Community Bulletin Board: the Sentinel (for November 18)

The East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with the Family Resource Network to host the online workshop “What You Need to Know: Health Insurance Open Enrollment in NJ” this fall.

The program is presented online using Zoom four times: in English at 2 p.m. Dec. 8; and in Spanish at noon on Nov. 18 and Dec. 2.

This workshop explains open enrollment for health insurance. The different options that are available to New Jersey residents will be explored, as well as the New Jersey-based insurance exchange called Get Covered NJ.

Following each presentation, there will be a question and answer period.

“What You Need to Know: Health Insurance Open Enrollment in NJ” is presented by Renata Svincicka and Yamilet Zegarra.

Both the English and Spanish language sessions will be recorded for later viewing on the library’s website.

This program is offered through the library’s “Just For The Health Of It” consumer health and wellness initiative.

Additional health programs and resources can be found online at www.justforthehealthofit.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For 12 years, MyGOAL has supported individuals with autism and their families.

The East Brunswick Police Department Community Policing/Response Units are supporting MyGOAL.

Make a donation at https://mygoal-inc.snwbll.com/east-brunswick-police…

 

 

 

 

The new EBesports Club will begin leagues and tournaments later in the month.

The cost is $25 yearly membership for East Brunswick teens, or $35 for non-East Brunswick friends. Club membership runs through Dec. 31, 2021.

Players must have their own gaming equipment.

Parent/guardian permission is required.

Information will be available at www.eastbrunswick.org/esports.

 

The Monroe Township Police Department has created a new Facebook page to help keep the citizens of Monroe informed.

The new link is at www.facebook.com/MonroePoliceNJ/ @MonroePoliceNJ

For more information on the department, visit www.monroetwppolice.org/

 

 

NJ Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Brunswick Square Mall, next to Old Navy by Macy’s, 755 Route 18, East Brunswick.

Appointments are suggested. For an appointment, visit smarturl.it/NJBS_Drive using sponsor code 61483; or call 800-933-2566.

Walk ins accepted as space permits.

Eat and drink beforehand, and bring a donor ID card or ID with name and photo.

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with business and customer information experts Data Axle for a series of virtual workshops that showcase Reference Solutions.

Reference Solutions is a business and consumer research database for gathering demographic information, marketing plans, competitive analysis and sales. All three upcoming three programs are presented by Bill Carlson, success manager, Data Axle.

Attendees do not need prior experience using Reference Solutions.

Reference Solutions can be useful for job seekers, as Carlson will demonstrate at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

“Business Expansion” is at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The workshop highlights key features, including identifying the ideal geography of potential customers, finding key contacts, researching competitors and more.

All three programs are free and open to the public. They will be held virtually through the Zoom platform, and there are no prerequisites.

To register for any of these classes, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.

 

 

East Brunswick Public Library’s popular “Take A Business Break” returns this fall with three online programs to help local business owners to get tips from experts during their lunch break.

Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, leads this online workshop series. He is an emeritus partner at WithumSmith+Brown, PC, and a Fairleigh Dickinson MBA professor. He was designated one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today.

The final program in the series is When to Hire Your First Employee and How Much to Pay at noon on Nov. 19. This workshop explains how to determine if this critical decision is right for your business.

The event will be held on the Zoom platform. Registration is requested; to register, go to https://ilove.ebpl.org/ebpl-virtual-programs.

 

The Metlar-Bodine House Museum is reopening after months of closure due to COVID-19.

 

Discover Piscataway’s exceptional 354-year-old back story told in a docent-led tour. Learn why and how America’s tradition of celebrating July 4 began in Piscataway in 1778. View a map display of the museum’s theme “From Indian Trail to Interstate,” a journey through time. Visit the museum’s Dutch Door gift shop.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17; noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19; and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 13.

Schedule subject to change due to COVID-19. Call ahead or visit the website.

Admission is $5 per person; children under 5 free. Pay at the door, cash only.

Group tours of four must schedule in advance.

Official COVID-19 guidelines include limiting tours and gift shop visits to one group of four people at a time to maintain social distancing; masks required for children and adults before entering the museum and to be worn during the visit; and the availability of hand sanitizer at the admission desk and in the gift shop.

The museum is located at 1281 River Road, Piscataway.

For more information, call 732-463-8363, email [email protected] or visit https://metlarbodinehousemuseum.org

 

Clients of the food pantry at the East Brunswick Recreation & Parks office have transitioned to Aldersgate Outreach Community Center on Ryders Lane. Families are able to obtain food on a weekly basis.

A holiday gift card drive for the December holidays will benefit the Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, through the collaboration of the Township of East Brunswick and the Interfaith Clergy Council. East Brunswick residents and school families who receive their services will benefit from these donations.

Gift cards to Target or Walmart in denominations of $5, $10 or $20 can be mailed to the East Brunswick Department of Recreation, 334 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick; or can be left in the drop box attached to the building near the entrance. Put Attn: Jill Veit on the envelope.

Deadline is Nov. 23.

Also, the Rec. Department continues to accept non-perishable food items at the box truck located in the office parking lot at 334 Dunhams Corner Road. If the back of the truck is not open, open the door and place the donation inside.

 

 

The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, serving Monmouth and Middlesex counties, will hold its annual meeting, Giving Wings to the Jewish Heart of Jersey, at 6:30p.m. Dec. 8 via Zoom.

Look at ways the Jewish community became more connected and capable this year amid extraordinary challenges, recognize individuals and organizations for playing key roles, and celebrate the shared values that unite Jews.

The first 100 households to sign up by Nov. 25 will receive a celebration goody bag.

For registration information, visit https://www.jewishheartnj.org/

 

 

A health literacy social worker is available to assist patrons of the East Brunswick Public Library.

Emerith Hernandez Cortes, MSW, is a bilingual social worker who speaks Spanish and English. She can help with needs such as food, housing, addiction, health services, job loss, small business recovery, places to find employment, and mental health topics.

Appointments can be made by calling 732-518-8247 or by emailing [email protected]. These appointments are digital on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sessions are private and confidential.

The program runs through Nov. 30.

This service is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. It is offered through a grant from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

To learn more, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.

 

 

 

The Girls on the Run of Central NJ (GOTRCNJ) Fall 5K race will be virtual this year.

The 5K Turkey Trot will take place Nov. 26-29 and is open to the public. Registrants can complete the virtual 5K on their time and in their own place.

Registration is free and open to all. However, in an effort to sustain the GOTRCNJ Scholarship Fund, participants can donate $10 or an amount of their choice to GOTRCNJ during registration. One hundred percent of donations will go to scholarships to make the program accessible to girls who otherwise would not be able to participate.

Participants will receive a printable bib and finisher’s certificate.

Register at https://runsignup.com/gotrturkeytrot or visit www.gotrcnj.org.

For race questions, contact Donna York at [email protected] or 908-642-4321.

 

 

The Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth will hold the 17th annual Suicide Prevention Conference, focusing on “Reaching for Hope,” from 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, via WebEx.

Speakers include Susan Klebold, author and activist; and Vanessa L. McGann, clinical psychologist

To register, visit https://rutgers.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=7116

Cost is $49 per person.

 

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

The South River Police Department is currently accepting resumes for the position of Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO).

The Class III SLEO will work under the direction of the chief of police. Class III special officers will be assigned to various public schools within the borough where they will perform school safety and security details.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must be a retired police officer who previously served as a duly qualified, fully trained, full time officer in any municipality or county of this state, or as a member of the New Jersey State Police, and must live in New Jersey.

• Must be retired from that agency in good standing, within three years of appointment to this position.

• Must be less than 65 years of age at the time of appointment.

• Must pass a psychological exam.

• Must pass a medical exam and have a Doctor complete Medical Certification.

• Must pass a drug test pursuant to Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy.

• Must successfully pass a background investigation.

• Possess a valid New Jersey Driver License.

• Possess a NJ Police Training Commission Basic Police Officer Certification of NJ State Police Academy.

Interested applicants must submit a resume outlining qualifications for this position to Chief Mark E. Tinitigan, South River Police Department, 61 Main St. South River 08882.

Applicants are requested to apply as soon as possible.

The Borough of South River is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

 

 

 

East Brunswick’s first Cornhole Doubles League will play on either Saturday or Sunday mornings.

Sign up as a team or individual.

Everyone is guaranteed one match a week for 8 weeks, with the playoffs the last week.
Teams will play best 2 out of 3 set matches.

Maximum eight teams per day.

Must be 18 or older.

Games will be played indoors at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Participants must follow social distancing and COVID guidelines, and wear masks.

The cost of the 9-week season is $45 for residents or $65 for non-residents.

Register via the Recreation Department’s Online System.

 

As part of National Crime Prevention Month, the South River Police Department is reminding residents about its home security inspection program. Through this free program, an officer from the department visits a home to identify security weaknesses and areas of concern that would allow potential criminals to make the residence an easy target.

The officer, who has received specific training in this area, then makes recommendations to help remedy these issues and help better protect the home. The goal is to reduce the risk of you and your family becoming a victim of home burglaries and other crimes.

To schedule an appointment for a free home security inspection, contact Ptlmn. Wesley Sanches at 732-254-1150, ext. 107

 

Right at Home of Central New Jersey and its healthcare partner, HarborChase of Princeton, hosted a Back to School Drive for the families of health care heroes. Many professional partners and local businesses donated supplies, filling close to 600 bags of school supplies.

Currently, Right at Home of Central New Jersey is providing snacks and beverages to health care heroes at facilities throughout Middlesex, Northern Monmouth and Mercer counties through the Junk Trunk. The RAH-mobile has been filled and deliveries are on their way. 

Starting the second week of November, the Junk Trunk will be transitioning to the Holiday Hatchback and member will be delivering holiday snacks and goodies to health care heroes to wish them a safe and happy holiday season.

To donate snacks, call Right at Home of Central New Jersey at 732-967-0900.

Donations can be dropped off at the office, 1405 Route 18 south, Suite 203, Old Bridge. 

For more information, visit www.rightathome.net/monmouth-middlesex/ or email [email protected].

 

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Farmers Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Sunday of the month in the parking lot of the Brunswick Square Mall, 755 Route 18, East Brunswick.

Local produce, artisan foods, bakery items and craft vendors.

Sponsored by Sustainable Jersey and the PSEG Foundation.

 

To document the experiences of the community while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Brunswick Public Library has been collecting submissions to a COVID-19 Community Time Capsule.

The time capsule can be viewed online at www.ebpl.org/history

The library is still taking submissions at this time.

 

 

The Community Pet Food Bank by New Beginnings Animal Rescue is open from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, with varying hours on Saturdays, on the grounds of Nativity Lutheran Church, 552 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

For more information, visit nbarnj.org

 

The Jamesburg Public Library will hold its board meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

These meetings are open to the public, and will take place on Zoom for the remainder of the year.

Visit jamesburglibrary.org or www.facebook.com/JamesburgLibrary/ for further information.

Each meeting will have a different Zoom link and passcode

 

 

The East Brunswick Department of Recreation is offering First Tee Golf Lessons. 

There is no prior golf experience needed.

Clubs will be provided to those who don’t have them for use during the sessions and have requested clubs during the registration process. Students with their own clubs should bring to each class.

Due to COVID restrictions, the limit is eight children per session.

Programs include Ultimate Frisbee for grades 5 – 12; Youth Track for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 grades; Youth Cross Country, grades 1-8; Web Development/Joomla, grades 8-12; Youth Golf Lessons, ages 8-10; drive in movies and concerts.

For more information, visit eastbrunswick.org/recreation

 

 

 

To showcase emerging artists in the area, the East Brunswick Public Library held the Grownup Summer 2020 Art Challenge.

The result is an online gallery, sharing the work of area residents.

It is available online for viewing at ilove.ebpl.org/art-challenge.

 

The East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department is collecting non-perishable food, cash and gift cards for distribution to Aldersgate Community Outreach Center.

Drop off food in the back of the box truck parked in the parking lot, 334 Dunhams Corner Road; the door is kept down so lift it to put donations inside.

Or, drop cash/check/gift cards in an envelope and put in the drop box next to the front door to the Recreation Department.

 

 

The South River Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of school crossing guard (part-time/substitute).

School crossing guards work under the direction of the police department and are responsible for the safe crossing of school children and other pedestrians at designated crossing areas within the Borough of South River.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent

• Must be a United States citizen

• Must be a resident of New Jersey

• Must be of sound body and of good health with vision and hearing adequate to perform essential job functions

• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license

• Must be of good moral character and not be convicted of any criminal offense

Applications can be obtained from and returned to South River Municipal Offices, 48 Washington St., South River.

 

 

 

 

 

Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick is offering a new hybrid learning club, a wraparound school age program to roll over from summer camp to a full-day learning experience that combines virtual learning with outdoor activities.

Students can bring their virtual learning devices. Credentialed staff will aid in classwork and homework during the day.

The afternoon portion will run similar to Camp Yomeca. Activities will include arts and crafts, tennis, basketball and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) along with an afternoon snack. Swimming will be included in September, weather-permitting.

For the session schedule and rates, and to register, visit https://raritanvalleyymca.org/member-connection#/programs/22527368/hybrid-learning-club/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

East Brunswick now has a disc golf course at Heavenly Farms, 440 Dunhams Corner Road, across from the main parking lot.

It is free to play. Bring your own equipment.

Pickleball can be played on six brand-new courts at Community Park, 350 Dunhams Corner Road, and two hybrid pickleball/tennis courts at Lenape Park, 31 Millman Dr.

On Wednesday evenings there is a “club” that gathers at Community Park and plays, as well as a group that plays on Saturday and Sunday mornings at Community Park. They are open to the public. The group is not affiliated with East Brunswick Recreation.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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].

 

 

Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey seeks compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.

Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. They read to the patient, reminisce about their lives, play cards, help with letter writing and provide respite for caregivers.

Visits can be virtual, and are either during the day or early evening.

Volunteers may also assist with administrative work within the hospice office.

Patient care volunteers complete an application and attend a virtual volunteer training program that covers the role of a hospice volunteer. Day and evening virtual training programs are offered.

To sign up for the next virtual training class, contact Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email [email protected].