News & Press Releases

You won’t be surprised that I had another great week in the Park, will you?  As I mentioned last week, my sister Pam and her fiancee Gary were up from Baltimore.  They love going to AP.  So, on Saturday Pam and Gary, my brother David, sister-in-law Lisa, niece Lizzie, my Mom, Florence, Patti and I started our evening with dinner at TAKA.  It was outstanding!  You have to try the Japanese meatloaf.  Then it was off to Robert Legere Home to check out their holiday opening and get a head start on some shopping.  We wrapped up the evening at Heaven Art & Antiques admiring the Ray Sternesky exhibit.  This just doesn’t happen anywhere else.  Only in Asbury Park!

Homework:  New Jersey Monthly is conducting a poll for their The Best of New Jersey 2010.  Vote now for all your Asbury Park favorites at njmonthly.com/bestpoll and you will also be eligible for some terrific prizes.  Do it now!

The City Council has announced that there will be FREE parking at the waterfront from Thanksgiving, November 26th until Martin Luther King Day, January 18th.Enjoy!

So, we launch our holiday celebrations this week beginning with the tree lighting with Santa and the Rock & Roll Chorus in the Grande Arcade at Convention Hall at 6 PM on Saturday, November 28th.   Make sure you also stop by the Third Avenue Pavilion on the boardwalk for the release of the APFD’s 2010 calendar.  I’ve seen the pics and you need to check this out.  The Firefighters who posed will be on hand to autograph your copies.  This will make a great gift!  HOT!

And let us not forget The Center’s great Mask Exhibit, Facing HIV & Homelessness, that has been on display at Langosta Lounge for the past month.  The masks will be auctioned off on Dec 1st, World Aids Day, at Trinity Church.  As you know I donated my mug to be cast for one of the masks.  Billy Mecca was the artist who used my cast and created the most outstandingly cool and romantically handsome masks of the 60 that are part of the exhibit.  Rumor has it that the Gilmour/Mecca mask will bring in a record bid.  This is one of those city events not to be missed.  Be there!  Only in Asbury Park!

I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for this year:  Most of all, Patti beat the cancer and is well on her way to recovery.  My Mom is going to turn 87 in December.   My three children, Tom, Linnea, and Daniel all have jobs and are living independently.  My sister Anne celebrates her birthday this year on Thanksgiving.  I have a great job, in a great city, and work with so many talented and caring individuals.  Also, I have made so many very special friends in Asbury Park.  And of course, there are all of you, who have “Bought In” and support all the great things going on in this great city.  Give thanks!  Only in Asbury Park!

Wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Last weekend was one of those very strange Jersey Shore weekends. Tropical Nor’eastern storm Ida, who chased Patti and I out of Mexico paid an unwelcome visit to the Jersey Shore.  Most of our beaches took a major hit and we lost some significant sand, but overall, the Asbury Park beach held up well.  If I know the dedicated workers of our Department of Public Works, who maintain our beaches, we will be back to our “top ten” status when we reopen next May.  Then Sunday, the sun came out and the boardwalk became the magnet for crowds of strollers.  HUGE!

During the height of the storm on Friday night, I attended the opening of Asbury Park’s newest attraction, the Paranormal Museum.  It is located on Cookman Avenue right next to Paranormal Books and Curiosities.  This is the brainchild of Paranormal’s “Pied Piper” and AP Ambassador, Kathy Kelly.   The museum is featuring an exhibit on the Jersey Devil that is fascinating!   This is a must stop in your travels to our downtown!  
 
This weekend is the third Friday which ushers in our monthly “Night of the Arts” event, Collide-A-Scope.  This is a wonderful evening to get a “taste” of all the wonderful creative stuff going on in the city.  B Unique clothing at 723 Cookman Ave. will be featuring the art of Pin Up Artist, Ed Mironiuk (a bit risqué).  Heaven Arts & Antiques will be hosting an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 21st featuring local favorite Ray Sternesky (husband of the famous dancer, Dolly).  The reception starts at 6 PM and the exhibit will run until January 6, 2010.  Ray’s works capture the true spirit and beauty of our wonderful city.  This is a must-stop this weekend! 

On this Saturday at 4:30 PM there will be a fundraising screening of the documentary, Rock and a Heart Place at The ShowRoom.  This is a perfect film to see before Thanksgiving.  It highlights the volunteerism through the eyes of the local charity, Holiday Express.  There will be a post film discussion with the founder of the group and local restaurateur, Tim McLoone.

Also this Weekend:
Friday, Nov. 20th:  Ventura Boulevard (Tom Petty tribute) at the Stone Pony 7:30 PM, all ages.
Shabbat Dinner at Plan B  - 8 PM.
Sasquastch & the Sickabillys & Lords of the Highway at Asbury Lanes at 8 PM.
Matt O’Ree Band at Brickwall at 9 PM.
Hell on Wheels will be screened at The ShowRoom at 10 PM along with a post film discussion by the Jersey Shore Roller Girls.
The Sunday Blues at Old Man Rafferty’s at 10 PM.
Tara Elliott & the Red Velvet at Georgie’s at 110 PM.
Saturday, Nov. 21st:  Benefit for 180 Turning Lives Around at Asbury Lanes 6 PM.
Jamie Brown Experience at Brickwall, 9 PM.
Predator Dub Assassins at Langosta Lounge, 11 PM.
Sunday, Nov. 22nd: NFL Ticket at Wonder Bar.  The Giants at 1 PM.
Guitarist Jerry Topinka at McLoone’s Supper Club
Monday, Nov. 23rd:  Joe Harvard’s Long Weekend at Parthenon Lounge at Synaxis 9 PM.
Wednesday, Nov.  25th:  Nicole Atkins at the Stone Pony - 7 PM  all ages.
Thursday, Nov. 26th:  Thanksgiving - APHS Football vs. Neptune.

Last week, I threw out the bait about the soon to be released Asbury Park Fire Department’s 2010 Calendar.  In partnership with the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park, the official unveiling and gallery show will take place on Saturday, Nov. 28th in the Third Avenue Pavilion on the Boardwalk starting at 7 PM.  Fire fighters will be on hand to autograph calendars which will be on sale at the event.  The calendar concept resulted from a conversation in late Sept. between ArtsCap President Dennis Carroll, City Fire Chief Kevin Keddy and professional photographer Alan Barnett of Asbury Park and New York.  Six weeks of intense planning resulted in a two-day photo shoot by Barnett with the fire fighters.  The fire fighters posed with the fire trucks, the brass pole, fire hoses, and in the laundry room and their sleeping quarters.  The calendar will go on sale the next day at shops on Cookman, Bangs, and Mattison Avenues in the downtown, various Boarwalk locations, and through the ArtsCAP web site.  Proceeds from the sale of the calendars will benefit the Asbury Park Firefighters Building Fund and the ArtsCap programs.  This is just so Asbury Park!  HOT!

It’s time to name some new Asbury Park Ambassadors.  This week the honor goes to Nancy Sabino and Mike Sordono.  They are resident filmmakers who rolled the dice and opened The Showroom.  Under their creative direction this unique theater and entertainment venue has quickly established itself as a great place to watch great film.  I met Nancy and Mike about two years ago, while they were filming Sense of Place, which shares the passion of so many individuals who call Asbury Park home.  We hope to have this video up on the city’s web site next week.   Nancy is a bit modest but they also produced the film Rock and a Heart Place which I mentioned earlier.  Thanks for all you do and for bringing The ShowRoom to the Park! 
 
Two new restaurants are coming to Asbury Park.  Stay tuned!

Market in the Middle is running ½ price wine and $25 prix fixe every Wednesday.

Hard to believe it is almost Thanksgiving.  I need to get some sleep so I will end it here and take the heat for all the great stuff that I left out.  I will try to get next week’s email out by Wednesday.  There are lots of volunteer opportunities in the city so don’t be shy.  My sister Pam and her fiancée Gary will be up from Baltimore this weekend, so Patti and I will have to force ourselves to partake in all the “good times.”  This really is a tough job!

Wishes for a wonderful weekend.  Only in Asbury Park!

Last night, I was lucky to experience one of those great musical events that happen all the time in Asbury Park.  Pat Guadagno had a CD release of his latest offering “that’s a Bob Dylan song” at McLoone’s Supper Club.  Part of the show was dedicated to Pat’s annual tribute to Bob Dylan that is highlighted on the new CD.  It was very cool!  Only in Asbury Park!

An exclusive and very special Nelson Riddle tribute show takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club.  732.774.1400
This Saturday, Nov. 14th the 2009 (17th Annual) Asbury Music Awards come to the Stone Pony.  All ages - doors open at 6 PM.

Every Wednesday night, the Asbury Park Film Initiative is offering a movie and dinner special.  Every Thursday, the Mayor’s Players featuring Kevin Sanders, Vel Johnson and Donnie Harell are cooking up some smooth jazz at Synaxis.

Every great city has a great calendar.  The Asbury Park Fire Department in partnership with ArtsCAP is creating that calendar as I’m writing this.  The finished product will be sold as a fundraiser for both organizations.  Can’t wait for the release.  Stay tuned!

Wherever you travel, wherever you roam, it’s always good to be back in the Park.  Only in Asbury Park!

Wishes for a great weekend!