Saturday marked the start of Rahway’s annual Soup Stroll, and an enthusiastic crowd braved the rain to sample 4-ounce cups of their favorite neighborhood soups. If you missed opening weekend, no worries! More restaurants will join the stroll on the 17th, 24th, and 31st. You can find a list of the participating restaurants here. 

As for what’s happening this week, Muslim Heritage Month is being celebrated at several local libraries with special programs, activities, and guest speakers. At the Edison Library, families can participate in Disguise a Duck Day, while tea lovers can warm up in Woodbridge with events celebrating National Hot Tea Month. Film buffs won’t want to miss UCPAC’s 35mm screening of The Godfather Part II in Rahway, and those looking for a fun fundraiser can head to the Woodbridge Elks for a Night at the Races charity event.

With Saturday and Sunday packed with more events than we can fit here, be sure to check out our full events calendar for everything happening around Central Jersey. And as always, if you have a community event you’d like listed, don’t hesitate to reach out.

This week’s coverage included a historic moment in Woodbridge, where the Township Council made local history by electing women as both council president and vice president. 

While Woodbridge’s Board of Education reorganization brought continuity rather than major changes, meetings in Edison and Rahway were anything but routine. The Central Jerseyan also reported on reorganization meetings for the Edison Board of Education, Edison Township Council, and Rahway City Council, where public comments mixed praise with pointed criticism, adding extra tension as new leadership took shape across the region.

Both Rahway and Woodbridge’s Relay for Life groups kicked off the season on Saturday with their annual Relay First Lap events. In Woodbridge, walkers made laps inside the township’s recreation center, while Rahway participants braved the outdoors on a local track. All were united by the shared goal of supporting the fight against cancer. Organizers say the early momentum reflects strong community commitment, with thousands of dollars already raised for research, patient support, and advocacy.

Rahway Relay for Life is always looking for new participants. Residents can learn more by checking out the team captain and participation guides, or support the cause by attending the group’s Comedy Night fundraiser on January 21 at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Woodbridge chapter is celebrating nearly $7,000 raised so far and is actively recruiting additional teams ahead of its spring event.

If you’re looking to shake off the winter blues, revisit our Summer 2025 feature on Hawk Rise Sanctuary, where a peaceful walk through nature can double as a small act of service by picking up litter along the 1.5-mile loop.

Prefer something shorter? Merrill Park in Woodbridge offers an easy 0.6-mile path, while those seeking more adventure can explore more than 13 miles of trails at the Watchung Reservation. However you choose to get outside, we hope you find time for reflection.

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This week's trivia: These three Christmas videos were trending in Central Jersey this past month (among other viral holiday celebrations, obviously). Can you spot which one is an AI deep fake? 

Answer to last week’s trivia:  The Brook Trout is the state fish of New Jersey, as well as eight other states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Vermont, Michigan, and North Carolina. New Jersey selected an official state fish in 1991 that thrives in clean, cold, well-oxygenated streams and rivers, making its presence a sign of healthy water. While found throughout the state, it's most common in the northern parts of New Jersey, particularly in mountainous areas like the Watchung Mountains.

Here’s the weather for the upcoming week.

🌤️ Monday, January 12: Breezy in the AM; partly sunny and seasonable — temperatures range from 30°F to 42°F.

🌤️ Tuesday, January 13: Breezy in the afternoon; partly sunny and a bit warmer — temperatures range from 32°F to 46°F.

🌧️ Wednesday, January 14: Overcast with late-night light rain — temperatures range from 38°F to 50°F.

❄️ Thursday, January 15: Potential for snow depending on the track of a coastal storm; colder — temperatures range from 23°F to 39°F.

🌤️ Friday, January 16: Partly sunny and brisk — temperatures range from 22°F to 32°F.

🌤️ Saturday, January 17: Mostly sunny with a chance of snow in the morning— temperatures range from 24°F to 38°F.

🌤️ Sunday, January 18: Crisp and clear with plenty of sun — temperatures range from 19°F to 37°F.

🌤️ Monday, January 19: Bonus MLK Day prediction: partly sunny for the holiday; staying cold — temperatures range from 19°F to 31°F.

As always, you can see even more events on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝ 

Have an event you’d like included in this newsletter or a tip for a local news story? You can reply to this newsletter or contact me here ➝ 

Have a great week!