Monday, October 31, 2011

The Quote of the Day


Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!"
 
~Dexter Kozen

Happy Halloween!!!


glitter-graphics.com

Sunday, October 30, 2011

It's beautiful out.

It's such a gorgeous day, even if it is cold.  I had to take a bunch of pictures.  I just couldn't help myself.  So I went down to Merrill Park, and this is what I saw...


Of course I edited this one in Piknik, to play with the colors. 



And I had to get a few shots of the damage, too.  This is at the Community Playground in Merrill.


There were a lot of branches down, but the park was fine.  Hope you were too.
 

A Busy Day ahead!

First, everyone is busy cleaning up from the storm.

Then, later, how about heading to the American Legion for dinner?


Today, (Sunday October 30th)  Iselin's own T. Nulty Post #471 of the American Legion will hold their annual spaghetti dinner. 

It will be held at the post, located at 25 Brown Avenue in Iselin, from 4 to 7 PM.   

You'll be enjoying a menu of spaghetti and meatballs, bread, salad, soda, coffee, tea, and desserts - and even one glass of wine or beer, if you are old enough! 

The tickets cost $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children from 6 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For more information, please call the Post Inn at 732-634-9119. Enjoy!

And after dinner, head over to the Haunted House, which was rescheduled for tonight because of yesterday's weather.






Woodbridge HS Choir 
Haunted House and Halloween Festival

 


Come to the Haunted House 
TODAY, 
Sunday October 30th,
6-7pm with lights on for "Happy Haunted House"
7-9:30 pm adult haunted house 

in the "old Linens and Things" 
in the Woodbridge Crossing Shopping Center 
(right across the street from Jose Tejas) 

Tickets $8 adults and $5 children under 10.

Food, games and plenty of parking!  


Good Morning, Snow :)





The Quote of the Day


  From ghoulies and ghosties
  And long-leggedy beasties
  And things that go bump in the night,
  Good Lord, deliver us!

  ~Scottish Saying

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Traffic Update for Iselin

511nj.org is a really good site to look at if you want to know about the traffic problems.  It's not exactly just Iselin traffic,  but it's all over and it seems like pretty good information.  For example, I just saw this:

As of 5:45pm, there's a Downed tree on NJ 27 in both directions between CR 650/New Dover Rd and CR 604/Green St in Woodbridge Twp. All lanes closed use caution.

Winter is Here!

Issued by The National Weather Service
Philadelphia, PA
3:55 pm EDT, Sat., Oct. 29, 2011
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY...
* LOCATIONS... TRENTON, NEW BRUNSWICK AND VICINITY.
* HAZARD TYPES... HEAVY WET SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS... 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW.
* TIMING... IN PROGRESS WITH HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS BEFORE 8 PM.
* IMPACTS... WIDESPREAD TREACHEROUS DRIVING AND POSSIBLY LARGE SCALE POWER OUTAGES.
* WINDS... NORTH 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES... IN THE MID 30S.
* VISIBILITIES... AT TIMES BELOW ONE HALF MILE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
&&

More Information

... A MAJOR EARLY EARLY SEASON WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION INTO TONIGHT WITH HEAVY WET SNOW CAUSING POWER OUTAGES AND SUBSTANTIAL TRANSPORTATION DELAYS...
.INTENSIFYING LOW PRESSURE OFF THE DELMARVA PENINSULA WILL TRACK NORTHEAST REACHING COASTAL SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND NEAR MIDNIGHT. THE STORM WILL PRODUCE A SWATH OF HEAVY, WET AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING SNOW TO A LARGE PORTION OF THE AREA ALONG AND WEST OF THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR FROM NEAR PHILADELPHIA TO NEAR NEW BRUNSWICK WESTWARD ACROSS MUCH OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS INCLUDES MUCH OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN NEW JERSEY.
SNOW WILL END BETWEEN 10 PM AND 2 AM.
THE HIGHER ACCUMULATIONS OF HEAVY WET SNOW SHOULD BE ACROSS THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND ON NON-PAVED SURFACES.

HAUNTED HOUSE RESCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW



Woodbridge HS Choir 
Haunted House and Halloween Festival

 originally scheduled for tonight,
Saturday, October 29th 
has been RESCHEDULED!




 Come to the Haunted House TOMORROW, 
Sunday October 30th,
6-7pm with lights on for "Happy Haunted House"
7-9:30 pm adult haunted house 

in the "old Linens and Things" 
in the Woodbridge Crossing Shopping Center 
(right across the street from Jose Tejas) 

Tickets $8 adults and $5 children under 10.

Food, games and plenty of parking! 

Be Careful!!! Winter Weather Alert in Iselin!!!







Driving in the first snow of the season is bad enough, right?  But add to that downed limbs on trees...  and that's just from the weight of the snow.  It hasn't even really started to get too windy yet!

Oh yeah... and don't try to drive down Benjamin Avenue.  The street is blocked off in front of the school.  

Be careful out there!  Or better yet - go home and cuddle up on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea.





American Legion Spaghetti Dinner Sunday


glitter-graphics.com

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, Iselin's own T. Nulty Post #471 of the American Legion will hold their annual spaghetti dinner. 

It will be held at the post, located at 25 Brown Avenue in Iselin, from 4 to 7 PM.   

You'll be enjoying a menu of spaghetti and meatballs, bread, salad, soda, coffee, tea, and desserts - and even one glass of wine or beer, if you are old enough! 

The tickets cost $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children from 6 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For more information, please call the Post Inn at 732-634-9119. Enjoy!

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Quote of the Day


  Bittersweet October.  
The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, 
perfect pause between 
the opposing miseries 
of summer and winter.  

                                       ~Carol Bishop Hipps

Haunted House Tonight and Tomorrow!



Woodbridge HS Choir 
Haunted House and Halloween Festival

Friday, October 28 and
Saturday, October 29th 




6-7pm with lights on for "Happy Haunted House"
7-9:30 pm adult haunted house 

in the "old Linens and Things" 
in the Woodbridge Crossing Shopping Center 
(right across the street from Jose Tejas) 

Tickets $8 adults and $5 children under 10.

Food, games and plenty of parking! 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wild Turkeys in Iselin!

I've been hearing a lot of people talking about the wild turkeys that have been spotted in Iselin. I think they've been seen in the Middlesex Avenue area.

These aren't the same turkeys. I found this picture on Wikipedia, HERE. It was taken by D. Gordon E. Robertson, according to the wikipedia page.


Isn't it cool, that in a town with so many people there is still a little bit of the wild?

If you see them, send me a photo! I'll give you credit :)

Did you file for the Homestead Rebate or Senior Freeze Property Tax Relief programs?

RESIDENTS  SHOULD APPLY FOR TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS BEFORE OCT. 31 DEADLINE    DEADLINE EXTENDED ONE WEEK!

Senior citizens and homeowners should remember that they  have until the end of the month to apply for the state’s Homestead Benefit and Senior Freeze property tax relief programs, according to a news release sent out by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski and Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin.
“For New Jersey families who are facing unemployment, underemployment or are operating on a fixed income, the task of making ends meet every month may seem increasingly daunting,” said Vitale (D-Middlesex).  “Fortunately, programs like the Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze can take help take some of the pressure off, but to receive the benefit, homeowners must apply.” The final deadline for applying is Monday, October 31
            “The Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze program exist to help residents bear the burden of our state’s high property taxes,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex).  “Even if a homeowner hasn’t qualified in the past, we’re encouraging them to apply again, before the end of the month deadline, so that they have every opportunity to receive property tax relief.”
            The average Senior Freeze check is approximately $1,200.
            To be eligible for the Senior Freeze Program a person must be over the age of 65, have lived in New Jersey for at least 10 years and earned less than $70,000 for both calendar years 2009 and 2010. Eligible homeowners may apply online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ until Oct. 31, or by phone (1-877-658-2972) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applicants can call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6597 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to request an application, speak to a taxation representative for assistance and get information on the status of their reimbursement checks if they have already filed.
       “Eligible residents can contact our offices...,” suggested Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “In some instances, the Department of Treasury will mail applications to residents and that could take five to seven business days.” 
            To be eligible for the Homestead Benefit Program a person must have owned and occupied their home since at least October 1, 2010. In addition, during calendar year 2010, applicants under the age of 65 cannot have made more than $75,000 and applicants over the age of 65 cannot have made more than $150,000. For an application or assistance, residents can call the Homestead Benefit Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SNOW??? Nooooooo....

Did you see the weather report?  No one is sure yet, but Saturday we can expect SOME kind of precipitation, definitely a cold rain...with a possibility of up to 3 inches of snow...
I guess that means it is time to turn on the furnace???

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Colonia Country Club Development News

Did you miss last night's Town Council meeting? Of course, I did. So when I woke up this morning and read that the Mayor had finally been able to get approval to purchase the land development rights of the Colonia Country Club, I was pretty excited. Not 100% surprised, though, because I know the Town had been trying to figure out how to fix this situation for a while. (And - to be perfectly clear - I am really happy about it. Iselin is close enough to the Colonia Country Club to have been REALLY impacted by the traffic and school issues that would have come up if a bunch of houses had been built on the property!) I know there are a lot of sides to any story, and some people will be complaining about it and think it's a bad idea. But yes, I'm happy. And no, I'm not a member, and I don't golf. My kids do, when they have time. So anyway, here is a copy of the speech that the Mayor gave to the Town Council last night. It's a little long, but then you can make up your own mind what you think.
Mayor John E. McCormac
Colonia Country Club – Open Space
Municipal Council Meeting
Tues., Oct. 25, 2011

Thank you Council President.

We are asking your support tonight for what we think is the most important resolution to come before the Township Council certainly in the last five years… maybe even for the last several decades.

In 2008, we began discussions with the Board of Directors of the Colonia Country Club as to how we could work together to ensure that the land they used as a golf course would remain Open Space forever. The Club had experienced financial difficulties for the previous few years and was contemplating selling the course, so together we evaluated different actions that we could take to preserve the golf course as Open Space.

We recognized and evaluated the significant detriment that development of this land would have on our Township. New housing would have resulted in the need for new roads, new sewers, and very possibly a new school or at least additions to existing schools. Thousands of new residents would have caused an even greater traffic burden in an area that is already congested. The cost would have been borne not only by residents in the immediate area of Colonia but all residents of Woodbridge Township.

And, just weeks ago, Hurricane Irene proved to all of us the value of having that land remain grass and not pavement. Just around the corner is one of the worst flooding areas of Woodbridge Township - near Home Depot where the South Branch of the Rahway River crosses Route 35 into Rahway. Paving over 104 acres a fraction of a mile from that site would clearly have wreaked more havoc on our residents and businesses and hundreds of additional basements would be flooded during a major rainstorm.

After working with the Club and its membership for two years, the Club decided to sell the land and its operation to one of its members, Matt Lonuzzi, in 2010. Notwithstanding that, we maintained the goal of preserving the 104 acres of pristine land as Open Space and opened talks with Mr. Lonuzzi.

Today, after more than a year, we are pleased to announce that those talks have led to an agreement for the Township to purchase the development rights to the Colonia Country Club from Mr. Lonuzzi for $6.2 million using a $6.5 million dollar grant from the Middlesex County Open Space Trust Fund – dollars that are on deposit with the Trust… dollars that Woodbridge taxpayers have already invested in Open Space preservation. The $300,000 difference covers the costs of appraisals, engineering studies, and legal fees. There is no, and I repeat no, cost to our taxpayers for this transaction despite many assertions to the contrary.

I would like to recognize Freeholders Charlie Tomaro, Carol Barrett, and Blanquita Valenti who are here tonight for their help in securing this grant… and of course I would like to thank our very own Freeholder, Steven J. “Pete” Dalina for spearheading this effort.

It’s important to understand just how the County administers Open Space funding. The County has twice gotten approval in a referendum from county taxpayers related to the Open Space Trust Fund - once to start the fund with an assessment of 2 cents per $100 of assessed value for all county taxpayers… and again to increase the Open Space Trust Fund by a penny. The value of Open Space trusts are not disputed… State and national polls show enormous support by citizens toward the goal of preserving open space.

It’s also important to stress that money from Woodbridge Township taxpayers goes into this fund automatically… with no input from our Township government. However, it is our job to give input into how the County Open Space dollars are allocated.

And, as one of the largest contributors to the County Open Space Trust, we are obligated to get as much as possible from our taxpayers investment into the fund. We recognize that we have precious little open space to begin with, unlike towns in the southern part of the County which have thousands or acres of farmland. Therefore, we need to be creative and this transaction with the Colonia Country Club is exactly that.

Our efforts to have County Open Space dollars returned to Woodbridge is paying off… we have received funding from the Open Space Trust Fund in the last several years, including grants to purchase land on Harrell Avenue in Woodbridge, Elizabeth Avenue in Iselin, and Route 27 in Colonia - all of which was slated for development.

The handicapped accessible playground at School 28 was paid for by this Fund, as was the purchase of the 97-acre Pin Oak Forest in Avenel by the Pelzman administration. The Colonia Country Club Open Space transaction will be the largest single grant from the County Fund in Woodbridge Township history.

There is an additional public “win” with this agreement. As part of this transaction, Mr. Lonuzzi has agreed to permit public access to the Colonia Country Club all day on Tuesdays… and from 1 p.m. till closing on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Golfers, who in the past could have never played on this course, will now be able to tee-up on one of the oldest and most challenging golf courses in the State of New Jersey – right here in Woodbridge. Golfers will also have access to the clubhouse and dining facilities after play.

Mr. Lonuzzi has also indicated a desire to become much more involved with our Woodbridge Township community… the clubhouse at the Colonia Country Club and their facilities are outstanding… the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce hosts the monthly “Breakfast with the Mayor” there and the facility is perfect for weddings, christenings, bar mitzvahs, corporate golf outings and similar events.

The ownership and management of the CCC is very much in-tune with the community and stand as a good corporate citizen involved with many charitable endeavors. I have indicated to Mr. Lonuzzi that we will continue to work with and assist the CCC.

In short… the signing of this Council Resolution stands as the milestone in our efforts to preserve 104 acres of open space forever… and will save the taxpayers of Woodbridge Township millions and millions of dollars in the long run – at no cost to the taxpayer and with no dollars from the Township operating budget or County budget.

I first made a presentation to the residents of the Township on Jan. 21, 2010 at the Colonia High School. Several hundred residents packed the auditorium and agreed with our assessment of the potential severity of the situation should the CCC be sold for development. Now, nearly two years later, we have arrived at a settlement… a settlement that achieves everyone’s goal… open space preservation, an operating golf course, and no additional tax burden.

This was a long and sometimes cumbersome process. That night in Colonia nearly two years ago, we asked the residents to be patient and to invest their trust in the mission… tonight, I want to thank those Township residents who indeed remained patient and who offered support and instructive suggestions. Tonight, we are pleased to say that your trust has been rewarded.

Woodbridge Township’s 100,000 residents can rest easier knowing that the last large tract of open space in Woodbridge will remain exactly that… open space forever.

Thank you.

Happy Diwali!

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Quote of the Day

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly

 


~John Bailey, "Autumn," a haiku year, 2001, as posted on oldgreypoet.com

Sunday, October 23, 2011

2011 Mayor's Community Volunteer Awards


Sun., Oct. 23, 2011 at 11:30 A.M.

Community Volunteers Recognized at Annual Awards Ceremony 





Each and every day, the Woodbridge Township community is served by hundreds of volunteers helping friends and neighbors in countless ways.  More than fifty community volunteers will receive the 2011 Mayor’s Community Volunteer Award for distinguished community service - volunteer service that includes church and community, peer tutors, athletic coaches, hospital aides, senior resident assistance, clothing and food drive coordinators, first aid and fire squad members, serving and assisting area homeless, participating in the annual “Tooling Around the Township” home repair program, and many more community service endeavors and programs.  

Please join us at the Community Day celebration as Mayor John E. McCormac, Municipal Council members, and area businesses leaders and community organizations recognize and honor these wonderful Woodbridge Township volunteers.   

A special recognition and thanks to Woodbridge Center Mall for sponsoring the annual Mayor’s Community Volunteer Award Program. 

 

WHEN:           SUN., OCT. 23, 2011 at 11:30 A.M.

WHERE:        Woodbridge Center Mall
                        Sears Wing – Center Court
                        





... and the 2011 VOLUNTEER AWARDS GO TO...

1 – Mayor’s Advisory Committee Nominee: Dwight E. Glenn, Senior

2 – Haven Hospice JFK Medical Center Nominee: Patricia Casterline

3- Barron Arts Center Nominee: Din Dayal Bhatnagar (Nagar) *(Nagar’s son, Gaurav, will be accepting on his behalf)

4- Woodbridge Township Cultural Arts Commission Nominee: Paul D. Moran

5- Woodbridge Domestic Violence Response Team Nominee: Norma Doering

6-Woodbridge Multi- Service Program on Aging Nominee: Eleanor Messina

7- Colonia First Aid Squad Nominee: Stephen Sexton

8- St. James Food Pantry Nominee: Patty Di Joseph

9- Tooling Around the Township Nominee: James Kerins

10- Angel PAWS Nominee: Denise Gigantino

11- Woodbridge River Watch Nominee: Corey McGuinn

12- Woodbridge Committee for the Arts Nominee: Al Schafer

13- Music on Main Street Nominee: Bill Brandenburg

14- Avenel Veterans of Foreign Wars Nominee: Stuart T. Brandow

15- Catholic Charities Ozanam Family Shelter Nominee: Bill Hoffman

16- Iselin Branch Library Nominee: Siddhant Bansal

17- St. John Vianney Seniors Nominee: Phyllis Monaco

18- Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce Nominee: Marianne Jasper

19- Hopelawn Engine Co # 1 Nominee: Brian Turcotte

20- JFK Hartwyck at Cedar Brook Nominee: Art Smith

21- Avenel Golden Circle Seniors Nominee: Frances Reed

22 Colonia Chapter of Deborah Hospital Nominee: Gloria Jasper

23 Greenable Museum Nominee: Kenneth Morrissey

24 Odyssey Healthcare Hospice Nominee: Juliette Boronkas

25 Avenel Detachment 189 Nominee: James J. Hamilton

26 Fords Fire Co. #1 Nominee: Robert Van Dusky

27 AARP Colonia Chapter # 3459 Nominee: Maryanne “Sue” McMahon

28 Avenel VFW 7164 Ladies Auxiliary Nominee: Kathy Oldak

29- Colonia Fire Department Nominee: Greg Schott

30- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Nominee: Kathleen Simeone

31- Avenel Fire Department Nominee: John G. Letso, Jr.

32- Avenel Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Nominee: Jake and Carolyn Stockl

33- Woodbridge Senior Citizens Nominee: Ruth McCormick

34- Woodbridge Township Ambulance and Rescue Squad Nominee: Peter Rebovich

35- Arthritis Foundation Nominee: Edward (Todd) Kaul

36- New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park Nominee: Edward Gorman

37- Lynn Crest School Nominee: Dorothy Quinn

38- Woodbridge Kiwanis Club Nominee: Carl Fleming

39- Meals on Wheels Nominee: Marylou and Bob Pettipaw

40- TheraPet, Inc. Nominee: Valerie Kostyc

41- American Irish Association of Woodbridge Nominee: Ken Egan

42- Iselin Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Nominee: Carl Christensen

43- St. Vincent de Paul Society Nominee: Jim Leathem

44- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Nominee: John Eberhardt

45- Avenel Marine Corps League Nominee: Robert J. Hillard, Sr.

46- Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission Nominee: Kathy Jost Keating

47- Anthony of Padua Church Nominee: Roseann McNamara

48-Woodbridge Community Advisory Panel Nominee: Jim Millikin

49- Food Closet First Presbyterian Church Nominee: Jim Schaeffer

50- New Jersey Senior Olympics Nominee: Jeff Zirpolo


glitter-graphics.com

The Quote of the Day



  Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; 
   they just have the heart.  


                 ~Elizabeth Andrew

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Quote of the Day


When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
 

~Author Unknown

Friday, October 21, 2011

Scary Fun for Kids at Iselin Middle School!


HARVESTFEST
Friday, October 21st
5 to 9 pm
at Iselin Middle School



HARVESTFEST is open to the public... they will have a Pumpkin Patch and The Haunted "Sghoul" or Fun Bus... tickets will be sold at the door....

(Please note... I originally had this on my calendar for the 14th, but I guess that was incorrect??? Sorry!)

HARVESTFEST FUN:
 (for additional fees/available for purchase)
Petting Zoo
Rock Wall
Two Bounce Houses
over 20 Carnival Games with candy prizes
Candy Art
Face Painting & Tattoos
Basket Raffles
Guess How Many Contest
Italian Ice
Cotton Candy
Popcorn
Hotdogs & Hamburgers
Baked Goods
~
Pumpkins
Mums
All available for purchase

 

The Quote of the Day

  
  October is the fallen leaf, 
  but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. 
  It is the distant hills once more in sight, 
  and the enduring constellations above them once again. 

        Hal Borland - (I found this in the Forbes Thought of the Day, HERE)

Iselin Library Game Day



From the Iselin Library Facebook Page...
Library Game Day TODAY @ the Iselin Library - 3:30-4:30pm. No registration needed. Have a ? please call 732-726-7073 X7220!


Thursday, October 20, 2011

St. Anthony's is having a Clothing Drive


It's time to clean out your closets before winter sets in!  

Do you have any (decent) old clothing that you would like to get rid of?  Well, I just heard that St. Anthony's - on Port Reading Avenue in Port Reading - is having a clothing drive until October 30th.  So if you have anything you'd like to donate, throw them in bags and drop them off at the church for a good cause. 
glitter-graphics.com

The Quote of the Day


How beautifully leaves grow old. 
How full of light and color are their last days. 


~John Burroughs

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Get Your Leaf Bags!


Leaf Bags are here and will be distributed on Thurs., October 20th (tomorrow) from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at JFK High School. I'm really glad we get them, since I heard that Edison has stopped giving them out to save costs. 

glitter-graphics.com

Stamps Going Up in January

I love to read the email I get from Jaffe Communications every day, called "The Morning Briefing."  
It's just a few bits of interesting news every day, presented with a little Jersey-style humor.  This is from them, this morning. 

The demise of the U.S. Postal Service is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. It's painful to watch, but you can't look away. The latest nail in the coffin is a postage increase that goes into effect on January 22, raising the price of a first-class stamp to 45 cents. The postal service lost $8 billion in 2010, and projects 2011 will be even uglier, as even grandma has finally figured out Facebook.



For more information on Jaffe Communications, go to their website at www.jaffecom.com



The Quote of the Day

   
  May you always have 
  walls for the winds,
  a roof for the rain, 
  tea beside the fire,
  laughter to cheer you, 
  those you love near you,
  and all your heart might desire. 

 ~Irish Blessing


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Blood Drive WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19!

I wanted to let you know about an American Red Cross blood drive
at Sanford-Brown Institute 
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 
from 9AM-3PM.

Maintaining an optimal blood supply is crucial. When the blood supply level is below the optimal level accident victims, cancer patients, premature babies and other patients that need blood every day may be at risk.
If you are available and interested, you can schedule your appointment online by clicking here.

You never know when someone -- maybe even someone you love -- is going to need blood.  Please donate!

Marching Mustang Fundraiser
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19!

Mark your calendar and support the Marching Mustangs!

Wednesday, October 19 · from 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Location -- Wendy's on St. George Avenue (by Home Depot)

Come out to support our JFK Marching Mustangs and enjoy a delicious dinner at Wendy's! Please tell your cashier or drive thru attendant that "You are Here To Support The JFK Marching Mustangs!" A portion of profits made during fundraiser hours will be donated to benefit the JFK Marching Mustangs. See You There!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Elementary School Half Days start tomorrow

 From the Woodbridge Township School District facebook page:
All elementary schools in the Woodbridge Township School District will operate on the scheduled early dismissal plan beginning Tuesday, October 18, through and including Friday, October 21, 2011. This schedule will accommodate our parent teacher conferences. Beginning with this school year, lunch periods will be held on all scheduled early dismissal days. If your child regularly brings lunch to school, please provide it for your child on scheduled half days. If your child regularly receives lunch at their school, lunches will be provided as usual.

The Quote of the Day


Delicious autumn!  
My very soul is wedded to it, 
and if I were a bird 
I would fly about the earth 
seeking the successive autumns.  

~George Eliot

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Today is World Food Day.

Today is Blog Action Day.  It's also World Food Day, a day to focus the world's attention on food and food issues.  So the "Blog Action" people decided blogs should talk about food today, and that seems like a good idea to me, so I thought I would participate.  I love food.

Here in Iselin, food issues may seem pretty minor.  Mostly everyone I know who lives around here has plenty of food, and plenty of choices.  But there is a lot to say about food.  From the Blog Action Day website:
"We use food to mark times of celebration and sorrow. Lack of access to food causes devastating famines, whilst too much is causing a generation of new health problems.  It can cost the world, or be too cheap for farmers to make a living.
The way we companies produce food and drinks can provide important jobs for communities or be completely destructive to habitats and local food producers.  Food can  give us energy to get through the day or contain ingredients that gives us allergic reactions.
Food can cooked by highly skilled chefs with inventive flair, or mass produced and delivered with speed at the side of road. It can be incredibly healthy or complete junk and bad for your health. It can taste delicious or be a locals only delicacy.
Food is important to our culture, identity and daily sustenance and the team at Blog Action invite you to join us to talk about food."
 I can think of a few aspects of World Food Day that would apply to Iselin and to my own life.

-- I'm overweight, and I'm always struggling to eat less and to eat food that is better for me so I can drop a few pounds.  I feel very blessed to live in a place where having too much food is the problem.  Of course, that doesn't change the fact that I still need to lose weight.

-- I eat wayyy to much processed food.  It's hard to take the time to make everything from scratch.   I like to cook... a little... but not all the time.  It's hard to make a commitment to making everything fresh, even if it is healthier.

-- New Jersey is the GARDEN STATE, and my garden did pretty well this year.  But I would have some serious problems trying to produce the food I need to survive.  Our culture is sooo dependent on shipping food from far away.  I'm not sure how well we can "eat locally," even if we do live in the Garden State.  It seems like almost everything is grown somewhere else... did you ever notice the labels on your produce?  And that is just for fruits and veggies!  Processed food is even worse.

-- On WORLD FOOD Day, it might be nice to try a new kind of food.  There are a lot of great ethnic food choices here in Iselin... especially the obvious, Asian Indian.  Maybe this will be the week to try something new here at my house.

But for today, I think I'm going to keep it simple.  I don't feel like being political or being an activist today, and I don't feel like trying anything new today.  I'm just going to feed my family.  I'm going to use up some of the leftovers that always seem to hang around in my refrigerator until they get thrown out. That will be less wasteful.  Maybe I'll make a pot of bean soup with the ham bone I have left from yesterday's dinner.   That will be (somewhat) less processed - at least better than just opening the can of soup. I'm going to go through my garden one last time to find all the last string beans and wormy tomatoes I can, to save the seeds for next year.  (Because I've invested in heirloom seeds, so I'm not dependent on seed companies.  I can use the seeds I grow.)  And then, I'm going to clean up my garden to get it ready for next year.  That should give me some exercise, which is the other aspect of my weight problem.

But to get all of this stuff done, I'm going to have to get off the computer.  So I'll talk to ya later!

But if you want to read more about "Adventurous and Sustainable Eating," you should take a look at the Perennial Plate's blog, HERE.  It's a BEAUTIFUL blog, and I think you'll like it!








My Yard Sale

 Yesterday was a beautiful day, and my yard sale was a complete success!

Not because I made any money though.   But that wasn't really the point.
My grand total was $31.00. 
(I admit, I've done worse on yard sales!) 

But it was a BEAUTIFUL day out, and I spent most of the day outside.  So that was great.

And my family came over and sat with me, and several friends stopped by to say hi... I was very happy about that.

And I gave some things away, which is always good.  I love to give stuff to people.

I actually tried to give MORE of the stuff away, and people wouldn't take it.   I started getting worried.  We did better getting rid of stuff when my Mom said that I HAD to charge at least a quarter.  THEN, we sold lots of stuff.  Why is that? 

My real goal, all along, was to get rid of some of the massive amounts of STUFF I had at my house.  I have too many decorations and knickknacks and toys from when my kids are little, that I just can't bring myself to just throw out... it's all still GOOD stuff, but stuff I don't need.  So I decided I wasn't bringing anything back in the house.

And it worked!  I got rid of everything!
Even several of my original paintings.  (That was one of the best things about the day; I had a lot of people take my paintings, and say they liked them, so it made me happy, and rather inspired to paint again!)

Whatever people didn't buy or take by the end of the day,  I brought over to the Unique Thrift Shop.  It's an unbelievably huge place, full of people's stuff.  It benefits Lupus, so it's a tax deduction.  You can find it up at the top of Oak Tree Road, on the corner of Park Avenue - the big shopping center on the left (if you are driving from Iselin.)

So if you were one of my customers yesterday, thanks for stopping by!

The Quote of the Day


“We make ourselves rich by making our wants few.” 

– Henry David Thoreau 
...quoted on The Simple Dollar website

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Friday, October 14, 2011

Yard Sale Tomorrow - Saturday - 8 to 3!

to come to my  
YARD SALE  
Tomorrow  
between 8 AM and 3 PM... 
On Benjamin Avenue  
in Iselin  
(across from school 26!)

Rainbow over Iselin!

Photo Courtesy of Ellen Ghiano

Pay your tolls!

I've already mentioned that I love to read the email I get from Jaffe Communications every day, called "The Morning Briefing."   This is from them this morning.  For more information on Jaffe Communications, go to their website at www.jaffecom.com

"ON THE ROADS - No longer can you throw any random item into a toll basket on the Garden State Parkway and consider your debt "paid." Beginning Monday, highway officials are demanding that money - and even the correct amount - is used in the exact change lanes. Video cameras will be activated at all 84 exact-change lanes to catch toll cheats. (So far, the Parkway has lost $3.2 million this year.) Now, when you miss the basket, no need to honk the horn. Computers will track your license plate number. If you miss the basket a second time, you'll get hit with a $50 fine. So, now, you better start aiming. Or get EZ Pass already. "

-- "The Morning Briefing - October 14, 2011" - Jaffe Communications

Thursday, October 13, 2011

I'm having a YARD SALE Saturday... (EEK!) - But only if it's nice out!

I haven't been posting much this week, but I've been busy doing lots of other things.  Most notably, I'm getting ready for a yard sale I plan on having this Saturday, at my house on Benjamin Avenue in Iselin.  PLEASE stop by, even if it's just to say hi.

I'll be there from 8 AM to 3 PM this Saturday, October 15, 2011.  (I hope I'm not crazy.)  My goal is to get motivated to clear out some of the stuff taking up space in my house; stuff that is too good to throw away, so it keeps getting shifted around.  Of course, I'd like to make some money too... but I'm not expecting much.  I'm toying with the idea of selling EVERYTHING for the one low price of "any three items for a dollar."  I haven't decided for sure about that yet, but it sounds like a good idea so far.



What am I selling???
I have about a million hardcover books, in excellent condition.  I have a few games and toys, maybe some clothes.  I plan on having a good amount of holiday decorations.  Definitely some knickknacks. Maybe some tools, if I can convince my kid to part with them.  I'll let you know about that later.

Strangely enough, I'm also going to put out some of my own original paintings.  (They won't be three for a dollar, though.  They'll be more in the $20 - $25 range, and I'll mark them.)  I'm not sure if anyone will want to buy them, but I like to paint, and I've run out of walls to hang them on.

I'm still going through everything I own.  I'll let you know if I come up with more stuff that seems interesting.  Anyway, that's the reason I'm not going to post much this week.

So come by and say hello on Saturday - Benjamin Avenue, in front of School 26.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Iselin's Mc Bump
- Music from McBump's Basement


I love this song, how 'bout you?

A Really OLD Picture of Iselin

Does this place look familiar to you? The building at the bottom of the photo is St. Cecelia's, to give you an idea of what you are looking at.  See the railroad underpass, and Oak Tree Road?  I love this photo... I just wish I could see my own neighborhood!
I forget who sent me the photo, but thank you!!!


The Quote of the Day

If all economists were laid end to end, 
they would not reach a conclusion.
 
-- George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Quote of the Day


Having spent the better part of my life trying either to relive the past or experience the future before it arrives, I have come to believe that in between these two extremes is peace. 


~Author Unknown