Joint Base representatives visit OCL’s Bishop Building for Ocean County Tourism and Business Development program

TOMS RIVER – Representatives from Ocean County and the Joint Base of McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst gathered Feb. 27 for an Ocean County Tourism and Business Development program held at the Ocean County Library’s Bishop Building.

The event that drew around 80 people involved a partnership with the Ocean County Library.

Leaders of the Joint Base, that includes facilities of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy in areas of Ocean and Burlington counties, spoke about its mission and its impact on the community.

Among the honored guests present were Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher and Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies.

Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn and Assistant Director Valerie Bell represented the library system.

“I learned some interesting facts at this evening’s event about the Joint Base,’’ Quinn said after the program. “The Joint Base is the largest employer in southern NJ and the second largest in the state.’’

Quinn noted that those present from the Joint Base were pleased to learn about “the wide variety of library services and programs that OCL provides as the largest library system in the state.”

Representatives of the Joint Base took the opportunity to promote its upcoming open house and air show scheduled for May 10 and 11.

The event that will feature free admission and free parking was described as a thank you to the tri-state region that supports the Joint Base throughout the year.

Headlining this year’s event will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The U.S. Army Golden Knights, GEICO Skytypers and other scheduled performers will also entertain crowds during the two day show.

For information about the event visit www.jbmdlspecialevents.com.

The development of African American characters in the comics

OCL’s own Chris Barnes leads a discussion about African American characters in comics during a Black History Month program held on Feb. 20 at the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library.

The well attended program centered on how African American characters evolved from stereotypes to fleshed out personalities. Barnes discussed the evolution of characters like Ebony White from the classic comic book series “The Spirit” in the 1940s and how he had changed to his modern day counterpart. He also discussed the development of black superheroes such as Marvel Comics Power Man and DC Comics Black Lightening among many others during the hour long program.  Barnes also touched on African American artists and writers who helped bring African American characters to mainstream popularity. The program concluded with a comics trivia quiz which also covered many of the topics he discussed during the night.

Nightingale & Barton to visit 3 OCL branches

Linda Turash Productions will present “A Visit with Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale” at three Ocean County Library branches as Women’s History Month begins.

The program will tell people about Barton and Nightingale’s life. Culling from their personal correspondence and journals, their characters will discuss personal experiences, trials they faced and their roles in American history.

The programs will be presented 7 p.m.  at:

Island Heights, 121 Central Av., Monday March 3, 732-270-6266

Jackson, 2 Jackson Dr., Thursday March 6, 732-928-4400

Plumsted, 119 Evergreen Rd., Monday March 10, 609-758-7888.

The programs are free but registration is required. Telephone the branch or visit the library website www.theoceancountylibrary.org, click on the “Events and News” menu then click the “Calendar of Events” icon to register.

I think that I shall never see, anything frightening like a ZOMBIE!

Lions and Tigers and Bears…you wish!

More than 70 people watched, mesmerized, as special effects artist Tony Mandile, owner of Anatomy FX and the creative genius behind 6 Flags fright fest, transformed Teens into the ultimate little monsters – ZOMBIES!

Tony revealed the secrets of that transformation and they ate it up, figuratively speaking of course.

UPDATE. Tony will present his “Special Effects Workshop for Teens” 6:30 p.m. Monday March 24 at the Brick branch. The program is free but registration is required. To register telephone the branch 732-477-4513 or go to the libray’s website http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org , select the “Events & News” pull down menu and then “Calendar of Events.”

To view photos from the program click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceancountylibrary/sets/72157641657131734/

2014 NAACP Black History Month program @ Toms River

The Toms River branch of the NAACP h eld their annual Black History Month program Saturday Feb. 22 at OCL’s Toms River branch.  The program presented bluesman Derek Pierre (sponsored by the Friends of the Toms River Library), ‘NSTEP from Toms River North High School and a soulfood tasting.

Photographs from the event can be seen on our Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceancountylibrary/sets/72157641568238894/

TR library friends will present award-winning play

The Friends of the Toms River Library will sponsor Nora and Delis Ephron’s play, “Love and Loss and What I Wore,” Wednesday March 26 at 7 p.m.

The play, performed by the Guild Theatre Works and based by on a 1995 novel by Ilene Beckerman, is a series of monologues exploring female wiles, worries and insecurities in their memories of family and friends. The ensemble piece about clothes and memory covers all the important subjects: mothers, prom dresses, buying bras, hating purses and why we only wear black.

The play has won a number of awards, including 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience as well as the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play.

It has been performed in eight countries on six continents.

The play will be presented free of charge at the Toms River branch’s Mancini Hall, 101 Washington St. Registration is required.

To register telephone the library operator at 732-349-6200 or 609-971-0514 or visit the library’s website www.theoceancountylibrary.org  and click on “Events and News” then “Calendar of Events.”

Getting Ready for College

Are you or your child heading to college and asking ……Where do I start? … When do I apply? …Can I afford this? …What tests do I take? SATs or ACTs?

Come to the Toms River library branch, 101 Washington St., 7 p.m. Monday March 17 to get practical information and advice on how to navigate the college application process. Andrea Mendez of Kane Counseling will answer your questions regarding applications, financial aid and the college entrance process.

 

Mendez, who has personally tutored and taught more than 500 students for college exams, will talk about the differences between the SAT vs. the ACT and how to select the better test for your high schooler.  She will advise you on “what to do when,” and at which point during the high school career your student should register, study for, and take college entrance exams.

 

Other topics will include:

• the differences between “safety, target and reach schools;
• how to start (and finish!)  the financial aid process;
• how to compose a resume and gather recommendations.   

 

The program is free but registration is required. Telephone 732-349-6200 or visit our website www.theoceancountylibrary.org  to register.  All attendees will have the opportunity to win a free hour of SAT or ACT tutoring worth $130. Mendez will stay after the program to answer additional questions.   

 

For more information contact the Toms River Teen Services Team at 732-349-6200 ext 5203.

Baseball, Sparks, and Buster: batter up @ the Brick branch

Sparks and Buster have often partnered to promote literacy and baseball.

Sparks and Buster, along with a representative from the Lakewood BlueClaws will discuss America’s pastime 10:30 a.m. Saturday March 1 at the Brick branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road.

Baseball’s Spring Training Camps have opened in the fair-weather cities and will make its way north for opening day in about five weeks.  Here is your chance to learn more about the game and have your say about how the season will shape up, especially for the home teams.

The OCL mascot Sparks and BlueClaws mascot Buster will sign autographs. Fans of all ages from all over the county are invited to attend.

The program is free of charge but registration is required. Telephone the branch 732-477-4513 or go to the OCL website www.theoceancountylibrary.org, select the “Events and News” drop down menu then click on the “Calendar of Events” icon to register.

NJ Theatre Alliances Stage Festival performances @ 15 OCL branches

New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s “Stages Festival” will present nine programs at 15 Ocean County Library branches in March.  These programs will mark the 17^th anniversary of the library’s partnership with the Alliance.

The festival brings professional, Broadway-quality programs to communities throughout March and Ocean County Library presents them to the public free of charge.

Throughout the years the performances have touched people of all ages and this year will be no different.

Preschoolers can enjoy programs like “Stone Soup and Other Tales” and “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Seniors and families will be entertained and educated by “Celebrating New Jersey” and “IRL: In Real Life.”

Registration is required for each of the presentations. Telephone the branch to register.

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” presented by Centenary Stage Company, is an adventurous, fun-filled performance complete with slap-stick comedy. In this family program an innocent milk-and-cookie snack time goes from mishap to calamity to catastrophe faster than the twitch of a whisker.

The performance will be held:

11 a.m. Sat. March 1 at the Waretown branch, 112 Main St., 609-693-5133.

10:30 a.m. Sat. March 8 at the Stafford branch, 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin, 609-597-3381.

6:30 p.m. Thur. March 13 at the Berkeley branch, 30 Station Rd., 732-269-2144.

“IRL: In Real Life,” presented by George Street Playhouse, examines the perils of cyber-bullying when four students encounter anonymous text message, secret photos, and threatened online conversations.

The program, for teens (ages 11-17) and adults, investigates how students can take an active role to end cyber-bullying.

It will be presented 6 p.m. Mon. March 10 at Manchester, 21 Colonial Dr., 732-657-7600.

“Stone Soup and Other Tales,” presented by Pushcart Players, is a charming blend of carefully selected folk tales from around the world. Supporting the literacy movement’s emphasis on the joy of reading, this dynamic and participatory program is not to be missed by young viewers and families.

The performance will be held 6:30 p.m. Tues March 11 at Point Pleasant Beach, 710 McLean Av., 732-295-1555.

“If You Give a Pig a Pancake,” presented by Centenary Stage Company, shows what happens when a young girl accommodates the demands of a quirky piglet after eating pancakes.  Their adventure is just beginning as they take a bubble bath, tap dance, take a photo, mail a letter, build and decorate a tree house, and of course, go back for more pancakes.

The performance will be held 6:30 p.m. Tues. March 25 at Brick, 301 Chambers Bridge Rd., 732-477-4513.

“Celebrating New Jersey,” presented by Pushcart Players heightens your appreciation of our state on its 350^th anniversary. This delightful theatre piece used the art of storytelling to reach across more than three centuries, linking New Jerseyans to their past and breathes life into our history.

The performance will be held:

10:30 a.m. Sat. March 8 at Little Egg Harbor, 290 Mathistown Rd., 609-294-1197.

2:30 p.m. Sat. March 22 at Long Beach Island, 217 S. Central Av., Surf City, 609-494-2480.

“Victorian Magic,” presented by East Lynn Theater Company, brings actor Robert Aberdeen to the stage where he will delight audiences of all ages with his magical sleight-of-hand. Be careful, this family performance includes audience participation!

The performance will be held 2:30 p.m. Tues. March 18 at Plumsted, 119 Evergreen Rd., New Egypt 609-758-7888.

“Bullies in the Hall,” presented by Surflight Theatre, tells the story of a group of students at Woodruff High and how they learn to deal with the constant and mean-spirited bullying behavior that has become the norm, including cyber-bullying. Schools should be a safe place for everyone, and students have the power to make it so.

It will be presented 6:30 p.m. Mon. March 24 at the Island Heights Grade School, 115 Summit Ave., 732-270-6266.

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” presented by Surflight Theatre, tells of Alexander’s day. Not only does He wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his be friend anymore.  Alexander’s struggles with life’s daily dramas will not only entertain but will educate young audiences as they identify with him and the obstacles he encounters, encouraging them to share their feelings.

It will be performed:

7 p.m. Thurs. March 6 at Toms River, 101 Washington St., 732-349-6200.

3 p.m. Fri. March 14 at Lakewood, 301 Lexington Av., 732-363-1435

11 a.m. Sat. March 15 at Point Pleasant Borough, 834 Beaver Dam Rd., 732-295-1555.

2 p.m. Sat. March 22 at Lacey, 10 E. Lacey Rd., Forked River, 609-693-8566.

“Happily Ever After- A Cinderella Tale,” presented by Pushcart Players is based on the classic tale. This musical adaptation takes one on that sometimes happy, sometimes say, but always compelling journey, fueled by inner beauty, courage and kindness as they triumph over greed, arrogance and bully behavior.

It will be performed 2 p.m. Sat. March 29 @ Barnegat, 112 Burr St., 609-698-3331.

TR branch will present “Market your Business with a Website”

Ocean County Library will offer business owners the tools to help them promote their business and increase their visibility on the Internet.

The Toms River branch will host “Market your Business with a Website” at 11 a.m. Wednesday March 12.

The program will teach the key features of a successful website and present search engine optimization tips to better position your website and its ranking when people look for you on the Internet.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch operator at 732-349-6200 or 609-971-0514, or go to the library website www.theoceancountylibrary.org, select the “Events and News” drop-down menu and then click on the “Calendar of Events” icon.

A light lunch will be provided to the business owners who attend the program.