Follow local news and events in Maplewood with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Feb. 10, 2025 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Black History Month celebration and cooking demo planned by Maplewood recreation on Feb. 16. The free event is from 1-3 p.m. at DeHart Community Center. Chef Jesse Jones will prepare a Creole shrimp over crab quinoa and chocolate cake. Open to non-Maplewood residents. Registration is required.
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Maplewood Recreation Division
Local bands can apply by Mar. 9 to perform at Maplewoodstock, an annual music festival scheduled for July. Applicants must submit either one original song or one cover song. Applications available online.
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Maplewoodstock
Free author talk with Rick Geffken planned by West Orange library on Feb. 16. Geffken will discuss his latest book, “Stories of Slavery in New Jersey” from 2-3 p.m. Registration is not required.
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West Orange Public Library
Screening of “Desperately Seeking Susan” planned by West Orange Classic Film Festival on Feb. 16. The movie begins at 2 p.m. at AMC at 495 Prospect Ave. in West Orange. Tickets available online and in-person for purchase.
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West Orange Recreation Department
“Black Wall Street” vendor market is planned on Feb. 22 at Newark library’s Main Branch. There will be more than 80 Black-owned businesses selling food, clothes, jewelry, and other art pieces. It is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking at 26-56 Bridge St.
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Newark Public Library
A cleanup plan for the 80-120 Lister Ave. portion of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site in Newark is expected to address contaminated soil, debris, and groundwater, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The plan was finalized in January after hearing feedback from the public in September 2024. The Superfund Site was formerly a pesticide and herbicide manufacturing facility that contaminated the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay. Improvements will include reinstalling seven groundwater pumps, upgrading the groundwater treatment system, and repairing the existing cap meant to cover contaminated materials.
TAPinto Newark
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo job fair planned on Feb. 22 in West Orange. Interested applicants must attend one of three job fairs at the Berson Learning Center, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A list of seasonal job openings available online. Applicants must be 18+.
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Turtle Back Zoo
REGIONAL NEWS
Essex County jury issued a $11.5 million verdict against N.J. State Police trooper Jennifer Albuja who mistook a motorist’s stroke for inebriation and arrested her, according to the lawsuit. In 2017, Albuja found Cheryl Rhines pulled over on a Newark highway, five minutes from a hospital, and misinterpreted Rhines’ failure to respond to commands, communicate clearly, or stand upright, as intoxication despite finding no sign or smell of substance use. Albuja searched Rhines’ car, handcuffed her, and brought her to the state police’s Somerville station. This delayed medical attention by two and a half hours, which left Rhines with global aphasia, a permanent language disorder caused by stroke-related brain damage, the lawsuit says.
New Jersey Monitor
Center for Law and Social Policy created a safe space policy template for childcare providers to use to maintain the privacy of undocumented children and families, and reduce risks and harm with immigration agents. It includes language around staff responsibilities, interactions with immigration officers, and parent notification. The safe space policy template is available online. A Q&A webinar will be held Feb. 13 from 2-3 p.m. for childcare providers implementing these policies. Add to 📅.
Advocates for Children of New Jersey
Eligible N.J. residents can receive free NJ FamilyCare application assistance in English or Spanish. People regardless of immigration status can enroll in NJ FamilyCare, including children younger than 19. Contact N.J. Citizen Action by phone or email to verify eligibility for the special enrollment period, which opened on Feb. 1, the day after open enrollment closed.
New Jersey Citizen Action
