July 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Saddle River Valley Notes VBS goes under water Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church will bring an underwater adventure to Upper Saddle River with Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God. This interdenominational Christian Vacation Bible School program is open to all children age three years old through elementary school. The program will be held Aug. 13 through 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Children will start each day singing along at the Choral Reef. Then they will enjoy crafts at Aquatic Arts, games at High Tide Hangout, Underwater Passage Bible stories, and an Exploration Station. Snacks will be provided at Diver’s Diner. A special age-appropriate program will be provided for preschoolers. The cost of the program is $30 for Bergen Highlands families, and $40 for all others through July 22, when the price will increase to $50. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Registration forms are available in the church entryway or at www.gbgm-umc.org/bergenhighlandsumc. Call (201) 327-3960 for more information. Juniors seek event sponsors The Saddle River Valley Junior Woman’s Club is offering sponsorships for the Sept. 29 “Dinner and Dancing with Daddy” event. The buffet dinner will be held at the Apple Ridge Country Club in Mahwah from 5 to 9 p.m., and will include music, dancing, games, entertainment, and a professional photographer. Beverages will include wine, beer, and Shirley Temples. “Dinner and Dancing with Daddy” will benefit pediatric cancer through Project Ladybug and The Josephine’s Garden Fund. Project Ladybug, a local non-profit organization, is dedicated to easing the struggles of childhood cancer, and provides assistance to children and their families. The group’s mission is to improve the quality of life and outcome for these children and their families throughout the treatment process. The Josephine’s Garden Fund at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital was created to fulfill a dream and to remember Josephine Elle Rispoli, a seven-year-old who dreamed of a special garden at the hospital while she fought her battle against brain cancer. To become a sponsor, or to make a donation supporting Dinner and Dancing with Daddy, call Kate Janosky at (201) 825-2104 or visit srvjwc.org. Club seeks treasures for fundraiser The Saddle River Valley Junior Woman’s Club is seeking donations for its Estate & Treasure Sale. All donated items will benefit community organizations and other local charities. Items may be dropped off at Westy Self Storage, 200 Route 17 North in Upper Saddle River, the first Friday and Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. All donations should be in good working condition. For more information, or to arrange a pickup of large items, call Kara at (646) 250-3959. Cub Scouts welcome new members Registration is now open for the 2012-13 Upper Saddle River Cub Scout program. Boys who will be entering grades one through five are welcome to participate. Boys are divided into dens according to grade level. One evening a month, all dens gather for a pack meeting and activity. Families are included in pack events. Cub Scouts participate in an annual car wash, Pinewood Derby, Carnival Night, and fall and spring campouts. For more information, contact Tammy James at tamarajames1@verizon.net. Club welcomes new members, hosts events The Saddle River Valley Newcomers Club welcomes all residents from Saddle River and Upper Saddle River, regardless of the length of their residency. Activities include Book Club, International Club, Out to Lunch, golf, social suppers, and more. For additional information, contact Ricki at (201) 818-6643 or visit srvnc.org Church seeks support for labyrinth The parishioners of Presentation Roman Catholic Church in Upper Saddle River are seeking support from the interfaith and business communities to help create a labyrinth peace garden. This oasis for meditation, prayer, and healing would be constructed on the grounds of the church behind the tomb located to the right of the building’s main entrance. The aim is to create a full-size replica of the renowned medieval labyrinth found within the center of Our Lady of Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres, France, using decorative pavers on a parcel of land outside the church. Over the centuries, labyrinths have been used for healing and reflection. Project organizers note that donors will have the opportunity to memorialize a loved one, or name a business or house of worship in an appropriate manner. A fund for this purpose has already been established. The church is located at 271 West Saddle River Road in Upper Saddle River. Call (201) 327-1313 for details. Free audiobook software available The Upper Saddle River Library is offering free software for patrons who wish to upgrade to the latest version of OverDrive Media Console 3.2. This program will allow nearly all audiobooks from www.beateaudio.org to be transferred to the iPod®, iPhone™, iPod touch®, and iPod nano®, as well as the Zune® and other MP3 players, from a Windows® computer. To browse the collection of popular audiobooks for an iPod® or MP3 player, visit the BeAT website: www.beateaudio.org or go to www.uppersaddleriverlibrary.org. Click on the audiobooks button and install the free software. Check out with a library card, and then download to enjoy titles on a computer, MP3 player (including Apple® devices), and burn many titles to CD. Fellowship Group meets The Saddle River Valley Fellowship Group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 11 a.m. at the Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church in Upper Saddle River. For information, call (201) 327-8969. Heidi Wise, her dog Sugar, and America Kennel Club Judge Charles Marcantonio celebrate Sugar’s first place win in the AKC obedience competition. Sugar, an 11 1/2 year old Pomeranian, is trained and handled by Wise, president of Coddled Creatures Pet Sitting and Obedience Training LLC. Wise says Sugar is one of the only, if not the only, small dog trained, for AKC competition obedience using only positive reinforcement methods with a great emphasis on learning theory. Wise had been told by many that it could not be done with her methods, but she stuck to her beliefs and obtained first place without ever using any old school, methods such as prong or choke collars. Wise says her approach to competition training, is what she is most proud of because it sets an example that shows it can be done in a fun and humane way for both owner and dog. (Photo courtesy of M. Nicole Fisher Photography.) Sugar is treat for Wise Safety (continued from page 12) there is an overriding concern for the safety of the neighborhood children due to motorists who exceed the 25 mile per hour speed limit. The residents presented the council with a petition signed by 15 neighbors who agree that the traffic in the area is passing by too quickly, thereby creating a safety concern. The citizens asked for the three-way stop and suggested a turn restriction at Hollywood Avenue. At the May meeting, Mayor Thomas Randall pointed out that several traffic calming measures, which encourage motorists to slow down, could be reviewed for the neighborhood. He also said he would consider reviving the borough’s committee on traffic safety, and would ask the police department to check traffic speed and volume, and would seek recommendations.