We told you about Harrison’s being on the list but now Camden and Salem are getting attention, too.
Salem
24/7WallStreet.com created a list of the nine municipalities with the worst credit rating from Moody’s and New Jersey had three of those nine towns. That’s not a good sign.
Camden
If I were twenty years younger… well, I’d do a lot of things differently. But, I’d be found most weekends at the Meat Locker in Montclair, I suspect, too.
NJ.com introduced me to this place this afternoon and I have to admit that I’m jealous of teens right now. On any other day I’d tell you that I’m happy to have those years behind me. I grew up in rural Ohio where there was NO access to live music except the high school marching band on Friday night football games.
If you know young people who are looking for a safe place (there’s a no drugs and no alcohol policy with adult chaperones at the Meat Locker) and you’re anywhere near Montclair, do yourself and the young person a favor and let them know about the Meat Locker.
Read more here:
Montclair’s Meat Locker gives young musicians a place to be heard | NJ.com.
Share on Facebook
Oprah to Host Booker, Christie and Zuckerberg on Friday Show
Might want to watch Oprah tomorrow afternoon. New Jersey bigwigs, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Governor Chris Christie, along with Mark Zuckerberg will be on the show to officially announce Zuckerberg’s gift to Newark’s School System of $100 million. Despite this extremely generous gift, NJ is up in arms over why it’s being given, who it’s being given to and even the timing of the gift.
Really people? We can’t just celebrate that Newark is getting national attention and a very generous and extremely large gift from a person who could use his money in millions of different ways?
Some say that Zuckerberg is only giving the gift to take the focus off the movie about Facebook called The Social Network which comes out next week. Others are saying that it isn’t fair that Newark gets all the money while the rest of New Jersey’s schools are also suffering.
What do you guys think? We’re happy for Newark and disappointed in the nay-sayers who are looking a gift horse in the mouth.
NJ.com: Oprah to host N.J. Gov. Christie, Newark Mayor Booker for $100M school gift by Facebook CEO
Yahoo! News: Facebook founder giving $100 Million to Newark Schools
Share on FacebookIt’s like something out of the movie Watchmen.
Montclair will be the first municipality in the state to charge up electric cars with charging stations, funded by a $25,000 grant from the Sustainable Jersey Project, which is funded by Walmart, according to a report by NorthJersey.com.
Gray Russell, the municipal environmental coordinator, said electric cars are “even more pertinent” thanks to the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “Drivers need to wean themselves off their addiction to oil,” Russell said, “and this initiative will help.” Charging stations are scheduled be placed in the municipal parking lot at the corner of Valley Road and Bloomfield Avenue. Drivers will be able to recharge battery-powered cars, including pluggable hybrids, and charging stations will be available to both private and municipal vehicles. If additional grants come through, there may be more in other locations, Russell said.
The main reason that people shy away from buying electric-only vehicles is the fear of the battery running out and not being able to take a really long drive or vacation in them. Depending on how many towns adopt this idea, this may pave the road toward the practicality of electric cars.
NJ.com article: Montclair to install first public electric car charging stations in N.J.
NorthJersey.com article: Montclair Wins $25K for Charging Stations
Read more about all the NJ towns who received grant money from the Sustainable Jersey Project this year here.
Share on Facebook
Newark Public Library
As someone who is interested in genealogy, I’ve seen a lot of census records. They are gold mines for seeing where your relatives lived, who their neighbors were, what their professions are, all kinds of things. That’s why I’m so excited about the Newark Public Library’s U.S. Census exhibit, America by the Numbers. Check out Newark Public Library’s website. The exhibit is running through September 25th so hurry up and go see it!
If you haven’t been to the NPL, you should make sure you check out the whole building when you go see the exhibit. It’s a beautiful building and it’s in the downtown part of Newark which is pretty and easily accessible via the Newark Light Rail.
Also in the downtown area is the New Jersey Historical Society Museum and Library. The museum is free and always has interesting things to see and do in their three floors of exhibits.
While you’re in Newark, you could have lunch at Scully’s Pub or one of the Ironbound section’s really good Portuguese restaurants.
I’m serious, go check out Newark!
Share on Facebook
Bobbi Brown in Her Montclair Studio
If you visit Montclair on a regular basis, you start to hear about celebrities who live there. Bobbi Brown is always near the top of those lists perhaps because she’s so Pro-Montclair in a lot of articles about her. This article in the Inside Jersey section of NJ.com is no exception.
Despite being married to a real estate developer with questionable taste and community values, Bobbi Brown remains a Montclair icon who residents are always happy to run into and talk about with out-of-towners. The article even names her the Unofficial Mayor of Montclair. Not a bad title to have.
Read the entire article here: It’s just another beautiful day in Montclair for Bobbi Brown | NJ.com.
Share on FacebookOne day we decided to go hiking in South Mountain Reservation. Part of the Watchung Mountain range, it is just over 2,000 acres with trails, waterfalls, and views of New York City. We all like a good hike. Trees, streams, fresh air. And if you live in New Jersey…graffiti!! One of the most interesting things along the many trails is the old pumping station at Campbell’s Pond. You have to cross the world’s most decrepit footbridge to get to it but if you are into old, abandoned places you’ll love it. Here are some pics:
Footbridge over Campbell's Pond
Eye see you!
Enter if you dare.
Flash highlight of graffiti.
Don't mess with a monkey.
We need some Rustoleum here!
Switch boxes.
Exterior of pumping station.
We drive through Nutley on a fairly regular basis and lately we’ve been seeing un-manned police cars at a few of the border streets. It finally dawned on us last night what those cars are doing.
Big Brother is Watching in Nutley
We’d read the article below and it didn’t really sink in until now. It seems that Big Brother is no longer hiding his surveillance and has openly moved into Nutley.
NorthJersey.com: Police begin ‘proactive protection’ with roadside checks.
Now, most of us don’t have warrants, suspended licenses or motor vehicle violations so we have nothing to worry about. But, really… where is this going to end? Does it make it more dangerous for Nutley’s neighboring cities and towns? Some people might knowingly avoid Nutley and drive their violating cars through with their suspended licenses and numerous warrants.
And, does this really keep anyone safer?
Share on Facebook
On an early day out of work, part of the YDKJ crew checked out Spice, a Thai restaurant that’s gotten very good reviews.
They have a lunch special that’s $8.00 for a limited selection of the usual Thai dishes which we were eager to sample from.
Share on Facebook
On Monday, June 14th, the new Nyets owner took a tour of The Rock and seemed to like what he saw. Now, the question is, what does New Jersey need to do to keep the Nets in their home state?
NJ.com covered the tour here and here.
What do you think readers? Will Cory Booker need to join the team to keep the Nyets in NJ?
Share on Facebook
