Friends of Wildwoods Speak for the Trees

BY  |  Tuesday, May 22, 2012 3:45pm  |  COMMENTS (5)

Friends of Wildwoods have a new mascot for their campaign to save and restore the 2.5 acres of vacant property off of Brookdale Park.

They couldn’t have found a more fitting one than the Lorax, Dr. Seuss’ little orange creature who “speaks for the trees” and appears on a sign posted on Watchung Avenue, and on signs posted at the Wildwood property.

Roger Paradiso, spokesman for Friends of Wildwoods, sent Baristanet a statement today:

The friends of Wildwood are determined to preserve this open space and will do what we can to prevent this and any other council from destroying valuable open space.  Any actions by this council will be met with the appropriate reaction.  It is regrettable that this council is making citizens choose open space or affordable housing when they should both exist in harmony.  In a town with precious little open space left for our children it will be a crime to lose Wildwood to development when there are many affordable housing options available in the current real estate market.

Several montclair residents, including local environmentalist Pat Kenschaft, have been outspoken supporters of keeping Wildwood green, but in February the council voted “yes” to building affordable housing on the two vacant lots owned by the Township. The deadline for the Wildwood RFP was today at 3 p.m.

Hat City Open Mic Tonight

BY  |  Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:57pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Local artist and musician, Michael Reitman, is hosting “The All Acoustic Open Mic” tonight at 7 p.m. at Hat City Kitchen in Orange.  From Hat City’s page:  Continue Reading

Steven Goldstein: Garden State Equality Responds to Ravi Sentence

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 8:45am  |  COMMENTS (38)

Dharun Ravi has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. We have been public in taking a position of balance: We opposed throwing the book at Dharun Ravi. We have spoken out against giving him the maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and against deporting him. That would have been vengeance beyond punishment and beyond sending a message to the rest of society. Continue Reading

Montclair Music Jam to Showcase Homespun Jersey Bands

BY  |  Monday, May 21, 2012 2:30pm  |  COMMENTS (5)

On the heels of Bamboozle 2012, comes another authentic Jersey music festival — but you don’t have to navigate the 200,000 or so people who descended upon Asbury Park last weekend to catch this show. The inaugural Montclair Music Jam will be at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) on Friday, May 25, starting at 8 p.m.

The brainchild of Montclair native Dylan Richardson (24), the non-profit community venture is tagged as an “independent music showcase,” and promises to feature some of the Garden State’s best (though perhaps unrecognized) bands. The line up includes Montclair-based headliner Bern & the Brights, as well as I.O.U., Melissa & Paul, Neur, and Pinegrove.

“The bands vary considerably,” explained Richardson. “I’m wary of using genre descriptions, but represented we have post rock, math rock, post punk, hip-hop, garage, blues punk, and indie rock.” The venue, he explained, is big, and they plan to “cram a whole lot of loud fun” into it. While the event’s primary target audience is the twenty-something crowd, Richardson and his co-producers Victoria Gonzalez, Ed Carine and Shaun Henklein encourage anyone who enjoys hearing new music to check it out. Continue Reading

Breaking News: Ravi Sentenced to 30 Days in Prison

BY  |  Monday, May 21, 2012 12:55pm  |  COMMENTS (41)

Former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi, who was found guilty by a jury in March in a 15-count indictment including charges of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy, has been sentenced this afternoon in the Middlesex County Courthouse to a 30-day jail term beginning on May 31.  Continue Reading

Montclair Police Blotter: Theft, Fraud, Burglary

Monday, May 21, 2012 11:52am  |  COMMENTS (0)

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

On May 19, at approximately 0349 hours, Officers responded to a No. Mountain Avenue address on a report of a burglary. The homeowner informed officers that he was awakened by the loud barking of his dog which was unusual for that time of night. He went downstairs and felt a cold breeze coming from his basement area. Upon further inspection he found the basement door leading outside open. Missing from the home were a Toshiba lap top, an Asus tablet and an Apple iPad. There were no signs of forced entry. It appears the door may have been left unlocked. Anyone with information should contact Det. J. Anderson at 973-509-4706.

THEFT

On May 15, at approximately 2100 hours, Officers responded to a South Fullerton Avenue business address on report of stolen iPad. The caller informed officers that he plugged his iPad in to charge at his desk. He stepped away from the office for a while leaving the door ajar. When he returned the iPad was missing. Anyone with information contact Det. L. McCarthy at 973-509-4725.

On May 11, at 1713 hrs, Officers officer responded to a theft in the area of Grove and Oxford Street. Stolen from a Landscaping trailer parked in the area servicing homes was a Redmax GZ25N weed whacker and a Redmax hedge clipper. Anyone with information contact Detective Turner at 973-509-4724.

Stolen Bicycle

On Tuesday May 14, at approximately 1445 hours a Clinton Ave resident walked in to police headquarters to report a bicycle stolen from his back yard. The homeowner reported that he last saw the unlocked bicycle in his yard on May 10th at approx. 1600 hours. He noticed it missing on May 11 at about 0900 hours. The bicycle was described as a blue men’s 12 speed Fuji mountain bike.

Theft from Vehicle

On May 15, at approximately 2011 hours a Glenridge Avenue resident walked in to police headquarters to report that her vehicle had been enter and items taken. The victim parked her 1996 Saturn SL1 in the Midtown lot on May 12th at approx 1900 hours. She returned to the vehicle on the on the 13 at approximately 0700 hours and found the vehicle had been entered. Taken were the vehicle registration, insurance card and pink wallet that contained several credit cards. Vehicle owner stated she locked her vehicle. Owner did not find signs of forced entry.

Fraud

On May 14 at approximately 1930 hours, a South Brookwood resident came in to police headquarters to report she was a victim of a fraud on Craig’s list. The victims stated she wired $500.00 to a crashelectronics.net for payment on an Apple iPad 3. The iPad was never delivered and she has been unable to make contact with the company. She report finding several other victims of the same fraud online.

La-Z-Boy Rolls onto Norman Road

BY  |  Monday, May 21, 2012 11:39am  |  COMMENTS (0)

If you’re trying to drive onto Norman Road between Valley and Norwood in Montclair, you’ll find yourself blocked by a film crew. They’re spending the next few days shooting La-Z-Boy TV, print and Web commercials inside 38 Norman. Continue Reading

Watch Glen Ridge Bloom

BY  |  Monday, May 21, 2012 10:45am  |  COMMENTS (0)

 

There’s a new event in town:  “Glen Ridge Grows,”  an  educational  garden tour around the borough.  Continue Reading

Report Reveals High Poverty Stats in N.J.

BY  |  Monday, May 21, 2012 8:45am  |  COMMENTS (56)

A recent study published by Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) found that in 2010, nearly a quarter of N.J. residents – over 2 million people – lived in poverty. An article on NJ.com discusses the details of the report, which also says that as a result of current unemployment trends, these poverty rates are likely to be reflected in future studies during the following years.

Continue Reading

A Little Night Art IX in Montclair

BY  |  Saturday, May 19, 2012 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

Excitement was in the air last night at Montclair Center’s “A Little Night Art IX,” Visitors were treated to intimate art galleries, outdoor restaraunts and retail stores, each showcasing an artist, an art style or an artistic statement. Jennifer Levine http://jlevinestudio.com/ was outside Amanti Vino on Church Street., Deirdre Day brought her amazing, thoughtful and multi-layered works to @the Art Studio on Glen Ridge Avenue and the SMI Gallery @ Academy Square’s exhibit “Go Figure ,Portraits: Beneath the Surface” drew an overflowing crowd. Sarah Panetta was at “Insanitea”, Donna Grande at “OSKA” and Andy Foster at “Gallery 51 Church St.” There was a trunk show of fashions by Clarence Black Couture and artwork by Romeo Vita at Atelier 516 on Bloomfield Avenue. The summerish weather and wine & cheese receptions made this annual walking tour a huge success.

Featured Comment

I'll be visiting two cemeteries to pay tribute to two men with whom I served in Nam, and I'm really surprised the Baristas didn't include such a visitation as something specific to do this coming weekend. Since such remembrance is traditionally the true purpose of Memorial (or "Decoration") Day.

Tip, Follow, Friend, Subscribe

Links & Information

Baristanet on Flickr