| And what a weekend it was. As I mentioned last week, I was going to take Friday and Monday off. What I didn’t know was that Patti and I were going to experience one great Asbury Park weekend. Friday, we spent most of the day downtown shopping and checking out some of the new stores. Stopped by Brickwall for our favorite burger and fish and chips and then off to “Hair” (more about that later). Saturday, we stopped by the Farmers Market and the Clearwater Festival. Had lunch at the Mayfair Grill on the boardwalk, and then to the beach, so I could check out my new boogey board. Went home for a quick change and then off to the Stone Pony to catch “It was Forty Years Ago Today” with Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross and Denny Lane. The Beatle tribute was really cool but I have to admit Rundgren’s rendition of my favorite “I don’t want to work, I just want to bang on the drum all day” really rocked the house. Sunday brought early morning church and a beeline to the beach. We discovered a very different but very enjoyable morning beach non-crowd. At noon we headed home to get ready for Patti’s God-daughter, Lauren Ganley’s wedding. Over the weekend, we also booked a room at Mikell Towery’s Big House. This is a very special B & B. Our plan was to sleep late, grab a cup of coffee and head to the beach. When we came down stairs in the morning, Mikell was preparing a breakfast like no other. We met a great couple who were teachers in Brooklyn, sampled Mikell’s great cooking and shared some fun stories. Then, off to the beach to soak in another great beach day. I’ve been to many great places and many great beaches but let me ask you, where can you go to experience so many fun and cultural events, great food, meet terrific and fun people, buy very cool stuff and chill on the Jersey Shore’s best beach? Yes, Only in Asbury Park! Quite HUGE!
I want to apologize to all our web site fans for the malfunctioning web cam that sits on top of the Berkeley Hotel. I believe it is finally fixed and I encourage all of you to check it out at www.cityofasburypark.com. The minute the cam goes down; I get hundreds of emails from all over the world begging me to get it fixed. Mother Nature has not been kind to our cam. The salt air breezes do a job on its operation. I just ordered the third new housing for unit for the cam. Hopefully, it will continue to please so many of you and bring back those fond memories. Panoramic! Enjoy!
Our local newspaper, The Coaster celebrated its 25th Anniversary, Wednesday evening at the Wonder Bar. Kudos to the Carroll family and Michael Booth for keeping us all informed and smart. It was a great Asbury Park party. Only in Asbury Park!
Asbury Shorts New York comes to the Paramount Theatre this Saturday, August 23rd at 7:30 PM. This is a unique evening of the world’s best short films. The event is sponsored by Jose Cuervo and will feature special guest Vincent Pastore of the Sopranos. Tickets are $12.00. To reserve tickets in advance email your request to dougleclaire54@yahoo.com. Call 718.510.6929 for all show information. Only in Asbury Park!
Concert Photographer, John Cavanaugh will host a meet & greet at his Rocktography photo exhibit Thursday, August 28th at the Asbury Galleria, 1000 Ocean Avenue in honor of those who laid the foundation for what would be known worldwide as the sound of Asbury Park: S.O.A.P. John Cafferty will make a special appearance at 7:30 PM. For additional information visit www.Rocktography.info or call John Cavanaugh at 732.364.7444. Huge!
Also this weekend:
Thursday, August 21th: the Asbury Park Summer Concert Series continues with “More Broadway.” The music starts at 7 PM in the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall.
Rocktography photo exhibit at Asbury Galleria
ArtsCAP fundraiser at Mattison Park - Atlanta composer, poet and novelist, Dr. Larry Corse.
Friday, August 22th: the Mayor’s “Chill-Out Jazz Series at the Asbury Park Transportation Center. Starting at 6 PM, this week’s featured artist is local favorite, Laranah Phipps.
J420 - America’ Cup, 633 Cookman Ave.
Slightly Stupid - Stone Pony
Saturday, August 23th: Main Street Farmers Market 8 AM to 1 PM, Fireman’s Park.
Vendors Market Fair, City Hall parking lot, 10 AM to 4 PM
Asbury Shorts New York Film Festival- Paramount Theatre
Black Out Party - Paradise
Sally - America’s Cup
People in Planes - The Saint
John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band - Stone Pony
Sunday, August 24th: the greatest beach on the Jersey Shore!
Kudos to the Revision Theatre and their spectacular production of “HAIR.” Asbury Park is full of talented and creative professionals but the group at Revision has quickly established Asbury Park as the “place.” If you haven’t seen this production, make sure you do. Staged in the historic Carousel building, is a once in a lifetime treat. Visit info@ReVisiontheatre.org for information. Aquarius!
WOR radio star, Joan Hamburg, was in Asbury Park (for the second year in a row) on Wednesday to tape another show. This time her show was staged at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club and will be broadcast today. Quite Huge!
Still time to sign up for Mercy Center’s 6th Annual Golf Outing, September 6, 2008. Call Tiffany at 732.774.9397 x, 14 or visit www.mercycenternj.org for more information.
Dates to mark:
Wednesday, August 27th: Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce business card exchange at the Empress Hotel - Paradise - Ketchup, 101 Asbury Avenue. These monthly networking opportunities are not to be missed. Members $10 - Non-Members $20. Call the chamber office at 732.775.7676 or go to www.asburyparkchamber.com for additional information Pre-registration is suggested and appreciated. Bring plenty of business cards. Also, beach fireworks.
Sunday, September 14th: Guinness Oyster Festival - Noon to 6 PM. Stay tuned!
I always pay the price when I take some time off and Tuesday was just a bear in baggies. This has been one great summer. Sunday we broke a record for beach badge sales. Having said all that, I’m willing to suffer the consequences on Tuesday, so I’m going to again take Friday and Monday and you know what, I think I’ll add Thursday. Many of you experience great times in the city. If you have an Asbury story that you want to share, send it along and if it passes the test, I’ll share it here. Where will you spend you weekend?
Wishes for a wonderful and safe weekend.
Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times |
