Community Bulletin Board

OBEF will sponsor Jan. 26 Casino Night

The Old Bridge Education Foundation (OBEF) will hold its annual Casino Night from 7:30-11:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Sunny Palace, Route 18, East Brunswick.

The OBEF is an independent, nonprofit organization that awards grants for original and creative ideas submitted by students and teachers for projects to enhance education in Old Bridge.

A volunteer board of trustees administers the foundation. The goal of the panel is not only to raise money, but to boost community involvement in the schools.

Tickets cost $30 each, $50 a pair.

For more information, call Art Freihon at (732) 360-4556.

Tricky Tray proceeds to aid SWMHS Choir

The Sayreville War Memorial High School Choir will hold its ninth annual Tricky Tray beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at Sayreville Middle School, Washington Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Snow date is Feb. 23.

Items include Park Hopper Tickets for Walt Disney World, and gift certificates for restaurants, golf, jewelry and more.

Admission is $5 and includes a sheet of tickets, free coffee and dessert. Food will be available for purchase; outside food is not permitted. Children under 14 will not be admitted. Proceeds will go toward performance apparel, special activities, scholarships and choir trips.

For details, call Claire at (732) 238-5580 or e-mail ccraft@sayrevillek12.net.

Pet-adoption event planned for Feb. 3 The Friends of the Old Bridge Animal Shelter will sponsor an Adoption Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 3 at the Old Bridge Animal Shelter in the municipal complex, next to the recycling center, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

The event will feature animals for adoption. Interested individuals should bring a cat carrier if they want to adopt a cat, a collar and leash if they are seeking a dog. Adoption fees will apply. Pet-related items will be available for purchase. There will be refreshments and free samples of items for dogs and cats.

For more information, e-mail sofoldbridgeanimalshelter@yahoo.com.

High school to sponsor Afternoon at Casino

Cardinal McCarrick High School will host an Afternoon at the Casino from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 28 in the school cafeteria, Stevens Avenue, South Amboy. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

Cost is $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. Admission ticket includes hors d'oeuvres, coffee and dessert.

For more information and to reserve, call the school at (732) 721-0748, ext. 5.

Backpacking program coming to Cheesequake

A program titled "Basic Backpacking" is planned for 1 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Cheesequake State Park, Route 34, Old Bridge.

All ages are welcome. The program is free of charge.

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

Dance will benefit ovarian cancer fund

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows will sponsor an Oldies Dance from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 3 at East Brunswick Veterans of Foreign Wars, 485 Cranbury Road. Proceeds will benefit the Ovarian and Gynecological Cancer Coalition/Rhonda's Club.

The event will feature a cash bar, a hot buffet and a 50/50.

Donation is $20 per person.

For more information, call Dan at (732) 266-4831 or Mike at (732) 766-9192 or log on to www.ioofnj.org.

Passport Fair coming to post office

The Old Bridge Post Office, Route 516, will join with 29 other Central New Jersey post offices, to hold a Passport Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Interested individuals should fill out the passport application (DS11) before they come to the post office. The form may be downloaded from www.travel.state.gov/download.

Applicants must bring proof of U.S. citizenship, present proof of identity, provide two passport photos (photo service will be available free of charge on site) and have all documentation.

Information on passport applications, procedures and fees may be found by calling the Old Bridge Passport hotline at (732) 257-4192. Special appointment times may be set by calling the same number; a passport-application clerk will process the application at the scheduled time. For additional information, log on to www.usps.com, click on the Government Links page, then click on Get a Passport.

First-time applicants and renewals are welcome on the day of the fair. Walk-ins will be processed as time permits.

The Old Bridge post office also processes passports as part of its regular services to customers.

Alzheimer's panel sets caregiver support groups

The Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, will offer several upcoming caregiver support-group meetings in Middlesex County.

The schedule is as follows:

+ Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. - JFK Hartwyck Adult Medical Day Center, Lifestyle Building, 2050 Oak Tree Road, Edison;

+ Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. - Spouses Support Group at COPSA (Comprehensive Services on Aging) UBHC-UMDNJ (University Behavioral HealthCare-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey), 667 Hoes Lane, Piscataway;

+ Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. - Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division, between Routes 9 and 18, off Ferry Road;

+ Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. - The Cranbury Center; 292 Applegarth Road, Monroe;

+ Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. - Oak Woods Senior Housing, 700 Woods Lane, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick;

+ Feb. 20 at 4:30 p.m. - Young Wives Support Group, COPSA UBHC-UMDNJ, 667 Hoes Lane, Piscataway;

+ Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. - Woodbridge Public Library, Iselin Branch, 1081 Green St.;

+ Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. - Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County, 515 Plainfield Ave, Suite 201, Edison.

For more information, call (800) 883-1180 or log on to www.alznj.org.

Story Times on tap at St. Mary's School

St. Mary Elementary School, South Amboy, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week by offering Story Time sessions for preschoolers and their parents at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 31.

The sessions will feature tales from "Mother Goose" and other popular stories for 3- and 4-year olds. Karen Galetta, the kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's, will do both readings. Punch and cookies will be served.

Interested parents should register by calling the school office at (732) 721-1514.

Spanish classes to begin at senior center

The Old Bridge Office on Aging will offer a new Beginners Spanish course for Old Bridge seniors at noon on Feb. 2 at the George Bush Senior Center in the municipal complex, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

Instructor will be Maru Keely. The teaching method is designed for adults. Classes meet for 45 minutes, once a week.

For more information and to register, call Nancy at (732) 721-5600, ext. 6615.

Postcards will offer glimpse into past

The Jamesburg Historical Association will unveil its latest temporary exhibit, "Jamesburg of Yesteryear: Postcards of the Past" during an open house set for 2-4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Lakeview, the historic Buckelew Mansion, 203 Buckelew Ave. (Route 522), Jamesburg.

The exhibit, which will run through May 28, will feature postcards of Jamesburg dating from 1900-30. A brief history of postcards in the United States will be discussed, and examples of each postcard style will be on display.

Lakeview is open for tours from 2-4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of every month, January-November.

For more information about the Jamesburg Historical Association, log on to www.jamesburghistory.com or call (732) 521-2040 and leave a message.

Art gallery to join in Wounded Warrior effort

River Mill Art Gallery, 34 Main St., South River, in conjunction with the Spotswood High School History Club and club adviser Frank Yusko, will conduct a fund-raising sale beginning Jan. 26 at the gallery to support the Wounded Warrior Project.

The project provides returning amputee and wheelchair veterans with a backpack "recovery package" filled with personal and other needed items upon their arrival at a military hospital in the United States. The veterans have served in the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world.

Each recovery package, which includes toiletries, clothing, books and entertainment to help the soldiers make the transition to living at home, costs approximately $100. Sale organizers aim to raise enough funds to purchase several packages.

Gallery items such as jewelry, prints, posters (framed and unframed) will be reduced by 50-80 percent during the sale. All proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior effort.

In addition, New York City-based, award-winning photojournalist Nina Berman will donate six prints from her Purple Hearts Project, a photographic documentary on soldiers wounded in the Iraq War. The prints will be matted, framed and sold for $99 each. For more information, log on to www.purpleheartsbook.com. For gallery hours and more information on the sale, call (732) 432-7000 or log on to www.rivermillart.com.

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.

Antique Bottle Show coming to S.R.

The New Jersey Antique Bottle Club will hold an Antique Bottle Show and Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 88 Jackson St., South River.

The event will feature more than 70 vendors offering a variety of bottles and glassware dating from the 1700s to the 1900s.

Admission is $3. For more information, call Joe Butewicz at (732) 238-3238.

New members sought for OLV Knights

Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville, is seeking new members.

Call (732) 257-2061 for more information and membership requirements.

Nativity of Our Lord to host blood drive

New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 185 Applegarth Road, Monroe.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age (17-year-olds need a parent's permission letter), weigh at least 110 pounds and may not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Individuals above age 76 may donate if they meet the criteria and present a letter from their physician.

The procedure is done by a specially trained technician and takes approximately 10-12 minutes. Donors, who will have a brief medical exam prior to donating, will rest afterward and will be given refreshments. Participants should bring official identification. Platelets will also be collected at the drive.

For more information regarding the donation process, call N.J. Blood Services at (800) 933-2566. For directions to the church, call (609) 371-0499.

Curtain to rise on 'Once Upon a Wolf'

The Villagers Theatre, a nonprofit center for the performing and cultural arts, will present its Kidsvill production of "Once Upon a Wolf" by Steph DeFerie at noon and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and noon on Sundays, Feb. 3-11, in the Black Box at Villagers Theatre, 415 DeMott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

The play is a farcical comedy incorporating characters from several classic fairytales.

General-admission tickets cost $7 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 is administered by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.

Main Street Theatre will stage 'Plaza Suite'

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company will present its production of Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" at 8 p.m. on Feb. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Main Street Theatre, 3018 Bordentown Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students. Group rates are available. A dessert and beverage are included in the ticket price.

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

Arthritis of the knee to be topic of seminar

The Sayreville Office on Aging, in conjunction with The Senior Network, will present a program titled "Don't Let Osteoarthritis of the Knee Become a Pain" at 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 at the Office on Aging, 423 Main St.

Guest presenter Dr. Edward Allegra will offer a seminar designed to educate mature adults about osteoarthritis of the knee and the benefits of treatment. Participants will receive promotional materials and informational handouts. Coffee will be served. For more information and to register, call (732) 390-7058.

Bris Avrohom to hold Teen Club meeting

The Bris Avrohom of Old Bridge Teen Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 at 770 Madison Gardens, Old Bridge.

Participants, who will learn about the upcoming Tu B'Shvat holiday while they discuss their "roots," will make their own fruit shakes.

For more information, call (732) 316-7600 or log on to www.brisavrohom.org/teens.