Essex County Daily Buzz: Oct. 7, 2024

LOCAL NEWS

Free exhibition discussion with artist Bony Ramirez planned at Newark Museum of Art on Oct. 12. Ramirez will discuss resistance and tourism in his artwork from his “Cattleya” exhibit at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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Newark Museum of Art

Free poetry reading with James Hoch, Joan Larkin, and Marcia LeBeau planned by South Orange on Oct. 13. The reading begins at 3 p.m. at The Skate House, 5 Mead St. It is part of the Watershed Literary’s reading series.
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South Orange Village

Free webinar discussing ways to support LGBT+ family and friends planned by Rutgers on Oct. 9. It begins at 12:30 p.m. There will be resources for continued learning. Registration is required.
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Family & Community Health Sciences

ICYMI: New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition to host inaugural “NJ Empowerment Awards and Fundraiser” at South Orange Performing Arts Center Oct. 10. The event begins at 6 p.m. to honor people promoting racial justice and inclusive democracy through public service, DEI advocacy, policymaking, and business. Area honorees include Newark law firm Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge and Jean-Pierre Brutus of New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Tickets are $125 and include complimentary drinks and appetizers. The Jersey Bee is a community media sponsor of this event.
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New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition

Free screening of “Everybody’s Work: Healing What Hurts Us All” planned by Partnership or Maternal and Child Health of Northern N.J. on Oct. 8 in South Orange. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Loft at SOPAC. Intended audience members are nurses, midwives, doulas, community health workers, physicians, hospital administrators, and other healthcare professionals. Registration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

New Jersey Historical Commission is accepting applications for part-time communications officer and historical marker project coordinator positions by Oct. 14. Applications accepted online.
New Jersey Historical Commission

Make the Road N.J. plans free citizenship exam classes for individuals with Green Cards starting Oct. 15 and 16 in Elizabeth and Passaic. Classes are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. twice a week at 42 Broad St. in Elizabeth and 184 Passaic St. in Passaic. Classes include 100 questions from civic education, U.S. history and government, and interview preparation. The organization offers free legal assistance for submitting citizen applications. Registration is available online.
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Make The Road NJ

Food distribution planned by Newark on Oct. 9. There will be 1,000 food boxes available on New York Avenue and Van Buren Street starting at 10 a.m. Boxes include fruit, vegetables, and chicken. Walk-ups welcome.
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Newark City

Free “Uzima Dance Fitness Bootcamp” class for adults of all skill levels planned by Newark recreation on Oct. 9-10 in the Central Ward. Participants meet Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the JFK Recreation Center. The program ends Nov. 13. Register by phone.
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Newark Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services

Free art block party planned by Newark Downtown District on Oct. 10. It is from 4-7 p.m. on Bleeker Street. The event will encourage ways to rethink traditional art spaces and celebrate art on Bleeker Street. There will be music, food trucks, and vendors on site.
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Newark Downtown District

Seventh precinct public meeting planned by Newark police on Oct. 11. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 7th Precinct, 159 N. 10th St. Attendees can ask questions and share concerns.
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Newark Public Safety

Belleville youth can attend baseball and softball clinic on Oct. 13. Participants will meet at Belleville Indoor Training Facility, 522 Cortlandt St. Pre-registration is $50 and walk-ins are $60. It is from 3-4:30 p.m. for all ages, 4:30-6 p.m. for grades 5-8, and 6-7:30 p.m. for grades 9-12.
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Belleville Public Schools

Voter information webinar planned by Bloomfield on Oct. 8. The webinar is from 7-8 p.m. It will discuss election-related questions.
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Bloomfield Township

Bus transportation and side orchestra seating to the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall planned by Bloomfield on Dec. 8. Bus leaves from the Civic Center at 11:30 a.m. The show begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person and are non-refundable.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Diwali Festival planned by United Asian Voices of West Orange on Oct. 13. The free event is from 2-5 p.m. at West Orange High School. There will be performances, South Asian vendors, diya decorating, and raffles. The Dosa Spot Food Truck will be on site.
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United Asian Voices of West Orange

Free yoga session planned by Latinos of Montclair on Oct. 13 in West Orange. Yoga will be followed by a community picnic and voter registration drive from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Eagle Rock Reservation. Participants are encouraged to bring flags of their country’s origin, a picnic, and yoga mat. Registration is required.
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Latinos of Montclair

Free scarecrow magnet-making session for children in grades K-2 planned by West Orange library on Oct. 14. The craft is from 4-5 p.m. Registration is not required.
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West Orange Public Library

West Orange adults can attend a free storytelling course on Oct. 14 at West Orange library. Theater artist and West Orange resident Julie Kline will lead the class weekly from 1-2:30 p.m. Attendees will explore writing tools, character work, and vocal expression for a culminating storytelling performance on Nov. 11. Registration is required.
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West Orange Public Library

South Orange residents can register for recently announced late-fall classes at The Baird. Classes include art and dance, yoga, chess, volleyball, STEM, ballet, and more. Classes are held at 5 Mead St. A complete list of programs is available online.
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South Orange Village

Free poetry reading with James Hoch, Joan Larkin, and Marcia LeBeau planned by South Orange on Oct. 13. The reading begins at 3 p.m. at The Skate House, 5 Mead St. It is part of the Watershed Literary’s reading series.
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South Orange Village

Travel basketball tryouts for Maplewood and South Orange youth in grades 3-8 planned by Maplewood recreation on Oct. 14-19. Practices begin Oct. 20. Registration is required.
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SOMAPSO

Free NJ ANCHOR property tax relief application assistance planned by Orange on Oct. 9. Assistance is from 4-6 p.m. at Watsessing Park Community Center. Tax representatives will assist with determining eligibility, filing, and answering program questions. Attendees should bring a government ID, Social Security number, and 2021 or 2023 income taxes.
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City of Orange Township

Nutley youth in grades 5-8 can join the recreation department’s travel basketball team. The season is from Nov. 1 to Feb. 1. Program fee is $125. Pre-registration is required and available online or at the Nutley parks building.
Nutley Parks and Recreation Department

Free author reading with Minsoo Kang planned by AAPI-Montclair on Oct. 9 in Montclair. The event is from 7-8 p.m. Kang will read from “The Melancholy of Untold History” at Watchung Booksellers, 44 Fairfield St. Registration is required.
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AAPI Montclair

Sing-along of Disney’s “Encanto” planned by Latinos of Montclair on Oct. 12. A live orchestra will perform songs at 7:30 p.m. at Montclair State University. A pre-event experience is planned for 6 p.m. The pre-event is free and the show is $20 per person. Tickets are available online.
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Latinos of Montclair

Free Loy Krathong celebration planned by AAPI-Montclair on Oct. 13. There will be Thai food, krathong crafting, and a read-aloud to celebrate new beginnings from 12-2 p.m. Location is available upon registration. Tickets are available online.
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AAPI Montclair

Free yoga session planned by Latinos of Montclair on Oct. 13 in West Orange. Yoga will be followed by a community picnic and voter registration drive from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Eagle Rock Reservation. Participants are encouraged to bring flags of their country’s origin, a picnic, and yoga mat. Registration is required.
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Latinos of Montclair

Rosedale Cemetery tour planned by Montclair History Center on Oct. 13. The guided tour is from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at 408 Orange Rd. Attendees will explore the middle section of the cemetery and discuss grave imagery. It is two miles of walking. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance.
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Montclair History Center

Play-Doh play session for ages 2-5 planned at Montclair library on Oct. 14 in the Main Branch. The event is from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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Montclair Public Library

LEGO club meeting for ages 4+ planned by Montclair library on Oct. 14 in the Bellevue Branch. LEGO building begins at 4 p.m. Registration is recommended.
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Montclair Public Library

Jazz House Kids recently launched its fall 2024 Vocal Academy program in Montclair for youth. It meets Saturday afternoons at 347 Bloomfield Ave. Registration is available online.
Jazz House Kids

Story time for ages 1-3 planned by Maplewood library on Oct. 14 at the Hilton Branch. The event is from 10:30-10:50 a.m. and includes stories, rhymes, and movement activities. An accompanying adult must be present.
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Maplewood Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s office took control over the State Police’s human resources department after two state-issued investigations revealed patterns of discrimination and misconduct against women and people of color within the agency. Reports centered the State Police’s hiring, training, internal affairs, and promotion processes, including racist comments made against Black and Latino people and a requirement for officers on maternity leave to stay home between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. unless given approval otherwise.
New Jersey Patch