Garden State Wine Growers Association  Episode 1 “Traditional and Modern” – [Video]

New Jersey Wines ~ Savor the Experience!

More than two hundred years ago, London’s Royal Society of the Arts recognized two New Jersey vintners for their success in producing the first bottles of quality wine derived from colonial agriculture. Today New Jersey’s wineries continue the tradition of producing high quality wines. But New Jersey’s 40+ wineries offer more than just nationally and internationally acclaimed wines, they offer a total wine experience.

Savor New Jersey’s award-winning wines at wineries nestled amid rolling hills and breathtaking scenery. Sample the wines and taste the quality for yourself. Browse the gift shops and tour the winery to see how and where the wine is made.

Plan a day and tour several wineries on the New Jersey Wine Trails. Or plan your next family gathering, corporate event or wedding at one of the many beautiful wineries that host events. Arrange your visits around the many events which New Jersey wineries host throughout the year, including blue-grass festivals, jazz festivals, fireworks, outdoor barbecues and more.

To find out more about New Jersey wine and wineries, click on the headings to the top and tour our website. Visit our New Jersey wineries soon to savor the experience for yourself!

Renault Winery’s Italian Festival!

New Earth Treasures 30 sec. TV Commercial!

ABOUT EARTH TREASURES

Since 1974 and celebrating our 35th anniversary, Earth Treasures has been offering jewelry of uncompromising quality, selection and value. This, coupled with our friendly, knowledgeable staff and our extensive services, has earned us the coveted Asbury Park Press Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Jeweler in Monmouth County, NJ year after year since 1998.

From our store in Eatontown, New Jersey to our online jewelry store, Earth Treasures is dedicated to not only the finest jewelry but fair prices and great service.

We are specialists in custom jewelry design and diamond remounts. Several renowned designer lines of fine jewelry are represented or one of our knowledgeable sales associates can help you create that unique and special jewelry piece. Most jewelry repairs are done on the premises by our highly qualified certified craftsmen and our watch technicians are here to assist you with watch repairs of all types.

The Search for Perfect Pizza is Like Searching for the Perfect Wave: Sea Bright Pizza, NJ. By Calvin Schwartz

August 10, 2012

Back in 1966, I was in college studying at Rutgers, worrying about Southeast Asia and developing a fascination with a surfing movie called ‘The Endless Summer.’ Director Bruce Brown followed two surfers as they travelled around the world looking for that perfect wave and places to surf. After seeing the movie, I wanted a surf board and a Corvette convertible to cruise Ocean Avenue up and down the Jersey shore. Thing is, I’ve still never surfed ( I don’t even venture much into the oceans since I saw ‘Jaws’ in 1975) but I’ve now harnessed that energy of searching and longing for the perfect wave and cruising all of Jersey’s Ocean Avenues to more relevant pursuits like finding the perfect pizza for my journalistic home base at NJ Discover. And my first stop coincidentally a few weeks ago was on Ocean Avenue at Sea Bright Pizza in Sea Bright, New Jersey.

There were pre-existing energies blowing in the wind meaning I had heard a lot of positivity about Sea Bright Pizza. Cosmic forces and alignments were at play as well. Could it be my pizza discovery journey would begin and end in an opening of the door and crossing the threshold at Sea Bright Pizza?

Cono Trezza is Sea Bright Pizza and a friendly affable accommodating personna at that. Early on during my time there, I realized that Cono is an artist. He came to America 32 years ago from Italy. (The last 10 years here in Jersey). Now I didn’t waste time; I had to get to the sauce (even on the side). Some years ago, recreationally speaking, I travelled around North Jersey with dear friends Fred and Frank (also from Italy) in pursuit of the best sauce we could find. (Fred called sauce, gravy). So as I explained to Cono, I needed a quick ‘sauce’ fix. The sauce was euphoric and worth any kind of trip from anywhere in New Jersey and way beyond. “Where did the sauce recipe come from,” I asked. “From my grandmother,” Cono proudly stated. “Everything from my grandmother.”

Cono came from a town south of Naples and his grandfather named him. His shop is new having just moved from literally next door on Ocean Avenue. It is old world, warm, artistic and appetizing. Of course BYOB. It was time to journalistically plunge into my work. Cono’s egg-plant and margherita pizzas are his personal favorites which I liked too much. I was sampling a pizza plethora. Don’t let me forget the crust. I like the expression, “tastes like cake.” It does.

There was a relatively new creation that was simply sumptuous (a word borrowed from the movie ‘Norma Rae’); carmelized onion and basil. I’m an old movie guy as well. So let me describe this creation by saying ‘Heaven Can Wait.’  Another artistic creation with chicken moved a musical friend of mine to say how perfect this was for those with heavy duty munchies.

How often in journalistic history do you go out on an initial quest for discovery of the best pizza and find Joe DiMaggio or Michelangelo on the first go around. So I hit a DiMaggio homerun and found that quintessential artist in Cono at Sea Bright Pizza. And when I finished this heavenly pizza assignment, I walked outside and inhaled Jersey shore Atlantic Ocean air.  A word came to mind, ‘nirvana.’

Sea Bright Pizza  1066 Ocean Ave    Sea Bright, NJ 07760

There’s a recurring theme to my words and explorations this past year. “I love Asbury Park.”  Sometimes I feel like Winston Zeddemore, the character from ‘Ghostbusters’ when he proclaims at the end of the movie, “I love this city.” I do. But it’s Asbury Park. I’ve been saying for a long time as well that I keep feeling a magic dust constantly descending upon this New Jersey seaside city. Part of the dust is definitely a Bruce Springsteen affectation; pure magic and inspirational. You can feel it everywhere. Good old palpable dust that moves you to creativity and dreams. If you want a piece of it, to experience it, then come to Asbury Park.

Asbury Park is becoming that iconic cultural hub for music, art, theater, food and walks on boards. I suppose there’s nothing quite like salt air, inhaled deeply to sweep you back to seeing news reports of President Eisenhower playing golf or Good Humor ice cream trucks pushing Chocolate Éclair bars; obviously my favorite; toasted Almond in second place.  Part of the allure of diversity of culture in Asbury Park is Dr Sketchy Anti-Art School. I think it’s time to tell the deal with Dr. Sketchy and why I have so much fun attending (as a journalist).

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is both a burlesque cabaret and life drawing event originating in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and was founded in New York City in 2005, by illustrator and former artist’s model Molly Crabapple and illustrator A.V. Phibes. They’ve grown globally with branches all over.  As of a few years ago, Dr. Sketchy’s branches exist in 100 cities around the world. Branches vary in their conservatism and the skill of their artists. Asbury Park’s Dr Sketchy brings in eclectic, beautiful, charming, and fun models. I’ve been to several events which are always themed. Several months ago it was ‘vampires.’ The other evening was ‘horror.’ Sociologically speaking it’s quite an event; artists sketching and photographers capturing.

Asbury Park’s Asbury Lanes has hosted several Dr. Sketchy events. For a small cover charge you’ve got up to four hours of sketching models and themes. Poses range up to five minutes and sometimes you feel as if you’re on a movie set. Props and music put you in the themed mood; sometimes the models even act as impromptu judges for a captured particular sketch. Tim, the franchisee has been particularly gracious and helpful in keeping me in the information loop.

Back to Asbury Lanes; as one donut chain advertises; it’s definitely worth the trip to set a bowling foot back in time to bygone days of the Lone Ranger, Pac Man, Photo Booths, Art Deco paintings and posters garnishing the walls and a bar that reminds me of Jack Torrance and red-rum and Stephen King.  Even the water fountain belongs  in a hip-hop museum. Everything about Dr Sketchy Asbury Park is in good taste and fun. The models are professional, outgoing, and intelligent and yes, beautiful. Usually a professional photographer takes part of the bar area and recreates scenes and themes with the models.  I could learn to be a photographer if I keep hanging around.

August 9- 26, Thurs.-Sun at 8pm. 5th Avenue Pavilion on the Boardwalk, Asbury Park.

Brightness: An Interactive Party-Play coming to the Asbury Park Boardwalk. “Brightness” is an original, interactive and engaging experience that descends from the Italian craft of Commedia dell’arte. It will make you laugh, make you think, and stretch your imagination, all in unexpected ways. It’s a house party with rules, but the rules aren’t anything like what you might expect. You’ll be a guest at the party and experience what it’s like to join a crazy world of eccentric but understandable characters. And every performance will feature some of Asbury Park’s great local musicians and performers. Brightness is written and directed by Alice Quinnett.

A summer Sunday night and a 40 minute drive from Western Monmouth County into what could very well be the exact geographical epi-center of New Jersey. I was in a heightened state of anticipation; about to witness my first live radio broadcast. Heading down Route 130 South, with time to ponder, I likened my experience to a kid heading to those amusement places in Orlando for the first time. Excitation (from a Beach Boys song) was because I heard so much about Danny Coleman.

Armed with my NJ Discover TV camera (I was doubling-up responsibilities as a reporter and film maker) I continued to navigate lonely dark country roads and eventually arrived at the vast complex which housed the radio station WIFI AM 1460. Danny’s show, Rock On! Radio, runs live on Sunday nights from 10pm to 11:30pm and our arrival time at the station was perfectly synched; we pulled up in the parking lot at the same time. Our first live meeting; Danny was wearing a Phillies tee-shirt and I had on my Rutgers cap; therefore no sporting interest conflicts which insured our extreme bonding patterns. Danny’s personality radiated; it was instant “like.” You could tell right away why he’s such an amazing radio personality and DJ.

Art, the station’s seasoned engineer, arrived as I was gathering tri and mono-pods and camera bag. Then Ryche Chlanda, special musical guest also pulled-up. Ryche has a ‘rich’ storied musical career going back to Fireballet when he was a member of America’s first progressive rock band. Soon Terry Loda, nephew and co-host and station photographer Joe Powell completed what I’d like to call a magical broadcast quintet.

Danny Coleman is a drummer and percussion player with a long involvement (37 years) in the New Jersey music scene. Graduating from broadcast school in Trenton, he combined his love of music with the desire to be a radio broadcaster. There was also the notion of helping unsigned original/indie artists which moved Danny back then to approach this young radio station.

“I remember being a teenager and the thrill of unexpectedly hearing my band on the radio as I stood at a church carnival,” says Coleman. “I wanted to give that same feeling to artists who are trying to get their music heard. My goal is to help these songwriters and bands gain some exposure.”  So began “Rock On! Radio,” simulcast on line at www.wifiam1460.com as well as fifteen other on line affiliates.

The program features one artist each week with surprise guests as well. Danny told me in the past that John Oates, Graham Parker, Michael Tearson, Benny Mardones as well as Peter Gabriel band mate Larry Fast have all called and shared stories from the road. This night was special for the quintet and Danny of course and me; it was the 150^th episode of the show. Danny fields phone calls, monitors several of the affiliates chat rooms, Facebook and email; Coleman is wondrously hands on; that’s why his show is booked months in advance.

I marveled the entire time at Coleman’s style, grace, affable endearing charming engaging manner; one of those pinch your arms sessions; look where I was and with whom; an incredible radio broadcaster. He called me to the microphone to explain what I’d eventually do with the footage and my experience. Danny is so good; he put normally shy Calvin at ease and I spoke fluently and seamlessly to his live audience in Burlington, Bucks Counties and Philadelphia.

Near the show’s end, Ryche sang live, powerfully and emotionally. Then the quintet, led by Danny, shouted, “Rock on Radio,” on air (me too) and he signed off. Esprit de corps took the quintet into a small equipment room for a group shot. This was purist unbridled fun. And I realized that it was also purist unbridled Danny Coleman.

“Rock On! Radio” exists because of the continuous support of its listeners and the fantastic artists who grace the studio. To contact Danny or to schedule an appearance or be a sponsor of the program contact:   Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com

Generally speaking, it’s not within the providential guidelines of NJ Discover to bring news flashes to this website. Personally speaking, this reporter immerses himself in New Jersey culture, music, art and charitable causes which help to define and distinguish us here. I do love our music heritage. I’m all over the place so to speak. Like the old television show from the fifties, ‘Have Gun, Will Travel;’ give me our homegrown amazing music and I travel, drift, dream, absorb and listen attentively.

On Tuesday nights sometimes, I drift into Asbury Park, especially in the summer, when ocean breezes memorialize my nostrils and therefore conjure up sounds of the Everly Brothers, Elvis or The Temptations. I love the venue at McCloone’s in Asbury where Marc Ribler and Friends entertain with special themed concerts every Tuesday. Not just concerts which last for hours but as I like to call it, “A little piece of heaven.”

Before hanging out at Marc Ribler’s concerts (last night’s band, Tommy Labella, Lee Finkelstein, John Conte, Arne Wendt) where they were still rocking way past 12:30 AM, I like to hit the Asbury Park boardwalk and absorb uniqueness, diversity, sights and sounds and eventually the setting sun. Priceless and purist real Jersey shore; like nowhere else in the world. Last night the “Community Drummers” (a rag tag group of residents) who have been playing on the boardwalk for 13 years were performing in front of a hundred spectators. I took pictures and smiled all the while. Adjacent to the drummers, a group hula hooped.

Priceless spectating; my observation: this group of Asbury residents promotes togetherness, peace, harmony between races and creeds and the uniqueness that makes us Jerseyans.  Fifteen minutes after I left, the Asbury Park authorities forced them to stop playing and told the group that every player must have a permit and that they can only play being 50 yards from each other which would then stretch them out for a mile.

Being a 1960’s person and knowing about the art of the protest, the beauty of Asbury Park’s culture and diversity and spontaneity, I can’t help but think someone out there in television land  is about to address  taking away freedoms and culture from Asbury Park. The city has been trying so desperately to reinvent and reestablish. And I do care. I’m there all the time. I feel like calling Patrick Henry.

If You Missed NJ Discover’s Frank Dicopoulos on NBC New York Live! Video Replay.

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Last Thursday, I was thrilled to be walking around with a press pass in order to cover the roll out of Marlboro’s revolutionary and pioneering new ‘Shop Marlboro Property Tax Reward Program.’ Here’s the gist of  the program which has been in development for a year by Marlboro’s Economic Development Committee then I’ll throw some praise around, after all I’m a Marlboro resident. When Marlboro residents purchase goods (even gas) and services locally (here in Marlboro) from participating merchants, they receive credits against their residential tax bills. Obviously this incentivizes folks like me to frequent local businesses. I’ve got three letters that come to mind right now as I’m learning more. “Wow.”

In my headline, I alluded to the notion of Marlboro, New Jersey (population 40,000) being (probably) the very first place, town on Earth (therefore the United States as well) offering a reduction of (Marlboro) township property taxes based on a percentage of purchases during the year.

It’s not within the scope of this article to talk specifics, but certainly to applaud and praise Mayor Jonathan Hornik and the entire Township Council and their Economic Development Committee(David Faust) Jonathan Capp, Business Administrator and Investors Bank for visions and courage way beyond a central Jersey township’s limited reach and place in the universe; a refreshing and uplifting civic prideful thought for our 40,000 residents.

Speaking about refreshing: I love crisp lettuce. I’m enthused about dining in Marlboro so much more often now. You see, I’ve got this theory that lettuce is lettuce no matter where ever you go. I might as well eat lettuce close to home and pay less property taxes. It may be that simple.