CHRIS KELLY staff Young women who are members of the Opti White Fleet division of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club head out to Barnegat Bay during the club's Powderpuff Regatta on July 6. More ... Flying solo on the Township Council       Life as the only member of the minority party on the dais BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer Council President Stephen C. Acropolis had a standard M.O. to pump himself up for meetings back in the days when he was the lone Republican on the Brick Township Coun... More ... Condos on Traders Cove? Bite your tongue       Goal of marina, park and boat museum is unchanged BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer Count on this. There is no way that Traders Cove will be sold to a developer to put up condominiums. "Over my dead body," Brick Township Council President Stephen C. ... More ... OCC planetarium on the way to a 2008 reopening Pledges, donations starting to come in BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       TOMS RIVER - Cold, hard cash, county support and the efforts of local citizens will help to eventually reopen the doors of the Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College. If all goes as planned, the planetarium will open in September 2008 with a new star projector, a new ... More ... Race to the finish      CHRIS KELLY staff Ocean Gate Yacht Club's Emily Knight (sail 172068) keeps her pace over Toms River Yacht Club's Kailey Savacool in the Laser Radial division at the Metedeconk River Yacht Club's Powderpuff Regatta in Barnegat Bay on July 6. More ... BTHS carnival kicks off with a splash this week Event marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of high school's 50 years BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer       BRICK TOWNSHIP - Here's your chance to tell your local politicians what you really think of them. Both Democratic Mayor Daniel J. Kelly and Republican Council President Stephen C. Acropolis will be donning bathing suits and subjecting themselves to a "dunk tank" on July 11, the o... More ... Women broke free from prisons at home       Editor's note: The following are the stories of three area victims of domestic violence. The names of the victims and others mentioned in their accounts have been changed to guard their identities. Their situations are recounted at times in graphic detail. More ... Abuse often borne out of hunger for control Experts say leaving relationships safely takes planning BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       Domestic violence will affect one out of four women in their lifetimes.In 2005, the state domestic violence hotline received 1,192 crisis and 1,397 non-crisis calls in Monmouth County, 1,470 crisis and 1,843 non-crisis calls in Middlesex County, 844 crisis and 964 non-crisis calls in Ocea... More ... Group trains counselors for victims of domestic violence Women Aware Inc. seeking volunteers to help victims BY JESSICA ALFREY Correspondent       Domestic violence is generally a problem dealt with by local police departments. But thanks to Women Aware Inc., an average citizen can learn to become a crisis counselor and help victims decide how to best help themselves. More ... If you need help:       The following are some of the area organizations that provide confidential counseling, assistance and resources for victims of domestic violence and their families: 180 Turning Lives Around Monmouth County, Hazlet (732) 264-4111 or (888) 843-9262 More ... Guide helps boaters launch summer season       The thousands of boaters who trailer their vessels around the state now have a definitive resource guide to help them better plan and enjoy recreational boating in New Jersey. More ... Brick Recreation to host many bus trips       For the second year in a row, the Brick Recreation Department will offer the following bus trips for all ages: • July 18 - the New York Yankees will play the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. • Aug. 13 - the New York Yankees will play the Baltimore Orioles at Yan... More ... 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 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 B... More ... Summer sail      CHRIS KELLY staff Metedeconk River Yacht Club's Kristen Gelenitis (sail #2), Alexandra Stapienski (sail #88) and Gillian Francis (skull sail) compete in the Sunfish division of the club's Powderpuff Regatta in Barnegat Bay on July 6. More ...