OPEN HOUSE!!
Set for Saturday, December 5th, 2009!!!!
Click here to download a flyer
On Saturday, December 5th come to Downtown West Orange to enjoy a day of festivities to celebrate the beginning of the winter holiday season.
- "Breakfast with Santa" returns from 9-10:30am in Connor Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Avenue. Tickets: $10.00 adults $8.00 children. Tickets will be sold in advance @ Blessed John Pope XXIII Academy HSA. Call Jackie Marie @ (201-214-4065 for more information.
- Enjoy the “Old Fashioned Dickens Carolers” singing all of your holiday favorites between 9 and 10am on the front steps of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
- After breakfast take your children for a "Reading in a Winter Wonderland" at the West Orange Library (46 Mt. Pleasant Avenue) at 11am.
- From 12:30-2pm your children can make a "Holiday Craft" at the West Orange Police Department sub-station located at 92 Washington Street.
- Have your children's "Picture taken with Santa" at Supreme Bakery (40 Main Street) from 2-4pm.
- Learn about the history of the different areas of Downtown West Orange from the Mayor and Council members during the "Holly Trolley Tours" leaving every half hour from 12-4 in front of the Community House at 242 Main Street.
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Tree Lighting Agenda at Town Hall
4:00pm-7:00pm Holiday Petting Zoo Open
5:00pm Season’s Greetings from Mayor McKeon
5:00pm Kwanza Booth Opens
5:10pm Holiday Musical Presentation
5:20pm Dance Performance
5:40pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree
5:45pm Santa Claus Arrives
6:00pm Visit Santa in his workshop
Special Craft Project- Council Chambers
The New Edison Village in Downtown West Orange!
Downtown Redevelopment Update
A Brief History of the Redevelopment Project
In April of 2008 the ceremonial groundbreaking for Edison Village on Main Street was held celebrating the beginning of the largest non-waterfront redevelopment project in New Jersey, encompassing an area of approximately 21 acres in Downtown West Orange. The $250 million project will include 609 residential housing units, retail construction and a 635 space parking facility to be completed in three phases. The site, which is bordered by Ashland Avenue on the east, Charles Street on the south, Main Street on the west and Lakeside Avenue on the north, will bring a much needed revitalization to the downtown. The site was busy during the summer of 2008 with environmental cleanup and preliminary demolition with $30
million invested by the redeveloper.
Unfortunately, with the historic collapse of the credit markets, a small yet critical portion of the financial structure was placed on hold. Like a football team that marched all the way down the field and was about to score, moving back ten yards was not going to deter
us from reaching our ultimate goal. To help the project move forward, the West Orange Redevelopment team worked hard to come up with low interest financing that made sense while avoiding undue risk. Negotiations culminated in the Township’s consideration of utilizing its borrowing power and credit to secure a $28.9 million redevelopment area bond to be paid
back in full by future tax revenues. After this plan was presented by Mayor John McKeon at a publicly-televised Council meeting and details were provided through the Township website, it became apparent that members of the community had many questions. Upon the Mayor’s request, the Township Council did not take final action in June. Instead, consistent with his eleven-year track record, McKeon embarked on a public dialogue with
the community. Over the last ten weeks there have been three open public meetings and seven additional community meetings with neighborhood and service organizations throughout West Orange. Through the Township website and other online outlets, one specifically designed as a conduit for information on redevelopment, hundreds of electronic exchanges occurred on the information superhighway. Additionally, a 10-minute video providing accurate information to citizens was produced by volunteers and played on the YouTube website. Click here to view this video.
“It is my conclusion that the vast majority of our citizenry understand the importance of redevelopment as a way to anchor our community in the future,” said McKeon. “However, based on an abundance of great caution in light of the extraordinary economic challenges that our nation and state now face, many feel that more safeguards should be in place relative to the Township’s participation in the financial structure of this deal, particularly before the residential units are fully occupied.
Thus, I have again requested the Township Council not to take action on the arrangement as presently constituted. Along with my negotiating team, including members of the governing body, I have continued discussions with the redeveloper to determine how we can get to the end-zone, taking into account the productive input of many citizens on the topic.”A confluence of events eleven years ago saw federal dollars earmarked toward the Edison site and the passing of a state law facilitating investment into the area of our community that needed it the most. A new confidence in the future of the community, combined with a vision of what the downtown could be, culminated in attracting millions. Many millions have already been expended, accomplishing an impressive environmental clean-up, as the property is prepared for its future.
“Together we will continue on this journey, the destination of which will take us to a place where we can assure the long-term economic vitality of West Orange,” McKeon said. “Failure has not been nor will it ever be an option, and I remain committed to working with our governing body and our citizens to see this project come to fruition.”
Mayor John McKeon invites and welcomes the residents of our community to join him in a public discussion about the Downtown Redevelopment Project. Get all the facts surrounding the revitalization of our Main Street. What do you think about revitalizing downtown West Orange? We want to know!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AT 7:30 PM
WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL
Why is the Redevelopment of Main Street of vital importance to Downtown West Orange?
- The revitalization of a beautiful, historic building like the Edison Factory Building will bring hundreds of new residents downtown and provide 18,500 square feet of new retail space which will provide current and future residents with a new in-town shopping experience.It has been proven around the country that housing is key to the economic health of any downtown district. A residential area attracts quality businesses and the customers who frequent these shops.
- While construction is going on, hundreds of tradesmen, many of whom are local residents, will be working downtown and using local businesses. This will bring ongoing investment to the area that will start right now and continue through the redevelopment.
- Edison Village will be an exciting new neighborhood in the downtown district which will attract consumers who are first-time buyers, young professionals and those who appreciate a low-maintenance lifestyle. This unique combination of condominium units in a semi-urban neighborhood will offer lifestyle amenities such as train shuttle service, security, storage, concierge service and a fitness center. Click here to download preliminary floor plans of a typical one and two bedroom and an interior rendition of a living room.
One of the volunteers of the Downtown West Orange Alliance, who has worked tirelessly on revitalizing the Downtown Corridor, once wisely said, “As Main Street goes, so goes West Orange.”
For additional information on the redevelopment go to:
www.prismpartners.net/proj_edisonvillage.html
Check back here for updates.
"A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN"
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
from 5-8pm
Jen the Juggler Entertains the Children
Due to popular demand, the Downtown West Orange Alliance has re-scheduled the "Taste of Downtown" for Monday, September 21st from 5-8pm. The event will showcase the restaurants located in the downtown Special Improvement District. Last year's event drew about 300 people to the front lawn of Town Hall to enjoy rock music provided by The Kootz, children's entertainment including a juggling clown and face painting, and a great chance to sample and dine on the fine food of the downtown restaurants. People had an opportunity to try the food of several restaurants that they had never tried before.
The Kootz Provides the Musical Entertainment
Last year's restaurants included: Supreme Bakery(40 Main St.), Due Amici(450 Main Street), Cecil's Restaurant(364 Valley Road), Pepe’s Barbecue( 101 Harrison Avenue), # 1 Chinese Restaurant( 46 Main Street), El Centro Americano( 292 Main Street), and more.
New E-Mail Newsletter was Launched in March, 2009
In an effort to communicate regularly to businesses, property owners and shoppers in Downtown West Orange, the Downtown West Orange Alliance launched a monthly e-mail newsletter in March of 2009. This electronic newsletter provides information on downtown events, new store openings, construction updates, proposals etc. We encourage all of our supporters to give us feedback on this new venture, and also to submit news of downtown happenings for inclusion in future issues. If you would like to be on our e-mail list for this exciting new publication or would like to help with writing press releases contact us at downtown@westorange.org
COME TO THE 5TH ANNUAL SPRING STREET FAIR ON SUNDAY, MAY 24th!
CLICK HERE TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF THE 2008 SPRING STREET FAIR!
The Drifters played on the steps of Town Hall at the 3rd Annual Street Fair
On Sunday, May 24th, the Downtown West Orange Alliance will hold its 5th Annual Street Fair. This fun-filled day will feature more than 100 artists, crafters, and vendors. Fabulous food, live music, and entertainment for children and adults will be available all day. Last year, we were thrilled to receive lots of praise and compliments like, "This is the way West Orange USED to be!!" And, "I've lived here 70 years and have never seen anything like this!" For four years now this successful event has drawn between ten and twelve thousand people to Main Street. If you would like to be a vendor click here to download a vendor application.
Click here to download a coupon for (1) FREE Moonwalk ride or game. For one child 12 years old or younger when accompanied by parent or guardian on May 24th, 2009.
Farmer's Market Starts on Friday, July 3rd!
Join us on Friday, July 3rd from 12pm-6pm in the parking lot behind Town Hall, 66 Main Street, as we kick off the beginning of the West Orange Farmers Market! We are starting early this year so you can buy all your Jersey fresh fruits and vegetables for the 4th of July holiday.
Our 2 farmers will be back this year- George Fetzer from Valley View Farms and Dale Davis from Stony Hill Gardens. We are excited to announce that several new vendors will be joining us for the 2009 season.
-High Mountain Foods with High Quality Pre-Packaged Foods
-Vesco Foods with gourmet pickles and olives
-Gourmet Blends with Balsamic Vinegars & Dipping Oils
-Fair Mountain Coffee with Freshly Ground & Brewed Coffee
-Amish Country Bakery with delicious Home Baked Goods
Plenty of parking will be available because Town Hall is closed for the 4th of July weekend so come on down and say hi.
The Farmers Market runs every Friday from 12pm-6pm in the parking lot behind Town Hall, 66 Main Street, from July 3rd through October 30th.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PAINTING!
Join us on Friday, October 30th from 3-5pm at the West Orange Farmers Market for the annual Pumpkin Painting Festival. Parents can shop while their kids decorate a free pumpkin with squeeze paints, markers and stickers. The Halloween Good Witch will also be there to entertain the kids!!
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700 Runners and Walkers Pre-Registered for the 2009 Race
Ready, Set Go!!!!
Runners and walkers braved driving rain and blustery winds as they gathered along Main Street for the 3rd Annual "Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer," hosted by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the Downtown West Orange Alliance and the Township of West Orange.
This year’s race grossed $96,000 to help fund education, awareness and quality of life programs on both a local and national level.
“Cancer walks allow for the community to come together and fight for a common cause, generating awareness, which can potentially lead to higher survival rates,” said race organizer and ovarian cancer survivor Shari-Beth Susskind. "NOCC's 'Break the Silence' campaign was created specifically to help generate ovarian cancer awareness on both a local and national level, and regional walks such as this play a significant role in NOCC's efforts."
According to the National Cancer Institute, 21,000 women are diagnosed yearly with ovarian cancer. Of those diagnosed, 15,000 do not survive.
According to the “Break the Silence” survey conducted by Impulse Research Corporation, sponsored by the NOCC, 82 percent of women have never talked to their doctor about the symptoms and risk factors of the disease. The survey also found that while 53 percent of women are familiar with the symptoms of breast cancer, only 15 percent of women are familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Portion of profits will go to the Northern JerseyNational Ovarian Cancer Coalition
You can download a 10% off coupon to Sneaker Factory by clicking here. |
Other West Orange and Surrounding CommunityEvents
West Orange Community Service Clubs
ANNUAL COMMUNITY
THANKSGIVING
LUNCHEON
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
12:00 noon
Mayfair Farms
481 Eagle Rock Avenue
West Orange, New Jersey
Guest Speaker: Dr. Anthont P. Cavanna, West Orange Schools Superintenent
Advance Tickets: $35
At the door: $40
For ticket sales please contact Micky Wagner at
(973) 731-0360
Or purchase your tickets on-line at www.westorangechamber.com.
Click here to download a flyer.
LUNASTAGE OFFERS FREE PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP
Luna Stage, currently located at Studio Luna, the company's temporary space at 406 Tompkins Street, Orange, is offering a free playwriting workshop on Sunday, November 22nd. from 3PM to5PM. Playwright/actress/director Anne Timmins will lead the workshop - a unique introduction to the art and craft of writing a play.
Ms. Timmins has won numerous writing awards, including a NYC BRIO award for fiction and the VSA Arts of NJ Wordsmith awards for fiction and poetry. She participated in writing fellowship residencies at Yaddo, in Saratoga Springs, NY and at Ragdale in Lake Forest, IL where she won the Frances Shaw Fellowship Award. She also received a scholarship to the Sarah Lawrence College Playwright Intensive to develop new plays.
While living in Edinburgh, Scotland, she won film script development grants from the Scottish Film Trust and from the Edinburgh Film Workshop Trust for Pizza Baby and Paolo's Hair.
Ms. Timmins' play, The Mango Tree was produced in March 2008 at West End Theatre, NYC. Feets, a play in two acts is under commission by a theatre on the West Coast. Gardenia a one act play is in development in New York City. Her writing has been published in Asian Pacific American Journal, Dialogue Magazine, Spotlight Magazine, The Festival Times, Scotland Illustrator ,Honolulu Star Bulletin, among others.
Sunday's free playwriting workshop is just one of the many events that Luna Stage has going on at Studio Luna. Although the company is waiting for its permanent home in West Orange to be finished (expected to be March 2010), the company has been keeping Studio Luna buzzing with activity - readings, script-in-hand performances, Indie Music Circus, a Literary Lounge, and various classes and workshops. Sunday's workshop will serve as an introduction to Anne Timmins and the playwriting workshop that she will be offering at Studio Luna in the new year. All are welcome to the free workshop, but space is limited. Anyone interested in attending can call 973-744-3309, or visit the Luna Stage website (www.lunastage.org) for further information. Click here to download a Luna Stage brochure.
Contact: Mona Hennessy, 201-207-7568 or mhennessy@lunastage.org
