Hey there, West Orange! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Estate Planning: 5 Essential Things You Should Know and 15 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. How To Dispose Of Leaves This Fall In West Orange: 2026 Update (patch.com) — West Orange residents get a 2026 update on how and when to dispose of leaves, including new weekly collection-zone updates instead of a fixed season-long schedule. The township details key dates for loose-leaf and bagged pickup, explains which rules apply on township versus county roads, and urges residents to keep piles away from storm drains to prevent flooding and safety hazards.
2. Demolition Begins At Essex House Site In West Orange, Apartment Building Proposed (patch.com) — Demolition is underway at the former Essex House restaurant site in West Orange, where developers are proposing a four-story mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space and 95 apartments, including 19 affordable units. The project, near St. Cloud Elementary School and South Mountain Recreation Complex, has raised concerns about steep-slope variances, building height, and traffic as it heads to a rescheduled Planning Board hearing.
3. Essex County Daily Buzz: Oct. 8, 2026 (jerseybee.org) — West Orange families have several chances to get out next week, including a free guided bird walk at McLoone's Boathouse parking lot on October 12 and a fall‑themed watercolor workshop for kids at the West Orange Public Library on October 18. The roundup also highlights nearby Essex County events in Montclair, Newark, South Orange, Bloomfield, and other towns that West Orange residents can easily attend.
4. SEC Batch Meet 4 2026 (milesplit.com) — West Orange High School runners turned in strong performances at the SEC Batch Meet 4, with Emilee Danser and Katherin Shiflett going 1–2 in the novice girls' two‑mile and several boys placing well in the novice race. These full results let West Orange families see exactly how their athletes stacked up against nearby Essex County schools.
5. Interview: Matt Schatz Explores AI and Human Connection in BOBBY ROBOTOWITZ (broadwayworld.com) — West Orange theater fans can look forward to Luna Stage hosting a future production of Bobby Robotowitz, a new comedy about a novelist who grows unexpectedly attached to an AI chatbot. The play, now debuting in Los Angeles and then touring Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., uses intimate, small‑audience settings to explore how technology shapes modern relationships and creativity.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making West Orange PatchAM possible:
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok West Orange! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
West Orange Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.