– Free dental care for kids slated for Feb. 6
Dr. Madeline Badalaty of Beachside Pediatric Dentistry is participating in the “Give Kids a Smile” dental program on Feb. 6 at 105 Berkeley Ave., Ocean. The one-day program offers free, preventive dental care to children age 10 and under. If necessary, the dentist will also make referrals for continuing treatment.
The program is more than a decade old and is a part of the American Dental Association’s annual push to bring attention to childhood tooth decay. Last February, over 2,800 children in New Jersey received free dental care.
Children who come to Dr. Badalaty’s office on Feb. 6 will receive a dental exam, oral healthcare instructions, a cleaning and fluoride treatment. Parents must make an appointment for their child by calling the office at 732-774-7008. For more information, email kidsteeth@yahoo.com.
– Medical center has free health programs
The Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch is presenting free community health education programs in February.
“Wear Red Day” will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 outside of Monmouth Medical Center’s SeaBreeze Café, which is located on the hospital’s first floor at 300 Second Ave., Long Branch. In recognition of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” movement to save lives and raise awareness about heart disease, Monmouth Medical Center will provide free blood-pressure screenings to the public. Information will be provided about heart disease, heart-healthy diets, exercise, Monmouth Medical Center’s cardiology programs and services and the initiatives of HeartCaring and Spirit of Women. All employees, visitors and guests are encouraged to wear red to bring attention to heart disease and to take action to live longer, healthier lives.
“Heartcaring Day of Dance” will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Macy’s end of the Monmouth Mall, Route 35, Eatontown. The free event will feature Tai Chi and Zumba demonstrations and a special appearance by the dance team from Dance Plus of Little Silver. There will be free screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and overall cardiac risk. There will also be health-information giveaways, prizes and a free raffle for a Jawbone Fitness Tracker.
For more information about these or other programs, contact the Community Health Education Department at Monmouth Medical Center at 732-923-6990.
– Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will be selling dinners of baked chicken, meatloaf or fish from 12-4 p.m. Jan. 31 at 271 South St., Eatontown.
Dinners are $10 and will include two sides (collard greens, macaroni and cheese, string beans or potato salad) and bread. Fish sandwiches will be $8. Desserts and beverages will also be available for purchase.
– Library to host its bi-annual book sale
The Eatontown Public Library will host its bi-annual book sale from Feb. 2-14 at 33 Broad St. Proceeds will benefit the library.
Book sale hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays; and 2-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Thousands of new and gently used books for children and adults, magazines and DVDs will be available. For more information, call 732-389-2665.
– SCAN to meet Feb. 3, host talk on wills
The Social Community Activities Network (SCAN) will hold a general membership meeting from 12-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Room B at its location on the basement level of the Monmouth Mall, 180 Route 35, Eatontown. The meeting is open to the public.
The guest speaker will be Monmouth County Surrogate Rosemarie Peters, who will present, “The Many Costs of Not Having a Will or Having a Will That Can’t Be Probated.” She will discuss the role of the Surrogate’s Office; important reasons why you should have a will; expensive and upsetting problems that can arise when you don’t have one; essential elements of a valid will; what to do (and not do) with your will once you have it; and problems with your will that may interfere with probating it.
A luncheon provided by Kensington Court of Tinton Falls will follow the meeting. To attend, register by calling SCAN at 732-542-1326. For more information, visit www.scannj.com.
– The Arc of Monmouth has seminars
The Arc of Monmouth at 1158 Wayside Road in Tinton Falls has scheduled several seminars for families beginning in February. Registration for these free seminars is required by visiting www.arcofmonmouth.org/2015/01/community-conversations-spring2015/.
• “The Housing Conversation Continues” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 3. Listen to a New Jersey family share their story on how they developed housing for their daughter. Learn about The Arc of New Jersey’s advocacy effort to increase funding for housing in New Jersey and about the state’s plan for complying with the CMS “Final Rule” on community and home-based supports. A light dinner will be provided.
• “Meet the Support Coordinators” will be held from 3-6 p.m. March 26. Selecting a support coordinator prior to May is recommended. Agencies will be on hand to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision. Light refreshments will be provided.
• “The ABCs of Adult Disability Benefits” will be from 12-1:30 p.m. April 2. Learn about qualifying for SSI and/or SSDI, the disability benefits programs administered by Social Security Administration. Information about Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare D programs will also be given. A light lunch will be provided.
• “Employment First” will be from 12-1:30 p.m. April 16. Learn how people with disabilities can and should work. A light lunch will be provided.
• “Special Education Q-and-A” will be from 6-8 p.m. April 23. Learn about the Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan and Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS). Individual sessions will be offered by appointment by emailing mgarra@arcofmonmouth.org. Light refreshments will be provided.
• “The Parent/Caregiver Toolbox” will be from 12-1:30 p.m. April 29. Learn strategies to help you support your child through his/her challenging behaviors. A light lunch will be provided.
For general information, visit www.arcofmonmouth.org.
– High schoolers invited to enter Brain Bee
High school students have an opportunity to display their brainpower by competing in the 2015 Central New Jersey Regional Brain Bee.
Modeled after a traditional spelling bee, the Brain Bee is a live Q-and-A competition in which students are quizzed about the human brain and central nervous system.
The contest will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7 at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway.
The top three finishers will receive cash prizes, and the first-place winner will receive an expenses-paid trip for two to compete in the National Brain Bee Competition at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, March 20-22, to coincide with Brain Awareness Week.
There is no cost to participate.
To become a contestant, visit rwjms.rutgers.edu/departments_institutes/neuroscience/BrainBee/BrainBee.html for registration information and event details.
All competition questions are derived from the book “Brain Facts,” published by the Society for Neuroscience, which can be downloaded for free at www.brainfacts.org/about-neuroscience/brain-facts-book.
For more information, call 732-235-5390, or email Dr. Michael Matise at matisemp@rwjms.rutgers.edu or Joan Mordes at mordesja@rwjms.rutgers.edu.