Essex County Daily Buzz: Jul. 15, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Essex County residents can purchase golf IDs in Belleville. Available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays until 12 p.m. at 220 Franklin Ave. Forms available online. Golf ID registration allows Essex County residents discounted rates and priority tee times at the county’s three golf courses in Belleville, West Orange, and Newark.
Essex County Parks

Stage production of “Junie B. Jones The Musical” planned at Belleville library on Jul. 21. It is from 6-7:30 p.m. Registration not required. Free admission.
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Belleville Public Library

Bloomfield Youth Band seeks monetary donations to support its music education and other programs. Donations accepted online.
Bloomfield Youth Band

Human Needs Food Pantry seeks school supply donations. Items can be purchased through the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.
Human Needs Food Pantry

Musical chairs for families planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Jul. 22 in Irvington. It is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at 50 Union Ave. Registration required. Free admission.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

“Toddler Time” planned at Lackawanna Station on Jul. 22 in Montclair. It is from 10-10:45 a.m. There will be sensory art, color exploration, and imaginative play. Drop-ins welcome. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased online.
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Lackawanna Station

Seoul Bistro, a Korean restaurant, recently opened in Montclair. It is located at 537 Bloomfield Ave. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays.
Montclair Local

Introductory improv class for adults planned with NJSDA starting Aug. 6 in Montclair. The six-week course meets Wednesdays from 7:35-9:35 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Registration available online.
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New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

Demonstration and tasting of no-bake “berrymisu” for adults planned at Maplewood library’s Main Branch on Jul. 22. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration not required.
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Maplewood Public Library

Newark fire hydrants will be open on Jul. 22 from 1-4 p.m. It will be open on Brookdale Avenue between Valley Street and 18th Avenue.
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Newark Public Safety

Free outdoor concert with Big Beat Band planned with Essex County parks on Jul. 22 in Newark. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Vailsburg Park.
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Essex County Parks

Free chess lessons for ages 10-14 planned with Newark Chess Club starting Jul. 22 in Newark. It meets Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. through Aug. 19. The event is hosted by Newark police and will be held at the William Mobile Ashby Community and Training Center, 695 Bergen St. Open to all skill levels. Free snacks and refreshments will be available. Registration is required online.
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Newark Public Safety

Newark school board appointed six new principals to begin work this fall. Soraia Mendes was appointed to Newark School of Architecture and Interior Design; Rafael Inoa to Bard High School Early College; Michael F. Dixon to Belmont Runyon Schools; Tania Sousa-Vilar to Wilson Avenue Elementary School; Najie Kennedy to Rafael Hernandez Elementary School; and Qadriyyah Williams to South Seventeenth Street School.
Chalkbeat Newark

Black immigrant youth ages 14-19 can apply to join American Friends Service Committee’s summer advocacy training, scheduled for Aug. 4-8 in Newark. Attendees will learn about immigrant issues and ways to address it. The training meets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 89 Market St. Transportation fees and lunch are included, and stipends are provided. Registration available online.
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American Friends Service Committee

Income-eligible residents can apply for a rental unit in Newark through Urban League of Essex County. Eight units are available along Fairmount Avenue and Camden Street. Applications, qualifications, and list of required documents available online. Applicants selected on a lottery basis.
Urban League of Essex County

Free screening of “Moana 2” planned in Orange on Jul. 22. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Central Playground. Rain date is Jul. 23.
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City of Orange Township

Free outdoor concert with Peter and the Master Keys planned with Essex County parks on Jul. 22 in West Orange. It begins at 7 p.m. at South Mountain Recreation Complex.
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Essex County Parks

REGIONAL NEWS

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided a warehouse in Edison on Jul. 8. It is unclear if immigration officers had a warrant. ICE agents are not legally allowed to enter private spaces, like a workplace, without a warrant from a court signed by a judge or permission from the employer. ICE arrested 20 people during the raid in Edison, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The arrests come after President Donald Trump’s executive orders signed Jan. 20 to ramp up immigration enforcement. The Jersey Bee has immigration resources at jerseybee.org/immigration. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
NJ Spotlight News

Protests against immigration detention will continue every day through Jul. 25 outside of Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention center in Newark. People detained inside Delaney Hall are reporting insufficient food, no toothpaste and other toiletries, and restricted visitation, according to advocacy group Pax Christi New Jersey. Protesters are supplying detainees with water, clothes, and umbrellas. More than 20 community organizations across N.J. have protested outside Delaney Hall since May 2025.
Patch Newark