As you probably know, Parents Who Rock threw a kids’ concert last weekend at Montclair High School to raise money for the nationwide, locally based Little Kids Rock organization. Even though there were three concerts on that day, PWR’s concert was packed. PWR diva Alma Schneider says, “Turnout was huge–around 300 people. Kids were running and dancing around the entire auditorium. We had a healthy kid’s cafe, and Mama Doni was like the Pied Piper with a long line of kids following her around yelling, ‘Oy vey!’

She reports they raised $5,000.

To help them reach their donation goals, PWR is throwing another adults-only concert tonight at Diva Lounge. This one is called Grandparents Who Rock.

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I shivered last night when I took my dog out. I looked over my shoulder, and I surveyed the sidewalks of Bloomfield Avenue where I live. I had a feeling a monster–maybe that scary lady at Mountain Auto Body–was right behind me with a car jack in her hand.

I had the creeps.

I used to get the creeps when I lived on 27th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The neighborhood was great, but my building was right across from a park where hookers and druggies camped out at night. I got used to them–but if a new druggie hooker showed up, I’d get the creeps.

This is why I moved to Montclair. I wanted to feel just a little safer while walking my dog. Oh, yeah, and I wanted a safer community for my kids.

After four serious crimes around town just in February, I don’t feel that safe.

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Our Upcoming Events calendar has plenty to keep you entertained this week. Check it often for all local happenings. Here are this week’s highlights:

 

 

Get in Touch With Nature
Feb. 25

Head over to Van Vleck House & Gardens today with your preschooler and learn about Sugar Maple Trees. Take a walk, hear a story and do an activity.

 

  

Let the Little Gym Babysit

Feb. 27

Drop off your kids (ages 3 1/2 and up) at the Little Gym from 6:00 p.m. –  8:30 p.m. and enjoy a kids-free night out.

 

 

Cut loose, footloose

Feb. 28

Head over to Montclair Kimberley’s Upper School to see their production of Footloose.

 

 

Attend a cool concert and help the Pre-K

March 1

Check out Dan Zanes & Friends over at the Wellmont. Proceeds benefit the Montclair Community Pre-K

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Hey, these are lean economic times. So we headed right over to Free Pancake Day at IHOP on Broad Street in Bloomfield to get fat for free. Or almost free–we had to buy drinks to get the goods. Because we needed chocolate milk to go with our buttermilk short stacks.

It was a tough dinner in the trenches, but we survived. The only problem was, after such a butter-laden, carb-filled, sugary feast, our butts were the size of Belgium waffles. If you want a Belgium waffle butt, too, you can still make it to IHOP by 10 p.m. tonight. Or just be sure to get there early this time next year.

Here is my advice if you go:

1. Be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes.
2. Bring toys or iPhones or patience–service is understandably slow.
3. The place is filled with college kids and big families with babies.
4. Watch out for the blond homeless woman in the ladies’ restroom who reeks

Keep reading to see photos from our pancake adventure.

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Today is Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras. Traditionally, the Tuesday before Lent was also called Pancake Tuesday, because all the fats, eggs and dairy needed to be eaten before the forty days of fasting.

But here’s what you really need to know: IHOP has named today, National Pancake Day and they are giving away a free short-stack of buttermilk pancakes to everyone. All they ask in return is for you to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. 

National Pancake Day will run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. tonight. 

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I thought the only thing interesting in Short Hills was the Spa. Or maybe that little mall out there.

But now there’s another reason to schlep to the softer side of Essex County: Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli will be speaking on March 25. You know, Henry Winkler.

I don’t understand what he’s going to say, but the event is free, Henry Winkler always smiles a lot, and everyone in middle school and up is invited.

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I stay up way too late for the Oscar Awards every year, even though I need to know who wins Best Film Editing about as badly as I need to know how much it costs to join The Short Hill Spa.

I’ll be home rooting for Slumdog Millionaire. The Clairidge sold out yesterday when I saw it for the early bird matinee. I just hope M.I.A. performs Paper Planes, so I can swagga like her.

I will swagga at home. Alone. My kids will be sleeping. This actually sounds fun to me–watching the Oscars at home in the quiet of my Bloomfield Avenue house. I guess that means I’m mature (i.e. boring) and a parent (i.e. my social life is over).

But I’d still like to know: Are there any local parties? Or do you prefer to stay home–and awake way past your bedtime–too?

Green is a religion in these here parts. So I am not sure I should admit that I have put the milk carton in the garbage can once or twice in my life. A few of my friends might condemn me to fiery pits in hell.

But I can redeem myself with the Green Expo this weekend, and I can take those previously not recyclable yogurt cups to the local Whole Foods.

Montclair’s first Green Expo begins Sunday, February 22, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn about recycling, environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and how to make your home more energy efficient. Check out product demonstrations, presentations and info about Fair Trade. Montclair’s First Green Expo is free, as we learned on Baristanet.

 

Green Expo
Bnai Keshet Synagogue
99 South Fullerton Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042

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To me, there’s nothing better than taking my kids to an event where I can also drink hard liquor. So tonight, we’re heading to Kid Kat Kabaret at Piano’s Bar & Grill in Bloomfield.

It’s a win-win. We support local kids who come to perform, my little ones shut up to watch, and I get to drink gin and tonic.

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