Local news
Maplewood library to host “BB Contes Black History Month Family Event” on Feb. 17 in the Hilton Branch. There will be West African music, dance, food, and stories in French and English from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Add to 📅.
Maplewood Public Library
Maplewood Village Alliance plans a free “Black History Month Self-Guided Walking Tour” through Feb. 29. There are educational displays showcasing Black leaders in arts, politics, civil and human rights, history, and sports at 23 business storefronts. A complete list of tour locations is available online.
Maplewood Village Alliance
South Orange to host “Erasing South Orange Borders Run-Walk” on Saturdays on Feb. 17. The run begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 1 p.m., hosted by resident and founder of Erasing Essex’s Borders Stephanie Lawson Muhammad. Each route covers 3.1 miles and participants will explore South Orange borders that have historically impacted African Americans. The events are held each Saturday in February. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
South Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Morristown developer Yayine Abeba Melaku is suing South Orange and PSE&G, claiming her project was unfairly delayed for two years because she is a Black woman. The complaint charges the township and utility with violations of N.J.’s Law Against Discrimination. It alleges Melaku was asked to pay $260,000 for an underground transformer installation, a cost waived for a white male developer on a neighboring plot. The township allegedly refused to issue her a tax abatement and unfairly increased her project’s property taxes.
New Jersey Monitor
Essex County activated Code Blue procedures from Feb. 13 to Feb. 20, helping people find shelter as temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Participating shelters and warming stations include Catholic Charities in Newark, Joi’s Angels in East Orange, St. Mark’s Church in Montclair, among others throughout the county. Additional locations can be found on the NJ 211 website.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter to host “Cat Adoption Event” on Feb. 18. The event, scheduled from 12-4 p.m. at 61 Bukowski Pl., will feature reduced adoption fees and a selection of fully vetted cats ages 1+. Applicants must pre-apply for approval and appointment online by Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. Add to 📅.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter
Turtle Back Zoo is hiring a cashiers, train drivers, seasonal supervisors, and other positions for the 2024 spring and summer season. Workers must be able to work outdoors, 18+, and pass a background check. Applications accepted online.
Turtle Back Zoo
East Side Mags to host a book signing and RPG demo with Maplewood local Scott Barton on Feb. 17 in Montclair. Barton will sign “Factory of Lights” from 2-5 p.m. at 491 Bloomfield Ave. and showcase his tabletop RPG adventure. Add to 📅.
East Side Mags
New Jersey Historical Commission plans a free “La Fuerza de las Voces Negras: Afrolatinidades en las Américas” lecture on Feb. 17 in Newark. The discussion will include the histories and experiences of Afro-Latinos in the Americas at Rutgers-Newark from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be presentations exploring race, language, nationhood, representation, and belonging in the Atlantic world. Tickets are available online. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Historical Commission
