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Portfolio Review Day
November 10 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Free
All high school students interested in art school are invited to bring 12-20 pieces of original work to get feedback for applying to art schools and universities.
14 News Stories You Missed This Week in Montclair + Beyond
Record-warm temperatures, an ongoing drought, and Election Day 2024 have kicked off the first full week of November. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: Montclair’s Glenfield PTA officially has its new leaders; Eataly at Short Hills Mall opens this upcoming week; and a BFT location is coming to Montclair. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending November 10th, 2024.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- BFT Location Coming to Montclair
- Montclair Foundation Raises $4M for ‘Good Grows Here’ Capital Campaign
- Newark School Board Starts Partnership with NJ LEEP
- Montclair State Hosts NJ's First Public University Facilities Apprenticeship Program
- Downtown West Orange Alliance Unveils New Sky Mural
- Eataly at Short Hills Mall Officially Opening This Week
- ShopRite of Nutley Celebrates Major Renovation
- Northern NJ Makes 'Toughest Places to Rent in U.S.' List
- Pasta Cooking Class Taking Place in Montclair Next Week
- Montclair Doctor Opens Second Clinic in Haiti
Best of Montclair Guide 2024: Nominate Your Favorite Local Businesses!
It’s that time of year again — our fourth annual Best of Montclair 2024 Guide is back! Just like last year, it’s time to nominate your favorite local businesses, people, and places in Montclair and the greater Essex County area for an award. Submit as many nominations as you want from now until Tuesday, November 12th. As always, we have lots of categories for the Montclair area — ranging from the ‘Best DIY Experience’ to ‘Best Breakfast Sandwich’ to ‘Best BYOB Spot’ and more. These reader-selected awards give businesses bragging rights for months (and sometimes years) to come. Click here for more.
Montclair’s Glenfield PTA Officially Has New Leaders
On Wednesday, October 30th, the Glenfield Middle School PTA in Montclair selected new leadership in a rare election run by the New Jersey PTA. This happened in lieu of the organization ousting its prior board in a landslide vote. According to Montclair Local, the Glenfield PTA now has Jeremy Pholwattana as its president, Julia Savoca to serve as vice president, Jared Miller as treasurer, and Betty Shvetz as secretary, in the uncontested race.
BFT Location Coming to Montclair
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Popular fitness train BFT is coming to Montclair at 469 Bloomfield Avenue. Construction is currently still underway and an opening date has yet to be announced. According to the BFT website, each workout is “custom-curated” to each member’s fitness goals, with an instructor leading 50-minute class programs, which vary between different fitness focuses like cardio, strength, functional, and core stability.
Montclair Foundation Raises $4M for ‘Good Grows Here’ Capital Campaign
The Montclair Foundation has recently announced the official launch of Good Grows Here, a transformational fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $4.25 million. The quiet phase of this campaign began in spring 2023, per Montclair Local, and has already raised $4 million from under just 50 lead donors. The Montclair Foundation's strategic priorities for the Campaign include connecting the greater Montclair community to nature, supporting wellness and mental health, advancing educational opportunities, and resolving hunger. It also wants to ensure that Montclair’s Van Vleck House + Gardens remains for years to come. Interested supporters can visit its website for more information.
Newark School Board Starts Partnership with NJ LEEP
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At a recent news conference at Central High School, officials from Newark Public Schools (NPS) and NJ LEEP announced that a portion of its $2 million funding from the Yield Giving Foundation would go to a pilot program that would enable the nonprofit to expand its programming beginning with students at Central and East Side High Schools. NJ LEEP is a leading nonprofit that works with first-generation and low-income students, building their skills and providing experiences to help them achieve their college and career goals. NJ LEEP currently partners with over 375 students from middle school through college, providing a range of support from SAT/ACT test prep, opportunities to develop social-emotional skills, internships, field trips, volunteer experiences, and much more. According to Patch Newark, 100 percent of NJ LEEP students graduate high school, and 99 percent enroll in college; and of those who enroll in college, 74 percent complete their degree. NJ LEEP aims to hire existing NPS teachers or counselors who are deeply familiar with student needs as part of the partnership’s school-based pilot program.
Man Rescued After Fall into Passaic River
On Saturday, November 2nd, emergency responders rescued a 23-year-old man who fell into the Passaic River in Newark. Firefighters and police responded to the area of Jersey Street and Raymond Boulevard at 10:22PM after getting a report about someone falling in the water. He is reportedly in stable condition after being transported to University Hospital for treatment. This incident remains under investigation but is not currently considered suspicious, per Patch Newark.
Investigation Into Fire at Verizon Building In Montclair
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A fire occurred at the Verizon building on Gates Avenue in Montclair on Sunday, November 3rd, at 7:37AM. Firefighters arrived to find smoke on multiple floors of the building, which was vacant at the time. The blaze reached two-alarm status and caused major fire damage to the wiring in the building as well as smoke damage throughout the structure, per Patch Montclair. There were no reported injuries and the cause remains under investigation. Fire Chief Robert Duncan of the Montclair Fire Department has stated that there weren’t any Verizon service interruptions due to the early notification of the alarm system and “quick action” from his firemen.
Montclair State Hosts NJ's First Public University Facilities Apprenticeship Program
Montclair State University has launched New Jersey’s first public university facilities apprenticeship program, which will provide employees with specialized training in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades. This landmark initiative supports career advancement for internal staff and establishes a pipeline of skilled workers ready and prepared for new opportunities at the school. The apprentices will attend evening technical classes at Passaic County Technical Institute while working on campus during the day. According to a press release from the University, the apprentices will be eligible to earn Journeyman status, a nationally recognized certification in their respective trades after completing the four-year program. The apprentices are affiliated with the International Federation of Professional + Technical Engineers bargaining unit and Montclair’s program is registered through the U.S. Department of Labor.
Downtown West Orange Alliance Unveils New Sky Mural
The Downtown West Orange Alliance (DWOA) has added a new Sky Mural, entitled Imagination Alley, at 40 Main Street with an official dedication ceremony on Thursday, November 7th. The mural was made possible by a $33,000 grant per a press release via Suasion Communications Group. An added fun feature to this mural experience is two "larger-than-life" illuminated butterflies that will give visitors “wings” when they stand in front of them.
Northern NJ Makes 'Toughest Places to Rent in U.S.' List
North Jersey is ranked the sixth toughest place to rent in the United States, according to a report by RentCafe via The New York Times. Rental competitiveness was based on five metrics, including occupancy and lease renewal rates and average days vacant. The number one spot was taken by suburban Chicago.
Eataly at Short Hills Mall Officially Opening This Week
After months of waiting, The Montclair Girl now knows that Eataly will debut at the Short Hills Mall on Wednesday, November 13th at 3PM, per a press release. The 17,000+-square-foot space will feature one restaurant + bar, several quick-service counters serving coffee, pastries, gelato, Roman-style pizza, + paninis, and a retail section with imported Italian and regional delicacies including fresh pasta. The restaurant and bar will have 230 total seats. Eataly will have a 10-day schedule of events to celebrate its opening in Short Hills — including educational workshops, producer tastings, DJ nights with specialty cocktails, and chef-led dinners, among other things. Click here for more on the MG scoop and what Eataly will have to offer.
ShopRite of Nutley Celebrates Major Renovation
ShopRite has announced the grand reopening of the newly renovated ShopRite of Nutley, located at 437 Franklin Avenue, taking place today, November 10th, with a community celebration and ribbon cutting starting at 9AM. The store will mark the completion of extensive renovations with a full week of festivities including food samplings, giveaways, raffles, and special promotions through Sunday, November 17th. LoCurcio Family Markets, a third-generation family-owned grocery business, completed a six-month-long renovation that transformed every part of the store with a focus on the produce and prepared foods departments. The state-of-the-art supermarket also features a fresh, modern design storewide with updated floors, walls, endcaps, LED lighting, and new refrigerated cases that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. ShopRites in Belleville and Kearny, which are also owned by LoCurcio Family Markets, will also provide special promotions throughout the upcoming week to mark the exciting milestone at Nutley.
Pasta Cooking Class Taking Place in Montclair Next Week
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A 'Pasta Partners Cooking Class' will be taking place on Saturday, November 16th, at Montclair Community Church (143 Watchung Avenue). People will be working in teams of two and can choose between two time slots of either 12PM to 1:30PM or 2:30PM to 4PM. The cost for two is $75. More information can be found by emailing Chef Mike or calling 212-844-9799.
New ‘Innovation Center’ Launches In Newark
Governor Phil Murphy recently announced that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) — a product of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) — have launched the NJII Venture Studio, the state’s latest Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) to date. The NJII Venture Studio will focus on accelerating and commercializing intellectual property with a focus on high technology and information technology developed by NJIT, NJII, and NJIT’s corporate partners, along with other academic institutions who also contribute to the advancement of the industry, per Patch Newark. The studio will be located in the Paul Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Newark and will seek to launch two to three start-ups a year over a period of four years. NJII, a non-profit subsidiary corporation established by NJIT in 2014, will operate and manage the studio. This is the seventh SIC in New Jersey announced under the Murphy Administration.
New Arcade Opens in Bloomfield
Essex County is full of carefree fun options, and the most universal pastime for all ages may be the quintessential arcade. Arcades are a multigenerational outlet, attracting families, teens, and adults alike. The new Hometown Arcade, located at 85 Washington Street in Bloomfield, mixes the past, present, and future of arcades in an inviting space that welcomes everyone. Click here for more.
Montclair Doctor Opens Second Clinic in Haiti
Montclair physician Dr. James Morgan has opened a second clinic in a more accessible location in Haiti after 18 years of serving patients at his medical clinic in the impoverished area just outside of Port-au-Prince. According to Montclair Local, the patients seen at the clinic primarily suffer from diseases linked to poverty, such as malaria, diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, and malnutrition. Dr. Morgan originally started the clinic in Haiti in 2005 after traveling there on a trip with a Jesuit priest and friend who was taking high school students.
Naxos Estiatorio Opens in Woodland Park
Naxos Estiatorio, which recently opened in Woodland Park, is the newest project from a New Jersey family with a longtime legacy of operating restaurants in the Garden State. Naxos Estiatorio is a modern Greek spot with the atmosphere of dining on a Greek island. Click here for more.
Essex County Nonprofit Organization Seeks Support
Essex County non-profit organization Family Promise is launching a new initiative, and it needs community support to see it come to life. The new effort is called Circles and is meant to support those living in poverty, per NJ.com. Interested volunteers can click this link for more.
