Community Bulletin Board
Hazardous waste drop-off days scheduled

The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management recently set the following household hazardous waste drop-off days schedule:

+ April 15 at the Middlesex County Highways Department, Apple Orchard Lane, off Route 130, North Brunswick;

+ May 21 at Middlesex County College, near the Mill Road entrance, Edison.

All collection times are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Household hazardous wastes which are improperly disposed of are identified as a danger to children and animals, a potential cause of groundwater pollution and a potential threat to garbage collection crews.

Acceptable materials that county residents may bring for disposal include, but are not limited to: pesticides/herbicides; flammable liquids; solvents; pool chemicals; used motor oil; oil filters; paints; car batteries; household batteries; antifreeze; propane tanks; fluorescent light bulbs (no broken bulbs); and asbestos. Residents who wish to bring asbestos (maximum 300 pounds) must register by calling (732) 745-4170.

Materials which will not be accepted are tires, explosives and munitions, infectious waste, unknown materials and empty containers.

The drop-off days are sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and are conducted in cooperation with the Middlesex County Department of Public Works-Division of Highways and Middlesex County College.

The events are open to residents of Middlesex County only and are free of charge.

Items should be brought in clearly marked containers.

For more information on the hazardous waste drop-off days and on the county tire recycling program, call (732) 745-4170 or e-mail solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us.

Tourette syndrome award nominees sought

The Board of Directors of Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey (TSANJ) is accepting applications for the 2006 TSANJ Educator of the Year Award and the 2006 Healthcare Professional of the Year Award through April 26.

The Educator of the Year award is presented annually to a New Jersey public or private school educator who has made a significant contribution to the education and well-being of a student with Tourette syndrome. The honor is given to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts on the part of an educator toward the betterment of a student's life and to advocate for students with Tourette syndrome by furthering the awareness of TS in the teaching community. The nomination should be made by both the family of the student and school administration.

The Healthcare Professional of the Year is presented annually to a doctor, nurse, psychologist, or other healthcare professional in New Jersey who has made a significant difference in the life of a child with Tourette syndrome.

Nominations for both awards should be submitted to Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey, 50 Division St., Suite 205, Somerville, NJ, or by fax at (908) 575-8699 by April 26.

The nomination should include a statement of 500 words or less explaining why the individual should be nominated for the award.

The awards are funded through the generosity of TSANJ supporters. Individuals interested in supporting the scholarship should forward the contribution to Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey Inc. at the above address.

Checks should note that the contribution is to be made to the Educator of the Year fund.

Girls' monthlong tech camp starts July 5

Middlesex County College (MCC) is looking for participants to attend a free summer camp program for high school freshman girls.

The day camp, titled TechXploration, is a four-week program in which teen girls design, develop and construct a working model of fairgrounds ride, visit a theme park to better understand how amusement park rides work and learn from female mentors who are working in engineering fields. They will also practice karate as part of the program.

There is no charge for the camp, which is for freshman girls about to enter their sophomore year of high school. Camp will take place July 5 through Aug. 2.

The camp is being organized by NJCATE, a National Center for Advanced Technological Education. It will be held at the state-of-the-art Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies on the MCC campus in Edison.

Any interested high school freshman girl should visit www.njcate.org/techxploration and fill out the online application.

For more information, contact Karen Ford, project coordinator at NJCATE, at Karen_Ford@-middlesexcc.edu or call (732) 906-7735.

Multiple sclerosis support groups offered

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid-Jersey Chapter offers several support groups in Middlesex County. The chapter's self-help groups provide individuals with MS, their families and caregivers a chance to discuss concerns and experiences in an informal setting. For more information, call the telephone numbers indicated or (800) FIGHTMS.

The schedule for group meetings is as follows:

+ East Brunswick - 7-9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center, call Elihu at (732) 613-5080;

+ Metuchen - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of month at the First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge Avenue, call Bob at (732) 249-0480;

+ North Brunswick - the Mild Symptoms Group, 7-9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the North Brunswick Firehouse, Cozzens Lane between routes 1 and 27, call Heather at (732) 442-1391 or Susan at (732) 238-0864.

Bilingual project meeting slated for April 12

Members of the public are invited to the district-wide Bilingual Connections Project Workshop and Bilingual Parents' Council meeting at Kennedy Park School No. 24 from 7-9 p.m. on April 12.

This will be the third in a series of four workshops, which are aimed at forging an alliance between ESL/Bilingual students' homes and their schools.

The topic of the workshop portion of the meeting will be: "Let's Play a Word Game," presented by Beverly Blackman.

Parents, friends, and teachers of students in the ESL/Bilingual Program are all invited to attend. Those who need interpreters are encouraged to bring someone.

Edison hospice seeking volunteers

The Barbara E. Cheung Memorial Hospice, located on the campus of Roosevelt Care Center in Edison, is looking for volunteers to assist families that are going through the grieving process. Volunteers are needed to visit patients, console the bereaved and help in the office.

Hospice staff administer their programs at the six-bed, homelike building on the Roosevelt campus, and at the homes of patients or their loved ones. The hospice offers a 12-hour educational course to adequately prepare volunteers for the challenges of working with the dying and their families.

Workshops, videos and lectures are completed in four or five weekly sessions. For more information, call Jill Zhou, licensed clinical social worker and the hospice's volunteer coordinator, at (732) 321-9335.

Quilters guild to present quilt show April 29-30

The Pieced Together Quilters guild will host its triannual show - "Hot Needles, Cool Quilts" - April 29-30 at the Somerset County 4H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, featuring handcrafted quilts as well as lectures, demonstrations and vendors. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the following day. A $5 donation is good for two-day admission.

Among the show's highlights are the "Crossroads of Freedom" charity quilt, which was pieced together by guild members and will be on display both days of the event. Tickets will be available for a chance to take home the quilt, with proceeds going to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills.

There will also be a miniature quilt collection to support the guild's education fund.

The Quilters Guild meets three times a month on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays from September through June. Meetings are held at the Green Knoll Rescue Squad building, located on North Bridge Street in Bridgewater.

For more information about the show or membership, call Charledine Rome at (908) 766-5072 or visit www.piecedtogetherquilters.org.

Volunteers sought to help domestic violence victims

The Woodbridge Township Domestic Violence Response Team is seeking new members. Any interested persons who want to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims will be asked to fill out an application form. A criminal background check and an interview are part of the process.

All applicants must possess a valid driver's license and have their own transportation to police headquarters for assistance calls. Team members are required to be available for 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Call (732) 634-4500, ext. 2802, for more information, or mail your name and phone number to the Woodbridge Police Department, Attn.: Domestic Violence Response Team, 1 Main St., Woodbridge 07095.

Woodbridge Seniors Club

slates April, May events

The Woodbridge Senior Citizens Club will hold its next business meeting at 1 p.m. on April 20. The following is also planned for the spring:

+ April 13 & 27 - Social meeting, with bingo and refreshments.

+ May 4 & 18 - Business meetings.

+ May 9 - Trip to Showboat Casino in Atlantic City. Nonmembers are welcome.

+ May 11 - Mom and Dad luncheon.

+ May 25 - Social along with memorial service in observance of Memorial Day.

For socials, call Helen at (732) 636-2796. For trips, call Lucille at (732) 634-7096 or Ruth at (732) 382-1926.

Meetings are held every Thursday at 1 p.m. in McCorristin Hall at St. James Church, 145 Grove St., Woodbridge. Dues will be collected. Blood pressure is taken the first meeting of every month. New members are welcome, with membership open to those ages 60 and older who do not belong to any other township club. Canceled meetings are announced on WCTC 1450 AM.

Colonia AARP plans April 25 lunch and dance

The Colonia AARP Chapter No. 3459 will hold a spring luncheon and dance at noon on April 25 at the Inman Avenue fire house in Colonia. The cost is $16. There will be door prizes for various gifts and surprises. Call Carolyn at 732-382-1299.

Angel PAWS animal

rescue plans AC trip

Angel PAWS is sponsoring a bus trip to Showboat in Atlantic City on April 22. The bus will leave from St. Cecilia's parking lot in Iselin at 11 a.m. and will depart from Atlantic City at 7 p.m. and return to Iselin at 9 p.m.

The cost is $25, which includes $15 dollars back and a $5 voucher toward lunch. There will be a light breakfast, as well as refreshments for the way home. Games and prizes will be featured on the bus ride.

For tickets, call Angel PAWS at (732) 340-1199 and leave a message with your name and phone number. All proceeds will benefit the animals in Angel PAWS care.

Angel PAWS is a nonprofit, all-volunteer animal rescue group, formed in 1999. Visit www.angelpaws.org to learn more about the organization.

Woodbridge AARP lines up day trips, 11-day trip

Woodbridge AARP Chapter No. 3869 has scheduled the following trips, all of which are open to the public:

+ April 24 - Trump Plaza Casino in Atlantic City (includes coin bonus and food voucher). Call Dorothy at (732) 283-1793.

+ May 11 - The Museum of the City of New York and High Tea at Gracie Mansion. Cost is $56. Call Mary Alice at (732) 855-1514.

+ May 23 - The Community Service Committee will meet at the Veterans Home in Menlo Park at 1:30 p.m. to conduct a social, with bingo, for residents. Volunteers are needed. Call Thelma at (732) 634-4030.

AARP sponsors monthly trips to Atlantic City

The AARP Chapter No. 3459/Colonia, Woodbridge, sponsors trips to Caesars Casino in Atlantic City on the second Monday of the month. The bus leaves the parking lot of St. John Vianney Elementary School, Inman Avenue, at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $16. For reservations, call Fran at (732) 388-0359.

Smoke-Free Air Act party kits now available

The American Heart Association (AHA), North Brunswick, is distributing Smoke-Free Air Act party kits and encouraging individuals to visit restaurants, diners, and other venues formerly "smoking allowed" and have a party April 15 when the Smoke-Free Air Act goes into effect. The first 100 callers requesting a kit receive a "You're The Cure" tote bag filled with ideas for a smoke-free party, sample invitations, coasters, cards and brochures.

For a kit, call (732) 821-2610.

Elks flea market held every Tues. and Sat.

Woodbridge Elks Lodge 2116 holds a flea market at the Elks Hall, 665 Rahway Ave., from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday (weather permitting), featuring more than 60 vendors.