from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
For all participants who select SMAC, there is a $20.00 fee. For those who select the SMAC plus the PSA screening, there is a $40.00 fee. In addition to the SMAC test, the prostatic-specific antigen blood test will also be available for men 50 and older and for people 40 and older with added risk factors.
According to the Health Department, those at risk include African American men and men with a family history of cancer.
The fee for the PSA test alone is $25.
Appointments are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fasting is required for the SMAC blood test, meaning no food or drinks are allowed 12 hours before the test. Attendees who are taking medication may continue to do so.
