Around Town

Bloomfield

• Ronald McDonald will visit the Bloomfield Public Library Children’s Department on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 2 p.m. for a program full of fun and games. Children of all ages are invited. No registration is necessary.

• Jazz Under the Stars, featuring the Muzzy Mercado Group and Ken Navarro, will be presented as part of the Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert series on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield.

Jazz Under the Stars will open with the rhythmic sounds of alto/tenor saxophonist Muzzy Mercado performing jazz, Latin and rhythm and blues. Mercado has entertained audiences from Las Vegas, the Caribbean, Atlantic City and Carnegie Hall. The second act will feature jazz guitarist Ken Navarro, who has performed and recorded with Doc Severinsen, Nell Carter and Ann Jillian, and many other performers. His 2010 release, “Dreaming of Trains,” was pre-nominated for the 2011 Grammy awards in two categories, and his 2008 album, “The Grace of Summer Light,” was named the number one contemporary jazz album of the year by the Jazz Times.

• Bloomfield Public Library has announced the schedule for its Thursday Afternoon at the Movies program: Aug. 2 – “Contraband” (R) (Mark Wahlberg); Aug. 9 – “The Woman in Black” (PG-13) (Daniel Radcliffe); Aug. 16 – “Julia” (PG) (Jane Fonda); Aug. 23 – “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” (R) (David Carradine) and Aug. 30 – “Once” (R) (Glen Hansard).

The following schedule is for the library’s Monday Afternoon at the Movies program: Aug. 6 – “The Artist” (PG-13) (Jean Dujardin); Aug. 13 – “Week-End at the Waldorf” (NR) (Ginger Rogers); Aug. 20 – “The Mortal Storm” (NR) (James Steward) and Aug. 27 – “Drive” (R) (Ryan Gosling). All films start at 12:15 p.m. in the library theater. Admission is free.

Harrison

• Harrison Cancer League will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ribbons of Hope, cancer care in the community and beyond on Sept. 29. The event will be held at the Polish National Home catering hall, Cleveland Avenue, Harrison, from 6 to 11 p.m. and will include dinner, music, dancing, open bar and free parking. For reservations, call Deb DaSilva at 201-997-1251.

• Neighborhoods throughout Harrison are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “29th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Harrison Police Department and Harrison/East Newark Elks. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 7, residents throughout Harrison and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Representatives from the Harrison Police Department and Harrison East Newark Elks will be at Roosevelt Park from 6 to 9 p.m. that evening to meet citizens and discuss crime prevention and drug prevention/education topics. A movie viewing will also be provided by the American Legion. There will be an inflatable bounce house and slides, give-a-ways for children, DJ music and food available.

• The members of Harrison American Legion Post 282 will host a free showing of “Kung Fu Panda 2” on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 8:30 p.m. on the lawn in the library park. The show will begin immediately following the town’s National Night Out celebration. Free refreshments, treats and prizes will be available. All age groups are encouraged to bring their chairs or blankest for seating.

• Harrison’s Legionnaires will be distributing crime prevention tips as part of the organization’s “Play it Safe” program. These are simple rules to follow that cover everything from basic Internet safety to scams that target seniors. For more information on this event or any questions concerning the American Legion, call 973-484-1175 or stop by the post home, 8 Patterson St., Harrison.

Kearny

• On Friday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. art teacher Mrs. Mills will host a special free outdoor summer art project for children ages 4 and up at the Kearny Branch Library, 759 Kearny Ave. Using water guns provided by the library, children will create unique watercolor pictures. All supplies will be provided by the library. In the event of rain, a substitute indoor project will be held. Art classes at the Main Library, 318 Kearny Ave., will be held every Thursday at 4 p.m. throughout the summer months. For more information on library programs, visit www.kearnylibrary.org or call the Main at (201) 998-2666.

• The Kearny Public Library Vacation Reading Challenge is almost finished. Book logs may be returned early, but Friday, Aug. 10, is the last day to return your book log. Make sure you have answered the questions on the back. The prizes will be ready beginning on Aug. 8. From July 30 – Aug. 3, the library will let you pick a prize from the treasure chest if you get your library book log stamped in the Children’s Room of the Main library at 318 Kearny Ave.

• Enjoy live entertainment in August: The Lizard Guys Live Animal Show on Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 4 – 5 p.m. The following week, Mighty Puppets presents “Peetah the Grumpy Cheetah,” a puppet show in English and Spanish from 6 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Both shows are for 5 and older at the Main library, 318 Kearny Ave.

• Children 5 and older may attend art classes with Mrs. Mills from 4 – 5 p.m. on Thursdays at the Main library, 318 Kearny Ave. The library will provide the art supplies. Space is limited so seating will be first come first served.

• Preschool Play/Story Times continue on Tuesday mornings from 11 a.m. – noon, and also on Thursday mornings from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Main library, 318 Kearny Ave. Preschool Play/Story Times continue on Thursday mornings from 10:15 – 11 a.m. through Aug. 9 at the branch library, 759 Kearny Ave.

Baby and toddler Play/ Story time is held at the main library, 318 Main library, 318 Kearny Ave., for children 0 – three-years-old continue on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. through Aug. 8. An adult must participate with the child.

Summer movies on Monday afternoons at 4 p.m. will be as follows: “Dolphin Tale” on Aug. 6, “The Lorax” on Aug. 13, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” on Aug. 20, and “Journey 2 The Mysterious Island” on Aug. 27.

Lyndhurst

• St. Michael’s Leisure Club, Lyndhurst, will have a bus trip to the Sands Casino in Pennsylvania on Thursday, Aug.16, leaving from the church parking lot on Page Ave. at 10 a.m. Cost is $ 22. For more information, please call Georgiana at 201-438-7847

•The Humane Society of Bergen of Bergen County, has a supply of dog food, both canned and dry, all brands including special diets available to anyone (FREE OF CHARGE) who due to unemployment, disability or any financial situation cannot afford to feed their dog. Call 201-896-9300 for more information or just stop by: 221-223 Stuyvesant Ave., Lyndhurst. Hours are: Monday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Lyndhurst Library announces the following activities and events for children: Walk-in Story time for pre-K to grade 2 will resume in September on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Registration for the fall session of Storytime begins Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. Two sessions are available on Thursdays this fall for this program – one for ages 3-4 at 10:30 a.m. and for ages 3-4 at 1:30 p.m.

The library will have its Grand Finale of the summer reading program from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. This event will include entertainment, certificates and prizes.

• NJMC Pontoon Boat Tour is scheduled for Aug. 2 and Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person

Get an up-close view of the Meadowlands District’s spectacular scenic beauty and wildlife with a two-hour guided pontoon boat cruise of the Hackensack River and its surrounding marshes. Experienced NJMC staff will discuss the region’s human and environmental history and point out birds and other wildlife along the way.

Pontoon boat cruises depart from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration required. For a complete schedule, directions and to register visit www.njmeadowlands.gov or call 201-460-4640.

• Sunday, August 5, 10 a.m. First-Sunday-of-the- Month Nature Walk, with the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m.. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. 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 201-230-4983.

• Fourth annual Kevin Karlson Shorebird Day, with the NJMC and Bergen County Audubon Society, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Spend the day with noted shorebird expert and nature photographer Kevin Karlson. The event will include 90-minute bird walks at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m., led by Karlson, and a talk on “Tips on Becoming a Better Birder” at 12:45 p.m. At 1:45 p.m., Karlson will discuss and show images from his latest books. At 2:30 p.m., he and another noted photographer, Lloyd Spitalnik, will lead an hour-long wildlife photography workshop. All events are free, but you must sign a standard liability release for 2012 if you have not already. To R.S.V.P., contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol. com or 201-230-4983.

North Arlington

• American Legion Alexander P Stover Post 37, 222 River Road, North Arlington, will meet on Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. All veterans are invited to attend. For information, call 201-214- 8253.

Nutley

• Nutley Parks and Recreation and the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 493 are hosting a beefsteak dinner on Friday, Sept. 14, at the Parks and Recreation gym, 44 Park Ave., Nutley, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person (BYOB) and can be purchased at VFW Post 493, 271 Washington Ave., or by calling (973 235-9661) or Danielle at 862-226-9345 or Annette at 973- 661-4671. Chicken is available for those who don’t eat beef, but must be ordered when tickets are purchased.

• Nutley Public Library hosts Matinee Fridays: Classic Films weekly at 2 p.m. Please check the monthly calendar, flyer or Facebook for the titles of the films.

Patrons are invited to play bridge at the library on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. No registration is required.

The library’s Manga/Anime Club will meet on Aug. 6 and 13, at 2:45 p.m. No registration is required.

P.J. Story Time will be held at the library on Monday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. No registration is required.

The library’s Tuesday Evening Knitting Club will meet on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Come share your love of knitting and crocheting with both beginning and experienced knitters. Meet fellow knitters, brush-up on your skills, and learn some new techniques. Please bring your own supplies. This group meets the first Tuesday of every month.

The library will host Magic Night in Story Time Room for teens on Tuesday, Aug. 7 and 14, at 7 p.m.

Teen Video Game tournament will be held at the library on Wednesday, Aug. 8 and 15, at 2 p.m. No registration is required.

Two-Year-Old Story Time will be held at the library on Friday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. Registration is required.

No registration is required for the library’s Saturday Story Time, to be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m.

Registration is required to join the Lego Reading Club for the next meeting on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. and the Craft Book Club, for grades 3 to 6, which will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m .

• Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation announces that registration is open for the fall session of Zumba Fitness, open to Nutley residents only. This program, taught by Yolanda Merritt, a certified Zumba Instructor, will incorporate the hottest Latin rhythms with the newest dance moves to heat up your exercise routine. Classes will be held at the Recreation Annex building, 65 Bloomfield Ave., on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Sept. 4, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. A fee of $60 will be charged for this eight-week program.

Pre-registration is required for Zumba. Online Registration is now available at www.nutleynj.org or applications are available in the Recreation Office, 44 Park Ave. Limited space is available. For more information on Zumba or on any recreation programs, please contact the Recreation Department at (973) 284-4966, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Learn more about the writer ...