It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Red Bank, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Count Basie Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 26 West On The Navesink or visit War Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Red Bank, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Red Bank, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Red Bank, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A photo from last year’s National Night Out at Count Basie Park. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)Red Bank’s Count Basie Park would get jazzed up with new basketball courts, new field turf and exercise equipment under a plan forwarded by the Mayor and Borough Council Thursday.The council also voted unanimously to introduce the train station redevelopment plan that would give rise to the largest development the borough has seen in decades.The basketball courts at Co...
A photo from last year’s National Night Out at Count Basie Park. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
Red Bank’s Count Basie Park would get jazzed up with new basketball courts, new field turf and exercise equipment under a plan forwarded by the Mayor and Borough Council Thursday.
The council also voted unanimously to introduce the train station redevelopment plan that would give rise to the largest development the borough has seen in decades.
The basketball courts at Count Basie Park and (below) the asphalt walking path that wends throughout the park. (photos by Brian Donohue)
The council held a required public hearing and approved a resolution allowing the borough to apply for a $500,000 Monmouth County open space grant to help cover the estimated $2 million cost of the Count Basie Park project.
Michael Reiser, engineer with the borough’s engineering firm CME Associates told the council the project would include the following:
“Many of these improvements, or all of them, are needed,” Councilmember Ben Forest said.
Separately, the borough has applied for, and is slated to receive, according to Reiser, a $500,000 state Green Acres grant to help pay for the replacement of the depression-era bleachers at the park.
Under a bond ordinance passed last year by the council the borough will borrow an additional $723,000 to cover the $1.2 million of the bleachers project.
The borough also recently extended its lease with the landowner Red Bank Borough Board of Education to fulfill the state’s requirements for the grant.
Reiser said the park renovations would also include taller fencing near the softball field to hopefully fix the problem of balls smashing cars in the adjacent Steve’s Auto Repair lot.
The council also introduced an ordinance that would encode the Red Bank Train Station Redevelopment Plan which was approved by the Planning Board earlier this month. Final passage would essentially create new zoning guidelines for the area outlined in the redevelopment plan.
The plan calls for the creation of a dense new neighborhood on the parking lots and other properties near the station with up to 400 apartments, new streets, and open space around the preserved historic train station building.
Once the council approves the plan, the next step in the process is for NJ Transit’s designated developer, Denholtz, to submit a site plan to the Planning Board with specifics on exactly what they propose to build.
Readers can click here to catch up on redbankgreen’s extensive coverage of the redevelopment. The council will hold a public hearing and likely vote on the redevelopment plan at its July 10 meeting.
In other business, the council gave final unanimous approval to an ordinance creating the new position of Director of Recreation and Human Services. Borough Manager Jim Gant said the new position will allow the tasks held by the departments of recreation, community engagement, and senior services to be more streamlined as part of a single department.
Gant said the idea was a recommendation included in a 2018 Management Enhancement Report that set forth recommendations for streamlining services and fixing years of chaotic management practices.
Resident and former borough Parks & Recreation Committee member Adrienne Bilal, however, questioned the addition of another salary, set at between $85,000 and $125,000, to the borough payroll.
“Each one of these directors are more than capable of handling what they’re doing,” she said of the three department heads that will fall under the new director. “They’re more than capable of doing it on their own rather than us hiring another person to do it. Because that is a salary that’s going to affect the residents of Red Bank.”
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
The community event will benefit Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center and take place over the Navesink River. See details:Sara Winick, Patch StaffRED BANK, NJ — The Riverview Medical Center Foundation’s annual fireworks display is set to return to the Navesink River on Thursday, July 3.Hosted by the Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees, the beloved event will be hel...
Sara Winick, Patch Staff
RED BANK, NJ — The Riverview Medical Center Foundation’s annual fireworks display is set to return to the Navesink River on Thursday, July 3.
Hosted by the Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees, the beloved event will be held at the DiPiero residence and benefit the medical center.
Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks taking place between 9:15-9:30 p.m. Spectators can enjoy the show from various locations along the river, or by boat near the Oceanic Bridge, making for a “spectacular evening in support of the exceptional health care provided at Riverview.”
“We are delighted to continue this cherished tradition, made possible by the incredible generosity of the DiPiero family, who graciously host this special event each year,” said Timothy J. Hogan, FACHE, executive vice president, Network Service Lines, and president and chief hospital executive of Riverview Medical Center.
“This celebration is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, not only to enjoy a fantastic fireworks display, but to raise vital funds for our hospital so we can continue to improve the world-class health care we provide daily,” Hogan continued. “We look forward to a memorable evening and are deeply grateful to our community of partners, supporters and friends for their unwavering commitment to our mission.”
This year, funds raised from the event will benefit the re-imagination of a state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center and expanded oncology care at Riverview Medical Center.
Slated for completion by the end of 2026, the project will completely redesign the Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center and expand its footprint with a new design that maximizes patient and team member safety, accommodates new technologies and addresses a growing demand for behavioral health services.
The new space will have 41 patient rooms and treatment bays, allow for more efficient operations and provide spaces designed for specific medical needs, officials said.
Other key features include the addition of a secured crisis care unit complete with six beds, a dedicated Diagnostic Imaging Center within the department, 20 private patient rooms, seven specialty treatment rooms, an open concept floor plan to improve access sightlines to patients and eight fast track adult and pediatric-ready patient bays.
In addition, Riverview is also expanding its oncology services to ease the stress and challenges of care coordination. The medical center’s successful affiliation with Memorial Sloan Kettering has resulted in significant inpatient growth, which now exceeds current oncology bed capacity.
This critical expansion project, scheduled for completion in December 2025, will enhance the patient experience and continuity of care with the addition of 20 private patient rooms (bringing the total number of beds to 41), complement existing services offered at The Larkin Stillwell-Hansen Infusion Center and Booker 3 inpatient oncology unit and provide better access to specialized care by ensuring oncology patients are all located in the same wing of the hospital.
“It is always a wonderful time to see our team members, donors and supporters come together to celebrate Riverview Medical Center and raise funds to support critical projects that truly make a difference for our communities,” said Kenneth Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, president, Southern Region, Hackensack Meridian Health.
“This year, we are especially pleased to fundraise for the reimagined Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center, which will provide an ultra-modern, comfortable healing environment for our patients and their families, and our expanded oncology services, which are bringing life-saving care close to home for so many,” Sable continued. “It’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with purpose and compassion. We thank the DiPiero family for their hospitality and look forward to another great event.”
The family-friendly event will include a variety of food options, including food trucks, and guests will be able to enjoy front row seats to the fireworks show.
“We look forward to this event every summer because it’s a fantastic way to celebrate the Fourth of July, while bringing the community together to raise funds for our community hospital,” said Jonathan Schultz, chair of the Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude to the DiPiero family for their generosity and to all of those who continue to support Riverview Medical Center’s vital work. It’s always a special night, and I can’t wait to see everyone!”
Sponsors of this year’s event include Title Sponsors: Eberg Capital, NJ Health Foundation, Fred Voccola and the Cooper Voccola Family Foundation Inc.
Funds will also benefit Hackensack Meridian Heath’s “Be The Difference” campaign, launched in September 2024.
The “Be The Difference” campaign is an effort focusing on four key pillars:
Through this campaign, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the diverse communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.
Tickets to the annual Family Fireworks on the Navesink are required and can be purchased here. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, you can email Hilary Cohen, executive director of Strategic Events, at [email protected].
Boom! Ready to celebrate Fourth of July? The good news is that at the Shore you can watch fireworks before and after Independence Day — and on July 4, too.Here's a look at when and where some towns will be celebrating. Click here to see the full list of towns in Monmouth and Ocean County lighting up the night sky.Asbury ParkAsbury Park&rsqu...
Boom! Ready to celebrate Fourth of July? The good news is that at the Shore you can watch fireworks before and after Independence Day — and on July 4, too.
Here's a look at when and where some towns will be celebrating. Click here to see the full list of towns in Monmouth and Ocean County lighting up the night sky.
Asbury Park’s annual fireworks show takes place Thursday along the waterfront, with prime viewing from the boardwalk. The beach will be cleared at 6 p.m. in preparation for the big show at 9 p.m. at 2nd and 4th beaches. Rain date is 5 p.m. Saturday. Go: 732-775-2100; cityofasburypark.com.
Fireworks and a computerized light show take place after 9 p.m. Saturday in front of the Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Ave. Go: 732-681-3700, belmarbeachnj.com.
Fireworks take place Thursday at Windward Beach Park, part of the SummerFest Concert Series, which hosts fireworks after every show. Music begins at 7 p.m., and there will be food, beer and wine at every concert. Go: 265 Princeton Ave., bricksummerfest.com.
At 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, over the lake next to the Joker ride, Great Adventure will host a fireworks show, part of the park's 50th anniversary celebration. Go: 1 Six Flags Blvd.; 732-928-2000, sixflags.com.
Fireworks take place after the BlueClaws game during on Thursday. Admission is included with the purchase of a game ticket. Go: ShoreTown Ballpark, 2 Stadium Way; 732-901-7000, blueclaws.com.
The 2025 Independence Day Live Music and Fireworks Show at North Lake Park, overlooking Lake Carasaljo, begins at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Wilbur Wittemann Patriotic Band will conduct a musical performance at the park’s All Wars Memorial Amphitheater, followed by fireworks (around 9:15 p.m.) — which can be viewed from both North Lake Drive and South Lake Drive. Go: 732-364-2500, lakewoodnj.gov.
Fireworks at 9 p.m. Friday, part of the annual Oceanfest celebration that begins at 1 p.m. with musicians, musical acts, food vendors and more. Go: 732-222-0400, oceanfestnj.com
Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on the beach at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk at 9:30 p.m. Friday. Go: 732-892-0600, jenkinsons.com.
The Coca-Cola Fireworks Extravaganza starts at 9:30 p.m. Sunday on the boardwalk. Go: 732-793-9100; seaside-heightsnj.org.
Here are other things to do this week, including a hot dog-eating contest at Jersey Freeze, and Diana Krall at the Basie in Red Bank.
Rain or shine, the annual Independence Day parade in Ocean Grove takes place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
The parade begins at Stockton and Central avenues. You can see the parade route at oceangrove.org/parade-map.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a patriotic concert takes place in the Great Auditorium, 21 Pilgrim Pathway. While no tickets are required, a free will offering will be taken.
Go: Independence Day parade, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Ocean Grove; 732-775-0035. oceangrove.org/independence.
How many hot dogs do you think you could eat in 10 minutes?
Nine contestants will try to devour as many as possible during Jersey Freeze's second annual hot dog-eating competiton, taking place Thursday during the Freehold Township restaurant's annual fireworks-viewing party. The contest will begin around 7 p.m.
Last year's winner finished 13 hot dogs and won a cash prize, trophy and gift cards, which will again be offered to both the first-place winner and runner-up.
The evening's festivities, which include a DJ, face painter and firetruck for children to enjoy, take place in the parking lot, which has a view of the fireworks at nearby Freehold Raceway.
Go: Hot dog-eating contest, during a fireworks-watching party, 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jersey Freeze, 120 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Township; 732-462-3008, jerseyfreeze1952.com.
Dispatch's ninth studio album "Yellow Jacket" blends infectious reggae, ska and roots rock with fresh urgency and purpose.
Released in June, the album is "both a call to community and a reflection on the abuse of power," a release states. The band with John Butler plays the Stone Pony Summer Stage on Friday. Tickets start at $30.
Formed in the 1990s by Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan while in college in Vermont, Dispatch has long been known for its genre-blending sounding and commitment to social activism.
Among the new songs on "Yellow Jacket" is "In the Street," featuring Ani DiFranco. Their latest single is “Whisk Me Away,” a guitar-driven track that marks a first for the group as longtime member Matthew Embree steps into the spotlight as lead vocalist.
Also playing the Pony on Friday is G. Love & Special Sauce, and Donavon Frankenreiter. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m.
Go: Dispatch with John Butler, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Donavon Frankenreiter, 5 p.m. Friday, Stone Pony Summer Stage, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, tickets start at $30; 732-502-0600, stoneponyonline.com/calendar.
The only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, Diana Krall plays the Count Basie Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Krall's albums have garnered two Grammy Awards and 10 Juno Awards (the Canadian version of the Grammy).
As The New York Times recently noted, Krall possesses "a voice at once cool and sultry, wielded with a rhythmic sophistication.”
Tickets are $108 to $162.
Go: Diana Krall, 8 p.m. Saturday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $108 to $162; 732-842-9000, thebasie.org/events.
Heading to Atlantic City this weekend? There are a few Fourth of July events taking place.
At 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Borgata presents a fireworks show. Gates open at 8:30 p.m. More information is on Instagram or at 95.1 WAYV, which will broadcast live from the event.
Celebrate Ocean Casino Resort’s seventh birthday with Fireworks and Drone Shows at The Park, starting at 9 p.m. Friday. The aerial formations created by choreographed drones and fireworks take place every Friday through Aug. 8. More information is at theoceanac.com/fireworks/drone/shows.
Tropicana Atlantic City hosts a big fireworks display at 10 p.m. Friday that is visible from the beach and boardwalk. Tropicana's fireworks displays continue every Saturday, from July 6 to Aug. 31. More info is available on Instagram.
Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at [email protected].
The 14th annual community celebration will take place this summer at Two River Theater and spotlight new plays by Latine theater artists.RED BANK, NJ — Two River Theater’s Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival of new plays by Latine playwrights is set to return to Red Bank on July 31 and run through Aug. 3 in the Joan & Robert M. Rechnitz Theater.Now in its 14th year, this a...
RED BANK, NJ — Two River Theater’s Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival of new plays by Latine playwrights is set to return to Red Bank on July 31 and run through Aug. 3 in the Joan & Robert M. Rechnitz Theater.
Now in its 14th year, this annual event showcases the richness, diversity, creativity and talent of Latine theater artists. All festival events are open and free to the public.
“This year's festival showcases four returning writers all working at the top of their game and crafting deeply compelling stories about our current moment,” said José Zayas, the festival’s award-winning curator. “We get to travel from Miami to California and from Atlantic City to spaces deep in the collective imagination of our country as we watch these beautifully drawn characters connect with the world around them in captivating and surprising ways.”
The plays range from a “delightfully raunchy and politically savvy” adaptation of the classic Noel Coward play Private Lives to a haunting play about a mother and daughter preparing for the disasters of the world, only to find that the biggest disasters are the ones closest to home, Zayas continued.
“From a bittersweet exploration of a young friendship destroyed by class and time, all told through the creation of a new comic book hero, to a madcap and hallucinatory journey into the world of casinos and beauty pageants,” Zayas said.
“These are bold, funny and thrillingly imaginative stories full of joy and hope," Zayas continued. "It is my pleasure to once again invite our audiences to experience the work of these wonderful writers and to be part of the development of these new plays.”
coLAB Arts, a partner on the festival for the past few years, will lead the mural project for the duration of the festival, which focuses on the strong ties between the festival’s mission and its audience.
The festival schedule is as follows:
Thursday, July 31 (5 p.m.)
Thursday, July 31 (7 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 1 (5:30 p.m.)STORIES FROM THE HEARTA One-of-a-Kind Sharing
Friday, Aug. 1 (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 2 (2 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 2 (8 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 3 (2 p.m.)
To register for festival events or learn more, you can visit the Two River Theater website.
Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank.
At Wonder Shrewsbury, customers can try plates from chefs and restaurants around the country. See details: Sara Winick, Patch Staff|Updated Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 4:45 pm ETSHREWSBURY, NJ — Not sure what to get for dinner? A new food hall opening in Shrewsbury is looking to help you decide.Wonder, located at 490 Shrewsbury Plaza, is set to ho...
Sara Winick, Patch Staff
|Updated Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 4:45 pm ET
SHREWSBURY, NJ — Not sure what to get for dinner? A new food hall opening in Shrewsbury is looking to help you decide.
Wonder, located at 490 Shrewsbury Plaza, is set to host its grand opening on Thursday, June 19. The restaurant aims to “revolutionize” the food industry by creating a mealtime super app that operates a collection of delivery-first restaurants.
Featuring chefs such as Bobby Flay, Jose Andres, Nancy Silverton, Marcus Samuelsson and more, alongside award-winning restaurants like Tejas Barbeque and Di Fara Pizza, Wonder customers can experience any combination of these chefs and restaurants all together in one order.
Everything is made-to-order at a Wonder storefront and delivered to your door in under 30 minutes, officials said. Pick-up and limited dining options are also available.
At the Shrewsbury location, available restaurants will include:
"We're excited to be expanding in New Jersey by bringing Wonder to Shrewsbury to offer multiple cuisines and dishes in one order!" said Jason Rusk, EVP of Restaurant Operations. "We’re grateful for the warm welcome, and we look forward to making mealtime easy with delicious, crave-worthy food for the Shrewsbury community."
The grand opening for the new location will begin at 4:30 p.m. on June 19 with a ribbon-cutting, which will be followed by doors opening at 5 p.m. The first 100 customers will get an exclusive Wonder gift.
Once the restaurant opens, hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery is available to the following zip codes:
In addition to Wonder’s new Shrewsbury location, Wonder also has New Jersey locations in Brick, Westfield, Hoboken, Springfield, Midland Park, Cresskill, Ledgewood, Teterboro, New Providence, Livingston, Parsippany, Randolph, Green Brook, Middletown, Cherry Hill and Woodbridge.
This will be Wonder's 17th Wonder opening in New Jersey, having opened in 16 additional locations throughout the last two years.
To order from Wonder Shrewsbury, you can click here. Wonder Shrewsbury is located at 490 Shrewsbury Plaza, Shrewsbury.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated with a quote from Jason Rusk, EVP of Restaurant Operations.
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