FAIR HAVEN: AN ELEGANT ENIGMA ON DISPLAY

The window display at Haute Couture Creations as seen last week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Luminously elegant in her strapless white gown, she swans through a flock of origami doves behind full-length windows in the heart of Fair Haven’s quaint business district.

For more than a decade, that mannequin and another on display at Haute Couture Creations have been something of an enigma for passersby: their outfits never seem to change. But thanks to a Facebook thread, only recently have locals collectively realized something even odder: the boutique itself is never open for business.

January 13, 2020 - 5:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CHURNING OUT A THIRD VENTURE

Erica Lieberman and Nick Napoletano in their third Monmouth Street restaurant, called Toss’d. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

red bank, nj, retail, retail churn What’s the secret to surviving as owners in Red Bank’s crowded dining market?

In this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn, a pair of accidental restaurateurs share some insights as they prepare to launch their third concurrent venture in the heart of downtown.

January 10, 2020 - 8:30 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: RACCOON FOUND TO BE RABID

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topic red bank nj A raccoon that tussled with a dog in Fair Haven last month had rabies, redbankgreen has learned.

January 9, 2020 - 12:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: TWO QUICK SESSIONS AND A SNAFU

Would-be honorees Jim Scavone, in blue vest, and Guy Maratta, in brown jacket, arriving at borough hall with supporters Wednesday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank officials kicked off the New Year with a snafu Wednesday night.

After racing through back-to-back workshop and regular meetings in record time, the borough council concluded public business – just as two people who’d been told they’d be honored arrived with their families and colleagues.

January 9, 2020 - 6:30 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: COUNCIL ADDS TWO DEMOCRATS

Joined by her husband, James, and four children, Meghan Chrisner-Keefe recited her oath of office. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Democrats pulled even with Republicans on Fair Haven’s council council for the first time in memory Monday night.

But Meg Chrisner-Keefe and Mike McCue, the two newest members of the six-member governing body, both downplayed partisanship in brief interviews with redbankgreen.

January 7, 2020 - 7:00 am | Comments ()

SHREWSBURY: CRIMES AND ARRESTS

Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Shrewsbury Police Department for the period of December 7, 2019 to January 3, 2020. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

CRIMES

Report of Theft in the area of Newman Springs Road on 12/9/19. Victim reports unknown subject(s) removed property from vehicle. Damages totaling $100.00. Sgt. Jessica Boyd investigating.

January 6, 2020 - 2:25 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST

The Greater Red Bank Green awoke to a light coating of snow Monday morning, the first of 2020.

The area could see another dusting Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. Meantime, Monday’s outlook includes a gradual return of the sun and peak temperatures in the mid-40s.

Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.) Read More »

January 6, 2020 - 7:10 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CORNER PLAN GETS THUMBS DOWN

The project would replace a vacant office and retail building at the corner of Shrewsbury Avenue and Drs. James Parker Boulevard. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A proposal for 16 apartments above stores at a busy Red Bank intersection was sent back to the drawing board Thursday night, when neighbors and zoning board members declared it too big.

January 3, 2020 - 8:40 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: SIGN OF RENEWAL?

It took months of complaints by a frustrated postal clerk, plus some attention by redbankgreen, but the Fair Haven Post Office finally has an identifying sign out front.

What’s Going On Here? Read on.

January 2, 2020 - 12:25 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: MENNA OFFERS PROTOCOL FIX

New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy with Mayor Pasquale Menna prior to the start of Wednesday’s reorganization meeting. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna proposed a workaround Wednesday to a year-old protocol covering comments and questions at council meetings: he says he’ll show up an hour early to field them.

At the borough government’s annual New Year’s Day reorganization meeting, attendees also heard Menna heap thanks on Governor Phil Murphy, whose wife, Tammy Murphy, attended the ceremonial session.

January 2, 2020 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SCAVONE TO LEAVE RIVERCENTER

Jim Scavone, left, with Mayor Pasquale Menna and Visitors Center director Margaret Mass at the opening of RiverCenter’s offices on Broad Street in October, 2018. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Jim Scavone, who led Red Bank RiverCenter for the past six years, is leaving the downtown promotion organization.

He won’t be going far, though: he’s taking a job at Hackensack Meridian Health at Riverview Medical Center, just on the edge of special improvement district he managed.

December 31, 2019 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: GUSTY WIND-DOWN TO 2019

Winding down 2019, the Greater Red Bank Green is in for a wet and windy Monday, according to the National Weather Service. But while the gusts will linger, the rain should end in time for New Year’s Eve celebrations Tuesday night.

Check out the extended forecast below. (NWS image. Click to enlarge.)

December 30, 2019 - 6:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SHELL TO TRY YET AGAIN

The latest plan calls for replacing the car wash, at left above, with a convenience store. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Five months after yanking a plan to add a Dunkin’ coffee shop, the owner of Red Bank ‘s lone Shell station will once again try for a convenience store.

Station owner Waseem Chaudhary’s proposal is the third he’s floated in the past seven years.

December 26, 2019 - 11:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENTS AND STORES PLANNED

The project would replace an empty Shrewsbury Avenue office and retail building, as well as the house at far right on Drs. James Parker Boulevard. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A busy intersection on Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank would get 16 apartments and several retail businesses if a development plan up for consideration wins approval.

The project comes with its own underground parking, according to plans filed with the borough.

December 24, 2019 - 9:50 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED

Under the plan, 150 apartments would be built above Pazzo MMX restaurant and the parking garage beside it. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topic red bank nj A proposed expansion atop an existing restaurant and parking deck would create a nine-story structure with 150 apartments in the center of Red Bank, redbankgreen has learned.

If approved, the project would shatter the borough’s limits on building height, density and more.

December 22, 2019 - 10:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: SUN TO RISE AGAIN ON STREET

The intersection of Drs. James Parker Boulevard and Bridge Avenue as it appeared this week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topic red bank nj The sun won’t go down on a “tactical urbanist” experiment undertaken to improve traffic safety at a tricky Red Bank intersection earlier this year, redbankgreen has learned.

December 20, 2019 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: STILL NO SIGN OF POSTAL SIGN

Almost three years after it was removed, and five months after redbankgreen last reported on it, the Fair Haven post office still doesn’t have an identifying sign out front. Instead, there’s a hand-lettered cardboard sign in the window, now surrounded by holiday trimming.

What’s Going On Here? Read on.

December 19, 2019 - 11:45 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ROOFTOP DINING PLAN APPROVED

The former home of the Belmonte and, before that, Red, has been vacant for more than two years. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A long-vacant restaurant space in Red Bank won approval for rooftop dining Monday night, despite objections by the board’s chairman.

December 17, 2019 - 7:50 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ROOFTOP DINING PROPOSED

The new owners of 3-5 Broad Street also own the Proving Ground in Highlands. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The new owners of the former home of the Belmonte restaurant and nightclub in downtown Red Bank hope to add rooftop dining when they reopen the long-vacant space.

December 16, 2019 - 7:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SNOW ACCUMULATION UNLIKELY

While the northwest portion of New Jersey may get a taste of wintry weather Monday and Tuesday, the Greater Green is likely to see little effect, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow and rain may fall Monday night, but with little or no accumulation in the outlook. Check out the extended forecast below. (NWS graphic. Click to enlarge.)

December 16, 2019 - 5:40 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CLOUDS AND RAIN IN FORECAST

The Greater Red Bank Green won’t see much sun before Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Clouds and rain dominate the forecast. Check out the details below. (NWS graphic. Click to enlarge.

Read More »

December 13, 2019 - 6:25 am | Comments ()

SHREWSBURY: CRIMES AND ARRESTS

Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Shrewsbury Police Department for the period of November 23 to December 5, 2019. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

CRIMES

Report of Shoplifting in the area of Broad Street on 11/23/19. Victim reports unknown subject(s) removed property. Damages totaling $356.00. Sgt. Tracy Polk investigating.

December 12, 2019 - 3:40 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: CENSUS COMMITTEE FORMED

By JOHN T. WARD

A quiet final session of 2019 for the Red Bank council included the creation of a Census committee Wednesday night.

The 2020 Complete Count Committee‘s aim is to maximize resident participation in the federal government’s decennial Census and American Community Survey, said Human Relations Advisory Committee Chairman David Pascale, who will lead the effort.

December 12, 2019 - 8:25 am | Comments ()

FAIR HAVEN: POLICE ACTIVITY

Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Fair Haven Police Department for the month of November, 2019. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.

11/3 Keven Robertson 19, Middletown was arrested by S.O. Perkins for DWI. Robertson also received motor vehicle summonses for failure to use lights, failure to maintain lane, refusal to submit to chemical test, underage driver under the influence, and use of a cell phone while driving. Robertson was released with a pending court date.

December 11, 2019 - 2:30 pm | Comments ()

MIDDLETOWN: GEORGE BOWDEN DIES

George Bowden, right, with Historic Preservation Commission members Charles Nickerson and Michaela Ferrigine in 2016. Below, Bowden spearheaded the borough’s centennial celebration and parade in 2009.(Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

George Bowden, once dubbed “the Energizer bunny” of historic preservation in Red Bank, died at home in Middletown Sunday. He was 92 years old.

Galvanized into action in 2001, after the borough allowed the demolition of an old house on West Front Street, Bowden became a champion for old and neglected structures in town.

Not least of those was the T. Thomas Fortune House, which was resurrected from near-oblivion earlier this year, more than a decade after Bowden and others launched a campaign to save it.

December 11, 2019 - 9:45 am | Comments ()

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