Around Town

Bloomfield

Bloomfield Public Library’s Book Club will meet on Monday, Feb. 6, from 6:45 to 7:50 p.m. in the conference room to discuss “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides.

Jeffrey Eugenides dazzling second novel tells the story of a Greek-American hermaphrodite. 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.

The Bloomfield Public Library is pleased to present a seminar called “Basics of Banking” on Jan.18 at 2 p.m.

Participants will learn how to recognize the major types of insured financial institutions, basic banking terms, recognize differences between banks and check-cashing services, identify bank employees and their jobs, and the types of accounts and banking services. The program will be presented by Melissa Jaipal, the local branch manager at Sovereign Bank in Bloomfield. She has been with the bank for five months, and has over six years experience in banking.

For more information on this event or upcoming programs, please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

The library will host a seminar called “Saving for College: Understanding Your Options” on Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., presented by Geraldine Callahan, a seasoned financial professional with nearly 10 years in financial services. For more information on this event or upcoming programs please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

The library will host “Keeping it Safe: Identity Protection Education” on Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. This seminar will give you general information on laws that protect consumers. Further information can be found by using the resources listed in your Take-Home Guide, that will be provided. The program will be presented by Melissa Jaipal,

For more information on this event or upcoming programs, please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

“Business Banking 101” will be presented at the library on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m., by Melissa Jaipal For more information on this event or upcoming programs, please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

An educational presentation on Chinese culture will be presented at the library on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. The program will focus on Chinese history and a brief overview of key dynasties, on classic stories and fascinating characters from Chinese literature, and on classical Chinese dance (Shen Yun) and Chinese musical instruments.

For more information on this event or upcoming programs, please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

“Maximizing your Social Security Benefits” will be presented at the library on Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Confused about social security? Learn how to maximize your social security retirement benefits. The seminar will presented by Geraldine Callahan. For more information on this event or upcoming programs, please call (973) 566-6200, ext. 502.

Kearny

Registration for the spring 2012 semester of the Kearny Adult School will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 23, 24 and 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the main office of Kearny High School, 336 Devon St. Brochures indicating course offerings are currently in the mail. If you did not receive one, you may pick up a copy at The Observer, Kearny Library or the Kearny Board of Education office, 100 Davis Ave. For additional information, you may call the Kearny Adult School at 201-955-1392.

Kearny Branch Library, 759 Kearny Ave., will host a special art project honoring Martin Luther King Jr. for children ages 4 and up on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. with art teacher Mrs. Mills. The program will be free of charge. Please bring one or two shoeboxes to make “floats of respect.” All other supplies will be provided by the library. For further information, please call the Main Library at (201) 998-2666.

Check the library’s website www.kearnylibrary.org for more program information.

The Heaven Cent Thrift Shop, located at First Presbyterian Church, 663 Kearny Ave. Kearny, is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a great selection of new and gently used clothing, as well as small household goods. Stop in for great bargains. Donations are always welcome. Use upper Laurel Avenue door.

Lyndhurst

The Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst has placed a decorated Valentine box for veterans on each floor of the Lyndhurst Public Library. Please support this project by placing a valentine card in one of the boxes for a veteran.

The Lyndhurst Health Department will begin a monthly health lecture series, in conjunction with Clara Maass Medical Center. The first lecture will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, starting at 10 a.m. A light breakfast will be served. January’s lecture topic will be First Aid for Seniors. Please call the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2500 to reserve a seat.

The Health Department’s Monday night meditation series resumes on Monday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. There is no fee or pre-registration required. The classes are lead by Lyndhurst resident Parbatie Singh, who was trained at the Oneness University in India and has become a teacher in meditation. This class includes techniques to help with stress and depression, to help one feel a sense of and relaxation.

The winter-spring session of chair yoga, held in conjunction with the Meadowlands Area YMCA, begins on Friday, Feb. 10, at 11:30 a.m. for Lyndhurst residents at the Health Department. There is no fee for this program. Please call 201-804-2500 to register. Registration forms are available at the Health Department.

The winter-spring session of yoga and Zumba will begin on Feb. 6 at the Health Department. There is a $45 fee for Lyndhurst residents and a $75 fee for non-Lyndhurst residents for a 15-week session consisting of one class per week. The following classes are being offered: Yoga on Mondays at 5 p.m., Zumba on Mondays at 7 p.m., Zumba on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., and Zumba Gold on Thursdays 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. Please call 201-804-2500 for more information. Registration forms are available at the Health Department.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, starting at 2:30 p.m., a veteran’s ward party will be held at Chestnut Extended Care facility, in Passaic, American Legion Post 139, Lyndhurst, will provide games of chance that will be played with refreshments to follow for including bed-ridden veterans. An anonymous family is sponsoring the party. If you want more information on how to sponsor a party, please call John Deveney at 201-438-2255.

The New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs is sponsoring a beefsteak dinner fundraiser for Gilda’s Club on Saturday, March 24 at the Lyndhurst senior building. Cost is $45. (snow date will be Sunday, March 25, at 1 p.m.). Featured is comedian/ventriloquist John Pizzi. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets should contact District State Project Chairman Annette Bortone at 201-438-1852 or co-chair of the event Jackie Reformato at 201-935-3567. No one under 18 is permitted.

North Arlington

Senior Harmony Club of North Arlington has scheduled the following trips to the Taj Mahal on Tuesday, Feb. 7, and Tuesday, March 6. You do not have to be a member of the club to attend. For information or to make a reservation, call Florence at 201-991-3173.

Nutley

Alex Lidell, young adult fantasy author, will share her knowledge of the commercial publishing process at the next meeting of Nutley Public Library’s Pen to Prose Writing Group on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Alex Lidell is a young adult author and Nutley resident. Her fantasy novel “Cadet of Tildor”, a finalist in Amazon’s 2010 ABNA competition, is upcoming from Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin). Learn more about Lidell at www.alexlidell.com. Lidell will remain with the group for the critique session.

BabyGarten for Infants and Toddlers, from birth to 22 months, and their caregivers, will be held at the Nutley Public Library on Monday, Feb. 6, 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The program includes books, nursery rhymes, playtime, and meet other babies from the Nutley area. Registration is required.

The library’s Monday Night Book Club will meet on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. to discuss “A Death in the Family” by James Agee. The group meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Newcomers are welcome.

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