“Over Our Dead Bodies” author/mortician to speak @ Toms River library

TOMS RIVER—Fourth generation undertaker turned author Todd Harra will speak about the book he co-wrote “Over Our Dead Bodies” 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 101 Washington St.

“Over Our Dead Bodies: Undertakers Lift The Lid” was co-written with Ken McKenzie and is a collection of the quirky, bizarre and humorous anecdotes borrowed from funeral directors across the United States.

The book is a collection of real stories from morticians and funeral directors that shows the lighter side of our mortality. From police interventions during a funeral riot, to the phenomenon of funeral crashers who show up only for a free meal, it gives a glimpse into the more surreal and whimsical side of the funeral industry.

“Over Our Dead Bodies” is a sequel to the duo’s 2010 book “Mortuary Confidential: Undertakers Spill The Dirt.”

This program is free and open to the public. To register, visit the Ocean County Library’s website www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 732-349-6200.

“Mi Casa Tu Casa” performed at Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School Wednesday

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre cast members (left to right) Allicia Rivas, Michael Aquino, Jane Keitel, and Chris Kent  performed in “Mi Casa Tu Casa” Wednesday afternoon at the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School.

The Upper Shores branch of the Ocean County Library hosted Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre’s bilingual production of “Mi Casa Tu Casa” Wednesday for children and families at the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School, Seaside Heights Wednesday.

More than 200 people filled the school’s auditorium.

The four-member cast blended music and folktales where a humble mouse could charm a lovely cockroach, a young girl could find beauty in her new  home in American, and the feather of a Thunderbird could bring prosperity to a person who believes.

Musicians Michael Aquino (electric guitar) and Jane Keitel (keyboard)  accompanied storytellers Allicia Rivas and Chris Kent through the hour long program, a presentation of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s annual Stages Festival.

The annual festival brings professional theater companies to local neighborhoods in March, delighting children, families and other adults with Broadway-quality programs.

This marks the eighteenth year Ocean County Library has partnered with Stages Festival. It presented eight different productions at 13 branches this year. The programs are presented by the library free of charge.

Guitarist Michael Aquino accompanies a skit as a young girl learns about diversity in her new home in America.

Ocean County Library Branch Manager June Schneider welcomes more than 200 people to Wednesday’s performance by Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre of “Mi Casa Tu Casa.”

Electric guitarist Michael Aquino.

Storyteller Allicia Rivas listens to a story during Wednesday’s performance of “Mi Casa Tu Casa.”

According to legend, a feather from the Thunderbird will bring a person prosperity in the coming year.

Musician Jane Keitel played the keyboard during Wednesday’s “Mi Casa Tu Casa” performance.

The humble raton (Chris Kent, center) woos la cucaracha (Allicia Rivas, left.)

A little dance party with the children and storytellers ended Wednesday’s “Mi Casa Tu Casa.”

Ocean County Library thanks the cast and crew members for presenting such a wonderful performance of “Mi Casa Tu Casa” at the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School Wednesday.

Planning your flowering garden @ Stafford

MANAHAWKIN –   Kate Copsey of The Master Gardeners of Ocean County, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, will present “Long Seasons of Color – An Endless Blooming Garden” 2:30 p.m. Monday April 13th, at the Stafford library branch.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin.

There are few plants that perform for an extended bloom season. If you choose the right combinations, you can have different ones taking center stage at various times during the season so that something of interest is always playing. Find out how to enjoy three or four seasons of color and beauty throughout your yard.

The Master Gardener team will be available to answer questions before and after the talk. Bring in your dying or diseased cuttings for diagnosis.

This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register telephone the branch at 609-597-3381, or register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org .

OCHD to perform lead screenings 4/13 at Stafford

MANAHAWKIN –    Lead may hurt you even if you don’t feel sick.

The Ocean County Health Department will conduct Free Lead Screenings at the Stafford library branch, 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday, April 13.

The test is available for children, pregnant women, and adults and requires a gentle needle prick of a person’s finger. Blood is drawn then analyzed on the spot. Results are available three minutes later.

The program is free and there is no need to register. It is sponsored by The Ocean County Health Department.

Stafford presents author Julia Spencer 4/2

MANAHAWKIN –   The Friends of the Stafford Library will present Julia Spencer, author of “Looking Through A Keyhole: a Memoir,” at the Stafford library branch 10:30 a.m. Thursday April 2.

Julia will discuss her vision loss and her ability to prevail over its challenges. She will also talk about how her guide dog has changed her life, especially by enhancing her mobility and increasing her safety in travel.

The limitations from her vision loss does not restrain the vibrant energy and independence of this remarkable woman. Join us for this motivating talk.

The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. Register in person, by calling the branch at 609-597-3381, or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Stafford branch to present discussion of American Impressionists Monday

MANAHAWKIN –     Stockton University art history professor Kate Nearpass Ogden, Ph.D. will present “American Artists, Impressionists: Whistler, Cassatt and Chase,” 7 p.m. Monday March 30 at the Stafford library branch, 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin.

There will also be a reception beginning at 6 p.m. honoring Pine Shores Art Association artists Paul Hartelius, Mary Sinacore, Pat Shepherd, Tom Troyano and Charles Murray. Their art, which will be showcased from March through April, is for sale through participating artists.

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. Register by calling the branch at 609-597-3381, online at or in person.

Martial arts/dance fusion at Little Egg Harbor library branch

Toshinori Hamada will perform with the BALAM Theatre Company May 5 at the Little Egg Harbor branch.

TOMS RIVER –  The New York City-based BALAM Dance Theatre will present an evening of martial arts and dance 6 p.m. Tuesday May 5 at the Little Egg Harbor library branch, 290 Mathistown Rd.

The dance company’s artistic director Carlos Fittante and principal dancer Toshinori Hamada will perform in traditional costumes.

The BALAM Dance Theatre joins diverse dances and historical periods from around the world with the opulence and aura of Balinese theatre. It appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.  Its artistry and movement fused with athletic and detailed skills are enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories.

They will perform four dances during their program:

• Baris, a Balinese warrior dance set to gamelan music that primarily uses percussive instruments;
• the Japanese Noh Theatre dance “Yashima”;
• the Baroque dance solo “Entrée de Apollon,” published in 1701;
• “El Vito,” a Spanish Escuela Bolera dance solo celebrating the allure of the bullfighter.

They will also present a special feature, a demonstration of Iaido, a Japanese wood sword technique, with audience participation.

The programs is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch 609-294-1197 or go to the library Web site: www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”  Registration begins April 6.

Improve your job search skills @ the Brick library branch

TOMS RIVER –  Ocean County Library’s Brick branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, will offer two computer sessions in April to help jobseekers.

The branch will offer Career Database Training 10 a.m. Tuesday April 14. Participants will explore the library’s career databases and get the tools they need to perform their own online searches.

The branch will offer Resume Writing 10 a.m. Thursday April 16. Participants will learn the basics of writing a general career resume and cover letter. The branch recommends participants bring a USB/Flash drive with them so they can save a copy of their documents.

Both programs require that you know mouse and computer basics. In addition, the resume writing session requires you to know how to use Microsoft basics.

The programs are free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch 732-477-4513 or go to the library Web site: www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”

Diabetes primer to be presented @ 3 OCl branches in April

TOMS RIVER –  Nearly 30 million Americans, more than nine percent of the country’s population, have diabetes, according to Monmouth Medical Center.

Do you know if you have it?

The Center for Healthy Aging, in cooperation with the Pharmacy Department at Monmouth Medical Center’s Southern Campus, will present the basics of diabetes with Certified Diabetes Educator Irene McNamara at three Ocean County Library branches in April.

She will discuss the signs and symptoms of diabetes as well as its prevention and treatment options.

Attendees who have fasted for two or more consecutive hours will have the option of having a complimentary blood glucose screening.

Light, healthy refreshments will be provided.

The programs are free but registration is required. To register, telephone the branch or go to the library’s website www.theoceancountylibrary.org.  They will be presented at these library branches:

2 p.m. Monday April 13 at Jackson, 2 Jackson Drive, 732-928-4400,

10 a.m. Tuesday April 14 at Brick, 301 Chambers Bridge Rd., 732-477-4513,

2 p.m. Monday April 20 at Manchester, 21 Colonial Drive, 732-657-7600.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When a person has diabetes his or her body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use its own insulin as wall as it should, resulting in a buildup of sugar in one’s blood.

It can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

Manchester to host The Festive Flutes 3/28

MANCHESTER, NJ – The Festive Flutes will play an hour-long concert at the Manchester library branch, 21 Colonial Drive, 2 p.m. Saturday March 28.

“Opera-Tune-Ity,” will feature pieces from operas including Carmen, Mozart operas, Gilbert and Sullivan, and others.

This program is open to the all ages, free of charge. There is no pre-registration. For more information go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone 732-657-7600.