The Season: Giving is Contagious

By Greg Kelly

With the nation’s economy now in a very good phase, it’s time to give back to those who are truly in need this holiday season. In good times and bad — generosity is always necessary.

And besides, your efforts at giving can “jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community.” According to a report from the Greater Good Science Center, “giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.”

The following Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer/service organizations (along with some worthy arts groups) help the needy as well as the community at large. When it comes to giving be sure to remember them this holiday season.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 14-16, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, Dec. 14

• Holiday Doo Wop at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Art” at Holmdel Theatre Company – MORE INFO
• Scrooge (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• The Nutcracker by ARB at Two River Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “The Emperor’s New Duds” by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Spectacular & Train Display at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Santa Claus at Sickles Market (Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s King Hedley II at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Saving Lives: President Signs Two of Rep Smith’s Bills Into Law

Callista Gingrich, Ambassador to the Holy See, Rep Chris Smith and Vice President Mike Pence at the White House for the bill signing ceremony

President Donald Trump signed two bills crafted by Congressman Chris Smith into law on Tuesday: a five-year, $30 billion extension of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act, legislation to ensure ISIS genocide victims in Iraq and Syria receive humanitarian relief and hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

O’Scanlon: Over-Brining NJ Roads is a Large-Scale Waste of Taxpayer Funds

By Senator Declan O’Scanlon

The lack of government response and preparedness for the first winter storm of the season was clearly a failure,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “Although it was somewhat ameliorated by the moving target forecast, there’s no question we should have been better-prepared, and more on top of the treacherous situation as it evolved.

However, the answer for that failure is NOT to waste obscene amounts of taxpayer money by over-brining roads, every time the temperature dips below 40 degrees.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Hanlon Honored By Monmouth County Superior Officers

Acting Warden Donald Sutton, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Fraternal Order of Police, Superior Officer’s Lodge #30 President Shawn M. Reece, Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, and Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D.

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon was honored as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30, Monmouth County Superior Officers Association’s Person of the Year for 2018 at the union’s 11th annual winter gala last weekend at Doolan’s in Spring Lake.

“Our admiration for Clerk Hanlon extends back to her career as an attorney. She has consistently been supportive of law enforcement, corrections and our members in particular,” said Lt.Shawn Reece, president of FOP Lodge #30. “In her role as County Clerk, Ms. Hanlon is a role model for elected officials, present and future, for the professionalism and dignity with which she conducts her office.”

Reece told MMM that Hanlon was the unanimous choice of the 11 person screening committee that chose this year’s honoree.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Arnone Report: County supporting business and education, keeping the roads safe and clean

By Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season! It’s hard to believe the first day of winter is right around the corner when it feels like we just celebrated the end of summer!

As liaison to the department of public works and engineering, I want to ensure everyone that our employees have been preparing for any potential storms during the upcoming winter season. We have the best crews around who all have the same goal in mind – to keep our residents safe during any inclement weather. Our number one priority always has been and always will be safety.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Tracey Abby-White Elected To Chair Brookdale Community College Trustees

Tracey Abby-White

Tracey Abby-White was elected to lead the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees for the 2019-2020 academic year at the Board’s annual reorganization meeting on November 27, according to an announcement by the college.

A resident of Atlantic Highlands, Abby-White has served on Brookdale’s Board for six years.  She is a former Atlantic Highlands Councilwoman and served for seven years on the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education.  She began her career as a teacher in the Middletown school system before entering the corporate sector in finance and technology where she continues to excel. She replaces Dr. Carl Guzzo as Chairman.

Guzzo led the college through the difficult process of reform and reorganization after the scandal involving former president Peter Burnham.  He is credited with restoring stability to the college and positioning Brookdale for an exciting future serving the students and communities of Monmouth County.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Remembering the sacrifices of the greatest generation

• Tweet

Video: “Somebody is dead here” –Colts Neck 9-1-1 call

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 7-9, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, Dec. 7

• Christmas Lantern Tours at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• Scrooge (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• A Christmas Carol: The Musical at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Spectacular & Train Display at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s King Hedley II at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “The Outsiders” by Shore Players at SRHS (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Wreath Making Class at Sickles Market (Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• Colonial Holiday Bazaar (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
• Historic Lantern Tour at Allen House (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet