Essex County Daily Buzz: Apr. 8, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

“Spring Wild Edible Walk” for families planned with Essex County Environmental Center on Apr. 16 in Roseland. Attendees will identify plants, discuss ethical harvesting, and ways to prepare gardens for spring from 5:30-7 p.m. Registration required. Tickets available online for purchase.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Paddle boats are open for the 2026 spring season at Turtle Back Zoo’s in West Orange. Tickets for a 30-minute session is available in-person and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is open from Apr. 10-12 from 12-6:30 p.m. on the waterfront.
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Turtle Back Zoo

Book club for adults planned with Bloomfield recreation on Apr. 15. Attendees will discuss “James” by Percival Everett from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center. Registration is required. It will meet again on Apr. 22 and Apr. 29.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

“Wondernest” outdoor play sessions for children ages 1.5-8 planned with Bloomfield recreation starting Apr. 15. It is from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The final session is May 20. Enrollment is $75. Registration is available online.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Bloomfield residents can attend yoga, boxing, or fitness sessions through the recreation department starting Apr. 15. Classes meet Wednesday evenings through Jun. 3. Registration is available online.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Eligible Bloomfield residents can apply for a free smoke alarm online. Available for seniors, low-income residents, and households with children. People can apply by contacting the fire prevention bureau at 973-680-4153 or completing a request form online at bloomfieldtwpnj.com.
Bloomfield Township

Stage production of “Frozen Jr. The Musical” planned at Belleville library on Apr. 14. It begins at 6 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Belleville Public Library

Free screenings for blood pressure and glucose planned with Mountainside Medical Center on Apr. 15 in Belleville. It is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Belleville ShopRite, 726 Washington Ave. No fasting necessary. Registration not required.
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Mountainside Medical Center

Record club meeting planned with Glen Ridge recreation on Apr. 15. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Glen Ridge Train Station. Participants will discuss “The Blue Album” by Weezer. Free admission.
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Glen Ridge Borough

East Orange YMCA is hiring for multiple summer positions. Positions include camp behavior specialist, program coordinator, swim instructor, camp specialist, and counselor. Applications are available online.
East Orange YMCA

South Orange youth ages 3-13 can attend the recreation department’s 10-month dance academy. Offerings include tap, hip hop, musical theater, and more. Registration is available online.
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South Orange Village

“Outdoor Art Party” planned with The Art Generators, a group previously known as SOMA Affordable Art, on Apr. 18 in Maplewood. It is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside of Artie’s, 15 Newark Way. There will be art for sale.
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The Art Generators

Stage production of “9 to 5 The Musical” planned with Interact Theater Productions starting Apr. 17 in Maplewood. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Burgdorff Center For The Performing Arts. Performances run through May 2. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

People can dine at Sarrah’s Cafe Trinbago in Orange with University of Orange staff on Apr. 13. It is part of the organization’s “I 8 in Orange” initiative that encourages area residents to dine at local restaurants with University of Orange staff. It begins at 1 p.m. at 454 Central Ave. RSVP online. Attendees are responsible for paying for their meal.
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University of Orange

“Investing Basics” webinar planned with Housing and Neighborhood Development Services on Apr. 13. It is from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to research companies and make investments. Free admission. Registration is required.
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Housing and Neighborhood Development Services

Nutley youth can register for tackle football at the township’s recreation department on Apr. 15. Registration is from 6-8 p.m. at the recreation building. Fee is $220 per player.
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Nutley Township

Newark and Irvington voters must apply by Apr. 14 to receive a mail-in ballot for their respective school board elections, scheduled for Apr. 21. Mail-in ballot applications are available online and must be returned to the Essex County clerk.
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New Jersey Division of Elections

Newark South Ward residents can share feedback on Airport City, a development around Newark Airport, in an online survey. Airport City will include housing, retail and office space, and more. The survey closes Apr. 19.
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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Greater Newark

Montclair library seeks volunteers ages 12-18 to make greeting cards for seniors living at Horizon Manor. It is from 4-6 p.m. at the library’s Main Branch.
Montclair Public Library

Montclair students in grade 12 can apply for a scholarship from the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation. Applicants must upload their most recent academic transcript, a brief essay, and must complete an interview. Deadline to apply is Apr. 30. Applications available online.
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Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation (MAAHF)

Community meeting with Montclair’s First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato and Complete Streets Director Jacob Nieman planned on Apr. 15. It is from 6-8 p.m. at Montclair library’s Bellevue Branch. D’Amato will share discuss traffic safety and street improvements in the First Ward. Open to all Montclair residents.
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Montclair Township

Adults can attend introductory acting and improv classes at N.J. School of Dramatic Arts in Montclair, scheduled to start Apr. 22 and Apr. 23. Both courses run for six weeks and are held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Registration is available online.
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New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

REGIONAL NEWS

Advocacy groups are urging state lawmakers to further develop three immigrant protection laws recently signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The laws increase protections for the state’s 2.25 million immigrant population. Then-Gov. Phil Murphy decided to not sign, or pocket-vetoed, the bills before leaving office on Jan. 20. The Privacy Protection Act protects personal data shared with schools, hospitals and libraries; and the Strengthening Trust Act codifies a 2018 directive that limits state law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Sherrill also signed a law requiring ICE agents to remove their face masks prior to arresting or detaining someone. American Civil Liberties Union of NJ, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and Council on American-Islamic Relations-NJ are calling on lawmakers to expand protections amid due process violations, such as unlawful detention. ACLU-NJ released a statement demanding the state Legislature increases funding for access to counsel in immigration proceedings.

Advocates renewed their push for immigrant protections after President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Jan. 20, 2025 to ramp up deportations. The Jersey Bee has immigration resources at jerseybee.org/community/immigrants. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

ACLU of New Jersey.