Good morning Monmouth County! And Happy Mother’s Day to all our mom friends out there. Whether your ideal day is at the spa, brunch with the kids, or just some damn peace and quiet, we hope you get it all. You deserve it.

🎸 Justice for Jillian

✂ Storytime & Crafts at Monmouth Museum

💃 Salsa Dance Lessons

🥩 Roots Steakhouse in Rumson

🍯 Meet the Meader

🍸 Cocktail Competition

🍸 Cocktail Class

👻 Haunted Pub Tour

🎭 Asbury Park Theater Company Returning

🎭 Play-Writing Festival at the MAC

🎙 An Afternoon with Sinatra and Friends

🏃‍♀ Bakes Run Club

⚾ Monmouth U. Baseball vs North Carolina

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

Shaquille Taylor, 32, has been sentenced to 38 years in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to the 2023 second-degree murder of 18-year-old Belmont University freshman and Wall resident Jillian Ludwig. The tragic incident occurred when Taylor, a gang member shooting at a rival vehicle, struck Ludwig with a stray bullet while she was jogging in Nashville’s Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park. During the emotional sentencing, Jillian’s parents, Matthew and Jessica Ludwig, shared powerful victim impact statements describing the "perfect storm of failures" within the justice system that allowed a career criminal to remain on the streets. Though Taylor offered an apology through a statement read in court, the Ludwigs expressed that the 38-year term is insufficient for the loss of their daughter, a talented musician who had moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams.

The widespread attention surrounding the case focused on a legal loophole that had previously allowed Taylor to be released from custody after being deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial for prior crimes. In response to this tragedy, the Ludwig family collaborated with Tennessee legislators to pass "Jillian’s Law," which requires defendants found incompetent to be committed for treatment rather than released and prohibits them from possessing firearms. To honor Jillian’s legacy, her family has established the "Rae of Light Foundation," a non-profit dedicated to helping other states draft similar safety legislation while providing scholarships to aspiring young musicians. Through these efforts, the Ludwigs hope to prevent future tragedies and support the musical community that Jillian so dearly loved.

Mother–Daughter Vision Boarding Workshop | 5/11 6pm-8pm | Holmdel Library (Holmdel) | info

Storytime & Crafts | 5/12-5/14 11am-11:30am | Monmouth Museum- Wonder Wing (Lincroft) | info

Car Seat Safety Checkpoint | 5/13 2pm-6pm | Station 11 Old Village Fire Company (Middletown) | info

Tweens! Jewelry Making | 5/13 3:30pm-4pm | Atlantic Highlands Library (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Robotics Makerspace | 5/13 3:40pm-4:40pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info

Kids to Park Day & Free Family Concert | 5/16 6pm-7:30pm | Rec Center Amphitheater (Marlboro) | info

Salsa Dance Lessons | 5/12 11:30am-12:30pm | Taylor Pavilion (Belmar) | info

Speed Dating- Singles 45-55 | 5/11 7pm-9pm | Twin Lights Brewing (Tinton Falls) | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 5/13-5/14 Varies | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Haunted Pub Tour | 5/13 7:30pm | The Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Bingo For A Cause | 5/14 12pm-2pm | Old Bridge Family YMCA (Old Bridge) | info

The highly anticipated arrival of Roots Steakhouse in Rumson is officially moving forward as renovations begin at the former Salt Creek Grille location on the Navesink River. This transition marks a significant shift for the prominent waterfront property, which long served as a local landmark before closing its doors earlier this year. Known for its high-end, traditional steakhouse atmosphere and premium cuts of meat, the Harvest Restaurants group is expected to bring a sophisticated dining experience to the borough that complements the scenic river views. While a formal opening date has not yet been announced, the progress at the site has generated considerable excitement among residents eager for the return of an upscale dining destination to this iconic space.

Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival | 5/16 12pm-7pm | Bradley Park (Asbury Park) | info

Taste of Keyport | 5/16 12pm-4pm | Mini Park (Keyport) | info

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival | 5/24 11am-5pm | Monmouth Park (Oceanport) | info

Cocktail Competition | 5/12 6pm | Asbury Park Distillng Co (Asbury Park) | info

Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 5/13 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Tiers & Cheers Workshop | 5/13 6:30pm-8:30pm | Beach Haus (Belmar) | info

Meet The Meader | 5/13 6:30pm | Beach Bee Meadery (Long Branch) | info

Agave Spirits Club Tasting Event | 5/14 5pm-7pm | Barrio Costero (Asbury Park) | info

Pysanky Egg Decorating Workshop 21+ | 5/14 5pm-7:30pm | Fox Hollow Vineyards (Holmdel) | info

Cocktail Class | 5/14 6pm-8pm | Asbury Park Distillng Co (Asbury Park) | info

Art Reception Debra S. Bruno: Beauty & Blooming | 5/11-5/14 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Exhibit Showcasing Shrewsbury's Centennial 1926-2026 | 5/11-5/14 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Garden State Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition | 5/11, 5/13, 5/14 11am-4pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info

A Time Within a Time: Juried Art Exhibition | 5/12-5/14 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum- Main Gallery (Lincroft) | info

Val Dyshlov Reflection Exhibit | 5/12-5/14 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum- Nilson Gallery (Lincroft) | info

Drama Queens: Dark Beauties | 5/12 1:30pm-2:30pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info

Tech Tuesday-Android Phone and Tablet Basics | 5/12 2:30pm-4pm | Middletown Library (Middletown) | info

Splendid Spring Stroll at Manasquan Reservoir | 5/13 10am-11:30am | Manasquan Reservoir (Howell) | info

The Hindenburg Experience Talk | 5/13 2:30pm-3:30pm | Allentown Library (Allentown) | info

Monarchs: Their Lives, Our Help | 5/13 6:30pm | Belmar Arts Center (Belmar) | info

Short & Sweet: "The Tip-Top Club" (1981) Discussion | 5/14 10:30am-11:30am | Ocean Township Library (Ocean Township) | info

Wall Shorts: "Defender of the Faith" (1960) Discussion | 5/14 2pm-3pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info

Parents Painting with Vic | 5/14 5pm-7pm | Central Baptist Church (Atlantic Highlands) | info

Opening Reception- Justin “Lefty” Lefkowitz Exhibit | 5/14 6pm-8pm | Monmouth Museum- Nilson Gallery (Lincroft) | info

The New Botanical Opening Reception | 5/14 6pm-8pm | Arts & Cultural Center (Long Branch) | info

QPR Gatekeeper Training | 5/14 6pm-7:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info

Shipwrecks of New Jersey | 5/14 7pm-8pm | Atlantic Highlands Library (Atlantic Highlands) | info

The Asbury Park Theater Company is set to make a highly anticipated return this spring with a production of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, Our Town. Running across two weekends from May 21 to May 31 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, the play offers a profound look at the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners. Directed by Bailey Dumlao, this production intentionally leans into the intimate atmosphere of Ocean Grove, whose small-town population of 2,500 residents closely mirrors the community depicted in Wilder’s 1938 masterpiece.

This season's staging of the American classic features a unique local twist, as Dumlao has incorporated live music performed by the actors to celebrate Asbury Park’s own legendary musical heritage. The cast is led by Desiree Lara as the Stage Manager—a traditionally male role—alongside Sophie Cox as Emily Webb and Aren Duffy as George Gibbs. A highlight of the run includes a special Sunday matinee on May 24, which will feature a post-show talkback session with Mary English, the Executive Director of the Thornton Wilder Society, providing fans with a deeper look into the play's enduring legacy.

Exhibition on Screen- Tokyo Stories | 5/11 7pm | MCA- Pollak Theatre (W. Long Branch) | info

Staged Reading- Vigorish | 5/11 7pm | NJ Repertory Co (Long Branch) | info

Bards on The Beach | 5/12 7pm-10pm | 3 Brothers Pizza (Belmar) | info

The Vlassic Classic Open Mic | 5/12 9pm-12am | The Chubby Pickle (Highlands) | info

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – An Immersive Screening | 5/14 6pm | Count Basie- Cinema House (Red Bank) | info

The MAC One-Acts! Annual Play-Writing Festival | 5/14 7pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info

Comedy Night | 5/14 8pm-10pm | Wave Resort (Pier Village- Long Branch) | info

Jazz Arts Jam Sessions- Open Mic | 5/11 6pm | Triumph Restaurant & Brewery (Red Bank) | info

Rick Michel's An Afternoon With Sinatra & Friends | 5/12 1:30pm | PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

ALPHA WOLF: Let It Rip USA Tour | 5/13 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info

Skizzy Mars | 5/13 7pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

The Wailers | 5/13 8pm | Count Basie- The Vogel (Red Bank) | info

Hit The Lights and Major League | 5/14 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Capleton & The Prophecy Band | 5/14 7pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info

Delicate Steve | 5/14 7pm | Wonderbar (Asbury Park) | info

Leonid and Friends | 5/14 7:30pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre (Red Bank) | info

Riptide-Cawes Mountain Bike Race & Triton Pizza Pop Up | 5/14 5:30pm-8pm | Screamin' Hill Beer Farm (Cream Ridge) | info

Bakes Run Club | 5/14 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bakes Brewing Co (Wall) | info

Two Person Team Scramble Golf Tournament | 5/13 9am | Charleston Springs Golf Course-North (Millstone) | info

BlueClaws vs Greensboro | 5/12 6:05pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info

BlueClaws vs Greensboro | 5/13 11:05am | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info

Monmouth U Baseball vs North Carolina | 5/14 3pm | Monmouth U (W. Long Branch) | info

BlueClaws vs Greensboro | 5/14 6:35pm | Shoretown Ballpark (Lakewood) | info

Mon 5/11: High 2:43am | Low 9:16am | High 3:26pm | Low 9:50pm | Sunrise 5:45am | Sunset 8:01pm

Tue 5/12: High 3:43am | Low 10:06am | High 4:21pm | Low 10:46pm | Sunrise 5:44am | Sunset 8:02pm

Wed 5/13: High 4:44am | Low 10:54am | High 5:15pm | Low 11:40pm | Sunrise 5:43am | Sunset 8:03pm

Wed 5/13: High 4:41am | Low 11:42am | High 6:05pm | Sunrise 5:42am | Sunset 8:04pm