February 2016
February 2016

It's the Foodtown welcome event! 
     
       You are invited to celebrate the opening of Jack's Super Foodtown at 296  Glenwood Avenue. Bloomfield Center Alliance's "Welcome to Bloomfield" event will take place Saturday, Feb. 6 from 1 to 2 p.m.  Mayor Michael Venezia, local business owners, and other public officials will welcome owner Jack Shakoor and his staff to our community. It's your opportunity to check out the new addition to downtown Bloomfield while enjoying complimentary food and drinks.

February 2016
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Get in the groove 
with Pittman & Daniels
       The renowned Reggie Pittman & Loren Daniels Quartet will perform live at Bloomfield Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 27 at   4 p.m. Come hear what the online music store cdbaby terms a "grooving and stylistically varied" acoustic performance.

Other February library events: 
       * Bloomfield Library Book Club reviews "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
       * Social Security Planning for Boomers
Learn More about all events. 
DPW holds shredding day April 23
       Just in time for you to ditch tax season documents, the Bloomfield Department of Public Works is holding a paper shredding day on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at 155 Broad Street (Board of Education parking lot).
Please don't collect recycling in plastic bags
     Bloomfield DPW reminds residents not to use plastic bags to collect recycling. Instead, go to 230 Grove Street, the public works yard, to get a free recycling bin. You can also pick up stickers for extra bins.
February 2016
Plenty of recreation on tap this winter
     
     Here's what's in store this month from your Bloomfield Recreation Department:
     * Trip to the Sands, Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 15.
     * Trip to Prudential Center in Newark to see the New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay, Feb. 26.
     * Trip to Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus at Prudential Center, March 12.
     * Winter softball clinics start in mid-February.
     * Registration for spring season girls softball is under way now.
     * Let the Recreation Department babysit for you. It's fun for your kids! Feb. 12, Feb. 16 and Feb. 17.  
     Learn more about all!
Youth Band performs 'Music from Near and Far'
      The Bloomfield Youth Band will continue its 30th anniversary season on Saturday, March 12 with an 8 p.m. performance at Bloomfield Middle School. Founding Director Patrick Burns will lead the band in a collection of tunes called "Music from Near and Far." General admission will be $15; $10 with a concert ad/flyer printed from the Youth Band website. Details at www.bloomfieldyouthband.org.
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Beat the winter blues by singing 
      The Bloomfield Chorale welcomes music-loving men and women from Bloomfield and surrounding towns. Previous choral experience is preferred but not required. Practice sessions are Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street. Tenor and bass singers are especially welcome. Details on Facebook, or email [email protected]
February 2016
Hey birthday girl or boy!

     How 'bout a Facebook or Twitter shout-out from the Bloomfield Police on your special day? Each month in 2016, Bloomfield Police will choose one child among all first to sixth graders for birthday recognition on police department social media sites. The lucky kid will also get a private pizza party with one or more officers during school lunch. To register, go to www.BloomfieldPDNJ.com.

      Have a cuppa jo and a chat - Arrange a private one-on-one discussion with Bloomfield officers. It's Bloomfield's Coffee with A Cop program. Contact Officer Robert Kish, (973) 259-3153 or [email protected].

      Learn more about Neighborhood Watch .
Meetings you should attend

The Bloomfield Safety Council
will meet at the Civic Center on Thursday, March 10, at 11 a.m. The council promotes safety in the home, school and work to preserve life, protect property and prevent personal injury. Representatives of local government, educational and health agencies, businesses, service clubs and other organizations meet six times a year. All meetings are open to the public. For information, contact President Len Roberts at (973) 748-9000, x1242 or [email protected].
The Bloomfield Art League will hold an open meeting on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center. The league is looking for fresh operating ideas and volunteers to help organize exhibits, market events, maintain finances, update web pages or photograph events. A paid workshop teacher is also being sought. Come to the meeting and learn more or email questions to [email protected].
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Explore Bloomfield's past
HSOB Museum celebrates 50 years throughout 2016

      The Historical Society of Bloomfield Museum is marking a half-century of historical caretaking this year. Do yourself a cultural favor and go see the collection of furniture, clothing and accessories, tools, household articles, paintings, toys, posters, memorabilia, dioramas, maps, newspapers, and documents of all kinds. All are welcome to research family histories, maps and directories. The museum is on the third floor of the children's library at 90 Broad Street. Hours are Wednesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, and by appointment. Information at (973) 743-8844 or www.hsob.org.

February 2016
Free blood pressure 
and diabetes screenin gs
      The Bloomfield Nursing Division offers the following free screenings in the month of February. For details, call (973) 680-4058.
 
Blood Pressure
Thursday, Feb. 4 and 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Nursing Office
Tuesday, Feb 9 and 16, 11 a.m. - noon - Civic Center
Friday, Feb 19, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Civic Center
NEW: Thursday, Feb. 11; 10 a.m - noon - Brookdale ShopRite

Diabetes
NEW: Thursday, Feb. 25; 10 a.m. - noon - Brookdale ShopRite
February Town Council meetings
* Feb. 1, 6 p.m., conference meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2nd floor.
* Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2nd floor.
* Feb. 22, 7 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2nd floor.
February 2016
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Zika Virus: What you need to know
     Zika virus, spread by the same mosquito that can spread dengue fever and chikungunya virus, has arrived in the United States. Symptoms begin three to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito and include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
     According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon." There are precautions for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. For details, visit the CDC Zica virus site, or email Bloomfield Health Education Specialist  Michael Hodges.
February 2016
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Drivers: Take the pledge and get a magnet
     Sign a pledge to drive safely on Bloomfield streets and you'll get a "Let's Yield in Bloomfield" car magnet to declare your safety consciousness. 
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Get Bloomfield's new reverse 911 system
     Reverse 911 isn't just for emergencies any more. Swift911 is coming to Bloomfield on March 7, replacing Code Red, the township's long-time community notification system. Residents and businesses will continue to be informed in emergencies. But now, you can also choose to receive notices about:
    * Targeted events, i.e., water main breaks or utility outages in specific neighborhoods.
    * General municipal information, i.e., recycling, garbage, taxes, or health department programs.
    SWIFT911 will deliver pre-recorded messages to the entire community via telephone, cell phone, email or text, depending upon your chosen delivery preferences.
     To sign up, text SWIFT911 to 99538.
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E-BUZZ Editor Robin Patric  |  908-823-9001  |  [email protected]