News & Press Releases

Greetings from Asbury Park: So, have we seen the end of the snow? The last three storms have really challenged the city in many ways, but as usual we endured. Special thanks to all our DPW, Police and Fire employees who keep us safe. Actually, the city feels quite romantic covered in white. My biggest concern right now is welfare of all our merchants. Weather has disrupted our past three First Saturdays and now Valentine’s Day. So show a little love and come out and support our merchants! The Center will be hosting a wine tasting event on Friday evening from 8-to 11 PM at the Silverball Pinball Museum recently relocated to the Third Avenue Pavilion on the boardwalk. Tickets are $50. For info call 732.774.3416 ext. 14. The Shore Institute of Contemporary ART (SICA) will join forces with Asbury Park’s ArtsCAP to expand their highly successful Urban Sculpture Park beyond the borders of Long Branch. This year the five month long sculpture display will also take place in the City of Asbury Park. In addition to the 37 sites throughout Long Branch where sculpture has been displayed over the past 3 years, 22 sites have been added throughout Asbury Park. The event will run from May 8th to October 14th. Artists participating in this annual event will be solicited nationwide to compete for the opportunity to have their work displayed in the two cities. All entries can be made on-line at www.sica.org no later than March 13th. Contemporarily HUGE! Revision Theatre still needs your vote to help qualify for the Pepsi Refresh Project award in the amount of $50,000 toward the renovation costs associated with their new home if they can reach the Top 10! But you have to vote and yes, you can vote every day! Visit: http://www.refresheverything.com/revisionTheatre for more info and to cast your vote. Help make it happen! Madison Marquette announced this week the inaugural Asbury Park Boardwalk Health and Fitness Challenge, a 12-week program designed to promote the health and wellness of Asbury Park and neighboring communities. Each Sunday starting Feb. 21st, the boardwalk will host free introductory fitness classes, free nutrition and health classes and feature healthy menu items at boardwalk eateries. Registered participants will receive prizes based on their attendance. For all the details and schedule go to apboardwalk.com. Wellness! The 11th Annual Miss Paradise Pageant 2010 will take place this Sunday, Feb. 21st at Paradise, 101 Asbury Avenue. Call 732.988.6663 for details. A Benefit For Haitian Relief will be held at The Saint on Sunday, Feb. 21st starting at 3 PM. The line up includes Predator Dub Assassins, Random Test, Dub Proof, Underground Logic and many other special guests. Proceeds go to Doctors Without borders through The Mercy Center of Asbury Park’s Haitian Project. Also This Weekend: Thurs. Feb. 18th : West End Redemption at the Stone Pony - 7:30 PM Fri. Feb. 19th: 36 Anniversary Series at the Stone Pony featuring Black 47, the Fullers and others - 7:30 PM Shabbat Dinner at 8 PM at Restaurant Plan B. Film - Troubled Water at The Showroom at 8 PM. Play on Real at the Wonder Bar 8 PM. That’s How They Got You at The Saint - 8 PM. The Amboys CD Release show at Asbury Lanes - 8 PM. Last Perfect Thing at Old Man Rafferty’s 9:30 PM Sat. Feb. 20th: 36 Anniversary Series at the Stone Pony featuring Status Gree, River City Extension and others - 7 PM. Under new Ownership at Old Man Rafferty’s So Watt at Brickwall at 9 PM> Sun. Feb. 21st: Mexican Wrestling at Convention Hall starting at 2 PM. BookFLX oresents David Sterry & Pitchapalooza at The showroom starting at 4 PM. Hot Buttered Soul at The Lounge at Synaxis at 4 PM Neil Simon: From the Bronx to Broadway retrospect includes a screening of The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Stephen Crane House 508 Fourth Ave. at 5 PM. Anniversary Weekend Musicians Party: The Stone Pony salutes all of their local musicians. Doors open at 6 PM. Mon. Feb. 22nd: Readings from Asbury Park - the Interpreter at The Showroom - 6:30 PM. Cooking Demo & Wine Tasting with Marilyn at Langosta Lounge at 7 PM Karoke with DJ Mike at the wonder Bar - 8 PM. Joe Harvard’s Long Weekend at The Lounge at Synaxis 9 PM to 1 AM. Yoga Basin will have a Grand Opening this Saturday, Feb. 20thth at 6:30 PM complete with a chamber Ribbons Cutting. Check it out! The AP Chamber of Commerce will be hosting another one of their great business card exchanges next Thursday, Feb. 25th at Langosta Lounge. Be there! So, I know times are tough but we need you to come out and support the city. Are you Bought In? As you can see even in the middle of a very challenging winter, Asbury Park is rockin! No other place you want to be! Wishes for a 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 film permitting. Copyright © 2007 City of Asbury Park, All Rights Reserved.

Greetings from Asbury Park:
Sorry if this is the second time you received this email.  We are having some techinical difficulties with our mailing list.  Thanks for your understanding.
We are creating a new definition of winter at the Jersey Shore.  As many of you know, I start every day at the beach in Asbury Park.  I have acquired a new appreciation for the color grey.  Snow on the Asbury Park beach paints a beautiful picture and makes one realize what a beautiful piece of the world is right here at our door.  But the weather is playing havoc on our commerce.  This was the third month in a row that our First Saturday event was affected by the weather.  Saturday’s snow and wind storm also put a major dent in our effort s to raise funds for AP’s Haitian Relief efforts.  We are continuing our efforts and will have elephant banks in stores and restaurants for you to make donations.  You can also send in checks payable to APUEZ - Haitian Relief Fund to T. Gilmour, City of Asbury Park, One Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.  So we have a homework assignment this week:   Sunday is Valentine’s Day and there is no better place than Asbury Park to find that unique gift for that very special someone in your life.  Our business community needs your support!  Are you “Bought In?”  Why not make a reservation to spend Valentine’s Day in the city and shop the Park, check out our great lodging, and dine at our very romantic restaurants.  Did you know that Asbury Park is also known as “The city of love by the sea.”  Only in Asbury Park!

Hard to believe that a week ago, I was jumping into the ocean at Asbury Park’s Fifth Avenue beach as a participant in the Asbury Park Rotary’s Polar Plunge.  Synergy Productions put together a great video to capture this historic moment and we have placed it on the Asbury Park web site’s home page: www.cityofasburypark.com.   I’m the guy in the orange trunks with the red nose.   Good grins for a great cause!

More Homework:  Revision Theatre needs your help - your vote.  Revision Theatre is in the running for a $50,000 grant request to fund the instillation of a heating and air conditioning system in their proposed new home on Lake Avenue.  They need to finish in the top 10 by Feb 28th.  Please visit and vote at http://www.refresheverything.com/RevisionTheatre.  Vote!

Moonstruck reopens just in time for Valentine’s Day starting with live jazz on Friday featuring the Storeyville Jazz Quartet .

Tony Pallagrosi of Concerts East shared he will be presenting multiple Grammy Award winner/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Beck at the Paramount Theatre on June 15, 2010.  Tickets go on sale Monday.  Check out concertseast.com.  Huge!  Stay tuned!

On Wednesday night, the Asbury Park City Council approved two contracts for our new marketing partners.  M Studio owned  by Jenna Zilincar will be responsible for marketing/advertising, the city’s web site and public relations.  Synergy Productions founded and operated  by Susan Pelligrini  will be responsible for promotional videos, commercials, public access cable production and internet based programming.   I am proud and pleased that both companies are based in Asbury Park.  Stay tuned!

Artist Megan Heath Gilhool will be hosting a Valentine’s Party (art show & sale) on Saturday, Feb 13th from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Market Place, 21 Main Street.  For info call 732.728.9112.

Author Darren Fitzgerald will on Friday, Feb. 12th at 7 PM at Paranormal Books and Curiosities sign copies of his book “The House on Hurley Pond Road.”

Also This Weekend:
Thurs, Feb 11th:  ArtsCAP Dinner at Culinary Educational Center - 6 PM
Open Artists Night - Stone Pony - all ages - 7PM.
So Cow - Asbury Lanes 8 PM
James Maddock - Langosta Lounge - 9 PM
Fri, Feb 12th:  The Doughboys, Wakah Chan - the Stone Pony - 7:30 PM
Country Line Dancing at Paradise - 7 -10 PM - Free Lessons
The Jack Moves - the Wonder Bar - 8 PM.
Tunnels to Holland - The Saint - 8 PM.
Winter Words from the Jersey Shore with Chris Rockwell and James Dalton at The showroom - 8 PM.
Layonne Holmes ,  Rob Paparozzi - McLoone’s Supper Club
Sat, Feb 13th: AP Little League Pancake Breakfast at Thurgood Marshall School, 600 Monroe Ave. 8 AM to Noon.
Valentine Brunch for city seniors at the Westside Community Center, 115 Dewitt Ave.- 11AM to 2 PM. RSVP to Lori Ross at 732.502.5727.
Opening reception for Despina Statelova at Shore Women’s Abstract Gallery in The Shoppe at the Arcade, 658 Cookman. 
Lanterns of Love at Langosta Lounge Saturday and Sunday
Sun, Feb. 14th: VALENTINE’S DAY
Trick Shot at the Stone Pony - 2PM - all ages
No More football!
Tim McLoone & the Shirleys - McLoone’s Supper Club
Mon, Feb 15th:  Joe Harvard’s Long Weekend at The Lounge at Synaxis - 9 PM to 1 AM.

The 2010 Asbury Park Bartender Mix-Off has been rescheduled to Feb. 27, 2010.  Stay tuned!

Patti and I wish you all a very special Valentine’s Day.  Spend it in the city of love by the sea.

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 film permitting.

Copyright © 2007 City of Asbury Park, All Rights Reserved.