SCOTT FRIEDMAN Asciolla sisters Taylor (l), 9, and Gianna, 7, meet Santa Claus at Helmetta's holiday party Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church hall, Main Street. The event also included a magic show. More ... A breakthrough year for revitalization effort Coalition moves forward with historical markers, park archway BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       As the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition reflects on a productive past year, it is also looking toward the future. The group has a number of projects in the works, and an array of committees in place to address different areas in which the town can be improved. More ... County awards $500K for Mundy Ave. Park Safer area, better equipment in works for Spotswood park BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       The largest park in Spotswood will get a $500,000 face-lift thanks to a county grant. The grant, which will fund improvements to Mundy Avenue Park, comes at the same time the borough has been awarded $54,000 for a nearby walkway area between DeVoe Avenue and DeVoe Lake. More ... Unsightly area near dam to get cleanup, walkway BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - The borough will use a county grant to construct a new walkway from DeVoe Avenue to the dam behind the American Legion building. The dam was once used as a place to fish and relax, but the area leading to the dam has become overgrown and littered with debris in recent years. More ... Christmas comes early for hospitalized children BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Children in the pediatric ward of Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, received a special treat this week, courtesy of some giving students in Spotswood. Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students involved in Spotswood's Teen Activity Program (TAP) conducted a toy drive that yielded ... More ... Prisoners tell local kids realities of crime, jail Four inmates share how their lives changed due to drug use BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       EAST BRUNSWICK - Four state prisoners met with a group of local youngsters recently, telling them to "choose freedom." During a "Straight Talk" presentation sponsored by the East Brunswick Police Youth Services program Nov. 19, the inmates, all in their 20s, chronicled the decisions they made, s... More ... Farmers' feed-the-needy effort survives setback BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - A local farm may be able to give food to New Jersey's poor after all. Recent state cutbacks threatened to end a program whereby farms throughout the state give 1.5 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to 6,000 needy New Jerseyans each year. More ... Holiday hooray      SCOTT FRIEDMAN At Helmetta's holiday party Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church hall, Emily Collins (from right), 8, of South Brunswick, got a cool scrapbook; Patrick Caputo, 8, of Old Bridge, received a woodburning kit; Ryan Collins, 6, scored some Legos; and Erin Caputo, 6, got a play set. More ... Girls, ages 15 and 16, charged under E.B.'s new drinking law       EAST BRUNSWICK - Four township girls were charged under a new township ordinance that prohibits the consumption and possession of alcohol by underage people on private property. The arrests were made at 9:45 p.m. More ... Christmas spirit      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Ryan McLaughlin, 12, of Spotswood, helps his mom, Cathy, wrap a gift for a family in need Dec. 13 at the Polish American Hall. Students from Appleby School and Spotswood PTA members collected 190 gifts for 16 needy families through the Society of St. Vincent de Pau... More ... Milltown man gets drug charges       MILLTOWN - A 22-year-old borough man was arrested last week on drug distribution charges following a police investigation. Joseph A. Primiano, of Blueberry Drive, was charged Dec. 12 with possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, which is a first-degree offense... More ... Repeated false burglary alarms wasteful for town BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township officials are considering an increase in fees for people whose burglary alarms repeatedly go off without justification. False alarms cost the township thousands of dollars each year in terms of police hours, according to Business Administrator James White. He said almos... More ... Ho ho ho!      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Children are in awe as Santa Claus makes his entrance at the Holy Trinity Church hall during Helmetta's holiday party Sunday. More ... Four to receive Eagle rank after community projects       EAST BRUNSWICK - No fewer than four members of Boy Scout Troop 61 will be officially promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout next month. More ... Family works to bring all a brighter holiday Visitors invited to walk display of lights, animation BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE - When the sun sets, the fun starts at the Apruzzi house on Central Avenue. Every night, gingerbread boys and girls jump on a trampoline, ride down the slide, and play on the swings and seesaw. Next to them, a Victorian family of ice skaters glides around in front of their old-fashio... More ... Exxon Mobil to seek LNG facility off Jersey coast COA opposes offshore gas terminal BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       SEA BRIGHT - After Exxon Mobil Corp. announced plans Dec. 11 to seek regulatory approval for a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal off the coast of New Jersey, state officials and local activists are speaking out against the plan. More ... The pied piper of book lovers Pat Squire's book talks draw a loyal following BY KATHY HALL Correspondent       When Pat Squire retired from teaching third grade in suburban Philadelphia, the energetic "60- something" signed up for water aerobics, joined a chorus, took a class in bird watching, volunteered as an after-school tutor, taught a Bible class, visited museums, spent time on long walks and short tr... More ... Plastic surgery practice opens East Bruns. office       EAST BRUNSWICK - The Plastic Surgery Center, based in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, is expanding its operations by relocating to a new office at 561 Cranbury Road. The 2,090-square-foot space, located in the Robert Wood Johnson Surgical Center building, will be used for office hours for Dr. Matth... More ... Fight poverty, join AmeriCorps VISTA       Anew public service campaign has been launched to enlist New Jersey residents in joining Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), the Ameri- Corps program that fights poverty. The campaign draws attention to the 37 million Americans who live in poverty and to the changing face of poverty, which ... More ... New children's hospital specializes in rehab care       NEW BRUNSWICK - Children's Specialized Hospital has expanded to include a 60-bed pediatric rehabilitation center on Somerset Street. The new PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital, which opened earlier this month, is located on the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital campus. More ... State fund helps pay for children's medical needs       On Dec. 13 Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced more than $3.3 million in financial grants awarded by the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission (CICRFC) to help families dealing with their children's extraordinary medical expenses. More ... Alleged robber arrested after running toward cop Sayreville man, 37, charged in purse theft, store robbery BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A borough man has been charged with robbery after being caught by an officer who police say was in the right place at the right time. The suspect, Daniel Blazas, 37, of Outlook Avenue, who was wanted in connection with a convenience store robbery, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. More ...