Author Archives: Dustin

RED BANK RENEWS PUSH FOR LATE CLOSINGS

Bars and restaurants are doing their job keeping doors open late, some say, but more merchants must stay open to attract more visitors. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI As Red Bank continues to claw its way out of an economic hole it hasn’t seen since the we-don’t-like-to-talk-about-it Dead Bank days, [...]

PADDLE DAY MAKES A RETURN TO THE RIVER

A beginner gets acclimated with the water at last year’s inaugural Paddle the Navesink Day. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) Red Bank has its share of river-themed events. There’s Riverfest in June, a three-day bonanza of food and entertainment. There’s Kaboom Fireworks on the Navesink, one the nation’s largest pyrotechnics shows. Rowing and [...]

IT’S OFFICIAL: CHAR TAKES ASHES SPACE

Vacant for the past year, the corner building on Broad Street has a new tenant. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD The three-story space formerly home to Ashes Cigar Bar in Red Bank is about to get some of its sizzle back. After a year of vacancy, the building at the corner of Broad [...]

A FAIR SIGHT: FAIR HAVEN FIREMEN’S FAIR

The Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair kicks off its traditional week-plus run Friday night. Touted as the biggest firemen’s fair in New Jersey, the event boasts feel-good qualities galore: brimming bowls of clam chowder, bird’s-eye views from atop a Ferris wheel, dizzying rides and a much-anticipated “super 50-50″ drawing. Upwards of 10,000 visitors are expected. The [...]

OFFICIAL’S OWN TREE REMOVAL PERMIT AXED

The home of Elizabeth Lilleston, Fair Haven’s code enforcement officer. Below, her husband, Richard, looks at one of two trees that were to be removed from their Woodland Drive property. (Photos by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI A permit issued by Fair Haven’s code enforcement officer allowing her to remove two trees [...]

ROCK SCHOOL DOES A RED BANK ENCORE

Workers took down the Summit Music signs and  prepped the Monmouth Street building for School of Rock signage last month. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI After a brief pause, 52 Monmouth Street is plugged back in. From mom-and-pop op to corporate giant, the space is once again open to young [...]

TRAFFIC AN ISSUE FOR HOTEL PLAN

Planning board member Ed Zipprich and alternates Barbara Boas and Linda Cohen pore over plans for a hotel proposed for the Red Bank end of the Cooper Bridge. A second-story floor plan, below. (Photos by Stacie Fanelli. Click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI The fate of a large-scale hotel envisioned at the northern gateway to [...]

YARBROUGH DEATH INSPIRES CALL FOR UNITY

Mourners gathered outside the Bank Street house where a melee led to the fatal knifing of Larry Yarbrough and the serious wounding of another man on August 7. (Photos by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI Almost a week after the stabbing death of Larry Yarbrough, friends and relatives by the dozens filled [...]

A FAIR WIND CARRIES DELI DOWN THE BLOCK

Fairwinds Deli made its move down east last week. Below, the late-lunch crowd crams the counter Thursday. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI The surest sign that the lunching public caught wind of Fairwind Deli‘s long-awaited move east could be measured by the number of bicycles outside. By noon Saturday, the [...]

CONDO PLAN CHANGE APPEARS ON FAST TRACK

Rosemary Brewer, above, voiced frustration at Tuesday night’s planning board hearing over a townhouse development proposed in Little Silver. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI A previously approved but unbuilt townhouse development near the railroad tracks in Little Silver that local opponents had hoped to get a second shot at derailing [...]

MIDDLETOWN STANDOFF ENDS WITH ARREST

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI A brief standoff with a knife-wielding man on Monday ended without injury and resulted in the man’s arrest for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Middletown police report. The man, identified as James Wierzbicky, was holding a large knife in the backyard of a Navesink home when [...]

FAIR HAVEN: ARBORCIDE AT NATURAL AREA

Nature enthusiasts want the borough to fund restoration of a mistakenly cleared-out area at the Fair Haven Fields Natural Area. Below, the affected site. (Photos by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI Several years of toil by nature-loving volunteers was undone in Fair Haven last month when borough employees mistakenly destroyed some 150 [...]

QUICKLY, RED BANK TAPS NEW CFO

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI Bruce Loversidge can go back to retirement. Again. Red Bank’s former chief financial officer and go-to guy to fill in for his outgoing successors will be relieved of his interim duties at the end of the month. In speedy fashion, the borough has hired Spring Lake Heights’ financial chief to take over [...]

DRUNK DRIVING RAMPANT IN MIDDLETOWN

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI The recurring — and alarming — theme for Middletown’s police officers this week was dealing with alleged drunks crashing into things. There were five reported car accidents in which the drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated, said Detective Lieutenant Steve Dollinger in his regular roundup of crime activity. One driver fell [...]

SUV FLIPS IN RUMSON

Watched by onlookers, below, emergency responders pulled a woman from her car after it flipped over on West River Road in Rumson. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge) By DUSTIN RACIOPPI One woman was taken to the hospital today after she flipped her sport utility vehicle in Rumson’s business district Monday morning. Despite the [...]


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    • 06.18 - Book Discussion at the Library The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch hosts a discussion of Ayelet Waldman's novel RED HOOK ROAD.
    • 06.18 - Caregiver Support Group at Red Bank Library The RBPL hosts Colleen Smith of the Monmouth County Office on Aging in a free informational presentation, aimed at those who care for aged family members or other elderly citizens. Call 732.308.3770 x8780 for more info.
    • 06.18 - SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody Inspired by the guilty pleasures of the blockbuster FIFTY SHADES books, this touring musical satire offers 'comedy, musical numbers, sexy striptease performances from the devilishly handsome leading man,' plus a chance to 'pose for a photo with Mr. Dangerous himself!'
    • 06.19 - Book Discussion at the Library The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch hosts a discussion of Ayelet Waldman's novel RED HOOK ROAD. Sessions at 10am and 7:30pm.
    • 06.19 - Noble Writers at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a free weekly Wednesday morning meeting of the writing group for women, with all welcome to join and no registration required.
    • 06.19 - Jersey Inchkins Red Bank Library hosts a club made up of adults who do 'very little work.' Every third Wednesday of each month, club members build houses, rooms, scenes, and vignettes in miniature, usually on a scale of one inch to one foot.
    • 06.19 - PRESENT LAUGHTER Two River Theater Company revisits the works of Noel Coward with this witty and sophisticated 'valentine to the theater,' in which Tony nominated Broadway stage star Michael Cumpsty stars as the debonair, mature and very neurotic leading man Gary Essendine. David Lee (creator of TV's FRASIER) directs. Shows at 1pm and 7pm.
    • 06.19 - Time Out with Timber, at Red Bank Library Certified therapy dog Timber visits the Avice Noblett Children's Room at Red Bank Library, to 'sit and listen as hesitant and reluctant readers, and dog lovers too, ages 5 and over, read to him.' Call or visit the Children's Room to sign up for a 15 minute 'Time Out with Timber' reading session, on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
    • 06.19 - Sandy Hook Beach Concerts: British Invasion Tribute The summertime series of free Wednesday evening concerts on the Hook continues on the portable stage and sandy seating area at Beach Area E.
    • 06.19 - Readin' on the River at RBPL The Red Bank Public Library hosts its monthly (third Wednesday) adult book discussion group, with the featured book THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING by Carson McCullers. Register with Patrice Baldino at 732.842.0690.
    • 06.19 - Conversational Spanish Classs at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a free weekly Wednesday evening program (conducted by Maria Jose Martinez Reid) for adults and teens who want to start or improve their Spanish speaking skills. No registration required.
    • 06.19 - Reggae Night with Random Test A Wednesday night tradition in Red Bank continues, as the Shore based partystarters bring the warm and the cool to Jamian's Food & Drink.
    • 06.19 - Guns for Hire Trio Appearing every Wednesday night in June, at Walt Street Pub.
    • 06.19 - Paul Heaney Trio Appearing Wednesday nights in June, downstairs at The Downtown.
    • 06.20 - Neighbors Helping Neighbors at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a free weekly Thursday morning meeting of the support group for people who are re—entering the job market, struggling small business owners and anyone looking for part—time or volunteer work.
    • 06.20 - Final Exam Study Session for Teens Middletown Main Library hosts a study session in the air conditioned community room, with tutors and snacks available and no registration required.
    • 06.20 - Yoga Kids at RBPL The Avice Noblett Children's Room at Red Bank Public Library hosts free yoga sesions for kids ages 5 and up, conducted by Alice Balzarini. Registration required; bring your own mat.
    • 06.20 - Chris Roselle Appearing at Basil T's for several Thursday night sets.
    • 06.20 - PRESENT LAUGHTER Two River Theater Company revisits the works of Noel Coward with this witty and sophisticated 'valentine to the theater,' in which Tony nominated Broadway stage star Michael Cumpsty stars as the debonair, mature and very neurotic leading man Gary Essendine. David Lee (creator of TV's FRASIER) directs.
    • 06.20 - Rock N Roll Karaoke The band from NYC's Arlene's Grocery hosts this popular weekly feature at The Downtown, in which civilian hopefuls can front a hard—rocking combo on any of a couple hundred classic rock favorites.
    • 06.21 - Yoga for Adults Amy Novak leads a free Friday afternoon session at Red Bank Library. No registration required; bring your own mat.
    • 06.21 - Harry & Joel Those cats from Cats, Diamonds and other legendary Jersey Shore bands return to Basil T's for several Friday night sets.
    • 06.21 - PRESENT LAUGHTER Two River Theater Company revisits the works of Noel Coward with this witty and sophisticated 'valentine to the theater,' in which Tony nominated Broadway stage star Michael Cumpsty stars as the debonair, mature and very neurotic leading man Gary Essendine. David Lee (creator of TV's FRASIER) directs.
    • 06.21 - Tracy Morgan The Emmy nominated star of 30 ROCK (and SNL and Kevin Smith flicks etc.) returns to Red Bank for another standup stopover on the Basie boards.
    • 06.21 - Matt Noffsinger at Walt Street Pub Appearing at station stop Red Bank for some Friday night sets.
    • 06.21 - Jukebox Criminals Appearing upstairs at The Downtown.
    • 06.22 - AAUW Used Booksale Thousands of best sellers, children's books, paperbacks, DVDs and more at bargain basement prices — as the American Association of University Women used book sale continues every Saturday (except holidays) in the spacious basement of the Old First Church in Middletown.
    • 06.22 - The Great Outdoor Family Festival The Great Lawn at the Lincroft campus of Brookdale Community College is the setting for a celebration of the great outdoors, presented by the neighboring Monmouth Museum (with local private and nonprofit partners) as a way of encouraging everyone to take a 'staycation' and support the economy of our Jersey Shore. Featured are games and activities, live music, camping demos, nature crafts, artwork, story—telling, entertainment, antique cars, bumper cars, miniature golf, boardwalk treats, souvenirs and guided tours through the museum's featured exhibition, America Hits the Road. Rain date is Sunday, June 23.
    • 06.22 - One on One Help with Your Resume at RBPL Red Bank Public Library offers hourlong sessions by appointment with librarian volunteers, who assist job seekers with creating or updating a resume to compete effectively in today's job market. Please call or visit the Reference Desk to sign up for this free program.
    • 06.22 - Collage Klatch at RBPL Red Bank Public Library's local history librarian Elizabeth McDermott hosts a free monthly session open to anyone interested in the art of collage. No registration necessary; pick up a materials list at the library.
    • 06.22 - Falun Dafa Cultivation Class Middletown Main Library hosts an introduction to the Chinese self cultivation practice (aka Falun Gong) that improves mental and physical wellness through a series of easy to learn exercises, meditation and development of one's Heart/Mind Nature (Xinxing).
    • 06.22 - PRESENT LAUGHTER Two River Theater Company revisits the works of Noel Coward with this witty and sophisticated 'valentine to the theater,' in which Tony nominated Broadway stage star Michael Cumpsty stars as the debonair, mature and very neurotic leading man Gary Essendine. David Lee (creator of TV's FRASIER) directs. Shows at 3pm and 8pm.
    • 06.22 - Red Bank StreetLife The summertime Saturday night series of free local music showcases returns to the sidewalks and storefronts of the borough’s business district for a 13th season, with performers and locations TBA.
    • 06.22 - Steve and Johnny Appearing at Basil T's for several Saturday night sets.
    • 06.22 - An Evening with Terence Blanchard at CBA As a fundraiser for the Performing Arts programs at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, the CBA Jazz Series presents the five time Grammy winning trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader in the intimate setting of the school's Henderson Theatre. He'll be joined in the Terence Blanchard Group by special guests Ravi Coltrane, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Robert Hurst III and Fabian Almazan for a set that draws from his new release MAGNETIC and a catalog that includes acclaimed jazz albums, film scores and a voice role in THE PRINCESS & THE FROG. Seating is limited to 350 tickets; an additional 25 dollars allows access to a cocktail reception prior to the show. Click for phone link to reserve.
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