Good morning Monmouth County! Cozy Season has arrived!

💵 $1 Million Dollar Winner

🦃 Holiday Fun

🥩 Jersey Shore Restaurant Week

🍳 Taste & Technique

🥬 Chef Chris Mumford and Hay Mumford Farms

🧀 Mac and Cheese Fest

🥞 Kids Character Brunch

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Smash

🚗 Brits on the Beach Car Show

🎭 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

🎸 Michelle Branch

🏃‍♂ Hashathon 6 Mile Trail Race

🏒 NJ Titans Hockey

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

A routine Sunday afternoon football game turned into a life-changing milestone for Monmouth County resident Michael Kozuch, who took home a $1,000,000 grand prize during halftime of the New York Jets game against the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium. The 66-year-old project manager from Tinton Falls secured the top payout through the New Jersey Lottery’s second-chance promotion, erupting into a celebratory on-field dance and waving his ceremonial oversized check before a roaring crowd as New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey presented the award. Kozuch, who stood alongside runner-up Ron Eils of Morris County (who claimed $100,000), called the stroke of fortune "destiny," fondly remembering his late mother’s love for scratch-offs and feeling his parents were watching over him. Amid joyful tears during a post-win phone call to his wife, Cheryl, Kozuch shared that while the seven-figure windfall might accelerate his retirement plans, his first practical order of business will be replacing his 20-year-old car.

Young Artists' Autumn Art Gallery | 10/1-11/14 | Various times | Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury | info

Storytime & Craft | 11/3-11/5 | 11am | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Stocking Stuffer | 11/6-11/8 | 12pm-3pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Free Weekend Workshop | 11/7, 11/8 | 11am | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Kids Character Brunch | 11/8 | 11am-2pm | The Bistro, Freehold | info

Holiday Bazaar | 11/8 | 11am-4pm | Middletown Elks, Middletown | info

One Willow Holiday Boutique | 11/8 | 12pm-4pm | One Willow, Highlands | info

2026 Fall Festival | 9/19-11/8 | Various times | Happy Day Farm, Manalapan | info

Allentown Library Book Sale | 11/1-11/30 | Various times | Allentown Library, Allentown | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 11/6 | 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Climb Time | 11/6 | 12pm-3pm | Thompson Park, Lincroft | info

Ghosts & Legends of the Downtown Tour | 11/6, 11/7 | 8pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Flea Market | 11/7 | 8am-2pm | The Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdale | info

Fall Craft Show | 11/7 | 9am-2pm | Fort Monmouth Recreation Area, Tinton Falls | info

Brits on the Beach | 11/7 | 9:30am-3:30pm | Downtown Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove | info

Zentangle Bookmarks | 11/7 | 11am-12pm | Atlantic Highlands Library, Atlantic Highlands | info

Sip Scribe Social | 11/7 | 11am-1pm | Asbury Park Library, Asbury Park | info

Skinny Flowers Brewing Day of Giving | 11/7 | 12pm-10pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing, Oceanport | info

The Great Pumpkin Smash! | 11/7 | 1pm-3pm | Riley Park, Bradley Beach | info

Bonsai Bar | 11/7 | 2pm | 3BR Distillery, Keyport | info

Bingo Loco | 11/7 | 5pm, 9pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Trading Card Game Expo | 11/8 | 10am-6pm | Porta, Asbury Park | info

Autism MVP’s 12th Annual Walk & Football Fun Event | 11/8 | 12pm-3:30pm | Leggett's Sand Bar, Manasquan | info

Drag Brunch | 11/8 | 1pm-5pm | Georgie's Bar, Asbury Park | info

Georgies 27th Anniversary & Customer Appreciation Party! | 11/8 | 1pm-11:30pm | Georgie's Bar, Asbury Park | info

Veterans Day Parade | 11/8 | 1:30pm | Bayview Elementary School, Middletown | info

Book Fair | 11/8 | 2pm-6pm | 3BR Distillery, Keyport | info

Nourishing Heart presents, Entertainment & Fashion Show with a Cause | 11/8 | 3:30pm-6pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

Ghosts of the Boardwalk Tour | 11/8 | 6pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Line Dancing Mondays | 11/9 | 6pm-10pm | Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar | info

Chunky Blanket Workshop | 11/11 | 6pm-9pm | Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar | info

Cigars & Sunsets on The Rooftop Wednesdays | 11/11 | 6pm-10pm | Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar | info

Private Group Tour of the Paranormal Museum | 11/11, 11/12 | Wed 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm, 3:45pm, Thur 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm | The Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park | info

Crafty Crab: Stocking Embroidery Workshop | 11/12 | 7pm-9pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

This past Sunday we were in a dark dark place. Still digesting the metric ton of chocolate covered bad decisions we made on Halloween, it would’ve been sooooo easy to stay on the couch, in and out of consciousness, and teetering on the brink of type 2 diabetes. But Heather Harm, owner/operator of Taste & Technique in Fair Haven, swept in to rescue us as we circled the drain.

That evening we got to sit for a Thanksgiving masterclass taught by local legend, Chef-farmer Chris Mumford (more on Chris below). Chris narrated each step as he created a blue ribbon holiday feast from the freshest local ingredients. Watching a pro like Chris breeze through each course like he was buttering toast and getting some of his pro tips along the way did in fact make this upcoming Thanksgiving feel less daunting. Will our Turkey Day dishes be works of culinary genius? Unlikely. But we walked away with some real inspiration and a chef-prepared meal that paired beautifully with our bellies full of bite sized Snickers bars.

If you’ve never been to Taste & Technique, we couldn’t recommend it more highly. Grab your spouse. Grab friends. Grab a bottle of wine and get there immediately. Getting to touch and smell every spice and watch how each ingredient is prepared is a truly enlightening dining experience. We’re going back with friends!

Chris Mumford is a veteran chef and grower with more than four decades of experience bridging the gap between kitchen gardens and culinary craft. After cultivating on-site gardens for his own eateries in Long Branch and Tinton Falls—and teaching communities how to ethically grow, source, and cook organic food—he stepped away from commercial restaurant lines to found Hay Mumford Farms in 2020. Alongside his wife and niece Chris channels this background into regenerative agriculture, focusing on healthy soil and nutrient-dense crops through integrated pest management, organic composting, and closed-loop sustainability.

Located in Wall Township, Hay Mumford Farm serves as a new coastal hub for both home growers and local food lovers. The property specializes in cultivating heirloom tomato varieties, specialty peppers, unique lettuces, and organic plant starters tailored specifically for Shore-area backyard gardens. Mumford complements these seasonal harvests with boutique farm-to-table private catering and practical grower mentorship, translating decades of kitchen experience into fresh, accessible food education for the Monmouth County community.

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week | 11/6-11/15 | Various times | Various locations | info

Supper Club: Asian Creations- Ages 10+ SALE! | 11/6 | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Taste & Technique, Fair Haven | info

Highlands Farmer Market | 11/7 | 8:30am-2pm | Huddy Park, Highlands | info

Hazlet Farmers Market | 11/7 | 9:30am-1:30pm | 1776 Union Ave, Hazlet | info

Kids Market | 11/7 | 10am-3pm | Battleview Orchards, Freehold | info

A Taste of Tuscany- Green Ball Gala | 11/7 | 12pm-4pm | Oasis Tlc, Red Bank | info

2nd Annual Brewer's With A Purpose | 11/7 | 12pm-5pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Mac & Cheese Festival | 11/7 | 1pm-5pm | Various locations, Red Bank | info

3rd Annual NJ Wine Expo | 11/7 | 2pm-5pm | Bell Works Ballroom, Holmdel | info

Dinner and Drinks with Zamir Gotta, Travel Companion & Friend of Anthony Bourdain | 11/7 | 6pm | Lovesick, Asbury Park | info

Harvest & Hearth: A Cozy Italian Pasta Workshop WAITLIST OPEN | 11/7 | 6:30pm-9pm | Taste & Technique, Fair Haven | info

Fall & Winter Fresh | 11/8 | 10am-1pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

Rosa's Kitchen Food Truck | 11/8 | 12pm-6pm | Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale | info

Boardwalk Backstage Smash Burger Food Truck | 11/8 | 1pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co, Wall | info

Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market | 11/11 | 11am-4pm | Bell Works, Holmdel | info

Daniel Johnston: I am a Baby in My Universe II | 9/14-12/15 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery at Rechnitz Hall- MCA, W. Long Branch | info

Jonas Mekas Film and Art Exhibit | 9/14-12/15 | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | Rotary Ice House Gallery- MCA, W. Long Branch | info

Raw Power: Shepard Fairey Exhibit | 9/17-11/30 | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm | The Art Spot, Asbury Park | info

Raw Power: Shepard Fairey Exhibit | 9/17-11/30 | Mon 12pm-5pm, Thur 12pm-7pm, Fri/Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm | Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park | info

The Grid We Live In Exhibit | 9/27-11/8 | 4pm-6pm | Nilson Gallery- Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Festival of Lights Exhibit | 10/2-11/15 | Tue-Sun 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Historic Portland Place Tours | 11/4-11/8 | 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm | Portlant Place Visitor Center- Hartshorne Woods, Locust/Middletown | info

Starting Over with John and Yoko: The Photographs | 11/5-1/15 | Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat/Sun 9am-7pm | Pollak Gallery, W. Long Branch | info

Manasquan River Group of Artists Art Show | 11/6 | 9am-5pm | Wall Library, Wall | info

Garden State: Living Off the Land in 19th Century NJ | 11/6 | 2pm-3pm | Middletown Library, Middletown | info

First Fridays Art and Sound | 11/6 | 5pm-9pm | Over the Moon Art Studios, Asbury Park | info

Grid Art Quilted Collages | 11/6 | 6pm | Monmouth Museum, Lincroft | info

Let's Walk the Block! | 11/7 | 12pm-5pm | 4 JG's Orchard & Vineyard, Colts Neck | info

Paint Your Pet Portrait | 11/7 | 12pm-4pm | Sun Moon Studio, Keyport | info

Mill Demonstration | 11/7-11/8 | 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm | Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold | info

Kinusaiga (Fabric Tuck) Social | 11/7 | 1pm-3pm | Asbury Park Art Club, Asbury Park | info

Joshua Huddy Birthday Celebration | 11/8 | 12pm-2pm | Colts Neck General Store, Colts Neck | info

Blacksmith Demonstration | 11/8 | 1pm-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel | info

Second Sunday Lecture Series | 11/8 | 2pm-3pm | Monmouth Battlefield State Park- 20 Sate Route 33, Manalapan | info

Zine Workshop | 11/8 | 5pm-8pm | Asbury Park Cooperative, Asbury Park | info

Historic Portland Place Tours | 11/11-11/15 | 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm | Portland Place Visitors Center- Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust/Middletown | info

Stir | 10/31-11/22 | Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Two River Theater, Red Bank | info

Smodcastle Film Festival | 11/6 | Various times | Smodcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands | info

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | 11/6-11/22 | Various times | Axelrod, Deal | info

Parade | 11/6-11/8 | Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Count Basie- HMH Theatre, Red Bank | info

Over the River and Through the Woods | 11/6-11/21 | Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm | First Avenue Playhouse, Atlantic Highlands | info

The Devils (1971) | 11/6-11/8 | Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm | The Showroom Cinema, Asbury Park | info

Updating | 11/6 | 8pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) | 11/6 | 10pm | Count Basie- Cinema House, Red Bank | info

New Jersey Archival Film Festival | 11/7 | 9am-1pm | Great Hall Auditorium- Monmouth U, W. Long Branch | info

For Colored Girls... | 11/7-11/15 | Various times | Middletown Arts Center, Middletown | info

The Jury Experience- Death by AI: Who Pays the Price? | 11/7 | 4:30pm, 7pm | Pollak Theatre, W. Long Branch | info

ComedySportz: New Show Every Week! | 11/7 | 7pm-9pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | info

It's A Wonderful Life | 11/8 | 1pm, 4pm | The American Hotel, Freehold | info

Exhibition on Screen- Turner & Constable | 11/11 | 7pm | Pollak Theatre, W. Long Branch | info

Comedy Night with Bobby Collins 2026 | 11/12 | 7:30pm | Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal | info

Snooki | 11/14 | 1pm-3pm | The American Hotel, Freehold | info

Revolver EF4 Fest 2026 | 11/5-11/8 | Various times | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Michelle Branch | 11/6 | 7pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

Music Café | 11/6 | 7pm | Middletown Arts Center, Middletown | info

Billy Joel Tribute: The Pat Roddy Band | 11/6 | 7pm | Spring Lake Community House & Theatre, Spring Lake | info

Motor City Revue 2026 | 11/6 | 7:30pm | Bell Theater, Holmdel | info

Never Say Goodbye- Bon Jovi Tribute | 11/6 | 8pm | The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

Sadbois | 11/6 | 8:30pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Open Mic Night: Hosted by Tim Enny | 11/6 | 6pm-10pm | Twin Lights Brewing, Tinton Falls | info

An Afternoon with Streisand and Garland | 11/7 | 2pm | Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan | info

Joey CXP | 11/7 | 6pm | Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park | info

Bumpin Uglies | 11/7 | 6:30pm | The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | info

A Tribute to Count Basie: The Kid From Red Bank | 11/8 | 3pm | Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan | info

Zimmy Shelter: Dylan & the Dead | 11/8 | 5pm | The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | info

The Longest Johns | 11/8 | 7pm | Count Basie- The Vogel, Red Bank | info

Miss May I x Born of Osiris | 11/8 | 7pm | House of Independents, Asbury Park | info

Jazz Art Jam Sessions | 11/9 | 6pm-8pm | Triumph, Red Bank | info

Oakley Farm Tuesday Old Time Jam | 11/10 | 6:30pm-9pm | Oakley Farm Museum, Freehold | info

The "Basie Boogie" Goes to War: V-Discs and WWII | 11/11 | 6pm-8pm | Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music- Powell Soundstage, Long Branch | info

Candlelight Concerts- Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons | 11/12 | 6pm | Pollak Theatre, W. Long Branch | info

Jarod Clemons | 11/12 | 7pm | Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park | info

Rest Day No. 1 | 11/7 | 11am-3pm | The Fort Athletic Club, Oceanport | info

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Run/Walk | 11/8 | 10am | PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel | info

Hashathon 6 Mile Trail Race | 11/8 | 11am | Cheesequake State Park, Matawan | info

Monmouth U Women's Basketball vs Lehigh University | 11/6 | 6pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Monmouth U Football vs North Carolina A&T | 11/7 | 12pm | Monmouth University, W. Long Branch | info

Brookdale CC Women's Basketball vs Bergen CC | 11/7 | 12pm | Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

Brookdale CC Men's Basketball vs Bergen CC | 11/7 | 2pm | Brookdale CC, Lincroft | info

New Jersey Titans Hockey vs Philadelphia Rebels | 11/7 | 5:30pm | Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown | info

Fri 11/6: High 4:45am | Low 10:52am | High 5:01pm | Low 11:06pm | Sunrise 6:32am | Sunset 4:49pm

Sat 11/7: High 5:30am | Low 11:39am | High 5:46pm | Low 11:47pm | Sunrise 6:33am | Sunset 4:48pm

Sun 11/8: High 6:11am | Low 12:24pm | High 6:28pm | Sunrise 6:34am | Sunset 4:47pm