There are lots of happenings to catch up on in Essex County now that September is in full swing. Among the highlights: a filmmaking legend will be honored at the Montclair Film Festival; Essex County resident Gloria Gaynor donates paintings to the Newark hospital where she was born; and the City of Newark launches a grant program to attract businesses and nonprofits to the downtown area. Read on for more news from Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond for the week ending September 10th, 2023.
Martin Scorsese to Attend the Montclair Film Festival With Sit-Down Interview
Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe
Montclair Film has announced an exciting tribute event that is set to occur during the festival. On Friday, October 27th, filmmaker Martin Scorsese will be honored. Martin Scorsese is known as an Academy Award-winning director and has made a big impact on the filmmaking industry. He has won Best Director and Best Picture at the Academy Awards for his film, The Departed. With these accomplishments, Montclair Film will honor him with the 2023 Filmmaker Tribute. Read on to learn about this tribute event honoring Martin Scorsese.
New Bakery ‘Libelula Bakery + Kitchen’ to Open in Montclair
Montclair’s food scene levels up with the grand opening of Libelula Bakery and Kitchen. Nestled in the heart of Montclair at 5 North Fullerton Avenue, this bakery and eatery offers a blend of Dominican, Peruvian, and French flavors. What was once home to Sushi Hana has now transformed into Libelula Bakery and Kitchen — where owners Veruska and Brian, two seasoned culinary experts, are set to impress their customers’ taste buds with their expertise. Read more to learn about the new bakery and eatery coming to Montclair, and the talented couple behind it.
Maplewood Village’s First Woman-Owned Cannabis Shop is Now Open
(Photo Credit: Live Love Lens Photography)
In May of this year, The Montclair Girl sat down with Jill Cohen — known by some as The CannaBoss Lady — to talk about her already-existing and forthcoming cannabis projects in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her CBD store, The Cannaboss Lady, opened in 2021 in Maplewood Village, marking the first woman-owned CBD shop in the area. Now, Jill has another first under her belt: the first woman-owned cannabis shop in Essex County called ‘Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady Dispensary.’ Elevated is open now at 9 Highland Place Suite #1 in Maplewood, and to celebrate the opening, we’re revisiting our spring conversation with Jill. Read on to learn more about Jill Cohen, founder + owner of Maplewood’s new woman-owned cannabis store, Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady Dispensary.
The Montclair Jazz Festival Wraps Up This Weekend
The Montclair Jazz Festival is back for 2023, and includes even more acts and musical artists than last year’s festival. The family-friendly events started up in late July and span until September 9th — when the 2023 Downtown Jamboree will be held. With a history that dates back to 2010, local nonprofit Jazz House Kids has been hosting these events each year. Read on to learn more about the 2023 Montclair Jazz Festival.
West Orange-Born Comedian Takes on All 21 New Jersey Counties
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Chris Gethard, a comedian from West Orange, is taking on New Jersey one county at a time. According to NJ.com, the tour is called “New Jersey is the World” and he means it in every sense: most of the jokes are about New Jersey, and he is performing in all 21 counties.
Essex County Resident + Disco Queen Gloria Gaynor Donates Paintings to her Newark Birthplace
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Gloria Gaynor, an award-winning singer and Essex County resident, donated seven paintings to Newark’s University Hospital. According to NJ.com, the Disney-themed paintings by American painter Thomas Kinkade are from Ms. Gaynor’s personal collection and will hang in the pediatric unit. Ms. Gaynor was born in the same hospital on September 7th, 1943.
Construction Material Theft in Montclair
Montclair Police announced the theft of nearly $30,000 worth of construction materials this week. According to Patch, a neighbor saw a pickup truck driving away from a home with scaffolding in the truck bed on September 1st. The aluminum scaffolding material is valued at nearly $30,000 and police continue to investigate the theft.
Bloomfield Police Announce Crossing Guard Changes
Per TapInto, Bloomfield Police have announced changes to which intersections will be covered by crossing guards, which would leave some intersections staffed and others unstaffed. While the BPD had studied which intersections were the most in need of staffing, residents responded to the changes with criticism. The police chief reiterated the department’s commitment to community safety.
High Temps Disrupt First Week of School for Many
The first week of school for many students in North Jersey coincided with scorching weather. Many Montclair Public Schools had abbreviated first days. Other Essex County schools kept to the schedule in spite of the temperatures.
The Clairidge Unveils New Chairs
When you’re looking for something to do in the North Jersey area, The Clairidge is a history-filled gem right here in Montclair. In June of 2021, Montclair Film took over the operation of The Clairidge theater, located at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, and began remodeling the space — retaining all six of the theaters. Independently owned and curated, Montclair Film and The Clairidge has remained committed to providing visitors and the community alike with the best in independent, documentary, foreign language, classic, and mainstream movies. Its recently renovated space gives it a fresh + updated look — and it just installed new seating, adding to its historic charm — all while preserving its 100 years of culture and film history. It’s really an experience and something to add to your local bucket list (or regular routine if you’re a movie buff). Keep reading to learn more about film history in Montclair and what to expect at The Clairidge, Montclair Film’s incredible movie theater located in downtown Montclair.
Newark Retail Reactivation Grant Program Launched to Attract Businesses + Nonprofits
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The City of Newark and Invest Newark have announced a new program designed to encourage businesses and nonprofits to relocate to the City’s downtown area. According to Patch, organizations can receive up to $650,000 to move operations to the area bordered by Broad Street and Washington Street between Washington Place and William Street. Businesses must apply and meet certain conditions — more information is available online.
New Jersey Ranks High for Making Stars
A new study ranks New Jersey ninth nationwide for producing the most stars. According to TicketSource.us, which conducted the survey, the headcount included actors, musicians, athletes, and comedians. When examining only actors and actresses, New Jersey ranks sixth.
With Negotiations Stalled, NJ Transit Engineers Authorize a Strike
The union representing NJ Transit engineers has authorized a strike. According to the New Jersey Monitor, mediation between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been ongoing since the union has had no contract since 2019. While the union did vote in support of a strike, other rules governing the mediation mean that a strike would be several months away with other efforts to resolve things in the meantime.
Changes Underway for Pickleball Courts at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield + Montclair
The pickleball courts at Brookdale Park, located in Bloomfield and Montclair, will be relocated later this year as part of a $2.15 million upgrade effort, according to Patch. The pickleball courts will be moved to be closer to the clubhouse, and there will be eight courts, an increase from the current six. New lighting and new netting will also be installed.
Bloomfield Schools to Receive $17M in Construction Funding
According to Patch, Bloomfield Schools will receive $17 million as part of a state-funded effort to upgrade school facilities. In particular, school’s HVAC systems and roof repairs were identified as critical needs.
Livingston Residents Protest Development
Livingston residents gathered to protest a development that would add over 270 residential units to the community in an area that is currently a commercial area, according to Patch. The 2,000 residents who signed the online petition object to the density the development would bring to the area, in particular to the school system, traffic, and first responders.
RWJ Nurses Strike Goes to Maplewood
Striking nurses from RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick will take their protest on the road and directly to Maplewood, where the CEO and President of the hospital system lives. Per Patch, nurses’ union USW Local 4-200 will meet in Maplewood to draw attention to the strike, which has been going on since August 4th, 2023.
Improvements Complete at Riverbank Park in Newark
Per Patch, many weeks of work improving Riverbank Park in Newark are now complete. Two notable upgrades are the installation of a synthetic turf field on the soccer field, and a rubberized surface on the running track. The work was completed over the summer.
