News Updates as of 7 February 2010

• The Independent ran a comprehensive piece that updates the situation with the transit village around the Aberdeen Matawan railroad station. The borough and the township can't agree on development plans and are working with separate developers. Silver Oak Properties thought it would be handling the entire joint project when Aberdeen chose its development plan, so it went to court when Matawan chose Columbia Group to handle its part of the project. Matawan, which thinks the Silver Oak plan is out of scale for the community, says their right to use Columbia is an underlying assumption of the partnership, and the courts agreed in a summary judgment back in 2008. It seems that the borough and township are talking informally but still not coordinating their approaches to this major development project. Despite the appearance of movement, I suspect we will see continued delays until the two sides settle their differences.
• Matawan Aberdeen School District is submitting its application for Race to the Top funding, according to The Independent.
• Local green manufacturer B Green Innovations has made an arrangement with Mega Group USA for the latter to sell B Green's Vibe Away product in its stores across the country.
• A few local organizations are using a calendar at American Towns to list their upcoming events. Matawan is among the municipalities at the site, but not Aberdeen.
• The head of Manna House in Cliffwood Beach was quoted in an APP article about an annual homeless count in Monmouth County. This year the county was in Freehold and Asbury Park. They were giving special attention to those who live in overcrowded conditions or couch surf. Some survive in substandard housing with as many as a dozen tenants in a single apartment, while others find a place to sleep wherever they can -- often a friend's sofa. Winter coats and scarves were handed out, drawing participants to the survey. Health professionals were also on hand. See Project Homelessness Connect for photos and more details of the Freehold event.
• My Central Jersey.com suggests some local winter activities to keep you active.
• Laura posted a photo at Stripers Online of the large fish she caught with light tackle off Cliffwood Beach at the end of September 2009. Seems the discussion was on big fish that didn't get away.
• Assemblywoman Amy Handlin will be at Aberdeen Matawan train station to talk to constituents during the morning commute on 23 February, per Red Bank Green.
• Glenda Bonin tells the story to the Arizona Daily Star of how Whispers the Clown was born here in Matawan in a fit of desperation that left her in tears. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this storyteller got her start by performing at her kid's birthday party in a borrowed clown costume.
• A joint OB Aberdeen/Mat Chamber of Commerce dinner will be held at Buttonwood Manor on 16 February, per The Independent.
• Aberdeen Township has formed a business council to foster relations with the local business community, per The Independent. Let's hope they come up with some ideas to support local businesses while they promote our town. 4th of July and pumpkin picking are two events that attract visitors to the region, so why not start with those?
• Check out Wheelies, a new fast food place on Route 516 in Old Bridge.
• Art in Motion Academy of Dance in Matawan has 88 dancers participating in Dance Across America, per My Central Jersey.com. If you're interested in dance, check out the Saturday Night Krew starting 13 February.

And if you are thinking about how you'll make that car of yours last just a little bit longer, check out this story: