Community Bulletin Board

Villagers will stage children's holiday show

The Villagers Theatre, a nonprofit center for the performing and cultural arts, will present its KidsVill production of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at noon and 3 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10 and 17 at the theater, 415 DeMott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

The show, written by Michelle L. Vacca and based on the Clement Moore poem, is produced and directed by Tina Lee of Somerset. Paul Carver of Somerset is the stage manager and technical director. The KidsVill Series is a program of plays presented for young audiences and their families.

General-admission tickets cost $10 each.

For reservations and directions to the theater, call the box office at (732) 873-2710. For more information, log on to www.villagerstheatre.com.

The program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.

Theater group to host Breakfast With Santa

Sayreville Main Street Theatre will sponsor a Breakfast With Santa from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 9 at the group's theater, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin section of Sayreville.

Guests are invited to meet Santa and his helpers, have breakfast and take photos. Cost is $6.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 553-1153.

'Guys and Dolls' to be staged in E.B.

The East Brunswick Jewish Center Adult Theatre Group, under the direction of Bobbi Blumenthal, will present "Guys and Dolls" at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane.

Advance tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for individuals up to age 19; add $2 for tickets purchased at the door.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 257-7070.

Interfaith marriage to be topic at meeting

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitsky, executive director of the Jewish Outreach Center, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of East Brunswick Hadassah, set for 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane.

Topic will be "Optimism for the Jewish Future: The Myths and Facts of Interfaith Marriage."

The public is invited. Admission is free of charge.

For more information, call (732) 390-1937.

Mayaguez to be topic at

history club discussion

The Spotswood High School History Club will host veterans of the Mayaguez battle, the last official conflict of the Vietnam War, at 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the high school, Summerhill Road.

As the embassy fell in Saigon, the Cambodian communists captured the Mayaguez, a U.S. ship that had strayed too close to their waters. President Gerald Ford ordered a rescue mission, which resulted in a pitched battle on the coast and in the death of several American military personnel.

The father of one of the history club's members was the Mayaguez ship's photographer. He will share a number of never-before-seen photos of the incident.

The public is invited.

Chinese acrobat to soar at Hanukkah festival

Torah Links will present a Hanukkah Celebration, featuring well-known Chinese acrobat and juggler Yang Xiao Di, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at Churchill Junior High School, 18 Norton Road, East Brunswick.

The festival will include a hot dairy buffet, a jumbo menorah lighting, live music and raffles.

Cost is $8 per person $30 per family. Reservations are required by Dec. 15.

For more information and to reserve, reservations, call (732) 613 1613 or e-mail mdlsx@torahlinks.org.

Retired employees plan

Dec. 12 holiday party

The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1533, Middletown, will hold its annual Christmas party beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 12 at Branches Restaurant, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch.

For more information and to reserve, call Susan at (732) 615-0514.

Holiday Gift Market

coming Dec. 9 to OBHS

The Old Bridge High School girls lacrosse team will sponsor a Holiday Gift Market from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the cafeteria at Old Bridge High School, Route 516.

The event will feature approximately 200 tables of crafts and gifts.

For more information, call Stephen Gajewski at (732) 500-2609.

Public invited to

JFVS Hanukkah Party

Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Southern Middlesex County will host its annual Hanukkah Party from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe.

Cost is $5, in advance. The public is invited. Transportation is available.

For more information and to reserve, call Jennifer at (609) 395-7979.

Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, will hold its annual Holiday Craft Shop and Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 9.

Homemade cookies will be offered at $6 per pound. Handcrafted holiday gifts and decorations will be available. A breakfast bar will open at 8:30 a.m.

For directions, call (732) 254-7361. For more information, call (732) 462-4111.

'Guys and Dolls'

to be staged in E.B.

The East Brunswick Jewish Center Adult Theatre Group, under the direction of Bobbi Blumenthal, will present "Guys and Dolls" at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane.

Advance tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for individuals up to age 19; add $2 for tickets purchased at the door.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 257-7070.

Homemade dinner

on tap at Sons of Italy

The Order of the Sons of Italy, Sgt. John Basilone Lodge, will serve a homemade dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Imperial Music Center, 48 Appleby Ave., South River.

The meal will include lentil soup, salad, chicken in garlic sauce over penne pasta, cake and coffee/tea.

Cost is $9 per person.

For more information, call (732) 238-0310 on the day of the event.

Tradition continues

with 'Christmas Carol'

While waiting for its new theater to be completed, the East Brunswick Community Players (formerly Playhouse 22), will present its 12th annual production of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 8-17, Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m., in temporary quarters at Circle Playhouse, 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway.

The production is adapted and directed by Tony Adase.

Tickets cost $10 each.

For more information and to reserve, log on to www.circleplayers.com or call (732) 968-7555. O.B. Elks to celebrate at New Year's Eve gala

Old Bridge Elks Lodge No. 2229 will host a New Year's Eve Party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31 at the lodge, 67 Old Amboy Road.

The event will feature an open bar, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, dinner, entertainment by a DJ, party favors, a champagne toast and a continental breakfast.

Cost is $55 per person. The lodge will be closed to individuals without tickets.

For more information and to reserve, call Tom Henely at (732) 970-0307 or Dick Raymond at (732) 679-4155.

'Sounds of Christmas' to be heard at library

The four-part harmonies of Epiphany will fill the air in a concert titled "The Sweet Sounds of Christmas" set for 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Sayreville Public Library, 1050 Washington Road.

The hour-long show will feature both accompanied and a-cappella music with traditional singalongs and arrangements of old favorites.

The public is invited. Admission is free of charge.

For more information, call (732) 727-0212, ext. 21 or log on to www.lmxac.org/sayreville.

Magic show to mark nonprofit's jubilee

Art of Living, a nonprofit organization offering programs around the world to strengthen the individual, will celebrate its silver-jubilee year with "Cirque de Magic" featuring Las Vegas magician Simon Winthrop at 4 p.m. on Dec 10 at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick.

Proceeds will be used for several worldwide service projects for post-traumatic stress relief and rehabilitation.

Tickets cost $20, $35 and $50. To reserve, call (732) 246-7469.

For more information on Art of Living, call (732) 738-4457 or log on to www.artoflivingnj.org.

Partnership selling green gift baskets for holidays

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership, Milltown, is offering "green" gift baskets during the holiday season ranging in price from $25-$42 depending on basket size.

The baskets contain four or more nontoxic, child and pet safe items such as all-purpose cleaner, stain remover, glass cleaner, K-Neem insecticide/fungicide, plant nutrition tabs, and other items. Baskets are wrapped in clear plastic with a holiday bow.

Orders are available each Saturday morning from 9 a.m.-noon at the Partnership Headquarters, 85 Washington Ave., Milltown.

For more information, call (732) 249-5297.

Chinese acrobat to soar at Hanukkah festival

Torah Links will present a Hanukkah Celebration, featuring well-known Chinese acrobat and juggler Yang Xiao Di, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at Churchill Junior High School, 18 Norton Road, East Brunswick.

The festival will include a hot dairy buffet, a jumbo menorah lighting, live music and raffles.

Cost is $8 per person $30 per family. Reservations are required by Dec. 15.

For more information and to reserve, reservations, call (732) 613 1613 or e-mail mdlsx@torahlinks.org.

Student, faculty art on display at library

The Old Bridge Public Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road, will host an art exhibit featuring works by Old Bridge High School National Art Honor Society students and faculty.

The exhibit, which will include paintings, drawings and sculpture, will be available for viewing during the library's regular hours - 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, 12:30-5 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call (732) 721-5600, ext. 5033.

Cans can be dropped off

to help burned children

Residents who wish to support the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) program may drop off aluminum cans at any of three Old Bridge firehouses. The ACBC recycling program is used to purchase items and services that are essential to the recovery of pediatric burn patients at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

The South Old Bridge Fire Department buildings are located at 1599 Englishtown Road (near Van Tines Lane), 958 Englishtown Road and 14 Throckmorton Lane. For directions, contact the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company Office at (732) 251-8596.

OLV schedules Dec. 9

Children's Tricky Tray

Our Lady of Victories (OLV) Church will host a Children's Tricky Tray on Dec. 9 in the church's Monsignor Dalton Hall, Main Street, Sayreville. Doors will open at 11 a.m. First drawing is set for 12:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $6 each; children age 2 and under will be admitted free of charge. Umbrella strollers only will be permitted. Lunch will be available.

For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, call the parish office at (732) 257-0077.

Holiday Oldies Dance

on agenda at Knights

A Holiday Rock 'N' Roll Oldies Dance will be held from 8-11 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Knights of Columbus No. 4815 Hall, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge.

The event will feature music by a DJ and dancing to the sounds of the '50s and '60s.

Admission is $8 per person and includes soda, tea, coffee and dessert.

For more information, call (732) 251-0960. Vets groups to sponsor Pearl Harbor services

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4699 and its Ladies Auxiliary, Sayreville, and American Legion Post No. 211, also Sayreville, will sponsor Pearl Harbor remembrance services at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 at the American Legion post MacArthur Avenue.

Participants will walk to Sayreville Borough Hall, Main Street.

A service and wreath-laying ceremony to honor Pearl Harbor veterans will follow at River Road Waterworks, Sayreville.

The public is invited.

For more information, call Lucy Rossi at (732) 264-3041.

Dance center conducts Toys for Tots drive

The New Jersey Center of Dance, 475 Marlboro Road, Old Bridge, is holding a Toys for Tots drive through Dec. 8.

New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the dance studio from 4:30-9 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The studio will sponsor a Dec. 9 fundraiser for its competition dance team. Interested individuals should call (732) 360-4624 for information.

Columbiettes to host Dec. 10 Christmas Tea

St. Bartholomew Columbiettes will host its annual Christmas Tea fundraiser at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at St. Bartholomew Knights of Columbus Council Home, 460 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

The event will feature harp music, holiday stories, tea, soft drinks and cookies. Admission is $10 plus a dish of cookies to share. Proceeds will be used to bring Christmas dinner baskets to an abused women's shelter. Participants also may bring nonperishable food contributions for the baskets.

Reservations are required. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve, call (732) 583-3595.