A good way to start is by educating our youth about all that the Jersey Shore has to offer (and it’s not just a good tan) with a marine science day camp held in Lavallette.  This hands-on day camp for students in grades 2-8, advocates environmental awareness.  Led by Marine Biologists and sponsored by the New Logic Educators, students will learn about the marine environment both beach and bay with activities including: seining, sieving, plant and animal identification, water sampling, crabbing, fishing, as well as shell collecting.  Campers may even get a chance to go out on a kayak or zodiac boat.  In the event of rain, students will take a trip to the Point Pleasant boardwalk and tour the Jenk’s Aquarium.

The learning doesn’t have to stop when children leave the classroom, so enroll your child in this fun and interactive camp where they can learn all that our beaches have in store. There are five sessions available, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. during the month of July and first week of August.  Registration is $250 per camper.  Make sure you pack a lunch and drinks to keep cool during the day and meet the camp crew on Reese Avenue across from Bayside.  Happy Summer!

The new and improved Asbury Park boardwalk

Asbury Park, a Jersey Shore beach town with a rich musical past, has recently revamped their boardwalk and is slowly making a new name for itself.  As a Monmouth County resident, I’ve always had reservations about traveling to this beachside metropolis and after 22 years, I’ve finally made the trip.

2005 marked the beginning of the new Asbury era.  Since then, many new shops, restaurants and bars line the walkway.  Langosta Lounge, McLoone’s, and the new Aqua Restaurant and Bar (which I’ve been told is rumored to have fist pumping gurus at night) are among some of the more trendy destinations on the boardwalk.

Feeling a little daring last night, my friends and I veered right into Pop’s Garage Taco Bar, which also has a location at Normandy Beach.  This tiny eatery is seat yourself either on the boardwalk overlooking the massive beach or inside their tiny quarters.  Sitting outdoors was definitely the better option as I watched not only the waves crash but the diverse crowd stroll by.  The laid back atmosphere made for the quintessential summer night.

Reminiscent of Surf Taco, with far less options, you have your choice of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, to name a few.  Their menu even includes a glossary for those of you who did not have to endure 4 years of high school Spanish such as myself.

Margaritas were had and salsa was dipped, and after my three supersized chicken quesadillas, I was stuffed.  After our South of the border adventure we continued to walk on the boardwalk to see what else Asbury had in store for us.  Music was bumping outside of The Beach Bar and Wonder Bar as these nightly bars were gearing up for a routine thirsty Thursday.

The original boardwalk in the early 20th century

Forget about your preconceived notions about Asbury Park and venture out to a new Jersey Shore destination that is slowly becoming one of Monmouth County’s hot spots.  The Asbury boardwalk is not like others I’m used to, it definitely has a historical and old fashion feel to it evocative of the 1930s, but rich history is what our lovely Jersey Shore is all about.  So come check it out the new Ocean Avenue for yourself.

Now that the summer season is in full effect, our favorite beach bars are up and running. For the ultimate Jersey Shore experience head over to Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright, where the scent of the salty Atlantic greets you from the parking lot.

For you movie fanatics, Donovan’s Reef was established in 1976 and named after the famous John Wayne comedy coincidentally titled Donovan’s Reef. This 1960’s film is about a former sailor who owns a bar on a South Pacific island after WWII, called you guessed it…Donovan’s Reef.

This small bar is not only reserved for after hours fun, Donovan’s is a hotspot for daytime drinking as well. Guests can come in their bathing suits, lay on the beach, listen to music and enjoy the drinks that the tiki bars have to offer. Donovan’s is a private lifeguarded beach bar so you’re more than welcome to get in touch with your inner Michael Phelps out in the waves.  You most certainly won’t leave hungry either with their grill that is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. serving some of your summer favorites.

It’s not uncommon for the regulars to stay through the night, as many patrons are still donning their cover-ups and tan lines well into the early morning hours. It’s the ultimate laid back, beach bum, real Jersey Shore atmosphere.

If you prefer not to get sand in your shoes, there are a few small outdoor bars on the other side of the boardwalk as well as a full indoor bar. Inside you’ll find a stage that is home to many live bands whose music keeps everyone singing and dancing.

Make sure you check out their Web site with full a calendar of events and for you social media savvy people out there, follow them on twitter for instant updates on everything Donovan’s.

Some helpful tips that my friends and I learned the hard way this past Memorial Day Weekend. Donovan’s does in fact have cover, and no they don’t accept credit cards, so make sure you come with that cash money!

*Located at 1171 Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright

There's no one here yet, but in a few weeks we'll be packed tighter than sardines and hopefully not getting on each other's nerves.

I was paging through old Live For Jersey Shore posts and came across this gem from last August on beach etiquette. With May just around the corner and summer inching ever closer after that, I thought it would be a good time to dust off the old ocean-side manners list that I had such a good time coming up with.

More beach behaviors I find unacceptable:

• Games of catch in inappropriate places: you don’t get to take up huge swaths of sand on the waterfront just because you want to throw a tennis ball around. Take that up to the top of the beach. Also, if you can’t catch and just end up having to chase the ball/Frisbee into crowds of people, it’s probably best to sit that game out.
• People who try to chat while you’re reading: If there’s a book in front of my face, I generally do not wish to be engaged in conversation. The absolute worst is when people ask “Oh, what are you reading?” The cover’s facing you – you tell me! This happened all the time when I checked beach badges. Just show me your badge and be on your way; this isn’t a book club.
• Awkward public displays of affection: Have you ever seen lovebirds canoodling/humping on a beach towel? It’s extremely uncomfortable to watch, particularly because this is the beach and everyone’s barely wearing any clothes. Get a room; no one wants to see any skin-on-skin action in public. (Or at least I don’t, but who knows? These ever-growing lists are really making me out to sound like a cranky old lady.)
• Discarded cigarette butts: I don’t smoke, so maybe I don’t understand, but what is so hard about taking the unsmokable tip of your cancer stick and dropping it in a trash can? My friend Meg, a fellow life-long beach baby, suggested this one and it makes me sad that it even needs to be said. Walking barefoot through sand that’s lousy with little nubs that smokers have sucked on for 20 minutes isn’t exactly the sexiest concept ever. Thereis some good news though: Clean Ocean Action, a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning up New Jersey and New York’s coasts, announced that cigarette butts from No. 1 to No. 2 in their 2009 Dirty Dozen – items most frequently collected during beach clean ups. It’s somewhat akin to being named the second trashiest Real Housewife of New Jersey, but I’ll take it.
• Just because it comes in that size doesn’t mean it should be worn: Another spot-on etiquette suggestion from Meg. Before a recent trip to Punta Cana, I dieted and exercised for weeks to look my best in a cute new turquoise bikini I had bought. I couldn’t help but notice that several of my fellow female beachgoers did not do the same, and yet wore far skimpier suits than I could even fathom wearing. I wasn’t sure if I should salute these Rubenesque ladies for having the confidence to strut their stuff (god knows I could use a little confidence for strutting) or politely suggest that something with more coverage might be more comfortable. This rule also extends to leggings, other spandex and those unfortunate stretchy mesh shirts you see on the boardwalk.

MDW (Memorial Day Weekend, for the uninitiated – better than Christmas for beach kids) isn’t even upon yet so this list is sure to grow. Suggestions are, of course, encouraged. Perhaps we can all make the beaches even more enjoyable – one wayward Nerf ball and chomped-up cigarette butt at a time.

Check this sneaky little guy out.

An e-mail featuring our feathered friend here recently made the rounds, touting him as Point Pleasant Beach native who robbed a local convenience store. It popped up in my inbox a couple weeks ago and made me chuckle (OK, more like full-on guffaw, but when you’re trapped in an office it’s the little things that count). I forwarded it to my co-workers, friends and family and was all pleased with myself for coming across it.

Supposedly, this crafty seagull sneaks into front door of the store and pulls a bag of Doritos – always Nacho Cheese – off a shelf with his beak, walks out with it and digs in. People have found this so hilarious that they come stand outside and watch. The proprietor is happy because the charlatan’s audience pays for his snack and probably pick up a few things for themselves.

Well, I had to know where in Point this happened so I could see him in action for myself. I hit Google and typed in “seagull stealing chips” and discovered, courtesy of urban legend site Snopes.com, that this happens in Scotland, not here at the Shore.

Frankly, it’s a little relieving to find that our seagulls haven’t developed a superior intelligence that allows them to pillage our stores. Anyone who has ever attempted to eat a meal on the beach knows this is for the best. I’ve seen them divebomb children’s snacks. One day this summer, a friend had a water bottle wrapped in aluminum foil and one of these winged thieves assumed it was a sandwich and tried to fly off with it. You can always tell the new people on the block because they leave their trash on the curb in white garbage bags. By morning, the bastards have shredded the bags and strewn the trash all over the street. Trash cans, people, trash cans.

And how about those crazy, stupid people who feed the damn things and then wonder why they get pooped on? That was one beach rule that we sadly over looked in this summer’s Beach Etiquette post. Families of tourists circle up their chairs in the an area the size of a small country and merrily toss pretzels into the chair and fuss over the flock that hover above them. Then, white drops start raining.  Guess who’s not so happy anymore.

Last summer, the Star-Ledger’s shore blogger caught an airborne attack in action. The video doesn’t include the showering of food that drove the gulls to descend upon Point’s tourists, but let this be a lesson. Please don’t feed the birds. Hitchcock was onto something.

For more hilarious photos of unsuspecting Britons having their frozen treats stolen straight out of the sky, check out Kontraband.

South Seaside Park barrel | June 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Are you ready for Surf Weekend?

No, the Governor has not issued a proclamation. At Live for Jersey Shore, we’re dubbing it Surf Weekend, because today and tomorrow will feature two fun surf related events.

I’ve mapped it out for you.

Surf Weekend begins tonight at the grand Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, with the world premier of A Pleasant Surprise, a Super 16mm surf film, at 7 PM ($5 to enter, music by Sean Bones prior to the viewing, and 21+ to drink).

A Pleasant Surprise

Nick Zegel, left, Creator Director, and Kyle Pahlow, Filmmaker (Photo: Jonathan Hoover)

As a lifelong Jersey Shore surfer (bodyboarding by age 3, standing on the bodyboard by age 5, and riding my first surfboard–a used 5′8″ Al Merrick quad fin–by age 7), I am intimately familiar with the shore surf scene. Unlike our counterparts in locales that are warm year round, such as Southern California, Florida, and Hawaii, our conditions vary with each season.

If you surf here, you need to be ready to paddle out whether it’s 80 degrees, sunny, with 72 degree water temps in crowded conditions or 15 degrees, snowy, with 38 degree water temps in desolate conditions.

This is the life of a Jersey Shore surfer.

Although we haven’t seen A Pleasant Surprise yet, judging from its website, it appears that the film seeks to encapsulate our surfing culture, both in and out of the water.

From the film’s synopsis:

A Pleasant Surprise offers an honest look at the talents of a select group of surfers who live in a truly special part of the United States. Almost three years in the making, this film documents a world of contrast as daily changes in weather and waves prove to be all part of a larger picture; thumping beach breaks, cold water, and quick tropical storms are just a fraction of what you will find. Brought to you in Super 16mm, A Pleasant Surprise allows for the full beauty of this region and its surfers to be realized.

The film’s trailer:

A Pleasant Surprise from Kyle Pahlow on Vimeo.

You’ll notice that the surfing clips in the trailer range from bareback surfers to those in full head-to-toe wetsuit gear.

That’s Jersey.

After the film, head home, stretch, and sleep well, because Surf Weekend continues tomorrow with the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest.

Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest

Surfer in South Seaside Park | August 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Surf for a good cause!

Wake up early, get stoked, and head to Seaside Park for the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest at the 2nd Avenue beach, benefiting the Doug Oland Scholarship Fund at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River. Registration begins at 8 AM, and heats will commence at 9 AM. The registration fee is $25, and all contestants will receive a hoodie and a Surf Taco lunch.

According to magicseaweed, a reliable surf forecasting site, surf conditions for Seaside Park are predicted to be approximately 4-5 feet tomorrow morning (yet somewhat sloppy from onshore winds). As I child, I surfed competitively, and I recall many surf contest cancellations due to poor surf conditions–this will not be a problem.

Today’s stormy weather will give way to clearing conditions throughout the day tomorrow, so after the contest ends,  spend the rest of your day in Seaside Heights, where the annual Mardi Gras celebration will be booming.

Sunday?

While there are no official Surf Weekend events on Sunday, the weather should be sunny and warm, so spend the morning in the water, early afternoon at the  Seaside Heights Seafood Festival, and then cap it off at 4 PM, with the always entertaining Shorty Long & The Jersey Horns at the Beachcomber Bar and Grill on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

September is a beautiful month at the shore, so enjoy!

Beachgoers get way too close for comfort, so let's try to get along. (gratefully borrowed from nj.com via Google images)

In light of the Seaside Heights beach smoking ban, the Star-Ledger’s NJ.com asked readers what else should be banned from our fine beaches. As someone who supplemented her tips from waitressing throughout all five years of college by badge checking, let me be the first to tell you: plenty. There aren’t enough hours in the day for me to tell you Shore restaurant etiquette, so we’ll just stick to the beach for now.

Bart Brooks makes some quality points, but I’m going to have to disagree with his Nos. 3 and 4. Jellyfish and seaweed? Sorry Bart, they are nuisances but can’t we all get along? We’re invading their turf, not the other way around. Yes, I know eutrophication is causing a major influx in jellies in the bay, but I haven’t seen too many on the beach this summer. Then again, I haven’t seen too much of the beach this summer. And who doesn’t love a good clear jellyfish fight? No? Just me?

My picks for permanent beach banishment:

• Loud radios/talking: Look, just because you want to listen to the Pussycat Dolls or Kenny Chesney or what have you doesn’t mean I do too. I always cringe when people my age are blasting profane music or cursing loudly. Don’t get me wrong, I can cuss with the best of them, but not in public and not around kids.
• Smoking: Yep, I’m gonna have to agree with Seaside. Nothing ruins a good beach day more than sitting down wind of a human chimney. Cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, corncob pipes, whatever. I think my biggest gripe with smoke on hot days is the fact that I just can’t wrap my mind around the idea of inhaling smoke into my body when it’s 90 degrees out. But, hey, I’m not a smoker, so what do I know?
• People who wear flipflops past the beach entrance:You don’t have to be one of those people who think they’re cool enough to leave their flipflops on top of the beach (what’s with that? When I checked badges I would be surrounded by sandals by noon), but when you wear them down to your spot, you kick up sand all over the place! I don’t want your sand splashed up into my face or my book so just take them off and carry.
• Excessive jewelry/makeup: Are you going to some sort of photo shoot? No? So then knock it off. Sure I’ve been guilty of beaching it with smudges of last night’s mascara, but I don’t get why some girls feel the need to completely put on their face before they go sweat out in the sun. Same thing for jewelry. Unless you plan on getting lost and need your gold to catch the sun to signal passing planes, leave it at home.
• Runaway umbrellas:If you can’t keep your umbrella properly in the sand, forget it. Those things are WEAPONS! Have you ever seen an umbrella take flight in the wind? It’s terrifying – especially the kind whose bottoms look like corkscrews. Can you imagine that damage one of those bad boys can do if it catches you in the torso?
• Ridiculous amounts of sand toys: I swear, some parents think they need to cart the entire beach toy department of Ben Franklin with them. The kids never even play with the damn things anyway; they’re off doing their own thing. My kids are getting one bucket and one shovel each. Boogies boards are optional and must be carried by the child. Sounds mean? I don’t care.
• Public displays of discipline: When I checked badges, I was subjected to many time outs on the benches at the top of the beach. Parents, I get it, your kids are misbehaving. But when you yell, threaten and punish your offspring in public, I don’t know what to do. Call DYFS? Look away? I overheard this gem of a conversation one day in 2007: Mom-If you keep crying like this, everyone will know you’re a brat. Little Boy: No, you’re a brat! (bad idea, kid). Mom: That’s it, you’re getting hot sauce in your mouth! (what??) Little Boy: There’s no hot sauce at the Shore! Mom: Yeah? Wanna make a bet? You’ll be very sorry.

Clearly, I can go on. But I’ll refrain. But  please, I’m sure this list can be expanded. Or even disputed. So comment away!

When the going gets tough...

Been having a renewed love affair with my Nikon-D80, and among the 200-or-so pictures of friends and family taken over the weekend, I liked this image from Monday — a girl with an ankle brace being helped down to the water. There was an ankle brace involved, I swear. A spectacular day on the beach, sorry to those of you who sat in traffic, but it was the only real winner of a day all weekend.

This picture is largely unremarkable save for the fact that it’s only May!

Other than reminiscing about the weekend, this week we’ll be:

-Wishing the best for all those involved in the boat accident on the Manasquan River on Friday (via NJ.com).

-Thinking about laying out the $67.50 to check out Bobby Dylan at the Blue Claws stadium in Lakewood - tix on sale Saturday, show is July 23 (via Metromix).

-Wondering where all the 30-somethings have gone (via APP)

Sunset Manor Beach in Lavallette in May

For the second year running, the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant and Stevens Institute of Technology used scientific data and online votes to rank the Shore’s top 10 beaches but Ledger Live host Brian Donohue asked the experts a question none of them wanted to answer: What are the Garden State’s worst spots for sunning and swimming?

If you ask me, there’s no such thing as a bad beach, per se, but some certainly stand out over others. The beach near the house my brother, a Monmouth U. student, lived in this year in Deal left much to be desired. A steep cliff giving way to a tiny sliver of coarse, grainy sand? No thank you. The glorious, sweeping sand-scape rolling down to the ocean near my house on the Barrier Island? Yes please. However, my beach is operated and maintained by a private homeowners association and while it’s not technically “private,” it’s not where you would want to set up shop if you came down the Shore for the day. No public bathrooms, limited parking, $8 day badges.

This is one of the Shore’s perennial problems and Donohue touches on it in his vodcast. Many limited-access beaches, like those on Long Beach Island, are guarded by oceanfront mansions with little or no way to get on without trespassing. Yet, their beaches are usually bolstered with government-funded replenishment projects, which cost us all more than the price of a badge.

Ocean City takes the top honors and, like last year, South Jersey beaches dominate the top 10, with just 3 entries from Monmouth and Ocean counties. Unlike 2008 when just Beach Haven was entered and came in 9th, LBI presented a united front and was named 2nd best beach in the Jerz and the best spot for family vacations – a title I’d like to see Lavallette win next year. Then again, I could be biased.

I really couldn’t tell you what she played but it was vast array of music from lots of genres – no unntz-unntz techno at all! Sam’s beats even got my wallflower boyfriend dancing out on the floor (it also could have been the booze).  The night was a bit chilly so the entrance to the beach from the outer bars was shuttered but you could still see that beautiful Atlantic – easily one of my favorite things about the Surf Club.

Samantha Ronson’s Mac has gone political.

The Surf Club rolled out VIP cards for partiers with Monmouth and Ocean county IDs. Scrawled atop the cards in big red type is LOCAL’S ONLY. Ouch. Grammar’s not their forte but I’ll let it slide, since cheap beer is. Problem is, last summer’s Bring Your Own Mug promotion is out and alleged 24 ounce Coors Light drafts for $2 are in, but check this out –

Maybe not.

Does that cup look like it could hold the equivalent of two cans? I think not. Maybe if we all request the return of Mug Night we can bring back a local favorite. After all one should “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Think Margaret Mead ever dreamed her famous line would be applied to a bunch of cash-strapped booze-hounds?