Essex County Daily Buzz: Feb. 14, 2024

Local news

Essex County activated Code Blue procedures from Feb. 13 to Feb. 20, helping people find shelter as temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Participating shelters and warming stations include Catholic Charities in Newark, Joi’s Angels in East Orange, St. Mark’s Church in Montclair, among others throughout the county. Additional locations can be found on the NJ 211 website.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

South Orange to host “Erasing South Orange Borders Run-Walk” on Saturdays on Feb. 17. The run begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 1 p.m., hosted by resident and founder of Erasing Essex’s Borders Stephanie Lawson Muhammad. Each route covers 3.1 miles and participants will explore South Orange borders that have historically impacted African Americans. The events are held each Saturday in February. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
South Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Nutley Little Theatre plans auditions for its production of “FIGARO” on Feb. 17-18. Auditions on Feb. 17 are from 1-4 p.m. and on Feb. 18 from 7-10 p.m. at 47 Erie Pl. Add to 📅.
Nutley Little Theater

St. Michael’s Medical Center and N.J. health plan free prostate exams and mammograms on Feb. 15-16 in Newark. There will be free prostate exams on Feb. 15 from 1-6 p.m. and free mammograms on Feb. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments are scheduled by phone. Add to 📅.
Saint Michael’s Medical Center

Hawkins Street Elementary School plans a PTO and community budget meeting on Feb. 15 in Newark. The meeting will discuss the 2024-2025 school year and it begins at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium. Add to 📅.
Hawkins Street Elementary School

Camden Street School plans a budgeting meeting for the 2024-25 school year on Feb. 15 in Newark. The upcoming budget planning will begin at 6 p.m. in the cafetorium. Add to 📅.
Camden Street School

Bloomfield Animal Shelter to host “Cat Adoption Event” on Feb. 18. The event, scheduled from 12-4 p.m. at 61 Bukowski Pl., will feature reduced adoption fees and a selection of fully vetted cats ages 1+. Applicants must pre-apply for approval and appointment online by Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. Add to 📅.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter

Maplewood Village Alliance plans a free “Black History Month Self-Guided Walking Tour” through Feb. 29. There are educational displays showcasing Black leaders in arts, politics, civil and human rights, history, and sports at 23 business storefronts. A complete list of tour locations is available online.
Maplewood Village Alliance

United Parks As One plans virtual “A Moment in Our History: A Black History Month Celebration” on Feb. 17. The event is scheduled from 10-11:30 a.m., will feature Joyce Anne Judd and Gary Edison sharing their experiences with the land and the arts in shaping African-American life and culture. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
United Parks as One

West Orange library plans “Teen Talent Showcase” on Feb. 15. The showcase is an open mic event for musicians, poets comedians, singers, and performers in grades 6-12. RSVP by email or phone. Add to 📅.
West Orange Public Library

Studio Montclair seeks drawing entries for its “Across the Line” exhibition by Feb. 23. The exhibit, scheduled from Mar. 15 to Apr. 19 will showcase expressive drawings across various artistic mediums. Jury results are made Feb. 27. Add to 📅.
Studio Montclair

Nutley library to host “STEAM Story Time” for ages 2-6 on Feb. 17. The group meets monthly at 10:30 a.m. to hear stories on science, technology, art, and math. There will be STEAM-related group activities. No registration required. Add to 📅.
Nutley Public Library

Montclair Film is accepting storyteller applications by Feb. 16 for its February “StorySLAM” program. Participants will have six minutes to share their stories related to the theme, “Leap” on Feb. 29. Judges will evaluate and score each story. Applications accepted online. Add to 📅.
Montclair Film

Belleville recreation opens registration for its spring 2024 programs through Feb. 29. Spring programing includes T-ball, softball, baseball, and track and field. Applications accepted at the recreation house at 407 Joralemon St. weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applicants must bring a copy of their birth certificate, proof of residency, and a check for registration fees. Add to 📅.
Belleville Mayor Michael Melham

Morristown developer Yayine Abeba Melaku is suing South Orange and PSE&G, claiming her project was unfairly delayed for two years because she is a Black woman. The complaint charges the township and utility with violations of N.J.’s Law Against Discrimination. It alleges Melaku was asked to pay $260,000 for an underground transformer installation, a cost waived for a white male developer on a neighboring plot. The township allegedly refused to issue her a tax abatement and unfairly increased her project’s property taxes.
New Jersey Monitor

Newark seeks actors and singers ages 7-72 for its citywide casting call for “Voices of Excellence” and upcoming stage productions on Feb. 16-17. Auditions are Feb. 16 from 6-8 p.m. and Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Newark City Hall. No experience necessary. Add to 📅.
Newark City

East Orange recreation plans “Valentine’s Fundraiser Dance” for East Orange’s wrestling team on Feb. 16. The dance is from 6-8 p.m. at the Elmwood Park Field House. Admission is $5. Add to 📅.
East Orange Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Turtle Back Zoo is hiring a cashiers, train drivers, seasonal supervisors, and other positions for the 2024 spring and summer season. Workers must be able to work outdoors, 18+, and pass a background check. Applications accepted online.
Turtle Back Zoo

Montclair Community Farms plans a guided nature therapy walk on Feb. 17. Liubuo Shefarevich will lead a walk throguh the farm from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
Montclair Community Farms

Maplewood library to host “BB Contes Black History Month Family Event” on Feb. 17 in the Hilton Branch. There will be West African music, dance, food, and stories in French and English from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Add to 📅.
Maplewood Public Library

Montclair library plans “The Golden Screen: Asian American Films” virtual class on Feb. 17. Author Jeff Yang will lead the class from 1-2:30 p.m. Students will explore films that have influenced and transformed cinema culture. Students should purchase their own copy of Yang’s book, “The Golden Screen.” Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
Montclair Public Library

East Side Mags plans “Cosplay Karaoke 10” on Feb. 17 in Montclair. Karaoke is from 7-10 p.m. at 491 Bloomfield Ave. with Cape Swoosh Productions. Add to 📅.
East Side Mags

Bloomfield library to host bingo on Feb. 17. Bingo beings at 2:30 p.m. in the library’s theater. No registration required. Add to 📅.
Bloomfield Public Library

East Side Mags to host a book signing and RPG demo with Maplewood local Scott Barton on Feb. 17 in Montclair. Barton will sign “Factory of Lights” from 2-5 p.m. at 491 Bloomfield Ave. and showcase his tabletop RPG adventure. Add to 📅.
East Side Mags

East Side Mags to host “Library Night” on Feb. 17 in Montclair. Patrons who show their Montclair library card at checkout receive a 15% discount between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 491 Bloomfield Ave. Add to 📅.
East Side Mags

Bloomfield recreation to host “Book Club Meeting” on Feb. 22 and Feb. 24. Members will discuss “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig during one of two sessions on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Bloomfield Oakeside Cultural Center. Registration is accepted online. Add to 📅.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Regional news

Verizon Wireless customers who had post-paid plans from 2016 to November 2023 may be entitled to a payment under a proposed class action lawsuit settlement. A group of customers alleged the company inadequately discussed an unfair administrative charge. Former or current customers can submit a claim by Apr. 15 to be included in the settlement.
Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement