The Metuchen Public Library’s annual spring film festival, the Edna Newby International Film Series, continues at the library at 480 Middlesex Ave.
The festival will feature three films, shown at approximately one month intervals. Each film will be shown twice, at 2 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free to all. Each film is shown in its original language with English subtitles.
The series begins in March with the Afghani film “Osama” (2004). Living in an all-female household in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is tantamount to a sentence of death by starvation, since women are not permitted to leave the house without a male escort or to earn a living. In desperation, a preadolescent girl disguises herself as a boy, changes her name to Osama and goes to work for a shopkeeper. Will she be found out and punished? Director Siddik Barmak, whose mentor was the Iranian director of Kandahar, made this movie, the first to be filmed in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban, on a shoestring budget and recruited a cast of nonprofessional actors from the streets of Kabul. This film won the Golden Globe Award as Best Foreign Film.
April 3 will feature the Danish film “Italian for Beginners” (2000). This romantic comedy has the distinction of being the first of its kind to be shot in the Dogma-95 style: handheld video, natural light and no extraneous music. Several lonely hearts in a semiprovincial suburb in Denmark use a beginner’s course in Italian as the platform to meet the romance of their lives. Serious themes such as mental illness and euthanasia are touched on as a widowed pastor, an Italian waitress, a bakery clerk, an impotent hotelier, a restaurant manager and a hairdresser tread the bumpy road to love. The film won multiple prizes at the Berlin film festival.
The festival concludes on May 1, with the Israeli film “Broken Wings” (2002). When a family member dies suddenly, the entire dynamic of the survivors is forever changed. An Israeli mother struggles with her own grief and that of her four children while working two jobs to keep the family together after the death of her husband. Still traumatized by their father’s death, the children begin to act out in extreme and dangerous ways. This tale of how five people connected by both blood and grief begin to assemble the shards of their lives and move forward won awards at Israeli, German and Japanese film festivals.
The Edna Newby International Film Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Metuchen Public Library and the Metuchen Public Library Board of Trustees Endowment Fund. For more information, contact John McBride, adult services librarian, at (732) 632-8526.
Registration for Easter Funday now under way
Edison Township’s 28th annual Easter Funday will be held on April 8 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 450 Division St., Edison, with the following age/time categories: 2-year-olds at 8 a.m.; 3-year-olds at 8:35 a.m.; 4-year-olds at 9:10 a.m.; 5-year-olds/kindergartners at 9:45 a.m.; first- and second-graders at 10:20 a.m.; and third- through fifth-graders at 10:55 a.m. All age groups are invited to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny and his friends, and to participate in an Easter egg hunt. J.J. Huggles the Clown will also be present. Everyone will receive a holiday surprise for participating. The event is free, but all children must be preregistered. All registered 2- to 5-year-olds (including kindergartners) must be accompanied by an adult at both the breakfast and the egg hunt.
Registration, which has already begun, must be done in person at the Stelton Community Center, 328 Plainfield Ave., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or the Minnie B. Veal Community Center, 1070 Grove Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Proof of residency must be shown at the time of registration. A $5 registration fee is required with the application. Registration deadline is April 6 or sooner if the event becomes filled. Individuals may also register April 1 at either community center from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information, call the Edison Recreation Department at (732) 248-7312 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional registration forms will be available through the recreation department and the municipal complex, as well as at all township library branches.
Apply for Vietnam Memorial scholarships by April 7
Graduating seniors have until April 7, to submit their applications and essays to qualify for one of two $2,500 scholarship offered by the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. Scholarships will be awarded to two graduating seniors from New Jersey who plan to further their education either at a college or university or trade/technical school.
Winners will be notified in early May and will be awarded the scholarship May 29, during the Memorial Day ceremony held at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial.
In addition to the scholarship application and proof of acceptance to a college or trade school, all applicants must submit a 250- 300-word essay about his/her visit to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, located off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 116 in Holmdel.
The deadline for application and essay submissions is 5 p.m. April 7. Applications may be mailed or delivered to the NJVVM Scholarship Program, 1 Memorial Lane, P.O. Box 648, Holmdel, 07733. Applications may also be faxed to (732) 335-1107. Details and applications: (732) 335-0033 or www.njvvmf.org.
Girls’ monthlong tech camp starts July 5
Middlesex County College (MCC) is looking for participants to attend a free summer camp program for high school freshman girls.
The day camp, titled TechXploration, is a four-week program in which teen girls design, develop and construct a working model of fairgrounds ride, visit a theme park to better understand how amusement park rides work and learn from female mentors who are working in engineering fields.
They will also practice karate as part of the program.
There is no charge for the camp, which is for freshman girls about to enter their sophomore year of high school. Camp will take place July 5 through Aug. 2.
The camp is being organized by NJCATE, a National Center for Advanced Technological Education. It will be held at the state-of-the-art Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies on the MCC campus in Edison.
Any interested high school freshman girl should visit www.njcate.org/techxploration and fill out the online application.
For more information, contact Karen Ford, project coordinator at NJCATE, at [email protected] or call (732) 906-7735.
St. Francis golf tourney slated for April 24
St. Francis Cathedral School will hold its fourth annual golf outing on April 24, at the Metuchen Golf and Country Club.
Shotgun starts at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $200 and includes green and cart fees, breakfast, on course refreshments and a buffet lunch. Awards and prizes will be available. Sponsors are needed. This year’s outing will feature a scramble format, which rewards a team approach. For more information more call George Ludwig at (732) 548-3232 or e-mail [email protected] or call Terence Meadowcroft at (732) 321-1906 or e-mail [email protected]. Also visit www.stfranciscathedral.org.
Internet safety program on tap for March 29
The Metuchen school district invites parents and interested community members to attend a program on “Internet Safety: The Dangers to Our Children and the Tools Every Parent Should Know to Prevent Them,” at 7 p.m. on March 29 in the Edgar Middle School gymnasium.
The program will be presented by an investigator from the outreach unit of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Representatives of the Metuchen Police Department will also attend.
The program is hosted by the EMS Parent Teacher Organization and the Edgar Middle School. Anyone with questions may call Brenda Redshaw, EMS PTO president, at (732) 549-2227 or Principal Kathryn Glutz at (732) 321-8770.
MCC open house to be held on campus April 2
An open house for prospective Middlesex County College students and their families will be held on the Edison campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 2 in the College Center. High school students who are considering continuing their education at Middlesex, as well as anyone who is thinking about taking a course at the college are invited to attend. Reservations are not required and refreshments will be served. For additional information contact Middlesex County College Office of Admissions at (732) 906-4243 or visit the Web site at www.middlesexcc.edu.
Women’s Club lines up meeting, trip, garage sale
The Metuchen-Edison Women’s Club will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church hall, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen. Program will feature author Feather Schwartz Foster, who has written “Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalities,” “On the Road With the Old Gals” and “Garfield’s Train.” Light refreshments will be served. Guests and new members are welcome. For more information, call Diana at (732) 548-0925. Also, a trip is planned on April 9 to the Renault Winery for lunch and to an Atlantic City casino. Bus will leave the Edison municipal building (Route 27) at 8:45 a.m. Guests are welcome. For details, call Cassie at (732) 985-7583. In addition, a township-wide garage sale is slated for April 23 at 263 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen. Call Rose at (732) 494-8685.
Spring rummage sale at synagogue April 2
Temple Emanu-El’s Sisterhood is hosting a spring rummage sale from 9 a.m. (no early birds) to noon on April 2 at the synagogue, 100 James St., Edison (across from JFK Medical Center). Clothing, linens, toys and housewares will all be available for purchase, along with some books.
For more information, call Ellen Tishio at (908) 756-7061.
Women’s Club collecting items for animal drive
The Metuchen-Edison Women’s Club will continue its spring drive for animals throughout April to benefit the Plainfield Area Humane Society, located at 75 Rock Ave. in Plainfield. Items needed include food for cats and dogs (both dry and wet); guinea pig and rabbit food; cat litter; paper towels; old blankets and clean towels; and cleaning supplies such as bleach and dish/laundry detergents. Drop-off locations are Donna’s Hometown Deli, 1018 Amboy Ave., Edison; Metuchen Veterinary Hospital (Dr. Boaz Rogan), 69 Pearl St., Metuchen; and South Plainfield Borough Hall, 2480 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield. Call Helena at (908) 754-0313 or Diana at (732) 548-0925.
Free Easter egg hunt on April 7 for Edison teens
The Edison Recreation Department will be sponsoring an Easter egg hunt for Edison teens in grades six through 12 at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the Minnie B. Veal Community Center, 1070 Grove Ave. Transportation from the Stelton Community Center (328 Plainfield Ave.) will be provided at 7 p.m. for teen center members. The event is free, but all teens must preregister and present proof of Edison residency. Registration will be held daily at both community centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will close April 5. Call Recreation at (732) 248-7312.
Arthritis support group slates April 8 meeting
The North Edison Arthritis Support Group will hold a meeting from 10 a.m. to noon on April 8 at the North Edison Public Library, 777 Grove Ave. The event will feature a “Let’s Chat” program. Family and friends are welcome to attend. To reserve, call Joan at (732) 388-8069. For more information on the support group, call the Arthritis Foundation at (732) 283-4300.
Cats, kittens available for immediate adoption
Friends of Homeless Animals, an organization based in Metuchen that is dedicated to finding loving families for homeless cats and kittens, has healthy felines available for immediate adoption throughout Monmouth and Middlesex counties. The animals – all of which have visited a veterinarian and received their initial vaccinations – are available through the adoption center located in PetSmart on Route 9 in Manalapan. A reference check and a nominal adoption fee are required. For more information, call the organization at (732) 549-1270.
Support group offered weekly in Edison
The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County, 515 Plainfield Ave., Suite 201, Edison, offers a support group for newly separated or divorced adults at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (732) 777-1940.
JFVS offering services to those affected by 9/11
The Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Middlesex County – with the support of a Sept. 11 recovery grant from the American Red Cross Liberty Disaster Relief Fund – is offering additional services to those individuals and families directly affected by 9/11.
Services include counseling, support groups, educational groups and family activities, as well as vocational counseling and job placement services.
In partnership with United Way of Central New Jersey, JFVS will also be assessing people’s eligibility for financial assistance.
For more information or to set up an appointment, call Lauren Balkan at JFVS at (732) 777-1940.
Local Lutheran church has Sat. thrift shop hours
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, located at the top of the hill on Pleasant Avenue (off Amboy Avenue), Edison, has announced its thrift shop hours. The store is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, where shoppers can find bargains on clothing, household items and gifts. Donations are accepted during hours of operation. For more information, call (732) 738-0887.
Hazardous waste drop-off days scheduled
The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management recently set the following household hazardous waste drop-off days schedule:
+ April 15 at the Middlesex County Highways Department, Apple Orchard Lane, off Route 130, North Brunswick;
+ May 21 at Middlesex County College, near the Mill Road entrance, Edison.
All collection times are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Household hazardous wastes which are improperly disposed of are identified as a danger to children and animals, a potential cause of groundwater pollution and a potential threat to garbage collection crews.
Acceptable materials that county residents may bring for disposal include, but are not limited to: pesticides/herbicides; flammable liquids; solvents; pool chemicals; used motor oil; oil filters; paints; car batteries; household batteries; antifreeze; propane tanks; fluorescent light bulbs (no broken bulbs); and asbestos. Residents who wish to bring asbestos (maximum 300 pounds) must register by calling (732) 745-4170.
Materials which will not be accepted are tires, explosives and munitions, infectious waste, unknown materials and empty containers.
The drop-off days are sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and are conducted in cooperation with the Middlesex County Department of Public Works-Division of Highways and Middlesex County College.
The events are open to residents of Middlesex County only and are free of charge. Items should be brought in clearly marked containers.
For more information on the hazardous waste drop-off days and on the county tire recycling program, call (732) 745-4170 or e-mail [email protected].
Edison Garden Club to host High Tea April 29
The Edison Garden Club is sponsoring a High Tea from 1:30 to 4 p.m. April 29 at the Edison Main Library, 340 Plainfield Ave. The event will feature a variety of tea, sandwiches and pastries; a professional flower-arranging demonstration by Pamela Jaynne, owner of Pocketful of Posies in Morristown; door prizes; and a gift boutique. Cost is $15 per person, with all proceeds to benefit the scholarship fund for students at Edison High School, John P. Stevens High School and Cook College at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Attendance is limited. For reservations, call Mary Lou Mooney at (732) 287-0695.
Congregation Beth El offers weekly bingo
Congregation Beth El, 91 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, conducts weekly bingo games on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. Admission is $1 per person. Refreshments may be purchased. For details, call the synagogue at (732) 572-2766.
New CASA chapter added in Middlesex County
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) New Jersey has announced it will open a new chapter in Middlesex County in New Brunswick. CASA is a nation-wide organization that uses trained volunteer “advocates” to provide in-depth information to Family Court judges, to make decisions in the best interests of children removed from the child’s home for abuse or neglect. CASA has 14 programs in New Jersey, and approximately 800 nationwide.
For additional information, visit www.casaofnj.org.
No late fees for library books week of April 3
Amnesty Week will take place April 3-8 at the Edison Main Library, 340 Plainfield Ave., during National Library Week. Patrons will be able to return overdue books that week without being fined. Videos, DVDs and rentals are all excluded.
Patrons are also asked to bring in canned food for the ongoing collection for the Middlesex County Food Organization & Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).
Police dept. searching for part-time dispatchers
The Metuchen Police Department is looking for part-time police dispatchers.
Applicants should preferably have experience in emergency medical dispatch and 911 calls, but training can be provided.
The starting salary is $12 an hour. If interested, contact Officer David Liantonio at (732) 632-8547 or Capt. Rob Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548.
Crossing guard applications available at police dept.
The Metuchen Police Department is looking for residents who are interested in becoming crossing guards. Substitute positions are available. The starting salary is $9.50 an hour. For more information, call Capt. Robert Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548 or call the main line at (732) 632-8500 for applications. Applicants must have their own transportation.
Edison Scrabble Club announces new hours
The Edison Scrabble Club has changed the hours of its Saturday games at the Minnie B. Veal Community Center, 1070 Grove Ave., North Edison. Games will now be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and will still take place from 7-10 p.m. on Tuesdays. Registration is not required, and there is no charge to participate. All are welcome.
For more information, call Walt at (732) 721-9218 or Lois at (732) 906-5496.