Any Cicadas Yet?

Have you seen any Cicadas yet?
This is supposed to be the big year for them - the 17 year cicadas are supposed to emerge pretty soon, and I'm not looking forward to it!

I'm keeping an eye on the map on the Cicada Tracker, which you can find by clicking this link!

Smithereens!!!

The Smithereens did a great show tonight at Woodbridge Middle School... they've still got a great sound, no doubt about it!  They did a few Beatles songs mixed in with some of their old songs and some newer songs.  The only glitch in the evening was a brief power problem that interrupted the performance and it didn't seem to get resolved the first time because it happened again.  Other than that, it was a great show! 

THURSDAY NIGHT OUT - SMITHEREENS!

The Smithereens are playing tonight at Woodbridge Middle School!

Remember the Smithereens?  I love them!



Tickets will be available at the door,  at 525 Barron Avenue in Woodbridge (the middle school, not the high school!) for $35.00.

Two Kennedy Park Teachers Finalists in Woodbridge Center Contest!

You can vote for "Top Notch Teacher" in a contest being run by Woodbridge Center.  Of the 8 teachers who made the list for finalist, two are teachers at Kennedy Park School #24!  There is also a teacher from Colonia Middle, Woodbridge High, and then a few out of our district.

Here are the write ups for the two Iselin candidates:
 

Nina Jacobs (Kennedy Park Elementary School #24) "Ms. Jacob teaches not just elementary education, but also community involvement. She coordinates fundraisers, food drives, and clothing drives for those in need. She goes above and beyond in every capacity - as a teacher, as the unofficial IT person at Kennedy Park, and as a caring member of the local and global community. Her motto is Gandhi''s phrase - ''Be the change that you wish to see in the world'' - and she doesn''t just say it, she lives it."

Marilyn Stephan (Kennedy Park School #24C) "Marilyn Stephan is a teacher who goes above board to work with all of her students.  She has students with various learning levels and she is able to work with each and every one of them and make each child feel important and understand the work.  She goes out of her way to work with parents and mentor other faculty in the school.  She is the epitome of a first class teacher!"

Vote today by going to the Facebook Page, HERE!

An Evening of Ecology Themed Writing April 25th

“Earth Art” A Lecture by Dr. Anne Swartz

 

Wednesday Evening
 ~ April 24, 2013 ~ 
7:30 p.m. at the Barron Arts Center

______________________________________________________________________

The Barron Arts Center, 
Hosts “Earth Art”  
Presented by Dr. Anne Swartz. 

Part of the Dr. Stephen Kaplan “A Taste of the Arts” Lecture Series.  

Wednesday Evening ~ April 24, 2013 ~ 7:30 p.m.

Admission is FREE with suggested donation of $5.00 

Reservations Required. Call 732-634-0413

The Barron Arts Center is located at 582 Rahway Avenue Woodbridge, NJ 07095

Dr. Anne Swartz will present her lecture “Earth Art” at Woodbridge’s Barron Arts Center. The Earth Art movement began in the 1960s when artists wanted to get away from making art in the traditional gallery setting and get out into nature. This presentation will examine the beginnings of these large-scale works. Specific projects considered include Alan Sonfist’s Time Landscape in Greenwich Village, Walter DeMaria’s Earth Room in Soho, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s recent The Gates in Central Park.

This program is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Sagar Vira Honored by College

Sagar Vira, a resident of Colonia, NJ, and a graduate of JFK High School in Iselin, has been named by Oxford College of Emory University in Georgia as the Student Leader of the Month, and has also been selected by the college to be listed in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”

Sagar was named Student Leader of the Month by the college for his numerous contributions and leadership abilities.   The Student Leader of the Month Award selections are based on each candidate's performance and demonstrated values like awareness of self and empathy with others, ethical leadership principles and practices, collaboration and problem solving, commitment and action, and ethical engagement and citizenship.

Honi Migdol, Oxford College assistant dean for campus life, announced the selection and shares this excerpt from the nominations for Vira: “While Sagar has been a consistent leader on campus, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and maturity during the Alternative Spring Break trip to New Jersey.”  Sagar, a member of the planning committee, was in charge of service projects for the Alternative Spring Break trip and “worked endlessly” to find ways for students to be helpful while making it a meaningful experience. 

“Sagar demonstrated exceptional leadership in planning a safety day for the children at Lavallette Elementary School,” said Migdol.  “He organized a fire truck, ambulance and police car to all come to the school so that the children would have an opportunity to meet some of the heroes that helped so many of them during Hurricane Sandy.  Over and over, the teachers expressed their gratitude for this project,” continued the college representative.  “While ASB is the most current example of Sagar’s leadership, he has shown his ability throughout the last year.  His freshman year he organized a ‘Pack the Chapel’ event for the Invisible Children organization, and this year he has been instrumental in starting a new service program through the Path Project, that provides after school tutoring for the children in a local trailer park.  Sagar makes sure the volunteers from various school organizations all know what they need to do and provides direction.”

Oxford faculty and staff nominated Sagar for “Who’s Who” along with nineteen other students based upon academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and potential for continued success.

In addition to being Student Leader of the Month and on the list of “Who’s Who,”  Sagar is in the Bonner Leadership program and a member of the Honor Council at Emory, a certified Emergency Medical Technician in NJ, and an Eagle Scout.

Oxford College is located on Emory University’s original 1836 campus in Oxford, GA.  One fifth of the students in each Emory freshman class begin their baccalaureate studies with Oxford’s liberal-arts-intensive program.  As juniors, they continue their studies on Emory’s Atlanta campus.  Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities.  Emory is ranked as one of the country’s top 20 national universities by US News & World Report.  For information on Oxford College, visit www.oxford.emory.edu 

YOUTH VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DAY Then, STAR WARS! TOMORROW AT COMMUNITY CENTER

Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac & Municipal Council

Celebrate Youth Volunteer Recognition Day

 

Woodbridge Township Young Adults to be Recognized for Community Volunteerism & Service…  Awards Ceremony Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

If you’re looking to get a close-up glimpse of tomorrow’s local leaders today, stop by the Woodbridge Community Center on Sun., April 7 when Mayor John E. McCormac and the Municipal Council recognize Woodbridge Township young people during the Annual “Mayor’s Youth Volunteer Award Program.”   

According to Mayor McCormac, 50 Woodbridge Township young adults will receive the 2013 Mayor’s Youth Volunteer Award for distinguished community service…volunteer service includes church and community, peer tutors, athletic coaches, hospital aides, clothing and food drive coordinators, first aid and fire squad members, and serving and assisting area homeless.

WHEN:                 SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2013 ~ 1:00PM – 3:00PM.

 

WHERE:               Woodbridge Community Center

                                600 Main Street – 2^nd Floor Atrium

                                Woodbridge

THEN, stay for the STAR WARS EVENT!!!

A Gorgeous Weekend To Go to the Park

 Well, you still can't drive through Merrill Park.  At least, not from the Benjamin Avenue side. But that doesn't mean that the park is closed.

I took a walk around the park the other day, and there are plenty of people down there.  You just have to drive in from the New Dover Road side.  You can park near the animals or near the community playground... and I imagine the baseball fields will be busy now too!

 Here are a few pictures of the construction going on... I guess it's still going to be a while.

But, as you can see, the playgrounds are busy...and this section of the road is closed to cars, which means it would make a great place to bring the kids bike riding!

Garage Sale Weekend and Free Bulk Pick up coming soon!

WOODBRIDGE ANNOUNCES FREE TOWNSHIP-WIDE

GARAGE SALE WEEKENDS & CURB-SIDE BULK WASTE COLLECTION RETURNS APRIL 6

~~ Advertise Your Garage Sale on the Township Web-Page ~~

www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us

List Your Garage Sale or Find the Best Sale in Your Neighborhood

 

Woodbridge – Mayor John E. McCormac announced the return of FREE Township-wide garage sale weekends and bulk waste pick-up beginning April 6 in Menlo Park Terrace and Fords (Recycling District #5; Zones 1-5).  The Woodbridge Township “Spring Clean-Up 2013” includes permit-free Saturday and Sunday garage sale(s) followed by FREE curb-side bulk waste pick-up.  Go to the Township web page at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for the special bulk waste collection schedule.  Residents participating in the garage sale weekend can advertise their garage or yard sale on the Township web page by logging on to: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.

 

“The tradition of Spring cleaning continues with the return of permit-free garage sale weekends followed by FREE bulk waste pick-up courtesy of the Township Department of Public Works,” said Mayor McCormac.  “This Spring, let’s step-up our clean-up and recycling efforts - what you don’t sell or give away on Saturday and Sunday - put at the curb for collection by Public Works on the scheduled day for bulk waste pick-up in your neighborhood. And, once again, you can advertise your garage sale on the Township web page free-of-charge – so log-on… advertise your yard sale or find out who is having the best garage sale in town.”

 

The Spring 2013 garage sale weekends and special bulk waste collection returns on April 6 to Menlo Park Terrance and Fords.  The bulk waste collection schedule is organized according to the residential “Recycling District” and “Zone.”  To find your District/Zone for the Spring 2013 Special Bulk Waste Pick-Up and Garage Sale schedule go to pages 5-13 in the 2013 Sanitation/Recycling calendar (which was mailed to every resident in January)… log-on to the Township web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us (“Trash Collection & Recycling”)… or call Public Works at 732-738-1311 x3035 or 3049.

Spring 2013 Special Collection Guidelines:

Have your garage sale on Saturday & Sunday… what you don’t sell or give away will be picked up FREE the following week.  Place discarded items at curbside after 4:00 pm the Sunday after your garage sale weekend.  The bulk waste items will be collected according to the District/Zone schedule for your street.

 

Bulk Waste Items Include:  Furniture, Wood, Carpeting, Appliances & Mixed Metals.  Concrete, Brick and Block will be collected by appointment only; to schedule an appointment for the collection of concrete, brick or block, call 732-738-1311 x3043.  No Hazardous Waste, Tires, Paint, or Chemicals will be accepted.  The FREE bulk waste collection program is for Woodbridge Township Residents only! 

 

Contact the Woodbridge Township Department of Public Works at 732-738-1311 x3035 or 3049 or log-on to the Woodbridge Township Web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for more information about the FALL 2011 bulk waste collection program.

# # #

 

Autism Awareness Day

I got this off Facebook for World Autism Awareness Day.  Please support Autism Awareness.

More Newspaper History

I got this comment in my email today:

 

I believe the Independent Leader was located on Green St in the Woodbridge end of township.   I believe it was the STAR - LEDGER that gave away the parcels of land , or sold them reasonably, with subscriptions to their newspaper.  Thus the name the "STAR-EAGLE" section of town.

 

Lori C.  -Iselin resident since 1962

 

 

Can you imagine getting a free plot of land with a newspaper subscription?  That would be quite exciting.  I got an umbrella with a newspaper subscription once, and I was excited about that.  Newspapers are upset because no one seems to subscribe anymore -- maybe this is what they need to do again!  lol :)

 

CLEAN UP ISELIN!

Spring Cleaning is in the air, and it would be great if everyone in Iselin spent a little time to make our neighborhood a little cleaner.  At JFK High School, there is a club called the Eco-Friendly Club, and they wanted to get rid of the litter people see when they first drive into Iselin off the Parkway.  When they found out they weren't allowed to clean up the messy stretch along Route 27, they decided to try another tactic.  This is the story I read in the JFK Newsletter... maybe you will sign their petition, too?

Eco-Friendly Club Petitions NJ Transit 

to Clean Up Exit 131

As published in the JFK Memorial High School Newsletter, Vol. 21, Issue 3 - March, 2013

By: Ms. Danielle Sawyer

The JFKMHS Eco-Friendly club has started an

online petition on Change.org to appeal to NJ Transit

to clean up their property at Exit 131 off of the Garden

State Parkway.

The club members recently took notice of the area,

which is about a half mile stretch covered in litter beginning at the light on Route 27 at the Parkway South entrance/exit and ending at the light at the intersection of Green Street and Route 27 in Iselin.

The club members contacted Woodbridge Township expressing an interest in cleaning up the area in order to give visitors of Woodbridge Township who arrive via Exit 131 on the GSP a better impression of what the town has to offer.

However, students were told that the property belonged to NJ transit and that due to the close proximity to the street and the railroad tracks, it would not be safe for the club to organize a property clean-up. Instead, club members have decided to take a different course of action, petitioning NJ Transit to clean up the property themselves.

The petition,organized by club Vice President Ileana Race can befound on Change.org by clicking HERE.

It features pictures of the property as well as a description of the club’s appeal to NJ Transit. The club will start a heavy campaign toward collecting signatures both online and in person beginning mid-March. If you have not already done so, please visit the link above to sign the petition,and spread the word to everyone you know.  Woodbridge Township residents can unite to get this corporation to take proper care of their property to better represent our community!

This a picture of the Change.org page you will be directed to - please sign the petition, and share - get others to sign too!  Clean Up Iselin!!!

Sign the petition by going HERE!

The Old Newspaper Published on Green Street!

Click HERE to read these old papers!

Thanks to an anonymous comment, I think we have an answer for Landon about a newspaper published on Green Street.  The Independent-Leader was published on Green Street, and there are back issues available for viewing through the Woodbridge Library's web site.  You can see them if you go HERE.

How interesting is this? I spent a while just reading the paper... I love this old stuff.  This was the front page for March 29th, 1940.  If you click on the link it will bring you to the libary web site, where you can find different issues, and even make the pages larger so you can actually see the type.

Of course, it wasn't published in Iselin itself, but it was on Green Street, and I would expect that this is most likely the newspaper Landon was looking for.  And the news wasn't just Iselin, but Iselin news was included. 

Have fun reading, and thank you so much to the person who sent in the answer!

Lost Dog

An Iselin friend of mine wrote on Facebook that her friend has a lost dog - if anyone knows anything, PLEASE email me and I'll pass the info along.  This is what she wrote:

"Hey Iselin, NJ people: my friend's dog has been missing since St. Patrick's Day. The friend lives on Elizabeth Ave, between Green and Woodruff streets. So please let me know if you see a pug wandering around in or near the area...or anywhere. Also, he thinks someone probably found the dog by now and is keeping him. Please return him, my friend would really like him back. Contact me if you need more info. Thanks."

Iselin Newspaper Possibilities...

Looking for the answer to a newspaper that may have been published on a 1924 printing press on Green Street in Iselin, I got these emails... anyone have any other ideas to add?

Cheryl wrote in: 
"Was there a newpaper called the STAR.
I remember someone telling me that Star Street in Iselin was developed because a newpaper gave away parcels of land for a subscription to the paper."
I'd heard that too. I have to look into the Star more.  Wasn't it something like the Star Eagle?

 Joe wrote in: "The Atom Tabloid was located on St. George Avenue just south of Chain O'Hills Road in Colonia.  Hope that helps."  That one is definitely close to Iselin... certainly a good possibility.  The Atom Tabloid was definitely my own first thought.

I really don't have the answer - at least not yet.  I will let you know if I find out more, though!

Anyone know of an Old Iselin Newspaper?

I just got this email, and I was wondering if anyone knew anything that could help this guy out:

Hi, I came across your blog while researching newspapers in Iselin.

I am in NC and just bought a gentlemen's one man print shop in Linden last weekend.  He told me the press was originally used at a newspaper in Iselin located on Green Street.  I was hoping you might know or know someone that knows what the name of this paper was.  I am trying to document ownership of the press for historical purposes.  It was made around 1924, its pretty cool. 

Anyway, its probably a long shot, but if you know anyone that could help me, please let me know.  

Thanks

Landon

The only thing that came to my own mind was the Atom Tabloid, but I don't think it was published on Green Street - or was it?

Any other ideas out there? Please write in on the comments or email me at iselin.home@yahoo.com!  Thanks!

glitter-graphics.com

I am so happy it is finally the weekend :-)

ICE CARNIVAL TODAY AT ISELIN MIDDLE

GO JFK GIRLS BASKETBALL!

If you want to listen to the JFK Girls Basketball championships, you can listen to it HERE ON THIS LINK!!!

"The 25-0 JFK Mustangs Girls basketball team take on Piscataway in their 1st ever GMCT Finals!"

 GO MUSTANGS!