This week, two men entered the basement of a multi-family home on Maple Avenue in Montclair and held three men in the house at gunpoint. Montclair Deputy Chief Todd Conforti reports the crime took place Wednesday morning at around 12:30 a.m.
The two suspects were wearing masks, armed with a handgun and knife. The victims told police the intruders demanded money and took an undetermined amount of cash from them.
Only a minimal description of the suspects was provided: both were black men over 6 feet tall. Police could not provide additional details as of this morning, but say the hold-up does not appear to be a random act. Police are investigating why the victims were targeted. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ray Gulbin at 973-509-4739 or Detective Terrence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Have you seen expired goods for sale at CVS? Local leaders want you to fight back.
A new study released today shows 47% of local CVS drugstores surveyed in the greater Newark area are selling products past their expiration date. In reaction to the news, a delegation of community and faith leaders held a demonstration outside a Newark CVS pharmacy. Participants included Bob Russo, former mayor of Montclair, NJ.; Ricky Singleton, candidate for Essex County Sheriff; and Judy Tomlinson, Unitarian minister.
If you see expired products for sale at a CVS store, snap a photo, then go to CureCVSNow.org to upload to the online gallery of “CVS Goods Gone Bad.”

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We knew it was only a matter of time before there was something featured on Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey that had a Baristaville connection, but we didn’t know it would be cupcakes. These balloon cupcakes, part of an over-the-top birthday party for Jacqueline’s daughter Ashley, even won over Bethenny Frankel from Real Housewives NYC. The source: The Petite Cafe in Nutley, mentioned recently on our site here and here.

This fall, girls at Montclair public schools will have additional support as they study math and science. And have no fear: This new program won’t cost a single tax dollar.
An organization called Athena Collaborative has gotten the green light from Montclair’s Board of Ed to begin a dialogue among Montclair parents, teachers and students about the role these subjects play in girls’ lives. “We’re bringing a cross-section of the community together, leaders in the community who have the interest and influence and ability to get things done,” says Christina DelliSanti-Miller, “for them to have a conversation around ‘How are we preparing our girls to see themselves in a full range of careers. What are we doing that’s already working and what can we do to move the needle?’”

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When a Montclair fourth grader passed away in February, it shocked a community. Now, learn the cause of her sudden death and how her family is helping raise awareness of a condition that is both detectable and treatable on Barista Kids.

This Saturday, pools open around Baristaville.

Montclair Township pools open for the 2009 swim season Saturday, May 23 for weekends only from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Beginning June 27, 2009 the hours of operation will be: Monday – Friday 1:00-8:00 p.m.; weekends and holidays 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pools will close at 7:30 p.m. after August 23. Essex Pool will close for the season on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Shown, the Glen Ridge Pool, also opens this Saturday. In Montclair, family membership at the public pools is $150. A commenter suggested raising the rate here. Tell us your take on the public pools, services offered and current fees in comments.
Want to swim someplace new? For the cost of swimming at other area pools and beach clubs, check out Barista Kids.
And wherever you take a dip this summer, send us your pool pics to Baristanet Flickr.

The presentation of the so-called “horror budget” at the Montclair council meeting last night quickly devolved into a municipal catfight between Mayor Jerry Fried and Town Manager Joe Hartnett. In a room packed with police officers, firefighters, union representatives and municipal workers, Hartnett and Fried traded barbs over the budget presented by Hartnett, which was set at a 5% decrease from 2008 operating levels. The budget detailed draconian cuts that would have severe effects on vital town services.
Although the mayor and council had requested such a budget, Mayor Fried lambasted the document as disingenuous and an insult. “Our intention was to have a budget that reflected the best efforts of our manager, to find the most possible, acceptable cuts in each department. In this budget is a laundry list of cuts that I would characterize as a joke.” The unrealistic layoffs and slashes to municipal salaries were attempts to pit municipal workers against him, the mayor contended.

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