ANDREW MILLER staff JoAnne Larzik, of Monmouth Beach, dressed the part as she presided over the borough's Scarecrow Festival Oct. 13. For more photos, see page 21. More ... Pier Village II in line for tax abatement Taxes will be phased in over five-year period BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       The developer of Pier Village in Long Branch got a tax break from the City Council last week, which introduced a measure to grant a tax abatement for the second phase of the luxury oceanfront redevelopment project. During a presentation at the Oct. 9 workshop meeting, Jeffery A. More ... Boni Bates' gift came early in life BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       The visions began when Boni Bates turned five. The first grader had gone to get something out of her bedroom closet. When she looked up, she saw the ghostly faces of an elderly man and woman staring down at her. Then she did what most little girls her age would do. More ... A place for all children to play Alyssa's Angels raising funds for accessible playground BY AMANDA BELING Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - A playground for children of all abilities is what Casey Cantaffa envisions for the community of West Long Branch. That vision is being carried out by a nonprofit organization, Alyssa's Angels, which was founded in May 2004 in honor of Casey and Tony Cantaffa's daughter Alyssa... More ... Suspect arrested in rash of car burglaries BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - City police have charged at least one man with burglarizing cars in the community, which is a crime that has been on the rise for the past two months, according to a press release from the department. Police arrested Vincent Thoms, 32, of Liberty Street, Oct. More ... Local men convicted on federal theft charges       TRENTON - - A former Asbury Park police officer and another man were convicted by a federal jury Oct. 5 on charges in connection with the theft of diamond jewelry valued at more than $2,500 that occurred during the execution of a fugitive arrest warrant, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie anno... More ... Dogged determination rules K-9s on catwalk Some 150 enter 'Strut Your Mutt' costume contest BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       The beauty contestants at Thompson Park Day in Middletown were all real dogs. Always a cute fest, the fourth annual "Strut Your Mutt" contest took place Sunday afternoon as part of the activities surrounding Thompson Park Day, located off Newman Springs Road in Lincroft. More ... One last summer for Donovan's Owner: Contract in place for sale of beach bar BY AMANDA BELING Staff Writer       Longstanding shore meeting place and watering hole, Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright likely has just one more summer before it becomes part of Jersey lore like The Tradewinds before it. Owner Robert Phillips confirmed Tuesday that Donovan's has been sold and that there is a contract in place with a T... More ... Deadline to register for master gardener program is Jan. 2       The Monmouth County Master Gardener Program is accepting applications for 2008. The deadline to apply is Jan. 2. Master gardeners are experts in all things related to home gardening in Monmouth County. More ... Supported employment helps to match businesses, workers       Jen Loelius is an employment specialist, or job coach, with the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation (CVR), which has locations in Eatontown and Toms River. Loelius helps mainstream individuals with disabilities into the workforce through a supported employment services program. More ... Council OKs $2.6M in bonds for new park BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The City Council took action last week to put funding in place for the construction of sport fields, an exercise track and other recreational uses at what will be the city's premier park. Council voted 4-0 at the Oct. 9 meeting to approve ordinance 37-07 allowing the city to bond $... More ... Straw vote      PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER staff A small army of scarecrows appeared to have moved into Monmouth Beach in anticipation of the borough's Scarecrow Festival celebrated Oct. 13. About 65 of the straw men and women were in competition for ribbons with "Crow-ena, The Garden Goddess" (clockwise from top) tak... More ... Mortgage foreclosure scams on the rise 'Rescue' firms promise to save homes, instead empty wallets       Across the U.S., homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure are being scammed by foreclosure "rescue" companies that promise to save their house, but only take their money. More ... Officials discuss future of racetrack with Corzine O'port mayor says funding stream needed for purses BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       OCEANPORT - In an effort to preserve the horse racing industry in New Jersey, Oceanport officials met with the governor last week to discuss options that would make the "sport of kings" more competitive in the state. Oceanport Mayor Lucille Chaump and Councilman Jay Briscione met with Gov. Jon S... More ... Zambrano sentencing set for Wednesday BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - Former Long Branch Councilman John R. "Fazz" Zambrano is scheduled to appear in court next week to face sentencing for accepting a cash bribe while serving in office. Zambrano, 45, is expected to appear before Judge William J. Martini in U. S. District Court in Newark Oct. 24 at 11... More ...