| We had another great weekend even though Mother Nature threw in some pretty heavy rain on Sunday. The AP 5K was a very cool success and we finally passed the thousand mark, with 1,100 participants for the first time. My sister Pam traveled from Maryland to run and finished third in her age group. Local favorite, Rich Karpinski finished second in his age group but we are all still trying to figure out what age group that really was? It was a great day for the race and a great day for Asbury Park. Special thanks to Phil Hinck, our race director and the Jersey Shore Running Club for all their hard work the past four years. To finish on the boardwalk makes this race very unique and a favorite of many runners. The AP 5K has arrived . . . just another reason Asbury Park is the place to be. Huge!
There is so much going on this weekend, it is difficult to determine where to start, but I think Revision Theatre’s production of “Hair” will define the weekend. This is one AP event you don’t want to miss. The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical promises to be so unique being performed in the historic Carousel House in the Casino building. This legendary show will have a Revision “twist” that you will only find in Asbury Park. The NY Times did a feature last weekend on Revision and this very special production. “Hair” opens Friday night at 8 PM with performances Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 7 PM & 10:30 PM and Sundays at 7 PM thru August 31st. So, Asbury Park! Aquarius!
Another, great event this weekend is the Asbury Park Historical Society’s Third Annual Art on the Boardwalk show. This wonderful display takes place on Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM on the boardwalk between Sunset & 5th Avenues.
And . . . The Clearwater Festival is rocking in Sunset Park on Saturday and Sunday. This is the fifth year Clearwater has been in Asbury Park and it just keeps growing. Check out the many environmental groups, unique merchandise and of course great music: The Mayor’s Players, The Sensational Soul Cruisers and Glen Burtnik. Go to www.mcclearwater.org for information. Go Green!
Also this weekend:
Thursday, August 14th: the Asbury Park Summer Concert Series continues with “More Broadway.” The music starts at 7 PM in the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall.
ArtsCAP fundraiser at Mattison Park presents artist Chris Hartsgrove. Tax Deductible Donation: $20. For reservations call 732.807.3435
Friday, August 15th: the Mayor’s “Chill-Out Jazz Series at the Asbury Park Transportation Center. Starting at 6 PM, this week’s featured artist is Cynthia Holiday.
Sharon McNight at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club, 8 PM.
I love the 80’s party! - Paradise - 732.988.6663
Saturday, August 16th: Main Street Farmers Market 8 AM to 1 PM, Fireman’s Park.
“It Was Forty Years Ago Today” at the Stone Pony. St. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band starring Todd Rundgren, Denny Laine and Christopher Cross accompanied by the Classical Hits Symphony.
Paramore at Convention Hall
Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation: Asbury Lanes 8 PM. Cost: $15 (portion to benefit ArtsCAP).
Sunday, August 17th:
Art on the Boradwalk - 11 AM to 4 PM.
I had to borrow my Mom’s issue of AARP (World’s Largest Circulation Magazine) to check out an article “Journeys” that featured Perry Garfinkel’s recent trip the Jersey Shore. Garfinkel is the author of national bestseller “Buddha or bust: In Search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness and the Man who Found Them All” (www.BuddhaorBust.com). I was lucky to get a heads-up that Perry was in town, tracked him down, and gave him the mandatory “Gilmour-Tour.” He commented that “Asbury Park was my favorite destination down the shore. I found my Jersey “truth” there. It’s a fascinating multi-diverse place with a rich history and very promising future.” His article also included a quote from one the of the city’s great ambassadors, Marilyn Schlossbach: “Asbury Park is essential Jersey: we’re black, we’re white, we’re gay, we’re straight, we’re Latino, we’re old and we’re young - we’re Everyman. We may have been held back, but we won’t be held down.” Truth! Only in Asbury Park!
The Jersey Shore Running Club is staging the Tuesday Evening Summer Series running event on the boardwalk every Tuesday in August. Check out www.jsrc.com for details.
The Sunset Lake Clean-Up will take place this Saturday from 10 AM to Noon. Meet at the Emory Foot Bridge. Help us clean up the lake and then head over to Clearwater.
Mark your calendars for the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce’s next Business Card Exchange on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:30 to 8:30 PM to be held at Paradise, Ketchup and the Empress Hotel. This is always one of our most popular venues. Be there!
And the businesses just keep coming! The Baker Boys, a wonderful bakery located in Ocean Grove has opened another location in the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall. Their cupcakes are “off the charts.” Make sure you make this a stop on your next visit.
Shelter Home a new home furnishing, gift shop just opened at XXX Cookman Avenue (former home of Be Gallery). A quick visit (without Patti) revealed significant great and unique merchandise. Also, a must stop. Only in Asbury Park!
Check out Market in the Middle’s Paws for Life event in support of the Monmouth County SPCA and the Asbury Rockin Cats. The fundraiser begins at 4 PM on Saturday, August 16th at the Wonder Bar with a doggy fashion show. The festivities then move to Market in the Middle for a wine and cheese reception. For more info, call 732.776.8886.
The city’s new pay-to-park system at the beach becomes fully operational on Friday, August 15th and will be officially enforced.
On Tuesday, the Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Program held their annual retreat at Restaurant Plan B. Under the leadership of our Chairman, Malcolm Navias, we completed another successful year even though we faced a tough economy and continued state over- regulation. We celebrated with a great lunch but immediately turned our focus on next year. We will be researching the creation of a wayfaring signage program, updating our design guidelines to include “green” elements, designing and implementing a “Buy Local” campaign, and the possibility of purchasing a trolley for the city. Stay tuned!
The weather gurus are predicting another great beach weekend. Where do you want to spend your weekend?
Think about it - is there any city like Asbury Park?
Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times |
