Community Bulletin Board

The Brick Township Rotary Club with Ocean Medical Center in Brick as its major sponsor, is hosting its ninth annual "Great Chefs of the Jersey Shore" Feb. 5, from 6-9 p.m., at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood.

The Brick Township Rotary is focused on helping those both in the local community and around the world. Over the last 40 years, Brick Rotary has quietly supported hundreds of worthy causes including scholarships for students, providing Brick Township police officers with bullet-proof vests and tactical gear, the building of the band shell in Brick and supporting various local nonprofit agencies. The club is more than 50 members strong and each member volunteers countless hours to raise funds for great causes.

The Great Chefs of the Jersey Shore is one of the signature events of the club. This special event will feature the tastes of fine food, wines, microbrews and desserts from many local establishments. Guests will be treated to a wide range of dishes including Italian, seafood, American cuisine and desserts.

Some of the participants are American Importing/Exporting, Antonio's Trattoria, Atlantic Bar & Grill, Bacchus School of Wine, Clark's Landing, Dave's Barbecue, Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty, Mulberry Street, and Woodlake Country Club.

Tickets for Great Chefs of the Jersey Shore are $60 per person and are on sale now at the following locations: Jersey Paddler, 1756 Route 88 west, Brick and Mulberry Street Italian Food Center, 474 Brick Blvd., Brick. For more information, contact (732) 687-0602. Great Chefs of the Jersey Shore is sponsored by the Brick Rotary Club and Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Brick Rotary Foundation and designated local charities.

Wine-tasting event

to benefit church

Church of the Visitation, Mantoloking Road, Brick, will host a wine tasting event Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Faith for the Future Building Fund.

The event will feature over 30 wines from California, Italy, Spain, South America and France, and will offer a chance to meet winery representatives and wine experts. Complimentary cheese and light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Tickets for the event are $30 per person. and available now for purchase. Details and tickets: (732) 477-0028 ext. 216.

February programs and events at Brick Library

The Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, has announced it's schedule of free events and programs for the month of February. Registration is required unless otherwise noted. Call the library at (732) 477-4513 or visit www.oceancountylibrary.org for registration and details.

+ Arline Wasserman's Book Discussion Group, Feb. 1, 10 a.m.

+ Bernie Duffy's Book Discussion Group, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.

+ "Tech Talk: PC Security," Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.

+ English Conversation Group, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

+ Friends of Brick Library meeting, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. All are welcome

+ "Dungeons and Dragons," Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Ages 12.-18.

+ "Influence of Blaxploitation on Hollywood", Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. Movie for ages 12-18.

+ "Tween Girls Read," Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

+ "Can We Talk?," Feb. 13, 2 p.m.

+ English Conversation Group, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

+ Teen Advisory Board, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

+ "Late Night Gaming," Feb. 16, 6:30-9 p.m. Gaming for ages 12-18.

+ Free blood pressure screening will be provided by the Ocean County Health Department Feb. 20, 9-11 a.m. No appointment necessary.

+ "When I Grow Up Series... Save our Sanity," Feb. 21, 7 p.m. This month will feature careers that save lives.

+ "eBay Basics," Feb. 22, 2 p.m.

+ The Annointed Sons of Jersey, Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m. - Gospel music group.

+ "Mother/Daughter Book Club," Feb. 26, 7 p.m.

+ English Conversation Group, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.

+ "Manly Men Book Club," Feb. 28, 7 p.m. For ages 12-18.

The following children's programs will be offered at the library.

+ "Brick Young Origami," Feb. 1, 3:30 p.m.

+ "Super Family Football Film," Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.

+ "18th National African-American Read-In," Feb. 5, 3:30 p.m.

+ "Brick Popcorn Bookworm Club" author visit Feb. 14, 6 p.m.- George Skudera author of "Freddy, the Little Fire Dragon." For ages 6 and up.

+ "The Book Discussion Group" for ages 8 and up, Feb. 15, 4 p.m.

+ "Celebrate Chinese Piggy New Year," Feb. 17, 2 p.m.

+ "What a Wonderful World with Louis ," Feb. 20, 3:30 p.m. - music of Louis Armstrong.

+ "Cuentos Del Arbol-Tree Tales," Feb. 22, 6 p.m. - a performance of Latin American folklore by the Pushcart Players.

+ "Read to the Dogs," Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m.

+ "Fabulous French Toast Breakfast," Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.

+ "Black History Month" stories and crafts, 3:30 p.m.

+ "Iditarod-Alaska's Great Sled Race," Feb. 28, 3:30 p.m. - for ages 5 and up.

Winter story time continues in February. Call for details/

B-MAC announces upcoming events

The Brick Municipal Alliance Committee (B-MAC) will present the following events. All are held at Brick Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, unless otherwise noted.

+ Feb. 1, 6 p.m. - Coffee House Night for high school students, open mic.

+ Feb. 2, 7 p.m. - movie, "Ant Bully"

+ Feb. 16, 7 p.m. - dance

+ Feb. 23, 7 p.m. - movie, "Open Season."

+ March 9, 7 p.m. - dance

+ March 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - "Crop for B-MAC" - an all day cropping / scrap-booking event fundraiser for B-MAC.

+ March 21, 7 p.m. - "15 Minute Child-Break" - a one hour presentation for parents, at Emma Havens Young Elementary School, 43 Drum Point Road.

+ March 23, 7 p.m. - dance

+ March 30, 7 p.m. - movie, "The Little Mermaid."

Reservations are required for all events. Call (732) 262-1074 for dances and movies. Call (732) 262-1088 for all other events.

Parks department offers baby fitness classes

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring Baby Fitness Classes at Dynamic Child Fitness Center, 5151 Brick Blvd., March 16. During the classes parents and caregivers will interact with the child and develop exercises to help with motor milestones.

The Super Babies is a class for babies ages 4 to 14 months and will be held from 10:30 to 11:15. Program No. 413326-1-B.

The Baby Gym class, for children aged 12-24 months will work on gym equipment, tumbling and exercise. This class is 11:30-12:15. Program No. 413326-2B.

The fee for the classes is $10 per team (1 child, 1 adult). To register, send a check made payable to the County of Ocean to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. The program number should be noted when registering. Details: (877) OCPARKS or www.oceancountyparks.org.

Parks department offers Learn to Bowl program

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring a Learn to Bowl program. on Fridays March 9-30 at Brunswick Lakewood Lanes on Routes 9 and 70 in Lakewood from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program serves as an introduction to bowling and practice on the lanes. The fee for each player is $10. This is program No. 413094-1A.

This class is for participants who have never taken a "Learn to Bowl" class.

To register, send a check made 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. Program number should be noted when registering.

Feb. 10 wine-tasting event to benefit church

Church of the Visitation, Mantoloking Road, Brick, will host a wine-tasting event Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Faith for the Future Building Fund.

The event will feature over 30 wines from California, Italy, Spain, South America and France, and will offer a chance to meet winery representatives and wine experts. Complimentary cheese and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Tickets for the event are $30 per person and available now for purchase. Details and tickets: (732) 477-0028 ext. 216.

Marching band to host refreshment/bake sale

The Brick Township Memorial High School Marching Band will host a Refreshment and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the school's cafeteria. at 2001 Lanes Mill Road, Brick. Anyone who would like to donate items for sale may call (732) 840-4410 or (908) 910-9100 to arrange for pickup.

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeking mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County is seeking mentors for children in need. There are presently 135 children on the waiting list, 95 of which are boys.

Mentors can make a difference in the life of a child.

Details: (732) 905-5349 or www.bbbsoc.org.

County parks dept offers dog obedience classes

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will sponsor basic dog obedience classes in conjunction with Unleashed Club for Dogs. The program will be held on Sundays from Feb. 18 through March 25, 11 a.m. to noon.

Basic commands will be taught. Classes will be held at the Unleashed Club for Dogs, 951 Old Freehold Road, Toms River. Refer to program 413576-1A, when registering. A registration fee of $5 is required in advance, payable to County of Ocean. A check for $125, payable to "Unleashed," will be due at the first class. Registration checks may be sent to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Details: (877) OCParks. or ww.oceancountyparks.org.

'Annie Jr.' to benefit children with cancer

Kidz-4-Kidz, under the auspices of the Brick Community Players, will be performing "Annie Jr." Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the Brick Civic Center Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. Tickets are $8 general admission.

"Annie Jr.," part of The Broadway Junior Collection, is a condensed version of the classic Broadway musical in a time frame better suited for children. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Ashley Lauren Foundation Hope and Help for Children with Cancer. Kidz-4-Kidz, founded in 2003 by Ashley Vermeulen and Kate Lindstrom, uses the Theatrical Arts to raise money for children with cancer through The Ashley Lauren Foundation.

The cast is comprised of over 50 children from Brick and the surrounding area. The role of Annie will be performed by Kayla Bogan of Brick. Daddy Warbucks will be portrayed by Rudy Leustek, Miss Hannigan will be played by Taylor Bogan, and Grace Farrell will be played by Lindsey Murphy, all of Brick. Andy Brown of Beachwood will portray Rooster Hannigan and Amanda Messenger of Toms River will play the part of Lily St. Regis.

All are welcome to attend the show while helping children with cancer. Details and tickets: (732) 840-2015.

Brick kids let the good times roll on Fun Bus

Children ages 2-7 will have a chance to have fun on board The Fun Bus at Brick Recreation's Civic Plaza location at 270 Chambers Bridge Road in February and March. The Fun Bus is a full-sized air-conditioned and heated school bus whose seats have all been removed. The walls and floor have been carpeted and padded. The Fun Bus philosophy is to enhance learning going on inside the classroom and home by using a hands-on and fun approach to fitness.

Children ages 2 and 3 may board the Fun Bus from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and children ages 4-7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.. on Tuesdays from Feb. 6 to March 13. The fee is $70 per child for the six-week session. Call (732) 262-1044 to register.

Brick schools host Relay for Life kickoff party

Brick Township Schools invite community members to a free kickoff party for its annual Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society. The kickoff party will take place Feb. 2 from 7-9 p.m. at the Police Athletic League (PAL) Building on Drum Point Road in Brick.

Speakers at the party will include Dr. Katrina Cooper from the Molecular Biology Department at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ); cancer survivor and Monmouth University head football coach Kevin Callahan and many other survivors.

Relay for Life is a 24-hour event that honors cancer survivors and remembers those lost to the disease. This year's event will be held June 2-3 at Brick Township High School on Chambers Bridge Road.

Light refreshments will be served. For details, e-mail vwurret@yahoo.com.

Herbertsville First Aid Squad needs volunteers

Volunteer first aid squad members are desperately needed to join the Herbertsville First Aid Squad in Brick. All training is provided at no cost. Details: (732) 840-9116 or www.herbertsville.org.

Gift auction to benefit Dragons baseball team

A gift auction to benefit the Brick High School Dragons baseball team. will be held March 18 at the Veterans of Foreign War building on Adamston Road in Brick.

Doors will open at noon. For details, donations and tickets, call (732) 920-4941.

BlueClaws seek seasonal host families for players

The Lakewood BlueClaws are looking for local families to assist in housing players during the 2007 season.

Anyone with a spare room can help provide lodging for this year's BlueClaws by either providing space or renting a room/apartment. In past years, the BlueClaws have received many inquiries from the community about hosting a BlueClaws player, but usually a pool of nearly 30 homes is needed to house the team.

"Over the first six seasons, players have come in knowing very little about the area or the people they'll be staying with," BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown said. "But by the end of their stay, both the players and families find it to have been a truly enjoyable and unique experience."

The BlueClaws are always looking to add to their list of families, especially homes in which Spanish is spoken, because of the number of Latin American players in the organization.

The regular season runs from April 5 until Sept. 3 and players typically range from 19 to 24 years of age.

Details: (732) 901-7000, ext. 100 or www.BlueClaws.com.

OCVTS hosts SkillsUSA Competition Feb. 3

Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) will host the regional competition of the National SkillsUSA organization at the Brick Center, 350 Chambers Bridge Road, Feb. 3.

Students from OCVTS, as well as those from other New Jersey vocational and technical schools will compete using the skills of their trades for regional honors, and in some categories for preliminary state honors.

Over 250 students are expected to participate. Areas of competition include automotive/motorcycle service technology, culinary, construction trades, residential wiring, cosmetology, photography, marine service, electrical trades and Web design.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to promote the growth and development of a skilled work force in America. Many of the regional winners will move on to statewide competition in May.

Activities will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. In addition to the contests in individual career programs, there will be skills demonstrations, business and program displays, prize drawings and refreshments throughout the day.

The public is encouraged to attend this open house event.

Details: (609) 693-3434 or (732) 473-3100, ext. 3103.