Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro speaks at the shofar blowing contest held at Congregation Beth Shalom in Red Bank on Oct. 7. The event, which organizers hope to make an annual affair, raised awareness as Jews prepared for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The Little Silver Garden Club held a town garden contest, "Random Acts of Beauty," this summer to recognize the community's efforts to beautify the town. Residential and professional/commercial front gardens visible from the street were judged. Contest winners that received certificates are: the Patrick Niros, 89 N. Mitchell Place; the William Jaegers, 56 Queens Drive east; the Oreste Caprionis, 340 Branch Ave.; and the Wikoff island in Fox Hill maintained by Christa Wikoff and Dale Leath. Winners of commercial properties were Byford & Mills, Rysers, Sickles and Two River Orthodontics.

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Oceanport United Methodist Church will celebrate its 140th anniversary Oct. 19 beginning with a service at 2 p.m. The Rev. Rina Terry, former pastor, will be the guest speaker. Handbell soloist Lois Smith Bell will perform, and the Northern N.J. United Methodist Cluster will sing. A chicken dinner will follow. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Andres at 732- 571-8620.

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Tinton Falls resident Karla Williams has been selected to participate in the Nationals' 2008 Miss Pre-Teen Trenton pageant Oct. 19. Winner of the competition for females ages 7-19 will compete in the Cities of America National Competition in Orlando, Fla., and be eligible to share $60,000 in prizes and awards. Although there is no cost to compete, sponsorships are being accepted to help defray training, and rehearsals. For more information, call Patty at 800-569-2487.

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The Performing Arts Ensemble, Red Bank, will hold auditions 5 p.m. Oct. 16, and 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Galleria, Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. Needed are dancers of all kinds, including boys and girls ages 4- 12, teens and pointe dancers, gymnasts and male actors. The company is casting for "The Nutcracker." A "Nutcracker" workshop will be available, and no prior dance experience is required. For more information, call Evelyn at 732-614-5426.

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Appraiser Dr. Lori will hold the "Hate Art & Antiques?" comedy tour 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the fall Jersey Shore home show at Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown. Dr. Lori will tell stories and give art and antique appraisals, combining the eye of a museum curator and the wit of a comic. Appraisals are free to admission-paying guests. Dr. Lori has been on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, as well as several network and cable TV shows. Admission is $6, $4 for children ages 12-17, and free for children age 11 and younger. For more information, visit www.macevents.com.

Tinton Falls Foundation for Excellence in Education will hold the Run for Excellence 5K Run/Walk Oct. 26 at Mahala F. Atchison School, 961 Sycamore Ave., Tinton Falls. Registration will be at 7:45 a.m., the kids race (age 8 and younger) at 9 a.m., and the 5K at 10 a.m. Cost is $20, $15 for ages 9-18, and $10 for age 8 and younger. The price includes a long-sleeve T-shirt, goody bag, and postrace refreshments. Various awards will be given in several age categories. Volunteers are also sought to help at the event. For more information, call Fran at 732-460-2404 or email fgardiner@tfs.k12.nj.us.

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Red Bank Regional High School, 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, will host an open house for eighth-grade parents at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the high school auditorium. Featured will be a facility tour, student activity fair, curriculum scope and sequence, seminars and other activities. All parents and prospective students are welcome to attend. For more information, call 732-842-8000.

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C.J. Montana's Pub & Grille, 560 ShrewsburyAve., Tinton Falls, will host "Dinner for Dollars" to benefit ReRun Inc. 4-11 p.m. Nov. 5. The restaurant will pledge a percentage of its total sales excluding alcohol to ReRun, which gives former racehorses a second chance at life. For a menu selection, visit www.cjmontanas.com. For more information on ReRun, visit www.rerun.org.

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Congregation B'nai Israel, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, will welcome Addie Swartz at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16. Schwartz, founder and CEO of B*tween Productions, home of the "Beacon Street Girls" books, will speak about the importance of providing positive messages to "tweens." Reservations are required by Nov. 1. Massachusetts resident Swartz grew up in Rumson and was a graduate of Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School and the Hebrew High School at B'nai Israel. A light lunch will be served at the free program. River Road Books, Fair Haven, will have books for purchase at the event. For reservations, call 732-842-1800 or visit www.cbirumson.org.

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