Community Bulletin Board

Host families sought for exchange students

Brookdale Community College's international center is seeking host families for students from the Ecuador campus who will be arriving in the United Sates to study at the Lincroft campus next fall.

Host families provide the student with a room, a place to study, and breakfast and dinner daily. A location that is convenient to bus or train public transit is a plus. Families receive a stipend of $2,000 per term for room and board.

For more information, call (732) 224-2799 or e-mail tpetersenn@brookdalecc.edu.

SPCA's summer party slated at Deal Golf Club

Reservations are now being accepted for the Monmouth County SPCA's annual summer party scheduled for Aug. 14 from 5-8 p.m. at Deal Golf & Country Club.

Tickets are $95 and include an open bar, hors d'oeuvres and buffet. Proceeds will benefit shelter animals cared for at the SPCA.

The festivities will include a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Auction prizes include a professional pet portrait package donated by local pet photographer Kim Levin. The raffle winner of the pet portrait will also have their pet featured in the SPCA's 2007 New Beginnings calendar.

For reservations, call the shelter at (732) 542-2030.

MOMS Club to hold business meeting July 18

The MOMS Club of Middletown/Red Bank will hold its business meeting July 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 84 Maple Ave., Red Bank.

The club is a nonprofit organization that supports stay-at-home mothers, mothers working part time and mothers working from home. Children are welcome at club events. The club offers activities such as play dates, family outings, book clubs and a monthly Moms Night Out.

For more information, call (732) 576-1711.

'Drumming on the Beach' in Sea Bright under way

The Sea Bright Recreation Committee will present "Drumming on the Beach" with Dorothy Sikora Mondays from 7-8 p.m. through Aug. 15 at the boardwalk at the town's main public beach.

The free drum circle program is designed for both children and adults, and no drumming skills are necessary. Instruments will be provided, and attendees should bring a beach chair.

Children younger than age 14 should be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call Recreation at (732) 842-009, ext. 27.

Red Cross issues tips to avoid heat exposure

The American Red Cross wishes to remind residents to exercise caution during the hot weather to avoid heat exposure. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more individuals died from excessive heat exposure than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined from 1979-99.

To prevent heat-related illness, individuals should:

+ Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight light-colored clothing

+ Drink water. Carry water or juice and drink continuously throughout the day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine

+ Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods high in protein, which increase metabolic heat

+ Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician

+ Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If strenuous activity is unavoidable, do it during the coolest part of the day, between 4-7 a.m.

+ Stay indoors when possible

+ Take breaks. Take regular breaks throughout the day. If showing signs of heat-related illness, stop the activity and find a cool place

+ Know what heat-related terms mean - heat wave, heat index, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke.

Call the American Red Cross at (732) 493-9100, ext. 244 or visit www.redcross.org.