November 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 35 Franklin Lakes Scribe Halligan to discuss teen depression, bullying John Halligan will be at Franklin Avenue Middle School on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to speak to parents about bullying, cyber-bullying, and youth depression. He will cover the lessons his family learned after his 13-year-old son, Ryan, died by suicide after being bullied by classmates at school and online. Halligan will also discuss preventive actions that can be taken. This program is sponsored by the FAMS PTA and the Franklin Lakes Municipal Alliance. Area pets go online Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital has joined other animal welfare organizations in listing their homeless pets on Petfinder. com, the oldest and largest database of adoptable animals on the Internet. The site currently has over 323,000 homeless pets listed, and it is updated continuously. More than 12,950 animal welfare organizations in the U.S., Canada, and other countries post their pets on the site. Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital can be viewed at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ609. html. An individual who is thinking about adopting a pet can enter search criteria, and receives a list of available pets near his or her hometown. Adoptions are handled by the animal placement group where the pet is housed, and each group has its own policies. Petfinder.com was created in early 1996 as a grassroots project to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets. Since its inception, the site has facilitated approximately 20 million adoptions, making it the most lifesaving initiative in animal welfare. Learn black bear facts The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will offer its “Know the Bear Facts” education seminar for Franklin Lakes residents, free of charge, on Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at Franklin Lakes Borough Hall, 480 DeKorte Drive. Program attendees will learn about the history and biology of the Garden State’s largest land mammal, and about black bear research. The program also provides tips on how to react if a black bear is encountered near a home or when enjoying the outdoors, and the precautions residents should take to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance near homes. Throughout the fall, black bears actively forage for food to prepare for the winter denning season. The increase in activity during this time of year can bring bears closer to homes and into backyards while they search for available food. Black bears have been sighted in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties. Therefore, it is important for residents throughout the state to know the facts about co-existing with bears. For more information about black bears, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/ bearfacts.htm. Handmade rugs on exhibit Gail Dufresne of Goal Hill Designs will exhibit her hooked rug designs at the Franklin Lakes Library during November. Following the footsteps of her mother and sister in the traditional art of rug hooking, Dufresne began her craft in 1984 as a textile artist with a love of detail. She has worked extensively with wide cuts and geometric designs and playing with color. Unusual materials, such as boucle, angora, chenille, glitter glue, and ribbons enhance her creations. A McGowan certified teacher, Dufresne teaches rug hooking classes from Vermont to California. For more information, call the library at (201) 891-2224. RBARI hosts Annual Holiday Boutique benefit The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc is holding its Annual Holiday Boutique at the VFW Hall in Franklin Lakes (corner of Franklin and Pulis avenues) on Friday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a large selection of holiday gift and crafts, and homemade foods including baked goods and soups. Admission is free. All proceeds directly benefit the animals at RBARI, the no-kill shelter locate in Oakland. Talents & Treasures Fundraiser underway The Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes will hold its annual Talents and Treasures Fundraiser through Nov. 30. Offerings include vacation spots, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, luggage, linens, artwork, and collectibles. Items are on view Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and following the 10 a.m. worship on Sunday. The church is located at 730 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes. The list of all items and services will be available on the church website, www.pcfl.org. For further information, call the church office at (201) 891-0511. The Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes is located on 730 Franklin Lake Road in Franklin Lakes. School Leader Award (continued from page 5) exceptional programs in New Jersey.” The Beads ‘n Me project has been featured on the NJN News television program and has appeared in several publications such as School Leader Magazine and county and local newspapers. In May, Beads ‘n Me received the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Innovations Award that recognizes creative special education programs. In June 2008, Beads ‘n Me won the ABC-7 television award entitled, “Above & Beyond: Inspiring Students and Teachers” and the class was featured on a half-hour television show and was in a series of commercials on the ABC television station. Each Beads ‘n Me item is custom-made “with love and joy,” by her students at the Franklin Avenue Middle School, said Pryor. The made to order lanyards, necklaces and eyeglass chains come in custom colors and lengths and they sell for $10 for necklaces and eyeglass chains, and $15 for lanyards for ID badges and keys. Recently, the Beads ‘n Me project introduced a new breast cancer awareness line with the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 60 years of service (continued from page 7) Our Sisters and the Strengthen Our Sisters Shelters (homes for battered women and children) via clothing drives, children’s parties, and various programs and donations. The club continues to sponsor the borough’s annual blood drive. Additional organizations that have received financial support from the Club are the Lenni-Lenape Girl Scouts Council, March of Dimes, Bergen Visiting Nurses, Family Counseling Service, Project Hope, drug abuse programs, Eva’s Kitchen, CARE, Ronald McDonald House, Center for Food Action, the Oasis Foundation, and the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Holy Name Hospital. In recognition of its service to others, the club has received a Recognition of Service Proclamation from the Borough of Franklin Lakes, Recognition of Service to the Community Grant from Berlex Laboratories, Inc., Certificate of Achievement from the American Red Cross, and a Recognition of Volunteers Certificate of Appreciation from the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. For additional information about the Franklin Lakes Woman’s Club, contact Eileen Leone at (201) 848-9330. ��������� �������������������������� ������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ��������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���������������������� ��������������� �������������������� ������������������������������������� 30 minutes of your time can save a life. It’s About Life! Your can make a difference in someone’s life by spending just 30 minutes donating blood. Call us today. �������������� Community Blood Services ����������������������������������� ���������������������������� �������������� �������������� ������������ 970 Linwood Avenue, West Paramus, NJ 07652 Check our website: www.CommunityBloodServices.org 201-444-3900 ������������������������� ����������������������