ERIC SUCAR staff A fourth-grade student at Middletown Village School tries his hand at an exercise station during the Round Robin Shuttle Preparation Program presented by Buehler Challenger & Science Center at the school April 29. More ... Residents sound alarm over historic site's future Demolition begins at Van Mater farmstead property BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       One of the last remnants of Hazlet's history is in the process of being developed, a matter that concerns residents. The land known as the Stone Road Meadows spans over 50 acres, but the 4.59-acre VanMater property at the corner of Stone Road and Poole Avenue is under development by Devino and Ja... More ... Pool club may not be in summer forecast Strathmore buyer says repairs will sideline facility BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       Members won't be frolicking in the sun at the Strathmore Bath and Tennis Club in Aberdeen this summer, because the club likely won't be open. "No, we won't be able to open the club this summer," said Frank Ward, who is in the process of purchasing the pool club. More ... Temple Shalom hosts memorial to AIDS victims Committee brings traveling memorial quilt to Aberdeen BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - The world-renowned tapestry dedicated to the memory of AIDS victims has made its way to town. As part of a special weekend devoted to social action, sections of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt, a 54-ton, handmade tapestry that is a memorial to more than 90,000 indiv... More ... Holmdel BOE reappoints Luccarelli, Hartnett BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Board of Education members re-elected the current board president and vice president at the April 30 meeting. Frank Luccarelli and Mary Hartnett were re-elected to the positions of board president and board vice president, respectively. More ... Police wrestle with Hazlet 'Fight Club' 35-second video shown on YouTube being investigated BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       HAZLET - While HazletFights may not be on the same level as the movie "Fight Club," it is getting the attention of the Hazlet Police Department. The latest video sensation on YouTube, HazletFights, the member name of the person posting the video and previous videos, shows two teenage boys fist f... More ... Holmdel introduces $20M budget 'Bare-bones' budget proposed at May 1 committee meeting BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL- The TownshipCommittee introduced the 2008 municipal budget last week. At the May 1 committee meeting, a $20 million budget was introduced and explained by TownshipAuditor Robert Oliwa. According to the budget overview, the total 2008 current fund budget appropriations are $19,905,795 an... More ... Holmdel sets hearing dates for fire chief inquiry Mayor, committee to hear testimonies on May 13, 20 BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The Township Committee has set hearings to investigate allegations against theHolmdel Fire Department chief. Closed hearings are scheduled for May 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in the main meeting room at Town Hall. More ... Bayshore towns plan for natural emergencies Officials of 10 towns meet with residents to discuss mitigation BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Officials from 10 towns in the Bayshore area have joined together to keep their towns safe in the case of a natural hazard emergency. More ... Handlin takes petition to residents in four towns Over 600 sign form against new FEMA flood maps BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - The door of AssemblywomanAmyHandlin's (R-13) district office would open and close every few minutes as residents came in and told the same story. From 2 to 7 p.m. onMay 1, during a petition drive initiated by Handlin, the personal anecdotes were similar. More ... Local schools' arts programs recognized       TheMonmouth CountyArts Councilwill hold its 2008Art inEducation Showcase and Awards Presentation at theMiddletownArt Center, Thursday,May 15, 6-9 p.m. The annual awards program recognizes creative arts programming, talented faculty and arts infused schools in Monmouth County. More ... We've been there       Familiar places and local landmarks are waiting to be revisited in an art exhibit of watercolor paintings by local artist Linné Grant. "Places We All Have Been" will run through May 10 at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center at 128 Ocean Ave. More ... IN THE ARTS Compiled by Gloria Stravelli Designed by Eileen Russell Gerber       Soar Productions will present the Neil Simon comedy "Barefoot in the Park" May 9-24 in Union Beach. Simon's light domestic comedy revolves around newlyweds adjusting tomarried life. Performances are Friday and Saturday, May 9-24, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18, $15 for ... More ... N.J.Watercolor Society All-Member Show       The New JerseyWatercolor Society is holding its 2008 Annual All-Member Show May 3-28 at the Guild of CreativeArt, 620 Broad St., Shrewsbury. The NJWCS was formed in 1938, and members are professional artist who produce watercolors of exceptional quality. The opening reception is Saturday, May 17, ... More ... May: the makings of a gardener       The pleasures we derive from gardening as grown-ups must have, I am quite sure, their origins in our earliest years. I clearly remember helping my father to seed radishes, on my knees, with a tape measure to plant the seeds with strict military precision. When finally seeds sprouted and the first ... More ... NOTES AROUND TOWN       Old Bridge Public Library, Route 516 and Cottrell Road, will host an interactive program, "Relief From Panic & Anxiety," with hypnotherapist and stress management expert Rosemary Conte, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required and may be done by calling at (732) 721-5600... More ... New Jersey beaches awash in litter       SANDY HOOK - Local ocean advocacy group Clean Ocean Action (COA) released data April 24 from the 2007 Beach Sweeps that reveals volunteers removed a record number of pieces of debris per person, and one of the highest recorded number of total items collected. More ... Inquiry sought into fort closure Asks U. S. Attny. to investigate 'criminal manipulation' of data       Agroup of Assembly members from Monmouth County is claiming that the decision to close Fort Monmouth was based on false and misleading information. Six Assembly members are asking for further investigation into the decisionmaking process regarding the closure of Fort Monmouth and are calling on G... More ... Prepping for 'outer space'      ERIC SUCAR staff A student tries out the exercise station during the Buehler Challenger & Science Center's Round Robin Shuttle Preparation Program held in the Village Elementary School auditorium in Middletown on April 29. More ... Bluegrass band to play benefit       MATAWAN - On Saturday, May 10, First Baptist Church ofMatawan will host local bluegrass band String Fever as a fundraiser for the annual Youth Group missions trip. The concert will be held in the main church building at 232Main St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the band will begin playing at 7 p... More ...