2024-03-09 - The Jackson Times

High School Bands Play At Disney

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – The Jackson Liberty High School Marching Band enjoyed performing in Disney World as members of the Jackson Memorial High School Jaguar Marching Band are preparing to take center stage there next month.

This marks a double honor for the school district. The Jackson Liberty Band was marching at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando Florida having been selected to perform down Mainstreet USA

Liberty Band Director Scott Katona told The

Jackson Times on March 4 that the band members were enjoying the Florida weather. “There is an application and selection process, hundreds of bands apply every year and not all bands are selected to march down Main Street before the big Festival of Fantasy Parade.”

“The Disney Imagination Campus was most impressed with the band’s accolades. Leading the Grand Marshall for the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and being State Champions for the past several years,” he added.

Public Safety Director Job Created

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – In a three to two vote, the Township Council approved the position of public safety director during a recent council meeting.

Two weeks earlier, the council debated over the introduction

of the ordinance that created the position. That meeting included some critical remarks towards Police Chief Matthew Kunz by the leaders of two township police unions.

The police department was previously run by a director of

public safety for more than two decades before transitioning to a chief of police. Kunz became chief in 2008 and served as the public safety director for two years before that.

Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin

Katona said, “the cast members actually remembered the band stating, ‘you were one of the last to perform before Covid and we remember you’ The last time the Jackson Liberty band performed was the week Disney shut its door to Covid in March of 2020.”

The Jackson Memorial marching band and color guard were invited to travel to the Magic Kingdom to perform on April 18. The talented ensemble will be a part of Disney’s Imagination Campus parade lineup, showcasing their musical and visual prowess in the

heart of Disney World.

The Jackson Memorial Band is under the direction of Jason Diaz and Eric Ficarra. “The Jackson Memorial High School Instrumental Music Ensembles always seek out unique performance opportunities and try to expose our students to different musical mediums and

County

performance spaces,” Diaz remarked.

“Performing on Main Street USA is one of these ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities for our students. The trip will include visits to other attractions within Walt Disney World, creating lasting memories for the students,” Diaz added.

The Main Street, USA

performance promises to be a highlight of the band’s trip. The performance will showcase a compilation of popular Disney melodies including “Mickey Mouse March,” “It’s a Small World” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

(Marching BandSee Page 4)

Who Picks Your Politicians?

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – Voters choose who they want to lead them, but how did the politicians even get on the ballot to begin with? That starts with the leaders of the two main parties.

undoubtedly undergo significant shifts as a result of the recent GOP county convention. With Democrats proving to be negligible competition, particularly in county-level races, the Republican elite’s choice of candidates has some wondering if a select (Director - See Page 4)

Ocean County’s political landscape will

(GOP - See Page 5)

Photos courtesy Jackson Schools

Members of the Jackson Liberty High School Band march along Main Street at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

The Jackson Memorial High School Jaguar Marching Band is going to Disney World to perform on April 18.

Ocean

GOP Chairman George Gilmore landed a slew of political feats at the organization’s recent convention.

Photo by Stephanie Faughnan

Marching Band:

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Emily Ingram

The band’s Senior Drum Major, Samantha Libby, said “Everyone is very excited to go to Disney and perform, especially the seniors. Many of us thought we’d never get an opportunity like this.”

The band’s participation in this prestigious event is a testament to their dedication and excellence in marching band performances, he added.

“It is a wonderful experience to march down this street, look up, and see Cinderella’s Castle staring directly back at you while hearing cheers from spectators from around the world,” he said.

The Jaguar Band is a competitive marching band with approximately 70 active students. They are one of many instrumental music ensembles at Jackson Memorial High School. Other ensembles that are available are Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Lab, Woodwind Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and the Pit Orchestra for the Spring Musical.

According to their website, the Jaguar Marching Band program “has consistently achieved the highest level of excellence in both its performance and community obligations. They work hard to be some of the finest musicians in the New Jersey area and spend time playing at various community events.”

Family, friends, and supporters of the JMHS Marching Band are encouraged to support the band by visiting the band’s website at jacksonjaguarband.com and donating to the Disney Fundraiser which will help cover the cost of transporting students, uniforms, and instruments to Florida and back for this amazing opportunity.

Supporters can also visit the band’s Zeffy fundraising link at zeffy.com/en-US/peer-topeer/e418da44-4a67-415a-9e77-2cf46b273126. Their website notes, “Your generous donation helps us with the enormous cost of transporting students, uniforms and instruments to Florida and back for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It also gives these incredibly hard-working students some time to just be kids and enjoy time in the Disney World parks! Thank you for supporting the arts and our students!”

Director:

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explained the duties of the position which will serve as a liaison between the Jackson Police Department and the Township Administration. The ordinance did not replace the police chief or eliminate the position.

The person chosen to fill this role would have the responsibility of assisting with any corrective recommendations to the administration including budget items, reporting on police department-related issues to the township, establishing a police performance and standards policy, and to keep current with New Jersey state mandates for reporting and accountability of local police departments as directed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

“I stand by my ‘no’ vote. I expressed before that I feel we should table this ordinance so leaders and officers of the township police department can meet and hash out their problems with the administration. I feel whatever differences you have within the ranks, the police department should be able to handle it from within the organization and not at the governing body level,” Councilman Nino Borrelli noted.

He added the position could cost up to $200,000 in an added salary “with benefits. I’ve always voted for the resources for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively and I thank you for your service and am sorry we have disagreements but sometimes that occurs with the human factor involved.”

Councilman Mordechai Burnstein said after he was appointed to council and soon after given the position of council liaison to the police department, “I had the opportunity to start meeting members of our police force and many were hesitant

to speak to me because I have a personal relationship with the chief.”

“My duties on council go above my personal relationship with the chief and I have to do what I feel is best for the township of Jackson,” he added.

Burnstein said he listened to members of law enforcement on several levels, residents and former council members. “I am confident that my vote tonight will reflect all their opinions and I will be voting yes.”

Councilman Steve Chisholm also stood by his position from the last meeting. “In the last four years that I have sat here I have never had an officer, at any point at either a public function, Jackson Day or in private say there is such dysfunction and failure of leadership until about two weeks ago.”

“If this was an ongoing problem and such an issue with the chief, I don’t know how creating a position with a $200,000 salary is going to correct that because you are still going to have the chief in that position. It doesn’t necessarily correct that - it just burdens the taxpayers. Having this problem with two different factions is not good for the town. It is not going to get any better,” he added.

Chisholm voted no saying, “I don’t think we’ve exhausted all avenues. We’ve already had this position in the past and it didn’t work.”

Councilman Scott Sargent’s comments were brief. “My position is different from Mr. Borrelli and Mr. Chisholm and I vote yes.”

Council President Jennifer Kuhn read a prepared statement before casting her vote. “The Jackson Law Enforcement community overwhelmingly supported the development of a public safety director and they understand this position will improve our police department and

(Director - See Page 5)

Director:

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allow us to better serve the residents of Jackson. I vote yes.”

Kuhn previously noted that a requirement of the position would be a minimum of 20 years police service with police management and that all applicants to be considered would have had to have held the

GOP:

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group of people actually pick the winners even before voters go to the polls.

George Gilmore’s comeback as the head of the Ocean County Republican Organization despite his conviction – and later pardon – for tax evasion reveals his stature as a powerful kingmaker in local politics. Notably, Gilmore is responsible for handpicking members of the screening committee, who interview and endorse candidates. Then, at the convention, the rest of the Republicans choose who is awarded the coveted county line.

When looking at your ballot, the “county line” candidates make one vertical line. Often, people will just vote for all candidates on the party line, without knowing much about them. In the race for the two available seats on the county commission, the five-member board that governs the county, Gilmore unveiled the screening committee’s recommendations of Manchester Mayor Robert Arace and Jen-

rank of sergeant or higher. She and Burnstein spoke with the two Jackson police unions who recommended the creation of the position.

PBA/SOA Speak

PBA President Jeffrey Henba said that during the prior council meeting he had “advised all about the issues that the PBA and Special Officer Association (SOA) members have had with the chief and the lack of leadership and decision

nifer Bacchione, the President of the Berkeley Board of Education, who also holds the role of Executive Director in the Ocean County Republican Organization. With no nominations from the floor, the duo secured endorsements through vocal acclamation.

“I hired Jennifer as my executive director in January of last year,” said Gilmore. “She’s been working with every single town in the county – helping them with any issues they had and helping them with their campaigns. She developed a good rapport with people.”

Gilmore also pointed out that both Arace and Bacchione represent a newer generation of candidates, with the youngest member on the current commissioner board at 66 years old. He suggested they might bring an updated set of ideas. Arace is 30, half the age of the youngest sitting member.

“I think putting Rob with Jennifer is going to be just tremendous,” Gilmore added. “Rob’s been very forthright with the population in Manchester and transparent about what he’s trying to accomplish.”

making that we are dealing with on a daily basis. We see firsthand what we lack and what we need to make the agency the best it can be.”

“Our chief does not fight for or listen to his employees’ wants or needs,” Henba said. He accused the councilmen who voted against the ordinance at the last meeting of not listening to the information that he and Rodriguez had presented. Borrelli said he had reached out to the PBA prior to the last council meeting but had not received

Incumbent Commissioners Barbara “Bobbi Jo” Crea and Gary Quinn underwent the screening process to win the party line. When they learned that they didn’t have the support of the screening committee, they each withdrew from the primary.

In a press release, Crea expressed her commitment to party unity, stating that she respects the decision of the screening committee and will continue to support the organization. Quinn’s press release cited his demanding schedule, which often conflicted with spending time with his family, especially his three young grandchildren, as a factor in his decision to forgo reelection.

While not addressing this race in particular, Dr. Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor and author of “The Impact of New Jersey’s County Line Primary Ballots on Election Outcomes, Politics, and Policy,” suggested that candidates are keenly aware of the county line’s influence in determining primary election outcomes. Her study revealed that many candidates withdraw from primaries if they fail to secure

any response.

SOA President John Rodriguez requested that the new public safety director should come from the ranks of the superior officers claiming this would save taxpayers money.

He also praised the council and defended their recent jump in pay from $8,000 to $32,000 annually with the council president position increasing from $9,000 to $35,000 representing. Rodriguez told the council, “you deserve every penny of it.”

party endorsements, especially in county-level and state legislative races, where candidates may lack widespread voter recognition. Rubin added that this phenomenon extends even to incumbents.

“Elected officials are aware of the importance of the line for their reelection and the power of county party chairs to award the line,” wrote Rubin. “If an elected official does not do as the county chair wants, they can lose the line and almost surely lose the primary, ending, or severely curtailing their political careers.”

“In such an environment, it is the county party chairs rather than the voters that elected officials must please to be elected and to stay in office,” Rubin continued. “This gives the county party chairs substantial power to shape the state’s politics and public policy.”

However, Gilmore refuted allegations suggesting that he actively sought replacements for Crea and Quinn due to their backing of Sheriff Michael Mastronardy over him during his closely contested win to reclaim leadership

(GOP - See Page 20)

Capitol Comments

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie

e School Aid Fiasco Strikes Again

TRENTON - Have you ever received some good news, something that made you glad that things were going in a positive direction, only to have some very bad news later hit you like a body blow and ruin your day?

If so, then you may have some experience with New Jersey’s school aid system. You may also have felt a progression of reactions: stunned surprise, followed by a sense of outrage, and then a resolve to fight to change things. That was my experience last year when I took my first trip through the state budgeting process, and found out how badly Jackson, our neighbor Plumsted, and other school districts around the state would be hit with state aid cuts.

Here we go again.

This year, it started with a bit of good news. I was notified by the state Department of Education that it was going to release more than $3.5 million in “stabilization aid” to five school districts I represent in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. That’s awarded when formula-driven aid cuts are serious enough that schools need extra help to transition to

diminished aid levels.

Jackson schools are slated to get $2.1 million in this “extra” aid. Plumsted schools will get almost $265,000. The Old Bridge, Manalapan-Englishtown Regional, and Upper Freehold Regional school districts will get the rest of that $3.5 million.

With only $20 million of stabilization aid allocated across the entire state, I was very glad that these school districts I represent were able to get almost 20% of the statewide amount. That was the good news.

Yet stabilization aid is a program that should have caused some light bulbs to appear above heads in Trenton. Because it was created to help schools transition from the state aid they were used to getting to the sometimes stunningly lower aid they would get under the funding law known as “S-2,” perhaps this should have provoked more thought about how badly S-2 could harm education.

The bad news came shortly after the stabilization aid announcement. It was a list of the amounts of formula-driven aid that the school districts I represent would receive for the next school year.

Once again, Jackson schools take the unfortunate spotlight for the most severe proposed aid cuts among the districts I represent, both by dollars and by percentage. Jackson will lose $4.5 million in aid, a whopping 16% less

in formula aid from the current school year. This comes despite increasing private school transportation costs and a growing number of students speaking English as a second language. It is the fourth-largest cut in the state by dollar amount.

This makes no sense to me. Here we have a school district so financially bludgeoned by repeated state aid cuts over the last six years that it was forced to take out a loan from the state, for the first time ever, of $10 million.

As I reminded the acting head of the state Department of Education in my response to this news, the newly proposed cut is on top of the $18 million in cuts that the district has endured over the past six years, resulting in more than 200 jobs being eliminated, 30 students per class, and ending programs and sports.

This was just days after I sat in the Assembly chamber in Trenton and listened to Governor Murphy brag about how his proposed state budget fully funds the school aid formula. In my response to the acting commissioner of education, I demanded an explanation of how the aid formula can be considered fully funded when the numbers show another overall decrease to the school districts in the legislative district I represent. I’ll let you know when I get one.

There are 16 school districts in my legislative district. Five of them are either being cut or held flat, and overall funding is down almost $1.2 million compared to last year. Cuts are

being made to 140 school districts around the state.

Bragging that you’re fully funding such an obviously harmful and unfair formula is like bragging that you paid the full asking price for a 1971 AMC Gremlin with rusted-out floors, broken windows and failing brakes.

Looking at all the announced aid numbers, the biggest winner is the Newark City school district with a $101 million increase. The total amount of all the cuts to districts across the state is $105.8 million. So, Newark gets about $4.8 million less than the total amount cut from all school districts. This hardly sounds like the fairer aid formula we were promised when it was enacted in 2018.

Last year, I testified before the Assembly Budget Committee on the fiscal nightmare schools are facing and the need to reform the law that dictates school aid. While two-thirds of last year’s proposed cuts were later restored by legislation I sponsored, the mysterious and pernicious formula remains in place.

The Legislature still needs to be schooled on the need for transparency and reform in education funding.

Alex Sauickie is a life-long Jackson resident who represents his home town and 12 other towns in the State Assembly. Follow him on Facebook (/AssemblymanAlex) and on Instagram (@AssemblymanAlex), or visit his website at AssemblymanAlex.com.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights And Advancement Act Re-Introduced

Capitol Comments

Senator Cory Booker

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA), along with Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Advancement Act, legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s damaging Shelby County decision in 2013 - which crippled the federal government’s ability under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to prevent discriminatory changes to voting laws and procedures - states across the country have unleashed a torrent of voter suppression schemes that have systematically disenfranchised tens of thousands of American voters. The Supreme Court’s decision in Brnovich

delivered yet another blow to the Voting Rights Act, by making it significantly harder for plaintiffs to win lawsuits under the landmark law against discriminatory voting laws or procedures.

“A decade ago when it gutted critical components of the Voting Rights Act, the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to concerted efforts to deny voting rights. These efforts have relentlessly targeted Black voters and marginalized communities,” said Senator Booker. “The right to vote is sacred for all Americans, and Congress must act urgently to defend it. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act honors the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis and so many civil rights activists by protecting and expanding voting rights in our country to help ensure that every vote counts.”

“In our nation, there’s no freedom more fundamental than the right to vote,” said Senator Durbin. “But over the past several years, there has been a sustained effort to chip away at the protections guaranteed to every American under the Voting Rights Act. That’s why we’ve joined together today to reintroduce a bill that

would not only restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act, but strengthen it - the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”

“I was Congressman Lewis’ pastor, but he was my mentor and hero because he believed voting is a sacred undertaking that’s about more than a person’s voice, it’s about their humanity. That’s why this legislation is more important than ever, because the fight to protect voting rights and voting access for every eligible American remains unfinished, and even worse, so much of the progress Congressman Lewis fought for is being rolled back,” said Senator Warnock. “I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation with Chair Durbin, and as we work to pass it into law, I look forward to building on John Lewis’ lifetime of service to honor him by protecting the sacred right to vote.”

Chair Durbin also announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the ongoing need for the John R. Lewis Voting Advancement Act amidst continued voter suppression efforts in Republican-led states on Tuesday, March 12.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is endorsed by hundreds of organi-

zations, including the following leading civil rights organizations: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), MALDEF, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, and Demos.

Photo courtesy Jackson Township Vol Fire

Give Back Night Westlake Golf And Country Club

By Nick Pappas

JACKSON – Give Back Night on February 3 was an overwhelming success and completely sold out!

The concept started out as an idea about helping New Jersey’s soon to be deployed NJ Army National Guard and NJ Air National Guard troops being deployed to the Middle East. A dialog between Joe Panico and Dennis Zilinski laid the groundwork for gathering necessities, sundries and personal care items that our troops would not be able to obtain while deployed.

A Give Back Night committee was formed, and the Westlake Veterans Club stepped up and hosted the dinner and dancing event in the Westlake ballroom.

Attendees were asked to bring donations to the clubhouse which were gathered and will be shipped to the troops. Raffle tickets for three gift baskets were provided for the donations, and a handmade dollhouse built by Westlake resident Wally Kowalak was auctioned off. All proceeds are used for donatable items and shipping costs.

The Westlake community’s response was truly remarkable.

Westlake Veterans Club President Steve Bianco took a moment to provide recognition to the Panico and Zilinski families and the numerous volunteers that made this evening possible.

A sit-down dinner was served by The Grille. Westlake salad, Tony’s Calamari, an appetizer of sweet Italian sausage, manicotti and meatballs followed by an entrée of chicken marsala. We were stuffed!

Following dinner, Marion Zilinski addressed the crowd, thanking all for participating. The Zilinski’s son Matt, a father of three girls and current Howell police officer is one of the more than 1,600 troops being deployed. Marion also reflected on the emotional aspect of troop deployment and

stated that all Americans should witness a deployment.

Dennis Zilinski took the opportunity to inform the crowd on the process of getting these donations to the troops. Shipping costs can exceed $10,000. These packages are shipped to various locations where the troops are stationed. Past destinations included Djibouti, Qatar, Poland, Kosovo, S. Korea and Saudi Arabia. A huge turnout of Westlake Veterans Club volunteers turned up Sunday morning and over 60 boxes were made ready for shipping.

Westlake resident Laura Sliwak currently works for Abbott Nutrition, and was able to secure an unexpected and generous donation of 1,000 units of Pedialyte Hydration Powder packs!

Also in attendance were four veterans who were recipients of service dogs. Craig Heaton an Iraq War Marine veteran, and his dog “Joan” who spoke of the home sickness troops go through and the importance of these donations to the troops.

Adam Satzman a Middle East veteran and his dog “Cooper”, Dave Crenshaw an Iraq War veteran and his dog “Doc,” and James Brereton a 22-year veteran, with his dog “Scotty.”

Frank Alleva returned as master of ceremonies and led the group in a moment of silence for our three fallen soldiers in Jordan. John Tapinis took over as auctioneer and raffle host. A beautiful handmade dollhouse by Wally Kowalak was auctioned off. Sue and Frank Valenti were the winning bidders. The gift basket drawing was eagerly awaited, and the winners were Santo and Joan Pontoriero, Danielle Panico and Sandy and Frank Santoro.

Dennis Zilinski provided the fi nal closing remarks and thanked all those for attending, and the numerous volunteers that made the event possible.

Jackson Resident Winner Of Optimum’s Derek Jeter Community GOAT Contest

JACKSON – Optimum, together with former New York Yankee and MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, are thrilled to announce the grand prize winners of the Derek Jeter Community GOAT Contest.

As part of Optimum’s partnership with Derek Jeter to celebrate its Greatest Offer of All Time, Optimum Complete Internet + Mobile, the company invited Optimum customers and small business owners to share how they are making a positive difference in their community and how they

act as leaders, mentors, and role models.

The Derek Jeter Community GOAT contest ran from November 1 through December 11, 2023, and recognized 10 Optimum customers committed to supporting their communities through their individual efforts and contributions.

One winner is Marie Savarese from Jackson who traveled to Miami to meet with Jeter and received a $1,000 check from Optimum to donate to a charity of her choice: Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation.

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

Photo courtesy Optimum

Volunteers Have Cats Available For Adoption

JACKSON – Calling All Cats is a cat rescue group made up of volunteers, some of whom work at a spay and neuter clinic. People would drop off unwanted cats. As a group, they save the babies that are left alone, the countless mothers that have had numerous litters and those that are losing or have lost their home.

How is this sweet girl still available? Reba is such a social love bug. She will purr her way into your heart. She is calm and friendly. She has spent time around another cat and kids. She’s also happy just doing her own

thing but loves to snuggle. Don’t miss out on this amazing sweet kitty.

To help humanely lower the feline population, they spay and neuter feral cats and then find homes for the friendly adults and the offspring that have been born. The rescue works extremely hard to find the best homes for cats of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. While these cats wait, they are cared for in safe, loving, and nurturing foster homes

To start the application process, visit Calling All Cats on Facebook and Petfinder.com

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, April 3, 2024 at 3:00 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 2024-2025 school year.

Formal action will be taken at this meeting.

Stephen J. Brennan, CPA, MBA Secretary, Board of School Estimate

Photo courtesy Calling All Cats

New Patients Welcome Saturday Hours

PROVIDERS

Dr. Marc Handler

Ashley Falis, PA-C

Dr. Krisitina Derrick

Patrick Lombardi, PA-C

SPECIALTIES

Medical Cosmetic Pediatric Surgical

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.

COCHLEAR HAIR CELLS…Say What?

Hearing loss affects about 50 million Americans and about 500 million people worldwide. More than 90% of individuals affected have sensorineural hearing loss, caused by damage to the inner ear and the destruction of the hair cells responsible for relaying sounds to the brain. Species like fish, birds, and reptiles can potentially regenerate hair cells, but not in mammals. It would be wonderful to just take a pill and all of a sudden you’re hearing is restored. This will more than likely not happen!

The cochlear hair cells in humans consist of rows of inner hair cells and outer hair cells. The inner hair cells are the actual sensory receptors, and 95% of the fibers of the auditory nerve that project to the brain arise from this subpopulation. In laymen terms, these hair cells convert mechanical energy into electrical energy that is transmitted to the central nervous system to the auditory

nerve to facilitate audition. The function of the outer hair cells in hearing is now perceived as that of a cochlear amplifier that refines the sensitivity and frequency selectivity of the mechanical vibrations of the cochlea. Outer hair cell damage causes hearing loss which more than likely is permanent. We are born with these hair cells, so if they die, you lose them and they don’t regenerate in mammals. However, never give up hope that someday there will be a solution. In my opinion, it will not occur with Stem Cell injections. Regenerating hair cells through gene therapy does hold promise so stay tuned.

Garden State Hearing & Balance Center has offices in Toms River, Manahawkin, & Whiting and can be reached at either 732-818-3610 or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com. We Hear You & We are Here for You!

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-451-3962 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Jackson Education Foundation Will Be “Pu in’On e Ritz” In April

JACKSON –The Jackson Education Foundation is inviting the community to its fi rst major fundraiser, a Senior’s Senior Prom, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

This event is for residents 55 and older and will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on April 11. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School at 125 North Hope Chapel Road.

This festive event will feature music, din-

ner, giveaways and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $35 per person and you must RSVP by March 15. You can mail payments to: Jackson Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1564, Jackson N.J. 08527.

You can also make an online payment at senior-s-senior-prom-puttin-on-the-ritz. cheddarup.com / Those with questions should contact secretary@jacksoneductionfoundation.org.

Mindfulness Meditation: e ree Positions

JACKSON – Join to learn to recognize and liberate ourselves from the three unwholesome attitudes or afflictions that are at the root of all suffering be meeting them with wisdom, clarity and compassion. Open to

new and skilled practitioners.

Program held on April 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson Library. Adult program. Must register. For more information call 732-928-4400.

March Into Wellness: A Night Of Resources

JACKSON – The Jackson Schools District presents March into Wellness: A Night Of Resources on March 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Jackson memorial

High School.

Open to all district students, staff, and parents looking to obtain mental health and wellness resources.

Catching Measles Early: A Quick Guide To Symptoms

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Have you been hearing about “measles” and wondering about it?

We’ve seen some cases across the United States lately, and this is a very contagious virus.

Originating thousands of years ago, measles has a distinctive rash. The rash, however, doesn’t occur until maybe day 5 after what looks like a cold or flu illness.

Unlike the flu, measles is picky, targeting only humans. It doesn’t infect animals. Highly contagious, it spreads through the air, making it a sneaky invader. Though the thought might send shivers down your spine, fear not! Cases are rare, with only 35 reported in various states so far in 2024. Contrast that with 1,274 cases in 2019. So I don’t want to frighten anyone, just inform you about symptoms so you can spot it right away and keep your kids at home.

Knowledge is power. Recognizing symptoms early can make all the difference.

Here’s the lowdown: Symptoms kick in about 10 to 14 days after exposure, mimicking a cold or flu. Look out for a high fever (like 103- or 104-degrees Fahrenheit), runny nose, cough, sore throat, red watery eyes, and the tell-tale tiny white spots in the mouth.

As the disease progresses, a rash joins the scene, with a fever that refuses to quit! It can remain for the whole duration of the illness.

Feeling tired, losing your appetite, and wanting to sleep is pretty typical. Measles could be the culprit. But here’s the kicker: Not everyone will feel the full brunt of these symptoms, and some might dodge

the bullet altogether and never even catch it! That’s good news.

Some of us are naturally shielded. So, some people don’t get measles even after they’ve been exposed to it because they’ve either had it in the past so they have natural immunity, or they received an MMR vaccination, or maybe they just have a superhero immune system to fight it off! Either way, exposure does not guarantee sickness.

In the spirit of keeping it light, because I hate to invoke fear, remember: If you or your little ones are under the weather, play it safe and keep them at home. They are contagious before the rash even makes its grand entrance!

Measles can spread like wildfire during what seems like just a harmless cold with sniffles. So, an individual is probably most contagious before the tell-tale body rash appears!

So, let’s wrap this up with a reminder about the high fever that always accompanies measles… be careful. Don’t go it alone. Seeking medical advice is your best bet! That’s because complications can arise like pneumonia, an earache, or encephalitis.

By staying informed and cautious, we can keep measles at bay, one sneeze at a time.

Early detection and a call to your pediatrician or Family Care specialist can help prevent the drama from escalating. Also, if you’d like to read a longer version, I will post more about measles, and remedies at my website, suzycohen. com. Please share this article with people you love.

Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2024 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

Built For Speed – e Cheetah’s Life Is Di cult

Retired

By Renee A. Thomaier

New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Weighing in between 75 and 125 pounds, the cheetah stands between 28 and 36 inches tall at the shoulder. The male is slightly larger than the female. They have larger heads but unlike other big cats, distinguishing between the male and female is not so obvious.

The cheetah has a deep chest and thin frame. Their large nostrils allow them to process greater amounts of oxygen through their circulatory system of strong arteries. Long legs, slender body, flexible spine, and retractable claws allow them to reach unbelievable top speeds of 70 mph. The cheetah has a long muscular tail which works to stabilize the body, adjusting to movement of the prey, allowing for sharp, sudden turns at high speeds. It is important to note that the cheetah is a sprinter and must catch their prey in 30 seconds or less. At such incredible speeds they are unable to maintain it for much longer.

The female raises her one to four cubs alone which have about a 50 percent survival rate in the wild. Hunting causes her cubs to be alone, exposing her cubs to threats from buffalo, lions, and hyena, to name a few. They leave

the mother between 16 and 24 months. The lifespan of a cheetah is approximately 10 – 12 years, the male’s being more like 8 years. This difference is due in part to competing groups of males occupying territories.

Cheetahs face many threats: habitat loss, illegal pet trade, hunting, loss of kills to larger predators, poaching, decline in prey population. The greatest threat is the conflict with humans. As human populations expand and encroach upon the cheetah’s natural habitats, cheetahs encounter humans and their livestock, resulting in retaliatory killings.

Currently the cheetah is listed as ‘vulnerable’ though some scientists are calling for uplifting its status to ‘endangered.’ Various conservation initiatives are working to help the cheetah with some programs raising public awareness of the cheetah’s vulnerability. It would be a devastating loss to lose another species.

I gathered the information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.

AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE

Expect High Noise Levels From Joint Base In March

By Alyssa Riccardi

LAKEHURST – If you happen to hear loud booms in the area, don’t be alarmed – it’s the soldiers training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL).

Every month, JBMDL releases their “Noise Level Calendar” so residents know when to expect mild or severe noise. This is to deter calls to local 911 dispatchers. The calendar is labeled with three different

levels of noise: slight noise, moderate noise and abundant noise.

Most days in March are scheduled for “moderate noise.” However, there are several days scheduled for “high noise” which includes March 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

Noise levels are subject to change without notice due to training requirements and weather, JBMDL said.

Ocean County Special Needs Registry

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Special Needs Registry is a collaborative effort between the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association, available to all citizens with special needs who reside, attend school or are employed in Ocean County.

The goal of the Special Needs Registry is to ensure all Ocean County residents who may be in need of special assistance are able to get the help and support they need in a time of emergency or during interaction with Law Enforcement, Fire or EMS personnel.

For more information or to register, visit: OCSNRNJ.com.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Last week, we had a beach shot from Long Beach Island in Southern Ocean County. This week, we head north to a beach in Seaside Heights. The picture was taken by Debbie Leonardis after a recent storm. Look at those colors! Are you still counting the weeks till Memorial Day? Just 12 to go. Have a photo of the Jersey Shore you would like to see in this space? Email it to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

Tuesday Tune-Up Networking Breakfast

JACKSON – Meet local business owners and enjoy breakfast! Join the Jackson Chamber of Commerce on March 26 at 8 a.m. at Bubbakoo’s Burritos, 355 N. County

Line, Jackson, for the next Tuesday TuneUp Networking Breakfast. Cost is $12 for members. To RSVP email jcinfo@jacksonchamber.com.

The Law

Beware Of The Do-It-Yourself Will

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

It happens several times each year, a client walks into my office with a document entitled “Last Will and Testament” and asks me to review it. The document is always a will that the client attempted to draft on his or her own. In some cases they used a form book from the library, in other cases they used an online service or a software program which they purchased. In a few instances, they will attempt to copy another will, either their own prior will or someone else’s. In almost every instance, the document does not meet the requirements for a will in the State of New Jersey putting them in a position where they either have no will at all or which requires a court to interpret the document for them, which could cost their estates a lot of money.

I believe that drafting your own will is like trying to remove your own gall bladder. There is a small chance that you may do it right, but there is a far greater chance that you won’t. In over 100 do-it-yourself wills that I have reviewed, not one was a valid will that would have been probated with the Surrogate’s office. When I ask the client why they attempted to draft their own will, the most common answer I receive is that they wanted to save money. Other times they will tell me that they wrote the will themselves because an attorney refused to prepare the will they way they wanted it. In one instance a client told me he drafted his own will because he did not understand the “legalese” he saw in wills and he wanted a will that he and his family could understand.

Marc S. Galella Esq.

scenario, the court may rule that there is no will at all, thus subjecting the estate to go through administration, where the cost of posting a surety bond could easily exceed $1,000.00 each year in an average estate. Clearly, any savings of trying to write your own will could be wiped out by the potential costs if the will is not drafted properly.

Some people will try to draft wills themselves because they want to put in certain wording. In some cases, the wording that they are trying to put in their wills is either illegal, impractical or impossible to carry out. For example, one client wanted to leave all the assets to the executor named in the will and let the executor determine how the assets should be divided.

Looking at the various reasons why people draft their own wills I find that most of them are not valid. As noted, the most common reason people try to make their own wills is to save money. This is most often an illusion. In Ocean County the average cost of preparing a will varies from $200 to $400. The cost of having to go to court if the will is not drafted property can be as high as $5,000.00. In a worst-case

In other words, the executor would be making the very decisions that the maker of the will should have made.

Finally, wills are drafted by attorneys using terms and concepts that date back to medieval England. Those terms and concept have a specific meaning in the law. Often those terms are not readily understood by the non-lawyer. By attempting to draft a will using common English, in many cases a person will create an ambiguity that can only be resolved by a court at great expense to the person’s estate.

In one case, when faced with two conflicting clauses concerning the payment of death taxes and not understanding either clause, the client put both clauses into the will and said let the executor decide which clause should apply. One can only imagine what the Internal Revenue Service would have done with that logic.

Your will is the most important document you will ever sign. It only makes sense to have it prepared by an attorney knowledgeable in estate law rather than try to do it yourself. The modest cost of having an attorney prepare the will is offset by the potential costs if the will is not drafted properly.

NJCCC Responds To Governor’s Cuts To Community Colleges

NEW JERSEY – Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2025 proposed State Budget drastically reduces critical state investment in New Jersey’s community colleges, inexplicably cutting $20 million from this historically underfunded but vital sector of higher education.

“This proposed 12 percent reduction in state investment significantly undermines the critical work of community colleges to build an equitable, innovative, and prosperous New Jersey,” said Aaron Fichtner, PhD, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “We now call on the State Legislature to restore the vital resources we need to serve

our students, employers, and communities.”

The proposed reduction jeopardizes the operation of New Jersey’s 18 community colleges - which serve over 230,000 residents and power the key industries of our state’s economy. Community colleges, which typically serve the most economically vulnerable students, will be forced to make difficult decisions, including raising tuition, cutting programs and student supports, and reducing staffing.

Even before this proposed reduction, New Jersey’s community colleges rank toward the bottom of the nation for state funding. Governor Murphy’s budget strips out the same $20

million the community colleges received last year with the help of the State Legislature in the FY 2024 state budget. This increase, while important, still left our colleges far behind their counterparts in other states and well behind where we would be if funding kept pace with inflation.

As our newly released Opportunity Agenda makes clear, at this moment when New Jersey is facing rapid and complex economic, technological, social, and climate changes, New Jersey’s 18 community colleges need expanded resources, not cuts to operating aid. Our colleges have a plan to address

equity and economic prosperity, including helping all high school students get on a path to postsecondary and career success, helping our employers thrive in the global digital economy, and helping working learners, unemployed and underemployed adults, student parents, justice-impacted individuals, individual with disabilities, immigrants and refugees achieve lifelong academic and career mobility. New Jersey’s community colleges do this work with a relentless commitment to equity, accountability, and results—but our work requires adequate state funding, not budget cuts.

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Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWEL-

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$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

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CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

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Do You Want Your Car To Look

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Services Services Services Services

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1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under:

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2. Print clearly your ad as you want it to read. Include Phone # within ad below (counts as 1 word). Use separate sheet if necessary.

You are responsible for checking your ad the first time it runs and notifying us of any errors. If we make an error, we will correct it and rerun the ad. We will not be responsible for multiple insertions if you do not call us after the first ad run. No refunds for classified ads. Newspapers are available at our office. Please feel free to stop in and check your ad.

3.

week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $

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 = $

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Total = $

4. Make check payable in advance to Micromedia Publications, or fill in Mastercard/Visa/American Express SORRY NO DISCOVER info below:

GOP: Continued From Page 5

of the Ocean County Republican Organization in 2022.

“That’s in the past,” Gilmore stated.

An anonymous source pointed out that Gilmore’s recent selection of county and state-level candidates has predominantly been from municipalities governed by the Faulkner Act, where mayors wield considerable influence.

“This move,” speculated the source, “Could potentially grant Gilmore increased power at the local level, as he gets involved in the selection process after the mayor moves to a higher office and needs to be replaced.”

Gilmore dismissed the claim and pointed out that towns with mayor-strong governments are also the largest in the county.

Party Line And Primary Ballots

The reality is that the behind-the-scenes

dynamics involving promises made to secure votes for the party line remain largely unknown. Gilmore said there are none and pointed to his ability to secure votes and count them. Nevertheless, the influence of endorsements cannot be understated.

Ocean County, along with eighteen other counties, uses a ballot layout that groups endorsed candidates together from presidential to municipal races. Historically, a significant number of voters opt to simply “vote the line,”

underscoring the impact of these endorsements on electoral outcomes.

The issue of party organizations and their chairs wielding significant power over ballot placement has sparked a pending lawsuit by 3rd District Congressman Andy Kim, a Democrat, as he vies for a United States Senate seat against Tammy Murphy, Governor Phil Murphy’s wife. The lawsuit targets county clerks in all 19 counties that award a line in their primary process, advocating for elections to be conducted using the “office block” style, where all candidates are listed together under the offices they’re seeking.

This brings to mind Rubin’s analysis, which included documenting the influence of party lines in several races, including the 2020 Republican primary race in the third congressional district.

Gilmore was not the chair when the Ocean County GOP’s screening committee recommended Katie Gibbs, but David Richter secured its party line endorsement. Gibbs received the line in Burlington County and received 57 percent of the primary vote there, dropping to 22 percent in Ocean County. On the other hand, Richter’s support surged from 43 percent without the line in Burlington to 78 percent with it in Ocean.

“Ocean County is a conservative Republican County,” said Gilmore. “And Donald Trump is at the top of the ticket. And, we’d like to have people who have similar values going down the line.”

“Not everyone is informed on where candidates stand and what their positions are,” Gilmore added. “Therefore, they rely upon the organization to select who with them should be supported.”

Gilmore said that it’s ultimately the quality of the candidates that should matter and pointed out that the line has been defeated in some cases. He suggested a ruling from the court (in Kim’s case) would most likely still allow candidates to be bracketed together, whether by party name or slogan.

Republican Convention Highlights

Former President Donald Trump, the sole presidential candidate seeking the organization’s endorsement, garnered resounding approval by voice vote within the county convention held at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River. Congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew faced no opposition in the Republican primary and were similarly met with enthusiastic affirmation. Voters eligible to endorse Ocean County’s party line for the United States Senate did so discreetly within the confines of a voting booth. Curtis Bashaw, characterized as an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and job creator, clinched the line with over 70 percent of the vote in his favor.

A decision was made through a secret ballot to replace Toms Rivers’ official municipal club, Republicans for Toms River. This club had replaced the Toms River Regular Republican Club in 2021 under the leadership of former Chairman Frank B. Holman III. The majority of votes strongly supported reverting to the original club, which had been a fixture for over five decades.

“I think the recognition of it being an official voting member club was improperly taken away for it for no good reason,” said Gilmore of the club that was reinstated. “There was a major disagreement between all Republicans, and the new club was hastily formed, and they hadn’t even met before they filed to be recognized.”

2024 Downtown Toms River Event Calendar

TOMS RIVER – Get ready for an unforgettable year in Downtown Toms River as they announce the much-anticipated 2024 event season!

They invite you to join and be a part of the Downtown Toms River 2024 season. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, young or young at heart, the event season promises to have something fun for everyone. So, bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s make this year in Downtown Toms River one to remember!

Cinco De Mayo: May 4 from 12 to 6 p.m. on Washington Street

Downtown Night Out: every Friday and Saturday, May 31 through October 12 from 5 to 10 p.m. on Washington Street

Farmers Market: every Wednesday, June 12 through October 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 33 Washington Street

Cruisin’ Downtown: June 12, July 10, August 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Washington Street

Summer In The Street: July 20 from 2 to 8 p.m. on Washington Street

Comfort Food Festival: September 21 from 12 to 6 p.m. on Washington Street

Scarecrow Walk: October 11 through 31 on Washington Street

Harvest Arts Festival: October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street

Small Business Saturday: November 30, district wide

Wreath Walk: November 29 through December 31 on Washington Street

Tree Lighting: December 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Washington Street

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

Winter Wonderland: December 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street

They are currently accepting applications for the following: artists, hand crafters, food trucks, local small businesses, commercial vendors, nonprofits. For vendor and entertainment opportunities, visit downtowntomsriver. com/become-a-vendor. For volunteer opportunities, email: mfernandez@ downtowntomsriver.com.

FUN & GAMES SUDOKU

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across

1 Drains of energy

5 Prefix with sphere

9 Jousting weapon

14 Drive-__ ATM

15 Have to have

16 Negatively charged particle

17 Many millennia

18 Surrealist Salvador

19 Muscular

20 *Broadcast quality determined by a car antenna

23 NFL six-pointers

24 Beer barrel

25 One, in Germany

26 *Sine or cosine, for short

32 Mongolia’s continent

34 Load, as cargo

35 Movement-sensing game console

36 Get set, casually

37 Fireplace ducts

39 “You said the

same thing as me!”

40 Go kaput

41 Sheet music sym-

bol

42 Really, really stinky

43 *Issue best kept within the clan

47 Cry inconsolably

48 “__ go time!”

49 Boxer’s stat

52 Tongue-in-cheek description of a mullet, and of the answers to the starred clues

57 Move rapidly toward

58 Sweetie

59 Double Stuf cookie

60 Cosmetician Lauder

61 “Yes, let’s do it!”

62 Actor Sharif

63 Youngster

64 Sitcom backgrounds

65 Breathe hard Down

1 Microwave button

2 Coming up

3 Urges along

4 Gymnast Lee who won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics

5 Nobel Peace Prize winner Sakharov

6 Hard-boiled Chinese snack

7 Sporty Spice of the Spice Girls

8 Garfield’s drooling frenemy

9 Crisscross pie crust pattern

10 Bless with oil

11 Yucat n boy

12 Last name of filmmakers Ethan and Joel

13 Come to a close

21 Bhindi masala pod

22 Isn’t yet decided

26 Felt-__ marker

27 Material in a lint trap

28 Abu Dhabi’s fed.

29 “Victory is mine!”

30 Pigpen grunt

(c)2024 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.

31 Put the kibosh on 32 “Eri tu,” but not “Eres Tu”

33 Look like

36 Many an email attachment

37 Low-altitude airplane pass

38 “Miss Saigon”

Tony winner Salonga

39 Salsa container

41 Formed clumps

42 Get out of bed

44 Holy Land nation

45 Step-counting device

46 Capital of Greece

49 Cosmic balance

50 Salty expanse

51 Hybrid garment

52 Pull’s opposite

53 Voting against

54 Bird in Egyptian art

55 First line on a form, often

56 “Touched your nose!” sound

57 TiVo remote button

CROSSWORD PUZZLE SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

FOR THE WEEK OF MAR 10 - MAR 16

BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS

OMARR’S ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Some people become sidetracked by competition, but you are likely ready to stand your ground once you have made a commitment. Accept advice about finances or a purchase to help make a dynamic change.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may want to be that person who casually wanders up to the keyboard and entertains at the party. You may have a special ability, but you may need to put in more practice before you can amaze everyone.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) : You probably aren’t working for approval from others, but to prove to yourself that you can get things accomplished. You should possess the drive and energy to finish a home project or complete a complicated task.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Someone may be more demonstrative or show more appreciation and affection than usual. Whisper a few sweet nothings in a special ear and you may be able to experience some seriously luxurious moments.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) : Accepting someone’s wise advice or making some intelligent changes could improve your financial security during the next few days. You can solidify your relationships by engaging in spiritual discovery or sharing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Later this week you might stumble upon an opportunity or decide to try out new ideas. You may find exactly what you have desired. Exercise the wisdom and vision to make key decisions that work out in your favor.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be ready to spice up your love life with extra passion as the week unfolds. There could be an excellent opportunity to discuss a joint future with a special someone. Friends might offer surprising input.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) : You could meet someone deeply inspiring or someone who changes your viewpoint in the coming week. If single and in Cinderella cycles, it could be the person of your dreams. Otherwise, enjoy a unique friendship.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): It is doubtful anyone will expect you to conform to traditional standards in the upcoming week. There may be numerous changes that require innovation, which may mean that you can experiment on your own.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) : Pay attention this week while your luck and wisdom are likely at a zenith. Consider embracing any excellent opportunities to launch important plans or to make sound decisions. Exercise determination to follow through.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Getting people to enjoy losing money is the secret behind most kinds of gambling. Any indulgence is probably meaningless until you realize what you’re spending every month. Start planning for long-term goals.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You may be your own worst critic. If you let your insecurities run wild, you may see flaws that don’t exist and find ways to sabotage yourself. Learn to see things to admire within yourself, and validate them.

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