MONMOUTH BEACH — Scarecrows have been sighted in the borough in advance of the third annual Scarecrow Festival to be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, in front of borough hall.

The winners of the different categories of the annual scarecrow contest will be announced during the festival, which is put on each year by the Monmouth Beach Beautification Committee. A map showing the location of each scarecrow is available at borough hall.

There also will be an apple pie contest with slices of the various pies being sold for $3 apiece after the judging has been completed.

In addition, there will be pumpkin painting for children organized by the borough's Recreation Committee.

The first aid squad will once again be serving hamburgers and hot dogs.

The St. Barnabas Health Care System's Institute for Prevention at Monmouth Medical Center is offering a six-week Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program for individualswhowant to quit smoking. The program, which participants can join at any time, will meet 3-4 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch.

The fee is $15 per session, but the initial assessment is free. Nicotine Replacement Therapy counseling also is provided.

To schedule a free assessment appointment, call Helene Long at 732-886-4149.

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"Laughter Yoga/Laughter Clubs," a unique program combining laughter and light to moderate exercise will be presented through Monmouth Medical Center on Oct. 6. Instructor Laura Zimmerman will integrate light to moderate exercise for mental and physical flexibility, mood regulation, stress reduction and an attitude boost.

The program will be offered 7:30-9 p.m. at Tatum Park Activity Center on Red Hill Road in Middletown. The registration fee is $20. To register or for more details, call 732- 842-4000, ext. 1.

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The Long Branch Coalition of CondominiumAssociations (LBCC) is meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Harbour Mansion Community Room, 675 Ocean Ave. The parking lot in the rear of the building is available to members.

The meeting will cover Seven Presidents oceanfront walk, reassessments for 2010 taxes and the pollution of water ways in Long Branch from Monmouth Park and will feature Councilman Brian Unger on city matters.

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The Monmouth Camera Club will present a photography exhibit Oct. 8-Nov. 2 at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

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Uncomplicated ways to introduce the benefits of meditation into our busy, overstressed daily lives will be the focus of "Evening Enlightenment," a Monmouth Medical Center program, 7:30-9 p.m. Oct. 8 at Tatum Park Activity Center on Red Hill Road in Middletown.

Special program instructor Laura Zimmerman will explore how meditation can transform lives at work, home and play.

The registration fee is $20. To register or for details, call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.

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The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will present a two-session series of workshops dealing with research skills needed by beginning genealogy researchers 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 3 and Nov. 7. The first session will deal with genealogy myths, vital records, citing sources, city directories, probate records, church and cemetery records and obituaries. The Nov. 7 session will deal with citing sources on the Internet, getting organized, using the Internet, family history centers, census records, Ancestry.com and federal military records. Fee is $60 for both or $35 for one, and sessions will be at Eatontown Community/ Senior Center, 72 Broad St. For more information, call Beverly at 732-747-8505 or email byackel@verizon.net.

A free workshop for potential homebuyers will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Salvation Army headquarters, 510 Grand Ave., Asbury Park. A continental breakfast and a light lunch will be served.

Participants will be provided information about home-buying assistance for individuals with low to middle income, including down payment assistance and low-interest mortgage programs available from the state of New Jersey and other funding sources.

Workshop speakers will familiarize participants with the home-buying process. Successful money management will be reviewed, as well as post-purchase issues such as scheduled upkeep to maintain a home's value, working with contractors, and meeting mortgage obligations.

The program is presented by Asbury Park Redevelopment Partners, a coalition of nonprofit organizations including the Affordable Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Neighbors and the City of Asbury Park.

To register, call 732-389-2958.

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The Jersey Shore Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) will sponsor the presentation "Bias, Prejudice and Stereotypes Directed at the LGBTI Community" at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury. The PFLAG support group will meet 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Presbyterian Church House, 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month. For more information, call 908- 814-2155 or email jspflag@gmail.com.

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Free glucose screenings will be conducted 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Center for Diabetes Education classroom, located in the Maysie Stroock Pavilion at Monmouth Medical Center. A registered nurse/certified diabetes educator from the Center for Diabetes Education at Monmouth Medical Center will perform the screenings, which involve a simple "finger stick" blood test.

A free support group for those with diabetes will meet 5-6 p.m. at Monmouth Medical Center on Oct. 15. Registration is required by calling 732-923-5025.

In addition to the support group, a Diabetes Self-Management Series will be offered 6-8 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26; 2-4 p.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28; and 9-11 a.m. Oct. 8,15, 22 and 29.

Additionally, a Diabetes Insulin Support Group and one-on-one counseling are available.

For more information about the Center for Diabetes Education, call 732-923-5025.

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