ERIC SUCAR staff A group of youngsters looks on as Kaenin Tornquist, 4, gets his face painted during New Egypt Day festivities on May 19. Main Street in downtown New Egypt, Plumsted Township, was the scene of games, food and fun activities. More ... School board to discuss $2.4 million cut Jackson council recommends reduction in school spending plan BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       Jackson Board of Education members will meet on June 4 to decide if they want to accept a $2.4 million reduction in the 2007-08 school budget or appeal the Township Council's recommended cut to the state commissioner of education. In a special meeting held May 21, the council reduce... More ... Career coaches help point students in right direction BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       College-bound students and their parents often face a myriad of questions and decisions. To assist them in answering those questions and making decisions, College Career Coach was founded and offers its services to facilitate the entire college and career experience. More ... Middlesex freeholder raps funding for MOM study       Middlesex County Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel has criticized a vote by the New Jersey Transit board to increase the amount spent on consulting fees for a proposed rail line that would travel from Ocean County to South Brunswick, Middlesex County. More ... Auditions       Brick Community Players is searching for a person to play the role of Marian in their July presentation of "The Music Man." Details: (732) 840-3515. Youth Stages is seeking to add new actor-educators to the roster of professionals available to conduct creative drama and theater cl... More ... Planners approve church, seek buffer for farmland BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Inc. of Brick Township faced some criticism at the May 17 Planning Board meeting, but in the end received preliminary approval to construct a 15,000-square-foot house of worship on Lakewood-Allenwood Road. More ... Sports camp comes to Jackson       JACKSON - The Jackson Depart-ment of Recreation and Senior Services and the U.S. Sports Institute will offer a multi-sport camp in Jackson this summer. Eric Schubiger, director of recreation and senior services, said the U.S. Sports Institute provides summer camps for boys and girls ag... More ... Breeders' Cup could place $60M into N.J.'s economy $20M in purses up for grabs in Oct. thoroughbred event BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Monmouth Park in Oceanport is gearing up for the richest day ever in the history of horse racing. That's what Greg Avioli, the Breeders' Cup president, called Oct. 27, when the 24th running of the thoroughbred championships will be held in New Jersey for the first time. The event i... More ...       The award-winning actress and artist Jane Seymour will bring her collection of paintings to Stone Harbor over Memorial Day weekend. "The Art of Jane Seymour" will be on display May 26-28, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Ave., Stone Harbor. Receptions with the artist will be he... More ...       Holmdel Community Church, 40 Main St., will hold a coffee house featuring the church's HUCC Finn band May 26 at 5 p.m. The free event will feature country, folk and rock music. For information, call (732) 946-8821 or e-mail holmdelchurch@verizon.net. More ...       Rat Pack fans will get a blast from the past when Jerry Spathis of Old Bridge performs Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin hits during a dinner show May 27 at La Riviera Italian Restaurant and Lounge, 113 Main St., Matawan. Spathis, a former restaurant and nightclub owner, was born in Brooklyn... More ... New facility to provide many medical services BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Centra-State Medical Center, West Main Street, will soon have a new facility to serve the community with a number of up-to-date services and programs. The CentraState Ambulatory Cam-pus is rising next to the medical center and some of the facilities are expected ... More ... Youngsters may not buy toy guns that look realistic BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Munic-ipal officials pride themselves on trying keeping residents safe from harm. To that end, the members of the Township Committee recently adopted an ordinance that bans the sale of toy guns that look like real guns to anyone under the age of 18. More ... Vendors, performers sought for Plumsted summer arts festival       PLUMSTED - Fine artists, performing artists, creative writers and poets are encouraged to gather to share the arts July 7, 3-10 p.m. during the Plumsted Council for the Arts seventh annual Rockin' Fireworks Concert and Arts Fest. Professional and amateurs, crafters, creators and ... More ... Foundation plans fashion show BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A fashion show and luncheon to enhance educational programs and activities for all of the schools in Jackson is being planned. "The Jackson Educational Foundation is sponsoring its first Fashion Show Luncheon at the Outback Steakhouse, 2770 Hooper Avenue, Brick, on June 2 f... More ... Clergy association hosts forum on death penalty       FREEHOLD - On the same day that the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to change the death penalty to life without the possibility of parole in New Jersey, the Freehold Clergy Association presented an update on New Jersey's death penalty by two men with direct experience w... More ... Howell law regulates location of sex shops BY TOYNET HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Addressing an issue that has been a topic of conversation in the community for years, the Township Council has adopted an ordinance which regulates where sexually oriented businesses may locate. The ordinance was adopted in a unanimous vote at the council's May 15 meeting. More ... Board OKs office building       JACKSON - Planning Board members have voted 7-0 to approve an application that proposed the construction of an office building on South Cooks Bridge Road near Bennetts Mills Road. The building was approved at the board's May 7 meeting. More ... Howell resident enjoys 100th birthday bash Ira Peavy has plenty of stories to tell about years gone by BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer       HOWELL - Ira Peavy can remember exactly where he was and what he was doing when he found out that a world war had started - World War I that is. The centenarian who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 2 said he remembers the scene as clearly as if it were yesterday. More ... Weekend includes pet show and parade BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - Get ready for a busy Memorial Day weekend in Jackson. "This will be a special Memorial Day weekend," said Vinnie Rubio, weekend coordinator. "Last year's parade was the biggest in Jackson's history and this one will be even bigger. More ... Dedication to reading recognized by FRHSD Event for students features presentation by author Paul Watkins BY VICTORIA HURLEY-SCHUBERT Staff Writer       For 15-year-old Oly Khowash, reading is a longstanding tradition."There's an Indian tradition, usually around age 5, an elder makes you write something," said Oly, who is a junior at Manalapan High School. "I started to try to write before that, so at age 2 my grandfather did it for me th... More ... Jackson Memorial senior will attend West Point BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer       JACKSON - A Jackson Memorial High School wrestler has made the decision to accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy. Robert Swan's respect for the military goes back to a childhood visit he made with a cousin to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. More ...