Essex County Daily Buzz: Nov. 25, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Holiday pop-up shop fundraiser planned at the Essex County Environmental Center through January 2026 in Roseland. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds support the Essex County Parks Foundation.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Belleville school district seeks winter clothing donations through Dec. 5. Coats, hats, gloves, and scarves are accepted at each school, the BPS training facility, and Sandy Lane Nursery.
Belleville Public Schools

Free SAT preparation class for students in grades 11-12 planned on Dec. 2 at East Orange library. It is from 5-7 p.m. Registration is not required.
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East Orange Public Library

Glen Ridge police seeks new toy donations by Dec. 12. Donations accepted at Glen Ridge Municipal Building and Glen Ridge library.
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Glen Ridge Borough

“Improv Intensive Workshop” planned with N.J. School of Dramatic Arts on Dec. 2 Montclair. Class meets for four Tuesdays from 7:35-10:05 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Registration is available online.
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New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

Community meeting with Montclair Councilors-at-Large Susan Shin Andersen and Bill Harrison planned on Dec. 3. It is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1 Pine St. It will discuss infrastructure projects, Lackawanna Plaza, Bloomfield Avenue redevelopment plan, and more. Attendees can ask questions during a Q&A session.
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Montclair Township

Author talk with Angela Flournoy planned at Montclair library’s Main Branch on Dec. 3. Doors open at 6 p.m. Flournoy will discuss her novel “The Wilderness.” There will be a Q&A session and book signing. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Montclair Public Library

Montclair’s Santa mailbox is accepting letters until Dec. 15 at the recreation building. Parents or guardians should include their children’s return address to receive replies.
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Montclair Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Community workshop discussing Ridgewood Road area’s history and ways to preserve it planned with Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission on Dec. 4. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd. and online. A Q&A will follow.
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Maplewood Township

Holiday art market planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Dec. 4-7 at 1978 Springfield Ave. There will be items for sale by local artists.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Town hall discussing accessory dwelling units planned virtually with South Orange on Dec. 3. It begins at 7 p.m. and will discuss the process and cost, how to apply, and an overview of ADU ordinance allowances. A Q&A session will follow. Zoom link available online.
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South Orange Village

Bloomfield residents must register by Dec. 5 to receive toy drive donations from Bloomfield police’s youth aid foundation. Residents can register themselves or other families. Gifts are delivered to recipients’ homes the week of Dec. 15. Sign up by phone or email. Toy and gift card donations are accepted until Dec. 5 at Hot Bagels Abroad, 1129 Broad St., Brookdale Reformed Church, and Bloomfield police building.
Bloomfield Police Department

Bloomfield businesses can attend a presentation discussing ways to prepare for the 2026 World Cup on Dec. 4. It is from 6-8 p.m. at 1 Municipal Plaza. There will be information about reference guides, local activations, and safety considerations. Free admission. Registration is required.
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Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield seniors ages 55+ can attend a trip to see “A Playhouse Christmas” production on Dec. 5 in Union. Tickets are $85 and include transportation, lunch, and the show. Bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Bloomfield Civic Center to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Registration is required.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Bloomfield recreation and Skyline Theatre Company are offering discounts to tickets purchased before Dec. 5. Seats to stage productions can be booked online.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

“Twilight Saga LEGO House Build” for ages 12+ planned at West Orange library on Dec. 2. It is from 4-5 p.m. Registration is not required.
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West Orange Public Library

“Remembering Rosa: A Concert for Peace” planned by University of Orange on Dec. 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Heywood Avenue Elementary School’s auditorium. The free concert will include music and dance from Remembering Rosa Community Choir, Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir, Orange public school choirs, and the Steel Pan Ensemble of the Oranges. Free admission.
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University of Orange

Nutley’s 2025 small business shopping event is scheduled for Dec. 2. It is from 5-8 p.m. at Nutley Elks Lodge, 242 Chestnut St. There will be free desserts and beverages.
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Nutley Township

Newark Winter Village will open at Mulberry Commons on Nov. 29. It offers ice skating, go-karting, and private igloo rental. It is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 3-8 p.m. and weekends from 12-8 p.m. Advanced tickets are available online.
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Newark Winter Village

Newark school district seeks new unwrapped toy donations through Dec. 12. Donations accepted at each school lobby.
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Newark Public Schools

REGIONAL NEWS

Union leaders, municipal officials, and advocacy groups are urging N.J. lawmakers to pass a law that would require medical providers to increase price transparency, cap price hikes, and improve oversight. Under the proposed law, hospitals who ignore transparency and price cap requirements must follow a corrective action plan or face a penalty of $10 a day per bed and be prohibited from collecting medical debt from patients. Legislators must act on the bill before the current legislative session ends in January, otherwise the bill is discarded.
New Jersey Monitor

Budget listening session for 2026-27 planned virtually with the N.J. Department of Human Services on Dec. 2. It begins at 1 p.m. People interested in testifying must sign up online by Dec. 1. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Department of Human Services

Webinar discussing pediatric vaccines planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Dec. 3. It is from 12-1 p.m. and designed for nurses, physicians, community health workers, and health educators. It will discuss vaccine-preventable illnesses and evidence-based strategies for navigating vaccine hesitancy. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ