LAKEWOOD–Looking for something to do this weekend for dad on Father’s Day? The Ocean Signal has some exciting ideas including breakfast, dinner and a cruise along the historic Toms River waterfront.

by Frank Cipriani

I was enjoying a little online chat with my editor when he informed me that he had to go mow his lawn. He left the chat before I could warn him of the consequences of this antiquated and barbaric practice.

Turns out, that lawns were invented in France, the nation that brought us smelly cheese and creeping socialism, and so many other un-American practices, like atheism and dudes in tights. Lawns were invented so that, from a distance, castle keepers could see that enemies were approaching. In the mid-nineteenth century, Americans wanted to imitate the Frenchified landscaping which had, by then, taken hold in Scotland and England. The wet climate and more northerly latitudes made lawns a more organic choice in Europe than they were in the United States.

I’ve been reading the dire news from Europe about how the world economies are going south and how, because we are no longer independent of the global vicissitudes of the marketplace, we may experience a renewed economic crash, just like we did at the end of the Bush presidency. If we do, it will be thanks to our dependence on the Europeans, the same people who brought lawns (and smallpox) to North America.

And this time, there will be no bailout.

In other bad news, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an above-active hurricane season. Not to say the sky is falling, but if it’s going to fall, it turns out the worst thing you could do is mow your lawn.

What does this mean for us here along the river? Will it mean empty grocery shelves, or more long lines for gas? Will it mean that we won’t be able to send our children to college or enjoy our retirement? Will I have to drive four hours north (again) to watch “Breaking Amish?”

I don’t think it will be quite as bad as all that, especially for those of us who practice “liberty gardening.”

Therefore, I humbly suggest that each and every one of you tear out your lawns.

Think about it – grass is useless. Lawn maintenance costs money and gives nothing in return but a boring monoculture of endless steppe and greenery which demands mowing, fertilizing and watering, reducing us all to meaningless serfdom when we could be inside inventing a new form of math, or some alternate form of energy, or even publishing a newspaper. Heartier plants seed themselves in this chemical-rich environment, and the homeowner is forced to counter with even stronger chemicals. More than 60 percent of all these chemicals never reach the roots of the grass, and instead are washed into Barnegat Bay, where they contribute to the rise of jellyfish populations and algae blooms and force a die-off of fish and shellfish in the bay and ocean.

Grass, it turns out, has two different processes by which to propagate. It can be seeded, or it can reproduce by runner. Most homeowners are restricted by law from propagating their grass by seed, although this is the best method by which to maintain a thick, drought-resistant lawn. This is why most lawns propagate through underground runners. In some areas, where the soil is clay and has poor drainage, allowing grasses to go to seed is a bad idea, but in our area, which is mostly sand, local varieties of turfgrass (not hybrids) can be bred to survive our specific conditions of blistering summers, periods of drought, and wet springs and autumns. The truth is, most of the turfgrass and perennial lawn grasses we grow here in Ocean County could not survive without continued care and mowing, an absurd waste of water, and accompanied by environmentally unfriendly blasts of chemicals.

So even if you insist on growing a lawn, you really shouldn’t mow it until after it has gone to seed. This way, at least, you’re reseeding with turfgrass which is best adapted to survive you very particular little biome. If you do decide to let your grass go to seed, you can do it in patches, allowing the part of your lawn with the worst conditions for growth to complete its life cycle. This assures that any grass that does manage to survive is the heartiest grass for your particular lawn. Then, cut it gradually, collect the seeds and scatter them throughout the rest of your lawn. The best times to do this are in the spring and fall.

Personally, I hate lawns, and have grown useful edible plants instead, much to the chagrin of my neighbors. This includes wild edibles like Evening Primrose, which I harvest in the spring and freeze. Milkweed, another wild edible, attracts butterflies, and can be eaten as a potherb. Its unopened flower buds can be cooked in two changes of water and served like broccoli, and the pods it produces can be pickled. I also allow mullein to grow in my yard. The tea helps relieve my asthma. This summer, I will be writing a series of articles dealing with these wonderful “volunteers” which demand so little and give back so much – these are the plants that can feed your family in economically challenging times.

So by the time the next disaster comes, be it environmental or economic, you’ll be able to stroll out into your yard and gather some useful plants that come to you, free of charge, and pretty much maintenance free as well. While those McMansion high-falutin’ neighbors of yours struggle to fill the pantry, you’ll be sitting pretty. See, grass isn’t good eating, so unless your neighbor happens to be a cow, when the next disaster that hits, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.

The next time you’re summoned to mow the lawn, just show this article to your well-meaning loved one or neighbor. Just say “no” to lawn mowing.  You’re not being lazy. You’re an American, baby, a Jersey Shore American, doing your patriotic duty by letting those so-called “weeds” help you declare your independence. you’re saying “no” to Euro-culture, and socialism, and smelly cheese.

And if your sissified neighbors complain? Just tell them it isn’t an overgrown lawn, it’s a strategic alternative food reserve system, and they can come over and graze when disaster hits. Their eyes will tear with gratitude. And if they don’t? Well, the town usually gives you ten days to mow before they levy fines.

Despite the governor’s statements that “every boardwalk up and down the Jersey Shore” would be open in time for this weekend, at least several inland boardwalk areas, including Ocean Gate and the marina boardwalk section in Beachwood, both on the Toms River, remained under partial reconstruction at press time.

MANCHESTER – On Monday, May 13th at approximately 5:18 pm, the Manchester Township Police received a 911 call reporting a 76 year old male unconscious and not breathing. Upon arrival of Emergency Services personnel, it was determined that the manner in which the victim was found was suspicious in nature.

The victim, Anthony “Tony” Verdicchio, age 76, was found in his home, located in the Pine Acres Manor Mobile Home Park in Manchester Township. Based on the preliminary investigation, law enforcement authorities believe that Mr. Verdicchio suffered head trauma and succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy is scheduled for 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, to determine the exact cause and manner of Mr. Verdicchio’s death.

The victim was last seen on Sunday, May 12th, 2013, at the 9:00 am mass, at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Cable Avenue in Beachwood NJ. Law Enforcement Authorities are interested in speaking with anyone who may have spoken to, or seen, Mr. Verdicchio between 10am Sunday morning and 5pm Monday evening. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manchester Township Police at 732-657-6111, the confidential tip line at www.manchesterpolicenj.com or the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027.

This investigation is currently being conducted by the Manchester Township Police, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

The team, consisting of  Emily Golembiski of Little Egg Harbor, Jillian Hubbard of Toms River, Gillian Schriever of West Creek, Michael Signorelli of Toms River and Megan Tumpey of  Brick, will represent New Jersey in the 2013 North American Envirothon at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in August.

The Ocean County students competed against 33 other teams on knowledge of natural resources-related topics, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and a current environmental issue. This year’s theme was “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a Balance Between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural Uses on Montana Rangelands.”

“For 20 years, New Jersey high school students have had the opportunity to participate in this valuable competition and learn more about the environment, natural resources and science,” said Secretary Fisher. “We hope they take advantage of the skills they learned and consider careers in agriculture and natural resources-related fields.”

Each of the MATES team members received $1,000 scholarships from the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, $2,000 scholarships from Richard Stockton State College and $1,000 scholarships from Applied and Health Sciences at Kean University.

Two 5-member teams of MATES students competed in last year’s Envirothon with all but one of those students graduating. The two MATES teams placed first and second in 2012. An almost entirely new set of 10 students made up this year’s two teams.

“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication put forth by our members,” said MATES Advisor Adam Sprague.  “It was quite an accomplishment considering it was the first year competing for nine out of the 10 team members. We now turn our attention to Montana which offers an exciting variety of challenges in terms of preparation for our students.”

The second-place team in this year’s Envirothon was West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and third place was taken by High Tech High School, North Bergen.

The Envirothon is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee; New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts; the 15 Soil Conservation Districts; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

The 15 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey follow county boundaries and implement the New Jersey Soil and Sediment Control Act, which governs certain aspects of new development.  These semi-autonomous bodies are locally governed and play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources.

Community Calendar

Council Meeting

The Beachwood Borough Mayor and Council will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, May 1^st at 7:00 pm at the municipal complex.  Meetings are always open to the public to share their ideas, opinions and questions regarding the borough.  The second meeting of the month will be held on Wednesday, May 15^th at 7 pm.

Recreation Commission

Thursday, May 9^th at 8 pm, the Recreation Commission will be holding their next regular meeting.  Until further notice, meetings will take place at the municipal complex on Pinewald Road.  Meetings are open to the public.  Please note that the Memorial Day Craft Show will be held on Monday, May 27^th at Mayo Park.  If anyone is interested as a food vendor or crafter, please call (72) 286-6000 ext. “0” prior to May 14^th.

Land Use Board

The Beachwood Land Use Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, May 13^th at 7:00 pm.  Meetings are held at the municipal complex and are open to the public.

Beachwood Library

Calendar of Events

Drop-In Craft:  Masked Fun

On Friday, May 3^rd from 3 – 4 pm, participants can make a Lucha Libre mask and other fun masks from around the world to celebrate El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros (Childrens Day/Book Day).  The program is recommended for ages 4 – 9.

Spring Book & Bake Sale

On Saturday, May 4^th from 9 am through 12:30 pm, stop at the library and enjoy great deals on books, music and movies along with an assortment of fresh baked goodies.  There will also be a drawing for a Spring basket of goodies!  For more information, call the library at (732) 244-4573.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Meeting

On Monday, May 6^th at 7 pm, stop in the library and chat with your peers and the librarian about the library.  This is a fun way to meet other teens in the neighborhood, earn community service hours and work on library programs.  Recommended for ages 12 – 18.  New members are always welcome.  Please register.

Book Discussion:

“The Life of Pi”

On Friday, May 10^th at 10:30 am, the library will hold a book discussion on The Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel.  This book is about a 16-year-old Indian boy’s journey to America aboard a freighter that ends up shipwrecked in the Pacific.  Pi ends up alone on a life raft with an orangutan, a zebra, a hyena and a Bengal tiger.  Copies are available at the library.

Mother’s day Drop-In Craft

On Friday, May 10^th from 3 to 4 pm, stop in at the library and make a Mother’s Day gift.  This program is recommended for ages 7 – 11.  Younger children are welcome to participate with a caregiver.

Vegan Cooking for Teens

Learn about delicious vegan meals and why more teens are following this diet on Monday, May 13^th at 7 pm with Shop-Rite Dietician, Aimee Wharton.  This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.  Registration is required.

Please visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 244-4573 to register.

Beachwood Department of Public Works employees removed the tree and cleaned up the area damaged by a Toms River resident who crashed through the southwest corner of the Beachwood Circle at Beachwood and Atlantic City boulevards in front of Clancy’s News & Tobacco mid-day Wednesday.

BEACHWOOD - Chief Robert Tapp reported the following recent activity of the Borough of Beachwood Police Department:

• Ryan Palazza, 36 of Toms River was arrested and charged with DWI, as well as several other motor vehicle violations, as a result of a one-car accident occurring in the early afternoon on Wednesday, April 10th on the corner of Beachwood Boulevard and Route 166. Apparently Mr. Palazza’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree and light pole in front of Clancy’s News & Tobacco. The responding officers, Sergeant Frank Melillo and Patrolman Chad Anthony are conducting the accident investigation.

• Anthony Wilson, 30 of Bayville was arrested and charged with DWI as a result of a motor vehicle stop conducted by Officer Dennis Allen at approximately 1 am on Sunday, April 7th.

• On Friday, April 5th, a resident on Wave Street reported that a section of orange caution fencing was stolen from their front yard. Patrolman Chad Anthony responded to the call and took a report.

• On Thursday, April 4th, Patrolman Keith Meissner responded to the 1100 block of Mizzen in response to a call that a tailgate was stolen from a 1996 Ford pickup truck. Detective Sean Langan is following up on the investigation.

• On Tuesday, April 2nd a resident on the 700 block of Spar Avenue reported that two computers were stolen from the front of his residence. Apparently, the computers were dropped off by a friend and were stolen some time between 1 and 3 pm. Patrolman Thomas Prince was the responding officer and Detective Sean Langan is following up the investigation.

• On Sunday, March 31st, a resident on the 1200 block of Longboat Avenue reported that someone entered their vehicle some time during the evening. A GPS unit and the victim’s wallet were reported to be stolen. Patrolman Allen Magory responded to the call. Detective Sean Langan will follow up on the investigation.

• On Wednesday, March 27th a resident on Railroad Avenue reported that a black metal fire pit was stolen some time during the overnight hours. Officer Phil Schena responded to the call.

• On Monday, March 25th, Officer Dan Altman took a report of criminal mischief occurring at the intersection of Beachwood Boulevard and Atlantic City Boulevard where the plexiglass on the NJ Transit bus stop vestibule was broken.

In particular, the new School Performance Reports seek to:

• Focus attention on metrics that are indicative of college and career readiness.
• Benchmark a school’s performance against other peer schools that are educating similar students, against statewide outcomes, and against state targets to illuminate and build upon a school’s strengths and identify areas for improvement.
• Improve educational outcomes for students by providing both longitudinal and growth data so that progress can be measured as part of an individual school’s efforts to engage in continuous improvement.

TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BEACHWOOD ELEM
CEDAR GROVE ELEM
EAST DOVER ELEM
HOOPER AVE ELEM
JOSEPH A CITTA ELEM
NORTH DOVER ELEM
PINE BEACH ELEM
SILVER BAY ELEMENTARY
SOUTH TOMS RIVER ELEM
TOMS RIVER HIGH EAST
TOMS RIVER HIGH NORTH
TOMS RIVER HIGH SOUTH
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE E
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE N
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE S
WALNUT STREET ELEM
WASHINGTON ST ELEM
WEST DOVER ELEM

JACKSON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

CARL W GOETZ MIDDLE SCH
CHRISTA MCAULIFFE MID SCH
CRAWFORD RODRIGUEZ ELEM
ELMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HOWARD C JOHNSON ELEM
JACKSON LIBERTY HIGH
JACKSON MEMORIAL HIGH
LUCY N HOLMAN ELEM
SWITLIK ELEM
SYLVIA ROSENAUER ELEM

BRICK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

BRICK COMM PRIM LEARN CTR
BRICK TWP HIGH
BRICK TWP MEMORIAL HIGH
DRUM POINT ROAD ELEM
EMMA HAVENS YOUNG ELEM
HERBERTSVILLE ELEM
LAKE RIVIERA MIDDLE
LANES MILL ELEM
MIDSTREAMS ELEM
OSBORNVILLE ELEM
VETERANS MEM ELEM
VETERANS MEM MIDDLE SCH

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

BAYVILLE ELEM
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP ES
CLARA B WORTH ELEM
H & M POTTER ELEM

CENTRAL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH
CENTRAL REGIONAL MIDDLE

BEACHWOOD – When Hurricane Sandy served a direct blow to our area on October 29th and 30th, the barrier island and eastern bay communities were severely impacted, but its effects were also felt farther upriver in this community on the southern bank of the Toms River.
On the morning of October 30th, residents and officials awoke to not only downed trees and powerlines borough-wide, but also a totally submerged beachfront and marina area.
As spectators gathered atop the bluff and lower ridges over the beachfront and at the height of the inclines on Compass Avenue and Brigantine Street looking down at the marina that morning, it was yet unclear the full extent of damage. The Beachwood Community Center appeared as if an island, parts of the marina boardwalk had floated across the street and the northern edge of western T-dock was seen peeking above the waterline at a strange angle. At the beachfront, waves lapped over the entire parking lot and against the block wall below the letters that spelled out BEACHWOOD behind the flagpole, and only the top halves of the two shelters and playground slide were visible.
When the river receded, it was learned that while appearing possibly unharmed, the community center indeed took on damaging water to its lower subfloor area; the marina’s T-dock, lightpoles, electric utilities and boardwalk were damaged or destroyed up to where it met the higher boardwalk that runs alongside the shoreline from the foot of Beachwood Boulevard east to the entrance to Beachwood Beach; the eastern T-dock on the beachfront lifted up and floated all the way across the western marina cove area before coming to rest behind the community center, and sand had eroded down from a small section of the Windy Cove bluff onto the adjacent lower paver walkway.
Also damaged beyond repair was a brand new video security system that a contractor had mostly installed along the marina and waterfront, which would need to be replaced.
In the months that followed, Borough Engineer Jim Oris has repeatedly met with the borough’s insurance company and representatives for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to go over repair costs that the borough expects will be 75 to 90 percent covered by federal aid when not covered outright by insurance.
At the early February council meeting, the engineer stated that while keeping in mind the fast approaching summer season and traditional opening of the beachfront and marina area, he was working very hard to try and get the boat slips back and available to patrons. Earlier this week, Borough Clerk Elizabeth “Bette” Mastropasqua stated the town hoped to have it rebuilt and opened by Memorial Day weekend or June 1st.
Currently the community center remains closed as mold remediation efforts continue and the groups that used it for programs, meetings and events – including the monthly dances of the borough municipal alliance, now taking place at the firehouse far inland – have had to find other locations.
Mr. Oris stated that the hall now stood in the velocity zone of FEMA’s Advisory Base Flood Elevation [ABFE] maps released late last year and approved by the governor. Borough officials at the early February meeting debated the costs associated with either repairing the community center as-is and moving utility services to a higher level, raising the community center to above the base flood elevation, or demolishing the community center and rebuilding at an elevation higher than the ABFE zone. It was not then known whether the damages sustained on the structure were greater than 50% and thus made it necessary to do any more than make repairs and raise the utilities.
All the wood from the marina boardwalk was carted away several months after the hurricane, and today sits closed off to the public by plastic orange netting and poles. The gate at the entrance to the beachfront is also closed, as the electric utilities there were destroyed and need repair along with the T-dock there.
Councilwoman Beverly Clayton thanked Mrs. Mastropasqua, Mr. Oris, Treasurer Elizabeth Sarantinoudis and Lt. Tapp for performing under the strain of multiple meetings and a constant flow of ever-changing information relating to storm recovery since late October.
Earlier this winter, an already-planned and approved project to install a groin to the east of the beach T-dock was carried out, and today extends off the nearby playground area to curtail and stop the beach erosion that has eaten away at the once wide span of beachfront present in earlier decades of the 20th century.

In other recent activities of the mayor and council:

• the council unanimously approved a resolution urging the president and federal government to approve a 90 percent reimbursement rate from the cost of post-Hurricane Sandy repairs through FEMA.
• a resolution was also unanimously passed opposing a state bill promoted by northern legislators demanding free beach access and comfort facilities to the public in exchange for financial aid for storm repairs, as it would place an undue hardship on all shore municipalities without funding beachfront safety, maintenance and operations.
• efforts have begun by Mrs. Clayton to form a proactive committee interested in planning a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the borough in 2017. Anyone interested in serving on such a committee is invited to call borough hall.
• Councilman Ed Zakar attended the installation dinner of the Beachwood First Aid Squad in late January and was presented a plaque thanking the borough for its support which he then passed on to the mayor and council at their early February meeting.
• a suggestion was made by Mr. Zakar to have the borough start a practice of honoring volunteers when they reach milestones of service, such as 10, 15 and 20 years with the first aid squad and fire company, that can be presented by town officials at their annual installation dinners.
• Councilman Steve Komsa applied for a $500 grant through the Ocean County Tourism Department to produce promotional materials for the annual Beachwood 5K and One Mile Fun Run, this year entering its second year and held in the fall.
• Councilman Gerald W. “Jerry” LaCrosse, who had been involved with water quality testing and stormwater management along the riverfront and specifically beach area, stated that as a result of the hurricane it was questionable as to the local effects in the waters off the beach but that he would seek to continue his work with the Ocean County Health Department through this year where possible.
• Regarding the ABFE maps from FEMA, Mr. Oris stated that possibly as many as 20 homes could be affected by the new base flood elevations, but Mr. LaCrosse pointed out that these appeared to include homes far above the riverfront on the bluff areas of town and farther inland than would ever be impacted. Mrs. Clayton pointed out that these homes were as much as 40 or 50 feet above the river.