News from Around the South Jersey Shore

Quick note: I'm working on getting my ebook ready to publish in November, so excuse the less frequent posting. But here's the news:

The Borgata is saying it lost $10 million because of Hurricane Irene.

At the same time, this is being considered for Atlantic City. Casinos and the actual city different much? Ugh.

So now Sea Isle is using those dumb parking kiosks, too? Boo.

Almost time for Ocean City's Quiet Festival.

Just combine! Stop being four towns and be one instead! That's the best way to save money, not stop gap measures like this.

Not the first place I'd pick for a shore wedding, but, hey, looks like it worked.

1:49:55

This weekend, I ran the Ocean City Half Marathon and was finally - FINALLY - able to bring Emily down the shore with me. This was a shot from Sunday morning as I took her on a walk before the race. Yes, I know I'm breaking the law. No dogs allowed on the boardwalk, ever, except for the Doo Dah Parade. But this is October down the shore when the tourists are mostly locals, and the rules are relaxed a bit. No one said a word about Emily, except that she was a cute dog (which she obviously is).

The race went much better than I expected. I gave my boyfriend the Garmin GPS watch and told him to go - he's becoming an excellent runner, and is faster than me, so I wanted him to give a new PR (person record, in runners terms) a shot.

I was surprised by the race, too. For a second year event, it was well organized. My only quibbles were small:

1. The race starts on the boardwalk by the Music Pier and goes south over the Longport Bridge and back. No one was really there to direct the runners on which side to run, so it was a little confusing as people started to turn around and go back over the bridge. Some volunteers directing runners could help.
2. Some aid stations had plastic, not paper cups. Paper cups are preferred because you can compress them and make them easier to drink out of of while running. Some aid stations also had people shouting that they had Gatorade when it was actually that tan knock off stuff that's gross. Don't say it's Gatorade if it's not.
3. The boardwalk wasn't shut down, which I understand, but a few volunteers to keep bikers from knocking into runners could have helped. I saw a few bikers on the north end of the boardwalk who cut off runners and didn't care. Not good.
4. Some of the mile posts were missing. For those of us who were running without GPS watches, this would have helped.

Like, I said, very small quibbles, and I'm sure the race will get better - and more popular - each year.

For me, it was a fantastic race because I beat my PR by over three minutes. This is a HUGE deal because that PR came before I got hurt, and I never though I'd be able to beat it again. My official time was 1:49:55, so I also broke the 1:50 mark - another milestone I never though I'd achieve. I think not having the Garmin helped with this, and even though some runners might not have liked this, having no time clocks on the course helped too. I had NO IDEA how fast I was running, and might have been tempted to slow myself down if I did now. Awesome, awesome day.

Another reason to like this race: it felt like a town effort. Lots of local volunteers and businesses pitched in. Where else are going to see this in the finisher's area?

And this, too.

Any race that ends with free Mack & Mancos gets two thumbs up. And yes I know that my boyfriend is photobombing the picture. I should have expected that.

After we'd showered, we took Emily onto the beach. The water was exceptionally warm, and the sun came out just in time.

She ran herself ragged - literally. She snoozed the entire way home. And maybe I did, too (wasn't driving!)

News from Around the South Jersey Shore

Hey I'm back! I'm sorting through a TON of emails, so let's put up some news in the process.

Check out these Shore made duck decoys.

The Ocean City bike path is riding ahead.

This is bad. And so, of course, is this.

The Beach Theatre was demolished today. BAD MOVE CAPE MAY.

The West Cape May Lima Bean Festival is on October 8. I'm NEVER in New Jersey for it. Bah.

North Wildwood plans on removing the seawall.

A sit in in Sea Isle.

Boardwalk Empire's second season premiered last night. Here's more about AC from the 1920s.

The Ocean City Half Marathon is on Sunday - and yes I'll be there, probably wearing purple.

I will NOT be at the Asbury Park Relay Marathon this year, but if you are, please note that the start time has been moved from 10am to 7am. Early birds will like that one. If I could run the race, I would.

This is awful - and I will have much more to say about this at another time this week.

My trip was fun. I was underwhelmed by OBX, but that's not a big shocker, is it?

News from around the South Jersey Shore

The Wetlands Institute Wings & Water festival is this weekend! Have I ever mentioned that my dream job in high school was to work there or in Australia researching the Great Barrier Reef?

This weekend also marks the start of the Cape May Food & Wine festival.

And the Nuns' Beach Surf Contest.

Once again, the ACES train shuts down in the off season.

Wow. Just wow.

Last Chance for the 9th Street Bridge

The 9th Street Bridge in Ocean City, which has carried many of you from the mainland to the shore, is closing on Monday. Then it will be demolished.

So if you want to make one more trip, this is going to be your last chance. Get on it!

BYOB a no go in OCNJ - and a closing

The move to make Ocean City a BYOB town is dead. And the reason for it? The movement's own supporters have pulled the plug.

Seems a bit anticlimactic, yes?

Also sad to learn via Ocean City Patch that some Atlantic Bookstores down the shore are closing. Despite being a smallish chain, they were big supporters of my books, and an easy way to grab some summer reading on your way to the beach. Ocean City folks, you can hit up Sun Rose Words and Music on Asbury Ave for that purpose - but it's always sad when a bookstore closes.

How about some good news, then? I heard from the fine folks who make the Jersey Shore Bracelet - they're going to be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Hurricane Relief Fund in NJ. Go to their site for the details.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 100: BYOB vote coming to Ocean City

100! Woooooooo! I realize I might have messed up on the numbers somewhere along the way, but I'm not sweating it. I don't think you guys expect me to be perfect ;-)

This again. So those who want BYOB allowed in Ocean City got enough votes to put BYOB on the ballot. And in the process, has torn the town in two and splashed negative headlines about the town all over local media.

Congrats, everyone (and I don't mean this toward one side or the other - it's ugly both ways). This is now going to drag out until November. Lovely.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 94: Use vinegar for jellyfish stings

The weather Saturday was gorgeous - a perfect beach day.

The creatures living in and around the beach, though, were not. I already mentioned the incident with the seagulls. I finally left the beach when I was stung by a jellyfish.

For all my time down the shore, I don't think they'd ever gotten me before. I could tell right away - a pin point burning on my back. I got out of the water and immediately applied pressure with my towel. It wasn't TOO bad, but it hurt. After about five minutes, the pain and itch went away. I guess it just tapped me.

If you do get stung, go to a lifeguard. In Ocean City, they were spraying jellyfish stings with plain old vinegar which, according to the New York Times, deactivates the "venomous nematocysts that jellyfish release." I was in Strathmere, so no lifeguard to spray me. But my sting was so mild I didn't need it.

And no, urine doesn't work. That's gross.

Of course, not all jellyfish stings are alike. Read here for more information.

Thanks to reader John Tomlinson for giving a heads up as to what Ocean City lifeguards were doing on Saturday.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 92: Ocean Grove allows BYOB

All this hullabaloo about some portions of Ocean City wanting to allow BYOB dining...I suggest someone turn northward and look at how Ocean Grove, which used to prohibit cars from being driven within its borders and *still* locks the gates between its town and Asbury Park at night, allowed BYOB. Because they do.

(Actually, I did suggest it to someone, and I think he's writing that story. I don't have time to do it - I'm working on 2012 shore features already - and I think it's best done by a news reporter than me. Anyway).

I was in Ocean Grove last night. I parked there for the Guster show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Parking. Parking in OG was free, and I met up with a friend of mine when I got into town who lives there. Together, we walked to the Watermark in Asbury Park for dinner.

That also meant I walked back to my car at about 10pm. No rowdy drunks carousing in the streets. No parties, etc. It was a very quiet, peaceful evening in a very quiet, peaceful town.

This BYOB this has been blown way out of proportion, and it's making Ocean City look like a town of petty buffoons. Do you think it looks good to visitors see the "Don't Change Ocean City" signs all over town? It didn't last weekend - and I'm sure it didn't to people who don't know much about the issue. You're taking yourselves WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. If this passes (which I don't think it will), it will not destroy the town. There's plenty of drinking in Ocean City, and it's visible too. Case in point: walking back from my Saturday morning Ocean City beach run, we passed a couple sitting a block from the boardwalk, on the sidewalk, drinking beers. At 10am.

A bit ranty, yes, but I'm tired. Got home around midnight from Guster, and was up at 5am to run this morning. And I resigned from my full time job this week, so sparks are flying everywhere. In regards to Ocean City/Ocean Grove, I'd be interested to see your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, tune into Ocean City Patch for the latest on the BYOB issue.

Let's Talk about Races

I'm in my third week of marathon training. I don't know WHICH marathon at this point (I'm signed up for Philly but am being tempted away by the Bucks County Marathon, a first year race limited to 500 people), but it means I'm running. A lot.

And there are some shore races to compliment my training. Here's what's on my radar:

Captain Bill Gallagher 10 Mile Island Run. 41st running! I did this race in 2009 in misery (first race after shoulder surgery, wasn't trained, etc). I'll be down the shore this weekend and went back and forth about this one, especially considering the 5:45pm start time. Final decision is that I'm not going to run it. Instead, I'll be doing the No Shower Happy Hour at the OD. Because I'm an adult that way. I will, however, be running on the beach that morning.

The Wild Half, first year half marathon in Wildwood on August 28. Looks like a great course with lots of nice items thrown in (free weekend admission to the Moreys parks being a big one), but let's talk about the timing. August 28? With a 7:30am start time? Late August is a stretch for someone like me who hates summer running, but I've been getting out there on Saturday mornings. The thing is, I START my run by 6:30am. By 7:30am, I'd be cooking. I want to make the call about this depending on the weather, but they don't do day of sign ups. This is a maybe. Thing I DO like about this race: participants and their families can camp for free on the beach on August 26 and 27. That's a major cost reduction for anyone traveling to the race.

Ocean City Half Marathon on October 2. I'm signed up for this one. Boom.

LBI 18 Mile Run on October 9. I was JUST about to sign up for this one then decided to go to Vancouver for Travel Classics conference instead. Bummer. But hey - Vancouver!

Asbury Park Relay Marathon on October 16. I was signed up for this one, and had a great team of runners with the wonderful name of "Tramps Like Us." Then we got a wedding invitation. For a Sunday wedding. No "save the date" warning. Sigh. Tramps Like Us will still be running so cheer for them!

Atlantic City Marathon (and associated races) on the same day. I hear this event is getting better every year.

What shore races are on your radar?

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 86: Mack & Mancos Delivers to Philadelphia

Yes, really. It won't be cheap, but they have done it before. What would be a better surprise for your employees while working on a long, drawn out, and/or tense project than some #saucehose pizzas?

I've never done it, but when I worked with M&M to get pizzas on the NBC 10! show back in 2008, they told me they do this all the time.

You can also get a half backed pie to bring home and finish in your oven. I've done that too. Works like a charm.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 85: Right now, the ocean is very warm

When I was on my shore vacation two weeks ago, the ocean temperatures hovered in the 60s. One day, it was 60 - even though the heat index topped 100.

My my my how things have turned. According to Ocean City Patch, the ocean temperature has hit 80 degrees.

"That's the warmest of the year and a mark that Ocean City often goes years without seeing," wrote Douglas Bergen.

That's amazing. I can't remember an 80 degree ocean day. Is it too warm? I have spent a lot of time on the gulf coast in Florida and hated that bathwater temperature water, which it tended to be on our day trips out from college (University of Tampa to Clearwater trips were fairly common).

If you're down there, what are your thoughts? I'm headed down to Ocean City on Saturday and will let you know how it is, if that temperature holds. But knowing how up and down this summer's been, I wouldn't count on it.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 64: Happy Saucehose Day

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, I present to you a new annual holiday: Saucehose Day. I declare that it shall take place the Thursday before the Fourth of July Holiday weekend. On such a day, we honor the system by which sauce gets on top of the best kind of Jersey Shore pizzas: by a saucehose.

You can see it in the picture above, which was taken at Mack & Mancos. Pizzas are being created and consumed so quickly that the sauce is delivered right on top by that hose. Hence saucehose. It's brilliant. And wonderful. And one of those odd things that make the Jersey Shore so special.

(This kind of pizza is actually called Trenton style pizza if you're looking for a real fact of the day.)

I can't lay claim to the term. That credit goes to @clivedaddy, who first tweeted it. Things came to a head when Mike Meech of the Fightins went on a Phillies-related hunger strike that overlapped with Memorial Day Weekend last year. There was much debate if drinking directly from the sausehose would be considered eating or not. He eventually broke the fast with a slice from Mack and Mancos.

It's been a fun twitter element ever since. Even yesterday, Jason Nark of the Philadelphia Daily News tweeted "I'm near a #saucehose Alien territory for me," referring to being in Ocean City. Mack & Mancos isn't the only sausehose place, though. So in the comments, tell me your favorite saucehose pizza.

Speaking of which - we're trying to get #saucehose to trend today. So if you tweet about this, use that hashtag. And you can follow me on twitter to. I'm @jerseyshorejen.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 57: Bring Cash

I hit the shore last weekend for a book signing and a little R&R. Before settling my beach chair on the sand in Strathmere, we hit up McGowan's for some hoagies and a couple of bottles of water.

Good thing we had cash, because that's all they take.

"Cash Only" is common down the shore. So common, in fact, that "do you take credit cards" was on my standard form of questions asked to shops and restaurants I wanted to put in the book. Off the top of my head: Hot Dog Tommy's (Cape May), Red's Jersey Mex (Ocean City), Dead Dog Saloon (Sea Isle City), Charlie's (Somers Point) are all cash only.

You can't really blame these places. Accepting credit cards can be expensive for merchants, with monthly fees and then a cut of each sale going toward processing costs. If you're an established shore business, you don't really need to take credit if you don't want to.

Now, some of these places, like Charlie's and Dead Dog, have ATMs on the premise, but your better bet is to bring cash or hit the closest Wawa. The Wawa ATMs don't charge you a service fee (though if you're not a PNC customer, your bank most likely will charge you for using an out of network ATM).

From Good Day Philadelphia

Jersey Jenn's AM Trip To Ocean City: MyFoxPHILLY.com

In case you missed it this morning!

And, yes, I'm making an AWESOME face in the still shot there before you hit play.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 53: Bike on the Boardwalk, but in Morning Only

The back cover of my book features an image of people biking on the Ocean City boardwalk, and for good reason: boardwalk biking is an incredibly popular thing to do.

But in season, you can only do this in the morning. The boardwalk just gets too crowded. Could you imagine families of bikers riding up and down the boards at dusk? It'd be bedlam! Family friendly bedlam!

I was on the Ocean City boardwalk with Fox 29 this morning, where bikes are allowed from 5am to noon. This ruling includes surreys, too, which I still think are awesome and silly looking.

Last year, Wildwood voted to push the hours from 7am to 11am to 7am to noon, but North Wildwood hadn't so it's still 7am to 11am.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 46: Ocean City is a Dry Town - Way Dry

Ocean City touts its family friendly feel, and for good reason. The boardwalk is clean and attractive and largely devoid of the raunchy tshirt shops you'll find at other Jersey Shore boardwalks. The ride piers have some spills and thrills but nothing over the top. The town plans tons of kid and family centric events.

And the feather in their cap: Ocean City is a dry town - so dry that you can't even BYO to the restaurants.

The last part of that has been a controversy brewing in town and a group of restauranteurs try to have the law changed to accommodate people who want to bring beer or wine to dinner.

As I told the Patriot-News, I don't see this happening any time soon. Once you allow in even a trickle of alcohol, you start to lose the family friendly image. If Ocean City hadn't marketed that so much? I don't think it would make a difference. But when it's part of your message, changing that could affect who comes to your town.

Yes, I feel for the restauranteurs, but they had to know going in what the situation was. And it won't necessarily stop complaints. I live in a dry town that allows BYO and even there some of the restauranteurs grouse that they can't sell alcohol.

Anyway - I linked to that article in the Patriot-News because it had to do with this post. Later today I'll throw up some links to the media coverage the book has gotten so far. I'm a little stunned - I knew I'd get SOME coverage, but not this much! It's also been interesting reading the comments people are leaving. The Patriot-News one says that, per usual, Sea Isle is left out. Sigh. Of course I can't mention a place in every town in every interview. I hope they take a look at the Edible Jersey feature I have coming up...

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 41: The Ocean City Music Pier is a Great Rest Stop

Need a break while making your stroll up or down the Ocean City Boardwalk? Take a stop at the Ocean City Music Pier. Not only does it have bathrooms (a BIG plus if you've been on the beach all day), but it also has shaded benches on a pier over the sand, and it has a tourism office as well. I've said this before, but I'll say it again: if you're looking for deals, always stop in the shore town's tourism center. They'll have coupon books with discounts on food, rides, shops, and just about anything you'd spend money on down the shore. It's a cool place, too, built in 1928.

The Ocean City Music Pier has events as well, and is usually the location of Ocean City events.

News from Around the South Jersey Shore

New Jersey shore towns are shrinking.

This is horrifying. It's not hard to guess what shady stuff can happen at casinos, but this...this is just awful.

Trump name removed from Trump Marina. I must have just missed this since my room at the Water Club gave me a view of Trump Marina.

Oh no! Ted Prior, the Elvis impersonator who was usually at Ocean City events, has died.

Wildwood is once again trying to jump start the downtown district.

Allegedly, the casinos are not enforcing smoking laws (I still think it should be banned entirely. Gross).

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 24: Grace Kelly was an Ocean City Girl

Grace Kelly might have been a movie star who married into royalty, but she started out as a Philly girl whose family had a house down the shore - specifically Ocean City. Her brother was even a lifeguard. She visited the Ocean City home every summer, even when she was Princess of Monaco, until she died. People magazine has a fascinating article on their website from the first summer she didn't come home.

The Kelly home was at 26th street and Wesley but has been demolished. The Press of Atlantic City has a great article about that, too, which you can read here.

She was beautiful, wasn't she?