Community Bulletin Board: the North and South Brunswick Sentinel (for Sept. 30)

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.

Fees are no longer required to borrow a DVD or video game from the South Brunswick Public Library. The SBPL Board of Trustees recently approved the measure, now allowing cardholders to borrow any item loaned by the library completely free of charge.

However, overdue fines will begin accruing for anything that is returned late on or after Nov. 1. At this time, returned items still do need a 5-day quarantine. Return your item on or before the designated date, but know that the title will remain in your account until after it has been quarantined. This in no way affects borrowing time or the designated return date. Anyone with a fine can save time by paying fines online using a credit card.

Families are invited to make crafts with Parx, the mascot of the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

The Crafts with Parx bag will be filled with either two fall crafts or two Halloween crafts. Specify which project you want.

They can be delivered or be picked up outside the municipal building, 710 Hermann Road.

The cost is $5 per bag.

Share with Parx by sending photos to [email protected]

Register at www.communitypass.net by Oct. 4.

 

Affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) want to help individuals and families better understand what is commonly known as hoarding disorder.

Laverne Williams, CSW, who has many years of experience providing trainings on hoarding disorder for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey as well as facilitating support groups for those seeking to overcome their tendencies to hoard, will speak from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 7 about “Too Much Stuff.”

The webinar will use Zoom as its online platform and will include an opportunity for questions and answers with the audience.

To register, visit www.naminj.org/webinars.

 

Disability Allies in East Brunswick is facilitating a virtual monthly seminar series, Embrace Inclusion Without Exception; the next session is from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 5 via Zoom. 

This seminar will be presented by Fred Buglione, M.A., M.Ed., president and CEO, New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education, who will discuss their vision of a society where all individuals are valued members of their community and have opportunities to reach their maximum potential

Register for this conference in advance at disabilityallies.com/njcie

For more information about the event, email [email protected] or call Harriet Shander at 908-848-0385.

 

Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society and People for Animals will host the quarterly Snip & Chip for Community Cats event on Oct. 9, where locals can bring in feral cats to be spayed/neutered and microchipped free of charge.

All cats must be dropped off from 7-7:30 a.m. to receive treatment.

The event will be held at the People for Animals, 1 Sharon Road, Robbinsville.

All feral cats from Central New Jersey are welcome, with a limit of five cats per participant. Socialized cats will be turned away.

Snip & Chip will provide free spay/neuter surgeries (valued up to $55) which will include rabies and distemper vaccines, ear tip, injectable pain control, tattoo, and medical waste disposal for feral cats. Microchip insertion/registration will be available free of charge as well.

Additional services will be available for an additional charge, including post-op boarding. All additional services must be pre-paid at the time of drop off.

Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society will accept cash or credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). No American Express or checks accepted.

Registrations must be made by Oct. 2. To register, participants must email [email protected] with “Snip & Chip Reservations” in the subject line. Within the body of the email, participants must provide: full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, number of cats, what town the cats reside in, and a description of the colony.

Pickup date will be Oct. 9 or 12; $15 boarding fee per cat to be paid to the rescue.

To learn more about Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society, visit https://karmacatzendog.org/. To learn more about the People for Animals, visit https://www.pfaonline.org/

The North Brunswick Public Library will host a free virtual author talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and author David Rohde at 7 p.m. Oct. 14.

Rohde will discuss his latest book “In Deep: The F.B.I., the C.I.A., and the Truth about America’s ‘Deep State’ ” (W.W. Norton, 2020), as well as participate in a question-and-answer session.

Rohde is the executive editor for news of NewYorker.com, an investigative reporter and author. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer, he is a former reporter for Reuters, the New York Times, and the Christian Science Monitor.

Rohde was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in 1996 for stories that helped expose the Srebrenica massacre during the war in Bosnia; and, in 2009, he shared a Pulitzer Prize with a team of Times reporters for coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

His other books include “Beyond War: Reimagining America’s Role and Ambitions in a New Middle East;” “A Rope and a Prayer: The Story of a Kidnapping,” co-authored with his wife, Kristen Mulvihill; and “Endgame: The Betrayal and Fall of Srebrenica, Europe’s Worst Massacre since World War II.”

All are invited to attend the virtual discussion.

Registration is required at https://form.jotform.com/202574448486162

Attendees will be sent the virtual program URL following registration.

For more information, email librarian Ryan Miller at [email protected]

For a complete listing of virtual events presented by the library, visit https://northbrunswicklibrary.org/ or find the library on Facebook @NorthBrunswickLibrary

The North Brunswick Public Library and Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ announce “Take Back Your Health Tuesdays” virtual program sessions.

Join experts from RCINJ for informative and interactive online programs, where you’ll learn how to reduce your risk from certain cancers, how nutrition and lifestyle choices can protect you and your family against certain cancers, and how genetics can often heighten your cancer risks.

Each program begins at 7 p.m.

Registration is required at https://form.jotform.com/202264021498148

You may register for all or any of the programs that interest you.

Once you’ve registered, you will receive a link with the Zoom URL.

The dates are as follows:

Oct. 13: Guts and Glory: Learn about the relationship between the GI tract and cancer.

Oct. 27: Nutrition for Colorectal Health: Learn how proper nutrition can reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.

Nov. 10: Lung Cancer Screening: Learn about lung cancer screening, if you are eligible and the process for screening.

Nov. 24: Breathing Easier: Learn about the dangers of second hand smoke and how you can protect yourself and your family.

Dec. 8: Controlling Your Cancer Risk: You can inherit or develop a heightened cancer risk. Learn what causes heightened risks and best practices to manage them.

Dec. 22: Family History and Cancer Risk: Don’t be in the dark when it comes to familial cancer risks.

Any questions, email [email protected]

For a complete listing of virtual events, visit https://northbrunswicklibrary.org/or find the library on Facebook @NorthBrunswickLibrary

 

 

The North Brunswick Public Library and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will offer a free virtual Food & Nutrition Literacy series.

“Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables,” led by educators from NJ-SNAP-Ed, is held at 6 p.m. each workshop. Join one or all.

Registration is required at https://form.jotform.com/202444315297151

A Zoom link will be provided after registration.

The schedule is as follows:

My Plate, Oct. 7: Plan a meal with healthy food choices.

Stretching Food Dollars, Oct. 21: Learn useful tips on how to save money and properly budget when food shopping.

Food Safety, Nov. 4: Learn helpful steps for safe handling and safe consumption of food.

Portion Sizes, Nov. 18: Learn about the health benefits of portion control.

Meal Planning, Dec. 2: Learn how to plan easy, healthy meals using low cost, readily available foods.

Nutrition Facts Label, Dec. 9: Learn ways to properly identify the information on nutrition facts labels.

Healthy Beverages, Dec. 16: Understand the link between sugary drinks and chronic diseases, and discover healthier alternatives.

For more information, email Librarian Ryan Miller at [email protected]

For a complete listing of virtual events, visit https://northbrunswicklibrary.org/ or @NorthBrunswickLibrary on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The South Brunswick Water Division will start flushing water mains from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Oct. 5.

The flushing program will be finished in approximately six weeks.

Flushing will begin in the vicinity of Broadway Road area working toward Dayton and then proceeding towards Davidson’s Mill Road. Flushing will then continue in Monmouth Junction and Route 1 areas. After crossing Route 1, the flushing will go from Kingston through Kendall Park to Brunswick Acres. The high service area consisting of Wood Gate, High Gate and Princeton Manor will be last.

The township will not be flushing in the portion of Kingston that is served by New Jersey American Water Company.

Officials recommend that water use be kept to a minimum between the stated hours since the water may be discolored. Any discoloration caused by the flushing operation will be of short duration and will not affect the quality or safety of the water.

For more information, call the Water Division at 732-329-4000, ext. 7270 or 7226.

 

 

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 North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services is holding its annual fall house decorating contest.

Submit photos of your decorated house to [email protected] by Oct. 2. Include your address and contact information.

Parx, the recreation mascot, will be judging homes the second week of October.

For more information, call 732-247-0922, ext. 475.

 

 

The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business committee will present the 19th annual Women’s Leadership Summit in a weekly format, planned for 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23.
The theme for this year is “Rest… Renew…Relaunch” in keeping with individual journeys and experiences during this pandemic.
The event will feature a diverse set of professionals who will bring their expertise and personal experience into insightful and empowering sessions. There will also be time set aside for questions and answers.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.mcrcc.org/event/19th-annual-womens-leadership-summit/

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

The North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services will present its annual Halloween Happenings on Oct. 17 at Veterans Park, Roosevelt Avenue, North Brunswick. Enter from Fillmore Drive. Rain date is Oct. 18.


Pick a pumpkin to paint; each family will have their own table. Trick or treat. Take family selfies.

Time slots are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Registration is required. Spots are limited. One session per family.

Masks are required. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Supplies will not be shared.

Cost is $5 per child.

Donations will be accepted for the North Brunswick Food Bank.

Register at www.communitypass.net

For more information, call 732-247-0922, ext. 475.

High School Mock Trial Competition teacher-coaches can enter their teams online at njsbf.org
There is no charge to enter. Registration closes on Oct. 23.
The 2020-21 High School Mock Trial Workbook, which contains the rules, procedures and case, will be released by the end of October. This season the competition will be conducted via Zoom.
For more information, contact Sheila Boro, director of mock trial programs, at [email protected].

 

 

Ride a cycling course of your choosing to help support and raise funds for more than 26,000 Special Olympics New Jersey athletes.

This year’s route and mileage are up to each participant.

Through Oct. 24, register and complete your ride.

All registered participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt, ride bib and finisher medal.

Fundraising incentives are available to those who reach specific milestones.

To register and for more information, visit www.BikeSONJ.org.

 

 

The regular public meeting of the North Brunswick Township Board of Education scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 28 will be held remotely using Zoom video conferencing technology.

For instructions on how to access this meeting and make comments during the public participation session, visit www.nbtshools.org.

 

Ongoing

 

South Brunswick VFW Post 9111 is seeking monetary assistance from the community.

The organization has long supported free Christmas parties for children, food drives, Purple Hearts Chapter 10, the American Veterans Dog Foundation that trains dogs to support veterans, and a Christmas party for veterans at the New Jersey State Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park.

The efforts are in jeopardy because of the impact of COVID-19.

To donate to the GoFundMe account, visit https://gf.me/u/ynb882

 

The Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ), in partnership with the South Brunswick Food Pantry, holds a weekly drive-thru food pantry program every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at ISCJ, 4145 Route 1, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

The ISCJ is providing a box of provisions meant to supplement a family of four for one week. Items in this box generally include pasta, spaghetti sauce, rice, canned beans, canned soup, oil, hummus, cheese, bread, canned beef or fish, frozen organic chicken, corn flour, pudding, some personal protective equipment and personal hygiene items.

This service is open to all citizens in need, regardless of legal status, creed, ethnicity or geography.

Email [email protected] for any questions regarding the program, to seek assistance, to volunteer or to donate food.

 

Residents of South Brunswick are able to preregister and pick up food twice a week at the Municipal Building, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

Drive-thru is available from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Register to receive food by emailing [email protected] by 1 p.m. the day prior to pickup. After you register you will receive a confirmation number which you will show on the day of your pickup.

On your pickup day you will pull around to the rear of the building and pull up to the drive thru. Upon arriving you will show one of the employees the confirmation number from your phone or you can write it on a piece of paper and hold it up to the window.

An employee will place the boxes in your trunk after verifying your confirmation number. Food will not be distributed without a confirmation number.

Remain in your vehicle and keep your windows rolled up at all times.

This program is for South Brunswick residents only.

For more information, call Wert at 732-329-4000, ext. 7674.

 

 

The North Brunswick Police Department is seeking donations of sanitizing wipes and other PPE.

Drop off items at police headquarters, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick.

Call 732-247-0922, ext. 326 for more information.

 

 

 

The South Brunswick Public Library is chronicling residents’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit www.sbpl.info/covid-19-stories/ to be part of the South Brunswick historical local archives. The link takes you to a survey of 17 questions to help encourage a story.
Stories can also be emailed directly to SBPL Information Services Specialist Randall Marsola at [email protected]
Stories can be anonymous.
Entries can include photographs, artwork, poems, etc.
The submissions may be featured on the library website.

 

 

 

 

 

The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the market pavilion, 178 Jones Ave.; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the market pavilion; and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at Kilmer Square Park, 108 Albany St.

 

 

 

 

Central Jersey Family Health Consortium is offering a series of virtual support groups.

 

A New Dad Support Group for expectant and new fathers with babies under 1 year old will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, co-facilitated by a therapist and an experienced father of twins.

Registration is required by emailing Pat Vena at [email protected].

 

A New Mom Support Group for pregnant and new moms with babies under 1 year old will be held in English at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in Spanish at 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

To register in English, email Pat Vena at [email protected]. To register in Spanish, email Mariella Flores at [email protected].

 

The Listening Hearts and Minds Support Group is held at 6 p.m. Tuesdays for pregnant and parenting women, co-facilitated by experienced counselors. Topics include parenting skills, coping with COVID-19, stress management, keeping mental health and meditation.

Pre-registration required by contacting Deena Cohen at [email protected] or 888-633-5502.

CJFHC is located at 30 Silverline Dr., Second Floor, Suite 1, North Brunswick.

For more information, visit www.cjfhc.org or call 732-937-5437.

 

 

 

To continue providing service to the North Brunswick community in these “virtual times,” the North Brunswick Public Library has launched its own YouTube channel.

Though the library remains closed, librarians are regularly creating fun and educational videos ranging from craft demonstrations and book talks to poetry readings and instructional lessons on how to use several of the library’s awesome databases.

Soon, the library hopes to broadcast its videos on North Brunswick’s own TV-15.

Visit www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WP7DqpscPLtBsIOBSepXQ to subscribe to the channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United Way of Central Jersey’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund will assist individuals and families affected by the novel coronavirus with crucial basic expenses including rent, utilities, prescription medication/medical supplies, child care and food.
United Way will work with trusted community partners to identify individuals and families most in need of this temporary support.
Donations to the UWCJ COVID-19 Support Fund may be made online at www.uwcj.org. Checks made payable to United Way may be mailed to United Way of Central Jersey, 32 Ford Ave., Milltown 08850.

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Brunswick Township is accepting submissions for its Veterans Park Memorial Paver Donation Project.

Any resident who has a family member who served in the United States military during a wartime period can honor them at Veterans Park on Roosevelt Avenue with a 4-inch-by-8-inch brick engraved with their name, branch of service, rank, conflict and period of service.

All engraving will be done in upper case. There is a maximum of three lines with 15 letters/spaces/punctuation marks per line.

Checks in the amount of $75 should be made payable to the Township of North Brunswick and mailed with the name, mailing address, telephone and email to the Veterans Paver Donation Project, c/o the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick 08902.

For more information, call Lou Ann Benson at 732-247-0922, ext. 475.

 

The Township of North Brunswick will continue honoring veterans with a secondary street signs at township roads.

Applications for wartime veterans are received throughout the year. The honored veterans must be a past or current resident of North Brunswick.

The requirements can be found at www.northbrunswicknj.gov; on Facebook; or at the Municipal Building at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick.

For more information, contact Lou Ann Benson at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.