Editor’s note: In light of recent events related to coronavirus, some organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming programs. Please check the status of any event before attending.
The South River Police Department will not hold its annual Bicycle Rodeo & Public Safety Day. However, the alternative is a Virtual Bicycle Safety Rodeo & Coloring Contest.
Children ages 3-13 have the chance to participate in a coloring contest. The first 300 entries received will each receive a coupon for a free treat from one of three local businesses that are partnering to sponsor this program. There will also be 10 brand new bikes awarded to the coloring contest winners.
Through June 15, the department will be posting a series of bicycle safety videos hosted by South River officers on the borough website and social media pages. The goal is to virtually teach South River’s children the bicycle safety lessons they would normally learn about at the annual Bicycle Rodeo & Public Safety Day. Parents are asked to watch these videos with their children.
All entries will receive a bicycle safety certificate, indicating the participant has learned the proper safe riding techniques.
To enter the coloring contest, simply print the coloring sheet, have your child color it, and submit it by regular mail or email to the addresses indicated on the sheet. The coloring sheet can be found at www.southriverpd.org/bicycle-safety
Contest rules:
• Entries must be received by June 15.
• This program is open to South River residents only.
• Do not drop off entries in person.
• Two bikes will be given away to the winners (one girl and one boy) of each age group. Age groups are 3-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-11 and 12-13.
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.
The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department is again offering summer Kindergarten Readiness Academy and Summer Early Learning Academy programs to all East Brunswick residents, as well as surrounding communities.
The Kindergarten Readiness Academy is designed to provide students entering kindergarten with continued quality programming prior to kindergarten. The Summer Early Learning Academy will offer a summer care program for 3 and 4 year olds who will not be entering Kindergarten in September 2020. Both programs will also concentrate on closing the learning gap that research shows traditionally occurs over summer months.
Kindergarten Readiness and Summer Early Learning will have full day and half day programs, running from June 25 to Aug. 7, with the option to attend three weeks or all six weeks.
Registration is open. Visit www.ebnet.org/elasummer for registration instructions and program details.
Due to COVID-19, programs will be run if permitted by the State of New Jersey and in accordance with all applicable restrictions and guidelines. Refunds will be provided if the programs are unable to run.
The Early Learning Academy Preschool is again being offered for the 2020-21 school year and will begin on Sept. 8. This parent-pay program is for 3- and 4-year-old children residing in East Brunswick and surrounding areas.
Children must be 3 years of age by Oct. 31 and not age-eligible for kindergarten (5 years of age by Oct. 31). Children must also be toilet trained.
This tuition-based program is five days per week. Half-day and full-day including early morning and/or after school care are available.
The program is located in a designated section in the Hammarskjold Middle School. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Visit www.ebnet.org/ela for full registration instructions, including fees and all required forms. A nonrefundable registration fee plus the first month’s tuition must be received to reserve a spot in the program. There is a discounted registration fee of $25 for those who register prior to July 1.
For more information regarding the registration process, curriculum and program content information, email [email protected] or call 732-613-6983. For registration questions, email [email protected] or call 732-613-6674.
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 National Purple Heart Honor Mission is opening the nomination process for its 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project. This multi-day salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes representing each state and territory in the nation to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation.
One Purple Heart recipient and an escort of their choosing from each state and territory will again be selected for an all-expenses-paid tribute filled with tours and ceremonies honoring their service and that of all those who have earned the Purple Heart. The four-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s headquarters where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782, and a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – the museum dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
Anyone can nominate a Purple Heart recipient they know. Nominations must include a short description (up to 250 words) of why their nominee is deserving of this special recognition. Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected] or submitted via www.purpleheartmission.org/patriot-project.
Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31. The Honor Mission will select three finalists from each state and territory and a national panel of Purple Heart recipients and other distinguished Americans will select the final honorees.
A complete list of honorees will be announced nationally on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Monroe Township Jewish War Veterans Post 609 is collecting United States and foreign stamps, both on and off envelopes.
Stamps are used by veterans as hobbies and as therapy to support medical staff at VA Medical Centers nationwide.
Stamps are not traded or sold; they are forwarded to veteran patients at no charge.
Also requested are DVDs suitable for veterans at those locations.
Send all items to JWV Post 609, c/o Charles Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Dr., Monroe 08831-4742.
Playhouse 22 will present “Camelot” June 12-28. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets for the main stage are $22 for adults or $20 for seniors and students.
Playhouse 22 is located at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
For tickets, visit www.playhouse22.org.
The Redhawk Native American Arts Council will hold its annual Raritan Pow Wow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 20 and 21, rain or shine, at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
There will be Native American dancers, singers, artists, vendors, crafts, performing groups and food.
Grand entry of dancers is at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. both days.
The cost is $12 for adults and teens, $8 for children ages 6-12, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $10 for students, and $35 online only for family four-packs.
Parking is free.
Bring lawn chairs. Leashed pets welcome.
For more information, visit www.redhawkcouncil.org. For tickets, visit raritanpw2020.eventbrite.com.
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].
Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County will hold its One Community Gala for 2020 at 5 p.m. on June 14 at Classical Caterers at Congregation B’Nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegans Lane, North Brunswick.
Dinner, dancing and auction.
Honorees include community leaders David and Ellen Rabinowitz, BCB Bank and Vincent Davis, and Bill Neary.
Sponsorship opportunities and journal ads are available.
For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected], or call 732-777-1940.
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].
The fourth annual Celebrate Middlesex County event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 13 at Roosevelt Park, Parsonage Road, Edison.
Enjoy roller skating, a fishing derby, live music, entertainment, food trucks and hands-on activities.
For more information, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/celebrate.
The SAMHAJ (South Asian Mental Health Awareness in Jersey) Multicultural Picnic is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at Thompson Park Grove 4AB, Perrineville Road and Schoolhouse Road, Monroe.
The annual NAMIWalks is scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Boardwalk at Seaside Park.
For more information, visit www.naminj.org.