There’s been lots of news happening in Essex County this week, and The Montclair Girl is here to get you up to speed. Among the local headlines: Beloved Baths opens in Maplewood, the Montclair Police Department has donated 55 retired bulletproof vests to be used in Ukraine, Mountainside hospital has received “Leader” status from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair and beyond.
Medical Card No Longer Required for Adults 21+ to Purchase Cannabis Products in New Jersey
According to a tweet by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, adults 21+ will no longer be required to show a medical card to purchase cannabis and cannabis products. This new ruling comes as cannabis shops and dispensaries are being approved and opened throughout Hudson and Essex Counties.
Food Network Host Jeff Mauro Gives Shoutout to Montclair
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Food Network co-host Jeff Mauro, stopped for a photo op in Hoboken and to give a shout out to Montclair, Jersey City, and Hoboken. The post reads, “I realized that during my picturesque run (gotta work off that 400 episode cake!) along the Hudson that I spend a tremendous amount of time in the great state of New Jersey…which, I have come to realize after 9 years of working from here, New Jersey is pretty much the Chicago of New York – especially Hoboken, Montclair, and Jersey City. Now, not sure if this might offend some, but I think it’s is a wonderful comparison. The people are passionate and prideful, the food is authentic and more accessible & there are a ton of well behaved dogs and families everywhere. Just a way different vibe here in the Garden State than across the river…and I totally dig it. See you next week Jerzzzz”
Essex County Maintains Highest Gas Prices in New Jersey
The price of gas has dropped in New Jersey, by all of 7 cents, but Essex County is averaging 9 cents a gallon more than neighboring counties, per Tap Into. The average price in Essex County is $4.19 while the average price in Union County is $4.10 a gallon. As of Monday, April 11th, Essex County prices are the highest in Northern New Jersey.
Montclair Planning Board Approves Redevel0pment Plans at Bellevue Theater
In 2021, we reported on the proposed plans for Montclair’s historic Bellevue Theater and now, those plans are one step closer to becoming a reality. According to Montclair Local, this week the Montclair Planning Board approved a redevelopment plan for renovations at the property.
Bloom Chicken to Open in Bergen County
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Currently based in Verona, Bloom Chicken, is slated to expand to a second location in Hackensack. The new location is opening soon at 365 Essex Street and will feature the same menu of French and Korean inspired New American cuisine.
Beloved Bath Debuts in Maplewood With Mission to Employ + Support People With Autism
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Located at 220 Rutgers Street is Beloved Baths – a new boutique that specializes in candle and bath products. More importantly, it was founded by two local mothers, Pam and Pat, who met in a park with their sons. Their sons were later diagnosed with Autism just months apart. Inspired by what salt and lavender baths did for their sons, the duo began creating their own products some years ago and now have built their business into a storefront in Maplewood with a mission to hire and support people with Autism. Click here to read about Beloved Baths in Maplewood.
Celebrating Earth Day Clean-Up at Eagle Rock Reservation
The League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area will be holding their first “We Love Eagle Rock Reservation” program, per Montclair Local. This program is in celebration of Earth Day and it is a cleanup hike that will be done to prepare the reservation for the spring and summer seasons. The event will take place on April 23rd and it will start at 9AM and the whole community has been invited to participate.
ShowUS Montclair Will Host Outdoor Talent Show
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The Montclair Public School community will be able to come together in person to celebrate the town’s hidden talents, per Patch. This 2022 talent show will be called ShowUS Montclair. It will be held outside at Lackawanna Plaza on Saturday, April 30th at 7PM. The tickets will range from $35 for general admission to $120 for a family ticket.
Montclair Police Donate Vests to Ukraine
The Montclair Police Department has donated 55 retired bulletproof vests to be used in Ukraine, per Montclair Local. These vests will be able to be used by volunteer medical workers operating in the areas that the war has affected. The vests were donated by the department to two different organizations, the Institute for Emergency Medicine and Medicine in Practice.
‘Drive Electric Earth Day 2022’ Event to Discuss ZEVs
A ‘Drive Electric Earth Day 2022’ event in Montclair will be offering information about zero emission vehicles, reported Patch. The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, Montclair Climate Action, and Greenfaith will be hosting the event. The event will be held in the Lackawanna Plaza parking lot on Sunday, April 24th, from 1 to 4PM.
Montclair Board Votes Against Redeveloping Potentially Historic Land Near Walnut Street Train Station
The Montclair Board has unanimously voted against recommending two parcels near the Walnut Street Train Station for redevelopment, per Montclair Local. This decision came after hearing nearly two hours of public comments in their meeting. It has been determined the parcels of land are located in a potential local landmark district.
Montclair Ends Sister City Relationship with Russian City
The Township Council has officially voted to terminate Montclair’s 30-year-long sister-city relationship with the Russian city of Cherepovet, per Montclair Local. This was decided in a 4-3 vote and the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the main cause for this decision. Cherepovet was one of the four Montclair sister cities around the world. The relationship officially ended on April 5th.
Essex County Nursing Home Faces Class Action Lawsuit
A nursing home in Essex County where nine people died of COVID-19 is being sued by family members who say the facility continued to fail to take precautions against the pandemic, per NJ.com. This nursing home also had 89 other infections from COVID-19. ProPublica reported there were 89 cases among staff and residents in 2020 and the report also states the facility has violated federal standards in the past and failed to prevent the spread of other infections in 2018 and 2019.
Newark Man Killed in Bloomfield Triple Shooting
Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Bloomfield Police Department are investigating a triple shooting, per Baristanet. The shooting happened on the afternoon of Sunday, April 10th, and it resulted in one death. The other two people who were shot were transported to Morristown Medical Center. No arrests have been made and the investigation is currently ongoing.
‘Perfect Arrangement’ to be Performed Throughout April
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Nutley Little Theatre will be presenting Perfect Arrangement by Topher Payne, per Tap Into. Performances will be held throughout the month of April and will include both matinees and regular showings. It is noted that the show is not suitable for children and you can purchase the tickets for the show online.
AAPI Montclair Lantern Festival in Edgemont Park
You can join AAPI Montclair as Edgemont Park is illuminated with thousands of lanterns, per Tap Into. This event will be in remembrance of those killed and harmed by violence, including anti-Asian hate crimes. This event will take place on May 20th from 7PM to 9PM.
Glenridge Avenue Section to be Repaved
A stretch of Glenridge Avenue will be getting a remodel, per Montclair Local. This remodel will complement the new Midtown garage and the garage could be open by the end of April. The Glenridge Avenue upgrades are expected to be done by the end of May.
Medical Marijuana Patients Worry about the Marijuana Supply
Patients in New Jersey who use medical marijuana are worried they will not be able to get access to their medication due to the new recreational marijuana laws, per Montclair Local. There are around 130,000 medical marijuana patients in New Jersey that are trying to work with the state’s decision to allow 13 medical dispensaries to begin serving recreational patients. The state is expecting around 830,000 recreational users to join the market.
Mountainside Hospital Recognized for LGBTQ+ Policies and Practices
Mountainside hospital has received “Leader” status with a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, per Montclair Local. This designation demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to equal treatment of LGBTQ+ visitors and team members. More than 2,000 healthcare facilities participated in the survey and a record-breaking 747 facilities were recognized for paving the way toward LGBTQ+ equality.
