Baristanet

Fireworks and Parades

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:15:34 -0500

Go here for our complete list of fireworks, parades and street fairs this weekend. By the way, the Reticents show at the Oskar Schindler Center for the Performing Arts has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 5, at 7 pm. No word yet on Brookdale Fireworks rescheduling.

We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:32:17 -0500

Lest we forget the reason for the fireworks and the parades. And for the bonus round: give us your best Declaration of Independence tweet as Thomas Jefferson, 140 characters or less. -- Here's the deal: you govern only because we say so, and now we say you don't. By the way, we're all equal. See you at Bunker Hill. #fourth

Go Newark Restaurant Week begins July 6

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Newark's second Go Newark Restaurant Week, an 11-day discount-dining program, begins July 6 and will continue through July 16. Building on the success of last year's program, 30 restaurants will participate and showcase the quality and diversity of Newark's vast dining establishments.

Brookdale Park Concert and Fireworks to be Rescheduled

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:33:10 -0500

The concert and fireworks display scheduled for July 2 in Brookdale Park, which was canceled due to wet ground conditions, will be rescheduled, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said. Details are yet to be announced. See our list of July 4 fireworks and celebrations here.

Tea Party Rallies Expected Across NJ on July 4

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:03:00 -0500

Conservatives across the country have latched onto the symbolism of the Boston Tea Party in the past for political protests, and, with July 4 looming, more tea party rallies are expected this weekend, including in New Jersey.

Sugar Hill Gang to Headline MHS Music Festival

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0500

"I said a hip hop, the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, a you don't stop the rock it to the bang bang boogie, say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat." Familiar lyrics to many and possible fodder for local author Pam Satran's How Not to Act Old blog, the Sugar Hill Gang, of Rapper's Delight fame (see above lyrics) is coming to the 'burbs.

Fingers Crossed for a Nice Weekend

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:56 -0500

You really do have to feel sorry for Joe DiVincenzo having to make that call yesterday about the fireworks in Brookdale Park. There were enough brief periods of brilliant sunshine in between the torrential downpours to want to believe the weather would come through. It looks like nobody will have to make such agonizing decision on July 4th itself -- because weather forecasts are calling for a beautiful weekend. High of 80 both Saturday and Sunday, sunny and just a 10 percent chance of rain. Today's forecast is a little more problematic. Expect the same erratic sun and thunderstorms that have been the weather story all week. What are you planning for the holiday weekend? Besides coming to see us in the Montclair parade tomorrow, of course. Here's our list of everything going on. Weather graphic from weather.com.

Brookdale Park Fireworks CANCELLED

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:08:47 -0500

UPDATE: The concert and fireworks in Brookdale Park have been cancelled for tonight. The Reticents concert at Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center is also cancelled. ~~As of 3 p.m., everything is still a go for tonight's events at Brookdale Park.~~ Essex County's Public Information Department has a phone number you can call to check before going out tonight. Call 973-268-3500, and select option #4. A message about the status of the event will be left on this line. We'll also update if we learn of any cancellations.

Dude, Where's My Grades?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:13:46 -0500

This email blast went out to Montclair High School parents...

Unfortunately there is a problem with the report cards that were mailed yesterday. There was an error in the printing process and many of the report cards are missing grades with the exception of the final grades. We are aware of the problem and it is being worked on. The report cards will be reprinted and remailed when the corrections have been made. We apologize for any inconvenience and want to assure you the problem will be corrected as soon as possible. Thank you.

The only missing grades I remember were the ones you could make disappear with Eraser mate pens. Good times... Meanwhile next year, you'll be able to check your child's grades and attendance in real time...

Black Bear Steals Guy's Sandwich in NJ

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:51 -0500

Looking for a close, affordable weekend getaway, Kristen at Barista Kids drove to Vernon, NJ. She was joined there by a momma black bear and her cubs. Meanwhile, we hear that a bear attacked a man in Vernon, NJ, last Friday. The furry perp knocked him down and stole his sandwich (we're not sure if the bear prefers hoagie, grinder or sub). Read more at Barista Kids. Photo by Bing Ramos

Bicycle Helmets: Smart or Geeky?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:25 -0500

Bike Montclair has a new symbol and is promoting its "Safe Streets" campaign. Adult cyclists--and this town has many--don't always wear helmets. Neither do our kids, according to new reports, even though they are supposed to according to NJ state law. Do kids think helmets are geeky? Do you? Sound off on bicycle helmets at Barista Kids.

Montclair Road Closures, Fourth of July

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:42 -0500

Lt. James J. Carlucci of Montclair Police provides the following road closure information for the Fourth:

On 07-04-09, Montclair will be hosting its annual 4th of July Day Parade. The time frame is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The route will be South Fullerton Ave & The Crescent (Staging area) to Bloomfield Ave, westbound on Bloomfield Ave to Midland Ave, northbound on Midland Ave to Watchung Ave, and ending on Valley Road. The staging area and surrounding streets will be closed starting at 9:00 a.m. The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic ** South Fullerton from Gates Ave to Bloomfield Ave. ** Bloomfield Ave from North & South Willow Street to North & South Mountain Ave. ** Midland Ave from Bloomfield Ave to Watchung Ave. ** Valley Road from Berkley Ave to Brookfield Road. Alternate Routes: North and South Traffic: Use Upper Mountain, North Mountain, South Mountain, Grove and Elm East and West Traffic: Use Gates, Llewellyn and any street south of Llewellyn. Use Gordonhurst, Bellevue and any street north of Bellevue.

Watch Your Step At The Shore

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:37:51 -0500

Just in time for the 4th of July weekend; news that medical waste has been washing up at area beaches. Syringes, condoms, cell phone cases and more have been spotted by beach goers. From the Star Ledger...

The debris was found from Barnegat Light to Surf City on Sunday. However, the Long Beach Island Health Department did not release information about the incident until Wednesday because director Tim Hilferty said it was cleaned up by Monday morning.

Which NJ beaches have you found to be cleaner than others?

Spree of Burglaries in Montclair

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Reported Burglary at Wat-Chung Chinese Restaurant Police received a report of a burglary overnight on June 26 at 10.55am at Wat-Chung Chinese Restaurant in Watchung Plaza. The owner closed the restaurant at about 10.30pm on June 25, and had locked the front and rear doors. At about 10.45am on June 26, upon arriving at the restaurant, he discovered the storm door open and the rear door ajar, with the cash register inside wide open and all its currency missing. No other items were missed. The front door remained locked and windows were intact. Police observed damage to the rear door but the suspected crime scene could not be processed as the arrival of employees had contaminated it. Police are investigating the case. Staff of nearby stores reported no suspicious activity or were closed at the time of the alleged burglary.

An Evening Under the Stars With The Reticents

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:20:35 -0500

The Oskar Schindler Center for the Performing Arts is showcasing the Reticents on Thursday night. You know the Reticents--the fabulous band made up of some of Montclair's finest musicians.