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.
Mayor Jonathan Busch will discuss the current affairs of the Borough of Metuchen during the next meeting of the Metuchen Area of Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 23, via Zoom at noon.
The 2021 slate of officers for the chamber will be announced. Other nominations made must be submitted by Oct. 13.
To join, please RSVP by emailing [email protected]
The First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen (FPC) rescheduled its annual spring rummage sale for 5-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the FPC Social Center, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen.
FPC will accept donations from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21-24 in the church office.
Due to the current pandemic, the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce canceled its annual Metuchen Country Fair in October.
The Metuchen Area of Chamber of Commerce will hold a Cruise Night from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the intersection of New and Center streets and at the senior center.
For more information, visit www.metuchenareachamber.com.
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The Woodbridge Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of town hall, 1 Main St., Woodbridge.
Free parking is available at the NJT Eleanor Street parking lot and at the NJT Parker Press parking lot.
Visit www.twp.woodbridge for more information.
The Edison Farmers Market is open from 1-3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Jade Dynasty parking lot, 925 Amboy Ave., through October.
The vendors include Asprocolas Acres, La Bonbonniere Bake Shop, Fresh Honey and Honey Products, Bebe’s All Natural and Elcha’s Eats.
For more information about pre-order and pickup, visit Asprocolasacres.com, la-bonbonniere-bake-shoppe.myshopify.com, www.countrybirdandgarden.net, bebesallnatural.com, and elchaseats.com.
The Metuchen Farmers Market is on, rain or shine, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Plaza, corner of New Street and Pearl Street, June to November.
Visit www.metuchenfarmersmarket.com
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) is offering virtual learning support for children in grades K-8.
Childcare professionals and staff will help children complete school assignments through one-hour, live, one-on-one virtual tutoring sessions.
Also, coming soon is a Kindergarten Readiness Program that will provide learning activities in a small virtual class setting to help develop social-emotional, cognitive and language skills.
To register, visit www.ymcaofmewsa.org/child-care/distance-learning-support
The Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre will present “The History of the Migration of Spaniards from Andalucia to New Jersey” from 7-8 p.m. Oct. 15.
There will be a lecture by Dr. Mirta Barrea Marlys; Flamenco guitarist/singer Pedro Jimenez, who was born in Cadiz; a talk by Maria Hill, born in Spain; narration by Eva Lucena; and Spanish cultural demonstrations and regional dances.
The event is free and open to the public.
For reservations, call Lucena at 732-598-3979 or email [email protected], or visit https://alboradahistorylecture.eventbrite.com
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CASA of Middlesex County will hold Toast 2020, which will honor John E. Harmon Sr., the founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ).
Toast 2020 is an opportunity to mingle with community leaders, enjoy a champagne brunch, participate in a silent auction and learn how Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) help children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect and are now in an out-of-home placement.
The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Steakhouse 85, 85 Church St., New Brunswick. If necessary due to COVID-19, the event will be held virtually.
Funds raised from Toast 2020 help to recruit, train and support volunteer advocates. CASA advocates go through extensive training before they are paired with a child or sibling group and annual continued education to stay current on issues impacting children. Though state agencies ensure the child’s basic needs are met, CASAs are trained to gather well-being information and report to the family court judge to help a child thrive.
Additionally during Toast 2020, the late William Hamilton, Jr., will be recognized for his contributions to CASA of Middlesex County as a board member, donor and friend.
To purchase tickets, visit www.casaofmiddlesexcounty.org/Toast2020. To inquire about event sponsorships, ad journal opportunities and silent auction donations, email [email protected].
CASA of Middlesex County is seeking volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected.
When a child is in foster care, having a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) means they are more likely to find a permanent home, spend less time in foster care, and perform better in school.
Fall training starts in October. Online information sessions will be offered at 10 a.m. Sept. 19.
For more information or to register, email [email protected]
The Middlesex County Conference on Mental Health and Addiction Recovery will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 via Microsoft Teams.
Following opening remarks by Freeholder Director Ronald Rios, an inspirational presentation from Lynette Sheard, director of NJ Mental Health Players, will address the COVID-19 pandemic and its intersection with the economy, racism and behavioral health.
The keynote address will be on “Ending Stigma in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Among the LGBTQ+ Community” delivered by Mayte Redcay, Serise, Inc.
Elie De Franca of Velocity Mentoring will present “Community Wise, Mindfulness and Meditation: Addressing Oppression to Promote Individual and Community Health.”
The conference will close with an interactive mindfulness exercise that participants can experience virtually.
CEUs have been requested for this free conference.
For questions concerning behavioral health and social work contact hours, contact Rutgers UBHC Center for Continuing Education at [email protected].
To register, visit https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5LTzjogOi0O5pRD-y9C3Hpd0esbzOXRPsS_B0Aq5FmxUNlBCVVBCTkswMTNIMDZQQ1pCSU81NDBJUy4u
NAMIWalks NJ 2020 will be held virtually on Sept. 26.
Join a team and collaborate with activities in a safe, socially distanced manner or jointly on a virtual platform. Be your own “virtual walker.” Walk or run in your neighborhood, backyard or local park; garden, cook, play games over social media, etc.
Efforts support the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Jersey chapter.
For more information, visit https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=965
Right at Home of Central New Jersey has created the Tickled Pink Silent Disco, to be held from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Buccleuch Park, 321 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The suggested donation is $5 will all proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.
RSVP to Beth Sholom at [email protected] or 732-967- 0900 by Sept. 30.
The Community Health Law Project (CHLP) has extended the deadline for nominations of candidates for the Ann Klein Advocate Awards and Mike Lione Accessibility Award to recognize those who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of people living with disabilities through Oct. 17.
The Ann Klein Advocate Award is given to a group of select individuals and organizations, nominated by the public, who have performed exemplary work as advocates for people living with disabilities and/or vulnerable populations.
The award is named in memory of Ann Klein, former commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services, whose career as a public servant, legislator and social worker paved the way for significant advances in the human services systems throughout the State of New Jersey.
The Mike Lione Accessibility Award was established in 2013 in memory of longtime Community Health Law Project Board Member and former Chair Mike Lione. This award is presented to an individual or entity that has performed exemplary work as an advocate for accessibility on behalf of persons living with disabilities.
For more information, visit www.chlp.org or call 973-275-1175.
Women Aware will mark 40 years of service to individuals and families in Middlesex County affected by domestic violence with a 40th anniversary Virtual Candlelight Vigil from 7-8 p.m. Oct. 21.
The event will remember victims whose lives were ended by domestic violence and to honor survivors moving beyond abuse.
During the vigil, the organization will honor Women Aware shelter founders Diane Palladino and Ellen Koteen; volunteer advocate Ruth Hague; and Paul Sansone Sr., founder of Sansone Auto Group, Paul Sansone, Sr.
The candlelight vigil is open to the public and free to attend. Visit https://givebutter.com/WomenAware40th
For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Susan Dyckman, director of development, at [email protected] or 732-249-4900, ext. 0428.
To donate online, visit https://givebutter.com/WomenAware40th
Text to donate 202-858-1233 Code WA40
Mail a check payable to Women Aware; mail to Women Aware, 40th Anniversary, 250 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick 08901
Follow Women Aware on social media: Facebook @womenawareinc or Instagram @womenaware or Twitter @Women_Aware