The Edison Arts Society will present its “Harvest of Poetry,” a free reception and reading celebrating the fifth-anniversary edition of the Edison Literary Review (ELR), from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, 125 Raritan Center Parkway. Refreshments will be provided by the hotel, with a cash bar available as well.
The cover of the society’s fifth-anniversary issue features the work of Patrick McDonnell, one of Edison’s own. In 1994, McDonnell, a graduate of Edison High School, created “Mutts,” a comic strip that appears in more than 600 newspapers and is published in 20 countries. The strip’s stars, ELR cover boys Mooch and Earl, are also featured on state license plates through the New Jersey Animal Friendly License Plate Program.
In addition, the anniversary issue depicts works by 35 writers, including one by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn. Among those scheduled to read at this year’s Harvest of Poetry are contributors Stacey Balkun, Amanda Berry, Jessica deKoninck, Tony Gruenewald, Charles Johnson, Adele Kenny, Diane Lockward and Edwin Romond. The literary review may be purchased for $5 through the arts society. For more information, call the society at (908) 753-2787.
Program introduces kids to international music
Edison Public Library will hold registration in person or by phone beginning Aug. 28 for “Make Music Together.” This program is open to children two to five years of age (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Music Together, a local company, is offering this program in an effort to give back to the community. Music Together uses the child’s natural interest in music to introduce international music into their lives. Registration is limited and open to Edison residents only. Sorry no siblings permitted in the room during programming. Programs are as follows: Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the North Edison branch of the Edison Public Library, 777 Grove Ave., Edison. Call (732) 548-0845, ext. 3.
Citizen Police Academy to start in September
The Metuchen Police Department will conduct an 11-week Citizen Police Academy program for borough residents from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 6.
The interactive program is designed to educate borough residents about department procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, and demands of personnel that guide police decision-making.
Topics to be covered include: an overview of the department’s organization and structure, recruitment and training, and the roles and responsibilities of the various divisions and sections.
In addition, participants will be given an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer and experience of firearms training simulation.
The Citizen Police Academy is open to borough residents, business owners and school faculty within Metuchen who are over 18 years of age and who successfully complete a background investigation.
Anyone interested may contact Capt. Robin Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548 or Patrolman David Liantonio at (732) 632-8547.
Class size is limited.
Neve Shalom to hold blood drive Sept. 10
Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, will be sponsoring a blood drive in memory of Michael Allan Thompson from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10. Donors can make an appointment for either whole-blood donation or automated blood collection (ABC), also known as apheresis, by contacting Bruce Levin, blood drive chairperson, at (732) 906-1922 or [email protected].
Townwide garage sale
Sept. 16 in Metuchen
The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its 17th annual townwide garage sale – featuring hundreds of homes – from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 16 (rain date Sept. 17). Guests should look for balloons. Call Caroline at (732) 548-2964 or visit www.metuchenchamber.com.
Clothing drive to
benefit band program
The J.P. Stevens Band Parents Association will hold a clothing drive to benefit the band program Sept. 9 from 8-10 a.m. in the school’s parking lot, 855 Grove Ave., Edison. Donations of gently used clothing, linens, accessories, shoes and stuffed animals will be collected. All donations should be placed in large plastic bags and dropped off between 8-10 a.m. that day. For more information, call Anne at (732) 906-0772.
Edison AARP slates next meeting Sept. 18
Edison AARP Chapter No. 3446 will hold its next general meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Edison Job Corps Academy, 500 Plainfield Ave. Dues for September 2006 to September 2007 are now due. Program will feature a choral arrangement by the Old Bridge senior choral group, which sings at local nursing homes and other clubs.
New applications are being accepted for those New Jersey residents who belong to the national AARP. Members are also asked to bring at least one canned or packaged food, along with toiletries, to help restock the Middlesex County food bank.
Both day trips and shows are currently being planned.
Also, the Knitting and Crocheting Club will met at 10 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Stelton Community Center, 328 Plainfield Ave., Edison.
For more information, call Kay McCormack at (732) 548-1976.
Cub Scout registration slated in Edison Sept. 13
Cub Scout Pack 12, Edison, will be accepting new registrations for first- to fourth-grade boys from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at St. Matthew School, 100 Seymour Ave., Edison.
Call cubmaster Dave Jansen at (732) 572-7524.
Synagogue’s Men’s Club to host Shabbat barbecue
The Men’s Club of Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, will host a Shabbat barbecue dinner Sept. 15 following a Friday Night Alive Shabbat service, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is
$12 for adults and $6 for children ages
3-12.
There is no charge for children under age 3. To make reservations, contact the temple at (732) 548-2238 or [email protected].
Items for Community Bulletin Board may be e-mailed to sentnorth@gmnews. com. They also may be faxed to (732) 780-4192 or mailed to Edison Metuchen Sentinel, P.O. Box 5001, Freehold, NJ 07728.

