Community Bulletin Board
Nominations now taken for recognition program

The South Brunswick School District has been invited to participate in the 2006 Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program/Educational Services Professional Program acknowledging teachers and educational services professionals that have inspired learning and touched the lives of students.

The nominee may be a classroom teacher or specialist or an educational services professional, which includes an associate school library media specialist, school athletic trainer, director of school counseling services, school counselor, school library media specialist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, reading specialist, school nurse (instructional and noninstructional), school occupational therapist, school physical therapist, school psychologist, school social worker, speech-language specialist, substance awareness coordinator, cooperative education coordinator/hazardous occupations, cooperative education coordinator, county apprenticeship coordinator and educational interpreter (sign language interpreting, oral interpreting and cued speech transliteration).

Letters of nomination are required. If nominating a teacher, the letter much outline how the staff member ensures students learn (uses effective instructional techniques and methods), makes learning fun and has a good relationship with students (establishes a productive classroom climate and rapport with students), and instills a love of learning and a feeling of self-worth in students.

If nominating an educational services professional, the letter must outline how the staff member uses creativity, innovation and efficiency in the classroom; has the ability to increase student achievement of the core curriculum content standards through a learning-focused environment; has the ability to contribute to the quality of the professional development in their district; and uses educational technology in an effective and efficient manner.

All items must be addressed in the letter, and teacher’s name and school must be on each page of the letter. Letters may be mailed by March 13 to South Brunswick Board of Education, Attn.: Maribeth Edmunds, P.O. Box 181, Monmouth Junction 00852; or brought to the individual’s school office

For more information, call the board at (732) 297.7800, ext. 3160.

Congregation B’nai Tikvah slates upcoming events

Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegan’s Lane, North Brunswick, will hold a “Casino Night” at the temple March 11 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. The event will include casino-style gaming, an open bar, silent auction, buffet dinner, DJ music, and dancing provided by Tumbling Dice. Cost is $60 per person or $118 per couple. For more information, call Gary at (732) 422-9292.

The temple will show the free film “Paper Clips” Feb. 23 at 7:45 p.m. The movie concerns students at a Tennessee middle school who collected 6 million paper clips to better understand the extent of the Holocaust. To R.S.V.P., call Elliott at (732) 297-6175 or e-mail

Elliott.Danto@Bnai Tikvah.org.

The Sons of Tikvah and the Makela choral group of the temple will take part in the fourth annual “Raise Our Voices Concert for Israel” Feb. 26 at both 2 and 6 p.m. The program will be at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. Tickets range from $25-$730 (six tickets), with proceeds benefiting Operation Promise for the Ethiopian Jewish and Former Soviet Union communities.

A defensive driving course taught by Philip Leibert, a certified instructor from the New Jersey Safety Program, will be March 12 and April 30 from 12:30-7 p.m. Upon completion, individuals will receive a certificate of completion entitling the student to an insurance discount of up to 10 percent for three years (minimum of 5 percent) and up to a two-point reduction on the driver’s license. Cost is $60 for nonmembers, and $55 for members. For more information, call the temple at (732)297-0696, ext. 12.

Azzan Yadin of Rutgers University will present the free two-part program “The Curious History of the Biblical Passover” March 22 and 29 at 8 p.m. at the temple. For more information, call the temple at (732) 297-0696.

Entries due Feb. 28 for T-shirt designing contest

The North Brunswick September 11 Committee is holding a T-shirt-designing contest for children in grades K-12 through Feb. 28.

The theme is “Remember, Reflect and Recover” to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. The dates “9/11/01-9/11/06” should be included in the design. Artwork will be collected in each township school at the municipal building front desk or at Recreation at 710 Hermann Road. The Board of Education has announced applications are still being accepted for the available board seats. For more information, call (732) 289-3000.

The Adult Drama Group will present “Evita,” March 9-11 at the North Brunswick Township High School, 30 Raider Road. Tickets are $10, and $5 for senior citizens and children younger than age 12. “Friday Night Recreation” for children in grades K-6 is under way at Linwood Middle School, 25 Linwood Place from 6:30-9 p.m. through March 3. Cost is $5 per visit. The teen basketball league is open to recreational players in grades nine-12 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Linwood. Registration is ongoing for the township’s youth lacrosse team. For more

information, call Recreation at (732) 247-0922, ext. 475 or e-mail LBenson@northbrunswickonline.com.

Older adults sought for anxiety research study

Adults age 60 or above who are often worried and have noticed an increase in anxiety and tension in the past few months are invited to the Rutgers Mood Management Class, offered as part of a research study on anxiety at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

The program will teach participants how to make slight changes to thoughts and behaviors in order to obtain better control over moods and less negative emotion in daily life. The goal of the study is to discover if the class is as effective for older adults as it has been for young and middle-aged adults.

Eligible participants will receive eight individual sessions, free of charge, and also will be paid up to $100. The study does not involve drugs or medications.

The research team is looking for adults who are at least 60 years old; have experienced frequent, difficult-to-control worrying for the past few months; have had trouble sleeping and making decisions; have been exhibiting increased irritability, muscle tension, feelings of restlessness or the feeling of their mind “going suddenly blank”; are able to read, speak and write in English; and are able to attend eight sessions over the next few months and complete an MRI scan.

For more information, call the Rutgers Mood Management Program at (732) 445-1413.

Youth Assets Initiative grants now available

The South Brunswick Healthy Communities–Healthy Youth Assets Initiative has announced the availability of mini-grants to South Brunswick nonprofits for asset-building activities. Assets are positive experiences and personal qualities that are the building blocks of healthy development.

The Assets Initiative is under the auspices of the South Brunswick Health Department and is funded by the South Brunswick Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse. The initiative is not a program but a philosophy of how adults relate to youth.

For information or an application, call Sue at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7237, or e-mail healthyyouthassets@sntnj.net.

Dr. Seuss birthday event at library March 4

The North Brunswick Public Library, 880 Hermann Road, will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss, creator of “The Cat in the Hat,” March 4 at 11 a.m.

Children age 4 and older are invited to attend the event, which will feature stories, a movie and birthday cake.

Registration is required.

To register, call the library at (732) 246-3545.

Applications now taken for council seats

The North Brunswick Democratic Organization is seeking registered Democrats interested in running for two Township Council seats, with applications due by March 10. Individuals must submit a résumé and letter outlining qualifications and background to Chairman Bruce Chandlee, 1592 Taylor Drive, North Brunswick 08902. For more information, call (732) 297-0870.

MOMS Club of North Brunswick to meet March 1

The MOMS Club of North Brunswick will hold its next meeting March 1 at North Brunswick Municipal Building, Raider Road. The group will also offer a “Kids Music Round” class at the meeting.

Interested individuals are asked to R.S.V.P. for a space, and more information. For reservations or meeting time, e-mail nobrunsmoms@yahoo.com, or call Susan at (732) 991-1129. For more information, visit the Web site at www.geocities.com/nobrunsmoms.

Artists sought for ‘Art Goes Public’ program

South Brunswick Arts Commission is seeking artists for its 2006 “Art Goes Public” program, with applications due by March 17.

The program places artists-in-residence in libraries, schools, senior centers, and retirement communities.

For an application or more information, call (732) 329-4000, ext. 7635 or visit arts@sbtnj.net

Tickets now available for spaghetti dinner

The Italian American Social Club, Cozzens Lane, North Brunswick, is now selling tickets for its spaghetti dinner scheduled for March 12 from noon-4 p.m.

Price is $8, and $3.50 for children younger than age 12. The menu will include spaghetti, meatballs, salad, dessert, coffee and tea.

For tickets or more information, call Tony at (732) 249-1387 or Sam at (732) 247-7240.

Local university to offer two scholarships

DeVry University, North Brunswick, in conjunction with Banco Popular North America, will offer partial-tuition scholarships for high school seniors and adult learners, beginning in March. The Banco Popular Dream Big Scholarship will be available to high school seniors, and the Banco Popular Dream Scholarship to adult undergraduate candidates age 19 or older.

For deadline date or more information, visit www.devry.edu.

School’s ‘Rock-a-Thon’ slated for Feb. 24, 25

North Brunswick Township High School, Raider Road and Route 130, will hold the 21st annual “Rock-a-Thon” Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. ending Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.

Students will take part in the rocking chair marathon to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fight pediatric cancer, and North Brunswick Food Bank. To make a donation, make checks out to NBTHS Rock-a-Thon, and mail to North Brunswick Township High School, Attn.: Joel Chesler, Raider Road and Route 130, North Brunswick 08902.

For more information, call the school at (732) 289-3700, ext. 4087 or 4151.

Register for ‘Start with Arts’ training by March 1

VSA arts of New Jersey will hold a “Start with the Arts” professional development training March 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Brunswick High School, Raider Road. The deadline to register is March 1.

“Start with the Arts” is designed for teachers and teaching artists. It promotes the development of basic literacy skills and arts activities teachers may apply in all curricular areas.

For registration materials or for more information, call VSA at (732) 745-3885 or visit info@vsanj.org. The TTY number is (732) 745-3913.

‘African American Story of VanDyke Farm’ Feb. 24

Eastern Villages Association, South Brunswick, will sponsor “Fresh Ponds Symposium II: The African American Story of the VanDyke Farm of South Brunswick” Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. The event held in honor of Black History Month will be at Fresh Ponds Chapel, Davidson Mill and Fresh Ponds Roads, South Brunswick. Keynote speaker will be James Shackleford, South Brunswick. He will discuss “Manacled Soul” about VanDyke farm’s slave girl Amy. Lawrence Walker will also discuss his efforts to preserve African American gravesites in New Jersey, and perform a reenactment of Cicero, his ancestor that was a patriot of the Revolutionary War. William Hundley will also share his experiences with African American gravesites. For more information, call (732) 297-5520.