Essex County Daily Buzz: May 11, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Basic life support certification course for healthcare professionals planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on May 15 in Secaucus. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 150 Meadowlands Parkway Suite 201. Training will include ways to recognize life-threatening emergencies, give CPR, deliver ventilations, and provide early use of an automated external defibrillator. Registration available online.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Sea turtle recovery fundraiser planned at Turtle Back Zoo on May 16 in West Orange. Admission includes two hours at the zoo, one donut, and free face painting. Tickets are available online.
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Turtle Back Zoo

Chipotle recently opened in Belleville at 11 Franklin Ave. It is open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Belleville Mayor Michael Melham

Stage productions of four plays planned at Luna Stage in West Orange on May 14-17 and May 21-24. Show descriptions are available online. Free admission. Tickets are required.
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Luna Stage

West Orange Arts Council seeks volunteers to paint soccer balls on May 16-17 in preparation for the World Cup. People can sign up online.
West Orange Arts Council

People can learn about state property tax relief programs on May 13 in South Orange. Led by Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema. It is from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Baird Community Center and will include information about ANCHOR, StayNJ, and Senior Freeze. Registration is required.
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Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema

Adults can attend a knife skills class at Kitchen a la Mode on May 14 in South Orange. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at 59 South Orange Ave. Enrollment is $60. Registration is required online.
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South Orange Downtown

AAPI potluck planned with SOMA Cross Cultural Works on May 17 in South Orange. It is from 1-4 p.m. at The Baird, 5 Mead St. There will be food , performances, and activities, including face-painting, henna, and karaoke.
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South Orange Village

Bloomfield residents can schedule a “Mayor on Your Block” visit to share ways to improve the neighborhood with township officials. Mayor Jenny Mundell will hear which services community members need in their area. Schedule a visit by emailing ecirne@bloomfieldtwpnj.com.
Bloomfield Township

Solidarity potluck and Haitian Flag Day celebration planned with University of Orange on May 18 in Orange. The potluck is from 6-8 p.m. at the HUUB, 35 Cleveland St. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish and a friend.
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University of Orange

Blood drive in memory of Nutley resident Anne Rotonda planned on May 15. The drive is from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the public health building. Eligible donors can make an appointment online. Use blood drive code XIHAR.
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Nutley Township

“EMS Night” planned with Nutley on May 15. It is from 6-8 p.m. at the Nutley public safety building. There will be activities for children and food.
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Nutley Township

“Imagine a Better World” planned with Building Essex Area Mutuality on May 17 in Montclair. It is from 3-5:30 p.m. at 153 Park St. Attendees will share ideas for the future of their community. Registration is required. Free admission.
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Building Essex Area Mutuality

Talk on authenticating historic documents planned with Durand-Hedden House and Garden on May 17 in Maplewood. It is from 1:30-3 p.m. with Stuart Lutz. Tickets are required.
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Durand-Hedden House and Garden

Maplewood’s 2026 Record Fair is scheduled for May 17. It is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 60 Woodland Rd. There will be vinyl records, cassettes, 8 tracks, CDs, and more. Admission is $3 ages 18+, people younger than 18 enter for free.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Qumi: Pilates Studio and Matcha Bar recently opened in Maplewood. It is located at 168 Maplewood Ave. and open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Village Green

Stage production of “Much Ado About Nothing” planned with The Maplewood Strollers on May 15-17 and May 22-23. Showtimes are 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. at The Burgdorff Theater, 10 Durand Rd. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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The Maplewood Strollers

Book club meeting for adults planned at Irvington library on May 18. Attendees will discuss “The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest” at 5:30 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Irvington Public Library

Book club meeting for youth in grades 8-12 planned at East Orange library on May 18. It begins at 4 p.m. attendees will discuss “Promise Boys” by Nick Brooks. Registration is not required.
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East Orange Public Library

Free tennis showcase planned on May 16 in East Orange. It is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elmwood Park. There will be tennis demonstrations, prizes and giveaways. Registration is required.
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East Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Bloomfield residents can shred documents and recycle reusable bags on May 16 at Pulaski Park’s parking lot. It is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Proof of residency required.
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Bloomfield Township

“Serenata a Mamá,” a Mother’s Day event planned with Bloomfield on May 17. It is from 12-4 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center. There will be music, poetry, and dessert.
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Bloomfield Township

REGIONAL NEWS

International health officials are monitoring cases of hantavirus, a disease typically spread by contact with rodent feces, after three people on a 147-person Antarctic cruise have died and eight sickened as of May 11. Independent experts have said that human-to-human transmission is rare and requires close proximity to those recently infected for prolonged periods of time. There have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission outside the cruise ship. Eighteen U.S. residents who were on the cruise returned to the country Monday. They are being evaluated in Nebraska and Georgia and will be asked to self-isolate upon release for up to 42 days if they are asymptomatic. Two New Jerseyans who shared a flight with a now-deceased cruise ship passenger are also being monitored. It is not clear where in N.J. they are being monitored. In a press release, the state Department of Health said it is coordinating with local and federal health offices and will provide updates as the situation develops. People who experience symptoms of fatigue, fever, muscle aches, chills, dizziness, and abdominal problems should stay home and contact their health care provider.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation