Category Archives: People

RED BANK: KEEPING BOBFEST FRESH

Shore troubador Pat Guadagno returns to the Count Basie Theatre Thursday for the 2013 edition of the Bob Dylan birthday bash known as BOBFEST. (photo by John Posada) By TOM CHESEK Like the grandest and most history-steeped Chuck E. Cheese on the planet, the Count Basie Theatre has been the setting for some special birthday [...]

FORMER RED BANK MAYOR ARRESTED FOR DWI

Former Mayor Ed McKenna tallies election returns at Democratic HQ last November. Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Former Red Bank Mayor Ed McKenna was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a one-car accident on the Garden State Parkway Monday night, State Police said Wednesday. According to agency spokesman Sergeant Adam Grossman, [...]

RED BANK: VISCOMI QUITS COUNCIL RACE

Suzanne Viscomi, center, in 2012 with then-running mate Allen Palma. Cindy Burnham, below, continues her quest for a council seat.  (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD The Red Bank GOP’s difficulties in mounting a sustained challenge to the all-Democrat borough council continue. The Asbury Park Press reports that Suzanne Viscomi, whose own running mate [...]

CHEECH & CHONG’S NEXT MOVE: A BASIE DATE

Reunited once more for their most ambitious tour in over 25 years, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong take it to the boards of the Count Basie on May 1 for an evening of  mirth, music and munchie-inducing classic routines. By TOM CHESEK  Is this any way to observe 420 Day? If you’re the elder stoner [...]

RED BANK: A RIDE FROM OHIO TO AUSCHWITZ

Playwright Lisa Kron performs her one-woman show 2.5 MINUTE RIDE, opening this weekend at Two River Theater. (Photo by T. Charles Erickson. Click to enlarge) By TOM CHESEK In the hands of its creator, it’s a thrill ride unlike any other, a midway attraction that clatters up a rollercoaster track in Ohio’s Cedar Point amusement [...]

RED BANK: EX-NFL-ER BRINGS HOOPS & HOPE

Lonnie Allgood getting out the word about Hoops for Hope at the Red Bank Street Fair earlier this month. (Click to enlarge) By WIL FULTON Former NFL wide receiver Lonnie Allgood is one of the select few: a Red Bank kid who had the talent and drive to live out the big league dream. But [...]

RED BANK: A BIRTHDAY TREAT FOR HIZZONER

The Red Bank Barbershop Quartet, which Mayor Pasquale Menna calls a borough “institution,” stopped in at Wednesday night’s council meeting to commemorate a declaration of Barbershop Quartet Week with several classics, including “My Wild Irish Rose.” The foursome, a unit of the borough-based 50-man Chorus of the Atlantic, then surprised hizzoner with this number. On [...]

RED BANK ORK’S GOT PLENTY OF GERSHWIN

Grammy-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis inaugurates a new series of “Talkin’ Jazz” events at the Count Basie tonight — then joins the Red Bank Jazz Orchestra this Sunday for a salute to George Gershwin. By TOM CHESEK April, in case you didn’t know, is National Jazz Appreciation Month, and here in the borough that birthed the [...]

SEA BRIGHT: AN OLD SALT & HIS PLOT OF SAND

Johnny Deckert shows off an aerial view of his home while waiting to get back into town for the first time after the hurricane on November 3. Below, Deckert clearing debris from his side yard last month. (Click to enlarge) By DAN NATALE Johnny Deckert is one of those people who make Sea Bright Sea [...]

RED BANK: MEDICATED PETE GOES BIG TIME

‘Medicated Pete’ McHeffey, below, shows off a frame from the remake of ‘D.O.A.,’ in which he stars as a doomed man. Above, three trailers for the film.  (Click to enlarge) By JOE FISHER For some celebrities, it’s hard to get out of the house without being mobbed by overzealous fans and tailed by paparazzi. Simple [...]

RED BANK: BIG BAND HOSTS BIG TROMBONE

Conductor Joe “Mooche” Muccioli with the “freight train” that is the Red Bank Jazz Orchestra, which takes to the Count Basie Theatre boards for the first in a new series of themed concert events Sunday. By TOM CHESEK Red Bank doesn’t have riverboat casino gambling. There’s no year-round Santa Claus Village no go-kart track. You’ll [...]

FAIR HAVEN: A COP WHO’S RIGHT AT HOME

By JOE FISHER “Being a cop in the town you grew up in can be complicated sometimes,’’ says Fair Haven Patrolman William Lagrotteria. “But it’s the best feeling in the world.’’ The seven-year department veteran and juvenile officer was honored Monday night as Patrolman of the Year by the borough council.

RED BANK: LIBRARIAN FINDS HER PLACE

New library Director Virginia Papandrea hopes to draw more teenagers to the facility, she says. (Photo by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge) By WIL FULTON Meet Virginia Papandrea, the newly installed director of the Red Bank Public Library. While she made many stops in her career before taking the helm of the borough’s literary and [...]

WEEKEND: BOOK SHOPPING, RUNNING, ART…

The Friends of the Red Bank Public Library three-day book sale kicks off Friday night with a reception, hits its stride Saturday, and concludes with a fill-a-bag coda on Monday. (Click to enlarge) Friday, February 1 SHREWSBURY: Shrewsbury’s branch of the Monmouth County Library will host Dr. Janice Thomas from Brookdale Community College at 11 [...]

RED BANK: MOTHER & SON’S NEW AGE ENERGY

Joycelyn and Christopher Midose at Earth Spirit, where the merchandise includes “energy-infused” candles, below.  (Photos by Danielle Tepper. Click to enlarge) By DANIELLE TEPPER If while strolling Monmouth Street in Red Bank you catch a titillating whiff of patchouli incense and sandalwood, let your curious nose guide you into Earth Spirit New Age Center, a shopping [...]


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    • 05.24 - Ride—A—Thon for Sea Bright Rising Clementine Cycling Studio in Fair Haven is the setting for a fundraising event for the locally based community recovery organization. Participants can ride anywhere from 1 to 6 hours between 9 am and 3 pm, with the goal of raising a minimum of 100 dollars per hour of ride time through sponsor donations. Click for phone and web links to more info.
    • 05.24 - Yoga for Adults Amy Novak leads a free Friday afternoon session at Red Bank Library. No registration required; bring your own mat.
    • 05.24 - Friday Knitters at Oceanic Library Crocheters are welcome too, as the Oceanic Free Library in Rumson invites needlecraft enthusiasts of all levels to bring your projects to show and share.
    • 05.24 - Movie Time at RBPL The Avice Noblett Children's Room at Red Bank Public Library invites kids with a day off from school to 'join the Immortal Guardians as they team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.'
    • 05.24 - Manga Club at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts an afternoon Manga Club on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, with teens and tweens meeting to view an anime film and discuss it afterwards. Light refreshments will be served; no registration required. Click for phone or email links to more info.
    • 05.24 - Teen Book Club at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a monthly group for teen readers, with this month's title THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. Click for phone or online links to reserve a copy of this month's selection, or for more info.
    • 05.24 - Student Life Exhibition at Gallery U Gallery U & Boutique in Red Bank hosts an opening reception for an installation of original artwork by students from Monmouth County high schools (including Red Bank Regional HS, Rumson Fair Haven Regional HS and Middletown HS North), with the exhibit remianing on display through June 4.
    • 05.24 - Bob Burger The bespectacled master of all music (and friend to the scary famous) returns to Basil T's for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.24 - Goodbie Amy Appearing for some Friday night sets, at Walt Street Pub.
    • 05.24 - Rip Tide Appearing at Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn in Rumson.
    • 05.24 - Reservoir Doggs Appearing at The Downtown for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.24 - Daddy Pop Appearing at The Downtown for several Saturday night sets.
    • 05.25 - 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.
    • 05.25 - Spring Book Sale at Eastern Branch The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury hosts the annual sale, running during normal library hours for one more day only.
    • 05.25 - 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.
    • 05.25 - American Sign Language for Tweens The Middletown Main Library hosts a series of ASL instruction workshops for ages 8 to 12 (with tween instructors Sarah and Phoebe), each Sunday afternoon in May. Registration is required (click for phone and email links).
    • 05.25 - Steve and Johnny Appearing at Basil T's for several Saturday night sets.
    • 05.25 - Chris Roselle Appearing at Basil T's for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.25 - Summer Comedy Benefit at the Basie, starring Artie Lange and Rich Vos The nonprofit Rebuild Seaside organization presents the first in a series of shows at the Count Basie, dedicated to post Sandy rebuilding efforts in and around the Ocean County resort of Seaside Heights. Rich Vos (TV's Last Comic Standing) emcees a show that toplines the Red Bank return of king of most media (and Toms River resident) Artie Lange, plus Bonnie McFarlane, Chris DeStefano and Dave Saitzyk.
    • 05.25 - The Haven Appearing for some Saturday night sets, at Walt Street Pub.
    • 05.25 - Mike Plunkett Appearing at Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn in Rumson.
    • 05.26 - Sunday Morning Dialog at UUCMC As part of its May series of guest speaker events, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County in Lincroft hosts a group of homeschooling moms, in a discussion entitled 'Homeschooling in NJ, Not As Crazy As You Think.' Preceded at 8:45am with serving of bagels and coffee in the community room.
    • 05.26 - Red Bank Farmers Market Fresh, locally grown produce from some of New Jerseys finest farmers, plus equally homegrown crafts, at this Sunday morning staple running May through the end of November in the Galleria parking lot.
    • 05.26 - The Ribeye Brothers It's a Memorial Weekend tradition: classics like 'D.W.I.' and 'Drinkin' and Stinkin;' selections from the new release CALL OF THE SCRAPHEAP, and other prime cuts of red meat from the leaner (but no less meaner) poobahs of punk/ swamp/ garage frenzy — served up with gusto (and with The Neverly Brothers opening) outside The Dub.
    • 05.26 - Open Mic with Rob Dye and Mike Ghegan The Sunday night event is THE place to find musicians congregating, hanging out, trying new ideas, cutting up on some classics and generally enjoying one of the MUST events for Jersey Shore music fans.
    • 05.27 - Shrewsbury Borough Memorial Day Observation All are invited to the annual ceremony at Patriot Isle (corner of Route 35 and Sycamore Avenue), with the event followed by refreshments at Shrewsbury Hose Company #1 on Route 35, also the site for the ceremony in case of rain. Click for phone link to more info.
    • 05.27 - Pat Guadagno at Jamian's A Monday night Red Bank tradition continues, as the Shore's celebrated 'saloon singer' resumes his weekly solo sets to Jamian's Food & Drink.
    • 05.28 - Story Time with Kate Benedict The Little Silver Librarian hosts weekly story sessions for Toddler (ages 2 to 3; 9:30am), Baby (ages 10 to 24 months; 10:30am), Preschool (ages 3 to 5 years; 1:30pm) and School Age (grades K and up; 3:39pm) audiences.
    • 05.28 - PC Roundtable at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts the monthly Brookdale Computer Users Group workshop for intermediate and advanced users, with an opportunity to 'discuss problems you are having with your computer with the experts.'
    • 05.28 - Baseball stories and craft at Oceanic Library All ages are invited to a Family Program session at the Oceanic Free Library, with a special afternoon celebrating the season of America's grand pastime.
    • 05.29 - 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.
    • 05.29 - Max and Ruby Story Marathon The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch invites grades K and up to listen to lovable bunny stories y Rosemary Wells. Space is limited; registration required.
    • 05.29 - 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.
    • 05.29 - Your Health Benefits Checkup In observance of Older Americans Month, the Red Bank Public Library hosts a free program presented by the National Council on Aging and Alcoeur Gardens. Register by phone or at the Reference Desk.
    • 05.29 - National Book Award Author Nathaniel Philbrick in Fair Haven River Road Books hosts the National Book Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist, in a reading and signing of his new book BUNKER HILL at the nearby Nauvoo Grill Club on Fair Haven Road. Reservations required; call 732.747.9455.
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