December, 2017
Come to a 'Night of Conversation'
on drug/alcohol use, misuse
____ The first annual Essex County "Night of Conversation,” will take place Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bloomfield Middle School, 60 Huck Road. Parents, concerned citizens, teachers, school administrators and the general public are invited to the free event to learn how to speak to young people about drug and alcohol use and misuse.
    ___ The keynote speaker will be Nicholas Beam, patient navigator with RWJBarnabas' Health Institute for Prevention. A panel discussion and sharing of resources will follow.
    ___ The event was inspired by Dr. Oz's National Night of Conversation. Related resolutions were passed by the State of New Jersey, Essex County and Bloomfield Township. It will be hosted by Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and Bloomfield resident Moira Nelson. Learn more and register here .
Keep active this winter; s ign up for Bloomfield Recreation programs
____
____ Adult Fitness Programs : Yoga, Pilates and Zumba.
____ Children’s Programs : Karate, Magic, Dance, Robotics, Toddler Tumbling, Children’s Art, Baton, Improvisation and Pee-Wee Basketball.
____ New! Hovercraft Workshop, Boxing Fitness, Chef-It-Up.
____ Open-Gym Basketball for Adults – two age groups, Monday and Thursday options.
____ Men’s Basketball League - Monday to Thursday, 9:15 p.m.

For registration and more details, click here.
Crossing guard needed
____ The Bloomfield Police Department is seeking a crossing guard to help children and other pedestrians cross streets along school routes. The pay is $14.21 per hour to start; hours vary with a minimum of 15 hours per week. For details, e-mail Officer Donker , or call him at (973) 680-4098.
It’s holly jolly time!
Seasonal Community Events

____ Tree Lighting Ceremony. Monday, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
____ Children’s Holiday Program. Saturday, Dec. 9, noon to 3 p.m. at the Civic Center, 84 Broad Street.
____ •  House Decorating Contest.  Enter a photo of your home decorations for a chance to win a free family dinner at Angelo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria.
____ Drop & Shop. Bloomfield Recreation will watch your children on two Friday nights at the Civic Center while you do holiday shopping. Learn More
Township encourages a season of giving

Bloomfield Township has paved the way for a season of giving to assist needy residents in our area. You can help! From Dec. 4 to Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 15, 2018, donate to local food pantries, Bloomfield Public Library and the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. For specific ways to participate, click here .
Trio of seasonal concerts
____ Bloomfield Chorale. Saturday Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Watchung Presbyterian Church, 375 Watchung Avenue. Tickets: $10/$15/Free for kids under 12.
____ Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad Street. Free.
____ Bloomfield Civic Band. Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at Bloomfield Middle School, 60 Huck Road. Tickets: $10/$15/Free for kids.

Learn more about all three.
Holiday Pop-up Shop
opening on two Saturdays
____ The first-ever Bloomfield Center Holiday Pop Up, presented by Bloomfield Center Alliance, will open on two Saturdays at 78 Washington Street — Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. each day. Drop in for complimentary gift wrapping (up to three items per family), plus complimentary hot cocoa, light snacks, and eggnog. Take selfies at the Elfie Stations. Enjoy carolers. Grab a discount dining voucher. Or contribute a donation of socks, gloves, hats or scarves to be distributed to needy Bloomfield residents this winter.

Holiday window contest - Please vote!
____ Which downtown store has the best holiday windows? Place your vote in the second annual Holiday Window Design Contest. Voting takes place on Facebook from Dec. 16 to 20. Judges’ choice and people’s choice awards will be given. Details here .
Municipal Reminders
Holiday Pickup Delays (garbage and recycling)
____ Upcoming holidays, Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), will bring pickup changes to residents whose normal weekly pickups are on Mondays. Here are the changes you can expect:
____ Garbage – only one pickup for each holiday week, Thurs-day, Dec. 28 and Thursday, Jan. 4. No other schedule changes.   
____ Biodegradable bags – Monday pickups will be shifted to the next day. No other schedule changes.
____ Commingled recycling pickup will be suspended Monday, Dec. 25. Pickup will be Tuesday, Dec. 26. No other schedule changes.   
____ Cardboard and paper recycling pickup will be suspended Monday, Jan. 1.
Pickup will be Tuesday, Jan. 2. No other schedule changes.   


The
Recycling Depot
at 230 Grove Street will be open on Saturdays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m.
Holiday Parking
____ Free two-hour parking at on-street short-term meters will be in effect Dec. 8
to Dec. 29. Look for green bags labeled “Happy Holidays.” Details at (973) 680-
8960.
____ Opposite-side-of-the-street parking regulations will not be enforced on Christmas or New Year’s Day.
December Township
Council Meetings
• Dec. 4, 7 p.m., conference meeting,
Law Enforcement Building, room 205.   
• Dec. 18, conference meeting at 6 p.m.; regular meeting, 7:30 p.m., in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, second floor.
Municipal Alliance Meetings
Thursdays: Dec. 21, March 22 and June 21
Understanding Memory Loss
A Bloomfield Library program
   
____ Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. On Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., the Bloomfield Public Library will host a program that explores the differences between normal age-related memory changes and abnormal changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The presentation by Alzheimer’s New Jersey will include common warning signs, the importance of a thorough diagnostic evaluation when symptoms first arise, current treatment options, and research on healthy aging. To register, call the library at (888) 280-6055.
Additional December library programs: Book Clubs • Movies • Children’s Programs Learn More
Arab music and dance concert at Westminster
____ The Mosaic Dance Theater Company will present “The Music of Maurice Chedid” (pictured at left), a free show, on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Details here

____ Dinner and a Show - In conjunction with the show, Bloomfield Center Alliance offers its discount dining deal . On the day of the performance, show your tickets at one of these downtown restaurants and enjoy a dining discount: Aki Asian House, Bloomfield Steak and Seafood, Italia Pizzeria and Restaurant or The Wooden Spoon.
See Monster Jam with Bloomfield Recreation
____ Sign up now for the Bloomfield Recreation excursion on Sunday, Jan. 28 to attend the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at Prudential Center in Newark. It’s a world champion preliminary event featuring seven competitions in three vehicles --- Monster Jam trucks, speedsters and ATVs. Tickets are $35 including bus transportation from the Civic Center. The bus will leave at 11:45 a.m. for the 1 p.m. show. Register online , at the Civic Center, or call (973) 743-9074.  
____ Two more winter excursions are in the works (details coming soon):
____ • African Art at the Newark Museum, Feb. 17.
____ • Marvel Age of Heroes, Prudential Center, Newark, March 16.

The good and the bad of winter de-icers
____ Get ready for winter’s ice with a de-icing plan for sidewalks, steps and driveways. Many commercial de-icing products are tough on man-made and natural environments. Masonry is especially vulnerable.  Learn more about good and bad product choices.

Police tips to avoid theft
____Even in this season of good cheer, theft persists. Bloomfield Police offer
tips for avoiding car theft and stolen packages at front doors. You can also join Neighborhood Watch for greater protection in your neighborhood.  Learn more

December health screenings
____This month, the Bloomfield Nursing Office offers screenings on blood pressure, diabetes, urinalysis and stroke. Learn more
Give the gift of local history  
____ Need a holiday gift for the Bloomfielder who has everything? Consider a book about our town or a special T-shirt from the Historical Society of Bloomfield. Learn more
Bloomfield’s two Little Leagues merging
____ Starting in spring 2018, there will no longer be two separate Little Leagues in Bloomfield. According to the Bloomfield Recreation Department, the American Little League and the National Little League will be merged into one combined league. Board members from both leagues have been merged to form one board. Learn more
December senior events
____ Find out about senior fitness programs and a Walmart shopping trip with bus transportation. Learn more
Two pet adoption events in December
____ Bloomfield Animal Shelter announces these upcoming pet adoption events:
____ Saturday, Dec. 9  - PetValu, 192 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
____ Saturday, Dec.16  - Subaru, Share the Love Adoption Event at Lynne’s Subaru, 379 Bloomfield Avenue, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Playful Holly wants a home for the holidays
____ Holly's one-year anniversary at Bloomfield Animal Shelter is Dec. 1. Such a playful, happy-go-lucky gal, yet no one has taken her into their heart and home. She has no signs of aggression and loves new people. She gets excited but responds well to correction. She knows several commands, including sit and heel. Please give Holly a turn at a happy ending. Daily adoption hours are Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m., until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Bloomfield College celebrates 150 years
____ Bloomfield College will celebrate its 150th anniversary throughout the year 2018 with a series of special events open to Bloomfield residents.
____ Coming Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. is a Business Division Meet and Greet, followed by a reception — all at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York City, with John Stoltzfus, chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer Asset Management.
____ Other upcoming events include a Creative Arts and Technology Industry Day Conference in February; Humanities Wine and Cheese Reception, and “Writing from the Margins” Conference in March; Natural Science and Mathematics Leaders in Industry Panel Discussion in April; and a Division of Nursing Panel Discussion in May.
____ The college will launch a 150th anniversary website soon, featuring alumni
stories, an interactive historical timeline, and an up-to-date events agenda.
For current details, call (973) 748-9000, x1293.
E-Buzz Editor Robin Patric | 908-823-9001 | rpatric@comcast.net