We often complain about the leftist slant of the mainstream media here at MMM. However, now is a time for those of us who live and do business at the Jersey Shore to say thank you in advance, and least to Comcast’s NBC properties.
NBC’s Today Show is broadcasting from Highlands on Saturday morning (Hint for Greg, put that on the list.) and 300 Comcast and Sherman Williams employees will volunteer to help Highlands business and homeowners rebuild their properties.
On Monday the 29th, MSNBC’s Morning Joe will broadcast from the Fifth Avenue Pavilion in Asbury Park, according to a report on Asbury Pulp.
It’s not just a problem of attracting ‘bennies’ to come back with their money. A few weeks back, a local elected official called me to ask for a recommendation for a Highlands restaurant on the water to hold an event. For years his group gathered at Bahrs. Where can he go on the water now that Bahrs is closed? “Bahrs Landing is Still Standing“, I told my friend.
This kind of news coverage does not happen by accident. I’d bet Christie’s team had something to do with it happening. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him appear on his two favorite morning shows. I’d love to see him in Highlands on Saturday morning, but I would guess he’s more likely to hang with Mika and Joe on Monday. Maybe he will bring his bff Bruce with him.
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Patrol At Seastreak’s Highlands Ferry Terminal. April 15, 2013. Photo by Art Gallagher. Click for full view.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said that his Law Enforcement Division, the Office of Emergency Management and homeland security personnel are on heightened alert as a precaution in response to the bombing at the Boston Marathon this afternoon.
There is no known specific threat in Monmouth County.
“We routinely patrol transit hubs like the ferry terminals and train stations, as well as they shopping malls, ” Golden said, “when an incident like what happened in Boston today occurs, we take additional precautions. We’ll be monitoring state and federal communications and be on heightened alert at least through tomorrow. We have emergency response assets deployed throughout the county.”
Sheriff’s Office personnel will be meeting with the police departments of the communities that are hosting the May 5 New Jersey Marathon at the Shore to review security protocols, Golden added,
Seastreak Wall Street docked at Highlands Connors Terminal. Photo by Art Gallagher. Click on photo for full view.
Vessel that crashed in January will be back in service on Thursday
The Seastreak ferry that crashed into Pier 11 in New York City on January 9 will be back in service bringing Monmouth County commuters to Manhattan tomorrow, according to Seastreak management.
The company informed its passengers via email this morning that that Seastreak Wall Street has been given clearance by the United States Coast Guard to resume operations:
As you may know, the Seastreak Wall Street returned to Highlands, New Jersey a little over two weeks ago to finish repairs and to undergo testing and inspection by the United States Coast Guard. The Wall Street has now successfully completed the extensive inspections by the United States Coast Guard. In addition to Sea trials under the supervision of the US Coast Guard, the company has had the vessel operating and making her normal docks for several days and has confirmed that all systems are operating normally and safely.
On behalf of everyone at Seastreak we would like to acknowledge the support you have shown us over the last several months. We are pleased now to return the Wall Street to service and look forward to continuing to providing safe and reliable service to you our valued customers.
The starboard-side of the boat crashed into the dock at Pier 11 on the morning of January 9. One passenger was seriously injured. 83 passengers and one crew members were treated for minor injuries.
A company spokesperson declined to talk about the cause of the accident, citing a request by the National Transportation Safety Board that they not disclose such information.
Terry Williams, spokesperson for NTSB, told MoreMonmouthMusings that the accident’s cause has yet to be determined. Williams said that NTSB investigations typically take a year or more.
According to historian John King, the property taxes were the issue that drove Highlands from Middletown. Highlands leaders were not happy that their neighborhood was sending $1000 to Middletown and only getting $500 in services.
When the waters of Superstorm Sandy receded from Highlands, Leo Cervantes and his staff at Chilango’s recovered the non-spoiled inventory from their destroyed Bay Avenue restaurant and invited the entire town to a free dinner that they prepared and served at Henry Hudson Regional High School which was serving as a shelter for hundreds of residents displaced by the storm.
His business was destroyed, but his home was spared by Sandy. Yet, for weeks after the storm, Cervantes continued to prepare meals for his friends and neighbors in the Henry Hudson shelter.
Leo left the poverty of Neza, a tough town outside of Mexico City in 1989, settling first in Asbury Park with his brother who had come a few years before. He got a job washing dishes at the Cypress Inn in Wanamassa. Before long he was working days for a landscaper and nights at the restaurant.
When the Cypress Inn closed, Leo went to work at The Shadowbrook. Owner Richard Zweben sponsored Leo for his green card.
With $1000 and a note held by the seller, Leo opened Chilango’s Long Branch in 1999. The four table restaurant thrived on take-out sold mostly to fellow hispanics who appreciated the authentic Mexican cuisine…the way real Mexican food should taste.
Three years later, Leo bought a building on Bay Ave in Highlands and open Chilango’s as an authentic Mexican restaurant and Tequila bar. Quickly, Chilango’s became a local and regional favorite. As his business grew, Leo became an important contributing member of the community with his constant support of civic organizations, the Highlands Businss Partnership and he served a term on the Zoning Board.
Now, four months after Sandy hit, Leo’s bank account is about back to where it was when he opened in Long Branch in 1999. He is caught in the red tape of the SBA and his insurance company, both of whom are asking him to resubmit information he’s already submitted multiple times. Windnsea and Shadowbrook have both hosted Chilango’s Nights since the storm which were a help in holding over and raising some money for rebuidling, but not enough. Leo’s spent almost all of his savings on rebuilding, but he’s coming up short.
But he doesn’t want a handout. Leo’s goal is to raise $50,000 by selling gift certificates redeemable for Mexican food the way it should taste when Chilango’s reopens. He can be open in a matter of weeks.
Certificates can be purchased through the link below, and/or stop by the tent Leo will have set up in his parking lot to serve Irish Burritos next Saturday at the Highlands St. Patrick’s Parade.
Your emailed receipt for your “donation” will be your gift certificate. Bring it with you to apply to your check when you dine at the re-opened Chilango’s.
The Highlands Business Partnership’s 11th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is being dedicated to the borough’s first responders in appreciation for their heroic efforts during Superstorm Sandy.
HBP Vice President Jay Cosgrove of Bahrs Landing said, “We’re proud of our hometown heros,” as he announced that Rebecca Kane, Highlands first female Fire Chief and the borough’s Council President, as the parade’s Grand Marshall. OEM Coordinator Dave Parker is the Deputy Grand Marshall. Highlands First Aid Captain Ray Vargas will be honored with the St. Brendan the Navigator Award.
The parade kickoff from Huddy Park on Saturday March 23 at 2PM. 100 marching units including the Henry Hudson Regional Marching Band and Cheerleaders, the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipe & Drums, Pipe & Drums Corps from Ocean Middlesex, Union, Essex and Atlantic counties. Old Bridge and Staten Islands Pipe and Drummers will also be marching.
There will be a special guest appearance of spectacular Irish dancers from the Daly Irish Dance School.
Non-profit to collect furniture for those affected by Sandy
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon today announced that a local non-profit, Love INC, has been awarded $50,000 in gift cards for furniture through the Robin Hood Foundation to help in the Bayshore area. Additionally, Love INC’s used furniture store “Furnished With Love” located in Long Branch will be having a sale of high quality used furniture on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday March 3 in the Highlands at Our Lady Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church from 10 AM to 3PM.. The Assemblyman asked that local residents donate any furniture that is in good shape.
“This is another step in stabilizing this area that has suffered so much,” said O’Scanlon (Love INC’s chairman). “Now that families are being stabilized with reconstruction the next step is making them livable by meeting their very basic furniture needs. We all recall the masses of debris on the curbside of many homes with the devastation being particularly immense up and down the Bayshore area. Love INC has been in existence for 18 years helping families in Monmouth County and continues to make a mark where it’s needed the most.”
Carolyn Eyerman, the executive director also added “that in 2012 over $20,000 worth of free furniture was given to qualified and screened clients in Monmouth County.”
Brand new mattresses and box springs as well as new bunk beds are also available with free delivery to all Bayshore residents with purchases made on March 2nd and 3rd. Love INC’s role in the community is not only to provide furniture, but acts as a community clearinghouse for local area churches to help with a variety of needs from rent assistance, elder care, used cars for transportation, free haircuts and haul out services.
“I really hope that our neighbors fortunate enough to make it through the storm unscathed will reach into their hearts to help out those who may have lost everything,” O’Scanlon stated. “Let’s be honest, we all have some extra furniture that’s just taking up space – this way, not only will it get used, but it will go to a family who really needs it.”
Furniture donations are especially needed right now with the needs so overwhelming. Free pickup and tax receipts issued from “Furnished with Love” trucks. Please call 732-222-1923 and find out how you can help. For those looking to contact Love INC directly, please call 732-542-7012.
The Highlands Business Partnership is holding its first annual Chili Cook Off Sunday, February 24 from 3PM till 7PM at Off the Hook, 1 Navesink Ave (Rt 36) Highlands.
Proceeds of the the fundraiser will pay for the bagpipers for the Highlands’ 11th annual St. Patrick’s Parade on March 23rd.
Do you make great chili? Click here for your registration form to enter the Chili Cook Off as either a professional or amateur. Entries must be submitted at Off the Hook by 8PM on Friday the 22nd.
Love good chili? For $25 you’ll get to sample the 24 contestants’ efforts, enjoy a cold one to wash it down and vote for the best professional’s and amateur’s chili. The professional contest starts at 4PM. The amateur contest starts at 5PM.
We often complain about the leftist slant of the mainstream media here at MMM. However, now is a time for those of us who live and do business at the Jersey Shore to say thank you in advance, and least to Comcast’s NBC properties.
The Highlands Business Partnership is holding its first annual Chili Cook Off Sunday, February 24 from 3PM till 7PM at