County unveils artist’s rendering of new TBZ entranceway

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., center, holds an artist’s rendering of the new entranceway to Turtle Back Zoo that was announced Friday, Sept. 14. The $5.3 million project will reconfigure and modernize the entrance and create additional entrance points so larger crowds can be accommodated and long lines of visitors […]

Tom Atkinson focuses on the big picture at town schools

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Although Bloomfield teachers strive to maintain an educational consistency at each grade level throughout the district, Tom Atkinson, the Bloomfield director of systems and information technology, said questions about student diversity and technology will need to be answered. In an interview Friday, Sept. 14, at Bloomfield High School, Atkinson said he looks at […]

West Orange Rotary donates backpacks to Kelly, Redwood schools

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Rotary continued its charitable efforts with donations of backpacks to Kelly and Redwood elementary schools. Rotary members distributed backpacks at Kelly on Aug. 15 and at Redwood on Sept. 5. Kelly Principal Joanne Pollara and Redwood Principal Tim Beaumont, along with Redwood Assistant Principal Ana Marti, happily assisted the […]

Township Council approves redevelopment plan for 300 Executive Drive

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Township Council approved an ordinance at its Sept. 4 meeting that will allow the Essex Green and Executive Drive property owner to move forward with its redevelopment plan for Executive Drive. The measure was approved 4-1, with Councilman Joe Krakoviak voting against it. The ordinance allows Clarion Partners, who bought […]

Two Towns Triathlon a big success

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Two Towns Triathlon for Kids took place Saturday, Sept. 8. Children ages 7 through 14 participated in a route that included a swim in the South Orange pool, a bike ride through Meadowland Park and the West Montrose neighborhood, and a run around the Duck Pond. The route distances were […]

Pet Memorial Day: sorrow, support, memories

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — National Pet Memorial Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of September, was observed for the fifth consecutive year at Van Tassel Funeral Home this past Sunday afternoon, Sept. 9. The guest speaker was Claire Schwartz, a certified professional coach in grief counseling who spoke about the significance of grief when honoring a deceased […]