This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page WOODBRIDGE – Plans for an expanded Avenel Street School No. 4 & 5 that will create a "state-of-the-art" educational and learning environment are now underway with construction of the project in the Avenel section officially started Wednesday A groundbreaking ceremony sets the district's oldest school building up for the project that expands the learning space with 10 new classrooms a modern canopy system and an interior courtyard that is expected to become a "go-to" place for student interaction The work is expected to be completed by August 2026 according to Superintendent of Schools Joseph Massimino who attended the ceremony along with Massimino and other township and school district officials said School 4 will be knocked down and rebuilt and School 5 will be improved was built in 1912 and served as a civic center and community meeting place and School No The attached buildings house about 400 students in grades K-5 More: Is another hotel being built in Woodbridge? Here's what we know designed to bridge the gap between the existing school's aged facade and the fresh addition is being funded through the approval of the 2020 Woodbridge Township School District Referendum 4 is over 100 years old as the oldest building in town so it makes sense that would be our next target to build a new facility," the mayor said "School 5 while we're there we might as well give them a complete makeover but keep the bones." The school refresh will also offer a reliable improved educational environment that includes HVAC and lighting upgrades and life safety infrastructure such as fire alarms and his three children all attended School 4 as students He said School 4 and School 5 are attached by a breezeway in the middle which connects the schools along the intersection of Avenel Street and South Inman Avenue Plans call for an addition to be built onto School 5 and wrap around the outside to the old School 4 this year and in the fall of 2025 the students will all be moved into the new classrooms in the School 5 addition School 4 will then be knocked down to build a new School 4 and once that's completed the following year students will return to their regular classrooms The main entrance is scheduled to moved away from the heavy traffic on Avenel Street Massimino said exterior work will done during the school day and internal work will be done during the second shift weekends/non-school hours during the school year as to not disrupt the school day Spillar said he's excited about the drawings for the project that he's seen but I love a ribbon cutting even better," said Spillar who also serves as the Avenel Fire Official the school district canceled plans to build a new Avenel Street School after construction delayed by the COVID pandemic and supply shortages drove up the cost by about $15 million over a period of 10 years from 2017 to 2026 there will have been built three brand new schools in town – Ross Street School 10 in Hopelawn – and renovated to nearly brand-new condition Woodbridge Middle School and major expansions to Matthew Jago School No "I don't know what town in the state that has done that much investing in its school infrastructure and it's all paid for by our economic development projects like power plants and warehouses and not by general taxpayers," McCormac said Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime please subscribe or activate your digital account today Sagard Real Estate has acquired more than 80,000 square feet of industrial space in Woodbridge for $24.1 million in one of two newly announced deals by the investment advisory firm East sits on 4.3 acres in the township’s Avenel section The firm formerly known as EverWest Real Estate Investors said it plans to manage the rent roll and complete renovations before releasing at market rates Sagard added that the 80,468-square-foot building which was constructed in 1975 and renovated in 2022 is 11 miles southwest of Port Newark-Elizabeth and 24 miles from New York City It also touted the asset’s location within the Exit 12 submarket off the New Jersey Turnpike The firm’s other new addition is a 130,389-square-foot industrial building on 12.4 acres at 7314 Race Road in Hanover “Our recent acquisitions underscore our ongoing commitment to expanding Sagard Real Estate’s portfolio with high-quality industrial assets in strategically important markets,” said John Maurer senior managing director and head of equity for Sagard Real Estate “By securing properties in key markets like New Jersey and Maryland has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Greek Real Estate Partners has gained a seal of approval for one of its key divisions thanks to a new accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Management All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy The Middlesex County Prosecutor says Jair Montero-Moran was speeding and driving drunk when his Toyota Camry collided with an Infiniti driven by Cristina Flores on the West Carteret Bridge on Roosevelt Avenue Montero-Moran was driving 69 miles per hour over the bridge and the two cars collided head on His blood alcohol was also over the legal limit Police say Montero-Moran was speeding and driving recklessly and he veered over the center line and collided head on with Flores Flores had just left her parents’ house in Carteret and was headed to her home in Avenel and he was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center The fronts of both cars were heavily damaged showing signs of a "high-speed head-on impact," read the criminal complaint Montero-Moran was also visibly intoxicated at the crash site Montero-Moran was injured so seriously that he remains in the hospital as of Friday He was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and second-degree Vehicular Homicide The fatal crash was investigated by Detective Eric Guzman of the Carteret Police Department and Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Guzman at 732-541-4181 or Det This GoFundMe page was launched for the young Avenel woman and friend who radiated warmth and kindness wherever she went," the page read She brought so much joy and light into the lives of everyone she touched Initial Patch report: Woodbridge Woman, 34, Killed In Carteret Car Crash (Jan Avenel Woman Killed In Carteret Crash Was Returning From Her Parents' House Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. WOODBRIDGE - Chipotle Mexican Grill will open Friday at the former site of a Boston Market restaurant at 1560 St a drive-thru pick-up lane for guests to pick up digital orders without leaving their cars The restaurant is scheduled to be open daily from 10:45 a.m More: Woodbridge Wawa may soon be the 2nd in America to have a drive-thru window quesadillas and salads made fresh daily with no artificial flavors The restaurant is committed to using only responsibly raised meat with some of the highest animal welfare standards and no added hormones The new restaurant is the 107th in New Jersey and second in Woodbridge where there is already a Chipotle near Route 9 and West Pond Road Go: 1560 St. Georges Ave., Avenel section of Woodbridge; 732-454-3302, chipotle.com (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Super 70’s Prom  In this hilarious audience participation comedy you will step back in time into a world of Bell Bottoms Enjoy Cameo’s from those famous 70’s TV Variety Show’s and immerse yourself into the drama of deciding who will be the Prom King & Queen at the end of the night.. There’s plenty of antics that you can be part of Performances take place Friday, April 25 at 6:00pm; Saturday, April 26 at 6:00pm; and Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm. Tickets are $79.50 (plus applicable fees) and available for purchase online  Price includes buffet style dinner and admission to the show **Dressing up is encouraged but not mandatory Whether you’re attending prom for the first time or reliving a memory no chaperons and the best part is you don’t need fake ID to get in (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents comedian Kelly Kellz on Friday Heralded as the 2024 Comedian of The Year by the Association of the Promotion of Campus Activities is an indomitable force in the world of comedy Her vibrant personality and relatable content have catapulted her into the hearts of many earning her the status of a crowd favorite marked a significant milestone in Kelly’s career is a testament to her growing popularity and her knack for captivating audiences with her infectious humor Kelly’s influence extends beyond the stage With over 2.5 million followers across various platforms she utilizes her reach to engage with fans Her digital footprint is a crucial component of her brand allowing her to connect with a broader audience and cement her place as a leading figure in contemporary comedy Tickets are $35 plus applicable fees and available for purchase online Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in  Avenel The Avenel Performing Arts Center (APAC) is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center located in Avenel The APAC promises to energize Avenel and surrounding communities by programming exceptional (AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Back to the 80's The Murder Mystery from November 7-9 Dive into the 80s with our interactive murder mystery show A perfect mix of humor and mystery awaits as you put your detective skills to the test and enjoy a night of suspense and laughter This is not just entertainment; it's your chance to solve the ultimate whodunit Get ready for an unforgettable and "totally rad" adventure Come dressed in your best 80s attire for a chance to win prom king and queen Back to the 80's The Murder Mystery is written and directed by Tony Ardolino Tickets are $69.50 (plus applicable fees) and available for purchase online. Ticket prices include buffet style dinner and admission to the show The Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and New Jersey's Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced a probable cause finding against Avenel-based Adoni Property Group, LLC, and its leasing agent, Legacy Realty Group.The companies are accused of imposing restrictive minimum-income requirements that allegedly discriminate against low-income in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) The case arose after a Black woman was denied an affordable housing unit by Adoni and Legacy Despite meeting the income qualifications for affordable housing her application was rejected due to policies requiring an after-tax income of three times the rent and a bank balance of five times the rent The DCR investigation found that these criteria disproportionately impact low-income Black and Hispanic applicants DCR Director Sundeep Iyer emphasized that New Jersey’s antidiscrimination laws protect low-income individuals from unjust housing barriers Attorney General Platkin reiterated the commitment to enforcing civil rights in housing access.The investigation remains ongoing The companies have the chance to resolve the issue through conciliation; otherwise a Deputy Attorney General may prosecute the case (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents A Tribute to John Prine with Joe D'Urso & Friends on Saturday Artists scheduled to perform include The Ready For Prine Time Players: Michelle Solomon I listened to John Prine more than any other songwriter “It was just a kind of optimism and a bright light in a dark time Even when he’s talking about a horrible situation A group billed as Joe D’Urso & Friends — also featuring Loren Korevec present two show’s a year: one that marks John’s birthday each October and one that marks his passing each April Tickets are $32.50 (plus fees) and available for purchase online  Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel whose best known songs include “Angel From Montgomery,” “Hello in There,” “Sam Stone,” “Please Don’t Bury Me,” “Paradise” and “All the Best” would have turned turned 78 on October 10th Joe D'Urso and his band, Stone Caravan - an Americana they have created a worldwide grassroots network of fans Joe's catalog of music is released on his own label Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan run the gamut of straight-up Jersey Shore influences and the quiet observances of NY State/Catskill Mountain country music Woodbridge Township presents A Tribute to John Prine with Joe D’Urso & Friends at The Avenel Performing Arts Center with support from Woodbridge Arts The Avenel Performing Arts Center (APAC) is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center located in Avenel Woodbridge Arts Alliance (WAA) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advocating activating and animating Downtown Woodbridge and Avenel as hubs for the arts in the Township of Woodbridge Starting with The Avenel Performing Arts Center the WAA will play a leadership role in helping to advance the Township’s art-driven economic plan—a plan that includes further development of enhanced arts programming and education representative of the diverse population in the area 2024 at 4:57 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Woodbridge Twp.)WOODBRIDGE NJ — Wednesday morning will be the groundbreaking for the major expansion planned at Avenel Street School 4/5 The elementary school expansion is intended to create a “state-of-the-art” learning facility said Woodbridge schools superintendent Joseph Massimino The district says the expansion will be "mindful of the original building’s character." School 4/5 is currently a small one-story school building on Avenel Street The Woodbridge school district originally planned to build an entirely new Avenel Elementary school building and it would have been located on Rahway Avenue But costs skyrocketed by more than $15 million due to inflation and the cost of raw materials instead of building an entirely new school the Woodbridge school district decided to stop construction and pivot to instead do "significant renovations" at the existing School 4/5 on Avenel Street Woodbridge residents were asked in a public referendum (vote) if they approved the school district making significant renovations to the school and a majority of Woodbridge voters said "yes." (Although vote turnout was very low for the special election held last March; only four percent of Woodbridge's 68,000 registered voters voted.) The renovations will cost the district approximately $32 million Massimino and Mayor John McCormac said multiple times no additional money will be requested from taxpayers The district already took out an $87.7 million bond for this About 40 percent of the renovations will be funded by state aid. Learn more from the district here: https://www.woodbridge.k12.nj.... Massimino will be present at the groundbreaking Wednesday members of the town council and Board of Education and local Avenel residents and parents who send their kids to school there Due To Inflation Costs, Woodbridge Not Building New Avenel Elementary (Sept Avenel Elementary/School 4/5 Renovations Approved By Woodbridge Voters (March 2023) when thousands of hitherto absent Parisians returned early to the city mid-Games fearful of missing the biggest party there since France won the World Cup at the Stade de France in 1998 But Avenel was in fact looking back on a major transformation in the fortunes of one of the most venerable Burgundy négociant houses whose founding predates the French Revolution “Thinking of buying 40 hectares in Burgundy is like a dream - utopia,” he reflected “We told our shareholders it would take 15 years to build this up Notwithstanding the prestige of its imminent 275th anniversary - in 2025 - Chanson Père et Fils was worried about the future led consultants to conclude that its négociant business was at risk “The competition of small growers has become very strong as they don’t really need to sell their fruit,” Avenel explained And demand is so strong that customers are going direct to them The business model of négociants was we buy fruit or must from growers But now the raw material is missing because the small growers keep it for themselves and we thought it best to have a larger estate where we know what we are going to get off Mother Nature.” was how to increase holdings of 43 hectares in a region where sales are either rare and/or expensive word reached Domaine Chanson that the owners of a 45-hectare estate in Côte Chalonnaise named Château D’Etroyes were open to selling Negotiations began in secret in July of that year with other rival négociants kept in the dark and carried on for another eight months before a deal was signed in March 2023 “A group of eight gentlemen who had been very successful in finance and banking in France India and Singapore had bought the estate in 2018,” Avenel revealed “They were seduced by the idea of being owners of land in Burgundy but were very unlucky with the weather and small vintages apart from 2019 and they saw it was going to cost them too much and it was better to sell But when I visited the wines were at a good level.” Chanson's cellars at Beaune - the estate's founding predates the French Revolution Avenel would not reveal the purchase price only that Chanson Père et Fils was happy with it “It is always over-priced in Burgundy but in Côte Chalonnaise it remains at a more reasonable level,” he declared our model was 25% of the business based on domaine wines and 75% on negociant wines We should now be in a model to help us go through any kind of situation.” The plan is to renew the vineyards at Château D’Etroyes The main efforts we have to make are in the vineyards; so we are reinforcing the team looking after them from seven people to 15 To reduce the average vine age from 50 years to a more desirable one of 35 they will replant two hectares per annum there for the first 5 years All vinification is being carried out in Beaune and we have better facilities,” Avenel explained “It’s too complicated to have two different wineries we press in Mercurey and send the must to Beaune for fermentation.” with the company headquarters and maturation cellars located in town at Bastion de l’Oratoire a late medieval stone tower that was one of Beaune’s principal fortifications Biodiversity drive: bee hives at Clos des Mouches Farming organically is now one of Chanson Père et Fils’ most closely embraced tenets It will receive organic certification for the entire Beaune harvest this year and has just begun the process of organic certification at Château D’Etroyes “There’s no price premium in Burgundy for organic wines but some people won’t consider buying if they are not,” Avenel said but to take care of the vines with more respect for the environment It’s better for our employees too but it doesn't make life easy You have to spray the organic products more often.” Overseeing a major replanting programme: Justine Savoye This vintage has proved particularly testing with both types of mildew - downy and powdery - a major problem Persistent rain in the first half this growing season has encouraged the deadly duo as much as 100mm of rain fell in Beaune in June (ten times the normal amount) and 200mm in the Côte de Nuits depending on the plot and the strategy of the domaine,” she said “This year in Clos des Mouches we sprayed 10 copper and sulphur treatments by early July Domaine Chanson’s embrace of experimental viticultural practices include the trial use of a new biofungicide treatment named 'Taegro' that is permitted in organic systems to counter both downy and powdery mildew Half a dozen new rootstocks are also being trialled by Chanson with a view to replacing 161/49C Many vines planted on it since the 1990s are suffering badly a biodiversity drive by Chanson has seen the repair and maintenance of its three kilometres of drystone walls important habitat for multiple species of insects given that the Clos des Mouches vineyard was named after bees (‘mouche à miel’ being the French for honey-bee) bee hives at the top of Chanson’s parcel have been re-established several Chanson rows of around 500 vines on a steep incline in the Premier Cru Les Bressandes vineyard are being grubbed up to be replanted with fruit trees Avenel is clear about making wine as authentic and as pure as possible It was time to shake off the dust and ask what are the fundamentals and where we can be good We’re not wanting to replace Bouchard with four million bottles or Jadot with 12 million It’s not our goal at all - we are between 600,000 and one million bottles per year depending on the vintage we will do but the first goal is to produce the best wine in that category but if we are in the top three we are super happy We want to produce wine that is authentic and pure as can be.” A key technical change was made when Auger took over with the abandonment of 100% Pinot Noir whole-bunch fermentation an unusual practice among Burgundy’s larger-scale producers “We don’t do things with a systematic approach - we try to adapt to each vintage “We might be wrong sometimes but we learn and hopefully we improve It’s something I’ve learnt working for different companies - there is not one magic recipe I want to emphasise that it’s not a one-man decision at Chanson Justine and I taste wines together and other wines from the competition - blind - and ask ‘are we far from the best what are the best?’ and try to be inspired by that We try to build a shared view of where we should go.” Avenel knows that shedding the sometimes negatively in-built view of négociants will require patience and time “When you take decisions you know it’s going to take five you really start with a handicap because people tend to think negociants are big and have average wines and are not consistent which is totally wrong but that’s the preconception because it was based on something that happened 30 or 40 years ago But nowadays the borders are not very clear because you have growers that become négociants “Our goal is to be among the best in the category and appellation where we are That’s going to happen when the markets and opinion leaders say it’s happened We want to show what we’ve been doing in the last six or seven years We want to renew or change the mindset of people so it’s not a preconception but something based on fact and the things that are really happening and people will think Chanson is not at all what they thought initially but now if you read the magazines and journalists Avenel modestly credits Bernard Hervet not himself for masterminding the turnaround at Faiveley who doubled their turnover of €nine million between 2007 and 2016 Avenel thinks Chanson’s medium size is a big plus in its quest for greater recognition not big - we have the best of both worlds,” he concluded and we have a strength compared to smaller growers in that we have a team of specialists We are right in between which gives us a great advantage.” He is justified in his belief - they have the fruit they have a team that is harmonious as their wines and they have a dynamic experienced managing director who thinks outside the box Domaine Chanson Corton-Vergennes Grand Cru From a 0.65 hectare plot adjacent to Corton-Charlemagne spicy nose with aromas of white flowers; citrus lime apple and earthy wet stone notes on the palate; powerfully structured yet charming with elegant backbone and taut acidity Domaine Chanson Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Mouches From a parcel on a vineyard renowned for producing some of Beaune’s finest white wines clove and nutmeg; tight citrus freshness at its core with peach and exotic mango notes; beautiful tension-filled intensity with linear precision and saline-infused Domaine Chanson Beaune Premier Cru Les Grèves From a steep 2-hectare plot with gravelly soils Plenty of freshness to partner terrific complexity and concentration Domaine Chanson Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Fèves From a 3.8 ha monopole that has been registered since 1307 Fabulous nose with lifted and perfumed aromas with hints of roses Alluringly textured mouthfeel with super-fine silky tannins and magnificent concentration and length The wines of Domaine Chanson are imported and sold in the UK by Mentzendorff which is a commercial partner of The Buyer. To discover more about Mentzendorff click here The Buyer TVClick below to watch The Buyer's library of online debates, videos and webinars. WOODBRIDGE – A 60-unit apartment building that will provide affordable housing for veterans is proposed for the Avenel section Avenel Housing LLC is seeking preliminary and final site plan approval from the Planning Board to build a three-story apartment building for veterans on a portion of the property at 1440-1450 Rahway Ave. The building is proposed to have 60 apartments along with community space and laundry facilities The Planning Board is scheduled to hear the application at the Oct More: Sprouts supermarket to anchor new shopping center in Woodbridge The property is in the Cedar Meadows Redevelopment Area and the applicant is the designated redeveloper for the project. The site is near the 101-unit Greens of Avenel family apartment building and not far from the Avenel Flea Market The applicant is seeking a sign variance for a proposed 70-square-foot monument when a maximum of 40 square feet is permitted 2024 at 7:48 am ETThat "X" marks where the brand-new Cloverleaf Center will be constructed (Google Maps)Inside a Sprouts farmers' market (Photo provided by Sprouts market)WOODBRIDGE NJ — A Sprouts farmers' market will be opening in Woodbridge The Sprouts will be located across from the Avenel IHOP on Rt It will be the anchor tenant in a brand-new shopping center developers plan to build there called the Cloverleaf Center Construction on the Cloverleaf Center has not started yet but Woodbridge Township is planning a groundbreaking there at 12 noon this Wednesday adjacent to the Eastern Dental medical building Wick Companies is the owner of that lot and the developer This was all announced by Woodbridge Township Monday It will be completed sometime in 2025. Wick Companies published these renderings of how the Cloverleaf Center will look Sprouts started in Arizona as an organic health food store but has since expanded to carry traditional grocery store items healthy fresh produce and plant-based foods They also carry keto and paleo food products Sprouts is in the midst of a rapid expansion across the U.S. (one just opened in Aberdeen Township this summer; here are photos of what it looks like inside) That's not all: Woodbridge Township said they are currently finalizing a lease with a national retail footwear company (unnamed) to move in there Habit Burger and Duck Donuts are also all in talks to open at the Cloverleaf Center It will be called the Cloverleaf Center because that is the location where the first cloverleaf intersection in the state of New Jersey existed for many years as the traffic circle directed cars through Rts This was before construction of the underpass (AVENEL, NJ) -- Woodbridge Township presents Willie Nile at The Avenel Performing Arts Center with support from Woodbridge Arts on Saturday NY born Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Uncut Magazine called him “A one-man Clash” and “the unofficial poet laureate of New York City His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by Uncut Rolling Stone listed The Innocent Ones as one of the “Top Ten Best Under-The-Radar Albums of 2011” and BBC Radio called it “THE rock ‘n’ roll album of the year.” His single from that album “One Guitar,” was the “Top Pick of the Week” in USA Today and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises won “Best Rock Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards It appeared on dozens of year-end Top Ten lists for 2013 and was voted “Album Of The Year” by Twangville Magazine “One of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America.” MOJO wrote about his 2016 album World War Willie The real thing…stomp-‘til-ready rock’n’roll…timeless fare.” It won Album of the Year Reader’s Poll from Twangville Magazine and made numerous top ten lists for Album of the Year His album Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan from 2017 was hailed as “one of the best Dylan tribute albums ever made.” Powerpop Magazine wrote: “Astoundingly great…must be heard to be believed And the Associated Press said his 2018 album Children Of Paradise “Might be the best album of his career!” with The Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: “His live performances are legendary.” His 2020 album New York At Night got rave reviews with The Associated Press calling it: “As sharp and guitar-driven as ever…the fire within Nile once a peer of The Replacements and The Clash continues to light a similar torch…anthemic…custom made for these times.” Downbeat Magazine calling it a “sonic love letter to Gotham.” His recent studio album The Day The Earth Stood Still features a duet with Steve Earle on the song “Blood On Your Hands.” The London Times called him “A man who embodies the true spirit of rock n’ roll.” The New Yorker wrote that Willie Nile is “One of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past 30 years.” Opener James Mastro producer and singer-songwriter extraordinaire – of the Hoboken based indie-pop band The Bongos has toured the world dozens of times over as a supportive musician with some of the biggest and most critically acclaimed rock and pop artists ever to grace a stage including Patti Smith as well as Robert Plant as his musical director for a benefit concert for an artist they both admired immensely The Makin Waves Song of the Year for 2024 was “My God,” the standout track on James Mastro’s long-awaited solo debut LP Tickets are $32.50 (plus applicable fees) and available for purchase online (AVENEL, NJ) -- Hub City Opera and Dance continues its tradition of innovative programming with a "food meets opera" double bill at the Avenel Performing Arts Center this March bringing together beloved culinary icon Julia Child and contemporary competitive cooking in one unforgettable evening 2025 at 3:00pm at the Avenel Performing Arts Center The double bill features Lee Hoiby's "Bon Appétit!" starring Philadelphia soprano Kaitlyn Waterson as Julia Child paired with the East Coast premiere of "The Cook-Off" by composer Shawn E currently pursuing her doctorate in Music at Rutgers University will partner with Waterson to bring the effervescent style of Julia Child to life "These operas demonstrate the power of opera to deal with contemporary subjects we can all relate to: food and TV," says Hub City Opera's Artistic Director "Putting this into music and words that are so well crafted and touching will give our audiences an enthralling experience." "Bon Appétit!" brings Julia Child's iconic chocolate cake episode from "The French Chef" to musical life co-founder of chamber ensemble Illumine and accomplished soloist transforms Child's beloved television persona into an operatic tour de force "The Cook-Off," commissioned by Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard Initiative follows three diverse contestants competing for a $100,000 prize for the best mac and cheese on the fictional TV show "America Loves Food." The production features an outstanding cast including Eric J Alize Francheska Rozsnyai as the perky contestant Ivy Sweet Ariel Andrew as the charismatic Kendra Smith and New Jersey native Theron Cromer as latino chef Alvaro Mendez I was thrilled to see Alvaro's food truck serve Mexican/Soul Food fusion," says Cromer "His character's journey of pursuing culinary dreams despite family doubts adds another layer to this deliciously entertaining new opera." Tickets are available for purchase online The Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel This production is made possible in part through the generous support of individual donors as well as: grant funding from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund; the Anna Brisco Memorial Fund; and the Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund Founded in 2017, Hub City Opera and Dance Company provides Central Jersey with fresh perspectives on opera and dance bringing together amateur and professional singers and visual artists to create unique theatrical experiences The company has successfully staged several innovative productions and creative double bills featuring both classic and contemporary works Hub City Opera and Dance Company serves the community by bringing opera and dance to schools and providing performance opportunities for emerging artists 2025 at 9:04 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}There is already an existing Chipotle on Rt Both that one and the new Avenel location have drive-through lanes NJ — The second Chipotle in Woodbridge opens this Friday: They open for the first day of business at 10:45 a.m There is already an existing Chipotle on Rt "What they are ultimately going to do is tear down the existing School 4 and build an entirely new School 4," he explained "They are building a new addition at School 5 they are going to build a new breezeway and connect the new School 4 to the new addition at 5." Shovels just hit the ground this past Wednesday morning in a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the Woodbridge school board school superintendent Massimino and Mayor John McCormac The new School 4 will have a new gymnasium administrative offices and 10 new classrooms The entire project will be finished by September 2026 School 4/5 will remain open the entire time construction will be done when you consider no other town in New Jersey is doing new school construction these days," said Spillar "No town is building new schools like Woodbridge is one-story elementary school building has not been updated in 100 years (Spillar is also the Avenel Fire Official.) The new School 4/5 will also have a new interior courtyard and a new playground "What's great is all the kids in Woodbridge can benefit from this new school," Spillar said kids district-wide can use the new auditorium Avenel Street School 4/5 Expansion Starts Wednesday (Aug “I don’t like to sit down,” says Fosteen Brathwaite she spent 26 years on her feet at a residential care facility for individuals with developmental disabilities It wasn’t until she stopped working that she began noticing pain in her knees the arthritis in her knees was managed with conservative treatments “I couldn’t deal with it anymore.” She says it flared up worse at night X-rays of her knees revealed the cartilage in her knee joints was gone, and she needed knee replacement surgery “I didn’t believe those images on the screen were my knees.” Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries worldwide. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that more than 700,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the United States There are three basic things you need to be a good candidate for knee replacement surgery, says William Baione, M.D. an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and hip replacement:  “By the time Fosteen came to see me,” he says “there wasn’t much else to do but surgery.” I was scared because I didn’t know what the outcome would be,” Fosteen says and that safety is what I want with a doctor You want to have confidence in the person who is going to touch your knee—or any part of your body.” Both of Fosteen’s knees needed replacement surgery Baione recommended each surgery be done separately “Some people are proponents of doing bilateral knee replacement,” he says “but because the surgery is difficult to recover from in terms of some of the initial pain as well as the necessary rehab I think that most patients don’t do well doing both knees at the same time.” and it literally gives you a good leg to stand on so that when you get to the second knee you have a strong leg that you can rely on You are also psychologically prepared because you’ve been through it and understand the process.” Fosteen had surgery on her right knee in October 2023 and on her left knee in January 2024 at Old Bridge Medical Center “Knee surgery is not something you can take lightly,” Fosteen says “You have to have the courage and the strength to push yourself Fosteen received physical therapy at Old Bridge and at home “My body is getting used to both knees now,” she says I’m ready for my first dance and to feel free from pain Learn more about orthopedics at Hackensack Meridian Health tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID 22-3474145) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates a 34-year-old Avenel woman is being remembered for her vibrant spirit after she was killed in a car crash in Carteret on Saturday Flores was driving a Nissan Infiniti when it collided with a Toyota Camry at 9:55 p.m., at West Carteret Bridge on Roosevelt Avenue, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Flores was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the Toyota Camry suffered serious injuries and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital "Cristina was a vibrant spirit, whose kindness ad unwavering love touched the lives of all who knew her," her obituary at Gorny and Gorny Funeral Home reads She was silly and had a wonderful sense of humor She was passionate about life and had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel valued and loved leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of family and friends." Matthew and Nicholas and numerous other family members and friends A celebration of life will be held at Gorny and Gorny Funeral Home in Elizabeth on Saturday To view her obituary, click here. (AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents comedian "Goumba Johnny" Sialiano on Saturday John was born in the Bronx and entered into the radio industry after many career changes Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY (State University of New York at Brockport) Johnny signed as a free agent in professional football with the New York Jets and then with the New York Giants Although both opportunities were a dream for Johnny he had to retire from the sport due to a neck injury he established “Broadway Bodyguards” and escorted celebrities and famous businessmen in and outside the New York City area such as Johnny has joined the ranks of other comedians by performing stand-up at popular comedy clubs like Carolineʼs in Manhattan and the Borgata and Caesars Palace in Atlantic City Johnny also entered and won a National talent search from the Friarʼs Club in New York City for roasting Johnny has roasted celebrities like Matt Lauer Vincent (Big Pussy) Pastore and Gary Dellabate In the mid ʻ80ʻs Johnny did character voices and wrote comedy bits for radio stations across the country from Z-100 in New York City to KIIS FM in Los Angeles until KTU discovered Johnny in February 1996 and originally brought him in as a writer The chemistry that he brought to the station was too good to waste behind the scenes Management brought him out from behind the pen and paper and put him behind the mic Goumba Johnny was so successful as a co-host in the evening slot that the KTU executives made him co-host of their Morning Show Johnny has written for the popular national magazine Cosmopolitan; contributed to US Weekly – Fashion Police for 3 years and he contributed weekly to national magazine Star in Style Stalkers. Johnny made his New York theater debut in the Strawberry One-Act Festival portraying ʻStanley the Bartenderʼ in the play A Punch in the Face and the summer of 2002 he had a recurring role as ʻPaulieʼ inthe hit Off Broadway play Six Goumbas and a Wannabe In 2003 Johnny starred in his own comedy special Goumba Johnnyʼs Slice of Italian Comedy and in early 2004 it has appeared as a special on Pay-Per-View for Direct TV continuing to gain fans not only in the New York Tri-state area but nationwide.This comedy special is now available on DVD Johnny penned his first book – So You Wanna Be a Mobster: Get Made the ultimate comedic selfhelp yourself book on how to start your own mafia family In Johnnyʼs free time his efforts are donated to dozens of charitable organizations within the tristate area where he has worked tirelessly to raise countless dollars whatever it takes to help the cause raise the most money for their foundation In 2002 he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Cooleyʼs Anemia Foundation where he was previously honored for his charitable work he continues to help annually with organizations such as The Bowery Rescue Mission The Elizabeth Fund for Lupus and many police organizations Laura High has garnered viral TikTok acclaim has taken the mic at NY comedy club hot spots such as Gotham What also makes Laura stand out is her unique story: she is a Sperm Donor baby but her father was a rather generous donor and there’s a strong possibility she may have up to 50 half brothers and sisters where she talks to other individuals about their experience with the fertility industry Tickets are $39.50 plus applicable fees and available for purchase online The Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel New Jersey The Avenel Performing Arts Center (APAC) is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center located in Avenel on the West Carteret Bridge on Roosevelt Avenue in Carteret Flores was driving an Infiniti when her car made contact with a Toyota Camry Both drivers were seriously injured; Flores was pronounced dead at the scene The Carteret man was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and survived "On Saturday, January 11th, our beloved Cristina was tragically taken from us in a devastating car accident," read the GoFundMe page "She was leaving her parents’ house in Carteret and heading to her home in Avenel where she resided with her grandparents This sudden and heartbreaking loss has left our family shattered struggling to cope with the profound pain of her absence." and friend who radiated warmth and kindness wherever she went," the page continued Anyone with information or surveillance footage from that night is asked to call Detective Guzman of the Carteret Police Department at 732-541-4181 or Detective Colonna the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3354 The new Seymour-Avenel Road bridge is open to traffic following the completion of works by Inland Rail Final bridge inspection by Russell Hamilton (Inland Rail Project Director) Justene Cowie (Inland Rail Stakeholder Manager) and Joel Allan (McConnell Dowell Project Director) The previous bridge across the rail corridor was replaced to allow the passage of double stacked freight trains stands 3.2 metres higher than the old bridge and is flanked by 170,000 tonnes of locally sourced soil to create the approach embankments Inland Rail will commence works on the eight Inland Rail Tranche 2 projects at Euroa Broadford and the Hume Freeway (Tallarook and Seymour) in the coming weeks Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury Delivery Director said: “We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while we carried out works on the new bridge “We would also like to thank the hundreds of contractors and local businesses that worked on the project.” Explore more: The Project Benefits Opportunities Media Centre Download Map Access images Information hub Visualisations for the two Hume Freeway sites and the Marchbanks Road bridge replacement in Broadford have been released by Inland Rail before construction begins later this year Inland Rail’s 60-hour track possession on the Beveridge to Albury section of the project has been hailed a success with major construction partners completing work across multiple sites and re-opening the railway line to rail services on Monday evening Inland Rail Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of Australian Rail Track Corporation (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Soapranos from August 16-18 Tony's retiring and Paulie Peanuts is throwing him a surprise party in this hilarious You’ll never stop laughing as new members of the mob are recruited from the audience and we finally choose THE NEXT BOSS New Jersey experience… you’ll love The Soapranos!” – The Bergen Record Performances take place Friday, August 16 at 6:00pm; Saturday, August 17 at 6:00pm; and Sunday, August 18 at 3:00pm.  Tickets are $69.50 and includes a buffet style dinner and admission to the show.  Tickets are available for purchase online Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel It is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center located in Avenel TRENTON — A New Jersey corrections officer has admitted to beating a sex offender inmate pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault at a Tuesday state Superior Court hearing in Union County Mandara forfeited his job and was barred from any future public office or work The plea deal clears an official misconduct charge which would have resulted in a mandatory minimum sentence The grand jury that reviewed the case declined to hand up any homicide-related charges Mandara had been suspended without pay since July 5 a Department of Corrections spokesperson previously told NJ.com Prosecutors would recommend a four-year prison term for Mandara at a sentencing hearing on Jan The 2019 incident happened in the Special Treatment Unit at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center The unit houses compulsive repeat male sex offenders was walking away to his assigned work spot when Mandara took off his work belt Mandara then confronted Smith within a secure entryway following an earlier dispute that escalated into a physical fight with both men on the ground The now ex-officer admitted his repeated punches were meant to cause significant injury — and that his actions were excessive and without justification under the circumstances Several days after the beating Smith suffered a fatal stroke. He died on Aug. 28, 2019, days before turning 51, according to his online obituary A lawsuit filed against the state by his sister said that Smith had been assaulted by a number of corrections officers in the days before his death Mandara was the only officer charged in the incident Smith had served more than 23 years in prison after being convicted of a 1989 kidnapping and sadistic rape of a developmentally disabled 14-year-old who Smith had recently met During a three-day ordeal in an abandoned house in Irvington, Smith raped and tortured the boy, choked him with an electric wire, broke a tooth off with a shovel slam to his face, slashed his scrotum with a glass shard, and left the victim tied to a pipe in the basement, according to court records. The victim escaped by freeing himself and asking a neighbor for help In 2016, Smith was transferred from prison to the ADTC, where he worked in food preparation. Smith had been promoted to chef shortly before his death “This conviction demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those in positions of power do not abuse their authority or harm those in their custody,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin “Those in state custody have rights and are entitled to the protections of the law Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow Gallery Credit: Judi Franco/New Jersey 101.5 The man died of a stroke, days after he was punched repeatedly in what the corrections officer admits was an excessive and unjustified attack.\nRead More TRENTON — A New Jersey corrections officer has admitted to beating a sex offender inmate Mandara had been suspended without pay since July 5 Several days after the beating Smith suffered a fatal stroke. He died on Aug. 28, 2019, days before turning 51, according to his online obituary A lawsuit filed against the state by his sister said that Smith had been assaulted by a number of corrections officers in the days before his death Smith had served more than 23 years in prison after being convicted of a 1989 kidnapping and sadistic rape of a developmentally disabled 14-year-old who Smith had recently met During a three-day ordeal in an abandoned house in Irvington, Smith raped and tortured the boy, choked him with an electric wire, broke a tooth off with a shovel slam to his face, slashed his scrotum with a glass shard, and left the victim tied to a pipe in the basement, according to court records. The victim escaped by freeing himself and asking a neighbor for help In 2016, Smith was transferred from prison to the ADTC, where he worked in food preparation. Smith had been promoted to chef shortly before his death Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom A 23-year-old Carteret man was charged on Friday 24 with manslaughter after a fatal crash earlier this month that killed an Avenel woman Cristina Flores was killed in a crash that authorities say was caused by Jair Montero-Moran Jair Montero-Moran was behind the wheel of the Toyota Camry that struck Cristina Flores in an Infiniti on the West Carteret Bridge on Roosevelt Avenue Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Carteret Police Chief Theodore Nycz said while Montero-Moran sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital An investigation determined Montero-Moran caused the crash and he was charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide A GoFundMe for Montero-Moran launched by his sister-in-law said he suffered two broken legs and required surgery The campaign had raised more than $5,000 as of press time A GoFundMe for Flores said she was leaving her parents' house in Carteret when she was struck "Cristina was a vibrant spirit, whose kindness ad unwavering love touched the lives of all who knew her," her obituary at Gorny and Gorny Funeral Home reads.  the latest collection explored themes of identity and freedom creating some of the best and most outrageous runway looks in the fashion history books The star made her fashion rounds in New York City "Does anyone really go to bed early during fashion week?" she says In conversation with renowned journalist Alina Cho at The Met Thom Browne talks about his latest creations two stunning gowns for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for the Wicked red carpet Take a look at the best dressed celebrities from the 2025 Met Gala The rapper has quickly become a fashion favorite—and at the 2025 Met Gala she cemented her status as the night’s breakout style star The Formula 1 driver took his talents from the race track to the red carpet to co-chair tonight's event See every red carpet look from fashion's biggest night The 34-year-old multihyphenate artist collaborated with longtime friend Ruth E Carter on the custom ensemble that quickly earned her a spot on the night's best dressed list Rihanna revealed her latest pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala The one of four Met Gala co-chairs arrived with a trick up his sleeve Anna Wintour famously has the final word on who gets to join fashion's biggest night 2025 at 7:46 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)CARTERET NJ — An Avenel woman was killed in a car crash Saturday night in Carteret according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Carteret Police Chief Theodore Nycz The woman was identified as Cristina Flores 34 The crash occurred on the West Carteret Bridge on Roosevelt Avenue at 9:55 p.m and Flores was pronounced dead at the accident scene was also seriously injured and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where as of Sunday night he was being treated for his injuries Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Guzman of the Carteret Police Department at 732-541-4181 or Detective Colonna the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3354