Students of the Long Branch School district researched facts about the Colossal Squid through books, news articles and the Internet and constructed a scale model of a squid. The creatures are projected to grow to a length of 46 feet, and students calculated the length and proportions of a squid that could be displayed in the classroom and created a 21-foot specimen of a half-grown juvenile colossal squid. The Long Branch Historical Association will hold its meeting and present "The Slocum Murder, July 14, 1863," at 7:30 p.m. April 30 at Long Branch City Hall, 344 Broadway, on the second floor. Come hear the trial retold of West Long Branch's first high-profile murder case in which Peter Slocum - a descendant of a prominent local family - was tried and hanged for killing his wife. Borough historian Arthur Green will give the facts of the trial as reported by the Monmouth Democrat. The meeting is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Beth at (732) 774-2900.

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American Red Cross Blood Services will hold a blood driveMay 1 from 2-7:30 p.m. at 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood at a drive or donor center, call (800) 448-3543 or visit www.pleasegiveblood.org.

Students enjoyed an assembly featuring authentic Chinese acrobats at the Long Branch Gregory School auditorium on April 10. A troupe of four acrobats entertained the students with intricate and physically demanding feats of balance, coordination, strength and timing. ***** The FoodAllergy &Anaphylaxis Network will hold "Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure" Sept. 7 with check-in at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. at the great lawn north of Pier Village, Long Branch. The event will feature performances byMr. Ray and Rockit! For Kids. There will also be allergen-free samples and family activities. For more information, call JoAnn at (732) 241-5444 or Veronica at (732) 616-1200, or visit www.foodallergywalk.org.

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Interfaith Neighbors, Asbury Park, is seeking volunteers with vehicles to help with delivery of midday meals weekdays to homebound seniors throughout Monmouth County. Areas in particular need include Eatontown and Oceanport. Volunteers are needed one hour once a week or every other week or to act as an occasional substitute. Training is provided. To volunteer, call Interfaith Neighbors at (732) 775-5155, ext. 205 or ext. 214.

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The Diocese of Trenton's 2008 charity and justice convocation, "Justice and Peace: Working the Vision" will be held April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune. Keynote presenter will be Social Service Sister Simone Campbell, national coordinator of Network, a national Catholic social justice lobby. In addition to the workshop, the civil rights documentary "Sisters of Selma" will be shown. Registration fee is $25 per person or $20 for groups of six or more and includes lunch. To register, call Mary Ellen at (609) 394-5182, ext. 162, or e-mail mblackwell@cctrenton.org.

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