This Week In Manchester: First Night, Read To Dogs, Mayor Installation

With the New Year’s celebration this week, it’s somewhat quiet.

All state, county and local government offices will close early on New Year’s Eve and remain closed through New Year’s Day.

On Monday, the Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library is hosting Read to the Dogs, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kids up to fifth-graders are invited to bring a book and read to Alf, a certified reading therapy dog. Alf is a Labradoodle who will listen to you read! Please register for a 15-minute time slot by calling or stopping by at our childrens’ service desk. 732-657-7600 ext. 4300.

On Wednesday, the Manchester branch of the library is hosting a Feature Film Festival. The movie “New Year’s Eve” will be shown at noon.

Also on Wednesday, First Night Ocean County, sponsored by the Lakewood BlueClaws, runs from noon to 5 p.m. in Seaside Heights.

On Friday, Kenneth Palmer will be sworn in as the township’s new mayor. The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. in the municipal building.

The Township Council reorganization meeting and swearing in of Councilmen Brendan Weiner and Craig Wallis to new terms is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.