The career of tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon will the topic at the next meeting of the Central Jersey Jazz Association (CJJA) set for 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the council conference room at the North Brunswick government and community complex, 710 Hermann Road.
One of the leading tenor-sax stars of the bop and hard-bop jazz eras, Gordon was a veteran of the Lionel Hampton Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra and the Charlie Parker Quartet. After spending time as an expatriate in Europe, he returned to the United States.
Gordon was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “Round Midnight,” a film based on the lives of tenor giant Lester Young and pianist Bud Powell. The film will be shown at the meeting to celebrate the CJJA’s fourth anniversary. Nominees will also be chosen to be inducted into the CJJA Hall of Fame.
To register or for more information, call Irene Clavering at (732) 727-7791 or e-mail [email protected].
Fundraisers will defray family’s medical bills
A garage sale to benefit the family of Joe Kerschner, a 36-year-old East Brunswick resident who is fighting chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), is planned for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 10 Peach Orchard Drive, East Brunswick, off Ryders Lane, across from St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Kerschner and his wife, Terri, have three children. Their oldest son attends Memorial Elementary School, East Brunswick, and their two other children are preschoolers. The East Brunswick father has been taking medication that did not put his leukemia into remission, and he must now face a bone-marrow transplant to save his life. He is expected (barring complications) to be hospitalized for up to three months and will be out of work for up to one year. Proceeds from the garage sale will help defray the family’s medical bills.
In addition, donations are sought for the Cans for Joe Collection that will be ongoing throughout East Brunswick. Members of the Kerschner family have always taken their empty cans to the recycling center for “extra cash.” The community is asked to donate empty cans on behalf of Joe. Regular trips will be made to the recycling center.
Individuals who are interested in donating items for the garage sale or cans for the collection should call Ronni Walsh at (732) 698-0208. All items for the sale should be clean, have all working parts, and be in good condition. Cans may be brought to the garage sale.
All proceeds from the fundraisers will directly benefit the J.J.K. Medical Trust Fund.
Benefit game to feature policemen vs. firemen
A Guns and Hoses Charity Softball Game to benefit Alison Mee, a 7-year-old East Brunswick youngster who is suffering from aplastic anemia, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Bicentennial Park, Hardenburg Lane, East Brunswick.
The event will feature members of East Brunswick Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) No. 145 playing against members of the East Brunswick fire companies. All proceeds will go to Alison.
To make a donation, call James Angermeier or Sean Toulane at (732) 390-6969. For more information on the benefit game, log on to www.PBA.com.
St. Vincent de Paul to sell Macy’s coupons
The St. Vincent de Paul Society conference of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, will participate in the Macy’s Shop for a Cause Day on Sept. 16.
The public is invited to join Macy’s in a national day of support for nonprofit organizations in the community. Individuals who make a $5 donation will save 10 or 20 percent all day while shopping with their pass. Shoppers who have the pass will receive a $10 bonus coupon for every $50 they spend and will be eligible to win a $500 storewide shopping spree. There will be entertainment, vendor demonstrations and gifts with special purchases.
Shop for a Cause passes will be sold after all Masses at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Sept. 9 and 10. To make other arrangements for purchase, call Terri Kelliher at (732) 522-3232.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society serves the needy, regardless of religious affiliation.
Families, caregivers invited to NAMI course
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) New Jersey will sponsor “Family-to-Family Education,” a 12-week education course for family members and caregivers of individuals affected by mental illness in Middlesex County, beginning Sept. 11 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the NAMI New Jersey office, 1562 Route 130, North Brunswick.
The curriculum will focus on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and mood disorders. The course will cover the clinical treatment of the illnesses and impart the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively as caregivers.
Admission is free of charge, but space is limited. Registration is required. To reserve, call Marilyn Goldstein at (908) 806-3475 or Cynthia at (732) 940-0991.
NAMI New Jersey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families in New Jersey. For more information, log on to www.naminj.org.
Level Club will sponsor Sept. 9 Giant Yard Sale
The Level Club of South River will hold its semiannual Giant Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Masonic Temple, 120 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River. Rain date is Sept. 10.
For more information and to reserve, call Robert Szegeti at (732) 390-5732.
‘Once Upon a Mattress’ will come to life in O.B.
GB Productions will present “Once Upon a Mattress” at 8 p.m. on Sept. 14, 16, 21 and 23 at St. Thomas the Apostle auditorium, Route 18 south, Old Bridge.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students.
For more information and tickets, call (732) 238-4028.
Monroe Country Fair planned for Sept. 10
The 18th annual Monroe Township Country Fair, sponsored by the Monroe Township Mother’s Club and the Monroe Township Recreation Department, will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 at Thompson Park, Perrineville Road, Monroe.
The event will feature the Monroe Township Police Department Honor Guard; DJ Wacky Wayne; food; games for children; crafts; music by Sunset Boulevard; a petting zoo; pumpkin-painting; pony rides; vendors; the Little Miss Monroe, Town Squire and Baby Buggy contests; and a 50/50 raffle. There will be fireworks at dusk.
Admission is free of charge. Pets will not be allowed.
For more information, call Marguerite at (732) 251-3566 or call the community center at (732) 723-5000.
Hebrew speakers club will meet on Sept. 10
The next meeting of the Chug Ivrit club for intermediate and advanced Hebrew speakers will take place at 5 p.m. on Sept. 10 at a private home in the Edison area.
Chug Ivrit is sponsored by the Raritan Valley Chapter of Hadassah. Meetings are free of charge and open to the public. Men and women are invited.
For more information, call Rachel Weintraub at (732) 819-9298 or e-mail [email protected].
Wolverines seeking golfers and sponsors
The Monroe Wolverines will sponsor a golf outing beginning at 8 a.m. on Sept. 18 at the Concordia Golf Club, Monroe. Organizers hope to make the outing an annual event.
A buffet lunch, including prime rib and lobster, will follow at the Cambridge Inn, Summerhill Road, Spotswood. Prizes will be awarded at the luncheon.
Cost to participate in the outing and lunch is $125 per player.
Hole sponsors also are sought. Cost is $100.
For more information, call the Monroe Township Community Center at (732) 723-5000.
4-H Clogging Club seeking new members
The Rhythm in Motion 4-H Clogging Club will hold its first meeting of the 2006-07 year at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the 4-H Youth Center, Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Prospective members, males and females in third grade-college, are invited to attend.
Club members recently finished their year with a stage presentation at the Middlesex County Fair. The club’s new year will begin with the dancers’ participation in the 4-H open house set for 1 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the Youth Center.
For more information, call (732) 398-5264.
Photographic panel to meet on Sept. 14, 21
The Raritan Photographic Society will hold its first monthly meetings of the 2006-07 season at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the East Brunswick Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, and at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at East Brunswick High School, Cranbury Road.
The club meets twice a month, September-May, to offer lectures on a variety of photography subjects (both film and digital) and to hold independently judged competitions for photographers at various skill levels.
The Sept. 14 meeting will be the group’s first competition meeting. The Sept. 21 event will feature a lecture on moving from film to digital photography.
For more information, log on to www.raritanphoto.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (732) 613-8716.
Registration going on for Frost on Pumpkin
Registration forms are available for the 27th annual South River Frost on the Pumpkin 10K Road Race set for Oct. 29 at Dailey’s Pond, Thomas and William streets.
All proceeds will be used to send developmentally disabled South River children to Camp Donna during the summer.
The day will include the 10K Road Race, the 1-Mile Health Walk or Run, and the Lollipop Race for children up to age 11. Ghost runners (individuals who want to support the cause but do not wish to run in the race) also are invited.
For more information on the race, call (732) 257-4339.
Registration forms also will be available at South River Recreation fall program registration set for 7-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 13 and 15 in the South River Elementary/Middle School auxiliary gym, Johnson Place. For more information, call the recreation office at (732) 254-4412.
Events to feature Jewish musician Dan Nichols
Chavurat Kol Haneshama, East Brunswick, and Temple Emanu-El, Edison, have collaborated to bring Jewish musician Dan Nichols to central New Jersey on Sept. 15 and 16.
Nichols performs more than 200 concerts a year, and his music has become an important part of the Reform Jewish movement, with synagogue youth and clergy alike incorporating it into their curriculum and services.
The singer will help to launch Chavurat Kol Haneshama’s seventh season when he co-leads, with Jules Frankel, Friday-night Kabbalat Shabbat services at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the Elks Club, 21 Oakmont Ave., East Brunswick. Nichols will incorporate some of his Sabbath melodies into the musical and spiritual liturgy that the Chavurat uses in its regular monthly services.
Nichols also will appear at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Temple Emanu-El, 100 James St., Edison. The evening will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a singalong session featuring Nichols’ music, followed by Jules Frankel and Nichols teaching music for the Selichot service. A special Selichot program will follow, incorporating prayer, music, readings and stories from a variety of modern and traditional sources, including compositions by Jewish artists Craig Taubman, Doug Coutler and Nichols. The Selichot service will be co-led by Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Deborah Bravo and Cantor Karen Neff Kumin, along with Nichols and Frankel.
Selichot is the name of the service that takes place late at night on the Saturday preceding Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and is made up of a series of penitential prayers to set the mood for the Jewish High Holy Days.
The weekend will be significant in its use of music and liturgy and with the collaboration of groups from the Conservative and Reform traditions of Judaism.
The programs are free of charge. All community members, regardless of affiliation, are welcome to attend.
For more information about the Chavurah and Temple Emanu-el, including directions to both locations, log on to www.kolhaneshamaeb.org or call Claire Jacobs Elson at (732) 390-8676), or log on to www.edisontemple.org. or call Deborah Bravo at (732) 549-4442.
Office on Aging sets picnic, offers coupons
The South River Office on Aging will hold its annual Senior Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Polanka Picnic Grounds, 209 William St., South River.
Tickets, which cost $3 per South River senior, $1.50 with PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled) card, are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Office on Aging, 1 William St.
The office is partnering with Macy’s in the store’s Shop for a Cause campaign. Individuals who buy a $5 donation coupon at the Office on Aging will receive 10-20 percent off purchases at Macy’s on Sept. 16.
For more information on both events, call (732) 257-2340.
Dance troupe to hold Sept. 10, 17 auditions
The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (NJDTE) will hold company auditions on Sept. 10 and 17 in the dance studios at the Simon Forum and Athletic Center at Drew University, 26 Madison Ave., Madison. Auditions for dancers ages 9-12 will be held from 10-11:30 a.m.; tryouts for dancers ages 13-18 are set for 1:30-3 p.m.
Audition fee is $25. NJDTE is a nonprofit, pre-professional company that offers training in classical ballet and modern dance.
For more information and audition appointments, e-mail [email protected] or call (908) 232-0114.
Registration on tap for fall recreation programs
South River Parks and Recreation will hold registration for several fall programs from 7-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 13 and 15 in the South River Elementary/Middle School auxiliary gym, Johnson Place. Interested individuals should use the gym entrance to register for street hockey, bowling, adult aerobics, karate, soccer and the Frost on the Pumpkin 10K Race.
Women who are registering for adult aerobics may either register in advance or at the start of the first class on Sept. 26. Fee is $30.
For more information, call (732) 254-4412.
Area youngsters invited to playgroup open house
Family Friends Inc., a nonprofit, all-volunteer network for families with young children in the Middlesex County area, will hold an open house for its playgroups from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 11 and 13 at Birthdays for BRATZ, 24 Jersey Ave., Metuchen.
Two weekly playgroups for babies and preschool-age children are offered at the open-house location. The Monday playgroup includes crafts or music, circle time and a snack. The Wednesday playgroup features free play.
The groups provide social activities for parents, support for new moms, a baby-sitting co-op and a monthly newsletter. Annual membership fee is $65 per family. For more information, log on to www.familyfriendsinc.org or e-mail [email protected].
Woman’s Club sets dinner for Sept. 12
The East Brunswick Woman’s Club will hold its annual Covered-Dish Dinner meeting Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at The Chelsea of East Brunswick, 606 Cranbury Road.
All members are requested to bring a covered dish.
For reservations, call Janet at (732)-821-7466 or Jean at (732)-545-3719.
Sociable Single Seniors will meet on Sept. 17
Sociable Single Seniors will meet from 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Monroe Township Jewish Center, 11 Cornell Ave.
The event will feature a comedy show, discussions, socializing and refreshments.
Admission is $3 per person.
For more information, call Eli at (609) 655-5137.
Jamesburg Library to host seminars, book club
Several upcoming events are planned at the Jamesburg Public Library, Gatzmer Avenue.
+ Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. – Jeff Damon will hold an informational seminar on college admissions and standardized exams, specifically the SAT and ACT. Topics will include the process of college admissions, how to pick the right school, basic financial-aid information and an overview of the SAT and CAT. High school students and their parents are invited to attend the free seminar. Sign up at the library or call (732) 521-0440.
+ Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to noon, and Sept. 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m. – “Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning,” two free AARP legal seminars featuring representatives from the law office of Parag Patel Esq. The self-help programs are designed to help participants determine the state of their legal health, sort out potential problems before they become major problems and to provide answers to common questions. Sign up at the library.
+ Oct 5, 7-8:15 p.m. – “My Antonia” by Willa Cather will be the topic at a meeting of the library’s Adult Book Club in the library meeting room.
The library has a new Web site, www.JamesburgLibrary.com. Interested individuals should visit the library for a free pair of 3-D glasses to view photos of Jamesburg in the “fun stuff” section of the site.
Milltown recreation sponsors programs, trips
The Milltown Department of Recreation will offer several upcoming events.
All trips are open to residents and nonresidents.
Seats are available for the Sept. 10 performance of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. Cost is $90 per person and includes bus transportation.
A trip to see the 7 p.m. performance of “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” in New York City is set for Sept. 23. Cost is $90 and includes bus transportation.
Registration is now going on for the 2006-07 Milltown School-Age Child Care (SACC) program for students in the Milltown school district. Applications are available at Borough Hall or at the Recreation Department.
Step, tone, yoga and Pilates adult fitness classes will begin Sept. 11. The eight-week programs will include day and evening sessions. Call the recreation department for times and prices.
A trip to the Oktoberfest celebration at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton, is planned for Oct. 14, 6:30-9:45 p.m. The bus will depart at 5 p.m. from Milltown Borough Hall, Washington Avenue. Cost is $57 and includes transportation, dinner, entertainment, taxes and gratuities. All are welcome.
For more information, call (732) 828-2100, ext. 141.