Wendy’s Super Easy Super Bowl Guacamole Ingredients: 1 bag of ripe avocados (4) from Trader Joe’s 1 container of fresh salsa from Trader Joe’s (spiciness dependent on your taste) 1 – 3 large cloves or garlic pressed or finely chopped 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 bag of tortilla chips (I like multigrain) Directions: Peel and pit avocados. Mash the avocados in a non-metal bowl (if one or more of them seems a wee bit under ripe, chop that/those instead of mashing). Drain the fresh salsa well (I usually use the lid to squish it down and just pour the liquid into the sink) and add it to the mashed …

Ah, spring break. You – or your kids – get to take a hiatus from school. Or maybe you've scheduled a little post-winter time off from work. Either way, it's the season of trips and travel, adventures abroad and journeys to far-flung locales. Or maybe not. Have you seen airfares lately? But don't worry – there are ways to get away without going far. After all, our shore is a vacation destination for millions every summer. Go ahead and be a tourist in your own backyard now, while rates are cheap and crowds are nonexistant. 1. The College Beach Trip. Who needs Miami? The Sea Shell Resort and …

You can say you're chasing away the winter blues, or getting yourself ready for summer, but really – do you need a reason to take a spa day? Check out some of these picks: Milagro Day Spa at the Atlantic Club, 1904 Atlantic Ave., Manasquan: This fitness club spa is well-known for its massages, but it offers a range of other services, too: facials, hair, nails and beauty. The spa also offers specialty body care treatments such as the French Body Polish, which incorporates essential oils and body creams to lighten and purify the skin; the Milagro Sea Salt Glow, which uses rejuvinating Dead Sea …

Spring may be barely beginning, but summer camp sign-ups are in full swing. Whether your youngster is looking for a ropes course adventure, acting lessons or a little extra attention to help build social skills, we've got suggestions. The Strand Theater School of the Arts Summer Theater Workshop, 303 Fourth St., Lakewood, 732-367-7789 Type: Theater day camp Who it’s for: Theater buffs and singers of all experience levels who want to learn more about acting, vocal techniques, onstage movement and teamwork through rehearsals, games and activities, all culminating in a performance. First- …

Yesterday, young and old across the country sat down and opened up a book or two in recognition of National Read Across America Day, created 14 years ago by the National Education Association and timed to coincide with the birthday of the late Theodor Geisel, better known as the beloved Dr. Seuss. But just because the book-centric celebration is behind us doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick up a new title or two this weekend. Here are some staff picks and recommendations from librarians in the Ocean and Monmouth County library systems for readers of all ages. The first two of these choice books …

It’s that time of year. Prom time. A time when teenage girls start agonizing about A-lines and stressing over sequins – and parents recoil in horror from pricetags. Shopping early and shopping around can be the key to getting a good deal on a gown, and avoiding that most dreaded of dance faux pas – horror of horrors ­– showing up in the same dress as a classmate. Whatever style you or your prom-goer are seeking, we’ve got a good list of go-to boutiques in the shore area to get you started.  Going for a classic look? Hard to go wrong with tried-and-true designer Jessica McClintock. Check out …

Cabin fever making you crazy? Need to do some horizon gazing? Bundle up and head to one of these sites. They offer some of the best vistas and prettiest natural surrounding at the Jersey Shore, and with no crowds, winter is a great time to visit. 1. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Brigantine Division, 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville; 609-652-1665. This section of the vast Forsythe preserve, which in total protects 47,000 acres along the Jersey Shore, is open to visitors year-round and includes a nine-mile driving loop that lets you see various wetland habitats without having to get out of…

The weekly installment of Patch Picks, where our staff offers up our top suggestions, is this week focused on Valentine’s Day. Or rather, anti-Valentine’s Day. If you want to avoid the trappings of mass-produced Russell Stover chocolates at the drugstore, or linguini marinara like any other from a national restaurant chain, we’ve got some suggestions that are truly fun (and creative!) for the most hopeless of romantics. Not your average dinner Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year, so undoubtedly the weekend before will find restaurants packed to the gills with reservations from couples …

Unable to make Sunday’s Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium? Haven’t been invited to any Super Bowl house party? What, no friends? Don’t want to stay Home Alone? Certainly not with Macaulay Culkin. Thinking of heading out to a favorite Watering Hole? Frankly, I don't blame you. As many of you already know, I am very fussy about cold beer, good food and not being annoyed by some intoxicated loudmouth know-it-all. So here are some places I will consider on Sunday. Basil T’s, 183 Riverside Road, Red Bank: A longtime favorite of mine. Why? Good food, good friends, good viewing. All you need to know…

We've got a list going of shore bars throwing Super Bowl parties, but here's a look at some more great game day destinations that cater to the sports crowd year-round. The List: Super Bowl hangouts Jack's Goal Line Stand, 149 Brighton Ave., Long Branch. 30 cent wings, $2 Bud Light and tons of promotions and giveaways make Jack's a great place to see the big game. The Ivy League, 5 E. Third St. and Route 9, Howell. Starting at 6 p.m., the bar serves up $2.50 Coors Lite bottles and drafts, plus $3 Blue Moons and food specials. Scooter's, 6782 Route 9 South, Howell. There's food on the house and…