Follow local news and events in West Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is the The Daily Buzz for May. 7, 2024 from The Jersey Bee.
Local news
Registration open for West Orange recreation’s “Future Leading Females in Computer Science and Sports” summer camp. It runs from Jul. 22-26 at Liberty Middle School weekdays from 1-3 p.m. Participants will explore computer science skills, including how to program robots. Admission is $175.
West Orange Recreation Department
New Jersey driving permit holders under age 21 will need to complete 50 hours of supervised driving starting February 2025, a change led by West Orange High School students Tatiana Garcia and Krish Patel. The new requirement mandates student drivers spend 10 hours driving at night. Previously, N.J., Mississippi, and Arkansas were the only states that did not require supervised training for permit holders.
Montclair Local
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission plans a DMV services station on May 10 in East Orange. The station will be available at the Essex County One Stop Career Center, 50 South Clinton St. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Services include N.J. driver’s license and non-driver ID renewals, and registration renewals. Appointments are required for all services, and can be made online. Add to 📅.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Isaiah House, an East Orange-based nonprofit that supports unhoused families, to host “Sexual Awareness Workshop” on May 9. The workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 238 North Munn Ave. with HIV/AIDS community organization North Jersey Community Research Initiative. Gift cards will be given to participants who attend the entire session. Add to 📅.
Isaiah House
SOMA Justice plans spring happy hour on May 9 in Maplewood. The event is from 7-9 p.m. at Pickett’s Village Bar, 2208 Millburn Ave. Attendees will learn how to get involved with the organization. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
SOMA Justice
Newark NAACP plans a free mental health awareness live stream on May 9. The event will follow the organization’s general body meeting and begin at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers Monique Swift and Juan Rios will discuss tools for mental health care. Add to 📅.
Newark NAACP
New Jersey Citizen Action to host a free “Know Your Health Insurance Rights” webinar on May 9. The program begins at 7 p.m. and will discuss the Medicaid redetermination process and alternate healthcare coverage options. Stipends for attendees available by request. Registration available online. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Citizen Action
ACLU is hiring a full-time director of appellate advocacy. Applications accepted online.
ACLU of New Jersey
Newark Museum of Art plans a free “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution” screening on May 9. The film begins at 7 p.m. A panel will follow with the film’s director Deborah Riley Draper, Essence’s editor-at-large Mikki Taylor, and fashion model Pat Cleveland. Tickets available online. Add to 📅.
Newark Museum of Art
Essex County Environmental Center plans “Spring Wild Edible Walk,” for families on May 10 in Roseland. Attendees will identify plants, discuss ethical harvesting, and ways to prepare gardens for spring from 6-7:30 p.m. Registration required. Tickets available online for purchase. Add to 📅.
Essex County Environmental Center
Regional news
New Jersey workers will face higher taxes for family leave and temporary disability in 2025 due to a significant shortfall in the state’s disability benefits fund. The Department of Labor anticipates a $442 million deficit at the end of the fiscal year and the state recently proposed an interagency loan to bridge the gap. Still, workers should expect a tax hike. Average costs for temporary disability insurance would rise from zero to about $141, and family leave assessments would increase to roughly $242, compared to the $74 rate in 2024.
New Jersey Monitor
