Happy Tuesday, Monmouth County! I can't get over how nice the weather was for Halloween this year, especially considering we've had years in the past where snowstorms completely ruined Halloween. I'll happily take more weekends of it being 65 and sunny.

On the docket:

• Shucked Is Serving Up a Taste of the World Dinner Series

• Pier Village’s Holiday Food Drive Is Back

• More Live Music at Melting Waves Music Fest

• Start Your Engines, The Turkey Derby is Coming Up

• Live Music Lowdown

Shucked Is Serving Up a Taste of the World Dinner Series

Your next dinner plans are taking a little trip around the world, no passport required. Shucked by Local 130 is hosting its A Taste of the World Dinner Series, with two upcoming Thursday evenings featuring special menus inspired by Japan and Spain.

Chef Ryan will be serving up A Taste of Japan on November 5, followed by A Taste of Spain on November 12. Each dinner will feature a specially curated menu highlighting the flavors of that country, along with a featured cocktail and wine pairing available for purchase separately.

It's a great excuse to plan a date night, gather your foodie friends or make reservations for both evenings. Two countries, two dinners and absolutely no airport security lines.

Pier Village’s Holiday Food Drive Is Back

The season of giving is officially here, and Pier Village in Long Branch is making it easy to spread a little holiday cheer. From November 1 through December 13, the annual Holiday Food Drive is collecting nonperishable food donations to benefit Fulfill Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.

Last year, the community donated an impressive 900 pounds of food, and this year they're hoping to top it. Everything from pasta, rice and canned goods to peanut butter, cereal and granola bars is welcome, as long as it's unopened and within its best-by date.

Donations can be dropped off at participating Pier Village businesses, including The Baked Bear, Turning Point, Pier Pins, Studio Pilates, Piazza on the Pier and Wave Resort.

So next time you're grabbing a coffee, doing some holiday shopping or heading out for dinner, bring a few pantry staples along. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference for local families this holiday season.

More Live Music at Melting Waves Music Fest

Asbury Park is adding another music-filled weekend to the calendar. Melting Waves Music Fest is taking over Asbury Lanes on November 14 and 15, bringing 18 bands together for two nights of live music, with doors opening at 4 PM each day.

The lineup covers everything from psychedelic rock and garage to indie, alternative and shoegaze, featuring artists like Rachel Ana Dobken, Sun Voyager, Trophy Wife and 95 Bulls. It's the kind of weekend where you show up for a band you know and leave with three new favorites to add to your playlist.

The festival actually started with a playlist created behind the grill at Asbury Park's Bond Street Bar, which eventually grew into a full-blown music event. Not a bad upgrade from picking songs for a shift at work.

Tickets are available for individual nights or the full weekend, so grab your music-loving friends and settle in for a couple of loud nights at the Lanes.

Start Your Engines, The Turkey Derby is Coming Up

Thanksgiving leftovers can wait because Wall Stadium’s Annual Turkey Derby is back for two days of racing on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28. The longtime holiday tradition brings drivers and racing fans together for a weekend of high-speed action at the track.

Friday kicks things off with Wall Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Legend Cars, while Saturday brings more racing, including the highly anticipated 150-lap Tour Modified feature. Expect plenty of competition, roaring engines and a whole lot more excitement than another afternoon on the couch.

Bundle up, bring the family and trade the Black Friday shopping crowds for some time at the racetrack. It's a pretty good way to keep the Thanksgiving weekend festivities going.

Live Music Lowdown

Friday, November 6
The Proving Ground, Highlands | Nine Deez Nite | 9 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Never Say Goodbye | 8 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Kyle Ahern | 4 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Gab Cinque Band | 8 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Michelle Branch | 7 PM
Bar A, Lake Como | Mushmouth | 6:30 PM
Jack’s by the Tracks, Belmar | JO & the Highland Express | 7 PM
McCann’s Tavern, Belmar | Electric Rodeo | 8 PM

Saturday, November 7
The Proving Ground, Highlands | The Original Copy | 9 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park | Bumpin Uglies | 6:30 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Kenny Raye Band | 8 PM
Ocean House Tap + Grill, Sea Bright | Pat Roddy Band | 9:30 PM
Bar A, Lake Como | Sky City Social | 10 PM
Bar A, Lake Como | Audio Riot | 10 PM
Jack’s by the Tracks, Belmar | Crazy in the Sunlight | 6 PM
McCann’s Tavern, Belmar | Exit 102 | 8 PM

Sunday, November 8
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park | Zimmy Shelter: Dylan & the Dead | 5 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan | Pat Roddy Band | 4 PM
McCann’s Tavern, Belmar | Greyhound Duo | 6 PM