NOTES
Pictured are Lianne Brock, of the Monmouth County Reading Council (MCRC), with Rebecca Bauer, one of the winners in the council's annual poetry contest for students in grades K- 8. Poetry winners recited their winning poems at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Holmdel. Each entry is an original poem written about a book that the student reads.
This year's winners are: Grade three, Lucas Daniels, Cliffwood Elementary School in Matawan; grade four, Maggie Rue, St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft; grades five and six, Rebecca Bauer, St. Leo the Great School; grade seven, Philline Miquela, Matawan Avenue Middle School; grade eight, Jenna Frain, St. Leo the Great School.
The MCRC mission is to promote literacy.
For more information, visit www.mcrcnj.org.
River Road Books, 759 River Road, Fair Haven, will welcome Ben Wallace signing copies of and discussing his book "The Billionaire's Vinegar," 7:30 p.m. June 4. Farley Boyle will sign copies of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms," 7:30 p.m. June 11. William H. "Bill" White will sign copies of his book, "When Fortune Frowns," 1-3 p.m. June 20, and TV celebrity Jack Ford will autograph copies of his novel, "The Osiris Alliance," 5-7 p.m. June 20. The events are free with a book purchase. For reservations or more information, visit www.riverroadbooks. net.
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Sea Bright Recreation is offering Yoga on the Beach on Saturdays through Aug. 15 at the Sea Bright Public Beach (behind the firehouse). Classes are one hour and are taught by Sharon Chessman of Integrative Healing. Attendees should bring a yoga mat or large towel and water. For fee or to register, call Sea Bright Borough Hall at 732-842-0099, ext. 27. For more information, call Sharon at 732- 530-1671.
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Auditions for "Over the Boardwalk," a new musical about the Jersey Shore, will be held 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 4-6. Needed are five male and seven female cast members ages 18-65, plus a large ensemble of varying ages. Auditioners should be prepared to move, sing 16 bars of an upbeat song, and read from the script. The show is a collaboration between the borough of Belmar and the St. Vincent DePaul Society to raise money to help those in need in the Belmar area. The performance will be held Aug. 13 in the Belmar Elementary School. For more information, call 703-609-7753 or visit www.overtheboardwalkthemusical.com.
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Test Sports Clubs, 776 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, will hold a Strongman competition for all ages at 1 p.m. June 20. Fifty percent of the profits will benefit Toys.Calm, Little Silver. Events will be tire flips, weighted sled drags, a medicine ball toss, farmer's walks, and a car push. Awards will be given to the winners in various age groups. Registration is $20 before June 20 and $30 the day of the competition. For more information, email skiningham@gmail.com.
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Red Bank Public Library, 84 W. Front St., will host a summer reading club June 22-Aug. 21. The club is open to children in preschool through sixth grade. Children should stop at the library and pick up a reading log, check out five books to read, print the book titles and authors' names in the log and bring the log to the library, and they will be enrolled in the club. There are incentives for every five books read, a weekly raffle, and a club member party at 10 a.m. Aug. 25. For more information, call the library at 732-842-0690 or visit www.lmxac.org/redbank.
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The Affordable Housing Alliance will offer HUD-certified homebuyer education workshops 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 12 and 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 15 at the Eatontown Community Center, 58 Broad St. First-time homebuyers will learn about the home-buying process, down payment assistance and special loan programs. The registration fee is $45, and financial assistance is available to those who qualify. To register, call 732- 389-2958, ext. 10.
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The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, 352 Sycamore Ave., will hold its annual Old-Fashioned Strawberry Festival 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 13. The event will feature fresh strawberries, "trash and treasure," jewelry, handmade items, plants, books, baked goods, and a cookout lunch. Proceeds will support mission projects. The Eatontown Municipal Band will perform various American songs. For more information, call 732-747-3557.












