Essex County Daily Buzz: Jun. 9, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Community forum on segregation and reparations in Essex County planned at the Baird Community Center in South Orange on June 11 by The Jersey Bee. The event is from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and will discuss how systemic discrimination impacts everyday life in New Jersey in collaboration with Incurrent Media. Registration available online.

Three seniors from East Essex County won the county’s 2026 Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest. East Essex County winners are Linda Russell from Montclair, Judyann Affronti from Glen Ridge, and Nanette LaCapra Rotonda from Belleville. Alisa A. Piacenza and Jack Pignatello from Bloomfield received honorable mentions.
Montclair Local

Bloomfield families can register their children for kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year. To be eligible, students must be age 5 on or before Oct. 1. Registration is available online.
Bloomfield Public Schools

Bloomfield’s 2026 Juneteenth festival is scheduled for Jun. 13. It is from 12-7 p.m. along Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue. There will be music, food, and vendors.
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Bloomfield Center Alliance

Community cat workshop planned with CPAW NJ on Jun. 16 at Bloomfield library. It begins at 7 p.m. Attendees will learn about trap-neuter-return and best practices among caregivers. Registration is not required.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Belleville will be flushing fire hydrants through Jun. 16. Hydrant flushing will affect Franklin Avenue to the Nutley border, and Joralemon Street to Nutley border. Residents may experience low water pressure or discolored water.
Belleville-Nutley Patch

Belleville will be flushing fire hydrants through Jun. 16. Hydrant flushing will affect Franklin Avenue to the Nutley border, and Joralemon Street to Nutley border. Residents may experience low water pressure or discolored water.
Belleville-Nutley Patch

Community wellness event planned with Family Support Organization of Essex County on Jun. 13 in East Orange. It is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 60 Evergreen Pl. There will be food, resources, and activities. Free admission.
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Family Support Organization of Essex County

East Orange public school students in grades K-2 can attend the district’s summer program, “Sunshine Scholar.” It is from Jul. 1-31 at Ecole Toussaint Louverture Elementary School and Sheila Y. Oliver Academy. Students will explore STEM and other educational activities. Registration is required online.
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East Orange Public Schools

Eligible East Orange public school students can attend the district’s STEAM summer enrichment program, scheduled for Jul. 6-31. Limited to multilingual students entering grades 1-5 who attend Banneker and Bowser Elementary Schools. Breakfast and lunch provided. Located at Tyson Elementary School. Registration is required.
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East Orange Public Schools

Vehicles parked under bridges, overpasses, and in underpasses in Orange will be ticketed, according to Orange police. Residents and visitors are encouraged to move their vehicle to a different location.
Orange Police Department

Synthetic playing surfaces will be installed at two softball fields in Irvington Park. The outfields will have natural grass. There will also be a new drainage and irrigation system, fencing, benches and dugouts, seating, landscaping, pathway repairs, and trash cans.
Patch-Newark

Summer reading kick-off party planned at Glen Ridge library on Jun. 16. It is from 5-7 p.m. There will be lawn games, ice cream, and summer reading challenge registration.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Virtual author talk with Zaila Avant-garde planned with Glen Ridge library on Jun. 16. Avant-garde will discuss “Weird and Wonderful You” at 7 p.m. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

North Jersey Pride Festival is scheduled for Jun. 14 in Maplewood. It is from 12-6 p.m. at Memorial Park. There will be live music, more than 100 vendors, food, and more. Free admission.
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North Jersey Pride Festival

Magic show planned at Maplewood library’s Main Branch on Jun. 15. It is from 1:30-2:15 p.m. Registration is not required.
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Maplewood Public Library

Free People, a retail clothing store, will open at 469 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair. Its anticipated opening date is in October.
Montclair Local

Outdoor film screening of “Cars” planned with Montclair Film on Jun. 14. It begins at 7 p.m. at Nishuane Park. Free admission.
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Montclair Film

“Tavern Talks” planned with N.J. Historical Commission on Jun. 14 in Montclair. It is from 1-3 p.m. at Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St. Attendees will explore American Revolution ideals with reenactors. Admission is $5. Tickets are available online.
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New Jersey Historical Commission

Improv classes for adults planned with NJSDA starting Jun. 16 and Jun. 29 in Montclair. Courses include intro to improv and improv performance showcase. Classes meet at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Meeting dates and times available online.
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New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

Volunteer orientation for youth entering grades 6-12 planned with South Orange library on Jun. 16. Orientation begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Baird Branch. Volunteers must attend with a completed application. Applications available online.
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South Orange Public Library

Book club meeting for adults planned at Nutley library on Jun. 16. Attendees will discuss “Murder Takes a Vacation” by Laura Lippman from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration is required. Library card required.
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Nutley Public Library

Free outdoor concert with TK Walker as Elvis planned with Essex County parks on Jun. 16 in Nutley. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Yanticaw Park.
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Essex County Parks

Nutley Little Theater seeks a stage manager to support its fall production of “A Doll’s House, Part 2.” People who are interested must email the director, Wanda Maragni, at wamaragni@gmail.com.
Nutley Little Theater

Outdoor yoga planned with Newark library on Jun. 16 in the Main Branch. It is weekly from 5-6:30 p.m. through Aug. 18. Registration is encouraged.
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Newark Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

Eligible N.J. families can apply to the state’s summer EBT program for their children. Qualifying families will receive a Summer EBT card for children to purchase $120 worth of food at participating stores. Confirm mailing address and application process with the child’s school. Applications are accepted throughout the summer. Benefits are available to eligible families for 122 days, or four months. Add to 📅.
State of New Jersey