Next Tuesday, Feb. 5, local author, Glen Ridge resident and MSU professor Neil Baldwin, will hold a discussion and book signing of “Henry Ford and the Jews: The Mass Production of Hate” at The Women’s Club of Glen Ridge. Baldwin recently appeared as an authority regarding Ford in the PBS documentary THE JEWISH AMERICANS: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times.
Recently, I talked with Baldwin about the “making of” and how he got interested in Ford, whom he considered the quintessential American icon.

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If you’re a fan of sneak peeks, head over to Westminster Arts Center this weekend: Bloomfield’s 4th Wall Theatre is mounting a work-in-progress production of a new musical, titled “Heaven Knows.”
The show (written by Charles Bloom, son of the late screenwriter Harold Bloom and the late actress Carolyn Kearney) is running for three nights only (tonight, Friday and Saturday), as part of the Musicals-in-Development Stage Series. “Heaven Knows,” a musical comedy with a spiritual bent, beat out more than two dozen submissions for this slot.

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After making lots of headlines for other papers, funding is temporarily restored to MSU’s Montclarion. From the AP…

After more than five hours of deliberation, the Student Government Association legislature voted 12-0, with seven abstentions, to restore funding for printing and office supplies to The Montclarion for 30 days, during which time student government and newspaper leaders are expected to try to resolve their differences.
“What’s most important is that Montclair State University will have a newspaper tomorrow,” said Karl de Vries, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief.

Audible was founded by Montclair author Don Katz.
More here.

It’s the most wonderful bus ride of the year. The commuters are ringing, the driver is singing (if it’s Sal) and there’s lots of good cheer. It’s the most wonderful ride of the year.

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Remember when folks were talking about possible weekend train service from Baristaville possible by year’s end? That ain’t happening. From the Star Ledger…

Amtrak has informed the agency that its tunnel upgrade under the Hudson River has been extended into next year, with “no end date,” said NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett-Hackett.

Find out what Aunt Sally’s beaded purse from the Roaring 20′s is really worth. How about that “genuine” Arts & Crafts ceramic vase you got for a steal – is it the real deal? You can find out this weekend at the 62nd Annual Glen Ridge Antiques Show, opening tomorrow the the Congregational Church, through Saturday. This is Essex County’s oldest antique show – 28 dealers are expected, bringing furniture, silver, Victoriana, and more.
Tonight preview the show at an opening reception which benefits MEND – an Essex County network of food pantries. The GR Women’s Association will also be serving meals and selling baked goods during the show.
Entrance is at the chapel door on Clark Street. Stop by for the opening party tomorrow night ($12), or on Friday 10-9, Saturday 10-4 ($7). Verbal appraisals of treasures you bring from home ($3/item) are available Friday and Saturday afternoons. 973-743-5596.

From PolitickerNJ…

Senate President Richard Codey is expected to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to sources close to Codey, who had served as New Jersey Chairman of John Edwards’ campaign.
Edwards announced today that he would be abandoning his run for the presidency.
Mark Alexander, state director of the Obama Campaign, said he did not know about any decision by Codey to back Obama.
“Of course, we would be very happy to have him,” said Alexander.

With only a few days to go before we see the Giants crush the Patriots in Phoenix (c’mon let’s be optimistic) fans are making plans to party hearty. If you got your tickets for the game and plane, that’s just the beginning of a super-expensive weekend.
Staying close to home and got a spot reserved in front of a big-screen TV? This Saturday may be the biggest snack day of the year. And all across America, fans will be dipping into super bowls heaped with guacamole. (Watch those tight ends, the funny ads, and half-time show – but watch out for the double-dippers…) We hear hometown mayors Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino think it’s all about the chowder: Manhattan vs. Boston.
Want to put an extra kick in your Super Bowl Sunday? There’s guacamole, and help, right here in Baristaville.

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The body of a light-skinned Hispanic female found in a field in the Belleville section of Branch Brook Park has been identified as Omayra Guzman, 33, of East Orange. A jogger made the gruesome discovery yesterday morning just off Mill Street, not far from the spot where Lionel Jordan’s body was found last month..
The county prosecutor’s office said the woman, showing no apparent injuries, may have died somewhere else, and later been left in the park. She was reported missing by family last evening. She was last seen by family last Thursday and was last heard from by family last Friday. The Medical Examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death. Autopsy results by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office are still pending.

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