Learning A Lot At The Upper Montclair Sidewalk Sale

A walk around the Upper Montclair Sidewalk Sale on Saturday morning revealed all sort of news and information. For example, Carrie Babcock, co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, said she's hosting a special one-hour family dance class — a Family Happy Hour — on Tuesday, September 21 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person and the event is for anyone age 5 and up. "It's so great when you can find something like this, something that's great exercise, that the whole family can do together," she said.

Melanie Hazim, director of public relations and blood services for the American Red Cross, said there are several opportunities to give blood this year. Come by the second Thursday of every month at 63 Park Street from 2:30 to 7:15 p.m. Appointments are honored; walks-ins will be accommodated as best as possible.

Montclair High School senior Jonathan Green was on hand to raise awareness of the second annual Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County 5K road race that's coming up in Brookdale Park on September 26 at 5 p.m. For more information on this event, go here.

Running a stall nearby was Rebecca Oser, 13, who — along with her project partner Jocelyn Rosenthal — was hoping to raise more money for the Alan Elder School in Mali, Africa. She said so far she's raised more than $6,000. For more information on  her project, go here. 

In addition, the Montclair Arts Council had a table on Valley Road, distributing decorated balloons as it advertised the Montclair Gallery Walk that's coming up on Friday, October 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tours require reservations: 973-744-7555 or info.montclairarts@gmail.com