2010 Ray of Hope Gala

Circle BMW is a premier event sponsor of the 2010 Ray of Hope Gala, a fundraiser to benefit Catholic Charities programs in Monmouth County. The 13th annual event will take place on Friday, April 30th at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale, N.J. This year’s Gala will feature an exclusive scotch tasting by The Glenlivet U.S. Brand Ambassador, Richard Crawford. Representing The Glenlivet family of single malt Scotch and richly balanced malts, Crawford will guide guests through an overview of Scotland’s finest export. Catholic Charities programs in Monmouth County provide services and support to assist the most vulnerable people, regardless of their religious affiliation. Some of the human services programs that directly benefit from the funds raised at the Ray of Hope Gala are: Project FREE, an outpatient substance abuse program for adults; Family Growth, a program that provides treatment for children who have been victims of abuse; and, Beacon House, a transitional group home for homeless youth ages 17-21. To purchase tickets to the 2010 Ray of Hope Gala or to learn more about Catholic Charities programs in Monmouth County, contact Kat O’Connor at (609) 394-5181 or via email at koconnor1@cctrenton.org.

The Holiday Boutiques at Pier Village

This holiday season, Pier Village will enhance your shopping experience with two unique Holiday Gift Boutiques filled with specialty gift items such as hand crafted giftware, ornaments, gourmet treats, gift baskets, bath & body products, custom teas, hand knits, artisan jewelers and more! For BMW enthusiasts, the Circle BMW Boutique (located between The Turning Point and Sawa) will feature custom apparel, hats and accessories. Pier Village offers a one-of-kind shopping experience with a downtown village environment and a beautiful oceanfront atmosphere. Holiday Boutique Hours: Friday, November 27th 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Every Saturday (11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19) 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Every Sunday (11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20) 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Holiday Boutique Hours Week of 12/21: Monday, December 21st and Tuesday, December 22nd 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 23rd 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 26th 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 27th 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 28th 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Celebrate the 2009 holiday season at Pier Village and join the festivities starting with the Long Branch Tree Lighting with Tim McLoone and the Shirleys on Sunday, November 29 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, December 13th, at 4:30 p.m., Rabbi Shapiro will mark the beginning of Chanukah with a Menorah Lighting. For a complete list of holiday special events, visit www.piervillage.com. Experience the 2009 Holiday Season at Pier Village, the Jersey Shore’s premier oceanfront destination to shop, dine, stroll, spa and stay!

Circle BMW is Area Drop off Site for Holiday Food Drive

Once again this year, Circle BMW has proudly volunteered to be a drop off site for non-perishable holiday food donations for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Area residents are invited to contribute the following much-needed items to the FoodBank: Canned fruits Ready-to-eat canned meats Canned vegetables Tuna Peanut butter & jelly Instant potatoes Rice Pasta and pasta sauce Macaroni and cheese Canned juices and sip-size juices Canned and dry soup Hot and cold cereal Circle BMW will collect non-perishable items during the months of November and December. Our collection area is next to the main desk in the Service Department. Thank you for your support.

Bookmark It! presents Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader, one of America’s greatest leaders of civic action and social movements takes the stage for a live audience/studio broadcast of an interview, audience Q&A and book signing based on his new book, “Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!” When: Saturday, December 5, 2009 Where: Brookdale College in the Navesink Room of the Student Life Center Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $24.99 To purchase tickets, or for more information go to www.bookitevents.com

Bookmark It! presents Alix Strauss

A Haunting Review…Bookmark It! Celebrates Halloween Come prepared for some gruesome yet educational conversation with Alix Strauss, author of Death Becomes Them, an eye-opening and intimate portrait of the lonely, sad and nightmarish lives of 20 legendary luminaries on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Along with being an historic overview of suicide, Strauss’ book delves into the deaths of our most influential cultural icons: Sylvia Plath, Diane Arbus, Sigmund Freud, Vincent van Gogh, Abbie Hoffman, Virginia Woolf, Spalding Gray, and Anne Sexton, among others. The deaths are as diverse as the person that killed themselves. The evening will include a reception, interview and book signing at Brookdale College’s Center for Visual Arts (CVA) at 7:00 p.m., immediately followed by an opening night tour of the college’s Performing Arts Center's haunted house. For information about this event visit: www.bookitevents.com

The Grove’s Annual Fall Festival

Everyone’s invited to join the fun at The Grove’s Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The festivities kick-off at noon with a spooky Halloween parade* and includes food, a live DJ, a garden market and more! Parents are invited to bring their vehicles through the NJ State Police-sponsored Child Safety Seat Program. The proper use of child car seats is one of simplest and most effective methods available for protecting the lives of our children in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Bring your appetite! The Shrewsbury Fire Company will be on hand grilling hot dogs. And, do some Fall cleaning prior to the festival. The American Red Cross will be collecting gently used clothing and shoes. Lastly, for the dads (and moms!) Circle BMW will display the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. For the first time, attributes of an elegant sedan, a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle and a classic Gran Turismo are masterfully melded into a single, harmonious vehicle concept. Circle BMW representatives will be available to answer questions and schedule test drives. < For more information about The Grove, visit: www.thegroveatshrewsbury.com www.thegroveatshrewsbury.com

Holiday Express

The generosity of donors, supporters and friends enables Holiday Express to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. The second annual Holiday Express Sunset Clambake took place on Sunday, September, 13, 2009 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on the beach at McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch, NJ. To learn more about Holiday Express, visit www.holidayexpress.org.

Bookmark It! presents Darryl Strawberry

Bookmark It! presented Darryl Strawberry on Monday, September 14, 2009 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Lincroft, NJ Darryl Strawberry fields tough questions about his successes and failures in life and at bat based on his new book, “STRAW: Finding My Way.” This event featured a live stage interview, audience Q&A and personal book signing with Darryl Strawberry. For information about this event visit: www.bookitevents.com

Tour de Fair Haven

The Tour de Fair Haven is a new and exciting bicycle race, sanctioned by the US Cycling Federation that brings together two communities – the world of competitive cycling and the world of People with ALS (PALS) – in a respectful and educational environmental. All event proceeds and sponsorships will be directed to the Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c3) support group. On Sunday, September 20, 2009, more than 250 cyclists from the tri-state area will participate in the 4.5 mile closed course along the scenic Navesink River. From top athletes to youngsters on tricycles, to cheering families and fans, the Tour de Fair Haven seeks to build awareness of the sport of bike racing and ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). The Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation (www.joandancyandpals.org) is dedicated to improving the lives of ALS patients and their families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. To obtain more information about this event, visit www.tourdefairhaven.com.

Bookmark It! welcomes Linda Chorney

Bookmark It! welcomes Linda Chorney as she kicks off “words2music,” a new series featuring live interviews and acoustic performances of select singers/songwriters with amazing stories to tell about how they turned words into music. This event takes place on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Blue Bay Inn, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Each ticket includes Linda’s CD, “Chornography,” a complimentary margarita and guacamole with chips from Copper Canyon. $28/advance registration required. Buy tickets online at: www.bookitevents.com

Monmouth County Concours d' Elegance

Calling all vintage automobile enthusiasts! The Monmouth County Concours d’ Elegance is hosting its annual exhibition of pristine classic automobiles (dating from 1900 to 1969) on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hop Brook Farm, Holmdel, NJ. Admission is free; however, donations to Embrace Kids Foundation are greatly appreciated. Embrace Kids Foundation exists to help families whose children have cancer, sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. The foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life of the children and to relieving families of emotional and financial pressures of caring for a child with a chronic illness. To learn more, visit www.embracekids.org

For directions to the event, visit www.monmouthcountyconcours.com.
Rain date: September 27, 2009.