Students of the Long Branch High School Interact Club supported Character Counts Week by working with the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group Community Water Watch Organization's beach cleanup on the beaches near Pier Village.

The Interact Club is the high school arm of Rotary International, an organization that promotes community services.

The following students were commended for their commitment to keeping

the community clean: Jeffrey Raymond, Asia Cobbs, Kendra Galarza, Nykerria Richardson, Aleece Harris, Pedro Gonzalez, Anthony Green, Jennifer Ramirez, Anthony Tejeda, Glenn Tejeda, Joe Jacobs, Samantha Acuna and Kim Pereira.

*****

The Jewish Community Center's (JCC) 2007 production of "The Secret Garden" has received two nominations and one win for the Perry Award by the New Jersey Association of Community Theatre (NJ ACT). Center actor Kenneth Wasser, West Long Branch, was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a musical for his role as Archibald Craven, and actress Joey Greenberg, Wall, received the 2008 Perry Award for Outstanding Young Performer: Actress in a Musical for her role as Martha. The JCC is based in Deal Park.

*****

River Road Books, Fair Haven, will present TV personality Steve Doocy, host of Fox and Friends, signing his new book: "Tales From the Dad Side," 7 p.m. Oct. 30. The event will be at the chapel at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. Cost is $35 and includes a signed book, and wine and cheese reception. Proceeds benefit the Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. For reservations or more information, call Davina at 732-708- 9013 or e-mail Dfeingold@thefortatsandyhook. net.

*****

The auxiliary of the Italian American Memorial Association, 195 West End Ave., Long Branch, will hold a gift auction 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1. Doors open at 5 p.m. Donation is $10 per person and includes snacks, coffee and dessert. Food will also be available for purchase. For tickets or more information, call Susan at 732- 870-1397, Loretta at 732-870-9519 or Rose at 732-222-8481.

*****

Long Branch Middle School seventhgrader Paul Bundac was selected to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) in Washington, D.C., over the summer.

The JrNYLC is a program run by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, whose mission is to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential.

The six-day workshop brings students from all over the nation to learn about and examine leadership traits so they understand what it takes to become effective leaders, according to a press release from the Long Branch Public School system.

T

he students are encouraged to use

their leadership traits to have a positive impact in their own communities.

*****