GIFTED PET: HOWL-IDAY DOG PRESENTS

Four fab gifts for your four-legged friend…

Found My Animal Leash

Forget common nylon leashes.  Who wants to be common?  The absolute best dog leash [photos left], combining style and function, is made from natural-colored sailboat rope and marine-grade cast Italian brass which patinas beautifully over time.  Guaranteed you will love this.  Twenty-five percent of all profits go to the Louis Animal Foundation.  $56 to $68.

FetchDog Fisherman Sweater

These marvelous 100% wool sweaters [photo below right] are hand knit in the Northern Highlands of South America by descendants of the Inca Indians, who are paid a living wage through Fair Trade guidelines.  It’s Truman’s favorite sweater because it covers his entire chest and stomach.  $40.

Barkwheats Dog Biscuits

All the ingredients in these all natural, hand-crafted biscuits are grown by small-scale organic farmers in New England and Belize and certified fair trade.  $8.49

Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette

From dining out, to the proper do’s-and-don’ts of traveling with panache, this book, by nationally-recognized pet expert Charlotte Reed (a.k.a. Miss Fido Manners) shows readers the best practices for flawless canine behavior in every situation.  $12.95.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

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SANTA CUTIE, THERES ONE THING I REALLY DO NEED…: LUXE LOCAL GIFTS

Santa baby, forget sable (it’s gross), slip one of these luxe local gifts under the tree for me…and hurry down the chimney tonight…

THE THREE WISE MEN REALLY WANTED TO BRING THE GIFT OF GOSSIP:  NEW “YOU SAY WHO“

Stunning “Make Me Blush” necklace [photo left] featuring hand cut stones tied around the neck with luscious silk charmeuse designed by beyond talented and fancy-pants jewelry designer – part-time Ocean Grove resident – Gerard Yosca.  He is so modest about his talent his response when I asked to write about him, “Why would you want to write about me?”  Yosca’s jewelry is sold in Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman in NYC and exclusively at Bodega Shoppe, locally.  $200.

Heaven’s 33-inch Cameo Glass Lamp features layer upon layer of colored glass carved so the various greens, blues and oranges of the mountainscape glow like nothing I have ever seen before when lit.  Heaven on Cookman Avenue, $600.

At 22 pounds, the Strida 5.0 Folding Bike [photo right] weighs less than many women’s handbags and has no bike-chain (it has a belt made of Kevlar) so there is no mess no grease when your favorite commuter packs it up to jump on the train.  Shelter Home, $800.

Cookman Avenue is home to one of the most dramatic, environmentally smart chandeliers around.  The Michael McHale-designed 13-bulb square chandelier blends the discarded with the divine, featuring distressed brass pipes and fittings with the splendor of the finest Swarovski crystals.  “Michael is known for using materials you never thought could be the cornerstone of such high end gorgeousness,” said Scott Hamm of Shelter Home.  $6500. 

Handmade “eclectic romantic” “Gretta” fantasy 21-inch tall clock and barometer made by Luna Bella.  “All the clocks from this company are as if Tim Burton did furniture,” said Robert Legere, laughing.  “And the ‘Gretta’ clock is on the tame side.”  Robert Legere Home, $525. 

Stunning English sterling silver sugar caster, circa 1899, by Thomas Bradbury of Sheffield England is nine inches in height and fully hallmarked.  Shore Antiques Center, Allenhurst, $595.

Solid Bronze Recumbent Tiger [photo left], 19 inches in height, 49 inches toe to tail, circa 1960, finely detailed casting, features appealing patina.  Shore Antiques Center, $2800. 

Twelve months of unlimited yoga classes for your favorite Yogini.  Multiple classes daily at Yoga Bliss.  Yoga Bliss in Wanamassa, $1500. 

The wine lover on your fantasy gift list will loose their grapes over a limited edition reserve of Abacus Cabernet Sauvignon [photo right] by ZD Wines.  A carefully blended mix of 10 vintages, this wine is said to have “the vitality of youth, carefully blended with the complexity of age.”  Who wouldn’t want that in a beverage…or a man?  Spirits Unlimited in Wanamassa, $344.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

Follow TheBPlot on Twitter and win $100 in luxe holiday gifts for your dog

THEBPLOT… #1 FOR A REASON THIS HOLIDAY

GIFTING WITH A CONSCIENCE

 No doubt 2009 was a tough year.  That said, we are so beyond lucky and blessed in so many ways there is no better time to give back than during the holidays.  

TheBPlot reader, Heather Jensen of Asbury Park, sent in a few super-fantastic socially conscious charity gift suggestions…  

Kiva 

Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.  Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.  Click here for more. 

WIN THE ASBURY PARK FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR - TWEET OR EMAIL 'CALENDAR' TO THEBPLOT

Donors Choose – an Asbury Park classroom 

Donors Choose helps us help Asbury Park – or other city’s – teachers.  You can browse project requests posted by teachers and give any amount to the one that makes your eye twinkle.  Once a project reaches its funding goal, Donors Choose delivers the specific materials to the school.  You get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent.  If you give over $100, you’ll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students. 

As of deadline, there were five requests from teachers in Asbury Park.  Mrs. N says, “My students need three sets of High Interest Books for Reluctant Readers, levels 5-7.”  Mrs. K says, “I was hired as the school’s first basic skills teacher to support students who cannot be offered classified educational services.  My students need stamps, charts, music CDs, phonics and other materials that can be used for hands-on instruction.”  Click here for Asbury Park teacher requests. 

Lend For Peace 

Founded by two Jews and two Palestinians, LendforPeace was created to enable people of all faiths and backgrounds to make a tangible difference in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Using this site, you can make a loan directly to a vetted micro-entrepreneur in the West Bank. Click here for more.  

Best Friends Animal Society 

For more than 25 years, Best Friends Animal Society has been guided by a simple philosophy: kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us.  As the flagship of a grassroots network of people and organizations that care about animals, Best Friends continues to place dogs and cats who were considered “unadoptable” into good homes, and to reduce the number of unwanted pets through effective spay and neuter programs.  A better world through kindness to animals.  

Best Friends is the organization that rehabilitated some of Michael Vick’s dogs when other companion animal organizations said they should be euthanized.  Click here for more.  

While we are on the topic of benevolance, Asbury Bark [photo left] is hosting its annual Pet Photos with Santa, Saturday (Dec. 12) from noon until 4 pm.  A portion of the proceeds benefit the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.  Call to reserve a time or for more info:  732.775.4801.  

Richard@TheBPlot.com 

 THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S #1 FEATURES SITE… AND GROWING EVERY WEEK

FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT OF THE LAUNCH PARTY

For the past six weeks, “TheBPlot” and “The Coaster” have been your exclusive source for the most info, most photos, most of anything and everything related to the first-ever Asbury Park Firefighter Calendar.  This, our last article in the series, focuses on the successful launch of the calendar Saturday.

Fourteen Asbury Park Firefighters can now add “model” to their impressive resume – which already includes “hero” and “role-model” – after the launch of the 2010 Asbury Park Firefighter Calendar Saturday evening.

More than 600 fans attended the three-hour premier party sponsored by ArtsCAP, many holding the multiple calendars they purchased and a pen to retrieve autographs from the ladder men.

‘Y’ CHROMOSOME PARTY GOERS ASK ‘WHY?’… ‘B’ PLOT GUY RETURNS TO HOWARD STERN… ‘X’ RATED PUBLIC SHENANIGANS… & MORE GOSSIP THAT’S BETTER THAN ALPHABET SOUP ON A WET AND COLD DECEMBER AFTERNOON

“We were standing ten-deep to get an autograph from any one of the guys,” said Dawn Brindle, who came to Asbury Park from her home in North Plainfield for the evening to watch the tree lighting, shop, dine and, of course, meet the firefighters she read about in The Coaster.  “They were running out of ink they were signing so many calendars.”

The evening was filled with holiday joy and Asbury Park pride.  Many of the firefighter’s family members – kids, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents – were also in attendance.

“That calendar party was a great Asbury event,” said City Manager Terry Reidy.  “People really got to bond with the firefighters and the calendar itself is incredible.  Really great quality.  Each of the firefighter’s personalities comes through on their respective pages.”   

Ten-year firefighting veteran Gavino Siciliano was revealed as the cover guy Saturday.  Mike Mautner, 24 year firefighter, is featured on the back cover photo.  Inside the calendar the firefighters for each month are:  Carney Conklin, January; Andre Spann, February; Rick Dawson, March; Jamar Stephens, April; Christian Stevens, May, Ronald Slinger, June; Courtland Heyniger, July; Marcus Blackmon, August; Jon Hart, September; Rich Dreyer, October; Patrick Castellano; November; Jason Fazio, December.  The calendar was dedicated to the memory of Robert J. Busch, Sr.

“I am so proud of our hometown heroes,” said resident Carolyn Curtin.

Asbury Park resident Alan Barnett served as photographer and designer.  “The Coaster’s” TheBPlot’s Richard Virgilio served as copywriter.  Madison Marquette donated the space for the launch exhibit.

“I do think that the fire department should be skeptical when receiving emergency calls requesting Mr. December,” said Pasqualina Delucia, Madison Marquette, laughing.  “Seriously, we were honored to help such a great cause.” 

The $15 calendars – proceeds benefit the Firefighter Building Fund and ArtsCAP – are available at Flying Saucers, Shelter Home, Mike’s Beach House and Bodega Shoppe and at ArtsCAP.com.

(Photography by Alan Barnett)

The Coaster and TheBPlot’s additional coverage of the calendar:

• The First Asbury Park Firefighter Calendar: Behind the Scenes Photo Exclusive
• Model Firefighters: What You Don’t Already Know

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S #1 FEATURES SITE… AND GROWING EVERY WEEK

EMAIL THEBPLOT YOUR HOLIDAY CARD AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY!!!

TWENTY FAB GIFTS UNDER $20: PLUS, THE BEST KITCHEN TOOL EVER – FOR LESS THAN $5

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS' #1 GOSSIP COLUMN MENTIONS ASBURY PARK'S #1 FEATURES SITE: - "Today" producers asked Kathie Lee Gifford if she'd talk about the Tiger Woods story by talking about her own memories of philandering husband Frank. "Absolutely not!" bellowed Gifford, according to TheBplot.com." DEC. 6

NYC'S #1 GOSSIP WEBSITE FEATURES THEBPLOT IN "THE ONE THING KATHIE LEE WON'T DO FOR RATINGS"

Make “Bought in AP” – or within a few blocks of it – your new holiday mantra with these 20 fabulous gifts for $20 or less… 

1.  One-of-a-kind, hand-blown holiday ornaments in brilliant swirled reds, blues, lavenders and oranges.  $20, Hot Sand

2.  Draft Stop, filled with fir needles, fills a home with the relaxing scent of winter while blocking a drafty door or window sill.  $18, Comfort Zone, (Ocean Grove)

3.  “Oh Snap” mousetrap cutting board with stainless steel cheese slicer.  $20, Flying Saucers

4.  “I’m saving up for plastic surgery” tin piggy bank by Blue Q.  $9, Style Rocket

5.  Maison Bouche chocolate bars are “the bomb” according to store owner Michael Buess.  The best-selling flavor is Fleur DeSel, milk chocolate with sea salt.  $7, Bodega Shoppe

6.  Glittering and “decked out” Swan Gift Baskets.  “The swan is the unofficial mascot of Asbury Park,” said Michael Buess, who glitters and adorns the 24-inch festive fowl.  $18, Bodega Shoppe

7.  Fair trade Batik aprons handmade in Ghana feature lovely nature-inspired prints in four colors.  $15, Organic Style

8.  The 2010 Asbury Park Firefighter Calendar.  Proceeds benefit the Fire Department Building Fund and ArtsCAP.  $15, Shelter Home, Flying Saucers, ArtsCAP.

9.  Stunning three-piece set of salt and pepper shaker and mustard pot from Heaven.  The store features a number of collector-worthy sets including: sterling silver, silverplate, Lustreware and ceramic in all shapes and sizes.Two of my favorites sets are the silverplate Georgian-style and the brass with mother-of-pearl embellishments.  Sets from $20, Heaven

10.  Sweater-tights for women.  “Everyone who buys them loves them,” said the salesgirl at Stacy Gemma.  “They are slimming and warm” and come in four colors.  $20, Stacy Gemma

11.  “Smell My Nuts” 65% soy, sootless candle - that smells like banana bread.  $7, Master Bath Boutique in the Arcade

12.  Elegant jewelry designed and made by a co-op of women in Afghanistan.  “It’s taken more than a year for the government there to allow the jewelry out of the country and I am so happy to have it here,” said Nancy Ehrlich, owner, Organic Style – the fabulous fair trade store on Cookman Avenue.  The original designs of green glass flowers, brown Boxite and Camelian bead accents is modern and stylish for your friends and life-changing for the Afghani women.  $15, Organic Style 

13.  Hand puppet theatre.  The joy possibilities are endless with Chef Alfedo Al Dente, Ballerina Tina Prima, Cowgirl Sally Sidesaddle and the 15 other cartoon-like felt puppets by Melisa & Doug Puppets.  $19.99, Comfort Zone, (Ocean Grove)

14.  Japanese Piperoid Paper Robots and friend – named Antonio and Syrup or Shishitaro and Komajiro - look like you went to the MOMA to holiday shop but it’s our secret you went to Shelter Home for these adorable, cool and crafty paper creations.  $15, Shelter Home

15.  Wool “Brown Bear” winter hat handmade in the Himalayas.  Also comes in Tiger, Penguin, Owl, Cat and Pig styles.  $14, The Emporium (Ocean Grove)

16.  The best freshly roasted in Asbury Park coffee from Asbury Roastery is always a welcome gift.  One pound of the famous “hearty” Holiday Blend.  $10, Asbury Roastery

17.  Table saw-shaped cake, bread and lettuce slicer made of sharp plastic.  $13, Flying Saucers

18.  The gift of a “Couples Night Out” with a pair of movie passes to one of The Showroom’s fantastic screenings.  I frequently say that the theatre is the “best of all worlds – comfy like your living room, fancy-pants like your best friend’s media room and exciting like a New York art-house theatre’ room.”  $16 for two tickets, The Showroom on Cookman Avenue

19.  Organic loose leaf cranberry tea gift boxes.  From $7, Asbury Roastery

20.  Fabulous home accessory “finds” – including items from Tiffany & Co., Wedgewood (including Queen Elizabeth Coronation pattern dinnerware from 1953) Rosewood, Fire King and much more.  $.10 and higher.  Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore thrift store on Third Avenue

PLUS:  My absolute favorite kitchen tool – it makes preparing salads ultra simple and reinvented peeling potatoes, carrots, asparagus and cucumbers for me.  It is the Swissmar Peeler.  Any chef on your list will love you for years to come if you gift them with this peeler.  The gift doesn’t have a lot of “wow” but the first time the recipient uses it they will say “Ooooooo.”  It is super-sharp (and stays that way), ergonomically designed and pretty.  $4, Johnson’s Restaurant Supply (Neptune)

Company’s product description:  The Swissmar Stainless Steel Peeler with a straight blade is an indispensable tool to have in your kitchen. The integrated side cutter is designed for removing potato eyes or blemishes, or to cut decorative grooves into fruits and vegetables.  The harp-shaped handle is designed for easier, less stressful peeling.  The perpendicular cutting edge allows for a more natural, up and down peeling motion.

Next week: socially conscience gifting and local luxe gifts to splurge or fantasize about.  Santa, Baby!

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S MOST-READ FEATURES SITE

MODEL FIREFIGHTERS: WHAT YOU DON’T ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE CALENDAR

TheBPlot was the first to bring you the scoop on the making of the Asbury Park Firefighter Calendar and the only outlet to take you behind the scenes of the photo shoot (click here).  Today, The Coaster and TheBPlot are the only media with the full-story.

The first Asbury Park Firefighter calendar will be unveiled next Saturday (Nov. 28) at the Third Avenue Pavilion, revealing an another wonderful side of some of the city’s biggest heroes.  

I had the honor of bearing witness to the photo shoot, spending time with our beyond-amazing firefighters and I could not wait to tell you about it – here and in The Coaster – before any other publications.

“We have joked about doing a calendar for years at the firehouse,” said Chief Kevin Keddy, leader of the busiest fire department, per capita, in New Jersey.  “I thought it was a great idea when ArtsCAP approached me after the Fall golf outing.”

WHINY STRIPPERS ARE NOT CUTE… BELLIGERENT  BANK MANAGERS AREN’T EITHER… BUT ‘SAFE’ WORDS AND BRIBING PEOPLE TO BE QUIET SURE IS FUNNY.  “YOU SAY WHO” – GOSSIP ALMOST AS DELISH AS YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S PUMPKIN PIE

The 2010 calendar, proceeds benefitting the Fire Department Building Fund and ArtsCAP, was photographed over two days in late October with fourteen  ladder men (one for each month and the front and back covers).

As award-winning photographer Alan Barnett’s camera began to click, the new models quickly became competitive; attempting to ensure their photo was the best by grabbing cool props including gear, saws, hoses and even the Jaws of Life.

“Their enthusiasm was contagious,” said Alan.  “When Jason Fazio appeared for his shoot, he had already applied mineral oil to his arms and he good-naturedly tried to outdo his friend Gavino by choosing a larger axe as a prop.  When I asked if he would scale a ladder to the second story of the firehouse, he was up there before I could focus my camera.” 

Wives, fiancé and even one mother-in-law stopped by to check out the making of the calendar, encouraging the guys further and energizing the interviews I conducted to develop a backgrounder to accompany calendar photo. 

“These guys are beautiful inside and out and we hope everyone sees that more now,” commented Michele Conklin, Firefighter Conklin’s wife, via TheBPlot.com.

Purchase the calendar for $15 and learn who considers himself shy and is looking for an extraverted lady, who wanted to “chase fires, not money,” who has “too many tattoos to mention” and who enjoys classic Russian literature.

One hysterical firefighter asked me to describe his “marital status as complicated” however I thought he might not find it as funny in 2010, so I left that comment out.

Every one of the firefighters I had the pleasure of meeting during the 16 hour shoot – many more than the 14 who are part of the calendar – was a kind, selfless, dedicated and fearless gentleman.  All honest-to-goodness life-saving heroes in the flesh. 

Buy one of them lunch or a cup of coffee the next time you see him.

“Bringing together two very important institutions was great,” said Dennis Carroll, president, ArtsCAP.  “I was most delighted with the hospitality – we all felt like were members of the department when we left.” 

The fourteen firefighters (twelve months plus one cover guy and one back-cover guy) – their names revealed here for the first time – who generously participated in the making of the calendar and deserve our thanks:  Marcus Blackmon, Patrick Castellano, Carney Conklin, Rick Dawson, Rich Dreyer, Jason Fazio, Jon Hart, Courtland Heyniger, Mike Mautner, Gavino Siciliano, Ronald Slinger, Andre Spann, Jamar Stephens and Christian Stevens.    

Aaaaaand on top of everything, I had once-in-a-lifetime Asbury Park moment; I slid down the gorgeous, original, brass, 30 foot long, finial topped fire pole…twice! 

So which of the equally fab firefighters will be the 2010 cover guy?  Which month will your favorite firefighter represent?  All will be revealed on Nov. 28^th.  Launch party is 7 pm to 10 pm at the Third Avenue Pavilion.  TheBPlot reader’s invitation, click here.      

The calendar will be available through ArtsCAP.org and local businesses, including: Bodega, Heaven, Mike’s Beach House and Shelter Home.  Supplies are limited.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

Follow TheBPlot on Twitter and you could win $100 in fancy pants dog products

 THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S MOST-READ FEATURES SITE… AND GROWING EACH WEEK

THE FIRST ASBURY FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR: BEHIND THE SCENES

TheBPlot is the only place for a first look at - and a little scoop about - the making of the Asbury Park Firefighter 2010 Calendar (on sale Saturday, Nov. 28). 

Last Saturday and Sunday, 14 firemen came together for two good causes – raising funds for a new firehouse and ArtsCAP.  The guys were so fun, kind and modest and completely great sports.  I can not say enough about how wonderful these guys are.  We are incredibly lucky to have such amazing men – from Chief Kevin Keddy, down to the new recruits – protecting our City.  Buy ‘em a cup of coffee or lunch the next time you see one of them.

Some of the firefighter’s wives and girlfriends stopped by to watch the photo shoot, even one mother-in-law. 

The guys got so into the shoot they became competitive to make their individual photo session the best and most visual, debating who would use the Jaws of Life as a prop or hose with water shooting out onto Asbury Avenue.  It was super-fun to be a part of…I even got to slide down the beautiful, vintage finial-topped brass 30 foot long firepole – twice! 

Which of the 14 firefighters will be the 2010 cover-guy?  Save the evening of Saturday, Nov. 28 – NEW DATE – for the big reveal. 

The calendar was photographed and designed by award-winning photographer, Alan Barnett and produced by ArtsCAP with the assistance of Dennis Carroll and Ginny Otley.  TheBPlot’s Richard Virgilio is writing the copy.  

Special thanks to Chief Kevin Keddy for assisting in the coordination of the photo shoot and the fourteen fearless, kind and generous firefighters – ultimate gentleman – who donated their time. 

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW: FOLLOW THEBPLOT ON TWITTER

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S #1 FEATURES SITE… AND GROWING EACH WEEK

GOOD SENSE

A little vanity never hurt anyone.  A little volunteerism helps a lot of one…

SMELL GOOD

Banana Republic, the most reliable store for fab fashion and accessories locally has introduced its first new  fragrance – for men and women - since 2005.  Good things come to those who wait.  Banana Republic stores (Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, New York City) and online. 

LOOK GOOD

A fancy-pants friend in the beauty biz told me that big beauty companies like Olay (Procter and Gamble) have the most research and development money, are moreso on the edge of technology and thus develop the best mainstream beauty products for the money - from lipsticks to anti-aging miracles.  Olay’s new Regenerist Eye Roller delivers.  Yes, straight guys, even for you.  Olay makes its packaging asexual, with you in mind, too.  Available everywhere, however cheapest at Costco and Olay.com.

 

DO GOOD

Log on to Serve.gov and learn about volunteer opportunities in the greater Asbury Park area.  If you run a non-profit and are looking for volunteers, you can resister your project on the website. 

Someone once said, “You can learn more about a person by looking at their calendar and checkbook, than anything else.”  Interesting.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S MOST-READ FEATURES SITE

28+ HOME YARD SALE TO BENEFIT “ELEVENTH HOUR” ANIMAL SHELTER

Next Saturday (Sept. 26), Asbury Park will host its first city-wide yard sale benefitting Rescue Ridge animal shelter – an “eleventh hour” shelter taking in many dogs and cats scheduled to be euthanized by other shelters.  TheBPlot has your exclusive first look at the listing of homes participating in the sale. 

“The host sites listed below have signed up to hold a yard sale and have pledged to give at least ten-percent of their gross sales to a unique local animal shelter, Rescue Ridge,” said Sonja O’Brien, tireless organizer of the sale and Asbury Park resident.  “I invite everyone to spend a fun day, shopping at the yard sales and to pick up some treasures for a great cause.”

 … Yard Sale Locations …

West of Railroad Tracks:

2 Sunset (at Comstock), 1404 Fourth Avenue, 1128 First Avenue, 1407 Fourth Avenue (Asbury Park memorabilia), 1104 Fifth Avenue (animal adoption site), 1217 Fourth Avenue, 1106 Fifth Avenue, 914 Central Avenue, 1108 Fourth Avenue, 1035 Summerfield Avenue (mult-host site), 1304 Comstock

East of Railroad Tracks:

409 Second Avenue, 209 Seventh (corner of Webb / multi-host site), 511 Third Avenue, 604 Seventh Avenue, 502 Fourth Avenue, 1407 Park Avenue (off of Sixth Avenue), 709 Fourth Avenue, 706 Eighth Avenue, 306 Fifth Avenue, 708 Eighth Avenue, 502 Sixth Avenue, 907 Emory, 514 Sixth Avenue, 1504 Emory, 705 Sixth Avenue (animal adoption site), 401 Sewall Avenue, 804 Sixth Avenue

So major Asbury Park City-Wide Yard Sale: Saturday, September 26^th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – no early birds.

View Larger Map

To learn more about Rescue Ridge, visit:  www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ220.html.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT = THE AREA’S MOST-READ FEATURES SITE

UGLY INTO ART FOR YOUR PET

Lately, I have been so amazed at the gorgeous, fun products created for our companion animals. 

From $2,000 hypo-allergenic dog beds made of 18 karat gold fabric to simply elegant leashes created from sailboat rope or “green” leases made of recycled billboard paper to ceramic Burberry water bowls featuring the famous nova check plaid.

I read – I believe in Forbes Magazine – consumers, despite the recession, are choosing to spoil their dogs and cats because they believe the return on investment far outweighs the expense or sacrifice associated with the purchase.  I can totally agree with that.  

AN UPDATE ABOUT THE TIDES HOTEL’S ROBERT DURAN…FORGETTING THE MONEY SHOT WITH LINDSAY LOHAN…HUGE TWENTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY…REALTOR GAMES…THE PRETENDERS’ CHRISSIE HYNDE…ALL IN ‘YOU SAY WHO’ THIS WEEK

Artist, Natalie Timm, formerly of Spring Lake, has created a wonderful and original product that benefits both pets and their owners – turning ugly into art. 

Natalie paints beyond beautiful custom pet placemats – featuring an original portrait of your companion animal – taking a unsightly and generic feeding area and making it special and one-of-a-kind.

“The floor is the last frontier of art and the placemats are another layer of art for one’s home,” said Natalie, founder of NatsPetMats.  “Original art in everyday surroundings is my joy to make.  I wanted to provide people with long-term great experience every time they look at the placemat.”

After completing the questionnaire on Natalie’s website I answered more of her specific questions about my preferences and Truman.  Afterwards, I sent specific photos of the “model”.

“I interview the client and offer choices to get people thinking however I want a feeling of exactly what the customer is dreaming of and what he or she likes,” said Natalie who paints with her dog Zoe by her side.  “The more custom it is the more people and their guests will love it.” 

Natalie also requested photos of the area of my kitchen where Truman’s bowl sits and descriptions of colors I prefer.  I am color blind so that was tricky, however patient Natalie took the time to make sure the placemat flowed with the rest of the house – both in color and design. 

“I study the individuality of each pet’s features – their eyelashes, whiskers, fur patterns, muscle tone,” said Natalie.  “I paint a few ‘tests’ in watercolor until I feel I have captured the energy and individuality of the pet.  Then I paint the placemat.”

The entire process takes Natalie more than ten hours and it shows.  I wanted to frame Truman’s mat (made from recycled or repurposed vinyl flooring).  Natalie captured his energy, excitement and curiosity – even getting his spots correctly positioned in the portrait.  I smile every time I see the placemat. 

“Right now, I am working on a placemat for a newly married couple in Sea Girt who adopted two dachshund puppies,” said Natalie.  “They want the mat to be a benchmark as they grow up so they can always have a memory of their dogs as puppies.”

We live in an art infused town.  There’s no reason for our companion animals not to enjoy their own custom masterpieces.

www.NatsPetMats.com

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT – THE AREA’S MOST-READ LIFESTYLE SITE

BEACH AND BEYOND

SunMate UV Index Monitor

Forget relying on Sam Champion to learn the UV index at the beach.  The SunMate™ UV Index Monitor enables you to measures the intensity of the sun’s strength wherever you are.  At just 2.5″ tall and 2″ wide, The SunMate™ is easy to use and understand, as it measures the sun’s intensity at the push of a button – the product’s LED indicators light up between 1 and 5, depending upon the intensity of the UV light.  CVS.com and  PurelyProducts.com.  $19.95.

 

Banana Republic Beach House Candle

A great Road Trip hostess gift.  Top notes of beech tree leaves, sunny marigold, purple wisteria and honeysuckle nectar mingle with mid notes of English lavender, blooming white hydrangea, lily pond lotus and pink peony petals. The scent is grounded in a base of plush oakmoss, sun-bleached teak wood, burnished sandstone and South Hampton (or New Jersey Shore) hedges, stirring the senses and transforming your environment into a seaside cottage.  $24, 7.4 oz candle.  Banana Republic stores.

 

 

Hermes Beach Towel

Beyond luxury for fancy-pants Road Trip visitors, the Hermes “Top Towel”, 60″ long by 37″ wide.   $459.  BlueFly.com

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT – THE AREA’S #1 LIFESTYLE WEBSITE

SURFING THROUGH THE 4TH

Cheers to fireworks and a fun look at city surfing style this holiday weekend, with the help of long-time wave rider Chris D’Antuono of Long Branch.

“The trend in boardshorts this summer is ultra-lightweight and quad-stretch fabrics in vibrant patterns,” said Vince Troniec, surf department manager at Spellbinders and surf instructor.  “It’s a pleasure to wear and nice in the water even if you are not an avid surfer.  Oakley’s got great suits and quality.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris wears Oakley’s Micronauts, Tilt and Interlock boardshorts, respectively. 

Oakley boardshorts, shirts, sweatshirts and footwear available at Spellbinders and Oakley.com.  Create your own sunglasses at Oakley.com.  Beach accessories available at Cabana, Swell, Lightly Salted and Style Rocket on the Boardwalk. 

Briefly: Five years ago, the Fourth of July fireworks and all the amazing positive and exciting energy surrounding the weekend was the deciding factor for me to move here.  It’s been an honor to see the city – including the fireworks – grow even more spectacular each year. 

A very special memory for me in 2006 was watching the fireworks from the Berkley’s roof, thanks to my dear friends Ann and Somer Stephenson.  After a great party in Ann’s room (she is one of the best party throwers hands down), a few friends and I snuck up the utility staircase to the roof. 

I can not even tell you how spectacular the view was both of the fireworks, the stars in the sky and the crowd below.  We stood there in silence – no sounds but the ka-booms and crackles of the show.  We could see south for miles and the sea breeze was perfection. 

Surrounded only by people we cared about.  All of us on the roof knew we were having a exceptional, spontaneous Asbury Park moment never to be duplicated.  It’s one of my favorite private Asbury Park memories and I will be always grateful to Ann for that moment.  I still see the fireworks when I close my eyes and am so thankful.  

THEBPLOT – THE AREA’S MOST VIEWED LIFESTYLE WEBSITE

FRAGRANCE FIREWORKS

Nothing is sexier than a guy that looks crisp, clean, lightly tanned and smells good during hot shore days and nights, July and August.  Four of our seriously fave fragrances guaranteed to ignite something special. 

KITON BLACK

A tailored, romantic and masculine, artisan-crafted scent from one of the world’s most exclusive men’s suit makers ($7,000 off the rack, $21,000 custom).  Kiton Black leverages fields of the finest-quality ingredients, Italian bergamot, lemon and violet leaves, Cyclamen, Cardamon, Veviter and leather to create this luxe, elegant and original scent.  $65, 2.5 oz. Eau de Toilette.  Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Kiton NYC.

 

CLINIQUE HAPPY FOR MEN 

Very much the ultimate guy’s shore fragrance - taking fresh and clean and creating a spark.  The scent stays light and crisp and cool without heating up and changing like traditional men’s fragrances.  It’s reminiscent of a night out in the warm, breezy beach air wearing a perfect linen shirt and seersucker shorts.  A blend of tart Kaffir Lime and the exotic Kalamanzi fruit morphed with Mandarin and Yuzu and a combination of blond woods including Cedarwood, Mediterranean Cypress and Guaiac, keep Happy’s light balance throughout your night out.  $47, 3.4 oz EDT.  Clinique counters nationwide.

CORDOVAN by BANANA REPUBLIC

Fashion to fragrance – you can never go wrong with Banana Republic and its sales recently have been amazing.  Cordovan is a light, masculine, clean scent of ebony spices, vintage leather, iced lavender and nutmeg presented in a gorgeous wood box.  With four stores in our area our friends at Banana Republic make it easy to smell great – especially with this summer steal: buy any two 7.5 ml EDT bottles of the seven fab fragrances (men or women) for $15.  $45, 50 ml EDT.   Banana Republic stores everywhere.

DKNY MEN

Unique.  Strong.  Soulful.    Inspired by all New York City (or our city) has to offer…the energy – Bergamot and mandarin…the emotion – spicy white pepper and Cardamom and wet Jasmine…the guy – Cedarwood and Patchouli…and the twist – Orris and Vetiver.  $65, 3.4 oz EDT.  Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor and Sephora.   

 

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT – THE AREA’S #1 LIFESTYLE SITE

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

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

SUMMER HOT STUFF

Best of the best for gorgeous summer days and nights.

La Prairie Cellular Self Tan with SPF 15

Your face and body luxuriously taken care of – in one bottle.  Formulated to retexturize and smooth skin with a one of a kind controlled release system that ensures you an even, gradual, instant gratification tan – simply.  It smells fabulous, too.  $115 

and…

LaPrairie Celluar Nuturing Complex

Coupled with buckets of Voss water, this is like a big comfy hug to your skin after a day on the beach or on the Watermark deck.  The two-in-one bottle contains the ultimate in anti-redness calming care in both a balm and serum.  $255.

 

laprairie.com

Clinique

I’ve been using Clinique suncare for years and it always delivers with a clean and light line of ahead-of-the-curve sun protection.  This year, products feature SolarSmart protection technology and antioxidants activated by the sun that prevent and heal skin damage.  The face cream SPF 30 is in my car, murse and beach bag.  $17.50

 

 clinique.com

 Olay Daily Facials Express

 Ultra handy and easy when you are done with the beach but ready for the Beach Bar and dont have time to change.  No water needed.  $6 

 

olay.com

Ole Henriksen All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel

Best quality, pure and perfect finish to a day on our beach – recently named one of the best on the east coast.

 

 

olehenriksen.com

FIERCE TRADE

Earth day is becoming Earth Month is becoming Earth Year.

Finally, we are seeing tons of modern “green” options for every part of your fabulous life – from fashion to grooming to items for every part of your home.

You know Jurlique is one of my favorites. This Earth Day, my Jurlique friends are going beyond beyond by encouraging you to recycle three Jurlique product containers at one of their area boutiques and be rewarded with a sample of one of their three bestsellers (until April 25).

After I recycled at Jurlique, I sought out two leading resources to provide insight into making it easier to be green, everyday.

I went to the Green Products Expo in New York City – where US companies premier the newest, latest and greatest “green” products, and I spoke with Asbury Park’s own Nancy Ehrlich, owner of Organic Style on Cookman Avenue, to learn about 21st Century responsible living.

TBP: What does “fair trade” mean and how does it impact the Earth?

Nancy: Every fair trade product has been made by a company that pays a living wage for workers to support their families in that country. Typically, workers get medical benefits and work seven to eight hour days. No children work in the factories.

Fair trade is the complete opposite of what we know as a “sweatshop.” When people purchase fair trade products they are helping families around the world create a better life for themselves and their community.

Organic Style exclusively sells products that practice fair labor – I turn away companies that don’t have supporting documentation.

TBP: What are some simple tips that everyone here can do to make a big impact on the environment and ultimately the world?

Nancy: Stop buying bottled water. Why even buy it to recycle it? There are so many canteen and reusable bottle options available now.

Another tip is to eat a meatless meal at least once a week. Factory farming is one of the worst things done to pollute our earth.

Finally, get in the habit of bringing your own reusable shopping bag wherever you go – from Cookman Avenue to the Mall. Those reusable bags are not just for the food store.

TBP: What about for men?

Nancy: Look for simple, neutral, solid colored bags. I sell a couple of different organic cotton options at Organic Style. My husband Bob uses one.

TBP: Great Nancy, bring on the shopping.

At the Green Products Expo I previewed some really cool products that you will love having in your life:

Kids Konserve: My favorite from the show was this line of waste-free lunch kits. Ultra cool looking, reusable food containers for kids for school or adults for the beach or office. I’ll be using the stainless steel stackable food carrying “bento box” – two containers in one – this summer. The company was launched by one of the first employees of Design Within Reach, so you know it blends style and function.

KIDSKONSERVE.COM

Ecover Car Wash and Wax: phosphate-free, fully degradable, low foaming, pH neutral cleanser (translation – it won’t suffocate the fish in our lakes and ocean or kill your grass among other things) uses the power of nature to clean and degrease any car or boat, for less than $5.

FlushPuppies: Dog doodie bags that are 100% biodegradable and water soluble (you can flush it), so the “package” is treated properly in a sewage treatment plant and does not add to the 210 million tons of trash in the US each year. $4.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

NAMELY…

Michael Buess, owner, Bodega Shoppe

The horserace for creative business names around our city continues. I present to you the backstory for six more monikers below.

Bodega Shoppe

“I’ve lived in New York City for more than twenty years and the corner bodega is where I go for everything,” said Mike Buess, owner, of one of my favorite stores in town. “Corner markets sell a little bit of everything – similar to what I do at Bodega Shoppe which is a lifestyle store selling home furnishings, gifts and personal accessories. I added ‘shoppe’ to differentiate my store from a real bodega.”

Corazza

“It’s my maiden name,” said Kathleen Banks, owner of the fab mid-century modern home furnishing store on the Boardwalk. “It also means shield or armor. I have been wearing it proudly – and it has helped me a lot – for my entire life.”

WindMill Restaurant

“The original name for the restaurant was ‘WindMill Drive-In,’ said Rena Levine-Levy, chief operating officer of this chain that sells 12,000 fantastic hotdogs each week. “In 1964, my parents and their partners were looking for a location to open a drive-in. They found the building shaped like a wind mill – in the middle of what was a pretty empty landscape back then – and named the business after the distinctive shape of the building. Many don’t know the building came before the restaurant.”

Aww Mama Productions

“Whenever my dog Kayla did something cute my friends and I would say ‘aww mama,’” said Jill Potter, founder. “The phrase ‘aww mama’ has just become familiar lingo for me, so I incorporated it into my new business.”

Pyramid Productions

“I have always been intrigued by the mystery of the pyramids,” said Aaron Coleman, founder. “The creation of an event, to me, is like the building of a pyramid. And the actual logo is the same as my tattoo.”

Stone Pony (per its website)

In 1974, friends John “Jack” Roig and Robert “Butch” Pielka opened the doors of the Stone Pony. Jack purchased the abandoned building formerly a restaurant and leveraged the managerial and construction skills of Butch. During the building’s renovation, the club’s name simply came to Butch in a dream. The rest would be Asbury Park history.

Previous columns at TheCoaster.net reveal the genesis of other local great business’ names, such as Synaxis, Clementine’s and Munch.

Briefly: There is a grand new addition to Ocean Grove – and I am not talking about the monster building under construction on Ocean Pathway that is changing the historic skyline forever.

Thanks to Animal Planet’s “Underdog to Wonderdog” – the show that pairs stray dogs with loving homes – resident Kelli Chaffers has adopted a wonderful adult collie mix, Nellie, from a shelter. Production, which included improvements to Kelli’s home and a makeover and training for Nellie, took place during the past two weeks in the City.

Further details about the taping from the production team are more hush-hush than the Frost-Nixon interview.

Except, I know Nellie was feted Thursday in fab Asbury Park fashion at Robert DeSanto’s beautiful home with many friends and cocktails.

The show featuring Kelli and Nellie – and hottie host Ryan Smith – will air Sat. March 14, 8 pm.

Richard@TheBPlot.com.

20 (FAB) GIFTS UNDER $20

Great gifts for friends and frienemys alike, for under $20.  All found within our very own TMZ (three-mile zone). 

1.  “Hug” ceramic salt and pepper shakers: $19 (Etc.)

2.  Six sparkly handmade sandstone coasters: $20 (Posh Den)

3.  Teak Rubix Cube: $15 (Posh Den)

4.  Fantastic hand-blown and cast Holiday ornaments: $16 (Hot Sand)

5.  Trinity Church Cookbook – 181 yummy recipes by family and friends of Trinity: $15 (Trinity Church)

6.  Elegant fair trade cotton Batik print handbags: $20 (Organic Style)

7.  California Baby all-natural, safe and fun baby products with therapeutic natural oils.  Endorsed emphatically by my nine-month old godson, Drew: $6 to $18 (Organic Style)

8.  Jack Black men’s superior grooming products for the perfect shave: $5 to $14 (Style Rocket)

9.  Paul Frank’s “Department of Forestry” boxer briefs: $20 (Style Rocket)

10.  Sexy T-shirts printed using the Gyotaku process: $20 (Lightly Salted)

11.  Middle Kingdom mini porcelain vases in linen wrapped boxes: $15 (Shelter Home)

12.  Hot enamel tea kettle in various vibrant colors: $19.95 (Flying Saucers)

13.  Vintage home accessories: $.10 to $10 (ReStore thrift store)

14.  Gift baskets for dogs featuring freshly baked treats and a holiday toy: $18.99 (Asbury Bark)

15.  Hand-crafted wood ornaments featuring various dog breeds: $17.99 (Asbury Bark)

16.  One-of-a-kind edible chocolate boxes created by owner, Donna Harrison: $7.50 (Wish You Were Here)

17.  “The Story of Asbury Park: The Record of Progress and Achievement 1916 to 1931” – a reprint of a rare book published in 1931: $10 (Asbury Park Historical Society)

18.  “Postcard History Series” – 200 postcards recount the history of our city: $19.99 (Historical Society)

19.  2009 Friends of Deal Lake desk calendar featuring images by Wanamassa photographer Bob Jaroszewski.  Benefits FODL: $10 (Organic Style) 

20.  401 varieties of the best candy around $1 to $14.99 (Candyteria)

Briefly:  Continue your sparkly holiday spirit with Marj Conn’s Provincetown Fringe Festival at the Stephen Crane House Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 6 and 7), “Holiday Lights and Sips of Cheer,” featuring material written by Eleanor Roosevelt, Truman Capote and a first-hand account of the World War I Christmas Truce, the meaning of Kwanzaa candles and a humorous Chanukah story. 

If you have never been to the wonderful Stephen Crane House, Marj’s production is a great introduction.  Proceeds benefit Greyhound Rescue.  Show times and reservations: 732.807.4052.

Under the loving guidance and dedication of Frank D’Allesandro, Stephen Crane’s home is your respite for thought-provoking, dynamic and fun, culturally significant events – from cinema to plays.  I always leave feeling better because I went.

Walking into the home you feel as if you are visiting your favorite relative’s home.  The intimate setting is comfortable, the people welcoming and the conversation engaging. 

Richard@TheBPlot.com

MARBLE-OUS

When anyone talks about kind, smart, energetic, engaged, beautiful people in town, one person I think of immediately is Donna Forcier, owner of Uptown Tile and Stone Gallery.

Donna is a blonde bolt of seriously positive energy running around town and Uptown Tile is the area’s go-to store for the most fabulous tile and stone. 

Looking at samples in the store makes me want to take a jackhammer to the renovation I did to my house four years ago and start over.  Ug. 

“We are like a bakery here,” said Donna.  “We get fresh selections every week – from traditional to modern.  Sometimes our inventory is more than half-off the prices of other stores.”

Donna has been serving up the best in the world of flooring, walling (is that a word?), backsplashes and whatever else can sit still long enough to slap a little Thinset on, for more than 20 years. 

She began her business in 1986, with her husband, creating and developing the flooring upgrade programs developers such as K. Hovnanian, Toll Brothers and Kara Homes offered customers. 

Thank you Donna for putting an end to horrifically generic four inch by four inch beige and white tile in new construction.  Amen.

Nothing about Asbury Park is builder’s-grade.  The properties here can’t be either. 

As Asbury Park grew over the years, so did Donna’s retail business.  In 2004, Donna, armed with a new personal vision, re-launched the store as Uptown Tile and Stone Gallery – creating a comfortable boutique environment, bathed in natural light, for homeowners to review flooring options in, while continuing to keep the construction-types happy too, with quick turnarounds on orders and innovative products.

“This is not work for me,” said Donna.  “I love helping homeowners and pulling ideas together.  The team here has more than fifty years combined experience so there is a huge satisfaction in guiding customers with their renovations.”

I never thought it was possible get excited about flooring until I walked around Donna’s store:  basketweave carrera and onyx, pillow-edged porcelain subway tile, limestone that’s smoother than butter in any size or shape, spa-like tumbled river stone, sleek stainless steel, elegant glass and marble hybrid and whatever else your imagination or aesthetic demands.  Recession-friendly pricing included. 

“Trends in tile are mixing textures such as glass with natural stone, pebbles on shower floors and randomly mixing sizes of small tiles,” Donna continued.

Great, now where is that jackhammer? 

Briefly:  Congrats to the Gay Pride Business Network (see March 26 column at TheCoaster.net), celebrating its Third Anniversary on Tuesday, September 24.  Join the party at Moonstruck – 6 pm. 

And, Check out Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar (Wonder “Car” in the ads) in the background of the Dillard’s ads in September’s Vanity Fair and W Magazine.  Very fun.

One more – see you at the Deal Lake Regatta benefit this Saturday evening.  Boat parade and fundraisers begin at 5 pm.

Email:  DealLakeEvents@Yahoo.com.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

PETIQUETTE PART AMORE

Love is lovely.

Part 2 (Part 1 at TheCoaster.net) of my conversation with fabulous petiquette – pet etiquette – expert and Febreeze Pet Products spokesperson, Charlotte Reed, we discussed love and other loving issues.

The B Plot:  What’s the protocol for someone looking for love on the Asbury Park dog beach? 

Charlotte:  Even if the guy or girl is cute, you want to make sure the pet is friendly.  You can usually tell a friendly dog the same way as a person.  Look for a dog’s tail to be wagging side to side.  If the tail is straight up and moving like a metronome, the dog is scared or angry. 

Take off your hat and sunglasses because dogs can’t see your face and they cant get a sense of the person.  And hang up your cell phone. 

Don’t be a doggie stereotyper.  Judge every dog individually.

TBP:  Great, so your advice worked, bubbly red hearts are popping above both people’s heads and now the couple wants to spend their first full weekend together.  What’s a couple to do with their dogs?

Charlotte:  Before the dogs even meet the couple should make sure their rules and expectations are in synch.  If there is no sleeping on the couch for one dog, it has to be for both dogs that weekend. 

Have the dogs meet on “neutral” ground outside the house prior to playing inside.  When inside, make sure puppy gates are on-hand.

TBP:  What do they do if one dog learned some bad tricks and can’t stop loving the pillow on the floor, while the couple is loving on the couch?

Charlotte:  Take the pillow away and give the dog a chew toy.  Always make sure there are lots of toys available to avoid that situation. 

TBP:  And the new “future ex” loves people who love the environment.  How does the other person make her pet carbon neutral?

Charlotte:  There are many options to green up a pet’s life.  Put a filter on the faucet or fridge instead of giving the pet bottles of water that take centuries to decompose.  Use ‘green’ collars and leashes.  Also, some pet beds are made with fabric that resists dirt and smells – cutting down on water and energy usage.  Always use recycled bags for waste.

TBP:  Thanks Charlotte.  Loving your book, Miss Fido Manners.  Can’t wait to get your thoughts on petiquette for the holidays in November. 

Briefly:  Asbury Park resident, Jack Bradshaw, holds one of the keys to your pet’s long-term health with a new line of human-grade dog and cat food. 

“Sierra Natural is made with the highest quality ingredients – including vitamins and trace minerals – to create a food that maximizes the health and well-being of your pet,” stated Jack.

This is the only food – and I have tried at least four “premium” brands in the past year – that has controlled Truman’s digestive issues.   

“Our industry-unique home delivery program provides exclusive food freshness, for about ten percent less than the most comparable food at a pet store,” Jack continued.

Dog-grade dog food is not good enough for your baby.  Call Jack for samples: 201.248.7742.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

FATHER’S DNA 2008

Everyone in Asbury Park resembles a character from Sex in the City.  For Sex in Our City, which character are you?  I think I channel Miranda most often.

Some friends believe I most resemble the character Charlotte.  This, partially because Truman is the baby I adopted from Asbury Park Animal Control.  Kind of similar, I guess, to when Charlotte adopted a child from China. 

This Father’s Day, Truman celebrates his second year as my adopted baby.  He is definitely a Virgilio family member – making me crazy and love him concurrently. 

I received the results of my baby’s Wisdom Panel doggy DNA test.  The eight-pages of customized results were surprising and the information that accompanied the results was cooler than I ever imagined. 

A few weeks ago I told you Truman and I went to the Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital and visited with Asbury Park resident Dr. Danielle Rawlins D.V.M.  Dr. Danielle graciously and patiently explained the test, its implications and extracted a teeny vial of blood from him.         

Two weeks later I received the results.

The most surprising revelation was that Truman has zero of the Boxer breed in him.  You and I – judging from the emails you sent me – really would have put money on the fact that he was partially Boxer.

Truman is comprised of five different breeds of dogs, demonstrating – when I think about it – noticeable traits from all of them:  Irish Terrier, Border Terrier, Mastiff, Bulldog, Bullmastiff and Staffordshire Terrier.

There’s tons more amazing detail in the “results package” however I refuse to become one of “those people” who drone on about how perfectly, dynamically genetically interesting their baby or grandchild is.

The results of this, the most extensive canine DNA test around (detecting 134 AKC recognized breeds), will prove invaluable for the long and short term – immediately to explain some of his personality and more; for years to come, to help determine potential health risks and how to avoid these risks, as Truman ages. 

The info empowers his veterinarian and I – actually saving me money by eliminating the need for some potential future health screenings. 

Doesn’t it just blow your mind that there is a DNA test for dogs?  I know Carrie Bradshaw would be impressed.

Wisdom Panel DNA test:  $124.95 (online) plus vet fees, which should simply be for a standard exam. More info at: WisdomPanel.com. 

Briefly:  See you this Saturday, 8 pm, at ReVision Theatre’s debut one-night performance of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!, at the Paramount Theatre.

Also, I am loving David Sedaris’ just-launched tome “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.”  David is totally one of my favorite writers.  Great gift for Dad – it’s what my dad is getting.  Great beach read, too.

Richard@TheBPlot.com

THEBPLOT – THE AREA’S MOST-READ LIFESTYLE SITE

ORGANIC WITH STYLE

Every day is Earth Day at Organic Style in the Shoppes at the Arcade, Asbury Park. 

 

Founder of Organic Style, Nancy Ehrlich dedicates 20 hours every month to find the best, hard-to-unearth, planet-friendly products for you and your home. 

 

I am not talking Birkenstocks, granola and unkempt underarms.  I am talking reasonably priced, useful, quality products designed for the 21^st Century, which make a difference in your house, health and Earth. 

 

“I always want to share and learn and teach what I learn about being environmentally aware,” stated Nancy, a Wanamassa resident.  “My store enables me to do this and hopefully enables my customers to easily find products that help them positively impact the environment in their everyday lives.”

 

Some of the many great products that would make the King of Coaster “green” columns, Tom Pivinski, happy include:

 

Kiss My Face

A fabulously huge line of natural and organic products for your body including: lotions, lip balms, sun care, hair care, shave cream, cosmetics, toothpaste and super soaps made of 86% olive oil –  with zero foamers and artificial colors.  “Mediterranean Olive oil has been used for centuries to naturally moisturize the skin,” Nancy continued.

 

My favorite is the Liquid Rock deodorant.  Founders Bob and Steve were the first to liquefy crystal deodorant stones for personal use 20 years ago. 

 

Earth Friendly Products

A variety of plant-based, all-natural, essential oil cleaning products – pet care, detergents, soaps and more.  Pet Dander-Out got the Day’s stank off of my Truman, naturally.  They tell me that they are the only formaldehyde-free green cleaners made in the USA. 

 

BioKleen Cleaning Products

“Every cleaning choice you make affects the health of your family and the planet,” stated Nancy.  BioKleen’s products for your laundry, home and pet are Ozone safe and release no phosphates or hazardous materials. 

 

Glee Gum

If you know me, you know I love me my bubble gum and this is my new favorite.  Glee Gum is the only chewing gum around that is made with chicle – sap of the Sapodilla tree and the original main ingredient in gum – a renewable resource from the rainforests in Central America.

 

Nancy’s stock does not stop there.  You’ll also find baby clothes, lady’s accessories and cosmetics.

 

Even the gorgeous sales counter and shelves in her store are green.  The counter is made of oak floorboards and the shelves are treads from old stairs, salvaged from a 200 year old Pennsylvania farm. 

 

More bargains on the products I mention are available at Nancy’s Earth Day celebration this Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm.  She’ll also have food samples and educational presentations, including the conversion of a camping trailer into a biodiesel vehicle (way cool).    

 

Briefly:  Cheers to Alex and Ramon, new owners of the completely renovated and re-launched Fisher’s Chat & Nibble, which celebrates its grand opening throughout April and May.  You’ll find the same yummy fare with new additions and the incomparable Raphael.  For those fresh to the area, Chat & Nibble is a local landmark and was the original “center of the universe” for everyone participating in our City’s rebirth.

 

Richard@TheBPlot.com