August 2012 Archives

Stars On Stage Presents our Fall/Winter Musical Theatre Program presents the classic tale of "The Wizard of Oz," live on stage for students kids 8 to 14
Open House Registration is Thursday Aug 30 from 5pm to 7pm  Thursday Sept 6 from 5pm to 7pm & Sunday Sept 8 from 11am to 1pm
You can also register by sending an email to Peter at peter@forumtheatrearts.org or call us at 732.548.5600 and leave your name and number.
Classes begin September 15. 
Saturdays from 11am to 4pm  Additional classes will be added after the first 5 weeks.
Performance are December 14, 15, 16
Tuition is $650 for the 12 week program
Additional children from the same family receive a 15% discount.

Stars On Stage program will include...
    Supervision and Direction by professional Children's Theatre Educators
    We will supply scripts, writing pads and pencils
    Students should bring bagged lunch & drink, preferably  water
    4 performances on the Forum Theatre stage open to the public
    Printed Program.
    Cast Party

ANNOUNCING the 9^th Annual Back to School Prayer Rally - Sept. 5^th - 7:30 p.m. - at the Forum Theatre Arts Center

Hosted by Pastor James Nevius (The Acts Church), the Back to School Prayer Rally is a free, non-denominational community event, scheduled on the Wednesday night of the first week that classes resume in September.

Its purpose is to bring together ministry, parents, teachers, school administration and community leaders to pray for success and safety for our K-12 student population and educators.

From Temple Emanu-El:

Temple Emanu-El of Edison invites you to learn about our Temple and education programs at our Religious School Open House on Sunday, September 9 from 10:30am-12:00pm. Come meet Rabbi David Vaisberg and join us in a song session led by Cantor Jacquie and Rabbi Vaisberg followed by time for questions & answers. 

The Religious School program goes from Kindergarten through 12^th grade. The CHAI Curriculum was developed by the Union for Reform Judaism to create a love of Judaism and provide children with the skills to live as well-informed Jews. Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El represents the attainment of a significant level of Jewish knowledge through individualized study. Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah students continue their studies through Confirmation and high school including participation in our peer leadership program. Adults find many opportunities to continue Jewish learning via a weekly "Lunch n' Learn", Shabbat morning services and Torah study, a Conversion class and an Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class.

Packets are now available for membership and Religious School registration. Please note that K-2^nd and 8-12^th grades are now open to non Temple members. Visit our website at www.edisontemple.org  Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg, Cantor Jacqueline L. Marx, Principal Jill Santoni. (732) 549-4442. 

We are located at 100 James St, Edison.

From Helene Zahn at the Y:

"Cancer. The Big 'C' - call it what you will. Years ago it seemed like a death sentence but today with the work being done the Lance Armstrong Foundation, more people are fighting the battle and winning, going on to live happy, healthy and productive lives.

It is the focus on the living that brought the YMCA and the Lance Armstrong Foundation together, united in a common purpose -- to ensure that cancer survivors and their families receive the help and support they need to thrive.

Each year 400+ walkers and runners participate in the annual Janice Garbolino Memorial 5K event, walking or running in memory of Janice Garbolino, the former Health & Wellness Director of the Metuchen Branch YMCA, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2002.

Janice would be pleased and proud of the work the YMCA is undertaking with the Lance Armstrong Foundation in her memory.

NEW THIS YEAR: The Y is asking participants to get involved by not only walking or running in memory or in honor of a loved one, but by raising funds in support of the program. Participants can simply and easily establish a personal fundraising page and set a personal or team fundraising goal by visiting the YMCA's website (www.ymcaofmewsa.org) and clicking on the Garbolino 5K Event link.

EVENT DETAILS: The event will take place at Roosevelt Park in Edison NJ on Saturday, morning September 22^nd.  Registration will be accepted in advance at the branches of the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy and online through midnight on Thursday, September 20^th. After September 20^th, participants can register the morning of the event, from 7:30 AM until 8:15 AM at Lakeview School in Roosevelt Park (the location of the start and finish of the 5K). The run/walk will start promptly at 8:30 AM. Fees are $20 per person until September 20^th and $25 per person on the day of the event.

ABOUT THE LIVESTRONG™ at the YMCA Program

Since 2009, the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy has offered the free LIVESTRONG™ at the YMCA Program. More than 300 people have benefited from this life-changing program as they traveled on their journey back to health and wellness. LIVESTRONG™ at the YMCA is a research-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their total health.

Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG™ at the YMCA is helping people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body.

Here's what some of our participants had to say about the program

"The program provided a flawless transition from 'cancer patient' to empowered cancer survivor. The LIVESTRONG™ Program builds you up and restores you"

"Having cancer made me feel powerless, out of control. The LIVESTRONG™ Program was a way to do something - my fitness   under my control - a game plan."

This month, Janna Morishima from Kyo Morishima Photography will be presenting two separate workshops as part of the Borough Improvement League's Summerhouse for the Arts -- a highly successful summer series of special workshops, art programs and other exciting unique events, most of which have been presented to Metuchenites for the first time through this program. The fun continues with Janna's August workshops. (Check out http://www.boroughimprovementleague.org/12.html for full information) 

At 7 pm on Tuesday, August 14^th, she'll lead a workshop on "How to Create a Gorgeous Photo Book. In this workshop, she'll go through seven simple steps to ensure your book turns out beautifully, and she'll offer some photography tips from her husband, Kyo.

At 11 am on Saturday, August 25^th, she'll do a cooking demo, "How to Pack a Bento Box Lunch [link: http://www.facebook.com/events/415645951800487/]," as part of Metuchen Market Day's culinary series. She'll demonstrate a few classic bento box recipes and discuss Japanese principles of healthy lunch-making.

Below is a short Q&A with Janna.

MM: Can you tell us a little more about what you'll be teaching in your Photo Book workshop?

Janna: Sure! In my evening workshop on August 14^th, "How to Create a Gorgeous Photo Book," I will be breaking down the steps to designing and producing a professional-quality illustrated book. My husband, Kyo Morishima, specializes in documentary photography, and I have a background in publishing, so we are constantly creating books for our clients: everything from traditional wedding albums formatted as books to custom children's picture books and cookbooks. Through trial and error, I've refined my process and hopefully it will be helpful for other people who have their own book projects or ideas.

If you attended any SummerHouse of the Arts events this summer, you may have noticed the beautiful old window hanging near the eaves of the Schoolhouse. This window hung for ninety years above the double front entrance doors to the Franklin School on Middlesex Avenue. Here's the story from the BIL:

That building was in fact the third Franklin School to be built in Metuchen.  The Old Franklin Schoolhouse (built ca. 1807) was the first, and a larger wood frame Franklin School (built 1870) located on Middlesex Avenue at Centre Street was the second.  This second school was later moved to the northeast corner of New and Pearl Streets to make way for the construction of the third school, and was home to the Second Baptist Church for many years before it was demolished.  

Built in 1909 by Walker & Morris Architects, the third Franklin School was a large brick Colonial Revival building, complete with keystone lintels, quoining, pedimented dormers, a hipped roof flanked with massive chimneys and a decorative cornice.  Additions were made to the building in 1922, 1930, and 1939, and it survived a fire in 1957.  But it was retired from service, and sold to make way for the Franklin Square condominiums.  

Starts This Friday August 17



Woody Allen's TO ROME WITH LOVE


Fri 7:30 Sat 5pm & 7:30 Sun 4pm


Starring: Woody Allen, Penlope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Roberto Benigni and Alec Baldwin

AND 
On August 31st at 7:30 The Forum Will Have a "We Can Lower Ourselves As Much As Our Congress & Presidential Candidates Night" With an end of the summer screening of National Lampoons...ANIMAL HOUSE  
Starring... Tom Hulce,Tim Matheson, Karen Allen and John Belushi On The Big Screen In 35MM!
Wear your Toga to the theatre for a discount! Toga Toga Toga
Then Following The Film Join Us For An End Of The Summer Toga Party At Novita On Pearl St  For Some Cheap Beer or JD & Coke! (Yes you can still get a martini)
Food Fight Not Included!


from Build with Purpose, Metuchen:

Build with Purpose, the nation's largest charter school developer, got a big boost from the US Department of Education on Friday when it awarded the organization $3.3 million to support its work with charter schools.

Build with Purpose organized a unique consortium with Boston Community Capital and the Nonprofit Finance Fund and applied for the grant funds. The consortium of nonprofits, which works across the country, will use the funds to help charter schools obtain facilities. The grant funds come from US Department of Education Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities Program (Credit Enhancement), one of several grants under the Office of Innovation and Improvement's Charter Schools Program. The Credit Enhancement program helps to improve educational options for students and parents by targeting funds to areas with the greatest need for public school choice.

"We have heard repeatedly from charter schools that access to affordable and suitable school facilities is their number one challenge. This grant will enable us to help them with a greater breadth of services", said Brian Keenan, Director and President of Build with Purpose. "We are pleased that the US Department of Education sees such value in our work, and this grant will enable us to expand our efforts to other states."

For The Kids, Grandkids and kids of all ages!

This Friday August 10 @ 7:30 Saturday Aug 11 @ 11am & 7:30 & and Sunday Aug 12 @ 2pm

The Forum Theatre Stars On Stage Summer Musical Theatre Performers present The New Jersey premiere of:

Disneys "The Little Mermaid Jr." Live On Stage!

In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.

General Seating $14

Tickets can be purchased online @ www.forumtheatrearts.org By calling 732.548.5600 or at the door the day of the performance.

From the Arts Council: Metuchen's summer of music and art continues as the annual "METUCHEN ROCKS! outdoor concerts gets underway in August. 

The Metuchen Arts Council, in association with the Metuchen Recreation Commission, will present its annual outdoor summer series  with concerts on August 16, 23, 30, and an end of summer street party on Sunday, September 2^nd. 

The concerts are free and take place  at 7:30 p.m. on the Metuchen Summer Stage in the heart of downtown Metuchen on the corner of Center and New Streets.   

This year's concert series includes four New Jersey bands that demonstrate the States diverse musical culture starting on August 16^th with the country sound of The Saddle Tones.  The music continues with the Reggae band Random Test on August 23^rd.   On August 30^th, the Latin rhythms of David Cedeno and His Latin Orchestra return to Metuchen with their dance party inspiring Salsa rhythms.   Metuchen's own hometown rockers The Spidermonkeys will officiate at an end of summer street party on Sunday, September 2^rd.

^{For more info on the individual performers, check out the next page . . .}