Posted on February 28, 2012 by Matheny
From left, John Paul and Jeanne May of Bridgewater with their son, Henry and daughter, Ginger. Their other son, Mason, is a residential student at Matheny.
The Verve Bistro Bar Lounge in Somerville was packed with customers on Fat Tuesday, February 21, to celebrate Mardi Gras and support Matheny. We will get 10% of the Fat Tuesday proceeds, in addition to funds raised from a Mardi Gras mask silent auction that continued through the weekend. Many of the masks were created by Matheny staff members including several of the facilitators in Matheny’s Arts Access Program.
A special thank you to owner Rick St. Pierre. Since opening Verve in the late 1990s, he has continually given back to the community, and he was named Somerville’s 2011 Citizen of the Year. We certainly support and agree with that award!
From left, David Christiansen and Nancy Allegar of Stockton with Verve owner, Rick St. Pierre.
Posted on February 16, 2012 by Matheny
Arts Access facilitation manager Keith Garletts shows off his mask.
When you come to our Fat Tuesday Fundraiser to benefit Matheny next week, we hope you walk away with a new mask.
Hosted by the Verve Bistro Bar Lounge, the Mardi Gras-Carnivale Party features a mask auction—a key component of the fundraising activities made possible by members of Matheny’s Arts Access staff. In Arts Access, people with disabilities are able to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. The Mardi Gras event is an opportunity for the facilitators to tap their own creative juices to benefit Matheny.
On February 21, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Matheny, and anyone making a reservation on February 17 or 18 and mentioning Matheny will automatically redirect 10% of the bill to Matheny as well.
Verve is located at 18 East Main St. in Somerville. To make reservations for the Mardi Gras celebration, call 908 707-8655 and mention Matheny.
Studio coordinator Andrew Edge behind his mask.
Posted on January 27, 2012 by Matheny
Looking for a great way to celebrate Mardi Gras this year? Check out the Verve Bistro Bar Lounge in Somerville, NJ, on Fat Tuesday, February 21, or on the preceding Friday or Saturday, February 17 and 18. Why? To party for a good cause—Matheny.
Verve will be holding its annual Mardi Gras-Carnivale Party with music, beads and trinkets and a special menu on those three dates. On Fat Tuesday, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Matheny, and anyone making a reservation on February 17 and 18 and mentioning Matheny will automatically redirect 10% of the bill to Matheny as well.
A special feature of the Fat Tuesday celebration is the annual Mardi Gras silent mask auction, and a portion of the auction proceeds will also benefit Matheny. In fact, Matheny supporters are encouraged by Verve owner Rick St. Pierre to make Mardi Gras masks and drop them off at the restaurant, 18 East Main Street, by February 11. There are no rules involved in making the masks — ranging from experienced artists starting from scratch to kids and amateurs applying paper mache to plastic craft store models.
Since opening Verve in the late 1990s, St. Pierre has continually given back to the community. He was recently named Somerville’s 2011 Citizen of the Year. He is chairman of the Downtown Somerville Alliance events committee and, in addition to the Mardi Gras fundraiser, he is involved in many other activities that support nonprofit organizations around and beyond Somerset County. In 2008, he was given the Somerset County Business Partnership’s Economic Vitality Award.
To make reservations for the Mardi Gras celebration, call (908) 707-8655, and don’t forget to mention Matheny.
