NOTES AROUND TOWN

The Citizens' Campaign is launching a series of Leadership Forums for Long Branch citizens to teach about the structure and how to effectively participate in local government.

The next forum is scheduled to be held on Feb. 20 at the Long Branch Center of Brookdale Community College on Broadway. The title of the forum is "Path to Citizen Legislature Power." For more information, call Lauren Skowronski at (732) 548-9798, ext. 6.

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The deadline for filing nominating petitions to run for positions on the Township of Ocean Board of Education is 4 p.m. on Feb. 26. The election is planned to be held on April 15.

Prospective school board candidates can obtain a school board candidacy kit at the township board of education office on Monmouth Road. For more information, call (732) 531-5600.

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Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Ave., Rumson, hosted a thank you brunch for Kids Kare teen volunteers in early February and announced its yearlong menu donation program. Kidz Kare is an organization of shore teens who provide friendship to children hospitalized at the Valerie Center at The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical, Long Branch. The restaurant will donate $1 each time a select menu item is ordered. It will also host a wine and martini tasting fundraiser April 16, 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $150. For more information or tickets, call LuAnn at Monmouth Medical Center, (732) 923-7623.

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The nonprofit Wag On Inn Rescue, Freehold, will hold its first "Wag On Inn Rescue Valentine's Party," Feb. 9 from 6- 8 p.m. at The Prince and the Pawper, 889 W. Park Ave., Ocean. Special guest will be certified psychic Barbara Lee, and attendees are encouraged to bring pet pictures (living or deceased). Cost is $20 per person, which includes food and drinks. For tickets, call (732) 713-5107.

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A lecture on attention deficit disorder will be held Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at 236 Second Ave., Long Branch. The free lecture is open to the community. Topics include learning disabilities and hyperactivity. Registration is required and may be done by calling (732) 229-1649.

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Long Branch Public Library, 328 Broadway, will celebrate African American History Month during February with an author book talk Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Asbury Park native Madonna Carter Jackson of South Carolina will present "Asbury Park: A West Side Story. A Pictorial Journey Through the Eyes of Joseph A. Carter Sr.," her book of photographs compiled from her father's career. The free program is co-sponsored by the Long Branch Historical Association; light refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at (732) 222-3900.

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Monmouth Beach School is taking part in the "One for Books" effort to bring more books into schools at the local level and promote reading. Local merchants are also requesting "One for Books" donations. Schools that collect for the effort keep all of the funds to help students buy books and improve the school's library. Scholastic Book Fairs will match the "One for Books" dollars raised with a donation of up to 1 million books to three nonprofits: Kids in Distressed Situations, National Center for Family Literacy, and Toys for Tots.

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Monmouth Beach Cub Scout Pack 1 will hold its annual Blue and Gold dinner March 9 at 5:30 p.m. at The Channel Club, Monmouth Beach. During the event, five senior Webelo Cub Scouts - Noah Kurtz, J.R. Bellavia, Andrew Hollander, Paul Wedel and Joseph Dunzelman - will be awarded the Arrow of Light, the highest level of recognition a Cub can attain. There will be a crossingover ceremony for 12 Scouts advancing to Boy Scouts, and younger Scouts will also be formally advanced to the next scouting level. For more information, call Ray Smith, cubmaster, at (732) 747- 1000.

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The Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, will host a book discussion with Joshua Henkin, author of "Matrimony," March 25 at 7:30 p.m. The book describes the ups and downs of what it means to be married. Henkin is also the author of "Swimming Across the Hudson," and has had his short stories appear in several publications. For more information, call the center at (732) 531- 9100.

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A roast chicken dinner will be served Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 61 Atlantic Ave., Long Branch. The cost is $7 for adults and $4.50 for children age 12 and younger. For tickets, call Margaret at (732) 695-1099.

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The 19th annual Communion Breakfast of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore will be held Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. at Doolan's, Route 71, Spring Lake Heights. Celebrant will be the Rev. Brian Butch, Friendly Sons' chaplain and pastor of Holy Innocents Church, Neptune. Irish historian Henry McNally will also discuss Irish history and heritage.

Nonmembers are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $24, and $10 for children age 16 and younger. For reservations, call (732) 974-8013.

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The Monmouth County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold a "Texas Hold'em" tournament Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. at Atlantic Highlands Firehouse on Avenue C. Cost is $150 per person and includes a buffet. The event will be run by a casino organization and is designed to raise funds for improving and managing wetlands and wildlife habitat.

For more information, visit www.ducks.org/states/53/events/event13 460.html.

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Brookdale Community College is scheduled to hold a job fair at its Long Branch Higher Education site on Broadway in Long Branch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 29.

The event will offer free interview skills and résumé building workshops. For more information call (732) 229- 8440, ext. 3.

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A free community lectures on attention deficit disorder (ADD) is scheduled to be held Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at 236 Second Ave. in Long Branch. To register for the event, call (732) 229-1649.

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Long Branch High School class of 1958 is looking for classmates to attend a 50th reunion on Sept. 6. If you are a class member or know one, call (732) 229-9288.