2022-02-26 - The Brick Times

The BRICK Times Vol. 21 - No. 41

In This Week’s Edition

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Local Filmmaker Promotes New Jersey Movies

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─Photo courtesy Thom DeMicco Actress Lydia Manson as Jude meets “Phineas” at a bar.

By Bob Vosseller o n Fe b r u a r y 17 a t York and have recently and Gabe Romero.

BRICK – Filmmaker Di ngbatz n ig htclub struck out on my own Baer’s neo-noir novel T hom DeMicco re - in Clifton. The Brick and plan to start shoot- was published on Occently gathered with born filmmaker, au- ing feature films in the tober 1, 1998 through f r i e n d s , f a n s a n d thor and martial arts state in the coming Viking Press and is members of the Gar- trainer was influenced year with my crew of based on a popular den State film commu- by the films of Lloyd New Jersey natives,” urban legend. It folnity for the premiere K a u f m a n , S t a n l e y he said. lows the character of of his new short film Kubrick, Frank Capra His film covers the Phineas Poe (Fer ri) which he hopes in- and fellow New Jersey first chapter of a novel a disgraced cop and spires others to make native Kevin Smith. trilogy by Will Chis- morphine addict, afmore productions in “I have been in the topher Baer and stars ter he wakes up in a New Jersey. film industry for the Johnny Ferri and Lyd- hotel bathtub full of DeMicco’s newest past four years work- ia Manson. DeMicco ice to discover that film, “Kiss Me Judas: ing with Troma En- directed the film that one of his kidneys was Chapter 1” premiered ter tainment in New was produced by Ferri (Filmmaker - See Page 4)

NFL Star Shares His Story Of Addiction Recovery

By Bob Vosseller LAKEWOOD – Former NFL quarterback R ay Luca s t a ck le d many of his opponents during his time on the f ield but it was his strength in tackling his opioid addiction that was perhaps the most grueling.

Lucas recently shared

his story of recovery with some Lakewood High School student athletes which served to kick off the Knock O u t O pioid A b u s e initiative which was sponsored by the Partnership for a Dr ugFr e e ( PDF NJ ) a n d Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New

Jersey.

The program is in c ol l a b o r a t io n w it h the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the virtual event held on February 15, was the first in a series of 10 to be held for high schools throughout New Jer-

sey in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Lucas headlined the event and discussed his story of addiction and recovery with the students. sharing stories from his playing career at Rutgers and in the NFL. He provided details about how he developed an

addiction to opioids, a nd u rged st udents to stay educated and infor med about the risks of prescription opioids.

T h e a t h l e t e e xplained to them that “opioids effect everyone and does not care about race, religion or

(Addiction - See Page 5)

February 26, 2022

Schools To Follow Mask Optional Protocol

By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - Governor Phil Murphy has lifted the mask mandate for schools effective Monday March 7 due to the “dramatic decline in cases, transmission rates and hospitalizations as well as an increase in vaccination rates,” he said at a coronavirus briefing from Trenton on February 7.

The governor said these predictive indicators show the number will continue to trend in these directions, and added that “this is a huge step back to normalcy for our kids… we have to learn to live with COVID as we move from a pandemic to the endemic phase of this virus.”

During a February 15 Board of Education meeting, superintendent Dr. Thomas Farrell said it was the first time he could recall the governor referring to the virus as endemic.

(Mask - See Page 5)

Policies Make It Tough To Help Homeless

By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – It should be easy to reach out and help those who need it the most. Yet there are a lot of barriers that society has constructed that make it difficult to reach out.

Recently, there was a Point In Time count in which local homeless were surveyed so that they could be given the help they need.

The counts translate into how much money the area will get, however, the federal government has it a bit backwards, some said.

Since the goal is to reduce the number of homeless, you are rewarded if your numbers go down. Essentially, you’re getting more money for fewer people. If your homeless count goes up, you are penalized, and you are given even less money to provide (Homeless - See Page 8)

TO ADVERTISE, CALL 732-657-7344 EXT. 206

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Filmmaker:

Continued From Page 1 removed by Jude, a beautiful prostitute played by Manson Poe was just released from a psych ward and sets out for revenge. His intentions slowly change in this twisted love story that takes him from the snowy streets of Denver to the high plains of Texas.

The event at Dingbatz also featured DeMicco’s “This Night’s End” and Ben Johnson’s “Were Deer.” It also included James Boylan’s “Meat is Murder” faux trailer and Dwayne Steeler’s “Blood Stab & Jun” plus music videos that DeMicco produced with Troma Entertainment.

DeMicco’s production company, Shoot Style Production, is run with his good friend, Gabe Romero of Roselle.

DeMicco moved back to the tri-state area in 2018 and put his energy into film-

making which led him to Kaufman and his production company, Troma Entertainment. He said he has always admired independent film makers and served as Kaufman’s personal assistant and as a Troma producer.

He worked on several of Kaufman’s Troma Entertainment releases and had his directorial debut in the short film “Latched” which was a satire on the dating app phenomena. He appeared in a film based on the life of his other childhood hero, Kevin Smith, in the biopic, “Shooting Clerks.”

DeMicco said his second short film, “This Night’s End” premiered at Another Hole in the Head film festival in San Francisco and at Alamo Draft House in Houston. He also produced music videos for Ice T’s heavy metal band Body Count.

The filmmaker teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu full time at RC Affinity Martial Arts in

Toms River. “My motto is ‘dreams come true; they don’t come for free.’” He credited his success to “dedication, sacrifice and hard work” over natural ability or talent which he said he has “very little of.”

He told The Brick Times how he came to adapt the novel, “Kiss Me Judas.” “It is one of my favorite books and without a doubt my favorite opening chapter of any book.”

“I had also put so much into my first short film, ‘This Night’s End,’ which is partly autobiographical. I’m writing a feature length version of that currently and want to adapt something I still cared deeply about and this was a perfect fit,” DeMicco said.

He added that he previously directed a film “written by a friend with learning disabilities and enjoyed the creative process of finding a middle ground between his vision and mine.”

DeMicco said, “I would also like to license anything by my other favorite author, Lawrence Block, most specifically a novel from his Hit Man series. I would, of course, plan to film as much as possible in New Jersey.”

Being a big fan of Kevin Smith fan, DeMicco said, “I was greatly influenced by his films, most specifically ‘Clerks’ and ‘Chasing Amy.’ His were the first films I had ever seen that took place in New Jersey other than the Toxic Avenger (created by Kaufman),” he said.

“It made filmmaking seem more possible especially after hearing his story of dropping out of film school to go at it on his own. I’ve always respected independence in film, music and all art. It’s a lot harder to bet on yourself attempting to blaze a new or different trail,” he said.

The trailer of his new film can be found at youtu.be/4C5ULWVWkeo.

Mental Health Association Offering Online Support Group

OCEAN COUNTY – A new, online support and discussion group for women in the workplace is being offered by a nonprofit organization, The Mental Healt h Associat ion i n New Jer sey, which has an affiliate office in Ocean County. The focus is on women who have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual intimidation or abuse on the job.

The group, called Life in Waves, is

meeting online twice a month via the Zoom App. The meeting is founded and facilitated by women who have experienced these challenges. A mental health professional with lived experience as a survivor of trauma is an advisor to the facilitators.

“Our area of South Jersey employs many women in occupations frequently associated with a higher risk for these experiences. Think about all the

wait resses, hou sekee per s, ma ssage therapists, lifeguards, nurses and the many women working in the service industry,” said Bern Trendler, a wellness program manager. “This group provides a safe space to provide support and have an open discussion about topics like gender roles and power balances.”

Trendler said women who have faced these situations can experience negative health outcomes, including sleep

d isorde r s, de pression , a n x iet y a nd Post-Tr au mat ic St ress Disorder, or PTSD. Through the group, members share resources and strategies to improve their mental health.

Life in Waves meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. To receive a link for this meeting, call The Mental Health Association at 609-652-3800 or email lifeinwaves@ mhanj.org.

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule for Feb. & Mar. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments recommended. Clinic schedule dates subject to change.

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Mask:

Continued From Page 1 According to the Ocean County Health Department, Ocean County is currently in the yellow zone, or at moderate risk for COVID activity, and all indications show that the county would be entering the green zone, with a low number of new cases, shortly, the superintendent said.

“These are positive signs which give me a lot of optimism,” Dr. Farrell said. “It’s like you could almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The district would follow guidance from the state and local health departments that incorporate new quarantine protocols that align with lifting the mask mandate, he said.

Addiction:

Continued From Page 1 backgrounds. Your mouth is your most important weapon. You should ask for help if you need it and make sure to ask the questions about what you’re being prescribed and if there are alternatives.”

The mission of this virtual conversation was to educate student athletes on the risks of prescription opioids, as well as the importance of taking care of themselves physically and mentally.

According to a Monitoring the Future survey, adolescent participants in high-injury sports had 50 percent higher odds of nonmedical use of prescription

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 5 “It’s so important that we continue to practice tolerance and consideration for others as we implement this new change,” the superintendent added.

Everyone has to work together with “empathy and understanding” to promote an environment where people can feel comfortable with their choice as the district moves forward with the no-mask mandate, he said.

Barring any last minute changes, district students and staff would transition to “masks optional” on March 7.

In other school news, preparations for the 2022-2023 school year budget are underway.

“We’ve started this process already with our program managers and administration,”

Dr. Farrell said.

“As I’ve continually said, our budget is kind of simple and we don’t have much control over revenue sources,” he said.

The school district’s budget is limited by the state-mandated two percent tax levy cap and it is faced with another cut in state aid of $5 million. (Dr. Farrell was referring to NJ State Senate Bill S-2, which modified school funding and eliminated over $20 million in state aid to Brick over a seven year period).

“So before the budget process even starts, as our principals know, we’re kind of behind already with that,” the superintendent said.

The 2021-2022 school budget was approximately $160 million.

And finally, after reporting staff shortages

in almost every department, Director of Human Resources William Kleissler said the situation is improving.

“We have been busy this past month,” he said during the meeting. “You’re going to notice that there are four people that we’re hiring…we are very excited that they are people that have been working and are being promoted from their current positions, or began the school year as substitutes with the hopes of moving into vacancies as they have come up.”

He said there were also four retirements of three long-time teachers and one teacher’s aide.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held at the Professional Development Center on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m.

opioids than adolescents who did not participate in these types of sports.

Lucas, a Harrison native, played for Rutgers University in the 1990s before enjoying a seven-year career in the NFL. He played for three teams, the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins from 1996 to 2002. Currently, Lucas works as a studio analyst for the show Jets Nation on SportsNet New York.

Football took its toll on Lucas, who sustained numerous injuries and underwent more than a dozen surgeries during and after his playing career. The quarterback became dependent on prescription opioids, at times taking more than 1,400

pills a month.

Lucas has been receptive to sharing his addiction and recovery in an effort to help others who have struggled with the same problems he has and to prevent youth athletes from going down the path to addiction.

PDFNJ, Executive Director Angelo Valente said, “as New Jersey’s opioid epidemic continues to plague the state, it is vital to reach student athletes and educate them about the dangers of prescription opioids.”

“We all need to be part of the solution, and are grateful to Ray Lucas for sharing his story with the Lakewood students and to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association for making these events possible,” Valente added.

In Ocean County, from January through November 2021, there have been 809 naloxone administrations to reverse opioid overdoses and 228 suspected overdose deaths.

Two years ago, more than 3,000 people in the state died of drug overdoses, most of which involved some form of opioid.

Preliminary data shows that New Jersey was on pace to end 2021 with more than 3,200 overdose deaths, which would be the most since the state started keeping records a decade ago.

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Spotlight On Government Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

Congressman Kim: Bills Will Deliver Jobs, Allow U.S. To Compete Globally

WASHI NGTON, D.C. - Congressman Andy Kim (D-3rd) voted to pass the America Creating Oppor tunities for Manufact uring Pre-Eminence in Tech nolog y and Economic St rength (COMPETES) Act of 2022. Congressman Kim worked to secure historic investments in technology and innovation that will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, address global supply chain issues and inf lation, enhance our research capacity to develop next generation technologies, and reinforce America’s leadership in the world.

The bill passed the House with bipartisan support and a vote of 222-210.

“It’s more important than ever that we strengthen the ability of American workers and companies to compete globally,” said Congressman Kim. “We are all more connected than ever, and this bill will allow small businesses in Burlington and Ocean Counties to compete internationally. I’m proud to have worked in a bipartisan way to strengthen America’s global reach, turbocharge American manufacturing, and invest in cutting-edge research, technology, and innovation. This bill will level the playing field against authoritarian regimes, create good-paying jobs in America, and reduce our reliance on foreign manufacturers.”

Congressman Kim helped shape provisions to enhance and expand our diplomatic and economic footprint around the world by voting to pass the EAGLE Act through the House Foreign Affairs Committee in July.

Provisions championed by Congressman Kim include: Congressman Kim’s Fast Track Advanced Apprenticeships Now Act would cut bureaucratic red tape to allow apprenticeship programs for emerging occupations to be approved faster. $45 billion will be used to improve supply chains for critical goods like vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE) and microchips to ensure more of these goods are made in the United States.

A regional technology and innovation hub program will be established at the Department of Commerce to incentivize partnerships between local governments, colleges and universities, private industry, nonprofits and community organizations to support innovation incubators.

I n 2021, Cong ressma n K i m helped lead a National Security Innovation Summit with representatives from New Jersey’s research institutions, defense industry partnerships, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

A new competitive grant program will

be offered to school districts and state education agencies to help expand and improve access to undergraduate STEM and postsecondary STEM programs.

This builds on Congressman Kim’s effort in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to invest in the GenCyber program, which supports summer camps to expand cyber skills for middle and high school students, and SMART scholarships that help connect university students with cybersecurity job opportunities in the Department of Defense. $52 billion will incentivize private-sector investments in semiconductor manufacturing to address supply chain disruptions and reduce our reliance on foreign ma nufact u rer s for sem iconductor s, which help power nearly every sector of our economy. $10 million will be used by the State Department to promote democracy in Hong Kong and require the State Department to develop a strategy to implement the Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) to help young leaders build the skills they need to strengthen democracy in their nations.

New policies will strengthen U.S. leadership worldwide, improve critical alliances in key regions like South East Asia, and invest in a foreign policy that promotes human rights, diplomacy, and

democracy. Improving the effectiveness of U.S. Development Finance Corporation loans that are critical to strengthening our alliances and protecting countries against authoritarian regimes seeking to spread global influence through predatory financing.

The Adoptee Citizenship Act, which Congressman Kim cosponsored, will close a loophole and provide U.S. citizenship to international adoptees brought to the U.S. as children who are still without citizenship because they turned 18 before the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 took effect.

The bill also includes Congressman Kim’s Protecting Americans from Unsafe Drugs Act to improve America’s medical product supply chain by giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandatory recall authority for all drugs that could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Many consumers do not realize that FDA does not have mandatory recall authority for all products – including most prescription and over-the-counter drugs – and relies on the cooperation of manufacturers when dangers are discovered. Congressman Kim introduced this legislation after helping Omni Distributors, a small business In Lakewood, that was almost left without recourse after purchasing a large quantity of hand sanitizer for resale that it discovered did not meet FDA safety standards.

American Rescue Funds Will Prevent Foreclosures TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced that $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) will be allocated to support New Jersey’s Foreclosure Prevention Act (P.L. 2021, c.34) program administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). NJHMFA will use these funds to stabilize communities through supportive homeowner interventions and vacancy rehabilitation and sale, stemming the loss of single-family homes to rental property investment firms.

“The Foreclosure Prevention Act was more than a decade in the making. My administration is proud to have signed this landmark legislation adding to our state’s capacity to address the concerns of current New Jersey homeowners and future homebuyers,” said New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy.

Following the 2008 financial crisis, New Jersey’s single-family residential market was decimated, with many prop-

erties purchased by investors for rental purposes, reducing the stock of affordable single-family homes. Nationwide, the financial impact of COVID-19 on homeowners may lead to a similar - if not greater - loss of single-family homes.

“Home ownership is the foundation for building intergenerational wealth and provides people long-term f inancial, mental and physical stability,” said Lt. Gover nor Sheila Oliver, who ser ves as Commissioner of the Depar tment of Community Affairs and NJHMFA board chair. “This legislation and ensuing program administered by NJHMFA will improve New Jersey communities by rehabilitating blighted or abandoned single-family properties while helping residents attain the dream of owning their own home.”

“Helping homebuyers compete in this environment is imperative to long-term economic stability for New Jersey families and communities,” said NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie R. Walter.

“This seed funding will help us play a key role in stabilizing the affordable single-family home market for New Jersey homeowners and homebuyers.”

The Murphy administration anticipates using these funds to purchase non-performing mortgage notes from the FHA pr ior to foreclosure proceedings. If the homeowner occupies the property, efforts will be made to assist the homeowner. If the property has been abandoned, steps will be taken to obtain title, complete any required rehabilitation, and return the home to the single-family market.

“We have made great strides to address the previous foreclosure crisis in New Jersey and we do not want history to repeat itself,” said Senator Troy Singleton, who championed New Jersey’s sweeping foreclosure reform laws in 2019. “I applaud Governor Murphy for utilizing available federal dollars to fund the ‘Foreclosure Prevention Act.’ This will keep as many families as possible in

their existing homes, which will prevent a tidal wave of new foreclosures and even homelessness.”

“The threat of imminent foreclosure is one of the most daunting financial challenges a family will ever face.

The upheaval and disruption can cause irreversible damage. The Governor’s infusion of American Rescue Funds into the NJHMFA’s Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program will stabilize this critically important initiative, thereby enabling the agency to continue to provide much needed assistance to families in dire financial straits. It also stabilizes neighborhoods by preventing the eyesore of vacant and abandoned building that depreciate home values. I commend Gov. Murphy for his understanding of the need for all New Jerseyans to have a safe affordable place to call home and the action he has taken today to promote this cause,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, the lead sponsor of the law creating the program.

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OPINIONS & COMMENTARY E ditorial Is It News Or Is It Complaining?

How much of your news show is just the host or their guests complaining? Are you really watching the news or just watching a bunch of people on TV venting?

I once watched Don Lemon complain about Trump for a 20 minute monologue at the end of a news segment. This was back when Trump was in office. Honestly, I don’t know if it was 20 minutes.

After 2 minutes, I faded out and started playing on my phone. It could have been 5 minutes but it felt like 20 minutes.

I kept thinking, “This isn’t the Daily Show or Weekend Update. You can’t just say what you want.” But I guess you can.

I watch both sides of the news, just to get an idea of what each one is talking about. It’s usually equally wrong.

On Tucker Carlson, he’s a guy in a suit interviewing another guy in a suit. I don’t remember who this particular guest was when I was thinking about this editorial – just some Guy With Something To Say – and all he did was complain about woke culture for his entire segment.

I’m not saying that either complainers made good points, or whether I agreed with them. But I tuned in to see news, not commentary.

Tell me what happened, not your opinion about what happened.

There was no news value in either show. Not a single shred of actual “news.”

If you had a friend who complained all day long every time you saw them, you’d eventually stop hanging out with them, wouldn’t you?

But if they’re on the news, sitting behind a desk and looking official, then we listen to them.

Why is that? Why are we giving careers to professional whiners?

Any of these news anchors

– I don’t care if it’s on Fox or CNN – are millionaires (or close enough that they might as well be). What do they have to really complain about? They’re rich.

No matter what happens in this country, they’ll be fine.

They’ll be unaffected by it.

They could be donating to cancer charities, helping the homeless, or any good cause you can think of. Instead they’re just trying to figure out what to complain about during their allotted time.

And since they have to fill up a show every Monday through Friday, they sometimes have to dig deep. They have to make mountains out of mole hills. They have to find something that you care about – like education, and twist it into something that is a life or death situation. They have to hit the same nail over and over again. They do this until you think it’s the most important issue of the day: Did you hear what Trump’s son said? Did you see what this school district did in a town you never even heard of?

Chances are, it’s not really an important issue. Look around. Is it impacting you?

Probably not. To mix metaphors, it’s just a dog and pony show, and the tail is wagging the dog.

In the hour it takes to watch this so-called news, you could be reading a book, spending time with your family, or calling a friend you haven’t spoken to.

Instead of getting angry by the Outrage Du Jour, you could be giving $20 to your local volunteer fire department or bringing a donation to a food bank.

This country is founded by people who get things done. Not by people in suits complaining. Turn off the TV and go do some good in the world.

Chris Lundy News Editor

Letters To The Editor Trump Only Built 16 Miles Of Wall Remember when Trump promised he was going to build a wall? Well, the truth is that he only built 16 whole miles. That’s it.

Look it up online if you don’t believe me. Type in “How many miles of wall did Trump build?” You’ll see the truth.

He claims that the number is much higher. All but 16 of those miles were replacements of border wall that already existed.

That’s it. Just 16. You can walk 16 miles in a day.

You can’t even blame D e m o c r a t s fo r b l o c ki ng it, eit her. T he Re publicans controlled the S e n a t e a nd t he Hou s e throughout the first two years of Tr ump’s presidency. All of 2017 and all of 2018. That’s two whole years that he could have worked on h is one big promise and he didn’t.

At one point, he tried to take money from an account for the education of U.S. Soldiers’ children to fund the wall, but thank God a judge blocked it.

There was a group called “We Fund The Wall” that built .5 miles of wall on private land, and that’s already eroding, despite the fact that Trump gave $1.7 billion of our money to it. And now its founders are being caught for embezzling.

And no, Mexico did not pay for any of it.

Tristan Johnson Freehold

Reach Out If You Are A Veteran Household Thank you to the team at Micromedia/Jersey Shore Online for reporting on those experiencing homelessness in Ocean County.

Sharing the lived experiences of people of all ages who are unsheltered, in transitional housing or at risk of homelessness shows they are people just like you and me.

For veteran households w h o a r e e x p e r ie n c i n g homelessness or are at risk, consider reaching out to Community Hope’s Supportive Services for Ve t e r a n Fa m i l ie s p r o g r a m t o c o n n e c t w it h case management, temporar y f inancial assist a n c e , h o u si n g s e a r ch a n d ot h e r s u p p o r t s t o help stabilize a housing crisis.

C o m m u n i t y H o p e’s el ig ibi l it y for ve t e r a n households casts a large net, in that you do not h ave t o b e a d i s a ble d vetera n, combat vetera n , r e t i r e d ve t e r a n t o apply, so plea se rea ch out if you have ser ved in the military or if you are a spouse/household member to one, to see if you are eligible. Make

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a connection by calling 855-483-8466 option 2 or email ssvf@communityhope-nj.org.

Catherine Galioto-Galesky Supportive Services for Veteran Families Community Hope, Inc.

Praise Police When They Do A Good Job O n c e a g a i n I w a nt t o praise my local police department here in Whiting.

On February 16 it was necessary to call for their help and the two officers who came were polite, professional and efficient in resolving the problem.

Our police generally don’t get much public praise, and I urge ever yone to personally seek to rectify that when they get an opportunity! These men and women risk plenty for us, we need to show them the support they deserve in the public eye.

Thank you, Manchester Police Depar t ment and especially those two officers!

Chet Jelinski Whiting

Filibuster Stands In Way Of Progress We understand President Biden is busy. Between fo r e ig n p ol ic y c r i s e s , inf rast r uct u re, and the COVID-19 pandemic, he has a lot on his hands.

But I can’t help thinking about how his support for abolishing the filibuster in the Senate could help him enact his agenda on all fronts. Most importantly, it could help Biden

protect Americans’ freedom to vote in the face of relentless attacks on our democracy.

We need Congress to pass comprehensive voting rights reform and we need Bide n to st e p up and put pressure on the Senate to do so by publicly supporting an end to the filibuster. Biden’s stated support for voting rights reform simply isn’t enough.

President Biden, for the sake of my right to vote and the progressive agenda we elected you to enact, urge the Senate to abolish the filibuster.

Margaret Yelenik Howell

Natural Immunity Better Than Scientific Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a letter in a previous edition, with the name in quotes.

With all due respect for the response that “people of faith should get vaccinated,” goes beyond our emotions.

Here in America, We The People should decide what is best for our families and not the intrusion of the government.

Since day one, the science has been misguided and faulty. The main concern needs to be the ingredients and the risks involved.

God has given us natural i m mu n it y wh ich is fa r better than what man is doing in a lab.

Thank you veterans for the freedoms we have.

Do your research!

Pat Lasher Jersey Shore

Do you have something you want everyone to know? Is there an issue that needs to be addressed?

Write a letter to make yourself heard.

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 8, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

Homeless:

Continued From Page 1

609.857.6000 • PO Box 211 • Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

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MAR. 31 YAKOF SMIRNOFF AT TROPICANA CASINO

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APR. 19 TOMASELLO WINERY & RESORTS CASINO

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APR. 20 TINA - The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway APR. 21 SHEN YUN at NJPAC

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APR. 27 MJ - THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL ON BROADWAY MAY. 1-7 7 DAY SAVANNAH & CHARLESTON Southern Charm Tour

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MAY. 15-21 7 DAY MACKINAW ISLAND & DETROIT MUSIC CITY TOUR

$1594/pp Dbl.Occ Highlights include: 1 Night stay Mackinaw Island at The historic Grand Hotel.3 nights Drury Inn Troy, MI, 6 Nights Lodging, 6 Breakfasts. 4 Dinners, (1) 4 course Dinner at Grand Hotel, Lunch at the Grand buffet, 2 hr. Tour on Mackinaw Island via Horse Drawn Wagon, Round Trip Ferry Ride, Motown Dinner Cruise with Live Music, Detroit History Museum, Henry Ford Museum, F-150 Factory Tour, Motown Museum Tour JUNE 12 PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW In Full Bloom

$134/pp Enjoy a beautiful day in the heart of Philladelpia and Experience the Annual flower show outdoors at your leisure. Includes a premium box lunch with a drink & Private event seating under a tent.

JUNE 17-20 4 DAY BALLOONS OVER VERMONT

$849/pp Dbl.Occ 42st Annual Vermont Balloon Festival, Billings Dairy farm & Museum, Vermont Country Store, Yankee Candle Flagship Store, Ben & Jersey’s Factory Tour, Lunch at Von Trapps Family Lodge.

JUNE 26-29 4 DAY CAPE COD & MARTHA’S VINEYARD $699/pp Dbl.Occ 3 Nights stay at Aiden Cape Point Hotel, 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, 1 Lobster dinner (Substitute meal available), 2 hr. Whale Watching Cruise, Step on Guided Tours each day, All included attractions, Day in Martha’s Vineyards, Lizzie Borden House Tour, Round trip ferry.

JULY 31 ABBA THE CONCERT a Tribute to ABBA Includes Orchestra seat and dinner before show.

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$639/pp Dbl.Occ 2 Nights Hilton Inn Saratoga Springs, Polynesian Tiki Dinner Show, Luncheon Cruise on Lake George, Saratoga Race Track, Saratoga Racing Museum and much more.

vices to an even larger crowd.

The pandemic has required social distancing, which means that there are fewer people allowed in shelters. It’s also caused staffing levels to fall because volunteers and employees can’t come in if they are possibly contagious.

Everyone interviewed in relation to this issue says the same thing: the lack of truly affordable housing is the main problem.

There are homes, but none within reach for the homeless.

Michele Vitiello, case coordinator for Village Resources, was on hand to try for housing solutions. The difficulty is that there are few truly affordable homes in Ocean County. Someone on Social Security is given $850 a month, and most rentals are more than a thousand.

“No one can live on $850 a month,” she said.

While the state requires towns to set aside a certain number of homes for people with low to moderate income, even those are often out of reach, she said.

“We need someone to build real low-income housing,” she said. “Ocean County needs more subsidized housing and smaller houses.”

Another challenge is that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development doesn’t count you as homeless if you live on someone’s couch, said Kathryn

Colhoun, Director of Community Resources and Advocacy, Ocean Partnership for Children. She organized the point in time count.

There were a lot of people in need, and she said there were more people in their 20s than in the past. If you’re fleeing domestic violence, you are homeless, she said. This is something that the general public doesn’t consider when discussing the issue of homelessness. However, with the stress of the pandemic, domestic violence has been on the rise. Shelters like Providence House and Dottie’s House are overflowing.

Evictions There had been a moratorium on evictions throughout the beginning of the pandemic but it ended on January 1, 2022. Other programs were put in place to protect those in danger of losing their homes. However, they might not know about these protections, might not qualify for them, or be able to navigate the bureaucracy to get to the other end safely.

Therefore, there’s been more evictions in the area. This has created a strange, cyclical situation, volunteers said. First, people who were protected from eviction are now possibly homeless. Second, the evictions have opened up more low-cost housing available to place the homeless.

Essentially, it means that the staff that work to house vulnerable people are working in circles that the system created.

If you are on Section 8, you are given $1,200, Colhoun said. It’s very difficult to find a place nearby for $1,200.

“Homeless service systems across the state have been strategically working to ensure that resources made available through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan have targeted households currently experiencing homelessness and households that are at risk of homelessness once the moratorium came to an end,” said Kasey Vienckowksi, Senior Associate with Monarch Housing Associates which directs NJCounts 2022.

“This year’s count will be critical to help communities respond to the wave of households that will be in need as the courts continue to work through the backlog of eviction cases that have been pending since as early as March, 2020.”

How To Help With the way the policies are, sometimes the best help comes from individuals.

Minister Steve Brigham takes care of people living in tents around the area. He shared a story recently on social media about spending a day helping folks and delivering propane tanks so they can keep warm. One woman was worried about an impending snowstorm and he was able to get her situated in a hotel.

He had received a call about three men that spent the night on a porch of a church in Lakewood. They were able to get into a hotel for a few nights as well.

An encampment in the woods had residents with some issues. A zipper in front of someone’s tent had frozen over. Another didn’t have anything to eat. He had a tarp and some food from the Lakewood Elks in his truck.

“It is always nice to think at the end of a day that possibly a few lives may have been saved because a group of concerned people cared enough to share some of their time, and resources,” he said, thanking donors.

If you would like to make a tax deductible financial donation to help Brigham’s efforts, you can send a check to Destiny’s Bridge, PO Box 692, Lakewood NJ 08701 or donate at PayPal: Destinysbridgefoundation@gmail.com.

AUG. 15-17 3 DAY LAKE GEORGE & SARATOGA SPRINGS

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SEPT. 11 THE GOLDEN BOYS starring Frankie Avalon, Fabian & Bobby Rydell $188/pp At American Music Theater. Includes Orchestra seat and Lunch before show.

Always Included Bottled Water & Snacks, Company Escort, All Gratuities Bus Departures Toms River (Exit 81 West Water Street NJT Station) • Brick Target (Route 70) Please Visit Our Website for All Upcoming Trips & Itineraries

Paws In The Park

BERKELEY – Ocean County Parks & Recreation has announced Paws in the Park (formerly known as Yappy Hour) event for June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors wanted!

For years this event (Yappy Hour) was held in Ocean County Park in Lakewood.

It now has a new name and a new home in

the Robert J Miller Air Park Ocean County Fairgrounds in Berkeley Township.

They are looking for vendors of “all things dog related” - items or services, shops to mom-and-pop home businesses.

For more information contact Marc Steuer at 732-506-9090 ext. 5950, or msteuer@ co.ocean.nj.us.

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 9

Community News C lub N ews , A ctivities , E vents & A nnouncements

Officers Participate In Cold Water Ice Training

ALL CREDIT APPROVED EARN A $100 BONUS! (When you refer a friend who makes a purchase)

MATT VAN PELT

Sales & Leasing Consultant

AT S U L CAL

BRICK – Members of the Brick Township Police Depar tment par ticipated in an annual cold water ice training a couple of weeks ago. During this training, members wore cold water gear and

─Photo courtesy Brick Police practiced real life scenarios. Brick Township is made up of over 6 square miles of waterway, which makes this type of rescue training so important in keeping residents safe.

Upcoming Municipal Alliance Meeting

BRICK – The next Brick Municipal Alliance Committee (BMAC) meeting will be held on February 28 at 7 p.m.

Brick Municipal Alliance Committee (BMAC) Meetings are held in the A/B

nursing and

rehabilitation center

Conference Room of the Mu nicipal Buildi ng, located at 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, at the indicated time. All meetings are open to the public.

0 0 7 9 0 7 3 2 3 7

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jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 10, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

Community News C lub N ews , A ctivities , E vents & A nnouncements

Community Celebrates Township’s Birthday

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─Photo courtesy Brick Township BRICK – On February 12, the community celebrated Brick Township turning 172! They thank all of the volunteers and donors for making this event a special one!

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 11

Community News C lub N ews , A ctivities , E vents & A nnouncements

Five Officers Sworn In At Township Meeting

375 Brick Blvd Drum Point Plaza (Next To 7Eleven) • Brick, NJ 08723 • (848) 232-3205

• Unique & Affordable Gifts • Holiday & Seasonal Decor • Designer Clothing & Accessories BRICK – On February 11, Mayor Ducey swore in five Class I Special Police Officers who just completed their Academy training. He was joined by Chief Riccio,

─Photo courtesy Brick Township Council President Vince Minichino and Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero.

Congratulations and best of luck to the newest officers!

Successful Networking: How To “Net” Results! – Seminar Series

BRICK – Networking is 9 to 5; relationships are forever! Join the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce on March 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. for this informative seminar – Successful Networking: How To “Net” Results – with special guest John Hazelet

from Hazelet Realty Group.

Cost is $5 to attend, includes lite fare.

Pre-registration required. Register by visiting BrickChamber.com. Any questions call 732-477-4949 or email info@brickchamber. com.

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Page 12, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

Photo Of The Week Quantum Behavioral Health Services is now accredited by The Joint Commission!

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Following that snow storm last month, photographer Craig Gesicki spotted this fox hanging out on a frozen Lake Carasaljo in Lakewood. The Jersey Shore has amazing photographers and animals - that’s for sure!

Meeting Postponed For Illegal School Seeking Approval

By Chris Lundy BRICK – The meeting where a school operating illegally was going to be heard by the town has been postponed.

Congregation Kehilos Yisroel set up a private school at the former home of the Beth Or Temple on the corner

of Van Zile Road and Route 70. It operated for more than a month before being shut down due to it not having any approvals.

The original meeting was to be held on February 16. This will be moved to 7 p.m. on March 30 at the Civic Center.

The Brick Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY! TIME FOR AN EYE EXAM.

Medical care seems to change dramatically once we reach our 40s. Suddenly there are a lot more tests required, and doctor visits change from quick check-ins to long conversations. With all the changes in your primary care, you may not know that there are changes needed in your eyecare as well. A comprehensive eye exam around the age of 40 can create a baseline to use as comparison as you age for diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Sun damage is also likely to begin to appear in our eyes in our 40s. This is also the time when the need for reading glasses shows itself, as age begins to cause changes in our eyes’ lenses.

When it comes to scheduling preventive health appointments, eye exams are often overlooked. A comprehensive eye exam with our office involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye disease. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622 to schedule an appointment. We offer evening hours most nights of the week.

P.S. Eye exams can reveal other, non-eye related health issues including certain cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and auto-immune diseases.

MARLBORO (732) 972-1015

BRICK TOMS RIVER (732) 349-5622 (732) 477-6981 www.oceancountyeye.com

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jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 13

Around The Jersey Shore

DeGRAFF CREMATION SERVICES DIRECT CREMATION $1875

Officers Deliver Cards To Seniors

Arrangements Available In Your Home, Removal From Place Of Death, Alternative Container, Wood #ODZ, Transfer To Crematory Located at:

DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home 119 Union Avenue, Lakehurst

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Additional Costs: Crematory Fee, Urns, Disposition Of Cremains & Certified Copies Of Death Certificates, Permit, Removal Assist. & Mileage, Viewings Or Memorial Services

─Photo courtesy Point Pleasant Police POINT PLEASANT – The Point Pleasant Police Department says thank you to everyone who participated in the Valentine’s Day Card contest. They are overwhelmed

and so happy with the great response! They delivered all the cards on Valentine’s Day to Crest Point Rehabilitation Center & Healthcare Center.

“Climb With A Cop” To Benefit Special Olympics BRICK – The Brick PBA is hosting a “Climb with a Cop” event to benefit Special Olympics on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is being held at The Gravity Vault located in Brick Plaza.

Entry fee is $30. Any local businesses interested in donating, contact the PBA. For more details, visit gravityvault.com, njtorchrun.org or call Gravity Vault at 848-241-3523.

Institutionally Accredited by ABHES. Financial Aid available for those who qualify.

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 14, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

H ere ’ s T o Y our H ealth •

Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Make The Most Of Your Hearing

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Better hearing isn’t just about reclaiming your confidence and relationships; it’s also about reconnecting to your environment and attuning to the things you love.

Hearing is a sense we often take for granted, and it’s only when we begin to lose it that we become aware of all the sounds we’re missing out on. Today, take a few moments to think about your favorite sounds and what they mean to you.

Did You Know?

Soothing nature sounds such as birdsong signal a peaceful, safe environment free from predators and danger.

Even though humans have lived in settlements for thousands of years, these unconscious instincts still influence our sense of well-being. Ocean waves are thought to be relaxing because they create a gentle rhythm that may remind us of the sound of our mother’s circulatory system while we were in utero.

Wonder why it’s so easy to sleep during a thunderstorm? The insistent pitter-patter of rain and rumbling of distant thunder create “white noise,” a kind of low, continuous disturbance that drowns out sharper, more irritating noises that might keep us alert or jolt us awake.

These are all soft sounds that are easy to miss once hearing becomes less acute.

Listening to music elevates mood and improves cognition.

Hearing your favorite song stimulates memory and creativity, and promotes the release of a feel-good chemical called dopamine. Studies have shown that the type of music is irrelevant as long as you love it. In addition to lifting your spirits, music evokes memories. Recalling events and feelings from the past isn’t just a pleasant experience; it also helps you resist cognitive decline by exercising your brain.

Film dialogue, old commercial jingles, and even household noise like a humming refrigerator can also stir those long-slumbering parts of the psyche and help you feel more connected to your world. You may not expect to miss these types of sounds once hearing loss sets in, but they all provide important stimuli that help orient you physically and emotionally.

CALL US TODAY! Dr. Izzy & his Staff are here to answer most of your hearing health questions. We can be reached at 732-818-3610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 15

H ere ’ s T o Y our H ealth Dear Pharmacist Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

3 Critical Uses For Horse Chestnut Herb

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Researching this popular herb was a lot of fun and I will share what I learned about it today. Horse chestnut is so called because every autumn, the distinctive horseshoe-shaped imprint is left behind on the tree twigs when old leaves are shed!

Known botanically as Aesculus hippocastanum, this herb is very useful for circulation.

It contains “aescin” which you can research on your own. This compound is naturally found in high amounts in horse chestnut and is responsible for the benefits of the herb.

In fact, there are a lot of studies that show aescin helps your blood vessels, edema of the legs, bulging veins, and more. As for commercially prepared dietary supplements and teas, here are proposed benefits which you can talk to your doctor about: 1. Blood Thinning Properties.

Horse chestnut also naturally contains a compound that thins the blood which is good for people prone to blood hypercoagulability.

This activity by horse chestnut herb makes it a little bit harder for fluid to come out of your capillaries, which in turn help prevent water retention.

Similarly, with prescribed anticoagulant medications - the blood thinning properties of those drugs are commonly used to treat or prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Leg swelling improves on those medications.

Could you use horse chestnut instead? The question should be posed to your hematologist. Keep in mind that with herbal remedies, they are not as strong as drugs, and physicians are not aware of herbal interactions, so

the answer will probably be “no.”

2. Blood Clot Formation.

We know that this herb can inhibit COX-2 and lipoxygenase, as well as some leukotrienes and prostaglandins. These are substances you naturally make in your body, and they are good for you right up until the point they tilt too high! Horse chestnut is useful in reducing levels of these compounds and as such helps reduce risk of dangerous blood clots.

These activities (due to aescin) are why horse chestnut is such a popular folk remedy for vein problems in the legs.

3. Venous Insufficiency.

Horse chestnut is useful because it improves blood flow in the veins, which could improve leg pain, edema, calf spasm, itchy legs and heavy legs. There is a lot of research on PubMed about chronic venous insufficiency.

Side effects of the herb may occur and include dizziness, digestive upset, headache, itching or hypersensitivities. This is a good place to remind you that RAW horse chestnut seed, bark, leaf and flower contain esculin which is unsafe to use.

If you already take blood thinners, or if you have a blood clotting disorder (as examples DVT, venous insufficiency, thrombosis, or a platelet abnormality), horse chestnut supplements may not be right for you. The herb can further thin the blood and speak to your doctor first before taking any product containing it. If you’d like to read the longer version of this article, please sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com and I’ll email it to you.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2022 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

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jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 16, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

R.C. Shea & Assoc. Around The Jersey Shore

Inside The Law Trusts For Minor Children

Marc S. Galella Esq.

By Marc S. Galella, Esq., of R.C. Shea and Associates

Where parents have minor children, they often want to establish trusts in their Wills for the benefit of the minor children in the event that both parents should pass away. In such a case, the money is held in the trust for the benefit of the children. A person called the “trustee” is appointed by the Will to manage the trust on behalf of the children. Most trusts for the benefit of minor children allow the money to be used for their health, education, maintenance and support. The term “education” usually also refers to college education. There are several ways to go about doing this. The most common ways are the (1) common trust or (2) the separate trust.

In the common trust, all of the money is held until the youngest child reaches an age specified in the Will. Upon the youngest child reaching the specified age, the monies remaining in the trust are then distributed to all of the children. In a separate trust, the assets are divided among the children and a separate trust is created for each child and each child receives their trust when the each reach the specified age.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? The advantage of the common trust is that the money is held until the youngest child reaches the specified age. In this way, the trustee can use the money in the trust and if necessary, spend more of the money in the trust on one child as opposed to the

others. As a parent, most people would be willing to spend everything they had on one child at the expense of the other children if that child required greater care than the other children.

By using a common trust, you give the trustee the flexibility to do this. The drawback to the common trust is that the older children will have to wait a longer period of time to receive their share of the inheritance depending upon the age of the youngest child.

This could be a disadvantage if there is a significant age difference between the youngest and oldest child.

The advantage of the separate trust is that each child will receive their share of the estate when they reach the specified age. This means that the older children do not have to wait for their inheritance until the youngest child reaches the specified age. The drawback to the separate trust is the trustee can only use the money in that individual child’s trust for the care of that child. If one child requires significantly more care than the other children, the trustee is limited to the amount of money in that child’s trust and cannot use the money in the other trusts.

Which trust is better for you for your is something to be discussed with your estate planning attorney when making up your Will.

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$20.5M Settlement Reached Over NJ Transit Bill TRENTON – Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that Academy Bus, LLC (Academy) and several related entities and individuals will pay a total of $20.5 million to resolve the State’s lawsuit accusing the defendants of overcharging New Jersey Transit by underreporting missed bus trips and by over-billing for hours and miles driven. The agreement represents the State’s largest-ever False Claims Act settlement outside the healthcare sector.

In November 2020, the State intervened in a former Academy employee’s whistleblower lawsuit against the company, which advertises itself as the nation’s largest private transportation company. The State’s complaint alleged that Academy engaged in an “extensive multiyear, multi-million-dollar fraud” by failing to report tens of thousands of missed bus trips between April 2012 and December 2018. The complaint further alleged that the missed bus trips caused the riding public along the affected bus lines to suffer.

In addition to the monetary payment, Academy is required under today’s settlement to implement specific steps designed to strengthen its internal accountability from drivers to executives and to provide greater transparency in any contracts with NJ Transit.

Among other measures, Academy has agreed to retain an independent Integrity Oversight Monitor and create new policies, procedures and training efforts to ensure the accurate reporting of missed bus trips, hours logged and miles driven.

“This settlement sends a clear message: defrauding the state doesn’t pay,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “We are not only requiring the corporate defendants to pay more than the amount of their alleged fraud. We also are holding individual defendants financially responsible and requiring Academy Bus to adopt corrective measures designed to prevent similar misconduct in the future.”

During the period at issue in the State’s complaint, Academy operated seven NJ Transit bus routes in the Hudson and South Hudson NEED AN EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR? WE’RE HERE TO HELP AT NO CHARGE

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service areas. The seven NJ Transit routes Academy handled involved approximately 175,000 bus trips each year. Academy billed NJ Transit approximately $12 million annually for its services, while NJ Transit retained all bus fares that Academy collected along the routes.

Under its contract with NJ Transit, Academy was required to report the number of bus trips that were missed for each bus route on a monthly basis. An individual “trip” is when a bus travels from one end-point of a route to the other end-point of a route. NJ Transit would then deduct an assessment for each missed trip.

Academy also charged NJ Transit contractually-agreed-upon fees for miles and hours driven along bus routes it handled for the agency. Academy could not charge fees for hours and miles driven for buses that did not run.

The State’s complaint alleged that Academy overcharged NJ Transit in at least two ways.

First, by underreporting to NJ Transit the number of bus trips it had missed for each month, Academy avoided millions of dollars of missed trip deductions from the monthly invoices. Second, Academy billed NJ Transit for miles and hours driven for buses that had not actually run.

The complaint also alleged that Academy’s internal records tracked two sets of bus trip numbers – the “real” number of missed bus trips (which Academy labeled “RN”) and an adjusted set of numbers that was always significantly lower, and which Academy submitted to NJ Transit. According to the allegations in the complaint, the gap between the “real number” of missed trips and the number actually submitted to NJ Transit shrunk during periods when Academy knew NJ Transit was actively monitoring Academy’s performance.

Under the settlement, Academy must do the following with respect to any contract or agreement to operate NJ Transit bus lines: • Submit with each invoice to NJ Transit a per(Bill - See Page 17)

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 17

Bill:

Continued From Page 16 sonal certification from a Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer or such person’s designee that attests to the accuracy of the submission, as well as to the accuracy of the supporting Daily and Monthly Reports of Operation.

• Retain for a period of three years an independent Integrity Oversight Monitor -- approved

by NJ Transit and paid by Academy -- to oversee the accuracy of its internal documentation of bus trip operations, as well as the accuracy of invoices and missed trip and miles and hours reporting.

• Implement new policies and procedures to ensure accurate reporting of missed trips and hours and miles driven. The new policies and procedures must include staff training on accurate reporting, the maintenance of adequate records and databases, and adequate document retention.

• Create bus operator training policies that ensure the proper use of all provided equipment, including proper use of Clever Devices and other telematics, as well as the proper

reporting of equipment malfunctions.

• Create procedures that Academy road supervisors must employ to ensure conformity to contracted bus service regulations, as well as driver adherence to specific bus routes and accident reporting.

In addition to Hoboken-based Academy Bus, today’s settlement includes affiliated corporate defendants Academy Lines, LLC; Academy Express, LLC; and No. 22 Hillside, LLC, as well as individual defendants Antonio Luna, formerly an assistant manager at No. 22 Hillside, LLC; Eddie Rosario, a general manager at No. 22 Hillside, LLC; Thomas Scullin, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for all of the corporate defendants and Frank DiPalma, the Controller of each of the corporate defendants.

The settlement includes payments of $150,000 from Scullin and $50,000 each from Rosario and Luna.

Pursuant to the False Claims Act, a portion of the monetary settlement will be paid to Hector Peralta, a former Academy employee who filed a whistleblower complaint against the company.

Under the settlement, Academy and the other corporate and individual defendants make no admission of wrongdoing or liability.

NOTICE OF MEETING FOR THE BOARD OF SCHOOL ESTIMATE OF THE OCEAN COUNTY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the meeting of the Board of School Estimate of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 3:15 p.m., in the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, Room 304, Toms River, New Jersey, for the purpose of reviewing and approving the proposed budget for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District for the 2022-2023 school year.

Formal action will be taken at this meeting.

Frank J. Frazee, CPA School Business Administrator Secretary, Board of School Estimate

P.O. Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733 • Phone: 732-657-7344 • Fax: 732-657-7388 email: news@jerseyshoreonline.com • jerseyshoreonline.com

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Page 18, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS Real Estate

Personals

Services

DO YOU WANT TO SELL AN ACRE OF LAND - (WITH OR WITHOUT A HOUSE), ON OR OFF S. NEW PROSPECT ROAD, OR ON OR OFF BETHEL CHURCH ROAD? LEAVE MESSAGE 732-440-9051.

(9)

Looking for a woman - 60 to 70 for companionship and possible dating, caring, compassionate man at 732-930-6183 T.S. (11)

FREE ESTIMATES FOR PAINTING WORK - 25+ years experience, I n t e r i o r / E x t e r i o r, R e a s o n a ble prices and nice work, Leave message 732-907-0820.

(14)

For Rent Whiting Non-Senior Area - 1 bedroom (or 2), full bathroom, laundry, kitchen, living room, dinning room. $1,000 month plus utilities ($100 month.) 732-350-3335.

(11)

Seeking Home SENIOR JERSEY GENT SEEKS NEW HOME - Semi-retired (fully vaccinated including booster) desires lodging in private home. Food fringees too! Call Charlie (732-2163176. Email: cr@exit109.com. (12)

Items For Sale Snow Blower - MTD 600 Series E/F Style - Like New - Used Twice - B/O or $400. 732-477-1849.

(9)

Items Wanted COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot.

5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n) $$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$ Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, bric-a-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid.

Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n) CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115.

(47) CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n) Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713.

(17) Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Jazz. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (14) Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-abrac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n) Ca$h Paid For Old 45 RPM Records - Old R&B, doo wop, soul, blues, early rock and roll, and rockabilly preferred. Call or text between 8am and 8pm 909-938-4623. (11) U s e d G u n s Wa n t e d - A l l types: collectibles, military, etc.

Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Man Looking for Lady - Under 60 for Saturdays Casino trips (high roller) and intellectual conversation. No republicans please.

Call DP at 732-983-1426.

(11)

Help Wanted Home Health Care Company Now Hiring RN’s, LPN’s and CHHA in Ocean & Monmouth Counties! Flexible scheduling. Work in your community.

Weekly pay. Career advancement. Comprehensive benefits.

Call 732-505-8000 today. (t/n) HIRING NOW!! The Goddard School of Toms River Route 70 is urgently hiring Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides to float between the Infant through School Age classrooms.

No teaching experience necessary.

On-the-job training provided. Multiple PT and FT positions available.

Call 732-363-5530 or email dtomsriver2nj3@goddardschools.com to schedule an interview today! (t/n) IMMEDIATE JOB OPENINGS We are hiring Certified Home Health Aides − CHHA. Licensed Practical Nurse − LPN. Registered Nurses − RN. Direct Support Professional − DSP Fill application on-line at Sabahomehealthcare.com or call us at 732-797-0700. Please send resume to ssalu@sabahhc.com. (t/n) Senior Living Community Cook/Dishwashers/Maintenance Technician/Restaurant Servers/Bus Drivers/Lifeguard (Indoor Pool). 1700 Rt. 37 West ∙ Toms River, NJ 08755.

Call or email for details 732-341-4825 info@Silverwoodsliving.com. (t/n) AID/COMPANION NEEDED Part time, approximately 2 days and 2 nights a month for a flat rate and possible additional days. No experience necessary, very light duty for a 58 year old veteran, meals are includes and private bed and bath, must have drivers license and Covid vaccination, in my Covid safe house located in Toms River Holiday City South.

Please call 201-306-6839.

(14) Micromedia Publications, Inc. is hiring full-time outside sales representatives to sell print & digital advertising packages to area businesses.

Sales experience is a plus, but not a requirement. Qualified candidates must be creative, energetic, willing to work hard under deadline pressure and have the ability to canvass, cold call, prospect and close a deal. Salary, bonus, benefits are offered. To apply, email cover letter and resume to VP Jason Allentoff, jallentoff@jerseyshoreonline.com .

The Goddard School of Toms River Route 70 is urgently hiring Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides to float between the Infant through School Age classrooms. No teaching experience necessary. On-the-job training provided. Multiple PT and FT positions available. Call 732-363-5530 or email dtomsriver2nj3@goddardschools. com to schedule an interview today!

Certified Home Health Aides Needed for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n) Experienced Caregiver Wanted Full time on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Located in a Private home in Howell. Contact Donna for details 732-616-1228.

(9)

If You Need To Improve Your Business - Call 732-255-3830 Professional Telemarketor.

(11) Mercuro & Sons Handyman Service - 13VH03469200. General contracting. 732-674-3346.

(13) Animal Lovers - Volunteers needed to help feed homeless cats 1 or 2 days weekly. Call 732-3672932, leave message.

(47) Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, painting repairs large and small. 40 years experience.

Call Jim 732-674-3346.

(39) Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725.

(19) Computer Tutoring for Seniors – Retired, “Microsoft Certified” instructor. Very Reasonable rates. Very patient with slow learners. I’ll teach you in the comfort of your home on your computer. I can trouble shoot your slow computer! I also teach iPhone and iPad. I set up new computers at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 specialist. I can also build a beautiful small business website at a fraction of the going rates. Special Projects always welcome! Tony 732-997-8192. (t/n) PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com. Winner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n) Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention.

Family owned. Fully licensed and insured. Call Bob 732-616-5007. (t/n) ALLAmerican Home Health Aides Experienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in.

Honest, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/ pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n) Nor’easter Painting and Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing.

Affordable. Senior discounts.

References. No job too small.

Fully insured. 732-691-0123.

Lic #13VH09460600.

(19) GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-833-901-0309. (t/n) LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed Branches Trimmed & Removed, Demolition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster service provided by A901 Licensed Hauler ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000.

NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)

CLASSIFIEDS CANNOT BE PLACED OVER THE PHONE.

1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under: • Estate/Garage/Yard Sales

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Calculate Price As Follows: 3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 3 weeks* at $60.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 4 weeks* at $74.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ *In order to qualify for discounts, the same ad

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Deadline For Classified Ads: 12pm Monday (For that Saturday’s publication) CLASSIFIEDS CANNOT BE PLACED OVER THE PHONE. If you have any questions, leave a message at 732-657-7344, ext. 203.

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The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 19

A round T he J ersey S hore Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Launches Cookie Season 2022

FARMINGDALE – On January 11, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore (GSJS) kicked off the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie season, bringing back the classic family favorites, plus the newest addition to the lineup: Adventurefuls™. Girl Scouts across the country will embark on a new adventure with the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls: the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program.

For the first time, Girl Scouts across the United States will offer Adventurefuls™ alongside other national favorites like Thin Mints® and Samoas®. An indulgent, brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt, Adventurefuls™ take cookie lovers

on a delicious taste adventure, just like Girl Scouts take on their own amazing adventures all year long.

For the past two seasons, girl entrepreneurs hosted virtual cookie booths and drive-thru contactless cookie stands, as well as learned about the distribution process behind food delivery services through hands-on order fulfillment. In real-time with the entrepreneurial community across the country, Girl Scouts practiced adaptability and resilience to innovate solutions to unprecedented challenges. And through the Girl Scout Cookie Program girls earn new Cookie Business badges, get a taste of being entrepreneurs, and learn important online and offline business skills that set

them up for success in life.

“Every Girl Scout Cookie purchase supports the next generation of female entrepreneurs acquire hands-on experience in what it takes to be successful,” said interim GSJS CEO Heather Coburn. “All proceeds from the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program sales stay local and support a wide range of leadership experiences. You may see cookies, but we see leadership and adventure in each box.”

How to Purchase Girl Scout Cookies This Season Girl Scout Cookie season is recognized nationally from January through April.

Consumers can support Girl Scouts by

purchasing cookies in a few different ways: If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies in ways that meet local and state safety protocols.

You can also text COOKIES to 59618 to be among the first to receive information about Girl Scout Cookies and to find out about other exciting Girl Scout news.

Beginning February 18, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at girlscoutcookies.org to find a booth near you, to purchase cookies from a local Girl Scout troop for delivery, or to donate cookies to first responders and local causes.

For more information, visit gsfun.org/ cookies.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY POWER WASHING LOW PRESSURE ROOF STAIN REMOVAL WITH 2 YEAR WARRANTY!

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1-800-688-TEMP • www.caretemp.com

Executive Enterprises of NJ, LLC

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Hot Water and Soap Mold Removal Houses • Patios & Roofs Washed Gutter Cleaning • Interior/Exterior Painting

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Insured Lic.# 13VH09707800 Senior Discounts · Free Estimates NO HIGH PRESSURE USED Low Pressure Roof Stain Removal Safely Washing Houses & Roofs for Over 20 Years

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WE BUY CARS WE BUY ANY MAKE, ANY MODEL & YEAR IN ALL CONDITIONS JUNK CARS INCLUDED WE COME TO YOU!

609.384.1610

WE AIM TO PLEASE...

Please check your ad the first week it’s scheduled to run for insertion & accuracy.

Micromedia will not be responsible for errors occurring in an ad beyond the first week if we are not notified of the error.

GREAT RATES FOR BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADS!

NUMEROUS DISCOUNT PACKAGES AVAILABLE! FOR DETAILS, CALL 732-657-7344 TODAY!

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 20, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

Around The Jersey Shore New Jersey Responds To Hate With Art LAKEWOOD – In an effort to combat rising anti-Semitism in New Jersey and across the United States, the State of New Jersey is releasing the Morris Katz Presidential Art Collection as part of its educational curriculum in high school and universities to promote tolerance and acceptance of Jews.

Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey already set itself apart in the fight against anti-Semitism, becoming the first U.S. state to rise to the challenge of Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism while simultaneously promoting appreciation of the U.S. and increasing students’ patriotism.

Art is a universal language, and the historic Presidential Art Collection is especially poignant as it incorporates a unique perspective – that of a highly accomplished Holocaust survivor – on the most patriotic form of art possible.

The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, an arm of the New Jersey Department of Education, has made resources available for schools to meet the requirements for Holocaust Education.

To help in that endeavor, the Ortho-

dox Jewish Chamber of Commerce is offering a free program, the Mor ris Katz President Collection, available through virtual and print media that can be used to meet these educational goals.

These paintings can serve as a gateway to classroom lessons, whether they focus on a specific president in terms of American histor y, a conversation about art, or one from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor and patriot who began a new life as an artist.

Duvi Honig, CEO and founder of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber (OJC), said, “At a time filled with so much hate, anger, and ant isem it ism, educat ion brings unity and love. That is why this art presentation is so important.”

This Chamber has created the Morris Katz Foundation so that anyone can visit the virtual Morris Katz President Collection at MorrisKatz.org to educate themselves and others.

Educators w it h add it ional i nqui res can submit a request for more informat ion at: nj.gov/educat ion/ broadcasts/2022/feb/02/ResourcesAvailableforSchools-MorrisKatz-ThePresidentialCollection.pdf.

The Business Brew, A Networking Breakfast

BRICK – Join the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce for their monthly Networking Breakfast on March 4 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Make new contacts and grow your business while enjoying a delicious hot breakfast!

This is an in-person event at Complete

Care at Shorrock Gardens. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Sorry no walk-ins. Special thanks to the sponsor: Christopher Lewis, Ears of Experience!

Register by visiting BrickChamber.com.

Any questions call 732-477-4949 or email info@brickchamber.com.

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 21

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 22, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

Fun & Games

Sudoku

C rossword P uzzle

Across 1 One of the Three Bears 5 Pro concerned with Apr. 15 8 Like one liable for libel 14 Tons 15 The Boston Bruins retired his #4 in 1979 16 Like mosaic stones 17 Ilk 18 *Nostalgic place for a walk 20 Patella 22 Sign of summer 23 D.C. figure 24 Alabama march city 25 Porcine sounds 27 *Place to pursue pleasure 33 Brought back to its original condition 36 Song for a diva 37 Sturdy tree

38 Some shower components 42 Overnight option 43 Plumbing concern 45 Fixed, as old shoes 47 *Place with no options 51 Relaxed 52 Trivial, as issues 56 Have debts 59 Without end, to the Bard 60 Cry of approval ... and what the end of each answer to a starred clue is 62 *Evidence in white-collar crime 65 Dunkable cookie 66 Aphrodite’s love 67 Web address 68 Measure of versatility 69 Renter 70 Map part 71 Measure of proficiency

Down 1 Batman and Robin wore them 2 Without help 3 Type of mushroom 4 NFL passing stat 5 Robin Cook’s breakout 1977 novel 6 Pre-cooking job 7 Limb on a rest 8 Fire alerts 9 Break up, as a bovine team 10 Without exception 11 Ewe sounds 12 One drawn in the sand 13 First home 19 Potpourri 21 Pool shot 25 Said, “I’ll have the lobster,” say 26 Health resort 28 Rage 29 Bumped into 30 Seed cover 31 Diner sticker

32 Round of applause 33 Went in a taxi 34 Merit 35 Icy street risk 39 “__ the ramparts ... “ 40 P-like Greek letter 41 Sordid 44 Author of macabre tales 46 Remove from text 48 Spenser’s “The __ Queene” 49 Fly to avoid 50 Bonn mister 53 Like Odin and Loki 54 Curved moldings 55 Fowl pole 56 Australian gem 57 Walk in the shallows 58 Grand-scale poetry 60 Line with a plug 61 One on your side 63 Sunny pair?

64 Arctic diving bird

(c)2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.

Solutions

Sudoku

Crossword puzzle

Jumble:

MILKY REBEL ACCRUE CENSUS - “CRIME” BRULEE

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Brick Times, February 26, 2022, Page 23

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast For the week of FEB 26 - MAR 4

By Jeraldine Saunders

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You may be drawn toward something that will prove to be unsustainable. The spirit is willing although your bank account might not be able to keep up with your fine taste and wishful thinking in the week ahead.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Friends and loved ones may spark fresh ideas and perspectives or teach you something that is new, different or inspirational. Use them as a sounding board and benefit from their valuable feedback in the week to come.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sensibility is the word of the week. Keep your feet on the ground when your head is in the clouds. You will do your job better in the second half of the week when you are more selfless and goal-oriented.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): It is probably a good day to enjoy social outings or discuss your goals and dreams with a partner or loved one. Your schedule during the upcoming week may revolve around other people’s activities and pet projects.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may have an opportunity to splurge on something that satisfies one of your hidden longings. Don’t be provoked by someone’s unrealistic expectations in the middle of the week as any misunderstanding should blow over quickly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Elevate from revelations. Note inspiring ideas and enjoy meeting new people in group settings as the week unfolds. You may be hoping for a specific black and white answer when the truth might dwell in a gray area.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Friendships may be a more comfortable fit than passionate romances in the coming week. There could be instances when you pursue something that isn’t quite what it seems. Get the facts so you can make an educated decision.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use your best manners to avoid complications. Disagreements over possessions or money could upset your happy home during the next few days.

By the end of the week, your thoughtful ideas will be better accepted.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You sometimes spend without reservation but might not be as sharp about handling business affairs and finances as you think. You could be able to spontaneously express your creative side during the last half of the week.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You may be showered with affection in the upcoming week, breathe it all in and enjoy. Your active social life may bring you in contact with new groups or organizations. Work hard and watch your money.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There is no remote control that lets you fast-forward past the boring parts of life. Avoid making major decisions about your home or family in the week to come because you may be unclear about the facts and details.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A chance meeting with an influential person can change your fortunes. Remain poised to meet new people in the week ahead. Their ideals and inspiring stories can spark an interest in choosing better goals.

(c) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

THESE CRISPS LIVE UP TO THEIR NAME

By America’s Test Kitchen

Vegetables and fruits such as carrots and zucchini (surprise -- a zucchini is technically a fruit!) are mostly made up of water. (A zucchini or carrot is about 95% water.) It can be a challenge to deal with all that water when cooking or baking -- no one likes soggy zucchini bread!

One of salt’s many superpowers is that it can pull water out of food. Plants are made up of countless tiny cells.

When you sprinkle salt on vegetables and fruits, some of the water inside the cells is pulled out toward the salt.

This process is called osmosis. Squeezing the shredded zucchini and carrot in a towel gets some of the water out, but salting them and letting osmosis do its work lets you squeeze out double the water! So, for crisps that are crispy -- not soggy -- use salt to draw out that extra water before cooking.

CHEESY ZUCCHINI-CARROT CRISPS

Serves 2 to 4 (Makes 12 crisps) 1 small zucchini (6 ounces) 1 small carrot, peeled 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 ounce) 1 large egg, cracked into bowl and lightly beaten with fork 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Adjust oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with vegetable oil spray.

2. Trim off the ends of the zucchini and carrot. Shred zucchini and carrot on the large holes of a box grater.

3. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Transfer shredded vegetables to a strainer and sprinkle with salt. Stir until combined. Let sit for 10 minutes to drain.

4. Place a clean dish towel on counter. When salted vegetables are ready, transfer to the center of the dish towel. Gather the ends of towel together, twist tightly, and squeeze hard over the sink, draining as much liquid as possible. Discard any liquid from the large bowl and add vegetables to the bowl.

5. Add panko, cheddar, egg, and garlic powder to bowl with the vegetables. Stir mixture until combined.

6. Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop and drop the vegetable mixture onto a baking sheet in 12 mounds (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Use your hand to gently press each mound to flatten into a thin circle.

7. Bake crisps until edges are browned, 13 to 15 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let crisps cool for 10 minutes. Serve.

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c) 2022 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Page 24, The Brick Times, February 26, 2022

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