– Help with utility bills available
In addition to providing affordable housing resources, the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) manages several utility assistance programs to address a need many area residents have.
These programs help individuals and families who are seeking relief in paying their gas, electric and oil bills. There are three utility assistance programs offered by AHA, according to a press release.
The Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) and the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) programs, funded by the state Board of Public Utilities, are annual assistance programs designed to help low- to moderate-income households across New Jersey who are struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills.
The third program AHA administers is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high portion of household income for home energy.
The program provides grants in the winter so that such households can pay their heating bills and continue using heating equipment, according to the press release.
These three programs provide assistance to an average of 14,000 households per year.
Anyone interested in applying for utilities assistance is asked to note that the deadline to apply for TRUE is Feb. 13, 2015. AHA must receive all applications by 4 p.m. Feb. 13 at an AHA or an affiliate office.
For more information, call 732-389-2204.
– Drive on for victims of Ocean Grove fire
Patrick Parker Realty has launched a clothing and supplies drive to benefit the victims of a fire that occurred Feb. 6 in Ocean Grove. The fire displaced 30 apartment dwellers and destroyed four businesses. Clothing, food, personal items and household supplies can be brought to Patrick Parker Realty’s main office at 624 Main St., Bradley Beach.
The drive is being conducted in conjunction with other area efforts. All donations will be delivered promptly to collection and distribution centers as designated by the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association.
For more information, call 732-455-5252 or visit http://patrickparkerrealty.com.
– The Long Branch Elks Lodge 742 will host an “All-You-Can-Eat Italian Buffet” Feb. 20 6-8 p.m. at 150 Garfield Ave., Long Branch. The buffet is open to the public.
The cost is $8 per person and includes meatballs, sausage, chicken Parmesan, linguine with clam sauce, ziti, stuffed rigatoni, salad, coffee and dessert.
For more information, call the lodge at 732-222-9742.
– Art school schedules show in Lincroft
The Inspired Minds Fine Art School in Lincroft will sponsor the art show, “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil,” 6-8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Stay Gold Cafe, 800 Main St., Belmar.
The show will feature the artwork of Julia Beck, Madison McIntyre and Katarina Kumpta, former art school students who will be moving on to college. All three were teaching assistants at Inspired Minds, where they helped younger students.
The show will feature live music, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Artwork can be viewed and purchased through March 7. For more information, contact the café at 732-894-9270 or visit www.staygoldcafe.com.
– Art school exhibiting works of students
The Inspired Minds Fine Art School in Lincroft is sponsoring the exhibit, “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil,” at Stay Gold Cafe, 800 Main St., Belmar.
The exhibit features the artwork of Julia Beck, Madison McIntyre and Katarina Kumpta, former art school students who will be moving on to college. All three were teaching assistants at Inspired Minds, where they helped younger students.
Artwork can be viewed and purchased through March 7. For more information, contact the café at 732-894-9270 or visit www.staygoldcafe.com.
For more information about Inspired Minds, visit inspiredmindsart.com.
– Genealogy lecture offers tips, guidelines
JERSEY CITY — The Hudson County Genealogical & Historical Society will meet 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Secaucus Public Library’s Panasonic Room, which is located on the second floor at 1379 Patterson Plank Road, Secaucus. Admission and parking are free.
Toni McKeen, who previously presented “Research Problems That Made My Eyes Cross” to the society, will return with “Putting Flesh on the Bones of Your Ancestor.”
McKeen will discuss how to break a genealogy project into small steps. He will give guidelines and tips on how to put the work into a book format with designed papers, input photos and charts.
The Hudson County Genealogical & Historical Society promotes the study of genealogy and the history of Hudson County.
For more information, visit www.hudsoncountynjgenealogy.org.
– Artist lecture, demo slated for Feb. 18
The Art Society of Monmouth County is sponsoring an art lecture/demonstration by multi-media artist, Mare Akana, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave., Monmouth Beach.
Akana is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, whose clay and metal artwork focuses on horses and the sea, according to a press release. Growing up, she explored tide pools and observed sea creatures in the reef. She also worked with horses throughout her life.
Akana has participated in numerous juried shows and is currently an exhibiting member at The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury. Her work is available at the Monmouth and Noyes museum shops and Monmouth Park Racetrack.
For more information about the Art Society of Monmouth County, visit www.artsocietyofmonmouthcounty.org.