Despite the chill of January, breaking headlines are heating up the news scene. It’s been an eventful week of noteworthy happenings, and we’ve gathered the latest local news roundup to keep you in the know. Among the highlights: a Little Falls pasty chef wins international recognition; Montclair plans an inclusive playground; and four Newark high school students receive scholarships. Read on for all the news in Montclair + beyond for the week ending January 28th, 2024.
The headlines (read on for more):
- Montclair Envisions Inclusive Playground At Nishuane Park
- Fatto Con Amore Sandwich Shop in Montclair Announces Opening Date
- Little Falls Pastry Chef Wins Top Pastry Chef Award in Italy
- Montclair Brewery Re-Releases Collab Beer with Maine’s Allagash
- Four Newark High School Seniors Earn Questbridge Scholarships
- NJ Transit Could be Raising Fares by 15% This Summer
- Newark’s ‘Portugalidade’ Festival Returns
- New NJ State Law Will Help Local Breweries
- Mr. G’s Diner in Paterson Will Return in February With New Ownership
- Dodge Poetry Festival Expands with 2024 Initiative in Newark
- West Orange Implements Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
- Newark Launches Public Lottery for $1 Homes
Montclair Envisions Inclusive Playground At Nishuane Park
Montclair Township is applying for state funding through the New Jersey Green Acres Program to revamp Nishuane Park’s playground, aiming for inclusivity with accessible equipment and safety upgrades, per Patch. The proposed cost estimate, including contingencies, is $1.33 million. A public hearing is scheduled for January 30th to discuss the proposal, as Montclair aims to enhance community spaces.
Fatto Con Amore Sandwich Shop in Montclair Announces Opening Date
Photo Credit: MediaScher, Photographer Tyler Scher
Fatto Con Amore, a new sandwich shop from Chef Robbie Felice, announced that its opening date is moving to May 2024. The spot will join the growing list of Montclair Hospitality Group and Chef Robbie’s foodie ventures in the North Jersey area, including PastaRAMEN, which opened in 2023. The name means ‘made with love’ in Italian, and the shop will be located at 349 Bloomfield Avenue. Read on for what we know about the new Montclair sandwich shop Fatto con Amore here.
Montclair Board of Education Passes Inclusive Renovation
The Montclair Board of Education unanimously approved a Set-Aside Resolution during its January 22nd meeting, aiming to allocate 20% of Bond Referendum projects to minority, women, and small business enterprises for professional services and construction, per Montclair Local. Superintendent Jonathan Ponds emphasized the district’s commitment to equity and system support. The decision responds to the need for increased minority-and-women-led contracts, aligning with the district’s broader initiatives, including a Project Labor Agreement for projects exceeding $5 million.
Little Falls Pastry Chef Wins Top Pastry Chef Award in Italy
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Giancarlo Palazzone, a pastry chef at Palazzone Pastry Lab located at 490 Main Street Little Falls, won top pastry chef at a world event in Italy, according to Palazzone 1960’s Instagram. Giancarlo is a pastry chef at Palazzone Pastry Lab in Little Falls as well as at Palazzone 1960 at 90 Route 23 North in Wayne.
Montclair Board of Education Files Lawsuit Over Field Renovation
The Montclair Board of Education has filed a lawsuit against the Township of Montclair over the renovation of Woodman Field’s baseball field according to Montclair Local. The complaint, filed in December 2023, alleges that the township placed a stop work order without prior zoning concerns. The lawsuit states that the district engaged with the township multiple times in 2022 and 2023, and contracts were awarded based on the understanding that no zoning approvals were needed. The field renovations, part of a bond referendum, have faced opposition from residents and legal challenges.
Montclair Brewery Re-Releases Collab Beer with Maine’s Allagash
^ Allagash Brewmaster Jason Perkins + Montclair Brewery Co-owner Leo Sawadogo. Photo Credit: Alexandra Rush.
Allagash Brewing Company is re-releasing collaborative beers with Crowns + Hops Brewing Co. and Montclair Brewery as part of its commitment to increase racial equity in the craft beer industry, per a press release. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each beer will support the 8 Trill Initiative, dedicated to generating opportunities for Black-owned craft beer brands. The beers, Cur-8 (Crowns & Hops + Allagash) and Verb (Montclair Brewery + Allagash), will be available in February, coinciding with Black History Month, with wider distribution than the initial release.
Four Newark High School Seniors Earn Questbridge Scholarships
Four high school seniors from Newark have secured Questbridge scholarships for 2024, according to Patch. The four-year scholarships are granted by esteemed colleges affiliated with Questbridge, a non-profit that connects low-income and first-generation students with partner colleges. The recipients, part of the top 10% of their graduating class, will pursue various fields of study, showcasing their dedication to academic excellence and extracurricular engagement. Among the four students are Shariah Marsden from Bard High School Early College, Laiba Arif and Mariana Nolasco from Technology High School, and Adamari Rodriguez-Valdiviezo from Science Park High School.
NJ Transit Could be Raising Fares by 15% This Summer
NJ Transit, the public transportation system used by many in the Garden State, has proposed a 15% fare hike. The fare hike is set to be voted on in April and would take effect starting July 1st, 2024. The proposal includes annual 3% increments starting July 1st, 2024, with no specified sunset date. This is the first fare increase proposed by NJ Transit in 10 years. Public hearings will begin on Monday, March 4th. Read on for details about the proposed NJ Transit fare increase to take effect on July 1st, 2024 here.
Essex County Sanctuary Courses Aid Domestic Violence Victims
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is providing free courses called “Sanctuary” to train residents in crisis intervention outreach services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes, according to Patch. The 100-hour training program covers topics such as crisis counseling, safety planning, ethics, trauma assessment, and legal advocacy. Upon completion, volunteers can provide culturally sensitive outreach to victims and survivors. Applications are due by January 30th, and the courses are presented in basic and advanced formats.
Newark’s ‘Portugalidade’ Festival Returns
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The Newark 2024 Day of Portugal Committee has announced the schedule for this year’s cultural celebration, marking its 45th year, set to take place from April 11th through June 9th, per Patch. The festivities will include events such as a flag-raising ceremony, folklore festival, gala, Portugal Day Mass, and a parade. The celebration, known for its folk dances and Portuguese cuisine, attracts thousands to Newark each year.
New NJ State Law Will Help Local Breweries
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S-4265/A-5912) on January 16th, 2024, that overhauls the state’s liquor license laws, marking the first substantial change since the aftermath of Prohibition. The new law will increase the number of available liquor licenses, easing restrictions on breweries and distilleries. Key changes include addressing inactive/pocket licenses, creating new mall licenses, and permanently easing restrictions on breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, allowing them more flexibility in operations and events. The law is expected to boost economic growth, support small businesses, and revitalize downtown areas. More information can be found in our full article here.
Mr. G’s Diner in Paterson Will Return in February With New Ownership
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh announced the return of the historic Mr. G’s Diner, which closed in 2022, according to NorthJersey.com. The classic American diner, formerly owned by civil rights activist Russell Graddy, is set to open in February under new ownership by Vaughn McKoy. While maintaining its location and name, the diner will receive modern upgrades, promising a blend of nostalgia and contemporary dining experiences for the community.
Newark Mourns Loss of Two Police Sergeants
The Newark community is grieving the recent deaths of two police officers, Sergeant Rafael Ramos Jr. and Sergeant Kenneth Brown, per Patch. Sergeant Ramos, with 33 years of service, passed away on January 16th following an illness, while Sergeant Brown, aged 53, passed away suddenly on January 21st. Both officers had extensive careers in the Newark Police Division, and their deaths are deeply felt by the community.
West Orange Implements Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
The West Orange Township Council voted 3-2 in favor of a partial ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, with the ban transitioning to full-time by January 1st, 2025, per Patch. The ban, supported by the local advocacy group Our Green West Orange, aims to reduce noise and pollution. Landscapers will face penalties for violations. Last year, The Montclair Girl reported that gas-powered leaf blowers were also banned in Montclair, which can be found in our full article here.
Newark Launches Public Lottery for $1 Homes
The City of Newark is set to hold its first public lottery for the Homeownership Revitalization Program, allowing residents the chance to buy city-owned properties for as little as $1, according to Patch. The program, run by the nonprofit Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) in partnership with the city, aims to increase homeownership and provide affordable housing options. The Monday, January 29th lottery is currently closed for entries, however, the city plans to hold more drawings in the future.
Dodge Poetry Festival Expands with 2024 Initiative in Newark
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The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have announced a major expansion of the 2024 Dodge Poetry initiative, focusing on poetry as a catalyst for social change, per Patch. The collaboration, backed by a $1.7 million grant from the Dodge Foundation, will extend Dodge Poetry beyond its biennial festival to include year-round poetry programs in Newark. The initiative aims to engage communities, amplify poet activists challenging existing norms, and create spaces for empathy and healing. The 20th Celebration of the Dodge Poetry Festival, alongside the initiative, will take place on October 17th through 19th, at NJPAC at 1 Center Street in Newark.
Governor Murphy Approves Funding For Public Charter School Facilities
Governor Phil Murphy signed historic legislation, A4496/S3247, establishing the Public Charter and Renaissance School Facilities Loan Program, per a press release. This marks the first-ever funding framework for public charter schools in New Jersey, allowing critical upgrades, new construction, and renovations. The legislation aims to address facility improvement needs and provide a low-interest revolving loan program for charter schools, benefiting Newark and other School Development Authority (SDA) districts. The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association praised the move as a monumental step towards equity and fair funding for charter schools.
Cannabis Retail Shop ‘Kush Connection’ Coming to Montclair
A new cannabis retail business, Kush Connection, will open at 135 Valley Road in Montclair, according to Montclair Local. The Township Planning Board approved the adult-only cannabis dispensary as a permitted use on Valley Road on January 22nd, meeting Montclair’s criteria for cannabis retail locations. While the business awaits approval for its building and parking plan, it needs the board’s approval for the use to obtain a permanent retail license from the state. The Kush Connection was granted a conditional retail license by the Township Council in May 2023.
NJIT Nears Agreement on Contracts
NJIT staff and the university are in the final stages of a new contract, according to the United Council of Academics at NJIT (UCAN), per Patch. The deal, covering adjunct faculty, postdoctoral research employees, and graduate workers, addresses issues such as pay equity, health care benefits, class size limits, and job security. UCAN President Brian O’Donnell highlighted gains in the proposed agreements, including parity with Rutgers University salaries, increased minimum pay for adjunct faculty, and improved job security and benefits. If ratified, the contracts will be in effect until June 2026.
