Community Corner
Scotch Plains Mayor's Gala, Fanwood Holiday Celebration This Week
What's happening this week in Scotch Plains and Fanwood.
From Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 8:
"Elves" collecting gifts for Santa's ride through Fanwood: On Dec. 14, beginning at 11 a.m, Kris Kringle and his elves will make their way through Fanwood with the assistance of the Fanwood Fire Department, Fanwood Rescue Squad and the Police PBA 123. Please be advised that Santa's elves will be collecting packages at the Fanwood Firehouse on Watson Road (behind borough hall) between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 6. More details here.
Fanwood Christmas tree sale: The Fanwood Fire Department and the Fanwood Lions Club have joined together once again to sell Christmas trees at LaGrande Park. They will be selling Balsams, Douglas Firs, Frasier Firs and wreaths. All proceeds benefit local charities. More details here.
Gingerbread-house making for teens at the Scotch Plains library: Teens in grades six and up are invited to make gingerbread houses at the Scotch Plains library. Enjoy hot chocolate and watch a holiday movie while decorating. Registration is highly recommended. Monday, 4:30 p.m.
Make your own sugar scrubs at the Scotch Plains Library: The library's own Lisa Thornton will lead a hands-on workshop on using essential oils to create bath salts and sugar scrubs. Thornton, a certified clinical aroma therapist, is supplying jars and all materials along with instruction on how to make more at home. Participants will be able to make one jar of bath salts and one of body scrub, choosing between citrus, mint, and lavender oils. She is also providing snacks and recipes made with the oils. This program is open to adults and teens in grades 7-12 and also to older children in grades 5 and 6 (who must be accompanied by an adult). Registration is limited and pre-registration is required. Monday, 7 p.m.
Scotch Plains council meets: Council will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. See the meeting agenda here. Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Fanwood council meets: A special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday at Fanwood Borough Hall to adopt ordinances relating to employee salaries and compensation; submission of Community Development Grant applications; 2013 transfer resolutions and approval of Chapter 159 amending the 2013 budget. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
GWACC networking event at Shackamaxon: Join the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce (which includes Scotch Plains and Fanwood) for a festive evening of networking at Shackamaxon Country Club with chef-prepared buffet and cash bar. Guests welcome. Bring tons of business cards. Late registration: $60 for members, $70 for non-members. RSVP online at www.westfieldareachamber.com. Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Tiny Tim caroling night: Leave your porch lights on on Thursday for Tiny Tim Fund's 30th Anniversary Caroling Night. Residents are encouraged to form singing groups to sing seasonal songs in the Fanwood or Scotch Plains neighborhood of your choice. Proceeds once again benefit children with medical needs. Light refreshments will be served at the Stage House, where carolers will return canisters with donations they collected. Thursday.
Scotch Plains zoning board meets: The zoning board meets at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. See the meeting agenda here. Thursday.
Scotch Plains Mayor's Gala: The Mayor's Gala will take place on Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight at Shackamaxon Country Club. Tickets are $65 per person and include a sit-down dinner. They can be bought at the Recreation Department or online by visiting the township’s website, www.scotchplainsnj.gov, clicking the link “Communty Pass” and selecting 2013 Mayor’s Gala. The gala serves as a way to honor volunteers and non-profit organizations within the Scotch Plains community. Proceeds raised from the gala are donated to the volunteer organizations as well as to the Municipal Alliance Committee. Friday, 7 p.m. to midnight.
Community Shabbat dinner at Congregation Beth Israel: Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains will host a Community Shabbat Dinner to welcome new and prospective members. The dinner is jointly sponsored by the synagogue’s Member Relations Committee, Sisterhood and Men’s Club and is open to families in the community. The meal will be a traditional Friday night kosher chicken and brisket dinner. Following the dinner, everyone is invited to join Congregation Beth Israel’s Friday night services at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m.
Monthly "Needle Nite" at Fanwood Presbyterian Church: The monthly Needle Nite at Fanwood Presbyterian Church is scheduled for Friday in Westminister Hall on Marian Avenue. The 25 gift bags that were made last month will be filled with small toiletries and decorated with holiday items also made last month. These will be distributed to people who are homebound. All are welcome to come see what is being done and to join the group. Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Artists reception for "Five Perspectives": This is a group exhibition at the Scotch Plains Library, featuring the artwork of five New Jersey women artists, each exploring her own path in the visual arts. The show will be on display from Dec. 3 to 28, with a reception on Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m.
"Elves" collecting gifts for Santa's ride through Fanwood: On Dec. 14, beginning at 11 a.m, Kris Kringle and his elves will make their way through Fanwood with the assistance of the Fanwood Fire Department, Fanwood Rescue Squad and the Police PBA 123. Please be advised that Santa's elves will be collecting packages at the Fanwood Firehouse on Watson Road (behind borough hall) between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 6. More details here.
Fanwood Christmas tree sale: The Fanwood Fire Department and the Fanwood Lions Club have joined together once again to sell Christmas trees at LaGrande Park. They will be selling Balsams, Douglas Firs, Frasier Firs and wreaths. All proceeds benefit local charities. More details here.
Gingerbread-house making for teens at the Scotch Plains library: Teens in grades six and up are invited to make gingerbread houses at the Scotch Plains library. Enjoy hot chocolate and watch a holiday movie while decorating. Registration is highly recommended. Monday, 4:30 p.m.
Make your own sugar scrubs at the Scotch Plains Library: The library's own Lisa Thornton will lead a hands-on workshop on using essential oils to create bath salts and sugar scrubs. Thornton, a certified clinical aroma therapist, is supplying jars and all materials along with instruction on how to make more at home. Participants will be able to make one jar of bath salts and one of body scrub, choosing between citrus, mint, and lavender oils. She is also providing snacks and recipes made with the oils. This program is open to adults and teens in grades 7-12 and also to older children in grades 5 and 6 (who must be accompanied by an adult). Registration is limited and pre-registration is required. Monday, 7 p.m.
Scotch Plains council meets: Council will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. See the meeting agenda here. Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Fanwood council meets: A special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday at Fanwood Borough Hall to adopt ordinances relating to employee salaries and compensation; submission of Community Development Grant applications; 2013 transfer resolutions and approval of Chapter 159 amending the 2013 budget. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
GWACC networking event at Shackamaxon: Join the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce (which includes Scotch Plains and Fanwood) for a festive evening of networking at Shackamaxon Country Club with chef-prepared buffet and cash bar. Guests welcome. Bring tons of business cards. Late registration: $60 for members, $70 for non-members. RSVP online at www.westfieldareachamber.com. Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Tiny Tim caroling night: Leave your porch lights on on Thursday for Tiny Tim Fund's 30th Anniversary Caroling Night. Residents are encouraged to form singing groups to sing seasonal songs in the Fanwood or Scotch Plains neighborhood of your choice. Proceeds once again benefit children with medical needs. Light refreshments will be served at the Stage House, where carolers will return canisters with donations they collected. Thursday.
Scotch Plains zoning board meets: The zoning board meets at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. See the meeting agenda here. Thursday.
Scotch Plains Mayor's Gala: The Mayor's Gala will take place on Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight at Shackamaxon Country Club. Tickets are $65 per person and include a sit-down dinner. They can be bought at the Recreation Department or online by visiting the township’s website, www.scotchplainsnj.gov, clicking the link “Communty Pass” and selecting 2013 Mayor’s Gala. The gala serves as a way to honor volunteers and non-profit organizations within the Scotch Plains community. Proceeds raised from the gala are donated to the volunteer organizations as well as to the Municipal Alliance Committee. Friday, 7 p.m. to midnight.
Community Shabbat dinner at Congregation Beth Israel: Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains will host a Community Shabbat Dinner to welcome new and prospective members. The dinner is jointly sponsored by the synagogue’s Member Relations Committee, Sisterhood and Men’s Club and is open to families in the community. The meal will be a traditional Friday night kosher chicken and brisket dinner. Following the dinner, everyone is invited to join Congregation Beth Israel’s Friday night services at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m.
Monthly "Needle Nite" at Fanwood Presbyterian Church: The monthly Needle Nite at Fanwood Presbyterian Church is scheduled for Friday in Westminister Hall on Marian Avenue. The 25 gift bags that were made last month will be filled with small toiletries and decorated with holiday items also made last month. These will be distributed to people who are homebound. All are welcome to come see what is being done and to join the group. Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Artists reception for "Five Perspectives": This is a group exhibition at the Scotch Plains Library, featuring the artwork of five New Jersey women artists, each exploring her own path in the visual arts. The show will be on display from Dec. 3 to 28, with a reception on Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Fanwood Presbyterian Church blood drive: The church is sponsoring a Community Cares blood drive at the New Jersey Blood Services Donor Center, located at 2279 South Avenue in Scotch Plains. Donors age 16 or older are urgently needed. Donors must satisfy weight criteria, be in generally good health and have a valid photo ID. 16 year olds must furnish a signed parental consent form and persons age 76 or older must furnish medial clearance. If the goal set for this drive is met, donors will have their names entered into a raffle for a chance to win a football jersey with the team of their choice. Additionally, all donors at this drive, and other drives between now and mid-January, will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a pair of Super Bowl XLVIII Tickets. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fanwood Holiday Celebration: Fanwood's annual holiday celebration will take place on Sunday on the lawn at the historic Fanwood train station on North Avenue. Join in to for Santa's arrival, holiday snacks, hot chocolate, seasonal music, holiday crafts and refreshments – all for free. The celebration concludes at 5 p.m. when Mayor Colleen Mahr lights the Fanwood town tree. Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m.
Handel's Messiah at Fanwood Presbyterian Church: A chorus of more than 75 singers, professional opera singers and a full professional orchestra under the direction of Tom Berdos will perform the joyful Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah. Tickets are $20.00 and are available at the church office during business hours. Instructions for mail-in ticket orders are available by calling the church at 908-889-8891, ext. 17. Sunday, 4 p.m.
Fanwood police collecting cell phones: Drop off old cell phones at the Fanwood Police Station, 75 N. Martine Avenue, now through Jan. 14 and help the police department and the Union County Domestic Violence Response Team provide hope to victims of domestic violence.
Fanwood police holiday toy drive: The Fanwood Police Department is coordinating a holiday gift donation for the Parents as Teachers program in Union County. A giving tree with ornaments for each child will be located outside of Borough Hall. To participate, please take and ornament and return the unwrapped gift (with the tag attached) by Friday, Dec. 13 to either the Fanwood Police Department (ask for Dianne) or bring it to Borough Hall. More details here.Have an event you'd like us to consider for this column? Add it to our events calendar.
Handel's Messiah at Fanwood Presbyterian Church: A chorus of more than 75 singers, professional opera singers and a full professional orchestra under the direction of Tom Berdos will perform the joyful Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah. Tickets are $20.00 and are available at the church office during business hours. Instructions for mail-in ticket orders are available by calling the church at 908-889-8891, ext. 17. Sunday, 4 p.m.
Fanwood police collecting cell phones: Drop off old cell phones at the Fanwood Police Station, 75 N. Martine Avenue, now through Jan. 14 and help the police department and the Union County Domestic Violence Response Team provide hope to victims of domestic violence.
Fanwood police holiday toy drive: The Fanwood Police Department is coordinating a holiday gift donation for the Parents as Teachers program in Union County. A giving tree with ornaments for each child will be located outside of Borough Hall. To participate, please take and ornament and return the unwrapped gift (with the tag attached) by Friday, Dec. 13 to either the Fanwood Police Department (ask for Dianne) or bring it to Borough Hall. More details here.Have an event you'd like us to consider for this column? Add it to our events calendar.
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