Community Bulletin Board
Boat safety expo at Coast Guard station July 9-10

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is sponsoring a Boat Safe Expo, a two-day event that is open to the general public. The event will take place July 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet, Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach.

The Boat Safe Expo will feature various displays on boating safely, knot tying, kids and boats, marine radios, vessel checks and other attractions for adults and children.

This year’s community outreach focus is on vessel safety checks. A vessel safety check (VSC) is a voluntary check of a vessel’s compliance with federal/state safety regulations. Moreover, it’s an opportunity to exchange boating safety information.

VSC is a free service offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The result of the VSC is confidential. However, a successful VSC results in a sticker that informs maritime law enforcement that the vessel is in compliance with the necessary safety requirements.

As the lead volunteer agency of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s mission is to promote safety on America’s waterways, by educating and assisting the boating public.

Conservation photo contest accepting photos

The Ocean County Soil Conservation District (SCD) is now accepting entries for the 2005 Conservation Photo Contest. The contest is open to those who are at least 18 years old. Entrants must submit a photo that has been taken within Ocean County of a landscape, waterscape, wildlife, and/or people interacting with the environment. Winning entries in the past have depicted the diverse beauty of Ocean County.

The size of the print can be 4 by 6 inches or 5 by 7 inches, in color or black and white. The negative must be included with the entry. Digital photos will be accepted if printed on photo-quality paper and accompanied by a written statement attesting to the origin of the photo.

Mail entries to: Ocean County SCD, 714 Lacey Road, Forked River 08731. A stamped, self-addressed envelope should be included for those who want the entry returned.

The contest deadline is July 22. First-, second- and third-place winners will receive an 8-by-10-inch copy of their entry and a one-year subscription to National Wildlife. The winning photos will be framed and on display at the Ocean County SCD office for one year. Details: (609) 971-7002 or e-mail info@ocscd.org.

Kick up your heels and get ‘Footloose’ in Jackson

The Holman Theater Company, of Jackson, will present “Footloose,” July 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., and July 23 at 2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Jackson Memorial High School, on Don Connor Boulevard in Jackson.

General admission tickets may be bought in advance or at the door. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, and $15 for senior citizens and students. Tickets will cost $20 for adults, and $18 for senior citizens and students at the door. Seniors and “Fellow Thespians” can purchase a Saturday matinee special for $12 per ticket. Groups discounts are available.

Details and tickets: (732) 928-5606 or (732) 928-3898.

Lifeguard rowing event in Brick and Seaside July 13

Lifeguards and recreational rowers of all ages will gather at Beaton Boat Yard in Brick, July 13 at 9 a.m. (registration is 7:30-8:45 a.m.) to experience the competition, camaraderie and wide array of unique craft in what is New Jersey’s largest surfboat rowing event, according to a press release.

Viking Promotions’ signature event, the New Jersey State Rowing Championships, covers 7 miles of the open waters of Barnegat Bay, passing through 14 beach communities from the Mantoloking Bridge to Seaside Heights. The fee to enter is $25 in advance or $35 on race day.

Those who attend the event will have the opportunity to see not only many of the area's top lifeguards and competitive rowers, but also an assortment of surf-rescue boats, dories, Jersey skiffs, sculls and custom rowing craft.

This fifth annual race — with 12 boat classes, five age groups and five rowing combinations — is open to any type of rowing craft. All proceeds of the race will benefit the Ocean County College Sailing Program.

More information about the event, including pictures, registration forms, course descriptions, and rules, can be found at the Internet Web site www.vikingpromotions.com/njsrc or by calling (732) 237-0576.

Infernos heat up Jackson’s concert series

Jackson Township Recreation Department will host the fifth season of its “Concert Under the Stars” series July 15, Aug. 5 and Aug. 26 at John F. Johnson Jr. Memorial Park, at the intersection of Cooks Bridge Road and Manhattan Street. Concerts are offered to the general public in an open-air park setting with ample parking and facilities for the handicapped. Nonprofit organizations will be on hand beginning at 6:30 p.m. with food, beverages and snacks.

The first concert will take place July 15 at 7:30 p.m. and will feature The Infernos, a musical group that has risen to international and national popularity. Those who attend are advised to bring a lawn chair or a blanket. All are welcome to attend.

Call (732) 928-1200, ext. 255, for information on other upcoming public events such as “Friday Night at the Movies,” an outdoor event.

Baxter Fishing Derby winners announced

The Howell Township Parks and Recreation Department sponsored the Baxter Fishing Derby June 5 in honor of avid angler, Rob Baxter, who lost his battle with cancer at age 23. Approximately 110 youth participated in this event. Over 130 fish, including sunfish, yellow perch, large-mouth bass, and pickerel, were caught during the two-hour derby. Trophies, donated by the Baxter family, were awarded for largest, smallest, and most fish caught. The following people were winners: Ages 5-7: Ireland Dobbin, largest; Kyle Herman, smallest; Victoria Talbot, most. Ages 8-10: Thomas Depinto, largest; Abigil Osborne, smallest; Hailey Handehan, most. Ages 11-14: Brittany Peruzzi, largest; Allisha Clark, smallest; Kevin Wetmore, most.

‘Funtasia Festival for Kids’ in Lakewood

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will conduct its 11th annual “Funtasia Festival for Kids” July 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ocean County Park, Route 88, in Lakewood. The day will feature magic, music, jugglers, sports, games, crafts, strolling entertainers, and more. Activities will include stage shows and sports demonstrations. The players from the Lakewood BlueClaws will sign autographs. Nonprofit groups will display information and conduct carnival games. Admission is free. In the event of rain the festival will be moved into Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood. Details: (732) 877-OCParks or www.oceancountyparks.org.

Plumsted summer concert series kicks off July 2

The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts will host the its fifth annual Free Summer Concert Series. For the first concert in the series and in conjunction with the Plumsted Township fireworks display, the Council for the Arts will present the Rockin’ Fireworks Concert July 2, featuring The Platters.

The event will also feature the popular country band Late Nite Rodeo. Late Nite Rodeo (LNR) is a seven-piece band with the authentic country sound of a pedal steel guitar and a fiddle. LNR covers a mix of country music from a wide array of entertainers from artists like Alan Jackson and Randy Travis to Roger Miller, George Jones and a list of others.

In addition to music there will be twice as many food vendors as last year. Kids can enjoy the moon bounce, glow sticks, face painting, hair wrapping, sand art, and nonpermanent tattoos. For adults, there will be a 50/50 drawing.

The concert will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (including patriotic music during the fireworks show) and will be located on the fields behind the New Egypt High School (nearest the football stadium) on 117 Evergreen Road in New Egypt.

Attendees are recommended to bring blankets and lawn chairs. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Monday, July 5 (same time, same place). For updated information about this or any other Council for the Arts event, to leave a message or question, or for directions to one of the events, call 609-758-2241, ext. 144 (messages will be checked once a week). For more urgent requests and responses, e-mail PTCA.Summer

Concerts@comcast.net.