February 2017
Come to Jalapeno's grand opening!
       "Ride Spicy." That's the catch-phrase of Jalapeno Cycling, opening Saturday, Feb. 4 with a spicy party from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy food, music, drinks and race videos. You can also attend up to six free training classes, a sort of test drive to check out full-length classes that will be offered in greater depth. The shop is located at 57 Washington Street. For details, click here
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Jazz it up with Dr. Dubious
       If you aren't dancing, you'll be actively toe- tapping when Dr. Dubious and the Agnostics come to Bloomfield Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a free 2 p.m. concert. The seven-piece Dixieland jazz band plays New Orleans and Chicago-style jazz of the 1920s and 1930s. Horns, rhythm and vocals define this high-energy band that performs throughout the tri-state area. The band features female vocals by piano player Karen Bartholomew, and male vocals by the doctor himself, Tom Duncan.
        For more upcoming library events, click here.

Register now for these family events!
Globetrotters and Devils Hockey
      The Bloomfield Recreation Department is selling tickets for two popular sporting events at Prudential Center in Newark. Pack up the family and join your neighbors in a specially designated seating section.
      * The Harlem Globetrotters - Friday Feb. 17, 7 p.m. $40 per ticket. Witness ball-handling wizardry and jump into a half-time group picture with the players.
      * NJ Devils vs. Carolina Hurricane - Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m. Tickets $40. Enjoy NHL hockey at its best.
      Registration for both events is under way at the Civic Center or register online. (To keep ticket costs low, transportation is not provided.)
WOMEN:
Get savvy on So ci al Security planning
      Women will get tips for maximizing retirement income at a special seminar hosted by Bloomfield Library on Monday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. Learn about:
      * Making the most of Social Security benefits.
      * Accessing survivor benefits if your husband or ex-husband dies.
      * Benefits for divorced spouses.
      * Coordinating your retirement benefits with your husband's.
      * Social Security planning before remarrying.
Don't struggle!
Get free tax assistance at your library

     Free tax assistance to those in households earning $54,000 or less is available at Bloomfield Public Library every Wednesday from now through April 12. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call (732) 246-4772

Satis Bistro comes to Bloomfield
     It made a splash in Jersey City and now Satis Bistro has come to Bloomfield! In December, Chef Michael Fiorianti of Glen Ridge opened his highly successful Mediterranean-and-more restaurant at 289 Glenwood Avenue. Offering an array of international foods, Satis is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and lunch Thursday through Sunday.
    Fiorianti said he expanded to Bloomfield because the of town's renaissance, similar to Jersey City's transformation. Already, the Bloomfield restaurant received a highly favorable Jan. 14 review from Star-Ledger food critic Cody Kendall. Check out the Satis Bistro menus
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Prevent theft; register your bike

        Students, commuters and all other Bloomfield residents are encouraged to register their bicycles with the Bloomfield Police Department to ease the process of tracking a lost or stolen bike. Registration is simple. On weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., take your bike to police headquarters on Municipal Plaza and fill out a short simple form.
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Two 'Dinner and a Show' deals offered in February
           Two classic stage shows are coming in February to Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College. After you go, bring your show tickets to one of these Bloomfield restaurants for discounted dining: Aki Asian House, Bloomfield Steak and Seafood, Essex Junction, Italia Pizza, Satis Bistro, or Villa Italiana.
       "Dinner and a Show" is an ongoing community initiative of Bloomfield Center Alliance. For more information, check the BCA website or Facebook page.  

February shows at Westminster
       * "Mary Poppins, Jr.," presented by Aspire Performing Arts Company on Friday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. All actors are children ages 7 through 13. Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door. Details here.
       * "for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf" - This Tony-nominated show debuted in 1976. Now it comes to Westminster on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. 4th Wall Theatre is staging the show as part of Black History Month. Details here
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1906 maps added to historic society website
     Curious to know what streets and houses existed in your neighborhood in 1906? Find out using a collection of 1906 maps newly added to the website of The Historical Society of Bloomfield. The detailed colored maps come from the 1906 Mueller Atlas of Essex County. Use the maps to follow the path of the Morris Canal through town. Check it out here.
Celebrate Valentine's Day in Bloomfield Center
          Ramp up the romance of your Valentine's Day! Take advantage of special menus offered at restaurants throughout downtown Bloomfield. Check out the menus at Bloomfield Center Alliance.
Join Anthony for lively card playing!    
      Bloomfield resident Anthony Grande loves cards! He's gamely seeking fellow residents interested in starting a card club devoted to pinochle and gin rummy. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are likely. Players would drop in during a three-to-four-hour gaming session. The location will be determined once players come on board. For details, call Anthony at (401) 451-9494. 
Be a Valentine for your local animal shelter
      Anthony's Cheesecake, 71 Washington Street, is offering a four-course Valentine's Day dinner on Feb. 14 for $39.95 per person, with a portion of proceeds going to Supporters of the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. The night's single seating will be at 7 p.m. To reserve, call (973) 415-8885 or e-mail Anthony@anthonyscheesecake.com.
Play Ball!
Programs offered by the Bloomfield Department of Recreation

     * Softball Pitching Clinics (grades 3-8)
 
This winter, get instructional practice in softball pitching for $20. Four 1-hour clinics will be held at Bloomfield Middle School. Click below for dates, hours and grade divisions.
     * Hitting, Fielding Clinic (grades 1-8) 
On two Saturdays in February, Bloomfield High School varsity coaches and Recreation travel coaches will offer hitting and fielding clinics at the high school. Fee: $25. Click below for dates, hours and grade divisions.
     * Peppermint Softball and Suburban Traveling Team; Registration/Evaluation (grades 3-8) Registration for Peppermint Softball and the Suburban Traveling Team will 
begin Wednesday, Feb. 1. The fee is $55 on or before Feb. 22, and $60 after Feb. 22. All players will be evaluated to create fair and competitive teams. Check online for evaluation details and coaching opportunities.

For more information on all three programs click here.  
Go ahead! Go out! We'll watch the kids
Kids can enjoy Valentine cookie making on Feb. 10  
        Bloomfield parents, it's time for you to take a break. On two Fridays this winter - Feb. 10 and March 10 - drop the kids off at the Civic Center and let Bloomfield Recreation staff watch them. The sitting service is for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $20 per child.
    In addition to responsible supervision, your child will get pizza dinner, games, movies, and arts and crafts. Those attending on Feb. 10 will make Valentine's Day cookies with Chef It Up. Preregistration is required. Call (973) 743-9074 or register online

$20,000 grant expands art program
        Bloomfield children and teens with developmental disabilities will get enhanced after-school arts programming thanks to a $20,000 grant on Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID). Along with more weekly sessions, students will get Saturday trips to New York art museums and parents can participate during some special events.
    The grant from the state Department of Community Affairs will be applied to Bloomfield's Community After-Care Experience prog
ram, or CARE, operated at Carteret School. CARE's art therapy component lets students express themselves while improving th e motor skills needed to use crayons and paintbrushes. Instruction is provided by Art Kids Academy. 
Diabetes, blood screening and blood drive
Offered by the Bloomfield Nursing Division

Blood Pressure Check (free)
     * Feb. 2, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Town Hall.
     * Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Civic Center.
     * Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon, at Brookdale ShopRite.
Diabetes Screening (free) - Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to noon, at Brookdale ShopRite.
Blood Drive - Bloodmobile will be at Town Hall on Feb. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.  
Kids get free vouchers for healthy snacks
      Bloomfield elementary students have a new incentive for healthy after-school eating. A corner store snack voucher system is in use at Fairview Elementary School, soon to be extended to Carteret School.
      Bloomfield Health and Human Services is distributing vouchers to children in 5th and 6th grades. Kids can go to a designated corner store and redeem their vouchers for free healthy snacks - water, low-fat milk or fresh whole fruit.
      Since November, 150 Fairview kids have been going to Friends News and Food at 128 Montgomery Street. Starting in March, Carteret students will redeem vouchers at Tobacco King II (convenience store), 143 Grove Street. The federal program is aimed at encouraging healthy eating choices, and Bloomfield Health is actively testing for behavioral change. Keep posted for more news on this innovative program. 
Get to know your local cops
      * Set up a Coffee with A Cop session. Meet informally with two Bloomfield police officers to discuss your community safety concerns. E-mail to learn more.
      * Win a Birthday Shout-Out!  If you've got a child in elementary school, be sure he or she is signed up to win birthday recognition from the Bloomfield Police Department. Each month in 2017, one child among all first to sixth graders will be randomly chosen for birthday recognition on the police department Facebook and Twitter pages. The lucky kid will also get a private pizza party with one or more officers during school lunch. Learn more.
      * Help Make Your Neighborhood Safer. With police support and regular meetings, Neighborhood Crime Watch lets neighbors look out for one another, keep homes and property safe, and respond appropriately to suspicious activity. Watch groups also get greater access to criminal activity information. To learn more, e-mail Sgt. Naomi Zepeda or Officer Yesenia Aponte.    
February recreation for seniors
       Check the schedule for senior fitness classes and February bus trips to Walmart. Click here
February Town Council meetings
* Feb. 6, 7 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, second floor.
  (Replaces the council meeting canceled Jan. 23 due to inclement weather.)
* Feb 13, 7 p.m., conference meeting, Law Enforcement Building, room 205.
* Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, second floor.  
Council candidate petitions available
      Council candidate petitions for first, second, and third ward council seats are available in the Municipal Clerk's Office, room 214, on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Completed petitions are due back to the Municipal Clerk on Monday, April. 3.  
E-BUZZ Editor Robin Patric  |  908-823-9001  |  rpatric@comcast.net