There is never a dull moment in Essex County, which is why we cover the news in the Montclair and greater Essex County + North Jersey area so you don’t miss a beat. Among the headlines: Essex County hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day; Van Vleck Street in Montclair recently added an interactive fairy trail; Latinos of Montclair held a Latino Heritage celebration at the Montclair Art Museum; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Essex County and beyond.
Multiple Celebrities Spotted Filming in Newark
Over the weekend, Oscar winner Robert De Niro was spotted filming in Jersey City — and now, there’s been another spotting in Essex County. Deux Moi posted a story over the weekend that Tony Goldwyn, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro are filming a movie in Newark. The film, Inappropriate Behavior, is the most recent project with big names to use North Jersey towns like Newark and Jersey City as a backdrop. The star-studded cast for Inappropriate Behavior is also set to include Whoopi Goldberg and Rainn Wilson, among others. Click here for what we know about this movie and when to catch a glimpse of the talented cast.
WithoutTheRoots to Host Montclair Launch Event for Alzheimer’s Research
View this post on Instagram
Melyssa Murray, founder of WithoutTheRoots, and her husband James “Murr” Murray of Impractical Jokers, are hosting a launch event on November 5th for the release of her brand new candle line – No. 95 Candles. This all-inclusive, family-friendly event will take place at 18 Label Studios in Montclair from 7PM to 10PM. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
Almost 200 Flight Attendants Protest at Newark Airport
On September 27th, almost 200 frustrated flight attendants (175 to be exact) picketed at United Airlines terminals outside of Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal C, joining alongside national protests at airports around the country. Workers are picketing to call attention to how chaotic and unsustainable working conditions have been. Click here for what we know about the Newark Airport protests.
Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Unit Coming to Newark
Two local foundations are joining forces to bring a mobile breast cancer screening unit to Essex County. According to Patch, thousands of Newark residents don’t get screened for breast cancer so Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation and the University Hospital Foundation are working to change that. Over the next two years, the two organizations aim to raise $1.2M to purchase a vehicle that houses high-tech breast imaging equipment to make screening more accessible to the community.
Essex County Hosts Hazardous Waste Collection Day
On Saturday, October 1st, Essex County hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Essex County Public Works Department, located at 99 West Bradford Avenue in Cedar Grove. According to Patch, the event began at 8:30AM and required participants to show proof of residency. Items accepted at the event include paint thinners, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, lithium batteries, home fire extinguishers, and aerosol spray paints.
Kiwanis Club Holds Shoe Fundraiser in Montclair
The Kiwanis Club of Montclair is hosting a gently-used shoe fundraiser for Montclair graduates, per Baristanet. The shoes are donated to a company in California at $1.50 per pound and then shipped overseas where they are refurbished and resold. The fundraiser accepts sneakers, athletic shoes, plus work + hiking boots all with no holes or tears. Collection bins are located at every Montclair school as well as at Cycle Bar, Fleet Feet, the YMCA, Watchung Booksellers, and more.
Essex County to Host Halloween Dog Costume Contest
Four-legged friends of Essex County will have the chance to strut their stuff at a Halloween dog costume competition on Saturday, October 22nd. According to Patch, the contest and parade will take place at 9:30AM at Branch Brook Park, located in Newark. Participation is free.
Van Vleck House + Gardens Welcomes Interactive Fairy Trail in Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Van Vleck House, located at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair, recently added an interactive fairy trail to its gardens. Local children were asked to contribute to the whimsical design now available to the public. Visitors should keep to the path and leave things as they find them — except in the designated design area where you can create your own fairy garden.
Newark + Bloomfield Hold Donation Drives for Hurricane Relief
The City of Newark partnered with community organizations and non-profits to host a donation drive on Saturday, October 1st to support Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic following Hurricane Fiona, per Patch. Bloomfield also held a fundraiser on Saturday at the Bloomfield Fire Headquarters, Patch reports. The events collected supplies including water filters, batteries, lanterns, flashlights, baby formula, diapers, clothes, and canned food.
Jewelry Thief Tracked Down by TSA Agent at Newark Airport
On Sunday, September 25th, a passenger at Newark International Airport reported to a TSA agent that their wedding ring was missing from a screening bin, per Patch. The agent reviewed footage to identify the individual who took the ring and the Port Authority Police Department located the individual before he was able to board his flight. The ring was returned to the owner.
Latinos of Montclair Hosts Latinx Heritage Celebration
View this post on Instagram
On Saturday, October 1st, Latinos of Montclair held a Latino Heritage celebration at the Montclair Art Museum, per Baristanet. The three-hour event was filled with music, food, and family fun — all to celebrate the diversity and contributions of the local Latinx community.
Montclair TV Producer Helps Ukraine Families with Home Renovations
View this post on Instagram
Montclair resident and TV producer, George Oliphant recently helped a family in Montclair with home renovations as they welcomed four additional family members from Ukraine. According to Montclair Local, Oliphant documented the experience in his show,“George to the Rescue,” the 150th episode of which aired on Saturday, October 1st.
Maplewood to Host Best-Selling Authors at Book Fest
The 6th Annual Book Festival in Maplewood and South Orange hosted Best-Selling author Jennifer Egan, per Patch. On Thursday, September 29th, the author joined a lineup of children’s authors to discuss the worlds of books in a fun-filled, social event. The children’s festival will be held on Sunday, October 2nd, open to the public.
Ironbound Business Improvement District Launches Updated Website
The Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) recently launched an updated version of the community website GoIronbound.com, which creates space for local businesses to promote their products and services. According to Patch, the new site allows stakeholders to share promotional listings, events, real estate listings, and local job listings.
Humane Montclair Joins Pineapple Express to Host Yappy Hour
On Wednesday, October 5th, the Humane Montclair is partnering with Pineapple Express to host a Yappy Hour for pups. According to Baristanet, there will be doggy treats, a special climate-friendly menu, and happy hour specials including a charity drink with proceeds being donated to Humane Montclair.
Montclair Council Approves Fire Contract with Glen Ridge
Montclair Township Council voted on a new 10-year fire services contract with Glen Ridge in Wednesday night’s council meeting, per Montclair Local. The 4-3 vote ended a months-long debate regarding details of the new contract, which calls for Glen Ridge to pay Montclair $850,000.
Newark Arts Festival Kicks Off This Week at Museum of Art
View this post on Instagram
The Newark Arts Festival kicked off this week on Thursday, October 6th at the Newark Museum of Art, located at 49 Washington Street, per Patch. The opening reception was held from 6PM to 9PM and celebrated 21 years of the festival, which was voted “New Jersey’s Favorite Visual Arts Festival” two years in a row. The event featured live performances by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Black Fire Marching Band, The Mighty Kamm Band, and more.
Montclair’s ‘Scarecrows in the Garden’ Returns for Halloween 2022
The annual Halloween event, ‘Scarecrows in the Garden,’ is set to return to the gardens at Van Vleck House + Gardens this year beginning Monday, October 17th. The exhibit will be open from 6AM to 8PM and features tricked-out scarecrows built by local non-profits, families, students, and artists. According to Patch, the public can vote on their favorite scarecrows in multiple categories online.
West Orange Shooting Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Injured
On Tuesday, September 27th, one man was killed and another injured in a West Orange neighborhood. According to NJ.com, local police responded to reports of a shooting around 3:20PM in the 100 block of Watson Avenue. Corington Valentin was transported to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and died around 11:30PM that night. No arrests have been made.
Bloomfield Fire Captain Awarded Prestigious Certification
Bloomfield Fire Department Captain Carl Mercado was recently recognized for his professionalism, technical achievements, and service to the community. According to Patch, Mercado joined the department in 2012 and was promoted to Captain just this year. The designation as “fire officer” is shared with only 660 other fire officers worldwide.
Succeed2Gether Hosts Open House for Students + Mentors
View this post on Instagram
Students, parents, and potential mentors attended Succeed2Gether’s open house on Thursday, September 29th, per Baristanet. Current mentors and students were in attendance to discuss the goal-oriented mentoring program which guides students from 8th grade through their first year after high school. The program is free for students from low- and moderate-income families.
