Ten Things Happening In Berkeley This Week

Who says there's nothing to do in Berkeley? Check out all these events slated for this week:

Monday - Learn how to seine in Barnegat Bay and discover the creatures that live in it at Island Beach State Park. Free daily tour starts at 1 p.m. Please pre-register at Ocean Bathing Pavilion #1. For more information, call the park at 732-793-0506.

Wednesday - Come and meet Ocean County reptiles, 10:30 a.m., Berkeley branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville. The Ocean County Parks Department will have several live native reptiles on hand. Ages 5-9. Pre-register at www.oceancountyparks.org or call 732-269-2144.

Wednesday - Sedge Islands "Then and Now" kayak tour, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Island Beach State Park. Learn about the history of the park, see several historic structures. Ages 14 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $25 per person, pre-registration is required. For more information, call 732-793-0506. 

Wednesday - The Berkeley Township Summer Concert series continues at 6 p.m. in Veterans Park with a performance by Separate Ways -a Journey tribute band - at Veterans Park in Bayville. The program is free.

Thursday - Bingo night, sponsored by the Bingo Club, Clubhouse #2, Port Royal Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.

Friday - The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department is holding an eight-mile  "Toms River Paddle" along the Toms River from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick-up is at the Nature Center parking lot at Jakes Branch County Park on Double Trouble Road in Beachwood. The fee is $14 per person, $8 if you bring your own boat. Maximum amount of participants is 13. Register online at www.oceancountyparks.org or call the main office at 732-270-6960 or Jakes Branch County Park at 732-281-2750.

Friday - The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department is holding a "Mill Creek Eco Tour" by kayak on the Toms River from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A naturalist guide will discuss Jersey Shore natural and local history along the way. The tour is limited to eight participants. Meet at the parking lot at Mill Creek County Park in Bayville. The cost is $7 per person. Participants should wear quick-drying clothing or a bathing suit, hat, sunglasses and bring sun block, water and lunch in a waterproof bag. No Crocs or flip-flops. Sit-on-top kayaks are used. To register, go online at www.oceancountyparks.org or call the main office at 732-270-6960.

Friday - Surf Fishing Clinic, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Island Beach State Park. Learn successful techniques for surf fishing and try your hand at catching striped bass or fluke. Ages 10 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 732-297-0506.

Saturday - Cranberry bog walk, 10 a.m. at Double Trouble State park. Join a park naturalist for a walk over flat sandy trails along century-old bogs. The walk ends with a tour of the historic cranberry packing house. The walk starts at the park information building off Pinewald-Keswick Road in Bayville.

Saturday - "Night of the Stars" from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood.  Members of the Astronomical Society of Toms River Area (A.S.T.R.A.) will be on hand to share their knowledge and view the stars, planets and constellations through their telescopes. The program is free and open to all ages. Participants may bring their own telescopes.