December 11, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 27 Ridgewood Notes Cookie Concert announced Children from Old Paramus Church recently prepared for the Cookie Concert with organist Stewart Holmes. Visit the sanctuary of Ridgewood’s Old Paramus Reformed Church on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. to experience the third annual Cookie Concert. This intergen- erational, interfaith event is for families with elementary school children and is open to the congregation, friends, and guests from the community. OPRC Music Director Stewart Holmes, a teacher at Ridgewood’s Ridge School, will discuss and perform sea- sonal music on the church’s Nevin pipe organ. In addition to pieces that appeal to children, like the famous Bach “Toc- cata,” Holmes will demonstrate how a pipe organ works. At the end of the program, cookies will be served. The church is located at 660 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood. For details, call (201) 444-5933 or visit www.oldparamus.org. RUMC sets special holiday services On Dec. 19, the Ridgewood United Methodist Church located at 100 Dayton Street in Ridgewood will hold a spe- cial service for those experiencing loss, depression, anxi- ety, stress, or an overall sense of “blue Christmas.” The 7:30 p.m. program will include reflective words and medi- tative music of the cello, organ, and guitar. Refreshments including warm spiced cider will follow. On Dec. 24, the church will hold its Christmas Eve pro- grams. The children’s “No Tears” pageant will begin at 4 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., there will be a half-hour of music pre- ceding the 10 p.m. Candlelight Service. All are invited. For more information, visit ridgewood- umc.net or call (201) 652-2868. Stable is donation center The Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department at The Stable serves as a collection center for holiday gifts for those less fortunate. The community is invited to donate toys, food, and mittens. “Toys for Tots” is being sponsored by the Saddle River Detachment #1211 Marine Corps League. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and games will be accepted to make a child’s holiday a little brighter. “The Mitten Tree” is decorated with gloves, scarves, hats, and mittens donated by local residents to benefit others. In conjunction with Social Services Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity, the recreation department is col- lecting food and personal items for the local food pantry. Items needed include canned tuna, boxed cereal, pasta, rice, canned juices, vegetables, soup, fruit, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and detergent. The Stable, located at 259 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood, is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For additional information, call (201) 670-5560. YWCA holds registration Registration for the YWCA Bergen County’s new ses- sion will begin Monday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 a.m. Classes will run from Jan. 2 through Feb. 22 at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood location. Members may register at www. ywcabergencounty.org, by phone, or in person. New for adults is Zumba® Sentao, a cardio workout that uses chair-based choreography to strengthen, improve bal- ance, and stabilize the core. Prenatal Fitness features low- impact cardio, strength training, and stretching appropriate for expectant mothers. Chair yoga creatively uses folding chairs, walls, and yoga props to achieve the benefits of a traditional yoga class, uniting the body, mind, and spirit. New programs include synchronized swimming for youngsters ages seven and up. Participants will learn syn- chronized swim skills and figures and prepare for competi- tion with the YWCA Synchro Stars. Lil’ Dragons Judo is open to children ages four through seven, while U.S.J.A. Judo, for participants age five to adult, teaches self-defense and important life skills like confidence and discipline. The YWCA offers dozens of other fitness, wellness, and enrichment programs for all ages, and American Red Cross certified swim classes for swimmers at every age and level. Drop-in child care is available at the 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility. For more information, visit www.ywcabergencounty.org or call (201) 444-5600. YMCA Christmas Tree Lot now open The Ridgewood YMCA’s annual Christmas Tree Lot is offering a wide selection of balsam and Fraser trees in sizes to fit any home. Wreaths, roping, and other holiday items are also be available for sale. All proceeds benefit the Ridgewood YMCA Good Works Programs. Through its Good Works Programs, the Ridgewood Y addresses community needs and strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Tree lot hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Satur- days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lot will remain open until Dec. 22. The Ridgewood Y Christmas Tree Lot is located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood. For more information, visit www.ridgewoodymca.org. 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 last of a four-part series of workshops on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 1:30 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. The work- shops are free and parish membership is not required. Workshops are presented by the Career Resources Min- istry, whose members are dedicated to helping those seek- ing employment. Professionals in the field will present the workshop and will be on hand to give advice. This work- shop topic is “Interview, Cultivate Offers, and Negotiate.” Participants should bring a recent resume or job experience information. All are welcome, and refreshments will be served. 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. Opera company sets auditions The Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, with its 76-year history of performing these Victorian clas- sics, has announced auditions for its production of “The Gondoliers.” Performance dates will start in April 2014. Auditions for principal roles and chorus will be held at the Community Church of Glen Rock, 354 Rock Road in Glen Rock, on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants should be prepared to sing a song from the show or a piece that best shows their vocal quality. If the piece is not from “The Gondoliers,” please be sure to bring the music. An accompanist will be provided. Performers are asked to bring a head shot and résumé. For more information, call (973) 423-0300, e-mail ridgewoodgands@gmail.com, or visit www.RidgewoodGandS.com. International camp available The Ridgewood YMCA has announced plans for its 2014 International Summer Camp Program, which will be held in the Dominican Republic. The program will take place from June 29 through July 8, 2014 and is open to teens in grades 10 through 12. Working alongside Dominican YMCA teen volunteers, program participants will help repair and build homes for families in need, and complete vital agricultural and refor- esting projects. Participants will also visit local landmarks and destinations and experience the rich culture and his- tory of the Dominican Republic. An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for parents and teens inter- ested in applying for ICP 2014. To register for the Open House, contact Gary Imhoff at gimhoff@ridgewoodymca. org or call (201) 444-5600, extension 313. Prospective participants may also learn more about the program and download applications by visiting www.ridgewoodymca. org/icp. The Ridgewood YMCA is located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood. Holiday Art Show & Sale under way The Ridgewood Art Institute Holiday Show and Sale is under way. The exhibit will remain open through Dec. 24. The Ridgewood Art Institute, a non profit organization, is located at 12 East Glen Avenue. For more information, visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org or call (201) 652-9615. Press releases for this column may be e-mailed to editorial@villadom.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon.