Essex County Daily Buzz: Mar. 17, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Free book fair planned with Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ on Mar. 24 in Irvington. The event is scheduled for 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Unity Family Success Center of Irvington, 50 Union Ave. Open to all ages, preregistration is required.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Free virtual “Smart Homebuyer Workshop” planned by Urban League Essex County on Mar. 24-25. The event, scheduled from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each day, will feature workshops on mortgages, inspections, and financial planning. Preregistration is required.
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Urban League of Essex County

Children and youth in grades pre-K-12 can submit projects to Essex County Environmental Center’s “gARTbage Art Contest” through Apr. 11. Participants are required to create art from single-use plastic garbage. Team or individual projects are accepted. Prizes will be awarded. Register by Apr. 8. Drop projects off at the Center on Apr. 11 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
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Essex County Environmental Center

Registration is open for the 2026 Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race on Apr. 4 in Newark. The race will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Branch Brook Park. Registration is available online.
Essex County Parks

Belleville is hiring summer camp counselors and supervisors for 2026 summer camps. Applicants must be 15+ and available from Jul. 1 to Aug. 14. Applications accepted online until Apr. 30. Belleville residency required.
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Belleville Recreation Department

Young chef’s cooking class planned with East Orange library on Mar. 24. The event is for students in grades 1-7, and will explore beginner cooking techniques and skills. The program is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at East Orange library.
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East Orange Public Library

Glen Ridge police is hiring school crossing guards. Starting pay is $19 per hour, with crossing guard typically working approximately 1.5 hours per shift. Applications should be sent to the township by emailing mtkoc@glenridgenj.org.
Glen Ridge Police Department

Author talk with Shoshana Walter and Barbara Ellen Kingsolver planned virtually with Glen Ridge library on Mar. 24. It begins at 7 p.m. Wallace will discuss “Rehab: An American Scandal” by Shoshana Walter. Registration is required. Free admission
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Networking and business enrichment event planned with South Orange Downtown on Mar. 24. The event is from 6-8 p.m., at Giorgio’s Ristorante, 52 Vose Ave. Business owners can meet to connect and learn more about how tehy can participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Preregistration is required.
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South Orange Downtown

Nutley-area residents can join the library on a trip to visit Hyde Park, the Vanderbilt Mansion, and lunch at the Culinary Institute of America on Apr. 2. Tickets are $125 per person and include transportation, lunch, and guided tours. Bus leaves from Nutley library at 8:00 a.m. Registration is required.
TAPinto Nutley

Mobile office hours with Rep. LaMonica McIver planned on Mar. 24 in West Orange. McIver and her team will be available from 11 a.m. to 1np.m. at West Orange Public Library, 10 Rooney Cir., to provide casework and passport assistance, share resources, and answer questions.
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Rep. LaMonica McIver

“Period Party: A Menstruation Celebration” planned with Montclair library on Mar. 22. The event is for ages 7-13 at 2 p.m. in the teen room. The event will focus on joy and reducing stigma around menstruation. Light refreshments will be served. Preregistration is recommended.
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Montclair Public Library

Film screening of “Tokyo Story” planned with Montclair Film on Mar. 22. It begins at 2 p.m. at The Clairidge, 486 Bloomfield Ave. There will be a special introduction and a Q&A with Anne Giblin Gedacht associate professor at Seton Hall on Japanese culture after the screening. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Montclair Film

Select bouquets at Stop and Shop purchased during March will support Toni’s Kitchen. The pantry will receive $1 for each $11.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold at 1189 Broad Street, Clifton.
Toni’s Kitchen

Free author talk with Mary Clare Jalonick will discuss her book “Storm at the Capitol” at [words] Bookstore, 179 Maplewood Ave., on Mar. 24. The conversation will be facilitated by Deputy Mayor Malia Herman. from 6:30-8 p.m. Preregistration is required.
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Maplewood Public Library

Personal care items donation dirve planned with Maplewood police department on Mar. 26. Toiletries and personal care items can be dropped off at the Springfield Ave. gazebo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Maplewood Township

“Meet Musher Karen Land and Sophia, The Sled Dog” planned with Bloomfield library on Mar. 24 in Bloomfield. The event, scheduled from 6-7 p.m., will feature discussions on sled dog racing, caring for Alaskan huskies, and the history of the 1925 Diphtheria Epidemic Serum Run.
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Bloomfield Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

Submissions are open for 2026 Garden State Art Weekend to be held Apr. 17-19. Art galleries, art museums, artists’ studio complexes, visual pop-up art displays, and public art installations are eligible to participate. Application forms are available online.
Garden State Art Weekend.