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: Montclair-based nonprofit Succeed2gether will host its 6th annual Montclair Literary Festival beginning Thursday; May 5th, Queen Latifah returned to Newark for the groundbreaking of a mixed-use project; Glenfield Middle School in Montclair is turning 125, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair and beyond.
Art for Ukraine Fundraiser at SOPAC Today
On Sunday, May 1st from 1PM to 4PM in the SOPAC lobby, The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC in collaboration with Good Crowd Events and Fire in the Belly Art Making will host Art for Ukraine, a pop-up art sale fundraiser. According to a press release, all proceeds will be donated to Razom, an organization responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
6th Annual Montclair Literary Festival Happening in May
Montclair-based nonprofit Succeed2gether will host its 6th annual Montclair Literary Festival from Thursday, May 5th to Monday, May 9th, with the Festival Day on Saturday, May 7th. Click here to read about the festival, which Montclair spots it will be held, and some of the authors participating.
The Montclair Jazz Festival is Back Again for 2022
The Montclair Jazz Festival is back for 2022 at Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. With a history that dates back to 2010, Jazz House Kids has been hosting these events each year. The family-friendly events will take place on various streets around downtown Montclair and include a variety of musical performances. Click here for more details about the 2022 Montclair Jazz Festival.
Queen Latifah Breaks Ground for New Mixed-use Project in Newark
View this post on Instagram
Queen Latifah returned to Newark for the groundbreaking of a mixed-use real estate project she is partnering with local developers to build, per NJ.com. The RISE mixed-use project is between Springfield and 19th Avenues. This project will include 60 two- and three-bedroom market-rate apartments and it will also have space for healthcare and professional offices.
Montclair Country Club to Host Women’s Golf Tournament
View this post on Instagram
The Ladies Professional Golf Association will play at the Upper Montclair Country Club for the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup tournament, per Tapinto. The tournament will take place from May 9th to May 15th and the participants will be vying for a $3 million purse. This event will be hosted by the NJ-based company Cognizant.
Luna Stage Officially Reopens in West Orange
Luna Stage will officially reopen its mainstage in West Orange, per Baristanet. The stage is reopening with Bernardo Cubría’s comedy, “The Giant Void In My Soul,” and the production will run from April 28th to May 22nd. Opening night will be on Sunday, May 1st, and Rajesh Bose is the director. You can purchase tickets for the play here.
Montclair Library Gallery to Host New Photographic Exhibit
Commercial and fine-art photographer Isaac Staackell will be presenting a 40-year retrospective photographic exhibit, per Baristanet. Shattered will be presented at the Montclair Public Library gallery from May 2nd to May 27th. This exhibit will be open to the public during library hours.
Bloomfield to Host Free Shredding Event
The Township of Bloomfield is going to be holding a free shredding event for residents at the Pulaski Park parking lot, per Baristanet. The event will be on Saturday, May 14th and the event will take place from 9AM to 12PM. The shredding event is only open to Bloomfield residents who are able to provide proof of residency.
Watchung Booksellers Celebrates Independent Bookstore Day
View this post on Instagram
The community celebrated Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 30th, with Watchung Booksellers, per Baristanet. The bookstore hosted events from 10AM to 5PM including treats, raffles, and special merchandise exclusive for Independent Bookstore Day.
Montclair Hospital Launches New Treatment for Tumors
A hospital in Montclair has recently launched a new radiologic therapy to treat patients with neuroendocrine tumors, per Patch. Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center has been licensed by the state medical department and it will be able to perform this type of radiation treatment for adults with advanced, cancerous neuroendocrine tumors. The drug administered in this therapy has been FDA approved since 2018.
Glenfield Middle School Celebrates 125 Years
Glenfield Middle School in Montclair is turning 125, per Patch. A reunion/community event is being planned for early June and the Glenfield Middle School 125th Anniversary Committee is looking for any alumni, former staff, and former teachers to share their contact information so they can stay up to date on the plans. The group is also asking the community members to submit any photos or memorabilia from Glenfield Middle School.
Ahavas Sholom Officially Reopens in Newark
Photo credit: Google Maps
Ahavas Sholom is Newark’s longest operating synagogue, located at 145 Broadway, and it was finally able to reopen before Passover this year, per Jersey Digs. This synagogue closed due to the pandemic over two years ago and it was unable to open because of the older population that attends. Ahavas Sholom was originally built in 1923 and it is still operational today.
No Left Turn Signs Accidentally Put Up in Montclair
Signs went up Thursday barring left turns from Park Street onto Watchung Avenue, but it was all a misunderstanding, per Montclair Local. The signs have not yet been approved and that intersection hadn’t been voted on yet by the Township Council. Signs will eventually be placed if the proposal is approved.
Montclair Gets New Pizza Location
Tino’s Artisan Pizza has opened up its fifth location, per Baristanet. This Montclair location is open seven days a week and customers are able to order online for pick-up or delivery. The new location is neighbor to the soon-to-be-reopened Bellevue Theater.
Montclair Animal Control Officer Hangs out Window to Save Dog
An animal control officer hung out the window to save Tobie, an 80-pound, 3-year-old, rescue pitbull mix after he got stuck on his apartment complex roof, per Montclair Local. Ravan Margath is Tobie’s owner and this is not the first time he has escaped to the roof. Tobie was unfazed by the stress that he caused all the humans working to get him back inside safely.
Essex County’s Family Promise is Seeking Volunteers
View this post on Instagram
Family Promise of Essex County is seeking volunteers for their new stabilization initiative, per Montclair Local. This new initiative is called Circles Essex, and it is a partnership with Family Promise and Circles USA. There are many volunteer options available and to see if you are interested in any of them you can click on the provided article link.
Montclair Author to Read Juneteenth Picture Book
Montclair resident Alliah Agostini will read her debut nonfiction picture book at Storytime on the Green next week, per Baristanet. The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States, will be released on Tuesday, May 3rd, and Agostini will be reading it at Watchung Booksellers on Friday, May 6th, at 4PM. This picture book details the origins and evolution of the Juneteenth holiday
Montclair Film Announces Partnership with Out Montclair in Honor of Pride
View this post on Instagram
Montclair Film has announced that it has partnered with Out Montclair in honor of Montclair’s first-ever Pride film celebration, per Baristanet. They will be presenting CELEBRATING PRIDE!, which will be a film program that explores LGBTQIA+ storytelling. This 18-film program will start on May 6th and end on June 11th during the Pride celebration.
