The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program of Monmouth County is seeking adults 21 years and older to act as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because they have been abused or neglected. A CASA volunteer is a trained adult who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. In Monmouth County, there are approximately 700 children who are victims of abuse and neglect. Currently there are only 30 CASA volunteers. Caring, committed adults who are willing to speak up for a child as they go through the court system are needed now.

A CASA volunteer assists both the Family Court and the Division of Youth and Family Services in protecting abused and neglected children and ensuring that their interests and needs are most accurately represented in court hearings. Tasks performed by CASA volunteers include: gathering information, researching family history, investigating circumstances, interviewing relevant parties to a case, reviewing files, documenting findings, preparing reports and making recommendations to the court. The volunteer keeps the judge informed about the child and progress of services provided to the family. The CASA volunteer usually carries only one case or sibling group at a time. Volunteers are professionally trained, court-appointed community members who dedicate their time, talents and hearts by persistently advocating on behalf of their assigned child. The relationship between a CASA volunteer and a child who is in out-of-home placement may be the most stable relationship on which the child can depend throughout the court processes that will determine his fate.

According to the press release from CASA of Monmouth County, research suggests that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and less time within the foster care system than those who do not have CASA volunteers. Judges have also observed that CASA children have a better chance of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children. CASA is considered a judiciary "best practice" and is fully supported by the Family Division in the Monmouth County vicinage.

Potential volunteers must complete a background check, fulfill 30 hours of training provided by the program, and be able to spend between five and 15 hours a month working on a child's case. Details: (732) 660-0015.

Bands sought for NJPAC summer concert series

JPMorgan Chase Sounds of the city, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's free outdoor summer music series, is seeking musicians to perform as part of its summer 2007 series of concerts in Theater Square, NJPAC's public plaza, Thursday evenings and one Friday evening, beginning July 5. Three groups are featured per evening, each performing one 30- to 60-minute set. A modest honorarium is awarded to each group that is chosen to perform. Artists are also given the opportunity to present and sell CDs and tapes and promote other upcoming area performances.

Offering the most diverse music anywhere in the state, the series brings together thousands of people and over 30 new and emerging groups of musicians in downtown Newark.

NJPAC's Sounds of the City Committee is currently canvassing the area's clubs and live music venues looking for groups for this ninth annual series. Musicians are required to submit an entry form along with a CD, DVD or cassette demo with basic biographical information no later than March 30. Committee members will review the submissions, and groups will be selected and notified by May 1. Groups are selected based on a combination of artistic integrity and NJPAC's desire to represent a variety of music. Details and submission forms: (732) 353-8046 or download the form from www.njpac.org.

Local organization seeks veterans from all eras

The Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc. and The Veterans Coalition, Millstone-Jackson Post - 03, seeks all honorably discharged U.S. military veterans from all eras and current serving military to join. The coalition will hold its next regular monthly meeting on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Millstone Elks Lodge.

Free "Support Our Troops" signs and stickers are available while they last. Those interested need to provide a copy of their DD-214 or discharge. Dues are $25 per year but dues are waived for current serving military showing ID.

Life membership is $200. Both organizations are nationally recognized veterans service organizations. The Veterans of the Vietnam War and The Veterans Coalition programs include veteran assistance, public school education programs, POW-MIA awareness, homeless veteran assistance through the Beacon House program, U.S. military support packages, community support and veterans honor guard. For more information visit www.theveteranscoalition.org or call Rick Brody, Post NJ-03 commander, at (732) 615-8987.

Celebrate NJ launches 2007 poster contest

In an effort to highlight New Jersey talent, Celebrate NJ, a grassroots movement to instill pride in the Garden State, is accepting entries for its 2007 Poster Contest as part of the "365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ" campaign. The contest invites participants to design a poster that reflects their reason to Celebrate New Jersey. The winning entry will become the Official 2007 Celebrate NJ poster, widely distributed throughout the year. Selected designs will also be featured as part of the Celebrate NJ media and advertising campaign. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, with a grand prize set at $500. Nine other entries will receive honorable mentions.

Karen Hatcher, president of Celebrate NJ, says, "We have had such a wonderful response to the '365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ' campaign. So far, more than 1,000 people from all over the state have told us their reasons to celebrate New Jersey. Now we're asking New Jersey artists to get in on the fun. With all the talented folks who live here, I know the entries are going to be amazing!"

All posters submitted must address one or more reasons to celebrate New Jersey, in keeping with the "365 Reasons to Celebrate NJ" campaign. Entries must be e-mailed to Celebrate NJ by March 31. A completed and signed entry form must also be attached. There is no age limit for entrants. For complete contest details, visit www.celebratenj.org.

Celebrate NJ invites everyone who has a Reason to Celebrate NJ to log on to www.CelebrateNJ.org and enter that reason. No deadlines have been set. Reasons are being released on a monthly basis. Entry cards are also available at over 350 libraries across the state, which are promoting the campaign. The best 365 reasons will be published as part of an advertising and media campaign, which will take place on outdoor ads across the state and through radio, television and newspaper promotions. A select number of entries will be chosen to participate in feature stories for various publications across New Jersey.

Scholarships offered to those in health-care field

The CentraState Associated Auxiliaries Scholarship Program is offering three scholarships to individuals who live and volunteer in the CentraState service area.

Two scholarships are being awarded to high school seniors and a third to an adult returning to college. All candidates must be pursuing a career in the health care field.

Each scholarship will be in the amount of $500. If you or someone you know wishes to apply, application forms may be obtained from either a high school guidance department or from the CentraState Healthcare Foundation by calling (732) 294-7030.

The application must be submitted along with transcripts (for high school seniors), two letters of recommendation (one from a person or an organization for whom you volunteer for) and the completed essay requirement to: CentraState Associated Auxiliaries, Attn: Mrs. Doreen Beaumont, P.O. Box 32, Perrineville 08535.

The closing date for receipt of applications is April 27, 2007.

SPCA searches for homes for dogs, cats and kittens

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) is seeking foster homes and permanent homes for dogs, cats and kittens. Fostering is approximately a two-month commitment.

The shelter also urges current pet owners to have their pets spayed/neutered. MCSPCA offers low-cost spay/neutering to the public.

Anyone interested in fostering or adopting may visit the MCSPCA at 260 Wall St., Eatontown, or call (732) 542-0040 for more information. The MCSPCA adoption hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday, and 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

Millstone MOMS club

looking for new members

The MOMS Club of Millstone Township, which holds monthly meetings in the Millstone Township Community Center, 463 Stagecoach Road (between the Clarksburg Inn and the firehouse), is seeking new members.

Mothers and children from Millstone and Roosevelt are welcome to join the international/local support group.

The group plans activities including play groups, play dates, service projects, a monthly MOMS Night Out, and meetings with guest speakers.

For more information, contact Niesa at (732) 761-8831 or Josie at JVG224@hotmail.com.

May 19 Thunder baseball game to benefit Redbirds

The Allentown High School baseball team will take on Hightstown High School's baseball team May 9 at Mercer County Waterfront Park. Admission to the event is free.

To help offset the cost of the game, players will sell tickets to a May 19 Trenton Thunder game against the Harrisburg Senators. The game will start at 7:05 p.m., with fireworks to follow.

The cost is $10 per ticket, with all proceeds benefiting Allentown Redbird baseball. Make checks payable to A-Town Baseball and send ticket request and payment to Allentown High School, attention Brian Nice, 27 High St., Allentown, NJ 08501.

Lecture to feature quilt containing secret codes

The Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society will present a lecture on the Underground Railroad on Saturday, Feb. 24, 1-3 p.m. at 38 South Main St., (The Mill House), Allentown. Carole Nelson is the featured speaker. Slaves passed information on how to escape on the Underground Railroad to each other by sewing the symbols of escape into quilts. Nelson will bring a quilt (partly reconstructed) containing the secret codes and symbols. For more information call Pat Roveda at (609) 259-4158.

Live art auction by Ross Galleries slated for March

The Women's Association of Allentown is hosting a live art auction by Ross Galleries on Saturday, March 24 at the Cream Ridge Golf Club, 181 Route 39. There will be a preview from 7-8 p.m. and admission is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, dessert and coffee will be served. Call Melinda at (609) 259-4670 or Debbie at (609) 410-5524 for further information and advance tickets. Master Card, Visa, Discover and AmEx will be accepted.

Teddy Bear donations help ease ambulance rides

The Allentown Coop Christian Preschool will hold a Teddy Bear Picnic on March 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at 23 Church St. in Allentown. Activities will include a visit to the bear doctor, story time and a craft. Admission is free.

Donations of gently used stuffed animals will be given to the local First Aid Squad for children who have to ride in ambulances. Preschool registration will also be available at the picnic for the 2007-08 school year. The preschool offers classes for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds. For more information call (609) 259-0885.

Pancake breakfast slated

at Allentown preschool

The Allentown Coop Christian Preschool will host a pancake breakfast on March 3, 8-9 a.m. at 23 Church St., Allentown. The cost is $5 and children under 10 eat for free. The preschool is also holding open registration for the 2007-08 school year. The preschool offers classes for children ages 2-4. For more information call (609) 259-0885.

Roosevelt recreation sponsors indoor hockey

The Roosevelt Recreation Department is sponsoring a free youth indoor floor hockey program at the Roosevelt Elementary School on School Lane on Tuesday nights, 8-9:30 p.m. The program does not run on days that school is not in session and it is open to students in grades 1-8.

Students must complete a registration form and have it signed by a parent/guardian in order to participate.

Roosevelt hosts free movie nights at RPS

The Roosevelt Recreation Department invites all area residents to the Roosevelt Elementary School grounds on School Lane, to enjoy free movies on a "big screen" on select Saturday nights at 7 p.m.

"How to Eat Fried Worms" will be screened March 10.

The film tells the story of an eleven-year-old who inadvertently challenges the town bully to eat ten worms in one day.

For additional movie dates and titles contact (609) 448-0539 (press 3).

Families invited to all-you-can-eat pasta night

The Hope Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will hold a pasta night March 9 from 3-8 p.m. at Hope Fire Company, 82 Route 526, Allentown. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 through 12, and free for children 4 and younger. For more information, call Gerri at (609) 208-0127.