Anti Deer Hunt Activists Win Free Speech Law Suit

BY  |  Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 9:18am  |  COMMENTS (3)

While speech is free, the act of expression, or denial of such, can sometimes be costly. On February 28, 2011, the Township of Cedar Grove agreed to pay $8,000 to a Millburn woman who sued the town and its former mayor for refusing to let her speak during two council meetings held in 2009.

In her suit, Janet Piszar, along with Verona resident Marilyn English, who both actively oppose the county’s deer management program, said that they attended an April 6, 2009 public meeting of the Cedar Grove Township Council “to present arguments and evidence regarding the efficacy of deer kills and to encourage the Township to employ alternate methods.” According to the chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s Open Government Advocacy Project John Paff — who heads an ongoing effort to reveal information about civil court cases to the public — the lawsuit states that then Mayor Paul Lee, and several council members “repeatedly interrupted Plaintiffs, refused to permit [them] to finish their comments and refused to allow Piszar to make her presentation regarding deer kills.” Continue Reading

Got $18 Million? Buy This House

BY  |  Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (27)

You might have heard that the housing market has been in a bit of a slump in the last couple of years.  Prices are down, inventory is up, and no one is betting on a true comeback any time soon.

50 Laura Drive, Cedar Grove

Except perhaps for the owners of  this house who, like Patti LuPone in Gypsy, believe that everything’s coming up roses.  Listed for a cool $18 million, this manse in Cedar Grove has 3.75 acres, eight bedrooms, a lovely landscaped pool, and a four-car garage with plenty of room for a “personal limousine.”

Not to be confused with a similar property on the Montclair-Cedar Grove border priced at a mere $16 million last year (http://www.baristanet.com/2010/05/baristavilles-newest-mega-mansion/), this is a brand new listing.  Given that the border house was on spec and has been since taken off the market (presumably for lack of buyers), the price for this one is all the more eyebrow-raising.
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Beefed-up Security for Coptic Christmas Service, Cedar Grove

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 3:54pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

After the New Year’s Day suicide bombing of a Coptic Church in Egypt, which killed 21 worshippers, extra security precautions were in place at area churches for last night’s Coptic Christmas Eve service.

According to Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant prosecutor for Essex County and counter-terrorism coordinator, increased safety measures involving multi-agency deployment in various locations, including St. Mark Archdiocese in Cedar Grove, were put in place for last night’s Coptic Christmas Eve service. Fennelly says a helicopter and assorted ground vehicles at 5 Woodstone Drive last night were part of an initiative in response to national and international intelligence. He adds that the services at the church went off without incident.

Baristanet readers emailed tips like this one at 8:01 p.m.

“Tons of police activity at the top of Bradford Ave near Woodstone Drive. Essex County Sheriff’s have road blocked and huge portable lights. Helicopter circling the area.”

Another, at 10:03 said:

There have been helicopters circling over the vicinity of Watchung Avenue and Upper Mountain Ave in Montclair for several hours now — not sure what is going on, but it seems like something is — it was going on when we got home at 7:30 this evening and still continues now just after 10pm…

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Carjacking the Suburbs

BY  |  Thursday, Jan 06, 2011 10:58am  |  COMMENTS (4)

With dozens of carjacking incidents reported in Newark, East Orange, Irvington and Orange over the past few months, we’ve worriedly anticipated that the crime wave might spread to the suburbs.

On December 17, a town vehicle was stolen from the West Orange Department of Public Works, which subsequently resulted in a felony charge for Jamal Abdul Silvera when the stolen vehicle struck and killed bystander James Callaway, 63 of Maplewood.

This morning, at 6:57 a.m., a Breaking News Network report indicated that a white BMW had been taken at gunpoint at the Essex County Hospital Center at 204 Grove Avenue in Cedar Grove (shown, right). The status was changed within minutes to an attempted carjacking, as the suspects fled without obtaining the vehicle. According to BNN, the victim stated that the perpetrator “threw the gun into the snow,” and it had not been recovered at the time of the 7:05 a.m. update. No injuries were reported and it is believed that the would-be carjackers fled in a black vehicle, last seen on Grove Avenue.

At 7:19, the weapon still had not been recovered, and a K-9 unit was brought in for assistance.

We have received confirmation of the attempted carjacking from Cedar Grove Police Captain Richard Vanderstreet. Below is a statement from Sheriff Armando Fontoura:

At 6:55 a.m. today, a male employee at the new county hospital center on Grove Avenue alleged that he was approached in the center’s parking lot by two males in a car who attempted to rob him.

The victim resisted the alleged suspects who immediately fled the scene.

The investigation is on-going and further details will be release when they become available.

Do these latest incidents make you more fearful about going about your business in the neighborhood, or do you take it in stride as just another day in Essex County?

Cedar Grove Family Become Farmers

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

braccofarm1.jpg
“I always loved gardening, and I always said, ‘Some day when I can afford it, I’m going to buy a farm,’” says Anthony Bracco.
Anthony, a graphic design business owner for the past 27 years, realized his dream in 2009. He and his wife, Christa, who live in Cedar Grove, purchased a 25-acre farm on Pine Island, a hamlet in the Town of Warwick in Orange County, New York that is known for its fertile soil.
For the past year, Anthony, Christa and their seven-year old son, Anthony Jr. have overseen Bracco Farms’ entire operations, from planting and harvesting the vegetables to marketing and selling them.
“Organic farming takes a little bit more care — we have to make sure we keep weeds and pests off the vegetables. Other than that, I find that we really don’t have to do much. As long as we treat the earth properly, it works out great,” says Anthony.

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Marijuana Grows in Cedar Grove

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 2:00pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

220px-Cannabis-vegetative-growth-00003.jpg A routine burglary investigation turned into a marijuana drug bust. Full story on NJ.com

Brookdale Park: Picnics, Fireworks, Baristaville, Style

Saturday, Jul 03, 2010 7:15am  |  COMMENTS (1)

Picnicking is serious business in Baristaville. While I did spot a hero sandwich or two, a remarkably broad range of gastronomic ethnicities were represented. One blanket was completely covered with what looked like an entire Chinese food menu, another party had prosciutto, olives, salami and cheeses, another a bowl of home-made babaganoush, while another had a savory Israeli treat made of phyllo dough (definitely not baklava).

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Open Houses In Baristaville, Sunday, March 21

Friday, Mar 19, 2010 12:59pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Your Sunday Sampler:
Pretty Colonial In Essex Fells
275 Roseland:EFells.jpg
275 Roseland Avenue, Essex Fells
List Price: $ 599,900
Tax: $8,850
Lot Size: 0.22 acres
4BR/2.5BA
Open Sunday, 1-4
Listing Agent: MICHELE AGRESTI, C-21 CEDARCREST REALTY 973-228-1050
Remarks: Lovely and Charming center hall colonial located in heart of beautiful Essex Fells. Marble entry foyer, Living Room with fireplace – French doors open out to deck, formal Dining Room, updated kitchen with granite counter.
Watchung Walkable Colonial
Park Ave.jpg
281 Park, Montclair
List Price: $895,000
Tax: $23,542
6BR/4.5BA
Lot Size: 0.29 acres
Open Sunday, 2-4
Listing Agent: BRIGITTE VAN NOTE, RHODES, VAN NOTE & CO. 973-744-6033
More photos and info, here.
Realtor Remarks: 1897 colonial close to Watchung Plaza shops and restaurants, NY midtown direct train & bus. Home renovated in 2002, four floors of fabulous detail and charm.
West Orange Cape Cod
10 Seamn Rd.jpg
10 Seaman Road, West Orange
List Price: $365,500
Tax: $8,732
3 BR/2BA
Lot Size: 0.15 acres
Open Sunday, 2-4
Listing Agent: BONITA AREMAN, COLDWELL BANKER REALTORS 973-994-4323
Realtor Remarks:Move-in condition, many upgrades, newer roof and vinyl windows, wood floors, updated baths & kitchen. Central air, large family room, large yard with privacy.
Cedar Grove Cape Cod With Room To Move
Old Quarry Road and clover 001.jpg
16 Old Quarry Road, Cedar Grove
LP: $589,000
TAXES: $10,175
Lot Size: 0.27 acres
Open Sunday, 2-4
Listing Agent: Carol Tangorra Prominent Properties Sotheby’s Realty 973-420-5650
More photos and info, here.
Realtor Remarks: Occupy in 30 days. Low, Cedar Grove taxes. Close to Upper Montclair. Winding, tree-lined street with a “touch of country!” The street is a prime, Cedar Grove location, it is actually a continuation of Edgecliffe Road, right off of Bradford Avenue. Deceptive from the front, it’s a large 6 bedroom, 4 full bath home. A wing on the first floor offers two bedrooms and two full baths. Second Floor has 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Charming brick and shingle home on one of Cedar Grove’s most prized streets. Spacious rooms throughout. Oak Floors, screened porch, over-sized multi-paned windows.
Bloomfield Colonial
39 renner.jpg
39 Renner Ave, Bloomfield
List Price: $ 465,000
Tax: $10,769
5BR/1.5 BA
Lot Size: 0.11 acres
Listing agent: DIANE J MYER WEICHERT REALTORS 973-746-1515
More photos and info, here.
Realtor Remarks: Meticulously cared for 5 bedroom colonial~Bright and Sunny, Kitchen has center island~granite counters, screened porch over-looking deck. All hardwood floors~central air~Blue Ribbon Oakview School~ 5 minute walk to NY bus or Bloomfield Shuttle to train station.

Washout

Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 10:15am  |  COMMENTS (16)

gsp by geoff gove.jpgWell, the rain had stopped for a while and is supposed to be over by noon, but the state is recovering from a rainfall that measured as much as 5 inches, according to the Star Ledger. Power is out in many neighborhoods, trees are down and the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day parade has been postponed until next Sunday.
Meanwhile, the strange pulsing light in the sky that many people observed last night is explained in last night’s storm thread by Pork Roll, who followed it to the source — a downed power line on Ridge Road in Cedar Grove — after a Dunkin’ Donuts run.

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Eco-Bag – A Better Way To Pack It In?

Friday, Jan 22, 2010 1:16pm  |  COMMENTS (33)

kristen:.jpg
Is your New Year’s resolution to be more green? “My Eco Bag System” an easy way to keep those nasty plastic bags out of your shopping cart. Eco-Bag is the size and shape of a medium-sized purse. Unzip it, you’ll find four large, sturdy shoulder bags inside: one bag with compartments for jars/bottles, one insulated for chlled/frozen foods, one for produce, one for dry goods. Brand new to the market, inventor Kristen Brown (left) hopes Eco-Bag will become the next generation of green grocery packing, she’s starting her marketing in Baristaville.
Kristen, owner of Green Waste Solutions in South Carolina, is test-marketing the product at Brookdale ShopRite in Bloomfield, and at Foodtown, Pompton Ave., in Cedar Grove. Why Baristaville? “After giving it a try in South Carolina, wanted to come to a region that’s more environmentally aware, plus, I have an uncle, Barry Dancy, in Verona, and cousins Laura Wilson and Peter Dancy in Glen Ridge.”
Kristen sent me an Eco-Bag to give it a test-drive. After emptying my cart at checkout, I stood the bags up in the cart (they don’t fall over, good) to load in the appropriate bag (organized) and voila. Dubious that I could get my full cart in four bags, I was surprised how much I was actually able to pack in. At least eight of those flimsy plastic bags fit in one of the Eco-bags. Shoulder straps make it easier to schlep stuff into the house, too. Eco-Bag sells for $19.95.
The genesis of Eco-Bag is an interesting circle-of-life story:

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Featured Comment

Perhaps yesterday's heavy police presence would have been better applied to Mission Street than to the Montclair State campus.
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cathar

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