Cinco de Donald: A MexiCan Celebration

Updated with video

When Leo Cervantes is confronted by a difficult circumstance, he looks for the opportunity it presents.

When the waters of Superstorm Sandy receded from Highlands, Cervantes and his staff at Chilango’s recovered the non-spoiled inventory from their destroyed Bay Avenue restaurant and invited the entire town to a free dinner that they prepared and served at Henry Hudson Regional High School which was serving as a shelter for hundreds of residents displaced by the storm.

When Donald Trump disparaged Mexicans during his presidential candidacy announcement last week, Leo, who immigrated from Neza, a tough town outside of Mexico City in 1989 and became a naturalized United States citizen in 2008, shook off the insult and created an opportunity.

Sunday, July 5th is Cinco de Donald at Leo’s two Monmouth County Mexican restaurants, Chilango’s in Highlands and the newly opened LaPlaya in Keansburg.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, July 3-5, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, July 3

• Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair – MORE INFO
• Manasquan Gala July 4th Celebration – MORE INFO
• Closure at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Jockey Autograph & Memorabilia Sale at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Denis Coughlan (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• July 4th Fireworks (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• July 4th Fireworks (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO
• July 4th Fireworks (Union Beach) – MORE INFO
• July 4th Fireworks (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO
• July 4th Fireworks (Matawan) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, June 26-28, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 26

• Hall & Oates at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Wall Twp Fair – MORE INFO
• Closure at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Greek Festival (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO
• Bridgefest ‘15 (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Charlie, Trevor and a Girl Savannah at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• Nancy Scharff’s God & Country Patriotic Concert (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Magical Musical Me (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee Meeting (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Honoring Summer II Art Show at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• The Great St. Mary’s Fair (Middletown) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, June 19-21, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 19

• Art & Crafts Show at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO
• Be More Chill at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Campfire on the Beach on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Coastal Naturalist Series on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• St. Leo the Great Parish Carnival (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Mame by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO
• Middletown 350 Anniversary Plaza Dedication – MORE INFO
• Not On Call (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Sips & Serendipity Art Class: Ocean Grove Tents (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, June 12-14, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 12

• New Jersey Seafood Festival (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Gary U.S. Bonds at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Be More Chill at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Strawberry Festival (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• Dr. George Sheehan Classic Expo (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Cindy G “Jail Break” Live at Spring Lake Community House Theater – MORE INFO
• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• West Side Story at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, June 5-10, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 5

• Bayshore Greek Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Be More Chill at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• NHRA Toyota Summernationals at Raceway Park – MORE INFO
• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Live Horse Racing at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• “Dare to Fly!” Youth Art Exhibit (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Highlands Farmer’s Market – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 29-31, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Saturday, May 30

• Ocean Grove Giant Spring Flea Market – MORE INFO
• Red Bank River Fest – MORE INFO
• Jersey Born Music Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Twilight by the Bay on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Avon 5k Run/Walk – MORE INFO
• Civil War Encampment at Allaire Village – MORE INFO
• “Smartphonographer” Workshop (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Shrewsbury Borough Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO
• Criminal MIND, Dead BODY, Evil SPIRIT at Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

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A Closer Look at Two Artists at Torche Galerie in Belmar

April W. Klimley

April W. Klimley, Art Critic

If you’re at the south end of the Jersey Shore this month, stop by the Torche Galerie in Belmar. Many of the works on display last month in the gallery’s 2^nd anniversary exhibition have been either taken down or sold. But it’s worth a stop to see the magnificent interior space—as well as to examine some of the art gems which are still hanging on the wall. The space is the creation of owner/sculptor Roddy Wildeman, who has his own workroom connected to the gallery in the back of the first floor.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, May 22

• Monmouth Civic Chorus Spring Soiree (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• WFAN Radio “Kickoff to Summer” (Neptune) – MORE INFO
• Meridian Health “Paint the Town Pink” Month in Monmouth County – MORE INFO
• Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO
• Margie Moore “Relief with Water Colours” Art Show (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• ’70s Summer Cover Show at The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Fletcher at The Saint (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Primal Scream at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• “Not with Haste” by Stormin’ Arts Players (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, May 15-17, 2015

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, May 15

• Spring Sidewalk Sales (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• Meridian Health “Paint the Town Pink” Month in Monmouth County – MORE INFO
• Sea Bright Firemen’s Fair – MORE INFO
• Freehold Raceway Mall Carnival – MORE INFO
• Little Silver Sidewalk Sale – MORE INFO
• The Realization of Emily Linder by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Gallery of Dolls Display (Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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