Once a week, Riverguy and RiverLady go to do our grocery shopping at Stop and Shop on Rt. 37. Now, I'm not writing this as a commercial for S & S, but I do want to mention something that I see as a real positive there. Every time we go in, we see the same folks working there...at the bakery, the deli, the fish counter, meats, check out, customer service...etc. A lot of them have worked there for many years. Over time you get to know them, and if you are a regular customer, they get to know you. It feels good to be helped by someone you've come to know and trust. This is what helps make up a community -- knowing and trusting who you are dealing with as you go about your daily life.
Daily life has changed drastically for many of us --- we relate to each other more often by tweets, texts, and Facebook posts. In this age of instant electronic communication, its worth remembering that face-to-face interaction adds positive value, both in ways you can measure, and in some ways that you can't.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Spring Returns Soon - and So Do the Potholes
Have you noticed how bad the potholes are already this year? Looks like the rough winter has set us up for a really bad spring for potholes. Riverguy has seen a bunch of them around town, and the "patch patrols" won't be get to them for a while yet. Once the ground really starts to thaw, we're going to see a lot more potholes. Not only that...they're going to be really big...I mean some real tank traps that can rip up the front end of you car.
Drivers are going to be swerving all over the road, trying to avoid them...as if driving isn't already an adventure around here.
People need to get proactive and let each other know about potholes they see...especially those "tank traps" that can cost you thousands of dollars to get fixed. If you have a chance, you can even report the potholes using the Facebook Group called "NJ Potholes are Out of Control." Maybe by keeping our eyes out for each other we can ride out the pothole season without too much trouble.
Drivers are going to be swerving all over the road, trying to avoid them...as if driving isn't already an adventure around here.
People need to get proactive and let each other know about potholes they see...especially those "tank traps" that can cost you thousands of dollars to get fixed. If you have a chance, you can even report the potholes using the Facebook Group called "NJ Potholes are Out of Control." Maybe by keeping our eyes out for each other we can ride out the pothole season without too much trouble.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Year Later....
Riverguy has returned to this blog after a full year hiatus. With all kinds of other social media demanding my time, I've let the blogging lapse. Well, I intend to get going with the blog again...we'll see how I do!
The last post -- from January 2010, was about the Jersey Shore. And here we are, a year later, and the JS crew is bigger than ever. Some folks like it, and others can't stand it. Enough said.
Looking forward, there is something interesting on the horizon coming up in Toms River. The usual "Founders Day" (which takes place every June) is going away this year, and a Food Festival will take its place. This festival will happen on May 14th. Not too many details are available yet, but its hard to go wrong with a food fest...it is almost certain to be a success. Riverguy will have fun there sampling various foods, but I will also miss Founders Day. I know...it was a bit stodgy, and not super-exciting, but it did remind us of our history, and also allowed non-profit groups to give out information about their programs. I hope they still have a corner for some of these groups, and maybe have the historical society showcase a bit of local history. Its good to know about the past...and sometimes its fun, too (well, a little bit, anyway....)
The last post -- from January 2010, was about the Jersey Shore. And here we are, a year later, and the JS crew is bigger than ever. Some folks like it, and others can't stand it. Enough said.
Looking forward, there is something interesting on the horizon coming up in Toms River. The usual "Founders Day" (which takes place every June) is going away this year, and a Food Festival will take its place. This festival will happen on May 14th. Not too many details are available yet, but its hard to go wrong with a food fest...it is almost certain to be a success. Riverguy will have fun there sampling various foods, but I will also miss Founders Day. I know...it was a bit stodgy, and not super-exciting, but it did remind us of our history, and also allowed non-profit groups to give out information about their programs. I hope they still have a corner for some of these groups, and maybe have the historical society showcase a bit of local history. Its good to know about the past...and sometimes its fun, too (well, a little bit, anyway....)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Jersey Shore is Over - Now What?
Ok, so the first season of MTV' "Jersey Shore" is over...what will life be like for our area in the wake of this show?
No doubt about it...we're going to feel a big impact this coming summer. Every would be "Guido" withing 500 miles is already making plans to descend on Seaside. It will be great for those renting out houses, and the bars and restaurants will be packed... but once again Riverguy has to wonder if families are going to be crowded out, and maybe even a bit scared to set foot in Seaside. They'll fear seeing fights, excessive drinking and lewd behavior...and they'll be right...all of that is going to be there in special excess this season.
Now you could argue that we shouldn't worry about a drop in family visitors...but the thing is, family visits to the beach and boardwalk are what hold things in some kind of balance....otherwise you have an around-the-clock spring-break atmosphere that will eventually crash and burn. Too much publicity about fights and raunchy behavior will spur a backlash by the locals, including the cops, and things will get real ugly. It will no longer be fun for anyone..."guidos" included.
Here's the key....with a little luck, we can survive the coming season.... but Riverguy is hoping that "Jersey Shore, Season 2" will take place in another town, before things are permanently knocked out of balance, and the average person can't feel comfortable going to Seaside.
No doubt about it...we're going to feel a big impact this coming summer. Every would be "Guido" withing 500 miles is already making plans to descend on Seaside. It will be great for those renting out houses, and the bars and restaurants will be packed... but once again Riverguy has to wonder if families are going to be crowded out, and maybe even a bit scared to set foot in Seaside. They'll fear seeing fights, excessive drinking and lewd behavior...and they'll be right...all of that is going to be there in special excess this season.
Now you could argue that we shouldn't worry about a drop in family visitors...but the thing is, family visits to the beach and boardwalk are what hold things in some kind of balance....otherwise you have an around-the-clock spring-break atmosphere that will eventually crash and burn. Too much publicity about fights and raunchy behavior will spur a backlash by the locals, including the cops, and things will get real ugly. It will no longer be fun for anyone..."guidos" included.
Here's the key....with a little luck, we can survive the coming season.... but Riverguy is hoping that "Jersey Shore, Season 2" will take place in another town, before things are permanently knocked out of balance, and the average person can't feel comfortable going to Seaside.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
MTV's "Jersey Shore" Starts Dec. 3rd
MTV is launching a new show called "Jersey Shore" - showing life in Seaside for a group of young people this past summer.. The trailer they've had on for it talks about "fist pumping" "hating" and the overall behavior of "guidos." Surely this is a new low for MTV...at the expense of the image of our area.
Now, Riverguy is not into "political correctness" -- but use of the term "guidos" is in poor taste, at the very least. Some Italian-American groups have already been complaining about it, with sufficient cause. Couldn't MTV have just called them "dudes" "peeps" or some other more generic term?
Part of the irony, of course, is that the main "characters" in this show are not from the Jersey Shore at all....they're bennies (or shoobees...how's that for our own name-calling?) from NY or North Jersey. Of course, people from other parts of the country won't realize this...the shore's image is going to suffer yet again.
Perhaps the silver lining is that, in this screwed-up society, there is no such thing as bad publicity...the show might actually increase next summer's influx of bennies...er...tourists....and the dollars they bring with them.
Now, Riverguy is not into "political correctness" -- but use of the term "guidos" is in poor taste, at the very least. Some Italian-American groups have already been complaining about it, with sufficient cause. Couldn't MTV have just called them "dudes" "peeps" or some other more generic term?
Part of the irony, of course, is that the main "characters" in this show are not from the Jersey Shore at all....they're bennies (or shoobees...how's that for our own name-calling?) from NY or North Jersey. Of course, people from other parts of the country won't realize this...the shore's image is going to suffer yet again.
Perhaps the silver lining is that, in this screwed-up society, there is no such thing as bad publicity...the show might actually increase next summer's influx of bennies...er...tourists....and the dollars they bring with them.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tea-Baggers Coming to Toms River
Ready or not, national issues will take center stage very soon in Toms River. The "Tea Party Express" will stage a rally at Rally on September 11th (6pm), at Town Hall (courtyard), 33 Washington Street. Here is a statement from the rally flyer: "From August 28th to September 12th, the Tea Party Express bus tour will cross the country hosting tea party rallies across America. We’re speaking out against the out-of-control tax-and-spend policies of Congress."
Riverguy isn't smart enough to know if these people are on to something, but maybe we can all agree that it is healthy to see people speaking out to voice their opinions. Let's hope that things remain civil and all viewpoints can be heard.
One thing for sure: it isn't going to be dull. These folks are determined to be noticed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see national media covering the event - especially since the Toms River stop falls on September 11th. The added significance of the 9-11 anniversary will be sure to stir extra passions. It's going to be interesting to see how the rally transpires...
Riverguy isn't smart enough to know if these people are on to something, but maybe we can all agree that it is healthy to see people speaking out to voice their opinions. Let's hope that things remain civil and all viewpoints can be heard.
One thing for sure: it isn't going to be dull. These folks are determined to be noticed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see national media covering the event - especially since the Toms River stop falls on September 11th. The added significance of the 9-11 anniversary will be sure to stir extra passions. It's going to be interesting to see how the rally transpires...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Aurora Coast Productions Thrives in Bad Economy
As a follow up to my last blog entry "Bad Economy Hits Home" I thought I would write about some positive news on the economic front. We have all heard before that in time of adversity, invention is born. Well, I thought that I would talk about a local company that is actually thriving in this economic times by reinventing itself into a leaner and more value added group.
I spoke with Adam Krell of Aurora Coast Productions. They specialize in 35mm and HD video productions. Catering to TV Commercial, Corporate Video and feature film markets, all of which I assumed would be dead or severally cutting back during these times. The fact is that many have cut back, however with careful overhead control and value added service, Aurora Coast has made it a science in ferreting out the clients, their needs and working within budgets. Their business is booming reports Adam. "Profits per project are not as high as they used to be, but we chose not to compromise our creativity and still provide that "Hollywood" look that are clients really like.
I have watched these guys grow through the years and must admit that I too am a bit impressed. "One of the biggest problems facing many companies is overhead. There are many places that money robbing expenses hide" adds Adam. We went through all of the items line by line, from power and telecommunications to software and cameras. The only thing we refused to do was fire people." He added. "The result was a leaner more streamlined company that was able to be more effective in creating the content that our clients wanted. In other words, we took the economic situation out there as lemons and made lemonade from it." Adam concluded.
I spoke with Adam Krell of Aurora Coast Productions. They specialize in 35mm and HD video productions. Catering to TV Commercial, Corporate Video and feature film markets, all of which I assumed would be dead or severally cutting back during these times. The fact is that many have cut back, however with careful overhead control and value added service, Aurora Coast has made it a science in ferreting out the clients, their needs and working within budgets. Their business is booming reports Adam. "Profits per project are not as high as they used to be, but we chose not to compromise our creativity and still provide that "Hollywood" look that are clients really like.
I have watched these guys grow through the years and must admit that I too am a bit impressed. "One of the biggest problems facing many companies is overhead. There are many places that money robbing expenses hide" adds Adam. We went through all of the items line by line, from power and telecommunications to software and cameras. The only thing we refused to do was fire people." He added. "The result was a leaner more streamlined company that was able to be more effective in creating the content that our clients wanted. In other words, we took the economic situation out there as lemons and made lemonade from it." Adam concluded.
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