Essex County Daily Buzz: Sep. 9, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Local N.J. farmers markets can be nominated for America’s Farmers Market Celebration Award. Markets that receive the most votes are eligible to win cash award that help fund the market season. Markets in Nutley, South Orange, West Orange, and Newark are eligible. Voting closes Sep. 30.
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American Farmland Trust

Free IT program orientation session planned virtually with Urban League of Essex County on Sep. 15 and Sep. 17. It is from 10-11:30 a.m. It will discuss the organization’s technology education programs, training schedules, and how certificates prepare attendees for work. Registration is required.
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Urban League of Essex County

Food bag distribution planned with Unity Family Success Center on Sep. 12 in Irvington. It begins at 10 a.m. at 50 Union Ave. Registration is required.
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Unity Family Success Center Irvington

Essex County’s mobile health clinic will be stationed in Irvington on Sep. 16. It is from 3-6:30 p.m. at Irvington Park. There will be vaccines for children.
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Essex County

Applause Home Care opened its second location in Maplewood at 111 Dunnell St. It serves people in Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Short Hills, South Orange, Summit, and West Orange.
TAPinto SOMA

Joseph Alvarez, chief of the South Essex regional fire department, will retire Dec. 1. The department serves South Orange and Maplewood. Alvarez worked at the department for 40 years.
The Village Green

“2Pac Revisited” panel discussion planned at Montclair library on Sep. 12 in the Main Branch. It is from 3-5 p.m. and will discuss the life and Montclair connection of Tupac Amaru Shakur. A poetry session and concert will follow at Montclair Brewery. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Montclair Public Library

“Asian Aunty Brigade” drumming class and dinner planned with AAPI Montclair on Sep. 15. It is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 60 S. Fullerton Ave. Attendees will also learn about the 14th Amendment. Registration is required.
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AAPI Montclair

Latino Heritage Celebration planned with Latinos of Montclair on Sep. 20. It is from 12-5 p.m. at the Montclair Art Museum. There will be live music, art, youth performances, and more. Registration is required. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Latinos of Montclair

LGBTQ+ book club meeting for adults planned at Newark library on Sep. 16 in the Main Branch. Members will discuss “Edge of the World: An Anthology of Queer Travel Writing” edited by Alden Jones at 6 p.m. Registration is required. Open to non-library cardholders.
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Newark Public Library

Medicaid information session planned with Partnership for Children of Essex planned on Sep. 16 in Newark. It is from 3-6 p.m. at Essex County College. A Q&A session included. There will be free school supplies. Registration is required.
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Partnership for Children of Essex

Peach Cobbler Factory recently opened in Newark. It is located at 1244 McCarter Hwy. and open Mondays through Wednesdays from 12-10 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays until 12 a.m.
The City of Newark Blog

Free story time for ages 3-5 planned by Nutley library starting Sep. 16. Attendees will hear stories, songs, and make crafts from 10:30-11:30 a.m. It runs through Dec. 9. Registration is required. The program is limited to Nutley library cardholders.
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Nutley Public Library

“Garden Party” fundraiser planned with Nutley Family Service Bureau on Sep. 26. It is from 3-6 p.m. at 205 Rutgers Pl. There will be wine, beer, and more. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Nutley Family Service Bureau

Bloomfield residents can register for the recreation department’s fall tennis lessons, scheduled to start Sep. 16. It meets through Oct. 28 at Memorial Park. Registration is available online.
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Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Bloomfield is hiring contractors for renovation work under its Home Improvement Program. Renovation projects include heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and more. Priority given to eligible Bloomfield residents. Eligibility requirements available online.
Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield families can purchase device insurance for their children’s Chromebook by Oct. 30. Insurance covers accidental damage, third-party damage, damage from the elements, and manufacturer defects. It is $45. People can sign up through PaySchools or send payment by cash, check, or money order to the school office.
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Bloomfield Public Schools

Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Academy recently opened as part of East Orange school district. It serves students in grades 3-8. Located at 190 Midland Ave.
East Orange Public Schools

People can attend a webinar discussing the history of textile produced in N.J. on Sep. 16 through Glen Ridge library. It begins at 7 p.m. and will be led by a representative from the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Record club meeting planned with Glen Ridge recreation on Sep. 16. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Glen Ridge Train Station. Participants will discuss “Graceland” by Paul Simon. Free admission.
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Glen Ridge Borough

Fall Harvest Fiesta and fundraiser planned with Northeast Earth Coalition on Sep. 26 in Glen Ridge. It is from 6:30-9 p.m. at Glen Ridge Congregational Church. There will be food, music, a silent auction, and more. Funds support NEEC. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Northeast Earth Coalition

Costa Rica flag raising planned with Belleville on Sep. 14. It begins at 12 p.m. at Town Hall.
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Belleville Township

Anime and manga club meeting for youth hosted by Belleville library on Sep. 17. The meeting is from 3-5 p.m. Participants will watch anime, discuss manga, take quizzes, and play games together. Preregistration is required.
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Belleville Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey residents ages 21+ can apply for a scholarship to the N.J. Shade Tree Federation Conference by Sep. 12. Eligible applicants must show an interest in tree stewardship and must live in Camden, Gloucester City, Pennsauken, Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Trenton, Dover, Garfield, Newark, Orange, East Orange, Irvington, or Jersey City. The conference is in Cherry Hill on Oct. 22-23. Scholarships pay for registration, travel, and hotel. Add to 📅.
NJ Tree Foundation

More than 1.2 million N.J. residents do not have regular access to food, according to a 2024 analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture data by Feeding America, a nonprofit advocacy group. The report uses the most recent federal figures because the USDA halted its collection of food-security data. It found that food insecurity in N.J. doubled from 7.4% to 13% between 2020 and 2024. That includes nearly 330,000 children. According to the report, Hunterdon County had the lowest rate of food insecurity in 2024 at 7.2% and Hudson County had the highest rate at 19.1%.

People in East Essex County can visit local food pantries by using The Jersey Bee’s food navigator tool or by subscribing to The Jersey Bee’s food aid text line at 1-833-303-3335.

People can also learn about food access in N.J. through The Jersey Bee’s food access information hub.
New Jersey Monitor