LOCAL POLL II #2 -- HIGHLAND PARK, NJ!

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If you are ever Jersey way, come check out my current hometown of Highland Park. 

Now I’m a 36 year old mom of a fabulous trio who are 2, 4, and 6 years old.  That’s to say I’m just pulling out of the deer-in-the-head-lights stage of mac-n-cheese dinners, the pitter patter of little feet climbing into my bed, and endless rocking/singing/reading to comfort the annual winter ear infections.  Between mom-duty and trying to get tenure at Rutgers, I seldom get out other than to library time, t-ball, and an occasional Artists Now event – this great arts organization my honey runs that brings in kick ass artists from Scotland or the Philadelphia orchestra or a West African Drum ensemble to our little neck of the woods for a night of fun, food, and music with about 60-80 people in the comfort of someone’s home.  In fact, Jeff Helgesen and Shab/Tom Wirtle, two amazing trumpet players from our very own Champaign-Urbana, have made the trip to play out this way over the last five years.  If you can, you gotta come to the annual Ceile or other events – amazing.

For those in my life spot, Highland Park is fabulous.  For those a bit more footloose and fancy free, I’ve glimpsed that world and it seems next door New Brunswick has some fun to offer there.  Here’s the skinny on both:

TO DO in HIGHLAND PARK
Highland Park is a great walking town with a definite family focus.  Twice a year there are Highland Park days where the main street is blocked off, kids ride bikes in the street, get their face painted and climb the fire engine; others pass out t-shirts for local politicians or demonstrate the accomplishments of those at the local dojo. Most summer days there are lemonade stands and sprinklers set up, so come prepared.

Most warm weekends people take great advantage of the two parks.  At Johnson Park you can find great soccer games, with nary of word of English spoken by anyone.  Apparently, there are also some amazing games of ultimate Frisbee as well. You can also visit the little zoo, sit at the ponds, or on Sunday afternoons listen to the free concert.  At Donaldson Park it’s kid central, with up-and-coming soccer, t-ball/baseball, swing-set/playground folk –a-plenty.  At both parks, you’ll need to share your space with the plentiful geese.  In the winter, be sure to bring your sled or cross-country skiis.

Rutgers also has lots of events going on, whether at their quite good Zimmerli Art Museum or any number of talks, concerts, lectures or the like. One particularly fun event (really two events in one) is during the last weekend in April. On Douglas Campus there is a folk festival and in a near by field on Cook Campus there’s an Ag-Field day, with animals on hand, plants to buy, and games for the kids.  Both supply fun music, opportunities to people watch, and plenty of country fair food to eat.

There is also the NJ State Theatre and Stage Left which bring in theatre, comedy, ballet, music . . . It benefits by it’s proximity to NYC and we often get great performances who make a quick road trip to New Brunswick.

Best unusual thing: there is a “tow-path” – a path between New Brunswick and . . . (miles and miles and miles) that runs along the Raritan River and a canal.  It’s gorgeous – a canopy of tress along the water that makes the bumper-to-bumper seem far away.  This is great for a run, long ride, or calming walk.

Big-ole-bummers: Book stores are in sorry supply and the coffee shops are mediocre at best.  Rumor has it that this may be remedied in the next two years, a happy fact if it comes to pass.

FOOD: Mainly in New Brunswick, with a few Highland Park options thrown in. The best food is made by my buddies, Bonnie Kortrey and Kim Hammond – these women can cook!  If you go out, here are other options:

Best Restaurants: Mikada (Ethiopian) and Nova Terra (Latin American); others would argue Sophie’s Bistro (French)

My Fav Hang Out: Harvest Moon, (nice microbrewery); music on the weekend, but I usually miss this.

For a quick bite: Pad Thai (in Highland Park) has great food, though only so-so ambiance.

Fun dives: Tumulty’s (music in the basement, Wed is open mic -- a real hit or miss moment)

Best Breakfast: Bagel Dish (a Highland Park claim to fame)

Pizza: Lil Tony’s – the pizza is pretty good, but the folks who run it are fabulous.

Ice Cream: Corner Confectionary (Highland Park) – yummmmm.

Most of the above restaurants have extensive vegetarian options. In addition, in Highland Park, there is a high orthodox Jewish population, so for this Irish Catholic girl, I’ve seen words next together that I’ve never seen before: Kosher Pizza or Kosher Chinese.

Although Highland Park cannot compete with NYC, it’s neighbor 45 minutes via the NE Corridor, if you come on out this way, there’s plenty to do and see.

Mary P.