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Do you have pet photos of your own?  Share with us on our Facebook page below!

Flickr user Cy-V

Take notice of these Helpful Hints if you suffer from gas!

• Use Gas-X for immediate and long-lasting relief
• Sip mint tea – it relaxes your stomach muscles and will relieve your pain
• Stretch – use basic yoga stretches to relieve symptoms
• Eat slower – fast eating can cause gas
• Avoid sugar-free gums and candy, anything containing high-fructose corn syrup and fried foods

Do you suffer from gas pains?  What works for you?

Tim Boyle, Getty Images

Today’s Word of the Day:

benison

Dictionary.com defines benison as:

a blessing or a benediction.

Have you ever given a benison?

Bryan Bedder / Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

George Strait
Age: 60
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician
Known For: A slew of country hits including ‘Fool Hearted Memory,’ ‘Ocean Front Property,’ ‘She’ll Leave You with a Smile’ and ‘You’ll Be There,’ dozens of industry awards, holding the record for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country charts, and holding the record for most No. 1 albums, gold albums, and platinum albums in the history of country music

Tina Fey
Age: 42
Occupation: Actor, Writer and Comedic Genius
Known For: Her brilliant work as both a writer and performer on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ’30 Rock,’ penning the screenplay for the movie ‘Mean Girls,’ her spot-on portrayal of Sarah Palin on ‘SNL,’ writing the hilarious bestseller ‘Bossypants,’ being the youngest-ever winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and being an icon for smart, funny women everywhere

Joe Bonsall
Age: 64
Occupation: Singer and Author
Known For: Being one of the singers for the Oak Ridge Boys, which had country and crossover singles like ‘Elvira,’ ‘Bobbie Sue’ and ‘American Made,’ and writing books like ‘The Molly Books’ children’s series and ‘GI Joe and Lillie’

Chow Yun-fat
Age: 57
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His role as Li Mu-bai in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ his Asian film collaborations with filmmaker John Woo in the heroic bloodshed genre films ‘A Better Tomorrow,’ ‘The Killer’ and ‘Hard Boiled,’ and voiceover work for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ and ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ video games

Jack Johnson
Age: 37
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician
Known For: His successful debut album, ‘Brushfire Fairytales,’ his work on surfing movies and soundtracks, being the organizer of the annual Kōkua Festival, and songs like ‘Better Together,’ ‘Flake’ and ‘You and Your Heart’

National Gallery of Art

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor of the French (More info)

1896 – The US Supreme Court rules in Plessy v. Ferguson that “separate but equal” is constitutional (More info)

1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an act creating the Tennessee Valley Authority (More info)

1980 – Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupts after being dormant for 123 years (More info)

2004 – Randy Johnson, age 40, becomes the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game (More info)

To see more photos of Duke and plenty of other animals looking for homes, check out the Monmouth County SPCA HERE.

And be sure to stop by the Monmouth County SPCA’s BRAND NEW storefront in the Freehold Raceway Mall!

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Marianne was driving through Toms River recently and became concerned with a major safety issue.  Here is her story:

I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I drive I like to keep my eyes on the road… that being said if you’re like me you DON’T want to drive going east on Rt. 37 West in Toms River.  

Yesterday I was going to meet with a new advertiser and missed my turn, so I had to go up past Walmart, make a U-turn and come back the other way.  Traffic was moving nicely until all of a sudden all the cars stopped in the middle lane: if you are familiar with this area you’re going to understand what I’m saying.  There is a medical building and in front of the medical building are protesters: anti abortion protesters.

This has nothing to do with whether I am for or against, this has to do with traffic safety.  There must have been at LEAST 30 protesters out there yesterday with huge signs AND pictures including a little old man propped up in a wheelchair holding a sign and waving.  They were practically IN the road and standing on the curb, egging people on to honk and to pay attention to them.  Somebody must have been rubbernecking and did not see that the car in front of them had stopped, which caused a chain reaction.

How is this legal?  Why haven’t they been told to stay a certain number of feet away from the road (maybe they have and they just don’t care) and WHO is this little old man they have propped up in a wheel chair rain or shine (I am told) holding a big sign?

I had to get this off my chest so when something does happen (and it will – whether it be a car accident or one of the protesters getting hit by a car) I can say I tried.  What do you think?  I am not asking if you are pro or con, I really don’t care about that, that’s a whole other story, this is about Traffic Safety.

What Do You Think?  Should These Protesters Be Forced To Stay Away From The Road?

Tim Boyle, Getty Images

Today’s Word of the Day:

omphalos

Dictionary.com defines omphalos as:

Rich Pilling, Getty Images

Toms River native and former Little League Champion Todd Frazier has been dreaming about making an impact in professional baseball long before his days of Little League glory.  Last night, Frazier finally made that impact he was looking for. 

Playing in New York against the Mets, Frazier recovered from two bad strikeouts to hit not one, but TWO home runs, clinching the win for the Cincinnati Reds.  Take a look at the highlights from Frazier’s memorable night HERE.

Flickr user Hamad AL-Mohannna

Are you always tired? Is it hard to get through the day without feeling exhausted both mentally and physically? Join the team. So many people struggle with low energy and often rely on coffee or energy drinks just to keep moving. We have partnered with NJ Nutrishop to discover the most effective ways to boost your energy. There are a lot of quick fixes out there that claim to increase energy, but if you’re looking for natural, fail-proof solutions to feeling sluggish, check out this list of the Top 5 healthy ways to boost your energy!

1. Exercise

Contrary to popular belief, exerting more energy when your body feels tired is a great way to actually increase your energy. Going for a daily walk around the block or heading to a local park to run, bike, or hike is a perfect solution to gain momentum for your day and escalate your energy to complete other tasks. For this reason, many people start their day off with exercise before going to work or doing anything else.

Flickr user Trainet

2. Take Daily Vitamins and/or Supplements

There are several solutions to help increase energy that can easily be found at your local vitamin store. Vitamin B-12, especially when used within multivitamins like Nature’s Fuel, is an excellent source of energy. Although B vitamins are found in food, the body often lacks enough of these and therefore taking supplements can help. Other great energy-boosting (and fat burning) supplements include Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen, CLA (try Thermovex for great results), and for athletes, the supplement NO XP3 is great for increasing energy while also building strength and endurance.

Flickr user SOCIALisBETTER

3. Eat Healthy, Whole Foods

The formula to fighting feeling fatigued when it comes to your diet is simple. Drink more water and less soda, alcohol, and sugar-filled juices. Eat more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food, fried food, and less amounts of red meat. When snacking choose nuts, veggies, fruits and grains over chips, cookies or candy bars. Not as simple as it sounds for your schedule? Try the supplement Nature’s Fruits and Greens, packed with 6-9 servings of fruits and vegetables that work together to boost energy fast!

Flickr user karimian

4. Take “Power” Naps

The feeling of exhaustion usually means that your body and/or brain is literally fatigued and in need of rest. It’s important not to ignore this by getting the rest needed to keep you fueled for the day. For most people, the appropriate amount of sleep each night is vital to daily performance. For those who constantly push their brains and bodies to the limit, regular napping (for about 60 minutes) can increase energy and alertness.

Flickr user bengarrison

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Get a head start on your day by not only eating breakfast, but by supplying your body with the nutrients and grains that it takes to set a positively fueled tone for the entire day. Without food, your body and brain feel exhausted and sluggish. With foods loaded in sugars, your body experiences a short-lived burst of energy but then sets into a lethargic rest, often putting you in a bad mood for the day as well as not regulating your daily appetite properly. Remember, your body has had nothing for about 8 hours, hence the need to “break” the “fast”, so be sure to practice healthy eating first thing in the morning! Choose a variety of foods from the five food groups and you’ll be energized to seize the day!

Flickr user Charlie Gross Photography

Of course, caffeine is also a source of energy that many people commonly use to get them going for the day. However, maintaining a healthy diet, taking vitamins and/or supplements along with regular exercise and plenty of sleep has been shown to increase energy.  So if you’re running on empty, get up, grab a healthy snack and get energized!

Have other  great ways to boost your energy? Leave a comment below! This post was sponsored by njnutrishop.com with two locations in Brick and Wall Township, NJ. Use the code “Nutrishop” to get 15% off your online purchase.

No matter where you stand on the issues, can we all agree that this is funny?

Flickr user stu_spivack

Enjoy this fresh strawberry salad from Good Housekeeping on a hot day:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. salt & pepper
• 5 oz. baby-greens-and-herbs mix
• 3 cups coarsely cooked chicken
• 4 oz. herbed goat cheese

1. In large bowl, combine 1 pound of strawberries, sliced; 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar; 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper
2. Let stand 10 minutes, stirring often.
3. Add 5 oz. baby-greens-and-herbs mix and 3 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken; toss to combine
4. Divide among 4 plates.  Top with 4 oz. herbed goat cheese, crumbled.  Serves 4.

You can get this recipe and more from Good Housekeeping HERE.

ILostMyDog.org

One Eyed Jack has had a tough life and is currently looking for a nice person or family to give him a Forever Home.  Do you have a little extra room in your heart for this little guy?

One Eyed Jack is a Chihuahua mix and gets along great with women, children and pets.  He is in desperate need of a new home.  Could you be his home?

For more information on One Eyed Jack and other animals seeking Forever Homes from the I Lost My Dog team, click HERE.  You can also find them one Facebook HERE.

Tim Boyle, Getty Images

Today’s Word of the Day:

spruik

Dictionary.com defines spruik as:

Point Pleasant Beach Council meeting (Ilya Hemlin, Townsquare Media NJ)

In a tight 4-3 vote Tuesday night, that was ultimately decided by a tie breaking vote from Mayor Vincent Barrella, bars and restaurants will be required to stop serving alcohol at midnight starting July 1st.

The vote came after a contentious council meeting where residents from the affected 4 district spoke out passionately against many business owners and employees who see this as a devastating blow to their business.

Mayor Barrella says the segment of the population that comes to Point Pleasant to drink excessively gets unfairly lumped into the rest of the Borough’s tourism offerings. He believes the ordinance will help curb some of the behavior that is causing the problems.

“If you say, don’t line up six jello shots you’re somehow hurting tourism and games of chance and the people who are going to come to the beach.”

Though proponents of keeping the 2am limit for drinking say it brings revenue for municipality, Barrella notes the municipal parking makes only 3,000 dollars between 12 am to 6am, while 12,00 is made from 11 am to 6pm.

The issue of restricting the hours that patrons can be served came after complaints last year of drunken rowdy behavior increased, and the issue of dedicating more police force to the area was presented.

Point Pleasant Council members met with representatives from businesses along the Boardwalk to try and reach a resolution that would prevent a restriction from needing to be passed. An offer from the Boardwalk was made which would give the Borough 160 thousand dollars every year for five years (800 thousand total), however members of the board felt that not only was the money not enough but didn’t provide any kind of solution to the problem nor address the issue past the five year mark.

Additionally Barrella feels a lump sum of cash given by the Boardwalk doesn’t do anything to alleviate what he feels is the problem of drunken and disorderly behavior, and furthermore absolves boardwalk bars and restaurants from doing anything.

“If you just take the money, the argument is going to be without structural changes, the argument is going to be ‘well you took the money, it’s your problem’, and it’s not our problem. It’s our problem because they’re not treating it as their problem.”

The ordinance preventing the sale of alcohol past midnight (2012-15) was accompanied by another ordinance which would have allowed the very same bars and restaurants to have an optional fee to allow them to operate until 2 am (2012-16).

The second ordinance would have charged businesses 60 dollars per person of max capacity that would give them permission to serve alcohol to the 2 am time like before. The money from the sale of these would be then used to fund special police officers who would be responsible for patrolling the area addressing quality of life issues.

That piece of legislation stalled however, postponed until the next council meeting over issues of the ordinances legality.

There was concern from the Department of Consumer Affairs acting director Richard Constable that charging business owners 60 dollars a head goes beyond what can be charged for a liquor license.

The ordinance was brought to the attention of Governor Chris Christie during a town hall and he was asked to bring it to the DCA. Mayor Barrella says he personally brought the issue to the agency.

Though Barrella contends the ordinance is legal, in a letter first published on Point Pleasant Patch, Constable states “The borough appears to be undertaking an unlawful effort to institute a fee that it has no power to institute.”

Believes the state is interfering with a municipality matter.

“The state is meddled here, the state made a conscious decision to do something unprecedented which is get involved.”

Recently Point Pleasant instituted a ban on parking within the Fourth District by the boardwalk from 12 am to 6 am. That law would also take effect in July, however it is under litigation from several Boardwalk bars.

Barrella says that regardless of what happens with ordinance 2012-16, the Ordinance 2012-15 is currently law, and is autonomous with or without the other legislation.

MONOC Medevac (MONOC)

Township Police say the incident occured early Tuesday evening in the backyard of his Ocean Acres home on Atlantis Avenue. According to the Asbury Park Press, the boy, who was with his 12-year-old brother at the time, spilled the lighter fluid on his leg and rib cage when it ignited. The boy’s mother called 9-1-1.

Georgian Court President Rosemary Peters talks about GCU accepting male students (Ilya Hemlin, Townsquare Media NJ)

The college will be officially fully coed starting the Fall of 2012 when male applicants will be accepted for undergraduate courses. In the fall of 2013, men will be able to live on campus as well as participate in athletics.

Currently male students are allowed to attend the school’s evening courses, as well as enroll in the graduate programs.

Speaking at the universities Wellness Center Tuesday, Dr. Rosemary Jeffries noted that it was an idea who’s time had come, especially with the current trend of single sex institutions going coed.

Georgian Court Board Of Trustees Chairman Raymond Shea talks about GCU accepting male students (Ilya Hemlin, Townsquare Media NJ)

Georgian Court is the only faith based college in the lower sixteen counties within New Jersey and Dr. Jeffries believes opening up the college for both gender’s will create more opportunities for prospective students wanting to stay local.

“If a young man wants to stay home and go to school, as many of the students at Georgian Court already do, they don’t have that option because the nearest Catholic of faith based institution is almost an hour away for them.”

By 2013 the school will also have 4 varsity sports established for men, which they expect will add 40 to 50 students off the bat. She expects roughly 100 male enrollments in the first year.

Jefferies says men’s bathroom’s are already built throughout the facility, and newer buildings (like the Wellness Center) are fully equipped for both genders. She expects dorming will set by sectioning off wings or floors of current residents halls for male students.

The university’s decision falls in line with what many other single sex colleges have been doing. Currently, fewer than 60 women’s colleges remain in the United States, and in the past decade ten schools have become fully coed.

Georgian Court University Board of Trustee Chair Raymon Shea says from the board’s perspective the decision made sense, not only to expands the school’s reach as an educational institution but also from the financial benefits being coed provides.

“No question it will have a positive impact on the bottom line revenue.” Says Shea “but the size of that impact is relatively minor in the early years. You have to build that. That’s what we learned from the other institutions we’ve interviewed.”

Jefferies says while making the switch they consulted with schools like Chestnut Hill College, Immaculata University, and Rosemont College; all schools that went from women’s colleges to coed.

Dr. Jefferies says the current mission statement of the university won’t change, and though the school has started to allow male students in a lesser capacity since 1976, even fully coed, Georgian Courts Mission statement of having a special concern for women will remain.

“We will have a special concern for women so we can appropriately offer what we call women in leadership programs for them and other opportunities.”

She adds with more men on campus the curriculum will be expanding accordingly as well.

“We also hope that in this transition year, we’ll be looking at programs that support young men and their particular set of needs that might be different than the women that we traditionally served.”

Noting that programs such as nursing can be expanded even more to accommodate the expected interest from male students.

Shea says the University has no national aspirations, but instead wants to establish itself as a regional university that he hopes will attract part of the thirty thousand students who leave the state for college.

Georgian Court Sophomore Amy Berry says she was apprehensive about the decision for the university to go coed, she understands that it will be beneficial to more people for both men and women to attend the school.

“The way they are addressing the situation and the way they are thinking about, they are being very thoughtful in who they are asking questions of and who they are including in the decision making.”

A volleyball and track and field athlete, she isn’t intimidated by the prospect of another crop of athletes in the male division. In fact she’s hopeful a new gender will bring with it more attention to all the sports.

“We honestly don’t get enough support at our games sometimes, so if there are males here they can offer something that we really need.”

However one of the things that Berry expects to be the most different is the social aspect of having both sexes on campus.

“Right now girls go to class wearing sweatpants or whatever we feel like. Girls will probably dress up a little more.”

However from a practical perspective, Berry believes being coed could help draw more elite female athletes.
“Whenever I’m talking to perspective athletes who are trying to come here, one of the factors is that we’re all women and they don’t want to be in a school with all women.”

Stephen Lovekin / Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Janet Jackson
Age: 47
Occupation: Singer, Dancer and Actress
Known For: Dozens of hit singles including ‘Control,’ ‘Rhythm Nation’ and ‘That’s the Way Love Goes,’ early TV roles on ‘Good Times’ and ‘Fame,’ movie work in ‘Poetic Justice’ and the ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ film franchise, being of the world’s most awarded artists, and of course being the late Michael Jackson’s little sister

Tori Spelling
Age: 39
Occupation: Actress, Author and Reality Star
Known For: Playing Donna Martin on ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ starring in a string of campy TV movies, appearing with her husband Dean McDermott in several reality shows, being the daughter of late TV producer Aaron Spelling, and having an extremely busy womb

Pierce Brosnan
Age: 59
Occupation: Actor
Known For: Starring on the TV series ‘Remington Steele’ before going on to play James Bond in four movies and appear in other films such as ‘Dante’s Peak,’ ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ ‘The Matador,’ ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘The Ghost Writer,’ and his work for various charitable and environmental causes

Debra Winger
Age: 57
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Her breakthrough role in ‘Urban Cowboy,’ Oscar-nominated performances in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman,’ ‘Terms of Endearment’ and ‘Shadowlands,’ other notable work in ‘Rachel Getting Married,’ a previous marriage to actor Timothy Hutton, and having a reputation for being outspoken and sometimes difficult to work with

Megan Fox
Age: 26
Occupation: Actress and Model
Known For: Her roles in the first two ‘Transformers’ movies, other films including ‘Jennifer’s Body’ and the upcoming ‘Friends with Kids,’ having a chronic case of foot-in-mouth disease, her marriage to actor Brian Austin Green, and (allegedly) being currently pregnant with her first child

Ocean Endosurgery Center

The colonoscopy was routine and something we should all do at least every 5 years once we turn 50.   The prep for the procedure is not a lot of fun but honestly nowhere near as bad as it apparently used to be years ago and the test itself allows you to experience the best nap you’ll ever have.

The staff at Ocean Endosurgery Center in Toms River was great and when it was all over Dr. Paul DeMartino gave me the good news in his usual colorful style.  Nothing like those vivid color photos of your colon…would have looked nice on my Facebook page.

Dr. DeMartino gave me the 5-year get out of colonoscopy jail free card afterwards which is what you want to hear.

Community Medical Center in Toms River (Facebook)

Later on my “day off” I visited Dr. Howard Berger who last week performed minor surgery on my neck to remove a cyst that I’ve had for at least 15 or 20 years.

It was one of those things that just needed to be taken care of and he did in the same-day surgery unit at Community Medical Center.  All turned out well as he took the stitches out and said the cyst was nothing to be concerned about.

Dr. Berger and I have an interesting history as several years ago I need surgery and he was recommended to me. The night before the procedure he comes in to brief me and says we had sort of met before.  Turns out that when my wife was giving birth to our son Brandon in 1985 he ended up assisting because it became an emergency c-section.   Really is a small world.

That’s it on the medical front this morning but here are a couple of other quick-hitters:

Congratulations to Toms River South softball standout Danielle Gabriel who Monday broke a 22-year old school record for most strikeouts in a season during an 8-1 win against Manchester.  Gabriel tossed a 4-hitter and struck out 12 for the 15-6 Indians who have been a pleasant surprise this spring.   A junior, Gabriel now has 243 K’s this season which breaks the Indians record previously held by Jodi Solana.

Congrats also go out to Toms River North boys tennis coach Steve Hill as he collected his 300^th win yesterday when the Mariners topped Vineland to advance into the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.   Hill is in his 16^th season as head coach of the Boys Tennis team and he also coaches the girls in the fall where he’s won 279 matches.

Mike Stobe, Getty Images

The New York Yankees recently honored retired Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey and her adopted combat dog Sgt. Rex.  The two served in the Iraq war in 2006 and were both injured by an IED blast.  Leavey adopted Rex once they retired and have been inseparable ever since.  Check out the footage of their amazing story below.

To see footage from the Yankees’ ceremony click HERE.

The bond between these two is amazing.  Do you have a pet that you’re inseparable from?