November 30, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 Wyckoff Wanderings Christmas Jazz Concert set The Christian Zen Community of Zen Garland, a Zen Buddhist and interfaith order, will host a Christmas Jazz Concert, “Do Small Things with Great Love,” by Chris Shokai Connolly and Zen Garland’s Christian Zen on Sunday, Dec. 4. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Unitarian Church, 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus. The program is a unique presentation of the story of Christmas combined with scripture passages and quotes from Mother Teresa accompanied by an original jazz score. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Discounts are available for church groups. To purchase tickets, visit www.zengarland.org. For information, call (845) 5472004. Zen Garland is at 393 Crescent Avenue in Wyckoff. Annual Christmas Fair set The 47th Annual Christmas Fair, “Symbols of Christmas,” will be held Dec. 2 and 3 at Grace Methodist Church, 555 Russell Avenue in Wyckoff. The fair will feature handknitted items, handmade crafts, wreaths, toys, plants, jewelry, ornaments, a general store, bakery, white elephant stall, funnel cakes, and a special area where children may have photos taken with Santa. A special basket fundraiser will be held as part of the fair. Winners will be announced on Saturday at 2 p.m. Hours for the fair are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. For more information, call (201) 891-4595. Children’s programs offered The Wyckoff Public Library has planned programs for children at during December. Children ages one through four are invited to participate in “Fantastic Flights with Mother Goose” on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. In-person registration will begin Dec. 5 in the children’s corner. As Mother Goose, Ann Coppola will guide children on an adventure through her fairytale kingdom of singing blackbirds, moon-jumping cows, and Humpty Dumpty eggs using movement, music, and props. Book discussion group are offered to children in grades three through five. Light refreshments will be served. Children in third grade will discuss “Ramona Quimby, Age 8” by Beverly Cleary on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 3:45 p.m. Students in fourth and fifth grade are invited on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 3:45 p.m. to discuss Andrew Clements’ “Extra Credit.” Books are available at the circulation desk. These events will be held at the library’s temporary location at 637 Wyckoff Avenue. Call (201) 891-4866. Holiday Craft Night slated Adults are invited to a Holiday Craft Night at the Wyckoff Library on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Learn to make felt bow tree ornaments, decorated holiday gift bags, or holiday napkin rings. Registration is required; call (201) 891-4866. Space is limited. Participants must be at least 18. Kyra from Wyckoff donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love. She was pleased to be able to help other children. Hair donated to Locks of Love is used to create wigs for children who have lost their own hair due to medical treatments. Love, Kyra Coach, assistant resign (continued from page 3) “I would have respected any decision by coaches Hunt and Taranto to come before the board and challenge our decision not to confirm the appointment of Mr. Lawler,” Belsky stated, adding that he would have respected them if they told the board that this would be the last year they would coach basketball at Ramapo. “Both alternatives would be understandable and, in my judgment at least, reasonable and professional,” Belsky continued. “However, to quit in a fit of pique just a few days before a season starts because a candidate proposed to the board was not acceptable to the board, seems to me to wholly disregard the interests of the students who will play basketball at Ramapo by leaving them in the lurch without a coach with the season about to begin.” Belsky stated that “it is a terrible example to set for our students and a disservice to the communities served by the district.” He also emphasized that the board is “not a group of individuals that are here to merely rubber stamp the recommendations of the administration” and that they bring their best judgment to the matters at hand. “It is the height of arrogance for anyone to be outraged to the point of quitting simply because the board did not accept his or her recommendation for the appointment of a subordinate. That is not only the prerogative of the board, but its responsibility as well, when board members deem it in the best interest of the district and the students.” In response to Belsky’s statement, Hunt issued his own in which he stated, “As a citizen of our great country, Mr. Belsky is entitled to his opinion. However, his attack on my actions, and those of my colleague Jim Taranto, should not cloud the real issue. Pat Lawler deserved a chance to coach basketball at Ramapo High School.” Hunt referenced a comment by American clergyman Edwin Hubbel Chapin, who said, “No more duty can be urged upon those who are entering the great theater of life than simple loyalty to their best convictions.” “What a great lesson to teach our student athletes,” Hunt said. “Over the past eight years, Patrick Lawler has given countless hours of loyal support to Ramapo High School, our basketball program, and to me personally. It is out of loyalty to Pat that I stepped down from the basketball position. “Devotion, dedication, and loyalty are qualities I try to promote as a coach and in my everyday life. I believe the basketball players understood those convictions and realize why I made this decision. On the court we call it ‘having your teammate’s back.’ The timing of my decision may be unfortunate, but as I said to the basketball team the day I resigned, it is better to have a coach who is enthused and eager for the coming season, than to have one who is apathetic.” Hunt said the board’s decision “took the wind out of (his) sails” and added that the athletes deserve better than he could have given them considering the board’s action.