Made In Monmouth

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

This year’s MADE IN MONMOUTH ANNUAL EVENT now in its second year surpassed last year’s expectations and proved to be a win-win for both Monmouth County vendors and shoppers alike. The second annual ”Made in Monmouth” was held this past Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. The event took place from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

            This event was a proactive approach originated as a way to give Monmouth County Vendors an opportunity to display and sell their products. All products were made in Monmouth County and showcased an array of amazingly well crafted products. Many of the vendors were true artists and the creativity brought forth had no end.

            As liaison to the Department of Economic Development, it gave me great pride as I walked around with my fellow Board Members and had an opportunity to meet and speak with the many vendors who participated in this fantastic event.

            There were approximately 140 vendors in all with more than 2000 shoppers in attendance for the day.

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Red Bank or ‘Wal-Bank’?

By Sean DiSomma

In 2012, the Red Bank RiverCenter re-branded Red Bank as “A Cool Little Town.” After the Democrats get done with it, RiverCenter may want to consider renaming our beloved small town “Wal-Bank.”

As a person who is lucky enough to have spent time in over 40 different states of this great country, I am outraged by the “genericization” of some our greatest small towns. When Fredricksburg, Virginia looks like New Iberia, Louisiana, it takes away from the experience of living in or visiting one of these places. If Democrats get their way, Red Bank will become another one of these generic towns . . . or worse.

Can you imagine a day where after finishing up your McRib sandwich on the corner of Monmouth and Broad you take a nice leisurely stroll down the street to Payless to pick up some fresh “Buy One Get One Half Off” kicks? Don’t laugh because this is the Red Bank that the Zipprich, Horgan and Lee Council envision.

I can’t imagine ever getting to the point where I would want to grasp a fledgling political career so badly that I would support a generic big box that is contrary to the culture of our community, presents serious health hazards and furthers the genericization of our small town.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 27-29, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

 By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, Sept. 29

• Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Twin Lights Bike Ride (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Harvest Home Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Dearborn Market Apple Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• New York Mets vs. Brewers via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• On Borrowed Time at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Colts Neck Art & Craft Festival – MORE INFO

• Fold Forming Metal Class (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Eco-Kayak Tour of the Navesink River (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• The Full Monty at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

• Allaire 5k (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Civil War Reenactors Encampment (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest Celebration at Keansburg Amusements – MORE INFO

• Hunger Games Overnight (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Danny Kaye: 100th Birthday Celebration (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Englishtown Swap Meet & Auto Show – MORE INFO

• Play Dates in the Park (Howell, Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Snuggy Science Experiments (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Wine, Martini & Beer Tasting (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Pyramid Mountain Hike in Morris County (Lincroft departure) – MORE INFO

• Central Jersey NF Walk & Run (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Tribute to Girl Groups (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• NJ Mandatory Safe Boating Course (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Book Swap Drop In (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Workshop: Turn Your Stories into Art (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Damn Yankees at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Jersey Shore Wine Weekends at Four JG’s (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Vinnie Brand Comedy Benefit (MIddletown) – MORE INFO

• Festive Flutes Concert (Spring Lake Heights) – MORE INFO

• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Trip to Kempton, PA (Lincroft departure) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, October 4: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Saturday, October 5: Bradley Beach Tour the Town Garage Sale – MORE INFO

Sunday, October 6: Historic Walnford Day (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Nov. 2: National Theatre of London: 50 Years On Stage (WLB) – MORE INFO

Nov. 8:  Bill Cosby at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Nov. 17: Atlantic Highlands Art Show & Sale – MORE INFO

Nov. 30: Classic Holiday Horse & Carriage Rides (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at monmouthcountylife@gmail.com

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 20-22, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, Sept. 22

HIGHLANDS FIRST AID SQUAD FUNDRAISER (Highlands) —MORE INFO

• Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival – MORE INFO

• On Borrowed Time at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir 5-Mile Run (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Cornbread Contest (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Autumn Beach Walk (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Sleeping Beauty by Coastal Artists (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Women’s Lifestyle Event (Farmingdale) – MORE INFO

• Canterbury Art Show (Rumson) – MORE INFO

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Bell Labs site’s new owner outlines plans for next ‘experiment’ in Holmdel

Bell Labs site’s new owner outlines plans for next ‘experiment’ in Holmdel (via NJ.com)

For nearly 50 years, engineers and scientists conducted experiments in the Bell Labs building in Holmdel that changed people’s lives, from exploring radio astronomy and lasers, to push-button dialing and cell phones. Now the long-vacant building will…

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$647K In Grants For Monmouth County Road Improvements Secured

…and other Monmouth County Government News

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

A Monmouth County project will reduce Memorial Drive in Asbury Park from four lanes to two. Monmouth County has received $422,000 from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s Local Safety Program to improve Memorial Drive, which carries Monmouth County Road 40-A from Avon-By-the-Sea through Neptune Township and into Asbury Park.

            On behalf of The Board of Chosen Freeholders, I serve as the liaison to the North Jersey Transportation Authority, and one of my duties is to try and receive money. I am very pleased to be able to report that I was successful in doing just that.

            The project, known as a road diet, will also install wider shoulders, bicycle lanes and a center turning lane off Memorial Drive. The Transportation Authority recognized that Memorial Drive, with few signalized intersections south of Asbury Park and poorly-marked crosswalks, was dangerous for pedestrians and other non-motor vehicle traffic.

            In addition to obtaining funding for this project, I am also pleased to report that on behalf of the Freeholders I was successful in lobbying the authority to fund $150,000 in safety improvements at a Howell intersection between West Farms Road and the Squankum-Yellowbrick Road that will include a blinking traffic light and improved pavement markings.

            Other news in Monmouth County – The Department of Public Works and Engineering has received a grant from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for de-snagging and debris removal at various stream corridors. The Division of Bridges is in the process of completing this project which will result not only in the county receiving $75,000.00 to offset the cost, but will also reduce flooding and damage to our infrastructure.

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Toms River Contractor Indicted By Monmouth Grand Jury

A Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a Toms River man by a Monmouth County Grand Jury.

Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni

Shane (aka Shaine) Wood, 48, the principle of Reliable Roofing and Siding, was charged in the four count indictment with providing a fraudulent insurance certificate and working as an unregistered contractor after state authorities revoked his registration, Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced this afternoon.

Wood is charged with fourth degree counts of Forgery, Uttering a Forged Instrument, Failure to Register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs, and Failure to Provide a Written Contract. Fourth degree offenses carry a maximum 18-month prison term, if convicted.

Wood was arrested in July after an investigation by the Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force revealed he sub-contracted with a general contractor to perform roof repair work on a Monmouth Beach property in late-January 2013 as the principal of Reliable Roofing and Siding.

The general contractor required Wood’s Reliable Roofing and Siding to provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance reflecting Wood’s company was covered for New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Wood transmitted a document purporting Reliable Roofing and Siding was covered by the John Hill Insurance Company, but later learned Wood supplied a fraudulent document according to the insurance company.

The general contractor contacted the Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force prompting the criminal investigation.

Wood was released after posting $10,000 bail, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen.

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36 Mumps Cases Being Investigated, Most Still Tied To D’Jais

The number of cases of mumps being investigated by the Monmouth County Health Department has jumped from 27 to 36.  One case has been confirmed, according to a statement by the department.

“Individuals are continuing to come forward to report mumps-like symptoms,” County public health coordinator Michael Meddis said. “The median age of the individuals under investigation is 26. With the exception of one pre-school aged child, all of the individuals are adults and 39 percent of the cases involve females.”

The cases under investigation include individuals who have or had mumps-like symptoms as early as August 3. As in previous updates, most of the individuals under investigation have either been patrons or employees of D’Jais Bar and Grill in Belmar.

D’Jais voluntarily closed its doors to patrons last week. The Health Department provided cleaning and sanitizing recommendations to D’Jais management.

On Sunday, County Health Department nurses immunized 32 D’Jais employees with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Several D’Jais employees submitted immunization records that were evaluated for age appropriate MMR immunization.

“If you believe that you may have been exposed to someone who has experienced mumps like symptoms, call the Monmouth County Health Department,” said Meddis. “Our public health nurses can answer your questions and evaluate your need for additional follow-up.”

The Monmouth County Health Department continues to ask that anyone who is experiencing swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite should seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

Of the cases under investigation, individuals in Monmouth County are from Asbury Park, Belmar, Colts Neck, Farmingdale, Howell, Keyport, Long Branch, Matawan, Middletown, Neptune City, Tinton Falls and Wall. Individuals who reported hometowns from outside the county are from the New Jersey towns of Brick, Ogdensburg, Emerson, Fairfield, Jackson, Lawrenceville, Monmouth Junction, Point Pleasant, Saddle Brook, Waldrick, Warren, Whippany and Woodbridge. Individuals who reported out of state hometowns are from New York City, Philadelphia, Straussberg, PA and Port Saint Lucie, FL.

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Burry To Lead 100 Horses Down Main Street, Freehold

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100 horses will follow Freeholder Lillian Burry down Main Street in Freehold Boro on Saturday morning, September 21.

Burry is the Grand Marshall of the second annual Open Space Pace Parade.

“It is quite an amazing sight to see a parade of more than 100 horses marching down Main Street in Freehold,” said Burry. “I am honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of this tremendous event that opens the Open Space Pace & Festival of Horses. It is a wonderful event for the whole family and I hope everyone will join me in the fun.”

The Open Space Pace and Festival of Horses will continue at Freehold Raceway. The day will include celebrity races, harness racing, pageantry, entertainment, vendors, demonstrations, food trucks, children’s activities and education. Following the last race of the day, at approximately 5 p.m., the Eddie Testa Band will take the stage. Afterward, there will be a live concert by Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, ending with a 27-minute fireworks display.

The inaugural Open Space Pace last September raised $14,000 for equine and agricultural non-profits while educating the public about the important role horses and horse racing play in creating and preserving open space in New Jersey.

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LITTLE SILVER: HOMESTEAD GETS FUNDING ARM

LITTLE SILVER: HOMESTEAD GETS FUNDING ARM (via redbankgreen)

A nonprofit organization will serve as the fundraising arm for the historic site, which dates back almost 350 years. (Click to enlarge) By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO A charitable corporation has been formed to help carry out plans to run Little Silver’s historic…

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