Community Bulletin Board

Arts society names 2006 Fall Artist of the Season

The Edison Arts Society (EAS) is honoring watercolorist Mary Ellen Brennan, of Monroe, as its 2006 Fall Artist of the Season. Brennan has donated numerous hours at the “Gardens of the Garden State” Art and Photography exhibit at Menlo Park Mall in Edison, and also contributed to EAS’ first “Art in the Garden Tour,” which was held in August. She studied at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, N.Y., and with New Jersey watercolorists Richard Kaiser and Judi Gilden. Through the arts society, she is currently studying with watercolorist Ray Skibinski. Her works have been exhibited in many shows, including the annual show and sale at the Garden State Watercolor Society’s Eden House; the Consolata Mission’s “Art in Movement” juried show, where her painting “Silence” took first place; and the Bristol-Myers Squibb juried show, where she received honorable mention for “The Event.”

In recognition of her talent, Brennan will appear on the fall edition of the “Arts in Edison” television program, which airs on Channel 22. A work of her art along with her biography will be on display at Edison Municipal Hall during the fall, and will be posted indefinitely on the arts society’s Web site as well. All chosen 2006 Artists of the Season will be honored at the EAS Gala Fundraising Ball in May.

Scientists receive awards for research achievements

Four local scientists were honored for their research achievements by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. It bestowed the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Awards to Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, and 28 inventors for their work on “Novel Peptides as NS3-Serine Protease Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus.” Individual award winners include Tin-Yua Chan, Siska Hendrata, Jinping L. McCormick and Wanli Wu of Edison. Their work focused on a compound that should make a substantial contribution to the management of hepatitis C. It affects roughly 300 million people.

The Research & Development Council of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating an environment that supports the advancement of research and development throughout New Jersey. The council is comprised of senior representatives from industry, academia and government. In fact, many R&D Council members represent today’s Fortune 100 companies. More information can be found at the council’s Web site: www.rdnj.org.

For more information about Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award winners, contact Fred White at (973) 627-5330, ext. 23; white@rfcp.com.

JFVS seeks volunteers for ‘Meals on Wheels’

Jewish Family & Vocational Service (JFVS) of Middlesex County urgently needs caring volunteers to perform a valuable “mitzvah,” or good deed – delivering meals to homebound clients. It is also seeking substitutes to work on an on-call basis. Substitutes fill in for regularly scheduled volunteers who have either a planned or a last-minute absence. Prospective volunteers must therefore have a flexible schedule and be ready with only about one hour’s notice. Routes are available in towns throughout northern Middlesex County, including Edison, Woodbridge, Highland Park and Perth Amboy. The Kosher Meals on Wheels program is a weekday (Monday through Friday) service that provides two daily meals to seniors and disabled individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to shop or cook for themselves. The meals are distributed to the JFVS office weekdays at 10 a.m. To volunteer, call E.J. Berman at (732) 777-1940.

Edison hospice now seeking volunteers

The Barbara E. Cheung Memorial Hospice, located on the campus of Roosevelt Care Center in Edison, is looking for volunteers to assist families that are going through the grieving process. Volunteers are needed to visit patients, console the bereaved and help in the office. Hospice staff administer their programs at the six-bed, homelike building on the Roosevelt campus, and at the homes of patients or their loved ones. The hospice offers a 12-hour educational course to adequately prepare volunteers for the challenges of working with the dying and their families. Workshops, videos and lectures are completed in four or five weekly sessions. For more information, call Jill Zhou, licensed clinical social worker and the hospice’s volunteer coordinator, at (732) 321-9335.

Funeral home providing free bereavement support

The Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, continues to offer a bereavement support group. Ongoing sessions are held every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10:30 a.m. to noon, as well as Wednesday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. The program, which is free of charge, takes place at the funeral home.

Carol Burner, a certified grief recovery specialist, facilitates the program. A professional with a master’s degree in counseling from Seton Hall University, South Orange, she has spent the past eight years offering individual and group counseling to clients suffering from significant and tragic losses. For more information, call the funeral home at (732) 548-0149 or Carol Burner at (732) 562-8565.

Congregation Beth El offers weekly bingo

Congregation Beth El, 91 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, conducts weekly bingo games on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. Admission is $1 per person. Refreshments may be purchased. For details, call the synagogue at (732) 572-2766.

Local Lutheran church has Sat. thrift shop hours

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, located at the top of the hill on Pleasant Avenue (off Amboy Avenue), Edison, has announced its thrift shop hours. The store is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, where shoppers can find bargains on clothing, household items and gifts. Donations are accepted during hours of operation. For more information, call (732) 738-0887.

Police department needs per-diem dispatchers

The Metuchen Police Department is in need of police dispatchers on a per-diem basis.

Applicants should preferably have experience in emergency medical dispatch and 911 calls, but training can be provided.

The starting salary is $12 an hour. If interested, contact Officer David Liantonio at (732) 632-8547 or Capt. Robin Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548.

JFVS announces elder care now available

The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County announces the availability of an elderly care program for those with memory loss and varying degrees of dementia.

Transportation is provided. Fees are charged on a sliding scale. Program includes meals, snacks and activities. For more information, call (732) 777-1940.

‘Uncle Ralphie’s’ spices up menu for good cause

The Edison Public Library has announced its partnership with Uncle Ralphie’s Gourmet pizza and catering (in Colonial Village), 9 Lincoln Highway, Route 27 north, Edison. To help raise money for the library’s children’s department, the restaurant is sponsoring a year-round fundraising event by placing an “Edison Public Library Pizza” on its menu.

For every large “library” pie ordered – either plain or with a single topping – Uncle Ralphie’s will donate $1 to the children’s department.

Support group offered weekly in Edison

The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County, 515 Plainfield Ave., Suite 201, Edison, offers a support group for newly separated or divorced adults at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. For more information, call (732) 777-1940.

Library program for adults on Nov. 6, 20

The Edison Public Library will present “The Benefits and Wisdom of Prearrangement” at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 and again at 1 p.m. Nov. 20 at its main branch, 340 Plainfield Ave. Margaret Chelnik, of CMS Mid-Atlantic Inc. cemetery management services, will discuss how important it is for people to choose the way they would like to be memorialized and interred. There will be ample opportunity for questions. To register or for more information, call the library at (732) 287-2298, ext. 1, or sign up at the circulation desk.

Youth Development Inc. slates magic show Nov. 3

Metuchen Youth Development Inc. is hosting its annual holiday magic show for children at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Moss School, 16 Simpson Place, Metuchen (use Bounty Street entrance at back of school). Proceeds from the event will go toward educating teens about substance abuse. Cost is $5 per person. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

YMCA Scrabble Club meets every Fri., Sat.

The Metuchen Branch YMCA, 65 High St., Metuchen, has a Scrabble Club for adults that meets every Friday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., as well as every Saturday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m. There is no fee to join. Those who wish to participate can register at the front desk or call the branch at (732) 548-2044.

Local church launches postmodern ministry

New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene, 80 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, has launched a “postmodern ministry” titled “The Search.” Biweekly gatherings will be held every second and fourth Sunday. For more information, call (732) 985-7097; e-mail nbcn@optonline.net, or visit the church’s Web site at www.nbcn-nj.net.

Residents can ‘Shred It!’ in Metuchen on Oct. 28

The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in conjunction with the borough of Metuchen, is sponsoring a “Shred It!” event – a day of free, mobile paper-shredding – from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Metuchen Recycling Center, 44 Jersey Ave. (off Durham Avenue). Residents will be able to recycle their old documents and confidential files (receipts, bills, financial statements, etc.) safely and securely. There is no need to remove paper clips, staples or binder covers. Community members are asked not to bring items such as books, magazines and newspapers. For questions, call the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170 or e-mail solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us.

Learn how to knit at

the Metuchen YMCA

The Metuchen Branch YMCA, 65 High St., is offering Knit 101, a knitting class for beginners, with Pat McDermott from 7:30-9 p.m. on Monday evenings starting Nov. 6. The class will also meet Nov. 13, 20, 27 and Dec. 4. The instructor will provided the necessary materials. Fee is $30 for YMCA members and $40 for nonmembers. Details: (732) 548-2044.

Metuchen police need school crossing guards

The Metuchen Police Department is looking for residents who are interested in becoming crossing guards. The starting salary is $9.50 an hour.

For more information, call Officer David Liantonio at (732) 632-8547 or Capt. Robin Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548.

Applicants must have their own transportation.

Mass for St. Helena’s Altar Rosary Society

Members of the St. Helena’s Altar Rosary Society, 950 Grove Ave., Edison, will attend a Mass for deceased members at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6. Following the Mass, there will be a meeting in the school hall, where Roberta Feehan will present “The Importance of Colors.” The evening will close with refreshments. Also, the monthly food drive for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Perth Amboy will be held the weekend of Nov. 11-12. Call the church at (732) 494-3399 for more information.