Ira Jacobson, founder of Brielle Galleries and author of “A Quest for Excellence: The Incredible Story of the Most Beautiful Store in the World,” will appear at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, 2 p.m. Jan. 16. The book details Jacobson’s story of his gallery, one era at a time. Copies of the book signed by the author will be available for purchase. For more information, call 866- 941-8188 or visit www.monmouthcountylib. org.

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The Kinarra Ensemble, Princeton, will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank-Tower Hill, 255 Harding Road. The 20-voice chamber choir will perform classical and contemporary a cappella choral works. A free-will offering will be collected. For more information, call 732-747-1348, ext. 21.

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A benefit for the Oceanport Fire Department featuring the “One Man Comedy Tornado, Paul Venier,” will be held Jan. 16 at Port-Au-Peck Firehouse, 433 Myrtle Ave., Oceanport. Doors open 7:30 p.m. and admission is $20 per person. There will be refreshments and 50/50 raffle tickets for sale.

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Family Resource Associates Inc. & TECHConnection, Shrewsbury, will offer assistive technology demonstrations 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at The Arc of Monmouth, 1158 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls. The free demonstrations are alternatives to help people who struggle with reading, writing, vision concerns or physical limitations or who have developmental or acquired disabilities. Registration is required. To register, call Joanne at 732-747-5310, ext. 14, or email tecconn@aol.com.

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Deborah Redden is exhibiting watercolor and oil paintings at Front Street Trattoria, Red Bank, through Feb. 1. A wine reception to meet the artist will be held 5 p.m. Feb.11.

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Shrewsbury Power Squadron will offer the eight-week “ABC3 Boat Safety Course,” Feb. 15 at Forrestdale School, Forrest Avenue, Rumson. Registration begins at 7:30 p.m., and the class runs 8-10 p.m. Mondays. Cost is $70 for materials only. New Jersey State laws require all operators of power-driven vessels on N.J. waters to possess a valid N.J. State-issued safety certificate. To preregister or for more information, call Bob at 732-946-2837 or visit www.USPS.org.

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Residents at Kensington Court, Tinton Falls, partnered with cadets from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth to supply toys for families in need. The cadets not only picked up the toys but also took time out to visit with Kensington Court residents and make the holiday a special one for them.

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The Atrium at Navesink Harbor, 40 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, will host a documentary film festival beginning Jan. 7 with “Spellbound.” The Atrium will supply the popcorn and candy at the event that is part of the Red Bank Documentary Film Series. Noted film critic Joan Ellis will introduce each movie and lead a discussion afterward. All movies are free and will be shown at 7 p.m. “The Day After Trinity” will be shown Feb. 18, and “The Good Fight” on March 18. “Inheritance” finishes up the series April 22. To RSVP, call 800-842-2480.

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The marketing staff in the Department of Advancement and Communications at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) has received three 2010 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE II) Accolades awards for publications. Carole Walker, Tinton Falls, a contributing writer, was one of the recipients. They were chosen by professionals in the advancement profession and were given to the group for its creative planning, writing and production of print publications.

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The Monmouth Conservatory of Music (MCM) will present a faculty concert 4 p.m. Jan. 23 at Trinity Church, 50 White St., Red Bank. MCM faculty member Garry Ianco, violin, and executive/artistic director Vladislav Kovalsky, piano, will perform music by Beethoven and others at the free concert. For more information, contact MCM at 732-741-8880 or www.monmouthconservatory. org.

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The Mended Hearts support organization, consisting of heart patients, families, health professionals and other interested persons, will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at Blaisdell auditorium at Riverview Medical Center, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank. Registration is required for the free meeting, and a light lunch will be served. To register, call 800-362-8677.

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Glen Goldbaum, owner of Glen Goldbaum 72, on Red Bank’s west side, was recently presented with the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Citizen ServiceAward. The award recognizes county residents who are working to improve their communities. Goldbaum was cited as having become an integral part of the eastern Monmouth volunteer community by donating his salon services and hair-styling expertise to the Wellness Center’s annual Celebration of Life Fashion Show. He also supports autism programs and the Surfrider Foundation. Goldbaum has more than 25 years’ experience as a master stylist and educator. He and his wife, Stephanie, and two children live in the River Plaza of Middletown.

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Employees from Central Jersey Bank’s Spring Lake Heights office volunteered a day to staff the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ holiday gift-wrap counter in Monmouth Mall, Eatontown, in December. The staff also participates in the Third Tuesday Program, volunteering to work at the FoodBank facility in Neptune. Central Jersey Bank is headquartered in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township and has branches in coastal Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.

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