The Festival of Lights Edition

Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, began last night and lasts for 8 days. The holiday commemorates a military victory by the Maccabees over the Syrians in the year 165 B.C., and the celebration is one of the more festive holidays on the Jewish religious calendar. So light a menorah, get those dreidels spinning and start shopping (if you haven't already) -- custom dictates that presents be exchanged on each of the holiday's eight nights. Click here for a brief tutorial on preparing latkes, a traditional holiday treat.

And in more holiday news, the 4th annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is now underway at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. With dozens of luminescent displays, this is the perfect event to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Admission is free, although patrons are welcome to bring a non-perishable food item or new, unwrapped toy that will be donated to various charities.

Want to help out closer to home? Last night the Kevin G. Kennedy Civic Association kicked off its holiday toy-food drive, with donations to be disbursed to struggling families right here in Belleville. Donations are being accepted until Dec. 20.

In other, somewhat less festive news, the Belleville Zoning Board meets tonight at 7 pm in the council chambers at Town Hall, 152 Washington Ave. Click here to view the agenda.

And finally, let's close on an upbeat note: the Optimists Club of Belleville meets tonight at 6:30 at The Manor at Branch Brook Park, 13 Washington Ave. Call 973-759-9744.