Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College presents A Christmas Carol at the Clinton Township Middle School

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 4:32 PM

NORTH BRANCH - The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College will present TheatreworksUSA's production of A Christmas Carol at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Clinton Township Middle School.

With witty dialogue and new songs, both humorous and touching, A Christmas Carol conveys Charles Dickens' message that the holiday season should be a time of kindness, forgiveness and charity.

The presentation is part of the Theatre's Sampler Series, which is recommended for youngsters age four and older and their families.

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Gabe Sacco and Deanna Lindbergh get gold at the Bassman Triathlon

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 12:21 PM

Bound Brook resident, teacher at Middlesex High School, featured tonight on NJN's State of the Arts

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 12:12 PM

This week's episode of State of the Arts on NJN Public Television examines the history behind the stories of four individuals, adding depth to the narratives and revealing the motivation behind their success in the arts.

As part of the program, the episode "Backstories" profiles Kelly Clark, a Bound Brook resident and art teacher at Middlesex High School, who is a Geraldine R. Dodge Artist Educator fellow.

State of the Arts producer Christopher Benincasa visits her classroom to see how the work she completed with help from the Dodge grants has translated into their classroom work. "Backstories" airs 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 with a rebroadcast 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.

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Nominations sought for Outstanding Women Awards

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 11:58 AM

SOMERVILLE - The Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women is seeking nominations for its 2009 Outstanding Women in Somerset County awards program.
Nominees must be women who reside or work in Somerset County.

Categories include: arts/entertainment, business/management, education, entrepreneur, government/public service, hometown hero, information technology, journalism/media, law, medicine/health services, social services and volunteerism.

Nominations should cite the ways the nominee has demonstrated outstanding performance or dedication in her job or community.

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Garden State sees lowest gas prices since March 29, 2005

by Marin Barrett

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 11:48 AM

NEW JERSEY - According to AAA Mid-Atlantic Garden State motorists are paying the cheapest per-gallon price for regular serve gasoline since March 29, 2005.

The state average dropped below $2 per gallon overnight, and stands today at $1.97, which is more than $2 cheaper than the $4 peak New Jersey reached on July 8.

"Prices could fall farther after Thanksgiving," David Weinstein spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic said.

Here are various prices over the last year:

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Pluckemin Boy Scout Troop 154 scales news heights in preparation for trip to New York state

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 11:02 AM

What's Happening in Somerset County - Nov. 20

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 9:08 AM

Thursday, Nov. 20
BRIDGEWATER - Book Group discussing "Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton. Bridgewater Library, 1 Vogt Drive, 7:30 p.m. Registration recommended: (908) 526-4016, Ext. 105.
NESHANIC STATION - Monthly Meeting of Neshanic Garden Club. Station House, Olive St., 10 a.m. (908) 359-6480.
WARREN - "Laughing Stock," fall production of Drama Club at Watchung Hills Regional High School, 108 Stirling Road, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-22. Adults $10; students $5; seniors free. (908) 647-4800, Ext. 2604.

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Watchung's the Rev. Lynn Czarniecki, hospice chaplain at Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, named Hospice Spiritual Caregiver of the Year

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 10:52 PM

The Rev. Lynn Czarniecki of Watchung, Hospice Chaplain for the Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, was a recipient of the Hospice Spiritual Caregiver of the Year Award at the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's 11th annual Awards Program.

Each year the organization presents Hospice Team Awards to recognize outstanding hospice professionals as role models for their counterparts statewide.

In nominating Czarniecki, Rabbi Moshe Abramowitz, director of Pastoral Care for the center, commended her for her ability to sense the needs of the 'whole' person, "bringing the powerful and comforting message of spiritual presence."

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Inspirational Workshops offered at Somerset Hills YMCA

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 3:56 PM

BERNARDSVILLE -- Inspirational speaker and Bernardsville resident Andrea Mastrobattista continues her Autumn 2008 INSPIRATIONAL workshop series at the Somerset Hills YMCA from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 with a workshop entitled "How to Live an INSPIRING Life."

Do you occasionally feel like something is missing from your life? You enjoy your days, but sometimes feel that you could use more direction or purpose or even some pizazz. Well, in this workshop, you will discover how to make your life more inspiring and fulfilling!

The fee per workshop is $20 for Y members, $30 for MUJC-Warren members and $40 for potential members.

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Somerset County to recognize Manville teacher as Volunteer of the Year

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 2:19 PM

SOMERVILLE -- The Somerset County Board of Freeholders will recognize Art Lisciandro of Basking Ridge as Volunteer of the Year at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 during the freeholders' meeting being held in the freeholders' meeting room at 20 Grove St.

Lisciandro is being honored for receiving the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse "Volunteer of the Year" award for Somerset County.

"Somerset County is proud of the time and effort Mr. Lisciandro devotes to educating county youth in his professional and personal life," said Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer. "Such dedication cannot be quantified, but the results last a lifetime."

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Somerset County Senior Housing Map and List Available from Planning Board

by href="mailto:mresnick@njnpublishing.com">Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 2:02 PM

SOMERSET COUNTY - An updated, comprehensive listing of senior housing options in Somerset County is now available on the county Planning Board's web site.

Go to www.co.somerset.nj.us/planweb, then click on Learn About at the top of the Planning homepage. The listing and map can be viewed from this page and also are available as a printable PDF file.

The map and list feature 83 senior housing locations throughout the county, including: continuing-care retirement communities; residential health-care, long-term care and sub-acute care facilities; shared-living residences; low and moderate-income and independent-living senior housing; market-rate senior apartments; assisted-living facilities and active-adult retirement communities, which may include market-rate and low or moderate-income units.

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Temple Beth El's annual Michael D. Fink Memorial Lecture to feature a "SuperJew in the Secular World" with New Jersey 101.5's Judi Franco

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 12:23 PM

SOMERSET - How to be a "SuperJew in the Secular World"--that's the topic of radio personality Judi Franco's free talk at Temple Beth El 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Franco and her co-host, Dennis Malloy, bring humor and human interest to millions of listeners in the Garden State and beyond on the Dennis and Judi Show on radio station New Jersey 101.5 every weekday, and now she will bring that same humor to a live audience as the speaker in Temple Beth El's annual Dr. Michael D. Fink Memorial Lecture series.

Franco started her career as a child actress in San Francisco, training at the highly regarded Circle Star Theatre and doing extensive theater work in the Bay Area.

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