The Edison Recreation Department is seeking craft makers, artisans, service organizations and food vendors to participate in the annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting, to be held from 2–6 p.m. on Dec. 7 along Amboy Avenue in the Clara Barton section of Edison.
Tables are available in a heated tent for a limited number of vendors on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to apply, stop by the Edison Recreation Department, 100 Municipal Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the business week; call 732-248-7310; or visit www.edisonnj.org.
Abstract paintings by Ray Skibinski will be on display at the Gallery at the Metuchen Library from Nov. 1 through Dec. 22. The artist’s reception will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the library, 480 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.
Formerly an illustrator for various periodicals, newspapers and books, Skibinski now devotes his creative energy to his own painting and to teaching a weekly watercolor class, the Oak Tree Watercolor Group.
The Edison Arts Society will showcase Maryann Martin, visual arts director for the society, in its exhibit on the third floor of the Municipal Building, 100 Municipal Blvd., Edison.
The exhibit is opening at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and runs through Nov. 26. Refreshments will be served at the opening.
The gallery is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the business week.
The National Council of Jewish Women: Metro Jersey Section will present “Power Your Brain: Strategies to Improve Your Memory” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Jewish Community Center, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.
This educational program will feature presenters from Hackensack Meridian/JFK Community Outreach and Engagement Center. It will include audience participation and questions.
The program is open to the public and there is no admission fee. Light refreshments will be served.
To RSVP, email Elaine at [email protected]
Middlesex County College Art Professor N.V. Heller will present “The Darkest Room,” an exhibition of her work, from Nov. 4 to Dec. 5 in the Studio Theater Gallery on the college’s main campus, 2500 Woodbridge Ave., Edison.
An opening reception will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Nov. 7. The public is invited.
The gallery is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be viewed by appointment by emailing Heller at [email protected].
Pop-Up Improv Theatre is coming to Metuchen Nov. 1-2, presenting two nights of improvisation theater at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.
The improv nights will feature New Jersey-based improvisation groups Death By Improv, Parlin; Howdy Stranger, Hackensack; Asbury Improv, Asbury Park; and Contagious Drama, Westfield.
Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, or $40 for both nights.
In addition to the scheduled performances, Pop-Up Improv Theatre will also offer workshops for children on Nov. 2. The workshop for children ages 9-16 will be held from 1-3 p.m. and the workshop for people ages 17 and up will be held from 4-6 p.m. The cost of the workshops is $10.
The improv experience is made possible by support from the Metuchen Arts Council.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/popupimprovtheatre or email [email protected]. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.tickettailor.com/events/popupimprovtheatre.
The Garden Club of Metuchen and the Woodbridge Garden Club will present “Beyond the Potted Palm: Victorians and their Houseplants” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Iselin Library, 1081 Green St., Iselin section of Woodbridge.
Lesley Parness, retired superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Morris County Park Commission, where she oversaw programing at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, will introduce the Victorian Era, England’s golden age of plant exploration, the many plants that populated Victorian drawing rooms, how Victorians displayed and cared for their plants, and simple ways to bring that feeling into the contemporary home.
The meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. with refreshments.
Christmas Con will be held from 5-11 p.m. on Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the N.J. Convention & Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison.
Celebrity guests include Lacey Chabert, Jonathan Bennett, Cameron Mathison, Jackee Harry, Alicia Witt, Nikki DeLoach, Erin Krakow, Paul Greene, Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Paevey, Chad Michael Murray, Melissa Claire Egan, Jack Wagner, Melissa Joan Hart, Andrew Walker, Jill Wagner, Rachel Boston and Danica McKellar.
Catch Alicia Witt in concert at 8 p.m. on Nov. 9, an ugly sweater contest posted by Jonathan Bennett on Nov. 9, and Gingerbread Wars hosted by Bennett on Nov. 10.
Varying ticket packages range from $10-$170.
For more information, visit thats4entertainment.com/christmascon
Middlesex County Recreation Council Inc and Kiddie Keep Well Camp will hold the Changing Lives Fall Gala at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Schirber Dining Hall, 35 Roosevelt Dr., Edison.
Five course dinner includes shrimp and chorizo appetizer, mushroom soup, stuffed filet of sole, grapefruit sorbet, coq au vin and chocolate bread pudding.
The cost is $125 per person.
To RSVP, call 732-548-6542 or email [email protected].
The Metuchen Arts Council’s Cornerstone Jazz Series continues with trumpeter Bruce Harris Band at 3 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Old Franklin School, 491 Middlesex Ave. (Route 27), next to the firehouse, Metuchen.
The cost is $10 for adults, or free for students.
For more information, visit www.metuchenarts.com or call 732-632-8502.
SGML Eye Hospital’s Shri Shastri Anand Jivandas ji will welcome the public to its gala from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Royal Albert’s Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Fords section of Woodbridge.
The Bollywood extravaganza will include live musicians and singers.
Tickets range $50-$100. Proceeds benefit people in need in a rural part of India through OHMKARA.
For more information, call 732-661-1070.
The second annual Piano & Friends Chamber Music Concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the First Presbyterian Church Social Center, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen.
Featuring the music faculty from the Westerhoff School plus professional community musicians, performing Bach, Vivaldi, Prokofiev on piano with brass, woodwinds, strings and voice.
Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for students.
The November book selection will be “Behold the Dreamers” by Imbolo Mbue at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Edison Main Public Library, 340 Plainfield Ave., Edison.
An immigrant working class couple from Cameroon and the upper class American family for whom they work find their lives and marriages shaped by financial circumstances, infidelities, secrets and the 2008 recession.
The Edison Page Lovers Book Club meets once a month on Wednesdays. To register, call 732-287-2298 or visit www.edisonpubliclibrary.net.
“Understanding the Basics of Medicare” will be presented by Angela Ellerbe, a specialist from the New Jersey State Health Insurance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol of NJ, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the North Edison Public Library, 777 Grove Ave., Edison.
Ellerbe,will discuss when to sign up for Medicare and what the costs are. She will also talk about Medicare works with secondary insurance and how it coordinates with social security. Lastly she will go over the different plan options for Medigap and any updates for 2020.
To register, call 732-287-2298 or visit www.edisonpubliclibrary.net.
Registration is open for the 2019-20 Metuchen Grapplers wrestling program.
Students must be in grades 2-8 and reside in Metuchen or North Edison in the 08820 zip code.
Practice starts on Nov. 12 in the Metuchen High School wrestling room. Beginning in December, wrestlers will participate in a series of dual meets and tournaments.
Registration is $99 per wrestler, but scholarships are available. All registrants will receive a hooded sweatshirt, a t-shirt and shorts.
A pre-team clinic is also available for students in grades K-2. The clinic will cost $35 per wrestler and meets on Wednesday nights for one hour at Metuchen High School, starting Dec. 4 and ending Jan. 30. All participants will get a Grapplers t-shirt.
The program is looking for volunteer coaches with wrestling experience. For more information, contact Nick Zaneto at 908-217-3239 or at [email protected].
The Holly Fair Extraordinaire will be held on Nov. 22 and 23 at the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen.
On Nov. 22, shopping will be from 5-8:30 p.m. Buffet dinner will be served from 6-7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. RSVP by emailing [email protected]. Pay at dinner.
On Nov. 23, shopping will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
There will be jewelry, baked goods, crafts and personal collections.
Proceeds will benefit local and worldwide charities.
Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Winter Festival Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1.
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Edgar School, 49 Brunswick Ave., Metuchen.
The lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on the plaza in downtown Metuchen.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities or the opportunity to march, visit www.metuchenchamberexchange.com.
The Holiday House Tour in Metuchen will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
Enjoy refreshments at the Artisans Bazaar before and during the tour at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen. Schoolhouse doors open at 11 a.m.; guidebooks will be released at noon.
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Advance tickets are available at The Brass Lantern, Boyt Drugs, Cai’s Cafe, Gardenias Floral and the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce.
All proceeds benefit the preservation and maintenance of the Franklin schoolhouse.
For more information, visit www.boroughimprovementleague.org.
Eat, Drink & Buy Art will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sec. 8 at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.
Participating artists include Kim Adlerman, Amy Brooks, Sondra Flite, Jerabek Pottery, Beryl Koblin, Little Owl Soap, The Cartoon Goddess and Judy Weinberg.
Sponsored by Transformations Gallery.
For more information, visit www.boroughimprovementleague.org.
The Jingle Bell Run will be held on Dec. 8 at Metuchen High School, 400 Grove Ave., Metuchen.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9 a.m.
Proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation.
For more information, visit JBR.org/Metuchen.
The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County will hold its second annual Mah Jongg Tournament on Dec. 8 at the center, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.
Under the direction of Joanne of Four Seasons, players will enjoy six rounds of play, continental breakfast, lunch catered by Deli King of Clark, snacks and coffee all day, cash prizes, door prizes and a welcome gift.
All players must be able to complete four games in 50 minutes.
To register, call Diane Mael at 732-494-3232, ext. 3619.
Abstract paintings by Ray Skibinski will be on display through Dec. 22 at the Gallery at the Metuchen Library, 480 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.
Formerly an illustrator for various periodicals, newspapers and books, Skibinski now devotes his creative energy to his own painting and to teaching a weekly watercolor class, the Oak Tree Watercolor Group.