Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Monday, Aug. 12 – MyCentralJersey.com
Federal courts reporter Andrew Ford explains what grand juries do and why they are kept secret. Andrew Ford and Ryan Ross, Asbury Park Press
Registration begins Aug. 17 for riding lessons
The Somerset County Park Commission will be conducting registration for English-style, balanced seat riding lessons at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 South Maple Ave. in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards. Lessons are available for juniors (ages 9 to 17) and adults and are designed for the absolute beginner through more advanced levels with jumping experience. The 10-week fall session begins the week of Monday, Sept. 9. Current students have the option of registering for classes online. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, class registrations will be accepted in the stable office (until 3:45 p.m.) and on the Somerset County Park Commission website, www.somersetcountyparks.org. Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26; registrations will continue to be accepted in the stable office as space permits. First time students, as well as those who prefer to pay by cash or check, will need to register in person at the stable office. The 10-week, one-hour program rates for Somerset County residents are $375 and $525 for out-of-county residents. For additional fee information, call the stable office or visit www.somersetcountyparks.org. Payment is due at registration. The stable office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be reached at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with hearing impairment.
WiffleBall tournament on Aug. 24
A WiffleBall tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24 at East Brunswick Baseball League, 367 Dunhams Corner Road East in East Brunswick. There will be two age groups; young adult and adult. Three to four players are on a team with the cost of $10 per player. Check-in is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Rules will be posted at the field. To volunteer as an umpire for the young adult division or sign up via email, message scholarshipforbj@gmail.com with team name, division and the number of players.
$20,000 grant awarded
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has awarded $20,000 to The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster in support of its general operations. The council awarded more than $15.7 million in FY20 grant funding to support 700 arts organization, projects and artists throughout the state. The awards were announced at the Art Council’s 53rd Annual Meeting held at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector contributes $22.1 billion to New Jersey’s economy, representing 3.8 percent of the state’s GDP – a larger share than several other industries in the state. The Center for Contemporary Art recently received the 2019 Economic Champion Award in recognition of its significant impact on Somerset County in the areas of employment, financial contributions, and community events and programs. Visit www.ccabedminster.org.
Sandwich drive
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) recently launched the 7th Annual “Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation” Sandwich rive, a month-long food drive to combat hunger among local homeless men, women and children in New Jersey. Quijano has partnered with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless and St. Joseph Social Service Center for the past six years to distribute sandwiches to homeless individuals and families in the Elizabeth area. Volunteers will prepare sandwiches every Monday in August from 10 a.m. to noon at the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, 118 Division St., Elizabeth. Parties interested in donating to the food drive may email Diego Mazariego at dmazariego05@gmail.com or call 908-409-1869, or visit https://theelizabethcoalition.eventbrite.com.
Stern sworn in as president
Stark & Stark Shareholder Bruce Stern in Lawrenceville was sworn in as president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at the annual conference in San Diego on Tuesday, July 30. Stern joined AAJ in 1982 and is a member of the Executive Committee and the National Board of Governors. He served as a past chair of both the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group and AAJ’s Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Section. He now leads the nation’s trial lawyers and is the first president hailing from New Jersey in AAJ’s over 70 year history. For more information about Stark & Stark, visit www.stark-stark.com.
Bills signed into law
With the goal to improve education in New Jersey schools for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind, two pieces of legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Dan Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex), Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson), Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), Ralph Caputo (D-Essex), Mila Jasey (D-Essex/Morris), Annette Quijano (D-Union) and Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington) were recently signed into law by Acting Governor Sheila Oliver. The first law (formerly A-1893) establishes a Working Group on Deaf Education to make recommendations on issues related to early linguistic developments of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This group, established within the Department of Education (DOE), would consist of 12 members appointed by the Commissioner of Education. In June, the measure passed the full Assembly 77-0 and the Senate 37-0. The second law (formerly A-1896) establishes the “Deaf Student’s Bill of Rights.” This measure would require school districts to recognize the rights of students who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind. The measure passed the full Assembly in June by a vote of 77-0, and the Senate in January, 37-0. Visit www.assemblydems.com.
Bayside Family Success Center vision event
Bayside Family Success Center will hold a vision event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 500 Dobranski Drive in Perth Amboy. Visit the complete on-site optical shop, eye exams, glasses, sunglasses, contacts and accessories. Call 1-800-530-2730. To register, visit http://bit.ly/2GYtZog.
Old Bridge Business Alliance touts success
More than 40 members of the Old Bridge Business Alliance and the Old Bridge Sayreville South Amboy Chamber of Commerce (OBSSA) had the opportunity to learn about the township’s steady and recent economic growth during a monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 30. Members met with Mayor Owen Henry and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development Steve Mamakas at the recently-opened Via Sposito restaurant. The meeting provided an opportunity for local business owners, not-for-profit organizations and township officials to gather and share news and tips. More than 200 new businesses have opened in Old Bridge over the past three years. Members met with new Old Bridge Alliance member and celebrity Butch Patrick, best known as “Eddie” from the television show “The Munsters,” who spoke about his experience on the show. The Old Bridge Business Alliance is a free networking initiative created by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. Call 732-721-5600, ext. 2060 or visit www.oldbridge.com.
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