This blog is dedicated to my family and friends who are affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Short Hills House Tour Promoting Autism Awareness in our schools.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Thank you for your donation! The 3rd Annual Short Hills HouseTourtoBenefit Autism Awareness, goes way beyond the goal.
3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness
Celebrated autism awareness, local businesses, Short Hills real estate and strong community, on so many levels in a "class act" sort of way.
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| KW Agents Fundraising to Spread Autism Awareness |
Thank you for your interest and support with this worthwhile cause, it was a "win-win-win" event!
Autism affects 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.
With those astonishing numbers, Sales Associate & Blogger, Melanie Rosenbaum of RealShortHills along with Keller Williams Premier Properties of Essex, Union and Morris Counties, put together the 3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness. It took place on October 3rd, 2015 from 12noon to 3pm, with an inaugural House Tour Preview Party on Friday, October 2nd, from 7pm-9pm. With the $25.00 donation, the architectural & real estate tour experience gave participants the opportunity to view real estate in Millburn & Short Hills and spend an evening at a special home on the tour by Simonian Rosenbaum Architects.
| Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits |
All of the proceeds are going to fund Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits, which will be provided to Millburn Township Public Schools based on whatever was raised from the tour. Double last year, thanks to the supporters of this year's tour! The kits will be provided to teachers within our public school system to build understanding and foster acceptance within the classroom. The kits include literature about autism, informational posters, autism awareness giveaways for our children, parental & professional development opportunities, simple classroom lesson plans that teach to an objective that everyone has different abilities, and even decorations to spread autism awareness and celebrate differences during Autism Awareness month in April.
Strong community, on so many levels in a "class act" sort of way.
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| Thrilled mother/ daughter time! |
During the house tour homeowners, architects, builders, KW agents, and sponsors, opened each of the homes to those attending with donations of either lunch served by Guaranteed Rate, treats from Splurge Bakery, chocolate goodness from Chocolate Works of Millburn, Pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory (the Rosenbaums' love the Rosenblatts'!), Naked Juice and chocolate chip cookies from RealShortHills, or Tape Measurers provided by Acres Title Agency (little silver boxes in the fabulous kitchen at 11 Fairfield Terrace).
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| KW Sales Associates, Karen Gil & Lilly Ibrahim host 84 Canoe Brook Road |
The houses on the tours have included new construction, very lived in, most spectacular or maybe not so, kind of homes. Many of the homes, while not exactly show-casing the usual gardens or decor on most house tours, demonstrate real architectural talents available right here in our own town in real estate that is available! As in 84 Canoe Brook Rd, with the beautiful three sided fireplace that joins open living space creatively in a completely renovated true center hall colonial in our own Poet Section. Or the modern steel staircase that serves as a means to not only get to the next level, but as beautiful art work masterfully designed. Nonetheless, this tour has always been real Short Hills real estate, with those list prices ranging from approximately $900K to approximately $8M in Short Hills.
| 12 Ferndale Road in Short Hills |
This year the House Tour Preview Party was held at a modern new construction design/build by Simonian Rosenbaum Architects. This firm has been completing architectural projects all over the country and in Short Hills since the 1990s. This particular project has been described as “a Falling Water moment” (Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous house) by another local Short Hills architectural and real estate admirer. "It's so nice to see something refreshing and unique in our town", said town resident Carisa Whittfall. Many especially loved the wine and the storage system shown here at 12 Ferndale Road in Short Hills.
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| Greg Smith, owner of Contemporary Art & Editions & Melanie Rosenbaum, House Tour Organizer |
Over the course of the evening tour participants enjoyed beautiful floral arrangements by KP Designs, Artwork from Contemporary Art and Editions, five star service from We're Having A Party, assistance with event planning details by Emily Whitman of Fantasy Creations, and even Brooklyn was in the house! Brooklyn Republic Vodka Company came and shared a signature drink and tastes of their fantastic vodkas. The night would not have been complete without Heavenly Souffle serving gourmet creme brûlée to each of the guests. Didn't get one? They sell them at Kings! At King's one would get great service, especially with Daniel in the wine shop; he made the introduction with Brooklyn Republic Vodka Company and recommended the wine for the preview party. We all had a great evening at an amazing house for a great cause!
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| Dr. Lisa Pivawer, local pediatrician, Emily Jaffe, Millbrun BOE, Melanie Rosenbaum, tour organizer, & David Jaffe |
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| Happy House Tour Preview Party Participants! |
Raffles were provided by Salon La Mode, Style at Schultz, Schultz Furrier, and Zoku Salon. People made a day of it with their entire family, like Stephanie Weinstein, who won a beautiful scarf from Schultz Furrier. And in the photograph she didn't even know she won it yet!

Thank you for your interest and support with this worthwhile cause, this event surely provides a great community experience and it truly felt like a "win-win-win" community event. Hope to see you at the next one! The 4th Annual Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Autism Awareness will be in May 2016.
Donations extended, as per request, until October 26, 2015. They may be made at EventBrite, or via check to Autism NJ, and given to the tour organizer.
For additional information about Autism NJ & the Autism NJ Classroom Resource Kits, please visit www.AutismNJ.org.
To view other projects by Simonian Rosenbaum Architects, please visit this link for Simonian Rosenbaum Architects.
For all other inquiries or more information, please contact Melanie Rosenbaum, Sales Associate & Blogger (& tour organizer) with Keller Williams Premier Properties of Essex, Union, & Morris Counties at Melanie@RealShortHills.com, or please visit www.RealShortHills.com.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
House Tour and Preview Party
3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness
For the House Tour on Saturday, October 3rd, between 12 - 3 pm, all are welcome to attend the 3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness. All proceeds go towards funding Autism NJ’s Classroom Kits for our local schools. Kits will be provided to teachers within our public school system to foster acceptance and build understanding within the classroom. The kits include literature about autism, decorations, informational posters, giveaways for the children, professional development opportunities, and classroom lesson plans to spread autism awareness and celebrate next year’s Autism Awareness month in April.
Preview Party: 10/2 7pm-9pm
House Tour: 10/3 12noon-3pm
The 3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness will take place on October 3rd, 2015 from 12noon to 3 pm, with a preview party on October 2nd, 2015 between 7 - 9 pm. Tickets are available for a $25.00 donation, and may be purchased via Eventbrite, (search "Short Hills House Tour"). All proceeds will then go to Autism NJ to fund Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits, which will be provided to Millburn Public Schools based on what is raised from the current tour. Last year Millburn Township Public Schools was given almost 50 kits for Autism Awareness Month in April, which filled the entire Hartshorn School.
Autism affects 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.
With those astonishing numbers, Sales Associate & Blogger, Melanie Rosenbaum of RealShortHills along with Keller Williams Premier Properties have put together this fundraising real estate market tour experience in which participants are given the opportunity to view local available Keller Williams Premier Properties Real Estate in Millburn and Short Hills, with properties usually ranging $1M - $5M. These homes will be opened to those attending with food and treats provided by Guaranteed Rate, Splurge Bakery, Salon La Mode, and Chocolate Works of Millburn.
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| 12 Ferndale Road, Short Hills |
A Short Hills House Tour Preview Party will be held on Friday
October 2nd, from 7pm-9pm in which participants will have the chance to spend time in one of the tour homes. This year’s home is available modern new construction by upscale local architects, Simonian Rosenbaum Architects. This architectural firm has been completing projects in Short Hills since the 1990s, with this project being described as “a Falling Water moment” (Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous house) by another local Short Hills architectural and real estate admirer. Also to be enjoyed over the course of the evening at the Preview Party, will be lovely flowers by KP Designs, artwork by Contemporary Art and Edition, along with music by Sunhill. Event details are beautifully curated by Emily Whitman of Fantasy Creations.
| Autism NJ's Classroom Resource Kits |
To support this worthwhile cause and take part in what is sure to be a truly memorable local event by purchasing a ticket, please go to this link on Eventbrite.
For additional information about Autism NJ, please visit: www.AutismNJ.org.
For all other inquiries or more information, please contact Melanie Rosenbaum, Sales Associate with Keller Williams Premier Properties at Melanie@RealShortHills.com, or please visit www.RealShortHills.com.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Truly touched! I hope you will come to the Preview Party of the Tour and say hello!
On Sep 22, 2015, at 3:17 PM, John wrote:I saw the house tour item you posted on MSPEC and then stumbled onto the rest of your blog. How old is your son? How is he dealing with the information? If he'd like to talk to my 19-year-old, now a college sophomore, about his memories of learning his dx, please let me know. I'm sure James would be happy to discuss. And here's an account that ends with him coming to terms with the knowledge at age 8:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/education/one-boys-journey-out-of-autisms-grasp.html
Best, John
My response:
Truly touched! I hope you will come to the Preview Party of the Tour and say hello! Thank you for sharing!
Best,
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Press Release: 3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness
Press Release:
3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness
Preview Party: 10/2 7pm-9pm
House Tour: 10/3 12noon-3pm
The 3rd Annual Short Hills House Tour to Benefit Autism Awareness will take place on October 3rd, 2015 from noon to 3 pm, with a preview party on October 2nd, 2015 between 7 - 9 pm. Tickets are available for $25.00, and may be purchased via Eventbrite. All proceeds directly benefit autism awareness locally.
Autism affects 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.
With those astonishing numbers, Sales Associate & Blogger, Melanie Rosenbaum of RealShortHills along with Keller Williams Premier Properties have put together a fundraising real estate market tour experience in which participants will be given the opportunity to view local available Keller Williams Premier Properties Real Estate in Millburn and Short Hills, with properties usually ranging $1M - $5M. These homes will be opened to those attending with food, light bites, and treats provided by Guaranteed Rate.
![]() |
| 12 Ferndale Road, Short Hills |
A Short Hills House Tour Preview Party will be held on Friday
October 2nd, from 7pm-9pm in which participants will have the chance to spend time in one of the tour homes. This year’s home is available modern new construction by upscale local architects, Simonian Rosenbaum Architects. They have been completing projects in Short Hills since the 1990s, with this project being described as “a Falling Water moment” (Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous house) by another local Short Hills architectural and real estate admirer. Also to be enjoyed over the course of the evening, will be lovely flowers by KP Designs, artwork by Contemporary Art and Edition, along with music by Sunhill. Event details are beautifully curated by Emily Whitman.
To support this worthwhile cause and take part in what is sure to be a truly memorable local event by purchasing a ticket, please go to this link on Eventbrite.
For additional information about Autism NJ, please visit: www.AutismNJ.org.
For all other inquiries or more information, please contact Melanie Rosenbaum, Sales Associate with Keller Williams Premier Properties at Melanie@RealShortHills.com, or please visit www.RealShortHills.com.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Autism NJ Deliver the Classroom Kits
Autism NJ Deliver the Classroom Kits
On March 23, 2015 just in time for Autism Awareness month in April lots of boxes were delivered.
Lots of boxes, that served as gifts to teachers with supplies for classrooms of about 25 students. The Teacher Classroom Kits included materials such as brief lesson plans, student give always, classroom decorations, posters, info for students and their parents to learn more about the disorder.
Even the Persident of Hartshorn PTO, Sonali Ghanti and the President of Caring Kids came out to show their support of these wonderful gifts. Caring kids actually presented the brief lessons to some of the students in 2nd and 3rd grades. It truly was a collaborative effort with so many! Thank you!
For tickets and info to the next tour, go to www.RealShortHills.com.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
He knows he has autism.
Today my son was telling me a story about a boy who has autism. I asked him if he knew what autism was and he said, "it is a very bad disease that causes problems with peoples brains". I told him that it is not a disease, but a disorder. And it is only as bad as you let it be. In other words, there are things and even medicines to help manage the problems that the disorder may cause. He continued to describe the boy as someone who was very sensitive. He was saying that the boy acted "really upset for no reason". I told my son there are triggers, and motioned like I was poking at something. I explained that sometimes people get triggered or poked by something, and then they feel and react the way they do. Your emotions and feelings just get the best of you sometimes. And the best thing to do is understand when you are triggered. We talked about how he got upset earlier in the day. Then he asked me if he had autism. I told him the truth...
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