The Weather WILL be improving soon, believe it or not. It sure has been a long winter, and it seems to me that people around here are in the doldrums. The thing is, before you know if, warmer days will be here, and you're going to want to get outside...but then the dreaded "Spring Chores" or "Spring Cleaning" will hit.
The best thing to do is to get started on these things sooner, rather than later. That way, when the first string of really nice days comes along, you'll be heading to the park, while your neighbor is cleaning out the garage.
There may be other hurdles in our way before we can get to the fun stuff. First, the trees and flowers blooming bring out our allergies, which can really cause a lot of misery. Our homes and yards need maintenance and cleaning before we can enjoy the deck or patio. The deck probably needs waterproofing, or a fence needs painting, or the landscaping needs an upgrade.
Our bodies will also need some maintenance. A long winter of sitting around, and over-eating over the holidays has added more than a few pounds to most of us. So, a fitness plan and a diet may be in order.
So... How and when do we get to the fun part? What's the best way to get a jump on all of these Spring chores?
The answer lies in getting the best resources and help when you need it. Toms River Online has put together a "Springtime Resources" page to point you in the right direction. The page has a list of many the directories of local businesses that can help get your house and property into shape, so that you can get on with the serious business of spring fun. You'll also be supporting the shore by patronizing local businesses as they recover from Sandy.
As for the fitness program... I recommend checking out our directory of "Gyms and Fitness Clubs"...remember that after spring comes summer days at the beach. Are you going to be ready to put that swimsuit on?
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Gas Prices Rising - Here We Go Again
Anyone who drives a car is keenly aware that gasoline prices have been rising quickly over the last week or so -- up about 20 cents a gallon. Prices in Toms River are not quite 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 -- there will be ups and downs, but overall, 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: 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!).
All of the experts seem to agree -- there will be ups and downs, but overall, 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: 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!).
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Super Bowl Blues
Riverguy is having a tough time getting excited about this year's Super Bowl. And yes, I AM a football fan. Maybe it's because there are no local teams involved -- the Giants, Jets, and Eagles all had forgettable seasons (to say the least).
I guess I'm looking for an "angle" to get me interested. You know....a "slant" or some part of the hype that will get me into it. This year the obvious thing is "Brother vs. Brother" coaches -- but I find that a little strange, rather than something to get me psyched about the game. What are the odds that 2 brothers get to this level? It gets me thinking about how funny life can be, but it doesn't help get me into the game.
There are at least 2 former Rutgers players in the game -- Anthony Davis (49ers), and Ray Rice (Ravens). Once again, it is something to note, but doesn't add too much to the hype.
And then there are the commericals...I guess I have to watch those, because everyone will be talking about their favorites the next day. It seems like I always manage to somehow miss the best ones, either on a bathroom break, or getting a beer, etc. We'll see how it goes this year.
Betting on the game? I didn't get around to it this year. Yeah, I missed a chance there to add a little more excitement to the game.
If you ask me, (I know you didn't but I gotta say), the half-time shows are usually a disappointment. They give you a big spectacle, but somehow I always feel I would have been better off getting my food, drink, and bathroom break in during that time.
Adding to my funky mood about the game is whether to go out to watch it, find a party (probably too late to get an invite now), or just stay home. I really haven't heard about too many of the local bars and restaurants doing much this year for the Super Bowl. At least not the same degree as other years.
I'm actually leaning toward staying home. I came to this conclusion because, when all is said and done, there is a championship football game going on, between two really good teams, and I don't want to miss even a single play. I guess for me, it's really about the football, not the hype, not betting, talking heads, commercials, or anything else. It is a big day -- I hope you enjoy it, wherever you watch it, and for whatever reason.
I guess I'm looking for an "angle" to get me interested. You know....a "slant" or some part of the hype that will get me into it. This year the obvious thing is "Brother vs. Brother" coaches -- but I find that a little strange, rather than something to get me psyched about the game. What are the odds that 2 brothers get to this level? It gets me thinking about how funny life can be, but it doesn't help get me into the game.
There are at least 2 former Rutgers players in the game -- Anthony Davis (49ers), and Ray Rice (Ravens). Once again, it is something to note, but doesn't add too much to the hype.
And then there are the commericals...I guess I have to watch those, because everyone will be talking about their favorites the next day. It seems like I always manage to somehow miss the best ones, either on a bathroom break, or getting a beer, etc. We'll see how it goes this year.
Betting on the game? I didn't get around to it this year. Yeah, I missed a chance there to add a little more excitement to the game.
If you ask me, (I know you didn't but I gotta say), the half-time shows are usually a disappointment. They give you a big spectacle, but somehow I always feel I would have been better off getting my food, drink, and bathroom break in during that time.
Adding to my funky mood about the game is whether to go out to watch it, find a party (probably too late to get an invite now), or just stay home. I really haven't heard about too many of the local bars and restaurants doing much this year for the Super Bowl. At least not the same degree as other years.
I'm actually leaning toward staying home. I came to this conclusion because, when all is said and done, there is a championship football game going on, between two really good teams, and I don't want to miss even a single play. I guess for me, it's really about the football, not the hype, not betting, talking heads, commercials, or anything else. It is a big day -- I hope you enjoy it, wherever you watch it, and for whatever reason.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The New Normal
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.
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.
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!
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