A Reader Has Questions About Young Bird–Can You Help?

BY  |  Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:30pm  |  COMMENTS (12)

A reader writes:

My neighbor ‘rescued’ a young bird tonight. I’d call it a ‘teenager,’ as it is mostly feathered and has just a little bit of down. She picked it up from the ground because her dogs were sniffing at it.

The bird is currently on my screened porch in a box with a soft cloth (I have to keep it safe from my own cats). From what I’ve read, you’re not supposed to pick birds off the ground but let their parents try to find them. Unfortunately, that part was a done deal.

Any local agency that might have some advice? Doesn’t sound like a job for the animal shelter or PAWS, but I just have no idea.

Anyone know what to do? Thanks in advance.

Pet Photographer to Host Fund Raiser for Anderson Park, May 19

BY  |  Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:09am  |  COMMENTS (1)

Beth Burstein, a pet photographer based in Montclair, will be holding a pet portrait photo shoot fund raising event for Anderson Park on Saturday May 19, in the park.

Burstein regularly walks her dog in Anderson Park and the idea for the fund raiser popped into her head one day when she was there with him.

On any given day, I might see six to eight dogs being walked around the park. Many are regulars, and often many are greeted by other dog walkers, joggers, mothers with children, and people just taking a stroll around the park. They are an integral part of Anderson Park’s culture, and I thought this dog-focused fund raiser would be a great way to help support the park which is so well-maintained but whose beautiful trees were hard hit during the October snow storm.

Burstein has been formally photographing pets since 2005, but officially launched her business in the beginning of this year. The 15-30 minute shoots will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and cost $50 per dog. Those who are interested should contact beth@bethburstein.com to reserve a time slot in advance.

Lungo’s Tale

BY  |  Wednesday, Apr 25, 2012 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (36)

The note in my email box began like many others: “We are missing our cat, Lungo. Last time he was home was Tuesday, April 17. Midland and James area. He is an indoor/outdoor big cat. He’s neutered and vaccinated. We miss him a lot.”

Attached were three photographs of a beautiful, plump grey tabby that appeared to have been very well-cared for. I posted the story here. Continue Reading

The Weekend: Theater, Parties, Dance, Gardens and Politics

BY  |  Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 10:30am  |  COMMENTS (2)

Lots going on this weekend and the weather will be absolutely gorgeous! Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy The Weekend.

The Theater Project will present Miss Witherspoon by Christopher Durang directed by Mark Spina beginning tonight, April 12 through April 29. The production marks the The Theater Project’s first as a resident company at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood. Miss Witherspoon is the most recent of Christopher Durang’s patented black comedies to be produced by The Theater Project. Durang, a New Jersey native, has a comic sensibility that resonates strongly with the company and its audiences. Miss Witherspoon is a comedy about life, death, and, like it or not, reincarnation. And, Miss Witherspoon does NOT like the reincarnation bit. Eager to depart this world, she finds there are souls on the other side who have other ideas for her. The cast includes Theater Project favorites Bev Sheehan (in the title role), Jenelle Sosa, Daaimah Talley, Kevin Sebastian and Meredith Handerhan. The play was nominated in 2006 for the Pulitzer Prize in drama and was named one of the Ten Best Plays of 2005 by Time Magazine and Newsday.

Miss Witherspoon
Thursday, April 12 at 8 pm. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm through April 29 with several matinee performances at 2 pm.
Burgdorff Center for The Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood, NJ
$25 at the door / $22 when pre-ordered via Brown Paper Tickets

Continue Reading

National Dog Bite Prevention Course Set for April 27-28

BY  |  Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 3:00pm  |  COMMENTS (4)

A National Dog Bite Prevention course, co-hosted by the Bloomfield Township Board of Health, Neighbor to Neighbor Network, and the Bloomfield Animal Shelter, will take place Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to noon both days, at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street.

There is a $25 fee.

The course will be led by Teresa Lewin, a world-renowned specialist in dog bite prevention education. Ms. Lewin also works directly with a therapist to help dog bite victims regain a healthy perspective towards dogs. She is co-founder of Doggone Safe, Inc, a national dog bite prevention organization.

Attendees will learn why dogs bite, how to interpret a dog’s body language, bite risk assessment, the course of action after being bitten, and the role of fear. The course is recommended for anyone who must visit people’s homes for a living such as power workers, delivery persons, real estate agents, landscapers, and social services providers.

Each class can hold 30 to 50 people, so it is recommended that participants register in advance. For more information about this event or to buy tickets, email adoptatbas@yahoo.com or call the Bloomfield Animal Shelter at 973-748-0194.

Gov. Christie Live: One Night Only

BY  |  Thursday, Mar 01, 2012 8:30am  |  COMMENTS (101)

Do you have something you’ve been wanting to ask Governor Chris Christie? This could be your chance.

Tonight at 8 p.m., the Guv will appear live on “Christie on the Line,” a call-in program on NJTV hosted by anchor Steve Adubato. Questions can be submitted to democracyworks@caucusnj.org, or by clicking here. Continue Reading

Capoochino’s in Nutley to Host Adoption/Re-Homing Event February 26

BY  |  Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 3:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Capoochino’s Dog Grooming Gallery and Daycare in Nutley will host an adoption/re-homing event on Sunday, February 26, from 1 to 5 p.m., to benefit the John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals in Bloomfield

Cats and small dogs will be available for adoption. Donations will be gratefully accepted. The shelter needs:

Fancy Feast cat and kitten food
Pedigree dog food (canned)
Dog/Cat treats
Dog/Cat toys
Cat litter (clay/non-clumping)
6-inch paper plates
Monetary donations

Ash Wednesday Ushers in Lent

BY  |  Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 1:30pm  |  COMMENTS (74)

Today is Ash Wednesday, which brings in the first day of Lent — 46 days of reflection and penitence that precede Easter.  Observant Christians visit church for special services and to receive ashes on their foreheads.  St. George’s Episcopal Church in Maplewood describes the ritual this way on its website:

On Ash Wednesday the imposition of ashes on our foreheads with the words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” acknowledges the reality of the limitations in our human nature. We do not always behave the way we would like and we will not live in the way we are accustomed forever. Though it is difficult, once we accept those realities we begin to see the sheer joy of grace that is in both God’s forgiveness and promise of eternal life.

Around Baristaville, priests and lay people are offering ashes at train stations and other locations; although most took place during morning rush hour, Christ Episcopal Church in Bloomfield/Glen Ridge will dispense ashes at the Glen Ridge and Bloomfield train stations and at the bus stop in front of Christ Church, from  5:30 – 7 p.m. Continue Reading

Roxy Needs a Forever Home

BY  |  Monday, Feb 20, 2012 12:28pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

A reader from Bloomfield writes that she can no longer keep a dog she is fostering. Here is Roxy’s story:

I’ve known Roxy for several years, but I have had her since October 2011, when her family surrendered her to me. The elderly owner was hospitalized and the adult children knew I cared for Roxy when their dad needed help over the years. They were just letting her out to run the neighborhood but didn’t want to let her back in. The neighbors alerted me to this and the family asked me to take her because they could no longer tend to her.

Roxy is around six years old and weighs 55 pounds. She is up-to-date on all shots and has been spayed and microchipped. She is housebroken and responds to with basic commands (sit, stay and come).

Roxy loves to cuddle and sit at your side, whether you are doing yard work, washing dishes, driving, or sitting on the couch. When you are ready to get out and about, Roxy will keep up with you and she loves to trot along as you jog through the park.

Roxy has a high prey drive and will be on alert for cats and other small animals. She hasn’t shown signs of aggression but I haven’t given her the opportunity to show me to what extent she’ll go. She does well with other dogs while walking throught the park or neighborhood, but she does NOT like my other two dogs. I keep her separated, because both of my dogs will not tolerate her being possessive of me and I don’t want to create any unnecessary anxiety in her. I have not had extra time to work with Roxy in the way I would like, given my current commitments. Roxy has been extremely accommodating and responsive to any boundaries I have set forth in the household.

Sarah Keyishian of SleepyDog Training is offering complementary initial training to help integrate Roxy into a new family, if desired.

Please contact pets@baristanet.com if you are interested in adopting Roxy.

Bobbi Brown’s Weekend Adventures

BY  |  Monday, Feb 13, 2012 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

I am not stalking Bobbi Brown, seriously. I was just wondering yesterday if she had anything to say about New York Fashion Week, which is going on now.

So I went to her twitter feed, @justbobbibrown, and found this provocative tweet from Saturday:

The back side of a cop car is crazy uncomfortable #whoknew Continue Reading

Featured Comment

I'll be visiting two cemeteries to pay tribute to two men with whom I served in Nam, and I'm really surprised the Baristas didn't include such a visitation as something specific to do this coming weekend. Since such remembrance is traditionally the true purpose of Memorial (or "Decoration") Day.
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cathar

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