Wade Rathke, founder of the much besieged and scandal-plagued activist group ACORN, will be speaking at a Blue Wave NJ event this Saturday (12/5) in Montclair. From Blue Wave's website:
Learn about the history of the organization and its massive voter registration drives and why [...] 
Thanksgiving dinner for my family was a £9.99-a-plate turkey dinner at an American-style diner in Islington with a bunch of U.S. expatriates from the Associated Press's London bureau. It wasn't exactly how I'd expected to spend my Thanksgiving. But then, last July, an email landed [...] 
Local kids will be competing in the 4th Annual Lego League Competition tomorrow night (12/4) sponsored by The Montclair Society of Engineers. Find out on Barista Kids. [...] 
This Monday, Dec. 7, a special meeting of the Board of Education to discuss the best use of the new school is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the George Inness Annex atrium. You'll recall there was a meeting back in November where parents turned out in' [...] 
And here's one more great choice for your local holiday shopping: Where can you find authentic stoneware mugs with irises on them, garden themed holiday ornaments, elegant floral stationery, folding umbrellas that open to display bright pink gerbera daisies, and more? That would be the Bloom [...] 
Studio R, located at the beautifully renovated Brassworks building on Grove St, is having a holiday sale with a difference on Thursday, Dec 3rd - it will donate all the net proceeds to Montclair High School's Project Graduation 2010. Funds raised will help graduating seniors celebrate their [...] 
Shop at your local museum and get holiday gifts while supporting art closer to home. Those who join up as members of MAM will get a double discount (20% instead of 10%) as the first perk at a members-only preview party, where there will be wine and [...] 
Elizabeth Powell, 73, was in the care of Chestnut Hill Assisted Living in Passaic on Nov 12, when she was struck fatally by an NJ Transit train on a rail track in Clifton, 1 1/2 miles from the facility. Barron Bazemore, Powell's son, received a [...] 
Some doctors' offices have received supplies of H1N1 vaccines, which are available by appointment for the target groups, including children. Continue reading on Barista Kids.' [...] 
If you enjoy creative holiday decorating with friends, then you'll love the wreath-making workshop this Saturday at the Van Vleck House & Gradens. In seasons past, I've plunged in with pliers, branch cutters and friends - enjoying [...] 
It's baaa-ack! This time around, I'm going to be making reservations way in advance for tables during Montclair's Restaurant Week. Last year, we enjoyed delicious prix fixe menus, and left with a few extra dollars in our pockets.
January 25 - February 7, 2010 are the dates' [...] 
Count down to New Year's Eve! Montclair Township is ready for First Night 2010 with a full-on schedule of class acts for kids, teens, and adults. There's music, magic, theater, dance...and Bubblemania. Headliners are Fantasy on Ice and chanteuse Phoebe Snow. Special ticket purchases are required [...] 
In addition to vaccinating the at-risk campus population, Montclair State University will be providing the H1N1 vaccine to family members of students and staff this week.
H1N1 flu is now widespread in New Jersey and approximately 200 cases of ILI (Influenza Like Illness) have occurred on campus.
The [...] 
If you need to rationalize your cyber shopping today, just think about the gas you're saving by shopping from the screen - and no parking hassles! Since we're online anyway, I thought I'd share a few deals in Baristaville that you can click to.
Bobbi Brown "LET'S GO" [...] 
County Executive Joe Di Vincenzo, who has made it his mission to beautify Essex County and improve its financial health, will announce his candidacy for a third term on December 11 from a former gritty parking deck in Newark - which under his oversight was transformed into [...] 
I know, because my neighbor Deb Ellis and I have been doing it for several years. Sometimes we make huge kettles of tomato sauce, using extra end-of-season produce from the Farmers' Market. Other times we make lemon verbena bread, with herbs we grow in our gardens.' [...] 
"Roots:Unknown" is an award-winning 30-minute documentary produced and directed by Montclair resident Zara Phillips examining the lifelong emtional impact adoption has on the adoptee and their families. A free screening of the film will be presented as part of Adoption Awareness Month - Monday Nov. 30 [...] 
Glen Ridge artist Lori Loebelsohn, who designed this year's event logo, was running around Glen Ridge with a camera during the Ashenfelter 8K. Yesterday's race had a great turnout - over 2,000 runners, she says. The annual run, organized by Dan Murphy, [...] 
To the tune of Frere Jacques...
Are You Shopping, Spending Money?
Early Call, To The Malls?
Maybe Staying Local,
Shopping On Your Laptop,
Kerching! Kerching! Kerching!
Hey Baristaville, how are you spending (pun intended) your day after Thanksgiving? (Personally, I prefer to boycott the call to shopping and enjoy my turkey left-overs.)
Several [...] 
Essex County folks can expect some sunshine on Thanksgiving Day, with a chance of rain in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature is set to be mild, in the mid-50s. Rainfall is likely after midnight, continuing into Friday morning. Indeed, Black [...] 
NJ voters, by a slim 49-46 percent margin, oppose a law that would allow same-sex marriages, according to a survey released today by Quinnipiac University. Democrats supported same-sex unions by 60-34 percent, independents supported it by 49-45 percent, and Republicans opposed it 69-25 percent.
The result is [...] 
Reeled you in with those sweet puppydog eyes and winsome smile! But focus, instead, on his deftly-knitted outfit. The community service committee of the West Essex Board of Realtors needs your gently worn or new sweaters and sweatshirts for its annual Just Sweaters® Project.
WEBOR, which [...] 
The Operations Director at the Clifton Promenade, who wished to be anonymous, said that an LA Fitness will be coming to the Promenade.
The major construction that our readers have been noticing and sending tips and pictures about will also be the new home to a [...] 
The Little Y is hosting a free family day tomorrow. For more information check out baristakids. [...] 
John King, anchor of CNN's State of the Union, with John King and his wife, Dana Bash, a Capital Hill reporter for CNN will be talking to students at Montclair State University tomorrowtoday.
King will be taking over Lou Dobbs' time slot in early 2010 [...] 
This week, I'm going to be thinking a lot about food, and what I'm going to make for Thanksgiving dinner. I used to spend hours scouring Epicurious.com, gather a gazillion recipes, then struggle to short-list the winners for my table. The whole process was mind-numbing. Now, I [...] 
Chronicler of all things Montclair, our good friend Wayne Robbins was kind enough to send us this wonderful photo and explanation: Hi Folks...On Fri. Montclair set up their Holiday Tree. As in the past Montclair Tree Co. got the tree from a Montclair Home, and [...] 
Fotos For Funds is a consortium of photographers who are dedicated to giving back to the community through their art. Browse the website and take a look at the beautiful fine art photography available for purchase, as calendars, notecards, fine art prints and more. The best [...] 
I'm not sure, but Colleen Finnegan, who is producing Ben Clawson's newest play, "Omnivores," says it's so shocking she's thinking of setting up an audience cam to capture reactions.
Clawson, as you may recall, is a talented young playwright who's spun out play after play since graduating' [...] 
I'm almost afraid to mention MHS again, but over at the gym, they are holding a huge overstock sale of vintage athletic gear. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds interesting. All at unbeatable prices, some as low as $1, all priced to sell! Today, [...] 
UPDATE: Adult Arrest Information (in the jump)
The mood was peaceful today as school let out at Montclair High. After two days of after-school disturbances and multple arrests, maybe the kids have had enough fighting, screaming, and punching for the week. Or maybe the 18 police officers, bolstered [...] 
A prime piece of real estate which just went on the market has got Montclair Township officials buzzing. The Senior Care & Activities Center building, a 17,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art adult medical day care facility, is listed at $3.5 million. Within about a nanosecond of hearing [...] 
Word just in from the Glen Ridge Schools: High School Principal Ken Rota, who served as interim superintendent during last year's super search, is quitting midyear to take over as superintendent of East Rutherford Public Schools. No word yet on a replacement.
In addition to sternly patrolling the [...] 
Speaking of running, it's almost time for the 10th running of the Ashenfelter 8K Classic, the traditional Thanksgiving day pre-feast run in Glen Ridge. This year's must-have T-shirt was designed by local Glen Ridge artist Lori Loebelsohn. For more information, visit www.ashenfelterclassic.com. [...] 
Baristanet has learned another incident is taking place at the high school. We have reports of cop cars, an ambulance, and a prisoner's transport truck on the scene. We'll update as we know more.' [...] 
We learn more about the fight that broke out yesterday near Montclair High School.
Juvenile Bureau Commander Lt. Robert Rowan was able to release the following information regarding yesterday's melee: Three juveniles and three adults were arrested; charges ranged from disorderly persons offenses to possession of a [...] 
Montclair's Andy Kotulski is an inspiration to runners and others. The runner, who logged in his 618th marathon in Bucharest, celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday at Fitzgerald's in Glen Ridge with friends from the Essex Running Club (ERC). Baristanet regular and fellow marathon runner Mrs. Martta writes...
Here [...] 
This weekend, the tale as old as time comes to Glen Ridge with a cast of 80 kids and adults from all over Baristaville including a chorus of 50 children. Gas Lamp Players present "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," a musical for all ages. Four performances only: [...] ![turkey[1].jpg](http://www.baristanet.com/turkey%5B1%5D.jpg)
How hard can it be to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving? Time-honored habit would send me directly to the nearest grocery store, wherein I look for a bird that's preferably organic, reasonably attractive (this helps its post-roast looks), and one which is transportable to the checkout counter [...] 
Johan Svenson (Kristen Kemp's husband) relates how, in the fall of 2008, they tried to sell their beautiful house on the manically busy Bloomfield Avenue so they could move to a quieter, kid-friendly neighborhood. As first-timers attempting to sell, they made mistakes and, without questioning the advice [...]
We're giving away two pairs of tickets to see Manhattan Transfer on Sunday night at 
Barista Kids is giving away 4 tickets to see this cool light show by 
