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Morristown Rotary Club Introduces Culinary Adventure Charity Event

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — In response to the critical increase in demand for local services due to the pandemic, the Morristown Rotary Club is organizing a Culinary Adventure dining experience.

Patrons have been accustomed to attending the ‘Taste of Morristown’ event, and this year the Rotary Club is planning an exciting dining event that will take place on both June 1 or 8 (with a June 15 rain date) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at area restaurants.

All of the proceeds from this event will go to those in need in the community. $50.00 of the $100.00 ticket price will go to participating restaurants and $50.00 of each ticket will go to local food banks, veterans organizations, children’s organizations, and other local charities.

According to Denise Flanagan, event chair, “The Culinary Adventure is a wonderful way to support and enjoy Morristown area restaurants and support those in need in our community.”

At the event, sixteen guests will be seated in an outdoor space. The state/CDC guidelines for social distancing will be followed. Guests will be treated to a three-course prix fixe dinner at a Morristown area restaurant and enjoy personal interaction with the chef who will share his or her specialty, and/or describe the artistry of your meal.

Reservations close ten days prior to the event date. Guests who wish to be seated together should place one combined paid reservation to guarantee that they are at the same location (Patrons will be responsible for gratuities and alcoholic beverages). Part of the adventure is that your location is secret until a week prior to the event. At this time patrons will receive a personalized invitation with all of the details. For more information, and to purchase tickets, go to www.morristownrotary.org. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

The Morristown Rotary Club is the local chapter of an international humanitarian service organization consisting of community volunteers. Rotary meets weekly to discuss, adapt and plan service projects, recognize members’ successes and achievements, and enjoy fellowship. More information can be found by clicking here.

 

Walk-Ins Allowed at Morris County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega Site

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — All six vaccine mega-sites are open for walk-in vaccinations.  Residents, 16 and up can come to the mega-sites between select times.

Locations of the mega-sites are:

  • Morris County Megasite (Rockaway Townsquare, 301 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rockaway): 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
  • Atlantic County Megasite (Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City): 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Bergen County Megasite (Racetrack at Meadowlands, 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford): 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
  • Burlington County Megasite (Moorestown Mall, 400 NJ-38, Moorestown): 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Gloucester County Megasite (Rowan College of South Jersey, 1400 Tanyard Road, Sewell): 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Middlesex County Megasite (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison): 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Pre-registration via the Atlantic Health site remains the preferred method by clicking here.

SBA Administrator Guzman Announces Application Opening for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, at 9:00 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

“Restaurants are the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on main streets across the nation. They are among the businesses that have been hardest hit and need support to survive this pandemic. We want restaurants to know that help is here,” said Administrator Guzman. “The SBA has focused on the marketplace realities of our food and beverage businesses in designing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to meet businesses where they are. And we are committed to equity to ensure our smaller and underserved businesses, which have suffered the most, can access this critical relief, recover, and grow more resilient.”

Established under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023.

“Recognizing the great urgency to help restaurants keep their doors open – and with a clear mandate from Congress – the SBA worked at a breakneck speed and is excited to launch this program,” said Patrick Kelley, SBA Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access. “From day one, we engaged with diverse stakeholders in the food industry community to make sure we built and delivered the program equitably, quickly, and efficiently.”

In preparation, the SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by:

  • Registering for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30, at 9:00 a.m. EDT.
  • Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
  • Preparing the required documentation.
  • Working with a point-of-sale vendor or visiting restaurants.sba.gov to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]
  • Attending a live recorded virtual training webinar.

For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Consistent with the legislation and the intent of Congress, the SBA continues to take steps to ensure the equitable distribution of relief, particularly for the smallest businesses, by creating a $9.5 billion set-aside: $5 billion for applicants with 2019 gross receipts of not more than $500,000; $4 billion is set aside for applicants with 2019 gross receipts from $500,001 to $1,500,000; and $500 million for applicants with 2019 gross receipts, not more than $50,000.

For more information click here or in Spanish by clicking here.

Governor Murphy Announces Loosening of COVID-19 Restrictions

By
Frank Cahill
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Governor Phil Murphy

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy announced the easing of restrictions for a variety of activities and higher outdoor capacity limits, effective May 10. The changes, which include higher outdoor gathering limits, higher large venue outdoor capacities, higher maximum capacities for private catered events, and more, come as COVID-19 metrics are on the decline and as more New Jerseyans continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our robust COVID-19 vaccination program is starting to show results through lower COVID-19 case metrics including a decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Governor Murphy. “This allows us to take steps so that New Jerseyans can have a much more normal summer including allowing for students to celebrate important milestones and events like graduations and proms in person. We hope to announce further reopening steps in the coming weeks as more and more state residents get vaccinated.”

“The continued cooperation with public health preventive measures and increasing vaccination rates among New Jersey residents allows for this easing of restrictions in the state,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.  “We encourage all residents 16 and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It will not only protect you, but it will help us drive down community spread, so we can reopen the state further.”

The changes include:

Outdoor Gatherings
The outdoor gathering limit will be raised to 500 persons from 200 persons. COVID-19 metrics will continue to be evaluated with the hope of raising the limit again, perhaps considerably, prior to Memorial Day.

Large Venue Outdoor Capacity
Outdoor capacity limits will be raised to 50% capacity for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more. The current limit is 30% capacity for venues with 2,500 fixed seats or more.  All attendees at these events are required to be six feet apart from other attendees, except that individuals who purchase or reserve tickets together may be seated together, but must be six feet away from all other groups or individuals in all directions.

Maximum Capacity for Indoor Certain Indoor Activities
Capacity limits for indoor private catered events, including proms, will be raised to 50% capacity of the room in which the event is being held with a maximum of 250 individuals. The current limit is 35% capacity of the room in which the event is held with a maximum of 150 individuals.  These events must continue to follow all indoor dining protocols

The limit for political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances occurring indoors will similarly increase to 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 individuals.  Indoor religious services will continue to operate at 50% capacity, without a numerical cap.

Dance Floors at Indoor Catered Events
Dance floors will be permitted to open at indoor private catered events, including proms with masking and social distancing requirements in place.  Dance floors will remain closed at bars and other related businesses, such as nightclubs.

Graduations and Proms
Schools and universities will be able to utilize the newly-raised outdoor gathering and large venue capacity limits to hold more robust graduation ceremonies.  Proms will benefit from the increases to indoor private catered event capacity and the allowance of dance floors at such events. The Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will be issuing guidance to assist schools and institutions in preparing for these end-of-year events.

Carnivals and Fairs
Effective May 10, carnivals and fairs are explicitly permitted to operate at outdoor amusement business capacity limits, which currently stand at 50% capacity.

An Executive Order and guidance will be issued on both day and overnight camp operations on Wednesday, April 28.

Click here to review a copy of DOE Guidance

Click here to download a copy of OSHE Guidance

Adopt: Romeo, and Julietta are Siblings and are a Bonded Pair

By
Frank Cahill
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0

MORRIS COUNTY — Romeo, and Julietta are siblings and are a bonded pair. They were found in the parking lot of Starbucks in October and were trapped and neutered, but we didn’t have the heart to put them back outside for a long cold winter ahead. We decided we would foster them and try and socialize them but I knew I couldn’t keep them. They have been in our heated garage and they are being well taken care of. We know they are ready for a home environment and would love to find them their furever home together. Romeo likes attention and is more outgoing than his sister but she relies on him to feel more comfortable around people. She is very sweet. They have both come a long way since we have had them and are around a year old now.

They love to get treats, play with their toys, and love to sit in the sun and look out the window and watch the world go by.

If you are able and willing to open your heart and your home and take in Romeo and Juliet it is imperative they remain together. One would be lost without the other. Please know that you will need a gentle voice, a gentle touch, and a bit of patience so that Romeo and Juliet can build their trust and love for their new family.

They have comforted each other through thick and thin and have been so grateful not to wonder each day where they will sleep or get their next meal. Once they feel comfortable, they will give you hours of unconditional love. They will show how much they appreciate the opportunity to have a forever family each time you are close to them and you hear them purr!

Thank you for considering adopting this precious pair. If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Click here to follow Wise Animal on Instagram.
Click here to like Wise on Facebook.

DeCroce Asks Governor to Loosen the Reins on Graduation Ceremonies

By
Frank Cahill
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BettyLou DeCroce

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce is urging Gov. Phil Murphy to allow school graduations and proms to resume in June and not to place severe restrictions on the traditional ceremonies.

“Graduating from grammar school or high school is – or attending a prom – is a rite of passage for young people and a way for families to come together and to mark time,” said DeCroce.

“Students and parents have suffered a great deal of social separation in New Jersey in the past year. I think it’s time to lighten up on the restrictions and let families decide how they want to celebrate their children’s graduations and let our children enjoy the proms that will create a lifetime of memories for them.”

The cases of Covid-19 infection are dropping significantly and the number of people who have received covid vaccines is increasing, noted DeCroce. According to a recently published N.Y. Times report on Covid 19 – reported cases dropped 23 percent overall in the state in the last 14 days. In Morris County, the Covid infection rate is down 34 percent; while cases in Essex County went down 17 percent. Passaic County saw a slight uptick of 5 percent.  Only four counties in the state showed an increase in Covid-19 cases and in most cases the numbers were relatively small – less than 40.

Nearly 7 million vaccination doses have been administered in New Jersey with nearly 3 million people fully vaccinated, which represents a third of the population.

DeCroce said with vaccinations increasing daily, a majority of the state should be fully vaccinated by June.

“I’m not sounding the all-clear signal on the virus, but I believe people have enough information to decide for themselves if they want to attend a graduation ceremony and a prom — provided they take the correct precautions,” says DeCroce. “Let the parents and school board decide what is best for themselves.”

“For more than a year, state officials have been wagging their fingers at people and treating them like children. I believe it is time to treat our citizens like adults,” said DeCroce.

Hanover Township Committee Meeting – April 8, 2021

By
Frank Cahill
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0

HANOVER — Hanover Township Committee Meeting – April 8, 2021.

Click here to download a copy of the agenda.

ROI-NJ Recognizes Marketsmith CEO Monica Smith as One of N.J.’s Top 50 Women in Business

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Monica Smith

HANOVER — Marketsmith Inc., the largest independent, full-service marketing agency in New Jersey, announced that its Founder and CEO, Monica C. Smith, has been named one of the “Top 50 Women in Business” (2021) by ROI-NJ.

It has been an impressive year of growth for Marketsmith, one of the fastest-growing women-owned firms in the state. The company has built its reputation and business on its patented analytics software, MarketsmithIQ™, and human ingenuity, giving the agency and its clients the data and analytics to inform the decision-making process.

Some of the firm’s prominent New Jersey clients include The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance – Get Covered N.J., New Jersey’s Official Healthcare Insurance Marketplace, NJ Lottery, PSE&G NJ, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program.

“I am honored to be named an ‘ROI Influencer’ for the publication’s ‘Women in Business List,’ which features a group that I am proud to be a part of,” said Smith. “This accolade reflects the hard work and determination of our team and the incredible results we’ve been able to generate for our clients across a number of industries – from energy/utility companies and consumer brands to government agencies.”

Marketsmith uses data to optimize brand communication and deliver greater return on investment (ROI) launching products that grow brands from challenger to champions. Its campaigns rely on MarketsmithIQ’s patented algorithms, which can predict outcomes with 94% accuracy.*

Smith founded Marketsmith in 1999, on the idea that technology and humanity are inextricably linked when it comes to creating successful consumer-centric marketing. She has driven Marketsmith to become one of the largest woman-owned and operated independent media and marketing agencies in the country. She is considered one of the strongest active CEOs in media today – especially in omnichannel media strategy driving retail success.

“Monica is a woman who lifts the people around her, constantly inspiring and challenging each team member to reach their potential and navigate through complex landscapes to deliver for our clients,” said Carina Pologruto, Chief Innovation Officer at Marketsmith. “In 15 years of working together, there has not been a day where she has not made me smarter. It’s truly an honor to work beside her and continue to see her brilliance, tenacity, and heart make our team, community, and state better than they were the day before.”

Amid challenging economic setbacks due to COVID-19, Marketsmith introduced several new services to accommodate work-from-home (WFH) setups – including remote-produced digital video solutions, turnkey direct-response TV campaigns, and other creative services.

Similarly, according to Smith, her leadership style adapted upon the outbreak of the pandemic – focusing more on balancing and managing the demands of her staff’s professional and personal lives. The Marketsmith CEO introduced more agility in the firm’s day-to-day operations – an approach that drove continued professional growth and the hiring of 13 new staffers in the past 12 months.

Smith added: “Marketsmith’s campaigns create the ability to see around corners and provide total prescriptive solutions for the ‘modern human experience.’ We are powered by world-class data science, unmatched talent, and effective, patented offerings.”

Marketsmith’s client roster continues to grow, as the company is working with energy and utility entities throughout the region and country, plus prominent companies like Lovesac, SharkNinja, and Brother International, among others.

Smith holds several industry patents and was also named to ROI-NJ’s Power Technology List in 2021.

For more information about Marketsmith’s campaign management and award-winning solutions click here.

Marketsmith Inc. is one of the largest independent, woman-owned agencies of its kind and is among the nation’s fastest-growing integrated marketing agencies. Headquartered just miles from New York City for over 20 years, the full-service firm offers marketing, media, creative, and data solutions. Marketsmith Inc.’s approach is consultative and collaborative for all of its clients’ needs – these include some of the finest companies and public entities in the Tri-State Area, along with national consumer goods corporations. Marketsmith Inc. has built its reputation and business on its patented analytics software and human ingenuity, giving the agency and its clients the data and analytics to inform every decision from strategy to media to creative. LGBT- and WBENC-certified, the firm “makes challenger brands champions.”

Morris County Acting Prosecutor Swears in New and Rejoined Staff

By
Frank Cahill
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Acting Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Detective Richard C and Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker

MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker announce the hiring of Richard Calo as Detective and Dan Haber to rejoin the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as Prosecutor’s Agent.

On Monday, April 19, 2021, Acting Prosecutor Carroll and Chief Kimker held a ceremony for the incoming Morris County Prosecutor’s Office staff members.

Detective Calo has been assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts and Administration Division.

During his law enforcement career, Detective Calo has served as a state corrections officer for the New Jersey Department of Corrections, police officer and task force officer on loan to the Firearms Interdiction Team for the Newark Police Department, and security officer for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. Having graduated from the United States Air Force and Naval Construction Battalion Center, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Thomas Edison State University.

Prosecutor’s Agent Haber has been assigned to the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit with the Tactical Division.

A former Detective Sergeant, Prosecutor’s Agent Haber served the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for 16 years in such capacities as the Specialized Crimes Unit – Financial Crimes/Internal Affairs, Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, Major Crimes/Homicide Unit, Fugitive Unit, Missing Persons/Juvenile Unit, and Trial Unit. Prosecutor’s Agent Haber completed several professional development courses and holds various certifications, and has attended three law enforcement academies. He holds a Master of Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Arts from William Paterson University.

Acting Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Agent Dan Haber, and Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker

Frances McCormick Inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Frances McCormick

BOONTON —  Frances McCormick was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. McCormick was initiated at Kean University.

McCormick is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards more than $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national, and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi click here.

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