There are lots of Essex County headlines to read for your Sunday news catch-up. Among the highlights: a new school in Newark is named after Nelson Mandela; the Bloomfield Animal Shelter is at capacity and waiving adoption fees; and two Essex County high schools are among the top 25 in New Jersey. Read on for more news from Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond for the week ending September 3rd, 2023.
Montclair History Center + Montclair Community Farms Announce Fall Fest
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Montclair History Center + Montclair Community Farms have announced the first annual Fall Fest, to take place on September 30th. Per Montclair Local, the family-friendly event will feature local vendors, food, music, and more on the lawn behind the Crane House and Historic YWCA. Tickets are available online now.
West Orange Man Opens Independent Bookstore
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An Essex County man is getting closer to opening Big Red Books, an independent bookstore that is the culmination of a lifetime of teaching English and loving books. Per Patch, the Nyack store opened on Saturday, September 2nd. Former English teacher Richard Fulco, of West Orange, is the man behind the store.
Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates Announces 13th Annual Walk
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Montclair-based nonprofit Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) has announced its 13th annual Walk Against Domestic Violence. According to Montclair Local, the walk will take place on September 30th at Canterbury Park in Montclair. Life coach and domestic violence survivor Anthony Smith will be the Grand Marshal. Registration for participants is open now.
Tragedy at Weequahic Park
On Tuesday, August 29th, the Essex County Sherriff’s office responded to a call about a body floating in the lake at Weequahic Park, according to Patch. The man’s body was recovered at the scene, and his identity has not been released. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Montclair Rotary Club Installs New President
The Montclair Rotary Club installed a new president in time for its 101st anniversary. Per Patch, the new president is Buddy Evans, the CEO of the Montclair YMCA. Montclair resident Cordelia Siporin was also sworn in as a Rotarian.
New Newark School Named After Nelson Mandela
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Newark’s newest school will serve grades PreK through 3 and is named after an influential 20th-century figure, Nelson Mandela. Per a press release from the school system, the school has full approval from the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Principal Ryan Silver is a Newark native with 13 years of experience.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter is At Capacity
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The Bloomfield Animal Shelter is at capacity and needs support from neighbors to continue its mission. Per Patch, the shelter is full and cannot accept any more animals. Adoption fees for some animals are waived for the time being, and fosters and other volunteers are needed to help the shelter.
Accolades for Oranges + Maplewood NAACP Branch
The Oranges and Maplewood NAACP Branch was recognized at the NAACP National Convention earlier this summer. Per Patch, two students representing the chapter also won achievements. Christian Justice, a rising Senior at West Orange High School, won a gold medal in a storytelling competition. Jamie M. Ross, a Maplewood High School graduate, won a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Lancome Cosmetics. The chapter also received a ‘Standing Ovation’ award for its efforts to grow its membership this year.
Opposition to Montclair’s Town Clerk
According to Montclair Local, many residents are unhappy with the town clerk, Angelese Bermúdez Nieves. Ms. Bermúdez Nieves has served as the town clerk for three years and is now up for a tenured position. Residents have complained that meeting minutes and other documents haven’t been made available quickly enough.
Hispanic Heritage Mass Returns to Newark
Per Patch, the Archdiocese of Newark will celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Mass on September 8th. The Spanish-language mass will take place at 8PM at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located at 89 Ridge Street in Newark.
New Cafe in Morristown Has Giant Owner
Former Giants player David Tyree and his wife Leilah have opened a new restaurant in Morristown. According to an Instagram post, Tyree’s Table is located at 68 South Street in Morristown and specializes in acai bowls, salads, toats, ‘super bowls,’ sandwiches, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices. The cafe is open seven days a week, from 9AM to 4PM on Sundays and 8AM to 4PM all other days.
Montclair Celebrates 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
On Saturday, August 26th, the Friends of the Howe House in Montclair hosted a celebration in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Per Montclair Local, the celebration included speeches from Montclair residents and leaders and their reflections on how things have and have not changed in the past 60 years. Local students also recited portions of the famous speech.
Little Falls Barber Shop Hosts Back-to-School Event
City Images Barbers, located at 175 E. Main Street in Little Falls, hosted a back-to-school free haircut event on Sunday, August 27th for students aged 5 through 12. Per New 12 New Jersey, 10 stylists donated their time and talents to the effort, which took place during the state tax-free weekend for school supplies. Dozens of students got their hair cut in time for the first day of school.
West Orange Bagel Shop Owner Fined
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Jarrett Seltzer, the owner of Bagels by Jarrett, a West Orange cafe and bagel shop, is being fined by the city for violating a town ordinance: having shades drawn over the windows of the business. Per NJ.com, the fines are $1,500 per day and owner Jarrett Seltzer pled not guilty in a hearing last week. The case has been continued until October.
Newark’s Terminal A Sees 9+ Million Passengers
Terminal A, the newly revamped departure hall at Newark Airport, has seen over nine million visitors since it opened in January 2023. According to Patch, the renovations are complete now that the final five gates of the terminal have been opened. Check out The Montclair Girl’s roundup of all the local spots featured in the new terminal.
Newark’s Krueger-Scott Mansion Brings its Past to the Present
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A legendary name in beauty with Newark roots will make its mark on the next generation once the newly restored Kreuger-Scott Mansion reopens later this year. Per Jersey Digs, one of the inaugural tenants in the space will be a beauty school run by Sterling Brown, the grandson of Madame Louise Scott. Madame Scott ran a beauty school out of the same building from the 1940s through the 1980s, and she has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame for her success and leadership.
Promotions Among Belleville Fire + Police Department Ranks
Several members of the Belleville Fire and Police Departments were promoted at a ceremony earlier this month, according to Patch. Nine members of the police department and eight members of the fire department were promoted, and six new firefighters were sworn into the squad. Ten police recruits are currently in training at the Essex County Police Academy.
West Orange Rotary Club Hosts Japanese Students
Per Patch, the West Orange Rotary Club hosted a luncheon and outing for 15 Japanese exchange students. The students are spending three weeks in America this summer as part of an exchange through the Rotary Clubs. The students visited Turtle Back Zoo with club members and exchanged flags from their respective clubs.
Two Essex County High Schools Among Top 25 in NJ
Two Essex County high schools were ranked among the Top 25 public high schools in New Jersey according to a recent study by Niche, a school ranking real estate database for parents and families. Millburn High School was ranked #17, while Livingston High School was ranked #22. The survey considered subjective feedback from parents, teachers, and students in addition to objective factors such as test scores and class sizes.
Fundraiser Nets $200K to Purchase New Ambulance for Newark Hospital
Over 150 attendees participated in the University Hospital Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic. According to Patch, the event was a fundraiser with the goal of raising $200,000 to fund a new ambulance for the Newark facility. The goal was met and even exceeded after a day of golf and a silent auction.
Urban Garden at Montclair State University Campus
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Tucked behind the Student Center is an urban garden, which is part of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies. According to a press release from Montclair State, the garden provides fresh produce for the Red Hawk Pantry, a community organization that supports students in need. Working and studying the garden is a way for students to learn about urban agriculture, sustainability, and more.
Newark Police Help Community Member
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Officers from Newark’s 5th precinct pooled their personal resources to purchase a new wheelchair for a neighbor. Per Patch, officers learned that a community member was using a broken wheelchair to get around and took it upon themselves to help him get a new wheelchair.
Flight Attendants Union Pickets Airports
During the busy Labor Day weekend, many airports, including Newark, are the site of pickets by flight attendants. Per Patch, the dispute is between United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the union representing flight attendants. At issue are scheduling and other issues that will impact whether the union is able to sign a contract with the airline.
Lineup Announced for Montclair Jazz Festival
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The lineup has been announced for the Montclair Jazz Festival, which will take place on September 9th. According to a press release, programming for both the Downtown BDP Holding Stage and the Uptown Fullerton Stage is filled with all-stars including Regina Carter, Christian McBride, and Michael Mwenso and The Shakes. For more about the Montclair Jazz Festival, read our story here.
The Clairidge Reopens with Upgraded Seating
^ The new reclining seats. Photo Credit: The Clairidge
Construction at The Clairidge, located at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, is now complete. According to a press release, the theater has been closed for renovations since August 14th but will soon reopen to patrons with new and improved facilities. A major part of the upgrades has been to update the seating in all six theatres.
