Photos courtesy of N.J. Office of Attorney General

By Karen Zautyk

Observer Correspondent

See that pickup truck. It’s painted with the names of FDNY and NYPD and Port Authority first responders who died at Ground Zero on 9/11. Nice tribute, right? Dramatic statement of patriotism, right?

We saw the truck, which also is decorated with an image of the Twin Towers, on the road once and thought those things. But we couldn’t see who was driving. Turns out, it was operated by leeches. Correction. Alleged leeches.

On May 3, a state grand jury sitting in Mercer County indicted two New Jersey men for allegedly using the truck for phony fundraising, collecting more than $50,000, supposedly for 9/11 charities and WTC victims’ families.

Neither the legitimate charities nor the families saw a cent, authorities said.

And now, the state Division of Criminal Justice would like to hear from anyone who was scammed by the alleged con men.

The accused are Mark Niemczyk, 66, of Tinton Falls, and Thomas Scalgione, 41, of Manahawkin, both of whom face third-degree charges of conspiracy and theft by deception, N.J. Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced.

Although neither suspect resides in this area, the men reportedly brought the truck to various 9/11-related and other patriotic events throughout New Jersey from June 1, 2010, through July 4, 2012, selling T-shirts and collecting donations. It is possible Observer readers might have crossed paths with them and been taken in.

Photos courtesy of N.J. Office of Attorney General
Indicted: Thomas Scalgione

Photos courtesy of N.J. Office of Attorney General
Indicted: Mark Niemczyk

If that happened to you, Chiesa’s office has a request: “Anyone who encountered the defendants and their 9/11 truck at events and who either gave them money for T-shirts or donations — or who have information about their activities — are urged to call the Division of Criminal Justice confidentially at its toll-free tip line 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. The public can also log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org to report information confidentially.”

“It’s a sad reality that, in the wake of a devastating tragedy, when so many want to help, there are always parasites who view the tragedy and the generosity of others as nothing more than the opportunity and the means to turn a crooked profit for themselves,” Chiesa said. “The conduct of these two men wasn’t just despicable,”he added, “it was criminal, and we are bringing them to justice.”

In addition to misrepresenting their cause, the pair misrepresented themselves, authorities charged. Elie Honig, director of the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice, said: “We allege that these defendants told a barrage of lies to further their scheme, with Niemczyk claiming he was a Navy SEAL who served three tours of duty in Vietnam, and both men telling donors they were fatherand- son firefighters who were working at a firehouse near the World Trade Center on 9/11.”

Honig described their conduct as “outrageous.”

According to investigators, Niemczyk bought a Ford F-150 pickup truck in June 2010 and had it custom-painted with 9/11 themes, including the World Trade Center towers, police and fire department logos, and the names of the first responders who perished in New York on 9/11.

Niemczyk and Scalgione reputedly worked as partners to bring the truck to 9/11 events both inside and outside New Jersey, selling shirts and collecting donations. Scalgione is said to have acted as the “public relations” person, making arrangements for their participation at 9/11 events.

According to the indictment, the defendants purchased hundreds of T-shirts printed with 9/11 themes similar to those painted on the truck. They reportedly paid vendors between $3 and $6.90 per shirt and then sold them from the truck for $20 apiece at various 9/11 events, where they would also put out a jug to collect cash donations, authorities said.

At times, the defendants are said to have represented that they ran an established charity or were affiliated with a registered 9/11 one. The men were not registered with the State of New Jersey as a charitable organization as required by law, authorities said.

According to the indictment, no proceeds went to 9/11 families or charities. Instead, proceeds in excess of $50,000 were allegedly deposited into Niemczyk’s personal bank accounts. A second count of theft by deception relates to the defendants’ reportedly obtaining discounts from two T-shirt vendors by falsely representing where the proceeds from their sale would go. One vendor gave discounts of $3,312; the other, discounts totaling $1,378, it is alleged. In addition to the charges of conspiracy and theft by deception, Niemczyk is also charged with failure to file a personal state income tax return in 2011. While Niemczyk receives tax-exempt Social Security benefits, he collected thousands of dollars in proceeds at 9/11 events in 2011 and he won $55,000 at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City on Sept. 6, 2011, which he was required to report, authorities said.

In November, the state Division of Consumer Affairs secured a final consent judgment in a civil action against the defendants, under which they must pay more than $200,000, representing disgorgement of donations and payment of civil penalties, attorneys’ fees and investigative costs.

The judgment also bars Niemczyck and Scalgione from ever working for any charitable organization in New Jersey.

The May 3 indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Ocean County, where the defendants were to appear for arraignment.

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

KEARNY–

The Kearny Recreation Commission has cautioned two of its volunteer coaches to clean up their act or risk the chance of being disciplined for any potential future missteps.

Commission Chairwoman Lyla DeCastro Lawdanski said the seven members attending a special session held May 3 voted to send “written warnings” to Frank Goresh and Carlos Chavez to cease “inappropriate language and conduct.”

Goresh, a former president of Kearny Little League, which is sponsored by the town’s Recreation Department, is the current coach of the Cali Little League senior baseball team. Chavez coaches the Applebee’s Little League squad. Players are ages 14 and 15.

The commission received a complaint from one of the coaches about an incident that happened during a game between the Cali and Applebee’s teams played April 26 at the Gunnell Oval recreation complex and the commission felt it was serious enough to follow through, according to DeCastro Lawdanski.

To gather more information on the matter, the commission met in closed session for more than two and a half hours Friday night, May 3, in the Town Hall council chambers.

There, Commissioners Lewis Battista, Amelia Rendeiro, Jeanne O’Malley, Joseph Nigro, Nelson Rodrigues, Colleen McClelland and DeCastro Lawdanski listened to accounts of what occurred from the two coaches involved and from several parents who were at the game.

“Both coaches agreed they behaved inappropriately,” she said.

DeCastro Lawdanski declined to detail the events that triggered the dispute other than to say that there was an incident that happened at the beginning of the game and another towards the end. “The coaches’ conduct and behavior and language used were the primary issues. We want our coaches to teach sportsmanship and be positive role models for our kids,” she said.

The Observer filed an Open Public Records Act request for copies of the letters sent to the coaches but the Town Clerk’s office responded that the documents were exempt from disclosure as “information generated by or on behalf of public employers or public employees in connection with any … grievance filed by or against an individual ….”

When The Observer noted that recreation coaches are volunteers, and not paid employees, Town Clerk Pat Carpenter said she would seek further legal interpretation from the town attorney.

The Kearny Recreation Parent Code of Conduct calls on adults involved in youth sports events “… to be responsible for [their] words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating, or participating in any youth sporting events .…”

It also expects adults to “… not engage in un-sportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, guardian, player, participant, official or any other attendee” and to “… not engage in any behavior, which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, guardian, player, official or any other attendee,” nor to “engage in verbal, or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, guardian, player, participant, official or any other attendee.”

Any further breaches of the code by either coach could lead to “suspension or immediate ejection” from a game, a “season suspension” or “multiple season suspension,” according to the Code of Conduct. “

These type of incidents are not something to be taken lightly,” DeCastro Lawdanski said.

Neither coach could be reached for comment.

Photo by Ron Leir
Police Chief Kenneth Sheehan

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

EAST NEWARK –

Hudson County’s smallest municipal police force – nine cops plus one special – will be diminished by one on May 31.

That’s when Police Chief Kenneth Sheehan will bid farewell to the troops. “I’ll have 28 years and nine months on the job,” he said during a recent interview in his tiny office at Borough Hall.

“It’s been a great career,” Sheehan said. “I’ve had a great working relationship with the mayor and council. They’ve always been very supportive of my role.”

Returning the compliment, Mayor Joseph Smith – who named Sheehan acting chief in May 2000 and appointed him permanently in January 2002 – lauded the chief with reviving the morale and performance of the department.

“He always would stick up for the [rank and file],” Smith said. “He always put them first. … To have the men as happy as they are, he should get the credit. And he led by setting a good example.”

The chief, who received a 3% pay hike, retroactive to Jan. 1, will retire with pension of about $8,000 per month.

Sheehan’s path to borough bluecoats boss was a bit circuitous.

Sheehan was born in Staten Island, N.Y., but the family – (he was one of seven children) – moved to the Colonia section of Woodbridge when he was nine. He graduated from Colonia High School where he excelled at football and wrestling.

In 1981 he married Patricia Tighe, whose family has deep roots in East Newark. The couple took up residency in the borough and in May 1982, Sheehan got his introduction to public service when he was accepted as a member of the borough’s volunteer Fire Department.

Sheehan said he had notions of transitioning to a job as a paid firefighter because “I thought that would be a good career.”

But he changed direction in August 1984 when then-Mayor Ray Graham offered him a position with the borough Police Department and, after successfully completing his police academy training in December 1984, he was appointed as patrolman – becoming the first cop in his family.

At the same time, he continued serving as a volunteer firefighter with the borough.

Sheehan was promoted to police captain in December 1993 and was elevated to deputy chief in 1996.

During 1997 and 1998, he was chief of the volunteer firefighters.

“I believe I’m the only one in the borough who has served as chief of both [Police and Fire] Departments,” he noted.

As a cop, Sheehan earned numerous commendations, including a Valor Award presented by the Hudson County 200 Club in recognition of the role he played in a life-saving incident at the Clay St. Bridge on Sept. 13, 1987.

He also became an advocate for his fellow officers, serving as president of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association from 1988 to 1992. “We were the first to negotiate a contract as an independent branch of Harrison PBA Local 22 and we never went to arbitration,” Sheehan said, “because we and the borough were able to work together to get a fair agreement.”

Sheehan is a member of the New Jersey Police Honor Legion, which supports a police Widows and Orphans Fund for the families of officers killed in the line of duty, and sponsors competitive college scholarships for members’ children and programs for children with disabilities.

As a member of the Hudson County Police Chiefs Association, Sheehan served as its secretary-treasurer and was president in 2005-2006.

He has served as East Newark delegate to the United Irish Association for West Hudson, former grand marshal (in 1995) of the UIAWH St. Patrick’s Parade and Irishman of the Year (1987).

And he’s been a Democratic county committeeman for his district since 1991.

During his tenure with the Police Department, the starting annual pay for a rookie cop has risen from $15,500 to $27,000 but, as the borough began feeling economically pinched, it extended the number of steps to reach maximum pay.

With such a small department – and only one supervisory officer (a sergeant) other than the chief – Sheehan said he’s “proud’’ of the way his rank-and-file cops have learned to react as a first-responder in a public safety situation, such as taking control of a domestic dispute scene until a superior can respond or deciding what to charge a suspect when executing a warrant.

As a reflection of the borough’s changing demographics, the Police Department has tried to adjust to the needs of local residents in another way: Six officers are bilingual, Sheehan noted.

On those occasions when he’s had to suspend or remove a member of the department, Sheehan said he’s “always had the support of the mayor and council. Never once has there been any political interference in unpopular decisions I’ve made that I thought were in the best interests of the department, as long as I could legally justify my actions.”

While short on personnel, Sheehan has incorporated technology as a law enforcement aid with the placement of visual and audio units in patrol vehicles, Mayor Smith said. “That gave our cops another set of eyes and it also cut down on the number of citizen complaints,” he said.

“Also, starting six or seven years ago, acting on the chief’s recommendation, we started buying police cars on three-year leases, getting them fully under guarantee, other than tires and brakes,” the mayor noted. That has turned out to be a money saver for the borough, he said.

As Sheehan turns his focus to more time with his family, particularly 3-year-old grandson Maddon, at least one family member – Ken Sheehan Jr., 23, is following in his dad’s footsteps: He’s a public safety officer with New Jersey Institute of Technology. Daughter Courtney, 30, is also pursuing public service; she’s working for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission.

Photo courtesy of Ken Bania
Students prepare to assemble their ROV.

By Ron Leir

Observer Correspondent

NUTLEY –

On May 18, a group of Nutley High School students will be going down to the sea (of sorts) … in robots.

It’s all due to the U.S. Navy and Ken Bania, the school district’s science coordinator, with a big assist from physics teachers Michael Naumoff and Marc Kasner.

The students are participating in the 2013 National SeaPerch Challenge, a competition that engages students in “engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications” in an underwater robotics program, according to a Navy fact sheet.

The Navy, in partnership with the Association for Underwater Vehicle Systems International Foundation, furnishes students with a kit of resources which they use to build a “Remotely Operated Vehicle” – ROV in Navy parlance – and guide it through a series of underwater maneuvers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology helped found the program in 2003.

Judges grade students on the basis of performance, design, oral presentation, planning and team spirit.

Bania brought the idea of NHS experimenting with the program to Principal Denis Williams after seeing a SeaPerch demonstration at a National Science Teachers seminar in Atlantic City in May 2012.

Williams agreed, noting that SeaPerch is linked to a U.S. Department of Education “national initiative” aimed at encouraging more students to explore paths that may lead to future careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

After getting their ROV kits earlier this year, students from different grade levels in the NHS engineering club put in many after-school hours assembling their robot (a contraption of PVC pipe and motors which weighs in at a little more than two pounds), testing out design features, then putting it through its underwater paces, in the school’s outdoor koi pool.

Photo by Ron Leir
Students experiment with maneuvering ROV at NHS koi pool.

Nutley sent three teams to a preliminary regional competition March 25 at the City College of New York’s Mahoney Pool in the basement of the Marshak Science Building on W. 138th St., and a seven-member team led by senior Nick Sherer and junior Gabe Tortora – who are teammates on the Maroon Raiders gridiron squad was deemed good enough to advance to the nationals, Williams said.

It all began a bit more than three months ago, recalled 17-year-old junior Monica Bobila, when “they provided us with the raw materials and instructions” and the students took it from there.

“It took us about a month to tweak [the ROV] to the point where we felt it was ready,” Gabe, 17, said.

Senior Laurence Rafer, 17, recalled that the rules permitted the students “to build onto the basic specifications,” to some extent. They could spend up to $20 on modifications, Naumoff said.

This team’s modification was described by Rafer as a “detachable retractable hook” which could be manipulated through the ROV to capture and remove rings.

The other team members are juniors Zohaeb Atiq and A.J. Fernandez, both 17; and seniors Andrew Allison, 18, and Nick Sherer, 17.

For the upcoming competition – which will be held in the Olympic Pool in the Natatorium on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis – students from more than 100 high school and middle school teams from around the nation will be expected to maneuver their ROVs through two trials.

First, they’ll guide the robots through an underwater obstacle course, through hoops oriented in different directions; next, they’ll direct the robots – again, underwater – to a rack set up with rings which the robots must remove and place in baskets set at different levels, all of which must be done within a fixed time limit.

“The bigger picture here,” Williams said, “is I want, eventually, all our science classes moving this way, maybe incorporating some type of problem-solving learning activity [because] learning comes from feedback when you fail.”

Williams said he’s hoping to get more faculty to “buy in” to this concept of more experimentation.

Asked if more students were “buying in” to the sciences as a post-graduate option, Williams said that the school doesn’t follow up on every student once they’ve completed their academic obligations, but he added: “Of the top 10% of our graduating class, there seems to be a growing number pursuing careers in math and science.”

Photo by Cindy Dwyer
From l., Firefi ghter Willie McMahon, Firefi ghter Robert Underhill, Capt. John Dwyer, Lt. Joseph Lang, Firefighter Joseph Zicchinella and Firefighter David Prina were gold-medal recipients.

They may have been feuding a few weeks ago over firefighting staffing levels, but for at least one night, the New Jersey Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA) and Harrison Fire Department (HFD) were on the same page.

On Saturday, April 20, the state firefighters union presented gold medals to six members of the HFD at the union’s annual Valor Awards ceremony, held this year at the Pines Manor in Edison.

The gold medal is the top award given by the union, which paid tribute to an elite group of the Bravest from around the state.

A citation presented to the HFD outlines a narrative of a fire rescue performed by members of Tour 4 on Nov. 20, 2012, for which the Harrison six – Firefighters Willie McMahon, Robert Underhill, Joseph Zicchinella and David Prina, Lt. Joseph Lang and Capt. John Dwyer – were honored.

At around 8:20 a.m. that day, the HFD was dispatched to an apartment complex at 550 Central Ave. where there was a working fire, with people on the scene reporting that a man was trapped in the second- floor apartment where the fire had originated.

Following Dwyer upstairs, Prina, serving that day as acting lieutenant; Zicchinella and Lang, of Engine 3, stretched a line to the second floor hallway, where they were met by the mother of the man in the apartment “screaming that her son was in there.”

Lang and Prina forced open the door to the son’s apartment where, despite “high heat and zero visibility,” they started to search the apartment.

At the same time, Dwyer directed Underhill and Zicchinella to raise a ground ladder to the apartment’s balcony and begin a “vent/ enter/search operation from the opposite side of the apartment.”

McMahon, meanwhile, managed water supply for interior operations.

Firefighters converging from opposite directions located the apartment’s occupant, who was “unconscious and burned but still alive,” in the hallway between the bedroom and living room.

Lang, Prina, Underhill and Zicchinella removed the man, who was 6-feet-one and about 275 pounds, to the balcony “where lifesaving rescue breathing was begun.”

Zicchinella then re-entered the apartment and put out the remaining fire.

A Reeves stretcher was sent up to the balcony, the man was placed inside, removed from the building, and transported to the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark.

“Had it not been for the extraordinary effort and teamwork displayed at this incident, there certainly would have been a much different outcome,” the citation said.

— Ron Leir

Photo courtesy KPD
Officer Damon Pein makes a donation at the new KPD clothing/shoes collection bin off Bergen Ave.

KEARNY –

Doing some spring cleaning? Empyting your closets of clothes you no longer wear or need? There’s an easy way to divest yourself of them and do a good deed at the same time.

In a new fundraising effort for its Community Policing (COP) program, the Kearny Police Department is now accepting donations of used clothing — and shoes.

The KPD says the clothing and shoes can be in any condition and for adults or children.

The items will be sold to a collection company, and money raised will go toward the annual Junior Police Academy, the Bike Safety Fair and the senior citizens’ picnic — all popular local events.

The new collection bins have been set up within the Kearny Department of Public Works yard, located at 357 Bergen Ave., east of Schuyler Ave.

You can bring your donations there Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (The yard is not accessible on Sundays.)

—Karen Zautyk

A call about a theft in progress in an industrial area of Kearny the morning of Saturday, May 4, led to the arrest of two local men on both burglary and drug charges, Kearny police reported.

At 8:10 a.m., Officers Tom Bannon and Vanessa Sevillano responded to a report of individuals apparently stealing scrap metal on Sellers St., off the Belleville Pike.

While en route, the officers spotted a car fitting the description of the suspects’ leaving the area, and Bannon stopped it on the Pike.

Bannon recognized both occupants from “past police contact,” KPD Chief John Dowie said, and while scanning the car reportedly noticed several tools that could be used in a theft, along with a cigarette pack with a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance.

After the suspects were asked to exit the vehicle, Bannon reportedly found 13 glassine folds of suspected heroin.

Sevillano, who had meanwhile confirmed the theft, radioed that a representative of the Sellers St. company reported that the suspects had been attempting to force open a side door.

Arrested were Kevin Flanagan, 37, of Lyndhurst, and John Teixeira, 42, of Kearny, both of whom were charged with: burglary, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglar tools, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine.

Teixeira was ordered held on $50,000 bail; Flanagan, on $25,000. They were remanded to the Hudson County Jail.

Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following:

May 3

At noon, P.O. John Grimm responded to a report of a man begging in the Walmart/Wawa parking lot, an individual who had been the subject of a similar complaint the day before and who had been let go with a warning, police said. Grimm asked for identification for the purpose of issuing a town summons, since Kearny prohibits “begging for alms,” and was allegedly handed a fradulent driver’s license.

Arrested for providing a false government document was Marian Unguru, 28, of Irvington. His bail was set at $2,500 and immigration officials were notified since there was some question about his residency, Chief Dowie said.

• At 5 p.m., at Devon St. and Columbia Ave., the Vice Squad observed a parked white Mercedes with a passenger who appeared to be smoking marijuana. After the officers approached on foot to confirm this, the passenger turned over a prescription bottle containing pot, police said. Charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia was 23-year-old Troy Sweatnam of Kearny.

May 4

At 6 p.m., P.O. Pat Becker approached a man who appeared to be going doorto- door on the 300 block of Highland Ave. The individual reportedly claimed he was canvassing for an energy company but was unable to produce a permit. Police said Becker did a warrant check and found that the man — Jasper Statham, 44, of Bayonne — was wanted on five warrants out of four jurisdictions: two from Bayonne and one each from Newark, Saddle River and Paterson. Statham was arrested on those warrants.

May 6

Members of the Vice Squad were in another jurisdiction on an unrelated investigation when they observed an individual they knew to be wanted apparently taking part in a drug transaction, police reported. The officers saw the man board a Kearny-bound bus, followed it, and when the bus stopped in Kearny, boarded it and confronted him.

The suspect, Jonathan Chojnacki, 22, of Lyndhurst, was allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, stamped “Cookout.” He was charged with possession of heroin, possession of paraphernalia and being under the influence of heroin.

May 7

Sgt. Paul Bershefski, on patrol at Kearny Ave. and Dukes St. at 12:30 pm., saw an individual he knew to be the subject of an outstanding Kearny warrant, confirmed this, and arrested 37-year-old Kearny resident Danny Batista, police said. After he was taken to headquarters, he reportedly was found to also be wanted by the Hudson County Sheriff and was turned over to that office.

• P.O. John Fabula, on patrol at Passaic and Linden Aves. at 6:15 pm., spotted a man walking on Passaic whom he knew had been “repeatedly arrested” in Kearny on shoplifting and robbery charges, Chief Dowie said. Fabula did a warrant check and reportedly found that the individual had an active warrant out of Belleville. The suspect, Jose Rodriguez, 39, of Newark, was arrested and taken to KPD headquarters, and Belleville authorities were notified.

• Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, the Vice Squad was in the area of Kearny Ave. and Liberty St. at 6:30 p.m. when they observed what they believed to be a drug transaction. When the officers confronted the suspected customer, he reportedly admitted he had just bought marijuana. The alleged seller was found to be in possession of five additional bags of the drug, police said.

Charged with possession of marijuana, distribution of same, and distribution in a school zone and within 500 feet of a public library was Hector Colon, 26, of Kearny. His bail was set at $7,500. The alleged customer, identified as Luther Bass, 21, of Kearny, was released on summonses for possession of pot and paraphernalia.

— Karen Zautyk

Belleville

The Belleville Middle School Fine and Performing Arts Department announces its upcoming spring concert series. On May 15 the 7th and 8th grade choirs will perform selections of “Living on a Prayer,” “Man in the Mirror” and highlights from “Les Miserables.” The band, orchestra, and jazz band will take the stage on May 22. The performance will include selections from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “Joyful, Joyful.” Both free concerts will be held in the BMS auditorium at 7 p.m.

Save Monday, May 20, for Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation’s annual golf invitational. Held at the prestigious Montclair Golf Club, this event includes the opportunity to play on the course’s beautiful greens, brunch, cocktails, dinner and a silent auction. Proceeds from the Golf Invitational benefit the programs and services of Clara Maass Medical Center. To register, or for more information, please visit www.claramaassfoundation.org or contact the foundation at 973-450-2277.

Bloomfield

Bloomfield Public Library Book Club, 90 Broad St., will meet on Monday, June 3, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in the conference room to discuss “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” by Jorge Amado. In 1976, Jorge Amado’s Portuguese-language novel was made into the most successful film in Brazilian history. It was remade in 1982 as “Kiss Me Goodbye” and starred Sally Field, James Caan, and Jeff Bridges. For further information or to request help in locating a copy of the book club selection, call the Reference Desk at 973-566-6200, ext. 502. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

The Township of Bloomfield will observe Youth Week-Government Day on Monday, May 20. Bloomfield High School students are invited to see how city government works. The day’s events will begin at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers with introductory remarks by Mayor Raymond J. Mc- Carthy and by Township Council members and various department heads at 9:30 a.m. the group will visit the Bloomfield Municipal Court- Law Enforcement Building. Guests will be divided into four groups to hear other speakers throughout the day: Township Engineer Paul Lasek, Health Director Karen Lore and Fire Chief Joseph McCarthy.

At noon, all groups proceed to the Civic Center for a luncheon and presentation of awards.

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.

Guest speakers will be Smith, Post 36 Commander Frank Acuna and Vice Commander Karl Petry. Wreaths will be placed by Mayor Smith, a member of the Council and Commander Acuna and Past State 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 to attend.

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.

Holy Cross Church Vincentian Society will hold a rummage sale in the lower church basement on Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Kearny

Kearny Public Library announces a free 10-week painting class for adults on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Classes are tentatively set to start on Wednesday, May 22 and run to Wednesday, July 24. The location of the class will be announced as the start date approaches.

The theme will be images in and around Kearny, taught by longtime Kearny High School art teacher and painter John Bednarczyk. Students will work in the genre and the medium of their choice. At the end of the class, a show will be organized in the library for the community to see participants’ creations.

Classes are free of charge, but students will have to supply their own materials. Class size is very limited. Call 201-998-2666 to reserve your spot. For more information about this or other upcoming programs, call the library or visit www.kearnylibrary.org.

The library will once again showcase young area musicians on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Main Library, 318 Kearny Ave. Following the success of two previous teen rock shows, the library is inviting some local bands back, including the very talented Stonehenge, playing on the library’s stage for the third time. The lineup is also set to include Fiscal Cliff and Not Stalin.

Admission is free and open to anyone interested. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and admission will be on a first come-first serve basis. For more information on this or other programs, please call 201- 998-2666 or visit www.kearnylibrary.org.

A special movie night will be held at the Branch Library, 759 Kearny Ave., at 7 p.m., featuring the newly-released “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” (Rated PG, 91 min.).

The film is based on the entrancing world of Cirque du Soleil, as it follows a young man and woman searching for each other through different dreamlike tent worlds. Snacks and light refreshments will be served. This program is free of charge and everyone is welcome, but note the rating of the film.

For more information, call the Main Library at 201-998- 2666 or visit www.kearnylibrary.org.

The Kearny Recreation Department and the West Hudson/ South Bergen Optimist Club will sponsor our annual Fishing Derby, Sunday, May 19, at the West Hudson Park Pond (Fairy Lake) located between Davis and Schuyler Avenues.

Boys and girls up to age 12, who live in the West Hudson Area are invited to try their fishing skills, and compete for trophies and fishing gear prizes. Registration will take place at the Fairy lake beginning at noon on the day of the event.

All participants are asked to bring their own fishing gear, including tackle, bait and fishing poles. Fishing poles (bamboo canes) and tackle will be provided to the first 100+ youth who fail to bring their own fishing gear.

A parent or guardian is encouraged to attend with the participants.

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, call Aycha Edwards at 201-360-4247 or email aedwards@hccc.edu.

The Woman’s Club of Arlington will hold its annual ice cream social on Tuesday, May 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Arlington Player’s Club, 12 Washington Pl., Kearny. Women interested in hearing more about membership may attend. Fresh fruit, coffee and tea will also be served. There will be dark horse raffles available during the event to raise money for local charities. for participants, tickets are only 3 for $5. If interested in attending, contact Jennifer Cullen at 201-991-6612 by May 17.

First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 663 Kearny Ave., Kearny, will hold a children’s carnival on Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. rain or shine. There will be games and prizes, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and a bake sale. The carnival will be held on the side lawn, or in the gym in case of bad weather. Admission is $1 for 5 tickets.

The Kearny Recreation Department will be holding American Legion Baseball tryouts on Friday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. at Mitchell Baseball Field behind Franklin School. Rain or shine.

All Kearny resident boys currently in grades 9 to 12 are eligible to tryout. Bring a glove and no metal cleats

A copy of a birth certificate, proof of residency and registration fee will be required for all selected players. For further information, contact the Kearny Recreation Department at 201-955-7983.

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” fund-raiser at Kearny Applebee’s on Wednesday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eat-in or take-out. For your order to count in support of Kearny UNICO you must present a flyer. To obtain a flyer, contact Lou Pandolfi.

Lyndhurst

A Big Swap Bonanza, flea market and collectible show will be held outdoors on Sunday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the N.J. Transit lot, New York Avenue, off Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by the Lyndhurst High School band.

The Big Swap Bonanza is also a garage and tag sale event. Area residents are invited to sell their garage/tag sale items at a reduced fee of $35 for three parking spaces with your car. You can set up your own tables and chairs to sell your merchandise.

JC Promotions is donating four spaces for school/local organizations that would like a space to sell their items or promote their club. Call 201-998- 1144 to make a reservation.

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. To reserve a seat, call Janet Ritigliano at 201-935-1208.

The Polish American Citizens Club, 730 New Jersey Ave., Lyndhurst, will sponsor a trip to Nashville, Tenn., (seven days, six nights; six breakfasts and four dinners). The bus will leave on July 28 at 8 a.m. and return Aug. 3.

Cost is $625 with a $75 deposit at signing; final payment is due May 21. For more information, call Alice at 201- 935-3830.

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 the age of 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.

Meadowlands Environment Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, will host “Soundscapes and Birdsong” on Saturday, May 18, 1-3 p.m. for ages 9-18 and families Sunday, May 19, 1-3 p.m. for families . Bring your instruments, voices and recording devices – composer Diane Moser will conduct a workshop in which groups walk DeKorte Park and use devices to record the sounds of nature to upload to the Sound Cloud. The group will then create an original composition. Admission: $5/ person; $4/MEC members. For information, call 201-460- 8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands. gov/ec.

Third-Tuesday-of-the Month Walk, with the NJMC and Bergen County Audubon Society, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, at 10 a.m. This free two-hour walk of Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus features raptors, waterfowl and late spring migrants. The group will meet at the marsh entrance at 10 a.m. (directions are on meadowblog.net in the left-hand column). Check meadowblog.net for lastminute weather updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To R.S.V.P., contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or call 201-230-4983.

The Lyndhurst Elks is running a bus trip to the Sands in Bethlehem, Pa. on May 19. The $30 cost entitles participants to $20 back in slots and $5 for food. Bus will leave the Lyndhurst Elks, 247 Park Ave., at 9 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. For tickets, call Julie 201-424-2659.

Tuesday, May 21, starting at 2:30 p.m., a veteran’s ward party will be held at Chestnut Hill Extended care facility, Passaic in memory of those that served and died in Vietnam. The sponsor would like to remain anonymous. Games of chance will be played so that the veterans can win some money to purchase items that are not covered in the stipend that they receive. For more information, call John Deveney rehabilitation chairman, at 201-438-2255.

Lyndhurst VFW Post 3549, 527 Valley Brook Ave., will host Karaoke on Friday, May 17, starting at 8:30 p.m. The VFW hall is also available fro rentals for all occasions. For more information, call the Post at 201-939-3080.

The Lyndhurst Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., will host “Escape from Behind Enemy Lines-Operation Bonaparte” on Wednesday, May 22, from 6:15 to 8 p.m. The Shelburn Line was a World War II escape network operating in occupied France which returned 136 allied servicemen to England. The French Resistance located downed airmen and hid them from the Nazis utilizing a series of safe-houses. Once a month— during dark of the moon—the men were transported to the Brittany Coast to meet a Motor Gun Boat, which would return them to England. Join Rick Feingold, as he recounts the story of how his father Lt. Louis Feingold, a B-17 U.S. Army Air Corp navigator, escaped Nazi capture. Space is limited and registration is necessary. Call the library at 201-804-2478, ext. 7 or email romeo@bccls.org.

North Arlington

Join the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Jim Wright, author of the NJMC’s new book, “The Nature of the Meadowlands,” for a talk and signing at the North Arlington Senior Center, 210 Ridge Rd., on Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m. The lavishly-illustrated 128-page book illuminates the Meadowlands’ natural and unnatural history, including its darkest days of a half-century ago and its remarkable environmental revival. Wright will give a slide show presentation featuring images of the bad old days –when the Meadowlands was known for its landfills and pig farms –as well as stunning, recent nature photography from the book.

For more information, call 201-955- 5640.

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 Avenue 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 these 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-and- drum bands, classic cars and clowns.

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

Nutley

May 19 will be the first of four Antique/collectible/boutique/flea market shows and sales sponsored by the Kingsland Trust to benefit the restoration and maintenance of the Kingsland Manor a historic brownstone. The event will be held at Nutley Parks and Recreation (Frank Cocchiola Building), 44 Park Ave., Nutley, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donation: $1 for adults, children free. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Featured will be antiques, estate and new jewelry, collectibles, crafts and boutique items Other shows are June 9, July 14, and Sept. 8.