November 2015 Bloomfield E-BUZZ

November 2015

M eet Clare and Sherril, pals paired by NTNN

Clare Norris leads a busy life . . . mother of two . . . law student awaiting acceptance to the New York Bar . . . Still, she missed the volunteerism left behind when she and her family moved from England to the United States.

Last summer, Clare, age 38, discovered the Neighbor to Neighbor Network. Now she's helpfully paired with Sherril Thornton, a widow with failing mobility but an ever-sharp mind. Read more

Join the Watsessing Park fall cleanup

The first annual Watsessing Park fall cleanup will take place Sunday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help spruce up the park while meeting your neighbors. Refreshments will be provided. Meet at the bowling club lawn. Rain date: Nov. 15. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Watsessing Park Conserv- ancy. More information at [email protected].

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November Town Council meetings

* Nov. 2, 7 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2nd floor.

* Nov. 16, 7 p.m., conference meeting, Law Enforcement Building, room 205.

General election, Nov. 3

The statewide general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any questions, e-mail [email protected].
or call (973) 680-4015.

Get the skinny on leaf season regs

Now that it's leaf collection season, DPW has some do's and don'ts for use of biode-gradable bags, plus what can and cannot be included in bags or at curbside. Learn more

Why alternate-side parking?

It isn't just about street sweeping. When you're asked to move your car for the Department of Public Works, there are multiple reasons. Learn more

Let the holidays begin!

> Tree Lighting - Come to Town Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 1 for Bloomfield's annual tree lighting ceremony. Events start at 6:30 p.m., including a visit from Santa and caroling by the Bloomfield High School Concert Choir joined by local scouting troops.

> Food Drive
- All tree lighting attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food items (such as canned goods, rice and dry pasta). The collection is part of Bloomfield's seven-week food drive, ending Jan. 16, just before the Martin Luther King Day of Service. The goal is five tons of food.

This winter, don't get plowed in!

The Public Works & Parks Department has a protocol for efficient removal of snow from municipal streets. To avoid being plowed in, find out where to move your car during plowing. Learn more

Basketball and wrestling sign-up now under way

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> Basketball - Girls and boys in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to participate in the Bloomfield Recreation In-Town Basketball League or the Suburban Traveling Basketball Teams.

> Wrestling practices (junior and senior divisions) begin in early to mid-November.

Learn more about both programs.

Remember our veterans

> Annual Breakfast - Join the Bloomfield Joint Memorial Committee for an all-you-can-eat Veterans Day breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. at Newark-Bloomfield Elks Lodge #21, located at 296 Bloomfield Avenue. Tickets are $10.

> Veterans Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. - The parade will start at Town Hall and proceed along Franklin Street to the veterans monument at Liberty and Franklin streets. There, "Taps" will be played and guest speakers will honor deceased veterans.

Learn Morris Canal history

A three-mile narrated hike along the Morris Canal will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Walk the Bloomfield section of the canal, then hop on a bus to additional canal sites.
Reservations are required. A $5 donation is requested to cover bus costs and hand-outs. To reserve, e-mail [email protected].
The excursion is co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Bloomfield, the Bloomfield Morris Canal Greenway Committee and the Bloomfield Recreation Department.

Find out where you can volunteer

If you'd like to volunteer in a Bloomfield community group, come to the second annual Bloomfield Civic Showcase on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bloomfield High School auditorium. Civic, sports, school, faith and other community groups will gather to highlight current programs, display educational material, and encourage new memberships. Admission is free.
The event is sponsored by the Bloomfield Cultural Commission. Contact them if your group wishes to be featured during the showcase. Group registration is $10; the deadline for sign-up is Nov. 6. Call (973) 303-8884 or e-mail [email protected].

Movies, Music,

Computer Tutoring . . .

You'll find more than books at Bloomfield Library.
> See current movies every Monday and Thursday.
> Attend special events like cartooning class or theater arts for kids.
> Enjoy musical concerts and plays at Little Theater.
> Get one-on-one computer tutoring - free to Bloomfield residents.
For current happenings, click here.

Art League hosts juried exhibit

Bloomfield Art League will host a juried exhibit of member artworks on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center (240 Belleville Avenue).
If you aren't a member and want to enter your art, join the league for $25, then bring your art to Oakeside on Nov. 2 between 5 and 7 p.m. You may submit one entry for $7. For details, e-mail [email protected], or visit bloomfieldartleaguenj.com.
For upcoming BAL workshops, click here.

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Host a meeting with the mayor in your home

Mayor Michael Venezia wants to meet and talk with you and your neighbors. To arrange a Mayor's Community Meeting in your home, at a local restaurant, business or other gathering spot, contact Andrea Schneider at the Mayor's Office, (973) 680-4077 or [email protected].

Three upcoming community meetings are on the calendar:

> Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at Fairview School, 376 Berkeley Avenue.

> Monday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m., at Watsessing School, 71 Prospect Street.

> Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., at Carteret School, 158 Grove Street.

Public health services you should know about . . .

Don 't miss out on holiday joy

Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for a limited number of Bloomfield families in need are available thanks to Bloomfield Human Services and its community partners. Do you qualify?

Get vital social services

Don't struggle unnecessarily. You may qualify for food stamps, local food pantries, utility assistance programs, prescription assistance, rent or mortgage assistance.

Get help navigating Obamacare

Understand your insurance options. Get no-cost counseling.

Learn more about all of these services.