localmatters / 9 M aplewood Memorial Library is celebrat- ing the talent and c r e a t i v - ity of the community throughout the month of March with its 5th annual Ideas Festival. All events are free and open to the public and held at the main library unless otherwise noted: March 10, New Jersey Makers Day kicks off at the Hilton Branch at 10 a.m., then an arts and music recep- tion featuring the art of Onnie Stroth- ers, Eric Beckerich, and live music by Los Traficantes del Amor at 3 p.m. at Memorial Library; March 12, CHS graduate and three-time Olympic runner Hazel Clark in conversation with reporter and broadcaster Andy Martino at 7 p.m.; March 14, victims’ rights attorney Carrie Goldberg speaks at 7 p.m.; March 15, a discussion be- tween Joy Peskin, editorial director at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, and Leila Sales, young adult novelist and editor at Penguin Young Readers Group, at 7 p.m.; March 21, New Jersey Public Radio managing editor and NPR producer Nancy Solo- mon and WNYC reporter Matt Katz in conversation at 7 p.m.; March 24, award-winning author Marina Bud- hos will receive the Maplewood Liter- ary Award at 2 p.m. For more details call 973-762-1622 or visit maplewood- library.org. The Maplewood Green Team has several events on tap this spring: on March 15 at 7:15 p.m. at Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, Seton Hall ge- ologist Martha Schoen will speak as part of the South Mountain Conservation meeting. The regular meeting of the Green Team will be April 5 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Maplewood Memorial Library; and South Orange River Day is May 6. For details, visit maplewoodisgreen.org. High School and Middle School students are invited to Open Gym Night at Columbia High School on March 16 and April 20 from 5 - 9 p.m., sponsored by Eternal Light, a nonprofit consortium of the First Baptist Church; the Maplewood and South Orange Municipal Alliances; and the Maplewood Police Depart- ment. Open Gym features food, bas- ketball, ping pong, checkers, dancing and a chance to get to know some lo- cal police officers. Open Gym meets once a month through the school year and is looking for monetary donations as well as board games, bottled water and food. For details and to contrib- ute contact Sgt. Fields at cfields@twp. maplewood.nj.us. Marina Budhos will receive the Maple- wood Literary Award March 24 at Maplewood Library. Officer Duncan (in all blue) playing jump rope with the girls at Open Gym Night. Whether you’re looking to buy up or downsize, Spring is the time to make your move. Let Rena guide you through the process – quickly, smoothly, and with confidence. Let’s find that home you dreamed about as a kid. 973.876.7913 rena@renaspangler.com renaspangler.com c. e. w. Maplewood at the Mill · 973.762.3300 2013-2017 PRESIDENT’S CLUB This Spring, make your dream come true.