| We added a significant number of new subscribers this week so, bear with me as I introduce myself one more time. As Director of Commerce for the City of Asbury Park, my job is to work with the local businesses, recruit new ones, help residents find employment, and continue to promote all the great reasons, why Asbury Park is the place where you want to locate your business, work, live, shop, dine, and play. Each week, I author this email blast to keep all our subscribers up to date on all the happenings in the city. If you know anyone who would like to subscribe to these emails, direct them to the city’s web site: www.cityofasburypark.com to join the list.
As bad as the economy picture is, Asbury Park continues to buck the blues. The First Avenue Pavilion on our boardwalk will celebrate the opening of two new restaurants: Stellar Maris, a new Italian dining experience, and the Watermark, a great new and very cool lounge that shares the kitchen with Stellar Maris. These new businesses join Candyteria, Bodega Shoppe, Corazza Mid Century and Shade Sunglasses. The First Avenue Pavilion on the southern end of the boardwalk will now rival the great offerings at the northern end and the Grand Arcade. And to make things a bit more interesting, Marilyn Schlossbach will be opening the Langosta Lounge in the third Avenue Pavilion this weekend too. Although, it is mid November, there are so many new reasons to check out the Asbury Park boardwalk. New boardwalk hours are Thursday through Monday 11 AM to 7 PM. Where else in New Jersey are new businesses opening? Bold! Oh, there is plenty of free parking. Be there!
And speaking of new businesses, a new art gallery, Mattison Gallery, will be opening at 701 Mattison (Bond & Mattison) during December’s First Saturday celebration. The owner, Joel Monesson stopped by this week to get a UEZ application. Looks like another great addition to the Asbury Park art scene. Stay tuned!
Local favorite, operatic tenor, and President of the Arts coalition of Asbury Park, Brett Colby will be joined by his Gilbert & Sullivan cohorts from NYC: baritone Nathan Hull, soprano Sara Clark, and renowned pianist James Stenborg for an afternoon of witty patter, heart rendering love songs and general unexampled merriment on Sunday, November 16th at 4 PM at Trinity Church. “A Topsy Turvy Afternoon with Gilbert & Sullivan.” Only in Asbury Park!
This weekend:
Thursday, Nov. 13th: Stone Pony House Band Search – 7:30 PM.
Bob Egan’s Variety Show at McLoone’s Supper Club – 8 PM
Holtz at Mattison Park – 9 PM
Friday, Nov. 14th: Jody Joseph with her students at John Cavanaugh’s Rocktography exhibit at the Asbury Park Galleria – 7 PM.
Gary B & the Notion at The Saint – 8 PM.
DVB Trio, The Cool & Deadly, In Must at Asbury Lanes – 9:30 PM.
Saturday, Nov. 15th: State Playoffs home game – AP High School Football vs. New Egypt – 1 PM
Staind at Convention Hall
Little Joy at the Wonder Bar
Howe, Squire and White of Yes at Paramount Theatre
Funkton 11 (America’s greatest wedding band) at Stone Pony.
Sunday, Nov. 16th: Giants vs. Ravens
“A Topsy Turvy Afternoon with Gilbert & Sullivan” – Trinity Church – 4 PM.
Bob Egan’s Piano Bar at Moonstruck – 6:30 PM.
Tuesday, Nov. 18th: Laura Warshauer at The Saint – 7:30 PM.
Plus, everyday, great shopping and dining.
Next Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, check out “Voices from the High School” (a play by Peter Dee), performed by our very talented high school students. This is the first play staged at the AP High School in nearly ten years. Come out and support these students and this wonderful production. HUGE!
Holiday Calendar (make you plans now):
11-30: Holiday kick off on Asbury Park Boardwalk. Tree lighting and concert featuring Tim McLoone.
12-4: Downtown tree lighting ceremony with Santa at 7 PM.
12-5: Official City Tree Lighting with Santa at Fireman’s Park 5:30 PM.
12-5: Meat Loaf at Convention Hall.
12-6: First Saturday – Festival of Lights – with fireworks -downtown – Sponsored by Jersey Central Power and Light. Music, dining, late night shopping. Free parking in Bangs Avenue garage.
12-7-08: Holiday Express Veterans’ Concert – Convention Hall.
12-13: 5TH Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
12-28: Polar Bear Race – Asbury Park Boardwalk.
1-1-09: Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge – Asbury Park Beachfront.
Well, as grim as all the forecasts are, we are a strong bunch here in the city. We are used to difficult and challenging times, so we are going to do all that we need to do to weather this current blimp on the radar. We will need your help and support. Take a look at our calendar, check out our shops and even though you may have cut down on the number of times you are eating out, Asbury Park is still the place to be. If you are looking for the best return on those hard-earned dollars – invest in Asbury Park. Only Good Times!
Wishes for a wonderful and safe weekend.
Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times
If you know anyone who would like to receive these weekly email updates, they may go to the city’s web site, www.cityofasburypark.com and subscribe.
Tom Gilmour serves as the Director of Commerce for the City of Asbury Park and is responsible for economic development, the APUEZ (Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Program), special events, and the city’s employment initiative; “Asbury Works.” |
