Happy Birthday Alex!

Random notes on my daughter Alexandra’s 21^st birthday and the first she was not home to share with us. 

I would have liked to purchase her first legal drink and toasted the milestone birthday but I guess that’s been left to others.

I had mixed feelings last week when Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers said he would not have a problem with the Jet Star roller coaster remaining on the ocean floor where it’s been since a section of the Casino Pier collapsed during Superstorm Sandy.

Clearly that has been the iconic picture and one shown time and time again and used to depict the damage done along the Jersey Shore.

The Mayor alluded to the fallen coaster as being a possible tourist attraction and no doubt it would become a major photo op for visitors.  However it would also be a stark reminder of what’s been lost and I would be uncomfortable each time I viewed the fallen landmark.

Now it appears the coaster is going to be removed with discussions on going between Seaside Heights officials and the Storino Family who owns Casino Pier.  Along with the Coast Guard they will devise a plan for the safe removal of the Jet Star. It’s sort of like a burial at sea.

Despite an erroneous newspaper ad The Crabs Claw Inn is not open for business because barrier island towns from South Seaside Park to Mantoloking remain pretty much off limits outside of limited visits by residents and contractors.

Longtime Crabs Claw manager Aileen Guilino tells me she is getting emails and calls from customers asking if they are open which is somewhat perplexing.  What’s funny are those who ask how they can get to the restaurant in Lavallette if they can’t get over the bridge.  Really?

Clearly the second season for Monmouth University men’s basketball coach King Rice is off to a much better start than his first.  The Hawks beat Lafayette last night for their third straight win and are 4-3 while only playing two home games.

Rice lost his first 8 games in his rookie season at Monmouth and the Hawks did not win their fourth game until January 19^th.  This is going to be a fun team to watch and all

Hawks games can be heard on The Shore Sports Network’s 1160 & 1310AM.