Community Bulletin Board

December programs and events at Brick Library

The Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, has announced its schedule of free events and programs for the month of December. Registration is required unless otherwise noted. Call the library at (732) 477-4513 or visit www.oceancountylibrary.org for registration and details. E-mail for teen events: mdbc@oceancounty.lib.nj.us.

• Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Tween Girls Read will discuss "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson.

• Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Teen Advisory Board meeting. Participants earn community service hours.

• Dec. 18, 2 p.m., Knitting Around Club. All skill levels welcome.

• Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Mother/Daughter Book Club will discuss "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly.

• Dec. 19, 9 a.m., free blood pressure screening will be provided by the Ocean County Health Department. No appointment is necessary.

The following children's programs will be presented at the Brick library in December:

• Dec. 12, 3:30 p.m., Brick Popcorn Bookworm Club will read "George Speaks" by Dick King-Smith. Ages 6 and up.

• Dec. 14, 4 p.m., the Book Discussion Group for ages 8 and up will read "Punished!" by David Lubar.

• Dec. 20, 7 p.m., "A Tree or Not a Tree: A Celebration of Cultural Holidays" for ages 12-18.

• Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m., Family Film Day for children and families. Holiday-related theme. Blood donors and drives needed in December

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, is predicting a severe blood shortage in December that will require blood rationing to area hospitals and patients if blood supply levels do not improve, blood center management reported. Past and potential donors, and those who want to host a blood drive at their job or in their community, are therefore being urged to call New York Blood Center at (800) 933-BLOOD or go to www.nybloodcenter.org to find a convenient blood drive or donation location in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey.

"Despite the fast-approaching holiday season, the need for blood never takes a holiday. And we will definitely have to ration distribution of some blood types in December, and very possibly into 2007 as well, if we don't see donation rates increase and additional blood drives scheduled in December," pointed out Dr. Robert Jones, New York Blood Center president and CEO.

New York Blood Center needs close to 2,000 donors a day in order to adequately serve the patient transfusion needs of nearly 200 New York and New Jersey community hospitals, "so we are asking everyone eligible to consider giving the best gift of all - the gift of life - this holiday season," Dr. Jones said.

Eligible donors include those people at least age 17 in New Jersey, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and New Jersey State Department of Health donor criteria.

"The reality is less than 2 percent of people in our local community currently donates, which is far behind the nationwide blood donor participation rate of 5 percent," Dr. Jones explained. "We simply need more donors, and ideally more diverse donors, to address the predicted blood supply/demand gap."

New York Blood Center needs close to 2,000 donors a day in order to adequately serve the patient transfusion needs of nearly 200 New York and New Jersey community hospitals, "so we are asking everyone eligible to consider giving the best gift of all - the gift of life - this holiday season," Dr. Jones said.

Eligible donors include those people at least age 17 in New Jersey, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and New Jersey State Department of Health donor criteria.

"The reality is less than 2 percent of people in our local community currently donates, which is far behind the nationwide blood donor participation rate of 5 percent," Dr. Jones explained. "We simply need more donors, and ideally more diverse donors, to address the predicted blood supply/demand gap."

Search intensifies for person who killed kitten

BRICK TOWNSHIP - Police have assigned a detective to help locate the person responsible for the death of a kitten last month, Capt. Douglas Kinney said.

The Jersey Shore Animal Center on Brick Boulevard reported the act of extreme animal cruelty to police. The shelter is looking for anyone who might have information about the killing in the Herbertsville section of the township.

Shelter officials believe the incident happened late at night on Nov. 21 or during the early morning hours of Nov. 22. Anyone with any information should call the shelter at (732) 920-1600 and ask for Jen M., or Brick police at (732) 262-1100.

BlueClaws holiday drive returns Dec. 9

The Lakewood BlueClaws will hold its sixth annual "Breakfast With Buster" food and toy drive Dec. 9 at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood. Manhattan Bagel, Brick, will provide free bagels and coffee to all patrons who drop off items between 8 and 11 a.m. Buster and his holiday friend, Santa Claus, will also be at the park. The BlueClaws will distribute all donated toys, toiletries, books and nonperishable food to the Salvation Army of Ocean County. Details: (732) 901-7000 or visit www.BlueClaws.com.

Custom Harley-Davidson Fat Boy to be raffled off

The Herbertsville Fire Company, 601 Herbertsville Road, Brick, will hold an open house Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is welcome to tour the firehouse, look at all the apparatus and enter the raffle to win a 2006 Harley-Davidson Custom Fat Boy motorcycle. Other items will be raffled including sports memorabilia and dinner.

Mascots Sparky the Fire Dog and Buster of the Lakewood BlueClaws will also be on hand. In addition, Christmas trees, wreaths and grave blankets will be available for purchase.

Raffle tickets are $20 each and can be purchased every Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the firehouse. Winners will be chosen at 3:45 p.m. at the open house event. Details: (732) 458-9164.

Brick H.S. drama club to present 'Plaza Suite'

The Brick Township High School drama club will be presenting the Neil Simon comedy "Plaza Suite" Dec. 15 and 16 at the high school auditorium at 346 Chambers Bridge Road. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.

"Plaza Suite" tells the story of three couples who occupy a suite at New York's Plaza Hotel at various times over a year. Each story provides a unique look at the trials and tribulations of romantic life, as seem through the eyes of the playwright.

Admission for the show is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Details: (732) 262 2500, ext. 2093.