Another great weekend and another one to follow. Hard to believe it’s Labor Day Weekend which means after I send this, I will be getting hundreds of “out of the office” replies cause everyone has already bagged work and is starting the weekend. But for the few of you who are still checking email this is another great weekend to be in Asbury Park. I checked with the weather gurus and they have shared with me that the threat of Hurricane Fay will pass to the west sparing us the rain but in turn, creating great surf. So, there’s no better place to be this weekend than in the best little city on the Jersey Shore: Only in Asbury Park!

So, last night Patti and I attended the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce business card exchange at Paradise. This is one of Asbury Park’s great venues that is hooked up with the Empress Hotel and now, the new restaurant Ketchup. These monthly events are the place to be. If you are in business and not part of this; oh well. Shep Pettibone, the owner, proprietor, and host welcomed the group and even was in the kitchen cooking. What a great way to ease into the weekend. A great time, great food and great people, with a little business on the side. So, Patti and I are leaving and Billy Idol is on the outdoor stage at the Stone Pony and of course, he is playing “White Wedding.” Only in Asbury Park!

I’m going to try to make this short so here’s some highlights of what’s going on this weekend in the city:

Thursday, August 28th: Asbury Park Concert Band, Salute to the Armed Forces (children’s concert) 7 PM, Convention Hall Grand Arcade.
Doggie Happy Hour - Wonder Bar 5-8 PM.
Concert photographer, John Cavanaugh hosts S.O.A.P. (Sounds Of Asbury Park) Meet & Greet at Rocktography photo exhibit at Asbury Galleria, 1000 Ocean Avenue on the boardwalk.
Wilk in Ma’Plej at Stephen Crane House (508 4th) www.wilkmusic.com
“Simply Barbara” with Steven Brinberg, 8 PM at McLoone’s Supper Club.

Friday, August 29th: Mayor’s “Chill-Out” Jazz Series, 6 PM at the Transportation Center: Vel Johnson.
The Creators of S.O.A.P. - Stone Pony
Jullian Rhys at Mattison Park, 9 PM

Saturday, August 30th: Main Street Farmers Market, Fireman’s Park, 8 AM to 1 PM.
DAD (Drums and Disabilities) fundraiser, 7 PM -Stone Pony. www.dadprogram.org
Virago - Twisted Tree Café - 7 PM
Keith Calmes at Plan B - 7 PM.

Sunday, August 31st: Jazz Mass, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church at 9 AM
Asbury Galleria is hosting a special “end of summer” (I don’t think so) event with our favorite author Helen Pike from 2 to 4 PM.
Twisted Covers: 80’s legend, the Replacements and other artists at Twisted Tree Café - 5 PM.
Jazz Lobsters, 6 PM at McLoone’s Supper Club.
Beach Fireworks at 9 PM

Monday, September 1st: Labor Day - don’t go to work! Municipal offices closed including mine.
The Jersey Shore’s best beach - all day

Tuesday, September 2nd: School starts and the state’s best kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Gilmour welcomes a new class and nurtures an educational journey like no other. Only Mrs. Gilmour!

Old Man Rafferty’s celebrates its first year anniversary today. Congratulations to owner Mark Jakuboski and his staff. We are grateful for your presence in our downtown. HUGE!

Confession time: Last weekend I spent four days outside the city limits. My only athletic prowess outside of my surfing fame was my participation as a senior member of New England’s greatest high school lacrosse team. Our coach, Bill Labelle finally retired from teaching after 50 years and team member and friend Bill Shattuck hosted a surprise party at his magnificent home in South Dartmouth, Mass. Some of these guys who attended, I have not seen since high school and Patti got some very interesting insights into my wayward youth (I denied it all). We took a wonderful side trip to Martha’s Vineyard and as we are walking down the main street in Oaks Bluff, who do we run into but Kay Harris from Asbury Galleria - you can never hide! It was a fun weekend and it was great to recharge.

Next weekend, is First Saturday and our Labor of Love fundraiser to raise funds to purchase back to school supplies for Asbury Park youth. Call the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce at 732.775.7676 for information.

City management is extending this great beach season and keeping the guarded beaches open one more weekend, next Saturday, September 6th and Sunday, September 7th (weather permitting). Stay tuned!

Where will you be spending your weekend? Only in Asbury Park!

Wishes for a wonderful and safe weekend.

Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times

If you know anyone who would like to receive these weekly email updates, they may go to the city’s web site, www.cityofasburypark.com and subscribe.

Tom Gilmour serves as the Director of Commerce for the City of Asbury Park and is responsible for economic development, the APUEZ (Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Program), special events, and the city’s employment initiative; “Asbury Works.”