Community Bulletin Board
Senegalese drama on tap at library film festival

The annual Summer International Film Festival at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, will continue on July 14 with 2 and 6:30 p.m. screenings of the Senegalese drama “Moolaade.” The 2004 film, which is rated PG-13, has a running time of 124 minutes.

“Moolaade” tells the story of an older West African woman who defies authorities in her male-dominated village by sheltering girls who have run to her to avoid the ritual genital cutting procedures mandated by the rulers. The movie was named best foreign language film by the National Society of Film Critics.

The remaining festival schedule is as follows:

• July 21 — “Monsignor Ibrahim” (French, 2003);

• July 28 — “Motorcycle Dairies” (Spanish, 2004);

• Aug. 4 — “Kitchen Stories” (Swedish, 2003);

• Aug. 11 — “Magdalene Sisters” (English, 2002).

All films will be shown at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $1 each and are on sale at the library.

The festival is sponsored by the Friends of the Monroe Township Library.

For information, call (732) 521-5000.

Safe-driving courses coming to S.R. Library

Two AARP-sponsored driver safety courses are planned for July at the South River Public Library, 55 Appleby Ave. The first course will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14 and 15; the second is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 16 and 23.

Classes are open to licensed drivers; there are no age requirements. Cost is $10. Membership in AARP is not required. Interested individuals must register in advance.

Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate entitling them to a 5-percent discount on the major portion of their automobile insurance premium for three years and a 2-point reduction in their Motor Vehicle Commission record (if applicable).

For more information and to register, call (732) 254-2488.

Outdoor family movie, concert coming to E.B.

The East Brunswick Division of Recreation and the East Brunswick Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will sponsor the summer’s first Movie in the Park in conjunction with the season’s first Wonderful Wednesdays concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 8 outdoors at the municipal complex, Jean Walling Civic Center.

Clowns will appear from 6:30-7 p.m. during the Wonderful Wednesdays event. Children’s entertainer Mark Rust will present his “Three-Part Concert” beginning at 7 p.m. The concert will feature audience participation.

The opening Movie in the Park, “Shrek,” will be shown in the municipal pond area following the concert.

Moviegoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food will be available for purchase. Clowns and costumed characters will be on hand to distribute free glow necklaces and other giveaways.

In the event of rain, the movie will be shown at 7:45 p.m. on July 10.

Rain location for the concert will be the East Brunswick Senior Center in the municipal complex.

For more information, call (732) 390-6797.

‘Moolaade’ next up for E.B. Library film fest

The 23rd annual Summer International Film Festival at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, will continue on July 12 with 1:30 and 8 p.m. screenings of the Senegalese drama “Moolaade.” The 2002 film, which is rated PG-13, has a running time of 124 minutes.

“Moolaade” tells the story of an older West African woman who defies authorities in her male-dominated village by sheltering girls who have run to her to avoid the ritual genital cutting procedures mandated by the rulers. The movie was named best foreign language film by the National Society of Film Critics.

The festival will continue every Tuesday through Aug. 9. Films will be shown in their original languages, with English subtitles as needed. Admission is free of charge. Reservations are not required.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

• July 19 — “Monsieur Ibrahim,” French, 2003, 95 minutes, rated R;

• July 26 — “Motorcycle Diaries,” Spanish, 2004, 126 minutes, rated R;

• Aug. 2 — “Kitchen Stories,” Swedish and Norwegian, 2003, 92 minutes, rated PG;

• Aug. 9 — “The Magdalene Sisters,” British, 2003, 119 minutes, rated R.

The festival is sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Public Library.

For more information, call Susan Sclar at (732) 390-6775.

St. Mary’s Parish welcomes inquiries

St. Mary’s Parish, South Amboy, is now accepting registration for any adult (age 14 or older) who is interested in preparing for baptism, first communion or confirmation.

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) begins with several weeks of inquiry sessions. Joined by team members and supported by the parish community, participants will journey through the scriptures and learn more about the Catholic faith and tradition. No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Sessions will be held on Sundays. This will be the only preparation available for adults this year. Catholics must have received the three sacraments (baptism, first communion, confirmation) in order to serve as godparents or sponsors.

The program is open to individuals who are interested in joining the Catholic Church and to Catholics who have not yet celebrated First Holy Communion and/or confirmation.

Call Susette Lucarello at (732) 525-0141 to register or for more information.

Outdoor family movie,

concert coming to E.B.

The East Brunswick Division of Recreation and the East Brunswick Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will sponsor the summer’s first Movie in the Park in conjunction with the season’s first Wonderful Wednesdays concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 8 outdoors at the municipal complex, Jean Walling Civic Center.

Clowns will appear from 6:30-7 p.m. during the Wonderful Wednesdays event. Children’s entertainer Mark Rust will present his “Three-Part Concert” beginning at 7 p.m. The concert will feature audience participation.

The opening Movie in the Park, “Shrek,” will be shown in the municipal pond area following the concert. Moviegoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food will be available. Clowns will be on hand.

In the event of rain, the movie will be shown at 7:45 p.m. on July 10. Rain location for the concert will be the East Brunswick Senior Center in the municipal complex.

For information, call (732) 390-6797.

Library to offer youth

photography workshops

The East Brunswick Public Library Youth Services Department will offer its third annual Fred Steiger Children’s Photography Workshops in two parts for each age group this summer. Registration will begin July 1.

The schedule is as follows:

• Youngsters in sixth-12th grades — Part 1, 7-8:30 p.m., July 28; Part 2, 7-8:30 p.m., Aug. 16.

• Youngsters in second-fifth grades — Part 1, 7-8:30 p.m., Aug. 3; Part 2, 7-8:30 p.m., Aug. 18.

The workshops are free of charge. Classes will be limited to the first 25 registrants. All participants should attend both parts for their age group. Disposable 35-mm cameras will be furnished, but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if they choose.

For information, call (732) 390-6789.

Vacation Bible school

planned at S.R. church

Conklin United Methodist Church, 82 Main St., South River, will hold a vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon, July 18-22. The program is open to youngsters ages 3-13. This year’s theme is “Circle G Ranch.” For more information and to register, call Patti at (732) 257-0559.

Senior Chai schedules

meeting, luncheon, spa

The next meeting of Senior Chai will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on July 12 at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Monroe.

A kosher luncheon will be served. Also featured will be a Spa Day event including a neck/back massage, a facial and a hand paraffin.

Advance reservations are required. Donation is $15.

For more information and to register, call Jennifer at (609) 395-7979, Tuesdays-Thursdays.

Senior Chai, a program of the Jewish Family Service of Southern Middlesex County, is designed for active adults who are single, widowed or caregivers of a spouse.

Summer youth, adult

programs set at library

The Jamesburg Public Library, Gatzmer Avenue, will offer a variety of summer programs for youth and adults.

A reading enrichment program for youngsters is set for 7-8 p.m., July 1-Aug. 17, with second-graders meeting on Mondays, third-graders on Wednesdays.

Each week students will read together out of a chapter book and discuss what is happening in the story.

Weekly projects, designed to be fun and motivational, will be completed. Interested individuals should sign up at the library.

The 2005 summer reading program, “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds,” is scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, July 11-Aug. 15.

Young people entering first-sixth grades in the fall are invited to participate. There will be a different program with a guest performer each week.

Children will read throughout the summer to earn free T-shirts from the library.

Attendance each week is not required to participate in the program.

The Adult Summer Reading Club for Jamesburg residents will run for six weeks beginning July 11.

There will be a drawing every Friday for a small prize.

The final drawing on Aug. 19 will be for a $25 gift certificate from a bookstore.

To register for all programs, visit the library or call (732) 521-0440.

Vendors sought for

Fourth of July gala

Vendors are sought for the

annual Monroe Township Recreation Department Fourth of July Celebration set to begin at 5 p.m. on July Fourth in Thompson Park, Monroe.

The event will feature musical entertainment, refreshments and food and novelty vendors. A fireworks display is set for dusk.

Space rental fee is $100.

For more information and to reserve, call Mary Lange at (732) 723-5000.

Sponsors needed for

July 17 benefit car show

The Be-Bop Cruisers, a 150-member classic car club, will hold its 12th annual benefit car show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 17 at Freehold Raceway, Route 9. Rain date is July 23.

The family-oriented event will feature more than 300 antique and classic cars from the tri-state area.

Proceeds will benefit the Middlesex County Child Assault Prevention Project (CAP).

Sponsors and ads are sought. Businesses are invited to donate a trophy. Deadline for sponsorships is July 7.

For more information, call Phyllis Celano at (732) 303-7187.

Be a critic at library’s

‘Summertime Dream’

Adult patrons of the Spotswood Public Library, 548 Main St., are invited to fulfill their dreams and act as media critics in a “Summertime Dream Time” challenge program involving all types of library media.

Cardholders ages 14 and up may test their skills as critics and have the opportunity to win weekly prizes and one of five grand prizes. Participants must read a book, browse a magazine, watch a video, listen to a music CD or a book on tape, and then rate the material on a scale of one-five stars. Items rated must come from the library’s collection. All media formats are eligible.

For each item rated, “critics” must complete an entry form for the library’s weekly raffle drawing. One entry per week will be chosen through Aug. 7. Participants are eligible to win only one weekly prize.

“Summertime Dream Time” will end on Aug. 13. Grand-prize winners will be announced on Aug. 18 during a music event at the library.

Weekly prizes and grand prizes are funded through the Friends of the Spotswood Public Library.

For more information, call (732) 251-1515.