Our feeds are now becoming filled with apple picking or the annual Gilmore Girls binge-watch session as the air becomes more chilly. 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: celebrity chef Morimoto is set to open a new Montclair restaurant in spring 2025; the 9th annual Glen Ridge Kiwanis ‘Fall Festival of Flavors’ sets its date; and Montclair is set to host its first-ever Porchfest next year. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending October 13th, 2024.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- AAPI New Jersey Announces 2024 ‘Light Up Diwali’ Lineup
- ‘Unprecedented Numbers’ Occur at Montclair’s Human Needs Food Pantry Before Holiday Season
- Family Promise of Essex County Announces 2024 ‘Driving Home Hope’ Details
- Michelin Chef Missy Robbins’ MISIPASTA Pop-Up Returns to Montclair
- 9th Annual Glen Ridge Kiwanis ‘Fall Festival of Flavors’ Sets Its Date
- Celebrity Chef Morimoto to Open New Montclair Restaurant in Spring 2025
- Friends of the Nutley Public Library to Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week
- Clothing Swap Takes Place Montclair
- New Bakery, Artazu, Opening in Montclair
- Montclair To Host First-Ever Porchfest in 2025
AAPI New Jersey Announces 2024 ‘Light Up Diwali’ Lineup
Photo Credit: AAPI New Jersey
AAPI New Jersey has announced its annual fall cultural celebration, Light Up Diwali, will take place on Saturday, October 19th (with a rain date of Sunday, October 20th) at the Montclair Art Museum (MAM). According to a press release from the organization, Diwali — “the festival of lights”— is a joyous gathering that honors the diverse cultural traditions of the South Asian diaspora. Senator Vin Gopal and community organizer Dr. Arati Kreibich will be present for the diya lighting and welcome remarks. This year’s program will also feature three new mainstage acts: award-winning Indo-American jazz composer and pianist Charu Suri, traditional Kuchipudi dancer Ashwin Kumar, and its first Bhangra dance troupe, RuBhangra, from Rutgers University. General admission and family tickets (up to five maximum attendees) are on sale now. Children five years old and under are free. Fee waivers are available for anyone in need. This event is free to MAM members and its galleries will also be open to explore with the price of admission.
‘Unprecedented Numbers’ Occur at Montclair’s Human Needs Food Pantry Before Holiday Season
Montclair’s Human Needs Food Pantry has been dedicated to supporting individuals and families in need for over 42 years. The Pantry is experiencing the highest demand in its history, per Montclair Local, as it’s registering 125 new households for assistance each month — a trend that is expected to continue rising. The pantry serves over 800 households each week and has provided food and other services during approximately 29,000 client visits since January 2024, almost 9,000 more than last year. The Pantry relies solely on donations and grants, along with small food allocations from the Community Food Bank. The Human Needs Food Pantry will be seeking donations of holiday meal items as the season is coming up soon. Monetary contributions are also greatly appreciated as expenses continue to rise to meet increasing demand. Interested donors and volunteers are encouraged to visit its website and keep up with its social media pages for updates on how to help out.
Two New Businesses Open in Montclair
Montclair hosted its ribbon cutting for two businesses, Crystal + Candle and Salon Monty in Upper Montclair, this past Thursday, October 10th. Crystal + Candle, located at 195 Bellevue Avenue, allows patrons to mix their own scents and create candles along with its crystal and candle selection to browse. Next door at 195A Bellevue Avenue, is Salon Monty, a full-service hair salon.
Family Promise of Essex County Announces 2024 ‘Driving Home Hope’ Details
Family Promise of Essex County has announced the date for Driving Home Hope, the nonprofit’s premiere fundraising event to benefit Essex County families experiencing, or at risk for, homelessness. The event will take place on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, from 7PM–10PM at the Avenue A Club located in the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark. This year’s honoree, Kathy Hay Stine, is a Short Hills resident and a longtime volunteer and Board Member of Family Promise of Essex County. The evening will feature a live auction and various opportunities for attendees to contribute to the local community while enjoying street food from around the world and live music. Family Promise of Essex County supports families facing the crisis of homelessness with prevention assistance, emergency shelter, permanent housing, and long-term stabilization programs. Tickets and details about the range of sponsorship opportunities can be found online.
Missy Robbins’ MISIPASTA Pop-Up Returns to Montclair
Photo Credit: Rachael Lombardy
James-Beard-Award-Winning Chef Missy Robbins brought her Italian specialties brand back once again to MTC this past weekend. On Saturday, October 12th starting at 11AM, locals shopped for Italian goodies (or pre-ordered before) at 18 Label Studios, located at 18 Label Street in Montclair. Click here for more about the MISIPASTA pop-up that returned to Montclair this weekend.
9th Annual Glen Ridge Kiwanis ‘Fall Festival of Flavors’ Sets Its Date
The Kiwanis Club of Glen Ridge Foundation has announced the date for its annual Fall Festival of Flavor, formerly known as OctoberFeast. The event will take place on Monday, October 21st from 6:30PM–9PM at The Women’s Club of Glen Ridge. A selection of wonderful foods, desserts, and beverages to sample will be provided by the best restaurants and caterers in Glen Ridge, Montclair, Bloomfield, and surrounding areas, including new names for this year. A limited number of tickets are on sale online. Proceeds will help support The Foundation and Family Connections NJ. More information can be found here.
Celebrity Chef Morimoto to Open New Montclair Restaurant in Spring 2025
Photo credit: Jeffrey Elkashab, @nj_native_
Earlier this year, The Montclair Girl shared the news that Maddox and Musuko, located at 193 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair closed less than a year after its opening. We found out what’s coming to the 12,000+ square foot space back in March, and it’s a treat for Essex County locals and visitors alike. Internationally renowned Chef Masaharu Morimoto, known as The Iron Chef, will open a new concept right here in Montclair — and the new restaurant is aiming for a spring 2025 opening. Click here for more about the new Montclair restaurant, MM by Morimoto.
Friends of the Nutley Public Library to Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week
The Nutley Public Library will be spending the week of October 20th-26th, 2024, celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the 19th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. The Library and Friends will present programs and services that celebrate the year-round dedication of the Friends of the Library and promote membership, including some children’s activities and prizes, centered around the love of reading and the Library, per a press release from the organization. Interested participants may contact the Library at 973-667-0405 or visit its website to learn more about the week’s activities.
Wing it On! + Sigri Indian BBQ to Share Space in Newark
View this post on Instagram
Craveworthy Brands announced on Monday, October 6th, that it is opening a new Wing it On! location at 155 University Avenue in Newark. According to Patch Newark, it will be a “co-branded” concept that shares a space with Sigri Indian BBQ, with both establishments operating under one roof. It will be Craveworthy Brands’s first co-branded location on the East Coast.
Clothing Swap Takes Place Montclair
Photo Credit: Jersey Girl Thrifts
This weekend, a pair of New Jersey besties and entrepreneurs gave Montclair locals a chance to drop the clothes they’re ready to part with and shop for new favorites. On Saturday, October 12th, from 11AM to 3PM, Jersey Girl Thrift hosted its first public clothing swap at Bloom CC + CO in Montclair. Click here for details about the clothing swap event that took place in Montclair this weekend.
Doctor Runs 10th Marathon to Support American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Montclair’s Dr. Ed Gold is set to run the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, October 27th. As he’s done in the past, he’s running to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention this year. Dr. Gold is a retired Montclair orthodontist and ran his first marathon in 2012 at 56 years old, per Montclair Local. Fans of the initiative can visit his donation page to support his run for The Foundation.
Montclair State Students To Serve NJ Communities Thanks To $1M In AmeriCorps Funding
Montclair State University has received two grants totaling nearly $1 million to continue the work of its AmeriCorps Healthy Communities Corps. According to a press release from the University, the initiative focuses on aiding underserved communities still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. A $731,407 grant will aid vulnerable communities and build a group of allied health workers trained in community service, clinical practice, and social determinants of health. At the same time, a $244,902 AmeriCorps Formula Grant will expand the program’s capacity to assist with public health, education, and social services. The funds were awarded by the NJ Commission on National and Community Service, which supports initiatives aimed at improving civic engagement and community service across New Jersey.
Grand Opening of LA Bikini Set at Livingston Town Center
Sugar waxing salon L.A. Bikini will hold a grand opening for its new location at the Livingston Town Center, located at 1150 Town Center Way in building E, on Saturday, October 19th. According to Patch Livingston, a ribbon cutting is scheduled to take place at 12PM. The event will include free services, raffles, and product samples.
New Bakery, Artazu, Opening in Montclair
A new bakery on Walnut Street in Montclair looks like it will be opening soon. Artazu Bakery + Cafe was spotted next to Red Eye Cafe at 94 Walnut Street. MG will report on more details as they become available.
Montclair Baseball Field Vandalized In Montclair
An unknown individual vandalized a local baseball field in Montclair earlier this week. The call was reported on Monday, October 7th, by a contractor working at Woodman Field, located at 10 Essex Avenue, per Patch Montclair. The netting around the baseball field had all of its pulley ropes cut and a hole was cut into a section of the netting.
Montclair To Host First-Ever Porchfest in 2025
The 221st Porchfest is set to take place in Montclair sometime in spring of next year. Porchfest is the only festival that brings the community together in a special way as every porch in town has the opportunity to volunteer their porch to host a band. The time slots will be held within the hours of 12PM-7PM with a list of bands and locations featured on a map of the entire festival. The festival is aiming to have over 200 bands participate throughout the day and the main stage will be located on Bloomfield Avenue as food vendors, retail vendors, and organizations will have the opportunity to line the street. Click here for what we know so far about the event.