Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • January 27, 2010 Waldwick Watch Donations of products, services sought Building Blocks Child Center is seeking donations of products and services from local business to be featured during the center’s Beefsteak Dinner and Auction. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase new playground equipment and to repaint the interior of the facility. The fundraiser will be held April 24 at 6 p.m. in the school gym at 136 Wyckoff Avenue, Waldwick. Tickets are $30 per person and include beefsteak dinner with salad, french fries, beverage, ice cream and coffee, and a starter kit with auction tickets. Committee members include Tom and Donna Johnson, Adele Badalamenti, Dennis DePrimo, Mayra Padilla, Scott and Becky Baker, and Pastor Ray and Norma Muniz. Call (201) 446-7047 for more information. WEF requests assistance The Waldwick Education Foundation is seeking donations for its annual fundraiser scheduled for March 19 at Waldwick High School. Anyone with new/unused merchandise, not-quite-right holiday gifts, or empty baskets, is welcome to donate these items to the auction to help Waldwick’s public schools. Businesses are asked to donate a gift certificate or basket, and advertise the business at the same time. To make a donation, e-mail WaldwickWEF@aol.com, or call (201) 251-8579. Journalist presents controversial photos Lew Wheaton, assistant professor of journalism and mass media at Bergen Community College, will present a slide lecture, “Controversial Photos,” at the Waldwick Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Wheaton will display slides of images that ignited controversy and will lead a discussion with audience members about whether they agree with the editors’ decisions to publish or not publish them. Before joining the teaching staff at Bergen Community College, Wheaton spent more than three decades with the Associated Press, where he was a reporter, editor, foreign correspondent, bureau chief, human resources executive, and administrative director of AP’s worldwide photo operation. In his last position with the AP, his responsibilities included dealing with editors and publishers on issues involving manipulated images and controversial photographs. He is a past president of the New York State Society of Newspaper Editors. The program is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is recommended. The library is located at 19 East Prospect Street in Waldwick. Phone (201) 6525104. Kindergarten and first grade registration set Registration for the September 2010 kindergarten classes will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. at Julia A. Traphagen School and at 1:30 p.m. at Crescent School. Parents or guardians must bring a birth certificate or other proof of the child’s age, and two proofs of residency to registration. Acceptable residency proofs include utility bills with the name and address and a lease, deed, or tax bill for the residence. To be eligible for next fall’s class, children must be five years old on or before Oct. 1, have a complete physical examination after Sept. 1, 2009, and have completed immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, mumps, hepatitis B, and chickenpox. Parents or guardians must furnish a written record of the month, day, and year of all immunizations. Registration forms are available at both Crescent and Traphagen Schools during school hours. Anyone who cannot attend registration should call the school office at Crescent School, (201) 445-0690, or Traphagen School, (201) 445-0730, as soon as possible. Parents of private school kindergarten students who are planning to attend a Waldwick Public School for first grade in September 2010 are also asked to register their children by Jan. 27. These students must meet the same immunization requirements as kindergarteners. Alliance plans Wine Tasting fundraiser The Waldwick Community Alliance will host a Wine Tasting on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Saint Luke’s R.C. Church in Ho-Ho-Kus. There will be over 100 quality wines, craft beers, great food, and prizes. Participants may enter to win a 32-inch LCD HDTV, a wine refrigerator, wine accessories, and more. Tickets are $45 per adult and may be purchased online at WaldwickCommunityAlliance.org or by calling Doug Cowie at (201) 873-8919. All proceeds from this event and 20 percent of the wine sales from the evening will benefit the restoration of the Waldwick Train Station. The evening is sponsored in part by Maratene’s Fine Wines and Spirits in Waldwick. Fundraiser for Haiti scheduled On Jan. 29, a Zumba Fitness FUNdraiser for Haiti will be held at Building Blocks, 136 Wyckoff Avenue, Waldwick. Enter at door 3. Certified Zumba Instructor Shelley Capener will host this event. Hours will be from 7 to 8:15 p.m., but doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Participants will be charged $20 each, and all proceeds will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund where 100 percent of donations go directly to relief efforts. For tickets or to donate, call (201) 962-0555. Teachers honored (continued from page 7) “I’m proud to be a teacher in Waldwick. I work with a great staff,” said the 20-year borough resident. Fern Drasin, the middle school reading specialist, was praised by Dr. Penna for her child-centered approach to teaching. She began her career in Waldwick as an elementary school teacher at Traphagen School before moving to the sixth grade at the middle school. “I appreciate the recognition. It’s a pleasure working with everyone here,” said Drasin. Janet Sobkowicz, Waldwick High School’s supervisor of related arts and social studies, was praised for the many innovative programs she has developed over the years, including the “Seniors in School” program. “She’s always busy,” said Dr. Penna. “I’m proud to be a part of Waldwick. It’s great to see kids we’ve had and what they’ve become,” she said, after telling a story about a young fireman who recognized her as his former teacher. Sobkowicz is also the elected mayor of Washington Township. New director (continued from page 7) said that she has been involved in the development of several pilot initiatives that have provided increased opportunities to keep students in their neighborhood schools. “I am also very proud of my involvement in the development of the community based instruction program at Lakeland Regional High School,” she added. Wilson graduated from Lafayette College and holds master’s degrees in educational psychology and educational administration and supervision from Montclair State University. She paid her way through graduate school by working as a case manager at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic. “It was a great experience and I believe that it added to my skill set as a school psychologist and diagnostician,” Wilson noted. :”She’ll be a breath of fresh air,” said Adele Badalamenti at the meeting in welcoming the new director to the district. 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 hur ts 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!