AM1160 WOBM's Hometown View With Kevin Williams

Kevin is currently in his 28th year with WOBM and serves as the station's Sports and Community Relations Director. His daily The Hometown View which airs every weekday morning at 7:20AM . This popular feature has been honored in 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2004 by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association for 'Best Public Service'. An eight-time New Jersey sportscaster of the year, Kevin also coordinates high school sports broadcasts on our sister stations WOBM-AM and WADB.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Random thoughts as we head to Labor Day weekend:

I was on vacation last week and got to spend nearly every day at my favorite beach in Seaside Park.  I finished two books and nearly a third, watched late-night TV, went nine days without setting an alarm clock, ate and drank more than I should have, never wore a watch and didn’t shave very often.  What’s better than that?

If you watched the Democratic National Convention Monday night you might conclude like I did that there’s not much difference when it comes to the behavior of some of the delegates in comparison to rabid sports fans.The two exceptions might be I didn’t see any delegates with their faces painted and/or holding beer cans.  Of course there’s also a few days left and then of course the Republicans get their turn next week.

I love college football but the season starts too early.  Nearly everyone plays their first game this weekend, including Rutgers who will host Fresno State on Monday at 4pm.  Monmouth opens at Rhode Island on Saturday.

New York Giant fans seem split on whether they want Michael Strahan to come out of retirement in the wake of the season-ending knee injury suffered by Osi Umenyiora.  The Giants have contacted their former star defensive end who is on vacation in Greece and is supposed to make his Fox broadcasting debut on September 7th.  Even if they could reach an agreement you have to wonder about the condition and desire of Strahan and if he would be that much of an upgrade over what they presently have.

The Ocean County College Foundation will host a Beach Party Gala on Saturday, September 6th at 6pm on the college’s main campus in Toms River.  The OceanFirst Foundation will be honored as the Humanitarian Organization of the Year as part of the evening program which will feature gourmet food, live music, and both silent and live auctions.  Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Ocean County College Foundation and for ticket and sponsorship information you can call them at (732) 255-0492.

Monday, August 25, 2008

The 2008 Beijing Olympics ended Sunday and from a sports standout the 17 days provided us with great achievements and memories.  I will leave up to others to address issues like Human Rights and democracy because at the end of the day the Olympics should be about sports and competition and from that standpoint these games were outstanding.

The Olympics will never hold the significance and meaning they once did simply because times have changed.  No longer is it a competition featuring amateur athletes and you certainly don’t have that country versus country backdrop like you did at one time.  How many times did you see a foreign athlete introduced who attended college in the United States?  There are also too many sports where the athletes are wealthy pros like basketball and tennis.

But instead of criticizing the Olympics I’m here to praise what was a marvelous two-week extravaganza.  I can’t tell you how many people I have talked with who are not necessarily big sports fans yet found themselves locked in front of the TV every night.  This was especially true during the first week when much of the swimming and gymnastics was shown live at night and we could watch in suspense.  Michael Phelps became a household name and lived up to all the hype and more.  Families debated the scoring in gymnastics as well as the age of the Chinese women…or should I say girls.  Maybe more than anything else these two-plus weeks brought families together across this country with parents and children watching television together…something that does not happen all that often.

The Olympics give a grand stage to sports that most of us don’t pay that much attention to and we’re introduced to athletes that frankly perform in anonymity most of the time.  Usain Bolt is not a sports energy drink but the world’s fastest man and next to Phelps the biggest star of these games. 

I will also steal an observation from a friend who I think summed it up very well.  You look at athletes from most of the other countries and they often look all the same.  But the athletes that represent the United States are very different….white, black, Asian, Hispanic…you name it.  Maybe it’s our greatest achievement and more important than the medal count.

Thursday, August 14

If you’ve listened to me over the years you know Seaside Park is one of my favorite places and I treasure my time off when I can enjoy the beaches there and other parts of the town which make it such a popular destination. That includes the Sawmill Café which has become a sort of landmark since opening on the boardwalk 31 years ago.  However when a new ordinance goes into effect this Monday it may signal the slow death of a place which has been enjoyed by young and old alike.

Last month the Borough Council approved an ordinance to close all businesses that hold liquor licenses at midnight and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this was aimed at one place….the Sawmill.  That’s because there are only two other places in the town that hold liquor licenses….the Windjammer Motel and the Seaside Park Yacht Club.  While they may be affected it is not nearly the financial blow being delivered to the Sawmill and its owner Steve D’Onofrio who by the way has been a generous supporter and friend to many causes and organizations over the years.

Seaside Park loves to throw around that they are a family town and the Sawmill does not fit their image.  Sure there have been problems at times but that’s what you get with a busy tavern in a shore town, especially in the summer and on weekends.  There is a strong feeling that this new ordinance is the culmination of a strained relationship between public officials and D’Onofrio over the addition of a second floor called “The Green Room” a few years back. 

I don’t have all the information and I’m sure you can get two very different stories.  However I do know that whenever the issue of the early closing was debated those opposed to it always outnumbered the few local residents who obviously wish there were no liquor licenses in the town.  By the way I’m sure some of them did not even live in Seaside Park when the Sawmill first opened in the summer of 1977.

At a time when businesses are struggling the earlier closing can only have a negative impact on the many others who benefit from the popularity of the Sawmill, especially those nearby on the boardwalk.  As for the future of a place known for it’s fair prices and large slices of pizza…well that’s in doubt.  How does a bar at the shore survive when it gives last call at 11:30pm and has to clear out the place by midnight?  The answer is it probably doesn’t and I guess that is what some have wanted all along.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Random thoughts on a Wednesday morning:

The Olympics have suckered me in.  I stayed up well past midnight to watch
Swimming and women’s gymnastics and will pay the price for lack of sleep today.   You had to feel sorry for 20-year old gymnast Alicia Sacramone, who probably cost the US a gold medal in the gymnastics team competition when she fell on the balance beam and during the floor exercise.  However there is no shame in winning the Silver medal behind the Chinese and at least the Americans look like young women as opposed to elementary school students.

As for Michael Phelps….well there’s not much more to say.  My wife did ask me last night how come we have not seen any stories on Mark Spitz since his name and 7 gold medals from 1972 are mentioned every time Phelps hits the pool.  Maybe they are saving something for when Phelps win his 7th or 8th gold medal.

These gas prices are a real bargain.  Don’t you feel great about paying only around $3.60 a gallon?  By the way the average price in New Jersey last August was more than a dollar a gallon less that what we’re now paying.

Bob Costas may be in Beijing but I’ll be in Lavallette tonight when Salty’s hosts the Jersey Shore Hermit Crab Championships.  I’m told perennial power “Cappuccino” has come in from Texas to take on all challengers and win another title.  The competition gets underway at 7pm at the popular restaurant and ice cream parlor on Route 35 North.

The New York Mets bullpen actually got the final six outs and secured a win last night over Washington.  What a miracle.

The Lakewood BlueClaws will host Hockey Night on Thursday when they close out their series with the Savannah Sand Gnats, who are a Mets affiliate.  Ocean County’s own Jim Dowd and Riley Cote of the Philadelphia Flyers will be signing autographs and fans will get to see how fast they can shoot a slap shot.  The BlueClaws are only a game out of first place in the South Atlantic League’s Northern Division with 19 games left to play.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Friday, August 8

As you get older it’s not uncommon to think more about the things you have not done in your life which at times I’m almost pre-occupied with.  So when I came across the August issue of Esquire Magazine and saw an article titled
“The 75 Things Every Man Should Do” I had more than a passing interest.
The author suggests these are things that should be done over the course of a lifetime and because of time restraints and subject matter I can’t tell you all of them but here are some:

Play Rugby.                           
Repair an appliance.
Fly the red-eye from Vegas.
Fast for three days drinking only water.
Drive by yourself from coast to coast.
Recognize the accomplishments of others.
Leave yourself a letter in a library book and look for it 20 years later.
Watch a bad movie so often that when you see it by accident you can recite lines before they are spoken.
Scuba dive.
Live in a hotel suite for a week.
Milk a cow and then drink it.
Throw a real party.
Shoplift…then return what you stole.
Choose a word of phrase and actively work to never use it again.
Cook the same thing over and over until you are known for it.
Take care of someone else’s 3-year old for a day.
Listen to war stories…tell war stories.
Sing in public.
Play golf at Carnoustie.
Attend the funeral of someone you didn’t know that well.
Spend some time working at a job for tips.
Make a perfect omelet.
Overeat for a week….in Italy.
Give a panhandler all of your money.
Ride a horse.
Walk 20 miles…bring water.
Watch television for 24 straight hours.
Climb something you are afraid of.
Get a manicure.
Bet a $100 on a long shot to win.
Make a list of 75 things you want to do before you die.

Thursday, August 7

On the surface Jim Dowd’s 11th Annual Monmouth versus Ocean High School All Star Hockey Game is an opportunity for many of the shore’s top players to lace up the skates in the summer.  32 of them will be on the ice Sunday night at the Red Bank Armory with the Ocean County All Stars looking to end a six-year losing streak as Monmouth leads the series 7-3.

The game is the brainchild of NHL veteran Jim Dowd, who came up with the idea through his “Shoot for the Stars Foundation” which he started during his playing days with the Devils.  The Brick native and Point Pleasant resident is hoping to return to the Flyers for his 18th NHL season after helping Philadelphia advance deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring.
Dowd, who turns 40 later this year does not just lend his name to this All Star game but is involved in all phases of it.

Part of that is choosing a charity to benefit from the proceeds.  In the past the game has donated thousands of dollars to individuals, scholarship funds, youth hockey, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County and Dottie’s House.  Sunday’s game again demonstrates that this is much more than a hockey game with proceeds going to the Marks Family Fund.  Randy Marks was a 40-year old father of six who on Mother’s Day along with four of his children went to place flowers on the grave of his mother who had died a couple of years ago.  While visiting the grave Randy suffered a fatal heart attack, witnessed by his children the oldest of which is
9 years old.  A well-liked carpenter for the borough of Spring Lake, he leaves his wife Susan and the six children from 7 months to 9 years old.

So while the hockey game is obviously a good time and great experience for the players and their families there is an underlying theme of giving back which is what Dowd has done throughout his professional career.  Game time is 6pm at the Red Bank Armory, there will be raffles and giveaways, a free rally towels to the first 400 fans and former Devil Bruce Driver will drop the first pick.  Both of last summer’s MVP’s are back….Ken Yasenchock of Monsignor Donovan and Red Bank Catholic’s Kevin Pecca.

If you can’t attend but would like to support the Marks Family Fund then you can send a donation to:

“Shoot For the Stars” Foundation
708 New Jersey Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ   08742

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Driving throughout the shore is a major challenge and despite on going road projects it won’t get much better in the future.  Let’s face it, as the population grows there are more and more vehicles on the road and much of the work being done might help today but tomorrow is a different story.

With that said the biggest obstacle to safe travel is not the roads but those who use them.  We can blame things out of our control all we want but the bottom line is we’re the biggest culprits for several reasons.  Those can be based on age….young drivers are inexperienced, reckless by nature, easily distracted and too often unaware of the responsibility that goes with driving.
At the other end of the spectrum you have older drivers who in some cases should not be on the road.  They are often confused, unaware of what’s happening around them, don’t have good vision or reflexes and are at times an accident waiting to happen.  But if an effort to remain independent they refuse to give the keys us.

Between the young and old is the middle where most of us are and while we like to fault others we’re more a part of the problem than the solution.  Many of us are always in a hurry, racing from one place to the next.  When the light turns yellow that’s our signal to step on the gas…we don’t stop at stop signs but rather slow down…jamming on the brakes is a way of life because we’re constantly tailgating and yield signs are completely ignored.  Then there are my two pet peeves…directional signals and turning right on red.
Using those turn signals obviously takes too much effort so they are basically useless to many drivers who would rather you guess what they are about to do.  As for right on red…whatever happened to stopping first?

Oh and have I not mentioned how we are big hypocrites in many cases.  Have we not lectured our children on how important it is to concentrate when driving?  Yet we’re the ones who spend most of our commute talking on the phone, eating and drinking, smoking, playing with the radio, reading and writing….in other words everything but pay attention to what’s taking place on the road.  And when we have an accident who do we blame?  The other guy, poor road conditions, our car…anything but ourselves.  We really do need to look in the mirror sometimes.

Tuesday, August 5

The times we live in are making it more and more challenging for even the most optimistic people to think the future is bright.  Depending on who you want to believe we are in some type of mild recession or heading in that direction but of course there are also so-called experts who insist that’s not the case and the economy is okay.  Of course everything seems to cost more and many people are making less….not a good combination.

It’s not just the state of the economy that is scary but the turbulent world and times we live in.  Too many Americans are in harm’s way and many families with loved ones overseas live in constant fear of that late-night phone call that will bring unwelcome news.  However you don’t even have to look that far as a few minutes of watching and listening to the news can leave you depressed over what’s happening on our own turf.  The enemy is not always in a different uniform speaking a different language but often one another and these truly are frightening times.

Another fact to throw in is the environment and it’s fair to question the future of Mother Earth.  Sure there are skeptics when it comes to issues like global warming but unless you wear blinders you have to be aware that the population and its needs have probably outgrown our planet.

As you get older you tend to look back on your younger years as they remind you of fun times and a certain age of innocence.  Often we’ll say something about wanting to go back in time and telling our children how much we’d like to change places with them.  But then you might start thinking seriously about the world they are growing up in and you scratch your head….would I really like to reverse the numbers and be 25 instead of 52?

I guess the answer lies in your belief that every generation faced obstacles and questions about whether things would get better and managed to persevere.  We’ve beaten famine, disease, the depression and even Mother Nature herself.  However what we now face might be the most challenging and that is the fear that the past just might have been better than the future.

Monday, August 4

Random thoughts on the first Monday of August:

When you schedule a major outdoor event in the summer you take a risk that poor weather conditions could have a devastating effect.  Two years ago Toms River Fest was hurt by extreme heat and heavy thunderstorms but for the most part Mother Nature cooperated this past weekend and the result was a more successful event.  There was a late-day thunderstorm Saturday but Sunday was one of these picture postcard days…really one of the best of the summer.

Not only did the nice weather and acts like Daughtry result in a large turnout at Toms River Fest, it helped bring more than 45,000 people to Monmouth Park for the Haskell Invitational.  The big draw this year was Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner “Big Brown” who needed a late stretch run to finally get past 20-1 long shot “Coal Play.”  It was not an especially impressive win but it did cap a good day for New Jersey racing and it returned “Big Brown” to the winners circle.

Not only was the weather perfect for outdoor events but Sunday was one of the best beach days of this summer as the water temperatures have finally warmed up.  With a much calmer ocean and late afternoon low tide it was one of those days you could have seeming stayed forever.

Just last week the Mets had a two-game lead in the National League East on the Phillies but this morning the surging Phills are three games ahead of the Mets.  It is the beauty of baseball as in a long season there are plenty of highs and lows.

So the Green Bay Packers are welcoming Brett Favre back with open arms.
I wonder if the Giants might reach out to Lawrence Taylor because the word “retirement” in sports means nothing any longer.

Friday, August 1

The first weekend of August features a couple of very big events in the shore area that are as different as night and day.  After taking a year off Toms River Fest returns to the campus of Toms River High School North with two days of music featuring former “American Idol” stars Carrie Underwood and Daughtry as well many other entertainment activities.  Underwood takes the stage Saturday night after performances by Lifehouse, Gavin DeGraw, Push Play and others.  Daughtry is the featured act Sunday following the likes of Avril Lavigne, Live and Collective Soul.

Probably the biggest change in Toms River Fest 2008 is that for $35 a day or $60 for a two-day pass you get access to everything from the time gates open at 2pm until fireworks end the evening.  In addition to the musical acts there will be BMX demos from “Hell On Wheels”, a Kid Zone featuring mini midway games as well as Kiddie City with face painting and sand and spin art, the Sports Zone, The Shoppes at Toms River Fest with retailers and service-providers and of course plenty of food choices.

There are other ticket options including reserved seats and special family packs.  For information you can visit www.trfest.com.

The eyes of the horse racing world will be focused on Monmouth Park Sunday for the $1 million Haskell Invitational which features the return of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown to the track.  The three-year old pulled up in the Belmont in early June and has not raced since failing to capture the Triple Crown.  The colt has been installed as the 1-2 early favorite in a field of 7 on Sunday….a day which will feature a 14-race card beginning at noon.  Monmouth Park officials are optimistic that they might approach the Haskell record crowd of 53,600 set in 2003 when Funny Cide was the big draw.  The event has drawn over 40,000 people for 7 straight years.

Thursday, July 31

There Atlantic Ocean has and always will be the main draw that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Jersey Shore each summer.  We have also seen that it can be very dangerous with strong rips and currents claiming several lives in New Jersey and nearby New York and as is often the case most drownings take place on unprotected beaches.  That brings me to the subject of lifeguarding, a job often overlooked and underappreciated
which carries with it a staggering amount of responsibility.

Many think being a lifeguard at the shore is all about getting a great tan and having plenty of opportunities to meet members of the opposite sex.  That is true but it’s not quite as glamorous as it was portrayed in the 1976 movie titled “Lifeguard” in which Sam Elliot played a man in his 30’s who did not take life very seriously and instead chose to spend his days guarding these amazingly empty beaches in Southern California.  Of course that was a movie and lifeguards around here face the daily challenge of watching beaches jammed with those who think the ocean is just like swimming in the backyard pool.

Perched atop their stands guards have the at-times awesome task of keeping their eyes on hundreds of swimmers at a time while monitoring the ever-changing surf conditions.  One of the many problems is that beachgoers just don’t understand how dangerous rip tides can be and too often even good swimmers find out the hard way that they’re no match for the currents and conditions.

Ask any veteran lifeguard and they will tell you the priority is not to make rescues but prevent them and that’s where experience really pays off.  While there are many students working the beaches you can’t discount the importance of having them work with and learn from those who return to the beach summer after summer.  Many of them are teachers who begin work on the beach before school gets out and don’t pack it in until the bell rings in September.

I have been around lifeguards nearly all my life and will always have a tremendous amount of respect for them and the job especially the veterans who have groomed so many under their watch.  They may not be like Rick Carlson (Sam Elliot’s movie character) but are just seasoned pros.

Wednesday, July 30

At sunset last night about 50 people paddled out on surfboards on the north side of the Casino Pier in Seaside Heights to say goodbye to Raymond Andreola while I was among a group standing on the beach watching what’s known as a surfer’s funeral.  Andreola was a life-long surfer and windsurfer who died earlier this month in Maui, Hawaii only a month after being diagnosed with liver cancer at the age of 52.

When I moved from New York to Seaside Heights in 1967 Ray was one of the first people I would meet.  We were 6th grade classmates in the old elementary school which ironically was right near the Casino Pier, behind the Aztec Motel.  With only about 15 boys and girls in the class you got to know everyone pretty well and Ray and I became good friends.  He gave me the nickname “Boss” because it was a New York expression to describe things that were cool and it was one not used in Seaside…at least not until I arrived.  Throughout middle and high school were remained good friends, even though by now he was a devoted surfer while I chose sports like football.  Like many of my friends Ray worked for my father on the boardwalk during the summer and we did a lot of the stupid things teen-agers do while growing up together.

After high school I did not see him very often but when we would bump into each other we usually would laugh about the great times we had growing up in Seaside playing touch football in the church lot, baseball behind the old Barnegat Ice Plant and even skim boarding in the spring when the water temperature was just reaching 50.  Ray was a traveler who often only needed his surfboard and more than twenty years ago finally settled in Hawaii.  We had lost touch until about four years ago when out of nowhere he sent me an email at the radio station.  We caught up on old times and he sent me pictures of his wife Salvie and his then infant daughter Sara.  Ray looked pretty much like the same teen-ager I remembered and I kidded him about how it was time to finally look his age. For the next couple of years were emailed each other on a fairly regular basis but had not communicated in a while when I got a phone call just over two weeks ago about his sudden passing….at least sudden to me. 

Mike Columbo, who owns Right Coast Surf Shop in Seaside Park organized last night’s “paddle-out” which brought surfers and friends from all over and I saw some people I have not talked with in decades.  For that I thank Ray…you where and always will be a “boss dude.”  May you find the perfect wave!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I had not had a vacation for over a year so having last week off alone was wonderful but throw in a baseball adventure at the end and it made for something special.  This past weekend I and four other friends from my days at Ocean County College relived a little bit of our past as we traveled to Milwaukee and Chicago for three games in three days with a little unplanned extension which got us back home a day later than planned.

Dan O’Connor put the adventure together through his company, “Docs Tours” which saw Tom Caffrey, Joe Perone, Carroll Oakley and I leave for Milwaukee Friday morning.  We had a smooth trip and after getting settled in our hotel were enjoying lunch at a brew pub, one of several establishments we would take in before heading to Miller Park for the Brewers game with Houston. This is a relatively new ballpark with all the comforts and modern conveniences and with the Brewers winning fans are selling out the place on a regular basis.  They also tailgate in the parking lot much like you would expect at a football game. 

We were up early Saturday for a 90-minute Amtrak ride to Chicago and after checking into our hotel took the subway to Wrigley Field. I was the only one who had never been to this 94-year old shrine and it was amazing to see the stadium right in a neighborhood of apartments, bars and restaurants and even a 7-11 right across the street. There we met up with another friend, Mark Kashuda who lives nearby in Indiana at a landmark bar across from the stadium called “Murphy’s Bleachers.”  Wrigley Field was like going back in time and while it might be old and lacking the bells and whistles of new stadiums it was everything I’ve heard and even more.  The fans (young and old) are into the game from the first pitch and the only thing better than being there Saturday was knowing we would come back Sunday when still another old friend Pat Browne would join us from Kansas City.  This game was even better as the Cubs rallied for an exciting win and after the final out 41,000 people stood to sing their victory song…. “Go Cubs Go”

It was also about this time that we learned our scheduled flight home that night was cancelled because of the thunderstorms in the east.  At the airport the best we could do was get on a Monday afternoon flight and we then found a nearby hotel just in time to watch the Yankees-Red Sox game on TV.  Out trip back yesterday was especially smooth for three of us who someone were re-booked in first class which I must say is a nice way to travel. Three baseball games in two cities in three days with good friends for more than 30 years.  That’s priceless.

Friday, July 18, 2008

(Kevin is on vacation 7/21 - 7/25)

It’s had more than one name but the idea has always been the same.  Since 1978 the best recently-graduated football players from Ocean County play
those from Monmouth County on a July evening for bragging rights at the Jersey Shore.  Now called the Shore Gridiron Classic the latest edition is set for tonight at Brick Township High School at 7pm.

For the 100 or so players who will see action tonight the game has a special meaning.  Many will head to college in the next couple of weeks hoping for the same success that has made them an All-Star while others will put on a football uniform for the final time tonight.  They’re college-bound but will play another sport if at all and a couple are even on their way to the military.
However for all of them this is the final time they will represent their high schools and the opportunity to play in front of several thousand fans is a great way to go out.

The game is now run by the Shore Conference Football Coaches Foundation
and tonight they’ll induct one of their own as the inaugural member
of their newly-created Hall of Fame.  On the field where he’s coached for 50 years Warren Wolf will be honored and the hope is many former players and supporters will be on hand for the latest Wolf tribute.  Many of the shore head coaches have stepped up to keep the game alive including Lacey’s Lou Vircillo while Chip LaBarca of Toms River North and Holmdel’s Andy Carlstrom are the head coaches for the two All-Star squads.

On paper the game seems to be a toss-up with Monmouth County boasting quarterback Tim Lamirande of Howell, running back Travis Patterson of Long Branch and Freehold linebacker Robert James.  The Ocean County squad is especially high on a defense featuring linebackers Tyler Groves of Toms River East and Kyle Coleman of Point Boro along with Brick safety Ray Johnson with quarterbacks Anthony Penna of Toms River North and Warren Smith of Lacey looking to put points on the board.

One winner for sure is the Monmouth/Ocean Challenger Sports League which is the game charity.  The other big winners are football fans who once again have a fitting way to say good-bye to players who’ve given us thrills over the years.  When the game ends tonight the 2007 season is officially over and we’ll be just 56 days away from the kickoff to 2008.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Like many of you I like to complain about the way people drive today whether it is here in Ocean County or any other part of the state.  With that said here is a reminder of a tongue-in-cheek list of relatively new regulations in the most current edition of the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles handbook. 

• Turn signals will give away your next move so be like most drivers

and avoid using them so other drivers have to guess as to what you’re about to do.

• Under no circumstances should you maintain a safe distance

between you and the car in front of you because that space might
be filled by somebody else, putting you in a dangerous situation.

• The faster you drive through a red light, the less chance you have

of getting hit.

• WARNING!  Do not come to a complete stop at a stop sign as the

vehicle behind you will not expect it and you might be rear ended.

• Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork,

especially if they have out of state license plates.  With no insurance, the other driver probably has nothing to lose.

• Speed limits are arbitrary numbers, given only as a suggestion and

certainly not enforced during rush hour.

• Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even

someone changing a tire.  This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.

• Learn to swerve abruptly without signaling.  New Jersey is the home

of high speed slalom-driving thanks to the Department of transportation which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers’
reflexes and keep them alert.

• It is tradition in our state to honk your horn at cars in front of you that don’t move three milliseconds after the light turns green.
• Remember that the goal of every New Jersey driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.
• In New Jersey, “flipping the bird” or as its also known the “you’re

#1 sign” is considered a polite salute.  This gesture should always
be returned with a smile.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Certainly times are changing….good and bad.  I came across a list from WalletPop of “25 Things That Are Vanishing from America” and there is some real nostalgia here.

By the way they also had a list of business and companies that are gone and here are some of them.  Do you remember Paine-Webber, Eastern Airlines,
Lionel Corporation, RCA, Adelphia Cable, EF Hutton, Burger Chef, TWA, General Foods, Standard Oil, Montgomery Ward, FW Woolworth and Enron?

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Make no mistake about it this is barbeque season and in many cases it’s the only type of cooking a “real man” will do, probably because there is some danger involved. As a public service I would like to remind you of the etiquette that comes with outdoor cooking which should not be overlooked.

When a man volunteers to do the barbeque the following chain of events are put into motion:
· The woman buys the food.
· The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables and makes dessert.
· The woman preps the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the proper utensils and sauces and brings it to the man who is sitting next to the grill with a cold beer in hand. Of course the man has lit the grill which at times can be very hazardous.

Here comes the important part:
· The man places the meat on the grill. Do not underestimate the
importance of this task.
· The woman then goes inside to organize the plates and utensils.
· The woman comes outside later to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks for another cold beer while dealing with this often delicate situation.

Another important note:
· The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman.
· The woman then organizes the plates, utensils, salad, bread, napkins and condiments and brings them to the table.
· After eating, the woman clears the table, brings out dessert and coffee and then does the dishes.

Now the most important part:
· Everyone praises the man and thanks him for his cooking efforts.
· The man then asks the woman how she enjoyed “her night off”
from cooking dinner. When he sees and hears her annoyed reaction to this he concludes that there is simply no pleasing some women.

Monday, July 14

It may have been a week late for some but Mother Nature shined down on the Jersey Shore this weekend with a couple of near perfect days which brought thousands of visitors and locals to area beaches.  It could not have been any nicer near the ocean with a cool breeze blowing although swimming conditions were not ideal.  Tropical Storm Bertha resulted in rough seas and some strong rips and lifeguards had to keep swimmers close to the shore.   It was a small price to pay for those of us who are weekend warriors and live for Saturdays and Sundays at the beach.

Bobby Murcer never did live up the expectations some had for him when he first came up to the Yankees in 1965 but then again when you’re dubbed “the next Mickey Mantle” how can you succeed?  He spent most of his 17 major league seasons in New York, was a five-time All-Star and finished with a .277 career batting average and was a good if not great player.  Murcer died over the weekend following a long battle with brain cancer at the age of 62 and for a generation of Yankee fans it’s a difficult loss.  He was the face of the franchise after Mantle and very popular with fans at a time when the team was not very good.  Murcer spent time with the Giants and Cubs before returning to the Yanks for his final 4 ½ seasons and after retiring in 1983 moved into the Yankees broadcast booth.  As one person said on the radio this weekend….he didn’t have to die for people to say nice things about him…they did that all his life.

Baseball has reached the unofficial midway point of the season with the All- Star game set for tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium.  The Yanks are six games behind AL East-leading Boston at the break with the surging Mets just a half-game back of NL East-leading Philadelphia.  The Mets have won 9 in-a-row for the first time since 2000 when they captured the National League Championship and last played in the World Series.

Friday, July 11
(no Hometown View on Thursday, 7/10)

This summer is the 10th Anniversary of the Little League World Series won by the Toms River East American All-Stars.  If a local team is going to duplicate that feat this summer it will be from Jackson as two teams from that township will meet tonight in the final of the District 18 Tournament for 12-year olds.  Jackson Little League will face Holbrook Little League in the championship game at 7pm at the Berkeley Little League Complex.  Jackson beat Lacey and Holbrook topped Toms River National to advance to tonight’s final which begins the Road to Williamsport. The District 18 Junior and Senior League Championships will also be played at the Berkeley Complex on Moorage Avenue in Bayville.

It may have a new name but the idea is still the same.  One week from tonight the best recently-graduated football players from Ocean and Monmouth County High Schools will meet in the Shore Gridiron Classic at Brick Township High School.  The game is sponsored by the Shore Football Coaches Association and the teams begin practice this weekend.  Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate and on sale at all shore Applebee’s locations, Velocity Sports Performance in Wall and Huddy’s Inn in Colts Neck.  Tickets can also be purchased on line at digital sports dot com.
Next Friday’s game will be broadcast on 1160 WOBM AM.

Is there any road sign more routinely ignored than a Yield sign?  The law is pretty simple on this one….you do not have to stop if there is no reason to but you must be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary.  So if you have a yield sign and traffic is coming then you are the one who must stop. 
On a daily basis I come across areas in which drivers blow through the sign and make cars with the right of way jam on their breaks.   I think some see a yield sign and speed up so they don’t have to stop for merging traffic.

I don’t know or need to know all the particulars of a long-running dispute between the Sawmill Café and the Borough of Seaside Park but the introduction of an ordinance that would end liquor sales at midnight is clearly aimed at the popular boardwalk bar.  The only other two places that serve alcohol in the borough are the Windjammer Motel and the Seaside Park Yacht Club and they would not be greatly affected by the ordinance introduced by the council this week.  However if the Sawmill had to stop serving at midnight it would clearly have a significant impact on their business and I for one question the fairness of this one.

Wednesday, July 9

Many of us live for summer as it’s a wonderful time of year in which children are out of school and many take most if not all of their vacation time.  When we’re in the middle of winter it’s thoughts of summer days at the beach or pool which give us something to look forward too.  Unfortunately it seems as you get older the summer season goes faster and faster which is what often happens with things you really set your sights on.
For that reason we really should try and maximize our enjoyment of these next couple of months and I’m reminded of a magazine article which listed some of the things we should try and do before Labor Day.  These are not practical for everyone but then again….Esquire Magazine is not targeted for everyone either.

is still low on the horizon, have Surf Taco for lunch and don’t leave until after the lifeguards are done for the day and you’ve finished a great beach-read novel.  (This was not in the magazine
but is my recommendation and one of my goals for this summer).

What would really be interesting is to try all of these in a single weekend.
Bottom line though is summer is a special time of year and we shouldn’t let it go by without having some fun.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Ask any former high school athlete about their school days and it’s likely that many of their best memories came from the time they spent on a field, court, mat, or other venue.   Whether they were average or exceptional it’s likely that being part of a team provided memories that have or will last a lifetime.   The goal of the Ocean/Monmouth Challenger Sports League is to give handicapped students the same opportunities in which they can put on a uniform with their school colors and compete in sports like soccer, flag football, basketball and baseball.  Not only that but they will be helped out by “buddies” who are varsity student-athletes from the respective schools who will act as coaches and mentors to the challenged athletes.

16 High Schools in Ocean County have made the commitment to this program which will begin its first full year this fall.  For it to succeed it will take money and to that end a golf outing will be held next Monday (July 14) at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood.  The event begins with lunch around noon and will conclude with dinner and there are some last minute openings for golfers and sponsors.  For information you can call Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Filippone, the Principal at Brick Township High School at (732) 262-2500.

Another event on tap for next Monday is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County’s Annual Summer Cocktail Reception.  This year’s theme is an “Evening with the Stars” and will feature a cocktail reception at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant beginning at 6pm.  Among those expected to be on hand are former NFL player and current broadcaster Tony Siragusa, ex-Jet great Joe Klecko,  Philadelphia Flyers veteran and Ocean County resident Jim Dowd and Court TV host Jack Ford.  The fundraiser is sponsored by OceanFirst Bank, Paul Barlo & Associates and Abatare Builders.  For tickets and additional information call BBBSOC at (732) 905-5349.

Monday, July 7

While we certainly have no control over “Mother Nature” this past holiday weekend was a big disappointment in regards to the weather.  Several days of sunny skies around the Jersey Shore came to an end on Friday and visitors and locals alike had to scramble to make the most of a sun-free weekend.  The poor timing was bad for just about everyone, especially those in the tourism industry who were banking on a big weekend but instead had to suffer through three days of clouds and scattered showers.

In Beachwood the 68th edition of Fireworks on the Toms River brought out another large and enthusiastic crowd and they almost made it through the night without getting wet.  Rain started falling in the second half of the 30-minute extravaganza but that did not dampen the spirits of young and old alike, many of whom annually conclude the holiday by taking in the fireworks show.  In some ways 4th of July just might be the best holiday of the year as it comes with no presents or pressure and is a day all Americans can celebrate and enjoy.

About the only positive associated with a cloudy Sunday was it hade me in front of the TV in the afternoon to witness what many are calling the greatest tennis match of all time.  Rafael Nadal outlasted five-time defending champion Roger Federer in an epic men’s final at Wimbledon that saw the two slug it out for nearly five hours plus a couple of rain delays.  The match ended after 9pm in England and with no lights had it gone on much longer they would have had to finish it today.  The shot-making was incredible and it was gut-wrenching and nerve-racking to watch as the two slugged it out on the grass court.

After the tennis match finally ended I could devote all my attention to the Mets-Phillies game…one that would take nearly 7 hours to complete when you combine 12 innings of baseball with a near three-hour rain delay.  The Mets finally prevailed and when it ended the sellout crowd of 45,000 was done to a couple of thousand wet stragglers.  After that you could watch the Yankees rally to edge the Red Sox in extra innings to complete a marathon sports day that at least helped make up for the lack of sunshine.

Thursday, July 3

Fireworks on the 4th of July are as American as baseball, apple pie and red, white and blue…they are a tradition across this country.  While there may be bigger and more extravagant shows few can match the effort put on by the Borough of Beachwood with help from surrounding communities.   Tomorrow night at 9pm for the 68th time local residents and visitors will end America’s birthday with a fireworks display viewed by tens of thousands, many who plan their holiday around a true tradition which comes together because of the efforts of many.

Of course times have changed and the method in which the fireworks are shot is a bit different than it used to be.  For many years they were launched by members of the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company and while they are on hand to assist, the shoot is done by a fireworks company.  That of course takes money…quite a bit of it and it’s all from donations from the business community and residents.  The late Mayor Bill Hornidge was the spark behind getting businesses involved and this year’s list of corporate sponsors includes COMCAST, Commerce Bank, Spirits Unlimited, Exelon, operators of the Oyster Creek Generating Station and 92.7 WOBM and Millennium Radio.  We are delighted to not only help make the Fireworks show possible but provide a patriotic music simulcast.  We’ll be at Beachwood Beach where thousands will gather to watch the show as will others in Pine Beach, Island Heights, Toms River, Ocean Gate, Berkeley and South Toms River.  If the weather cooperates the river itself will be packed with boats as this might be the best place to watch the sky light up.

Obviously there are other places to watch Fireworks on the 4th of July and many visitors to the area will flock to Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach for their shows.  But the one in Beachwood is somewhat unique in that in today’s age a relatively small community is able to pull together and put on what is a big show.  Much of the credit goes to the Police Department, Public Works Department and volunteers from the Fire Company and First Aid Squads to insure a safe event.  With that in mind people should be aware of the parking restrictions that will be in effect, especially from the river area to Route 9. 

Finally if you watch the Fireworks and would like to see this tradition continue then please make a donation of any kind to “Fireworks on the Toms River-Beachwood”, c/o Beachwood Borough Hall, 1600 Pinewald Road.

Wednesday, July 2
(No Hometown View on Monday, 6/30 or Tuesday, 7/1)

When was the last time you got out of bed in the morning and pronounced yourself fit and ready to take on the day? I hope to be doing that this morning but to be honest I wasn’t 100% sure so that’s why I did this segment in advance. Late Sunday afternoon I was hit by a virus, which started with a headache and included chills and sweats at the same time. Before long the virus settled in my stomach and for the better part of 36 hours had me doing more ups and downs than a relief pitcher in a long season…I had to include some sports analogy.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a good sick person and most of the time I’m thinking about the work I should be doing. However a nasty stomach virus changes your priorities and on a couple of occasions I was ready to make a deal with the man upstairs for some relief. The last thing I ate before getting sick was sausage and I swear I can still taste it….I’m pretty sure I’ll never eat it again. For a couple of days the thought of food was enough to make me turn green and except for scrambled eggs I consumed nothing solid for 48 hours. The optimist in me says that’s a good start on a diet but the realist says probably not.

The point I was trying to make in the beginning is even when we’re 100% healthy we never really say how good we feel. However once you get hit with any sickness or illness all you’re asking for is to feel good again. In my case a little virus is nothing to make much of but think about all those people who are really sick in which it’s not going to run its course in 48 or 72 hours.

I hope for those people, especially young children there will be a day when they can wake up, stretch out and say “I feel great” because it’s something we take for granted far too often.

Thursday, June 27
(no Hometown View on 6/26)

Brian Pringle is a 14-year old Point Pleasant Beach resident who was recently diagnosed with a rare, cancerous brain tumor.  An active sports lover known for a great personality and smile Brian and his family have a fight on their hands but certainly are not alone in this battle.  The Friends of Brian Pringle has been formed to help assist the family financially and emotionally and tonight they will be holding a fundraiser at Jenkinson’s
North Pavilion from 6-10pm.

The evening will feature a great barbeque, open bar, raffles, door prizes
and much more.  Tickets are $25 for those under 21 and $50 for adults which includes the four-open open bar.  For information on not only tonight’s event but how you can make a donation to help out the family simply visit www.FriendsofBrianPringle.org

The Toms River High School South Football Parents Club is holding a Texas Hold’Em Tournament on Saturday evening, July 26th at the Toms River Elks Lodge on Washington Street. The event is limited to 250 adults over the age of 21 with a $100 donation with great prizes, including a 56” flat screen TV.  Ticket locations include Monaghan’s Liquors in Toms River, Ferrari’s Pizza in Beachwood and Luigi’s Deli in South Toms River….for more information you can call Hal Finley at (732) 606-3451.

The Lakewood BlueClaws are in a stretch in which they’re playing 11 of 13 games on the road but they will be home for games Saturday and Sunday against the Delmarva Shorebirds.  Sunday’s day game features an appearance by former Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, who should be in the Hall of Fame.

We’ll probably know in the next few days whether or not the recent controversy involving radio talk show host Don Imus will amount to anything serious but at the very least he put his foot in his mouth and might have a harder time lining up supporters then he did a couple of years ago.

Tuesday, June 24

Like many I was shocked at the sudden death of George Carlin, who not only was a great stand-up comic but was often very accurate in his descriptions of every day life.  While many will always think of him as the guy with the 7 dirty words he was much more than that and I will miss his wit and wisdom.  Here’s one about how life is not as difficult as many make it out to be as long as you have a good set of rules.

• Relax and take it easy.  Don’t get caught up in hollow conceits such as “doing something with your life.”  
• Whatever it is you pursue, try to do it just well enough to remain in the middle third of the field.  Keep your thoughts and ideas to yourself and don’t ask questions. 
• Size people up quickly and develop rigid attitudes based on your first impression.  If you try to delve deeper and get to know people you are asking for trouble.
• Don’t fall for that superstitious nonsense about treating people the way you would like to be treated. 
• Spends as much time as you can pleading and impressing others, even if it makes you unhappy.  Pay special attention to shallow manipulators who can do you the most harm.
• Surround yourself with inferiors and losers.  Not only will you look good by comparison, but they will look up to you and that will make you feel better.
• Don’t buy into the sentimental notion that everyone has shortcomings; it’s the surest way of undermining yourself.  Remember, the really best people have no defects. 
• Beware of intuition and gut instincts, they are completely unreliable.  Instead, develop preconceived notions and don’t waver unless someone tells you to.
• Never give up on an idea simply because it is bad and doesn’t work.  Cling to it even when it is hopeless.  Anyone can cut and run but it takes a special person to stay with something that is stupid and harmful.
• Always remember that today doesn’t count.  Trying to make something out of today only robs you of precious time that could be spent daydreaming of resting up.
• Try to dwell on the past.  Think of all the mistakes you’ve made and how much better it would be if you hadn’t made them.
• If by chance you make a fresh mistake, try to repeat it a few times so you become familiar with it and can do it easily in the future.
• Finally, enjoy yourself all the time and do whatever you want.  Don’t be seduced by that mindless chatter going around about “responsibility.”  That’s exactly the sort of thing that can ruin your life.



Monday, June 23, 2008

As gas prices rose dramatically during the spring there were many different opinions on what affect that would have on tourism at the Jersey Shore this summer.  There were those convinced it would lead to a banner season because many would chose to stay close to home rather then drive to places more than a tank of gas away.  On the other side were those who felt strongly that higher gas prices would especially hurt the middle class people who make most of the day or short trips to the shore and would be more likely to stay home.

Certainly it’s too early to tell what $4 a gallon gas has meant to tourism but the first official weekend of summer did not appear to be a busy one and it might only partly have to do with the economy. I woke up Sunday morning to weather forecasts everywhere that made the day look like a bust with heavy thunderstorms being called for most of the state.  However around noon there I was looking at a fairly deserted beachfront in Seaside Park with golden sunshine and cool southerly breezes that made for a rather nice day.
So where were the usually large daily crowds that would pack the beaches?
The answer might be with the cost of gas many won’t take a drive down to the shore unless they are sure it will be a nice day to spend on the beach.
Those in the tourism business have always believed the weather forecast plays a role, especially with day-trippers or those coming for a weekend.
That may be truer now than ever before so while I don’t want to put any extra pressure on Alan Kasper to get it right……Alan you better be on your “A” game this summer.  Or as someone said to me….just predict sunshine every day and we won’t have any problems.

Congratulations to the happy couple as childhood sweethearts Brett Hardie and Jamie Hibbs were married this weekend and are now honeymooning in Mexico.  The real congratulations go out to Jim and Susan Hibbs, who saw all three of their daughters married in the last couple of years and threw a great party for each and every one of them.

 

Friday, June 20, 2008

In the words of Alice Cooper “school is out for summer” and for many that means a change in their daily routine.  No longer do some parents have to wake up early to get the kids off for school and many teachers and bus drivers don’t have to worry about setting their alarm clocks for the next couple of months.  As always there are quite a few whose careers in education are coming to an end as they’re headed to retirement although for many of those another career awaits.

This week has featured graduation ceremonies for most of the area high schools as students have marched to the tune of pomp and circumstance
and received their diploma which marks an end and a beginning at the same time.  For some it does mean the end of school as they’ll move right into the job market or possibly the military.  However most are headed to college with some going locally and living at home and others traveling 3,000 miles
where Mom can no longer do the laundry or make dinner on demand. 

It is a bittersweet time for parents who talk about how they can’t wait for their children to leave and then have this empty feeling when they go, especially if it’s an only or youngest child bolting the home.  As for the kids….well some are itching to get away while others are in no hurry to give up the safety and security of their present address. 

Of course for now it should be time to enjoy the accomplishments of finishing high school and making the best of the upcoming summer vacation.  And for those of you who will be sleeping late and missing the Hometown View….well hopefully we’ll see you in September.

 

 

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Some random notes and thoughts:

The Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame inducted a group of eight during a dinner last night at the Crystal Point Yacht Club.  The Class of 2008 included University of Louisville soccer coach Ken Lolla, former PBA bowler Charlie DelPlato, longtime New York Giants trainer John Johnson,
former Brick soccer coach Rich Finnerty and Monsignor Donovan High School football coach Dan Duddy.  Also inducted posthumously were Norman Galinkin, a multi-sport athlete from Toms River who played pro baseball and longtime shore area football coach Jack Van Etten.  Wrestling standout Scott Winston, who graduates from Jackson Memorial High School tonight, was honored as the High School Athlete of the Year.   I was also inducted into the Hall of Fame…obviously not for my athletic career but rather for following the careers of others.  Special thanks to Pete Dowd for all his work and it was fun having his son Jim of the Philadelphia Flyers sit at our table and talk hockey.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County will host their annual spring yard sale tomorrow from 9am-3pm at their offices at 85 Williams Street in Lakewood.  There will be antiques, furniture, house wares, clothing, toys and much more plus a selection of floor sample wedding gowns.  Others can also rent tables to sell items at the yard sale and for information and directions you can call BBBSOC at (732) 905-5349.

The Beachwood-Pine Beach Little League will celebrate their 50th Anniversary of baseball with a gala picnic this Sunday (June 22) from noon to 5pm.  The day will feature carnival games, a home run derby, field games, food vendors, Buster from the Lakewood BlueClaws and much more at the little league complex.  All former players and coaches are invited to attend.

The Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce still has some openings for players and tee sponsors for Monday’s 15th Annual Golf Tournament at Pine Barrens in Jackson.  Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a 1pm shot gun start and then a dinner afterwards.  You can call the chamber office today at (732) 349-0220 for more information.

Wednesday, June 18

As I often I tell you in advance this is not an original but rather something I received via email and re-worked for the purpose of radio.  It starts with a young boy who talks about his father meeting a stranger who was new to the small town they lived in.  The father was so fascinated with the newcomer that he was invited to live with the family and he quickly accepted and was around from then on.

As the boy grew up he never questioned the stranger’s place in the family.
His Mom taught him good from evil, Dad taught him to obey but the stranger was the story teller.  He would keep the children spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.  If the boy wanted to know anything about politics, history or science it was the stranger who always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and could even predict the future and he even took the family to their first major league baseball game.

While alcohol wasn’t permitted in the house the stranger encouraged the family to try it on a regular basis.  He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished.  He talked freely about sex and his comments were sometimes suggestive and generally embarrassing.  He made them laugh and cry and never stopped talking but nobody seemed to mind although on occasion Mom would get up and go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.

Dad ruled the household with certain moral convictions but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them.  Profanity was not allowed in the home by anyone for any reason but the stranger got away with four-letter words that burned their ears, made Dad squirm and Mom blush.

More than 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with the family.  He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.
Still, if you would walk into the parents’ den today, you would find him sitting in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.  His name?  They just call him “TV.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

While there is really no good way to fire someone there are right and wrong ways and you’ll find almost unanimous agreement that the Mets dismissal of manager Willie Randolph was handled poorly and showed a lack of class.  Randolph was finally put out of his misery at around 3 o’clock this morning our time after the Mets had beaten the Angels in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim.   Also getting “pink slips” were pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto.  Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over as interim manager for the rest of the season while Mets Triple A manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Dan Warthen along with Luis Aquayo join the coaching staff.

There is no argument that Randolph was on thin ice and his firing has been talked about for weeks with rumors really heating up over the weekend.  However why would the organization make him fly cross-country after a Sunday game in New York to fire him on the left coast after a victory?  The answer is pretty obvious….to avoid the media circus that would have taken place back home and to give Manuel time to get things together before the team returns to Shea Stadium next week.  While one can argue the validity of that the Mets treated Randolph like a second-class citizen when he has shown nothing but dedication to the organization.  He was allowed to twist in the wind with luke-warm votes of confidence from General Manager Omar Minaya with Minaya finally pulling the plug on New York’s first black baseball manager in a west coast version of a “midnight massacre.”

Whether Randolph was a good manager is not the issue because he did provide plenty of fodder for second guessers.  However he has been a beloved figure in New York for the way he conducted himself as a player and coach during his Yankee career and most recently as manager of the Mets.  Unfortunately the Mets did not conduct themselves very well here and the organization takes a big step backwards.  They and Minaya showed a lack of class and character which of course will be completely forgotten by fans if the team starts winning because at the end of the day…I guess that’s the only thing that counts.

 

Monday, June 16

Random notes and thoughts as we start a week which will see the school year come to an end:

I have to believe Tiger Woods’ play at the U.S. Open Golf Championships this weekend led to more “Oh my God” and “You’ve got to be kidding me” outbursts than ever heard before by those watching golf. The final shot of the day in San Diego Sunday was a 12-foot birdie putt which Tiger rolled in to force an 18-hole playoff with journeyman Rocco Mediate today in a version of “David vs. Goliath.” Woods has battled through obvious pain from knee surgery a couple of months ago and has had plenty of ups and downs as he tries to win his 14th major title. The action Saturday & Sunday at Torrey Pines made for riveting television.

It’s easy to blame the weatherman when he calls for scattered thunderstorms and seems to be as wrong as often has he is right. But yesterday was a true example of what happens in the summer as while I was sitting on the beach in Seaside Park early in the afternoon it was raining hard in Seaside Heights just a mile away.

Former Lakewood High School three-time state wrestling champion Damion Hahn came up just short in his bid to make the U.S. Olympic team. Hahn wrestled his way into the 211.5 pound finals before losing to Daniel Cormier at the Olympic trials in Las Vegas last night and for now his dream of qualifying for the Beijing games is over.

The Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America will honor Lakewood BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown at their 28th Annual Good Scout and Loyal Buffalo Award Lunchoree on Friday, June 27th at Six Flags Great Adventure. The event begins at noon and after the ceremonies and lunch guests can spend the rest of the day enjoying the theme park. For ticket information you can call the Boy Scouts at (732) 349-1037.

I’m not ashamed to admit to not only seeing the movie “Sex and the City” over the weekend but enjoying it as well. And yes Samantha is “50 and fabulous.”

Thursday, June 12, 2008

It may not rank among their biggest responsibilities but again this week we learned that it’s never an easy decision for School Administrators to decide whether or not to close school because of the weather.  Record-breaking heat on Monday and Tuesday found most schools without air conditioned classrooms going to shortened days.  Of course some parents complained that schools should have been closed but that would have meant extending the year to get the mandatory 180 days required by the state. With graduation ceremonies and other planned events that was not practical and would have caused a logistical nightmare.  Other parents felt the kids should have just suffered, partly because they were not prepared for the schedule changes and partly because they recall schools days without air conditioning when they were young although probably never as hot as what we experienced earlier this week.

The decisions of administrators who decided on early dismissals were not the only ones questioned.  One who runs a district in which the schools are air conditioned and were opened said he received complaints because parents didn’t even want to send their children out of the house because of the heat.  When he would tell them that the safest place for the students to be was in school with supervision he found himself second guessed time and time again.

This issue also brought up the question by some of why air conditioning is not installed in all schools and the answer is really easy…money.  Not only would it be very expensive to install and maintain, how many days during the course of an average school year do you think you need air conditioning in the classrooms?  The answer is only a handful so it simply does not make sense.

What does is how school administrators handled the situation this week.  Common sense prevailed, the health and welfare of children was the priority
and things are back to normal…whatever that means.

 


Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Now that I host my own daily sports show in the afternoon I don’t really need this segment to rant and rave but today might be a good time to close the door on the 2008 baseball season.  I’m not talking about the high school season which brought championships to Toms River North, Toms River South, Central and Barnegat but rather the Major League Season for the two New York teams.

I know summer hasn’t even arrived yet but I’m starting to get the feeling that the Yankees and Mets may not be much better than .500 teams and what we’re seeing from them now is about what we can expect all summer long.  The Mets are really a mess and there is no indication that things will improve any time soon.  Their manager will be under fire all season and their lineup is filled with aging and underperforming players who are not clicking on the field or in the clubhouse.  Simply put they are a roster of square pegs trying to fit in round holes and it’s not working.

The Yankees have shown some signs of breaking out of the win a couple, lose a couple mode they’ve been in most of the first 65 games.  There biggest problem has been consistency…when they pitch well they don’t hit and vice versa but they have enough weapons to still be a factor and should remain at least in the wild card picture over the summer.

This is the final season for both teams to play in their current ballparks and in April there was reason to believe a Subway Series would be a perfect ending for Yankee & Shea Stadiums.  However that’s a real long-shot right now and it seems more likely if you want to watch a World Series game locally you’ll have to travel to Citizens Bank Park…the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Now that’s a fun team to watch…unless of course you’re a Mets fan!

On an unrelated note the Jersey Shore team won its first game in the prestigious Carpenter Cup Baseball Classic at the University of Pennsylvania.  Toms River South’s Tyler Gebler threw three shutout innings and Andrew Nowell of Wall belted a two-run homer in a 6-3 victory over Delaware South.  Next up for Jersey Shore is a quarterfinal date with Lehigh South on Friday morning.

 

 

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

When there’s nothing to talk about you can always talk about the weather, which has probably been used more than any other subject to break the ice
between people.  You can be sure virtual strangers have begun conversations over the last couple of days by saying “how about the heat” and they’ll be using that opening line for at least one more day.

Yes we are going through the dog days of summer and yet summer doesn’t officially begin for another 11 days.  Temperatures close to 100 have resulted in shortened school days and scattered power outages and many with health concerns have been forced to stay indoors.  It’s a far cry from just a couple of weeks ago when we were complaining about the cool spring weather.

It’s always funny to me that usually those who complain the most about the heat are those who go from an air conditioned home to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned office.  Meanwhile those they have to work through the heat and humidity pretty much accept their fate and do the best they can.  Despite record-breaking temperatures on Monday it was not a day off for landscapers, construction workers and many others who you might have passed while driving with the AC on.  They know a day off is a day without pay so you prepare and persevere the best you can much like you might on winter days when it’s very cold.

As extreme as we might think this weather is it’s nothing compared to what many are dealing with in other parts of the country where heavy rain and flooding have made life miserable in the Midwest, resulting in several deaths and a tremendous loss of property.  A stretch of the Mississippi River is expected to be closed for a couple of weeks and the cleanup will take a lot longer than that.

Take solace in the fact that this heat wave is coming to an end so we’ll need something else to complain about.  How about $4.00 a gallon gasoline and the play of the New York Mets?

 

Monday, June 9, 2008                  

Beach season arrived over the weekend with many heading to the ocean to try and beat the heat and humidity although for most of Sunday a west wind offered little relief.  That was in stark contrast to Saturday when it was more than 30 degrees cooler at the beach with many wearing sweat shirts believe it or not.

Anyway since you live here you probably know some of the basic rules of beach etiquette but if you have friends or relatives coming from out of town you might want to remind them of some of the do’s and don’ts.

*        Do not wear socks with sandals because as you step onto the sand it
          it will clearly send a message that you’re a visitor.
*        Do not bring your backyard lounge chair….it’s too heavy to carry,
          points you out as an amateur and should say in your backyard only.
*        Do wear a bathing suit that matches your body.  This is something
          that shouldn’t be necessary to bring up but you see some sights that
          just blow you away when it comes to women and men.
*        Do not set yourself up right next to someone else, especially if there is
          plenty of room on the beach.  It’s always perplexing to me that even if
          there are yards and yards of open sand somebody will put their
          blanket five feet away from me. 
*        Do learn how to properly operate a beach umbrella, especially on a
          windy day.  Make sure the base is dug in well, angle the umbrella into
          the wind and keep it as low as possible.  When it does take off like a
          javelin and nearly kills someone do not laugh and put it back up the
          same way you did the first time.
*        Do not play music for the entire beach because there’s a chance not
          everyone likes what you’re playing.  Better yet…bring an IPod.
*        Do fill in any holes you dig.  For some reason many people have this
          great need to dig when they come to the beach which is fine for little
          kids with pails and shovels.  However many Dads now come to the
          beach with an assortment of shovels and supervise digging projects
          which often lead to 6 foot holes which if not filled in could have
          negative results.
*        Do not think that the ocean is like your backyard pool because it’s
          not and can be very dangerous.  Pay attention to the lifeguards as they
          know the water and you don’t.
*        Do enjoy the beach….it’s the best part of the Jersey Shore!

 

Friday, June 6, 2008

We complained all spring about how cold it was and by this time tomorrow we’ll probably be complaining about the heat. It’s going to be in the 90’s over the weekend and the first heat wave of the season is expected to last until at least the early part of next week.

The first Saturday of June means Founder’s Day in Toms River and the 35th annual event is set for tomorrow. Sponsored by the Township and the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce the festivities begin at 9am with a parade and following that you’ll find a street fair along Washington Street with over 100 booths set-up by various non-profit groups and other organizations, some of which will be selling food. There will be entertainment and prize giveaways from 10am-3:30pm to celebrate the 241st birthday of what used to be the Township of Dover. This year’s theme is “The Good Life-Clean and Green.”

Toms River East capped an outstanding softball season with its third championship after edging Red Bank Catholic 4-3 in 9 innings to win the Shore Conference Tournament. The Raiders, who also captured the Class A South and Ocean County Tournament titles, ended the Casey’s’ 23-game winning streak and scored the first earned runs this season off RBC pitcher Brittany O’Donnell. East finishes 30-2 and becomes the first shore team to post back-to-back 30 win seasons.

Toms River South and Rumson meet this afternoon at 3pm in the rain-delayed final of the Shore Conference Baseball Tournament at Toms River East. The Ocean County Tournament-champion Indians come into the game with a 24-6 record while Bulldogs, who won the Class A Central crown are 20-3. South is looking for it’s record sixth Shore Conference Tournament
Championship and first since 1999.

Manasquan High School officials have confirmed the hiring of Andrew Bilodeau as the Warriors new basketball coach. Bilodeau leaves Toms River North, where he guided the Mariners to the Class A South and WOBM Christmas Classic titles this past season. Prior to that he was the head coach at Manchester. Bilodeau replaces Kurt Fenchel at Manasquan.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2008 as part of a dinner at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant on Wednesday, June 18th.  The selection committee headed up by Co-Founder Pete Dowd recently announced the eight athletes, coaches and others who will join a long list of those recognized for their contributions to the shore sports scene.
Honored posthumously will be former Freehold football coach Jack Van Etten and Norm Galinkin, who was a multi-sport standout at Toms River High School in the early 40’s and played pro baseball for five years.

Others being inducted into the Hall are Kenny Lola, an All-State soccer player at St. Rose, who now coaches at Louisville…former PBA Bowler
Charlie Del Plato…former Brick soccer coach Rich Finnerty and John Johnson, longtime trainer for the New York Football Giants.  Monsignor Donovan football coach Dan Duddy will receive the Mike Dowd Award for his coaching and dedication to the “Out of Bounds” program he has launched and Jackson Memorial wrestling great Scott Winston will be honored as the Shore High School Athlete of the Year.  I guess I also need to mention that I will be among those inducted into the Hall of Fame which is somewhat embarrassing and proof that if you stay around long enough people will forget what a poor athlete you were back in high school.

The evening is designed to serve as a stroll down memory lane and a chance for people to catch up with those they have not seen in many years.  Tickets for the dinner are $50 each with the night to start with a cocktail hour at 6pm.  Recently retired Asbury Park Press sportswriter Joe Adelizzi will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

For ticket information you need to call Pete Dowd this week at (732) 458-4218.

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A little of this and a little of that:

With New Jersey moving its Presidential primary to February yesterday’s June elections lacked the punch that might have come if Presidential candidates were on the ballot.  As a matter of fact if we were casting ballots
for President yesterday it might have put New Jersey on the national stage…at least as far as Democrats were concerned.  The most interesting result was how close the Republican race was for three Ocean County positions held by incumbents who faced a stronger than expected challenge.
Freeholder Joe Vicari, Clerk Carl Block and Surrogate Jeff Moran did prevail and will be strong favorites in November.
For those who forgot Hillary Clinton and John McCain won the New Jersey Presidential Primary four months ago.

An interesting baseball day for New York fans Tuesday.  Joba Chamberlain’s much-anticipated debut as a starter for the Yankees lasted just 2 1/3 innings as by then he had already thrown 62 pitches, allowed a run on one hit and three walks.  The Yanks lost to Toronto 9-3.  Meanwhile in San Francisco Pedro Martinez made his first start since early April and went six solid inni