The Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College, main campus, College Drive, Toms River has announced its fall schedule.
“Story Time Under the Stars” brings storybooks to life. Giant-sized pictures float among the stars to accompany tales. Children will enjoy the stories while learning about the stars and other visible objects in the nighttime sky. Feel free to wear comfy pajamas or bring a pillow or blanket. Saturdays, Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 24 and Dec. 22 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
Planetarium staff and members of the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area will set up telescopes on the campus lawn to provide a view of the moon, planets and other celestial objects during “Fall Star Watch,” Oct. 6, 7 p.m., weather permitting. Rain or a significant cloud cover will result in cancellation. Call or check the Web site for a weather decision. Admission is free.
A portion of ticket sales will go to the OCC Foundation “Reach for the Stars” campaign to renovate and revitalize the planetarium.
For tickets and information call (732) 255-0400 ext. 2111 or visit www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium.
Artists, musicians and vendors of all types are invited to submit information about their talents and services to Main Street New Egypt (MSNE) for a community database for MSNEsponsored events. Each year MSNE holds various events on Main Street. This year MSNE held New Egypt Day in May and will hold a Fall Festival Nov. 4, and an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1. The events are held outdoors for the most part and are held rain or shine.
MSNE is also looking to create a summer-long program of events to be held next year. A farmer’s market, concert series, art exhibits, street theater and other activities are being considered.
MSNE is a recognized Main Street organization pursuant to state and national guidelines. Its mission is to help with the comprehensive revitalization and management of Plumsted Township’s New Egypt Main Street business district.
Details: (609) 758-7539 or (609) 758-6990. To register, mail contact and background information to Peter Ylvisaker at Main Street New Egypt, 31 Main Street, New Egypt 08533. Email [email protected].
Paintings by Claire Boren are on exhibit at the Gallery on Grant, located at the Jewish Community Center, 100 Grant Ave, Deal Park. The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 31. Details: (732) 531-9100 or e-mail to: [email protected].
Members and friends of the Monmouth County Historical Association are invited to a special preview party celebrating the opening of “By the Sea,” an exhibition featuring the many aspects of shore culture that developed in Monmouth County Sept 23, 2-5 p.m. on the Museum’s property, 70 Court Street, Freehold.
The exhibition will be open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. beginning Sept. 25.
“By the Sea” features a specially created boardwalk showcasing an early wicker boardwalk cart from Asbury Park and a variety of period costumes. Aspects of he shore culture highlighted include the Victorian era; proper attire; area entertainment and diversions; communities and clubs; business at the shore and lifesaving. Items on display include maps of the changing shoreline; a seasonal resident’s scrapbook; flatware, serving pieces and the guest register for the Hotel Panacci; images from the popular weekly newspapers Harper’s: and Leslie’s; silk and wool bathing costumes from the 1920; Monmouth Park memorabilia; and graphic images and photographs illustrating the history of lifesaving in the area.
For information on becoming an MCHA member call (732) 462-1466 or visit www.monmouthhistory.org.
Middlesex County College presents
A Taste of the Arts lecture series at the Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge. Gallery owner Michael Ingbar will present “The Art of Architecture of New York” Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. Mel Leipzig, artist and professor, will present “The Development of a Realist Painter in an Age of Abstraction” Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but registration is required. The series is sponsored by the Middlesex County College and The Woodbridge Township Cultural Arts Commission with support from the Woodbridge Township Arts Council. For more information call 732-634-0413.
Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will host a memoir writing seminar Oct. 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. Linda Kravetz, journalist, published author, and creative writing teacher, will lead the workshop. The workshop is free, but registration is required. To register, call the library at (732) 671-3700, ext. 333.
The Provincetown Fringe Festival in Asbury Park and The Black Box of Asbury Park will present “The Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler as part of the Fifth Annual Women’s Arts Festival.
Under the direction of Marjorie Connas, the award-winning show is an open-minded and humorous creation of how various women view their vaginas.
The cast includes Anna Oleinik, Anne Berkowitz, Cheryl Fitzmaurice, Christine Emmert, Lesley Castellini, Marie Cathleen, Marjorie Conn, Susan Marco and Vivian Taormina.
Performances will be held Sept. 29 and Oct. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. at the Stephen Crane House, 508 Fourth Ave., Asbury Park. Following each performance audience members and cast members are invited to share in a short discussion. Admission is $10 and includes complimentary refreshments. Details and reservations: (732) 807-4052.
Because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, proceeds from these performances will be donated to 180, Turning Lives Around, Monmouth County’s domestic abuse shelter and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These organizations have formed a special partnership in which the pets of victims of domestic violence are cared for at the MCSPCA free of charge while their human companions are turning their lives around.