It’s been another busy week in Essex County with plenty of headlines to catch up on. Among the headlines for the Montclair area and beyond: redesigns underway for the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment project; New Jersey Transit announces emergency efforts to serve commuters in light of the De Camp commuter route cancellation; and Associated Humane Societies – Newark hosts a special adoption event during the month of April. Read on for more news stories from the Montclair area.
Registration Open for Montclair Town Pools
According to a press release from Montclair Township, registration is now open for summer 2023 pool memberships. Essex Pool will open for the season on Saturday, May 27th and will remain open on weekends ONLY until Sunday June 18th. Beginning Friday, June 23rd, Mountainside, Nishuane, and Essex Pools will be open daily until Monday, September 4th. Essex Pool will close for the season Sunday, August 13th.
Treevana Applies for Montclair Dispensary
Per Patch, Treevana is the latest applicant for the Montclair marijuana landscape. Treevana has applied for a cannabis dispensary license. The company wants to open its store at the historic Chase Bank building on Bloomfield Avenue.
Special Adoption Event at Associated Humane Societies – Newark
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Team MG loves animals all year round, and the Associated Humane Societies – Newark has a special promotion for the month of April. Per Patch, during April people who adopt a dog 40 pounds or heavier from the shelter will get a voucher for its Wellness Clinic and free vaccines – good for up to a year after the adoption. There is a Wellness Clinic for Newark residents (ID required) on April 15th. The shelter is located at 124 Evergreen Avenue in Newark. More information is available on the shelter’s website.
North Jersey Rents The Most Competitive in the US
A new study from Rentcafe.com named North Jersey as the number one most competitive rental market in the US. The study pointed to the increase in high-income renters and low turnover in apartments as contributing factors to North Jersey’s score. Of course, the best place to find housing in via The Local Girl’s new real estate directory.
Montclair Township Manager Seeks Settlement
Timothy Stafford, the Montclair Township Manager who has been on leave for several months while the Township investigates allegations made against him, has made a settlement offer to the township. Per Montclair Local, Stafford has offered dollar amounts to either walk away or be reinstated. The controversy began last fall when Stafford was named in a workplace discrimination lawsuit.
Yogi Berra Documentary to Premiere in Montclair
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It Ain’t Over, a new documentary at Montclair’s own Yogi Berra, will make its debut on May 11th at The Clairidge, located at 468 Bloomfield Avenue. Per BaristaNet the screening event will include a Q&A with Director Sean Mullin and Yogi’s eldest granddaughter and subject in the film, Lindsay Berra. The premiere is a partnership between The Clairidge and the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.
The Price is Right Coming to Newark
Come on down! On 10/5, YOU could be the next lucky contestant on @PriceIsRight, as the iconic game show jumps off the screen and onto the njpac stage. Grab tickets TOMORROW with presale code WINNER: https://t.co/WXHnfjiu3U pic.twitter.com/o6iBEeYdJq
— New Jersey Performing Arts Center (@NJPAC) April 5, 2023
The Price is Right will be live in New Jersey in Fall 2023. The show will be at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on October 5th. Tickets are available now through the NJPAC website. Read more in our story here.
Muslim Heritage Month Proposal Approved
There are 300,000 Muslim Americans in NJ, including numerous current and former elected officials dedicated to public service. It is long past time to recognize our Muslim brothers and sisters for their contributions to the diverse fabric of our state. https://t.co/dVtGaGB9oK
— Sen. Joe Pennacchio (@joepennacchio) February 2, 2023
A proposal to mark January as Muslim Heritage Month has moved forward in the New Jersey Legislature. Per Patch, the bill was introduced by State Senator Joseph Pennacchio (R). The bill SJR105/AJR194 passed the Senate in February and passed the Assembly in late March. It passed unanimously in both houses.
Montclair PTA Wins National Award
The Montclair PTA has won a national award for its efforts, per Montclair Local. The organization was recognized for its advocacy work for a campaign for the first bond referendum of $188 million to be put forth by Montclair’s first elected Board of Education in the 2021-2022 school year. The National PTA recognized the Montclair PTA with the Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award.
Essex County Seniors Writing Contest Announced
Essex County seniors are invited to share their stories and perspectives as part of the 2023 Essex County Legacies Writing Contest. Per Patch, the contest is organized by the Essex County Division of Senior Services and residents 60 years of age and up are invited to contribute. The essay should be original content on the topic of a special person, life-changing experience, or significant period of the author’s life
NJ Transit Offers Emergency Bus Routes as DeCamp Shuts Commuter Route
NJ TRANSIT has announced an emergency bus service plan to provide as many alternate transit options for weekday DeCamp bus customers as possible. The plan includes extending four existing NJ TRANSIT bus routes. Visit https://t.co/2tTzUCU9op for more information. pic.twitter.com/8n2z2MTsIW
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) April 4, 2023
According to a press release from the organization, NJ Transit has announced emergency bus routes in light of DeCamp’s closure of major commuter routes from Montclair to Manhattan. Four modified routes will be available to passengers starting April 10. NJ Transit staff will be available at the Port Authority Bus Terminal to assist passengers.
Bloomfield Reneges on Commuter Route Plans
The town of Bloomfield had announced plans to create a commuter route in light of the DeCamp bus route cancellation. But now that NJ Transit is expanding some routes, Bloomfield will not be creating a commuter route, per BaristaNet.
Om Sweet Home Relaunches Bakery
Om Sweet Home, a vegan and gluten-free bakery, will have products in several Essex County retailers starting April 7th, according to an Instagram post from the company. The bakery closed in July 2021, and at the time, owner Dawn Pascale wasn’t sure what was next for the brand. Om Sweet Home’s baked goods will now be available at Java Love in Montclair at both the Church Street and Bellevue Avenue locations.
State Funding for Electric Vehicles Approved
Per NJ.com, several localities in New Jersey will get state funds to expand resources for electric vehicles. The money comes from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI, and will go toward adding electric vehicle chargers and expanding electric vehicle fleets, including school buses and trucks.
Special Selection at Montclair Library Honors Earth Day
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A special selection of books and other materials at the Montclair Library, located at 50 S. Fullterton Avenue, is designed to honor Earth Day during the month of April. Per BaristaNet, the selections are part of an effort between the library and Humane Montclair to cover topics such as land and ocean conservation, climate, wildlife, pets, diet, biodiversity and more. The children’s collection is exhibited on the third floor. The adult display is found on the second floor. All titles are available for checkout.
New Jersey Launches Website with Transgender Resources
On #TransDayOfVisibility, we’re launching New Jersey’s first Transgender Resource Hub — home to information important to transgender and non-binary communities, such as how to change your name, obtain medical support, learn about your rights, and more.
🏳️⚧️https://t.co/5wAWRWdM55 pic.twitter.com/aBlwSgehq0
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 31, 2023
March 31st is known as the Trans Day of Visibilty and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy took the opportunity to launch a new webpage with resources for trans New Jerseyians. According to NJ.com, the Murphy administration said it consulted with more than two dozen transgender and non-binary groups to work on the website, which officials described as a work in progress. It will be rolled out in a beta version to get more suggestions from users.
Choose New Jersey Opens Israel Office
Remember that announcement we hinted at? INTRODUCING: The New Jersey Israel Center! 🇮🇱 Our office in Tel Aviv (led by Peres & Associates) is a gateway for Israeli businesses to break into the American market in New Jersey. #NJIsraelMission
More here: https://t.co/IcjApfA6Ri— Choose New Jersey (@ChooseNJ) March 21, 2023
Choose New Jersey, an economic development group focused on increasing investment in New Jersey, has recently opened an office in Israel. According to Patch, the goal of the new office is to strengthen the relationship between New Jersey and Israel and to increase commercial, academic, and cultural opportunities. The office is located in Tel Aviv.
Edgemont Park Bridge in Montclair Re-opens
I’m ready @MontclairNJGov. Can we do this? pic.twitter.com/EVGe66Y6by
— Edgemont Park Bridge (@EdgemontBridge) January 9, 2023
Per BaristaNet, the bridge in Montclair’s Edgemont Park is reopening soon after being damaged in Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Second Ward Councilor Robin Schlager commented that the project seemed simple but was complicated, which is why it took so long to complete. Residents felt similarly, even creating a parody Twitter account for the bridge.
Bloomfield ShopRite Employees Featured on Cheerios Box
Two employees of the Bloomfield ShopRite located at 1409 Broad Street were recognized by the company earlier this week, per Patch. Graig Fordyce and Toni Mestopulos helped their local store to raise more than $4,000 for local food banks in the 2023 ShopRite Partners In Caring Cheerios Contest. Both Graig and Toni are featured on special boxes of Cheerios.
Montclair State Students Apply Native Language Skills
A group of Montclair State University students are working with tribal communities as part of the new minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies. According to a press release from the University, students recently spent time at the Munsee Three Sisters Medicinal Farm getting the farm ready for the upcoming growing season and practicing native language skills.
Grace Loves Lace Opens in Montclair
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Australia-based wedding dress company Grace Loves Lace has opened a location in Montclair, according to a social media post from the brand. The shop is located at 6 South Park Street and is open seven days a week. Appointments are required.
Montclair Public Library Foundation Announces Lit Gala
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The Montclair Public Library Foundation has announced this year’s Lit Gala, to take place on April 27th. Per BaristaNet, this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the organization. The event is a fundraiser for the Library as well as a celebration of Montclair’s literary community and its supporters. Tickets are available now.
Celebration Scheduled for Yogi Berra Museum and Awards
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The Yogi Berra Museum has announced that a celebration will take place on June 6th at Yankee Stadium. According to Patch, the Yogi Berra Museum Awards will be given out at a pre-game on-field ceremony. The Museum will also celebrate its 25th anniversary at the game.
Modifications Coming for Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Plan
Per BaristaNet, another round of changes is coming to the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Project. Many of the changes are based on feedback from residents and city council members. Residents can expect to see new images of the proposal in the coming weeks.
Call for Northern NJ Forestry Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist the New Jersey Tree Foundation plant trees in Northern and Central New Jersey this Spring. Per Patch, some of the efforts will take place in downtown Newark and the Vailsburg and Forest Hill neighborhoods as well as Bloomfield and Morristown. More information and sign-ups are available here.
Active Transportation 101 Coming to Montclair Library
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An event designed to inform residents about safer ways to commute while lowering the carbon footprint is coming to the Montclair Public Library on April 30th. Per Patch, the Active Transportation 101 event is put on by Montclair Climate Action and Bike & Walk Montclair. Registration is required. Register at montclairlibrary.org/events.
