Instant Traffic Alerts via Phone, Text, Email or Twitter

When driving, traffic information isn’t more than a couple of minutes away:

• 1010am on the 1’s (01, 11, 21, 31, etc)
• 1030am on the 5’s (05, 15, 25, etc)
• 880 on the 8’s (08, 18, 28, etc)

XM radio has dedicated weather/traffic stations for most major cities that just go on infinite loops.

But these are all passive methods. You have to wait through commercials, or other content before you get the exact information you’re seeking.

Now, there’s another way (or two or three. . .).

• 511 info has set-up customized alerts which you can set-up online
• I subscribe to the 511 New Jersey specific Twitter account Other accounts based on georgraphy are also available
• DIAL 511 on your cell phone and you can go through the automated menus to get traffic or transit info the specific bridge, tunnel or highway you’re planning to use.

  Sometimes it’s better to be in the know. Now it’s just fingertips away.

  What do you use to get the scoop on traffic reports?

  Tags: 511, commute, driving, New Jersey, twitter

WANTED: Party ANIMALS Around West Orange, NJ

Here’s details of a new contest from the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

I don’t know when the last time you visited the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange (behind the Codey Arena at South Mountain), but it is not the same zoo your dad brought you to when you were a kid.

The Turtle Back Zoo is now an officially accredited zoo in NJ. They’ve added a bunch of great new exhibits and residents. There’s a great BIG carousel and playground for the kids. The bird aviary is definiately one of my kids’ favorite areas. And you have the good ol’ standby classic – the choo choo train that takes you around the lake at South Mountain in the back of the zoo grounds.

The Zoo is giving away a free party for you and 25 if your friends. They’ll even throw in a $250 gift card so you can be a super host and look like a star.

The contest entry requirements are so easy that you have no excuse NOT to enter for the party price worth $675!

Get on it, because the deadline is October 15th!

Tags: turtle back zoo

Here’s the 411 on the 911 in Livingston NJ

Here’s a big FYI:

Livingston township is using a system called SWIFT911 for high speed notification of town residents of urgent news. The key feature of the system is the capability of delivering pre-recorded messages to the entire community via telephone, cell phone, email and text messaging.

This system will be used by more municipal departments now, including:

• the Tax Department, for property tax notifications;
• the Water Department, for water maintenance and outage notifications;
• Engineering, for messages about road construction on Township roadways; and
• the Police Department will continue to utilize it for emergencies.

The Swift911 system uses a publicly available list of phone numbers for both residents and businesses.

BUT if you’re number is NOT listed in the telephone book, your number is probably not in the system.

Residents and businesses can add or remove their phone numbers from the system online by visiting www.livingstonnj.org or by clicking on the Swift911 icon above to get to the township website page with details. The service can also add cell phones numbers and e-mail addresses.

Tags: 911, emergency, livingston

Chase Bank is coming to Livingston New Jersey

There’s a Chase bank location on Eisenhower Parkway, East Hanover. There’s one in Summit NJ. One in Millburn NJ. But none in town at Livingston New Jersey. . . up till now:

Now you can go to the bank and post office at the same time since this Chase bank is located directly across the street from the US Post Office on Mt Pleasant Avenue.

Everyone Loves A Parade!

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

The importance of remembering all those who have fought and died for our country is something that all is too often overlooked. It is our hope that the entire community joins our celebration to support and thank those men and women, past and present, for serving in our armed forces. Please remember to fly your flag proudly.

PARADE ROUTE INFORMATION:

• 9:30AM: Memorial Ceremony will take place at the oval in Memorial Park
• 10:00AM: Parade begins in Memorial Park and travels North along Livingston Avenue and ends at Northland Community Center on Jefferson Court.

For any further information, you can call the Livingston Township Recreation Department at (973) 535-7925.

Getting Rid of All the Gypsies in Livingston NJ

The Township of Livingston has entered into a cooperative gypsy moth control program
with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for 2009.

Downstown Areo Crop Service of Vineland, New Jersey has been awarded the contract to apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (FORAY 76B, EPA Reg. # 73049-49) using aircraft to areas infested with gypsy moth larvae.

Aerial application will begin on or after May 12, 2009 through June 12, 2009 or until completion from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m; and possibly in the evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the affected areas.

A map indicating the exact areas to be treated is available for inspection at the municipal offices located at the Senior Community Center, on Hillside Avenue in Livingston, NJ or at the Township website at www.livingstonnj.org.

Residents may contact the Municipal Clerk’s office at (973) 992-5000, (at the Senior Community Center) for more information regarding the exact date, application times and any other information concerning the treatment program.

For emergencies call the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System at 1-800-222-1222. For pesticide regulation information, pesticide complaints, and health referrals call the New Jersey Pesticide Control Program at 609-984-6507.

Supposedly, upon request, the pesticide applicator or applicator business shall provide a resident with notification 12 hours prior to the application, except for Quarantine and Disease Vector Control only, when conditions necessitate pesticide applications sooner than that time.

Additional information about the program is also available on the New Jersey
Department of Agriculture’s website at: www.state.nj.us/agriculture/plant/gypsy.htm

Livingston Township Email Lists

Livingston Township launched a new e-mail initiative recently.

You can sign-up for one of dozens of topical email newsletter lists relevant to living in Livingston, NJ 07039.

You don’t need to provide any personal information other than an email address and password (all other demographic info is optional).

Since these lists are managed by the township itself, it might be useful to sign-up for a couple of the Livingston NJ Township Email Lists and see if the information they push through is useful.

Here are the Livingston-related email list topics available:

• T-O-W-N N-E-W-S
• Adult-Ceramics
• Adult-Duplicate Bridge
• Aquatic-Aqua Jets Swim Team
• Aquatic-Pool Memberships
• Aquatic-Splashercize
• Aquatic-Swim Lessons
• Camps-Counselor in Training Program
• Camps-Fabulous Fridays
• Camps-Kids Camp
• Camps-Kindergarten Outdoor Center
• Camps-Mini Camps
• Camps-Play Pals
• Camps-Preschool Outdoor Center
• Camps-Sports Camps
• Camps-Teen Travel
• Baton- Preschool & UP
• Dance Classes- Preschool through Grade 6
• Dance -Adult Dance Classes
• Fitness Classes-Body Blaster
• Fitness Classes-CrossTraining
• Fitness Classes-FitPass Program
• Fitness Classes-Shape Up
• Fitness Classes-Splashercize
• Fitness Classes-Step Fitness
• Fitness Classes-Yoga
• Fitness Classes-Zumba
• Preschool Programs-Community Kids Preschool
• Preschool Programs-Dance & Baton Classes
• Preschool Programs-Preschool Enrichment Programs
• Facilty Usage & Rentals-Senior/Community Center
• Facilty Usage -Sports Fields
• Senior Adults-Duplicate Bridge
• Senior Adults-Knitting Group
• Senior Adults-Listen to the Children
• Senior Adults-Oak Leaf
• Senior Adults-Old Guard
• Senior Adults-Senior Fitness
• Senior Adults-Senior Transportation
• Senior Adults-Thursday Seniors
• Special Populations-Adaptive Recreation Program
• Special Populations-Special Adults
• Sports – Adults-Badminton Open Play
• Sports – Adults-Basketball – Men’s League
• Sports – Adults-Basketball – Men’s Open Play
• Sports – Adults-Basketball – Women’s Open Play
• Sports – Adults-Softball – Men’s League
• Sports – Adults-Softball – Men’s Over 35 League
• Sports – Adults-Softball – Women’s League
• Sports – Adults-Softball – Women’s Over 35 League
• Sports – Adults-Table Tennis Open Play
• Sports – Adults-Tennis Lessons
• Sports – Adults-Volleyball – Men’s League
• Sports – Adults-Volleyball – Wms – Green Streaks
• Sports – Adults-Volleyball – Womens League
• Sports – Youth-Basketball – Boys/Girls In-Town
• Sports – Youth-Basketball – Boys/Girls Travel
• Sports – Youth-Bowling
• Sports – Youth-Soccer – Kiddie Soccer
• Sports – Youth-Sports Camps
• Sports – Youth-Swim Team
• Sports – Youth-Tennis Lessons
• Sports – Youth-Track
• Sports – Youth-Volleyball Clinic – Boys/Girls
• Sports – Youth-Wrestling
• We live in BURNET HILL School District area
• We live in COLLINS School District area
• We live in HARRISON School District area
• We live in HILLSIDE School District area
• We live in MT PLEASANT School District area
• We live in RIKER HILL School District area
• Township Committees and Volunteer Opportunities
• School Break Activities
• Library
• Recycling and Living Green
• Also, if you are a parent of a child from new born through 12th Grade, you can obtain targeted information by grade, gender and school.

2009 Livingston Soccer Information

Registration is now officially open for the Fall 2009 Season of Livingston Soccer.

The Soccer Programs include Travel, In-Town, Kinderkickers, and High School Co-Ed.

The LSC is NOT planning to hold in person registrations this year!

However, should you need special assistance in the online registration process, please contact president@lsclub.com to make accommodations. Those with limited or no access to a personal computer are encouraged to use free online access at the Livingston Public Library.

The Livingston Soccer Registration DEADLINE IS APRIL 15.
Avoid the late fee of $50 per family by registering early.

Club email: president@lsclub.com
Contact for Online Registration Questions: muench25@gmail.com

How to OWN the Street You Live On

Have you ever wished you OWNED THE BLOCK you live on in Livingston NJ?

Here’s your chance…

Here’s a way to buy up your block *and* help the Livingston Skate Park project.

How To Get Into New York City for a Buck (Actually Two)

If you drive into NYC regularly, you probably use E-Z Pass.

And even if you’re paying cash every time, you’re hit with a sky-high bill just to drive into the city over the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, etc. It’s almost as high as a movie ticket!

Right now, the Lincoln Tunnel will set you back $8 EACH TIME you go into the Big Apple!

But there’s a way to go through the same toll booths and get through for only $2.00!

The Port Authority Carpool Plan provides the largest toll discount at the Port Authority bridges and tunnels.

• The toll for Port Authority Carpool customers is $2 at all hours – 24/7.
• You must have an E-ZPass account and you must register for the Port Authority Carpool Discount Plan.
• To register for the Carpool Plan, call 1-800-333-8655 (New York Service Center) or 1-888-288-6865 (New Jersey Service Center). Be sure to have your account number or tag number and PIN for account access.
• Three or more people must be in a vehicle to be eligible for the Carpool toll rate (no commercial vehicles qualify).
• Customers must use a staffed “Cash-E-ZPass” toll lane and come to a complete stop so the toll collector can verify the number of occupants in the vehicle.

There’s no cost to sign-up, so you should do it regardless! And the next time you go through with 3 people in your car, you’ll save at least $6 each time.