Asbury Park Boardwalk

12,000 sq ft Asbury Park Warehouse for Sale

2011-03-15T11:27:00.003-05:00

If you are looking to move an existing business or start a new one, Asbury Park, New Jersey may be what you're looking for.

Gilman Commercial Realty LLC is marketing a 12,000 sq ft flex space - warehouse in Asbury Park. They reduced the price to $899,000 for this one of a kind space.

The building is 100x120 and a 1/2 + acre lot (150 x 150). The building located at 1411 Memorial Drive is on the corner of 6th Ave.

The building was originally built as the distribution and warehouse facility for Breyer and Castle Ice Cream Brands. Ground level drive in, interior loading dock runs length of warehouse. High ceilings, gas heat. Masonary walls and roof construction.

Do anything here. Medical, Studio, Theatre, Office, High Tech, Church, Gym, Educational, Retail, Distribution, Showroom.

A great building. A a great city.

Contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
732-517-0088 office
732-539-2914 cell

City of Asbury Park Delcares IStar Financial in Default

2010-12-08T09:43:00.005-05:00

The City of Asbury Park, hoping to keep the redevelopment of the beachfront moving foward, has declared IStar Financial (NYSE:SFI) in default of the master redeveloper agreement originally penned by Asbury Partners LLC.

IStar Financial inherited the master redeveloper rights and 70 to 80 waterfront properties last December after Asbury Partners defaulted on a $70 million dollar loan.

While IStar now owns the rights, they also own the obligations to complete various infrastructure improvements that were to be completed or need to be redone.

The original Asbury Partners, prior to the default, bought in Madison Marquette to manage the boardwalk retail component. They immediately took what was left of the boardwalk and sparked some new life - what some like and some don't.

Coupled with great spirit and entrepreneurship from new businesses, the boardwalk has come to life over the past 3 years.The new boardwalk has a miniature golf course, water playground and several renovated pavilions with restaurants, an arcade and the temporary home of ReVision Theatre. see more on asburyboardwalk.com for a look at old and new Asbury Park Boardwalk or apboardwalk.com for Madison Marquettes marketing of the boardwalk.

Is it here we go again - with Asbury Park's past experience in litigation with original developer Joseph Carabetta - or is the City making the right decision by declaring IStar in default? What does it really mean?

We do know it means the City has to bond $250,000 to hire James Aaron as attorney to pursue and defend in litigating this should the need arise.

Will IStar rollover and hand back these "rights"? Will they =sell their rights - or be forced to? Will they sell off parcels on their own? Will they fight attempts to their rights - or will they work with the city and avoid costly litigation and further delay redevelopment?

Over the past four years, the City of Asbury Park has come out of its shell. Renovated homes, a downtown that is full of new stores, eateries and much more. No master developer - just hard work, success and failures. The long awaited of work along Springwood Ave if finally underway.

This is Asbury Park.

Asbury Park, one interesting place.

Topless Bathing in Asbury Park

2010-07-08T11:40:00.002-05:00

On July 8, the City Council of Asbury Park decided not to pursue a request to permit topless bathing on the 8th Ave - north end beaches.

The City Council listened to a report from council attorney Frederick Raffetto, who said sunbathing topless on the beach is prohibited.

The proposal put forth by a city businesswoman was to use the north end beach - with the idea that it was "remote". To many if us it is, but families and others still use the beach.

Proponents had said a topless beach could convey how progressive Asbury Park is or can be. Nearly all who spoke thanked the council for not going along with the idea.

There were many present at the meeting who wanted the city to concentrate more time on the cities west side and the youth vs time on issues that impact the oceanfront.

So ladies, keep those tiny bikini tops on - they're legal.

The M and K Charms Building comes down Dec 2009

2009-12-30T18:42:00.004-05:00

On December 29 and December 30, 2009 the M and K building also known as the Charms Building on Cookman Ave in Asbury Park was demolished.

This amazing structure was deemed to be in danger of collapsing - yet with it's main walls blown apart by heavy equipment - there it stood. Rebar, concrete, steel - like a fort.

Some pictures are on Facebook that were taken Dec 30.

Cookman Ave Weekend of June 19, 20, 21

2009-06-17T19:59:00.003-05:00

The Following Announcement is sponsored by Asburyboardwalk.com and David Dorfman, Gilman Commecial Realty.

Restaurant Plan B

705 Cookman Ave.

Asbury Park, NJ

07712

732-807-4710

June 17.2009

Dear Friends and Family:

If you are like me you are wondering where spring is. Its here, just a little hard to find. So it has not been great beach weather, but here in Asbury Park, we don't need the beach to have a thousand and one things to do.

This weekend is the Wave Gathering, a great music festival. Many of the shops and restaurants in town will have FREE live music. At Plan B we have music Friday Night, Saturday Night and Sunday for brunch. Saturday will bring a street festival to Cookman Ave.. with food and music. Entry to most of this festival is FREE.

Also FREE, is a walk through town and the boardwalk. There are so many really great shops and services. In walking around this week, I happened upon a new shop, in the SHOPS AT THE ARCADE, that I didn't know was there...a shop of drums... beautiful pieces of art. Since you can't really sit on the beach, take time to walk Bangs,Mattison,and Cookman, and see what really makes Asbury Park a great destination. Talk to all these shop keepers... some really great stories...

...

Don't forget DINNER AND A MOVIE, Thursday night. $25.00 gets you a 3 course dinner and the movie. Contact The Showroom, www.showroomap.com for tickets. Sunday evening we are hosting a GHOST HUNT and Dinner. Tickets are $50.00. Contact Paranormal Books and Curiosities for tickets and information www.paranormalbooksnj.com.

This weekend will also be the opening of La Petite Mort...A Collection of Erotica at Parlor Gallery.

Restaurant Plan B will be open for Father's Day Brunch and Dinner. Reservations are accepted.

We are continuing our best deal is town, PRIX FIXE, Tuesday - Thursday 25.00 4 course dinner.

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10am.

So who needs the sun...there isn't enough time to see everything Asbury Park has to offer. And don't forget. FREE PARKING downtown and the Bangs Ave garage is open FRIDAY-SUNDAY, thanks to the generosity of some downtown businesses.

See you in town.

Jeffrey

Support Asbury Park's Bike Church

2009-05-28T12:07:00.004-05:00

The Bike Church of Asbury Park is located at 705 Second Ave in association with Holy Spirit Church of Asbury Park.

The Bike Church is a bicycle advocacy project that will recycle bicycles, and utilize them as part of a youth and neighborhood empowerment program.

Every Monday, between 4pm-7pm, kids from Asbury Park come to The Bike Church to learn how to fix bikes, to practice riding, and to learn about safety issues related to bicycles.

Their latest project is called Second Life Bikes and is located at:

701 Memorial Drive (Between Asbury Ave and Sewall Ave)
Asbury Park, NJ
Located in the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission

Donation Times:
Tuesday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Second Life Bikes is new this year. At this location, they plan on hosting workshops for adults and teenagers. It will also serve as a used bike shop that will help fund all their programs.

You can find one of those unique bikes you need just for the summer or weekend or find a bike for you or your kids.

If you would like to donate your time, your old bicycles, parts, and/or helmets, please join them.

They are located next to Holy Spirit Church at 705 Second Avenue near the corner of Main Street in Asbury Park.

For donations at other times or for other inquires, please email their staff@thebikechurch.org.

Web: Second Life Bikes ( http://www.thebikechurch.org )

Asbury Park Boardwalk Summer 2009

2009-05-22T10:41:00.003-05:00

Asbury Park, New Jersey - May 22, 2009 - The Asbury Park Boardwalk is better then ever with more stores and entertainment and one of New Jersey's top beaches.

In addition to The Boardwalk, The Downtown merchants are geared up as well. Both the Boardwalk and the downtown are home to great venues and restaurants.

The newest arrivals on The Asbury Park Boardwalk are Stella Marina, offering Italian food, outdoor boardwalk dining and second floor roof deck and indoor dining. Next door is The Watermark - a unique classy yet casual bar and tapas menu - great deck and indoor couches and fireplace. Very, very nice

Joining them in the First Avenue building are Boardwalk Bagels and Subs, Shades sunglasses,Bodega Home Furnishings and Candyteria and Corazza Mid-Century Home Furnishings

Before you head north - you'll notice converted shipping containers (white buildings). They hold some of Asbury's unique shops - 2nd ave - kite store and Ralph's Italian Icees. The highlight now is the new kid Waterpark with unique giant watering cans, hoses and more pouring water down.

Moving north to the 3rd Ave building now open is the Lagosta Lounge - excellent "vacation dining" and bar along with Pops Garage (Mexican Takeout), Surf Shop. The long established Mayfair Grille with the famous boardwalk hot dogs, Posh Den offering home furnishings, and another gallery or two coming online.

Next stop is Miniature Golf. A totally brand new minigolf course right on the boardwalk. Very nicely done with water and more.

The next building is the temporary home of Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners, the lead developers of the boardwalk.

A new fastfood shop, Cuban Food and World Famous Madam Marie fortune teller booth occupy the next open space.

On 5th Ave, we have the former "bandshell building" and former Howard Johnson's. This is now The Saltwater Cafe on the the first floor and Tim McCloone's Supper Club on the second Floor.
In the same building, you can become a potter at LaPlaca Pottery or a glass blower at Hot Sands AP Glass Works. Ice Cream at Eddie Confettis Ice Cream.

You can dress sharp at Style Rocket or buy a bike At Brielle Cycles.

Go inside Convention Hall - and enjoy even more - Snack Attack for Dogs, Burgers and more, Baker Boys for Cakes and coffee, Asbury Galleria for gifts and photos. Walk out the deck of Convention Hall and relax at The Beach Bar and view the entire boardwalk beach to the south.

Enjoy Asbury Park in 2009.

Bruce Springsteen March 23 and 24

2009-03-20T10:08:00.003-05:00

March 19, 2009 - Asbury Park

Yes those rumors are true. Bruce Springsteen wil kick off his "Working on a Dream" tour with a couple rehearsal shows in Asbury Park, New Jersey on the famous Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon for shows to be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Convention Hall.
Tickets are $100 each and will be available through Ticketmaster phone charge only.

There is a two-ticket limit per person.

Customers may only buy tickets for one show.

Tickets will not be mailed out; they can be picked up the night of the show only.

Two forms of identification will be necessary to pick up tickets.

Springsteen and the E Street Band officially kick off the "Working on a Dream" tour April 1 in San Jose, Calif.

They have been rehearsing at Convention Hall for much of the past two weeks.

Try for tickets at Convention Hall with this link to the Ticketmaster Bruce Springsteen Ticketmaster site.

Good luck.

If you can't get in, come to Asbury Park and take a look around. If you haven't been to "AP" lately, alot has changed.

Looking for proeprty or rentals in Asbury Park then go to asburyparkrealestate.com

Linkedin.com ASBURY PARK. Join!

2009-01-06T13:55:00.002-05:00

I started the "Asbury Park" group on Linkedin.com last week for the purpose of joining people on another level in the future growth of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Linkedin.com enables us to create a network of people across many professions who might have an interest in, or live in Asbury Park - the City by the Sea.

How might this group play a role in Asbury Park's current and future growth?

I'm not sure yet, so let's consider this an experiment of who will join and their various skills and life experiences however it is or is not related to Asbury Park.

Maybe some members will assist the schools in a mentoring program. Maybe someone will join forces and start a new business in Asbury, move to Asbury or refer another friend or co-worker.

Let's see what happens with the Asbury Park Linkedin.com group.

Join it today.

Hanukkah in Asbury Park

2008-12-18T10:06:00.004-05:00

I have to say, I don't think I've really written about any restaurants in Asbury Park or Atlantic City or elsewhere in the shore area. I could, but I haven't.

But today I received an email from Restaurant Plan B on Cookman Ave in Asbury Park. They are going to have a Hanukkah Dinner on Sunday, December 21.

Dear Friends and Family,
There are lots of great things going on here in Asbury Park for the holiday season. Now is the time to come out and support these great events.Here at Plan B we have a Hanukkah Dinner Sunday, December 21 at 6pm 18.00per person (reservations suggested).
We still have openings for New Year's Eve, 75.00 per person for a 5 course dinner, and live music from Andrew Holtz. Dinner will be served from 7pm until 10:30pm. Also, don't forget we will be open New Year's Day for our great brunch. 10am - 3 pm.

Hanukkah in Asbury Park. Given that my Bar Mitzvah was at was once the Congregation Sons of Israel on Asbury Ave - seems like yesterday. A Blue polyester suit from Robert Hall and a Cantor so strict- somehow I did it. More or less, right or wrong, it was the last "real" religious experience I've had. So when I get an email from Restaurant Plan B with their holiday announcements my mouth begins to water.

I just wonder if it's as good as my mothers.

Killbrand opens in Asbury Park -

2008-12-15T14:48:00.004-05:00

Killbrand clothes has opened a new store in Asbury Park at 408 Emory Street. Where more fitting then in Asbury Park would one expect to find a Killbrand store? Combining the love for music, the arts and creativity - comes Killbrand Clothing.

What's more exciting is that for the grand opening, they are hosting a free show by the band Secondhand Serenade this Tuesday, December 16th. The info is as follows:
Secondhand Serenade LIVE In-Store Performance at:
The Killbrand Store
408 Emory Street
Asbury Park, NJ
8 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION
Killbrand will also be having a special holiday sale, with some shirts as low as $5!

Killbrand was started in 2000 by pop punk drummer Jonathan Smith. While on tour with Tokyo Rose, Jonny ran into a problem faced by many musicians: he ran out of clean t-shirts.

Killbrand designs have been requested by stylists from GQ Magazine, and featured in Alternative Press and Wonka Vision Magazine. Seth Green, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Steven of Steven’s Untitled Rock Show, Nicole Richie and Ashlee and Jessica Simpson wear Killbrand. So do bands such as Second Hand Serenade, Fall Out Boy, The Used, My Chemical Romance, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and countless others. Killbrand is currently available in Tilly’s, Virgin Megastores, and select boutiques across the USA and Europe, and on the official website http://www.killbrand.com. Also check http://www.asburyboardwalk.com soon.

Killbrand is a great addition to downtown Asbury - if you haven't already, come to Asbury Park and find out why Killbrand found the perfect home.

The Asbury Park Holiday Boardwalk

2008-11-28T17:13:00.003-05:00

November 28, 2008 - The Asbury Park Boardwalk month-long holiday season celebration will kick off on the boardwalk with a concert and tree-lighting ceremony.

While all the boardwalk shops are open from Tuesday through Sunday all winter, more fun can be found in the Convention Hall Arcade from Friday, Nov. 28 through Monday, Dec. 29.
Two Christmas tree lightings will take place at the same time on Sun., Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. One on the boardwalk outside Convention Hall and one on the large south balcony of the Paramount Theatre. There will also be another tree near the Casino.

This as well as the downtown merchant celebration, First Saturday and all the great restaurants are more reasons to come to Asbury Park.

More information on asburyboardwalk.com

Help on Thanksgiving Day....

2008-11-17T13:10:00.002-05:00

November 17, 2008:

I wanted to this everyone and see who can pitch in here or with your local food bank.

This Thanksgiving, we need your help and support in serving those in need. Langosta Lounge, the newest restaurant on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, will open its doors on November 27 to provide a free Thanksgiving meal to local community members.

While theyhave an abundance of generous volunteers to help us out on Thanksgiving Day, they are still accepting donations of turkeys, hams, canned goods, boxed foods and desserts, as well as hats gloves, scarves and toiletries.

We know times are tough for everyone, but the smallest of contributions will be gratefully accepted. Last year, they served nearly 400 people on Thanksgiving Day, and this year, theyare expecting the turnout to be even greater.

To find out more about donating food and clothes to their Thanksgiving soup kitchen, please call Langosta Lounge at 732-455-3275, or Labrador Lounge at 732-830-5770. Food-drops can be scheduled at either location (Normandy Beach or Asbury Park).

Interested in volunteering? While the Thanksgiving soup kitchen is currently staffed, please let them know if you would like to help out during their Christmas Day soup kitchen - also at Langosta Lounge.

Also, see your local Food Bank.

The Boardwalk Family Fall Festival

2008-10-22T12:34:00.005-05:00

The following announcement for Halloween Weekend on the Asbury Park Boardwalk and Downtown Asbury Park.

BOARDWALK
Starting next Sunday, Oct 26th at 11:00am, the Asbury Park Boardwalk is kicking their Fall Family Festival. Children and teens can create their own scarecrows with the guidance and help of acclaimed artist Laura Brunetti of L'Estrella Studio's Traveling Canvas.
Ms. Brunetti has been a creative force on the boardwalk all summer with her Traveling Canvas project which allows children to express themselves through art. She is now offering more fall festive fun with Scarecrow Building in the Grand Carousel (CASINO) on Asbury Avenue and the Boardwalk. All materials are supplied free of charge.
McLoone's Salt Water Beach Café is offering a Kids' Sunday Boardwalk Brunch at 12 Noon. Families can dine at McLoone's outdoor ocean view café while enjoying a special Halloween Menu created just for the day.
Finally, a free children's animated film is being presented in the newly refurbished Paramount Theatre at 2:00 pm, Wallace and Grommit -The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
The cheerful frolicking continues with Family Ghoul Night on Thursday, Oct 30th. The festivities begin with a Boardwalk Costume Parade starting outside the Grand Carousel at 4:00 pm. Costumes are available for free on a first come basis, so get there early to prepare for Trick or Treating which starts at 5:00 pm. All of the new beautiful retail shops on the boardwalk are ready to greet trick-or-treaters with Halloween sweets for all little gouls and boys. Grown-ups will enjoy shopping for themselves or for others - early Holiday shopping has never been easier.
More fabulous features on Family Ghoul Night include Hay Rides down the boardwalk starting at the Grand Carousel, find your way out of the Hay Maze on the boardwalk at Second Avenue, pick a pumpkin, artisinal cheeses or delicious baked goods at the new 'Farmers Marquette' inside the Grand Carousel.
Year-round dwellers and day-trippers alike love the specialty shops and noshing experiences that are unique in Madison Marquette's visionary style and metro flair. Experience art, music, beachfront dining, baking and crafting with marquis merchants such as The Baker Boys, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, LaPlaca Pottery works, Bodega Shoppe and many more.
Asbury Park is also historically known as an entertainment Mecca. The newly renovated Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall have recently hosted world-class performances such as Springsteen, Tony Bennett and Bob Dylan produced by LiveNation.
The historic Asbury Park Boardwalk has transformed itself into year round family destination where visitors have a most enjoyable and memorable experience for every season. Madison Marquette's schedule of Holiday celebrations will be announced soon.

DOWNTOWN
From October 24 - October 31 - many of the restaraunts downtown are having various Halloween themed nights and parties.
October 31: HALLOWEEN PARADE - The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting Asbury Park's first ever Halloween parade. The parade kicks off at 8:30 PM at Kennedy Park on Cookman Ave. (next to Market in the Middle), moves west on Cookman Avenue to finish at Merchant's Park (corner of Cookman Ave & Main Street) Prizes for Most Original, Funniest & Scariest For more info contact Mike Evans at 732-988-6088 or email mikesbeachhouse@optonline.net

CONTESTS AND MORE AT THE BIGGEST PARTY AT THE SHORE
Mattison park and paranormal books and curiosities are proud to be hosting our city's first annual Halloween block party on October 31st. cash and prizes totaling over $5000. Dust off those wigs and over-the-top costumes; it's time to celebrate the scariest of holidays.Halloween. Join us in Asbury park for the hottest block party in New Jersey.
Gates open at 6pm and main stage shows begin at 7pm. 21 and up only. The entry fee is $15 Advance or $20 at the gate. Advance tickets can be purchased at Mattison Park or Paranormal Books & Curiosities. Portion's will be donated to "the Center of Asbury Park and Asbury Park Chamber of commerce special events committee. Recently given Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame and Induction into The Native American Music Hall of Fame! Our host for the evening will be Felipe rose from "the village people" Food tents will be available and Restaurants participating are Mattison park, Taka, Isabella's, plan b, munch, and wish you were here. Non-profit tents participating are The Center of Asbury Park, garden state equality, Ocean grove united, jersey shore q spot, and the vna of Asbury park. Our main stage show schedule consists of "Cavalcade of the odd" Creep show freak show in Asbury park. Side show hosted by the one and only from Conney Island Donny vomit. This will be a 4 person freak show/sideshow with most extreme and bizarre acts of the unthinkable. Dancers inc. from neptune will also be performing dances and an audience participation of the "thriller dance" dj will be performing in-between sets. $5000 in cash and Prizes will be awarded for these great contests. You are invited to enter any or all of them including: . Pet contest: first place will win $50 CASH along with fabulous prizes totaling over $150; second and third place prizes will be awarded. Pet contests begins at 8:00pm . Pet/owner look-a-like: first place will win $50 cash along with fabulous prizes totaling over $150; second and third place prizes will be awarded. . Body art: first place will win $50 cash along with fabulous prizes totaling over $250; second and third place prizes will be awarded. Contest begins at 8:45pm . Celebrity look-a-like: first place will win $250 cash along with fabulous prizes totaling over $500; second and third place prizes will be awarded. Contest begins at 9:15pm . "drag IN THE DOWNTOWN" WALK OFF CONTEST: FIRST PLACE WILL WIN $250 CASH along with fabulous prizes totaling over $500; second and third place prizes will be awarded. Contestants MUST BE LINED UP FOR THE WALK BY 9:45PM .
SCARIEST COSTUME: First place will win $500 cash along with fabulous prizes; second and third place prizes will be awarded the final two contests will begin at 11:30 . Best overall: first place will win $1000 cash along with fabulous prizes; second and third place prizes will be awarded.
Pre-sale tickets are available at Mattison Park and paranormal books and curiosities located in Asbury park. Press contacts Aaron d. Coleman 732.677.6027 cell MATTISON PARK events manager 649 MATTISON AVENUE ASBURY PARK, NJ acoleman@MATTISONPARK.COM 732.807.3435 649 MATTISON AVENUE ASBURY PARK, NJ 07712 www.mattisonpark.com

MEAT LOAF DECEMBER 5 ASBURY PARK

2008-10-17T13:22:00.004-05:00

The legendary MEAT LOAF comes into Asbury Park on December 5 for a show at The Pararmount Theatre on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Tickets are available at http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm

This should be great show.

Come and see the new Asbury Park.

Music is Alive in Asbury Park

2008-09-26T11:57:00.003-05:00

Asbury Park's Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre will continue to excite fans over the next few weeks and into the winter.

Take a look at who's coming to the New Jersey Shore Entertainement Center in October and November...

10/9 - Dickey Betts
10/11- Alison Moyet
10/19 - Aussie Pink Floyd
10/30 - Hanson
10/31 - Roots, Gym Class
11/1 - Light of Day
11/15 - Staind
11/15 - YES

Get Tickets --> visit http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm for tickets.

We could expect more and more events coming to these two great venues and the rest of Asbury Park over the next several months.

Come to Asbury Park and see for yourself what all the excitement is about.

Guinness Oyster Festival is Back, Bigger and Better than Ever...

2008-09-11T11:41:00.004-05:00

The event is scheduled for September 14th, 12-6pm, in Downtown Asbury Park on Cookman Avenue and vicinity.
It will be a huge food and music festival. This Huge Street Festival showcases Asbury Park's excellent restaurants as well as entertain thousands with a mix of Irish music, jazz and rock and roll.

It will also be a family friendly event with entertainment for kids as well. Headlining is the famous IRISH ROCK BAND BLACK 47. Musical entertainment for the younger set will be provided by SIX FLAGS!

Other fantastic bands include Joe Hurley and the Gents, Deni Bonet, deSoL, Mayors Players and the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums.

Entry is free Food and drink tickets can be purchased for pints of Guinness and to partake in over 72 succulent specialties created by 18 of Asbury Park's most popular restaurants. Participating restaurants will be serving festival style from tented areas throughout downtown Asbury. In addition to freshly shucked oysters there will be all types of delicious food!

Come to Asbury Park. It's new. It's exciting. Come see why.....

See what else is happening in Asbury Park at http://www.asburyboardalk.com/events.htm

Asbury Park Parking Meters / Pay Stations

2008-09-09T15:22:00.004-05:00

I probably should of written about Asbury Park's new Parking Meters that have been installed. They are not actually parking meters - but central "pay stations". They're actaully quite simple, once you realize you have to pay to park in the areas near the boardwalk.

If you park in a numbered space - jot it down or memorize it. Then as you walk toward the boardwalk or along Kinglsey Ave , you'll see the PAY STATIONS.

You can pay by credit card, bills or coins. Just enter in your space number, and press the button to increment how long you plan on parking there, then either swipe a credit card or insert your money. Press the GREEN Button to get a receipt which you should retain. It has your space number (make sure its correct) and the time you have before you have to replenish or move on.

What's really nice is that you can replenish from ANY pay station - not just the one you originally used.

More importantly - to go along with one of the CHEAPEST seasonal beach badges, the parking is about as cheap as you'll find in any resort town. As of today (September 9, 2008), the rate is .50 per hour. Not bad. I think it should be $1.00 hour. That's still cheap for a resort area and if you're willing to walk 2 blocks, you can probably find FREE street parking.

You can also drive around a bit. The redeveloper has several nice paved lots that are, for now, free. But that will change.

So don't forget to pay when you park in a numbered space.

Book Launch Party at Wonder Bar - Local Heroes: The Asbury Park Music Scene

2008-07-30T11:26:00.002-05:00

Wednesday Night - July 30 there will be a book launch party for "Local Heroes: The Asbury Park Music Scene".

Doors open at 5 pm. Tickets are $15.00 at the door. The schedule:
- 7 pm introduction by the authors
- 7:30 pm the music begins with:
- Lance Larson, Matt O'Reef Band, Days Awake, Vini Lopez and the Steel Mill Band, Sonny Kenn.

As the night rolls on, there will be jam session with all the musicians and whomever else jumps in. This will no doubt be an interesting night at the Wonder Bar and in Asbury Park.

Don't miss it.

Jersey Shore Roller Girls - July 12

2008-07-03T13:13:00.001-05:00

Asbury Park -

The Jersey Shore Roller Girls will offer up some roller derby mayhem in a full-length bout Saturday July 12 at Asbury Park's Convention Hall.

Two of the league's teams will battle, as local women from the Right Coast Rollers defend their undefeated status against the Anchor Assasins, a team making its incredible, can't-miss roller derby debut skating that evening.

In addition to a night of fierce jams and blocks, the event features a performance by the band Wicker Hollow.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance at www.jerseyshoreroll ergirls.net for $15, as well as at the door for $20. Children under 12 get in free.

Adults 21 and over to drink.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, with the whistle blowing at 8 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.jerseyshorerollergirls.net

PHOTO EXHIBITION - John Cavanaugh announces Rocktography

2008-07-02T15:25:00.003-05:00

July 2, 2008 - NEW PHOTO EXHIBITION IN ASBURY PARK!
Concert photographer John Cavanaugh announces Rocktography, a new photo exhibition featuring a vast sampling of Cavanaugh’s concert photography from the past 18 years accompanied by The Asbury Park Music Storytellers Series highlighting some of the community's most prominent independent singer/songwriters.

Named for Cavanaugh’s online gallery, Rocktography.info, the exhibition will run from July 3rd through September 2008 on the Asbury Park Boardwalk at Asbury Galleria, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Rocktography Photo Exhibit Asbury Galleria, 1000 Ocean Ave.Asbury Park Boardwalk
Grand Opening July 3, 2008 - 10am until close.

Southside Johnny to appear July 3 at 3 pm.

Madam Marie Dies.

2008-07-01T11:20:00.003-05:00

July 1, 2008 - (as reported in the Asbury Park Press along with our own memories) - It was one line from a Bruce Springsteen song that made the boardwalk fortune teller world famous.

And now, "Madam Marie'' has passed away.

Marie Castello, who had told fortunes since the 1930s and became famous for her presence and predictions on the Asbury Park boardwalk, died Friday, her great-granddaughter, Sally Castello said today.

Family members were attending morning services today, Castello said.

The psychic reader and advisor was 93. She became known worldwide from Bruce Springsteen's homage to her in his music."Did you hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie,'' Springsteen sang in his 1973 song, "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)'' "for tellin' fortunes better than they do."

"That was just the Boss,'' said Asbury Park Deputy Mayor Jim Bruno. "She was never arrested. But Springsteen turned her into an icon.''Bruno remembers his own run-in with the psychic."I was a 12-year-old kid,'' he said. "And I don't remember what I was doing, but I remember her chasing me away from her shack.

Her death is a real loss.''It was also somewhat unexpected.''She really wasn't sick. She just wasn't feeling well,'' Castello said. ""She was very, very strong until the day she died.''Madam Marie bragged that she had told the fortunes of everyone from Judy Garland to Springsteen himself. Legend has it that she told Springsteen he was going to be a success. Springsteen later joked that she told all the musicians that.

And Springsteen never forgot Madam Marie."He always comes by to say hello," she told Press columnist Bill Handleman in May. "He knows where he came from."

Marie Castello closed down her regular operations on the boardwalk in the mid-1990s after a dropoff in business. She continued telling fortunes in Ocean Township.

But Sally Castello is one of the family members who still does readings at the Madam Marie booth not far from Convention Hall on the boardwalk."The booth will always be there," Marie Castello said in May. "The Temple of Knowledge, that's a landmark, that's nostalgia, they'll never tear it down."
-----------------

Back in the late 70's, we could never get her picture. We tried. Her daughter or grandkids would come over for the TAB w/lemon. If there was no one on the boardwalk then, it would be us.

A true boardwalk classic.

"The Temple of Knowledge, that's a landmark, that's nostalgia, they'll never tear it down."

Let's hope that this prediction holds true,

Summer 2008 on the Asbury Park Boardwalk

2008-06-09T09:13:00.003-05:00

Wow.

I just got done telling someone I was around 3 when my parents first took me down to the Asbury Park Boardwalk. That was 1964.

In less then two weeks, my daughter graduates high school. It seems like yesterday that I asked her to write her opinions of what was then a lost Cookman Ave and Boardwalk. We'd park around the Palace or she'd go explore the old Howard Johnson's ramps. I'd tell her and my son ghost stories.

But that was the summer of 2002.

As each summer passed, I would tell them to just wait and see. Each summer passed with bits of progress here on there. Then one day, we were all eating dinner at Bistro Ole. Then the original Harry's Roadhouse. Then The Brickwall.

I sent a friend of mine who couldn't find a dress for her dance recital to Allen and Suzi on Cookman. She found two dresses and wound up winning around 13 ribbons in her competition.

So here comes summer of 2008. Madison Marquette, as the new partner in the redevelopment, presented plans a few short months ago to rehab the pavilions along the boardwalk. A new July 4 target date look like a reality as work continues.

A host of new shops and events will be here. The boardwalk will look and feel new. New streets, parking lots and much more. A new mini-golf course.

It's new. It's exciting. It's the new Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Take a drive. Spend a day or a summer.

Now you can.

Keb' Mo' at the Paramount, Asbury Park

2008-04-29T10:00:00.006-05:00

Singer-songwriter guitarist Keb' Mo' comes to the Paramount Theatre on August 25,2008. Mo's blues is a post-modern expression of the artistic and cultural journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time.

Come to the renovated Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Boardwalk on August 28, 2008 and listen to Keb' Mo' and his music. It will be a great evening.

Tickets are $31-$48 plus Ticketmaster service fees. Click here to Purchase Tickets or cut and paste the url: http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm.

Josh Ritter April 24 at the Stone Pony

2008-04-18T11:08:00.003-05:00

Josh Ritter will be performing April 24, 2008 at the Stone Pony.

The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter catches the Idaho musician in the midst of a radical transformation. While last year’s The Animal Years had Ritter thinking about the state of the nation, his latest offering finds him pining for Joan of Arc, Calamity Jane and Florence Nightingale, all of whom seem to be stuck together in the belly of a whale, a la Jonah. He also manages to squeeze in a few admiring words about ladies’ underwear—and that’s well before Ritter, backed by drums, bass and organ and cacophony, arrives at a rollicking chorus you might be able sing along with if you’re quick enough to get all the words.

Ritter is clearly having fun—and you will, too—but there is a method to his madness. Those legendary heroines he name-checks were each responding to an inner voice that pushed them toward some extraordinary mission, one both noble and a little foolhardy. “Those voices can be pretty confusing,” he says, “but there is no doubt that if you follow your two a.m. voices you’ll end up someplace fairly extraordinary.”

And Ritter did follow those late night voices. While The Animal Years was a meticulously crafted and stately paean, for Conquests the artist radically revamped his working methods and his sound. “I needed to be somebody different,” the singer says. “The air of gravitas around me was getting oppressive. For some reason it seemed like there was a premium being placed on earnestness and that can be pretty stifling. There was a lot of talk about true love and righteous indignation. I wanted to write about gunslingers and missile silos.”

But it didn’t start like that. “I was tired of writing with the guitar,” says Ritter, who began writing The Historical Conquests by committing to tape wordless tunes and melodic fragments, certain that the lyrics and thematic ideas, whatever shape they might take, would soon follow. Setting aside the guitar, he began writing on an upright piano some family friends had given him—an instrument, he admits, he didn’t actually know how to play.

The result is an often raucous, occasionally dizzying affair, with pounding keyboards, strings, horns, and his new producer and long-time collaborator Sam Kassirer, leading the charge. About the recording conditions in the Maine farmhouse where the record was made, Ritter enthuses, “You should have seen it up there. It was January and twenty below. We had horns in the attic, we had strings in the barn, we had a gaggle of people shooting targets with bb guns in the woods. It was a full house and everyone was there to throw themselves at the music. There was no holding back.”
As he says in the drum and Steinway-driven “Rumors,”

My orchestra is gigantic.
This thing could sink the Titanic
And the string section’s screaming
Like horses in a barn burning up.

Giving the project a literal go-for-broke feel was the fact that his then-label, V2 America, had just fired the entire staff. “They went under the night we performed on Letterman!,” laughs the songwriter. “It seemed me and my band were pretty much storming the heights of irony that day.” The situation emboldened the self-reliant artist; after all, Ritter had launched his career DIY-fashion with his self-titled 1999 debut and released its 2001 follow-up, The Golden Age of Radio, on his own, before finally signing with an indie label. When he rushed back into the studio in early ’07, after another year of worldwide touring, it was on his own timetable. “One thing I’ve realized is that at the end of the day, you’re on your own. There isn’t a song, a record or a record label that can teach you how to swim or how to keep your head above water,” Ritter says. “You have to be the one getting out of the boat and taking your chances every day. In what you write and in how you play. If not…”

The artistic leaps Josh Ritter displays on Conquests are not without their stepping-stones, however. On a conceptual level, Paul McCartney’s Ram served as an ever-present reminder to enjoy the process of writing. Ritter was attracted to the free-spirited quality of the solo album McCartney made at his own farmhouse—amidst the Beatles’ tumultuous breakup: “It sounded like he had something to prove, but also like he didn’t really care. In terms of my favorite records, Ram is more about the philosophy. If this guy can do this after what he came through, then, okay, maybe I could try something like this too. It really loosened me up.”

Stepping farther back, he sites Buddy Holly’s apocryphal The Apartment Tapes as a major influence. “A friend passed me Buddy Holly’s Apartment Tapes. The tapes are plain and genius. Buddy sang ‘Learning the Game’ and ‘That’s What they Say’ in his apartment in New York City and you can hear his wife bumping around in the kitchen and the whole thing feels clear but not simple. Those recordings feel like a Raymond Carver story. I listen to him and remember that it doesn’t have to be all nine-minute songs. That guy can get more across in a couplet than some people are lucky to learn in their whole life.”

With a new approach, a new producer and a new location, Ritter got underway in earnest. “I shaped the songs and recorded a basic shell with Sam and then asked my bassist Zack Hickman and my new drummer Liam Hurley to come on up.” Skeleton tracks in hand, Ritter collaborated further with his band mates and a group of assorted musician friends he dubbed The Great North Sound Society Orchestra, who were clearly up for trying anything.

The results speak for themselves. The upbeat, vintage “Right Moves,” the Liberty Valance standoff “Mind’s Eye,” the pre-(and possibly post-) apocalyptic love song “The Temptation of Adam” and the Robert Altman era “Next to the Last” combine to hold a kind of punk-meets-Peckinpah fiesta.

Says Ritter in summary, “On my last disc, The Animal Years, I went pretty deep inside the gears of what I do. I knew where the words fit and how the songs dovetailed with each other.” He adds, however, “If I hadn’t approached the writing that record on such a clockmaker’s level, I may not have decided to step back and try shooting the clock to pieces on Historical Conquests. I’m glad we did though,” he adds. “I wanted to blow something up.”

Given the new lyrical and musical trails that he is blazing, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter proves that one can still cross any number of Rubicons all the while not taking themselves too seriously. Historic indeed.

April 24, 2008 7:30 pm doors. Go to http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm for tickets.

Red Carpet Charity Event April 3

2008-04-02T18:48:00.003-05:00

Derek Jeter Hand-Signed "The Dive" 16x20 Photograph
Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan/Tom Seaver Triple Hand-Signed 16x20 Photograph
Henrik Lundqvist Hand-Signed 16x20 Photograph
Brian Leetch Hand-Signed "Jersey Number Retirement" 16x20 Photograph
Jerry Kramer Hand-Signed "With Vince Lombardi" 16x20 Photograph Feat. Quote Inscribed
Joba Chamberlain Hand-Signed "Joba Time" 16x20 Photograph
Martin Brodeur Hand-Signed "Versus Sidney Crosby" 16x20 Photograph
Phil Rizzuto Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
Evel Knievel Hand-Signed 16x20 Photograph (Deceased Daredevil)
Goose Gossage Hand-Signed "With Thurman Munson" 8x10 Photograph
Alex Rodriguez Hand-Signed Official Big Stick Bat
David Wright Hand-Signed "Barehanded Catch" 16x20 Photograph
1968-1969 New York Jets Team Hand-Signed Official Full Size Helmet (Super Bowl III Champs)
Lou Holtz Hand-Signed "Play Like A Champion Today" 20x24 Photograph
The Sack Exchange Hand-Signed "Stock Exchange" 20x24 Photograph
Joe Frazier Hand-Signed "Staring Past Muhammad Ali" 16x20 Photograph
Walt Frazier Hand-Signed "Graffiti Schoolyard" 16x20 Photograph
Joe Namath Hand-Signed "Walking Off Field" 16x20 Photograph
Tony Hawk Hand-Signed Official Skateboard Deck
James Gandolfini Hand-Signed "Meet Tony Soprano" 16x20 Photograph
Tedy Bruschi Hand-Signed "Snow Bowl" 16x20 Photograph
2007 New York Giants Team Hand-Signed "Huddle" 20x32 Photograph
Michael Strahan Hand-Signed "Over Tom Brady" 16x20 Photograph
Osi Umenyiora Hand-Signed "Sacking Tom Brady" 8x10 Photograph
Eli Manning & Tom Coughlin Dual Hand-Signed 16x20 Photograph
David Tyree Hand-Signed "The Catch" 16x20 Photograph
Eli Manning Hand-Signed Official Super Bowl XLII Commemorative Full Size Helmet
Brandon Jacobs Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
Robinson Cano Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
Bernie Williams Hand-Signed Rawlings Glove
Whitey Ford Hand-Signed "With Yogi Berra" 8x10 Photograph
Kevin Boss Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
1986 New York Giants Team Hand-Signed Official Full Size Helmet
Mark Bavaro & Phil McConkey Dual Hand-Signed "Celebration" 16x20 Photograph
The Rat Pack Limited Edition Masterpiece Feat. Actual Vegas Casino Chips & Cards
History of the Masters: Limited Edition Champions Masterpiece Collage
Star Wars' Carrie Fisher & Dave Prowse Dual Hand-Signed Original Movie Poster
Willie Mays Hand-Signed "The Catch" 16x20 Photograph
High School Musical Limited Edition Movie Masterpiece Collage
Miley Cyrus Limited Edition "Hannah Montana" Masterpiece Collage
1980 US Hockey Miracle on Ice Multi-Signed 16x20 Photograph
Abbott & Costello's "Who's On First?" Limited Edition Masterpiece Collage
Beauty and the Beast Limited Edition Lithograph Feat. Actual Film Strip Cel
Jackie Gleason/Arnold Palmer Vintage "And Away We Go" 11x14 Photograph
Johnny Pesky Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
Edgar Prado Hand-Signed "Riding Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby" 8x10 Photograph
Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" Larry Thomas Signed 8x10 Photograph
Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner Dual Hand-Signed 8x10 Photograph
Yogi Berra Hand-Signed "With Babe Ruth" 8x10 Photograph
Dr. J Julius Erving Hand-Signed Official ABA Basketball
Larry Bird Hand-Signed 16x20 Photograph
Bernard King Hand-Signed & Game Used Circa 1980s New York Knicks Converse Sneaker
Montel Williams hand signed book

Red Carpet Event - April 3rd "4Chosen"

2008-04-02T08:53:00.007-05:00

The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) will host Starline Films' theatrical documentary, "4CHOSEN" at a special red carpet premiere screening on Thursday, April 3rd in the Paramount Theater, 1300 Ocean Ave. Asbury Park, NJ.

The event kicks off at at 6:30 pm with celebrity red carpet arrivals including: Danny Aiello (Do The Right Thing), Montel Williams (4CHOSEN), Vinny Pastore (Sopranos), Randy Jones (The Village People/The Gentleman), Chuck Zito (HBO's OZ), Kwame Jackson (The Apprentice), Jon Doscher (REMEDY/The Gentleman), The Cast of The Gentleman, and many more! Come and see a bit of Hollywood here in Asbury Park. The red carpet hosts for this event are Valentine Leone and Shannon Leroux.

The screening begins at 7:30pm and the VIP reception follows with the shore band Brian Kirk and the Jirks. Limited # of tickets are available for $25 and can be purchased at http://www.starlinefilms.com. Proceeds will benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation and support the 6th Annual Garden State Film Festival.

"4CHOSEN" tells the story of four young minority basketball players from New York City who were traveling to North Carolina for a college basketball showcase when they were profiled by two NJ State Troopers and shot 13 times. A powerful team of attorneys led by Johnnie Cochran assist them as they rebuild their lives and influence major law changes. April 23, 2008 marks the 10 Year Anniversary of this incident.

This documentary, produced and directed by actor Jon Doscher and narrated by Montel Williams, features interviews with Reverend Al Sharpton, Peter Neufeld, Barry Schek, and Wynton Marsalis.

Starline Films is a motion picture production/distribution company currently working on several films including the major motion pictures 4CHOSEN and Anyone's Son, in which Academy Award Nominated Actor Danny Aiello will be making his directorial debut.

More information is available here on asburyboardwalk.com

4CHOSEN at the Garden State Film Festival

2008-03-05T12:03:00.005-05:00

The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) will host Starline Films' theatrical documentary, "4CHOSEN" at a special red carpet premiere screening on Thursday, April 3rd at the famed Paramount Theater, 1300 Ocean Ave. Asbury Park, NJ.

The event kicks off at at 6:30 pm with celebrity red carpet arrivals. The screening begins at 7:30pm and the VIP reception follows with the shore band Brian Kirk and the Jirks.

Limited # of tickets available. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at http://www.starlinefilms.com. Proceeds will benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation and support the 6th Annual Garden State Film Festival.

Celebrities scheduled so far include: Danny Aiello (Do The Right Thing), Montel Williams (4CHOSEN), Vinny Pastore (Sopranos), Randy Jones (The Village People/The Gentleman), Chuck Zito (HBO's OZ), Kwame Jackson (The Apprentice), Jon Doscher (REMEDY/The Gentleman), The Cast of The Gentleman, and many more! Come and see a bit of Hollywood here in Asbury Park.

"4CHOSEN" tells the story of four young minority basketball players from New York City who were traveling to North Carolina for a college basketball showcase when they were profiled by two NJ State Troopers and shot 13 times. A powerful team of attorneys led by Johnnie Cochran assist them as they rebuild their lives and influence major law changes. April 23, 2008 marks the 10 Year Anniversary of this incident. This documentary, produced and directed by actor Jon Doscher and narrated by Montel Williams, features interviews with Reverend Al Sharpton, Peter Neufeld, Barry Schek, and Wynton Marsalis.

According to Raver, "We are thrilled to welcome Montel Williams to host this special benefit that will raise money for Mr. William's very worthwhile Foundation."

Tickets for the Special screening and Reception are $25 and can be purchased at the event; or on the GSFF web site (http://www.gsff.org/) and at http://www.starline.com/. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation (http://www.montelms.org/) and support the 6th Annual Garden State Film Festival.

Starline Films is a motion picture production/distribution company currently working on several films including the major motion pictures 4CHOSEN and Anyone's Son, in which Academy Award Nominated Actor Danny Aiello will be making his directorial debut. Both films will be produced in association with Insomnia Media Group at Universal Pictures. Letnom Productions, Montel Williams Production Company, will also be co-producing the feature film 4CHOSEN.

The artistic philosophy of the Garden State Film Festival is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and the creation of a forum where local and other independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. The event provides novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in a career in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and mentoring. GSFF is an all volunteer non-profit organization.

More information is available here on asburyboardwalk.com

dd/3/26/2008

A New Look for the Asbury Park Boardwalk

2008-02-26T11:42:00.005-05:00

Madison Marquette is leading the renovations to the Asbury Park Boardwalk for a second year now. The boardwalk pavillions are have been completly gutted and are bring prepared to for new and returning operators.

Madison Marquette and the City of Asbury Park are working side-by-side to have these major renovations completed by Memorial Day Weekend.

Madison Marquette taken over as the managing partner for the boardwalk operations and since that time, have completed cleaning up the casino complex, installed a new roof and have plans to bring the casino back to life over the next two years.

Madison Marquette also is continuing work restoring Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre and creating a unique market atomshphere in the Convention Hall Arcade. Palsn for this summer also include a wading pool/glamour and small cabana deck along the boardwalk.

The summer of 2008 will be an exciting one in the new Asbury Park.

Come and find out why.

Springsteen Rehearsing in Asbury Park

2008-02-26T11:32:00.006-05:00

All those Roadshow trailers parked around Convention Hall these past couple days aren't here for the upcoming Cat Show this weekend, but are here for Bruce Sprinsteen's rehersal sessions for the upcoming tour which kicks off on 2/28 in Hartford - goes oversees then comes back to Giants Stadium in July.

Come donw to Asbury Park and take a look around. The summer of 2008 in Asbury Park will be all new.

It's amazing. It's Asbury Park.

For all the excitement, see asburyboardwalk.com

Levon Helm to Perform at The Paramount Theatre

2008-01-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

Levon Helm comes to The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park on February 16, 2008.

Levon Helm has been in the business of making music for over forty years and if the walls of “The Barn” could talk, what stories they would tell! Music legends galore have played, jammed and recorded there and he is happily continuing that tradition.

Read more about Levon Helms and The Band at their website.

For tickets to see Levon Helm please go to our events page.

Madison Marquette - Asbury Park Plans Continue to Develop

2008-01-14T18:31:00.000-05:00

The press release follows. What this shows is that Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners are committed to the City of Asbury Park as whole. Combined, these two companies have the capability to pull off of the largest redevelopment projects in one of the most challenging towns.

In addition to rebuilding the boardwalk and those properties in the redevelopment zone, Madison would like to create one united marketing effort for the city.

For what it's worth, I like the idea based on what we heard today. Hopefully, Madison Marquette, The City and Asbury Partners can work together to bring this phase of developing Asbury Park to a reality.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MADISON MARQUETTE AND ASBURY PARTNERS
OUTLINE UNIFIED VISION FOR RESTORING ASBURY PARK
Private Initiatives to Include Support
for Education, Public Safety and Waterfront Redevelopment

ASBURY PARK, N.J., Jan. 14, 2008 -- The much-anticipated revitalization of the Asbury Park Waterfront is about to take a giant leap forward according to Gary Mottola, president of Madison Marquette Investments and the managing partner of Experience Asbury, the joint venture between Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners that is responsible for the City's Boardwalk redevelopment efforts.

"We've been working for the last six months on a comprehensive plan for dramatically improving and transforming the entire Waterfront Redevelopment Area, and we're thrilled to announce that the pieces have come together and we're ready to go," said Mottola.

Mottola and Hugh Lamle, president of MD Sass and the managing partner of Asbury Partners, the Waterfront's Master Redeveloper, detailed their plans in an announcement at the newly renovated Paramount Theatre, which is part of Asbury Park's renowned Convention Hall.

"Hugh and I agree on two critical aspects of the redevelopment," said Mottola. "First, that the Waterfront redevelopment effort needs a single unified and coordinated vision; and second, that the efforts to revitalize the Waterfront will never be truly successful without the involvement of the entire community. In Asbury Park, the components of a successful redevelopment are heavily interdependent. The revitalization of the Boardwalk and the Waterfront, no matter how well executed, cannot be truly successful if the off-Boardwalk areas are dilapidated and unfinished; if Downtown is not thriving as well; if visitors to the City are concerned about their safety; if the schools are unable to provide a solid education; or if any segment of the community is struggling."

To address this need for a comprehensive community-wide effort, Mottola announced that Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners would sponsor the Asbury Park Initiative, a 5 part plan intended both to advance the Waterfront revitalization and to provide for a significant increase in support from private enterprise for the Asbury Park community.

The Initiative includes: 1) an extensive renovation of all of the Boardwalk facilities from the Convention Hall to the Casino Building; 2) major improvements to the off-Boardwalk portion of the Waterfront Redevelopment Area; 3) the creation of a Boardwalk-Downtown coalition to improve the coordination of marketing and public events and to realize upon the synergies of a coordinated merchandising effort; 4) a commitment for a substantial increase in private support for Asbury Park's schools and the City's community at large; and 5) increased private support for the City's continuing efforts to improve public safety. Implementation of the Initiative is expected to begin immediately upon City approval and to be substantially completed by next summer.

The Initiative

Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners have created a five-part program, to be implemented immediately upon City approval, and with a goal for substantial completion by summer of 2008.

Part I: The Boardwalk Renovation

Improvements to the Boardwalk for summer 2008 will be extensive, and will dramatically transform the entire Boardwalk experience. The architectural design for the improvements will be provided by David Mexico of the Rockwell Group. The Rockwell Group has earned an international reputation as arguably the most dynamic and creative architectural firm in the design of exciting new entertainment venues. The improvements will include:

1. Completing the upgrade of Convention Hall. The Paramount Theatre was restored last summer. Remaining Convention Hall renovations will include all new exterior windows, improvements to all interior and exterior storefronts, substantial upgrades to the Grand Arcade, new heating and air conditioning for the entire building, an entirely new roofing system, fire and life safety upgrades including stairways to the beach to accommodate exiting, interior beautification, and the rehabilitation of exterior and interior historic elements. Also scheduled are upgrades to the infrastructure of Convention Hall to accommodate major national promotions, including new bathroom and concession facilities and new sound and lighting systems.
2. Extensive re-imaging of the Boardwalk. New pedestrian-level lighting, a comprehensive graphics and banner program, a well-conceived Boardwalk vending program and a more pleasing, carefully controlled program for extending merchants onto their adjoining Boardwalk spaces will enhance visitors' perception and experience.

3. Renovation and re-tenanting of the Fifth Avenue Pavilion, completing plans already approved by City Council.

4. Renovation and re-tenanting of the Third Avenue Pavilion.

5. Renovation and re-tenanting of the First Avenue Pavilion.

6. The construction of an exciting public beach club on the site of the Second Avenue Pavilion.

7. Complete stabilization of the Carousel portion of the Casino building and reactivation of the Carousel space for public use in summer 2008.

8. Surface coating and beautification of the plaza adjoining the Casino building and First Avenue Pavilion so it can be used effectively for public purposes.

9. Restoration and beautification of all green spaces along the Boardwalk including well-designed recreational components, providing an exciting and dynamic experience for visitors strolling from Convention Hall to the Casino.

10. A comprehensive and extensive year-round marketing and public events program for the Boardwalk, with special emphasis on the summer season. Already planned are dozens of unique and traditional events, including a major triathlon in July, the return of the volleyball, road racing, and lifeguard competitions and other sports tournaments; kite festivals, fireworks displays, an enhanced Garden State Film Festival, premier showings of feature films as well as other film-themed programs, and ongoing music programming. An extensive effort will be made to attract additional filmmaking and music recording to Asbury Park.

11. Removal of all trailers along the Boardwalk, and replacing them with improved public restroom facilities adjacent to the First Avenue Pavilion and in the Convention Hall.

The Boardwalk will feature a spectacular array of new and newly-expanded tenants, including:
Tim McLoone's Supper Club, an exciting new restaurant and entertainment venue operated by Jersey Shore legend Tim McLoone
An extraordinary new Italian eatery by Joe and Mike Cetrulo, operators of Scalini Fideli, Sirena and other top Italian restaurants in New York City and New Jersey
A cutting edge Trek Bicycle concept store owned and operated by Kathy Pena of Brielle Cyclery
An all-American diner operated by Taka, Asbury Park's current master of Japanese cuisine
An amazingly hip lounge and club created by Russell Lewis (owner of the widely acclaimed Baker Boys Bakery) and his partner Paul Connolly. Russell will also be opening a new Baker Boys shop on the Boardwalk
An eclectic combination of a new-style Mexican restaurant, authentic surf shop, and creative art gallery to be concocted by surfer, restaurateur and philanthropist supreme Marilyn Schlossbach
An expanded panini and Italian delicacy shop operated by Kathy Mongiello, the Boardwalk's newly-famous Panini Lady
The reopening of Lance and Debbie's Wonder Bar, with a newly-designed exterior terrace and volleyball court along Ocean Avenue
Part II: Off-Boardwalk Waterfront Area

A series of new improvements will significantly upgrade and beautify the off-Boardwalk Waterfront area, creating an instant impression of progress in the redevelopment and providing a safer and more user-friendly environment. Five hundred new surface parking spaces, which will be paved, well-lighted and secured, will be created. Other improvements will include:

1. Removing and burying the overhead power lines on Ocean Avenue.
2. Adding lighting to the unlit west side of Ocean Avenue and the numbered avenues to provide a safer and more user-friendly environment.

3. Completion of the Wesley Lake bulkhead restoration and parking spaces.

4. Paving, securing, lighting and providing parking on the Block adjacent to the Casino, the block between Second and Third Avenue and the block between Fourth and Fifth Avenue.

5. Cleaning up and landscaping many of the currently vacant areas in the Waterfront Redevelopment Area.

6. Donating funds to the City for the restoration and landscaping Bradley Park.

7. Grading and beautification of the triangle block along Cookman to provide a more dramatic entrance from Downtown to the Boardwalk.

8. Topcoat paving of and increased lighting along Kingsley and the several of the numbered avenues, and the addition of curbing, to provide for a neater, safer environment and more orderly parking.

9. A coordinated program of graphics and signage to reinforce a strong perception of progress in the revitalization.

10. The complete reconfiguration of Cookman Avenue east of Kingsley and Ocean Avenue from the Casino to the Convention Hall to provide the pedestrian- and merchandising-friendly environment contemplated by the WRP.

Other major developments in the off-Boardwalk area include the recently-announced acquisition by Madison Marquette of the Kushner properties along Cookman Avenue and the plans by Paramount Homes to proceed with the next phase of its residential development in North Beach. "We will be submitting our application for formal approval of the Kushner acquisition to the City this week, and we intend to proceed with the next phase of the residential development there by next summer," said Mottola of Madison Marquette.
"We're excited about expanding our commitment to Asbury Park to include a well-designed residential component." Jeffrey Fernbach, president of Paramount Homes, added: "I'm pleased to confirm that Paramount Homes will be proceeding with its next phase of development. We have already received the approval of the Technical Review Committee for our 120 unit project and will be moving forward with the remaining approvals and the start of construction."

Part III: Cookman Avenue and Downtown District

Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners will sponsor a Downtown-Boardwalk Coalition to coordinate marketing efforts and to create a genuine synergy between the Downtown merchants and the Boardwalk venues. Initial members of the coalition will include Dan DiBenedetto, president of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce; two prominent Cookman Avenue merchants, Steven Troy of Robert Legere Homes and Marilyn Schlossbach of Market in the Middle; and Rob Ranuro of RDR Development, a prominent Asbury Park developer. Initiatives which may be undertaken by the Coalition include implementing a trolley service between Downtown and the Boardwalk (a service that already has been provided by Experience Asbury on many special dates over the past six months.)

Part IV: Schools and Communities

Recognizing that a comprehensive redevelopment initiative for Asbury Park must address the needs of the community overall, Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners, working closely with City officials and community groups, will expand their efforts in funding and sponsoring community programs and initiatives and will coordinate and encourage the involvement of other private businesses in these efforts. This will include:

Working with Tyler Blackmore, the principal of Asbury Park High School, to sponsor and support the newly-created Arts and Humanities Academy at the high school.
Creating a program that gives priority for employment to residents of Asbury Park and provides City residents with the opportunity to participate in the Waterfront revitalization. Specifically, any Asbury Park residents who may have lost their employment as a result of the recent halting of construction at the Esperanza will be given top priority for employment on Waterfront projects.
Part V: Public Safety

The Asbury Park Police Department, working with the New Jersey State Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor, has mounted a strong campaign to improve public safety in Asbury Park. Although we recognize that public safety will always remain a government function, Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners will, both directly and in coordination with other private interests, offer to support this effort under the guidance of the Police Department and other enforcement agencies. One area where we can be of assistance is in the implementation of a video surveillance system in the City. Video surveillance has been shown to be a very effective tool in increasing public safety. Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners are willing to fund the gap needed to allow the immediate installation and operation of a video surveillance system in Asbury Park. Other areas of support will include:

Continuing the private security patrols in the Waterfront Development Area which are being funded by Asbury Partners and Madison Marquette, and coordinating these security efforts with the Asbury Park Police Department.
Continuing to fund an additional police presence in critical redevelopment locations.
In closing, Gary Mottola stated: "Asbury Park is a truly special place, a place with an emotional connection to virtually everyone in New Jersey. We're proud to be a part of what's happening here, and confident that this City will move forward to once again become a premiere resort and entertainment destination of the East Coast." However, Mottola was careful to point out the challenges facing the Initiative. "While we are confident that Asbury Park's Waterfront revitalization effort can succeed, we believe that success will be dependent on two critical factors: first, an immediate, unified development effort on a major scale; and second, the extensive involvement of the community in the revitalization, and the expansive support of the community by private enterprise."

Thank you.
David Dorfman
asburyboardwalk.com

Madison Marquette to the Rescue....

2008-01-04T21:07:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park, New Jersey January 4, 2008 - Madison Marquette, a national developer of retail and residential real estate, announced today they have purchased redevelopment project which was started by The Kushner Companies.

The stalled project, known as Wesley Grove has 22 of 91 units sold and 2 other blocks slated for residential development, empty. A total of 750 units were planned by Kushner. Those that were built, known as the St. James - was considered by many as dull and did little to beautify the area.

According to an article on the ASbury Park Press January 4, Mottola said, "We think we can accelerate the whole process there,", "Since Kushner Cos. did a business strategy of exiting New Jersey, they didn't have the same level of excitement about Asbury Park as we have and which we can bring to this project."

"We're going to completely finish all the units, improve the overall look," Mottola
said. "The whole area will be cleaned up and beautified." Thank god. It needs to be cleaned up.

Madison Marquette's investment last spring in the city gave a boost to the boardwalk as new restaurants opened and the city's historic icons, Paramount Theatre, Convention Hall and the Casino, underwent renovation and restoration.

This announcement came a few weeks after Hoboken developer Dean Geibel and Metro Homes shut down its oceanfront Esperanza condominium site, citing a "national mortgage crisis" that had caused a setback for the company.

While there is a national slowdown in residential real estate, there is a string demand to create DESTINATIONS, especially since Asbury Park WAS a destination, IS a destination and will ALWAYS be a destination.

It takes vision, dedication, money, work and city that is able to communicate and work with developers.

The OCEAN and SAND are waiting.

Congratulations Madison Marquette.

Don't let anyone down. So far, you have a big fan club.

Esperanza At Asbury Park Offering Refunds

2008-01-04T09:08:00.000-05:00

On December 28, I noted that as of that date, there was no word from Metro Homes LLC and those who had deposits on units at The Esperanza at Asbury Park.

However, while this writer has not heard from Metro (not that they have to tell me...), they have communicated with several of those who asked about the status of their deposits.

There is GOOD news. Metro Homes LLC has offered to return deposits to those that request it regardless. That is, Metro is still looking to complete this project and arrange financing to do so. They are still considering this a "temporary" work stoppage - and therefore not legally obligated to return those deposits. This is what I have heard from several of those who placed deposits and were real concerned that their deposit money would disappear.

We're awaiting some official word on what will happen with The Esperanza at Asbury Park. There is lots of talk on how it will be completed - and by whom.

Stay tuned.

After All, THIS is Asbury Park.

Join the fun, the excitement and challenge of this City by the Sea.

So Far NO Refunds for The Esperanza Buyers

2007-12-29T16:39:00.000-05:00

As of December 28, 2007, those who have placed a deposit on The Esperanza in Asbury Park do not know the fate of the those deposits.

On December 9, 2007, Dean Geibel, President of Metro Homes LLC, the developer closed the sales office and stopped construction on the two-building complex of 224 units. Citing market conditions, he called it a "temporary" situation.

According to published reports, up to 70 contracts were placed on units. What disturbs some is that a day or two before the announcement, Mr. Geibel announced "the largest sale or a single family residence in Asbury Park...$2.6 million..". Prior to that announcement, he announced that musician John Oates purchased a unit for over $600,000. The musical team of Hall & Oates were so happy, they even snuck in a concert at the partially restored (thanks to Madison Marquette) Paramount Theatre on December 7, 2007. Then, jsut TWO days later - the sudden shift.

So there you have it, contractors, sales staff, the city and those who believe in the the new Asbury Park - were all left wondering - now what?

As for those who put down around 10% deposit for their unit, Mr. Geibel was kind enough to make this statement, "Geibel said the money people put down on their units is being held in escrow. "It's too early to decide how they'll be impacted," he said.

Now, what the &)$% does that mean? Is the Esperanza going to be built - 2008, 2009, 2010? Will Metro Homes be the builder? Have some of these "deposits" been spent (one attorney noted that their (Metro) contracts permitted this - smart attorneys protected their client's deposits - to some degree.

Mr. Geibel delivered a wonderful dream to the City of Asbury Park and to, according to Mr. Geibel, "almost 70.." buyers. Now the City has asked him for further details on the stalled project.

Those with deposits on the units are asking as well. Metro Homes LLC did not, as of this date, communicate with any of those with deposits.

Asbury Park has seen it all. Asbury Park will continue on with or without The Esperanza, Metro Homes or Mr. Geibel.

The City of Asbury Park is filled with opportunities - single family homes, lots of existing and new condos, apartments, businesses and good people who were here BEFORE the Esperanza was announced.

The Berkeley Hotel has been renovated and is open. Madison Marquette took over cleaning up the boardwalk buildings. And more importantly - lots of "little" people have done the rest.

Mr. Geibel, return those deposits to those that have asked for it back. These people have a vision as well - and that vision is their spot in Asbury Park.

You have moved on. Let those with deposits move in.

In Asbury Park.

By David Dorfman
Licensced NJ Real Estate Agent
email:apboardwalk@yahoo.com
See asburyboardwalk.com/asburyparkrealestate.htm for more info on Real Estate in Asbury Park.

Publisher of asburyboardwalk.com
*no affiliation with the City of Asbury Park nor Asbury Partners

Developer of Esperanza at Asbury Park Halts Project

2007-12-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

December 10, 2007:

Dean Geibel, president of Metro Homes, said the company recently informed the city that it was halting construction and sales "until such time market conditions allow us to move forward and successfully complete this important luxury beachfront development.

Geibel said there are sales contracts on about 70 of the 224 condominium units in the two-tower building, which was originally scheduled to be completed end of 2007. The revised schedule would of been,in our opinion, 2009.

Geibel said the money people put down on their units is being held in escrow. "It's too early to decide how they'll be impacted," he said.

Metro Homes paid the master developer $17 million plus for the rights to build on the site of the former failed project started in the 80's known as Ocean Mile.

While this is not the best thing to happen at this time in the redevelopment effort, the rest of the town continues to reinvent itself.

The Paramount Theatre, Convention Hall and the Casino are all undergoing major renovations to bring them back to life.

Hopefully, The Esperanza project will resume.

Hopefully, they will change their sales approach.

Asbury Park Pop Warner National Champs

2007-12-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

On December 7, 2007 The Asbury Park Pop Warner Pee Wees won the National Chanmpionship in the Pee Wee Division. The championship game was played in Lake Beuna Vista, Florida where the Blue Bishops beat Capital City Steelers from North Carolina by a score of 20-0.

The team pulled through with their second win in Florida. The team was full of energy and spirit which pulled them through.

Congratulations to the team, the families, the coaches and everyone else who made their dream a reality.

An extra thank you to the sponsors who helped fund the trip to Florida. A celebration is planned.

Paramount Theatre, Stone Pony Tickets from Ticketmaster

2007-11-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

You can now order Ticketmaster event tickets directly from the asburyboardwalk.com website. Tickets for major events at Convention Hall, The Paramomunt Theatre, The Stone Pony and other venues in Asbury Park may be ordered directly from the asburyboardwalk.com event listings via Ticketmaster.com.

Not all tickets for all events in these venues are available via Tickemaster. For a list of upcoming events, please visit the asburyboardwalk.com website and click on
" events ".

Featured next month are the legendary Hall & Oates coming to the Paramount Theatre on December 7, 2007. For tickets, please go to our " events " guide.

Asbury Park Little League needs a few more $

2007-10-25T12:14:00.000-05:00

This was posted on the Asbury Park Yahoo Group. A local group has done an amazing job of bringing the Asbury Park Little League back to life. The group has raised some money for most of the work to be done and are still a bit short. Read the following and see if you can help in way or another.

Thank you.
David Dorfman
asburyboardwalk.com

We're almost there!!

Dear Fellow Citizens:

Many of you have followed the Little League field redevelopment efforts with
interest. Some of you have taken an active roll in supporting this effort.
Everyone wants to see this effort succeed. You do this because you believe in
supporting our efforts to provide a safe & fun environment for the kids of
Asbury Park to learn and play baseball.

We have good news concerning our renovation project! We are pleased to
announce that the Asbury Park Little League will be receiving a grant from
Interfaith Neighbors for the purchase and installation of the field lighting.
The field lighting is part of the Interfaith Neighbors Asbury Park West Side
Redevelopment Plan that encompasses not only the expansion of recreational
programs and facilities, but also includes the construction of affordable
housing on the West Side of Asbury Park. We are grateful for the partnership
with Interfaith Neighbors and know that the field lighting will be great for the
kids.

That being said, we are still approximately $23,000 short of the $225,000
required to complete the project. As you may know, we have already finished
the complete overhaul of the infield, installed new field fencing and safety
netting, bought two new bleachers, and installed a brand new score board, flag
pole and bullpen & batting cage area. The last phase of the project is the
purchase and installation of the field lighting and the construction of a field
house that will have a large storage area, the 3rd base dug-out, as well as an
announce's booth/meeting room. In addition to the field house, a dug-out will
be built on the 1st base line. I know that you will take pride in this ball
field when these structures are completed. We will have a first class baseball
facility.

I am making an urgent appeal to you to support this field renovation project.
Please make a donation today to this important project. All of the necessary
government approvals have been received so that we can start construction; all
we need is your valued support so that we can finish the ball park. Please make
a donation today either by visiting us online at
http://eteamz.active.com/APLittleLeague or by sending it to:

Asbury Park Little League

PO Box 702

Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Remember, all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

We thank you so very much for your support of this very important project for
the kids of Asbury Park and remain,

Sincerely yours,
Danny McKee

Danny McKee

President

Asbury Park Little League

cell: 732 768 6860

I NEED SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS!!!!

2007-09-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

Geez. Yes, I need Springsteen tix for Monday or Tuesday night or both.

Ticketmaster Phonecharge only played back "all circuits are busy..." then I finally got through at 9:33 am- got the "sorry not available at this time.."

Yea, you'd think ever since I've been publishing this website and promoting the Boardwalk and Downtown, I'd have an inside shot, right? Wrong.

My daughter just called me from school. I said, "no, I didn't get any.." She repleid, "how'd you know what I was calling for?" I told her because I already put gas in her car.

The asburyboardwalk.com website started out originally for my kids so they could understand what the boardwalk was all about and for that matter, the city. At that time, not so six years long ago, the ghosts were still lingering and her driving seemed far off. Just a couple monhts ago, she called as she was drinving down Kingsley in her Jeep, blasting "Born to Run". Her first official trip with her driver's license.

Today, she thinks AP is one of the coolest places going.

"Dad, how about trying that press pass thing like we used to do with the Warped Tour??" I'd arrange for press passes for that and a couple other events and she'd cover them for the asburyboardwalk.com website.

We were just eating pizza in Vic's last night and she told a story how when she was 3, she worked in my store on the boardwalk and I was selling those little beach pails for around $1.00 (I felt bad for the little kids coming in and the moms yelling they can't have it cause they ain't got no money). I probably gave them all away. She'd almost cry when those pails left the store because she thought they were all hers. I think I still have a few left in the house here somewhere.

So all we need are some tickets. Or press passes. And we'll gladly pay for the benefit concerts.

Help make dad look good.

I'm going to donate the money raised from the asburyboardwalk.com website where people clicked on ads related to Bruce Springsteen.

Thanks and enjoy the show and city.

For fun, read this BRUCE and THE Asbury Diner Story, old Bruce story someone sent in. If you have an old Bruce story, send it in.

Springsteen in Concert in Asbury Park

2007-09-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Thursday for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's two benefit rehearsal concerts at Convention Hall in Asbury Park.

The concerts are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, both at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $100, available through Ticketmaster phone charge. Beneficiaries for the concerts have not yet been announced.

Springsteen's new album, "Magic," will be released Oct. 2, and his tour with the E Street Band begins that night in Hartford, Conn.

Bruce will be appearing in shows October 5 and 6 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Oct. 9 and 10 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, and Oct. 17 and 18 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.

Springsteen has a long history of rehearsing and performing at Convention Hall, on the boardwalk at 1300 Ocean Ave. and Fifth Avenue, before his albums are released and his tours begin.

Speakers have been set up outside Convention Hall with local programming drowning out the live music, so you can't here the practice sessions.

For more information and tickets see http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm

Springsteen and Boardwalk Bike Ride

2007-09-12T08:20:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up with sun shining and figured I should get myself bike on my bicycle and head towards either Asbury Park or Long Branch.

I headed towards Asbury, as the wind appeared to be going against me and I figured and catch it on the way back to Oakhurst. Once I got going, I realized we had a nice west wind - so either way I was doomed. But the weather was great.

By the time I made to Convention Hall, I noticed that there were around 20 people mingling around and security was parking cars. I forgot that Bruce Springsteen was rehearsing in Convention Hall for the release tour of 'Magic'.

Given that I was a bit tired, I waited for 5 minutes, then continued my ride to the Casino - or what will become the NEW casino. Madison Marquette has breathed new life into the boardwalk redevelopment. Where Asbury Partners stalled and scared everyone, MM has shown they can make things look good.

Back to my bike and back to Convention Hall. After another 5 minutes, Bruce pulled up the service ramp in his Range Rover, grinning at the few fans waiting to catch a glimpse and parked his RR in his usual spot on the promenade of Convention Hall.

Now all I had to was ride against the wind back to Oakhurst.

So back to work.

Now I have to find my daughter and star reporter for asburyboardwalk.com a couple "press passes" to the rehearsals. More on Bruce Springsteen on asburyboardwalk.com

One more Summer Song....

2007-09-10T20:47:00.000-05:00

Meatloaf...

I hate reading the lyrics...sounds so great sung.

YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH (Hot Summer Night)

BOY: On a hot summer night would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
GIRL: Will he offer me his mouth?

BOY: Yes

GIRL: Will he offer me his teeth?

BOY: Yes

GIRL: Will he offer me his jaws?

BOY: Yes

GIRL: Will he offer me his hunger?

BOY: Yes

GIRL: Again, will he offer me his hunger?

BOY: Yes!

GIRL: And will he starve without me?

BOY: Yes!

GIRL: And does he love me?

BOY: Yes

GIRL: Yes

BOY: On a hot summer night would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?

GIRL: Yes

BOY: I bet you to say that to all the boys.

It was a hot summer night and the beach was burning
There was fog crawling over the sand
When I listened to your heart I hear the whole world turning
I see the shooting stars
Falling through your trembling hands

You were licking your lips and your lipstick shining
I was dying just to ask for a taste
We were lying together in a silver lining
By the light of the moon
You know there's not another moment
Not another moment
Not another moment to waste

When you hold me so close that my knees grow weak
And my soul is flying high above the ground
I'm trying to speak but no matter what I do
I just can't seem to make any sound

And then you took the words right out of my mouth
Oh it must have been while you were kissing me
You took the words right out of my mouth
And I swear it's true
I was just about to say I love you

And then you took the words right out of my mouth
Oh it must have been while you were kissing me
You took the words right out of my mouth
And I swear it's true
I was just about to say I love you

Now my body is shaking like a wave on the water
And I guess that I'm beginning to grin
Oooh, we're finally alone and we can do what we want to
The night is young
And ain't no one gonna know where you
No one gonna know where you
No one's gonna know where you've been

You were licking your lips and your lipstick shining
I was dying just to ask for a taste
We were lying together in a silver lining
By the light of the moon
You know there's not another moment
Not another moment
Not another moment to waste

And then you took the words right out of my mouth
Oh it must have been while you were kissing me

Springsteen warming up....

2007-09-10T20:33:00.000-05:00

Sounds like music coming from Convention Hall today.

Springsteen getting prepped for the "Magic Tour"

Some people just can't Asbury out of their system - and here's one.

http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/shopbruce.htm

Springsteen Tickets....Garden and Meadowlands

2007-09-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

EAST RUTHERFORD — Bruce Springsteen fans in New Jersey will be busy punching digits and clicking online.

Tickets go on sale for two concerts at Continental Airlines Arena at 9 a.m. Seats range from $65 to $95.

The October ninth and tenth shows feature Springsteen with the E Street Band.

Concertgoers can also buy tickets for October 17th and 18th performances at Madison Square Garden.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at 201 507-8900 and ticketmaster.com.

Springsteen's new disc, "Magic,'' is due out on October second.

Check back with us at http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/shopbruce.htm

Summer Loving,,,Summer Nights...

2007-09-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

I was going to talk about the end of the summer last week. But why?

The weather continues to be great, and I when everyone leaves Labor Day, some if us feel that summer actual begins. Traffic is gone, bike riding is great, are "secret" food stops are cleared out.

As long as the weather remains. So far, so good.

Back to summer love. That old song comes back from Oliva Newton-John.
Ok, I just read the lyrics. Didn't realize how it read.

Summer Nights

(Casey/Jacobs)

Summer lovin', had me a blast
Summer lovin', happened so fast
Met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days drifting away
To, uh oh, those summer nights

Well-a, well-a, well-a, uh!
Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like does he have a car?

She swam by me, she got a cramp
He ran by me, got my suit damp
Saved her life, she nearly drowned
He showed off splashing around
Summer sun, something's begun
But, uh oh, those summer nights

Well-a, well-a, well-a, uh!
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put up a fight?

Took her bowling in the arcade
We went strolling; drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
We stayed out till ten o'clock
Summer fling don't mean a thing
But, uh oh, those summer nights

Tell me more, tell me more
But you don't gotta brag
Tell me more, tell me more
'Cause he sounds like a drag

He got friendly holding my hand
Well, she got friendly down in the sand
He was sweet, just turned eighteen
Well, she was good, you know what I mean
Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But, uh oh, those summer nights

Tell me more, tell me more
How much dough did he spend?
Tell me more, tell me more
Could she get me a friend?

It turned colder; that's where it ends
So I told her we'd still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she's doin' now
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh, those summer nights
Tell me more, tell me more.

Asbury Park and Google Maps

2007-08-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

August 22, 2007 - Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Google Maps has been added to the directions page on The Asbury Park Boardwalk website http://asburyboardwalk.com/directions.htm

Google's new mapping feature enables a webmaster to simply drop a few lines of code onto a website to display a map with full functionality of the larger maps found on Google Maps.

Go to http://asburyboardwalk.com/directions.htm where you can zoom in to street detail or out for a larger view as well as get directions to or from Asbury Park.

dd

Hall and Oates to Play Asbury Park

2007-08-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

August 22, 2007 - Speaking at the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce meeting today, Metro Home's Dean Geibel, said that Hall and Oates will play the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, probably December 7, 2007.

Further information will be published when available.

"This is the beginning of names people know... " said Geibel. His reference to the restored Paramount Theater drawing top name entertainment. The Paramount, since it's reopening in July, has been an excellent draw for the boardwalk and the City of Asbury Park.

For upcoming events in Convention Hall, The Paramount, The Boardwalk and the rest of Asbury Park, see the events page at http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/events.htm

Summary by:
David Dorfman

Asbury Park Events - Weekend of August 17, 2007

2007-08-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

Another exciting weekend in Asbury Park. In addition to the clubs and restaurants in Asbury, the boardwalk and immediate area are having one big party. Where to start?

See our events guide for more details on these events.

1. Saturday, August 18 - 8 pm and Sunday, August 19 - 3 pm
BYRNE BROTHERS REUNION CONCERT
Jimmy, Bobby and Special Appearance
Tickets $35-$45

2. THE 32nd Annual CLEARWATER FESTIVAL
Sunset Park
August 18 and 19 11:30 am to 7 pm
$5.00 admission

3. Cabana Club
Located between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on the boardwalk
8/18 Saturday 2-5pm
Steve Calafati free admission

Also see our Dining Guide and Club Guide.
There's more great restaurants in Asbury - each with it's own character.

Source: asburyboardwalk.com - The New Asbury Park

Springsteen and The E Street Band - 2007

2007-08-16T20:46:00.000-05:00

August 16, 2007 - Yes, the rumour is true. Springsteen and The E Street Band have produced another album titled "MAGIC". We are awaiting an official announcements of tour dates.

To answer the next question, no. We have no word if the band will play Asbury Park. If they don't, perhaps they'll do their "practice" sessions here as has more or less been a tradition.

Asbury Park has come along way the past few years and many local charities have benefited as have the merchants who participated in various Springsteen related promotions.

So keep on eye on asburyboardwalk.com for early news on the Springsteen rumors.

Asbury Park.

It was exciting,
And it is, once again.
This is one reason why.

Asbury Park - August 4 and 5th

2007-08-02T13:46:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park comes alive this weekend:

FIRST SATURDAY NIGHT: The first Saturday night of every month is an exciting time in Asbury Park. Merchants are open late, there are sales along Cookman ave, music and more. Park Players, the Paramount’s resident theater group, will be entertaining downtown at Press Plaza. Shows are at 7pm and 8pm, and include excerpts from two upcoming shows, Parallel Lives and Forever Plaid. Cookman Avenue will be alive and Latin music will fill the street, courtesy of Market in the Middle and Robert Legere Home. Grande Tourismo will be performing on the street in front of Wish You Were Here.

Come to Asbury Park and enjoy the excitement of the First Saturday of August.

Also, this weekend:

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Metro Lyric Series: The Barber of Seville - 8 pm
Location: Paramount Theatre

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Kite Festival - 12pm-6pm
Location: The Boardwalk

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Asbury Park Life Guard Tournament - 6pm-8pm
Location: Beach at 4th

Telling on Trixie will begin their tour with a midnight performance at The Saint in Asbury Park, New Jersey on August 4th, 2007.

Asbury Park Real Estate

2007-07-05T16:41:00.000-05:00

July 4, 2007: Asbury Park, New Jersey. David Dorfman, publisher of asburyboardwalk.com is introducing a new website focusing on the Asbury Park Real Estate market. Dorfman said the new site, ASBURYPARKREALESTATE.com, is currently in development but can be viewed at http://www.asburyparkrealestate.com. The site will feature a link to the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as well as feature properties marketed by Dorfman as an agent for Gilman Commercial Realty LLC.

While Dorfman specializes in Commercial Real Estate, his love for the City of Asbury Park and the potential market opprotunity, Dorfman will help interested buyers in the city. He recently marketed and sold Railroad Plaza, located at 100 Memorial Drive in the city.

For further information on Asbury Park Real Estate commercial or residential opportunities, please contact:
David Dorfman
gilman Commercial Realty LLC
708 Highway 35
Asbury Park Circle
Neptune, NJ 07753

Office: 732-517-0088
Mobile: 732-539-2914
Email: apboardwalk@gmail.com

Asbury Park Fireworks Saturday July 7

2007-07-05T16:25:00.000-05:00

The July 4th Asbury Park Fireworks has been rescheduled for Saturday July 7.

Come early and enjoy the City. Cookman Avenue and the Boardwalk.

Can't wait!!

See you there.

HELP! LIBRARY SQUARE PARK in Asbury Park.

2007-06-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

HELP! HELP!

Library Square Park in Asbury Park needs more help. Why?

A few years ago, a group of concerned citizens finally got help to restore Library Sqaure Park in Asbury Park New Jersey. A fountain was restored. Flowers and Trees planted. A sprinkler system was installed. Lights around the fountain.

The beginnning of the restoration took place while the Boardwalk Area Redevelopment dragged along. The park is between Asbury Ave and 1st Ave with the Asbury Park Library across Grand Avenue. Someday, the old, crumbling Metropolitan Hotel east of the park will be gone and replaced by condos.

After all the hard work, vandals have begun to destroy what was replaced after all these years. Lights broken. Plants dug up. Sprinklers destroyed.

Help is needed to catch the ones responsible and to restore the damage. In an effort to curb further damage, it has been suggested cameras be installed to monitor the park around the clock. The problem is, funds would be needed to pay for this.

If anyone wishes to contribute time or funds to this cause, drop me a note

Experience Asbury

2007-06-15T15:35:00.000-05:00

New Entertainment, Dining and Shopping Options Debut as Madison Marquette and Asbury Partners Finalize Joint Venture Agreement

ASBURY PARK, N.J., June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Madison Marquette
announced today the formation of Experience Asbury, a joint venture with
Asbury Partners to redevelop and revitalize the entire Asbury Park
boardwalk. The formation coincides with the commencement of major
improvement projects, including the rehabilitation of the famed Paramount
Theatre and Convention Hall.
"Summer 2007 marks the return of Asbury Park as a preeminent cultural,
dining, shopping and beach recreation destination," said Gary Mottola,
President of Madison Marquette Investments, the managing partner of the new
joint venture. The redevelopment zone stretches over 1.25 miles of
oceanfront property and includes Asbury Park's historic boardwalk,
pavilions, Casino Building and Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall.
Paramount Theatre Rehabilitation
Madison Marquette is near completion of a historic rehabilitation of
the historic Paramount Theatre. A grand reopening celebration is scheduled
for Friday, June 29 and will feature the debut of "Attention Span of a
Fly," an original performance from Kennedy Center Award-Winning New Jersey
playwright, Ben Clawson.
Larry Potter of Landmark Studio in Pittstown, New Jersey, is completing
the theater's restoration. The 1,500-seat venue was originally built in
1930 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It was
designed by the famed architecture firm of Warren and Wetmore and was
widely considered one of the most magnificent theaters of the early 20th
century. Anchoring the North end of the Asbury Park boardwalk, it is an
enduring symbol of the city's rich history and culture.
This summer the Paramount will house a variety of live performances. A
new in-residence theatre company, Park Players, will host a series of
plays. Christopher Barker, Executive Director of Highlands Regional
Playhouse in Allendale, New Jersey has founded the theatre company with his
brother, Jonathan Barker. "We were so excited about the restoration of this
theater and the entire boardwalk area that we created Park Players," said
Christopher Barker.
New Jersey's Metro Lyric Opera is sponsoring an opera series at
Paramount Theatre that includes two performances, Traviata on July 21 and
Barber of Seville on August 4. Additional individual concerts and events
are scheduled throughout the season.
"The Paramount Theatre is once again the center of Asbury Park's
cultural life," said Mr. Mottola. "These performances will breathe
important new life into summer nights at the boardwalk."
New Retail and Dining Options
Madison Marquette is adding several new retail and dining options for
boardwalk patrons this summer. In the former Howard Johnson's building,
successful restaurateur Gabe Marabella has opened Salt Water Beach Cafe, a
relaxed beach concept serving an upscale American menu. Outdoor seating
allows guests to enjoy the beach and boardwalk while dining and 'Boardwalk
Menu' allows beachgoers to satisfy their hunger without losing any time in
the sun.
"Asbury Park is officially reborn and I am looking forward to helping
usher in a new era," said Mr. Marabella, an experienced restaurateur best
known for his Marabella's Restaurants in Philadelphia and southern New
Jersey shore area.
New retail options include: Hot Sand, a glass-blowing artisan; Brielle
Cyclery, a bicycle shop; Cabana Club, a new entertainment club; Casa Di
Formaggio, a panini sandwich shop; and the Beach Bar. "These great
additions are just the beginning of our efforts to repopulate the
oceanfront with exciting new dining and retail offerings," said Mr.
Mottola.
Landscaping and Pavilion Improvements
Experience Asbury has already made significant improvements to the
landscaping and physical appearance of the Asbury Park oceanfront area. A
park-like setting has been created with green spaces now filling the areas
between the pavilions. Flowers and additional seating are also featured.
In front of the Paramount Theatre, a plaza has been created with custom
brick-work and ample seating where live music will be performed throughout
the summer. A portion of the Casino Building has also now been opened to
allow for passageway on the boardwalk. A beatification program has been
implemented for the pavilions and several surrounding buildings.
"The improvements are a fundamental part of making Asbury Park a
special destination," said Mr. Mottola. "They signify our commitment to
Asbury Park and are just a preview of the exciting changes now afoot."
About Madison Marquette
Madison Marquette is a Washington, D.C.-based investor, developer and
operator of retail and retail mixed-use real estate throughout the United
States. The company specializes in creating unique retail destinations that
respond best to consumer preferences. With regional offices in New York,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego
and Ft. Lauderdale, Madison Marquette seeks investment opportunities in
growing markets. The company maintains a sophisticated in-house operating
capability and oversees 23 million square feet of retail real estate. This
diverse national portfolio includes many properties that Madison Marquette
manages and leases on behalf of third-party owners.

Memories Wanted of the Jersey Shore

2007-06-14T16:31:00.001-05:00

On our website, asburyboardwalk.com, readers have been submitted their memories of Asbury Park along with old photos and more.

Do you have memories of Asbury Park or have photos to share? We love to have them to add to the site.

Visit what others have sent - maybe it will trigger a memory. A love, space, a time, fun.

Do you have a memory of another town, a different summer, we'll take those as well.

Submit your story today.

The New Jersey Boardwalks

2007-06-14T16:17:00.000-05:00

We all love or loved the Asbury Park Boardwalk. From the early 80's to just last year (let's use 25 years), the boardwalk just sat. Sat empty on hot summer days and nights. A Ghost town.

Even the new redevelopment effort had and has critics. Not only was the boardwalk empty, so was the downtown - Cookman Avenue.

Over the past several years, new merchants came to Cookman Avenue. Now, you have to find parking to eat in one of the many restaraunts. Take your pick, your sure to find a great meal.

Now, what about "other" boardwalks in New Jersey and what do they have to offer?

We will start our journey in Keansburg - the Keansburg Amusement Park and work our down to Cape May. We'll use the official 127 miles of the "Jersey Shore" and explore what each "boardwalk" town has to offer. From peace and quiet to the traditional boardwalk many of us grew up with. How long will these remain?

How many traditons have survived?

Keansburg, Long Branch, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Point Pleasant, Seaside, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May.

Follow us as we begin our tour and stay tuned as we update it.

The Jersey Shore Boardwalks
http://www.asburyboardwalk.com/boardwalks/boardwalks.htm

Asbury Partners and Madison Marquette Tie the Knot

2007-06-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

On June 11, Asbury Partners and Madison Marquette officially became partners in the Asbury Park Waterfront Redevelopment. Madison Marquette will be contributing upwards of $200 million in capital along with their national retail development and marketing expertise.

Their work has been evident the past several months, with temporary repairs and making the construction area more presentable along with some preliminary marketing. Most notably, they managed to reopen the former Howard Johnson's as the Salt Water Cafe and plans to open the Paramount Theatre the last week of June.

They also plan on creating new plans for various tracts in the Waterfront Redevelopment Area, including more parking then the current plan.

Hopefully, their skills in development will keep the ball rolling in Asbury.

While the Esperanza complex is beginning to get a foundation, North Beach Asbury and Wesley Grove are welcoming their first residents.

Opportunities still exist to purchase pre-construction at the Esperanza or to move in this summer at North Beach.

Contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
Residential and Commercial
Office: 732-517-0088
Cell: 732-539-2914

From Wildwood to Asbury - A day on the Jersey Shore

2007-06-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

I woke up Saturday morning iwht nothing really planned. Ocean Grove was having their giant flea/craft fair and my sister was working this with her stuff. So I hopped on my bicycle and off I went - through Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour anf finally along the Boardwalk. This is always the best part, for some reason. North Beach under construction, the quick foul smell of the sewer plant. Once you reach convention hall, you ride through at 8 am and the the air inside is cool and you look down the whole boardwalk to the Casino. This entire stretch of the boardwalk is all new. The Casino is once again opened for passage and through I went. New roof. Into Ocean Grove I rode and walked around the festival. Free sample of Kettle Corn, got a "caribbean" iced tea and braided pretzel. How could you resist? Then for some reason, I came across a postcard that I hadn't seen of Asbury. $8.00. Oh well.

I hung out for a while and rode back to Ocean Township. Shook my daughter up and siad let's go for a ride. She got a jeep and has a permit and I want her to drive around some. "Where?", she asked. Wildwood, I said.

We got down to Wildwood, parked and got out. I told her all I wanted was a Kohr's Ice Cream and a cheesesteak. We walked around some and she commented on the people and some of the stuff that was going on. We then noticed they had a motocross event on the beach. So we paid and watched that for a while. Ate a burger, walked around and then she told me she never really liked boardwalks. Like her mom, I thought.

I got the hint and found a Kohr's. I got my favorite - the orange and vanilla in a cone. She got a vanilla. She couldn't even eat the whole thing. Dad, this is REAL. Real heavy. They'll admit it. Same recipe since 1920's. Fat and more. Yum. Like eating a filet mignon. Actaully, I once saw an old hershey bar wrapper with the slogan "more nuttious then meat". Well, so was this Kohrs.

We hopped back in the jeep and worked our way along the shore towns heading north. All thos cute little bungalow towns long gone. Most replaced with the same 3 story, narrow lot home. No one outside. Boring. We wiggled our way to Ocean City, where we once again hopped out. She looked around and "nope". Off we headed north. We drove through Atlantic City and we were tired. So we headed back to the parkway and got home by 7pm. My grand tour. BUT, we drove back through Asbury, where she remarked how unique and different Asbury WAS and IS. It has it's own life, identity.

That night, I needed something to do. I wound up on the boardwalk in Long Branch, I mean Pier Village. Packed. NO place to sit for even a drink. So I jumped back in the car and went to Asbury and wound up at the Brick Wall on Cookman Avenue. Great Burger. Then my wife called, "meet me at Rooneys". So back I went to Long Branch.

A long day on the Jersey Shore. There is something magical about the Atlantic.

Hot dogs and Fresh Air

2007-06-01T19:51:00.000-05:00

June 1, Asbury Park New Jersey.

I made an appointment with a client to show the new condo project in Asbury Park, The Esperanza. It was hot as anything inland - around 87. "down the shore" in Asbury, a breezy 74.

I finished my appointment, then took a walk along the boardwalk to see the work taking place on the exterior of the Paramount. They redid the entrance, loads of new plantings.

The newest partners in the redevelopment of beachfront, Madison Marquette seems to have taken a lead role in at least getting the appearance of the buildings and grounds in shape. Ocean Ave has a finished roadway, the avenues leading to the great beaches are planted and look great.

I wanted to try the Salt Water Cafe, but they are not open for lunch just yet. I noticed down the boardwalk that the Mayfair was open.

Can you please burn me one, I asked and throw the bun on the grill.

A a few minutes later, I bit into my first BOARDWALK hot dog of the summer. It's a boardwalk dog because you have to eat it on the boardwalk, on a bench, looking at the ocean. The big dog on a little bun. watching the extras drip to the boardwalk while a pigeon waits nearby. Summer.

No other way.

I feel sorry for those who want them out in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida - the list is endless. Something that is always missed.

Salt Water Cafe

2007-05-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

Promising a "cool, hip cafe on the beach," Madison Marquette is set to open the new Salt Water Beach Cafe on schedule at 4 p.m. Saturday in the former Howard Johnson's on the boardwalk.

Gabe Marabella, a seasoned Philadelphia and South Jersey restaurateur, is the operating partner. Marabella has been married for 28 years to Mottola's sister.

Madison Marquette, which signed an agreement with Asbury Partners to take over the entertainment and retail redevelopment, still has to sign a developer's agreement with the city. Those negotiations are expected to be ongoing over the next month.

Last week, at the city's Chamber of Commerce luncheon (that I was at) Mottola said a refurbished Paramount Theatre will open July 1.

The Salt Water will start with seating on the first floor and is expected shortly to open the upstairs. Kevin O'Kane is the Philadelphia-trained chef.

For the first week, the Salt Water will be open daily from 4 to 11 p.m . By the following weekend, it will open for lunch with hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except for Tuesdays when it will be closed.

Dinners will offer small-plate items in the $12 to $16 range and entrees in the $20 vicinity.

The restaurant wants to draw in the beach crowd.

"If you're in your bathing suit, you need a shirt and shoes," he said. "We'll also have 50 outdoor seats and a boardwalk menu."

This is the beginning of restoring the 5th ave Pavillion with the closed bandshell on the 2nd floor. Earlier plans had called for the demolition of the structure.

Madison Marquette - Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

2007-05-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

On May 17, 2007, Madison Marquette's Gary Mottola gave a brief presentation of their plans as managing member of Asbury Partners in restoring the beachfront and more.

He plans to have the Paramount Theatre opened once again on July 1 with a number of events planned. One being bringing back the Metro Lyric Opera.

David Rockwell, New York Archtitect, has been engaged to do preliminary concept work. The planned entertainment zone near Wesley Lake, may be redesigned to adjust the retail center into the new and renovated Casino building on the boardwalk. The Casino project would not happen until 2010.

He hopes to make Ocean Avenue as well as the boardwalk a friendly walkway with a mix of retail, entertainment and special events. Walking the boardwalk yesterday, one can see Madison's input into this massive project. The streetscapes are being completed ahead of schedule and items scheduled to be finished after more building occurred will be completed first, even though it may have to be redone at some point in the future.

Mr. Mottola also has a fondness for the Jersey Shore, having grown up in Bergen County, he recalls his past summers in the Beach Haven area where he still goes. Looks like Gary will be walking the boardwalk this summer, which is welcomed. He says he knows what the Jersey Shore is - it's not a shopping center in Kansas or in Texas. This IS the Jersey Shore. This is Asbury Park.

Welcome, Mr. Mottola and Good Luck. We're counting on you.

Madison Marquette, making a difference in Asbury Park.

The Wave Gathering

2007-05-03T16:02:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park, New Jersey. Music City Comes Alive May 18, 19, 20 as the WAVE GATHERING comes into town. The entire city comes alive with music at the traditional venues like the Stone Pony, Wonder Bar and Saint but many other local eateries are taking part as well. From Sunset Landing along Deal Lake to the all new Cookman Avenue.

That weekend, listen to music where you want, when you want. It will be easy to find in Asbury Park.

See the schedule for:

May 18
May 19
May 20

Asbury Park Real Estate

2007-05-02T12:19:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park, New Jersey - May 1, 2007.

Real Estate Sales in Asbury Park remain steady. David Dorfman, publisher of the website asburyboardwalk.com and Real Estate Agent for Gilman Commercial Realty LLC recently noted the following on the real estate market in Asbury Park, New Jersey. All information is subject to change and information obtained from the Monmouth County MLS system, tax records and conversations with other professionals.

There are numberous units available for sale or for rent in Asbury Park. From several new developments to condo conversions - prices from $149,000 for a studio to onver $2m in the under construction Esperanza.

1. The Esperanza - 2 towers built on the Ocean at 4th Ave. 224 Units in total. PRices for a 1 bedroom begin at $385,000 up to over $2m for larger, ocean front units. The average 2 bedroom or 2 bedroom with den begin around $580,000. This project is under contruction and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

2. Northbeach - 3 complexes: The Seville, The Monterey and the Barcelona. 154 units total. Approximately 17 units remain in addition to resales and rentals. Units from $450,000 to $1.3m. Rentals from $2000 per month.

3. Wesley Grove - Built along Wesley Lake facing Ocean Grove and Cookman Avenue. The link from downtown Asbury Park to the Boardwalk. Phase I consists of 91 units. Approxiamtely 41 have been sold. Rental units available from $2000 per month. Occuppancy August of 2007.

4. Downtown Asbury:
a) The Blu - 24 units from $450,000. Southbeach style in downtown.
b) The Mattison - units from $450,000
c) The Grande - converted former Jersey Central Power and Light company building. Rentals from $2,000 and resales.

5. The Steinbach - Historic renovation of a former department store. 63 units. RENTALS from $1350 per month to $2850 per month. Ground floor retail.

6. Ocean Arms (4th Ave), Shoreview (4th Ave), Park Terrace, Deal Lake Village (North Asbury) - converted apartments to Condos from $149,000.

7. The Esplande - An original condo buildng on Sunset Ave. Lake and Ocean views from upper floors.

8. The Bradley - Converted large home to 13 units. Rentals (from $2,000) to resales (from $450,000).

There are plenty more of opportunities in Asbury Park.

Please contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
708 Hwy 35, Neptune NJ
(On the Asbury Circle)

732-539-2914

Asbury Park Easter Sunday

2007-04-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

The 72nd Easter Parade returns to the Asbury Park Boardwalk and Paramount Theatre on Sunday, April 8.

Pageant competitions begin at 1:30 p.m. with the boardwalk procession where judges choose best dressed men, women, boys, girls and families and most unusual bonnets to participate in the final competitions. Gifts and prizes range from $500 U.S. Savings Bonds to gift certificates from local stores and restaurants. For more information, call (732) 502-5752.

Walk the boardwalk with judging and awards at the Paramount.

At asburyboardwalk.com - we're always looking for old photos of Asbury Park Easter Parades and more.

Email yours today.

Good-bye Golddigger

2007-03-22T22:28:00.000-05:00

The Golddigger, one of the last original hot spots in Asbury Park is gone. Bulldozers took are of the last couple days.

One of my first beers. Pool shooting dates and long nights moping around a cold one.

After a long night working on the boardwalk or running across for a cold six-pack of michelobs.

Dust.

Garden State Film Festival March 23-25

2007-03-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park's Paramount Theatre comes alive this weekend with the Garden State Film Festival.
This year, according to their release, The Garden State Film Festival proudly introduce's a new Music Category. Even before film had spoken words, there was music. Our first year brought us an outstanding list of submissions, in many different genres, and we eagerly await what we know will be an even broader list of submissions next year.

This is interesting to me, because my grandmother used to play the organ and piano in NYC theatres for the silent movies. And see spent her last days playing her little organ - in Asbury Towers, over looking the ocean.

This year, the festival includes The Baronet Theatre on 4th Ave and a couple other great AP stops.

It's Asbury, and it's changing by the day.

Madison Marquette joins Asbury Partners

2007-03-01T12:48:00.000-05:00

Madison Marquette has signed on as the redevelopers retail and entertainment partner . In the report, they said they expect to invest between $150 and $200 million into the Asbury Park Boardwalk retail and entertainment areas. Total sq footage is estimated at 450,000 sq ft.

It may be very possible that some small rides and other attractions for the younger crowd will be part of the plans.

One of the biggest discussions over the past 30 or more years is what should the boardwalk area become- a residential community or a tourist attraction. As the debate continues on, the development under way in the boardwalk zone provides for plenty of housing. We are awaiting more details on the entertainment zone and retail components.

Will there be a Kohr's once again? Will there be national chains vs. the mom and pops we grew up loving?

Madison Marquette is leading a joint venture with Asbury Partners to develop the entertainment and retail portion of the waterfront the next three to five years. One of the first projects Madison Marquette would like to complete is the renovation of the Casino and rebuilding of the Casino's eastern portion which was torn down this winter after many years of non-use and disrepair.
Madison Marquette has proposed transforming the Casino into a specialty food market and restaurant center, possibly similar to San Francisco's Ferry Building.

The Esperanza Sales Office - 2007

2007-03-01T11:23:00.000-05:00

METRO HOMES TO OPEN SALES OFFICE:

From $350,000 to $3m.

the most progressive looking architecture on Jersey Shore will be The Esperanza. Take alook at asburyboardwalk.com

Metro Homes, the third developer building condominiums on the beachfront, received approval from city planners this week to turn the Fourth Avenue Pavilion into a temporary, eye-catching sales office for the Esperanza high-rise as it is built during the next 18 months.

This is the same place the failed redevelopr of the skeleton known as C-8 stood for years until finally coming down with explosives.

Planners approved Metro's plans to use the pavilion and temporarily change the exterior to resemble the design of the Esperanza. The Esperanza is planned for the Ocean Avenue site of the former building shell known as C-8 on planning maps.

Geibel said Metro Homes wants to have the sales center open in 60 days. He said the pilings are finished on the Esperanza site bound by Ocean, Third and Fourth avenues and Kingsley Street. Concrete will be poured, and the building with two towers that reach 10 and 16 stories will start to come out of the ground, he said.

Berkeley-Carteret SOLD $16 million

2007-02-28T19:41:00.000-05:00

SOLD. $16 million. Asbury may just get the taste of South Beach if the hotel is refurbished in the style of the Amersterdam Hospitality Group other holdings. Maybe not.

These guys were also a joint venture of partners who bought the Sears Tower in Chicago for $840 million in 2004. Scoop.

New York real estate investors Joseph and Jacob Chetrit bought the Berkeley-Carteret Oceanfront Hotel on Tuesday, paying $16 million for the historic 248-room building on the city's waterfront according to published reports.

Sold by Daniel and Ike Ahn. buyers were the Chetrit brothers (see Cherit Group) want to get the hotel refurbished, restored and reopened as soon as possible. The Empress Hotel, recently reopened, is the only other hotel in Asbury Park.

The brothers' company, the Chetrit Group, based in New York, has large real estate holdings around the country.

Daniel Ahn, a Queens-based entrepreneur, bought the hotel in December 1998 for $5.1 million plus $181,000 owed in back taxes. Ahn and his family refurbished the Berkeley-Carteret and kept it open through the years that the city's waterfront plans were being created, approved and financed.

My favorite piece of the hotel history:

Ahn had bought the hotel from the Maharishi Maheshi Yogi, whose organization bought it in 1994 from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for $1.85 million, of which $625,000 was for the hotel and the remainder for back taxes and liens. At that time, the property was assessed at $3 million.

The maharishi planned to use the hotel as a Transcendental Meditation university and holistic health care center. The city did not allow those uses. The maharishi had to maintain the hotel's primary use as a hotel.

And then there was Henry:

The owners in the mid-1980s were a group led by local businessmen Henry and Sebastian Vaccaro, who restored the hotel but ended up in bankruptcy. They hit the market at wrong end of the banking and lending scandals of the 80's. We give him the credit at least of getting it re-opened, as prior to that it was completely gone. Lucky it didn't get knocked down or burned down.

The Steinbach - Cool Lofts for Rent READY!

2007-02-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Finally. After who knows how many years - the Steinbach Building - the center of Cookman Avenue - has begun renting units. I took a tour the other day of the 2nd floor. very, very neat. High ceilings, large windows and large bathrooms.

You're in the center of it all.

Old Man Rafferty's - a bar and restaraunt will be opening May.

Once this building is finally up and running, Cookman Ave will be even brighter then it was last night.

Interested? Call David Dorfman at Gilman Commercial Realty LLC 732-517-0088.
dd

Wesley Grove - What's not Happening??

2007-02-26T18:02:00.000-05:00

This past weekend (2/24/07) - took a drive past Wesley Grove - the new condos in Asbury Park. We were heading to The Brick Wall Tavern on Cookman Ave for a quick bite and drink.

We're wondering, what is the status of this first phase? The exterior looks complete - but what's not happening inside. Lots of sold stickers on the windows - some which look like rocks have been tossed through.

Getting people into these units would be a big plus to tie the downtown (cookman ave) to the boardwalk.

People were going to move in late '05 , then summer '06. Summer '07 is coming real soon.

How many have been sold - sold so that they will close?

See our next psot about the rentals at The Steinbach. Ready April 1.

Springsteen Rehearses Sept 20

2006-09-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Springsteen has been reported to be rehearsing in the Paramount. As of today, no dates have been scheduled for any Asbury Park shows prior to his European tour.

Stay tuned.

Summer 2006 is over

2006-09-08T20:10:00.000-05:00

but the weather this week and next few days is great.

The boardwalk this year saw more and more people coming down. The beaches remain clean and still plenty of room. Construction of Wesley Grove and North Beach Condos moved along all summer - more and more signs of hope.

This is my favorite time of the year. Typlically great weather and the whole beach is mine.

While the boardwalk quiets down some, the Amusement Factory at First as well as the Tide Cafe will remain open. Still a reason to walk the boards.

Cookman Avenue continues to become "cooler". A couple more places to eat and drink, the Steinbach renovations continue, slowly, but at least this historic structure hasn't burned down or hit by a wrecking ball.

Stay tuned to asburyboardwalk or this blog .

Asbury Park. One interesting place.

Bruce Springsteen's statement on his marriage...

2006-09-07T14:17:00.000-05:00

We always receive mail with questions to asburyboardwalk.com about the legend that we really can't answer. So to that, Springsteen's repsonse:

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ADDRESSES RUMORS ABOUT THE BREAKUP OF HIS MARRIAGE

In a rare comment about his personal life, Bruce Springsteen posted a statement to his official Web site Monday (August 28,2006), in which he replied to the rumor, printed last week on Page Six in The New York Post, that he was splitting from wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa, after having taken up with a 9/11 widow.

Springsteen called the rumors “unfounded and ugly” and said that “our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married.”

Springsteen and Scialfa were spotted shopping in Red Bank, New Jersey, this weekend and those who saw them reported that the couple looked happy and at ease. One shopper reported that Scialfa said that friends of the couple were having a harder time dealing with the rumors than they were.

The full text of the statement follows:

“I hesitate to use this website for anything personal believing it should remain a place where fans of my music can come free of the distractions that occasionally arise with the rest of my job. However, due to the unfounded and ugly rumors that have appeared in the papers over the last few days, I felt they shouldn’t pass without comment. Patti and I have been together for 18 years- the best 18 years of my life. We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married.”

That is well said. So ladies and gentleman, remember who got you as far as you have come, and cherish it.

The Esperanza

2006-09-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Asbury Park, NJ
The Esperanza
The 22-story, two-tower project will be the tallest structure in Asbury Park. Occupancy is slated for mid-2008.... One to five-bedrooms will be offered, with prices starting in the mid-$300,000s as of this posting.

Blu Asbury Park Condos

2006-09-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

The Blu
510 Monroe Avenue
Pyramid Equities is developing the five-story, 24-unit condominium. The one-bedroom units range in size from 900 to 1,500 square feet. Prices will start at $400,000. Completion is slated for early November 07. Schultz Residential is the marketing and sales agent or call David Dorfman, publisher of asburyboardwalk.com a NJ licensced Real Estate Agent with Gilman Commercial Realty LLC.

Wesley Grove

2006-08-30T19:10:00.000-05:00

Everyone has a name for the townhomes known as Wesley Grove. This project is being built by the Kushner Companies in several phases along Cookman Avenue and Wesley Lake with view of Ocean Grove.

While we like the overall concept, we still wish the overall plan drew more views to Wesley Lake and Ocean Grove then Cookman Ave.

It's a great opportunity for folks who want to be close to the Ocean, Ocean Grove and the proposed Asbury PArk Entertainment disctrict. With all the new shops and eateries in the Cookman Avenue district, it may make for an interesting summer or year-round residence.

The sales center is located in Press Plaza and is open at various times.

North Beach Asbury

2006-08-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

Located on the north end of the boardwalk and Ocean Avenue, The homes of North Beach consist of condos named - The Barcelona (48 units all reported under contract), The Seville and The Montery. Prices range from $450,000 to over $1,000,000.

These buildings are bing constructed on what was once the very large Monte Carlo pool and Montery Hotel and is north of Convention Hall and the Berkley Cateret Hotel.

While many old timers may not like that these buildings are taking up the entire block, it will begin to bring life to the north end and the construction will eventually block the view of the sewer treatment plant as well as eliminate some of the odors generated by the plant.

Eminent Domain

2005-08-31T13:02:00.000-05:00

Eminent Domain - The power of a Federal, State or Local governing authority to take one's property for "the public good".

Despite the pleas by the menacing alliance of tax-hungry municipalities and land-hungry developers to do nothing, legislators across the country are quickly moving to fix their abysmal eminent domain laws. The problem of eminent domain abuse was highlighted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s dreadful decision in Kelo v. City of New London, which gave governments the green light to take your home or business and give it to a politically connected private developer because that developer might be able to produce more taxes and more jobs off of your land.

The original intent of eminent domain was to take one's property for a public purpose- for a new road, a new park, schools etc.

Eminent Domain pwoer was then used to remove "blighted" or run-down properties in urban areas - to remove drug users, land speculators who cared little about their buildings etc. Early on, the land or buildings would be taken over by a municipality and sold off at a public auction or given to a charity who would rehab the building.

Next came the developers. As land in omst of the US becomes scarce, developers of apartments, luxury condos, shopping plazas etc have beenn able to coerce struggling towns to use their power of eminent domain to begin eminent domain proceedings to build exactly what they (the developers) propose.

Some of these ideas are truly hopefully to an area, in other cases, it is a way for the developer to assembly a large enough piece of land to redevelop.

The property owners are to receive "fair compensation" - often at a depressed price and not the potential had the area not been blighted. Sometimes, the local government has been accused of creating the same blight they want to renew.

Introduction

2005-08-31T12:07:00.000-05:00

The Asbury Park Boardwalk is located on the New Jersey Shore - 90 minutes north of Atlantic City and 60 miles south of New York City.

Since 1975, efforts were intiated to redevelop the boardwalk and surrounding area. The lastest effort is underway once again (2005), with a master-developer and several sub-developers who have begun construction on various projects.