Belleville
The Belleville Irish American Association is sponsoring a trip to Wildwood/Smithville/ Ocean City/Atlantic City/ Cape May from Sept. 8 to 12. The $465 per person cost includes hotel, transportation, four breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners. The trip is open to everyone. For itinerary or information, call Pat at 973-751-5308.
Belleville Elks will hold a special Type O blood drive on Wednesday, July 24, at 254 Washington Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m. No appointments are needed. The blood drive is open to Belleville and its surrounding communities. All donors must be at least age 17, weigh at least 120 pounds and be in generally good health. There is no upper age limit for donors provided they meet full health requirements. Donors must bring a signed form of identification. People with a fever or sore throat should wait until they are feeling better before donating and there is a 24-hour deferral for tooth cleanings and fillings.
For those who have recently traveled outside the United States, call the blood center at 973-676-4700, ext. 132, for eligibility criteria.
Bloomfield
The Beach Party Boys will perform their tribute to the Beach Boys as part of Essex County’s free SummerMusic Concert series on Friday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Essex County Brookdale Park, Watchung and Bellevue Aves. The Beach Party Boys have performed throughout North America and in Denmark.
New Jersey Audubon will sponsor a birding hike in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Mill St., on Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 a.m. See a variety of birdlife, from forest birds to ducks and herons. Meet at the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center on Branch Brook Drive between Heller Parkway and Mill St. NJA members pay $6; it’s $8 for non-members. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 or kelly.wenzel@ njaudubon.org for more information and to register.
Another birding hike is planned for Thursday, July 25, at 8:30 a.m. in Essex County Brookdale Park, Bellevue Ave. Tour the rose garden and search for late summer birds and perhaps hummingbirds. Meet in the parking lot at the top of the soccer/football grandstands via the Bellevue Ave. entrance. This is a free hike. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel for more information.
Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center, 240 Belleville Ave., will run a bus trip to Caesar’s Casino in Atlantic City on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The bus will depart Oakeside at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. Participants will enjoy a bagel and juice on the bus and receive $25 in slot play at the casino. The cost is $30 per person. Oakeside will sponsor a trip to Broadway to see the musical “Kinky Boots” on Thursday, Oct. 10. After a buffet dinner at the Oakeside Mansion at 4:30 p.m., participants will board a bus to the theater. The $156 per person cost includes dinner, round-trip bus transportation, mezzanine seats, taxes and tips.
Oakeside will also sponsor a bus trip to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, a 35-acre sculpture garden with over 270 sculptures on Sunday, Oct. 13. Participants can take a self-guided tour or join a docentled tour at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Lunch is available at several venues on site, or participants can pack a picnic lunch. After the sculpture garden, the bus will stop at a nearby Cracker Barrel restaurant and gift shop and will leave at about 6:30 p.m. The cost is $55 per person, which includes the bus and admission to Grounds for Sculpture, but does not include meals.
Reservations are required for all events and must be paid within five days of booking to ensure a place. There are no refunds on paid reservations. Call the Oakeside office at 973-429-0960.
Harrison
The Harrison Public School District will participate in the 2013 Summer Food Service Program through Aug. 8 (Monday to Thursday only from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.). The Summer Food Service program, sponsored by the USDA’s Food And Nutrition Services, provides all children up to age 18 with the same free meal.
Kearny
The Presbyterian Boys-Girls Club, 663 Kearny Ave., will be open during July and August on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Most members and guests are between ages 8 and 15.
The summer program offers basketball, dodgeball, wiffleball, kick ball, gymnastics, bowling, bumper pool, air hockey, foozball, arts and crafts, ping pong and electronic games.
Summer trips are scheduled to Seaside Heights rides and water park (July 31), Bow Craft Amusement and Miniature Golf (Aug. 7) and the Jersey Jackals vs. Newark Bears in baseball (Aug. 14). All trips are chaperoned by PBGC directors.
Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., will host two days of classic Disney double features. Films will be shown downstairs. Popcorn and light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.
Monday, July 22, at 1 p.m. “Rescuers” (78 minutes/rated G), 35th anniversary DVD of this 1977 Disney classic, and at 2:30 p.m. the 1990 sequel, “Rescuers Down Under,” (77 minutes/rated G) will be shown.
Monday, July 29, at 1 p.m. “Mulan” (88 minutes/rated G), 15th anniversary DVD release of this Disney classic and at 2:30 p.m. the 2004 sequel, “Mulan II”, (79 minutes/rated G) will be shown.
Mary’s Traveling Seniors of Kearny is planning a trip to Wildwood Sept. 8-12 (five days, four nights). Price includes: four nights, accommodations in Wildwood, four breakfasts and dinners, three nights of entertainment, a dolphin watch cruise, visit to Cape May and Atlantic City with a bonus rebate, transportation, all taxes, gratuities and luggage handling. Package price is $475 (Double Occupancy); single occupancy is $90 extra. Deposit is $150. Sign up today. Seats are limited. Call Mary at 201-998-1030.
Kingdom Rock VBS is coming to West Hudson Christian Center, 557 Kearny Ave., (across from Lincoln School) Sunday, July 21, to Wednesday, July 24, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. This free kids’ program is open to ages 3-12. Plus, team-building games, nightly dramas, and tasty treats keep everyone on the move. To pre-register in advance (space is limited), visit whccag.org or call 973-704-5422. Registration is also open each night at the door.
Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst Food Pantry, on the first floor of the Municipal Annex, 253 Stuyvesant Ave., is re-stocking. This pantry, which currently serves more than 140 Lyndhurst families in need, welcomes donations of canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, applesauce, condiments, and paper products. No expired items will be accepted. All donations can be dropped off at the pantry. Anyone interested in holding a food drive for the pantry is invited to contact Sarah Anderson with the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2421.
Lyndhurst Youth Roller Hockey League is seeking boys and girls of all ages and levels. Beginners are welcome. The following divisions are available: Mites (grades K-2), Midgets (grades 3-5) and Juniors (grades 6-8). Registration fee is $45 for Lyndhurst residents ($55 after Aug. 1) and $55 for non-residents ($65 after Aug. 1). Applications are available at www.leaguelineup.com/lyhl. Mail or drop off completed applications to: Lyndhurst Youth Hockey League, c/o Lyndhurst Parks Dept., 250 Cleveland Ave., Lyndhurst N.J. 07071. For more information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/lyhl or email lyndhockey@ymail.com.
Join author Tim Austin and relive the days of “Bill Miller’s Riviera: America’s Showplace in Fort Lee.” This free program for seniors will be held at the Meadowlands Environment Center on Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m. Perched on the edge of the Palisades, The Riviera attracted the most sought-after performers of the day. It closed in the 1950s to make way for the Palisades Interstate Parkway. For more information, call 201-460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.
The NJMC is hosting Moth Night on Monday, July 22, from 8:30 to 11 p.m. at DeKorte Park. Learn all about moths, then check out the NMW’s industrial-strength mercury vapor lamps and white sheets to identify various species. The group will also try “sugaring” to attract moths. Check meadowblog.net for lastminute weather updates. To R.S.V.P., contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@ aol.com or 201-230-4983. (Rain date: Tuesday, July 23).
The Lyndhurst Elks will host an Elvis tribute on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Polish National Home, 730 New Jersey Ave. Donation is $20 and includes a light dinner and show. Advance tickets are $20 and $25 at the door.
For tickets or more information, call Julie at 201-424-2659 or Chris at 201-438-2750. Bring a canned good for the Lyndhurst Food Pantry.
Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., will host “Planting the Stars” on Saturday, July 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., presented by food historian Judith Krall-Russo. Bio-dynamic farmers believe that the movements of all heavenly bodies, moons, planets, and stars have an influence on the growth and development of all plants. So the time you choose to sow, plant, harvest, or even weed will affect the plants’ progress and quality. On a lighter side the stars can reveal what foods are best for certain Zodiac signs, from spices, meats, vegetables and even “junk” food! Space is limited so registration is required. Call the library at 201-804-2478, ext. 7, or email romeo@bccls.org to register.
Science meets art in a hands-on event at the library on July 25 at 4:30 p.m. for children ages 7 to 14. Students will get an up-close look at fossils from around the world. Kids will play archaeologist as they create fossil rubbings, dig through sand to uncover “dinosaur bones” and even create a fossil impression out of clay. Registration is required.
North Arlington
The Angry Coffee Bean has a creative writing meeting group on the second and fourth Monday of each month. An open mind and notebook are required. For more information, call 201-772-5554.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, North Arlington will celebrate National Night Out Against Crime. On that evening, residents are encouraged to meet and greet their neighbors. Residents are asked to keep their porch lights on overnight as a sign of neighborhood spirit and unity against crime.
Police Chief Louis M. Ghione invites residents to hold a block party that night. As an incentive to organize a block party, the first 15 blocks organized will receive a free barbecue package, courtesy of the North Arlington Police Crime Prevention Unit.
North Arlington Police Officers and elected officials will visit your block party with giveaways.
Residents interested in organizing a block party are invited to stop by the North Arlington Police Department and pick up an application. The Police Department will seek approval for a street closing from 5 to 9 p.m.
Nutley
Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Dr., will host a drop-in craft activity on Wednesday, July 24, and Friday, July 26, at 10 a.m. on both dates. No registration is required.
Children in grades 3 to 8 can learn to “Tackle Like a Pro” with Coach Thurmond Moor during a one-day clinic on Aug. 10, from 1:30 to 5 p.m., at Msgr. Owens Field in Nutley (rain or shine).
Moore brings 29 years of experience from the NFL, UFL, college and high school programs. He also trains prospects for the NFL draft. The clinic will demonstrate safe and productive tackling techniques and provide valuable resources for coaches on how to teach, diagnose, and assess.
There is a fee of $35 per participant. Online registration is available at www.nutleynj.org. Out-of-towners are welcome. For more information, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 973-284-4966 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In recognition of Jersey Fresh Peach Month in August, the Nutley Farmers Market in Municipal Parking Lot #1 (William St. on the east side of Franklin Ave.) will host a peach party on Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Greenutley Information Booth will have peach samples, brochures, recipe books, and activity worksheets for the kids. Quantities are limited and will be available while supplies last. Also, visit the booth for a chance to win a peach basket.
Local eateries that would like to participate in the recognition of Jersey-Fresh Peach Month, are invited to contact contact Meredith Blank of the Public Affairs Department at 973-284-4976. For information about the Nutley Farmers Market, or any of the other Greenutley Initiatives, visit the Greenutley page of the official township website at www. nutleynj.org or email us at Greenutley@nutleynj.org.
