PETIQUETTE

Cheers to the fab Asbury Bark doggy fashions debuted recently at Wonder Bar’s benefit for the Monmouth County SPCA.

Now, what about some petiquette – pet etiquette – to go along with your pooch’s Cookman Avenue wardrobe?

I spoke with the foremost petiquette expert, Charlotte Reed, author of Miss Fido Manners, spokesperson for Febreeze Pet Odor Eliminator products and friend of Asbury Park about doggy protocol that would do any Rockefeller proud.

The B Plot:  Lots of Labor Day barbeques planned this weekend.  When is it okay to bring your dog?

Charlotte:  When the host invites your pet, specifically.  A guest should always wait to have their pet invited.  Hosts should be politely proactive in saying the barbecue is pet-friendly or not. 

TBP:  Once you get to the party, what do you do if your hosts are oblivious to how ill-behaved their own dogs are?

Charlotte:  Hosts should always be aware of their pet’s behavior.  If the dogs are not playing nice with others, the dogs should be gated off in a comfortable room until the party is over.  Just like at the doggie park – if the dog doesn’t behave, he has to leave.  If the hosts are not doing anything to help the situation, take your dog and leave or politely say something to the host about his dog’s behavior. 

Pet etiquette is two things:  taking a dog’s training and combining those skills with the owner’s consideration and respect for others.  Petiquette is about being a respectful human being. 

TBP:  Your book has a ton more detail.  How do you introduce a new dog to everyone at the dog beach?

Charlotte:  First meet and greets are very important.  The new dog should be sitting on a leash when he is introduced, with his owner kneeling down beside the dog.  Other dog owners should not let their pet come looming in.  And no jumping – pets and their owners.     

TBP:  How do you tell your friend his dog stinks – as in smells?

Charlotte:  On the next occasion – barbeque, birthday – give dog shampoo along with a pet toy as a gift.  Hopefully he will get the message.  Some breeds are more prone to odor, such as Bassets – who have very oily skin. 

A guest should never be able to smell a dog before seeing it.

TBP:  That’s where the Febreeze comes in.

Next week, Charlotte tackles breed bias, dogs and dating and how to make your pet carbon neutral.

Briefly:  Save the date to Save Deal Lake: Saturday, September 27.  A great afternoon and evening of fun – boat parades, parties and more – is being planned by a passionate grass-roots team of Wanamassa, Asbury Park and Interlaken residents, spearheaded by Mark Fleming and Eileen Chapman.  Everyone from everywhere is invited to decorate watercraft and join in the boat parade.  Prizes will be awarded.  Plan to attend one or more of the benefit events to cheer on the bedazzled floatillas. 

Monies raised will be specifically allocated for a special project with Friends of Deal Lake.  Lakefront residents are encouraged to reach out for more party details.  Everyone:  for more info, to pre-register a boat or benefit event or volunteer – DealLakeEvents@Yahoo.com or 732.361.3823.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

GOLD MEDAL MARKET

Go Team USA.  Every four years I am blown away by the strength, elegance, stamina, dedication and spirit of our Olympians.  I am fascinated by the excellence and perfection these boys and girls – from 16 to 48 years old, or whatever, can achieve with their bodies and minds, as a team and individually. 

The record-obliterating Michael Phelps (and his bathing suit) definitely is a stand-out to everyone.  I hear he devours 12,000 calories every day to ensure top performances.  I also hear Italian food is his favorite – literally eating at least four pounds of pasta daily.   

No doubt he would be thrilled with the Italian specialties available at gift-from-the-taste-bud-gods, Market Danieli on Main Street. 

Market Danieli has quick become the deli and Italian specialty market of choice for anyone craving original, casual, uber-fresh Italian food.

“I wanted to create a unique shop that combines homemade Italian delicacies with a welcoming city flair,” stated Frank Danieli, owner.  “This store reflects who I am as a person and my love for our City by the Sea.” 

Prior to moving to Asbury Park, Frank launched and operated a hugely successful restaurant, Danieli’s, in Montclair, New Jersey. 

Today, Frank works ninety hours each week to serve amazing meals that our Olympic team would be ecstatic to devour. 

Since hottie Michael Phelps was busy setting records, I spoke with some of Market Danieli’s more local fans.

On specialty sandwiches:

“Fantastic, fresh bread and good meats,” stated Ken Tyburski of Asbury Park.  “Bread always makes the difference in a great sandwich.”

On pasta salad:

“The Venitian Salad is fresh and flavorful without being overpowering or oozing mayonnaise,” stated Dan Tanzilli of New York City.  “The only thing wrong is that there is not more of it.”

On potato salad:

“It’s just so good,” Francoise Rothert of Asbury Park.  “We come back all the time.”

On rice balls:

“Take these rice balls to the beach and Danieli is like Palermo on the Jersey Shore,” continued Ken. 

Prepared food specialties Frank tells me he can’t keep “in the house” – even for catering – include his rice balls – an outrageous blend of beef, peas Pecorino cheese and rice; Artichoke Oreganato; fried eggplant – with special Italian seasoning; chicken cutlets – made from scratch using the secret Danieli recipe; daily pasta specials and chocolate covered Cannolis – filled to order. 

In addition to the home made meals at Danieli, the market is the exclusive distributor of two refreshing beverages:  Manhattan Special Espresso Soda – a great carbonated espresso served chilled and Pelligrino’s Aranciata – orange juice and carbonated spring water. 

Market Danieli is your hungry stomach solution worthy of a Great Wall of gold medals. 

Briefly:  Cheers to Gloss salon, on Lake Avenue, on its recent expansion – now offering a full-service nail salon including luxe mani’s and pedi’s for guys. 

Richard@TheBPlot.com.

Q MARKS THE SPOT

In New York City the GLBTI Community Services Center has been a hugely important resource and cultural hub for more than 25 years.

Today, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated locals, the greater Asbury Park area has its own GLBTI community center – the Jersey Shore Q Spot, which, in years to come, will prove as invaluable to people here, as the Center is in New York.  

“We are here to support, provide programs and social activities for, youth, seniors and everyone in between in Monmouth and Ocean Counties,” stated Mary Ann Buchanan, chairperson of Q Spot.  “A virtual network is great, but being regularly shoulder to shoulder with people who support one another is still important.” 

The Q Spot, run by volunteers and donations, is comprised of four main initiatives:  youth, senior, health and family. 

“We developed four initiatives after reviewing the results of a needs assessment survey, which resulted in more than four-hundred responses from GLBTI in two counties,” Mary Ann stated.

In addition to the confidential, casual group socials held every Monday evening at the Visiting Nurse Association building on Main Street in Asbury Park, the Q Spot organizes “Quesdays” – informative educational seminars held the first Tuesday evening of every month.

“Our weekly Monday socials are a friendly place for adults to meet and hang out,” Mary Ann stated.  “Quesday seminars are geared towards issues that impact the GLBTI community’s lives every day, like finance, health and relationships.” 

I attended the Monday meeting recently and met a kind, welcoming group of people – most strangers to one another.  By the end of the evening, everyone was exchanging phone numbers.

“Beyond our regular meetings and Quesdays, the most exciting initiative we have right now is a support group for the youth in our area – from Red Bank to Long Branch to Toms River,” Mary Ann continued.

My Q Space – brilliantly named by the 13 to 19 year old members of the group – offers a safe environment where GLBTI youth, including those questioning their sexual orientation, can meet to engage in peer support activities.

“As adults, it’s our responsibility to provide youth with a place to start,” stated Mary Ann.  “Q Spot is the only group of its kind for teens in the area.” 

Last week, My Q Space members played miniature golf on the Boardwalk.  Seeing the spirit in each teen’s eyes was inspiring. 

A similar type of group in Northern New Jersey proved immensely helpful to me in understanding that I was not alone in my gayness, when I was way younger.  It takes a village.

The Q Spot also offers programs such as a book club – the Book Q LUB – at the Point Pleasant Library and a Family Initiative at Father David Stout’s Trinity Church. 

Go Q Spot.

For meeting calendar, or to donate to the youth initiative: JSQSpot.com. 

Briefly:  Forget man-scaping, Hair is back!  No grooming needed for ReVision Theatre’s production of the rock musical Hair at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk.  The show premiers tomorrow and runs through Labor Day weekend.  Cheers to producers David, Thomas and Stephen.  Limited seating.  ReVisionTheatre.org for tickets.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

BACK STRONG

I met Dr. Geena Buono four years ago, through my realtors Carl and Bill, while I was looking for a home here.  I was drawn to her the second all six-feet-something-with-heels of her walked into the room. 

I told her if she let me manage her “transition” story with the media (Dateline NBC for the video diary, Howard Stern for her band Dragster and Maury for the family angle), I could pay for the renovation of my house and she could get the Rolls Royce of all new “equipment.”  She wisely decided to stick with being a chiropractor. 

It worked out because today, she is the newest member of Work Out World’s chiropractic office in Ocean.  Go Work Out World.  Go Dr. Geena.

In celebration of her new position – in life and career, I spoke with her and found a more focused and strong, Dr. Geena.

The B Plot:  A lot of people know you as a singer or musician or killer volleyball player, how long have you been a chiropractor? 

Dr. Geena:  Eighteen years.  I have been in Asbury Park since 2002. 

TBP:  For those of us who don’t know, what is the benefit of going to a chiropractor? 

Dr. Geena:  Everyone’s body is totally dependent on the brain and spinal cord’s ability to conduct and coordinate every bodily function.  When your spinal bone is misaligned it puts pressure on a nerve and interferes with the nerves function. This eventually interferes with bodily functions.

TBP:  What do you say to people who are unsure about chiropractic medicine?

Dr. Geena:  Today, most people understand that chiropractic is not faith-based or a placebo.  If applied correctly, chiropractic works every time – whether a person believes or not.

TBP:  What about people who think that once they begin with a chiropractor, there is no end.

Dr. Geena:  That’s totally a myth.  Last month, a young woman came to me with severe back pain.  After her adjustment, she reported to me that she no longer needed her asthma inhaler.  I wasn’t treating her for asthma, however, as in other cases I have seen, the body restores itself back to health in many ways following a spine adjustment.

TBP:  Wow.  That’s so wonderful.    When did you join the Work Out World team?

Dr. Geena:  Thanks to Drs. Arthur Levine and Phillip Grivas, I started in June.  I maintain office hours in Ocean on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  You don’t have to be a member of the gym to come to the chiropractic office.  Ask for me when you walk in or call me anytime at 732-618-1191.

TBP:  You told me you are “happier and more settled than ever.”  What should we know about Dr. Geena?

Dr. Geena:  The most important job I have is being the parent to three wonderful and talented kids – ages 17, 12 and 10. 

My unique perspective on life has become a gift that helps me connect with all kinds of people and help in many ways, most specifically in my practice.  I am a spirit having a human experience but still connected to every form of life in the entire universe.  No different than anyone else. 

TBP:  Cheers lady.  I am so excited for you.

Briefly:  Interesting observation from receiving press releases from both the Obama and McCain campaigns – McCain’s people send out, on average five press releases (even if the release is two paragraphs)  to Obama’s one release.  Also, press releases from McCain are way more pointed and aggressive. 

Richard@TheBPlot.com.