Big blue house needs a little bit of respect Residents turn out, but hearing is again postponed BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       If you've been downtown, you've noticed her. The overly ornate, baby blue mansion at 226 Main St. in Matawan appears to have floated out of a fairy tale, landing squarely in the center of Matawan. The grand old home is a favorite of neighbors too, almost 40 of whom came out to the Planning Board ... More ... Third-grade teacher arrested for child porn Educator suspended; parents notified by automated phone system BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       Athird-grade teacher in the Hazlet school district has been arrested by federal agents for receiving and transmitting child pornography via the Internet. Robert Cholowinski, 46, of Neptune, a teacher at the Middle Road School for 13 years, was arrested by FBI agents in his home Monday morning. More ... 11-acre wooded lot on the road to preservation BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Plans to preserve an 11-acre tract adjacent to Allocco Park continue to make progress. On Sept. 6, the township committee voted to apply for a Monmouth County open-space grant to cover any leftover costs pursuant to the land's purchase by NY/NJ Baykeeper, a nonprofit organization that ... More ... Grant helps to maintain public records, archives       FREEHOLD - In June, the New Jersey State Records Committee voted to award $25,000 to Freehold Borough for strategic, county-wide improvements in public archives and records management. The grant was authorized through the state's pioneering Public Archives and Records Infrastructure Support (PARI... More ... Officers to take part in Tour de Force to honor 9/11 fallen BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Many people have many ways of honoring those who perished on 9/11, and members of the Middletown Police Department are no different. Starting yesterday, Detective Gerald Weimer, Lt. Craig Weber and Lt. More ... Fundraiser for fellow fireman      ERIC SUCAR staff Volunteer Louie Biagianti checks on a potful of clams at the all-you-can-eat Seafood Fest fundraiser held Saturday at Matawan's Washington Engine Company No. 1. More ... Digging in      ERIC SUCAR staff Hungry diners dig into their plates during an all-you-can-eat seafood fundraiser held by the Washington Engine Company No. 1 Fire Department in Matawan on Saturday. The fundraiser benefited a fellow fireman who is need of a kidney transplant. More ... The best-kept secret in design       What do you think of when someone uses the term interior design? "Many people think only of residential interiors," said Patty Blaser, professor of interior design at Brookdale Community College, "And that it's all about matching colors and picking pretty fabrics. More ... African-American festival will be held at arts center BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       Sharon Brown helped to make a small dream become a big reality. Brown, a Freehold Township resident, is one of the founders of the African- American Arts and Heritage Festival which will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the PNC Bank Arts Center, on the Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, on Sept. 15. More ... Habitat ride set for Sept. 16       Area motorcycle enthusiasts will be revving up their engines again to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. On Sept. 16, Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity will host its eighth annual Motorcycle Ride for Affordable Housing. More ... Preview unwraps new exhibition       FREEHOLD - Members and friends of the Monmouth County Historical Association are invited to a special preview party celebrating the opening of "By the Sea" - an exhibition featuring the many aspects of shore culture that developed in Monmouth County. More ... Maternity house seeks housemother Shelter for unwed pregnant women looks to reopen BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer       RED BANK - - The group that operates a home for single, pregnant women in the borough is seeking a housemother so the facility can reopen. "We found that unless we had proper supervision, it generally does not work out," said Donald D. Devine, who heads the board of trustees for Pat Daly's Madon... More ... Lion-hearted performance      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Left photo: Middletown North High School cheerleader Kelli Gaul, 14, tries to pump up the crowd while the Lions battle the Brick Township Dragons on the road Sept. 7. Above: Middletown North marching band member Roger More ... Town passes peace and order measures Fireworks permits, anti-littering among newly tweaked laws BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - - It's officially illegal to go to the bathroom in Holmdel where people can see you. That law was among several "Peace and Good Order" ordinances passed by the township last week. Littering and the unregulated use of fireworks were also on the agenda for new ordinances. More ...      CHRIS KELLY staff Ali Byrn of Leonardo gets a cut from Mallory Byrn of Red Bank at the Red Bank Street Fair on Sunday. More ... Race for the Cure slated at Six Flags       The 14th annual Komen New Jersey Race for the Cure will be held at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson on Sunday, Oct. 14. The race, hosted by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central and South Jersey, includes USA Track & Field (USATF)-certified women's and men's 5K runs, coed 2.5-mile and 1-mile wa... More ... Penn State asks, Who ya gonna call? Research group seeks supernatural cases for new A&E series       Is there something strange in your neighborhood? If so, Penn State University's Paranormal Research Society (PRS) may be able to help. A student club sanctioned by the university, the PRS has gained nationwide recognition by working across the country with authorities and families that have encoun... More ... Wall resigns Keansburg Boro post       KEANSBURG - Holmdel Committeeman Terence Wall has unexpectedly resigned from his job as borough manager of Keansburg. On Sept. 5, the Keansburg Borough Council voted 3-2 to accept Wall's immediate resignation. Mayor Lisa Strydio and Councilman George Hoff voted against the decision. More ... Lt. sharpens skills at FBI academy in Va. BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - Being a lifelong resident of Middletown, you get used to a few things, such as Route 35 traffic and listening about how the Town Center will be finally be built. Craig Weber decided to step away for a few weeks. The township police lieutenant took the opportunity to go to Quantico, ... More ... 'Rhythmical Lines, Works on Paper' Exhibit of abstracts by Claire Boren at JCC gallery BY LINDA DeNICOLA Correspondent       An exhibit of lyrical abstract/figurative paintings opened at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal Park on Aug. 31. "Rhythmical Lines, Works on Paper" showcases the work of Rumson artist Claire Boren, an imaginative and deeply feeling artist who has exhibited her work at galleries in Ne... More ...