Notes “While I Was Gone” by Sue Miller will be discussed by the Adult Book Club of the Ocean Township Branch of the Monmouth County Library, 701 Deal Road, on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. The novel, an Oprah Book Club selection, is a study in familial crime and punishment. Books are available to be borrowed from the library. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (732) 531-5092. ***** Long Branch preschool programs kicked off a three-year obesity prevention and study program geared to younger children. Two Labradoodles helped kick off the program. The dogs eat vegetables that many of the children hand-feed them. Along with their owner, Lauren Mattia, Claude and Margaux visited the Lenna W. Conrow School, where the 4-year-old preschool program is housed, and the Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center, where 3-year-olds go to school. Children of the two preschools were treated to a fun, fact-filled show with the dogs, who have been featured in movies and TV news shows.