Baristanet

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.

Postcard From the Asylum

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:27:24 -0500

It was more fun than most press conferences, with County Essex Joe DiVincenzo donning a hard hat and actually taking over the controls of the big yellow excavator. It took a while, but DiVincenzo eventually took a nice hunk out of the Essex County Hospital, aka Overbrook Asylum, which is being demolished to become passive parkland. The former psychiatric hospital, in ruins, has been a popular destination for teenagers, photographers and ghost hunters -- although the Essex County Sheriff has cracked down on trespassing recently. Better parkland than new condos or another strip mall, but still it's kind of sad to see it go.

Lost and Found

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:12 -0500

A digital camera was left in the front booth at Friendly's on the afternoon of Thursday, June 18. It is a brown Canon Digital Elph in a red/black case with charger, extra battery, and memory cards. A reward is being offered, no questions asked. If you have any information about the camera and/or memory cards, please send an email here. To have a lost or found item posted on Baristanet, send an e-mail to lostandfound@baristanet.com and your item will be included in next week's "Lost and Found" roundup.

Come Play At Essex County's Newest Park

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:36 -0500

Sure, it looks creepy enough to be a haunted theme park now, but today, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced plans for the second phase of demolishing the former Essex County Hospital Center buildings, paving the way for his grander plans -- transforming the 90-acre property into the County's newest park. Baristanet's Deb Galant was there and spoke with DiVincenzo; more on that story later today.

Council Surprised By Hartnett's Public Declaration

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:43 -0500

Town manager Joe Hartnett has a contract that expires at the end of this year. To those watching one of the more heated council meetings, it would be surprising to think the council would renew the contract. So Hartnett leaving isn't surprising, but his discussing it publicly before matters were resolved was, says councilor Kathryn Weller. "It was an unresolved personnel matter, so I was surprised that he would comment on it before matters were resolved. We were still in negotiations," says Weller. According to Weller, Hartnett sent the letter to various department heads and provided a copy of the letter to the Montclair Times. The council only learned of the letter after hearing it had been disseminated to others. As far as the council's plans for hiring a new town manager, Weller expects information regarding that to be discussed in detail at Tuesday's council meeting. Though Weller would not comment on these negotiations, it certainly suggests that Hartnett might be leaving earlier than December 31, if negotiations can be reached regarding the balance of his contract.

Burgers And More Come To Former Olympic Store

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:31:22 -0500

Been wondering what's coming to the newly renovated Olympic building? The New Sun Spa moves from its location on Lorraine into its new digs. Joining the tanning emporium and Jafajems, who is combining their Church Street and Valley Road locations into one large store on the ground level, is Anytime Fitness, a gym open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That's good because you'll want to work out if you become a regular at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The chain is opening in the old Olympic space as well; back story on the Arlington, VA-born burger chain here. Five Guys is the latest in a Jersey burger boite invasion. For more on that, go to Food.

Spare The Rod, Spoil The Child?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:18:04 -0500

According to an article from USnew.com, 90 percent of parents have spanked their toddlers. I don't know many people around Baristaville that spank, or admit to it, but if 90 percent of Americans do then kids around here are getting their bottoms whacked. Barista Kids asks: Do you spank your kids?

Montclair's Hartnett To Retire

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:00:50 -0500

The Montclair Times reports that town manager Joe Hartnett sent in a letter of resignation this week. After recent public sniping at the voodoo budget council meeting, it was clear that Hartnett and the new council were not a love match. Still one council member, Cary Africk, had praise for Hartnett's work ethic and commitment. Hartnett came to Montclair six years ago. The council has already started the search for a new manager. Meanwhile, it makes you wonder how the news will affect the council's vote next week on whether to accept United Skates, Hartnett's pick to manage Clary Anderson next year.