2024-11-02 - The Brick Times

How The Jersey Shore Prepares For Hurricane Season

By Alyssa Riccardi NEW JERSEY – Twelve

years ago, on October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy ravaged through New Jersey. It was the worst in the state’s history to make direct landfall to the shoreline.

Fast forward to the year 2024. Hurricanes have wreaked havoc throughout the southern parts of the country.

As New Jersey marks Hurricane Preparedness Month and the peak of hurricane season, it’s important to be prepared as the risks from these storms have increased as a result of climate change, officials said. So, what have we learned from Superstorm Sandy? And is our community prepared to take on another massive storm?

Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, who is also the County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator, reflected on the devastating time.

“I was Chief of Police in Toms River when Superstorm Sandy hit, and we certainly learned a lot of lessons from that,” Mastronardy said. “We didn’t

Bay areas got hit hard, as shown in this photo near the Mantoloking Bridge in 2012

expect it to hit the mainland the way it did – that wasn’t in the game plan. I don’t think we were prepared for that as far as evacuations, etc.”

Since Superstorm Sandy, Ocean County has made contingency plans. A major initiative has been the ongoing efforts to replenish our beaches, which has helped on the oceanside of the county. However, it does not help the bayside if water begins to rise.

“While we took precautions on the oceanside to prevent some of the flooding coming through, the back bays were coming up. Unfortunately, you can’t build a barrier along every inch of lagoon that we have on the

bayside,” Mastronardy said. Mastronardy explained how elevating homes in certain parts of the county will have less of an impact on any future storms than it did during Sandy.

“If you look over at the bayside of the barrier island, the majority of the homes all have been either torn down, elevated, etc., so that at different flood levels you won’t get the sustainable damage, which also means you won’t get the trash that we had to get rid of. That’s a good thing,” Mastronardy said. “So, mitigating the elevation has changed the dynamics of the impact of a (Hurricane - See Page 4)

County Plans Warming Centers For Homeless

By Stephanie Faughnan

OCEAN COUNTY - Even before the first frost blanketed Ocean County days ago, officials had already taken steps to ensure the well-being of the county’s unhoused population during frigid temperatures. The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently passed a comprehensive Code Blue plan for the 2024-2025 season, which includes approval of multiple warming centers

throughout the county.

A significant addition to this year’s plan is the inclusion of a county-owned facility at 1959 Route 9 in Toms River, commonly known as the “Pic Building” at the Ocean County Career Center. This facility will provide a number of beds for adults experiencing homelessness when temperatures drop below freezing between November 1 and March 31.

“Our focus of all the discussions involved

in creating the Code Blue Plan was assuring that we will have enough beds to take care of Ocean County’s homeless during this winter’s Code Blue season,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea. “As part of this approved plan, there are five sites included that will host a total of 165 beds.”

(Warming Centers - See Page 5)

November 2,

Local Civic Group Lauded

By Judy Smestad-Nunn

BRICK - The Friends of the Brick Library were honored during a recent Township Council meeting when Mayor Lisa Crate presented five of their members with a Proclamation declaring October 20-26 as National Friends of Libraries Week in the Township of Brick.

The group is made up of volunteers that support the library as a vital community resource through advocacy, fundraising, programs, donations and volunteerism, with a mission statement “Connecting People, Building Community, Transforming Lives.”

Some of their past fundraising activities include book sales, bus trips, bake sales and more.

“The Friends of the Brick branch of the Ocean County Library enables our library to move from good to great by providing resources for additional programming, equipment, support for children’s summer reading and special events throughout the year,” said the mayor, who is a former librarian.

The work of the Friends of the Library highlights the fact that the Brick Library is the cornerstone or hub of the communi-

ty, providing opportunities for the joy of lifelong learning, and connecting with thoughts and ideas of others of all ages, she said.

The Friends of the Library understand the critical importance of well-funded libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all ages, including access to print and electronic materials along with expert assistance in research, reader’s advisory, and children’s services, the mayor said.

“The Friends’ gift of their time and commitment to the library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community,” Mayor Crate said before presenting the group with the proclamation.

Friends President Elaine Salto thanked the mayor for the Proclamation. She also thanked the other volunteers and all the patrons who come to the library for their success.

Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero said the community does not take enough advantage of the library’s

GroupSee Page 4)

Photo courtesy TR Police Cpl Chris Raia

superstorm such as Sandy.”

Superstorm Sandy forced not only Ocean and Monmouth counties, but the entire state to review and change storm plans.

“From an OEM standpoint, our rescue operations have totally changed. We’ve got new equipment. We’ve got better plans to get people out of harm’s way if in fact flooding does take place,” Mastronardy said. “Before a storm, we used to do fly overs, and now we have a lot of drone equipment. A lot of resources with drones that could actually evaluate before and after, and we routinely do that with any storm.”

In 2022, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office introduced a state-of-the-art vehicle for water-based rescues. The ATV known as “SHERP” can plow through ice, mud

and marshes, and will be used perform life-saving rescues. The Sheriff’s Office also now use jet-skis to navigate tight areas and small waterways.

“I think we learn something every time we have a shelter in place. Hopefully there would be less people being displaced because of the mitigation impact we did with raising the homes and the codes. But as always, whatever the cause, we do have shelters,” Mastronardy said.

The county has also purchased some repetitive loss properties, to keep as open space, in places such as Good Luck Point in Berkeley, that were at risk of constant flooding. Doing this has two benefits. It creates a natural barrier to slow tides. It also keeps people out of living in places that are dangerous.

In Monmouth County, many coastal towns suffered from extreme flooding. The storm left a path of destruction, with debris scattered everywhere.

“Hurricane preparedness is about plan -

blown away! ” she said.

resources.

“For example, I recently learned by going online that I could sign up for my library card electronically, and they would have it printed for me when I went to the library…

Councilwoman Melissa Travers said the library had become a place over the summer for her children, ages 9 and 7, to enjoy many of the activities, including scavenger hunts.

“It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for something to do,” she said.

Councilman Derrick T. Ambrosino said

ning ahead - not just for a storm, but for the days and weeks that follow. The best time to prepare is before warnings are issued, since readiness today means resilience tomorrow,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, who oversees the OEM. “The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, specifically the Office of Emergency Management, works year-round and collaborates with various agencies to ensure that Monmouth County is prepared when it comes to safeguarding our communities and residents, should a major weather event strike.”

Monmouth County has established a Hurricane Emergency Plan which is reviewed and updated annually, focusing on roles, responsibilities, and communication between agencies. Since Sandy, Monmouth County OEM has implemented “Know your Zone” to educate residents, visitors and businesses about coastal evacuation zones.

“I’ll tell you where we weren’t and that is

he and his family are huge patrons of Brick Library and other libraries in Ocean County.

For more information on joining the Friends, visit the Ocean County Library site and fill out an online form.

The Friends of the Brick Library meet at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in September, October and November.

in our new Operation Center. We wish we had it during Superstorm Sandy,” Golden said. “We went through hours, days, and weeks in our old Emergency Operations Center. We have certainly come a long way with regard to the upgrades of technology and operational planning.”

About 2,300 who were displaced due to Sandy were sheltered at Monmouth University. Out of those people, the majority were seniors. STORM (Seniors Taking On Readiness Measures) was created to equip this vulnerable community with preparedness information, a family disaster plan, and an emergency kit.

After 12 years, Ocean and Monmouth OEM have worked hard and are prepared if another “Superstorm Sandy” were to make its way through the community.

“We are light years ahead of where we were when we got hit by Sandy – with a lot of help from the County Commissioners and the public,” Mastronardy said. “We’re prepared as we can be.”

The December meeting and luncheon begins at 11. There are no meetings in January and February. Meetings resume in March, April and May at 10 a.m. The June meeting and luncheon begins at 11. There are no meetings in July and August.

The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m.

Warming Centers:

Continued From Page 1

Ocean County has partnered with Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) to manage its Code Blue warming center in the government-owned building. CSPNJ brings experience in providing services to the homeless population, including their operation of the Hudson County Warming Center in Kearny. Their role in Ocean County’s Code Blue program includes offering essential services such as food, clothing, transportation, case management, and referrals for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“Families will receive assistance during Code Blue through motel placements as part of the plan,” shared Donna Flynn, Ocean County Public Information Director. “The county facility is scheduled to allocate space to families after the new year.”

Apart from service animals, pets are not accepted at the county Code Blue sites.

Flynn said the county is also aware of two agencies working to achieve site control and satisfy all requirements to be considered family warming centers. The county’s approval of warming centers requires an amendment to its Code Blue plan. The next amendment is expected in December.

“For a site to be considered for the County Code Blue plan, they must first meet all the criteria set forth in the plan, which includes evidence of site control, training, and agreement to the terms of the plan

(code of conduct, etc.),” Flynn explained. “From there the site will be assessed by our Logistics Coordinator for consideration and possible inclusion in the plan if our code blue budget allows.”

In addition to the county-owned facility operated by CSPNJ, the county has approved four other locations. True Vine Community Services will operate two warming centers: one on Route 9 in Bayville and another on Chestnut Street in Toms River. St. John’s AME Zion Church, Warm Hearts, and Greater Bethel Church will also offer Code Blue shelter on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Lakewood.

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Office of Emergency Management, has dedicated nearly $400,000 to support the county’s Code Blue program this season. This budget includes $225,000 from the county commissioners, $130,000 from the New Jersey Division of Family Development, and $35,815 from Ocean County’s Homelessness Trust Fund.

“I am appreciative of the support of this Board and the hard work of everyone who has had a significant role in bringing us here today,” Crea said. “I want to thank Tracy Maksel, Director of Human Services, and her staff for their diligence and eye for detail in developing this Code Blue plan.”

Crea also expressed the Board’s gratitude to the Ending Homelessness Group for their dedicated efforts as the county’s Code Blue Logistics Coordinator over the

past several years.

In a separate development, South Toms River authorities have partnered with Just Believe to open a family-friendly Code Blue warming center at the Recreation Center on 1 Drake Lane. The South Toms River Recreation Commission has assured residents that the Code Blue shelter agreement has been designed to minimize disruption to regular activities at the Recreation Center and the surrounding community.

Homelessness By The Numbers

Recent data highlights the urgency of efforts to provide Code Blue warming centers. To better understand the scope of homelessness in New Jersey, the state conducts an annual survey called the NJCounts Point-in-Time (PIT) count each January. Led by Monarch Housing Associates, the count provides a snapshot of the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night.

However, experts have said the PIT survey likely undercounts New Jersey’s homeless population, as it captures only those who meet the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of homelessness. This definition excludes people who may be at risk of becoming homeless, precariously housed, or considered homeless under other federal laws.

This report did not count individuals doubled up with other households, living in overcrowded or illegal housing units, being discharged from facilities without a resi-

dence, facing eviction, or staying in motels at their own expense. Those who park and sleep in their cars overnight are not generally considered in the PIT counts unless they have sought services.

According to the latest Point-in-Time (PIT) survey, which took place on January 23, 2024, there were 556 people experiencing homelessness in Ocean County. This marked a 28 percent increase in homelessness over the previous year. This latest PIT report shows Toms River as having the highest number of homeless individuals in Ocean County, with 169 people, accounting for nearly 48 percent of the county’s homeless population.

Underreporting of homelessness in Ocean County appeared to be particularly evident in areas like Barnegat, Lacey, and Waretown, where only four people were counted. Anecdotal reports suggest the incidence of homelessness is higher than documented in those communities.

While the numbers tell their own story, Crea stressed the partnerships that came together to make the Code Blue plan a reality. She said that while the state regulates the program, the Board of Commissioners, the Human Services Department, and the Office of Emergency Management benefited from collaborating with a host of dedicated providers and volunteers with the same goal. “Working together is how we make a difference for our residents,” Crea said. “This program provides more than just warming centers. It provides help and hope to our most vulnerable residents.”

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

EDITORIAL

States To Watch In November – Part 6

In this final installment of this exhaustive look at the exhausting 2024 election, we’re going to focus on some so-called “swing states” as well as some minor elections that might normally be lost in the confusion.

I think it’s funny that a lot of states are being called “battleground” or “swing” states because they normally vote Democrat but voted for Trump in 2016. Trump’s popularity - and Clinton’s unpopularitywere anomalies. I think the political surface has evened out since then and the states are closer to their predictable ways. It’s also important to remember that 2016 had several strong 3rd party candidates: Libertarian Gary Johnson, Green

Jill Stein and independent Bernie Sanders. Those three muddied the waters and acted as spoilers.

Before we get to our one true swing state, let’s take some quick looks at a few states that have interesting things happening in them but not so interesting that they warrant a full entry.

Maryland - Democrat Ben Cardin is not running for re-election for the Senate and it’s surprisingly competitive. Republicans think they have a chance at flipping the seat but the state has a solid history of voting for Democrats so it’s not likely.

Nebraska - Nebraska awards one Electoral College vote each to its two congressional districts, and the 2nd District has split

from the rest of the reliably conservative state. Donald Trump won the district in 2016, but lost it to Joe Biden in 2020. The district is leaning in polls toward Kamala Harris this year. Basically, a lot of people will be talking about this 1 vote on election night. Whatever.

Texas - When researching, I noticed that a lot of websites had Texas as “leans Republican” or something of that nature, instead of the deep red that we actually know it to be. This is because in 2018, Senator Ted Cruz beat Democrat Beto O’Rourke only 4,260,553 to 4,045,632. The closeness of this election led people to speculate that Texas is almost a swing state. But 2018 had the Blue Wave. Also, O’Rourke was an

extremely popular candidate facing off against an extremely unpopular Cruz. Cruz is up for re-election again this year, up against a fairly popular Colin Allred, but Cruz will probably be carried by Trump voters to victory.

Virginia - People are calling Virginia a battleground state but I don’t see it. The state has voted for Democrats for president - even when that Democrat was Hillary Clinton - for the last four cycles. Clinton’s VP pick, Tim Kaine, is up for re-election to the senate this year and is predicted to have a huge win over the Republicans’ relatively unknown candidate, Hung Cao. My prediction is that on election night a lot of people on your TV are going to be talking about Virginia for no good reason.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

North Carolina

Unlike other states, North Carolina is actually a swing state in every sense of the world. In 2020, they voted in a Democrat for governor, a Republican for lieutenant governor, and Trump for president. North Carolina was the only state in which Trump won with less than 50% of the vote. He beat Biden by just 74,483 votes.

The Democrat governor won re-election by a much larger margin of 248,185 votes. Crazy. And speaking of crazy, the gubernatorial election is looking pretty insane and might have some repercussions.

North Carolinians actually elect their governor and lieutenant governor in separate spots on the ballot. This is why the governor is a Democrat and the lieutenant

is a Republican. The winner of the lieutenant governor election in 2020 was Mark Robinson, and he’s running for governor this year. I’m not going to get into some of the statements that have been attributed to him, but if you want to Google it, go right ahead. The point is, it’s looking bad for him. The Democrat he’s up against is the attorney general, who has popularity and a fraction of the scandal. North Carolina’s two senators are Republicans. Neither are up for re-election. So, the state is trending Republican, but it’ll be late into the night before any news programs call this state and its 16 Electoral Votes.

Chris Lundy Editor

The celebration of Brick Medical Center’s 40 th anniversary has a special and personal meaning for me. On October 27, 2023 I suffered a life-threatening aortic rupture. All the symptoms were indicative of a heart attack, or other cardiac issues. Paramedics transported me, unconscious, to Brick Hospital’s

ER. Dr. Muhammed Raza diagnosed my condition as an aortic “rupture.” He called for rapid deployment, Hackensack Meridian’s emergency transport helicopter. Still unconscious, I was flown to University of Pennsylvania-Philadelphia. The medical flight crew attempted to stabilize me as I was experiencing a life-threatening situation. The helicopter crew ensured that I was handed off

The Brick Times welcomes all points of view for publication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express themselves 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 verification. Letters may not be printed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submitted, 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@jerseyshoreonline.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 necessarily 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.

to University of Pennsylvania medical personnel. On October 28, 2023, I underwent a 7-hour operation at the hands of Dr. Kendall Lawrence. The ascending aorta had “ruptured,” entailing an aortic dissection. I was in a medically induced coma for 5 days, and then 2 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit. After my release, I spent 2 weeks at Encompass Rehabilitative Facility.

I was able to be home for Thanksgiving Day. Survival rates for such as I experienced are miniscule. Were it not for the care of the first responders – getting me to Brick ER, the diagnosis by Dr. Raza and his medical team, led by Dr. Lawrence at U Penn, the nursing care for 2 weeks, and then the rehabilitative therapy at Encompass…were it not for them, I would not be here today.

The help of neighbors, friends, and family – their assistance, their prayers, and the grace of God pulled

me through. Hackensack Meridian’s helicopter saved my life. Had I not been transported to U Penn as rapidly as I was, I would not have survived.

I thank ALL those that had a hand in my survival. Every one of them played an integral part in keeping me alive.

My deepest appreciation goes out to the teams that kept me on this side of the grass.

Domenick Bizzarro Brick

Stop

Normalizing Trump

Isn’t it about time for media editors, journalists, writers and news readers to cease and desist their normalizing Donald Trump and his thoughts, words and deeds!

These so-called professional journalists virtually kicked Joe Biden out of the presidential race for

age-related impairments, although he remains a well-functioning President. Simultaneously, these media people ignore the fact that Donald Trump is now the oldest person ever to have run for the office of president in the history of the United States of America! Obviously, he will continue to age as he sits in the Oval Office, with no intention of stepping down at the completion of his term of office in 2028. Will America endure a dictator in his 90s?

The media in general have abandoned all semblance of fairness and impartiality... due perhaps to the entertainment value of Trump’s appearances and rants. The moderators of the debate between Trump and Harris tried valiantly to get a straight answer or any answer at all from Trump, even while conscientiously requesting information and specifics of her policies from Harris. Donald Trump has successfully demol -

ished the concept and reality of normalcy. The media has accepted the abnormal in Trump - and he gets passes for all his errors of judgment - yet expects his opponent to deliver cogent and compelling data! But the worst repudiation of journalistic responsibility is pretending that Trump is fully functional mentally. Any other person who thinks, acts and speaks as he does - heavy on the anger and threats of vengeance but incapable of delivering a clear sentence with accurate details - would be tagged as mentally ill.

Well, friends, Donald Trump is mentally ill, incapable of telling the truth, paranoid, spewing hatred, bordering on sadistic personality yet believing himself to be greatest man in human history!

Who votes for an insane person? Those who share his insanity!

Patricia Barr Lakewood

Celebrating Brick Hospital

Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

Bill Would Name New Toms River Veterans Clinic After Local Hero

From The Desk Of Congressman

Chris Smith

TOMS RIVER - Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th), introduced legislation (HR 9997) to name the new veterans clinic in Toms River after World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident, 2nd Lt. Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, Jr.

Smith’s bill, which notes that Lomell is “exceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor,” is already cosponsored by Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

“A decorated war hero and upstanding citizen, Bud Lomell sacrificed so much for our

country and courageously led his platoon during the D-Day invasion of Normandy,” said Smith, who served two terms as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “For his incredible leadership and remarkable bravery, Bud Lomell received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star.”

“It is only fitting that the new modern health care facility in Toms River that will serve so many of our nation’s heroes living in our community be named after one of our very own heroes from Ocean County,” Smith said.

Smith’s legislation has received the strong support of the entire Lomell Family - including Bud’s surviving wife, Charlotte Lomell, who was married to Bud for 63 years.

After citing Lomell’s extraordinary heroism, HR 9997 concludes: “As a decorated

war hero, model citizen, and dedicated husband and father, Lomell is exceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor of having a new and long-awaited Toms River-based Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic named in his honor.”

Lomell, who served as a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II through multiple engagements including the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, was recognized by famed historian Stephen Ambrose as “the single individual - other than Dwight Eisenhower - as most responsible for the Allied successes on D-Day.”

Lomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor and leadership while scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc in a critical and highly difficult mission to disable an installment of German heavy guns. He later earned a Silver Star for his actions to capture and secure Hill 400 in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, during which he led the

Rangers in defending the hilltop against a German counterattack, even after being severely wounded.

After serving our nation overseas, Lomell returned home to Ocean County and became President of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, and a member of the then Dover Township Board of Education. He died of natural causes in 2011 at his Toms River home.

The new Toms River clinic - a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on Hooper Ave - will replace Ocean County’s Brick clinic that Smith secured in 1991 but can no longer accommodate the large veterans population in the area. As part of his push to establish that clinic, Smith had authored three amendments passed by the House of Representatives to bring a Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic, for the first time, to Ocean County.

$17M In American Rescue Plan Funding Goes To Child Care Facilities

From The Desk Of The

Governor

Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy highlighted that his Administration has invested more than $1 billion in expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across New Jersey. The Governor also announced an additional $17 million in funding for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Child Care Facilities Improvement Program. With these new resources, New Jersey is dedicating more than $140 million to improve child care infrastructure, representing one of the largest investments of any state in the country. The announcement was made at a child care center in West Orange that is expanding access to services thanks to funding from the NJEDA.

Building on the Murphy Administration’s comprehensive strategy to support the state’s vital child care sector, the NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program provides grants to eligible child care providers for improvements that contribute to high quality early childhood learning environments. Through the program, which awards grants of up to $200,000, the NJEDA has approved $85 million in grants to over 400 child care centers that collectively enroll over 34,000 children and employ over 8,500 staff. With the inclusion of new funding announced today, the NJEDA now anticipates another 200 centers will receive awards, bringing the total to more than 600 child care centers across all 21 New Jersey counties. Nearly a third of all awards are to centers located in Opportunity Zones.

“Affordable, exceptional child care is a vital part of a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, and the increased funding announced

today will strengthen our state’s economic security and provide equitable opportunities to working parents,” said Governor Phil Murphy.

“Increased access to high-quality child care allows more parents to return to the workforce, bolstering New Jersey’s economic growth and competitiveness. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, who have provided record-high federal funding to expand access to child care, health care, and other critical resources for families in the Garden State.”

“Access to high-quality child care is a critical piece of our Nurture NJ initiative, and the NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program supports the equitable expansion of early childhood environments that will have lifelong impacts on future generations,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Improvements to facilities in our crucially important child care sector move us closer to our goal of becoming the best state in the nation to raise a family and unlock economic opportunities for working parents.”

With the additional $17 million from the

Federal American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund, the NJEDA anticipates being able to approve all eligible child care centers that applied to Phase One of the program, which is no longer accepting new applications. A significant focus of the program is expanding or unlocking capacity within child care centers, especially for infants and toddlers. All construction work is delivered by New Jersey Department of Labor Registered Public Works Contractors and subject to prevailing wage and affirmative action monitoring.

“Reliable and high-quality child care services are critical to the growth and success of New Jersey’s economy; however, too often financially stretched child care providers forgo making necessary investments in facility upgrades,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Child Care Facilities Improvement Program is an essential part of Governor Murphy’s goal to support working families and to build a more inclusive economy.”

Bill To Fund Summer Tuition Aid Grants Becomes Law

From The Desk Of Senator

Robert Singer

TRENTON - Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) that would fund summer tuition aid grants (TAG) was signed into law by Governor Murphy. “As tuition rates continue to

rise, this bill makes a critical investment in financial aid, empowering students to reach their academic goals faster with less debt,” said Sen. Singer. “With the Governor’s signature, the Summer TAG program will help students stay on track, graduate on time, and enter the workforce better prepared. I commend Governor Murphy for signing this bill to support students in their academic pursuits.”

Senator Singer’s bill, S-3602/A-4811, will provide $20 million in funding for the Summer TAG program to accommodate eligible students during the summer 2025 semester.

BTHS Fall Sports Report

BRICK – Brick Township High School fall sports are rolling right along!

The fall athletic teams are a few weeks into the season and the Dragons are battling away! The football team has a record of 1-2. The boys soccer team picked up their first win recently. The team is off to a tough start having faced some very good opponents. The team is looking forward to a successful season. The girls soccer team is 2-2 to start the

courtesy Brick Schools season. The girls are looking to build off of some early season momentum!

The volleyball team has suffered from a slow start, but the team is looking to bounce back in a big way!

The field hockey team is off to a nice start under new Head Coach Lindsay Duncan. The team is 2-1 and is hungry for more! Tennis is getting into the swing of things. The team is 4-3 and they hope to compete in the OCT for the first time in years!

Five New Police Officers Sworn In

BRICK – On October 17, Chief David Forrester and Mayor Lisa Crate had the honor of swearing in five new officers into the Brick Township Police Department: Officers Sarah Talty #351, Joseph Gioia #352, Tyler Connelly #353, Cole Groschel #354, and Kenneth Fortino #355.

Officers Talty #351 and Gioia #352 are

Photo courtesy Brick Township set to embark on their intensive field training in the coming days. Meanwhile, Officers Connelly #353, Groschel #354, and Fortino #355 will kick off their training at the Ocean County Police Academy. They wish all the new officers the best of luck in their respective training programs. They are confident that they will excel in their journey ahead!

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Brick Historical Society Upcoming Meeting

STRABISMUS

Strabismus, more commonly known as crossed eyes, is a condition in which a person has poor eye muscle control. This causes the eyes to look in two different directions at the same time. When the eyes are out of alignment, double vision and limited depth perception may result, and the misaligned eye may develop reduced vision. There are several different classifications of strabismus, all of which can occur in children and adults of all ages. While the condition can be caused by weak eye muscles, the nerves that send information to the eye muscles, or the area of the brain that directs eye movement, may be involved. Strabismus can also occur in people with extreme farsightedness that has gone untreated.

You do not have to live with the discomfort and problems caused by misaligned eyes. With your ophthalmologist’s help, you can find a treatment for your strabismus. Surgery is the most common treatment for adult strabismus. Surgery can improve eye alignment and help restore proper vision. To schedule an exam, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week. Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Untreated strabismus can make the condition worse and may lead to permanent vision problems and amblyopia (lazy eye).

MARLBORO (732) 972-1015

TOMS RIVER (732) 349-5622 BRICK (732) 477-6981

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

P.O. Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733 • Phone: 732-657-7344 • Fax: 732-657-7388 email: news@jerseyshoreonline.com • jerseyshoreonline.com

MANCHESTER TIMES • BERKELEY TIMES • BRICK TIMES JACKSON TIMES • HOWELL TIMES • TOMS RIVER TIMES SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES

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News Editor Chris Lundy

Assistant News Editor Bob Vosseller

Production Manager Allison Gradzki Graphic Artist Adriana Miranda

BRICK – The Brick Township Historical Society will hold a meeting November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Herbertsville Firehouse, 601 Herbertsville Road, Brick. Jeff Schenker will present a program called “George Washington: The Indispensable Man.” Schenker is an adjunct history professor at Ocean County College, and he retired from Toms River South High School where he taught advanced placement

Photo courtesy Brick Township Historical Society classes for 34 years. (Note: This program was re-scheduled from September due to unforeseen circumstances.)

Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Please park in the rear of the firehouse and enter by the door on the right on ground level.

For more information on the society see its website at: bricktownshiphistoricalsociety. com or call l732-785-2500.

Craft Lenape-Inspired Pottery

BRICK– In honor of Native American Heritage Month, learn about New Jersey’s indigenous Lenapes and create crockery in their method at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 11 a.m. on November 19.

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copy & letters to news@jerseyshoreonline.com

WILD Jersey founder Debbie Hadley will discuss the Lenape nation and how its people lived in the region that would later encompass the Garden State. Debbie will illustrate the coil pot technique of pottery crafting, and you’ll have the chance to create and take home a decorative clay pot or bowl of your own design. All supplies will be provided.

Debbie, of Jackson Township, created WILD Jersey to offer outdoor education to people of all ages and has led nature treks for nearly 20 years. The Rutgers Master Gardener and teacher helps schools plan

and plant gardens and wildlife habitats. A former Monmouth County Parks naturalist and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium instructor, she now devotes time and expertise to the New Jersey Tree Foundation. Space is limited, so please register at tinyurl.com/OclWILD to attend this free program sponsored by the Friends of the Brick Library.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through programs, fundraising and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Application forms are available at all 21 Library branches and reading centers and on the OCL website.

For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call 732-477-4513 or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.

C ommunity n ew S

Officer Graduates From D.A.R.E School

BRICK – On October 11, Officer Terence Berkeley graduated from a two-week D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) School.

D.A.R.E is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. Officer Berkeley received the “Jim McGrady” award, which is picked by the staff and is given to an officer who encompasses exactly what a role model and officer should be. He stood out in class and showed his dedication and commitment to teaching students and making a difference. Keep up the positive attitude and continue to be an exemplary role model for our students in Brick Township.

Students Of The Month

BRICK – Congratulations to the Students of the Month. Students are nominated by Brick Township High School staff members for outstanding effort in the classroom and positive contributions to our community. Students will be honored with a certificate, gift, and their names will be displayed on the marquee.

Luis Paz, Grade 9: “So far, Luis is an allstar Algebra I student! He takes great notes, follows along in class, respects his classmates and teachers, and has been a HUGE help to some of his classmates. We have really enjoyed having him in class and are looking forward to a great year!” - Mrs. Christiani.

Liam Shave, Grade 10: “During our fire drill I was very confused about the layout of the field. Liam helped to lead our class to the

35-yard line. In class he always tries his best and acts as an example of an excellent Dragon. He is kind, friendly and outgoing. I could not say more about him and his leadership skills.” - Mrs. Gruber.

Addison Gerhard, Grade 11: “Addison embodies everything you want in a student. Highly motivated and involved in many activities throughout the school. Not only does she have impeccable grades but she is a leader for many of the programs she is involved with. She is Color Guard Captain, Peer Leader and Junior Captain of the Bowling team.” - Mr. Dorman.

Ryan White, Grade 12. “The student’s effort and enthusiasm set an example for his classmates in the Italian 3h class.” - Ms. Cardin.

Hernia Myths Vs. Reality: Causes, Symptoms, And Advanced Treatments

NEW JERSEY – Should hernias be left untreated? Can they heal on their own? Join Hackensack Meridian Health physicians from Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean University Medical Center November 13 from 12 to 1 p.m. for a free webinar as they answer these critical questions and more.

Discover who is at risk, what causes these common yet serious conditions, and how to recognize the signs before they become emergencies. Plus, learn about advanced minimally invasive surgeries that offer faster recovery and better outcomes. To register, visit: events.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/hernia24.

Ocean County Library Announces Veterans Day Closure

TOMS RIVER – All Ocean County Library branches and reading centers will be closed November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Normal hours of operation will resume November 12.

Patrons are welcome to use OCL’s online resources, databases, eMagazines, eBooks, video and audio streams and digital classes at theoceancountylibrary.org.

Photo courtesy Brick Police

STEM Students Tour Recycling Center

BRICK – Mayor Lisa Crate accompanied students from the Brick Township Public Schools STEM Academy on an educational tour of the Ocean County Recycling Center in Lakewood Township on October 17.

The students gained valuable insights

Photo courtesy Brick Township into what materials are recycled, how they are collected and sorted, and where they go after leaving the facility. Mayor Crate will be working with the students and their teachers to develop new strategies for promoting increased recycling in Brick Township this year.

Jersey Shore Animal Center Pocketbook Bingo Fundraiser

BRICK – On behalf of the Jersey Shore Animal Center and the very special fourlegged friends in their care, they thank you for considering them for your donation. They are proud to announce their very first Pocketbook Bingo Fundraiser being held March 9 at the American Legion Post 348, 822 Mantoloking Rd. Brick.

Funds raised will help continue their mission – to rescue, care for, and rehome unwanted, abused, abandoned, and sick animals. They are hoping they can count on your support.

They are seeking donors who would like to contribute to their meaningful cause. If you

would like to donate/sponsor a purse, make a donation, or donate a prize for a gift basket, they are not only collecting donations of designer purses, but also in kind gifts & gift cards. They are currently assembling gift basket prizes and are looking for new designer bags, such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach, Vera Bradley, and the like. The designer pocketbooks will be used as a prize for each of the bingo games. The deadline to donate any item is November 15. The donor form can be found at: jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/10/2025-pocketbook-bingo-solicit-letter-with-forms-1.pdf.

Pens For Patriots

BRICK – Let’s show our gratitude to our brave veterans! Join the Kiwanis Club of Brick and Brandywine - the Gables on November 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to write thank you cards to local veterans.

Together, we can express our deep appreci-

ation for their selfless service to our country. Free cards and refreshments will be provided. Let’s make a difference and brighten their day! Can’t make it? Please feel free to drop your cards off at Brandywine - the Gables anytime through November 9.

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

C ommunity n ew S

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

BRICK – In support of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, School Based Youth Service Program, supported the students of BTHS by arranging for motivational speaker, Erin Pompa, to address all Grade 10 students.

The small group assembly focused on raising awareness about mental health, providing resources for support, and en-

courtesy Brick Schools couraging students to make positive live choices. The motivational speaker emphasized the importance of self-reflection, goal setting, fostering empathy, and creating a supportive community for those struggling. The assembly aimed to equip students with tools to help themselves and others in times of need, promoting mental well-being and resilience.

Level Up Mental Health Summit

BRICK – The Level Up Organization is thrilled to announce its inaugural free event, taking place on November 9 from 3 to 8 p.m. at their Brick New Jersey location, 177 Van Zile Road.

This unique summit aims to raise awareness and support for mental health by showcasing how action sports can help individuals level up in their well-being. With the importance of mental health becoming increasingly recognized, the Level Up Summit seeks to provide a platform for individuals to learn, connect, and support one another in their journeys towards better mental health. The summit will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and demonstrations from professionals in the action sports and medical field.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories of how action sports have positively impacted mental

health, as well as participate in activities that promote mindfulness, self-care, and community building. From skateboarding, In-line Skating, Rollerskating, BMX and Scooters, the Level Up Summit will explore the diverse ways in which action sports can contribute to mental wellness.

“We are excited to bring together individuals who are passionate about mental health and action sports for our first annual Level Up Summit,” said V. John Sabia, founder of the summit. “Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive space where attendees can learn, grow, and ultimately level up in their mental health journey.”

Join on November 9 to support our mission of promoting mental health through action sports and help others level up in their well-being.

For more information about the Level Up Summit and to stay updated on event details, email info@levelupskatepark.com.

Laurelton Art Society Upcoming Program

BRICK – Watercolor Perspective by Rose Sinatra will be held on November 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Laurelton, 1824 NJ-88, Brick. Come and learn how to incorporate people into your watercolor paintings. Rose will describe her technique for achieving this. She is an accomplished watercolor artist

A MESSAGE FROM OUR ADMINISTRATOR:

Rose Garden is one of the few “mom and pop” skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers left ... in the state of New Jersey. The world has turned “corporate;” we have not.

It has been our core belief that the delivery of healthcare is quite personal. That “intimacy” is in danger when 5 to 100 facilities are operated in multiple states by large corporations.

We have always strived for a close “family” atmosphere and believe we have succeeded. The environment is warm and inviting and exceedingly clean and spotless. Our homemade food and soups are outstanding, and the care is thoughtful, kind and productive.

We have been called the “Hotel of Healthcare.” Please ask your friends, neighbors and, most importantly, other healthcare professionals. We are here, in your neighborhood, to serve you!

and talented instructor. She loves the serendipity of watercolor in the way that the pigment, water and substrate combine. Rose uses perspective in her paintings giving the subjects shapes, shadows and textures.

The Laurelton Art Society welcomes not only existing members and other artists but we encourage the general public as well.

nursing and rehabilitation center

1579 Old Freehold Rd. • Toms River, NJ 08753 732-505-4477 • www.rosegardennj.com

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Whiting, New Jersey

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Sound News

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

Possible Prevention Of Hearing Loss Through Better Nutrition

Research seems to confirm a relationship between a healthy cardiovascular system and hearing health. As most of you know, optimal nutrition should be based around “whole foods” - fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts, vegetable juices and virgin olive oil. The jury is still out in regard to meat and dairy products, but it is quite clear that meats in general should be free of hormones and antibiotics. “Dead” foods (anything preheated, refined/processed), all processed vegetable oils, margarine, genetically modified products and aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet) should also be avoided, particularly if microwaving. Although I am not a nutritionist, nutritional supplements are probably appropriate for most people. Even though supplements alone cannot provide a complete range of micronutrients that our bodies need to function optimally, they are necessary to counteract basic nutritional deficiencies due to poor eating habits, to treat current health problems, to enhance the immune system and to counteract any

nutritional losses due to prescription medications. Possible supplements might include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B Complex, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Zinc, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic and fish oil. Other substances such as coenzyme Q10, DHEA, Melatonin and Alpha-Lipoic Acid might be appropriate also. Regular exercise is vital for both cardiovascular fitness and better hearing health.

Research clearly confirms that if we eat right and exercise daily, our overall health will be improved. Although prevention of hearing loss as a function of aging cannot be completely stopped, there are certainly ways to “slow down” the process. The combination of a nutritionally optimal diet, exercise and appropriate hearing aids will lead to a more active lifestyle and improve quality of life.

Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always available to answer questions pertaining to your hearing health care. Please feel free to contact 732-451-3962 or visit 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!

“Surviving The Holidays” GriefShare Supportive Event

BRICK – St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is running a Surviving the Holidays event on November 12 at 7 p.m. in the Youth Room and it is open to the public.

They request attendees to sign up online in advance to be sure they have enough books. If they don’t have a computer, they can email griefshare@stpaulsbrick.org.

Cost of a book is $5. Here is the link to sign up online: griefshare.org/events/244205. What is Surviving the Holidays? A twohour supportive holiday event. For people who’ve lost a loved one, the Thanksgiving and Christmas season can be bleak. This lay-led event offers coping tools and support for grieving congregation members and people in your community.

St. Paul’s Annual Holiday Shoppe And Attic Sale

BRICK – The Women of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Annual Holiday Shoppe and Attic Sale will be held on November 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a non-vendor event. Great savings on great gifts! The Holiday Shoppe & Attic Sale will have Christmas gifts, handcrafted items, baked goods, new and vintage jew-

elry, and white elephant treasures, also a fabulous lunch!

All proceeds go toward the many missions supported by The Women of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

For more information, or if you would like to donate to the Holiday Shoppe, get in touch with the church office at 732-458-2080.

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D.,

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Medications That Can Cause Gastroparesis: What You Need to Know

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

If you often feel bloated, nauseous, or find yourself struggling with persistent fullness, it might not just be what you’re eating, it could be gastroparesis. Other symptoms include heartburn/reflux, belching a lot, or experiencing swings in appetite. Surprisingly, certain medications, which are otherwise meant to help us, can contribute to this condition. For some people, it’s mild, and appreciated - with early satiety you eat less, and lose weight. Many supplements aim to make you feel full faster! But for others, gastroparesis goes behind feeling full or bloated for a few minutes - it can be dangerous and require medical intervention. The well-known weight loss drug Ozempic has recently been associated with gastroparesis, raising concerns about its impact on digestive health. There are many medications that can affect stomach emptying, but here are four major categories:

1. Opioids: Drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone slow digestion by binding to receptors in the gut, decreasing stomach motility and prolonging the time food stays in the stomach, which can cause gastroparesis symptoms.

2. Anticholinergics: Used for COPD, overactive bladders, allergies or Parkinson’s, these medications block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that drives muscle contractions in the digestive tract, leading to delayed stomach emptying.

3. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs like amitriptyline have anticholinergic effects that reduce gut motility, slowing digestion.

4. Calcium Channel Blockers: Medications such as verapamil relax smooth muscles, including those in the stomach, which can slow food movement through the digestive system.

A lot of people live with this not realizing they have the condition, especially people with hypothyroidism. For those that are uncomfortable enough, a gastroenterologist is the type of physician to see. Diagnosis typically involves tests like gastric emptying studies to evaluate how well the stomach is processing food. Eating differently may or may not help if it’s medication-induced. Hundreds of medications can cause gastroparesis. Dietary changes play a pivotal role in managing the condition. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may ease symptoms. Avoiding foods that are difficult to digest, such as those high in fiber or fats, helps prevent further delays in gastric emptying. Staying hydrated and incorporating liquid meals can also provide nutrition without overloading your stomach.

Natural remedies may offer additional relief depending on the cause of gastroparesis. Ginger is known for its digestive benefits and can stimulate gastric motility. Probiotics can support gut health by balancing beneficial bacteria, which may alleviate some symptoms. Vitamin B12 supplementation is also recommended, especially since people with gastroparesis can have deficiencies due to absorption issues.

Ultimately, a tailored approach combining medication management, dietary adjustments, and natural supplements can help reduce the discomfort associated with gastroparesis. It’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to create a plan to solve this. Living with gastroparesis is challenging, and once you find a solution, it will resolve. For a deeper dive into this topic, you can find the full, detailed version of this article on my website 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.

R.C. Shea & Assoc. Inside The Law

Michael J. Deem, Esq.

A Couple Of Reasons Why Attorneys Decline Injury Cases

By: Robert C. Shea, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

Unfortunately, in our personal injury practice, law firms cannot accept and undertake the responsibility for every potential case. However, when a case is declined it does not necessarily mean that the case is without merit.

Each time an attorney prosecutes a personal injury case this process requires a showing of both liability (legal responsibility or fault of the tortfeasor), and damages (economic and non-economic losses) caused by the fault or wrongdoing of the tortfeasor. During a law firm’s assessment of a potential case, it must perform a careful review and analysis of the facts provided by the potential client and assess the clients’ personal and legal responsibility for the happening of this incident.

In New Jersey, if a personal injury plaintiff is found 51% or more responsible for the happening of an accident, then that client will, as a matter of law, be denied any recovery.

N.J.S.A. 2A:15-51 et seq. Similarly, if a client is found 50% or less responsible for the happening of an accident, then that percentage of fault assigned to the client will cause any monetary verdict awarded to the plaintiff to be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. So, if a plaintiff is awarded a $100,000 verdict for pain and suffering, but she is found to be 50% at fault for the happening of the accident, then the court will reduce her $100,000 verdict by 50% or $50,000.00.

In addition, law firms must consider the cost of litigation, and litigation these days is very expensive. Sometimes, it is our opinion that the amount of reasonable damages likely to be awarded to a potential client may be inadequate to justify the time and expense required of us to properly represent the potential client. Naturally, that is a matter of opinion, but if a law firm estimates that the cost of litigation will be $20,000.00 and that the likely recovery for the potential client may only be $30,000.00, then the attorney may decline the case. Under this scenario, the client would only recover $6,700.00 and the attorney’s fee for all the time and effort would be $3,300.00. An attorney’s fee is separate from the recovery of the attorney’s out of pocket litigation costs. Our Rules of Court require that an attorney’s litigation costs be deducted from the client’s gross recovery before the attorney calculates his fee and the client’s net recovery.

Michael J. Deem, Esq. is the only double Certified trial lawyer in Ocean County. He is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, and he is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Lawyers in Civil Trial Law. Contact the attorneys at R.C. Shea & Associates for a free consultation of your personal injury case. (732) 5056-1212.

Girl Scouts Gift Auction

FARMINGDALE – Girl Scouts of the Jersey

Shore is excited to announce their inaugural “Girl Scouts & Gifts: Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Gift Auction.”

This event will take place on November 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Program Activity Center, Farmingdale. Funds raised from the event will benefit local girls in Monmouth and Ocean counties as they deliver on their mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Guests must be registered in advance. Registration is open to anyone 21 years and older and is $30 per person. Registration includes admission, one sheet of Tier 1 tickets ($20 val-

ue), cookies at your table and unlimited coffee. The event is bring your own food and beverage (limited to water, soft drinks, beer and wine. Hard alcohol is not permitted).

They are accepting registrations of reserved tables of eight in addition to single registrations. Please provide names of guests you would like to be seated with and we will do our best to accommodate seating requests.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event. Doors open at 6 p.m. 50/50 raffle winner will be pulled at 9:30 p.m. - winner must be present to win

For more information, visit jereyshoregirlscouts.org.

Thanksgiving Drive Thru

BRICK – Complete Care at Shorrock Gardens will be holding a Thanksgiving Drive Thru on November 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 75 Old Toms River Road, Brick.

Menu: roast turkey with dressing cranber-

ry sauce, corn bread stuffing, fresh yams, whole green beans, biscuit, pumpkin pie. Just drive up to the front doors. No need to get out of your car. Call the front desk by November 13 to order meals: 732-451-1000.

CLASSIFIEDS

Misc.

Comics, Cards, Shows - 11/10

Toms River Elks 600 Washington. Artists, writers, crafts, costume groups. Call 609-242-7756. (45)

Personals

Senior Man Looking For A WomanCompanion to honor an cherish for her attention as a married loving couple, 65 years to 70 years will take care of you, let's get together - breakfast or dinner. At your request - call Mark at 732-557-5017. (46)

Services Help Wanted

Real Estate Services Services Services

House For Sale - Adult Community Pheasant Run in Forked River. $299,000. For more information call 609-290-9702. (47)

For Sale

Firewood for sale - $ 250 per cord. free delivery call 732-610 -0447. (49)

Furniture For Sale - Dining room table, 6 chairs and 2 PC China cabinet $1000. 6 piece white wicker bedroom set $500, 3 piece cream sofa bed, love seat, chair $300. Call Barb 973-519-6482. (48)

DAY Substitutes Needed for Ocean County Vocational Technical School district: Courier, Custodial, School Nurses/RN, Secretarial, Teachers for Trade Skill areas-Audio, Auto, Childcare, Computer, Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary, Dental, Electric, Engineering/Machine Technology, Fashion Design, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Marine, Medical, Multimedia, Photography, Plumbing, Pre-Nursing, Welding or visit www.ocvts.org. EOE, Please email resume at tedgar@ocvts. org or call 732-240-6414 Ext. 3317. (51)

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

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)

Bus Driver NEEDED! - Flexible Scheduling. Perfect for Retiree in Retirement Community. CDL w/ Passenger endorsement required. Call SilverWoods Clubhouse for more information at 732-341-4825. (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)

Anyone Interested In Having Their - Office, home or apartment cleaned, contact Diane. Honest and reliable. Free estimates. 845-762-9952. (49)

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

Adult Care Provider - Filipino Woman seeking live-in job as home healthcare provider for elderly with 10 years experience, with excellent reference. Please call 973-454-6818. (46)

MY HANDY CREW - Home repairs, carpentry, painting, roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwork, all your home maintenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (44)

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-844-897-8361. (t/n)

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

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)

• Mail this form to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. OR

• Go to jerseyshoreonline.com, click classifieds, fill out the form and pay by credit card. OR

• Fax this form to 732-657-7388 ATTN: ALI.

1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under:

Estate/Garage/Yard Sales

Auto For Sale

Items For Sale

Items Wanted

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY

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. 732849-6068 (new number). (t/n)

WANTED TO BUY - Old Records for LPs & 45s Rock/Jazz/ Soul/Blues Call Eddie (732829-5908) For 45/78 RPM Doo Wop/Soul/R&B/Rockabilly Call Bob 909-938-4623. (46)

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)

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)

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

Coins Wanted - I will buy all U.S. coins minted prior to 1965. Bill Nila The Coin Man 732-477-7225. (52) FOR SALE - Niche for 2 in Ocean County Memorial Park$1600. 732-240-3657. (47)

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

Services

ANGEL APPLIANCE REPAIR732-403-6975. 50+ years serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Senior owned and operated. INSURED, RELIABLE AND HONEST. (47)

APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (52)

THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. References. Call Charlie 732-216-3176 or Email: cr@exit109.com. Let's Go! (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)

Housecleaning - We offer services: House cleaning, laundy, window cleaning, painting, office cleaning, carpet cleaning, shopping, take clothes dry cleaning, typing, office work, demonstration, merchandise in store. Very good prices. Call 732330-4189 or 848-287-3944. (t/n)

Local Experienced Senior Care Giver available for work mornings til 12:00 and evenings after 4:30 pm. Please call Kathy 908-246-7896. (48)

Italian/American Couple - looking to clean, laundry or drive. Please call Christopher or Mary Ann at 732-475-7770 or 732-948-2025. (49)

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. (8)

Do You Want Your Car To Look Nice And Shine - Call Lenny Lenny's Mobile Auto Detailing 908-868-4609. (43)

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PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

By Bob Vosseller

WALL –Health Village

Imaging (HVI) at Wall Circle Park is closer to home, is focused on your needs and now offers 3-dimensional screening and diagnostic mammography.

HVI prides itself on their experience, compassionate care, and convenient medical imaging. Their board-certified radiologists have over 40 years of experience helping patients and doctors with CT Calcium Scoring, High Field Open MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Diagnostic X-ray, Bone Density Testing, Fluoroscopy, and MR/CT Angiography.

Having all of this technology under one roof allows us to tailor testing and service to our patient’s needs, in however many exams are needed. HVI provides high-resolution imaging, detailed analysis, and prompt results from their dedicated staff of radiologists and technologists.

HVI’s Wall office is one of four that offers residents a variety of vital services. Jackson Township a short distance away, Manahawkin and Little Egg Harbor in the southern end of Ocean County serve communities with modern equipment and experienced staff.

The Wall facility is located at 1975 Wall Circle Park Building D on Route 34 South Hours include Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays are 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments can be made by calling 888-2719729.

• 3-D Mammography

• Arthrogram

• CT Calcium Scoring

• DEXA-Bone Density

• Diagnostic Radiology X-Ray

• Fluoroscopy

• High-Field Open MRI & MRA

• Low Dose CT & CTA

Health Village Imaging Serves Community With Experienced Staff And State Of The Art Technology

• Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening

• MR Angiography

• MSK Ultrasound

• Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging

• Thyroid FNA Biopsy

• Ultrasound

Health Village’s Dan Long said, “we provide the best care possible. This HVI office opened just before the start of the pandemic before that it was called Open MRI at Wall and it was a real staple in the community. A few radiologists from the Open MRI days have retired but, we still have some staple members of that group. We have also added a few new faces that are dedicated to providing the best possible interpretations to our patients exams.”

He noted that the office technical staff are all highly educated. “Our radiologists are part of Hackensack Meridian.”

Diagnostic Radiologist Dr Faisal Shah was busy scanning through MRI images looking at multiple screens to make a determination on medical case.

“Dr. Shah is always very personable and very willing to talk to patients making sure they are having a good experience and with the best results possible,” Long said. His sub specialties include muscular skeletal imaging and breast imaging.

“I’ve been in the profession now for 11 years and I have been here for four years. Radiologists like myself provide the diagnosis for all types of imaging that a patient would undergo. Any time a patient has any type of cat-scan, ultra sound or MRI as a radiologist I am a physician that is board specialized and trained to actually make the diagnosis,” Dr. Shah explained.

He added, “we generate the report and that report then goes to the referring clinician who provided the patient the script. We look at a lot of pictures constantly and I think what makes radiology special is that one

time it will be a neurosurgeon coming in to talk to us the next time it will be an OGBYN and the next time an orthopedic surgeon.”

“We are kind of the crucial nexus for the patient where we have the ability to really see what is going on and give the sub specialist and the general primary care doctor the diagnosis. Radiology when I first started was seen as a specialty, now

I would joke that it is primary too because everybody gets some type of imaging.” Shah added.

Shah noted that most patients generally don’t know the process involved especially when they are concerned about the mystery of what the problem is prior to a diagnosis.

“A lot of times, especially since Covid, we are seeing a lot of people who are not diagnosed prior to instituting some kind of treatment or physical therapy and they really suffer adverse consequences without the diagnosis and then they come to us and get imaging and they had had a small problem but they went out and did physical therapy and now need much bigger surgery,” he added.

“We definitely advocate for patients to get some kind of imaging so that we can either rule in the diagnosis or at least rule out the type before you start on treatment.”

Long said this allows for us to help the physician to prepare the best plan of care.”

“You have people who are cancer survivors and they have their chronic cancer but they could have an acute

The Manahawkin Facility is located at 1301 Route 72

problem not related to the cancer,” Shah noted.

Mammography Technologist Nellie Garced, works at the Wall Township office for two days and the Jackson Township office for two days.

“We have a centralized work flow center, we get a patient who calls in on the schedule within generally a week,” Long said.

“We get people in very quickly,” Garced added.

“We have multiple mammography technologists. It is recommended to come in every year after age 40 unless you have breast cancer history in your family and have a high risk then you should come in starting at age 35. There are women coming in getting breast cancer exams earlier today. We are trying to get it changed to 35 as the baseline because there are women getting breast cancer earlier.”

“We offer mammography and we also offer diagnostic mammography and ultrasound at our Wall site,” Long said.

“Ultrasound being a secondary imaging tool,” Garced added.

W Suites 100 and 220 in Stafford Township Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday by appointment only. Call 888-271-9729.

• 3-D Mammography

• ABVS (Automated Breast Volume Scan)

• Arthrogram

• Bilateral Breast MRI

• Breast Biopsy

• Breast Ultrasound

• DEXA-Bone Density

• Diagnostic X-Ray

• Fluoroscopy

• Low Dose CT & CTA

• Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening

• MSK Ultrasound

• MRI & MRA

• MR Angiography

• Nuclear Medicine

• PET/CT

• Prostate Cancer Screening

• Thyroid FNA Biopsy

• Ultrasound

The Jackson Facility is located at 27 S Cooks Bridge Road Suite 1-6 with hours on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p. m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday are by appointment only by calling 888-271-9729 .

• 3-D Mammography

• ABVS (Automated Breast Volume Scan)

• Arthrogram

• Bilateral Breast MRI

• Breast Biopsy

• DEXA-Bone Density

• Diagnostic X-Ray

• Fluoroscopy

• Low Dose CT & CTA

• Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening

• MRI & MRA

• MR Angiography

• MSK Ultrasound

• Thyroid FNA Biopsy

• Ultrasound

• Ultrasound Elastography

The Little Egg Harbor facility at 279 Mathistown Road offers ultrasound services by appointment, Monday through Friday. Call 888-271-9729 to schedule. Early detection saves lives. Schedule a screening by calling and you can also request a mammogram appointment by using the hotline announcement link at https://healthvillage imaging.com/mammogram -appointment-hotline. This link will make it easy to schedule your mammogram. Just complete a brief form and within about an hour during HVI’s regular business hours and you will receive a prompt response. Make sure to scan your scripts into your device, so you can easily upload them to the form.

Photos by Bob Vosseller/HVI

Health Village Imaging (HVI) at Wall Circle Park is closer to home is located at 1975 Wall Circle Park Building D on Route 34 South.

A Health Village Imaging vehicle is seen parked outside the HVI Wall Township Office.

Jane Kunka was recently in Barnegat Light taking some photos. She saw this seagull hanging out by the green moss & seaweed covered rocks. Want to see your pic in this space? Email photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may see it here!

Wreaths Across America

BRICK – Remember all those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom. Help remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring a wreath at $17 each.

The Governor William Livingston Chap -

ter of the Daughters of the American revolution goal is 100 wreaths which will be placed on veterans graves at the Atlantic View Cemetery in Manasquan out of GWL Chapter of the DAR and mail to Jane Sink, 121 Jordan Road, Brick NJ 09724.

FUN & GAMES SUDOKU

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

viser

28 The older of baseball’s two leagues: Abbr. 32 Possessive pronoun

Vamoose

Pub round

Architect Saarinen

Data unit

Horace’s “__ Poetica”

Freeway exits

Cream cheese, e.g.

Algonquian language

Rose and fell on the

May Alcott

whose main characters are hidden in the answers to the

with a Climate Change section on its website

24 Sink or swim 25 Mascara target 26 Hindu spiritual ad-

Over again

Get back

City near Syracuse

Leader with an .edu

Fabrication

Name of 13 popes

“__ too shabby!”

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Enjoy being appreciated and trusted. Consider taking the initiative when it comes to love and express your true feelings to your loved ones. An unexpected encounter with someone new might bring surprising opportunities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) : Body language can tell you more than a few words and a string of emojis. Those you can trust may look you straight in the eye. You might receive a warm hug just when you need it most from someone who has your best interest at heart.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You might make love more complicated than it needs to be. It may be time to stop playing games or expecting extravagant gestures. Allow yourself to enjoy the honest emotion without any hesitation. You know what you must do.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) : You can admire and take inspiration from your heroes without losing sight of necessary boundaries. Remember who you are and what you want to accomplish. Keep striving to show up in the world as your best self.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Someone you doubted could come through for you. Learn to appreciate someone’s talents and skillset without being jealous of their success. Your trust can become stronger if you receive proof of someone’s honesty and loyalty.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) : You might look forward to your work as the week begins, if it’s a labor of love. However, for today, consider letting your work run on autopilot and focus your energy on exploring romance, friendships, and relationships.

FOR THE WEEK OF NOV 2 - NOV 8 BY

OMARR’S ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

JERALDINE SAUNDERS

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): An unexpected invitation could leave you feeling on top of the world. Think about ways you can return that feeling when you’re out in the world. Recognize how important other people are in your life and find ways to show appreciation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Patience is crucial for true success. When you’re unsure of the next step, sometimes the best strategy is to wait for the next card to drop. While waiting, focus on social activities and spend time with people who brighten your spirits.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Being the center of affectionate attention feels great. Today, you radiate positive energy and might effortlessly step into a leadership role when needed. Think of ways to leverage your popularity to smooth out any rough edges.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Light up your life with positivity. If you have been waiting to make a passionate move or to make a life altering decision, there could be an opportunity to go for it. Your enthusiastic nature may soon prove to be useful.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Work may not feel totally like a chore in the week ahead, you might excel and feel well able to tackle tasks. Good fortune could spill over into your personal life, keeping your relationships thriving and in shape.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Consider organizing your resources so you can prepare to make important decisions. Start thinking about what you might need to have in place when the right opportunity arises to improve your income or long-term success.

LEFTOVER HALLOWEEN CANDY MAKES A GREAT COATING FOR HOMEMADE CARAMEL APPLES

By America’s Test Kitchen

CANDY-COATED CARAMEL APPLES

Makes 6 apples

2 cups crushed KitKat, Twix or Heath candy bars

6 small apples

1 (14-ounce) bag soft caramel candies

1/4 cup heavy cream

1. Prepare apples and candy bars: Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place crushed candy bars in a shallow bowl. Insert craft sticks into the stem end of each apple.

2. Melt caramels: Heat caramels and heavy cream

in medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth.

3. Coat apples: Use the stick end to hold one apple over a pot of caramel, spoon sauce over the apple to coat, allowing excess to drip back into the pot. Roll apples in crushed candy, pressing to help candy adhere. Place apple, stick up, on parchment paper. Repeat with remaining apples and serve. (Apples can be refrigerated for several days; bring to room temperature before serving.)