Belleville
Belleville Public Library, 221 Washington Ave., will offer a craft program, “Let it Snow,” on Dec. 12. Registration is required. To register, call 973- 450-3434.
The American Legion, 621 Washington Ave., hosts a fundraiser for Toys for Belleville Tots on Dec. 11, from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is a new toy or $10 donation.
The Woman’s Club of Belleville meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse, 51 Rossmore Place. Prospective members are welcome. For more information, contact Terry Landon at 973-751-6529.
Clara Maass Medical Center is sponsoring a Breast Cancer Support Group that will meet on Monday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m., at the Cancer Center at Clara Maass Medical Center, 1 Clara Maass Drive. Registration is required. To register, contact Raylene Langish at 973-450-2332 or rlangish@barnabashealth.org. Dates are subject to change.
Clara Maass Medical Center will also offer a series of parent education classes for which pre-registration is required. To register, call 1-888-724-7123, ext. 4. Here’s the schedule:
- Welcome Baby! Sibling Program will be on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, when pre-school and young school aged children are introduced to the exciting role of being an older sibling to help them feel involved. Cost is $15 per child.
- A class on the basics of breast feeding is set for Monday, Dec. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $25 per person.
- Weekend Childbirth Series is set for Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, and Sunday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. This class provides information on the birth process, relaxation and breathing techniques, medication and postpartum adjustment. Cost is $100 for couples who will be delivering at Clara Maass Medical Center and $120 for all other couples.
- Baby Shower Infant Care Class takes place Wednesday, Dec. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. For families planning to deliver at Clara Maass Medical Center, this program covers basic infant care, safety and postpartum concerns. A physician signature on the registration form is required to attend.
Kearny
Presbyterian Boys and Girls Club, 663 Kearny Ave., will hold its annual Christmas dance on Friday, Dec. 11, from 7 to 10 p.m. The dance will be supervised by PBGC Executive Director Tom Fraser and members from the Board of Directors. The dance is for teenagers only.
Kearny Elks Hoop Shoot basketball contest will be held at the PBGC on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. Children ages 8 to 13 are eligible. Participants must bring their birth certificate. For more information, call Fraser at 201-991-6732 or Ron Pickel at 201-463-8447.
Kearny Aerie 2214, Fraternal Order of Eagles, will conduct a canning fundraiser on Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, outside various local businesses, including Kearny Bank, Mid- Town Drugs and D&F Deli. Donations will go to charities, such as veterans groups, and to town recreation departments, schools, etc.
The Eagles will also conduct a blood drive on Monday, Dec. 21, from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Kearny Aerie site, 164 Midland Ave. To make an appointment, visit www.Tinyurl. com/FOE2214BloodDrive. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring ID and eat before donating blood. All donors will receive a pair of movie tickets for donating. For information about donor eligibility, call the N.Y. Blood Center at 1-800-933- 2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.
Kearny UNICO hosts a pancake breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec.12, at Applebee’s, 175 Passaic Ave., from 8 to 10 a.m. A toy will be provided to each child who attends. Tickets are $10 per child and adult. To purchase advance tickets, contact Joe at 201-998-6879 or Judy at 201-991-5812 or Lou at 201- 368-2409. Tickets will also be available at the door. There will also be a raffle for a Christmas stocking filled with toys and a 50-50 raffle.
Grace United Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Ave., hosts the following programs:
- Join in a discussion on the history of Christmas on Sundays, through Dec. 20, at noon each day. For more information, contact the Rev. Gary Frieze at gfrieze@hotmail. com.
- Enjoy the Christmas shopping spree and supper on Dec. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Shop for hand-crafted decorations, candies, cookies, wreaths and more. The supper includes soup, sandwich, dessert and beverage for $8. For more information, call 201-991-1132. Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., announces the following programs:
- Here’s a schedule for holiday family films being screened: “Thomas’ Christmas Carol” – Thursday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m.; two animated shorts, “The Snowman” and “The Snowman and the Snowdog” – Friday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m.; “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” – Thursday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.; “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas” – Monday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m.; “Polar Express” – Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m.; and “Frozen” – Thursday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m.
- Star Wars Appreciation Day activities are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. The event includes games, chocolate molding and a theatrical presentation of “The Empire Strikes Back” as a vintage radio play by actors from Raconteur Radio. Admission is free. Seating will be limited to 100, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- An Indian cooking demonstration is set for Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. Plan on arriving early since seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Preschool Story Time with adult participation for ages up to 4 is set for Tuesdays, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. This class repeats on Thursdays, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No classes on Dec. 10, 22, 24 and 29.
- Branch Library Preschool Story Time with parent participation for ages up to 4 will take place on Wednesdays, from 10:15 to 11 a.m. The Branch Library is located at 759 Kearny Ave. No class on Dec. 30.
- Join the children’s room staff for a holiday celebration from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Enjoy holiday crafts and refreshments.
No need to register, but seating is limited. For more information, call the children’s room at 201-998-2666.
Lyndhurst
Children in grades pre-k to 4 are invited to wear their dressy holiday attire and take a picture with Santa at Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., on Wednesday, Dec.16, at 6:45 p.m. Registration is required so call in advance. To register, call the library at 201-804- 2478.
Mary Lou Mullins’ monthly bus trip to Atlantic City is set for Sunday, Dec. 13, going to Resorts Casino. This month’s trip will be in a special Christmas party bus. Call Mary Lou at 201-933-2186 for reservations.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announces its Third Tuesday of the Month Nature Walk, led by the Bergen County Audubon Society, at DeKorte Park on Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no charge. For more information, call 201- 230-4983 or email greatauk4@gmail.com.
North Arlington
North Arlington Police Chief John Hearn and the Police Department Crime Prevention and Community Relations Unit are conducting their annual holiday toy drive. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the police department through Dec. 11. Toys will be distributed to children in area hospitals, local families and others in need.
North Arlington Senior Activity Center, 11 York Road, hosts a holiday celebration on Friday, Dec. 11, starting with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Bingo at 10:30 a.m., lunch at noon and entertainment and a raffle from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information and for reservations, call 201-998- 5636.
North Arlington Woman’s Club hosts a beefsteak dinner and Tricky Tray fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 11, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus hall, 194 River Road. Tickets are $40 (50/50 and raffle tickets sold separately). For tickets, call Christine at 201-577-1088 or Mary Ann at 201-997-8915.
Proceeds help support local needy families during the holidays and groups such as North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Squad, HANDS, Inc., the Salvation Army and many other local, state and international organizations.
Nutley
Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, announces the following programs. For more information or to register for programs, call 973-667-0405. Registration is required only where noted. These programs are for Nutley residents only.
- Manga/Anime Club for grades 7 to 12 meets on Friday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m., for a holiday party.
- Tuesday Night Graphic Novel Club for adults meets on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. to discuss “Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon” by Matt Fraction. Copies of each book are available at the library. Register online at nutleypubliclibrary.org/graphicnovelclub or by phone at 973-667-0405, ext. 2604.
- Hooked-on-Books Club, for grades 4 to 6, meets on Friday, Dec. 18, at 3:30 p.m. Registration is required online. Nutley residents will receive priority registration.
Holy Family Rosary Society sponsors a Christmas party open to all parishioners and friends on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Good Shepherd Academy, 24 Brookline Ave., at 7 p.m. The event includes a full buffet dinner from Ralph’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, desserts from Gencarelli’s Bakery and live entertainment. Admission is $30. For tickets and more information, call Josephine Russo at 973-667-7850.
