Community Bulletin Board

Thousands of Jersey Shore residents touched by the devastating effects of autism will join together at the Inaugural New Jersey Shore Walk for Autism Research at Manasquan Beach in Manasquan, Sept. 30.

Register at 10 a.m. The walk begins at 11:30 a.m. With 106 registered walk teams and $83,000 raised so far, this will be one of the largest and most successful inaugural walks in National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)/Autism Speaks' history. Participants in the New Jersey Shore Walk for Autism Research will raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders.

NAAR and Autism Speaks recently merged operations under the Autism Speaks banner and are working together to expand NAAR's existing national walk program. All proceeds from the New Jersey Shore Walk for Autism Research will benefit Autism Speaks, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of autism and raising money to fund autism research.

For more information about the walk and how to join the effort by walking, contributing or volunteering, please visit the New Jersey Shore Walk for Autism Research Web site at www.autismwalk.org/njs, e-mail NewJersey@naar.org or call 1-888-777-6227 ext. 15.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. One in 166 children is now diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, including one in 104 boys. Another child is diagnosed every 20 minutes.

Cattus Island Nature Festival slated for Oct. 1

The 26th annual Cattus Island Nature Festival will take place at Cattus Island County Park, Toms River, Oct. 1 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is an annual celebration of natural science education at Cattus Island County Park.

The day will consist of educational activities such as van and boat tours, nature walks, seining, canoe trips, children's programs, music and more.

The van and boat tours require advanced registration, which will begin at 7 a.m. Oct. 1 in the Cooper Environmental Center at the park.

All activities are free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for sale.

The event is accessible to all individuals. Reasonable assistance and accommodations are available with prior notice.

For a complete schedule of festival events, contact the Cooper Environmental Center at (732) 270-6960.

Herbertsville First

Aid Squad fund drive

Herbertsville First Aid Squad is currently conducting a fund drive.

Money raised will be put to many uses such as ambulance equipment, medical supplies and oxygen in addition to training and educational classes in first aid for its members.

For details and to make contributions, contact (732) 840-9116 or www.herbertsville.org.

O.C. Parks senior golf tournament Oct. 12

The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department will host a senior golf tournament for men and women at the Bey Lea Golf Course Oct. 12. The rain date is Oct. 26. Check-in for the event will be at 8 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m.. The fee of $25 per person includes green fees and awards. Golf carts are mandatory and the fee will be paid directly to the course on tournament day. To register, send a check payable to the County of Ocean to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Details: (877) OCPARKS or www.oceancountyparks.org.

Brick resident installed as N.J. Questers president

Ginny Cutaio, of Brick, charter member of the Metedeconk Chapter of Questers International Organization has been installed as president of the New Jersey Questers Organization. Cutaio has served as vice president, program chairman, president and treasurer of the chapter, which was formed in 1977, and was New Jersey State Conference Chairman in 1981 and 1998.

The Questers Organization was founded in Philadelphia in 1944 and now has 900 chapters in 43 states and two Canadian provinces. The Metedeconk Chapter presently draws members from Brick, Point Pleasant, Brielle, Mantoloking and Bay Head. According to the organization's Web site, the purposes of this organization are to educate by research and the study of antiques and to donate funds to the preservation and restoration of artifacts, existing memorials, historic buildings, landmarks and educational purposes.

Register for Parents for the Arts Holiday Show

Parents for the Arts Holiday Show registration will be accepted from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Veterans Memorial Middle School gym, Hendrickson Avenue, Brick. All children 6-18 years of age are invited to participate. Details: (732) 458-8918 or log onto the group's web site at www.geocities.com/ParentsForTheArts.

Rainbow/Prism support groups for kids & parents

Rainbows and Prism support groups will meet at St. Dominic Church., 250 Old Squan Road, Brick. from 11 a.m. to noon on Sundays from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19.

Rainbows is a peer support group for elementary school-aged children who have experienced significant loss in their lives through death, divorce or other painful transitions.

Prism is a support group for single parents, stepparents and parents whose children are in Rainbows.

Both groups are open to the community at no charge. Details: (732) 840-1412, ext. 35.