NOTES AROUND TOWN Sparky the fire dog sits on the bumper of a Matawan firetruck during Belmar's St. Patrick's Day Parade March 2. The Food Allergy Support Group of Monmouth County will meet March 5 at Whole Foods, 471 Route 35, Middletown. At 7:15 p.m., there will be a discussion of Food Allergy Awareness Week. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. with a roundrobin discussion. Business to be discussed includes making the group a certified nonprofit. Volunteers are needed to help plan for the first food allergy walk in Monmouth County this fall. If interested, e-mail faan walk@comcast.net. For more information about the group, contact njfoodallergy@hotmail.com, visit http://fasgmc.tripod.com/ or call Ellen at 732-264-6694 ***** The chefs at the Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, 40 Main St., will prepare a turkey dinner with trimmings March 8 from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children, and takeout dinners will be available.All proceeds fromthe dinner will benefit local charities. For more information, call (732) 946- 8821, e-mail holmdelchurch@verizon.net or visit www.holmdelucc.org. ***** The Antioch Baptist Church will hold a grand-opening celebration Sunday, March 9, at 3:30 p.m. at the Freneau Firehouse. Pastor Anthony L. Hodges Sr. will hold a service to let the community know about the church. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Lewis Kisenwether, pastor of First Baptist Church in Matawan. There will be a dinner at 2:30 p.m. prior to the sermon. ***** Knights of Columbus Council No. 3402, Route 35 north, Keyport, will host a Sunday breakfast family-style 8:30-11:30 a.m. March 9. The cost is $6, $5 for seniors and children younger than age 10, and free for children younger than age 5. For more information, call Bob at (732) 583-4440 or the hall at (732) 264-9729. ***** Coast Boating School will conduct a personal watercraft and safe boating course under New Jersey State LawMarch 10 and 11 fro 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. For fee or to register, call (732) 224-2315. ***** The Matawan Recreation Commission is sponsoring an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 15, at noon. Children ages 2 through 10 are invited to participate in the search for Easter eggs. Parents and children should check in at the Matawan Municipal Community Center on Broad Street. Participants are also encouraged to take part in the Easter Bonnet Contest as well. The rain date for the day's activities is Sunday, March 16. ***** The Garden State Depression Glass Club will host its 26th annual show and sale March 7 from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Church Parish Center, 109 Laurence Parkway, LaurenceHarbor. Featured will be depression glass and kitchenware from the Depression era through the 1960s and door prizes. Admission for both days is $5 per person for age 12 and older. Formore information, call Lynn at (609) 240-3765 or e-mail thelegantable@ verizon.net. ***** St. John Vianney High School PTA, Holmdel, will hold its annual gift auction dinner April 3 at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge. Deadline for reservations is March 10. Proceeds will benefit the school's educational programs and activities. Included in the auction will be a $2,500 diamond pendant necklace donated by Marlboro Diamond Castle Jewelers. Admission is $40. For reservations or raffle tickets, e-mail Jacquie Digs2304@aol.com. ***** The Monmouth County Retired EducatorsAssociationmeeting will be heldMarch 18 at 11 a.m. at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road,West Long Branch.Aprogramwill be presented by the Red Bank Regional High School chamber singers. For reservations, call Nadine at (732) 229-3267. ***** Rick Recht will performan all-ages concert March 27 at 7:15 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 5 Ayrmont Lane, Aberdeen. Recht performs a blend of pop music in Hebrew and English based on Jewish text and themes of social responsibility. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $5 for children; and $10 and $3, respectively, in advance. There is a discount for temple members. For tickets, call (732) 566-2621 or e-mail Margo at biomusicmm@aol.com. ***** Middletown Committeemen Sean Byrnes and Pat Short presented a $500 check to American Legion Post 338, Leonardo section of Middletown, in late January. The check was from the MiddletownDemocratic Party, in recognition of the post's dedication to the community and veterans of the armed services ***** St. Mary's Travel Group is sponsoring a trip to "Daniel and the Lions'Den," at Sight & Sound Theater, Stroudsburg, Pa.,March 27 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Cost is $98 for transportation, dinner and the show, and reservationsmust be prepaid by Feb. 27. The bus will depart Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth section of Middletown. For reservations, call Carol at (732) 671-2509. ***** The Middletown Newcomers & Neighbors Club's annual "Easter Eggstravaganza & Charity Event" will be held March 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Red Oak Diner, 2973 Route 35 north, Hazlet. The Easter bunny will be in attendance for photos, and there will also be children's activities. Attendees are asked to bring a pair of new pajamas for a child to benefit the club's 2008 charity, The Pajama Program of New Jersey. For more information, e-mail middletownnewcomers@ yahoo.com or call Pam at (732) 706-3544 or Fran at (732) 566-5449. ***** Laurel Bay Health and Rehabilitation Center, 32 Laurel Ave., Keansburg, will hold its spring bazaar March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature handmade crafts, a bake sale and flea market. Table rentals are $10. Proceeds benefit activities programs. For more information, call Angelika at (732) 787-8100, ext. 121. ***** The annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 3-10 sponsored by Hazlet Recreation will take place March 22 at noon at the ballfield at Veterans Memorial Park (weather permitting). Children should bring bags to hold the collected eggs. A magic show will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave. (rain or shine). For more information, call recreation at (732) 739-0653. ***** All Saint's Memorial Church, 202 NavesinkAve., Navesink section ofMiddletown, will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day celebration 3-6 p.m.March 9. The event will feature a corned beef and cabbage dinner. The cost is $11, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children age 11 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the outreach ministries. For more information, call (732) 291-0214. *****