29th Annual Model Train Show
WOODBRIDGE – Barron Arts Center Holiday Model Train Show Exhibit Featuring the set-up and design of Mike Gelesky, Nov. 30 – Dec. 30, 2019 (CLOSED DEC 25) Exhibit Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge. For more information, call 732-634-0413. Free with suggested donation.

Basketball Fundraiser
SOUTH AMBOY – This year’s Friends of South Amboy fundraising event will be held on Saturday, December 21 at South Amboy Middle High School. The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Leonard Family, long time city residents dealing with the recent loss of their husband and father, Pat. As in years past the event will feature local high school basketball games, as follows:
2:00 p.m. South Amboy Varsity Girls vs Piscataway Vo-Tech
4:00 p.m. South Amboy Varsity Boys vs Piscataway Vo-Tech
6:00 p.m. South River Varsity Boys vs Sayreville
8:00 p.m. Saint Thomas Aquinas Varsity Boys vs Mater Dei
Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Cathedral International’s Christmas Activities
PERTH AMBOY – Listed below are the Christmas activities that Bishop Donald and Pastor Phyllis Hilliard are inviting everyone to attend.
•Christmas Sunday – December 22 – Children’s Procession at the beginning of the services – 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., Toy-Giveaway at 1:00 p.m.
•Iglesia Catedral Christmas Celebration – December 22, 11:00 a.m.
•Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24, 7p.m., – Children’s Procession at the beginning of the service.
For more information, please visit www.cathedralinternational.org.

Table of Plenty
PERTH AMBOY – St. John Paul Parish will be serving meals on Saturday, December 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Perth Amboy Catholic School, 500 State St., Mechanic Street Entrance. Open to anyone who needs a hot meal. If you would like to donate food for these meals, please contact Rosemary: 732-826-5385 or Geri: 732-637-7593. Please use collection box in vestibule for monetary donations.

A.C. Bus Trip – San Salvador Seniors
PERTH AMBOY – The San Salvador Seniors are sponsoring a bus trip to Caesar’s Casino in AC on Thursday, January 5, 2020. Bus leaves 12 Noon. Bus will depart from behind St. Stephens Church parking lot on Mechanic Street, Perth Amboy. (New Location) Cost 30 pp. Receive $30 back in slot dollars. For more info call Joe at 732-826-0819.

Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino Bus Trip – Holy Rosary Seniors
HOPELAWN – The Holy Rosary Seniors are sponsoring a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino (formerly known as Sands Casino) in Pennsylvania, Thursday, January 9, 2020. Cost is $30 with $25 back in play. Bus leaves Church parking lot at 10 a.m. Any questions please call Ronnie at 732-442-5252.

Prime Rib or Half Roasted Chicken Dinner
SOUTH AMBOY – The South Amboy Elks invite Members and Guests to a Prime Rib or Half Roasted Chicken Dinner on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All tickets are in advance only. Cut-off date for tickets is Monday, January 6th. Dinner includes House Salad, Choice of Meat, Baked Potato, Vegetable, Dessert, and Coffee or Tea. For Tickets, call 732-727-7170 or stop in at 601 Washington Ave from Tuesday thru Saturday between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prime Rib: $20 pp; Half a Chicken $15pp. All proceeds go to the General Fund.

Perth Amboy NAACP Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – The Perth Amboy Unit of the NAACP meets Monday Jan. 20, 2020 at the Jankowski Senior Center, 1 Olive Street Perth Amboy NJ at 7 p.m. sharp. All are welcome. Reverend Donna Stewart President.

PA Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner
PERTH AMBOY – The Perth Amboy Volunteer Fire Department Parade Committee will be holding their 10th Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church, 490 State St., Perth Amboy (Use Mechanic Street Entrance). Adults $12, Children under 5 are Free. Come out and support your local heroes!

Bingo
PERTH AMBOY – There is now $1000 Bingo at Magyar (Hungarian) Reformed Church Hall, 347 Kirkland Pl., Perth Amboy on Mondays. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:30 p.m. Kitchen will be open. For more info, call 732-442-7799. License No: BL-1031; ID No: 387-1-29395.

Stories From Perth Amboy
PERTH AMBOY – Stories From Perth Amboy by Katherine Massopust is available at the Barge Restaurant, 201 Front St., Perth Amboy or in Fertig’s Uniform Store, 195 New Brunswick Ave., Perth Amboy For more info call Katherine at 732-261-2610 or call the Barge at 732-442-3000 – or Fertig’s at 732-442-1079 – A Great Gift! Get it now along with Then & Now: Perth Amboy!

Kearny Cottage Open
PERTH AMBOY – Come visit the historic home of Commodore Lawrence Kearny. The Cottage is located at 63 Catalpa Ave, Perth Amboy, and is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and the last Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. by appointment. The Kearny Cottage needs your help. Anyone interested in joining the Kearny Cottage Historical Society please contact 732-293-1090. We are on the web! www.KearnyCottage.org

Proprietary House Open
PERTH AMBOY – The Proprietary House, the last official Royal Governor’s residence still standing in the original 13 colonies, is open every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., for tea and tours. Tea is served in our atmospheric candle-lit wine cellar, and includes our delicious homemade desserts and assorted teas. A $10 donation, $5 for children under 12, covers both the tea and a mansion. Although the house is still in the process of being restored, some rooms have been newly decorated. Go back in time and learn about William Franklin and other residents of the house. It’s a perfect way to spend a pleasant afternoon. The gift shop is also open. Groups are welcome, although reservations are required for groups over six people. The Proprietary House is located at 149 Kearny Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ. Tel. 732-826-5527 E-mail: info@proprietaryhouse.org. Follow us on our website, www.theproprietaryhouse.org and or/Facebook.

Historic Surveyor General’s Office
PERTH AMBOY – The Historic Surveyor General’s Office, which is adjacent to Perth Amboy City Hall, is now open for tours. At one time, this structure was the meeting place of the East Jersey Board of Proprietors & housed their records. Presently the Surveyor General’s Office is displaying artifacts from the John Watson (1685-1768) archaeological site along with other items from Perth Amboy’s rich history. Perth Amboy history DVDs are also available. Free tours are available Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Clubs, classrooms & groups are welcome. Come & view this newly restored building!

Helping Veterans Find a Place to Call Home
PERTH AMBOY – Are you or know a veteran with DD 214? Are you or they interested in being a first-time home owner? The Perth Amboy Housing Authority is looking for a Veteran to help realize the dream of home ownership. The first step is to attend the First Time Homebuyer Class to obtain information on how you can be eligible for our upcoming lottery. You fought for our country, now let us fight for you! Register Today! Housing Authority of the City of Perth Amboy, 881 Amboy Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861. Call to reserve your seat today: 732-826-3110 ext. 647 or email homeownership@perthamboyha.org. We are a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency. Free for all Veterans with a DD 214.

Always Caring. Always Here.
PERTH AMBOY – The Jewish Renaissance Medical Center provides primary health and preventive services to you and your family. We have been an active participant in the Perth Amboy Community and offer care for infants, children, teens, adults, and seniors. We strive to provide the best services for you and your family and to make sure that every service provided is to your satisfaction. As a JRMC medical patient, if you’re feeling sick or have an urgent (non-life threatening) medical problem, we’re here to help. Make your appointment today at (732) 376-9333 or visit us at 275 Hobart Street.

Perth Amboy Free Public Library Offers Home-bound Delivery Service
PERTH AMBOY – If you can’t make it to the library, the library can come to you! The Home-Bound Program is a resource delivery service offered to all Perth Amboy residents who are temporarily or permanently confined to their homes because of illness, age or physical disability. Care facilities and nursing homes are also welcome to take advantage of this program. The service is absolutely free to join and use! Residents who do not currently have a library card will be issued one after successful sign-up of the home-bound application. To sign up for service call the library at 732-826-2600.

Safety Announcement From Mayor Wilda Diaz
We are taking safety precautions in the City of Perth Amboy, emphasize that it is important:
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!
Report Suspicious Activity – Be Vigilant – STAY ALERT!
Do not think that any call or report is too small.
Don’t allow the actions of a few dictate your quality of life.
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, DIAL: 9-1-1
FOR ALL NON-EMERGENCIES, DIAL: 732-442-4400

Volunteers Needed to Help Children in Foster Care
Press Release 5/30/19  MIDDLESEX COUNTY – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Middlesex County is seeking volunteers to advocate for children in foster care. On any given night, about 250 children from Middlesex County are sleeping in foster homes or other out-of-home placements due to abuse or neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are working to serve more of these children each year. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to speak for a child’s best interests, making sure they are safe and well-cared for, are getting the services they need and are placed in a permanent, safe, nurturing home as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, with no special experience or education needed. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, pass background checks and have compassion, objectivity and commitment to children. If you are interested in volunteering, visit our website, casaofmiddlesexcounty.org/volunteer.

DVRT Seeks Volunteers
PERTH AMBOY – The Domestic Violence Response Team is looking for volunteers. For more information, contact: Detective Liza Capo, Perth Amboy Police Department at: 732-324-3815 or DVRT Coordinator Damaris Ramirez at 732-500-5758 or Pastor Bernadette Lopez at 732-213-1537. Pick up an application at the Perth Amboy Police Department.

Have You Volunteered Lately?
PERTH AMBOY – The first and biggest benefit AmeriCorps VISTA members get is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The intangible benefits alone, such as pride, satisfaction and accomplishment are worthwhile reasons to serve.  There are other benefits as well including awards, job and education certifications, professional development, and more. For more info call the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, 275 Hobart Street, Perth Amboy.

SkillUp Middlesex
MIDDLESEX COUNTY – County offering over 4,500 Courses Through Free Online Learning Platform. Enhance skills and obtain industry recognized credentials by taking online courses developed by Skillsoft, a training provider used by Fortune-500 companies. Transportation/Logistics, Business Etiquette, QuickBooks, Project Management/Microsoft Office, Adobe, Accounting, Human Resources, Six Sigma, Informational Technology, Sales/Marketing, Custom Service, + 100’s More!
Explore Career Pathways, Browse the Catalog, Find a Job! Bonus: Visit the Industry Certification page to choose from 130+ Certifications (Exam Fee May Apply)
Register Today at www.middlesexcountynj.gov
• Free of Charge
• Manage your own online training
• Flexible, self-paced learning of essential workplace skills
• Courses to train for industry-recognized certifications
• Pass courses with 80% or higher to earn a completion certification
• Download and print your completion certificates
• Certifications for your resume that provide new interview talking points
• Professional development

Mentors Wanted
MIDDLESEX COUNTY/FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP – Catholic Charities is seeking volunteer mentors. Both male and female mentors are needed to participate in one-to-one activities and be a role model to young people.
Do you:
1. Have a minimum of three hours per week to offer a child?
2. Like having fun?
3. Reside in or near Middlesex County or Franklin Township?
4. Want to make a difference in a child’s life?
Contact Jeanette Cullen at (732) 738-1323 or jcullen@ccdom.org, for more information.

Food Stamps Assistance
PERTH AMBOY – Every Wednesday there will be a Food Stamps Assistance Program 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.: JRF’s Family Success Center families to come in and meet with a representative from the Community Food Bank of NJ to assist with food stamps application and eligibility guidelines. For additional information please call 732-638-5063 or visit our office located at: 149 Kearny Ave. Perth Amboy (Rear of Proprietary House).

HIV Support
PERTH AMBOY — Raritan Bay Medical Center is sponsoring an HIV support group meeting on Monday’s at 6 p.m. Anyone diagnosed with or caring for someone infected with HIV is welcome to attend. Meetings are held at the hospital’s Perth Amboy Division, New Brunswick Avenue.
To register or for more information, call (732) 324-5022.

Volunteer Firefighters Needed
PERTH AMBOY – The Perth Amboy Fire Department: Volunteer Division needs members. Accepting men and women ages 18 years or older. Volunteers must be a Perth Amboy resident. For more information please contact 732-442-3430.

Do You or Someone You Know Have Old Photographs or Documents?
The Kearny Cottage Historical Society is looking for old photos and documents of Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Woodbridge, Fords, etc. (local area) for an archiving project. Your photos and documents will be scanned into digital format and returned to you. For more info please call 732-293-1090

Volunteer Drivers Needed For Meals on Wheels Program
HIGHLAND PARK – Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (JFS) is in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals to homebound senior adults in the Highland Park area for the Kosher Meals on Wheels Program. The program delivers meals Monday – Friday mornings. A commitment of at least 2 days per month for regular volunteers is required. Also seeking substitute drivers who can fill in as needed throughout Middlesex County. Must have valid driver’s license. Please contact the JFS Volunteer Coordinator for more detailed information at 732-777-1940 or visit www.jfsmiddlesex.org under the Volunteer Tab.

Become A Member of the South Amboy First Aid & Safety Squad
SOUTH AMBOY – Serve the Emergency Medical Needs of Your Community! A Unit of A.R.C. If you are at least 16 years old and have a few available hours in your day each week to give to others, contact us at Southamboyfirstaid.org or call (732) 721-1005. South Amboy First Aid Squad serves our residents 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a -year. The squad is an independently run private organization, completely staffed by dedicated volunteers and supported by tax-deductible donations. Join your fellow residents with service to our community. Neighbors Helping Neighbors! All training courtesy of the South Amboy First Aid Squad. See how a little bit of your time can benefit so many. Become A Volunteer Member Now! South Amboy First Aid Squad – PO Box 328 – South Amboy, NJ 08879.

Museum Pass Program
PERTH AMBOY – The Friends of the Perth Amboy Free Public Library have generously provided FREE passes to some of the area’s most popular museums! Museum passes offer a great way for family and friends to experience educational and cultural fun.
Picking Up and Returning Passes: Passes can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Patron must present the library card under whose name the pass was reserved. Only Adult patrons whose cards are in good standing will be able to check out Museum Passes. Passes are good for a total of three days and are NOT renewable. Passes can be returned at the Circulation Desk or at the Book Drop after hours.
Late, Lost or Unreturned Passes: There will be a $5 amount late fee each day the pass is past due. The maximum fine will not exceed $25.00. Passes not returned within 14 days after the due date, will be presumed lost and borrowers charged the full replacement cost.
Replacement costs for items are as follows: Lost museum pass: Full cost of the pass. Replacement costs vary according to the museum and listed on the catalog record for each museum. Pass Case: $1
Museum Passes available:
• American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY | free admission and 1 free exhibit or show
• Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton NJ | pass admits 4 people
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York, NY | pass admits 6 people
Sponsored by the Friends of Perth Amboy Free Public Library. www.folperthamboy.com For more information, please call the Perth Amboy Free Public Library: 732-826-2600.