Community Bulletin Board
Library to welcome
Russian delegation

A 10-member delegation of Russian librarians and information managers will visit the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, on Jan. 31 as part of a federal program to forge better understanding between the United States and Russia.

"We are looking forward to showing our guests how public libraries in America are the most democratic of organizations," said Jason Stone, library director. "All people are welcome to use the library to learn what they need to know to be informed and involved citizens."

Since 1999 the Open World Program, sponsored by the U.S. Congress, has brought more than 5,000 Russian leaders to communities across the country. This year the program aims to bring 50 library managers to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware after they receive a cultural orientation at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. The New Jersey segment of Open World is being coordinated by Rutgers University, New Brunswick, whose staff is hosting the visitors.

For more information, call (732) 390-6783.

OLV Columbiettes

to honor past president

Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 Columbiettes will hold a Past President Dinner-Dance beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

The event, which will honor most recent past president Ella Revel, will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, open bar and music.

For more information and tickets, call Gail Olszewski at (732) 238-2714.

Widows and Widowers

schedules Feb. 2 social

The Widows and Widowers (WOWs) Chapter of Middlesex County West will hold a social from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Belarussian American Center, Whitehead Avenue, South River. Socials are held on the first Sunday of every month, unless otherwise specified.

New members are welcome. Admission is $8 for members and nonmembers.

The nonprofit, nonsectarian organization is sponsored by the Family Life Bureau of the Diocese of Metuchen.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 521-0732.

AAUW school essay contest under way

The Northern Monmouth County Branch of the American Association of University Women is now sponsoring its second annual essay contest for ninth- and 10th-grade girls. The deadline is Feb. 28. Contest material is posted on high school bulletin boards.

The contest supports the AAUW’s theme of increasing awareness of under-representation of young women in professional technological career fields.

Material may also be downloaded at www.geocities.com/aauwnmnj. For more information, call (732) 775-2754.

Photos, African artwork

coming to E.B. Library

In recognition of February as Black History Month, handmade African artwork from the private collections of members of the African-American Cultural Association of East Brunswick will be featured from Feb. 1-28 in the glass showcases at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. Photographs by North Brunswick resident Richard Bachman will be displayed on the library walls.

Handcrafted artifacts and paintings from Ghana and South Africa will be accompanied by explanatory historical notes. Authentic masks and hand-stitched cloth also will be on display.

Bachman is a published photographer and lifetime member of the International Photographers Association. His photos capture the beauty of Europe, Central America, South America, Asia and the South Pacific, as well as the beauty in the world’s oceans. He also has photographed a wide variety of local and exotic flowers; animals; birds; and sporting events such as auto races, football games and balloon festivals. Bachman and his wife have lived in North Brunswick for the past four years.

Booster club, parents

panel set dinner-dance

The Spotswood High School Booster Club and the Spotswood High School Band Parents Association will sponsor a dinner-dance from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Crescent Avenue, Spotswood. Dinner will include beer, wine, soda, hot buffet, salad, fruit, bread/rolls, cheese and crackers, dessert, coffee and tea. Tickets cost $25 per person.

For more information and to reserve, call Peggy at (732) 251-7479 or Patty at (732) 723-0101.

O.B. temple will offer

lecture, coffee house

Congregation Beth Ohr, 70 Route 516 east, Old Bridge, has scheduled two upcoming events.

Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner will speak on "The Jews of Japan" on Feb. 9 as part of the temple’s Bagel Talk series.

Minyan will begin at 9 a.m.; breakfast and lecture will follow.

An Isreali Coffee House with Cantor Seth Adleson is planned for 7 p.m. on Feb. 15.

Topic will be "The History of Israeli Rock ’n’ Roll."

For more information, call (732) 257-1523.