Community Bulletin Board: the North and South Brunswick Sentinel (for Aug. 11)

 

The South Brunswick Senior Center is now open for certain activities.

Fitness classes include BollyX at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Now & Zen at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Tai Chi at 10 a.m. Thursdays, Zumba at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, and body sculpting at 10:30 a.m. Fridays. The cost is $2 per class, except for Now & Zen which is free. Call the Senior Center to sign up.

Watch the video or listen to the podcast from TEDx and participate in discussions at 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Penn Medicine Princeton Health will hold a blood pressure screening from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 17. No appointment needed. Call 609-497-2230 or visit the Penn Med Desk in the Wellness Center to register for health programs and screenings.

Pickle Me This: Pickle making with Caryl will be held at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 16. Limited space; call to register.

The New Member Mingle is on hiatus until further notice.

These programs and classes are open to South Brunswick resident members age 55 and older only. Membership is free. Call to join.

The Senior Center is located in the municipal complex at 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

For more information about these programs and to register, call 732-329-4000, ext. 7670.

 

South Brunswick Township is currently accepting applications for a full-time driver in the Transportation Division and part-time school crossing guards.

The Transportation Driver is a year-round position to drive 40- and 16-passenger buses, mini-vans and handicapped vans. Various driving responsibilities include transporting residents to medical appointments, community events, summer programs, and disabled residents to various facilities and programs.

Applicants must have a high school degree or GED, CDL Class A or B license with a passenger endorsement, and a clean driving record.

Background checks will be conducted on all prospective applicants.

The crossing guards positions are part-time and there are permanent and substitute positions available.

Crossing guards are responsible for regulating traffic in order to safely cross school children from one side of the street to the other during designated hours.

All work is performed outdoors regardless of weather and the job sites can be anywhere throughout the township.

Working times vary according to school schedules.

Applicants must be 18 years old or older and possess a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must also possess valid a N.J. Driver’s License with a good driving record.

Background checks will be conducted on all prospective applicants

All interested should apply at www.southbrunswicknj.gov/employment

 

 

 

 

 

North Brunswick Township will hold Concerts in the Park to honor healthcare workers and the first aid squad.

The next dates are Aug. 13 and Sept. 10 at Community Park, 2053 Route 130, North Brunswick.

Bring lawn chairs.

Free admission.

To reserve a spot, call 732-247-0922, ext. 475 or email [email protected]

 

 

 

Celebrate India’s 74th Independence Day from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, 324 Culver Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

There will be cultural and patriotic dance performances, music by DJ Darshan, henna tattoos, food sampling and activities for children.

For sponsorships or booths, call 848-391-0499 or email [email protected]

Then, the Indo-American Cultural Foundation of New Jersey will hold a summer picknic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Mercer County Park, West Picnic Area, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

There will be food, live music, drinks and games.

The cost is $5 for members or $10 for non-members. RSVP by Aug. 15.

Venmo tpatel434 or make checks payable to IACFNJ.

 

 

 

Summer reading fun begins soon for all ages at the South Brunswick Public Library.

Registration for the 2021 Tails & Tales program ends on Aug. 15. There will be prizes.

Registration for the animal-themed summer program will be on the Readsquared app; there will be a variety of virtual and in-person events throughout the season. Read whatever you want and log your progress on the account you establish on the app.

To register, visit SBPL.READSQUARED.COM, call the library or stop by in person at 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, for help registering.

To view an informative video from Children’s Department Head Matt Kirschner, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=teHx8nLO0jY&feature=youtu.be

For more information, visit sbpl.info

 

 

 

The NBT India Day Committee will hold a virtual event from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 15 commemorating 74 years of Indian independence.

The event, with the theme of Health is Wealth!, will be available on the Facebook or YouTube Live platforms.

For more information, visit www.nbtindiaday.org

 

 

 

Students within New Jersey’s 16th Legislative District will benefit from a school supplies drive.

YouGiveGoods provides a shopping platform that offers schools brand-new donated items.

Donations will be accepted through Aug. 18.

Use the link https://yougivegoods.com/njlegd16-bts-2021.

Choose your preferred school district, choose the items to be donated, purchase the items, and YouGiveGoods will send you a tax receipt and ensure delivery of the item.

 

 

Summer Fun & Games in the Park for North Brunswick children in grades K-7 will be offered through Aug. 27 at Veterans Park, Roosevelt Avenue.

All CDC guidelines will be followed during summer day camp.

Deposit is $15.

Register early in order to ensure programming is not canceled.

For more information, visit www.northbrunswicknj.gov

 

 

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.

 

 

 

North Brunswick Township is accepting nominations for the Ann Marie Chandlee Volunteer Service Award for 2021.

Any organization, business or person who willingly gives their time, talents and resources  to fulfill the needs of the community and improves the lives of North Brunswick residents can be nominated.

Return the nomination form to the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick; fax to 732-247-0979; email to [email protected]; or drop the nomination form inside the box marked “Volunteer Service Award Nominations.”

 

Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) is coordinating his annual backpack and school supply drive through Sept. 3.

Requested items include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, highlighters, mechanical pencils, pencil cases, pens, pocket folders, notebooks, rulers, tissues or even gift cards.

Donations will be accepted at Danielsen’s office, 334 Elizabeth Ave., Somerset; the North Brunswick Library, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick; the Franklin Township Library, 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset; Franklin Township Library, 3391 Route 27, Franklin Park; the Piscataway Library, JFK branch, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway; or the Piscataway Library, Westergard branch, 30 Murray Ave., Piscataway.

For more information, call the office at 732-247-3999.

 

 

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 Plainsboro, Cranbury, Monroe, Jamesburg, Helmetta and South Brunswick at 8 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Crowne Plaza Princeton, 900 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro.

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/

 

 

 

 

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.

 

North Brunswick will hold a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 in front of the memorial on Hermann Road.

The road will be closed at 9 a.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at Linwood School, 25 Linwood Pl.

 

The “I Have MS, But MS Doesn’t Have Me” basket raffle fundraiser for awareness of multiple sclerosis will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 62 S. Main St., Milltown.

Fore more information, contact Traci Ceras at 732-841-2883 or [email protected]

To make a donation, visit msfocus.org/events

 

 

The sixth annual Kickball Tournament to benefit Ray + Bacchus is set for Sept. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Rowland Park, 235 Broadway Road, Cranbury.

Ray Fantel is a 12-year-old resident of the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick who was born with spinal muscular atrophy. He was never able to crawl, stand or walk. His family needs the community’s help to raise money for service training for his dog Bacchus and for non-covered expenses related to the standing power wheelchair Ray needs.

The $250 donation for a team of 11-16 players includes event shirts.

Contact Ray M. at 732-501-3564 or [email protected]

 

 

 

 

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 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.

 

 

 

Playhouse 22 will reopen to the public for live theater with the opening night of “Harvey” on Oct. 8 at the community theater, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

The annual production of “A Christmas Carol” will return in December.

More information about tickets, new safety guidelines and the 2022 season will be available at Playhouse22.org

 

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 North Brunswick Woman’s Club will hold a flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 in the parking lot of the municipal building, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick.

Spaces cost $20 for one or $35 for two.

For an application, email [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Brunswick Humane Association’s 17th annual Dog Walk-a-Thon and Adoption Day event is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at North Brunswick Community Park, 2053 Route 130, North Brunswick.

Rain date is Oct. 24.

There will be music, food, games and prizes.

Pre-register at www.northbrunswickhumane.org

Co-sponsored by the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

 

 

The Princeton Environmental Film Festival returns Oct. 12-17.

 

To submit a film, visit https://princetonlibrary.org/peff/entry/

There is no fee to enter.

For more information, email [email protected]

 

 

Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (JFS) has relocated its main office to 219C Blackhorse Lane, North Brunswick, from Milltown.

From 2-4 p.m. Oct. 28, the agency will host a grand opening event at the main office to formally welcome the community to the new facility.

The grand opening event will be held concurrently with the agency’s annual meeting and Volunteer Appreciation celebration.

Local legislators, community leaders, nonprofits, business owners, volunteers and neighbors are invited to enjoy light refreshments and learn about JFS programs.

The presentation will review the past year’s tests and triumphs as well as honor the hard work of the agency’s dedicated volunteers.

RSVP to [email protected] or 732-777-1940 by Oct. 14.

 

 

 

 

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]

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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]

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Right at Home of Central New Jersey can organize a Senior Citizen Prom for local facilities.

They will provide music and entertainment.

A prom king and queen will be crowned.
For more information on how to schedule a prom, call 732-967-0900.

Serving northern Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth counties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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]

 

 

Amaranth at North Brunswick is the township’s first age-restricted community, currently under construction on Route 130.

Low- and moderate-income residents who would like to be part of the community can add an email address to be part of the marketing for the development.

To register, visit amaranthnj.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAMI In Our Own Voice (NAMI En Nuestra Propia Voz) is a program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Jersey chapter geared toward community education and reducing the stigma of mental health, as trained volunteers share their lived experience of mental health recovery.

To schedule a presentation at a school, PTA meeting, congregation, town hall, support group or professional training, email [email protected]

Presentations are available in English and Spanish.

 

 

 

 

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 [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

French American School Princeton (FASP) is accepting enrollment.

At FASP, students in preschool (3 years old) through grade 8 benefit from a rigorous bilingual curriculum accredited by the Middle State Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and the French Ministry of Education; personalized attention thanks to small class sizes; and a multicultural community with more than 30 nationalities represented.

FAPS is located at 75 Mapleton Road, Princeton.

Visit ecoleprinceton.org, call 609-430-3001 or email [email protected].