News & Press Releases

So, tomorrow is the first day of spring 2009.  We all know what that means: summer is right around the corner.  For all the doom & gloom in the air, we had a pretty good winter.  There was more activity in the downtown and boardwalk than we have seen in the many, many years.  I’m going to go on record that this will be our best summer in decades.  Stay tuned! 

Bruce and the E Street Band have been in the city practicing for the upcoming “Working on a Dream” tour.  There is always a great buzz when Bruce is in the Park.  We are all hoping there will be some rehearsal shows.  Surprise, Surprise. Stay tuned!

It’s the third Friday of the month so it must be Collide-A-Scope.  This is our monthly art event.  Each month this event grows.  Friday night festivities will include two opportunities for guided art tours of the city’s premier galleries complete with special discounts for Collide-A-Scope guests.  This month’s events include: ArtsCAP Wine Tasting at Mattison Park; Mike Bell: Mondo Deluxe and The Pop Surrealism Group Show at Parlor Gallery; Dapped Joy and Strange Praise at Mattison Gallery; Classical Guitarist Keith Calmese at Plan B; Briefs and Shorts at The Garden Marketplace; Chris Hartsgrove and Martina Smejkalova at Market in the Middle and so, so much more.  Go to www.collideap.com.  If  you are looking for a very different art happening, see you in the downtown on Friday night.   Big!

Garden State Film Festival preview:  Don’t miss Thursday, April 2^nd’s

opening film and the NJ premiere of The Magistical.  This magnificent animated masterpiece is not to be missed.  This special screening will benefit Joey Travolta’s short Film Camp “Inclusion” in NJ as well as GSFF’s after school video program at the Asbury Park High School.  Make sure you also attend the opening ceremonies on Friday night at the Paramount theatre.  New Boy , Oscar award nominated short will be followed by Wild Ocean.  Wild Ocean is an uplifting, action packed experience capturing one of nature’s greatest migration spectacles.  There’re are so many great events, I could never fit it all in.  Check out www.gsff.org for additional details.  Do yourself a favor and purchase the weekend pass.  Huge!

Thursdays are taking on new meaning in the city.  Langosta Lounge has invented Surftastic Thursdays.  Quincy Mumford  heads up tonight’s show.  Mercury Landing and Mystery Man are at The Saint starting at 8 PM.  Less Than Jake is at the Stone Pony.  Only in Asbury Park!

Hope you saw last Friday’s Asbury Park Press’s Jersey Living section. The main feature profiled Asbury Park photographer, Dennis Carroll.  Dennis is launching a show featuring his great photographs at The Paint Place Gallery, 605 Cookman Avenue.  I am a big fan of Carroll’s work.  Don’t miss this show.  It opened yesterday and will be part of Collide-A-Scope on Friday night.  The artist’s reception will take place on Sunday, March 22^nd from 1 to

6 PM.  Only in Asbury Park!

Congratulations to Tom Pavinski who was appointed the Director of the Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Interment last Thursday night by the Monmouth County Freeholders.

On Tuesday, the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce announced this year’s Carousel Award winners.  The 2009 winners are:

Economic Development Award:  Revision Theatre
Business Achievement Award:  M Sutdio
Spirit of Asbury Park Award:  The Center
Landmark Business Award:  The Empress Hotel
Public Official Award:  Councilman  John Loffredo
Special achievement Award:  Ken Roth

A very special awards dinner will be held on April 15^th at The Berkeley

Oceanfront Hotel to honor the winners.  Contact the Chamber at 732.775.7676 for sponsorship and ticket information.  Congratulations to the winners.  HUGE!

Speaking of our Chamber, next Thursday, March 26^th the monthly business

card exchange will take place at Old Man Rafferty’s, 531 Cookman Ave.  Last month, we had over 200 professionals at our meeting.  Call 732.775.7676 to sign up.  Where else does a Chamber draw over 200 business people to a business card exchange? Only in Asbury Park!

A very special thank you to Taka for offering to fund FREE parking in the Bangs Avenue Garage every Saturday.  If you don’t know TAKA, you need to stop by for dinner at TAKA, 632 Mattison Avenue.  Japanese will never be the same.  Huge!

Patti and I are planning to attend the free screening of “The Pace of Youth” at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday night.  This is the film that the AP High School students created based on Stephen Crane’s story about a pair of young lovers in Asbury Park.  “The Night Is Young” after film gala hosted by Susan Pellegrini  will be held at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel to honor the students.  $20 donation will benefit The Bike Church, Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, Police Athletic League, Prevention First, The Spot and APHS.  Be there!  

This Weekend:
Friday, March 20^th: Black River Circus at McLoone’s Supper Club
Expressway at The Wonder Bar
Saturday, March 21^st:  Paradise Spring Fling Gold Party
John Eddie at The Wonder Bar
Fat Saturday - Big Easy - New Orleans inspired food at Langosta Lounge
Sunday, March 22^nd: John Luraschi at The Wonder Bar
Monday, March 23^rd: APFI presents Alfred Hitchcock’s North By Northwest at the Paramount Theatre at 8 PM.
Joe Harvard’s Long Weekend at O’Toole’s 

All Ahead is sponsoring a Guide to Owning Your Own Home at their offices on Saturday, March 21^st of their offices located at 603-605 Mattison Ave., 4^th

floor .  Call 732.791.1484 of go to gary@allahead.org for info.

This week’s AP Ambassador is Cindi D’Onofrio.  Cindi is the Executive Director of  the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce and a true promoter of our great city.  She is also the biggest Bruce fan I know.  In her job, she “goes beyond” almost every day.  The increased membership and well being of the AP Chamber of Commerce was a direct result of her tireless recruiting efforts.  Congratulations, Cindi!  

Have you “Bought in” in Asbury Park?  In these difficult times, we need your help.  Come to our wonderful city and invest in our future.

Wishes for a wonderful, fun 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.”

Though sometimes it feels so far away, I’m working on a dream
                                                                                            B. Springsteen

Another great weekend in the Park:  Whenever Bruce is in the city, all seems to be good.   The Boss and the E Street Band were practicing in Convention Hall last week in preparation for the Working On A Dream Tour.  As always, Bruce scheduled two rehearsal shows on Monday and Tuesday and donated proceeds to many local charities.  Bruce is my choice for this week’s AP Ambassador.  His love affair with our city continues and he continually ‘goes beyond” to help out and promote our efforts.   He has “Bought in.”  So, now I just have to figure out how to personally give Bruce his AP Ambassador pin.  Stay tuned!

Last Saturday, Patti and I had the privilege of attending the premiere of “The Pace of Youth,” the wonderful film created by Asbury Park Hill School students.  It was a wonderful community event that only happens in Asbury Park.  Our kids are just so talented and this was a splendid venue to showcase their skills.  The audience was treated to a spectacular performance by the Asbury Park Technical Dance Academy.  Special thanks to all the sponsors who made it happen:  McLoone’s Supper Club, Madison Marquette, Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park Rotary, Synergy Productions, Illusion Media, The Harrison, Langosta Lounge, Virago, Under New Ownership, John C. Conover Agency, Vigg Designs, and the Asbury Park Technical Dance Academy.   Avery special thanks to Susan Pellegrini who was responsible for bring this all together.  Only in Asbury Park!

Contrary to all the economic doom in the news, development continues in the city.  Sisters Academy has broken ground on the new Academy Building located at 1416 Springwood Avenue.   This is the first of many exciting new projects that will spring up on Springwood Avenue.   Our Springwood Redevelopment Plan tackles a section on the western side of the city that has been neglected for the past three decades.  At Monday night’s planning board meeting, Interfaith Neighbors received site plan approval for a mixed-use project that will include 8 affordable residential units, a new senior center for the city and 9,392 sq. ft. of retail space.  HUGE!    

Our merchants are constantly creating ways to pump up the economy.  The Garden of Joy on Bangs Avenue will be hosting a “gold party” on Friday, March 27^th from 6 to 8 PM.  With the price of gold and other precious metals at all time  highs, a precious metals sales representative will be on site to buy your unwanted jewelry, plates and coins.  Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Michelle Lanfrank and the Asbury Park Film Initiative presents a very special screening of the award winning film, Patti Smith Dream Of Life at 3 PM in the Paramount Theatre.  Following the screening, a special appearance with Q & A featuring Director Steven Sebring and Patti Smith will take place.  $10 advance tickets are for sale at Bodega Shopee, 800 Ocean Avenue (First Ave (yellow) Pavilion).  $15 at the door.  Only in Asbury Park!

Garden State Film Festival proudly presents the film, “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” at 6 PM Saturday, April 4^th at the Paramount Theatre.  There

will be a great party-fundraiser, Max’s Cash Bash, after the screening at the historic Carousel Building.  Tickets to the party are $50 and include the screening, 18 tables stocked with 37 brands of wines, champagnes, beers, vodkas, and scotch.   Music will be provided by Michael Patrick’s Ring of Fire.  See you next week (buy the weekend pass)!

Eight years ago, the choices for lunch were limited to just a few.  Today you could eat at a different restaurant every day during the month with our repeating.  The public has also discovered that Asbury Park is a great place for lunch.  On Tuesday, I downed a wonderful panini at Il Pavone Gelateria & Café at 539 Cookman Avenue.   Choice is good and Asbury Park has plenty of choice.

This Weekend:
Tonight,  March 26^th:
AP Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange at Old Man Rafferty’s
Proud Simon at The Saint
Friday, March 27^th:    
Story Hour at Paranormal Books and Curiosities at 7:30 PM
Shabbat Dinner at Plan B at 7:30 PM
Sasquatch at Asbury Lanes at 8 PM
Solar Circus at the Stone Pony
Aster Pheonyx at Georgie’s
Juke Joint Johnny & the Usual Suspects at McLoone’s Supper Club  
Saturday, March 28^th: 
Cheech & Chong at Paramount Theatre at 7:30 PM “Dave’s not here, man!”
Sunday, March 29^th: 
Billy Hector at Langosta Lunge at 1:30 PM
Radio Nowhere at the Stone Pony at 2 PM
Bob Egan at Moonstruck 6 to 9 PM
Monday , March 30^th:    
Joe Harvard Long Weekend at O’Toole’s
APFI presents Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds at the Paramount Theatre - 8 PM

Saturday, March 28^th at 8:30 PM is Earth Hour.  Join millions of people throughout the world and turn out your lights to make a statement of concern about the future of our planet.

New Jersey Monthly’s April ‘09 Best of Jersey issue of course mentioned Asbury Park.  The Beach Bar on the veranda of Convention Hall was singled out for Best Cocktails and Best Cupcakes went to the Baker Boys.  As you may recall, yours truly made the list three years ago honored for the “best job title” Director of Commerce and Good Times.  Langosta Lounge was also mentioned in the regular Eat & Drink feature.  Huge!

Earlier in the week, City Manager Terry Reidy came into my office to take my economic temperature.  Well, here’s my take:  Asbury Park is well suited to benefit from the current downturn in customer confidence.  Let’s face it, the economy in our city has not been great in a very long time.  We all have strong experience in dealing with down markets and are doing it.  We have all “Bought in” to the Asbury Park mystique, have you?

I’m working on a dream
And how it will be mine someday.

Thank you Bruce!  We are Working On Our Dream. 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.”

Old Man Winter and Mother Nature teamed up Sunday night and Monday morning to blanket the city with 14″ of snow.  There is nothing more romantic than to be in the city when it is snowing.  She wears her white coat well.  Only in Asbury Park!

Homework Assignment:  The 2^nd Annual New Jersey’s Top Ten Beaches

was launched last week.  Last year the Jersey Shore’s best beach, Asbury Park, finished sixth.  There are four categories that you can vote for: Family Destination/ Day Trip/ Ecotourism/ Shore Events.  Please go to:    www.njtoptenbeaches.org  and vote for Asbury Park.  We deserve the recognition and as always, appreciate your support.  Only in Asbury Park!

Can you believe it?   It’s the first Saturday of March, so it must be First Saturday in Asbury Park!  March is always our great St. Patrick’s Day celebration and this one will be very special.  Besides all the great shopping and dining, you will be entertained by bagpipers and leprechauns.  Our own Fire Chief, Kevin Keddy, will be playing the pipes with the Monmouth County Police Pipe & Drums.  Local singer/songwriter Kevin Quinn will also be performing.  The Asbury Park School District will host a special arts exhibit on the first floor of The Shoppes at the Arcade, 658 Cookman Ave.  Musical performances by the Asbury Park Middle  and High School Choruses will also take place.  Come down early.  The festivities begin at 6 PM and go to 10 PM & beyond.  The Bangs Avenue Garage will be open for FREE parking.  Be Green!  Only in Asbury Park!

Revision Theatre will be hosting a “Kingdom” Kick-Off Party on Saturday, March 7^th from 6 to 8 PM at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue.  “Kingdom” is Revision’s next production which is inspired by the true stories of current and former Latin Kings.  It chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart.   “Kingdom” will run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 PM from April 16^th through May 3^rd.  

The Sunday New York Times included an article on 24 year-old dancer Maurice Chestnut who teaches school-age children at the Technical Dance Academy in Asbury Park.  Cool! 

I very proudly announce that the City of Asbury Park was selected to receive this year’s Monmouth Ocean Development Council’s (MODC) 2009 Tourism Achievement Silver Gull Award.  This is a very prestigious award that recognizes Asbury Park for all its efforts to bring visitors to the city.  The city will accept the award at the 44^th Annual Silver Gull Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 5:30 PM at Branches in West Long Branch.  Call MODC at 732.751.8696 for tickets or sponsorship information.  HUGE!

The CFA Championship Cat Show sponsored by Feline Forum of Greater New York will take place on Saturday, March 7^th at Convention Hall from 9AM - 4 PM.

Last week, I announced the launch of the Asbury Park Ambassador Award.  This award is given to an individual or business that “goes beyond” to promote our wonderful city.  I am excited to announce this week, I picked Kathy Kelly, owner of Paranormal Books & Curiosities.  Her shop has been a welcome addition to our eclectic downtown and she has created events and tours that have drawn significant new visitors to the city.  Who can forget her very successful Zombie Parade?  Her efforts have also generated a great deal of publicity for the city.  This weekend she will be launching Friday Night Ghost Story Sessions.  Bill Blount will be in her shop on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday for Tarot Card or Crystal Readings.  There is always something unusual and fun going on at her store.  She always “goes beyond” when it comes to promoting Asbury Park.  Congratulations Kathy and a big thank you!  This Saturday, stop by Paranormal Books & Curiosities for a piece of soda bread and a bit of blarney!  Only in Asbury Park!

Tonight, Lisa Clark of The Harrison will be celebrating her birthday at The Harrison.  Drink specials with buffet start at 6 PM.  Help her celebrate!

Wesley Grove & the Asbury Park Design Center will host a VIP Open House on Saturday, March 7^th from 2 to 6 PM at 4 Grove Street.

Also this weekend: 
Thursday, March 5^th:  The Atmoferics at The Saint 8 PM
Friday, March 6^th:  The New Time at Asbury Lanes
Goodie Amy at Georgie’s
Bob Polding Band at the Wonder Bar
The Parlor Mob at the Stone Pony
Juke Joint Johnny & the Usual Suspects at McLoone’s Supper Club
Saturday, March 7^th:  The Break Contest Semifinals at Stone Pony - all ages-Noon
Billy Hector at the Wonder Bar.
Sunday, March 8^th:  AP Fishing Club Flea Market, 9 AM to 2 PM-Convention Hall
10^th Annual Battle of the Bands, 1 PM at The Saint - all ages
Full of Fancy at Asbury Lanes

Save the dates: 
3/13:  Daryl Hall & John Oates at Paramount Theatre
3/14:  St. Pat’s at Paradise
Roller Derby at Convention Hall
3/15: AP Historical Society St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations at the Adriatic
3/20:  Collide-A-Scope
3/21:  “The Pace Of Youth”  A film produced by AP High School Students
Paradise’s Spring Fling Gold Party
3/28:  Cheech & Chong at Paramount Theatre
4/2 to 4/5: Garden State Film Festival
4/4:  First Saturday 
4/26:  Taste of Asbury
5/15 to 5/17:  TriCity Arts Tour

So, I spoke to the weather gurus very early this morning and they have promised some mild temperatures for the weekend.  If you’ve had enough of the cold weather and all the doom & gloom in the news, there’s no better place to blow off some steam than the City by the Sea.  Wear some green and bring some green.  As we all know, “Good Times” are sustainable in Asbury Park!

Wishes for a safe and great 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.”

Last Thursday, Mother Nature sent us some of the best winter surf we have seen in years.  Since I have aged into a “fair weather surfer,” I was content to watch from the shore.  It was awesome!  Although it still remains cold, it hasn’t stopped visitors from coming to enjoy our great shops, restaurants, clubs and the boardwalk.  The activity on the boardwalk this winter has been the best we have seen in the past twenty years.  I was talking with Eddie Catalano the owner of Confetti’s Ice Cream at the Fifth Avenue Pavilion and the recently opened Boardwalk Bagels (great roast beef sandwiches) in the First Avenue Pavilion about how he is fairing during the off season.  “Weekdays are slow but the weekends have been great!”  There are very few cities that can make that claim.  We are holding our own.  If you are parting with those hard earn dollars, you want to be in a place where you can really enjoy yourself - whether it’s for dining, shopping or just having a lot of fun.  How great is this summer going to be?  Only in Asbury Park!

OK, the business community will gather tonight at Langosta Lounge to blow off some steam and check out one of Asbury Park’s newest offerings.  Monmouth Ocean Development Council and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to take a break from all the doom and gloom forecasts and enjoy some great food with the best of networking.  $10 admission and $20 for non-members.  If you want to mingle with those who are succeeding in this crazy market and check out how Asbury Park is slugging it out, be there!

If you have been in the city this week, I hope you have checked out the city’s new street banner program.  Thanks to ArtsCAP and the Asbury Park Historical Society, the city is proudly displaying a new and very unique art exhibit hanging from telephone poles and light posts.  We invited artists to submit art that we could use to develop street banners.  We selected 14 winners and now their art is on exhibit throughout the city.  A special thanks to our sponsors and the Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone program for making this happen.  Very cool!

I am launching a new program called “AP Ambassadors.”  Every week, I will recognize a resident, business person, city employee, visitor, or friend who has who has gone “beyond” to help promote all the great things that are going on in the city.  Now, I will accept nominations but the selection will be very subjective.   We all know, there will never be a lack of candidates.  Each recipient will receive a very special Asbury Park pin.  This week’s AP Ambassabor is Sonja O’Brien.  Sonja is a resident and very involved in Asbury Park especially with the Asbury Park Historical Society.  She sold all the sponsorships for our new banner program and then spent a whole day with the banner installers making sure the exhibit was displayed just right.  Sonja represents why Asbury Park is the place to be.  She is an important part of the Asbury Park community.  Congratulations Sonja!  Only in Asbury Park! 

Hot Sand on the boardwalk is offering some very good deals on glass blowing classes.  Call  Tom Stevens at 732.927.5475 for details.

Jeffrey from Plan B notified me that NJ Monthly 26^th Annual Readers’ choice Restaurant Poll is out.  Let’s make sure the rest of the world knows how great Asbury Park restaurants are.  Go to www.njmonthly.com and click on restaurant poll to participate.  Thank you.  Only in Asbury Park!

This Weekend:
Thursday, Feb. 26^th:  The Jack, Dub Proof - The Saint at 8 PM.
Friday, Feb. 27^th:  AP’s 10^th Annual Black History Luncheon - Noon to 3 PM  Call 732.502.5759
Shabbat Dinner at Plan B.  Dinner starts at 7:30 PM.  Call 732.807.4710 for reservations
Finally ladies:  Tom Jones at the Paramount Theatre (I really don’t have any tickets!)
Black 47 at the Stone Pony
Saturday, Feb. 28^th:  Comic Book Expo - Grand Arcade at Convention Hall
Clean Ocean Action’s 25^th Anniversary at Langosta Lounge
Scott Gurney Band at McLoone’s Supper Club
Sunday, Mar. 1^st:  All Age’s Matinee at The Saint - 1 PM
The Letters of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg at Plan B starting at 5 PM
Bob Egan’s Piano Bar is back at Moonstruck 6:30 to 10 PM
Monday, Mar. 2^nd:  My daughter Linnea’s birthday
Black Box Theatre - Monthly Short Film Forum with Susan Pellegrini - Steven Crane House at 7:30 P
Thursday, Mar. 5^th:  Son Tom’s birthday

Down the Road:
3/7:  First Saturday - St. Patrick’s Day
3/8:  AP Fishing Club 17^th Annual Fishing Flea Market
3/13:  Daryl Hall & John Oates at Paramount Theatre
3/14:  St. Pat’s at Paradise
3/21:  “The Pace Of Youth”  A film produced by Asbury Park High School Students
Paradise’s Spring Fling Gold Party
3/28:  Cheech & Chong at Paramount Theatre
4/2 to 4/5: Garden State Film Festival
4/4:  First Saturday
4/26:  Taste of Asbury
5/15 to5/17:  TriCity Arts Tour

So, let me ask you, have you “Bought In?” to Asbury Park?  In a few weeks, we will finally be launching our new marketing campaign that is targeted at getting you connected with this great city.  We will be recruiting you to join us who have already “Bought In!”  Stay tuned!

Wishes for another great and safe weekend in Asbury Park,

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.”