Essex County Daily Buzz: Sep. 30, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Leon Marketplace, a two-story grocery store, has been approved by the West Orange planning board. The grocery store will be on Main Street and will replace the former Walgreens and Americana Diner. The store will have 13,934 square feet on the first floor, and 5,810 square feet on the second floor for storage. Plans for the supermarket will include bike-friendly amenities, rain gardens, and EV charging stations.
Montclair Local

Youth and adults can paint a ceramic book vase at Glen Ridge library on Oct. 7. It begins at 5 p.m. People can join the waiting list for a chance to attend.
Add to 📅
Glen Ridge Public Library

“Deep Mapping” planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Oct. 7. It is from 6:30-8 p.m. at 1978 Arts Center. Attendees will map Maplewood by using photography, writing, painting, archival materials, interviews, and more. It meets weekly through Nov. 11. Registration is required. Free admission.
Add to 📅
Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Montclair library seeks community feedback on ways they use the library in an online survey. Responses will inform future uses for the space and materials.
Montclair Public Library

Six Montclair fire department members recently received promotions. Thomas Hargraves was promoted to deputy chief; David Hill and John Fierro to battalion chief; and William Roth, Samuel Bendsten, and Keith Ferentz to captain. Anthony Padillo was sworn in as a probationary firefighter.
Montclair Township

Artists can apply to vend at Montclair Zine Fest, scheduled for Mar. 27, 2027 at Lackawanna Station. Applications are available online.
Add to 📅
Indie Arts Montclair

Community resource day planned with Newark and the office of violence prevention and trauma recovery on Oct. 6 in Newark. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature housing assistance, employment assistance, mental health services, social services, after-school programs, senior services, and NJ MVC services. Preregistration is required for MVC resources.
Add to 📅
Newark Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery

Free eviction defense workshop planned by Newark library on Oct. 7 in the Main Branch. Lawyers from Essex Newark Legal Services will lead the workshop from 6-8 p.m. It will discuss tenants’ constitutional rights and tenant court proceedings. Registration is required. Library card not required.
Add to 📅
Newark Public Library

Seniors ages 65+ can receive assistance filing applications to N.J. property tax relief programs on Oct. 7 in Newark. Assistance is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity-Epiphany Church. Representatives will assist with completing the state’s combined application, called PAS-1, that encompasses Senior Freeze, Anchor, and Stay NJ. Government photo ID is required. File by Nov. 2.
Add to 📅
Newark City

First aid class planned at Newark library on Oct. 9 in the Main Branch. It begins at 2 p.m. and will discuss CPR, choking response, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and bleeding control. Free admission. Library card not required. Registration is full, but people can join a waiting list for a chance to attend.
Add to 📅
Newark Public Library

Free distribution of food, clothing, and other necessities for unhoused community members planned by Newark Emergency Services for Families on Oct. 9. Items are available at Lincoln Park in Newark from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be information for housing, employment, mental health resources, and medical services.
Add to 📅
Newark Emergency Services for Families

Nutley Family Service Bureau seeks donations at its new donation center, located at 15 Hamilton Pl. in Nutley. Accepted items include gently used clothing, shoes, housewares, books, linens, and small furniture.
TAPinto Nutley

Financial Justice Summit planned by N.J. Citizen Action on Oct. 7 in South Orange. The free event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Seton Hall University. It will feature a panel discussing community reinvestment, consumer finance protection, housing, and civil rights in N.J. Registration is required.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Developer meet and greet planned with Congregation Beth El on Oct. 8 in South Orange. The event, scheduled from 7-8 p.m., at 222 Irvington Ave. The meeting will discuss the development plans for 270–299 Irvington Ave.
Add to 📅.
South Orange Village

Fashion show planned with JESPY House on Oct. 8 in South Orange. It is from 6-8 p.m. at Spiotta Park.
Add to 📅.
South Orange Downtown

Essex County Division of Training and Employment will provide resources at East Orange library on Oct. 7. Representatives will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Add to 📅
East Orange Public Library

Self-defense class for ages 18+ planned at East Orange library on Oct. 6. It is from 6-7 p.m. and will also discuss information related to domestic violence. Registration is required. Free admission. The program runs weekly through Aug. 3, 2027.
Add to 📅
East Orange Public Library

GED classes for ages 16 to 25 planned with New Jersey Youth Corps. of East Orange. Courses include GED prep, career development, and workforce training. Open enrollment is being accepted online.
East Orange Public Schools

Bloomfield homeowners can learn about the township’s 2026 Home Improvement Program, offering up to $25,000 in repairs. Interested applicants can attend office hours with Acuity Consulting Services on Oct. 7 from 12-3 p.m. at the Mayor’s Conference Room. Repairs include repairs roofing, heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, and other health and safety improvements. Applications open Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.
Add to 📅
Bloomfield Township

“Fiesta Latina” with Bloomfield rescheduled for Oct. 3. It is from 12-4 p.m. at the Historic Town Green, 84 Broad St. There will be food, music, and activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Add to 📅
Bloomfield Township

First Ward community resource town hall planned with Bloomfield township on Oct. 7 at Fairview Elementary School. The event, scheduled to start at 7 p.m., will feature information on local resources, and a Q&A session with Bloomfield mayor Jenny Mundell and First Ward councilwoman Roasalee Gonzalez. Spanish translation available.
Add to 📅
Bloomfield Township

Essex County’s mobile health clinic will be stationed in Bloomfield on Oct. 7. It is from 3-6:30 p.m. at Watsessing Park Community Center. There will be vaccines for children.
Add to 📅
Essex County

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell resigned after a four-month investigation found he violated state ethics rules, including offering state jobs, and sexually harassed women. Former N.J. Attorney General Christopher Porrino and Shontae Gray, a former assistant U.S. attorney, conducted the investigation and interviewing complainants, including state employees and potential witnesses. State Comptroller Shirley Emehelu will replace Caldwell as secretary of state until a new lieutenant governor is selected.
WHYY Public Media

New Jersey Citizen Action is hiring a bilingual community educator. Responsibilities include conducting English- and Spanish-language fair housing workshops, completing reports and administrative forms, and more. Position is hybrid and applicant must work out of its Newark or Highland Park offices. To apply, email cover letter and resume to jobs@njcitizenaction.org.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo 2026 planned by Dining Out Jersey on Oct. 7 in Cliffside Park. The event, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Riverside Ballroom, 700 Palisadium Dr. The expo will feature cuisine from premier restaurants, wine and spirits sampling, entertainment, and door prizes. General Admission tickets are available online. Add to 📅.
Dining Out Jersey

Out in Jersey Magazine seeks volunteers to join its podcast. The podcast is about current LGBTQ+ stories. Interested volunteers should contact the magazine online.
Out in Jersey Magazine