Essex County Daily Buzz: Nov. 17, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Community forum discussing N.J.’s child welfare system planned with Powerful Families Powerful Communities on Nov. 22 at Rutgers-Newark. Attendees will share their experience with the child welfare system from 12-3 p.m. Meals provided. Transportation and childcare assistance available upon request. Registration is required.
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Powerful Families Powerful Communities NJ

Eligible Bloomfield residents can register to receive a free Thanksgiving turkey. Food will be distributed on Nov. 23 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Bloomfield Town Hall’s parking lot. Register online.
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Bloomfield Township

Student stage production of “Fahrenheit 451” planned at Bloomfield High School on Nov. 20-22. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Bloomfield High School

Fall concert with Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 23. It is from 3-4:30 p.m. at Bloomfield High School. Tickets available at the door and online.
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Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra

Free concert with pianist Stephen Teti planned with Bloomfield recreation on Nov. 24. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Tickets required and available online.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

“Etiquette Class and Tea Party” for ages 8-11 planned at East Orange library on Nov. 22. It is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is not required.
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East Orange Public Library

Book club meeting for adults planned virtually with East Orange library on Nov. 24. Attendees will discuss “Sula” by Toni Morrison at 5 p.m. Register by email.
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East Orange Public Library

Transgender Awareness Week event planned with Out Montclair and Garden State Equality on Nov. 20 at Montclair State University. It is from 3-5 p.m. and will discuss ways to access mental health resources for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. It will also discuss empowerment, wellness, and collective healing through community-centered practices. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Out Montclair

Free activities for seniors planned at Montclair library on Nov. 21 in the Main Branch. There will be a bereavement support group session, yoga, and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required.
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Montclair Public Library

Improv comedy show planned with Montclair Film on Nov. 21 at Cinema505. Doors open at 7:30 at 505 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair. Tickets are available for purchase online.
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Montclair Film

Montclair-area residents can participate in Montclair Bikery’s 2025 “turkey ride” supporting Human Needs Food Pantry on Nov. 23. Participants will pick up a frozen turkey from King Food Markets and bike to 9 Label St. Registration is $20 to cover the cost of the turkey. The ride begins at 10 a.m.
Human Needs Food Pantry

Thanksgiving food box distribution planned with Reach Out Montclair on Nov. 23 in Montclair. It is from 12-3 p.m. at Wally Choice Community Center. Registration is required online.
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Reach Out Montclair

Book reading of “Mouseskin’s Twelve Days of Christmas” planned at Montclair library on Nov. 23 in the Main Branch. It is from 3-4 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Montclair Public Library

Maplewood seniors can request free transportation through the township’s Dial-a-Ride program and through Essex County’s transportation programs. Departure locations and times are available online.
Maplewood Township

South Orange-Maplewood school students in grades 5-12 can receive free, weekly tutoring at Maplewood library’s Main Branch. It is available on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-4 p.m. Registration is not required.
Maplewood Public Library

Free Thanksgiving turkey giveaway planned with South Orange police on Nov. 24. it is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Irvington Avenue and West Fairview Avenue. ID required. Limited to one turkey per family.
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South Orange Police Department

“Nutley Hall of Fame 2025 Induction Ceremony” is scheduled for Nov. 23 at Nutley library. It is from 2-5 p.m. and will include live music and food. Honoree biographies are available online. Tickets are available for purchase at the library.
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Nutley Public Library

“Thanksgiving Pop-Up Farmers Market” planned on Nov. 23 in Nutley. It is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Booth Drive between Franklin Avenue and Vincent Place.
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Nutley Township

SNAP recipients living in Newark can apply for temporary emergency financial assistance online through Nov. 30. Approved applicants will receive up to $600. Applications are available online.
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Newark City

Author talk with Kenneth Miles and Penda Howell planned with Source of Knowledge Bookstore on Nov. 21 in Newark. It is from 6-8 p.m. at 867 Broad St. Miles and Howell, publisher and CEO of NJ Urban News, will discuss media engagement, freedom of speech, and Black power. Miles will also sign his book, “From Ink to Impact: How to Build a Community Platform that Last.”
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Source of Knowledge Bookstore

Opening reception of photography exhibit “Newark Seen” planned on Nov. 21 in Newark. It is from 5-8 p.m. at Artfront Galleries, 44 William St. Free admission. Tickets available online.
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Newark Pride Inc.

Application assistance sessions for utility programs planned on Nov. 21 in Newark. Local agency representatives will provide assistance like Universal Service Fund, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Park Community Center. Registration not required. A list of required documents available online.
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Newark City

Adults ages 18+ can participate in a 50/50 cash raffle fundraiser supporting Ursula’s Promise Memorial Scholarship Fund through Nov. 23. Proceeds will support 2026 scholarship recipients. Tickets available online for purchase. Drawing is on Nov. 24.
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Ursula’s Promise Memorial Scholarship Fund

Homework club meeting planned with La Casa de Don Pedro on Nov. 24 in Newark. It is from 3-4:30 p.m. at 282 First Ave. Registration is required.
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La Casa De Don Pedro

Free Thanksgiving turkey giveaway for Newark’s South Ward residents planned on Nov. 24. There will be three distributions at 2 p.m. at Allen AME Church, 4 p.m. at Clinton Hill Early Learning Center, and 6 p.m. at NHA Community Room. ID required.
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South Ward Councilman Patrick Council

West Orange police seeks non-perishable food donations for a food drive on Nov. 22. The drive is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ShopRite, 1 Rooney Cir.
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West Orange Police Department

Take-home turkey craft for children available at West Orange library on Nov. 24. Items are available for pick-up all day while supplies last.
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West Orange Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey governor-elect Mikie Sherrill will resign from her congressional seat this week to transition to her next position. A special election will be called to fill Sherrill’s vacancy in the 11th district, which includes part of Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties. Nine candidates have filed to run for the seat, including former Rep. Tom Malinowski and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill. When a congressional vacancy occurs in N.J., a special primary election must occur between 70 and 76 days after the writ of election is issued. The special general election must follow no later than 70 days after the special primary.
New Jersey Monitor