Tuesday's List

Everyone has their least-favorite areas of Ocean County when it comes to driving and traffic congestion. In my case I probably have a ten-way tie for that honor and among them has to be the intersection of Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road in Brick. I’ve had the occasion to travel that area regularly the last couple of weeks and it seems no matter what time of day
it’s a mess.

President George W. Bush will be keynote speaker tomorrow when the United States Coast Guard Academy holds its 126th commencement exercises in New London, CT. The class of 228 will feature two graduates of Lacey Township High School, Sarah Eberling and Kevin Connell. Both will receive Bachelor of Science Degrees in Engineering and will become Ensigns serving on Coast Guard ships. Eberling is among the 77 women who will graduate tomorrow, the largest number of females in academy history. Attending Wednesday’s graduation ceremony will not only be the proud families of Eberling and Connell but Lacey Schools Superintendent Rich Starodub, whose son Brandon is a junior at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point and among the 8 Lacey graduates now attending one of the federal service academies.

The Rutgers baseball team begins its quest for a spot in the NCAA Tournament today when they face Notre Dame in the opening round of the Big East Tournament at Keyspan Park in Brooklyn. The Scarlet Knights tied St. John’s for the regular season title and are led by Toms River South graduate Todd Frazier, who Monday was named the conference player of the year.

As you’ve no doubt heard Phillies slugger Ryan Howard will be playing in Lakewood Wednesday and Thursday before rejoining the Phillies Friday in Atlanta. Howard will put on the BlueClaw uniform, which we wore during the 2002 season, as part of a two-game injury rehab assignment. Tickets are available for tomorrow’s 11AM and Thursday’s 6:35PM game by calling the BlueClaws ticket office at (732) 901-7000.

The sixth season of the FOX TV Series “24” concluded Monday night with a two-hour season finale which was okay but nothing special. The pretty much sums up the season itself but Jack Bauer will be on the run for a 7th year beginning next January. Hope it’s a better one.