around town

Belleville 

Mayor Raymond Kimble and the municipal council sponsor an Ecuadorian flag raising in celebration of Ecuadorian Independence Day, at the Municipal Building, Monday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m.

Harrison 

Harrison-East Newark Elks, 408 Harrison Ave., sponsor a charity motorcycle run for veterans on Aug. 16. Check in at the Elks is at 11 a.m. Entry fee is $20. Contact the Elks at 973-485-9478. Return to the Elks after the run for a buffet, pig roast, barbecue and live music. Proceeds benefit the East Orange Veterans Hospital.

The Town of Harrison sponsors a blood drive on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 3 to 7 p.m., at the Recreation Center gym, 401 Warren St. Donors must bring signed/picture ID, eat before donation and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors over age 75 must present a signed document from their doctor stating they can give blood. A complimentary PSA, cholesterol and glucose screening will be provided for all donors. For more information or appointment, contact Community Blood Services at 201-444-3900.

Harrison Lions Club will conduct free vision screenings for children ages 1 to 6 during National Night Out Aug. 4 in Harrison Public Library Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Children will receive a Lions Club balloon and a sticker.

Kearny 

Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., announces the following free events. For more information, call the library at 201-998-2666 or visit www.kearnylibrary.org:

  • A puppet show for children ages 4 to 13 and their families will be held Friday, Aug. 7, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Mighty Puppets presents “The Strange Case of Alex and Alejandro,” about the adventures of a boy named Alex and his best friends, Betsy and Walter. The show will be performed in English and Spanish.
  • A musical performance by jazz quartet Joel Perry and Friends will be presented in the library’s reading garden Thursday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m.

Perry has performed in over 15 countries and has worked with dozens of well-known artists, including Joni Mitchell, Rosemary Clooney and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the performance will be in the lower level assembly room.

  • The library announces an updated schedule for its Superhero Film Festival: “Maleficent” (97 mins./ PG) Friday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m.; “Superman” (143 mins. / PG) Friday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m.; “Hercules” (93 mins. / G) Thursday, Aug. 20, at 4 p.m.; and “The Avengers” (143 mins. / PG-13) Monday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m.
  • Music and Me Story Time, for children up to age 4, is set for Monday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. This program will be first-come, first-served as space allows and parent participation is required.

Kearny Rotary Club sponsors a flea market and collectible show Sunday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., outdoors at Frank Vincent Marina, 205 Passaic Ave., (next to Applebee’s and Burger King). Admission is free. For information, call 201-998-1144 or email events@jcpromotions.info.

Lyndhurst 

The N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority sponsors a free performance by jazz guitarist Rick Pressler and multiinstrumentalist Ken Lipman Friday, Aug. 7, 7:30 to 9 p.m., at River Barge Park, Carlstadt. To register, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov. For more information, call 201-460-4619 or visit communications@njmeadowlands.gov.

Knights of Columbus Council 2396 sponsors a communion breakfast Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m., at the Senior Building on Cleveland Ave. Admission is $7. No tickets will be sold at the door. For tickets, call Steve Cortese at 201-657-0800 or Nick Garafolo at 201-893-2849.

Lyndhurst Elks Lodge 1505 sponsors a golf tournament Friday, Sept. 11, with a shotgun start at 8:15 a.m., at the Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne.

Hole sponsorship is $35 and the cost per golfer is $100, which includes cart, greens fees, hot and cold buffet and two-hour open bar and prizes. Send checks, payable to the Lyndhurst Elks Lodge 1505, to: Mike Lamprecht, 109 Melrose Ave., North Arlington, N.J. 07031.

Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., hosts an ice cream craft, open to grades pre-k to 3, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., in the children’s room. Registration is required.

The Lyndhurst Health Department is collecting new, non-drawstring backpacks and new/gently used school uniforms for the upcoming school year. Donations may be dropped off at the Health Department, 601 Riverside Ave., Suite 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Donations are welcome through Sept. 11. Those with children in need of school supplies are invited to contact the Health Department at 201-804-2500 to schedule a pick-up of the needed supplies.

Lyndhurst Garden Club holds its annual garden exhibit Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Senior Building, 250 Cleveland Ave., with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Student gardeners are welcome. The same day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the club will also conduct its annual indoor garage sale, featuring plants, household items and collectibles. For more information, call 201-939-0033.

North Arlington 

Senior Harmony Club of North Arlington sponsors a trip to Resorts Sept. 10. Cost is $25 and participants receive $25 in slot play at the casino. Call Florence for details and reservations at 201-991-3173.

Nutley

Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, announces the following programs. For more information or to register, visit http://nutleypubliclibrary.org or call 973-667-0405.

  • Reading Buddies Program, open to grades 1 to 5, is set for Thursdays, Aug. 6 and 20, at 2:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required.
  • The film “Selma” will be screened Friday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m.
  • All ages are welcome to participate in Video Game Challenge: Wii U Super Mario Kart Friday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m.
  • Tech Workshop: App Inventor, for grades 3 to 6, is set for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Registration is required. Participants must be Nutley residents.
  • End of Summer Reading Party is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. Celebrate with the science tellers. Big winners will be announced. Registration is required.

Learn more about the writer ...