Not your typical hang out, but a worthy tip for travelers...
Office Depot stores now offer Free Wi-Fi hotspots in their stores!
So if you're on the go and need to connect to the internet to send/receive emails or do some surfing, here's another national chain that offers free WiFi so you can avoid those $10/day hotel wifi connection charges.
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Wednesday at 2:55 PM | | 
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The Mall at Short Hills just started to sell event and concert tickets at their Guest Services desk via a TicketMaster outlet.
Ah...another excuse to spend even more of your hard earned money at the Short Hills Mall.
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Labels: short hills mall, ticketmaster
at 10:30 AM | | |
If you have not been to the Liberty Science Center since it reopened after the two year renovation, you definitely have to plan a visit!
This month there's an exhibit on race from the American Anthropological Association. Scientific understanding of human variation is beginning to challenge racial differences and even question the very concept of race.
And, this age appropriate exhibit for elementary students is perfect for discussions and exploration for something that's so important in our society.
The Liberty Science Center is located at 22 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey www.lsc.org.
Don't forget that there is a $10 off family ticket purchase coupon. Coupon code A073 -- It is available in the Comcast Winter Guide which is a recent statement stuffer insert with your Comcast cable bill.
Monday at 3:56 PM | | |
In the township of Livingston annual pet licenses for cats and dogs are due in March.
If you have not have a chance to renew or pick up a dog license you should do so now. You can do it at the Livingston Senior/Community center on Hillside avenue.
For most pets it will be $9 . . . $12 if your dog is neutered or spayed.
Don't forget the dog park which is recently built is perfect for your pet and only costs I believe $10 or $12 extra for a year.
at 3:48 PM | | |
Recently in the mail, I received a "Premier Rewards Platinum" card from Firestone Autocare...I almost threw it out.
But I found out that the card gives me free services like tire rotations, electrical system checks free, alignment checks free, brake inspections etc.
More importantly it gives me FREE roadside emergency assistance just by calling their toll free number 1-877-364-7515 or their customer service 1-888-664-9020.
I can get free jump starts of a weak or dead battery, free tire changes or even free towing to the nearest qualified repair center or garage.
Who needs AAA anymore if these all is free?
at 3:26 PM | | |
Church.
This past Sunday, we had a chance to go check out Renaissance Church in Summit, New Jersey.
They have opened at Summit Opera house on Kent Place Boulevard in Summit.
Pastor Rich Peters leads a very contemporary service which is catching on -- in fact there are three of them 9 a.m., 10:15, and 11:30 a.m. on Sundays
The website has more information and mp3 downloads on their services.
The setting is very casual, very seeker-friendly and something that you should check out if your haven't been to church in a while. You'll be surprised about how people "do church" these days.
at 3:17 PM | | |
Lowes Movie Theaters.
Recently, I went to the Lowes Movie Cinemaplex on Route 10 in East Hanover.
It's one of the most convenient theaters to go to from our home and we took in Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who (two thumbs up!).
What was pleasant to me was that I actually can use my AMC Movie Watcher Loyalty Card to get free tickets and food at Lowes movies because now, unknown to most people, Lowes and AMC theater chains have combined and merged.
By the way, if you don't have a movie watcher card, you should get one because you can get completely free movies just by going to the movies. That's a very low pain threshold for free $10 movie tickets.
at 3:11 PM | | |
This morning I was up at Short Hills Mall in Short Hills, New Jersey off JFK Parkway -- and guess what I discovered as stores were just opening up for the day.
Qdoba Mexican Grill actually serves breakfast. Different than their lunch and dinner entree items, [which are fabulous to begin with] the breakfast menu features a bunch of stuff that I definitely want to go back and try next time.
MMMM......who would have thought you'd coffee and salsa on the same table in New Jersey?
at 3:09 PM | | |
Think of it as all you can eat healthcare for your pet.
I just found out at the Petsmart location on route 10 west in East Hanover, New Jersey has within in it, inside the store, a full office location for the Banfield Veterinary Care Group.
Banfield is a vet franchise nationally that has partnered up with some Petsmart locations.
What I was interested in is their annual wellness plan for my dog which comes out to about $32 a month and includes everything that you normally need during the year: 2 annual comprehensive check-up visits, annual dentistry cleaning including anesthesia + associated blood work, and all vaccines that are necessary for my dog.
It's savings when compared head to head with a la carte services from other vet offices; however, I wonder how the actual care is?
Does anyone have experience with Banfield?
at 3:08 PM | | |
The award for best Chinese take-out in Livingston goes to China Pavilion IV located at 12 Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland, New Jersey.
It technically is not in Livingston, but this Chinese food take-out is definitely worth the extra 5 minute drive depending on where you are in Livingston.
Their service is good, the food is better and the kitchen is impeccably clean. In fact every time I go I see somebody clean some part of the kitchen -- not like the typical Chinese take-out joint you think of.
China Pavillion has multiple locations. I'm glad they have one hear us...Telephone number 973-618-9700, try this delicious Chinese food eat in or take-out restaurant.
at 3:05 PM | | |
Every morning they start with a huddle to meet each other before going full speed for 3 hours!
The part about The Little Gym that is particularly great is the staff - very attentive and you kids don't get lost in a typical "big" program. The setting is very intimate...
I also like them because of the flexibility -- because you can usually sign-up on a per-day basis, not a committment for the entire week which is great if you're planning to take a long weekend trip on either side of the school vacation week.
The kids like them because it isn't 3 hours of the same thing ... - these camps are always scheduled during the school vacation breaks and they include tons of physical activity, SNACKS and arts and crafts too. The perfect FUN thing to do when school is out.
Labels: 07039, New Jersey, nj, pre-school, spring break, the little gym, The Little Gym Camp, toddlers livingston
Friday at 9:30 AM | | |
E&G cleaners located on North Field Avenue in Livingston New Jersey is my favorite dry cleaners right now.
They used to be located in the Shop Rite center on South Livingston Avenue but recently moved next to Bagels4U store at 69 East North Field Avenue.
E&G dry cleaners offer a pre-paid dry cleaning service which is affordable and more importantly their service is awesome.
Telephone number 973-994-7374, try them out, I think you'll be pleased. listen
Thursday at 3:58 PM | | |
ALERT: Speed trap on route 10 in East Hanover!
Today I saw a speed trap -- actually two cops one after the other on Route 10 Westbound in East Hanover, New Jersey.
The cars were sitting off the road before New Murray Road...
Watch out, slow down, don't get caught. listenPowered by
Jott
at 3:52 PM | | |
Artist + Bookworm + Kid = Summer Reading Bookmarks Contest!
The Livingston Public Library is holding a bookmark contest with this years theme: Zoom in with a Book!
Think about microscope, telescope,cameras, binoculars and optical illusions.
Questions call the library at 9739924600 and ask for children or teen department.
You can win a prize if your bookmark artwork is chosen. Prizes awarded in each of the group: K-2. 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 Entries must be received by May 5th 2008.
Good luck!
at 3:03 PM | | |
Trash to treasure, kind of. ..
This Saturday, April 26th, 2008, Livingston Township is having a Electronic Recycling Day at the Senior / Community Center on Hillside Avenue, Livingston, New Jersey 07039.
It is free to all residents -- you could recycle old computers, recycle monitors, recycle printers, recycle old fax machines, scanners, electronics, rechargeable and household batteries, etc.
This is the time to do your Spring cleaning and get rid of the old electronic junk in a green and earth-friendly way. listenPowered by
Jott
at 3:01 PM | | |
Mad Science is not just for birthday parties, it looks like Mad Science their birthday party theme company that is a terrific idea for young kids' birthday parties. Now apparently has Mad Science summer camps, there are week long day camps and they help to spark the children's imagination by fostering confidence in expanding their world view through science. Some of the camp topics include: mad machines, earth awareness, detective science, nature, and space. They have sessions in Ethics, Passaic and Bergen Counties 201-236-1400 is the phone number or www.madscience.org.
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Jott at 2:59 PM | | |
All torn up about paper. On Saturday, April 26, 2008, at the Livington Senior/Community Center rear parking lot located at 204 Hillside Avenue Livingston New Jersey 07039. The township of Livingston will hold a paper shredding day. Free, from 10 AM to 2 o'clock PM. All paper shredding except hardcover books, three ring binders, pendaflex, file folders or paper clips. This is a time to get rid of your private and stacks of paper just lying around.
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Jott at 2:58 PM | | |
Spring break is in session this week in April! What are you going to do with the kids?
There's a bunch of various activities you can plan to do with your kids. Here's one suggestion for spring break while school vacation lasts all week long which your kids will absolutely love (and you too since they'll sleep well after this ACTIVE option).
...The Little Gym on Okner Parkway in Livingston is having a spring break week gym camp again.
From 9:00am to 12:00am every day this week, kids get to play in the gym, have story time, do arts and craft, eat snacks and have tons of fun.
Check it out and don't forget to tell Claudia (the nice owner) that Kenny sent you her way!
Labels: livingston, the little gym
at 2:57 PM | | |
Today, we went to Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in Millburn, NJ to get some munchins after a Kiddie Soccer game.But we ended up getting one of the new personal pizzas on the menu. And it was our lucky day, because they were giving away free iced teas for free with the pizza.Little Spencer gave it a real thumbs up -- and kids don't lie. We'll be back for snacks again. Who would have thought that Dunkin would make a great pizza pie?Uploaded by www.cellspin.net
Wednesday at 2:49 PM | | |
The summer is just around the corner and you can feel it with the 80 degree temps this past week!
That means it's time to get ready to go to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ!
But at $59/ticket, that's a lot of cash to pony up just to get in the gates!
Here's one way to score a free ticket and do some good at the same time (6 hours to be exact!).
Six Flags Amusement Parks and The Girls Scouts of America have teamed up to provide free admission tickets for July 2008 to anyone that signs up to volunteer just 6 hours for mentoring with the local group.
This might be a great way to get the family involved in some good works and then connect it with a rewarding day at the Great Adventure theme park for free...
LINKS:
Announcement
Six Flags Girl Scouts Program
Labels: free tickets, girl scouts, great adventure, jackson, New Jersey, six flags, volunteer
Monday at 11:50 AM | | |
Here's a quick tip to get off the beaten path with the kids and try something new, and refreshing:
Go to the museum! There are quite a few smaller museums in the area that are nice, not crowded and have some neat exhibits and special events. If you have toddlers that just zone out in front of the TV on the weekends, try taking them to the
Newark Museum on May 4th for their Dinosaur Day
DINOSAUR DAY will be a day of hands-on, inquiry-based workshops, demonstrations and activities in the geosciences. The kids can explore and learn various aspects of dinosaur life, including the wide range of sizes and shapes of these "terrible lizards" who roamed the Earth 65 million years ago.
Some of the planned activities include: • Life-size dinosaur fossils • Touch table with dinosaur specimens• Fossil and mineral dig(dig for fossils and keep one!)• Geo-science demonstrations• World famous paleontologist Dr. Paul Olsen
On Sundays, there's also some
other ongoing programs that the kids will also enjoy while you are there in May.
Art Activity: Draw from Nature[Saturdays & Sundays]
Gallery Activities, 11 am–4 pm
Art Activities, 1–4 pm
Celebrate spring in bloom! Discover how a tree grows and how the grass flourishes. Then examine a flowering bud as you learn to draw from nature in the Museum's Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden.
Science Discoveries: Insects Around the World[Saturdays & Sundays]
1–4 pm (ongoing)
There isn't a corner of the world that doesn't have insects, from the tropics to the arctic. Explore how these creatures adapt to just about every environment, from the deepest jungle to the harshest desert.
And did you know that the
Newark Museum has a planetarium? It's a sure hit with the kids.
Labels: dinosaur day, newark museum
Saturday at 7:11 AM | | |
If you are a Starbucks addict that loves your high-priced coffees, lattes, esspressos and other high-end made-to-order-in-a-language-that-the-rest-of-the-world-doesn't-understand...AND you are a chocoholic, then you are going to love this news.
The Short Hills mall will open up a new store on the upper level near Macy's called Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe.
In a eerie way, it will feel much like you're walking into the Starbucks on the lower level by the Macy's entrance! But with a hint of chocolate smells in the air.
Offering a full line of unique espresso and chocolate beverages, decadent desserts, and delicious fresh pastries and classic and seasonal handcrafted artisan chocolates... Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe is aiming to be a destination on your trip to The Mall at Short Hills.
Largely in the states LEFT of New Jersey, Moonstruck makes high end chocolates that the Short Hills Mall crowd will surely devour -- another premium way to give gifts and make sure the recipient knows you paid a bundle for whatever you get from the store.
at 7:00 AM | | |
Once in awhile you get surprised.I must say that I have one home improvement experience with a contractor that really came off without a hitch.If you need any gutter work done on your house (or gutter guards for a very competitive per-linear-foot installed price), then I personally recommend the contractor I used recently:Castle Creations LLC1124 Charlotte PlaceRahway, NJ 07065TEL 732-396-0962CEL 732-803-1813The owner himself came to our home in Essex County at the exact time promised, wrote out a detailed written estimate and explained the job he thought needed to be done. He then came back a couple of days later when I scheduled the gutter replacement work (on time again!) and finished the job personally with one other helper.The price quoted and paid for gutter repair job was not only the best price estimated by 3 contractors (I needed to submit 3 estimates for insurance purposes), they were insured, licensed and pre-qualified by ServiceMagic.com, one of my favorite home owner websites - plus he did it with a smile.That last part is said in jest, but completely serious. Nowadays, it's so hard to find contractors that are helpful and happy to do the work. So many times, I just want to tell them that if they don't want to do the work, then find another line of work. But not Castle Creations - job well done with a smile.Labels: castle creations, gutter repair, home improvement, service magic
Tuesday at 12:04 PM | | |
The kids are out from school in March and April and that means that tons of families are headed to the 2 meccas on the Left and East Coasts -- DISNEY!Whenever we go to either Orlando, FL or Anaheim, CA, we miss good food quickly after a day or two of hotel cuisine.Here's two local tips to get your stomach happy happy again when you're visiting Disney World or Disney Land:ANAHEIM, CA:There's a great Korean BBQ Restuarant literally about 5-7 minutes from the Disney block area called MO RAN GAK Restaurant. They consistently serve great Korean food. If you're in the mood for something authentic that's good for the stomach and priced right for the wallet, try them out: Mo Ran Gak Korean Restuarant is located at 9651 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92844. (between Gilbert Street and Brookhurst Street) TEL: 714-638-1177.ORLANDO, FL:Everyone loves good Chinese food. Orlando has one of the best Chinese restaurants there can be for a tourist haven like Orlando -- right on International Drive. Ming Court is the perfect place for dinner after a long day at the park or other attractions.
And the kids love it because they have HUGE goldfish in the pond outside where you can feed them fish pellets (dispenser costs a dime I think). So even if you're waiting for a table, the kids won't be nagging you...except for more fish food to feed the goldfish. 9188 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 [TEL: 407-351-9988] http://www.ming-court.com/Where do you eat when you travel to Disney either in Orlando or Anahiem?Labels: chinese food, disney, korean food, ming court, mo ran gak, restuarant, travel
at 11:44 AM | | |
