Essex County Daily Buzz: Feb. 27, 2024

Local news

New Jersey Education Department is accepting “Climate Change Education” grant applications from local educational agencies through Feb. 29. Applicants must apply with their municipality or community non-profit organization. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Department of Education

La Casa de Don Pedro offers a lead remediation and abatement program for qualifying Essex County residents who suspect they may be exposed to lead. Applications accepted online.
La Casa De Don Pedro

New Jersey Citizen Action to host a free, virtual “First-Time Homebuyer Seminar” on Feb. 29. The event, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will provide information on the home-buying process, affordable mortgage programs, fair housing, and avoiding predatory lending. Preregistration is required and can be completed online. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Northeast Earth Coalition, a Montclair-based sustainability organization, seeks volunteers to participate in several community projects from March to September. Volunteers are needed for the community gardens, Earth Day clean-ups, food drives, and food delivery. There are also several public speaking opportunities. Applications accepted online.
Northeast Earth Coalition

South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race plans a free documentary screening of “Birthing Justice” on Feb. 29 in South Orange. The film is from 7-9 p.m. at the SOPAC Loft, 1 Sopac Way. It will discuss Black maternal health and efforts to correct disparities in deaths and pregnancy complications for Black mothers. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

Orange is suing the owner of Kingston Apartments on Vose Avenue for unsafe building conditions. The lawsuit comes after several reports of severe neglect at 765 Vose Ave., including a roof collapse in a shower and a ceiling cave-in that wasn’t fixed for a year. Tenants experiencing issues have been advised to contact the city’s law department for more information.
West Orange Patch

Belleville library plans anime and manga club meeting for children age 10+ on Feb. 29. The meeting is from 3-5 p.m. Participants will watch anime, discuss manga, take quizzes, and play games together. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
Belleville Public Library

Maplewood library plans “Boogie Woogie Babies” on Feb. 29 at the Hilton Branch. The movement class begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children up to age 3 and their caregivers. Add to 📅.
Maplewood Public Library

Nutley recreation to host “Happily Ever Crafters” for toddlers on Feb. 29. Attendees will build early literacy and social skills while exploring their creativity at 1 p.m. in the parks and recreation building. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Add to 📅.
Nutley Parks and Recreation Department

Belleville library to host “Pre-K Leap Day Story Time” on Feb. 29. The event, scheduled from 4-4:30 p.m., will feature a story and a related craft project for children ages 3-5. Add to 📅.
Belleville Public Library

Buzz Aldrin Middle School plans “Restorative Justice Circle Night” for parents and caregivers on Feb. 29 in Montclair. Attendees will meet from 6-8 p.m. and strengthen their empathy skills while engaging in conversation with other families. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
Buzz Aldrin Middle School

Montclair homeowners can apply for the 2024 Home Improvement Program, offering up to $24,000 in repairs. Eligibility depends on the homeowner’s gross annual household income and the need of the home for major system repairs like roofing, plumbing, electrical, windows, among others. Applications accepted online.
Montclair Township

West Orange Human Relations Commission to host a “Mix and Mingle” on Feb. 29. The event is from 5-7:30 p.m. at the West Orange Arts Center and will celebrate Black-owned businesses. There will be music, food, and wine. Add to 📅.
West Orange Human Relations Commission

Camden Street School plans a Black History Month event on Feb. 29 in Newark. The event is from 6-7:30 p.m. and will showcase student performances. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
Camden Street School

Newark recreation plans “Thursday’s Groove: Soul Line Dancing Class” for all ages and skill levels starting Feb. 29. Classes are weekly from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hayes Park West Center of Hope. Add to 📅.
Newark Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services

Registration is open for Glen Ridge recreation’s 2024 “Summer Day Camp” for residents ages 5-12. Early Bird deadline is Mar. 4 and the regular deadline is Aug. 1. Camp is weekdays from Jun. 19 to Aug. 1 at Carteret Park. Registration is available online. Add to 📅.
Glen Ridge Borough

Demarest Elementary School’s Home and School Association seeks parent and student volunteers for food distribution. Volunteers will help sort, pack, and distribute food to families and individuals. Sign up is available online.
Demarest Elementary School Home and School Association

Bloomfield SEPAC virtual meeting planned for Feb. 29. The meeting is open to parents and caregivers of Bloomfield school district students. Add to 📅.
Bloomfield Special Education Parents Association

South Orange library patrons now have access to a home delivery service for library items during the main library renovation period. This service, available every Thursday afternoon, is specifically for local residents who have limited transportation access to the temporary location. Request deliveries or pick-ups online.
South Orange Public Library

Women’s Club of Glen Ridge plans an author event with Dionne Ford on Feb. 29. Dionne will discuss her book, “Go Back & Get It: A Memoir of Race, Inheritance and Intergenerational Healing” from 7-9 p.m. at 219 Ridgewood Ave. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
Women’s Club of Glen Ridge

Regional news

Eligible New Jersey residents facing housing emergencies due to a temporary financial crisis may receive aid from the NJ SMART Program. The program offers a grant of up to $5,000 to support overdue rent, mortgage, or property tax payments. Eligibility requirements available online.
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities