School Board Candidates Speak, Temple Beth Am Rocks This Week

Election season kicks off officially with the traditional first candidates' forum in Parsippany: The Par-Troy Council of PTAs Candidates' Night takes place Monday at 7 p.m. at Central Middle School, 1620 Route 46. If you're a Parsippany resident, come out and ask your candidates about the issues important to you and the town. Find out what the incumbents and challengers stand for and what vision they have for our children's educations.

Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors, a free peer-led volunteer support group for people actively looking for work meets Tuesday at the  at 68 Nokomis Ave. in Hiawatha.

Helping teens make responsible choices is the focus of the anti-drug and alchol abuse Red Ribbon Week. As part of the observance stand-up comic and motivational speaker Dr. Matt Bellace offers an Anti-Drug Lecture. The free event, sponsored by the Municipal Alliance Committee, takes place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive.

PSGMC peer support group for job seekers meets Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Free Public Library at 449 Halsey Road to hear guest speakers well-versed in all facets of career search and development.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany presents its sixth annual Grand Tasting to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and various local charities Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Ave. in East Hanover. More than 35 tasting tables will be available for attendees to sample fine wines, gourmet beers, single malts and select spirits provided by Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars, and there will be a buffet and silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person ($20 of the price is tax deductible). To obtain tickets or get more information, call 973-549-4185.

Parsippany's reform Jewish congregation at Temple Beth Am will enjoy the sounds of folk, rock and jazz at Friday's Shabbat Hallelu Service with Musician Eric Komar. The tuneful and spiritual event is free to the public and takes place at 7:30 p.m. at 879 S. Beverwyck Road.

Autumn brings joy and fall fruits, so this is the perfect time for the United Methodist Church of Parsippany Happy Apple Bazaar. The Fellowship Hall will be filled with fall baskets for sale, gently used jewelry, handmade Jewerly, toys, handmade scarfs and hats, homemade baked goods for sale and more. And rumor has it that a dunk tank will be there too, along with an opportunity to get Pastor Jeff Edwards a wee bit wet. The sure to be fun free event takes place at the church, 903 S. Beverwyck Road, Saturday at 10 a.m.

Fall fun can also be had at the Knollwood School PTA's 50th Anniversary and Fall Festival. The event, which starts at noon Sunday, The ceremony will include opening the time capsule placed within the cornerstone of the school half a century ago! A pie-eating contest and costume contest will follow the ceremony. The cost is $7 per child at the door and includes carnival games, crafts, live music and "trunk or treating." Adults are free. Nominal additional charges for pie-eating contest, face painting, pumpkin decorating, food and drinks. Help Knollwood Elementary School celebrate its past and the next 50 years. The event takes place at the school, 445 Knoll Road. Contact knollwoodpta@gmail.com for additional information.

Try your luck at St. Peter the Apostle Church's Weekly Bingo. It's easy to play, you can win prizes and it's free! The event is held Sundays from 6-10 p.m. at 179 Baldwin Road.

If divorce is your reality, you are not alone. You have two choices for weekly support groups in Parsippany. The Crossroads Divorce Support Group, a free gathering for divorced men and women of any faith that offers special events, community and healing, is presented at St. Peter the Apostle Church Sunday at 7 p.m. at 179 Baldwin Road. The other group, also offered Sunday at 7 p.m., is called Puzzle Pieces - A Divorced/Separated Support Group. This one is secular and has a fee—just a dollar—and takes place at the Parsippany Police Athletic League Center at 33 Baldwin Road.