around town

Harrison

Harrison/East Newark Elks sponsor a Hoop Shoot basketball shoot-out contest, open to ages 7 to 13, on Sunday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Community Center, 401 Warren St.

Kearny

St. Stephen’s Church hosts a coat drive Saturday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the lower church hall (enter via Washington Ave.). Coats, sweaters and sweatshirts will be accepted. Anyone wish to recommend a community member in need is asked to stop by at 11 a.m. For more information, call 732-552-8039 or 201-991-0670.

A cat food drive is being conducted through Dec. 12 for Kearny’s TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) program. Drop off cat food donations at K-9 Corner, 169 Midland Ave. at Elm St.

A motorcycle run/toy drive for St. Claire’s Homes for Children kicks off at the Elks Lodge, 601 Elm St., Sunday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants are asked to bring a $20 registration fee and a new, unwrapped toy. No stuffed animals are accepted. The lodge hosts an after-run party for riders.

Those who don’t wish to participate in the run can still drop off donations at the lodge or at Arlington Lawn Mower, 483 Schuyler Ave., between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For more information, call Paul at 201-991-1076 or 201- 726-2315. Visit www.aidsresource.org.

The Kearny Elks Lodge conducts its Hoop Shoot, open to ages 8 to 13, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Presbyterian Boys/Girls Club, 663 Kearny Ave. Participants must bring their birth certificate. For more information, call Tom Fraser, executive director of the PBGC at 201-991-6734 or Ron Pickel at 201-463-8447.

The Presbyterian Boys- Girls Club, 663 Kearny Ave. hosts its annual Turkey Day dance Friday, Nov. 21, 7 to 10 p.m. Guests are restricted to teenagers. Prizes will be given to the best dancers.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst Public Library, 353 Valley Brook Ave., hosts a screening of “It’s Thanksgiving Charlie Brown,” open to pre-k to grade 4, Monday, Nov. 24, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Registration is required. To register, call the library at 201-804- 2478.

Lyndhurst Health Department, 601 Riverside Ave., Suite 1, holds a blood screening Friday, Dec. 5, at the Community Center at Riverside and Tontine Aves. Appointments begin at 8 a.m. This service is available to Lyndhurst residents ages 18 and older for a $20 fee. Pre-registration is required. For appointments, call 201-804-2500. Payments can be submitted in cash or checks, payable to Medical Laboratory Diagnostics.

Lyndhurst American Legion Post 139 Rehabilitation Committee holds a ward party for veterans at Chestnut Hill Extended Care Facility, Passaic, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 2:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Claire Wertalik in memory of James Wertalik who served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, 1949 to 1951. Post members play games of chance with hospitalized veterans and distribute treats to them. Anyone interested in sponsoring a ward party is invited to call 201-438-2255.

The Humane Society, 221- 223 Stuyvesant Ave., invites members of the community to bring children and pets for photos with Santa Sunday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are available, but walk-ins are also welcome. All pictures will be taken by a professional photographer. Proceeds benefit the animals at the Humane Society. Photos with an attractive holiday folder cost $10. A CD of all pictures taken is available for $20. For more information, call 201-896-9300.

North Arlington

North Arlington Senior Activity Center, 11 York Road, hosts a holiday celebration Friday, Dec. 12. Bingo starts at 10:30 a.m., lunch is served at noon and dancing begins at 1:30 p.m. For more information and reservations, call 201-998- 5636.

North Arlington Woman’s Club sponsors a trip to the Sands Casino, Bethlehem, Pa., on Dec. 6. The bus leaves from Borough Hall at 9 a.m. Cost is $30 with $20 slot return and $5 food voucher. For information, call 201-889-2553.

Nutley

Children can deliver letters to Santa Claus at the special “Santa Express Mailbox” starting Friday, Nov. 28, at the Park Oval entrance on Chestnut St., in conjunction with Santa’s arrival at the Oval. The last day of collection will be Wednesday, Dec. 17. Children must include their age and return address on each letter. Santa doesn’t always have the luxury of time to look up addresses during the busy holiday season. For more information, contact the Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

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