Knowing your family history and heritage is becoming more and more important these days for a lot of different reasons.  So in order to give you an advantage of knowing where and how to look, the Morris Area Genealogy Society and the Morris County Library have set up workshops to give you the know how.   The meetings will take place from now until May and will be on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:45PM at the Morris County Library located at 30 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany.  Refreshments and a sharing table will be provided prior to the meeting at 6:30PM.  In case of inclement weather you can check the MAGS website, www.rootsweb.com/~njmags or can call the Morris County Library at 973-285-6930.

The Roxbury High School Band is putting on a benefit concert on February 4, 2012 titled ‘Beatlemania Again!’  The show will be performed by The National Touring Beatles Stage Show!   The proceeds will go to benefit the Roxbury High School Band in all of their activities, including the 2012 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana where they are one of fourteen bands in the nation to perform!  If you would like to purchase tickets or would like more information the Roxbury High School Band website at www.roxburybands.org. The concert will be held at the Roxbury High School Auditorium, 1 Bryant Drive in Succasunna.  Doors are at 6:30 PM and the show starts at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students.

It’s the Year of the Dragon! Join the museum of Early Trades & Crafts to celebrate Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 5th at 2PM. To register or for more information, call (973) 377-2982 x12 or go to www.metc.org. Admission is $3 for all participants and regular admission for all others. The museum is located at 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ.

All Critter’s Rescue will be having their First Annual Valentine’s Dinner and Gift Auction at Our House Restaurant located at 420 Adelphia Rd, in Farmingdale NJ, on Thursday Feburary 9th, from 6 PM until 10 PM. All proceeds will go towards rescuing companion and farm animals . In 2011, we saved 250 lives, we look forward to saving even more lives in 2012! Tickets can be purchased by going to www.allcrittersrescue.violasdesk.com or call Steve at 732-616-3368. All Critters Rescue is a no-kill nonprofit organization consisting of foster homes throughout New Jersey. 

On February 11th the Wharton American Legion is hosting their annual Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance. They are located at 99 North Main Street in Wharton. The dinner is open to the public and admission is $35 per person and will include hors d’ oeuvres, a buffet dinner feature live music by DJ Steve Roberts.  For more information, please call 973-366-2458. 

Join the Keeping Kids Safe Project on February 17th and 18th in West New York for their child safety fair. At the events the child safety organization will provide parents with the opportunity to have their child’s fingerprints taken along with their photograph which can be given to any authority for records protecting their child’s well-being. Community organizations will also be present to provide safety information and entertainment for families. The fair will be taking place at the Hudson Honda dealership at 6608 Kennedy Blvd. from 3PM-7PM on Friday and 10AM-4PM on Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity is hosting the 7th Annual “Hearts & Hammers” Gala on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ. Please come help Morris Habitat reach its fund raising goal of $150,000. There will be a silent auction including, a Rolling Stones autographed guitar, a NASCAR Racing Experience with personalized training and a chance to drive one of the featured cars, an autographed picture of Justin Beiber, a 3-day Napa Valley Wine Country Trip, and numerous gift baskets. The gift baskets include tickets to a Jimmy Kimmel show, two stays at a local hotel, a variety of book baskets and much more. To join the fun and a worthy cause call 973-891-1934 or visit www.morrishabitat.org. Deadline to RSVP is January 20th, 2012 and is opened to the public.

On Saturday February 25, 2012, the Stanley Congregational Church, United church of Christ in Chatham will host a benefit concert “With a Song in My Heart” sang by leads in local theater productions along with professional credit!  The concert will feature musical styles ranging from Operetta through musical theater including soaring ballads through comic patter, and several novelty numbers!  The concert will equally benefit both the Music Program at Stanley Congregational Church and the New Jersey Food Bank.  A suggested offering is $20.00; however, there will be a free will offering at the conclusion of the event.  So stop on by to 94 Fairmount Avenue in Chatham to support a great cause! For more information please visit www.stanleychurch.org or call (973) 635-7723.

Come out to the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts for Lucky Leprechaun Day on Friday, March 16th from 3pm to 4pm. Visitors can learn about Irish history, join in various crafts and activities and enjoy some delicious refreshments. This event is suitable for  ages 5-10 years old. Advance registration recommended; call 973-377-2982 x12 for more information. Regular admission is $3 and the museum is located at 9 Main Street in the heart of downtown Madison, just two blocks from the Madison train station or visit www.metc.org.

On Sunday March 18th Celebrate the Children will hold their 2nd 70’s themed Bowl-A-Thon.  The event will begin at 2pm and end around 4pm at Circle Lanes located at 1113 Route 46 in Ledgewood, NJ.  Each participant is being asked to pre-register for the event with a goal to raise $100 each.  If you’re interested in attending or donating you can contact Kristin Verdi at 973-989-4033 or kverdi@celebratethechildren.org. 

Learn the ancient art of Ukranian egg decorating called Pysanky at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts on Saturday, March 24th. The event is between the hours of  10 am -1pm or  & 2pm - 5 pm. Participants will get a hands-on experience using the unique techniques needed to create these colorful masterpieces. Both sessions are open to ages 8 and up. Space is limited; pre-registration is required call 973-377-2982 x14. Admission is $15 for Members & $20 for non-members (includes all supplies). The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located at 9 Main Street in the heart of downtown Madison, just two blocks from the Madison train station. For information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit our website at www.metc.org.

S.I.P. Kids is a nation child safety organization who tours the country providing free digital finger prints for children.  The Keeping Kids Safe Project is coming to Springfield to host its 4th Annual free child safety fair.  Fingerprinting is a key factor in helping law enforcement track kids that become missing.  So, come on out to the Autoland Toyota Chrysler Jeep Dodge at 170 Rt. 22 East, Springfield, NJ on Friday, March 23th from 3pm to 7pm and Saturday, March 24th from 10am to 4pm.  This is a great time to learn more of children safety.  For more information contact Hilary Menken @ 319-268-4111 or at hillary@sipkids.com

Help out Morristown United Methodist Church’s youth mission projects! Donate to the 2012 Rummage Sale Saturday March 31st from 9am-2pm. They accept anything in good condition to resell, except washer/dryer/stoves/refrigerators, mattresses, gas powered equipment or clothes. Items must be dropped off by Sunday March 25th on the stage behind the curtain at the church on 50 South Park Place in Morristown. Before dropping off large items or for any questions, contact Andrew at mumcrummage@gmail.com or call (973) 538-2132.

Come out and join the Borough of Ship Bottom and Long Beach Island PBA 175  for a great cause on April 14, 2012. They are presenting their 10th Annual Ship Bottom Sprint for Life is a 5K Run/2 Mile Fitness Walk which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Registration starts at 10:00am at the Ship Bottom Boat Ramp, West 10th St and Shore Ave. For additional information, please visit our website at www.shipbottomsprint.com or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shipbottomsprint.

Miss the 80’s and looking for a rocking good time? Then come out to the Chatham Methodist Church on 460 Main Street on Saturday, April 21st for a charity dinner, all proceeds go to CUMAC, Passaic’s largest food bank. You Choose Band will be playing 80’s hits all night! Doors open at 6 P.M. Adult tickets are $15, kids under 12 for $5. Free pizza will be served, dinner sold separately.  Put on those leg warmers and bandanas, a radical time is guaranteed for all!   To request a song, please go to http://myyouchoose.com/255/cumac-80s-night-20-songs