The association presented two checks the week before Christmas
The holiday spirit was alive and well the week before Christmas, when the Montclair FMBA (Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association) Local 20 presented two $1,000 checks—one to Toni's Kitchen and the other to the Human Needs Food Pantry. Every year, the Montclair FMBA donates to local charities. Thanks to the Montclair FMBA!
Your guide to New Year's Eve happenings around Montclair
So what are you doing New Year's Eve? In Montclair, the main event is First Night. Tickets are on sale now for what promises to be a fun-filled night with even more acts and activities than last year. For the kids, this year’s First Night program features a laser show, a basketball hoops wizard, a juggling act, and previous favorites BubbleMania, Wild & Wacky, magician Joe Fischer, and a ventriloquist. To find out more and to buy tickets go here. Other New Year's Eve happenings around Montclair include the following (and please feel free to add your own in the comments section or email Shelley@patch.com): —The Brick Lane Curry House at 540 Valley Road in Upper Montclair is hosting a "Very British Party" from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The cost is $…
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Seven ideas from candy cane martinis to peppermint fudge.
Tis the season of the candy cane. Those red and white striped sticks of peppermint goodness are one of my favorite holiday treats. Oh man, I love those suckers. But no matter how much you love them, there comes a time when you just don't want to suck on your fourth candy cane of the day. Whether your Christmas tree is decorated with them, you have a bowl filled with them, or a friend scores a batch at Costco, it's time to get creative with your supply. Here are seven ideas to help you shovel through that candy cane blizzard: Candy canes are one of the most festive treats of the season. They go hand in hand with holiday music: sure, you run the risk of overdosing, but enjoy them while you can because you'll soon be without them for another …
Vote on this house today and help Montclair schools win $100K!
Matthew Carino just turned 14. And yet he's the mastermind behind the spectacular display of holiday spirit that can be found at 54 Myrtle Avenue in Montclair. While other boys were on the Xbox or iPad, Carino has been feeding his fascination with lighting by checking out displays at places like the Turtle Back Zoo. "He started decorating with lights at a pretty young age and learned everything he could about lighting," said his mother Marijeanne Carino. She said her son, an 8th grader at Mount Hebron Middle School, has attended the Metal Arts summer camp at Montclair High School three years in a row, creating metal sculptures that he can "light up." He's also a three-year member of the Mount Hebron Stage Crew. Last year, his Christmas …
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Is your family celebrating Kwanzaa?
It's been about 45 years since the idea of Kwanzaa started taking root in the U.S. as a singularly African winter celebration for Black Americans to celebrate African history and culture. The idea has held pretty well, with Kwanzaa celebrations around Essex County (Newark and South Orange) and further afield. Although many community Kwanzaa events took place earlier this month, today is actually the first day of Kwanzaa, which runs 7 days through Jan. 1. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest". The celebration echoes Christmas and Hanukkah in some ways in that it involves lighting candles over a series of nights, includes gift-giving and culminates in a feast. But Kwanzaa's…
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1:29 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maulana_Karenga The founder of Kwanza is one interesting dude. more ›
What's your favorite? Vote in our poll or tell us in the comments section below.
Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie whether it's an old classic that makes them remember their childhood or a funny film that makes them laugh out loud. Some people can't imagine going a year without seeing some version of A Christmas Carol while others consider Die Hard to be the best Christmas movie ever made. Here are my top five favorite Christmas films. They are not for everyone. I'm sure that if you asked my husband or my three kids, they'd come up with five completely different movies. 1) It's A Wonderful Life. It may have been released in 1946, but this film inspires me every time I watch it. The scenes with the heartless Henry Potter (played by Lionel Barrymore) are my favorites. 2) Scrooge. My favorite film version of A …
11:14 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Christmas Story is a favorite with my family, especially my son when he was younger. My daughters and I always loved Overboard, even though it's not a Christmas movie per se - it's a great holiday flick anyway. more ›
Patch Picks for places to go during a winter weekend
I will admit it. I don't like skiing. For me, there's nothing worse than lugging around cumbersome equipment and making small talk with strangers on a ski lift. But my husband does. He derives great joy from taking our three kids—ages 11, 13, and 16—to nearby ski slopes. And I'm happy for him! I also enjoy getting out on weekends, but to places where I don't have to wear onerous plastic boots. So what choices do we have for family fun? Here are a few great spots for getting out on the weekend—both ski-wise, and other-wise. For my husband: If you want to enjoy New Jersey skiing, check out this site, which gives a nice rundown of places close to home. (Mountain Creek, for example, is only about a 45-minute drive from Montclair.) If you want …
Tips, tricks, and resources are widely available
There are several articles about how to fend off the holiday blues and beat the stress of coping with preparations. One of the most noted solutions is to be strategic and think ahead. "Reactions to holiday stressors range from mild, such as feeling tired, to the extreme of being exhausted and overwhelmed. Some may suffer from loneliness and depression. We encourage everyone to pay attention to their moods and make plans in advance to build in some time for themselves," stated Carolyn Beauchamp, MSW, ACSW, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). "Each person is advised to review his/her holiday schedule to identify potential trouble areas, such as too many or too few activities and to take appropriate …
7:15 am on Monday, December 26, 2011
People should never forget that real health depends how well you take care of yourself and not what health insurance you carry but I agree health insurance is important for every one. Search "Penny Medical" or online for dollar a day insurance plans. more ›
Here's a look at what's open on the holiday in Montclair
Even on Christmas Day, loads of businesses are open. If you want to see a movie? The Bellevue and Clairidge theaters in Montclair are open 365 days a year. You need a gallon of milk? 7-Eleven is open. Cup of coffee? Starbucks is open. And if you want to eat out? Well, there is a smorgasbord of choices. Just look at our list below to find out what's open on Christmas Day. If you know of any other places that will be open, add them in the comments section below or email Shelley@patch.com. 1) T.S. Ma Chinese, 199 Bellevue Avenue, Upper Montclair, 973-509-8878, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 2) CVS, 49 Claremont Avenue, 973-783-1741, open 24 hours every day. 3) Veggie Heaven, 631 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, 973-783-1088, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4) …
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4:42 pm on Saturday, December 24, 2011
And 3Sixty Cycling Studio is running an 8-9am Spin with Mark. Drop in or reserve online :) more ›
Edgemont celebrates its annual holiday sing
Oh what a beautiful morning for Edgemont Montessori to celebrate its Annual Holiday Sing. Each year, the school gathers together to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, with lots of singing, dancing, drumming and bells. And this year was no exception with the children once again performing to another packed house. When asked what the holidays mean to him, Lucas Young, a second grader at Edgemont, said that: "Christmas means happiness to me because I like Santa, I like singing songs, and I get to be with my family. It is special and the holidays are very fun. Lots of people celebrate the same thing, but not everybody, and that's neat." Well said Lucas! Happy Holidays Montclair!
Patty Dow
7:30 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I have one to add - I made peppermint brittle! I broke about 40 regular sized canes into little pieces and put them in the food processor to turn them into mint powder. Then into a sauce pan to turn them into pink stuff the conistency of taffy. I then added a 14 oz. bag of vanilla flavored candy making disks and stirred until they were completely blended in. You must keep stirring to prevent the … more ›