a.  A new Italian restaurant will open #50 Main Avenue  (the new building—-suite #4).  It is called Osteria Procaccini.  You can read about the special plans for this eatery at:  http://osteriaprocaccini.com

After you look at their website and read the menu, you will jump up and down and yell, “WOW!”   It sounds so perfect for our town  for many reasons. It likely will be a big hit here, but, it also sounds like it might attract even more tourists  (remember when Moonstruck was on Main Ave?) and, of course, the building at #50 Main offers ZERO new parking.  Meanwhile, the unit #4 space is gutted, so there is much to do before this business opens in Ocean Grove.

As for the rest of that building, Comfort Zone has moved  merchandise into one of the spots, but that is temporary parking.   The original store is still open but will close later for renovations.   The related Emporium Beach shop is already closed and will also be renovated.

Also in the building is a new wave store with oils and yoga, and there is also a perfume store there. A Christmas Shop is present as well.

b. Today, 11/7,  voting was held, as usual, at the senior residential facility in the Grove now called “Allegria”.

The new  management was very kind in setting up refreshments for the voters and workers. We met Marie, a dining hall employee, who cheerfully was offering coffee, donuts, Danish, cookies and other treats. Everything was fresh and provided a welcome surprise.

Refreshments for voters and election workers at Allegria—-Marie presiding. Blogfinger photograph.

c. Congestion in OG:  Adding to the potential increased parking congestion in OG  will be the ambitious plans for the Jersey Shore Arts Center.  They will be moving in a direction of more shows, a theater group and other events.  This puts pressure on the North End to add to the already increased congestion  (parking and otherwise) emanating from A. Park.  They will however have an additional 40 spaces with their new Main Street parking lot.   Hooray for that, but it’s not enough.

The future parking lot currently has a new retaining wall at the Main Street side of the site.  So how will cars get in and out since there will be three new homes on the Lawrence Avenue side?

It is time for Neptune Township to give Ocean Grove residents a bit of an edge with permit parking.

d.   Site Stats:  On Monday, Nov. 6, we had 831 hits.  Most of the interest was about Wesley Lake, surf fishing, South End gazebo and outdoor art.

e.  Why question:  If you are driving south on Main Street in A. Park, there is a left turn signal onto Mattison Avenue, but no left signal onto Cookman.  Why?