'Freeheld' Documentary Focuses on Ocean County Freeholders, Benefits

Documentary shown in Toms River Oct. 16

Barnegat Resident Puts Piney Power In Everyone's Hands with Book

The recently-published book, Discovering New Jersey's Pine Barrens serves as a guide to an assortment of historical sites.

Tucked between the metropolitan areas of  Philadelphia, New York City and Atlantic City lie over a million acres of forest, rivers, villages and farmland known as the New Jersey Pinelands, but more lovingly referred to as the Jersey Pine Barrens. Each year, especially in the autumn, many people explore the lesser known roads of this area, but many have no idea where to start, since it extends from Ocean and Burlington Counties in the north to Atlantic, Cape May Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Camden Counties to the south. To that end, the recently-published book, Discovering New Jersey’s Pine Barrens by Barnegat resident Cathy Antener, serves as a guide to a vast assortment of historical sites, museums, events, festivals and even local …

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Check Out Banned Books Week

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of September. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. Across several branches of the Ocean County Library, displays highlighting books that throughout the years were banned over up an education on the diverse, censored works. Officials with the Barnegat branch of the Ocean County library said they are planning on setting up a …

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Rock Pioneer Joan Jett Headlines Wingstock 2012

Great food and rock-and-roll on tap Saturday at Blue Claws Stadium in Lakewood

When Joan Jett was looking for a recording deal to start her solo career in 1980, she was rejected by no less than 23 major record labels. Undeterred, Jett formed her own company, Blackheart Records, and self-financed her debut album. She was the first female artist to own and operate an independent record company. Thirty-two years and 10 million album sales later, it’s clear that Jett’s self-confidence and perseverance were well placed. The pioneering rocker headlines Wingstock 2012 on Saturday at First Energy Park, home of the Lakewood Blue Claws. “I’ve had a blessed career," Jett said on her website, www.joanjett.com. “I consider myself so lucky to have been able to do things my own way.” Jett is best-known for her No. 1 anthem, “I Love…

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Garden State Philharmonic's Youth Orchestra Auditions Slated for Sept. 25

Auditions will take place at Toms River Intermediate East, applications required

The Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society will hold auditions for its 2012-2013 Youth Orchestra Program on Tuesday at the Toms River Intermediate School on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Audition time slots will be scheduled for potential members beginning at 6:00 p.m. Audition guidelines, applications and information about the current Youth Orchestra Program season will be available via the Philharmonic’s website at www.gardenstatephilharmonic.org after September 18th. Parents may also contact the Philharmonic office at (732) 255-0460 or gspyouth@gardenstatephilharmonic.org for additional information. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for those who cannot meet the required membership fee.   The Youth Orchestra …

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TELL US: What Is Your Best Springsteen Concert Memory?

The Wrecking Ball Tour’s last Jersey dates are this weekend. Share your favorite memories of the Boss.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will make their last Wrecking Ball Tour stop in New Jersey this weekend with performances at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Jersey Shore folks know Bruce better than most, and we bet you’ve got some great stories to share. Let us know about your favorite Springsteen concert. What was happening in your life at the time? What made it so special? And if you have any photos of you and your family and friends at the Wrecking Ball Tour, upload them to this article.

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Pipe and Drum Band Members Remember 9-11

Band play special set of music for victims, families

Eleven-year-old David Connelly is too young to recall the original World Trade Center. But this Saturday, Connelly, his father, the senior David, and his brother, Sean, all of Barnegat Light, paused with the other members of the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums band to remember all that happened there on September 11, 2001.   The youngest Connelly just passed his test to become a member of the pipe and drum band. He joined because, he said, "my dad and brother are in it, and I wanted to join too." As part of their performance at the Ship Bottom Irish Festival this weekend, the band performed three songs to remember the tragedy - including When the Saints Go Marching In, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, and Amazing Grace. "A lot of …

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Jersey Shore Nightlife: Sept. 7-9

Check out what's going on in the weeks ahead

Whether you are looking for Ladies Night, karaoke, live bands or beat-dropping djs, here's a calendar to guide you. The calendar lists what's up at the bars, pubs, night clubs and dance halls of Ocean County. For details on any event in the calendar, click on the event to find out cover charges, times and addresses. Know an event we missed? Feel free to add it to the calendar or shoot us an email at brick@patch.com

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'Jersey Shore:' What is Show's Lasting Impact on NJ?

Did MTV's raucous reality show change national perceptions of the Garden State?

MTV's Jersey Shore may soon be history, but will images of drunken misbehavior, boardwalk brawls and ample helpings of "gym, tan, laundry" characterize the Garden State for years to come? On Thursday, MTV announced the show would not return after its sixth season, taped this summer in Seaside Heights, airs this fall. But what is the lasting impact of the TV series that many say put the worst of the state's stereotypes on display for millions of viewers across the world? Were the antics of the eight housemates on Ocean Terrace just a few young people having fun, or has it done permanent damage to the state's reputation?

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Donny

4:27 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012

Atlantic city expressway brings in Philadelphia low lifes and inner city scum.   more ›