Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond. Among the local headlines: Essex County preps to distribute vaccines for kids under five; Montclair Make Music Day returned this weekend; $10M in upgrades coming to Glenfield Park; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Essex County + beyond.
Content warning: This article references sexual abuse.
NJ Ranked 5th Best State for Working Dads in WalletHub Study
In a recent WalletHub study, New Jersey was ranked 5th in the nation for ‘Best State for Working Dads.’ In order to help dads balance their dual role as parent and provider, WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia across 23 key indicators of friendliness toward working dads. The data set included the average length of the work day for males, child-care costs, and the share of men in good or better health.
Hoboken’s Mindful Power Expands Practice to Mountainside
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On Wednesday, June 15th, Mindful Power, located at 51 Newark Street in Hoboken, announced a new location in Mountainside, NJ. The post reads, “Mindful Power now has an additional space outside of our location in Hoboken. We will be collaborating with Dr. Hoffman in Mountainside, New Jersey. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you know seeking our mental health services that lives around the area. Thank you!” The new practice will be located at 200 Sheffield Street, Unit 313 in Mountainside.
Essex County Preps to Distribute Vaccines to Kids Under 5
With the FDA having now given the final approval for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children ages six months to five years, Essex County is ready to take these appointments, Patch reported. Vaccines will be made available as soon as Monday, June 20th for the youngest residents, the last group to receive approval.
Experts Say Real Estate Law is Responsible for High Cannabis Prices in NJ
Thanks to Section 37 in a state law regarding entities purchasing real estate for the sale of cannabis, sales prices continue to rise, according to Patch. What used to cost customers $40 now costs $50-$65 for an eighth of an ounce, resulting in a minimum of $400 per ounce. The estimated national price is currently $326 per ounce.
Fanwood Residents Protest Current Dog Ban in Public Parks
In 2001, a law passed in Fanwood, New Jersey which banned dogs from three public parks, per NJ.com. Years later, local residents are pushing for local officials to amend the ordinance. The new ordinance will be introduced on Monday, June 20th and if approved by a vote of four, it will continue to a public vote held on Monday, July 18th.
Montclair’s Make Music Day Returned This Weekend
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Inspired by the French musical celebration, Fete de la Musique, Montclair’s Make Music Day returned this year on Saturday, June 18th. Paused in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Make Music Day 2022 is a four-day festival with close to 100 performers.
New Apartment Tower in Newark Nearing Completion
A 33-story apartment tower in Newark developed by Shaquille O’Neal is almost done, NJ.com reported. Originally from Newark, O’Neal has turned his attention toward home to revitalize his old stomping grounds. The new building will feature 370 studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom apartments.
Oh Baby! Expo Coming to Mountainside Hospital in Montclair
Expectant parents and those planning to become parents are invited to the Oh Baby! Expo coming to Mountainside Hospital, located at 1 Bay Avenue in Montclair, per Baristanet. The event will take place on Saturday, August 20th at 10AM. Those who attend will learn about creating a birth plan, which classes are available at the hospital, and also take a tour of the Birthing Center. Refreshments, prizes, and giveaways will be provided.
Major Upgrades Coming to 3 Montclair Parks
Three Montclair parks are getting big upgrades this summer, per Montclair Local. The $1.75 million in upgrades will be made to Nishuane, Essex, and Edgemont Parks. The upgrades will focus on everything from bench replacement to extreme landscaping renovations.
Glen Ridge Senior Awarded Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
A high school student from Glen Ridge was one of three recipients of the Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce, per Patch. Ryan O’Neil will be attending Lehigh University. Eligible students had to be graduating high school seniors in Bloomfield, Belleville, or Glen Ridge and show intention to pursue a career that is business oriented.
Forgotten Newark Rabbi Recognized During Lincoln Monument Celebration
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The Lincoln Monument is now in its centennial year, among those recognized during the celebrations have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the lesser remembered rabbi from Newark, per Jersey Digs. Rabbi Joachim Prinz was a close ally of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s and had the honor of preceding King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. Many people are now remembering Prinz for his activism and anti-Nazi work he completed in his life.
Cedar Grove Town Council Approves Municipal Budget
The Township Council on Monday night approved the 2022 municipal budget, per Tap Into. The Cap Bank was also passed, which will be good for three years. The municipal budget proposed at the meeting held on Monday, May 2nd was approved.
NJ Doctor Releases Children’s Book ‘The ABCs of Child Sexual Abuse’
Local mental health case manager, Dr. Gloria Bozor, has released her first book, “The ABCs of Child Sexual Abuse,” per Tap Into. Dr. Bozor has made it her mission to bring awareness, education, and prevention to childhood trauma. Dr. Bozor was abused as a child and she wants to be able to prevent that in other children’s lives. Her launch event was held on Saturday, June 18th at 1:30PM at The Suite Spot in South Orange.
Students from Essex County Schools of Technology Accepted Into Prestigious Universities
Students from Essex County Schools of Technology District have been accepted into some of the country’s most prestigious universities, per Tap Into. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. congratulated the students. A few of the schools include Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.
West Orange Residents Push for Mountain Pleasant Forest Preservation
Several residents of the Crest Ridge apartment complex, located at 200 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, have expressed concerns regarding the potential development of the Mount Pleasant Forest, per Tap Into. Concerns primarily surround potential flooding in addition to a collection of boulders which could become unstable if the above forest were to be developed. Crest Ridge residents, among others who live nearby, are urging the West Orange Town Council to preserve the forest.
West Orange High School Revives Old Dodgeball Tradition
West Orange High School Sports Media Association revived a 15-year-old tradition by hosting a Students vs. Teachers Dodgeball Tournament, per Tap Into. The tournament was open to the public and all of the proceeds raised were to benefit West Orange High School student-athletes. The event featured about 20 teams made up of West Orange High School students and staff.
15,000+ Attend Montclair’s First Pride Festival
For the first time ever, Montclair held its very ownMontclair Pride Festival hosted by Out Montclair on Saturday, June 11th. The Montclair Girl was proud to be a main stage sponsor at this year’s event. Click here for a recap + photos of the events and musical guests from Pride 2022 in Montclair.
Police Investigate Threat to Montclair High School
Montclair Police Department were advised of a potential threat to Montclair High School in the early morning hours, per Baristanet. The investigation is still open and being worked on. The threat was made for the school day on Monday.
Free Encore Performance at Vanguard Theater Company
Vanguard Theater Company will be presenting an encore performance of “Whispers of Jubilee,” per Baristanet. “Whispers of Jubilee” is a song and dance celebration of freedom and the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. The presentation will be free.
Montclair Public Library Returns to Pre-Pandemic Hours
The Montclair Public Library will be returning to its pre-pandemic hours, per Montclair Local. The library will go from being open six days a week at the main branch and three days a week at its Bellevue Avenue branch to being open every day at the main branch and six days a week at the Bellevue Avenue branch. The library is excited to be returning to its pre-pandemic hours.
$10M in Upgrades Coming to Glenfield Park
Essex County officials have announced plans for more than $10 million in upgrades to be made to Glenfield Park in Montclair, per Patch. The plans include an enlarged community center and more. You can read more about the updates in the link provided.
