2022-10-29 - The Brick Times

Residents Cele brate Autumn At

By Alyssa Riccardi

BRICK – Can you be-leaf it’s already fall?

Residents gathered at Windward Beach Park to enjoy all things pumpkin spice at the annual Brick Township Fallfest.

The family-friendly festival featured food trucks galore as well as township civic organizations who hosted their own games to raise money for their clubs.

The Brick Memorial High Art Club had a booth where guests can get their hand painted, while the Brick National Honor Society offered pumpkin bowling.

The Brick Township High School Coin Club presented a fun game of penny wars, and the Brick Township High School Politics and Society (Fallfest - See Page 20)

─Photos by Alyssa Riccardi

Guests entered Fallfest viewing giant haybales painted for the occasion. (Inset): A major part of the event were the Township civic organi zations who hosted games to raise money.

By Chris Lundy

OCEAN COUNTY – When Superstorm

Temple Denied New Location

By Judy Smestad-Nunn

BRICK - An application for the township’s only conservative Jewish congregation to relocate to a former funeral home was denied by the Board of Adjust ment due to not having enough parking spaces.

The applicant’s attorney John Jackson argued that the building was “absolutely perfect” for the congregation, which has shrunk to some 87 members in recent years.

He said the former funeral home could be easily modified to suit the temple’s needs.

There is only a 15-space park ing lot, but parking is available in

Fourth Annual Chef Tasting Event Hits The Beach

By Bob Vosseller POINT PLEASANT – Nothing

Could Stop the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach…. not even the weather!

The weather tried its best to slow down the momentum of the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach, hosted by Martell’s Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant, but it was no match for those who want ed to come out to show their support to area active military and their families.

Several restaurants from the Jer sey Shore had their best food ready to be served up. Event founder,

Tasting

Cliff Baker who heads the organization Dine On Us, said; “these restaurants and I have developed a friendship and partnership for over 30 years. Since Hurricane Sandy they have been provid ing charitable meals for thousands. Once they heard we were raising funds to create dining and entertainment opportunities for our New Jersey active military, there was no hesitation to join.” Dine On Us serves a mission to eliminate food insecurity in the military. Many active military are below the federal poverty line.

The restaurants, including Marra Forni, Burger 25, Martell’s Tiki Bar, Martell’s Lobster House, Jake’s Crab House, Point Lobster Bar & Grill, Jersey Shore BBQ, La Scala Bakery, The Cof fee Platoon, Chef Mike’s ABG, Ohana Grill, Waypoint 622, Harpoon Willy’s, Half Moon Point, Joe Leone’s, Berkeley Cut, Bum Roger’s Crabhouse, BoHo Bites, Four Seasons Diner, and Joe Bella’s, “wanted to put out their best knowing

70 members of the active military would also be in attendance,” Baker said.

Baker noted that “in addition to our amazing restaurants we had exciting raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, Father & Son’s Sports Cards Memorabilia, and Touchstone Crystal Jewelry. The final count was 550 which was by far the largest turnout to an event we have ever created.”

“One of the members of the military in at tendance was the Executive Officer and 2nd in command on the Naval Weapons Earle base, and his wife. They said in their 20 years of military service, they have never experienced an event like this. It was a perfect opportunity to have a great date night. They expressed the event and ‘grub’ was phenomenal,” Baker added.

As Baker spoke to the crowd, he emphasized that “these are the moments Dine on Us wants to create for our active military. This is what we want them to remember about their time stationed in the state. Moments like this are what they will talk about while on deployment and things get tough.”

For more information, and to find out about future events, visit dineonus.org

Photos courtesy Dine On Us

(Top): A large crowd came out to Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant for the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach event. (Left): DJ Tony Tunes gets ready to play some music to add to the atmosphere of the 4th Annual Chef Tasting event held at Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant. (Right): Lili and Kiley hold up a big gift basket they won during the recently held 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach event.

Habitat

homes, one Point Pleasant home, four Seaside Heights homes, two South Toms River homes, 27 Toms River homes, and four Ocean Gate homes.

“Words cannot express the sadness and despair that we witnessed as our neighbors lost everything,” said Suzan Fichtner, who was Northern Ocean Habitat’s Executive Director during the time when Sandy hit. “A home holds our treasures, our memories, our photos, our belongings only to be swept away forever. Yet out of the rubble, we witnessed the best of humanity! Strangers became friends, neighbors cared for neighbors, businesses shared their resources, nonprofits created a collaborative recovery and heroes came in the form of ‘Care-A-Vanners’ and stayed for weeks upon weeks rebuilding homes and hope for all of us. I am proud to have been a member of the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group! Together, we created a recovery plan that worked for everyone!”

As the years went on, the focus changed from disaster relief to critical home repairs. As long as there is a financial need, they would provide work such as roofing, plumbing, flooring, and more. Another program would upgrade a se nior’s house with ramps or other modifications to make sure they can age at home.

“Superstorm Sandy exposed the need for critical home repairs for those in need in our communities,” said Kristine Novakowski, Northern Ocean Habitat’s current Executive Director. “The connections and partnerships

we created during this time increased our capacity to where we are today; serving over 50 families per year with our critical home repair programs.”

“A decade after Superstorm Sandy, we con tinue to remember those whose lives were upended, and we are grateful for all those who came together to help families rebuild their lives,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. This group drove 24 vans from Atlanta to New Jersey to help.

If You Need Help

For more information about Northern Ocean Habitat’s programs, such as Home Preservation, Housing Plus Aging in Place, A Brush with Kindness, and Veteran Repair call 732-818-9500 x 102 or visit northern oceanhabitat.org/

Habitat has a program where they provide new homes to families in need. By partnering with families in need and local contractors and municipalities, they have built 21 homes. Check out their website and social media to keep abreast of their application windows.

If You Can Help Others

If you have the time or resources to help Hab itat for Humanity, and are looking for ways to make life easier for your fellow residents, there are a few things you can do.

Shopping at the ReStore located at 1214 Route 37 East in Toms River helps support their mission.

Volunteers, sponsorships, and donations are always welcome at northernoceanhabitat. org/.

-Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity Humanitarian organizations responded to the call to help people after Superstorm Sandy.

ommunity n ews

Local Crossing Guards Honored

BRICK

Brick

BRICK – The Brick Township Historical So ciety will hold a meeting on November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Herbertsville Firehouse. Bill Dunn of Sea Girt will give the featured presentation: “Guiding Lights, New Jersey Lighthouses and Their Innovations.” Dunn is the historian at Sea Girt Lighthouse and the author of several books including two on Sea Girt Light. He will explore through photos and commentary the compelling stories of local

lights, focusing on Sea Girt, and how they con tributed to economic and population growth by making sea travel safer, and protected our coast during World War II.

Admission is free, and the public is invited. Parking is in the rear of the firehouse. Enter by the door on the right that is on ground level. For more information about the Society see its website at: bricktownshiphistoricalsociety.com or call 732-785-2500.

Mayor Ducey and Chief James Riccio were honored to attend the Crossing Guards

recognize

the Crossing Guards

─Photo courtesy Brick Township

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

Letters To The Editor

ditorial

Superstorm Sandy Anniversary Brings

Back Painful Memories

I love autumn, especially the month of October as it brings out a lot of fun activities and the Hallow een season is in full swing. After 2012 however, it was never quite the same. This year marks a decade since the devasting impact of Superstorm Sandy which was one of the worst times in my life and probably many others as well.

It was a time when I and all of Ocean County truly witnessed the wrath of Mother Nature. Before that we thought of hurricanes and the destruction as hap pening someplace else.

While I had heard stories of the great storm of the early 1960s that created a flood around areas of the northern barrier island, I wasn’t prepared for what we got. I was also in the midst of covering this dev astation first hand while working for another Jersey Shore based publication.

I will never forget the conversation I had the day after the storm speaking to then-Seaside Heights May or Bill Ackers who said, “Bob, the rollercoaster is in the ocean.” He had stayed that evening and described to me what he was seeing and heard.

This was worse than any horror film I could ever watch during Halloween; this was real. I will also never forget the ride I took with then-Toms River Po lice Chief (and current Ocean County Sheriff)

Michael Mastronardy and a CNN reporter a day or so after the storm as we toured the war zone that was the barrier island. We wit nessed an SUV submerged in a sink hole in Lavallette and the smell of smoke from a fire still being put out in the Brick Township section of the barrier island. The chief was kind enough to stop by my home in Or

tley Beach and allow to check its status. While I was relieved to see it was still standing, I had no idea what I would later find inside my small bungalow home. The dam age and mold that would develop would eventually lead to its being demolished entirely.

A week later I was back in the same police vehi cle with the chief as we inspected 3rd Avenue in Ortley Beach. Saint Elis abeth’s Chapel, where I was married, was wiped away as if it were never there. The same went for the house across the street from it where my wife to be and her bridal group briefly parked as they fin ished singing “Going to the Chapel” which popped up on the radio moments before they were to enter the church.

The family who occupied that home had asked the chief to check for a hidden safe that might be found in the rubble. With the snow that was covering the debris, it was hard to find but the chief found a silver Menorah. The chief lost his footing and fell and as a fellow reporter and I went to exit the car to assist him, the chief yelled out ‘no, stay there, you’ll just fall too.’ He returned to the car and called the family. The woman on the phone was crying and while I could be wrong, I think I spotted a tear from the chief as well and I know I was probably joining him.

I tossed a lot of personal belongings that had been ruined from the wave of water that entered my house. I needed an ax to break into a bureau that had warped and held photo albums including a wed ding album. Other prized items were also discarded.

Singleton Lied About Senior Residency Bill

Senator Singleton’s Bill, Senate Bill S2537, will in validate the decades old governing documents of many age-restricted commu nities which require owners to be fifty-five years of age or older. It provides that, regardless of age, anyone can be “the owner of a dwelling unit in an age-restricted community.”

If passed this bill will con vert, over a very short period of time, owner-occupied, age-restricted communi ties presently governed by owners who want to en joy a senior lifestyle, into low-income rental commu nities, governed by absentee landlords, focused upon maximizing profits and min imizing, if not eliminating, any accommodations for a senior lifestyle.

In defending his bill against concerns over non-senior and/or absentee owners gov erning senior communities, Senator Singleton misrepre sented the truth and stated that: “Under existing laws, a [community association], can regulate who may serve on their Board. Nothing in S-2537 would change that.”

He obviously knows that, in fact, his statement is false since the current law, N.J.S.A. 45:22A-45.2 c. (4), expressly prohibits com munity associations from excluding any owner in good standing from serving on

their Board and expressly provides that: “An associ ation . . . shall not prohibit an association member in good standing from nom inating himself or herself . . . as a candidate for any membership position on the executive board.”

S-2537 is a Trojan Horse about to be foisted upon New Jersey age-restricted com munities who are being lied to about its effects. Shame on Senator Singleton!

Judith Noonan Manchester

GOP Majority Will Increase Age For Medicare, Social Security

Interviews with Republi can policy leaders should have all seniors, and people close to being seniors (like me) worried.

The Republican Study Committee released a bud get plan over the summer that called on lawmakers to gradually raise the Medi care age of eligibility to 67 and the Social Security eligibility to start at 70 before indexing both to life expectancy. It backed withholding payments to those who retired early and had earnings over a certain limit.

So, in other words, we’ll have to work longer into our late 60s before we enjoy the funds that we paid into all

We Welcome Letters To The Editor!

The Brick Times welcomes all points of view for pub lication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express them selves regarding politics, government, current events and local concerns.

All letters are printed as space allows unless deemed offensive by the editorial staff, and provided they are signed and include address & phone number for verifica tion. Letters may not be print ed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submit ted, we reserve the right to

edit or reject letters. The weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshore online.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion.

The opinions expressed in the Letters To The Editor section do not necessari ly reflect those of the staff, management or sponsors of Micromedia Publications/ Jersey Shore Online. Letters to the Editor are the OPINION of the writer and the content is not checked for accuracy.

our working lives.

Also, the plan will allow businesses to pay less into Social Security with the assumption that people will pay into their own private retirement accounts. Good in theory, but when have people ever made the best decisions about their retire ment? Besides isn’t this just trickle-down retirement?

House Republicans’ Com mitment to America mid term policy and messaging plan, spearheaded by their leader, Kevin McCarthy, includes a single line say ing that Republicans would “save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.”

It’s clear that they want to strengthen it by letting fewer people get it.

The only way to stop this is to prevent the GOP from getting a majority on the House. Do not vote for Chris Smith or Jeff Van Drew – they will vote to take away the money that we’ve worked so hard to accumulate.

Don’t let them take away our retirement!

Joshua Kettlesmith Jackson

Barnegat’s Freedom Of Speech Is Under Attack

Barnegat Residents - After a long absence, I once again find myself putting “pen to paper.”

I just received my Bar negat Vote by Mail ballot and I’m seething with rage. Once again, the Barnegat Township Committee is con tinuing with their shenani gans by trying to limit our First Amendment Rights – our right to “FREEDOM OF SPEECH.” It’s time for change! We need Charlie Cunliffe on the Barnegat Township Committee.

At the urging of Al Bille, the ONE PARTY Town ship Committee has seen fit to pass a resolution to put a question on the ballot to eliminate ALL signs on public property, including the

public right-of-way in front of your house. To make it worse, they have used biased and in flammatory language in their Interpretive Statement on the ballot to sway voters to vote yes on this ballot question. This isn’t their first attempt at keeping us “in line and muted.” Several years ago, Al Bille’s ONE-PARTY Town ship Committee prohibited signs not larger than 2 feet by 4 feet, not only on public property, but on private prop erty as well.

We all think that Barnegat’s decades-old ONE-PARTY governing body’s target is to eliminate political signs and Al Bille is the culprit behind this effort. What is he afraid of? Of course, you must re alize that this ballot question means that ALL signs will be prohibited – signs for our kids’ athletic team registrations, notices of Open Houses by realtors, yard sale signs, signs for various events, such as the Firehouse Station 11 Fish Fry and the Santa Toy run.

We can’t sit by and watch our RIGHTS erode. Besides this infringement to our free dom of speech…we are slow ly losing our voting rights, our children’s right to a clean planet, our right to affordable health care, and our right to have control and choice over our own bodies. We all know that politics is local and these rights start eroding in our towns’ governments and school boards and they go all the way up to the State and Federal government

WE THE PEOPLE demand that our rights be protected and preserved. These rights are core to SAVING OUR DEMOCRACY.

So…what does all this mean? We desperately need a change here in Barnegat – we desperately need to govern under a TWO-PAR TY system. For all of these reasons, you need to VOTE FOR Charlie Cunliffe for Barnegat Township Commit tee and...VOTE NO on this ballot question.

Marianne P. Clemente President, Barnegat Democratic Club

s potlight o n g

$1.8M To Support Mental Health Services Across State

Capitol Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Bob Me nendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) announced $1,835,885 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support mental health services provided by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Finance Committee that sets national health policy. “Whether it is a rise in anxiety disorders, depression, or in the worst and most tragic cases - the loss of young people from suicide - we know that this growing crisis started long before the pandemic. This funding will help residents across the state receive the help and treatment they need.”

Capitol Comments

“The mental health chal lenges facing our country, especially our young peo ple, must be addressed,” said Sen. Menendez, a se nior member of the Senate

“The pandemic has spotlighted the impor tance of accessible and affordable mental health services,” said Sen. Booker. “This federal funding will help New Jerseyans access the care they need.”

In recent months, the Senate Finance Com mittee has held hearings on youth mental health and is developing a package of pol icies to address mental health in America.

During a recent hearing, Sen. Menendez noted the mental health disparity that exists in communities of color and sought answers on how the government can better target resources for minority youth and ensure health care and child care providers are equipped to handle these unique challenges. At another hearing, Sen. Menendez high lighted his bill, The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, which would address growing issues of suicide and mental health facing young people, particularly in socially and economically disadvantaged communities that have disproportionately faced disparities in access to mental health treatment and outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continued From Page 7

I know I wasn’t alone in that situation. Ortley Beach and Mantoloking were considered to be “Ground Zero” for Superstorm Sandy in all of New Jersey.

The place I had considered as my safe place, my sanctuary since I summered there as a child and that became my permanent place of residence in 1986 was now unlivable and would soon be gone.

Others on my block put their ruined items out to the curb. The Ocean County Utilities Au thority land across the street became a tower of debris. The A&P store became a command post for emergency workers and police who maintained security for months as the barrier island was closed off to the general public.

It was truly a nightmare. My elderly mother,

who was ill at the time and who, with my equally ill father (who was in the hospital after the storm) lived in a senior community in Berkeley Township. My mother couldn’t grasp the kind of devastation that had oc curred to our beloved Ortley Beach.

Months and years went by and gradually, homes were demolished, replaced or put on poles to meet new FEMA elevation standards.

I was fortunate to receive grants to assist me in building a new home on my plot of land.

I was covering the nightmare of Superstorm Sandy for about a year. Each assignment, each article, each video, each photograph was a reminder of what had happened and it was surreal.

A decade has passed and the memories linger. My wife and my neighbor Joe and many others will never forget what we all thought and hoped would be just a really bad

wind storm.

For me that meant some damage to a worn canvas canopy and an outside metal overhang that was cut in half after the blizzard of 2003. Ironically, it wasn’t the wind, it was the water. That canopy and metal overhang were still there when my house was demolished in the late winter of 2014. It’s funny the things you remember.

I don’t like remembering the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy but like many others, I survived it and I will remember the kindness of a church group that came from out of state to clear out material under the house before it could be demolished. I’ll also remember the local volunteers that helped gut the place after that and the Red Cross workers who froze

Impeach Biden

President Joe Biden should be impeached! A newly elected President takes an oath of office to protect and serve our country and to keep us safe. By deliberately avoiding border security, he has attracted migrants from over 150 countries to enter the USA without criminal background checks, proof of vaccination, passports, etc., while at the same time providing them with free food, money and cell phones, which the rest of us have to pay for.

They come here with the apparent blessing of our country (thank you Joe Biden) and the enriched cartels thank you as well!

Our President is proving himself to be weal on foreign policy, and he underscored his lack of judgment by the sloppy way we pulled out of Afghanistan, leaving behind many Americans and thousands of locals

along with us and handed out hot coffee and hot chocolate on the vacant streets of Ortley Beach.

There were also the people who provided free clean up buckets and various materials and those who opened a store for us to pick up free items. I did a story on that and one of the volunteers told me to pick up some things too, pointing out I was also a victim in need and not just an observer.

It was called the storm of the century that hopefully won’t be back for another 50 to 70 years. I won’t be around to confirm that prediction, but I hope that the storm we ex perienced will never come back.

Bob Vosseller Assistant Editor

who helped us over the span of our long in volvement, along with our aircraft, military equipment and supplies.

I am a proud pro-life and conservative Roman Catholic. I am pro law & order, and I support legal immigration. I do not want any critical race, transgender, and other “woke” matters taught in our public schools. I want our children to love our country and to stick to learning the basic subjects of a sound education, including social studies, English, math, history, and world geography.

God and religious matters should be taught in the home, and subjects related to sex and reproduction should be clearly limited to older students, with full disclosure of course content to the parents.

Ruth M. Lynch Ocean Gate

Senator Robert Menendez

Senator Cory Booker

Lions Head South Raises $4,030 To Fight Cancer

BRICK – Residents of the Lions Head South community in Brick raised over $4,000 for the American Cancer Society with a Relay for Life fundraiser on October 8. About 50 people participated in the mile-long walk around the community, with many others supporting the Relay with donations.

The Lions Head Country Club Women’s Golf Association (WGA) organized the walk. WGA officers met at the beginning of the year to plan events and an idea was presented to hold the walk to remember members lost to cancer as well as those survivors who are part of the Coun try Club and the Lions Head South community. The last time a Relay for Life was held in the community was seven years ago.

“The WGA thanks all the residents of LHS and their family and friends for graciously do nating to our American Cancer Society Walk. You helped us earn $4,030 to fight this dreadful disease,” said Co-chair Lee Scaturro.

WGA President, Bea Scanlon said, “It is a pleasure to be a WGA member. This is a small group of powerful women who can accomplish all things. The Cancer walk is just one event that we declare a success over the years. Thank you to all who donated, walked and especially the Chairs, Lee Scaturro, Pat Gail and Iris Mahoney.”

Crystal Figueroa, Associate Director of Com munity Development for the Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society, was present at the event to provide support. She accepted the donation from the committee and thanked the group for their support of the American Cancer Society. She said that because this event was organized and carried out locally as a private event, 100% of the funds would go to support the society’s mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Learn more at cancer.org.

The Lions Head Country Club is a nine-hole executive golf course in the Lions Head South adult community. It is open to the public for daily use or membership. Learn more at lionsheadso. com/lions-head-county-club.

courtesy Lions Head South

Afternoon Tea Held In Museum

BRICK – The Brick Township Historical Society held its Annual Afternoon Tea at its Havens Homestead Museum on October 8.

A total of 20 ladies attended, sitting in three of the 1800s rooms. They enjoyed fresh

scones, tea breads,

pastries, cookies, candy and a variety of teas. Members Mary Clemente and Marga ret Voss were co-chairs for the event.

For more information about the society access its website at: bricktownshiphistor icalsociety.com or call 732-785-2500.

Dottie’s House Annual Holiday Cocktail Party

BRICK – Join us for the Annual

Cock

at River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar

December 1.

the offered prize may be made.

in

Buffet Dinner, Beer + Wine, Wine Pull, Silent Auction, 50/50 Super Raffle.

50/50 Super Raffle Drawing will take place at this event, but winners need not be present. Join with friends, family, or co-workers for a chance at winning big, just in time for the holidays! Get your group together and purchase your tickets today!

Cocktail Party Tickets: $40 per person; 50/50 Super Raffle Tickets: $100 each Proceeds directly support our mission at Dottie’s House; to provide safe housing for women and their children through a program that empowers them to become self-sufficient and free from violence.

─Photo courtesy Brick Township Historical Society

Coffee With A Cop

─Photo

BRICK

October

Brick Town ship

to Lt.

Sam Rodriguez and Sgt. Detec tive

Ocean

Fire Safety Members Visit

BRICK – Thank you to Veterans Elementary School for allowing the Brick Bureau of Fire Safety and the Officers and Members of the Laurelton Fire Company to visit on October 13 to discuss fire safety. A great day with a great bunch of

─Photo courtesy Brick Fire Safety Bureau

National Friends Of

Officers Retire

After 25 Years Of Service

BRICK – Sgt. Jason Shepherd and Sgt. Peter Thomas retired on September 26 after 25 years of service with the Brick Township Police Department.

Sgt. Shepherd worked 14 years in the Drug Unit and three years in the Community Policing Unit as a D.A.R.E officer throughout his career. Sgt. Shep herd spent his last five years as a patrol

─Photo courtesy Brick Police

sergeant on the evening shift.

Sgt. Peter Thomas spent nine years in the identification bureau and served as a patrol sergeant for the last eight years. He was also a member of the SWAT Team and spent 12 years as a crisis negotiator.

Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. You will both be missed!

Project Safe Lock

BRICK – The Brick Township Police Department has a program called “Project Safe Lock.” This program will allow quick access to a residence when time is of the essence, such as a medical emergency where the doors are locked and the patient is unable to get to the door. It is a voluntary program and certain restrictions as to who can obtain a lock box under this program may apply. Police issue the lock boxes on a case-by-case basis, measuring factors such

as living arrangements, age, physical con ditions and medical status. This program is free to Brick Township residents.

Those interested in the program can obtain an application form on the Brick Police website under “forms,” or by responding to the Community Policing Office at the Brick Township Police Department during regular business hours. For more information, you may call the Community Policing Unit at 732-262-1158.

Blessing Of The Animals, Pet Adoption & Vendor Festival

BRICK – The Pet Ministry of St. Paul’s Unit ed Methodist Church is hosting their “10th Annual Blessing of the Animals, Pet Adop tion & Vendor Festival” at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 714 Herbertsville Road, Brick, on October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They will have DJ entertainment, Brick Police K9 demonstrations, photo memes for selfies with your pet, food court, Kona Ice truck, and more! They will have vendors with opportunities to spoil your pets as well as their owners.

$100

Brick Township Provider Recognized For Quality Care And Services

BRICK – Willow Springs Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Brick Township has been named one of the nation’s top skilled nursing facilities in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Nursing Homes 2023.” The 163-bed center, located at 1049 Burnt Tavern Road, provides post-hospital care, short-term re hab and long-term residential care.

“This honor reflects the efforts of the en tire team at Willow Springs to provide the highest level of care and services,” said Pam Montemurno, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consult ing Services, which supports the facility. “We congratulate Willow Springs on this well-deserved recognition.”

Newsweek, in partnership with global data research firm Statista Inc., announced its America’s Best Nursing Homes 2023 in October, identifying the nation’s top 475 facilities across 25 states. This year’s criteria include a performance data score,

─Photo courtesy Willow Springs reputation score and a COVID-19 score, in relation to in-state competition.

Willow Springs maintains a five-star rating for quality measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition to its clinical programming, Willow Springs is committed to serving as a healthcare resource for the community. To that end, the facility has established a library of physician-curated content, ad dressing many topics of interest; it can be found at willowspringsrehab.com.

Brick, NJ-based Marquis Health Con sulting Services provides administrative and consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior housing communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The organi zation’s operational guidance enables its client facilities to overachieve their quality and customer service goals by embracing a progressive, multi-specialty approach to healthcare.

BRICK – The Recreation Department is offering

7 a.m. to

3 p.m. each

will enjoy trips, arts and crafts, games, sports and more. Campers should bring a lunch, drinks and snacks. The cost is $150 per camper. Register online through the Recreation Department.

H

s t o Y our

•Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

What Are Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids?

Also called “OTCs” or “OTC hearing aids,” these devices are a new class of hearing instruments that are specific to the U.S., regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and approved only for those 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

How Do OTCs Differ from Tradition al Hearing Technology?

Unlike today’s prescriptive and custom izable hearing aids fit by a licensed hear ing care professional, OTCs are designed only for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. They might not align with one’s actual hearing loss, which could be greater than perceived.

What Will These Over-the-Counter Devices Cost?

Prices may range from the hundreds to the low thousands. As with many prod ucts, the price will likely vary across manufacturers and other sellers. What’s the Best Way to Know Wheth er OTCs Are Right for Me?

Self-diagnosis can lead to under- or overtreatment of hearing loss, both of which can affect your health and quality of life. The best way to learn what’s happening with your hearing and which solution most effectively addresses your needs is to connect with a licensed hear ing care provider.

His

in Toms

Manahawkin.

Will I Get Help Choosing an OTC?

It may depend on where you buy it. With the product expected to be available for self-selection at local drugstores, big-box retailers such as Best Buy, online, and elsewhere, a sales clerk will likely not have expertise in hearing health to guide you in your purchase.

What If I Go Forward with OTC Hearing Aids?

It’s possible the OTCs you select may suffice in the present. Future needs, how ever, may require other solutions. Regular professional checkups can help you keep an eye on your hearing wellness plan and make any needed updates. Before purchas ing an OTC, carefully read the reviews and know exactly what their return policy is.

Hearing problems can stem from excess noise, genetic history, earwax buildup, infection, or some other source that self-treating with OTCs may cause you to miss. A hearing care professional can help you determine whether the OTC hearing aid is actually meeting your better-hearing goals.

Dr. Izzy & his Staff are always available to answer most of your hearing health care questions. We can be reached at 732-8183610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-9788946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www. gardenstatehearing.com.

at 732-276-1011

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Catalase Protects DNA And Mitochondrial Function

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Catalase is an enzyme that was first no ticed in 1818, and almost a century later in 1900, a scientist named Oscar Loew gave us its name. He found catalase in both animal tissue and plant matter.

This enzyme is equally important to human beings as its sister called “glutathi one.” You probably heard of that because it’s promoted in many natural health circles as our master antioxidant. But catalase is equally important and today’s information is devoted to the benefits of catalase.

You secrete catalase from the liver. Hy drogen peroxide is produced by every single cell in your body as part of natural metabo lism, but like other cytokines, it can become excessive. If you don’t neutralize it and break it down right away, the free radical tilts your body in the direction of pain and rusting (more grey hair, gloomy feelings and other signs of aging and disease).

Most research on catalase is centered around cancer. That’s because levels of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and free radi cals are very high in patients with cancer. It may be one of the contributing factors of how DNA strands get damaged. There isn’t a ton of research on catalase, like there is on glutathione, but what is out there is quite compelling.

We know that antibodies can be formed against the CAT gene and therefore, in certain autoimmune conditions (possibly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), catalase secretion is low. If that’s low, peroxide is high, and remember, peroxide = pain.

There are catalase supplements, I even make one! But that’s not what I am re ferring to here. When I say “catalase,” I don’t mean a pill, I mean the enzyme you produce in your body… the enzyme that is secreted naturally from your own liver.

I am NOT saying that taking a supplement helps any disease because 1) we simply don’t know that and 2) we can’t say it if we know it.

Catalase supplements which are sold nationwide, have the following impact:

1. Catalase helps reduce oxidation pro cesses in the body*

2. Catalase turns hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen*

3. Catalase protects DNA and mitochon drial function*

Before I end this, this whole business of looking more attractive. We as a population will spend a lot of money on cosmetics, fillers, facials and other beauty treatments deemed special. It’s just so we can look in the mirror, and like what we see. We forget that the fastest way to look old and crinkly is to go out into the sun without sunscreen or a hat.

Catalase works from within to prevent rusting. It does so by breaking down H2O2. Catalase will not act as a “filler” so don’t expect that, but it could perhaps ease the signs of aging if your skin cells have been damaged from prior treatments or radiation. Time may steal our youth, but it does it faster in people who are short on catalase. For a more detailed version of my article visit suzycohen.com.”

27 S. COOKSBRIDGE

732-223-1170

732-458-7575

732-987-5690

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Inside The Law

Enjoy The Holidays But Be Mindful Of Scams!

By: Michael J, Deem, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

Have you thought about giving a fancy new gadget as a holiday gift? Or maybe there’s something on your wish list that Santa forgot to bring? If so, you might be tempted by an Ad to purchase high-tech gadgets for a low price. But if a merchant, other than Amazon.com, asks you to pay using an Amazon gift card then it’s probably a scam. In fact, Amazon’s gift card terms don’t allow you to use Amazon gift cards to make payments anywhere besides amazon.com and a few specific sites.

Here’s how the scam happens: You dis cover a website that sells new HDTVs, GPS devices, and other tech-gadgets for deeply discounted prices. You haven’t heard of the site, but you’re diligent and you do some research. You find a few re views from satisfied customers, you think the site is legitimate, and you go for it.

During checkout, you’re instructed to purchase an Amazon gift card and then hand over the gift card information as payment. Unfortunately, if you do, you’ll be out the money, and you won’t get anything in return. These scammers know that bad reviews scare people away, so they may post a few positive reviews about the site. They shut down the

site before people post complaints — usually in less than a month — and open under a new name somewhere else.

Buying an Amazon gift card to make a payment is NOT the same as using Ama zon Payments, which provides some pro tections for buyers. Amazon Payments is a feature that allows Amazon members to pay for merchandise on other web sites by logging in and using a payment method they’ve stored on their Amazon account. For example, if you use a credit card stored in your Amazon Payments account, you’re still using your credit card to make the purchase, and you get certain protections when you use a credit card. You don’t have the same protections when you pay with a gift card — virtually or physically. It could be tough to trace the money or get it back if something goes wrong. Of course, that’s not a prob lem if you’re sending the gift card to a friend or family member as a gift.

When shopping online, consider using a payment method that offers protections if you don’t get what you paid for.

From everyone here at R.C. Shea & As sociates, have a safe, happy and healthy Holiday season.

Michael J. Deem, Esq.

Fallfest:

Continued From Page 1

club had a can knockdown game.

Also present was the Mayor’s Student Advisory Committee, Brick Township High School Dance Team, Brick Township High School SGA, and Brick Township High School Class of 2025 who were selling raffle tickets and ran a ring toss game.

The autumn vibes were accompanied by the sunny weather with a crisp temperature of 65 degrees. In addition to the food trucks and organizations, the festival featured DJ music, a corn hole tournament, beer and wine garden, ball pits for kids, a hay maze and a firework show to end the night.

“This year’s event was the biggest it’s ever been,” Director of Recreation Dan Santani ello said. “Last year was the biggest until this year. We had about 8,00 people come through

to Windward Beach.”

He explained how this year the festival had even more to offer, and had a new attraction that was most definitely popular with visitors.

“New to this year’s event was the hatchet toss. One of the council members saw it and suggested that we get it for Fallfest, which was a home run as a lot of people enjoyed it,” Santaniello said. “We had 20 food trucks this year compared to the 15 we had this year. We also had 13 civic organizations for the local high schools.”

Santaniello said that plans are in the works for next year’s Fallfest. Due the ongoing traffic the festival creates on Princeton Ave nue, he said they are talking about providing shuttle buses for next year.

“If you haven’t made it out to a Fallfest yet, you definitely need to experience it. We’re al ways trying to add something new or change something,” Santaniello said.

Photo by Alyssa Riccardi

New this year was hatchet toss, a popular attraction among residents.

Temple:

From Page 1

a 60-space lot owned by nearby St. Thomas Lutheran Church, who signed a lease agree ment that would allow the temple to use the lot for overflow parking.

Jackson said the parking lot could be used during Jewish holidays when there is a larger crowd. He also argued that the former funeral parlor generated more traffic than the temple generates.

He argued that the house of worship is con stitutionally guaranteed and is a beneficial use to the community.

During several Board of Adjustment meet ings spanning several months, some board members decided that the existing parking lot is not big enough for the Temple Beth Or congregation because of the potential occu pancy, especially if the building is ever sold to an entity that needs more parking.

Board Engineer Brian Boccanfuso said that one parking space is required for every four people that can be admitted into the building. The engineer said that with all the combined seating areas, the building has well over 110 seats in areas designed for assembly.

There were dozens of neighborhood resi dents who attended the Board of Adjustment meetings to complain about the potential for increased traffic resulting from the temple. A “super majority” of five votes was needed from the seven Board of Adjustment members

to permit the temple to operate there. Mem bers Raymond Noonan and Eileen Della Volle voted against the application.

According to Temple Beth Or President Sandi Silber, the congregation will be meeting with their attorney Jackson in the near future to see what options they have going forward.

“What happened at the meeting is we had four positive votes and two negative votes and we needed five votes,” she said in a phone call after the meeting. “I was a little shocked.”

St. Thomas Lutheran Church was willing to sign a 25-year lease for the overflow parking, and evidently two of the people on the commit tee did not think that that was proper, she said.

The Jewish congregation has been holding their services at the Lutheran church since they sold their 17,000-square foot temple and 4.6 acre location on Van Zile Road in March 2021, which became too difficult to manage.

“We’ve been [at the Lutheran Church] for a year and a half, and the neighbors didn’t even know we were there, it didn’t affect the parking, but they voted no,” Silber said.

Temple Beth Or, which means “House of Light” in Hebrew, has roots in the township that go back to the early 1960s. They hold their services on Friday evenings and Sat urday mornings, which Jackson said creates a “symbiotic relationship” between the two houses of worship.

Most of the traffic and need for parking at St. Thomas Lutheran Church is on Sundays, he said.

Ocean County Clerk Passports Services Gets High Marks

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Clerk Passports Services staff is making sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed when it comes to properly filling out passport applications and the U.S. De partment of State has taken notice.

“Our staff has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State National Passport Center for its ongoing compliance with the Passport Agent Reference Guide,” said Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella. “And it’s not just one of our sites that has been recognized, it’s all of them.

“The staff goes above and beyond to make certain the passport process moves along smoothly and accurately,” he said. “Their efforts have taken the guesswork out of obtaining a passport.”

While a passport is issued by the U.S. Department of State, the Passport Services staff at the Ocean County Clerk’s Office processes the applications including gather ing all the necessary documents and photos.

In 2021, the Ocean Clerk Passport Ser vices team processed 14,259 Passport applications throughout four different sites operated by Ocean County.

“We are processing about 1,188 passports a month,” Colabella said.

The Ocean County Clerk’s Office pro cesses Passports at four different locations in Ocean County – The Ocean County Courthouse, Washington Street, Toms River, The County Connection at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River, the Ocean Coun ty Southern Service Center, South Main Street, Stafford Township and the Northern Ocean County Resource Center, 4th Street, Lakewood.

“The Ocean County Board of Commis sioners commends the Ocean County Clerk and his staff in making certain anyone applying for a passport receives flawless service,” said Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Clerk’s Office. “Their job

isn’t easy. It’s imperative that the informa tion and application is done correctly so the Passports are processed in a timely manner.

“People rely on us to get a Passport not just for vacationing purposes but also for business and personal matters like visiting a sick family member,” Quinn said. “The Passport is a key document allowing us to travel outside the United States. It’s important we get it right, and we do.”

Each passport processing location under the Ocean County Clerk’s Office has been recognized with a perfect score, sometimes more than once.

For instance, the Passport Services office at the Northern Ocean County Resource Center and the Ocean County Courthouse have both received three perfect scores following an Acceptance Facility Oversight Visit from the U.S, Department of State.

“We are very proud of Scott’s team and the dedication they bring to this service,” said Ocean County Board of Commissioners

Director John P. Kelly. “When a program is monitored by an outside agency they are look ing to make certain we meet all the standards. Our Ocean County Clerk and his staff meet those standards and exceed them.”

The inspection reviews acceptance pro cedures, information security, supplies and signage and training and records manage ment. A perfect score is obtained when all the procedures are in compliance.

In a letter to the staff along with Certificates of Achievement, Brian Stucker, Customer Service Manager, U.S. Department of State, National Passport Center wrote: “We recently received the site report from your Acceptance Facility Oversight visit and the program an alyst that performed your facility’s audit was very impressed with your facility and found everything in compliance with the Passport Agent Reference Guide (PARG). We are happy to say that no required improvements were listed for your facility. Congratulations!

Keep up the good work!”

Real Estate

Jackson - House For Sale By Own er. Private Road Sits On 1.5 Acres. 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths, unfinished full basement, 1 car attached ga rage, baseboard heat. For sale as is $489,000. 732-691-9845. (1)

Moving Sale

Moving Everything Must Go - Din ing room, end, coffee, sofa, tables, yarn, etc. 42 Keene St., Whiting, Vil lage 7. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat/Sun. (46)

Estate Sale - Bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, office corner, com puter desk & cabinets, assorted hanging pictures, plants and trees, large buffet and mirror-marble top, garage refrigerator and wine cooler. Sale days Nov, 5th & 6th. Preview Nov 4th - By appointment only. 732-995-0509, Dom Fusco. (46)

Personals

Senior Single Males 70+

friendship, companionship

have

732-678-

-

Misc.

Gift Auction and Pancake Break fast

Items For Sale

ATTN Hunter's - Carry your deer easy on this carry on hitch. Packer steel grate. New. Used only once. Asking $55. 732-276-8389. (46)

Items Wanted

JEWEL

RY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Cash

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/ dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, ward robes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

Buying Selmer Saxophones And Other Vintage Models - Also buying World War II Military items. Cash Paid! 609-581-8290. Email: mymilitarytoys@optonline.net. (31)

Advertise in the main sec tions of Micromedia’s week ly newspapers. Your ad will be seen by thousands. Our skilled team of account ex ecutives can work with any budget. Call 732-657-7344 ext. 206 for more information.

CLASSIFIEDS

Services

Services Services Services

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crys tal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (48)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Help Wanted

through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carmenshairstyles.com (43)

HIRING NOW!! The Goddard School of Toms River Route 70 is urgently hiring Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides to float be

Experienced Home Health Aid(s) Available hourly or 24/7 and ready to assist you with personal care, medication monitoring, driving, grocery shopping, cooking, light housekeeping, companionship, etc. (including patients suffering from Dementia/Althheimer's or any other disabilities). References available. Call 732-910-8869. (42)

Absolute best home improvements!"Building the shore since 1984" Additions, carpentry, windows & doors, roofing & siding, painting & staining, flooring, kitchens & baths, finished basements, masonry, fencing, custom decks, fully insured, license #13VH11804800. $ave. Call Brien 732-850-5060. (28)

Certified Home Health AidesNeeded for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n )

MY HANDY CREW - Home re pairs, carpentry, painting roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwor,k all your home main tenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (46)

Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and in sured. Call Bob 732-616-5007. (t/n)

Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, painting repairs large and small. 40 years experience. Call Jim 732-674-3346. (39)

Music Lessons In Your HomeBy state certified instrumen tal music teacher. Please call 732-350-4427 for more informa tion. All are welcome. (3)

Cleaning Home or Office -Week ly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly. Available Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach. Decades of Experience, Free Esti mate, Call Nancy 732-674-6640 (43)

ALL American Home Health AidesExperienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in. Honest, hardwork ing, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)

PQ Painting & Home Improve ment Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Win ner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)

ISO

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Trans portation needed. Long term com mitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

CHEAP PAINTING Done RITEFree est. Senior discounts interi or exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)

Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” in structor. Very Reasonable rates. Very patient with slow learners. I’ll teach you in the comfort of your home on your computer. I can trouble shoot your slow computer! I also teach iPhone and iPad. I set up new com puters at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 special ist. I can also build a beautiful small business website at a fraction of the going rates. Special Projects always welcome! Tony 732-997-8192. (t/n)

LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed Branches Trimmed & Removed, Dem olition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster ser vice provided by A901 Licensed Haul er ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000. NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)

DOWLING FENCE LLC - WE'VE RECENTLY MOVED TO TOMS RIVER! CALL US FOR ALL YOUR FENCING NEEDS. RESI DENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL, BEST PRICING AND WORK MANSHIP! CALL 732-771-5150 OR 732-644-0627. (46)

stone. Spring/Fall cleanups. pruning, concrete repairs. Call Ken 732-814-7743. (42)

Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shop ping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family func tions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

Santucci Painting LLC - We paint it all, interior and exterior, drywall re pair, pressure washing, decks, stained. Email santwag@aol.com. 908-3275471. 13VH05784200. (41)

Garden State Medical Centercurrently looking for qualified candi dates to fill their medical assistant, re ceptionist, and surgical technician posi tions. If you would like to apply or have any questions, call 732-202-3000. (45)

Services

Roofing Repairs Etc. - Roofing, sid ing, windows. Repairs on small jobs. Utility shed roofs replaced. Prompt service. Insured. Gutters cleaned. Call Joe Wingate 551-804-7391. (19)

Prepare for power outages today - with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-833-901-0309. (t/n)

Nor’easter Painting and Stain ing, LLC - Interior and exte rior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-691-0123. Lic #13VH09460600. (19)

Carmen's Hair Styles- Help wanted hair stylist with experience. 1900 Rt. 70, Ste 210, Lakewood NJ. 732597-3447. Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

around the Jersey shore

Monmouth County Man Convicted For Trafficking Cocaine

By Alyssa Riccardi

MONMOUTH COUNTY – Follow

ing a two-week trial, a man has been convicted of trafficking multiple drugs throughout the county, officials said.

Damion Helmes, 42, of Cliffwood, was convicted of one count of con spiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of posses sion with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Helmes was found not guilty of two firearms offenses.

After an investigation by the FBI’s Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Or ganization Task Force, a group of 20 people, which included Helmes, were charged in August 2019 with conspir acy to distribute cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

On August 25 of this year, a grand jury returned a six-count third supersed ing indictment charging Helmes with conspiracy and substantive cocaine and crack cocaine offenses as well as firearms offenses.

Officials said Helmes is the last of the 20 defendants charged in the original criminal complaint to be convicted of one or more federal crimes.

Helmes and the other defendants were involved in a narcotics conspiracy, selling cocaine throughout Monmouth County. This included Cliffwood, Keansburg, Matawan, Keyport, Red Bank, Long Branch, Neptune, and As bury Park, as well as Brick Township in Ocean County.

According to officials, Helmes ob tained regular supplies of cocaine from his conspirators, cooked portions of that cocaine into crack cocaine, and

redistributed cocaine and crack co caine for profit to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users throughout Monmouth County.

Helmes now faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a potential maxi mum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a fine of up to $5 million on the counts of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possessing 28 grams or more of cocaine base with the intent to distribute. He also faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison as well as a $1 million fine on the cocaine conspiracy and cocaine distribution counts of conviction.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited spe cial agents and task force officers of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach, Brick, Howell, Toms River, Union Beach and Marlboro police departments, and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Red Bank Police Department, under the direction of Chief Darren McConnell; the Keans burg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Andrew Gogan; the Middletown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Craig Weber; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Monmouth Coun ty Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Frank Allocco; and the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Pub lic Safety Director William Broughton, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.

HANDS FOR ALL

A Division of HOMES FOR ALL, INC.

A Not-For-Profit Affordable Housing Developer 309 Hooper Ave. • Toms River, NJ 08753 Tel: 732.286.7929

• Fax: 732.286.9698

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Depart ment of Parks & Recreation will be offering Extra! Extra! Read All About Cattus Island for people age 16 years and up at Cattus Island County Park, located at 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard Toms River on October 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. This program will take you on a virtual stroll down memory lane to discover how this gem of a park has evolved into the 500-acre oasis that so many people cherish.

To register, send a check or money order for $5 made payable to the “County of Ocean” to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, NJ 08753.

Provide your name, address, and daytime telephone number, along with program number 302166-1C when registering.

For more information or to receive a Parks & Recreation Newsletter call 732-506-9090 or visit our website at oceancountyparks. org.

photo of the week

There is plenty of wildlife to see at the Jersey Shore. Recently, this squirrel was spotted with a chipmunk. The photo was taken by Vanessa Vargas. Wanna see your pictures featured in this space? Email them to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

Northern Barrier Island Sees Seasonal Change Of Traffic Lights

By Bob Vosseller

BARRIER ISLAND – Watching the blinking lights has been a visual marker for the changing of seasons for generations now.

There was a time when watching the tall golfer statue at Barnacle Bill’s Miniature Golf and Arcade in Ortley Beach was a visual cue for the season’s change but big Bill stands up all year long these days. Drivers are more concerned with speed and traffic lights and along Route 35 on the northern barrier island in Ocean County, those lights were switched to “blinking” mode on October 17.

This is a yearly tradition following the shift from heavy summer traffic and grid lock back to a reduced volume in the au tumn and winter months. The now yellow

(amber) lights that run along Route 35 are operating while red blinking lights notify motorists to stop before turning from side streets. There are a few lights still active, such as Washington Avenue in Lavallette.

This is due to the proximity of the in tersection to the Lavallette Elementary School and the borough’s post office and municipal complex. Most traffic lights in Seaside Heights remain active year-round.

Speed limits were raised recently in some areas. On Route 35 South, speed limits went up to 45 miles per hour in much of Brick and portions of Toms River townships.

Most of Lavallette going northbound saw speed limits raised to 45 miles per hour while in portions of Brick Township they went to 40 miles per hour.

Greenbriar Woodlands Flea Market & Craft Show

Flea Market & Craft Show will be on No vember 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No early

birds. Greenbriar Woodlands Clubhouse is located at 1 Kensington Circle, Toms River. For more information, call 732-341-4259.

TOMS RIVER – Greenbriar Woodlands

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The early bird has the best shot at getting the worm. Get important jobs taken care of as soon as possible as free time may become scarce as the week wears on. Gather proof that a source is reliable before you act on their info.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): There’s no time like the present. Get a head start on the work week by laying the groundwork for upcoming projects early in the day. Schedules may be thrown off in the week ahead and disturb important plans.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Full speed ahead. Push the pedal to the metal so you can clear off your to-do list while the sun shines to day. Plans may change unexpectedly in the up coming week so remain flexible and prepared.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Remember to respect boundaries and observe social cues. Unintentionally crowding a recent acquaintance may create an unnecessary issue. Avoid starting important tasks without discussing things through with others.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Cross that bridge when you come to it. Concentrate on making adequate preparations for an upcom ing task. Taking definitive action too soon could create problems. Decline volunteering for extra responsibilities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) : Take your time. Work at your own pace because giving in to peer pressure and rushing through a job may only lead to a disappointing result. Steer clear of confrontations with other people that could cause a rift.

By Jeraldine Saunders

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22.): Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. If someone is cranky with you this week, it may simply be because they are under pressure, don’t take it personally. Reserve judgment until you know the facts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t get too grandiose. Avoid letting recent successes cause you to take on a big project that could turn out to be too much. Stay in your personal comfort zone this week and stick to doing what you do best.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep it discreet if your opinions differ from the consensus of those around you. Avoid tensions by steering clear of volatile issues in the upcoming week. Remember that positive ends can never justify negative means.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) : An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try to anticipate problems before they arise and work around them to ensure that they don’t become a larger issue. Trust your gut feelings in the week ahead.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) : You can’t please all the people all the time. Don’t let it upset you if you find yourself at odds with someone. Remember you are entitled to your opinion just as they are. Use tact in the week ahead.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) : Stick with what you know. Avoid discussing topics you are unfamiliar with as it may be diffi cult to separate fact from fiction. Take care not to let popular sentiment influence your judgments this week.

1

2

NOTHING BEATS A WARM BOWL OF CHILI ON A COLD DAY

By America’s Test Kitchen

BEEF AND BEAN CHILI

6

85% lean ground beef

1/4 teaspoon

soda

1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans

3 tablespoons

1 small onion, peeled and chopped

1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/2- inch pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, opened

1. In a medium bowl, combine beef, water, and baking soda. Mix until well combined.

Set aside.

2. Drain beans in a colander. Rinse beans with cold water and shake colander to drain well.

3. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat for 1 minute (oil should be hot but not smoking). Add onion, bell pepper, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wood en spoon, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add beef mixture and cook, breaking up meat into small pieces with the wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

5. Carefully stir in broth, tomatoes, and drained beans. Use the wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the Dutch oven. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

6. Remove lid and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until chili is thickened, about 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite chili toppings.

2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.