Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Wednesday, Jan. 23 What’s happening and what you need to know today – MyCentralJersey.com

Pajama and Book Drive

Brandywine Living at Middlebrook Crossing in Bridgewater partnered with the Pajama Program this holiday season by hosting a Pajama and Book Drive to benefit children in need throughout New Jersey. “With the help of families, employees and local area professionals, we are proud to announce that we have collected 65 books and 30 pairs of pajamas for vulnerable children throughout New Jersey! Middlebrook Crossing will remain a drop off location for the Pajama Program throughout the year, so feel free to drop off donations any time,” said Nicole Luciano, director of Community Relations, in a news release. Brandywine Living at Middlebrook Crossing is continuing its efforts to support local children in need. Pajamas and books may be dropped off any day of the week at 2005 Route 22, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Call 732-868-8181. Visit www.brandywineliving.com.

Another pajama drive

The Goddard School, 378 South Branch Road in Hillsborough, is hosting a pajama drive in partnership with The Pajama Program (www.pajamaprogram.org). Now through Saturday, Feb. 2, the school will collect new pairs of pajamas to donate to children of all ages placed in local foster care programs. They will work in partnership with The Pajama Program to direct the donation to local children in need. The school will be celebrating this charity event with an in-school Pajama Day and the families, teachers, and children are all looking forward to collecting pajamas and tracking the progress toward the goal of at least 200 pairs. This is a public event and donations are welcome from local families or businesses. Call 908-371-1499; visit www.goddardschool.com.

Officials to discuss plans for new Woodland School building in Plainfield

State and Plainfield city officials will conduct a community open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, to discuss plans to construct a new Woodland Elementary School building, according to a news release. New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) CEO Lizette Delgado Polanco, Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Plainfield Board of Education President Richard Wyatt and Plainfield Public Schools District Superintendent Ronald E. Bolandi are hosting the meeting, being conducted in the Plainfield High School Cafeteria,950 Park Ave. The project’s timeline, details and activities will be shared, as will renderings for the new building. The current school building is on Central Street. Community feedback is welcomed, according to the news release. The SDA is the state agency responsible for funding and managing the new construction, modernization and renovation of school facilities projects in 31 SDA districts. Since the program’s inception, the SDA has provided funding for and management oversight of more than 850 completed school facilities projects in SDA districts and has executed more than 5,400 grants for Regular Operating Districts throughout New Jersey, according to the news release. Visit www.njsda.gov. Or call the Community Information Hotline at 609-858-5393 or email commoutreachhl@njsda.gov.                    

Relief during federal government shutdown

The Gateway Family YMCA is offering families affected by the recent federal government shutdown relief and respite at the YMCA in the form of a complimentary short-term membership. Local families are invited to join the YMCA at the Elizabeth Branch, 135 Madison Ave., Elizabeth; Five Points Branch, 201 Tucker Ave., Union; Rahway Branch, 1564 Irving St., Rahway; or Wellness Center Branch, 1000 Galloping Hill Road, Union, with proof of federal employment and government issued photo identification. Visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch, 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch, 908-688-9622; Rahway Branch, 732-388-0057; Wellness Center Branch, 908-349-9622; or the WISE Center YMCA Branch, 908-687-2995. 

Free meal for those furloughed

New Brunswick Development Corporation invites those who have been furloughed by the Federal Government to enjoy a free meal at The Yard on Thursday, Jan. 24. Just show your valid Government ID at participating restaurants:

• honeygrow: Free meal up to $10;

• Jersey Mike’s: Free regular sub;

• Krispy Pizza: Free slice of cheese pizza and soft drink;

• RU Hungry: Free fat sandwich and soft drink or breakfast sandwich and coffee;

• Surf Taco: Free meal and soft drink up to $10.

Visit www.devco.org.

‘Tory Jack Day’ on Feb. 9

The Friends of Abraham Staats House and South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission will hold its annual “Tory Jack Day” program on Saturday, Feb. 9, featuring performers Joseph Becton and Antoine Watts. The program, “Music of the Civil War,” illustrates through words and performance the development of this American art form and will begin at 11 a.m. Seating is limited; house opens 10:30 a.m. Following the program, tour the rooms of the historic Abraham Staats House until 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is $10; free for ages 12 and younger. Advance reservations encouraged. To register: EventBrite at www.staatshouse.org. Call 732-369-3583.

Open house rescheduled for Jan. 26

The Albrook School Open House originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 20, was canceled due to inclement weather. It has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. You are invited to tour our classrooms, visit the campus and meet the Administrative Team and staff. Register at www.albrookschool.org. The school serves up to 200 children ages 2 through 12. The Albrook School at 361 Somerville Road, in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township. Call Lisa Perez at 908-580-0661 or email lperez@albrookschool.org.

Supporting employees devastated by wildfires

Vision Associates Inc. (VAI), in Warren rallied around two employees who lost their homes to the raging wildfires in Paradise, Calif. in November 2018. Also supporting the fundraiser was Partners in Vision and Essilor, a leading manufacturer of optical lenses, and its Optical Dispensing Solutions team. Once knowledge of the disastrous loss became known, fellow employees quickly organized the fundraiser. Especially instrumental were Bryan Xavier, Vision Associates ophthalmic training specialist, and Cecilia Mialon, district manager. In a few days $16,000 was raised for the two employees — Lavonne Melashenko and Dawna Holt. A check for $8,000 was presented to each woman. At present, LaVonne and Dawna are safe and working at Chico Eye Center in Paradise, Calif. For more information about Vision Associates Inc., call 800-346-7486 or visit www.visionassociatesinc.com.  

YMCA of MEWSA offers help during shutdown

As the government shutdown continues, The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison Woodbridge and South Amboy is concerned for the community and Y members and friends who are federal employees. Federal workers, both YMCA members and non-members impacted by the government shutdown, are welcome to join for a one-month free membership at the YMCA branches located in Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy. Information related to these branches can be found at www.ymcaofmewsa.org. YMCA members who are government employees are asked to bring a proof of employment and a government-issued ID (i.e., driver’s license, U.S. passport) to any of the branches in January 2019. Upon presenting this information, one month of your YMCA dues will be waived. Non-YMCA members who present proof of employment and a government-issued ID will also receive a complimentary one-month Y membership. Financial assistance for other Y programs may also available on an individual basis.

Peapack-Gladstone Bank announces new hires

Jay D’Auria has joined Peapack-Gladstone Bank as vice president, director of Treasury Management. D’Auria is responsible for overseeing the treasury management product suite including the development and implementation of cash and escrow management services to meet clients’ treasury management requirements while ensuring superior service levels. Jeffrey Keating has joined Peapack-Gladstone Bank as a managing director, trust officer for Peapack Private, the Wealth Management division of the bank. Anthony Mattaliano joins Peapack Capital, a subsidiary of Peapack-Gladstone Bank, as vice president, Senior Credit Underwriter, responsible for the evaluation and due diligence of new and existing equipment finance and leasing clients and preparation of loan proposals. Visit www.pgbank.com.

Warren Township police blotter

• At 4:56 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, a Warren business reported an unknown person intercepted a check that was sent out and cashed. Check amount: $32,587.81.
• At 5:29 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, a motor vehicle crash on Stirling Road near Mountain Avenue, Warren. No summonses were issued; no services needed. 

Photographic mandalas by on exhibit 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is presenting an exhibit of photographic mandalas by Danielle Wilkinson of Clark in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St. in Elizabeth. A selection of Wilkinson’s work, entitled “Photographic Mandalas from Nature” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until Friday, March 29. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. To works by Wilkinson, visit www.daniellewilkinson.com. For more information on The Pearl Street Gallery, call 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Measure will protect against overcharges

Legislation that would help protect consumers from being overcharged for prescription medications and make sure that pharmacists can keep their customers informed about lower cost options was recently approved by a key Senate committee. The bill is sponsored by Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union), Sen. Jim Beach (D-Burlington/Camden) and Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Hunterdon/Mercer). The bill, S-2690, approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, would prohibit the “clawback” schemes that enable insurance plans to charge co-pays that are more than the customer would pay outside of their coverage plan and would require Pharmacy Benefits Managers to allow pharmacists to inform customers about less expensive drug options. A clawback is when a patient’s copayment on a drug is greater than the price the PBM or insurer has negotiated with the pharmacy for the same product and the insurer requires the pharmacy to pay to them the difference between the patient’s copayment and the negotiated price for the drug. Visit www.njsendems.org.

Unity Square hosts information session

Under the leadership of new Program Director Jennifer Hinton, Unity Square, a community development and social concerns initiative of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, is looking forward to working with its partners Holy Family Parish and New Brunswick Tomorrow to continue to empower community members and catalyze change in New Brunswick.  An information session facilitated by Rising Tide Capital about its community business academy was held on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Unity Square Community Center. The 12-week academy will be held at the Community Center from February to May and will assist prospective small business owners from the community with the planning and implementation of their business goals. Visit www.ccdom.org/usq.

READ: Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Tuesday, Jan. 22

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