Every week we bring you the highlights in the news, so you can stay up-to-date on what is happening in Montclair + surrounding areas. Among the local headlines — Richard Thompson booked for a show at NJPAC in Newark, a shop in Bloomfield sold the winning Jersey Cash 5 lottery ticket, a historic Montclair estate that has hit the real estate market for the first time in 13 years, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County:
To stay up-to-date on the launch, things to do, and weekly in the Montclair + greater Essex County area, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and sign up for our Montclair email list here. Email news tips to hello@themontclairgirl.com!
Good Bottle, New Jersey’s First Refill/Zero Waste Shop Open in Montclair
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With more than eight million tons of plastic being dumped into our oceans each year, waste reduction is likely the most needed and simplest step that everyone can do to improve the well-being of our planet. The idea for a refill shop called ‘Good Bottle’ first came to Deanna Taylor-Heacock in January 2018, when after looking at her year-end credit card statement — as she was appalled at the amount of money she was spending at big box stores. Now, the business is has expanded to a location in Montclair. Click here to learn more about Good Bottle’s mission and what to expect.
Montclair Author Releases New Book
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Sarah Skye is the nom de plume of contemporary romance authors Sarah Smith and Skye McDonald who met on Twitter when they were first starting out as writers and seeking critique partners. That turned into a brilliant friendship, the Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast, and now Sips & Strokes. Sarah Smith lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and adorable cat, Salem. Skye McDonald lives in Montclair, New Jersey, and can be frequently spotted around town with her Aussie puppy, Lincoln. Follow @authorsarahskye on Twitter and Instagram for updates and information.
Bloomfield Garage Fire Causes No Injuries
On Monday, April 19th, Bloomfield Fire Cheif Louis Venezia said firefighters got a report about a fire at 23 Clarendon Place, per Patch. They responded to the scene just before 8PM to find the garage in flames. While the garage sustained heavy fire damage in the blaze, no injuries were reported.
Indie Bookstore Celebrates 30 Years In Montclair
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In the past 30 years, Watchung Booksellers, located at 54 Fairfield Avenue in Watchung Plaza, has played host to celebrity writers and local authors alike. On Saturday, April 24th the indie bookshop celebrated its 30th anniversary, per Patch, just in time for Independent Bookstore Day.
Montclair Middle Schools Set to Reopen May 10th
Beginning on May 10th Montclair’s three middle schools will reopen for in-class instruction, per Montclair Local. Parents were notified in a letter on April 19th that Glenfield, Buzz Aldrin, and Renaissance middle schools have taken measures to successfully open for a hybrid learning schedule. While details have yet to be released, Montclair High School is expected to open later this spring.
Bloomfield Store Sells Lottery Ticket Worth $445,000
A shop in Bloomfield sold one of two winning tickets of the Jersey Cash 5 on Wednesday, April 21st, per Patch. According to New Jersey Lottery officials, two tickets matched all five numbers drawn, splitting the $891,352 jackpot. Each ticket is worth $445,676.
Girls In Gear: Bike&Walk Montclair Holding Weekly Riding Program
Girls in Gear is inviting any rider who identifies as a girl ages 10 to 13 to participate in an eight-week program to build confidence on and off their bikes, per Patch. Weekly meetings will focus on a mix of emotional development, conversations, and riding skills.
Each week beginning on Sunday, April 25th at 9:30AM, participants will gather at Rand Park. To register and take the “Learn to Ride” prerequisite class, visit bikewalkmontclair.org and click “Bike Ed Registration”‘ in the top right-hand corner.
Montclair Council Passes Water Bill Increase for July
Starting in July 2021, Montclair residents will a change in their water bill reflecting a charge of $25 to $62.25 a quarter for most households, per Montclair Local. This change is the result of a unanimous vote on Tuesday, April 20th by the Township Council. This increase will fund the replacement of antiquated water service lines.
Richard Thompson Booked for Socially Distanced Shows at NJPAC
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With social distance measures in place, NJPAC in Neward is scheduled to reopen for events this summer, including singer-songwriter Richard Thompson on June 26th, per NJ Arts. Ticket sale information has not been announced yet.
Also announced for Prudential Hall are the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, June 6th; and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, December 15th. And three comedians are booked for NJPAC’s smaller Victoria Theater: Vic DiBitetto, June 26th; Mike Marino, July 10th; and Anthony Rodia, July 30th-3s1t.
Montclair State University to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
The vaccine will be required for all students who attend undergraduate and graduate classes on campus, whether they are commuter students or students who live on campus. Students who qualify for medical or religious exemptions under New Jersey law will not have to be vaccinated. Students who are enrolled fully in the online degree pogrom will also be exempt. Staff is not required to be vaccinated.
The university has announced that an on-campus vaccination clinic will be held Tuesday, April 27, and is open to all students and employees. Click here for what we know.
NJ Courts Prepare For Onslaught Of Coronavirus Eviction Cases
On Wednesday, April 21st, the New Jersey court system administrators announced they expect nearly 200,000 new eviction filings by the end of the year, per Patch. Residential evictions are still on hold under a pandemic moratorium imposed by Governor Phil Murphy but once the moratorium is lifted, there will likely be a noticeable increase in cases across the state.
Historic Montclair Mansion Now For Sale
The Edmund Burke Osborn Estate, located at 4-4A Stonebridge Road in Montclair has hit the real estate market for the first time in more than a decade, per Patch. The three-acre property was built in 1909 and is selling for $3,995,000.
It holds historic significance as the first residence in what would become known as “Osborne Woods,” where many of Montclair’s most lavish Tudor and French Provincial Revival homes were subsequently constructed.
Bloomfield Announces Plans For $26M In COVID-19 Recovery Funds
Various towns throughout New Jersey will soon receive stimulus packages in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bloomfield is slated to receive $26.07M, which has officials planning on how best to use the funds, per Patch. Sen. Bob Menendez, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia were among the attendees at a news conference in the township where they discussed the particulars of spending its funds from the American Rescue Plan.
Appellate Court to Rule on Montclair’s Rent Control Ordinance
The fate of the Township of Montclair’s rent control ordinance will now be decided in the appellate court, per Baristanet. On Thursday, April 22nd, Judges Heidi W. Currier and Greta Goodenbrown of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division granted the Township’s motion to appeal Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Beacham’s March 16th ruling which ordered the Township Clerk to certify the Montclair Property Owners Association’s petition to put the ordinance on a ballot as a referendum question. The Township has until June 1st to submit its brief to the appellate court.
Dry Goods Refillery: An Eco-Friendly Grocery Store Coming to Montclair
An eco-friendly grocery store called ‘Dry Goods Refillery’ is opening a location in Montclair — in addition to its Maplewood outpost. The Garcia family are the founders of the environmentally-conscious shop and hope to inspire others to make changes in their day-to-day lives that would help protect the environment, like refilling a glass container with pasta rather than purchasing a new box of it at a grocery store. Click here to learn more about the Dry Goods Refillery opening in Montclair at 193 Bellevue Avenue.
