HOLIDAY COMING ATTRACTIONS: 9th Annual Beach Music Studios Holiday Concert Party to collect toys for Manna House & Belmar kids. Sunday Dec. 14th Stone Pony       by Calvin Schwartz

There are unique events that take place at holiday time and give back especially to the kids in need. Danny White and Beach Music Studios do exactly that in a festive, musical and purist fun party for such a good cause. I’ve had a great time; its the genuiness and spirit of the hosts that make it a worthwhile Sunday afternoon. As I see it, there isn’t even a reason to stay home and watch local football so come on down to Asbury Park. It’s the holidays!!   Calvin

BEACH MUSIC STUDIOS 9TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT PARTY December, 14th 2014 1:30pm at The Stone Pony.   Danny White, owner of Beach Music Studios in Belmar, NJ, will once again host the BEACH MUSIC STUDIOS ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT PARTY. This will be the 9th year for the party and will once again be held at the legendary Stone Pony (913 Ocean Ave. Asbury Park, NJ). The concert will feature the Beach Music Rock Band Kids (Beach Music students aged 7-18 years old), individual Beach Music Students and the Danny White Band with special guests.

Each student from Beach Music Studios will have the opportunity to perform on the Stone Pony’s world famous stage! Beach Music Studios will be collecting toys for Manna House. Manna House is a transitional housing program for women and children who would otherwise be homeless. They provide the opportunity for women to move from dependency and homelessness to self sufficiency and hope. Beach Music Studios will again this year collect a portion of the toys for Belmar children/families in need. This event is open to the public and is an all ages holiday party!

Hopefully, Santa will stop by for a visit again this year! Tickets for the event are $10 each when you bring one new unwrapped toy. Tickets are available at Beach Music Studios and The Stone Pony the day of the event. Door prizes, Give-Aways and Fun! FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT BEACH MUSIC STUDIOS AT: 732-280-1181

THERE’S STILL CHRISTMAS’ Clarence Clemons’ Christmas Song and the story behind it. AND Clarence Clemons 3rd Annual Birthday Party Jan 10, 2015 By Calvin Schwartz November 28th 2014

Firstly  A QUICK REMINDER: THE 3rd ANNUAL “BIG MAN’s” BIRTHDAY BASH

A Clarence Clemons Birthday Celebration to Benefit Hometown Heroes

January 10th 2015  at BAR ANTICIPATION, Belmar, New Jersey
Doors Open 1:30pm Show Starts 2pm
Tickets $25 for Show
$50 VIP Dinner,Show,Meet & Greet.

FOR MORE INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/events/741748815903741/permalink/754339011311388/

Two years ago and last year I published the essence of this article on my blog (vichywater.net) and here at NJ Discover; some things at holiday time are timeless and classic; movies and songs that fill your spirit with warmth and sentimentality.  The story of this Christmas song richly recorded by the legendary Clarence Clemons is special and enduring and on its way to joining such classic holiday offerings as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the history of the movie reminds me of how “There’s Still Christmas” is evolving. This Christmas song becomes part of Clarence’s legacy; that audio gift at holiday time.

Two years through the magic of synchronicity and holiday spirit I came to interview Dennis Bourke(melody) and Jim Nuzzo (arranger) who helped  bring the Clarence Clemons Christmas song “There’s Still  Christmas” to our radar screens and Youtube etc. Yes, Clarence Clemons recorded this amazing song back in 1981. So a few years after he passed, he is still giving magic and his ‘bigness’ to us; the makings of another holiday classic; just like all the holiday Christmas movies I’ve talked about. Here is my article telling the story of this song. And please check out the link to listen to “There’s Still Christmas.”

A long time ago in another state, in another city (which has alternate side of the street parking), I was aimlessly flicking television channels with an antiquated remote when I caught the black and white beginning of a movie that I’d never seen, “It’s A Wonderful Life.”  It was early autumn. Within a few minutes, I was drawn into the mystique and charm of this movie; throw an angel into storyline and I’m hooked for the long haul. I loved the movie’s message; about friends, family and dreams. The movie became a Christmas classic but not for many years after it was made in 1946. It was actually released in the summer that year and bombed at the box office.

When I finished watching the movie, I wondered why this wasn’t a classic with its timeless message of Christmas spirit, incredible cast and storytelling. Over the next few years, Ronald Reagan became President and the movie began surfacing on television during the holiday season with uncanny frequency. I said to myself, “I knew it would find itself holiday time;” and did it ever. Back in the Garden State, in the early eighties, a few weeks before Christmas on a Saturday afternoon, I was flicking channels again with a more modern remote and stumbled upon “It’s A Wonderful Life” on  six different channels at the same time, staggered so that you could see the ending if you were so moved; six times. “Atta boy Clarence,” Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) says near the end; witness to the multi decade birth of a Christmas classic movie. Television stations today conspire to only do one showing per season; but it’s still a certifiable classic.  Segue to the title of this article, ‘Eyewitness to a new classic Christmas song.’ By the way, I find it particularly haunting in my microcosmic synchronistic world that the angel in this movie is Clarence, and I’m writing about Clarence (Clemons). Hmmm!!

I told the story of this movie because in our crazy mixed-up, digital, smart-phone, fast food world, we’re likely to be witnessing the birth of yet another classic; this time an incredible Christmas song with such a moving emotional voice, the late ‘Big Man,’ Clarence Clemons. If you want to get in the mood before reading on, here’s the You Tube link to ‘There’s Still Christmas.’ Go listen and come back here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZ__QNFP5U

I love angels and synchronicity. A few years ago, I came to know Jim Nuzzo and Dennis Bourke (and the late Stevie Betts, lyrics) who created this song with Clarence Clemons back in 1981. I’m a story teller so here goes.

Back in 1981, Stevie Betts (lyricist) and Dennis Bourke (melody) wrote this song, ‘There’s Still Christmas’ and teamed up with Jim Nuzzo (arranger, producer) and got manager Matty Breuer (assistant tour manager for Springsteen back then) to approach Clarence Clemons. They all met at Clarence’s Sea Bright, New Jersey home, had some wine and presented the words of the song to the ‘Big Man.’ Being on hiatus from touring with Springsteen, Clarence wanted to do it. He loved the message of the song; when things look down, there’s still Christmas; simple yet poignant. And Clarence’s rich baritone voice that is silenced now; propels this to classic status.  At the first recording session in October 1981, Clarence arrived wearing a cowboy hat. The next day he was wearing a Santa Claus hat and red vest exposing a chubby belly. He had Christmas lights put on the music stand; he was so in the mood to do this song. They rehearsed the song at ‘Big Man’s West’ in Red Bank; Clarence’s club. Jim and Dennis both told me about getting chills being in the same room with him when he performed. “He was a gentle down to earth guy,” Jim said.  To relax during the recording sessions, they played video games. To prepare for record company submission, Clarence recorded the other side on solo sax another Christmas classic “The Christmas Song.” The record company never picked up the song so it’s been sleeping all these years waiting for classic beams of particulate historic energy. Last year the song was released but like the movie, so few of us knew it existed. I listened and was blown away; his voice and persona holds me in a suspended state; like I’ve known him all these years; like it’s a special legacy to all of us to have him back in our lives at Christmas this year.

Imagine, after all these years; this song comes to us from Clarence at this holiday time of year; part of his enduring legacy.

Here’s some links to this wonderful life song/info:

Available for purchase on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and Backstreets.com http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/theres-still-christmas-single/id474038459?uo=4http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/clarenceclemons

You can also find ‘There’s Still Christmas’ on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theres-Still-Christmas-Clarence-Clemons/286246628066619?fref=ts

Bottom line. Please go listen and fall in love with the song. Purchase it. Sit by the fire place with a glass of wine or egg nog. Enjoy the Happy Holidays. Listen to his wondrous voice.

Thanks again to Jim Nuzzo and Dennis Bourke for their passion and time. And to Stevie Betts for his wonderful lyrics and words.

And Clarence.

Calvin Schwartz

PLEASE VISIT BLOG www.vichywater.net

and book trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

NOT Your Typical Review: New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction and Red Carpet in Asbury Park USA. By Calvin Schwartz November 14th 2014

We knew it was going to be a special night. A certain energy and excitement was building all week.  Our NJ Discover TV interviewing team, Frank Dicopoulos, Tara-Jean Vitale, Calvin Schwartz  and Chris Fotache on camera were all poised to hit the Red Carpet at the 2014 New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction being held this year at Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park USA on Thursday night November 13^th.  Personally, for me, I felt it was so perfectly appropriate to have this world class celebrity ceremony in Asbury Park, as I’ve been writing (with its concomitant dreaming) of seeing this Jersey shore city become the global music and entertainment destination that the stars, moon and synchronistic universe signal will happen. As Tom Gilmour, from the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce and Department of Economic Development told me last night, “We’re almost there.”

The press arrived an hour before the Red Carpet began. Walking up the steps  to the boardwalk, under the ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey’ roof signage, which I always stare at proudly, was a band just beginning to warm up to greet spectators despite a cold cloudy ambiance which foretold the coming of the first snow. It was festive already.  The great arcade between the Paramount Theater and Convention Hall was decked out in Red Carpet, lights, action and abundant media cameras.

NJ Discover set up shop near the front of the Red Carpet but we knew about being highly mobile to track down the celebrities. First to arrive, dressed in stunning red, were Beverly Lee and Shirley Alston Reeves, The Shirelles from Passaic. I mentioned to them I was probably the only media person on the carpet who actually danced to their music way back when they started. They laughed. Legendary coach Bob Hurley was inducting Patrick Ewing. I think my Rutgers hat, which I almost always wear, subliminally, visually battled with my suit and tie. I commented and coach smiled.  We couldn’t catch up to NFL Films driving force, Howard Katz; his mother taught at Weequahic High School when I was there; a significant center of commonality. Tara-Jean Vitale corralled the ceremony back-up singers for Glen Burtnik’s band; Emily Grove, Jerzy Jung and Sally Webb for an interview. They are part of the essence of Jersey shore music.

Suddenly the Sopranos cast arrived. We all did our individual photo-ops with them. Aida Turturro, who played James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano character’s sister Janice, was warm, affable and approachable.  I told her about my wearing the Rutgers hat in honor of James who graduated there in 1982. She thanked me.  We took a picture together then she grabbed my Rutgers hat and posed; a perfectly delightful personality.

Frank Dicopoulos caught up to a very gracious Brian Williams and they talked on camera for quite a while; mostly on what it means to be from New Jersey and how for a while he left the state and couldn’t wait to come back. He’s a homeowner at Exit 98 now.  I talked to Brian about my new journalism career which in part was motivated by his persona. Then I asked whom he thought would be the guest inducting him. He thought someone from NBC.  Of course the surprise guest was Bruce Springsteen. When the ceremony began, I got a phone call from Tara-Jean Vitale telling me Bruce was in the building to induct Brian and to stay put.  I did.

For me, part of the lure of the night is the opportunity to meet people just below the surface of the night meaning I got a chance to talk at length to James Gandolfini’s sister Johanna and his niece. I told Johanna that I absolutely loved her brother for many reasons; a great actor, humanitarian, Jerseyan, and most importantly, Rutgers alum like myself. Then I mentioned how I’m obsessed with James’ last movie, ‘Enough Said’ and how I just keep watching it again and again; his last facial expression sitting on the steps with Julia Louis-Dreyfus was so emotional. She watched the movie again that morning. We smiled at each other.

The lights flickered; it was time for the ceremony to begin. I walked to the back of the arcade to say hello to Steven Levine from the Wind Mill Restaurants; they were serving their amazing hot-dogs. Brian Williams, quintessential Jersey, also had hot-dogs on his mind. He was just squeezing a  row of mustard on his dog as I arrived; he was wondrously happy.  So was I. It was a perfect day and night. Asbury Park was on center stage and I love that city. And I love New Jersey.

Calvin Schwartz  11-14-14

This year’s  inductees include Brian Williams, The Shirelles,  James Gandolfini,  former Knick Patrick Ewing; former Gov. James Florio; writer Dorothy Parker; suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton; NFL broadcaster Howard Katz; chef Alice Waters; jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie (who was inducted by Max Weinberg of the E Street Band); workers’ rights advocate Peter J. McGuire; and Holocaust survivor Maud Dahme.

Robert W Adler & Associates 5 min. Video

Robert Adler Architect
Residential, Commercial and municipal architecture with primarily traditional influences

1049 Broadway, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 571-1010
Production by NJ Discover.

‘DIVA: One Nite Only’. November 13^th Freehold NJ

It’s not often when NJ Discover ventures to highlight three special unique events on one night but Thursday November 13^th is that rare occurrence as you can see on our webpage here. We’ve got several million Jerseyans in our coverage area so it should be a matter of simple extrication out of familiar surroundings to come on down to one of these special events. If you’re a diehard, the night and geography allow making all three events.

I love the Diva One Nite Only venue.  Located centrally in Freehold at the American Legion Hall on Main Street, they’ve brought together an incredible cast of Divas to sing the night away a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Segue.  Give thanks that this night here in central Jersey is so close to all our homes.

Calvin Schwartz  11-9-14

NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT ASBURY PARK’S ICONIC CONVENTION HALL ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014     By Calvin Schwartz

The New Jersey Hall of Fame announces the 7th Annual Induction Ceremony and Red Carpet will be held at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM.  The event will honor 12 of New Jersey’s most distinguished citizens as new inductees into the New Jersey Hall of Fame family, including: Brian Williams, Governor James Florio, Alice Waters, and The Shirelles.

As of 3:30PM November 6th:  Press Release:

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is proud to announce that Dionne Warwick, the legendary five-time GRAMMY Award winning songstress, will be in attendance as a presenter and performer at this year’s 7th Annual “Red Carpet” Induction Ceremony.

A New Jersey native, Warwick was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013, and will make her return to the stage this year to honor the new class of inductees. The famous “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” singer perfectly complements the musical lineups planned for this unique award ceremony. “We’re thrilled that Dionne Warwick will be performing at this year’s event. It’s going to be a very memorable tribute in honor of the new class of 2014,” said Gail Gordon, Vice Chair of the Hall of Fame Commission and the event’s co chair. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will also be in attendance as a new inductee at this year’s ceremony. John Graham, Gordon’s co-chair added, “We’re more than pleased to welcome Brian Williams into the New Jersey Hall of Fame family, and we’re very excited that he will be able to share in this special night with us.”

There will be a special tribute to new inductee James Gandolfini from David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, and several cast members from the celebrated show, including Vincent Curatola, who will also serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.  Additionally, #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben, a New Jerseyan himself, will have the honor of inducting legendary writer Dorothy Parker.

“This year’s NJHOF Induction Ceremony will be the best one yet, featuring live musical performances, moving tributes, and plenty of special surprises,” stated Bart Oates, Chair of the Board of Commissioners and former New York Giant.

“We wanted an upbeat awards show with an emphasis on music, which is why we brought the show to Asbury Park this year,” said Gail Gordon, Vice Chair of the Hall of Fame Commission and the event’s co- chair.  John Graham, Gordon’s co-chair added, “We expect a great turnout of over 1,000 people, including special guests, sponsors, and members of the media.  The event is anticipated to raise over $200,000 for the educational mission of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.”

Established in 2006 by the NJ Legislature, the New Jersey Hall of Fame honors New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world, helping to inspire state pride in the young people of New Jersey through powerful local role models.   The organization selects inductees based on five categories: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performance Arts, Public Service and Sports.

Since 2008, some 70 notable New Jerseyans from 15 fields of human endeavor have been inducted including: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Tony Bennett, Martha Stewart, Whitney Houston, and Yogi Berra.

The ceremony will keep with the “taste of the shore” theme, offering food stations reflecting the best of Jersey Shore food and beverages to be sampled by sponsors and guests.  There will also be an opportunity for attendees to meet this year’s inductees and celebrity guests.

Induction Ceremony tickets and premium sponsorship packages are available through NJHallOfFame.org. Performance Only tickets are $50 plus fees and are on sale via Ticketmaster or the Stone Pony box office in Asbury Park.

This year’s inductees are: Dorothy Parker, Brian Williams, Howard Katz, Alice Waters,
Dizzy Gillespie, James Gandolfini, The Shirelles, Governor James Florio, Peter McGuire,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Patrick Ewing and Maud Dahme.

For more information on the 2014 Red Carpet Induction Ceremony, please contact Karen Geisel at karen@princetonscgroup.com or 518.421.3435.

About the New Jersey Hall of Fame

New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. Since 2008, some 80 notable people from 15 fields of human endeavor have been inducted including: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Toni Morrison, Buzz Aldrin, Frankie Valli, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah, Carl Lewis and Yogi Berra.

The Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a source of learning, inspiration and hope for children. The New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization with two collaborating boards working jointly: the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners, administered by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Trustees. For more information on the NJHOF and a full list of the inductees, go to www.njhalloffame.org

A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT: ‘ALEX and The Pavement” to appear at Wonder Bar Thursday November 13th By Calvin Schwartz

NJ Discover has been featuring special nights and special talent for the last few years. It becomes even more meaningful and relevant for us when we can feature a young exciting band that is enveloped in destiny and future success. If we were betting folks, remindful of an early scene in ‘Casablanca,’ a favorite movie obviously, we’d be letting it  ride on Alex and The Pavement in the next spin of the wheel. What does this mean? Get thee off the sedentary sofa next Thursday and come on down to the Wonder Bar for poignant, innervating music and a great bunch of kids.

Calvin Schwartz

Thu 11/13: ALEX & The Pavement   in Asbury Park.  They roll in to the Wonder Bar on Thurs., Nov. 13.  Music at 8 pm and admission is $5.

NOTES from ALEX and The Pavement

ALEX & The Pavement is a new cover band that came on the scene in the summer of 2014. Comprised of talented local musicians, ranging in age from 18 to 24, who share a passion for bringing great music to a variety of venues including but not limited to, restaurants, festivals, and bars. Mainly a Jazz/Pop cover band, they also perform a few rock and R&B covers as well as songs in different languages. With their love for music and a clean professional sound, they have quickly climbed the ranks in the local band circuit. Come along for the ride!

PLEASE CHECK OUT BAND WEBSITE:    www.alexandthepavement.com

Published on Nov 3, 2014

www.EANJ.org

Livingston, NJ– The Employers Association of New Jersey (EANJ) introduced on Tuesday, October 14, a new voluntary program for its membership designed to maintain a healthy workplace. The program promotes the Qualcare Tools to Maintain a Healthy Workplace. In 2012, Rutgers University and the EANJ were partners in a new statewide program to develop an online toolkit employers can use to build a healthier workplace, with activities ranging from mid-day walking clubs to more nutritious snacks in the vending machines. Casting New Jersey as a “healthy workplace state”, the program won Healthcare Hero honors from NJBiz in 2013.

“Still, with annual health care costs and premiums hovering around $10,000 per employee and increasing, it’s more important than ever for employers to encourage a workplace culture of wellness. Doing so can help employers reduce health care costs and result in increased employee productivity and satisfaction,” says John Sarno, president of EANJ.

The next step is incorporating wellness and disease management into healthcare plans, says Sarno.

On Oct. 14, Sarno convened an information session in Edison where Dr. Christopher Valerian, chief medical officer of QualCare, explained the program to employers.

“This voluntary program is designed to ensure that covered employees remain healthy, productive and happy,” says Sarno. “Working with a nurse case manager, participating employees will receive information and advice on their healthcare needs, preventative care and lifestyle choices – all within a confidential relationship.”

Sarno said employers won’t have to pay extra fees to participate in the disease management program.

EANJ’s health plan – Affiliated Physician & Employers Health Plan – covers hundreds of New Jersey small employers and is launching an initiative to encourage those employers to engage their workers in wellness and disease management programs, specifically ones that are successfully improving health and reducing unnecessary health care spending. This a self-insured healthcare trust that provides the same type of plan doctors and other healthcare providers purchase. The plan, managed by employers for employers, eventually helped give New Jersey companies a menu of more affordable, fully-ACA compliant health care plans that other options on the ACA healthcare exchange may not offer.

Presently, EANJ is the only nonprofit trade association in N.J. providing employers access to this plan with 13 different options. Currently, more than 1,250 N.J. employers, from nearly every NJ County gets their healthcare from APEHP and the rate growth is about 70 new employer enrollments per month.

Since 2006, QualCare has offered wellness and disease management programs within its entire family of health plans, which serves approximately 180,000 members.
EANJ wants to encourage more small employers to take advantage of QualCare’s wellness and disease management programs, which help individuals with chronic diseases – such as diabetes, heart failure and hypertension — to better manage their ailments.

Contact
www.EANJ.org

NIGHTMARE IN JERSEY
Although I love the idea of Halloween and dressing in outrageous outfits, I am not usually a big fan of being scared. Maybe it goes back to my childhood when my sister would race me up the stairs at bedtime and hide somewhere in my room or the bathroom waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump out and terrify me. But this year, with the help of my courageous 11 year old, I decided to see what the fright craze was all about in NJ.

Our first visit was to Asbury Park on the evening of the Zombie Walk. Some have called it the largest Zombie gathering in the world.

I decided I would dress in a CSI ball cap and sneakers, prepared and ready for a quick escape if necessary. Upon arrival I realized that I would be able to blend in with the hundreds of spectators mixed among the thousands of zombies, which relieved me. I was fully aware that zombies have a tendency to target fearful victims and I didn’t want to be their next meal. My sidekick and I stepped into the slow zombie crawl towards Cookman Avenue alongside an old decrepit man dragging his bloody leg. Looking in either direction I realized that I was surrounded by zombies with bloodied, half eaten faces, dragging their legs and arms and other body parts down the boardwalk.

The event was not just for the wild and outrageous lovers of gore, but it was also a fundraiser for brain cancer through the Gray Matters campaign and a blood drive with Central Jersey Blood Center.  I recently learned that over $3000 was raised for Brain Cancer Tumor Center and Camp Jinka – a free summer program offered by the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center for kids and teens whose lives have been impacted by a loved one’s diagnosis of a brain tumor. The evening was a little surreal, and the experience I can take away from this event mostly was the unsettling feeling of what it could be like to actually live through a Zombie Apocalypse. As the sun set on the avenue at Asbury Park the zombies began to spread across the town and meander into some the stores. Bloody old women and half eaten children were standing on lines for cheese fries or a warm pretzel. The sidewalks could not hold all the zombies and they began spilling into the streets, slowly struggling to move in their tattered clothes and face prosthesis. Everywhere we looked decaying groups of people were sluggishly looking for their way home. An eerie night over all, both my little 11 year old and I decided next year we would dress as Zombie warriors and come back to join the crawl.

The following weekend I brought a small group of witches, cats and zombies with me to the Witches Ball in Mount Holly NJ. This event is referred to as wickedly cool and amazingly enchanted. Rather than experiencing the future omen of the apocalypse, we found ourselves propelled into the past within moments as we entered under the archway leading to the Historic Mill Race Village.

As we ambled through the darkly lit streets the atmosphere of magic and mysticism enveloped us. The town had transformed into an old witches haven, with fortunetellers, artists, musicians and vendors. My mood relaxed as I meandered amongst witches and goblins, and men and women of gothic, fantasy, medieval and horror. It almost seemed as though we were all out for an eerie moonlight stroll. After listening to the great sounds of Midnight Mosaic, a local NJ band, we gathered our broomsticks and headed for our next excursion.

The Casola Haunted Hay Ride in Marlboro, NJ on Rte 79 was our final stop for the evening.

Although there were many times I have taken afternoon hayrides through the cornfields, it could not have prepared me for the terrifying darkness that awaited us through the torch lit woods. As the rickety wagon with very little protection slowly waddled down the winding dirt road zombies, ghouls, and axe murderers threw their bodies against the sides of the wagon and clamored on board. They were moaning or screaming or laughing uncontrollably as they moved slowly through the horrified wagon looking for huddling passenger to petrify. Although my little sidekick was shaking in her boots, I felt that I could maintain my composure amongst all these horror film villains. After all, I knew that there was only one figure that could cause my skin to crawl and shatter my bravery. Specifically it was the little demon girl who wore the decaying antique nightgown and used her long dark stringy hair to hide her decomposing face, she was the character from the movie “The Ring”. Luckily, the ride seemed close to the end. Strangely, I sensed a quietness. As I lifted my head from the safety of my daughter’s hooded shoulders, I peeked a look around to see if the eerie villains had abandoned the ride. As I turned to my left I spotted something white and small that seemed to be slowly floating a few feet behind the wagon in the darkness.

As I looked closer my eyes focused on the silhouette of a little girl with long hair wearing a long white night gown following the wagon in her bare feet. My heart stopped. From her pace I was sure she could never catch up to our rickety old wagon. That’s when the wagon came to a halt. I looked at my brave little 11 year old and said, “They have got to be kidding.” Sure enough the little faceless child with the bloody nightgown and dirty feet climbed on board. Not sure how she knew, but she went directly over to me and sat beside me and began to creepily hum a twisted nursery rhyme.

Well…that was all she wrote! I was done and ready to go home.

That experience was, after all, my last Halloween adventure for this year. On my list of places I was to visit are some of the scariest and most terrifying in NJ:

Six Flags Fright Fest in Jackson

Brookdale’s Haunted Theatre in Lincroft

Asbury Park’s Haunted Hall

Brighton Asylum in Passaic

Field of Terror in East Windsor

Camp Evans Base of Terror in Wall

Ghost Tour of the John Fell House in Allendale

Corn Field of Terror in Egg Harbor City

Fear in the Forest in Browns Mills

Hollowgraves Haunted Manor in Keansburg

Evil Spirits Woods at Emerald Acres in Monrow

Nightmare at Gravity Hill in Jackson.

I hope you can choose a place to visit off this year’s October “To Do” list that will help you reach you scare limits this Halloween. Thanks to the creepy little faceless girl in the long bloody nightgown I will be holding off until next year, spending the next hundred sleepless nights regaining my courage.

So, maybe next year I will start with a ghost tour or and haunted asylum (or maybe not).

Happy Halloween!

And post your favorite spine chilling Halloween experiences.

TaraJean McD., NJDiscover.com

OCT 9TH OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION for ‘BIG MAN’S WEST’ EXHIBIT AT ASBURY PARK MUSICAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: A REVIEW By Calvin Schwartz October 15th 2014

Thanks to Terry Camp for lighting my fire and bringing me along and extricating me from my post-surgical shoulder replacement doldrums to get back into the eclectic/electric scene of Asbury Park. I’ve been to the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation (“Where music lives”) on Cookman Avenue often, from its inception several years ago. It is a back to the future place of musical memories and precious history. The old ‘Upstage Club’ which opened in Asbury Park in 1968 and was a launching pad for Bruce Springsteen, members of the E Street Band and Southside Johnny closed in 1971 but its molecules are still upstairs.

The ‘Big Man’s West’ exhibit focuses on Clarence Clemon’s nightclub which opened in Red Bank in 1981 and helped to revive the Jersey shore music scene in its two short years. Rock royalty performed there. The walls of Musical Heritage Foundation are replete with pictures, artifacts and videos grasping those two magical years. Many pictures on display were taken by Bob Wilkinson from Big Man’s West. The work of iconic music photographer John Cavanaugh, who artfully captures the essence of the history of Jersey music, was also displayed. I had a chance to talk to Candy Brown who worked at Big Man’s West; she recalled the magic and energy within those walls, described as “The best kept secret in New Jersey.”

The reception was essential Asbury Park with its diversified guests. I had some quality time with Stephen Bumball, another iconic historian of the city. Tom Gilmour, from Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce continued our dialogue why the city is evolving into that international music destination; the journey towards that vision ever so apparent. And then with Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press, we talked about the Light of Day Foundation for Parkinson’s research and awareness which takes place in January in Asbury Park with a nearly a week of non-stop music. In the meantime, Jean is soon hopping into a European van and doing the continent again with musicians performing in the international portion of Light of Day. And Jo Bonanno had me promote Rutgers University to his high school daughter. A huge multi-liter bottle of cabernet in the back mesmerized so I partook.

Terry Camp announced the 3rd Annual Birthday Celebration for the Big Man, Clarence Clemons is now scheduled for January 10th 2015 at Bar A in Belmar. It’s an all-day happening of amazing musicians paying homage to Clarence; NOT to be missed. Watch for updates from Terry Camp and Nick Clemons and get tickets early.

The night was still young. Terry and I descended on Langosta Lounge where Pat DiNizio from the ‘Smithereens’ is performing on Thursday nights. Arlan Feiles opened for Pat; the most expeditious way to describe the rest of our night with both Arlan and Pat is, “Wow!”