From the Metuchen Library:
The College Application Essay is a three-session workshop to be held on Tuesday August 10, Tuesday August 17 and Thursday August 19 from 7 PM until 8:30 PM. In this workshop, rising high school seniors will learn what makes a good essay by looking at samples, brainstorming for ideas, personalizing their writing, and editing their work.
From the Forum Theatre:
Registration for Forum Theatre's Stars On Stage education program of Alice In Wonderland Jr.will be held tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Forum Theatre 314 Main St Metuchen. Classes are for kids from 8 to 14 and will be starting July 12th, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 2:30. Performances will be on July 30 and 31st at 7:30 and Sunday August 1 at 3pm. If you are unable to make it tomorrow please call 732-548-5600 and leave your name and number and someone will contact you to make an appointment. You can register until July 2nd.
From the chicken himself: The Pollo Tropical® in Metuchen, at 77 U.S. Route 1 S. Menlo Park Terrace, is undergoing an exciting transformation to offer a new, elevated experience - complete with sizzling fajita platters, free table service and WiFi - as well as real plates, silverware and much more. The Metuchen restaurant is the second New Jersey Pollo Tropical to boast the brand's elevated concept, which bursts with tropical flavor and new, original menu items.
As Board member Linda Vollerschmidt-LaStella writes on Facebook,
This Friday is the final night of Junebug 2010...and what a finale we will have. DO
PLAN TO BE ON HAND FOR THE PET PARADE, beginning @ 7pm on South Main
Street. Winners of the "Italian Dreams" and "Something Fishy" Competitions will be announced @9pm & 9:30pm in the Gallery of Martin & Son Jeweler...and an all-round festive time will continue for everyone. Enjoy, Metuchen! Make sure you bring lots of water for those pets! It's SUMMERTIME!
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters as part of the team's 2010 draft class have chosen Metuchen native Marqus Blakely of the University of Vermont to come on down!
Marqus Blakely, a native of Metuchen, N.J., posted a perfect score of 50 and a 47 en route to winning the 2010 College Slam Dunk Championship. The 6-5 forward led Vermont to a school record-tying 25 wins in 2010 and the school's fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in its history. Blakely was one of only two players in the nation to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. He and Player of the Year Evan Turner of Ohio State were the only players in the nation to average at least 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists per contest.
Good luck to Marqus!
With a popular petition on Facebook and a general concern among parents and students both, The Metuchen High School Footlighters are still waiting to find out if their fall play is going to be cut or not.
Their supporters were legion at the last Board of Education meeting as they attempted to sway the members to reconsider the recommendation by MHS principal Bruce Peragallo to cut the group's fall performance. Parents and students both appeared to ask for the group's play to be taken off the chopping block. With cuts needed in all areas, the Footlighters were told that final decisions have not been made and that, as Fran Brennan said to one distraught student, "We should all have hope." Those who assembled acknowledged that they understood the pressure the board was under in making cuts but asked that the educational resources available in programs like the Footlighters be acknowledged in kind.
The Footlighters can only wait for the final results. If you wish to sign the Footlighters' petition on Facebook, click here.
THE FORUM THEATRE PRESENTS A WEEK OF WELLES
Starts tonight with The Stranger at 7 PM and A Touch of Evil 8:45 PM.
$10 for 1 and $15 for the double feature!
NOTE: If you have never seen an Orson Welles' film on a big screen, you MUST NOT MISS THIS! Welles was a singular provocateur and cinematic artiste the likes of which we have rarely seen in American cinema since (all due respect to John Ford, Martin Scorsese, Frances Ford Coppola and Terrence Malick)
THE STRANGER 1946
In "The Stranger," Orson Welles portrays the character of Franz Kindler, a Nazi who, not long after the war, has taken a guise as an American professor. Edward G. Robinson portrays Mr. Wilson, the war crimes official who hunts him down. With Edward G Robinson, Orson Welles and Loretta Young. Directed by Orson Welles
A TOUCH OF EVIL 1958 (Newly re mastered 35MM print!)
"Touch of Evil" Brilliant is an understatement. (fNOTICE that the first thirteen minutes of this film is comprised of ONE SHOT ONLY. Longest tracking shot in cinematic history!) See this film, if not for the excellent acting and sheer brilliance in terms of the camera as well as high entertainment value. :"Touch of Evil" will astonish you. With Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles and Akim Tamiroff. Directed by Orson Welles
Photos by Tina DiSano--From the Fuce 5K/ Metuchen Fun Run and Walk Committee:
The race committee would like to sincerely thank you all for coming out and celebrating the life of a great guy, Mike Fuccile, and bringing your heartfelt support for some local families! We continue to be astounded by the support you all show the Metuchen/Edison community. As Nancy said on race day "Mike would be very proud."
We grew this year and hosted 664 registered runners and walkers and raised over $30,000 - far exceeding our goals and last year's inaugural event. The funds will go a long way in helping the Almeida, the McGuiness, and the Gossiaux families. Thank you all so
much for the wonderful gift you provided.
Houses are on the market for months longer than they were during the boon real estate times and many homeowners are resorting to offering rentals in order to help keep properties under their own jurisdiction. After serious incidents have occurred, the Fire Department is going to begin inspecting homes in order to determine who exactly and how many people are living in any Metuchen residence. The Council conversation about this plan, which is fully supported by businesses in town and the Chamber of Commerce, turned out to be a controversial one, with discussions about the funds that would be generated from such action turning into a partisan uproar. So what is the end result of that confluence of differing opinions?
A reader chimes in, "The Metuchen Boro Council is proposing to establish a new Fire Preventaion Bureau with a new position (Fire Marshal) and eliminate the existing one. In addition to proposed fees that the Bureau will charge Metuchen businesses, the Boro will fund the salary increase and pension obligations of the new position over the existing one.If you're interested in hearing more, please attend the Council meeting tonight and/or visit: http://www.metuchennj.org/bc-agendas/bc062110/2010-8%20red%20lined.pdf
Before we enjoy our final night of the wacky and enjoyable wonderfulness that is the Junebug Arts Festival, let's take a look back at some of the striking images from the last weeks. The photography stylings of Andy Tytla take us on a memorable journey . . .
From June 23 through June 27, The Forum Theatre presents a Week of Welles. Along with three classic Welles films (The Stranger, A Touch of Evil, The Third Man), The Forum will also be screening Me and Orson Welles based on the book by Metuchen's own Robert Kaplow and directed by Richard Linklater (Slackers, School of Rock). The Friday 8:00pm show of Me and Orson Welles will be presented in association with The Raconteur and will be followed by a Q&A session with Star Ledger critic Peter Filichia.
For showtimes and more information click here.
Did you know that Andrew Bynum of the back-to-back NBA Champs The Los Angeles Lakers learned his moves at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen? Check out his official NBA page for more information on this great hometown pro.
Metuchen high schools have turned out other stars in other sports, but basketball seems to play a key role in producing talented alums, like Metuchen High School's Marqus Blakeley, a young player who made serious waves in college ball (he's looking at a pro career) and former St. Joe's and Duke star Jay Williams. Theirs, along with Bynum's success represents the dedication, determination and excellent play the schools stress and work hard to achieve. Nice job, Andrew!
O great creator of being grant us one more hour to perform our art and perfect our lives.
::: Jim Morrison :::
The streets and sidewalks and windows of Metuchen downtown are not only filled with beautiful, bright, eclectic, exciting artwork but also sounds, movies, dancers, musicians . . . there's screenplay readings at the Raconteur, dance performances and classes on Main Street, open mic night at What's the Scoop and much much more!
For the complete brochure, go to http://junebug.metuchenchamber.com/pdfs/junebugprogram_2010.pdf.
This year The Fuce 5 is proud to announce:
You can help raise money for the FuccileFoundation by carb-loading for the event.
Eat at the Pizzeria Uno, Rt. 1 Woodbridge the night before the Fuce5K (June 18), present the coupon you can find on their website (click thru their ad on this page) and the FuccileFoundation receives a contribution from Pizzeria Uno.Helping a good cause never tasted so good! You must bring a copy of the flyer to this event. If you need a copy please email Mike Bradley at mbradley19@optonline.net. The flyers previously went home in the backpacks of all Metuchen school children. Thanks for your support.
The Fuce 5 Team.
From Nancy Goldberg:
Not sure what to do with your kids this summer? Given them something fun to do--MetuchenRrecreation Commission may have the answer!
Besides the 6 week playground program, the Commission has a wide variety of programs, with additional programs still being added. This year, we are offering the largest selection we have ever offered,including a few new programs, a weaving workshop, word game workshop, Theatre Camp, Music Camp, Track and Field Camp, Adult and Child Bowling
For further information and program details, check out the Borough's website at
Citizens for Quality Education invites all Metuchen residents who are interested in education to coffee and conversation at their next public meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at 8 PM in Room 225 of the Metuchen Borough Hall, 500 Main Street.
CQE meetings are informal and open to all Metuchen residents. Please visit www.metuchencqe.org, to learn more about the organization. For more information, write Jim Jaques at correspondence@metuchencqe.org.
School may be winding down, but the business of the schools continues throughout the summer. Join the meeting and learn more about CQE, its over twenty-year history as a grassroots advocacy group that supports excellence in our schools, runs Story Lunch at Campbell School and co-sponsors the Metuchen High School Alumni College Day.
At CQE meetings, you are welcome to share your opinions and let your voice be heard. Also on the agenda will be some of the topics of the Metuchen School District's Budgetary Advisory Committee: Athletics, Revenue, Class Size, Busing and Activities.
From June 15th through August 15th, 2010, Kyo Morishima Photography (see ad to the right) will offer a summer promotion called the "30-20-10 Sale" to raise funds for the Metuchen-Edison-Woodbridge YMCA Fund for Tomorrow. Kyo Morishima, a Metuchen-based photographer, specializes in documentary-style portraits of children and families. With this promotion, parents can take advantage of steeply discounted session fees in order to get Kyo's signature evocative, magazine-style images of their kids and families, while simultaneously contributing to an important local charity.
If you want an inspiring moment today, why not check out Jasmine Jordan, a 16-year-old from Minnesota, who is running from Los Angeles to New York on behalf of the St. Christopher's Fund, raising awareness and dollars for health care for those who don't yet have good health coverage. She is running on behalf of a family friend and employee and will be coming through Metuchen tonight! "Jazzy," as she's called, will be accompanied by several Metuchen runners, including Ryan Toth of Total Core Fitness Boot Camp. Check out this link for more information about this Olympic hopeful and her campaign so far! Good luck, Jasmine!
The Chamber of Commerce puts together an exuberant and moving rememberance on Memorial Day, paying tribute to Metuchenites past and present who have helped keep America the home of the brave and free. The talented Julie Walton Shaver, who can make an ice cream at What's the Scoop look like a Hawaiian vacation, gives us a peek into what her lens captured at this year's festivities.
The Garden Club of Metuchen is also working on an edible garden in a sunny courtyard at Campbell School. We are meeting on Thursdays in June from 9am to 11am. Donations can be plants you may have in your garden that you need to divide as well as mulch or monetary contributions to the ongoing efforts.
As a Facebook prompt suggests, the Care2 petition for which signatures are being collected hopes to keep the drama program at the Metuchen High School, the Footlighters, from losing their funding. A popular and hard-working teaching at Moss School may not be coming back next year and parents are signing letters to help improve his chances. The 2010-2011 school budget was approved and yet there are a lot of changes coming. One, if not two, new first grade classrooms are being created, turning the vaulted music program into a cartable adventure. The fourth grade classrooms will have much larger groups of students in each class.
As one school year closes out, a new one is in the planning. When the budget was approved, we all knew things would be changing somewaht. So things are in motion but specifics are coming to light. Where else are you finding that things are changing per the economy? And are you prepared to step in and pick up the slack, if a treasured program is about to be cut back for the greater good? Is civic involvement the way to fill in the blanks?
From the Forum Theater Arts Center:
Continuing this weekend on Forum Theatre Screen
CITY ISLAND
Starring Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies
Friday 7:30, Saturday 6 & 8pm
All seats are $8 A Bargain!
Rated pg-13 Running time 1hr 40m
Opens June 18th The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
NEW ON OUR SCREEN FOR KIDS
FREE SATURDAY MORNING FILMS!
THIS SATURDAY JUNE 12TH THE FORUM THEATRE PRESENT A FREE FILM FOR KIDS. JUST SHOW UP AND TAKE A SEAT THE FILMS ON US. WHAT WILL IT BE? A MUSICAL, A COMEDY, A CLASSIC ABBOTT AND COSTELLO? WHO KNOWS BUT A GOOD TIME WILL BE HAD BY ALL! BRING YOUR PARENTS THEY GET IN FOR FREE TOO. SEE YOU HERE SATURDAY AT 11AM!
Danny McGuinness is a Boy who is in my son's Class at St. Francis Cathedral School in Metuchen, NJ and also has been on the Baseball team I manage for the last 6 Years.
He has been in the Hospital since Early March and will not be coming out unless he gets a new lung. There is a Run/Walk on June 19th in Metuchen called the Fuce5 that will benefit the McGuinness Family this year.
The Website for the Fuce 5k Run/Walk is http://www.facebook.com/l/b29aa;WWW.fuce5.com.
If you can't attend the run/walk, donations are greatly appreciated. Please send checks made out to Fuce 5 Fund to: Fuce 5 Fund, PO Box 453, Metuchen, NJ 08840.
This tribute was sent to us by Kathy Burke:
If you walk to Olmeezer Park, drop your children off at Campbell School or simply drive on Main Street in the morning or afternoon, you may have encountered the friendly face on the corner of Mr. Bobby Moten. Mr. Moten has been the wonderful crossing guard on the corner of Talmadge Avenue and Main Street for 5 years since retiring from General Motors. It's hard to say what one notices first. It could be his beaming smile, which far outshines his reflective vest and hat, his exuberant wave to passing motorists or his cheerful greeting to parents and children.
The Metuchen Youth Service board will hold one of its biggest fund-raisers of the year on Friday when "The Amazing Dave'' takes the stage for a magic show at Campbell School. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and adults can pay $7, which allows them to bring two children for free admission.
All proceeds will benefit the board--this "municipal alliance" operates under the authority of the borough. It is made up of 12 municipal officials and community members. Its mission is to educate the public and deter underage drinking and drug abuse and it is one of many such organizations in Middlesex County. Funding comes from the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence and raises money to match the grant each year.
Every Wednesday night in June, Pat Dinizio of the SMITHEREENS "Confessions of a Rock Star" One-Man Show beginning Wednesday evening June 2nd at 8:00 P.M. at Hailey's. Songs and stories spanning 30 years in the life of a Rock and Roll Legend. Join Pat as he plays all the great Smithereens hits, as well as classic songs by the Beatles, Buddy Holly, and some of Pat's favorite song writers! He will also test brand the new Smithereens material.... psst!.... special guests may also arrive to play.
Here's Pat doing a one man version of the Smithereens hit "Blood and Roses".
It's Magic (Gr. 6-10): Learn the art of magic from magician Jim Vagias in this hands-on workshop. You'll leave with instructions and supplies to perform magic. Date: Thursday, July 22; Time: 1 PM.
All programs are paid for by The Friends of the Metuchen Public Library. Registration is required and is open now. For more information and to sign up, write KLiss@Lmxac.org or call the Library on 732-632-8526. In addition to the programs listed above, there will be two Community Service Projects (Book Friends and Game Partners) for which teens in grades 8-12 can volunteer to earn service credit. Two book discussion groups will be also offered, one for grades 6-9 and the other for grades 9-12. To learn more about all the programs offered this summer, visit www.metuchenlibraryteens.org.
From Community Nursery School:
Community Nursery School (270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen) is proud to honor all of its dedicated staff but especially those who have been at the school for 20 or more years.
If you've ever walked on the short path to the train station parking lot you've passed one of Metuchen Chamber of Commerce's lovely benches. Community Nursery School purchased the bench in 2005 and had the plaque engraved with the names of teachers who had served for 20 years.
Currently there are four teachers on staff who hold this distinction: Carmelanne Dilkes, Diane Errickson, Nancy Sardone, and Andrea Hansen. Now Mrs. Dilkes is celebrating 25 years at CNS! The Parent Liaison Committee of the Board of Directors has organized a Teacher appreciation breakfast and luncheon in May. The school and its staff are pleased to play such an integral part in the life of so many Metuchen & Edison families over the past 60 years.
Luscious homemade strawberry shortcake, an A-list bluegrass band and a host of well-respected members of Metuchen-Edison's growing artists' community will join forces in a benefit for Haiti Relief on Saturday, June 5th from 2-5 on St. Luke's church green. Admission to the event is $5 for adults; children are free. Tickets are available at The Raconteur Bookstore and What's the Scoop, both on Main Street. Metuchen Savings Bank will host Metuchen Cares: an Economic Forum for First Time Home Buyers on Wednesday, June 9 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Administrative Offices of Metuchen Savings Bank at
Metuchen Savings Bank will offer a "First Time Home Buyers" seminar in an effort to educate consumers on becoming homeowners and achieving the American Dream. Topics discussed will include: First Steps, Mortgage Pre-Qualification Info, Understanding Credit Scores & Discovering Down Payment Sources.
Ken Totten, Vice President and Chief Lending Officer & Michele Palmucci, Loan Originator will be on hand along with Armando Faria, the new Loan Originator and keynote speaker. Lorraine Mulligan, Vice President of Business Development at Metuchen Savings said, "At our Bank we agree that homeownership is the cornerstone of a healthy community. We're excited that Armando has created a program that will help educate potential buyers and give them the tools they need before making an investment in their future. Metuchen Savings Bank recognizes that the income generated from home sales has a tremendous impact on the State and local economy."
Recent Comments