Friday, May 18, 2012
Mild temperatures send anglers into action
There's no doubt I'm a bit late to the party this year. History holds that my boat is often one of the first in the marina and, almost always, the last boat to be hauled out. Jingle Bell Rock has played from the speakers mounted in my center console. But this year, my fishing season has yet to begin. I have a tentative appointment with my boat hauler in Barnegat to drop her in the water Monday, but that's after a spring where some busy work weeks here at Patch and marathon rounds of graduate school studying have pushed fishing to the back burner. Luckily, with formal graduation ceremonies at Monmouth University now complete, I'll continue a much more elusive educational endeavour: finding every last honey hole in Barnegat Bay! With the …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
It's what sells; can it work (partially) in Point Pleasant Beach?
Imagine riding a bike upside down ... with barely a strap to keep you from falling on the street. That's what the Loop-O-Plane felt like, a zippy ride that turned in ovals - and all that kept it running was an old motor with something that looked like a bicycle chain pulling through it. First it was in Point Pleasant Beach, the scariest of all the scary, stitched-together rides at the now defunct Herman's Amusements on the Boardwalk. When Herman's disappeared in 1987, I thought the ride would, too. When I worked at Herman's in the early 1980s, we kept this ride together with practically tape and glue. When it needed to be cleaned, the maintenance guy sounded the same alert: "Get the hose!" Back in the 1990s, while I was walking on the …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Island Beach State Park and Jenkinson's finished second and third, respectively
A late, improbable rally put Belmar beaches at the top of this week's Readers' Choice poll for favorite Jersey Shore "staycation" spots, with 113 votes. Belmar is known for it's wide, long boardwalk, and its attraction to college-age adults who enjoy the beach and the local night-life. Island Beach State Park, the only natural beach on the Jersey Shore other than Sandy Hook, led for much of the week but finished second with 82 votes. Jenkinson's Boardwalk, which includes an aquarium, rides, food and other seaside pleasures in Point Pleasant Beach, finished third with 77. Thank you for voting in this week's poll. Results are at the bottom of this article. Other choices in the poll included: Fantasy Island Family-fun amusement park in Beach …
Monday, May 7, 2012
Why travel when there are fun places nearby?
Summer comes and goes. But, at the Jersey Shore, the beach, the sand, the sea and some of the amusement attractions never leave. Patch would like you to pick your favorite Jersey Shore "staycation" spot - a place to bring the boyfriend or girlfriend, or the family and grandparents - when cash and time are too short for the plane trip to Florida or Mexico. Voting for your favorite places is easy. All you have to do is: The voting goes until 9 a.m. Friday with the winner being announced at noon so there is plenty of time to cast your vote. Jersey Shore "Staycation" Spots: Fantasy Island Family-fun amusement park in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island. Jenkinson's Boardwalk An aquarium, rides, food and other seaside pleasures in Point Pleasant …
Friday, May 4, 2012
New Jersey's prime sport fish species opens to anglers
Summer flounder season begins Saturday, and with the first minimum size limit below 18 inches in several years, anglers are gearing up for a lengthy season of fun fishing from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Fluke season needs no introduction. It's prime-time. It's a relatively easy fishery in which to participate - both bay and ocean anglers have wide access - and there are as many fun ways to catch these tasty flat fish as there are recipes to cook them for dinner. We'll begin with a rundown of the best spots (north to south) for early-season fluke, and end with a few quick reports: Manasquan River: There's no secret on this one. The Manasquan is arguably the best early season location statewide to catch keeper fluke on day one. The river …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Superintendent: Walnut Street custodian suspended after child pornography charges
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Thursday, April 26
Toms River Regional Schools Spokesperson Tammi Millar released the following statement on the child pornography charges of an elementary school custodian: Superintendent of Toms River Regional Schools Frank Roselli states, “On Wednesday, April 26, 2012, we received notice from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office advising us that one of our custodians was arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography. At no time did any of these activities occur on District property.The technology filters we have in place do not allow access to pornographic sites from any of our computers." Roselli continues, “Upon notification of the arrest, the district has suspended the individual from all contact with the organization until the charges …
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Barnegat resident to the state legislature: We need a new source of funding for public schools.
My town of Barnegat is a prime example of the unfair burdens imposed by property-tax-funded schools. A charming village on the bay, Barnegat had the quality of life that attracted large numbers of retirees to relocate from bustling and expensive North Jersey. This influx was encouraged by the township’s fostering of senior communities. Unfortunately, the costs of living in Barnegat ballooned due to a home building spree. Reasonable prices attracted families seeking to enjoy the good life here in Barnegat. This necessitated new schools. Since I moved to Barnegat in 1999, two new elementary schools and a high school have been built, and other schools expanded. Taxes soared out of control, reaching conñscatory levels, and battering those on …
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Becoming a lawn fanatic may not save you as much money as you think, but you may enjoy taking pride in the process.
When it comes to lawn care, do you want to DIY or hire someone? If fertilizing your lawn is a chore, you may want to hire a professional. Though you will save some money if you decide to go it alone, it won't be as much as you think, and you may get some of the process wrong. On the other hand, if you get satisfaction out of your beautiful lawn and job well done, and if you possess a genuine interest in the process, the professionals will have a hard time keeping up with a weekend warrior DYI lawn fanatic. Professionals visit your lawn every six or seven weeks. You get to see it every day. If you decide to go that route, here are some questions for you to consider. Is the grass always greener on the other side? Yes it is! It is because …
Monday, April 16, 2012
Bay Avenue shop wins weekly poll
Dolce Bagel and Pizza Cafe was readers' clear choice this week as best bagel shop in Barnegat. The Bay Avenue business captured 94 of 193 votes (48 percent) cast to take the top spot. Bay Shore Bagels was second with 57 votes, and Bagels & Beyond took third with 26 votes. Check back Monday for another poll, and thanks for voting! Editor's Note: Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results and reviews on Patch Places. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch. Official rules for the Readers' Choice Poll are attached to this story.
Friday, April 13, 2012
At Pasola's Barber Shop, time freezes and memories linger
Before my eyes was the man who always cut my hair, ready to chop away again, and give me the news about town that no newspaper ever could. Jack Pasola was still clipping away Wednesday morning, after decades of doing this, even if many of his customers are all gray now, including me. Or they just have a few strands left that Pasola, a former Point Beach mayor, nips off with the ends of his scissors and does the best he can to comb over their scalps. He'll spend the time he would have spent chopping off clumps of somebody's thick mop - the time he used to spend when everybody had long hair in the 1970s - reminiscing about the way things used to be. "I went to the Ocean Road School," said Pasola, who's now 68. "Then I went to the Beach high …
whatdontyouget
8:29 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
PPB has not but should be with all the partying going on. That is all the residents think and talk about is drinking and they are passing it down to their kids too. It is just one big partying town. Then they want to blame everyone else for all there drinking problems. more ›