November 2011 Archives

Neve Shalom Annual Goods & Services Auction will be held on  Saturday, December 10^th at 7:30pm.Come join us at Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, NJ for an exciting evening filled with fabulous items up for bid including: theatre tickets, vacations, designer handbags, electronics, jewelry, retail and restaurant gift certificates, and much, much more! Admission price is only $5.00 per person! Free coffee and dessert will be served at the end of the evening.  For more information please contact Martha Mack - 732-548-2238 ext. 17 or mjmack@aol.com.

On Wednesday, December 28 from 1 PM until 2:30 PM, the Young Adult Department of the Metuchen Public Library will present "An Introduction to Fencing." The free workshop will include demonstrations, floor exercises and an overview of the equipment, the weapons and the rules of the sport. The hands-on workshop is open to Metuchen residents only, in grades 6-12; participants are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing.  The program is conducted by a coach from a local fencing club, and it is paid for by the Friends of the Metuchen Library. Sign up at the Library, 480 Middlesex Avenue, or by calling 732.632.8526. For more information, write KLiss@Lmxac.org.

In our area, two sheds were broken into yesterday morning... This was off of Durham Ave. According to what was told, last week there were another two sheds that were broken into around the same area. EVERYONE....Lock your sheds and make it noisy if someone tries to break in. The locks were broken off yesterday...but make it noisy. BE SAFE.

The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce would like to remind you to support Chamber member businesses by shopping in Metuchen this holiday season.  To make your gift giving easier, the Chamber of Commerce offers gift certificates that make perfect gifts.  They are easy to purchase, easy to wrap and are never returned!  They can be redeemed at participating chamber restaurants, retailers, and service providers.  Gift certificates are available in many denominations and may be purchased at the Chamber office (323 Main Street) or you can email or telephone us your order and we'll prepare it for easy pick up.


If you need further information concerning our Winter Festival activities, please contact the Chamber office at 732-548-2964 or via email at metuchen.chamber@verizon.net.

The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the activities planned to kick off this year's holiday season.  Join us on Sunday, November 27, on Main Street in Metuchen for our 58^th Annual Winter Festival Parade.  The theme of this year's parade is "The Season of Giving."  This long standing tradition in the Metuchen community will feature music by Metuchen High School Marching Band, St. Joseph High School's Falcons Holiday Combo, The Banjo Rascals, Fred Lehotay's Ragtimers Band, American Celts Pipes and Drums and more!  The parade kicks off at 2:00 pm, weather permitting, at the corner of Brunswick Avenue and Main Street.  Participants will travel down Main Street and turn onto New Street to end in the Pearl Street parking lot.  Be sure to join us at the Metuchen Senior Center at the conclusion of the parade for a visit with Santa and hot chocolate provided by the Metuchen Recreation Commission. If the weather is questionable, call the Chamber office at 732-548-2964, or visit either the chamber website at www.metuchenchamberexchange.com, or our facebook page at www.facebook.com/metuchenchamber, after 11:00 am for an announcement.  There is no rain date for this event.

As this year's theme is "The Season of Giving," we encourage everyone attending to bring non-perishable food items or gift cards from a local supermarket to help replenish local food pantries.  There will be donation bins placed at the review stand at the corner of Main Street and New Street as well as bins at the Metuchen Senior Citizens Center. Also, please consider donating an unwrapped toy to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The official drop-off sites in Metuchen are at Hailey's Harp & Pub, Martin and Son Jewelers, and George's Dry Cleaning and Tailoring. Donations will be accepted until December 15^th.

The Metuchen Police Department and the Metuchen Auxiliary Police are looking for Metuchen residents interested in becoming a volunteer police officer in the borough. No prior training is necessary. Training will be provided.

The Auxiliary Police, consisting of both men and women, work with the police department to reduce hazards; assist police officers with patrols of the entire borough; assist in emergency or disaster situations; conduct traffic control, crowd control, road closures; provide extra patrols at schools and places of worship; assist in first aid/CPR; and provide services deemed necessary by Police Chief James Keane. To become an auxiliary officer in the borough, an applicant must be a Metuchen resident, at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver's license and pass a criminal background check.

This is a volunteer position. The auxiliary police officers volunteer their time in an effort to enhance the quality of life for the residents, visitors and businesses in the community.All applicants will be required by the county to attend the Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy, which starts in March and runs to June, prior to becoming an Auxiliary Police officer in the borough. 

On Wednesday November 30 at 7:30 PM, Complete College Planning Solutions is sponsoring a free workshop for the parents of high school seniors, juniors and sophomores at the Metuchen Public Library, 480 Middlesex Avenue. The 60-minute workshop will focus on ways of getting free money for college, both financial aid and merit money. This event for all parents looking to solve the cash flow crunch during the college years is taught by Ian Welham, a nationally known expert on getting into and paying for college. Seating is free, but limited due to room size. Reservations are suggested and can be made by registering online at www.myacfa.com or by calling 1-908-857-4200.

Neve Shalom invites you to "Israel Travel For Every Budget" sponsored by The JCC of Middlesex County and the Neve Shalom Israel Awareness Committee - November 30, 2011 at 7:30pm at the JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Rd. Edison, 08820. If you are single, a couple or family looking to visit this amazing place - join us and receive information about Israel travel of many kinds and for every budget. Join us for information, conversation and refreshments! - Please rsvp to Linda at (732) 906-0737 by Nov. 23^rd.  For more information, contact Jennine at (732) 494-3232 ext. 621.

A "Java Nagila" for Hebrew School and Nursery Parents of Neve Shalom is being held for discussions, friendship, coffee, tea and bagels. The first gathering is Sunday, December 4 at 9:00am.  For more information, please contact Hazzan Levin at 732-548-2238, ext. 14.

Neve Shalom will hold a Blood Drive - In Memory of Michael Allan Thompson, Sunday, December 4, 2011, from 8:00am - 1:00pm - Miller Ballroom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, NJ. Anyone age 16 and over can give blood. Contact Matthew Bonus at 732-968-4489

Rabbi Zelizer and Nita Polay Levin of Neve Shalom in Metuchen, NJ will be conducting Saturday Morning Family Service, December 10, 2011 - 10:15-11:45am for students grades 2-6 and their families. For more information, please contact Hazzan Levin - 732-548-2238, ext. 14.

NEVE SHALOM GOODS & SERVICES AUCTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10^th at 7:30 pm Please join us at Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Avenue in Metuchen for the annual Goods and Services Auction to be held on Saturday, December 10^th at 7:30 pm.  We have many fabulous items up for bid including vacation homes, designer bags, theatre tickets, sporting event tickets, flat screen TV's, Weber gas grills, original fine art, restaurant gift certificates, retail store gift cards and much, much more! 

In addition to the open auction, we feature a silent auction, a 50/50, raffles, giveaways, and complimentary coffee and dessert at the end of the evening.  Admission has been rolled back to only $5.00 per person! For more information about the Goods and Services Auction please contact Martha Mack at 732-548-2238 ext. 17.  

Come get those holiday haircuts at the John Anthony Paul Salon in Woodbridge at the Hair-Cut-A-Thon on Sunday, November 20^th from 10am to 3pm to benefit the Metuchen High School Marching Band Orange Bowl Fund. John (from the original John Roberts Salon) has graciously offered to donate all of the money collected that day to the MHS Marching Band! Suggested donation $15.00, cash only please. The salon is located at 201-205 New Brunswick Ave., Hopelawn. (Just head down Amboy Ave. 3.7 miles from Tano Mall and see the salon on your right. Amboy Ave. turns into New Brunswick Ave.)

Eileen Frowenfeld, President of the Board of Education, announced at November 15th's  meeting that a finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools has the unanimous support of the Board.  She stated that negotiations with the finalist are ongoing and, in response to a query from the audience, said she could not give a date for completion of this process. bIt was indicated that the process could go on until after Thanksgiving.  The next Board meeting is now scheduled for November 29.   

Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey in Metuchen, received a grant of $11,000 to support health literacy workshops for adults, "Reading Medicine Labels," as part of its Improving Health Literacy Skills of Low Literate Adults Project. The workshops are designed to increase understanding of medications, their different forms and how to read labels.The grant also provides for a volunteer train-the trainer session, community outreach and a health literacy session for workshop leaders.  

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey announced the Foundation's third round of grants for 2011, awarding $396,000 to 23 organizations. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey supports charitable organizations that promote health and the arts throughout New Jersey.

Robert A. Marino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, stated that "We recognize how these organizations are making a positive difference in the health and quality of life of individuals throughout New Jersey."

A Grand Opening and official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 18, 2011, at Marafiki Fair Trade at 6:00 PM with festivities following until 9:00 PM. Representatives from the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will be joined by Metuchen Mayor Thomas Vahalla as Linda Koskoski and Deborah Zupan open their new location at 20 New Street.

Marafiki Fair Trade is a new global boutique where every purchase makes a positive impact. At Marafiki –(which means “friends” in Swahili) , their mission is to sell unique fairly traded products, such as jewelry, accessories, home décor, housewares, paper goods, coffee, and much more. Marafiki Fair Trade is owned and run by Linda Koskoski and Deborah Zupan, both longtime Metuchen residents and supporters of Fair Trade. “We are thrilled to offer customers in our area the chance to buy Fair Trade items right here in their own neighborhood,” remarked Linda.  Added Deborah, “and we are very pleased to bring this exciting new business to our downtown.”

Marafiki Fair Trade is located at 20 New Street in Metuchen.  The store is open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. All major credit cards, in-state checks, and Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificates accepted.

From the Friends of the Metuchen Library:

Three Local Authors--Josh Margolin, Tom Davis, Steven Patrick

at the Metuchen Public Library on Sunday, November 20 at 2 PM

What do The Jersey Sting, A Legacy of Madness, and Journey at Dusk have in common? They are books, written by local authors who are coming to the Metuchen Public Library! What do a Pulitzer Prize winner, a college professor, and a Director of Design at an architectural firm have in common? They are Metuchen authors who are coming to the Metuchen Public Library! What do Josh Margolin, Tom Davis and Steven Patrick have in common?  They are Metuchen residents, all husbands and dads and authors, who are coming to the Metuchen Public Library! This program is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Friends of the Metuchen Library.  For more information, visit the Library and ask at the front desk or call 732.632.8526.

The Metuchen Arts Council is sponsoring a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens for the annual Holiday Train Tour on Thursday, December 15^th. The Arts Council invites you to take part in one of New York's most beloved winter traditions as you enter an enchanting world of garden-gauge trains and trolleys winding their way through replicas of over 140 New York landmarks. After the tour, the bus will depart the Botanical Gardens for Arthur Avenue, which is better known as "Little Italy" in the Bronx.  Participants will be able to venture out on their own for lunch and shopping at the great Italian markets there.

The bus leaves from the Metuchen First Aid Squad lot, located at 1 Safety Place, Metuchen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 15^th and returns at 5:00 p.m.  Admission and transportation is $36. For reservations and further information contact Nancy Goldberg at 732-632-8502 or ngoldberg@metuchen.com.

Of course, why not create your own artworks to share in your community? Check out this link for online art classes!

 From the Metuchen Public Library:

Crafting for Caring, a program to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, will be offering craft classes for interested teens at the Metuchen Public Library, 480 Middlesex Avenue. Participants are encouraged to sign up for individual classes: Dec. 3, 2pm-4pm (No-Sew Fleece Blankets); Jan. 21, 2-4pm (Craft Kits); Jan. 28, 1-4pm (Sew Cuddly Creatures); Feb.4, 11 and March 3 (Knitting). During each class, participants will learn new skills and make two crafts--one to take home and one for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving care at medical facilities near their New Brunswick location. 

This program is sponsored by two Girl Scouts from Troop 80743 who are working towards their Silver Award. For more information or to sign up, write craftingforcaring@gmail.com or leave a message at 908-510-7333.

Martin & Son Jewelers will be accepting toy donations on behalf of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Please Drop off all NEW & UNWRAPPED toys to Martin & Son Jewelers at 418 Main Street, Metuchen, New Jersey. For more information, call 732-494-2303. NO LATER than THURSDAY DECEMBER 15th. All toys will be distributed to needy families of Middlesex County during this holiday season.

Neve Shalom of Metuchen, NJ Adult Education Committee and the Gilbert and Claudie Hayat Speaker Series is presenting a guest speaker noted analyst, Col. Jack Jacobs, who will be speaking about Issues in the Middle East and Beyond, on Friday Night, November 18, 2011, at the 8:00pm service.  Refreshments will be served and a discussion will follow.  For more information contact can2r11@aol.com or 732-548-2238x14   

From Metuchen Police Department:

            If you are one of the many people who are interested in learning about law enforcement, the Metuchen Police Department can be of help to you. We are offering residents an opportunity to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of their police department 

            The Metuchen Police Department will be conducting a 13-week "CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY" program for Borough residents beginning March 5th 2012 at 6:30pm at Borough Hall. Classes will be held every Monday night.

            This interactive program is designed to educate borough residents about department procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, and demands of personnel that guide police decision-making. Some of the topics that will be covered include: An overview of the Department's organization and structure, recruitment and training, and the roles and responsibilities of the various divisions and sections. In addition, participants will be given an opportunity to "ride along" with a patrol officer and experience a firearms training simulation.

            The Citizen Police Academy is open to Borough Residents, business owners, and school faculty within the Borough of Metuchen who are over the age of 18 and who successfully complete a background investigation.  PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS CLASS IS NOT A TRAINING COURSE TO BECOME A SWORN POLICE OFFICER.

            If this sounds like something that might interest you, please contact Cpl. David Liantonio at (732) 632-8550. Class Size is Limited.

"I'm deeply honored by the support of my friends and neighbors in Middlesex County. In a swing district that Jon Corzine lost in 2009, and where Democratic congressional incumbents lost key towns in 2010, we were able to stem the conservative tide and send our entire ticket back to Trenton. The Republicans placed a big wager in our district, and they lost." - Barbara Buono

From the Chamber:

This year will be the 58 ^th year that The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the Annual Winter Festival Parade.  This year's event is scheduled for Sunday, November  27 , 2011  at 2:00 pm.  We are seeking volunteers to help with this year's parade. 

Volunteers are needed for float decorating fun on Saturday, November 26 ^th at 8:00 am at the Department of Public Works.  On Sunday, November 27^th, volunteers are needed as marshals along the parade route beginning at 1:00 pm and lasting until the end of the parade, and help is also needed at the conclusion of the parade to break down the floats, again at the Department of Public Works.  Anyone interested in helping out with this wonderful community event should contact the Metuchen Area Chamber of   Commerce at  (732) 548-2964 or via email at metuchen.chamber@verizon.net.

From the BIL/Tyreen Reuter:

Every year the Borough Improvement League of Metuchen, the non-profit group that owns the ca, 1807 historic Old Franklin School, hosts a Holiday House Tour, Raffle, and Bazaar on the first weekend in December.  For us, the festivities start off with the Chamber of Commerce's WinterFest Parade on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, continues with the Tree Lighting on the first Friday in December at our clubhouse, and is followed by our House Tour that first Sunday.  Over the past few years, we have noticed that there are many other groups in Metuchen that also plan their events on this weekend (or close to it) and that there is a great opportunity for us to pool together and leverage our resources to everyone's benefits - the non-profit groups, the businesses, the residents, the visitors, etc.  It seems to be a good weekend for local events; people are home from any Thanksgiving travel, beginning to gear up for their respective holidays, and the weather isn't usually too bad, nor are there many holiday parties scheduled that early.

Logistically, our plan is to create a flyer/guide to be distributed starting at the WinterFest Parade on Sunday, November 27, 2011.  We want to list anything happening locally during the following couple of weeks, but particularly highlight the following weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - December 2, 3, and 4, 2011).  We hope this little bit of extra effort and coordination will help in terms of publicity for all of our collective events, and make it that much easier to stay, shop, and eat locally!

From the Chamber:

The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 58^th Annual Winter Festival Parade.  This year's theme is "The Season of Giving." In these tough times, it's great to pull together as a community to support those in need. There will be food collection bins placed along the parade route to help replenish our local community food bank for the holiday season.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM.  All groups are welcome to march!  Registration is required and must be received by the Chamber office prior to November 21^st.  Forms can be obtained from our website and are located in the mailbox in the front of our office at 323 Main Street.  (Event is weather permitting - no rain date.)  For more information visit www.metuchenchamberexchange.com or call the Chamber office at (732) 548-2964.

THE WAY
Starring Martin Sheen Starts Friday on our screen!



"The beauty of the movie, in fact, is that Mr. Estevez does not make explicit what any of them find, beyond friendship. He lets these four fine actors convey that true personal transformations are not announced with fanfare, but happen internally."
New York Times 



Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irascible American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey.

Friday 7:30 Saturday 5 & 7:30 Sunday 4:30
Rated pg13 Running time 1hr55m



All seats $10 Seniors 65 and over $9 Students 17 and under $8
www.forumtheatrearts.org

Construction and paving on Amboy Ave. near Main St. is resulting in terrible traffic delays. Avoid it if you can.

From Acts Church:

FREE financial seminar - Friday, Nov. 4th @ 7:30 p.m. & Sunday, Nov. 6th @ 10:30 a.m.
hosted by Pastor James Nevius and The Acts Church (www.webacts.org).
Location: 24 Patrick Avenue (corner of Prince Street, one block off Route 1 South) in Edison.



NO CHARGE and NO REGISTRATION to attend!



The speaker is renowned one-time national bank CFO and financial adviser, Robert Costa (Robert Costa Ministries & Clergy Consultants). Mr. Costa is known for his teaching on how to weather the current financial upheaval, how to reduce personal debt, how to fast track retirement and how to pay off mortgages early. This pastor and CPA is a tremendous speaker whom we are pleased to host - one who knows the economy and personal finances unlike any you've ever heard! The Acts Church is grateful that we can share his expertise with the Metuchen and Edison communities for these 2 engagements, Nov. 4th & Nov. 6th!  Visit www.webacts.org for information.


The Mayoral and Council candidates will be debating town issues this evening from 7-9pm at the Metuchen High School cafeteria. Members of the public will be allowed to submit questions to the moderator for response by any of the candidates. METV will televise this debate and it will be made available on the Borough website the next day. The panel discussion will be moderated by David P. Redlawsk, Professor of Political Science and Co-Editor, Political Psychology and the Director, Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers.