Badges for L.B. beach available on May 16
      LONG BRANCH — Starting Saturday, May 16, summer 2009 beach badges and season parking passes for the Monmouth County Park System's Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park will be available for purchase at the park pavilion located on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch. Lifeguards will be on duty on weekends starting Saturday, May 23; daily guarded bathing begins Saturday, June 13.
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Center announces May blood drives
      Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, has announced the following local blood drives: • May 6 from 2-4 p.m. at Buckman Buckman & Reid, 174 Paterson Ave., Shrewsbury • May 13 from 5-8:30 p.m.
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SPCA's Casino Night May 2 at Arts Center
      Monmouth County SPCA, Eatontown, will hold its fourth annual Casino Night, "Music of the Night," 7 p.m.-midnight May 2 at Robert Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel. The black tie-optional fundraiser will feature a gaming, various foods, dancing, a live auction, entertainment by Broadway singer Steve Buntrock, and Tim McLoone & The Shirleys.
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Salvation Army's auction May 4-28
      The Salvation Army will hold its fourth online auction May 4-28. Items include golf outings, dining certificates and theater tickets. The site is at www.salvationarmyofnj. cmarket.org. "Ride for the Red Shield" motorcycle run will be May 30 in Hunterdon County. Highlights include a bike show, trophies and a pig roast/barbecue.
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Eatontown Walk/Run effort begins May 4
      Eatontown Recreation will hold the 2009 Community Walk/Run Challenge May 4-Aug. 30. Individuals may walk and/or run as an individual or with a group, and keep track of total distance covered. Weekly mileage should be reported to the recreation office, and first-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded Sept. 7 during the Eatontown 15th annual 5K.
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Littoral society to hold open house
      On Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the American Littoral Society will celebrate the coast with an open house and coastal field day at its headquarters on Sandy Hook.
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Red Cross council flea market May 2, 3
      The youth council of the Jersey Coasty Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1540 W. Park Ave., Tinton Falls, will sponsor a community-wide flea market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 2 and 3. Set-up time is 8 a.m. The council is urging residents in Monmouth and Ocean counties to purchase a parking space for $15 to set up items for others to purchase.
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Registration open for choir competition
      Registration is now open for "How Sweet the Sound," a national choir competition. The competition, sponsored by Verizon Wireless, gives church choirs in 11 cities a chance to win the title of "The Best Church Choir in America" and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes. Locally, the competition will be held Sept.
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Two Rivers Garden Tour enters 15th year
      Two Rivers Garden Tour will mark its 15th year in May. The tour will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30, and 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 31, and a cocktail party and auction 6:30- 9:30 p.m. May 29. The event benefits Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch.
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