LOCAL NEWS
West Orange residents can register for the 2026 pool season. Registration options are available for families and individuals. Early-bird pricing is available until May 17. Registration is available online.
West Orange Recreation Department
AAPI Festival planned at West Orange High School on May 29. It is from 5-7 p.m. at the cafeteria. There will be cultural booth exhibitions, trivia, and performances. Free admission.
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United Asian Voices of West Orange
Orange House Cafe announced the opening of it’s second location in South Orange. The new location is located at 9 Village Plaza. The cafe specializes in coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. The cafe is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Village Green
Maplewood native and cartoonist Bruce Eric Kaplan will receive the Maplewood Literary Award on May 21. The award and reception is from 7-8 p.m. at Maplewood library’s Main Branch as part of its 2026 Ideas Festival. Free admission. Registration is not required.
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Maplewood Public Library
Maplewood Village Alliance seeks an artist to create a temporary mural at 164 Maplewood Ave. Submissions should enhance the area. Artists can submit their ideas until Jun. 1. Guidelines are available online.
Maplewood Village Alliance
Human Needs Food Pantry seeks donations of diapers for children. Items accepted at 9 Label St. in Montclair or through the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.
Human Needs Food Pantry
Health fair for families planned with Reaching Out Montclair on May 16. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wally Choice Community Center. There will be free health screenings, resources, and more.
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Montclair Township
Art night planned at Lackawanna Station on May 22 in Montclair. It is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with Keep Creating-Art and Wellness Studio and will focus on embroidery and fiber art. Admission is $35.
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Lackawanna Station
Montclair library’s Bellevue Branch seeks book donations for its 2026 book sale. Donations are accepted at the library.
Friends of the Bellevue Avenue Library
Gardening and plant-based meal workshop for adults planned at Glen Ridge library on May 21. It begins at 3:15 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library
Glen Ridge library seeks donations of personal care and hygiene products. Items accepted through May 30 at the library. Donations will benefit Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair.
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Glen Ridge Public Library
Essex County mobile health clinic to be stationed in Bloomfield on May 21. Services include blood pressure screenings, diabetes risk assessment, cardiac risk assessment, and dental screenings. The clinic will be available from 12-2 p.m. at Bloomfield Civic Center.
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Bloomfield Township
New and expectant parents can receive free diapers and baby formula at La Casa de Don Pedro through the organization’s “Baby Needs” program. Resources are available at a first-come, first-served basis every decond Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 39 Broadway in Newark.
La Casa De Don Pedro
Palestine Day planned with Palestinian American Community Center on May 17 in Paterson. It is from 1-7 p.m. along Palestine Way between Gould Avenue and Dey Street. There will be food, live performances, and children’s activities. Rain date is May 31.
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Palestinian American Community Center
Tickets are available for ACLU-NJ’s “In Pursuit of Justice” gala, scheduled for Jun. 9 in Newark. It begins at 6 p.m. at The Newark Museum of Art. The event will celebrate the ACLU’s work. Tickets are available online.
ACLU of New Jersey.
Adults can apply to Essex County’s domestic violence intervention training, “Sanctuary,” by May 22. Participants will learn how to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to victims of domestic violence. The program begins on May 26. Applications are available online.
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Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
REGIONAL NEWS
Gateway Development Commission recently awarded a $1.29 billion contract to build new rails under the Hudson River, also known as the Gateway Tunnel Project. It was awarded to Traylor/Walsh/Skanska Joint Venture. Construction will include tunneling a mile underground and below the riverbed, installing tunnel liner and floor, and creating two parallel tubes that stretch 7,250 feet from Weehawken to Manhattan’s West Side.
NJ BIZ
Youth online safety webinar planned with Sen. Andy Kim’s office on May 20. It is form 4-5 p.m. It will discuss best practices for internet use, cybersecurity, and cyberbullying. Panelists include NJ Attorney General’s Office, the NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell. and the NJ Governor’s Office. Free admission. Registration is required.Add to 📅.
Senator Andy Kim
