Edison/Metuchen Sentinel

Photo

11/18/2009

JEFF GRANIT staff Metuchen High School's Josh Times (2) and David Brearley High School's Amritdeep Dasu go up for a head ball in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I final in Metuchen on Nov. 13. Metuchen defeated Brearley, 2-0. Another photo, page 33.

It's down to three for vacated Edison council seat

BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

Two former Edison Township Council members and a political newcomer make up the three finalists for the open position on the council.

Edison P.D. gains state accreditation

BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

Even with its share of problems over the years, the Edison Police Department is now officially a state-accredited law enforcement agency. The recent accreditation puts the department in rare company, as one of fewer than 40 in the state that have achieved this level of success.

Welcome to the big show

11/18/2009

Above: Emily Conklin as Anne admits to have cheated on an exam during the performance of "Cheaper by the Dozen" at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen on Nov. 15. Right: Conklin appeals to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreath, played by Matt Coyle and Jessica Castro.

Parade marchers, viewers urged to bring items for food pantries

BY ENID WEISS Correspondent — 11/18/2009

This year, the organizers of Metuchen's 56th annual Winter Festival Parade, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 29, are doing things a bit differently: they're using the parade as an opportunity to collect nonperishable goods for local food banks.

Car rear-ends school bus

11/18/2009

EDISON — A bus transporting 16 students from Bishop Ahr High School was rear-ended on Friday afternoon. The incident, which occurred around 2:25 p.m., occurred at the intersection of Plainfield Road and Park Avenue.

Cartridge World comes to Metuchen

BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

METUCHEN — After immigrating to this country three years ago from his native India, Michael Guido was in search of a career where he could use his vast amount of expertise in many areas. "Previously I was involved in the pharmaceutical industry, and I also have experience with production and planning," Guido said.

Car crashes through front of convenience store

11/18/2009

EDISON — Instead of stepping on the brakes of her car as she drove into the parking lot of a local Quick Chek store, a woman stepped on the gas, sending her vehicle through the front door of the building, according police.

Photo

11/18/2009

PHOTO COPYRIGHT DAVID JACOBS Grace Slick, the former lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane, reacts to some photographs of her that were taken by David Jacobs (r). Another picture from this session recently appeared in the AARP magazine and was mentioned in a column by Greater Media Newspapers managing editor Mark Rosman. Jacobs read that column and submitted the above photo as a follow-up.

Music legend starts program to help local teen

BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora is coming back to his hometown to give back. He has launched the "You Can Go Home" program to help Woodbridge High School graduate Kelly Mahon, who has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, come home for the holidays.

Freeholder incumbents withstand GOP challenge

11/18/2009

Three Democrat incumbents won new terms on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Nov. 3, but their Republican challengers made a stronger showing at the polls than they have in years. H. James Polos and Ronald G. Rios were reelected to three-year terms, garnering 86,201 and 84,464 votes, respectively, edging out Republicans Lynda Woods Cleary and Richard F.

County food pantry seeing higher demand

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

The difficult economy and resulting job losses are forcing more people to turn to local food pantries to feed themselves and their families. As the holiday season approaches, all of the local food banks can use donations and many also need volunteers to help provide services.

Men's b-ball program applications due Dec. 4

11/18/2009

The Edison Recreation Department has begun accepting team applications for the 2010 Men's Basketball Program. All applications must be returned by Dec. 4. All teams made up of New Jersey residents and businesses are invited to apply, and league play will begin in early January.

Thanksgiving Day trip to New York City

11/18/2009

The Edison Recreation Department is offering a bus trip to New York City on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. The bus will leave Edison at 5:45 a.m. to view the parade at 9 a.m. The bus will depart from New York City at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the conclusion of the parade and should arrive back in Edison at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Holiday Bazaar in Edison Nov. 21

11/18/2009

The Community Presbyterian Church, 75 Glenville Road, Edison, will hold a Holiday Bazaar 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 21. There will be handcrafted sweaters, scarves, boas, slippers, hats and doll clothes available for purchase. There will also be a Christmas boutique of holiday items and homemade baked goods. Proceeds benefit mission projects of the Women's Guild.

Thrift shop open at Edison church

11/18/2009

Wesley United Methodist Church, 5053 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, holds a thrift shop event each Wednesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6- 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The thrift shop offers brand-new, gently used, vintage and dollar-a- bag clothes; household items; toys; collectibles; and crystal and linens for sale.

Mobile Passport Office Nov. 21 in Edison

11/18/2009

The Middlesex County Mobile Passport Office will be visiting Edison 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 21 in the lobby at Edison Branch YMCA, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison. The mobile program allows residents to renew and apply for their U.S. Passports close to home without the need to drive into New Brunswick. Attendees should bring two checks for payment as cash will not be accepted.

Children's book seminar Nov. 21

11/18/2009

Danny and Kim Adlerman will conduct a seminar on the creation and publication of children's books 12:30-3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Metuchen Library, 480 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen. This will be an open discussion format, driven largely by areas of interest that anyone wishes to touch upon.

Met. church healing service Nov. 22

11/18/2009

Metuchen Reformed Church, 150 Lake Ave., Metuchen, invites the public to a special healing service at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22 in the sanctuary. The service will include the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and personal prayer for persons in need of healing, whether of body, mind, emotions, or spirit.

Environmental open house on Nov. 18

11/18/2009

Metuchen's Environmental Commission and borough planner will host an open house 7-9 p.m. Nov. 18, at the Metuchen Senior Citizen Center, 15 Center St., Metuchen. The goal of the session will be to discuss suggested improvements and design possibilities for the extension of the Middlesex Greenway.

Holiday Boutique, dinner Nov. 21

11/18/2009

The Oak Tree Presbyterian Church, 445 Plainfield Road, Edison, will host its Holiday Boutique and take-home spaghetti dinner 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 21. Local artisans and home-based vendors will be on hand selling unique gifts, seasonal décor and handcrafted items.

Holiday Bazaar in Edison Nov. 21

11/18/2009

Soccer league to sponsor food drive

11/18/2009

Edison United Youth Soccer League is sponsoring a food drive for the community from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, 500 Woodrow Wilson Drive, Edison. For more information, visit www.edisonunitedsoccer.com.

Congregation Beth-El scheduled events

11/18/2009

Congregation Beth-El, 91 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, will honor all of its Sisterhood members at a Torah Fund dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 22. Couvert is $25 per person. All paid-up Sisterhoodmemberswill be entered in a drawing for this year's Torah fund pin. The guest speaker will be Cindy Schechter, Torah fund vice president of the Garden State Region.

Terra Nova Garden Club meeting Nov. 18

11/18/2009

The Terra Nova Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, at the North Edison Library on Grove Street in Edison. The speaker will be Betsy Coyne, a longtime resident of South Plainfield and former beekeeper. She has lectured to many garden clubs, community groups and schools about the importance of these insects.

Holly Fair to take place Nov. 20, 21

11/18/2009

The First Presbyterian Church, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen, will hold its Holly Fair Extraordinaire, 6-9 p.m. Nov. 20, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 21. It will feature several next-to-new items, holiday crafts, jewelry, florals, a gentlemen's table, hats, and many gifts for him and her. All proceeds benefit local and worldwide charities.

Learn archery at the Met. library Nov. 22

11/18/2009

The Metuchen Public Library, 480 MiddlesexAve., will offer 90 minutes of handson archery lessons 2 p.m. Nov. 22.

Entertainment 2010 books for sale

11/18/2009

Congregation Beth-El, 91 Jefferson Blvd., Edison, is selling Entertainment 2010 books for $30, which includes $20 in ShopRite coupons and discounts on many local restaurants and services. To order a book, call Scott at 732-463- 8642.

Christmas story set on church grounds

11/18/2009

The 26th annual A Drive Through the Christmas Story, an outdoor display of 10 lifesize Bible scenes including live costumed characters, animals and holiday music, will be presented 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 5-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 6, on the circular grounds of Sayre Woods Bible Church, Route 9 south, Old Bridge.

OBHS class of '99 to hold 10th reunion

11/18/2009

Old Bridge High School (OBHS) class of 1999 will hold a 10-year reunion 7-11 p.n. Nov. 28 at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Matawan. The event will feature a buffet dinner, a cash bar and live music .

Interfaith service for thanksgiving Nov. 22

11/18/2009

South Brunswick Area Clergy Association, Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, has announced the annual interfaith thanksgiving service, "Listening to God — Listening to Each Other," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at Six Mile Reformed Church, 3037 Route 27, Franklin Park.

Winter Festival parade set for Nov. 29

11/18/2009

The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will present its 56th annual winter festival parade, "A Hometown Holiday," at 2 p.m. Nov. 29 (weather permitting). The parade will assemble at Edgar School, 49 Brunswick Ave., Metuchen, with dropoff in pool parking lot (use Lake Avenue to access pool lot. Brunswick Avenue will be closed to all traffic).

Bobby Byrne Show Nov. 21 in Metuchen

11/18/2009

The Bobby Byrne Show will be held 8- 11 p.m. Nov. 21 in the community room at The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 32 Elm Ave., Metuchen. The show is a blend of music that features Broadway songs, Irish ballads, Italian arias, hilarious novelty numbers, Elvis Presley rockers and old-time sing-a-long songs.

Historian presentation to take place Nov. 19

11/18/2009

The Borough Improvement League of Metuchen will host a presentation by Historian Charles McSorley 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Old Franklin School (BIL Clubhouse), 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen. Parking is available across the street at borough hall or along Main Street.

Eucharist adoration 24 hours a day

11/18/2009

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral offers perpetual Eucharistic adoration 24 hours a day in the Lady Chapel in the Parish Center, Library Place, Metuchen. New adorers and visitors are always welcome. For more information, call Sam or Elaine Convery at 732-222-9221.

Goods and Services Auction Nov. 21

11/18/2009

Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen, will hold its annual Goods and Services Auction at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Items up for bid will include vacation homes, designer bags, theater tickets, sporting event tickets, flat-screen TVs, gas grills, original fine art, restaurant gift certificates, retail store gift cards and other items.

Thanks-Giving service Nov. 25 in Edison

11/18/2009

St. James Episcopal Church (Old White Church), 2136 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, invites all to its special holiday evening service of Happy Thanks-Giving at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25. For more information, call 732-985-2023.

Mayor-elect thanks voters of Edison

11/18/2009

Thank you to the voters of Edison Township for their faith and confidence in our candidacy. We ran a spirited campaign, always addressing the needs and issues that face our residents. From the beginning it was made clear that no promises would be made that could not be fulfilled.

Holt, Pallone have done their duty

11/18/2009

AARP thanks Reps. Rush Holt and Frank Pallone for their votes in favor of better health care for every New Jerseyan. With the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR-3962), we are one step closer to a stronger Medicare for seniors and future generations, and stable, affordable health care options for all Americans.

Drivers, beware, during deer-mating season

11/18/2009

Motorists, beware: Amorous animals will soon be bolting to and fro in and out of traffic, looking for love. In fact, deer-mating season will peak soon — beginning in late October, throughout November and into December. Deer are on the prowl, with only love on their minds.

Cartoon

11/18/2009

Two different shoes? It's high fashion

11/18/2009

It is one thing for a man to dress and leave the house. For a woman, it is quite another. Men like to grab a shirt and britches, pull them on, and then pat themselves on the back for a job well done. There's no consideration for latest trends or outfit repeats. Much less fat days and wondering why the heck the dryer shrunk their jeans.

Out of the blue

11/18/2009

The Internet and email are amazing resources. For all of the bad things that go on in cyberspace, there is something to be said about how easy it is these days to contact someone whom you might not otherwise reach out to.

Lost in cyberspace

11/18/2009

Sometimes I feel as if I am hanging by the tips of my fingers trying to keep up with technology in the 21st century. I would like to think I am pretty savvy, but who can keep up with all of the new developments? My 15-year-old son and his friends, that's who. My son has to be totally connected onmultiple levels at all times. He is a master at multitasking.

Navy must kill plan for civilian housing

11/18/2009

Ithink I am known as a person who tries to see all sides of a story. After almost three decades as a professional journalist, I can state with certainty that there are at least two sides to every story, and usually more than that.

To cook a turkey — first find the darned giblets

11/18/2009

In our family, there are lots of stories we like to tell around the Thanksgiving table. Most of them are funny — to us — and most of them involve disasters, some going back generations.

Defense paces Metuchen to opening-round playoff win

BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

The Metuchen High School football team is back in the NJSIAA Central Group I semifinals. The No. 2 Bulldogs earned a place among the final four teams after beating Spotswood, 28-7, over the weekend. Last year's Metuchen team advanced to the title game.

Bulldogs net Central Jersey Group I title

11/18/2009

JEFF GRANIT staff Metuchen High School's Carson Keers-Flood (5) goes up for a head ball against David Brearley High School in Metuchen on Nov. 13. The Bulldogs defeated Brearley, 2-0, and took on Palmyra last night in a state semifinal matchup.

Metuchen ends season with CJ I title game loss

BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

The Metuchen High School girls soccer team began its quest for a sectional title with a 5-0 win over Manville on Nov. 5. With the victory, Metuchen advanced to the Central Jersey Group I semifinals against No. 3 David Brearley High School, which Metuchen defeated by a score of 2-1.