Stevanie Rhim, a senior at David Brearley High School in Kenilworth, NJ, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Marc Wesley Hardy Human Rights Award by First Congregational Church of Westfield. The award is given annually to a young person who has been an outstanding advocate for social justice, human rights and the rights of the less fortunate — three things that were of major importance to Marc in his life. Stevanie resides in Plainfield, NJ, and was selected by the Union County Choice Program to attend high school in Kenilworth.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Michaela Hobson can take the pressure that comes with being on the pitcher’s mound, but with this softball season’s cancellation due to COVID-19, the intensity of game play has taken a backseat to practice and preparation. The 16-year-old Westfield High School sophomore has been keeping herself in the game, having gotten together with fellow teammates Mollie Stogner and Julia Gagliardi to practice her pitching and supporting her fellow teammates during videoconference meetings. Hobson is this ...

We often think that others are responsible for making us feel guilty. This is not true.  Others may try to manipulate us by saying certain things to make us feel guilty and at times they are very effective in causing us self-doubt. However, the reason that manipulators are able to make us feel guilty is that a part of us agree with their message and the doubt already exists in our head.  For example, if you are trying to set boundaries with a particular person and you have said “no”, yet they continue to ...

Growing can be hard. Maybe you’ve spent a career, or even a whole lifetime, polishing a certain set of skills and interests. You’re good. You’re content. Maybe, though, there’s a nagging thought that you’re ready for something else. Notice, I said “something else” which may or may not be the same thing as “something more.” Shaking things up and moving from your current comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re climbing to the next rung on the corporate ...

It’s hard to ignore the allure of coworking. When you first walk into a coworking office, you’re greeted by someone at the front desk. You see business owners, freelancers, and remote workers mingling around the coffee maker, sharing stories, and solving business challenges. It’s a vibrant social atmosphere that also allows you to work in the peace and comfort of a private office. However, you should know that despite the convivial scene, private workspaces are just as prone to office faux pas as a traditional setting. If ...

This month's charity spotlight features ASPEN®, the Asperger/Autism SPectrum Education Network, a volunteer 501(c)3 organization, based in Edison, New Jersey, which was founded in 1997. ASPEN's mission is to provide families and individuals whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders such as Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and High Functioning Autism (ASD's) and Nonverbal Learning disorders (NLD's) with: Education about the issues surrounding the ...

The State of New Jersey requires businesses which reopen to be in compliance with all guidelines and directives issued by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), the Center for Disease Control (“CDC) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) for maintaining a clean, safe and healthy work environment. OSHA guidelines require employers to provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm” to ...

Walter Rosenfeld, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Atlantic Health System’s Goryeb Children's Hospital and medical director of Children's Health at Atlantic Health System sat down recently for a Facebook Live where he shared some important information for parents about what they need to know to keep kids healthy and safe this summer.  

Westfield High School, Edison Intermediate School and Roosevelt Intermediate School have received official designation as “No Place for Hate” schools by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “It is clear from all of your efforts that you and your committee brought the right amount of thoughtfulness, commitment and intention that we look for in the schools that engage and thrive within the No Place for Hate framework,” the ADL wrote in an email notifying the three schools of the important recognition on May 8. The ...

Westfield attorney Karolina A. Dehnhard, of the law firm Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., has been selected to contribute on international, business, political, and diplomatic topics for WPROST, a weekly national news magazine in Poland, that reaches audiences in the United States and the United Kingdom. Ms. Dehnhard, partner in the firm’s Divorce and Family Law group, is also the firm’s Managing Director of the firm’s International Transactions Group and devotes half of her practice to international ...

NEW BRUNSWICK,NJ - A riveting, timely play is now on view at George Street Playhouse, exploring the conflict between Senators Margaret Chase Smith and Joseph McCarthy. With the red scare taking place in the U.S., Smith became concerned that McCarthy had created an atmosphere of fear, where citizens were afraid to speak out. They might be labeled Communists or Fascists. Countless careers and lives were ruined during the decade of the 1950s. Smith’s declaration of conscience cost her political support, but paved the way and planted ...

UPDATE: Reunited with owner! ORIGINAL POST: Dog found in Westfield Thursday, on the north side of town on Saunders Avenue. Described as friendly, mellow and looked older and likely well-loved. No tags. He was taken the Westfield Police Station. Contact Westfield Police at 908-789-4000. 

Douglas A. Boneparth is a Westfield resident and Founder of Bone Fide Wealth, LLC, a boutique wealth management firm in New York City, and co-author of The Millennial Money Fix. Contact Douglas to learn how he’s not your parent’s financial advisor. In our kitchen, looming over all of us, is a whiteboard that reads, “House Rules for Staycation 2020.” It lists the following: Mail stays up front. Packages to the back. Boxes outside. Wash your hands before all food preparation and ...

The stock market has done the one thing nearly all the pundits said was impossible: making a V-shaped recovery.  The stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, has soared nearly 40% since the apparent bottom, March 23.  The market is now up on a year over year basis and is down only about 6% year to date. Yet, the economic and medical prospects are, at best, dicey.  On the medical front, over 106,000 Americans have died from this pandemic, as cases have topped 1.8 million.  There is no vaccine that people can now take ...

Six homes sold May 24 through May 31, 2020, in Westfield, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Cranford, Fanwood and Garwood, according to the Garden State MLS.* TOWN                  ADDRESS                            STYLE                   ...

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are interested in composting food waste in their own backyards can tune into two online classes, as part of the Freeholder Board’s year-long “Make One Change” initiative to help protect the environment. Both classes are sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. They will be held on June 15 and 17. “Union County remains committed to #MakeOneChangeUC, especially at a time when so many residents are working and learning from home,” said Freeholder Chairman ...

Recently the U.S. House approved legislation making it easier for small businesses and other recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding to qualify for forgiveness of the loans. What to know? The bill extends to the recipients have to spend their funds which is 8-24 weeks. The measure lowers to 60% from 75% the portion of PPP funds borrowers must pend on payroll costs to qualify for full loan forgiveness. This change would allow borrowers to direct more funds rent, utilities, etc. The bill (close to a vote in ...

The featured TAPinto franchisee for the month of June 2020 is Brett Freeman, CEO and Publisher of Halston Media Group.  Halston Media Group owns and operates five hardcopy newspapers and utilizes TAPinto as their online platform for their newspapers.  Halston Media Group's five TAPinto franchises are TAPinto Mahopac, TAPinto Somers, TAPinto Yorktown, TAPinto North Salem, and TAPinto Katonah/Lewisboro.   Q. Why did you want to franchise a TAPinto site?  We’re not the typical TAPinto ...

How many Jews are there in the world? 13 million? Perhaps 14 million, if you’re generous. How many Jews were there before World War II? Apparently the number was around the 19 million mark. So if we deduct the six million wiped out in the Holocaust, we are down to 13 million—which is exactly where we are today. So the colossal question is this: Where are all the missing Jews? Or, specifically, why in the last 60 years have we not made up our losses? The truth is that we all know the reasons. Success, affluence and lifestyles ...

About 3,500 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. A thorough investigation is necessary to learn what caused these deaths. Sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation in a sleeping environment, and other deaths from unknown causes. Although the SUID rate has declined since 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue. While the origins of these issues are still unknown to many researchers, there are somethings we know that can help us ...

EDISON, NJ -- Third grade students at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison performed on their recorders with homemade videos to create a wonderful virtual recital.  The students began learning the recorder at the beginning of the school year. They continued practicing and improving their skills during distance learning.  The repertoire includes songs learned early in the school year and more advanced pieces developed in the past few months. The Wardlaw+Hartridge School (1295 Inman Ave., N. Edison) is ...

During this time of uncertainty, the Y is here for you. The Y continues to be your support for health and wellbeing, wherever you are. Regular exercise is one component of a healthy lifestyle that can help reduce stress and prevent illness. We have a variety of at-home exercise options for members to use called YMCA 360. You can take group exercise classes for all ages right in your own home at no charge for a limited time! There are also sports classes and more for our young people. Find some of your favorite classes by ...

Rotarian Phil Richardson has spearheaded a drive to raise funds through The Rotary Club of Westfield in order to donate two cases of face shields to two local hospitals: The Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ, and Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. Face shields are part of the “PPE” — Personal Protective Equipment — needed in health care facilities. Wearing a face shield will extend the life of the N-95 masks, because it prevents splatter of biohazard materials. This results in the use ...

Retirement is an important milestone that often comes after years (or decades) of careful planning. But even the most seasoned planners couldn’t have foreseen the severe market selloff that happened in March in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt end to the 10-year bull market surprised investors of all ages who are now wondering how long it will take for their portfolios to recover. Unlike younger workers with many years ahead of earning and saving, investors who are retired or nearing retirement have less time to wait out ...