23rd Annual Chowdefest on LBI

23rd Annual Chowdefest on LBI
Saturday & Sunday, October 1 & 2, 2011

This annual extravaganza gives you a chance to be the judge of the best Manhattan and New England style chowder on Long Beach Island. Competition is fierce — and delicious.

Enjoy unlimited chowder tasting and live music, children's entertainment, and a food court are all part of the event. The Chowder Cook-off will be held rain or shine at the Taylor Avenue ball field, Ninth Street and Taylor Avenue in Beach Haven (across from Schooner's Wharf and Bay Village) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2011.

This family fun festival features live music, activities and unlimited Chowder tasting with the opportunity for each ticket holder to vote for their favorite red and white chowder.

The event is nestled in Beach Haven surrounded by beautiful views of the bay and plenty of year end discounted shopping. It has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good bye to summer and welcome in the fall.

Always the weekend before Columbus Day Weekend, this year join us on October 1 for the fabulous Merchant Mart where hundreds of vendors offer the best deals of the season and Sunday for the Chowder Cook Off.

General Admission Tickets - $20.00
Children's Tickets (Ages 4-12 ) - $10.00
VIP Tickets - $50.00

Things to do in Ocean County, August 13, 2011

With the growing year round population, Ocean County's economic base has become increasingly diverse, with a variety of industries now supplementing traditional tourist related businesses. The growth in employment opportunities within Ocean County is now becoming as notable as the population growth was in the recent past. Over the last ten years, Ocean County has had one of the fastest increases in new jobs in the State. The Health Care Industry has been by far the fastest growing employment sector and is now the top employer in the County. Employment projections released by the NJ Department of Labor show that Ocean County will continue to be at the forefront of New Jersey employment growth well into the next decade

Things to do in Ocean County August 13, 2011

Summer Dock Concerts: Reunited, Barnegat Municipal Dock, E. Bay Ave. 7 pm. In case of rain, concerts will be held at the Community Center, 900 W. Bay Ave. Concerts run Saturdays from July 4 - September 10. Information: 609-698-0080 or www.barnegat.net- BARNEGAT

Zion Church Summer Bazaar, Zion Church, 18th St. & Central Ave. 9 am - 1 pm. Book & bake sale. Information: 609-494-8676 or www.visitlbiregion.com- BARNEGAT LIGHT

Childrens Theater: Snow White, Surflight Theatre, Engleside & Beach Aves. 6 pm. $ Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Reptile World, Fantasy Island Amusement Park, 7th Street & Long Beach Blvd. 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm & 9:30 pm. A fascinating, entertaining and educational show featuring live reptiles such as a 16' 165 lb. Albino Indian Rock Python, Alligator Snapping Turtle, South American Green Iguana, American Alligator and Cobras. Information: 609-492-4000 or www.fantasyislandpark.com- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

The Odd Couple, Surflight Theatre, Engleside & Beach Aves 8 pm. A Neil Simon Comedy featuring Cindy William and Joanne Worley. Hilarious comedy classic of mismatched roommates. Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Full Moon Hikes, Island Beach State Park, Interpretive Center, End of Rt. 35 S. 7:30 pm. Information: 732-793-1698 or www.friendsofislandbeach.com- ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

STARBURST Summer Concert Series: The Best of Reggae, Northern Star Arena, Six Flags Great Adventure, Rte. 537. 6 pm. Featuring Beres Hammond, Kymani Marley (son of Bob Marley), Wayne Wonder and Anthony B. Concert requires an additional admission ticket. Information: 732-928-1821 or www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure- JACKSON

Flea Market, Lavallette First Aid Parking Lot, Bay & Philadelphia Ave. 9 am - 4 pm. Sponsored by the Lavallette Business Association. Rain date August 14. Information: 732-793-7477 or www.lavallette.org- LAVALLETTE

50th Annual LBI Lifeguard Tournament, 68th Street Ocean Beach. Information: 609-361-1200 or www.longbeachtownship.com- LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP

Our Gang Players presents: Oliver, OceanFirst Theater, 1000 McKinley Ave. 7 pm. $ Information: 609-597-0553 or www.ourgang.org- MANAHAWKIN

Summer Slam, New Egypt Speedway, 720 Route 539. Sportsman, Outlaw Stocks, Crate-1, Late Models, Enduro & Demolition Derby. 6 pm. Schedule subject to change. $ Information: 609-758-1900 or www.newegyptspeedway.net- NEW EGYPT

Beach Yoga, Hiering Ave beach area. 7:00 am to 9:45 pm. Instructor Dawn Keen from Center for Health and Healing. $ Information: 732-505-8282 - SEASIDE HEIGHTS

The Bikinis, Arts & Community Center Theatre, Ocean County College, College Drive, off Hooper Ave. 8 pm. A new musical beach party beginning in the summer of 1964. $ Information: 732-255-0500 or www.ocean.edu- TOMS RIVER

Indoor Flea Market, Church of the Holy Spirit, 220 E. Main St. 8 am - 1 pm. Information: 609-296-9618 or www.holyspirittuckerton.org- TUCKERTON

National Lighthouse Day, Tucker's Island Lighthouse, Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St., Rt. 9. Setup between 8 am - 9 am. Promotes public awareness of ham radio and lighthouses and fosters camaraderie within the ham fraternity. Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge class held at the lighthouse during the day. Sponsored by the Old Barney Amateur Radio Club . Information: kc2yaf@comcast.net - TUCKERTON

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Reality Ocean County

 

Things to do in Ocean County, NJ August 6, 2011

Summer Dock Concerts: Voodudes, Barnegat Municipal Dock, E. Bay Ave. 7 pm. In case of rain, concerts will be held at the Community Center, 900 W. Bay Ave. Concerts run Saturdays from July 4 - September 10. Information: 609-698-0080 or www.barnegat.net- BARNEGAT

National Lighthouse Day, Barnegat Lighthouse, Broadway. Setup begins at 8 am - 9 am. Part of National Lighthouse-Lightship week and the Old Barney Amateur Radio Club promotes public awareness of ham radio and lighthouses. Fosters camaraderie within the ham fraternity. Information: kc2yaf@comcast.net - BARNEGAT LIGHT

Cranberry Bog Tour, Double Trouble State Park, Pinewald Rd. 10 am. 1-mile to 2-mile walk over flat sandy trails. Information: 732-341-4098 or www.njparksandforests.org- BAYVILLE

Childrens Theater: Disney's Aladdin Jr., Surflight Theatre, Engleside & Beach Aves. 6 pm. $ Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

The Odd Couple, Surflight Theatre, Engleside & Beach Aves. 8 pm. A Neil Simon Comedy featuring Cindy William and Joanne Worley. Hilarious comedy classic of mismatched roommates. Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org- BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Civil War Encampment, Havens Homestead Museum, 521 Herbertsville Rd. All day. 61st New York Volunteer Infantry will camp overnight, do drills and explain equipment used during the Civil War. Information: 732-785-2500 or www.bricktwphistoricalsociety.com- BRICK

STARBURST Summer Concert Series: Dance Concert with Kelly Rowland, Six Flags Great Adventure, Rte. 537. 11 am. Includes Pete Wentz and Black Cards, and show hostesses Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga. Concert is free with theme park admission or a Season Pass. Information: 732-928-1821 or www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure- JACKSON

Baseball for All Baseball Camp for Women, FirstEnergy Park, Cedar Bridge & New Hampshire Aves. 10 am - 2 pm. For any female 13 and older. Includes four hours of instruction on the field with BlueClaws players and a ticket to that night's BlueClaws game. Bring a glove, but bats and helmets will be provided. Q & A session about Girls and Women in Baseball including history and present opportunities. $ Information: 732-901-7000 or www.blueclaws.com- LAKEWOOD

Minor League BASEBALL: Lakewood BlueClaws Home Game, FirstEnergy Park, Cedar Bridge & New Hampshire Aves. 7:05 p.m. Hosting the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates). Long Sleeve XL T-Shirts. Irish Heritage Night. A special Thirsty Saturday. Green Irish Jerseys live auction after the game. The BlueClaws are a Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Information: 732-901-7000 or www.blueclaws.com- LAKEWOOD

28th Annual LBTBP Mayors Cup Lifeguard Tournament, 68th Street Ocean Beach. Information: 609-361-1200 or www.longbeachtownship.com- LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP

ONE-DAY Boating Safety Certificate Course, SOCH Family Resource Center, Ocean Club, 700 South Rte. 9. 8:30 am - 5:30pm. Course stresses safe boating practice and boating rules. NJ Law requires all boaters 16 and older obtain a Boating Safety Certificate. Information or pre-registration: 609-597-4876 or 609-597-1295 - MANAHAWKIN

Beach Party Night, New Egypt Speedway, 720 Route 539. Modifieds, Crate-1, Late Models & 305 Sprints. 6 pm. Schedule subject to change. $ Information: 609-758-1900 or www.newegyptspeedway.net- NEW EGYPT

Shark Week! Jenkinson's Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 1 - 4 pm for shark activities; 10 am - 10 pm for aquarium. Learn about the most misunderstood animal in the sea. Wear shark related clothing/accessories and get $1 discount. Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium- POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Beach Yoga, Hiering Ave beach area. 7:00 am to 9:45 pm. Instructor Dawn Keen from Center for Health and Healing. $ Information: 732-505-8282 - SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Jersey Jumps Beach Vault, On the beach in front of EJ's Bar. Start at 10:00 am. Pole Vault Competition & Exhibition. Registration fees apply. Information: www.seasideheightstourism.com, www.verticaladventures.org, or www.ipolevault.com- SEASIDE HEIGHTS

Flea Market, Seaside Park Marina Lawn, J St. 8 am - 3 pm. Sponsored by the Seaside Park Education Foundation. Information: 732-793-3700 or www.seasideparknj.org- SEASIDE PARK

2nd Annual Bayside Basketry (& Fiber) Bash, Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, 7th St & Navajo Dr. 10 am - 5 pm. "Weave-In" is free to make small basket. Fee for some workshops/materials. Vendors, demonstrations, and workshops. Free admission. Information: 609-698-8003 - WARETOWN

Long Beach Island Open House Tour of Homes

The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences presents the Long Beach Island Open House Tour of Homes. You'll tour seven exquisite homes that capture the history of Long Beach Island and its renowned architecture. Featuring houses chosen for the unique style, lush landscaping, dynamic interior décor, and sustainable building practices, this tour should be not missed! This year's tour is composed entirely of homes on the north end of Long Beach Island and is one of thier best tours ever!

The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences (LBIF) was established in 1948 as a non-profit institution by artist Boris Blai. It provided arts and educational opportunities for the quiet island community. Blai felt that through exceptional art classes, exhibits and other activities the LBIF could engage summer visitors and residents.

Over the years, the organization has developed through the generous support of its membership, which includes 600 families from the Mid-Atlanrtic states.

The organization is a vibrant community resource dedicated to providing arts, science and recreation programs to the members, residents and visitors to the area. The LBIF provides an After School Arts Education Program for nine area schools, an Artists' Residency and Retreat Program for New Jersey Artists, a Visiting Artists Program in Ceramics during the summer season, and special ceramics scholarships and residency opportunities.

Science is a key to understanding the world around us. The LBIF develops science related activities to serve thier members and the community.

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Realty

Lighthouse International Film Festival on LBI

Long Beach Island will present 65 films as part of the Lighthouse International Film Festival, June 3-5, 2011.

Securing some key programming from Sundance, Toronto, South-by-Southwest and the Tribeca film festivals, including "Gun Hill Road," "Prairie Love," "Surrogate Valentine," and "The Trollhunter," the festival will open with "Salvation Boulevard" (Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei and Ed Harris) and close with Michael Winterbottom's "The Trip."

The Lighthouse International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to showcasing new and innovative films and fostering the next generation of filmmakers. The festival offers three days of films, panels, Q&A's, networking, parties and surfing, and draws some of the industry's top film critics, producers and distributors.

The festival also seeks to serve the community by presenting unique programs that inspire, engage and challenge a diverse audience through the art of film.

The Lighthouse International Film Festival was founded by a collection of filmmakers, film critics and film industry professionals who share a passion for film and wanted to create an event aimed first and foremost at film enthusiasts.

The 2011 festival will present feature films, shorts, documentaries and family films, as well as panel discussions with leading film industry professionals. Taking place on Long Beach Island, NJ -- one of the East Coast's most popular surfing destinations -- the festival celebrates three days of new, exciting and challenging films in honor of Long Beach Island's historic Barnegat Lighthouse.

To find out more about the festival, or to check out screening times and venues, visit http://www.lighthousefilmfestival.org.

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

Wild New Jersey

No, it's not an especially crazy episode of the locally-despised series The Jersey Shore, it's a new book chronicling author David Wheeler's travels through-out New Jersey's varied natural habitats.

Wheeler's New Jersey is a place where the fastest animal on earth dive-bombs him from the skies. A young black bear bounds up a mountain trail a few yards away. Poisonous snakes swirl at his feet. A thousand bats careen past his head in a pitch-black roost. Pods of dolphins swim right past him by the scores. Where? You may ask, in Wild New Jersey, of course.

Wheeler traversed mountains, valleys, beaches, forests, caves, rivers and marshlands via kayaks, pontoon boats, dogsleds, canoes and his own feet. Among his non-human companions were porcupines, bobcats, snapping turtles, beavers, Atlantic puffins and peregrine falcons...through-out the region's diverse wildlife and terrain - possibly the best kept secret in a state known for malls and diners, not nature.

The book looks at the different geographic regions of New Jersey: the Rugged Northwest, the Urban Northeast, the Jersey Shore, the Cape and Pines, and the Heartland, and includes maps and images taken by a variety of photographers.

Among the state's attractions Wheeler lists are "world-class" bird migrations along The Jersey Shore, scenic marshes around Trenton and Hamilton, and "rugged and dramatic wilderness" in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The area known as the Pine Barrens is particularly intriguing to Wheeler, who calls the region "the last true wilderness on the eastern seaboard" and lived for a time in Toms River, just outside of the 1.1 million-acre tract of forest.

Wild New Jersey invites readers along Wheeler's whirlwind year-long tour of the most ecologically diverse state for its size in America. Along with the expert guidance of charismatic wildlife biologists and local conservationists, he explores mountains, valleys, beaches, pine barrens, caves, rivers, marshlands, and more-breathtaking landscapes and the state's Noah's Ark of fascinating creatures.

This isn't your ordinary ride on the Jersey Turnpike. Fasten your seat-belts and join Wheeler as he, kayaks through the Meadowlands under the watchful eye of the Empire State Building, pans for cretaceous fossils in a hidden brook once home to mastodons and giant sloths, rides a fishing boat in the frigid snows of winter on a high-seas quest for Atlantic puffins, trudges through the eerie darkness of a bog on a mysterious night hike, dogsleds across the windswept alpine slopes in the haunts of the porcupine and bobcat.

With Wheeler's compelling narrative, in-depth background details, and eye for revealing the offbeat, you can count this as the first nature book to paint the extraordinary picture of New Jersey's unlikely wilderness in all its glory. Come along for all the adventure and insight in Wild New Jersey!

Karl Hess, Keller Willams Realty Jersey Shore

Doobie Brothers Opener, Larry Stevens at The Captain's Inn

The Larry Stevens Band is comprised of full-time musicians playing everything from rock-pop originals to a variety of cover songs as they've been playing throughout the Tri-state area. 

They have been busy performing at various concert series, festivals and events.  Some past highlights were opening for Peter Frampton as well as sharing he stage with The Doobie Brothers.  Larry recently opened for such artists as Kenny Loggins, Foreigner and Todd Rundgren.

Along with original materal and two albums, the band covers a variety of music ranging from Van Morrison, Elvis, the Beatles, Eric Clapton to John Mayer.  He will be playing in an acoustic duo at the Captain's Inn, Forked River on April 1st. For more information go to www.larrystevensband.com.

Karl Hess, Ocean County Real Estate, Keller Williams Jersey Shore 

Surfing Movie Dark Fall Features NJ

Experience Dark Fall, Alex DePhillipo's award winning documentary as he follows a year in the life of New Jersey's best surfers as they tackle some of the best surf right in their own back yard and travel to remote locations across the globe... This film gives a look at the lifestyle of a cold-water surfer and glorifies the most prestigious and naturally beautiful time for a New Jersey surfer, the fall.

Accroding tho thier web-site, "Dark Fall" is all of us. It is a representation of NJ surfing, the lives we lead, the friendships we make, and the brotherhood that bonds us to our coastline. New Jersey is but a spec on the map of the surfing world and this film is our outlet, it is a voice that's going to travel across the globe and explain our story.

Featuring Dean Randazzo, Sam Hammer, Andrew Gesler, Zach Humphreys, Clay Pollioni, and many more, shot in High definition, including work with the Red One, the epic surf film is a must see. Music by The Parlor Mob, ASG, Jumpship, Chris Arena, Sabotoge Soundsytem, Bruce Springsteen and more.

See a clip from Dark Fall, here.

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

 

Striper Season Opens

New Jersey's has 83 miles of bayshores and 127 miles of Atlantic coastline where Saltwater Stripers are plentiful. The World Record for Saltwater Striper was caught just south of Ocean County in Atlantic City following days of September Nor'easter storming in 1982. The fish measured 53 inches in length with a 34 1/2 inch girth, and was estimated to be 20 - 22 years old. Its 78 pound 8 oz. weight earned it the IGFA all-tackle record!

The striped bass begin their annual run in early spring after spawning in the Chesapeake Bay, The Roanoke and the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. This usually takes place when the water temperature hits 60 degrees. Then they leave the estuaries and begin their trek northward towards New England. Foraging all along the New Jersey coastline and the Delaware Bay on the way. The reverse takes place in the fall on their way back to their wintering grounds in North Carolina.

The closed seasons for striped bass are: January 1 through February 28 in all waters except the Atlantic Ocean from 0-3 miles offshore; and April 1 through May 31 in the Delaware River and its tributaries from the Route 1 Bridge in Trenton downstream to and including the Salem River and its tributaries. Any striped bass caught during a closed season must be released immediately. The possession or killing of a striped bass during a closed season is a violation of the law and will result in prosecution.

Also note that fishermen may possess one additional striped bass per day under the Striped Bass Bonus Fish Program subject to the following: 1) the angler must apply for and receive a fish possession card in advance of attempting to take a bonus fish; and 2) the minimum size limit for a striped bass taken under the bonus program is 28 inches

Stripers start showing in the back bays Mid March by June the spring run is in full swing. The striped bass are migrating up the coast to spawn in the hudson river around mid may when the water temps approach 60 degrees. prime water temps are 50 to 70 for stripers. The nor'east storms are what many surfcasters keep a close watch on. the jetty hoppers are out day and night. most beach rats follow the tell tale signs of birds feeding indicating a blitz of bass and or blues.

Karl Hess, Ocean County Real Estate, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

 

 

 

Baba Booey at Ocean County Library

Meet Gary Dell-Abate, Author of They Call Me Baba Booey!

Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch Friday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.

One of pop culture's great enduring unsung heroes: Gary Dell'Abate, Howard Stern Show producer, miracle worker, professional good sport, and servant to the "King of All Media," for the first time tells the story of his early years and reveals how his chaotic childhood and early obsessions prepared him for life at the center of "the greatest show on earth."  There are many things you may not know about "Baba Booey;" for example, he attended Adelphi University, receiving the Richard F. Clemo Award at the end of his senior year, for outstanding contribution to the department. So come on out to the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library and meet the man behind the show.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Toms River, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings.   If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click here.  

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events?  The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information and happenings.

Toms River's unique scenery with access pristine beaches and river make it one of the most beautiful places to live in New Jersey. Toms River can be seen in various TV and news media including MTV's "Made" and "Jersey Shore" (season 1 and 3), HBO's "Boardwalk Empire", and the original "Amityville Horror" movie. In 1998, Toms River Little League won the Little League World Series and made it to the Regional Championships numerous times since then. UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar also hails from Toms River. The township also has the 2nd largest Halloween parade in the world.

In three of the last 4 years, Toms River was ranked in the top ten safest "cities" in the United States, of the 378 cities nationwide.  

Karl Hess - Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos in Ocean County including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes on The Jersey Shore