Another sighting from the nanny files. A reader writes us yesterday (Sunday)...

I'm not sure what else to do with this info but as a mom, I feel like I have to let someone know about it and I can't think of any other way to get this out to the Montclair parents who need to know about the danger their nanny put their child in today.

My husband, daughter, and I were at Brookdale Park in the little playground today around 2:30 p.m. A little blonde girl around 4 yrs old came in w/a yellow tricyle, by herself. 10 minutes later a black woman with a Jamaican accent came into the playground and asked if I would watch the little girl while the nanny went to the bathroom (out of eyeshot). I said yes, but I couldn't believe she was leaving the little girl alone with complete strangers. The nanny was gone over 15 minutes and my husband and I were considering taking the little girl to the police station. When the nanny came back she didn't interact with the little girl at all and stayed on her cell phone until we left the playground. I told the little girl that she should let her parents know that her nanny left her alone with us. The little girl referred to the nanny as "Denise". Denise was about 40 yrs old and had two gold front teeth with dollar signs engraved in the teeth. I was absolutely horrified that this nanny left the little girl alone with complete strangers for over 15 minutes. As a parent, I'd want to know about this. Thanks.

Posted by Liz George at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (54)

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Liscio, by the way, is a well-known photographer of the punk rock scene and a former photo editor at Rolling Stone. Her work is currently on display at Parlor. Check our her website, "Punks and Roses," here. The winner of our photo contest wins a Punks and Roses 2008 calendar from Fran. Please upload your photos to the Flickr Baristanet group, but if you can't manage the technology send them to tips. And yes, we want to see it all: all the over-eating, over-drinking, balls dropping excess of this final night of 2007. And especially snaps of First Night! (iPhone users note: Join Flickr and can send your photos directly from your phone.)

Posted by Debbie Galant at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

It's that time of year when many of us are thinking "what am I going to do differently in the next year?" This year's buzzword, replacing Reduce, Reuse, and Recylce is "Green;" EcoSeek has come up with some interesting green resolutions, like championing the work of the Red Wiggler:

I resolve to continue to spread the word about the red worm's abilities to improve soil through enriched microbial activity when their casts are used in each person's garden, either vegetable or flower garden. In doing this we can all save landfill space, save our organics from the waste water treatments plants and enjoy bountiful crops and flowers.

Personally, I like the idea of a national ban on styrofoam and environmental unfriendly take-out containers:

I resolve to use no styrofoam this year. Instead I will buy smaller portions at restaurants and or bring my own tupperware to take left-overs and each time I find myself with left-overs and no tupper, I will mention to the manager that they should no longer use styrofoam and ask for some foil instead.

Wow, this could produce a Tupperware revival... Greenies, tell us what's working for you, and everyone else, share your resolutions for the new year.

Posted by Annette Batson at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)

A part of Newark's culture we seldom hear about is getting attention from Mayor Booker, for promoting AIDS prevention and fighting discrimination...From The Star Ledger:

These days, the House of Jourdan and seven other gay "houses" in Newark are finally getting respect. The city's gay ball subculture -- in which men and women compete in rituals of posing and runway walking, sometimes as the opposite gender -- is earning a place for itself in civic life, with outreach efforts and charity drives

And nowhere is that more surprising than in Newark, a city with no openly gay nightlife, where the 4-year-old murder of 15-year-old lesbian Sakia Gunn, killed for rejecting a man's advances, is still invoked as a symbol of intolerance.

Mayor Cory Booker, along with Newark Councilman Ronald Rice Jr., even took the unusual step of campaigning at Newark balls two years ago.

"I wasn't just going to lend political support," he says. "They're just a lot of fun."

Popular with transsexuals and cross-dressers, they are normally events a politician would avoid. But Booker calls the balls "an important thing in terms of the spiritual growth of the city."

Let's talk about culture in Newark...

Posted by Annette Batson at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Congratulations to the Renaissance Nerds for taking first prize in a regional research competition this month. This group of 13 green teens mapped out an earth-friendly resolution for their community in 2008.

They call themselves TORN — the Technological Organization of Renaissance Nerds — and competed in the FIRST Lego League at Mt. Hebron on December 1, guided by Todd Smith, 6th Grade science teacher and robotics coach. From Montclair's BOE website:

"Each year a project is required, based on a theme consistent with today's issues and technologies. This year it was energy, and we conducted a complete energy audit in our school. "We proposed an energy efficient revamping of the building's energy infrastructure consisting of fluorescent lights, LED Exit signs, radiator reflectors, door weather strippiing, and water flow restrictors, among other suggestions."

"The proposed upgrade," continued Smith, "would cost over $30,000 and save over $11,000 per year in energy cost savings — a very nice return on investment, and very earth-friendly too."

They are buying these compact fluorescent bulbs (CFBs) as part of the ongoing schoolwide effort to raise energy consciousness. The goal is to get each student in the school to buy at least four CFBs before the holidays.

Members of TORN: Kailan Ottaway, Max Karasick, Owen Mizrahi, Richard Kopelow, Andrew Walker-Sorina, Jordan Harrod, Jonah Jablons, Maggie Rosen-Filardo, Reid Cucci, Jalil Alidoost, Mete Erdi, Kaan Erdi, and Christopher Cox.

Posted by Annette Batson at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Whaddya do when you've got a handful of paper, cups and cans from snacking on the run, far from your recycling bin at home? Yeah, most of us probably trash and dash, green with eco-guilt.

Thankfully, we can trash guilt-free, at Baristaville's most popular pedestrian hang-out, Church Street. Recently spotted in front of Terra Tea Salon: this pristine photo of Mother Nature on a public recycling box. Terra recycles and composts everything from their store - and put the container out as a gentle reminder for passers-by.

Posted by Annette Batson at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

The holiday season can be stressful, but even more so when your car becomes a conflagration. Our own FrankGG recounts how he narrowly missed becoming road fondue...

I'm just fine but my car became the world's largest Christmas candle on a 280 exit ramp in Orange. My car began to smoke....(more than usual)...I got an inkling....pulled over...jumped out....and it just BURST into flames! (the picture I took is of the firemen trying to ax open the hood!) I'm cross because I just spent $2000. to repair it...just to have it blow to smithereens!!!!

In January it will be in my budget to buy another $700. eventually exploding car. (I would look stupid in an Escalade anyway!)

Frank -- we're glad you escaped.

Posted by Liz George at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (42)

Wait a minute, don't all shout out at once. We're talking pound losers. No, it's not a casting call for the TV reality show; Montclair Y, the social hot-spot where everyone knows your name, has signs all over the club announcing a competition in 2008 for big losers.

If your holiday feasting has been over-indulgent, are feeling things a bit tight around the middle, or plan to make "lean and mean" your New Year's Resolution, then get thee to the Y. They say weight loss works better using the buddy system. Form your team, prepare to lose, beginning this February. And that's all they're saying...for now.

Posted by Annette Batson at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Ted Mattox's decision to run for mayor of Montclair may indeed become the center of local political controversy in 2008. John Reichman opines, from The Montclair Times:

In announcing his candidacy for mayor, Ted Mattox is promising "out-of-the-box thinking." Mr. Mattox's previous "out-of-the-box thinking" has consisted of suing his fellow council members and former running mates when they would not vote with him.

To date, this debacle has cost Montclair at least $200,000 in legal fees. Mr. Mattox's lawsuit makes him unqualified for any position in town government, much less mayor.

It is also apparent from Mr. Mattox's announcement that his campaign will consist of the same type of demagoguery and invective that is his style. He questions the council members' "honesty and sincerity" - something he has done repeatedly before - without a shred of evidence to back it up.

He also attempts to denigrate his former running mates by calling them "career politicians." I am not sure that this is the insult he intends it to be, but the fact is that all of the current council members have non-political careers and are paid a pittance for the extraordinary number of hours they spend on town matters. Mr. Mattox's irresponsible mudslinging only serves to lower the level of discourse and to dissuade talented persons from being involved in public service.

One more thing - and this is addressed not only to Mr. Mattox but to anyone who runs for mayor - please do not insult our intelligence by promising to maintain or even increase services while lowering our taxes, without giving a single example of how this can be done. Tell us the services you want to eliminate and the people you want to fire before proclaiming that you can lower taxes.

JOHN REICHMAN

Montclair

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This Wednesday, acting Governor Richard Codey signed a new law requiring AIDs tests be administered to both expectant mother and baby, as part of their routine prenatal care. From The Star Ledger:

The mandatory tests are urgent in light of statistics in New Jersey, said Robert Johnson, interim dean of the New Jersey Medical School.

One in 313 women age 13 or older is living with HIV/AIDS in the state, according to New Jersey Department of Health statistics quoted by Johnson.

Medicaid or the insurance carrier will be footing the bill for the screenings; according to the law however, a woman can opt out of the test, but only if she clears it with her doctor. Nevertheless, the infant must still be screened.

AIDS and HIV advocates expressed mixed feelings about mandatory screening, voicing concern for infants but noting that discrimination against AIDS carriers is still a reality. Mothers could be hurt by a positive test, they reasoned, if word got out.

Posted by Annette Batson at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

After 107 days of fasting to protest global warming and heighten awareness about the climate emergency, Bloomfielder Ted Glick is eating again. Coinciding with the year's last day of Congress, his first bite on Dec. 19 was into a couple of potatos and veggies. Glick's full statement can be found on Contested Terrain:

It was good to eat, but it would have been much, much better if the end to this fast were not so bittersweet.

I do give thanks that a pretty weak energy bill was passed which does represent
the beginnings of a turn away from our fossil fuel addiction, as limited as that
bill is and problematic as parts of it are, particularly its dramatic support for
corn-based and other forms of ethanol.

On the other hand, perhaps it was fitting that the continued dominance over this Congress by the oil, coal, nuclear and gas interests was made clear by these last few days of voting. Because of that dominance there was virtually no money for renewable energy in the energy bill that was signed by Bush on the 19th, while an extremely modest effort to repeal tax breaks for oil companies in that bill was threat-of-filibustered out.

And that awkward wording is deliberate. There wasn’t a filibuster, just a threat
of one, the tactic used by Republicans over and over this year, the tactic the Democrats only once called their bluff on, and that in a half-hearted way.

When will we have leadership in Congress that stands up to evil?

And these people are evil. I called the Bush/Cheney gang “climate criminals” on
Democracy Now during a December 11th interview. That’s what they are, liars, deceivers, obstructionists–evil.

In this Christmas season, the words of Jesus come to mind: “love your enemies.”

Ted Glick is the National Coordinator of the (US) Independent Progressive Politics Network.

Posted by Annette Batson at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Still don't have a party to go to on New Year's Eve? Well, there's always First Night Montclair, this year featuring the Fab Faux and, as always, midnight fireworks. And many Baristaville restaurants will also be celebrating.

Richie Cecere's serves up its 18-piece orchestra with showgirls (pictured), comedy by Muzzy and London Lee and a pasta dinner with champagne for $175 per person. Drinks are extra. $25 deposit required. 973.746.7811.

Over in Bloomfield, Senorita's is celebrating with a masquerade party, dancing, open bar and Latin food, $80 per person. 973.743.0099. Masks are included.

Celebrating its location in the midst of all the First Night fun, Church Street Kitchen offers up a Gala Tasting Menu during the evening and a Midnight Brunch. 973.233.0216.

Diva Lounge entertains you this New Year's with DJ Naim and Bobby Trends from the popular radio station "Hot 97." $40 for cash-bar access, $100 for VIP passes and open bar. 973.509.3000.

Trumpets is featuring Gala Enrico Granafei and the Ted Curson Quintet for a swinging dinner party that goes from 9 pm to 1 am. 973.744.2600.

And among the restaurants open, but not featuring any entertainment: Blu, Charlie Brown's, Egan's, Epernay and Fascino. See our Food Page for listings.

The Petite Cafe in Nutley has a special New Year's Eve menu and follows up with a traditional New Year's Day brunch from 9 to 2.

Know of any other cool New Year's Eve goings on? Leave it in the comments.

Posted by Debbie Galant at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

An argument over the fare on NJ Transit's #27 bus turned ugly yesterday in Newark. From the Star Ledger...

Newark police have filed aggravated assault charges against the passenger, Benjamin Gainous, 35, of Irvington. Gainous struck the driver in the face with his cane, causing an injury to his left eye, NJ Transit officials said. Authorities also said they were considering charges against the driver, whose name has not been released.

The bus driver suffered serious trauma to his eye and was being treated at University Hospital in Newark, while the passenger declined treatment for minor facial injuries, police said.

The bus was heading north, on its route into Bloomfield, at about 11:10 a.m. when the fight occurred near the intersection of Broad and Market streets. NJ Transit officials said there were between 20 and 25 riders on the bus. They were transferred to another bus after the incident.

Posted by Liz George at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)

Watchung Booksellers reminds us that Junot Diaz will be in Baristaville tonight, from 7-8 pm at the Montclair Public Library. Some background from the Watchung Booksellers newsletter...

This is the long-awaited first novel from one of the most original and memorable writers working today.

Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight, lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd. From his home in New Jersey, where he lives with his old-world mother and rebellious sister, Oscar dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the Fukoe -- the curse that has haunted the Oscar's family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still waiting for his first kiss, is just its most recent victim.

Posted by Liz George at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

George Warrington, the former NJ Transit official who presided over the opening of Montclair's midtown direct service, died Monday after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Warrington was recruited by then-Governor Jim McGreevey from Amtrak, where he was corporate president from 1998 to 2002. At Amtrak, Warrington launched the Acela Express.

More on the NJ Transit website.

Posted by Debbie Galant at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed at a rally today. A huge suicide bomb explosion killed at least 14 supporters at the rally, and some observers also report gunshots. More here.

Posted by Debbie Galant at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Baristaville locals have been enjoying Lawrence and Kim Hackney's smokin' good ribs and chicken for months. But The Star Ledger's Pete Genovese has always thought of North Jersey as a "barbecue wasteland," that is, until he discovered "the real deal", at The Wood Pit (Just wait until The NY Times finds out.):

Put the Wood Pit, and Montclair, on your barbecue speed-dial. Next time, I think I'll buy a gallon of that hot sauce, smother it on whatever I can find at home, and be a very happy guy.

One bite of the tender, delicious dry-rubbed pork ribs (large, 10-bone dinner, $21.95, with two sides) and you know you've hit the barbecue jackpot. Add some of the outstanding homemade sauce, and there's just no need to head south -- South Jersey, South Carolina, wherever -- for good barbecue.

Thanks Pete, but we already knew that.

Posted by Annette Batson at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

From the Pet Peeve Department:

This photo was taken by my man, Mr. B, at Watchung Train Station's Park Street drop-off last week. He bid me a quick adieu, exited the brown mini-van, walked up the stairs to the platform, then snapped this iphone pic -- as the occupants of the SUV continued a deep and meaningful conversation for several minutes, oblivious to the gridlock they were creating behind them.

This happens to us all the time at the Watchung drop-off. We're held hostage between several cars as the first guys in line take way too long kissing or discussing what’s for dinner. Ya know, they can wait curbside, and really get into it...and let us get on with our stressful lives.

Baristavillians -- what would you do? Tap gently on the window, honk the horn, or sit and stew?

Posted by Annette Batson at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)

Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi is the celeb du jour being courted to lend his star power to politicians on the campaign trail. JBJ has been on the A-list since the Clintons brought him into the fold in the early 90's - even Republicans are smitten. From The New York Times:

There were dinners in East Hampton with Mrs. Clinton and another Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards. Senator Barack Obama, her fiercest rival for the nomination, asked Mr. Bon Jovi to hear him speak in Midtown Manhattan. And Al Gore caught up with him in London for a photo op.

In New Jersey, it is practically a requirement for any high-ranking politician to attend at least one of his shows. And despite his left-leaning political allegiances, Democrats and Republicans alike seek him out as if he were New Jersey’s very own Bono...And as someone who sings about his “plastic dashboard Jesus” and performs at concerts to fight global warming, his appeal is broad.

OK, Obama grabbed Oprah, Edwards recently showed up with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and of course the inimitable Kevin Bacon. Let's play celebrity match up for the rest of the presidential hopefuls...

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We can't even imagine the liquor store or the Shoprite, if this is the line at Gina's Panificio. The indefatigable Anthony Batson sent the picture and reported that there were 20 people waiting for their artisinal goodies. Any other gridlock alerts for your fellow readers?

Posted by Debbie Galant at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

If you're a fan of Garth Kravits (in chef's hat, left), the Baristaville resident who taught for years at Luna Stage and is now adviser to the Glen Ridge High School Drama Club, and you haven't been yet to see him in The Drowsy Chaperone, it's time to go. Drowsy closes on Sunday.

We went last Thursday and were all absolutely smitten by the show, a parody and love letter to the glittery Broadway musicals of the 1920's. The show is narrated by a semi-depressed theater fanatic with a large vinyl collection, who plays the record of a long-forgotten musical in his living room and periodically stops it -- leaving the cast frozen in their 1000-watt smiles -- as he makes arch observations and double entendres. The show started as a wedding present to a Toronto theater couple, Bob Martin and Janet Van De Graaff, which are also the names of the lead characters.

Drowsy is playing at the Marquis Theater in the Marriott Marquis.

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The store is so new that the wifi hasn't even been set up, and there wasn't even any music going or CD's to buy. But there is plenty of parking. Open Christmas Eve til 11 pm, but closed on Christmas Day.

Posted by Debbie Galant at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Not too put too fine a point on it, but if I were Mrs. Claus, I'd be telling my husband right now that he ought to be in Toys R Us or checking the oil in the reindeer, rather than out joyriding with Verona's bravest. Nevertheless, the fat guy just can't get enough riding around in fire engines and giving out candy canes. Photo by Anthony Batson, who can't get enough of his iPhone, from what we think, by his description, must be the Pilgrim Shopping Center in Verona.

Posted by Debbie Galant at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We were there last night - it was a family-fest, as kids got their ya-yas out running between the open exhibits, and searching in the dark for reclusive animals. Our little ones were excited when we thought we'd come upon a reindeer, but it turned out to be an elk. He was cool, nevertheless. The inhabitants of the reptile pavilion were active, very active.

Bundle up, take a walk, get your turtleback. Hours and early holiday closings - after the jump.

Posted by Annette Batson at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Massages and spa treatments are always a nice indulgence...In Baristaville, we have our fair share of suppliers that will let you spa-it-up in style: in Bloomfield, there's the posh Flic Spa; in Montclair Center, there's Sahana Spa, and in Caldwell, Harmony Day Spa offers a sort of drive-through feature this weekend to cut down on stress for you and your giftee: just call ahead, make your purchase over the phone, pull up curbside to their shop, and they'll deliver your spa gift to your car, today and Sunday. Now that's service.

For all those little Hannah Montana fans, the official palace of trinkets and souvenirs opens tomorrow in Newark at the Pru Center. Forget about trying to buy tickets, though. But tell us if you're going.

Posted by Annette Batson at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

...we are seeing more people buying for other people's pets." Thanks to the empty-nesters on one end, and young professionals too busy to marry and have children on the other, pets have become the stand-in for kids and spouses. Which means friends, family, and business associates must remember them at the holidays. Or else.

Canine Couture: we like the macho mode of army green quilted pilots' vests, hand knit sweaters, and doggie galoshes at Iggy's. While you're there, get takeout Christmas dinner for your pet - goumet natural foods prepared in the Catskills.

Charm School: Have an alpha female always getting in your face? Does your dog misbehave at the Dog Park? Or maybe your pet has bad table manners? We tried Generation Pets for Taffy, our dominant, but cute PAWS-adopted mutt, and now she's sitting pretty wherever she goes.

Doggie Makeover: Treat your pet to a cut, a blow dry and a pedicure, at Olivia's Dog Parlour.

Blingfest: Check out Montclair Feed & Pet Supply for their collection of glam collars, matching leashes, and toys.

Chauffered ride to private school: you won't believe the fun they'll have and the attention they'll get at Kamp Kanine.

All Animals are God's children: you might like to make a gift donation to your favorite animal shelter.

Posted by Annette Batson at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

You'll find lots of cool and Christmas-y events on our calendar this weekend, including a new twist on an old favorite: 12 Miles West is doing a radio play version of the classic film "Miracle on 34th St" at Playwrights Theatre in Madison. Although 12MW is temporarily residing just outside the confines of Baristaville, the cast is still local -- Soula Garcia, an 8-year-old budding starlet from Bloomfield, is among the actors lending their voices to this project.

Posted by Melissa Rayworth at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When you see this in a restaurant window, along with a sign offering both Latin and soul food, you're apt to do a double-take. At least we did. Read more about it on our Food page.