News & Press Releases

I want to get this out early because I’m going to guess that most of you have not finished, or are just getting started with your holiday shopping.  We need your help.  It’s time to do a little preaching about how you can support all that’s going on in the city.  The local businesses help you help.  We all know the economy is in the toilet, but each one of you can make a difference.  We have built a very cool and unique business community.   Please consider investing many of your holiday dollars in Asbury Park.  Our first First Saturday Holiday celebration got rained out and the second rescheduled First Saturday Holiday celebration got snowed out.  We are full of extraordinary shops and of course, the best restaurants.  This is the best place for those hard to shop for friends and relatives.  How about gift certificates?  The city is selling gift certificates for 2010 Beach Badges.  Check out www.boughtinap.com for many holiday special offerings in the city.  While you are there, sign up to subscribe to monthly emails that highlight all our retail offerings and events.  Wrap it up!  HUGE!

Sunday, Dec. 27th brings The Shore Athletic Club’s 46th Annual Asbury Park Polar Bear Race to the Asbury Park Boardwalk.  Yes, the 46th!  This has to be one of the oldest and literally “coolest” races in the country.  The five mile run starts at 1 PM. and a 10-mile race-walk (fitness walkers invited to walk five miles) starts at 10 AM.  Entrants receive Polar Bear T-shirts and post race hot soup and are eligible for special awards.   The races are staged by the Shore Athletic Club and supported by McLoone’s restaurants.  For more info, visit www.shoreac.org or call 732.222.9080.

Home For The Holidays 2009 welcomes The Bouncing Souls to the Stone Pony.    Four nights of great music, December 26th, 27th, 28th & the 29th.  The concerts are open to all ages and starts at 7 PM.  Each night they will be joined with other great bands.  Go to www.stoneponyonline.com or call 732.502.0600.  HUGE!

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.”

Sip, Shop and Rock Holiday Party in the Grand Arcade on Friday , Dec. 11th from 6 to 11:30 pm brought to you by Metromix Jersey Shore and The Asbury Park Boardwalk.  A special screening of “Bad Santa” will take place at 8 pm - $5.  There will be a holiday vendor village, food and a cash bar.  Performances by Ja’c and Matt Made will close out the evening starting at 10 pm, presented by Shore Alternative.  
 
The City’s 6th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration will take place at the Asbury Park Middle School, 1200 Bangs Ave. on Saturday, Dec 12th at 2 PM.  Join us as we celebrate a culture & those individuals and organizations that help to make our community great.  For info on this & other winter community events & activites, call 732.502.4528.  Follow us on twitter at: twitter.com/apcmtyevents or sign up at www.nixle.com to receive free email/mobile updates.

Great Media’s Good Samaritan Holiday Bash benefiting The Samaritan Center Food Bank in Manalapan takes place on Sunday, Dec. 13th at the Stone Pony.  Doors open at 1:30 pm and the show features Radiant Illusion, Locksley, Lee & Melissa, Almost there, Hollywood help, the Reveling, and Lauriana Mae.  Great cause - great music!  
  
Parlor Gallery, 717 Cookman Ave.,  is hosting a “Naughty & Nice” Holiday Party & Art Show on Friday, Dec. 11th from 7 to 11 PM.  It’s a party to thank everyone fo all their support during their first year.  Huge! 
  
The annual “Seasons Readings” at the Crane House, 508 Fourth Ave., takes place at 4 Pm on Sunday Dec. 13th.   Followed by screening of “Christmas Story.”  Limited seating, so email cranehousereservations@gmail.com or call 732.775.5682.

Also this weekend;
Fri., 12-11:  John Tropea Band at McLoone’s Supper Club.
                    Black Clouds at Asbury Lanes - 8 PM.
                    Legendary Blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin at Langosta Lounge - 9 PM.
                     Regina Sayles at Georgie’s - 10 PM.
Sat., 12-12:  Santa in the Grand Arcade.
                     Dub Proof at the Stone Pony - 5:30 PM.
                     ArtsCAP Holiday ChoirFest at the Paramount Theatre at
                     7:30 PM.
                     Turtle Soup at The Saint - 8 PM.
Sun., 12-13:   Santa in the Grand Arcade.
                       NFL Ticket  at The Wonder Bar
Mon., 12-14:  Joe Harvard’s Long Weekend at The Partheon
                      Lounge/Synaxis
Wed., 12-16:  Dinner & a Movie:  SICKO at The Showroom.

Coming in December:
12-23:  It’s A Wonderful Life at The Paramount Theatre.
12-26, 27 & 28:  Bouncing Souls at the Stone Pony .

Voting for The 2009 Jersey/Arts.com People’s Choice Awards is underway.  My choice is The Garden State Film Festival.  Let’s support Diane Raver and the festival by voting at http://jerseyarts.com/peopleschoice.    So, only 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.”

So let’s talk shopping . . . .  during the holidays, if you are looking for that unique gift for that special someone, take it from me,  you will find it in Asbury Park.  There are so many great shops full of very cool, unique merchandise and clothing.  The downtown merchants have created a concierge service located at America’s Pie that frees you up to enjoy all the downtown activities.  Go to www.paranormalbooksnj.com or call 732.455.3188 for a list of participating businesses and info.  Check out Richard Virgilio’s The B Plot column in this week’s Coaster:  AP holiday gift guide to 20 items under $20.  Have you Bought In?  Sign up at www.boughtinap.com for weekly holiday specials.  Only in Asbury Park!
Stacy Gemma, our new downtown women’s clothing store, will hold a grand opening on Sunday, Dec. 6th.  Check out the city’s newest toy and gift shop, the Store By The Shore at 601 Cookman.  Santa will be on hand on Saturday from 2 to 9 PM.  Mike’s Beach House is offering a 20% discount on your entire purchase if you bring in one or more non-perishable food item for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  HUGE!

The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Tune In to Our Holiday Concert” at Trinity Church, 503 Asbury on Saturday, Dec. 5th.   Visit www.jgmc.org for additional info and tickets.

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.”