Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 94: If you go in the water for five minutes, seagulls will find your unopened bag of tortilla chips, open them and eat them.

Fact.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 93: Watch the Globetrotters, Please

The Harlem Globetrotters are playing tonight in Wildwood, and as a promo to the event, took a ride on the famous Tram Car. The recording was changed in their honor (temporarily) to say "Watch the Globetrotters, Please."

The Press of Atlantic City has a great story about it, with video.

Guster in Asbury Park

There's a reason I'm sleepy today.

Last night was the big Guster show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Could I have gone to their show in Philadelphia? Of course. But it's the Stone Pony. It's Asbury Park. Worth the drive.

First, I met up with my friend and fellow writer Caren Chelser first to talk about writing, life and so I could see her six month old bambino. We strolled him right over from Ocean Grove to the Watermark on the Asbury Park boardwalk.

Oh hai, summer me.

Watermark is close enough to the Stone Pony outdoor stage that you can hear the concerts from the deck. That's where I heard Jack's Mannequin, who is co-headlining this tour with Guster.

I left Caren and her baby/hubby behind to get a good spot near the front for Guster. What a great venue, and thank goodness we missed the rain.

I can't find the setlist online yet (yes I was too busy acting like a moron to write it down, though they did play "Two Points for Honesty." Yes, honestly.) But I did find this setlist for a 2002 show they did at the Paramount Theatre, also in Asbury Park in case you'd like to go into the way back machine.

At one point in the show, they brought out a disco helmet. This doesn't capture its detailed awesomeness, but it does show its effect.

Fun show, great venue, wonderful town. Thanks Guster.

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.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 91: Guster plays tonight in Asbury Park!

Yes, the band that got me through the last month of writing my first book is playing at the Stone Pony tonight in Asbury Park. Yes, I'm going. Of course, I can't wait.

Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster. And, hey, if you've got one to sell, I'm still looking.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 90: For a last minute trip, start dialing

It happens every year, like a prelude to Back to School shopping mad dash: "Where can I book a cheap vacation down the shore right now?"

Yes, you see the date of this post correctly. In the last two weeks, I've been flooded with requests of where to go for cheap in these last few weeks of August.

My best advice? Pick up the phone and start dialing.

Your best chance on getting a good deal late is to find a place with a cancellation. Assuming said cancellation happened recently, the hotel, motel, or B&B already got at least part of the payment for the room. They'll want to put someone in there vs. no one.

Is it labor intensive? Of course. But it's your best bet.

Another tip: be flexible. Saying you must have oceanfront in Cape May might cramp your options (not that it isn't lovely. It is).

Of COURSE, feel free to keep asking me for suggestions. I can give you tips on who to call. Just realize I'm not a miracle worker ;-)

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 89: Humpback Whales spotted of Cape May

The Cape May Whale Watcher has been posting photos of what they're seeing on their daily trips, and we have some guests who are a bit early for vacation: humpback whales.

The best time to see whales at the Jersey Shore is typically in the fall, but they've been saying hello to visitors now. Check out their Facebook page if you want to see pictures.

If you're into Groupon, there's a deal today on dolphin and whale watching from the Starlight Fleet in Wildwood Crest.

I love dolphin/whale watching. It's a great non-beach way to enjoy a perfect summer day. I have gotten seasick on a whale watching trip though. If that happens to you, just know it's fairly common. They won't make fun of you a bit.