Community Bulletin Board: the Sentinel (for June 30)

The South River Police Department is reminding residents of its Unoccupied Residence Program.

As part of this free program, South River residents can complete and submit a form to let officers know when a residence will be unoccupied. A police officer will check on the home as time permits during his or her normal patrol duties.

The Unoccupied Residence Form can be downloaded by visiting www.southriverpd.org or picked up at Police Headquarters located at 61 Main St. Once completed, the form can be faxed to 732-613-6103 or dropped off at police headquarters.

This program is intended for residences which are unoccupied due to short-term travel or vacation plans. It is separate from South River’s long-term vacant property ordinance.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ) is inviting Middlesex County residents to become a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister to a local child.

BBBSCNNJ currently has 20 children on its Middlesex County waiting list, mostly boys.

BBBSCNNJ provides one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6-18. Volunteer Big Brothers and Sisters spend quality time with their Littles each month, enjoying free or low-cost activities during which the child may learn new skills, explore new interests, or expand their experience beyond their family and neighborhood. 

There are no special skills required, and BBBSCNNJ’s experienced staff provides continual support.

To be matched with a Middlesex County child, apply at mentornj.org.

 

 

Vacation Bible School will be offered to children age 7 and older from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at Corpus Christi Church Hall, 100 James St., South River.

Registration fee is $10 per child.

This summer’s theme will focus on the Kids’ Clean Water Project by Filter of Hope. The main goals are to cultivate a heart in children for the needs of people in poverty, educate children and families about the water crisis, and understanding the Gospel.

Registration forms are available at https://corpuschristisouthriver.org/parish-ministries/vacation-bible-camp-2021

For more information, contact Eliana at 732-770-8245 or corpuschristievm@gmail.com

Masks will be required indoors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milltown will hold its Fourth of July parade and fireworks on Saturday, July 3.

The day begins at 6 a.m. with a fishing derby at the rescue squad.

The Fun Run starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m.

At 12:30 p.m., the duck race will be held at the Main Street bridge.

Mr. Ray will perform at 6 p.m. on the stage between Parkview and the Senior Center.

Patriotic House, START Button winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

The Milltones will perform at 7:15 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

 

 

Mayor Jackie Palmer of Spotswood and Mayor Christopher Slavicek of Helmetta are joining together for the Mayors’ March and Spark in the Park on July 3.

This Independence Day celebration will begin with a parade at 2 p.m., starting at Immaculate Conception Church, 23 Manalapan Road, Spotswood, and ending at Helmetta Borough Hall, 51 Main St.

Staging for the parade will start at 1 p.m.

The celebration will resume at 6:30 p.m. at the Helmetta Lake Pavillion for family fun, a beer and sangria garden, food trucks, music and fireworks.

Any organization interested in participating in the parade can complete an application online at https://forms.gle/1NqYPbYE3DT4NNF8A or call 732-416-1823.

 

 

The East Brunswick Police Department is currently accepting applications for the Virtual Youth Police Academy.

The academy will begin on July 12 and conclude on July 16. Classes will be held via Zoom each day between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m.

There is no course enrollment fee for the academy.

This year’s academy will be open to individuals from 13 to 17 years of age who reside or attend school in East Brunswick. This one-week program will provide an excellent opportunity for young members of the community to get a better understanding on how the East Brunswick police operates and how the police officers serve and protect our community. Each student will enjoy presentations from members of the East Brunswick Police Department and have opportunities to ask questions pertaining to law enforcement.

Complete separate applications for each person.

Registrations must be completed no later than July 5.

Find the applicant packet for the East Brunswick Junior Police Academy by visiting www.eastbrunswick.org/269/Junior-Police-Academy. Complete the applicant packet in its entirety and email it to CommunityPolicing@ebpd.net.

For more information, contact the Community Policing Unit at 732-390-6938 or CommunityPolicing@ebpd.net.

 

Mindfulness is the art of being present in the here and now. To help senior citizens reach this state, East Brunswick Public Library hosts the weekly Wellness From Within in-person programs.

In these sessions, participants will learn how to warm up with breathing and laughing exercises to help relax the body and mind. The group will then go on a journey through guided meditation to help achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.

Wellness from Within is held every Wednesday, July 7 through Aug. 25. The half-hour sessions start at 10 a.m., and are held outside the library by the clock in the Municipal Complex, Civic Center Drive.

All participants must bring a towel or yoga mat to the program.

This program is offered through East Brunswick Public Library’s Just For The Health Of It consumer health and wellness information initiative.

To learn more about related programs and resources, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.

 

 

The Thrift Shop at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located at the intersection of Main Street and DeVoe Avenue in Spotswood, will hold a Christmas in July Tent Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10 and 11, featuring an assortment of holiday necessities from trees and trimmings to ugly holiday sweaters and festive season decorations and home goods.

There is no entry fee, although shoppers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for pantry. 

Thrift shop donations are accepted during regular shop hours Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. 

For more information, call or text Cathy Decker at 732-239-3910.

 

 

 

 

 

Niranjan Deepak created an Eagle Scout project that captured the experiences of frontline heroes during the COVID-10 pandemic. 

Check out the documentary “Inside Look: The COVID-19 Pandemic” on DVD from the Monroe Township Public Library or watch it online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOMzj-Uyxo4. 

Niranjan will discuss his project at 6:30 p.m. July 14 via Zoom.

Registration is required. Visit www.monroetwplibrary.org/calendar 

 

 

 

Join Michael Sarill of Project Noah at 7 p.m. July 14 for a virtual program about the online global community of nature enthusiasts and its collaboration with National Moth Week, which starts July 17.

Sponsored by the East Brunswick Public Library in partnership with the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission (Friends EBEC), the program will be available on Zoom and the library’s Youtube channel.

It is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested but not required.

The registration link is available at https://ilove.ebpl.org/adults-kids-teens/events/tween/moths-world-national-moth-week/2021-07-14-230000-2021-07-15-000000

Sarill will lead aspiring citizen scientists through Project Noah’s Moths of the World mission, which provides a platform for uploading and publishing photos, creating a personal nature journal and learning about the natural world on projectnoah.org, as well as its social media platforms.

He will also walk the library through a new video created by Project Noah Nature School on how to go mothing.

 

He will be joined by Liti Haramaty of Friends EBEC and co-founder of National Moth Week, who will discuss the upcoming 10th annual observance, how to register an event and how to navigate the newly designed website and video library with tips and demonstrations of mothing.

 

National Moth Week shines a light on often unheralded moths, calling attention to their beauty, extraordinary diversity and essential role in the natural world as pollinators and a food source for other creatures. It will be observed July 17-25, marking its 10th year.

This program is part of the Option Green lecture series hosted by the East Brunswick Library in partnership with FriendsEBEC.

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Public Library’s Take a Business Break online program series continues on July 15 at noon with Money $ecrets of the Rich and Famous.

The financial affairs of many well-known celebrities, politicians, performers and the super-rich will be described, along with tips on how regular folk can adopt some of these techniques or avoid harmful actions. 

Included will be techniques to maintain privacy, by-pass probate, give cash generously to charities without writing a check or reducing your bank balance, invest with minimal risk, and avoid being swindled. 

Presenter Ed Mendlowitz will also tell tales of inheritances, famous family fights over bequests and legacies, and some maneuvers that landed people in jail or in bankruptcy.

Money $ecrets of the Rich and Famous is presented online using Zoom. To sign up for this free program, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.

 

 

Councilwoman Marylin Israel and the Spotswood Recreation Department will hold a Multicultural Day from 3-6 p.m. July 17 at the Spotswood Knights of Columbus, 30 Crescent Ave., Spotswood.

Participants will share traditional dishes, their country’s flag, cultural artifacts, costumes, history, music and personal ancestry.

 

 

National Moth Week (NMW) is marking its 10th year July 17-25 with a call to young people around the world to learn about and observe moths in their local habitats.

 

Each year since 2012, National Moth Week has shone a light on often unheralded moths, calling attention to their beauty, extraordinary diversity and essential role in the natural world as pollinators and a food source for other creatures.

 

As a worldwide citizen science project, NMW encourages “moth-ers” of all ages and abilities to turn on a light wherever they are and observe and document what they see through photography and data collection. Finding day-flying moths and moth caterpillars can be done in daylight.

 

Individuals and organizations are invited to register private and public mothing and educational events for free on the NMW website. Due to the pandemic, participants are advised to follow health guidelines and regulations for gatherings in their area. Participants receive a certificate designed by NMW team member and graphic artist Belen Mena.

 

This year, the NMW team is encouraging kids and teens to discover and learn about moths in their own backyards and communities, or even while away on vacation. Kid-friendly content and tips for beginners, from book lists to light setups and “moth bait” recipes are featured on the NMW website.

NMW participants are invited to contribute their photos and data to NMW partner websites, as well as the NMW Flickr group, which now has over 100,000 moth photos from around the world.

National Moth Week is a project of the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and conservation. It is now one of the most widespread citizen science projects in the world. It is coordinated by volunteers on the NMW team and country coordinators around the world. It is held annually for nine days during the last full week and two weekends of July.

 

For more information about National Moth Week, visit nationalmothweek.org, or write to info@nationalmothweek.org.

Also, find National Moth Week on Facebook, Twitter (@moth_week) and Instagram (mothweek). Hashtags: #Nationalmothweek #mothweek

 

 

 

 

 

American Legion Post 253 in Spotswood has planned the following events:

July 24 is the second annual Rubber Duck Race. Ducks are available at the post bar or through Legion members. The cost is $10 per duck. There will be burgers and hot dogs, fun and entertainment. The first five ducks to the finish line will win a $400 Visa gift card.

Aug. 7 is the Jo-Jo Poker Run.

Aug. 13 is a steak dinner night. Ribeye cooked to order, baked potato and corn on the cob. Pre-orders are $25 per person, or cost is $30 at the door. Cash bar available.

Aug. 18 will be a bus trip to the Atlantic City Air Show. The bus will stop at Tropicana. The cost is $25 per person.

Sept. 11 will be the Legion Riders pig roast.

Sept. 19 will be Messages from Heaven from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $25 until Aug. 13, or $35 after. Cost is $40 at the door, if space is available.

More details on each event will be announced.

In addition, the American Legion hall and outdoor venue are open again to rent for events. Call or text 732-991-9507 for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

Prospective school board candidates may obtain a “School Board Candidate Kit” online at www.njsba.org.

Published by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the School Board Candidate Kit includes a nominating petition, information about legal qualifications for school board candidacy and the role of the school board member. Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act and important dates in the school election process are also included in the kit.

Candidates must file a nominating petition with the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office in order to get their name on the ballot for the annual school election.

The deadline to submit the nominating petition with the Middlesex County Clerk is 4 p.m. Monday, July 26. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 2.

 

Playhouse 22 will reopen to the public for live theater with the opening night of “Harvey” on Oct. 8 at the community theater, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

The annual production of “A Christmas Carol” will return in December.

More information about tickets, new safety guidelines and the 2022 season will be available at Playhouse22.org

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department again is offering the Early Learning Academy preschool classes.

This parent-pay program is for 3- and 4-year-old children residing in East Brunswick and surrounding areas.

To be eligible for the 2021-22 school year, children must be 3 years of age by Oct. 31, 2021, and not age-eligible for kindergarten (5 years of age by Oct. 31, 2021).

Children must be toilet trained.

The curriculum design and implementation is based on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and the Preschool Implementation Guidelines. Certified supervisors with expertise in the field of early childhood and school readiness oversee the planning and preparation for the program.

The program provides parents the opportunity to register their child for a five-day/week developmentally appropriate learning experience within the school district.

This tuition-based program is five days per week. Half-day (a.m. or p.m.), mid-day extension, and full-day including early morning and/or after school care are available.

The program is located in a designated section in the Hammarskjold Middle School, with  security and its own designated pick-up and drop-off doors.

Transportation for this program is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Visit www.ebnet.org/ela for full registration instructions, including fees and all required forms. 

A non-refundable registration fee plus the first month’s tuition must be received to reserve a spot in the program. Credit card payments are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) as well as via e-check.

For more information or questions regarding the registration process, curriculum and program content information, email commprog@ebnet.org or call 732-613-6629.

Enrollment for the current school year is still being accepted for the in-person 5 day per week half and full day programs. Visit www.ebnet.org/ela  

For summer, in-person 3- or 6-week programs (half and full day), visit www.ebnet.org/elasummer.

 

 

The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department is again offering summer in-person Kindergarten Readiness Academy and Summer Early Learning Academy programs to all East Brunswick residents, as well as surrounding communities.

The Kindergarten Readiness Academy is designed to provide students entering kindergarten with continued quality programming prior to kindergarten. Participation in this program will focus on essential kindergarten readiness skills, therefore providing a head start for all participants. These essential kindergarten skills are aligned with the East Brunswick Kindergarten curriculum.

Additionally, the program enables us to provide comprehensive transition information for children to their Kindergarten teacher.

The Summer Early Learning Academy will offer a fun-filled summer care program for 3- and 4-year olds who will not be entering Kindergarten in September 2021. Activities and themes are designed to promote children’s social and cognitive development.

Both programs will also concentrate on closing the learning gap that research shows traditionally occurs over summer months. They will provide your child a summer of fun including Science, Carnival, Olympic and Ocean-themed weeks, plus more. Kindergarten

Readiness Academy and Summer Early Learning Academy will have full- and half-day programs, running from June 28 to Aug. 10, with the option to attend three weeks, or all six weeks.

Visit www.ebnet.org/elasummer for registration instructions and program details.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Monroe plans to award scholarships to one or two of the approximately 150 graduating seniors at Monroe Township High School who participate in Key Club, a high school level chapter of Kiwanis International that they sponsor.

A GoFundMe page for the scholarship has been set up at www.gofundme.com/f/monroe-high-school-scholarship-fund?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer-andr

The goal is at least $2,000.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Monroe is holding a coat drive for Trenton Rescue Mission and NJ Rise.

Gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves are requested.

Drop off containers are located at the Encore Clubhouse vestibule or on the side porch of 39 Westminster Dr. in Greenbriar Whittingham.

For more information, call Lin at 609-655-0023.

 

The EB Grow Seed Library at East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Dr., has fingerling seed potatoes.

Each bag weighs roughly eight ounces.

The potato bag does not count to library user’s garden seed pack limit; however, users are limited to one bag per household.

To place a request, fill out the online form at www.ebpl.org/ebgrow.

The EB Grow seed library is an initiative of the East Brunswick Public Library and the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission.

 

 

Right at Home of Central New Jersey can organize a Senior Citizen Prom for local facilities.

They will provide music and entertainment.

A prom king and queen will be crowned.
For more information on how to schedule a prom, call 732-967-0900.

Serving northern Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth counties.

 

 

The North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival will be held from July 1-11 by DeVry/Chamberlain University, 630 Route 1 north, North Brunswick.

Hours are: 6-11 p.m. weeknights, 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 3 p.m. to midnight Saturdays, 3-11 p.m. Sundays.

Special hours for July 4 are 3 p.m. to midnight, July 5 from 3-11 p.m. and July 6 6 p.m. to midnight.

There will be free entertainment, rides, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, High Flying Pages thrill show, motorcycle stunt show, a Gossamer Magic Show and a new Kiddie Land.

Fireworks will be presented at 10 p.m. July 4 and at 10 p.m. July 10. Rain date is 10 p.m. July 11.

For discounts and a mega pass, visit www.nbysf.com

 

North Brunswick PBA Local 160 announced the return of its annual Cops & Rodders Car Show for Sept. 19. Rain date will be Sept. 26.

More details will be announced.

For more information, email carshow@nbtpba160.com

 

 

The 24th annual Taste of Middlesex is planned for 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison.

Each year, the Edison Chamber of Commerce invites restaurants from around Middlesex County to showcase their cuisines.

Attendees sample dishes from around the area, then choose the winner by voting for their favorite.

The Groove will perform during the evening.

Must be 21 or over to attend.

Tickets are $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door; seniors get a $5 discount. Or, purchase a 10-pack for $450.

The event serves as a fundraising opportunity for non-profits; for every $50 ticket an organization sells, $25 gets donated back to the organization. Unsold tickets must be returned to the chamber by Sept. 1.

For more information, email admin@edisonchamber.com or call 732-738-9482.

 

 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its 2021 walk, NAMIWalks NJ Your Way: A United Day of Hope, virtually on Oct. 9

For more information, visit namiwalks.org/newjersey

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

 

South River municipal offices have reopened to the public during normal business hours.

Staff can also be reached by telephone and email.

Visit www.southrivernj.org for a directory.

The South River Police Department lobby has reopened to the public.

Copies of police reports can be obtained in person during normal business hours or can be requested via email. Visit www.southriverpd.org/records-%26-reports for more information regarding police reports.

Applications for firearms ID cards and firearms purchase permits are now processed online only. Visit www.southriverpd.org/firearms for more information regarding firearms.

The South River Municipal Court violations window has been reopened to the public for payments and court related business.

Certain summonses and fines are payable online. Visit www.southrivernj.org/municipal_court_main.html for more information.

All municipal court sessions remain virtual. Staff can be reached by telephone at 732-257-1233 for any assistance needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey State Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) COVID Crisis Fund is supporting the rising demand for medical oxygen for hospitals in India.

Make a check payable to AAPI and mail to Dr. Binod Sinha, 4 Progress St., Suite A9, Edison 08820.

Or, visit https://njstateaapi.org/donation-for-medical-oxygen-to-india/ to donate online.

 

 

 

The Monroe Township Public Library will now be open on Sundays.

The library is open to the public Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Monroe Township Public Library building is open for Grab & Go Service. Library patrons may enter the building, look for an item and check it out, make a photocopy, reserve an item, etc.

All patrons and staff are required to wear masks and observe social distancing of at least six feet at all times while in the library building. Temperature checks take place at the entrance before entry into the Library. Capacity is monitored by library staff. Patrons are encouraged to use hand sanitizer prior to entering the building and after touching library materials and surfaces.

Seating remains unavailable at this time.

Self-checkout is encouraged.

Curbside pickup service is available by appointment at the drive-thru window. Place items on hold with a library card and pick them up when they’re ready. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Schedule an appointment at www.monroetwplibrary.org/curbside or by calling 732-521-5000.

The Monroe Township Library is not yet holding programs indoors, but will begin to offer some in-person programs outside on the library grounds. All CDC recommendations will be observed, including masks and social distancing. Registration is required for in-person programs. In the event of inclement weather, some programs will be held virtually only and others will be rescheduled.

Read the descriptions for each event at www.monroetwplibrary.org/calendar

 

 

 

 

Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick has launched the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group for families who are coping with loss due to addiction.

The free and confidential support group meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m.

Inspired by Saint Peter’s Opioid Task Force, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group is for families and close loved ones of people who have passed away from addiction.

The support group is open to everyone in New Jersey and serves as a safe space for families to discuss their grief.

To join the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group, call Jeanne Delacruz, a social worker at Saint Peter’s who facilitates the support group, at 732-745-8522 or email jdanyus@saintpetersuh.com

 

 

The Lost Souls Memorial Project (LSP) is releasing the official Request for Design Proposals (RFP), seeking design teams to submit their ideas about what the future Lost Souls memorial will be in East Brunswick.

The LSP seeks to create a permanent memorial to 137 African Americans who, in 1818, were stolen from New Jersey and transported to the Deep South to be sold into permanent slavery. Jacob Van Wickle, a corrupt Middlesex County judge, organized an extensive ring that included members of his family as well as highly placed members of the New Jersey elite. The state was phasing out slavery at the time, and under the state’s gradual emancipation laws no slave could be sent out of state without having given formal legal consent. The judge and his ring used deception, fakery and outright kidnapping of both free and enslaved people, who were held under guard in his home in what is now East Brunswick, New Jersey. They were sent on ships from Perth Amboy to Louisiana and Mississippi, many ending on the plantation owned by Van Wickle’s brother-in-law. Had they remained in New Jersey, they would in time have become free according to the state’s laws.

Outrage when the ring was discovered led to a few indictments, but Van Wickle was never brought to account, and the affair was forgotten.

The purpose of the Lost Souls Public Memorial is to ensure that these children, women and men are never again forgotten, and this horrific event be brought to light.

The New Brunswick NAACP, the New Jersey Chapter ​of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, and The Unitarian Society, as well as other community groups and individuals, are working to bring this project to life.

For more information about the project, and to access the RFP, visit lostsoulsmemorialnj.org.

 

 

The South River Police Department responds to emergency and non-emergency calls at businesses 24 hours a day. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to contact someone from the business outside of business hours. To assist police with having this information available when needed, the department maintains a database containing after hours contact phone numbers for business owners and representatives.

Anytime a new business is opened, business ownership is transferred, there are changes in employment status of listed contacts, or there are changes in positions or job titles of listed contacts, a business should be registered – but registration is 100% voluntary.

Information will be stored in a secure database. In the event it is deemed necessary by first responders on scene, the Communications Center can access the information and quickly reach a business owner or representative.

To register a business, visit southriverpd.org/business-registration and download the business registration form. The completed form can be submitted by emailing it to adehanes@southriverpd.org, faxing it to 732-613-6103, or dropping it off at headquarters, 61 Main St., South River.

For more information on registering an alarm, call 732-257-1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is looking for volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business.

The organization is recruiting business owners and executives, both current and retired, who want to share their experience and knowledge with today’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

The Central Jersey Chapter of SCORE serves Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Central Jersey SCORE provides in-person mentoring and webinars, both offered virtually in line with current pandemic restrictions. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development and management. Services are offered free of charge.

Anyone interested in volunteering with SCORE or seeking additional information should email marcia.glatman@scorevolunteer.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jewish Family Services Food Pantry needs volunteers to organize its food pantry and supply closet, located at 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe.

 

 

Monroe Township residents can apply for current and future openings on township boards, commissions and advisory councils.

Monroe is accepting volunteer applications for appointments to the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee, Affordable Housing Board, Commission on Aging, Cultural Arts Commission, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Human Relations Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Open Space & Farmland Preservation Commission, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Board, Shade Tree Commission, Sustainable Jersey – Green Team Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Residents should visit https://monroetwp.com/index.php/boards-commissions and select from a list of boards and commissions to review full descriptions of each group.

They then can send the downloadable form located at the bottom of the boards and commissions page of the website for their area of interest.

Submissions may be sent to the Municipal Clerk by mail at the Administrative Offices, by email at preid@monroetwp.com, or by fax to 732-521-3190.

All submissions will be retained for a maximum period of one year from the date of filing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain stability from an in-demand occupation; apply for a Women’s Center career training grant from Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County.

Qualified persons who are active members of the JFS Women’s Center must submit an application and attend an interview. Grants are available for short-term training programs for in-demand jobs.

Eligible candidates must qualify as a “displaced homemaker,” a woman who is a single mother, divorced, separated, widowed, or living with a disabled spouse/partner.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, email womenscenter@jfsmiddlesex.org

 

 

 

 

French American School Princeton (FASP) is accepting enrollment.

At FASP, students in preschool (3 years old) through grade 8 benefit from a rigorous bilingual curriculum accredited by the Middle State Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and the French Ministry of Education; personalized attention thanks to small class sizes; and a multicultural community with more than 30 nationalities represented.

FAPS is located at 75 Mapleton Road, Princeton.

Visit ecoleprinceton.org, call 609-430-3001 or email admissions@ecoleprinceton.org.

 

 

NAMI In Our Own Voice (NAMI En Nuestra Propia Voz) is a program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Jersey chapter geared toward community education and reducing the stigma of mental health, as trained volunteers share their lived experience of mental health recovery.

To schedule a presentation at a school, PTA meeting, congregation, town hall, support group or professional training, email ioov@naminj.org

Presentations are available in English and Spanish.

 

 

 

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 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 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.