Community Bulletin Board: the Sentinel (for July 22)

Editor’s note: In light of recent events related to coronavirus, some organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming programs. Please check the status of any event before attending.

Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick will offer virtual kindergarten readiness programs for children entering Kindergarten in the fall.

Classes will be held from July 20 to Aug. 28. Zoom meetings will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with learning materials provided through email on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, email Senior Program Director Preeti Srivastava at [email protected].

Registration is open for swim lessons through the Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick.

Weekday morning swim lessons will be held at Crystal Springs Family Waterpark, 380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick.

Weekday afternoon swim lessons will be held at the YMCA, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick. Capacity at the YMCA pool will be extremely limited due to pool size and spacing restrictions.

Youth lessons are available at both locations; adult lessons at the YMCA pool only.

Read through the registration packets for procedures and safety precautions.
For more information, visit www.raritanvalleyymca.org

Join N.J. Health Care Networking Group for a Zoom meeting from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Aug. 12.

N.J. Health Care Networking Group is a free organization for anyone in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services. Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County, a nonprofit organization that provides social services, counseling, and advocacy, is hosting the virtual meeting.

To register, email [email protected] to receive the Zoom code to join the meeting.

For more information about N.J. Health Care Networking Group, contact Lisa Gallicchio at [email protected], call 732-547-9886, or visit www.njhcnet.com for the monthly location and member events.

East Brunswick VFW Post 133 will host takeout dinners on Friday nights.
In addition, the outside seating for the bar area has new hours: 3-10 p.m. weekdays and noon to 10 p.m. weekends.
For more information, call 732-254-8864 or 732-254-9674.

Forsgate Country Club’s summer Future Star Junior Golf Day Camp has availability for weekday sessions in July and August. Camp dates are July 27-31 and Aug. 17-21.

Children of non-members are welcome to learn the game or improve their skills. The day camp is designed specifically for the beginner to intermediate junior player ages 4-16.

The program includes professional instruction with putting, chipping, irons and woods; video analysis; on course play; rules and etiquette; fitness activities; games and prizes.

The non-member cost per camp is $320 and $300 for members, with a $75 deposit required to reserve a spot. Each camp is limited to the first registered 25 juniors.

Camps are 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and lunch is provided.

For more information, call the pro shop at 732-656-8953.

The East Brunswick Library will host the online presentation “Podcasting 101: Getting Started and Finding Your Voice” at 6 p.m. July 22 using Zoom.

Led by veteran podcaster Harry Marks, this workshop will guide the audience through the process of planning a podcast. Topics covered include hardware and software options for all budgets, how to launch your podcast, and how to build an audience of loyal listeners.

Information about registering for this program can be found at www.ebpl.org.

This program is free and open to the public, thanks to the Friends of the East Brunswick Library.

The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey is offering scholarships to law school students seeking careers as prosecuting attorneys, graduate students with a commitment to child advocacy, and to police officers hoping to attend college or graduate school to advance their careers in law enforcement.

The annual scholarships, each amounting to a one-year grant of $3,500, will be paid directly to the recipients, who will be selected by a committee that administers the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey Scholarship Foundation.

Scholarship applicants must be residents of New Jersey and must demonstrate a financial need. Scholarship recipients from previous years are ineligible.

Each of the scholarships are dedicated to the memory of an attorney who died in office, where they had served with dignity as prosecutors in various counties in New Jersey and exemplified the high standards of law enforcement professionals.

To be eligible for the Oscar W. Rittenhouse Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school and must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor.

To be eligible for the Andrew K. Ruotolo Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school or a graduate school. Applicants must exhibit an interest, and commitment to, enhancing the rights and well-being of children through child advocacy programs.

To be eligible for the Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school. The applicant must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor with an emphasis in domestic violence or hate crime prosecutions.

To be eligible for the John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a sworn law enforcement officer seeking educational advancement on a college or graduate level to improve his or her effectiveness as a law enforcement officer.

Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 4. Applications are available online at www.burlpros.org.

Personal interviews of finalists will be conducted. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision in October.

Applications should be sent to Prosecutor Scott Coffina, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly 08060; or email [email protected]

 

 

The 74th annual Bernie Cohn Memorial Golf Classic will be held on July 30 at Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Dr., Monroe.

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tee off is at 9 a.m.

Hosted by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information, ticket information and sponsorships, visit mcrcc.org.

 

 

The East Brunswick Public Library’s annual summer reading activities will take place online.

This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story,” and the library has special challenges for readers of all ages.

By completing reading and learning challenges, readers can win prizes. The program has three challenge levels: kid, teen and adult. Summer reading runs through Sept. 7.

The children’s program is for ages 5-12. Children can gain points to win free books in various ways, including each day they read, the summer learning bingo board, writing book reviews, and special weekly missions. There is also a similar summer reading program for younger children through the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative.

To make registration easier, families can now register together, and parents can manage summer reading logging. Children can also maintain their summer reading logs independently.

The teen program is for ages 12-18. Library users turning 13 during the summer can choose whether they want to participate in either the kids or teen program. Through the summer, there are several different ways to earn points for prizes by reading books and completing tasks on a bingo board. Points can be redeemed for book prizes.

Adults participating in the summer reading program can earn a chance to win prizes by completing a mix of reading goals, as well as service and community-oriented objectives. There are also several special online programs planned for adults over the summer, including a Fantasy Trivia night, Virtual Open Mic Night, TED Talks Viewing and Discussion.

To register for the library’s summer reading activities visit, www.ebpl.org/summerreading.

For information about upcoming library programs and services, visit www.ebpl.org.

 

The East Brunswick Jewish Center is providing minyanim twice every day, services on Shabbat and holidays, adult education classes and Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi.

Membership welcome but not necessary.

Visit www.ebjc.org/online-events for more information.

 

 

 

 

Raritan Valley YMCA is encouraging residents to #StayWithUs during this time, in particular by visiting the Y’s Facebook page for virtual events, programs and classes.

Adult programs include group fitness classes provided by Y360, Les Mills and from Y instructors. Programs and classes will be updated on a week-to-week basis. The ZOOM app is required; email [email protected] for log-in details.

The Facebook page also features live story time and creative arts with Ms. Preeti and Ms. Brenda.

Details Camp Yomeca day camp are available on the website. Online registration is open.

For more information, visit raritanvalleyymca.org.

 

For the 17th year, Texas Roadhouse will host a nationwide motorcycle ride to benefit Homes For Our Troops. This year, participants will ride separately, but enjoy a similar experience as in years past, all to support Veterans.

Home For Our Troops is a national charity that builds and donates specially-adapted custom homes for post 9-11 veterans, severely injured in the line of duty. The organization has completed more than 295 homes in 42 states with an additional 79 projects currently underway.

For each $30 donation, registrants receive a commemorative T-shirt, a Virtual Ride 2020 Patch, and a food voucher to use by Oct. 31.

Register online at HFOTUSA.org/bikerun by July 25 to receive a T-shirt.

Ride packets will be available for pickup, with an emailed donation receipt, from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 or 9 at Texas Roadhouse, 1000 Route 9, Parlin.

 

 

Nominations are being accepted in 10 categories for an annual recognition program to celebrate individuals, businesses and governments for extraordinary commitment to recycling.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, annually recognizes excellence in recycling to highlight program successes achieved by individuals, agencies, businesses and others whose efforts help keep New Jersey communities clean and healthy.

Applications may be submitted in these categories: Institution, Business, Retail Merchant, Government, Leadership, Rising Star, Recycling Industry, Outstanding Educator/Educational Program, Volunteer Citizen and Source Reduction/Resource Management/Sustainability.

Nominations are due by July 31 and awardees will be notified in September. Award winners will be honored at the Association of New Jersey Recyclers Symposium and Awards Luncheon scheduled Oct. 14 in Neptune.

 To view the application and information packet, visit www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/awards.htm or www.recycle.nj.gov.

 

 

The United Way of Central Jersey’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund will assist individuals and families affected by the novel coronavirus with crucial basic expenses including rent, utilities, prescription medication/medical supplies, child care and food.
United Way will work with trusted community partners to identify individuals and families most in need of this temporary support.
Donations to the UWCJ COVID-19 Support Fund may be made online at www.uwcj.org. Checks made payable to United Way may be mailed to United Way of Central Jersey, 32 Ford Ave., Milltown 08850.

 

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is opening the nomination process for its 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project. This multi-day salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes representing each state and territory in the nation to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation.

One Purple Heart recipient and an escort of their choosing from each state and territory will again be selected for an all-expenses-paid tribute filled with tours and ceremonies honoring their service and that of all those who have earned the Purple Heart. The four-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s headquarters where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782, and a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – the museum dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded. Other special tribute events are also being planned.

Anyone can nominate a Purple Heart recipient they know. Nominations must include a short description (up to 250 words) of why their nominee is deserving of this special recognition. Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected] or submitted via www.purpleheartmission.org/patriot-project.

Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31. The Honor Mission will select three finalists from each state and territory and a national panel of Purple Heart recipients and other distinguished Americans will select the final honorees.

A complete list of honorees will be announced nationally on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

 

Monroe Township Jewish War Veterans Post 609 is collecting United States and foreign stamps, both on and off envelopes.

Stamps are used by veterans as hobbies and as therapy to support medical staff at VA Medical Centers nationwide.

Stamps are not traded or sold; they are forwarded to veteran patients at no charge.

Also requested are DVDs suitable for veterans at those locations.

Send all items to JWV Post 609, c/o Charles Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Dr., Monroe 08831-4742.

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Domestic Response Team is seeking volunteers.

Citizens are trained to respond to local police departments on an on-call basis to provide support and information to victims of domestic abuse.

For more information, email [email protected].

 

 

 

The Korean War/Defense Veterans Association Central Jersey Chapter No. 148 extends an invitation to any veterans, regardless of branch of service, who served during the war from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location, including Europe, or who have served in Korea from July 27, 1953, through the present.

The group meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month —except January through April — at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza.

Membership dues are $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 chapter fee per year.

The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including parades, flag raisings, visiting the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City, etc.

For more information, contact Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or [email protected].

 

 

 

The Community Health Law Project (CHLP) has extended the deadline for nominations of candidates for the Ann Klein Advocate Awards and Mike Lione Accessibility Award to recognize those who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of people living with disabilities through Oct. 17.

The Ann Klein Advocate Award is given to a group of select individuals and organizations, nominated by the public, who have performed exemplary work as advocates for people living with disabilities and/or vulnerable populations.

The award is named in memory of Ann Klein, former commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services, whose career as a public servant, legislator and social worker paved the way for significant advances in the human services systems throughout the State of New Jersey.

The Mike Lione Accessibility Award was established in 2013 in memory of longtime Community Health Law Project Board Member and former Chair Mike Lione. This award is presented to an individual or entity that has performed exemplary work as an advocate for accessibility on behalf of persons living with disabilities.

For more information, visit www.chlp.org or call 973-275-1175.