The Holidays are a Time for Giving

Help those in need and get a charitable deduction to boot.

The holidays are a time to help those in need. And, it's also the last week to make charitable contributions that can be deducted on this year's taxes.  So here are some great local charities that deserved a check: The ARC of Essex County, 6 Provost Square, Caldwell. The ARC of Essex County provides recreation, education and development services for mentally disabled children and adults. The center's warm and caring staff of nearly 500 people works with more than 1,300 people each week, facilitating more than 44 programs. The Bridge 14 Park Ave., Caldwell. The Bridge, Inc., is a private, nonprofit community agency that has been helping families in the Essex County area since 1971.  All our services are designed to strengthen the family and…

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On the First Day of Kwanzaa....

Is your family celebrating Kwanzaa?

It's been about 45 years since the idea of Kwanzaa started taking root in the U.S. as a singularly African winter celebration for Black Americans to celebrate African history and culture.  The idea has held pretty well, with Kwanzaa celebrations around Essex County (Newark and South Orange) and further afield. Although many community Kwanzaa events took place earlier this month, today is actually the first day of Kwanzaa, which runs 7 days through Jan. 1. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest". The celebration echoes Christmas and Hanukkah in some ways in that it involves lighting candles over a series of nights, includes gift-giving and culminates in a feast. But Kwanzaa's…

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Christmas Closings for Monday

What's open, what's closed.

Sunday was Christmas Day. The state and federal holidays are observed on Monday. • State and local government offices will be closed on Monday. • Financial and stock markets will be closed on Monday. • Courts will be closed on Monday. • Post offices will be closed on Monday with no regular mail delivery. • Banks will be closed on Monday. • Public schools will be closed Monday. • NJ Transit trains will run on an enhanced weekend schedule on Monday. For details, refer to timetables or check the agency’s website at njtransit.com, or call 973-275-5555. • PATH trains will run on a Saturday schedule on Monday.

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Jefferson Students Collect Toys for Newark Shelter

An estimated 700 toys collected for St. Rocco's.

Students at Jefferson Elementary School surpassed all expectations with the number of toys collected for the St. Rocco’s toy drive which ended on Thursday, Dec. 22. An estimated 700 toys were donated by students and their families! One student’s family hosted a holiday party and asked guests to bring donations for the shelter in lieu of hostess gifts. Their generosity alone yielded about 10 bags of toys. James Caldwell High School football head coach Ken Trimmer organized the toy drive to benefit children at the St. Rocco’s family shelter in Newark. In addition to toys, Jefferson families donated clothing and toiletries for the adults at the shelter. St. Rocco's Family Shelter provides housing and shelter services to women and children. It…

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PHOTOS: Generations Share Holiday Spirit

Area seniors and pre-schoolers come together to enjoy holiday books and hot cocoa.

Beth Rogers' Friday Friends pre-K class from the First Presbyterian Church Weekday Nursery School shared their favorite holiday books with a group of seniors from the Grover Cleveland Senior Center Friday morning.

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Gingerbread Houses Go Green

Winners announced in Essex County Environmental Center's 2011 Sustainable Homes & Habitats Gingerbread Contest. Plus, recipe and instructions for making your own eco-friendly design.

Candy canes were fashioned into windmills, edible solar panels were installed on rooftops, and Oreo cookies became wheels for miniature bicycles. Essex County Environmental Center's annual Sustainable Homes & Habitats Gingerbread Contest requires entries to have at least three sustainable building design elements—but many entrants went above and beyond showing off their creativity and knowledge about the environment. More than 50 entries were received this year in four categories, individual child, group/family, adult non-professional and adult professional. The following winners of the contest were announced in an awards ceremony held at the center on Saturday morning. Group/Family Category: First Place: Gregory Hill, Brittany Hill and …

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Extended Holiday Run for "White Christmas" Announced

Irving Berlin musical, 2011 Holiday Village and Animated Light Spectacular and Holiday Gift Bazaar all at Paper Mill Playhouse.

The Paper Mill Playhouse has announced an extended holiday schedule for the production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the theater.  The performances, which began at the Millburn theater on Nov. 16, will continue through Christmas Eve.  The following is the schedule for remaining performances: • Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Sunday, Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Thursday, Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Friday, Dec. 23  at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. • Saturday, Dec. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Based on the Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, the musical tells the tale of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn — and …

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Deck Your House and Win $100,000 for Caldwell Public Schools

Get out the lights and holly. Your decorating could net $100,000 to our schools. Don't miss out on this opportunity to win $100,000 gift to the Caldwells Public Schools.

Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best dressed home in its Patch communities, and the winner’s school district will receive $100,000, no strings attached. Here’s how the contest works. Beginning today and continuing through Dec. 26, you can nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. During that same time period you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge who will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize winner’s…

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