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: Cops 4 Kids awarded 2021 scholarships; ICE relocated dozens of detainees; Teglia Pizza Bar is set to open in Montclair, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County:
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Montclair Jazz Festival to Run July to September
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In an Instagram post this week, Montclair Jazz Fest shared the Jazz House Kids’ Montclair Jazz Festival will take on a new form in its 12th year. Instead of a big concert at Nishuane Park, the festival will be held in smaller events held throughout the summer.
“The MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL is “Bringing Us Back Together Again” this summer! Voted “Favorite Music Festival” for three years in a row in the NJ Arts People’s Choice Awards, this year’s festivities are moving to the heart of downtown Montclair to support our local businesses. In September, our partner, @montclairfilm brings jazz to the movies, followed by a very special concert evening called Dinner in Blue, and an all-day Downtown Jamboree with four stages, more than 100 vendors and 200 artists. Co-Sponsored by @montclaircenter BID and @bdpholdings in Montclair, NJ.”
Essex County Sprayed for Mosquitoes Overnight
On Wednesday and Thursday nights this week, Essex County performed overnight extermination spraying for mosquitoes to quell the robust population, Tap Into reported. Public Works employees used truck-mounted sprays during the overnight hours from 9PM to 7AM both nights.
RAIN Foundation Groundbreaking Held in Newark
The RAIN Foundation held an official groundbreaking event this week in Newark. The organization aims to provide solutions for LGBT adolescents experiencing homelessness. In a Facebook post, the organization shared, “Today history was made with the groundbreaking of NJ’s first permanent supportive housing project for LGBT young adults. We are thrilled that the many years of hard work and community support has paid off and in 2022, RAIN will have a ribbon cutting to open the doors for 11 people to live in a place they can truly call home.”
Bloomfield to Postpone July 4th Fireworks
Bloomfield has postponed the July 4th fireworks celebration. The tentative date at this point is October 16th at Foley Field. Neighboring town are still holding celebrations, per Patch, including East Orange, Newark, and West Essex.
Teglia Pizza Bar Opens in Montclair
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In an Instagram post this week, Teglia Pizza Bar shared the exciting news of its opening. “Teglia Pizza Bar is officially open! Stop by at 438 Bloomfield Ave in Montclair!” The shop features four different pizzas every day, available by the slice.
Bros Sandwiches to Open Soon in Upper Montclair
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A new sandwich shop is opening in Upper Montclair at 206 Bellevue Avenue. Bros Sandwiches is owned by husband and wife duo Mohammad Hijazi and Defne Gulbuken Hijazi, who are very familiar with running a small eatery, as Mohammad’s family operated a deli in Astoria, Queens for many years. Now, they’re using their knowledge to open a fast-casual restaurant in town. Click here to read more about Bros Sandwiches opening in Montclair.
Legacy Coffee’s New Mobile Shop Coming to Montclair
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Legacy Coffee, a former family-run coffee shop, recently announced it will be returning to the Montclair scene later this summer in the form of a mobile truck. Founded by the daughter-father duo, Sinéad, and Dewar MacLeod, Legacy Coffee will be back in the “same neighborhood,” but will be back with a brand new concept and menu items. Click here to read more about Legacy Coffee’s new mobile coffee shop coming soon.
Jazz House Kids Hosted Benefit Concert via Livestream
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This week, Jazz House Kids hosted a benefit concert via live stream called “Returning to the Stage”, Montclair Local reported. The concert featured jazz artists Christian McBride, Ravi Coltrane, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Christian Sands. The four artists performed at a private outdoor concert for the first time together.
Iconic Montclair State University College Hall Renovated + Renamed
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The iconic College Hall at Montclair State University has been renamed, following its expansion, to Susan A. Cole Hall. The hall was the original building and was built 113 years ago, per Baristanet.
“Rededicating College Hall in Dr. Cole’s name is the most fitting honor the Board of Trustees can bestow,” Francis M. Cuss, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in remarks to about 300 people who attended the rededication, including tours of the building and the unveiling of the building’s new name.
Sydney McLaughlin Breaks World Record
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On Sunday, June 27th, Sydney McLaughlin set a new world record for the 400-meter hurdles. This new world record beat the reigning Olympic gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad, NJ.com reported. The New Jersey native finished the set of hurdles in 51.90 seconds. “It’s one of those moments you think about and dream about and play in your head that you’ll put it together,” McLaughlin said.
Luna Stage Receives $28K from Orange Orphan Society
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The Orange Orphan Society gifted a $28,000 grant to Luna Stage to support the Pay-What-You-Wish Kids Theater Camp and Teen Collaborator Intensive, reports Baristanet. The money will also be used to install a new Green Screen Studio for use by both programs. These camps are set to run from July 6th through July 30th.
Power Outages Hit Montclair During Heat Wave
Multiple power outages affected PSE&G customers in Montclair during the Tuesday heatwave, according to Patch. There were five separate outages as of 5PM. Tuesday that affected about 83 percent or the 19,258 customers. Montclair customers can report an outage or get an estimated restoration time on the company’s website.
Montclair Health Official Sue Portuese Retires
As Montclair Health Official Sue Portuese retired, she earned praise from the community for the way she handled the COVID-19 pandemic, per Patch. The Montclair Town Council offered a proclamation honoring Portuese, the longtime director of the town’s department of health and human services. She has also served as the covering health officer for the townships of Nutley, Cedar Grove, and Verona.
ICE Relocates Dozens of Detainees
ICE transferred more than 30 federal immigration detainees from the Essex County jail to unknown locations on June 29, reports NJ Spotlight News. This raised concerns from advocates who have pushed to release detainees and close these types of facilities. On Wednesday, 16 more detainees were transferred, leaving the immigration detainee population at the jail at 60. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal class-action lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to block the long-distance transfer of ICE detainees from the Essex County jail in Newark.
Essex County Newark Tech Rewarded $30 Million Expansion
A new $31.7 million project to expand and modernize Essex County Newark Tech broke ground on June 28, according to NJ.com. Essex County Newark Tech is the third school building in the Essex County Schools of Technology District to be renovated in the last five years. The renovations will include a three-story, 16,500-square-foot addition to be constructed in a parking lot behind the school, as well as a complete overhaul of the 165,000 square feet of space inside the existing school building.
Montclair Councilor Pens Letter Urging Governor Murphy to Action
Montclair Councilor-at-Large Peter Yacobellis penned a letter calling Governor Murphy to action in supporting the proposed Essex Hudson Greenway, according to a press release. He classified the proposed Essex Hudson Greenway as being on life support and in danger of being divided up and sold off in pieces. Yacobellis has advocated for the Greenway previously.
Essex County Exceeds Biden’s Vaccination Goal
While the United States is behind President Joe Biden’s vaccination goal of 70 percent, Essex County is ahead of the United States with 70.7 percent of all adults with at least one dose, Patch reports. New Jersey is doing better than the national average with 77.8 percent of all adults having received at least one dose, while the United States has only 65.6 percent.
‘Cops 4 Kids’ Awards 2021 Scholarships
Essex County Cops 4 Kids awarded three scholarships to Essex County high school seniors Friday night at the annual graduation celebration, per Patch. The organization also celebrated the graduation of thirteen 8th graders. This celebration was held at the Nutley VFW this year.
Montclair Schools Release Fall Reopening Plans
Montclair’s public school district has released their plan to bring students back for in-person classes in the fall, reports Patch. Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said this is a living document that is subject to change. For now, the plan is broad and general and the district is in the process of creating a structured, tiered approach.
Sopranos Prequel Filmed in Newark
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The trailer for the Sopranos prequel, “The Many Saints of Newark”, dropped Monday, according to Baristanet. The movie was filmed in Newark, as well as at Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery back in 2019. The movie will be released in theaters and HBO Max on October 1st.
Montclair Write Group Contributing Writer to Book on Pandemic
Four members of a local writing troupe, Montclair Write Group, contributed thoughts to the award-winning book about living through the COVID-19 pandemic called “Corona City: Voices from an Epicenter”. According to Montclair Local, the book features first-person writings and photographs from life in New Jersey and New York as the epicenter of the pandemic.
Passaic’s Zen Space Hosts “The Equalizer”
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Montclair’s Glenn Shuster scouted out a premier location for film productions in Passaic and named it Zen Space, per Baristanet. Now, Zen Space has hosted “The Equalizer”, an NBC show starring Queen Latifah. The loft is located just 15 minutes from Montclair and 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan and has already hosted large-scale productions.
Watchung Booksellers to Host Authors Geoff Rodkey and Nancy Star
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Watchung Booksellers will host Geoff Rodkey and Nancy Star on Tuesday, July 6, according to Baristanet. This event is part of Watchung’s ongoing Evening with the Authors virtual events. Geoff Rodkey is the author of “Lights Out in Lincolnwood,” as well as other children’s books. Nancy Star is the author of six novels, most recently “Rules for Moving”.
