Community Bulletin Board
Volunteers will aid special-needs families

Helping Hands of Middlesex County is seeking mature volunteers to assist children with special needs and their families. The volunteers provide social and emotional support to the families through weekly visits.

Family members who care for children with special needs rarely have time to perform daily tasks such as going to appointments, and they seldom have time to relax.

Helping Hands volunteers aim to change the lives of family members who feel overwhelmed by the everyday care of their children.

The volunteers, who use their special skills and lifetime experiences to enrich the lives of children with disabilities, may act as mentors, storytellers, listeners, tutors, recreational assistants, personal-care assistants and family friends.

Volunteers who are willing to commit two hours per week will receive a stipend of $10 per visit. Training is provided.

Interested applicants and family members should call Susan Nelson at the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey, Lions Head Office Park, Brick, at (732) 262-8020.

Helping Hands is a special project of the Family Resource Network (EFNJ), funded by Johnson and Johnson/Rosalyn Carter Institute, Caregivers Program.

Spotswood Library to sponsor book sale

The Spotswood Public Library, 548 Main St., will host a book sale during regular library hours Dec. 17-Jan 7.

A preview sale is set for the afternoon of Dec. 16. Admission for the preview event will be $2 per person.

Hardcover books, paperbacks, children’s books, audiocassettes and videocassettes will be available.

Paperbacks will sell for 50 cents each or three for $1, hardcovers for 75 cents and up, videocassettes for $1.

An “All-You-Can-Carry for $5” sale is set for the last two days of the event, Jan. 6 and 7.

All sales are final. Proceeds will benefit the library and its programs.

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

Chabad will sponsor Hanukkah concert, fest

Chabad House of Monroe, directed by Rabbi Yehuda Spritzer, invites the community to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, at a Hanukkah Concert and Extravaganza set for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Monroe Township High School, Perrineville Road.

The concert will feature Jewish folk singer Chaim Fogelman, who will sing Yiddish, English and Hebrew songs. Free latkes, doughnuts and chocolate Hanukkah gelt will be distributed.

Tickets cost $5; and children under the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge.

Advance tickets may be purchased at Everything Jewish by Chabad, 11 Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe, (609) 409-1000.

For more information, call Rabbi Spritzer at (609) 655-7727, or e-mail concert@chabadhousemonroe.com.

Tickets on sale for DECA tricky tray

Spotswood High School DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) will sponsor a tricky tray beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the high school, Summerhill Road. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Snow date is Jan. 20.

Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Only 400 tickets will be sold.

Participants must be 18 years of age. Alcohol will not be permitted. Free childcare will be available.

To reserve an admission ticket, call Angie at (732) 251-7972. Checks should be made payable to DECA.

Anshe Emeth to hold Hanukkah Boutique

Congregation Anshe Emeth, 88 Main St., South River, will host its annual Hanukkah Boutique from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Dec. 18.

The sale will feature menorahs, dreidels, cookbooks, Judaica items, cards, candles, gift wrap and holiday gifts.

For more information, call Lisa at (732) 257-4190.

Elks to offer Dec. 18 Breakfast With Santa

East Brunswick Elks Lodge No. 2370 will hold a Breakfast With Santa from 9:30-11 a.m. on Dec. 18 at the lodge, Oakmont Avenue. Tickets cost $6 per person; children age 10 and under will be admitted free of charge. For more information, call (732) 257-2950.

Police collecting old and unused cell phones

The Spotswood Police Department is collecting old and unused cell phones to benefit its Community Policing Program and Senior Cell Phone Program. Phones may be dropped off at police headquarters, 77 Summerhill Road. For more information, call Sgt. Chris Bierman, (732) 416-1855.

Residents invited to environmental meeting

Members and interested area residents are invited to the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership year-end meeting set for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Milltown Senior Center, 60 Violet Terrace.

In addition to progress reports concerning environmental efforts on various local waterways, the event will feature a visual presentation titled “Images of the Lawrence Brook Watershed,” which will depict scenes of local natural and recreational areas.

Refreshments and conversation will precede the presentation.

For more information, call (732) 249-5297 or (732) 846-4476.

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship of the Lawrence Brook Watershed in East Brunswick, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, Milltown and New Brunswick.

Book-collection drive under way at library

The East Brunswick Public Library has begun its seasonal drive to collect donations of new hardcover and paperback books for distribution to disadvantaged children throughout Middlesex County. The program, called Books to Keep, is a project of the Libraries of Middlesex, a consortium of public and academic libraries in the county.

Books to Keep began in 1990 to promote the joys of reading, encourage library use and instill pride in book ownership. Its major goal is to give as many youngsters as possible a book of their own that they may read at home. The books are distributed in cooperation with more than 49 different community organizations and agencies throughout the county.

Since its inception, Books to Keep has facilitated hundreds of story programs in both English and Spanish, given thousands of dictionaries and almanacs to needy households, placed numerous reference collections at sites where disadvantaged children gather to do homework, and put many thousands of books into the hands of children.

Donations of new hardcover and paperback books suitable for children from preschool through adolescence may be brought through the end of December to the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center.

Funds also are needed to purchase additional books. Checks made payable to the Libraries of Middlesex may be brought to the East Brunswick Library youth services desk or mailed to Leah Wagner, Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.

For more information, call (732) 390-6789.

School Online Auction to conclude on Dec. 18

The Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley, East Brunswick, is holding its Online Auction through 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 at www.ssdsrv.cmarket.com.

Interested individuals are invited to browse the site, which offers more than 150 items on which to bid, and shop for holiday gifts.

Categories include golf, sports tickets, shows, restaurants, salons, jewelry, getaways, kids stuff, summer camps, home goods and business. New items will be added weekly.

For more information, e-mail auction@ssdsrv.org or call the school office at (732) 238-7971.

Monroe rec sponsoring house decorating contest

The Monroe Township Recreation Department is sponsoring its annual hoiday house decorating contest for township residents and business properties.

Judges will view the entries on Dec. 27, 28 and 29. Winners in both residential and commercial divisions will be presented with an award at the January meeting of the Recreation Advisory Board.

For more information, call the community center at (732) 723-5000.

Bereavement group forming in Monroe

Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Southern Middlesex County, Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe, is forming a new bereavement group.

Individuals who have experienced the loss of a spouse or significant other are invited to join. A licensed clinical social worker will lead the group.

For information or to register, call JoAnn Cohen at (609) 395-7979.

Rec sponsors snowman, snow sculpture contest

The Monroe Township Recreation Department is sponsoring its annual Snowman and Snow Sculpture Contest. The competition, open to township residents, will run through March.

There will be two categories: original snowman and most original snow sculpture. Entries may be solo, team or family projects.

Awards will be presented at the April meeting of the township Recreation Advisory Board to winners in the following age groups: 3-6 years, 7-12 years, teens and up.

To enter, interested individuals should send a photo of themselves standing next to their project to the Monroe Township Community Center, 120 Monmouth Road, Monroe, NJ 08831-8558.

For more information, call the community center at (732) 723-5000.

Monroe Library offers Food-for-Fines amnesty

The Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, is sponsoring a Food-for-Fines amnesty program through Dec. 31.

All patrons holding overdue materials may return them fine-free, provided the patrons donate one nonperishable food necessity for each overdue item. There is no limit to the number of items to be returned or to the fines to be waived, but donations and overdue materials will be exchanged on an item-for-item basis.

The food items collected will be donated to the Monroe Township Food Pantry and to Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).

The library has sponsored the Food-for-Fines program for seven years. During that time 1,037 library items that would have been lost to the township have been put back into circulation and more than 120 barrels of food donations have been amassed.

For more information, call (732) 521-5000.

St. Thomas HSA sets New Year’s Day Bingo

St. Thomas the Apostle HSA will sponsor a New Year’s Day Bingo event beginning at 5 p.m. on Jan. 1 at the school, Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

The activity is open to individuals over age 18. Food and beverages will be available. Bingo boards are used and will require chips. For more information, call (732) 251-4812.

Ladies Auxiliary offers ‘Entertainment’ books

The Ladies Auxiliary of Spotswood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4589 is offering “Entertainment 2006” books.

Cost is $25. Books for Monmouth and Middlesex counties are in stock; northern and southern New Jersey counties and out-of-state editions are available upon request.

For more information and to order, call the post at (732) 251-9862 after 3:30 p.m., or Nancy at (732) 251-7416.

J’burg Elks to celebrate at New Year’s Eve gala

Jamesburg Elks Lodge No. 2180 will hold a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31 at the lodge, 74 W. Railroad Ave.

The event will feature a cocktail hour, a buffet dinner, music, a limited open bar, a champagne toast, party hats, streamers and noisemakers.

Tickets cost $40 per person.

For more information and to reserve, call Maxine at (732) 521-8359.

Library Friends selling coupon savings books

The Friends of the Spotswood Public Library, 548 Main St., is selling “Hometown Savings 2006” books containing discount coupons from many local supermarkets, fast-food chains and restaurants. All coupons expire at the end of 2006.

Cost is $18. All proceeds benefit the Friends and will be used to support library programs and services.

For more information and to order, call the library at (732) 251-1515. Books also are on sale during regular business hours at the library.

Assemblyman sets Medicare Part D talk

Assemblyman San Thompson (R-13) will sponsor a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug presentation at 1 p.m. on Dec. 19 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 south, Old Bridge.

An expert from Medicare Rx Access Network of New Jersey will discuss the different ways in which the program may help individuals on Medicare to pay for prescription drugs. For more information, call the assemblyman at (732) 583-5558. Medicare Part D coverage will begin Jan. 1 for those who join a plan by Dec. 31. Coverage for individuals who join from Jan. 1-May 15 will begin the month after signup.

Donations sought for Red Kettle, Angel Tree

Shoppers are invited to participate in the season of giving by donating to the Salvation Army Red Kettle collection and the Angel Tree during regular mall hours through Dec. 24 at the J.C. Penney court, Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18, East Brunswick.

Interested individuals may drop off monetary contributions for the Red Kettle and then select an angel, representing a child’s holiday wish, from the Angel Tree. Unwrapped gifts for the child may be brought back to the J.C. Penney court.

For more information, call (732) 238-3600.

Registration under way for scholarship contest

The Mid-Atlantic AAA, Hamilton, has announced its fourth annual “Travel High School Challenge” offering more than $100,000 in scholarships to high school students in grades nine through 12 nationwide.

The three-stage competition will begin Jan. 9-17 with a 40-question online contest. The top five scorers will compete in state finals with winners receiving prizes and a trip to the national finals in May in Orlando.

Students may preregister at www.aaa.com/TravelChallenge.

Bagel Brunch planned for Dec. 18 at temple

The Adult Education of Congregation Anshe Emeth, 88 Main St., South River, will present a Bagel Brunch event beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 18 at the temple. The event is sponsored by the Golden Endowment Fund.

Dr. Nathan Reiss, president of the Jewish Historical Society and chairman of the Genealogy Committee of Central New Jersey, will offer a presentation titled “German Jews: The History of Their Immigration and Assimilation Into American Society.” Bagels and spreads will be served. Donation is $3 per person. For more information and to register, call Esther Sabin at (732) 254-8871, e-mail rcsabin@aol.com; or call Lisa at (732) 257-4190, e-mail AEmeth@comcast.net.

Social skills to be topic of SEPTA presentation

The East Brunswick Special Education PTA (SEPTA) will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center.

Topic will be social-skills challenges. The event will feature a video presentation titled “Last One Picked, First One Picked On,” featuring Dr. Richard Lavoie, and facilitated by Ellen Murphy, coordinator of autism-spectrum disorders for East Brunswick Public Schools. Families of classified and nonclassified children and all educators are welcome to attend. For more information, e-mail Edward or Audrey Weiner at eddieweinersepta@hotmail.com, or call (732) 254-7526.

Hospital to sponsor HIV group meeting

The Raritan Bay Medical Center Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department will sponsor HIV support group meetings on Dec. 19 at the hospital’s Perth Amboy division, 530 New Brunswick Ave.

Individuals coping with or affected by HIV are welcome to attend. Registration is required. For time, exact location and to register, call (732) 324-5082.

Patriot Committee seeking new members

The recently formed Jamesburg Patriot Committee is seeking new members to help plan and organize Jamesburg’s 2006 Memorial Day Parade.

The committee has contacted area high schools and middle schools and invited their marching bands to participate in the holiday event. In addition, members are contacting other area organizations that may want to take part in the parade.

The committee plans to reach out to area businesses, civic organizations and others for the donations needed to plan and conduct the Memorial Day event.

To become a committee member, make a donation, or for more information, call Councilwoman Barbara Carpenter at (732) 521-0257 or Councilman Chris Maloney at (732) 605-0604.