Essex County Daily Buzz: Nov. 5, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Holiday wreath-making planned at Essex County Environmental Center on Nov. 14 in Roseland. It is from 2-4 p.m. Designed for ages 15+. All materials included. Registration is required.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Comedy open mic planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Nov. 12. It is from 7-8:30 p.m. at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center. Free admission.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Stage production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” planned with The Maplewood Strollers starting Nov. 13. It runs through Nov. 22 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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The Maplewood Strollers

Documentary screening of “You Can Color Outside The Lines” planned with Maplewood arts and culture on Nov. 14. It is from 6-10 p.m. at The Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Rd. Admission is $20.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture

Maplewood library’s Main Branch is open Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Its Hilton Branch is closed on Sundays.
Maplewood Public Library

SOMA Chamber of Commerce members can meet artists on Nov. 12 at the Art Generators Gallery in Maplewood. It is from 5:30-7 p.m. at 78 Hilton Ave. Beer, wine, and snacks provided. Free for members.
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SOMA Chamber of Commerce

Fundraiser party benefitting South Orange Rescue Squad planned on Nov. 13. It is from 6:30-10 p.m. at Orange Lawn Tennis Club, 305 N. Ridgewood Rd. Funds will be used to purchase a new ambulance.
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The Village Green

Montclair residents can share feedback on ways to improve the library on Nov. 12 at the Main Branch. It is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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Montclair Public Library

Hometown history bus tour planned with Montclair History Center on Nov. 14. It is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location not yet available. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Montclair History Center

Free flu vaccination clinic and food pantry distribution planned with FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development on Nov. 10 in Newark. It is from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 441 Broad St. Registration is not required.
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FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development

Author talk with Rossana Rosado planned at Newark library on Nov. 12 in the Main Branch. Rosado will discuss “Bronx Attitude” at 6 p.m. Q&A and book signing will follow.
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New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center

Small business expo planned with NJ Citizen Action on Nov. 12 in Newark. It is from 5-8 p.m. at 625 Broad St. Attendees can speak with financial institutions, business resource providers, and technical assistance experts. Registration is required. Free admission.
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New Jersey Citizen Action

Nutley library seeks non-perishable food items for its Thanksgiving Food Drive. Donations accepted through Nov. 21.
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Nutley Public Library

Mobile mammogram screenings planned with Orange and University Hospital on Nov. 13. Free and low-cost screenings are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 231 Park Ave. Appointments can be scheduled online.
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Orange Public Schools

Artist reception with Ann Antoshak planned at West Orange library on Nov. 12. It is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Antoshak’s gallery, “”Keeping Company,” will be on display through Dec. 28.
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West Orange Public Library

Historical presentation discussing the life of John Lennon planned at West Orange library on Nov. 14. It is from 2-3 p.m. Registration is not required.
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West Orange Public Library

Pop-up market planned with Center for Family Services on Nov. 12 in East Orange. There will be free herbs and produce to take home at 2 p.m. at Winans Street Community Garden.
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East Orange Family Success Center

CPR training for girls ages 8-18 planned at East Orange library on Nov. 14. It is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be information about self-care tips.
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East Orange Public Library

Bloomfield residents can recycle electronics on Nov. 14. It is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Universal Technical Institute parking lot, 1515 Broad St.
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Bloomfield Township

Free Thanksgiving turkey giveaway for eligible Bloomfield residents on Nov. 22. It is from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at 1 Municipal Plaza. Registration is required online or by calling 973-680-4017.
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Bloomfield Township

Bingo and dancing for seniors ages 50+ planned with Belleville recreation on Nov. 16. First session begins at 5 p.m. and second session begins at 7 p.m. at the Belleville Senior Center. Free admission. Registration required. by Nov. 13.
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Belleville Township

REGIONAL NEWS

A panel of three appellate court judges recently heard claims from defendants and plaintiffs in the eight-year lawsuit challenging segregation in N.J.’s public schools. The court is expected to take several months to make its ruling. The case began in 2018 when Latino Action Network, NAACP N.J. State Conference, and the Urban League of Essex County joined families of nine N.J. public school students in a lawsuit claiming segregation in N.J. schools violates the state constitution and deprives students of their right to a quality education. Mediation, or negotiations between legal parties, began in 2023 after a state Superior Court judge found racial segregation in N.J. schools, but said the plaintiffs failed to show that segregation is widespread across every district. In N.J., students must attend schools in the municipality where they live, which results in segregated schools because of residential segregation and discriminatory housing laws and practices, according to the lawsuit and a 2017 study from the UCLA Civil Rights Project. Possible solutions include creating new magnet schools that enroll students from multiple districts, allowing students to transfer schools, and redrawing district boundaries.
Gothamist