Daily Rundown, Friday, Nov. 3

Hunterdon Central volleyball teams raise funds

The members of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School Girls Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshman Volleyball teams presented the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center with a check for $900 on Oct. 13. The teams raised the funds and promoted breast cancer awareness at their Second Annual Pink Out Event where they sold pink T-shirts, pink socks, pink shoe laces and pink bracelets. They also raised money through concessions, raffling gift baskets and holding a volleyball serving contest.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, motorcyclists to visit New Brunswick

Hundreds of motorcyclists will hit the road on Sunday, Nov. 5 in Rahway and travel to The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick to bring holiday greetings and deliver toys for the hospital’s pediatric patients and community children. The annual “Toy Run” — now in its nineteenth year — will be a sight to behold as members of The Liberty H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter of Rahway depart from Union County at 1 p.m. and make their way to Middlesex County, escorted en route by local police departments, and arrive on Somerset Street at approximately 1:30 p.m. Joining the motorcade will be Santa and Mrs. Claus, their helpers and rows and rows of Harley Davidsons. Light refreshments will be served.

READ: Catch up on the Nov. 2 Daily Rundown

Franklin woman seriously injured in crash

A 74-year-old woman from the Somerset section of Franklin is hospitalized in critical condition after suffering a fractured leg and head injury when she was struck on JFK Boulevard. According to police, around 4 p.m. Oct. 31 the Franklin Township Police Department received a number of 911 calls reporting a pedestrian struck on JFK Boulevard in the area of New Brunswick Road. When police arrived the found a pedestrian lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The initial investigation by the Franklin Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureaurevealed that a 2012 Nissan Maxima driven by Nada Gilbert, 28, of the Somerset section was traveling eastbound on New Brunswick Road prior to the crash. As the Maxima made a left hand turn onto JFK Boulevard, it struck Hendrika Houben, 74, of Somerset, as she was crossing the roadway in a marked crosswalk. The accident is under investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Erik Hagman at 732-873-5533 extension 3111.

Circle Players presents 'V for Vendetta' fundraiser

This Sunday, Nov. 5 , at 7 p.m., Circle Players at 416 Victoria Ave. in Piscatway will present Raconteur Radio's V for Vendetta: ACLU and HRC Fundraiser. The event will take place at Circle Players, 416 Victoria Avenue, Piscataway. All proceeds will be divided equally between the ACLU and The Human Rights Campaign. Alan Moore’s graphic novel is a post-apocalyptic cautionary tale about politics. This special event is being presented by Circle Players, CoLab Arts, and Raconteur Radio. The show, suitable for ages 10 and up, features Laurence Mintz, Danielle Illario, Jason Jackson, Michael Jarmus, Jeff Maschi, and Alex Dawson. The suggested donation is $20, but this is a pay-what-you-can event; allowing for occupancy limits, no one will be turned away, according to a news release. Visit www.colab-arts.org/v-for-vendetta for advance donations (or to contribute). Prior to the program proper, from 7 to 7:30 p.m., Circle Players will offer patrons pre-addressed and pre-stamped postcards for patrons to contact their senators or representatives regarding any political matter. To find out how you or your organization can host a V fundraiser, e-mail raconteurbooks@gmail.com.

John Jansma joins Natirar as wine director

Award-winning sommelier John Jansma has been appointed wine director of Natirar. He joins the a culinary team that comprises Ninety Acres, Natirar Cooking School and The Farm at Natirar in Peapack-Gladstone. “John joins us at a seminal time as we evolve Natirar’s well regarded wine program to appeal to an ever-broader audience,” said Founder Bob Wojtowicz, referring to a master plan that encompasses the recently reopened Mansion at Natirar as well as additional components to become a travel destination. Certified by the Sommelier Society of America, Jansma has received many awards, including Wine Spectator, DiRoNA, OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice, and the AAA Four Diamond Award. He was named Iron Shaker NJ Champion in 2014. For the past six years, Jansma has served as general manager and sommelier of Restaurant Serenade in Chatham. Natirar, formerly owned by the King of Morocco, is set on a 500-acre estate in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills. It is a public private partnership between Somerset County and Robert Wojtowicz, Natirar’s founder. Visit www.natirar.com

State lawmakers recognized for helping advance MADD’s mission

Three New Jersey lawmakers are among the “2017 Legislators of the Year” named Wednesday by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD. In all, MADD recognized 42 lawmakers for their work to help eliminate the 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving. Legislators honored from New Jersey are: state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Dist. 22, of Linden; Assemblyman Joseph Lagana, D-Dist. 38, of Paramus; and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, R-Dist. 13, of Red Bank. “MADD is proud to recognize and thank these 42 lawmakers who joined us in our mission to end this public safety crisis on our roadways,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church. “Drunk driving remains the leading killer on our roads, and the numbers have increased for two straight years. We depend on the support and dedication of state legislators to reverse this trend.” Many of those honored have played a major role in MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which was launched in 2006, according to a news release. A key component of the Campaign calls for the passage of all-offender interlock laws, which require the use of an ignition interlock for any convicted drunk driver who seeks driving privileges during a license suspension period. Today, 30 states and Washington D.C. have enacted all-offender interlock laws. For the entire list, visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.

New Jersey Photography Forum to hold gala reception 

The public is invited to attend the gala opening reception for the 23rd juried Photography Exhibit of the New Jersey Photography Forum on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Watchung Arts Center on the Watchung Circle. The exhibit is free, and can be viewed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 to 3 p.m. or by appointment. All of the images will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Watchung Arts Center. The show presents 42 works by photographers from all over New Jersey that were selected from more than 150 pieces that were submitted for consideration by the jurors. The twenty-one photographers whose work is included in the show are: Peter Alessandria, Dover; Barbara Beeman, Bayonne; Sandra Borden, Mendham; Julia Averett Buteux, Madison; Robert Campbell, Toms River; David Coken, Mountainside; Paul Donohoe, Point Pleasant; Ralph Greene, Woodland Park; Judy Gorab, West Milford; Theresa Hood, Stroudsburg, PA; Marv Kaminsky, Flanders; Dorothy Kuehn, Maplewood; Parvathi Kumar, Bridgewater; John Markanich, West Milford; Charlann Meluso, Berkeley Heights; Charles Miller, Ringoes; Kathleen Nademus, Fords; Isaac Stackell, Montclair; Heidi Sussman, West Orange; Branch Watkins, Morristown; and Jon Weston, Chatham. The New Jersey Photography Forum is dedicated to furthering the interests of professional and serious photographers living or working in the New Jersey area. The forum is directed by Nancy Ori. Visit www.watchungarts.org. For more on the New Jersey Photography Forum, visit www.njphotoforum.com or call  908-790-8820.

New Jersey flutists perform at New York festival

The New Jersey Youth Symphony Fortissimo Flutes will perform at the Skidmore Flute Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday, Nov. 4. Diana Charos Reilly, director of NJYS Flute Ensembles, will guest conduct the full festival choir. Fortissimo Flutes members Ishika Agrawal, Rachel Carroll, Yean Heo, Minato Hiraoka, Vicki Iasso, Yulia Kuzniar, Alyssia Liu, Maya Mukadam, and Victoria Zhou will perform River Flows in You by Yiruma and Masques by Anne McGinty. Other participating ensembles in the festival include the Skidmore Flute Ensemble, College of Saint Rose Flute Choir, Capital Area Flute Club Ensemble, Schenectady County Community College Flute Ensemble, Wright Studio Ensemble, and Adirondack Flutes. Fortissimo Flutes, an ensemble of the New Providence/Berkeley Heights-based New Jersey Youth Symphony, consists of eight highly advanced high school musicians. Performing on piccolo, alto and bass flute, in addition to the traditional C flute, Fortissimo Flutes frequently appear in concerts and interactive events. Under the direction of Reilly, Fortissimo Flutes also act as mentors within the New Jersey Youth Symphony community, inspiring younger students to strive for excellence and encouraging a lifelong love of music, according to a news release. Call 908-790-0700 ext. 15, or visit WhartonArts.org.

Dance With Friends At The Elks 

A “Dance With Friends At The Elks” event will be conducted on Saturday Nov. 4, from 7 11:30 pm. at the Middlesex Elks, 545 Bound Brook Road. Light refreshments served. The event, for ages 40 and up, features ballroom, contemporary, disco, and line dancing. Music is by DJ Don Pesce. No registration required. For further information contact Ramona at 908-528-0794. 

Free consultation set for disability services 

Have you been denied Social Security disability or veterans benefits? Are you having difficulty applying for these benefits? If so, you may want to apply for a free consultation with an attorney from the Community Justice Center of Trenton. The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services will provide an opportunity for eligible residents to meet an attorney at its office at 27 Warren St. in Somerville Thursday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Somerset County residents living with disabilities who are interested in this free consultation should contact Paulann Pierson of the Office on Aging and Disability Services by Nov. 6 at 908-704-6334 or ppierson@co.somerset.nj.us to obtain a referral form that is required by the Community Justice Center. 

Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' at Playhouse 22

Playhouse 22, East Brunswick’s Community Theater, is presenting Agatha Christie’s "The Mousetrap" from Nov. 3 to 19.  Agatha Christie’s "The Mousetrap" is a murder mystery set in the grand hall of Monkswell Manor during a winter storm. There are six guests. Suddenly, there is a murder, and everyone is a suspect. The longest continuously running play in history, "The Mousetrap" opened in London in 1952. Guests will be invited to join the cast and crew for a special opening night reception, sponsored by the East Brunswick Stop and Shop, Cabot Creamery, and Ibby's Mediterranean Fresh in East Brunswick will be held after the November 3 performance. The show is directed by Jeff Seesselberg. The cast includes Joanna Karausz, Marc Suznovich, Alexander Portera, Jacqueline Master, Mike Levine, Jennifer Moffett, Rupert Ravens and Jake Zillioux. Playhouse 22’s performances will be Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors and students, and can be purchased online at Playhouse22.org; calling the Box Office at 732-254-3939; or at the door on the day of the performance. Playhouse 22 is in the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Adult Care Food Program sponsorship

The Sewa Adult Day Care LLC on Route 18 in East Brunswick announces the sponsorship of the Adult Care Food Program. This is a federally funded program that reimburses sponsoring agencies that provide healthy meals and snacks at no charge to adults enrolled in licensed or approved day-care facilities. Meals are available at no separate charge to all enrolled participants in the Adult Care Food Program and are served without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program of the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Call 732-210-2038.

Liberty Transportation & Storage Co. recognized

The Berkeley Heights-based Liberty Transportation & Storage Co., an agent of United Van Lines, has been honored by America’s Number One Mover for exceptional professional achievement. The firm received the President’s Club Award at the $2 million level, – honoring agents who have generated at least $1 million in sales for the United system during the past year. Visit UnitedVanLines.com.

Upcoming information meetings

NORWESCAP Career & Life Transitions Center for Women provides free employment readiness training. To learn more about the services the Career & Life Transitions Center offers, register for their upcoming information meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15  at 10 a.m. by calling 908-788-1453. Pre-registration is required. 

November recycling information in Somerset County

Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione, recycling liaison, invites residents to take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event Saturday Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater. First Saturday drop-off events enable busy residents to recycle tires; clean, dry textiles; and usual curbside items in one fell swoop. For more information about First Saturday events, visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/1stSat or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363. Residents wishing to help the needy during these difficult economic times can bring canned goods and non-perishable food donations to First Saturday of the Month drop-off events or they can put out canned goods in a plastic bag on their usual recycling pickup dates. Items are delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. A listing of recyclable items, recycling drop-off events (First Saturday of the Month, household hazardous waste, medicine, e-waste and tire) and more is available at www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle.

Drop-off Electronic waste Nov. 4 in Hillsborough

 Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione, recycling liaison, invites residents to declutter their homes of the many electronic items that tend to accumulate. The next free-of-charge Saturday electronic waste drop-off event is Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South County Public Works Garage at 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough. Weekday drop-offs can be made Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North County Public Works Facility - Building B - 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater 08807 and the South County Public Works Garage. For more information about recycling electronics, contact the Somerset County Road Division at 908-541-5021, email roaddiv@co.somerset.nj.us or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/e-waste.

Freeholder Rios helps celebrate Carteret milestone 

Residents and officials celebrated another milestone for Carteret's Municipal Marina on Oct. 24, as ground was broken on another phase of the project. Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said the county has been committed to helping the borough revitalize its waterfront since the installation of the waterfront pier over a decade ago. “When we are done, we will have a dynamic new waterfront for both residents and visitors to enjoy — one that will put Carteret on the map as a destination for boating, fishing and family recreation,” Rios said. The property, located along the Arthur Kill, will soon feature a municipal marina designed to provide Carteret with new opportunities in recreation and commerce. Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman said that when the additional phases are complete, the Marina will have 190 boat slips, some of which will be used by the New Jersey State Police. There also are plans for a waterfront restaurant.

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