Community Bulletin Board

Young actors sought for 'High School Musical'

Auditions for Triple H Productions' upcoming performances of "Disney's High School Musical" will be held beginning at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23 for students in kindergarten-fifth grades, Jan. 26 for those in sixth-12th grades, in the basement at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 221 MacArthur Ave., Sayreville. Participants should use the church's back entrance. Sign-ins will take place at 6:15 p.m.

High-school students are especially encouraged to audition. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian because paperwork must be signed and submitted at the time of the audition. Students are asked to prepare 16 bars of a song in the style of the show or from the show. For more information, call Wilfredo Hernandez Jr. at (732) 254-1535 or log on to www.triplehproductions.com.

Fundraiser to feature casino games, baskets

St. Ambrose HSA will sponsor a Casino Knight of 100 Baskets beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the auditorium at St. Ambrose School, Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

The event will feature music by DJ Sal Corto, a buffet dinner, coffee, soda and dessert, raffles, roulette, craps, blackjack and 100 gift baskets. Prizes will be awarded. No cash will be distributed. Individuals must be age 21 or older to attend.

Cost is $45 per adult, $40 per senior. Tables of 10 will be put together. Ticket purchasers may list the names of those with whom they would like to sit.

For more information and tickets, call Lorraine at (732) 679-7286 or Andrew at (732) 679-0828.

Piano duo to perform at St. Mary's Church

Duet pianists Edwin Lopez and Ronald Thayer will perform together in a concert planned for 4 p.m. on Jan. 21 at St. Mary's Church, Augusta Street, South Amboy. The event is part of the Music at St. Mary's concert series.

The concert is free of charge; however, free-will donations will be gratefully accepted. The public is invited.

For more information, call (732) 721-0179.

The program has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, through a grant provided by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission/Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Tickets available for pro-wrestling event

National Wrestling Superstars (NWS) will return on Feb. 9 to Sayreville Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 Hall, 775 Washington Road. Bell time is set for 7:45 p.m.

Brutus the Barber Beefcake will wrestle in a loser-loses hair match.

The CJ 8 Tag team Battle Royal also will be on the card.

For tickets or to make reservation, call Jack at (848) 228-0126 and leave a message.

Tickets available for Sweetheart Car Raffle

Jamesburg Elks Lodge No. 2180, 74 W. Railroad Ave., will hold its first Sweetheart Car Raffle from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 10. Organizers hope to make the raffle an annual event.

Tickets cost $100 each. Grand prize is a 2007 Hyundai Accent (4-door, automatic transmission, air conditioning, CD player). Three additional prizes (a camcorder, a digital camera and an iPod) will be raffled off. Ticket purchase includes food and beverages.

Raffle tickets may be purchased from Bill Orpin at Cornithian Capital, 30 W. Railroad Ave., or from Frank Olexson at (732) 521-8395 or Tom Sparacio at (732) 521-4671.

Proceeds from the raffle will be used for Elks' building improvements and repairs.

OLV Columbiettes to honor past presidents

Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 Columbiettes will pay tribute to all its recent past presidents at a dinner-dance beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Knights of Columbus Victorian Hall, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

The event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, open bar and dancing to music by DJ Gary "Motown" Morton. Tickets cost $20 per person. The public is invited.

For more information and to reserve, call Maryann at (732) 721-4563.

Reservation deadline is Jan. 31.

St. Bart's open houses scheduled for Jan. 23, 30

St. Bartholomew School, 470 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, will hold open houses from 9:15-10:15 a.m. and 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 30.

Parents and students are invited to tour the facilities, meet the faculty and administration, and review the academic curriculum.

The school has half-day and full-day preschool, full-day kindergarten and classes for grades 1-8. Busing is available.

For more information, call the school office at (732) 254-7105 or attend a parent information meeting set for 8:30-10 a.m. on Jan. 27 at the school.

Ladies auxiliary to meet on Jan. 23

The Ladies Auxiliary of Sayreville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4699 will hold its next meeting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the post home, Jernee Mill Road. Prospective members are welcome.

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

Chamber of Commerce sets A.M. Networking

The Raritan Valley YMCA, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick, will host the next East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce A.M. Networking Meeting, planned for 7:30-8:45 a.m. on Jan. 18.

Guest speaker will be Ken Deitz of Simon and Deitz, certified public accountants. All businesses are invited to attend.

Cost is $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 257-3009.

Investing to be topic at temple program

The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Ohr, Route 516, Old Bridge, will sponsor the 27th annual Ed Mendlowitz Financial Program at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the temple.

Guest speaker Ed Mendlowitz, certified public accountant, will offer a presentation titled "Six Timeless Investing Tips for Every Person in Every Situation."

A complimentary breakfast is set for 10 a.m. A free financial booklet will be distributed. For more information, call the synagogue office at (732) 257-1523.

O.B. Library offers passport services

Passport applications and photos are available at the Old Bridge Public Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

Hours of operation at the library's Passport Services Office are: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays; 1-4 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays; 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; closed on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (September to June) on Sundays.

It is always advisable to call ahead in the event that hours have been changed for a particular day. The passport staff may be reached at (732) 721-5600, ext. 5031. Information also may be found on the library's Web site at www.lmxac.org/obpl/passport. For official State Department information on travel, passports and downloadable forms, log on to www.travel.state.gov.

Story times, crafts, music on tap at library

The Sayreville Public Library, 1050 Washington Road, will host the following upcoming story time, craft and music activities for children:

+ "Sing Along With Pat McKinley," open to children of all ages accompanied by a parent, 12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays;

+ "Creative Kids," age-appropriate crafts for ages 3-12, 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 30;

+ "Toddler Time," open to children ages 12-24 months accompanied by a parent, 11 a.m. on Fridays, in-person registration required at children's desk;

+ "Terrific Twos and Threes," open to 2- and 3-year-olds accompanied by a parent, 1 p.m. on Jan. 25 and 11 a.m. on Jan. 29, in-person registration required at children's desk;

+ "Fun for Fours and Fives," open to youngsters ages 4 and 5, 11 a.m. on Jan. 24 and 31, 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 25, in-person registration required at children's desk.

A Sayreville Public Library card must be presented at all events. For more information, call (732) 727-0212, ext. 5.

Pampered Chef event to aid marching unit

The Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS) Band Parents Association will sponsor a Pampered Chef fundraiser, featuring David J.V. Meenan ("The Broadway Chef"), at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the cafeteria at the high school, Washington Road.

The event will feature song, dance and comic antics. All proceeds will benefit the SWMHS Marching Unit.

Valentine craft fair, exhibit on tap at museum

The East Brunswick Museum will offer a Be My Valentine Craft Fair and Exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the museum, 16 Maple St., in the historic village of Old Bridge, at the intersection of Old Bridge Turnpike and Main St., East Brunswick.

The event will offer Valentine's Day gifts and a look back at the history of the Valentine's Day tradition.

For more information, call (732) 257-1508. Children's survival program coming to Cheesequake

"Lost in the Woods: A Children's Survival Program" is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Cheesequake Park Interpretive Center, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge.

Information will be offered on a nine-point plan to assist children if they become separated from their group while hiking. The program is open to ages 6-11. For more information, call (732) 566-3208.

Tricky tray planned for Jan. 21 in South River

South River Loyal Order of the Moose and Women No. 165 and No. 884 will hold a joint tricky tray beginning at 2 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Moose Lodge, 49 Reid St. Doors will open at noon.

Admission is $5 and will include one sheet of tickets. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Joan at (732) 251-2044 or the lodge at (732) 254-5522.

Rotary bingo event to benefit firehouses

The Rotary Club of New Brunswick will hold its annual Bingo Game at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 at St. Peter's High School, 175 Somerset St., New Brunswick.

Approximately $1,000 in prizes will be given out. Proceeds will be used to refurbish the living quarters of the three firehouses in New Brunswick.

For more information, call (732) 309-3699 or (732) 732 322-1252.

Rec offering trip to 'Sesame Street Live'

The Sayreville Recreation Department will sponsor a trip to the State Theatre, New Brunswick, to see the 10:30 a.m. performance of "Sesame Street Live" on April 5.

Cost is $20 person and includes show ticket and transportation.

Interested individuals may register from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, at the recreation office, Dolan Street. Registration deadline is Feb. 9.

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

Care Night to feature tricky tray, bingo

The Sayreville Middle School PTO will hold a Care Night Tricky Tray and Bingo on Jan. 19 at the school, Washington Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the tricky tray. Bingo will begin at 7 p.m.

Admission to the event is a canned food item to be donated to the local food bank.

Prizes at the sports raffle table will include: a New York Jets football autographed by the team; a New York Giants poster signed by Tiki Barber; two tickets to a New Jersey Nets basketball game; a New Jersey Devils puck autographed by No. 9, Zach Parise; a New York Rangers photocard signed by Jed Ortmeyer; a Philadelphia Eagles autographed picture, No. 88, Mike Bartrum; a Rutgers Basketball "Sixth Man" T-shirt; tickets to Newark Bears, Somerset Patriots, Lakewood Blue Claws and Trenton Thunder baseball games; and a Buffalo Bills team picture.

Tickets available for Accordion Pops concert

The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission will present the Accordion Pops Orchestra in concert at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts, Monroe Township High School, 1629 Perrineville Road.

The orchestra, which is made up of accordions and percussion instruments, will perform with a guest tenor singing Italian standards. Using scores from a full symphonic orchestra, the players are divided into four sections that provide melody and harmony. In addition, the orchestra uses a single bass accordion with special reeds tuned to reach a low octave.

Tickets cost $10 for the general public, $8 for patrons; Monroe students will be admitted free of charge. Advance tickets are available at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 1 Municipal Plaza; at the Monroe Township Community Center, 120 Monmouth Road; and at the door two hours before the performance. For more information, log on to www.monroetownshipculturalarts.com or call (732) 521-4400, ext. 134.

Comedy show to aid Main Street Players

The Comedy Shoppe will present a Comedy Café to benefit the Sayreville Main Street Players at 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Sayreville Main Street Theatre, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin section of Sayreville. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

Host will be comedian Kenny Michaels. Performers will include Jim Cousins and Andy Hayward. Tickets cost $10 each. Light fare, coffee, baked goods and soft drinks will be offered for sale. Call (732) 553-1153 or log on to smstc.org. Performing arts school to stage 'Senior Showcase'

The School of Performing Arts at Middlesex Vocational and Technical High School will present its second annual "Theatre Department Senior Showcase" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 20 at the school's East Brunswick campus, Rues Lane.

"Warcraft," an original script written by senior David Wegescheide of Highland Park, will be directed by professional director Louis Wells. Two local professional actors will perform the play.

Lauren Clark of Metuchen will present a slide-show of her makeup design and will perform an original dance piece. The makeup presentation will include a live demonstration of "bruise" application.

Patricia Snair of Old Bridge will offer an original one-woman multimedia show. Snair, who plans to pursue a career in photography and in performance, will use the photo show as a counterpoint to her standup act.

"The Story of a Man Who Turned Into a Dog," a socially relevant one-act play by Argentinean playwright Osvaldo Dragun, will be directed by senior Steve Webb of South River. The presentation will introduce three members of the school's new freshman class.

The School of Performing Arts gives students the opportunity to take half-day classes in theatre during their high-school years. The students are trained for entrance into a conservatory-style college or an independent training program or for entry-level positions in arts organizations. The seniors produce a final showcase as the culmination of their theatrical training.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students in kindergarten-12th grade, free of charge for kindergarten to 12th-grade teachers.

For more information, call (732) 254-8700.

Villagers will present 'Bat Boy: The Musical'

Villagers Theatre, a nonprofit center for the performing and cultural arts, will stage "Bat Boy: The Musical" at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 26-Feb. 18, at Villagers Theatre, 415 Demott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

The musical, which offers a twist on the modern-day musical comedy, premiered at Tim Robbins' Actors Gang Theatre in Los Angeles on Halloween 1997. With book by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, "Bat Boy" tells the story of a strange boy with pointy ears, his struggle to find a place in a world that shuns him, and a love that can create both miracles and madness. The show contains adult language and themes.

Tickets cost $18, $16 seniors and students. To reserve, call the box office at (732) 873-2710. For directions and 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.

Bereavement group forming in Monroe

Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Southern Middlesex County, Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe, is forming a new bereavement group.

Individuals who have experienced the loss of a spouse or significant other are invited to join. A licensed clinical social worker will lead the group.

For information or to register, call JoAnn Cohen at (609) 395-7979.

Knights to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Our Lady of Victory Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 will hold a St. Patrick's Day Dinner-Dance on March 10 at the Knights Victorian Hall, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

The event will feature traditional food, beer and Irish songs and dance.

Call (732) 257-2061 for exact time and to reserve tickets.

Simon's 'Rumours' coming to SRHS

The Montgomery Street Players, South River, will present Neil Simon's "Rumours" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 20 in the auditorium at South River High School, Montgomery Street.

Tickets cost $5 for students, $7 for adults. Refreshments will be sold during intermission.

For more information, call (732) 613-4014.