The Coaster

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Area police departments are feeling the pinch of high gasoline prices as much as their residents and some have implemented fuel saving strategies.
In Bradley Beach efforts at controlling fuel costs are having the added benefit of increasing personal relations with merchants and residents, said Lt. Neil Scully.
Scully said officers have been directed to devote at least one half hour twice during their shifts to walking the beat.

By DON STINE
Selling the current senior citizens center and purchasing another nearby building for an expanded center will be discussed at the Aug. 11 Neptune Township Committee meeting.
Repairs and renovations were proposed for the current senior center, at Neptune Boulevard and Route 33, but the bids for that project were rejected by the governing body Monday night because they all came in too high.

By TOM SHORTELL
Asbury Park Volleyball will host its third annual Beach Open Sat., Aug. 2 and Sun, Aug. 3 on the Fifth Avenue beach.
Karen Jaroneski, event co-director, said they are expecting about 200 people to compete over the two days. Saturday will have four divisions of teams ranging in size from four to six players. Sunday will have the groups first twos tournament with three divisions. The tournament runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The tournament attracts members of the GLBT community.
Were mostly gay, but were straight friendly, Jaronski said.

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Officials in Neptune City are continuing redevelopment efforts in the borough with financial help from two state agencies.
According to Mayor Thomas Arnone the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Department of Community Affairs have provided financial support to perform preliminary assessment activities, site investigation and remediation to address environmental issues.
Judge Lawrence M. Lawson ruled against the borough earlier this month in a lawsuit filed by Park Steel and Iron Co., essentially stating that the area encompassed by the Steiner Avenue Redevelopment Zone, was not an area in need of redevelopment.

By TOM SHORTELL
The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey delivered 3,500 books to area health centers and committed $100,000 to a national reading program recently.
Former New Jersey Representative Bob Franks, now president of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, said at a press conference in Asbury Park the money would go toward creating a full-time staff for the Reach Out and Read program in New Jersey as well as expand the program to new sites and purchase new books. The HINJ is the trade association of pharmaceutical companies in New Jersey.

Should we drill for oil off the Jersey coast?
John & Kelly Parry w/Kathleen, Emma, Neave & Meredith, Interlaken

Were for it. We think we need it all, the solar, the wind.
Its all ok, but lets drill for now.
That in itself will help lower the prices somewhat.
Its too cold to swim in the ocean anyway.

By RICHARD VIRGILIO
One night onlyone night onlycomedienne Judy Gold – tonight.
This Judy event is produced by Bob Egan Entertainment. Bob is the kind, dynamic and ultra-talented pianist and Asbury Park resident you love to sing with at Moonstruck every month or so. He is expanding his entertainment empire to our city.
Bob hooked me up with Judy to talk about the summer and get a little more insight into what makes Judy golden.

Neptune Alliance Summer Program
The Neptune Township Alliance Summer Program is well underway with 75 participants, ages 9-15, joining in the nightly life skills and recreation activities. The program runs Monday through Friday for the month of July at Green Grove School, and includes games, fun, positive decision making skills, prevention messages, and trips. The free program is sponsored by the Neptune Township Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.