Community Bulletin Board
Odessa Klezmer Band will perform at library

The Odessa Klezmer Band will present a one-hour concert starting at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza.

Free tickets for the event are available at the library circulation desk beginning.

The band features John Lesniak on clarinet and saxophone, Ed Goldberg on accordion, and Barbara Goldberg on percussion and “darbuqua,” a Middle-Eastern drum. The trio has toured Israel and played in New York City at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Carnegie Hall.

Klezmer is a combination of Polish, Russian and Near-Eastern music. It is the sound of the itinerant Yiddish troubadours who performed throughout Europe for 400 years. The wandering musicians traveled, often on foot, playing at weddings and concerts, bringing the latest news from surrounding towns.

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

Leni Lenape traditions next up at Cheesequake

A program featuring a look at Leni Lenape traditions will begin at 1 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the Cheesequake State Park Interpretive Center, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge.

Participants will learn about the Native-American heritage of Cheesequake and the surrounding area. Topics will include the culture, traditions, food and history of the Leni Lenape. The Order of the Arrow dance team will be on hand to entertain with Native-American dances.

The program is open to all ages. Admission is free of charge.

For more information, call (732) 566-3208.

Breakfast With Santa on tap at O.B firehouse

The Madison Park Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will offer a Breakfast With Santa from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 11 at the Madison Park Firehouse, 3011 Cheesequake Road, Parlin section of Old Bridge. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Call Janice at (732) 432-9173 or (732) 319-9077, or Nicole at (732) 857-5082.

Tickets on sale for Breakfast With Santa

The Fathers Club of Immaculate Conception Church will host its annual Breakfast With Santa from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 11 at Immaculate Conception School cafeteria, 23 Manalapan Road, Spotswood.

The event will feature a buffet breakfast, arts and crafts, a sing-along, prize drawings and photos with Santa.

Cost is $10 per adult, $6 per child ages 5-10, $2.50 per child age 2-4; youngsters under age 2 will be admitted free of charge.

Advance ticket purchase is required by Dec. 6. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

For more information and to reserve, call Steve Caputo at (732) 656-1895.

Tickets available for Breakfast With Santa

The Interfaith Network of Care (INC) will host a Breakfast With Santa from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 3 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Parish Hall, South Main Street, Milltown.

Tickets are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon through Nov. 18 (or until tickets are sold out) at the INC office, 62 S. Main St., next to St. Paul’s Parish office. Seating is limited.

Admission is $6 per person and includes a continental breakfast and a visit with Santa. The event also will feature crafts, door prizes and more. Photos with Santa will be available for $6 each.

Tickets will not be sold on the day of the event.

For more information, call (732) 247-1655.

Registration under way for recreation programs

Registration for the Sayreville Recreation Department’s “Mom and Me” and Kennedy Park preschool programs is going on from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, through Jan. 5 at the Mickey Sedlak Recreation Center, Dolan Street. Registration hours will be extended to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 and 5.

Program participants ages 3-5 must be fully toilet trained.

For more information, call (732) 390-7092.

Fundraiser at Friday’s to benefit O.B. school

Madison Park Elementary School, Old Bridge, will sponsor a fundraiser from 4:45-9 p.m. on Dec. 6 at TGI Friday’s, Route 9, Old Bridge.

During the event, 20 percent of every school supporter’s bill will be donated to the school. Participants should let their server know they are there to support Madison Park.

For more information, call Aida Duffet at (732) 553-1431.

Tricky tray planned at O.B. Senior Center

The Old Bridge Friends of Seniors will hold a tricky tray beginning at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the George Bush Senior Center in the township municipal complex, Route 516 and Cottrell Road. Doors will open at 1 p.m.

Admission is $5 per person. Children will not be permitted.

For more information, call Mary at (848) 218-0273 or Maria at (732) 566-3910.

Holiday Bake Auction to benefit theater group

The Sayreville Main Street Theater Company will hold its annual Holiday Bake Auction beginning at 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the company’s theater space at Garden Friends, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin section of Sayreville. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Paddles cost $3. The event will feature a variety of homemade desserts for the holidays.

For more information, call (732) 553-1153 or log on to www. smstc.org.

Catholic Daughters to sponsor tricky tray

The Catholic Daughters of America, Queenship of Mary Court No. 1743, will hold its annual tricky tray from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 20 at St. Bernadette’s Church, O’Dea Hall, Princeton and Villanova roads, Parlin section of Old Bridge. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

The event will feature theme baskets, door prizes and refreshments.

Tickets cost $5 per person and are available by calling Ann at (732) 721-7947.

Rosary society plans Christmas Craft Show

The Altar Rosary Society of St. Clement’s Church will hold its annual Christmas Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the parish gymnasium, Route 79, Matawan.

The event will feature handcrafted items, prize raffles, poinsettias, food, free face-painting, baked goods and a visit from Santa.

Crafter space is available.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 566-2477 or (732) 290-7628.

School seeks vendors for Dec. 1, 2 holiday bazaar

Madison Park School, Harvard Road, Parlin section of Old Bridge, is looking for vendors for its annual holiday bazaar set for 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the school.

The public is invited to the Dec. 1 bazaar. The Dec. 2 event is open to Madison Park schoolchildren only.

For more information and to reserve, call Wendy Schaefer at (732) 313-6384.

OLV Christmas bazaar scheduled for Nov. 19

Our Lady of Victories (OLV) HSA will sponsor it annual parish Christmas Bazaar/Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the church’s Monsignor Dalton Hall, 42 Main St., Sayreville.

The event will feature handmade craft items, holiday items, wheels, games for children, refreshments and photos with Santa.

For information on table pricing and availability, call Sharon at (732) 316-9073.

Christmas Bazaar set for Dec. 4 at St. Stan’s

St. Stanislaus Kostka HSA will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the school, 221 MacArthur Ave., Sayreville.

The event will feature a tricky tray, raffles, wheels of chance, children’s games, a 50/50 and photos with Santa.

Prizes for the bazaar will include televisions; a personal DVD player; an iPod nano; TiVo; tickets to Great Adventure, Jackson; and Elizabeth, the American Girl doll.

The kitchen will open at 10 a.m. for breakfast.

Luncheon menu will include pierogi, kielbasi and sauerkraut, noodles and cabbage, chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, hamburgers, hot dogs and more.

HSA will sponsor Photos With Santa

St. Thomas the Apostle HSA will sponsor a Photos With Santa event from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the school auditorium, Route 18 south, Old Bridge.

Photos will cost $4 each.

A toy raffle will be held. Food and beverages will be available. For more information, call (732) 251-4812.

Northfield launches holiday toy drive

Northfield Savings Bank, with branches throughout Middlesex County, is conducting its 10th annual Secret Santa Holiday Toy Drive through Dec. 15.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be brought to any Northfield Savings Bank branch in New Jersey or Staten Island, N.Y. All toys will be delivered to local charities and distributed to needy children.

Last year more than 750 toys were donated by Northfield customers and distributed to children through 10 area charitable organizations in Staten Island and New Jersey.

To find a local Northfield branch, log on to www.enorthfield.com or call (732) 499-7200.

Hospital auxiliary slates Holiday Bazaar

The Old Bridge Auxiliary of Raritan Bay Medical Center will sponsor its annual Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 in Auxiliary Hall B and C, lower level of the Old Bridge division’s Medical Arts Building, off Ferry Road, between routes 9 and 18.

Local crafters will sell wreaths, home decor, hand-painted holiday ornaments, makeup, holiday pillows, baked items and table decorations. For more information, call (732) 324-5006.

Rummage sale on tap for Dec. 4 at synagogue

Congregation Anshe Emeth of South River, 88 Main St., will hold a rummage sale from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the temple.

Offerings will include electronics; housewares; holiday items; baby items; men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; household items; and more.

For more information, call the synagogue office at (732) 257-4190.

Israeli art show, sale next up at synagogue

Temple B’nai Shalom, Fern and Old Stage roads, East Brunswick, will present an Israeli Art Show and Sale — A Festival of the Arts With Young and Old Masters from Nov. 17-20.

For more information, call the temple office at (732) 251-4300.

Brunch on tap for Raritan Hadassah

The Raritan Valley Chapter of Hadassah will hold its annual Chai Pushka Brunch at 11 a.m. on Nov. 20 at the home of Paula and Aaron Kondioti, 907 Hoover Drive, North Brunswick.

Guest speaker Barbara S. Reed, Ph.D., will offer a talk titled “The First Jewish Woman’s Magazine in the United States.”

Cost is $18.

For more information and to reserve, call Judy Rosen at (732) 549-2897 or Marcela Rubin at (732) 388-2579.

Community invited to Kristallnacht program

Congregation Anshe Emeth of South River, 88 Main St., will commemorate the 67th anniversary of Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass) at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 with a “Lunch and Learn” program featuring Rabbi Nathan W. Langer, the son of Holocaust survivors.

The event will include a discussion on the history of Kristallnacht, readings and songs. Peter Schild will introduce the program.

Kristallnacht, which took place Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, is considered by many historians to have been the beginning of what evolved into “the final solution,” the Holocaust. During the night and early morning hours, synagogues, homes and shops all over Germany were vandalized or destroyed. Thousands of Jews were assaulted, arrested and sent to “camps.” Kristallnacht was the first scripted mass violence against the Jews of Germany before the early labor camps became death camps.

The commemoration will begin after Shabbos services. Lunch will follow.

Admission is free of charge. The community is invited. For more information or to register, call Peter Schild at (732) 679-5767; Ruth Gottlieb or Gene Gottlieb at (732) 545-8991; or Lisa at the synagogue office, (732) 257-4190.

HSA offers tickets for private shopping event

St. Ambrose HSA, Old Bridge, will partner with the Menlo Park Mall, Edison, for a private shopping event planned for 6:30-10 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the mall.

Proceeds will benefit the Simon Youth Foundation and St. Ambrose HSA.

The mall will offer holiday entertainment for adults and children. Many stores will feature special sales and activities.

Ticket holders only will be admitted. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets are available through the school, at the church rectory and after Masses on Sundays. All patrons (including children and infants) must have a paid ticket to enter the mall for the event.

‘Yarnspinners’ programs coming to O.B. Library

Youngsters ages 3-5 are invited to “Yarnspinners,” two programs featuring music, songs and stories with Mary Ellen O’Brien, planned for 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the Old Bridge Public Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

For more information, and to register, call (732) 721-5600, ext. 5028. Library card number will be required at registration.

Youngsters may register for one show only.

Livingston Theatre will present ‘Working’

The Livingston Theatre Company of Rutgers University will stage its production of “Working” at 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 18, 2 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 19, and 4 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the Livingston Student Center, College Hall, 84 Joyce Kilmer Ave., Piscataway. Tickets cost $10 for the general public, $5 for students, senior citizens and Rutgers faculty and staff. To reserve tickets or for more information, call (732) 445-3561, ext. 25, or log on to www.rultc.org.

Rosary society sponsors fresh pierogi, blintz sale

St. Stanislaus Kostka Rosary Altar Society, Sayreville, is holding a fresh pierogi and blintz sale for the holidays.

Many different varieties of pierogi, including cheese, cheese and potato, sauerkraut, mushroom and more, are available. Strawberry/cheese blintzes and blueberry blinzes are offered.

Order deadline is Nov. 27.

For order forms and more information, call Joan at (732) 257-7516 or Yvonne at (732) 257-4634.

Forms may be put in the church collection basket, dropped off at the church office, or sent to Rosary Altar Society, St. Stan’s Church, 225 MacArthur Ave., Sayreville, NJ 08872, Attn.: Joan or Yvonne. Payment is due with order.

Pickup is set for 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 in the school cafeteria.

Interfaith Network to sponsor wine-tasting

The Interfaith Network of Care (INC) will host a wine-tasting fundraiser from 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 470 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

The event will feature six wines from around the world, hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. Debbie Miller Nelson will be the moderator.

Tickets cost $40. For more information and to reserve, call (732) 247-1655, or log on to www.interfaithnetworkofcare.org.

INC offers personal and social support to individuals coping with chronic conditions, disabilities, isolation and other age-related disabilities, and helps those responsible for the individuals’ day-to-day well-being.

Hazardous waste drop-off day scheduled

The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management will hold a household hazardous waste drop-off day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Middlesex County College, near the Mill Road entrance, Edison.

Household hazardous wastes which are improperly disposed of are identified as a danger to children and animals, a potential cause of groundwater pollution and a potential threat to garbage collection crews.

Acceptable materials that county residents may bring for disposal include, but are not limited to: pesticides/herbicides; flammable liquids; solvents; pool chemicals; used motor oil; oil filters; paints; car batteries; household batteries; antifreeze; propane tanks; fluorescent light bulbs (no broken bulbs); and asbestos. Residents who wish to bring asbestos (maximum 300 pounds) must register by calling (732) 745-4170.

Materials that will not be accepted are tires, explosives and munitions, infectious waste, unknown materials and empty containers.

The drop-off day is sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and is conducted in cooperation with Middlesex County College.

The free event is open to residents of Middlesex County. Items should be brought in clearly marked containers.

For more information on the hazardous waste drop-off day and on the county tire-recycling program, call (732) 745-4170 or e-mail solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us.

Blood drive coming to Saint Peter’s Hospital

The New Brunswick Affiliated Hospitals (NBAH) Blood Center will conduct a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center, rooms 1, 2 and 3, at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, 254 Easton Ave., New Brunswick. Call (732) 235-8100, ext. 224.

Cooper School to hold fundraiser at IHOP

Leroy Gordon Cooper School, Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge, will sponsor a fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 29 at IHOP, Route 36, Keyport.

The school will receive 10 percent of the receipts from the event. Participants should tell their server they are there to support Cooper School.

For more information, call Michelle at (732) 583-0998.

Community invited to interfaith service

The East Brunswick Clergy Council will hold its 30th annual interdenominational Thanksgiving service at 8 p.m. on Nov. 23 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 460 Ryders Lone, East Brunswick.

Clergy and choirs from the East Brunswick area will participate.

The community is invited. All are welcome.

Stem-cell research to be topic at meeting

Stem-cell research will be discussed at the next meeting of East Brunswick Hadassah set for 7:45 p.m. Nov. 21 at the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane.

Joseph Cohn, M.D., a family practice physician, will speak and take questions. Dr. Cohn has directed and led panel discussions on stem-cell research at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick.

Participants are asked to bring nonperishable kosher food items for a Thanksgiving basket for the needy. Donations for a coat drive also are sought.

Admission is free of charge. The public is invited.

Kids on Stage to present ‘Once on This Island’

Kids on Stage will offer “Once on This Island” at 8 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 25, 2 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 26, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 and 27, at the Villagers Theatre, 415 DeMott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

All tickets cost $10 each. Group rates are available. To reserve, call (732) 355-1147 or (732) 985-3084, or e-mail KOSROX@optonline.net.