Maggie Blaha

Reader Idea | Teaching the American Civil War to Students in China

This idea, for using primary sources to help teach about the Civil War, comes from a teacher who works with English-language learners in China.

In 100 Degree Heat, Bowtie's the Most Popular Place in Town

The community pool is a mecca for members and guests.

It All Ends: Harry Potter Fans Say Their Final Goodbyes at a Midnight Matinee

The midnight showings of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 sold out in advanced ticket sales at the Menlo Park AMC Dine-in Theater.

Bowling Fundraiser Raises Money and Awareness to Help End Hunger

Friendly battles were waged by teams who turned out to bowl for a worthy cause.

Third Annual Community Garden Tours Aim to Get More Residents Involved in the Community

Elijah's Promise and Unity Square host local food event to spread the word about food sustainability and community development.

Working Together to Make a World Without Breast Cancer

Flipping flapjacks, Dress-Down Wednesdays, and raffles are some of the ways Courtney's Crew is raising money to fight and spread awareness about Breas

Budding Writers Read their Work at the 9th Annual Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival

Growth and how to cultivate it could have been the theme of the 9th Annual Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival hosted by the New York Writers Coalition.

Family Fun: Your Winter Guide to 2013

Does cabin fever kick in at your home when the temperature starts to drop? Fear not. We've got 52 great kid-friendly New Jersey destinations (and some geared to grown-ups) to help cure the cold-weather blues.

The Rule of Unintended Consequences (Happy Version)

The owners of Cartridge World in Morris Plains have raised four Seeing Eye puppies, and the playful pups have made quite an impact on the customer base.

Face Paint; An Interview with Renowned Makeup Artist Ellen Bodkins

Ellen Bodkins's works of art are not hanging in a museum, but they can be seen walking down the street or the aisle, on TV, or in a magazine. Ellen's medium is not paint but makeup.

It's a Movement: DIY Style Never Looked So Chic

Interview with Erica Domesk, author of P.S. You're Invited.

Giveaway: Tracy Moore's Humorous Take on Unplanned Motherhood

Interview with Jezebel blogger Tracy Moore on her unplanned pregnancy.

Applebee's Presents Summer Offerings You're Gonna Like

This isn't what you're expecting. If it's stacked, stuffed, or topped, Applebee's at Woodbridge Center is presenting it on their new menu.

A Local Bistro in Colonia Puts a Modern Twist on Classic Dishes

Maxwell's 35, a global bistro in Colonia, is setting the food you know on its ear.

Kulfi, the Traditional Ice Cream of India, is a Definitely Different Treat

An Oak Tree Road store serves up kulfi, India's homemade frozen treat.

Mie Thai on Main St. Brings the Flavors of Thailand to Life

Large portions and an even larger menu make Mie Tai a crowd pleaser.

Cafe Paris is Your Passport to France

Cafe owner Marie-Therese Fuller ensures that this cozy little Metuchen-based cafe keeps customers happy with dishes that pay homage to her homeland.

Old-fashioned, Homemade Breakfast Dishes Shine at Edison Restaurant

Families flock to this small, charming family restaurant for a good, homestyle, weekend morning meal.

New Jersey Monthly Quick Bite-Abigail's Cafe

Red-brick walls and wrought-iron light fixtures create the ideal atmosphere for Abigail's eclectic mix of Hungarian, Polish and Portuguese food.

New Jersey Monthly Quick Bite-The Red Cadillac Tacos & Tequila

Mexican food served in a setting inspired by owner Joe Montes's 1968 red Cadillac instead of the usual terra cotta colors of the Southwest.

Online Dating: The Pressure Is On!

When it comes to online dating in China, users are not exactly looking for a mate who likes Pĩna Coladas and getting lost in the rain.

The Coffee Kingdom

'I think Shanghainese drink coffee more, because they are more international,' said Cantonese coffee fan, Wang Sumyi, 22.

Over-the-Top, Slightly Funny, and Just Plain Weird: Theme Restaurants in China

Ironically, there is no Central Perk in New York City.

The Chinese Student's Bucket List

I did an Oral English lesson on bucket lists for the last class of the semester. It's easy to only see my students as faceless drones, but getting an insight into their deepest desires and lifelong goals gives them faces.

The Marriage Market Part 2 (The American Perspective)

I asked Damian if he thought his parents ever posted his resume at the marriage market. "No," he said, "I'm not good enough."

China: Response to "Women's Rights at Risk" by Leta Hong Fincher

With response to the article "Women's Rights at Risk" by Leta Hong Fincher: What we can say about Mao's policies during the Cultural Revolution and Great Leap Forward is that they were equally destructive to both men and women.

The birds and the bees in China

The peaceful water town of Tongli is home to a museum one would not expect to find in modern mainland China: a sex museum.

Shopping carts turn up in the oddest of places

When it first came on the scene, customers were reluctant to use the shopping cart. But by the 1960s, they were so ubiquitous that a new problem had arisen: The rogue shopping cart.

Stop, think and eat ethically

Do you try to eat ethically? The concepts of eating ethically and watching where our food comes from are hot topics in the food world.

Hunger activists re-envision iconic film scenes with food

This is clearly not the Disney version of "Alice in Wonderland." The Mad Hatter invites some friends 'round for tea in part of the photo series Appetite 4 Life, which was conceptualized to raise awareness of hunger.

Risking his life for the perfect wave

Kenji Croman has broken bones, dislocated his shoulder and elbow, endured concussions and nearly drowned several times.

She found love, left sugar and lost weight

Cady Stanton struggled with her weight for most of her life. She used food to cope with stress and anxiety, eating large quantities of ice cream before going to sleep at night.

National parks free this weekend

Weight loss inspiration: Woman ditches diets, loses weight

Teena Henson's "journey to life" began with a newspaper ad.

You're never too young to be CEO

The Littleton, Colorado, sisters make lip balm and lotion bars using the beeswax left over from their parents' hives. They call themselves the Sweet Bee Sisters.

Visiting all 50 states: What counts?

On July 23, 2013, Justin Clark Pollard reached Wisconsin, his 50th state, just a couple weeks shy of turning 30. Setting a deadline for himself -- 50 before 30 -- was what pushed him to keep going on his quest, he says.

Greece tops Lonely Planet's 2014 Best in Europe list

Beautiful islands, ancient architecture and delicious Mediterranean cuisine are just a few of the reasons why Greece tops Lonely Planet's 2014 Best of Europe Top 10 list.