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Category Archives: Politics

RIVER ROAD GETS OVERSTIMULATED

A stretch of River Road in Fair Haven, seen looking east here, will get upgrades thanks to federal stimulus money. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
How do you get more money from the federal government than you ever dreamed of, or even asked for? Tell ‘em you don’t want it, apparently.
It worked for Fair Haven, [...]

MIDDLETOWN FIELD DEBATE HEATS TO A BOIL

About 200 residents packed into Middletown Town Hall Monday night to hear about the township’s plans for its athletic fields. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Podium pounding. Yelling. Fingerpointing. The only things missing from Monday night’s Township Committee meeting were pitchforks and torches.
To say the least, the residents are getting restless.
About 200 of them turned [...]

SECOND BOARD REJECTS Y EXPANSION PLAN

Mayor Pasquale Menna listens as Marvin Goldin of Temple Beth Shalom asks the planning board to reject the YMCA zoning request. (Click to enlarge)

Six weeks after a proposal to expand the Community YMCA facility came up one vote short at the Red Bank zoning board, an attempt to get the idea back on track ran [...]

ZONING CHANGE FOR YMCA ADVANCES

The Community YMCA could get another shot at expansion if the borough council approves a proposed zone amendment. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
The official opinion is in, and now it will be in the hands of the Red Bank Planning Board to determine whether a stretch of Maple Avenue should permit recreational facilities that [...]

REPORT: GOOCH GUNNING FOR PALLONE

Two River Times publisher Diane Gooch plans to file papers today declaring her candidacy for Congress in a district she doesn’t reside in, a plugged-in Republican reports on his blog.
The vice chair of the Monmouth County GOP plans to take on sixth-district Democrat Frank Pallone, says Art Gallagher, who got the news straight from Gooch [...]

SEWER RATES STING; PARKING PERMITS A GO

Mayor Maria Fernandes at Tuesday night’s Borough Council meeting. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Sea Bright and Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority officials met recently to discuss the reasons for a 23-percent increase to the town’s yearly sewer bill, but the Borough Council still isn’t satisfied and intends to look deeper into why they’ve gotten [...]

O’SCANLON: PAY HIKE ‘SIMPLY ISN’T PRUDENT’

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.
A war of words between state legislators and Red Bank officials over recent pay raises for borough employees continued yesterday.
Twelfth-district Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, a Little Silver Republican, fired back at the all-Democrat Red Bank Council with a letter that challenged the fiscal sense of granting annualized 3-percent salary and wage increases to non-unionized [...]

WAR OF WORDS: RED BANK DEMS v. BECK & CO.

State Senator Jennifer Beck’s refusal to back Red Bank’s request for special treatment in Trenton has drawn fire from local Democrats led by Councilman Mike Dupont.
Red Bank’s all-Democrat council wanted local legislators in their corner recently when they appealed to new Governor Chris Christie for special consideration as he sharpened his budget-cutting knives.
But state Senator [...]

BOROUGH HAS NO METER-REVENUE FORECASTS

Meter rates in the White Street and other municipal lots won’t be affected by the doubling of fees for curbside parking, but lot-permit fees are scheduled to soar by 33 percent. (Click to enlarge)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
In the absence of projections, forecasts or even conservative estimates, Red Bank officials appear to be going on hope when [...]

SO LONG, LONGEVITY PAY

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Red Bank employees won’t be getting any more financial pats on the back for staying on the job under a law change now pending before the borough council.
The governing body last week introduced an ordinance that would freeze a $500 bonus for every five years longevity that non-vested and non-union employees rack up. [...]


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    • 03.18 - HAMMETT The 1983 mystery film — a fanciful detective story with Fredric Forrest as the real life author Dashiell Hammett —screens for free at the Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch, with showings at 2 and 7pm.
    • 03.18 - Red Bank Documentary Film Series Film critic Joan Ellis is your host as The Atrium at Navesink Harbor (that's the elegant hi—rise senior residence on Riverside Avenue) continues a free monthly series of doc screenings and discussions, with popcorn and candy on the house. Tonight it's the 1984 film THE GOOD FIGHT, a portrait of The Abraham Lincoln Brigade and the American volunteer force's struggle against the Fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Reserve by phone for all events.
    • 03.18 - The authors of THREE BROWN EYED GIRLS As part of Women's History Month, The Red Bank Library hosts an appearance by authors Rosemary Calabretta, Rosaleen Rooney Myers and V.G. Wells, with a presentation on 'how three women from different backgrounds met, bonded, told their stories to one another, and decided to take the leap and publish their book.' Also featured will be a book signing, and a panel discussion on 'work. family, the writing process, self publishing and more.'
    • 03.18 - CINDERELLA The students of Red Bank Regional High School (including Governors Award winning vocalist Michael Anderson as Prince Charming) present the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical of the classic fairy tale, with a cast of child performers as Cinderella's animal friends, and the tile role shared by Marie Ferguson and Patricia Blair.
    • 03.18 - Two River Tour de Yoga concert The band Wah! presents a concert at Rumson Presbyterian Church as part of the Two River Tour de Yoga (a promotion that includes Blue Moon Yoga of Shrewsbury, Brahma Yoga Spa of Sea Bright, Dancing Foot Yoga of Red Bank, Fair Haven Yoga and Synergy Yoga of Fair Haven). Promotion runs four days between March 17 and 20; tix and details available at any of the participating studios or at blueyoga.net.
    • 03.18 - Rock N Roll Karaoke (upstairs) The band from NYC's Arlene's Grocery hosts this popular weekly feature, in which civilian hopefuls can front a hard—rocking combo on any of a couple hundred classic rock favorites.
    • 03.18 - Monmouth County Teen Arts Festival More than 500 works of art by area teens will be on display at the Brookdale Community College Center for Visual Arts during the annual celebration of young local artists, co—presented by the Monmouth County Arts Council and BCC.
    • 03.19 - Poetry Expo at River Road Books DEADLINE 4/9: River Road Books in Fair Haven invites aspiring poets to submit original works in any of five categories (preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, adult) — with winners awarded a gift certificate and a chance to read their entry on April 16, in an event followed by Monmouth University professor and poet Mihaela Moscaliuc reading from and signing her new book FATHER DIRT.
    • 03.19 - Girls' Night Out at Sickles Market The Little Silver landmark presents a 'Step Into Spring' event with fashion and beauty tips, healthy/delicious food tastings, gardening hints, champagne, live jazz and more. A portion of proceeds benefit the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center. 21 and over; ID required.
    • 03.19 - Family Wii Games at MTPL Middletown Township Public Library hosts an encore session of Wii games for the whole family, in the Community Room of the main branch. Registration required; adults must be accompanied by children ages six and up.
    • 03.19 - CINDERELLA The students of Red Bank Regional High School (including Governors Award winning vocalist Michael Anderson as Prince Charming) present the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical of the classic fairy tale, with a cast of child performers as Cinderella's animal friends, and the tile role shared by Marie Ferguson and Patricia Blair.
    • 03.19 - Monmouth County Teen Arts Festival More than 500 works of art by area teens will be on display at the Brookdale Community College Center for Visual Arts during the annual celebration of young local artists, co—presented by the Monmouth County Arts Council and BCC.
    • 03.20 - Gala Fundraiser at MCM On March 27, Red Bank's Monmouth Conservatory of Music hosts a benefit event featuring DUO PETROF, with Zatin Anatoly and Vassilieva Vlada performing on dual grand pianos; a silent auction and wine/ hors d'oeuvre reception are also included.
    • 03.20 - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny On March 27, Branches Catering presents a very special breakfast with the Big Bunny featuring a sumptuous morning repast as only John Lombardo and crew could conjure it. There's a candy table and complimentary photo for kids, plus a pancake station, omelet bar and more. Reservations are a must, with kids 2 and under admitted free.
    • 03.20 - Districts 1 & 9 Get Together Red Bank Council leaders Juanita Lewis and Ed Zipprich visit Frank Talk Art Bistro for a lively roundtable discussion with continental breakfast — and you're invited to join in for this informal forum about your community.
    • 03.20 - Choo—Choo Soul with Genevieve Straight outta Playhouse Disney, the Parents Choice Award winning duo of Genevieve Goings (as the Train Conductor) and DC Abramson (as 'her beatboxing and breakdancing engineer') put a soulful, animated spin on the ABCs and 123s of music.
    • 03.20 - Paper Moon Puppet Theater Master puppeteer Jim Racioppi and crew present CINDERELLA, the latest in their long running series of Paper Moon marionette shows for family audiences. One of the Shore's best kept secrets, these productions (on the custom scaled mini stage at First Avenue Playhouse in Atlantic Highlands) combine handmade figures and scenery with genuine theatrical artistry for a rare experience that's capped by the 'backstage tour' following the show.
    • 03.20 - CINDERELLA The students of Red Bank Regional High School (including Governors Award winning vocalist Michael Anderson as Prince Charming) present the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical of the classic fairy tale, with a cast of child performers as Cinderella's animal friends, and the tile role shared by Marie Ferguson and Patricia Blair. Shows at 2pm and 7:30pm, with a special Dinner/Show package available at 6pm.
    • 03.20 - GEORGE SEGAL EVERYMAN Closing Celebration and Benefit On April 10, what was originally scheduled as a Preview Party on February 27 is now a Closing Celebration at The Monmouth Museum, with a last look at their major installation of sculptures, paintings and drawings by 20th century great Segal, featuring a discussion with daughter Rena Segal, his friend and documentary photographer Donald Lokuta, and several of the artist's other friends and models. Tickets are 65 dollars and include refreshments, tour and discussion. Contact Julia Fiorino at 732.747.2266 for reservations and further info.
    • 03.20 - Benefit Concert for Haiti with Nancy Scharff On March 27, Middletown's own globetrotting Christian music artist headlines an event for the Haiti Relief Initiative, also featuring the Seacoast Mass Choir, the Anointed Sons, The Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth Choir, and more. For further information, or to learn more about the Helping Haiti Community Initiative, call 732.747.2343.
    • 03.20 - The Queen of Hearts The country vocal group performs faves from Music City USA in four part harmony, as a fundraiser for the NJ Center for the Healing Arts, at First Presbyterian Church of Rumson. Refreshments and desserts also provided.
    • 03.20 - Facundo Cabral A superstar in his native South America and the World Ambassador for UNESCO, the Argentine singer, songwriter, guitarist, poet, painter and humanitarian visits Red Bank for the first time in a concert presented by Highness Entertainment.
    • 03.21 - Sunday Morning Dialog Series at UUMC The United Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County in Lincroft hosts Amy Goldsmith, State Director of the NJ Environmental Federation, in a discussion on green sustainability programs and environmental/ economic justice, entitled TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY: WHO IS IN AND WHO GETS LEFT OUT? Program includes coffee and bagels; call for directions and more info.
    • 03.21 - MSO Young Artist Concerto Competition As part of the first annual Classical Music Festival, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center hosts the annual competition sponsored by the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, in a (free and open to the public) event that's followed with an award ceremony at 12:45pm. The first prize winner will go on to perform a solo work with the MSO during the fall 2010 concert season.
    • 03.21 - Classical Music Festival at AxPAC As part of the first annual Classical Music Festival, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center hosts a series of 40 minute showcase performances, including the NJ State Youth Orchestra, conducted by Roy D. Gussman and Patty Gonsky (1pm); students and faculty from the Monmouth Conservatory of Music (2pm); the Monmouth Symphon Orchestra Woodwind Ensemble (2:40pm); the Monmouth Civic Chorus (3pm);the Arcadian Chorale (4pm), and the Kathryn Barnett Traveling Dance troupe (5pm). A dessert reception follows in the theatre lobby.