UPPER NEWS NOTES – 5-12

Which New Jersey beach was the only one to be named an outstanding beach by Coastal Living Magazine in their May issue? If you said Ocean City, then you’re a bona fide beach buff. The cover story is “31 Best Beach Vacations,” and the first two pages feature Ocean City.
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Ocean City Arts Center Sale – Paintings, most of which are Purchase Award Winners from the annual Boardwalk Art Show, will be sold from the center’s permanent collection because of lack of display space. Prices range from $50 to $2,500.
On Friday, from 7-8:30 p.m., a reception will be held at the center, located at 17th and Simpson Avenue. At that time, prices of the paintings will be posted. The paintings may be seen at the center now. For further information contact Rosalyn Lifshin, executive director, at 609-399-7628.
March 24, 1989 and April 20, 2010 – What do these two dates have in common? Events on those dates led to massive oil spills. John T. Lincoln was assigned as a monitor for the Federal-on-scene Coordinator to the Exxon Valdez oil spill during the summers of 1989 and 1990.
Lincoln, United States Coast Guard Reserve (Ret.) will be the guest speaker at an exceptional presentation hosted by the Cape May County Library on May 17, at 7 p.m. Lincoln, who worked with representatives from the state of Alaska and Exxon, prepared sketches and maps of the shoreline and made recommendations regarding methods to remove oil from the area.
The program will take place at the Main Branch of the library located at 30 Mechanic St. in Court House. For more information call 609-463-6389, or go online at
www.cmclibrary.org.
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The Ocean City Historical Museum extends an invitation to its regular volunteers and also anyone interested in becoming one, to attend Volunteer Orientation 2010 on May 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The featured speaker will be Robert Smith, guest curator of “Buckets of Fun” special exhibition.
Volunteer training will be provided, and hours are flexible. To register call 609-399-1801, or e-mail info@ocnjmuseum .org. Light refreshments will be provided.
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Si, digo el español. Sign up now for conversational Spanish classes to be held at the Main Branch of the library on Wednesdays, beginning May 26, at 6 p.m. The 14-week course is designed for those who have no knowledge of or background in the Spanish language.
The instructor is Gheorghe Dooley, a graduate of Stockton College with a degree in Spanish and Cultural Studies of Latin America.
Class size will be limited. A valid library card is needed, along with registration, which can be done by calling 609-463-6350, or going online at www.cmclibrary.org.
A $13 non-refundable fee for the workbook is due at registration. The library is located at 30 Mechanic St. in Court House.
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Special treat for visitors to Atlantic City Airport – While waiting for flights, enjoy the paintings of the Arc artists at the Artport, a mini-gallery sponsored by the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which showcases the art work of talented artists from the New Jersey area.
Joanne Bernardini of the Ocean City Fine Arts League said, “This is an exceptional opportunity for some very exceptional artists.” The Arc artists are a group of 12 artists with developmental and physical disabilities who receive weekly art instruction at the OC Arts League.
The public is invited to view the exhibition which continues through June 30. There is no admission charge, and visitors can park for free to see the display.
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If you would like to make the public aware of events happening in your town, classroom, group, or club, please email me at laladyw@aim.com.