ERIC SUCAR staff Bob Frisch, of Middlesex, tells visitors about some of the flight jackets soldiers wore as part of the 102nd Cavalry Squadron World War II Reenactment Unit's exhibit at Heath Farm, Middletown, on Saturday. See page 13 for story. More ... Holmdel zeros in on pay-to-play reform Ordinance would bar contractors from giving any contributions at all BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Tighter restrictions on Holmdel's current pay-to-play ordinance were introduced during a special Township Committee meeting Thursday morning. Pay-to-play, the practice of politicians awarding public contracts and jobs to firms that contribute to their political campaigns, has alread... More ... He's not Shakespeare Bukovec is the Bard's best friend on a midsummer's night BY TOM CHESEK Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN - Like Richard III and other vivid characters from the pen of William Shakespeare, John Bukovec has a well-laid plan, and he's not at all shy in telling us about it. More ... Weekly 'Jazz & Blues' series begins in Keyport Thursday       KEYPORT - The Keyport Business Alliance will begin its free summer concert series, "Jazz & Blues on Front Street," tomorrow evening. Set to start at 7 p.m., this week's show will feature Jonny B and the Blue Blazers, a local band based in Keyport. The concert will be held in conjunctio... More ... Iron Man      CHRIS KELLY staff Howell's Marshall Bienstock works in the blacksmith area at Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, on Sunday. More ... A day at the beach ... what's the cost? Public advocate looks at price of accessing shore BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       State Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen released the second annual beach report June 28, citing wide disparities in the cost of accessing the state's beaches. According to Chen's office, fees range from free at the Bayshore beaches of Middletown, Keansburg and Highlands up to a $17,000... More ... Middletown team assists domestic violence victims       MIDDLETOWN - The nonprofit 180 Turning Lives Around, in collaboration with the Middletown Police Department, have a team of specially trained volunteer advocates available to meet confidentially with domestic violence victims at police headquarters 24 hours a day, including weekends and holi... More ... Runner determined to win Special Olympic gold BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HAZLET - Last month, Michael McGrath spent a Friday afternoon participating in a torch relay as part of his journey to the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China. This month, the 29-year-old Hazlet resident will spend some time a bit further away from his familiar surrounding... More ... Vonage faces suit for religious discrimination BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - An Orthodox Jewish man has filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against Vonage, the telephone giant headquartered in the township. Attorneys for Mikhail Rozenberg, of Edison, filed the suit in federal court on June 26, alleging Rozenberg was fired after the company refu... More ... Writer travels a new road with 'Highwaymen' Aberdeen man lands deal with DC Comics to pen first series BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Imagine a world where a dead Bill Clinton is fond of sending dramatic videotapes of himself to washed-up vigilantes, the Centers for Disease Control imprisons superhuman she-terrorists and the world's most evil villain is a top U.S. government official. More ... Firefighters come to aid of 3 hospitals BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HAZLET - John Beslanovitz can't exactly remember when he started his fundraising efforts, but he knows that when the idea did strike him a few years ago, he had plenty of help. "We always had a strong group of volunteers, and so when we went around looking for donations to St. Jude ... More ... Celebrating the light within Six artists focus on human spirit at Art Alliance BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer       Inspiring art works by six New Jersey-based artists explore the spiritual side of life. According to Jeff Clapp, who organized the exhibit, "Igniting the Light Within" celebrates the spirit within each of us. The new show, which opened at the Art Alliance July 7, fuses togethe... More ... To bring WWII history to life, call in the cavalry Local re-enactors show how soldiers lived with display at Heath Farm BY LAUREN PIRO Correspondent       MIDDLETOWN - For Dr. William Anania, a podiatrist by profession, life is more than providing the community with medical care. It is also about recognizing and honoring American history, as he and the other members of the 102nd Cavalry Squadron World War II Reenactment Unit did Saturday a... More ... From the Vault      In the early 1990s, Keyport business owners proposed a Special Improvement District (SID), which would collect a special assessment from local merchants to help promote business in the area. Above, Paul Richards, owner of the Deli Boy, was among those who opposed the measure. In 1999, a similar prop... More ...