Notes

The Greater Long Branch NAACP, in conjunction with the Long Branch Concerned Citizens Coalition, will host a debate for the five candidates vying for the single open seat on the Long Branch City Council in the Nov. 7 municipal election on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Trinity AME Church on Liberty Street.

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A Halloween Celebration will be held on Saturday Oct. 21, sponsored by the Eatontown Recreation Department A costume parade will take place from 4:30-5 p.m. The parade will begin at Steelman School and end at the parking lot of borough hall. The costume contest will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. in the parking lot at borough hall. Age groups for the contest are grades preschool, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and adult. Participants should arrive at Steelman School at 4:15 p.m. to begin the parade. Preregistration is not necessary. Multiple awards will be given for the best overall costume in each category. All participants in the contest will receive a Participation Award and goodie bag. Refreshments and goodie bags will be served at the Eatontown Fire House. In case of inclement weather, call recreation department at (732) 389-7607.

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Assemblyman Steve Corodemus, R-11, was scheduled to visit the Long Branch High School this morning to present recognition awards to students for participating in the "Readers as Leaders" program. Corodemus invited all District 11 schools to participate in the program, which he introduced in June to encourage summer reading, according to a press release from Corodemus' office. The students were recognized for their commitment to reading outside of their school work, according to the release.

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The Power of the Christ's Gospel Academy in Long Branch will hold parenting sessions on Oct. 19 and 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call (732) 870-3393.

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The Greater Long Branch NAACP will host its 63rd annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Nov. 4 at noon at Branches in West Long Branch. The keynote speaker at the event will be Lawrence Hamm, founder of Peoples Organization for Progress. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by calling (732) 571-9444.

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Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch will host the following events in November:

Nov. 2, "Coping With the Loss of a Loved One," 7-9 p.m., Community Meeting Room. Registration is required by calling Judy Zucker at (973) 322-4800 by Nov. 1.

Nov. 7 and Nov. 21, "Positive and Beautiful," 11 a.m., for women diagnosed HIV positive. Registration is required by contacting Xiomara Pino at (732) 923-7138.

Nov. 8, "To Your Health," 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monmouth Mall, near the food court, in Eatontown. The program is offered in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Great American Smoke-Out on Nov. 16.