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Quote of the Issue:

              In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
                                                                                     Aaron Rose

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A WORD OR TWO FROM ME
by Karen E. Jarosz
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Did you remember to set your clock ahead? I love having the extra hour of light at the end of the day but these past few days of waking in the dark has been tough! Yet I know that in the next few weeks we'll be enjoying the lovely spring weather and the mornings will be lighter soon. Believe it or not there are signs of spring already (even with the recent snow storm that buried us!) There are buds on the trees if you look during the daylight, flowers are starting to peep through and reach for the sunlight and robins are out poking around. It is the same thing with us. We have been cooped up  inside during the dark days of winter but now folks are starting to venture out and walk the boards and even bike ride! We are seeking the light too. Be sure you start to make time to be outside and enjoy the coming light and spring. It is good for the soul...
Until April 6th, look to the light....
Karen

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LOCAL HAPPENINGS AND EVENTS
by Karen E. Jarosz
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March 16 - Toastmasters - Shore Speakers Meeting  7:00 PM EST at the Neptune Public Library, 25 Neptune Blvd., Neptune, NJ 07753. Contact John Steinhilber at john.steinhilber@verizon.net for more info. www.shorespeakers.org

March 17 & 18 - Check out the world famous Harlem Globetrotters at Collins Arena Brookdale Community College 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft starting at 5 pm. Call 330-262-9790

March 17 - Melissa Arctic directed by Aaron Posner at Two River Theatre Company 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. Call for details (732) 345-1400

March 20 - Spring Equinox Shorewalk is a chance to join the American Littoral Society for an evening walk when daylight and darkness have agreed to equally share the 24 hours in a day. The program is free, but please call to reserve a spot Guardian Park, Fort Hancock Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit. The walk starts at 7pm. Call   (732) 291-0055

March 20 - The Hitman Murder Mysteries : We Killed 'Em on American Ideal" Interactive, audience participatory murder mystery dinner show parody of America's favorite TV talent show at The Manchester Inn 25 Ocean Pathway Ocean Grove

March 21 - Early Spring Birding is a chance to join a naturalist from the New Jersey Audubon Society for a two-hour bird walk in search of waterfowl and raptors Sandy Hook Visitor Center Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook. It starts at 10 am. Call (732) 872-5970

March 21 - Highlands St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 2pm on Bay Avenue. Call (732) 291-4713

March 21 - Annual Women's Lifestyle Expo a free WJRZ 100.1 event sponsored by Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, N.J., 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Poland Springs Arena in the Ritacco Center, 1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, N.J. For further information, call Doug Sjonvall or Jeff Rafter at 609-597-1101

March 21 - Wear your green for  St. Patrick's Day Paradein Keyport! It starts at 1pm and the parade route begins at Broad Street near Hwy. 36 and proceeds up to West Front where it turns left and ends up near the Ye Cottage Inn. Call (732) 739-3900

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March 21 - Unit Battery Gunnison Preserved will run from 12 noon until 4 pm. Check out the Army Ground Forces Association is a volunteer group in 1943 era coast artillery uniform who restore and interpret Battery Gunnison and its 6-inch guns Visitors are invited to stop by on this work day to chat. Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit. Call (732) 872-5970

March 22 - Knights of Columbus Council #816 Buffet Breakfast 4th Sunday of the month from 9 am until 12 noon. Admission is $6 per person and $5 for seniors. Location is 203 West Sylvania Avenue, Neptune City, NJ 07753. http://www.kofc816.org

March 22 & 23 - The Velveteen Rabbit will be presented by the Running Rabbit Family Theatre at Pollak Theatre Monmouth University 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch. Showtimes are 3/22: 2:00pm, 3/23: 10:30am. Call (732) 263-MUTX (6889)

March 26 - George Winston will be performing songs from his latest CD, Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions- A Hurricane Relief Benefit at 8 pm at Pollak Theatre Monmouth University 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch. Call (732) 263-MUTX (6889)

March 26 - OPEN HOUSE - Sleepless in Monmouth County!! Is insomnia wrecking your life? Insomnia can shorten your lifespan and pack on the pounds. You can actually be tested for imbalances and receive effective simple treatment. You can finally get some shut eye, and even lose some weight!! Let us show you how proper nutrition and an active lifestyle can help you sleep better and live longer. Physicians Fitness Solutions, LLC. 601 Sunset Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712 call 732-775-5000

March 27 - Richard M.J. Jarosz, Lone Keep Internet, is hosting a Social Networking Talk and Tea get together at his office in Bradley Beach, 1 - 5 PM. Email richard@lonekeep.com or call 732-988-4044 for details.

March 28 - Woodcock and Osprey Walk at 7 pm. Come see the Osprey known as a "fish hawk" and search for evening American Woodcocks as they return from migration at Sandy Hook Visitor Center Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit. Call (732) 872-5970

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732-966-0290

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March 28 - Calling all Cheech and Chong fans! Cheech and Chong Light Up America with special guest Shelby at the Paramount Theatre 1300 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park. Doors open at 7:30pm. Call (732) 897-8810

April 2 - Robert Pinsky will be presenting at Wilson Auditorium Monmouth University 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch. Elegant and tough, vividly imaginative, Robert Pinksy's poems have earned praise for their wild musical energy and ambitious range.Call (732) 571-3512

April 2 thru 5 - 7th Annual Garden State Film Festival at Paramount Theatre and various locations. Call (877) 908-7050 or go to http://www.gsff.org/

April 3 - Cherryholmes, come enjoy America's new first family of bluegrass at   Pollak Theatre Monmouth University 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch. Showtime is 8pm. Call (732) 263-MUTX (6889)

April 3 - Path to Glory Wargaming Club meets the first Friday of each month at the Game Room in Brick. http://www.thepathtoglory.com

April 4 - Seussical The Musical adapted from the Broadway version especially for younger audiences will be performed at the Algonquin Arts 173 Main Street, Manasquan. Showtime is 3pm. Call (732) 528-9211

April 5 - Birding for Beginners is a chance to join naturalists from the New Jersey Audubon Society for a two-hour introduction to birding at Sandy Hook. Early spring brings a variety of ducks, loons, and hawks. Sandy Hook Visitor Center Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit. It starts at 10 am. Call (732) 872-5970

April 5 - 19th Century Beehive Oven Baking from 1 to 4 pm at Historic Allaire Village within Allaire State Park Rt. 524/4265 Atlantic Ave., Wall. Call (732) 919-3500

April 6 - Toastmasters - Shore Speakers Meeting  7:00 PM EST at the Neptune Public Library, 25 Neptune Blvd., Neptune, NJ 07753. Contact John Steinhilber at john.steinhilber@verizon.net for more info. www.shorespeakers.org

April 18 - runAPalooza Expo Asbury Park Convention Hall to Benefit Special Olympics New Jersey and the Children's Tumor Foundation. Hours of the Expo are from 8 AM to 3 PM. Expo Information: Tim Cusack - PhytnessSolutions@Gmail.com or 732-859-7169

April 20 - Toastmasters - Shore Speakers Meeting  7:00 PM EST at the Neptune Public Library, 25 Neptune Blvd., Neptune, NJ 07753. Contact John Steinhilber at john.steinhilber@verizon.net for more info. www.shorespeakers.org

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For Your Information....
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This space for rent FREE for local groups looking to get the "word" out.

Brookdale Public Radio - 90.5 The NIGHT - is forgoing its regular 7-day pledge drive this Spring.  Instead, the station is going to try to meet its pledge drive goal with just a single day of on-air fundraising. 1-Day Tuesday is scheduled from 6a to 7p on April 7th.  The goal, according to Station Manager Tom Brennan, is 600 contributions.

The Family & Children's Service Thrift Boutique is now open in Bradley Beach! Located at 625 Second Avenue, Bradley Beach, they are always looking for donations. 732-775-0215 Hours of Operation: Tues through Fri 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 4. Tell them you read about it in the JSCIB.

The kula-kamala-yoga yoga studio (located in Lakehurst) offers yoga classes for all practice levels. The teachers are extensively trained, certified and fully insured; and they offer a wide range of teaching styles. However, our studio is firmly grounded in and dedicated to the Anusara yoga philosophy. They approach yoga with an open heart and teach from a place of compassion and joy. They keep class size smaller for more personalized attention - the instructors pay close attention to the individual needs of each student. Check out their current schedule at www.kula-kamala-yoga.com. Free yoga one Friday a month and free meditation one Friday a month. Meditation is accompanied by a reading from the Bhagavad Gita - a short discussion follows. Upcoming Free Event Dates: Free Yoga February 27 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm; Free Meditation & Reading Friday February 20 from 6:00 to 7:30pm. Call 732-941-4025

Looking for a place to listen to local musicians while enjoying a warm drink? Why not try Barbaric Bean? This lovely place is located at 48 Main Street in Ocean Grove and from 7 to 10 pm on Saturday nights they host local musicians playing! So grab a friend or a loved one and head over to Barbaric Bean Saturday night to enjoy a delicious fresh brewed cup of joe with a yummy pastry too! Call 732-775-8500 and tell 'em Karen sent you!

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2009 50 Book Challenge! Think you can read fifty books in fifty-two weeks? Sign up for the Bradley Beach Public Library's first ever 50 Book Challenge! They will keep track of what you read all year. Those who make it to the finish line will receive a prize!  For more information, call the Library at 732-776-2995!

Did you know that you can become a Giving Reader? What is that you ask? Well, if you buy a new book or audio book, you can receive a discount in the form of a tax deduction and your library will receive that amount to buy more books. To become a giving reader, log onto www.givingreader.com.  Once there you register, choose the library you want to receive your charitable contribution and begin shopping. You will be given an immediate confirmation of your contribution for your tax files. What a great way to help out your local library!

Both the United Way of Ocean County and OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc.) are joining forces to provide a free income tax return preparation program that will benefit individuals who have earned income. This program called EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) can lower the amount of taxes due, and potentially increase an income tax refund. Individuals with a low income can receive up to $4,800.00 from the federal government and up to $1000.00 from the state. In order to receive income tax credits, state and federal tax returns must be filed. To help individuals in this process, OHI will offer its Toms River facility at 301 Lakehurst Road, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., beginning January 20, 2009 and ending April 15. The Lakewood facility at 101 Second Street will be available on Saturdays only, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., beginning January 24, 2009, and ending April 15. For more information or to make an appointment, call United Way of Ocean County at 732-240-0311.

According to Wikipedia: During the American Revolution, Toms River was home to a strategically important salt works that supplied colonial militias, as well as a base for privateer vessels that plundered British and Tory ships off the coast. In March of 1782, a group of British and loyalist soldiers attacked a blockhouse along the river that housed the colonial militia and captured Captain Joshua Huddy, who was later hanged at Sandy Hook. Also destroyed were the salt works and most of the houses in the village. The incident greatly complicated the tense relationship between the British, loyalist, and colonial and was a factor in prolonging the peace negotiations that were then in progress in Paris until 1783.

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