Jack is Back on Cinco de Mayo

A little of this and a little of that on a Cinco de Mayo that might find your margarita without lime juice and your Corona without a lime wedge. 

Yes there is a nationwide shortage of limes because bad weather has hurt the crops in Mexico.  In some places that saw the cost of limes will exceed the cost of tequila which tells me one thing: really cheap tequila.

A busy weekend began with the Toms River Regional Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday at the Pine Belt Arena.  The Class of 2014 included 22 former athletes, coaches John DeMarco, Bob Petruski and the late Kathy Leighty along with four very special teams, including the 1979 Toms River North football team which won the South Jersey Group 4 championship.

Coached by Bob Fiocco, that Mariner team had lost to Brick in the regular season only to avenge that loss with a dramatic 15-14 victory a short time later at Giants Stadium for the state title. Many of the players were on hand for the induction ceremony and along with Fiocco and several of his assistants gathered afterwards at Aqua Blu in Toms River with their families to recount that championship season.

Skylar Arminio won’t turn 16 for another week or so but yesterday got to celebrate her birthday a bit early in grand fashion with a “Sweet 16” party at the Bamboo Bar in Seaside Heights.  The adults had a much fun as the kids and the sun came out in time for us to spend much of the time in the outside area.

Skylar is a sophomore at Toms River East and the daughter of Toms River Regional Schools Athletic Director Joe Arminio and his wife Gina, who did a fabulous job as hosts.

Jack is back beginning tonight.  For those like me who are Jack Bauer fans the clock is ticking as “24” returns with a 12-episode series titled “24: Live Another Day.”  A two-hour opener tonight from 8-10 as Kiefer Sutherland after a three year absence returns and has just 24 hours to settle a lot of issues.

A dominating pitcher in high school baseball can carry a team to a title and that’s what Andrew DiPiazza hopes to do for Central Regional.  The hard-throwing University of Alabama recruit allowed just one hit and one walk and struck out 11 to lead the Golden Eagles past Toms River South in the quarterfinals of the Ocean County Tournament.

DiPiazza had come in the day before to get the save in Central’s win over Point Boro.  He will likely be on the mound Saturday in the semifinals against Toms River North.  Top-seed Jackson Memorial will host Barnegat in the other semifinal.