Notes

Chani Schapiro and Allegra Cojab

A Community Hymn Sing celebrating hymns and hymn-based organ music will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 3 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church on the Hill, 10 Cold Indian Springs Road, Ocean Township. The sing will feature seven organists who are members of the Monmouth Chapter of American Guild of Organists, which promotes the performance of organ and choral music. The program is free, the church is wheelchair accessible, and there will be a reception following the program. For further information, call (732) 528-8191.

*****

More than 100 Jewish women from throughout Monmouth County attended a presentation by kosher chef Mark Hennessey of Le Marais French Steakhouse in Times Square recently. Chabad of the Shore's second annual Evening for Jewish Women, "Feeding the Body, Nurturing the Soul - An Elegant Shabbat Dinner," was held at the home of Allegra and Jacobo Cojab. Chef Hennessey wowed the audience with cooking secrets and techniques. For more information about Chabad's Jewish Women's Circle and upcoming events, call (732) 229-2424 or visit www.chabadshore.com

*****

The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host "Carnevale" Sunday, Feb. 18, 1-5 p.m., at the Main Street Bistro, 33 E. Main St., Freehold. The event is a traditional Italian event of costume, dancing and good food that precedes Ash Wednesday, which starts the season of Lent, a time of fasting.

Admission is $30 for adults and $15 for children and includes a buffet, face painting, mask making, pictures and a play presentation of Carnevale and traditional Italian dances. It is a wonderful event that the whole family will enjoy. All are welcome to attend.

Reservations must be paid in advance no later than Feb. 11 and mailed to the IAA of Monmouth County, P.O. Box 224, Marlboro 07746. For information, contact Cheryl Scuorzo, (732) 536-5832, or Maria Cucciniello at (732) 863-0021, or visit iaamonmouthcounty.tripod.com and click on the events link.

*****

Red Bank RiverCenter is sponsoring a special sale event in downtown Red Bank. More than 40 different participating stores in downtown Red Bank will be slashing prices and having special offers for two days only for Shopper Bowl Weekend.

Stores will be open Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4, from noon to 5 p.m., for the downtown-wide sales event.

*****

The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County is seeking a full-time volunteer to meet with corporate leaders and youths to engage them in taking a more active role in volunteering. This is a one-year position. There is a small salary, and health care is included. A college degree is preferred.

Call Arlene at (732) 728-1927 or e-mail asaltz@fcsmonmouth.org

*****

Red Bank Elks Lodge No. 233 will host its 96th annual charity ball on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Lakeside Manor, 410 Route 36 south, Hazlet. The event will feature music, dancing and dinner. The event is semiformal with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Donation is $55. For ticket information call the lodge at (732) 741-9771 and ask for Rose.

*****

On March 3, Congregation B'Nai Israel in Rumson will celebrate Purim with services, readings and a costume parade from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday, March 4, activities will include a Purim parade and Purim songs from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and a Purim Carnival from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be games, prizes, food and fun. Game tickets will be sold in advance on Sunday, Feb. 25, at five tickets for $1; on the day of the event, tickets will be four for $1 and 25 for $5. There will also be a book sale featuring popular fiction and nonfiction selections.

The event is open to the community. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Eric Menell at (732) 842-1800, ext. 215.