ERIC SUCAR staff Charles Chou (from left), of East Brunswick, Jason Chiang, of Stony Brook, N.Y., and Jerry Xie, of Princeton Junction, take advantage of Saturday's unseasonably mild weather by playing basketball at Bicentennial Park in East Brunswick. More ... Capping recommended for Ford Avenue soil Some say plan is not enough to protect future residents BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       An environmental engineering firm working for the Ford Avenue Redevelopment Agency says contamination at the controversial Ford Avenue redevelopment site in Milltown should be capped off. Opponents of the project, however, contend that a cap is only a temporary fix and would not make the site saf... More ... Family rejects builders so farm can stay a farm County purchases development rights for 9 acres in Monroe BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       The Farmer family is living up to its name. The family's 9-acre tract, the Superior Horse Farm of New Jersey, is the 10th farm in Monroe Township to be preserved for posterity through the Middlesex County Farmland Preservation program. More ... Buddies have national crown to cheer about Persistence pays off for six girls on special Pop Warner squad BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       Known as dedicated and hardworking, there is now another adjective to describe the St. Bart's Buddy Cheerleaders - triumphant. Here was the team, three years since being formed in East Brunswick, performing at a national competition in Orlando, Fla., and receiving a standing ovation from more th... More ... Zagnit will not seek fourth term as mayor Barlow, councilman since 2005, plans to seek mayor's seat BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - After 12 years in office, Mayor Barry Zagnit has announced he will not seek re-election this spring. Meanwhile, borough Councilman Thomas Barlow said he will run for mayor in the borough's May 13 nonpartisan election. The fouryear term begins in July. More ... DeAngelo will retire after 13 years as administrator       Middlesex County Administrator Walter A. DeAngelo has announced he will retire, effective May 1. DeAngelo, 58, has served as the chief administrative officer, overseeing the management of county government, since 1994. The Board of Chosen Freeholders first appointed him to a three-year term, and ... More ... Bloopers Hope you'll excuse our 'fowl' language ADELE YOUNG       We like to start the new year by looking back at the typographical and grammatical errors that almost made it, and some that actually did make it, into some of Greater Media Newspapers' publications during the previous year. More ... Some 3,000 needy in N.J. will be warmer this winter       JAMESBURG - Dr. Debra DeMarco, of Monroe Chiropractic Care, and Gini Mundy, of The Well Being, expected to collect 2,000 coats with their fourth annual coat drive, nicknamed "Baby, It's Cold Outside." They were happily proven wrong. More ... Animal hospital is just what the doctor ordered Jamesburg resident happy to treat pets in his hometown BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       JAMESBURG - Area animals can rest at ease. Dr. Ehab Ibrahim has opened the Jamesburg Veterinary Hospital, the first place in town to offer medical care to residents' fourlegged friends. "There is no vet in Jamesburg, Monroe Township, Helmetta or Spotswood," Ibrahim said. "It's the perfect spot.... More ... Artist's creations will fill Beatles hotel Howell resident known worldwide for works of Fab Four BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       When the Beatles came to America in 1964, they rocked our world, literally. To this day Beatlemania is still running rampant across the country. With the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles' "Sgt. More ... It's not MOM's day just yet in Middlesex County BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer       Aridership study released on Dec. 13 by NJ Transit says that the proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) line that would run from Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction to the Northeast Corridor line and then to New York would have the highest daily ridership out of the three current options at 27,450. More ... Exhibit features works of well-known artist       SPOTSWOOD - Academy of Music on Main Street will open a new show in its art gallery featuring the oil paintings of Don Bloom. An opening reception and gallery talk by the artist will be held Sunday from 5- 7 p.m. "We are pleased to be able to exhibit this well-known artist's work," said Melody ... More ... Amber Blues to host CD release party in Asbury BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - After "A Year and Some Days," Amber Blues has finished its debut CD of the same name. Though the process proved long and arduous, members of the band said the finished product, completed in October, was well worth it. More ... 2007: The year in photos      JEFF GRANIT staff Clockwise from top left: Nina Malagi's dress blows in the wind as she reaches for daughter Rohini at the India Independence Day in North Brunswick, Aug. 15. A sunrise along the Jersey shore in August. A cyclist races through the course of the Men's Elite Race at the 2007 Verge Mid-... More ... Probation officer honored with achievement award by PANJ       EAST BRUNSWICK - Township resident Kevin Mooney was recently honored by the Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ), receiving the organization's "Lifetime Achievement Award." Mooney joined PANJ in 1973 and served as an "exemplary" probation officer until his retirement in 2003. After his ret... More ...