by SALLY SANZONE

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ —  It started with a trip to France. Catherine Franco, local architect took a trip to Paris France. She was intrigued with the kiosk. For those of you who don’t know, (you are not in the minority) a kiosk is a building used to advertise businesses and give information. Catherine Franco envisioned an informational kiosk similar to the ones situated throughout Paris, France.

Ms. Franco bought the idea to the Chamber of Commerce. Her office completed plans for the kiosk Bids were obtained from local contractors, however, the $5,000-7,000 bids were way beyond the budget of the Chamber. Jane Olcott, co-owner of All Fired Up suggested we contact Henry Hudson Regional High School. Fast forward a year or two, Henry Hudson Regional woodshop instructor, Bob Gaffey agreed that the shop could build the kiosk. The 5th and 6th periods of Advanced Woodshop began construction on the kiosk under the direction of Mr. Bob Gaffey in early 2003. Despite record snowstorms the kiosk was completed in May 2003. The next big hurdle was who would paint it? Mr. Gaffey contacted Ms. Jill Little the Art Teacher at Henry Hudson. In true community spirit they agreed to tackle the project. Have you noticed the rain lately? Although the painting was not completed, The Chamber is well on its way to a fully operational Kiosk.

Henry Hudson Students constructed and painted this informational kiosk for the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

The kiosk is scheduled to be located in the Harbor. Advertising will be available to Chamber members starting at $50.00. Advertising will be available to non-Chamber members starting at $85.00. Contact Connie Strassburg of the Memphis Pig Out at blanca1@comcast.net for more details.

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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS,  NJ —  Ukrainian solo rower, Theodore Rezvoy, will depart Atlantic Highlands via New York for Brest, France in his 27-foot rowing boat on or about June 27.  In making this crossing, Rezvoy will be the first to row solo across the Atlantic from New York. 

Two fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, George Harbo and Frank Samuelsen, were the first to row across the Atlantic Ocean from New York in 1896.

Rezvoy's team includes his father Pavel, also a rower, and program director Kenneth Crutchlow  from the Ocean Rowing Society.  They are putting the finishing touches on the boat in the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina.  Weather permitting, the trip will begin on or about June 27. Rezvoy, 35, lives in Odessa with his wife and young son.  This will be his second trans-Atlantic crossing.  In 2001, he rowed across the Atlantic from La Gomera, Canary Islands to Barbados in 67 days.  For more information on Rezvoy, visit www.oceanrowing.com.  Rezvoy's boat, the Ukraine, is a modern ocean rowing vessel.  Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications electronics, Rezvoy will be in touch with his home base in London.  The boat is equipped with a water maker, solar panels, and a small cabin.  Rezvoy will carry a large supply of freeze-dried foods, including ice cream.

photo Mikhail Kaliteevsky Ukrainian Theodore Rezvoy will attempt to be the first person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Harbo and Samuelsen made their voyage on an 18-foot boat, the Fox.  The boat was named after Richard Fox, the editor of the New York tabloid newspaper, the Police Gazette, who provided the financial backing for the voyage.  Relying on additional stores of food and water supplied by passing clipper ships, Harbo and Samuelsen arrived at in England after 55 days at sea. 

At a recent exhibit at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York, the Ukraine was displayed together with a replica of the Fox.  The Fox replica was built by the Long Branch Ice Boating and Yacht Club under the supervision of the son of the original builder. Kemal Goksel, Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club member and marine electronics engineer,  is providing local technical support and coordinating the launch of the boat from the Atlantic Highlands Marina.

Many descendents of Frank Samuelsen still reside in the area: Grandsons Norman Samuelsen, Belford and  Spencer Samuelsen, Penn., Great-nieces Alicia Robertson, Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Henning, Rumson; and Great-nephews Eric Dender, Locust and Arthur Sorensen, Rumson. Members of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Bill and Alicia Robertson and Bob Wilson have been supporting this adventure by assisting with launching of the boat in the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor.  Another AHYC member Kemal Goksel, who is also a fellow rower, has volunteered to provide technical support for the ocean rowing event.  Kemal can be contacted by phone at 908-461-1248 (cell) and 732-291-4170 (home) or via email, k.goksel@verizon.net if you would like additional information.  Additional information can also be found in the AHYC website at www.ahyc.net.

Kemal Goksel of Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club presents a burgee to Theodore Rezvoy from the Ukraine, who is rowing solo across the Atlantic from New York.  Rezvoy's voyage follows the route of George Harbo and Frank Samuelsen, two fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, who were the first to row across the Atlantic in 1896.   Also on hand were (background: left to right) Dick Hauter, Dan Dowd, and Stan Nadler of the Long Branch Ice Boating and Yacht Club, who built a replica of the Fox, Harbo and Samuelsen's boat.

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3.  TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO REFORM TAXES

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MIDDLETOWN,  NJ —   Encouraged by a recent state Assembly vote that could give voters a chance to call a constitutional convention to reform the state’s tax system, the Middletown Township Committee urges the state Senate to vote in favor of identical legislation before it’s too late.

“The Township Committee and I encourage voters to contact their state legislators and urge them to get this legislation to the governor’s desk,” said Mayor Rosemarie D. Peters. “New Jersey residents deserve a chance to call this convention to seek ways to reduce the degree to which local governments and school districts inequitably rely on property taxes. The current tax system places an inordinate burden on taxpayers and needs to be changed.”

The Township Committee passed a resolution earlier this month supporting the state legislation, which would place a question on the November ballot asking voters whether a constitutional convention should be convened in 2004. The legislation will die this year if it is not passed by both houses and signed by the governor by the end of August.

The purpose of the convention will be to recommend amendments to the New Jersey constitution and changes to statutes in order implement tax reforms. If voters agree to call the convention, a second election would be held in March to choose convention delegates. The convention would be held between April and August of 2004, according to the legislation. Reform proposals would be placed on the November 2004 ballot for voters to consider.

“A public vote is the most effective way to involve the maximum number of citizens in this necessary effort to restructure the state’s tax system,” said Peters. “We are hopeful our state legislators and governor see the value of offering the voting public a tangible opportunity to formulate tax reforms that will benefit New Jerseyans for generations to come.”

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4.   EQUIPMENT UPGRADES PLANNED IN MIDDLETOWN TO IMPROVE MUNICIPAL SERVICES

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MIDDLETOWN, NJ —  The Township will purchase more than $1.9 million in equipment over the next two years through a lease agreement with the Monmouth Country Improvement Authority (MCIA).

The lease agreement, which was approved by the Township Committee this month, offers a cost-effective method to finance needed equipment upgrades by allowing for the equipment to be paid off over a shorter period of time and at lower interest rates, said Mayor Rosemarie D. Peters. She noted that continued utilization of lease agreements, as well as refinancing of bonds and use of existing township funds, has resulted in a decrease in Middletown’s debt service since last year.

Some of the planned equipment purchases reflect the Township Committee’s continuing commitment to upgrade the capabilities of local emergency services, including fire, first aid, and police. Equipment that will be acquired includes safety equipment for the first aid squads and the fire department, such as turn-out gear, radios and pagers, emergency sirens, a fire truck, two ambulances, and police cars.

Other purchases reflect continuing township efforts to integrate the use of current technologies into municipal activities in order to cut costs and increase employee productivity. A laptop communications system and forensic video analyzer for the police, a digital recording system for the municipal court, as well as computer upgrades for several departments, will be acquired over the next two years under the lease agreement.

Equipment used for snow removal and park and athletic field maintenance will also be acquired to ensure that the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation can continue to appropriately maintain more than 300 miles of road and 50 parks.

Upgrading equipment on a regular basis decreases time and money that would be spent on maintenance if we allowed the inventory to grow significantly older, Peters explained.

Middletown has participated in Monmouth County Improvement Authority’s efforts to pool bond acquisitions and lease agreements with many county municipalities over the last decade. Municipalities save money using the MCIA in this way by sharing bond issuance costs, obtaining low-cost bond insurance, and combining bond acquisitions into one transaction.

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HIGHLANDS,  NJ —  Area families interested in hosting an international high school student during the ¾ academic year are currently being interviewed by local community coordinators for PAX – Program of Academic Exchange, a not-for-profit educational foundation.

PAX students from over 35 different countries will arrive in the US in August for a school year. They will live with American host families and attend public high schools. PAX students speak English, have full medical insurance and their own spending money. Students placed locally will be supervised by a PAX community coordinator in the area.

Host families provide meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm, supportive environment. Single parents, couples without children, and retirees are welcome to apply as hosts. For more information, contact Christine Severson, local community coordinator, at 732 291 9217 or Oksana Pavliouk, PAX Regional director, at 1 800 555 6211, ext. 302.

KEYPORT, NJ — The 2nd Annual Keyport Americana Festival of Sails and Oyster/Seafood Feast will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, at the municipal boat launch area overlooking Keyport Harbor, at Broad Street and American Legion Drive.

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RED BANK, NJ — The Monmouth County Audubon Society, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society, is offering the Audubon Adventures kit to 5th grade classroom teachers for the 2003-2004 school year. This program is an environmental curriculum supplement that has connected nearly eight million children throughout the United States to the natural world and all of its wonders since 1984. The kit is available free of charge to participating teachers, courtesy of the Monmouth County Audubon Society.

In October of the school year, participating classrooms receive a teacher's guide and four issues (32 copies of each issue) of an attractive and informative newspaper for the students to take home. The program is aligned with National Language Arts and Science standards and can be easily adapted to a wide variety of curricula. Teachers will also receive information on two participatory events - the Great Backyard Bird Count and BirdLife International's ”Save the Birds” contest. Teachers who are not already members of the National Audubon Society will receive a free annual membership. To enroll, contact Linda Zucaro (732) 922-3708 or e-mail chickazeze@aol.com. New participants must enroll before July 31, 2003 for the 2003-2004 school year.

TINTON FALLS, NJ —  “Every year, coastal communities suffer the tragic loss of life and property because of hurricanes, which can devastate a region with destructive winds, heavy rains, flooding and storm surges” said Bill Beatty, Disaster Services Director for the Red Cross. “Because we know that our region is at risk every year, it is vital that we work to keep our families safe by preparing for hurricane season before it even starts. Taking a few moments to discuss some simple, common-sense preparedness steps with your family can save your life and the lives of the ones you love.”

“With hurricanes, in a way, we are fortunate, because advance warning systems give us time to evacuate threatened areas when a storm is imminent,” Beatty said. “However, instead of waiting until a storm is threatening our community, the time to prepare is now.”

• Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter. Get a good map and be familiar with your community’s evacuation routes. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets and other hygiene and comfort supplies for all members of your family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for your pets, which aren’t allowed in Red Cross shelters.

• Assemble a Family Disaster Supplies Kit
Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including emergency medications, non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per person), a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra clothes, important documents, cash and credit cards, a first aid kit and other special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and pets.

• Prepare for High Winds
Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide.

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KEYPORT, NJ —  The Keyport Business Alliance has announced the lineup for this summer’s free concert series on the waterfront. The series will kick off on Sunday, July 6, with Jade Fire performing from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Beach Park during the final day of the Keyport Americana Festival of Sails and Oyster/Seafood Feast.

Additional free concerts will take place on the mini park stage on American Legion Drive overlooking Keyport Harbor. Scheduled to appear are:

 The Sweet Adelines on Sunday, July 13, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 Dr. Dave and Friends on Sunday, July 20, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 Still Small Voice on Saturday, August 2, from 1 to 5 p.m.
 The Happy Days String Band on Sunday, August 3, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 Jim Murphy & the Pine Barons on Sunday, August 10, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 Mostly Otis on Sunday, August 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 A final concert on Sunday, August 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., to be announced

The summer concert series is being presented by the Keyport Recreation Commission and Bayshore Gospel Center in conjunction with the Keyport Business Alliance, which is helping to promote the concerts along with other special events in Keyport this year. The concerts and events are part of the Keyport Business Alliance’s continuing efforts to foster economic development and revitalization in the Borough.

“The Sunday concerts are a great way to end the weekend,” said KBA Business Advocate Kathaleen Shaw. “We encourage people to come early, bring their own chairs and enjoy the sunset, and take a stroll downtown or along the waterfront before or after the shows,” she said.

TRENTON, NJ —  New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere today announced an $180,000 radio advertising buy to promote the #77 campaign of Governor James E. McGreevey's Safety First Initiative.

Lettiere made the announcement while delivering the keynote address at the 2003 Traffic Safety Summit in East Windsor Tuesday afternoon.

The two-month campaign with 74 Westwood One radio affiliates in New York and Philadelphia will blanket stations with a 10-second message that will air the dozens of times daily with traffic reports, encouraging people "If you see someone driving aggressively, pull over and dial #77 to alert State Police."

Participating stations will include 1010 WINS, NEWS 88, WFAN, 101.5, KYW, WHYY. The message will be translated for Spanish-language stations.

"Over the next two months, thousands of people will hear our safety message on the radio, and see it broadcast on signs throughout the state, another critical step in Governor McGreevey's Safety First Initiative," Lettiere said. "We must be ever vigilant and aggressive in order to ensure the safety of New Jersey's working families."

Since May 27, NJDOT, the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike began displaying the #77 message on electronic message boards statewide, at the request of the Governor's Highway Safety Task Force. Calls, which are routed to the NJ State Police, have grown by 600%, from an average of 100 calls a day to nearly 600.

The action was taken in response to two fatal motor vehicle crashes over Memorial Day weekend in I-78. Lettiere also ordered that $500,000 be spent to manufacture fixed signs with the #77 message that are currently being installed statewide.

In November Governor McGreevey ordered the creation of a standing Highway Safety Task Force to monitor and address safety issues on New Jersey's roadways.

The Task Force has recommended a number of measures, based on education, enforcement and engineering including:

• Creation of "Safe Corridors" that double fines on most dangerous highways and dedicate fines for law enforcement
• Creation of Safety Impact Teams, the first in the nation, to study and find engineering solutions for most dangerous sections of highways.
• Spend $15 million for installation of 100 miles of median barrier to prevent cross-over accidents.
• Install 500 miles of raised pavement reflectors over the next 2 years
• Spend $5 million for technological improvements to speed emergency response to accidents, redirect traffic.
• Expansion of driver education programs to include information on how to drive safely with trucks and require extra training for truckers.

Tuesday's summit was sponsored by the Department of Law and Public Safety's Division of Highway Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State and Federal traffic safety agencies, elected officials and community leaders met for a day-long series of workshops to study traffic safety issues and provide information to communities about available grant programs.

MATAWAN, NJ —   The Chorus of the Atlantic, barbershop harmony singers will be the featured entertainment at the Matawan High School Relay for Life fund raiser on Friday, June 27, 2003, from 6:30 – 7:00p.m.

Relay for Life is an annual event spanning two days, where sponsors circle the track to raise money for cancer research.  Events include a cancer survivors’ dinner at which a barbershop quartet will serenade the guests, and a concert where the chorus will entertain survivors, sponsors, volunteers and the public just prior to the opening ceremonies at the 50 yard line of the Matawan High School football field.

There is no cost for admission.  The public is invited to be entertained and to learn more about the fight against cancer and about those who have conquered it.

TRENTON, NJ — Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere today applauded the New Jersey State Senate following its 32 - 0 approval of legislation in Governor McGreevey’s comprehensive “Safety First” initiative. Eight senators were recorded as not voting.

“Through a strong bi-partisan effort, we have taken highway safety to the next level,” said Lettiere. “The Legislature has joined with Governor McGreevey in taking the proper steps to ensure the protection of motorists and reduce the risk of accidents in New Jersey.” 

The “Safe Corridors” bills (A3527/S2456) sponsored by Assemblymen Gary Guear and John Wisniewski and Senators Shirley Turner and Leonard Lance, authorize the designation “Safe Corridors,” and double fines for speeding and aggressive driving within those corridors. These include:

In addition, the bills also double fines on stretches on Interstates 78, 80, 287 and 295 that are not currently posted at 65 miles per hour; increase fines for out-of-state overweight trucks, making violators subject to the same fine schedule as New Jersey based carriers; and uses increased fines to establish a “Highway Safety Fund” from fines that will be used for highway safety programs and enforcement by State Police and local police departments.

The legislation also allows for NJDOT to repeal the Safe Corridors once accident and fatality rates decrease.

In conjunction with the legislative measures, the Department of Transportation has taken the lead on a number of other highway safety projects such as the expansion of a statewide “Safety First” sign program highlighting the #77 Aggressive Driver hotline; establishment of Safety Impact Teams to investigate necessary improvements along state highways; expansion of the 100-mile safety barrier program, allocation of $20 million for engineering and technological highway improvements, addition of 500 miles of raised pavement reflectors over the next two years; recorded driver safety public safety announcements; and expanded driver education programs.

A3527 was approved by General Assembly on May 22 by a vote of 50-24 with two abstentions. Today, the Senate amended A3527 and substituted it for S2456. A3527 now heads back to the General Assembly for concurrence.

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ —  The Monmouth University Board of Trustees announced at a ceremony held on June 8 that the Student Center has been renamed in honor of retiring president, Dr. Rebecca Stafford.

"This naming is well-deserved and a lasting tribute to Dr. Stafford's exemplary leadership," said Charles T. Parton, chair of the Committee to Honor Dr. Stafford and a life trustee of the University. "Thanks to Dr. Stafford's vision, Monmouth is truly a university of regional distinction."

Dr. Stafford is retiring on June 30 after a successful 10-year tenure as President of Monmouth University. During her presidency, Monmouth achieved university status in 1995 and experienced positive changes in both its size and the quality of the educational experience that it provides for its students. "I am so honored and flattered to have my name on the student center," commented Dr. Stafford. "The students have always been what we cared about the most and why we are here."

photo Jim Reme Monmouth University President Dr. Rebecca Stafford standing in front of the recently renamed student center.

HOLMDEL, NJ —  James D’Arienzo, Jr., author of Woodbyrne: The Fallen Forest nominated for the Tiptree Literary Award, will be signing books Monday night July 14th at 7:30 at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Holmdel on Route 35.

Woodbyrne: The Fallen Forest is James’s first published novel and the first in the Woodbyrne trilogy. James wrote Woodbyrne over the course of three years, while commuting back and forth to NYC. James resides in Middletown, NJ (Monmouth County) with his wife and daughter. James is a graduate of The College of New Jersey.

Heartland Reviews has given Woodbyrne four stars saying, “This is an excellent first fantasy in a three-part series by the author. The incompetent meddling of two wizard apprentices results in the calling forth of an uncontrollable demon from the underworld. Thus starts a 200-year takeover of Woodbyrne Forest. Prince Aaron must rise above his station in his kingdom to establish a critical alliance with the forest elves to throw out the demon and his henchmen. Needless to say, obstacle to the process pop up everywhere. A classic fantasy format, the author does a good job of storytelling with all the right elements.” – Bob Spear.

For more information on Woodbyrne and James, please see the publisher’s website at www.MooPress.com.

Aslan Youth Ministries Hosts "Walk for Haiti"
Saturday, July 19, 2003
8:30am to 10:00am
Liberty Park
Corner of Grand and Asbury Avenues, Asbury Park

Walkers welcome!  Join us in the Walk for Haiti-only 2.5 easy miles along lakes, beaches and tree lined streets!  Walking in this event will help send teenagers from Monmouth County to Haiti-the 4th poorest country in the world--to do humanitarian projects this summer.  Call 732-741-7824 and ask for Lynn Ann Bogard for more information.

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Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick reported today that Monmouth County has been placed in the Milken Institute’s "Top Ten" annual ranking of the best metropolitan areas in the U.S. The 2003 listing concentrates on areas with "diverse, stable economies where jobs are being created, economies are growing and businesses are thriving, not the booming high-tech new economies of the 1990s."

For the past several years, Money Magazine has named Monmouth County "one of the best places in the United States to live, work and raise a family."

According to Milken, one trend this year is the success of many areas where government and higher education – which are less susceptible to business cycles – play an important role in the local economy.

Unlike past years when technology-oriented areas dominated the top of the ranking, this year’s leaders have all earned their high marks the old-fashioned way – with traditional businesses like retail, a growing population, and reliable growth industries.

The other metropolitan areas listed in the ranking this year are: Fayetteville, Ark., Las Vegas, Nev., Fort Myers, Fla., West Palm Beach, Fla., San Diego, Calif., San Luis Obispo, Calif., Laredo, Texas, Brownsville, Texas and McAllen, Texas.

The Milken Institute is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and publicly supported economic think tank whose mission is to improve the lives and economic conditions of diverse populations by helping business and public policy leaders identify and implement innovative ideas for creating broad-based prosperity.

Freeholder Narozanick thanked all the many people and agencies that have contributed to the "Monmouth County success story."

"The quality of life of our people is our highest priority," he concluded.

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by Carol MacAllister

Forty years ago, I opened wedding presents and began sorting. Group one - practical items to set up a household: an iron, coffee pot, Libby glasses in three sizes.  Group two - presents I couldn't live without: a fondue pot, sizzle platters, a lava light.  Group three - gifts that made me say, "Why would anyone ever think I'd ever use that?"

Group three: Uncle Pat, a family friend, presented me with a huge porcelain Bellek tree trunk sculpture.  A gold brocade, banquet size tablecloth with 12 matching napkins came from Mrs. Putter.  Uncle Fred's matching silver candelabras seemed more suitable for a castle in Transylvania.  Grandmother Kane gave me a fragile Royal Dolton china service and Aunt Barbara matched the dishes with long-stemmed Waterford.  Aunt Adelaide's huge silver tipping teapot rocked in an ornate cradle and held enough tea for the cafeteria line at college.  Grandma Minnie produced 12 sterling silver table settings and Aunt Margie gave me cut glass candy and nut dishes.

Back then, my one-room apartment held a few pieces of furniture. A Samsonite card table and four folding chairs sat in the corner.  The table served as a place to do college reports, a surface for odd jobs and a place to eat meals.

I was an 18-year-old college student.  Times were tough, finances tight.  Callously, I returned the items from group three for refunds.

Now, I live in a wonderful Victorian house and I enjoy entertaining. 

My new dining room set has arrived.  It has three leaves and enough chairs to seat twelve dinner guests.

I've scoured stores, catalogs and on-line shopping sources for that 140" plus brocade tablecloth with matching napkins Mrs. Putter gave me.  I really can't afford sterling silver utensils, but silver-plate will do.  I've found a reasonable source for china and crystal stemware and I slowly add pieces to my place settings.

Uncle Fred's candelabras would be wonderful, but an added expense that's not quite justifiable.  I've asked for small candy and nut dishes for birthdays.  Aunt Adelaide's silver tipping teapot would make a unique addition to my Victorian home. And, Uncle Patrick's tree trunk?  I saw it once in a Bellek collectibles catalog, a definite shocker for an Antiques Road Show appraiser.

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by Elwood E. Zimmerman
26 May 2003

The Blair fiasco at the New York Times has sparked a journalist furor. The responses – both direct and indirect – of some noted black writers are instructive.

After several columns on the incident, syndicated columnist Clarence Page finally admitted that affirmative action was a negative player in the events which led to Jayson Blair’s resignation from the Times. (“How to Survive the Bad News Blair”, Washington Times, 5/23/03). Ironically, his prescription for fixing the mess is increased emphasis on diversity.

“The news business must try to build staffs that reflect…diversity of peoples and views,” he says.

Washington Times Deputy Editor Deborah Simmons – also black – deplores recent incidents of racial polarization, including a whites-only high school prom in Georgia and racist ugliness against a white family in a DC middle class neighborhood. (“Fear and Prejudice”, Washington Times, 5/23/03.) She wonders how we have sunk so low in race relations.

The media are upset because Mr. Blair’s misdeeds and the NY Times’ mismanagement hit their turf. Suddenly, affirmative action isn’t “academic” any more. Reporters are outraged that Mr. Blair abused the trust of his paper, but was retained in a prestigious reporting assignment for racial reasons. Yet writers mostly ignore the many vocations poisoned by affirmative action’s grotesque mutation into preferences. Perhaps “Blair” will finally help expose how preferences have permeated society.

Ten years ago, a high-tech company I know well decided to emphasize hiring and promotions of the “preferred classes”. Riding robust growth of 10-15% per year, management ignored fuddy-duddyish warnings about abandoning merit. (“Shut up!” they explained.) Many old pros who had built the company saw the future and moved on. Today – with growth stalled – management wonders what went wrong.

U.S. Navy investigators revealed that senior officers pressured flight instructors to inflate grades for a female pilot to ensure her carrier qualification. Later, she lost her life when she crashed her plane in a carrier landing attempt.

The dead hand of diversity intrudes even where the public least suspects. A relative who attended a New Jersey medical school reports that minority students received exam questions before the exams. Officials told offended students the school could not afford to let minority students fail.

Like other well-intentioned ideas, including prohibition and public schools, affirmative action has spun out of control and is now hurting us. Obsession with diversity causes mismanagement of the nation’s premier newspaper and damages journalism. Technical companies suffer damage because they hire or promote people for reasons other than merit. Medical education standards and military performance standards are lowered. How many other fields have groveled similarly to diversity? What will be next?

Ultimately, preferences are harmful because they damage the credibility of public institutions, hurt innocent individuals, and offend fundamental American ideals of fairness. We are a nation committed to merit, not class or station. The market is our determinant of competence. We reward the best players and performers with the big bucks. Wishful thinking will not change this. The ill will Ms. Simmons senses is the rumbling of a public stirring to revolt. A big quake is coming. Things could get ugly. Why not make corrections before that point is reached?

When I was young, historic civil rights acts opened opportunities for minorities. Optimistic and hopeful, I believed we could work it out. Good will and common sense (I was certain) would prevail. But I’m older now, and I understand why the road to hell is always paved with good intentions.

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PASTOR'S CORNER By Rev. Dr. George Hancock-Stefan Central Baptist Church Atlantic Highlands, NJ cbcbeacon@aol.com

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BODY POLITIC by Jack Archibald, Atlantic Highlands  Councilman

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HENRY HUDSON'S RECORD ON SCHOLARSHIPS IS IMPRESSIVE

At graduation time, it is only natural to reflect on our educational system and there are some interesting numbers coming out of our regional school district these days. It’s easy to find out the number of graduates or the grade point averages, but the number that really counts to parents of high school seniors is scholarship money.  That is why the figure of $750,000 from Henry Hudson Regional jumps off the page.

The challenge of financing a college education, these days is daunting. Most of the colleges and universities are checking in around $25,000 per year and that is before books or other living expenses are factored in.  Parents have to get creative in ways of finding money, and the figure for Henry Hudson Regional students is impressive.

Broken down, that $750,000 equates to $13,392 per child attending an institution of higher learning next year.  Multiply that $13,392 per year for four years, and that $53,571 is some substantial savings for a family. One could argue that a scholarship to Harvard is much different than one to Brookdale, but the fact remains that most of the senior class has chosen to continue their education. To the parents of the graduates, any help in financing their children’s dreams is gravy.

The guidance staff at Hudson is probably disappointed that they couldn’t reach $1million in scholarship aid.  Their disappointment should be tempered by the fact that they have set a pretty high standard for next year. Sometimes guidance isn’t just for the students, its helping parents turnover the rocks that have the money.  In the course of doing their job, the staff will have contributed to the students intellectual growth, and eased some of the parents burden as well.

CAN YOU TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW GUITAR LICKS?

“Two little words that can make the difference: START NOW.”
          -  Mary C. Crowleynn

When are you too old to start taking music lessons?  Thirty?  Forty?  Fifty?  Based on the number of people who began taking music lessons when they were kids, but never stuck with it, I’d say, maybe older is better.

When I was performing at local clubs a few years ago, I lost count of how many “thirty-something” and “forty-something” people told me that they wished they played and instrument like I did.  They rued the day they turned in their trumpet, gave their guitar away, or let dust collect on their piano. 

Artie was one of them.  I met him a couple of years ago, when I was performing every Thursday night at Danny’s Steakhouse in Red Bank.  I mistook him for a guitar player, because he didn’t take his eyes off of my left hand.  I accused him of “stealing” guitar chords – something I often do when I watch other guitarists play.

Turns out, Artie didn’t play guitar at all.  That surprised me because, not only was he well versed in music in general (rattling off names of songs and bands that even I, as a performer, didn’t recognize), but he seemed to have a passion for music that I found almost exclusively in other musicians.

“You should take guitar lessons,” I told Artie that night. 

“No!” he replied.

“Why not?” I asked him.

“I’m too old!” he said.

Artie didn’t look like he was “too old.” He didn’t seem to be older than I was, and I’m in the “almost fifty-something” category.  He still had his hands.  He didn’t look like he had arthritis in them.  He looked like he was perfectly capable of learning how to play.  I’m not talking about playing to a packed house at Madison Square Garden in five years.  I have to be realistic.  But, there was no doubt in my mind that Artie would be strumming chords in no time and playing Bruce Springsteen songs to his heart’s content, before even he knew he could do it.

I tried to gently encourage Artie to take guitar lessons, but he had one excuse after the other.  He worked in New York City for a big company.  (He’s got that long commute.)   He’s an artist and he needs time to work.  (He has art shows coming up.)  He’s got a house to take care of.  (That takes up a lot of his free time.)

Between working, drawing, painting and working around the house, Artie didn’t have much free time.  But guess what?  He found some.

A few months ago, I received an email from Artie, telling me that he was interested in buying a guitar.  He was starting guitar lessons!

I can’t tell you the thrill I experienced, when I learned that Artie was going to join the guitar players of the world.  I knew that learning to play guitar was going to be so much fun for him.  I also knew that he was going to meet and be able to relate to other musicians in a whole new way.  He was going to find himself being friends with people who, had they not had guitar playing in common, he may have passed right by.  His life was going to change.

I had some advice for him:  “Stick it out at least until your calluses are formed,” I told him.  “Your fingers are going to kill you for a while, but don’t give up!  If you can make it through that, you’ll be on your way.”

Well, Artie did make it through the callus stage.  He called me a couple of months into his lessons and invited me over to his house to “play guitar.”  I don’t know what I was expecting.  Maybe a few chords.  “Little Brown Jug.”  A few painful attempts at “Stairway to Heaven.”  I certainly wasn’t expecting Artie to fly through chord progressions (including bar chords) and be able to play songs already.  I was amazed.

Seeing Artie fulfill one of his dreams made me think that there might be some things I’ve been putting off myself.  Why not take that baking course I always thought about?  I may not wind up with my own cooking show, or be as good as people who have been baking since they were twelve, but so what?  It’s not about being as good as everyone else out there.  It’s about having fun!

When you think about it, from the day we are born, we are always learning.  Some people learn how to do certain things when they’re younger and some find them later in life.  I wouldn’t start skiing lessons if I were in my 80’s.  But, I think that, if you’ve got the ability to do something you’ve always wanted to do, then you should do it!  Whether it’s music lessons, baking lessons, yoga, painting or getting that college degree, don’t wait another day.  One day you will be too old. 

We’re all going to grow older.  I’m looking forward to playing my guitar on my rocking chair.  By then, Artie will be playing Clapton tunes.

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DEMOCRATICALLY YOURS by Joe Caliendo Middletown Township Democrat Party Chairman

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MIDDLETOWN GOP PROMISING FREEHOLDER SEATS

Integrity is something that is almost unheard of in the Middletown Republican Party.

This party is where all the big shots in the Monmouth County Republican Party belong. And, that means the worst apples in the barrel are running the show in the county.

Case in point: A Middletown society woman is telling an Atlantic Highlands Republican that he’s going to be the next Freeholder in the county next year.

Well, isn’t that funny, since another Republican gentleman in Keyport has been told that he’s going to be the very next Freeholder, from someone of great importance in the Middletown GOP organization.

And, by the way, that same seat, promised twice up until now, has also been promised to a young Republican lady in Holmdel.

The fun isn’t done yet, readers. The very same seat we are talking about has also been promised to a current Middletown committeeman, as well as a close friend and supporter of the Middletown Chairman, Peter Carton. In all, that means that various Middletown Republicans have promised a grand total of five people seats as Freeholders next year.

First of all, who the heck are the Middletown Republicans to tell anyone that they’re going to win a Freeholder seat? With that said, my second point is that this pack of GOP’s have gone out and promised five seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders next year, and did anyone tell the Freeholders about all of this nonsense?

As no one has bothered telling anyone who is serving on the Board right now that they’re supposed to be a political endangered species next year. I guess I’ll do the honors.

The funny thing here is that I’m a Democrat, letting a bunch of Republican Freeholders know that either they’ve been sold up the river by some Middletown big shots, or at the least those self-same big shots are telling lies to young Republicans around the Bayshore that they’re out next year.

One way or the other, its just nonsense.

These Middletown Republicans can’t run their own town, and have planned projects around Middletown like a pack of drunken sailors for 20 years. What do they know about making good political choices?

Listen, politics is a game to these people: A great-rich-quick scheme that has panned out pretty good over two decades.

Where are the Middletown residents? Where do you think? Nowhere at all in these schemes.

It’s time to send a message to the Middletown GOP. The real power of government is the people. They forgot about that a long time ago, counting on the Republican faithful in town to prop up their schemes.

Service to the community isn’t really about all of this political intrigue. It’s about the community, the residents and the best welfare of the town.

As I see it, the Middletown GOP’s members think of themselves as better than other people and not part of the people. They play games with their offices, get themselves and their friends rich and try to say that they’re doing good for someone else other than themselves.

(Joseph Caliendo is a lifetime Middletown resident and businessman.  He is also chairman of the Middletown Township Democratic Party.  He can be reached at patseventeen@aol.com)

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GORDON BISHOP ON THE ISSUES by Gordon Bishop Syndicated Columnist

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IT'S ELEMENTARY by Dr. Martha H. Wallauer Atlantic Highlands Superintendent of Schools email: docwall@ahes.k12.nj.us AHES Website: www.ahes.k12.nj.us

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Guest Columnist:
Mr. Timothy Haase
Assistant Principal/ Child Study Team Director

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS PROMOTES 39 STUDENTS

On Monday night, June 23, Atlantic Highlands Elementary School proudly promoted 39 sixth grade students. It was a wonderful evening highlighted with special memories and celebrated accomplishments that inspired tears of joy and happiness. The audience was treated to a special slide show prepared by one of the teachers, Mrs. Janet Walling. The slide show contained highlights of the students’ final year at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School, including the annual trip to Camp Bernie, as well as a few shots that brought back memories of earlier grades.

After the slide show the students processed in with the traditional Pomp and Circumstance. The students shared proud moments and inspiring thoughts and sang You Are Our Heroes, Beautiful, and Time of Your Life to an audience packed with proud family members and friends. Five talented students served as the instrumentalists for Time of Your Life, playing the guitar, flute, trumpet and clarinet. Many lead vocalists and soloists were also featured throughout the song selections.

After Dr. Martha Wallauer, School Superintendent, was introduced, she honored 4 special members of the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School family. Teachers Gerry Plant and Denise McGeachy, secretary Louise Franklin, and former Board of Education member, Robert Dougherty, were all presented as Honorary Class Members. (More on that next week).

The next part of the ceremony was the Presentation of Awards. Twelve students received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award, nine students received the Presidential National Fitness Award, two students received the Presidential Fitness Award, and two students received citizenship awards. In addition, Ms. Katie Burtnick, vocal music teacher, presented the Betty Collins Music Award and Mrs. Janet Paulmenn, visual art teacher, presented the Art Award. The Atlantic Highlands Elementary School representative for the Monmouth County Student of the Year was recognized, and a new award, the Genevieve M. Hawley Award, was presented. Winners of other competitions were also presented, including the winners of the spelling bee, the Continental Math League, Quiz Bowl, and Challenge 24. Also honored were the students who were on the honor roll and/or received citizenship certificates for all four marking periods, student council representatives, safety patrol members, band members, challenge music/drama and art members, and Principal Club members.

Dr. Wallauer and Board of Education Vice President, Mr. John Moffett presented the students with their certificates. The students were then treated to hundreds of hugs and kisses compliments of delighted family members and friends. After the ceremony the Class of 2003 and their guests gathered at Henry Hudson Regional School for an evening of music, dancing, eating, and fun. The PTO organized this event.

On behalf of the Board of Education, the administration, the teachers, and all of the staff members of Atlantic Highlands Elementary School, we wish the Class of 2003 much health, happiness, and success as they begin the next phase of their academic careers. Congratulations!!

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TRENTON TALK by Assemblyman Steve Corodemus (R) - 11th District AsmCorodemus@njleg.state.nj.us  www.corodemus.com Political Website www.njleg.state.nj.us/html/corodem.htm Legislative Website

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DEMAND FOR BLOOD REMAINS HIGH

As a result of our aging population, stellar medical advances and changing health needs, the demand for blood is constantly increasing. Hospitals and their patients must rely on regular volunteer blood donations in order to meet the critical day to day demand, according to the Central Jersey Blood Bank. "Our need is steady and consistent, and we hope that your commitment will be the same."

It's important for people to understand that there are families facing tragedies everyday. If people gave regularly, which means four times a year, we would have the security of knowing that blood should be there when it's needed.

New Jersey trails the national average of eligible donors supplying blood to centers. Only 3.7 percent of the state's eligible donors give blood -- twenty percent lower than the national five percent average. In Monmouth County, the figure is even more alarming: a mere two percent of the eligible donating population has supplied blood to local centers last year.

As advancements are made, medical procedures become more routine The result is a higher demand for blood and blood products. As a society, we must shoulder this extra burden and assure our blood supply remains stable.

The Central Jersey Blood Center states most of their blood supply is used for cancer treatment, cardiac care, organ transplants, auto accidents, trauma victims, and bone marrow procedures. Representatives for the blood center stress that each unit of blood can save up to three to four lives.

The donation process is simple, completely safe and all equipment is sterilized. All donors must be at least 17 years-old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and submit signature identification. The blood bank stresses that healthy individuals can safely donate every 8 weeks.

Blood centers caution individuals to eat prior to donation. Potential donors who are ill or are currently taking antibiotics will be excluded from the donation process.

For more information, please call the Central Jersey Blood Center at (732) 842-5750.

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WINDOWS ON RED BANK by Daniel Murphy, Jr. Danny's Steak House danssteaks@aol.com

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PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE

I gave a talk a week ago at a Le Tip meeting I belong to.  Le Tip is a group of business professionals that meet once a week to promote each others businesses by giving tips or leads.  It is also nice to have a business/social relationship with 32 people each with special talents that you can draw on for you own business.

There are always two speakers at each meeting explaining their profession so that we may better understand what type of customer that business is looking for.  During the course of my dissertation I was asked why I keep coming up with different promotions and changes at Danny's.  "It is simple," I explain, "desperation."

You must change to keep up with the times but you also must change to keep your customers from getting board.  You have to constantly look for new ideas and concepts to make you the place people want go to.  Whatever your profession a little "new" goes a long way.  Weather you get an idea yourself or see a trend in your industry you must be willing to try it.  You must be willing to change.

Which brings me to the newest promotion and most different I have every tried, "Speed Dating."  Speed Dating was started in Manhattan by a couple who wanted to help Jewish singles meet other available Jewish singles.  The concept is simple and has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two years incorporating all denominations and ages. 

You find a bar, restaurant, hall or club that can hold 50 or more people.  You get and equal number of men and women to come to that place and couples sit across from each other and talk….but only for five minutes….the men than get up and move to another seat and the process goes on for about an hour.  At the end of that hour, in a non threatening environment, you have spoken to and promoted yourself to at least 12 people for the soul purpose of meeting that special someone ….. or hey ....at least someone nice, someone you would like to go out on a date with.

We started Speed Dating here at Danny's about two weeks ago.  It is a tremendous amount of work to put it together.  I have two friends helping me with it, Larry and Susan, a great couple that have been together for 24 years.  It has also been a lot of fun both for the people coming to the event and for Larry, Susan and I.  Next week I will try to bring you inside the event to some of the hysterical events and conversations that have taken place.

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SPOTLIGHT ON KEANSBURG by Patrick Pecora Keansburg Councilman

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A FIRST IN KEANSBURG AND LIBRARY GROUNDBREAKING

On Monday, 6/9/03 there was the occurrence of a first time event in our town.  It was the first day on the job for Keansburg’s newest police officer Tiffany Dill a resident of our town.  She is Keansburg’s first female police officer.  She had just completed the 19 week long intensive training course at the police academy and Monday was her first tour of duty in our town.  Tiffany was sworn in before she started her academy training during the council meeting back on January 23.  With the addition of Tiffany, our police department now has 23 officers.

At the last council meeting on Thursday 6/12 the borough engineer reported to the mayor and council that the work on our towns library is about to begin.  In light of the start of construction for the library there will be a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Saturday 8/30 at noon.  According to the construction schedule and if the weather is good the project should be completed within 3 to 4 months.  Despite persistent rumors being spread by uninformed people the price for the entire library and recreation complex is just under 1.9 million dollars.  This price of under 1.9 million dollars includes not only building the library but the development of the surrounding 7.3 acres for recreation purposes.  The funds have already been bonded.   

Additionally there was action taken on a few other items at the last council meeting on that I would like to cover this week.  There were 11 resolutions on the agenda during that meeting.  Two of those resolutions dealt with approvals of grant applications for rebuilding of certain streets in our town.  Resolution number 82 approved application for a Community Development Block Grant from Monmouth County for about $274,000 of which the borough would be responsible for about $24,000.  The funds from this grant when approved will be used to repair the following streets:  North Shore Street, West Shore Street and a large portion of Leroy Place.  Resolution number 83 approved application to the State Department of Transportation for a grant for $142,598.40 of which the borough’s share would be about 11,883.20.  The funds from this grant when approved and received will be used to rebuild Creek Road from Kennedy Way to Church Street and Railroad/Wood Street from Church Street to Stella Drive.  All of the road rebuilding projects will also include drainage improvements.  It is hoped that if the grants are approved by August construction can begin in the spring.  

While I am discussing street and road repairs during the last meeting our council adopted resolution number 84.  This resolution urges Monmouth County to begin the long awaited road improvements at the intersection of Port Monmouth Road and Main Street.  The county has had plans to begin the reconstruction of that intersection for quite a while now.          

Lastly, I want to mention that the borough council honored Keansburg Resident Joe McCarron at the last meeting.  Joe McCarron recently graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University as valedictorian.  In addition he was selected as the winner of the universities prestigious Pinnacle Award.  The Borough Council presented Joe with a plaque commemorating his accomplishments.  For the full story about Joe’s accomplishments please use the following link: ../news/2003/0508/mccarron_pinnacle.htm           

Keansburg Pop Warner Football Sign ups

Keansburg Pop Warner will be holding football and cheerleading sign-ups for their 2003 season. The sign ups will be held at Blue Jeans Hall 10 Church St. Keansburg, New Jersey.     Registration is $70 per child, 3 or more $180,    (Flag football is $50  5-6 yr olds only)

The last dates for sign ups are: Friday June 27th 7 PM to 9 PM and Saturday June 28th 10 AM to Noon.

Needed at time of sign-ups, head shot photo, copy of birth certificate, copy of end of the year report card.  Any questions please call 732-495-3909.

Please check the following link: ../keansburg/

Upcoming Council meetings.

The last regularly scheduled borough council meeting for this month will be on Thursday June 26 at 7 PM at McGrath Towers.  There will be two regularly scheduled meetings for July.  The first meeting will be on Thursday July 11 at 5:30 PM and the second meeting of the month will be on Thursday July 25 at 7 PM.  Both July meetings will be in the council chambers at Borough Hall.      

Upcoming Borough Events.

Summer Concerts by the Bay - As of this point, the next event for our borough will be the summer “Concerts by the Bay” series.  The dates for the series will be the last three Wednesdays in the month of August from 7 to 9 PM in the big lot on the corner of Raritan and Beachway.  The band schedule is as follows: Wednesday 8/13 the concert series commences with “The Greaseband” followed on Wednesday 8/20 by “New Power Soul” and the series concludes on the last Wednesday of the month 8/27 with “Saturday Night Fever”.

Keansburg’s Antique and Classic Car Show – Every Thursday evening weather permitting from 5 PM to 9 PM on Church Street starting Thursday July 10 and continuing until September our town will host an antique and classic car show.  This weekly car show is a cooperative effort between Steve Lucisano of Lucisano’s Pizza, the Borough of Keansburg and other town business owners. 

Clean Ocean Action – There will be a table in Keansburg at the entrance of the Boardwalk (corner of Beachway and Pinewood) on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday July 13 from 10:00 AM -3:00 PM.  The purpose will be to raise awareness and funds to keep our waters and beaches clean and protected.  If anyone wishes to volunteer to help with this effort please call 732-787-0215 x 202.

Library Groundbreaking Ceremony – On Saturday August 30 at Noon our town will have a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction of the new Keansburg Public Library. 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT  by Mark R. Vogel Contact : epicure1@optonline.net

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HAIL CAESAR!

Few dishes have origins so embroiled in controversy as Caesar salad.  The most widely accepted tale is that Caesar Cardini, a restaurant owner and chef in Tijuana Mexico, whipped up a salad from scratch with leftover ingredients for a bunch of hungry Hollywood notables, sometime in the 1920’s, (1924 being the most often quoted year).  Other yarns credit his aunt or brother for it’s creation, and claim that it was made for a group of Cardini’s old aviator buddies instead of Hollywood dignitaries.  There’s even discrepancy about whether anchovies were included in the original recipe.  The more you probe into this enigma, the more you need a drink instead of a salad.

Suffice it to say that the “original” ingredients appear to be romaine lettuce, coddled eggs, (we’ll get to those in a moment), Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan cheese, croutons, salt, and pepper.  Despite its dubious history, Caesar salad is delicious and can successfully be combined with such accompaniments as grilled chicken, steak, and shrimp.  Here’s the recipe I use:

One coddled egg yolk
Two garlic cloves, minced
One and a half tablespoons Dijon mustard
Quarter teaspoon salt
Two tablespoons lemon juice
One (2-ounce) can anchovies, minced
Half cup extra virgin olive oil
One head romaine lettuce
Quarter cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cracked black pepper to taste
Croutons to taste

Using a whisk or food processor, mix the egg yolk, garlic, mustard, salt, lemon juice, and anchovies.  After they are thoroughly mixed, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, and I mean slowly.  You are making an emulsion and if you pour the oil in too quickly it will not form properly.  (An emulsion is a mixture of fat and a water based liquid.)  Pour a thin stream with either the food processor or your arm in constant motion.  As it forms you can pour it faster.  Combine only about three quarters of the dressing with the lettuce at first, adding the rest if necessary.  Add the cheese, black pepper, and croutons and toss. 

Interestingly, some of the ingredients are as controversial as the salad’s heritage.  First and foremost is the egg. To make a coddled egg, place it in the shell in boiling water for one minute and no more.  Immediately plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking and then separate out the white.  The egg adds flavor and is the primary emulsifying agent in the dressing, the mustard coming in second. 

The egg is not cooked to a high enough internal temperature to kill salmonella, if it is present.  Not all chickens are infected with salmonella and not all strains of salmonella can permeate the egg.  Amongst contaminated birds, it is estimated that only one in ten thousand eggs will also contain the bacteria.  Furthermore, it depends on how much of it present.  Healthy immune systems can fend off small doses but time allows the bacteria to multiply.  If you use very fresh eggs, (grades AA or A), that were bought the same day, make the dressing IMMEDIATELY before serving it, and forgo any leftovers, you are quite unlikely to develop illness.  If you eat eggs over easy, you’re already taking the same risk.  Nevertheless, the standard recommendation is that young children, the elderly, pregnant or nursing mothers, and individuals with compromised immune systems avoid raw or partially cooked eggs.  If you need to eliminate the egg, use extra mustard instead.

Next problem.  The anchovies.  One of those foods that people either love or hate.  All I can say is people I know who don’t like anchovies still loved the salad.  They get mixed in with all the other ingredients to create a tasty homogenized flavor quite different than eating them straight.  But, you can skip them if you wish. 

Employ a high quality extra virgin olive oil.  Considering it is the base of the dressing, it will make a dramatic difference.  Same with the Parmesan cheese.  Don’t even think of using that old tin of processed grated cheese in your fridge.  Procure a chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano and grate it yourself.

Ah, stop.  I see you reaching for that imitation lemon juice.  Yuk.  Buy a lemon and squeeze two tablespoons out of it.  If you eliminated the anchovies I would increase the lemon juice, and the salt for that matter. And I don’t have to mention that you should grind whole peppercorns instead of using that tasteless ground powder that’s been sitting on your counter for months, right?

Lastly, I did not include Worcestershire sauce.  If you like it, by all means add it.  Employ one tablespoon.  Mix it in with the beginning ingredients before adding the oil.  If you’re skipping the anchovies but adding the Worcestershire you may not need to increase the salt.  (Anchovies are used to make Worcestershire by the way). 

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JOBPATH by Caroline Ceniza-Levine cenizalevine@yahoo.com  www.thinkasinc.com

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Series on the New Retirement (Part 4):

MAKING THE MONEY LAST

With lower stock market returns predicted for the future, careful management of one’s retirement portfolio is more critical than ever.  In addition, with longer life spans, this portfolio may need to last longer than previously expected.  This need to stretch a fixed income to cover one’s life expenses is not only important to retirees.  If you’ve experienced a significant life change (e.g., lost a job, expanded the family), you may suffer a loss or reduction of income, and this income may need to last longer than expected.  However, you don’t necessarily need to deprive yourself of things you enjoyed before.  Here are some tips on stretching your income creatively:

Search out freebies and discounts.  Museums typically have one day a week when they waive admission.  Colleges sometimes allow area residents to audit classes for a reduced fee.  Restaurants offer early-bird deals and other specials.  The end of June/ early July is Restaurant Week in New York City, and many high-end restaurants are offering great deals.

Barter instead of cash.  Usher for the community theater and see the show for free.  Volunteer for the museum and get free admission.  Trade services among friends:  I know a retired German teacher and a pianist who traded German and piano lessons.

Accurately price your wants and prioritize accordingly.  I know someone living on a fixed income who balked at getting a $60 massage, even though it made her feel great.  However, she spent several dollars a day on a fast food breakfast, even though she said she wanted to lose weight.  On an annual basis, the amount spent on breakfast exceeded the cost of regular massages, and the massages were higher priority.  It pays to accurately calculate what you’re spending and spend first on things that are really meaningful to you. 

Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a resident of Little Silver, is an adjunct professor of Professional Development at Columbia University, a recruiter for a Fortune 500 publishing firm, and a career/life coach.  Caroline can be reached at 212-502-8593 or at her website at www.thinkasinc.com.

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NO BULL FISHING REPORT by Jay Cosgrove of Bahr's Landing Marina and Restaurant Highlands, NJ  jay@bahrs.com http://www.bahrs.com

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REPORTS OF RIVER, BAY AND OCEAN FISHING

Another monster bass was weighed in at Bahrs Landing on Monday. Taken on a live bunker in crystal clear water at the Shrewsbury Rocks. Scott Attaway from Oceanport landed a 47lb striper aboard his boat the "Storm Front". He was with Darren Berry, Don Sneider and Paul Goins. It is leading the Bahrs Landing Seasonal Largest Striper Contest.

The weather the weather, record rain for June has kept the waters in the low 60s. It should be upper 70's by now if not in the 80's in the river. The low temps have kept the fish fiesty. There are plenty of bait including shedder crabs to keep the attention of stripers and weaks. This morning under/ontop the Highlands Bridge I saw another 30+ striper. This one was taken from the highest point on the bridge.

Yesterday, Kevin Meyerhoff with Rick and Ryan Kalinowski ran down the beach off of Deal and joined a fleet that bailed big bass all day. The moss bunkers were thick as everyone was live lining. They had fish up to 31.lbs plus big bluefish. "It was a day you dream about".

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SENIOR SAVVY by Bernice Roberts email - brob3@aol.com

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BOTOX FOR BUSH

I’m not a proponent of Botox.  I am, however, in favor of some people using it to get that mean look off their faces.  Bush and Rumsfield are two major nominees.

There was a big Botox mishap featured on one of the hour-long Newsline programs last week.  A famous Hollywood producer’s wife claims her Botox injections went awry and caused her great pain in addition to some other nasty symptoms.

It was amusing to see Elizabeth Taylor who was outraged by the accusations of a wanna-be-wrinkle-free Botox patient. Liz gave an impassioned defense of Dr. Botox who seems to be the "Doctor Darling" of the stars.  She emphatically thrust out her lower lip whose size and shape could serve as a diving platform for a party of pelicans.  The lip was extraordinary, more of an appendage than a facial component.  Was it full of Botox?  Was it paralyzed into the form of a giant red-painted podium?  Or was it just the burial ground for all the collagen that was previously pumped into her face?  When you look that funny, people don’t even remember what you say.

Lest some think I am being harsh on Liz, please keep in mind that I’m only calling a diving platform a diving platform.  Anyway, I like to get my botulism the old fashioned way, . . . in soup.

I can’t get enthusiastic about botulinum injections since I remember so well the "Bon Vivant Vichyssoise Killer-Soup" true-life drama.  It happened to a Westchester couple about thirty years ago.  The husband drank his soup cold the evening before, got on a commuter train the following morning headed for New York City, and soon after began showing signs of paralysis.  He was unable to walk, unable to swallow, and unable to talk.  It seemed apparent to everyone that he was suffering a stroke so he was removed from the train to a NYC hospital.  His wife was summoned to the hospital and accepted her husband’s diagnosis of stroke.  But about six o’clock that evening she began her own symptoms of nausea and paralysis. Then intense questioning brought out the soup tale. 

The wife had thought the soup tasted a bit off so she didn’t drink much of it.  She survived, but her husband died.  It was then that the experts said the whole tragedy might have been averted if the soup had been brought to boiling for ten minutes.  Ironic isn’t it that the "Bon Vivant" label means "Good Living," or, one who enjoys the good life?

After Bush and Rumsfeld get their faces fixed with some pre-emptive Botox needle strikes, we’ll have another "go" at the WMD.  Gosh, don’t the media, in combination with government spin-stirrers, reduce everything to the simplicity of a couple of letters, even a naughty term like weapons of mass destruction? 

This time it’s been suggested that we try another tactic in our search.  The big mistake we always make is sending males to look for those weapons.  Now as any woman will tell you, men can’t find SQUAT.  There they’ll be, yet another new team, and we women are certain that they won’t even know how to ask for directions.  An example for the ages is the Wise Men!  How long were they looking for the Baby Jesus out there in the desert? 

A likely scenario:

"Balthaspar, it’s your turn to ask this nomad who‘s approaching us on his camel."

"No way!  I was going to ask that shepherd last time around, but he didn’t look too swift.  Besides, you two always give some dumb reason why you can’t ask.  Like should we ask about a baby or should we now ask about a toddler?""

"You didn’t lose the presents, did you Angostura?  We’ve been schlepping all through the desert with them for over a year now."

"Yeah, yeah, I’ve got ’em.  But I’m real tired.  That bright light shining in the night sky over that town we passed through last night was really annoying.  I hope it doesn’t start up again tonight."

Should we maybe send a search team of women to Iraq who need to get home pretty quick to get to the supermarket?

more . . .

Thank you all for your encouragement about my Yoga efforts.  I’ll keep trying.  Thank you Laurie and Carol.  I’ll keep you posted.  The Yoga saga continues.

more . . .

"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down."  Robert Benchley

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LEGALLY SPEAKING by Rich Marcolus, Esq. Levinson Axelrod Attorneys at Law View Archive

Levinson-Axelrod www.njlawyers.com Attorneys at Law 274 Church Street Belford, NJ 07718 (732) 787-3200 (800) 34-NJ-LAW

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAW

In a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision, the law pertaining to sexual harassment was further expended to favor victims of sexual harassment. The Court’s decision focused on an employer’s obligation to rub out sexual harassment in the workplace. Under this new ruling, an employer is directed to incorporate sexual harassment training, monitoring, record keeping and reporting. It must also have a defined sexual harassment policy with clear and concise instructions on reporting sexual harassment. An employer must also show a commitment from the top of the management ladder that it is committed to enforcing a true anti-harassment policy.

If found absent from any of the above, an employer will be found liable for damages to an employee who alleges that he or she was sexually harassed on the job..

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PHYSICIAN'S FORUM Alan Zaccaria, MD, FACS Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, President, Monmouth County Medical Society Chief, Plastic Surgery, Jersey Shore Medical Center www.plasticsurgery_zaccaria.yourmd.com Aldozac@netzero.net

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IN RESPONSE TO RICH MARCOLUS, ESQ.

It becomes increasingly frustrating trying to debunk the myths that continue to be propagated regarding the medical liability insurance crisis and who (or what) is to blame. In two recent articles written by Mr. Marcolus in the AH Herald, (../legal/2003/lg030605_tort_reform.htm and ../legal/2003/lg030619_medical_malpractice.htm) the medical malpractice insurance crisis is addressed. The problem is that once again we are reading the skewed version which is promoted by plaintiff's attorneys and their organization, ATLA (Association of Trial Attorneys of America). Mr. Marcolus and others refuse to see the facts. This is what the doctors use to base their viewpoints on, not fiction or propaganda.

First of all, just so everyone understands, the medical malpractice insurance crisis is real, and affects everyone, not just physicians. Premiums continue to rise to exorbitant levels, and go up every year by 30% to 50% on average, but as much as 100% to 200% in high risk groups. Could anyone imagine what would happen if auto insurance premiums doubled or tripled every year? These premiums cannot be offset by income, which is fixed by the insurance companies and the federal government, and continues to decline. Combining this with inflation and cost of living increases as well as continual rises in office overhead, and we have a real problem. This has driven over 25% of our obstetricians out of business in New Jersey. Some have retired early, moved out of state or just stopped delivering babies. How do you deal with that fact Mr. Marcolus? Tell women to deliver their babies in emergency rooms like they have been forced to do in Philadelphia? Did you know that we have two counties in New Jersey without neurosurgeons? We are losing our best and brightest students to fields other than medicine because the future of our profession is so unstable. Are doctors really the cause of the problem? We don't make millions like the trial attorneys do. Many of us struggle just to stay in business and keep a roof over our head. How do you expect an obstetrician to stay in business when he or she gets paid $1500 for taking care of a pregnant patient for 9 to 10 months, including the management of all of her problems and the many hours spent on the telephone, when his/her malpractice insurance is over $100,000 per year. They do not have the luxury of billing by the minute for telephone calls as do you. If they could in fact do that, they would not be in this situation.

The bottom line is that the New Jersey tort system does not work. It is one of the most inefficient systems in our country. When an injured party only receives 29 cents on the dollar for their injuries, something is wrong. We cannot continue to pay multimillion dollar awards just to line the pockets of trial lawyers. This is the true cause of the problem. It is based on facts from reputable actuarial studies which show that runaway jury awards are the direct cause for insurance companies not being able to lower premiums. It has to stop, and reasonable caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) as well as some of the other measures that we have fought to get passed in the state senate are the only real solutions.

The days of millionaire doctors are long gone Mr. Marcolus. This attitude continues to delay a real solution to a very real problem and continues to threaten the entire healthcare system in our great state. I will make a deal with you. We will disclose our relevant income information as you have requested, if you will disclose yours. Then the public will see who is really telling the truth.

Alan Zaccaria, MD, FACS
180 White Road, Suite 102
Little Silver, NJ 07739
(732) 530-8565

 

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OLD OAK TRAIL by Joe Reynolds AH Environmental Commission Member sosap2002@comcast.net

mini-autobiography

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A NEW FOOTBRIDGE IN LENAPE WOODS NATURE PRESERVE

Why accumulate when we can grow rich by giving.
-Daniel Fraser, Shaker

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a volunteer as someone “who chooses freely to do or offer to do something.” Unfortunately, this description does not accurately describe all the time, energy, and people power that recently occurred in the western section of Lenape Woods Nature Preserve to build a new bridge.

For all those people who adore Lenape Woods Nature Preserve, much appreciation should go to Councilman Louis Fligor and Martin Shann for spending their free time this spring building and installing a new foot-bridge over Many Mind Creek. If you have not yet seen the bridge, then you should go now. It looks great! The new footbridge is located near the headwaters of Many Mind Creek. It can be visited via the Long Slope Trail one of two ways: the East Highland Avenue or East Washington Avenue entrances.

Martin - Louis Bridge, as some have affectionately called it, crosses Many Mind Creek at its headway in the Lenape Woods Nature Preserve / West, Atlantic Highlands.

Either entrance will provide you with a meandering walk through a lovely oak, holly, and mountain laurel forest. Eventually, the Long Slope Trail will lead you into a wetland landscape overlaid with red maples, skunk cabbage, and marsh ferns. The new footbridge will be right in front of you, as will be Many Mind Creek (a freshwater system at this point).

Where land meets the waters of Many Mind Creek is one of the most beautiful portions of Lenape Woods Nature Preserve. With the addition of the new footbridge, this area is even more inviting. The bridge provides an excellent opportunity to relax and view passing white-tailed deer, butterflies, and numerous species of songbirds.

Adults (l-r) Councilman Lou Fligor, Marty Shann, Al Croker, Councilman Jack Archibald, (children: LaMorte and Johnson families)

No longer do people have to worry about falling through the old rotten boards of plywood that used to cross over Many Mind Creek. That bridge was unstable and dangerous. As case in point, Paul Boyd, the Chairperson of the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission, during a recent sojourn in Lenape Woods injured his foot by walking on a rusty nail. Instead of enjoying the outdoors, he spent his spring in pain taking antibiotics. Thank you Lou and Marty for making Lenape Woods a better place for all species to enjoy. While I am sure I am missing a few people, gratitude should also be given to Councilman Jack Archibald, the Crocker, Fligor, Johnson, LaMorte, Royce, and Shann families, and all others who volunteered a few hours on Saturday, June 14th to help install the new footbridge. Future generations of residents in Atlantic Highlands will thank you!

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LEND - A - HAND Volunteer Center of Monmouth County (732) 728-1927

The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County, (732) 728-1927, offers hundreds of unique volunteer opportunities.  The Center is now located at 1900 Highway 35, Oakhurst, NJ, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

See Volunteer Opportunities
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LEAFNOTES by Charles Deitz LeafNotes@netscape.net

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Each week we'll browse through two or three books and provide you with a brief assessment. These books can all be found in local bookstores.

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TOM CLANCY'S JACK RYAN

We've cruised through Jake Grafton (Coonts) and Alex Delaware (Kellerman) with hardly a ripple. Now it's time for the immensely popular Jack Ryan.

Created by Tom Clancy, this character has risen from a quiet, intelligent family man to President of the United States. In any other author s hands, this would be accomplished with a wink of the eye. But in Clancy s world, it seems believable.

Among purists, nerds, and cellar-dwellers, these books are controversial, mostly for the weaving of Clancy s personal politics into the story line (or out of the mouths of his characters). However, it is never a burden or a distraction. Just keep reading.

The point of this article is to give you a synopsis of the Jack Ryan series. There are a few noted spin-offs, plus quite a few independently themed tomes and an entire series that carries Clancy's name but not a word authored by him. I can t cover all of that, It is beyond the scope.

The books are listed in chronological order, relative to Ryan's life. The sequence of publication is noted before the title. The actual publication date follows the title.

Enjoy the reading.

#2 PATRIOT GAMES (1987)
Timeline - late 70s
Occupation - Jack is a common family man with no government connection
Summary - Ryan is on vacation in London with his wife and his daughter while doing research for a book. The three of them witness a terrorist attack on a member of British royal family. Ryan, a former US Marine, charges the terrorists and foils their attack killing one and wounding another. The terrorists belong to ULA (Ulster Liberation Army), an offshoot of the IRA, whom doesn't approve of the attack. Sean Miller, fanatic member of the ULA and the mastermind behind the attack, won't let Ryan get away with it. Admiral Greer urges Jack to join the CIA in order to protect the Ryan family from the terrorists' revenge.

In "The Hunt for Red October," (first published Ryan) Clancy made several key points referring to the events of this novel, showing that he clearly had a vision for where Jack Ryan was headed, or more succinctly, where he came from

#9 RED RABBIT (2002)
Timeline - 1981
Occupation - Ryan is a CIA analyst (think: Robert Redford - Three Days
of the Condor)
Summary - A mid-level Soviet bureaucrat, who has dreams of defecting to the West, stumbles across a plot to assassinate the Pope. Using this information as his EZPass out of the country, Ryan aids in his defection. Although no shots are fired until about twenty minutes from the end of the book, anyone up on their history will know the outcome of that shot within twenty minutes of opening the first page. What comes in between is a slow-moving but, steadily absorbing imagining of the back story behind Mehmet Ali Agca's (real-life) failed attempt on the life of Pope John II in 1981

#1 THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1984)
Timeline - Early 1980's
Occupation - Ryan is a CIA analyst, .
Summary - The story follows Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius, who intends to defect to the United States with his officers and the experimental missile submarine Red October. Almost the entire Soviet fleet in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean sets out for the Atlantic Ocean with the mission to hunt down and destroy the Red October. Ryan figures out what the submarine is up to. The Pentagon and White House generals do not believe in his idea. They believe Soviet's story, that Ramius is a madman and that he will launch his nuclear missiles at the United States. A race between NATO and the Soviet Union begins. Who will find the Red October first? Through a combination of circumstances, he becomes responsible for seeing the sub to safety from

#3 THE CARDINAL OF THE KREMLIN (July 1988)
Timeline Mid-1980s
Occupation Jack is employed by the CIA
Summary - A US spy satellite reveals a newly developed laser-defense system in the hills at Dushanbe, near the Afghani border. The laser system is capable of destroying an orbiting satellite or an aircraft anywhere in the world. To get further information about the laser, the CIA has to use its most valuable and highest placed spy in Soviet Union.

The spy known as "Cardinal" is about to betray the KGB. Jack Ryan must go into the Soviet Union to bring him to safety.

This book is said to mark the increasing predominance of pro-military, pro-law enforcement views endorsed in Clancy's writing. Also, this is the first appearance for John Clark. He stars in the spin-offs that I said I m not going to mention

#4 CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (August 1989)
Timeline Late 1980s
Occupation - Jack Ryan is appointed Acting Deputy Director of Intelligence
Summary - Ryan becomes unwillingly involved in a covert war against drug barons in Colombia. A US businessman and his family are brutally murdered on their yacht. The murder investigation reveals that the businessman was connected to the Medellin drug cartel in Columbia. For a while the US has been planning a secret operation to intercept aerial drug shipments to the US. But Jack Ryan is hasn't been informed about Operation Showboat. Soon he discovers that US troops are involved in a covert operation against the Colombian drug cartels. Two themes drive this plot One concerns the ethics of use of military force. The second asks about the limits of loyalty.

#5 THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (Paperback - July 1996)
Timeline Early 1990s
Occupation - Jack Ryan is the Deputy Director of the CIA,
Summary Jack is in cooperation with the Vatican outlining a plan for peace in the Middle East. However, not all people in the Middle East welcome the prospects of peace. In fact they have a joker up their sleeve: A nuclear bomb from a long lost Israeli warplane. Ryan must face a nightmare he could never dare to imagine.

#6 DEBT OF HONOR (Paperback - July 1997)
Timeline Mid-late 1990 s
Occupation Having resigned from the CIA is called back to become the
National Security Advisor
Summary - The Japanese government (controlled by a group of corporate tycoons) goes to war with the United States. In an attempt to cripple the U.S. Navy (as part of a grand plan involving China and India to radically alter the global power balance), the Japanese attack American submarines and ships and occupy American-held Pacific islands.

After the real-life September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack, the book will be largely be remembered for its prophetic conclusion, in which an embittered Japanese airliner pilot crashes his 747 into the Capitol building, killing the entire Congress, Supreme Court, and all but two White House officials, which segues into...

#7 EXECUTIVE ORDERS (June 1996)
Timeline Immediately after Debt of Honor
Occupation POTUS
Debt of Honor ended with the Capitol as a smoldering ruin after the Jumbo Jet crash. Only moments before, Jack Ryan was sworn in as Vice-President of the United States. Now with the President dead, Ryan has to build a new government from scratch. But this is not the only problem. All over the world enemies of the United States see a chance to make a move on their weak enemy. Ryan survives press hazing, assassination attempts and biological warfare. John Clark traces the virus to a Middle Eastern madman, and the US military goes to work.

#8 THE BEAR AND THE DRAGON (August 2000)
Timeline approximately 1996
Occupation - POTUS
Summary - Someone tries to take out the head of the former KGB with a rocket-propelled grenade. Ryan lends FBI support to the Russians for their investigation. As the title suggests, China is involved. Their economy is a shambles and dissent rears its head from within. Worst of all, the Red Chinese have to deal with a U. S. President who won't unilaterally give away the farm. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Red Chinese accordingly launch a two-pronged plan: destabilize the Russian government and prepare to invade Siberia --- where gold, of both the solid yellow type and the black viscous stuff known as oil, have recently been discovered.

Good website http://www.clancyfaq.com/books.htm

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ADOPTION OPTION by Amy Shore AdoptionWriter@aol.com

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NOT MEANT TO BE...BUT WHY?

‘Why?’ was all I could ask, over and over again, still dazed by the devastating news from our adoption agency that the birthmother of our child was missing and our adoption was coming to an abrupt end.  Why would a beautiful, innocent child be brought into this world, be placed for adoption so she could have a better life, be matched with a family who adored her even before they laid eyes on her, and then be forcibly taken away by “red tape” and illogical rules? 

I just couldn’t understand why God would allow this to happen.

We had been on a roller coaster ride of emotions for six weeks before finally learning the fate of our adoption.  In those six weeks, we prayed, contacted private investigators whom we thought might be able to assist us in finding the birthmother (who quoted us with a $10,000 estimate to use their services with no guarantees), learned everything we could learn about abandonment procedures, and tried so hard to be patient. 

But it was impossible to go through a normal day without feeling that pang in my heart that reminded me that all was not well in the world…my world in particular.  With Iraqi War coverage blaring on the television and no leads coming in from Guatemala about the birthmother’s whereabouts, my heart sank.  I wanted to jump on an airplane and go to Guatemala City and find her myself, but that was just too ridiculous.  Nevertheless, it crossed my mind a few hundred times in those six weeks. 

We did call Guatemala one night in total despair and hired a private attorney who specializes in adoption supervision to help us.  I was desperate to make this right and have everything end happily ever after. 

But maybe that only happens in fairy tales.  This is the real world. 

Cruel things happen sometimes.  For example, at the end of April the attorney representing our baby told the adoption agency that the birthmother had been found and she was willing to go forward with the adoption.  When we got this news, we were elated!!!  We could finally breathe again!  I called the relatives and friends who knew about our ordeal, and they were thrilled!  Our baby Lucy was, indeed, coming home!  But I thought it was strange that we could not get any answers to our questions about where the birthmother was when she disappeared. 

How could we make sure this didn’t happen again?

Three days later she missed a scheduled appointment with a social worker in Guatemala’s Family Court.  Manfred, our private Guatemalan attorney whom we contracted in desperation, called us with this news.  I called our adoption agency and just fell apart on the phone.  “I thought she was found,” I said, over and over again.  “What happened?”

A couple of days later, after the adoption agency did some poking and prodding for information (foreign adoptions are difficult in that information dribbles like a leaky faucet), we were told that the birthmother was actually never found.  We deduced that the lawyer wanted us to hang on so he wouldn’t lose his money that we sent when we accepted the referral of a child; if we didn’t know for another three months, he reasoned, who would it hurt?  Maybe the birthmother would show up?  We were furious!  We were heartbroken.  The darkness came crashing down on us again. 

It was time to tell our ten-year-old daughter.  We avoided conveying this bad news to her, because deep down we really thought the birthmother would be found and then Miranda would be spared the anguish and pain.  But we were told that the adoption would not go forward, that without the birthmother, Lucinda would have to go through abandonment procedures, and we would not be able to adopt her at this time.  If we wanted to wait a couple of years, she may be available for adoption again, but there was no guarantee that the Court of Minors would put her up for adoption, and we couldn’t risk the mental anguish this would cause our daughter or us. 

Miranda cried.  Tears just streamed down her face, and I could see her anger and frustration when I told her what the outcome was.  “What is going to happen to Lucy?” she asked, sobbing.  I looked into her tear-filled eyes and told her that the Courts would ask her relatives to adopt her.  She did not ask me what happens if they said they didn’t want to raise her; to Miranda this child was irresistibly wonderful, so why wouldn’t they?  I was glad, because I didn’t have the heart to go beyond that and tell her that the baby would be raised in a hogar (group home) and have to leave her foster mother, the only mother she ever came to know and love during her six months on earth. 

“Are we going to adopt another baby, Mom?” Miranda asked, still sobbing.  She so wanted to be a big sister.  The daydreams we shared for so long felt so real.  To think of a future without a baby in our family seemed very empty and cold. 

“Yes,” my husband and I said, nodding together. 

Sure, we were scared at the thought of starting all over again.  What if lightening was to strike twice?  Could our shattered hearts endure more sadness and pain?  Were we crazy to go back into the uncertainty?  We couldn’t think about all of that.  We had to focus on our goal:  to love and care for a child who needs a loving family in order to have a wonderful life. 

Bad things happen.  Life isn’t fair.  These are tough lessons that we three had to learn.  It was a tough pill to swallow.  But we did. 

We don’t know why this happened, what God intended, if this was fate or just a horrible tragedy, and we may never know.  What we do know is that Lucinda will always be a part of our family and will forever live in our hearts. 

Perhaps there is another Guatemalan baby not yet born who is meant to be ours.  Despite the pain, we have to move forward. 

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POETS' LAIR by Area Poets

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INDEPENDENCE DAY
by Roger W Hancock

The fourth of July to celebrate,
with fireworks and remembrance.
Founder’s heroes in bravery,
country born to be great.

A sacrifice they gave back then,
of wealth and security.
Price paid with young blood,
scarlet cost for Liberty.

Declaration of Independence,
a bold unquiet dissidence.
Beginnings of a new embrace,
that liberty be, the right of men.

For you and me they fought,
that oppression not be ours.
Decay in power was their thought.
Freedom forever yours.

Beginning of law for freedom,
laid out in the Constitution.
Balance of power to preserve
that liberty stay intact.

We the people, not government,
in liberty they took this stance;
no king to rule without restraint,
President, congress, court for balance.

Firm foundations by great men,
from future visions dreamed.
Liberty, freedom, to us they gave.
Revel, on Independence Day.

Roger W Hancock © 1-16-2002 www.FoolBay.com

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(editors note: Do you have poetry to share? Send your submission to editor@ahherald.com.)

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Picture This!
View Picture This! Archive

sponsored by Restaurant and Marina Visit our website WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BAHRS

../picture_this/2003/pt_030619.htm   or click here

Picture This! We'll show you a photo each week and you tell us where in Monmouth County that photo was taken.  If you have not won in the last 30 days and you know the answer, send your response to editor@ahherald.com along with your name and the town where you live. 

Be the first person to respond with the correct answer and we will publish your name and the town where you live. In addition, we'll send you a gift certificate for $25 from Bahr's Landing Marina and Restaurant in Highlands, NJ.

Only those responses received on, or after, the date above will be accepted.

Last Week's Picture This! Answer

Irene Campbell of Highlands, NJ  was the first person to correctly identify this location. A:  This patriotic sign was put up shortly after September 11, 2001 and greets travelers along Rumson Road in Rumson.

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READER'S WRITE

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The AH Herald provides this space for community commentary on issues of local importance.   The extended format of our Readers Write page will remind many of the Op-Ed pages in print newspapers. We hope you find the information compelling and informative. If you have something to say about a LOCAL issue, send your comments, along with your name, street address and daytime phone number to: editor@ahherald.com

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TOWNSHEND SUBJECTED TO "TRIAL BY TABLOID"

I've read the Atlantic Highlands Herald comments on the Pete Townshend case, and thought you might be interested in an update. Many details were not made public at the time.

Pete Townshend is an anti-child porn advocate who was arrested in January as part of Operation Landslide, an FBI bust of a Texas child porn gateway site.

Townshend was subjected to "trial by tabloid" which trashed his reputation, but was eventually cleared by a UK police investigation. However, because of the laws on sex offenses his name was added to the UK Sex Offender Register.

A child abuse survivor group in the UK are now supporting Pete Townshend and have posted a petition asking that his name be removed from the Sex Offender register. They are also asking for more police discretion on who goes on the (very broad) UK list, so that it will become a better tool to track dangerous sex offenders.

http://www.phoenixsurvivors.com/Townshendx.html

Many details of this case were not published in the press, and it is unfortunate that the anti-child porn cause has now lost Pete Townshend as an advocate. Also, considering his experiences, it's unlikely that any other celebrities will take on this cause. Townshend's fans knew he was investigating child porn for some years, because he published about the results. He has said he first ran across child porn on the Internet in researching orphanages. Then his young son blundered into a site that was disguised as a child's game. After that, Townshend researched and published information on the extent of child porn on the Internet, and also information on how to protect your children from victimization. He offered increased assistance through his Double-O charity for victims of abuse and addiction. And also very important, he published some well thought out points on stopping the child porn industry. All this was before his arrest.

The huge amounts of time that police devote to tracking down users of child porn are wasted as far as stopping the industry goes. The pornographers are mostly in Asia and Russia where they're difficult to get at, but the child  porn industry is supported by financial interests like credit card companies, authorization companies and ISPs that make millions off the sites every month. These companies look the other way because of the huge amounts of money involved. After the publicity surrounding Townshend's arrest, VISA came forward to say they would no longer service sites that offer child porn, but other companies continue to do so. Please pass the word about this, and contact your government representatives to ask that they prosecute companies that facilitate the sale of child porn. Without support for Internet distribution, the industry will die.

You may be able to contact Pete Townshend about his anti-child porn advocacy through his business at customerhelp@eelpie.com. 

For more information on the Pete Townshend investigation, go to http://www.petetownshendisinnocent.com

I am not affiliated with either Pete Townshend or Phoenix Survivors.

Lela Buis
Merritt Island, FL

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WHO'S ON MOSQUITO PATROL?

There are more than 30 different species of mosquitoes in Monmouth County. The one thing they all have in common is that they need water to survive. When newly born mosquitoes emerge from the water, males and females will mate over a 2 to 3 day period. Within a week, the adult females begin searching for suitable hosts to bite for a bloodmeal. The bloodmeal gives her all the proteins and nutrients required to produce 100 to 300 eggs. After feeding, female mosquitoes will find a cool resting spot in which to convert the bloodmeal into eggs. Between blood-meals, the females (similar to males) feed on nectar from flowers for sustenance. The females seek successive bloodmeals about every 2 weeks throughout their life, which lasts for several weeks to several months, depending upon climatic conditions like precipitation and temperature.

Mosquitoes are responsible for causing more human suffering than any other animal. Mosquito-borne infections include malaria, heartworm, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile Virus and encephalitis. Within the United States, the encephalitides (western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and eastern equine encephalitis) are the most commonly reported mosquito-borne diseases in humans.

Mosquitoes are called vectors because they transmit disease-causing pathogens from one animal to another. Often, a host bird or animal is not affected by the disease and serves as a reservoir allowing the pathogens to thrive. The pathogen must be highly concentrated in the host’s blood for the mosquito to acquire it during its bloodmeal. Some mosquitoes bite only birds, allowing the disease to be amplified within a bird-mosquito cycle. At some point, mosquitoes that bite birds and mammals have a good chance of biting an infected bird and transmitting the pathogen to a non-infected animal or human host. Monitoring of bird populations for infection can give mosquito control agencies a forewarning of the disease’s threat to human populations.

The most effective strategy for controlling mosquitoes and inhibiting the spread of disease is to deny them a place to breed. If we eliminate standing water, mosquitoes cannot breed. There are many things each homeowner can do to control mosquitoes in their backyard and neighborhood.

· All standing water should be eliminated. Avoid over-watering lawns.
· Dispose of all useless containers and those that are saved should be turned upside down. Tires, especially, can readily breed thousands of mosquitoes. Disease-spreading mosquitoes are notorious for breeding in man-made items such as buckets, tires, baby pools, boats, and gutters.
· Recycling containers should have holes drilled into their bottom to allow for drainage of rainwater or have tight-fitting lids.
· Roof gutters and drainage ditches should be maintained and cleared of debris, for they provide ideal habitat for mosquito breeding.
· Fish will readily eat mosquitoes and, therefore, should be placed in ornamental ponds.
· The water in birdbaths and troughs should be changed weekly.
· Swimming pools and wading pools should be emptied or covered when not in use so water cannot collect in them (or on the cover).
· Canoes and other boats should be covered or turned over for storage.
· Properly screening windows and doors will help keep mosquitoes and other biting insects outside and away from you, your family and your pets.
· Properly grade property and smooth out tire ruts to allow for water drainage.

Mosquitoes are most active in the cool early morning and late evening hours. To prevent mosquito bites, either avoid using the yard at these times or use insect repellent along with a wearing long sleeve shirt and long pants. Repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can be very effective in preventing insect bites. However, DEET may cause allergic and toxic reactions in children and adults, especially when used on the skin repeatedly and/or in high concentrations (over 20-30%). Use insect repellents only as directed: using more DEET than necessary will not improve protection but will increase the likelihood of toxicity or allergic reactions. Do no use repellents on infants and caution children to avoid getting repellents in their eyes.

Now you’re on Mosquito Patrol!

Steve Taylor, Middletown Township Environmental Commission

(Excerpts from: Mosquitoes: Biology and Control, Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission, 2000)

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ENRON AND UNIONS

We complain about the misdeeds of Enron executives, Qwest last CEO and other executives while ignoring the misdeeds of union officials. The Unions themselves have lobbied for laws that make corporate accounting more understandable and more transparent. Over the last half century many union officials have been indicted over misuse of money that make the Enron scandal look like child’s play. The Unions lobby for more accountability in corporate accounting while opposing it for themselves. If I am to enjoy the benefits of my union I want to know fully how the money is spent. At one time members of my union, CWA voted 60% Republican while the leadership supported the Democratic Party. The unions support the Democratic Party to increase their political power not necessarily for what is good for America. The unions support labor issues to the extreme. Socialist policies in our government seem to be the goal of the labor union. I want to know how much of my money is used to support policies I do not agree with.

Roger W. Hancock
Auburn, WA

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WORDS AND TENOR SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR IN TWO RIVER TIMES REPORT

After reading the Two River Times account of the Middletown Planning Board meeting of June 11, I feel they are guilty of just what the NYTimes was guilty of in allowing one of its reporters to file stories without his having been where he seemed to have been.

TRT reported that Mr. Azzolina disagreed with the Planning Board's consultant and their resulting vote again his development on Hwy 35. Actually (and I was there) Mr. Azzolina approached as closely to the Board's location as he could and for about five minutes SCREAMED, YELLED, VILLIFIED them, calling them "criminals" for not allowing his family to build their projected mall. He then especially attacked Ms. Judy Stanley-Coleman, who was not sitting that night, and thus was unable to defend herself . He has done this before in print, so I am fairly sure she would not have sunk to his level with a response.

With admirable restraint, they sat and endured his tirade without response in kind. Actually, as I have written to them, I am certain that no other citizen of Middletown would have been allowed to act in that manner and that the police would have been called to escort him back to his seat.

Dispassionate reporting is admirable, but I do feel that the words and tenor of the person being reported about should be made clear.

Bettie Rogers, President
Middletown Village Civic Association

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 HELP FOR DAUGHTER WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

To the Editor:

Hello, my name is Alyson Shannon.  I am from Keansburg, NJ.  I am a very young  mother (21) who is dedicating every second I have to my 5 year old daughter  with cerebral palsy.  I just recently had another baby (3 months old) and things are starting to get harder, such as having family outings and just enjoying fun time together. She is in a wheelchair.  The reason for this is I don't have a vehicle.  I can not keep a decent job because my schedule is never normal.  And we all know that one doesn't grow on trees. 

We're involved in DDD  and the Schroth School in Wanamassa, NJ.  I've been asking around for assistance  with a vehicle, or some sort of reimbursement with one.  The only thing DDD (Division of Developmental Disabilities) can do for me is provide a lift for my vehicle when I get one.

My mother is in with the American Legion in Keansburg.  I asked her if she could  help me out somehow with Elk members having some sort of fund raiser or  donation program.  I assume things are hard to pull off.  You cant get anything  for free now of days.  That is why I am writing this letter to see if you have  any suggestions to help me solve my problem.

My email address is Babymom2be@netzero.com
Thanks a million!

Alyson Shannon
Keansburg, NJ

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GIVING UP LIBERTIES IS NOT THE AMERICAN WAY!

Editor,

The President addressed Congress and citing Iraq’s attempt to purchase nuclear material from an African nation, received funding for a war. The evidence cited was a forgery.

The Attorney General appears before a Congressional Committee to ask for revisions of the “Patriot Act”. He testifies that because of police surveillances on public libraries and customers, Ted “Unabomber” Kaczynski was captured. Oh?  No, he was captured when his brother read the Unabomber's Manifesto in a newspaper, realized who wrote it and called the FBI.

My point is: What is trustable? The proposed revisions of the current Patriot Act will give the offices of the President and Attorney General near dictatorial powers that will almost nullify our Constitution, leaving the accused without due process protection or arrest notice to family or friend!

These types of powers are foreign to American democracy. Ben Franklin said:” Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

For over 225 years Americans from New Jersey and of every ethnic background have selflessly shed their blood during wartime in order to protect the Constitution for themselves and succeeding generations. We need to let our government officials know that’s still the American way!

Scott Zorc
Buford, Ga

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