Community Bulletin Board Volunteers will aid special-needs families Helping Hands of Middlesex County is seeking mature volunteers to assist children with special needs and their families. The volunteers provide social and emotional support to the families through weekly visits. Family members who care for children with special needs rarely have time to perform daily tasks such as going to appointments, and they seldom have time to relax. Helping Hands volunteers aim to change the lives of family members who feel overwhelmed by the everyday care of their children. The volunteers, who use their special skills and lifetime experiences to enrich the lives of children with disabilities, may act as mentors, storytellers, listeners, tutors, recreational assistants, personal-care assistants and family friends. Volunteers who are willing to commit two hours per week will receive a stipend of $10 per visit. Training is provided. Interested applicants and family members should call Susan Nelson at the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey, Lions Head Office Park, Brick, at (732) 262-8020. Helping Hands is a special project of the Family Resource Network (EFNJ), funded by Johnson and Johnson/Rosalyn Carter Institute, Caregivers Program. Alborada to dance in 'Sephardic Connection' The Piscataway Cultural Arts Commission will present the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre in a new production of "The Sephardic Connection: The Story of the Spanish Jews" at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Piscataway High School, Patton Building Auditorium, 100 Behmer Road. The performance will celebrate the cross-cultural influences of the Sephardic Jewish culture and Spain, Morocco and Turkey. The Sephardim, a Jewish population indigenous to Spain in the Middle Ages, made many contributions to Spanish music, dance, architecture, literature and culture. In 1492 the group left to reside in Turkey, Morocco and other countries. Accompanied by the Daughters of Sophia Tribal Dance Troupe, The Noga Group (Sephardic musicians), Middle Eastern dancer Ramsey and cantorial singer Laurie Fechter, the Alborada dancers will explore the links between the Spanish Sephardim and Sephardic Jewish cultures elsewhere. Highlights will include a fusion music-and-dance piece developed by Alborada executive and artistic director Eva Lucena, and a new music composition, "Tangos de Oliva," by Alborada music director Carlos Revollar. Admission to the performance is free of charge. For more information, call Kitty Juttner at (732) 563-4117 or log on to www.alboradadance.org. The program has been funded in part by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Holiday Art Auction coming to synagogue Modern and classic art (many pieces with a Jewish twist) will be on display at the Temple B'nai Shalom Holiday Art Auction set for Dec. 2 and 3 at the synagogue, Fern and Old Stage roads, East Brunswick. The Dec. 2 program will begin with a 7 p.m. preview, followed by the auction at 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. A martini bar will be available. "Take a Second Look" is set for 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 3. Bagels and coffee will be served. More than 250 works of art, ranging in price from $50-$5,000, will be on display. For more information, call the temple office at (732) 251-4300 or log on to www.bnaishalom.com. 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. Registration under way for boating basics course American Legion Hall, 314 Berry St., Woodbridge, will host a "Boating Basics" course offered by NJ Boating Classes Dec. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course meets the needs of boaters and personal watercraft (PWC) operators for an overview of boat and PWC operation, while meeting the New Jersey State Law requirements for boating safety education certification. For information, call (201) 291-5976 or visit www.njboatingsafetyclasses.com. VFW Ladies' Auxiliary slates dinner-dance The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Colonia Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Memorial Post No. 6061, Colonia section of Woodbridge, is celebrating 50 years of service to veterans. A dinner-dance will be held on Dec. 2 at the post home, 606 Inman Ave., Colonia, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. To R.S.V.P. or for further information, call (732) 381-5787. Iselin AARP meets the fourth Thursday of month Iselin AARP Chapter No. 3810, Iselin section of Woodbridge, holds meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month at Knights of Columbus Council No. 3639, 116 Grand St., Iselin. The social hour begins at noon, with the regular meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. For trip information, call Blanche at (732) 283-2790. Edison orchestra's holiday concert scheduled Dec. 10 The Edison Arts Society will present the Edison Symphony Orchestra's holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Middlesex County College Performing Arts Center, 2600 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, featuring coloratura soprano Nina Hand in her second solo performance with the orchestra. In addition, dancers from Yvonne's School of Dance in Edison will present "Dance of the Wooden Soldiers" with original Rockette choreography. The orchestra will also perform the "Hallelujah Chorus" and other holiday selections with the Edison High School and J.P. Stevens High School choirs. Tickets are $25 apiece; group rates are available for 20 or more seats. For reservations, call the arts society at (908) 753-2787 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Conducted by Edison resident Judith Morse, the professional, 70-piece Edison Symphony Orchestra has been designated by the Middlesex County Chosen Board of Freeholders as the official orchestra of Middlesex County. Its Web site can be accessed at www.edisonsymphony.com. First aid squad to hold pro-wrestling fundraiser Clara Barton First Aid Squad will sponsor a pro-wrestling fundraiser Dec. 2 at the Herbert Hoover Middle School, 174 Jackson Ave., Edison, beginning at 7:45 p.m. Headlining the event, which is being promoted by National Wrestling Superstars, are Brutus the Barber Beefcake and Matt Hyson, formerly Spike Dudley of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Local pro stars include Edison's Nicky Oceans, Perth Amboy's Paco Libro and Rutgers' Prince I Am Smarter. Tickets are $17, adults; $15, children/seniors, and are available in Edison at Clara Barton First Aid Squad, 1079 Amboy Ave., corner Coolidge Avenue; Party Fair, 775 Route 1 south, corner Mill Road; and Donna's Hometown Deli, 1018 Amboy Ave. (corner Third; in Fords at Franie's Kids Hair Salon, 535 New Brunswick Ave.; and in Metuchen, at Pete's Barber Shop, 18 New St. Or order online at www.doubleplaytixx.com or call NWS offices at (732-888-1704.