High school juniors and seniors who live in Middletown are invited to submit essays about their local government for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship in the 2010 Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. Each student must write an approximately 500-word essay on the theme “What My Mayor and Governing Body Do Best.” All essays must be received by March 12. Middletown will select one essay to forward to the League of Municipalities in Trenton as a semi-finalist. The League of Municipalities will then choose 15 finalists and three scholarships winners. Winning essays will be featured in the New Jersey Municipalities magazine. Applications are available at area schools, the mayor’s office and at www.middletownnj.org.
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Middletown residents are encouraged to “Go Red” on Feb. 5 in support of the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day for Women. The mayor and Township Committee proclaimed Feb. 5 as National Wear Red Day for Women in Middletown to help raise awareness about the No. 1 health threat facing women today: cardiovascular disease. For more information, visit www.goredforwomen.org, call the New Jersey office of the American Heart Association at 609-208-0020, or call the Go Red For Women toll-free number at 1-888- MY-HEART.
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The Middletown 2010 Seasonal Job Expo will be held 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Road. Positions offered by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department include summer recreation program and camp counselors; sports camp, tennis and swimming instructors; golf attendants; beach and pool lifeguards; sports; clerical, and park maintenance. Employment can run from May through September. Salary range is $7.25 to $15 an hour. Call 732-615-2260 for information.
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Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will be offering free AARP-sponsored tax assistance by appointment only from Feb. 8 to April 13. The library will be closed Feb. 15. Trained tax aides will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, and 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Appointments must be made in person at the Adult Reference Desk. For more information, call 732-671- 3700, ext. 324.
The Monmouth Players presents Andrew Bergman’s comedy “Social Security” Feb. 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8:15 p.m. and Feb. 7, 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the Navesink Library Theater, Sears and Monmouth avenues in the Navesink section of Middletown. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students. Coffee and homemade desserts will be available. Reservations are required. For reservations or further information, call Lori at 732-291-9211 or visit www.monmouthplayers.org.
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Good News Christian Preschool will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6 at the school, 60 Maple Place, Keyport. The school is an outreach of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and offers half-day sessions for children ages 2½, 3 and 4, and an extended day pre-K program for 4-year-old children. The snow date is Feb. 21. Details: 732-335-1522 or 732-264-8078.
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The Lions Club of Middletown Township will host its fourth annual Super Bowl Sunday pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 7 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179, Route 36 east, Port Monmouth. All are welcome. The cost is $10 and includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and beverages. The breakfast will benefit Camp Happiness in Leonardo, part of the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association. Additional information is available on the NJBCA website, www.njbca.org, or 732-291-0878. Tickets are available at 732-996-7495. For information on the Lions Club of Middletown, visit www.mlions.org.
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The third annual “Caring With Karaoke” event will be held 7-10 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Cue & Brew Billiards and Sports Bar, 1212 Route 34, Aberdeen. The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will benefit from the event, which will be hosted by the Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group.
All proceeds from the event, which includes a Girl Scout Cookie-eating contest, best break contest, free food and free karaoke, will be donated to the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door and are available by calling 732-462-3030 or visiting www.greatermonmouthchamber. com.
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The Old Bridge & Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce dinner will be held 6-8 p.m. Feb.16 at the Buttonwood Manor, 845 Route 34, Matawan. The cost is $25 for members and $27 for non-members. Speakers are Michael Moyers, president of the Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, and Reggie Butler, president of Old Bridge/Sayreville Chamber of Commerce.
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The Monmouth County SPCA, Eatontown, will hold its annual Valentine’s brunch at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14 at McLoone’s Pier House at Pier Village, Long Branch. Reservations are due by Feb. 10. Honorees are Dr. Gene Wefer and Dr. Scott Delaney of Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital. Special guest will be Miss New Jersey International 2010, Brielle LaCosta. Cost is $75 per person and all proceeds benefit the MCSPCA. To RSVP, call Kelly at 732-440-1543 or email at [email protected].