Romantic Central Jersey

Posted via The Food Chain » Flemington

At today's MyCentralJersey.com and in the Courier News and Home News Tribune:

Some of Central Jersey's most romantic spots to dine out on Valentine's Day, HERE. See also the photo gallery HERE.

Bernards Inn Executive Chef Corey Heyer is offering a special "Romance for Two" menu for sharing on Valentine's Day. (LOIS HEYMAN/MyCentralJersey)

Somerset, Hunterdon health agencies schedule new swine-flu shot clinics

The county Health Department is trying to make sure it's giving the public every opportunity to obtain a vaccine against swine flu, scheduling the latest in a series of free clinics for Friday.Feb. 5.

Meanwhile, further clinics are being scheduled elsewhere, as health departments seek to use all of the doses dispensed to them by the state.

In Somerset County, the Bernards Township Health Department will hold clinics on Monday, Feb. 1, Feb. 8 and March 1 at Ridge High School in the Basking Ridge section, and on Feb. 16 at West Morris High School in Mendham. Each of those events will take place from 4-6 p.m.

The upcoming Hunterdon clinic, during which both an injectable vaccine and FluMist nasal spray will be offered, will take place fro 4-8 p.m. at Voorhees Regional High School in Lebanon Township.

Any of the Somerset or Morris County clinics can be signed up for by logging on to www.greatersomerseth1n1.org or by calling 908-533-9330, said Bernards Health Officer Lucy A. Forgione. Those clinics are free and available to anyone without restrictions, however walk-ins will be served only if there is extra available vaccine, Forgione said.

At the Hunterdon clinic, an injectable vaccine will be offered to anyone 6 months and older, regardless of health condition, while the FluMist vaccine will be available to those age 2 through 49, according to county Health Director John Beckley.

It may be the last clinic of the season, Beckley said.

"We're constantly reassessing the pandemic trends," he added. "This clinic is being offered for those who have not yet received their H1N1 vaccination and for parents who are awaiting a chance to get their children the booster shot of H1N1 vaccine," Beckley said.

As was the case with prior Hunterdon clinics, no walk-ins will be accepted. Interested individuals can preregister by calling 908-237-7150 or logging on to www.co. hunterdon.nj.us/health.htm. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to obtain the vaccine.

In the event of inclement weather, residents should call the H1N1 call center or check the county Health Department Web site after 2 p.m. on the day of the clinic.

Jeff Grant: 908-243-6612; jgrant@MyCentralJersey.com

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Hunterdon Hispanos group celebrates new office in Flemington

After years of gathering at space donated by others, the Hunterdon Hispanos organization now has a place to call its own.

The group Wednesday evening celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters at 47 E. Main St.

Among about 50 people touring the 1,000-square-foot site were members of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, Frenchtown Mayor and Hunterdon County Freeholder Ron Sworen; Mayor Bob Hauck, Council President Erica Edwards, Councilwomen Linda Mastellone and Michelle Oberst and Councilman Mark Hain, as well as Assemblyman Erik Peterson, R-23rd District.

The group of about 20 volunteers has a mission to bring Hispanic residents of Hunterdon County together through opportunities for cultural celebration and to promote inclusion for Hunterdon's Hispanic population by facilitating access to the information and resources needed to fully participate in the community.

"I feel extremely proud of my community and my volunteers that we have gotten to the point that we have been able to put a key in the door, turn on the light, turn up the heat and open our door," said Carol Perez, president of Hunterdon Hispanos. "Now, others can come in to us and share the vast resources we have been able to mobilize through partnerships. We can now take those riches and give them out to the community."

The new space includes a main room to teach classes; a smaller room for board meetings; a computer room with 12 Internet-accessible computers; and a children's play area. About 80 people are expected to utilize the space regularly, Perez said.

Programs that will be taught at the new facility include English as a Second Language, also known as ESL, instruction and computer classes to teach clients about utilizing the Internet.

Chris Phelan, president and chief executive officer of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, said, "I think the new building is a great thing, the Hispanic population is growing -- we can look at the different programs and partner with the organization, such as in work-force education and other training programs. It will definitely do a lot of good."

Jorge Rosas, vice president of the organization, said the Latino population can benefit from learning how to use the Internet to help create their own Web sites, find jobs and communicate with families overseas via Web chat.

Rosas said many of the people served by the Hunterdon Hispanos organization previously lived in Central American countries and didn't have the same services available to them in the U.S.

"They didn't always have the guidance to live in the community at large," Rosas said. "Sometimes, there was an education deficiency, which came from a bad situation and put them on a lower rung. There is a need to guide them. What we're trying to do is teach them and help incorporate them into the community."

Rosas said that in Central American countries it is common to use bicycles to travel. After one man from that region was hit by a car and seriously injured while riding in the borough on a bicycle, Hunterdon Hispanos decided to start a bicycle-safety course in partnership with the county-based Latino Healthcare Access Committee.

The class, which teaches the rules of the roadway, also will be available at the new building. The space in the future also is expected to be utilized for the arts -- singing, dancing and performing. On Saturdays, the Hunterdon Hispanos organization also hosts a fruit-and-vegetable drive at a local church to benefit the organization's clients.

The organization also is in partnership with a private soccer league and embarks each winter on an annual coat drive in the community.

"Cultural expression - we want to continue to foster that," Rosas said.

Three members -- Kelly Ospina, Judith Buday and Andrea Choc - in 2005 thought of the idea to begin the organization through a countywide, bilingual newsletter they sent out to county residents.

The newsletter discussed many things, including: where to get help in an emergency, healthcare, cultural events and other programs. In 2000, according to the U.S. Census, there were 3,371 Hispanics living in Hunterdon County. In 2008, that figure jumped to 5,539 Hispanics.

With population growth, the newsletter also expanded -- from one page to 16 pages -- with several people wanting to contribute articles. The articles spurred a need for programs and services. In 2008, Hunterdon Hispanos received status as an official nonprofit organization.

Today, the newsletter, titled, "La Voz de Hunterdon," is a bilingual publication and continues to be mailed monthly. Funds for such programs and services have been raised through various fundraising efforts, including an annual Cinco de Mayo gala, advertising, private donations and corporate grants. Rosas said the organization will apply for future state, county and corporate grants to keep the programs running.

Ospina, who lives in Flemington, said the new building fulfills a large portion of her original vision when she decided to start the organization four years ago. She credits the many volunteers that have joined her in making the new headquarters a reality.

"It was a dream come true to see our vision become a reality," she said. "This was everything we wanted to do back then that we thought we never would be able to do. It goes to show the power of teamwork."

For more local news or to share your own news, visit www.flemington.injersey.com

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Flemington man pleads guilty to trying to run down undercover detective in Manville

A Flemington man pleaded guilty Friday morning to running over an undercover detective during a drug investigation in Manville in February 2009.

Jesse Paulino, 25, will receive an eight-year jail sentence when he is sentenced April 1 by Superior Court Judge John Pursel under the terms of a plea agreement with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Paulino was indicted by the Somerset County grand jury on charges of attempted murder, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose while committing certain controlled dangerous substance crimes. The attempted murder charge was downgraded to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. According to Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest, his office's Gangs and Guns Task Force received information on Feb. 25 that Paulino would be driving to South Main Street to conduct a drug deal with Miller. Detectives watching the area saw Paulino arrive at about 7 p.m. that day at the location in a silver Honda Accord. Detectives then saw Miller leave 320 S. Main St. and get into the back seat of Paulino's car, Forrest said. Miller then quickly got out of the car and went back toward 320 S. Main St., behavior that authorities believe was consistent with a narcotics transaction. Detectives approached Paulino's car as he was attempting a K-turn in the parking lot, identified themselves as police officers and ordered Paulino to stop. The detectives showed their raid badges and were wearing vests with "Police" written on the front, according to the prosecutor. Paulino stopped but, as a detective approached, he accelerated forward into the detective, striking him, knocking him over, and pinning him beneath the car, which stopped only after hitting a concrete parking lot pole, Forrest said. Paulino did not comply with officers' commands to get out of the car and continued to resist arrest by fighting with a Task Force detective and attempting to wrestle the detective to the ground, kicking, punching and elbowing him, Forrest said. Task Force officers and additional responding officers lifted the car off the Task Force detective who had been struck by the vehicle. The officer was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with serious injuries to his head, neck, back and lower extremities.

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4 preserved Readington farms to be sold at auction

Four preserved township farms -- ranging in size from 29 to 84 acres -- next month will be sold at auction.

Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co., a national auctioneer of elite properties, has scheduled the auction at 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Readington Municipal Building. Bob Dann, vice president of operations at Max Spann, said all the properties were originally purchased into preservation as open space by the Readington Township Committee. The state Agriculture Development Committee then purchased the development rights from municipal officials and now the property is being sold back to the public.

The farms have all been preserved under the state's Farmland Preservation Program, which places a deed restriction on the property to prevent future commercial and residential development. They include:

* A 29-acre farm at 19 Summer Road, which could be used for horses or agricultural uses.

* A 52.68-acre farm, at 757 Route 202, with nearly 80 percent of the land classified as prime soil. A home site is set back for privacy.

* A 62.32-acre farm, at 1069 River Avenue, offering a setting on a country lane with a two-acre homesite. A stream runs through the corner of the property.

* A 84.02-acre farm, at 72 Lazy Brook Road, offering a private country setting. The country home is ready for renovation.

Max Spann, Jr., the auctioneer, said preview dates have been scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 and Feb. 16.

For more local news or to share your own news, visit www.flemington.injersey.com

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Clinton Township police blotter

WEAPONS, ENDANGERING WELFARE OF A CHILD, 1:15 p.m. Jan. 21. Sgt. Thomas DeRosa stopped a vehicle driven by Nathaniel Figueroa, 26, of Allentown, Pa., on Route 22 near Petticoat Lane for equipment violations.

During the stop, DeRosa smelled burnt marijuana. A short time later, backup officer Michael Akers discovered that passenger, Todd Hineline II, 24, of Allentown, Pa., had a knife concealed in his waistband, police said. Hineline's 10-month-old son was in the vehicle with him. Hineline was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, certain persons not to possess a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. Hineline's son was turned over to a relative. Figueroa was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, driving while suspended, failing to maintain exhaust and lamps. He was released on his own recognizance. WARRANT ARREST, 4:35 p.m. Jan. 22. The Middlesex County Sheriff's Department requested Clinton Township officers check a residence for Michael McCrea, 52, of Clinton Township, who was wanted on a $24,678 warrant from Middlesex County. Sgt. Thomas DeRosa and Patrolman Michael Akers went to the residence and, on locating McCrea, arrested him and transported him to the Hunterdon County Jail in default of bail. ATTEMPTED BURGLARY, 1:05 a.m. Jan. 23. Officers responded to a Bristol Court residence on a report of an attempted burglary. The caller told police a young male entered the residence's garage through an open door and attempted to steal a scooter,police said. When one of the family members approached, the male, who was wearing a black jacket that was zipped up to cover the lower portion of his face, fled. Responding officers followed footprints in the dew-covered grass out to the roadway, where they stopped. There, the officers located several items belonging to the family which were apparently removed from the garage. Later in the day, another Bristol Court resident advised that someone had walked across his back yard and threw something at his house, damaging two pieces of vinyl siding. Source: Central Jersey police departments

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Sphericality organizes Zumba for Haiti event

Sphericality, 122 Main St., will present a Zumbathon for Haiti from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31.

Located on the third floor, Sphericality will offer essentially what is a free two-hour Zumba class in exchange for a receipt for donation for Haiti relief from the Red Cross at http://redcross.org/en/. Registration is required for the Zumbathon at 908-346-1422, ext. 112. For more about Sphericality, a fitness studio that also offers yoga and gyrotonics, visit http://sphericality.com.

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Prom Dress/Formal Dress Drive… Please Donate

Prom Dress & Formal Wear Drive
Donate dresses, jewelry & accessories to teens in need!

Drop-off Times and Locations:
Sat, Feb 13 10am-3pm
A La Mode, 800 Bear Tavern Rd, Ewing, NJ
Sat, Feb 20 10am-3pm
Pic Pocket, 54 Arctic Parkway, Ewing, NJ

One Simple Wish will be collecting gently worn, dry-cleaned prom dresses, women’s formal wear and jewelry to be placed in our Prom Store this March & April. Dresses from the store will be given to teen girls served by our program or sold to the public to help these girls pay for prom tickets. Dresses should be “in style”, clean and in wearable condition.
For more information, contact us at info@onesimplewish.org or 609-883-8484

Clinton Township police blotter

MARIJUANA, FALSE ALARM. 1:10 p.m. Jan. 22. Patrolmen Michael Akers and Matthew Murphy responded to an alarm at an Elm Drive home. Upon arrival, they saw the front door was open and while checking the home, the officers encountered a 17-year-old male who said he had accidentally activated the alarm when he arrived home from school.

But the boy was unable to produce the alarm's pass code and soon told police that three friends were in the residence with him. While inside the residence, the officers smelled raw marijuana and, with the consent of the boy's parents, confiscated approximately 11 grams of marijuana. The boy was issued a juvenile complaint for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. He was released to his mother's custody. Source: Central Jersey police departments

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Black History Month Event Planned in Flemington

The Community Diversity Council of Hunterdon County will be celebrating Black History Month on February 20th at 6 pm at James Toyota Scion Kia at 174 Route 202 in Flemington.

This evening will be a journey from the past to the present and the future. It promises to be a fun-filled evening with African dances, fashions, artifacts and a sampling of food from West Africa. Everyone is invited to this free community event.

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Hunterdon’s next H1N1 vaccine clinic may be last one

The county Health Department is trying to make sure it's giving the public every opportunity to obtain a vaccine against swine flu, scheduling the latest in a series of free clinics for a week from Friday.

Meanwhile, further clinics are being scheduled elsewhere, as health departments seek to utilize all of the doses dispensed to them by the state.

In Somerset County, the Bernards Township Health Department will hold clinics on Feb. 1, Feb. 8 and March 1 at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, and on Feb. 16 at West Morris High School in Mendham. Each of those events will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The upcoming Hunterdon clinic, during which both an injectable vaccine and FluMist nasal spray will be offered, will take place at Voorhees Regional High School in Glen Gardner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Any of the Somerset or Morris County clinics can be signed up for by logging on to www.greatersomerseth1n1.org or by calling (908) 533-9330, said Bernards Township Health Officer Lucy A. Forgione. Those clinics are free as well and available to anyone without restcitions, however walk-ins will be served only if there is extra available vaccine, Forgione said.

At the Hunterdon clinic, an injectable vaccine will be offered to anyone 6 months and older, regardless of health condition, while the FluMist vaccine will be available to those ages 2 through 49, according to county Health Director John Beckley.

It may be the last clinic of the season, Beckley said.

"We're constantly reassessing the pandemic trends," he added. "This clinic is being offered for those who have not yet received their H1N1 vaccination and for parents who are awaiting a chance to get their children the booster shot of H1N1 vaccine," said Beckley.

As was the case with prior Hunterdon clinics, no walk-ins will be accepted. Interested individuals can preregister with by calling 908-237-7150 or logging on to www.co. hunterdon.nj.us/health.htm. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to obtain the vaccine.

In the event of inclement weather, residents should call the H1N1 call center or check the county Health Department Web site after 2 p.m. on the day of the clinic.

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North Hunterdon High School evacuated after bomb threat

North Hunterdon High School students will be returning to class Wednesday after a bomb threat Tuesday afternoon evacuated the entire student body from the school, school officials said.

No explosives were found and no one was reported injured following the 11 a.m. search by township police. Both township and state police responded to the school, located off Route 31, after a student saw the word "bomb" written three times and Jan. 26, 2009 -- Tuesday's date a year ago -- written on a stall in a boys' bathroom.

Police Lt. Ryan Melsky said police then evacuated the school as a precaution. Bomb-sniffing dogs from various police agencies searched the school, nearby administration buildings and the parking lot, he said.

Students were taken to the football field and sent home by bus during the search. Senior students with vehicles parked on campus were not allowed to drive home, said Superintendent of Schools Charles M. Shaddow, in an e-mail.

Maren Smagala, district communications coordinator, said students returning to school Wednesday will be instructed to begin their day in the school's gymnasium, where they will receive further instructions from school administrators.

For more local news or to share your own news, visit www.flemington.injersey.com

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Hunterdon Watercolor Society to meet

Diana Wilkoc Patton will demonstrate techniques for working with watercolor on smooth surface paper textures at the next meeting of the Hunterdon Watercolor Society.

The meeting takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Hunterdon County Library.

The library is at 314 Route, Building 1, in Flemington. For further details, call 908-782-6912.

Lucie Bennett Scholarship Fund Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds

The Lucie Bennett Scholarship Fund Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Feb. 27.

The event will raise funds to encourage Hunterdon Central High School students to enter into the teaching field of special education. A student who has shown the highest desire and passion to commit to a career in this field is awarded the scholarship each year.

The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Flemington Elks, 165 Route 31 South, in Flemington. The cost is $10; $6 for children younger than 12.

For further details, call 908-894-0141.

Venturelli coaching at just the age of 16

The basketball coach watched her player turn and head back to defend a fast break, then turned to her assistant and said incredulously, "She was jogging back. Jogging back!"

Typical coach.

Except this head coach isn't exactly typical.

Jessica Venturelli is 16 and starts on the girls basketball team at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. She also coaches the Bridgewater Swish, an eighth-grade team in the Flemington-Raritan Youth Basketball League.

By all accounts, she is doing a very good job. On this day her team won 54-21. Their record is 10-1.

There were far more moments of encouragement by the coach, a girl who seems to know what's she's doing and where she is heading. She wants to play basketball in college and will likely major in psychology. More than anything she wants to be a basketball coach.

Not long after playing CYO in Bridgewater, Venturelli's passion for the game led to her joining the Swish, and then AAU ball, all of which led to her starting varsity her freshman year.

Then disaster struck.

At a college showcase in Philadelphia in October of 2008, she tore her ACL.

"I was devastated," she said.

Said her mother Donna, "She was inconsolable."

The kid sat out her sophomore season, but the experience strengthened her physically, emotionally, and provided a clarity that solidified her love of the game.

"I got to see the game from a completely new perspective being on the bench," she said. "I handle things a lot more mature, and my passion for basketball has just grown from this. I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. I just love basketball so much."

The opportunity to coach came because she would miss her high school season, plus the decision by former Swish coach Bill Brophy to give up the position.

He is now her statistician -- his daughter Sarah plays on the team -- and the assistant coach is her AAU coach Ryan Shellhammer, who, for the past three years has also been an assistant coach at Rutgers Prep.

The Swish play every Sunday into March, and since the season started last month, now practice only once a week.

"I see her growing as a player and a coach," the 23-year-old Shellhammer said. "Her mental toughness on the court is the equivalent to her on the sidelines. She's focused and is like a sponge. Now she's reiterating stuff she's been told her whole life."

Now coach Venturelli is doing the telling.

"When she was asked to coach this team she was thrilled," her mother said. "She's a really hard worker (National Honor Society student as well), and I think she really inspires the kids. She relates to them and I think they all look up her. They all want to play varsity some day."

That includes Sarah Brophy, who up until now has played for nothing but male coaches.

"She's definitely a lot closer to us that all my other coaches. And she's a girl. She gets us," the eighth-grader said. "She knows how close we are and how we can be, so she deals with it better than some of the other coaches when we fool around.

"Previous coaches have taught me simple things, and Jess goes to a more advanced level. She makes it more complicated so we're ready for high school."

Her father laughed when recalling his days coaching Jessica, who, he said, didn't always display the qualities of a team player when she came out for his CYO team.

"She didn't like me and I didn't like her. She didn't play defense and she hogged the ball," he quipped.

If her players do that now, they definitely hear about it. With an incredulous look from their coach.

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Shoe store owner loves to make customers happy

Address of business:

At Shoetique on Main Street, female prom-goers, sweet 16ers and brides-to-be might not have to look any further for comfortable shoes to complete their "big-day" outfits.

Helping such patrons find the perfect fit has been owner Carl Haddad's business for 24 years at the Flemington location and several years at five former locations. He sold the five other shoe stores about eight years ago to focus solely on the borough's store.

"I've always had satisfied customers," Haddad said. "Many come for the dyeable shoes, which are popular."

Haddad said he can match any color swatch a patron brings in to dye shoes or purses on display at the store. Many brides often bring back their white shoes following their nuptials to be dyed black or match another gown.

Haddad, who grew up in Lebanon and Europe, came to the United States following college in 1972. His first gig was working part-time selling shoes at New York-based Wohl Shoes, where he later was trained to be a shoe buyer. In the late 1970s, Haddad opened his first store in Summit.

After marrying his wife, Marie, and having daughter together -- Danielle, now 21 -- Haddad opened the Flemington store. The location had been run for several years by Marie, but Haddad took over after selling the other locations.

Haddad said the best feeling in his work day is seeing the expression when a customer returns to pick up their dyed shoes. Popular are the silver, gold, pewter, black, bronze and brown colors, which Haddad noted, "Brown is the new black."

"When their (customers) eyes light up, that makes my whole day," Haddad said.

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Attorney Calls for Mental Health Courts, More Compassionate Justice System

(FLEMINGTON, NJ, January 25, 2010) - Ann Renaud, an East Brunswick attorney passionate about protecting the rights of those challenged by mental health issues, will speak at a special program co-sponsored by the Hunterdon County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Intensive Family Support Services of Hunterdon Medical Center Behavioral Health and the Family Support Organization of Somerset Hunterdon and Warren on Tues., Feb. 9, from 6:30 8:30 p.m. at Hunterdon Medical Center. She will provide keynote comments at the session which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. It is open to the public free of charge.

"We should all become advocates for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, seeing them not as problems to be managed but as possibilities to be unleashed," Ms. Renaud says. "As a longstanding advocate for people caught in the legal system because of substance abuse, mental illness or a combination of both, I believe the justice system should be remodeled to include a more compassionate system, with effective drug rehabilitation and mental health care components."

Recently Renaud called on Gov. Chris Christie to create mental health courts and to dedicate greater resources for research into mental illnesses and to bring insurance reimbursement for mental health services on par with other health services.

"Despite decades of good intentions on the part of our policymakers and the court system, the justice system in New Jersey today is inadequate. And the price of that failure is being paid not just by those who need help and aren't getting it, but by all of us," she said in her blog on www.ramprenaud.com . "Failing to deal effectively with mental health issues only results in further suffering by the individual and harm to society."

Renaud calls for a sea change in the way the justice system metes out justice to those with mental health issues. "Our jails have become de facto psychiatric hospitals," she says in quoting Baltmore Judge Charlotte Cooksey. "That must change."

Renaud will talk about the rights of those with mental health and substance abuse issues at the joint meeting of Hunterdon NAMI, the Intensive Family Support Services and the Family Support Organization. She will explore ways individuals caught in the justice system can advocate for themselves and utilize available public and private resources.

Renaud, who blogs regularly about the challenges faced by those with mental illness, developmental and intellectual disabilities and substance abuse issues on her website, will field questions from the audience.

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Catholic Schools Week to focus on quality education

The week of Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 is a time for local Catholic schools to celebrate what they have to offer, hoping to draw in new students at a time when enrollment is dwindling.

While each school's programs will differ, many Catholic Schools around the nation will host open houses next week, Catholic Schools Week, to showcase their work. Masses often bookend the week. Catholic Schools Week also serves as a time to show off accredited schools with modern facilities, said Ellen Ayoub, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Metuchen. For example, St. Ann's School in Raritan Borough remodeled four small classrooms into a science and computer lab in 2009. Many of the schools have computer-enabled white boards known as SMART Boards. St. Augustine School in Middlesex Borough is equipped with a video conferencing room. Students there are doing a joint project with a school in Finland, Ayoub said. "While the numbers are dwindling we have to worry and we have to pray. There is not a sense of gloom and doom. We are very vibrant," Ayoub said about the 15,000 students in the diocese's 34 elementary and five high schools. Ayoub said nine Diocese of Metuchen schools have closed in the past decade. One -- Immaculate Conception in the Annandale section of Clinton Township -- has opened during that period. Ayoub said it is difficult to pinpoint the reason for the decline in enrollment during the past decade, but the most recent drop is because of the economy, she said. The cost of Catholic School tuition has increased as the numbers of nuns, who taught as a form of ministry and had the church supporting their living expenses, has decreased. The salary for laypeople who serve as teachers is much more, she said. While all Diocese of Metuchen parishes now subsidize Catholic schools within the diocese, tuition has had to increase over the years to meet the costs, Ayoub said. Many parents also find it difficult to pay annual tuition, which typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, Ayoub said. The Diocese of Metuchen had $2.3 million worth of financial aid requests last year, and was able to support about 25 percent of the amount. Michele Blandino said Catholic school is about value and values. She believes her two children, ages 8 and 13, who have attended Immaculate Conception School in Somerville since preschool, are getting a great education and other benefits by going to Catholic school. "I love that my children can pray every day," Blandino said. "They don't have to be afraid to invoke the name of God." Immaculate Conception has 470 students, and room for 550, said Blandino, who also works in the school. St. Francis Cathedral School Principal Barbara Stevens said enrollment at her school in Metuchen is steady. There are approximately 520 students in grades K-8, with room for about 30 more. "We look at Catholic Schools Week as a way to celebrate our Catholic identity," Stevens said. "We really are showcasing what we do all the time." Holy Family Academy officials in Bound Brook reduced its tuition in hopes of attracting new students, Holy Family Academy Principal Juduth Clayton said. The most dramatic decrease was in the preschool, where annual tuition was nearly halved. It now costs $1,400 a year to send a child there two full days a week. "We are trying to build relationships so people see the value of staying here until eighth grade," Clayton said. Her school has an enrollment of 144, but has room for more than 200 students. Many people at Catholic schools in Somerset County said the dropoff in enrollment started eight years ago. "We had 300 (students) then," St. Ann's Principal Sister Gloria Caglioti said. Now, there are 167 students. The entire third-grade class has six students. The biggest drop -- a loss of 35 students -- was from 2008 to 2009, Caglioti said. Many of the parents told the school administrators they could no longer afford the tuition. "We hope to get to 300 again," Caglioti said. She hopes Catholic Schools Week will draw new interest. St. Ann's students Bridget Toolan and Tina Vaz, both 13, of Branchburg, said they attend Catholic schools for different reasons. Bridget's parents wanted her to go to Catholic School. Tina said it was her choice. Both have been enrolled at St. Ann's since prekindergarten. They are among 23 eighth-grade students set to graduate in May. Most of them will go on to Catholic high schools, the students and teachers said. Many Catholic Schools Week events will highlight the schools' commitment to service. For example, Holy Family Academy in Bound Brook will collect coats, hats and gloves for those who need them and a will host a paper airplane contest to raise money for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti, Clayton said. "They (Haitians) have been the focus of our prayers the past several days," Clayton said. "We are a Catholic school. Our beliefs are infused in everything we do every day." The week of activities at St. Francis Cathedral School will include an open house, a visit from Jimmy's Boa author Trinka Hakes Noble and will conclude Feb. 5 with a visit from Paul Bootkoski, bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen.

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Matt’s Red Rooster events

Posted via The Food Chain » Flemington

(Matt's Red Rooster Grill photo)

Matt's Red Rooster Grill in Flemington is offering two special events in the next two weeks: a wine tasting dinner on Wednesday, and fundraising dinners Feb. 2 and 3, during which you can get your knives professionally sharpened.

On Jan. 27, chef/owner Matt McPherson will prepare a six-course dinner paired with seven award-winning wines selected by winemaker Cameron Stark of Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes. The dinner costs $75 per person, with members of the Rooster E-mail Club saving $15 each. Reservations will be accepted between 5:30 and 9 p.m. at the restaurant prior to the dinner.

On Feb. 2 and 3, patrons of Matt's Red Rooster can have their knives professionally sharpened for $5 per knife as they dine. All proceeds will benefit Around for A Cure for diabetes. Each guest will be limited to bringing five knives, for a maximum of $25.

The three-step knife-sharpening process grinds the bevel to develop an equal bevel on both sides of the blade, sets the edge to strengthen the cutting edge and hones the cutting edge to razor sharpness, eliminating any imperfections.

For more information or reservations to these events, call 908-788-7050. Matt's Red Rooster is at 22 Bloomfield Ave., Flemington.

Clinton Township police blotter

ACCIDENT, 5:40 p.m. Jan. 15. Charles Howlett, 41, of Clinton Township, was driving a 2010 Honda Pilot west on West Gate Drive near Country Club Drive when it went off the road and struck a tree, police said. Howlett told police he had passed out just before the crash. He was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. No summonses were issued. Patrolman Sean Ross investigated.

Source: Central Jersey police departments

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