AroUnD the JerSeY Shore Free Dental Care

For Ocean County Children To Give Kids A Smile

– Photo courtesy Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates

TOMS RIVER – Local dentists, Dr. Elisa Velazquez and Dr. Matt Sones from Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates, will provide one day of free preventive and emergency pediatric dental care and, if necessary, make referrals for continuing treatment for children ages 12 and under as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.

The one-day program, called Give Kids a Smile! (GKAS), will take place on February 3 and is part of the American Dental Association’s annual push to bring attention to the number one childhood disease, tooth decay. Dental decay is more common than common childhood diseases including asthma.

“Giving back to the community that has supported my practice is so important,” says Dr. Velazquez. “This program will touch the lives of so many of New Jersey’s children who need dental care, but cannot afford it. I am proud to be a part of it,” she said.

Children who come to Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates (OPDA) for the program will receive a comprehensive dental exam, dental cleaning, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatments, and free dental hygiene materials including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste. The dentists and staff of OPDA are donating their time to help the children of Ocean County.

Helping families in Ocean County with no insurance or with state insurance is the goal of Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates. Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates has three locations (Toms River, Manahawkin, and Cream Ridge) and the board-certified pediatric dentists provide comprehensive pediatric dental care, sedation dentistry, orthodontics, Invisalign and special needs dentistry for all kids.

The site for Give Kids A Smile is 368 Lakehurst Road suite 305 Toms River. Contact the office at 732-473-1123 to schedule an appointment and visit oceanpediatricdental.com for information on all our services.

Lakehurst Borough Historical Society

Chili Cookoff

Soup~R~Bowl of Chili Challenge on January 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lakehurst Community Center across from the museum in Old St. John’s Church on Center Street.

Area clubs and organizations make soups and chili and compete for the trophies of People’s Choice. Some of the groups joining the challenge and defending their title this year are, the First Aid, Police, Fleet Reserve, Arista Care Cooking Club, and our own Historical Society.

The donation is $5 a ticket, children under 3 years admitted free. A gift basket auction and 50/50 add to the festivities.

All proceeds benefit the Lakehurst Borough Historical Society Museum. Tickets are available at the museum, Colonial Bouquet flower shop on Union Ave., and at the door. The doors open at 3 p.m. Come out and spend a cold afternoon with friends and great warm food! For more information call Kathy at 908-839-7388.

Alligator:

Continued From Page 1 actually the ones who put it there, according to an investigation by Monmouth County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement. The owner of the animal was Savion Mendez of East Orange. The “finder” was Angel Rosario of Asbury Park.

Mendez bought the juvenile alligator from a reptile expo in Pennsylvania and was keeping him in a 150-gallon tank. He was evicted from his East Orange home, and moved to the Twinbrook Apartment Complex in Ocean Township, officials said. However, he and his new roommates were again facing eviction.

Rosario offered to take alligator off his friend’s hands, but his parents wouldn’t let him keep it. So, the alligator was placed in the empty lot and Neptune Police were called.

“We know now that at no point surrounding these circumstances was the alligator left in a dangerous or life-threatening situation,” the MCSPCA said.

Mendez will face charges by the NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife for keeping a prohibited and dangerous exotic species, officials said. Rosario and his parents face charges of falsifying a police report.

The alligator is currently living at the Cape May Zoo.

MCSPCA Executive Director, Ross Licitra said, “We’d like to thank our Humane Law Enforcement Division who works in conjunction with the Monmouth County

Township Survey For Intersections

HOWELL – Howell Township wants your input! As they continue their review of the Township’s Circulation Element of the Master Plan, they will be studying several intersections to gather information and data to determine if improvements are necessary. They want your input as to which intersections should be studied.

Visit surveymonkey.com/r/VTD9Y6X to take a quick 2-to-4-minute survey. Keep in mind that the Township has limited control over the improvements and timelines of construction involving County and State roadways. Therefore, the Township will have the most control over intersections that include Township roadways.

They welcome input from every Howell Township resident, but ask that you only take the survey once per resident.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Department of Community Development at 732-938-4500 ext. 2338.

Prosecutor’s Office for investigating this case promptly and professionally. We’re also grateful for the assistance of the public, who gave us key information bringing us to the conclusion of this case.”