Small Brush Fire In Sunset James Area

We all know to teach our kids not to play with fire, but as we get closer to pesach, its not a bad idea to remind our readers to reinforce this message. A reader has just sent us an email saying, a child had started a small brush fire at approximately 7:35 this evening in the development behind Sunset and James, which required the forest firefighters to respond. As we get closer to Pesach, The Lakewood Scoop will be posting the notice we received from the fire marshals' office regarding 'biur chometz'. Thank you HW.

Rebbe Hill Experience This Chol Hamo'ed For Boys And Girls

Exclusive video preview below. The Rebbe Hill Experience, Story of The Klei Yakar, which has captured the hearts of nearly 1,000 boys on its' opening day show this past Shushan Purim, will once again be showing this Chol Hamo'ed Pesach for boys and girls ages 7 and up . The shows will take place in Park Terrace with the following schedule: Sunday and Monday Chol Hamo'ed: 1:30 pm boys, 3:30 p.m girls. Tuesday, is only for boys at 1:00 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. Rebbe Hill's tapes and CD's will be available after the shows at a discounted price.

Lakewood Based Electric Cigarette Company May Have To Close Its Doors

Many of you may have seen the Esmoke Electric Cigarette advertised in the Voice and other places around Lakewood and many have already purchased the electronic cigarette in order to kick the habit. But, pressure is being put on the FDA to ban the sale of these cigarettes unless they are proven unharmful. As YW reported this morning, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigarettes,” off the market until they are proven safe by the federal agency. Electronic cigarettes, alternatives to cigarettes and other tobacco products, are battery-powered devices that use a vapor to deliver nicotine to smokers. When the smoker inhales through the device, air flow is detected by a sensor, which activates a heating element that vaporizes a nicotine solution stored in the mouthpiece. Manufacturers and retailers of these products claim that electronic cigarettes are safe, and even that these products can help smokers quit traditional cigarettes. However, no clinical studies have proven these products are effective in helping smokers quit smoking, nor have any studies considered the safety of these products’ long-term health effects. While the FDA has indicated it will evaluate electronic cigarettes on a case-by-case basis, it has not taken any enforcement action against these products, which are currently being sold in mall kiosks across the country and on the Internet. The Esmoke company has posted a link on their website to a petition to the FDA, which can be found here.

Trash Bin Locations And Collection For Pesach Cleaning

(Click on image to enlarge and print for further reference) Director of Public Works, John Franklin has just emailed TLS with the attached information and schedule for the trash bin locations and collection. As in previous years, The Lakewood Township has provided great relief to the community with these convenient drop-off locations. These drop off sites are for Passover cleanup and the following items will not be accepted; car batteries or tires, paints or chemicals of any kind, construction debris, leaves or brush and propane tanks. Click on the page for the full information.

Video Of Rabbi Forscheimer Shlita On Birchas Hachamah

Video below. (taken by Chaim S.) Harav Ephraim Forscheimer Shlita, speaking in BMG last night about Birchas Hachamah and about Inyanei Pesach. (Due to technical issues we were unable to upload earlier.)

Seder And Breakfast Beginning Tomorrow

If you or your son were worried about your first seder schedule until pesach, you now have a solution. The Bein Hazmanim Yeshiva, has just announced the schedule for the next week. Beginning tomorrow, there will be a seder taking place in Kehal Ner Dovid (1405 Tanglewood-corner of 14th St) with the following schedule: 8:30 a.m shachris, breakfast from bagel nosh and then seder from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m followed by a shiur from different Roshei Yeshivos each day.

Cops On Rt 9 Cracking Down

TLS has been notified, that cops are on the lookout for speeding, expired registrations and cell phone usage, at Rt 9 and John St. There has been a recent crackdown on the above violations. TLS encourages our readers to correct the above violations before passing the cops.
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Photos And Video Of Hachtorah Of Lakeview Rov

Photos and video below. At the Hachtorah this evening at the Lakeview Development Shul. The new Rov is R' Yechiel Drillman Shlita, who is currently a Rebbe in the Edison Yeshiva.

Photos Of Community Health Screening

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Interview With The Voice Regarding Finkelstein Article

The Voice of Lakewood published an article last week about Yehoshua Finkelstein in commemoration of his shloshim. The article discusses the unfortunate proliferation of the drug problem in our community and recommends establishing Jewish rehabs for those who have been affected. The Voice is known to discuss topics that others would not, so TLS asked The Voice what went into the decision to print the article and was Daas Torah consulted? TVOL responds: As always, whenever a topic like this is printed, Daas Torah is definitely consulted. In this case, much thought and time went into the decision to print it and only after large amounts of the article was cut out and the rest was carefully edited. We do understand that some people may have been offended by it and we truly apologize for that. In the realm of publishing a publisher constantly has to decide when the pros of printing something will outweigh the cons, in this case our rabbinical board felt that it should be published.

Serious MVA on Madison

Photos and Video below. TLS is currently on the scene of a serious MVA on 10th and Madison with one car ending up in the telephone poll. Two patients are being transported to KMC in stable condition b'h. Photos and video will be posted shortly.

Community Health Screening Today

Hatzolah, Chemed, Bikur Cholim and Renewal, invite everyone to a its 4th annual Community Health Screening today which will take place at Chemed, 1771 Madison Ave, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Screening will include: Blood Pressure, Oxygen Saturation, Body Mass Index, Kidney Donor& Recipient Information, Cholesterol Testing and Glucose Testing. There's a $5 fee to help cover some of the costs.

Lakewood Bank Robbery Suspect Appears In Court

The suspect who robbed the Investors Savings Bank on Feb 19 reported here on the TLS, appeared in court on Friday and entered a not guilty plea. Peter A. Bielecke, 40, was indicted by a federal grand jury that charged him with robbing several banks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Bartle told the judge that Bielecke faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of robbery. Bielecke was arrested March 5. According to the indictment, he robbed: $1,851 from Provident Bank in Brick on Jan. 29. $1,385 from an Investors Savings Bank in Brick Feb. 5. $1,435 from a Sovereign Bank in Toms River Feb. 12. $1,323 from an Investors Savings Bank in Lakewood Feb. 19. $2,881 from the Garden State Community Bank in Howell Feb. 27. and about $3,000 from a Synergy Bank in Old Bridge March 5. The investigation into the bank robberies was handled by the FBI's Red Bank office, the prosecutor's offices in Ocean and Monmouth counties, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, and police in Brick, Toms River, Lakewood, Howell, Old Bridge, Wall, Berkeley, Jackson, Manchester and Point Pleasant. app.

Car Windows Broken

Some residents in the Park and 4th area were shocked to find their car windows smashed this morning. It appears to have been done with a baseball bat. A total of four cars were broken into. It's unclear at this time if anything was taken from the vehicles. Police are investigating the incidents.
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Major MVA Friday Night On Rt 9

U/D below. Some of our readers were wondering what the whole commotion on Route 9 was, last night. At approximately 11:00 p.m. Friday night, there was a serious MVA in front of 1166 River Ave, which is near Todd plaza. A total of three patients were transported to area hospitals,(2 to Jersey Shore and 1 to KMC) including one in critical condition which was extricated from the vehicle and flown via Medevac. Crime scene investigators and traffic and safety finished their investigations at approximately 1:00 a.m.
U/D The woman driving the pontiac which was hit head on by a SUV driven by a drunk driver, has died. Kathryn Mazzio, 19, was from Monroe Township. The drunk driver, Andrey Vavrinchuk, 44, of Trenton was charged with vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane of travel. Vavrinchuk is being held at the Ocean County Jail after his bail was increased to $200,000, cash only, police said.
TLS-02/TLS-07/ TLS-15/ app.

Hatzolah's Pizza For Dough Campaign Tomorrow

(Click on image to enlarge). If you're in the mood of some pizza tomorrow, Sunday, March 29'th, all you have to do is drop off your Hatzolah Pushkah to one of three Hatzolah locations, with a minimum of $5 inside and you'll receive a gift certificate to a local pizza shop. The locations, which will be open from 12p.m.-6p.m are: the Hatzolah Garage at Heathwood and County Line, Kosher Village and the Westgate Plaza.

And The Winner Is.....!!!!!!!!!

The Winner of the Bikur Cholim Annual Raffle is Azriel & Rena Zakheim of Westgate!!!!!! The reason it was not published until now, is because the grandfather of Azriel was niftar a couple days ago and Azriel was therefore not notified of his prize until now. To the Zakheim family, may you only hear of simchas and Mazel Tov on your win!

FIRST REPORT! Lakewood Police Officer Gives 9 Year Old Boy Summons!

BREAKING NEWS. When was the first ticket you got? Well, a 9 year old Lakewood boy can say he got his when he was just 9 years old. A bus belonging to one of the Yeshivos, was doing its regular carpool routine, when some boys on the bus threw a couple cookies out of the window. Apparently, one of the cookies got a little too close to a Lakewood Police Officer and pulled the bus over. Once aboard, the officer then singled out a 9 year old boy and handed him a summons. The mother of the boy said the boy is traumatized.

The Lakewood Cheder Opens Registration For 2009/2010

The Lakewood Cheder has just announced the opening of its' registration for boys and girls for primary for the year 2009/2010. Applications will only be considered for boys and girls whose birthday is before December 31st 2009. If this is your first daughter,both parents must come to registration and meet with the principal. Being that is is close to pesach and difficult for mothers to come, registration for primary girls will be after pesach. Please bring along your child's immunization record as well as the birth certificate, to the Gratter building at 100 park Ave. Also, if you have the internet, you must bring along an ISHUR from your rov. For a full schedule and times, see the notice in this weeks bp weekly.

Photos And Video-Presidential Playground With Frum Lakewood Company Flooring!

Photos and videos below. The rubber flooring of the presidential playground which has been installed for Obama's children by Rainbow Play systems, has been installed by a Frum Lakewood company owned by B.G. and M.H. of Lakewood. The company, which installs granulated rubber received the contract after being referred by a third party to the white house staff in charge of the playground installation. The two partners went down to Washington for the day to install the flooring and were given an experience of a lifetime! The Lakewood Scoop went down to the manufacturing plant for an exclusive tour and interview with the owners. Below, are photos of the playground, (owners not shown upon request), a video of the president at the playground, which was part of a 'CBS 60 Minutes' interview with the president, as well as a clip of the production plant.

At the flooring company's production plant.

Photos And Video Of The Levaya Of R' Elya Svei Zatzal

Photos and video below. TLS Reporter CZ has just returned home from the levaya in Philadelphia and as usual, we will have the photos and videos posted very shortly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Few Hours Left! To Purchase The Bikur Cholim Tickets

If you wanted to be part of the bikur cholim grand pesach raffle, you still can, for another few hours! The $10 raffle will give you the zchus and a chance to win the entire pesach package. You can still get your tickets by clicking here or by calling 732-905-3020 EXT: 573. The raffle will be taking place in a few hours and TLS will post the winner as soon as we are notified. Tizku Lemitzvos.

PD Searching For Black Male

Alert. Police are currently searching around the lake for a black male, 5' 4' wearing a gray/black sweatshirt, jeans and white sneakers approximately 13 years old. The teenager jumped out of a car at Central and 9 after an argument. A chopper as well as K9 units are headed to the area to assist in the search. If anyone spots the teen, please contact the PD right away. As we post this, the chopper can be heard flying over the area. The Lakewood Scoop will keep you posted on this developing story.

U/D 10:31 p.m.
As per the Jackson Police Department, the teen has returned home. Thank you TLS-SMW, TLS-23, TLS-44 and TLS-07 for being on top of the situation.

Drugs And Weapons Seized In Lakewood Frum Neighborhood

The Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at 189 Ridge Ave., on Shabbos that led to the seizure of drugs and weapons, said Deteective Lt. Joseph Isnardi. Andre Tyree Turner, 29, of Ridge Avenue was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted person, possession of a weapon during an illegal drug offense and possession of illegal drugs in a school zone, Isnardi said. Turner was placed in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail. On Thursday, the Street Crimes Unit served another search warrant, at 89 Woodlake Manor Drive and seized marijuana and a loaded AK-47 assault rifle. app.

The Schron Family Continues To Support Torah In Lakewood

In an effort to help support melamdim in the Lakewood community, R' Ruby Schron has set up the BMA Rebbi Fund. The fund, was set up to help rabbeim in Lakewood with the tremendous pesach expenses, by almost matching bonuses given to the rabbeim, from the Yeshiva, before pesach. The program, which started last year, has since helped tens of our rabbeim in the Lakewood Yeshivos. The way it works is, if the Yeshiva contributes for example, $750 in bonuses to the rebbe, the BMA rebbi fund will contribute another $600, almost matching it, totaling $1,350 for the rebbe. May this be a Z'chus for the entire Schron family. (Photo credit YWN).

Segula For Parnassah To Be Said Today

(Click on photo to enlarge). The Segula is from the Shlah Hakodosh and is to be said today, erev rosh chodesh Nissan. Sent to TLS by an Anonymous reader. Thank you.

Pesach Security Tips From Our Police Chief

Chief Lawson has just emailed TLS with the request to share this information with our readers:

With only two weeks left before Erev Pesach, we are swinging into high gear with our planning for the upcoming Yom Tov. With a substantial part of our community leaving town to be with family elsewhere, our residents are especially vulnerable to burglaries this time of year. Therefore, I am once again putting out suggestions for a happy and safe Pesach. As a public service, if you see fit, would you please share the following information with your readership. Wishing everyone a Chag Kosher V’Semeach. Thank you, Chief Rob Lawson
Lakewood Police Department HOME SECURITY TIPS FOR PESACH. If you are leaving for the Yom Tov please be sure to: 1.Leave lights in your house on – preferably on a timer. Most burglars look for a darkened residence to enter since this tells them that everyone is asleep. 2. Lock all of your windows. Most burglars make entry through unlocked windows. 3. Lock all the doors to your house as well as your car door. If you have an alarm, activate it. 4. Do not leave any valuables in plain sight either in your vehicle or in your home. 5. Do not allow newspapers or mail to accumulate. Have a neighbor collect them for you. 6. Leave a contact number with a neighbor in case of an emergency. If you are staying home for the Yom Tov: Please insure that all your doors and windows are locked every night, especially if you have had anyone in the house such as a cleaning person or even a repairman. Leave some lights on all night. If you have an alarm, activate it. Please keep an eye on your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity to the Police Department 732-363-0200 as soon as possible.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy Yom Tov.

Rob Lawson, Chief of Police

Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewski .

T'filos Of Yom Kippur Katan Today For Bachurim In Japan

Posted all around Lakewood: Gedolim around the world are calling on the tzibur to pour out its heart in tfilos and tehillim at Yom Kippur Katan today, erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan, on behalf of the three bachurim in Japan, who's sentencings are immanent and are currently imprisoned under extreme harsh conditions. The names for are: Yoel Zev Ben Mirel Reesa Chava, Yaakov Yosef Ben Raizel and Yosef Ben Ita Rivka.

PhotosAnd Videos Of Chasunah Of Reb Gershon Newmans' Son In Lakewood

Photos and videos of the wedding last night in Lake Terrace of the son of R' Gershon Newman Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Linden Yeshiva, to the daughter of R' Tzviak Shlita of Lakewood. In attendance was Harav Yitzchak sheiner Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Kaminetz Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel and Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel Shlita, Mesader Kedushin


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At The Rapaport / Manis Vort

Photos and Video below. At the vort last night of the grandson of Harav Chaim Dov Keller Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva Telshe Chicago, with the granddaughter of Harav Chaim Ginsburg Shlita of BMG.



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Hespeidim Last Night For R' Dovid Kaplan ZT'L

Photos and videos below sent in by our readers Chaim S and TLS-23. Thank you.

Oorah Releases Birchas Hachamah Production Online

Understand the intricacies of this rare event as never before! Incredible visuals and narratives clarify exactly what makes Birchas Hachama a once in 28 year event. A production exclusively from Oorah.

LCSW Notice Regarding Masked Teenagers

The LCSW has just emailed The Lakewood Scoop with the following notice. LCSW has been getting multiple calls over the past few days, about masked teenagers walking around the area of Berkowitz and Kennedy Blvd, scaring the neighbors. LCSW checked out the area, but has not found anything. Anyone with information, is asked to please call the LCSW at 732-367-1212 or LPD at 732-363-0200. Thank you

Tonight! Hespedim For R' Dovid Kaplan Zatzal

This evening, hespeidim will be held for Harav Dovid Kaplan Zatzal, in the YTT building on East End at 8:30 p.m. R' Kaplan, who was the Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Nachlas Tzvi of Toronto was niftar on purim.(Photos and videos of the levaya were posted here on The Lakewood Scoop). The speakers will be, Harav Chaim Epstein Shlita, Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel Shlita, Harav Mordechai Orbach Shlita, Harav Avraham Miller Shlita and one family member. Y'he Zichro Baruch.
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Reb Avrohom Waxman Sitting Shiva

R' Avrohom Waxman Director Of Development of Lakewood Hatzolah will be sitting shiva for his father, R Yitzchok Z'l, until Friday morning, at 47 Briarcliff Dr in Monsey. Y'he Zichro Baruch.

GSP Southbound Closure Today

Construction on Garden State Parkway southbound, from north of Exit 90 - CR 549/Chambers Bridge Rd to north of Exit 88 - NJ 70 East in Lakewood, will close the right lane until 4:00 P.M. If you are returning to Lakewood before 4, take either exit 98 or 91.

Job Opportunity- Negba Bus Service Looking To Hire More Drivers

Negba Bus service, a Frum bus company in Lakewood, is adding another 20 buses to their existing 60 bus fleet. Which means, they are looking to hire 20 new drivers. Many yungerleit have already joined Negba Bus Service since they opened three years ago. The pay is the highest in the area. For an application, you can call the office at 732-886-0361.

At The Spira (Confection Collection) Chasuna Last Night With Modzitzer Rebbe Shlita

Photos and video below sent in by our readers CS and TLS-23. Thank you.

R' Malkiel Shlita Checking Maztos At The Lakewood Matza Bakery This Evening

Photos and Exclusive videos below.

TONIGHT! Important Message From The LAC

Last Call. Due to the overwhelming response to the Tax appeal meetings last night there was one location that was under staffed and not everyone was helped. We have arranged for a make up meeting to be held in the Lakewood courtyard, tonight, from 8-9 pm. Anyone who did not get a form, needs help filling it out, or could not make it Motzei Shabbos, is urged to come tonight to the Lakewood courtyard where volunteers will be on hand to help out. If you have a pressing question and cannot come to the meeting, you can call 732-534-2458 for help. Tax appeal deadline is April 1st.

Baruch Dayan Ha'emes R' Shmuel Tzvi Lichtenstien Zatzal.

We regret to inform you of the Petira of the father of Menahel of Yeshivas Toras Emes Lakewood, Rav Shmuel Zvi ben Chaim Shraga Lichtenstein ZATZAL . He was the Mora D’asra of Bais Medrash Nachlas Dovid in Flatbush. The Levaya will be held today at 2:00pm in Bais Medrash Nachlas Dovid, 1589 E. 28th Street. He is the father of R’ Simcha (Menahel Yeshivas Toras Emes) R’ Dovid (Lightstone Group), and R’ Shea Lichtenstein, Mrs. Sarah Norman, Mrs. Bruria Kleinman, Mrs. Avivia Rubin and Mrs. Golly Berkowitz.

Parts Of Miller Road Closed For Roadwork Next Few Days

If you are traveling in the Miller Rd area over the next few days, give yourself an extra few minutes. A reader just informed us that parts of Miller will be closed for milling and repaving over the next few days, starting today, said Sgt. Edward Rupp. The work is being done between New Central Avenue and Hope Road, Rupp said. You should try to avoid the area if possible. Detours are clearly marked.

Fax Machines Now Available In Lakewood Library

Fax machines available for public use have been installed in eight branches of the Ocean County Library: Berkeley, Jackson, Lakewood, Plumsted, Point Pleasant Beach, Stafford, Toms River and Upper Shores, library staff said. Customers can pay for the service by using either their own credit card or prepaid fax cards, which are available in different denominations at the branches. The machines can be used only to transmit a fax, (within the Unites States or internationally), but cannot receive documents.App.

Torah Umesorah Lakewood Honorees At Rotunda This Evening

Photos and videos below. The honorees from Lakewood were, R' Avi Braude, R' Avraham Colman and R' Menachem Siegal. See also video of R' Malkiel Shlita at the dinner.

Oorah Releases 2009 Audition Finalists

Hachnosas Sefer Torah In Chateau Park Today

Photos and Video Below.

K'vias Mezuzah At Yeshiva Bais Ahron Today

Photos and Video below.

Photos And Exclusive Video Of Hatzolah Extrication Training Session Today

Photos and Exclusive Videos Below of Hatzolah Extrication units during a training session this morning. Watch cars being flipped over and cut open.

Videos And Photos Of Yossi Piamenta Concert Last Night At The Chavrei Kollel

Photos and videos below

Today! Chateau Park Hachnosas Sefer Torah

The Nusach S'fard Chateau Park shul be holding a Hachnosas Sefer Torah today Sunday March 22nd. The ksivas Ha'osios will take place 11:30 a.m at the home of the donor, Avrom Chaim Eisner, 150 Chateau Drive. The procession will leave his home at 2:30 p.m. followed by mincha and a seudah.

Driver Who Caused Pedestrian To Be Hit, Arrested

Update on story which was reported on TLS here. The driver of the Honda Accord that struck the van and fled on foot, Moises Hernandez Contreras, 21, of Lakewood was arrested. He turned himself in at police headquarters two hours after the accident, and told police that he panicked and ran because he was afraid, Patrolman Redington said. Hernandez Contreras was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injuries and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. He received motor vehicle summonses for being an unlicensed driver, talking on a cell phone while driving and failing to obey a traffic sign. Bail was set at $10,000 and he was placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. He also has a no-bail detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The yungerman remains hospitalized in Jersey Shore Medical Center. app.

TONIGHT! LAC Hosting Tax Assessment Meeting

Updated. The Lakewood Association Coalition (LAC) has announced that it will be holding meetings this Motzei Shabbos, to assist home owners in filing appeals to have their property tax assessments lowered as reported in The Voice Of Lakewood. The meetings will take place Motzei Shabbos March 21st, at 9:30 p.m. at the Lakeview Shul on Route 88, Lakewood Courtyard and the Sterling Forest Shul. LAC Representatives will be on hand to assist the homeowners in filling out the one page reassessment form.

U/D has added Kol Aryeh Shul (Hope Chapel) as a fourth location for the Motzei Shabbos meetings.

Don't Like The Kars-4-Kids Jingle? You're Not Alone!

Seems like some don't like the Oorah jingle. The following is an article from southtownstar. Anyone who spends 15 minutes listening to the radio has felt its wrath. The plunking of the piano, the out-of-tune child, the off-key, slightly-creepy male voice that follows. Over and over again, the music plays at all hours of the day, until you feel like someone is threading your eardrum with a knitting needle. It is inescapable. It is impossible to shake. It is the Kars-4-Kids jingle. 1-8-7-7 Kars for Kids K-a-r-s Kars for Kids 1-8-7-7 Kars for Kids Do-nate your car ta-day So simple. So reviled. It's not just me. A quick Google search for "kars 4 kids jingle" produces a trove of infuriated listeners, including some who are close to committing acts of violence. Their spelling errors, undoubtedly made in a blind fit of rage, have been corrected. • "As irritating as a hemorrhoid!" • "That stupid song is gonna send me to a padded cell if I hear it again." • "The Kars 4 Kids radio jingle makes me want to set my hair on fire. If I could find the person who wrote that, I would shoot them with a harpoon gun." !• "I seriously was considering suicide last night thanks to this commercial." !• "I have actually gotten out of the shower on the fifth or sixth note - risking electrocution - to shut off the radio because that song is so awful." ! Kars-4-Kids manager Esti Landau said the commercial first aired about six years ago. She was aware the jingle has become somewhat of a sensation - for better and for worse. The goal isn't to drive people into bouts of madness, she said, but to burrow the Kars-4-Kids brand into enough heads that the notion of donating an old car to the charity automatically pops up when the time comes to buy a new car. The strategy has been largely successful, she said. To saturate the market locally, the commercial plays several times a day on the most popular AM radio stations, including WBBM, WGN and WLS. There are rock, reggae and country versions of the jingle for other markets and station formats. "We try not to make people set their hair on fire, but the jingle is very effective," Landau said. "The campaign has worked for us. We hit a lot of people." She said all of the voices in the commercial are affiliated with the organization. Not everyone is a hater, either. Some listeners have called asking for an mp3 cut of the commercial. Landau said a boy who benefited from the charity walked down the aisle at his uncle's wedding while the Kars-4-Kids song played. She pointed out that companies coming up with corny, catchy jingles are nothing new. A former Chicago resident, she recalled the old Empire Carpet commercials. "That's still stuck in my head," Landau said. "And I've been out of Chicago for 10 years." At that rate, we should still be hearing the "1-8-7-7 Kars 4 Kids ..." chorus in our ears until 2050.

Twp Ok's Reassessment / Local Paper Takes Heat

Attempting to reduce a daunting number of property tax appeals by homeowners, the Township Committee Thursday night adopted an ordinance to complete a property reassessment for next year. Some 2,000 appeals are on file in the tax office. Once the reassessment is completed, that number will be erased, officials said. The last mass property appraisal was a complete revaluation ordered by the county in 2006. Meanwhile, officials disputed an item in a local weekly newspaper which said there is an arrangement between the tax office and community leaders to expedite the tax appeal process and guarantee homeowners a satisfactory settlement. According to the item, the Lakewood Association Coalition, a homeowners group, was encouraging tax appeals, contending the normal requirements of providing proof that the assessment of a home was unfairly high and going before the county Board of Taxation or the courts were no longer necessary. Coalition member Joshua Schmuckler said the report was the result of a misunderstanding during a phone call. "It's totally, totally incorrect," Schmuckler said of the article. "All we asked them (the tax assessor) was, based on the high number of appeals filed, that they find a way to make (the appeals process) more efficient." Township officials also say they have no knowledge of an agreement. Mayor Robert W. Singer called the notion illegal and said the tax assessor has referred the matter to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. Officials at the prosecutor's office had no information about the matter Thursday night. Township tax attorney Salvatore Alfieri wrote to the weekly publication saying, "The assessor's office has not met with anyone to reach any sort of agreement involving the settlement of tax appeals. Each appeal will proceed according to law and state statute."

Videos and Photos Of Yohrtzeit Seudah For R' Elya Baruch Finkel ZATZAL

Photos and Videos below. Hundreds of talmidim gathered this evening in the Esther Gerber hall, le'koved the first yohrtzeit of their Rebbe, Reb Elya Baruch Finkel ZATZAL. Divrei Hisorraras were given by the Rosh Hayeshiva of Torah Temima Rav Tzvi Basch Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi in Possaic Rav Meir Rubin Shlita, and by a talmud R' Feivel Lieberman Shlita. Following, was a siyum on Shas, by R' Shimmy Friedman Shlita, a talmud and one of the arrangers of the event, which was followed by a seudah. Ye'he Zichro Baruch.



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Mayor Singer: EMS Staffers Won't Be Fired

Amid public anger over a video showing township EMS workers doing doughnuts in the snow with their emergency vehicles, Mayor Robert W. Singer said termination was too severe a penalty that would never hold up in a civil service hearing."I understand the frustration people have today. This is taxpayer money, these are public employees," Singer said at Thursday's committee meeting. "But we have to understand that the punishment has to fit the crime. Let's not overreact to things." The EMS workers were on duty at the time. Their names have not been released.The EMS manager and township attorneys will in the next few days decide on a punishment for the employees, which falls under personnel and won't be made public, Singer said. The mayor added that the employees have a right to appeal the decision. "No one was hurt, none of the vehicles were damaged and the individuals have no priors," Singer said. "Those put together, there's no way you could fire those people." At least one resident shared the mayor's views. "They made a mistake; think about it, we all make mistakes," John Newman, 75, said at the meeting. "Let's give these guys a break. They've done a lot of good for this community." app./TLS-60

Ready To Dump Stuff From Pesach Cleaning?

If you have any items which are not useful to you, that doesn't mean it's garbage. You can now donate those 'garbage' items to help Yeshivas Bais Reuven Kaminetz. They will be accepting any new, or well kept items to be used as a fundraiser. Items can be dropped off at 220 Carey St, 48 Sherwood, 14 Negba St or at 1 Hillside Blvd (basement door). You can call 732-730-0114 for details. (masa umatan).

MVA Involving Police Officer

TLS reporters are currently on the scene of an MVA at Clifton and Carey, involving a detective of LPD.

U/D Hatzolah has just arrived and is clearing due to no injuries.

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Siyum Hashas Le'ilui Nishmas Reb Elya Baruch Finkel ZATZAL

(Click on image to enlarge). In honor of the first Yohrtzeit of the beloved Rebbe to thousands, a special Siyum on Shas and hot buffet has been arranged by the talmidim of Moranu Harav Reb Elya Baruch Finkel ZATZAL and will iy'h take place this evening in the Esther Gerber hall on 6th and Madison at 7:30 p.m. Divrei Hisorrarus will be given by some of his talmidim. 'Rebbe' as he was called, was suddenly niftar last year after a massive heart attack.

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BREAKING NEWS Pedestrian Struck

Photos Below. BREAKING NEWS. For the second time in the past 24 hours, a pedestrian has been struck, this time on 8th and Clifton. Hatzolah has just arrived and has requested ALS. As per a witness, the victim flew in the air. Further details will be posted as soon as we receive them.

U/D 7:35 a.m. 1 driver has fled the scene and PD has requested k9 units to respond. The man was wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.

U/D 7:58 a.m Hatzolah is en route to Jersey Shore with one patient in stable condition. The van which was involved hit a fire hydrant causing a lot of flooding in the area.
Photos will be posted shortly.

U/D The pedestrian was not hit by the van, but rather from the ladders which fell from the van after hitting the tree.

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Berl And Brody Chasunah This Evening

Photos below. Wedding of the daughter of Harav Ahron Berl Shlita, rov of Columbus Ave. shul (son in law of Harav Avrohom Gurwitz Rosh Hayeshiva of the Gateshead yeshiva), to the son of Dayan Brody of Boro Park, which took place in the Bais Yaakov hall in Lakewood this evening. Dayan Dunner of England was also in attendance.
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Swavecard Adds Another Two Stores

Swavecard has just added Bagel spot and Latteria to their list of participating stores. Both stores are offering 10% discounts to Swavecard members. Swavecard is constantly working to negotiate great deals for its members. Membership is completely free. Here is what one Swavecard member had to say: “Swavecard has already saved me quite a bit of money. From baby furniture at Piccolino to a good sandwich at On the Grill, Swavecard’s discounts are really helping, and best of all its free”. It's very simple to sign up. (The Lakewood Scoop has, that's why were so excited about it!). You can sign up Online in just a 30 seconds! You will receive your Swavecard in 7-10 days. All that you have to do is present your card at any of their participating stores and you will receive the discount. It’s that simple and a no-brainer!

UPDATED BREAKING NEWS Child Struck By Car

BREAKING NEWS: A child has just been struck by a car at 5th and Private Way. Hatzolah is now pulling up on location. Further details will be posted when available.

U/D B'H the child has only sustained minor injuries and is being transported to KMC.

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Videos and Photos of Last Nights' Avos Ubanim Event At Lake Terrace

Photos and Videos below. See video for the hundreds of children saying tehillim for the 3 bachurim in Japan, the Lakewood Boys Choir directed by Yehoshua Ausfresser and Rav Dovid Trenk Shlita entertaining the crowd with an amazing story!

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Good News For Lakewood-NY Commuters

If you travel from Lakewood to NY on a daily basis, we have some good news for you. The Staten Island HOV lanes which up until now have only been open for buses, are now open for cars with 2 or more passengers from 6a.m-10:00 a.m. This will sure save you some time if you're traveling with a second passenger. As we are posting this, a reader has asked us to let people know that they are being very strict about the times, as he noticed a car being pulled over in the lane at 10:10 a.m. TLS-06/TLS-17

Lakewood To Decide Fate Of EMS Members Regarding Video Clip

VIDEO BELOW. A decision on whether to take action against local EMS employees seen on the now famous Internet video, will be made by Thursday, Mayor Robert W. Singer said Tuesday. The three-minute video clip — sparked widespread media coverage after it was discovered posted online. The EMS members, who as members of the paid first-aid squad are township employees, have not been identified publicly. Singer said Tuesday that they were on duty at the time the tape was made. Singer hopes to announce any action taken against the township employees in the video at a public committee meeting on Thursday, but said personnel protocols may prevent such disclosure. "We'll have to find out from an attorney," Singer said. "I think the public has a right to know."
App.

Mazel Tov! Dunner and Spira Vort.

Photos of the engagement of Dayan Dunner's son (England) to the daughter of Rav Spira, of Lakewood Mesivta. The Vort took place this evening in Yeshiva Ketana hall.

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UPDATED Video and Photos Of Meeting At Rav Malkiel's Home For Shabbos Chinuch Atzmai

Photos and Video TLS-23

One Week Left For Your Chance To Win An Entire Pesach.

These words are enough to strike fear and uncertainty into any home at any time. Let alone as Pesach approaches and all the details and preparations that it entails. For someone in the hospital over a Yom Tov it can be extremely trying, not to be with family and its support system. Bikur Cholim supplies a full array of services including fully stocked pantries with abundant Pesach delicacies, a house to accommodate family members that is cleaned for Pesach and stocked with a variety of Pesach foods, supplies, Seforim and anything one might need for a comfortable stay under the difficult circumstances. Transportation to and from medical facilities, or just a local handicapped ride so a loved one can be with family for חול המועד meals, as well as numerous medical equipment from hospital beds to wheelchairs for ailing patients. As one patient put it, “the normalcy Bikur Cholim provided in this trying time really kept the יוס טוב spirit even in these dire surroundings”. The Second Annual $10 Grand Pesach Raffle will help fund the monumental expense of providing Pesach for families in need.

Photos Ateres Tzipora Dinner Bais Yaakov High School Hall

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Tonight! Avos Ubanim Awards Ceremony.

Tonight, Avos Ubanim will hold the long awaited awards ceremony at Lake Terrace hall. The event is for all children 3rd grade and higher, who have attended the program for a minimum of 6 weeks over the season. Doors open at 6:15 p.m, program will Begin at 6:45 p.m. and will end at 8:00 p.m followed by distribution of awards. The program will include: Divrei Bracha from the Rosh Hayeshiva Shlita, a Storyteller, the Lakewood Boys Choir, audio-visual presentation, raffles and of course the gift for each boy who attended 6 weeks or more. There is a $5 admission fee. Delectable snacks will be served.

Rav Zelig Pliskin Shlita Speaking Tonight

Rav Zelig Pliskin from Yerushalayim, will be speaking this evening at the Ateres Tzipora School, located at 150 Oberlin Ave N. 8:00 p.m. for Women and 10:oo p.m for Men. The topic will be, Gateway To Happiness and Preparing Ourselves For Pesach. Rabbi Pliskin, who is known worldwide, is the author of over 20 books including Guard Your Tongue, Gateway To Happiness and My Father My King. For more information regarding this event, you can call the school at 732-886-8860.

Photos Of Yeshivas Ofakim Parlor Meeting

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Lakewood School Budget Would Raise Tax Rate 4%

Property owners would see a 4 percent jump — 3.4 cents — in the school tax rate based on a 2009-10 budget that the Board of Education introduced Monday night. The board voted to submit to the county a $73.6 million tax levy, of which $72.4 million will be decided by voters. The rest would go toward a debt service tax that does not appear on the ballot. The proposed budget totals $138.35 million. The tax rate is to rise to 91.92 cents per $100 of assessed property value, according to the proposal, meaning someone with a home valued at $400,000 will pay about $136 more in school tax next year. The 4 percent increase from last year is the maximum allowed by the state. APP.

Congratulations! Major Milestones Being Reached On TLS

The Lakewood Scoop would like to thank you, our readers for such an amazing response in such a short period of time. This blog started as a site for the Lakewood community to view the relevant local news without having to sift through all the shmutz and loshan hora etc..which are found on many other sites. Be'ezras Hashem, that is the way it will stay. We have had b'h over 15,000 hits just over the past few weeks, which is an amazing milestone in such a short period of time and way beyond our wildest dreams! We would also like to thank our team of reporters (special thank you to SMW, TLS-44, TLS-23, TLS-06,TLS-211, TLS-35 and TWM/TLS-02) who are out there working hard to get you the most accurate and up to date Lakewood news at such a quick pace. We also greatly appreciate all the news tips and ideas our readers constantly send in. A special thank you to The Voice Of Lakewood for working with The Lakewood Scoop as part of the team! Thank you again for the warm response and for making us the #1 Lakewood site!

Sincerely,

The Lakewood Scoop.

Unknown Altzheimers Patient Dropped Off At Chemed.

Hatzolah has just received a call from Chemed regarding a patient which was found on the south side of the lake and was dropped off at their place. Hatzolah arrived and asked to dispatch PD to help identify the patient being that he is not carrying any Identification.

U/D 4:50 p.m Hatzolah is requesting other units to respond as well, in an effort to identify the patient. He is wearing a brown hat, brown jacket and has a beard. If anyone knows who this may be, please contact Hatzolah asap.

U/D 5:10 p.m The patient has been identified.