Here is a list of Metuchen teachers and administrators who will present at the New Jersey School Boards Annual Workshop on October 24th.  The Workshop is a program designed to highlight innovative practices from around the state.  Metuchen will have an unprecedented 11 teachers and administrators presenting 6 different successful programs.Congratulations to all those invited to attend!

Deputy Chief Latham: 

Some person driving one of your vehicles drove through a crosswalk I was standing in trying to cross the street at Central Avenue and Midland Avenue in Metuchen with my two dogs at around noon this afternoon. I was able to take a photo as it passed that clearly shows the Edison Fire Dept seal on the side of the truck. Perhaps you and your department are not aware that under New Jersey state law all vehicles are required stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. This intersection used to have a flashing pedestrian warning lights until our town in their infinite wisdom decided to remove the buttons rather than repair the lights. I cross at this light every day and must contend with numerous vehicles failing to obey the law and stop for pedestrians. It saddens me that even official town vehicles fail to obey traffic laws. Please be aware that I will be making an effort to document traffic violations at this intersection and publicize violations to the best of my ability.

Jared Hayter

From the Superintendent's Office and Edgar School:

Edward C. Ronk, a teacher at Edgar Middle School, Metuchen, was one of twenty- four New Jersey teachers selected to participate in a week-long sustainable energy institute that explored what it means to "go green" through the use of solar and wind energy production. In addition, the teachers were introduced to other energy-related topics and learned about career opportunities for their students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In September, the teachers plan to incorporate the engaging, hands-on, engineering design activities that were the foundation of this summer experience into their middle school science programs. Conducted at The College of New Jersey, the institute was a partnership between the New Jersey Science Teachers Association (NJSTA) and the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ and was made possible with generous funding from the Public Service Electric and Gas (PSEG) Foundation.

From the Y:

Please join the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy in wishing John G. Malinowski a happy 90^th birthday on Sunday, July 29^th.  "Mr. Mal" as he is affectionately known by his YMCA family, served as the General Director of the YMCA of Metuchen from 1980 to 1988.  Mr. Mal is a long time resident of South Amboy, where he resides with his loving wife of 64 years, Marian.  He and Marian are exceptionally proud of their two children, Bruce and Donna, and six grandchildren, Anna, Brian, Christian, Emily, Jenna, and Mary Kate.

Born in New York City, Mr. Mal grew up near in the Theatre District and belonged to the West Side YMCA where he was a member of the Leader's Club and the YMCA Swim Team.  For him, the YMCA was a refuge, a place he could go to after school where he could participate in safe, supervised activities.  He graduated from McBurney School, a part of the educational system of the YMCA of Greater New York.  Other celebrity graduates of McBurney include JD Salinger and Henry Winkler.

Mr. Mal's first job out of school was at the Medical Film Guild, producing medical teaching films.  He was responsible for the photography used to create motion pictures later distributed to colleges and medical schools.  Mr. Mal worked there for most of his career, leaving from 1943-46 to serve in the United States Air Force.  He was attached to the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant.

The Metuchen Recreation Department is sponsoring summer classes for Jewelry Making, at the Metuchen Public Library.  The workshop offers classes on Tues and Fri, starting from Aug 7^th and ending on Aug 31st. Roxy, the local jewelry designer, founder of Twinkling Creations, has designed these classes to get young girls involved in creative activities. She believes that this skill could help them become a professional in this field or they could use it to create jewelry for their own personal use.  To register contact Roxy at 201 424 5619.

At 11am on July 28, Say Cheese, Say Cashew Cheese!

Dairy allergy or lactose intolerance got you down? Making nut cheese is fun and simple to learn! Join me for a cashew cheese-making demo by Evelyn Fuertes of From Sprouts to Supper!

Sponsored by Metuchen Market Day & the BIL at Old Franklin School

at 491 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen NJ

The BIL SummerHouse for the Arts continues on Saturday, July 21st with a cooking demonstration and an evening of Blue Grass and American Folk music.

           

At 11:00 a.m.  Hema Devarajan will conduct a workshop on Indian cooking titled, "Let's Cook Indian:  Simple Indian Vegetarian Recipes."  Ms. Devarjan will demonstrate how to use simple spices and fresh produce from the Metuchen Farmers Market to put together simple and healthy Indian vegetarian recipes that you can try at home.   



At 7:30 p.m. the Metuchen Arts Council will present the Clayhole Bros. in concert.  The Clayhole Bros. play traditional American folk and bluegrass, ranging from the Civil War era through the 20th century.    Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and seniors. 

The SummerHouse for The Arts is sponsored by the Borough Improvement League and programs takes place in Metuchen's historic Old Franklin School House (The BIL) located at 491 Middlesex Avenue (Route 27) in Metuchen right next to the Metuchen Fire House.  Parking is available along Middlesex Avenue or across the street at Borough Hall.

For information about the cooking demonstration go to www.metuchenmarketday.com. For more information about the Clayhole Bros. concert, contact Nancy Goldberg at 732-632-8502.  For a full schedule of the BIL's SummerHouse events, log onto www.boroughimprovementleague.org.  

Join The MMP Swim Team in the fight against cancer!  MMP's 5th Annual Swim 4 The Cure will be held on Sunday July 29th from 7:30 - 10:30 am. Special Guest, Craig Beardsley will be joining us.  Craig was a member of the US Olympic Team and World Record Holder. 

On-Line Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.  This event is open to the MMP Swim & Dive Team, their families and all MMP Pool Members.  Remember every lap swam and dollar raised goes towards this great cause!

Register at www.swimacrossamerica.org/metuchen2012.  All participants will receive a t-shirt, cap and breakfast - plus other great prizes and give aways.  It will be a fun morning for all!

On Thursday evening July 19 at 8 PM, the Young Adult Department of the Metuchen Public Library (480 Middlesex Avenue) continues its summer  Book to Screen Film Series with It's Kind of a Funny Story.   Based on the Young Adult novel by Ned Vizzini,  the film is inspirational. Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist), a stressed-out teenager finds himself overwhelmed by social and academic pressures to succeed. When he checks himself into a mental health facility,  he finds an unlikely mentor (Zach Galifianakis), a potential new romance (Emma Roberts) and an opportunity to begin anew.        

With music to appeal to both teens and adults, the soundtrack includes 13 songs by newer artists and "Under Pressure" performed by Queen and David Bowie.  It's Kind of a Funny Story is an uplifting coming of age story with a clear message: adolescence is often a difficult time, but it's also a wonderful opportunity to discover who you really are.              

All ages are welcome. The film is rated PG-13; parental guidance is advised. Bring along your friends or family for a late night at the Library!  The final film in the series is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist scheduled for Thursday, August 23. The film series is paid for by The Friends of the Metuchen Public Library. For more information, call 732.632.8526 or write KLiss@Lmxac.org.

The Metuchen Arts Council, in association with the BIL SummerHouse for the Arts, will present a "SummerHouse Party" honoring the legacy of the late Levon Helm on Saturday, July 7^th at 7:30 p.m. at The Old Franklin School building, 491Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen.

Levon Helm, who passed away in April at the age of 71, was a member of "the Band" which became Bob Dylan's backup band in the late 1960's.  The Band went on to record and tour on it's own.  Mr. Helm was the Band's drummer and contributed vocals, many of which were lead vocals on some of the groups best known recordings including, "The Night They Drove All Dixie Down," "Ophelia" and "Rag Mama Rag." 

In recent years, Mr. Helm's barn at his home in Woodstock, NY became a hub for a wide circle of musicians.    He began hosting "Midnight Rambles" concerts that often featured surprise guest artists along with young, emerging musicians and signer/songwriters. 

That spirit of passing on musical traditions is the inspiration for the Metuchen SummerHouse Party on July 7^th.  Instead of a barn, the gathering will take place in Metuchen's historic, one room schoolhouse known as the Old Franklin School.  It promises to be an intimate evening of live music featuring several emerging singer/songwriters whose own work, like that of Levon Helm, make full use of deep-rooted American rhythms, communal harmonies and downhome storytelling.