Photo courtesy of KPD
Kenneth Grochulski

By Karen Zautyk

Observer Correspondent

KEARNY –

A 68-year-old North Arlington man, busted by Kearny police for alleged drug distribution, has turned out to be a convicted murderer who was paroled 17 months ago from a New York State prison, police reported.

The suspect, identified as Kenneth Grochulski, was convicted in Manhattan in 1977 on two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree weapons possession, court papers show.

He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment, at least part of which was served at the Auburn Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in upstate Cayuga County, N.Y.

Grochulski was paroled in December 2011 after serving 34 years of his term.

Earlier this month, on May 9, as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine, members of the Kearny Police Department Vice Squad were on fixed surveillance on the Belleville Pike at 10:30 p.m. when they witnessed what appeared to be a drug transaction.

Detectives kept the suspected seller under observation as he crossed to the North Arlington side of the street. When they stopped him, he was allegedly found to be in possession of suspected cocaine and $650, believed to be the proceeds of drug transactions, police said.

The suspect, Grochulski, was arrested on charges of possession and distribution of the drug, police said. At KPD headquarters, a criminal history check revealed that he had a record of 17 prior adult arrests, “which seemed to have stopped in 1974,” Police Chief John Dowie said.

They stopped apparently because Grochulski was involved in a home invasion in New York City in 1975, during the course of which he shot and killed a man, Dowie said.

According to court papers: On Oct. 20, 1975, Grochulski, then living in Jersey City, drove to Manhattan with a woman and two men with the intent of robbing the apartment of a drug dealer, who they believed kept a significant amount of money on the premises.

Photo courtesy of KPD
Kenneth Grochulski

Finding none, the conspirators decided the cash might be in the E. 11th St. apartment of the dealer’s parents. Gaining access through an unlocked door, Grochulski and the two other men, “all armed, entered and held six members of the … family at gunpoint.”

“During his attempts to locate the cash he believed to be there, Grochulski struggled with [the dealer’s] father and shot him dead at point-blank range” — with a shotgun.

They fled and drove off with their female companion in Grochulski’s car.

On Oct. 25, 1975, a group of five — not including Grochulski — returned to the dealer’s apartment to attempt the robbery a second time, struggled with the dealer, “wounded him and fled.”

The NYPD eventually located all the participants in both crimes, and a witness identified Grochulski’s car as the one seen fleeing the Oct. 20 murder scene.

Grochulski was identified in police lineups as the killer by eyewitnesses to the murder.

He was tried in state Supreme Court in Manhattan and convicted on Feb. 10, 1977.

Since Grochulski has now been arrested in Kearny, one might assume that would be a parole violation requiring his reincarceration. This is not the case.

Law enforcement authorities told The Observer that his parole was not automatically revoked, but he has been put under “intensive supervision.”

Revocation of parole is contingent on Grochulski’s being convicted in the Kearny case.

Currently, his term of parole, sources said, is not scheduled to end until December 2099, when Grochulski would be 154 years old.

Photos courtesy of Belleville P.D.
Security video shows a suspect apparently casing out a Belleville
store (bottom) and the actual robbery of that store.

By Karen Zautyk

Observer Correspondent

KEARNY –

In early February, two bandits held up a Kearny delicatessen at gunpoint, tied up the clerk and two customers with zip ties, and escaped with approximately $5,000 in cash. Within days of that heist, KPD investigating officers Sgt. Charles Smith and Det. Ray Lopes, noting similarities in the robbers’ descriptions and MO, had linked the crime to at least three others — in Belleville, Bloomfield and Newark.

Further investigation by local and state police has now led authorities to suspect the bandits are responsible for 11 hold-ups in multiple municipalities since Feb. 1.

The case is now in the hands of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, which became the lead agency in the investigation last week.

In addition, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the Crime Stoppers program would pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the culprits’ arrests.

According to police, the crime spree apparently began Feb. 1 with two robberies: one at a convenience store in Linden, the second at a Newark gas station. The next day, police said, the bandits hit convenience store on Washington Ave. in Belleville, followed by the Feb. 10 Kearny robbery of Krauszer’s Deli at Kearny and Bennett Aves.

Two more February heists occurred, at a Krauszer’s in Bloomfield and a convenience store in Newark, and the Bloomfield Krauszer’s was reportedly targeted again, in late March.

In April, police said, the duo hit a liquor store in Maplewood, where a clerk was shot and wounded in the chest; a convenience store in Belleville; a liquor store in Linden, and yet another Krauszer’s, this one in West Orange.

Authorities described the suspects as two black males dressed all in black and wearing hoodies and black masks. They carry large backpacks and a red messenger-style bag with a red stripe.

An alert from the Belleville PD included video surveillance photos depicting one suspect wearing reading type glasses, a black baseball cap with a black Boston Red Sox logo and a gold sticker on the brim, and having multiple tattoos on both forearms. Police said he has a large build and is approximately 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said that, upon entering the stores, the suspects point a large silver handgun [possibly a .45-caliber automatic] to the head of the clerk and demand cash. The clerks are then bound with ziplock ties while the registers are cleaned out. In addition to taking cash, the suspects have also stolen Newport cigarettes in each robbery, the sheriff said.

During the Kearny robbery, which occurred at 7:27 p.m., Feb. 10, two black males — one described as at least 6 feet tall and heavy-set — confronted the clerk and the customers, police reported. One of the bandits reportedly brandished a silver handgun.

The three victims were told to walk to the back of the store, where they were bound with zip ties, police said.

After empyting the cash register and taking money from one victim’s wallet, the duo fled on foot, apparently heading up Bennett Ave.

Cameras caught suspects’ vehicle,
possibly a 2007-2009 Toyota, and
one actor prior to committing a robbery.

They also stole $581 worth of cigarettes — Newports.

Anyone with information about any of the robberies is urged to call the Kearny PD at 201-998-1313 or the Belleville PD at 973-450-3334.

For more information on the reward offer, contact the Essex County Sheriff ’s Office at 973-621-4105.

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

KEARNY –

Frustrated by what it perceives as Harrison’s failure to improve its first-response capability to fires there, the Town of Kearny is sounding an alarm of its own.

Last Tuesday night, May 14, Kearny’s governing body voted to cut back its mutual aid response to Harrison by sending only two fire companies to assist the Harrison Fire Department – one less than Kearny has been providing since a backdraft at a March 10 fire on Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North injured five Jersey City firefighters who were assisting.

Kearny officials will reassess its position on June 30 and could further reduce its response level if Harrison’s fire staffing levels reflect no change.

And it’s possible that Kearny may next look to pull the plug on providing ambulance services to Harrison.

Asked for reaction, Harrison Fire Director Harold Stahl said: “Kearny has to do what Kearny has to do. We’ll take a look at it when it happens. I have to take the situation as it’s presented to me and overcome, somehow.”

Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos – a vocal proponent of the new policy – said the circumstances of the March 10 fire persuaded local officials that “our guys weren’t safe” when called to assist at fires where “delayed firefighting tactics” could imperil their lives.

Aside from that, Santos said, sending three Kearny fire companies for Harrison mutual aid leaves only two companies in town to fight fires in Kearny, and thereby “creating a coverage gap” prompting “serious safety concerns” for the protection of local property owners.

Kearny may be called on for help even more, suggested Kearny Fire Chief Steven Dyl, because lately, “East Newark [Volunteer Fire Department] wasn’t notified to respond.” When asked later if East Newark was out of the loop, Stahl said: “No, it was an oversight at the last fire [at 610 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North] not calling them.” Normally, he said, “if there is a working fire, if there is smoke showing, we request them to send an engine.”

While Kearny is providing more coverage for its neighbor, Santos said, it’s also costing the town more in overtime to do so.

“I don’t think we can morally or legally say we’re not going [to provide mutual aid] to Harrison,” Santos said, “but not at the exposure of risk to our residents.”

Councilwoman Eileen Eckel, who chairs the council’s Fire Committee, echoed the mayor’s displeasure, saying: “We have stepped up to provide protection. [Now], the leadership in Harrison needs to take a look at its fire[fighting] resources.”

Moreover noted Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle, something needs to be done soon since “we’re going into [summer] vacation period,” when, presumably, Harrison could be challenged to maintain minimum staffing levels.

And, Doyle added, even if Harrison manages to snag federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Firefighter and Emergency Response) grant money to hire more firefighters, “it would still take time for Fire Academy training” before those new personnel would be available.

But really, Santos said, if anyone’s to blame for the coverage gap, it’s the state Division of Local Government Services. As Harrison’s fiscal monitor, the Division has “taken credit” for getting Harrison to chop its municipal police and fire budgets, accounting for a personnel reduction in both departments.

“The state’s balancing the budget on our backs,” griped Councilwoman Laura Cifelli-Pettigrew. “We should not be working this hard to solve a problem we didn’t create.”

Santos said the state has, in the recent past, talked up the merits of consolidated municipal fire departments but asserted that, “I’m an agnostic when it comes to regionalization. You’ve got to prove to me that it works. I don’t understand how you can have a negotiation [to combine Harrison and Kearny Fire Departments] where there is an intent [by the state] to shift much of the cost to us.”

There are other options that Harrison can pursue, the mayor said, such as “contracting with Newark or Jersey City or regionalizing” for additional fire protection services.

Kearny, meanwhile, Santos said, has its own difficulties holding the line on diminishing fire resources. “We’re not where we were a year ago but not the 40% reduction that Harrison has experienced.”

In fact, Santos said, the town has asked for and received a new state-certified appointment for firefighter. However, the list of 30 names supplied by the state has been “whittled down very quickly to four and may go down even further,” the mayor said, “either because people were no longer interested or because they didn’t meet the eligibility requirements.”

Residents can likely expect to see some new firefighters by “early or late autumn,” Santos said, and there are also plans to hire “15 to 22” part-time civilian fire dispatchers who would work in shifts around the clock, he added.

Photo by Ron Leir
Winners of the Lyndhurst municipal election recite Pledge of Allegiance at victory headquarters.

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

LYNDHURST –

A slate headed by sitting Mayor Robert Giangeruso made a clean sweep in capturing all five seats in the May 14 nonpartisan Lyndhurst Township Commission election.

The victorious commissioners, all of whom ran on the slogan, “Lyndhurst 1st 2013,” are: incumbents Giangeruso, a retired deputy police chief, and lending institution loan officer Tom DiMaggio, joined by newcomers CPA Theodore Dudek, electrical contractor John Montillo Jr. and township public works aide Matthew Ruzzo.

They outpaced an opposition “Leadership, Responsibility & Pride” ticket headed by former Mayor James Guida, running with tavern owner Anthony Giarrusso, IBEW leader Patrick Glover II, United Water employee Stephen Morinho 3rd and real estate manager William Vasquez, by a 3-1 margin.

Two of the three nonaligned candidates – former Board of Education member Annette Bortone and teacher Darius Hughes – garnered more votes individually than any of the Guida team members. Retired police officer Louis Bilis, also running alone, ended up with one less vote than Vasquez.

Photo by Ron Leir
Slate headed by former Mayor James Guida (in sweater) relax at local eatery.

About 30% of the township’s 11,971 registered voters turned out for the balloting, according to figures furnished by the Township Clerk’s office.

Giangeruso and his teammates were to be sworn into office – marking the start of their four-year terms – at a reorganization meeting of the township’s Board of Commissioners, beginning at noon on May 21, outdoors, in the park next to the Municipal Building on Valley Brook Ave.

At a post-election celebration held at Michael’s Riverside, Giangeruso thanked his supporters for backing the Lyndhurst 1st 2013 team. The mayor told The Observer, “I love the people of Lyndhurst so much. Now we’re going to move forward. We’ll deal with the flood areas, the congested traffic, the potholes in the streets.”

Former Mayor Richard DiLascio, an attorney, who stepped down as the township’s chief executive last year but continued to the end of his term as commissioner, pointed to an enlarged ballot behind him where the vote tallies had been hand-written and said: “I have 2,814 reasons to be happy,” referring to Giangeruso’s vote total – which led the field.

“We started something eight years ago,” DiLascio said, “moving an agenda forward of infrastructure upgrades, senior citizen activities, opportunities for our children, all in a safe environment.”

Like fellow Commissioners Brian Haggerty and Joseph Abruscato, DiLascio opted not to seek re-election but he said he planned to stay “active” in township affairs, possibly with the Board of Education in some capacity.

While a DJ played rock music and campaigners toasted each other at the victory party, uptown at Vivo’s Ristorante, within hailing distance of the Municipal Building, the mood among the remnants of the Guida camp was somber.

“The people have spoken,” Guida said. “I wish [the victors] the best. I was surprised at the low turnout. We tried to be honest with our campaign but the people ignored what we said.” But the Giangeruso campaign seemed focused on discrediting him, in particular, Guida said, “and the people seemed to believe it.”

Guida said he and his team did their best to impart their message: “We tried to bring back some sense of reasonable spending and prudent management. People live by the credit card today.” And the Lyndhurst government is no exception, he said.

“In February, they’ve got a $36 million bond coming due,” Guida said. “How are they going to pay it? I feel we’re in trouble.”

Running mate Glover agreed that the decisive majority at the polls gave the Giangeruso team “a mandate” to pursue its policies. “I hope this administration keeps to their word, doesn’t sell off our water utility, fixes our roads, does stabilize taxes and keeps all the promises they made so our residents will not suffer.”

But that is something that Glover finds somewhat incredulous. “To them, fountains [like the one in Town Hall Park] are more important than families and pools [the community pool at the high school] are important than people,” he said.

Asked if he planned another run for office, Guida, 82, said: “No, this was it for me. I wouldn’t do it again.”

Photos by Ron Leir Glen Pinder shows rendering of new home for Lady Liberty in Newark.

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

HARRISON –

Lady Liberty Academy Charter School of Newark, which has rented space in the former Holy Cross parish school in Harrison the last two school years, is re-upping for a third year at the same location.

The school was left without a home in summer 2011 after it couldn’t come to terms with its landlord for the space it was occupying on Pennsylvania Ave. in Newark and came across the Passaic River to neighboring Harrison as the next best option.

Since then, the school has been striving to find a place of its own, back in its city of origin, and now, at long last, it recently completed the real estate closing on a Sanford Ave. property, said Lady Liberty Executive Director Glen Pinder.

“Unfortunately, we won’t be able to complete construction by the time classes resume for the fall term in September,” Pinder said.

There were environmental issues to deal with: Contaminated groundwater had been leaking onto the property from another source, according to Pinder, but he said the school secured funding from the state Department of Environmental Protection to clean the site.

And, he said, construction money is coming from a $10 million bond issue, which will include engineering and other professional fees related to the project, “so we’re in a good place.”

Not that Lady Liberty is in any rush to leave its host town.

Photo by Ron Leir
Pinder in classroom at current quarters in former Holy Cross School in Harrison.

“We absolutely love Harrison,” Pinder said. “The community loves us; our landlord [Holy Cross Parish], the mayor’s office, the Police and Fire Departments have all been supportive, along with local businesses. We wish we could take this facility we’re in now and put it in Newark. We have no complaints.”

They’re even prepared to accept a 3% increase in the $437,000 a year rent they’ll be paying to the parish for occupying its old parochial grammar school on Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South, just off Harrison Ave.

Lady Liberty, which strives to foster a more aggressive approach to learning by staying open until 4 p.m. each day and by extending the school year, from 180 to 190 days, continues to struggle in raising its students’ performance on standardized tests, Pinder said.

Three years ago, the school “flat-lined,” he said. “In the second year, we saw some growth and we expect to see growth in this year.” Not enough, perhaps, to achieve state benchmarks, but “our kids are settled in – they’re engaged,” he added.

Lady Liberty, serving kindergarten through eighth grade, started its Harrison sojourn with an enrollment of 471 and has slipped a bit to the current 459, according to school records.

But Pinder remains optimistic about the coming year.

There are plans, for example, to expand Lady Liberty’s participation in the Jazz House program which arranges to send musicians to schools to help introduce kids to instruments like the trumpet, saxophone and flute and the rudiments of learning how to play them.

“This year, we’ve got the program for grades 4 and 5; next year, we’ll add sixth grade,” Pinder said.

“We’re also looking to become part of the Global Learning Communities and use technology as more of an instructional tool and peer tutorials,” Pinder said.

As described by its website, the GLC is “an independent educational organization committed to facilitating continuous and comprehensive change and growth in students, teachers and principals, schools, businesses and community skills, attitudes, learning outcomes and knowledge. … We work in partnership … with individuals, schools, districts and state/national systems over a period of 1-6 years to facilitate the process of renewal and growth so schools can become 21st Century Global Learning Communities.”

Lady Liberty will be sending teachers to a Boston conference “as a major initiative so that teachers, parents and students will be connected on the web,” Pinder said.

Meanwhile, in the interest of furthering technological growth, Pinder said the school has furnished all eighth graders with iPads; seventh graders share them.

A Lyndhurst woman was indicted last week for her alleged role in what U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman described as “a long-running, large-scale mortgage fraud scheme.”

Under the indictment handed up May 15 by a federal grand jury sitting in Newark, Klary (a/k/a/ “Patty”) Arcentales, 44, was charged with four counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, reportedly resulting in losses of at least $2 million.

From about 2007 until 2012, Arcentales reputedly engaged in the conspiracy through a Woodbridge-based company called Premier Mortgage Services (PMS).

Arcentales, a loan officer at PMS, allegedly provided fraudulent documents to financial institutions in connection with mortgage applications on behalf of “straw buyers,” Fishman’s office said.

As described in the indictment, such buyers were individuals who were recruited by accused co-conspirators and who reportedly were known to have no means of paying the mortgages and no intention of residing at the properties in question.

The conspirators allegedly used false bank statements and other documents “to make it appear as though the straw buyers possessed far more assets, and earned far more income, than they actually did,” the indictment reads. “Relying upon those false documents, financial institutions funded mortgage loans.”

According to the indictment, Arcentales then profited illegally by receiving a commission from PMS for each mortgage loan that she closed and also by diverting portions of the fraudulently obtained mortgage proceeds for herself.

The accused co-conspirators, all previously charged by complaint, include a part-owner of PMS, who allegedly arranged for the creation of fraudulent documents; a paralegal who reportedly served as the settlement agent on mortgage loans brokered by Arcentales; and the owner/manager of a construction company that built properties sold to straw buyers, authorities said.

Each of the five counts against Arcentales is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

Fishman credited special agents of the FBI and of IRS-Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the indictment and also thanked the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General for its participation in the probe.

— Karen Zautyk

Recent reports from the Kearny Police Department blotter included, but were not limited to, the following:

May 14

At 8:45 a.m., Sgt. John Taylor was on the 100 block of Davis Ave. when he reportedly saw the driver of a car parked in a school zone unsafely discharge a passenger. When the sergeant approached the motorist and asked for credentials, he found that the man had a suspended license and also was wanted on a $400 warrant out of Newark, police said. Arrested on that warrant was 47-year-old Kearny resident Jorge Guillen, who was also charged with the license violation, failure to surrender a suspended license and improperly discharging the passenger.

• In case you thought this sort of annoyance was ignored: Music blaring from a car radio “at excessive decible levels” led P.O. Pat Becker to issue a town ordinance summons for “excessive noise” to a 23-year-old Kearny resident, who was allegedly disturbing the peace at Johnston and Kearny Aves. at 3:30 p.m.

May 15

At 6:15 p.m., P.O. Rich Pawlowski responded to Locust and Kearny Aves. on the report of a man exposing himself to young females. After interviewing the victims and witnesses, the officer identified a 22-year-old Kearny resident as the probable actor, and the suspect, Michael Echevestre, was arrested the next day and charged with lewdness, Police Chief John Dowie reported. Dowie also assured the public that this appeared to be an isolated incident.

• A Kearny man, reportedly known to police from “numerous past drug-related activity,” was placed under surveillance at 10 p.m. by the Vice Squad after officers saw him at New Lawn and Kearny Aves. inspecting a large plastic bag from his backpack, which appeared to also contain smaller bags, police said. Stopped on the 600 block of Elm St., he was allegedly found to be in possession of seven bags of suspected marijuana. The suspect, John Arboleda, 23, was charged with possession of pot and of paraphernalia.

May 16

P.O. Luis Moran responded to the Walmart parking lot at 2:30 p.m. on the report of a stolen car. The owner said he had parked his 2006 Pontiac at 1:30 and when he returned an hour later, it was missing.

Moran and Sgt. Paul Bershefski viewed store security video footage and spotted a man in a black-and-white jogging suit who drove off in the Pontiac — and left behind a black Ford.

Dets. Scott Traynor and John Telle set up surveillance of the Ford in the lot and eventually saw the stolen Pontiac, now carrying two individuals, return. As the driver approached the Ford, he was arrested, as was his passenger and alleged coconspirator. Charged with auto theft was Anthony Height, 44, of East Orange, who was held on $7,500 bail. Charged with receiving stolen property was Ronald Rosebure, 34, of South Orange; his bail was also set at $7,500.

• At 8:45 p.m., at Beech St. and the Belleville Pike, Vice Squad detectives observed a 17-year-old North Arlington youth pull a cigar pack from his pocket and begin to roll what appeared to be a marijuana stogie. After confirming their suspicions, police said, they charged the teen with possession of pot and paraphernalia. He was released to his father’s custody.

— Karen Zautyk

May 17

At 2:05 p.m., a River Road business owner reported the theft of a 4-foot floor fan, TV parts, car batteries, a propane cylinder and ladder poles from their building. Detectives are investigating.

May 16

A resident told police that twice this week, someone slashed a front tire on their vehicle while it was parked on Vincent Place.

May 15

At 6:45 p.m., a River Road property owner reported that when they returned home from work, it appeared that someone had forced open their door and had rummaged through a bedroom closet and dresser drawers. Several items, including jewelry and electronics, were missing, the resident told police.

May 13

A suspected report of fraud was received by police from an individual who told police they’d received a delivery of several credit cards, each with their name on them, without their prior authorization. Police said two of the cards were used in Maryland to charge items. All the cards have been closed and discarded, police said.

• Another fraud victim reported to police that while checking their bank statements, they found two ATM check deposits, a purchase from a store and an ATM transaction, along with several bank fee charges related to these transactions. The victim told police they misplaced their bank card at some point. The card has been suspended, police said.

• A third fraud victim told police they’d received in the mail a Sears credit card for which they’d never applied. Police said the card was, thereafter, canceled.

• At 2:37 a.m., after Passaic P.D. had alerted Nutley P.D. they were pursuing a stolen vehicle out of Newark, Nutley P.D. spotted the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Rt. 21 South. Officers activated their overhead lights but police said the driver refused to stop, instead, speeding up. Officers pursued the car into Newark where, police said, the driver tried to elude them by making sharp, fast turns down side streets. Police said the driver finally stopped on Lexington St. in Newark and ran through backyards. Officers broadcast the driver’s description as a black man, wearing a black jacket, white T-shirt and black jeans with hair styled in dreadlocks. As the chase continued on foot, police said a Newark police officer found the suspect hiding under a truck at Fleming Ave. and Mott St. where he was arrested and a search revealed marijuana rolled into a “blunt” with cigar shavings. The suspect, Yusef Gresham, 34, of Hillsdale, was charged with receiving stolen property, eluding, hindering apprehension and possession of drugs. He was also issued summonses charging him with possession of drugs in a motor vehicle, failure to wear a seat belt, suspended license, reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane and failure to give proper signal. He was ordered held at the Essex County Jail.

May 12

A motor vehicle stop on Kingsland St., at 1:36 a.m., resulted in the arrest of Douglas Schmidt, 38, of Nutley, on a DWI charge, police said. He was released pending a court appearance.

May 11

At 9:53 a.m., police responded to a Harrison St. business on a report about a man asking patrons going in and out of the store for money. Upon arrival, officers found the man asking people for cash, police said. After learning that the man had an outstanding warrant from Newark, police arrested him. William Spano, 49, of Belleville, was taken to headquarters to be turned over to Newark P.D. for processing.

Belleville

The annual Belleville/ Bloomfield Memorial Day observance will be held on Monday, May 27. There will be four observances at the following times and locations: 9 a.m. – Bloomfield- Essex County Veterans Memorial Circle in Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Ave., Bloomfield; 10 a.m. – Belleville Township Hall, 152 Washington Ave.; 11 a.m. – Belleville War Memorial at the intersection of Union and Tiona Aves. For more information, call Bill Steimel at 973-955-7211.

Bloomfield

Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St., announces the following schedule for its “Afternoon at the Movies” program. Films start at 12:15 p.m. in the library theater. Admission is free.

Thursday Afternoon at the Movies: May 23 – “Life of Pi” (PG) (Suraj Sharma); and May 30 – “The Master” (R) (Joaquin Phoenix).

Monday Afternoon at the Movies: The library will be closed on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.

East Newark

East Newark Mayor Joseph Smith, members of the Borough Council, members of Albert Ettlin American Legion Post and Auxiliary #36 will observe Memorial Day with a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at the Borough Hall, 34 Sherman Ave.

Smith, Post 36 Commander Frank Acuna and Vice Commander Karl Petry will speak. Wreaths will be placed by Smith, a council member, Acuna and Past State American Legion Auxiliary President Shirley Becker.

There will be a procession to St. Anthony’s Church for 7 p.m. Mass, officiated by the Rev. Joseph Girone. The public is invited.

Harrison

A blood drive will be held at Harrison Community Center, 401 Warren St., on Thursday, May 23, from 2 to 6 p.m. All donors receive one $10 ShopRite gift card. For more information, call 1-800-bloodnj.

The United Iberoamerica Association USA Inc. invites the community to a health fair on Sunday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Church gym, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South, Harrison. Entry is free. Services offered: pediatrics, ophthalmology, chiropractic, general medicine, diabetes control, blood pressure, dentistry, education and registration of medical plans and orientation in nutrition. For more information, call: 973-517-0657, 973- 393-6879 or 973-752-8683.

Kearny

Scots American Club, 40 Patterson St., Kearny, will host an “Oldies Night” on Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m. All members and their guests are welcome. Tickets are $10 and table reservations are accepted. Visit the club for more details.

The Center for Business & Industry (CBI) at Hudson County Community College is initiating an “On the Road” series, to promote its customized workforce and staff training programs. CBI staff will travel to Town Hall Chambers , Kearny, June 6, 6:30 p.m.

To confirm your attendance or for more information about CBI, please call Aycha Edwards at 201-360-4247 or email aedwards@hccc.edu.

Kearny UNICO will meet on Thursday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the meeting and/or learning more about Kearny UNICO should contact Chapter President Lou Pandolfi at 201-368-2409. New members are always welcome.

Kearny UNICO supports scholarships, charities and the local community. Kearny UNICO is sponsoring a “Dining to Donate” fundraiser at Kearny Applebee’s on Wednesday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eat-in or take-out. People must present a flyer for their order to count in support of Kearny UNICO. To obtain a flyer, call Lou Pandolfi.

The Thistle Eclipse U10 girls soccer team will hold a flapjack breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s in Kearny on Saturday, June 8, from 8 to 10 a.m. The cost of the ticket is $10, which includes pancake, sausage, eggs and beverage. For tickets, call Mary at 570- 977-4259. Tickets will also be sold on the day of the fundraiser at the door.

Lyndhurst

The Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst is sponsoring a trip to Mt. Airy Casino and shopping at the Commons on Monday, June 3. A bus will leave the New Jersey Transit Lot at 8:30 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Cost of the trip is $30. For reservations, call Janet Ritigliano at 201-935-1208.

The Lyndhurst Health Department will host its bi-annual blood screening on Friday, June 7. Appointments begin at 8 am. This blood screening will include a chemistry profile, cholesterol level, blood count, and thyroid level. This service is available to Lyndhurst residents over age 18 for a $20 fee. Pre-registration is required and appointments can be made by calling 201-804-2500. Payments can be submitted in cash or checks may be made payable to Medical Laboratory Diagnostics.

Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to the Meadowlands Environment Center, Two De- Korte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, for “Family Science Night: Mud Flat Marsh Adventure” on Tuesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join MEC staff at low tide to catch shrimp, fish and other critters in the marsh. Dress for mess! Admission is $5/person; $4/MEC members. For more information, call 201-460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.

Join the Lyndhurst Health Department on Thursday, June 13, for the annual skin cancer screening by Dr. Shari Sperling. Note that this is a change of date from the program listing. Appointments begin at 9:15 a.m. This free screening is available to all Lyndhurst residents aged 18 or older. Call the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2500 to schedule an appointment.

The Food Pantry, located at the Lyndhurst Municipal Annex, 253 Stuyvesant Ave., will have new hours starting after Memorial Day: Tuesday through Thursday, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The Food Pantry is available to Lyndhurst residents who can show proof of hardship and proof of residency.

The Lyndhurst Public Library will host a lecture on “The Lincoln Family in the White House: 1861-1865” on Thursday, June 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., by Glenn LeBoeuf of lethistorylive.net, exploring the intimate lives and feelings of the Lincolns and their friends. All would be forever changed during their short stay in the executive mansion. Space is limited and registration is necessary. Call the library at 201-804-2478, ext. 7, or email romeo@bccls.org.

The Humane Society of Bergen County, 221-223 Stuyvesant Ave., Lyndhurst, has a supply of dog food, both canned and dry, available to anyone who, due to unemployment, disability or any other financial difficulty, cannot afford to feed his/her dog. Stop by or call 201-896-9300 for more information. Hours are Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North Arlington

North Arlington Public Library, 210 Ridge Rd., will host “Selling on Ebay” with Rick Feingold on Monday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m. Learn the tricks of the trade with an Ebay power seller and online Ebay store operator. To register call 201- 955-5640, ext. 126.

North Arlington will commemorate Memorial Day, with its annual parade on Monday, May 27, starting at 2 p.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Canterbury Ave. and Ridge Road and conclude in front of Borough Hall, at 214 Ridge Rd., where local public officials will address the crowd.

The grand marshals for the parade are Jennifer O’Brian and Mary Biro.

The parade line includes civic organizations, members of the borough Fire and Police Departments, the Boy Scouts, Daisies, Elks, Emblem, Women’s Club, VFW, American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary, among others. Children from the local recreation league teams will also be marching.

The parade will feature bands from the local schools as well as two pipe-anddrum bands, classic cars and clowns.

For more information call North Arlington Recreation Director Jimmy Herrmann at 201-889-5882.

The Senior Harmony Club of North Arlington has scheduled a trip to the Taj Mahal Casino on Tuesday, June 11. Cost is $25. For information and reservations, call Florence at 201-991-3173. All are welcome.

North Arlington Board of Health will sponsor a free skin cancer screening for its residents on Tuesday, June 11, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., by appointment, at the Health Department, 10 Beaver Ave. Dermatologist Monika Srivastava will be the screening physician. For an appointment, call the Health Department at 201-955-5695.

The Health Department, in conjunction with Clara Maass Medical Center, will sponsor a free prostate cancer screening for men ages 40 and older on Wednesday, June 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Health Department, 10 Beaver Ave.

Free screenings are offered to male residents of North Arlington, ages 40 and older. Included in the screening will be a PSA blood test and an examination by a physician from Essex-Hudson Urology.

Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the U.S. Successful treatment rates are high in early detection cases. Don’t put it off!

For an appointment or information, call the Health Department at 201-955-5695.