DUI Lawyers in South Orange Village, NJ

From The South Orange Performing Arts Center:

Heading into its 20th Anniversary season, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is proud to present local artists of all genres including Classic Rock, Country, Indie Covers, Neo Soul, Funk, and more, as part of South Orange Summer Nights at Flood’s Hill in Meadowland Park.

This special annual summer tradition is made possible by SOPAC’s deep partnership with South Orange Village, and their department of Recreation & Culture. Don’t miss these evenings of music and fun happening every Wednesday night in July at 7:30PM!

“There’s nothing like bringing live music right to our community’s backyard. Supporting local talent while creating unforgettable summer evenings under the stars at Flood’s Hill is what SOPAC is all about” says Executive Director Lana Rogachevskaya. “This year’s lineup spans classic rock to neo-soul—ensuring every Wednesday night offers something special for all music lovers.”

“We’re so happy to continue this beloved tradition of community, food, and music in the heart of Meadowland Park,” said Blake Smith, Manager of Arts and Cultural Affairs for South Orange Village. “It’s a staple in our town, and we’re thrilled to help bring it to life year after year.”

Event Details

About SOPAC

The South Orange Performing Arts Center offers audiences exhilarating and diverse arts entertainment in its intimate venue, serving as the cultural heartbeat of the greater South Orange/Maplewood region and contributing to the economic and social vibrancy of its highly diverse community.

SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming environment. The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall is a 439-seat mainstage theatre with superb acoustics, sight lines and seating. Audiences remark that performances in this space are like having their favorite artists right in their own living room. Artists acknowledge that the atmosphere encourages conversations with audiences. The Loft at SOPAC is a 2,185 square-foot multi-purpose space used for performances, rehearsals, classes, and special events.

The unique architecture of SOPAC’s building, which includes a stunning 3-story glass-enclosed atrium, is also home to the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery. Beyond the building, SOPAC co-produces local events such as South Orange Summer Nights and serves students and schools through its arts education residencies.

SOPAC is invested in arts education. SOPAC serves students and schools in our region through a School Performance Series, performing Arts Residencies, and an annual juried art exhibit entitled INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition. SOPAC also collaborates with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts each year to host the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competitions. The Seton Hall University Arts Council presents a diverse range of events at SOPAC with seasoned professionals, students, and faculty.

Nearly twenty years in the making, SOPAC first opened its doors in 2006. South Orange Village Trustees, in partnership with Seton Hall University, envisioned SOPAC as the center of an ambitious redevelopment plan. Through visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment, SOPAC has become a cultural centerpiece for the region, an economic driver for the community, and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.

The Maplewood Farmers Market is returning to its Springfield Avenue Gazebo location on Monday, June 2, 2025; and South Orange Farmers Market returns to the Sloan Street parking lot on Wednesday, June 4.

This year, South Orange has new hours: 1-6 p.m.

Read more about each market below:

South Orange Downtown Farmers Market — Now in Its 34th Season!

The South Orange Downtown Farmers Market returns for its 34th season starting Wednesday, June 4th, and runs every Wednesday through October 29th, rain or shine, in the Sloan Street Parking Lot (12 Sloan Street) — right in the heart of South Orange Downtown.

New Hours for 2025: 1PM – 6PM

We’re excited to announce new market hours this year! To better accommodate early shoppers and afternoon lunch breaks, we’re shifting our hours slightly earlier: from 2PM–7PM to 1PM–6PM.

Vendors and Market Highlights

In addition to our incredible selection of local produce, you’ll also find:

…and much more! We’re proud to showcase a mix of returning favorites and exciting new vendors this season.

Maplewood 2025 Farmers Market — June 2nd through November 24th; Every Monday from 2:00pm – 7:00pm

The Township of Maplewood is celebrating its 31st season sponsoring the Maplewood Farmers Market!

Bring the whole family down to our 2025 Maplewood Farmers Market for fresh produce, local vendors, and live music*. Running every Monday, 2-7 pm, from June 2 – Nov. 24, at 1662 Springfield Avenue (near the Springfield Gazebo).

*Select dates for live music, follow us on Instagram @maplewood_fm this summer for details.

2025 Vendors to be provided.

2024 Vendors:

Join us for a great season filled with:

To Become a Vendor:

Please fill out the “Interested Vendor Form” by clicking HERE. The Farmers Market Manager will reach out if slots are available, and if your business would be a good fit.

The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, May 29 released a long list of sanctuary cities “that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions),” including South Orange and Maplewood, along with 16 other New Jersey towns and three counties.

“DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,” the release on the Homeland Security website reads, noting that the cities will all receive notification of their non-compliance with federal law and President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14287.

On Friday, May 30, South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum and Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams responded on social media in Facebook posts that the towns would be standing firm in their sanctuary city status.

“The U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court have been clear that the federal government may not commandeer state or local resources to implement federal programs. Period,” Collum wrote on her Facebook page. “This nonsense is meant to distract you from the fact that over 300,000 people on Medicaid will lose their health insurance in New Jersey with the bill that passed in the House (215-214) and that the Trump Administration is working overtime to scrap programs that help working families while providing tax cuts to the rich. This is not new; it’s who he is.”

Collum said the Village’s designation as a Sanctuary City, specifies the following:

“We’re not ‘voluntarily’ entering into any contracts with the federal government to augment their staff. We’re busy enough,” Collum said. “In short, we’re not your friggin’ dance partner. Find someone else.”

Mayor Adams also took to Facebook to let people know that the Homeland Security’s move represents “a direct challenge to constitutional principles — particularly the separation of powers, the rule of law and even the very concept of states’ rights that many federal leaders have previously championed.”

She noted that there is no legal definition of “Sanctuary City” and it merely reflects local policy decisions, such as Maplewood’s decision not to allow local law enforcement to assist federal immigration authorities without a warrant.

“These policies are not only lawful but have been reviewed and supported by the New Jersey Attorney General. Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor any federal agency has the authority to compel municipalities like Maplewood to abandon our values or rewrite our local laws,” she wrote in her post. “I was reminded on a recent call with other New Jersey elected officials, the ACLU-NJ, and the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice that our state’s policies — and Maplewood’s — are grounded in constitutional law and human rights. We are proud to be part of a state that protects all its residents and ensures local law enforcement remains focused on public safety, not federal immigration enforcement.”

She also urged all residents to “stay calm, stay informed, and stand firm in our community’s values. Maplewood will continue to uphold the law—and our principles of fairness, dignity, and inclusion for all who call our town home.”

Collum said she would be meeting with meeting South Orange leaders and some state organizations on Friday and “reaching out to fellow mayors on the list to see if there are opportunities to work together.”

Then she had a message for the New Jersey Legislature: “Please pass the damn Immigrant Trust Act already!” she wrote. “Show us some real leadership.”

New Jersey towns on the Department Homeland Security listed as of Friday, May 30, are Asbury Park, Bloomfield, Camden, East Orange, Hoboken, Jersey City, Leonia, Linden, Maplewood, Montclair Township, Newark, North Bergen, Paterson, Plainfield, Prospect Park, South Orange, Trenton and Union City. The counties singled out are Burlington, Cumberland and Warren counties.

Six candidates are running for the Democratic nomination for New Jersey Governor in the June primary election: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, and former NJ State Senator Steve Sweeney. Follow Village Green election coverage here. Find out about Village Green’s endorsement and statement of support standards for the 2025 primary election here.

The following endorsement if from former South Orange Trustee Michael Goldberg:

To the Editor:

As a former member of the South Orange Board of Trustees and a 26-year homeowner in our community, I can say with confidence that the most urgent issue facing both SOMA and the state of New Jersey is the overwhelming burden of property taxes.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer is the only candidate for Governor who has made addressing property taxes the central focus of his campaign and we desperately need a Governor who recognizes the importance of this issue.

Additionally, after the horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, antisemitism has risen to unprecedented and terrifying levels in our community and across the state. Addressing the scourge of antisemitism is another primary focus for Josh Gottheimer and, as a proud Independent, I am excited to change my registration affiliation to support a pragmatic and moderate candidate that is laser focused on the 2 most pressing issues in the state of NJ – reducing property taxes and addressing antisemitism.

Michael Goldberg

South Orange, NJ

P.S. I only regret that there is not a separate vote for Lieutenant Governor, because I would enthusiastically vote for Sheena Collum, who is more qualified and worthy than all of the other candidates combined!

With the South Orange pool opening delayed to Saturday, June 14, Maplewood has agreed to welcome South Orange residents to use the Maplewood pool temporarily — with some conditions.

The Maplewood pool is set to open on Saturday, May 24.

Maplewood Township Administrator Patrick Wherry told Maplewood Township Committee members at their May 20 meeting that South Orange administrators had reached out with the request.

“They are currently scheduled to open for Father’s Day weekend. That leaves three weekends where they would otherwise be open and are unable to be open.” Wherry said the request amounted to 7 days or three weekends. The dates are: May 24, 25, 26, 31, and June 1, 7 and 8.

“They would follow our regular hours, which for those weekends is 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and — similar to how we had exchanged services previously when the Maplewood pool was delayed in opening and before that, when the South Orange pool was delayed in opening — they would send the staff needed to accommodate their members.” Wherry said that, “at this time, we anticipate it would be a manager, five lifeguards and three front desk staff.”

Mayor Nancy Adams expressed concerns about crowding — not necessarily within the pool complex — but with the limited number of parking spaces and suggested South Orange use its jitney to shuttle residents to and from the Maplewood pool. She also wanted to ensure that Maplewood residents received priority in terms of access to the pool and pool hours should there be any overcrowding.

TC member Deborah Engel asked about accommodating the South Orange Dolphins swim team.

“They haven’t asked about that specifically. Again, I think similar to these pool hours, if there’s a way we can accommodate them that doesn’t impact our residents — if we have time before the pool’s open when we’re practicing and they can get in after us — there might be an opportunity there,” said Wherry.

Deputy Mayor Malia Herman said she had crunched the numbers on pool usage.

“As of this morning, we have sold 932 memberships amounting to 3,500 individuals. This is before the expected pool pass rush that we are expecting as we get closer to pool opening. Granted the weather of this weekend could impact that a bit,” Herman said.

She continued: “Our pool has a maximum capacity of around half of the 3,500 individuals — and this is for over the course of a day. People come in, they come out. ” Herman said that in 2024, on Saturday of opening day, “it was 85 and sunny and our pool had 1,031 visits. So knowing that, we could accommodate about 400 or so South Orange residents.” Herman shared that on Sunday of opening weekend in 2024, “it was 82 and sunny, and we had 1,070 visits.”

“Based on this data, I think that we should be able to accommodate South Orange pool users easily on a chilly day, such as what is predicted this weekend, and, even on a warm 80ish day, we should be able to accommodate them,” said Herman. “Now, if we get a heat wave as defined as three or more consecutive days of 90 degrees or more, that would be a challenge because that’s where we really hit the upper limit. … I believe we had at one point to stop letting people in. So those are the days that we do really push the envelope, and we would need to reconsider allowing South Orange on those days.”

Township Committee member Vic DeLuca ultimately made a motion to give Wherry the ability to “make whatever changes he needs to make based on the conversation we had” to accommodate South Orange residents over the 7 days indicated.

The motion passed 5-0.