If the predictions are true we are about to get POUNDED with a crazy nor’easter. With all the recent talk of faked global warming data it is easy to forget that there really just doesn’t seem to be as much snow during the winter as there was when I was just a young lad. Back then the neighborhood kids would wake up early in a competition to see who could be the first out making money shoveling snow. Many a blustery morning  in the late 70’s – early 80’s my brother and me would head out  at first light after a storm, vying to be the ones to service the choicest of long driveways. We would trod up to the doors of our sometimes still sleeping neighbors in and effort to earn a little loot which we would most likely blow later at the video game parlor. (Yes, as unbelievable as it seems, there was a time when you actually had to leave the house to play video games AND they were played on *gasp* a stand-alone machine, but I digress.) Those days we would work as fast as we could, systematically moving from one house to another in hopes of expanding our pockets just a little more. We worked until are hands and feet were almost frostbitten, head back for 30 minute of hot chocolate and heat and then back out again until the early waning of the winter light when our bodies ached from a job well done. I remember back then thinking that these folk were lucky and that one day, god willing, I would be in my house and have industrious kids knocking on my door full of piss and vinegar ready to make a buck for a hard days work.

Now that I have that house, when it snows I wait for the knock.  The knock that says, “Hey Mister I’m here and I am ready to work, I’ll do a bang up job for you, so please sir won’t you let me make a buck”?  It is the knock that would complete the circle of life, the knock of tradition, continuity, the knock of faith. But alas it is the knock never comes. One time a kid from 2 doors down stopped over half heartily offering to shovel but performed in the same half-hearted manner, eyes darting side to side knowingly when sticking his hand out to collect his quarry,  embarrassed  to be leaving me to clean up his unfinished shoveling. Back in the day sidewalks were cleared side to side, not some pathetic single shovel path down the center.  I later learned that the motive was not one of that of pulling ones self up by the bootstraps but rather that of a teen who need some dough for a party he was headed to later that evening. That didn’t  bother me half as much as if he would have just taken some pride in his work. Who am I to judge what he was going to do with his hard-earned cabbage. One kids video game parlor is another kids keg party…but still.

I fear I am quickly becoming like that grumpy old curmudgeon Andy Rooney lamenting the passing of newspapers. Perhaps it was the proliferation of the snow blower or the various landscape crews on contract that will come plow the drive and clear the walk or maybe todays kids have it easy but what ever the case it seems the fire is gone. Know this though I will still be here, be here waiting for the knock, the knock that may never comes with cash in hand ready, ready for the kid whose looking to pay his way by seizing the opportuntiy mother nature presents him or her, the kid looking to earn his keep. As I put the finishing touches on this post the NBC 4 had the most telling quote, “As PARENTS worry about the snow shoveling in their future, kids are just happy to see some flakes of the white stuff”

We would like to know your story do you have neighborhood kids who come by offering to shovel? Post a comment and let us know.

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December 7th, a day that President Roosevelt told us, will live in infamy. The attack on Pearl Harbor decisively drew the United States in to the second world war.  Today another significant event has taken place that will surely ignite the burger wars in Montclair, NJ.

SMASHBURGER . HAS . OPENED.

 

At 10 a.m. eastern standard time Smashburger , a Denver based company, opened its first New Jersey location in Glenmont Square at 15 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ. Venturing to the new venue today for a grand opening day lunch, we arrived to a line of other like-minded folks waiting to try a smashed burger. I opted for 1/2 lb New Jersey Smashburger, Smashfires and a Stewart’s Root Beer for which a semi-frosted mug was provided. Once the meal was paid for, a number stand was handed over to be place on the table. It was 7 minutes from the time on the receipt to the delivery of the meal. During the short wait no less than 3 employees checked in to see if there was anything I needed or asked how I was doing. The order was delivered and I set upon my burger prey and it ended up as to be a 5 napkin meal.  All in all it was a very nice experience and as for the NJ Smashburger, I will to defer to Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction. To see what else is available at Smashburger please see the Smashburger Menu .

Smashburger Gift CardsWe want to know what our readers think and in an effort to share the experience with others we are offering a five dollar gift card to 5 commenters on this post. Have you been to Smashburger yet, what did you think?  If you are planning on going what has inspired you? So go ahead comment and you could be the lucky winner of one of the five gift cards to  Smashburger.

Please be aware this IS NOT a sponsored post. The meal and gift cards have been paid for by Burbtimes. Look forward to hearing from you!

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MontclairRealtyMilkCartonAs if times aren’t tough enough for us Realtors,  today comes this plea from our friends and competitors over at Montclair Realty via the  Montclair Watercooler.

The sign from the outside of our office in Watchung Plaza went missing last night. It is in a black frame that is shaped like a house, and has ‘Montclair Realty, 973-744-8377′ written on it. It is 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, and pretty heavy. The colors are blue and green. Our office is located in Watchung Plaza, across the street from the hardware store, down the driveway (on the ‘footpath’ to Bruce Rd), so it could be anywhere in the area.

 Please us at 973-744-8377 or send an email to aot@earthlink.net if you see it!

With real feel temperatures expected to be 28 degrees tonight, let’s see if we can help Adriana O’Toole get this sign home safe and sound.

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Giving Thanks

by Jeffrey Bogert on November 26, 2009

Today as we gather with family, friends and other assorted characters  in our lives,  take time and  give thanks for all that you have and is those things that are truly important. We should keep in our thoughts those that are abroad and cannot be home this year as well as those who come back broken and those that will never return.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

As a public service announcement to all of you who are frying your turkey this year please revisit my post on safety precautions when doing so. Believe us when we say that we  really don’t want to hear about the poor family whose day was ruined by a house/garage fire.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and drama free day!

P.S. Dog shows smog shows…lets get on with the football!

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Rebecca Frezza Looks like Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck will be back in Montclair, NJ this Sunday November 15th for their Rockin’, Rollin’ & Ridin’ Big Truck CD Release Party at Trumpets located at 6 Depot Square.  There will be 2 shows at 2pm & 4pm featuring special guest Rosco Orman a.k.a Gordon from Sesame Street. All Tickets are $10 with a $5 Food/Drink Minimum and there is a Children’s Menu Available. We saw them when they played at the Suzy Said sponsered event at Van Vleck in August of 2008 and had a great time with the kids. So if you are looking for something fun to do this Sunday call 973-486-0822 for reservations and head over to Trumpets

If you cannot make it this Sunday, don’t worry, they are schedules to be back in the area th Temple Ner Tamid on February 7th, 2010 at 1:30pm.

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