Local holiday gift suggestions

Local holiday gift suggestions

With the holiday season upon us, gift shopping can be fun—or stressful. Finding the perfect gifts for loved ones might be a challenge but Essex County offers much when it comes to gifts that are unique, original, and thoughtful. And you’ll feel great supporting local businesses. The following are a few shopping ideas: Saturday, Nov. […]

Bagel store owner vows to fight on despite loss

Bagel store owner vows to fight on despite loss

Jarrett Seltzer created what some called a “magical bagel” at home before he decided to start his own business. When the West Orange resident opened up Bagels by Jarret — or BXJ — at 451 Mount Pleasant Ave., West Orange, there were lines down the street. “Super popular business,” he said. Then COVID-19 hit. During […]

MAPSO Family Follies; family acts, done in under 3 minutes

MAPSO Family Follies; family acts, done in under 3 minutes

Maplewood and South Orange are known for their arts and culture. But something was missing…A talent show! Lara Tomlin, professional artist, and director of programming for the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy, suggested a talent show to Sally Unsworth, manager of the Division of Arts & Culture for Maplewood. The idea was given an immediate green […]

Veteran English actor directing CHS performance of ‘DNA’

Veteran English actor directing CHS performance of ‘DNA’

A group of teenagers accidentally commit a crime. Friendships fracture and relationships go awry as they try to cover their tracks. The dark comedy, “DNA,” is being presented by Columbia High School (CHS)’s Parnassian Society and performed at the Black Box Theater this November. It’s the first production directed by James Bale Dyer, an English […]

SOMA artists open their studios to the public

SOMA artists open their studios to the public

The four Seton Hall University students were enthusiastic about the South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour. Clare Dueweke, Alexandra Carroll, Edward Sherman, and Connor Powers stopped at locations in both South Orange and Maplewood after stumbling upon the event; they ended up spending a good part of their weekend visiting studios on the tour, which […]