Labor Day is just around the corner, which means summer is on its last legs. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: a budget airline will start departing from Newark Airport in the fall; Good Success Academies Summer Entrepreneurship Program opens its annual pop-up Sweet Roots Farm; and Governor Murphy announces a free week of travel for NJ Transit customers at the end of summer. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending August 18th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Montclair History Center Receives Funding for Major Projects
- Montclair Fund for Women Announces Latest Grant Recipients
- Bloomfield Fire Department Earns Prestigious Title
- Budget Airline to Start Flights from Newark Airport
- Rutgers Launches Program To Help Autistic Adults with Self-Sufficiency
- Montclair School District Postpones Pilot Program to Restrict Student Cell Phone Use
- Vision Zero Task Force Launches to Make Safer Montclair Streets
- Essex County College Signs Transfer Program Agreement with New Jersey City University
- Job Training Program to Begin for Newark’s South Ward
- Good Success Academies Summer Entrepreneurship Program Opens Pop-Up Sweet Roots Farm
Montclair History Center Receives Funding for Major Projects
The Montclair History Center (MHC) has received funding for two major projects within its institution. It has earned a project grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission to develop an exhibit design plan for the reinterpretation of the second floor of the Crane House and Historic YWCA Museum. The museum depicts three periods of significance including the Crane family, the stories of enslaved people and servants that were part of the household in the late 1700s, and the period when it was YWCA for Black women and girls. According to a press release from MHC, the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum was recently named a New Jersey Black Heritage Site by the New Jersey Historical Commission in its inaugural round of nominations in 2024. MHC has also been awarded funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services Inspire! Grants for Small Museums program to transition and update its archival and collections management systems for improved management and greater public access for the community. The goal of this project is to streamline its digital content online through one central portal for research that is projected to be completed next year.
Montclair Fund for Women Announces Latest Grant Recipients
The Montclair Fund for Women announced it has awarded annual grants to at least 11 area nonprofit organizations this month providing services to women and girls with a focus on women and girls of color. Some of the organizations include Family Promise of Essex County, Jazz House Kids for CHiCA Power!, and Wonder Girls, per MontclairLocal. The Montclair Fund for Women is a private nonprofit foundation that has awarded over one million dollars to nonprofit organizations working to advance and support women and girls in Montclair and northern Essex County since 2001.
Bloomfield Fire Department Earns Prestigious Title
The Bloomfield Fire Department recently earned an important accreditation, Accredited Agency status, within the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). According to Patch Bloomfield, this title puts the department in a class with only a few hundred other departments. The Bloomfield Fire Department is a combination of career and volunteer fire department.
Budget Airline to Start Flights from Newark Airport
On Wednesday, August 7th, budget airline Breeze Airways announced it will launch flights from Newark Airport to West Virginia this fall. Flights will take place between Newark and West Virginia International Yeager Airport twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday and will begin taking flight on November 14th, 2024, per Patch Newark. Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin commented, “Not only will this non-stop service enhance our connectivity and provide more travel options, but also bring new opportunities for tourism and business.”
Rutgers Launches Program To Help Adults with Autism with Self-Sufficiency
Aaron Dallman, an occupational therapy assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Health Professions who specializes in autism, recently created a unique program based in Newark called Nexus. According to a press release from Rutgers University, Nexus is intended to help young adults with autism in the Newark area gather, socialize, and develop essential skills for independence. The activities at Nexus are unlike other programs as they are self-directed by the young adults themselves, along with support from Rutgers students. The program began in the spring of 2024 and can serve up to 25 young adults and utilizes the school’s occupational therapy program space, which includes a kitchen and living area, to teach functional skills. The program also benefits graduate students who gain valuable experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Nexus has even gained national recognition as Rocky Mountain University in Wisconsin is planning to implement a similar program.
Montclair School District Postpones Pilot Program to Restrict
Student Cell Phone Use
Interim superintendent of Montclair schools Damen Cooper announced at the Montclair Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 12th, that the rollout of the Yondr program in the middle schools would not happen in September. The Yondr program was an initiative chosen by the late Dr. Jonathan Ponds to address student cell phone use and was intended to start this fall. Damen believes there needs to be more conversations and planning in order for the rollout to be effective, per MontclairLocal. The new target date for the program to begin is now after the holiday break in January 2025.
Vision Zero Task Force Launches to Make Safer Montclair Streets
Montclair’s Vision Zero Task Force hosted a Zoom forum last month to discuss its mission of making Montclair’s roadways safer and eliminating all traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2028. Vision Zero task force members Paul Mickiewicz and Amy Veach co-hosted the forum as they outlined a timeline of goals to ensure the task force’s growth, data collection, project implementation, and community feedback. According to MontclairLocal, Vision Zero is prioritizing community outreach to Montclair residents in the current phase of its plan. The Township is also working on implementing a new communication platform, which includes social media engagement and in-person meetings. Residents can find more information about Vision Zero, the task force, and its timeline online.
Essex County College Signs Transfer Program Agreement with
New Jersey City University
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A Transfer Agreement ensuring a seamless transition from Essex County College (ECC) to New Jersey City University (NJCU) was signed by the presidents of both institutions in a ceremony on Thursday, July 18th at ECC’s Newark campus. The agreement will help ensure a clear pathway for students to first earn an Associate degree followed by a Bachelor’s degree and beyond, per Essex County College. Both institutions will initiate procedures for the sharing of campus resources and student support services under the terms of the agreement and will be evaluated on a regular basis to ensure its effectiveness. The transfer agreement is contracted for five years.
Job Training Program to Begin for Newark’s South Ward
The South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA), Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), Parents Engaging Parents (PEP), the Newark Workforce Development Board (NWDB), and RMNeilson & Associates announced the launch of the Passport to Green Jobs and Careers Training Program. According to Patch Newark, this initiative is designed to provide South Ward residents in Newark with the necessary knowledge and expertise to pursue careers in environmentally sustainable industries through hands-on training, workshops, and support services. CHCA will provide comprehensive support services, including child care assistance, ensuring that all participants can fully engage in the program while PEP will offer coaching and mentoring to support participants throughout their journey. NWDB will collaborate with GALA fellows to secure placements in green jobs or pre-apprenticeships leading to long-term employment opportunities in the green sector. The program is open to 120 South Ward residents aged 17 and over (with encouragement for women with children and young people seeking pathways to “quality, high-paying green jobs”) with no prior experience required. Thirty businesses in the South Ward and the South Ward Special Improvement District (SID) will also be selected to receive coaching and funding to create genuine pathways into this growing sector.
Good Success Academies Summer Entrepreneurship Program Opens Pop-Up Sweet Roots Farm
Good Success Academies has once again launched its annual summer Sweet Roots Farm – a youth-run farm stand where students sell fresh produce to Montclair residents. During the summer entrepreneurship program, students learn about the “development, launching, and operation of a small business,” per MontclairLocal. The program currently includes students from Montclair High School, Bloomfield High School, and Immaculate Conception High School. This business practice also helps students earn income from the sales they make. In its fourth year, the Sweet Roots Farm will operate from two locations: on the lawn of St. James Episcopal Church and on the lawn of the Unitarian Church. The farm stand opened in late July and will operate every Saturday through August 23rd. Good Success Academies helps high school minority students transition into college and the workforce.
Montclair Group Providing $10k Grant to Aid Seniors’ Tech Skills
Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place (mGAP) has been awarded a 2024 Partners for Health Foundation grant for $10,000 to expand upon the recently awarded AARP Community Challenge grant that mGAP received. According to Patch Montclair, the combined funding will support the organization’s digital navigation program that directly benefits the township’s residents aged 50 years old and older, facilitating access to digital communication, assistive technology, and emergency alerts. In cooperation with the Township of Montclair, this mGap test project will help the community of modern agers take control of emergency messaging on digital devices. Funds from Partners for Health will be used to purchase loaner devices for trainees as well as produce a video on the “ABCs of Digital Messaging During Emergencies.”
NJIT Honors Historic Gift from Alum with Renaming of Building
New Jersey Institute of Technology has announced the renaming of its College of Science and Liberal Arts to the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts (JHCSLA) in recognition of a historic gift from Jordan Hu ’89. Jordan is the founder and chief executive officer of RiskVal Financial Solutions, LLC, and is a former member of the university’s Board of Trustees. His contribution marks the single largest philanthropic commitment ever made by an NJIT graduate to the university and will provide vital funding to JHCSLA that will enhance STEM education and research across campus, and open a range of scholarship opportunities for students, per Patch Newark. Jordan’s donation will create two separate endowments, including one establishing the Jordan Hu Taiwan Scholarship, which will support students from Taiwan who choose to pursue degrees at the college.
EMT Training Program at Newark EMS Corps Now Accepting Applications
Newark EMS Corps announced on Thursday, August 1st, that the organization is now accepting applications for young people ages 18 through 26 in Greater Newark to participate in a paid, five-month emergency medical technician (EMT) job training program. According to a press release from the GreenLight Fund, the program (which includes up to 40 young individuals) also provides youth development, mentoring, and job placement services. Anyone interested in participating in Newark EMS Corps can apply online by Sunday, September 1st. The inaugural cohort of trainees will start in September 2024.
Shell Oil Applies to Renew Air Quality Permit for Newark Terminal
Shell Oil Products U.S. is applying to renew an existing Title V – Air Quality Operating Permit for its Newark Terminal, located at 909 Delancy Street. The proposal has seen criticism from Clean Water Action, which claimed that the facility “has the potential to impact air quality, particularly with proposed changes such as the storage of additional fuel types like ethanol, which is considered a ‘volatile organic compound,'” per Patch Newark. A public information session was held in person at The Crowne Plaza Newark Airport, 901 Spring Street on Wednesday, August 7th. Shell is accepting written comments from the public on the Title V Operating Permit renewal for a period of 60 days from Monday, July 8th through Thursday, September 5th. Comments can be submitted to Tito Montalvo, Terminal Manager via email to [email protected], or via United States Postal Service to, “Shell Oil Products, US Newark Terminal 909 Delancy Street Newark, NJ 07105.” A notice of intent posted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) website provides more details about the proposal.
Essex County Vicinage Celebrates Significant Victories Over Addiction
The Essex Vicinage held its latest recovery court graduation ceremony on Wednesday, August 7th, at the Leroy Smith Building in Newark. According to Patch Newark, a total of 13 participants who completed the program early and maintained recovery from drugs and alcohol were honored. The recovery court program operates within the Superior Court to address non-violent drug-addicted offenders and requires completion of several phases of intensive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, per the Essex County Vicinage. The program has more than 205 participants.
Montclair’s Diesel & Duke Announces Re-Opening Date on Church Street
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Diesel & Duke, now located at 20 Church Street in Montclair, announced in an Instagram post that it will be holding its “soft opening” on August 19th, with limited hours. Diesel & Duke – which operates three other eateries in Princeton, Jersey City, and New Brunswick – closed its Montclair location on Glenridge Avenue (near the Bay Street station) this spring and began the move to Church Street downtown to provide “a bigger and better experience for all,” per NorthJersey.com. The eatery is celebrating its 10th year in business as it’s known for its burgers and hand-cut fries, including Cajun and Poutine.
NJ Transit Starting Free Week of Travel on August 26th
On August 15th, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy announced that NJ Transit will offer a fare holiday from August 26th through September 2nd, making all fares free on buses, trains, and light rails. This was done, he shared publicly, as a gesture of appreciation to commuters after a challenging summer marked by service disruptions. The announcement includes buses, trains, and the light rail but does not include the PATH train, as it is a separate agency, according to NJ Transit. In addition to the free rides for the week, monthly pass holders will receive a 25% discount. Click here to learn more about the fare holiday.
3 Firefighters Intend to Sue Montclair Township Claiming ‘Hostile Work Environment’
Three Montclair Fire Department firefighters plan to sue the township on the claims that they’ve endured a hostile work environment and had their reputations tarnished by leaders in the department and other municipal employees. According to NJ.com, attorneys for firemen Peter Albanese, John Fowler, and William Roth served the township on Tuesday, August 6th, with three notices of intent to sue, placing much of the blame for their unhappiness on two firefighters who have filed lawsuits against the township over claims of racial discrimination. Each firefighter claims “illegal or wrongful workplace policies, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of state and federal laws,” according to the notices. The notices were filed a little more than a year after Battalion Chief and Captain Steven Marshalleck and Captain Makkari Sampson filed lawsuits alleging excessive racial discrimination within the department. Roosevelt N. Nesmith, an attorney representing Battalion Chief Marshalleck and Captain Sampson, called the claims “factually and legally meritless,” on Friday, August 9t. A spokesman for the township would not comment due to pending litigation.
Several Popular Newark Festivals Unite Under One Entity
The Newark Alliance has unveiled the “Festivals United” coalition which comprises some of the city’s premier annual events in the Arts and Education District and the Newark City Parks Foundation. These festivals include Afro Beat Fest, Halsey Fest, Lincoln Park Music Festival, Newark Arts Festival, Newark Pride, and Newark Winter Village. The initiative, made possible by a $1.5 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) awarded in December 2023, marks a significant milestone in bringing together Newark’s cultural offerings under one unified banner, per Patch Newark. The Festivals United coalition aims to highlight Newark as a year-round destination and a regional hub for arts, culture, entertainment and small business haven.
Health Center Opens at East Side High School in Newark
Saint James Health Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, recently opened a new health clinic at Newark’s East Side High School located at 69 Pulaski Street. This is part of an ongoing effort to increase access to care and improve health outcomes in the city’s most vulnerable populations. According to TAPinto Newark, the Saint James Health Center at East Side High School has its own separate public entrance and offers patients primary care services, including pediatrics, adult medicine, vaccines, physicals, along with access to trained social workers and assistance with insurance enrollment, in a safe and comfortable environment and with both language and cultural considerations. As part of the event, RWJBarnabas Health also sponsored a backpack giveaway outside East Side High School by providing over 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for area children in time for the start of school in September. The creation of the Saint James Health Center at East Side High School is part of a broader effort by RWJBarnabas Health, funded through the “Our Healthy Newark” appropriation from the State of New Jersey, to address health equity in vulnerable, historically underserved communities and the social factors that impact health outcomes.
Montclair Business Deemed ‘Unsafe’ After Floor Collapse
On Friday, August 9th, the ProStock Automotive building at 16 Lackawanna Plaza was declared unsafe by the Township of Montclair in an alleged flooding-related incident. “A floor collapse incident occurred at 16 Lackawanna Plaza on the morning of August 7, 2024. It was determined that a private storm culvert running beneath the building had buckled, causing the floor to give way,” Montclair’s Chief Information Officer Tony Fan commented, per MontclairLocal. There were no injuries. It’s been reported that the floor behind the registers is caved in, various shelving units have collapsed, and phones and monitors are strewn around the site of the collapse. ProStock Automotive has not made a statement.
Council Approves Firm to Manage Search for New Town Manager
Montclair’s town council voted Tuesday, August 13th, to pass a resolution to enter into a contract with Jersey Professional Management to conduct an executive search for the position of township manager. At the meeting, Councilor at Large Carmel Loughman thanked the interim town manager for “graciously staying on” through the search process. According to MontclairLocal, Montclair will pay Jersey Professional Management $16,000 to conduct the search.
Strong Arm Robbery Occurs Over Sandwich at The Mission Mart in Montclair
An employee at The Mission Mart on Mission Street in Montclair reported that a male entered the business on Tuesday, August 6th, and ordered a sandwich that resulted in a verbal dispute over its price. The male suspect then began placing numerous items into his pockets and attempted to leave the store without paying. The employee attempted to prevent the male from leaving at which time he was struck by the suspect numerous times in the head allegedly with his fists and a chair, per MontclairLocal. The employee was treated by Montclair EMS after the male suspect fled.
3 Car Crimes Reported in Montclair This Month
Montclair police have released details about three recent crimes involving motor vehicles. On Thursday, August 8th, a victim said he was working at a residence on Llewellyn Road and left his work vehicle unattended for about a half hour when his work bag containing his wallet and cash was missing. When he returned, he saw that his work bag was missing. According to MontclairLocal, several vehicles parked in a South Willow Street parking garage were entered and ransacked around 2:40AM by multiple men in their twenties on Saturday, August 10th. On Sunday, August 11th, the victim reported that he parked his 2024 Alfa Romeo in front of a local residence when a man entered the vehicle and fled the scene. He abruptly stopped at Midland Avenue and Walnut Street, jumped out of the Alfa Romeo, and proceeded to enter a white sedan that was acting as a “follow car”; police said the suspect and the white sedan then drove away.
All About Montclair’s Newest Menswear Store: Mister
The holidays are upon us, which means we’re looking at the local retail landscape with a determined eye. We recently stumbled upon the new Mister Menswear store, located at 12 North Willow Street in Montclair. Natalie Haddad, the owner, also owns Monty, an innovative women’s store right around the corner from Mister. Read on to learn more about Natalie and her journey to opening her second Montclair store, Mister.
All About Mister, Monty + The Woman Behind Them Both
Natalie Haddad, who moved to Montclair nine years ago, has always been involved in the fashion industry. She studied apparel design in Seattle and has worked with designers such as Libertine, Tracy Feith, Trina Turk, and, most recently, Jonathan Adler. Five years ago, she left her job in New York City and opened Monty, also located at 12 North Willow Street, a clothing store that reflects what she wanted to see in women’s wear.
Read More: A List of Must-Shop Boutiques in Montclair
Monty has made a name in Montclair, and Natalie has cultivated lasting relationships with her clients and their partners. Many of Natalie’s patrons were requesting men’s wear, but she couldn’t figure out how to incorporate it into Monty’s space without it feeling overcrowded and an afterthought. The planets aligned when Natalie discovered a space available in the same building directly around the corner from Monty. She knew the time was right to open Mister, her men’s clothing store.
As a Montclair local, Natalie and her shops have become an integral part of the Montclair community and small business scene. Some of her favorite businesses and restaurants in the area are Vesta at 598 Valley Road, Grayford's Since 1931 Antique Shop at 427 Bloomfield Avenue, Boschetto at 111 Grove Street, and Gioia Mia at 331 Bloomfield Avenue.
The Story Behind The Names Monty + Mister
When Natalie decided to leave New York City to live in Montclair, her friends affectionately nicknamed her Monty, short for Montclair. The name Monty spoke to her upon opening her store because it is a personal, sentimental reflection of her move to the town and her dream of opening her boutique. When choosing a name for her new men’s wear store, Natalie wanted it to begin with an M to be synonymous with Monty. The name also had to embody everyone looking for captivating clothing that is exciting and wearable yet practical and versatile. Mister embraces all of this.
See More: 10 Hoboken + Jersey City Creators You Can Shop From Online
Mister is open to those who want to browse, find a gift, completely transform their look, or treat themselves to something new. Designers to look for in Mister include Hansen Garments, De Bonne Facture, Toast, and Homecore.
The store is closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and open from 12PM to 5PM Wednesday through Saturday. Keep up with Mister on Instagram here.
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