The Jersey Gardens

I went to the Jersey Gardens at Elizabeth with my family this weekend. The place is huge (probably need 24 hours for everything). I heard that the Jersey Gardens is New Jersey's largest outlet mall with over 200 stores under one roof. There were tons of people in the food court, and many groups of teenagers walking around the mall. Compare to the Short Hills mall, there were a lot of Latins, African-Americans, and foreigners at the mall. What once was the perfect mall, filled with cheap items and always empty rocking chairs, has now turned touristy. The mall is located approximately seven minutes from Newark International Airport. Thus, I saw some shuttles from Newark airport that bring groups of tourists to the mall. If you have a chance to visit the Jersey Gardens, don't expect international names like Coach, Burberry, Gucci, etc but if your priority is to get good deals with relatively big names like Brooks Brothers, Levi's, Gap, etc, you will enjoy yourself.

Clinton Falls

 

This weekend I visited Clinton Falls. It is the most photographed spot in New Jersey; so I was curious to see its well-known red mill. I enjoyed taking pictures of this landmark and the museum next to it. The entire town of Clinton had an old, charming, feel that I liked. Most of the buildings there where built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries adding character to the town. There were many restaurants and art galleries to see. As I walked around the town I felt like I was not only walking through a town with buildings, but a community. I saw different store owners talking together, and residents stopping each other on the street to chat. I feel like this sense of community is found in many suburban areas of New Jersey. Even in Millburn there is a feeling of being connected that we all share due to our similar styles of living and our town's culture. Clinton had its own unique town culture, and inspired me to visit more towns in this state to see and feel the difference in communities.

The Livingston Mall

I too went to the Livingston Mall this weekend, however when I went it was really busy. There were tons of people in the food court, and many groups of teenagers wandering around the mall. I also saw some kids who were doing a mall scavenger hunt, which was kinda strange.

I did a little bit of research on the mall's history and found out that it was originally planned for building in the late 1960's and opening was planned for 1971. The mall started with the opening of Bamberger's, a large department store and then in 1972 anchor stores such as Sears, Hahne and Company, and M. Epstein were added. The mall was very close to Newark, which was once considered one of the premiere shopping areas in New Jersey, however that reputation declined after the riots of July 1967. Bamberger's department store and M. Epstein were later converted to Macy's and Lord and Taylor respectively. Today, Sears is the only remaining original anchor store in the Livingston Mall. In my last photo you can see the mall floor plan, and it shows all of the present day anchor stores. The Livingston mall now appeals more to the middle class. This is because The Mall at Short Hills is such a short distance away.

When I went to the mall this weekend I kept thinking about when we talked about the different uses for the mall. I noticed that I went to the mall because I had nothing better to do, and I needed some food (also went so I could complete this assignment). But as I was wandering around in and out of stores, I noticed that some people came to the mall for birthday parties, food, or because they actually had to make a trip to the mall to go shopping for new clothes. I also noticed that the mall was really busy, probably because of the time that I went. I went at around 2pm on a Saturday, which I am guessing is one of the most popular times to visit the mall. Usually I go later in the evening or I go on Sunday, so there are never any crowds. I also took note of where the sources of food were. I noticed that there was a wide selection of food in the food court, but also noticed that there were stands separate from the food court that sold mostly deserts or snacks. Most of the food that could make a meal was located in the food court (this also reminded me of the food court argument that we saw during Mallrats).

These three pictures represent all my meals for the day. I started my day off with a classic Taylor Ham from bagel chat (middle picture for those of you who can't see). As we've learned in class Taylor Ham sandwiches are only made in New Jersey. Then I had an amazing sandwich from the deli. I had a buffalo Big Bird which consists of buffalo chicken blue cheese and some other stuff. New Jersey is filled with delis. Then to finish the day off I had a chicken parm sub from la strada. New Jersey is known to have a lot of Italian influence and we see this through all the pizzerias and straight Italian restaurants.

Hemlock Falls

One of my favorite New Jersey locations is South Mountain Reservation right in our own back yard. It is truly an amazing place, one of the largest reservations in NJ with spectacular views of Millburn, Short Hills, Newark, and NYC. For this blog post I walked my dog to one of the lesser known parts of the reservation - Hemlock Falls. The falls are located on the far north east side of the reservation in South Orange. If you are ever driving along South Orange avenue just look at the side that slopes down hill you can see the falls through the trees. Hemlock falls is not only amazing because of the natural beauty of the falls, but also the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Can be seen all around the falls. The steps cut into the sheer rock face in the side of the falls are truly impressive as are the foot bridges crossing the falls downstream. If anyone is ever in the area I highly recommend visiting the falls. If you don't like walking crazy distances like me, all you have to do is park in the small lot just off South Orange avenue immediately after the green deer bridge, then follow the stairs down to the falls.

 I recently went to Ninety Acres at Natirar in Peapack Gladstone. My mother was celebrating her birthday with all of her friends and I decided to go and celebrate with them. It is a really nice restaurant. First, there was a wine tasting and appetizers for about an hour and a half then everybody went to a separate room to eat dinner and make toasts. I suggest you try this restaurant because it was very good. There are so many different kinds of food on the menu. For example, there is steak, hamburgers, different kinds of seafood, and many more. They also have salads and very good little portions for appetizers. Even though this restaurant is far away, about forty minutes,  it is easy to get to because the drive is so easy. Also, the restaurant is on top of a hill and driving up to the actual restaurant is beautiful with all of the trees and plants around it. I suggest everybody try this restaurant because the food is very good and around the restaurant is also beautiful!

The Livingston Mall

I recently went to the Livingston Mall with my mom to buy a new dryer at Sears. As I was there, I realized that I had stumbled upon a typical New Jersey mall. It fits into the demographic that it is located in; not as high end as the Short Hills Mall, but it still has some nice stores. People go to the Livingston Mall to shop, eat, and sometimes just walk around. I personally do not go there all the time, but when I do, I usually find something that I have to buy. Driving around the outside of the mall, I could tell that it is trying to be restored. I do not have a picture of this, but for those of you who have been, Barnes and Noble was recently added to the mall, and it is a beautiful bookstore. However, other anchor store like Lord and Taylor and Modelle's look like they could use a little renovation . The picture of the "Livingston Mall" sign has been there forever, and I think it adds character to the mall. The picture of the racks of clothing is in Lord and Taylor. Lord and Taylor has racks and racks of clothing that it can be overwhelming especially when there is a sale. The final picture is a view from the second floor looking down at the first floor. It wasn't a very crowded day, but the mall is usually filled with shoppers. The stands in the middle of the mall try to make you buy things that you don't really need. I think the Livingston Mall is a great place to go when you need a little retail therapy or some fast food and don't feel pressured to buy anything expensive. Although, sometimes shopping gets the best of us and buying just one thing turns into buying a whole store.

The forest near 78.

Recent posts inspired me to display what was right  in our very back yard...or should I say- in mine. I live in the South Mountain section, which some of you know is (in certain areas) VERY close to 78. 78 happens to be right behind me house. Through the trees you can see the concrete wall and once you stand up on the small hill in my backyard, you can see the steep decline into the river. This is the river that runs through Taylor park, behind all south mountain houses, under 78 etc. When it isn't raining, the water in the river is fairly low and is definitely a place to waste time. Since we moved here, my family has been going down there trying to clear out the river of it's debris and plethora of golf balls. (I believe they flow down from a golf course near Maplewood. Over the last 7 years we've gathered close to 300. Anyone want some golf balls? Haha) Anyway, you can only walk up this river to where the infamous bunny land is- because that's where there are huge traversing tubes. I've found ashtrays from long ago, and my mother found traditional blue glass medicine bottles from what we think are the early 1900s.  Anyway, it is definitely a place for the explorer, it's uneven and cluttered. Me and my friends decided to go down there this week because they always hear my stories and wanted to see what I was talking about. In the first picture, that is what one would see standing on top of my hill looking down. In the last picture, we are climbing up the steep hill using a rope my mom tied to one of the trees. We are also decked out in rubber boots (mine being my dads fishing ones cause those were the only ones left .
It's definitely a cool place to go if you want to see another part of our town other than the chic boutiques, and the South Mountain reservation.

The Legacy of the Newark Riots...

Hopefully, our work over the past few days has resonated in some way with you. For those of you who didn't know about "Saigon in Jersey," I hope you have gained an understanding of and an appreciation for these events. For those of you who were aware of the Riots of '67, I hope that our work has clarified as much as it has caused you to question and query. We look to history, and to social history in particular, to inform not only our understanding of the present but certainly to inform our direction in the future.

The Newark rebellion didn't "just" happen: it was the result of several mitigating factors that have and seem to continue to plague America's urban centers. Despite attempts at gentrification (Prudential Center, Bears Arena, NJPAC, Newark Beth-Israel Medical Center), Newark still feels the effects of its past- and of the 1967 riots in particular. There are still high rates of unemployment, drug use, and incidents of gang violence. The city is still divided upon race lines. The "attitude" about Newark can be seen even in many of our initial reactions in class: "ghetto," "guns," "get shot" were all statements that bandied around the room. Many of us did not know that Newark was a center of industry and technology, that it boasted some of the most magnificent buildings erected on the East Coast, or even that its famous Branchburg Park received the same gift of Cherry Blossom Trees that Washington D.C. received- since foreign governments viewed both cities as similar in terms of influence.

One of the things I want most to impart to you in this course, and perhaps my overall purpose in being an educator, is to encourage you to look around your world and find something to be passionate about. For me, this is education. And one of the issues that plagues Newark, and in fact, all of our urban areas, is failing school systems.

There are many issues in education that you, as students in the system, should be aware of- things like high stake assessments and NCLB and the rising costs of college. You should be aware of how you learn, what the government mandates you should learn, and basic aspects of pedagogy and methodology. Chances are, you might not know the lingo, but having lived it, you can recognize it. And, chances are, you will begin to think about these things when you are older, out of the system, or have children of your own. Perception is funny like that- many times, it requires distance.

You are fortunate to attend a school in a community where education is valued, even prized. This, as we all know, can create its own host of problems, but they are not the issues facing America's urban schools.
The year before I started teaching at Millburn, I was finishing an MFA in creative writing at Columbia. I was fortunate enough to spend spring semester teaching fiction to 5th graders in Harlem. I have many striking memories of that spring, but one that is most clear is this: during a walkthrough of the school, my teacher guide said, "you're lucky that you are teaching in the afternoon." As a morning person, I thought the opposite, but after stopping in the cafeteria, I understood why the afternoon was advantageous. There, I observed all 300 students placing everything on their tray- the mac and cheese, the salad, the roll, m and m's, onto their single slice of pizza, rolling it up, and stuffing it, in what seemed to be a Herculean effort, into their mouths. When I asked her about this behavior, she responded, "they do that because they are starving.  It's all they can do to make themselves feel full. You want to teach in the afternoon because they might be able to concentrate with some food in their stomachs."

Everything in me, especially my stomach, felt empty.

So please, comment on some of the issues facing urban education in general, and Newark schools in particular. And then think (don't post) about why we should care about this, or if we should leave it up to people with extra nerve endings-like me.

Vauxhall Bridge

Located across the street from The Millburn Mall, and beside B’nai Israel Temple, lies a significant landmark: the site which brought the American forces face to face with the British forces during the Battle of Springfield on June 23, 1780. It was here that the Americans, consisting of continental dragoons and the militia of this and surrounding neighborhoods, under Colonel “Light Horse” Harry Lee, Colonel Matthias Ogden, and Captain George Walker, encountered the right column of the British forces which were being led to an attack on General Greene at Short Hills, and maintained the contest until the enemy diverted his course.  

            The small bridge- connecting the township of Union and the township of Millburn- is, in fact, the very location of this notable site. It is a historical landmark, preserved and honored with copper plates alongside the bridge, which detail the events that took place during the battle. To me, this site is noteworthy because it conveys how much history has taken place in our own backyard. 

Broadway Diner

I recently went to the Broadway Diner and decided to blog about it. I love going to the Broadway Diner because I always see many different kinds of people there and all different hours of the day. The great thing about the Broadway Diner is that it is not very far away from Short Hills and also it is open 24 hours. No matter what time you go during the day, there is always very interesting people at this diner. The food is also phenomenal. My personal favorite is the western omelet for breakfast with hash browns as shown in the third picture. I also took a picture of the sign outside of the diner because it says its open 24 hours which attracts so many people and gives them very good business. The second picture is of the menu. There are so many different kinds of food on the Broadway menu. Of course there is breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also you can order whatever food you choose at any hour of the day and/or night! I suggest taking a trip down to the Broadway Diner sometime soon to see the atmosphere and try out the amazing food!

I recently had the pleasure of going to the Ritz Diner for dinner with Allie Bloom. After a long weekend, going out with a friend to talk at one of my favorite places is very relaxing. What I love the most about the Ritz Diner is the atmosphere. The colors are very mismatched, but that adds character to the diner. Also, I always feel welcomed there every time I walk in. Its always crowded, but the wait is never too long. I always see babies, young people, parents and grandparents enjoying their meals in a place that feels like home. I highly suggest taking a trip if you have never been to the Ritz Diner to experience a true New Jersey Diner.

The first picture I took was of the menu. I have to say, the menu at the Ritz Diner is slightly overwhelming. There are so many things to choose from, which can make the experience overwhelming. However, I usually just stick to the classic and well known marion salad which Allie is so happily eating. There are always those times where I just need to order oreo pancakes or something from their delicious bakery but the marion salad never steers me wrong. The other picture is of the front desk. All the women or men who work behind the front desk know everything there is to know about the diner. Also, behind the front desk, there is a huge picture of Guy Fieri from the show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" that is signed from his visit to the diner. There are so many other great things about the diner that are not shown...a better reason for all of you to go and experience it for yourselves!

South Orange, New Jersey

This is a fairly small diner in South Orange. It is a cute little place called Village Diner. I thought it would be perfect to capture this photo there, because the owner is Jersey proud and is a native to the state. Of course, they have a huge menu with many different "comfort food" options. The diner had more of a laid back style in terms of how it was set up.
The waiters, manager, and owner were all very friendly and were more then willing to help out with taking a couple photos. I would go back there for the experience and they really good comfort food. That was definitely a good place to have lunch on a Sunday afternoon.

The first picture is the cemetery next to Gero park. Inside of it are men who fought in the Revolutionary war. I choose this because it helps us remember those who have died in the line of duty. New Jersey related because NJ was one of the first 13 colonies and took a major part in the Revolutionary war. This is also why I took the third picture. The second picture is a memorial to those who died on 9/11 located next to train station where all those ambulances are. This pictures is related to NJ because it shows how close we are to the city and how important it is to our town structure and where so many parents work. The effect of 9/11 was so great to our state considering our location.

White House, Atlantic City

If you go down the shore to Atlantic City, and you ask where the best place to get food is, all the natives will tell you White House Sub shop on the corner of Mississippi and Arctic. Every year as my Grandparents took me down to the apartment in Margate, the town next to Atlantic City, we would always go to White House. It is famous for their steak subs. Thats what i got every time i went; topped with their phenomenal hot peppers. The sub shop has been located there since before the 40's. In a small venue, it is always packed, but the manager has refused to open up a bigger restaurant or make it a chain. As viewed in the third picture, they have a wall with a ton of pictures of famous actors, singers, and bands; most famous the Beatles have a picture on the wall of them holding a 6 foot sub from White House.