Community Bulletin Board Arts Society to present its 'Harvest of Poetry' The Edison Arts Society will present its "Harvest of Poetry," a free reception and reading celebrating the fifth-anniversary edition of the Edison Literary Review (ELR), from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, 125 Raritan Center Parkway. Refreshments will be provided by the hotel, with a cash bar available as well. The cover of the society's fifth-anniversary issue features the work of Patrick McDonnell, one of Edison's own. In 1994, McDonnell, a graduate of Edison High School, created "Mutts," a comic strip that appears in more than 600 newspapers and is published in 20 countries. The strip's stars, ELR cover boys Mooch and Earl, are also featured on state license plates through the New Jersey Animal Friendly License Plate Program. In addition, the anniversary issue depicts works by 35 writers, including one by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn. Among those scheduled to read at this year's Harvest of Poetry are contributors Stacey Balkun, Amanda Berry, Jessica deKoninck, Tony Gruenewald, Charles Johnson, Adele Kenny, Diane Lockward and Edwin Romond. The literary review may be purchased for $5 through the arts society. For more information, call the society at (908) 753-2787. Volunteer recruitment program to be held in fall A recruitment and training program for those interested in volunteering at Jewish Family and Vocational Services of Middlesex County is planned for Sept. 7, 14 and Oct. 5 from 9-11 a.m. at the JFVS Offices, 515 Plainfield Ave., Suite 201, Edison. New and recent volunteers will be introduced to our agency and volunteer opportunities. The program will also include presentations on HIPAA privacy regulations, clients' rights and agency policies and procedures. The agenda for Oct. 5 will include sessions by our clinical staff on topics such as successful volunteering, the role of the volunteer, how to communicate with diplomacy, tact and credibility, juggling home, work, volunteering and building relationships with clients. The program is open to those interested in volunteering for JFVS. Current volunteers are welcome to join. Preregistration is required. For more information or to register, contact E.J. Berman at (732) 777-1940, ext. 122, or ej.berman@jfvs.org. Citizen Police Academy to start in September The Metuchen Police Department will conduct an 11-week Citizen Police Academy program for borough residents from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 6. The interactive program is designed to educate borough residents about department procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, and demands of personnel that guide police decision-making. Topics to be covered include: an overview of the department's organization and structure, recruitment and training, and the roles and responsibilities of the various divisions and sections. In addition, participants will be given an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer and experience of firearms training simulation. The Citizen Police Academy is open to borough residents, business owners and school faculty within Metuchen who are over 18 years of age and who successfully complete a background investigation. Anyone interested may contact Capt. Robin Rentenberg at (732) 632-8548 or Patrolman David Liantonio at (732) 632-8547. Class size is limited. Adult School has ongoing ESL, general registration The Edison Township Adult School will hold in-person registration for fall semester evening adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Edison High School, 50 Boulevard of Eagles. Because the township did not receive government funding for the ESL program, a $90 tuition fee will be charged. In addition, the school is accepting fall registrations for its general adult education classes. In-person registration will take place from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Adult Education office, 312 Pierson Ave., Edison. Registration is also open at the office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call the office at (732) 452-4574. Funeral home providing free bereavement support The Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, continues to offer a bereavement support group. Ongoing sessions are held every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10:30 a.m. to noon, as well as Wednesday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. The program, which is free of charge, takes place at the funeral home. Carol Burner, a certified grief recovery specialist, facilitates the program. A professional with a master's degree in counseling from Seton Hall University, South Orange, she has spent the past eight years offering individual and group counseling to clients suffering from significant and tragic losses. For more information, call the funeral home at (732) 548-0149 or Carol Burner at (732) 562-8565. Neve Shalom to hold blood drive Sept. 10 Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, will be sponsoring a blood drive in memory of Michael Allan Thompson from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10. Donors can make an appointment for either whole-blood donation or automated blood collection (ABC), also known as apheresis, by contacting Bruce Levin, blood drive chairperson, at (732) 906-1922 or neveshalomblooddrive@yahoo.com. Rec Commission slates evening of stargazing The Metuchen Recreation Commission is sponsoring another night of "astronomical" viewing, or stargazing, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 30 on the soccer field at Vidas Park, located on Durham Avenue in Metuchen. Telescopes will be set up on the field, with binoculars also available, for observing the Earth's moon along with its many craters and seas, Jupiter and its moons, and other celestial bodies. If it's cloudy, the event will be rescheduled for Aug. 31. For more information, call the Recreation Commission at (732) 632-8502, or visit www.metuchennj.org. JFVS announces elder care now available The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County announces the availability of an elderly care program for those with memory loss and varying degrees of dementia. Transportation is provided. Fees are charged on a sliding scale. Program includes meals, snacks and activities. For more information, call (732) 777-1940. Synagogue announces film, Selichot services Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, will hold Selichot services at 11 p.m. Sept. 16. Earlier that evening, at 9 p.m., the synagogue's Adult Education Committee will present the Israeli film "Ushpizin." The movie, which will be shown in Hebrew with English subtitles, is about an Orthodox Jewish couple whose faith is tested after praying for a child on the Sukkot holiday. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Call the temple at (732) 548-2238 for further information. Garden Club's 'Grow and Share' Supper Sept. 12 The Edison Garden Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 for its annual "Grow and Share" supper. Members are asked to bring dishes prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables from their gardens. To promote its membership drive, the club will also participate in the Metuchen Country Fair on Oct. 1. Its booth will feature a variety of dried-flower bouquets for purchase. The club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month in the conference room at the Edison Main Library, 340 Plainfield Ave. Congregation Beth El offers weekly bingo Congregation Beth El, 91 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, conducts weekly bingo games on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. Admission is $1 per person. Refreshments may be purchased. For details, call the synagogue at (732) 572-2766. Cub Scout registration slated in Edison Sept. 13 Cub Scout Pack 12, Edison, will be accepting new registrations for first- to fourth-grade boys from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at St. Matthew School, 100 Seymour Ave., Edison. Call cubmaster Dave Jansen at (732) 572-7524. There's summer savings at church thrift store Wesley United Methodist Church, 5053 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, continues its thrift store hours for the summer. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. It will be closed on Saturdays in August. The thrift store features men's, women's and children's clothing, knick-knacks, toys, jewelry and a "bargain room," where shoppers can fill a bag for $1. Donations of clean, usable items are being accepted during open hours. Call (732) 738-0232 for more information. Colonia Chapter of Hadassah meeting Sept. 5 The Colonia Chapter of Hadassah will hold its first meeting of the new season on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen. "The Ultimate Hadassah Story," an interactive experience, will be the featured program. Guests are welcome. Refreshments will be served. For further information, call Kitty at (908) 756-7535 or Dorothy at (908) 769-0362. Scrabble Club's Saturday games to resume in Sept. The Edison Scrabble Club continues to meet on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9:45 p.m. at the Minnie B. Veal Community Center, 1070 Grove Ave., Edison. The club's Saturday games held 1-4 p.m. are suspended until September. Registration is not required. An official two-letter word list is available at the meetings free of charge. Call Walt at (732) 721-9218. Edison AARP slates next meeting Sept. 18 Edison AARP Chapter No. 3446 will hold its next general meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Edison Job Corps Academy, 500 Plainfield Ave. Dues for September 2006 to September 2007 are now due. Program will feature a choral arrangement by the Old Bridge senior choral group, which sings at local nursing homes and other clubs. New applications are being accepted for those New Jersey residents who belong to the national AARP. Members are also asked to bring at least one canned or packaged food, along with toiletries, to help restock the Middlesex County food bank. Both day trips and shows are currently being planned. Also, the Knitting and Crocheting Club will met at 10 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Stelton Community Center, 328 Plainfield Ave., Edison. Call Kay McCormack at (732) 548-1976.