NOTES AROUND TOWN

AudreyW. Clark School PTO in Long Branch sponsored "Wildlife Encounters." The students were able to pet a baby kangaroo, snake, tortoise and a fox.

The Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave., will exhibit paintings by Donna Arvevlo, paintings and photos by Jennifer DiLorenzo and Jennifer Guida, and oils by Ellen Mandia through April 19. Watercolors by Linne Grant and paintings by Karin Petersen will be exhibited April 23-May 10. The center's parking lot garage sale will be held May 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Center hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call the center at (732) 229-4527.

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Monmouth University's small-business management and entrepreneurship classes will host a fashion show April 30 from 6-9 p.m. in Wilson Hall auditorium. Students and professors will model to promote each class' products: Morning Rush perfume and cologne, and the Blue Pearl discount debit card. Clothingwill be provided by TheMen's Warehouse and The Bee, Pier Village, Long Branch.Admission is free, and refreshments will be offered to all attendees. For more information, visit www.shoresense.com or www.mucecapital.com.

The third-grade students at the Audrey W. Clark School took a book walk to the Galapagos Islands with author Lois La- Pointe Kiely, a former Long Branch teacher. The walk included a presentation of the book "Bluey, the Bluefooted Booby," along with a video and PowerPoint with Galapagos photos. The book was an outgrowth of a recent visit to Ecuador where Kiely provided strategies and curriculum for Spanish speaking children.

The class of 2010 at Shore Regional High School, West Long Branch, will hold a sophomore class carnival May 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at theWest Long Branch Community Center. The event will feature various foods, a bake sale, a plant sale, games, a 50/50 raffle and a gift basket auction. For more information, call Kerry at (732) 923-9222.

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The West Long Branch First Aid Squad on Monmouth Road is planned to have an open house onApril 19 from11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scheduled for the event are demonstrations by the American Heart Association, Monoc Passenger SafetyAwareness, free blood pressure screenings and a magic show.

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The Mad Hatter, Sea Bright, will host an "Autism Benefest" to benefit Autism Speaks' New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism April 26 at 1 p.m. Cover charge is $10 at the door, and kids are free. The Benefest will be headlined by The Jonzes at 10 p.m., and will also feature live music by acoustic bands from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Children's activities such as crafts, games and children's TV programming will take place from1-6 p.m.Avolleyball competition will be on the beach (weather permitting). To sign up, call (732) 530-7861. There will also be a dunk tank, 50/50, silent auction and tricky tray. Glutenfree pasta, pizza, beer and cookies will be available. Formore information, call theMad Hatter at (732) 530-7861.