Blogfinger

Daniel Hickman works with the sound equipment at his musical block party, Jersey Shore Arts Center.    8/20/17 Blogfinger photo ©

Some of the guests at Daniel’s party. Blogfinger photo. Ocean Grove JSAC 8/20/17 ©

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

We recently posted a piece about Daniel Hickman, the luthier who is the proprietor of Don’t Fret Music, a guitar repair and music shop located in the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.  Here is a link to that article from July 19 on Blogfinger:

Is there a luthier in the house?

Today Daniel held a very special event, one of those rare cultural happenings that are produced by Grovers to bring something unique to town besides the usual bill of fare: Great Auditorium shows and concerts, big festivals, and the wonderful summer classical assortment of concerts sponsored by the CMA.  Then there is the popular OG Summer Band.

But it is rare for locals to present cultural events that are designed for the locals to enjoy—-ideas that help promote a sense of community.  You may recall when Kevin Chambers came up with a Walt Whitman poetry festival in the Auditorium park.

We used to have small art shows for local artists.  The Blogfinger Film Festival brought young university film-makers to the Youth Temple, and we also conceived of the People’s Garden Tour—-primarily for Grovers. We have had street musicians and a violin ensemble perform here outdoors.  Musically who can forget the big band end-of-season concerts held on the porches of Embury Avenue.   Perhaps you can think of other examples which help add to a tapestry of special community events.

Daniel got the idea to have a free musical block party to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of his business.  It was held on Sunday afternoon, August 20, in the parking lot of the JSAC—quite an appropriate venue for a musical event.  We heard the Glimmer Grass Band—a fine bluegrass group. There were some other performers as well. He served lunch and had a raffle for an acoustic guitar.

So Daniel Hickman joins the small club of Ocean Grovers who have figured out how to bring a hyper-local original cultural event to town. Hopefully he will continue this event because it takes up to five years to get a tradition going.

We need more of that.   Thanks to Dan.  And here is the sound of bluegrass—rarely heard in Ocean Grove:

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By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

As many of you know, Rev. John DiGiamberardino, COO of the CMA made a statement at the Neptune Twp. Committee meeting last night regarding  permit parking for residents.

Since we do not accept press releases, what will appear below are excerpts from what he presented at the meeting, sent to us by the Reverend.

It seems that Committeewoman Rizzo shared some details of a permit plan with him, but no one from the HOA or the Committee shared such information with the public. We don’t know what he was shown.   It is premature for Rev. John to draw conclusions regarding a plan which doesn’t officially exist. There is no specific plan on the table at this time.

We did allow some of his comments below because it is so unusual to hear from the CMA in this manner,  but most of his conclusions  seem to us to be bizarre and much too premature to merit debate at this time.  And his threat below, based on such fake news, is wildly inappropriate.

If he wants all of his speech released, he will have to send a letter, as he did regarding  ground rents and post it himself.  Or those of you who want to see the press release in its entirety might be able to get it from the CMA on Pitman Avenue. Or the Coaster may have it Thursday.

“Parking Permits in Ocean Grove” by John DiGiamberardino:  (an edited version on Blogfinger)

“Tonight I speak to you as a resident of Ocean Grove.  I oversee the day to day operation as Executive Director of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and I own a home in Ocean Grove.

“I am against any form of permit parking in Ocean Grove. I also speak for the Board of Trustees of the Camp Meeting who discussed this matter at their recent Board Meeting and expressed their deep concern for permit parking in Ocean Grove.

“Permit parking will have a huge impact on the welcoming spirit of Ocean Grove, on the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, and I believe also will negatively affect property values.  Such an action would detrimentally impact tourism in general and our many constituents attending worship services, concerts and special events as well.

“Reduced beach income could affect our ability to maintain the beach at the highest level.   Allowing parking permits would make us an unfriendly, unwelcoming place for visitors.   Parking permits will create bigger problems that have far reaching implications.

“I also should let you know that our CMA Board will be reserving the option to pursue legal remedies, if necessary, to protect its property rights and those of its constituents.”

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