Community Bulletin Board
B'nai Tikvah announces dinners, group activities

Congregation B'nai Tikvah/JCC of North & South Brunswick, 1001 Finnegan's Lane, North Brunswick, will offer a variety of programs. For details and registration, call the synagogue at (732) 297-0696 or visit www.¦naiTikvah.org unless otherwise noted.

An adult yoga class for men and women will be held 7-8 p.m. Jan. 11, 18 and 25, Feb. 1, 6, 15 and 22, and March 1. The cost is $75 for nonmembers and $65 for members, and registration is required.

The membership committee will hold an Italian Shabbat dinner and presentation by the Goldstein family about its experiences in Italy, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $15, $13.50 for Chai member adults, $10 for children ages 8-12, $6 for ages 4-7, and free for children younger than age 4. To R.S.V.P., e-mail Ruth Anne at Membership@B'naiTikvah.org or Lisa at Programming@B'naiTikvah.org, or call the synagogue.

A family Shabbat dinner for families with children ages 2-7 will be held Jan. 19, with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the service. The meal will feature waffles, challah and blintz souffles, and vegetables. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-12. Reservations should be made by Jan. 17.

The congregation's Sisterhood will paint silk matzah covers Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. The cost is $5 for nonmembers (which can be applied toward dues). A hamantashen workshop will be held Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. Reservations for either activity must be made by Jan. 19. Individuals should R.S.V.P. to Bobbi.Binder@BnaiTikvah.org or (732) 274-2797.

The Fifty Plus Group will meet Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Doris at (609) 860-1498 or Annette at (732) 297-3562, or e-mail FiftyPlus@BnaiTikvah.org.

A celebration of Tu B'shvat, or the new year for trees, will be held Feb. 2, with services beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the program, a vegetarian dinner based on fruit and vegetables that grow in Israel, and four Israeli wines. The cost is $10 for adults (age 13 and older) and $8 for children ages 3-12. Reservations must be made by Jan. 28.

A celebration of Shabbat Shira will take place Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m., followed by luncheon and singing. A donation of $18 or more is requested. Reservations are due by Jan. 28.

The adult education committee will offer a cooking class with Stacey Rockman Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 7-8 p.m. The cost is $75 for nonmembers and $65 for members.

An Israeli dancing program will be held Feb. 10, with lessons from 7:30-8:15 p.m. and an open dance marathon from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The cost is $12 for nonmembers for the marathon segment, and $8 for students/children (marathon is free to members).

Students' artwork

on display at S.B. Library

The South Brunswick Public Library will display artwork and photos by the Middlesex County Arts High and Arts Middle schools' students during January.

The gifted and talented students are from local schools and took part in the Arts High or Arts Middle schools. Local students with paintings, drawings or photos displayed are Sally Burtnick, Ting Dong and Diane Marra, all of North Brunswick High School. The library is at 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. Call the arts and education center at (732) 566-2787.

Dead Presidents Society inaugural ball Jan. 19

South Brunswick High School Dead Presidents Society will hold invites the community to its first inaugural ball Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the high school. Requested attire is semiformal. Tickets are $7 at the door and $5 in advance, with proceeds benefiting the school's history club, and Dead Presidents Society. The high school is at 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. Call Corie or Justin at (732) 329-4044.

Exhibit features art by designer of the Ritz box

An exhibit featuring the works of the late Sydney S. Stern, an award-winning designer of the original box for Ritz crackers, opened on Jan. 10 at the gallery in the municipal building. The exhibit, sponsored by the South Brunswick Arts Commission, will continue through March 31. A reception to celebrate the show is being planned for February.

Stern, whose son Don lives in Kendall Park, lived to age 99 and his career as an artist began as a teenager. A versatile artist, Stern traveled to the southwest and Mexico, photographing and painting the local scene. In 1923, he accepted a job with the Nabisco company, where he would make his mark as one of the great commercial artists of the day. Stern designed the original packaging and paintings for Animal Crackers, Shredded Wheat, Uneeda Biscuits, Oysterettes, Fig Newtons and the Oreo cookie.

All exhibits in the municipal building are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and evenings when meetings are scheduled. For more information, contact the Arts Commission at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7635, or arts@sbtnj.net.

Register now for library's kids programs

North Brunswick Public Library, 880 Hermann Road, will hold a snowman craft and story program for children ages 3-5 Jan. 18 at 11 a.m.

Registration is now being accepted for the library's winter programs for children, which begin the week of Jan. 22. Preschool story time for children ages 3-5 will be held Mondays at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

"Time for Twos" story and rhyme program for children ages 24-36 months with an adult caregiver will begin Jan. 25, and will be held Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. "Book Babies" for babies and toddlers age birth to 24 months and adult caregivers will begin Jan. 24 and held Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Children must meet age requirements for the programs as of the first session.

The Kids News Club will hold its next meeting Jan. 23 at 4:15 p.m., and discuss "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. For more information, call the library at (732) 246-3545.

North Bruns. recreation for kids under way

North Brunswick Township will host Friday night Recreation for children in grades K-5 through March 2 from 6:30-9 p.m. at Linwood Middle School, 25 Linwood Place.

Programs include arts and crafts, movies, dancing, board games, kickball, scooter races, and other activities. Cost is $5 per child per night, and each child must obtain an identification card from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, 710 Hermann Road. All children must be walked into the building, signed in, and picked up from inside following the program to ensure safety.

For more information, call (732) 247-6615.

Program on walking, winter hazards Jan. 11

The South Brunswick Health Department in partnership with South Brunswick Development Corporation is hosting the presentation "Walking and Winter Hazards" Jan. 11 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the monthly health and wellness forum at Charleston Place Community Room, 3424 Route 27, Kendall Park section of South Brunswick.

Marc S. Rubenstein, MPT, CSCS, executive director of Jersey Physical Therapy will discuss how to reduce the risk of falling at this time of year. A free door prize will be given, and light refreshments served.

The Health Department in partnership with Saint Peter's University Hospital Community Mobile Health Services will present a breast health education program Jan. 20 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, 4145 Route 1 and Stouts Lane, South Brunswick.

Breast health information will be presented including the importance of mammograms and self-breast exams. A short video will be shown. For more information, call Nancy at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7258.

S.B. Community School classes continue Jan. 11

The South Brunswick Adult Community School will continue its winter session with a four-week session of swing dancing Jan. 11 from 7-8 p.m. at Dayton School, 310 Georges Road, Dayton section of South Brunswick. Cost is $39.

Latin dancing will be held four Thursdays beginning Jan. 11 from 8:05-9:05 p.m. at Dayton School. Cost is $39. An American boating course will be held four Tuesdays beginning Jan. 16, or four Thursdays beginning Jan. 18. Cost is $49, and classes are from 7-9 p.m. PC Basics and Windows XP will run four Thursdays beginning Jan. 18 from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $99. Digital camera techniques will be Jan. 18 and 25 from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $49. "How to Get Started" will be Jan. 18, "Personal Paperwork" will be Jan. 25, and "Closet Clean-Out" Feb. 1, all from 7-8:30 p.m. Cost is $19 or $49 for all three.

A defensive driving class will be either Jan. 20 or Feb. 17 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Individuals completing the course may be able to save on insurance, and reduce two points off driving records. Cost is $69. "Learn to Knit" will be offered three Tuesdays beginning Jan. 23 from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $39. "Heartsaver CPR & AED," a two-night AHA certification course will be Jan. 24 and 25 from 7-9:30 p.m. at Indian Fields School, 359 Dayton-Jamesburg Road, Dayton. Cost is $64. "Cooking Basics" will be offered four Tuesdays beginning Jan. 30 from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $89. A trip to the Lancaster Mud Sales will be Feb. 24, and the Philadelphia Flower Show March 10.

All the above are at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call Nancy at (732) 297-7800, ext. 3148.

No interruption in S.B. garbage pickup Jan. 15

South Brunswick Township Public Works has announced there will not be an interruption in residential garbage or recycling pickup on Martin Luther King Day Jan. 15. Township offices will be closed, but the contractor will perform normally scheduled Monday collections. Call Public Works at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7260.

'From Fleece to Wool' at Rockingham Jan. 20

Historic Rockingham, Laurel Avenue, outside the Kingston section of South Brunswick in Franklin Township, will host "From Fleece to Wool and Flax to Linen" Jan. 20 with sessions at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Rockingham staff member Amanda Plumb, and former intern, Erin Wyckoff will discuss and demonstrate carding fibers and the art of spinning flax and wool on a drop spindle. Suggested donation is $3 per person. For more information, call (609) 683-7132.

Flu clinic at N. Brunswick Senior Center Jan. 12

The Middlesex County Public Health Department will hold a flu and pneumococcal vaccine clinic Jan. 12 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the North Brunswick Senior Center, 15 Linwood Place.

Flu shots will be available at no charge to Middlesex County residents age 18 and older while supplies last. Pneumococcal immunizations will be provided to Middlesex County residents age 65 and older, and by appointment only. To register, call (732) 745-3100. For information, call the Department hotline at (732) 745-4344 or visit the Web site at http://co.middlesex.nj.us/publichealth/flu-clinics.asp.

Rec. events begin with basketball during January

The North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services will offer several events for residents during 2007, beginning with recreational basketball during January.

An Easter egg hunt and breakfast will be held in March, and a community block party for the Chrome Street/Old Georges Road section is set for April 28. A community camp-out will be held May 12, and a Memorial Day 5K walk and run is scheduled for May 28. A Father's Day fishing derby will be held in June, and summer camp during July. A block party for Colonial Gardens residents will be held Sept. 15, and a block party around Farrington Lake dam/Hoover Road is set for Oct. 13.

For more information call (732) 247 - 0922 ext. 475.

Workshop on proposed transit village Jan. 11

North Brunswick TOD Associates will hold a workshop meeting to discuss the proposed transit village on the former Johnson & Johnson site on Route 1 Jan. 11 from 6:30-9 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Yellowbird Reception Center, 2300 Route 1 at Aaron Road.

The fiscal impact study presentation will discuss school and municipal tax revenues, municipal costs, school enrollment, demographics and economic benefits associated with the transit village. Speaker will be David Listokin of the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University.

For more information visit www.OurTownCenter.info.

King event, orientation at Linwood Middle School

North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, 710 Hermann Road, will accept artwork and essay entries from students in grades K-12 until Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. for a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance contest.

Winners will be announced at the King celebration Jan. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Linwood Middle School, 25 Linwood Place, North Brunswick. Guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Buster Soaries. The event at the cafetorium will also feature performances by the high school choir, the Family Worship Center and the Project Learning and Extended Alternative Leisure (LEAL) drummers. For more information, call Giovanna at (732) 247-0922, ext. 475.

Linwood will sponsor a sixth-grade orientation program for parents with sons and daughters in fifth grade Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium. For more information, call (732) 289-3602.

Unveiling of new high school wing Jan. 19

North Brunswick Township High School, Raider Road, will unveil the new wing of the school at a grand opening celebration Jan. 19 at 6 p.m., preceding the performance of Theater Revue at 8 p.m. There will be a virtual tour of the school given by the video students, and refreshments will be served.

Register for 'Day With Characters' by Feb. 16

Students from Crossroads South Middle School, 195 Major Road, South Brunswick, will present a "Day With the Characters" to showcase the school's spring musical "South Pacific," Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. The event is free to any senior citizen from South Brunswick that preregisters through the senior center. Deadline to register is Feb. 16. Transportation will be provided via the center with buses departing promptly at 9:40 a.m. The main characters of "South Pacific" will appear at a noon luncheon at the senior center, which will also feature door prizes such as autographed posters from the cast, and CD sound tracks to the show, a sing-a-long and autographs. Call Susan at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7670.