Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hello Middlesex County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free weekly concerts, a Curious George musical audition, and Venardos Circus + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Middlesex County help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A lasting community legacy: After donating $500,000 to pediatric patients and families, the Marisa Tufaro Foundation ended its mission, leaving a legacy of scholarships, Zimmerli art camp experiences, and in-kind support in Middlesex County -- read the full story.
More live music ahead: Free weekly concerts at Metuchen Plaza continue with the Downtown Summer Concert Series. Wednesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 26, four acts left, including a performance today -- see the remaining lineup.
Community theater casting call: Open auditions for a Curious George musical, The Golden Meatball, will begin August 12 at Capestro Theatre in Roosevelt Park, Edison. Ages 16 and up, six roles including George -- see how to audition.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Rep your home team: Main Street Sports Inc is the spot for custom varsity jackets and team apparel, with gear for Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Monroe Township, Saint Joseph Metuchen and more. Need equipment or something cool for the shelf? Check them out this week... they stock memorabilia, signed photos, signed pucks, even player-worn pieces.
Raritan time travel: Metlar-Bodine House Museum turns a preserved Piscataway home into a deep dive through four centuries of Raritan River Valley life, with more than 1,000 regional artifacts, tours, and hands-on workshops. Perfect for a quick culture fix this week, and a reminder your backyard has serious stories.
Glow-up, but smarter: Permanent Beauty by Tatiana blends advanced treatments like microneedling, microcurrent, peels and hydrofacials with medical-grade Environ Skin Care for results that actually stick. She’s an internationally trained, board-certified permanent makeup artist too, so brows, lip tint or eyeliner can look polished without the daily effort.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎪 Venardos Circus @ Menlo Park Mall (Edison) | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:00 PM – Venardos Circus is pitching its red-and-white tent at Menlo Park Mall, serving a Broadway-style, animal-free spectacle with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, and clever mischief. Think old-school charm with modern polish, real popcorn, and free parking. Surprisingly classy for a mall lot, genuinely fun.
🎉 Fun Fest @ John F. Kennedy Library (Piscataway) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Feel like acting your age in reverse? Expect crafts, face painting, games, prizes, a photo booth, and a Wacky Science performance by Mad Science that runs twice, so you can catch it. Wholesome chaos, minor messes, and laughs, all in the name of learning.
🚂 Greenberg's Great Train & Toy Show @ New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center (Edison) | Saturday (8/8) – Feel like indulging your inner eight-year-old? The Northeast’s largest, longest-running train and toy show since 1976, Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show packs in thousands of trains and collectible toys for sale, gear talk and rare finds, and enough nostalgia to derail your willpower.
🎶 Music-in-the-Park: Children’s Summer Series @ Joseph Medwick Park (Carteret) | Tuesday (8/18) at 5:00 PM – Part of Middlesex County’s Music-in-the-Park, the free Children’s Summer Series lands at Joseph Medwick Park for an evening of music and kid-approved crafts. Award-winning singer Suzi does the heavy lifting, the littles wiggle it out, and you get five blissful minutes of adult conversation.
🤸 2:00 pm, 90 min Open Jump with Bubble Time $14.99/child @ The Jumping Jungle (East Brunswick) | Saturday (8/22) at 3:30 PM – Let the kids go full pinball in a blissfully air-conditioned wonderland of inflatables, a two-level play gym, and arcade games. Bubble Time pops in for a quick cameo, the perfect sugar-free bribe. $14.99 a kid, cheaper than replacing your couch.
⚽ South Plainfield Girls Varsity Soccer @ JP Stevens High School (Edison) | Monday (8/24) at 10:00 AM – Ready for some morning cardio from the comfort of the bleachers? J.P. Stevens hosts South Plainfield for a home, non-conference girls varsity soccer showdown, with crisp passes, sideline diplomacy, and travel mugs of coffee. Expect grit, smart feet, and a few throat-clearing cheers.
🏈 Kennedy Memorial Varsity Football @ East Brunswick High School | Friday (8/28) at 6:00 PM – Ready for some proper Friday night lights? East Brunswick hosts Kennedy Memorial for a home non-conference clash, which means bleacher reunions, the band cranking, and the snack stand doing heroic work while we loudly rediscover our school spirit, knees, and indoor voices.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Middlesex County report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 51%
A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 34%
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis north-facing Expanded Turnberry in Plainsboro delivers standout space and style in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District. A two-story foyer with curved staircase sets the tone, while the first-floor guest suite, sunroom, gourmet kitchen with brand-new appliances, and finished basement add flexibility. Outside, a Trex deck, gazebo, pergola, and solar panels round out the package.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
