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.