Belleville
Belleville Elks, 254 Washington Ave., will sponsor a special Type O blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. No appointments are needed. The drive is open to residents of the surrounding communities and all blood types are accepted. All donors will be given a miniphysical. Donors must be at least age 17 and weigh at least 120 lbs. There is no upper age limit for donors. People with a fever or sore throat should wait until they are feeling better for donations and there is a 24-hour deferral for tooth cleanings and fillings. For those who have recently traveled outside the United States, please call the blood center at 973-676-4700, ext. 132 for eligibility criteria.
Kearny
Grace UMC, First Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Churches of Kearny will host a Blue Christmas/Longest Night service at Grace UMC, 380 Kearny Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. This service is to acknowledge feelings of sadness, loneliness and even hopelessness during the holiday season. For more information, contact Rev. Gary at gfrieze@hotmail.com or call 201-835-7715.
Knox Presbyterian Church, 36 Kearny Ave., will hold a Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m. in the MacMillan Chapel.
Lyndhurst
The Lyndhurst Volunteer Fire Department is running its annual fund drive and would like to thank everyone who has already donated. The Fire Department is looking for continued support from those who would still like to donate as general donations are down about 20% from last year. Please see the request letter in the mail and send donations directly to the Lyndhurst Volunteer Fire Dept., 299 Delafield Ave., Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071. Your support is greatly appreciated as we continue to protect our community.
Lyndhurst Knights of Columbus Special Holiday Communion Breakfast will be held on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the Lyndhurst Senior Building, 250 Cleveland Ave. Breakfast will be served from 10 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $7 each. No tickets will be sold at the door. Pick up tickets at Sacred Heart Rectory, 324 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst or call 201- 438-1147 or contact Sal Russo at 201-446-7244 or Nick Garafolo at 201-893- 2849.
The Meadowlands Environment Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, will host a special Winter Solstice celebration on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. Welcome the first day of winter with an evening of astronomy and solstice traditions. Build your own comet, make a Yule log, create and eat Asian riceball solstice treats, and much more. Recommended for all ages. Adults must accompany children. Pre-registration required; Admission is $5/ person; $4/MEC members. Call 201-460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec for more information.
Nutley
The Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation announces that tickets are now on sale for “The Music Man,” which will be performed at John Walker Middle School on Jan. 10, 11 and 12. Forty-four students (grades 3-12) have been hard at work to bring this musical production to the stage. Performances are scheduled Jan. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for adults are $10 in advance/$15 at the door; students and senior citizens, $5 in advance/$8 at the door; children age 5 & under, $5. To purchase tickets, contact Maryann Fitzpatrick at 973- 580-0236 or email NutleyMusicMan13@ gmail.com.
Conversational ESL classes will be held every Wednesday, starting Jan. 2, at 10 a.m. at Nutley Public Library. No registration is required.
Adult Scrabble Night will be held at the library on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. Prizes awarded for first and second place scores. No registration is required.
Friday Film: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” will be shown at the library on Friday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. A new film is shown the first Friday of each month. Please check the library’s event calendar for names of films.
The library’s Tuesday Evening Knitting Club will next meet on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. (due to Tuesday holiday). Come share your love of knitting and crocheting with both beginning and experienced knitters. Meet fellow knitters, brush-up on your skills, and learn some new techniques. Please bring your own supplies. This group meets the first Tuesday of every month.
Wednesday Afternoon Knitters meet every week at 1 p.m. at the library. This group is for both beginning and experienced knitters. Please bring your own supplies.
The library’s Monday Night Book Club will meet on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. to discuss “The Reliable Wife” by Robert Goolrock. The club meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Newcomers are welcome.
Patrons are invited to play bridge at the library on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 8, next month, at 1 p.m. No registration is required.
