The Weekend – Archery, Bio-Blitz, Arts and More

Join the fight against cancer and the movement to create a world with more birthdays by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on June 8 & 9, 2012 at Arthur L. Johnson football field, 365 Westfield Avenue Clark, N.J. from 6 pm until 6 am, next day. Clark, Saturday 6.p.m  - Sunday, 6 a.m., Free

The sport of archery is alive and well in Union County and there’s no time like the present to enjoy the Union County Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that archery safety classes are available for people who would like to learn the basics of archery.  Each archery course is two hours long and consists of a safety training session followed by hands-on instruction at the range. The fee is $20 per person, which is due at registration. There will be a minimum of eight and a maximum of 24 participants per class. Clark, Sunday, 10 a.m., $20

The Loft at UCPAC is hosting Alliance Repertory Theatre Company’s production of U.S. DRAG Written by Gina Gionfriddo and Directed by Michael J. Driscol.  This performance will take place this evening at 8 p.m. This hilarious and witty jet-black comedy follows Angela and Allison, two young women in Manhattan seeking love & happiness, but they'll settle for rent money.  They decide that chasing down reward money for a serial killer prowling the streets of NYC is the best way to avoid gainful employment. Tickets are $22 Regular/$17 Students and Seniors.  For more information, visit www.ucpac.org or call 732-499-8226.  All are welcome. Rahway, Friday, 8 p.m., $22

The Cranford Plein Air event “Paint the Town” offers it third Quick Draw contest open to all artists in the area. This two and a half hour painting competition held in downtown Cranford will be held throughout a four block area on Saturday June 9, 2012 with a rain date of June 10, 2012 in conjunction with the Cranford Plein Air Event “Paint the Town”. Cranford, Saturday,  12 noon – 2:30 p.m., $10 to participate, Free to Observe

Looking for some good reading at bargain prices?  The Friends of the Cranford Public Library invite you to visit their used book sale in the Friendly Book Cellar at the Cranford Public Library. This event will take place Wednesday, June 6, 4 pm to 7:30 pm, Thursday and Friday, June 7 and 8, 10 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday, June 9, 10 am to 3:30 pm.  Items for sale include more than 10,000 adult and children’s books, as well as CDs and DVDs. Cranford, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Free,

Jersey Central Art Studios is pleased to announce that it will host its third plein air painting event in Cranford this coming June 5, 212 through June 10, 2012.  (Plein air means “in the open air” and refers to dynamic outdoor landscape painting.) Twenty-eight professional plein air artists from ten states have been selected by judge and master plein air painter Joseph McGurl to compete for $5,000 in cash prizes and merchandise awards. Cranford, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, All Day, Free

Calling all bird watchers, frog fanciers, fish aficionados and nature lovers of all varieties!  Here’s your chance to find the answer to that age-old question:  “What’s going on out there?”  From Friday evening, June 8, through Saturday evening, June 9, 2012 Union County offers nature lovers of all ages the opportunity to get up-close and personal with wildlife in their own “backyard” during Bio-Blitz 2012. Cranford, Friday 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m., Free

Mayor Colleen Mahr and The Fanwood Arts Council Present the ensemble MazzMuse. MazzMuse fuses elements of classical, folk, electronica and jazz to create a rich, unique and diverse musical experience. This even will take place this evening at 7pm at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center, 75 N Martine Ave, Fanwood. Fanwood, Saturday, 7 p.m., $10

Lin's Liens, Inc is hosting "Karaoke for a Cause", Sing for Your Sisters who are undergoing treatment for Cancer.  This event will take place this evening beginning at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 24 Brown Avenue, Iselin.  Admission is $30 in advance and $35 at door. Tickets include food, entertainment and cash bar. Our Mission at Lin’s Linens, Inc. is to nurture and support women in treatment for cancer by creating a personal healing sanctuary that promotes a positive mind, body, and spirit connection crucial to the healing process.  We are a non-profit tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3). Saturday, Iselin, 7 p.m., $30 advance, $35 at door

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA’s registration for their Summer Session Open registration begins June 9, 2012. The Summer Session runs June 25- August 19, 2012. A variety of membership options allows seniors, adults and children to participate in programs and classes which were designed for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Scotch Plains, Saturday, All Day, Free

The Willow Grove Church is excited to welcome Rev. James Watson who is bringing his Scottish brogue, love for Celtic traditions, and enthusiasm for preaching to the congregation of Willow Grove Presbyterian Church in Scotch Plains for the summer. A retired Church of Scotland pastor, Rev. Watson will lead Willow Grove Church while the pastor, The Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney, goes on sabbatical until September. Beginning June 10, he will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service, incorporating Celtic poetry and Scottish hymns into the service. His sermons will address a variety of topics and scripture passages.  After worship, he will lead a series of Adult Forum classes that will focus on "Things and Places Scottish."  Adult forum classes will take place in the air conditioned Alexander Hall at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday. Scotch Plains, Sunday, 10 a.m., Free

The Fanwood Business and Professional Association, Inc. is hosting the Spring Fanwood Street Fair. This event will take place today from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on South Avenue and South Martine Avenue. There will be rides, food and lots of fun. Admission is free and all are welcome. Fanwood, Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Free

Very gentle yoga, appropriate for everyone. This class has an uplifting, somewhat contemplative flavor. Please bring your own mat if you have one, our supplies are limited. Free for Springfield residents. Springfield, Friday, $15, Free for Springfield residents, 10 a.m.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presents Sensory Friendly Theater; a series of live performances specially designed and adapted for children with autism and related disabilities. Tom Chapin & Friends will engage the hearts, minds and imaginations of a very special audience with their music on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 2pm at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, presented as part of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series. Rahway, Sunday, 2 p.m., $8