Follow local news and events in Maplewood with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Feb. 13, 2025 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
“Kids Speak Out for Black History” reception and art display by South Orange-Maplewood school students planned on Feb. 20 at Maplewood library’s Hilton Branch. It is from 4-5 p.m. and will show student artwork and poetry focused on Black history, identity, equality, and justice. The display is viewable through Feb. 28.
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Maplewood Public Library
Free conversations on budgeting for travel and art investments planned by Our Gang Travel on Feb. 22 in Maplewood. A talk on budgeting begins at 2 p.m. and a talk on art investments begins at 4 p.m. at Astah’s Art Gallery, 1897 Springfield Ave.
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Our Gang Travel
“Kente Cloth Display and Ghanaian History” planned by Akuaba Fashions on Feb. 22 in Maplewood. The free event begins at 11 a.m. at 1966 Springfield Ave. Registration is not required.
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Akuaba Fashions
SOMA Justice will host a birthday party to honor Trayvon Martin on Feb. 22 in Maplewood. George Zimmerman shot and killed Martin in 2012 when he was 17 years old. SOMA Justice’s community event comes almost three weeks after Martin’s birthday, Feb. 5. This year, Martin would have turned 30 years old. The birthday party is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maplewood Senior Center. It is open to all ages and there will be pizza and cake.
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SOMA Justice
Virtual workshop for parents and guardians on ways to manage sibling conflict while maintaining parental harmony planned by East Orange YMCA on Feb. 19. Two sessions are available at either 12 p.m. or 7 p.m. The workshop is free. Registration is required.
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East Orange YMCA
Science fiction book group meeting for adults planned by South Orange library on Feb. 22. It is from 1-2 p.m. at 298 Walton Ave. Members will discuss Kindred” by Octavia Butler. Registration is required.
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South Orange Public Library
Virtual “Family Fun Night” planned by East Orange YMCA on Feb. 21. There will be an interactive conversation and craft focused on kindness from 7-8 p.m. Registration is required.
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East Orange YMCA
Parent appreciation lunch for families planned by Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Feb. 18 in Irvington. The free lunch is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Unity Family Success Center, 50 Union Ave. Registration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ
Self-care webinar planned by Arts Ed Newark on Feb. 20. It is from 12-2 p.m. Attendees will practice healing exercises to strengthen their ability to care for themselves emotionally, physically, and mentally. Admission is $25.
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Arts Ed Newark
“In Living Queer” networking event planned by Garden State Equality on Feb. 21 in Newark. It is from 6-8 p.m. at ArtFront Gallery, 375 Mount Prospect Ave. Apt. 8C. There will be food and music. Registration is required.
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ArtFront Gallery
Free mental wellness workshop for men of color planned by Garden State Equality on Feb. 22 in Newark. There will be yoga, free food, giveaways, and workshops on breath work, self-regulation, and mindfulness. It is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vince Lombardi Center of Hope, 201 Bloomfield Ave. Registration is required.
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Garden State Equality
DIY birdhouse workshop for all ages planned by Essex County Environmental Center on Feb. 22 in Roseland. It is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission is $25 per birdhouse, with up to two people assigned to one birdhouse. Registration is required.
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Essex County Environmental Center
REGIONAL NEWS
People in N.J. experiencing immigration or detention crises can call the Deportation and Immigration Response Equipo (DIRE) hotline for support and legal resources over the phone or in-person. DIRE is a group of volunteers based in Highland Park who provide information on how to navigate family separation, interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and other immigration-related guidance. People can also call DIRE to report ICE sightings or encounters.
Gothamist
New Jersey candidates for governor Sean Spiller, Jon Bramnick, Ras Baraka, and Steve Sweeney will participate in a virtual roundtable with Garden State Equality on Feb. 17-20. Candidates will share ways they will address issues important to N.J.’s LGBTQ+ communities. Registration, with dates, times, and Zoom links for each roundtable, is available online. Add to 📅.
Garden State Equality
New Jersey employers are required by law to provide full-time, part-time, and temporary workers with up to 40 hours of sick leave per year. Those hours can be used to attend parent-teacher conferences, doctor appointments, and other sessions for care. Earned sick leave can carry over each calendar year, or it can be paid out to the employee. If an employee suspects that their employer is not providing sick leave, they can file a complaint with the N.J. Department of Labor.
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
