Essex County got its fair share of snow this past week and also had some notable events and news as well. Among the highlights: a new diner opened in Nutley; Newark sues carmakers for failing to install anti-theft devices; and Montclair launches a program for seniors and their pets. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending February 18th, 2024.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to hello@themontclairgirl.com.
Among the Headlines:
- And The Winner of the 2024 Montclair Girl Puppy Bowl Is…
- Inside Montclair’s Family-Owned Seafood Market, Fratelli Freschi
- Chris + Angie’s Dinette: The Newest Spot in Nutley’s Diner Scene
- Is Eataly Opening a New Jersey Location? What We Know
- Montclair Launches Seniors + Pets Healthy Living Program
- Cheesecake-Inspired Beer at Bloomfield’s Varitage Brew Works
- Health Food Pantry Now Open at Newark Health Center
- Robbie Felice + Katsuya Fukushima Team Up For Epic Culinary Experience
- Vote Montclair Founder, Erik D’Amato Announces Plans to Run for Montclair Council Seat
- NJ Transit Authority Open House Information Session for Turnpike Widening Project
- Verona Resident Honored by Rutgers Wrestling
- Manhattan Juice Bar + Café Closes in Montclair; Bloomfield Location Remains Open
- Another Work Stoppage in Ongoing Dispute over Montclair Baseball Field
- Public Comment Session for Proposed NJ Transit Fare Hike
- Livingston Students Win Fundraising Award
And The Winner of the 2024 Montclair Girl Puppy Bowl Is…
It’s been a long weekend of voting and while it is always a tough decision choosing between all of the adorable pups in Montclair, our 3rd annual MG Puppy Bowl Contest 2024 finally has a winner. Click here to see the winner!
Inside Montclair’s Family-Owned Seafood Market, Fratelli Freschi
To the regular Jersey native, seafood is a trade not thought of until Memorial Day weekend; but there is a select group of seafood enthusiasts and business owners who are passionate all year round. The owners of Fratelli Freschi Seafood Company, located at 3 Midland Avenue in Montclair have been working in the seafood business nonstop for a decade but opened its first storefront location in December. From carefully selecting each piece in the store to being passionate about the ethics behind the food labor industry, this family-owned business is sure to instill seafood as a go-to dish any day of the week. Discover what kinds of produce Fratelli Freschi Seafood Company carries and the plans the storefront has here.
Chris + Angie’s Dinette: The Newest Spot in Nutley’s Diner Scene
The diner — it’s a Jersey thing. New Jersey has been known to hold some of the best diners. Whether grabbing a late bite to eat after dancing all night at the club, meeting a friend for lunch, or having a late breakfast after church on a Sunday with the family, diners have always been a staple in this area. They provide what many other restaurants don’t: a fairly large menu holding all day (and night) breakfast, daily specials, and other options for lunch, dinner, and snacks (see: Disco Fries). Let’s not forget that most diners also have some of the best coffee. A new diner has opened its doors in Nutley at 545 Franklin Avenue called Chris + Angie’s Dinette. Read on for more information about this new dinette in Nutley, NJ here.
Is Eataly Opening a New Jersey Location? What We Know
Here at The Montclair Girl, we pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of local happenings. We read the news, check our DMs, and do our best to stay on top of things. But one story has eluded us for weeks, and we’re passing it to you, readers, to help us figure things out. A rumor is going around that world-famous Italian market and eatery Eataly has plans for a location in the Short Hills Mall later this year. Read on for what we know here.
Montclair Launches Seniors + Pets Healthy Living Program
View this post on Instagram
The Montclair Animal Shelter, The Department of Senior Services, and Humane Montclair, along with other local community stakeholders, will roll out a new pet adoption opportunity for seniors. This partnership will match up seniors who want to foster or adopt a dog with a pup perfect for them. The program will also provide financial support to help with care and other related costs. According to Patch, the initiative received a substantial grant from Mars Pet Care, which provided the Montclair Animal Shelter with a $20,000 grant through its Better Cities for Pets program to help with funding.
Health Food Pantry Now Open at Newark Health Center
A new pharmacy and healthy food pantry are now open for all Saint James Health Federally Qualified (FQHC) health center patients in Newark. The pantry, according to Patch, is located at 228 Lafayette Street will help to make prescription medications and health foods accessible to those patients. Both the Pharmacy and Farmacy will be part of an ongoing effort to connect patients and their medical team by providing a cohesive space to fill necessary prescriptions as well as find healthy foods as per the guidelines of a registered dietitian, who will also provide nutrition counseling and education. Available at the Farmacy will be fresh produce, refrigerated and shelf-stable food together with RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health, The Community Food Bank of New Jersey will serve as a vital supporter of this effort.
Cheesecake-Inspired Beer at Bloomfield’s Varitage Brew Works
View this post on Instagram
Anthony’s Cheesecake + Restaurant and Bloomfield’s first microbrewery, Varitage Brew Works, recently connected to create the ultimate collaborative effort — cheesecake-inspired beer. The taproom, located at 58 Washington Street in Bloomfield, premiered “Washington St. Style Cheesecake,” — a beer that Varitage described as a “unique malt beverage crafted with natural flavors and conditioned on raspberry highlighting the craft of both Varitage and Anthony’s cheesecake. Upon first sip, you are smacked in the mouth by raspberry. As it warms up, flavors of chocolate, graham crackers, and cream dance off your tongue.”
Montclair School District Implements Grief Education Program for Students
The Montclair School District is working to implement strategies to incorporate grief education into its curriculum. The district is focused on recognizing the importance of supporting students dealing with loss as well as educating teaching faculty on how to support students. This effort works to provide students with the necessary tools and support system to help navigate their grief. Per Montclair Local, the district is part of Imagine’s Grief-Informed Schools initiative, which provides administrators and mental health professionals with the necessary training needed. A webinar will be accessible for community members to learn more about the program.
2024 Essex County Legacies Writing Contest is Back
According to Patch, Essex County will bring its annual writing contest back for seniors this year. Local seniors who are Essex County residents, 60 years and older are eligible to participate. Entries should be original stories that focus on a special person, a life-altering experience, or a significant period in your life with a max of 1,500 words. Submissions should be typed or legibly handwritten on and must have a cover page with a title, author’s name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Please do not include identifying information on the first page of the story text.
Robbie Felice + Katsuya Fukushima Team Up For Epic Culinary Experience
James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Robbie Felice of pastaRAMEN in Montclair, NJ and Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima of Tonari in Washington, D.C. will join forces for a journey through both chefs’ favorite Wafu-Italian dishes. According to a press release, after an inspiring visit from Tonari’s owner Yama Jewayni to pastaRAMEN in December 2023, both teams were immediately compelled to cook up a way to collaborate this year. Chef Fukushima will head to pastaRAMEN for a collaborative dinner on Monday, March 4th. Chef Felice will head to Washington D.C. to kick off a one-night-only pop-up experience at Tonari on Monday, April 8th. Reservations for the first special 4-course, $120 per person (plus tax and gratuity) dinner at pastaRAMEN will be on Resy. Two seatings will be offered, at 5:30PM and 8:30PM.
NJ Transit Authority Open House Information Session for Turnpike Widening Project
According to a press release from the New Jersey Transit Authority, the agency will host an information session on the topic of a proposal to widen some parts of the NJ Turnpike. The community meeting will take place from 6PM to 9PM on Tuesday, February 27th, at East Side High School, 238 Van Buren Street, Newark. The public information center will follow the format of an open house. Residents, drivers, public officials, small business owners, and other stakeholders are invited to learn more about the project, called the Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvements Program.
Verona Resident Honored by Rutgers Wrestling
View this post on Instagram
8-year-old Miles Jaffe of Verona was honored by the Rutgers University Wrestling Team at its February 4th match against Ohio State. According to TapInto, Miles was honored as the Shining Knight of The Game as part of a partnership between Rutgers Athletics and Official Health Care provider, RWJBarnabas Health. The Shining Knight of the Game honors patients dealing with challenging medical conditions. As part of the outing, Miles got to spend time with the team in their practice space and meet the Scarlet Knight.
Vote Montclair Founder, Erik D’Amato Announces Plans to Run for Montclair Council Seat
According to Montclair Local, Erik Damato, the founder of Vote Montclair has officially announced his candidacy during public comment at the February 11th, 2024 Montclair council meeting. Erik said, “I am more comfortable getting behind good candidates than running and serving myself. But it’s important that voters in the First Ward have the option of someone dedicated to clean and competent local government, and who has a record of fighting for it here in Montclair, and am happy to step up.”
Manhattan Juice Bar + Café Closes in Montclair; Bloomfield Location Remains Open
Manhattan Juice Bar + Café’, located at 446 Bloomfield Avenue, has closed its Montclair storefront. After speaking with the owner, we can confirm that the Broad Street location in Bloomfield will remain open. The café prides itself on serving Montclair residents healthy food and a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Read on to learn more about Manhattan Juice Bar and Café’s closure in Montclair, NJ here.
Local Group Spreads Love for Valentine’s Day
View this post on Instagram
Members of a North Jersey non-profit organization celebrated Valentine’s Day by handing out personal care bags to women experiencing homelessness at the YMCA of Newark. Per Patch, members of the organization Positive Women Standing Together assembled and distributed approximately 50 bags filled with items such as toothbrushes, socks and other personal care items. The bags and contents were donated from community members.
Another Work Stoppage in Ongoing Dispute over Montclair Baseball Field
An ongoing dispute between the town of Montclair and the Board of Education has stalled the construction of a town baseball field, per Montclair Local. The construction, which started in 2021 has already faced several delays due to other disagreements over management and funding. The latest setback comes as the town of Montclair and the BOE dispute who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the field. The construction was supposed to be completed in time for the spring baseball and track season but such delays could push that timeline back.
Public Comment Session for Proposed NJ Transit Fare Hike
View this post on Instagram
Following the announcement of its proposal to increase fares, New Jersey Transit has announced a state-wide series of public meetings. According to a press release from the agency, in addition to appearing in person, members of the public also may submit comments for the record online and via mail. The Essex County meeting will be on Friday, March 8th at NJ Transit Headquarters, One Penn Plaza East, in Newark.
Livingston Students Win Fundraising Award
View this post on Instagram
A team from Harrison Elementary School in Livingston was recognized for its fundraising efforts during the “Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch” campaign. Per TapInto, the campaign was organized by Table to Table, a New Jersey-based food rescue organization. During the campaign, students donate their lunch money (or more) to the organization. Students from Harrison were the top-raising group among the participating organizations, and they were awarded with the 2023 Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy.
Newark Joins 19 Other Cities in Suing Carmakers
View this post on Instagram
Two carmakers are being sued by Newark officials, alleging that the manufacturers are to blame for the city’s increase in car thefts, per a press release from the city. According to the lawsuit, the city alleges that manufacturers of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have purposefully omitted a piece of anti-theft technology. The lawsuit alleges that this omission took place from 2011 to 2021 and contributed to an increase in car thefts. Newark is joined by over a dozen other major cities that have also seen an increase in car thefts, including New York City and Philadelphia.
