Community Meetings, Property Reval, and Lion Gate Groundbreaking
The Bloomfield Council will meet twice this month:
April 8, Conference LEB Bldg. 7:00pm.
April 29, Regular Chambers 7:00pm.
The very exciting Lion Gate restoration project is now underway, and the 18 acre complex is expected to be open to the public later this year, with multipurpose athletic fields, play space, relaxing hiking trails by Third River, and more!
Read about this exciting project here
.
In an effort to keep residents informed about the property revaluations going on in town, the Mayor, Township Administrator and more
met with residents last week
,
for the first of five meetings.
The next meetings
are happening:
- Thursday, April 4 11:30am- at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad St.
- Thursday, April 4 7:00pm at Watsessing School Gym, 71 Prospect St.
- Saturday, April 6 10:00am at Bloomfield High School Media Center, 160 Broad St.
- Tuesday, April 9 7:00pm at Fire House #4, 1233 Broad St.
The Petitions for Mayor and Council at-large must be
returned by April 1. April 10
is the last day for party declaration for June 4 Primary Election.
Additionally, there will be a free rabies clinic, for Township residents, sometime during the first two weeks of May – further details to come.
Reminder for pet owners: pet renewal notices for the licensing year 2019-2020 will be going out in late April.
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Bloomfield Public Library Now Delivers!
The Bloomfield Public Library and the Bloomfield Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs are partnering to
provide home delivery of Library materials to homebound Bloomfield residents
with visual or physical disabilities, those suffering from chronic illness, those with loss of mobility due to aging, and those with a short-term loss of mobility due to illness or surgery.
Delivery began on March 13
and will take place weekly on Wednesdays. Patrons must fill out a brief application from the library's website at
www.bplnj.org.
All applications must be signed by the applicant (or their caregiver, if necessary.) For more information, please call the library at
973-566-6200
and ask for Jessica.
April events:
4/3 at 1:00pm: Storytime Boogie at Shooting Star Dance Center
4/6 at 11:00am: Read to Brady the Therapy Dog
4/6 at 1:00pm: Cook Book Club - Registration required
4/6 at 9:00am-1:00pm: Citizenship Class. 10 weeks. First class & registration 4/6. Bring Green Card to register.
4/8 at 6:45pm: Monday Book Club
4/8 & 4/22 at 11:00am: Spanish Storytime
4/9 at 3:00-7:00pm: Blood Drive
4/13 at 1:00pm: Paint & Sip. Registration Required
4/16 at 6:30pm: Non-Fiction book Club
4/16 at 1:30pm: Community Storytime at Lovlee Art Studios
4/23 at 2:00pm: Kids' movie
4/24 at 11:00am: Come dance with Ms. Katie!
4/24 at 2:00-4:00pm: Open Craft Studio, grades K-6
4/25 at 3:00pm: Scavenger Hunt, grades K-6
4/26 at 3:00pm: Read to Ruby
4/27 at 11:00am: Short Story Book Club
View our
Adult Programs
including Monday & Thursday Movies. Join a club to practice: Genealogy, Knitting, Bridge and Financial Education. Read with one of our book clubs, adult or childrens, call or check our website for topics.
Children’s programs
include: Storytimes & Crafts at 11am on Tuesdays & Fridays (Toddler Time), Wednesdays (Preschool) and Thursdays (Baby & Me – no craft). Additional storytimes held on site at Lovlee Art Studios & Shooting Star Dance Center. Click through to our website for more information on these programs and more!
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Recycling Guidelines and Shredding Days
Paper Shredding Day, April 27, 9:00am-12:00pm
. Available to Bloomfield
Residents at the Board of Education parking lot, 155 Broad St.
Starting on April 1
, the Department of Public Works and Park Maintenance will begin the biodegradable bag pick up on your weekly recycling day. Remember, biodegradable bags must be placed at curbside the night before.
Big Truck Day will be held on
May 18 from 9:00am – 12:00pm
in the parking lot adjacent to the ShopRite on Broad St. (1409 Broad St.)
RECYCLABLE
:
Bottles coded with #1, #2 or #5 on the bottom; Mixed Paper (Newspapers, Magazines, Junk Mail, Catalogs and Phone Books); Cans (Aluminum, and Steel, Tins Cans and Lids); Glass Bottles and Jars; Cardboard (Corrugated, Cereal Boxes, Clean Pizza Boxes, etc.); Clean Juice and Food Cartons.
NOT
RECYCLABLE
: Plastic Bags, Dirty/Greasy Pizza Boxes or Containers; Styrofoam; Shredded Paper; Pots, Pans and Small Appliances; and Plastic Contains and Plastic Ware (Bottles coded with
anything other than
#1, #2 or #5 on the bottom.)
For more information, visit the
DPW Facebook Page or call
973-680-4127. Their hardworking staff tries to respond to messages 7 days/week.
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Fire Safety Tips and the Return of the Jr. Police Academy for Teens
Since January 1, Bloomfield Firefighters have been joining EMS teams as first responders to the scene of medical emergencies called into 911,
about 150 per month.
Bloomfield Community Police Officers want to host a private pizza party for you and your child.
Apply online
.
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Health and Human Services Screenings
The Department of Human Services offers
Benefit Screenings where Social Workers screen residents for eligibility in dozens of programs. Resources available in Spanish and English. Call
973-680-4017 to make an appointment.
With a $10,000 AARP Community Challenge grant, the township of Bloomfield, partnering with the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, has expanded its walking program by purchasing and installing time clocks that track participants’ strolls.
Read more here.
Health Beat, the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services’ radio show, recently began its 3rd season. The show airs at the last Monday of every month 3:00pm on Bloomfield College’s internet-based station, WBCR Radio. It is hosted by assistant health officer Maya Lordo and health educator Lindsay DeStefano. Listen live or access the archive episodes online at
http://www.wbmatv.com/media-center
.
See all Health and Human Services events and public information
online.
Lead Testing at Home
The Bloomfield Engineering Department recently sent approximately 120 residents
requests to sample for lead and copper. Participation is voluntary. To participate, please contact the Bloomfield Engineering Department at
973-680-4009.
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BFM Remembers Carol Franz (1938-2019)
Carol Franz (center) pictured on her induction into the Bloomfield Federation of Music Hall of Fame, during the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Spring Concert on April 26, 2015.
The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra is greatly saddened by the loss of its beloved and longtime member Carol Franz. Carol suddenly passed away at her home in Glen Ridge on Saturday, March 2.
Carol was 80 years old.
Carol Franz was a player in the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra's Mandolin II section, served as Orchestra President, and currently served as Treasurer. In addition, Carol and her husband Jack represented the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra at several national Classical Mandolin Society of America (CMSA) Conventions.
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The Bloomfield Civic Band, under the direction of Frank Ortega, will present its Spring
concert, Swing Into Spring: A Celebration of Jazz, on
Sunday, April 7, at 3:00pm
. Children under 12 years old are free. Discount tickets can be obtained prior to the concert from any Civic Band member or from the Civic Center.
Civicband.bloomfieldfm.org.
The BFM’s 75th Anniversary Gala is taking place Sunday,
May 2 at 7:00pm
at Chandelier, 340 Franklin Avenue, Belleville. To RSVP or place ads for the gala, email
[email protected]
.
The Gala will have a booklet and advertising prices for the event are
listed here
.
The Bloomfield Federation of Music is seeking donations of goods or services from the public and local businesses, for a Tricky Tray to be held the evening of the Gala. To donate, please contact Eileen Larkin at
[email protected].
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Spring Recreation!
The Spring 2019 Recreation catalog
is ready!
New for 2019: American Sign Language, Photography, Bedazzle Your Friends, TEGU Challenge, Ways of Seeing, 7 in 1 Solar Transformer and Healthy Happy Kids Cooking.
For parents, the Recreation Department hosts monthly Friday Fun Nights-- this month's event is Egg Hunt on
Friday, April 12 from 6:00 to 9:00pm
at Bloomfield Civic Center. Open to 1st-6th graders.
Skyline will host their Egg Hunt on
Saturday, April 13 at Pulaski Park beginning at 10:00am
! Each person must have a ticket to enter. To pre-register for your free ticket, visit
www.skylineegghunt2019.eventbrite.com
.
Use the code SKYLINEHUNT2019.
Bloomfield is hosting a C.S.I. camp where students will learn state of the art techniques and technology that detectives use to solve real-life crimes.
April 22 from 9:00am - 4:00pm
and is open to 7th - 12th graders.
Read more here.
SPORTS
On Saturday, April 13
watch the official opening ceremonies for Bloomfield Little League and Senior League Babe Ruth Baseball. Team sponsors and players will be recognized and Mayor Michael J. Venezia will throw out the first pitch!
11:00am at Big Wright’s ~ Babe Ruth League 12:00pm at Vassar Field ~ Bloomfield Little League
On Sunday, April 14
we kick off the Bloomfield Peppermint Softball League in similar fashion:
11:00am at Hank Barlow Field at Pulaski Park
Starting in April, Volleyball Open Court for boys on Monday nights will be held at the High School and Tennis Open Court for boys and girls on Tuesday afternoons at Clarks Pond South tennis courts.
Sports Equipment Exchange
--
To donate, all items must be in reasonably good condition and proper working order.
To acquire this free equipment you must be a Bloomfield resident and visit the Civic Center during regular business hours Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Wednesday Nights 6:00 to 8:30pm.
ARTS
Membership is only $25 and includes discounts on classes, supplies and more. Open Studio Access on Wednesdays from 12:45 - 3:45pm and 7:00 - 9:00pm from January 1 - December 31, 2019. For Info, contact: Gabriela Guida
[email protected]
April Art League Events:
2) Art Demonstration - Using Color.
Sunday, April 14, 2:00 - 5:00pm
Mark
Saturday, May 11
on your calendar for the Bloomfield Art League’s Annual Town Paints event on the Town Green. This yearly event draws dozens of talented artists around the greater Bloomfield area who put their various works of art on display for all to enjoy.
To support this event
Councilman Ted Gamble is hosting a fundraising event
on Sunday
April 14 from 4:00-8:00pm
. All proceeds from this fundraising event will be used to donate professional art kits to elementary school aged children who submit a piece of art at the Town Paints event.
FOOD
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Earth Day and Community Gardens
Tips for being sustainable –
turn off the car.
In two minutes, an idling car burns enough gas to travel one mile and on average, a car emits one pound of carbon dioxide (CO2) every mile it’s driven. During the course of a year, the average motor vehicle emits nearly 12,100 pounds, or 6 tons, of emissions into the atmosphere.
Learn more.
Come celebrate Earth Day on
Sunday, April 28 from 11:00am-1:30pm at
Brookside Park (corner of Broad and Bay). Children can enjoy the reading corner and more! Be planet friendly: Bring your own water bottle and fill up at our water cooler and walk or ride your bike.
Greener Bloomfield meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Civic Center.
The Bloomfield Pulaski Park Community Garden plots are currently filled for the 2019 season. If interested in joining the wait list, please email the Community Garden Committee at
[email protected]
with your full name, number, email address, and mailing address to receive an email notification once a plot becomes available for rent.
The official opening garden day and mandatory orientation for all new and returning members will be held on
Saturday, April 6 from 10:00 am-12:00pm
. Visit
@BloomfieldCG on Facebook
to learn more.
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Hike the Morris Canal Greenway and Pet Pictures!
The next Bloomfield Morris Canal Greenway Hike will be
Saturday, April 27 from 10:00am to 2:30pm.
On this three mile hike, conducted by Ron Rice and Bloomfield Councilman, Rich Rockwell, we'll explore the path of the Morris Canal through Bloomfield using historic maps and photos, then take a bus ride for an additional 2 miles stopping at the newly reclaimed section of the canal at Oak Tree Lane.
Reservations are required. $5.00 donation requested to cover the cost of the bus and 20 page handout with historic photos and color maps. To reserve a space, email
[email protected]
. The excursion will be co-sponsored by HSOB, the Bloomfield Morris Canal Greenway Committee and the Bloomfield Recreation Department.
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On April 7 from 12:00-4:00pm
the Bloomfield Center Alliance, Supporters of Bloomfield Animal Shelter and the Shops at Bloomfield Station are hosting a
Pet Pictures with the Easter Bunny
for kids and families. Proceeds benefit
SOBAS.
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Exercise and Trips for Seniors
The Senior Club is a non-profit 55+ group that meets on the third Friday of each month at 12:00pm (except for January, April and August) in the Civic Center, Senior Lunch Room, 84 Broad Street, Bloomfield. Contact Dana Morton for more info
[email protected].
Senior Meeting
--
Thursday, April 18
(moved from Friday to accommodate holiday)
Bloomfield Civic Center - 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Light refreshments will be served.
Senior Walmart Trips
April 2
: Felicity – 9:45am | Troy Towers – 9:50am | Heritage Village – 9:55am
Return – 12:00pm.
April 9
: Kinder Tower – 9:45am, return – 12:00pm
The Bloomfield, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department currently offers several
fitness options at the Civic Center
including Tai Chi, Senior Exercise, QiGong and Zumba Gold. If you are unable to make it to the Civic Center please tune into WBMATV (Channel 35 Comcast, Channel 30 Verizon) to Senirocise and exercise at home!
Wednesday, April 24--
8:45 - 9:30am breakfast. Bus leaves promptly at 9:30am, returns at 5:00pm. $25 - Includes transportation, breakfast, $20 back in slot play, and $5 food voucher.
You do not need to be a member to participate.
Bloomfield & Glen Ridge residents 60 & over are invited to a FREE afternoon of festivities,
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