In a Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce tradition, professionals from around the area gathered for networking Monday night at Oceanos Restaurant on Saddle River Road. Check out Patch's photos above.

Fair Lawn Jewish Center and Temple Beth Sholom were among the North Jersey organizations whose members marched down Fifth Avenue in the 2011 Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday. The parade commemorated the country’s 63rd anniversary with a host of new floats, bands, children-friendly entertainment and Israeli and American talent. About 30,000 marchers from 160 participating groups were on hand. Above, check out photos of participants from FLJC and Beth Sholom.

The Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge over the Passaic River is closed to motor vehicle traffic for structural repairs during the month of June. Commuters wishing to reach Paterson from Fair Lawn, or vice versa, should instead use the Morlot Avenue, Broadway or Maple Avenue bridges. Above, check out Patch's photos of the construction.

Paced by Pat Purcell, who devoured 18 franks, the “Green Machine” team won a hot dog eating contest at JJ's Pub on Sunday. The trio of Purcell, John Mcginty and Teddy Kazmidas totaled 38 hot dogs in the first annual competition organized by D and D Dawgs, which distributes franks and other fare at local venues such as parks, train stations and pubs during the summer months. Eight three-person teams participated. Jude Guy and Shane DeLuca started D and D when DeLuca, a physical education teacher at Fair Lawn High School, lost his summer job due to budget cuts. Guy is a special education …

Garretson Forge & Farm Restoration, a pre-revolutionary sandstone house on River Road owned by Bergen County, held its 37th Annual Spring Festival on Saturday.  Girl Scouts from Troop 257 attended wearing period dress and participated in a Maypole dance. Patch's Frugal Foodie, Julia Enerson, cooked traditional food in an open fire pit. Master Gardeners also sold plants and flowers from the garden.

Temple Beth Sholom's "Chai Riders" Motorcyle Club and other bikers from around the tri-state area Sunday for the club's first ride of the season. Starting and finishing at the Fair Lawn Avenue synagogue, participants revved up with bagels and lox for breakfast, took a five-stop poker run along a scenic route through Bergen County, and enjoyed a barbeque lunch following the ride. Above, check out Patch's photos.

The expression is that April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring soaked athletic fields. On a rainy Saturday, Patch captured photos of Mosca Field—used for baseball and softball—in back of Fair Lawn High School.

On Sunday, The Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun Park held its fourth annual Party for the Planet, an event that welcomed families to learn about protecting the environment while walking around the zoo and talking to representatives from 20 local environmental organizations. In addition to knowledge, children were given a "passport" to get stamped at each organization's table and were given a prize in exchange at the end of their visit. Activities included sheep shearing demonstrations, educational presentations, and plenty of animals to see and learn about.

In advance of the real Passover Seders, which are set for the nights of April 18 and 19, community members indulged in a "Family Chocolate Seder" at Temple Beth Sholom on Sunday. Above, check out Patch's photos of the event.

This past Friday night, Temple Beth Sholom of Fair Lawn held a Young Family Shabbat service for Nursery School and Kindergarten families. The children prepared for Shabbat, before the candle lighting and evening service, with Rabbi Alberto (Baruch) Zeilicovich and Debby Landesman, Director of the Helen Troum Nursery School. The children sang songs and danced on the bimah. Debbie Goodman accompanied on the violin. They each carried “their own torahs” around the sanctuary and they learned about Shabbat. Above, check out photos of the program.

Last Thursday, Temple Beth Sholom of Fair Lawn hosted an educational event for 150 community members, who shared an evening studying about the upcoming holiday of Passover with five local rabbis. Rabbi David Fine, Rabbi Ronald Roth, Rabbi Neil Tow, Rabbi Jonathan Woll, and Rabbi Alberto Baruch Zeilicovich (leader of Beth Sholom) each made a brief presentation and then answered questions from the audience. Topics included: Idolatry vs. Slavery, How Do We Start the Story?; The Four Children; The Fifth Cup; Hallel and the Exodus; Singing from Slavery to Freedom and Had Gadya. Above, check out …

The three-year-olds at Temple Beth Sholom's Helen Troum Nursery School spent all of March 2 celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. After baking a delicious birthday cake and playing games inspired by his wonderful books, the children took a break and read Dr. Seuss books while wearing their school-made Cat in the Hat hats.

Local business professionals rose bright and early Thursday morning to take part in the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce's breakfast for new members at Daniella's Track Side Grille. After some eating and networking, members went around the room introducing themselves and their businesses. Check out Patch's photos of the event.