The Borough Council recently adopted a  resolution creating a "Call to Service Summit," an annual event to recruit and educate a new generation of involved citizens ( Metuchen Summit Flyer_with Speakers.pdf). Metuchen is the first municipality in Middlesex County to officially adopt the resolution and join the statewide "Jersey Call to Service," a public service initiative to inspire citizens to participate in the leadership of their communities and reverse the tide of government waste and corruption.

The Call to Service Summit is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th, 10 am - 12:30pm at Metuchen Borough Hall and will  feature Mayor Vahalla and members of the borough council, William Lovett of the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA, and Chairman of the Citizens' Campaign Harry Pozycki.  Residents will have a chance to meet their elected officials, and learn about the leadership opportunities on boards and commissions, such as the Emergency Management commission, the Cable TV & Technology Advisory Committee, the Board of Health, Recreation Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, Development Commission, Planning & Zoning Board, as well as other non-profit organizations serving the community.

Metuchen Mayor Vahalla said, "Metuchen citizens have, time and time again, displayed their deep-rooted commitment to public service. The Call to Service Summit will be an opportunity to inspire the Borough's newer residents with the same Metuchen public service spirit."

The Citizens' Campaign is leading a New Jersey Call to Service to shine a light on public service leadership opportunities, which while taking little time allow regular citizens to play a significant role in shaping the policies of their community.

Admission is free and open to the public. There is limited seating so attendees are asked to RSVP to Grace Shackney at (732) 548-9798 x.6.

Come celebrate the fact that you got your taxes filed on Friday, April 16th at 8:00p.m.
The Metuchen Cultural Arts Commission's coffeehouse series presents "Blind Lemon Cello", a musical trio whose music spans jazz, blues and pop. 

Carol Selick, Felix Buccellato, and Eric Jorgenson make up "Blind Lemon Cello".  Ms. Selick is a singer-songwriter who has been performing in clubs and outdoor concerts throughout New Jersey.  You can check out her debut CD, "Just Gonna Think About Today" on www.cdbaby.com.  Mr. Buccellato has played guitar with countless bands over the past 25 years and in 2003 he won the National Guitar Workshop Songwriting Contest.  Mr. Jorgenson is a classically trained cellist who has added a unique improvisational element to the group's original songs and interpretations of songs in a range of musical styles rooted solidly in melodic blues.

The concert will take place at the Old Franklin School (Borough Improvement League Building), located at 491 Middlesex Ave. in Metuchen, right next to the firehouse. Free parking is available directly across the street in the Borough Hall lot.  Admission is $5(seniors and students $4) and no reservations are necessary.  Coffee and light refreshments will be served. For more information visit the website at www.metuchennj.org or call (732) 632-8502.

My name is Valentina Gordon and I'm a senior at Metuchen High School. This year I am part of Mr. Robbins Political Institute Class. Three years ago Mr. Robbins took an interest in the people of Ghana. He is now a partner with the IOM (Interenation Organization of Migration) and has been working with them. For the past three years Mr. Robbins' Political Institute class has been helping to raise money to rescue the enslaved children.
This year our class decided to go even bigger and we are now trying to raise money to build a school in a village called, Okpalama. The children who are allowed to attend school don't have calssrooms, or even buildings for schools. When the weather is bad classes are cancelled. We want to give the children of Ghana the opportunity to learn. The children of Ghana are the future and we believe that if we help to educate them then the country can start to change. It will cost us $50,000 to build a small school. We are lucky enough to have the help from Miss. Ghana who will raise $25,000. We hope that we can make a partnership with your website and to spread the word of what we are doing to all of Metuchen. This is a great cause and the whole community should be involved. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,

Valentina Gordon and Political Institute

Hi there , I am a casting producer working on this season of SUPERNANNY! 

We are hoping to spread the word to parents in need throughout Philly/Jersey area Thats right, any parents who could use the help of Nanny Jo Jo , THIS is your chance. 

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS
Are your children driving you CRAZY???? 
Had enough sassy back talk, disrespect and shenanigans? 

We are meeting with families in your area in the next coupleweeks. 

ABC is looking for families with children (toddlers to teens) to take part in the hit television series featuring Jo Frost, America's #1 nanny!

If you are interested  in applying please send a brief bio, a few family photos, contact info and WHY specifically you need Nanny Jo's help to: Jordanwiles@gmail.com

Also we will need this attached application filled out ASAP

Thanks,
Jordan Wiles
Casting Producer-Supernanny
310-428-8835

From the Metuchen Library:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian:  Book Discussion and Theme Party.

The Teen Advisory Board and the Metuchen High School Book Club will team up on Sunday, March 7 at 2 PM at the Metuchen Library to celebrate the Young Adult book that the whole State will be talking about through the One Book New Jersey initiative.

All Metuchen teens are invited to a book discussion and theme party of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, a thought-provoking yet funny story of a Native American teen who leaves his "rez" for a white school and finds his talent on a basketball court.

The half hour book discussion will be followed by team contests including a book and basketball trivia game show and a game of hoops. For those interested in participating in other contests, prizes will be awarded for the best costume (dress as a character), the best song to be included in the making of the film, and the best book trailer. Plenty of desserts will be served.

Registration is required. Be one of the first 18 kids to sign up at the Metuchen Library or the Metuchen High School Library for this event and get a free copy of the book.  For more information about the event or the contests:  Call the Library at 732.632.8526 or write the Young Adult Librarian at KLiss@Lmxac.org. This program is paid for by the Friends of the Metuchen Public Library.

Local band The Roadside Graves, who often play at the Raconteur, have made a video for their song "Liv Tyler." You might recognize some of their locations, including a Metuchen one that everybody knows. Check it out.

I wanted to ask for your help with something that won't cost you a dime.  Do your spring cleaning early this year, and put your clothes, shoes, coats, blankets, and stuffed animals in a recycling bin managed by Edison Wetlands.  By "re-purposing" these goods and keeping them out of landfills and incinerators, you not only help the environment as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day 2010, but you help kids in the area through supporting programs by EWA and other nonprofits. You can drop them off at the Triple C Ranch bin, or click here for additional bin locations. If you cannot drop them off, call Edison Wetlands at 732-321-1300 and we can arrange a convenient weekend pickup.

Thanks in advance for joining us on this exciting environmental initiative.  Your support keeps waste out of landfills, keeping taxes down and protecting New Jersey's environment. For more information, visit: www.EdisonWetlands.org/HealthyKidsNewJersey
See you at the Triple C Ranch this spring!

Warmest Regards,
Bob Spiegel
Executive Director
Edison Wetlands Association
Triple C Ranch

What:  First-ever Dismal Swamp State Preservation Commission meeting
When:  Tonight, March 2 at 7 pm
Where:  Edison Municipal Building, 100 Municipal Blvd, Edison NJ

I am writing to invite you to the Dismal Swamp State Preservation Commission kickoff meeting. It is critical that you show your support and participation in order to make this commission a success.  I look forward to seeing you tonight. If you have any questions, or need directions, call our office: 732-321-1300.  
 
Thanks again for all your support!

Sincerely,

Robert Spiegel
Executive Director
Edison Wetlands Association

In an ideal world, I would love to see a racquetball or paddleball court in Metuchen if there was enough support for it amongst the community.  I have always been a supporter of the town's efforts to better our recreation facilities. For this reason, I voted along with the other members of the Borough Council to bond for the money to install lights at the new field which will be constructed at Myrtle Park.  The installation of lights comes at a cost of $200,000 but will eliminate the additional cost and inconvenience that would be necessary if the lights were installed at a later date after the field is finished, and the lights will provide an immediate benefit to the residents of Metuchen who use the field.  I was loathe to spend that extra money in this tough economic climate, especially since the entire cost of the field is being paid for with a grant from Middlesex County, but felt the benefits of lights being installed during construction of the field outweighed the cost.

However,  with New Jersey in a state of Economic Emergency,  with uncertainty as to the future of state aid to the borough and our schools, I would caution against undertaking any new capital projects such as this.  The Mayor and Council are fighting to keep Metuchen's independence  against increased calls in Trenton to require mergers of municipalities.  This is not the time, in my opinion,  for the Borough to consider taking on a significant capital project such as a racquetball or paddleball court.

Saturday, March 20th  -   Here comes Peter Cottontail arriving in Metuchen just in time for the Annual Spring Egg Hunt!  There will be plastic eggs filled with candy and some special prize eggs.  Bring a basket or bag to collect your eggs.

The hunt will begin at 9:00 am sharp, at Myrtle Field, Myrtle Park.  In the event of inclement weather, the hunt will be cancelled.

     After an enormously fun and successful inaugural event, the Fuce 5K is back for another year of activity in downtown Metuchen!
     We again look to provide an experience for Metuchen families and friends of Metuchen to exercise together and raise money for residents in need.  The race is dedicated to the memory of Mike Fuccile who epitomized being active as a father and member of the Metuchen community.
     The race will be held on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 beginning at 8:30AM in the Pearl Street parking lot in downtown Metuchen.  You can register the same day from 7:00 - 8:00AM. or by completing an online registration here.