The Community Coalition on Race’s theatrical production of Dr. Suess’s The Sneetches and Green Eggs & Ham was staged at the SOPAC Loft for over 400 children and parents. Children and adults alike were spellbound by the performances of actress Emily Zacharias, opera singer Lori Mirabal, orchestra leader Jim Buchanan and his many fine musicians, tenor Keenan Buckley in the youth’s role of Sam-I-Am, and the CHS Special Dancers—all under the direction of Ruthanna Graves.

Have a success story about how your Neighborhood Association addressed a problem or developed good neighborhood relations?  Send your story to info@twotowns.org. Neighborhood Safety, Security and Improvements Personal safety and home security is a common concern for residents of all communities. That concern often provides the catalyst for forming and maintaining Neighborhood and Block Associations.  Read more »

Organizing a neighborhood yard or garage sale is a great way to promote camaraderie with your neighbors.  A successful neighborhood yard sale will help you get rid of stuff you no longer have a use for and make almost twice as much than holding your own individual sale—it will be something that you and your  Read more »

Block parties are neighborhood social events and are a great way to meet your neighbors, enhance community spirit and build neighborhood unity.  Neighbors bring food, tables and chairs, kiddie pools, etc. and spend an afternoon together getting to know and enjoy each other.  For many residents, once a block party becomes established, it is an  Read more »

The Neighborhood and Civic Engagement Committee of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition is available to help you organize a new association, revive an old one, or connect you with an active association.  Here are some tips for getting started: Start with a small group (3-10) and form a planning committee Determine the boundaries of the  Read more »

The Choral Festival celebrated the historical richness of Essex County through music performed by a multiracial, interfaith, and intergenerational gathering of choirs. South Orange and Maplewood singers were well represented. Dr. Clement Price, Rutgers Distiunguished Service Professor, noted our community in particular as being on “the road to the future” because of our integration efforts.

Title: Performance of Dr. Suess’ ‘The Sneetches’ & ‘Green Eggs and Ham’Location: The Loft, SOPAC, South Orange, NJDescription: “Green Eggs & Ham” features internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Lori Mirabal along with boy soprano Keenan Buckley in the lead roles. They will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra under the musical direction of Jim Buchanan. Award winning  Read more »

As of March 21st, seats are full for both performances of the Dr. Seuss classics with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Lori Mirabal, award-winning actress Emily Zacharias, and members of Columbia High School Special Dance Company. These stories are great way to get kids thinking about fairness, discrimination, and how to work together to solve problems.

Ada, Alma Flor.  I Love Saturday y domingos.  New York:  Antheneum, 2002 Birdseye, D. H., et. al., Under our Skin: Kids Talk about Race. Holiday House, 1997. 30 p. Burnett, Karen.  If the World Were Blind: A Book about Judgment and Prejudice. Felton, CA: GR, 2001 Tatum, Beverly Daniel.  Why are all the Black Kids Sitting  Read more »

We will present a series of questions to the candidates that challenge them to consider the relationship between school policies and integration in our community.