MORRIS COUNTY — 26th Legislative District State Senate candidate Christine Clarke has received the endorsement of the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, the latest advocacy group to support Clarke’s race. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) political arm of the Center for Biological Diversity, an organization with over 1 million members that advocates for endangered species protection through legal action, grassroots activism, and creative educational content.
The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund believes that protecting the environment is a bedrock American value that should rise above partisan politics.
“We are thrilled to endorse Christine for the LD26 primary and the general election in November. Christine has been an outstanding champion for wildlife, protecting our environment, and safeguarding our climate. We can’t wait for her to bring change to Trenton and help New Jersey move to a just, clean energy future with clean air and water for all,” said Brett Hartl, Chief Political Strategist.
“As someone who values nature, biodiversity, and environmental conservation, I’m honored to be endorsed by the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund and will continue to be an ally in the New Jersey State Senate,” said Clarke.
Christine Clarke is an environmental advocate, a grassroots organizer, and a mother-of-four running for State Senate to build the job-creating clean energy economy, advance a green recovery from covid-19, protect clean air and water, improve healthcare and lead with empathy and common decency. To learn more about her click here.
The 26th District includes 13 communities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Milford.
Matta Donna Ristorante & Pizzeria is located at 304 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton
BOONTON — On Main Street in the quaint, historic, little downtown of Boonton, it is not difficult to find several popular and excellent Italian restaurants dotted along the rows of small storefront businesses, but just a short drive away on Myrtle Avenue, separated from the crowd, you will find yet another gem you should seriously consider putting on your radar.
Ed, Barbara and Zach Joyce
Matta Donna Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria, a family-owned, and operated fine dining venue opened its doors in October of 2009, after taking over the prior location of Eduardo’s Pizzeria, which was owned by the Mastria family and which stood at that location for the 30 years prior. As one would expect, after 30 years major renovations were in order and the new owners wasted no time in putting their dream to work. On your visit to Matta Donna’s, you will find an establishment that is somewhat elegant, with an upscale and classy ambiance; yet still manages to feel cozy and comfortable. The well-thought-out setting is undoubtedly an expression of pride by the owners. The vibe is fun, cheerful, and welcoming, and yet somehow exudes a feeling that you are in store for a more sophisticated, formal dining experience. Simply, if you are looking for fine Italian dining which also offers some interestingly cool pizzas, Matta Donna might just be your place.
As soon as you enter you immediately are struck by the beautiful, reddish/brown oak woodwork throughout the interior dining room and bar. The appealing soft hues of the rich wood, which includes the wall paneling, floors, tables, and bar, lends itself to a sophisticated décor and ambiance that immediately exudes a feeling of warmth and comfort. The gorgeous wood is complimented with several pieces of beautiful artwork that adorns the walls and which adds another level of class to this already quietly elegant-looking venue. The dining room is spacious, airy, and nicely lighted by the restaurants’ large windows, and the tables are set up to be in full compliance with today’s pandemic safety requirements.
Shrimp Appetizer
On entry, we were warmly greeted, thanked for our visit, and offered our choice of tables. We chose a nice corner table with a lot of light. A basket of hot bread (whole grain and Crusty White), butter, and infused Olive Oil quickly arrived, and our drink order was taken without delay. I went with a Woodford Manhattan this evening and the bartender personally came to our table to ask how I like it. He made it to perfection. Nice, personalized service. Our server, Jake, was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, in addition to being very personable, attentive, polite, and efficient at his job, as was the rest of the staff. Our menus were brought, and water was poured as our group looked over the multiple appetizing looking menu options.
Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions Pizza
Zach Joyce, who along with his brother, Edward, owns and operates this family-owned, independent eatery stopped by our table which gave me a chance to get some background information on Matta Donna. I was curious about the name of the restaurant, which being of Italian heritage, I knew translated to “Crazy Woman”. Zach laughed and explained that though the name does mean “Crazy Woman” it actually came from a ranch the family had owned in Wyoming, where there is an area called “Crazy Woman Creek” and that it is not a reference to anyone in particular. Zach told me that his brother, Ed, a classically trained Chef, runs the kitchen while he runs the front of the house. Mother, Barbara Joyce, who is also a classically trained pastry Chef, does not work in the restaurant but does supply them with several of her specialty desserts. Zach made it clear that all three have their roles in serving the area with fine, gourmet Italian cuisine, and of course, those specialty pizzas.
My inquiry then led to the bar’s countertop, which I previously knew has quite an interesting back story. The bar’s countertop is comprised of teak, which was acquired from salvaged deck planks directly from the USS North Carolina, the most decorated battleship during WWII, and which was involved in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during that time. Interestingly, North Carolina was being restored around the same time that the restaurant was being renovated. The somewhat rotted ship planks which were being replaced were acquired by Min-Craft Custom Cabinetry in Dover who meticulously restored the planks and utilized them to create the unique top of the appealing bar. Being a Navy veteran, I found this particularly exciting, not to mention patriotic and historic. The USS North Carolina, once considered the World’s greatest sea weapon, is presently a tourist attraction in Wilmington, NC. It was nice to see Zach express such pride in his family and their restaurant.
Time to eat! For our appetizers, we decided to share one of their small pizza’s that I have heard good things about, the specialty Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions Pizza. We also went with the
Grilled Hot Sausage over Arugula
Grilled Hot Sausage over Arugula, with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella cheese, with a balsamic reduction, and the Shrimp Special. Did I mention, to complement your meal they offer a nice variety of wines at reasonable prices. All the appetizers were delicious. I would not have ever thought of ordering a Goat Cheese pizza, but I found it delicious and perfectly prepared. Tasty, thin-crust (you can order it thin or regular crust), and fully cooked to a nice, crunchy texture. The Sausage married perfectly with the peppers and mozzarella and was a treat; and the Shrimp, sweet with a deliciously tender texture, covered in a slightly creamy sauce. Great start!
For an entrée, I decided on their Cowboy Rib Eye, an 18 oz grilled, bone-in, Angus steak, topped with garlic-herb butter and served with hand-cut fries and sauteed green beans. My guests went with the Grilled Filet Mignon, served with sautéed mushrooms, and roasted red peppers, with a cabernet wine sauce; served with roasted potatoes and broccoli, and the Veal Cutlet Parmesan, served over pasta. The Cowboy Steak was prepared to melt-in-your-mouth excellence, savory, juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly to my specifications. The ample amount of cut fries were nice and crispy, and the green beans were fresh and slightly crunchy to the bite. The Filet Mignon and Veal Parmesan, which I, unfortunately, did not get to try, were also met with rave reviews. By now, everyone was clearly happy and satiated but how could you leave without one of Barbara’s decadent desserts.
Cowboy Rib Eye
I went with the homemade Blueberry Tart. Bursting with the fresh flavor of blueberries, with a deliciously textured homemade crust, this was a decadent and delectably good choice. Not too sweet, not too tart, exactly right! Went great with a meal ending Cappuccino. My guest’s Chocolate Lava Cake was also a home run.
Blueberry Tart
Matta Donna was a great stop. Delicious food, excellent service, moderate prices, great people, and what looks like a great bar scene. Next stop, I might just have to hit up the bar to enjoy one of their sandwiches, or a burger, both of which I hear is excellent; along with a beer or two. I certainly would recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I am confident you will enjoy your dining experience, I did.
BOONTON — The Town of Boonton will hold a regular public meeting of the Mayor and Town Council on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
This meeting will include a public hearing regarding the Town’s intention to apply for the NJ DEP’s Urban Parks 2021 Grant and also to be considered for Green Acres grant funding. Grant funds are sought for the Pepe Park Playground project. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom.
Please use the link below to join the webinar: Click here to join the meeting.
Passcode: zEpu44
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 956 2403 1905
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International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ab7XiR04r8
MADISON — The TMC will sponsor an art sale at the Thursday Farmer’s Market on June 10.
The paintings are for sale and were donated by former TMC Club Member Barbara Thompson. Framed paintings will be sold for $25.00 and unframed for $12.50. Holding the sale at Dodge Field is special also for our celebration because the first Athletic Playground in Madison was established by the Thursday Morning Club in 1908. Dodge Field, as it is known today was taken over by the Borough in 1924.
In the Club’s year of celebrating, we have highlighted many of the programs that were established by the Club. The Thursday Morning Club is proud of its long service record and hopes to continue serving the community with programs for Seniors, Adults, Elementary School Children, and Preschool children.
For further information about the Club click here.
HANOVER — Daniel Scalley of Cedar Knolls, competed for the Flying Dutchmen during the spring 2021 sports season. Scalley, a graduate of Whippany Park High School, is pursuing a bachelor of arts in history at The Valley.
Scalley was a member of the baseball team. LVC’s baseball team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in recent memory in 2021. The Flying Dutchmen compiled a 21-12 overall record and 16-6 mark in conference action. LVC defeated Stevenson in the MACC Quarterfinals and Stevenson in the Semifinals to reach their first Conference Championship since 2002.
A member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), Lebanon Valley College offers 26 sports.
More information about LVC Athletics is available by clicking here.
About Lebanon Valley College For three consecutive years (2018-2020), Lebanon Valley College has been listed as #1 in Pennsylvania for graduate job placement by the career guidance site Zippia.com, using federal data.
Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college in Annville, Pa. The College offers more than 45 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options. LVC also offers online and in-person graduate degree programs in accounting (MBA 3+1), applied kinesiology, athletic training, business administration, clinical exercise physiology, clinical mental health counseling, physical therapy, science in STEM education, speech-language pathology, and sports performance, and certificates in healthcare management, integrative STEM education, leadership and ethics, online teaching and learning, modern band, and supply chain management & logistics.
MORRIS COUNTY — Surrogate Heather Darling delivered a webinar covering the first round of enhancements to her e Probate online process.
The one-hour webinar was designed specifically for the attorneys that work with probate and administration of estates in Morris County. Since its roll-out in November of 2020, significant improvements have been integrated with e Probate to enhance the client experience, making it more efficient and convenient to complete the probate and administration process for an estate online.
The Surrogate’s office has processed over 700 e Probate cases since its introduction in November of 2020, in addition to in-person appointments and mail processing. The details of the current e Probate application were discussed and Surrogate Darling had an exchange of ideas with the many participating attorneys regarding their experience and future enhancements that will be forthcoming.
This service was developed out of an idea Surrogate Darling presented when running for the Office of Surrogate. She said, “As an attorney practicing in the Surrogate’s Court, it was apparent to me that a significant segment of the clients this office serves is subject to mobility issues of varying degrees.” Darling went on to say, “When I originally forecasted the need, no one would have foreseen the additional urgent need for this service which was brought on by COVID.” A video of the webinar is available online at the Surrogate’s website click here.
HANOVER — On Hanover Township Police Officer Anthony D’Angelo took a report of an alleged robbery that had occurred at the Quick Chek on this date at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 22.
Mr. Matthew Fedroff, 41, East Hanover, advised Officer D’Angelo that four white males robbed him of his methadone pills, his iPhone 12, and his military ID.
During the interview, Mr. Fedroff details of the alleged robbery would change. After further questioning, Mr. Fedroff admitted to losing the bag and not being robbed but needed a refill on his methadone so that is why he decided to file a false police report.
He was charged with filing a false police report and was released pending his court date.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — In early 2020, Det. Dominic Kaiser began investigating reports of mail theft. Individuals were seen at various homes removing mail from residential mailboxes at several homes in Hanover Township.
The investigation led Det. Kaiser to several other jurisdictions throughout northern New Jersey. Due to the fact that the crimes involved US mail, the United States Postal Service was advised and agreed to take over the case. The United States Attorney’s Office recently issued the following press release:
NEWARK, N.J. – Two New York men were arrested today for their participation in a scheme to steal and alter checks from the mail and engage in bank fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Nigel Lynch, 19, of Yonkers, New York, and Alique Jordan Clarke, 20, of Bronx, New York, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. They are scheduled to appear this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward Kiel. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From February 2020 to November 2020, Lynch, Clarke, and others conspired to steal checks from mailboxes in Morris, Essex, Somerset, and Passaic counties, alter the stolen checks, and deposit the altered checks into bank accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators. The investigation has identified over 294 checks with a face value of over $1.3 million that have been stolen, altered, and deposited in accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators.
The conspiracy to commit a bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vijay Dewan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Music is seeking a patient owner who will build trust with him. He can be frightened at times so he would benefit from a quiet household. Kids age 16 or older are preferred.
Yes, Music can be shy at first greeting but once he gets to know them he does not mind their company. Music gets along with cats. Music is crate trained and enjoys spending time in the crate. Music will have occasional accidents but has been improving as he adjusts to a routine.
Music walks perfectly on the leash!
Prepare your laps for this bundle of love! Music is a snuggle bug who could spend all day in your company. When he is not cuddling with you, he is playing with his toys! He takes pride in showing off his toy collection and leaves you with the honor of picking them up. He enjoys going on walks around the neighborhood. Music takes time to become comfortable with new people and his surroundings, but once he acclimates, he will show you all the love he has to offer!
Music was surrendered to Wise at no fault of his own. His previous owner got a new job and no longer had the time to care for him. He is looking forward to his new journey of finding a forever family!
If you are interested in adopting, please click here to fill out an application.
MORRIS COUNTY — On Monday Governor Phil Murphy announced that we should expect to see children wearing masks at school in the fall. Assemblyman Brian Bergen called the announcement a “joke.”
In a session of the state Assembly on May 20, Bergen put Democrats on notice to start doing their jobs and stop acting as the governor’s “lapdog.”
“I think the governor is dreaming if he plans to have the unilateral authority to mask our children in schools this fall,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “If he does have that much authority, and our state Legislature is still sitting on their hands, I would be shocked. I mean, how long can Democrats in the legislature tolerate being completely irrelevant?”
Bergen introduced legislation to rein in the governor’s executive order authority. His bill (A4147) would require legislative oversight and would force all executive orders to expire after 14 days without an extension granted by the Legislature. It has been brought up for votes three times in the Assembly and twice in the Senate, each time voted down by the Democrats.
“Let’s be clear, if the governor is still acting unilaterally in the fall, then there is no one else to blame besides the Assembly and Senate Democrats. More specifically, the leadership in both houses.”
Bergen has also indicated he is tired of those responsible hiding behind their party.
“It’s time we name the individuals who are making these bad decisions and hold them directly accountable. Enough of the generalizations. We know who they are and we need to hold their feet to the fire at every opportunity.”
