The MRCA “An Evening of Jazz” with Andy McKee concert scheduled for today, Thursday, July 30, has been canceled.

Anne Gorfinkle, a local mom of three is tired of the question, “When are you due?”. She’s not expecting anything but her 18-month-old to throw his peas on the floor. She has reached her goal weight and is slim, but three large babies have stretched her stomach out. She is considering a tummy tuck…
Find out more, then weigh in on Barista Kids.

Wendy Petracca and Jessica Lane, realtors from Re/Max Village Square in Montclair, made a surprising discover yesterday, when assisting at a foreclosed property that had been boarded up in Paterson. The property was being opened up and cleaned out by a crew so the property could be listed. Wendy writes…

Inside the house were many dead animals, but amazingly, three small kittens aged approximately 2 weeks, were found still alive.

Petracca and Lane rescued the kittens, scooping them up in a box, then tried contacting several animal rescue groups to ask them to take the kittens without success. They decided to call the Cameron Animal Hospital in Montclair. Dr. Cameron and his staff took in the kittens and they are doing well. There are two females, named Jessica and Banjo, plus one male named Paterson. If you would like to adopt these kittens, call Dr. Cameron’s office at (973) 744-2052?.
Petracca says its not uncommon for agents to make discoveries like this, especially with the many foreclosed properties coming on the market; sadly, often times the animals have been left for too long and do not survive. She also says the kittens are gorgeous.

We told you: If you poke around at old creepy hospitals, you’re going to get arrested. It happened this morning.
Six Hudson County adults, admittedly “hunting for ghosts”, were arrested early this morning at the old Essex County Hospital Center, located on Fairview Avenue. According to Sheriff Armando Fontoura, the six suspects, including a mother and her son, were taken into custody as a result of on-going patrol operations at that location by Essex County sheriff’s officers and Cedar Grove police.
Cedar Grove officers spotted two unoccupied vehicles parked on the hospital center campus at Upland Way, a regular gathering spot in the past for vandals, shortly after 1 a.m. on Thursday.
A male suspect, dressed entirely in black clothing, was seen running through a wooded area in an attempt to elude the officers. Within minutes, the officers arrested four male and two female suspects in and near Building #5.
Those taken into custody were: David Cerezo, age 39, of Weehawken; Michael Lyngholm, age 18, of Secaucus; Jose Marti, age 25, of Union City; and, Antoniett Degirolamo, age 39, Brian Degirolamo, age 18, and his girlfriend, Gina Ambrosio, age 18, both of Secaucus. All six suspects were charged with defiant trespass, criminal trespass and obstruction of the administration of law.
“There are no ghosts, goblins or boogiemen at the old hospital complex”, said Sheriff Armando Fontoura. “What you will find, however, are uniformed officers on patrol and plainclothes detectives conducting surveillance of the property. Trespassers, vandals and mischief makers will be arrested and charged to the fullest extent of the law. We strongly advise individuals to keep off the property as it is being renovated and it can be dangerous.”
Once it becomes a park, maybe the ghosts will be chased away for good.

A candy store that sounds almost Wonka-esque is coming to Montclair. Dulce Candy Boutique is scheduled to open in a few weeks at 17 Church Street, inside the Hinck building next to Clairidge Cinemas. The shop will offer more than 50 different types of sweet treats including novelty and nostalgic candies (think Necco wafers, wax lips, candy necklaces), candy bars, chocolates, lollipops and freshly spun cotton candy, all in a vintage-style space decked out with giant apothecary jars and glass canisters filled with goodies galore.
Besides candy, Dulce will offer custom gift baskets, wedding, shower and party favors, and a special party treat: Dulce’s Candy Bar, a personalized candy buffet for any event. The boutique will carry allergen-free and sugar-free candy as well.

Montclair Watch continues to collect signatures to bring the issue of an elected board of education on the ballot in November. The Star Ledger reports that the group has collected 625 signatures. Residents spoke out about the issue at a recent 4th Ward meeting held by councilwoman Renee Baskerville.

Carolyn Lack of the Montclair League of Women Voters said the nonpartisan group’s position after careful study is that an appointed board is best for the township.
A board appointed by the mayor is more likely to be diverse, racially and in experience, Lack said. A candidate for an elected board needs just 10 signatures to get on the ballot, so people with narrow motives or extreme agendas can run and get elected. Turnout at school board elections has been historically low, about 12 or 13 percent of registered voters.

Pegi Adam, the driving force behind the push for an elected board, was interviewed by Baristanet here.
What do you think? Give us your vote…in the jump.

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A tipster sends in this…

GS parkway south is back up to a standstill at Watchung.
Lights are out at Belleville Ave in Bloomfiled, & Ridgewood & watchung.
Live wire down on East Passaic in Nutley around Center St.

We’re also hearing about a power outage around 3:15 on Grove near Watchung, with traffic lights out for blocks.
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Yesterday, there were two armed robberies in Montclair, one of which was referenced here.
The first took place at 1 a.m. on the 28th, when a Montclair male reported that he had been a victim of an armed robbery in the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Elm Street. The victim states he was approached by a black male who grabbed him by the back of his shirt and brandished a black handgun. The suspect then removed approximately $20 from the victim’s pockets and backpack before fleeing north on Elm Street.
Approximately two and a half hours later, another victim reported a similar armed robbery. A Newark resident reported he was waiting at the bus stop at Bloomfield Avenue and Gates Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. when he was approached by a black male who asked him about the bus schedule. After a brief conversation, the suspect walked away from the victim but returned moments later and grabbed a bag belonging to the victim. The suspect then pointed a black handgun towards the victim’s face and chest and ordered him to walk towards Gates Avenue. The suspect forced the victim to walk down a nearby alley and into a building’s rear lot. Once there, the suspect looked through the contents of the victim’s bag and stole the victim’s Casio cell phone before fleeing. Neither of the victims in either of the robberies reported any injuries.
Today, Montclair Deputy Chief Todd Conforti announced that Steven Charles, 18, of Montclair, was identified as the suspect in these robberies. As a result of a police investigation, Montclair police executed a search warrant on a Sherman Street residence approximately 2 p.m. yesterday, where they located and arrested Charles. A black air gun, fashioned in the shape and model of a Glock semi-automatic handgun, was recovered from the apartment. Charles is charged with two counts of robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose, two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun, and one count of kidnapping. Charles is being held on a bail of $300,000 bond.

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