Children's survival program coming to Cheesequake

"Lost in the Woods: A Children's Survival Program" is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Cheesequake Park Interpretive Center, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge.

Information will be offered on a nine-point plan to assist children if they become separated from their group while hiking.

The program is open to ages 6-11.

For more information, call (732) 566-3208.

Performing arts school to stage 'Senior Showcase'

The School of Performing Arts at Middlesex Vocational and Technical High School will present its second annual "Theatre Department Senior Showcase" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 20 at the school's East Brunswick campus, Rues Lane.

"Warcraft," an original script written by senior David Wegescheide of Highland Park, will be directed by professional director Louis Wells. Two local professional actors will perform the play.

Lauren Clark of Metuchen will present a slide-show of her makeup design and will perform an original dance piece. The makeup presentation will include a live demonstration of "bruise" application.

Patricia Snair of Old Bridge will offer an original one-woman multimedia show. Snair, who plans to pursue a career in photography and in performance, will use the photo show as a counterpoint to her standup act.

"The Story of a Man Who Turned Into a Dog," a socially relevant one-act play by Argentinean playwright Osvaldo Dragun, will be directed by senior Steve Webb of South River. The presentation will introduce three members of the school's new freshman class.

The School of Performing Arts gives students the opportunity to take half-day classes in theatre during their high-school years. The students are trained for entrance into a conservatory-style college or an independent training program or for entry-level positions in arts organizations. The seniors produce a final showcase as the culmination of their theatrical training.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students in kindergarten-12th grade, free of charge for kindergarten to 12th-grade teachers.

For more information, call (732) 254-8700.

S.R. Library Friends to hold Jan. 25 meeting

The Friends of the South River Library will hold a reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the upstairs meeting room at the library, Appleby Avenue.

Members and prospective members are invited. Interested individuals who cannot attend the meeting but would like to work with the Friends should call the library at (732) 254-2488.

Chamber of Commerce sets A.M. Networking

The Raritan Valley YMCA, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick, will host the next East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce A.M. Networking Meeting, planned for 7:30-8:45 a.m. on Jan. 18.

Guest speaker will be Ken Deitz of Simon and Deitz, certified public accountants. All businesses are invited to attend.

Cost is $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers. For more information and to reserve, call (732) 257-3009.

Rotary bingo event to benefit firehouses

The Rotary Club of New Brunswick will hold its annual Bingo Game at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 at St. Peter's High School, 175 Somerset St., New Brunswick.

Approximately $1,000 in prizes will be given out. Proceeds will be used to refurbish the living quarters of the three firehouses in New Brunswick.

For more information, call (732) 309-3699 or (732) 732 322-1252.

Sociable Singles to meet on Jan. 28

Etz Chaim Sociable Singles will meet from 1-4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Monroe Township Jewish Center, 11 Cornell Ave.

The event will feature comedy, discussions, socializing and refreshments. Admission is $5 per person.

For more information, call (609) 655-5137.

Simon's 'Rumours' coming to SRHS

The Montgomery Street Players, South River, will present Neil Simon's "Rumours" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 20 in the auditorium at South River High School, Montgomery Street.

Tickets cost $5 for students, $7 for adults. Refreshments will be sold during intermission.

For more information, call (732) 613-4014.

Ladies auxiliary to meet on Jan. 23

The Ladies Auxiliary of Sayreville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4699 will hold its next meeting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the post home, Jernee Mill Road. Prospective members are welcome.

Call Lucy Rossi at (732) 264-3041.

Tickets are available for library puppetry fest

Two professional puppetry shows and a "Build-Your-Own-Puppet" workshop are planned for The East Brunswick Friends of the Library's eighth annual Phyllis Noar Puppetry Festival set for Feb. 11 and 25 at the East Brunswick Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. Tickets for all events are now on sale.

Tuckers' Tales Puppet Theatre will offer comical "Trickster Tales" at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 for children ages 3 and up. Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets will present "Animalia," a look at the animal kingdom for ages 4 and up, at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Tickets cost $2 for each puppet show and may be purchased at the library circulation desk or by mail.

Ticket buyers will be asked to fill out an order form available at the circulation desk, in the library's December/January library newsletter, and at www.ebpl.org.

In addition, Tuckers' Tales will conduct a puppet-making workshop for ages 5 and up at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 11. A limited number of tickets will be available for $3 each at the youth services desk.

Cash and checks made payable to the East Brunswick Friends of the Library will be accepted for the puppet shows and the workshop. Age requirements will be strictly observed for all events. Refunds will be given only if the program is canceled.

The festival is sponsored by the Phyllis Noar Memorial Fund of the Friends of the Library to celebrate the life of the late library advocate and past president of the Friends. For more information, call (732) 390-6789 or (732) 390-6783.

Piano duo to perform

at St. Mary's

Duet pianists Edwin Lopez and Ronald Thayer will perform together in a concert planned for 4 p.m. on Jan. 21 at St. Mary's Church, Augusta Street, South Amboy. The event is part of the Music at St. Mary's concert series.

The concert is free of charge; however, free-will donations will be gratefully accepted. The public is invited.

For more information, call (732) 721-0179.

The program has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, through a grant provided by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission/Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Investing to be topic

at temple program

The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Ohr, Route 516, Old Bridge, will sponsor the 27th annual Ed Mendlowitz Financial Program at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the temple.

Guest speaker Ed Mendlowitz, certified public accountant, will offer a presentation titled "Six Timeless Investing Tips for Every Person in Every Situation."

A complimentary breakfast is set for 10 a.m. A free financial booklet will be distributed.

For more information, call the synagogue office at (732) 257-1523. Event at Friday's to benefit OLOL School

Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) School, Milltown, will host a Proceeds Night fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. on Jan. 25 at T.G.I. Friday's, Route 1 south, North Brunswick.

The restaurant will donate 20 percent of each school supporter's check (eat-in or takeout) to the school. Diners must present an event flier for the donation to count.

For fliers or more information, call the school office at (732) 828-1951 or log on to www.ololschoolnj.org.

OLV Seniors to offer Jan. 22 trip to casino

Our Lady of Victories Seniors will sponsor a Jan. 22 trip to the Hilton Casino, Atlantic City.

The bus will depart at 10 a.m. from the lower parking lot at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Main Street, Sayreville. Return will be at approximately 8 p.m.

Cost is $25 and includes bus transportation, a visit to "The Tony Pace Show" and a $15 return in cash. For more information and to reserve, call Jack at (732) 254-7263.

Info available on E.B. school-board candidacy

The deadline for filing nominating petitions to run for positions on the East Brunswick Board of Education is 4 p.m. on Feb. 26. The election is scheduled for April 17.

Prospective school board candidates may obtain a School Board Candidate Kit from the office of Bernardo Giuliana, business administrator/board secretary, in the Jon R. Kopko Administration Building, 760 Route 18, East Brunswick.

Published by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the School Board Candidate Kit includes information about legal qualifications for school-board candidacy, campaign procedures and the role of the school-board member. Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act, important dates in the school election process and briefing sessions for school-board candidates also are included in the kit.

For more information, log on to www.njsba.org/>www.njsba.org.

Students invited to

science programs in E.B.

East Brunswick Public Schools Adult and Community Education will sponsor two programs for youngsters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 7 (an East Brunswick Schools district-wide staff development day and no school for students) at Irwin School, 71 Racetrack Road.

Parents of students in second and third grades are invited to bring their children to "Harry Potter-style Chemical Magic." Parents may bring their fourth- and fifth-grade youngsters to "Super Science Make and Take."

For more information on the programs and to find out how to register, log on to www.ebnet.org and click on Community Programs, then Spring Catalog.

Clergyman to discuss 'Da Vinci Code'

The Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Alliegro, pastor of St. Bartholomew's Church, East Brunswick, will lead a discussion on the film "The Da Vinci Code" following its showing at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center.

The film, based on the best-selling book of the same title, is rated PG-13. Running time is 149 minutes.

Admission to the program is free of charge. The public is invited.

For more information, call (732) 390-6767 or log on to www.ebpl.org and click on News and Events. Monroe GOP seeks potential candidates

The Monroe Township Republican Committee is looking for registered Republicans who have considered entering local politics.

Three positions, the mayor's seat and two at-large Township Council seats, are up for election this year. Potential GOP candidates will go before the Monroe Township Republican Committee to determine who will receive the party line. The 14th District legislative incumbents also are up for re-election.

Interested individuals should call Sidna B. Mitchell, Monroe Township Republican Committee chairperson, at (609) 409-7837, before Feb. 1.

Open houses slated at Our Lady of Lourdes

As part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Our Lady of Lourdes School, 44 Cleveland Ave., Milltown, will host open houses from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 and 9-11 a.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. on Jan. 29.

School tours will be offered, and registration packets for prekindergarten-eighth grades will be available. The Jan. 29 evening also will feature performances by Sister Dorota and the Singing Club, the Biddy Cheerleaders and teacher Ana Ramos' dance group. "Father Hager and His Biblical Magic Show" also will be presented.

For more information, call the school office at (732) 828-1951 or log on to www.ololschoolnj.org.

Artists sought for E.B. Fine Arts Festival

The East Brunswick Arts Commission and the Visual Arts Celebration Committee will sponsor the fifth annual Fine Arts Festival, an outdoor juried show and sale of fine art and handmade crafts, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 9 around the pond in the East Brunswick municipal complex, Jean Walling Civic Center. Rain date is June 10.

The daylong family event, which will provide artists with a venue to exhibit their work, demonstrate their talents and offer original art and craft items for sale, is intended to attract buyers from throughout the metro area.

Entries will be considered in all media including oils/acrylics, watercolors, photography, sculpture, graphics/drawings/pastels, mixed media and fine handcrafts. Up to $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded by professional judges. Artist application deadline is May 1.

East Brunswick residents in grades 9-12 also are invited to participate. The students' artwork will be juried for acceptance into the show. Student application deadline is Feb. 9.

For more information or artist and student-artist applications, call (732) 390-6797 or e-mail karen.kecskes@eastbrunswick.org.

Milltown recreation offers trips, programs

The Milltown Department of Recreation will sponsor a variety of upcoming events.

All trips and programs are open to residents and nonresidents.

The rec office is offering a bus trip to the 7:30 p.m. March 16 New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets basketball game at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Cost is $60 per ticket and includes bus transportation.

A trip to see the 8 p.m. performance of "A Chorus Line" on Broadway, New York City, is set for March 24. Cost is $125 per ticket and includes bus transportation.

A visit to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden, New York City, is set for March 31. Participants will attend the 3:15 p.m. show. Cost is $45 per ticket and includes bus transportation.

An eight-week "Winter Youth Art Odyssey" program, open to individuals ages 4-adult, begins on Jan. 20. Call for session times and fees.

Adult fitness classes begin on Feb. 5. The eight-week program will include day and evening classes in step, tone, yoga and pilates. Call for times and fees. For more information and to reserve, call the rec office at (732) 828-2100, ext. 141.

Fundraiser to feature casino games, baskets

St. Ambrose HSA will sponsor a Casino Knight of 100 Baskets beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the auditorium at St. Ambrose School, Throckmorton Lane, Old Bridge. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

The event will feature music by DJ Sal Corto, a buffet dinner, coffee, soda and dessert, raffles, roulette, craps, blackjack and 100 gift baskets. Prizes will be awarded. No cash will be distributed. Individuals must be age 21 or older to attend.

Cost is $45 per adult, $40 per senior. Tables of 10 will be put together. Ticket purchasers may list the names of those with whom they would like to sit.

For more information and tickets, call Lorraine at (732) 679-7286 or Andrew at (732) 679-0828. OLV Columbiettes to honor past presidents

Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 Columbiettes will pay tribute to all its recent past presidents at a dinner-dance beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Knights of Columbus Victorian Hall, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

The event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, open bar and dancing to music by DJ Gary "Motown" Morton. Tickets cost $20 per person. The public is invited.

For more information and to reserve, call Maryann at (732) 721-4563.

Reservation deadline is Jan. 31.

Greenstein to speak at Monroe temple

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-14) will be the featured speaker at the regular Oneg Shabbat Friday evening service set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Concordia Shopping Center, Perrineville and Prospect Plains roads, Monroe. Cantor Eli Perlman will lead the service.

Greenstein will offer a presentation titled "What Is Going On in the State Legislature, and Its Implications for You." She will describe recent actions and current discussions on law and policy. Questions and comments will be welcome.

Refreshments will be provided following services and the presentation.

Tickets available for Sweetheart Car Raffle

Jamesburg Elks Lodge No. 2180, 74 W. Railroad Ave., will hold its first Sweetheart Car Raffle from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 10. Organizers hope to make the raffle an annual event.

Tickets cost $100 each. Grand prize is a 2007 Hyundai Accent (four-door, automatic transmission, air conditioning, CD player). Three additional prizes (a camcorder, a digital camera and an iPod) will be raffled off. Ticket purchase includes food and beverages.

Raffle tickets may be purchased from Bill Orpin at Cornithian Capital, 30 W. Railroad Ave., or from Frank Olexson at (732) 521-8395 or Tom Sparacio at (732) 521-4671.

Proceeds from the raffle will be used for Elks' building improvements and repairs.

SAT prep offered for high school students

An SAT Prep Course for high school juniors and seniors will be offered at East Brunswick High School beginning Feb 5. Sessions are open to all East Brunswick residents.

For more information and to register, log on to www.ebnet.org and click on Community Programs, or call (732) 613-6982.

Catholic Schools Week begins Jan. 28 at OLOL

Our Lady of Lourdes School (OLOL), 44 Cleveland Ave., Milltown, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with an open house Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Jan. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event will feature school tours, and registration packets for grades prekindergarten through eight.

The Jan. 29 evening event will also feature performances by Sister Dorota and the Singing Club, the Biddy Cheerleaders, a dancing group; and Father Hagan's "Biblical Magic Show." Family Appreciation Day will be held Feb. 2 beginning with Mass at 9 a.m. Parents and students will be treated to pizza for lunch, followed by the annual teacher volleyball game. To end Catholic Schools Week, OLOL will host a bowling party Feb. 4 from 2-4 p.m. at Brunswick Zone, Route 1, North Brunswick.

Registration for new students in grades K-8 will be held Feb. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 6-8 p.m. Registration for prekindergarten students will be held Feb. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 6-8 p.m.

For more information, call the office at (732) 828-1951 or visit www.ololschoolnj.org.

St. Bart's open houses scheduled for Jan. 23, 30

St. Bartholomew School, 470 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, will hold open houses from 9:15-10:15 a.m. and 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 30.

Parents and students are invited to tour the facilities, meet the faculty and administration, and review the academic curriculum.

The school has half-day and full-day preschool, full-day kindergarten and classes for grades 1-8. Busing is available.

For more information, call the school office at (732) 254-7105 or attend a parent information meeting set for 8:30-10 a.m. on Jan. 27 at the school.

Villagers will present 'Bat Boy: The Musical'

Villagers Theatre, a nonprofit center for the performing and cultural arts, will stage "Bat Boy: The Musical" at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 26-Feb. 18, at Villagers Theatre, 415 Demott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

The musical, which offers a twist on the modern-day musical comedy, premiered at Tim Robbins' Actors Gang Theatre in Los Angeles on Halloween 1997. With book by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, "Bat Boy" tells the story of a strange boy with pointy ears, his struggle to find a place in a world that shuns him, and a love that can create both miracles and madness. The show contains adult language and themes.

Tickets cost $18, $16 seniors and students. To reserve, call the box office at (732) 873-2710. For directions and more information, log on to www.villagerstheatre.com.

The program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.

Tickets available for pro-wrestling event

National Wrestling Superstars (NWS) will return on Feb. 9 to Sayreville Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 Hall, 775 Washington Road. Bell time is set for 7:45 p.m. Brutus the Barber Beefcake will wrestle in a loser-loses hair match. The CJ 8 Tag team Battle Royal also will be on the card. For tickets or to make reservation, call Jack at (848) 228-0126 and leave a message.

Blood screenings available at senior center

Saint Peter's University Hospital Mobile Health Unit personnel will provide blood-sugar and blood-pressure screenings from 10-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24 at the George Bush Senior Center Office on Aging, 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Route 516 and Cottrell Road. For more information, call (732) 721-5600, ext. 6625.