May Day, Free Comics, School Calendar This Week

Board of Education: Madison's school board is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Madison High School library. A vote on a revised 2013-2014 calendar—starting classes Monday, Sept. 9, instead of Friday, Sept. 6, and having an early dismissal on Feb. 14, the Friday before Presidents Day, instead of closing—is on the meeting agenda. Also, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lee Nittel is expected to give a presentation on testing.

Bartender Showdown: The Madison Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Poor Herbie's from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday for a “Bartender Showdown” to raise funds for the Chamber’s Jack Morris Memorial scholarship fund.  Madison business owners Mike Odell, CPA of accounting firm Odell & Critchley, and Karen D'Adarrio of Maison Decor will take turns behind the bar serving drinks to patrons and keeping the crowd entertained. Tips given during the event and a portion of proceeds will go toward the fund. For more information visit www.MadisonNJChamber.org.

May Day: Hundreds of volunteers will work to spruce up Madison on Saturday morning by weeding, speading mulch and picking up litter throughout the borough for the 16th annual community beautification effort. Afterward, the community can celebrate at an after-party and beer garden at the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Public Art: Coinciding with May Day, The Madison Sidewalk Gallery opens on Waverly Place on Saturday. Eight selected artists are creating original works that will be displayed on specially designed lampposts through the fall and then auctioned. The participating artists are Danielle Auriemma-D'Amico, Kadie Dempsey, Dan Fenelon, Susan Gepford, Daniel Marck, Dennis McKee, Kris Pfeifer and Larry Ross. The gallery, a collaborative project between the Madison Arts & Culture Alliance and the Downtown Development Commission, is designed to promote the creative work of local artists and recognize Madison as an arts destination.

Free Comic Books: Dewey's Comic City on Park Avenue is celebrating the 12th annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, a day when participating comic book specialty shops give away comic books to all who visit their shops. Star Wars Stormtroopers from the Vader's Fist, the 501st Garrison, will be on hand to protect Madison and Free Comic Book Day visitors from the Rebel Alliance.

MEA 5K: The Madison Education Foundation's 10th annual 5K Run/Walk/Kids’ Fun Runs is scheduled for Sunday at Madison High School. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Registration can be completed online at www.mefnj.org and walk-ins are welcome the day of the event.