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Community Corner

The Weekender: What's Happening in Montclair and Beyond

Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday.

 

Here are some of the events happening this weekend in Montclair and neighboring towns. To see all the events click on EVENTS on the home page.  

The Presby Memorial Iris Garden is in full bloom. Located at 474 Upper Mountain Ave, Upper Montclair, the iris gardens contain over 14,000 irises of approximately 3,000 varieties and produce over 100,000 blooms over the course of the season. Visitors can see by the arching slope of the garden beds why Presby is often referred to as the “rainbow on the hill”.

MONTCLAIR

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WHAT:  
WHERE:  First Congregational Church of Montclair, 40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair
WHEN:   Friday  7:30 p.m. 
WHY GO:  Montclair Music Jam is an Independent Music Showcase.  We exist to bring new talent to enthusiastic audiences with a New Jersey connection.  This first event features 5 bands:  Bern and the Brights, I.O.U.  Melissa & Paul, Neur, Pinegrove.  Our awesome event venue will include T-shirt sales, voter reg, food trucks, art gallery, and all the usual concert happenings.
COST:  $10 in advance; $12 at the door

WHAT:  
WHERE:   Bnai Keshet , 99 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair
WHEN:    Saturday  7:30 p.m.
WHY GO Bnai Keshet will host four other congregations - Beth Ahm,  Ner Tamid, Shomrei Emunah,  Temple Sholom - at Tikkun Leyl Shavuot,a family-friendly celebration of the Festival of Shavuot. Families are welcome to come and sing, study, pray, eat, socialize and share the experience of revelation together. Activities for adults, teens and young people are planned, including a campfire, stories, family sleepover and special overnight for teens.  Study sessions go through the night for adults and teens. Rabbi Jeff Roth, founder and director of the Awakened Heart Project for Contemplative Judaism, is the Scholar-in-Residence, speaking on "Mochin dekatnut: Freeing the Heart and Mind from Greed, Hatred and Anger." The event is open to the community.

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WHAT: 
WHERE: The Café at the Montclair Public Library
WHEN: Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
WHY GO: All ages and skill levels are welcome to play chess on Saturday afternoons. This is a drop-in group, no registration is required.

WHAT:  
WHERE:    Montclair Art Museum
WHEN:      Saturday & Sunday  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHY GO:  The Store at MAM highlights the work of local artists and artisans in a series of Artist’s Trunk Sales. This month, the Store welcomes Gayle Mahoney and will feature her art jewelry and ceramic sculpture.

WHAT:  Bob Dylan Birthday Bash
WHERE:  Tierney's Tavern, 136-138 Valley Rd, Montclair
WHEN:    Saturday  10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
WHY GO:  Dylan’s music performed by local muscians. 

WHAT:  
WHERE:   First Church of Christ, Scientist, 8 Hillside Ave, Montclair
WHEN:    Sunday  2 to 3 p.m.
WHY GO:   Many people today are searching for health and healing and answers to the deeper questions of life.  Would you like to understand more about God and His great love and care for all His children, including you?   “What is Christian Science and how does it heal?” is the title of a free talk to be given by Martha Moffett of Saint Paul, MN, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.  Moffett, a former trial lawyer with the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC, also lived in the Middle East investigating conditions in prisons and refugee camps for a New York-based human rights organization.   She says, “An understanding of God’s law brings healing to every area of your life.” 

WHAT: 
WHERE
:   Edgemont Memorial Park
WHEN:     Monday 
WHY GO:  A Memorial Day tribute will take place 10 a.m. Monday at Edgemont Memorial Park on Valley Road. In the event of rain, the program will be held at the Montclair Municipal Building on Claremont Avenue. 

 

CALDWELLS

WHAT 
WHERE:   West Caldwell Public Library, 30 Clinton Rd, West Caldwell
WHEN:     Friday   9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHY GO:   As a service to Essex County residents, the Clerk’s Office schedules afternoon and evening hours to conduct business in municipalities across Essex County. During these Outreach times, we process only NEW Passports, Notary Public Oaths, and Veterans Peddler Licenses. No other services are available.

WHAT:   WHERE:   Grover Cleveland Park, 10 Brookside Ave, Caldwell, NJ
WHEN:     Sunday  Noon to 3 p.m.
WHY GO:  Speranzi Facial Spa invities you to join us for the event that can save many lives. Let's educate and prevent the disease.  Meet us in the park, please make sure to read our page with other information and the pledge.  Financial support is needed so please donate as much as you can.  Outrun the Sun, Inc. is dedicated to building national awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers, educating communities about preventive measures that reduce melanoma’s incidence rate, and raising funds for melanoma research, leading to effective treatments and a potential cure.  (http://www.speranzi.com/race-for-awareness-of-melanoma )

WHAT:    
WHERE:    Parade starts at the corner of Forest Ave & Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell 
WHEN:      Monday  9:30 a.m.
WHY GO:    Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Roseland and West Caldwell are sponsoring the West Essex Memorial Day Parade, which will step off from Forest Avenue in Caldwell 9:30 a.m. Monday. The parade will continue along Bloomfield Avenue and conclude with a Memorial Day ceremony at Crane Park in West Caldwell.

WHAT:    
WHERE:  First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell
WHEN:      Monday   11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHY GO:   Parades are great fun to be a part of or just to watch. It has also become a tradition to enjoy the fellowship of our church family on the lawn and at the conclusion of the parade enjoy that great American favorite, a grilled hot dog washed down with lemonade. (FREE).  New this year, Bagels and Face Painting

 

CEDAR GROVE

WHAT:   
WHERE:  Cedar Grove Library, 1 Municipal Plz, Cedar Grove
WHEN:    Saturday  8am  (before library opens)
WHY GO:  All are welcome to attend and participate in this relaxing routine that combines breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  
Cedar Grove Library, 1 Municipal Plz, Cedar Grove
WHEN:
     The artwork will be on exhibit from May 24 through July 24
WHY GO:    An art major in college, Mrs. Hall has been practicing her craft for over 40 years. Working in opaque watercolors, the exhibit will feature 13 pieces painted between 2002 and 2011.  

WHATWHERE:   65 Bowden Road, Cedar Grove
WHEN:     Saturday  10am – 12:30pm
WHY GO:  The Thrift Shop of the Community Church of Cedar Grove will be open for business on Thursdays from 10am to 3pm and Saturdays from 10am to 12:30pm.  Donations are accepted during shop hours.  For more information, call 857-2762 during shop hours.

 

VERONA

WHAT:

WHERE
: Verona Community Center Annex, 880 Bloomfield Ave, Verona
WHEN: Friday 1pm
WHY GO: Drop in on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to play or to socialize at the Community Center Annex. No registration required.

WHAT:  
WHERE
:  1st Presbyterian Church of Verona, 10 Fairview Ave, Verona
WHEN:  Saturday  9am – 10:30am
WHY GO: 
Our mission starts and ends with helping you achive your weight loss or fitness goals in a fun, supportive, community rich with people who will encourage you towards your goals. Our free workouts are on Thursdays @ 7pm and Saturdays @ 9am 

WHAT
WHERE:  Verona Park, Bloomfield Ave & Lakeside Ave, Verona
WHEN:   Saturday  10am – 5pm
WHY GO:  The idea is to relax, let go and restore.   The room is dark and candle lit, music is soft and relaxing.  You have a full hour of relaxation postures with the help of props, blocks, blankets and pillows to make you comfortable while you open your hips, chest, shoulders and your mind.    Essential oils and scented eye pillows will enhance your experience incorporating the relaxing sense of smell into your practice. This class is Free but we will accept donations each month for a different worthy cause.

 

NEWARK

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES: On Saturday, May 26, at 9 am, the City of Newark will hold a ceremony to re-name the intersection at Niagara Street and Darcy Street after Sgt. Jorge M. Oliveira, a Newark native and Essex County Sheriff’s Officer who served in the New Jersey National Guard. Sgt. Oliveira was killed in combat in Afghanistan on October 19, 2011.
Later that day at 11 a.m., the City of Newark will hold a Memorial Day Wreath-Laying at the Memorial Monument at Peter Francisco Park in the City’s East Ward. The park is located at the intersection of Ferry Street and Edison Place.

WHAT:    
WHERE:  Weequahic Park, Elizabeth Ave, Newark
WHEN:    Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28
WHY GO
:   The carnival rides, games, food, free giveaways and live entertainment begin Friday at 6 p.m. at Weequahic Park in Newark with "Fashion Musicality".   On Saturday, starting at 2 p.m., it's hip hop and much more.  On Sunday at noon catch sensational sky divers, world class high school bands, 30-foot baloons, floats and much more at the centerpiece parade on Broad Street.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Archdiocese of Newark, 171 Clifton Ave, Newark
WHEN:    Friday  9:30 am – 11:30am
WHY GO:  The session will take place from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and will cover the risks that children face from their use of the Internet and cell phones.  Risks that will be covered include: risks from online perpetrators, risks from other children, and risks children face through actions of their own.   To enroll in the session go to:  http://youthprotection.rcan.org/events/ 

WHAT 
WHERE:   Solo Project House, 972 Broad Street, Newark
WHEN:     May 25 – July 1;  Wed – Fri  12pm – 6pm
WHY GO:   Der Fehler (The Mistake) is a pseudonymous created in 2001 by a collective, a German duo graduated from Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. This entity was publicly assumed in 2005. Over time it evolved into an ongoing project that maintained continuity of the artistic identity, consistent with the original concept, despite occasional changes in team membership. The collective sees Der Fehler as a “shrewd, a rebellious, amusing and ageless character”, focusing on political and social questions, with a critical and ironical approach.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Riverfront Stadium, 450 Broad Street, Newark
WHEN:    FRIDAY  Game Time - 6:35pm,  Gates Open 5:30pm
WHY GO:  Before and during the big game, the Bears will host the weekly contest, Locker Wars. Lockers Wars is a special auction with lockers, set up under the concourse,  that are chucked full of prizes and mysterious items. People 21 and older can make their bids beginning in the third inning. Winners must be present to collect their prize.  Catch a foul ball during any Bears home game and keep the ball PLUS, the 1st 10 fouls caught receive choice of either a FREE hot dog, drink or Bears ticket!!!  Just bring your catch to the main concession stand to claim your prize! 
COST:   $10.  Seniors, 65 years+ take advantage of the Bears Senior Discount, 2 for 1 admission - all season

WHAT:  
WHERE
:   Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street, Newark
WHEN    Showing through July 21, 2012
WHY GO:  Prints, Photographs, Artists' Books and More.  An exhibition of recent acquisitions of the Special Collections Division.

WHAT:   
WHERE
:  St. Rose of Lima,  11 Gray St, Newark
WHEN:    Saturday   9am – 4pm

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Riverfront Stadium, 450 Broad Street, Newark
WHEN:    SATURDAY  6:35pm
WHY GO:  Come out and watch local stars Brian Parker and Burt Reynolds, and new manager Ken Oberkfell as the Bears look to return to glory in 2012. Stay after the game and take part in the Launch-a-Ball competition, where four hoola hoops are placed in the outfield, and fans get to throw tennis balls from anywhere in the stands to see if they can get it into the hoop. Tennis Balls cost $1 for a chance to win prizes. Prizes may vary, but each night one hoop will bag $500! 
COST:   $10.  Seniors, 65 years+ take advantage of the Bears Senior Discount, 2 for 1 admission - all season

WHAT:  
WHERE:      260 Norfolk St, Newark
WHEN:    Saturday   11am – 2pm 
WHY GO:  Hip Hop Learning "Hip Hop 4 Life" is a 6 week course of action that teaches students about the impact that Hip Hop Kulture has on societies in America and throughout the world. The Hip Hop Arts and Sciences will be taught utilizing multi-media technology presentations to guide students to find their life purpose from a Hip Hop perspective.  There will be guest presentations and performances from other Hip Hop professionals as well. For more information, contact JahJah Shakur, 908-548-7652.

WHAT:   
WHERE:  Riverfront Stadium, 450 Broad Street, Newark
WHEN:    SUNDAY    Game starts 1:05pm
WHY GO:  ALL kids 12 years and under EAT FREE!!! Parents, with child(ren), must retrieve the voucher at the will-call window before the 3rd inning. 
COST:   $10.  Seniors, 65 years+ take advantage of the Bears Senior Discount, 2 for 1 admission - all season

WHAT:  WHERE:  Just Fish Café Express, 57 William St, Newark 
WHEN:   Sunday   2pm
WHY GO:  Leisa Brown is a one woman band. She sings, plays the Windcontroller and gives sweet sounds as you sit back and enjoy your tasty meal.

WHAT:  
WHERE
:  Skippers, 304 University Ave, Newark 
WHEN:   Sunday   5:30pm – 9pm
WHY GO:  Come enjoy our Sunday Jazz Matinee every Sunday featuring a variety of well known and respected regional/local artists including Frank Noviello, Yotam Silberstein, Annette St. John, Marvin Horne, Bill Saxton, and more.
COST:  There is a $10.00 minimum purchase during live performances.

 

BELLEVILLE

WHAT:  
WHERE
:  Senior Citizens Building, Belleville 
WHEN:    Friday  12:30 p.m.
WHY GO: Belleville Seniors meet every Friday, with coffee, buns and bingo following.  New members are always welcome.

WHAT:   
WHERE
:   New Life Body of Christ, 393 Washington Ave, Belleville
WHEN:     Wednesday - Saturdays, 10:00am to 2:00pm
WHY GO:  The Thrift Shop at Christ Church sells donated items of new and gently used clothing, household items, and some furiniture. All items are sold at very reasonable prices, which makes them affordable to local area residents and The Care Closet participants.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Disabled American Veterans Monument, Belleville
WHEN:    Monday   11am
WHY GO:  Retired Maj. Gen.Scott Gration, President Barack Obama’s special envoy to Sudan, is the main speaker.

 

NUTLEY

WHAT:  
WHERE
:  Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, Nutley
WHEN:  Friday  2pm
WHY GO:  Teaming up for their last on screen duo, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers star as a feuding husband and wife musical comedy team.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Nutley Park Oval
WHEN:    Monday   11am
WHY GO:  Ceremonies will be held 11 a.m. Monday in the Nutley Park Oval, with the parade immediately following.   All active servicemen and women and their families are invited to march. 

 

BLOOMFIELD 
    
WHAT:  WHERE:  Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad Street, Bloomfield
WHEN:  Friday   11am
WHY GO:   Do you knit, crochet, needlepoint, quilt?  Then come to the Bloomfield Public Library Friday mornings and share your patterns/techniques with other crafters!   Beginners welcome! 

WHAT:  
WHERE:   41 Broughton Ave, Bloomfield
WHEN:      Friday   8:30pm
WHY GO:  Come join the fun with a Great variety of Songs and Talent.  Call for reservations 973-748-6590.

WHAT:  
WHERE:  Brookside Park, Bloomfield
WHEN:    Monday  9am
WHY GO:   Bloomfield Joint Memorial Committee invites you to join in the Annual Memorial Day Parade.  This year will be there 145th observance of Memorial Day.  Assembly Time is 9am at Brookside Park on Broad Street with the parade starting at 9:30am.   The parade will begin 9:30 a.m. Monday at Brookside Park and travel down Broad Street to the civic center, where brief ceremonies will be held. Participants will then go to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for traditional Memorial Day ceremonies. VFW color and honor guard also will visit three local cemeteries for ceremonies. 

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