Essex County Daily Buzz: Dec. 16, 2024

LOCAL NEWS

Free screening of “Stranger at the Gate” planned at NJPAC on Dec. 17 in Newark. The film begins at 6 p.m. and is part of NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity series. Laura Quiros will facilitate a panel after the showing.
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New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Montclair Art Museum is displaying artwork by West Orange resident Virginia Schaffer Block and Orange residents Kate Dodd and Kirk Maynard. Their works are a part of juried exhibits: The New Jersey Arts Annual’s “Exploring Our Connections,” the museum’s “Family, Community, Belonging,” and “A Shared Love: Treasures of American Painting.”
The Four Oranges

“Winter Wildlife Explorers Camp” for ages 6-10 planned by Essex County Environmental Center starting Dec. 23 in Roseland. There will be shared stories, crafts, campfires, and forest explorations from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Camp runs Dec. 23, 26, 27. Three-day or one-day tickets are available online for purchase.
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Essex County Environmental Center

“STEAM Punk Engineers” workshop for youth planned at Belleville library on Dec. 23. Participants will explore art, science, and technology from 3-5 p.m. through projects and experiments.
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Belleville Public Library

Free senior programming every Monday and Wednesday planned by Bloomfield recreation at the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. There will be chair yoga, bingo, and meals from 12-3 p.m. Coffee and tea available. Registration is not required.
Bloomfield Township

Pokémon meet up for youth in grades 7-12 hosted by Bloomfield library on Dec. 21. Participants can bring trading cards or games between 3-4:30 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Craft club meeting for adults planned at Bloomfield library on Dec. 23. Participants will meet from 6-7:45 p.m.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Bloomfield Animal Shelter seeks donations of new cat and dog food, toys, treats, litter, and gift cards. Items can be purchased online or dropped off daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 61 Bukowski Pl.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter

Hometown Arcade recently opened at 85 Washington Ave. in Bloomfield. It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 12-9 p.m., Fridays from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Bloomfield Center Alliance

Diaper and baby supply giveaway planned by Irvington on Dec. 18. It is from 4:30-6 p.m. at 1 Cvic Square. Donations will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
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Irvington Township

N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission mobile unit to be stationed in Irvington on Dec. 20. Services are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chris Gatling Center. Appointments for registration renewal, REAL ID, and replacement title accepted online. Disability placards and license plate returns do not require appointment.
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Irvington Township

Irvington is hiring a licensed construction official. Applications accepted online and must include a resume and cover letter.
Irvington Township

East Orange City Council unanimously voted to reinstate city fire chief Andre Williams after his three-year suspension with pay following complaints of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination. Firefighters accused Williams of discrimination based on sexual orientation, blocking promotions, and retaliation for raising concerns about a rodent infestation.
NJ Advance Media

Approximately 4,000 new apartments in East Orange are either complete, under construction, or pending approval from the planning board, according to city officials. Construction began for Crossings at Brick Church Station, a mixed-use site with 1,000 apartments, paid with state and federal money and tax credits. East Orange Mayor Ted Green said that state and federal dollars are also paying for upgrades at the train station and City Hall Plaza.
New Jersey Monthly

East Orange’s citywide “holiday caravan” is planned for Dec. 20. The parade is from 6-9 p.m.
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East Orange City

Maplewood residents must apply by Jan. 11 to join the township’s boards and committees. There are vacant seats on the affordable housing board, recreation advisory committee, and open trust committee, among others. Applications accepted online.
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Maplewood Township

South Orange library seeks donations of non-perishable items, cooking essentials, and fresh ingredients on Dec. 21. Items accepted from 1-3 p.m. at the Baird Center. A list of accepted items is available online.
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South Orange Public Library

South Orange-area residents can participate in the town’s “Elf Chase Giveaway” for a chance to win $250 in gift cards to nearby shops. To enter, participants must find the elf, collect their ticket, and drop it off at designated locations. Winner announced on Dec. 22.
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South Orange Downtown

South Orange library offers museum passes to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange. Museum passes are available to South Orange library cardholders for one week. Checkout is limited to one museum pass.
South Orange Public Library

Graphic novel signing with Gideon Kendall planned at East Side Mags on Dec. 21 in Bloomfield. Kendall will sign “Marley’s Ghost” from 2-5 p.m. at 491 Bloomfield Ave.
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East Side Mags

Play-Doh play session for ages 2-5 planned at Montclair library on Dec. 23 in the Main Branch. The event is from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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Montclair Public Library

Montclair-area residents ages 12-18 can visit the library’s Teen Room on Dec. 23 in the Main Branch. The room is open from 3-5:30 p.m. There will be games and crafts. Registration is not required.
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Montclair Public Library

Chashni Cafe recently opened at 349 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair. The cafe blends Pakistani ingredients with American menu items. It is open every day except Mondays.
Montclair Center

Luxury apartment buildings recently opened in Newark, including Fifty Five Union and Textile Lofts in Ironbound, Vermella on Broad Street, 50 Rector Park, and Iconiq. NJPAC and the Newark Museum of Art plan expansions to add mixed-income residential units along with community centers. Developers in Newark with projects of at least 30 units must set aside 20% of units for lower- and moderate-income tenants.
New Jersey Monthly

Nutley children up to age 3 can attend early literacy classes from Jan. 9 to Feb. 13. The township program meets weekly at 1 p.m. at the recreation building. There will be a story time, songs, and crafts. Enrollment is $40. Registration is available online.
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Nutley Township

Mahjong club meeting planned at Nutley library on Dec. 23. Members will play from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Instruction will not be provided. Registration is not required.
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Nutley Public Library

A development that cost $160 million is bringing more than 1,000 new apartments near Orange’s two train stations. Proposals for development at former Orange Memorial Hospital and the former YMCA are pending. Developer Symrec plans to replace the hospital, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 1,000 housing units. The Y will be replaced with a city recreation center, pool, and 215 housing units scheduled to open next spring.
New Jersey Monthly

Book art afternoon for youth planned by West Orange library on Dec. 23. Participants will make a hedgehog using a book from 4-5 p.m. No registration is required.
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West Orange Public Library

New Jersey Devils recently honored West Orange High School hockey team captains Dominic Locricchio, Christian Anderton, Anthony Pondillo, and Reid Tenzer at the Prudential Center.
TAPinto West Orange

REGIONAL NEWS

Kris Kolluri will serve as NJ Transit’s CEO and president following the resignation of Kevin Corbett. Kolluri previously served as the state’s Commissioner of Transportation and chair of the NJ Transit Board of Directors. Over the last two years, Kolluri was CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the $16 billion Hudson River rail tunnel project.
NorthJersey.com