NOTES AROUND TOWN

CHRIS KELLY staff Brandon Burgos, 9, Farmingdale, creates an owl at a Harry Potter Hogwarts Halloween Party at the Ocean Township Library Oct. 27.

The Choraliers of Eatontown is seeking additional singers for its Christmas concert, which will be presented Sunday, Dec. 9. The group is a mixed chorus, under the direction of Kathy Jacobs, which sings a variety of music, both traditional and secular. Rehearsals are held every Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Woodmere School, Raleigh Court, Eatontown. For more information, contact Kathy Cofield at (732) 671-1676 or jckathy@comcast.net.

Asbury United Methodist Church, 61 Atlantic Ave., Long Branch, will hold its holiday bazaar Nov. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature crafts, handmade items, baked goods, a white elephant, jewelry, new items and Christmas items. Lunch will also be available as well as "Chocolate Sensations."

A Thanksgiving service will be held Nov. 22 from 9:30-10 a.m.

A roast pork dinner will be served Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. featuring a menu of roast pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, rolls and cake. Price is $7 for adults, and $4.50 for children age 12 and younger. To order tickets, call Leona at (732) 531-4376.

CHRIS KELLY staff Eatontown residents Gyonna Overton, 4, and Nicole Florio participate in the Eatontown Halloween parade Oct. 20.

The Greater Township of Ocean Democratic Club that serves Ocean, Allenhurst, Interlaken and Loch Arbour will present a program Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. by the Long Branch K-9 Department on the training and use of police patrol dogs for detecting drugs and other crime-fighting tasks. The free program featuring live demonstrations with dogs will be at the West Park Recreation Complex, 615 West Park Ave., Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. Questions and answers will follow, and desserts and beverages will be served. The club will hold a short business meeting before the program. For more information, call (732) 493-3417.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Monmouth County raised approximately $200,000 at its annual fundraiser "Matching Smile" in mid-October. More than 200 guests were in attendance at the event at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Farmingdale. Honoree was Barry Weshnak, first vice president of the board of trustees at BBBS, and chair of the fund development committee. The gala event was founded almost a decade ago by Valeria and Luiz Ribiero, Holmdel.

Tickets for The Holiday Express benefits are now on sale. The "Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Spectacular" concert will take place Dec. 6 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark. Tickets range from $25-$100 and may be purchased at the box office, calling (888) 466-5722 or at www.njpac.org.

Concerts will be Dec. 18 and 20 at the Count Basie Theatre, Monmouth Street, Red Bank. Tickets range from $25-$100.

For tickets, call (732) 842-9000 or visit www.countbasietheatre.org.

The nonprofit Holiday Express delivers music, food, gifts and financial support to individuals in need. For more information, visit www.holidayexpress. org

The Red Bank Chapter of Hadassah fall education program will present "Global Warming - Help Us Turn Down the Heat," Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation B'nai Israel, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson. Dr. Judy Kramer, an environmental activist trained by former vice president Al Gore and the "Climate Project" staff will discuss what the quality of life will be like in 2030; whether polar bears and penguins will be nearing extinction; and whether it is possible Sandy Hook will disappear into the bay. For more information, call Robin at (732) 747-3453 or e-mail zager1@verizon.net.

VNA of Central Jersey (VNACJ), Red Bank, will present "Good Food & Good Health - a Neighborhood Partnership," Nov. 15. Asbury Park restaurants TAKA, Plan B, Placa Tapitia, America's Cup, Bistro Ole, and Market In the Middle will donate a percentage of the day's proceeds to benefit VNACJ Community Health Center, Asbury Park. For more information, call Diane at (732) 224-6791.

The holiday boutique to benefit VNA's hospice program will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. at 40 Bingham Hall, Rumson. Greens, plants, jewelry, accessories, and holiday gifts will be offered. A holiday dinner dance to benefit the hospice program will be Dec. 1 at Spring Lake Bath and Tennis Club. For sponsorship information, call Nancy at (732) 219-6605. The VNA's holiday house tour will not take place this year, but will be held during the holidays in 2008.

A field of 412 road racers competed in the Breeders' Cup FanFest 5K on the grounds of Monmouth Park racetrack Oct. 20, the weekend before the Breeders' Cup was run. Among the top three winners of the 3.1-mile distance was Robert Cavanaugh, 29, West Long Branch, top three overall with a time of 15:50, and Samantha O'Brien, 15, Rumson, at 20:03, who came in 21st overall.

The unique course started in Monmouth Park, wound through the Borough of Oceanport and trails of Wolf Hill Recreation Area, and finished in front of the grandstand. Proceeds of the FanFest 5K will benefit the Monmouth Park Charity Fund and the Oceanport Volunteer Emergency Services.

Joan Huegel, of Ocean Township, a longtime shelter volunteer for the Monmouth County SPCA, was the lucky winner of the 2008 C Class Mercedes- Benz car raffle at the Kick Up Your Paws fundraising event at the home of Max and Becky Weinberg Oct. 13. Joan is a foster mom who takes in litters of newborn kittens from the shelter and cares for them until they are old enough to be adopted. Proceeds of the raffle went to the SPCA Renovation Fund.