Community Bulletin Board
Trip to ‘Montel Williams Show’ slated for Jan. 11

The Business & Professional Women of Freehold Inc. will sponsor a bus trip to two tapings of “The Montel Williams Show” in New York City Jan. 11 from 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. The bus will depart from Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown. Tickets are $10 and include two tapings and light refreshments at the studio.

For tickets or more information, call (732) 224-2106.

Middletown Recycling Center closed during holidays

The Middletown Recycling Center, Kanes Lane, will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1 for Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Marpal, the trash collection provider, will not collect trash or recycling on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2, because the Monmouth County Reclamation Center will be closed both days. Curbside recycling collection in the affected zones (D for newsprint and C for commingled) for both days will be slated for collection the following day.

Nativity sound and light show now at church

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2000 Florence Ave., Hazlet, is presenting a sound and light show of the Nativity through Dec. 30. The free show is open to the public and will feature a 15-foot poinsettia star, a replica of Herod’s temple, and an outdoor creche. For times or more information, call (732) 264-1236.

Key Club crochets baby blankets for victims

Students from the Key Club at Raritan Valley School, Hazlet, recently crocheted baby blankets for infant victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Students — joined by parents and staff members — sacrificed recess and crocheted during lunch to complete 20 blankets. Funds were also raised by selling rockets and stars displayed in the school’s foyer. Both the baby blankets and monetary donations were sent to Lake Charles, La.

Key Club members are Jaclyn Bost, Jasmine Calderon, Lance Hallaby, Alyssa Hurni, Kayla Mazza, Hallie Neely and Jillian Pellagotti. Members created the blankets under guidance of student teacher Jean Bartels, club adviser Carleen Defino, and school nurse Bobbi Fisher.

Holmdel students attain rank of Eagle Scout

Three Holmdel students recently became Eagle Scouts and were honored at a Court of Honor in early December. Zach Goldstein, Vikas Hiremath and Dan Westerwick are the newest Eagle Scouts of Holmdel Boy Scout Troop 331.

Congressman Rush Holt made a special appearance at the Court of Honor, and awarded each of the Eagle Scouts a certificate of recognition. Holmdel Mayor Larry Fink then presented each with a Holmdel Township plaque of appreciation.

For the required Eagle projects, Zach, Vikas and Dan enlisted the help of Scouts and friends to blaze and mulch trails on Holmdel Township Green Acres property. Dan and Zach created separate trails on the Bayonet Farm property, and Vikas refurbished a trail adjacent to Laurel Avenue and blazed a connection to Middletown Township’s established trails.

Wheelchairs provided for qualifying individuals

Wishes on Wheels has announced electric power wheelchairs are now available to nonambulatory seniors age 65 and older, and the permanently disabled of any age, if the individuals qualify.

There is no charge for the power wheelchair, no deposit is required, and there is no obligation for determining if the individual qualifies. Call 1-800-823-5220 or visit www.threewishes2.com.

‘Hanukkah Live!’ slated

at area bank Dec. 27

Chabad Lubavitch, Manalapan, will sponsor “Hanukkah Live!” Dec. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Commerce Bank, Route 34 and South Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen. The celebration is open to the public, and will feature a lighting of a giant menorah, live band, holiday food, dreidel games, and story telling. For more information, call (732) 583-2536.

Blood center to conduct

blood drive Dec. 31

The Blood Center of New Jersey, Orange, is urging residents to donate blood to ease winter shortages and give a second chance to patients needing blood transfusions to survive. A drive will be held locally Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ice Cream Palace, 1059 Route 34, Aberdeen.

For more information or to sign up to donate, call (800) 256-6365.

Applications due Jan. 1 for Master Gardener class

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County is accepting applications for its seventh Master Gardener class through Jan. 1.

The 11-week session will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings and begins in mid-February. Classes are at the Extension’s Office on Kosloski Road, Freehold. The class is for individuals interested in volunteering with the community, gardening, and horticulture. There is a $200 fee for the course, and a 60-hour volunteer requirement to become a certified Master Gardener.

For more information, call the Extension at (732) 431-7262.

VFW No. 2179 to hold New Year’s Eve party

Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 2179 will hold a New Year’s Eve party Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The post is located at Route 36, Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

The cost is $50 at the door and $45 in advance. The event will feature a buffet, open bar, coffee, and music by Crystal Blue and DJ Susie. Smoking is permitted.

For more information, call (732) 787-9529 or 787-0999.

Citizens for Informed

Land Use to meet

Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU), Holmdel, will hold its next meeting Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. Richard Held, of the Bradley Beach Environmental and Shade Tree Commissions, will discuss solar energy heating.

The group will also meet Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. Jeff Smith, superintendent of the Holmdel Department of Public Works, will describe the effects of new storm water regulations on local homeowners, as well as on his crew.

All meetings are held at the Holmdel Senior/Community Center, Crawfords Corner Road. Free refreshments will be served, and the public is welcome to attend. For more information, call Carol at (732) 946-9064.

Littoral Society slates

walks at Sandy Hook

The American Littoral Society will sponsor a New Year’s Day “Walk ’round the Hook” Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. beginning at building 18, Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. For information, call (732) 291-0055.

A “Winter Waterfowl Birding” walk will be led by a New Jersey Audubon Society naturalist Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. Attendees should bring binoculars and dress for the weather.

A “Winter Night Prowl” will take place Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. Attendees should bring a flashlight for the after-dark walk along Sandy Hook’s beaches and trails.

The walks are free and will begin at the visitor’s center unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (732) 872-5970.

‘Instant Admit’ sessions at Brookdale centers

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, will hold “Instant Admit” days for the spring semester at its Higher Education centers. Sessions will be held Jan. 5 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bayshore Higher Education Center, 311 Laurel Ave., West Keansburg section of Hazlet, (732) 787-0019.

The Long Branch Higher Education Center, 213 Broadway will hold the sessions Jan. 9 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., (732) 229-8440.

“Instant Admit” sessions enable students to apply, and be tested and advised (if necessary) prior to classes starting Jan. 18. For a master schedule course listing, call (732) 224-2345.

BCUG to host Medicare workshop Dec. 22

The Potpourri Workshop of the Brookdale Computer Users Group (BCUG) will run a special workshop on the topic of Medicare prescription drug coverage Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. The free workshop will be held at the cafeteria of High Technology High School on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. The program will be presented by Gail Abrams, former IBM systems engineer and a retired attorney. For more information, visit www.bcug.com.

SPCA seeking homes for canine victims of Katrina

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 260 Wall St., Eatontown, is seeking foster homes for three dogs rescued from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Each dog must be fostered for 90 days before it will be available for adoption. This will allow the original families time to reclaim the dogs, which have been posted on Petfinder.com and other rescue networks.

The MCSPCA adoption hours are Saturday-Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 1-6 p.m. For more information, call the SPCA at (732) 542-0040.

Nominations sought for NJVF ‘Hall of Fame’

The New Jersey Veterinary Foundation (NJVF), Springfield, is seeking nominations for its 11th annual “Hall of Fame.” The deadline for receiving nominations is Jan. 6. Nominations are sought in five categories: hero, for animals that have saved a life or prevented injury; companion, for animals that are an individual’s best friend; professional, for animals trained in assistance and working animals such as guide dogs, and search and rescue animals; therapy, for animals that share love with individuals in need, such as individuals in hospitals or nursing homes; and the NJVF Award, which is given to an individual who has worked to improve the care and dignity of animals. For a nomination form, visit www.njvf.org.

Free programs at Matawan library Jan. 9, 11

The Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, will present “How to Plan a Perfect Vacation Without Spending a Fortune” Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. “Conserving Energy in Our Home” will be presented Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Both programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call the library at (732) 583-9100.

Wheelchairs provided for qualifying individuals

Wishes on Wheels has announced electric power wheelchairs are now available to nonambulatory seniors age 65 and older, and the permanently disabled of any age, if the individuals qualify.

There is no charge for the power wheelchair, no deposit is required, and there is no obligation for determining if the individual qualifies. Call 1-800-823-5220 or visit www.threewishes2.com.