May 2019
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Bloomfield Fire Chief Louis Venezia was recently honored with the Patriotic Employer Award for supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and reserve force.

Chief Venezia encourages residents to call the Bloomfield Fire Department with questions any time, at 973-680-4153 , and follow these home fire safety tips.

The Bloomfield and Essex County Police are hosting a public safety expo Sunday, May 4 from 11:00am-4:00pm in the Livingston Mall. Stop by the BPD booth for safety tips and free giveaways!

The Police Department will host its second annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs event Saturday, June 8 at Clarks Pond. Kids ages 2-15 are eligible to participate. (Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.) Participants will receive a free t-shirt and refreshments provided courtesy of Brookdale ShopRite. Email Lt. Naomi Zepeda or Brianna DeMaio by Monday, May 27 to pre-register.

The Bloomfield Jr. Police Academy for current Middle School students, and the High School Police Academy are officially taking applications. Both academies will run three weeks, and teach cadets about Gang Awareness, Self Defense, CSI, and more! Apply now.

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 .
Community Meetings, Pet Licenses and Voting Deadlines

The Bloomfield Council will meet twice this month:
Monday, May 6, LEB Bldg. @ 7:00pm. ----- Monday, May 20, 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 a multipurpose turf field, play space, relaxing hiking trails by Third River, and more! Read about this exciting project here.

May 14 is the last day to register to vote or transfer registration (Municipal Clerk’s Office, room 214 of Town Hall, is open 8:30am - 9:00pm this day).
Tuesday, May 28 is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Tuesday, June 4 is Primary Election Day. Polls open 6:00 - 8:00pm.

The Township Clerk’s office will begin the annual Pet License renewal period by mail in May. If you are NEW to the community please come to their office to license your pet. All existing and new pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of the Township’s FREE Rabies clinic on May 11, from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The clinic will be held at Firehouse #3, 124 East Passaic Avenue, Bloomfield.

Remember, with the Township's updated website, residents can submit events for the community calendar on the new municipal website . Report an issue, such as potholes or streetlight outage, here .
Recycling Guidelines and Shredding Days

Since April 1 , the Department of Public Works and Park Maintenance has been picking up biodegradable bags 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.)
 
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.
Victorian Tea Party, Green Gardening & FREE Block Party
Make sure to save Saturday, June 1 on your calendar as the Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA) kicks off its outdoor event season with the Bloomfield Center Block Party (rain date-June 2). 

Come on down to enjoy delicious “eats and treats” from local restaurants, along with live music and dancing all day long! Please visit the BCA website for further details and also see dates of other upcoming events, including Summer Cruise Nights, a car show and the al fresco dining series Dinner under the Stars .
A special Victorian Tea and concert held by Corinna Sowers Adler will take place on May 5 at 1:00pm . Please call the Oakeside office at 973-429-0960 for further information and to reserve your place, and visit http://oakeside.org/ for more exciting community events.

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If you’re starting or expanding a garden this spring, the Bloomfield Environmental Commission recommends that you consider the following tips to
make your garden even greener!
Public Library Now Delivers!
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.

View our Adult Programs including Monday & Thursday Movies. Join a club to practice: Genealogy, Knitting, Bridge, 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 11:00am 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!
5/4, 1:00pm: Heimat Quartet Concert
5/11, 3:00pm: What's Funny About the Jersey Joke? 
5/6, 6:45pm: Monday Book Club
5/21, 6:30pm: Non-Fiction book Club
5/15, 6:30pm, Bullet Journal Club
Regular Storytime Programs through Friday, May 24. 
5/6 & 20, 11:00am: Spanish Storytimes (no craft) - all ages
5/1, 1:00pm: Storytime Boogie, Shooting Star Dance Center
5/7, 1:30pm: Community Storytime, Lovlee Art Studios
5/4, 11:00am: Read to Brady the Therapy Dog, on Saturday
5/14, 11:00am: Toddler Yoga. Registration required! Contact [email protected] .
Exercise and Trips for Seniors

The Bloomfield Senior Citizens organization members are invited to a Spring Luncheon on Friday, May 17 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Civic Center . To pre-register, call Recreation Leader, Dana Morton at 973-743-9074 . Contact Dana Morton for more info at [email protected].

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.

Tuesday, May 7
Felicity – 9:45am | Troy Towers – 9:50am  | Heritage Village – 9:55am
Return – 12:00pm.
Tuesday, May 14
Kinder Tower – 9:45am, return – 12:00pm

Bloomfield & Glen Ridge residents 60 & over are invited to a FREE afternoon of festivities,
food & music when Hollywood comes to Bloomfield on May 3 from 3:30-5:30pm at the Knight of Columbus, 190 State Street, Bloomfield . Read more here.  
Learn More About the History and Culture of NJ Diners!

The Historical Society of Bloomfield is hosting and exciting event: the Diners of New Jersey with Garden State author Michael C. Gabriele on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30pm at Bloomfield Civic Center. Visit, www.hsob.org , email [email protected] or call 973-743-8844 for more information.
Spring Recreation!

The Bloomfield Recreation 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, 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.

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.

The Recreation Department is proud to offer a variety of summer camp programs for students from K-10th grade. Registration for most programs begins May 22. Stay in touch with the Recreation Department.

Get exited for the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27 . This will kick off Summer of Fun , which includes our Independence Day Festivities, Outdoor Concert Series and More!

Many thanks to our sponsors who make these exciting programs possible!

ARTS  

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department is seeking artists, young and old, beginner and experienced to submit art for our annual Town Paints event on May 11 on the Town Green from 10:00am-1:00pm . All mediums will be accepted and awards will be given for Best in Show, Professional, Amateur and children. The first 25 students to submit artwork on that day will receive a complimentary art supply pack compliments of Councilman Ted Gamble.
Entry for students ages 6 – 17 is free.
Adult’s fees per submission: 1 - $7, 2 - $13, 3 - $18.
Art League member submission fee: 1 - $5, 2 - $10, 3 - $15.

Get excited for the Montclair Art Museum After Hours trip (free to Art League members) on June 6. Also, look out for our Art in the Garden event on July 13 .

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].
Health and Human Services Screenings

Health Beat, the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services’ radio show, recently began its 3rd season. The show airs on 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 .

March’s episode featured Hudson County Freeholder Joel Torres, who is the manager of Essex County’s ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team. This past week’s episode featured Yiannis K. Floropoulos, an academic, entrepreneur, and consultant and focused on community gardens and how they impact our health, our communities and over all well-being.

This month’s guest William Yarzab will be discussing how to teach your child about pedestrian safety.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! BMAC and the Health Department are participating in the mental health fair at Bloomfield High School on May 22.

For May we have a Urinalysis Screening Tuesday, May 7 from 10:00am-12:00pm . There will also be a Stroke Screening the next Tuesday, May 14 at the same time and place.

Donate blood on Tuesday, May 28 from 2:30-7:30pm at Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad Street. You can book your appointment here, or walk in. You can make a difference!

Are you behind in your rent, utilities, or mortgage and getting help will prevent you from becoming homeless? If so, you may quality for financial assistance . Contact the Bloomfield Division of Human Services at 973-680-4017 to learn more about the program.

The Health Department is hosting a workshop on May 13 at the Civic Center about creating a legal advance directive . To RSVP, text or call Lorraine Spiotta at 201-906-1274 .

The annual NCJW/Essex Back 2 School Store enables Bloomfield children entering K-5th grade this September in financial need to “shop” for free clothing, sneakers and school supplies in a one-day-only “store” set up just for them on July 28 . Each child is escorted throughout the department store-like space to select pants, shirts, sneakers, hats, gloves, socks, undergarments, a winter jacket, and a backpack in their favorite colors and styles. Pre-registration is required by May 25 . Limited slots available. Please call Human Services 973-680-4017 for income criteria and to register.
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. Also call this number to receive a free Pur water filter.
Bloomfield Federation of Music's 75th Anniversary Gala

The BFM’s 75th Anniversary Gala is taking place Thursday, May 2 at 7:00pm at the Chandelier, 340 Franklin Avenue, Belleville. To RSVP or place ads for the gala, email [email protected] . At the event, Paul Alongi Sr. will be recognized with a Bloomfield Federation of Music Lifetime Service Award and a Proclamation from Essex County Freeholder Carlos Pomares, and the Bloomfield Federation of Music will receive Proclamations from Township of Bloomfield Councilman Nick Joanow and Essex County Freeholder Carlos Pomares.

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] .

Under the direction of Maestro Enrico Granafei, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra will accompany a slide presentation featuring highlights from classic, contemporary, and international films on Sunday, May 5 at 3:00pm at the Auditorium of Bloomfield Middle School. For more information, visit mandolin.bloomfieldfm.org or write to [email protected]

On Saturday, April 13, The Bloomfield Chorale honored member Marie Needham for 10 years of outstanding service, with a surprise luncheon at the Brookdale Tavern and Kitchen.
E-Buzz Editor: Dan Knitzer | 201-864-0600 | [email protected]
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