Essex County Daily Buzz: Apr. 13, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Essex County’s 2026 “Cherry Blossom Fun Run/Walk” is scheduled for Apr. 18 in Newark. For children age 6-14. Registration is on the day of the race at Prudential Concert Grove at 9 a.m. The race begins at 10 a.m., rain or shine.
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Essex County Parks

“Bloom Fest” planned with Essex County parks on Apr. 19 in Newark. It is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Branch Brook Park and is part of the county’s Cherry Blossom Festival. There will be Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, and more. Free admission.
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Essex County Parks

Essex County residents can apply for $100 spay and neuter appointments for their cats through Communities Promoting Animal Welfare NJ. Eligible Irvington residents can apply for free spay and neuter appointments. Applications are available online.
CPAW NJ – Communities Promoting Animal Welfare NJ

Belleville homeowners can attend an information workshop on Apr. 18 and Apr. 20 to learn about the 2026 Home Improvement Program, offering up to $22,000 in repairs. The workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Apr. 18 and from 5-7 p.m. at Belleville Senior Center. Eligibility depends on the homeowner’s gross annual household income and the need of the home for major system repairs like roofing, doors, insulation, windows, among others.
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Belleville Township

Belleville residents can shred paper items for free on Apr. 18. It is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Belleville Senior Center Recreation Center, 125 Franklin Ave. Limit of two banker boxes or up to 10 pounds of paper per person. Participants must bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of residency.
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Belleville Mayor Michael Melham

“Math Night” for Belleville families with children in grades pre-K-2 planned with Belleville school district on Apr. 20. It begins at 6 p.m. at Belleville High School. Pizza provided. Registration is required.
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Belleville Public Schools

Eligible students from Orange, East Orange, South Orange, West Orange and Maplewood can apply for scholarships provided by the Rho Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Scholarship Applications are available online until Apr. 18.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Rho Gamma Omega Chapter

Author meet-and-greet with Cairo Harvard planned with Bloomfield recreation on Apr. 18. It will celebrate the release of “A Tale of Tales.” The event is from 2-5 p.m. at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Free admission. Registration is required.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

People can learn about gardening at Bloomfield library on Apr. 18. There will be information about raise garden bed growing and small-farm techniques from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Led by Bracco Farms. Free admission. Registration is not required.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Bloomfield Repair Café is scheduled for Apr. 19 It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center. Items for repair can include jewelry, bicycles, computers, toys, and furniture.
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Bloomfield Township

Pet adoption event planned with Bloomfield Animal Shelter on Apr. 19. The event is from 12-4 p.m. at Paws, Wings, and Scales Animal Hospital in Nutley, 125 Paterson Ave.
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Bloomfield Animal Shelter

Students in grades 11-12 attenidng Montclair High School, Bloomfield High School, and Nutley High School can apply to the Jared’s Fund Fellowship. Fellows will create a project around mental health awareness or stigma within a six-week period between Jun. 29 and Aug. 5. Applications are due Apr. 20.
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Jared’s Fund

Author meet-and-greet with Cairo Harvard planned with Bloomfield recreation on Apr. 18. It will celebrate the release of “A Tale of Tales.” The event is from 2-5 p.m. at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Free admission. Registration is required.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

People can learn about gardening at Bloomfield library on Apr. 18. There will be information about raise garden bed growing and small-farm techniques from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Led by Bracco Farms. Free admission. Registration is not required.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Bloomfield Repair Café is scheduled for Apr. 19 It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center. Items for repair can include jewelry, bicycles, computers, toys, and furniture.
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Bloomfield Township

Pet adoption event planned with Bloomfield Animal Shelter on Apr. 19. The event is from 12-4 p.m. at Paws, Wings, and Scales Animal Hospital in Nutley, 125 Paterson Ave.
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Bloomfield Animal Shelter

Students in grades 11-12 attenidng Montclair High School, Bloomfield High School, and Nutley High School can apply to the Jared’s Fund Fellowship. Fellows will create a project around mental health awareness or stigma within a six-week period between Jun. 29 and Aug. 5. Applications are due Apr. 20.
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Jared’s Fund

“Death Cafe” planned on Apr. 20 in Montclair. It is from 7-8 p.m. at 198 Bellevue Ave. Attendees will talk openly about life and death. It is hosted by mediation teacher Jodi Brooks, yoga and meditation teacher Amanda Faison, and death doula and grief facilitator Loren Talbot.
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NJ Death Cafe

Crochet class for all skill levels planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Apr. 20 in Irvington. It is from 3-4 p.m. at 50 Union Ave. Registration is required. Free admision.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Personal care items donation dirve planned with Glen Ridge Library through Apr. 30. Toiletries and personal care items can be dropped off at the Adult Desk on the second floor. Donations will benefit Human Needs Food Pantry.
Glen Ridge Public Library

West Orange recreation seeks volunteer coaches for its spring 2026 special needs basketball clinics. Volunteers must be available on Sundays for five weeks from April to May. Applications to volunteer are available online.
West Orange Recreation Department

Grand re-opening of Ambiance Jewelers planned on Apr. 17 in South Orange. It begins at 2 p.m. at 76 S. Orange Ave. Suite 104.
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South Orange Downtown

Tickets available for South Orange Downtown’s “Food Stroll,” planned for Apr. 19. The event, scheduled from 12-4 p.m., will feature access to restaurants, shopping deals, and drink specials. A complete list of participating businesses available online. Admission is by wristband purchase.
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South Orange Downtown

Virtual open house of South Mountain YMCA’s summer camps planned on Apr. 19. Attendees will meet camp directors, ask questions, and learn more about available programs from 6-7:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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South Mountain YMCA

Youth ages 13-18 can attend “Game Changers Youth Summit” with Give BLK on Apr. 18 in Orange. It is from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Orange High School. There will be a basketball tournament, scholarship raffle, workshops, and chats with mentors. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Orange Public Schools

Free screening of fourteen short documentaries made by Orange High School film students planned at SOPAC on Apr. 20. The screening begins at 6 p.m. and an award ceremony at 7 p.m. Registration is required.
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Orange Public Schools

Nutley residents can compost on Apr. 18 with the public works department. It is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1 Cortland St. Limit of five leaf bags or two garbage cans of compost per household. Attendees must bring their own bags and shovels.
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Nutley Township

“MS Walk” planned with Newark police and United Community Corporation on Apr. 19. It is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Side Park. To register, call 862-895-9720.
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United Community Corporation

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey residents can submit questions to Gov. Mikie Sherrill through WNYC’s “Ask Governor Sherrill” program. Sherrill will respond on Apr. 15 at 7 p.m. on 93.9 FM, WNYC.org, and the WNYC app. People can submit questions in advance online or by calling 844-745-8255 on Apr. 15. The next installment of the program is Jun. 3.
Gothamist