Situational Awareness Bulletin – Cellular Broadcasting Test This Thursday

The New York City Office of Emergency Management in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and mobile telephone service providers will be conducting the first-ever end-to-end test of cellular broadcasting technology this Thursday, December 15, 2011 from approximately 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

During the test a series of messages will be broadcast over the cellular network and may be received by enabled handsets. Each of these broadcasts will clearly indicate that it is only a test message and that no emergency exists.

While this test is targeted for New York City it is possible that mobile phones in neighboring communities (Nassau County, Westchester County, New Jersey) may also receive the test messages. If the public has any questions regarding the technology, please contact your mobile phone service provider’s customer service number. Each service provider has indicated that their customer service personnel have been informed of this new technology and are aware of the test.

Fire Chief Peter F. Smeraldo, Jr.
West Orange OEM Coordinator

Sign up for West Orange E-Mail Alert service at westorange.org

Photo: Steven Lawler, courtesy of Luna Stage via patch.com

Mi Casa, Tu Casa is a fantastic new production featuring a five-member band and a pair of host storytellers who guide their guests through an engaging line-up of Latino folksongs and fables, seasonal poems, holiday musical favorites, and personal anecdotes of family traditions. You’ll even have a chance to dance if you want!

Read a review in the West Orange Patch

Mi Casa Tu Casa runs through December 18
Tickets: $20 for Adults, $10 for Children 12 & Under
Saturday 3pm shows are pay-what-you-want.

Get tickets at lunastage.org or at the box office.
Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road.

The Valley Community Watch Elections were held on Monday night, November 28th at Hazel Avenue School. The new 2012/2013 Board members are listed below. All positions were uncontested.

Chairperson: Jonathan Ridley
Vice Chairperson: Jennifer Strozyk
Secretary: Bruni Nelson
Treasurer: Karen De Jong
Communications: Michael Clarke
Sergeant at Arms: Rose DeSena
Chair Emeritus: Juan Pintado

The term for the new Board begins on January 1st, 2012. Congratulations to everyone.

The following was sent via email from the WO Board of Education:

Due to power lines and trees being down, and other storm-related damage, West Orange Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, October 31st.

Following is a statement from West Orange Township:
Yesterday’s storm has left many without power. There are a significant number of downed trees, downed power lines and power outages throughout the Township and in many cases blocking access to streets. This storm has left us with more damage than the storm we had only two months ago, but our emergency personnel and PSE&G are working as quickly as possible to restore power. Please be patient with the response. We have set up an emergency shelter at W.O. High School where food and water are available for all residents. The shelter will remain open until further notice. We are continuing to work with all levels of government to clear our roads and restore power. We ask that you stay off the roads, unless for emergencies, and remain at home. 

Liberty Mutual is offering ten $10,000 awards to fire departments where community members demonstrate their commitment to fire safety through their annual Fire Safety Pledge Program. For every resident that takes the online 10 question, multiple choice quiz, the West Orange Fire Department gets one point. Two grants will be awarded to the departments with the most points at the end of the contest. The contest ends Oct. 31 and winners will be announced in November. West Orange is competing in the medium size department group.

Help the WOFD by taking the Fire Safety Pledge Quiz.
Check out the Leader Board.

Please join us on Monday, October 17th for a general meeting of the Valley Community Watch and Civic Association.
Hazel Ave. School gym
7:30PM

On the agenda for the meeting:

A Visit from the Mayor
Mayor Parisi will give us an update on what’s been going on in town and will answer any questions you may have.

Elections for 2011 – 2013 Board of Trustees
Nominations for the Board of Trustees positions will be accepted at the meeting. The term is for 2011 – 2013.

All residents and business owners of the Valley neighborhood* are welcome to submit their candidacy for the following open positions:

• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
•  Secretary
• Treasurer
• Communications
• Sgt at Arms
• Chair Emeritus

* See Article VIII – Membership of the bylaws to review eligibility rules for being a member and submitting a nomination.

All candidates must be present at the October 17th meeting and must be accompanied by a VCW neighborhood resident to second their nomination.

To learn more about the election procedures of the Valley Community Watch and Civic Association, and the roles and responsibilities of board of trustees members, read the VCW Bylaws.

For question or more information contact: Juan Pintado at vcw2000@aol.com or Jackie Fox at vshmf@comcast.net

Essex County has announced two free collection dates for residents to drop off household hazardous waste and unwanted electronic equipment. Items can be dropped off at the Essex County Fleet Maintenance Facility located at 99 Bradford Ave. in Cedar Grove.

Household Hazardous Waste Items
Saturday, October 1, 2011
8:30am to 4pm
Download the flyer

Household hazardous waste items can be discarded, including pesticides and herbicides, paint thinners and solvents, oil-based paint, chemistry sets, barbecue propane tanks, pool chemicals, photo developing chemicals, household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts, products that contain mercury, car batteries, home fire extinguishers, aerosol spray paint and automotive fluids.

Computer and Electronics
Saturday, October 15, 2011
9am to 3pm
Download the flyer

Computers and other unwanted electronics can be discarded, including computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, scanners, telecom equipment, speakers, televisions, keyboards, main frames, VCRs, stereos, DVD players, toasters, irons and cellular telephones.

You must provide proof of Essex County residency at the site. For more information, please call the Essex County Utilities Authority at 973-792-9060 or visit the Essex County website.

The West Orange Police Department has been telling us for a long time: Lock your cars and don’t leave anything visible inside the car. According to a recent Patch article, vehicle break-ins are on the rise throughout Essex County. Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, there were 26 vehicle break-ins in West Orange (28 in Millburn and 24 in Montclair). According to WOPD Chief Abbott, 65 percent of car break-ins are from unlocked cars.

The annual carnival was cancelled due to rain. The new date for the spring will be announced at a later time. Original details are here.