2024-04-13 - The Berkeley Times

Each Classroom Becomes A Country In International Festival

Some students dressed in costumes, like these two who wore ancient Greek attire.

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY –

Two students were in the hall of Central Regional Middle School, inviting passersby to visit beautiful Puerto Rico.

The island nation inhabited their classroom. In fact, every

Relay

class had a different country during their international festival.

Jannah Abdo and Yareli Linares Torres were inviting people to experience Puerto Rican culture and learn more about the animals, music, and more. There was even

information about surfing and robotics in the classroom.

It’s about equality, the girls said. Showing the different cultures teaches the students about everyone.

Each wing of the school was assigned a continent. Then,

For Life: Volunteers, Sponsors Wanted

The Relay For Life has brought survivors, caretakers, and loved ones together for many years.

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY

– Just like a relay race, the Berkeley-Lacey Relay For Life is making the rounds again. It will be held on June 15-16 at Veterans Park in Bayville.

The goal of these participants is not to win the race, but to

win the fight against cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer accounted for one in six deaths globally in 2020. Relays for Life raise money for the American Cancer

(Relay For LifeSee Page 4)

each teacher chose a country from that continent. The students studied the nation and became tour guides for their own class/country, said Vice Principal Gabrielle Carney. She credited the help from Spanish teacher Marasol Brodie and guidance counselor Kris Golda who organized the International Culture Club.

Kids grabbed passports and brought them to the various countries they visited. Then, they were asked to write about what countries they enjoyed best and why. Every classroom had a QR code for them to scan for more interactivity.

Each class had freedom to interpret the experience. In New Zealand, for example, students learned the Haka, the dance that Maori warriors did to

(Festival - See Page 4)

Homelessness Task Force Taking Shape

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently appointed the fi rst round of Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund task force members.

Government officials and representatives from five local non-profit organizations make up the fi rst round of individuals whose first order of business will be to establish by-laws with the assistance of county counsel for approval by the Commissioner Board.

The initial wave of three-year appointments to the task force includes Barbara “Bobbi Jo” Crea, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, liaison to the Homelessness Trust Fund. Also

among the appointees are Tracy Maksel, Director of the Ocean County Department of Human Services, and Maria LaFace, Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.

Five representatives from local private or non-profit organizations known for their work in assisting the homeless or providing low-income housing have also been appointed to serve threeyear terms. These include Mark Harding from Soldier On, Steve Heisman from Habcore, Glen McDonald from Homes for All, Elizabeth Golla from Family Promise, and Kim Santora from Toms River Housing and Homeless.

“All of these individuals bring a great deal of expertise and

(Homeless - See Page 5)

BlueClaws 2024 Season

Now At Bat

By Bob Vosseller

JERSEY SHORE –Spring is in the air and opening night for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws had the minor league baseball team in full action at the ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood for another exciting season.

The BlueClaws are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They faced off against the Aberdeen IronBirds in a home game on April 5.

A few days earlier,

BlueClaws General Manager Bob McLane and Vice President of Communications Greg Giombarrese hosted a pre-season kickoff event to showcase what was in store for fans and visitors this spring

(Blue ClawsSee Page 4)

Photo by Chris Lundy

Photo by Chris Lundy

Festival:

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psych out enemies in battle.

Sometimes, it was a historical perspective, looking into the nation’s past. Sometimes, it was the current culture that was shown, such as Japan, which featured

Relay For Life:

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Society to help patients with rides to appointments, lodging for family, a hotline, and more. It’s the best way to help those struggling with the disease and fight it by researching cures.

Robyn Paciulli-Griffith, Event Lead, told attendees last year that “Together we can make the biggest impact to

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and summer.

Tours were conducted for visitors throughout the day and BlueClaws Director of Partnership Services Zack Nicol, Sr. was busy providing one to a family who got an overview of the field from one of the 16 luxury suites.

“This is a nice fi rst look at the ballpark.

Nintendo and Sony games and samplings of candy and snacks like edamame.

Pictures of famous people from each country were posted with short bios.

Students learned bits of the language, greeting people in the native tongue. Ambient rainforest sounds and construction paper fauna surrounded you when you walked through the South America

save lives.”

The event starts during the day, lasts overnight, and ends the next morning. This symbolizes the darkness that comes with a cancer diagnosis, and the light of hoping for a better tomorrow, she said.

Throughout the evening, there will be scheduled laps for various groups. The first lap, for example, is made up of survivors. The event is currently looking for sponsors, volunteers, teams, and anyone interested in

I think there was 5,800 and something seats here. There are also picnic areas and our party decks. We got new ownership in 2018 so we have a whole lot of new stuff here,” he said.

Nicol added, “we have a nine-hole minigolf course at right field. I can’t name any other team that has that so that is pretty cool. Center field has trailers that open up to be boardwalk games - hoop shots, balloon darts, and ring toss. We have some

area. If a particular genre of music came from the region, you could hear it in the halls.

And of course, there was the food.

The aroma of traditional cuisines wafted through the hall, pulling people in. If someone was walking around with a particularly interesting-looking plate, they were asked which country they got it from.

donating some time. For example, if they have a business and would be interested in running an activity during the event. If you would like to help or participate, reach out to Paciulli-Griffith at 848-333-7318 or rnofgnt@yahoo.com.

Although Veterans Park is a far cry from Yasgur’s farm, the theme of this year’s Relay is “Woodstock.” That’s why there will be some musical accompaniment at various times throughout the two days.

inflatable attractions as well. That is our kid’s area.”

He noted the adult area includes “our sand bar where we have our thirsty Thursdays and summer concert series. This is a really cool ball park. When you come to a game, make sure you check out all the places. There is so much going on here that people aren’t sitting in their seats as much.”

Nicol said that “we started revamping these luxury suites and we are looking to

Some of the teachers cooked themselves. Bruce Scarpulla, the cafeteria director, helped with organizing the food.

The result was a true learning experience where the children’s natural curiosity was engaged.

“The kids are so good and respectful,” Carney complimented.

The relay got its inspiration in 1985, when Dr. Gordon Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising money to help the American Cancer Society. The walk was about 83.6 miles and he raised $27,000. The next year, the Relay for Life was born. It has continually been an overnight event since then. No one walks for 24 hours straight, though. They take turns, and that’s why it’s a relay. For more information on how to help, or how to get help, visit cancer.org

revamp all of them in the next handful of years. They hold typically between 20 to 25 people. You have the outdoor and indoor seating so this is great if it is raining or cool. There is a TV in here, you can do your own catering, you have your own suite server. Depending on the time of year you’re looking at between $600 to $800 range to rent it out for a game.”

Another recent addition is a shore themed

(Blue Claws - See Page 13)

Homeless:

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compassion to the table,” Crea said. “They will look at the issues faced by our seniors, veterans, families, and individuals struggling with homelessness, and together, we will make the best decisions on how to fund programs that will provide the most help.”

Joining these government officials and non-profit representatives for one-year terms will be three municipal business administrators: Joanne Bergin from Brick, Patrick Donnelly of Lakewood, and Jonathan Salonis from Toms River. These appointments specifically target the municipalities with the highest homeless populations, according to the results of last year’s Point-in-Time count. This is when social workers and volunteers met with homeless throughout the state to get an accurate count of who they are, where they are, and what their needs are.

When the 2024 data is counted, said Maksel, “We may need to add additional municipalities depending on those numbers because we are required to have the municipalities that represent the largest homeless populations.”

The task force will also be further enhanced with additional appointments in the future. These appointments will be staggered to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of expertise within the group, avoiding a situation where all members begin and end their terms at the same time. State law requires the task force to include

at least three individuals who have lived experiences with homelessness. To achieve this, Maksel suggested replicating the process used when selecting reviewers for the Ocean County Opioid Advisory Council settlement funds. This involved an open solicitation for applications. However, the fi nal decision on choosing representatives who were formerly homeless rests with the task force itself.

“There are certain organizations that we did not purposefully include in the inaugural board membership because they have such a large base of volunteers who might qualify,” Maksel added. “We figured those volunteers would want to apply to be the persons with lived experience at the table. We can’t have more than one representative from each agency.”

Trust Fund And Responsibilities

After years of urging from nonprofits, Ocean County joined a growing list of New Jersey counties with the establishment of its own Homelessness Trust Fund last year. The initiative, authorized by the 2009 “County Homelessness Trust Fund Act,” empowers counties to create dedicated funding streams to address the needs of homeless residents.

The legislation has already seen success in twelve other New Jersey counties, including Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, and Union.

“Starting in September 2023, Ocean County now applies a $5 surcharge on most recorded instruments with the county, which the Ocean County Clerk’s office deposited

into the Homelessness Trust Fund,” said Crea. “The money stays in Ocean County to support programs and has raised $91,056 to date.”

Projections based on the past three years of recorded documents suggest the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund could generate between $275,000 and $390,000 annually.

State law requires the Trust Fund to disburse money through competitive grants to organizations fighting homelessness through various means. This includes helping homeless people find permanent homes, stopping homelessness before it happens, and providing Code Blue temporary shelter during severe weather.

The Department of Human Services oversees the county’s administration and planning related to homelessness, while the Ocean County Board of Social Services serves as a direct service provider, offering essential support such as temporary shelter and utilities assistance.

“One of our visions from the county side is to pick up where ineligibility is a problem for the already existing system of care,” shared Maksel. “We want to target the focus on things that can’t be served elsewhere.”

A key challenge for existing programs is that some residents experiencing homelessness fall outside eligibility criteria due to income levels. Social Security benefits or even low-paying jobs can push them above the threshold for many publicly funded services. The task force will explore ways to bridge these gaps for this population – albeit with a limited pool of money.

The Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund task force will collaborate closely with the Ending Homeless Team associated with Monarch Housing, acknowledged as premier consultants in the state for addressing homelessness. Monarch Housing also extends its expertise to the HUD Continuum of Care Process for Ocean County.

As the task force partners with the consultant, their primary objective is to craft a strategic plan to combat homelessness effectively. This will most likely entail community engagement initiatives such as focus groups and surveys to pinpoint key areas of concern. Once these priorities are identified, the task force will release a solicitation outlining the precise scope of work for organizations seeking grants.

Non-profit groups with task force members will be able to submit grant applications for review. However, they will be required to abstain from voting on matters pertaining to their own organizations.

“Anything we fund, we have to be able to prove that it measurably reduces homelessness and that it has cost savings over time,” Maksel explained. “It has to be evidence-based, the ability to be replicated in other communities and align with local homeless plans as well as the county homeless plan.”

Maksel said that the team at Human Services had attempted to bring a Homelessness Trust Fund to Ocean County for over a decade and credited Crea for “quarterbacking it to a win.”

(Homeless - See Page 13)

Senate Leaders Urged To Protect State And Local Pesticide Regulations

Capitol Comments

Senator Cory Booker

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led 19 colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to oppose any efforts to limit existing state and local authority to regulate pesticides in the upcoming Farm Bill or any other legislation.

“More than thirty states and hundreds of cities and counties have adopted pesticide laws and ordinances to protect workers, children, rural communities, and wildlife. State and local governments have long

acted to supplement federal pesticide laws to protect people from the serious health problems - including neurological and behavioral issues, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease - that can be caused by unsafe exposure to pesticides,” the lawmakers wrote. “States and localities have implemented protective measures that fit their local needs, such as posting warnings when pesticides have been sprayed near schools and parks, protecting drinking water supplies, protecting and informing workers, and restricting the use of some pesticides on playgrounds. States and localities have also taken measures to protect endangered species that are especially susceptible to pesticides,

like pollinators.”

The lawmakers continued, “While federal regulations provide a base level of protection against the harms of pesticides, only localities and states are in the position to implement protective measures that are designed specifically to meet the needs of their citizens. Preempting these state and local laws prevents state and local officials from addressing local needs in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach.”

The lawmakers also expressed strong opposition to any proposed legislation which would prohibit states from requiring manufacturers to disclose known risks about their pesticide products, such as carcinogenicity.

“Preemption proposals like these would eliminate laws that give consumers the

ability to make informed decisions about using a pesticide product, based on the product’s risks to their health. These proposals would also take away consumers’ opportunity for redress if a manufacturer fails to issue warnings,” the lawmakers concluded.

The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (DMD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Transportation Trust Fund Supported For Five More Years

From The Desk Of The Governor

Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation renewing the State’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) for five more years, which will invest billions to modernize and maintain New Jersey’s statewide transportation infrastructure, while providing additional capital funding for NJ TRANSIT, supporting local and county projects to alleviate the burden on local taxpayers, and creating thousands of good-paying union jobs.

“New Jersey sits at the heart of one of the busiest stretches of commerce in the entire world,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Whether it’s trying to get home to their families after a long day or shipping critical goods to keep our economy humming, our residents and our businesses depend on the strength of our transportation system to get where they need to go. This legislation will ensure we deliver for them by enabling us to rebuild and maintain our entire transportation system, while creating thousands

of good-paying jobs in the years to come and easing the burden of property taxes by offsetting these costs for local governments.”

The New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund was established by the Legislature in 1984 and has since been reauthorized seven times. The last reauthorization in 2016, under the previous administration, occurred after the previous authorization had expired, halting projects until a new agreement could be reached. That reauthorization has primarily been implemented by the Murphy Administration, with the largest capital program ever executed by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) occurring in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021).

The law (A-4011/S-2931), signed more than three months prior to the current authorization’s expiration, will: Establish a five-year program, beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2029, to ensure a steady stream of revenue to support statewide transportation projects. The law annually adjusts the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax rate by updating the statutorily prescribed revenue target, commonly referred to as the “highway fuel cap,” which is currently based on 2016

highway fuel tax collections.

Authorize roughly $10.37 billion in appropriations for the State’s Annual Transportation Capital Program from FY 2025 through FY 2029. Of that amount, an estimated $2.3 billion will be passed on as State aid to counties and municipalities for transportation projects.

Provide up to $8.84 billion in bonding authority to the Transportation Trust Fund Authority over the five-year period (approximately $1.76 billion annually);

Provide roughly $1.5 billion in pay-asyou-go funding for transportation projects

Grow the $2 billion maximum annual capital program amount by 3% per year in years three, four, and five of the reauthorization, which coincides with the end of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. This incremental revenue growth will be split evenly among NJ DOT, NJ TRANSIT, county governments, and municipal governments, providing greater investment at the county and local level and relieving the pressure on local property taxpayers to fund infrastructure investments.

Bolster NJ TRANSIT by providing an additional $91.75 million over the last three years of the program to augment the $767 million the agency currently receives annually from the TTF to fund

new capital projects. By year five, NJ TRANSIT will receive over $813 million annually for capital projects.

Establish an annual electric vehicle fee of $250 (with increases of $10 per year in each of the remaining four years), which will ensure that all motorists using the roads share in the responsibility to maintain their conditions.

Delay the annual tax rate adjustment for sales of gasoline and diesel motor fuel by three months, from October 1 to January 1, so that any rate changes will coincide with the start of the new year.

“The reauthorization of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund is foundational to the continued investment in our transportation infrastructure,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Chief of Staff to Governor Murphy and former NJDOT Commissioner. “Transportation keeps our communities moving and our economy strong. I remember the impact it had on our brothers and sisters in labor when the previous administration could not reach a deal in time and projects all over the state were forced to halt or shut down. With this in mind, we were determined – and now proud – to reach a good agreement months ahead of time to ensure that this critical work will continue without interruption.”

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

The Internet Has Ruined Weirdos For Me

Among the many, many things that the internet has ruined, one thing I miss is talking to weirdos.

For me, weirdos were just harmless folks who marched to the beat of a different drummer. You’d see them from far away and realize they were interesting. Everyone else on the street could be a background character in a movie, a nameless extra. But not them. No, they were definitely the scene stealer. Their clothes were eccentric. Their eyes were far away, working something out in their brain. In a bit of friendly conversation, you’d notice their choice of words was just a little off

Animal Shelters: The Humane Choice Is Not Always The Cheapest

This letter is in response to the March 11th article entitled “Fate Of Toms River Animal Shelter Still In Question.”

In it, Mayor Rodrick states

“I don’t understand how that would be different” when discussing whether to maintain a township operated animal shelter or contract services through the Ocean County facility

and it made them interesting. They would share an idea that changed the way you thought about things.

Heck, I was probably considered a weirdo by many of the people I met throughout my life. Rightfully so.

I remember working at the Borders near the Willowbrook Mall 25 years ago. A customer was pointing to a display and asked if I could help him find a book that used to be on that display. I asked him how long ago he saw it. He said “I don’t know. Time moves differently for me than other people.”

Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. That guy was interesting. I never found out what he meant. It’s better to imagine it instead of knowing for sure.

I’m still thinking of him a quarter century later. I hope he’s doing well.

These days, though, I’m cautious about strangers. I’m not as willing to talk to quirky people. I’m too afraid of what crazy conspiracy theory makes up their entire world. Who knows what kind of landmine I might step in during polite conversation. What race, religion, or other group of people have they decided is the enemy?

The reason I blame the internet is because I’ve seen it happen with people I know. They start out normal. But if their only source of information is a little box that tells them to hate certain people, or that the world is doomed, guess what happens? They believe it, too.

It starts out easily enough. You click that you like an idea on social media. Then, the social media site shows you something else along the same lines but a little more extreme. Then more. Then more. The internet tells you that your ideas are the right ones and everyone else is wrong. Before you know it, you’ve put up a wall against any other point of view.

The internet had quirky ideas in the beginning. Fun websites to waste time and learn about silly stuff. Now, every other thing you see is angry.

Try this experiment: The next time you’re on the internet, see how long it takes for something to show up that’s negative, angry, or downright

dangerous.

Another experiment: Look at the top 20 posts on your social media. How many of them are friends sharing things about their lives, and how many of them are negative posts about people or things?

There’s a story about writer Kurt Vonnegut going out to buy a single envelope instead of a bunch of them at once.

He knows that in the course of this errand, he’ll run into strangers to talk to. He’ll ask a woman what kind of dog she is walking. He’ll give a thumbs up to a fire truck going by. He’ll have a lot of little interactions and be rejuvenated by them. People are just “dancing animals” he said. That’s a great turn of

phrase. We’re just animals who have learned how to make art and conversation.

Vonnegut, who died in 2007, said that computers will stop us from doing things like this. He thought that the convenience of getting anything online will prevent us from having these small transactions of humanity. He was right, of course. But I wonder if he would have realized that the internet also takes away our ability to see other points of view. To see different people and how they live their lives.

I have a lot of envelopes stocked up in my house.

Chris Lundy News Editor

in Jackson. The difference is simple: Toms River’s animals will overburden the already strained county shelters.

Over the past 15 years, New Jersey has consistently lost space to house stray pets as animal shelters have closed to municipal contracts or closed altogether, one by one.

Meanwhile, no new sheltering space has opened. This trend is putting greater pressure on existing facilities and municipalities. The Toms River Animal Shelter question is just another

example of our collapsing animal sheltering system.

Complicating this further, fi nancial constraints at the municipal level and a lack of priority for animal issues generally, lead to municipalities contracting with the “lowest bidder” regardless of quality or positive animal outcomes. The result is increasing fi nancial pressure on organizations providing these services, overcrowded animal shelters, and worse: animals that can be saved are dying for lack of space.

The difference Mayor Rodrick calls out, is not a question of whether the animals should go to Jackson or stay in Toms River, it’s what expectations the government sets for humane animal sheltering in our state.

The goal of animal sheltering is to save lives, and while organizations like Best Friends Animal Society offer support to shelters, including in NJ, it also requires sound decisions and leadership at a local level.

As county and local leaders evaluate the best option for their animals, they must also establish lifesaving goals for whichever shelter

is ultimately entrusted with providing the animals’ care. New Jersey is losing animal sheltering capacity at an alarming rate.

Jane Guillaume Jackson this un-American path.

Don’t Believe The “Toms River Bulletin”

Unfortunately we live in a time of permanent campaigns, but there is so much more wrong with the “newspaper” Toms River Bulletin that was mailed to homes.

One problem, there were quite a few blatant falsehoods throughout the bulletin. Bigger problem this propaganda was sent at tax payers expense and not as part of a campaign.

And the scariest problem is the slogan above the name, “Toms River’s official news source.” An independent press is the bedrock of our constitutional republic, has Toms River left the republic?

We’re only three months into this new Toms River administration, I hope someone can put a stop to the campaign violations and

Jesse Cohn Toms River

Easier Solutions To Funding Wars

Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a letter “GOP And USSR” from the March 16 edition.

I read in one of the last few editions. Someone said give Ukraine whatever they need.

I couldn’t disagree more. To date, America has given over $80 billion dollars to Ukraine. Thats enough to fund our schools in Toms River for the next 8,000 years! Think how much money that would save us in tax dollars. There’s already 5+ countries in Europe sending weapons, aid and training to Ukraine in their war against Russia. At some point you have to accept the fact that an area [or a group of people] are just not cut out to be a country. I’ve read we’ve funded Ukraine’s government, as well as given them all the funds needed to make their economy go around. At this point you might as well make Ukraine a part of America and send in the military to deal

with it. It certainly would save us a lot of money and I heard they all just got pay raises.

Right now America is funding a war on two fronts. Ukraine against Russia. And Israel against Hamas. You have a nation of displaced refugees [70% of Gaza’s population] which is under “total siege” and locked in with the terrorist organization (Hamas) which popped up amongst them in 2007. You know half [this nation of refugees] is under the age of 18? And how many women and children? And your going to blockade them in with the terrorists and air drop supplies to them by plane?

Let’s get it together here!

And as for the nation that forcibly drafts its citizens (Russia) to fight in a war that’s resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Maybe it’s time to consider taking Putin out. We took out Saddam Hussein in 2003. We chased down Bin Laden for the havoc he caused in New York City. Something has to die here - and it’s either Putin or Ukraine. I personally don’t have a preference though.

Mark Dorsey Toms River

Rock-Paper-Scissors Competition

Beachwood Recreation Seeking Volunteers

BEACHWOOD – Beachwood Recreation is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join their team or lend a hand at their awesome events all year round!

Whether you’re into organizing activities, assisting during events, or just want to give back to make Beachwood even better, they’d love to have you on board! If you’re ready to make a positive impact and have

a blast while doing it, sign up at forms. gle/PnaFqnX4eCLbgib98, and we’ll get in touch with you soon.

Let’s come together to create unforgettable experiences for our community! Whether you’re a student needing service hours, looking to meet new people, a retiree seeking something fulfilling, or simply have a passion for helping others, they welcome you!

South Toms River & Beachwood Unity Tour Team Fundraiser

SOUTH TOMS RIVER – Fundraiser to support South Toms River & Beachwood Police Department Unity Tour Team on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harry’s Smokin’

BBQ, 240 Dover Road, South Toms River.

A percentage of all sales will be donated to the Police Unity Tour Team. Meet officers and have some good eats!

Historical Society 2nd Annual Cra Fair

BAYVILLE – Join the Berkeley Township Historical Society on April 27 for their 2nd annual craft fair at the Bayville Sta. 17 Fire House, 645 Atlantic City Boulevard Bayville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sign up to be a vendor: Bthsannualcraftfair.eventbrite.com. All proceeds benefit the Berkeley Township Historical Society. Free admission! Unique crafts, raffles and prizes.

POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY

Cataract surgery involves replacing a person’s natural lens with an artificial one in the eye’s natural lens capsule. Weeks, months, or even years after cataract surgery, vision can become cloudy again. Cells that were left behind in the original surgery often grow back and limit the amount of light reaching the retina. This condition is called post capsular opacification or “secondary cataract.” It the most common cataract surgery complication. An opthalmologist can perform a posterior capsulotomy to correct the problem, in which a YAG laser is used to create an opening in the cloudy capsule so that light can again reach the retina. This laser procedure is noninvasive, approximately 95 percent effective, and takes about five minutes.

With time, cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision. At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision interferes with your usual activities, you might need cataract surgery. Please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622 to schedule an appointment. We offer evening hours most nights of the week.

P.S. Medicare covers the costs of cataract surgery and posterior capsulotomy if vision tests demonstrate the need for them.

MARLBORO (732) 972-1015

TOMS RIVER (732) 349-5622

BRICK (732) 477-6981

BARNEGAT (609) 698-2020 www.oceancountyeye.com

Students at Central Regional Hight School held the 1st Annual Rock-Paper-Scissors Competition!

Photo courtesy Central Regional

LASER TAG PARTY! Friday, April 26th • 6-9pm

This event is FREE for grades 3-6.

Parents please register online at: eccbayville.org

331 Wheaton Ave • Bayville, NJ 08721 • 732.269.5690

Berkeley Recreation Summer Camp

BERKELEY – Berkeley Township Summer Camp registration opens in April. Camp runs July 8 through August 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp will be held at Veterans Park. Registration will be held in person in the Recreation Building on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and evening registration from 5 to 8 p.m.; April 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a $50 late registration fee.

A separate registration packet and separate payment (check or exact change) will be required per child.

Camp open to Berkeley residents only. Fees will be posted prior to registration as they must be adopted by ordinance by the Township Council at the April meeting.

Any questions, contact the Recreation Office at 732-269-4456.

5K Ruck-9 Featuring Car Show And More

BAYVILLE –

10 a.m. Car Show registration is $20, with awards/trophies. Ruck-9 registration is $25 and includes t-shirt.

To purchase tickets, visit zeffy.com/ en-US/ticketing/56aec3ad-5ae4-4993aee4-f1834b435151.

Friday Nights Cruise-In

BAYVILLE – Fresca Friday Nights Cruise-In is the fourth Friday from April to October, 5 to 8 p.m. at Cucina Fresca Italian American Specialty Market, 791 Route 9 Bayville.

Hosted by the Jersey Shore Car Shows. Free Fresca

event. Open to all years/makes/models. Participants for a 10% food discount. Enjoy music, prizes and great food.

For more information, visit jerseyshorecarshows.com.

The Berkeley Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

H&M Po er Gi Auction

BAYVILLE – H&M Potter’s Annual Gift

Auction will be on April 27 at 60 Veeder Lane, Bayville.

This is not a seated event. Each entrance ticket is $10 and includes a yellow prize level ticket sheet. You will drop off between the hours of 4 to 6 p.m. on April 27. Winners will be announced via Facebook Live from 6:30 to 8 p.m. that night. They will start pickup 30 minutes after the last ticket is pulled. You will have until 10 p.m. on April 27 or by the end of school day on April 29 to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed on either of those days, you forfeit your prize. They will be having snacks available for purchase at the school for you to enjoy so we welcome you to gather with friends in the parking lot while you await tickets to be called, or to watch from the comfort of your home.

Each person purchasing an entrance ticket will be assigned a number. You will learn your ticket number at the event as no tickets will be mailed. You will check in upon

entry and receive your pre-ordered tickets. When you receive your raffle tickets, make sure to put your entrance ticket number on the back of each raffle ticket so that we can accurately call winners. You will be able to purchase more tickets, including those for the 50/50, the State Board and the Birthday Board, the night of the event. Yellow Level prizes are valued $1 to $99, Blue Level prizes are valued $100 to $299, and Green Level prizes are $300 and up. New this year are White Level prizes for student experiences like Principal of the Day, Class Movie in the APR, and Reserved Seating for the Kindergarten Graduation.

Money Bag Raffle: A special Purse Money Bag raffle will also be held. You will be able to purchase purple tickets for a chance to win a designer purse. There will be three purses displayed. One purse will include a $25 gift card, one will include a $50 gift card and one will just be a designer purse. See the ticket order form. Order forms can be dropped off at H&M Potter school.

Dale & Amy Acoustic Concert Coming To Berkeley Branch

BERKELEY – Rock and reminisce with Dale & Amy during the popular duo’s acoustic evening of favorites at the Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch, 7 p.m. April 24. Appearing regularly at venues throughout New Jersey since 1995, the personable pair serve up crowd-pleasing rock, pop and country music from the 1950s to the present.

Among their most popular covers are songs made famous by the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Presley, Lainey Wilson, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Frankie Valli, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, along with newer pop and

country artists.

Register at tinyurl.com/OclBkyDaleAmy to attend this free program, sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Library.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraisers, programs, and community advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications are available at Friends’ events, and can be found online at theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, visit the OCL Berkeley Branch, 30 Station Road, Bayville, or call 732-269-2144.

Cpl. William H Smith Detachment Annual Veterans Dance

BAYVILLE – The Cpl. William H Smith

Detachment Annual Veterans Dance will be on April 20 at 6 p.m. at the VFW Post 9503 Bayville.

Cost is $25 per person. Enjoy a hot buffet, salad, bread and butter, coffee, tea, and desserts. Cash bar. Music supplied by DJ Don Pesce.

Dress code is casual. Open to the public!

If interested contact Bob Meola at 732-6747504, Bill Pivarnick at 848-240-3515, Larry Migliorisi at 908-216-1834, or Chuck Swiers at 973-864-0964.

Come out and support the Marine Corps League.

All Oldsmobile Spring Dust O Car Show

BAYVILLE – First ever All Oldsmobile Spring Dust Off Car Show presented by Garden State Rockets and Ocean of Love for Children with Cancer on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bubbakoos Burritos at the Bayville Commons, 333 Atlantic City Boulevard, Bayville. (Rain

date April 28)

Trophies, Raffle Prizes, 50/50, great food (with discounts), and paved parking. Registration: $20 (day of show). Proceeds go to Ocean of Love for Children with Cancer. For more information, see gardenstaterockets.org.

ARE

RETIRED? ARE YOU BORED? DO YOU WANT TO BE ACTIVE? DO YOU HAVE SKILLS IN THE MANUAL ARTS? Carpentry • Cabinet making • Mechanical Repair Machinist • Metal Work • Paint, etc. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEND 1-3 DAYS A WEEK WORKING TO ASSEMBLE PRODUCTS FOR OUR BOATING CUSTOMERS? LIGHT, CLEAN WORK IN A SMALL FRIENDLY SHOP ENVIRONMENT.

Where Do Birds Go At Night?

By Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Ever wonder where birds go at night? During the day we see them, for instance, songbirds –those you might see at your bird feeders, perching on tree limbs or hanging out in shrubs. Those birds who are nesting, hatching eggs and then caring for their young, are obviously using their nests for that. Once the young have fledged (left the nest for good), you might be surprised to know they no longer have a use for the nests.

Depending on the species, the locations where they go will vary, but they all consider their ‘roost sites,’ being a safe place. They will utilize the same location each night, which could include tree branches, inside the cavities of trees and buildings, and even sheltered bushes or shrubs. Roosting as a community, there can be as many as dozens, hundreds or even thousands of birds traveling to their site each evening. Some birds occupy seasonal roosts, which changes depending upon the time of year. Spring and fall migrating birds will travel at night to different locations. Nocturnal species will do their roosting and sleeping while there is daylight.

Let’s see where a few species roost. Some birds are easy to identify where they roost. Swifts, crows, and starlings gather in large groups around dusk where they sleep in a common area. If you follow their groups at night, you might be lucky and see where they settle. Birds such as goldfinches, chickadees, and sparrows are very subtle when it comes to their roosting habits. They prefer not to call attention to themselves, so they sleep in smaller groups, finding small areas where they tuck themselves in. Roosting sites for pigeons are obvious – they like sides of buildings and parking garages, for instance.

Birds sleep in a perched position which causes their toes to squeeze and secure their hold on their roosting spot. Birds are fascinating creatures and when you pay attention, can provide much enjoyment.

I gathered the information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732244-2768.

It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.

Central Regional School District Strategic Planning Meetings

BERKELEY – Join as the Central Regional School District create the CRSD Strategic Plan. RSVP to at least one meeting at: wearecrsd.com/forms/strategic-planning-rsvp.

April 15 - Dream: Creating a Common Vision & Identification of Goal Areas

(1.5 hours)

May 9 - Design the District’s Destiny: Goals & Objectives (1.5 hours)

All meetings will be held in the CRHS Junior/Senior Cafeteria, and will begin promptly at 7 p.m. with sign-in starting at 6:45 p.m. They hope to see you there!

Paws In e Park – Vendors Wanted

BERKELEY – The Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation will be hosting their Paws in the Park at the Ocean County Fairgrounds, located at Robert J. Miller Airpark at 901 Route 530, Berkeley Township, on June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ocean County Parks and Recreation, as

well as various dog related vendors, shelters/rescues, trainers, veterinarians, etc. will be tabling and providing demonstrations and information for event-goers. Dog related vendors, shelters, etc. are welcome to contact Marc Steuer at 732-5069090, ext. 5950 for more details.

Li le Carly Foundation 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk

BAYVILLE – The Little Carly Foundation presents their 4 th Annual 5K Run/ Walk on April 27 at Veterans Park, Bayville (rain or shine).

Registration begins at 10 a.m.; Start time

is

11 a.m. Admission is $30 per person; $100 for sponsors. Register before April 1 for a free t-shirt. 1st , 2 nd , and 3rd place prizes.

Register on ticketbud.com.

Mental Health And Wellness Night

LACEY – Proudly presented by Lacey Township in partnership with Central Regional, the Mental Health and Wellness Night will be on

April 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lacey Township High School.

Free dinner, childcare, access to resource tables.

Funds Won’t Go To Homeless Shelter

Alex Boss of Toms River was present at the Ocean County Commissioners meeting when the inaugural task force members were appointed. He called the creation of the fund a great start but expressed a concern that regularly comes up at county government meetings.

“I’m somewhat surprised and disappointed to hear that there are no plans for a shelter,” said Boss. “As someone who has volunteered with community groups and the makeshift shelters that have been set up for this crisis, I’ve seen how dire the situation is for these individuals fi rsthand.”

“It is a great start,” Boss continued. “But I would like to hear why there are no plans to build a shelter in regard to this trust and also what’s being done in the interim to help these people now.”

Continued From Page 5 Blue Claws:

Continued From Page 4

bar and food area inside the stadium near the entry areas for the luxury suites.

Giombarrese shared a fun fact, “we’ve had 807 players play for the BlueClaws. Our oldest player was a 30-year-old and our youngest was 19. We have had 123 players who have made it to the pros; we just had one do it two days ago.”

He told Jersey Shore Online.com that among the special events that the park offers, “we have this program (Veterans Night Out) where we collect names of fallen military heroes and then for our Military Appreciation Night game in July, these heroes’ names are placed on the back of jerseys worn by BlueClaws players. Then after the game, the jerseys are presented to the families of the fallen heroes in a very moving ceremony.”

McLane said “we have a similar program that honors fi rst responders as well. Our Kid’s Night Out program is similar in nature to our Vets Night Out program, but serves underserved youth throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. We want to make sure that people that don’t normally have the ability to come to the ball park and enjoy all the fun things that others do to come out and

Crea reiterated the county’s stance that it will not undertake the construction or operation of a shelter and clarified that the allocated funds cannot be utilized for such purposes. However, she affirmed the county’s willingness to collaborate with non-profit organizations interested in establishing a shelter independently. Crea proposed that multiple organizations explore the possibility of working together and assured that the county would offer fi nancial support towards this initiative.

“The Homelessness Trust Fund will complement whatever the system of care evolves to be and live in perpetuity,” added Maksel. “So, if a shelter came to fruition, this could enhance it or help people at the shelter.”

Individuals seeking housing assistance are advised to contact 211, the state-funded universal hotline dedicated to providing resources. Additionally, the Ocean County Board of Social Services stands ready to aid those with housing concerns.

give them a taste of what we have going on.”

“They coincide with our Medusa games through the co-initiative of minor league baseball and there are three of them on the calendar this year,” McLane added. He stressed that the environment he wants to promote is “family friendly and fun atmosphere. We specialize in the threeto-four-hour vacation so that families can come to the ball park right in their back yard, forget about life for a little bit and give everybody the opportunity to come to ShoreTown and not worry about the outside world.”

When asked if the team has a slogan, McLane noted that the original slogan was “great family entertainment just got closer to home.” He said that “Greg (Giombarrese) and I have been talking about this, not that we have one for this season but we are really leaning into the idea that ‘ShoreTown is your town.’”

He added this came “with the idea that we went through the rebrand (from the Lakewood BlueClaws to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws) and the purpose was to really re-enforce the fact that we are that regional brand.”

“We are our own little beach town here in Lakewood and letting people know that it doesn’t matter where you are from, this is the place you can call home and it’s yours,” McLane added.

Sound News

Start Wearing Hearing Aids

Earlier In Life!

Neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease are a major health problem in the aging worldwide population. The number of people living with dementia is projected to increase 57% in the next two decades. This rising global prevalence, combined with the lack of effective drugs, has made the prevalence of dementia a public health concern.

A recent study showed that intervention on risk factors not including hypertension might prevent 35% of dementia cases and that the strongest midlife risk factor for dementia is hearing impairment. Because hearing impairment is prevalent, alleviating it might delay the point older adults cross the critical threshold of impairment into dementia. In fact, the prevalence of hearing impairment increases to 90% of individuals age 85 years or older.

Thus, the timing of beginning hearing aid use is crucial in the success of hearing aids as an intervention in old age. It is well documented that most folks will procrastinate at least 7-10 years before they even get a hearing test. Yet, we have yearly eye exams, dental checks, and routine screenings for skin cancer. This is all preventive medicine. It is my professional opinion that once you turn 50 years of age, you should have a complete hearing evaluation. Early identification of hearing impairment coupled with consistent hearing aid use will improve cognitive function and potentially delay the onset of cognitive decline.

Dr. Izzy & his Staff are always available to answer your questions about important hearing care issues. Please feel free to contact Dr. Izzy at 732-451-3962 or ikirsh@gardenstatehearing.com

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-451-3962 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Grief Share Support Group

BAYVILLE – Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend.

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Grief Share is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. The group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead. We

know it hurts, and we want to help. Cost is $25, including a workbook for the entire 13-week cycle. (scholarships available). Beginning April 6 to July 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Living Water Community Church 333 Route 9, Unit B15 Bayville.

For more information, call 732-797-0575 or email cminichino@livingwatercma.com.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS! Expand your patient base by advertising in Micromedia Publications’ 7 weekly newspapers. Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

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

5 Simple Strategies For Thyroid Wellness

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Today I’m bringing light to a topic close to my heart and vital for our well-being: Thyroid health. With a staggering number of us tangled in the web of thyroid disorders, and Levothyroxine in the top 5 medications annually prescribed, it’s time we take charge of this small butterfly-shaped gland. Many unknowingly are hypothyroid. The thyroid gland keeps us warm, makes us think clearly, and helps burn fat. If you are fatigued, or losing your hair or eyebrows, it might not be working well.

Given that up to 20 million Americans are on this roller coaster, most without awareness, we need a game plan. Here are some tips to help you feel better:

1. Embrace Minerals: Our thyroid thrives on minerals. Selenium? Two Brazil nuts a day keep the deficiency away. Magnesium and iodine are two of your thyroid’s best friends, so eat seafood and leafy greens. Consider high-quality supplements of those for optimal effects.

2. Stress Less: Our modern nemesis, stress, can throw a wrench in the works. Be sure to breathe, stretch, go to yoga or practice relaxation techniques that you like.

3. Cook Your Greens: Yes, broccoli and its cruciferous cousins are fabulous, but they’re also goitrogenic if eaten raw. A quick steam can disarm them, making them thyroid-friendly.

4. Avoid Gluten: It’s inflammatory. Keto diets aren’t universal fixes but could be golden for Hashimoto’s patients. Listen to your body and avoid common allergenic

foods, artificial ingredients and anything that makes you feel worse after eating it.

5. Moderate Soy Intake: Isoflavones in soy can be party poopers for your thyroid. Balance is key so moderate your intake. Navigating thyroid health is akin to art which requires patience, precision, and a dash of intuition. For those of you on thyroid meds, it’s not just about popping pills but understanding the symphony between T4 and T3 hormones. Sometimes, a medication tweak or a shift to Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) formulations could work better than either T4 or T3 alone.

I have articles at my website to help you that explain all of this and what to do, so please use my search box to read all the articles I’ve archived online for you.

Your journey to thyroid wellness is unique. Whether you’re battling fatigue, brain fog, or hair thinning, you can still fine-tune things. If you want to start a family soon, or are in the recovery phase from a recent surgery, prioritizing thyroid equilibrium can enhance your healing process.

In the quest for optimal health, whatever your condition is, understanding and nurturing our thyroid is paramount. It’s a master gland because it controls so many major aspects of your life. And the lab tests that some physicians use don’t tell the whole story. Your symptoms do.

Embrace the tips I’ve shared with you here and consult with your healthcare guardian angels. To receive the longer version of this article, just sign up for my free weekly newsletter at suzycohen.com.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2024 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE

Kesha Sets Show For Hard Rock

Live At Etess Arena

Photo courtesy Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY – Kesha - musician, actress and activist - is coming to Hard Rock

Live at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on July 3 at 9 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com, Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. All shows are subject to change.

Over her career, Kesha has earned 10 Top Ten singles, billions of streams, two number one albums, four number one songs on top 40 radio and nearly 40 million followers across social media. The Grammy-nominated superstar attracts a

diverse, passionate and socially-engaged global audience who believe in the messages behind her music while critics also have unanimously sung her praises. Kesha’s ventures outside of music include a top-rated TV program, an award-winning film, a book, a cruise and a cosmetics line, all of which spotlight an artist whose passion, talent and charm has earned her legions of fans. Additionally, Kesha has been a staunch advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and animal welfare through various organizations since the start of her career.

Beachwood Volunteer Fire 1st Annual Ma ress Fundraiser

BEACHWOOD – If you are looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time. The Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department is excited to announce it will be hosting the 1st annual one-day Mattress Fundraiser on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 745 Beachwood Boulevard, Beachwood. For one day only, the Fire Department will be transformed into a mattress showroom. For information about the sale, go to: fb.me/e/1R92Nucft. There will be 30 different mattress styles on display in all sizes for customers to try, priced below retail. Adjustable power bases, premium pillows, bed frames, and mattress protectors will be available as well. The brands including

BeautyRest, Maloof, and Therapedic come with full factory warranties and are made to order. Mattresses are available two to three weeks after the fundraiser. Delivery is available - and best of all, the fire department benefits from every purchase.

The company, Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS) first introduced The Mattress Fundraiser to the Cleveland, Ohio market in 2005. The company now has nearly 80 locations and works with more than 3,000 schools nationwide. The unique business model helps schools raise thousands of dollars in just one day, and to date, the company has given back over $60 million.

AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE

Call 811 To Avoid Risking Disruption Of Critical Services

WALL – April is National Safe Digging Month and recognized as the start of “dig season.” With the warmer weather approaching, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) encourages residents to drop that shovel and call 811 before beginning any project that requires digging.

A recent national survey* from the Common Ground Alliance indicates over 50% of homeowners in the U.S. plan to complete an outdoor, do-it-yourself project over the next 12 months, while 26.9 million Americans will put themselves and their communities at risk by not calling 811 before starting a digging project. NJNG reminds residents it is the law in New Jersey to call 811 for a free markout of underground utility lines for all residential and commercial excavation jobs — from planting a shrub to large construction projects. It could be the difference between your safety and potentially a costly and dangerous incident.

According to the Common Ground Alliance, one of the top reasons homeowners do not call for a markout of underground utilities is they are unfamiliar with the 811-notification process, especially when it comes to shallow digging projects. Even small projects like planting a garden or installing a mailbox or fence post require a call to 811 since many utilities are buried just a few inches below ground.

“When residents don’t contact 811 at least three business days before digging, they put themselves and their neighbors at serious risk of injury and utility service interruptions,” said John Wyckoff, vice president of Energy Delivery, New Jersey Natural Gas. “We encourage residents to be our partners in safety and emphasize the importance of contacting 811 for anyone who plans to dig, so they can safely avoid hitting buried lines.”

Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utility lines can result in serious injury or death, inconvenient service disruptions, and costly fi nes and repairs. Hitting underground

natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines while digging can have a major impact on communities and businesses. So, whoever plans on digging — a homeowner, contractor or excavator — should call 811 for a free markout of underground utility lines to help maintain essential utility service for their communities and the safety of themselves and their neighbors by reducing the likelihood of accidentally digging into buried utility lines.

As part of National Safe Digging Month, NJNG encourages everyone to take the following steps when planning a digging project this spring:

● Always call 811 at least three business days and not more than 10 business days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.

● Plan ahead. Make a free 811 request on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.

● Confi rm all lines have been marked. Yellow indicates the presence of underground natural gas lines. (Expect a positive response from utilities in your area.)

● Hand dig and locate the facility and consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.

● If a contractor has been hired, confi rm that the contractor has contacted 811. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.

● Visit 811beforeyoudig.com for complete information.

Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to New Jersey One Call, which takes the caller’s information and communicates it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags or both. Once a site has been accurately marked, hand dig within two feet of the outer area of the marked underground utility lines.

Authors Wanted For Book Show

TOMS RIVER - Authors are wanted for the Toms River Book Show, where they will be able to meet future fans and sell their books. It will take place from 6-9 p.m. on June 7 in the Toms River Artist Community gallery located at 40 Main Street (Route 9) in downtown Toms River. The show takes place during one of the very well attended Downtown Night Out events. A section of Washington Street from Main Street to Hooper Avenue is closed to

vehicles. People eat outside, enjoying live music and ambiance.

Interested authors will pay $50 for the space. The event is a fundraiser for the Toms River Education Foundation which helps provide extracurricular activities to enrich local children.

More information, including a vendor application, is available at tredfoundation. org/events and facebook.com/TomsRiverBookShow

If You Are A Victim Of An Accident Or Other Incident Then Remember That Social Media Is Not Your Friend

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

be seen as an attempt to destroy evidence.

What Not to Do on Social Media

After a Car Accident

Sharing information about your case on social media makes it public. You instantly give up any confidentiality protections. The defense can subpoena it and use it against you. It’s best to post nothing.

For this reason, keep in mind the following:

• Don’t reply to questions from your friends or family asking about how you’re feeling.

• Don’t post photos of yourself exercising or doing anything physical.

• Don’t post any medical information or anything from your attorney.

• Don’t post “check-ins.”

• Don’t accept “friend” or “follow” requests from people you don’t know.

• Don’t bad-mouth the insurance company.

• Don’t defend your actions during the accident.

• Don’t send texts or private messages.

• Don’t lie, especially about when events occurred. Everything online is time-stamped and can be used against you.

Beware of prying eyes. Your social media accounts are full of tidbits — even your most innocent posts, photos, or those you are tagged in — can be woven together and used against you. Even posts made by your family and friends are fair game for an aggressive adjuster. Even if all your social media accounts are protected with the strictest privacy controls, sometimes harmful information finds its way into the hands of the adjuster. It’s used as evidence to reduce their financial exposure or, worse yet, to prevent you from receiving any compensation at all. Adjusters look for the weakest link. If they sense you lack self-control, they may try to friend you on Facebook or follow you on Instagram. They also may try to buddy up to your friends to get insider information about you and the accident. Even your posts on dating sites can be mined and used against you.

What to Do on Social Media

After a Car Accident

Contact R.C. Shea & Associates If You Have Been Injured

Avoid doing anything on social media that could hurt your claim. You only have one opportunity to get this right, so you should leave nothing to chance. Tell your friends to refrain from posting anything about you or tagging you in photos on social media — past, present, or future.

If you see the need to delete anything from your accounts, ask your attorney first. It could

If you’re the victim of an accident then choosing the right personal injury lawyer is the most important decision you will make. At R.C. Shea & Associates, a firm with over 35 year of experience, a Certified Civil Trial Layer will handle your case. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by scheduling a free consultation. Contact us now to get started 732-505-1212.

AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE

Ocean County K9 Dies A er Cancer Ba le

By Alyssa Riccardi

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of their K9 officer Owen, who passed away at the age of 9.

Owen passed away with his handler, Investigator Ronald Braen, by his side after a brief battle with lymphoma, the Sheriff’s Office announced. He served the residents of Ocean County for seven years.

K9 Owen joined the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in February of 2017 and was trained in explosives detection.

The duo served as a part of the New Jersey State Detect and Render Safe Task Force, being deployed to explosive threats and pre-event sweeps throughout Ocean County and New Jersey.

“As much as K9 Owen was driven to work, one of his favorite parts of the job was attending community events. Inv. Braen and K9 Owen were often found at community demonstrations throughout Ocean County,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Inv. Braen and his family during this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office added.

League Of Women Voters Doubles Young Voter Registrations

NEW JERSEY – High School Voter Registration Week 2024 is April 14 to 20, and the League of Women Voters (LWV) hopes to expand on its 2023 successful young voter registration numbers. According to the New Jersey Department of State, the number of 17- and 18-year-old voter registrations nearly doubled, thanks in large part to the efforts of Energizing Young Voters (EYV) and the League of Women Voters. In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Education, the Governor’s Youth Forum, and the New Jersey Center for Civic Education, 5,600 17 – and 18-year-olds were registered during NJ High School Voter Registration Week 2023.

EYV, an initiative of the League of Women Voters, offers a suite of programs from the nonpartisan LWV and its partners and is designed to create a new generation of lifelong, active voters.

“With 2024 being a presidential election year, we want to empower young voters to make their voices heard,” explains Patricia L. Supplee, Ed.D., Director of EYV. “Our

program seeks to educate young voters about voting and about how to use our democratic processes to advocate on issues about which they are passionate.”

Supplee and colleagues designed and developed the national award-winning EYV program as an initiative that envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. The programs have already been delivered to over 7,500 students and 1,500 adults in more than 75 schools and community groups in New Jersey. Supplee is a Fulbright Specialist and English Language Specialist and served as a consultant for the Department of State in conjunction with Georgetown University. She is a retired educator who has taught nationally and internationally at preschool, elementary, secondary and the university level.

Visit energizingyoungvoters.com for more information about this dynamic program or to request a guest speaker for your middle school, high school, college class, or community group.

Li le Carly Foundation 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk

BAYVILLE – The Little Carly Foundation presents their 4 th Annual 5K Run/ Walk on April 27 at Veterans Park, Bayville (rain or shine).

Registration begins at 10 a.m.; Start time

is 11 a.m. Admission is $30 per person; $100 for sponsors. Register before April 1 for a free t-shirt. 1st , 2 nd , and 3rd place prizes.

Register on ticketbud.com.

Photo courtesy Ocean County Sheriff’s Office

Ocean County Tax Rate Drops Slightly With Adopted Budget

By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY –

County officials adopted a budget that features a two cent decrease in the county’s property tax rate.

The county spending plan was adopted during the latest meeting of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and it maintains a variety of resident programs and services.

Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea explained that “the budget is a financial blueprint for 2024. This allows us to continue to serve our residents, to make certain the most vulnerable are protected, to provide motorists with safe travel and make certain educational opportunities are affordable and so much more.”

Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly said the budget “allows us to fund the programs and services the residents of Ocean County have come to rely upon.” He and Deputy Director of the Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn serve as chairs of the Ocean County Finance Department.

Quinn said, “under this budget, the County property tax rate will be reduced by two cents to 28.2 cents per $100 of equalized property value. The tax rate is the lowest it has been in 13 years, and this is the eighth consecutive year that the county property tax rate has decreased.”

“In addition, because we are fiscally conservative, we have reduced the County property

tax rate by two cents, remained within the two percent cap and kept our AAA bond rating,” Kelly added.

Kelly noted the County’s 2024 ratable base is the highest it has ever been at $161.6 billion.

“From 2008 on, we watched the county’s ratable base drop dramatically only to be harmed further in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012,” Kelly added.

Kelly stressed, “the Board has always continued its commitment to lowering the county property tax rate once we began to see a turnaround in the ratable base and it began to increase again.”

This year’s budget, which is up $12.6 million, includes $455,897,751 to be raised by taxation and is supported by $37.5 million from surplus.

“Based on this budget we have remained true to the pledge we made to our taxpayers,” Kelly said noting the budget allows the Board to maintain its AAA bond rating.

“This enhances our long-term economic goals,” Kelly added noting that all the Board’s annual budgets meet the state mandated two percent cap.

“This budget continues our conservative and disciplined approach to spending,” Kelly said. The budget includes funding for all essential county services including programs for seniors – home delivered meals and outreach – veterans and human services - $9.2 million, funding for Ocean County College, $18 mil-

lion and Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools, $23 million, road improvements that provide safety upgrades for drivers and pedestrians, $48 million, social services programs, $19.2 million, parks and recreation, $9.3 million, transportation programs including Ocean Ride, $4.2 million and law and public safety at $85.9 million.

Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, who serves as liaison to Ocean County College and the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools said the County appropriations for the college and vo-tech help make educational opportunities affordable and convenient for residents.

“A good education is the cornerstone for a bright future. The college and the vo-tech provide a solid foundation for the future of many of our residents whether they are traditional students or adults who have returned to school to further their careers or receive new training,” Haines added.

There are 30 capital projects included in the spending plan. Kelly said those projects were at a cost of $87,181,956 and “includes numerous traffic improvements throughout the county, traffic signal upgrades, and funds to develop the new regional park in Manchester Township just to name a few.” Kelly said, “these are the brick-and-mortar projects we bond for because we anticipate them to be used far into the future.”

In an effort to reduce the need to increase the County’s bonding, the Board is appropriating $44.5 million under its pay-as- you-grow capital improvement funds. Those funds will be used for library upgrades, park improvements, other county facility upgrades and county road projects.

“This allows us to pay for capital projects with cash rather than borrow for them keeping the County debt low,” Quinn noted.

“Should there be any kind of emergency in the County, this appropriation can also be moved quickly to cover other expenses. It was this ability following Superstorm Sandy that helped in our efforts to move along the cleanup and put the County back together,” he added.

Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi commended the work of the County staff in conjunction with the Board of Commissioners.

“When we can reduce the property tax rate by two cents and continue to provide funding for services that truly help our citizens, keep our roads maintained, keep our residents out of harms’ way, and protect the environment, then we have kept our commitment to the taxpayers of this County – keeping the County affordable and a good place to live,” Sadeghi added.

The $565,044,510 spending package was the focus of a public hearing during the Board’s April 3 public meeting. The Board unanimously adopted the budget after that hearing.

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE 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)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

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, bric-a-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-849-6068 (new number). (t/n)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, musical instruments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (44)

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

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

909-938-4623. (10)

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)

I

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

Seeking Responsible Individual With Good Phone Skills - Experience In Hvac & Permits A Plus. Filing/Answering Phones/ Scheduling/Permits/Ordering Parts/ Customer Service. Great Work Environment. $15/Hour 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Paid Holidays. Call Care Temp Heating & AC at 732-349-1448 Or Fax Resume

Community. CDL w/ Passenger endorsement required. Call SilverWoods Clubhouse for more information at 732-341-4825. (t/n)

Nor’easter Painting and Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-6910123. Lic #13VH09460600. (t/n)

Garden State Property Maintenance - All yard work. Tree-trimming and removal, stump grinding, pavers, decks, flower beds, weeding. 609-661-5470. (t/n)

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

Housecleaning - Painting, shopping, laundry, window cleaning, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Also offering typing services. Very good prices. 732-330-4189, 848-287-3944. (t/n)

1.

R.C. Shea and Associates is seeking to hire a paralegal with civil/commercial litigation experience as well as an administrative assistant. Pay and benefits commensurate with experience. Please call Pam Williams, office manager at (732) 505-1212 or email at pwilliams@rcshea.com (t/n)

908-278-1322. (52)

Learn To Play The - Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or drums, from a NJ State Certified Teacher of Instrumental Music, in your home! Call 732-3504427 for more information. (21)

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

Roofing - Covering the Jersey Shore since 1984.

DIRECTV Sports Pack - 3

Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-877-557-1213 (t/n)

THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. Call Charlie 732-2163176 or Email: cr@exit109.com. References. Let's Go! (t/n)

A1 HANDYMAN SERVICESOver 30 years experience in all phases of home improvements. Free estimates and referrals. Call John 267475-7962 or 732-477-0379. (17)

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, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 848-224-0516. email woolnoughkris@gmail.com. (t/n)

Since 1979, Kitchen Magic, a family-owned business offering cabinet refacing, new cabinetry, and luxury countertop throughout the Northeast. We transform kitchens in less time, with less stress, at an amazing value. Call today for a free estimate 1-844-367-2477. (t/n)

LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed Branches Trimmed & Removed, Demolition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster service provided by A901 Licensed Hauler ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000.

NO JOB TOO SMALL! (20)

Painting - Special Fall Pricing. Interior/Exterior. Meticulous work. All materials and jobs guaranteed. Fully licensed and insured. $ave. Call 732-850-5060. (47)

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)

MONDAY, APRIL 15TH, TUESDAY, APRIL 16TH & WENESDAY, APRIL 17TH 10:00AM - 5:00PM

GOLD IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH! $2,150 PER OZ!

MON., APRIL 15TH, TUES., APRIL 16TH & WED., APRIL 17TH 10AM-5PM

The Jersey Shore continues to be quite picturesque, especially in those obscure places. Recently, 13-year-old Lila Vasconcelos of Bayville took this awesome shot at Bayview. Have a pic of the Jersey Shore you would like to share with us and our readers? Email it to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

OCEAN GATE – Kickball With Cops is back! The tentative start date is May 8 at 5 p.m., located at the softball field (East Arverne and Stone Harbor Avenue).

Apply at the Township’s Recreation Building, 630 Atlantic City Boulevard, Bayville. Swim test will be held at an indoor pool in May. Sign up soon! Starting salary is $20 per hour.

Open to ages 5 to 14. Those interested in participating should contact Patrolman Vinnie Pelino at vpelino@ oceangatepd.org.

MANAHAWKIN – The Southern Ocean Chamber presents its next Innovate and Caffeinate breakfast with an interactive program, updates, and networking on April 24 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the private ballroom of The Mainland Route 72, Manahawkin. The popular chamber event will be geared to managers, owners, and operators with “Thinking Creatively, Innovatively & Entrepreneurially.” Whether launching a new business in 2024 or refi ning current business strategies, Suasion Communications Group President, Dr. Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, is set to inspire all in this workshop. The presentation focuses on two crucial success factors: a creative mindset and smart risk-taking. Attendees will dive into essentials like the creative process, linking creativity to innovation, diverse thinking, and entrepreneurialism. Network with fellow coastal businesses to evaluate opportunities, defi ne creative growth, and master the art of generating and maintaining fresh ideas.

Susan was recently honored with a Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Award and she was named to Philadelphia Style Magazine’s 2021 Power Players and 2020 Dynamic Women of Greater Philadelphia. She has also received the FOLIO: Top Women in Media Award, recognizing the women trailblazers, leaders, advocates and mentors of the industry; Philadelphia Business Journal’s South Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Stockton University’s School of Graduate Studies Professional

Innovate & Ca einate Breakfast

Achievement Award. In addition to her professional career as an entrepreneur, Susan also serves as a Stockton University School of Business Adjunct Instructor, where she inspires young minds with insightful, real-world lessons. Additionally, Susan shares her business knowledge at well-received seminars and workshops that take place

regularly at schools, universities, industry associations and business organizations.

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and their charitable affiliate, SOCA, continue the 110 year legacy of providing small businesses with the essential skills and trusted resources needed to thrive in our area. This event is open to all profes-

sionals and includes program, networking, chamber updates and full breakfast buffet. The cost is $35 per person and RSVP is available by contacting Kate at sochamber. com or call 609-494-7211. Stay in touch with the chamber through their weekly radio broadcast/podcast, social media platforms and digital publications.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): If single, searching for love may change the way you see the world. Take time away from the search to discover new pals or reconnect with existing friends. Changing your focus should make a change in your energy.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

Manifesting your best life involves more than simply wishing and visualization. Work with the Universe by taking concrete action in the world to move your desires forward toward actualization.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) : Challenging times may cause people to get creative with credit when finances are tight. However, an increased debt load comes with higher payments. Shift your focus to reducing debt for future financial stability.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) : It’s helpful to have an abundance of information. Your knowledge could prepare you for unexpected circumstances and allow you to help others. Become well-versed to confidently handle whatever situation may arise.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t leave your budget up to chance; take inventory of any unknowns related to your finances. Shift your attention to your current situation and work with the facts you have to create a grounded plan.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Release your desire to fit in while getting clear on your interests. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and allow your authentic self to magnetize people and opportunities to you. What is meant for you, will find you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A lack of leadership could lead to imbalance; everyone could be focused on their own projects without any thoughts about the big picture. You might have the ability to steer everyone towards cohesion.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s natural for your priorities and interests to change as you evolve. Change means growth and new possibilities. Decide on your focus and start working to make your new dream happen.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) : Make good lifestyle choices daily to improve your health. Maintain your focus; remember life is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t lose sight of your goals during moments of boredom or frustration.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) : Certain things in life might lead to confusing and unexpected interactions. People could react in similar or different ways. You can’t assume someone will be a perfect fit because they could thrive in a different environment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Unusual schedules and distractions may have distanced you from your tribe. Prioritize nurturing these relationships, become the friend your friends deserve. Simply showing up can be a great way to show you care.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) : Not everyone is willing to take responsibility, but some may be eager to share their thoughts. Have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when others may not be able to do the same.

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