ERIC SUCAR staff Students from the Satz School in Holmdel sing a number in the school's production of "Willy Wonka Jr." during a dress rehearsal held at the Holmdel High School auditorium Jan. 30. More ... C-Town 'C-ing' hard times Owner says store to close, blames union picketing BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       It seems as if C-Town supermarket on Main Street in Matawan has seen better days. According to store owner Ricardo Hernandez, the small supermarket that has been open for less than a year will be forced to close its doors soon. More ... Hazlet alliance: Bayshore plan hinges on cooperation Regional plan calls for towns to work on common objectives BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       The status of the county's plan for future development of the Bayshore region is a topic of concern for members of the Hazlet Area Quality of Life Alliance (HAQLA). Members of the citizens' group would like to see progress on the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan and cooperation between Hazlet and... More ... Give a child a book, give the gift of literacy Book donation drive provides new books to disadvantaged kids BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       ABERDEEN - Literacy for all children is being promoted throughout the area, thanks to the Monmouth County Reading Council's Have a Heart, Give a Book campaign. "It is just a wonderful program that brings books to children who might not otherwise be able to afford them," said MCRC President Miche... More ... Cell tower proposal spurs controversy Application seeks tower behind Main St. site BY ERIN O. STATTLE Staff Writer       MATAWAN - A proposal to locate a cell tower on Main Street will be on the Planning and Zoning Board agenda and is already drawing opposition. At the Jan. More ... Traffic changes due for bridge work on Rte. 36 Span over creek will be widened to prevent flooding BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       HAZLET - Residents of Hazlet and Union Beach will encounter some traffic changes while work is underway on a new bridge that will involve some changes to Route 36. New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) officials met with residents and officials from both towns on Jan. 31 to discuss upcom... More ... Middletown officers receive higher ranks Three officers are second-generation department members       MIDDLETOWN - Three Middletown police officers who are following in their fathers' footsteps received their ceremonial oath of offices on Jan. 22. Lt.WilliamBrunt Jr., Sgt. JohnE.Kaiser and Sgt. Ernest Volkland Jr. all assumed supervisory positions that their fathers once held in theMiddletown Po... More ... Résumés due for Holmdel HS principal BY ERIN O. STATTLE Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - The search for a permanent principal at Holmdel High School is underway, but administrators are confident in their precise criteria. More ... Women learning self-defense       ABERDEEN - Women in the Matawan and Aberdeen areas are being offered a chance to learn how to fend off a possible rapist or attacker, thanks to a sixweek program hosted by theAberdeen Police Department. "This is really more of a prevention program," said John Merced, a detective sergeant with th... More ...      Nicholas Morena (l), of Middletown, cuts wood with Monmouth County Park System employee Phil Andras as part of Wood Day at Longstreet Farm in Holmdel Feb. 1. More ... A Process of Intention       'AProcess of Intention: Artists and the Methods to their Creation," currently at Frederick Galleries inAllenhurst, is an exhibition of works by nine artists working with recurring themes and diverse materials. More ... Art for the Arts       The Laurel Tracey Gallery is presenting the second annual "Art for the Arts" exhibition in support of the Two River Theater Company. This collaboration between the gallery and the theater company connects the dynamic and growing arts community in downtown Red Bank. More ... Colbert to be special guest at Two River Theater gala       Entertainer and political pundit Stephen Colbert will make a special appearance as a guest at the Two River Theater's annual fundraising event, "Lunatics & Lovers: A Two River Theater Celebration," on Saturday, March 1. More ... In the Service       ArmyNationalGuard Pvt. James K. Anderson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. A 2007 graduate of Lanesboro (Minn.) High School, he is the son of James Anderson of the Belford section of Middletown, and Kelley Adelsman of Lanesboro, Minn. More ... Planners to review zoning change BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer       HAZLET - At least one township residentwill be paying close attentionwhen the Planning Board gets down to business and reviews a proposed zoning change on Thursday, Steven Sanfilippo lives next door to a tract on PooleAvenue thatwould be rezoned for higher density development, a change he said la... More ... Old-fashioned treat      PHOTO BY DAVID BEALES Andi Watstein of Old Bridge looks on as Katie McLoughlin of the Monmouth County Park System prepares homemade potato chips at Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, Feb. 1. Preparing and cooking 19th-century foods on an antique wood stove is part of the monthly Wood Day at Longstreet Farm. More ... Monmouth U. artifacts sought       Monmouth University is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008. FromMonmouth Junior College toMonmouth College toMonmouth University, the Office of Alumni Affairs is actively seeking interesting, unusual or special items and artifacts. More ... Grants fund land use & preservation initiatives       The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation announced $4,160,000 in awards to 60 environmental organizations under its latest round of grant making. The foundation seeks to help environmental leaders improve livability as it relates to current patterns of land consumption and development in New Jersey. More ...