SOMSD preliminary budget tax impact is 2.3 percent

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s preliminary budget for the 2018-2019 school year at its March 26 meeting. The approved preliminary budget comes in at $137,352,722, or slightly less than the budget of $137,374,530 originally presented at the board’s Feb. 20 meeting. The budget had […]

The tragic reality of opioids in NJ

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — NCJW/Essex is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn, “Opioids in New Jersey, a Tragic Reality,” featuring Jay Lassiter, writer, political consultant, and social justice advocate, and the host/author of the podcast “Heroin Uncut.” The program will take place on Thursday, April 19, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in […]

Award-winning author to speak at SHU

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University’s Africana Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences will host award-winning author Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of the debut novel “Here Comes the Sun,” on Wednesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. in the Beck Rooms in the Walsh Library. The University’s Africana Studies program was established in […]

CHS filmmakers win at SOMA and Montclair film festivals

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At the 2018 Montclair Emerging Filmmaker Competition, Columbia High student filmmakers and animators won in the following categories: In Narrative, Aidan Romanaux and graduate Ralph Ravix won the grand prize with the film “Choice”; In Animation, Sophie Goodman-Merel won the grand prize with the film “SuperHero Convention,” which had already won another […]

‘A Taste of NJ’s Best’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — FAMILYConnections’ “A Taste of NJ’s Best” will be Wednesday, May 2, at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange. This popular evening of music and delicious food will benefit more than 4,000 area children, adults and families. This year’s event honorees include Short Hills’ Beth Berns, a […]

‘Post No Bills’ at 1978

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Gallery at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center and NJ Photographers Forum presents a new exhibit, “Post No Bills,” curated by Charlann Meluso, which opened March 31. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, April 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. and the show will run through May 12. The phrase “Post […]

A look at women through film

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Women’s History Month Film Festival comes to 1978 Maplewood Arts Center on Thursday, April 5, at 5 p.m. for the screenings of three films, which combined equal approximately two hours. Admission is free. “Tale of Four” is inspired by Nina Simone’s song “Four Women”; “Rhoda” is a 75-year-old woman’s look back […]

SOMS students protest gun violence

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On March 14, South Orange Middle School students participated in the National School Walkout, marching around the building, then gathering for a student-organized program. The students spoke about gun violence and read the names of those who were killed on Feb. 14 at the Parkland, Fla., school shooting.