Be right back

I just got back from a long weekend in Florida. FUN! But I also picked up a head cold. NOT FUN! Will be back when my brain stops draining through my nose.

Until then:

Pretty right?

New food and fuel in Asbury Park

This lovely dish you see is the Dogfish Head gelato from Porta in Asbury Park. I've written about this place before - they were doing the Christmas tree/pizza/beer or wine deal in December (they sold out of trees, by the way).

As impressed as I've been with Asbury Park, it's getting a lot better with places like Porta and Cafe Volan, which is a coffee shop that sells growlers of coffee (this is a growler if you've never seen one), opening in the last year or so. I'm working on a few projects up in the Park. Exciting time to be there.

Jersey Shore Music News - Take THREE!

The hits just keep on coming.

The organizers of The Bamboozle, which is putting on that big Asbury Park show in May, have announced that they're ALSO putting on a two-day festival of pop and country acts in Wildwood. It'll be held on August 24 and 25 (the Wild Half is August 26 if you're considering both events)

Doesn't look like they've named any acts yet. I'll keep you posted.

Good a time as ever to remind you about two more events:

1. Tomorrow is the every wonderful and lovely Miss'D America Pageant in Atlantic City (unfortunately can't go this year).

2. The Cape May Singer Songwriter Festival will be held on March 30 and 31 in Cape May. First time I can remember that it's not also the same weekend as the Ocean Drive races. Bummed about that too. Ah well.

Jersey Shore Music News - Take Two!

Completely missed this one when I wrote the last post: Phish will be playing Bader Field in Atlantic City (which was first used as a concert last summer for the DMB Caravan) on June 22, 23, and 24. Pinky Kravatiz, the all knower about Atlantic City, also says that Bader Field will be playing host to Metallica in June and Kenny Chesney in September.

Jersey Shore Music News

I was in Asbury Park on Friday as, yes, Bruce Springsteen was filming a music video. News came out shortly after this that his next album, Wrecking Ball, will be out in March. Here's "We Take Care of Our Own," the first single from that album:



Chills. Seriously - chills. Great song (side note: think he sent it to Obama for his 2012 campagin yet?)

Here's the full album song list.

He also did a surprise jam session at the Light of Day Festival in Asbury on Saturday night. Wish I'd been there.

But the music news doesn't end there.

The full lineup for The Bamboozle was announced this week, to ALSO take place in Asbury Park. This'll be a three day show - May 18 to 20. Highlights: Foo Fighters, Incubus, Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, Bouncing Souls, BON FREAKING JOVI! Here's everyone.

Three-day passes are on sale now for $216. Single day passes will go on sale on Saturday. They're $65 for Friday, &75 for Saturday and $75 for Sunday.

That doesn't seem to pricey to me (though of course these prices are before you add in Live Nation fees, which can range from $14 to $24, according to a story about the prices. Yikes. That story also said that three day passes would be $190, but that's not what I saw when I logged into Ticketmaster to see).

The trick with this one is going to be where to stay. I did a quick search of my favorite places and they're all blacked out except for the Majestic in Ocean Grove, which has one room open on May 18. The festival is offering hotel combo packages, which is probably the reason for the black outs. If you are going to do one of those packages, I recommend the Berkeley just because it's right there in the middle of everything, and you won't need to take a shuttle.

My only beef with The Bamboozle is that they're saying it takes place at North Beach, Asbury Park. What the heck is that? It's Jersey Shore folks. Deal with it.

If I go, it'll probably be to the Saturday show, and I'll be begging to stay on someone's couch. Hey, a girl's got to pay to go to the Chicago Marathon this year. I'll take all the free couches I can get!

I'll be in Asbury Park again on Monday, and then next Friday, I'm flying to Tampa. Gee, I wonder which one will be warmer...

Vote for Cape May

Cape May is up for Budget Travel's "Coolest Small Town" competition. So if you have a second, click here and go vote. The folks in Cape May will thank you for it!

A Sweet Hurricane Irene story

Jamie Marcone and Brian Martinez were SUPPOSED to get married in Atlantic City the weekend that Hurricane Irene hit. The wedding venue cancelled on them five hours before the ceremony was supposed to start.

This could have been disaster. Instead - well - read my story about it in New Jersey Bride.

I'd seen them on the news, and was thrilled when my editor emailed me and asked if I'd write about them. GREAT couple. Great happy ending.