Gangwise Project: protecting our youth

TOMS RIVER -  Three branches of the Ocean County Library will present “The Gangwise Project: What our Community Needs to Know” during May.

Presented by Edwin Torres, a retired State law enforcement Lieutenant and juvenile gang expert, attendees will learn the general warning signs of gang affiliation. He will also discuss why kids join gangs and offer a brief history of modern gangs.

Torres will give advice to parents and teens about avoiding gangs and reporting on local gang activity. He will also tell where parents can go for help if they know their child is involved with a gang.

The program will be held:

• May 7 at the Brick branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Rd.,  (732) 477-4513
• May 16 at the Little Egg Harbor branch, 290 Mathistown Rd.,  (609) 294-1197
• May 20 at the Lakewood branch, 301 Lexington Av.,  (732) 363-1435.

The program is suitable for teens, ages 12 and up, their parents, and other interested adults such as educators, clergy and people who work with youth. Professional Development Certificates will be provided.

The programs are free and light refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Telephone the branch or go to the library’s Web site www.theoceancountylibrary.org .

Sign-in for each program begins at 6 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The programs are funded through a community collaboration of the OC Board of Chosen Freeholders; OC Youth Service Commission; OC Health Department; NJ Superior Court; the Ocean County Library; the Municipal Alliance Project, and the NJ Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Dan Fagin discussed his book “Toms River”

About 300 people came to Toms River’s Mancini Hall Thursday April 5 to hear investigative journalist, college professor and author Dan Fagin discuss his newly-released book “Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation” and the events that led to the contamination in then Dover Township.

Among those attending were about 30 biology students from Ocean County College.

The book tells the 60-year old story of scientific investigations that linked pollution found in the area’s air and water to a cluster of cancers, and of the people who were impacted by those chemical discharges into the environment.

Those stories are repeated around the world today, he said, though he is also confident things are improving because of new regulations and legislation.

Fagin spoke about his book for 20 minutes, discussing the history that led up to the investigations and the difficulties people encountered gathering evidence. It was followed by a 40-minute Q&A session.

Many of the questions came from people who were intimately involved in the investigations. Their questions revealed their first-hand knowledge  of the events.

Fagin stressed throughout the evening that he did not come to Toms River to belittle the township. His mission in writing the book was to encourage people to pursue the truth and not allow officials to patronize them or mislead them in their investigations.

The appearance also gave him the opportunity to publicly thank the Toms River residents who assisted him and provided information as he wrote the book.

A book signing followed the discussion.

 

First of 3 State Treasury events aids in tax preparation

Ocean County Library hosted the first of three of Governor Christie’s tax assistance event for Sandy victims Thursday Feb. 28 at Little Egg Harbor. 

It will also be held Monday March 18 6-8:15 p.m. at Toms River branch and Tue. March 26 6-8:30 p.m. in the Brick branch.

The event, organized by the State Treasury Department’s Division of Taxation, helped individuals and business prepare their 2012 tax returns.

The Department also assisted people with questions about reporting Sandy-related personal and business losses and offered help recovering lost tax documents.

“It was a BIG success!” said Judy Macaluso.   Almost 60 people attended the program.

Jennifer D’Autrechy, Deputy Chief of State – Dept. of the Treasury, and Roger Cohen, Assistant Treasurer for Tax Policy & Revenue Analysis – Dept. of the Treasury, were present.

Judy spoke with people from the state. They told her:

“Awesome Turnout.”

“The previous 3 event were minimally attended –in fact a few times there were more of us that the public”

“Outstanding!”

“We are looking forward to the Brick & TR events!”

Judy added, “Many thanks to the Kelly and the LEH staff for their promotion with customers/community and for helping the state reps that night.  And thanks to PR/Larry for the extra push the last week.”

“Let Us Never Forget” Author At The Toms River Branch

Painter and author of “Let Us Never Forget” Frank McGinley shared his stories and paintings at the Ocean County Library Toms River branch on September 17, 2012.  After being introduced by Toms River Township Historian J. Mark Mutter, McGinley spoke for over an hour about the pictures that depict World War 2 and the stories behind them. His award winning work is on display throughout the world, prominently featured at the Pentagon, West Point, McGuire Air Force Base,and the British War Museum.

You can view some pictures from the event here.

Ocean County Library Celebrates Constitution Day

Ocean County Library celebrated Constitution Day at the Toms River branch on September 17. Local government officials including Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari and Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn, along with the public, took turns reading the United States constitution from beginning to end. You can view a gallery of pictures from the event here.

TR Library Friends to host bus trip to Doylestown

TOMS RIVER -  The Friends of the Toms River Library will host a bus trip to the Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pa., a visit to the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, with a lunch and two-hour stop at Peddler’s Village Thursday, Nov. 15.

The cost is $92 per person.

Lunch will be held at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant in the village and is included in the cost of the trip.

The bus will leave from the Rt. 37 Toms River Foodtown at 8 a.m. The bus will arrive back in Toms river approximately 7:15 p.m. 

The all-concrete Fonthill Castle was built by archaeologist, ceramist and scholar Henry Chapman Mercer in the early 1900 as his home and showplace for his collection of tiles and prints.

The museum depicts everyday life during the 18^th and 19^th centuries and includes 40,000 object documenting the lives and tasks of early Americans.

For more information telephone Karen Roselli at (732) 864-0286.

Ocean County Library Celebrates Diversity Month

In October, the Ocean County Library celebrates the different heritages and people through Diversity Month. To celebrate, the library will be holding several programs though the month of October.

The Toms River branch will host a special Columbus Day performance featuring La Takkarata, a folk music and dance group from Fragneto Monforte in Italy, Fri. October 5 at 1 pm. This program is sponsored by the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee.

New Jersey’s premier Spanish dance company the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre will perform several styles of dance from Spain, including flamenco, regional and classic, at the Manchester branch (21 Colonial Dr.) October 8 at 3 p.m. They will performing the rhythmic dramas “El Amor Brujo’ and “Tribute to Garcia Lewis.”

This program is sponsored in part by an OceanFirst Foundation Arts and Cultural Grant and the Ocean County Library Foundation.

Families can come to the Little Egg Harbor branch (290 Mathistown Rd.) to learn about percussion and rhythm with Arts Forward on October 13 at 2 p.m.. This interactive program teaches African, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean drumming and music. The session is sponsored by the Friends of the Little Egg Harbor Library.

The Teen Advisory Board of the Plumsted branch (119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt) will host an evening of international desserts on Wed., Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own international sweets to share.

These programs are just a small selection of the Diversity Month Programs that the Ocean County Library is hosting for Diversity Month. They are all free and open to the public.

To register, visit the library’s website http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514.

Ocean County Library Explores The American Presidency

With the 2012 Presidential Election cycle in full swing, everyone is talking about politics and the role of the presidency. Ocean County Library examines what arguably is one of the most powerful positions in the world in a series of special lectures and programs.

Dr. Clement A. Price, a member of the Scholarly Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, leads a presentation on the impact that presidents have left on civil rights issues in the United States.

He will speaks at the Toms River branch (101 Washington Street) on October 15 at 6:30 p.m. This program is presented in partnership with the Ocean County Human Relations Commission, Ocean County College, Jersey Shore PFLAG and the Toms River NAACP.

Former curator to the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission Patricia Burke leads a two-part discussion about the cultural impact that President Woodrow Wilson had on civil rights in the country at the Barnegat branch (112 Burr Street) on October 16 and 23. Reading materials will be provided at these programs, both starting at 7 p.m.

Ocean County College adjunct instructor David Lansing will lead a discussion analyzing what the country’s “Founding Fathers” would approve of in the modern American political system at the Manchester (21 Colonial Drive) branch on October 4 at 7 p.m.

Lansing will discuss the influence of politics and the media on election results at the Manchester branch on October 30 at 7 pm.

This series was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations in this series do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

These programs are free and open to the public. For more information or to register for these programs visit http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Two Exciting New Artists Debut at Toms River Library

In the Ocean County Library Toms River branch’s McConnell Gallery (101 Washington Street), a selection of dynamic mixed media and acrylic works by local abstract expressionist artist Zolbayar will be on display until August 31st. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia and alumna of Lakewood High School, Zolbayar pursued his studies at the prestigious Art Student League of New York. His explorations into art history led him to the Expressionist Movement, which he credits as a major influence on his development as a painter.

“Abstract art, with all its personal power of revelation, showed me a new way to pursue my passion,” states Zolbayar. “It has become a statement of the desire of my soul to explore the unknown with honesty and freedom.”

In the Second Floor Gallery, Irma Malave Sanchez will exhibit “Expressions”, a vibrant array of portraits and florals boldly executed in oils, acrylics, and pencil. An alumna of Georgian Court University – where she served as a past president of the Art Society and received the Geiss Award for Excellence in Art – Sanchez has exhibited previously at the University as well as at Lakewood’s Ralyn Art Center.

“My goal is for my artwork to evoke emotion, whether it be elation or sorrow,” she states. “I would like to make the viewer think, and through that, to make them part of the artwork itself.”

A meet-and-greet will be held for Ms. Sanchez on Thursday, August 9th, 6:30-8:30pm. Visitors are invited to join the artist in the Second Floor Gallery for light refreshments and a viewing of her exhibit.

These events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library at (732)349-6200 xt. 5112, or visit our website at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Meet Television Weather Man and Author Bill Evans At The Ocean County Library

Ten time Emmy Award winning WABC-TV chief meteorologist and New York Times best-selling author Bill Evans will speak about his two latest books at the Ocean County Library Toms River branch (101 Washington Street) Saturday, August 4 at 7 pm.

Evans will discuss his latest science-based thriller “Blackmail Earth.” Combining real world science and global politics, he creates a world where criminal organizations use weather changes for nefarious purposes.

The meteorologist will also share his first children’s book “It’s Raining Fish and Spiders,” a book specifically written for middle-grade students, addressing weather myths and facts. It also includes simple and fun weather experiments that can be performed at home.

Extensively researched, fact-filled, and packed with charts, tables, illustrations, and amazing photographs, “It’s Raining Fish And Spiders” is an entertaining and educational great for anyone interested in weather, science and the natural world.

In addition to his books, Evans will also tell his most exciting personal stories of being a television meteorologist, including flying with hurricane hunters and tornado chasers, playing basketball against New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, and water-skiing down the Hudson River

This program is free and open to the public. To register, call the library at (732) 349-6200 or online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.