Notes Scholarship winners The Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean hosted its annual scholarship presentations June 13 and awarded six scholarships totaling $6,500 to local high school graduates who will be beginning college studies in the fall. Italian Studies Scholarships went to Ocean Township High School graduates Nicholas Galanakis, who will attend the University of Sciences, Philadelphia; Bianca Olividoti, who will begin studies at Boston University in the fall; and Richard Manfredi, who will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Hon. John C. Manna Monmouth County Italian Studies Scholarship was awarded to Jaclyn Ceravolo, a Long Branch High School graduate who will attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York; and Mark Biebel, a Holmdel High School graduate who will attend Villanova University. A Continuing Education Scholarship was awarded to Laura Malta, a graduate of Ocean Township High School who will attend the University of Pennsylvania. For more information, call (732) 531-5768. Prevention First, Ocean Township, honored six outstanding community members June 6, including Long Branch-based Team Jump Off, Comcast, Debbie DeLisa, Bettyann Gilmore, Osteotech Inc. and The School for Children. All six of the Excellence Award recipients work on a daily basis to keep Monmouth County's children healthy, safe and drug-free. Prevention First was founded in 1967 and focuses on educating the public about the dangers of substance abuse, violence and bullying and to strengthen children's foundation through life skills education. ***** The Monmouth University Close Relationship Research Lab is recruiting people who are currently single and have experienced a break-up or divorce in the past six months, to participate in a new study about single life after break-up. Participants will earn up to $50 for completing a survey and doing some activities. For details, visit www.breakupstudy.org, e-mail closerel@monmouth.edu or call (732) 923-4647. ***** The Greater Township of Ocean Democratic Club will present Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, at 7:30 p.m. July 19 at the West Park Recreation Complex, 615 W. Park Ave., Oakhurst (side entrance). He will explain the highlights of the institute and its significance in business, government and politics. A question-and-answer session will follow. The forum is free and open to the public. Call (732) 493-3417 for directions or questions. ***** The Long Branch Covenant Church held an opening service June 23 at its new facility on Joline Avenue. The event marked a milestone in the church's history, after having met in rented facilities for more than 20 years. For more information, call the Rev. Tony Moss at (732) 870-2028. ***** The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) is accepting proposals to perform accounting services for a one-year period, Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2008, which will be renewable for an additional one year. Only sealed proposals from qualified accounting firms will be accepted, until 3 p.m. June 29 at the LBHA offices, P.O. Box 337, Garfield Court, Long Branch 07740. Interested firms should contact the authority's Finance Department at (732) 571-6634 to request the proposal package for the contract. ***** Committee members are planning the Monmouth County Historical Association's 32nd annual Garden Party, to be held July 22 in Locust. Proceeds from the event will enable the Freehold-based MCHA to fulfill its mission of education and preservation. Annually, the association reaches over 9,000 school children with educational programs presented in classrooms, and at its five historic sites. Tickets are available by calling the MCHA at (732) 462-1466. For more information, visit www.monmouthhistory.org.