A visual chronicle of suburban NJ
I originally wasn’t going to show you this photo of the Riptide at night, because it’s basically the same as yesterday’s light-trails shot… but these OLP carnival shots seem to be pretty well received, and how often do I get to do fun shots like these, anyway?
So HERE YOU GO. No more, though. It’s back to the boring life tomorrow.
Continuing fun at the OLP Fair…!
I’ve photographed The Zipper at night before, and quite honestly it might be the exact same set of bolts and motors and lights (since it’s owned by the same company)… but never in New Providence!
I’ve always thought the little spinning capsules look like saxophone cases. (You can check Wikipedia to see what the ride looks like in the daytime.)
More OLP Carnival shots. It wouldn’t be a fair without a Ferris wheel! Thanks George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.
…And sometimes I can’t decide between shots, so you get ‘em both. Which one do you like better?
There are a lot of us who live in the ‘burbs and work in the City. Those of us who live on the Gladstone branch of the Morris & Essex line usually have to transfer at Newark Broad Street or Summit. (This is Summit.)
If you’re moving to this area, and you plan to commute in to New York, and you’re trying to decide between living on the Gladstone branch vs. living on the Dover branch… I’d recommend the Dover branch. I live on the Gladstone branch, and it’s totally doable, but if I didn’t have to transfer all the time, that would be even better.
…but don’t go so far out as Hackettstown. You have to transfer for stops beyond Dover, too. And the commute is about two hours each way, if you catch the express. Who wants that?
I was passing through Westfield last night when I saw a very interesting cloud that turned out to not be a cloud at all.
The fire was large enough that the Westfield fire department needed to call in reinforcements from New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains/ Fanwood, Mountainside, Elizabeth, Cranford, Roselle Park, and Garwood to help fight the flames.
It started around 3:25PM. I think it may have been about four or five alarms when I took this photo, but it was a six-alarm fire by the time it ended. Reportedly, it was brought “under control” by 6:45PM, but crews continued to monitor for hot spots throughout the night.
According to Patch.com, “the cause of the fire is unknown but initial reports indicated that the fire may have begun in the loft area of the building” (para. 2).
Several businesses were destroyed, including Clyne & Murphy (restaurant and catering), Rocky the Tailor, the Sound Station, Figaro’s Hair Styling, and about two to four others. I don’t know if anyone was caught in the fire; I saw stretchers being wheeled to the site, but I didn’t see anyone on them.
EDIT, 1/23/12, 8:00PM: One firefighter may have injured according to Patch.com, and may not have been injured according to the Star-Ledger.
Also: Check it out, Westfield Patch featured my photo in a follow-up article, out of over 100 photos submitted to the original article. I’m a little proud.
Sources:
Antonelli, T. and L. Mitchell. (2012). “Update: Clyne & Murphy Fire Hits Six-Alarm Status.” Westfield Patch. http://westfield.patch.com/articles/three-alarm-fire-breaks-out-at-clyne-murphy-in-westfield.
Paik, E. (2012). “Firefighters battling six-alarm fire in Westfield.” The Star-Ledger. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/firefighters_battling_four-ala.html.
Star-Ledger Staff. (2012). “Five-alarm fire in Westfield destroys several businesses.” The Star-Ledger. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/five-alarm_westfield_fire_dest.html.
This is the New Providence train station (as previously seen here, here, here, here, here, and here).
This train— the 5:25pm train— is the last train that goes into New York until rush hour is over. The next New-Providence-to-New-York train is 8:45pm.
I’m sure this has messed up the schedules for some rail passengers (what if you have a red-eye flight, and you need to get to Newark or LaGuardia or JFK airports?), but the Gladstone branch isn’t particularly well-traveled. NJ Transit has to do what makes the most financial sense.
Plus, since most of the Gladstone branch only has one track, if they ran lots of trains going INTO New York during rush hour, the trains coming OUT of New York would have to be less frequent, which would annoy a lot more people.
Speaking of annoying people— they updated the train schedules in November, and my 7:09 morning train was changed to 7:12. Great, says I, I have an extra three minutes to get ready in the morning! Unfortunately, they have completely ignored this schedule update, and the train continues to show up at 7:09, which has led to a few frantic runs to catch my train. Seriously, NJ Transit, if you’re going to make these sorts of changes, PLEASE FOLLOW THEM.
/End rant.
I feel like I ought to post something festive, as a sort of respectful sending-off to 2011. But I don’t really have any festive photos. ‘Cept this one. Woo! Lights!
2011, you managed to not be the year the world ended. Good job. I appreciate that.
Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone!
P.S. If you like there’s one day left to vote for New Providence Daily Photo’s Photo of the Year! Feedback is completely voluntary, but your efforts would be appreciated!
Merry Christmas from New Providence, New Jersey!
If Christmas isn’t your thing, here’s hoping today’s a lovely day for you anyway.
After our stupid October blizzard, I’ve become somewhat disgusted with snow, so here’s wishing ya’ll a foggy Christmas instead of a white one.
(Today’s creative title brought to you by Josy Needs Sleep™, an excellent resource for all your creative titling needs.)
Another lovely festive holiday shot of the Turtle Back Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular! I think it kind of looks like Christmas vomited all over the park, but you can draw your own less disgusting conclusions on the matter.
