Page 2 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, III & IV • February 15, 2012 Villadom Happenings Genealogists to host Wlodarczyk Genealogical researcher Maureen Wlodarczyk will present “One Thing Leads to Another: The Genealogy Journey of Discovery” at the Feb. 27 meeting of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County. The 7 p.m. program will be held in the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood. Wlodarczyk will discuss her motivation for researching her family history, the unexpected and serendipitous things that happened, and how one small bit of information can open the door to more unexpected discoveries. She will also discuss DNA testing for genealogical research. An officer and genealogical researcher with the Flannery Clan organization based in Dublin, Ireland, and a member of the Irish American Writers and Artists organization and the Genealogical Society of New Jersey, Wlodarczyk is the author of two non-fiction stories of 19th century life in New Jersey. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.njgsbc.org. Chamber hosts Public Spirit Showcase The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual Public Spirit Showcase on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Conference Center located at 3 Executive Boulevard in Suffern, New York. This event is being sponsored by the Crowne Plaza and Boiling Springs Savings Bank. The showcase, which falls on Mardis Gras, will spotlight over 25 regional non-profit organizations. Participants will have networking opportunities and an opportunity to participate in Mardi Gras fun and refreshments. The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Prepaid registration is required to guarantee participation. For reservations and other information, visit mahwah.com or call the Chamber office at (201) 529-5566. Non-profit organizations that are not current MRCC members may exhibit at this event for a $25 fee. Non-profit Chamber members may exhibit at no cost. Defensive driving course offered The Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center in Midland Park will host an AARP Defensive Driving Course on Friday, Feb. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the course, seniors sharpen their driving skills and learn new solutions to difficult road situations. Most drivers who participate qualify for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount. Cost of the course is $16 and includes lunch and refreshments. Sign up at the Northwest Senior Center. For more information, call the center at (201) 445-5690. The Northwest Bergen Regional Senior Center, located at 46-50 Center Street in Midland Park, is open to all Bergen County area senior citizens age 60 and up. Many activities, services, and a hot lunch program are offered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Employment workshop scheduled Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church’s Career Resources Ministry, in its continuing effort to provide help to people seeking employment, will present the first of a four-part series of workshops on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. The workshop will be held in the meeting room in the lower church and is open to anyone seeking employment and those who anticipate possible unemployment. Parish membership is not required. Workshops are presented by the Career Resources Ministry, whose members are dedicated to helping those seeking employment. Professionals in the field will present the workshop and will be on hand to give advice. This workshop topic is “Create Your Communications Strategy and Resume.” Participants should bring a recent resume or job experience information. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. For more information, call Tom Lewis at (201) 445-1864 or Carol Shea at (201) 447-4215. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is located at 1 Passaic Street in Ridgewood. Vacation Day program available The YWCA Bergen County will offer its Vacation Day program for children in kindergarten through grade six from Feb. 20 through 24 at its facility at 112 Oak Street in The Valley Hospital Auxiliary’s first Spring Tasting Adventure will be held March 22, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the Skylite Room at the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel, 1 International Boulevard, Mahwah. Signature creations from a host of local chefs and caterers, and one mystery chef, will be featured. These dishes will be paired with specially selected wines. This event will also include a special auction, with prizes such as a dining certificate to Nobu New York and a selection of wines. Tickets are $150, and all proceeds benefit the auxiliary’s new pledge to raise $1.5 million for expansion of The Valley Hospital Breast Surgery Program at the Luckow Pavilion and to support Valley Home Care’s Butterflies Program, a palliative care and hospice program for children. The Valley Hospital Auxiliary is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Spring Tasting Adventure Committee includes (seated) Ann Swist and Auxiliary President Nancy Davidson, and (standing) Lee Jenkins, Gabrielle Winnert, Heather Scaturo, Elaine Heimberger, and Charlotte Byrne. Not pictured: Lorraine Augustine, Judy DiDonato, Diana Frankel, Linda Leeder, Paula Pacicco, Adeline Webb, and Kay Yeomans. The event sponsors are The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Applebee’s (SM). For more information or to order tickets, call (908) 578-2286, (201) 447-8064 or visit www.valleyhealth.com/auxiliary. Spring Tasting Adventure slated Ridgewood. Children will enjoy trips and activities, including visits to Liberty Science Center, Giggles, Bounce U, and Planet 301. The program provides full-day care from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fee is $55 per child per day for families currently participating in YWCA Before or After School programs, and $75 for non-participating families. Advance registration is required. To register, call (201) 444-5600, extension 352 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org for details and registration forms. YWCA Before and After School Programs are offered at schools in Allendale, Cresskill, Dumont, Old Tappan, Oradell, Ridgewood, and Westwood. An after kindergarten program is available in Oradell. All programs are licensed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Children & Families. Clergy Spouse Day slated The Church Relations Ministry of Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff invites spouses of clergy members in Northern New Jersey to participate in Clergy Spouse Day. This annual program will be held March 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the CHCC auditorium, 301 Sicomac Avenue in Wyckoff. Carolyn Custis James, an international conference speaker and author, will present “Finding Your Place in the Story” and “Mrs. Noah: The Clergy Spouse’s Patron Saint.” The event is free of charge and is open to spouses of clergy from all faith communities. Lunch is included. Child care for preschool-aged children is available upon request; RSVP at least one week prior to the event with the names and ages of the children. Contact Diane Cioffi at (201) 848-5839 or dcioffi@chccnj. org by March 1 to register. New support groups forming CancerCare is sponsoring new support groups for those affected by cancer. These groups will meet at 141 Dayton Street, Suite 204 in Ridgewood. A partners’ bereavement group, a women’s gynecological cancer support group, a Hispanic women’s cancer support group, and a monthly breast cancer support group are being offered. All groups are led by a licensed social worker. There are no fees for these programs. For more information about these groups and other services, call (201) 444-6630. CancerCare is a national non-profit that provides free, professional support services and financial assistance.