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: Good Chicken restaurant to open in Montclair; Red Cross Blood Drive coming soon to Bloomfield,; the Montclair Jazz Fest is TODAY at Lackawanna Plaza; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County.
Butler + the Board Charcuterie to Open Shop in Montclair
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The brainchild of Chef Jeff Butler, this small-batch charcuterie known as Butler + the Board Charcuterie will go from an online shop to an in-person outpost located at 103 Forest Street in Montclair. The shop is currently under construction but Chef Butler is aiming to open this summer. Click here to read more of what we know.
Local Teachers Share Classroom Wishlists for Upcoming School Year
With the new school year quickly approaching, we wanted to assist local teachers in spreading the word about their classroom wishlists, which are online lists of classroom items like notebooks, pencils, and cleaning products that teachers need help acquiring for the academic year. If you’re interested in supporting these Hudson, Bergen, and Essex County educators, click here to discover what their classrooms are in need of this year and donate an item or two!
Good Chicken Restaurant to Open in Montclair
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Bloomfield Avenue is home to a new Korean BBQ restaurant, Good Chicken. According to the Instagram post, the soft opening took place this week and the restaurant is ready for business.
Poured Fresh Beer + Arts Festival Coming in September
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Ghost Hawk Brewing Co. announced this week the annual food festival will be taking place next month. The Instagram post reads, “POURED FRESH!! Our annual Parking Lot Jam is going down again on September 18! We’re closing off our parking lot for a Saturday afternoon to feature a local craft vendor market, food trucks, music, beer tents, and more!! Our first event was a day to remember and we can’t wait for this one next month. Vendors and more details TBA in the coming weeks but mark your calendars! CHEERS!!”
Lane Team Real Estate to Host Montclair Movie Night
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The Montclair Film Festival Summer Series will show a free screening of “Dirty Dancing” on Saturday, August 21st at 7PM. The Lane Team Real Estate shared the details via Instagram. “Join us at the Montclair Film Festival Summer Series for a free screening of Dirty Dancing! We couldn’t be more excited for the show! Arrive early, bring snacks, lawn chairs, and enjoy the show! This is a family-friendly event (film rated PG-13). Contact us should you have any questions! See you then!”
Zeugma Mediterranean Grill Now Open Saturday + Sunday
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Zeugma Mediterranean Grill in Montclair will now be open for brunch and lunch every Saturday and Sunday, 11AM to 3PM. The restaurant is located at 44 South Park Street in Montclair and serves classic Mediterranean dishes with a twist.
Montclair Jazz Fest TODAY at Lackawanna Plaza
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The Montclair Jazz Fest Block Party is happening today, Sunday, August 15th starting at 12PM. The community is invited to attend the event produced by Jazz House Kids until 9PM at the Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. The performance lineup was announced via Instagram and includes Jazz House Emerging musicians, Irwin Hall Organ Trio, Lauren Sevian, and DJ Brother Mister aka Christian McBride Soul and Funk Dance Party.
Annual Bocce Tournament Set for October
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The 7th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament in support of Backpacks for Life is scheduled to take place on October 2nd. The tournament will take place at Verona Park and prizes will be awarded to the winners. According to Instagram, the entry fee includes food, music, and cigars. For those interested in entering, you need 4 people per team.
Montclair Township Council Approves Recreational Marijuana
The Montclair Township Council voted to allow two marijuana retail shops and five other cannabis-related businesses within Montclair’s borders. The council voted 5-2 in favor of all three ordinances enabling marijuana businesses, covering where marijuana establishments can be located, licensing fees, the number of establishments, and hours of operation. Click here to read more.
$100 Offered at Montclair Back-To-School Vaccine Clinic
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is hosting a Back to School COVID-19 Vaccination event, and the first 50 people who register for the vaccine are eligible to receive $100, per Patch. The clinic will run on August 29th from noon to 4PM. Three vaccines will be offered: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
Ahead of Heat Wave, Montclair Opens Cooling Centers
In anticipation of the excessive heat forecast, Montclair has opened several cooling centers, reports Montclair Local. The centers will be open until Friday. These centers include the Township Municipal Building (from 8:30AM until 4:30PM), the Montclair Public Library main branch (from 10AM until 5PM) and the Montclair Public Library Bellevue Avenue Branch (from 10AM to 2PM).
Red Cross Blood Drive in Bloomfield Coming Soon
Wildfires and record-breaking heat have been driving donations down, and the Red Cross is holding a blood drive in Bloomfield soon, according to Patch. The country is experiencing a high demand for blood transfusions currently. The Bloomfield blood drive will be on August 26th from 3PM to 8PM at 936 Broad Street. People who donate during the month of August will receive a free four-month subscription to Apple Music.
Family Promise of Essex County Launches Walk For Change
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Family Promise of Essex County announced its upcoming fundraising campaign, Walk for Change, according to Instagram. Walk for Change is a weekend-long initiative on October 16th and 17th, raising funds for families experiencing or at-risk for homelessness. Team captains will lead small groups on trails throughout Essex County, each group will pick the day and trail that works best for them.
Jalapeno Cycling in Bloomfield Featured in Small Business Spotlight
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A small cycling business found its legs during the COVID-19 pandemic as more and more commuters were trying to be cautious using public transportation, per PIX11. The husband and wife duo, Andrew Reimann and Katherine Cumming, went virtual with their spin cycle classes. The business evolved to a more maintenance-based store as more and more workers flocked to get their bikes maintained. Jalapeno Cycling is open Tuesday through Saturday, walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged.
Montclair Art Museum Opens Class Registration
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Montclair Art Museum is opening registration for its upcoming classes, according to the Instagram post. These classes will be 10 weeks long and take place in person, with some Zoom workshops available. MAM members can begin registering on August 9th, non-members can register on August 16th.
Dead Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies in Montclair
A raccoon found dead in Montclair tested positive for rabies, Patch reports. The raccoon had been recovered from the Argyle Road area. The New Jersey Department of Health warns citizens to stay away from wild animals.
Studio Montclair Teams Up With WAE Center on Student Portraits
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Studio Montclair and the WAE Center collaborated on a student portrait project, Baristanet reports. The Studio Montclair + WAE Center used portrait drawing as an artistic tool for adults with developmental disabilities. This exhibit is the first of its kind, but the WAE Center and SMI have shared a long relationship.
Montclair Store Celebrating Free Comic Day
Free Comic Book Day has returned for 2021 after being canceled last year because of COVID-19, according to Patch. A local comic shop in Montclair, East Side Mags, joined the festivities and gave away free comic books on August 14th. East Side Mags is located at 7 South Fullerton Avenue.
Newark Mayor Plans to Remedy Affordable Housing Shortfalls
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recognized that experts say there’s not enough affordable housing and plans to create more, according to NJ.com. Baraka promised to create or preserve 6,600 affordable units in Newark by 2026, the announcement coming just five months after researchers released a report showing the problems in Newark’s affordable housing stock. The city would need 16,000 units of affordable housing to meet the needs of residents.
Bloomfield Homes Jump in Price
Home prices rose last year at the fastest rate since the 1970s, with the Newark NJ- PA Metropolitan Division rising 1.6 percent from April to May, Patch reports. Home prices are up 14.1 percent from June 2020. Skyrocketing prices are expected to slow next year, and frustrated home buyers are waiting for the market to cool.
Newark Resolves Lead Crisis by Replacing 23K Service Lines
Two years after Newark’s environmental disaster involving lead in service pipelines, the city has replaced nearly all its 23,000 lead service lines, New York Times reports. The lead service lines have been replaced with copper pipes. The progress is significant enough to settle a claim between Newark and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the latter being encouraged by the city’s actions.
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