October 17, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 21 Ridgewood Notes Chamber hosts Ladies Night Out The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will host Charity Ladies Night Out on Thursday, Oct. 18. A fashion show will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Pompanoosuc Mills Furniture Store at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue. Happy hour at the Park West Tavern, 30 Oak Street, will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. The evening will feature music, food, beverages, massages, facials, special shopping deals, door prizes, games, and the fashion show. The event is free, but donations are welcome. To RSVP, or for more information, call (201) 445-2600 or visit infor@ridgewoodchamber.com. Peace activists to discuss budget The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood will host a program on peace and justice with noted speakers Madelyn Hoffman of New Jersey Peace Action and Guido Girgenti of 99Rise on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Hoffman, executive director of New Jersey Peace Action, will discuss “Move the Money,” a campaign to shrink the Pentagon’s budget and use the savings to promote peace and justice. Peace Action, whose national office is in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the nation’s largest grassroots network of peace activists. It was founded as SANE (later SANE/Freeze) in 1957. Peace Action seeks to bring an end to weapons trafficking, encourage nonmilitary solutions to international conflicts, and promote conflict resolution at all levels. Girgenti is East Coast Organizing Coordinator for 99Rise, a new nationwide movement seeking to get “big money” out of American politics and reclaim America’s democracy for the 99 percent. As an Occidental College student, Girgenti has been active in student and racial justice organizing. The event is free, and reservations are not required. Refreshments will be served. The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood is located at 113 Cottage Place. For details, visit uuridgewood.org or call (201) 444-6225. Zumba classes available The Village of Ridgewood Health Department is offering two Zumba programs starting Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 4:45 p.m. Each class will run for five consecutive weeks. Participants may sign up for one Everyone was invited to bring their favorite pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, goldfish -- and even stuffed animals -- to the Blessing of the Animals/Feast of Saint Francis at Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood. A short service celebrating all animals was held, followed by individual blessings of each animal. Some orphaned animals from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. of Oakland who are eligible for adoption were brought to the event. In addition, pets who had been cremated were interred in the Pet Memorial Garden. (Photos courtesy of Boyd A. Loving.) Animals receive special blessing or both programs. The fee for a five-week session is $40. Ridgewood residency is not required. To register, call (201) 670-5500, extension 245. Auxiliary hosts fashion benefit The Valley Hospital Auxiliary and L.K. Bennett will hold an in-store fashion event and champagne reception at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack on Thursday, Oct. 25. Hours will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On display will be the company’s collection of dresses, shoes, and handbags that can be seen worn by Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge. A percentage of the sales from this event will benefit the auxiliary’s pledge to raise $1.5 million for the expansion of the Valley Hospital Breast Surgery Program and to support Valley Home Care’s Butterflies Program, a palliative and hospice care program for children. RSVP to Maria Repole at mrepole2@hotmail.com or call (201) 745-8275 by Oct. 18. All sales between Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 will be honored. Participants may mention “The Valley Hospital Auxiliary” to receive a 10 percent discount. Pastor offers story time program On Oct. 20, the Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church will present a free, fun-filled “Stories, Snacks, and Songs” time from 10 a.m. to noon. This program, which is designed for children ages four through eight, is led by Pastor Mary Stegink. Stegink will be assisted by Joyce Monsma. Parents of participating children are invited to bring non-perishable food items for the church’s monthly drivethrough collection, which is held in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The food is forwarded to the Social Service Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity’s food pantry. “Stories, Snacks, and Songs” is held the third Saturday of each month at the church at 271 Lincoln Avenue. For information, call (201) 445-1832.