Tickets available for dinner and gift auction       St. Rose of Lima School PTA is selling tickets for its upcoming dinner and gift auction. "The Garden of Gifts Dinner and Gift Auction," will be held March 30 from 7-11 p.m. at The Battleground Country Club in Manalapan. The theme of the event is "Passport to the World." Preview of the i... More ... Time to change clock and smoke detector battery       Smoke alarm batteries need to be changed once a year. Daylight savings time begins on March 11 this year, and serves as a reminder to change smoke alarm batteries at the same time. Once batteries have been changed, all smoke alarms should be tested to be sure they are working. More ... Datebook       + Women's American ORT (Organi-zation for Education Resources Through Technical Training) is accepting payment and reservations for a summer trip to Cape Cod. The trip is scheduled for June 10-14. All are welcome. Details: Rita, (732) 536-9304. More ... Local boat ramp opens       The Monmouth County Park System's boat ramp at the Manasquan Reservoir, Windeler Road, Howell, opened March 1. Open through Nov. 30, seasonal and daily boat launch passes are available. The cost is $5 daily or $40 seasonal. Boaters can explore the site, take advantage of fishing opportu... More ... Sayreville wins honor at stepping competition       Manalapan High School rocked to the sounds of feet stomping and hands clapping as students from seven high schools competed in a stepping competition during the school's annual African-American Heritage Festival held last week. Sayreville War Memorial High School won first place, ... More ... Blood donations reach critically low inventory       New Jersey Blood Services, the New Jersey division of the New York Blood Center, recently reached a critically low inventory of all blood types and platelets. Eligible donors are urged to call 1-800-933-BLOOD and schedule an ap-pointment to donate blood or platelets immediately. More ... Generation Connection seeks new volunteers       The Generation Connection invites all interested senior citizens to join its program as volunteers in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District. If you enjoy listening to and talking with children, this intergenerational program may be for you. More ...