Follow local news and events in West Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Jan. 22, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Art and music reception planned at Maplewood library’s Main Branch on Jan. 31. It is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It will show art by Cat Delett, Chrissy McIntyre, and Robert Nealon. Live music is from Steve Jones. Free admission.
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Maplewood Public Library
Montclair Film’s “StorySLAM: Regifting” is scheduled for Jan. 29. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema505, 505 Bloomfield Ave., and performers will play games and share stories. Tickets available for purchase online.
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Montclair Film
Improv comedy show planned by Montclair Film on Jan. 30. It begins at 8 p.m. at Cinema505, 505 Bloomfield Ave. Tickets are $15.
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Montclair Film
Glen Ridge-area families can compete in the library’s LEGO night challenge on Jan. 30. It is from 6-8 p.m. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library
Isaiah House seeks volunteers to help run its food pantry on Mar. 10 and select Tuesdays in East Orange. Volunteers are needed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Interested volunteers should contact Isaiah House.
Isaiah House
People can attend a seminar on Latin American liberation theology with University of Orange planned virtually starting Jan. 26. It meets from 7-8 p.m. on Mondays through Feb. 9. Attendees will learn about historical contexts, community practices, and basic concepts of liberation theology. Free admission. Registration is required.
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University of Orange
University of Orange is hiring a project manager and community organizer. Positions are from February to December 2026. Applications available online.
The HUUB
Mobile mammogram and cervical cancer screenings planned with University Hospital on Jan. 28 in Newark Screenings are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CityPlex, 360–394 Springfield Ave. Appointments can be scheduled online.
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Newark City
Documentary screening of “The Hidden History of Slavery in New York” planned at Newark library’s Main Branch on Jan. 31. It begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a talk with the film director Larry Epstein. Registration not required. Free admission.
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Newark Public Library
Essex County declares a “Code Blue Activation” from Jan. 21-31 due to forecasted temperatures below 32 degrees. People seeking shelter can visit participating facilities at Joi’s Angels located at 114 S. Arlington Ave. in East Orange and Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corp. located at 346 16th Ave. in Irvington. A complete list is available at nj211.org.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Eligible Essex County seniors ages 60+ can receive 250 gallons of free oil for heating. The program is open to homeowners with a monthly income of $3,991 or yearly income of $47,896. Sign up by phone.
Essex County Division of Senior Services
New Jersey households earning $60,000 or less are eligible for free tax preparation services by the Urban League of Essex County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the IRS. Services are available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The last day to file taxes is Apr. 15. Documents can be dropped off or uploaded online. A list of required documents is available online.
Urban League of Essex County
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo job fair is planned on Jan. 31 in West Orange. Interested applicants must attend one of three job fairs. It is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mount Building. A list of seasonal job openings is available online. Applicants must be 18+.
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Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
REGIONAL NEWS
New Jersey residents ages 21+ can apply for a scholarship to the Garden State Tree Foundation Conference by Jan. 30. Eligible applicants must show an interest in tree stewardship and must live in Camden, Gloucester City, Atlantic City, Newark, Trenton, Orange, East Orange, and Irvington. The conference is in Atlantic City on Feb. 26-27. Scholarships pay for registration, travel, and hotel.
NJ Tree Foundation.
