PARSIPPANY — February 8, 2019, will mark the fifth anniversary of Night to Shine, the unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. In just four years, Night to Shine has truly become a worldwide movement and next month, more than 200,000 volunteers in more than 650 host churches will serve more than 100,000 honored guests simultaneously on one night, Friday, February 8, across all 50 states, 38 international locations in 23 countries and 35 different denominations! Once again this year, Liquid Church, 299 Webro Road will be a host church.

Night to Shine, Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation will be held at Liquid Church

“We have been so blown away by how God has continued to grow Night to Shine. I never imagined that Night to Shine would have grown this way when we started in 2014, but it is definitely a reminder that we serve a limitless God,” shared Tim Tebow, Founder and Chairman of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “As I reflect on how far Night to Shine has come, I am just so thankful for every host church, volunteer, sponsor and donor who has answered the call over the past five years.”

Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors for each honored guest and, of course, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

“The vision for Night to Shine is to love people with special needs, it’s to bring the church together and to ultimately change the world through the eyes of people with special needs. February 8th will truly be a night so many people will never forget as each guest is told how much they’re worth and that God loves them and that God has an amazing plan for their life,” shared Tim Tebow.

As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with the official 2019 Night to Shine Planning Manual, the official Night to Shine Prom Kit and personalized guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member. The foundation also is providing financial support to hundreds of churches needing assistance in hosting the event, and this year alone will contribute over $2 million in financial grants to ensure this night reaches as many people with special needs as possible. As Night to Shine’s official Global Corporate Partner, American Residential Services and its network of providers is a major factor in ensuring the foundation is able to continue sustaining the incredible growth of Night to Shine every year.

To be a part of this worldwide event click here to find out where you can attend your local event, volunteer to celebrate people with special needs or donate to help make it all possible.

MORRIS COUNTY — Automated external defibrillators will be required at all college athletic facilities under Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s legislation advanced today by the Higher Education Committee.

“Defibrillators save lives,” said DeCroce. “If a person suffers a sudden cardiac attack the chance of survival increases exponentially when an automated shock is administered. Automatic defibrillators are easy for any untrained bystander to use. By following the simple instructions, they can save a life.”

Sudden cardiac attacks are rare in young athletes, but they are often fatal. When an automatic defibrillator is used, the survival rate for student athletes is 64 percent, and as high as 90 percent when aid is rendered within the first minute.

DeCroce’s bill (A1368) requires two staff members trained in CPR and the use of automatic defibrillators in athletic facilities or student centers during operating hours.

“A college student who survives a brush with death due to a previously undiagnosed heart problem can go on to live a long, productive life with the appropriate medical care,” said DeCroce. “A defibrillator on the wall in a college gym can be the key to the future for any of the young people competing on the floor, or watching in the stands.”

For every minute that passes without defibrillation after a sudden cardiac attack, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent.

State law requires automatic defibrillators at state buildings and K-12 schools, health clubs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

MORRIS COUNTY — PBA 298 Morris County Sheriff’s Office: Bureau of Corrections and Morris County Sheriff’s Office PBA Local 151 donated $3,000 to the Carol W. Julius A. Rippel Breast Center at Morristown Memorial Center. The donation was made in memory of Lisa Di Palma Bonfiglio, who passed away in 2009.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township has been accredited for a sixth consecutive time, mastering standards set by the American Correctional Association for jails on nutrition, security, cleanliness and quality of life.

A three-member team of auditors for the American Correctional Association, a private, non-profit corrections accrediting group, toured, examined records, and talked to staff and inmates at the 18-year-old county jail over a three-day period in May.

The tour culminated last weekend with reaccreditation of the jail during an ACA conference in New Orleans. Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, jail Warden Christopher Klein and other top correctional officers answered final questions posed by an ACA panel before learning the jail was re-accredited for a three-year period.

They were told the jail had the rare distinction of being one of the few county jails in the nation that achieved 100 percent compliance scores on 383 standards evaluated by the auditors. Nationwide, fewer than 150 county jails out of more than 3,000 are accredited.

“I am truly proud of this accomplishment by the correctional facility’s sworn and civilian staff, the professionalism they show every day, and the humane environment they maintain for inmates,” said Gannon.

Warden Christopher Klein said the reaccreditation is a testament to the commitment of the facility’s staff that includes 165 sworn officers and 19 medical personnel.

“It’s always good to have outsiders come in and reaffirm the good work our staff does. The standards by the American Correctional Association are above and beyond state standards,” he said.

The jail was built for a population of 524 inmates and housed an average of 233 individuals at the time of the audit. Inmates ranged from age 18 to 75.

The audit’s findings established:

• The jail has a well-integrated and well-designed security system that includes staff control of all entrances, exits and doors.
• The facility provides a comfortable, clean environment to live and work, with adequate shower units.
• Sanitation is given “a very high priority,” according to the audit. Inmates, under staff supervision, clean the facility and cleaning supplies are carefully distributed and inventoried after use.
• The health services unit provides 24-hour medical services and is staffed with people “who appeared to care a great deal about the welfare of the inmates and the work they do,” the report stated.
• Social service specialists complete biopsychosocial intakes on all incoming inmates and provide assistance in adjustment to confinement and work with inmates on discharge planning.
• Inmates can participate in observing the religion of their choice. The jail has a full-time chaplain, who coordinates access to other clergy and volunteers to visit inmates upon request.
• The jail has had no consent decrees, class action lawsuits or adverse judgments in at least three years, the last time accreditation was granted.

EAST HANOVER — Capital Craft will be opening soon in the East Hanover Plaza next to Chili’s Restaurant, in the former Romano’s Macaroni Grill, 138 Route 10 West.

On August 6, 2018 a resolution was passed by the Township of East a Hanover Township Council authorizing a Person-To-Person and Place-To-Place Transfer of Alcoholic Beverage License from Mac Acquisition of New Jersey to East Hanover Restaurant trading as Capital Craft.

Capital Craft combines the warm, relaxed atmosphere of a neighborhood tavern with a menu to impress the palate. Our chef puts an eclectic, flavorful spin on what you’ve come to expect from a gastro pub. Offerings are freshly prepared, with superior ingredients like locally sourced meats, organic produce and artisan cheeses. All our burgers are hand-formed fresh every day using our custom blend of chuck, short rib and brisket.

Capital Craft offers the finest array of craft beers in the area, with 24 taps rotating daily. Choose from seasonal selections and exclusive labels hailing from the top brewers in New Jersey, the U.S., and around the globe. Don’t miss special events including tap takeovers, celebratory keg tappings, and gourmet beer dinners where you’ll have the opportunity to sample unique tastes and rare varieties. At Capital Craft, you can even selectively pair your own beer flights, making us the ultimate destination for beer lovers everywhere.

There is another Capital Craft located at 171 US Highway 22, Green Brook.

Other tenants at East Hanover Plaza are Home Goods, Sierra Trading Post, HomeSense, Petco, Pearle Vision, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Capital Craft, Target and Costco.

MORRIS COUNTY — The freshman Democratic congresswoman, Mikie Sherrill, held an open house on Monday, January 14 during the first “Monday with Mikie” event that packed supporters into her new office suite located at 8 Wood Hollow Road.

“An accessible, centrally-located district office is incredibly important to me and my staff,” said Sherrill. “I am looking forward to welcoming residents to their New Jersey office and continuing an open dialogue with the community.”

“I had promised one of first things I would do is have a Monday with Mikie. I want to make sure I’m as accessible as possible,” said Sherrill, with the first town hall meeting set for next Tuesday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hanover Community Center.

When the shutdown is resolved, she plans to press hard for the Gateway Tunnel project, and work with New Jersey’s delegation to reverse the federal cap on state and local tax deductions, she said.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano said “I am elated to have Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill open her congressional office in our town. Aside from the fact that the people of Parsippany overwhelmingly showed their support for Mikie last November.  Parsippany is a smart choice because we sit at the crossroads of North Jersey.”

“I’m really glad I had the opportunity to meet Mikie Sherrill at “Monday with Mikie.” Listening to her speak at the event strengthened my confidence in both her leadership and convictions. It’s refreshing to have an accessible representative who will bring the concerns of all constituents, even high school students like me, to Washington. I look forward to following everything she accomplishes for NJ District 11″ said Parsippany High School Senior Bella Rocco.

Monday’s crowd of about 100 people included Morris County Democratic Chairman Chip Robinson, Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano, Former Parsippany Mayor Mimi Letts, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member Nicolas Limanov and Morristown’s First Lady Mary Dougherty, a realtor who helped Sherrill find the Parsippany office space.

Communications Directory Jackie Burns said “Office furniture and computer equipment was removed from Frelinghuysen’s office and is our office, but phones, and internet and some other essential needs to be established.”

The new office is located at 8 Wood Hollow Road, Suite 203 and will be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The NJ Transit bus stop on Smith Road at Wood Hollow Road is a block away from the office. It is served by the 874 and 79 NJ Transit Bus Routes. Accessible via Routes 287, 202, 80, and 46.There is on-site parking at 8 Wood Hollow Road.