LINDSEY SIEGLE Andrew Schussler of West Long Branch got into the spirit of Make A Difference Day Saturday by helping plant trees on the Owens property on Wall Street.

Coca-Cola will be coming to town sometime in November to retrieve its 10 machines from various sites along the beachfront. The machines will be removed during the winter months and will be returned in early spring. The placement of the machines was approved on April 24 as a means to generate revenue for community events. The amount of revenue has not yet been determined for this past season, but Long Branch is expecting approximately $6,000 to $8,000.

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Jim Hayes, who owns several rooming houses in Beachfront North and Pier Village, has asked Mayor Adam Schneider and the City Council to come up with another plan because the relocation of his tenants prior to the sale of his properties is costing him too much. He claims that he can’t keep his properties running and said it is not fair. But city officials have said that only the properties which the developer has made an offer on are subject to relocation and that many of his tenants are opting to move on their own and the city will not deny them that right.

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CHRIS KELLY Ariama Heinzinger, 31/2, of Long Branch decided to be Tinkerbell for the Mardi Gras Festival in the West End section of Long Branch Sunday.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held for Jerry Morgan Park on Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. The park construction contract has been awarded, and construction has begun. Contractors have 180 days to complete the project which projection the city administrator said is too optimistic. The completion of the park should be sometime in late January early February, but with winter weather threatening during those months, a delay may be imminent. To date, city officials are very pleased with Precise Construction, which was awarded the bid.

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday on Monmouth Street to commemorate the completion of homes under affordable housing. The developers, Dean Mon and the Applied Cos., are designated to build affordable housing within the city. These homes (duplexes) are part of a $4.2 million state program which was created for the construction of 38 new homes on scattered sites in neighborhoods designated for assistance by the Urban Coordinating Council and within the city’s Urban Enterprise zones.

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If you are age 60 and older, you will be eligible for a flu shot at the Long Branch Senior Center on Nov. 2 starting at 10:30 a.m. There is no charge for Medicare Part B — you must have your card with you. The cost to all others is $10, which is payable to the nurses. For more information, call (732) 571-6542.

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The Members of the Holy Trinity Rosary Alter Society met and some fun things have been planned. Elene Dwyer of the Long Branch Historical Association will be the guest speaker for November. A bus trip to Atlantic City is planned for Nov. 11 to the Show Boat Casino. The price for that trip is $20 in which you will receive $11 back. Food will be served on the bus. For more information, call (732) 925-0992. In addition, Corporate Sunday will be observed seven days later on the 18th at 9 a.m. Mass.

A holiday auction is planned for Dec. 8 in the school auditorium, and the Rosarians annual Christmas party will be held on Dec. 16 at Tuzzio’s.

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The Long Branch Council 335 Knights of Columbus, Joline Avenue, on the first Sunday of the month will hold an "all you can eat" breakfast. The guest chef will be Larry Neyhart (ask for seconds) assisted by his staff Rich Ward, Frank Reichel, Frank Mulligan and Joe Giddio. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children under age 12.

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The Long Branch Drug Alliance, the recreation department and the Zebrah are holding auditions for Peacebird to the Rescue, an original play with music, dance and drama. To audition, report to the Bucky James Center off Liberty Street and Wilbur Ray Boulevard Nov. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 9 from 5 to 6 p.m. For more info, call (732) 571-6545 or (732) 290-8073.

The construction of the new Commerce Bank in Eatontown is nearly complete. The Bank, located at 175 Wycoff Road, is scheduled to open its doors on Nov. 3. For more information about the bank, log onto www.commerceonline.com.

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The Eatontown Municipal Band, under the direction of John Collins, will give a performance to aid the victims and families of the Sept. 11 attacks. The concert, scheduled for Nov. 12, will begin at 8 p.m. at the Eatontown Community Center, 68 Broad St. Program selections will include patriotic music as well as other family favorites. Donations (a suggested $5 minimum per person) will be collected at the door. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross and the New York City Fire and Police Fund.

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An alumnus of Monmouth University, Kim L. Johnson of Oyster Bay, N.Y., is currently a contestant on the CBS prime time TV series Survivor Africa. Johnson is currently in Kenya’s Shaba Nation Reserve as one of the 16 Americans who were chosen to survive the elements of the punishing environment. Johnson is a member of the Boran tribe, which already had two of its members voted off, leaving only six people.

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The time of giving, the holidays, will be quickly upon us. An event, Scouting for Food, will be held on Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the food court in Monmouth Mall. The event is hosted by the Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts, who will be collecting nonperishable item. For more information, call (732) 542-0333 or visit the mall’s Web site at www.monmouthmallonline.com.

The New Watercolors of Bill Cole, a West Long Branch artist, will be presented at the West Long Branch Public Library from November through December. A meet the artist reception will be held on Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.