JEREMY’S HEROES TO HONOR CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD’S JEREMY NEUER

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

June Golf Classic in Memory of 9/11 Flight 93 Hero to Support Kids' Programming

BEDMINSTER, N.J., March 8, 2010 Jeremy's Heroes, a non-profit organization formed in memory of 9/11 Flight 93 hero Jeremy Glick, will honor Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.'s Jeremy Neuer of Whippany, N.J., during its 9th Anniversary Golf Classic on Thursday, June 10. A senior director in the commercial real estate services firm's Edison, N.J., office, Neuer will be recognized with the Jeremy's Heroes Sportsmanship Award during the event, which will raise funds for physical and character education programming.

The Golf Classic will be held at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, with accommodations for 132 golfers. The day will include a full lunch, 18 holes of golf, a cocktail reception, silent auction and awards dinner. Each year, Jeremy's Heroes presents its Sportsmanship Award to a community leader who demonstrates outstanding generosity, compassion and devotion to improving the lives of children.

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Somerset Hills Education Foundation to host its 7th annual Chili Cook-off

Both cooks and those who want to eat should mark their calendars on Sat., April 7 as the day of the Somerset Hills Education Foundation’s 7th annual Chili Cook-Off. The fundraiser will be held in the carriage house at the beautiful Upton Pyne Estate in Bernardsville. Chili of all types will again be provided by local restaurants, chefs, businesses, and anyone else willing to compete for the title of "the best chili in the Somerset Hills" while at the same time boosting funding for the Somerset Hills school district.

Dancing will be to the live band, "Hoi Polloi." Complimentary drinks, and a variety of western-themed entertainment -- including Black Jack, a cow toss, horseshoes, "Ye Olde Photo Booth," and the popular Quick Draw "Vealtown Jesse" -- will round out the event.

The Somerset Hills Education Foundation (SHEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of educational programming and technology in The Somerset Hills School District. Over the past 13 years, SHEF has donated more than $550,000 the district for such initiatives as fall and spring mini grant cycles for teachers, and the GET SMART! and Computers on Wheels (COW’s) technology programs. The Chili Cook-Off is SHEF's largest fundraiser and each year proves to be a popular event.

For tickets and more information, visit the SHEF website at www.shefnj.org, or contact co-chairs Ellen Clark at eclark@shsd.org or Laura Ruggeri at larrug@aol.com.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Meet some wild animals in Basking Ridge this Sunday, March 7

The naturalists at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge will present a family program, “What Big Teeth You Have!” featuring Travis Gale from Eyes of the Wild. The program is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 7. The Environmental Education Center is at 190 Lord Stirling Road in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township.

“What Big Teeth You Have!” will introduce nature’s incredible creatures who fight to scratch out an existence. The program will describe the survival techniques used by animals in their fight for survival. Gale will relate amazing stories about how animals find prey and escape from becoming prey for other predators. Descriptions will include the sharp claws of the raccoon-like Coatimundi, the sharp senses of Fennec Fox, the terrible teeth of the tiny short-tailed Opossum, and the ridiculous flexibility of the Ferret. Gale will bring some of his favorite furry friends as he mixes comedy, education, and wildlife from around the world.

The program is designed for both children and adults. Fee is $4 per person. Preregistration is not required. Information is available online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-766-2489.

Bernardsville invites public to plan for a lasting (sustainable) future

Those interested in the future of Bernardsville and in enhancing the quality of life in their hometown are invited to the Bernardsville Public Library at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. The program at the library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, will address how to practice "sustainable living" and cut costs by "going green.” Donna Drewes, Community Planner at the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey and one of the lead architects of the statewide Sustainable New Jersey program, will provide a presentation with an eye toward the future.

Sustainable living provides many benefits to individuals, families and communities. Besides protecting water, air and soil of planet earth, such practices make good economic sense, proponents say. Sustainable habits, from recycling to saving energy, save money in personal budgets and government budgets alike, according to advocates.

The program will point out small steps toward “going green” that can have a powerful and positive effect on everyone's life. At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to identify steps they can take to further their own sustainable styles of living. Tables will be set up to demonstrate activities in which community members are already involved or can become involved. Tables will display Green Club activities in local schools; describe a proposed community garden and compostin and growing vegetables at home; information about natural resources, storm water issues, and watershed protection; and energy conservation. Tables will be staffed by members of the Bernardsville Green Team. Information sheets and reusable shopping bags will be given out, along with refreshments in biodegradable containers.

Speaker Donna Drewes is a professional planner with nearly 29 years of experience in community and natural resource planning in New Jersey. She has worked as a professional planning consultant in the private sector and for both public agencies and non-governmental organizations.

The program is free. Advance registration is requested at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, or call the library at 908-766-0118.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Senator Kip Bateman to Speak in Bedminster

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

State Senator Kip Bateman will address the Bedminster Republican Club on Sunday, March 21 at 7:00. The event will take place at Luna Rossa Ristorante, 318 Rte. 202/206, Pluckemin.

The event is open to the public. Cost is $25 for club members, and $30 for non-members. Refreshments will be provided.

To RSVP, call (908) 781-0561.

Local authors sign their health and wellness books at Somerset Hills YMCA book-signing series

The Somerset Hills YMCA is launching a three-part series of visiting authors and book signings at its main location at 140 Mount Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, March 5. The purpose of the book series is to present topics that appeal to a diverse selection of YMCA members — families, individuals, health seekers and health enthusiasts — and provide them with tools and guidance that might help enrich their lives.

The first event in the series will be presented by Rick Bellingham, author of "Fables of Boris," who will read a chapter to children and their parents attending the weekly Friday Family nights, followed by a discussion and a Q. & A. session. Afterward, he will be signing copies of his book and selling them at a discounted price of $10 to attendees. Friday Family Nights are free to YMCA members and open to the community for $15/family.

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Far Hills Country Day School invites public to hear early childhood expert; school parent also raise money for soup kitchens

Far Hills Country Day School in Bernardsville is inviting the public to an evening with early childhood expert Dr. Sue Bredekamp, who will discuss her new book, "Effective Practices in Early Childhood Educaton: Building a Foundation," at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 24. The presentation is free.

Dr. Bredekamp will speak about best practices in early childhood education, according to the school. She is scheduled to lead a discussion of how to incorporate current teaching practices necessary to become more effective with all children while also retaining and enhancing the fundamental values of early childhood education. Refreshments will be served. The public is ask to reserve ahead with an email to Lizzie O'Mara at lomara@fhcds.org. The school is at 697 Route 202 (Mine Brook Road), in the Far Hills section of Bernardsville.

O'Mara, director of strategic marketing and communications at the school, also announced Far Hills Country Day will host its annual Family Fun night fundraiser to benefit the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 19. Parents of Far Hills students contribute an amount for a casual family dinner in the school's cafeteria with good food and a bingo game after dinner. The school's students are volunteer servers, and soup kitchen's volunteers are also in attendance. All proceeds generated from the event go to the soup kitchen. Last year, over two hundred and sixty attended the dinner, and we raised $4,250 to benefit the soup kitchen. "It raises a ton of money for them at a time when they need it most,'' O'Mara said.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Love your horse with a Valentine’s Day horseback ride at Lord Stirling Stable on Feb. 14

Lord Stirling Stable in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township will host the annual "I Love Horses" Valentine’s Day Ride on the scenic trails of the county-onwed property on Sunday, Feb. 14. Check-in time is 10:30 a.m. The ride will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. Lord Stirling Stable is located at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.

This event is open to all riders tested at Intermediate 2 level and above. Children must be at least 12 years old unless currently enrolled in class at Lord Stirling Stable. Riders must weigh less than 240 lbs.

The leisurely one-hour ride is at a walk and trot only. Trail guides will be happy to answer questions, point out and attempt to identify the various plants, birds and animals that can be seen on the 18 miles of trails at Lord Stirling Stable.

Registration is open this month, and will continue through Thursday, Fe. 11. The fee for the ride is $28 for Somerset County residents and $36 for out of county residents. An approved helmet and riding boots or shoes are required and may be rented at the stable. A charge of $3 per item will apply.

For information, contact the stable office at 908-766-5955 (NJ Relay 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment).
Information on other events of the Somerset County Park Commission can be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Volunteer fair: Find out how you can help

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

A volunteer fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Church of St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville. Admission is free, and food and beverages will be served.

Meet representatives from five local nonprofit organizations who are working hard with less and would welcome the gift of your time and talents.

Project Acorn — A Morristown-based organization that gives every area child a chance to attend a quality preschool program regardless of limited family finances.

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Former Gov. Thomas Kean to be honored Saturday at Bonnie Brae Tartan Ball in Bernards

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

The 2010 guest of honor at Bonnie Brae School's 24th Annual Tartan Ball this weekend will be former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean, whose family has a long history of supporting the residential center for adolescent boys from troubled backgrounds.

As homage to Bonnie Brae's Scottish roots, the event Saturday Feb. 6, at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park will feature bagpipers and invites guests to wear Scottish attire. The annual ball is crucial to raising money for the private, accredited residential treatment and special education center serving male residents from New Jersey, ages 8-18, said spokeswoman Cathy Phillips.

In addition to honoring Kean, the ball will feature an alumnus who will discuss the impact that Bonnie Brae has had on his life, Phillips said.

William M. Powers, Bonnie Brae CEO, said the school is honoring Kean for his continued dedication to Bonnie Brae and the state's children through his other roles.

Kean, 75, of Bedminster, said helping young people establish successful lives may be the most important job anyone can have.

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