Samantha Bowers-Crader with her father, John Bowers, at the Mayor’s Ball in 2018. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank RiverCenter‘s new chairperson is filling a seat held three decades ago by her father.
Glenn Carter and OceanFirst Bank’s Robin Fitzmaurice at the Mayor’s Ball at the Oyster Point Hotel in 2018. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
A familiar face has been hired to run Red Bank RiverCenter, the downtown promotion organization: former borough planning director Glenn Carter.
Laura Kirkpatrick addressing the Red Bank council in March, 2020. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
[See UPDATE below]
By JOHN T. WARD
For the second time in just 17 months, the downtown promotion organization Red Bank RiverCenter is losing its executive director.
After just one, pandemic-filled year, Laura Kirkpatrick has resigned as operational head of the agency that manages the borough’s special improvement district, redbankgreen has learned.
Laura Kirkpatrick addressing the Red Bank council Wednesday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Laura Kirkpatrick has been named executive director of Red Bank RiverCenter, the semi-autonomous agency that manages the borough’s special improvement district.
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.
Contractors building a new staircase over the sea wall at the Mad Hatter in Sea Bright, where thousands of revelers are expected for the daylong Dunesday fundraiser. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, July 19:
LINCROFT: Royalty graces Brookdale Community Colleges Lincroft campus as Shakespeares witty early comedy, Loves Labors Lost, comes to the Great Lawn. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets (rain site: Performing Arts Center). The performance begins at 7 p.m. Park in lot 2. Lawn outside PAC building/Newman Springs Road/Route 520.
RED BANK: The versatile five-piece cover band Pez Head visits the Walt Street Pub for an invigorating Friday night set. The show pops at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: Jazz pianist and pocalist Champian Fulton visits the Summer Jazz Café at Two River Theatre, presented by Jazz Arts Project. The series promises a big city club vibe with coffee and refreshments. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $22. 21 Bridge Avenue.
Jim Scavone, left, rockin’ promotional sunglasses at a Red Bank Flavour event last month with RiverCenter program director Amanda Lynn, center, and Visitors Center director Margaret Mass. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank RiverCenter kept it local, choosing interim director and borough resident Jim Scavone to lead the downtown promotion agency, the organization announced Tuesday night.
The selection of Scavone, who was RiverCenter’s operations manager prior to the April departure of Nancy Adams as executive director, marks a win for members of the search committee who urged their store-and-restaurant-owning colleagues to stick with in-house talent rather than bring in someone unfamiliar, people involved in the selection process told redbankgreen.
“The best man won,” said Tom Fishkin, RiverCenter’s vice chairman and owner of Readies Fine Foods on Broad Street.
Don’t even bother trying to curb your appetite at Red Bank Riverfest, which runs through Sunday in Marine Park. Details in the poster below. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, May 31:
RED BANK: Come sample the savory and sweet flavors at Riverfest, the annual three-day music and food festival in Marine Park. Stroll the “artisans alley” for handmade items and artwork, cruise the Navesink River, or dance your butt off in front of the waterfront stage to the likes of Brian Kirk & The Jirks, Woodfish, the Moroccan Sheepherders and the Jazz Lobsters. Free entry; no pets allowed.
MIDDLETOWN: The Middletown Arts Center hosts a Luau Party for kids ages 5 and older, offering crafts, limbo contests and games. Pizza and snacks will be provided. The luau runs from 6 to 9 p.m. 36 Church Street.
Images of 20th century Red Bank and other Monmouth County locales are featured in a show of photos from the Dorn’s Collection beginning Saturday at Red Bank Frameworks. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, May 10:
RED BANK: Sandy Hacketts Rat Pack infests Count Basie Theater. Join faux Frank, Sammy and Dino for performances produced by the legendary Buddy Hackett. Tickets are $19.50, $29.50 and $39.50. 99 Monmouth Street.
RUMSON: The third annual Gayla! prom, a fun and safe evening with food and DJ takes place at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. The Rumson Fair Haven Gay-Straight Alliance partners with Make it Better for Youth to provide support kids ages 13-19 in middle, high, or home school. The prom runs from 7 to 10 p.m. tickets are $20; parental permission required. 74 Ridge Road.
RUMSON: The boys from Madison Avenue are back and will perform at Molly Maguires Black Point Inn. The show begins at 9 p.m.132 East River Road.
At the Basie Saturday afternoon: dogs and cats rescued from shelters and given a new, ahem, leash on life as circus performers. Matt O’Ree, below, brings his guitar chops to Jamian’s tonight. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, May 3:
RED BANK: The high-energy Marty and the Martians make their debut in a series of Friday night appearances at the Walt Street Pub, playing an upbeat set including hits by Neon Trees, U2, Foo Fighters and more. The show begins at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RUMSON: Join the electro-acoustic/pop/rock singer Brian Bisbee at Molly Maguires Black Point Inn, 132 East River Road, at 9 p.m.
Dionne Warwick brings her golden pipes to the Basie Friday night. Below, the works of Bruce Waldman are featured in a printmaking show at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, March 8
RED BANK: Pop legend and five-time Grammy winner Dionne Warwick comes to the Count Basie Theatre for an 8 p.m. benefit concert. Proceeds from the tickets ( $35 to $155) go to the Basie’s Performing Arts Academy, as well as cultural programming and ongoing theater restoration. 99 Monmouth Street.
Saturday, March 9
RED BANK: Bring some heavy gloves and your green thumb to Riverside Gardens Park to help prune the rose bushes that will brighten the park come spring. Warm work clothes are suggested. Register with Robert Hespe via email at hespeb@aol.com. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, March 16. West Front Street.
In this video from last May, Olivia Mullen, then a junior at Red Bank Catholic, gives a taste of the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Competition, which returns to Brookdale Community College Saturday. Below, a Martha Rand portrait from the show opening Friday night at Gallery U. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, March 1
MIDDLETOWN: Girls in grades 5 to 10 are invited to discuss Cynthia Lords Touch Blue with their moms at this free monthly event held at the main library hosts at 2 p.m. for the mother-daughter book club. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at GalleryU for SWART (Social Work Works), a special exhibition of artwork by New Jersey social workers and art therapists. Joann Lense and Martha Rand are among the 17 contributing artists represented in the exhibit, which will remain on display until March 23. 80 Broad Street.
RED BANK: An opening reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at McKay Imaging Gallery for The Silence After, a new exhibit showcasing local scenes of Sandys new landscape by photographer Mike McLaughlin. The exhibit continues through March 14. 12 Monmouth Street.
Thomas Lauderdale, who appears with his band, Pink Martini, at the Count Basie tonight, discusses his music. Below, Owiso Odera and Roslyn Ruff in ‘Two Trains Running,’ at the Two River Theater. (Photo by Michal Daniel. Click to enlarge)
Friday, February 15
RED BANK: Two River Theater continues its presentation of August Wilsons Two Trains Running, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $24 to $42 and are available online. 21 Bridge Avenue.
RED BANK: Pink Martini, “a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure” in the words of bandleader Thomas Lauderdale, sets up its tent at the Count Basie Theatre. Up to a dozen musicians create the Cosmopolitan World Music project, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $75 and are available online. A portion of ticket sales supports breast cancer awareness. 99 Monmouth Street.
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: Shrewsburys branch of the Monmouth County Library will host Dr. Janice Thomas from Brookdale Community College at 11 a.m. To kick-off the First Friday for Seniors series, Thomas will put on a presentation outlining her trip to India during which she learned about the culture and education system. 1001 Route 35 North.
MIDDLETOWN: Athlete Kyllian Warman returns to her Middletown roots to discuss how she was able to achieve her 2012 New Years resolution of running 2012 miles and plans to run 2013 miles this year at the Main Library at 2 p.m. Tying into this, she will also share the ways she sets goals and overcomes obstacles. 55 New Monmouth Road.
LINCROFT: Christian Brothers Academy starts its annual art show and sale by hosting a preview celebration from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will feature wine and hors d’oeuvres by Merri Makers, plus live music. The $60 admission also includes reentry to the weekends art and antique show. RSVP online here. Newman Springs Road.
Dance majors in RBR’s Visual and Performing Arts program present ‘A Blast from the Past,’ 23 dances choreographed to the music of the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen, Madonna and more. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, January 18
FAIR HAVEN: Fair Haven’s Raven and the Peach is the setting for a special fundraiser dedicated to the animal adoption charity Project Animal Worldwide (PAW), with light fare, desserts, gift basket auctions, jewelry bar and a tasting presented in the restaurant’s wine cellar from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30, with the wine tasting for an additional $15. Call 732-979-6499 to reserve. 740 River Road.
RED BANK: The Elvii return, for the ninth annual edition of what’s become an unshakably shakin’ Basie tradition, Elvis Birthday Bash. Soaps actor Scot Bruce (as the younger Elvis) and award winning Mike Albert (as the Vegassy jumpsuit Elvis) team up once again for a Count Basie two-fer at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19.50, $29.50, and $39.50. Call 732-842-9000 to reserve. 99 Monmouth Street.
The Daily Show political correspondent John Oliver brings his mordant wit to the Basie, and former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional to to discuss his book, below. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, January 11
LINCROFT: The Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College hosts the 23rd annual expo of home improvement contractors, vendors and manufacturers, a three-day event showcasing everything from spas to sponges, and every helpful/healthful thing between. Hours are from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 to 8 Saturday, 11 to 5 Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 kids 12-17, under 12 are free. Newman Springs Road/Route 520.
RUMSON: Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, paralyzed in a game, talks about his effort to recover, as described in his book, ‘Believe: My Faith and the Tackle That Changed My Life’ (available at River Road Books). 7 to 10 p.m. 74 Ridge Hill Road.
Josh Zuckerman is at Red Bank’s Walt Street Pub tonight. (Click to enlarge)
For the first weekend of 2013, here are some fun ways to keep busy on the Green …
Friday, January 4
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: The Josh Zuckerman Band, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, returns to the Wall Street Pub for a free set of original rockers and favorites at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: World class championship blues guitarist Matt ORee will visit Jamian’s Food & Drink for a free Friday night set starting at 8 p.m. 79 Monmouth Street.
NOTE: The Holiday Express fundraiser at Sickles Market, which was postponed by Hurricane Sandy until tonight, has again been postponed out of respect for the Sickles family, which lost its matriarch, Adelaide Sickles, at age 81 earlier this week. A new date for the event has not yet been announced.
Little Silver residents will once again take on the challenge of rendering their town in Legos Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pardee; click to enlarge)
For the final weekend of the year, some amusements and diversions…
Friday, December 28
RED BANK: Two River Theater hosts a performance of A Wind in the Willows Christmas at 12 p.m. and features Grammy-winning Nashville songsmith (and ex-NFL player) Mike Reid in this new take on the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Mole and company. Adult tickets $50-55, 18 and under $25. Repeat performances Saturday and Sunday, also at 12. 21 Bridge Avenue.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
Michael Davidman, who’s now all of 15 years old, comes to the Monmouth Conservatory of Music on Saturday.
With Christmas little more than a week away, there’s a full weekend of holiday events all around the Green…
Friday, December 14
FAIR HAVEN: The First Floors House Tour, put on by the PTA, is both a fundraiser for the Fair Haven School District, as well as a collection for Hurricane Sandy donations by Sandy Family Match. Eight Haven homes will be open to tours between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and will each feature cuisine samplings from local eateries. Tickets ($50) will be available for purchase at 248 Kemp Avenue and 85 Grange Avenue. No children allowed.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: Two River Theater hosts a preview performance of A Wind in the Willows Christmas at 7 p.m. and features Grammy-winning Nashville songsmith (and ex-NFL player) Mike Reid in this new take on the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Mole and company. Adult tickets $50-55, 18 and under $25. Repeat performances Saturday at 12 and 7, Sunday at 12. 21 Bridge Avenue.
Heavy-chops bluesman Matt O’Ree plugs in at Jamian’s in Red Bank tonight, and author Karen Schnitzspahn autographs her new book on the history of food at the Shore, below.
Friday, December 7
MIDDLETOWN: Each year, Poricy Park Nature Conservancy hosts a seasonal shop with the help of a volunteer staff. Entering its 25th season, the handcrafted holiday craft shop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 2. Items for sale include all homemade quilts, jewelry, ornaments, jams and jellies and more. Kids can also get their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. 345 Oak Hill Road.
SHREWSBURY: At 11 a.m.m the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County library will host a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observance featuring Tom Minton, who will discuss the activities that took place at Fort Hancock and around the Sandy Hook peninsula during World War II. Free admission. 1001 Rt. 35 North.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library by Amy Richardson at 1 p.m. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
A horse named Prince makes his way down Broad Street during the 2011 holiday season. Horse-powered carriage rides resume on Saturday. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, November 30
MIDDLETOWN: Each year, Poricy Park Nature Conservancy hosts a seasonal shop with the help of a volunteer staff. Entering its 25th season, the handcrafted holiday craft shop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 2. Items for sale include all homemade quilts, jewelry, ornaments, jams and jellies and more. Kids can also get their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. 345 Oak Hill Road.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library by Amy Richardson at 1 p.m. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
A taste of vrooms to come, as seen outside Blue Water Seafood Company last Friday night. (Click to enlarge)
Foam-mattress maven Michael Fux, right, has been making the rounds in downtown Red Bank in recent days.
A car collector with tastes so lavish that Rolls Royce named a paint for him, Fux (pronounced ‘fyooks’) has been visiting merchants to drum up support for a charity event he’s bankrolling this Saturday afternoon: an exotic car show and entertainment extravaganza that will close a portion of Broad Street for five hours. [UPDATE: Event rescheduled for Saturday, September 10, because of Tropical Storm Irene]
But he’s also been trying to quash what he says is a mistaken impression: that the event is a grand opening event for two-month-old Blue Water Seafood Company, in which he’s an investor, and outside which some of his favorite toys are often lined up on Friday and Saturday nights.