The Woodbridge Township concert series will continue on Aug. 12 with Nine South, Aug. 19 with Seven Stone, and Aug. 26 with Marty & The Martians.
All concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn of Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Pl.
Middlesex County’s theater and music series are back this summer, planned for outdoor, in-person performances.
Plays-in-the-Park will present “Showtune” at 8 p.m. Aug. 13-15 at Stephen J. Capestro Theater stage, Roosevelt Park, 1 Pine Dr., Edison, at 8 p.m.
The Box Office opens at 5:30 p.m. and patrons are admitted to the seating area immediately after receiving a free ticket.
Bring a lawn chair.
In the case of inclement weather, save the ticket stub for another performance this season.
For more information, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PIP/CurrentSeason.aspx
The first two Plays-In-The-Park performances will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/PlaysInThePark
The first part of Music-in-the-Park will be held at the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park stage, South Amboy/Sayreville beachfront, O’Leary Boulevard.
Concerts are from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The schedule is:
- Aug. 11 – Zydeco-A-Go-Go, New Orleans style Rhythm & Blues, ’40s jazz and swing
- Aug. 18 – Green River, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Aug. 25 – The Perry Brothers, Irish favorites
The second part of Music-In-The-Park will be held on the Plays-in-the-Park stage in Edison.
These concerts start at 6 p.m.:
- Aug. 22 – Silk City Jazz Quartet
- Aug. 29 – Sandy Sasso’s Swingin Big Band
In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be cancelled and rescheduled based on band availability. Concerts will not be held indoors as done in past years.
All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/Music-in-the-Park.aspx
Both series, in partnership with MCFOODS, will collect nutritious food for residents in need throughout the season.
Country Sundays will be held in Woodbridge, with a series of concerts at 7 p.m. on the lawn at Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Pl., Woodbridge.
The schedule is: Aug. 15 Pirate Flag (Kenny Chesney), Aug. 22 Deadgrass (Grateful Dead), Aug. 29 Panama Dead (NRPS), and Sept. 5 Linda Ronstadt Experience.
The Presbyterian Church of Metuchen will hold a blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the social center dining room, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen.
Donors will receive a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.-
Make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org using sponsor code FPCM or call 1-800-733-2767.
Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle, African American musician and scholar and university distinguished professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, will examine the six-decade career of Mary Lou Williams, a pianist, educator, arranger and activist who died in 1981 at the age of 71, on Aug. 15 courtesy of Metuchen Arts Council.
Using musical examples drawn from her vast oeuvre, Kernodle will explore Williams’ engagement with the musical practices of various local music scenes and the shifting sonic aspects of her sound identity.
She will also examine how the racial and gender politics surrounding jazz culture in America significantly undermined her professional path and muted her contributions to the progression of the idiom.
Kernodle’s live streamed presentation at 3 p.m. is part of the Jazz Education series jointly sponsored by the Metuchen Arts Council-Jazz and the New Jersey Jazz Society.
The Aug. 15 presentation will be available on the New Jersey Jazz Society website, njjs.org, as well as on the NJJS Facebook page and YouTube channel. It will also be archived on njjs.org and the NJJS YouTube channel.
Attendance is free, but donations are suggested.
A Metuchen Artist Mixer will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Mignolo Arts Center, 272 Lake Ave., Metuchen.
Artists of all mediums can meet for light refreshments, conversation and ping pong.
For more information, visit the Facebook pages for Mignolo Arts Center or the Metuchen Arts Council.
Edison Township will hold its fourth annual Food, Wine & Beer festival from 4-9 p.m. Aug. 21 at 926 Amboy Ave., Edison.
There will be food trucks, wine, craft beer, bands, local vendors and activities for children.
Entry fee is $5; children under 10 are free.
Visit edisonchamber.com for updated information.
The Edison Public Library has announced a Zoom program, Edison Local History Day, at 7 p.m. Aug. 23.
The Metuchen-Edison Historical Society will be conducting an interactive presentation consisting of old photographs, homes, landmarks, historical maps and memorabilia, and sharing tales of Edison’s diverse history.
To register, call the library at 732-287-2298 or visit http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/xp_newpopevent.cfm?zeeOrg=EDISON&EventID=6680148&sw=1920
Individuals do not have to be an Edison resident to attend. All are welcome.
The Edison Public Library will hold a Zoom program “Ghost Tales” at 7 p.m. Aug. 26, presented by The South Jersey Ghost Research Center.
The presentation will cover the different elements of paranormal investigating as well as evidence they’ve collected during their many investigations.
A question-and-answer session will follow.
To register, call the library at 732-287-2298 or visit
www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/xp_newpopevent.cfm?zeeOrg=EDISON&EventID=6693322&sw=1440
An exhibit of traditional heirloom Ukrainian embroideries and an illustrative lecture are being presented at the Barron Arts Center by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Branch 98.
The exhibit will include a display of traditional embroideries: women’s and men’s clothing, costumes, pillows and other assorted embroidered articles. These embroideries represent the uniqueness of regional motifs, designs/stitches and colors.
The exhibit will run through Aug. 27 at Barrons Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge.
Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre and the Township of Woodbridge will present A Celebration of Spain, an art exhibition of drawings and paintings of Spain and Flamenco dance, dance demos, workshops and a Flamenco night at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Woodbridge Artisans Guild, 101 Main St., Woodbridge.
The gallery is open Sept. 9-30 from 3-6 p.m. Mondays, 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
For more information, call Eva Lucena Welch at 732-598-3979.
Middlesex County’s Quest Scavenger Hunt features new locations and activities for summer 2021.
Participants may play solo or create a team of up to five members.
The Quest Scavenger Hunt runs thru Sept. 9. Participants will upload photos to the Middlesex County Quest Facebook Group’s private page.
Individuals and teams who complete at least 10 activities on the Quest map will win a free T-shirt (one shirt per team member). At the end of the contest, each team will submit their favorite Quest photo.
Photos will be voted on using Facebook “likes” during a one-week voting period. The photo with the most “likes” will win the grand prize. This year’s grand prize winner will receive an exclusive VIP experience/workshop with the Middlesex County Arts Institute.
To learn more about the Quest Scavenger Hunt – including the official Quest rules –visit discovermiddlesex.com/quest/. To join the Quest or to upload photos, join the Middlesex County Quest Facebook Group.
Edison’s 24th annual Taste of Middlesex is planned for 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison.
Each year, the Edison Chamber of Commerce invites restaurants from around Middlesex County to showcase their cuisines.
Attendees sample dishes from around the area, then choose the winner by voting for their favorite.
The Groove will perform during the evening.
Must be 21 or over to attend.
Tickets are $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door; seniors get a $5 discount. Or, purchase a 10-pack for $450.
The event serves as a fundraising opportunity for non-profits; for every $50 ticket an organization sells, $25 gets donated back to the organization. Unsold tickets must be returned to the chamber by Sept. 1.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 732-738-9482.
The YMCA of MEWSA (Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, South Amboy) will hold its 25th annual YMCA 5K Run/Walk on Sept. 25 at Roosevelt Park in Edison in front of the Lakeview School.
Registration is open; early bird rates are available at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/RooseveltParkEdison/YMCAofMEWSA5k until June 30.
The run/walk will be held rain or shine and will have a superhero theme.
It will begin at 8:30 a.m., however, virtual option will be available this year as well.
Interested participants can get more information at www.ymcaofmewsa.org/janice-garbolino-5K.
This run/walk is held each year in memory of Janice Garbolino, the former Health and Wellness Director of the Metuchen Branch YMCA, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2002. This event supports the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy in providing a free exercise program for cancer survivors called Livestrong at the YMCA.
North Brunswick PBA Local 160 announced the return of its annual Cops & Rodders Car Show for Sept. 19. Rain date will be Sept. 26.
More details will be announced.
For more information, email [email protected]
The mah-jongg tournaments at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Oak Tree Road in Edison are coming back in person starting Oct. 10 after a year of virtual play.
Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Six rounds of play begin at 10 a.m.
Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served.
Giveaways, door prizes, auction and raffles. Cash prizes.
Players must be able to complete four games in 50 minutes.
All participants must provide proof of COVID vaccination with registration forms. Mask wearing is optional.
The cost is $56 per person.
Deadline to register is Oct. 1.
For more information, call Diane Mael at 732-593-5967.
The new Jazz Education Series, jointly sponsored by the Metuchen Arts Council-Jazz and the New Jersey Jazz Society, continues on Sept. 19 with “Nat King Cole@100: (NKC100) by Will Friedwald, music writer and author of “Straighten Up & Fly Right: The Life & Music of Nat King Cole”.
Oct. 18 is “An Informal Survey of the Great Baritone Saxophonists” by baritone saxophonist Frank Basile, a member of the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band.
Nov. 21 is “Ellington and Strayhorn: Alone and Together” by David Hajdu, Columbia University professor, music critic for “The Nation,” and author of “Lush Life,” a biography of Billy Strayhorn.
The presentations will be available on the New Jersey Jazz Society website, njjs.org, as well as the NJJS Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Attendance is free, but donations are encouraged.
To register, log on to https://bit.ly/3iaEWqt.
The YMCA of MEWSA (Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy) will host its annual Richard Hale Memorial Golf Classic on Oct. 7 at the Metuchen Golf and Country Club in Edison.
This fundraiser supports the Y’s Send a Kid to Camp Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to children from underserved families in the community.
In 2020, the Y provided more than $12,000 in camp scholarship funds which provided peace of mind for families facing economic challenges. With these scholarships, campers are less likely to experience summer learning loss and become inactive.
Camp provides access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) programming, swimming, sports, arts and crafts and more.
The fundraiser starts with lunch and a Bloody Mary bar, a shotgun start at 12:25 p.m., followed by an open bar and dinner, along with several events including a wine pull, raffles and a 50/50 raffle.
Sponsorship opportunities are available which are tax deductible and include recognition in all promotional materials, press releases and in the event program.
For more information, visit www.ymcaofmewsa.org/golf-classic; or contact Catherine Haugh at 732-516-9200, ext. 2083 or [email protected].
The National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its 2021 walk, NAMIWalks NJ Your Way: A United Day of Hope, virtually, on Oct. 9.
For more information, visit namiwalks.org/newjersey
The Edison YMCA will hold its 12th annual Tot Trot & Fall Festival on Oct. 10, featuring games, activities, vendors and food trucks.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. The race begins at 11 a.m.
The YMCA is located at 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.
The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County is holding its very first pickleball tournament at the outdoor pickleball courts at Community Park on Dunhams Corner Road in East Brunswick on Oct. 13; rain date is Oct. 20.
This is a non-sanctioned, round robin, elimination tournament for intermediate players only.
Prizes, giveaways, raffles and healthy snacks will be provided.
The cost is $36 per person, or $67 for a married couple.
Game play details will be sent upon registration.
Space is limited so register early.
To receive a flier or registration form, contact Diane at [email protected] or 732-593-5967.
Breaking the Chain Through Education will hold the fourth annual Sam Liss Memorial 5K beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 31 at Metuchen High School, 400 Grove Ave., Metuchen.
Prizes will be awarded for costumes.
Register by Oct. 30 to guarantee a long-sleeved T-shirt.
To register, visit btcte.org/5krun
For more information, email [email protected]
Middlesex County mayors will meet with members of the business community to share economic development opportunities.
This year’s topics include arts and culture, travel and tourism, sustainability, and economic development.
Meet the mayors of Edison, Woodbridge, Carteret, Perth Amboy, Milltown, North Brunswick and Metuchen at 8 a.m. Dec. 2.
Hosted by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.mcrcc.org/
***
Ongoing
The Central Jersey Chapter 148 of the Korean War Veterans extend an invitation to any veterans, regardless of the branch of service, who served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location; or who served in Korea from July 27, 1953, to the current date.
The group meets at 10 a.m. for a breakfast meeting the second Wednesday of every month from May to December at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, downstairs on the first floor.
Requirements for membership include paying dues of $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 to the chapter each year.
Korean War Veterans National Life membership if one is over age 80 is $75.
The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including fundraising to help veterans at the New Jersey State Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park, the Lyons Veterans Hospital Lyons, and the Vineland Veterans Hospital in Vineland.
For more information, contact membership chair Charlie Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or [email protected]
Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.
Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Volunteers may also assist with administrative work in the hospice office.
To sign up for a virtual training class, contact Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email [email protected]
Middlesex County residents looking for local farmers, grocery stores or food pantries – as well as public transportation routes to get there – can download the interactive map-based Accessing Healthy Foods app.
Visit http://middlesexcountynj.gov/healthyfoodsmap
The Center for Therapy & Counseling Services is offering a Teen Girls Support Group.
This free group offers girls ages 13-17 a safe place to connect, share stories and be encouraging. The goal is to enhance self esteem, self confidence and communication skills.
Each group is led by trained facilitators.
Girls meet weekly at 7 p.m. Thursdays, virtually.
Registration is required by calling 732-254-0600.
Or, email [email protected] for more information.
The Center for Therapy & Counseling Services is located at 15 W. Prospect St., East Brunswick.
The Edison Recreation Department Teen Center is now open at the Minnie B. Veal Community Center.
Open basketball is held from 3-5 p.m. weekdays, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
All teens must have a valid Teen Center Membership I.D. to participate in teen activities.
The half-year non-refundable membership for teens is $5 per resident and $10 per non-resident and is valid through Dec. 31.
Sign up online at www.edisonnj.org. Click on “Register for Recreation Now” and follow the instructions.
All members must adhere to the Teen Center rules.
For more information, call the Edison Recreation Department Monday through Friday at 732-248-7310 or the Minnie B. Veal Community Center at 732-248-7316.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ) is inviting Middlesex County residents to become a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister to a local child.
BBBSCNNJ currently has 20 children on its Middlesex County waiting list, mostly boys.
BBBSCNNJ provides one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6-18. Volunteer Big Brothers and Sisters spend quality time with their Littles each month, enjoying free or low-cost activities during which the child may learn new skills, explore new interests, or expand their experience beyond their family and neighborhood.
There are no special skills required, and BBBSCNNJ’s experienced staff provides continual support.
To be matched with a Middlesex County child, apply at mentornj.org.
The Metuchen Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through November.
Walk up only; no curbside or drive-through.
For updates, visit www.metuchenfarmersmarket.com
The Woodbridge Township Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday in the Town Hall parking lot, 1 Main St., Woodbridge.
Parking will be available at the NJ Transit lot on Eleanor Street.
Face coverings required. Social distancing will be expected.
Sign up at https://forms.gle/nxuZUi5AMJe1RcyJ8
Keep Middlesex Moving has developed a transportation finder to help seniors find a ride to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
The tool allows users to see what transportation options are available at almost all of the 40-plus vaccination sites in Middlesex County.
For more information, visit https://kmm.org/
The Middlesex County Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-site, operated by RWJBarnabas Health, is seeking volunteers to assist in the efficiency of the registration and vaccination process and help visitors feel comfortable.
Volunteers of the mega-site, located at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, will greet patients and visitors; perform temperature screenings; direct patients through various steps of the vaccination process; provide education materials; and assist with maintaining the registration area and supplying vaccination stations.
Volunteers do not administer vaccines.
Those who apply to volunteer must be a minimum of 18 years old and will be subject to a background check and a drug screen, and will need to sign a confidentiality statement.
College students requiring community service hours are also eligible to volunteer. RWJBarnabas Health will track hours and provide written verification for those who need it.
Volunteers must commit through June to at least two shifts per week from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.; or one full day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Shifts are available seven days a week.
Send your name, phone number, email address, desired start date and your availability to [email protected].
Middlesex County’s Parks and Recreation Department will accept reservations for picnic groves at nine county parks via a new online reservation system.
The parks included in this new reservation system include Alvin Williams Park in Woodbridge; Donaldson Park in Highland Park; Fords Park in Woodbridge; Johnson Park in Piscataway; Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret; Merrill Park in Woodbridge; Roosevelt Park in Edison; Thompson Park in Monroe; Warren Park in Woodbridge.
These picnic groves offer visitors a socially distanced way to host picnics and small gatherings in an outdoor setting.
Fees vary for each location and are contingent on the Executive Order in place at the time of event.
To reserve a picnic grove online and view a list of accommodations provided at each grove such as electrical outlets, charcoal grills, shelter, etc., visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/Reservations.aspx.
A list of rules and regulations for the use of picnic areas will be listed on that page.
Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick has launched the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group for families who are coping with loss due to addiction.
The free and confidential support group meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m.
Inspired by Saint Peter’s Opioid Task Force, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group is for families and close loved ones of people who have passed away from addiction.
The support group is open to everyone in New Jersey and serves as a safe space for families to discuss their grief.
To join the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group, call Jeanne Delacruz, a social worker at Saint Peter’s who facilitates the support group, at 732-745-8522 or email [email protected]
Gain stability from an in-demand occupation; apply for a Women’s Center career training grant from Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County.
Qualified persons who are active members of the JFS Women’s Center must submit an application and attend an interview. Grants are available for short-term training programs for in-demand jobs.
Eligible candidates must qualify as a “displaced homemaker,” a woman who is a single mother, divorced, separated, widowed, or living with a disabled spouse/partner.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, email womenscenter@j fsmiddlesex.org
Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is looking for volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business.
The organization is recruiting business owners and executives, both current and retired, 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 and webinars, both offered virtually in line with current pandemic restrictions. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development and management. Services are offered free of charge.
Anyone interested in volunteering with SCORE or seeking additional information should email [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].