DV8 Takes On Homophobia

Following heated debates over the future of the dollar-hemmoraging municipal ice rink, the 2008-2009 season opening of Montclair's Clary Anderson Arena is right on schedule to open tomorrow. Ohio-based United Skates of America, who won a management contract for the rink, put a fresh look on the arena interior, and its staff. From The Star Ledger:

The employees, too, will be looking crisp, with uniforms consisting of a staff shirt, black pants (no jeans) and name badges. In the main office, a United Skates handout for employees also notes that any tattoos must be covered and that earrings are prohibited on men.

The price of admission and the like are to remain "approximately" the same, [United Skates V-P Phil] De Angelo said. "It's basically the same, dollar for dollar." That means the cost of a lesson will include the cost of a skate rental, rather than it being an add-on. "Rather than nickel and dime-ing," he said.

Continue reading "Montclair Skating Rink Opening On Track" »

Continue reading "Random Acts Of Beauty" »

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced yesterday the county plans to bring back last year's controversial deer hunt in South Mountain Reservation. The pesky, profligate deer population continue to imperil the natural ecosystem of their own habitat, maintain county officials. Detractors aside, DiVincenzo made it known that he's got the support of the Audubon Society and South Mountain Conservancy for the Deer Management Program.

Rules of the hunt: dates proposed are Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 27 to February 26, 2009. Twenty qualified marksmen will hang out in trees 20 feet above the ground. There's no limit to the number of deer that can be shot, and they hope to top last year's cull of 213 deer by another hundred.

Continue reading "Go Deerhunt On The Mountain" »

A majority of the NJ delegation refused to bail out Wall Street at the taxpayer's expense yesterday. Baristaville's Congressman Bill Pascrell delaying his decision until the final moment, voted against the bailout bill.

"We're flipping coins here," he said. "What happens if this goes down today — the markets tank and you are an accessory to the crime? But what happens if you vote 'yes' and the market tanks anyway?"

He added, "Most of my constituents are against this, but when I prod them they don't really understand. It's a very complex issue. But I've got to make a decision here — otherwise I'm an automaton."

Continue reading "NJ Pols Vote 7-6 Against Bailout" »

Former state trooper Hiram Ortiz, 43, owner of Bloomfield's Avenue Steakhouse, (formerly Scores Sports Cafe) plead guilty yesterday to a second occupation: fencing jewelery and fancy watches worth $1.27 million, received from a multi-state smash-and-grab theft ring. Ortiz will be sentenced in January, facing steep fines and 10 years in prison. From NJ.com:

Ortiz admitted receiving the stolen Rolexes and reselling them. The heists took places in malls in Paramus, Rockaway and Bridgewater, as well as in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida.

Ortiz also faces unrelated charges in New York on which he may stand trial later this year.

Continue reading "Bloomfield Business Owner Owns Up To Crime" »

As usual, a little Rosh Hoshana education can be useful to guide the non-Chosen through the political correctness minefield of the next 10 days. Rosh Hoshana starts tonight (Monday) at sundown. Here are some RH FAQ, which we first ran in 2006.

Is Rosh Hoshana the most important day of the Jewish calendar?
God starts deciding whether you should live or die in the coming year. So, yeah, pretty important.

Continue reading "Rosh Hoshana for Dummies (Reprise)" »

An update on the Obama book defacing that occurred in a Glen Ridge school from the BOE:

With the full cooperation of the Board of Education and its employees, the Glen Ridge Police Department investigated this disturbing incident. The investigation has now moved to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, and we will continue to provide our cooperation. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, neither the Board nor its employees can comment further on the matter.

We have every confidence that the Prosecutor's Office will soon bring the case to a satisfactory conclusion.

This guy colorfully sums it up. From the New York Daily News...

"This is a huge cow patty with a piece of marshmallow stuck in the middle and I'm not going to eat that cow patty," declared Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.)

In Montclair and Glen Ridge, trained volunteers offer assistance when a case of domestic violence occurs. The Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) works with the Montclair Police Dept. to advocate services and help keep victims of these crimes safe.

To be part of the DVRT team, volunteers go through a free 40-hour training program. In the wake of the violent tragedy that ended the life of Monica Paul, the DVRT is encouraging interested volunteers to take their compassion for victims to the next level of action. The program is ongoing; after the training, team members commit to being on call for a once-a-week, 8 hour shift. In Montclair, contact coordinator Geri Bowers of the Montclair Police Dept. for sign-up information at (973) 509-7543. In Glen Ridge, contact Capt. Sheila Byron-Lagatutta at (973) 748-5400.

Two wedding podcast businesses -- one from Livingston, the other, Belleville -- are battling it out in court. From the Star Ledger...

The Wedding Podcast Network vs. Wedding Podcast Channel case is one of a growing number of website disputes ending up in the courts, said Matt Zimmerman, senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a California-based nonprofit group that specializes in free speech on the internet.

The Ehrlichs, of Livingston [pictured], allege [Ralph] Mucci is "cyber-stalking" them. He stole their wedding podcasting idea, copied their website format, modeled his shows after theirs, called their sponsors, stole their guests and created mass confusion about which wedding podcasting website is which, according to the lawsuit.

Mucci admits the sites are similar, but he says they are not identical. He denies he has done anything wrong.

"It's like saying Starbucks can't sell coffee because Dunkin' Donuts sells coffee," Mucci said. "The ideas and the concepts that the Wedding Podcast Network displays are not unique ideas. ... There is no copyright on that."

What do you think?

Could you hear the whir of TiVo's all around Baristaville last night? Sure the world is going to hell in a hand basket, but on Sunday nights at 10 pm, there are big choices to be made. Which hunk do you cuddle up with before the work week? And how do you handle the intricate dance of television recording to make sure you don't miss any of them?

Continue reading "Sunday Night Just Got Harder" »

The deadline is Wednesday for grabbing tickets for the Glen Ridge Congregational Church's Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 18, which is open to the entire Baristaville community. The party features music by Clancy's Ghost, a bountiful spread by renowned Cordon Bleu chef Jay Macaluso and a silent auction that includes beach vacations, sports tickets and ballroom dancing lessons.

Proceeds will benefit Heifer International (which combats hunger and poverty around the globe), the GRCC's college scholarship fund and Integrity House in Newark. Integrity House is a residence where recovering addicts and pre-release inmates learn self-reliance in an atmosphere of family ideals, house rules, and strong work ethics. We're told 90% of members who reach Integrity House's second stage of recovery remain drug-free, crime-free, and working for one year or more.

Seats are going quickly (though we're told they might be flexible on that Oct. 1 deadline if there are any seats remaining come Thursday morning), so for tickets (which start at $75 per person/$125 per couple) call Caroline Bartlett: 973-743-6469.

Tipsters received letters Montclair Volvo is closing its doors forever tomorrow, September 30th. The last to go of the DCH Auto Group divisions in Montclair, Montclair Volvo's exit signals the start of redevelopment for the 2.2 acre site which is zoned for multiple uses including residential.

On any given night in Baristaville you are likely to find an artist opening a show somewhere. Local fine artists Karen Nielsen-Fried and Nora Chavooshian had an opening at the Brassworks Gallery, more information here. I was unable to make that opening but would love to hear from someone who was there--both women are outstanding artists. I did however, make the packed opening (pictured here, and that's the artist in the white shirt and glasses) for James Adelman's show of large scale oil paintings, works on paper, sketches and studies at Andy Foster's Gallery 51 on Church Street on Saturday night, and was completely blown away.

Continue reading "Weekend Art Openings In Baristaville" »

Saturday, I stopped by the recycling center with piles of old cardboard to unload. A couple was hauling a crate of magazines to the bin at the same time--and what magazines they were: stack after stack of Family Circle and Good Housekeeping--from 1976 to 1980. They were happy to let me take a few home, and I've been reading them all week. So far I've clipped a great oatmeal date cookie recipe, a workout chart, and best of all, an article on crocheting. I couldn't remember the best way to loop the thread over my left hand--and there it was, a perfect illustration and written instructions.

Continue reading "Treasures From Baristaville's Bins" »

ShopRite in Bloomfield wants you to come out to the ballgame tomorrow to root for their team. Team members are employees who've been working all month to raise funds for Montclair's Human Needs Food Pantry, as part of the store's annual Partners in Caring charity drive. After staging charity raffles, filling shopping carts in Bloomfield elementary schools from student donations, and in-store food drives, this Sunday's ballgame against Passaic ShopRite is their last big event. The winning team will take home $500 to add to their store's charity piggy bank.

Support a good cause, your friends and neighbors: game is Sunday, 5pm at Nash Park, Clifton. Refreshments and snacks will be sold at the game.

Join the party at Montclair Schools Rocks 2008 - October 4, 7 - 11pm at the Upper Montclair Women's Club. In its fifth year, the MFEE community fundraiser awards educational gifts to enhance academics and athletics at Montclair High School.

It's a big dance party, featuring classic rock band "Cranetown." Refreshments ( of course) to keep you rockin' and rollin' are included in the price of admission - think cosmos, beer, wine, dogs, wraps and more. Base price, $50 per person, don't even think about bringing anyone under 21.

Continue reading "Montclair Schools Rockin' Out" »

It's on... now. And if you're by a computer, tell us what you think.

Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow today announced that a former Nutley elementary school ‘Mothers Club’ treasurer pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $136,000 of school proceeds.

Catherine Yanoschak, 49, of Nutley, pleaded guilty today before Essex County Superior Court Judge Hector DeSoto to second-degree Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition. As part of the plea agreement, Yanoschak will be sentenced as a third-degree offender on January 6, 2009. The State is recommending a four-year prison term along with full restitution.

According to Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Grace Lee, Yanoschak, while serving as treasurer and later president of the ‘Mothers Club’ of the Washington Elementary School in Nutley 1998 through 2003, stole approximately $136,000 of funds raised by the organization. The funds had been raised through school bake sales, plant sales, paper sales, holiday sales and tricky trays (auctions of donated goods) and were intended for the purchase of school supplies and special events.

Continue reading "Nutley PTA Mom Pleads Guilty To Tricky-Tray Thievery" »

Many well-known actresses have played the role of Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire" since Tennessee Williams' landmark drama debuted in 1947 - Jessica Tandy, Vivien Leigh, Jessica Lange, and even Marge Simpson in the animated series' hilarious 1992 musical spoof.

What Laila Robins brings to the role, which is at the center of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's current production playing in Madison through October 5, is an intelligence that makes Blanche a bit more self-aware and consciously manipulative, and less the unwitting victim of the New Orleans squalor to which she has succumbed.

Gregory Derelian's Stanley likewise projects an IQ that elevates him slightly beyond what one usually sees in this brutish hulk of a character. And the Stella of Nisi Sturgis, while more clearly from the same womb as her sister than often portrayed, completes the famous troika with an embracing acceptance of where life has taken her.

Continue reading "A 'Streetcar' Named Respect" »

There's nothing like a rollicking irish band to get the pub a-hoppin'. Streams of Whiskey, a Pogue cover band, named after the Irish/punk-rock hit tune will energize the upstairs room at Tierney's this Saturday night. The band isn't Irish-born, but their music is.

Streams of Whiskey, a Montclair band, are Steve Wickins, vocals & bodhran, Karen Kelly, tin whistle, Yianni Naslas, bass, Stuart Klinger, guitar/banjo, Paul Rabasca, drums, and Jeff Young, violin. The band formed a little over a year ago to perform at Egan's Pub on St.Paddy's. Together, these 6 recreate the magic, mayhem, drunkenness and fun that was and is The Pogues.

You can get a taste of Streams of Whisky, right here. Enjoy them in person, at Tierney's, Saturday, 9:30pm.

Looking for some kid rock? Don't miss Maplewood's Rock Benefit for Obama, rain or shine, and free on Sunday. For more music and good times, check out our Calendar.

The Star Ledger reports three Bloomfield men were charged with criminal mischief for spraying graffiti on a rail road bridge in Lincoln Park. How they were caught is more interesting than the mischief.

Police received a tip Tuesday afternoon about a suspicious activity on Forest Avenue, including a description of three men leaving the scene in a vehicle. Investigating police discovered fresh graffiti on a nearby NJ Transit bridge. The word "earn" was spray painted in white on the bridge, with brown shadowing on a blue background.

Police later stopped a car matching the tipster's description on Route 202 and Hope Terrace; police found the men in the vehicle had several colors of paint on their hands matching up with the graffiti. Ismael Rodrigues, 19, Sean Coates, 19, and Braulio Machado, 26, were charged and released pending a court date.

Now you write the moral of the story...

And the debate goes on...From NJ.com

Republican John McCain said he's going to be at the first presidential debate, even though Congress doesn't have a bailout deal.

With less than 10 hours until the debate was scheduled to start, the McCain campaign announced that the Arizona senator would travel to the University of Mississippi. The campaign said after the forum he will fly back to Washington to continue working on the financial crisis.

Are you going to watch?

When was the last time you had to get to the voting booth on Christmas Day or Easter? Right...never. This Tuesday is Rosh Hashana, the holiest of holy days for Jews...the same day that Little Falls' BOE is holding an important vote on the regional high school budget. Jews are outraged that the County and the Board of Ed would hold a vote on their religious holiday.

Little Falls resident Arnie Korotkin writes: "We are asking everyone to call or email all the local politicos and Superintendent Jaganow (973 890 2560 Ext. 2571). Call Congressman Pascrell, Assemblymen Scott Rumana & David Russo, State Senator Kevin O' Toole. This is more than a local issue."

A similar situation arising in Edison, was resolved by postponing the vote until December. The conflict prompted the passing of legislation yesterday that ensures no election can be held on a religious holiday.

Continue reading "Thou Shall Not Vote On Any Holy Days " »

...your umbrella, that is. There's a big splash dance forecast for the weekend. And if you find yourself without cover (or last season's broken umbrellas), the management of Crescent Deck Parking in Montclair are looking out for you. They're lending free umbrellas to parking customers. The courtesy service started last April, but we only noticed the sign out this week. Check at the office if you're at the lot and unprepared for the coming rain showers.

Postponed due to weather: Tomorrow's Crane Park Festival has been rescheduled for next week - Saturday, October 4. If your weekend event has been cancelled by the rain, tell us here, or help Nellie with suggestions on how to keep her basement dry.

Are millions of Americans going to watch a one sided "debate" tonight? McCain's still planning to be a no-show, but the prime-time special show must go on, says Obama. Can the feds pull together a plan to rescue Wall Street from financial disaster? Say sayonara to WAMU, the nation's largest savings and loan was sold last night with a little help from FDIC. NY Times calls it the largest bank failure in American history...There's the continuing saga of the nation's most famous hockey mom, and David Letterman, who was stood up by McCain a few nights ago, is still angry like a scorned lover. There's a lot to rant about today....

This just in, from the Star Ledger...

Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, said Andre Meranoli confronted his wife at The Mall at Short Hills, violating a restraining order that had been placed against him.

When his wife, Dominique Meranoli, 21, called police, Meranoli fled and hopped into his vehicle outside of the Neiman Marcus department store. When police arrived, Meranoli pulled out a gun and killed himself, Loriquet said.

Baristaville has a reputation for loving all things green. Outlaw Ranking released its 2008 Favorite Green Brands Index, revealing the brands that are most favored for being environmentally conscious. Tell us your favorite in the jump...

Continue reading "Which Green Are You?" »

At the moment, forecasters are promising a washed out weekend. So check out our calendar if you're seeking indoor fun. Among the highlights:

On Friday afternoon, BlueWaveNJ opens their Resource Action Center in Montclair. Stop by the ribbon cutting and say hello.

Friday night, one of the giants of Brit pop/new wave/punk scene, Graham Parker, will be rocking the Outpost. Check out the rest of the fall Outpost lineup here.

Continue reading "Weekend Update" »

What's it like to live in Montclair? Have you ever tried to describe to someone just what makes this part of Baristaville unique? Our own Katie Mancine, who's making her way to Wisconsin right now, created this slice of life video of Montclair for us.

Now, it's your turn. Baristanet announces its very first short film contest. Send us your short (six-minute max) video of life in Baristaville -- Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield or all three. The winning video gets $500 and the chance to be viewed by the thousands of visitors who come to the site daily. Deadline for submissions is November 15. Send us a link to your video along with your contact info here.

Oh, and speaking of shorts...tomorrow night is Tropfest NY, the world's largest short film festival. Info here.

In the last few weeks Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, was hit hardest by four tropical storms and hurricanes. Saint Peter Claver Parishioners for Peace and Justice with the support and assistance of Father José will be co-sponsoring a fundraiser with the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The goal? To raise enough money to send at least one container of much-needed goods to Haiti. A large truck container costs $6000 to rent and ship. The event is tomorrow night, Friday, September 26th, at 7:30 p.m. A free film screening of "The Price of Sugar" will be shown. There will also be music and Haitian food served. The event itself is free, but monetary donations are welcome. Additionally, donations of new or gently worn light clothing, new underwear, rice, beans, unopened/unexpired pediatric and prenatal vitamins, Motrin, Tylenol are being accepted. More info here.

Bicycle theft is so far down the crime food chain that when see a report of it at the police department, we hardly even notice. But having someone take your bike can be frustrating, annoying, infuriating -- or, in the case of 18-year-old Alex Grossman of Montclair, almost heartbreaking. Grossman had his beloved Bianchi stolen Tuesday afternoon from the back lot of the Montclair Bikery, where he works. Of course, it was locked. He sent us this email and description in hopes that somebody might recognize the bike and get it back to him. Unlikely, maybe, but stranger things have happened.

Continue reading "Let's Find Alex's Bike" »

An Obama effigy found hanging in Oregon made news yesterday, as did a NJ supremacists group who blanketed Roxbury, NJ with racist flyers. Today, we learn of an incident of hate vandalism in Baristaville, at the Ridgewood Avenue School in Glen Ridge. Here is the text of the flyer sent home to parents:

Early Wednesday morning, September 24, 2008, a faculty member at the Ridgewood Avenue School noticed that the cover of a library book on Senator Barack Obama had been defaced with an image of a noose. The book had been part of a library display on the upcoming presidential election and was among a group of books that also included a book on Senator John McCain.

As soon as the vandalism was noticed, the book was removed. It will be replaced with an identical new volume, which will be secured behind glass. As far as we know, none of our students and very few of our personnel saw the defaced book.

Administrators investigated the incident and determined that the defacement of the book probably took place during the time between school dismissal on Tuesday and the opening of school on Wednesday morning. As with all our school buildings, the Ridgewood School is used by numerous community groups after hours.

Police Chief John Magnier was alerted to the incident and a Police Report was filed. Police officers have spoken with the building administrators. The Board and administration of the Glen Ridge Public Schools take this incident very seriously. The frightening image used by the individual who defaced the book is abhorrent to us and goes against the values that we cherish as a community and those that we teach to our children every day as part of a comprehensive character education program that is integral to our curriculum.

Continue reading "Ugliness Gets Local " »

Dave Letterman says something doesn't smell right about John McCain's latest surprise.

Former Montclair councilor Ted Mattox is watching, always watching. In fact, he's scrutinizing the new township officials very closely. Mattox sent an email, to the media and select residents this morning, claiming that the council violated NJ state contracting law and the town's ethics code when contracting with US Skates/Montclair Skates to operate Clary Anderson.

Continue reading "Montclair's Ethics Watchdog" »

We know you don't like being reminded summer is over, but c'mon, let's embrace the new season, when cooler temps mean we sleep better and the leaves of Baristaville go ablaze with color.

Over at Monclair's Van Vleck Mansion, they're facing fall with "Yoga in the Garden," three yoga programs set outside in their picture-perfect garden, led by instructor Jillian Pransky.

Continue reading "Fall In Your Face" »

A gas leak this morning forced evacuation of the Wellmont Theater, where a large crew of workers are restoring the mammoth structure, due to reopen end of October as a concert hall. PSE&G, fire and police arrived, the leak was found and fixed. The area is now safe and construction has resumed.

It's full speed ahead for the All Access Playground in-the-making at Edgemont Park. Yesterday, the playground equipment arrived in pieces like a giant erector set, and is being installed over the next two weeks. The new playground area looks a lot bigger than the previous yard.

Surprisingly, there wasn't a goose in sight at the park, and I didn't need to pick goose poop out of my shoes after my walk-through. But what about the ever-disgusting condition of Edgemont Pond?

Continue reading "If You Build It, They Will Play" »

Around 5:45pm, Isabelle Latimer had just gotten home when she heard a noise that she describes as "an explosion." She went outside to find the truck flipped upside down on North Mountain; a little Nissan Maxima with the right front smashed sat in the intersection. The driver of the Nissan ran the stop sign on Berkeley heading West, hitting the truck traveling South on North Mountain. Police on the scene would not confirm or deny details of the accident, but many in the crowd speculated that the truck must have been speeding for the Nissan, one-third its size, to cause the truck to flip upon impact. Luckily, it appeared that no one was injured.

Continue reading "Flipped Out On North Mountain" »

The postcard says "Look good-and do good by donating gently used handbags to Bobbi's Dress for Success Drive." But that doesn't even begin to describe the fun at this
Thursday's Girls Night Out, the proceeds of which go to support the Dress For Success Foundation.

Continue reading "Bring A Handbag, Bag Some Beauty!" »

UPDATE: The drink coupons are all gone. But feel free to drop by to enjoy the food and the fun.

Sarah Palin: you either love her, or love to hate her. That's why we think having a party to watch her debate Democratic veep choice Joe Biden next Thursday night will be lots of fun.

We've chosen Fitzgerald's 1928 Tavern in Glen Ridge for its ambiance and two prominent TVs. There will be free hors d'oeuvres for all, and we're buying a drink for the first 100 people to send us an RSVP. (No multiple RSVP's. Each person must send their own email to get a drink coupon.)

The party starts at 8:30 pm on Thursday Oct. 2. (The debate starts at 9.) We'll have political debate bingo and lots of fun. Don't say "thanks, but no thanks." This will be the political party of the year!

The Star Ledger has discovered Bloomfield's A-list Mommy blogger Finslippy, aka Alice Bradley, whose chronicles of Henry, a world-weary kindergartener, draw as many as 15,000 readers daily to her site. That's a hilarious post on kindergarten insouciance, by the way, despite Bradley's backpedaling the next day: "I think I made my son sound more obnoxious than I meant to, in yesterday's post."

Poor Looky Daddy, though. Gets a call from the Star Ledger, only to discover he's only being called to comment on Finslippy's blog.

Remember the old TV show, "You Asked For It!" for inquisitive viewers seeking information ? Councilman Cary Africk announced there'll be some new programming on Montclair's TV34:

I am pleased to announce that at last night's Board of Education meeting the Board presented their plans to televise meetings.

Starting with last night's meeting, which WILL appear shortly on Channel 34, Board meetings will be taped, in their entirety, and televised.

An announcement was also made that starting November 1 there will be a change of venue for the meetings.

Continue reading "Montclair BOE On TV!" »

Forget Hanson. The new opening act for the Wellmont Theater is Counting Crows, which goes for $75 a ticket or the non-discounted three-night rate of $225. Tickets for the late October event don't go on sale until Oct. 4. Maybe by then they'll have a seating chart online.

Baby boomers might prefer the softer prices available at old Montclair standby Outpost in the Burbs, where Graham Parker tickets for Sept. 26 go for $25, and Maria ("Midnight at the Oasis") Muldaur tix for October 17 are on sale for $35.

The property at 78 Ridgewood Avenue has a storied past. Ridgers remember it as the historic Tudor that Curt Schade was renovating in 2001 when it burned down in a blaze that blackened the entire sky in the south end of Glen Ridge. He rebuilt this house in 2002, but sold it four years later when the current owner offered him $4 million in a private transaction. [CORRECTION: We had heard and reported $4 million, but as several commenters have pointed out, the tax records say that sale was $3.7 million.]

Continue reading "Wall Street Crisis Hits Home" »

After attending last Friday's media crawl of the Wellmont Theatre, I'm convinced this venue will not only be the belle of Baristaville, it will become one of New Jersey's gems. The saws are buzzing, drills are humming, and the dusty worksite is crawling with craftsmen charged with transforming an old wreck into a stunning jewel. See for yourself:

I toured with Montclair historian Frank G. Godlewski (FGG), sneezing our way over cords, sheet rock, lumber and wire.

Continue reading "Wellmont Theatre: Awakening Splendor" »

Be on the lookout for this suspect wanted by police for allegedly robbing the Commerce Bank in Montclair on Sept. 15. From Lieutenant Carlucci, Montclair PD:

Through investigative efforts, we have identified and charged Shaneefah Williams, 25 , in connection to the Commerce Bank robbery. In addition to the arrest warrant, a search warrant was obtained for Williams' residence in Newark on Seymour Street. The search warrant was executed on Friday, the 19th by the Newark Police Department with assistance from Montclair.

Williams was not found in the home and remains at-large. " It is in Williams best interest to turn herself in to the Montclair Police Department, anyone found to be harboring Williams may be charged criminally." NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS BEING RELEASED.

Round-the-clock burgers, shakes, pancakes and pies are just part of the menu staples keep New Jerseyans' love affair with diners alive. If you've ever wanted your own classic diner, we know where you can get one for free.

Jerry Grubb, owner of Grubb's Diner in Huntingdon, Pa., was forced to close shop and move the diner last year, and it's breakin' his heart. Grubb doesn't relish seeing his 50's era diner to turn into a rust bucket - so he's giving it away for free. The only catch - you have to haul away all 68-feet of it, and promise to get the grill going again.

Does Baristaville need another diner? If you're interested, call Jerry at (814) 643-1133. Talk about your favorites...

-- photo, Cori Bolger, Altoona Mirror
More photos, after the jump...

Continue reading "Free Restaurant: You Haul It, You Have It" »

Team Bush is reportedly working on a rescue plan. The Feds continue working out a new financial world order. What, me worry? From NJ.com:

The Federal Reserve on Sunday granted Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, the country's last two major investment banks, approval to change their status to bank holding companies. The change of status will allow the companies to set up commercial banks that will be able to take deposits, significantly bolstering the resources of both. They also will be subject to more regulation.

...Wall Street fell in early trading today as investors nervously awaited further news about the government's plan to buy $700 billion in banks' mortgage debt. The Dow Jones industrials were down more than 150 points while the credit markets remained nervous, but not showing the signs of panic that Treasury trading saw last week.

Continue reading "Today's Wall Street Woes" »

Will Montclair's BOE accept the township's offer to utilize a comfortable air-conditioned room and broadcast their meetings on TV34 in the spirit of transparency? The subject came up at the board's first meeting, and town council says that they've formed a committee to mull over the proposition. Do they need a nudge, or a big push? Councilman Cary Africk writes:

I support televising of the Board of Education meetings, live, by moving the meetings to the Council chambers at 205 Claremont Ave.

Such a move would be in line with my belief that as many town meetings as possible should be televised, and that indeed there should be much more public programming on Channel 34. Channel 34 is a much underutilized resource in the town, and both the Communications Advisory Committee, as well as the Town Council, are committed to investing in the TV station, as well as other forms of communications such as the Web site, to make them a grand success.

As the Council liaison to the Montclair Communications Advisory Committee I was encouraged to hear, at my first meeting, that they were firmly committed to "openness and transparency" and to increasing communications within the entire town. They had a vision to " incorporate other township entities .... including the Board of Education, Public Library and ... some of the non-profits."

Continue reading "Is Montclair BOE Camera Shy?" »

Baseball fans packed Yankee Stadium for last night's final game, paying tribute to the teams and the iconic 85 year-old ballpark. Forever a part of NY sports history, "The House That Ruth Built" drew a sell-out game. Sports fans waxed nostalgic - some arriving seven hours before the first pitch, scooping up souvenir dirt. The Yankees partied, Derek Jeter swung the last bat,and Baristaville's own hall-of-famer, Yogi Berra, was among many baseball greats who took center field for a final bow in the place the Yankees have called home. From Associated Press:

Visitors touched the 24 plaques and six monuments, posed next to them for family photos. Under the kind of cloudless sky that made people recall summer days of yore, they slowly circled the warning track. Those who could not walk were pushed along in wheelchairs. Parents brought strollers to make sure toddlers got to experience the great ballpark before it is dismantled.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi went onto the field early to sign autographs. Mike Mussina and Alex Rodriguez posed for photos with rooters. Joba Chamberlain even took fans' cell phones and shouted messages to their family and friends.

Bernie Williams, back at the ballpark for the first time since the Yankees cut him two years ago, had his car circle the stadium one last time before he walked in.

Continue reading "Yankee Stadium's Final Night" »

Today is the last day of summer, and Baristaville knows how to throw a great farewell party. Yesterday and today have positively percolated with great activities such as the Montclair State University Centennial celebration. And of course, the 25th Annual Fine Art and Crafts Fair at Anderson Park. The French Bulldog shown here is named Bruce, and he brightened the fair with his 200 watt smile.

Continue reading "Summer Winds Up With A Bang and A Bow Wow Wow" »

Sportsmeisters see the New York Mets as a train-wreck-in-progress -- and in Yogi's words, they're in danger of "deja vu all over again." (Recall in 2007 - they blew a huge September lead - the biggest collapse in baseball history.)

One of the team's old heroes, Art Shamsky, will be at the Yogi Berra Museum this Sunday at 10:30 am to talk all things baseball, including his management experience in the Israeli Baseball League. Shamsky had an illustrious 13-year career in the major leagues, highlighted by his key contributions with the 1969 "Miracle Mets." Obviously, he'll be sure to address the plight of his old team and memories of Shea Stadium.

Continue reading "What About Those Mets?" »

This could never happen in Baristaville, could it?

From EcoRealty:

Michigan Republicans think they have found a new way to "re-foreclose" African American voters.

"We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses," party chairman James Carabelli told Michigan Messenger in a telephone interview earlier this week. He said the local party wanted to make sure that proper electoral procedures were followed.

... volunteers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they "have a good reason to believe" that the person is not eligible to vote. One allowable reason is that the person is not a “true resident of the city or township."

Fall is in full swing and our calendar is packed. Among the highlights:

Performances, performances and more performances.

There's family fun at MAM, a family-focused swap and a taste of a new family-friendly store: Sparkhouse Kids (15 Scotland Rd., S. Orange) is throwing a grand opening party all weekend long. They'll be offering samplings of classes in music, dance, magic and a whole lot else. (Plus showing off the various toys and goodies they sell.) Montclair-based illustrator Liz Murphy will be doing a book signing there at 11am on Saturday, and some of her original artwork will be on display and for sale.

You can also...

Continue reading "Weekend Update" »

It's baaaack! Bay Street Station commuters have four chances to hitch a ride home on an evening jitney: 6:20, 6:50, 7:15, and 8:11 pm, 50 cents a ride. The route meanders along Maple, Lincoln, Elm, Harrison, Llewellyn to South Mountain. From Montclair Town website:

The Shuttle Service runs on weekdays only. No holiday or weekend service is provided.

The Shuttle service will not run if the Montclair Public Schools are closed or scheduled for delayed opening. Bus service follows the Board of Education's Emergency School Schedule during inclement weather.

In the event that the Shuttle Bus does not run, riders will be responsible for making private arrangements for their commute.

For more info, call 973-509-5700.

What's more important than Glen Ridge's annual kitchen tour? An all-out man-hunt for the 'Ridgers' next superintendent of schools. So not to digress from the task at hand, the BOE-supported glamorous granite and stainless ogling scheduled for October has been postponed until next year. "We need to concentrate our efforts on our superintendent search" says a community email alert. Head-hunters are hoping to fill the void left by former school super Dan Fishbein, by January 1.

John Downey, 49, died September 10 at St. Barnabas Hospital of severe head trauma from an alleged assault during an altercation at the Upper Montclair Golf Course on August 23. Caddie Kenneth River, who allegedly punched Downey, was charged last month with simple assault. Rivers is now being held in Passaic County Jail and new charges have been filed for reckless manslaughter. From NJ.com:

"It was really an argument over nothing," said John Latoracca, head of homicide for the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. "It was certainly not worth dying for."

Downey, a Nutley resident, had worked for 16 years in the Essex County Department of Health and Rehabilitation and did weekend caddying at the country club.

Continue reading "Fatal Golf Course Brawl Brings New Charges" »

Last week's official groundbreaking ceremony for Montclair's biggest construction project in years - the $35 million Washington Street elementary school - slipped under the radar of town officials and the media.

There was no mention of the event on the school website, and Baristanet didn't get a comment, but the BOE told The Montclair Times, it was an "informal gathering of school and construction officials" not a formal ceremony, but "we wanted the community to know that the construction had begun." An official photo including Frank Alvarez, Dana Sullivan, and board president John Carlton showed the group in hard hats wielding shiny shovels. The new school will open its doors to 500 students in September 2010.

How do you make Bravo's guilty pleasure Real Housewives series feel any guiltier? Film in New Jersey, of course. Here's a sneak peek of who's representing, from Urbanite

The ladies from the next installment of Bravo's "Real Housewives" series were out on the town Tuesday night at National Underwear Day's underwear/lingerie runway shows.

Though the four dolled-up gals wouldn't out-right admit they were the Jersey housewives, they implied they were, and a source confirmed it. Also, a film crew was following them. How un-obvious.

Continue reading "Real Housewives of New Jersey (Really)" »

Several tips led us to check out an interesting-sounding new restaurant in Nutley. It turned out to be even cooler than we expected, and the potato decor wasn't the half of it. For more, see Food.

Get your green on this weekend at first annual Bloomfield Green Fest. Held concurrently with Bloomfield's annual Harvest Fest,
Green Fest participants can learn about recycling, energy efficient lighting, composting, green home design, and home energy audits from local experts and some 20 exhibitors and go for a spin in the Mercedes-Benz Smart Car.

Continue reading "Go Green In Bloomfield This Weekend" »

Keeping up with the always-changing Baristaville dining scene -- here's what's new

Greek Taverna, sister to the GT in Edgewater, opened at 292 Bloomfield Avenue a few weeks ago in the former Noodle Shop. The large menu will have you salivating (especially the Greek fries with oregano and kefalotyri cheese). Open for lunch (specials!) and dinner every day.

Coming soon to Broad Street in Bloomfield, a French Bakery across from Stamna; in Montclair, Halcyon, a fish brasserie and raw bar, next door to Egan's on Walnut; Maaidah Cafe, serving "indigenous Mediterranean comfort food" including weekend breakfast at 71 Pine Street; and a new breakfast/lunch hangout - Witches' Brew Cafe on Midland Avenue.

Continue reading "Diners' Notebook" »

Playing on Barack to the future, Baristaville's Obama supporters will be out in full force this Saturday night at The Loft for "Barack For The Future."

Governor Corzine, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Newark Mayor Corey Booker and Mark Alexander will be on hand for the event (Senator Lautenberg can't make it), which is hosted by David Genova, Steven Plofker, Bobbi Bown and Anthony Gray. The party ($100 a head; $175 for VIP treatment) goes from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. with food catered by Joe Bartoni's and Egan & Sons. We hear NYC's DJ Big Dee will keep things moving on the dance floor; if you need to powder your nose or touch up your lipstick, Bobbi Brown The Studio will be open for business during the event.

So now that we know how Baristaville is fetting Barry...

Continue reading "Barack's Big Baristaville Bash" »

A gas leak is being repaired now at the corner of Walnut and Grove Streets in Montclair. Photo by Montclair Police officer Swan.

Way back in May 2005, when Baristanet was just a year old, we had a party. Lots of folks came and had a good time, but for two people, Dick Grabowsky and Rennie Ackerman, who met for the first time, it was a night to remember and the start of something special.

Fast forward to September 2008. On Sunday, September 7, a day after Hurricane Hanna forced them to reschedule their wedding, our very own Baristanet love match became Mr. and Mrs. Dick and Rennie Grabowsky. The postponed wedding went on, and the wedding party and guests were troopers, as the area of Montclair where it was held was without power for several hours. Says Rennie...

We do attribute our good fortune to your fateful cocktail party at the Church Street Cafe...and I wonder - are there other BaristaLove matches or are we the only?

Rennie, we don't know if there are any more, but we're thrilled that you two are the first! Congrats to Dick and Rennie from all of us here at Baristanet. Keep those sparks flying.

Have you seen the man pictured at left? He is Ralph DiMassi, 38, suspect in a Saturday car-jacking and alleged assault of a 49-year-old woman that took place in Pohatcong, NJ. Police say they pursued the suspect in the stolen car through Union County. During the chase, the suspect hit Union two police cars, then continued to Bloomfield, where he ditched the car and got away. Police have issued a warrant for his arrest, searching for the man who's had numerous addresses in New York, Essex, and Union Counties.

The Star Ledger's publisher warned staff yesterday that the newspaper could be sold or closed by January if they can't reach an agreement with the driver's union in the next three weeks. This unsettling news comes in the midst of a company-wide buy-out.

... publisher George Arwady said "it is most unfortunate that we have to send out this notice, but the Drivers have left us with no choice." Negotiating a new contract with the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers Union, which represents about 90 Star-Ledger drivers, has been one of three conditions ownership has placed on the continued operation of the paper.

The owners set a deadline of Oct. 1 for getting 200 of the newspaper's 756 non-union full-time employees to take a buyout and for achieving the union concessions. The Star-Ledger's total work force is 1,412.

Continue reading "Driver's Union Steering Star Ledger To Shaky Ground" »

Paris Hilton, move over: the new dominatrix of the internet is Sarah Palin, whose namesearch is running high numbers on Google, Lycos, Facebook, and all over the blogosphere. Shooting from Alaskan hockey mom to world-wide fame almost overnight, the quest for Palinformation is creating cyber shockwaves - she's even reaching new heights on the Wikimeter, with 3,800 edits since July. Meanwhile, on the tchotchke front, she's beating Obama and McCain three-to-one on action figures. No uber-mom figure yet, but we liked Palin-the-schoolgirl.

Even if you're not a baseball fan, you probably know that this is the last season to see the local teams play in either Shea or Yankee Stadium, which are both set to be demolished. You might even know that regular Yankees and Mets tickets have been sold out for months, and that second-market tickets from brokers have been going for a pretty penny.

What you may not know is the market is now "flooded" with tickets from speculators who snatched up tickets in hopes of making a big profit. We found this out from Daryl Warmbrand of NJ-based DW Events, who says tickets for this weekend's Yankee games can be had for as little as $39 and tickets for next week's Mets cames for as low as $13. Full disclosure: DW just signed as a new advertiser. But you don't have to buy from DW; StubHub is also full of inventory.

"There are bargains galore, thousands of seats available," Warmbrand says. The best bargains will be from 3 to 6 pm, he predicts.

Photo: Kjetil Ree

Montclair cops and officers from Essex County Prosecutor's office got wind of a drug shipment on its way to Baristaville, and set up a stakeout on the corner of Wildwood Avenue near North Fullerton, according to a report in The Star Ledger.

Officers intercepted and seized three and a half pounds of marijuana and charged Andrew Greenberg, 20, of Glen Ridge, Monday morning, when they stopped a black Jeep driven by the suspect.

Essex K-9 unit gave the jeep a positive sniffing, and the search yielded seven large bags of pot stuffed inside a gym bag. Greenberg was charged with possession and distribution, then released on his own recognizance.

Baristanet honors the service of Deputy Chief of Police Roger S. Terry, Sr. On Wednesday, October 15, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., Montclair will honor him in person at Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove. Congratulations Deputy Chief Terry and thanks for everything you've done!

If you're interested in going, here's what to do.

Continue reading "35 Years Of Service!" »

Brace yourself Baristaville. Readers of Music Snobbery got a big heads up about Montclair's new music venue, while at the same time learning here that the blogger is also from Montclair.

I'm hoping to be there for opening night with Hanson. As an important town resident, along with Stephen Colbert, Bobbi Brown, Peter King, Yogi Berra, David Tyree and David Carr, I should be present. I've already marked my calendar for Decemberists and Wolf Parade. Finally, it will be nice to walk home from a big gig.

Now I'm sure you have a bunch questions, so I'll try answer them.

Music Snobbery goes on to recommend the best transit options, parking (he warns of "random acts of unnecessary parking tickets") and his choice of spots for pre-show cocktails and eats (see picks in the jump).

What would you recommend to all the new Baristaville visitors to complement their Wellmont experience? And if you're buying/bought tickets, what did you pick? Anyone going to B.B. King...

Continue reading "Welcome Wellmont Visitors" »

The market for the Strahan house and the other 26 homes priced at a million-plus on the market in Montclair (like the one pictured here at 74 South Mountain, listed for $2,599,000) just got smaller. From CNNMoney.com...

Potential homebuyers with Wall Street jobs have already been looking at smaller houses or putting off their real estate search, said Lina Panza, a real estate agent for Re/Max in Montclair N.J., who has several clients at Wall Street firms.

"It's a major, major purchase and people are nervous," she said. "They're less inclined to buy something big."

According to the pollsters, presidential candidate John McCain picked up ground in New York yesterday. Today, it's New Jersey. From the Star Ledger...

A Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll has Obama's lead at 8 percentage points among likely voters, down from 14 points in July. In the most recent poll, Obama leads McCain 49 percent to 41 percent, with McCain having picked up 5 percent of undecided voters since the July poll.

Among registered voters, Obama's lead jumps to 11 percent (49 percent to 38 percent) in the Monmouth poll, although a third of the voters say they are not firmly committed to either candidate.

Clay Richards, assistant director of Quinnipiac University's Polling Institute, said the Palin factor has helped the Republicans, at least for now.

"The McCain-Palin ticket has narrowed the gap dramatically, but it will take more than this post-convention bounce for the Republicans to win in true-blue New Jersey," Richards said.

Monmouth poll director Patrick Murray said the Palin pick appeared to have little impact on the survey results.

"The surprise selection of Sarah Palin for vice president on the GOP ticket has certainly ratcheted up interest in the race," Murray said, "but the electoral effect in New Jersey seems to be less significant. The poll found that John McCain has gained no ground with female voters in the Garden State."

The New Jersey SPCA raided a home on Central Avenue in Montclair two weeks ago and confiscated a cattle prod and a slingshot allegedly used to train a small Silky Terrier, according to Montclair police reports.

Montclair police chief David Sabagh, who confirmed a tip we got about the August 29 incident, said that according to the report, the dog was being trained by a Pennsylvania animal trainer named Jeffrey Loy, who runs the Center for Animal Behavioral Research. Loy's website uses the slogan "The Bite Stops Here." Sabagh said Loy was brought in after the dog bit the woman of the house.

The dog was removed from the house by the Humane Police but no arrests have been made, and the incident is still being investigated by the NJSPCA. Loy has not returned our call.

In addition to the bank robbery yesterday, there was also a stabbing on Orange Road shortly after noon. The 35-year-old victim of the stabbing was taken to University Hospital in Newark and is expected to recover fully. Police are looking for an 18-year-old Montclair man, Tourrie Moses (pictured, left), who is still at large. Anybody with information is asked to call the Montclair police, 973.744.1234.

And, here's a twist: yesterday's bank robber was a woman (pictured, right).

Continue reading "Two Crimes, Two Perps ... and One's a Lady" »

Mayor Fried sat in the wet seat during yesterday's fundraiser on Willow Street to help support the children of Monica Paul, who was murdered at the Montclair Y's Family Center, just down the block, in June.

Hundreds of people and dozens of local merchants supported the event, which raised several thousand dollars. Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats, who organized the block party, says she was especially touched by a little boy who came by at the end of the day with a Ziploc bag filled with quarters from a lemonade stand and a local church that donated its day's collection. Thanks to everybody who weathered the humidity to pick up a Baristanet mix CD and make a donation.

Several dozen Glen Ridge Obama Mamas raised more than $700 for the Democratic candidate this past Friday night while indulging in upscale silver jewelry at a Silpada jewelry party at a private home on Willow Street. But for an employee of Dots in Lackawanna Center, Montclair, all that glitters is this "Obama is My Home Boy" t-shirt.

We don't know the details yet, but a manager at the Commerce Bank at Lackawanna Center in Montclair confirms that the bank was robbed yesterday afternoon around 4 pm. Thanks to several tipsters for letting us know.

America's Most Convenient Bank is apparently the most convenient to rob, too. The Lackawanna branch was the site of the Mad Hatter's penultimate heist in June 2007 and another holdup this past March.

Commerce Bank has long had a reputation for lax security, which continues to this day. Montclair police and FBI are working on getting us a clip from the bank's security cameras. We'll post when we get one.

Over the weekend, Lehman decided to enter Chapter 11 and Merrill Lynch agreed to be taken over by Bank of America. This follows the demise of Bear Stearns last spring.

In case anybody needs a reminder, Wall Street is to north Jersey as beer is to Milwaukee or government to Washington. It's those December bonuses that pay for most of the granite countertops around these parts. Which leads us to wonder:

In case you were doing anything else last night at 11:30, here's the now-famous Tina Fey impersonation of Sarah Palin. Best line: "I can see Russia from my house." Don't know what Fey got in her last-minute deal with NBC, but based on this five minutes, I'd say if she wants to do Palin again, she's got Christmas money for a couple of lifetimes. It was great on my side of the political divide. Was it good for you, too?

This guy (above) has been hanging around our front door for around a week. We're delighted to see him, especially since he positively loves the camera. Apparently he was more than ready for his close-up yesterday afternoon.

It's your open thread, Baristaville. And there's so much to talk about.

Continue reading "Friendly Face Found On Front Door" »

As if Presidential politics weren't complicated enough this year, we're now looking at a local election that may turn on the spelling skills of voters.

Kelly Conklin and Yvonne Provost, who were active in a campaign fighting artificial turf , have just launched a campaign for Glen Ridge borough council. But here's the hitch: despite the fact that they were endorsed by the multi-partisan Civic Conference Committee, their names aren't going to be on the ballot. Supporters will have to write them in.

Their ticket has a blog but as yet no name. They'll kick off their candidacy with a wine-and-cheese event today from 3 to 5 pm at Provost's house, 49 Douglas Road.

Their invitation to the event gives the history of the campaign:

Continue reading "Mavericks Launch GR Write-In Campaign" »

UPDATE: Kitten found!

We just received this request from a fellow Baristavillian who's lost a cat. If anyone finds her, here's the info. And thanks.

Hi. A friend of mine is in the process of moving out today and his kitten (a house cat) got out. The kitten is female, she's about 5 months old, all white with one gold and one blue eye. She's not especially friendly, but she's approachable. No collar. We searched backyards, Hamilton Road, and Franklin. If anyone finds her, please call my cell phone (973) 713-2812.

Get out your social calendars (and take a peek at ours). There are some must-see, must-hear and must-eat events on the Baristaville horizon:

You loved them on the Parents Who Rock CD, "Go Play Outside." Now hear them in person: The Bloomingfields will be rocking Montclair Center Stage at 5pm today. This is a band that understands you: They'll play two sets of original music about the wonders of marriage, real estate and commuting. (Meanwhile, Mount Cyanide will be unfolding down the road at Cafe Eclectic.)

On Sunday afternoon, catch author, award-winning columnist and Newsweek editor Jonathan Alter at Temple Ner Tamid. He'll speak on a topic that's been getting just a wee bit of attention lately: the presidential election.

And on Tuesday, Sept 16, Bistro 18 and Amanti Vino are hosting an a tasting dinner that pairs American dishes with influences from around the world with a yummy selection of wines.

Whatever you do, if you are a member of the Montclair Watercooler, don't tell the moderators how to run the Montclair Watercooler. Don't question their authority. And never, ever, ever tell another group what they tell you, like for instance, sharing their responses to you with a rival list like the Montclair Unmoderated. Yes, we know, it all sounds very cloak and dagger, like virtual secret handshakes or oaths written in blood. Still Thom Kennon, who some readers might remember from here, was active on both lists -- until this month. He writes...

I was continually pestering the moderators about moving out of their ridiculously tight little prehistoric box when it came to list management and spiking policy. I would post their inane back-channel splutterings reprimanding me on RFM/UNMOD. This enraged them and they threatened to de-list me if I shared their threat to de-list me with "any other list".

That was an appalling enough over-reach for me to do just that and dare em to can me. The nervous little Nellie's did. I feel refreshingly free!

Thom, you sound happier. And I'm sure the moderators are happy to see you go. No one likes a troublemaker (except of course us, here on Baristanet.)

Be on the lookout for Rolando Terrell, left. An arrest warrant has been issued for him in connection with the Irvington house-fire quadruple homicide on Monday. And if you see him, call 911.

Continue reading "Wanted, In Irvington Case" »

They won't be teaching anyone how to dress a moose. But voter registration, canvassing and "effective communication through letters, op-eds, and blogs" will be on the agenda at a big campaign rally and training seminar for Obama supporters tomorrow (Saturday) at Montclair State University. The event, from 9 to 1 in University Hall, is co-sponsored by BlueWaveNJ PAC, NJ Democratic State Committee and Garden State Equality. Registration is required.

Prefer to sleep late? Over at Bloomfield College, Bloomfield-Glen Ridge Peace Action will be recruiting supporters at the library from 2 to 4 pm.

A reader writes...

Hi guys! Random question for you: Are you willing to help reunite lost monthly train passes with their owners? I found a Glen Ridge/NYC pass for a guy named Amit Arora -- there's a work badge with it but I can't find a phone number for Amit or his company. Any Baristanet readers know him so I can get it back to him?

Amit, if you're out there, send us an email here and we'll try to get you and your pass reunited.

Talk about fast service. From the Star Ledger...

The business model was simple: personalized delivery -- usually within 30 minutes -- to a place of your choosing.

The calls came in, more than 1,000 a week, to one phone in a two-story house with white siding and freshly painted red shutters on Scotland Road in Union Township. And the product went out, usually to well-to-do towns like Summit, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights and New Providence.

The product being requested: cocaine.

Continue reading "The Domino's Pizza Of Drug Dealers" »

Unless an 11th-hour angel investor steps up, Larry Bussin plans to close the door of the four-year-old Spice It Up by October 1. But he does plan to continue selling spices online and expand that part of the business.

"The store isn't where the future of this company is," he told us the other day. "By January, this website could be cruising."

Bussin, a Vietnam veteran who has also worked as an accountant and a manufacturer of audio speakers, says he often gets "eaten up by depression" sitting around in the store waiting for customers to materialize. "This business never took hold in this community. If I had this store in Hoboken, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I'd be going to the bank." He blames part of the problem on "piggish landlords" hurting downtown Montclair by charging such high rents and leaving storefronts empty.

Continue reading "Montclair To Lose Spice Store" »

Photo by Scot Surbeck.

New Jersey ranks #5 -- for neuroticism. From the Star Ledger...

New Jerseyans are among the most stressed in America -- neurotic, anxious and impulsive. And they're pretty disagreeable, too.

You got a problem with that? Then talk to Jason Rentfrow of the University of Cambridge in England, whose study out Thursday characterizes the personalities of Americans.

Rentfrow, a researcher in social and political sciences, examined six years of on-line personality tests from more than 600,000 Americans to create his state-by-state "personality map."

The map looked at five aspects of personality. New Jersey ranked 5th for neuroticism and near the bottom for agreeableness (34th) and conscientiousness (45th).

But New Jerseyans are open about their flaws. The state ranked high on extroversion (14th) and openness (15th).

Native New Jerseyan and neurotic comic Richard Lewis comes to our defense here. Talk about your neuroses or anything else here.

Scary morning at Bloomfield Middle School, which was evacuated after a bullet was found in a garbage can inside the building. From Bloomfield Life...

Students and staff remained outside the school for a little less than two hours as county authorities and Bloomfield police swept the school in search of any weapons.

Frank Digesere, the superintendent, was at BMS as the building was being searched, and stressed that the search was merely a precaution.

"We don't believe there's a gun, but, hey, you never know," Digesere said. "You need to be safe and secure that no one's in danger, whether it be staff or students."

Some readers balked when we wrote about this two years ago here. Well, maybe we were on to something. The first of three Baby Loves Disco events in Montclair debuts this Saturday, bringing the stroller set to the Diva Lounge. For more info, go here. Saturday's event is completely sold out, but tickets for the October 18th (Halloween costumes encouraged) and November 15th (pajama party) events are still available.

At these events, Baby Loves Disco will turn the Diva Lounge into a child proof Saturday afternoon disco for dance-happy parents and their kids (ages 6 months to 7 years). Families can dance to a live DJ, and enjoy bubble machines, activities presented by national and local sponsors, healthy snacks and optional cocktails for non-driving parents. And yes, there are plenty of diaper changing stations, too. Admission is $12 per walking human.

Montclair mama Bridget Sarubin, owner of Family-Friendly PR, a child and parent-focused public relations firm, brought Baby Loves Disco to Northern Jersey and is host for all the events.

If you want to help hungry kids around New Jersey, here's how. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s BackPack Program provides backpacks full of food to children who have been identified as at great risk of going hungry over the weekend. These backpacks ensure that children have some food at home for the weekend. Food packages are delivered weekly to participating schools where staff members distribute them in backpacks, which are also donated by the program. The children may keep these backpacks for personal use.

The program is dependent on the generosity of donors; to find out how to help or donate, visit the Kids division page of The Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Here's a direct link to the Kids' Backpack Program.

From Esquire, Glen Ridge writer Scott Raab recalls his 9/11 story.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was bickering with the wife over an article in the "Health" section of The New York Times about babies choking on food, going back and forth about grapes. Judah, our son, was two years old.

My position was, as always, utterly clear: no whole grapes. Ever. Lisa's was murky: As the grape-cutter, she cut if she felt like it. I found this intolerable. She found my rigidity and catastrophism oppressive, regardless of the Times's wisdom and advice: Cut the grapes in half.

It wasn't about grapes, of course. It never is. It was about power at the sub-grassroots -- about who calls the shots. All politics is local. Domestic, even. Petty as hell, both ways. It gets loud. It gets ugly. Even over grapes.

When the phone rang, it was Mrs. Field, who lived in the big house diagonally behind ours. She and Mr. Field -- Isabel and Hank, Brooklyn natives who'd immigrated the twenty miles to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, sixty years before to raise their family -- were more than neighbors and friends: They were our boy's babysitters and his surrogate grandparents. Nice, nice folks, smart and sharp and funny the way people around New York City are. You can say that's parochial or clichéd or phony -- I don't give a damn, because it's true. The slow and lame and halt don't come or stay here, not often or for long.

Continue reading "The Moment When Everything Changed" »

Baristanet observes a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Crisp air and plentiful sunshine this time of year reminds many of us of that terrible morning seven years ago when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Washington, killing thousands, including many of our neighbors.

Essex County's official remembrance will start tomorrow at 8 am at Eagle Rock Reservation. Montclair's ceremony is at 8:30 am in Watchung Plaza. New York City's official 9/11 ceremony is closed to the public. The annual Tribute in Light starts at 7:11 pm tomorrow night and goes through dawn on Friday.

It's almost too easy: tap into your inner deejay, and make a mix CD or two, and print up the song list if you can. Bring it on over to Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats at 12 North Willow Street in Montclair. When you do, Aunt Jean will give you a specially-made Baristanet CD cover to pop your musical treasure into. There's even a little white space for you to write in the title of your CD and any other notes.

Those cd's will be given away free to anyone who makes a voluntary contribution at Aunt Jean's Block Party benefit for the children of Monica Paul, whose life ended tragically in June.

Continue reading "Are You Baristavailable To Mix It Up For a Good Cause?" »

The Montclair Town Council voted last night 5-2 to privatize management of the Clary Anderson Arena, and to award the contract to United Skates of America. Dissenting were Renee Baskerville and Kathryn Weller.

The privatization has been an ongoing controversy ever since it was proposed as a way to save money. In our poll, 66 percent of readers supported outside management.

Mayor Jerry Fried said that although there were allegations of nepotism during last night's debate (see this story) "the contract was awarded on the merits of the proposals."

"Clary wasn't any of our priorities," he said today by telephone. "It wasn't anything any of us ran on. It's a very unfortunate situation, a town resource that has been allowed to fail."

Although the actual contract hasn't been signed, the takeover basically begins now. He added that stakeholder access to the arena has been written into the contract for the first year.

Councilor Cary Africk elaborated on last night's decision in an email to us.

Continue reading "United Skates Wins Clary Contract" »

We knew this was going to happen...temporary re-routing at Lorraine and North Mountain goes into effect Sept. 22. From the Montclair website:

Please be advised that on or about September 22, 2008, the railroad crossing at Lorraine Avenue will be temporarily closed for approximately two weeks. During this time the crossing will be closed to all vehicular thru traffic; pedestrians may still cross, observing the pedestrian crossing gates and all safety measures.

This rail crossing is being closed to test the effects of closing it as part of the Township’s application to the Federal Railroad Administration for a 24-hour Quiet Zone in Montclair (see Quiet Zone FAQs). The Township administration is working closely with First Ward Councilor Rich Murnick, the community’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Quiet Zone Task Force in evaluating this issue. The public will be kept informed and a report will be issued on the test results.

Joseph M. Hartnett
Township Manager

Before Sarah Palin and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits, when we looked for feminine excitement in and around the oval office, we thought of our First Ladies. (Ok, Hillary was one of those too, but who remembers that now?) And Baristaville, you're in for a big treat if you've never seen Montclair actress Elaine Bromka perform "Tea for Three," a one-woman show in which she performs as Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford. (Yes, kiddies, before the clinic, there was a first lady.)

Bromka performs "Tea for Three" Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Westminster Art Center in Bloomfield. I saw her do it at 12 Miles West in 2005, and it's truly a stunning performance. Do not miss this one. Tickets are $20 and $13.

If you're on the mailing list of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, as we are, it can seem that Baristaville is an oasis of spin classes and expensive sushi surrounded by a post-apocalyptic nightmare. True, we've had our own crime waves, including an armed robbery near Bobbi Brown's Lackawanna Plaza studio recently, but a crime that happened Monday morning in Irvington is truly staggering. Police responding to a house fire on Columbia Ave. (just 7 miles from Montclair center) found four victims shot in the head, including a 13-year-old girl. There's a $10,000 reward offered in the case.

Later on Monday, a 24-year-old Newark man was sentenced to 100 years in prison for a six-hour crime spree in 2004 that left one dead.

Essex County, leader in dog parks and homicides!

Meanwhile, if you're not getting enough Essex County crime on jury duty, you have the opportunity to visit the historic courthouse in Newark during a series of open tours this month.

Continue reading "The Crimes Around Us" »

Baristaville, when it comes to live entertainment - theater, dance, music - is spoiled with many choices. And nowhere is it more accessible than Peak Performances at Montclair State University. Their mission of bringing premiere performances to the stage of Kasser Theater is more than just to entertain in the traditional sense -- it's to surprise, tantalize, question, shock, and amuse. During the 08-09 season, the range of modern entertainment stretches the imagination with performers from all over the globe.

Continue reading "Art, Theater, Dance - Outside The Box" »

Well now we know: The historic Wellmont Theatre in Montclair lights up in all its newly renovated glory on November 1 with the little boy group that's all grown up, Hanson. Montclair Entertainment LLC announced the initial season lineup today. Coming to Baristaville: Tony Bennett, The Decemberists, Get The Led Out, Al Green, B.B. King, Bill Maher, Matisyahu, Martin Sexton, John Prine, Steely Dan, Rufus Wainwright, Brian Wilson and Wolf Parade.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, September 13 at 10am at Tickets.com. The complete concert schedule is at www.wellmonttheatre.com.

Ok, so what else has been going on inside over the past seven months?

Continue reading "Hanson Opens Wellmont Theatre November 1!" »

Master healer Jyoti Ma aka Jyoti Crystal, a fixture in our local yoga circuit, has been healing hundreds of folks in Baristaville for decades and created a spiritual home for the community at Starseed Yoga. Joyti Ma was diagnosed with non-smokers' lung cancer in March of this year, which has spread to her spine and brain. In appreciation for all she has contributed to the community, friends have organized a Cancer Awareness Benefit in her honor. A wealth of artistic and creative talent from NJ and NYC will come together in Montclair to perform Jazz, African Dance, Capoeira, South American Drumming, Classical Music, Japanese Dance and Comedy Theater.

Here's what's on the program, October 2 - 4:
Thursday 7pm -Jazz at Trumpets with Oliver Lake and Denise Hamilton ($35); Friday 7:30 & 10pm - Comedy at Tierney's($25); Saturday 6:30pm, international music and dance at The Unitarian Church ($50).

Continue reading "Starseed Founder Jyoti Ma Cancer Benefit" »

Montclair resident Mark Cohen has made a name for himself as a syndicated political cartoonist and for bringing humor to the Montclair Times, but he also has a passion -and a following - as a spin doctor at Platinum Fitness. Now Baristaville has New Jersey's only facility devoted exclusively to indoor cycling - Cohen's new 3Sixty Cycling Studio.

We've been wondering what Steven Plofker had in mind when he built 131 Glenridge Avenue...Plofker and wife Bobbi Brown, both spin addicts, approached Cohen to partner in the cycling studio, and voila! 3Sixty is born, and becomes the new locale's second floor tenant.

Continue reading "Baristaville's New Spin Doctor Does A 3-Sixty" »

Update: Laura Federico at Montclair BOE said the Warren County Health Department reports that all 5 of the schools who were at Camp Mason over the weekend had students who were ill afterward.

Something's bugging Montclair kids who went to YMCA's Camp Mason last week.Every year, Renaissance School seventh and eighth graders begin the year with a team-building overnight at Camp Mason, and it usually goes off without a hitch.

Not so this time - my eighth grader returned from his trip last Friday afternoon - and within 24 hours a stomach bug knocked him off his feet for 48 hours. It's not an isolated incident - Nicky found out about five of his classmates also fell ill.

Today, we hear from a tipster that some kids from Montclair High are also feeling sick to their stomach.

Continue reading "Montclair Students Sick Of Camp" »

A statewide get-out-and-vote campaign aiming to get as many people registered in time to vote for November's presidential election has turned into a statewide snafu. Phones are ringing off the hook at the state Division of Elections with questions from puzzled voters who received a letter telling them they weren't registered. About 300,000 letters were sent out - but a system glitch matching voter reg files with DMV files caused as many as 1,000 letters with the wrong information to be sent out - including listing some voters' ages as 208. Even Barista Deb Galant received one - which she promptly round-filed - knowing it was a goof.

So how was the first week of school, Baristaville? A Clifton boy has a story he'll be telling when he's old and gray. From the Record...

The student, a second grader, apparently got on the wrong school bus on the second day of school, said Richard Tardalo, superintendent of schools. Instead of going to School 17, a kindergarten through fifth grade school, he ended up at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, a sixth through eighth grade school, Tardalo said.

It wasn't clear if the boy, who was not identified, ever told anyone he was at the wrong location, the superintendent said.

The student told officials he walked home, but didn't find anyone there. That's when he set off for School 17, where he arrived around 10 a.m., Tardalo said. The trek took him two hours.

"It appears he may have walked three miles," Tardalo said. "For two hours he was unaccounted for. Thank God nothing happened to him."

The student safely arrived at School 17 around 10 a.m.

"Protocol was not followed," he said. "The bus driver or bus aide are supposed to check who the students are. It certainly won't happen again and appropriate action will be taken."

Hannah's blowby has whetted our appetite for the growing potential of wind energy.
Our previously mentioned visionary from Wayne has just had his dreams of a backyard wind turbine rained on by a nervous town council. Details and an extended debate on the subject can be found here.

From EcoRealty

Continue reading "NIMBY Gets Windy" »

Something about having two kids, two jobs, grad school and a mortgage makes the idea of taking an extended, throw-caution-and-cares-to-the-wind cross-country jaunt seem about as probable as witnessing some of our most combative commenters break out in a chorus of Kumbaya. That's why it's been a guilty pleasure to tune in to Baristanet's Katie Mancine as she, Mark and Mister navigate roach motels, hostile goats, horse manure and meals not eaten at Taco Bell (Mark learned what a stuffy is). Of course, it also helps that I'm a sucker for all the photos, especially moments like this and this.

Nights of smuggling Mister into motels under the cover of darkness and scary camping sites...

I get really scared while camping at night. It didn't help that walnuts were falling off the trees all night, which of course also sounds like someone sneaking up to murder us.

...should end soon; Wanderful's next stop is Cleveland, where they are scheduled to pick up their TabRV. Katie sounds like she's aged a little already...

Continue reading "Living Vicariously Through Katie" »

Friday night is Toast's second annual Lobster Clambake, and the deadline for signing up is tomorrow. The $45/person indoor feast includes clam chowder, a 1 to 1 1/2 lb. Maine lobster, salad, corn on the cob, baked beans and zeppoles, and has two seatings: 5:30 and 8 pm.

The only thing missing is the beach, but Toast plans to conjure up the clambake atmosphere right on Bloomfield Ave. "We give all the components without the mosquitos," says Erika Palmer. "Lobster bib, red and white checked paper, shell bowl and all." Reservations: 973.509.8099.

We told you about the former home of ex-Giant (who's betting on the Cowboys for the Super Bowl) Michael Strahan on sale for $7,750,000 here. Click through to the jump for a look inside...

Continue reading "Take The Nickel Tour" »

Second ward councilor Cary Africk reminds us that tonight's the first meeting of the Board of Education, at 22 Valley Road. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but expect the Board to begin with an executive session and emerging to start a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room. Read the agenda here. More from Cary here...

Although there is no item on the Agenda relating to a discussion of whether or not the Board should televise future meetings, or move their meetings to the ADA compliant (and equipped for live TV on channel 34) Town Council chambers, there is time for public comments on that, or any other topics. I hope that at least some residents feel the televising of meetings is important enough that they will attend, and make their wishes known.

There are many, many other important issues on the Agenda. Some relate to spending, including another change order for Woodman Field.

Unfortunately, Mondays are big nights for meeting in Montclair and as I am a member of the planning board, I will be at the planning meeting.

A Belleville police officer was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning when he lost control of his police cruiser after it collided with another vehicle in Nutley. A second officer in the cruiser was seriously injured.

According to Belleville police chief Joseph Rotonda, Officer Kenneth Santucci, 33, of Belleville, the driver of the vehicle was taken to Clara Maass Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Santucci was married, with two children ages two and seven; his wife is expecting their third child due in November. Officer Santucci had been a member of the Belleville Police Department since Jan. 2008. Prior to joining Belleville PD, Officer Santucci was a police officer with the Newark Police Department since 2005. The other police officer, Melissa Corrado, 28, of Hopactong, sustained head and rib injuries in the crash. She was taken to University Hospital in Newark and released Sunday. The driver of the other vehicle was described as a 51-year-old female from Bloomfield. She was taken to Mountainside Hospital and released.

According to Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, the two officers were responding to a report of a suspicious person in the southwest section of Belleville at around 7:35 a.m. While responding to the call, the cruiser collided with another vehicle, a black Toyota, at the intersection of Hancox Avenue and Union Avenue near the Belleville/Nutley border. Both officers were ejected from the police cruiser after their vehicle lost control and struck a utility pole between two homes on Union Avenue near the intersection of King Street. No charges have been filed against the driver of the other vehicle. She is cooperating with detectives from the Essex County Vehicular Homicide Unit. The investigation remains ongoing.

And today, perfecto!

My Mista is out delivering our son to a Bar Mitzvah party at Diva Lounge in Montclair, and called in to report massive flood sightings on the way. Valley Road at Watchung near the A&P is closed; police barricades by the Watchung Station rail bridge are only incidental to the pool preventing any passage; beware Park Avenue, south of the station where submerged roadway makes it impossibly impassible. Edgemont Pond is now Lake Edgemont, growing bigger by the raindrop....

How's your street, basement, gutters lookin'?
Photo, above, Fran Liscio

Continue reading "Flooded Streets!" »

This poster has always been crazy for Texas singer/songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Alejandro Escovedo, and of course...Steve Earle. Friday night, lucky BaristavEarlians had a chance to see Earle and his wife, the golden-voiced singer/songwriter Allison Moorer, perform at the always great Outpost in the Burbs.

Continue reading "Another Great Night In BaristavEarle" »

Here's a tip for some of our enterprising Montclair realtors: Take your cue from our Mayor and these environmentally sensitive entrepreneurs.

From The Huffington Post:

With gas prices high, bicycles flying out of stores and a buyers' market for houses, a handful of real estate agents around the country are touting the two-wheeled appeal of their listings.

Some even show houses exclusively by bike, wheeling through the neighborhood with potential buyers to show off bike lanes and bike-focused businesses and repair shops.

...Real estate agents and industry surveys indicate that home buyers are placing more importance on cutting their gas bills and commute times and that homes near urban centers, and subway, train and bus stops are selling faster than those in the distant suburbs.

"Living out in the suburbs just isn't a big deal anymore," says Matt Kolb, a bike agent who owns Pedal to Properties, a Boulder, Colo., firm. "People want to live, work and go to school within a six blocks radius _ that's changing the way they look at property."

Pedal to Properties has five agents and a fleet of 48 cruiser bikes and big plans for nationwide expansion. Next year, the company will stretch into Oregon and Texas.

From EcoRealty