Essex County Daily Buzz: Oct. 1, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

“Breast Cancer Walk” planned with Irvington on Oct. 11. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. at Irvington City Hall. Online waivers must be signed before participating.
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Irvington Township

Ceramic painting for youth in grades 6+ planned at Glen Ridge library on Oct. 8. It begins at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required. Library card required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Glen Ridge library cardholders can access free yoga classes and workshops online. It is available for all ages.
Glen Ridge Public Library

Table reading of play “Pickrick Drumstick” planned with Women’s Club of Glen Ridge on Oct. 8. It begins at 7 p.m. There will be a Q&A. Free for members and $10 for non-members. Registration is required.
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Women’s Club of Glen Ridge

Escape room for youth in grades 8-12 planned at East Orange library on Oct. 6. It is from 4-5:30 p.m. Limited to the first 12 attendees. Registration is not required.
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East Orange Public Library

Workshop discussing constitutional rights when interacting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned on Oct. 9 in East Orange. It begins at 6 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church. There will be information from community leaders and immigration attorneys, and free essential emergency kits. Designed for all people regardless of immigration status.
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East Orange City

Bloomfield residents can compete in the township’s 2025 Jack O’ Lantern Carving Contest. Interested participants can reserve a free pumpkin online. Limited to the first 50 registrants. The contest is scheduled for Oct. 25.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Free concert with Chris Skel and Brian Rothenbeck planned at Bloomfield library on Oct. 8. It is from 6-7 p.m.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Kumon in Bloomfield is hiring educators. Interested applicants can send their resume by email.
Kumon of Bloomfield

Free flu vaccine clinic for children planned with West Orange Hispanic Foundation on Oct. 8. It is from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Hazel Elementary School. Registration is required by email.
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West Orange Hispanic Foundation

South Orange town hall planned Oct. 8 discussing a referendum to increase the Open Space Tax Levy. The increase would support the preservation of South Orange’s parks, recreation facilities, and natural areas. It is currently set at $0.01 per $100 of assessed value. The town hall begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Baird Community Center.
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South Orange Village

Fashion show planned with JESPY House on Oct. 9 in South Orange. It is from 6-8 p.m. at Spiotta Park. Rain date is Oct. 10.
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South Orange Downtown

Leaf bag distribution and food drive planned on Oct. 4 in Nutley. Residents can receive 10 biodegradable leaf bags at the public works building from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation.
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Nutley Township

Hyssop Beauty Apothecary relocated to 196 High St. in Nutley. It is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays until 9 p.m.
TAPinto Nutley

Newark school board did not extend Superintendent Roger León’s contract after meeting attendees raised concerns about student achievement, racism in schools, and insufficient support for students. León’s contract will expire Jun. 30, 2028. Board members may revisit the vote at a later date and extend his contract through 2030.
Chalkbeat Newark

“Understanding the Financials of Doing Business” workshop planned at Newark library on Oct. 8 in the Main Branch. It begins at 6 p.m. and will discuss financial statements and metrics, budgeting, and more. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Newark Public Library

Financial Justice Summit planned by NJCA on Oct. 8 in Newark. The free event is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at New Jersey Institute of Technology. It will feature panelists Staci Berger from Housing and Community Development Network of N.J. and Jean-Pierre Brutus from N.J. Institute for Social Justice. They will discuss affordable housing, financial justice policies, state consumer protections, housing security, and consumer debt. Registration is required.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Performance by Nrityagram Dance Ensemble planned on Oct. 9 at Montclair State University. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Montclair State University

Live concert and film screening of “Moana” planned at Montclair State University on Oct. 11. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Montclair State University

Montclair school district held a town hall on Sep. 26 discussing solutions to address its $19.6 million budget gap. The district can accept a state loan with a fiscal monitor, raise taxes through a referendum, or cut services like afterschool clubs and reduce kindergarten to a partial day, officials said. The $19.6 million deficit is attributed to expenses that were not budgeted and unpaid invoices and bills, according to Interim School Business Administrator Dana Sullivan. The school board must decide by Oct. 10 to hold a referendum to raise taxes, which would be held during a special election on Dec. 9. District officials have not yet made a decision to resolve its budget gap. Residents can share feedback and ask questions about next steps by email.
Montclair Local

Cookbook swap and food tasting planned with Montclair library on Oct. 11 at the Main Branch. It is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Montclair Public Library

New York Sewing Center will open in Montclair by November. It will be located at 416 Bloomfield Ave. and it will offer sewing classes for adults and children.
Montclair Girl

Maplewood residents whose lead service lines have been replaced should flush household plumbing, use provided pitcher filter, and flush and clean their water regularly, according to the N.J. American Water. A complete list and description of actions are available online.
Maplewood Township

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey candidates for governor will participate in a state-sponsored debate on Oct. 8 in New Brunswick. It is from 7-8 p.m. at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Participating candidates are Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. The debate can be viewed on WABC and WPVI. The general election is Nov. 4. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

NJ Transit began using new buses at Newark Penn Station this week. There will be a total of 175 new buses arriving through June 2026. It has updated amenities including USB charging ports, LED lighting, low floors with ramps, and turn-warning systems to alert pedestrians when buses turn. The new buses are part of the agency’s initiative to replace or upgrade each bus by 2031.
ROI NJ