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November 2010

October 2010

Seasonal health tips and reminders for a Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Monmouth County 

Seasonal health tips and reminders

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders wants everyone to have a happy Halloween and encourages residents to stay safe and healthy this Halloween and all season long.
 

“Everyone should hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help them see and so that others can see them,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the county Health Department “Reminding children of some basic safety tips is one of the best things adults can do to help this Halloween.”

 

If your children are trick-or treating this Halloween, the county Health Department recommends that they walk in a group or with a trusted adult. Trick-or-treaters should walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic, use established crosswalks wherever possible and look both ways before crossing the street.  

 

 Wearing a costume and carrying a bag with reflective tape will help drivers see the trick-or-treaters, too,” said Mallet. “After trick-or-treating, adults should examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before allowing children and other family member start eating.” 
 

The county Health Department also recommends other keep healthy tips for the fall season:

  • Be sure to keep your teeth healthy. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, and drink fluoridated tap water to prevent tooth decay. Bacteria (germs) that naturally live in our mouths use sugar in food to make acids. Those acids can destroy the outside layer of the teeth and cause cavities that can lead to other oral problems. Cut down on sugary treats this Halloween.
  • Wash your hands. It's best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that's not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.
  • Take steps to prevent the flu. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each season once vaccine is available in your community. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. While the flu vaccine provides protection that lasts throughout the flu season, it does not protect against or cure the common cold.
  • Be prepared for cold weather. Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises.
  • Protect your child or yourself during RSV season. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health problems, especially for young children and older adults. To help prevent the spread of RSV, people who have cold-like symptoms should cover their mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands often with soap and water for 15–20 seconds, avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others and refrain from kissing others.

For more health tips, log onto the Monmouth County Health Department Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com or log onto the Center for Disease Control Web site at www.cdc.gov for healthy Halloween information


Upcoming events in November

NOVEMBER 1 EMBROIDERERS' GUILD MEETING at Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Dr., from 7-9 p.m. Join us and sit and stitch! For information, call BJ (732) 780-9456.

FIRST AVENUE PLAYHOUSE AUDITION CALL FOR "WAKE ME AT MIDNIGHT" at 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, on Nov. 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m. The comedy will go up in Jan. 2011 beginning with early New Year's Eve production. Needed are 5 men ages late 40s-60s, and 4 women ages early 30s-80. For information, call (732) 291-7552.

NOVEMBER 2 THE HEALING POWER OF ART PANEL DISCUSSION at Guild of Creative Art, 620 Broad St., Shrewsbury, at 7 p.m. The Guild's Kristen Lanfrank moderates an interactive discussion with cancer survivors, professors and a psychologist focusing on the beneficial power of art to heal the mind, body and soul. Free.

NOVEMBER 6 NJ'S 20TH ANNUAL "LET'S TALK ADOPTION" CONFERENCE at Rutgers Univ., Busch Campus Center, Piscataway, from 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Intended for pre- and post-adoptive parents, social workers, adoptees, birthparents and school personnel. 36 workshops on domestic and international adoption, parenting, school issues, adoptee experiences, etc. $50/$25 full-time students. For registration and information, call (973) 625-5628 or visit www.cpfanj.org.

ASHLEY LAUREN FOUNDATION'S 2ND ANNUAL APPLE & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL at Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Scottish-American Highland games competition, a Civil War encampment, cider press demos, blacksmithing and wood working, along with live stage entertainment for children and adults. Vendors, children's games from the 1800s, hay rides, pony rides and much more. Proceeds benefit the foundation which is dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families. Free. Parking $5. For information, call Monica (732) 414-1625.

OPENING RECEPTION FOR THE ART ALLIANCE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY'S 24TH ANNUAL STATE-WIDE JURIED EXHIBITION at the gallery, 33 Monmouth St., Red Bank, from 6-8 pm.. Free. Exhibition runs through Nov. 24 during gallery hours: Tues.-Sat. from noon-4 p.m. For information, visit www.artallianceofmonmouth.org. or call (732) 842-9403.

NOVEMBER 7 5TH ANNUAL "RUN WITH DENNIS" 3.5-MILE RUN AND 2.0 MILE WALK. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, followed by an opening ceremony at 8:50 a.m. Race starts at 10 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memmorial Fund which sponsors programs for injured soldiers and their families and scholarships for students attending CBA, Lincroft. Rain or shine. For online registration and information, visit www.runwithdennis.org.

NOVEMBER 13 OCEANPORT EDUCATION FOUNDATION 3RD ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT at the Sheraton in Eatontown from 7-11 p.m. $50 includes hot buffet dinner, gaming tables and karaoke. Proceeds benefit Wolf Hill and Maple Place schools. A luxurious gift auction and 50/50 raffle will raise money for technology purchases. For tickets and information, call Denise Kessler (732) 870-8528.

2ND ANNUAL JURIED CRAFT SHOW at Middletown United Methodist Church, 924 Middletown/Lincroft Rd., Middletown, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crafters needed. For information, call Lori (732) 495-9131.

ARTISTS' SHOWCASE & SALE at Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Shore Casino 2nd Fl., 6 Simon Lake Dr., Atlantic Highlands, from noon-5 p.m. Artwork, jewelry, hand-sewn purses, fashion accessories, paintings, tabletop designs, furniture, pottery and photography. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and music by Henry Hudson H.S. singers and musicians. A percentage of the sales will be donated to Atlantic Highlands Youth Sailing Program and 180 Turning Lives Around. For information, call (732) 291-1118.

FAIR HAVEN PTA 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW in the Knollwood School All Purpose Rm., 224 Hance Rd., from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Over 40 vendors featuring jewelry, personalized gifts, hair accessories, specialty baskets and more. Both checks and cash accepted. Baked goods and coffee available for purchase. For information, contact Peggy Dengler at [email protected].

NOVEMBER 16 SENIORS OF LITTLE SILVER THIRD ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY at the clubhouse on Church St. at 1 p.m. All members are invited to bring a n item or two in new condition and must be accompanied by an index card with a brief description and approx. value. For information, call Ann Hansen, (732) 450-0689.

NOVEMBER 17 MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER PRESENTS "LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES" PROGRAM at Branches restaurant, W. Long Branch, from 5-8 p.m. Free. Beverages, light fare, door prizes and giveaways, as well as health screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol. For required registration and information, call 1 888-SBHS-123 and select prompt 4.

NOVEMBER 18 EMBROIDERERS' GUILD MEETING at St. Mary's Church Hall, Rte. 34 and Phalanx Rd., Colts Neck, from 10 .am.-2 p.m. Join us and sit and stitch! For information, call Ginger (732) 833-2504.

NOVEMBER 23 SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE at St. Mary's Church, corner of Rte. 34 and Phalanx Rd., Colts Neck, at 7:30 p.m. The pastors, leaders and musicans of St. Mary's, the Colts Neck Community Church and the Colts Neck Reformed Church will join together in a service of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for blessings received as a county and community.


Point Pleasant 30th Annual Halloween Parade


Sunday, October 31, 2010
Parade Begins at 1:00 PM
Line up 11:30 AM
(Wachovia Bank - 3223 Bridge Ave)
732-295-8850
Fun for all ages - Pets - Groups - Motorized Floats - Pull Floats - Judging takes place at noon - trophies and participation ribbons for all. Come out to march or watch - this is a really fun event - 2nd largest parade in New Jersey!

 


Home buyers and Credit Fitness

Many home buyers now and into the foreseeable future will be facing tight lending standards and the need to improve the credit score to get prequalified for mortgages. Some steps to speedy credit repair to gain lender approval and the best possible rates; especially if you are a few months away from purchasing.

CREDIT CARD WISDOM

  • paying DOWN revolving charge cards is more beneficial than paying down student loans or auto loans
  • ALWAYS leave 30% or higher between what you owe and the credit card limit
  • Use cards with care EVEN IF you pay off the balances monthly; because depending on the statement dates the lender may see the big balances
  • pay down the cards closest to their llinits for speedier credt repair. The lender will see the "gap" it wants to see.
  • Do NOT ask creditor to lower credit limits. Generally, carrying low balnces on several cards is better than one large balance on one card
  • check your credit card limits to make sure the report is correct. Limits may not be reported on all cards.
  • Never make a late payment on credit cards or any loan.

PROTESTING ITEMS:

  • Protest unjust negatives, such as late payments, collections that are not yours and any items not reported as "paid as agreed", if you paid on time and in full.
  • Protest items listed as unpaid that were included in a bankruptcy and items older than (7) seven years (10 bankruptcy)
  • Focus  FIRST on th elarger newer negatives listed on the report

It is important NOT to worry about smaller items such as incorrect address information, or old employer listed as current. Unless ther is the possibility of identity theft or the file is mixed up with someone else.

This certainly is not an all inclusive list of the steps that can be taken to improve a credit score, it is a great starting point, before attempting to get pre-approved and purchase a home. 

 


The 73rd Toms River Halloween Parade

The 73rd Toms River Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 7:00p.m. If postponed it will be Monday, November 1, 2010 at 7:00 pm
For information on the parade and for submitting an application to enter, contact:
732-349-0144
or [email protected]
Reported to be oneToms River Halloween Parade of the largest Parades of it's type in the world, it's a parade with plenty of floats and decorative Halloween themed attractions. ARRIVE EARLY! It is recommended you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable so the parade can begin on time. In the past, people have put chairs out even earlier. Parade starts at 7:00 pm, from the Toms River Center located at Main Street and Route 37, proceeding South on Main Street, then east on Washington Street and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Most trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building.


Top 10 Cities Buy vs Rent

  1. Minneapolis
  2. Arlington, Texas
  3. Miami
  4. Fresno, Calif
  5. San Antonio
  6. Mesa, Ariz
  7. Jacksonville, Fl
  8. Phoenix
  9. El Paso,Texas
  10. Las Vegas

Minneapolis tops the list of US cities where home prices have become affordable that it makes more sense to buy a home than rent one according to the recent buy vs rent index published by the online website Trulia. The index's price to rent ratio is calculated using average list price compared with the average rent on a 2 bedroom apartment, condo or townhouse listing.