Donate Please
HomeFront seeks donations for its Back to School Drive. The goal is that the more than 1,100 area children living at or below the poverty level walk into school in September in new clothes and shoes with a gender appropriate backpack filled with the right school supplies. Cash donations are also used for expenses that occur throughout the school year including fees for school trips, class pictures, extra activities, and equipment. Call 609-989-9417, ext. 133, E-mail homefront@homefrontnj.org, or visit www.homefrontnj.org for information.
Volunteer Please
New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers at blood drives. The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team whose task it is assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Contact R. Jan Zepka at 732-616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are seeking volunteers to help with the Greater Mercer Heart Walk scheduled for Sunday, September 7, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. Opportunities available include helping with registration, passing out water, serving as a performer, or sharing information throughout the day. Visit www.MercerCountyHeartWalk.org or call 609-208-0020 for information.
Donate Please
Friends of the West Windsor Library seeks copy paper boxes with lids, textbooks less than seven years old, and paperback books. Bring your donations to the library’s circulation desk or ask a library employee to receive your donations at the back door. E-mail friendsofthewestwindsorlibrary@gmail.com for information.
Auditions
Playhouse 22 is having open auditions for the Jerry Herman musical, “Mame,” on Thursday and Friday, September 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. Callbacks are Saturday, September 6, at 2 p.m. Performances are weekends, November 7 to November 23. Auditions will be held at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Cast requirements include singing and dancing experience. All those auditioning should be prepared to sing up to 32 bars from musical theater in the style of the show that reflect vocal range. (No songs from the show, acapella, or Disney, country, pop, or rock shows, Bring sheet music. Wear comfortable clothes and dance shoes for dance audition. Weekday evening and weekend conflicts for entire rehearsal period will be requested. E-mail mame@playhouse22.org, call 732-970-6308, or visit www.Playhouse22.org for information.
Villagers Theater has auditions for “Hair on Sunday and Monday, September 14 and 15, at 7 p.m., at 415 Demott Lane in Somerset. Production is weekends from November 7 to 23.
Needed are free spirited singers and actors ages 18 to 30 years. All ethnicities, and those with unique talents, circus skills, impersonations, comic improv are especially encouraged to audition. Bring sheet music. Contact Michael Boyd at michaelboyd1118@aol.com or 732-873-2710.
Train Enthusiasts Needed
Monmouth Museum seeks volunteers to bring back the annual train display to the main gallery for families and kids of all ages to enjoy this upcoming holiday season. There is a planning meeting on Wednesday, August 27, at 5 p.m. Train layout days are Wednesday to Friday, September 10 to 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. The opening reception is Sunday, November 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. Contact Catherine Esposito, the volunteer and education administrator, at 732-224-1988 or eduprograms@monmouthmuseum.org.
For Adult Adoptees
Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center presents an innovative peer support group for adult adoptees to explore conflicts, challenges, and identity issues; and learn effective communication and proactive coping skills. The group, which will be facilitated and led by an adult adoptee and professional therapist, will meet weekly in Pennington, starting Thursday, September 18. Visit www.iaccenter.com for information.
Mental Health
CONTACT of Mercer County offers a free training course for potential volunteers for the crisis hotline. Orientation sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., at the Pennington United Methodist Church, 60 South Main Street, Pennington. The course runs Tuesdays, September 9 to Tuesday, November 16.
The course teaches compassionate listening skills, telephone crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and more. Representatives from community programs and agencies present information on a variety of topics. Visit www.contactofmercer.org or call 609-883-2880 for information.
Attitudes in Reverse seeks volunteers and therapy dogs to help with International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week from September 7 to 13. Assistance is needed on Tuesday, September 9, at Ocean County Community College for an “In Their Shoes” exhibit; Wednesday, September 10, at Rider University; and Friday, September 12, at the Department of Children and Families’ Child Welfare Training Academy in New Brunswick. E-mail tricia@attitudesinreverse.org about your availability.
Call for Art
Artworks seeks art with a dark Halloween or horror theme for “The Art of Darkness,” an exhibit opening on Saturday, October 11, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be on view through November 1. The Monsters Ball on Saturday, October 25, has a theme of “Dark Fairytales.”
$10 submission fee for up to three entries. Cash prizes. All forms of art and craft will be considered. Paintings, mixed media, prints, and photography must be wired for hanging. Up to three entries per artist. Unframed works must be properly gallery wrapped with no rough canvas or staples showing. All work must be properly/protected and labeled with artist’s name, address, phone number, E-mail, title, price, and media.
Visit artworkstrenton.org, fill out application form, pay submission fee through Paypal, and send an E-mail to gallery@artworkstrenton.org with list of artwork and images attached. Subject line should read ART OF DARKNESS in caps. Image files should be JPG files from 72 to 300 dpi, no more than 10 inches in height or width. Deadline is Sunday, September 21.
For Families
Howell Farm is accepting applications for parent/child enrollment in its fall Hatchery Program. The program, for children 3 to 5, is designed to introduce children to life on the farm through feeding farm animals, collecting eggs, storytelling, and taking a hayride. The 12-week program is offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, beginning September 10. One parent must volunteer work at the farm helping the farm staff work in exchange for one child’s participation. No experience necessary.
Parents may enroll by attending an organizational meeting on Tuesday, August 27, at 1 p.m. Meetings are intended for parents only. Applications will not be accepted by mail or phone. The farm, is on Valley Road, two miles south of Lambertville. Call 609-737-3299, E-mail kbrilla@mercercounty.org, or visit www.howellfarm.org.
Musical Notes
Sharim v’Sharot will hold auditions on Mondays and Wednesdays in August or by appointment in September. The a capella group performs Jewish music in a variety of styles and languages throughout central New Jersey and the Delaware Valley. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 2, and continue on Tuesdays through May in Lawrenceville. Visit www.SharimVSharot.com or call 609-22-CHOIR.
Health
Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey will be hosting free Cancer Transitions series for any adult who has completed active treatment for any type of cancer. The goal of the program is to empower cancer survivors to take an active role in their recovery and bridge the gap between treatment and life following cancer.
Speakers include an oncology nurse, a clinical social worker, a registered dietitian, and a fitness expert who will offer exercises tailored to each participant’s abilities, training in relaxation, and stress management as well as tips for nutritious eating. The series includes Medical Management Beyond Cancer: What You Need to Know, Nutrition and Eating Adjustments after Treatment, Emotional Health and Well-Being: From Patient to Survivor, the Benefits of Exercise for Wellness, and Stress Management and Survivorship.
Locations include University Medical Center at Plainsboro on Wednesday evenings from October 1 to November 5. Visit www.cancersupportcnj.org, E-mail klarsen@cancersupportcnj.org, or call 908-658-5400, ext. 104.
For Teens
Acting Naturally will hold open auditions for its teen youth company for actors 13 to 18. Actors will perform in one act Halloween plays, a holiday musical, and a spring show. Rehearsals are Saturdays from September to May in Morrisville, PA. Actors with experience are taught advanced acting, singing, and dancing techniques. A nine month commitment is required. $700.
E-mail Wendy@ActingNaturally.com or call 267-798-9165 for an audition time on Saturday, August 23. Visit www.actingnaturally.com. Bring a headshot and resume and prepare a musical theater song and a one minute monologue.
Lifeguarding
Liberty Lake offers a Red Cross lifeguarding course to participants 15 or older. Candidates must pass a pre-requisite swimming evaluation including swimming 300 yards continuously, swimming 20 yards with a surface dive 7 feet, and bring a 10 pound brick to the surface, and be able to tread water for two minutes with hands tucked in armpits.
Participants receive a certification for lifeguarding, first aid, and professional level CPR and AED. Cost is $250 with $100 deposit required. Monday to Friday, August 25 to 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Samm Meddaugh at samm@libertylakedaycamp.com or 609-499-7820.
Fitness & Health
WomenRyse offers coaches training in a two day running and yoga weekend on Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, September 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Princeton Center for Yoga and Health. Women who enjoy running and have practiced yoga for at least two years may turn a fitness routine into a business. $395. Call 609-924-7294.
For Veterans
American Legion posts throughout Middlesex County are holding an early bird membership drive through Labor Day. Eligible veterans who join now will get the rest of 2014 and all of 2015 included in their membership fee.
The benefits to eligible veterans, reservists, and active duty personnel may include assistance with entitlement issues, participation in a variety of post sponsored events, and involvement in community activities such as Boys State, children’s coloring contests, scholarships, American Legion baseball, Boy Scouts, programs for hospitalized veterans, hosting Memorial and Veterans day services, and more. Members also receive discounts on hotels, car rentals, eyeglasses, computers, insurance and prescription plans, and more. E-mail Gary Cooper, county membership chair, at alpost401@hotmail.com for information.
