Around Town

Belleville 

Belleville Public Library and Information Center, 221 Washington Ave., hosts The Mad Scientist’s Laboratory, involving crafts and activities, on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., open to all ages. The August schedule: “Rocket Power,” Aug. 5; “To the Stars,” Aug. 12; “What Planet,” Aug. 19; and “Alien Life,” Aug. 26.

The library will screen these children’s films on Fridays at 2 p.m.: “Ice Age,” Aug. 1; “Monsters vs. Aliens,” Aug. 8, “The Lego Movie” Aug. 15, “Happy Feet” Aug. 22 and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” on Aug. 29.

Bloomfield 

The Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series presents Jersey Sound and Almost Queen in a rock and roll show Friday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Brookdale Park. Jersey Sound is one of the Tri-State area’s premier oldies band, and Almost Queen is a tribute band featuring the songs of the 1970s group Queen. Admission is free.

The Fab Four come to Bloomfield in a free concert Friday, Aug. 8, when the Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series hosts the Beatles tribute band, featuring former cast members of the Broadway show “Beatlemania,” at 7:30 p.m. in Brookdale Park. For more information, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑239-2485.

Harrison 

Harrison will mark National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with a program co-sponsored by the Harrison Police Department and Harrison/East Newark Elks. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 5, residents are asked to lock their doors, turn out outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. During those hours, members of the Harrison Police Department and Elks will gather at Roosevelt Park, in front of the Harrison Public Library, along Harrison Ave., to meet residents and share strategies about stopping crime and educating folks about drugs. There will also be games and giveaways for children, along with music and food.

Kearny 

Kearny’s National Night Out celebration, sponsored by the Kearny Police Department, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., on Belgrove Drive at Veterans Field. The event will feature live music, a bounce house, spin art, balloon artists, a classic car show and demonstrations by the Hudson County Corrections K-9 unit, Kearny Fire Department and NorthStar Helicopter.

Summer vacation Bible School will be open from Sunday, Aug. 10 to Thursday, Aug. 14, 6 to 8 p.m. each night, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 342 Elm St. All ages are welcome.

“Princess” double features will be screened on the lower level of the Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., on Fridays throughout the summer. Refreshments will be served. Here’s the schedule: Aug. 1 – “Cinderella” (G) at 1 p.m. and “The Swan Princess” (G) at 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 8 – “Beauty and the Beast” (G) at 1 p.m. and “Brave” (PG) at 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 15 – “Shrek” (PG) at 1 p.m. and “The Princess Bride” (PG) at 2:30 p.m.; and Aug. 22 – “Aladdin” (G) at 1 p.m. and “Princess and the Frog” (G) at 2:30 p.m.

Mary’s Traveling Seniors sponsors a five-day, four-night trip to Wildwood, Sept. 14 to 18. Final payment is due by Aug. 1. Price includes transportation, accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, entertainment, dolphin watch cruise, a visit to Cape May and Atlantic City. Cost for double occupancy is $482 and single is $90 additional. A deposit of $150 per person is required. For reservations and more information, call Mary at 201-998-1030.

Lyndhurst 

Join Special Angels Recreation, an organization for special needs children, as they take on the Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad in a kickball game Aug. 16, at 9 a.m., at the Lyndhurst Little League field on Riverside Ave. After the game, there will be fun activities for all. For more information or to learn how to participate, call 201-804- 2469 or email recruitment@emergencysquad.com.

The Lyndhurst Health Department is collecting donations for students in need. Items welcomed include backpacks, marble composition books, notebooks, dividers, loose paper, crayons, and 3-ring binders. Donations can be dropped off at the Health Department, 601 Riverside Ave., Suite 1, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations should be made prior to Aug. 31. People with children in need of school supplies are asked to contact the Health Department at 201-804-2500 to schedule a pick-up of the needed supplies. Be prepared to give child’s gender and grade level.

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society announce that the First Sunday-of-the-Month Bird Walk is set for Sunday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. in DeKorte Park. The walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. Participants are asked 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 or call 201-230-4983.

NJMC Pontoon Boat Cruises are set for 5:30 p.m. for Aug. 5, 7, 13 and 15, departing from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. Experienced NJMC staff lead this two-hour cruise of the Hackensack River. Cost is $15 per person. Cruises are recommended for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration is required. For a complete schedule of trips, directions, and to register, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov and go to the Parks and Nature Programs tab at the top of the page, or call 201-460-4677.

Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., announces:

• Children of all ages are welcome for a screening of “Ratatouille!” on Monday, Aug. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration is required.

• Children in grades pre-k to 3 can make their very own watermelon craft on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Registration is required.

North Arlington

The North Arlington Woman’s Club holds a flapjack breakfast Saturday, Aug. 23, 8 to 10 a.m., at Applebee’s Restaurant in Kearny. The cost is $10. For tickets, call 201-889-2553.

Chief Louis M. Ghione of the North Arlington Police Department announces that National Night Out is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 5. Residents are encouraged to meet their neighbors and leave a porch light on overnight as a show of unity against crime.

Borough residents are invited to a free outdoor concert featuring the Duprees Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at Riverside County Park. This concert is co-sponsored by the Borough Recreation Department and Inserra ShopRite.

Food vendors will be available at the park. Residents are advised to bring their own lawn chairs.

The Duprees are known for their romantic interpretations of some of the most popular songs from the ’50s and ’60s.

Nutley 

Story time, crafts and more are planned for this August at Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive. For more information or to register for programs, call the library at 973-667-0405 or visit http://nutleypubliclibrary.org. Here’s the schedule:

• Two-Year-Old Story Time will be held Friday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. Registration is required and participants must be Nutley residents.

• Drop-in Craft session for children is set for Monday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m. (while supplies last).

• Family Game Night is open to all ages at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.

• Play Tuesday is open to children of all ages on Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. • Static Science, a workshop program, is offered Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 2:30 p.m., for ages 8 and up.

• End-of-Summer Reading Treat Party is set for Thursday, Aug. 7, at 1:30 p.m., and features a live reptile show. Children must be registered for summer reading to attend.

• “Happy Birthday, Annie Oakley,” a program on the famous sharpshooter and onetime township resident, is set for Saturday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. Local historian Nancy Greulich will appear as Oakley. The event, open to all ages, includes a craft and birthday treats.

• A screening of “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is set for Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. as part of the library’s First Friday Films program. A new film is shown the first Friday of each month. Check the library’s event calendar for a film schedule.

Learn more about the writer ...