Around Town

Bloomfield

Bloomfield UNICO holds its annual Charity Extravaganza Night of Pro Wrestling to benefit the Foley Field Foundation, Project Graduation, UNICO Scholarship Fund, and other endeavors on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Bloomfield High School gym/arena, 160 Broad St. Doors open at 6:35 p.m. and the matches get under way at 7:35 p.m. Among the featured grapplers are Sean Waltman and Shane Helms. Grandstand admission is $20 and ringside, $25. Tickets are available at Vinny’s Pizzeria, 414 Broad St.; Hot Bagels Abroad, 1129 Broad St.; Power House Gym, 465 Bloomfield Ave., all of Bloomfield; Rosebud’s, 52 Joralemon St., Belleville; and Maniero’s, 465 Franklin Ave., Nutley. For directions, information or to charge tickets, call 732-725- 1704.

The Bloomfield Public Library Book Club will meet on Monday, March 4, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in the board room to discuss “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. On his deathbed, 77-year-old minister John Ames writes a letter to his young son. He describes his own life in a small Iowa town as well as those of his fiery abolitionist grandfather and pacifist father. Ames’ meditations on life, love and faith are both heartbreaking and beautiful. “Gilead,” the author’s second novel, won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. For further information or to request help in locating a copy of the book club selection, please call the Reference Desk at 973-566-6200, ext. 502. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

The library is having a “Bag Book Sale” until Feb. 16. Fill up a plastic grocery bag with you choice of books for only $2.50. Paperbacks and hardcovers can still be bought individually at $.25 for paperbacks, or 5 for $1, and $1 each for hardcovers. The library will supply the plastic bags.

Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) of Essex and Passaic Counties, in partnership with the Bloomfield Public Library, is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in Basic Literacy (BL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

A Tutor-Training Workshop will be held at the Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St., on March 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 2013 from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendance at all six sessions is required.

After completing the training workshop, participants may tutor for LVA at a local library or other public place convenient for them.

For more information, contact LVA by calling 973-566- 6200 ext. 217

Or email lvaessex@verizon. net or by mail at Literacy Volunteers of America, Bloomfield Public Library office, 90 Broad St., Bloomfield, N.J. 07003, Attn: Kim Ventura, Workshop Coordinator.

Kearny

Literacy Volunteers-West Hudson, Inc. is seeking volunteers to train as tutors for its Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language programs. An orientation session will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Kearny Branch Library, 759 Kearny Ave., Kearny. Training sessions will be held on the following Saturday mornings: Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16, and 23.

Following training, tutors will be matched with adults who wish to improve their reading/writing or conversational English skills. It is NOT necessary to know a foreign language. Tutors are asked to commit to two hours per week for one year.

For more information, please e-mail lvwesthudson@ verizon.net or call 201-998- 3336.

At the Main library, 318 Kearny Ave., Preschool Play/ Story Times will continue on Tuesday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon, and on Thursday mornings from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No class on Feb. 12.

Baby Steps play/story time for infants and preschoolers up to three years old will continue on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

At the Branch library, 759 Kearny Ave., Preschool Play/ Story Times will continue on Thursday mornings from 10:15 to 11 a.m.

Children ages 5 and older are invited to attend an art class with Mrs. Mills at the Main Library, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 14. The library will provide the materials for decorating Valentine cookies. Seating will be on a first come first served basis.

Lyndhurst

The Humane Society of Bergen County, 221-223 Stuyvesant Ave., Lyndhurst, has a supply of dog food both canned and dry available to anyone due to unemployment, disability or any other financial difficulty who cannot afford to feed their dog. Just stop by or call for more information 201-896- 9300. 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 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Lyndhurst Health Department will resume its free meditation course beginning Wednesday, Jan.30, at 6:30 p.m. This class is lead by Parbatie Singh, a Lyndhurst resident and certified oneness trainer, who received certification from the Oneness University in India. This free class is offered at the department’s new location at 601 Riverside Ave. Please enter the doors facing the Passaic River.

The Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, will host “Love in the Ocean” on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 2 p.m., open to all ages. Meet Dr. Angela Cristini, director of the MEC, and learn about how and where some of your favorite sea critters find their mates. Admission is $5/person; $4/MEC members.

For more information, call 201-460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.

Great Backyard Bird Count Walk at Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus will be held on Friday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m., run by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society.

This free two-hour guided nature walk starts at the entrance to the Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. We’ll walk along the park’s trail system, counting waterfowl, raptors, and any other birds we find. Check meadowblog. net for last-minute 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 201-230-4983.

Third-Tuesday-of-the- Month Bird Walk with the NJMC and BCAS will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. This free two-hour guided nature walk will take place at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, a 70-acre restored wetlands area usually closed to the public. The group will meet at the entrance to Harrier Meadow at 10 a.m. – or join the group in the first parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst by 9:40 a.m. and carpool. Check meadowblog. net for last-minute 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 201-230-4983.

The Lyndhurst Health Department no longer has flu vaccines available. If you need a flu vaccine, please contact your local pharmacy or your primary medical doctor’s office. We still have Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) Vaccines available for Lyndhurst residents only. Please call the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2500 if interested.

The Polish American Citizens Club, 730 New Jersey Ave., Lyndhurst, will host a corned beef and cabbage dinner with tap beer, wine and soda included on March 16, from 7 to 11 p.m.

The price will be $30 in advance and $35 at the door. There will also be a disc jockey. For tickets, call 201- 438-9723.

The Lyndhurst Elks will be holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lyndhurst Senior Center on Cleveland Ave. Admission for ages 6 and up is $6 and under 5 is $3.

Sacred Heart Home School Association, Lyndhurst, will hold its annual spring auction to benefit Sacred Heart School Margaret Engel Endowment Trust on Friday, March 15, at the school, 620 Valley Brook Ave. Tickets are $10 per person and non-refundable. Ticket includes one sheet for 1st level prizes, coffee, tea and dessert. For tickets, call Patty at 201-803-9580 or the school at 201-939-4277. Ticket deadline is March 8.

The Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst is sponsoring a Sunday brunch and Tricky Tray on March 17. The club is asking organizations and merchants for their assistance by making a donation to the event, which will also help promote your business. A gift certificate or a product that you sell would be greatly appreciated.

The Woman’s Club is a not-for-profit organization that helps support battered women’s shelters, veteran organizers, the homeless, the local library and offers a scholarship for a local graduate.

The proceeds from this event will benefit “family promise,” a Woman’s Club project which assists New Jersey’s homeless and low income families, as well as many other Woman’s club expenses, projects and charities.

The club can either pickup your donation or you may mail it to: the Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst, c/o Rosemary McGuigan, 113 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst, N.J., 07071.

If you would like to become a member of this volunteer organization, which is a member of the New Jersey State Foundation of Women’s Club, contact Rosemary McGuigan at 201-935-2934 or Janet Ricigliano at 201-935-1208.

North Arlington

North Arlington Public Library announces the following upcoming programs and events: On Tuesday, Feb. 19, there will be a winter craft program at 6:30 p.m. for children in Grades K-5 sponsored by the NA Women’s Club.

On Friday, Feb. 22, there is Origami Club at 3:30 p.m. for kids in grades 4 and up.

On Thursday, Feb. 28, there is a Tween Book Club at 3:30 p.m. for kids in grades 4-8. For adults: NAPL Sit and Stitch will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m.

If you crochet or knit, and would enjoy gathering with a group of like-minded crafters, join us at a monthly Sit and Stitch at the North Arlington Public Library.

All skill levels are welcome! This is a relaxed and self-directed group.

Mayor Peter Massa has announced that the borough is offering free income tax preparation for qualified North Arlington seniors. Residents 65 or older with earned income of less than $14,000 (does not include pensions, Social Security or retirement income), and less than $2,000 in investment income (bank interest and dividends) qualify for the free tax service. State and federal tax returns will be prepared for qualified seniors by professional tax preparers. The residents must, however, pay a small fee for electronic filing, which is now required by the state and Internal Revenue Service.

Tax preparation will be at the Senior Center on Feb. 21, 24, March 23 and April 11. Appointments and questions regarding eligibility and the cost of e-filing can be made by calling 201-955-2244. Residents should not call Borough Hall for appointments.

Nutley

The Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation is currently accepting applications for the 2013 Girls Softball Program and Travel Softball Program.

The fee for the Recreation Softball Program is $35 per youngster.

The fee for the Travel Softball Program is $40.

Players will be responsible for purchasing their own uniform and helmet.

The basic Recreation Softball Program is open to girls in grades 1 – 8, and the deadline for registration is March 18.

The Travel Softball Program is open to Nutley girls in grades 3-8, and the deadline for Travel sign-ups is March 1.

Please note: Try-outs are required for Travel Softball. The try-out schedule is as follows:

U10 Division, for girls currently in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade who were age 10 as of Jan. 1, 2013: Sunday, March 3, 1:30 to 3 p.m., and Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

U12 Division, girls currently in 5th or 6th grade or 7th graders who were age 12 as of Jan. 1: Sunday, March 3, 3 to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, March 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

U14 Division, girls currently in 7th or 8th grade: Sunday, March 3, 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Thursday, March 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The try-outs will be held in the Parks & Rec gym. Please bring your own glove.

These are try-outs for accomplished players, and games will involve traveling to other communities. Traveling players will be allowed to play Rec softball, but Traveling pitchers can not pitch in Rec.

Online registration is available at www.nutleynj.org or applications may be obtained at the Recreation Department, 44 Park Ave. If you would like further information on the programs, contact Parks & Rec at 973-284-4966.

Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci and the Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation have announced the addition of the Nutley Raiders U14 Elite Baseball Program to the spring sports line-up.

This program is open to Nutley youngsters in grades 7 and 8 who were 14 as of Jan. 1, 2013.

Two try-out dates have been scheduled: Saturday, March 9, at 1 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, at 10 a.m. Both try-outs will be held at Owens Field, located across the street from the Parks and Recreation Building, 44 Park Ave.

All players are required to submit a copy of their birth certificate at try-outs.

The deadline to register is Feb. 22. Applications will not be accepted at the try-outs.

The fee for the program is $195. Players will participate in a 28-game schedule.

A mandatory meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 23 at noon at the Parks/Recreation Building, Room 300.

For further information, contact the Recreation Department at 973-284-4966, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Nutley Free Public Library, 93 Booth Dr., invites the public to view the Tri-County Camera Club’s February photography exhibit, which will be on display through the end of this month.

The Tri-County Camera Club’s February exhibit will feature vivid images of everyday nature captured locally, architectural displays and close-ups from around the world.

This unique display will incorporate various aspects and shooting styles of photography while providing excellent samples of work done by the members of the club.

The club meets regularly at the Nutley High School teachers’ cafeteria on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. Some events planned throughout the coming year will feature a series of informational programs designed to help amateur photographers take a more creative approach to picture taking. The club also offers photography competitions, which enable members to strive to reach their full potential. For further information, please go to the club website at tricountycameraclub.com, or phone 973-820- 7111.

The League of Women Voters annual February exhibit is on display at the library. The exhibit includes photographs and activities held by the LWV through the years, nationally as well as locally.

After a 72 year struggle, when the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote appeared to be a reality, members of the National Suffrage Association met to form the League of Women Voters. The LWV fought to improve our government and engage all citizens in the decisions that impact our lives. Today, the League of Women Voters works to effect change on a wide variety of issues, which are grounded in the League’s respected history.

The Nutley area league was formed in 1924. Voter service through registration of new voters and educating all voters is the main purpose of the LWV activities.

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