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The Pen & Pudding Project
Who: You, your kids & photos of your favorite things
What: Local artist Jennifer Levine
along with Scott Massarsky and Marcia Miele will draw original pen and
ink pictures of your kid, your kid’s pet or her favorite toy. (Don’t
bring real live pets, please. Bring photos instead.) While you wait for
your artwork, have tea at the surprisingly kid-friendly Cha-Ma-gu-Dao.
Proceeds benefit The Human Needs Food Pantry.
Where: Cha-Ma-Gu-Dao
212 Glenridge Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Sunday, Nov. 30, 3-5 p.m.
Cost: On-the-spot artwork starts at $20

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Bloomfield Skateboard Park Opens Nov. 22

Hot off the presses, now I can finally go skateboarding. That is, if I wear my helmet and if
the teens don’t mind an out-of-shape, 34-year-old mom of three hanging
out with them. The new park equipment includes 2 ½ pipes, 2 pyramid
ramps, 2 grind boxes, and grinder rails. This rocks, dude.

Who: For teens and their parents who need them to stop skateboarding in the house.
What: Ribbon cutting for the long awaited Bloomfield Ramp Park serving both skateboarders and BMX bikers (Bicycle Motocross).
Where:
Memorial Parkway will be Saturday November 22nd at 10 a.m. in Memorial
Park in Bloomfield (near the tennis courts). Directions: Enter the Park
via Memorial Parkway – off of Belleville – stay left and you’ll come to
the parking lot.
Why: The Park was funded with GreenAcres
money and is OPEN TO ALL (not just Bloomfielders). There will be an
attendant there, too. Appropriate equipment will be required – helmets-
elbow and kneepads. There will be separate hours for skateboarders and
BMXers. Waivers will have to be signed by parents/guardians.

Saturday, Nov. 22
Morning with Santa
Who: Young kids who would look cute in a photo with Santa.
What:
Local professional photographer Richard Titus will take photos of your
children on Santa’s lap at the Van Vleck House & Gardens. Local
elves will then take them to do crafts in the Education Center
Where: Van Vleck House & Gardens
21 Van Vleck House & Gardens
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: 2 sittings are 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 10-11 a.m.
Cost: $25 per family (very cool that it’s not per kid), call Mary for reservations (973) 744-4752. She says it’s almost filled.

Deals on Goods for a Good Cause: The United Way
Who: Anyone who needs to buy stuff for kids
What:
Save up to 75 percent off retail prices on new, brand name toys and
adult items at whole sale prices. We hear there will be remote control
vehicles, dolls, clothes, stuffed animals, infant products, jewelry and
lots of stuff for adults, too. There are supposed to be over 5,000
items.
Where: United Way of North Essex
60 S. Fullerton Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Why: Stock up for holiday as cheaply as possible.
Cost: Free to get in, CASH only

Know of an event? Send us an email.

Entry by Bridget Roy Sarubin

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Sunday, Nov. 16
Third Annual Bnai Keshet Book Festival
with Watchung Booksellers
Who: Kids ages 4 to 12
What: Karla Gudeon, illustrator of
Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Zierfert, will read and speak to children
4-8. Then Nancy Krulik, author of the hit series How I
Survived Middle School, takes over for the 8- to 12-year-old crowd. She’ll talk about
how being Jewish influenced her writing of a bestselling series.
Where: Bnai Keshet Synagogue
99 South Fullerton Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Sunday, Nov. 16, 11: 45 a.m.
Cost: Free
Note: There are also some great author appearances for adults throughout the weekend with Meg Wolitzer, author of The Ten-Year Nap and Joanna Herson, author of The German Bride.Bnai Keshet website for details

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Saturday, Nov. 15
Montclair High School Pancake Breakfast
Who: Anyone who likes breakfast.
What:
MHS’s Project Graduation Committee is hosting with all proceeds going
to an all-night, alcohol- and drug-free post-graduation party.
Where: The cafeteria at the George Innes Annex (AKA, the 9th Grade Building)
100 Chestnut St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Sat., Nov 15, 9 a.m. – noon
Why: Eat all the pancakes, sausage, fruit and bagels that you can handle.
Cost: Adults $10, students $5 and donations accepted

Live From Sesame Street: Gordon and Elmo
Who: Elmo addicts and their patient parents
What: Elmo and Gordon do their thing. Again, this is the real Elmo, Kevin Clash who is Elmo creator and puppeteer. And, of course, he will sing along with Montclair’s Roscoe Orman, the local legend who has played Gordon on Sesame Street for more than 20 years. This is a benefit show for Luna Stage.
Where: Montclair High School Auditorium
141 Park St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.
Why: Help Luna stage and stoke your toddler’s obsession.
Cost: $35, tax-deductible. Pay at the door or call Luna at 973-744-3309 or try ordering online. I just talked to Colleen at
Luna, and tickets are still available for the show.

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Give Blood, Get Cookie

How far would you go for a cookie? If local caterer Nicky Mesiah’s goods are as, well, good as I hear, I would definitely give up blood for one. Especially when it’s for a such a great cause.

Who: Anyone who’s eligible to give blood
What: Miss Nicky’s Ultra Thin Chocolate Chip Cookie Day hosted by The Red Cross. Give blood, and you get to sample her treats.
Where: American Red Cross of Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley
63 Park Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
When: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2:30-7:30 p.m.
Why: As holidays near, people get busy and blood donations slow down.
Cost: Just a little blood
Call: Best to schedule an appointment, call the Montclair chapter (973) 746-1800

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The Cow and the Beanstalk

Who:
Good for younger kids who can sit in a chair long enough for the show.
My 3-year-olds will check it out this Saturday and report back next
week.

What: Running Rabbit Family Theater Company‘s show from Jack’s cow’s point of view. You know, Jack. From Jack & the Beanstalk.

Where: Luna Stage
695 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-3309 ext. 204

Why: Rumors abound that Luna Stage might be losing their lease. See their shows while you can.

When:
Saturday, November 8, 11 a.m. Sunday November 9, 1 p.m. Catch more
shows on November 13, 10:30 a.m. November 15, 11 a.m. November 16, 1
p.m. November 19, 10:30 a.m. November 22, 11 a.m. November 23, 1 p.m.

Cost: $12 per kid; $18 for you.

Madeline Story Hour

Who: Anyone who loves Madeline, especially kids ages 2 through elementary school.

What: Story hour with Madeline (like, Madeline herself!)

Where: Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats
12 N. Willow St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 783-6100

When: Saturday, November 8 & Sunday, November 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Why: It’s supposed to rain outside tomorrow, so fun indoor activities are musts.

Cost: Free

Watchung Booksellers Author Reading

Who: 8- to 12-year-olds and their parents who aspire to write children’s fiction
What: Q&A with author Daniel Kirk, The Elf Realm, and author/illustrator, Daniel Boom AKA Loud Boy

Where: Watchung Booksellers
54 Fairfield St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-7177

When: Saturday, November 8, 1 p.m.

Why: It’s free!

Cost: Um, free