Community Bulletin Board: Criterion Sentinel (for December 4)

 

 

The National Council of Jewish Women: Metro Jersey Section will present “Traditions and Trends: Evolution of the Jewish Family” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Jewish Community Center, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Eric Rosin of Congregation Neve Shalom in Metuchen will speak. 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].

 

 

 

Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is seeking volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business.

The organization is recruiting retired or current business owners and executives who want to share their experience and knowledge with today’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.  The Central Jersey Chapter of SCORE serves Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Central Jersey SCORE provides in-person mentoring at a wide variety of locations and also presents seminars at local venues. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics related to organizing and managing a business and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development. Services are offered free of charge.

For more information, visit www.centraljersey.score.org.

 

 

 

The Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J) will hold its annual Pre-New Year’s Ball from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 28 at The Imperia, 1714 Easton Ave., Somerset.

Proceeds benefit the organization’s scholarship fund for awards to local high school graduates who are going on to college and for a donation to Hampton School in Jamaica towards infrastructure improvements.

Tickets are $110. Cash bar.

For tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com.

 

 

 

 

 

P.M. Studios will offer photos with Santa on Dec. 7 at its studio, 1021 Amboy Ave., Edison. Appointments will be available after the tree lighting.

Professional photos are $10-$15, or you can take your own.

Christmas card options will be available.

 

 

 

The Edison Recreation Department will hold its first holiday stroll from 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 7 along Amboy Avenue, between 2nd and 4th streets, Edison.

There will be vendors inside a heated tent, a holiday sweater contest, music, crafts, children’s entertainment, a trackless train ride, photos with Santa, and the lighting of the Edison Township Christmas tree.

Businesses located along Amboy Avenue, from Barton to Pleasant avenues, can enter the holiday storefront display. Judging will begin during the event and continue through Dec. 14. The winner will receive an award, plus bragging rights. Judging will be done by residents of Edison. To participate, email [email protected] for an application and return by Dec. 4. Displays must be finished by 1 p.m. on Dec. 7.

For vendor information, call Candy at 732-248-6418 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

 

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.

 

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will hold its annual Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the church, 17 Oak Ave., at the corner of Route 27, Metuchen.

There will be crafts, baked goods, a gift basket raffle, handmade jewelry, hand knitted items, handcrafted soaps, handcrafted wooden toys and household objects, visits with Santa, a children’s craft table, wreaths and evergreen arrangements, homemade soups and more.

Call 732-548-4308 for more information.

 

The Garden Club of Metuchen will have member-made wreaths, swags and centerpieces for sale at the St. Luke’s Christmas Fair at the church, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7; and again at the Boro Improvement League House Tour from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.

All proceeds support the Garden Club’s local projects to beautify Metuchen.

 

The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County’s Sunday Concert, “Journey from Johannesburg,” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Toby Tobias, a South African born Jew and singer songwriter, will share his story of his unique journey from South Africa to Israel to the United States through original songs and a multi-media presentation.

The event is free and open to the community as space allows. Advance registration is recommended.

To register, call 732-494-3232.

Co-sponsored by the JCC of Middlesex County, The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey and The Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation.

 

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 Dec. 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.

 

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.

 

The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County (JCC) will offer a trip to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on Dec. 12 to see the new exhibit, Notorious RBG: the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Cost is $59 for members or $65 for non-members, and includes transportation, admission, guided tour and snack. Lunch is on your own in the nearby area.

The bus will depart at 9:45 a.m. and will return at approximately 5:30 p.m. to the JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

For reservations, call Diane Mael, director of Adult Services, at 732-494-3232, ext. 3619.

 

 

The Edison Township Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Dignitaries, JCC staff and community members will come together for the menorah lighting, followed by musical entertainment, crafts and light Hanukkah refreshments.

The event is free and open to the community. For more information, call 732-494-3232.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

The 10th annual Hugs for Brady Foundation Winter Gala will be themed “Oh What a Night!,” featuring entertainment from the stars of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” on Jan. 25 at The Palace at Somerset Park

The gala honors individuals who have made significant contributions to help those affected by childhood cancer. This year’s honorees are The 2020 Gala Committee as the Ellen Gambatese Pediatric Cancer Volunteer of the Year; Roy G. Svenson as the Brady Buggy Wagon Volunteer of the Year; Steven K. Libutti, director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as the Dr. Randy Siegel Pediatric Cancer Medical Humanitarian of the Year; and Kevin Cummings, chairman and CEO of Investors Bank, as the Hugs for Brady Foundation Pediatric Cancer Humanitarian of the Year.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship information, to donate or to take part in the silent auction, visit www.hugsforbrady.org.

 

 

Middlesex County will hold its annual conference for young men, aimed at instilling leadership, wellness and prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Middlesex County College in the College Center, 2600 Woodbridge Ave.

The program will feature interactive workshops designed to provide students with opportunities to learn about a healthy and empowered lifestyle. It will focus on setting and achieving goals and avoiding negative influences. Participants will also learn to identify resources and tools that can be shared with their peers.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 732 257-3300, ext. 1930.