This Week's Planner: Livingston in the 20th Century; 'My Race'

Monday, Feb.28 @ 7:30 p.m. The Livingston presents Barry Evenchick, author of "Livingston in the 20th Century," at the Senior Community Center.

Tuesday, March 1 National Pancake Day. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. IHOP is offering a complimentary short stack.  In return for the free flapjacks, consider leaving a little something behind for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities.  (Last year, IHOP raised more than $2.1 million).

Tuesday, March 1 is also National Peanut Butter Lovers' Day.  So for those making lunch sandwiches…

Wednesday, March 2 is 1904 birthdate of Theodor Seuss Geisel.  Green eggs anyone?  Make time to re-read his classics and bring a smile to your face.

Thursday, March 3 is "I Want You to be Happy Day." Do something to make others happy.  Be creative. There are endless ways to make others happy. Post your suggestions in comments.

Friday, March 4 is Employee Appreciation Day. How about some shout outs for your employees?

March 4 is also "Hug a GI Day." So “march forth” and give hugs. It is small thanks for their sacrifices for our country.  

Friday, March 4, Lorraine Lotzof Abramson will discuss her book My Race: A Jewish Girl Growing Up Under Apartheid in South Africa.  Friday services are @ 6:30 p.m., and the Temple Bnai Abraham Sisterhood sponsored Dinner & Symposium is @ 7:30 p.m.   

My Race is a memoir of a gifted Jewish athlete growing up under the apartheid system of South Africa.  Abramson shares her unique vantage point on the apartheid experience and gives a first-hand account of her growing unease with the system of social inequality that simultaneously excluded her and celebrated her. Her hopes of being on the 1964 South African Olympic Team were shattered when South Africa was expelled from the Olympics due to its apartheid policies.

The fee for the Dinner & Symposium is $20 per person in advance; all others $25.

Saturday, March 5 the Livingston Masonic Lodge holds a Pancake Breakfast to support the Livingston Angel Fund, which assists Livingston students in need. The fee is $5 per adult, $3 per child, and there is no fee for children 5 and under.  The breakfasts take place at the Livingston Masonic Lodge, 19 Burnet St. For more information, call Ira at (201) 207-6300.

Saturday, March 5 at noon, the Livingston Public Library will be hosting a free, full-length SAT practice test administered by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. Results will be returned via mail or e-mail. Registration is required @ dewilde@bccls.org  or  call the Youth Department @ (973) 992-4600, ext. 270

Sunday, March 6 is Dentist's Day.  So smile! A Personal Yay to the Livingston orthodontic office of Dr. Bernie Gorkowitz!

Save these dates:

Monday, March 7 begins the next 10-week session of Rainbows Peer Support Groups. Rainbows is a support group for children who have suffered significant loss in their lives, either through death, divorce, or other painful transitions. Rainbows’ aim is to implant in these children a belief in their own goodness, in a safe and secure environment. Rainbows is not counseling or therapy for children. It is strictly peer support groups for children grades K-6, guided by caring, trained adults, in a confidential setting. This program is free of charge, interracial, and non-sectarian. For information, or to sign up for the program, please call the National Council of Jewish Women Center for Women @ (973) 994-4994 or email centerforwomen@ncjwessex.org.

Monday, March 7 @ 7 p.m. Community and Schools Working Together for Parents of Residents with Special Needs presented at the Livingston High School media center by the Parents and Professionals for Exceptional Children (PPEC), the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD), the West Essex YMCA, the recently-launched MOM2MOM Helpline, the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, and Livingston Public Schools.

Participants will include Bob Gebroe of the LACD,  Cheryl Francione of the West Essex YMCA, Madeleine Goldfarb of the MOM2MOM Helpline, Rebecca Wanatick of the United Jewish Communities and Larry Russell, the new Assistant Superintendent for Student Services for Livingston Public Schools.  This event is free and open to the public.  For further information, questions, and to RSVP to the event, email PPECLIVINGSTON@aol.com.

Tuesday, March 15.  The “Livingston Shop & Eat Around” sponsored by the Livingston Business Improvement District (BID).  This event gives local area residents the chance to save at a variety of Livingston’s shops, eateries, fitness centers, beauty salons and other service providers.

March is Music in Our Schools Month! The first of this year’s upcoming musical concert will be the District Jazz Festival on Wednesday, March 23 @ 7:30 p.m. in the LHS auditorium.