NOTES AROUND TOWN

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Eatontown, will hold a Holiday Shopping Night in Red Bank 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4 at Winters Furs, 43 Monmouth St.; Jace Jewelers, 53 Broad St.; and Gaetano's Restaurant, 10 Wallace St. All shoppers will receive a 15 percent discount, and 10 percent of the proceeds will benefit BBBS. Gaetano's will contribute 10 percent of the proceeds to BBBS. For more information, call BBBS at 732-544-2224.

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Long Branch Public Schools' first tree lighting, "A Celebration of Hope," will be held 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Bresett Stadium, Long Branch High School (LBHS) (rain date Dec. 10). The event will feature performances by the LBHS marching band, Edd Ray Bangers, the Middle School choir and band, JMF Early Childhood Learning Center, Lenna W. Conrow Preschool, Audrey W. Clark School, Morris Avenue School, West End School, Gregory School, and A.A. Anastasia School. There will be pictures with Santa, refreshments, and student train rides. Pictures are $5 or a new, unwrapped toy. Proceeds benefit the district's turkey drive, and Santa's Elves.

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Seashore Day Camp & School, Long Branch, will host a variety show fundraiser 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5, with photos with Santa 6-7 p.m. Students in grades K- 8 will sing, dance, play instruments and perform skits at Seashore's 410 Broadway campus in Long Branch. Tickets are $5 and proceeds benefit the school's spring production. For tickets, call 732-229- 4398.

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Mary Ann Russo and Cecilia Swatton will host a fundraiser and jewelry party for Bead for Life, Uganda, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, at 128 Ocean Ave. The nonprofit Bead for Life works to sponsor development in the areas of health, education, vocational training and housing in Uganda. Beaders are women impoverished as result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and civil war. The women recycle paper to make beads used to create necklaces and bracelets. For more information, call 732-229-4527 or visit www.surfmen.com. For information on Bead for Life, visit www.beadforlife.org.

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A Laible ben Moshe concert and mini Chinese auction will be held Dec. 6 at the home of Susie and Eddie Tawil, 13 Bridle Drive, West Long Branch. All proceeds benefit Chai Lifeline. Refreshments will be served. For time or more information, call Devorah at 732-583-2536 or 732-829- 6249.

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A Community Shopping Day to benefit the nonprofit Long Branch Concordance will be held 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6 at Ten Thousand Villages, 69 Broad St., Red Bank. The store will donate 15 percent of all sales during that time. Ten Thousand Villages offers handmade home decor, jewelry, musical instruments and other gifts crafted by artisans worldwide. For information, call 732-571-1621 or visit www.redbank.tenthousandvillages.com.

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The Asbury United Methodist Church, 61 Atlantic Ave., North Long Branch, will hold a roast pork dinner 6 p.m. Dec. 9. Cost is $7, and $4.50 for children age 12 and younger. For reservations, call 732- 531-4376.

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The New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, will premiere the musical comedy, "Cupid and Psyche," Dec. 11-Jan. 18. Previews are 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12. A talkback with the playwright and director follow the Dec. 11 evening performance. Opening night with reception is 8 p.m. Dec. 13, and a New Year's Eve performance and party Dec. 31. Regular performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $51.50 for opening night and reception, $41.50, and $36.50 for previews. A New Year's Eve performance and party is $125 or $100 for subscribers. For tickets, call 732-229-3166, or visit www.njrep.org.

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Breakfast With Santa will be held 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. The event will feature face painters, balloon artists and photos with Santa. Reservations are required. For price or reservations, call 732-542-5050.

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Brookdale Community College's music department will showcase piano students at a free recital 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at its performing arts center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown. Scheduled to perform are Kenneth Almquist, Holmdel; Mulee Chen, Middletown; Robyn Kilpatrick, Red Bank; Matthew McDermott, Long Branch; Peter Monroy, Marlboro; Barbara Pirnat, Long Branch; Barbara Sluboski, Matawan; and Jackie Zhou, Keyport. For more information, contact Susan at 732-224-2411 or email scarle@brookdalecc.edu.

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Eatontown Playhouse, Route 35, will present "The Bishop's Wife" at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20; and 3 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Tickets are $17 for seniors and students and $22 for all others. For more information, call 732-888-0339 or 732-380-1119.

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