Phil Penman photo in the Alps. Borrowed from Leica.
This image has a monochromatic look, but it is in color. Phil Penman from New York is mostly a black and white photographer who uses Leica equipment. (as do I) to obtain wonderful photographs that reveal a blend of sharp and blurry imagery with what is called “bokeh.” His style includes low light photography which Leica is known for.
This photo was made using a spectacular new lens boy Leica. (Noctilux 35 mm). But the equipment does not make the photo automatically. The results are a collaboration of artist photographer using world famous Leica cameras and optics which photographers refer to as “glass.”
Phil Penman has a website where more of his work can be seen and purchased.
My images are often shown on my site Blogfinger.net, but we don’t sell our photos online. And we rely on great artists like Phil who set the stage for greatness through masterful images.
Nocturnal shadows go in both directions through the Casino “Breezeway.” Ocean Grove is a presence that should be mentioned in discussing the importance of the Casino. Check out Blogfinger.net for our recent coverage of this point. Paul Goldfinger photograph. 2022.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove blog nation. USA 3/18/26.
a. There is a report that Asbury Park has engaged a former NJ Supreme Court justice to look over the current situation regarding legalities related to former agreements involving Asbury and current organizations which have been working on plans for the AP oceanfront including the Casino.
b. Repairs on the Casino roof have been completed. Inspections of the work are pending. But even those repairs will not allow the Casino “Breezeway” to reopen, but the outdoor roundabout on the ocean side may open again soon. (Scroll down to see the roundabout .)
c. We have just covered the recent opinions by Neptune lawyer Thomas De Seno. Just scroll down.
d. There is a post about the Casino in a publication called TAPinto.net. Today they discuss roof repairs at the Casino, and they report that “inspection is pending before the pedestrian pathway may reopen.”
As some of you know, we at Blogfinger.net, have recently questioned why all these Casino discussions fail to mention Ocean Grove which abuts on the southern border of Asbury Park and offers access to those who come and go into the breezeway.
Here is a quote from the “TAPinto.net“ site: “The breezeway, which historically connected the boardwalk to Ocean Avenue beneath the Casino Building, has been closed due to ongoing structural concerns and safety considerations. For decades, the breezeway served as a heavily used pedestrian corridor linking the boardwalk and beach with downtown Asbury Park, making its closure particularly noticeable for residents and visitors accustomed to using the passage.” Does this make sense?
And there is more, so consider this, “The application to demolish the Casino sparked renewed concern among preservation advocates and residents who worry about the deterioration of the building and the potential loss of historic architectural elements that many consider part of Asbury Park’s identity.”
So all of a sudden there is concern about the Casino’s history after years of ignoring AP’s architectural history. But what about Ocean Grove which is adjacent to the Casino and which is devoted to historic preservation on our side of the broken building. Do you think that OG’s historic elements, including our presence on the State and National Historic registers, might be considered in this discussion. After all we are about to start developing our North End where many meetings have been devoted to historic preservation.
And yet this TAPinto reporter cannot even mention the presence of Ocean Grove when they discuss the Casino’s “pedestrian corridor which links the Casino with Asbury’s beach and downtown.” Did he even take a walk over there or look at some of the Casino photographs taken on the Ocean Grove side regularly shown on Blogfinger.net?
Here is a Blogfinger post that discusses changing demographics in the Grove. Such changes might be of interest to those who are considering the future of the Asburian Casino.
KEN PEPLOWSKI and FRIENDS (live.) Ken is on clarinet. “All the Things You Are.” This song was written by Jerome Kern, melody; with Oscar Hammerstein II, lyrics. It was for a 1939 Broadway show called Very Warm for May.
The great jazz sax player John Coltrane loved the lyrics of this song so much, he referred to it as the “angel glow” song. (“You are the angel glow that lights the star'”)
“You are the promised kiss of springtime That makes the lonely winter seem long You are the breathless hush of evening That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
“You are the angel glow that lights the star The dearest things that I know are what you are Someday my happy arms will hold you And someday I’ll know that moment divine When all the things you are, are mine”
Paul Goldfinger photo on the Casino bypass. It came in handy to go to and from the Zombies. Blogfinger.net. Asbury Park made this happen. 10/7/23. Click to enlarge.
Nocturnal Grover girls on the OG boards nearing the south entrance to the Casino. Night was always a popular time for coming and going via the Casino. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger. net 8/21
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. (Ocean Grove, USA)
A Neptune lawyer, Thomas De Seno, Esq. has posted an exposé. (see link below) alleging that the people of Asbury Park have ben rendered impotent regarding the development of the City’s waterfront due to dominance by big money companies such as Madison Marquette, iStar, Capital Guidance, international private equity firms, and real estate/banking interests.
He alleges that the caring people of A. Park have been squeezed and intimidated by these moneyed interests so that those who should be designing their town’s future such as artists , musicians, Chamber of Commerce, boardwalk businesses, charities, Historical Society, local media, the LGBTQ+ community, and the City Council have no power.
In many cases he says that those AP “usuals” owe allegiance to the big bosses–relationships which inhibit those who love their city.
On Blogfinger we have recently been publishing our views of what is going on regarding the plight of the Casino, especially as it pertains to Ocean Grove which is located just to the south of the Casino and which is never mentioned by the Asburian talking heads.
And we also have described the Asburian noisemakers which of late have been rightly pushing for repair and rebuilding the Casino.
De Seno says that “Something new is happening as evidenced by a petition in A. Park signed by 7,500 people to ‘save the Casino.'”
He says that there will by an “informational” at the high school “where the redevelopment attorney will update the community on the Waterfront.” He says that the usual vocal citizens are muzzled, so others must speak up about “retain the Casino.”
He also says that “it won’t cost Asbury Park much money to sue to retake the Casino.”
To read his long dissertation go to desenolaw.com.
Eileen; age 4. Brooklyn, New York. Photo by Bernard Harkavy, Eileen’s Dad.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net.
I grew up in a household filled with music, especially Broadway show tunes. Since Broadway shows often were about stories, I listened carefully to lyrics.
When I was perhaps in 4th grade, I was friends with a little girl who lived up the block from my grandparents in Bayonne, NJ. I don’t recall her name, but when I listened carefully to the lyrics of this song from Annie Get Your Gun, I actually wondered if I would one day get married, and who would that girl be. And might it be that little girl from up the street?
I didn’t understand some of the lyrics, especially about “purring like a kitten.”
I thought that perhaps there was some girl out there whom I could really like a lot.
That song had always made me wonder.
Much later I met Eileen on a blind date. And then I knew…..
From Annie Get Your Gun: “The Girl That I Marry” Howard Keel singer; Irving Berlin composer.
Click on one photo and then follow the small arrows. (Very small)
This couple is about to step onto the New Jersey Ave. bridge to visit the Sunday market. All photos by Paul Goldfinger. Blogfinger.net 8/3/25
This is the view as I step onto the AP side. The Sunday Market is straight ahead.
This is Tomas. He sells small tomatoes. Jersey’s were not there.
Grovers Betsy and Paul show friends from Chicago around the event.
Many of the sellers were dealing with lines, especially the gourmet bread bakers
Farmer’s daughters. Pretty girls abound at this A. Parker Farmer’s Market.
A diverse crowd visits this market.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. This is why we are the “Garden State.” Jersey tomatoes are now peaking. Try Matt’s in Belmar for those.
This market is on Sundays at Press Plaza. It is open from May through November.
When you walk across Wesley Lake via the New Jersey Avenue bridge from Ocean Grove, you will see this farmers market straight ahead.
It is a sophisticated market with a fascinating variety of items for sale. It was well attended, and lines formed at a number of stands, especially for breads.
It is a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning. I saw about 6 Grovers besides a few who were heading back to the Grove as I walked over.
