Capt. Kevin Burke, a deputy troop commander for the New Jersey State Police and an area resident, was selected to carry the "Flame of Hope" torch in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. The Torch Run was held Sept. 24 to Oct. 3. Burke, who was selected from a pool of 2,700 members of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Runners, trained for the past 10 months Carried on the ground by teams of athletes and law enforcement personnel from around the world, the flame will travel more than 22,000 miles, touching down on five continents over a period of three months before arriving in Shanghai, where it ignited the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2007 World Games Oct. 3. Ocean Grove's Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Show Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Avenue (rain or shine).

The all-day street fair will feature more than 80 arts and crafts vendors. There will also be live music, a variety of food, pony rides for children as well as pumpkin painting, and a close-up view of a firetruck and ambulance.

Experience autumn in a small town. The event is open to the public; admission is free. For more information or directions, call (732) 774-1391 or visit www.oceangrovenj. com.

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The City of Long Branch Columbus Day parade will be held Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Route 36 and Broadway and proceed east down Broadway.

The grand marshal of this year's parade is former Sen. Thomas Gagliano. Marching in the parade will be several high school bands, including Long Branch, Shore Regional, Monmouth Regional and Ocean Township. There will also be floats, antique cars and festive string bands. The event is being sponsored by the city and Joseph Mercadante, owner of North American Linen.

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The Long Branch Exchange Club will host its annual Crime Prevention Dinner Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Gibbs Hall at Fort Monmouth on Tinton Avenue. This year the club will honor Detective Kevin Condon and Police Officer Kevin King of the Long Branch Police Department as well as firefighter Harry Mundell of the Long Branch Fire Department and Kimberly Iadanza of the Long Branch First Aid.

The cost is $55. To make a reservation, call (732) 222-4379 by Oct. 8.

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Calling all parents, grandparents, retired teachers, aides, college students and others. Can you volunteer a few hours one day per week to help young adults during Family Resource Associates' Real Life Connections classes on Wednesdays?

Classes meet each Wednesday at the TECHConnection, 35 Haddon Ave., Shrewsbury. The first session runs 10 a.m. to noon; followed by a Life Skills lunch noon to 1 p.m., and a second session 1-3 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for full or halfdays. You do not have to be proficient in computers. Volunteers will assist individuals at the computer with spelling, sentence writing, following directions, and helping keep student focused and on task.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Joanne Castellano at FRAtecconn@ aol.com, or call (732) 747-5310.

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The Latino American Association of Monmouth County will host its 14th annual awards banquet Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa on Ocean Boulevard in Long Branch.

This year's honorees at the event will be Dr. Eddie Santiago, mentor and community activist; Robert Celli, retired Long Branch Public Schools administrator; Jackeline Biddle, political activist; Tony Perri, owner of Fine Fare Supermarket; and Andres Chavez, owner of Andres Creations.

The association is a nonprofit organization that has established a college fund for Monmouth County students as part of its mission to support the youth of the community by assisting them to prepare for the future, according to a press release.

This past year, the association awarded $5,000 in scholarships, according to the release. For more information, call (732) 740-2737 or (732) 222-6461.

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St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Broadway in Long Branch is hosting a "Harvest Home Supper and Country Kitchen" Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. The event will feature an all-you-can-eat meal and homemade items for sale.

Tickets for the event are $13 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (732) 222-1341 or (732) 229-1141 or (732) 229-1835.