News & Press Releases

Thursday, October 30^th - Family Ghoul Night presented by Madison Marquette and the Asbury Park Police Athletic League: At 4 PM a Boardwalk Costume Parade will be launched complete with a boardwalk trick-o-treat. The harvest market will be open and a cool haze Maze has been set up. Hay rides will also be available. Go to www.theasburyparkboardwalk.com for additional info. Sweet!
Hanson at the Paramount Theatre - 7 PM.
Randy Roberts show 8 PM at McLoone’s Supper Club.
Restaurant Plan B, 705 Cookman Ave., will be hosting a “Mischief Night Séance” at 9:30 PM. Call 732.807.4710 for reservation information.

Friday, October 31^st - All Hallows Eve: Beware! The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce launches the city’s 1^st Annual Halloween Parade. The parade starts at 8:30 PM from Kennedy Park (east of Market in the Middle at the corner of Grand and Cookman). Prizes will be awarded for Most Original, Funniest & Scariest. The shops and restaurants will be open late to serve all revelers.

Madison Park will be hosting a Halloween Block Party like no other! Costume contest with up to $5,000 in cash and prizes, Felipe Rose from the Village People will emcee, Creepshow Freakshow “Calvacade of the Odd”; audience participation of “Thriller” dance; food tents by Wish you Were Here, Plan B, Munch & Mattison Park. Visit www.mattisonpark.com or call 732.807.3435 for details. And . . . .

Party Paranormal! Saints and Sinners Masquerade Ball at the Parthenon Lounge at Synaxis.
Swashbucklers Ball - Stone Pony

Saturday, November 1^st - First Saturday, Stephen Crane Day, Civil War Reenactment.
Something for everyone. Start you day at Atlantic Park (Kingsley and Fifth) and
check out a very cool Civil War Camp Day hosted by the 2^nd NJ Brigade.
Asbury Park Football at Keyport - 2PM.
Starting at 4 PM, the Chamber and Asbury Bark Pet Boutique will be hosting a Halloween Pet Parade to benefit Greyhound Friend of NJ (GFNJ). Registration will take place form 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, Best Dressed and Most Creative. A $2.00 donation per pet is suggested. At 5:30 PM in Press Plaza, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini will read a Proclamation honoring Stephen Crane and announce the high school writing contest winners. Many other Stephen Crane events will take place in the evening so check out the city’s web site www.cityofasburypark.com for additional very cool Crane events. First Saturday kicks off at 6 PM in the downtown. If you’re still in costume don’t worry, no will know and no on will tell. Cocoa Suave Live, a Latin Jazz/Salsa Dance Party will kick off at Synaxis at 9 PM. The shops and restaurants will be open late with sidewalk sales, street performers and live entertainment. Bangs Avenue Garage Open for free parking!
Glen Burnick’s Halloween Xtravaganza at Asbury Lanes at 9 PM.

Sunday, Nov. 2^nd: Daylight Savings Time ends - set clocks back an hour! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Giants vs. Dallas at 4 PM.
Bob Egan’s Piano Bar - Moonstruck 6:30 PM.
Rest!

Monday, Nov. 3^rd: Black Box Theatre presents Monthly Short Film Forum with Susan Pellegrini at Stephen Crane House, 7:30 PM.

If for some reason you didn’t find something you liked on Friday’s Halloween offerings then check out the infused Piano Men Electric Boots show at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club. One of Patti’s and my favorite musicians, Carl Gentry, brings his new band Electric Boots to Asbury Park. Carl teams up with Kristian Rex, Mario Casella, John Micco and Rene Wolley. A great evening for Elton John and Billy Joel fans. Showtime starts at 8 PM.

This weekend also marks the Light of Day Concert which supports Parkinson’s Disease Research. The music starts Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre. The concert moves to the Stone Pony on Sunday. Photographer, John Cavanaugh will be hosting a special Light of Day photo exhibit starting Thursday at the Asbury Galleria.
Mike Evans of Mike’s Beach House was never one to sit idle when someone needs help. Mike is teaming up with the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to fight hunger this holiday season. The food drive will run from Nov. 1^st to Dec. 31^st and anyone bringing in one or more non-perishable food items will receive a 10% discount. Mike’s Beach House is located at 619 Cookman and carries a unique line of seashore and nautical gifts, décor and accessories. Only in Asbury Park!

Artists, photographers and all wanna bes - Last call! Deadline for entries in the Asbury Park Street Banner Contest is Nov 3^rd. How cool would it be to see your artwork on display everyday as part of the Asbury Park Street Banner Program? Check out www.artscap.org/bannerprogram for details. Do it!

Anniversary wishes to Johna and Rich Kapinski!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Support the cause!

Tuesday is Election Day and the Municipal Offices and Library are closed. Make sure you vote!

Where else would you want to be? 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.”

It’s time when I need to again climb into the business pulpit and preach. It’s no secret that the local business climate is challenging. After creating significant economic momentum, Asbury Park now faces a very difficult and fickle marketplace. Even the most seasoned business person will have to pull out all the stops to keep the customers coming. I am very proud of our business community and know they will meet this challenge by providing unique offerings that are “Only in Asbury Park!” I am often asked ‘what can I do to support the city?” Well, right now a very big, yet simple contribution you can make is to “buy local.” Support the city businesses. We will continue to host events and offerings to give you many tempting reasons to visit. You have all made a major contribution to our current success and we are grateful for all you have done. Next time you need that unique gift, are redecorating, looking for a great dining experience or want to catch a cool show - there’s no other place. Only in Asbury Park!

Each year the Asbury Park Press conducts the Best of Monmouth and Ocean Reader’s Choice Awards and it should be no surprise that Asbury Park was well represented in the “2008 Best.” Here’s the results:
Free Entertainment: Asbury Park Boardwalk - one of the best.
Place to Listen to Jazz/Blues: Wonder Bar - one of the best.
Place to Listen to Live Music: Stone Pony - one of the best.
Fine Dining: Moonstruck - one of the best.
Greek Food: Synaxis at the Shore - one of the best
Dentist: Dr. Michael Brantley - one of the best
Real Estate Agency: John C. Conover Agency - one of the best.
Bowling Alley: Asbury Lanes - one of the best
NJ Boardwalk Venue: Asbury Park Convention Hall - The Best!
So, we get one The Best! Duh! And lots of “one of the bests” Well, we all know the city is full of lots of “The Bests.” Only in Asbury Park!

Looking for some great old photos of Asbury Park? Milton Edelman, a very accomplished local photographer, has the largest and best collection of vintage photographs. Asbury Galleria will be hosting a wine and cheese party on Saturday, Oct. 25^th form 5 to 7 PM to meet and greet Milton Edelman. Asbury

Galleria is located in the Third Avenue Pavilion on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Be there!

Also, this weekend:
Thursday, Oct 23th & Friday Oct. 24^th: Kenny Rankin - Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
Saturday, Oct. 25^th: Deal Lake Cleanup - 10 AM to 1 PM. Call 732.531.4648

or www.friendsofdeallake.com for details.
Story Hour with “Story Lady” Ruth Morris at the Shoppes at the Arcade, 658 Cookman Ave. Great seasonal stories read from 2 to 3 PM. Free admission.
Asbury Park After Dark Tour. 8 PM. Paranormal Books and Curiosities - 732.455.3188.
Sunday, Oct. 26^th: Asbury Bark, 611 Cookman Ave., will be

AM to 6 PM at VFW Hall Basement Studio, 701 Lake Ave. Please email p/r to casting@revisiontheatre.org or call 732.455.3059.

Next weekend; All Hallows Eve:
The fun starts on Thursday, Oct. 30^th with Family Ghoul Night presented by

Madison Marquette and the Asbury Park Police Athletic League. At 4 PM a Boardwalk Costume Parade will be launched complete with a boardwalk trick-o-treat. The harvest market will be open, very cool Hay Maze has been set up and hay rides will be available. Go to www.theasburyparkboardwalk.com for additional information. Sweet!
I always thought that Asbury Park would be the best place to have a real Halloween parade and thanks to many of the merry pranksters in the city and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce this year we will launch our first annual Halloween Parade, on Friday, Oct. 31st in the downtown. Festivities start around 8 PM at Kennedy Park (east of Market in the Middle on the corner of Cookman and Grand Avenues). The parade will kick off at 8:30 PM and proceed up Cookman to Merchants Park (Cookman and Main). Prizes will be awarded for Most Original, Funniest & Scariest. The shops and restaurants will be open late to serve all revelers. Truly, only in Asbury Park!
And of course, next weekend is the first Saturday of the month so it must be First Saturday! Ironically, November 1^st is also Stephen Crane’s birthday and the City
Council at their last Council meeting passed a proclamation stating that November 1^st is Stephen Crane Day in Asbury Park. At 5:30 PM in Press Plaza the

proclamation will be read and the winners of an essay contest offered to the Asbury Park School System students will be announced and awarded prizes. And then, let our monthly First Saturday party begin! Shops and restaurants will be open late, there will be street performers, sidewalk sales, special events at Paranormal Curiosities and Civil War re-enactors will be wondering around the downtown. The Bangs Avenue parking garage will be open for FREE parking.
An authentic Civil War reenactment will take place in Atlantic Park on Saturday, Nov. 1^st. Go to the city’s web site; www.cityofasburypark.com for details.

And Halloween Xtravaganza, a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club, featuring Glen Burtnik will take place at Asbury Lanes.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Support the cause!

So, are you concerned about spending those hard earned dollars? We all are, but there’s no better place to invest than in Asbury Park. Join us!

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.”

The Asbury Park Press’s magazine 40° 70° ran a feature “Forty Who Make A Difference” and four Asbury Park players made the list: Madison Marquette’s Gary Mottola; The Center’s Father Bob Kaeding: Paradise and Empress Hotel owner, Shep Pettibone; and Robert Legere Home’s Robert Legere and Steve Troy. Very impressive list and we were well represented. Only in Asbury Park!

This Friday, the city launches a new art initiative: Collide-A-Scope. This once a month celebration of the arts will take place downtown to attract those who are passionate about the arts. This is the brainchild of Jenna Zilincar of M Studio, artscap, and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. The ultimate goal of this event is to encompass more than just traditional art exhibits (meaning community art, spoken word, film, theater, music and dance). We expect to continue Collide-A-Scope every third Friday of every month. Contact Brett Colby at 732.455.3060 x1 or artscap@aol.com.

This week:
Thursday, Oct. 16^th: Judy Garland Live! Starring Tommy Femia at McLoone’s Supper Club.
FRIDAY, Oct. 17th: 7^TH Annual Women’s Art Festival, check www.BlackBoxAP.org for all weekend details.
Sunrise, Sunset Or Breakfast With Julia at The Berkeley Hotel, Oct 16, 17, 18 & 19^th. Call 732.455.3066 for info or www.BlackBoxAP.org .

Collide-A-Scope, 7 PM Downtown. 732.455.3060 x1, or artscap@aol.com.
SATURDAY, Oct 18th: Clean Ocean Beach Sweeps 9 AM to 12:30 PM at Convention Hall.
APHS Varsity Football vs. Point Pleasant 2 PM.
Asbury Park Film Initiative premieres with Ghost Walk and screening of Pans Labrynth at Paramount Theatre at 7 PM. AsburyParkFilmInitiative@gmail.com.
“Poe, Times Two” - Paranormal Books & Curiosities, 7 PM.
SUNDAY, Oct 19^th: The Center House Garden Party and Art Auction, 4 PM.
732.774.3416 x 14.
Australian Pink Floyd Show at Paramount Theatre, 6:30 PM
Blues Travelers - The Stone Pony

Upcoming
Wednesday, Oct 22^nd: AP Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange, Georgie’s at 5:30 PM.
Thursday 10-23^rd & Friday, Oct. 24^th: Kenny Rankin at McLoone’s Supper Club
Friday, Oct. 31: First Annual AP Halloween Parade
Halloween Block Party “Hell Breaks Loose” - Mattison Park
Saturday, Nov. 1st: Stephen Crane Day
The 2^nd NJ Brigade Presents Civil War Camp Day - Atlantic Park, Kingsley Avenue between 5^th & Sunset.
First Saturday - Downtown 6 to 10 PM.
Halloween Xtravaganza with Glen Burtnik at Asbury Lanes, 9 PM

As mentioned, the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly business card exchange at Georgie’s Bar, 812 Fifth Avenue. Besides all the great business owners that show up for these events, you get to check out some very cool venues in the city. Georgie’s is a very cool hangout. Be there!

Metromix Jersey Shore, Langosta Lounge and Councilman Jim Keady are sponsoring an evening, Saturday, Oct. 18^th, to honor Survivor Africa Winner

Ethan Zohn’s Grassroot Soccer Charity Dribble. Ethan is dribbling a soccer ball 550 miles from Boston to Washington, DC and will be coming through Asbury Park On Saturday. The fun begins at 6:30 PM with a dribble on the boardwalk followed by a party and auction at The Langosta Lounge. Be there!

Looking for something different for Halloween? Check out Candyteria, our great candy store, located in the First Avenue Pavilion on the boardwalk. They have added significant additional candies just for the holiday. Check it out. Sweet!

It often amazes me how vibrant Asbury Park continues to be. The summer is over, the economy is in the toilet, and yet people are still coming to the city. Our “city by the sea” remains a magnet to attract visitors. There are very few cities today that can make that claim. I’ll plan on giving you a business update next week.

Patti and I are glad to be home. It’s fun to visit other places and cities but there really is no other like Asbury Park. Hope to see you in the Park this weekend.

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.”

The 7^th Annual Women’s Arts Festival kicks off on Friday, October 3^rd with Move N’ Art - Fine Art for Your Flat Screen at Mattison Park starting at 7 PM. There are just so much great things associated with this event, I can’t list them all. Go to www.balckboxap.org for full festival details. HUGE!

And it’s First Saturday in the downtown. October celebrates Rocktober and all the reasons why thousands still come to Asbury Park to listen to great music. Live entertainment will be spread through out the downtown with the likes of Kevin Quinn, Mark Basinger, Andy Russo and Tim Cusack, Xol Azul Band, Black Moon Rising, Rock Wilk, and Virago. Need an excuse to check out our great shops and restaurants? Free parking in the Bangs Avenue Garage and free trolley rides. And this is Asbury Park so, the VFW is hosting a recreation WWII USO show produced by Black Box as part of the 7^th Annual Women’s Festival and will stage a parade up Cookman right in the middle of First Saturday. And . . .the First Annual Zombie Walk will take place to kick off the Halloween season. A Zombie Karaoke Contest sponsored by Paranormal Books & Curiosities will complement the First Saturday show. Check out the blog for all the details and schedule at http://www.myspace.com/asburyparkzombiewalk. Only in Asbury Park!

Patti and I are taking next week off so there will not be an email blast next week. Here’s a list of a few of the many happening in the city this weekend and next:

This Weekend:

Friday, October 3^rd: Women’s Arts Festival
Dramarama- Wonder Bar, 8 PM
Jody Joseph and the Average Joes - Stone Pony
Women of Rock and Roll: God-des and She at Georgies - 812 Fifth Ave.
Saturday, October 4^th: Main Street Farmers Market 8 AM to 1 PM
Three Little Kittens Annual “All Holiday” Attic & Bake Sale (also Sunday) 510 7^th Ave. 9 AM to 5 PM.
Holistic Experience - eZENtial Living, 658 Cookman 3 to 9 PM
First Saturday - “Born to Rocktober” - Downtown, 6 to 10 PM.
AP High School Varsity Football (3-0) vs. Monsignor Donovan
Olympia Hostler’s “Liquid Life” Art Show - Core Restore - 630 Mattison Ave.
NJ Gay Men’s Choir - Restaurant Plan B, 7:30 PM.
Barbara King - Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
Danity Kane - Convention Hall
Sunday, October 5^th: - Good Time’s birthday
Three Bad Jacks - the Saint
Monday, Oct. 6^th: Monthly Short Film forum with Susan Pellegrini - Stephen Crane House, 508 4^th Ave.

Next Weekend:

Wednesday, Oct. 8^th: Buckethead & Woodfish - Stone Pony
Thursday, Oct. 9^th: Dickey Betts - Paramount theatre
Saturday, Oct. 11^th: Main Street Farmers Market, 8 AM to 1 PM
AP High School Varsity Football at Keansburg High School 1 PM.
Antique & Art Show - Convention Hall (also Sunday)
Beyond Words: Love in Translation - Susan Pellegrini - Berkeley Hotel 8 PM & After Party.
Alison Moyet - Paramount Theatre.
Sunday, Oct. 12^th:
Columbus reenactment at 5^th Avenue Beach
Antique & Art Show - Convention Hall

“Glassblowing Lite” Remember those great glassblown pumpkins at Hot Sands on the boardwalk last year? Register now for all sorts of glassblowing classes at Hot Sand, 1200 Ocean Avenue on the boardwalk. Call 732.927.5475 for information.

Garden State Film Festival Call for entries is now open. Festival is scheduled for April 2-5, 2009. Go to www.gsff.org for details.

Kevin Feehan is appearing at Carmine’s on Friday nights and D&L BBQ with Ed Soles on Sat. nights.

Mark you calendars for October 17^th for the launching of Collide-A-Scope. This is our newest arts offering and promises to be very “Asbury.” The concept is to hold an arts event that encompasses more that just traditional art exhibits (meaning community art, spoken word, film, theater, music and dance. The event is sponsored by artsCAP (the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park), M Studio and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. We are guaranteeing a unique arts experience. We plan to continue this event every third Friday of the month. Only in Asbury Park! Stay tuned!

And the “Blessing of the Animals” takes place at Trinity Church this Sunday, October 5^th at the 10 AM service.

And people are still talking about the Guinness Oyster Festival.

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.”