Ocean County Department of Public Affairs
1201 Hooper Ave., PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
732-288-7777
www.co.ocean.nj.us/CountyConnectionPage.aspx
Contact: Jeanne DiPaola, Director
April 14, 2008
What’s Happening at the County Connection in May

TOMS RIVER--The County Connection, located near Penney’s at the Ocean County Mall, is a service of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as Freeholder liaison to the County Connection, invites all Ocean County residents to drop in during their next visit to the mall to learn about programs, services and activities available to them in Ocean County. The County Connection is open regular mall hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays to better serve the people of the county. It is handicapped accessible and served by public transportation, including New Jersey Transit and Ocean Ride buses. For more information, call 732-288-7777 or visit the County Connection web site at www.co.ocean.nj.us. Look for these programs in May:

TOURISM WEEK MAY 10 - 17: Discover Ocean County’s “101 Things To Do” as the County Connection pays tribute to our region’s premier tourism-related attractions, with special informational display all week long. Beaches, boardwalks, music theater, concerts . . . something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

OCEAN COUNTY ELECTION BOARD Tuesday, May 13 is the deadline for registering to vote in the June 3 Primary Election. Representatives of the Ocean County Board of Elections will be at the County Connection from 10 am to 6:30 pm to assist residents with voter registration. Absentee ballot applications are also available for those who wish to vote by mail.

Ongoing programs scheduled in May at the County Connection include:

SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION Representatives from the Social Security Administration will be at the County Connection Thursday, May 1, from 10 –1, to give out information & answer questions about Social Security.

OCEAN COUNTY MENTORING PROGRAM Can you spare an hour a week to make a positive difference in a child’s life? Ocean County’s Mentoring Program is seeking mature volunteers to provide safe friendships to boys and girls, ages 8 to 11, who may not have the support of a traditional family. Training is provided. Art Midgley, Mentoring Coordinator, will be at the County Connection Friday, May 2, to discuss the program with interested adults.

JOB SEARCH Looking for a new career? Maybe just something part-time? Visit the County Connection, Monday evenings from 5:45 to 9:30 pm. Christine Karaska of Workforce New Jersey will provide information and tips to job seekers. Job Search & Resume Skills: Mondays: May 5, May 12 & May 19.

VETERANS SERVICES The Ocean County Office of Veterans Services will be at the County Connection Tuesdays, May 6 & May 20, from 10 am till 1 pm to provide information on health services, employment assistance and other benefits available to eligible veterans.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS Problems with purchases? Unreliable repairmen? Who can you turn to for help? A representative from the Ocean County Consumer Affairs Department will be at the County Connection Wednesdays, May 7 & May 21, from 5 pm till 9 pm, & Friday, May 16, from 11 am – 1 pm.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS The Ocean County Health Department will conduct free blood pressure checks at the County Connection on Thursday, May 8, from 9:30 am till 12 noon.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION The Board of Social Services will present information on assistance programs available to eligible Ocean County residents Tuesdays—May 13 & May 27—from 11 – 1.

SENIOR DISCOUNTS ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FITNESS CLASSES, & MORE If you’re 55 or older, you can receive all the great benefits of membership in Ocean County College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning—all for only $10 a year. For more information, visit the County Connection on Thursday, May 15, from 10 am till 1 pm.

NJ DEPARTMENT OF BANKING & INSURANCE Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance will be at the County Connection, Tuesday, May 20, 10 am - 1 pm, to provide information about obtaining the best coverage at the best price when purchasing auto and homeowners or renters insurance. They also have information on new programs to assist homeowners with subprime mortgages.

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENINGS Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a major health threat for 28 million Americans, 80% of them women. The Ocean County Health Department is offering free bone density screenings for women at the County Connection, Thursday, May 22, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Screenings are scheduled on the 4th Thursday of each month. Call today for your appointment: 732-288-7777.

Plus, you’ll find these ongoing services DAILY at the County Connection:

OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES Book drop-off daily.

YOU CAN BUY STAMPS AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION: As an added convenience, you can now purchase postage stamps from a U.S. Postal Service vending machine at the County Connection. Cash sales only.

RECYCLE OLD HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES & CELL PHONES AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION For convenient, safe & environmental recycling: Bring your old household batteries & cell phones to the County Connection.

DROP OFF WORN AMERICAN FLAGS Worn American Flags, no longer suitable for display, can be dropped off at the County Connection. The flags will be turned in to veterans groups for proper disposal.

PHOTO ID’S & PASSPORT SERVICES AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION Under new federal regulations, passports are now required for all US citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico & the Caribbean. Photo IDs are needed for travel within the continental United States. Prepare for your next trip by getting IDs or passports now. The Ocean County Clerk staffs the County Connection seven days a week to issue photo IDs ($10) & process passport applications (Fees vary). You can get passport photos at the County Connection, too. ($10)

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR OCC SHOWS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES You can purchase tickets for Ocean County College’s Fine Arts performances at the County Connection. Cash, check or money order only.

REGISTER FOR OCEAN COUNTY’S OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS Visit the County Connection to register your dog for Ocean County’s off-leash dog parks at the Miller Airpark in Berkeley and Ocean County Park, Lakewood. The off-leash parks are operated by the Ocean County Parks & Recreation Department. (Annual fee: $25.)

SENIOR SERVICES Ocean County’s Senior Services staff has information on all of the benefits available to seniors, including heating assistance. A Senior Services representative is at the County Connection most weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm.

SURROGATE’S INFORMATION AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION EVERY WEEKDAY The Ocean County Surrogate’s Office now has staff at the County Connection Monday thru Friday, 10 am - 4:30 pm, to answer questions about probating wills & other services of the Surrogate’s Court.

INFORMATION ON THE NJ COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL AND TOURISM-RELATED ACTIVITIES Discover the historic, cultural and natural treasures found along the coastal areas of New Jersey. The County Connection is an official Information Center for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. The County Connection also has information on special events and tourism-related activities throughout Ocean County—101 things to do to keep your whole family entertained all year long.