Essex County Daily Buzz: Jun. 24, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

La Casa de Don Pedro is accepting online applications for the Home Energy Assistance program. The program is designed to offer support for eligible residents unable to make their utility bill payments. Applications are due Jun. 30.
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La Casa De Don Pedro

Belleville youth in grades K-8 can register for the recreation department’s 2026 summer clinics. Offerings include volleyball camp and multi-sports camp, both starting in August. Registration is available online.
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Belleville Recreation Department

Free summer lunch for children at Bloomfield library from Jun. 29 to Aug. 21. Lunch is available for pick up on weekdays from 12-1 p.m. Food provided by Toni’s Kitchen.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Free vehicle inspections planned with N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission on Jul. 1 in Bloomfield. The station will be available at the parking at Broughton Avenue and Chapel Street between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
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Bloomfield Police Department

Free outdoor concert with Van Martin, The Discoteks, and The Empire planned with Essex County parks on Jul. 1 in Bloomfield and Montclair. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Brookdale Park. Fireworks will follow.
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Essex County Parks

Soul in the City music event for families planned with East Orange on Jul. 1. There will be music from 6-9 p.m. at Elmwood Park. Free admission.
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East Orange City

Drop-in play session for children up to age 4 planned at Glen Ridge library on Jun. 30. It is from 9-11 a.m. Caregivers required to accompany children. Registration is not required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

People can attend Maplewood library’s financial Q&A drop-in session at the Hilton Branch on Jun. 30. It is from 5:30-7 p.m. It is free and led by a local financial advisor.
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Maplewood Public Library

Concert celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence planned at Maplewood library on Jul. 1 in the Main Branch. It is from 12-1 p.m. with SOMA Salon Concerts, a Maplewood-based chamber music group. Free admission.
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Maplewood Public Library

Kokoro and Kimaya Kama held ribbon cutting ceremonies on Jun. 13 in Maplewood. Kokoro reopened after the store experienced significant water damage. Both are located at 172 Maplewood Ave.
The Village Green

Maplewood’s community pool is open for full time summer hours. The pool will be open Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Commuter swim time is from 6-7:30 a.m. on weekdays. Lap swim is available from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Maplewood Township

Drop-in mental health session for adults ages 20-30 planned with Mental Health Association on Jun. 29 in Montclair. It is from 5-6 p.m. and will meet Mondays through Jul. 27 at 33 S. Fullerton Ave. Attendees will share experiences and provide support to each other. RSVP by emailing Akoenig@mhainspire.org or AMastrangelo@mhainspire.org.
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Mental Health Association

Youth entering grades 7-9 can register for First Draft Academy’s sports writing or arts writing programs, both scheduled to start Jul. 6 at Montclair State University. It meets Mondays through Thursdays until Jul. 23. Participants will work on projects, go on field trips, and interview professionals. Registration is required.
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First Draft Academy

Barbara Warmuz has been appointed Montclair school district’s assistant business administrator. Warmuz will support budget development, financial planning, purchasing, and business operations.
Montclair Patch

Families can purchase summer membership with Montclair YMCA. A list of offerings and registration is available online.
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YMCA of Montclair

Newark seeks community feedback on health, quality-of-life, and planning priorities in an online survey. Responses will inform the city’s planning policies, programs, and investments to improve health equity outcomes. The survey comes after Newark received a Plan4HealthNJ grant, which is a statewide initiative led by NJ-American Planning Association. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. People who complete the survey can enter a drawing for a $100 gift card.
Newark City

Newark’s pools are open for the summer starting Jul. 1. Operating hours are weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A list of pool locations is available online.
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Newark Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services

Newark seeks local performers for its 24 Hours of Peace showcase, scheduled for Aug. 28-29. Interested performers must submit a video of up to two minutes by Jul. 31 by emailing 24hrsofpeace@ci.newark.nj.us.
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Newark City

Nutley youth can register for the recreation department’s fall sports through Aug. 13. Offerings include flag football and soccer. Registration is available online.
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Nutley Township

Orange seeks community feedback on health, quality-of-life, and planning priorities in an online survey. Responses will inform the city’s planning policies, programs, and investments to improve health equity outcomes. The survey comes after Orange received a Plan4HealthNJ grant, which is a statewide initiative led by NJ-American Planning Association. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
Plan4HealthNJ

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey Citizen Action is hiring people to pose as renters or buyers as part of an investigation into housing discrimination across the state. Information will be used to document real housing experiences. People can apply online.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Ryan Haygood, president and CEO of N.J. Institute for Social Justice, was recently named the president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Haygood’s last day at NJISJ is Jul. 31. Henal Patel, law and policy director of NJISJ, will serve as the organization’s interim president and CEO. Laura Sullivan, director of NJISJ’s economic justice program, will act as interim law and policy director.
Patch-Newark