Essex County Daily Buzz: Mar. 2, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Essex County College registration for summer 2026 and fall 2026 classes opens Mar. 9. Registration for both summer sessions and the fall semester is available online.
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Essex County College

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo job fair is planned on Mar. 7 in West Orange. Interested applicants can attend one of three job fairs. It is from 12-3 p.m. at the Mount Building. A list of seasonal job openings is available online. Applicants must be 18+.
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Turtle Back Zoo

Irish flag raising planned on Mar. 6 in Belleville. It begins at 12 p.m. at town hall.
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Belleville Township

Art exhibition “Just Like A Girl” opening reception planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Mar. 7. The exhibit will showcase art from Maplewood and South Orange youth from 4-7 p.m. at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center in Maplewood.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Family game night planned with Maplewood library on Mar 9. The event will run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.at the main branch.
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Maplewood Public Library

Glen Ridge library and Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair seek donations of menstrual hygiene products, diapers, and baby wipes. Items accepted through Mar. 31. All donations go towards Human Needs Food Pantry.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Concert performance with Cavatina String Quartet planned on Mar. 8 in Glen Ridge. It begins at 3 p.m. at Glen Ridge Congregational Church UCC. Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students.
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Glen Ridge Congregational Church

Cookbook club meeting for adults planned by Glen Ridge library on Mar. 9. Members will meet from 6:30-8 p.m. Interested Glen Ridge residents can request to join by email.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Plant swap planned at Glen Ridge library on Mar. 9. Participants will drop off their plants at the library at and select a plant to take home. Plants must be labeled with name and care information. More information and guidelines available online.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Youth in grades 8-12 can make macramé bracelets on Mar. 9 at East Orange library. It is from 4-5:30 p.m. and limited to the first 12 attendees. Registration is not required. Free admission.
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East Orange Public Library

East Orange school district’s 2026 Middle School Madness Basketball Tournament runs through Mar. 26. A schedule of games is available online.
East Orange City

Community baby shower planned with Sen. Britnee Timberlake on Mar. 8 in Bloomfield. It is from 2-5 p.m. at Bloomfield College Westminster Arts Center. Free admission. Donations accepted at Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center, 520 Main St. in East Orange.
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Senator Britnee N. Timberlake’s District Office

Community blood drive planned with Nutley health department on Mar. 4. Eligible participants can donate blood from 2:30-7 p.m. at 149 Chestnut St. Registration is required.
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Nutley Township

Nutley library will be closed due to water damage until further notice. Online and digital services remain available. Physical items can be picked up from neighboring BCCLS libraries.
Nutley Public Library

Citywide Iftar planned on Mar. 5 in Newark. It begins at 5:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a prayer rug.
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Newark City

Financial webinar planned with Ironbound Community Corporation and Capital One Bank on Mar. 6. It is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about credit, financial custodians, and the power of attorney. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Ironbound Community Corporation

Eligible children and adults can receive free health screenings with KinderSmile and Mobile Lab Techs on Mar. 6 in Newark. It is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1 Avon Ave. There will be free A1c testing, blood pressure screenings, nutritional counseling, and more. Registration is not required.
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KinderSmile Foundation

N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission mobile unit to be stationed in Newark on Mar.9-13. Services are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Independence Park. Appointments for registration renewal, REAL ID, and replacement title accepted online. Disability placards and license plate returns do not require appointment.
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District 29 Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin

Community meeting with Montclair’s Councilor-at-large Bill Harrison and Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen planned on Mar. 4. It is from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at Montclair library’s Bellevue Branch. Harrison and Andersen will share township updates and answer questions. Open to all Montclair residents.
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Montclair Township

Montclair girls in grades 5-8 can register for the recreation department’s spring 2026 volleyball clinic starting Mar. 5. The program meets on Thursdays weekly until May 14. Registration is available online.
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Montclair Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Author talk with Sonia De Los Santos planned at Montclair library on Mar. 8 in the Main Branch. It is from 2-3 p.m. She will read her children’s book, “La Golondrina.” Registration is required. Free admission.
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Montclair Public Library

Adults can attend a free mental health first aid certification training on Mar. 7 in West Orange. It is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Orange library. Attendees will learn to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults. Registration is required. Free enrollment.
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West Orange Public Library

Families can attend a story time and craft session with The Learning Experience on Mar. 8 in South Orange. It is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 109 W. South Orange Ave⁠. Free admission.
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South Orange Downtown

Parents and caregivers can attend a wellness session with the Greater Essex Counseling Services on Mar. 5 in Orange. It is from 6-7 p.m. at the Orange City Council Chambers. It will be led in Spanish.
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City of Orange Township

Eligible Orange residents with a household income of $69,000 or less can receive free tax preparation services on Mar. 5. IRS-certified volunteers will assist at Mt. Carmel Tower, 268 Oakwood Ave. from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The last day to file taxes is Apr. 15.
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City of Orange Township

Community Iftar planned with University of Orange on Mar. 9. It is from 6-8 p.m. at the HUUB, 35 Cleveland St. Free admission.
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University of Orange

REGIONAL NEWS

About 850,000 N.J. residents enrolled in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program must follow increased work requirements to continue to receive benefits. The new requirements come after a federal spending law, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It requires people ages 18-65 without dependents to work or attend a work program for at least 80 hours per month. The previous age limit was 55. People with dependents must meet additional work requirements if a child is 14+. Previously, people with a child younger than 18 were exempt from the requirements. Veterans, people ages 24 and younger who aged out of foster care, and homeless people are not exempt from work requirements. The changes went into effect Feb. 1.
NorthJersey.com

New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate published the state’s first-ever food security strategic plan. It outlines a three-year plan for building a food system that aims to increase food access and stability. It is available online for viewing.
New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA)