CHOCOLATE WISHES AND CARAMEL DREAMS

A vacation or your mouth is within reach with the new hand-crafted chocolate and caramel extravagances made fresh in Asbury Park by Jack Petronella, owner, Manhattan Jack Confections.

“I wanted to make something special and totally original, just like this city,” said Jack, a five-year Asbury Park resident and graduate of the fancy-pants Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.  “After working for a bit at a country club, I travelled to observe some of the best chocolatiers in Italy, France and Mexico.  Creating chocolate is a science – I came home and experimented in my kitchen laboratory for two years until I created Chocolate Sushi and Caramel Sushi.”

The treats do look like sushi – a one inch diameter piece of the finest quality chocolate or caramel, rolled in select ingredients to resemble the Japanese staple. 

“I use only the absolutely the finest ingredients,” said Jack, who sells more than 100 pounds of his desserts each week which take approximately three days to make, using exacting standards, from start to finish.  “Pecans from Louisiana, chocolate from Oregon, peanuts from West Virginia, Macadamia nuts from Hawaii – quality is what counts.”

From the richness of the chocolate to the precisely-sized chopped nuts to the perfectly sweet and succulent caramel, you can sense Jack’s passion. 

Each bite is worth the extra time on the treadmill.   

“True flavors make the best chocolate and caramels,” said Jack.  “Caramel should melt in your mouth in three bites – you should taste Bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar and butter.  Fine caramel should never stick to your teeth.” 

One of the other most popular items in Jack’s repertoire is his chocolate covered pretzels.  I understand the top seller is the White chocolate pistachio drizzled with toffee.

“These are fantastic,” said Donna Arroyo visiting from northern New Jersey, enjoying a pretzel on the boardwalk she just purchased from the Baker Boys shop in the Grand Arcade.  “You can taste that these are good and different.”   

Jack’s confections are so popular the QVC network has an open invitation for Jack to come on the network to sell his pretzels. QVC expects to sell 30,000 pretzels and hour and, right now, Jack does not have the workspace to guarantee quality control for that type of volume.  More to come with that. 

Manhattan Jack Confections are available in our area at The Baker Boys, Belmonte’s, Watermark, Il Pavone, Langosta Lounge and Windmill (Ocean Grove, pretzels only). 

Manhattan Jack Confections, 732.768.6561.

Briefly:  Three fireworks displays in seven days here this year – Wednesday (7/1 and 7/8) Madison Marquette is sponsoring fireworks – as they are all summer long.  Saturday, the Fourth of July, the City is sponsoring the show. 

“There will be two groupings of fireworks a few hundred feet away from each other on the beach set off simultaneously,” revealed Garret Giberson, regarding the City’s show.  “It’s going to be incredible.” 

All fireworks begin at 9 pm.

And – on the completely opposite side of chocolate and caramel – imagine being a dentist with decades of experience walking in to see a patient crying because he is about to get his first crown – and I am not talking about a headdress from a beauty pageant.  The patient was me recently and I must give cheers to Dr. Sebastian D’Amico of Sunset Dental on Sunset Avenue and his team cheers for their experience, patience, dedication, follow-up and overall ability to make a new situation comfortable for a fearful guy.  Major kudos from this difficult patient. 

Richard@TheBPlot.com

MAN’S BEST FRIEND’S BEST SUMMER GIFTS

Original hostess gifts for the real master of the house and a creative way to ensure you stay on the cocktail party circuit guest list…

It figures that one of Truman’s favorite leashes comes from a company founded by a Jersey boy with a huge fondness for Asbury Park, who spent his youthful summers in Point Pleasant.  Scott Schaible, founder of Ecollargy created the coolest leashes and collars made, literally, from the old billboards you pass on the highway.  “An estimated 250 million square feet of billboards go into US landfills each year,” said Scott.  “We literally take an old billboard, clean it, stripcut pieces, and sew them into unique products.”  The handle of the whimsical leash is wrapped in old bike innertube pieces for a super comfortable grip.  Leashes and collars – with a tag that reads “I used to be a billboard” – come in various styles and sizes and wear over time into a soft, washed denim-like texture.  They are also insanely reasonably priced.  Itzadog.com

Food, treats and even a calming tea for dogs – all 100% natural and made in a human-food San Diego-based bakery.  The facility is FDA inspected and humans actually sample the food as part of the quality control process.  I can’t stand how much I love this company.  Truman can’t pick a favorite – hand-made cookies made with real duck and cherries or buffalo and blueberry.   Your baby deserves this.   TheHonestKitchen.com You know you wonder what life is like for your dog when you are not around.  Uncle Milton’s Pet’s Eye View Camera give you a dog’s-eye view with this lightweight digital camera that attaches onto your dog’s collar.  Set the self-timer to take a picture every 1, 5 or 15 minutes to take a sneak peek into his secret world.  Comes with a USB cord to download photos directly into your computer.  This is seriously so much fun.  UncleMilton.com

“Spott’s Canine Miscellany” – written entirely for dogs and their doting owners and admirers, the result is an irresistible potpourri of canine facts, embracing the essential, the trivial, the intriguing, and the extraordinary.  You will discover such whimsical treats as dog epigraphs, the origins of breed names, an international guide to the word “dog,” Aesop’s fabled dogs, dog-bite statistics and dogs who went down with the Titanic.  Totally fun beach read.  Amazon.com

Forget those horrible pills for dogs to eliminate the urine burn marks on your meticulously manicured lawn.  Drop a Dog Rock – 100% natural, mined from a quarry in Australia – in your dogs water bowl every two months and it will filter out impurities from the water such as Tin, ammonia and nitrates.  ”The basic ideas is the three inch diameter rock being paramagnetic changes the ion exchange in the water,” said Michael Jordan, owner.  “This results in the nitrate level in the water dropping and not being ingested.  What’s important to note is that the Dog Rock does not change the pH of the water.”  The Dog Rock is the hottest pet item in Australia and the UK right now.  BullyStickDirect.com

Serious dog nutrition with fun names like Grrnola, Bowwowbreakfast, Fido Flakes, Chompions and Chewabunga that includes l-carnitine to help convert fat to energy.  One extra pound on a dog is like 10 on a person.  Bowwowbucks.org

Magniflex, an Italian mattress company, offers your baby the ultimate in sleeping arrangments with a 22 karat gold fibers woven into the ultimate fabric covering.  In addition to imparting a luxurious look and feel, the gold offers anti-bacterial and anti-static properties that resist dust mites and keep the mattress dry and cool.   How fabulous  a jump would this be for Truman to go from three years ago sleeping on the streets of Asbury Park to this bed (approx. $2,000 for a 50 pound dog)?  When you learn about this mattress, you want one for your dog, one for yourself – forget Duxiana mattresses - and one for our sexy friend in the photo below (on the right).  Magniflex.com

Items featured have been donated to the Monmouth County SPCA Thrift Store and are available for purchase.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

LOVE AND MARRIAGE…LOVE AND MARRIAGE…

On the Fifth Avenue boardwalk, it was overcast the Sunday morning of May 17.  Inside the Supper Club, it was brilliant and vibrant with emotion as Asbury Park residents John Grant and Danny Weiss exchanged vows of commitment, devotion and affection in front of 110 family and friends. 

“The love from both our families was wonderful, incredible and genuine,” said Danny.  “The guests were blown away by so many things, including the location, our families uniting and the ceremony itself.”

The Honorable Teresa Kondrup Coyle, a New Jersey State Judge, officiated the ceremony which morphed both Irish-Catholic and modern Jewish traditions seamlessly – everything outlined in a program with a dreamy cover photograph taken by John of a brilliant deep yellow, orange and gold sun rising over crashing grey-blue waves on the Fifth Avenue Beach. 

 “We entered to ‘Shir HaShirim’ (Song of Songs) and ‘An Irish Blessing’ was sung later in the ceremony,” said John.  “It was important for us to incorporate both traditional Jewish music and an Irish blessing.” 

 Asbury Park’s Brett Colby sang both dynamic songs. 

 “All four of our parents participated in the modern version of the seven Jewish blessings,” said Danny, born in Neptune.  “There was not a dry eye in the house.”

The theme for the wedding was “beach chic.”  It looked like the wedding everyone wished they could go to – joyful and in a genuine environment.

 “It was very important to us to have a socially-conscious, substantive celebration,” said John.  “We respectfully requested no gifts.  There were no flowers or a band.” 

The underlying and unspoken theme of this fete is the fact that these two gentlemen are in love with our city, their family and friends and, naturally, each other.  When you see something like that, it’s makes you smile.

Danny wore a blue-grey seersucker suit with orange scarf.  John dressed in a putty colored jacket, grey pants and flip flops. 

A lunch reception immediately followed the ceremony at the Supper Club, which included a chocolate-hazelnut cake driven from Houston to Asbury Park by a cherished friend of Danny’s family. 

John, comptroller for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and Danny, a local immigration attorney appointed May 27 to the Board of Education, met October 2007 online while they were both living in New York City and spoke “for hours” via phone prior to a face-to-face meeting.

Their first date consisted of more conversation over the finest wine. 

 “I knew John was the one I was going to marry the minute I met him,” said Danny.  “I have a very good read of people and I could tell right away he was genuinely kind, ethical and easygoing.  I have been waiting my entire life for him.”

Danny knew first, however John was the one who proposed November 2008, in one of the most heartfelt and original manners I have heard. 

 “I made him a card of a collection of photos of events and times in our life together that were important to us,” said John.  “I put the card in his bed and the card contained my proposal.  I want to grow old with him.”   

 I just love, love.  All the best wishes to them both.   

Richard@TheBPlot.com

FIERCE FATHER’S DAY

Great gifts, Dads will love – and will love your Dad back.

MBT Sneakers

MBT sneakers are the easiest work out known to man…I mean Dad.  Literally, walking to the beach, walking the dog, walking around the house – they are the first physiological footwear that have a positive effect on the whole body, activating a large number of stabilizing muscles throughout the whole body when walking or standing.  Spring and summer styles feature a new lower sole.   “Aren’t those sneakers fantastic?” Amy Cohen, a regular boardwalk-er said to me recently when she looked down at my sneakers.  “Tell the people that make them I love them.”  Yes, Amy, I will and they are.  Shown in Safiri Navy, $215.   TheWalkingCompany

Only The Brave by Diesel

In a bottle shaped like a clenched fist Only The Brave features top notes of Lemon Blossom, Mandarin and Coriander Leaves; a heart of Labdanum, Black Rose and Lavender; and a dry down of Amber Tolu Wood and Ebony Wood.  Hot and modern and does not take over room, its, guaranteed to keep Dads who think Diesel is simply a type of fuel fierce and smelling great.   Eau De Toilette, 2.5 oz. $65   Diesel Fragrances

Oakley Kick Stand Polo

“There is just enough fashion in this Oakley shirt,” my metrosexual friend said.  This polo, in a variety of colors (Petro Green, Sheet Metal and Teal Blue) – in slim and regular fit – is classic fashion with an edge of smart detail that is perfect summer styling for every Dad.  Khakis, jeans, short – he’s set.  Shown in Red Line, $45   Oakley

Skin By Monica Olsen Travel Kit

Organic and natural, Dad will appreciate the simplicity and results from Monica Olsen’s skincare line.   The travel kit is for Dads who are on the road and need the luxe no-brainer, convenience of an all in one package.  TSA approved, includes: DRY Deodorant, MSM Shave and Cleaner, After Shave Spray (my fave), Day and Night moisturizer, Body Lotion and Shampoo and Conditioner.   $34.95   MonicaOlsen

Found My Animal

Yes, you have been replaced by your Dad’s four legged friend.  Found My Animal leashes fit everything your Dad wants in a lead.  Each Found leash is made of cotton canvas dock line rope and marine-grade solid bronze clips on either end.  The leash can be worn as a belt, across your chest or clipped without the concerns of a knot.  Each leash is numbered and handmade in New England.  Every leash I’ve seen is either too froofy or too industrial.  The Found My Animal founders have created the perfect leash and collar.  Also, 25% of profits go to a non-profit dedicated to finding homes for animals.  Leashes and collars vary in sizes.  FoundMyAnimal

Whether you are a dad to a child, adult or puppy (like me), cheers to every dad everywhere. 

 

MORE GIFT IDEAS IN THIS WEEK’S COASTER NEWSPAPERS.

It bears repeating, every product recommended in TheBPlot / Coaster Newspapers have been tried and true tested in real, vain life.  We value your trust in us and we value your feedback.  Let us know what you think. 

Richard@TheBPlot.com

PILLOW PERFECT

Whenever Michael Jackson’s sister, LaToya, would make an appearance on Howard Stern’s show, her husband at the time Jack Gordon, insisted her green room be “soft and comfortable for the morning” and filled with fragrant flowers and comfortable pillows.

Arriving at 6 am in full makeup when the interview was just for radio, she was a very sweet, almost fragile woman who I found to be totally caught up with a horrible man – now deceased – who thrived on creating conflict with LaToya and her family to isolate her and cash in on her family name.

LaToya would have loved the new and original line of Pattern on Pattern pillows from Shelter Home on Cookman Avenue.

“The first step in silk-screen printing of fabric yardage is to ‘open up’ the screen, making the first impression on a blank piece of fabric,” said Gene Mignola, co-owner of Shelter Home. “Eventually the fabric outlives its usefulness but in the process becomes a one-of-a-kind piece of art: Pattern on Pattern.”

Gene selects dynamic patterns on wonderful fabrics – made of cotton and linen – washes them and creates some of the most beautiful and original home accessories available.

“We have re-imagined these unique textile pieces as pillows which are sewn with love right here in New Jersey,” said Gene, who began creating the pillows a few months ago.

Gene – in addition to serving as co-owner of Shelter Home, has been a textile artisan for more than 35 years for theatre television and film. His clients include Walt Disney Theatrical, Calvin Klein and Donna Karen and work which can be seen in the Tony award-winning productions “The Lion King,” “Little Mermaid,” “Billy Elliot” and “Wicked”.

“I like the playfulness in the design of these pillows,” said Scott Hamm, co-owner and Gene’s partner. “With a few pillows you can change the mood in a room very inexpensively.”

The pillows, exclusive to Shelter Home, are completely “green” – made of 100% recycled products (the stuffing is recycled soda bottles) – feature a minimum of four different “patterns on patterns” and come in three sizes in a variety of luscious color themes such as blue and grey and rust and natural and dark red and deep green.

“Everything in Shelter Home, including the pillows just has an amazing style and energy,” stated Lois White of Ocean Grove. “It’s wonderful that many items are recycled and fair trade. The store gives flare with a heart and soul – substance and style.”

Beyond pillows the store feature original home accessories – from lamps to plates to glassware to rugs to handbags. Each item is unique and has a great modern style. This is one of a handful of stores that I would pretty much purchase the entire inventory, if I could.

“It’s awesome in here,” said a very young and adorable Brielle White, also of Ocean Grove.

Next Friday (June 19), in conjunction with ArtsCAP’s June Collide-a-Scope program, Gene will be giving a live demonstration of his work on digital printers at Shelter Home, beginning at 7 pm.

Briefly: As we become beach bound this summer, consider that America’s demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually – enough fuel for 100,000 cars for one year. Using a PUR water filtration system (named Consumer’s Choice Household Product of the Year) with a reusable thermos such as SIGG can replace 2,000 plastic bottles and save you more than $600 annually. PUR just introduced a flavor option pitcher so you dont even need to squeeze your own lemons. Purwater.com has more info.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

PRIDE WITH LITTLE EDIE

The final in the Coaster’s exclusive three-part interview (Click here: Part 1, Part 2) with Bouvier Beale – grandson of Big Edie and Nephew of Little Edie of “Grey Gardens” – reveals how gay icon Little Edie remained inspired, prideful and dignified through various obstacles.

TBP: What should we all learn from your Aunt, Little Edie, and the little things she appreciated and enjoyed in life?

Bouvier: Edie loved the ocean…and swimming – a reason she would have loved Asbury Park, had she visited. She was full of passion and loved to dream. She was also crazy about writing. In her journal, she wrote her name and title as “celebrated poet, author and artist.”

She constantly wrote letters to friends and Presidents like Bill Clinton…she even wrote to Prince Charles. She approved of them both. Her letters were always amusing – one never knew what topic to expect.

TBP: Cellphones, iPods, environmental pollution – what would she think of the world today?

Bouvier: Edie would not use a cell phone. She rarely answered her phone and changed her phone number often since too many people were trying to contact her – she was very private. Whenever we spoke on the telephone, however, she was charming and always had something current and interesting to talk about.

She read “The New York Times” daily and kept up with what was going on in the world. She would be horrified at ocean pollution and global warming. Edie was always concerned about environmental issues.

TBP: Did she find happiness during the later years of her life?

Bouvier: She seemed to be a happy person. She may not have had all her dreams come true but she handled her life as best as she could. Sometimes I felt that Edie was living “out of this world” because she never held any real job – her first job was at Reno Sweeney singing. She lived a very privileged life and was not really prepared to live in today’s fast paced world.

TBP: Finally, Little Edie radiated a wonderful kindness and had a beautiful sense of elegance and strength – quite appropriate for this weekend here in Asbury Park.

Bouvier: Edie was an artist. She loved New York City because of all the artists and creative types living there. She would have loved Asbury Park and its diverse community. Edie had a very open mind and she always encouraged people to believe in themselves – as she did with her dancing and singing. Sometimes not everyone is going to like what one creates however Edie inspired many to do what they loved doing most, regardless of what others thought.

Both Edies were strong and their integrity and dignity was very important. They were survivors.

Perhaps that is the inspiration for today – as we face challenges, be strong and be who you are, for that is what counts in the end. Edie inspires us to be who we are and to be proud of it – all the time.

(Courtesy Beale Estate)

GreyGardensCollections.com has a beautiful, revealing book and other items inspired by Little Edie.

Happy Gay Pride Month everyone – rainbows and Skittles for all.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

GREY GARDENS WEB EXCLUSIVE

Revealing parts of the interview that did not make it into the newspaper…

TBP: Your relative, John Davis, says he witnessed Little Edie climbing a tree and then burning her hair off, after a failed romance. What is the real story about Little Edie’s hair?

Bouvier: We never heard the story about Edie’s hair burning. We understood her to have Alopecia.

TBP: How much did Jackie Kennedy Onassis really pay to save her family from eviction from Grey Gardens. I have heard a spectrum of amounts. And did she pay Little Edie’s living expenses until she died, as rumored?

Bouvier: Jackie paid $25,000 to restore the home “to code.” We never heard that she helped Little Edie with her bills. There is no evidence of that.

TBP: What do you think your Grandmother and Little Edie would make of the ultra-iconic fame status they have achieved?

Bouvier: I think they would have loved the Broadway musical and HBO Film. Fame was not a priority but they would have appreciated the tributes.

TBP: What is the most common question you are asked about “Grey Gardens” and Little Edie?

Bouvier: There are so many questions. Mostly, we are asked “What Little Edie was like?” and “Why did this all happen?” The fans often think that no one cared for Edie and her mother but that is far from the truth. Everyone in the family tried to help them but at one point they decided that they would not leave Grey Gardens under any circumstances.

This is one of the reasons my wife, Eva, published the book “Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens: A Life in Pictures” to dispel the rumors.

TBP: What’s next?

Bouvier: We have no specifics yet however the next phase will include a book of Little Edie’s diaries and journals. More to come at GreyGardensCollections.com. Little Edie was an avid scrapbook keeper. During her lifetime she filled dozens of bound books with poetry, photos, party invitations, drawings and private musings the next book will offer a peek into that part of Edie’s life.

There are still 100 copies left of the limited edition coffee table book of private photos available online.

TBP: Tell us about the Grey Gardens Collection?

Bouvier: The website has started small but with amazing items – all inspired by the lifestyle at Grey Gardens during the glory days. The logo for the collection is actually Edie’s handwriting. The jewelry featured is cast from the originals Big Edie and Little Edie wore at Grey Gardens.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

NEWS: ASBURY PARK WILL HAVE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR

Sources close to the Asbury Park City Council confirmed rumors today that current councilmember Ed Johnson will officially be named Mayor of Asbury Park on July 1, replacing current Mayor Kevin Sanders and becoming the first openly gay mayor of the City. Additionally, Councilman John Loffredo will be named Deputy Mayor.

Councilman Johnson was the highest vote getter in the recent election.

Cheers to Ed – I am a huge fan of his. He is smart, dedicated, passionate and kind. Most of all, he loves Asbury Park as much as we all do. Its a great move forward for the city we love and just in time for New Jersey Pride 2009.

One Asbury Park resident said it best today “Ed is a much better representation of our city on all sides – black, white, gay, straight. He will be a great role model for the kids, too.”

Congrats to both.