Community Bulletin Board

Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) will be offering career-related summer camps. Register now for summer fun.

The Culinary Arts Camp will be held July 9-13, 8 a.m.-noon, at the OCVTS Brick Center. The program will focus on methods and techniques of meal planning, food preparation, cooking and safe knife handling. Topics will include breakfast foods, pasta and sauces, pizza, fruits and much more. Ocean County students entering grades 6, 7, 8 and 9 may attend

The Aviation Aerospace Camp will be held July 16-20, 8 .m. to noon at the OCVTS Navy Lakehurst Center. The program will feature model aircraft and rocket building, concepts of flight and use of flight simulators, tours of the on-site Naval Air Engineering Station Control Tower, the Hindenburg Memorial and Museum, and a Coast Guard CH56 helicopter. Ocean County students entering grades 6, 7, 8 and 9 may attend.

The Performing Arts Workshop is a two week session to be held July 9-13 and July 16-20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the OCVTS Navy Lakehurst Center. The workshop provides an opportunity for aspiring young artists to strengthen their skills in dance, voice or acting. Students will be exposed to all disciplines with time allotted for more intensive training in one specialty area. This competitive program offers Level 1 (for 6-8 grades) and Level 2 (for 9-12 grades) and is limited to 12 students per discipline per level.

The Marine Science Summer Experience, held at the Maine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) facility, Manahawkin, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., is offered July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3 or Aug. 6-10. Students will be exposed to laboratory and research techniques, ecology, marine and environmental science. Daily field visits will focus on hands-on research, collection and identification of local species, water sampling and monitoring. This competitive program is limited to 25 students per week. Ocean County students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 may attend.

Details and registration: www.ocvts.org or (732) 473-3100, ext. 3121.

Strand to host summer theater youth camp

The Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, will, for its fourth year, host a Summer Theater Youth Camp July 16-27, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 7-18. The fee is $395 for the two week instructional period and includes a third bonus week July 30 through Aug. 3., concluding with two performances of "Jack and the Beanstalk" produced and instructed by Missoula Children's Theater Company Aug. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The bonus week of the camp will be free of charge due to a Grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Grant. The Lakewood Public School summer program will also be involved that week. All students enrolled in the program will have a role/involvement in the "Jack and the Beanstalk" production.

Missoula Children's Theater (MCT), the nation's largest touring children's theater group has been touring extensively for more than 30 years. Details: www.missoula.org.

The Strand Youth Camp will be instructed by professional/accredited teachers, experienced actors/directors and professional theater staff. Students will get acquainted with a professional theater and study essential musical theater skills including acting, singing, movement, auditioning, improvisation, and dance.

A trip to see "Hairspray" on Broadway with a Meet and Greet/Talk Back session where campers will meet one or more of the professional Broadway actors who are appearing in the show is included with the registration fee. Additional registration forms for the camp can be downloaded from www.strand.org.

Brick Mem. musician in drug prevention concert

Ryan McDonald, a student at Brick Memorial High School, will join more than 50 other New Jersey high school students in the third annual New Jersey Shouts Down Drugs Music Concert at Rowan University, Glassboro. The show will feature original substance abuse prevention songs created by students from throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey Shouts Down Drugs, sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and Comcast, will be produced in a one-hour special for Comcast on Demand and will be heard live on Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS FM on www.wgls.rowan.edu.

The 52 statewide finalists were selected at a preliminary judging and will compete to win a music contract, have their music professionally recorded and represent the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey throughout the state.

The prevention concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and complimentary tickets are available through Rowan University's box office at (856) 256-4545.

May 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 May. 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.

+ May 11, 3:30 p.m. - "Moms are the Best," for ages 5 and up.

+ May 12, 3 p.m. - Chinese Hand Puppet Show.

+ May 14, 7 p.m. - Mother/Daughter Book Club.

+ May 15, 9-11 a.m. - free blood pressure screening by the Ocean County Health Department. No appointments are necessary.

+ May 15, 7 p.m. - English Conversation Group.

+ May 16, 2 p.m. - "Tech Talk: Buying a Personal Computer (PC)."

+ May 16, 7 p.m. - "Project Runway" at Brick."

+ May 17, 3 p.m. - The Book Discussion Group.

+ May 17, 6:30 p.m. - Long Term Care will be discussed.

+ May 17, 7 p.m. - Teen Advisory Board.

+ May 18, 3:30 p.m. - Read to the Dogs for ages 6 and up.

+ May 19, 2:30 p.m. - Russian Carnival Ensemble.

+ May 21, 2 p.m. - Knitting Around Knitting Club for all levels.

+ May 21, 7 p.m. - "Tween Girls Read."

+ May 22, 6 p.m. - "Let's Learn Chinese" with Lin Fong O'Neill, author of "Mommy, Why?".

+ May 22, 6 p.m. - English Conversation Group. All are welcome.

+ May 23, 2 p.m. - e-Bay Basics.

+ May 24, 2:30 p.m. - Westernaires of Leisure Village West will present "Sentimental Journey," a spring concert.

+ May 24, 7 p.m. - "Fun Time Love Anime Party for ages 12-18. Prizes.

+ May 29, 3:30 p.m. - "Happy 30th Anniversary Star Wars" celebration for families.

+ May 29, 7 p.m. - English Conversation Group.

+ May 30, 7 p.m. - "Manly Men" book club for ages 12-18.

+ May 31, 6:30 p.m. - "Dim Sum Days Craze" for children ages 4 and up. Traditional food, folk and fairy tales from Asia. Face painting.

OCC Senior Art Exhibit highlights county artists

The 31st Annual Senior Citizens Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Seniors Art Advisory Committee at Ocean County College (OCC) and OCC's Academy for Lifelong Learning, will be held May 7-24 in the OCC Fine Arts Gallery, Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River. Professional and nonprofessional artists, 60 years of age or older, who are residents of Ocean County will display their artwork in one of 11 categories such as acrylic, craft, digital imagery, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, and watercolor. Admission is free and open to the public.

Artists who would like to participate in the exhibit must submit their work May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the OCC Fine Arts Gallery. Artwork must be in the above categories, original, executed by the submitting artist within the past three years and not previously exhibited at OCC. Each artist may submit only one entry. A nonrefundable entry fee if $10 is required.

Visit www.ocean.edu for gallery times, shows, and events, or call the box office at (732) 255.0500.

Brick beach badges & parking permits on sale

The Brick Township Recreation Department has announced that season beach badges and season parking permits for summer 2007 are now on sale in the Brick Recreation Department. The price for season badges is $20 for Brick residents and $30 for nonresidents. The price for season parking is $30 for Brick residents and $40 for nonresidents and includes any applicable sales tax. Children 12 and under are free. Checks or money orders only will be accepted for payment in the recreation office.

Beginning May 26, through Labor Day, season badges and parking permits will be available at the Ocean Beach I and III offices while supplies last. Daily badges and parking ($5 each per day) will be also be available at these locations.

Again this year, Brick Township will make available season badges and season parking permits free to senior citizens beginning May 1 through July 1 only. Seniors who are age 65 or older as of Aug. 31 may apply for a free season badge and free season parking permit in person at the Brick Recreation office by bringing proof of age (valid driver's license, passport or county identification card). Only one badge per person is allowed. Seniors requesting free season parking must present a valid driver's license. Only one parking permit per license is allowed. Senior beach badges and senior parking permits are not transferable.

The Brick Recreation Department is located in Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. Office hours are Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Details: (732) 262-1044.

Rummage sale to benefit Relay for Life

The Brick Township High School (BTHS) National Honor Society will sponsor its second annual rummage sale 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 in the west parking lot of the school located at 346 Chambers Bridge Road. In the case of inclement weather the sale will be held (inside the West Cafeteria All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

The sale will feature clothing, accessories, videos, CDs, baby gear, toys, furniture, books, electronics, outdoor needs, housewares, and more. In addition, local restaurants and businesses have also donated gift certificates for a small gift auction (25 items) to be held that day (browsers do not need to be present at time of drawing to win). There will also be food for sale, face painting for kids 9 a.m. to noon, and Snow White (by Party Pizzazz). The Brick football team will also be conducting car wash at the event to help support the cause.

The BTHS National Honor Society will accept donations of items to sell May 14-18. E-mail Lstansbury@brickschools.org for details.

'Sopranos' stars join in Walk to D'Feet ALS

Joined by several cast members of the HBO hit series "The Sopranos," over 750 area residents are expected to walk a three-mile route along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 2007 Seaside Board....Walk To D'Feet ALS is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. May 19 to raise funds for local patient services and help find a cure for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

This year cast members from "The Sopranos" will again be signing autographs for a donation to the walk. All money raised from the walk will support ALS research and services provided free of charge to ALS patients and families throughout the region.

Registration is now being accepted for the walk, which begins in Seaside Heights, at Hiering Avenue and the Boardwalk. Every registered walker who turns in $25 or more in contributions on walk day will receive a complimentary pass redeemable for unlimited kiddie rides at Funtown Pier between noon and 2 p.m. May 19.

The organizers hope to beat last year's total contributions, when more than $144,000 was raised. For more information about joining the Seaside Board… Walk to D'Feet ALS, contact Allison Walker at (877) GEHRIG-1 or allison@alsphiladelphia.org, or visit twww.alsphiladelphia.org.

Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, a devastating neuromuscular condition for which there is no known cause or cure. The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of The ALS Association provides support and resources for ALS patients, their families, and caregivers living in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.

Walking Club to meet

at Ocean County Park

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will conduct a Walking Club Tuesdays at 10 a.m. May 22 - June 12, at Ocean County Park, Lakewood. The fee is $6 for the season. 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. Refer to program number program number 133466-1A when registering. Rain dates will not be rescheduled. Details: www.oceancountyparks.org.

Free summer camp for kids with mild disabilities

The Brick Township Recreation Department is accepting registrations for a five-week summer day camp for up to 60 residents ages 5-12 with mild to moderate physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The camp, made possible in part through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities, will provide children with a chance to interact and socialize with their peers in a recreational setting.

The program will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. from June 25 through July 27 at Lanes Mill School. It will feature supervised activities with a 4:1 camper to counselor ratio, social interaction, games and organized play, weekly field trips, arts and crafts, and snacks. Parents must provide transportation and a bag lunch. There is no fee.

The camp is designed to be recreational only, with little if any focus on academics. Therefore, a child who's Individual Education Plan (IEP) indicates that he or she is eligible for extended school-year services or the Brick Township School district's Beadleston program, would not be an appropriate candidate for this camp.

Parents must register in person at the Brick Recreation Department, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. Details: (732) 262-1044.

Red Cross seeking

donations after storm

The American Red Cross is urgently seeking donations following the April nor'easter which cost an estimated $5 million in Red Cross relief.

The agency opened more than 50 shelters because of the storm, and some are still operating for residents forced out of homes by flooding and power outages. In New Jersey, more than 1,000 residents have sought refuge in Red Cross shelters. The Red Cross is partnering with community organizations, as well as state governments to provide critical services to those in need.To make a financial contribution, call (800) 733-2767 or visit www.redcross.org.

Striped Bass Fishing Tournament nets big prize

Herbertsville Fire Company No. 1, 601 Herbertsville Road, will conduct a Striped Bass Fishing Tournament May 19. If 100 boats enter, the winner could anticipate a prize of $10,000. For details and registration, call (732) 458-9164, ext. 12.

Community players seek actor for starring role

The Brick Community Players are searching for a person to play the starring role of Marian in the July presentation of "The Music Man.'" Those interested should call (732) 840-3515 for an audition appointment.

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.