Community Bulletin Board Police fundraiser planned for Fox family on Friday The Brick Township Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 230 will hold its 18th annual Helping Hands Basketball Game on March 16 at Brick Township High School on Chambers Bridge Road. Members of the police department will play against members of the Brick Township High School Dragons football team. All proceeds from the game will go to the Fox family, who live on Wood Drive in Brick. Michelle and Michael Fox are facing financial hardship from the illnesses of their daughter Kaliann, who died Sept. 30 at age 5, and their 4-year-old son, Tyler. Both children were diagnosed with the infantile form of Batten disease, also known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a progressive, inherited neurological disease characterized by seizures, loss of cognitive and motor skills, loss of vision and early death. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. in the Brick Township High School East gym. Seating is limited, so plan to arrive early. Tickets can be purchased from any PBA 230 member. Donations can also be mailed to the Brick Township Police Department, 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick 08723, c/o Patrolman Richard Nelson Jr. Checks should be made payable to the "Tyler Fox Fund." For more information, contact Officers Nelson, Greg Mullarkey or Robert Scelfo at (732) 262-1152. Donations for the Fox family can also be sent to: Sunshine Fund, P.O. Box 913, Point Pleasant 08742. To see more of Kaliann's and Tyler's stories, go to www.caringbridge.org-/visit/kaliannfox or www.caring-bridge.org/visit/tylerfox. 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. Spring job fair at Ocean County College The Career, Employment, and Counseling Services Department at Ocean County College (OCC), College Drive, Toms River, will hold its Spring 2007 Job Fair March 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the College Center's Solar Lounge. Admission is free and open to the public. According to Kate Pandolpho, Director of Career, Employment, and Counseling Services at the college, "Approximately 40 companies are expected to participate. We may already have reached our limit, however, we may be able to squeeze in one or two more companies. For information, company representatives may call (732) 255.0400, ext. 2945. The mission of OCC's Career, Employment, and Counseling Services is to help students, alumni, and community members achieve their career, employment, academic and life goals. Details: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2945 or www.ocean.edu/career.htm. Free income tax preparation for seniors Seniors in need of help with preparing their income taxes can contact the Ocean County Office of Senior Services and request a list of locations where free tax counseling and preparation services are being offered. "It's important this information be made available to our senior citizens," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as Chairman of the Office of Senior Services. "With tax season here we want our residents to know help is available." The Ocean County Office of Senior Services has a list of the AARP/VITA Tax Aide Volunteer Sites that provide free tax counseling and preparation service to low- and middle-income individuals with special emphasis for people 60-years-old and over. There are 37 sites throughout Ocean County providing access to this important service. A new site has been added this year at the Plumsted Township branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. People can call the Plumsted Library branch at (609) 758-7888 to schedule an appointment. This service also is available at the County Connection, a county government service outlet run by the Board of Freeholders and conveniently located in the Ocean County Mall, Hooper Avenue, here. "We encourage our seniors to take advantage of these programs," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the County Connection. "The County Connection is open weekends and evenings so access to this help is convenient." To make an appointment at the County Connection call (732) 288-7777. Details: (732) 929-2091 or (800) 668-4899 or visit ww.co.ocean.nj.us. '15-Minute Child Break' brings families together "The 15-Minute Child Break," a free, interactive, one-hour presentation for parents, grandparents and caregivers who are concerned about children (of any age) and substance abuse, will be offered at the Brick library, 302 Chambers Bridge Road, March 21 at 7 p.m. During the presentation, sponsored by the Friends of the Brick Library in cooperation with the Brick Municipal Alliance Committee (B-MAC), parents are empowered and supported with the assurance that, even in today's society, they are still the strongest influence in their children's lives. According to research from the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey Middle School Study on Substance Use done in 2000, kids who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than children who have little or no communication. "The 15 Minute Child Break" will cover topics such as: Talking to kids about drugs and alcohol, influence of media and pop culture, effects of specific drugs, keeping kids drug-free, strengthening parenting skills, and utilizing teachable moments. The program is run by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and is funded, in part, by a grant from the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Call (732) 477-4513 to register. 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. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish bands The Strand Theatre, Fourth Street and Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, will present authentic Irish Bands, Teada and Grada, March 17 at 8 p.m. Teada performs seasonal Irish cultural traditions through songs and tales, blending instrumentals and vocals. Grada takes Irish traditional music to a new level by blending contemporary music styles, modern songs and other forms of ethnic music into their own natural style combining instrumentals and vocals. Tickets are available at the box office for $38 or $31. Details: (732) 367-7789 www.strand.org. Celebrate NJ launches 2007 poster contest In an effort to highlight New Jersey talent, Celebrate NJ, a grassroots movement to instill pride in the Garden State, is accepting entries for its 2007 Poster Contest as part of the "365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ" campaign. The contest invites participants to design a poster that reflects their reason to Celebrate New Jersey. The winning entry will become the Official 2007 Celebrate NJ poster, widely distributed throughout the year. Selected designs will also be featured as part of the Celebrate NJ media and advertising campaign. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, with a grand prize set at $500. Nine other entries will receive honorable mentions. Karen Hatcher, president of Celebrate NJ, says, "We have had such a wonderful response to the '365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ' campaign. So far, more than 1,000 people from all over the state have told us their reasons to celebrate New Jersey. Now we're asking New Jersey artists to get in on the fun. With all the talented folks who live here, I know the entries are going to be amazing!" All posters submitted must address one or more reasons to celebrate New Jersey, in keeping with the "365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ" campaign. Entries must be e-mailed to Celebrate NJ by March 31. A completed and signed entry form must also be attached. There is no age limit for entrants. For complete contest details, visit www.celebratenj.org. Celebrate NJ invites everyone who has a Reason to Celebrate NJ to log on to www.CelebrateNJ.org and enter that reason. No deadlines have been set. Reasons are being released on a monthly basis. Entry cards are also available at over 350 libraries across the state, which are promoting the campaign. The best 365 reasons will be published as part of an advertising and media campaign, which will take place on outdoor ads across the state and through radio, television and newspaper promotions. A select number of entries will be chosen to participate in feature stories for various publications across New Jersey. Brick Township Police Dept. Drug Hotline The Brick Township Police Department provides a "Drug Hotline" for citizens to report drug-related activity. The hotline was established as a means of providing the public with the opportunity to anonymously report drug activities in their neighborhood. It is answered and monitored by detectives assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit. Messages are checked on a daily basis. Persons reporting crimes can leave a recorded message describing the activity or they can request to be contacted by a detective. Any citizens aware of such activities should contact the hotline at (732) 920-6258. All calls are kept confidential. Callers should have the following information when reporting any drug activity: The address where the activity is occurring. If that is not available then a complete description of the residence would be helpful. Describe the nature of the activity completely, including an unusual amount of persons coming and going from the residence many times at odd hours of the day or night; persons parking around the corner or down the street and approaching the residence on foot; and persons who visit the residence often and only stay for 15 minutes or less. Describe frequent visitors to the residence and their vehicles. Any other information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, should be reported. Adoption support group to host Adoption Expo The Monmouth/Ocean County Adoptive Families support group will host an Adoption Expo, March 24 from 1-5 p.m. in the Spiritual Center at St. Mary's Church (corner of Route 34 and Phalanx Road), Colts Neck. Guests will learn about the adoption process from adoption agency representatives, an adoption attorney and an adoption therapist, as well as have the opportunity to meet with pre- and post-adoptive families with first-hand experience in domestic, international and transracial adoptions. Light refreshments and a selection of adoption related books and jewelry will be available for purchase. Preregistration to attend the Expo is $10 per person, $15 per couple, or $15 (cash or check only) per person at the door. Registration forms can be found on the Web site, www.freewebs.com/mocafsg, or contact Emily at (848) 203-2791. The group's mission is to help educate, encourage and support its members. The group shares adoption experiences as well as offers support for those exploring the possibility of adoption, those in the adoption process, and those dealing with post-adoption issues and challenges. The group regularly meets the third Friday of each month at St. Mary's Church. Entries sought for Ocean Student Photo Contest The Third Annual Ocean Student Photo Contest for high school students in Monmouth and Ocean counties is currently accepting entries. Pictures must be submitted by March 17 and will be judged locally at that time. Selected pictures will be submitted to the National Youth Showcase Contest conducted by the Photographic Society of America. Last year 75 photos were sent to the national contest. Ali Malmberg of Wall Township was the national winner. The contest is sponsored by the Ocean Camera Club and the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission. For details, rules and entry forms, visit www.studentphotocontestocc.com or call (732) 682-8404. Ocean Camera Club meets every Monday at 8 p.m. at Lakewood High School's library, 855 Somerset Ave. New members and guests are actively being sought. Details: oceancameraclub.org. Food bank benefits from spaghetti sauce contest More than 30 chefs are out to prove that their spaghetti sauce (also know as "gravy") is the best at the Jersey shore. The public will choose the "2007 Boss of the Sauce" by tasting sauce samples and voting for the best as chefs from Ocean and Monmouth county restaurants vie to win the coveted title "2007 Boss of the Sauce" April 2, at the Ramada Inn, Route 9, Toms River, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free; however, a $5 donation will give participants three votes and a chance to choose who will hold the "2007 Boss of the Sauce" title. All proceeds will benefit The Food Bank of Ocean & Monmouth Counties. Anyone who loves sauce and would like to help select this year's winner may call (732) 269-0927 for details. Parks department helps teach dogs manners Basic Dog Obedience classes will be offered by the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with Unleashed Club for Dogs, 951 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, on Sundays, April 1-May 6, noon to 1 p.m. Basic commands will be taught. A registration fee of $5 is payable to County of Ocean and the balance of $125, payable to "Unleashed," will be due at the first class. To register, send a check to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Details: (877) OCParks or www.oceancountyparks.org. 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. Jersey Shore Audubon Society bus trips Jersey Shore Audubon Society will sponsor bus trips to the following locations. The trip is open to members and nonmembers. Call (732) 349-6647 for details and reservations. + March 23, Franklin Institute Sdience Museum, Philadelphia, for the King Tut Exhibit. Cost: $60 per person. + April 4, Delaware Museum of Natural History and Delaware History Museum, Wilmington, Del. Cost: $55 per person. + April 20, Museum of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Cost: $50 per person. + May 11, United States Mint in Philadelphia. Cost. $40 per person. + June 15, Red Mill Museum, Hunterdon County, Clinton. Cost. $40 per person. + June 22, Historic Speedwell in Morristown. Cost: $45 per person. Friends of Library slates trip to King Tut exhibit The Friends of the Brick Library will sponsor a trip to see the King Tut exhibit April 12 at the Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia. The cost is $60 per person, which includes the bus, driver's tip, parking and admission to the museum and exhibit. The bus will leave the Brick Library at 8 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. Details: (732) 477-0018. Arthritis Foundation to conduct tai chi classes An Intro to Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation will be conducted on Mondays and Fridays, April 9-May 18 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation Administration Office, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River. Fee: $25. A registration check may be sent to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Refer to program 133484-2A. Details: (877) OCParks or www.oceancountyparks.org. Seniors sought to aid special needs kids Family Friends is seeking senior volunteers in Ocean and Monmouth counties to provide support and assistance to children with special needs ages 12 and under and their families. Family Friends provides a unique opportunity for volunteers ages 55 and older to utilize their skills and personality to assist children with special needs and their families. These families often do not have the time to relax or perform daily tasks. Family Friends seeks to alleviate the strain felt by these individuals by providing them with nurturing, direct care. This program provides two opportunities for seniors to volunteer. Once they are recruited and trained, volunteers are assigned to the family of a child with a disability and offer their time, skills and attention to the family during a weekly visit. As an alternative to directly working with the disabled children, volunteers also have the option to perform research on health, education, social services and more from resources of the Family Support Center of New Jersey located in Manasquan. All Family Friends volunteers will receive a monetary stipend of $12 per family or office visit. Details: (732) 263-8020. Parks dept. sponsors ballroom and Latin dance Ballroom and Latin Dance lessons sponsored by the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will be held on Fridays from April 13 to May 4, 7-7:45 p.m., at Shall We Dance Studio, 1861 Hooper Ave., Toms River. No partner needed. Adults and children ages 10 and are welcome. The registration fee is $6 with an additional fee of $45, payable to the studio, due the first day of class. To register, send a check to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Details: (877)-OCParks or www.oceancountyparks.org. Parks department offers arthritis program An Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program will be held on Mondays and Fridays, April 9-May 18 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation Administration Office, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River. Fee: $25. A registration check may be sent to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River 08753. Refer to program 133604-1A. Details: (877) OCParks or www.oceancountyparks.org. Mothers Center of the Jersey Shore auction The Mothers Center of the Jersey Shore (MCJS), a nonprofit organization that offers activities for children and mothers, will have its annual gift auction at Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood, March 28 at 6 p.m.. Tickets are $30 each and include choice of entree. There will also be a cash bar. Details and tickets: (732) 449-3936. Rotary's St. Patrick's Day Casino Night The Brick Township Rotary Club invites the community to it's St. Patrick's Day Party Casino Night March 17 at the Police Athletic League (PAL) Building, 60 Drum Point Road in Brick Black Jack, Let It Ride, Craps, Roulette and Poker will be played from 7-11 p.m. and prizes will be distributed from 11 to midnight. Tickets price of $35 per person (must be age 18 or over), includes $200 in gaming chips, complimentary corned beef sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda. A limited number of sponsorships are also available. Proceeds for the evening will help provide dictionaries to all third grades in the Brick Township School system and will also benefit local charities. Details, tickets, sponsorships: (908) 489-7229 or (732) 299-1859.