February 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Saddle River Valley Notes Annual Poetry Contest announced The Woman’s Club of Upper Saddle River is sponsoring its 23rd Annual Poetry and Essay Contest for local students. This year’s topic is “What One Thing Would You Change about Upper Saddle River?” To enter, contact Reynolds, Bogert, or Cavallini schools. Students in grades one through eight are eligible. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 27. One essay winner and one poetry winner will be chosen from each contest division (grades one and two, three and four, five and six, and seven and eight). Winners will be notified in March. Winners will be invited to read their entries at the Club’s April meeting before club members, families, friends, and school officials. The winners’ names will be inscribed on plaques at their respective schools. The Woman’s Club and the women at Shelter or Sisters thank all who donated so generously to the Baby Shower in February. Donations are still being accepted. For information, and to learn more about becoming a member of the Woman’s Club, call Barbara at (201) 825-0207. Interior designer to speak Barbara Ostrom of Barbara Ostrom Associates, Inc. will be the guest speaker at the Saddle River Valley Junior Woman’s Club meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Ostrom will discuss the elements of interior design. Contact Joanne at (201) 327-1080 for details. The Saddle River Valley Junior Woman’s Club is comprised of women who share a desire to improve the lives of others. Event planner to speak On Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., the Upper Saddle River Library will host Christine Figiuolo, owner of Creations by Christine Events, to share what it takes to create a beautiful party. Create a realistic budget and a tasteful event regardless of the size of your guest list or the size of your budget. The Upper Saddle River Library is located at 245 Lake Street in Upper Saddle River. Foundation recognizes Blake The Upper Saddle River Education Foundation will host Town Night Out on Friday, March 6 at the Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale. This year’s fundraiser will include a posthumous honor, the Award for Educational Excellence, for Coach Mike Blake. There will be no assigned seating this year, so requests are not required. The event will feature an open bar, cocktail hour, an international buffet, Viennese table, and entertainment. Tickets are $115 per person. Visit usref.net to register, or to locate more information about foundation grants to the local schools. Wandell School Pre-K offers new options The Wandell School will be offering two new preschool options in September 2009. The four-year-old class will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. The three-year-old program will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon with the option of extended days one or two days per week. Tuition for the four-yearold program will be $8,000. Tuition for the three-year-old program will be $4,000, with tuition of $4,800 with one extended day and $5,600 with two extended days: Tuesday and/or Wednesday until 2 p.m. The Wandell School preschool curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey Department of Education Preschool Teaching and Learning Expectations: Standards of Learning. The program encompasses many areas of development including, social, physical, cognitive, and language. Parents are welcome to visit the program with their child. Children must be three or four respectively for the three- or four-year-old program by Oct. 1, 2009 and must be toilet trained. The program is open to out-of-town residents. For details call (201) 327-0727. Candidates sought for Republican ticket The Upper Saddle River Republican Municipal County Committee is seeking candidates for two borough council seats for the June 2009 primary election. Interested parties can send their letter of intent and a brief personal write-up, on or before March 6, to Armand C. Del Rosario, Chairman USR Municipal County Committee, 56 Echo Ridge Road, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. Chat & Stitch at the library Drop in and relax with a current needlework project and join in conversation with other stitchers on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Upper Saddle River Library, 345 Lake Street in Upper Saddle River. Whether it is a knitting, quilting, needlepoint, embroidery, beading, or crocheting project, everyone is welcome to join this Chat & Stitch program. Refreshments will be served. The library is located at 245 Lake Street in Upper Saddle River. SRV Newcomers Club plan champagne brunch The Saddle River Valley Newcomers Club has planned a Spring Champagne Brunch for Friday, March 20 at a member’s home. If interested call Donna at (201) 3273641. The Saddle River Valley Newcomers Club is open to all residents of Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, and the surrounding communities. Contact Joanne at (201) 3271080 for more details. Fellowship plans for Saint Patrick’s Day The Saddle River Valley Senior Fellowship is planning to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17 at the Brownstone Inn. There is still room for five more people on the bus. The cost is $38 for members and $43 for non members. Included will be transportation, an Irish meal, and an open bar. The bus will depart from the Methodist Church on West Saddle River Road in Upper Saddle River at 10:15 a.m. Anyone interested should contact Rick Link at (201) 327-6767. Cultural Center offers children’s classes The Saddle River Valley Cultural Center located at 305 West Saddle River Road in Upper Saddle River is offering winter classes for toddlers/preschoolers, and children. The cost for classes that run 10 weeks is $135. The 12week classes are $160 plus materials. Classes for toddlers and preschoolers include: Little Art Explorers on Wednesdays for ages three through five, 10 weeks, from 1 to 1:45 p.m.; Cooking for Mommy & Me on Thursdays for ages three through five, 12 weeks, from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; Tons of Fun Mommy and Me on Fridays for ages three through five, 12 weeks, from 9:15 to 10 a.m.; Mommy & Me & Music on Fridays for ages two through four, 12 weeks, from 10:15 to 11 a.m.; and Ballet for Beginners on Fridays for ages three through five, 12 weeks, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. or 1 to 1:45 p.m. Kids Corner classes are for ages five-and-a-half and up and include: Cooking Around the World on Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for eight weeks for $190; Fine Arts will meet on Tuesdays for 12 weeks from 4 to 5 p.m.; The Secrets of Magic meets on Wednesdays for six weeks for $100 from 4 to 5 p.m.; Junior Art Explorers meets on Wednesdays for 10 weeks from 4 to 5 p.m.; Hip Hop Dance Class meets on Wednesdays for 12 weeks from 4 to 5 p.m.; Crafts & Chocolate Workshops on Thursdays for 12 weeks from 4 to 5 p.m.; and karate on Saturdays for 12 weeks from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. School vacation workshops will be offered during the winter and spring breaks. They will run two day for $95 and meet from 9 a.m. to noon. On April 27 and 28, the workshop will be Under the Big Top Circus & Magic. For more information contact director Georgia Greiner at (201) 825-3366 or at Georgia@SRVCC.org. or go to www.SRVCC.org. Bereavement support group forming The Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River is offering a bereavement support group that is open to the public. There will be eight sessions over eight weeks with trained facilitators. Topics include family systems, family changes, elements of grief, loneliness, anger, guilt, and inner healing. Registration is required and there is no charge. For dates and times call (201) 327-1313 extension 46. Book groups meet at the library Join the Upper Saddle River Library for a new book group, Coffee Talk, with Alice, Ann, and Camille, on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. With three different personalities moderating the group, there is sure to be lively conversation. Refreshments will be provided. The Upper Saddle River Library is located at 245 Lake Street, Upper Saddle River. The Upper Saddle River Library’s Novels at Night book club meet the first Wednesday of every month. For a list of future novels and meeting dates, pick up a flyer at the USR Library or view online at uppersaddleriverlibrary.org. The Upper Saddle River Library is located at 245 Lake Street, Upper Saddle River. Break the Highway Trend! ...not your community’s back. Local businesses are the backbone of your community and the trend to shop the big guys on the highway hurts us all.Your local businesses have what you want... at the right price... and close to home. So, why hassle with the highways? Save Time! Save Gas! Save Money! SAVE YOUR COMMUNITY! We Need You SHOP LOCALLY. IT’S SMART. ...and besides, it’s so convenient!