Combating Rising Gas Prices

Anyone who drives a car is keenly aware that gasoline prices have been rising quickly over the last few weeks. Prices in Toms River are not as bad as in most of the rest of the state, but that's not much consolation when you're handing over more cash for your gas.

All of the experts seem to agree -- prices are going to keep rising. There's more demand overseas, and also a ton on tension in the Mideast. On top of that, we'll also see the usual price manipulation that clobbers us every spring and summer.

So...what can we do?

First of all, know your prices. Sometimes there's a big difference between different gas stations. Be sure you get the best price! Toms River Online has a link to a handy list of prices at area stations, so you can compare at a glance. Go to our Home page, and click on the blue gas nozzle on the right-hand side of the page: Toms River Online Home page.

Another thing you can do to cut your consumption of gas is to go to events closer to home this spring and summer. Downtown Toms River has some great events... just to mention a few: Arts & Music/Food Fest, Chili and Salsa Fest, Ice Cream Fest, Crusin' Downtown (vintage cars)..etc! Find out more about Downtown events.

As for the bigger picture... consider getting a smaller, fuel-efficient car (the Chevy Sonic is a good new choice). Also let your elected representatives know your views...there are options that they can enact (reduce gas taxes, more drilling, release oil from national reserves, provide incentives for purchasing smaller vehicles...ETC!).

Snow is a No-Show This "Winter"

Ok, so Riverguy isn't really a big skier or anything like that, but I have to say that the extremely mild weather this winter is un-nerving me a bit. I can't remember a winter this mild....maybe there is something to this global-warming theory?

By this time last year, we had already had about 3 feet of snow...and so far this time we haven't even hit 3 inches. The forecast for February is more of the same...temps in the 40's and 50's.

While this weather is good for commuters and people who don't like winter,there are some bad economic impacts, too. We have a lot of contractors around here who do snow removal, and they're getting shut out right now...that's tough on their bottom lines. Stores that sell winter clothing or winter sports equipment have to be hurting, too.

On the plus side, we're all using less heat...that's a special blessing for people with oil burners.

Who knows...maybe this weather will bring out more "plungers" at the "Polar Bear Plunge" in Seaside Heights (Feb. 25th). Riverguy will be on the sidelines, cheering the plungers on (my plunging days are behind me). It's a great event, benefiting the Special Olympics.

Despite what the forecast says, Riverguy is going to keep his eye on the sky...mother nature might have a surprise or two in store for us before spring.

Toms River Now - Revisited

Some months ago Riverguy posted an item on this blog about "Toms River Now" (www.tomsrivernow.com) a web page that gathers local Twitter "tweets" (messages) in one spot.

At the time, I said:
"More and more, people just don't want to read "news" -- news is about what happened in the recent past-- but most often we want to know what is going on right NOW. Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking programs have made this possible, and we're getting used to real-time information. That's why you should check out "Toms River Now, " a single web page that lists "Tweets" (Twitter messages) that contain info about Toms River, Ocean County, and the Jersey Shore. You don't have to have a Twitter account to view these messages...everything is on a regular web page."

Well, since my original post, we've had an earthquake, hurricane, and numerous other accidents, traffic jams, and more. It turns out Toms River Now is a good place to turn to when something unusual happens. In less than 20 seconds after the earth shook, tweets were coming in from all over the area. People were comparing what they felt, and within a couple of minutes, information came through about the quake magnitude and epicenter. During the hurricane, people posted warnings about downed wires and flooded streets, helping all of us avoid trouble.

So...check out Toms River Now for both the mundane and the unusual...you'll never know what you're going to find.

Downtown Toms River Looking Good for the Holidays

Downtown Toms River has the welcome mat out for the Holiday Season... First of all, the town looks great. The main streets have lighted snowflakes on the light poles along the streets, and in front of some businesses. There is a large, lighted "Peace on Earth" banner near Town Hall on Washington Street. Many of the shops and offices have decorated their windows, and the many houses in the district are decked with beautiful holiday lights.

Downtown also has some new retail stores, including Autumn Meadow Trading Company. This new shop on Washington Street (#11, not far from Capone's) features special candles. Every candle is painstakingly created in small, hand-crafted batches to ensure the highest level of quality. They have unique wooden wicks...stop in and see what it is all about.

The new Traco Theater at 316 Washington Street, next to the Cookie Cab, has movies, comedy shows, and special events. This is a great addition to Downtown...you can now enjoy a good dinner at one of the Downtown restaurants, and then take in a movie. Check for movie schedules and more at the Traco website: http://tracotheater.com/

Riverguy is going to spend some time Downtown during the Holiday Season... how about you?

Notes from The Edge

Riverguy is a little confused these days...I was going about my life in my usual oblivious fashion, when I ran into my old friend, Chowder. Chowder was always one of these guys living on the edge - sometimes the exciting edge of life, sometimes the dangerous, and sometimes the crazy edge.

The first thing he says is "Hey River...got enough food, water, and money stashed in a safe place?"

"Huh?"

"Come on man, you gotta be prepared. One of these days the shit is going to hit the fan, and you have to be ready." He gazed at me and made a splattering gesture with his hands.

"What are talking about, Chowder?" I scratched my head and waiting for the next wild thing to come out of his mouth.

"River -- haven't you been paying attention to what's goin' down?"

"I watch the news, if that's what you mean" I said, a little indignantly.

Chowder snorted. "So, you know all about the European Debt crisis, the possibility of global financial collapse, the Mideast about to erupt in war, and radiation from the 3 meltdowns still going on in Japan....?"

"Chowder, I know about all of that, or most of it, anyway. It's all under control. What does this have to do with water and the other stuff?"

Chowder grimaced..."When things get worse, the stores will be closed, and dudes are gonna be after your food and water. The banks are gonna close their doors so people don't rush in and get all of their money out." Chowder spun on his heels and started marching off. Probably on his way to his next crazy adventure, I thought.

He called out, without turning around... "Prepare!"

I shuddered a little, and kind of cleared my head for a few seconds, and didn't think much more about it. Ol' Chowder can get really worked up over things. Nobody's gonna steal my water...that's crazy, I thought for the second time.

An hour or so later, my phone rang. It was another friend - Tom, a guy I used to go to school with. His voice shook, and he was all excited. He told me he had gone to a Black Friday sale the other day, and stampeding people pushed him to the ground, and pulled a new blender out of his hands. He was stepped on several times, and then pinned against a display when he tried to stand up. "River...they didn't care! They trampled me for a BLENDER!" Tom kept talking, but I didn't hear the rest. I felt a little wobbly for a second, and then Chowder popped back into my mind. "Prepare!" echoed through my brain, and the ground underneath me seemed a little less solid...

Time to Get Real

Well....a couple of months ago, Riverguy wished you a good summer -- and I hope it did turn out to be a good one for you.

Now, as we get deeper into Fall, reality is beginning to creep in. The Japanese nuclear triple meltdown didn't go away -- it just seems that way, because the news media refuses to cover it. They can get away with it, because the really bad effects from it are longer term. Riverguy isn't going to dwell on the outcome for you -- you'll need to do your own research. Let's just say it isn't pretty.

Who cares anyway, right? The collapse of the world economy is getting less coverage than the collapse of Kim Kardashian's marriage. Well, you're going to care if Greece defaults on its obligations. The effects will be felt not just at the international level, but in your own finances as well. Things could spiral out of control.

And while all of this is going on, also keep an eye on the Mideast. Storm clouds are gathering around Iran...more trouble is brewing.

By now you're probably thinking..."Riverguy, you're being a real downer. Why should I concern myself with this stuff...its out of my hands...there's nothing I can do about it, anyway." Wrong!! You can do this: 1) Get informed about what's going on. 2) Start to care what happens - if you have kids, you should give a damn about what is happening in the world 3) Demand that the news media cover the important stories -hound them on their web site's "comments" area, and visit alternative sites. 4) Hold your elected officials accountable. Make them take address the tough issues, and make your own views known.

Hey...that Kardashian thing is really something, right?

Red Light Cameras...A Blessing or a Curse?

Red light cameras are spreading throughout the state, so it probably won't be long before we have them in Toms River. The cameras will produce both still pictures and video of drivers that go through an intersection when a light is red. Also note that, if you make a legal right-turn on red, you'd better come to a complete stop, or you may receive a ticket.

Brick is making a lot of money off of their cameras (it is $85 for a violation captured on a red light camera). It is undoubtedly good for the municipalities to get this money, and there is some evidence that the cameras help reduce accidents at intersections with the cameras.

However...there are some drawbacks. Camera angles can be misleading, and it is possible that you could be accused unjustly. You can fight the ticket, but it will be very difficult to prove that the evidence doesn't show an infraction -- note how the burden of proof is now on you to prove your innocence. And maybe you weren't even the driver -- the camera can't see who's driving, so the car owner will get the ticket in each case. Some people also object to the "big brother" aspect of all of this...we're being watched by more and more cameras everywhere we go.

We're being asked to trade some privacy and a bit of our protection under the law, in exchange for improved safety. Over time, we'll find out if this turns out to be a blessing....or a curse.