Union Beach Wins Independence Day Celebration

The party will be courtesy of the TV Network Destination American and USA WEEKEND.

Union Beach has won an "over-the-top" Fourth of July celebration on the beachfront, thanks to its ex-Fire Dept. Chief who nominated the Hurricane Sandy-devastated Bayshore town in a national contest sponsored by the TV network Destination America and USA WEEKEND.  The 2 mile-square town was selected with Fayetteville, NC as being "most deserving" among 3,500 entries submitted in March.  The judges were persuaded by Union Beach resident Robert LaBerta's 500-word essay. In it, LaBerta wrote, "I'm a humble 37-year resident of a small NJ town. During Superstorm Sandy, 90% of our town was flooded and many homes destroyed. The residents of my small town came together to not only rebuild but save each other emotionally. I had the honor of being …

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Hurricane Sandy

Obama and Christie to Visit Jersey Shore on Tuesday

This will be Obama's first visit to Shore since just after Sandy

President Obama and Gov. Christie will visit the Jersey Shore on Tuesday, according to The Record in Bergen County. Herb Jackson of the Record and northjersey.com reports President Obama will visit the Jersey Shore on Tuesday with Gov. Christie. This will be Obama's first visit to the area since Oct. 31, just after the storm struck. More information can be found here.

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Man Indicted on Sex Assault Charges in Alleged Matawan, Aberdeen Burglaries

Police allege the Matawan resident is responsible for two early morning burglaries where a female was home alone and assaulted.

A Matawan resident was indicted Thursday on charges he sexually assaulted or attempted to sexually assault two women during separate burglaries in Matawan and Aberdeen, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Investigators say Derrick J. Federick, 33, broke into a second-floor apartment in Aberdeen at about 4:45 a.m. May 29, 2012, and attempted to assault a female resident, who was home alone at the time of the burglary. A confrontation between the then-31-year-old female victim and the intruder resulted in the woman stabbing him with a steak knife, causing him to flee the apartment and jump from the second floor balcony, Aberdeen Chief of Police John Powers told Patch.   Investigators also allege that Federick entered a …

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Tony's Traditional Barber Shop Celebrating Ten Years on Main Street in Matawan

Tradition is key for Tony's barber shop, which made its home on Main Street in 2003.

Ten years ago Tony Tomasetti trusted his gut and opened a traditional style barber shop on Main Street in Matawan. "I knew Matawan needed another barber shop from driving past what used to be Tommy's and seeing the long wait," he said.  He took a chance and quit his job as a barber in Sayreville and opened up at 106 Main Street. There he stayed until about two years ago, when his landlord ended his lease. Tomasetti, however, was able to keep it traditional almost directly across the street at 117 Main.  Tomasetti's official tenth anniversary is on May 28. However, he will be marking the occasion on June 21 by offering $10 haircuts to men and boys. After watching the ebb and flow of business in downtown Matawan, Tomasetti is proud that he …

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1,000 Bottles Of Booze Seized In 'Operation Swill'

Matawan's Cafe 34 was among those targeted by year-long investigation.

More than 1,000 bottles of booze were seized from 29 New Jersey bars, including at Café 34 & Bistro in Matawan, by more than 100 state agents Wednesday at the conclusion of a year-long investigation called “Operation Swill,’’ authorities said Thursday. The investigation alleges that the bars and restaurants — a dozen TGI Friday's among them — filled premium alcoholic beverage bottles with cheaper alcohol in an attempt to fool customers and increase profits, authorities have said. Customers paid for the premium brand, but were instead poured a non-premium substitute, the release says.  Acting on tips and consumer complaints, samples were taken in January and February when ABC investigators visited 63 licensed establishments across the state…

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Rutgers' NJ Collegiate Job Fair Is May 30; Over 150 Employers Expected

Thursday, May 30 job fair is open to entry level and experienced job seekers.

The New Jersey Collegiate Career Day is May 30 at Rutgers University. From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., over 150 public and private sector employers will be at the New Brunswick Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Ave. and Brower Commons, 145 College Ave. Free shuttles will be on hand to transport people between the West Stadium parking lot near High Points Solutions Stadium on Busch Campus and the site of the fair. Job seekers are encouraged to wear business attire and to bring multiple copies of their resumes, according to the university. For more information, visit http://careerservices.rutgers.edu. Hunting for a job? Search a variety of full-time, part-time and contract work on Matawan-Aberdeen Patch through Career Builder.

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Tell Us: What’s the Goal You Are Working on Right Now?

Big or small, we want to know what goals Matawan and Aberdeen residents are working towards and how they plan to achieve them. Sponsored by Grape Nuts.

About this sponsorship: Patch has teamed up with Grape-Nuts cereal on this "What’s Your Mountain” campaign to find inspirational stories in our towns and celebrate folks who have affected positive change in their lives and communities. A life without goals is like a journey without a destination. In May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary aimed high: the top of Mount Everest, Earth’s tallest mountain. Then he famously became one of the first climbers to reach the summit. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hillary’s epic goal achievement, Patch has partnered with Grape-Nuts’ “What’s Your Mountain” campaign, inspiring today’s adventurers to strive to reach their own goals. Setting a goal is the first step towards achieving your ideal future. Want …

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"Operation Swill" Targets Café 34 of Matawan

Investigation alleges that customers were poured cheap booze even when paying for premium liquor, authorities say

Café 34 & Bistro of Matawan is among 29 bars and restaurants throughout New Jersey targeted by state officials during a year-long investigation into establishments that may have served cheap booze while charging premium prices, according to the state Attorney General's Office. Update: Investigators seized over 1,000 bottles of alcohol during investigation. Read more --> Alcoholic beverages were seized Wednesday and records have been demanded from 29 licensed bars and restaurants -- including Café 34 at 787 Route 34 in Matawan  -- in the state as part of "Operation Swill,'' according to the release. The investigation alleges that the establishments -- a dozen TGI Fridays also among them -- filled premium alcoholic beverage bottles with …

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Chelsea Naso

1:31 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013

Here is an update to this story: http://patch.com/A-44Kn   more ›