Asbury Park cops seek toy donations for needy

Asbury Park cops seek toy donations for needy

By NANCY SHIELDS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

City police are seeking extra help this year from anyone who can give a new toy for a child, ranging from infants to 17-year-olds, in the annual Toys For Tots program.

Sgt. Connie Breech said the number of applications from families in need doubled this year, from 200 to 400, and donations are slim. The Asbury Park police program is in its 10th year.

"We're in a little of a crisis this year," Breech said Wednesday. "The need for toys and gifts is far exceeding the donations we've received so far. We're asking for extra help from anyone — from friends of Asbury Park."

New toys can be dropped off at the police station. Families who applied can pick up the toys the Saturday before Christmas and take them home to wrap them.

"These are the times when it's most important for communities to come together and support those most in need," City Manager Terence Reidy said. "This is a good way to demonstrate it. Any contribution made goes directly from you to a child."

Breech said if people prefer to send cash or a check to her at the police department, the address is 1 Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. A tax receipt is available for donations.

phony Dr. Wasser should resign

Freehold Regional High School District school board member said she would seek the resignation or removal of the superintendent and an assistant superintendent if they don't pay back the district for tuition reimbursement and raises given for doctoral degrees obtained from an "online, unaccredited diploma mill."

Katie Goon, the Marlboro representative to Freehold Regional, also demanded that Superintendent H. James Wasser and Assistant Superintendent Donna Evangelista stop using the title "doctor." Goon made these remarks in a statement to the Asbury Park Press on Wednesday.

Goon insisted that Wasser and Evangelista pursue doctoral degrees from a recognized institution on their own time, without the aid of the district.

Wasser, Evangelista and retired Assistant Superintendent Frank J. Tanzini received $2,500 raises based on doctoral degrees obtained from Breyer State University, and the district paid $8,700 in tuition to Breyer State.

Breyer State was kicked out of Alabama by officials there in June. The diploma-mill issue has spawned state investigations and statewide controversy.

Goon, the first board member to openly criticize Wasser, wrote that the administrators' actions have caused Freehold Regional to "become the subject of ridicule."



past run ins with the phoney doc ...

http://forums.app.com/viewtopic.php?p=92936&sid=42eef9ac384d374a1dcfcda4a3424e7a
NO COACH, to my knowledge (29 years in the district as a teacher and coach) in the history of the FRHSD, has EVER been asked to resign over missing paperwork when all of the athletes were, in fact, eligible. In fact, there have been several instances in the FRHSD of athletes who were athletically (or otherwise) ineligible, as determined by the NJSIAA, where NO ACTION was taken against the coach, school nurse, or athletic director. So, if, in fact, the District is claiming that their action is based on faulty paperwork, their representative is not being entirely truthful (lying)--not an unusual occurrence for FRHSD central administrators, as numerous previous APP articles can attest to.

The central office staff often grinds their ax against employees--particularly coaches--when they have done something to anger the central office (often something incredibly minor). For an example, see the firestorm surrounding remarkably successful girls' soccer coach, Heshey Moses, from Freehold Boro. Mr. Moses was one of the most successful soccer coaches in the history of the Shore Conference; however, he was forced to step down by the superintendent and his minions. Mr. Moses has been somewhat outspoken (rightfully so) over the years, and, on the first occasion when the vindictive central office staff could retaliate, they did so, over, of course, something meaningless.

For Lisa Rizzo to be forced to resign over--for lack of a better word--an insignificant trifle, is patently absurd. Please, FRHSD BOE and central office, either tell the truth or reinstate the coach. Her previous success, the respect of the parents and community, and, particularly, the respect of the cheerleader-athletes, are without question. So what if her paperwork was late or not "exactly" in order.

The other occasions in which coaches were not sanctioned by the FRHSD central administration are matters of public record and can be obtained by contacting the NJSIAA directly at 609-259-2776. They will release previous instances of NJSIAA action with regard to the regional district and violations of NJSIAA regulations, without action against the coach, athletic director, or building administration. And, there have been a number of them, without removign ANYONE!

In brief, Mr. Wasser and his staff should be ashamed of themselves if this is the reason that they are claiming for her dismissal. If she did something more substantial, then, perhaps, they are justified. If this is the sole reason for her being asked to resign, then, as indicated in the title of this post, this is patently absurd.

Sophisticated flavors for an evolving summer clientele at Matisse

Sophisticated flavors for an evolving summer clientele at Matisse

By CHRISTOPHER THUMANN
CORRESPONDENT

With its sand and surf and beach-facing bars and restaurants, Belmar's a fun Jersey Shore community. But back in the '80s, it was a party town. The type of place where you'd rent a house with five of your friends, park on the lawn, and throw shindigs that prompted whole pods of dolphins not to surface until they crossed into Avon.

And on your staggering way to McDonald's on the beach at 13th Street on a sticky post-party Sunday morning, you'd walk by some guy passed out on a porch (yeah, that was me) and think, "Someday I wanna live here.''

Since then, Belmar's evolved some. Its drinking laws are tighter, its quality of life is better, its population is more residential, and that McDonald's is now Matisse, an upscale bistro right on the boardwalk that serves up an often dazzling New American menu in a building that's none the worse for its fast-food wear.

From its unique location on the Belmar boardwalk along Ocean Avenue, Matisse offers unbeatable views of the ocean, along with an inventive menu that builds not just an experience of flavor but frequently one of color as well.

My partner and I started dinner with a couple of appetizers. One of the best items on the menu has to be the Vermont Goat Cheese Ravioli ($11). In this wonderful starter, delicate, thin-rolled pasta dough is wrapped around an artisanal New England goat cheese, drizzled with
a macadamia-flavored syrup and seasoned with sea salt infused with vanilla, all set over slices of pineapple. The flavors that result pair the mellow tanginess of the cheese with a round mouthful of subtly sweet vanilla, which is intense but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the
dish.

I also tried the Grilled Calamari with Arugula, Fennel and Lemon Preserves ($11). Here delicately crusted squid pieces roughly 1 inch square were served over julienne fries and arugula greens. The pungent peppery tastes are all the more infused with the warmly spiced flavors of the preserves and the licorice essence of the fennel.

The Cast Iron Skillet-seared Day Boat Scallops ($34) was both a feast of flavor and color, with a green summer pea coulis painting a plate that's also studded with fresh, bright yellow corn kernels. Six sweet sea scallops, seared on both flat sides as promised, were nested in that puree, all surrounding an attractive centerpiece of a chive-potato tart with an inventive crisp crust crafted from a wonton wrapper. The tasty tart contained chunks of potato in a creamy potato puree and was sprinkled with fresh-snipped chives. The scallops were cooked just a hair past how I like them, but they were still acceptable, and the pea coulis added nice summery flavors to them.

The "No. 1'' in the Chili Spiced No. 1 Tuna ($32) refers to the sushi grade of the fish in this equally colorful entree that decorates the plate with vibrant salad greens and a purple pinot noir sauce. Flavors here were good, with the sauce adding a hearty backbone to the
robust fish. But I was disappointed overall with the entree because the fish was a bit overcooked. We'd ordered it to be cooked medium, and it came out medium well. However, with such a good grading, why didn't our waiter recommend how the fish should be served in the first place? If the kitchen is going to showcase a top-quality ingredient, it should also make sure that the customer has the opportunity to enjoy that ingredient in its optimum preparation.

More popular than ever on menus this year, the Key Lime Tart ($6.99) at Matisse is a nice version of this Florida favorite. Contained within a pleasantly tender crumb crust, the filling was sufficiently limey and not overly sweet. The Homemade Chipwich ($6.99) paired two delicious, warm homemade chocolate-chip cookies, studded with a generous amount of chips, with a soft-serve vanilla ice cream, all drizzled with a raspberry sauce. The colors were as vibrant as the flavors were comforting.

The tuna service issue notwithstanding, Matisse has plenty of pleasant surprises going for it, ranging from its imaginative ingredient choices to its pretty plate-ups. For what it's offering, Matisse's prices are reasonable, and the fact that you can walk in with your own wine means that this is a summer-at-the-Shore dining experience that won't cost you a fortune. Bring five of your friends and have a party. Just don't try to park on the lawn.

Christopher Thumann, a graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia and Jersey City's Culinary Arts Institute, is a former food editor at Woman's World magazine. He has also edited and written for Weight Watchers, Chocolatier magazine and Pastry Art and Design magazine. You
can reach him at cthumann@hotmail.com. Restaurants are rated in relation to comparable establishments and reviews are based upon an anonymous evaluation of food, service, price, value and ambience.

MTV cribs visits Belmar 2008

check out these guys, they are funnier than Belmar Benny, but going onto some ones private property is not cool

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36175902

The Belmar skate park should be built now

Please support the skate park in Belmar. Even though money has already been
raised to fund it, seemingly some people in town are trying to push back the
idea of the skate park. Belmar needs a fun, safe environment for the youth
who enjoy the sport of skate boarding. One needs only need to look back just
a few months ago, to our neighbors in Freehold Township; who lost 2 young
teenagers. The two teens were just trying to have good clean fun, and were
tragically killed on a suburban street. If Belmar can afford all the police
calls related to the summer rentals, the bars the renters flock to and even
fight at every weekend in the summer; we can certainly handle the amount of
police calls generated by the skateboarders. A drive down Ocean Avenue will
allow anyone to easily see how much this area is needed; it is extremely
unsafe to be skating off the Belmar boardwalk into 25- 35 mph traffic.
Forcing skaters to the overly crammed side streets is not the answer either.
The safest place for skaters is a place designed especially for them, and
the funds are already available.

Belmar homeowners host "Meet Candidates Night"

Belmar homeowners host "Meet Candidates Night"
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/19/07
BY ERIK LARSEN
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

Post Comment
BELMAR — Questions ranging from the future of redevelopment to what to do about those trouble-making summer renters will be among those raised at the fourth annual "Meet the Candidates Night" Tuesday, sponsored by the Belmar Homeowners Association.

In response to criticism from Belmar Democrats that the forum has been unfair in the past, the League of Women Voters will moderate the debate, among other changes.

"We have received literally dozens of questions for "Meet the Candidates Night' from town residents either by e-mail or in the newly installed lockbox at borough hall," wrote Susanne Sweeny and Ed Bonder, co-chairpersons of the event, in an e-mail to the two sets of Democratic and Republican candidates, who are seeking two open seats on the Borough Council this year.

Eighteen questions have been prepared, which have been edited for clarity and grouped into topics. The questions are similar to issues raised in a recent association survey.

"Quality of life has been a major problem in the south end of town," one question begins. "As we continue the transition back to a more family oriented community, do you think we are doing enough to enforce the laws and control the summer weekend chaos or are there more proactive actions you'd propose?"

On the subject of tourism, the candidates will be asked if Belmar should continue to promote tourism at its current levels or whether the borough should focus on encouraging a specific kind of tourist to Belmar.

"Given the recent termination of the Gale agreement: What should be done to promote investment and rapid improvement of our downtown?" another question asks.

Democratic candidates Meredith Brennan and ClaireDeicke, and Republican candidates Michael Seebeck and Victoria Rennner are all scheduled to attend.

The forum will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Taylor Pavilion on the boardwalk.