Examiner

'The Outlaw and the King' comes to life

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

When Mark Zuckerman's music married David Herrstrom's words, they bore "The Outlaw and the King." The love story of the score and libretto of this new chamber opera began five years ago when Zuckerman, a composer with a doctorate in music composition from Princeton University, and Herrstrom, a poet with a doctorate in English literature from New York University,

Allentown High School won't renege on 'Rent'

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

The show will go on, controversial or not. Auditions for the Allentown High School (AHS) spring production of "Rent" will proceed as scheduled on Nov. 23.

Students step up to make a difference

BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

Students throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties are doing their part this holiday season to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, based in Neptune, has challenged all public and private elementary, intermediate and high school students in the two counties to partake in a special food drive.

AHS test scores hit all-time high

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

ALLENTOWN — Testing is a snapshot in which patterns of performance must be found. That is what Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Stephan Cochrane told the Upper Freehold Regional School District Board of Education at its Nov. 19 meeting when he gave a presentation on student achievement in the district.

Horse found wandering loses his fight for life

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

MILLSTONE — The old veteran lost his battle. McCain, a horse named by Helping Hearts Equine Rescue founder Lisa Post because he was found wandering loose in Manalapan Township around Veterans Day, died Nov. 19.

Middle school's young leader catches the wave

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

ALLENTOWN — Thirteen-year-old Tyler Gravatt can feel a wave that started building over 25 years before he was born. Forty-two years ago, Robert F.

Allentown Club looking for more Lions

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

ALLENTOWN — The Allentown Lions Club seeks greater connectedness with the community. The club, which has been in existence in the borough since 1939, has seen interest dwindling over the past few years and wants to rebuild membership as well as a greater alliance with other community groups for the benefit of Allentown and other charitable endeavors.

Photo

11/26/2008

Jordan Zelenak, 13, of Allentown, created this winning entry for the annual Allentown Lions Club Peace Poster Contest and will receive a $50 savings bond and the opportunity to compete at the district level of the contest.

Update given on new middle school progress

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

ALLENTOWN — Weather will be a determining factor in keeping the new middle school construction on schedule. That was what Bill Skillman, construction manager for Hill International in Marlton, told the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education at its Nov. 19 meeting.

Gallery, crafts refresh old home

BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

Lots of people ride through the small borough of Englishtown on a daily basis. Some stop at the local businesses, churches or homes situated along the main corridor in the town. Others stop at Sanford Park for an outing; and some stop for meetings or sightseeing at the historic Village Inn (even George Washington stopped there during the Revolutionary War).

Bond approved again

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

UPPER FREEHOLD — Maybe the fourth time is the charm. At the Nov. 20 Township Committee meeting, a public hearing and vote on a bond ordinance appropriating $535,000 for equipment for the Department of Public Works (DPW), Office of Emergency Management and township administration was held for the fourth time this year.

County needs help switching light bulbs

11/26/2008

With less than two weeks to go, Monmouth County remains in second place behind North Carolina's Durham County in the number of residents who have vowed to replace their standard incandescent light bulbs with new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Monmouth offers cash for weapons

11/26/2008

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office will be conducting a voluntary weapons surrender program, commonly known as "Guns for Cash." The surrender program will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 at the Long Branch Police Department, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office.

Cards may be sent to troops

11/26/2008

Serving members of the military and their families was the first mission of the American Red Cross more than 125 years ago and it remains a core part of the Red Cross service to the armed forces mission today.

Mallet win gives Dems control of freeholder board

BY LAYLI WHYTE Correspondent — 11/26/2008

FREEHOLD — It took more than two weeks to tally the final votes for the vacant seat on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, but as of last Thursday, the official result is that candidate Amy Mallet had secured a majority for the Democrats.

CBA recalls 'gregarious and thoughtful man'

BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

The man who many credit with making Christian Brothers Academy what it is today, Brother Andrew O'Gara, died on Nov. 8. O'Gara, FSC, 80, passed away at the community residence at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. According to people who knew him, he left his mark on every person who set foot on the CBA campus.

Painting will travel to Virginia

11/26/2008

The famous Emanuel Leutze painting "Washington at the Battle of Monmouth," the most notable work of art in the Monmouth County Historical Association's collection, will be on loan to George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia from December 2008 until January 2010.

MOMS Club to hold meeting Dec. 11

11/26/2008

The MOMS Club of Millstone Township will hold its monthly meeting 10 a.m. Dec. 11 and welcomes mothers from Millstone and Roosevelt to come and meet the members. The group will be discussing low- or nocost monthly calendar activities for all age groups, ranging from newborns and up.

MTWO will feature holiday fair Dec. 6

11/26/2008

The Millstone Township Women's Organization is hosting its fourth annual holiday fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Millstone Primary School, Schoolhouse Road, Clarksburg section of Millstone. There will be many vendors with items such as jewelry, handbags, candles, cosmetics, gift baskets and more.

Christian book and gift sale to be held

11/26/2008

The Christian Education Committee of the United Presbyterian Church of Millstone, 211 Millstone Road, is sponsoring a Christian book and holiday gift fair. The event will be held 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6, noon-2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 8.

Holiday fundraiser to feature music Dec. 6

11/26/2008

The Upper Freehold/Allentown Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is hosting an evening of holiday entertainment 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St., Allentown. The evening will feature music by the Princeton Garden Statesman, a chorus of 40 male voices singing in four-part close harmony.

Annual Cupid's Ball has gone casual

11/26/2008

The Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) will host its seventh annual Cupid's Ball at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. This attire for year's event will be "cocktail casual." The cost is $75 per person. To reserve, mail checks payable to MTFEE, P.O. Box 462, Millstone, NJ 08510 or visit www.mtfee.org.

Winery to hold tours, tasting this weekend

11/26/2008

The Silver Decoy Winery in Hightstown will be staging interactive hourly tours of the facility and free tasting. The event is part of the winery's participation in the annual statewide Holiday Wine Trail Weekend Nov. 28-30. Discussions will revolve around fermentation and the just-completed 2008 vintage, along with barrel aging.

See 'The Nutcracker' in Millstone Dec. 14

11/26/2008

The Performing Arts Ensemble will be staging its production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Millstone Performing Arts Center, 5 Dawson Court, in the Perrineville section of Millstone. The show will feature New York City guest artists, professional scenery and special effects.

Riding High Farm to offer Santa 'hotline'

11/26/2008

Riding High Farm, Allentown, is sponsoring a Santa "hotline" for the holidays. For a $10 prepaid contribution, a child can receive a personal telephone call from Santa or Mrs. Claus. Calls will be made from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15-17.Call 609-259-3884.

RAP to present art exhibit, sale Dec. 13

11/26/2008

The Roosevelt Arts Project (RAP) will present an exhibition and sale of works by Sheila Linz and Naomi Brahinsky from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the RAPAssifa Gallery, 40 Tamara Drive, Roosevelt. Linz is a painter specializing in representational and female imagery.

Roosevelt Recreation hosts sports programs

11/26/2008

The Roosevelt Recreation Department is sponsoring the following programs: • Open Gym — Friday nights, 7-9 p.m., at the Roosevelt Public School, 2 School Lane. The program is open to students in grades 6-10 and will not run on days that school is not in session.

Music studio to offer Musikgarten classes

11/26/2008

Musikgarten, a leader in early childhood music and movement education, will offer group classes for newborn children through age 5 at Cornerstone Music Studios, 358 Sweetmans Lane, Millstone. Certified instructor, Laura Wittman, praises the Musikgarten curriculum. "All children are musical and deserve music in their lives.

Rent' production will help teach tolerance

11/26/2008

Aparent has questioned the appropriateness of Upper Freehold Regional School District's (UFRSD) Allentown High School presentation of "Rent." The story of impoverished, ethnically diverse artists and musicians struggling in New York City is a Tony award, Pulitzer/Drama award and New York Drama Critics' Circle awardwinning Broadway musical.

COAH plan flies in the face of Millstone Township's master plan

11/26/2008

My family and I live at 18 Bergen Mills Road in Millstone. I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Council On Affordable Housing (COAH) low-income development being planned on Route 33 and Bergen Mills Road. My family and I have been residents for several years.

United States must redouble efforts for peacekeepers in Darfur

11/26/2008

The crisis in Darfur, Sudan, has been devastating, and civilians — particularly women and girls — are suffering from the violence. Survivors of sexual and physical assaults often suffer long-term mental and physical illness, social stigmatization and significant economic hardships.

Maintain current drinking age to protect our youth

11/26/2008

As a senior at Rutgers University, I am appalled by the Amethyst Initiative, the proposal of over one hundred college presidents to commence conversation on lowering the drinking age to 18.

Support TOOF campaign during holiday season

11/26/2008

As we approach the upcoming holiday season, Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Jersey along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving locations nationwide is once again launching our Holiday Crackdown Campaign. This campaign runs from the day before Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

Permission for, not content of play should be considered

11/26/2008

It seems to me that the school production of "Rent" is an approved school activity. While I don't agree with the parents who have a concern about the contents of this play, a parent can decide for his or her child not for the entire student body.

When Chris Christie leaves, there'll be big shoes to fill

Coda • GREG BEAN — 11/26/2008

For a while there, you couldn't walk out into the parking lot of nearly any diner or bar in Monmouth County without tripping over the bagmen with sacks of bribe money for local politicians.

Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser

Red State/ Blue State • DAVE SIMPSON & GREG BEAN — 11/26/2008

Dear Greg: As you know, I'm working hard to be a good loser, telling anyone who will listen that Barack Obama will soon be our president, and we must support him. I'm trying to be a lot nicer than your side was to George W. Bush.

Monmouth hoops team off to a rough start

BY DOUG McKENZIE Correspondent — 11/26/2008

The Monmouth University men's basketball team may not have gotten off to the kind of start that head coach Dave Calloway was hoping for, but the coach remains optimistic that this year's Hawks will become a good basketball team by year's end.

Born to Run brings runners to Freehold

24th edition is Nov. 28 BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 11/26/2008

Turkey, dressing, plenty of dessert and a five-mile run. That will be on the Thanksgiving Day menu for the runners and racewalkers competing in the Freehold Area Running Club's 24th annual Born to Run 5-mile run on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. Start time is 11 a.m.