Clockwise from top left: Village People chief Felipe Rose, Blondie bombshell Debbie Harry, funk bassmaster TM Stevens and actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan are the honorees at the Monmouth County Arts Council’s annual Celebration of Excellence on October 29.
There’s a school Halloween party in which the parents are the ones who get to dress up and have all the fun. A gala affair in which the solid-citizen guests of honor are, to put it mildly, NOT the usual old rich guys with their checkbooks. And a hot-ticket sporting event that not only takes place indoors — it barely loses sight of the office water cooler.
Just because something’s Done Good by the community doesn’t mean it has to be done by the stodgy playbook of gowns, tuxes, and hundred-dollar plates of cordon bleu balanced on bony laps. Here in the season of merry mischief, we’re pleased to bring you a roundup of do-gooder public events with an ever so slightly playful bent — a list that begins this Friday, and continues on into the next few eek-ends.
FRIDAY: Oktoberfest at Ye Olde Allen House. The old Allen place, that historic (circa 1710) house on the corner of Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue in Shrewsbury, becomes a Publick House for one night only, in a benefit for The Monmouth County Historical Association that offers an evening of “beer tasting and tavern fare” in the spirit of the season. Reserve tickets ($50) at (732)462-1466.
Greenskeepers: A glimpse at last year’s Curchin Open fundraiser event, inside the accounting firm’s Middletown offices. The fifth annual edition of the mini-golf tourney takes place Wednesday, November 3.
SATURDAY: 25th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps. The nonprofit Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites organizations and concerned individuals to take part in the autumn edition of their semi-annual Beach Sweep efforts — a coordinated volunteer endeavor that’s brought together more than 75,000 people to clean up an estimated “4 million pieces of trash from the beaches and waterways of New Jersey.” It happens rain or shine, at some 70 sites along the NJ coast, on October 23, beginning at 9a and ending at noon. It’s all part of the 25th annual International Coastal Cleanup project, with Monmouth County sites including Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Deal, Highlands, Keansburg, Keyport, Long Branch, Manasquan, Middletown Twp, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Grove, Sandy Hook, Sea Bright, and many others. Volunteers are advised to “dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, bring gloves and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes;” register at the COA website or call (732)872-0111 — and have a look at the organization’s annual report and “Journal of Citizen Action Against Beach Litter” right  here.
SATURDAY:Â The Source Masquerade Ball. The Source, the school-based youth services program at Red Bank Regional High School, presents a Masquerade Ball (hosted inside the Parish Center at Red Bank’s St. Anthony of Padua Church) to raise money for scholarships for the school’s ELL (English Language Learners) students. It’s set to start at 7p, and it’s for guests 21 and older, with “music for all ages and cultures” plus food from appetizers to desserts (bring your own wine or beer). Tickets ($60 dollars per person; two for $100) available from program director Suzanne Keller at (732)842-8000 (extension 1236), or from David Prown at (908)902-2203. To find out more about the many programs and services offered by The Source, visit the school website.
SUNDAY: The Ripple Effect 5k in Rumson. The nonprofit Ripple Effect Foundation teams with pro triathlete Chris McCormack — founder of the breast cancer awareness organization Macca Now — to present a 5k run/walk through Rumson, beginning (at 8a) and finishing at the Rumson Firehouse on River Road. Proceeds go to meet 2010 Ford Ironman World Champ McCormack’s goal of raising $140 toward breast cancer research (140.6 being the distance of a full Ironman triathlon) for every day that his late mother was alive. Register online ($30 per entrant) or at either Road Runner Sports in Shrewsbury (Saturday, 1-4p) or in front of the firehouse on race day (6:30-7:30a). More info at [email protected].
SUNDAY: Craft Fair and Garage Sale at the Woman’s Club. On the last Friday of each month and for just about as long as anyone can remember, the WomanÂ’s Club of Red Bank (at the old Anthony Reckless Estate on Broad Street) has hosted a monthly house party in which guests are invited to make themselves at home around the historic homestead at 164 Broad Street, to the tune of some of the area’s most fervently followed jazz and blues acts. On Sunday from 11a to 3p, these Reckless Steamy Nights — spotlighting member performers of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation are the beneficiary of a fundraising Craft Fair & Garage Sale that promises “Good Stuff, No Junk” with live music from local solo acts plus a healthy dose of “Flea Market Adventure!” The sale sprawls out over the front lawn, side driveway and back parking lot, with lots more to choose from for bargain-hunting blueshounds and reckless spenders alike. More info from kati @ jsjbf.org.
MONDAY: TASTE OF TWO RIVERS. For the third consecutive year, gourmets and gourmands get to indulge as the The Community YMCA hosts its “A Taste of the Two Rivers” to benefit its Strong Kids Campaign. The event feature a sampling of entrees, desserts, wine and spirits from the region’s finest restaurants and purveyors, as well as a gift auction, restaurant raffle and music by Andy McDonough. Tickets are $100 each. For more information, call 732-671-5505, ext. 13.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29: MCAC Celebration of Excellence. The borough-based Monmouth County Arts Council presents their annual benefit for their ongoing programs; an event honoring local standout artists who hail from or reside in Monmouth — and this year’s wingding (held once again in the space-age saucer of Tim McLooneÂ’s Supper Club above the Asbury boards) looks to be one of the most delightfully un-stuffy and downright bizarre testimonials ever. 2010 honors are scheduled to go out to one of our favorite local people — Hollywood film actress and frequent charity event volunteer Siobhan Fallon Hogan of Rumson (Forrest Gump, Men in Black, Seinfeld, SNL). She’s joined on the distinguished dais by platinum-plated Blondie singer (and Lincroft resident) Debbie Harry, iconic Village People Native American chief (and Asbury’s own) Felipe Rose — plus none other than T.M. Stevens, the thunderous funk bassist from West Long Branch, whose presence is sure to send this already beat-heavy affair into some sort of trombipulatin’ stratosphere. So let’s review — Blondie! The Chief from the Village People! Elaine’s roommate! And TM Stevens! This is most decidedly not your grandfather’s Celebration of Excellence event (although they did give an award to Bon Jovi’s David Bryan last year). A limited number of advance tix may still be available from [email protected].
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30: Buc Backer Bash at RBR. Red Bank Regional High School presents a Booster Club fundraiser, with music, games and prizes from 7 to 10p inside the gymnasium. All proceeds dedicated to the RBRHS Buccaneers sports teams; more info and reservations (25 “bucs;” adults only) at [email protected] or by calling (732)842-8000 (extensions 1341 or 1236).
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3: 5th Annual Curchin Open Mini-Golf Tourney. Time once again for what’s indisputably a one-of-a-kind happening each year out there on the greater ‘green. It’s the Curchin Open, a charity mini-golf tournament that’s not only sponsored by the local accounting firm the Curchin Group — but, in truly cost-effective fashion, it actually takes place amid the cubicles and copiers of their Middletown offices (200 Schulz Drive). The easily distracted folks at Dunder Mifflin have nothing on this sporting crew, who offer dedicated indoor duffers a chance to play nine holes of serious mini G for some seriously worthy local nonprofits — the Hazlet-based 180 – Turning Lives Around (whose exemplary counseling skills in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault are just the leading edge of the services theyÂ’ve made available to women, kids and families in Monmouth), as well as the abovementioned Monmouth County Historical Association. Reserve your tee time with [email protected] — and take a look back at our coverage of Curchin Open action from 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Holiday Express founder Tim McLoone and Bob Sickles of Sickles Market team up once more for the 2010 edition of the annual Wine & Cheese Tasting fundraiser for the Express, November 5 at the landmark Little Silver market.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5: Wine & Cheese Tasting Benefit for Holiday Express at Sickles Market. It happens every holiday season, over the course of more than fifty shows in such places as childrenÂ’s hospitals, senior care facilities, group homes for the disabled and other places where youÂ’ll find what founder Tim McLoone refers to as the “adult orphans” among us. When the entertainers and support team at Holiday Express load up the sleigh for their ongoing mission of good cheer and great seasonal spirit, they’ll do so with a supercharged little boost from this annual affair at a landmark of local life. On November 5 from 7 to 10p, Sickles Market in Little Silver bedecks its greenhouse in its best holiday finery (although personal dress code remains “denim casual”) for a wine and cheese affair that, in Sickles style, could mean nothing less than “spectacular gourmet foods, artisanal cheeses and premium wines.” There’s live entertainment by Express bandmembers, a silent auction with rare collectible vintages, and a live auction that includes the hugely popular Wine Crawls — three progressive tours of some of the Garden StateÂ’s best private wine cellars. Reserve tickets ($125) online or call (732)741-9563.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7: New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Celebration Party. The Red Bank-based environmental action and awareness nonprofit (the hardworking folks who bring you the annual Clearwater Festival every August) takes the opportunity to thank their many volunteers — and recruit new members — during an afternoon party inside the Eatontown Community Center at 72 Broad Street. It starts at 2p, and it’s a fine way to touch base with old friends, and find out more about this long-running organization that’s expanded its focus beyond its Monmouth County home base. RSVP to Lynn Humphrey at [email protected] or (732)389-2572.
THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and on Thursday, October 21, Red Bank’s Sweetest Sin Boutique raises awareness with a special Passionately Pink Night Out bra-fitting event (6 to 9p) with 10 percent of sales (and 100 percent of profits from signature pink bracelets) going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and “gently worn bras” collected for Manna House in Keyport…on October 23 and 24 (and in conjunction with National Acupuncture Day), Robert V. Ziemanis, L.Ac. of Coastal Acupuncture in Rumson is donating all proceeds (one hour sessions of “gentle non-insertion needle techniques” priced at $80) to the nonprofit 180 – Turning Lives Around. To book an appointment, call (732)345-0333 or email [email protected].
