Essex County Daily Buzz: Apr. 6, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

DIY nature art session planned with Essex County Environmental Center on Apr. 11 in Roseland. It is from 10-11:30 a.m. Attendees will collect items outdoors and create pieces of art. Registration is required. Admission is $12 per child and $15 per adult.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Essex County residents ages 13+ can attend a volunteer information session for the Essex County Environmental Center on Apr. 13. The session will begin at 5 p.m. and will include information on how to get involved with program support, gardening, and outdoor stewardship projects. Preregistration is required.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Registration is open for Belleville recreation’s spring 2026 courses. Registration and a list of offerings are available online.
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Belleville Recreation Department

Bloomfield residents can attend a bicycle repair workshop on Apr. 11 at Bloomfield library. It is from 2-4 p.m. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Early-bird tickets are available for Darren Memorial Foundation’s tricky tray fundraiser, scheduled for Jun. 12 in Clifton. Proceeds will benefit mental health education and resources. Tickets are available by calling or texting 631-432-7736 or emailing info@darrenmemorial.org.
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Darren Memorial Foundation

West Orange youth ages 8-21 with learning and developmental disabilities can sign up for West Orange recreation’s basketball program, scheduled to start Apr. 12. The six-week program meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Orange High School. Register online.
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West Orange Recreation Department

West Orange girls in grades K-3 can register for beginner field hockey course with the recreation department, scheduled to start Apr. 10. It is a six-week program and meets at O’Connor Park. Registration is required online.
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West Orange Recreation Department

West Orange residents can shred select documents at the West Orange Environmental Center on Apr. 12. Documents are accepted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Paper items only. ID is required. Each household is limited to four boxes of documents.
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West Orange Township

Seniors can attend an information session on first aid on Apr. 9 in South Orange. It is from 12-2 p.m. at the Baird Community Center. Led by South Orange Rescue Squad. Free admission.
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South Orange Village

Author Sasha Davis will discuss “Replace the State: How to Change the World When Elections and Protests Fail” on Apr. 12 in Orange. The free event is from 3-5 p.m. at The HUUB, 35 Cleveland St. Tickets are required and available online.
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University of Orange

Nutley residents can bring their cats and dogs to a free rabies vaccination clinic planned on Apr. 13. It is from 4-7:30 p.m. at Chestnut Street Firehouse, 228 Chestnut St. Preregistration required.
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Nutley Township

Free informational workshop discussing Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) planned with La Casa de Don Pedro on Apr. 7 in Newark. It is from 6-7:30 p.m. at 39 Broadway and will discuss what ITIN is, its benefits, and assistance to obtain it. Registration is not required.
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La Casa De Don Pedro

Branch Brook Park’s 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival is Apr. 8 in Newark. It is from 12-3 p.m. There will be an artist meet-and-greet, live music, and giveaways. Free admission.
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Newark Happening

Youth Power Action Summit for ages 14-24 planned with The Gem Project on Apr. 11 in Newark. It is from 12-6 p.m. There will be civic workshops and discussions around building collective youth power. A student-led fireside chat, or informal conversation, with candidates running for Newark school board will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Location available upon registering.
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The Gem Project

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network’s conference discussing Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition plan to adult life on Apr. 11 in Newark. It is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Essex County College. It will discuss adult services and self-advocacy. Registration is required. Free admission.
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SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

90s-themed dance party planned at Porta on Apr. 11 in Montclair. It is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 499 Bloomfield Ave. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Porta Montclair

Toni’s Kitchen seeks Whole Foods and Amazon bag donations for grocery deliveries. Bags can be dropped off at 73 S. Fullerton Ave. weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Sundays from 3-5 p.m.
Toni’s Kitchen

Northern N.J. trading card market planned on Apr. 12 in Montclair. It is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lackawanna Station. Free admission.
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Lackawanna Station

Sip and paint fundraiser benefitting Out Montclair planned on Apr. 12. It begins at 3 p.m. at 30 Park St. in Montclair. Admission is $35. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Out Montclair

Montclair residents can share feedback on the township’s 2026 Master Plan, a blueprint for future development, during a planning board meeting on Apr. 13. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 205 Claremont Ave. Attendees can share ideas and ask questions. The Master Plan is available online for viewing.
Montclair Township

Families can attend a planting session at Irvington library on Apr. 11. It begins at 12 p.m. Free admission.
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Irvington Public Library

Book club meeting for adults planned at Irvington library on Apr. 13. Attendees will discuss “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon at 5:30 p.m. Registration not required.
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Irvington Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

In-person early voting for the 2026 11th congressional district special general election is from Apr. 6-14. The district includes parts of Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties. Early voting locations are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday until 6 p.m. A list of locations is available online. The special general election is Apr. 16.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Division of Elections

First- and second-generation immigrant youth ages 18-22 can apply to NJ Consortium for Immigrant Children’s immigrant youth advocate program. Participants will spend two years attending workshops on political processes, policy frameworks, and media advocacy, and learn how to address inequities in education and health. The deadline to apply is Apr. 24. Applications are available online.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children

First-time homebuyer webinar planned with NJ Citizen Action and Valley Bank on Apr. 7. The webinar begins at 12 p.m. and will provide information on the homebuying process, affordable mortgage programs, and down payment assistance. Registration is required. Free admission.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Citizen Action