njtoday.net - Everything New Jersey » New Brunswick

Middlesex County High School Seniors Awarded Berkeley College Scholarships

atomtabloid — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:00:53 +0000

Seated (L to R): High school seniors Brianna Simmons of New Brunswick; Peter Byrne of South Amboy; Shantel Mason of Perth Amboy; Shannon Sprauer of Edison; Zachary Wilson of South Plainfield; Remilder Hatcher of Avenel. Standing (L to R): Paige Chrzaszcz of South Amboy; Jabeth Roca of New Brunswick; Dianne Rios of Avenel; Christian Alape of Piscataway; Katherinn Romero of Perth Amboy; Melissa Tarver of Perth Amboy; Jasmine Luyando of Edison; and Debra Mallamace, Berkeley College Campus Operating Officer, Woodbridge. The students received scholarships to attend Berkeley College. (Photo courtesy of Berkeley College)

MIDDLESEX COUNTY — Berkeley College President Dario A. Cortes, PhD, has announced that high school seniors from Middlesex County have received scholarships to attend the school. “We are proud to recognize the academic accomplishments of these high school seniors by awarding them scholarships to attend Berkeley College,” said Dr. Cortes. “As a college that values diversity, fosters academic growth and recognizes the potential of each student, Berkeley College looks forward to welcoming these scholarship recipients to our campuses in the coming year.” The following students from Middlesex County have received scholarships to attend Berkeley College:

High school seniors Tahira Ahmed and Brian Persaud of Port Reading; Arth Patel and Chrisann Scafe of Piscataway; and Debra Mallamace, Berkeley College Campus Operating Officer, Woodbridge. The students received scholarships to attend Berkeley College. (Photo courtesy of Berkeley College)

Tahira Ahmed of Port Reading, Woodbridge High School
Christian Alape of Piscataway, Piscataway High School
Yasmeen Bethea of Piscataway, Piscataway High School
Donald Boley of Avenel, Colonia High School
Peter Byrne of South Amboy, South Amboy Middle High School
Paige Chrzaszcz of South Amboy, South Amboy Middle High School
Michael Dambra of Fords, Woodbridge High School
Victoria Golaszewski of Carteret, Carteret High School
Osman Guzman of Woodbridge, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Remilder Hatcher of Avenel, Colonia High School
De’Asia Keitt of Woodbridge, John F. Kennedy High School
Jasmine Luyando of Edison, Edison Township High School
Shantel Mason of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Arth Patel of Piscataway, Piscataway High School
Brian Persaud of Port Reading, Woodbridge High School
Dianne Rios of Avenel, Colonia High School
Jabeth Roca of New Brunswick, New Brunswick High School
Katherinn Romero of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Saul Rosa of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Gagandeep Sandhu of Carteret, Carteret High School
Chrisann Scafe of Piscataway, Piscataway High School
Brianna Simmons of New Brunswick, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Shannon Sprauer of Edison, Edison Township High School
Melissa Tarver of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School
Edison Taveras of New Brunswick, New Brunswick High School
Zachary Wilson of South Plainfield, South Plainfield High School

Berkeley College scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors who demonstrate a high level of achievement in high school. Scholarships are renewable based on the recipient’s cumulative grade point average at the end of each academic year and continued enrollment as a full-time student. A leader in business education for 80 years, Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls more than 8,700 students — including more than 800 international students — in its Baccalaureate and Associate degree programs. The College has four New Jersey locations — Woodland Park, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Newark. And in New York there are four locations — Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan in the Wall Street area, Brooklyn, and White Plains. Berkeley College Online also offers full degree programs.

Middlesex County Clerk Announces Independent Foreclosure Review Program

atomtabloid — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:57:07 +0000

MIDDLESEX COUNTY — Middlesex County Clerk Elaine M. Flynn encouraged homeowners who were part of a home foreclosure between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010 to take advantage of a new review program being offered by the federal government.

The Independent Foreclosure Review program is being offered through the Federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Homeowners who were part of a foreclosure during that time period are eligible to request an independent review of their foreclosure process.

If the review finds that financial injury occurred to the homeowner as a result of errors, misrepresentations or other deficiencies in the servicer’s foreclosure process, the homeowner may be eligible for compensation. Where a borrower suffered financial injury as a result of such practices, the consent orders require remediation to be provided.

“If you underwent a foreclosure in 2009 or 2010, I urge you to take advantage of this process,” Flynn said. “This review will help determine if you suffered undue financial injury due to errors or other problems during your home foreclosure process.”

Under enforcement actions taken by the OCC, the Federal Reserve and the Office of Thrift Supervision in April 2011, 14 large mortgage services were required to correct deficiencies in their servicing and foreclosure processes and to engage independent firms to conduct a multi-faceted independent review of foreclosure actions that occurred in 2009 and 2010.

“I would like to thank the County Clerk for bringing attention to this program and for looking out for the best interests of our residents,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquita B. Valenti chair of the County’s Community Services Committee.

“This program will help determine instances where our residents may have been mislead or faced undue costs during an already difficult time,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano. “Helping to spread the word about programs such as this, is another way we can serve our citizens.”

Nationally, more than 4 million letters were mailed to potentially eligible borrowers with request-for-review forms and instructions on how to complete and return them. If you did not receive a form in the mail, you can request a form by calling 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The form needs to be returned by April 30, 2012.

Flynn added: “You can begin the process today by completing a form and making sure to submit it by the April 30, 2012 deadline.”

For additional information and answers to basic questions about the review process, visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com.

Community Calendar

atomtabloid — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:23:31 +0000

Theatre • Feb. 10-26 – Playhouse 22, located at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick, will present a production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students. Info: 1-732-254-3939.

Guitar Night • Feb. 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. – Raritan Bay Coffee Company, located inside the Perth Amboy train station, 233 Smith St., will host a guitar night with music by Alejandro Ataucusi and Paul Kosar. Info: 1-732-343-1717.

Live Music • Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. – The New Standard Jazz Quintet will play at the Salem Roadhouse Café, at Townley Presbyterian Church, 829 Salem Rd., Union. Admission is $15 ($10 students) and includes hot and cold snacks, beverages and desserts. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Info: 1-908-686-1028.

Night of Dance • Feb. 11 from 7-11 p.m. – Enjoy an evening of dining and dancing featuring New Jersey competitive ballroom dancers Terry & Leilani Viney at the Berkeley Plaza, 735 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights. Tickets are $75 per person and $150 per couple. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Greater Union County’s Summit Area Special Response Fund. Info: 1-908-353-7171 ext. 129

Art Exhibit • Feb. 12-March 15 – Arts Guild New Jersey, 1670 Irving St., Rahway, will present a new exhibit “Road Trip: My America.” Opening reception on Feb. 12 from 1-4 p.m. Free admission. For info & gallery hours, call 1-732-381-7511.

Sports Card Show • Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – The Rahway Senior Citizens Center, 1306 Esterbrook Ave., will host a sports card and collectibles show. Suggested donation: $1. (Children under 10 accompanied by an adult are admitted free.) Info: 1-732-827-2094.

Valentine’s Tea • Feb. 12 from 11-3 p.m. – The Proprietary House, 149 Kearny Ave., Perth Amboy, will host a Valentine’s Tea. Suggested donation: $7. Includes tour of the former Royal Governor’s Mansion. Info 1-732-826-5527.

Preschool Open House • Feb. 12 from noon-2 p.m. – Bright Beginnings Preschool at the JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, will hold an open house for parents of prospective students, ages 2 ½ to 5. Info: Joan Green, 1-732-494-3232 x625

Thanksgiving in February • Feb. 12 from 2- 6 p.m. – Woodbridge Elks Lodge #2116, 665 Rahway Ave. will host a Thanksgiving in February “All You Can Eat” turkey buffet dinner. Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-10.

Chicken Casserole Contest & Dinner • Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. – First Presbyterian Church of Iselin, 1295 Oak Tree Rd., Iselin, will host a Chicken Casserole Contest and Dinner. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and kids ages 5-12. Judging will be held at 4:45 p.m. Info: 1-732-283-1188.

ESL Classes • Feb. 13 – The JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, will offer English as a Second Language classes in February and March. Testing for new students will take place during the week of Feb. 13; classes begin on Feb. 28. The cost is $100 ($10 per class) Info: Sharon Katz, 1-732-494-3232 x. 619.

Cholesterol Screening • Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Overlook Medical Center professionals will conduct cholesterol screenings at Overlook Downtown, 357 Springfield Ave., Summit. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register. There is a $10 fee.

Blood Pressure Screening • Feb. 15 from 5-7 p.m. – Overlook Medical Center health care professionals will conduct blood pressure screenings at the Westfield YMCA, 220 Clark St. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register.

Blood Pressure Screening • Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. – noon – Overlook Medical Center health care professionals will conduct blood pressure screenings at Whole Foods Market, 2245 Springfield Ave., Vauxhall. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register.

Medicare/Medicaid Seminar • Feb. 16 from 1-3 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will sponsor a free public seminar on navigating the “Medicare-Medicaid Maze” at the New Jersey Law Center, One Constitution Square off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Flower & Garden Show • Feb. 16 from 1-8 p.m., Feb 17 &18 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – The New Jersey Flower & Garden Show, offering garden displays, a flower show and a garden marketplace, will be held at New Jersey Convention Center, Edison. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for kids 12-17. Info:1-732-449-4004

Book Discussion • Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. – The Carteret Public Library, 100 Cooke Ave., will host a meeting of its Reading Club. They will discuss “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Info: 1-732-541-3830.

Estate & Income Tax Seminar • Feb. 16 from 7-9 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will sponsor a free public seminar on Estate and Federal Income Tax at the New Jersey Law Center off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Open Mic Night • Feb. 16 from 7-9 p.m. – The Raritan Bay Coffee Company, located inside the Perth Amboy Train Station at 233 Smith St., will host an open mic night for music, song and spoken word. There will also be an art reception for local artist Juan Valdez. Info: 1-732-343-1717.

Fish & Chips • Feb. 17 from 5-8 p.m. – The Rahway High School Band Boosters will sponsor a fish and chips dinner by Argyle Restaurant at the American Legion Hall, 581 Maple Ave., Rahway. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children under 10 years old. Call 1-732-882-8745 or 1-732-208-4633. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Blood Drive • Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Lafayette Lodge #27, 1550 Irving St., Rahway, will host a blood drive. All donors will receive a complimentary cholesterol screening. Info: 1-732-388-0309

Great Backyard Bird Count • Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. –2 p.m. –Rutgers Master Gardners of Middlesex County invite you to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park. Bring your binoculars and field guides. RSVP to evans@AESOP.Rutgers.edu

Chug Ivrit • Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. – Raritan Valley Chapter’s Chug Ivrit (Hebrew Club) will meet at the home of Rachel Weintraub, 120 Highland Ave., Edison. Info: 1-732-819-9298.

Concert • Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. – The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts Concert Band will play selections ranging from Renaissance to Ragtime favorites at Temple Emanu-El, 756 East Broad St., Westfield. Admission is $10 per person. Info: 1-908-789-9696.

Missionary Sunday • Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. – Calvary Assembly of God, 953 West Chestnut St., Union, has invited David and Cheryl Greco to the church’s monthly “Missionary Sunday” service to discuss their work in Mexico. Info: 1-908-694-1133.

Dance • Feb. 19 from 7 – 11 p.m. – Woodbridge Widows Or Widowers will hold an open dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Morrisey Ave., Avenel. Refreshments, all welcome. Admission: $10 members, $12 guests. Info: 1-732-381-3255 or 1-908-757-0515.

Singles • Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. – Steppin’ Out Singles will hold an upscale dance party at the Woodbridge Hilton Grand Ballroom, 20 Wood Ave. South, Iselin. Ages 40+; no jeans/t-shirts/sneakers. Admission: $17. Info: 1-732-656-1801. Directions: 1-732-494-6200.

Open Auditions • Feb. 20 & 21 at 7 p.m. – Playhouse 22, East Brunswick’s Community Theater, will hold open auditions for its spring production of “Gypsy” at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Rd. Info: 1-732-254-3939 or www.Playhouse22.org.

Shrove Tuesday Potato Pancake Supper • Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. – The Reformed Church of Linden, 600 N. Wood Ave., will host a Shrove Tuesday Potato Pancake Supper. Tickets (advance only – Feb. 17 cutoff) are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Info: 1-908-486-3714.

Heart Health • Feb. 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. – A Trinitas Regional Medical Center cardiologist will speak at a “Joyful Heart” tea, which will include a light, heart-healthy dinner, at Echo Executive Plaza, Suite 1A, 899 Mountain Ave., Springfield. To register, call 1-908-994-8939.

Dining To Donate • Feb. 23 from 2-8 p.m. – Broadway Bistro, 26 North Broadway, South Amboy, will hold a Dining To Donate fundraiser for the Dowdelll Library Foundations. If patrons present a flier for the event, 10% of their check will be donated. Fliers are available from the bistro and the library. Info: 1-732-316-1078.

Book Signing • Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. – Author Cristina Guarneri will sign copies of her novel “See No Evil” at Rock N Joe, 339 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell. Info: 1-888-361-9473

History Lecture • Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. – Stephen Schoeman, Ph.D., will lecture on the history of the U.S. Presidency from colonial times to the present at the Union Public Library, 1980 Morris Ave. Info: 1-908-851-5450 ext. 5452.

Elizabeth AARP • Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. – Elizabeth AARP Chapter 5439 will hold their monthly meeting at the Stephen Sampson Senior Center, 800 Anna St., Elizabeth. New members welcome. Info: 1-908-342-6920.

Black History Month • Feb. 24 from 6:30-9 p.m. – United Way’s African-American Leadership Initiative’s “Making A Mark” event will celebrate A Journey of Black Dance, with a performance by the Plainfield High School Dance Ensemble with special guests, The New Jersey Orators Group. Tickets for the event, which will be held at Kean University’s University Center Little Theater, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, are $25. Info: 1-908-353-7171 ext. 136.

Art Workshop • Feb. 25 – Arts Guild NJ, 1670 Irving St., Rahway, will present an Encaustic Painting Workshop. Fee: $70 + $25 materials fee. Registration required; call 1-732-381-7511.

Spaghetti Dinner • Feb. 26 from 4-8 p.m. – Middlesex County 4-H will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the County 4-H Center, 645 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick. Tickets are $8 per person, and proceeds will help pay for needed repairs at the Middlesex County 4-H Center. The Hub Kings will play soul/jazz music during part of the evening. To reserve your seat, call 1-732-398-5261.

Green Living Group Meeting • Feb. 27 from 7-9 p.m. – Rutgers professor Dr. Joseph Heckman will present “Anonymous Commodity Producer or Artisan Farmer with a Face: Who is Your Farmer and Why? At the East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center, in meeting room 1. Info: www.friendsebec.com.

Women’s History Month Film Festival • March 1-3 – Women in Media-Newark will present “FootPrints in the City” with a kickoff event at the Newark Public Library and films at the Paul Robeson Student Center, Rutgers-Newark, on March 2 & 3. Info: www.wim-n.com

Gift Auction • March 2 at 7:30 p.m. – The Parents Guild of Mother Seton Regional High School. Valley Road, Clark (GSP Exit 135) will sponsor a “Bon Voyage” Gift Auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission: $15. No tickets sold at the door. For tickets and info, call 1-732-382-1952.

Craft & Vendor Fair • March 3 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Middlesex County 4-H will hold a craft fair fundraiser at the 4-H Center on Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick. Info: 1-732-723-9968.

Art Workshop • March 3 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Arts Guild NJ, 1670 Irving St., Rahway, will present an Alla Prima Painting Technique Workshop. Fee: $70. Registration required; call 1-732-381-7511.

Book Signing • March 4 from 1-4 p.m. – Author Dominick Mazzagetti will sign copies of his book, “True Jersey Blues” at the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown. Museum admission required. Info: 1-973-538-2404.

Gift Auction • March 4 at 2 p.m. (snow date: March 11) – Divine Mercy Parish, 213 Pershing Ave., Carteret, will host its annual gift auction. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Admission: $8 (no one under 18 admitted.) For info or tickets, call Lori at 1-732-541-5616 or Debbie at 1-732-541-5736.

Widows Or Widowers • March 5 at 7 p.m. – Middlesex East Widows Or Widowers will hold a business meeting at the Carteret Community Center, Pershing & Cooke Aves. All widows or widowers are invited to attend. Info: 1-732-969-2228 or 1-908-757-0515.

Business Seminar • March 7 from 7-9 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will hold a free public seminar, “Starting and Succeeding with a New Business” at the New Jersey Law Center, One Constitution Square, off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Singles • March 9 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. – The Professional and Business Singles Network will hold a casual singles social at Snuffy’s Famous Steak House, 250 Park Ave. at Rte. 22 in Scotch Plains. $18 admission, cash bar. Sharp casual business attire. 40+ age group. Info: 1-610-348-5544.

Gift Auction • March 9 at 8 p.m. – The St. John the Apostle Parent Faculty Guild is sponsoring a gift auction at the school’s auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance. The school is located on Valley Road, Clark. Info: 1-908-276-0498.

Art Workshop • March 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Arts Guild NJ, 1670 Irving St., Rahway, will present a Dynamic Figure Drawing and Anatomy Workshop. Fee: $95. Registration required; call 1-732-381-7511.

Farmers Market • March 10 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – The first East Brunswick Winter Farmers Market will be held a the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Rd.

ONE VOICE Coalition Breakfast • March 10 at 10 a.m. – The Italian-American ONE VOICE Coaltion will hold a special breakfast for new members at Brix Tapas Bar & Grill, 371 Franklin Ave., Belleville. Breakfast is $25; ONE VOICE membership is $60. Info: 1-973-759-9259.

CD & Record Show • March 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Greater NJ Record Show returns to Hotel 304 West on Route 22 West in Springfield. Dozens of music dealers will sell records, CDs, DVDs and memorabilia. Admission: $6 for adults, $3 for kids. Info: GNJRecordShows@yahoo.com

Purim Carnival • March 11 from noon-3 p.m. – The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, will hold a Purim Carnival Extravaganza. Free admission and games. Come in costume & receive two prize tickets. Info: 1-732-494-3232 ext. 621.

Blood Drive • March 13 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. – The Linden Public Library, 31 East Henry St., will host a blood drive in the Columbia Bank Room. Info: 1-908-298-3830 ext. 11 or 1-800-NJBLOOD.

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon • March 14 – St. Genevieve’s Leisure Group will hold their St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon at the Kenilworth Inn, at a cost of $32. Reservations may be made by calling 1-908-352-6942.

Landlord/Tenant Issues Seminar • March 15 from 7-9 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will sponsor a free public seminar on Landlord-Tenant Issues at the New Jersey Law Center off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

St. Patrick Happy Hour • March 16 from 5-7 p.m. – Ken Vercammen is inviting Central Jersey business owners and professionals to a St. Patrick Happy Hour at Bar Anticipation, 703 16th Ave., Lake Como / Belmar. RSVP to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com and bring a canned food donation.

Fishing Flea Market • March 17 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – The Rahway Fishing Flea Market, now in its 16th year, returns to St. Thomas Church Hall, 1400 St. Georges Ave. Saltwater & freshwater fishing items and boating items will be for sale. Admission: $4 (Children under 12 free) Info: 1-732-381-2165.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance • March 17 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. – Knights of Columbus #4815, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge, will hold a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance. Tickets are $25 (advance only) and include a traditional dinner, wine/beer/soda, and desserts. Cash bar. DJ music by Tony V. Info: 1-732-251-0970.

Cancer Presentation • March 21 at 7 p.m. – The Northern NJ Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition will sponsor an event, “Reinventing Your Life After Cancer,” with guest speaker Gail Tyrrell, executive director of the Ruby Heals Foundation, at Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. To register, call 1-201-843-6695.

Nonviolent Communication Workshop • March 31 from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, will host “Moving Beyond Enemy Images in Peace & Justice Work” presented by Eliane Geren, CNVC Trainer. Registration is $60 and participants should bring a bagged lunch. Info: 1-973-838-8576.

Disabilities Awareness Day • April 15 from noon-4 p.m. – The North Brunswick Abilities Council will host its 4th annual Disabilities Awareness Day at North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Rd. Free admission; refreshments. Info: 1-732-247-0922 ext. 619.

CD & Record Show • June 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Greater NJ Record Show returns to Hotel 304 West on Route 22 West in Springfield. Dozens of music dealers will sell records, CDs, DVDs and memorabilia. Admission: $6 for adults, $3 for kids. Info: GNJRecordShows@yahoo.com

Judge Denies Request For Special Grand Jury In Deloatch Shooting Case

atomtabloid — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:05:05 +0000

NEW BRUNSWICK — A Superior Court judge has denied a motion by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to create a special grand jury to exclusively hear testimony and review evidence in the fatal police shooting of a New Brunswick man in September.

As a result, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office will present the case to one of four grand juries that will be empanelled during the first week of March.

Each grand jury in Middlesex County convenes once a week for 18 weeks to decide whether there is sufficient probable cause to bring criminal charges against individuals.

The grand jurors will have the benefit of seeing all of the evidence that was gathered and hearing all of the witnesses who were contacted during an extensive investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

By law, grand jury proceedings are shielded from public view. When the grand jury has completed its work, the results will be reported to the court and released to the public.

Grand juries are a function of the Superior Court and not the prosecuting agencies of New Jersey. Each county prosecutor’s office, and the Office of the Attorney General, is empowered to present evidence and testimony, but it is the grand jury that privately decides what action to take in each case that is presented.

Barry Deloatch, 46, was shot in an alley between two homes on Throop Avenue in New Brunswick at 12:12 a.m. on Sept. 22, 2011, during a foot pursuit involving two New Brunswick police officers.

An autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Deloatch was shot once in his left side and that the bullet pierced his aorta.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is asking anyone who may have not yet come forward with information about the case to contact Investigator Jeffrey Temple at 1-732-745-3373.

Rutgers Goes For Record In Blood Donations

atomtabloid — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:44:10 +0000

NEW BRUNSWICK — NJ Blood Services (NJBS), a division of The New York Blood Center (NYBC), and Rutgers University (RU), will once again partner for the annual campus wide blood drive in an attempt to break a previous record of 874 pints, and the highest number of single-day blood donations on a New Jersey college campus.

Students, faculty, alumni and community residents are being urged to roll up their sleeves and donate on Tuesday, February 14th from 3 to 9pm, at one of several campus locations, including the College Avenue Recreation Center, Sonny Werblin Recreation Center on the Busch Campus, the Livingston Recreation Center and the Cook/Douglas Gym.

Tagged as a “Pint for a Pint” blood drive, the first 200 donors at each site will receive a “RU pint glass,” and all donors will receive Thomas Sweets ice cream after they donate. In addition, a $2.00 donation will be made for each pint of blood collected to Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH).

“Rutgers University has always been significant in donating to our blood supply,” said NJBS Director of Recruitment & Donor Retention Marie Forrestal. “We commend their efforts in supporting our need for blood and urge residents of the nearby communities to join them and donate at one of the campus locations on February 14th.”

New Jersey Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, says that the need for blood has increased beyond expectations.

“Every day in the U.S. approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities to treat patients with cancer and other diseases, to support organ transplant recipients and accident and trauma victims,” noted Forrestal. “Everyone has an obligation to donate blood, at least once a year and Rutgers University is certainly doings its part to meet the need.”

Eligible donors should be 17 years of age, or 16 with parental permission, show photo or signed ID, weigh 110 pounds, and be in good health. Persons with questions of medical eligibility should call 1-800-BLOOD (2566) or log onto the website at www.nybloodcenter.org

College Holds “Pink Day” For Breast Cancer Awareness

atomtabloid — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:37:34 +0000

EDISON — “Pink Day,” a program in which the Middlesex County College and Ocean County College basketball teams supported breast cancer awareness, was held at Middlesex on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

The men’s and women’s teams from both schools wore pink warmup t-shirts and wristbands and members of the Middlesex women’s team and softball squad held a bake sale and collected donations for cancer research. The program was part of “Pink Zone,” a national effort to raise awareness and funds, organized by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Before the women’s game, Gabriela Jurick (Avenel), a cancer survivor and the physical education coordinator at Middlesex, officiated at a ceremonial tipoff. The Ocean women won their game 74-59; the Middlesex men took their contest 68-59.

From left: Ellen Strong and Donna Makris, nurse educators from St. Peter’s University Hospital, speak with basketball point guard Samantha Miranda (Perth Amboy) and softball player Racheal Wernoch (Woodbridge).

From left: Liz Lawler, from Ocean County College; Carey Monkowski, assistant athletic director at Middlesex; Ms. Jurick; Middlesex County College President Joann La Perla-Morales; and Cristina Jordan (Woodbridge) from Middlesex. Before the game, players from the Middlesex softball and both Middlesex and Ocean women’s basketball teams learned about breast cancer awareness.

Middlesex County College To Offer Saturday Hours On Feb. 11

atomtabloid — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:09 +0000

EDISON — Students and future students who need enrollment services at Middlesex County College may take advantage of special hours on Saturday, Feb. 11. The offices will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The college is located at 2600 Woodbridge Avenue in Edison.

In addition, the New Brunswick Center, located at 140 New Street, and the Perth Amboy Center, at 60 Washington Street, will be open from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

“This is a convenience for adult students and others who might work during the day and find it easier to take care of enrollment procedures on Saturdays,” said Marla Brinson, dean of enrollment and student support services. “Students can come in and register for Spring II, a concentrated semester that begins Feb. 13.”

Offices that will be open on Feb. 11 include the Enrollment Center, Bursar’s Office, Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, the Testing Center, Counseling and Career Services, Student Activities, Academic Advisement and the College Bookstore. A representative from CARE, a program for returning adult students, will also be available.

In addition, the Financial Aid office will conduct a workshop on applying for financial aid. The workshop has limited seating, and students should register online at: www2.middlesexcc.edu/financial-aid/fafsa-workshop.html.

Middlesex County Introduces Budget

atomtabloid — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:24:18 +0000

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders last night formally introduced the county’s 2012 Operating Budget.

The budget plan carries a $1 million decrease in spending from 2011 and a $2 million decrease in spending from 2010. The 2012 plan reflects a savings of more than $5 million in salary and operating expenses, which helped the county to offset increases in mandated expenses, such as mental health costs and medical services. This was achieved through the operational restructuring efforts, reducing the number of departments from 28 to five.

“The budget we introduce tonight is $1.47 million dollars under the state mandated cap,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Ronald G. Rios, chair of the Administration Committee. “With it, we will continue our tradition of offering the second-lowest per capita cost of county government in the state.”

Rios said that to ensure that Middlesex County retains its Triple A bond rating, the county is eliminating the reliance on surplus funds to balance the 2012 Operating Budget.

“We are one of only 67 counties out of the 3,140 in the nation that has a Triple A rating, underscoring our sound financial practices. We are proud of this achievement,” he said.

Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano said the board worked closely with the Finance and Administration Committees and all department heads and office directors to complete a line-item by line-item review between September and December. In doing so, more than $10.1 million in spending was cut from what was originally requested in August, when this budget process began.

“The 2012 budget proposal before you tonight also is the result of this board’s commitment to finding new revenue sources and cutting all expenses under our control,” Rafano said.

The county, he said, will begin to realize millions of dollars in energy savings over the next year as its solar projects at the Apple Orchard Lane complex in North Brunswick and the county college come on line.

The county already is benefiting from an arrangement with Union County to explore shared health services because the two counties are sharing the salary and benefits costs for one health officer.

The county also is continuing its commitment to retire debt, before taking on new debt, lowering interest payments and enabling it to complete needed infrastructure improvements so that county roads, bridges and facilities remain in top condition.

“This 2012 Operating Budget proposal truly puts our residents first by providing quality services at a cost they can afford,” Rafano said. “It is the product of a Freeholder Board that is dedicated to cutting the size and cost of county government, to utilizing new technology to increase productivity and to fostering partnerships that deliver cost savings or generate revenue to lessen the burden on our taxpayers.”

Rafano and Rios recognized the County’s Chief Financial Officer Albert Kuchinskas and his staff for their work throughout the budget process.

A Public Hearing and the possible adoption of the 2012 plan are scheduled for Feb. 23.

“To summarize,” Rios said, “this budget is $1 million less than the 2011 budget. It is under the state-mandated cap by $1.47 million and it ensures that we retain our Triple A bond rating. We are proud of these accomplishments.”

Community Calendar

atomtabloid — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Atlantic City Boat Show • Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – The Atlantic City Convention Center, One Miss America Way, will host the Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show. See all varieties of boats and accessories and enjoy a variety of demonstrations, clinics, and other activities. Admission: $14. Info: 1-718-707-0716 or www.ACBoatShow.com

Flight School Open House • Feb. 3 at noon – American Flyers Flight School, 50 Airport Rd., Suite 120, at Morristown Airport will host an open house and barbecue. Tour classrooms, see flight aircraft and hear a presentation by a certified flight instructor. Guests are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Info: 1-973-267-3223.

Singles • Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. – Steppin’ Out Singles will hold an upscale dance party at the Woodbridge Hilton Grand Ballroom, 20 Wood Ave. South, Iselin. Ages 40+; no jeans/t-shirts/sneakers. Admission: $17. Info: 1-732-656-1801. Directions: 1-732-494-6200.

FairTax Presentation • Feb. 6 from 6:30-8:45 p.m. – Americans for Liberty and the Morris Patriots will co-host an event at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany, where former Congressional candidate Dave Corsi will conduct a FairTax presentation. Info: 1-973-285-6930.

Middlesex East Widows Or Widowers • Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. – Middlesex East Widows Or Widowers will conduct a business meeting at the Carteret Community Center, at Pershing and Cooke aves. All widows & widowers welcome. Info: 1-732-969-2228 or 1-908-757-0515.

Blood Pressure Screening • Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. – noon – Overlook Medical Center health care professionals will conduct blood pressure screenings at the Scotch Plains YMCA, 1340 Martine Ave. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register.

Diabetes Screening • Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. – noon – Overlook Medical Center professionals will conduct Type 2 diabetes screenings at the Jewish Community Center, 1391 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register.

Women’s Heart Health • Feb. 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. – A cardiologist from Trinitas Regional Medical Center will present “Recognizing Cardiac Signs and Symptoms: When Should You See Your Doctor?” at The Westwood, 483 North Ave., Garwood. To register, call 1-908-994-8939.

Woodbridge Widows Or Widowers • Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. – Woodbridge Widows Or Widowers will conduct a business meeting in the Children’s Room of the Main Library, George Frederick Plaza, Rte. 35, Woodbridge. All widows and widowers welcome. Info: 1-732-381-3255 or 1-908-757-0515.

Meditation Lecture • Feb. 9 – Raritan Bay Coffee Company, located inside the Perth Amboy train station at 233 Smith St., will host two interactive lecture sessions with Jim Rose, M Ed. On “Meditation, A Spiritual Solution To Stress, Anger and Conflict” from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Info: 1-848-203-3432.

Living With Alzheimer’s (For Caregivers) • Feb. 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. – The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, will present the first of a two-part program, “Living with Alzheimer’s: For Caregivers – Moderate Stage” a the NJIT Campus Center, 150 Bleeker St., Ballroom B, 2nd Flooer, University Heights, Newark. Part two will be held at the same time and place on Feb. 16. To register, call 1-973-586-4300.

Art Show Opening Reception • Feb. 9 from 7-9 p.m. – The Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, will host an opening reception for “CompleXity: Art Outside the Limits of Imagination.” The exhibition, which runs until Feb. 26, features work by Gary Bulwicz, Dawn Arena, Paul Borkowski and Andrew Edwards. The gallery is open weekdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and weekends from 2-4 p.m.

Theatre • Feb. 10-26 – Playhouse 22, located at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick, will present a production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students. Info: 1-732-254-3939.

ELC Breakfast • Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. – The Middlesex County Employer Legislative Committee will host a breakfast with Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-18) at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 515 US Highway 1, Iselin. Cost is $20 per person. Register with jsteiner@organizationresources.org.

Cholesterol Screening • Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. – noon – Overlook Medical Center professionals will conduct cholesterol screenings at the Home Depot, Springfield Ave., Vauxhall. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register. There is a $10 fee.

Guitar Night • Feb. 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. – Raritan Bay Coffee Company, located inside the Perth Amboy train station, 233 Smith St., will host a guitar night with music by Alejandro Ataucusi and Paul Kosar. Info: 1-732-343-1717.

Thanksgiving in February • Feb. 12 from 2- 6 p.m. – Woodbridge Elks Lodge #2116, 665 Rahway Ave. will host a Thanksgiving in February “All You Can Eat” turkey buffet dinner. Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-10.

ESL Classes • Feb. 13 – The JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, will offer English as a Second Language classes in February and March. Testing for new students will take place during the week of Feb. 13; classes begin on Feb. 28. The cost is $100 ($10 per class) Info: Sharon Katz, 1-732-494-3232 x. 619.

Cholesterol Screening • Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Overlook Medical Center professionals will conduct cholesterol screenings at Overlook Downtown, 357 Springfield Ave., Summit. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register. There is a $10 fee.

Blood Pressure Screening • Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. – noon – Overlook Medical Center health care professionals will conduct blood pressure screenings at Whole Foods Market, 2245 Springfield Ave., Vauxhall. Call 1-800-247-9580 to register.

Medicare/Medicaid Seminar • Feb. 16 from 1-3 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will sponsor a free public seminar on navigating the “Medicare-Medicaid Maze” at the New Jersey Law Center, One Constitution Square off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Flower & Garden Show • Feb. 16 from 1-8 p.m., Feb 17 &18 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – The New Jersey Flower & Garden Show, offering garden displays, a flower show and a garden marketplace, will be held at New Jersey Convention Center, Edison. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for kids 12-17. Info:1-732-449-4004

Book Discussion • Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. – The Carteret Public Library, 100 Cooke Ave., will host a meeting of its Reading Club. They will discuss “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Info: 1-732-541-3830.

Open Mic Night • Feb. 16 from 7-9 p.m. – The Raritan Bay Coffee Company, located inside the Perth Amboy Train Station at 233 Smith St., will host an open mic night for music, song and spoken word. There will also be an art reception for local artist Juan Valdez. Info: 1-732-343-1717.

Singles • Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. – Steppin’ Out Singles will hold an upscale dance party at the Woodbridge Hilton Grand Ballroom, 20 Wood Ave. South, Iselin. Ages 40+; no jeans/t-shirts/sneakers. Admission: $17. Info: 1-732-656-1801. Directions: 1-732-494-6200.

Art Workshop • Feb. 25 – Arts Guild NJ, 1670 Irving St., Rahway, will present an Encaustic Painting Workshop. Fee: $70 + $25 materials fee. Registration required; call 1-732-381-7511.

Blood Drive • March 13 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. – The Linden Public Library, 31 East Henry St., will host a blood drive in the Columbia Bank Room. Info: 1-908-298-3830 ext. 11 or 1-800-NJBLOOD.

Landlord/Tenant Issues Seminar • March 15 from 7-9 p.m. – The state Bar Foundation will sponsor a free public seminar on Landlord-Tenant Issues at the New Jersey Law Center off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. To register, call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Cancer Presentation • March 21 at 7 p.m. – The Northern NJ Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition will sponsor an event, “Reinventing Your Life After Cancer,” with guest speaker Gail Tyrrell, executive director of the Ruby Heals Foundation, at Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. To register, call 1-201-843-6695.

Investigation Of New Brunswick Police-Involved Shooting Continues

atomtabloid — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:09:30 +0000

NEW BRUNSWICK — The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the police-involved shooting of a man in New Brunswick, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced Wednesday evening.

Investigators from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office immediately took control of the scene of the shooting, independently interviewed witnesses, gathered evidence, and continued canvassing the neighborhood after the man was wounded at 6:14 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Two New Brunswick police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is a standard procedure in the New Brunswick Police Department. Their names are being withheld at this time.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office also immediately notified the state Office of the Attorney General, in accordance with state guidelines governing the reporting and investigation of shooting incidents involving police officers.

New Brunswick police preliminarily reported that the two officers were on routine patrol at Remsen Avenue and Seaman Street when the man fired a gun.

The officers then fired shots and wounded the man, who was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was listed in critical but stable condition yesterday.