August 2019
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Summer Recreation!

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is located at 84 Broad Street, and open 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, and Wednesday 6:00-8:30pm. Call 973-743-9074 or visit http://www.bloomfieldrecreation.org.

Please remember that Bloomfield parks are 100% smoke-free. Please read through our park rules and hours. To request the use of an athletic facility or park area, please click here for the request form and fee structure.

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department is partnering with the Bloomfield Cruisers, Universal Technical Institute and Shelbourne to present (4) FREE Classic Car Cruise Nights Wednesdays in August from 6:00-9:00pm in Universal Technical Institute’s parking lot at 1515 Broad St (Just north of Brookdale Shoprite).  

There will be a DJ playing hits and classics along with trophies being awarded each night. For your convenience, UTI’s lobby will be open for the use of their restroom facilities and three well known food trucks will be on site each night selling a wide variety of food and drinks. 

This event is part of our Summer of Fun, made possible through the support of our generous sponsors.

Also look out for fun events like Friday Fun Nights at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad St. The next one will be Friday, August 9 from 6:00 - 9:00pm for kids Grades 1-6. $20 per child

Children will go head to head for the title of Mario Kart champion! Let your inner champion take over as you race toward the finish line .

There is still time to register for the last week of Sports Clinics, but hurry spots are limited!

9:30am – Children’s Art – Civic Center – Upstairs - Art Room 5
9:30am – Skateboarding – Joseph Tiseo Ramp Park at Memorial Park
12:30pm – Children’s Art – Civic Center – Upstairs - Art Room 5
12:30pm – Hip Hop Dance – Civic Center – Main Floor - Room 1

More assorted fun:

Fall Recreation is back, with many of our classic, popular programs like Yoga, Youth Dance, Zumba, Children’s Art, Kids Safe Martial Arts, Qigong and much more! New for Fall 2019: Urban Hip Hop Dance, Outer Space & Physics Fun, and Barre Pilates.

Fall Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4.

Pre-registration starts Monday, September 2 and is required for both of the following FREE events:

7th Annual Movie Night and Family Camp-Out
Pulaski Park, 24 Mt Vernon Ave
Friday, September 13 (Rain Date Saturday, September 14) .

5th Annual Drive-In Movie Night
Demarest Elementary School, 465 Broughton Ave
Friday, September 20
(Rain Date Saturday, September 21)

Special Needs Programming

The CARE Station is an after-school program for Bloomfield students ages 7 to 16 years old. It is conducted at Carteret Elementary School from 3:30 until 6:00pm. The program follows the Bloomfield Public School calendar and will be held when school is in session. 

Friday Night Canteen is a program that meets on Friday nights beginning in October and focuses on seasonal trips in alignment with specific times of the year. Past trips have included Apple Picking, UNICO Holiday Party, Medieval Times, Casino Pier and Adventure Aquarium. It is a fun program that allows many of our participants to experience new activities for the first time and simultaneously promote social skill development. The program is open to Bloomfield special needs students ages 7 to 17.

The Horizons Program is the big brother to Friday Night Canteen, It is open to Bloomfield special needs residents ages 18 and older. It meets on Friday nights and as with most of our programs follows the Bloomfield Public School calendar. This program is considered an “out-and-about program” meaning it has weekly activities the expose the participants to community businesses and activities. There is a monthly calendar that is distributed listing the activities for the month. This programs begins in October and last through May. 

Any questions regarding any of Bloomfield Recreation’s special needs offerings, please contact John Baltz at 973-725-4485 .


Exercise and Trips for Seniors

The Bloomfield Senior Club's next outing will be a Bus Trip to Sands Casino on Monday, October 14. Bus leaves promptly at 9:30am. The Civic Center building will be open at 8:45am for morning refreshments.

$25 | Includes transportation, morning refreshments, $20 back in Slot Play from Sands Casino, and a $5 food voucher from the casino.

Senior Fitness:
Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ Senior Exercise 10:00 – 11:00am (Pre-Registration is required)
Wednesdays – Zumba Gold 10:00 – 11:00am (Pre-Registration is required)
Seniorcise – Channel 35, for Verizon Fios tune into Channel 30 - Monday – Friday 10:30am and 3:30pm. A new class each day.
Zumba Gold boasts all the fun of Zumba, but at a lower paced and a low impact.

Senior Walmart Trips
Tuesday, August 13 – Kinder Towers Trip to Walmart - Pick Up – 9:45am. Return trip will be 12:00pm.
Tuesday, August 20 ~ Felicity Towers /Troy Towers/ Heritage Village Trip to Walmart - Felicity Pick Up – 9:45am, Troy Pick Up – 9:50, Heritage Village Pick up 9:55. Return trip 12:00pm.
Public Safety News

Join Police Department, Fire Department, Recreation staff and Township Officials for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6 at Foley Field, with gates opening at 5:30pm, followed by the annual Police vs. Fire softball game at 6:00 and live music by local group Alotta Colada at 7:30. There will be hundreds of pizza pies, drinks and all sorts of gifts for children and adults, including an inflatable bouncy house.

The Bloomfield Jr. Police Academy for current Middle School students, and the High School Police Academy is underway, with graduations happening later this month. There were a record number of cadets this year!

Bloomfield Animal Control recently purchased a new, state-of-the-art vehicle to help respond to instances involving wild or domestic animals, as well as investigate instances of abuse. Read more here.

Bloomfield Community Police Officers want to host a private pizza party for you and your child. Apply online .

Coffee with a Cop brings residents together with members of Bloomfield's Community Policing Division. To sign up, email Lt. Zepeda or Officer Aponte .

Grilling Fire Safety
Only use your grill outside. Be sure to keep it at least 3 feet from any siding, eaves or deck rails. Open the lid of the gas grill before attempting to light it. Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire.
Call 973-680-4153 if you would like us to come to your home or business and do a home safety inspection. We will schedule a time convenient for you and go over fire safety procedures and help identify any potential risks.
Bloomfield Environmentalism

As of 2017, Greener Bloomfield has achieved Bronze Status with Sustainable Jersey.
Greener Bloomfield sponsored Composting Workshops, and co-sponsored the Environmental Movie Night in the Park, celebrated Earth Day for the past few years at Brookside Park, bringing together like-minded citizens, participated in Harvest Fest, and worked with the BayKeeper at Lions Gate to repair the damage landscape due to past intolerable and unfavorable land practices. Greener Bloomfield is looking to recruit new members to help foster its resolution to make Bloomfield the best environmentally sustainable town it can be!
 
Greener Bloomfield meets the first Thursday evening of every month from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Civic Center. You can follow us on Facebook.com/greenerbloomfield ; Twitter @greener07003 ; greenerbloomfieldnj@gmail.com ; GreenerBloomfield.org ; and sustainablejersey.org .
 
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Join The Bloomfield Environmental Commission, which meets meets at 7:00pm on the third Wednesday of every month in the Mayor’s Conference Room in the Law Enforcement Building on Municipal Plaza. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The commission members are residents appointed by the Mayor and Council to advise them and township agencies on a wide variety of environmental matters, from best practices in stormwater runoff, to reducing the use of plastic bags and promoting a safe environment for wildlife. The commission is also working with Bloomfield public schools to promote environmental awareness by students and teachers. For more information, contact Township Council Liaison Nicholas Joanow at njoanow@bloomfieldtwpnj.com.

There are still garden plots available Milbank Park for rent, $50 per plot, one plot per family, fee waived for Veterans. Contact bloomfieldnjgardens@gmail.com for more information.
Recycling Guidelines and Shredding Days

The Department of Public Works and Park Maintenance performs biodegradable bag pick up on your weekly recycling day. Remember, biodegradable bags must be placed at curbside the night before. Remember, biodegradable bags must be placed at curbside the night before. Read the guidelines for bag pick up.
 
Many residents aren't sure what they can or cannot recycle, so read below, or print this attachment .
 
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.
Bloomfield Center Alliance Hosts Dinner Under the Stars
Center Alliance (BCA) continues its Dinner Under the Stars event series Friday Nights 6:00 -10:00pm August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 with tables Along Washington Street. Watch the awesome video here .

The Bloomfield Center Alliance is proud to host a “pop-up” Art Gallery featuring works from local artisans and craftspeople. The space will be open on the same evenings as Dinner Under the Stars.
Public Library Events
Sign up for our new Home Delivery Service. Any resident who is unable to come to the library because of limited mobility, illness or handicap (permanent or temporary) may sign up. For more info, please call the library at 973-566-6200 and ask for Jessica.

Fine Free Summer: runs until August 30 . Open to all Bloomfield patrons on returned Bloomfield Library materials. 

Some of our regular programs are:
Genealogy – Wednesday nights (email lcohn@bplnj.org if interested)
Monday & Thursday movies - 12:15pm Book Clubs  Call for topics and dates.
Finance Club Workshops – Tuesdays @ 6:00pm
Bridge Club – Fridays at 12:00pm
Knitting Club – First & Third Thursdays at 12:00pm.
Children's programs:
8/1: Summer Reading Program Finale @ 3:00pm. Polka Dot Ron performs!
8/3: Garden Storytime @ Oakeside Manor 1:00pm- 5:00pm
8/17: Garden Storytime @ Pulaski Park Community Gardens 11:00am- 12:00pm
8/20: United Way of Bloomfield presents: The Night Before Preschool, storytime 11:00am, (lunch served afterwards)
8/21:United Way of Bloomfield presents: The Night Before Kindergarten, storytime, 11:00am (lunch served afterwards)
8/24: 2nd Annual Kids in Bloom event at Shooting Star Dance Center from 10:00am- 2:00pm

Check our website www.bplnj.org   or call 973-566-6200 often for full schedule and new events as they get added!
Community and Council Meetings
 
To address the Township’s ongoing efforts to replace underground water meters throughout town, and the City of Newark’s ongoing water treatments to lower lead levels, the Township is hosting a public forum on Monday, August 19 at 6:00pm in the Civic Center. The Township has actively been giving away PUR water filters, and offering free lead test kits to all residents. 
 
The Bloomfield Council will meet once this month. Monday, August 19 is a combined Conference and Regular Council Meeting, at 7:00pm at the Civic Center, 84 Broad St.

Mayor Venezia and the Township Council are hosting their annual Back to School Party and bookbag giveaway on Sunday, August 25 from at Felton Field , 145 Floyd Ave., Bloomfield from 2:00- 5:00pm. For students to receive book bags, registration is required. Please email Paula Peikes or call 973-680-4017 to register.

Remember, with our updated website, residents can submit events for the community calendar on our new municipal website . Report an issue, such as potholes or streetlight outage, here .
Bloomfield Health

View the August Nursing Calendar , including the Urinalysis Screening August 6 from 10:00am- 12:00pm at the Bloomfield Public Health Nursing; 1 Municipal Plaza- Lower Level. For information on this and all other screenings, call 973-680-4058 , and follow @BloomfieldHDNJ
@BloomfieldHDNJ on Facebook and Twitter.
The department also has a representative at town hall who can provide residents information and screenings for food stamps (SNAP) benefits. Please contact the Bloomfield Division of Human Services at 973-680-4017 to make an appointment. 
 
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. Listen live or access the archive episodes online at http://www.wbmatv.com/media-center . Last week’s episode can be viewed here.
 
 
Would you like to buy farm fresh vegetables?
Would you like to buy directly from the farm?
Would you like to buy them right in your neighborhood?
The veggie truck is back, every other Tuesday at Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St. from 4:30- 6:00pm . This month the truck will be there August 13 and 27.

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. Also call this number to receive a free Pur water filter.

Bloomfield Health Department staff have been canvassing neighborhoods in town to educate residents about how they can prevent situations that attract unwanted rodents and pests . They have canvassed Washington St (from Bloomfield Ave to Ashland Ave) and side streets Farrand and Ward, the area of La France St (from Bloomfield Ave to Hoffman Blvd), Franklin St and Watsessing Ave (near Stop and Shop), and the Halcyon Park area. Future canvassing will take place near Lawrence St and Dodd St.
Bloomfield Federation of Music

There will be a Clothing Drive and fundraiser for the Bloomfield Chorale August 3 from 10:00am till 2:00pm in the Parking Lot of the Bloomfield Schools Administration Building on Broad Street across the street from the High School. Bring your lightly used clothes, shoes, household linens, and jewelry in bags to support the Chorale.
 
The Bloomfield Chorale is seeking new members in all voices - Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass. Drop in at a September Rehearsal to meet and learn about the Group. Enjoy singing with us, expanding your musical knowledge and practicing in an informal atmosphere. While previous Choral experience and the ability to read music are an advantage, they are not required. A good ear and pitch that we can cultivate are most welcome. Weekly Rehearsals for the Fall/Winter Season resume on September 17. We rehearse from 7:30 to 9:30pm at the Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street, Bloomfield. For more information visit our Facebook page , email Bloomfieldchorale@gmail.com or call Fran Gardella at 848-448-4335 .
 
The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, through the Montclair Public Library, will be offering group beginning level mandolin classes starting the week of September 16. For more information, contact instructor Mark Sample at mark@lifestyleny.com or 973-493-2473 . New members are welcomed. Rehearsals will resume every Tuesday evening, beginning September 3, from 7:30 to 9:30pm in the Music Room of Bloomfield Middle School, 60 Huck Road. For more information contact bmomandolin@gmail.com .

Read about the Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra at: www.bloomfieldsymphony.org; and the Youth Band at www.bloomfieldyouthband.org.
Bloomfield Historical and Community Celebrations

The Oakeside Community Garden, located at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center, is
celebrating its 10th anniversary with a Garden Party on Sat, August 3 from 1:00–5:00pm .
The event will feature craft brews by Montclair Brewery, live acoustic music, light bites, garden tours, lawn games, kids crafts, storytime by the Bloomfield Library, raffles and more! Don’t wait, buy your tickets today .
 
The space that houses the community garden was originally developed in 1922 as a kitchen garden to serve the Oakes family residing onsite. 

The Historical Society of Bloomfield (HSOB) has updated and expanded its website to include a Video Archive of many of its presentations and programs throughout the years. They were video-recorded by WBMA-TV and are available on demand online at www.HSOB.org . Programs include the The History of Diners in Essex County; American Mummies: The Industrial Birth of the Eternal Dead; The International Arms & Fuze Company; Civil War Politics in New Jersey 1854–1865; The Administration of Mayor John Kinder: 1972–1987; Bloomfield’s Bicentennial; To be a Bloomfield Mayor in the 1960s and more.  
 
The HSOB website collection of historic photographs of Bloomfield houses from the Nathan Russell Collection has been expanded and reorganized. It now has over 270 photos of houses in Bloomfield digitized and enhanced from the original glass plate negatives. The photos can be searched by street address and can be viewed by town in order of street address.
E-Buzz Editor: Dan Knitzer | 201-864-0600 | dknitzer@vmmi.net
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