Book Break

Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Stop by Crane's Mill, West Caldwell, for a lively discussion on the book Sarah's Key, by author Tatiana de Rosnay. The book begins in July 1942, with Sarah, a 10-year-old girl, being brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours. Interested? Join the Friendly Book Group on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m., to discuss this compelling portrait of France under occupation. 

Poetry to Your Ears

Maybe Poetry is more your style? Consider picking up a copy of local poet Diane Lockward's newest book, Temptation by Water. A native of the Caldwells, Lockward's second collection, "What Feeds Us," received the 2006 Quentin R. Howard Poetry Prize. She is the Poet Laureate of West Caldwell, a title conferred upon her by West Caldwell Mayor Joseph Tempesta, and is also the author of "Eve's Red Dress" and a chapbook (a poet's first published collection of work), "Against Perfection." Lockward's poetry has also been featured on "Poetry Daily" and "Verse Daily," and has been nominated for several Pushcart Prizes.

Counting the Days

Also featuring Lockward's work, the Alhambra Poetry Calendar 2011 makes a great holiday gift for the poetry enthusiast. The calendar features 365 classical and contemporary poems by more than 300 poets, including poetry from different eras with a particular emphasis on contemporary poetry. To order the calendar, visit Alhambra or the Academy of American Poets.

Overdue Options

Have an overdue book or two lying around the house? Afraid just how much that library fine will be? The Caldwell Public Library has found a way to make you feel good about paying those fines on overdue books. From Dec. 17 to Dec. 31, donate food for the local food pantry and the fine or part of it will be wiped clean. Food for Fines makes it easier for you to return those books, and the library to reclaim the overdue materials, while helping the local food pantry. Don't have an overdue book, but want to help? Food donations are welcome from everyone, or while paying the fine, feel free to kick in a little extra. "The Caldwell Public Library has been doing Food for Fines since 2002," said library director Karen Kleppe-Lembo. "The collections benefit the Caldwell Food Pantry."  Typically, Food for Fines coincides with National Library Week in April, and whenever the Caldwell pantry runs low. So, search the house. Those overdue books may be worth more than their weight in food.

Be Happy

For yet another fun way to do good this month, join The New Jersey Young Professionals (NJYP) as they team up with Team Charity and head to the Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell. There are no sign-in tables, no nametags, and no icebreakers, and new members are at every NJYP event. While attendees enjoy a variety of specials on Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., including $4.99 appetizers, The American Red Cross will answer questions about the organization's "Out for Blood" event. The blood drive, scheduled for Dec. 14, from 5 to 10 p.m., at The Loft/Bobbie Brown Studio, Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, is the only blood drive geared toward young professionals. Everyone who donates blood will receive a swag bag full of goodies.

Interested donors must register with the American Red Cross to give blood at this event. Do you have a service or product you want to donate for the swag bag? Email Laura@njyp.org. To RSVP for the Cloverleaf Tavern event or to become a member, visit the NJYP's website.