NJ Jazz Society 40th Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Jazz Society announced today that it will hold its 40th Annual Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany on Sunday, March 1 from Noon to 5:00pm. The Birchwood Manor is located at 111 North Jefferson Road in Whippany, New Jersey.

This year’s Stomp offers a lineup of four bands that includes Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks, Danny Tobias Quintet, Dan Levinson and His Swing Wing, and the Warren Vaché Trio. Attendees include Society members, swing dancers from around the region, and the general public. Information and tickets are available at www.NJJS.org.

The Stomp is named for clarinetist Charles Ellsworth Russell, much better known by his nickname, Pee Wee Russell. Russell's unique and sometimes derided approach was praised as ahead of its time, and cited by some as an early example of free jazz. His distinctive style was a mainstay in traditional jazz bands along the east coast until his death in 1969.

The Society began this annual event in 1970 and established a jazz scholarship program in the name of Pee Wee Russell at Rutgers University, one that currently provides multiple scholarships each year. Scholarships are announced and presented as are two additional awards, bestowed to a musician and non-musician. “It’s always a thrill for us to identify and award the Pee Wee Russell scholarships to the jazz students. It fulfills our mission to educate as well as present and promote jazz all around our great state,” said Andrea Tyson, president of the New Jersey Jazz Society.

Further information about the Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp and the New Jersey Jazz Society can be found at www.NJJS.org.

About the New Jersey Jazz Society
Founded in 1972, the New Jersey Jazz Society exists to promote and preserve the great American musical art form known as Jazz through live jazz performances and educational outreach initiatives and scholarships. The Society is operated by a board of directors who stage music events, award scholarships to deserving New Jersey college jazz studies students, conduct the Generations of Jazz program in local school systems, and induct pioneers and legends of jazz into the American Jazz Hall of Fame. The New Jersey Jazz Society is qualified as a tax-exempt cultural organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to NJJS are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Fireworks Morris County New Jersey July 2008

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Fireworks, Fireworks, who's got the Fireworks?! Independence Day parades, community picnics, street fairs, and barbeque's. No matter how you choose to celebrate the fourth, Don't miss these patriotic Fireworks displays and activities!

Dover, NJ - Thursday, July 3rd
Hamilton Field, E. Dover School
302 E. McFarlan St. at Route 46 Entrance at the Main Gate (Near School)
Fireworks and Concert by Linda Grace Band beginning at 6:00pm
For more info, visit Town of Dover >>

Parsippany, NJ - Thursday, July 3rd
Parsippany Hills High School
20 Rita Drive
Fireworks and Concert by Somers Dream Orchestra beginning at 8:00pm

Florham Park, NJ - Friday, July 4th
Emmet Field, Elm Street & Ridgedale Avenue
Fireworks and Concert by RB Express beginning at 8:00pm
For more info, visit Florham Park's Celebration >>

Chatham Borough, NJ - Friday, July 4th
Chatham Middle School Field, 480 Main Street
Fireworks begin at 9:00pm

Morris Township, NJ - Saturday, July 5th
Lewis Morris County Park
270 Mendham Road (Routes 510 and 24)
Afternoon picnics with fireworks at dusk in the area next to Sunrise Lake.

Randolph, NJ - Saturday, July 5th
County College of Morris
214 Center Grove Road
Fireworks begin at 9:45pm

Later this month...

Rockaway, NJ - Saturday, July 12th
Fireman's Field on Beach Street
Fireworks will begin at 9:00pm.

Mount Olive Township, NJ - Saturday, July 26th
Turkey Brook Park
Flanders Road next to the Chester M. Stephens Elementary School
Fireworks will begin at 9:15pm.
More Information >>

Wharton, NJ - Re-Scheduled for Canal Day August 23rd
For more information, please visit the Canal Day website >>

Morris County NJ Teen Creative Writing Conference

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY - The 2008 "Dancing with a Pen" Writers' Conference for teen writers, hosted by the Morris School District Community School, is scheduled for June 30 – July 3, 2008.

“Dancing with a Pen” Writers' Conference offers students in grades 7-12 opportunities for aspiring teen writers to develop creative writing skills and published teen authors to hone their craft.

Students attending “Dancing with a Pen” will participate in four days of workshops and activities aimed at stimulating the skills, creativity, enjoyment and satisfaction they receive from writing. The Conference will feature presentations by world-renowned writers and daily workshops where students will join with peers and teachers to share in the creative writing experience.

Students registering for the conference will select a genre of choice – fiction, poetry, journalism, or children’s literature – on which will be their focus throughout the four days. Each day will begin with a presentation by the author of the day, who will discuss his or her writing process, perhaps read from the students works and answer questions from the students and staff.

Following the presentations, students will break out into their particular genre writing groups, working with a teacher who will guide them in developing their own ideas about creative writing and their own written pieces. On the final day of the workshop the program will be extended one hour to allow time for the teens to share their creative writing and experiences with the entire group.

Event Details
WHEN: June 30 – July 3, 2008
WHERE: Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown, New Jersey
TIME: 8:00am – 12:00pm each day.

Registration
The cost of the program is $200, which includes all materials and a daily continental breakfast. For registration information contact the Morris School District Community School at 973-292-2063 or register on-line at www.msdcommunityschool.org.

The Conference is funded in part by a grant from the Morris Educational Foundation, Morris County New Jersey.

Looking for Things to do in Morris County?

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Spring is here with a chill in the air, but the sun is shinning bright. If you are looking for something to do outdoors this weekend, here's a few things Flanders NJ News found in Morris County, New Jersey.


Forest Woodland Nature Walk
Saturday March 29th, 2008 - 2:00pm

Take a guided hike to learn about the forest plants, wildlife, and people!
Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham, New Jersey
Cost: FREE
Requires pre-registration. Please call 973-635-6629.


The Raptor Trust
Saturday March, 29th and Sunday March 30th - All Day

The Raptor Trust is open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours. Visitors are afforded a unique opportunity to view at close range the many hawks, eagles, falcons and owls that are permanent residents at the facility.
Location: 1390 White Bridge Road, Millington, New Jersey 07946
Cost: There is no charge to visit, but a modest donation of $2.00 per person is encouraged.
More Info: (908) 647-2353


Jockey Hollow 5 Mile Hike
Saturday March, 29th and March 30th - All Day

A Morristown National Historical Park with delightful woods and well-manicured trails.
Location: Jockey Hollow Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960. Visitor’s Center is off Tempe Wick Road
Cost: FREE

Saint Patrick's Day - Celebrating Jersey Style

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Paint yourself green, kiss the Blarney Stone, find a shamrock and chase the leprechaun to his pot of gold. No matter how you choose to celebrate St. Patrick's day, there are plenty of places to go to dance the Irish Jig, march in a parade, or share a pint of Guinness with friends.

Morris County's Top Ten (10) St. Patrick's Day festivities

• Morristown St. Patrick's day Parade
  Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at Noon
  Morristown Green :: Morristown, New Jersey



• International Trade Center's
  Leprechaun Leap 5K Race in Mount Olive
  Sunday, March 16th, 2008 at 1:00pm
  International Trade Center :: Mount Olive, New Jersey



• Join WDHA's Curtis Kay at The Exchange in Rockaway
  Monday, March 17th, 2008 between 2-7pm
  The Exchange :: Main Street Rockaway, New Jersey



• The Wolf Tones Concert at Morristown Community Theatre
  Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 8:00pm
  Mayo Center for the Performing Arts :: Morristown, New Jersey



• Live Irish Music at 'Grasshopper off the Green'
  Monday, March 17th, 2008 ALL DAY
  Morris Street :: Morristown, New Jersey



• American Legion Post 249's St. Patrick's dinner/dance
  Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at 7:00pm
  Beverwyck Road :: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey



• Morristown's Dublin Pub
  Come enjoy an overstuffed corned beef sandwich, Shepherd's pie, Irish meat loaf, and of course, a pint of Guinness. All Weekend.
  Pine Street :: Morristown, New Jersey



• Join Frank & Grace at Kennedy's Pub in Budd Lake
  St. Patrick's Celebration. Come enjoy live Irish music, step dancers, our famous fish & chips, Irish whiskey steak, or Sheppard's Pie. All Weekend
  Route 46 :: Budd Lake, New Jersey



• Murphy's Hideaway Irish Pub in Rockaway
  Come enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread and a pint of good stout. All Weekend.
  Maple Avenue :: Rockaway, New Jersey



• Wish a very Happy Anniversary to Dan & Noelle Kehrley of Flanders NJ News. They were married on Saint Patrick's Day in 2005.

A bit'o legend 'bout ole Saint Pat
As the story is told, St. Patrick is believed to have banished snakes from the Isle of Ireland. However, there is no scientific evidence that post-glacial wildlife on Ireland ever actually including snakes.

One suggestion on the myth explains that Druids had become popularly known as The Serpents of Wisdom, using a symbol of a serpent or 'snake' like figure.

During Saint Patrick's years as a missionary, he was extremely influential among the Celtic people. It is believed he personally baptized as many as 120,000 Irishmen.

As the story was passed down from generation to generation the tale may have arisen as a metaphor of his single-handed effort in converting the Celtic people to Christianity.

Local Executive Accredited to Serve Businesses in Morris County

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY – Morristown businessperson, Paula Robb, has been accredited by the Institute for Independent Business (IIB). Paula’s recent accreditation will expand business owners’ access to the Institute’s network of Associates in Morris and Essex counties.

“We are delighted to have an executive of Paula’s caliber and experience become accredited,” said Ed Dolan, Fellow and trustee of the Institute.

Paula added, “the Institute’s accreditation means a lot to me”. “Besides the prestige, my relationship with the IIB enables me to provide business owners with a depth of resources that other business advisors simply cannot offer. I am now part of a worldwide network of senior executives from every type of business imaginable. With resources like that, I can assist my clients with any issue or challenge they may be facing.”

The Institute for Independent Business (www.iib.org.ws) is a global, not-for-profit, research, training and accreditation organization established in 1984 to provide “practical advice that works”. It is the largest organization of its type with over 4,500 executives having been accredited. Accredited Associates are dedicated to delivering practical advice and support to entrepreneurs and business owners.

BusinessWorks, LLC offers a free consultation and assessment.
Contact Paula Robb at 973-292-5328, or via email at paularobb@businessworksnj.com.

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First Night Morris County 2008

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Looking for some fun on New Year's Eve? On December 31, 2007, come to the Morristown Green from 7:00pm to Midnight and celebrate the 16th annual First Night Morris County.

First Night is a substance-free, New Year's Eve festival of the arts. Families, seniors, couples and singles from all walks of life throughout Morris County come together to share, celebrate, learn, create, and experience the life enhancing possibilities of the arts.

Enjoy performances by Mike Agranoff, Andes Fusion, Big Jeff and Mr. Kleiner, Rio Clemente, Colonial Symphony, Coro Lirico, Mr. Fish’s Super Circus Stuff, Peter Fletcher, Inna Gilmore, Girl Authority, Harmonium Choral Society, James D. Hicks, Grover Kemble Sextet, Kit’s, Kaboodle, Alison Larkin, Jennifer Levine, Kenneth Little Hawk, Bob Lloyd, Lyrica Chamber Music, Meet the Musicians: Dennis Kobray as Chopin, Meet the Presidents, Yuqing Meng, The Dazzling Mills Family, Morris Choral Society, The Robert Murdock Band, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, New Jersey Tap Ensemble Soloists, The New Philharmonic of New Jersey, No Discipline, Ann Rabson, Kate Lyn Reiter, Richard Reiter, Kip Rosser, The Russian Duo, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Will Shaw, Shubanjali Dance Company, Alexander Slobodyanik and Laryssa Krupa, Solid Brass, Orrin Star & the Sultans of String, The Stein Brothers Quartet, The Strauss-Warschauer Duo, and Carol Titus.

Performances take place in venues within walking distance of the Morristown Green, including The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown High School, county administration buildings and numerous places of worship in the immediate area.

There will be two fireworks displays, both visible from around the Morristown Green, scheduled for 9:15 p.m. and midnight.

First Night Morris County 2008 buttons serve as admission passes to all events and programs -- cost $15 each or $50 for a family four-pack and may be purchased in advance at local stores and other button outlets. On New Year’s Eve, buttons will be sold for $18 each. There is no charge for children 4 and under.

For more information visit the First Night Morris County 2008 website >>

Since First Night’s inception 16 years ago, the Arts Council of the Morris Area has served as its artistic programmer, selecting and scheduling hundreds of artists performing in over 25 sites throughout Morristown. Representing multiple artistic disciplines, the live performances, exhibits, activities and demonstrations this year range in style from the popular to the classical, from western to world cultures - for all ages, from young child through adult.

View more information on the Arts Council of the Morris Area >>