Need tax help?

I have just read a good article in the Edison-Metuchen Sentinel online entitled, “IRS to hold Saturday open house in Edison”. If you are not exactly tax-savvy, you may want to think about reading this article and attending the IRS’s Open House this Saturday, September 25. This open house will take place at the IRS office at 100 Dey Place in Edison from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In all, 100 IRS offices in the U.S. will be holding open houses this Saturday.

The purpose of this open house is to help taxpayers, especially disabled, elderly and veteran taxpayers, solve their tax problems and respond to IRS notices. According to IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman, many taxpayers are very successful at solving their tax issues at these open houses.

IRS location will be able to help taxpayers with issues concerning notices and payments, preparing tax returns, audits and a variety of other issues. Anyone who has received a notice from the IRS will be able to speak with an IRS employee to get answers and explanations on how to satisfy the request. Taxpayers who are unable to pay their due balances can learn whether they can reach an installment agreement and if so, they can fill out the paperwork at the same time. There will also be assistance with offers-in-compromise. Offers-in-compromise are agreements between the IRS and the taxpayer where the IRS settles the taxpayer’s debt for less than the full amount owed. IRS employees will also be able to help taxpayers who are having problems filling out forms.

Taxpayers who require special attention such as interpretation for the hard of hearing or deaf, should call the Edison Taxpayer Assistance Center at (320 – 572- 9752 and schedule an appointment ahead of time.

Please click to read this article in its entirety.

ALPHA SIGMA PHI car show to benefit LIVESTRONG

Do you love car shows? If so, then why not go to the ALPHA SIGMA PHI’s first ever car show and enjoy a day of music, comedy, food and cars while helping the LIVESTRONG foundation at the same time?

This is the first time that ALPHA SIGMA PHI is hosting this event. ALPHA SIG’s Rutgers Car Show at the Grease trucks is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 4th, from noon to 5 p.m. at Rutgers “Grease Trucks”. If you are not familiar with Grease Trucks, it is located in Lot 8 between Union Street and College Avenue in New Brunswick.

Turnpike south and other bands will be playing all day long. In between sets there will be performances by DJs and comedians. If you should happen to get hungry, “The Original Grease truck”, R U Hungry will be selling food throughout the day.

Tickets to attend this car show will cost $5 at the gates and $3 if purchased before Friday, September 3^rd. if you would like to register your vehicle in the competition; the cost is $15 or $13 if you register before September 3^rd. By pre-registering or buying your tickets in advance, you will automatically be entered in a raffle to win one of two $25 Rock Auto gift cards.

If your business or organization would like to sponsor a trophy, you can send your information via email to dmoran@eden.rutgers.edu. ALPHA SIGMA PHI are expecting at least 100 cars and the lot has a capacity for up to 150 cars.

You can register for the car show by filling out this form and mailing it to dmoran@eden.rutgers.edu. If you would like to find out more about this car show, you can also call 201-290-3377 between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m.

All proceeds from this benefit will go directly to benefit the LIVESTRONG Foundation.

LIVESTRONG is the registered trademark of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It is an organization that helps to improve the lives of people who have cancer and those who have survived cancer. It was founded by 6-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong.  If you would like to find out more about the LIVESTRONG organization, please visit http://www.livestrong.org/.

Looking for a pet?

Have you been thinking of getting a new pet? If so, then I would recommend that you read an article in MyCentralJersey.com entitled, “Woodbridge Animal Shelter hosting free pet adoption for residents”. According to this article, the Woodbridge Animal Shelter is offering free pet adoptions this week for residents of the three municipalities that pay Woodbridge for animal control services, Carteret, South Amboy and Roselle Park.

I have read several articles that highlight the fact that since the downturn in our nation’s economy, there has been an increase in the number of pets that are being abandoned. Across the US, many animal shelters are seeing a greater number of animals in need of a good home. The animals that have been given up by their owners or abandoned in the street and end up at the Woodbridge animal shelter are socialized by behavioral therapists to ensure that they will make great pets. Behavioral therapists are also available to help any adopted animal that is having trouble adapting to its new home.

As I mentioned earlier, Woodbridge Animal Shelter will be

If you have been thinking about getting a new pet and you live in Carteret, South Amboy or Roselle Park, I urge you to consider adopting one of the animals at Woodbridge Animal Shelter. It is free to adopt an animal this week. The usual charge for adoption is $75 for cats and $125 for dogs and includes vaccinations, spaying and testing and treatment for parasites and diseases.

Please click the following link to read this article in its entirety at MyCentralJersey.com.

Sakula Yoga Studio ribbon-cutting ceremony today

Well, as some of you may have read in yesterday’s Metuchen Matters, today is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of our new yoga studio in Metuchen, Sakula Yoga Studio. Mayor Vahalla and members of the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to personally help us launch our joint venture. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place today (January 21) at 4:30 p.m. Sakula Yoga Studio is located at 325 Main Street.

Rozanna Marinucci and I decided to open our own studio after we received an e-mail back in October stating that the Sacred Spaces Yoga Studio would be closing. We made the decision to open up our own studio because we felt that there needed to be a place in Metuchen where folks could still find the mental, spiritual and physical healing that only yoga can provide.

Rozanna and I have personally hand-picked our team of certified yoga instructors to ensure that we have the most qualified instructors who can teach every level of yoga from beginners and intermediate to the most experienced.

Sakula Yoga Studio will be open seven days a week and will offer class schedules that will fit into just about anyone’s schedule. We will be offering classes for every level of yoga. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or have been practicing yoga for years, we offer gentle yoga, power yoga and everything in between. The duration of classes depends on which classes you choose, but the minimum length of a class is one hour.

If you are a yoga lover, or if you just want to find out why yoga is an ideal way to maintain a sound body and mind, we invite you to stop by today for our ribbon-cutting ceremony. If you are unable to come by today, we invite you to stop by at your leisure. We are eager to get to know those of you whom we have not yet met and share our love for yoga with our community.

Please click to read an article in Metuchen matters about the Sakula Yoga Studio.

Santa Paws 2009

I was just reading some articles in mycentraljersey.com when I ran across one entitled, “Santa Paws 2009” which piqued my curiosity. To tell you the truth, I had no idea what it was either at first. As it turns out, Santa Paws 2009 is an interesting event to benefit Second Chance for Animals. For $15, you can get two framed 4”x6” digital pictures of your pets with Santa Claus. For a small extra fee, they will print additional pictures and you can also purchase a CD with the images so you can print as many more as you like. Those who bring a donation of pet food will also receive a free gift.

Santa paws will take place on three different Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sampson G. Smith School. The Sampson G. Smith School is located at 1649 Amwell Road in Somerset.

Due to safety reasons, you must keep smaller pets in carriers and dogs must be on leashes. According to this article, most people bring their pet dogs and/or cats, but all pets are welcome including birds and reptiles.

All proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Franklin Township Animal Shelter in Somerset. If you would like more information, please contact Second Chance for Animals at 732-728-SCFA or you can send them an email at scfa1998@secondchanceforanimals.org .

If you have pets, I urge you to attend this benefit and help raise money for the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. I will be taking my little ones to get a few pictures taken, that way I can print them and send them to family and friends along with a Christmas card.

New Y in South Amboy

According to an article that I read recently in mycentraljersey.com, construction of South Amboy’s new aquatic community center began on Thursday. This new aquatic center, located at the site located between Broadway and Portia Streets, is expected to be completed by September 2010 and just like a traditional YMCA, this aquatic center will provide community and recreational activities for residents in and around South Amboy.

The tract where this center will stand was donated by Peron Development and Peron Development has plans to use a portion of this land to build residential housing units. Peron Development has also agreed to provide an additional $850,000 for improvements to the aquatic community building. This project is expected to cost $9.8 million, some $3 million of which will come through Middlesex County grants. The remainder of the funds will come from tax-exempted bonds

This aquatic center will feature a spacious atrium, gymnasium, a senior fitness center, a wellness center for teens and families and a babysitting area where your little ones can play while you exercise or swim a few laps in the six-lane pool.

This new aquatic center in South Amboy will be a great asset to this community as it will provide local and nearby residents with a state of the art community fitness facility and aquatic center where they can meet some of their neighbors while enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Membership rates are expected to be established closer to the center’s opening date.

September 2009 Events for Central New Jersey

• September 3, 2009 – Metlar-Bodine House Museum located in Piscataway for more information call 732.463.9363 and get  exhibit times and schedules.
• September 3, 2009 – Early Trades and Crafts come out and enjoy a variety of early American craftsmanship call 973.377.2982 or visit the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts official website for more details.
• September 5, 2009 – Jamesburg Farmers Market at Presbyterian Church if Jamesburg, for more information call 732.512.1711,
• September 6, 2009 – Somerset Jazz Consortium – an Open Jam Session located a PJ’s Coffee House in Highland Park, call 732.828.2323 or please visit the PJ’s Coffee House website.
• September 12, 2009 – Jazz, Funk and Fusion at the East Brunswick Public Library, for more information on this event please call 732.390.6950 or visit the East Brunswick Public Library website for more details.
• September 12, 2009 – Annual Clambake and BBQ, this fundraiser for Special Needs Children is a fun filled event for the entire family, come out and have some clams, cold drinks, beer and entertainment at the Manville – Hillsborough BPOE Elks Lodge.  For more information call 908.725.1717.
• September 13, 2009 – Fashion Based Fundraiser to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, come out and donate for a great cause, for more information in this event you can call 732.828.1014 or visit the Coldwater  Creek store website for more details.
• September 15, 2009 – Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs – Grammy Award Winning Musicians will be playing at the State Theatre for more information on this event you can call 732.246.7469 or visit the State Theatre of New Jersey website.
• September 21, 2009 – American Legion Flea Market located at the Pear’s Street parking Lot in Metuchen. For more information on this even you can visit the American Legion Flea Market website.
• September 26, 2009 – Ninth Annual Women’s Health Benefit at the Marriott Bridgewater Hotel in Bridgewater, for more information on this great event you can call 908.927.9300.

Wet and Wild Tubing for Uganda

I saw an article earlier today at NJ.com entitle, “Tubing in the Delaware will help orphans in Uganda” that caught my attention. According to this article, this event is scheduled to take off in the Delaware River from Kingwood Township on Saturday September 5, or in the event of rain, Sunday, September 6. There will be a stop on an island so participants can enjoy a barbecue lunch courtesy of The Famous River hot Dog Man. Kids over the age of 5 are welcome to participate. The cost of this even is $30 per person and all proceeds will go to help finance the construction and staffing of a pediatric health clinic at the Awegys School in Kigo, Uganda. The Awegys School is a school for Ugandan orphans. Those who would like more information, or who wish to register to participate in this charitable event should send an e-mail to tubing4uganda@yahoo.com or visit the Outside the Dream foundation’s website.

The Outside the Dream Foundation will oversee the construction of this clinic. Outside the Dream is a registered NGO that plans, coordinates and funds the development of this and other projects that are implemented by Ugandan communities. This organization does not dictate which projects will be undertaken, but instead allows communities to decide which projects they will choose to undertake and the most effective methods to complete these projects.

If you enjoy tubing down the Delaware, I encourage you to participate in this fun activity for the whole family and, at the same time, help to benefit former child soldiers, orphans, the homeless and other vulnerable children in Uganda.

August 2009 events for Somerset and Middlesex County, New Jersey

• August 3 – 9, 2009 – Middlesex County Fair located in East Brunswick, for more information on this fun family event call 732.257.8858 or visit the Middlesex County Fair website.
• August 5, 2009 – Metlar Bodine House Museum, in Piscataway.  For more information on exhibits and hours call 732.463.8363.
• August 6 – 9, 2009 – Clamfest located in highlands, for more info call 732.291.4713 or visit the Highlands New Jersey website.
• August 7, 2009 – Rutgers Historical Tour in New Brunswick, for more information on this event located at Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum call 732.932.9342 ext. 2619
• August 8, 2009 – Jamesburg Farmers Market located at the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg, for more info call 732.521.1711
• August 9, 2009 – Somerset Jazz Consortium an open jam session at PJ’s Coffee House in Highland Park, for more information call 732.828.2323 or visit the PJ’s Coffee House website.   
• August 9, 2009 – Nature Walks at Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Baskin Ridge.  For more information you can call 908.766.2489 or visit the Somerset County Parks website.
• August 12, 2009 MAM PARK BENCH located at the Montclair Museum, for more information on this exhibit call 973.746.5555 or visit the Montclair Museum website.
• August 25, 2009 – B.B. King in concert in Morristown. Call 973.539.8008 or visit the Mayo Arts website for more details.
• August 26, 2009 – Kiddie Academy Hosts Alex’s Lemonade Stand Fundraiser in Hillsborough, for more information on this event call 908.281.477
• August 26, 2009 – Ninth Annual Women’s Health Benefit at the Marriott Bridgewater Hotel, for more information on this great event and fundraiser fro women’s health and counseling center call 908.526.2335 ext 134.

Food Pantries seeing more demand

I was just reading some articles in MyCentralJersey.com when I saw a piece highlighting the effects that this current economic crisis is having on the South Brunswick food pantry. According to this article entitled, “South Brunswick food pantry traffic increases in troubled times”, the South Brunswick food pantry has seen an increase in the number of families who are seeking their help since our economy began to slow late last year. While during an average month, the food pantry would serve an average of 25 people, that number has risen to an average of 30 families per month. According to LouAnn Wolf, the township’s social services director, the pantry has seen up to 42 families who needed assistance in just one month. These families are in need of not only food and hygiene items, but in some cases, they are also in need of cash to pay for things that they cannot afford such as medications and bills. The Human Intervention Trust Fund is a fund that helps folks in need by offering assistance with paying utilities, rent and medical prescriptions

The economic crisis currently affecting our country is having a negative impact on many sectors of our society. As a result more folks are losing their jobs, and in some cases, losing their homes to foreclosures. This is making it difficult for folks who find themselves in this predicament to make ends meet. At the same time, harder economic times are making it so that fewer people are donating to the South Brunswick food pantry. Because of this increase in demand without a corresponding increase in supply, LouAnn Wolf feels that it may be a time to make some changes to how the food pantry is run.

It’s not just folks who have lost their jobs or homes who need help, the elderly, folks who have suffered injuries or who have fallen ill and victims of domestic violence also find themselves in the situation where they cannot pay for all of their bills and still afford proper food.

I can imagine the pantry will have a harder time once summer is over. Folks spend more during winter months because of heating costs and that could make it so that even more families have to turn to the South Brunswick food pantry for help.

According to the food pantry’s website, they are currently in dire need of Parmalat, coffee, tea, juice boxes, personal needs products, snack foods, soups, and all canned pastas such as ravioli and spaghetti.

In order to qualify for food pantry service, clients must provide residency and income verification. The food pantry is open on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.