March 17, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 11 Ridgewood Notes ‘Saint Matthew Passion’ presented West Side Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 325th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birth with a Patron Series presentation of his monumental “Saint Matthew Passion,” one of the pillars of Western sacred music, on Sunday, March 21 at 4 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend this Lenten performance. Bach, a musical luminary and a man of great faith, wrote his “Passion” to tell the story of Christ’s suffering and death in music, interweaving the events of the Passion with the emotions of Christ, his disciples, and the crowd, involving all singers, instrumentalists, and members of the audience. The piece was premiered on Good Friday 1729, and Bach continued to revise his incomparable score for another 14 years. West Side’s presentation of Bach’s Passion will involve nearly 200 participants, including the West Side Oratorio Choir, Children’s Choir and Orchestra (Joanne Harris Rodland, conductor); New Jersey City University Concert Chorale (Dr. Robert Prowse, director); Mark Bleeke, evangelist; Edward Brewer, harpsichord; and Scott Kluksdahl, cello. The Patron Series, now in its 34th season, maintains a no-admission-fee policy with a freewill offering during intermission. Complimentary child care is provided for pre-school children. Attendees are advised to arrive early in order to obtain a seat. The church is located at Varian Fry Way, 6 South Monroe Street, in Ridgewood. Free parking is available in the lot directly across the street from the entrance to the sanctuary. For more information about the church and its programs, call (201) 652-1966 or visit www.westside.org. Library launches discussion group The Ridgewood Public Library is offering village residents a new monthly discussion group “Great Decisions” beginning March 25 at 12:30 p.m. The group, facilitated by Nancy Greene and Dr. Virginia Hyman, is based on a long- standing program produced by the Foreign Policy Association. The Global Financial Crisis will be the topic on March 25, and participants will consider other areas of interest. Using FPA Topic Guidebooks, future subjects will include “Peace Building and Conflict Resolution,” “Russia and its Neighbors,” and “U.S.–China Security Relations.” The 2010 Topic Guidebooks provide in-depth articles and resources for independent research, and can be borrowed (or ordered for purchase) at the library. Great Decisions will meet in the library’s arts studio; coffee and cookies will be served. The library website, www.ridgewoodlibrary.org, provides more information. To register and reserve a guidebook, call (201) 670-5600, extension 125. Temple schedules ‘Spring Fling’ Temple Israel of Ridgewood has scheduled its Spring Fling for Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and dinner catered by Main Event Caterers, and vodka and cocktail bars. Temple Israel member, composer, and professional musician Artie Bressler and his six-piece band will present live music. In addition to entertainment, dancing, and dinner, there will be a special auction featuring many prizes, such as a Latour gift certificate, gourmet dinners at members’ homes, knitting lessons, “Dessert of the Month” for a year, an afternoon sailboat ride, beautiful silk scarves, a set of kitchen plans valued at $2,000 by designer Clive Christian of Ridgewood, and eight bottles of fine wine. Participants must be present to bid on the prize items. Details on the prizes are available by e-mailing party10@synagogue.org. The event also features a “green ad journal” that saves both money and trees. The “journal” will be shown as a slide presentation throughout the evening, and business advertisers will be listed on the synagogue’s web site: www.synagogue.org. Reservations and ads for the “journal” will be accepted through March 17. Tickets to the event are $90. For tickets or information, call (201) 444-9320, e-mail office@synagogue.org, or visit www.synagogue.org. Located at 475 Grove Street in Ridgewood, Temple Israel and JCC is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue with members from over 12 Bergen County communities. Rummage Sale donations sought Ridgewood United Methodist Church at 100 Dayton Street is seeking donations for the Rummage Sale planned for Saturday, May 1. Please be sure to donate items that are clean and in working order. Coats in good condition are the only articles of clothing that will be accepted. For details, contact the church at (201) 652-2868. Students offered Ultimate Frisbee A spring session of Ultimate Frisbee is being offered to students in grades four through eight by the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation and the Falcon Sports Academy. Classes will be held at the Irene Habernickel Family Park for five weeks on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Sessions begin May 6. The fee is $95 per student. No materials are required. Register online at www.ridgewoodsports.org or in person or by mail at The Stable, 259 North Maple Avenue. Registration forms are on the recreation homepage at www. ridgewoodnj.net. Call the recreation office at (201) 6705560 for details. Services, programs available The First Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood, 722 East Ridgewood Avenue, invites the public to “Spirituals and Spirit,” a special presentation of the Chancel Choir at the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 21. This will be a celebration of Passion Sunday with spirited Gospel music including “Total Praise” and “Ain’a That Good News.” The Martha Circle will discuss Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea” on Monday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the church dining room. The book tells of one man’s mission to promote peace – one child and one school at a time in some of the most isolated regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Palm Sunday (March 28) 10 a.m. worship service will feature the Sunday School Procession and singing presentation. There will be a Candlelight Communion and Pot Luck Dinner on Maundy Thursday, April 1. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and worship at 7:30 p.m. Children are welcome. Easter Sunday, April 4, worship services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” will be sung by the Chancel Choir with congregation members. Call (201) 652-2504 for more information. 4 Out of 5 Ain’t Bad! 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