Ten businesses and 14 apartments have been destroyed or damaged in the fire that swept through Brighton Avenue in the West End of Long Branch on Monday. The Jersey Shore fire was declared under control at 7:15 P.M.

Buildings between 54 and 71 Brighton Avenue were damaged throughout the day due to the fire. The fire left over a dozen tenant’s homeless. Those whose homes were caught in the fire are currently at the Long Branch Senior Center, where they are being aided by Red Cross officials.

Long Branch Fire Marshal Kevin J. Hayes Sr. is currently investigating what caused the fire. While some said yesterday that the fire was believed to have started in the West End Dance Academy at 61 Brighton Ave, fire officials are saying that the cause and building in which the fire started is unknown at this time.

The fire which started at 10:30 A.M., was a difficult one to handle due to the age of the building. Assistant Long Branch Fire Chief Angelo Ciaglia said that the building was 100-years-old, and the charred wood was weak and could easily fall. Wind was also a major factor in combating the fire. Firefighters on the scene yesterday said that the wind caused burning embers to land on the Wells Fargo bank across the street. The embers on the roof were immediately extinguished.

Behind the Wells Fargo bank are the Diplomat Apartments. Many of the apartments in the complex are occupied by Monmouth University students.

Residents at the apartment complex did not have to evacuate. The Monmouth University Residential Life Office notified students living in the Diplomat Apartments of the fire, and at 1:18 P.M. stated in an email that “At this time, there is no danger to the Diplomat Apartment complex.” They recommended that students keep their windows shut, and plan their schedule accordingly due to the closed down streets.

“I drove through a cloud of black smoke to get to campus,” said Kelly Brockett, 21, a Monmouth University student and resident of the Diplomat Apartments. “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.”

Firefighters from 11 Monmouth towns battled the fire. The Asbury Park Press reports that by 4 P.M. six aerial platform trucks were training water through the rooftops of the collapsing buildings.

Angelo Ciaglia, Assistant Long Branch Fire Chief, said that low pressure from city hydrants caused the Monmouth County Large Diameter Host Task Force to draft water from Deal Lake, 3/4 of a mile away.

Six thousand gallons of water per minute was used at the height of the fire. As of 5 A.M. on Tuesday, water still occupied the streets surrounding Brighton Ave.

Firefighters continued to use water on apartments and store fronts that were next to the flames in an attempt to keep the fire from spreading to them.

Sacred Circle New Age Center, Universe Graphics, Shelly’s Jewelry and East Coast Coin are all businesses affected by the fire.

The West Long Branch Lions Club is gearing up for its annual Spring Fling in April. The event will help raise money for charity

“The Spring Fling is our biggest fundraiser for the year,” West Long Branch Lions Vice President Jacqueline Ebel said.

The Spring Fling is set for Saturday, April 21 at the West Long Branch Community Center on Locust Avenue.

There will be a cocktail hour from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and dinner and dancing from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. A DJ will be on hand during the dinner.

The cost of the event is $50 and it is BYOB. The cost includes appetizers, mixers for drinks, a dinner buffet, dessert.

A 50/50 drawing and gift auction will also be held.

Ebel said the some of proceeds of the night will help support the clubs programs for the blind and visually impaired.

For more information about the Spring Fling, please contact Dianne Welch at diannewelch@comcast.net.

Ebel said seating is limited so reservations should be made as early as possible

NEWARK — A 50 percent toll increase in New Jersey apparently has motorists seeking alternatives.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority says traffic on the state’s two major highways decreased in the first week of 2012 compared to a year ago.
Spokesman Tom Feeney says 70,000 fewer vehicles drove on the turnpike in the first five weekdays of the month. That’s nearly a 3 percent drop. More than 100,000 fewer vehicles traveled on the Garden State Parkway, a similar decrease.
However, Feeney tells The Record of Woodland Park that the Turnpike Authority actually projected a bigger drop in traffic when the toll raise went into effect.
The toll hikes are the second phase of a two-part increase approved in 2008 under then-Gov. Jon Corzine and are aimed at funding road.

Jan 19: Comedian and actor Bill Engvall, best known for his work as a stand-up comic and member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White, brings the funny to the Bergen Performing Arts Center. The Blue Collar tour spawned three movies, a satellite radio show and a television show. Engvall also starred in his own show on TBS and his last two comedy albums have gone platinum. 8 pm; $55-$105. 30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood (201-227-1030; bergenpac.org).

Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor
January 27, 2012 – February 5, 2012, 609-570-3333
The Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College
West Windsor, NJ 08550

19th Annual Mount Holly’s Fire & Ice Festival
January 28, 2012
609-937-5700,
Intersection High, White, Washington & Mill Sts.
Mount Holly, NJ 08060

Easter Egg Hunt
Starts 9:30 AM At West Long Branch Community Center

Seniors, hybrid car drivers can get 10 percent off tolls. There’s relief – for some. New Jersey drivers may be able to take advantage of a few different discounts at toll plazas on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.
If you’re over 65, drive a hybrid or pull a trailer, you could shave a little off all or most tolls, though it usually depends on when you’re driving. Read on for details, and visit the Turnpike Authority’s discounts webpage for application forms.
• Senior citizen discount. Those 65 and older can get 10 percent off tolls on the Parkway and Turnpike during off-peak hours (peak hours are 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, so this discount doesn’t apply during those times). Seniors must have a valid driver’s license, a car registered in their name or their spouse’s name and must show proof of age.
• Green pass discount. If you drive a car that gets 45 miles per gallon or better gas mileage or meets the California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard – that’s most hybrid cars – you’re eligible for a 10 percent discount on off-peak rates on the Parkway and Turnpike. Successful applicants will be issued a special green tag. The total value is capped at $250,000 per year (though that would be a lot of time spent on the road). This discount expires Nov. 30, 2013, so you have less than two years to take advantage of it.
• Off-peak Turnpike discount. This one’s simple. If you have an EZ Pass and are traveling on the Turnpike during off-peak hours, you automatically get a discount – no need to apply. It varies depending on the toll.
• Garden State Parkway trailer discount. This discount is offered to a number of classes of vehicles – see the “class definitions” section on the discounts page – including cars and light trucks pulling trailers. The discount applies during peak and off-peak hours. Only individuals may apply; businesses and corporations aren’t eligible.
Details on truck and bus discounts are also available.
Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney said the senior discount and green discount have been around since 2008, but remain underutilized. The rate of enrollment for the green pass in particular is “very low,” he said.
Those interested in the programs can apply online, Feeney said, or call 732-442-8600, ext. 2100.

Friday, December 23, 2011 7:30 PM “Swan Lake” – The State Ballet Theatre of Russia

Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ:

Wednesday Nights
Enjoy specials made just for two.
Keep each other warm at
McLoone’s Pier House
Buy one Burger, get one free
with purchase of appetizer.

Every Friday Night at Sawa
Lotus Nights
Every Friday live DJ

Football Sundays
11am to CLOSE
Drink and food specials
include 1/2 Appetizers,
Salads and Pizza

Paul Byrom Ireland’s premier tenor, November 20, 2011
Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show at Monmouth Park Racetrack
November 25 & 26, 2011- see their website for times
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Grandstand, Oceanport

Santa Express
November 25, 2011, 4:00pm, Little Silver Train Station to Red Bank Train Station
Ride the train with Santa from Little Silver(approx. 6:25pm) to Red Bank and join the parade to the concert on Broad Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures, so arrive early. Broad Street, Red Bank.
Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting

November 25, 2011, 7:00pm Rock ‘n Roll with Holiday Express in concert and see the lighting of Red Bank’s decorations. Broad Street, Red Bank

Pictures with Santa
November 26 through December 18, 2011- 12:00pm-4:00pm
Saturdays and Sunday from November 26 through December 18.
The Galleria, Bridge Avenue, Red Bank

Bradley Beach Christmas Lighting Ceremony
November 27, 2011 5:00pm Riley Park
Main Street between LaReine and Brinley Avenues, Bradley Beach

First Saturday Asbury Park
December 3, 2011 the first Saturday of each month sidewalk sales, shopping, and dining

Atlantic Highlands Holiday Concert
December 7, 2011 Features a-capella choir
from Henry Hudson Regional
School. Strauss Mansion
Prospect Circle, Atl.Highlands

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Pull the neck and giblets out of the cavity; ditch the liver and save the rest of the giblets for gravy. Dry the turkey with paper towels, then season inside and out with salt and pepper. Fill the turkey with aromatics like chopped onions, carrots, apples and herbs, then place breast-side up in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter. Tent with foil and roast for 2 hours (for a 10- to 12-pound turkey; add an extra 15 minutes per pound for larger birds). Remove the foil, baste with more melted butter and crank the oven to 425 degrees F. Roast for another hour or until the meat at the thigh registers 165 degrees F. Let rest while you make the gravy.

2. Give wrapping paper a second life.
Don’t burn used wrapping paper as it may cause intense flash fires. And throwing it out adds waste. Consider recycling or repurposing it instead.

3 .Know your lights and cords.
Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Also, be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage.

4. Steer your tree clear.
Your tree should be positioned at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. It should also not block any doorways or exits.

5. Decorate with a safe eye.
Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked-up with metal nails or staples. Small decorations can be choking hazards so keep them out of the reach of toddlers.

6. Look for UL.
The UL Mark appears on products that have been tested for safety. Make sure to look for it to help keep your holidays safe and bright.

7. Toy Safety Month – November is Toy Safety Month. As the holiday shopping season heats up, stay up-to-date on the latest toy recalls and take a look at our Child Safety Game Plan to learn how to keep your child safe when shopping for toys. Also, download our Toy Safety Inventory Checklist to be proactive about your family’s safety when it comes to the toys in your home. Catalog and describe the toys, video games or electronics, action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, trucks or cars, board games and sporting goods you and your family own in advance of a recall, so if and when there is one, you can save yourself the time and trouble of going through each item when a recall or warning is issued.

8. Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.