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Articles by Georgette Gilmore
Halloween Events for Dogs and Their Humans in Essex County
Halloween isn’t just for humans! We’ve rounded up Halloween events for kids and grown-ups — now it’s time for the dogs to join the fun! From costume parades to treat-filled gatherings, these local events celebrate spooky season with your four-legged friends. A costumed canine at Strut Your Mutt at Brookdale Park, Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Grown-up Halloween 2026: Parties, Haunted Fun and More in Montclair and Essex County
Halloween isn’t just for kids. Grown-ups can enjoy plenty of spooky fun in the area, too. From costume parties and haunted houses to creepy cocktails, ghost stories and horror films, we’ve rounded up Halloween events worth getting dressed up for this October.
Montclair Councilor-at-Large Candidate Forum: Submit Your Questions
Montclair voters will have another opportunity to hear directly from the three candidates running for councilor-at-large. Montclair Local readers can help shape the conversation. The Montclair Councilor-at-Large Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Montclair Fire Department Headquarters, 1 Pine St. Seating is limited and registration is required.
What to See at the 2026 Montclair Film Festival: Tom Hall Shares His Picks
The man with the plan (and the program). Tom Hall shares his festival picks. (COURTESY TOM HALL) With more than 160 films and events over 10 days, the Montclair Film Festival, which opens Friday, Oct. 16, offers plenty of choices. The hard part? Deciding what to see — and snagging tickets. So we went straight to someone who knows the lineup better than just about anyone: Montclair Film Artistic Director Tom Hall.
What to See at the 2026 Montclair Film Festival: Tom Hall Shares His Picks
Charlie Sheen 1 hour ago Michael Douglas confirms Charlie Sheen put ‘c---’ sign on Sean Young during Wall Street shoot Entertainment Weekly - Raechal Shewfelt • 1h Young has recalled her rocky experience filming Oliver Stone’s 1987 hit. Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko might have been the antagonist in Wall Street, but the actor recalls that his costar Charlie Sheen held that title on set, at least when it came to Sean Young.
Baristanet Profile: David Galef
David Galef David Galef, often mispronounced. Long a. Near Edgemont Park in Montclair. Watching the turtles and ducklings in season is always a pleasure. 2009. My gosh, has it really been that long? Westchester County, NY. Scarsdale, actually. I’m a writer and a teacher. I’ve published over 20 books, including novels, short story collections, poetry, translation and criticism.
Montclair Food Happenings: Free Gelato, a Chef Watch Party, Wine and More
Local restaurants and food spots are serving up more than what’s on the menu this month, with a grand opening celebration, a chef watch party, wine tasting and cocktail competition all coming up in Montclair. Here are a few fun food happenings to know about — plus news of a sudden closing on Church Street. Oggi Gelato will celebrate its grand opening at 40 Church St. in Montclair on Saturday, Oct. 10, with a party featuring free gelato, a live DJ, prosecco and more.
Lights, Camera, Montclair! 15 Years of the Montclair Film Festival
Sixty-four films. Five days. 7,500 moviegoers. That was the Montclair Film Festival in 2012. Fifteen festivals later, it has grown into a 10-day celebration featuring more than 160 films and events, while the organization behind it has become a year-round cultural presence with two nonprofit cinemas and a film and education center. The 15th annual Montclair Film Festival returns Oct.
Halloween for Kids: 2026 Events in Montclair and Essex County
Break out the costumes and grab the candy buckets — Halloween celebrations are getting underway across Montclair and Essex County. We’ve rounded up trick-or-treating, costume parades, pumpkin fun and more kid-friendly events happening this spooky season. Don’t miss the annual Essex County Parks Gardens Aglow on Friday, October 16! See the gardens at dusk as they come alive with artfully carved jack-o’-lanterns from local high school art departments.
Drink Local: What to Pour at The Saint Clair
Located directly adjacent to Amanti Vino wine shop, The Saint Clair may be the easiest restaurant in Montclair to BYOB. It’s also the place you’re likely to encounter a former “Top Chef” contestant, the restaurant’s chef-owner Leia Gaccione. Gaccione cooked on both “Top Chef” and “Chopped” and was mentored by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. She arrived in Montclair just over a year ago following a stint as chef-owner of South + Pine restaurant in Morristown.
Montclair Pride Returns Oct. 11 With New March, Full Day of Celebration
Montclair Pride is ready to come out! Out Montclair’s fifth annual Pride festival returns Sunday, Oct. 11, with a community march, live entertainment, music, food and more. The celebration, titled “Come Out for Montclair Pride,” coincides with National Coming Out Day for the first time. “There is something especially meaningful about beginning National Coming Out Day by coming together and moving through our community,” Reubena Spence, president and co-founder of Out Montclair, said in a statement.
One Town, Many Flavors: The Stories Behind Sabor
Chef Maria makes gallo pinto for Sabor Montclair using a family recipe rooted in childhood memories from Nicaragua. (COURTESY MFEE) Even before the sun rose over her childhood street in Nicaragua, Maria always heard cows pulling carriages down the neighborhood streets. Farmers offered fresh milk for morning coffee. A neighbor sold fresh corn tortillas; a bakery sold still-warm bread, dusted with ashes from the floor of the enormous oven.
Oggi Gelato Sets Grand Opening in Montclair — Plus More Restaurant Openings and Closings
The team is gearing up for the Montclair shop’s grand opening Oct. 10. (COURTESY OGGI GELATO) Oggi Gelato is ready for its Montclair debut. The gelato shop will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 10, with a party featuring free gelato, a live DJ, prosecco and more. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m., and the team tells Montclair Local it has plenty of fun planned for the night. Plus, as if free gelato weren’t enough — do you need more?
‘Second Chances’ Takes Center Stage at Montclair Story Salon Oct. 8
Everyone loves a good second chance — and that’s exactly what Montclair Story Salon will celebrate at its next night of stories, music and live art. On Thursday, Oct. 8, “Second Chances” will bring together local voices to share stories about renewal, resilience and moments when life offers an unexpected opportunity to begin again. Montclair actor and producer Liz Samuel founded Montclair Story Salon in 2018. The salon has built its events around a simple idea: Everyone has a story.
AAPI New Jersey’s Diwali Celebration Returns To Montclair, Oct. 17
AAPI New Jersey’s “Light Up Diwali” event returns to the Montclair Art Museum on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. The celebration has drawn more than 2,000 attendees in past years, bringing the community together for an afternoon of South Asian music, dance, food, art and traditions. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the triumph of light over darkness and is a time to gather and celebrate new beginnings.
Baristanet Profile: Monique Zauner
Monique Zauner Monique Zauner Lloyd Road, Montclair. I moved to Montclair on January 1, 2016. My then-boyfriend (now husband) and I didn’t know anyone in, or anything, about New Jersey, but we knew from reading copious amounts of FDA regulations that we needed to be within 50 miles of the Newark port. We were moving here to build our direct importing business for our snack and candy company, Universal Yums. Columbus, Ohio. I make products for a living.
Jesse Eisenberg, Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti Join 2026 Montclair Film Festival Lineup
The Montclair Film Festival lineup just got a whole lot bigger. Jesse Eisenberg, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Edward Burns, Susie Essman and Tim Blake Nelson are among the big names headed to the 2026 Montclair Film Festival, which just unveiled its full 2026 program. And there’s plenty more.
Jesse Eisenberg, Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti Join 2026 Montclair Film Festival Lineup
8 hours ago Nathan Fielder, Julianne Moore, Pedro Pascal, and more have high-profile projects at NYFF this year. The New York Film Festival kicks off this week, continuing what's already been a jam-packed fall festival season. Whether you're attending the festival in person or just planning out your fall …
Nami Nori Teams Up With Kiko and Sisi Mauigoa for Fundraiser Dinner in Montclair
Looking for Monday night dinner plans? Nami Nori Montclair is hosting a one-night-only fundraiser dinner on Sept. 28 with NFL brothers Kiko and Sisi Mauigoa. From 5 to 9 p.m., 30% of the evening’s food and beverage sales will go toward the brothers’ $100,000 pledge to Ronald McDonald House. And if you’re a Giants or Jets fan, there’s another reason to stop by.
MontClairVoyant: Column Created with Council News Belated
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT, We didn’t see anything about the September 15 Township Council meeting in your September 17 column. What happened? Sincerely, Unconcerned Concerned Readers I was distracted by hobbits and orcs from “The Lord of the Rings” retracing Montclair’s July 4th parade route. DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT, Nonfictional visitors – rats – were discussed at last week’s Council meeting. What is Montclair doing to deal with the increased presence of those creatures?
Drink Local: What Wine Goes Best With Thai Food?
I discovered a perfect food and wine pairing—and possibly two—at Kor Kai this week. The 2023 Raventós i Blanc de Nit, a dry sparkling rosé from Spain, was a standout match for Kor Kai’s savory chive pancakes.
Hundreds Gather at 16th Annual ‘STOP For Nikhil’ to Remember Lives Lost and Take Action for Safer Roads
The 16th Annual STOP For Nikhil Run/Walk/Bike Ride took place on Sept. 20, 2026. (COURTESY NIKHIL BADLANI FOUNDATION) On Sunday, September 20, the Nikhil Badlani Foundation hosted the 16th Annual STOP For Nikhil Run/Walk/Bike Ride at West Orange High School. Despite a rainy morning, the race drew hundreds of participants to remember those killed and seriously injured in traffic crashes and take action for safer roads.
Feast in the Kitchen: Angelica Flores
Today on “Feast in the Kitchen,” we feature Angelica Flores, owner of Ray’s Lunchenette in Montclair. Angelica Flores has practically grown up at Ray’s Luncheonette. She started as a waitress at 17 and now, at 35, is the fifth owner of the longtime Walnut Street institution. Named one of Feast’s “17 Indispensable Places to Eat in Montclair,” Ray’s has been a local fixture for more than 60 years.
Watchung Booksellers Offers an Incredible Fall Author Lineup
This Fall, Watchung Bookellers presents a packed calendar of author events, in keeping with the deep list of incredible books released in 2026. Some of the biggest names in publishing will visit Montclair, while local authors will launch their debut or latest releases in-store. The store will also support several longtime community partners who are hosting author events.
Scenes From the 4th Annual FAME Festival in Montclair’s South End
Food, music, art and family fun filled the streets Saturday, Sept. 19, as the fourth annual FAME Festival in Montclair brought locals to the South End Historic Business District for live performances, local vendors, activities for kids and more. Montclair Local photographer Michael Stahl captured scenes from the day: (MICHAEL STAHL/MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Get a curated roundup of the week’s most important local stories, plus exclusive lifestyle content featuring event picks, food news, and more.
A Century in Bloom Flower Show
Marking its centennial, the Garden Club of Montclair will host “A Century in Bloom,” a three-day flower show Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, at Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair. The show will be open: Friday, Sept. 25, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. If you’ve never been to a flower show, here’s what to expect: Part art gallery, part garden showcase and part living science museum.
YMCA of Montclair Dolphins Complete Successful 2026 Long Course Championship Season
Back row, left to right: Penelope Loughlin, Bebe Hooper, and Clare Laracy; Front row, left to right: Sophia Landrove and Ruby Delano, Montclair Dolphins. The YMCA of Montclair Dolphins capped an outstanding 2026 long course season with strong performances at the New Jersey YMCA Long Course Championship meets at the Jersey Aquatic Center. The Dolphins celebrated two individual state champions, numerous top-10 finishes and several personal-best times.
Vanguard Theater Company Marks 10 Years — and Sets the Stage for What’s Next
Janeece Freeman Clark, founding artistic director of Vanguard Theater Company. Ten years ago, Vanguard Theater Company began with an idea: create a theater where professional artists and young performers could work side by side, with diversity, education and access built into its mission. A decade later, the Montclair nonprofit has produced more than 90 shows, provided opportunities for more than 6,000 performers and awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships.
Drink Local: What We’re Pouring at Zeugma Grill
Chef and owner Can Alp of Zeugma Grill with a bottle of wine from Domenico Winery, which partners with the Montclair BYO. (LETTIE TEAGUE) What is a Zeugma? I asked Can Alp, the Turkish-born owner and chef of Zeugma Grill at 44 South Park Street in Montclair. It was the wrong question: Zeugma wasn’t a matter of “what” but “where.” “Zeugma is a very old city in Turkey,” explained Alp.
Ava DuVernay, Tony Gilroy, Jack O’Connell to Receive 2026 Montclair Film Festival Honors
The Montclair Film Festival has revealed who will be in the spotlight at this year’s festival. Ava DuVernay, Tony Gilroy and Jack O’Connell are among five filmmakers, writers and performers set to receive honors during the 2026 festival — and Montclair’s own Stephen Colbert will be there to help celebrate.
A Glen Ridge Home With NYC Views, Historic Details and a Backyard Retreat (Sponsored)
69 Forest Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ Glen Ridge has always been a market worth watching closely. Inventory is typically low, and homes here come to market and move quickly. This September, however, buyers have an exciting opportunity: The Dana Sue Team, the #1 real estate team in Glen Ridge, has several standout homes hitting the market, including 69 Forest Avenue, which hits the market this week! Built in 1908, 69 Forest captures so much of what people love about Glen Ridge.
Wallet Reported Stolen on Church Street in Montclair Tracked to Newark, Police Say
Montclair Police Station (MICHAEL STAHL) Montclair police responded to three reported thefts, two incidents of vehicle vandalism and a dispute that led to an arrest between Sept. 8 and Sept. 15, according to the Montclair Police Department. A man reported his wallet missing on Sept. 11 and told police he believed it was stolen while he was on Church Street. A digital tracker inside the wallet showed it in the area of Summer Avenue in Newark, police said.
Jacob Weisberg Discusses ‘Profiles in Cowardice’ in Montclair
Join us for a timely conversation with author and journalist Jacob Weisberg about his new book, “Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era.” Weisberg will sit down with Kathleen Carroll, chair of the Montclair Local board of trustees and former executive editor of The Associated Press, to discuss the people he profiles, why they made the choices they did and what those decisions can teach us about this moment in American life.
The Montclair Foundation’s Cultural Arts Series Returns With Film, Music and Broadway Talent
Film, books, classical music and Broadway talent are coming to Van Vleck House & Gardens this fall. The Montclair Foundation’s Cultural Arts Series returns for another season, with four programs running from Sept. 17 through Dec. 2. This year’s lineup includes a documentary about tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, a conversation about Guantánamo Bay, chamber music from the New Jersey Symphony and an original musical featuring Tony Award winner Laura Benanti.
S.O.F.I.A. Hosts 16th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence, Sept. 19
Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) will bring the community together under the theme “With Awareness There Is Hope” for its 16th annual Walk Against Domestic Violence on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Canterbury Park in Montclair. The annual event aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, reduce stigma and isolation and show survivors — including those still in abusive relationships — that they are not alone. Green is a longtime S.O.F.I.A. volunteer and advocate.
Thousands of Fingerprints Tell Artist’s Story at BrassWorks Gallery in Montclair
Detail of “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.” (COURTESY VALERIE HUHN) For the past 20 years, artist Valerie Huhn has used something very personal to create her work: her own fingerprint. Huhn uses thousands of her own fingerprints to create colorful sculptures, murals and mixed-media pieces. Now, that work is coming together in “A Life Rebuilt in Fingerprints,” a solo exhibition opening Sept. 19 at BrassWorks Gallery in Montclair. The work is deeply connected to Huhn’s own life.
Drink Local: Why Fried Chicken and Sparkling Wine Just Work
One of the great(est) privileges of life in the Garden State for this oenophile is its BYO restaurants. After decades of drinking extensively—and expensively—in New York, it’s such a pleasure to be able to bring the wine of one’s choice – grand cru Burgundy or Kirkland Signature Merlot to a New Jersey restaurant, thanks to the state’s antiquated liquor laws.
Montclair Film Festival Reveals 2026 Opening, Centerpiece and Closing Films
Montclair Film has announced the first big titles for this year’s festival, with a lineup featuring Pedro Pascal, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Andrew Scott, along with new films from acclaimed directors Ava DuVernay, Martin McDonagh, Brad Bird and Tony Gilroy. The 15th annual Montclair Film Festival, presented by Volvo Car USA, runs Oct. 16-25.
Feast in the Kitchen: Zairah Ahmed
Today on “Feast in the Kitchen,” we feature Zairah Ahmed, owner of Toastique Montclair, a health-focused, fast-casual café located at 25 Church Street in Montclair. Zairah Ahmed Opening Toastique Montclair was personal for Zairah Ahmed. After helping her father through a major health crisis, she began thinking more deeply about health, food and the possibility of building something they could one day grow together.
Fall Festivals in Essex County: Your 2026 Guide
(Photo by Zen Chung from Pexels) Fall festival season is here! September and October bring plenty of festivals, fairs and other ways to enjoy fall in Montclair and around Essex County. Here’s our guide to what’s coming up — plus one festival that’s worth the drive.
American Symbols, Museum History Reimagined in New Montclair Art Museum Exhibitions
Two new exhibitions open at the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) Sept. 19, bringing an Indigenous artist’s first major U.S. exhibition to Montclair and transforming one of the museum’s most familiar spaces. “Nadia Myre: Analog/ues” features more than 40 works that reconsider historical documents and familiar American symbols through an Indigenous perspective.
Montclair Public Library Launches “Library Card Local Perks” for Library Card Sign-Up Month
This September, the Montclair Public Library is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month with a community-wide initiative designed to support both local readers and local businesses. Through the new “Library Card Local Perks” promotion, cardholders can turn their library card into an exclusive local discount card all month long.
Basta Alla Pasta, a New Pasta-Focused Italian Restaurant, Coming to Montclair
Montclair already has plenty of Italian restaurants, but chef Joseph Gramaglia thinks there’s room for one more. Basta Alla Pasta, a new pasta-focused restaurant from Gramaglia, is coming to 5 South Willow St., with an anticipated opening in late winter or early spring 2027.
Luna Stage Unveils 2026-27 Season Exploring AI, Climate, Immigration and Community
Luna Stage in West Orange is looking at some big questions in its 2026-27 season. It will host five productions exploring immigration, artificial intelligence, climate change, history and community. The season opener, Jeanne Sakata’s “Hold These Truths,” stars Joel de la Fuente playing 36 characters in a powerful solo play inspired by civil rights pioneer Gordon Hirabayashi, who peaceably resisted the U.S. government’s forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.
Baristanet Profile: Michael Sherman
Michael Sherman Michael Sherman Montclair, NJ Seven years ago. It was our first time living in the suburbs, and I’ve become a convert. I was born in Ukraine and grew up in Philadelphia. I love a good cheesesteak debate. I spent many years in the art world, working at Christie’s, Phillips and Gagosian, before deciding to make the leap into the nonprofit world. I’m now Chief Communications Officer of the SIFMA Foundation, which focuses on youth financial literacy. Lots of coffee.
Greek Frozen Yogurt Is Having a Moment. Here’s How You Can Get it in Montclair
Greek frozen yogurt at Somedays Bakery in Montclair. (COURTESY SOMEDAYS) New Yorkers are lining up for Greek frozen yogurt this summer. Good news, Montclair: You don’t have to. Somedays Bakery started serving Kostantina Greek Frozen Yogurt in August, bringing one of NYC’s buzziest summer food trends right here to Montclair. The new concept comes from the same team behind Somedays and opened its first shop in Forest Hills, Queens, this summer.
A New Tavern Coming to Montclair — Plus More Restaurant Openings and Closings
(INDUSTRY TAVERN/INSTAGRAM) The former Pineapple Express space at Lackawanna Plaza will soon have a new restaurant. Industry Tavern is coming to the historic Lackawanna Terminal, and while details are still under wraps, the deal is official. David Placek, whose company BDP Holdings owns Lackawanna Plaza, confirmed to Montclair Local that the people behind Industry Tavern have signed a lease for the space. For now, there’s still plenty we don’t know.
OSPAC West Orange Jazz Festival Returns for 19th Season With All-Star Lineup
The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center will celebrate its 25th anniversary when the OSPAC Annual West Orange Jazz Festival returns Saturday, Sept. 19. The 19th annual festival will run from 1 to 8 p.m. at OSPAC, 4 Boland Drive in West Orange, with a rain date of Saturday, Sept. 26. This year’s festival will also mark the grand reopening of the newly renovated performing arts center.
Feast in the Kitchen: Jacob Lewis of Baltimore North Food Truck
Today on “Feast in the Kitchen,” we feature Jacob Lewis, owner and operator of Baltimore North food truck. For Lewis, the food truck is a return to where it all began. Raised in Bel Air, Maryland, he started washing dishes at a neighborhood crab house at 14 and quickly worked his way through the kitchen, developing a lifelong appreciation for Maryland’s seafood traditions and the flavors of his hometown.
Saint Sebastian Feast & Carnival Celebrates a Century
Taking a spin at the San Sebastian Feast & Carnival in Kaveny Field. For 100 years, the Saint Sebastian Feast & Carnival has brought a very Montclair combination to town: zeppoles, Italian food, carnival rides, live music and plenty of tradition. Now, the Saint Sebastian Society is celebrating that milestone with its 100th Feast & Carnival, running Wednesday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 30, at Erie Park and Kaveny Field near the Walnut Street train station.
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