Patch officially launched in Montclair last summer and since then has been pretty busy reporting on town news and events in town. 2011 has been a very eventful year too, as Montclair residents know. Now, with the summer winding to a close and a new chapter beginning, here are some highlights to remember 2010-2011. Editor's Note: This past summer I have been the Acting Editor of Montclair Patch. Our regular editor, Shelley Emling, was on hiatus writing a book and now is ready to return. Tomorrow, September 6th, I pass the baton back to her. She will once again be at the helm of …
The Saint Sebastian Feast and Carnival ended early this year, to the disappointment of many. In the end, despite everyone’s best efforts, Irene had the last word. On Thursday, the first night of festivities, vendors and performers were optimistic that the show would go on despite Irene’s looming presence. “I think today, tomorrow and Saturday we’ll be all right,” jewelry vendor Nancy Iovine confidently told Patch that night. Most of the vendors agreed with her, saying Sunday would probably be the only “washout.” But by today, the ominous reports of the hurricane – not to mention the …
At the Saint Sebastian carnival last night on Walnut Street, the impending hurricane seemed to be the last thing on anyone’s mind. At least, no one going to let a Sunday storm spoil their fun on Thursday night. I don’t care at all about this ‘hurricane’ – it doesn’t frighten me,” declared Johnny “Meatballs” DeCarlo cheerfully as he stood beside his mobile meatball cart. “Rain, sleet, snow, I’m like the mailman! I’m here.” Ahava Felicidad was equally nonchalant about the threat of the storm. “I love nature. I love the rain and the cleansing of the earth,” smiled the Montclair “holistic …
Don't miss Montclair's annual summer festival, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel going on all weekend from 4-10 pm on Pine Street. The tempting varieties of delicious food include standards like sausage sandwiches and zeppole alongside exotic fare like plantain eggrolls and seafood paella. Festivities included rides for the kids, games of chance, 50/50s, popper instant games, and a super 50/50. Nightly entertainment filled the air with music. On the schedule this weekend: Shirley Alston Reeves of the Shirelles Saturday night and Uncle Floyd Vivino Sunday night. On Sunday, there …
Pandemonium was the word when Buddy Valastro, the famed "Cake Boss" of New Jersey, wheeled one of his outsized masterpieces through a crowd of several hundred die-hard fans at the Meadowlands Fair last weekend. The crowd had waited hours for a glimpse of Valastro, a bite of his famous cake, and a chance to appear on his popular TLC reality show, "The Cake Boss." They were not disappointed on any count. At about 9:00 pm, Valastro unveiled his gigantic box cake complete with sparklers, figurines, toys and a working ferris wheel. His delighted fans screamed, shouted and shoved one another in …
Church Street last night was, to say the least, a surprise. Arranged in neat rows, at least fifty people were lying in the middle of the street. Wearing colorful clothing, they were positioned -- sometimes bizarrely -- on small mats. There was a woman shouting encouragement to the people, her words carried via microphone down the block. She was very fit, with elaborate tattoos on her muscular arms and torso. She wore a lemon yellow athletic top, a bright pink Hawaiian lei and a flower in her hair. “The next three moves are dedicated to Lululemon, Garden State Yoga and the nice people of…
After the rainstorm, the light was strong and beautiful at 84 Orange Road. Clusters of fuchsia balloons and brightly-painted signs caused traffic to slow and once in a while, a car to stop. Unity Church was hosting their third annual Pet Blessing Day this past Saturday, May 21. “Large or small, wild or domestic, animals continue to play central roles in our lives. As helpers in our work and as loving companions in our homes, they bring with them a reminder of God’s creativity,” said a pamphlet handed to visitors at the event. The inviting atmosphere drew people from Montclair and …
“We have to get out of this Noah phase,” lamented Harold Flint, as he sat under a patio umbrella at the Iris Gardens in Upper Montclair. “All this rain has postponed the blooming season by about two weeks.” Flint is a Board of Trustees member and volunteer at the Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. On May 19, Flint was taking five-dollar donations and offering informational booklets to visitors. After a week of daily drenching storms, he was enjoying a rare respite from the rain. “We’re hoping by next week we’re going to see an explosion of blossoms,” he said, smiling. “We have a lot…
Under train tracks and highways, on brick walls and rough pavement, in walkways and even beneath stairwells, the artists of Montclair and have made their mark all over town.
Local kids found all kinds of ways to enjoy the beautiful May weather this week at the town parks. At Brookdale Park on Sunday, young entrepreneurs Isabelle Wastler, Iliana Kirkman-Moriarty and Ella Parekh, all fifth graders from Hillside School, were open for business at their well-equipped lemonade stand. The students have been participating in the YMCA-Montclair State University's "Lemonade Day," an Essex County initiative that teaches children how to run their own business. "Six of the girls from the Hillside aftercare program chose to join up," said mom Smita Darsi, who stood nearby …
Friday was filled with earth friendly events for families, gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. At Anderson Park, youth, schools and community groups celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees to herald in the spring. They were: Brownie Troops 516, and 80, Girl Scout Troops 189, 1166, 21212 and 22915, Glenfield Middle School, Boy Scouts, The Side Door After School program, and the Garden Club of Montclair. Simultaneously, a plant sale was taking place at Edgemont Park. A steady flow of customers examined pots of healthy annuals, perennials and vegetables, aided by the know-how of …
As the world celebrates Earth Day 2011, spring slowly emerges all around us. This week, April weather changed from rain to fog to sun and back again. Nowhere was the beauty more evident than at Edgemont Park, as blossoms blushed pink on delicate trees and grass melted into emerald green. With each passing day, Montclair becomes more beautiful.
The winter of 2010-11, at times, seemed endless. But now it's April and this week brought one day of unseasonably warm temperatures (so far!). In response, Montclair was out in full force, playing sports—lacrosse, baseball, basketball, soccer—as well as riding bikes and scooters, taking babies for a stroll and even sunbathing! It looks like spring is here to stay this time.
On Thursday evening, JinxProof Tattoo Parlor on Midland Avenue was busy with a variety of customers from towns as near as Glen Ridge and as far away as Scotch Plains and Hillside. The customers said they came to JinxProof because "they're the best artists around." And sure enough, the artists' work was polished, high quality and beautifully executed. The artists worked on intricate designs slowly and carefully, spending as much time as was required to make sure their customers were pleased. And they were pleased—very much so. In fact, it was clear that getting tattooed at JinxProof was an…
Hillside Elementary School’s spring play production is a big deal this year—seriously. It’s BIG. Ok, so remember the Tom Hanks classic movie of the same name—“Big”? Well, Hillside’s drama teacher Deborah McHugh has given this unexpected story new life on the stage as a children’s musical. BIG, the fantasy story of a young boy who learns what it’s like to grow up while still being a child inside, is an idea that will resonate with more than a few adults. The cast of talented kids makes this show a memorable experience, with lots of colorful costumes, extraordinary sets and some sweet, …
“It’s like Willy Wonka!” marveled a voice in the crowd. And sure enough, the throng that pushed against the gates at Wonka’s chocolate factory, hoping for a chance at the Golden Ticket, was similar to the crowd pressed up against the glass doors of Mr. Dino’s Pizzeria on Watchung Avenue yesterday. Only in this case the Golden Ticket was a chance to get a pizza pie for three bucks. The whole saga began when the owner of Mr. Dino’s, Angelo Loconsole, found a stack of old menus from 1981 in his basement. With the restaurant’s 30-year anniversary coming up, Loconsole thought it would be fun to …
The spring dance show by the Montclair High School Dance Company promises to be a great family event this weekend. The Company dancers, who have been working hard preparing the show since November, will be performing an eclectic mix of ballet, hip hop, jazz, and modern dance. Denise Brown, the show's Artistic Director, describes the show as "lyrical." "With all the chaos that's going on in the world, these dances express an underlying need for peace," she says. "Art is supposed to be healing." Brown choreographed one of the dance numbers, as did MHS Dance Instructor Mary Blackburn. Other…
With daylight savings time just around the corner, Old Man Winter is finally releasing his grip on us. Nowhere is spring more evident than in our town parks, where the massive amounts of snow from this winter's record-breaking storms melted into puddles that, at times, looked almost like small lakes—made worse now by the heavy rain. As the water slowly reabsorbs into the earth, we await spring's first crocuses.
National Read Across America Day was Wednesday, March 2, as well as the birthday of renowned children's author, Dr. Seuss. To commemorate the occasion, the Montclair Public Library invited children to a special ‘Seuss’ edition of pajama storytime. Kids flocked in to the third floor story room wearing their jammies and carrying stuffed animals and sippy cups. As an expert reader—wearing the ubiquitous "Cat in the Hat" red-and-white striped hat—read one book after another, the kids listened, enthralled. The evening began at 6:30 p.m. Less than an hour later, it was time to stretch and …
"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."—Aaron Rose, film director, art show curator and writer from the "Beautiful Losers" art movement. The windows of a city reflect, sometimes quite literally, people's lives and sensibilities. A glass-enclosed glimpse of Montclair's interiors and exteriors provides an interesting snapshot of our town.
