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RUMSON: SHORED UP, BATTENED DOWN

The collision between coastal development and severe weather in New Jersey and elsewhere is the subject of the documentary “Shored Up,” screening for free this Saturday at Holy Cross School.

As filmmaker Ben Kalina tells it, “I made Shored Up to explore what it means to live beside the beauty of the ocean — where, as we saw with Hurricane Sandy, we are always just one storm away from catastrophe.”

Filmed in late 2012 and 2013 on locations along the Jersey Shore and the North Carolina coast, the documentary feature hits close to home — and with a Category 5 wallop — for local residents who experienced firsthand the unprecedented and still-lingering effects of the superstorm that marks its second anniversary next month.

This Saturday evening, September 20, Holy Cross School in Rumson hosts a free screening of the film, a public-welcome event that includes a discussion with the director and panel of local coastal and environmental scientists.

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SHORING UP SUPPORT FOR COAST’S FUTURE

Shored UpThe documentary film SHORED UP, which examines the collision between coastal development and severe weather in New Jersey and North Carolina, will be shown September 20 at a special screening in Rumson.

Press release from New Jersey Future

On the evening of Saturday, September 20, New Jersey Future — a nonprofit organization which is working with Sea Bright and Highlands on long-term recovery planning in the wake of Hurricane Sandy — will sponsor a free public screening of the documentary feature Shored Up in Rumson.

Doors open at 6:30 pm for the screening, scheduled for 7 pm at Holy Cross School, 40 Rumson Road. At the conclusion of the film there will be a panel discussion and question-and-answer session, featuring the film’s director Ben Kalina, as well as several local coastal and environmental scientists.

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REGISTRATION OPEN FOR JAY DOOLEY 3-ON-3

dooleyOn Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, the Jay Dooley Memorial Foundation (JDMF) will present the Fourth Annual JDMF 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Holy Cross School in Rumson.

The two days of hoops action will feature fun, camaraderie and serious competition…but most importantly, the Tournament will raise funds for local children and teens with learning disabilities and depression. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit JDMF community partners, and help families in need of critical mental and medical health services for their children.

The Tournament attracts more than 500 individuals and 100 teams, including many high profile Shore players and former college players. Tournament age brackets are girls: ages 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-19; women: ages 20-29 and 30 and older; boys: ages 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-19; and men: ages 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and older. Start times are 4 p.m. on May 16 and 7:30 a.m. on May 17. Official game times for age brackets will be posted the week of the tournament at www.jaydooley.com.

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RUMSON: MEET THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE LADY

gingerbreadhouselady 3Debbie Bagnell of Rumson, aka “The Gingerbread House Lady,” at her dining room table, where she’s building more than gingerbread houses. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

gingerbreadhouselady 2Add up her past 30 or so Christmases, and Debbie Bagnell of Rumson has turned out between 1,500 and 2,000 gingerbread houses.

“I’m part elf,” says Bagnell. “I have a little notch in my ear. So, it’s magic – that’s how this all gets done,” she says, gesturing to a dining room table covered with a miniature Levittown of gingerbread houses.

PieHole spent a snowy morning at Bagnell’s holiday-decorated home getting the inside scoop on mass producing gingerbread houses.

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WEEKEND: BOOK SHOPPING, RUNNING, ART…

The Friends of the Red Bank Public Library three-day book sale kicks off Friday night with a reception, hits its stride Saturday, and concludes with a fill-a-bag coda on Monday. (Click to enlarge)

Friday, February 1

SHREWSBURY: Shrewsbury’s branch of the Monmouth County Library will host Dr. Janice Thomas from Brookdale Community College at 11 a.m. To kick-off the First Friday for Seniors series, Thomas will put on a presentation outlining her trip to India during which she learned about the culture and education system. 1001 Route 35 North.

MIDDLETOWN: Athlete Kyllian Warman returns to her Middletown roots to discuss how she was able to achieve her 2012 New Year’s resolution of running 2012 miles– and plans to run 2013 miles this year – at the Main Library at 2 p.m. Tying into this, she will also share the ways she sets goals and overcomes obstacles. 55 New Monmouth Road.

LINCROFT: Christian Brothers Academy starts its annual art show and sale by hosting a preview celebration from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will feature wine and hors d’oeuvres by Merri Makers, plus live music. The $60 admission also includes reentry to the weekend’s art and antique show. RSVP online here. Newman Springs Road.

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