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: Montclair Brewery to celebrate with annual Oktoberfest event; the new pickleball + tennis courts debut in Bloomfield; Ian McKellen is scheduled to bring his one-man show to home audiences, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County.
Maplewood Celebrates Latin Restaurant Week 9/19-9/25
View this post on Instagram
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, Maplewood is hosting Latin Restaurant Week from September 19 – September 25. The city is encouraging residents and locals from the surrounding cities to visit and indulge in classic Latin eats at participating restaurants. The festivities were coordinated by Ileana A. Castillo and are sponsored by CODA Kitchen & Bar. Click here to read more about Latin Restaurant Week.
Lanternfly Bugs Come to Montclair: Here’s What to Do If You See One
Wildlife spottings are increasingly common in our area, and not all of them are welcome. On the list of New Jersey Agricultural Department’s ‘report immediately’ (and destroy) are lanternfly bugs — which are invasive planthopper bugs. The insect has been spotted in Montclair and the surrounding Essex County cities and is detrimental to plants and our ecosystem. Click here to read more about what to do when you see one.
Pickleball + Tennis Courts Debut in Bloomfield
On Monday, September 13th, Bloomfield Township unveiled brand new pickleball and tennis courts at Memorial Park. These new courts join several more throughout Essex County – Montclair alone is home to 13 pickleball courts. There are now two full-sized tennis courts, four pickleball courts, and a practice wall. The courts are made with post-tension concrete, which is stronger and more durable than traditional asphalt. Click here for everything we know.
Bamboo Village Vietnamese Opens in Verona
Just in time for soup season, a new, authentic Vietnamese restaurant has joined delicious Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. The award-winning chef behind the restaurant brings Vietnamese classics and Cantonese dim sum to Bloomfield Ave., giving neighbors a new spot for a night out, with karaoke and live music on weekends. Click here to read about Bamboo Village, a family-run restaurant specializing in pho and other Vietnamese delights in Verona.
Efis Gyro Stays Open Despite Sidewalk Construction
View this post on Instagram
Efis Gyro, located at 521 Bloomfield Avenue, has been able to remain open despite disruptive construction to the sidewalk. Efis Gyro shared, “One blow after another… but we’re still standing and serving! We’re open for business whether that be for pick up, delivery, or curbside pickup!” Later in the comments, an explanation was offered, “For everyone that is wondering what happened, there is major construction on Park and Bloomfield Avenue right in front of our beloved storefront. Don’t worry about the sidewalks, although uprooted, they have just been paved with dirt temporarily.”
Out Montclair Announces Montclair Pride for 2022
Out Montclair announced the first-ever Montclair Pride, scheduled for June 11, 2022, according to a press release. The Montclair Pride festival’s goal is to raise awareness and strengthen community ties, as well as provide a day filled with art, culture, food, music, and live performances. It will also host local talent, special guests, and celebrities.
Uptown Montclair Hosts 45th Annual Sidewalk Sale
Uptown Montclair is hosting its 45th annual Sidewalk Sale on September 18th, where part of Valley Road will be closed down to create more space for shopping and walking, per Montclair Local. The event will run from 9AM to 5PM. More than 30 businesses will participate.
Leasing is Underway at Clarus Glen Ridge
The highly-anticipated modern rental residences at Clarus Glen Ridge are now available for lease, according to a press release. The residencies are located on the border of Glen Ridge and Montclair. Clarus Glen Ridge offers amenities, “plush interior spaces and exquisite finishes,” according to the press release.
Montclair History Center Returning to In-Person Tours
View this post on Instagram
For the first time since March 2020, the Montclair History Center is offering on-site, in-person tours and programming, Montclair Local reports. Starting on September 18th, the center will be open for self-guided audio tours of the Crane House, in-person painting and hearth cooking classes, and outdoor walking tours.
Proceeds From Ian McKellen Show to Support SOPAC Repair Efforts
Popular actor Ian McKellen is bringing his one-man show to home audiences, according to a press release. This 152-minute production features McKellen reprising many of his award-winning roles and sharing anecdotes. His feature can be pre-ordered for $19.99. A portion of proceeds will go to support repairs needed at the SOPAC following Tropical Storm.
Bloomfield Community Farmers Market Set for September 21st
View this post on Instagram
Bloomfield kicks off its Community Farmers Market on September 21st in the Bloomfield Public Library Courtyard, according to Tap Into. The market will run on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30PM through November 9th. The market will feature City Green’s mobile veggie truck and other vendors.
Montclair Brewery Celebrates Annual Oktoberfest
View this post on Instagram
On September 25th, Montclair Brewery will celebrate its Annual Oktoberfest from 12:30 to 10:30PM, Baristanet reports. The event will include live music, contests, food and craft beers, and other craft drinks. The festival will be held at the brewery’s Outdoor Beer Garden, headlined by Lil’ Bastad.
Italian Restaurant Bucco Reopens in Bloomfield
View this post on Instagram
The innovative Italian American restaurant Bucco reopened on Thursday, September 16th. Bucco shared the good news on Instagram saying, “Italian American Kitchen will be back starting this Thursday, September 16 at 5PM. We are so happy to be back serving all of our amazing customers. We couldn’t have done it without all the support of our customers, friends, and family. The emotional, physical and financial help has been overwhelming! We are humbled and beyond appreciative. Come out and see us this weekend! We have missed everyone!” The restaurant is located at 61 Washington Street in Bloomfield.
Montclair Storm Damaged Items Collection Continues
Montclair Department of Community Services has been collecting storm-damaged items and will continue to collect these items, per Montclair Local. Crews will be in Section 1 on September 15th, and as each street is cleared, the date of collection and street will be noted. Crews will not return to that street for further collections.
Watchung Booksellers Hosts Storytime with Laura Sassi
Watchung Booksellers will host a Storytime in the Green with author Laura Sassi, per Baristanet. She will read from her new counting book for young children. Sassi’s Storytime will be on September 17th at 4PM.
Anderson Park Art Fair to Return September 18th-19th
View this post on Instagram
Essex County’s Anderson Park’s Rose Squared Art Show will return on September 18th through the 19th, Friends of Anderson Park shared. The event will run from 10AM to 5PM and feature more than 120 juried exhibitors’ creations. The show is co-sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, and Rose Squared Art Shows, and is free to the public.
Montclair State University Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
View this post on Instagram
Montclair State University ushered in Hispanic Heritage/LatinX Month with poetry, a parade, and a flag-raising ceremony, according to Montclair State University. Montclair State enrolls more Hispanic and LatinX students than any other New Jersey college, and 30 percent of this year’s freshman class identify as Hispanic.
Vanguard Theater Company to Present Broadway on Bloomfield
Artists from Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud will open the first event of Vanguard Theater Company’s season, “Broadway on Bloomfield on September 26th, per New Jersey Stage. Seats are limited to 100, and tickets will not be sold at the door but instead, seating is available online. New Jersey natives Jelani Remy and Joshua Morgan are returning to Jersey to perform at The Vanguard in a cabaret-style performance.
Bloomfield Teacher Positive for COVID-19
Some students at Oak View Elementary School in Bloomfield had to quarantine after a teacher tested positive for COVID, but as far as administrators know, no students or staff have become infected, Patch reports. The affected students were asked to self-quarantine for 10 days from the last day of potential exposure. The school district is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
