Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (Anchor Books, 2013)   Crazy Rich _________________. Fill in the blank with almost any ethnicity on the face of the earth, and the story will probably be similar from culture to culture. At the economic apex of every society one can expect to have the wealthiest, most self-indulgent, controlling people. When taken from that point of view, even though Kevin Kwan’s novel focuses on the Chinese, the themes are universal; family strife, consuming competition to get ahead, and love conquers all being ...

I was so excited to receive an important alert on my phone.  It made me feel, I don’t know, special.   Presidential Alert THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.  No action is needed   Even though I am president of nothing, it was gratifying to know that someone actually wanted to alert me to something.     I immediately called the president of our local Garden Club to see if she got the message too.  If so, I told her, we probably should contact all of ...

Research published this week in the journal Circulation, reported findings of a 34 year study on over 100,000 people found five modifiable lifestyle       behaviors associated with a 14 year longer life expectancy in women and a 12 year long life expectancy in men at age 50. The health behaviors related to longer life included never smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all, and getting more than 3.5 hours a week of moderate to vigorous activity. The ...

Cue the fresh apple cider and hayrides---it’s pumpkin picking season in Northern New Jersey! Team Nest Builder recommends you grab the kids, flee the house and head to one of these 7 super pumpkin-picking spots, pronto! (Just be sure to call ahead to confirm they’ll be open as weather and stock may impact hours and activities.  And if you’re thinking of loading up Fido, make sure pets are allowed first!) Alstede Farms 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester Kids adore this pick-your-own, family-owned, first-generation New ...

‘Other Desert Cities’ unfolds with family secrets at Chatham Playhouse By LIZ KEILL CHATHAM, NJ – “Other Desert Cities,” the stirring drama by Jon Robin Baitz, revolves around a family’s loyalties and deceptions in a tony Palm Springs household. “Other Desert Cities” refers to the signs along the exit ramps on the California freeway. The twists and turns center on daughter Brooke (Adriana Spizuoco), a writer who is visiting her parents after moving east to Long Island.  Her mother, ...

This issue of TAPinto Featured Franchisee highlights TAPinto South Orange and Maplewood with the site's owner Fred Smith and lead editor Anna Sandler. Check out the interview to find out how owning and operating a TAPinto site came at the most opportune time for these NJ residents.   Q. When did you join TAPinto.net? I first joined TAPinto in 2014 as a sales and marketing representative for TAPinto Millburn, adding sales in South Orange and Maplewood in 2015. In October, 2015, I became the Franchisee for TAPinto ...