Break Out Your Running Shoes

There will be no shortage of places to run this weekend: Our Lady of the Lake School is holding a Fun Run/Walk, Caldwell is hosting Relay for Life, and West Essex Regional School is Trotting for Technology.  If biking is more your style, there is a Bike Benefit for Camp Vacamas in North Caldwell.  For less active pursuits, consider an outdoor film and sing-along, or attend the open-mic night for Japan disaster relief.  The Verona-Cedar Grove Chorus is performing, and the West Caldwell Library is teaching about Asian Teas.  Children might enjoy the Nature Crafts at the Environmental Center.  Read on for details about these and other events to fill your Get Out time this weekend.

Where/When: , 265 Westville Ave, West Caldwell; Friday 4:30 p.m. overnight into Saturday morning – closing ceremony at 6:00 a.m.

Why Go?  Relay for Life is an opportunity to fight back against cancer, remember lost loved ones, and celebrate the lives of those battling the disease.  Teams of people will camp out at the high school and take turns walking or running around the track.  Because cancer never sleeps, neither does the Relay.  Come to participate, donate or just cheer!

Pricing: attendance is free, donations are accepted

Where/When: , 26 Lakeside Ave, Verona; Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Why Go? This event benefits Our Lady of the Lake School programs.  The 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run will begin at OLL School on Montrose Avenue and will be contained within local Verona streets.  Runners/walkers receive snacks, goody bags, and T-shirts, as well as prizes for top performers!

Pricing: Pre-registration is $15.00/person for 1 Mile Fun Run (any age may participate); 5K Run/Walk fees are $24.00/person; $22.00/person for teams of 5 or more.  Registration rates increase after May 13^th.  For more information and to register, visit www.myoll.org.

Where/When: , 65 W Greenbrook Rd, North Caldwell; Saturday 7:30 a.m.

Why Go? West Essex is hosting its first 5k walk/run benefit for the school's 50th Anniversary!  Following the 5k Run/Walk,  community members are invited to celebrate at the pancake breakfast fundraiser. The pancake breakfast will be held from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the high school cafeteria, with participants of the 5k receiving a complimentary breakfast. 

Pricing: Race participants pay a registration fee, but spectators are free.  The Pancake breakfast is $10 for adults, and $5 for children and seniors.

Where/When: Essex County Environmental Center  621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland; Saturday 11:00 a.m.

Why Go? Children ages 7 to 12 will enjoy making a craft to test if all bodies of water move, design a stepping stone, and use nature’s paintbrushes to create works of art.

Pricing: $8 per child per session.  Advance registration and payment are required; call 973.228.8776

Where/When: , 65 Bowden Rd, Cedar Grove; Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Why Go? Enjoy refreshments as the talented members of the church and community perform to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

Pricing: Admission is $5. Children under 5 free.

Where/When: , 474 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair; Friday at 8:00 p.m.

Why Go? The Presby Gardens are in full bloom and open all day for strolling and maybe a picnic.  At 8:30pm, the hills come alive with "The Sound of Music" when the film will shown on the lawn, complete with a sing-along.  Bring the family and some lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy!

Pricing:  FREE!  Street Parking will be available on Upper Mountain Ave and Highland Ave.

Where/When: , 151 Fairview Ave, Verona; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Why Go? The Verona-Cedar Grove Chorus performs several concerts each year to share the fun they have singing together, learning about music, and performing.  Come out to enjoy this exciting concert presented by your neighbors!

Pricing: Adults $10 Seniors/Children $5

Where/When: Essex County Environmental Center  621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland; Saturday - Book Drop-Off: 9am to 12pm,  Book Sale: 12pm to 3pm

Why Go? Here is your big chance to clear off your bookshelves of all the books you are finished with, and replace them with new reading material!  Drop off all of your unwanted books at the Essex County Environmental Center between 9am and 12pm.   All books will be sorted and placed on display for purchase (or voucher) later that day from 12pm to 3pm.    All proceeds will go to the Essex County Parks Foundation for environmental education programming and projects at the Essex County Environmental Center.

Pricing: free

Where/When: , 30 Clinton Rd, West Caldwell; Sunday 2:00 p.m.

Why Go? Learn about Asian teas with food historian and tea specialist Judith Krall-Russo.  Learn the difference between everyday tea drinking, the Chinese tea ceremony - gong fu cha, and the Japanese tea ceremony - cha-no-yu.  Check out the tea implements display and watch a tea-making demonstration.

Pricing: free

Where/When: Mountain Avenue Sports Complex 20 Mountain Ave, North Caldwell: Sunday 8:00 a.m. registration

Why Go? Vacamas is raising funds to bring underserved youngsters to sleep-away camp this summer at this Benefit Bike Ride. There will be two clearly-marked routes this year: a 40-mile trip for experienced riders and a 15-mile journey for less-seasoned riders. Both routes will start and end at North Caldwell’s Mountain Avenue Sports Complex.  Don’t miss the BBQ Celebration at the end of the ride!

Pricing: The Bike Ride registration fee is $25.