Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Montclair + Bloomfield. Among the local headlines: Montclair’s DLV Lounge is celebrating 50 years; face mask mandates have returned to four Montclair Public Schools; Watchung Booksellers is welcoming back humorist David Sedaris; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Essex County + beyond.
The Montclair Girl Launched a Real Estate Directory
Looking for a place to call home in the Montclair and the greater North Jersey area is no easy feat – even if you know it won’t be your home forever. Meet our new Real Estate Directory, a curated (and ever-growing) list of real estate buildings in the greater North Jersey area. Click here to discover these local real estate properties, compare and connect for tours, and keep checking back in for new listings.
Montclair Students Win 14 Music Awards
Montclair students competed and won 14 awards in The Salvation Army NJ Corps Music and Creative Arts program, according to Montclair Local. The Star Search competition awarded Montclair students in the following categories: drama monologue, snare drum, piano solo, brass solo, and dance solo. Montclair also took wins for drama troupe, youth chorus, and youth band.
worldFlats Hosts Grand Opening at New Montclair Location
View this post on Instagram
Vegetarian restaurant worldFlats opened a location at 58 Church Street in Montclair this weekend and to celebrate, is featuring a BOGO deal for customers through Sunday, May 15th. The Instagram post says, “Our Grand Opening in Montclair is Friday, May 20 at 6PM. Come celebrate with us during our first weekend for a special buy one, get one 50% off for all flats.” The menu at worldFlats features 11 varieties of flatbreads inspired by cuisine + spices from around the world, soups, salads, and desserts.
Local Officials Announce Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs
On Friday, May 13th, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the creation of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, according to a press release. He also introduced Reginald Bledsoe as its first Director. The Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs will support the LBGTQ community and provide a platform to address issues, advocate for reforms and raise awareness. The Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs is part of the Essex County Division of Community Action.
Nami Nori + More are Coming to Montclair Through Seymour Redevelopment
View this post on Instagram
For anyone out there who loves sushi and Japanese food as much as we do, your options in Montclair are about to grow. Katz & Associates is adding to the already lively downtown Montclair by bringing in new businesses to the Seymour Street redevelopment project located on Bloomfield Avenue, according to the press release. Among the list is the New York sushi spot Nami Nori, which is scheduled to open in Montclair sometime this summer. Click here for what we know about the redevelopment project and Montclair’s newest Japanese spot, Nami Nori.
Free Comic Book Day Returned to a Montclair Comic Store
View this post on Instagram
East Side Mags was one of many comic book stores across the country that participated in free comic book day this year, reported Patch. Free Comic Day is an event planned for the first Saturday in May every year that allows the industry to come together and share the art of comics. A committee typically chooses the titles that will be available on Free Comic Book Day.
Montclair’s DLV Lounge Celebrates 50 Years
View this post on Instagram
Montclair’s DLV Lounge is celebrating 50 years, per Baristanet. The DLV is the go-to spot to experience jazz music in Essex County and plays an important role in Montclair’s Black history in jazz. If you want to stay updated on the entertainment schedule each week, you can visit the DLV’s Facebook here.
Montclair Police to Join Police Unity Tour
Montclair Police will be joining the Police Unity Tour to honor fallen officers, per Montclair Local. The four-day tour will take place from May 9th to May 12th and it will have thousands of police officers heading to the Nation’s capital to pay tribute to those who have fallen. A candlelight vigil will be held the day after the tour for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum.
Masks Returned to Four Montclair Schools
Four public schools in Montclair have seen a recent rise of COVID cases causing a mask mandate to return to all four, per Patch. The face mask policy lasted 10 days and is expected to end on Friday, May 13th. If someone forgets their mask, then one will be provided for them.
Montclair Community Raises Money for Project Oasis
More than 100 donors have banded together in the Montclair community to help revitalize and restore Project Oasis, per Patch. Project Oasis is a summer program for youth and the donors have raised thousands of dollars for the program. As of Monday, the total donations made so far equal more than $10,000.
Pool Season Registration is Open in Montclair
Registration for Montclair pool membership is officially open. According to Patch, there is new information regarding the 2022 season of Summer FUN Activities, held at Edgemont School. For all of the new information regarding the 2022 season, you can click the article link. Daily passes + guests will not be allowed at the pool this year.
Montclair Girl Scouts Start New Charity Drive
View this post on Instagram
Four Girl Scouts from Cadette Troop 20208 have launched a new personal care drive, per Montclair Local. The drive is called Soapy Smiles and its purpose is to provide non-food items to local people in need. Soapy Smiles is also encouraging other troops and organizations to join them in their drive for essential personal care items.
Montclair’s Newest Recipients of the Historic Preservation Awards Have Been Announced
View this post on Instagram
The Montclair Township Historic Preservation Commission has announced the 2022 Recipients of the Historic Preservation Awards Program, per Baristanet. The awardees will be recognized at the upcoming meeting of the Commission. Four locations will be receiving awards.
Montclair Schools to Cut Some Staff
Montclair will cut 26 non-tenured staff members to make up a $3 million deficit in its 2022-23 budget, per Montclair Local. Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said the administration would be sending out non-renewal letters on Thursday, May 12th. An undisclosed number of paraprofessionals will also be released.
Two Men Charged in Eagle Rock Murder
Two men have been charged for the murder of the New York City man who was found shot and killed at Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, per NJ.com. Michael Verdel and Posley Sulaiman picked Kelsey Steels up from his apartment in the Bronx, New York on March 4th before bringing him to New Jersey and shooting him on a hiking trail. They are both charged with murder, felony murder, conspiracy, robbery, and two weapons offenses each.
Montclair to Hold Second Ever Lantern Festival
A lantern festival will be hosted in Edgemont Park, reported Tap Into. The festival will be on Friday, May 20th from 7PM to 9PM. This is the second year the lantern festival will go on to honor the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Montclair area.
Glenridge Avenue Property Work Is Still Stalled
Plans to transform a Glenridge Avenue property have been stalled for over two years, per Montclair Local. Although the owners received the Planning Board approval in February 2020, they say they cannot break ground due to the township holding up paperwork for an easement. The plan is to transform the property into an arts and entertainment space with six residencies.
Montclair School Board Approves Budget
The Montclair Board of Education has voted unanimously to approve the 2022-2023 school budget, per Patch. You can find a link to the district’s public hearing that was held for the district’s annual spending plan in the article provided. You can also see the budget presentation.
Two Dead After Police Chase Through Montclair
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene of a car crash involving police, per Patch. Two police officers were pursuing a car that was connected to a criminal investigation when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. An investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4.
Watchung Booksellers to Host David Sedaris Once Again
Watchung Booksellers is welcoming back humorist David Sedaris as he launches his new collection of essays, Happy-Go-Lucky, per Baristanet. The event will be held in the parking lot behind the Watchung Booksellers building on Wednesday, June 1st. You can buy tickets for the event here.
