Cozy up this weekend and catch up on everything that’s been going on, after another week full of newsworthy stories in Montclair + the surrounding areas. Among the local headlines: Jazz legend + social activist James MTume passed away in South Orange, AAPI Montclair + Montclair Art Museum are going to host a Lunar New Year Event, Bloomfield Dentist ‘Kinder Smile’ is calling for support of the ‘Give a Kid a Smile’ promotion, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County.
NYC’s Springbone Kitchen Coming to Millburn
Springbone Kitchen is opening its first-ever location in NJ in the coming weeks – Millburn to be exact. Known for selling bone broth and being a gluten-free restaurant, Springbone has attracted regulars to its two locations in New York City and one in Brooklyn. Now, the owners are ready to take over Essex County. Click here to read about Springbone Kitchen coming to New Jersey.
Montclair State University Initiates COVID-19 Booster Shot Mandate
Montclair State University announced on January 11th that “In a continued effort to keep our campus and community safe,” it will require all students to receive their COVID-19 booster. The University explained that all eligible students must upload proof of their booster to the MyHealth portal by the deadline of Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Click here to read all the details.
AAPI Montclair + Montclair Art Museum to Host Lunar New Year Event
Community group Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Montclair and the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) will host AAPI Montclair’s first Lunar New Year Celebration on February 12, 2022, outdoors at the Montclair Art Museum located at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Click here for the full story.
Van Vleck House Calls for Food Donations in Montclair
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This week the Van Vleck House Instagram account encouraged patrons to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair. The post reads, “With Covid numbers rising and the winter season upon us, food pantry needs are on the rise. If you are coming to Van Vleck Gardens, please consider bringing non-perishable food donations for Human Needs Food Pantry. We have a bin by the side door entrance to Van Vleck House.”
Kreme + Krumbs Breaks Ground for Montclair Location
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Local ice cream shop Kreme and Krumbs shared progress on its new Montclair location, slated to open this year. The video shared via Instagram shows pipes being installed under dirt and gravel, blueprints laid out, and other construction paraphernalia in the soon-to-be shop. The post says, “Like WE build flavors from the ground up; so does @sterlingproperties💪🏾 COMING SOON TO THE @vestrymontclair In the meantime get your #KremeandKrumbs fix every Saturday from 12PM to 4PM starting Saturday January 22nd ‼️” Kreme and Krumbs is currently located at 162 Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield.
Brick + Dough in Montclair Returns to Pizza Roots
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Brick and Dough located at 110 Walnut Street in Montclair, recently announced it would be pivoting back to its roots – that of wood-fired pizza. On Instagram, the account shared, “Brick and Dough is going back to its roots! Wood-fired pizza at the core. New menu and additional details to be released throughout the week. In the meantime, get cozy by the fire and enjoy some wood-fired pizza.”
The Clairidge Theater to Reopen in Montclair
Following an announcement that it would be closing for the health and safety of employees and patrons alike, The Clairidge Theater in Montclair is reopening for business, according to Patch. Patrons with tickets for shows between Wednesday, January 5th and Sunday, January 9th were offered a refund or a ticket voucher.
Jazz Legend + Social Activist James MTume Passed Away in South Orange
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Local music legend, James MTume, who lead the R&B group Mtume, died on Sunday, January 9th in South Orange. According to Tap Into, he was raised by his stepfather, James Forman, who was a jazz pianist. Mtume moved to South Orange in 1981 and passed at the age of 75.
Used Cooking Oil Stolen from Napoli Trattoria in Montclair
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On Wednesday, January 5th, employees of Napoli Trattoria and Pizzeria in Montclair reported surveillance footage that showed used cooking oil being stolen from the restaurant, per Patch. The statement from the Montclair Police Department said, “An employee of Napoli Trattoria and Pizzeria reported surveillance cameras to the business captured a blue van pull up to the rear of the business during off-hours and cut the lock off of the used cooking oil drum. The suspects then used a hose to extract the oil from the drum. The vehicle was described as a 2006 Ford Econoline van. At the time of the report, there was no value of the oil.”
Bloomfield Dentist Kinder Smile Calling for Support of ‘Give a Kid a Smile’ Promotion
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Bloomfield dental practice, Kinder Smile Foundation, located at 10 Broad Street, is offering free teeth cleanings for children ages 0 to 13 who don’t have dental insurance. The Give a Kid a Smile promotion will take place from Friday, February 4th through Friday, February 11th.
Newark Native is First Trans Actress to Win Golden Globe
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Golden Globe winner, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, is a Newark native and the first trans actress to win the award, according to Patch. Rodriguez received the award for Best Television Actress – Drama Series” for her role in the TV show, Pose.
Montclair Residents Contend for Open BOE Seat
The Montclair Board of Education seat once filled by the late Dr. Alfred Davis, Jr. is open for reassignment and four Montclair residents are vying for that position, per Tap Into. The four candidates include Mfreke (Monk) Inyang, Aminah Toler, Brian Fleischer, and Richard Reynics. Interviews for the position will be conducted on Saturday, January 12th, and Saturday, January 19th.
Vaccine Mandate in Newark to Last Through February 2022
As of Monday, January 10th, Newark is requiring all customers ages five and up to show proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine in order to eat in restaurants, shop in stores, or enter other businesses, according to Patch. The mandate will last until Tuesday, February 1st at which time circumstances will be reevaluated.
Montclair Rabbi Receives ‘Pandemic Hero’ Award
Montclair resident and Rabbi Ariann Weitzman, associate rabbi, and director of congregational learning at Bnai Keshet in Montclair, recently received a 2021 NJ-11 Hero Award, per Patch. U.S. Rep Mikie Sherrill announced the NJ-11 Hero program in December 2021. The goal of the program is to recognize members of the community who made a difference in their district.
Local Businesses Enduring ‘Nightmare’ Through Pandemic Waves
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Small businesses in Essex County like Montclair Bread Company, Just Kidding Around, Little Daisy Bake Shop, the Clairidge Cinema, and more have all struggled to stay afloat throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only affected the number of customers and resulting profit, but also the number of staff who can come in often enough to keep daily operations going. Montclair Bread Company had to close at the start of the year due to a lack of staffing and missed out on the busiest time of the year. According to North Jersey, projections show that relief may be on the horizon.
Planning Board Hears Proposal for 5-Story Building on Elm Street
The Montclair Township planning board heard the proposal for a new mixed-use building on Elm Street, according to Patch. The proposed project would require the current building to be demolished in order to construct a new 5-story building. The building would house office space and 22 residential units, four of which would be allocated to affordable housing.
Proposed Law Could Help Reduce Teacher Shortage
“This law will promote the health and well-being of the people in our state while showing the country that New Jersey stands for compassion, dignity and freedom.” – @valerie_huttle, @MilaJasey & @RajMukherji on their reproductive rights bill becoming law: https://t.co/ixo8cXdiNV https://t.co/0vzgpbm8xl
— NJ Assembly Democrats (@njassemblydems) January 13, 2022
Two proposed laws could potentially ease the teacher shortage in Essex County, per Patch. On Monday, January 10th, the New Jersey Assembly passed A-5576, which will make it easier for retired educators to return to teaching.
The second bill would eliminate the state residency requirement for three years for all public school employees. The schools would be required to make an effort to hire within the state first.
Antiviral Pills to Arrive in Essex County
Antiviral pills have been delivered to pharmacies in more than 30 states across the country including more than 50 New Jersey Walgreens locations, according to Tap Into. Both drugs have been successful in treating patients with the omicron variant. Both Pfizer’s pill, Paxlovid, and Merck’s Molnupiravir were authorized by US regulators for at-home use in December 2021. Both are effective because they prevent the virus from making copies of itself in the body, thereby reducing the likelihood of hospitalization.
