Essex County Daily Buzz: Mar. 16, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

“Understanding the Impact of Youth Gambling” webinar planned by Family Connections’ NJ4S-Essex Program on Mar. 18. The webinar is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and will discuss the impact of youth gambling, warning signs, and tools for support. Preregistration is required.
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Family Connections-NJ4S Essex

Nature art class planned with Essex County Environmental Center on Mar. 21 in Roseland. The event is from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and will include a walk, nature observation, collecting materials, and creating a window mosaic. Registration is open to all ages, and is available online.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Veterans resource fair planned with Essex County government on Mar 23. in Newark. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park. Resources and information about SNAP benefits, health insurance, and housing assistance.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Arc of Essex County is hiring staff and volunteers for it’s 2026 Camp Hope season. The camp is located in East Hanover and is designed for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Staff positions are available for ages 16+, volunteer opportunities available for age 14+. Applications are accepted online.
The Arc of Essex County

Bloomfield is hiring three part-time laborers for the public works department. Candidates must have a driver’s license and have or obtain a CDL within one year. Applications accepted online.
Bloomfield Township

Restaurant week planned with West Orange Downtown Mar. 21-29 in West Orange. Local restaurants will offer special menus and discounts throughout the week. A complete list of promotions is available online.
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West Orange Downtown Alliance

Free author reading with poet Nicole Cooley and memoirist Gabriella D’Italia planned with South Orange recreation on Mar. 22. The reading begins at 3 p.m. at Skate House, 5 Mead St. It is part of the Watershed Literary’s reading series.
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South Orange Village

District-wide “Parent Teacher Organization Retreat” planned with Orange public schools on Mar. 21 in Orange. The retreat is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Orange High School. There will be presentations from Career and Technical Education program, and the Radium Girls Project, networking among parents. Lunch will be provided, and childcare is available. Preregistration is required.
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Orange Public Schools

Bank Account Set Up Workshop planned with Newark Water Coalition and PNC Bank on Mar. 19 in Newark. The event is from 2-4 p.m., at 373 South Orange Ave. The workshop will include how to open a checking and savings account, information on banking and budgeting. A list of documents required for opening a bank account is available online. Preregistration is required.
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Newark Water Coalition

Women’s Health Fair and Workshop planned by La Casa de Don Pedro on Mar. 20 in Newark. The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., will feature free health screenings, workshops on wellness, and health resources. Preregistration is required.
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La Casa De Don Pedro

“Community Dialogue Session” planned by New Jersey Institute for Social Justice on Mar. 21 in Newark. The event, scheduled from 12-3 p.m., will focus on discussing a collective vision for repair and justice in Newark, at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 W Market St. Preregistration is required.
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New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Newark Interfaith Alliance’s 2026 anniversary celebration planed on Mar. 23 in Newark. The event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Jehovah Jireh Praise and Worship Church Center, 505 South 15th St. Ralph M. Branch Jr. of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church will be the guest speaker.
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Newark City

“North Jersey Community Civic Action Session” planned by We the People NJ on Mar. 31 in Newark. The event, scheduled from 6 – 8:30 p.m., will feature learning about voter information and mobilization resources, building power in communities, and celebrating local community organizing wins. Preregistration is required and can be completed by Mar. 21. The Jersey Bee is a sponsor of this event.
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We The People NJ

Free item repair service planned with Montclair Area Solidarity Network on Mar. 21 in Orange. It is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the HUUB, 35-47 Cleveland St. Volunteers will mend clothes, fix bikes, and repair other items. Registration is required.
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Montclair Area Solidarity Network

Film screening of “Robot Monster” planned with Montclair Film on Mar. 21. It begins at 6 p.m. at The Clairidge, 486 Bloomfield Ave. A Q&A session will follow. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Montclair Film

Montclair-area film makers can submit short films to Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation’s short film festival scholarship fundraiser by Mar. 23. Films should reflect the richness, complexity, and lived experiences of the African-American community. Films can be submitted online through Film Freeway.
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Montclair African American Heritage Foundation (MAAH)

Montclair YMCA is hiring a part-time pilates studio instructor. Applications are accepted online.
YMCA of Montclair

Parent advisory council meeting planned with partnership for maternal and child health on Mar. 23 in Irvington. The event, scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., will give participants the chance to share recommendations for future programs, discuss upcoming events, and network with community organizations. The event will be held at Unity Family Success Center, 50 Union Ave. Preregistration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Parent advisory council meeting planned with partnership for maternal and child health on Mar. 23 in Irvington. The event, scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., will give participants the chance to share recommendations for future programs, discuss upcoming events, and network with community organizations. The event will be held at Unity Family Success Center, 50 Union Ave. Preregistration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Bloomfield is hiring three part-time laborers for the public works department. Candidates must have a driver’s license and have or obtain a CDL within one year. Applications accepted online.
Bloomfield Township

Open art studio for families planned at Bloomfield library on Mar. 21. It is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Art supplies provided. Free admission. Registration is not required.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Three-part series on behavior management for parents planned with Bloomfield public schools starting Mar. 25 in Bloomfield. The workshops will be held at Bloomfield Middle School from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and virtually. Workshops will discuss understanding the “why’ behind behaviors, how to set consequences , and an open forum with school district staff. Preregistration is required by emailing fgillespie@bloomfield.k12.nj.us by Mar. 23.
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Bloomfield Public Schools

Bloomfield youth in grades 5-8 can register for the recreation department’s co-ed track and field team. Practices begin Apr. 7. Registration is required and available online.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

REGIONAL NEWS

NJ Transit has resumed its regular weekday schedules after a month of construction on the Portal North Bridge. The completed first phase of the project will allow boats and barges to pass without having to open, and travel up to 90 mph on the new bridge, compared to 60 mph on the old one, according to NJ Transit. A second phase of construction is expected to take place in the fall, and once completed will fully phase out the old bridge.
Gothamist