Daily Rundown, Saturday, Dec. 16

Go Red For Women honors Unity Bank

Jenifer Morack, director of Garden State Go Red For Women, recently presented Unity Bank with a plaque to honor the bank’s support of Go Red For Women. Unity Bank and its employees donated $2,017 in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Wear Red Day program. Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. Visit www.goredforwomen.org. 

Edison police and ‘Grinch’ collect 1,000 Toys for Tots

The Edison Police Department — with help from “The Grinch” — collected more than 1,000 new, unwrapped toys and, on Thursday, Dec. 14, delivered them to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program. "Thanks to many generous Edison families and our dedicated police officers, our toy drive was a terrific success,” Police Chief Thomas Bryan said in a news release. “It was also great fun for so many children who had a chance to meet The Grinch.” The police department created a parody video in November featuring Officers Chris Gadomski and Keith Jackson arresting the notorious Dr. Seuss character. The video racked up more than 18,000 views on the police department’s Facebook page. Police transported the Grinch’s portable jail cell to various neighborhoods for seven nights earlier this month to greet children and collect new, unwrapped toys for Edison’s drive. “The Grinch finished his community service and has been released on his own recognizance,” Bryan said. “He’s probably on his way home to Whoville."

NEWS FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD:The Daily Rundown for Dec. 15

HUD program works to increase self-sufficiency

HUD marked the 25th anniversary year of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) on Friday, Dec. 15, by awarding $1,703,901 to New Jersey to continue helping public housing residents and those participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program to further their education and find good jobs, according to a news release. Central Jersey organizations receiving grants included $23.262 for the Woodbridge Housing Authority, and $193,356 for the Housing Authority of the City of Perth Amboy. HUD’s FSS Program helps local public housing authorities to hire service coordinators who work directly with residents to connect them with programs and services that already exist in the local community. The program encourages innovative strategies that aim to link public housing and Housing Choice Voucher assistance with a broad spectrum of services, which enable participating families to find jobs, increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance, and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. Visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fss.

Carteret seeking restaurant operators

The Carteret Business Partnership (CBP) has issued a public “RFP” (Request for Proposal) for an experienced and innovative food and beverage operator for a new “concept” restaurant in Carteret. Applicants should have several years of restaurant and bar management, with a solid track record of quality and service. For info and to download the Request for Proposal, visit www.carteret.net or call Diana St. John, deputy director, Carteret Business Partnership, at 732-541-3835.

Deegan Roofing Co. helping family in need 

After a Scotch Plains resident and Westfield firefighter died in February, he left behind not only a wife and kids without a father, but a roof on their home in need of serious repair. That’s when a neighbor of the family informed Brien Deegan, owner of Deegan Roofing Siding & Gutter Co., of the family’s need of a new roof.  “As a father myself,” Deegan said “I knew right then we needed to help this family.” The neighbor said all of the supplies were being donated from various sources, and Deegan offered the labor to complete the work. Unfortunately those various sources did not come through and the family was burdened with this expense. So, Deegan contacted local area suppliers, building departments and town officials to see what he could put together to help the family, which covets its privacy and is still grieving the loss of their father. Branch Manager Joseph Botino of National Building Supply in Roselle jumped into action donating all necessary building materials.  “Through the generous donation of National Building Supply and efforts of GAF Manufacturer, we intend to get this new roof installation up before Christmas Eve, just in time for Santa’s reindeers!” Deegan said. Deegan Roofing, Siding and Gutter Co. is a local, family owned business serving all of New Jersey since 1989.  Offices are located in Scotch Plains, Piscataway, Toms River and Clifton. Visit DeeganRoofing.com or call at 855-793-1010 or 908-322-6405.

So. Brunswick police partner with kids in Heroes and Helpers Program

The fourth annual Heroes and Helpers event was held Dec. 13 at Target on Route 1 in South Brunswick. The event recognized some exceptional kids with a Target gift card and their own personal police officer to accompany them through the store on their shopping spree. The children were each selected by their individual school for their outstanding work and character. The kids have been involved in many different types of school and community activities, including promoting Autism awareness and helping autistic kids in the classroom and on the playground, being involved in the PEER Leadership program, being involved in promoting the Day-By-Day Hope Foundation, helping physically disabled students participate in physical activities, and starting the “They Wish You Knew” initiative to get kids more comfortable interacting with others and creating a more caring school environment. The program was funded by a partnership between Target of South Brunswick, the South Brunswick School District Administrators, and the two South Brunswick Police Department unions, PBA and FOP. The 10 students that were recognized are Michaela Sanders, South Brunswick High School; Jean Carlos Martinez Peralta, Crossroads South Middle School; Michael  DeToro, Crossroads North Middle School; Jailene Vasquez, Brunswick Acres Elementary School; Adwoa Ansong, Greenbrook Elementary School; Charlie Barahona,  Cambridge Elementary School; Emma Valentine, Constable Elementary School; Carter Williams, Monmouth Junction Elementary School, and Emmanuella Koroma, Brooks Crossing Elementary School. 

Annual pajama drive helps children with cancer

Jersey Physical Therapy and Hugs for Brady have teamed up again for the 3rd annual pajama drive to benefit children battling cancer at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. From now through December 31, the organizations will be collecting new, unwrapped pajamas for ages newborn to age 22 at each of our three physical therapy office locations in 180 Tices Lane, in East Brunswick, 3228 State Route 27, Suite 2A, in South Brunswick, and 3 Liberty Street, Suite 1032, in Plainsboro. 

Citizenship preparation course 

The Old Bridge Public Library will offer a twice-weekly U.S. Citizenship Preparation course. Classes will be Monday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. from Jan. 8 to March 29. In-person registration is required at the library’s info sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, or Thursday, Jan. 4. Contact Literacy New Jersey at 732-906-5456 or mbernstein@literacynj.org. Visit oldbridgelibrary.org. 

Hunterdon Helpline board appointee

Michele Kavanagh of Branchburg recently joined the board of Flemington-based Hunterdon Helpline. In addition to serving on the board, she will serve as the not-for-profit's Treasurer. Deborah Service, of Stewartsville, also recently joined the Hunterdon Helpline Board of Directors. Visit www.helplinehc.org.

Newsletter about utility bills, DACA

Details for low- and moderate-income New Jerseyans about programs to offset costs for utility bills, as well as some of the key questions relating to the scheduled termination of DACA are the focus of the latest newsletter of Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ). The bilingual publication, “Looking Out For Your Legal Rights,” may be viewed at www.lsnjlaw.org and also is available at all Legal Services offices in New Jersey. Further DACA-related information is available from LSNJ’s Immigration Representation Project at 732-572-9100, ext. 8782. 

Learn about culinary medicine

Enter the field of culinary medicine with Dr. Laura Micek-Galinat, board certified in Family and Integrative Medicine, and one of the first 10 health professionals to receive certification as a Culinary Medicine Specialist. Learn more about healthy lifestyles, cooking and mind-body medicine from an expert. Dr. Micek-Galinat is Assistant Director of RWJB Somerset Family Practice and Associate Professor, Clinical Family Medicine at Rutgers RWJ Medical School. This program is free and open to all. The December social justice collection will be collecting hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens for Women Aware and a New Brunswick men's shelter. For more info about Brandeis membership, call Thelma at 732-257-4833.

How to manage, save money in college

Tips from Kevin Brauer, chief financial officer of Basking Ridge-based Affinity Federal Credit Union, about how students — and their parents — can manage and save money throughout the semester, including: set limits on ATM withdrawals; help them apply for their own credit card; reuse some of their freshman stuff (computers, coats and backpacks); don’t pay for spring break; never spend full price (use discount services); rent, borrow and swap (don't buy new); get a coffee maker. Visit http://college.usatoday.com/2016/10/10/money-101-starbucks-coffee-7-tips-to-saveand www.affinityfcu.com.

Bussel brokers Avenel sale

Edison-based Bussel Realty Corp. arranged the $6.325 million sale of 10 Production Way, a 55,000-square-foot industrial building in the Avenel section of Woodbridge. Jordan Metz, senior vice president of BRC, represented the buyer, an undisclosed investor, and the owner, Cantor Companies. The property off Route 1 and 9 near Exit 12 of the New Jersey Turnpike, as well as Goethals Bridge and Newark Liberty Airport, features a 6,480-square-foot office, 11 loading docks, one drive-in door, 20-foot ceiling heights, wet sprinklers and 2,000 amps of power. 

SCLSNJ awarded four-star national library rating  

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) was once again named a four-starlLibrary by the Library Journal Index. This is the fifth consecutive year, and eighth time in 10 years, that SCLSNJ has been named a Star Library. Of the more than 250 libraries in the state, SCLSNJ is one of six Libraries to receive this honor. The other five New Jersey Star Libraries are Avalon Public Library, Bernardsville Public Library, Mercer County Library, Ocean City Public Library, and Princeton Public Library. “Our Library System continues to excel year after year delivering innovative and necessary services, resources, and staff excellence, as well as evolving with today’s changing technology,” said Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione, library liaison. “I visit our county Libraries on a regular basis and I can personally attest to the strength and superior quality of our collections and Library services.” The Library Journal Index is a measurement tool that compares United States public libraries with their spending peers based on four per capita output measures: circulation, library visits, program attendance, and public Internet computer use. Scores on the Library Journal Index are produced by measuring the relationships between each library’s statistics and the averages for its expenditure category. "Our patrons are great library users, and that's part of why we're a Star Library again this year. Having made the transition to our new catalog system, we're hoping that patrons will have an even easier time finding and checking out what they're looking for,” said SCLSNJ’s Director of Operations Lynn Hoffman. Visit SCLSNJ.org. For more information about America’s Star Libraries, visit LibraryJournal.com. 

Email news tips to cnmetro@MyCentralJersey.com or hntmetro@MyCentralJersey.com

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