About Town

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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
An opening reception for Visual Notes from the Underground, a juried exhibition of art inspired by lowbrow, street, underground and nontraditional art, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council Gallery, 21 W. Lincoln Ave.
The show is a celebration of nontraditional artwork, including work inspired by illustration, comic books, animation, tattoo art, street art and graffiti.
The exhibition runs Nov. 9 through Dec. 13. Gallery hours are: from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and by appointment by calling 732-737-7160.
Visitors also may enjoy browsing on Saturdays, Nov. 17 and Nov. 23, the jewelry, pottery, prints and accessories of artists and crafters at the arts council’s first art and fine crafts show and sale from noon to 4 p.m.
For more information on the arts council, visit www.aharts.org.
 
HOLMDEL
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, by the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation (NJVVMF) with a 1 p.m. Huey Helicopter Plaza groundbreaking at the state’s Vietnam War memorial on the grounds of the PNC Bank Arts Center at the Garden State Parkway Exit 116.
The program will feature the presentation of arms by a color guard, a keynote speech by an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and remarks by family members recognizing loved ones in the NJVVMF “In Memory” program.
Immediately following the ceremony, the NJVVMF will present a groundbreaking for the Huey Helicopter plaza on the grounds of the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center.
The keynote speaker will be Matthew B. Craw of Little Silver, who is combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps and author of “The Song Each Bullet Sings: The Story of Operation Iraqi Freedom Through the Eyes of One Marine.” He earned his combat action ribbon during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
Four veterans will be inducted into the In Memory Program, which honors those who served in Vietnam and returned home only to die as a result of their tour.
As part of the ceremony, family members will say a few words and light a candle in their memories.
For more information on the day’s program visit the website at www.njvvmf.org or call 732-335-0033.
 
LITTLE SILVER
The Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association (BOTMA) will present a concert and jam session on Sunday, Nov. 17, in the auditorium of the Embury United Methodist Church, 49 Church St.
A live stage show featuring bluegrass, country and folk music, will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Musical acts scheduled to appear are  Squirrel Stew, O’Neill & Martin, Home Cookin’, Gene & Friends and George & Jake Trio.
In addition to the stage show, there will be bluegrass jamming throughout the building, and everyone is welcome to pick along or just listen.
Doors will open at noon; admission is $5. For more information on the show, visit www.njbluegrass.org.
 
MIDDLETOWN
 
A Veterans Day parade will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, with marchers assembling assembly at 12:30 at Bayview School, Leonardville Road, Belford.
The parade will kick off at 1 p.m. The year’s parade honors the veteran’s of the Korean War, “The Forgotten Heroes,“ on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending the Korean War.
Following War Monument Ritual Services at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, a monument honoring the veterans of the Korean War will be unveiled and dedicated at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179.
 
RED BANK
Saint James Elementary School invites its alumni, current families, teachers – past and present – and parishioners to Mass at noon Sunday, Nov. 10, at Saint James R.C. Church to celebrate its 135th year.
The Mass and 1 to 3 p.m. reception is the start of celebrations commemorating 135th anniversary of Saint James Elementary School, which will culminate in June.
The reception will feature light refreshments, tours of the school and a chance to visit with old friends and share memories. Students’ grandparents and extended family members are welcome.
Additional information is available by calling the business office at 732-741-3363.
 
RED BANK
The Men’s Ministry and Outreach Ministry of Pilgrim Baptist Church will be hosting its annual Community Veterans Day Celebration at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.
The service is designed to recognize all veterans and active military personnel. The service will feature a sermonic message for those being recognized, the music ministry of the men’s choir of Pilgrim and a special community reception for all soldiers after the worship service.
Additional information or those interested in being part of the military processional may call 732-747-2343.
 

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The Salvation Army’s community center on Newman Springs Road will introduce a soup kitchen, called the Bread of Life, with a Thanksgiving supper on Sunday, Nov. 24. Additional meals are planned for once a month thereafter.
A voluntary devotional at 3:15 p.m. will precede the supper, which will be served starting at 4 p.m.
Families, as well as individuals, are welcome, according to Maj. Elizabeth Rogan.
“The Army welcomes all to our first soup kitchen event, not only those who may be in physical or spiritual need, but also those who may have no other place to go for a meal and fellowship,” Rogan said.
Anyone wishing to attend should email at Rogan at erogan@use.salvationarmy.org or call the center at 732-747-1626 to make a reservation.
 
RUMSON
The first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving Day.
The last time the holidays coincided in this way was in 1863 and it won’t happen again in our lifetime. To celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, Congre­gation B’nai Israel (CBI) will be hosting a community-wide Hanukkah party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Adults, children and grandchildren are invited.
Free and open to the public, the celebration will include games, face painting, balloon sculptures and traditional holiday foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts. Children of all ages can build a LEGO® mini menorah and decorate Hanukkah cookies. Gifts will be available for purchase.
“The once-in-a-lifetime conjunction between Hanuk­kah and Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to reflect on similar themes shared by the two celebrations,” says Rabbi Jeff Sultar of CBI. “Each one asks us to be thankful for the gifts that we have, and to rededicate ourselves to our highest values. Both celebrate religious freedom, Hanukkah commemorating the Maccabees’ victory over Assyrian rule, and Thanksgiving commemorating the pilgrims’ achieving religious freedom in the New World.”
Congregation B’nai Israel is located at 171 Ridge Road.
Additional information about this and other Hanukkah-related events, or for membership information, contact director Emilie Kovit-Meyer at 732-842-1800, ext. 203 or visit www.cbiru.
 
SHREWSBURY
The Real History of Thanksgiving, a special program at the Eastern Branch Library of the Monmouth County Library System will be presented by Glen LeBoeuf of Let History Live at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the 1001 Route 35 branch.
Guests can explore some cherished myths about the first Thanksgiving and learn about the feast, why relations with the Native Americans deteriorated so quickly decades later and what was actually eaten compared to the modern-day “traditional” Thanksgiving dinners.
The lighthearted yet infor­mative program will tell how George Washington, Abra­ham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and even the Battle of Gettysburg all influenced one of America’s most popular national holidays.
For questions about the program, please call the library at 866-941-8188.
For more information on programming at the Mon­mouth County Library, please visit www.monmouth countylib.org.