Everywhere Riverguy goes, I hear people talking about "the new normal." The sad thing is, it is never in reference to anything good. Flooding? That's the new normal. High winds? The new normal. The government going broke, and taking us down with it? Yup, the new normal.
But Riverguy has noticed something else. There is an explosion of compassion going on. Things are bad for many people, and their neighbors are waking up, and taking action.
People are sending things to our area from all parts of the country to help us recover from Hurricane Sandy. Truckloads, in fact. Organizations of all types, and sometimes even individuals, at their own expense. Even people with little to give are giving what they can. Sometimes the most humble are the most generous of all.
There was a news story the other day about a little girl whose dog was stolen (on Christmas Eve, no less). A lady saw a man in the park selling a dog, had a bad feeling about it, and bought the dog for $220 to get it away from the man. She took it to a vet, where they found that the dog was "chipped." Long story short, the dog was reunited with the little girl. The lady that spent $220 to intervene sure had a strong desire to help, to make things right. She put her time and money on the line.
Today, I went over to look at the destruction in Seaside Heights. I guess I looked a little forlorn as I looked at all the sand where the boardwalk used to be. A young girl approached me and asked if I lived around here. She was from a church group that was coming to town to help remove debris and help in other ways, for free.
It occurs to me that something has changed all right...more trouble seems to be coming our way, and at the same time, people are stepping up to help each other, maybe much more so than in the past.
The new normal now includes people working togther to help, whatever else the new normal brings.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Old School Info Sources Shine During Sandy
Riverguy is a web guy...but I have to admit that during the ordeal of Hurricane Sandy, something unexpected happened.
I thought I'd be in good shape to find out what was happening as the storm approached. After all, I have a new smartphone with the 4g network, wifi, texting, emailing, and talk. I'd also be in the know through my laptop with cable internet access. Or cable TV news would keep me on top of things.
Well...you guessed it. When the storm hit, texting failed. Emailing failed, and calls wouldn't go through. And no news updates -- the web was silent. Basically, the expensive smartphone became a brick. Not to worry, I thought, as I went to turn on my laptop. Just about then -- a slight boom somewhere outside, and the laptop and TV went dark.
Riverguy was cut off from the world.
And then...it dawned on me. Didn't I have one of those old battery powered radios somewhere? I grabbed my flashlight and scoured the house and I found it. I turned it on, and found that the local radio stations were up and running, and keeping people informed through the long night of the storm. In truth, at that point no one knew too much, because we were all riding it out together. Only afterward would be know the true extent of the storm, and who had fared ok, and who didn't. But hearing the radio announcers and music (yes, music during the storm) gave me a comforting feeling of normalcy.
The next day dawned, and I had little hope of getting any real overview of what I had just been a part of. I knew the smartphone was probably going to be down for a few days, and the cable internet and TV for even longer. The first day after the storm was spent taking stock, helping neighbors and then falling into an early, uneasy night's sleep.
I woke the next morning to the sound of a familiar "floomp" sound outside....could it be? Yes, the NEWSPAPER had been delivered (yes, Riverguy still gets a paper!). I couldn't believe it. A day after the storm, and here it was -- complete with all of the shocking photos that told the tale of the storm.
I put the paper down and did some more clean-up outside. The next thing I knew, I heard another familiar sound...the engine of a small truck..you've got to be kidding?! Yup -- the MAIL was being delivered! I don't know how the driver even got around all of the downed wires, trees, and other debris -- but they did.
So, there you have it. I don't know how else to say it....when the chips were down, all of the expensive electronics failed miserably, while the radio, newspaper, and mail continued to work. All "old school" sources of information that have around forever. The whole thing has left me scatching my head a bit, and wondering...should we take a few steps back from our fascination with the latest gadgets?
I thought I'd be in good shape to find out what was happening as the storm approached. After all, I have a new smartphone with the 4g network, wifi, texting, emailing, and talk. I'd also be in the know through my laptop with cable internet access. Or cable TV news would keep me on top of things.
Well...you guessed it. When the storm hit, texting failed. Emailing failed, and calls wouldn't go through. And no news updates -- the web was silent. Basically, the expensive smartphone became a brick. Not to worry, I thought, as I went to turn on my laptop. Just about then -- a slight boom somewhere outside, and the laptop and TV went dark.
Riverguy was cut off from the world.
And then...it dawned on me. Didn't I have one of those old battery powered radios somewhere? I grabbed my flashlight and scoured the house and I found it. I turned it on, and found that the local radio stations were up and running, and keeping people informed through the long night of the storm. In truth, at that point no one knew too much, because we were all riding it out together. Only afterward would be know the true extent of the storm, and who had fared ok, and who didn't. But hearing the radio announcers and music (yes, music during the storm) gave me a comforting feeling of normalcy.
The next day dawned, and I had little hope of getting any real overview of what I had just been a part of. I knew the smartphone was probably going to be down for a few days, and the cable internet and TV for even longer. The first day after the storm was spent taking stock, helping neighbors and then falling into an early, uneasy night's sleep.
I woke the next morning to the sound of a familiar "floomp" sound outside....could it be? Yes, the NEWSPAPER had been delivered (yes, Riverguy still gets a paper!). I couldn't believe it. A day after the storm, and here it was -- complete with all of the shocking photos that told the tale of the storm.
I put the paper down and did some more clean-up outside. The next thing I knew, I heard another familiar sound...the engine of a small truck..you've got to be kidding?! Yup -- the MAIL was being delivered! I don't know how the driver even got around all of the downed wires, trees, and other debris -- but they did.
So, there you have it. I don't know how else to say it....when the chips were down, all of the expensive electronics failed miserably, while the radio, newspaper, and mail continued to work. All "old school" sources of information that have around forever. The whole thing has left me scatching my head a bit, and wondering...should we take a few steps back from our fascination with the latest gadgets?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Halloween is a Great Time in Toms River
The 75th Annual Halloween Parade (brought to you by Fire Company #1) takes place on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31st at 7pm. Billed as the second-largest Halloween Parade in the country, it is a must-see events for anyone who loves this time of year.
Note that Trick-or-Treating takes place on the afternoon and night prior to the Parade - Tuesday, October 30th. This year there is a "rain date" for the Parade -- Thursday, November 1st.
To see much more information, including Parade Divisions and Parade Rules, see the Toms River Online Halloween Page.
Remember to keep an eye on Downtown BEFORE the Parade. The Kiwanis Club of Toms River sponsors a "Halloween Window Painting Contest." Students from Toms River High School South paint the windows of businesses throughout the town during the week prior to the parade. There are usually about 80 paintings or so, and all of them are interesting, and a good percentage are absolutely excellent and very scary.
Also, a few days before the Parade, you'll see groups of chairs appearing along the Parade route. This is the time-honored tradition of excited spectators claiming their spaces for the upcoming event. It is kind of fun to ride through town to see all the decorations and the lines of chairs up and down Main Street.
Halloween in Toms River is the best you can find anywhere...Riverguy wishes you a fun, scary, and exciting Halloween!
Note that Trick-or-Treating takes place on the afternoon and night prior to the Parade - Tuesday, October 30th. This year there is a "rain date" for the Parade -- Thursday, November 1st.
To see much more information, including Parade Divisions and Parade Rules, see the Toms River Online Halloween Page.
Remember to keep an eye on Downtown BEFORE the Parade. The Kiwanis Club of Toms River sponsors a "Halloween Window Painting Contest." Students from Toms River High School South paint the windows of businesses throughout the town during the week prior to the parade. There are usually about 80 paintings or so, and all of them are interesting, and a good percentage are absolutely excellent and very scary.
Also, a few days before the Parade, you'll see groups of chairs appearing along the Parade route. This is the time-honored tradition of excited spectators claiming their spaces for the upcoming event. It is kind of fun to ride through town to see all the decorations and the lines of chairs up and down Main Street.
Halloween in Toms River is the best you can find anywhere...Riverguy wishes you a fun, scary, and exciting Halloween!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Downtown Toms River Goes the Extra Mile with New Event
Downtown Toms River gives us many opportunities throughout the year to enjoy ourselves. After all, they have the Chili Fest, the Ice Cream Fest, Crusin' vintage cars, the Farmers Market, and more. Just when you think they couldn't jam on more thing onto their event schedule, they come up with a new one -- HarvestFest.
HarvestFest takes place on Saturday, October 20,2012 along Washington St., between Main St. andHooper Ave., Downtown Toms River The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Admission and parking are both free.
HarvestFest will feature the following:
-Music by the band Tidal Wave
-Inflatable Rides for kids
-Haystack Maze
-Pumpkin Decorating
-Street Performers
-A potpourri of Street Vendors
-Food Vendors
-Apple Cider Donut Eating Contests
-Scarecrow Decorating Contest
-Fall Dessert Contest
-Beer Garden (produced by Fire Co. #1)
-Big Screen TVs with college football games (produced by XFINITY / Comcast)
(Details on both the Scarecrow Decorating and Fall Desert contests can be found at downtowntomsriver.com)
Hey, to Riverguy, it sounds like this is a great way to celebrate Fall. After giving us a full spring and summer event schedule, Downtown has come up with a sure winner. See you at the beer garden!
HarvestFest takes place on Saturday, October 20,2012 along Washington St., between Main St. andHooper Ave., Downtown Toms River The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Admission and parking are both free.
HarvestFest will feature the following:
-Music by the band Tidal Wave
-Inflatable Rides for kids
-Haystack Maze
-Pumpkin Decorating
-Street Performers
-A potpourri of Street Vendors
-Food Vendors
-Apple Cider Donut Eating Contests
-Scarecrow Decorating Contest
-Fall Dessert Contest
-Beer Garden (produced by Fire Co. #1)
-Big Screen TVs with college football games (produced by XFINITY / Comcast)
(Details on both the Scarecrow Decorating and Fall Desert contests can be found at downtowntomsriver.com)
Hey, to Riverguy, it sounds like this is a great way to celebrate Fall. After giving us a full spring and summer event schedule, Downtown has come up with a sure winner. See you at the beer garden!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Gilford Park - Another View
There has been a lot of discussion lately about Gilford Park, and most of it has not been positive. A recent crime in that section of Toms River has started some people grumbling. People are painting a picture of Gilford park as a collection of run-down shacks, full of questionable people.
Riverguy can only tell you about his own experience. I take long bike rides, and I ride through Gilford Park quite a bit. Yes, many of the streets have small bungalows, but most of them are fixed up quite nice. A few here and there are rundown, but you'll also see some newer and larger homes of some of the lots now, as some of the old houses are replaced. The smaller places are affordable starter houses for new families.
Some of the houses look kind of cozy -- yards with nautical decorations, small ponds, and features to dress the places up a bit. Some have fireplaces. One house I pass in particular has beautifully trimmed shrubs, a large in-ground pool, small poolhouse, and nice cars in the driveway. I always think to myself that it would be a nice place to live...if I were lucky.
People I pass by on my travels always seem friendly. They say hi and are ready to pass a kind word or two.
I know there are people out there who may have a different perceptions and experiences in the area, but I can only tell you what I've found.
Hang in there, Gilford Park. Riverguy sends his regards.
Riverguy can only tell you about his own experience. I take long bike rides, and I ride through Gilford Park quite a bit. Yes, many of the streets have small bungalows, but most of them are fixed up quite nice. A few here and there are rundown, but you'll also see some newer and larger homes of some of the lots now, as some of the old houses are replaced. The smaller places are affordable starter houses for new families.
Some of the houses look kind of cozy -- yards with nautical decorations, small ponds, and features to dress the places up a bit. Some have fireplaces. One house I pass in particular has beautifully trimmed shrubs, a large in-ground pool, small poolhouse, and nice cars in the driveway. I always think to myself that it would be a nice place to live...if I were lucky.
People I pass by on my travels always seem friendly. They say hi and are ready to pass a kind word or two.
I know there are people out there who may have a different perceptions and experiences in the area, but I can only tell you what I've found.
Hang in there, Gilford Park. Riverguy sends his regards.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Red Light Cameras - 'Round and 'Round We Go
News item: "State transportation officials Tuesday slammed the brakes on using red-light cameras in 21 towns to issue summonses to drivers until they can determine whether drivers are being given enough yellow-light time." (Asbury Park Press)
This latest chapter in the red light camera saga is sure to give opponents much more ammunition to get the whole program scrapped -- but don't look for that to happen. Most likely they will check all of the yellow-light times at locations across the state, and then resume the program. Refunds for those who were wrongfully ticketed? That is not impossible, but highly unlikely.
Any way you cut it, we are in a bad situation. Driver behavior is getting worse, so safety concerns are valid. But the automated cameras bring a "big brother" aspect, and there are too many variables to make the ticketing 100 percent accurate. The camera shows an offending car, but not who is driving.
Riverguy thinks that the cameras should be used in conjunction with live enforcement. Let the camera send a signal (a live image?) to an officer in a chase car, who can pull over the car that triggered the camera. That way, the correct driver gets any summons that's issued. And, the officer can listen to the driver's side of the story -- and cut a little slack if there is a good reason to do so. Or give a summons and a lecture...whatever is needed. The bottom line? Let's put a little human judgment, and personal interaction back into the situation, instead of relying on automated systems.
This latest chapter in the red light camera saga is sure to give opponents much more ammunition to get the whole program scrapped -- but don't look for that to happen. Most likely they will check all of the yellow-light times at locations across the state, and then resume the program. Refunds for those who were wrongfully ticketed? That is not impossible, but highly unlikely.
Any way you cut it, we are in a bad situation. Driver behavior is getting worse, so safety concerns are valid. But the automated cameras bring a "big brother" aspect, and there are too many variables to make the ticketing 100 percent accurate. The camera shows an offending car, but not who is driving.
Riverguy thinks that the cameras should be used in conjunction with live enforcement. Let the camera send a signal (a live image?) to an officer in a chase car, who can pull over the car that triggered the camera. That way, the correct driver gets any summons that's issued. And, the officer can listen to the driver's side of the story -- and cut a little slack if there is a good reason to do so. Or give a summons and a lecture...whatever is needed. The bottom line? Let's put a little human judgment, and personal interaction back into the situation, instead of relying on automated systems.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Scary Local Roadways
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that driving around Toms River has gotten especially scary lately. It could be that people have spring fever, but more likely it is that we've all become a bit frantic as traffic begins to increase.
Older drivers tend to slow down, and to become extra careful, perhaps further bogging down the flow of traffic. Younger drivers react by weaving in and out of traffic, and blowing the doors off someone that they think is going too slow..
And don't even get me started on people that are driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on a cell phone held to the ear. There is only one cure to this toxic mix -- common sense..
Older drivers need to keep up with the normal traffic flow....going excessively slow will only increase the chance of an impatient younger driver swerving around you and creating a hazard. And can I add -- ever so gently -- that you get regular eye and hearing checks. No one wants to take your freedom to drive away, so you need to make sure that you're ready for the road. Younger drivers need to realize that Rt. 37 isn't a drag strip. I know that many young drivers are actually good drivers, and tailgating or cutting in and out of traffic doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but what is does is cut down on everyone's margin of error. What happens if another car next to yours makes a sudden lane change just when you do? Believe me, you don't what the legal, insurance, and money hassles that come with an accident..
As for cell phones...get a hands-free kit or bluetooth so that you can at least have both hands available for driving.
Older drivers tend to slow down, and to become extra careful, perhaps further bogging down the flow of traffic. Younger drivers react by weaving in and out of traffic, and blowing the doors off someone that they think is going too slow..
And don't even get me started on people that are driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on a cell phone held to the ear. There is only one cure to this toxic mix -- common sense..
Older drivers need to keep up with the normal traffic flow....going excessively slow will only increase the chance of an impatient younger driver swerving around you and creating a hazard. And can I add -- ever so gently -- that you get regular eye and hearing checks. No one wants to take your freedom to drive away, so you need to make sure that you're ready for the road. Younger drivers need to realize that Rt. 37 isn't a drag strip. I know that many young drivers are actually good drivers, and tailgating or cutting in and out of traffic doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but what is does is cut down on everyone's margin of error. What happens if another car next to yours makes a sudden lane change just when you do? Believe me, you don't what the legal, insurance, and money hassles that come with an accident..
As for cell phones...get a hands-free kit or bluetooth so that you can at least have both hands available for driving.
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