Editor’s note: In light of recent events related to coronavirus, some organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming programs. Please check the status of any event before attending.
Immaculate Conception Church will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 in the campus gym, 99 South St., No. 25, Spotswood.
Appointments are required. No walk ins. Call 201-251-3703 to register.
Bring ID. Must weigh at least 110 pounds. Eat before, and drink plenty of water before and after, donation. All donors must wear a face covering.
For more information, call the rectory at 732-251-3110.
East Brunswick PBA Locals 145 and 145A (Superior Officers Association) will host a chili fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at CareOne East Brunswick Assisted Living & Memory Care, 666 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Each meal is $10 and includes homemade chili, fresh bread bowl, toppings, corn chips and hush puppies.
All food is being donated by CareOne East Brunswick.
Proceeds will benefit future PBA 145 and 145A charitable events, including support to local charitable groups such as the Aldersgate Outreach Community Center (formerly known as the Crisis Room) located at 569 Ryders Lane. Additionally, there is a thrift shop which sells clothing and other items at low prices to needy families. The proceeds earned from the thrift shop are used to purchase food for the food bank.
This is a COVID-friendly grab-and-go, drive-thru event. Social distancing and face coverings required.
Place pre-orders by Nov. 5 by calling 732-653-1178. Pre-orders also accepted online at https://forms.gle/k2HiQiWk9rNsdKmT7.
In lieu of the annual Veterans Day observance that was to be held at the Veterans Monument in East Brunswick on Nov. 11, the Township of East Brunswick will be sharing a pre-recorded Veterans Day message from Mayor Brad Cohen and the East Brunswick Veterans Alliance.
The video will be shown on EBTV (Comcast Channel 26 and Verizon Channels 37 and 38) at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Then, from Nov. 12-22, the video will be shown at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; at noon and 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; and at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
It can also be viewed On Demand on the EBTV website at www.ebtv.org and will be posted on the EBTV FaceBook and YouTube pages.
Master of Ceremonies will be Mayor Brad J. Cohen. Paul Deutsch of the Vietnam Veterans of America will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Wreath bearers will be Ira Roth, commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 311; Thomas Coohill, commander of VFW Post 133; and William Koch, Jr. who will lay the Afghanistan/Iraq War Wreath in honor of his son, the late Cpl. Steven R. Koch, KIA. Bagpiper John O’Keefe and bugler Chaplain John Marmion will also take part in this year’s program.
The East Brunswick Memorial Elementary School Student Council will participate in a poster contest by creating posters thanking veterans for their service. The Veterans Alliance has donated three $25 Amazon gift cards for the winners. Toward the entrance of Memorial Elementary School, there are metal plaques mounted to the cement pathway that honor the six branches of the armed forces; students are taught about the dedication from the armed forces each year for Veterans Day.
The video message is being created by EBTV and is sponsored by the Township of East Brunswick, Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services and the East Brunswick Veterans Alliance.
As part of National Crime Prevention Month, the South River Police Department is reminding residents about its home security inspection program. Through this free program, an officer from the department visits a home to identify security weaknesses and areas of concern that would allow potential criminals to make the residence an easy target.
The officer, who has received specific training in this area, then makes recommendations to help remedy these issues and help better protect the home. The goal is to reduce the risk of you and your family becoming a victim of home burglaries and other crimes.
To schedule an appointment for a free home security inspection, contact Ptlmn. Wesley Sanches at 732-254-1150, ext. 107
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The South River Department of Recreation is holding a Halloween House Decorating Contest.
Judging will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The deadline to register is Oct. 26.
Visit southrivernj.org/recreation/Recforms/HHD20.pdf for the registration form.
East Brunswick’s first Cornhole Doubles League will play on either Saturday or Sunday mornings.
Sign up as a team or individual.
Everyone is guaranteed one match a week for 8 weeks, with the playoffs the last week.
Teams will play best 2 out of 3 set matches.
Maximum eight teams per day.
Must be 18 or older.
Games will be played indoors at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Participants must follow social distancing and COVID guidelines, and wear masks.
The cost of the 9-week season is $45 for residents or $65 for non-residents.
Register via the Recreation Department’s Online System.
The South River Public Library has expanded its Haunted Library this year.
See what’s cooking in the Witch’s Kitchen. The Grim Reaper’s Garden is bursting with frightful blooms. The Graveyard is full of scary things. And many more frightful things await.
Get the family together, put on costumes and practice screams and trick-or-treating skills.
The Haunted Library is available for viewing through Oct. 31 during library hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday.
Reservations are required. Family groups of up to 12 people can reserve a half-hour time slot for one visit during this time.
Call the South River Public Library at 732-254-2488 to reserve a time.
Due to limited time slots and anticipated demand, reservations are limited to South River residents.
Everyone attending must wear a CDC-approved mask and practice social distancing from non-family members.
Raritan Valley YMCA will hold a drive-in movie night featuring “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Y, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick. Rain date is Oct. 31.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $20 per car.
This event is sponsored by the Raritan Valley YMCA and Point Community Church.
All attendees must remain in their cars or in front of their cars with face mask and social distancing practices.
Register online at raritanvalleyymca.org.
Right at Home of Central New Jersey and its healthcare partner, HarborChase of Princeton, hosted a Back to School Drive for the families of health care heroes. Many professional partners and local businesses donated supplies, filling close to 600 bags of school supplies.
Currently, Right at Home of Central New Jersey is providing snacks and beverages to health care heroes at facilities throughout Middlesex, Northern Monmouth and Mercer counties through the Junk Trunk. The RAH-mobile has been filled and deliveries are on their way.
Starting the second week of November, the Junk Trunk will be transitioning to the Holiday Hatchback and member will be delivering holiday snacks and goodies to health care heroes to wish them a safe and happy holiday season.
To donate snacks, call Right at Home of Central New Jersey at 732-967-0900.
Donations can be dropped off at the office, 1405 Route 18 south, Suite 203, Old Bridge.
For more information, visit www.rightathome.net/monmouth-middlesex/ or email beth@rahcentral.com.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center will present Tovah Feldshuh, Up Close and Personal, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 via Zoom.
The Broadway actress will talk about her 45-year career.
Tickets are $18 per Zoom link.
The $180 sponsorship includes four Zoom tickets, a pre-show chat and recognition.
Register at www.ebjc.org under Events.
For more information, email Ellen at ebotwin@ebjc.org
With more people working from home, good posture and working habits are more important than ever. To keep work-from-home employees healthy, the East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with Dr. Ken Freedman, an East Brunswick chiropractor, for the online program Have A Sit Fit: Smart Tips For Homebound Workers at noon on Nov. 10.
In this online program, Dr. Freedman will cover several topics, including understanding and knowledge of your back, how it works and how to use it properly, rules and recommendations for good posture and correct body movement, and simple self-care methods for immediate relief of stress, pain reduction and preventing injury to your neck and back.
The program is held online using the Zoom platform. There will be a brief question and answer period immediately following the presentation. Participants are encouraged to submit questions via the chat during the presentation.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested; to register, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
The program is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. A complete resource and program guide can be found at www.justforthehealthofit.org.
The East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with business and customer information experts Data Axle for a series of virtual workshops that showcase Reference Solutions.
Reference Solutions is a business and consumer research database for gathering demographic information, marketing plans, competitive analysis and sales. All three upcoming three programs are presented by Bill Carlson, success manager, Data Axle.
Attendees do not need prior experience using Reference Solutions.
Reference Solutions can be useful for job seekers, as Carlson will demonstrate at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19.
“Business Expansion” is at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The workshop highlights key features, including identifying the ideal geography of potential customers, finding key contacts, researching competitors and more.
All three programs are free and open to the public. They will be held virtually through the Zoom platform, and there are no prerequisites.
To register for any of these classes, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
East Brunswick Public Library’s popular “Take A Business Break” returns this fall with three online programs to help local business owners to get tips from experts during their lunch break.
Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, leads this online workshop series. He is an emeritus partner at WithumSmith+Brown, PC, and a Fairleigh Dickinson MBA professor. He was designated one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today.
The final program in the series is When to Hire Your First Employee and How Much to Pay at noon on Nov. 19. This workshop explains how to determine if this critical decision is right for your business.
The event will be held on the Zoom platform. Registration is requested; to register, go to https://ilove.ebpl.org/ebpl-virtual-programs.
Attendees will be able to watch medical presentations on the Zoom platform.
This series focuses on gastrointestinal diseases.
“Basics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease” will be presented at noon on Nov. 6. Led by Dr. Debra Goldstein, this program will explore what inflammatory bowel disease is and treatment options. Other topics include how different factors, including pregnancy and age, impact the condition.
The final program titled “Colon Polyp Screening … Not the Same as Colon Cancer Screening” will be held at noon on Dec. 18.
This workshop will examine colorectal cancer, the third leading cancer in the world. Dr. Arkady Broder will introduce the audience to the benefits of colon cancer screening and ultimately, prevention.
These programs are offered through the library’s “Just For The Health Of It!” consumer health and wellness information initiative.
Registration is requested for these free events.
For more information or to register, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar.
A health literacy social worker is available to assist patrons of the East Brunswick Public Library.
Emerith Hernandez Cortes, MSW, is a bilingual social worker who speaks Spanish and English. She can help with needs such as food, housing, addiction, health services, job loss, small business recovery, places to find employment, and mental health topics.
Appointments can be made by calling 732-518-8247 or by emailing ecortes@ebpl.org. These appointments are digital on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sessions are private and confidential.
The program runs through Nov. 30.
This service is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. It is offered through a grant from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
To learn more, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.
The Girls on the Run of Central NJ (GOTRCNJ) Fall 5K race will be virtual this year.
The 5K Turkey Trot will take place Nov. 26-29 and is open to the public. Registrants can complete the virtual 5K on their time and in their own place.
Registration is free and open to all. However, in an effort to sustain the GOTRCNJ Scholarship Fund, participants can donate $10 or an amount of their choice to GOTRCNJ during registration. One hundred percent of donations will go to scholarships to make the program accessible to girls who otherwise would not be able to participate.
Participants will receive a printable bib and finisher’s certificate.
Register at https://runsignup.com/gotrturkeytrot or visit www.gotrcnj.org.
For race questions, contact Donna York at donna.york@girlsontherun.org or 908-642-4321.
The Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth will hold the 17th annual Suicide Prevention Conference, focusing on “Reaching for Hope,” from 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, via WebEx.
Speakers include Susan Klebold, author and activist; and Vanessa L. McGann, clinical psychologist
To register, visit https://rutgers.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=7116
Cost is $49 per person.
Ongoing
The East Brunswick Farmers Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Sunday of the month in the parking lot of the Brunswick Square Mall, 755 Route 18, East Brunswick.
Local produce, artisan foods, bakery items and craft vendors.
Sponsored by Sustainable Jersey and the PSEG Foundation.
To document the experiences of the community while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Brunswick Public Library has been collecting submissions to a COVID-19 Community Time Capsule.
The time capsule can be viewed online at www.ebpl.org/history
The library is still taking submissions at this time.
The Community Pet Food Bank by New Beginnings Animal Rescue is open from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, with varying hours on Saturdays, on the grounds of Nativity Lutheran Church, 552 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.
For more information, visit nbarnj.org
The Jamesburg Public Library will hold its board meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
These meetings are open to the public, and will take place on Zoom for the remainder of the year.
Visit jamesburglibrary.org or www.facebook.com/JamesburgLibrary/ for further information.
Each meeting will have a different Zoom link and passcode
The East Brunswick Department of Recreation is offering First Tee Golf Lessons.
There is no prior golf experience needed.
Clubs will be provided to those who don’t have them for use during the sessions and have requested clubs during the registration process. Students with their own clubs should bring to each class.
Due to COVID restrictions, the limit is eight children per session.
Programs include Ultimate Frisbee for grades 5 – 12; Youth Track for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 grades; Youth Cross Country, grades 1-8; Web Development/Joomla, grades 8-12; Youth Golf Lessons, ages 8-10; drive in movies and concerts.
For more information, visit eastbrunswick.org/recreation
To showcase emerging artists in the area, the East Brunswick Public Library held the Grownup Summer 2020 Art Challenge.
The result is an online gallery, sharing the work of area residents.
It is available online for viewing at ilove.ebpl.org/art-challenge.
The East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department is collecting non-perishable food, cash and gift cards for distribution to Aldersgate Community Outreach Center.
Drop off food in the back of the box truck parked in the parking lot, 334 Dunhams Corner Road; the door is kept down so lift it to put donations inside.
Or, drop cash/check/gift cards in an envelope and put in the drop box next to the front door to the Recreation Department.
The South River Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of school crossing guard (part-time/substitute).
School crossing guards work under the direction of the police department and are responsible for the safe crossing of school children and other pedestrians at designated crossing areas within the Borough of South River.
Minimum qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be a resident of New Jersey
• Must be of sound body and of good health with vision and hearing adequate to perform essential job functions
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license
• Must be of good moral character and not be convicted of any criminal offense
Applications can be obtained from and returned to South River Municipal Offices, 48 Washington St., South River.
Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick is offering a new hybrid learning club, a wraparound school age program to roll over from summer camp to a full-day learning experience that combines virtual learning with outdoor activities.
Students can bring their virtual learning devices. Credentialed staff will aid in classwork and homework during the day.
The afternoon portion will run similar to Camp Yomeca. Activities will include arts and crafts, tennis, basketball and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) along with an afternoon snack. Swimming will be included in September, weather-permitting.
For the session schedule and rates, and to register, visit https://raritanvalleyymca.org/member-connection#/programs/22527368/hybrid-learning-club/
East Brunswick now has a disc golf course at Heavenly Farms, 440 Dunhams Corner Road, across from the main parking lot.
It is free to play. Bring your own equipment.
Pickleball can be played on six brand-new courts at Community Park, 350 Dunhams Corner Road, and two hybrid pickleball/tennis courts at Lenape Park, 31 Millman Dr.
On Wednesday evenings there is a “club” that gathers at Community Park and plays, as well as a group that plays on Saturday and Sunday mornings at Community Park. They are open to the public. The group is not affiliated with East Brunswick Recreation.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center is providing minyanim twice every day, services on Shabbat and holidays, adult education classes and Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi.
Membership welcome but not necessary.
Visit www.ebjc.org/online-events for more information.
Raritan Valley YMCA is encouraging residents to #StayWithUs during this time, in particular by visiting the Y’s Facebook page for virtual events, programs and classes.
Adult programs include group fitness classes provided by Y360, Les Mills and from Y instructors. Programs and classes will be updated on a week-to-week basis. The ZOOM app is required; email lramos@raritanvalleyymca.org for log-in details.
The Facebook page also features live story time and creative arts with Ms. Preeti and Ms. Brenda.
Details Camp Yomeca day camp are available on the website. Online registration is open.
For more information, visit raritanvalleyymca.org.
Monroe Township Jewish War Veterans Post 609 is collecting United States and foreign stamps, both on and off envelopes.
Stamps are used by veterans as hobbies and as therapy to support medical staff at VA Medical Centers nationwide.
Stamps are not traded or sold; they are forwarded to veteran patients at no charge.
Also requested are DVDs suitable for veterans at those locations.
Send all items to JWV Post 609, c/o Charles Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Dr., Monroe 08831-4742.
The East Brunswick Domestic Response Team is seeking volunteers.
Citizens are trained to respond to local police departments on an on-call basis to provide support and information to victims of domestic abuse.
For more information, email domesticviolence@ebpd.net.
The Korean War/Defense Veterans Association Central Jersey Chapter No. 148 extends an invitation to any veterans, regardless of branch of service, who served during the war from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location, including Europe, or who have served in Korea from July 27, 1953, through the present.
The group meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month —except January through April — at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza.
Membership dues are $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 chapter fee per year.
The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including parades, flag raisings, visiting the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City, etc.
For more information, contact Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or kwvanj@yahoo.com.
Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey seeks compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.
Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. They read to the patient, reminisce about their lives, play cards, help with letter writing and provide respite for caregivers.
Visits can be virtual, and are either during the day or early evening.
Volunteers may also assist with administrative work within the hospice office.
Patient care volunteers complete an application and attend a virtual volunteer training program that covers the role of a hospice volunteer. Day and evening virtual training programs are offered.
To sign up for the next virtual training class, contact Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email deborah@dovehs.com.
