The Coaster

Collide-A-Scope, Asbury Park’s new coalition to preserve the city’s vibrant art scene, will feature a variety of happenings including video clips, readings and a wine tasting at its next event, Fri., Nov. 21.
The brainchild of the Asbury Park design and marketing company M Studio and the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park, the November Collide-A-Scope event [...]

By RICHARD VIRGILIO
“The government is broke. We are deep deep deep in debt – broke. We are M.C. Hammer broke.” Comic Wanda Sykes
The news is pretty dismal right now. We, however, don’t focus on the negative here. So, I spoke with four innovators in our community and learned what they do to become re-energized [...]

Doug Mikula (left) and Kurt Thum (far right) of The Domino Effect, a “jam rock / soul jazz” band, are joined by Colt Kayser, another local area musician, who sat in for couple of numbers at The Saint in Asbury Park.

By DON STINE

The landscape along West Lake Avenue in Neptune has been forever changed after front end loaders plowed through several houses and businesses last week for the first phase of a multi-million redevelopment project.

The demolition, several years in the making, was bittersweet to former property owners on the street.

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Allenhurst residents recently received letters saying their homes may soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
According to Jennifer Brennan of the Trust for Architectural Easements in Washington, D.C. her organization was contacted by some residents of the borough who would like to see the borough declared a National Historic [...]

Decision driven by financial markets

Sparked by recent national and global financial downturns, officials at Francis Asbury Manor in Ocean Grove said the construction of a new residential facility to replace the current one has been put on hold.
In July, President James C. Batten met with residents, families of residents, and staff at Francis Asbury Manor to announce the necessity to cease operations during the anticipated demolition and construction at the Stockton Avenue senior community. Among the information, questions and concerns presented at the meetings, the state of the economy and its affect on the upcoming plans ranked above all others.

By DON STINE
Voters defeated a Neptune referendum on Nov. 4 that would have dedicated one cent from the municipal tax rate to preserve open space in the township.
The nonbinding referendum was defeated by 4,622 votes to 3,324 votes.
“I was disappointed that it did not pass because I thought is would provide a stable revenue source [...]

By DON STINE
The use of heavy or power equipment will be banned in Neptune, particularly over the summer months, under a revised ordinance adopted by the Township Committee Monday night.
Under the revisions, heavy or power equipment used for construction may not be used before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday but [...]