First Engineering Night at Watsessing School is a success

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A mother of two children attending Watsessing Elementary School, and the media specialist there, recently created the first Engineering Night at the school. The event was held Thursday, Feb. 11, in the gymnasium. It was planned to commemorate the Feb. 21 to 27 observance of National Engineering Week, which focuses scholastic attention on […]

Dental health foundation provides free care

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Children, ages 2 to 12, from Bloomfield and surrounding communities, had the opportunity Friday, Feb. 5, to receive free dental care at the Give Kids a Smile community oral health fair. Sponsored by the KinderSmile Foundation, the event, which occurs on the first Friday of February, was held for the ninth consecutive year […]

BMS Forensics team wins county tournament

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Middle School recently won first place at the Essex County Forensics Tournament, held at Heritage Middle School, in Livingston. Four other schools competed. They were Caldwell, Orange, East Orange and Livingston. BMS also won individual honors, with eighth-grader Elizabeth Nucci taking first place; seventh-grader Emma Morse, second place; and eighth-grader Anna Haraka, […]

Oakview School receives donation

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Home and School Association of Oakview Elementary School received two checks totaling $10,735 at its recent monthly meeting. The donation was from Bloomfield businessman Sanj Patel, owner of Sanj’s Smoke Shop, located on Broad Street, in the North Center. In January, to commemorate his 24th year in business, Patel held an invitation-only, […]

Antique show returns to Glen Ridge

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Although the final figures are not tallied, the 70th Glen Ridge Antique Show is projected to have a 10 percent revenue increase over last year, according to Dorothy Waldt, the show manager. Last year, the show garnered about $20,000 for charitable causes, before expenses. The fair this year had a festive air, […]

Chalet will not resign, recall possible

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — An effort to remove 1st Ward Councilman Elias Chalet from office was recently turned aside, while another effort for removal awaits a possible showdown in November, on Election Day. Chalet, who has been indicted by a state grand jury for official misconduct and bribery, was asked by Mayor Michael Venezia, on Sunday, Jan. […]

NJ Legislature honors Bloomfield Tech teacher

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Tech English literature teacher David Shallcross received a bipartisan accolade from the New Jersey Legislature on Thursday, Jan. 28, for his contribution to education. “One-hundred and twenty legislators voted for this,” Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-21st District, said in a classroom full of students, before a group of school officials. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, […]

Hispanic Heritage Committee proposal discussed

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A proposal by a councilman to create a Hispanic Heritage Committee drew criticism at the Bloomfield Township Council conference meeting Monday night. Councilman Carlos Pomares deferred his proposal, which was listed on the agenda, before any discussion took place, because he said he is still putting together committee members. But two members of […]

OPRA request case gets support on both sides

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A Bloomfield resident’s OPRA request for a Town Hall surveillance video recording of the mayor’s parking space is drawing attention from national news organizations and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. The request, by township resident Pat Gilleran, for a 14-hour recording of the Mayor Michael Venezia’s parking space on March […]

Exotic animals come to Glen Ridge

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Captain Jack, an opossum, came visiting the borough over the weekend, courtesy of the Glen Ridge Public Library. With him he brought Glader the tortoise, and others, along with their exhibitor, Larry Apap. The animal menagerie came from Unique Creatures, located in Bergen County, and set up in the council chambers in […]