Been hearing raves about the Montclair Historical Society Herb Sale, open today and tomorrow. Plants for sale include scented geraniums (orange, rose, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate!), as well as a wide variety of herbs including  pineapple sage, lemon mint, rosemary and lavender. If you need something to inspire you to plant, we like these simple square pots made in Ghana, from World Pottery.

While we’re on the subject of great Mother’s Day gifts, let me remind you that our own Debra Galant is part of The New Jersey Women’s Experience, a day exploring the three L’s (learning, laughing and lunching). Treat the mom in your life to a day with Deb (we promise she won’t talk with food in her mouth). Besides lunch, there’s the all-important morning coffee and two workshops. And if Mom’s the type who’s more apt to work on her kitchen than herself, there’s always this…

Continue Reading

The press release describes it as one of those classic "Montclair stories" you always hear about…

Two creative folks are introduced to each other at a Montclair function and when these two creative minds get to talking about what it is they do (one is a producer who is in the process of creating a kids travel DVD; the other a kids rock music writer and performer) they decide they might work together and well, the rest is history.

Continue Reading

Do not let us catch you ordering flowers from an 800 number! Head over to the Brookside Garden Center, and surprise Mom with a small tree! (We do love those tiny Japanese Maples, and our very own mother was moved to tears many Mother’s Days ago when we planted her a baby Magnolia tree.) Or, grab a couple flats of annuals and plant them for her. 551 Broad Street, Bloomfield

Anything from Kiehl’s would be truly appreciated (trust us, it would!) – Chelsea Square carries the whole line, and lots of other wonderful-smelling goodies. 601 Valley Road, Upper Montclair

Continue Reading

It’s May tomorrow and the number of homes on the market for the big spring push has increased dramatically. The flurry of open houses tomorrow alone should constitute listing as a May in Montclair event. If you’re outside Baristaville and trying to get in by summer, we’ve got some advice from the newsletter of realtor Roberta Baldwin

"As I tell all my buyers, especially when they get depressed, try to love a house that has escaped the affection of others. It’s the best buy and you can fix it up and make it fabulous!"

Who knew there was a lonely hearts club for real estate? As of today, there are more than 20 homes in Baristaville priced at a million or higher (five of which are located on Upper Mountain). Will these escape the affection of others or sell like hotcakes? Stay tuned.

Critics have weighed in with mixed reviews for Broadway’s latest take on A Streetcar Named Desire (seems some were hoping for a hunkier Stanley Kowalski). Here in Baristaville, we’ve got a slew of new opens, including…

Topdog/Underdog This darkly comic fable opened yesterday at Luna Stage. A tale of brotherly love and family identity, it tells the story of two brothers haunted by the past and forced to confront the shattering reality of their future. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20 – $30.

A world premier new musical, Journey, will be performed at Mount Hebron School in Montclair this weekend. The music and lyrics are by Grammy-Award winning composer Michael Huseman of Montclair. The book and lyrics are by Kathleen Kellaigh of Clifton. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $15 – $20.

Continue Reading

Tonight, high school students from Baristaville and neighboring towns get to showcase their art at Montclair State University’s Life Hall Art Gallery, at the 16th Annual Congressional Art Show and Competition. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), the show spotlights student artists from area high schools.

Continue Reading

You’d think that somebody might have considered the timing. It’s spring break in Glen Ridge. But the Carteret Park Skate Park, a town rec supervised offering that runs on weekends and after school in the spring and fall, doesn’t open until tomorrow. Signs and chain link, however, didn’t deter boarders, who plied their sport outside the fence yesterday (and probably all week).

Meanwhile, some skateboard parents are irked by a sign that recently went up on the Linden Ave. School playground, banning their kids.

Official skate park hours: 11 to 4, on weekends starting this Saturday through June 18, and Aug. 20 through Oct. 1. Weekdays from 3:30 to 6:30 pm during the same period. Headgear, knee pads and elbow pads required. Carteret Park is at the corner of Chapman and Lorraine Sts. in Glen Ridge.