Atlanticville

Photo

11/05/2009

Lisa Marrucca, West Long Branch, watches Leonardo Montesinos paint a pumpkin during the West Long Branch PTA's annual Fall Fest at the Betty McElmon Elementary School in West Long Branch on Oct. 30. More photos page 25.

Long Branch to seek COAH certification

BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Long Branch officials announced last week the city's master plan will be revised to provide for affordable housing, and for the first time the city will seek certification from the state Council on Affordable Housing. Robert Beckelman, of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis, Woodbridge, discussed the coming master plan revision at the Oct. 27 City Council's workshop meeting.

County recognizes community service

BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Three Ocean Township residents have been recognized by the county for working to preserve the past and to ensure the future of their community.

Student's drive will warm those in need

BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

For a Long Branch High School (LBHS) student, a chance encounter with a homeless man is making a difference for many of the area's less fortunate. LBHS senior Lucy McGrath has spent the better part of the last month walking around the school with a garbage bag filled with donated shoes and jackets collected for a drive she is running.

Tony's Place: A playground for children of all abilities

11/05/2009

With the opening of Tony's Place at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, children of all abilities will have a place in Monmouth County to laugh, play, grow and learn together.

City funds new beach equipment

BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

LONG BRANCH — The city will tap into funds earmarked for other projects to purchase and refurbish revenue-producing beach maintenance equipment. The City Council decided at the Oct. 27 meeting, by a 4-0 vote, to re-appropriate $135,000 for beach equipment. Councilman Anthony Giordano was absent from the meeting.

Mayor has new plan for Husky Brook Park

BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

EATONTOWN — After meetings with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials, Mayor Gerald Tarantolo has come up with a new plan to salvage the controversial Husky Brook Park project. At the Oct. 28 meeting, Tarantolo presented a redesign of the park based on a previous concept.

District responds to discrimination suit

BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

The Monmouth Regional School District has denied allegations of discrimination based on race, gender and age made in lawsuits brought by three female employees.

Boro to begin background checks for coaches

BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

EATONTOWN — The Borough Council has introduced an ordinance aimed at ensuring the safety of local children who participate in borough recreation activities. The ordinance, which was introduced Oct. 28, calls for volunteer coaches to submit to a criminal background check before they can begin coaching youth sports in the borough.

With a blessing, Highlands Bridge reopens to traffic

BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Asmall group of Sea Bright and Highlands officials gathered at the Route 36 Highlands Bridge for a blessing of the structure before its reopening on Oct. 29. The Rev. Michael Manning of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Rumson and the Rev. Marty McGrail of the New Life Christian Church in Highlands both blessed the bridge.

Monmouth Beach Scarecrow Festival

11/05/2009

MONMOUTH BEACH — Scarecrows popped up throughout Monmouth Beach for the third annual Scarecrow Festival held Oct. 3 in front of Monmouth Beach Borough Hall. The Monmouth Beach Beautification Committee sponsors the annual scarecrow contest. The festival also includes an apple pie contest with slices of the various pies available after the judging is completed.

Fall Fest

11/05/2009

Clockwise from above: Children and parents listen to Ava Giardino, of West Long Branch, read a scary story aloud at the West Long Branch PTA's annual Fall Fest held at the Betty McElmon Elementary School on Oct. 30. Pumpkin painting was one of the activities. Lisa Marrucca, of West Long Branch, watches Leonardo Montesinos paint a pumpkin.

NOTESAround Town

11/05/2009

The nonprofit Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park, will hold a bachelor auction 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Oyster Point, Bodman Place, Red Bank. The fundraiser will feature men from age 24-64, with bachelors' bios available at www.gsff.org. Tickets are $60 each or $50 each for a table of 10, and include dinner, a guaranteed introduction to each bachelor and a goodie bag.

County kids' book drive under way

11/05/2009

The Monmouth County Library launched its annual Books for Kids book donation drive Nov. 1. Books for preschoolers through age 14 will be accepted through Dec. 1 at any county library branch. The books will be distributed to local charities and community agencies that serve children with limited access to books.

Solomon Schechter Academy renamed

11/05/2009

Solomon Schechter Academy of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Howell, has renamed the school to Jersey Shore Jewish Academy. The change was made in keeping with the national trend of aligning Jewish day schools to reflect the communities they serve.

Food drive under way at Ocean Twp. Library

11/05/2009

Move For Hunger is holding its fall food drive during November at the Ocean Township Library, 701 Deal Road, Ocean, to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Collection boxes will be located at the library, and Lowy's Moving Service, Neptune, which donated the boxes, will deliver the donations to the food bank on Dec. 2.

Art of Chagall to be discussed at museum

11/05/2009

"Chagall: His Art," the first in a series of lectures about famous Jewish artists, is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold Township. The lecture and accompanying slide show will be presented by Dr. Lisa Festa, assistant art professor at Georgian Court University.

Audubon meeting Nov. 11 in Red Bank

11/05/2009

Monmouth County Audubon Society will meet 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Trinity Episcopal Church, White Street. Professional nature photographer Art Peslak will present "Bird Photography Techniques, Tips and Equipment" at the meeting, which is free and open to the public.

No easy answers to accrued time payouts

11/05/2009

Let's get to the facts. Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger makes the statement that Long Branch has the highest employee payouts for unused sick and vacation days at $10.4 million (letters, Atlanticville, Oct. 29). The first problem is that this is not a payout, it is an estimate of the current value of the unused time to be paid over a period of time.

Resident questions validity of Fort Hancock lease

11/05/2009

The Oct. 19 National Park Service news release announced the elimination of Sandy Hook Partners from the Fort Hancock/Sandy Hook procurement, a true victory for the public. However, the National Park Service still contends that of the original 36 buildings, three buildings, the chapel, post theater, and 26 Hudson St.

Cartoon

11/05/2009

Another race where we picked the lesser evil

Coda • GREG BEAN — 11/05/2009

In my home state of Wyoming at the dawn of the 20th century, there was a surfeit of what were politely referred to as "bachelor cowboys." It wasn't that these old boys didn't like women; in fact, they loved them, every chance they got.

Kenneth L. Stromberg

11/05/2009

Mr. Stromberg, 63, of Eatontown, died Oct. 25, 2009. He was an advertising representative at Bon Venture Services, Flanders. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; three children, Becky, Ryan and Matthew; his 13 siblings, Pat Ford, Eric Stromberg Jr.

Robert G. Pfister

11/05/2009

Mr. Pfister, 78, of Little Silver, died Oct. 19, 2009, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was a delivery driver at Shrewsbury Auto Parts the past nine years. Prior to that, he was an electrician at Amtrak, Newark, retiring after 30 years. He was predeceased by a brother, Clarence Jr.

Allen C. Lorentson

11/05/2009

Mr. Lorentson, 48, of Oceanport, died Oct. 28, 2009, at home. He resided in West Long Branch prior to relocating to Oceanport five years ago. He was an emergency medial technician at Alert Ambulance, Lakewood, and a member of the Oceanport First Aid Squad. He was predeceased by a son, Eric Lorentson, in 1984; and his parents, Florence and Lawrence Lorentson.

Michelle Sue Anderson

11/05/2009

Mrs. Anderson, 25, of Long Branch, died Oct. 28, 2009, following a lengthy battle with lupus. She resided in Sayreville prior to relocating to Long Branch 14 years ago.

MU soccer teams ready for runs at NEC title

BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff The Monmouth men's soccer team is unquestionably the team to beat in this season's NEC tournament.

Milestones just what the doctor ordered for Hawks

BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Just a week after a humbling loss to a top team in the Northeast Conference, the Monmouth University football team needed a pick-me-up. That is exactly what the Hawks got, too, as they were able to celebrate a hard-earned 10-6 win over Bryant University, as well as a pair of milestones for the program.

McNamara adds SC title to county win

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Molly McNamara's joy at winning the Shore Conference championship was tempered by Red Bank Catholic High School's third-place finish. While McNamara was duplicating her Monmouth County championship, injury and illness combined to bring the Caseys down Saturday at Bucks Mill Park in Colts Neck.

Sports Shorts

11/05/2009

All former Lion wrestlers, coaches, family and friends are invited to the first Black & Orange Wrestling dinner to be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 23 in the Middletown High School North cafeteria. All current and former wrestlers and coaches will be part of the program. Tickets are $12 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under age 5 will be admitted free.