The Gazette of Really Small News

Clear skies and a high tanning index attracted visitors to area beaches like this one in Ocean Grove despite the high risk of rip currents. According to reports out of Point Pleasant Beach in northern Ocean County, a woman swimming on an unguarded beach after midnight Sunday morning went missing after possibly encountering a rip current.

The Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC) in Neptune Township will sponsor the community event "Continuing the Conversation on Race" on Monday, July 31, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Presbyterian Church, 15 Memorial Drive. The conversation will be facilitated by community activist Tryone Laws. A light dinner at 6:30 p.m. will precede the discussion. For information, email info@neptunemurc.com or visit www.neptunemurc.com To confirm attendance at dinner, email info@neptunemurc.com.

 This sign on a bench outside Brando's Citi Cucina on Main Street in Asbury Park suggests an unlikely place for customers to unload spent cigarettes and chewed gum. And here's the receptacle itself, chained in place between the popular bistro and Corbo Restaurant Supply. With the added presence of the smoking pole nearby, you've got to wonder if someone ever said, "You're gonna need a bigger bull."

Swimming advisories for the Terrace and Beacon Boulevard beaches in Sea Girt have been dropped. The beaches had been under advisories for high levels of bacteria, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). All beaches in southern Monmouth County are open for swimming without advisories, the NJDEP indicated on the web site for its Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program.

Beaches in Sea Girt and Spring Lake that were under swimming advisories for bacteria yesterday are clear today, while two other beaches are under advisories, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The latest beaches under advisories are Terrace beach and the Beacon Boulevard beach in Sea Girt. The cleared beaches are York Avenue in Spring Lake, and New York Boulevard in Sea Girt. Swimming advisories are declared when water samples contain higher-than-acceptable levels of the Enterococci bacteria found in human and animal waste. The bacteria usually enter the ocean by way of storm water runoff after heavy rain. Exposure to Enterococci can result in gastrointestinal, dermatological. and upper respiratory symptoms ranging from diarrhea to rashes and sore throat, according to the NJDEP. A beach is closed after two consecutive readings of higher bacteria levels.

Two area beaches are among nine in southern Monmouth County now under swimming advisories for bacteria, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The New York Boulevard beach in Sea Girt and the York Avenue beach in Spring Lake were placed under advisories after water samples showed high levels of Enterococci bacteria, which are found in animal and human fecal matter. The bacteria usually enter the ocean by way of storm water runoff after heavy rain, according to the NJDEP. The region experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms Sunday and Monday. A second consecutive high reading results in beaches being closed, according to the NJDEP.

This is the end of the fishing pier in Ocean Grove. The fishing hut stood here until it was swept away, along with part of the pier, by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The little figure on the beam is Ralph, the Ocean Grove Fisherman, a symbol of the town's resilience after the storm.

Rough surf, a stiff wind, and September-like temperatures kept all but a few hardies away from the beach this morning. Though beaches like this one south of the Ocean Grove fishing pier were open and lifeguards were on duty, they didn't post staff to check for beach badges.

The National Weather Service predicts isolated showers, with a high of 72. This was the scene south of the Ocean Grove fishing pier around 10 this morning.

Today is turning out as the National Weather Service predicted: mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, and a high around 81.  The chance continues tonight, with a low around 68. Pictured: Ocean Grove before 10 this morning.

Scientists don't all agree on why ants swarm. Some say colonies seek a new home for a new queen. Others say the piles of critters are lured into the open by food, especially sugary or greasy goodies. But one thing is certain: come late June and July, you're likely to run into the sight of teeny-tiny beings agitating between cracks in the pavement. In case you were wondering, they have a name: pavement ants.

Today promises to be good for gardens, with a 60-percent chance of showers this morning and partial sun this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rain tonight could produce coastal flooding. Temperatures are expected to range from a high of 78 to a low of 71.

Ocean Grove's Auditorium Park at sunrise has a cool, fresh look. The Bethesda Well is at the left; the Youth Temple, on the right. The Great Auditorium can be seen through the trees in the background.

The Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary Bazaar runs today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Auditorium Pavilion, on Ocean Pathway, and on the lawn around the pavilion and the Youth Temple. The sale includes clothing and household accessories such as table lamps and glassware.

Enjoy the sun while you can! The National Weather Service says today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 84, but tonight could bring severe thunderstorms, which should cool things down to a low of 72. The storms will have the potential for heavy rain and damaging wind, and are a taste of what's in store for the region tomorrow. Rainfall could total up to three quarters of an inch. Pictured: the pink phase of today's sunrise over the end of Wesley Lake, at the Asbury Park steam plant.

The National Weather Service says today should be mostly sunny, with a high around 89, while tonight should be partly cloudy, with a low of around 73. Pictured: dawn at a dune fence in Ocean Grove.

The Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary Bazaar kicks off in an hour--5:30 p.m.--with a pre-sale in and around the Auditorium Pavilion on Ocean Pathway. The fundraiser is tomorrow and Saturday, July 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The National Weather Service forecasts classic summer weather for today: hazy, hot, and humid. Expect a slight chance of thunderstorms after 11 a.m., partial sun, and temps around 91 with a heat index of 102. Tonight will bring another slight chance of thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., with a low of 75. Pictured: a walkway on the Ocean Grove side of Wesley Lake at sunrise today.

Old Christmas trees shore up the dune between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. Yes, they still smell like holiday firs.

Who doesn't love early morning at the beach, before the crowds and humidity set in? This view from the Ocean Grove boardwalk showcases a marbleized sky, a bank of clouds on the horizon, sparkling water, and lots of healthy, refreshingly green dune grass.

Sunrise over the old Asbury Park power plant at the end of Wesley Lake suggests the National Weather Service's forecast for today: mostly sunny, with a high around 84. There's a chance of thunderstorms tonight, though.

Backyard petunias enjoy a watering in the weakish light of early morning. The National Weather Service says today will be sunny, with a high around 79, but there's a slight chance of thunderstorms tonight, with a low around 70.

The Spring Lake Theatre Company is adding a performance of its hit musical Annie on Saturday, July 22, at 2 p.m.at the Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Ave. One performance only had been scheduled for that day, at 7:30 p.m. The company said on its Facebook page that it was adding the performance due to popular demand. Tickets are available online at http://www.springlaketheatre.com/calendar.html, or call the box office, 732-449-4530, or email info@springlaktetheatre.com.

Marathon Enterprises Inc., of Bronx, New York, is recalling 7.1 million pounds of Sabrett hot dogs that may be contaminated with bone fragments, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. The dogs, also called "frankfurters," "franks," or "sausages" on the packaging, were produced between March 17 and July 4 and have "EST. 8854" inside the USDA inspection mark. The packages were shipped to retail and institutional locations nationwide, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). One minor mouth injury has been reported, the USDA said. If you have a package included in the recall, throw it out or return it to the place of purchase. Do not eat the contents, the USDA says. Consumers with questions about the recall may call John Terminello, Consumer Relations, at 1-800-SABRETT Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Consumers may also "ask Karen," the virtual FSIS representative, onli...

Today will be sunny, with a high around 81, says the National Weather Service. Tonight should be partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Pictured: Wesley Lake at dawn, with ducks.

If you live in Manasquan and would like to know how the borough may or may not change during the next ten years, then you might want to attend a hearing on the borough's master plan. The borough planning board will meet on Tuesday, July 25, to review and consider the adoption of the Master Plan Reexamination Report. The hearing is slated for 4 p.m. in borough hall, 201 East Main Street. The report is available to the public for ten days before the hearing, at the municipal clerk's office during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The master plan is mandated under the state's Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), which is meant "to guide the appropriate use" of land to promote public health and safety, and to establish "population densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of persons, neighborhoods, communities and regions and preservation of the environment," according to the law, which was enacted in 1975 and amended in 1986...

Philip DeStaven, Neptune Township municipal court officer since 2009, has died, township officials announced Friday. DeStaven, a resident of Whiting, died July 8 at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills. He was 88. In a statement, township officials remembered DeStaven as "a dedicated employee who greatly enjoyed serving this community," adding, "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time." DeStaven was a United States Army veteran and an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lakehurst, and of the American Legion in Trenton, according to the township.

Late yesterday, the National Weather Service said today would be partly sunny. Today, it predicts isolated showers. Pictured: Wesley Lake at daybreak. Not showery, but not sunny, either. Today's high should be around 83.

The Ocean Grove beaches were empty around 2 in the afternoon today, thanks to the inclement weather. But the weekend should bring a different scene. The National Weather Service says we can expect sunshine on both days, with highs in the low 80s.

A sultry oven sort of day: high around 90, with a heat index in the 90s, if not nearing 100. The National Weather Service says there's a 60 percent chance of heavy rain tonight. The low will be 72. Pictured: Wesley Lake at sunrise today.

If this morning is any indication, today is going to be hot and muggy and generally blah despite patches of sunlight. The National Weather service places the chance of scattered thunderstorms at 30 percent throughout the day and tonight, with a daytime high of 87 and a low tonight of 74. Pictured: a west-looking view of Wesley Lake at daybreak, with Ocean Grove on the left and Asbury Park on the right.

The break in the clouds over Ocean Pathway in Ocean Grove looks like a distinctly human facial feature.

Don't let the full-body sunrise over Wesley Lake surprise you. The National Weather Service predicts partial sun this morning but a chance of thunderstorms after 2 this afternoon and a 40-percent chance of heavy rain tonight. Temperatures today will range from a high of around 84 to a low of 73.

Coolish for July, but not bad for kayaking. The National Weather Service says today will be mostly sunny, with a daytime high of 81, while tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 71.

The Neptune Township Committee on Monday will introduce an ordinance that restructures the police department by eliminating the position of police director and adding a police committee that will serve as the executive and administrative head of the police department. The committee will also be responsible for the overall performance of the police department, according to the ordinance, No. 17-29. Under the ordinance, the police committee will consist of two members of the township committee and one member of the police department. A police commissioner will be selected from between the two township committee members. Under the current ordinance, one committee member serves as police commissioner. The police committee's responsibilities will include assessing the police department's personnel and equipment, approving the purchase of supplies and equipment, reviewing personnel files, and reviewing and approving the police department's annual budget. The commit...

Today's a beach day! The National Weather Service says to expect sun all day, with a high of 81. Tonight will be clear, with a low of 66. Pictured: surf off Ocean Grove at dawn today.

This was the view from the Emory Street footbridge just before dawn today. Ocean Grove is on the left. Yes, the white blob in the water is the reflection of the moon, not a street light.

Dawn might have been sunny, as seen in this picture of a footbridge over Wesley Lake, but the National Weather Service says there's a chance of thunderstorms after 3 this afternoon. Meanwhile, daytime will be partly sunny, with a high around 88. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Asbury Park's Environmental and Shade Tree Commission will plant seven Crape Myrtle trees at the James Howard Transportation Center on Main Street between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8. The group will then move on to Press Plaza, at Cookman and Mattison, to weed and spread mulch. Volunteers are welcome. "None of the tasks is complicated and they can be done quickly if we have enough volunteers," the ESTC says on its Facebook page. All supplies will be provided.

The helicopter you might see flying low around Neptune Township next week will be part of Jersey Central Power & Light's annual inspection of trees and foliage around power lines. The flights are to begin on July 11 and continue through July 15, weather permitting, the utility said. The inspections are by Haverfield Co. JCP&L said the helicopter will be flying above or alongside transmission lines at a speed of around 35 to 40 miles per hour and may circle around for a closer look. The helicopter is Tail #N8330P.

The Historic Village at Allaire, in Allaire State Park, has openings for vendors at its Summer Flea Market this Saturday, July 8. The registration fee is $35. To register, call Kathy at 732-919-3500, ext. 14. Flea market hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, July 9.

Two stone planters near the Surf Avenue entrance to the Ocean Grove boardwalk were toppled or tampered with. Part of the boardwalk railing at one of the sites also was damaged. Police are looking into it.

A kazoo band with a tuba was among the traditional bagpipers and politicians who took part today in the Jersey Shore's version of Main Street Americana: the Ocean Grove Independence Day Parade. The parade is to Ocean Grove what the St. Patrick's Day Parade is to Belmar: a highlight of the season and a major visitor-magnet. The promise of clear skies and temperatures around 80 also promised the kind of attendance that produces bumper-to-bumper parking along side streets and the occasional blocking of driveways. Spectators claimed their seats along the parade route early. More than an hour before the parade stepped off at Whitefield Avenue on the western side of town, Main Avenue was lined with beach chairs, lawn chairs, and even the kind of formal, upholstered wooden folding chairs seen in funeral parlors. The latter happened to be placed parallel to the curb in front of the Ocean Grove Memorial Home at the intersection of Main and Delaware avenues. Some spectators brought p...