Community Bulletin Board
Monroe arts panel slates adult-education lectures

The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission will present a variety of upcoming adult-education classes and lectures at Monroe Township High School, Perrineville Road.

+ Oct. 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. - "Jerome Kern," with Fred Miller singing and playing the piano. Miller will tell the story of composer Jerome Kern, considered to be the father of the American musical. The class is a comprehensive overview of Kern's career.

+ Oct. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Maurice Mahler, Monroe Township art historian, will offer a video/lecture titled "Forgery or Masterpiece?" focusing on Elmyr de Hory, the master art forger. De Hory reproduced masterpiece paintings from some of the world's greatest artists, including Picasso, Modigliani and others.

+ Oct. 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Playwright Wayne Ditts will present "The Concord Convention" illuminating the Concord, Mass., writers: Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott. Participants will learn how the writers came to live in Concord and what they wrote while they lived there.

+ Oct. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Maurice Mahler will offer "Felix Nussbaum," a program honoring the German painter who died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz. Nussbaum's works continue to tell his story, that of his family and that of the fate of the Jewish people.

+ Oct. 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Jim Cort, writer and author of the novel "The Lonely Impulse," will lead a lecture titled "Ernest Hemingway - The Early Years." Cort will offer readings focusing on Hemingway's early career and the experiences that reappear in much of his later work. Readings will include "The Battler," an excerpt from "A Farewell to Arms," some dispatches from Hemingway's early years with The Toronto Star and portions of "A Moveable Feast," a memoir he wrote years later about his life in Paris in the 1920s.

Advance registration is mandatory for all classes. Registration fee is $5 per class.

For more information, call (732) 521-2111, 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays-Fridays.

Paris to tape program at Americana Diner

The radio show "Getting Ahead In Business" will be taped at the Americana Diner, 359 Route 130 north, East Windsor, between 7 and 10 a.m. Oct. 4. The public is invited to attend and meet Milton Paris, host of the Saturday morning talk show on WCTC 1450 AM.

During the program, Paris, who is also a sales coach and business management and marketing consultant, will interview guests and field questions about business. Prizes will be given away, including gift certificates, movie tickets and business books.

MTHS Yard Sale on tap for Oct. 14

The Monroe Township High School (MTHS) PTO will sponsor a Yard Sale Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the parking lot at the high school, Perrineville Road.

Vendors are invited to sell their treasures. Spaces cost $10 each.

Proceeds will help support the PTO scholarship fund.

For information or to reserve a space, call Cheryl at (732) 416-0143, e-mail cherallamby@Comcast.net; Kathy at (732) 446-1709, e-mail Kathy623@-Comcast.net; or Emily at (732) 521-5239, e-mail bik39@comcast.net.

Applications available for EBHS preschool

The East Brunswick High School (EBHS) Family and Consumer Science Department is now accepting applications for its Preschool Education Program to be held at the high school, Cranbury Road.

The program is open to East Brunswick residents who will be 3 years old by Jan. 1, but no older than 4 years, 8 months. Participants must be toilet trained and have up-to-date immunizations.

Program applications may be picked up in the main office at EBHS or in the district administration building, 760 Route 18. Forms also are available by logging on to www.ebnet.org. Applications must be returned by Nov. 1.

For more information, call (732) 613-6928.

Local school collects tabs from soda cans

Our Lady of Victories [OLV] School iscollecting donations of soda can tabs to benefit children and their families who need chemotherapy and related hospital services. Longtime Sayreville Resident Thomas Ricci said that he has been collecting tabs to help a local friend whose son has cancer. He added that he gave 50,000 tabs to the second-grade class at OLV, who will turn them over to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The school's goal is to collect one million tabs. Tab collections can be donated at the front office of the OLV school at 36 Main St. Call the school at (732) 254-1676 for more information.

St. Ambrose HSA seeks holiday show crafters

Crafters of homemade merchandise are sought for the St. Ambrose HSA Holiday Craft Show set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the school, Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge.

Cost is $28-$30 per space, plus one donated item for the auction table.

For more information and an application, call (732) 607-9319.

Scripture-study course on tap at OLV Parish

Our Lady of Victories Parish will offer a 10-week Scripture-study program, "Little Rock Scripture Study," beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the parish, 42 Main St., Sayreville. The focus of the first session will be the Acts of the Apostles.

Cost is $25 for books and other materials. Deacon Thomas Yondolino will conduct the sessions.

For more information and to reserve, call Deacon Yondolino at (732) 257-0077, ext. 226.

Free computer training offered to E.B. adults

The Churchill Junior High School Computer Club, East Brunswick, is offering free personal computer training for East Brunswick adults.

Participants will receive one-on-one training in Windows, MS Word, MS Excel and the Internet.

Classes will be held monthly throughout the school year.

The first class is set for 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 28 in room 303 at Churchill Junior High School, 18 Norton Road.

The program is free of charge, but enrollment is limited.

To register, interested individuals should call the Churchill Computer Club at (732) 613-6800, ext. 4346, and leave their name and telephone number.

Golf outing will benefit MTHS student athletes

The Monroe Township High School Booster Club will hold its Fall Golf Outing on Oct. 9 at the Concordia Golf Course, Monroe. Shotgun start is set for 12:30 p.m.

The event will use a scramble format. Cost is $110 per golfer and includes green fees, cart, hot dog lunch, snacks and refreshments on the course and stuffed lobster/prime rib buffet dinner at the Cambridge Inn, Spotswood.

Prizes include closest to pin, closest to line, longest drive and low gross for first- and second-place foursomes.

Hole sponsors are sought at $50 each.

All proceeds will benefit MTHS student athletes.

For reservations or more information, call Marty at (732) 251-8413 or e-mail martin.Bartocci@comcast.net.

Hospital seminar to focus on chronic pain

Saint Peter's University Hospital will host a seminar titled "Advanced Techniques for Treating Chronic Pain" 6-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the hospital's Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center, 254 Easton Ave., New Brunswick.

The complimentary seminar will feature Dr. Didier Demesmin, a pain management specialist at Saint Peter's, who will discuss various treatment options for combating chronic pain due to neck and back problems, spinal stenosis, sciatica, severe headaches and cancer-related symptoms. Treatment topics will range from aspirin use to more sophisticated techniques, such as the SynchroMed II Programmable Infusion System - a programmable pump that can be implanted to administer a precise, low dose of pain medication.

Refreshments will be served. Advance registration is requested.

For more information and to register, call (732) 937-6000.

Youngsters invited to Cub Scout recruitment

Cub Scout Pack No. 3, Monroe, will hold a Recruitment Night at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 in the cafeteria at Mill Lake School, 115 Monmouth Road, Monroe.

Boys in first-fifth grades and their parents are invited to attend and learn about Cub Scouting.

For more information, call John Wallentine, cubmaster, at (732) 656-0068.

Vendors sought for Conklin flea market

Vendors are needed for the Conklin United Methodist Church Flea Market set for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the church, 82 Main St., South River.

Hot dogs with chili, beverages and snacks will be available.

Inside tables cost $15. Outside spaces cost $10; vendors should bring their own table.

For more information or to reserve, call (732) 257-0559 or (732) 254-5062.

Athletic panel slates car wash, pasta dinner

The Immaculate Conception Athletic Association will host two events on Sept. 30.

The panel's Pasta Dinner is set for 6-8 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception School cafeteria, 23 Manalapan Road, Spotswood. The meal will feature pasta with homemade marinara sauce and meatballs, bread and butter, salad, homemade desserts, soda and water. BYOB. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under age 12.

The association also will sponsor a car wash from 8 a.m. to noon on the school grounds. Proceeds will support the school's sports programs.

Cost is $8 for cars, $10 for vans and trucks.

Car wash proceeds to aid EBHS volleyball team

The East Brunswick High School (EBHS) Lady Bears volleyball team will sponsor a car wash from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Warnsdorfer Elementary School, Hardenburg Lane. Cost is $5 for cars, $7 for vans or sport utility vehicles.

St. Vincent's yard sale scheduled for Sept. 30

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of East Brunswick will hold its annual Giant Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 in the parking lot at St. Bartholomew's Church, 460 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

St. Vincent's East Brunswick conference helps the needy in East Brunswick, Jamesburg, Spotswood, Monroe and Helmetta. The conference was formed 15 years ago and has helped families in financial and emotional distress due to illness, job loss and other life events. Over the years, many families have been helped to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc. The society's East Brunswick Conference Food Pantry also provides food to those in need.

The East Brunswick conference is based at St. Bartholomew's Parish but is part of a global organization with more than 750,000 members (nationally, there are more than 4,300 conferences with more than 100,000 members). The Giant Yard Sale is the East Brunswick conference's largest annual fundraiser, and it typically brings in $14,000-$15,000. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help the needy in surrounding communities.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit charity; donations are tax-deductible.

Contributions may also be mailed to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul East Brunswick Conference, St. Bartholomew's Church, 460 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.

For more information on the fundraiser, call (732) 257-7722, ext. 8.

For more information on the society and its work, log on to the group's national Web site at www.svdpusa.org.

Watershed panel offers chemical-free products

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership is conducting an Organic (Chemical-Free) Fertilizer and Cleaning Material Sale fund-raiser from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the group's headquarters building, 85 Washington Ave., Milltown.

The nonprofit organization, dedicated to the protection of the Lawrence Brook Watershed, seeks to encourage area residents to avoid the use of toxic garden materials and cleaning products. Data shows that contaminated stormwater runoff and chemical lawn fertilizers are significant contributors to elevated levels of chemicals in the drinking water supply.

Order forms are available at local libraries, at the partnership's Milltown headquarters, at www.lbwp.org, or by calling (732) 249-5297 (LBWP).

Donations sought for Sept. 30 food drive

The Monroe Township High School (MTHS) boys soccer teams will hold their annual food drive on Sept. 30. Contributions should be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the high school turf field, Perrineville Road.

All food donations will go to the local food pantries.

E.B. Office on Aging sets bereavement group

The East Brunswick Department on Aging will sponsor a program titled "Living Through Loss" at 1 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays beginning Oct. 5 at the East Brunswick Senior Center, Jean Walling Civic Center.

The educational and supportive discussion group will help participants cope with their loss in a safe and caring environment. Sharon Reilly-Marosy, a licensed professional counselor, will facilitate the sessions. Registration is required. For more information and to register, call (732) 390-6896.