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Though sometimes it feels so far away, I’m working on a dream
B. Springsteen
Another great weekend in the Park: Whenever Bruce is in the city, all seems to be good. The Boss and the E Street Band were practicing in Convention Hall last week in preparation for the Working On A Dream Tour. As always, Bruce scheduled two rehearsal shows on Monday and Tuesday and donated proceeds to many local charities. Bruce is my choice for this week’s AP Ambassador. His love affair with our city continues and he continually ‘goes beyond” to help out and promote our efforts. He has “Bought in.” So, now I just have to figure out how to personally give Bruce his AP Ambassador pin. Stay tuned!
Last Saturday, Patti and I had the privilege of attending the premiere of “The Pace of Youth,” the wonderful film created by Asbury Park Hill School students. It was a wonderful community event that only happens in Asbury Park. Our kids are just so talented and this was a splendid venue to showcase their skills. The audience was treated to a spectacular performance by the Asbury Park Technical Dance Academy. Special thanks to all the sponsors who made it happen: McLoone’s Supper Club, Madison Marquette, Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park Rotary, Synergy Productions, Illusion Media, The Harrison, Langosta Lounge, Virago, Under New Ownership, John C. Conover Agency, Vigg Designs, and the Asbury Park Technical Dance Academy. Avery special thanks to Susan Pellegrini who was responsible for bring this all together. Only in Asbury Park!
Contrary to all the economic doom in the news, development continues in the city. Sisters Academy has broken ground on the new Academy Building located at 1416 Springwood Avenue. This is the first of many exciting new projects that will spring up on Springwood Avenue. Our Springwood Redevelopment Plan tackles a section on the western side of the city that has been neglected for the past three decades. At Monday night’s planning board meeting, Interfaith Neighbors received site plan approval for a mixed-use project that will include 8 affordable residential units, a new senior center for the city and 9,392 sq. ft. of retail space. HUGE!
Our merchants are constantly creating ways to pump up the economy. The Garden of Joy on Bangs Avenue will be hosting a “gold party” on Friday, March 27th from 6 to 8 PM. With the price of gold and other precious metals at all time highs, a precious metals sales representative will be on site to buy your unwanted jewelry, plates and coins. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
Michelle Lanfrank and the Asbury Park Film Initiative presents a very special screening of the award winning film, Patti Smith Dream Of Life at 3 PM in the Paramount Theatre. Following the screening, a special appearance with Q & A featuring Director Steven Sebring and Patti Smith will take place. $10 advance tickets are for sale at Bodega Shopee, 800 Ocean Avenue (First Ave (yellow) Pavilion). $15 at the door. Only in Asbury Park!
Garden State Film Festival proudly presents the film, “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” at 6 PM Saturday, April 4th at the Paramount Theatre. There
will be a great party-fundraiser, Max’s Cash Bash, after the screening at the historic Carousel Building. Tickets to the party are $50 and include the screening, 18 tables stocked with 37 brands of wines, champagnes, beers, vodkas, and scotch. Music will be provided by Michael Patrick’s Ring of Fire. See you next week (buy the weekend pass)!
Eight years ago, the choices for lunch were limited to just a few. Today you could eat at a different restaurant every day during the month with our repeating. The public has also discovered that Asbury Park is a great place for lunch. On Tuesday, I downed a wonderful panini at Il Pavone Gelateria & Café at 539 Cookman Avenue. Choice is good and Asbury Park has plenty of choice.
This Weekend:
Tonight, March 26th:
AP Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange at Old Man Rafferty’s
Proud Simon at The Saint
Friday, March 27th:
Story Hour at Paranormal Books and Curiosities at 7:30 PM
Shabbat Dinner at Plan B at 7:30 PM
Sasquatch at Asbury Lanes at 8 PM
Solar Circus at the Stone Pony
Aster Pheonyx at Georgie’s
Juke Joint Johnny & the Usual Suspects at McLoone’s Supper Club
Saturday, March 28th:
Cheech & Chong at Paramount Theatre at 7:30 PM “Dave’s not here, man!”
Sunday, March 29th:
Billy Hector at Langosta Lunge at 1:30 PM
Radio Nowhere at the Stone Pony at 2 PM
Bob Egan at Moonstruck 6 to 9 PM
Monday , March 30th:
Joe Harvard Long Weekend at O’Toole’s
APFI presents Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds at the Paramount Theatre – 8 PM
Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 PM is Earth Hour. Join millions of people throughout the world and turn out your lights to make a statement of concern about the future of our planet.
New Jersey Monthly’s April ’09 Best of Jersey issue of course mentioned Asbury Park. The Beach Bar on the veranda of Convention Hall was singled out for Best Cocktails and Best Cupcakes went to the Baker Boys. As you may recall, yours truly made the list three years ago honored for the “best job title” Director of Commerce and Good Times. Langosta Lounge was also mentioned in the regular Eat & Drink feature. Huge!
Earlier in the week, City Manager Terry Reidy came into my office to take my economic temperature. Well, here’s my take: Asbury Park is well suited to benefit from the current downturn in customer confidence. Let’s face it, the economy in our city has not been great in a very long time. We all have strong experience in dealing with down markets and are doing it. We have all “Bought in” to the Asbury Park mystique, have you?
I’m working on a dream
And how it will be mine someday.
Thank you Bruce! We are Working On Our Dream. Only in Asbury Park!
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.”
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