Mtown News Flash 1-18-13

2013 Mayor's Open Office Hours Begin Jan. 19
Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger generally holds open office hours the first and third Saturday of each month from 10 am to noon at Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway. Visitors are seen on a first-come basis. Residents can also contact the Mayor's Office at 732-615-2024 during regular business hours or through the township’s website at www.middletownnj.org

As part of Middletown’s annual Organization Day, Committeeman Gerard P. Scharfenberger was selected to serve as Mayor and Committeewoman Stephanie C. Murray as Deputy Mayor for 2013. Read more


Free Seminar: Sandy’s Impact on Your Federal Taxes – Jan 21st
H&R Block will be conducting an informational seminar on Super Storm Sandy and its impact on your federal taxes on Monday, January 21st from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Middletown Arts Center on Church Street next to the Middletown Train Station. The seminar is open to the public and free of charge.

Sandy Recovery
Croydon Hall Relief Center Hours
The main distribution center for the town at the Croydon Hall Gym. Croydon Hall Relief Center (900 Leonardville Road in Middletown) is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm. Clean-up supplies, non-perishable food items, clothing and personal essentials are being distributed to residents as they recover from Superstorm Sandy. The Center is closed January 21 in observance of Martin Luther King’s Birthday

Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/croydonhallreliefcenter

Americorps Is Here to Help
www.facebook.com/AmericorpsReliefMonmouthCounty

Americorps is now stationed at the Croydon Hall Relief Center. If you need assistance with storm clean up, they are available to help. They offer free labor and clean up assistance, gut outs and other tasks related to storm damage. They have individuals who are trained in mold removal, sheetrock installation and spackling. Please contact Americorp directly at 609.508.2500, americorpsmonmothcounty@gmail.com or visit them at Croydon Hall.

Middletown Disaster Relief Fund
The Mayor and Township Committee has established the Middletown Disaster Relief fund to directly assist the hardest hit residents of our Bayshore. Please visit the website for information on how to apply and donate www.middletownrelief.com.


Seasonal Job Opportunities
Applications Accepted Beginning Feb 2
Looking for a fun job this summer? Come work for Middletown Township! The Recreation Department Recreation is looking for enthusiastic and motivated candidates for our Summer Recreation Program. Lifeguarding positions are also available for our beaches – applicants must be a certified lifeguard from an accredited agency. The Public Works Department is seeking candidates to work in Maintenance – Parks, Roads, Buildings and Automotive.

Applications will be accepted beginning Saturday, February 2 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Croydon Hall Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Rd. After that day, return recreation applications to the Recreation Office, 900 Leoanardville Rd, Leonardo and maintenance applications to Public Works, 52 Kanes Lane, Middletown. Download applications from www.middletownnj.org. Go to Forms and Resources then Parks and Recreation to access application


2013 Ski/Snowboard Trips Now Open!
Like to Ski? Interested in learning how to Snowboard? Join the Middletown Township Department of Recreation on a trip to Camelback Mountain Resort (Tannersville, PA).

Trips are open to all Middletown residents, any age! Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian present. Parent/Guardian not required to ski. Helmets are required for anyone under 18 years of age. If you do not own one, you must rent one.

All trips leave from the Town Hall parking lot (1 Kings Highway, Middletown) at 6:00am SHARP. The lifts open at 8:30am. All participants are REQUIRED to check in with a Recreation Department staff member in the CBK Lodge between 12:00pm – 1:00pm. All participants are required to be on the bus ready to leave at 4:00pm SHARP. The expected return time is 6:30pm. Any participant failing to follow these procedures will not be permitted on future trips with the Department of Recreation.

Registration has begun and will be on going until filled. All trips are first come, first served. Sign up for one or both trips. If needed, a waiting list will be generated. Registration can be done via mail or in person at the Croydon Hall Administrative Office, Mon-Fri 9am-3pm. Visit www.middletownnj.org, go Recreation, then special events to download registration form.


Bray Avenue Bridge in Port Monmouth Closed
Monmouth County’s bridge on Bray Avenue over Pews Creek Port Monmouth is closed in the interest of public safety. While only the bridge is closed, traffic between Main Street and Thompson Avenue is being detoured. Bray Avenue will be open to local traffic only. The bridge is closed to vehicle traffic until further notice. Pedestrian access will continue. Detour signs have been posted. Prior to the closure, Monmouth County had been in the process of preparing plans and specification for the replacement of the 60-year old bridge. Read more


Seeking Employers for Youth Job Fair
Middletown's 22nd annual Youth Job Fair will be held Wednesday, April 10th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at High School North, located at 33 Tindall Road. The event. which is organized by Middletown Community Affairs Council, will bring together Middletown youth and employers to explore the possibility of full-time and part time job placement at no cost to the student or employers. Employers interested in participating can contact Mitch Gotesky at 732- 915-2445 or John Giordano at 732-996-7495.


Sandy Recovery Information Tips and FAQs

FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevations
Superstorm Sandy Information

FEMA Assistance - Register By January 30, 2013
www.disasterassistance.gov/
Find assistance, request assistance and track applications
Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Association.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
945 Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737


RESOLVE TO EXPLORE THE ARTS IN THE NEW YEAR AT THE MAC
Class registration for Winter through Spring 2013 is now open at the Middletown Arts Center (MAC), located on 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ. The institution is encouraging adults and children of all ages and abilities to make 2013 the year to explore the arts. This past fall left many families with little or no time to spend together, but the Middletown Arts Center invites the public to visit its 23,000 square-foot arts facility for some much needed rest, relaxation and entertainment.

The Middletown Arts Center’s arts programming allows members and non-members to discover their inner artist, musician or dancer and also offers children unique activities to explore their imagination and express themselves. The classes offered for children include Doodle Dude’s cartooning and animation, musical theatre fun, puppetry, fashion design, guitar, dance classes for boys and girls, kiddie rock concerts and music lessons with Miss Sherri and much more. There are also exercise classes available for adults looking to carve out some time to de-stress in the New Year. Classes include Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga, Hula Hooping, authentic Argentine tango, Irish-step, tap and ballroom dance.

For individuals and families in need of financial assistance due to Sandy, please contact Maggie O’Brien, the Middletown Art Center’s Executive Director, at 732-706-4100 and she will discuss opportunities for discounted programming. MAC members also receive discounts on classes and camps throughout the year.

Join the Middletown Arts Center Team The Middletown Arts Center is currently looking for artists and educators to join its team. Individuals who are interested can contact Maggie O’Brien at 732-706-4100. The MAC is currently looking to expand its programing by offering classes in adult crafts such as jewelry, beading, fiber and photography, as well as children’s classes in film making, animation, advanced art, drawing and arts and crafts.

Visit www.middletownarts.org for more information. The MAC can also be found on Facebook at Middletown Arts Center and Twitter @MiddletownArts.


Save the Date
Jan 30 - FEMA Registration Deadline
Feb 2 – Season Job Applications Accepted
Feb 9 - Ski/Snowboard Trip
Feb 23 - Ski/Snowboard Trip
Feb 23 – Poricy Park Summer Camp Open House – 2-4p
March 23 – Eggstravaganza
Oct 25 - Halloween Hullabaloo
1st & 3rd Saturday Monthly – Mayor’s Office Hours – 10 am to noon, Town Hall.

Mtown News Flash 9/18/12: Brush, Leaves & Rabies

Brush & Leaf Collection Reminder

The Public Works Department reminds residents that brush is collected each Spring and leaves each Fall.

Brush placed at the curb MUST be removed immediately. Since school is back in session, it creates a particular safety hazard for children walking to school and at bus stops.

Residents and registered landscapers can bring brush and leaves to the Recycling Center at 52 Kanes Lane, free of charge. Operating hours are Thursday through Monday, 8:30 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. The center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Violators are subject to fines of up to $2,000, up to 90 days imprisonment and/or community service for improper disposal of these materials. Public Works is also authorized to remove improperly disposed materials and assess the cost of removal and disposal against the responsible resident.

Leaf collection will begin in November. The next brush collection will be Spring 2013. Visit www.middletownnj.org/collection for information.



Rabies Alert & Free Shot Clinics

Cats Clinic: Sept 22, 9-11 a.m.
Dog Clinic: Oct 13, 9 a.m. to noon

The Middletown Township Health Department has received laboratory confirmation of a raccoon testing positive for Rabies. This new reports bring the total number of wild animals testing positive for Rabies this year to 6 ( 1 bat, 5 raccoons ). The raccoon was tested after it was found to be in altercations with a dog. This incident happened in the area of Trovillo Ct., located in the vicinity of the Locust and Navesink sections of town. Luckily, the dog was up to date on its rabies vaccination and only needed to receive a rabies booster and 45-day quarantine, according to Health Department Director Rich DeBenedetto.

In light of finding another rabid raccoon, we would like to remind residents about the possibility of wildlife being infected with Rabies. Please make sure all domestic animals (dogs, cats, and livestock) are currently vaccinated with a Rabies shot. If this dog was not currently vaccinated, the owner would have been ordered to confine the animal for six months in an approved pen or facility, or humanely euthanized to protect the family members from possible exposure to the Rabies Virus, DeBenedetto added.

Residents should not be interacting with wildlife. If you come across a sick or injured animal, keep your distance and please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2094 / 2097 immediately or contact the Police Department after hours and on weekends. Remember, Rabies is a fatal disease. The best course of defense is the vaccination of your pets and not handling or interacting with wildlife.

If any pet owner is in need of a rabies vaccination, please be advised that free clinics are being held by the Township. There will be a cat only rabies clinic held on September 22, 2012 from 9-11am and a dog only clinic on October 13, 2012 from 9 a.m.-12.p.m. at the Croydon Hall complex, 900 Leonardville Rd, Leonardo. For more information, do not hesitate to contact Animal Control at 732-615-2094.

Mtown News Flash 10-7-11

Meet the Mayor Nights
Middletown Mayor Anthony P. Fiore will host Meet the Mayor nights at the Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm October 17th, October 24th and November 7th . Residents are invited to stop by to discuss issues related to Township government. Meet the Mayor nights replace regularly scheduled office hours at Town Hall on these dates. Residents can also reach the Mayor by calling his office at 732-615-2024 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Health Department Moved to Croydon Hall
The Health Department has been temporarily relocated to Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo until further notice. This includes Animal Control, Social Services and Vital Statistics.

Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo, NJ 07737
Phone: 732-615-2095 |Fax: 732-671-8697 | Contact Us
Office Hours - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.



Flood Mitigation Assistance Funding Available
As a result of Hurricane Irene, federal funding assistance is available to mitigate flood hazards and reduce future losses. Residents interested in applying for a matching grant to fund flood mitigation projects such as house elevation, should contact Middletown Emergency Management by Thursday, October 13 at 732-615-2129.

Fall Recreation Class Registration
The Middletown Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is currently accepting registration for youth and adult classes offered this fall. Adult classes include computers, karate and volleyball. Youth classes include Computer Explorers, ceramics, bowling and gymnastics. Registrations are accepted on-line, by mail and at the Parks and Recreation Office, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Call 732-615-2260 for details. Online Registration


DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS CLOSED FOR COLUMBUS DAY
Officials at the FEMA/State Joint Field Office announced that the Disaster Recovery Centers in New Jersey will be closed for Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 10. They will re-open on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and resume normal hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Assistance is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. by calling the Helpline, 800-621-3362. Anyone affected by the disaster may register for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Video Relay Service and 711 are also available by calling 800-621-3362. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. Register anytime online at www.fema.gov or m.fema.gov. Residents can find the DRC closest to them online at: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm. The deadline to register is Oct. 31.


TV programming
October programming includes the Middletown Arts Center Talent Showcase and Reaching Out to Prevent Subsistence Abuse. The station is viewable on Comcast Cable Channel 20 and Verizon Fios 26.

• About the TV Station
• Program Schedule

In between programs catch on local news and events by viewing Community Bulletin. Don't have Comcast or Verizon. View the bulletin board online!

Community Bulletin Board

Written Comments on Oceanic Bridge Accepted Through 10/26
If you missed the chance to voice your concerns about the Oceanic Bridge at recent public information meetings held in Rumson and Middletown, you can still do so in writing. The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering has created and posted a form online that you can download and use to submit your written comments.

The public meetings were held to discuss the replacement alternatives of the Oceanic Bridge over the Navesink River between Rumson and Middletown, in accordance with federal and state regulations. The public is encouraged to voice their opinions on their preferred bridge replacement alternative. All written public comments will be included in the submission to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The forms, as well as the materials presented at the public information meetings, are posted on the Monmouth County website via this link.

Written comments will be accepted through Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Comments may be mailed or faxed to: Monmouth County Engineering, 1 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1255, Freehold, NJ 07728, Attn: Inkyung Englehart, Fax: 732-431-7765

Mtown News Flash 9-30-11

Dog Rabies Clinic October 1

The Middletown Health Department will hold a free rabies clinic for dogs only at the overflow parking lot on the corner of Kings Hwy and Penelope Lane on Saturday October 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Open to all residents of New Jersey. All dogs must be on a leash. Middletown residents may renew and or apply for new licenses - proof of neutering must be supplied for reduced fees. Please bring proof of any previous rabies vaccinations.

Fall Recreation Class Registration
The Middletown Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is currently accepting registration for youth and adult classes offered this fall. Adult classes include computers, karate and volleyball. Youth classes include Computer Explorers, ceramics, bowling and gymnastics. Registrations are accepted on-line, by mail and at the Parks and Recreation Office, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo. Call 732-615-2260 for details. Online Registration - https://parkpay.middletownnj.org/vsiwebtrac.html

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center open Mon-Sat
Assistance Claims must be filed by October 31
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Monmouth County Park System's Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Route 36 will be processing claims from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The office will be closed on Sundays effectively immediately

Monmouth County residents and business owners whose properties sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Irene are also reminded to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance no later than Oct. 31.

Before visiting the DRC, residents and business owners who sustained losses should register online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov or via mobile phone application m.fema.gov. You can also register by phone between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or for the speech or hearing impaired, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

After registering for FEMA assistance, claimants should receive notification by mail within 10 days on whether they qualify for federal disaster assistance. If eligible, the letter explains how much the grant will be, and how it is intended to be used. You should keep receipts and other documentation for at least three years as proof the funds were spent as intended. If ineligible – or if the grant amount reads "0" – you may still qualify. The denial may just mean the application is missing information or that you missed an appointment with an inspector. FEMA recommends that you consider the appeals process.

The Oct. 31 deadline also applies to loan applications submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955. Other storm recovery information and links to FEMA resources are available on the Monmouth County Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com

Police Advise Residents to Lock Car Doors
The Middletown Police Department has warned township residents to lock their car doors and to remove their car keys and any valuable items from their vehicles. Most of the burglaries and thefts from vehicles occur when residents leave them unlocked. "Cherry Picking" is the practice of walking through randomly chosen neighborhoods and checking vehicles in order to identify those that are left unlocked. Once a thief locates an unlocked car he or she will enter the vehicle and remove any items of value.

Police also warn residents to remove any of value from their vehicles such as keys, money, cell phones, computers, etc. Recently, there have been numerous thefts from vehicles where the suspects have only removed the vehicle's keys. This permits the thieves to return to the area at another time and possibly steal the car.

Almost all of the car burglaries, thefts from vehicles and actual stolen cars occur in vehicles that have been left unlocked. The simple process of locking your doors, even when the vehicle is parked at your home, and removing valuable items from your car, often discourages a thief from choosing your vehicle.

The Middletown Police Department requests that anyone with information in reference to any car burglaries or vehicle thefts to call Police Headquarters at (732) 615-2100 or the Detective Bureau at (732) 615-2120.

Written Comments on Oceanic Bridge Accepted Through 10/26
If you missed the chance to voice your concerns about the Oceanic Bridge at recent public information meetings held in Rumson and Middletown, you can still do so in writing.

The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering has created and posted a form online that you can download and use to submit your written comments.

The public meetings were held to discuss the replacement alternatives of the Oceanic Bridge over the Navesink River between Rumson and Middletown, in accordance with federal and state regulations. The public is encouraged to voice their opinions on their preferred bridge replacement alternative. All written public comments will be included in the submission to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

The forms, as well as the materials presented at the public information meetings, are posted on the Monmouth County website via this link.

Written comments will be accepted through Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Comments may be mailed or faxed to:

Monmouth County Engineering
1 East Main Street
P.O. Box 1255
Freehold, NJ 07728
Attn: Inkyung Englehart
Fax: 732-431-7765

Middletown News Flash 7-14-11

Child Safety Seat Checkpoint July 15

The Middletown Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau will hold a Children Safety Seat Checkpoint this Summer Friday, July 15 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Police Headquarters, 1 Kings Highway.

Police officers trained as child passenger safety technicians will be available to assist motorists with proper child safety seat installation as well as proper positioning and harnessing of a child. Free and open to the public. No appointment necessary

Additional checkpoints will be held on:

• Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
• Wednesday, August 17 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
• Friday, September 2 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 16 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In the event of severe weather, rain dates will be announced. The program is funded through a grant from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Call 732-615-2045 for more information.

Summer Concert Series Continues
July 21, 7 pm at Normandy Park
The Beth Anne Clayton Band
Middletown's Summer Concert Series continues on Thursday, July 21 with the Beth Anne Clayton Band and is sponsored by TD Bank. Concerts are held at Normandy Park from 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. every other Thursday. In the event of inclement weather, concerts are moved to Middletown South High School. Limited on-site parking. For more information, contact Parks & Recreation Office Monday-Friday at 732-615-2260. The Middletown Concert Series is held in partnership with the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council.

The Mahoney Brothers will bring their impersonations of modern music greats to Middletown with their Jukebox Heroes Show on Thursday, August 4. This concert, the last is the 2011 series, is sponsored by Comcast Cable.

Meanwhile, the Arts Center is offering a concert series for families every Thursday through August 25th. Cool Kids Concerts with Miss Sherri, Thursdays, 4 - 5 p.m., are open to children ages 1-10 and their parents. The Middletown Arts Center and Miss Sherri, nationally known award winning Kindie Rocker/Singer, songwriter and founder of Honey Child Music Academy invite families to beat the heat and boogie down during the totally interactive shows. Admission is $5. Call 732-706-4100 or visit www.middletownarts.org for more information.

Middletown Seeks Support for 9/11 Flag Display
In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of September 11th, Middletown Township is planning a flag display at the site of the Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens to honor the 37 friends and neighbors the community lost in the World Trade Center tragedy. The flags would be posted on telephone poles at the Gardens, located on Church Street next to the Arts Center, and would extend down Middletown-Lincroft Road, past the Middletown Train Station. The flags will remain in place after the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony as a perpetual reminder that Middletown remains vigilant in its support of the War on Terror.

The cost of each flag banner is $250. Businesses and individuals who sponsor the cost of at least one flag will be recognized in the 9/11 program materials, on the township website – www.middletownnj.org – and on the township television station. The station is viewable on Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon FiOs Channel 26. Donations are tax-deductible. All donations are appreciated. Please make checks payable to: Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens, c/o Mayor's Office, Middletown Township, 1 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748. Call Mayor Anthony Fiore's office at 732-615-2024 for more information.

Just For Toddlers Preschool Playgroup
Join us for an exciting new year at just For Toddlers! The Tonya Keller Bayshore Community Center has increased class times and offerings to allow for more instruction. Just For Toddlers is a preschool playgroup for children 18 months to Pre-K. Arts & crafts, stories, music, numbers, letters, colors and many other activities will be taught to your child. Please be aware, however old your child will be on October 1, 2011 will determine the class for which he or she may register. All classes run from September through May and consisting of three, 10-week sessions. Class schedule is primarily run around the Middletown Public School schedule. All classes are held at the Tonya Keller Community Center, 50 Bray Avenue, North Middletown. For more information, call 732-615-3250.

Tonya Keller Community Center Farmer's Market
The Tonya Keller Community Center Farmer's Market is open for business. Stop by on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All plants and vegetables were planted and are cared for by the children of the Tonya Keller Community Center. Shoppers can pick the vegetables of their choice directly from the garden. Residents interested in helping tend to the garden are also welcome to join the Garden Club The Garden Club meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All proceeds from the Farmer's Market go directly back into the garden. Tonya Keller Community Center is located at 50 Bray Avenue, North Middletown. For more information, call 732-615-3250.

Neighborhood Watch Comes to Ideal Beach
Middletown Township is trumpeting the arrival of a new Neighborhood Watch program in Ideal Beach with the installation of signs at key locations in the beachside neighborhood.

"The Township Committee and I are extremely proud of this Neighborhood Watch program. It shows people that Ideal Beach is a community that takes great pride in itself. The residents are out there and vigilant, and really helping to beautify this part of the town. It's a real true hidden gem of Middletown Township," said Mayor Anthony Fiore to a group of government and community leaders who gathered at the Tonya Keller Community Center to mark the start of the program.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Mayor Pam Brightbill, Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante and Deputy Chief Craig Bahrs and Ideal Beach Community Association (IBCA) members including President Kathy Grano, and Secretary Greta Siwiec.

More than 20 residents have already pledged to keep a watchful eye over the neighborhood. They also meet monthly to address various concerns. The group is assisted by a local detective who answers questions and provides guidance, said IBCA Secretary Greta Siwiec explained.

Installation of the signs is the latest in a series of projects and programs undertaken as part of the Neighborhood Preservation Program. Middletown secured federal, state and local funds to preserve and improve the neighborhood in 2009. Other activities and projects have included a home rehabilitation program, shade tree plantings and building improvements at the Tonya Keller Community Center; speed monitors along key roadways, and installation of security system to enhance neighborhood safety.

IBCA, a non-profit group, is an outgrowth of the Neighborhood Preservation Program. Many of its founding members were involved in community meetings hosted by the Neighborhood Preservation program to find out what residents wanted to see improved. IBCA remains dedicated to further program goals including enhancing their quality of life and building a stronger sense of community. Membership in IBCA is open to all residents. Non-residents who wish to support the neighborhood are welcome as Associate Members. The group meets every second Tuesday at the Tonya Keller Bayshore Community Center, 50 Bray Avenue. For more information, visit www.myidealbeach.org.

Scam Prevention Seminar August 10, 1:30 p.m.
On August 10, 2011 at 1:30 pm the Middletown Township Police Department will host a scam prevention seminar at the Middletown Township Public Library located on New Monmouth Road. The seminar will be held in conjunction with Valley National Bank Corporate Security. The seminar will educate residents on potential scams that have become an increased problem for law enforcement. Topics will include, but not limited to, the Grandparents Scam, Lottery Scam, Internet Scams, Credit Card Company Scams and many more.

The Middletown Police Department has noticed a huge increase in these types of crimes and has received numerous reports from residents reporting such scams. The Police Department and Valley National Bank hope that this seminar will provide the necessary information to our residents in order to prevent them from becoming victims. The seminar is open to anyone with an added focus towards senior citizens.

Middletown Fire Academy Civilian Classes
The Middletown Fire Department Training Academy is offering classes to civilians on boating safety, CPR and use of Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AED).

A New Jersey Boating Safety course will be offered August 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All persons who wish to operate a power vessel must possess a Boating Safety Certificate. Successful completion of this course will result in a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the New Jersey State Police. Course Number is 11-1701-32. Registration deadline is August 10. Tuition is $50.

A course on CPR and use of AEDs will be held on October 25 and October 27, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. About 92 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, but statistics prove that if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved. Immediate CPR can double, or even triple, a victim's chance of survival. Registration deadline ends October 10th. Course Number is 11-1601-42 Tuition is $25.

For registration and information please contact: info@middletownfireacademy.com, 732-615-3280, fax: 732-957-9369.

Vote for the Middletown Arts Center during the Asbury Park Press
"2011 Best of Monmouth County Readers Choice Awards"!
Visit http://bestof.app.com by July 31st to VOTE for the Middletown Arts Center! Once online, fill in your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to enter. Type in Middletown Arts Center for the Best of Categories for Camp, Place for Kids Birthday Party or Place to Dance. We hope to win more than one category so please spread the word! Include the complete organization name of the Middletown Arts Center, town of Middletown and county is Monmouth. Online voting ends Sunday, July 31th. All eligible voter entries must be submitted online. No other methods of voting are acceptable. One vote per category, one vote per person.