Newspaper Media Group/centraljersey.com will present a Health & Wellness Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, Princeton.
For tickets, visit nmg.ticketleap.com/cjhw
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Michele Nesbihal at 609-874-2147 or [email protected]
Sayreville will celebrate Centennial Day from noon to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Kennedy Park, 807 Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.
There will be food, contests, a skateboard demonstration, games, a beer tent, vendors and fireworks.
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.
Anastasija Zolotic, the first American female taekwondo athlete to win a gold medal, who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will be coming to Woodbridge, along with U.S. Olympic Head Coach Gareth Brown, as well as Pan American Champion CJ Nickolas, on Sept. 11 at International Martial Arts of Woodbridge, 54 Cutters Dock Road, Woodbridge.
Master Mohamed Elshikh, president of the New Jersey State Taekwondo Association, will host them for a day of training. Athletes are invited to the Olympic Sparring and
Training Class, and after they train they will have the opportunity to ask questions
and take photos with Zolotic.
The event will be broken down into two sessions, first color belts and then a session for black belts only.
For more information, visit njstatetkd.com
The National Association of Orthopedic Nurses Central Jersey affiliate, and Wellspring Center for Prevention, will host “Your Athlete and Opioids,” a hybrid event scheduled for Sept. 14.
Speakers will include Yolanda Ciccone, Middlesex County prosecutor; Dr. Charles Gatt, orthopedic surgeon; Dr. Thomas McPartland, pediatric orthopedic surgeon; Kyala Pascual, Melissa Gagliano, Grace Orosz, Donald Rogers and Ryan Stevens.
Attend virtually, or in person at the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Training Center, 11 Patrol Road, Edison.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the featured presentation from 6:30-8 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Register at https://wellspringprevention.org/events/icalrepeat.detail/2021/09/14/824/-/your-athlete-and-opioids
The 35th annual Lebanese Festival will return to St. Sharbel Maronite Church from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 17, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 18, and noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 19.
The church is located at 526 Easton Ave., Somerset.
Performances by Bassil Touma, Eddie Osama and Kalem Issa.
There will be live music and dancing, a bar, games, and souvenirs.
Lebanese food and pastries; vegan and gluten free options will be available.
Parking and admission are free.
For more information, visit www.saintsharbelnj.org
Christ Episcopal Church of South Amboy’s Women with Purpose will hold Zumba via Zoom at 10 a.m. Sept. 18.
The Zoom link will be shared after payment and registration. The cost is $10.
Call or text Donna at 732-309-8161 or Gail at 732-991-3124.
To make a general donation to the program, use the GivePlus app by Vanco.
Funds raised support the group’s outreach and scholarship programs.
The Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo will be held Sept. 24-26 at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison.
There will be reiki and energy healing, wellness, spirituality, mediumship, workshops and speakers, enlightenment, yoga, jewelry, psychic readings, nutrition, crystals, essential oils, visionary artists and meditation.
For ticket information, visit heartofonenessholisticexpo.com
The First Presbyterian Church of Sayreville will hold its annual flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the church, 172 Main St., Sayreville, directly across from Borough Hall. Rain date is Sept. 25.
Vendor spaces are available for $15 for one space, or $25 for two. There are a limited number of tables to rent for an additional $5.
No food vendors.
For more information, leave a message on the church answering machine at 732-257-6353 or email [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 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.
The Monroe Township Historic Preservation Commission will host vintage baseball between the Flemington Neshanock and the Liberty Base Ball Club of New Brunswick from noon to 3:30 p.m., Sept. 25 at Dey Farm, on Federal Road between Perrineville and Applegarth roads, Monroe. No rain date is announced.
Watch a 19th-century style baseball game during this double header.
Also, learn about the life of a Civil War surgeon and attend a workshop on how to build a rain barrel.
Bring a picnic lunch.
There is no cost to attend.
The seventh annual New Jersey ParaUnity Expo is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 at Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Pl., Woodbridge.
The VIP Party on Sept. 24 is from 7-10 p.m. Cost is $95 per person, adults only. Free appetizers, cash bar and deejay.
The VIP Party on Sept. 25 is from 8-11 p.m. Cost is $95 per person, adults only. Free appetizers, cash bar and deejay.
Tickets for the general expo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25 are $20 for adults or $5 for children 12 and under.
Proceeds go directly to the Woodbridge Charity Fund.
For ticket information and a schedule of events, visit www.newjerseyparaunityexpo.com/
East Brunswick’s Fall Freecycling Day, sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, returns from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 to the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
A semi-annual event, Freecycling Day offers an opportunity to discard usable, unwanted household items in an environmentally-friendly way instead of sending them to landfills. Attendees can browse for “finds” from small furniture and housewares to toys and tools. There is no charge to participate as a donor or browser in this free trade event.
All items must be offered for free, for personal use and not for resale.
Items for freecycling may be dropped off until 1 p.m. with browsing and pick up until 2 p.m.
To ensure everyone’s safety at the event, participants, browsers and volunteers must comply with all state guidelines pertaining to COVID.
Adult and teen volunteers are needed for all or part of the day. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Recommended freecycling items include clothing, books, shoes, bicycles, fish tanks, dishes, pots and pans, toys, office supplies, silverware, small appliances, tools, power tools, gardening tools, kitchenware, garage items, electronics and pet supplies.
It is recommended that boxed toys, games and anything with small parts be taped shut.
Prohibited items include large furniture pieces, mattresses, televisions, computer monitors, paints, VHS tapes, computer disks, pesticides, tires, toiletries, unframed mirrors, food or any hazardous materials. FriendsEBEC reserves the right to reject items.
Freecycling days are a project of FriendsEBEC and co-sponsored with the East Brunswick Recycling Center and East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services.
Rain will cancel the event. Check the Friends’ website for updates: friendsebec.com.
For more information, visit friendsebec.com, or 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.
Christ Church in South Amboy’s Women With Purpose group is holding its annual Back to School Supply Drive through Sept. 30 to benefit schools in South Amboy and Sayreville.
Suggested items are pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, spiral notebooks, erasers, rulers, scientific calculators, 3-ring 2-inch binders, Post-It notes, dividers, rulers, loose leaf paper, pencil sharpeners, headphones, backpacks, facial tissue, Clorox disinfecting wipes, book covers, index cards, composition notebooks and pocket folders.
Call or text Donna at 732-309-8161 or Gail at 732-991-3124 for drop-off locations.
The sixth annual Suicide Prevention Conference will be held virtually on Oct. 6.
Presented by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health.
Trauma: The Hidden Face of Suicide will be presented from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcome to anyone interested in learning about trauma and suicide prevention.
The conference will feature presentations, breakout sessions and a panel discussion.
Nick LeDonne will share his mental health story using the art of animation.
Dr. Meagan Corrado, founder and owner of Storiez Trauma Narratives, has trained clinicians, community leaders and trauma survivors across 20 training programs.
Registration will soon be available.
Join NAMI New Jersey for NAMIWalks Your Way: A United Day of Hope on Oct. 9.
Before the pandemic, in any given year, 1 in 5 people in the United States reported having a mental health condition. Mental health experts suggest the figure is now 2 in 5, or even higher, according to information provided by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
This year. due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, NAMI is offering a virtual version of its annual NAMIWalks event.
Anyone can participate by registering at namiwalks.org/newjersey and deciding how they want to participate. They can choose to join the virtual walk event on Oct. 9 or pick an activity of their choice, such as jumping rope, baking a cake, practicing yoga or walking with friends and family in the neighborhood—all while taking precautions to stay safe.
There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. One hundred percent of funds raised support NAMI New Jersey’s free local mental health programs, resources and services.
NAMI New Jersey is part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. It is headquartered in North Brunswick.
For more information, visit nami.org
The Old Bridge Columbian Club will hold a pasta dinner at 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at the club, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge.
Dinner includes pasta, salad, meatballs, soda and dessert.
The Joey Katz Orchestra featuring Bob Kulik will perform.
Tickets are on sale by calling 732-251-9817 and pressing No. 1 at the prompt.
Tickets are pre-sale only, and cost $20 per adult. Discount available for a table of 10.
Cash wine bar will be available.
The North Brunswick Humane Association’s 17th annual Dog Walk-a-Thon and Adoption Day event is planned for 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.
Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, and must be leashed at all times.
The opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.
Pre-registration is $15 for the first dog, and $5 for every dog thereafter. Send checks payable to the North Brunswick Humane Association to NBHA, P.O. Box 7522, North Brunswick 08902. Or, pre-register at www.northbrunswickhumane.org
On the day of the event, registration fee is $25, plus $5 for each additional dog. On-site registration begins at 10 a.m.
Co-sponsored by the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.
For more information, email [email protected] or call Michele at 732-713-3532.
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]
The 20th annual Women’s Leadership Summit, Rebound with Resilience: Ready to Go!, will be held at 9 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Doubletree by Hilton Princeton, 4355 Route 1.
Presented by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee.
Keynote speaker is Sarah Chaplin, president and CEO of the State Theatre New Jersey.
For registration information, visit mcrcc.org
John Anagnostis, regional vice chair of the Middlesex County Republican Organization, is seeking poll workers from Perth Amboy, Sayreville and South Amboy for the upcoming General Election on Nov. 2.
If interested, call 732-371-9967 and leave a message.
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 Old Bridge, South Amboy, Sayreville, South River, East Brunswick and Spotswood in February 2022.
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]
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.
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 Madison-Old Bridge Township Historical Society is looking for middle school and high school yearbooks from Madison Township and Old Bridge Township to add to its collection.
Contact Jeff Kagan at 646-246-5598.
The yearbook collection is readily available for the general public to review at the Thomas Warne Museum located just across the street from the Old Bridge High School.
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.
Sign up at https://forms.gle/nxuZUi5AMJe1RcyJ8
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]
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].
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]