December 2016
Seasonal fun on tap in Bloomfield
Here's the holly jolly December line-up of Township-sponsored seasonal programs: 

Holiday Tree Lighting - Singing, Santa and sweets, Monday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.

Children's Holiday Program - Arts and crafts, tasty treats, face painting, Santa photos and more, on Dec. 10.

House Decorating Contest - Apply your best sense of seasonal décor, then submit a photo for a chance to win a free family dinner at Angelo's.

Click here for details on all programs.
Sign up for Winter Recreation programs
       Registration for winter recreation programs begins Wednesday, Dec. 7. Get complete listings and sign-up details by going in person to the Civic Center, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Or register online 24 hours a day at www.bloomfieldrecreation.org. All programs begin in January. Here's is a taste of forthcoming selections:
      * Adults: Yoga, Pilates, Zumba.
      * Children: Karate, Magic, Dance, Robotics, Toddler Tumbling, Art, Baton.
      * New for 2017: Introduction to Improvisation, for grades 1-4 and 5-8.
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Adults: Gather a hoops group for winter fun
       * Co-Ed Open-Gym Basketball - Men and women 18 and older can shoot baskets and play pick-up games at Bloomfield High School. Thursdays, 8 to 9:45 p.m., starting Dec. 8 and continuing through Feb. 23.
      * Men's Basketball League - Men 18 and older are invited to form teams. Games at Bloomfield Middle School will run from mid-January to mid-March.
      Click here for details on both opportunities.
Contribute baby and food items for Bloomfield's needy
       From Dec. 5 through Jan. 14, the Martin Luther King Day of Service Committee will be collecting baby items and nonperishable foods for our community's less fortunate. During the six-week drive, look for MLK Service Day donation bins. For bin locations and donation suggestions in both categories, click here.
      The dual charity drive is a run-up to the MLK Day of Service event on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Berkeley Elementary School. (More details in the January-June print edition of The Bloomfield BUZZ.)

Give the gift of community reading
       This holiday season, give a gift to the entire community. Bloomfield Public Library has an Amazon "wish list" of books. By browsing the list, choosing and purchasing a selection, you can add to the library's book collection, which is available to all library patrons. If you like, donate in honor of a friend or family member, or in memory of a loved one. Browse the wish list registry.

       Movies, Tutoring, Club Events and Children's Programs - Check out all the December activities at your library. Click here 
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For your seasonal listening pleasure
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       * Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, will perform on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. in the Bloomfield Public Library. Admission is free.
       * Bloomfield Chorale Holiday Concert and Carol Sing - Enjoy a concert of traditional and contemporary holiday music on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. at Watchung Presbyterian Church,
375 Watchung Avenue in Bloomfield.  Light refreshments follow the show. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, or $5 for students and seniors. Details at Blo omfieldChorale@gmail.com or  (973) 204-3054.
       * L ive Nativity with Music - Come to Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green (147 Broad Street) on Friday, Dec. 16, when the church campus will be transformed as Judean hill country. In three re-enactments, Mary and Joseph will make their way to the stablein Bethlehem to adore the newborn king. The Bloomfield Chorale will perform at all three tours. Times are at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (bilingual), and 8 p.m.
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Holiday garbage/recycling pickup delays announced
       * Christmas Week - DPW pickups will be suspended on Monday, Dec. 26. For those with normal Monday recycling, the delayed pickup will be Tuesday, Dec. 27. For those with normal Monday garbage pickup, delayed pickup of garbage and bulk garbage will be Thursday, Dec. 29.  
       * New Year's Week - DPW pickups will be suspended on Monday, Jan. 2. For those with a normal Monday garbage date, pickup of garbage and bulk garbage will be Thursday, Jan. 5 - the only pickup for the week. For those with normal Monday recycling dates, pickup will be Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Avoid towing - use DPW's snow plowing advisory
       Cars parked on critical streets during snow emergencies will be towed by police. Find out where to safely move your car when necessary. Download the Snow Plowing Advisory  from the Bloomfield Department of Public Works & Parks.
In 2017, join the Historical Society
       Do you enjoy local history? If so, then start your new year right by joining the Historical Society of Bloomfield. Meet similarly-minded neighbors, enjoy walking tours, bus tours, cemetery tours, ice cream socials and local history presentations. An award-winning newsletter is included with membership. Dues are tax deductible.  Click here to download a membership form. For meeting dates and other information, call (973) 743-8844 or e-mail  info@hsob.org.
Time for tea with Mrs. Claus!
       Enjoy a story, tea, finger sandwiches, cookies and fun with Mrs. Claus. On Saturday, Dec. 10, Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center will host its popular holiday "Tea with Mrs. Claus" for children ages two to eight (with adult). Children will enjoy arts and crafts, and each child will receive a framed picture with Mrs. Claus. The cost is $15 for children and $12 for adults. Seatings will be 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For details or reservations, call (973) 429-0960.
Free 2-hour holiday parking most of December
       Get two hours of free parking every day between Dec. 10 and Dec. 30. The Bloomfield Parking Authority is offering holiday good will on short-term meters throughout town. Look for meters covered in green fabric bags that say "Happy Holidays." The two-hour limit will be enforced to accommodate as many shoppers as possible. Violations will be issued for exceeding the privilege. All other parking regulations will remain in effect. For details, call (973) 680-8960. 
       There will be no parking enforcement at meters or in permit parking lots from Dec. 24 to 26 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. The BPA office will be closed on those dates.
'Improv Mania' is coming!
       Three comedy troupes will battle for improv supremacy on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Enjoy the laughs with Nutty By Nature, Sparks of Insanity and On The Spot -- all appearing at NJSDA Black Box Theatre at 59 Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield. Details at (973) 566-9700, x5.
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It's holiday season for animals too!
       Eight dollars buys Fido a tube of antibiotic ointment, and $18 gets him a case of Science Diet dog food. Small and large donations are welcome during the Holiday Donation Drive organized by the Supporters of the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. From now through the end of the year, the nonprofit organization is holding a drive to cover non-routine expenses. Your generosity could help pay for extraordinary medical expenses, behavioral modification/training, or special food and equipment. To see how your donation (even a small one) can help, and where to send it, click here.
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Monster Jam, Harlem Globetrotters and Pro Hockey
Three group events with Bloomfield Recreation

       The Bloomfield Recreation Department offers three fun-filled excursions to special events at Prudential Center in Newark this winter. Tickets for all three go on sale starting Dec. 7 and are expected to sell out quickly. For more details on winter trips, visit www.bloomfieldrecreation.org.       

       Monster Jam "Triple Threat Series - Saturday, Jan. 28 at Prudential Center in Newark. See seven competitions in three vehicle categories: trucks, speedsters and ATVs. Tickets are $35, including bus transportation to and from Newark. Meet at the Civic Center by 11:30 a.m. for departure at 11:45 a.m. sharp. Showtime is 1 p.m.
       The Harlem Globetrotters - Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Witness ball handling wizardry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment. Join Bloomfield Recreation and Globetrotter stars for a group photo at half time. Tickets are $40. Transportation is not included.     
       NJ Devils vs. NC Hurricanes - Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40. Transportation is not included.
Senior Club Meeting  
and Christmas Lunch
       The Bloomfield Senior Club's December meeting and Christmas lunch will take place Friday, Dec. 9 at the Civic Center, 84 Broad Street. The classic film, "White Christmas," starring Bing Crosby will be shown. To learn about more December events for seniors, click here.
December Town Council meetings
* Dec. 5, 7 p.m., conference meeting, Law Enforcement Building, room 205.
* Dec. 12, conference meeting, 6 p.m.; regular meeting, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, Municipal Building, second floor.
E-BUZZ Editor Robin Patric  |  908-823-9001  |  rpatric@comcast.net