Blogfinger

Lumberton. North Carolina.    Rt.95 north.    Drive-by photography.   Eileen Goldfinger ©. May, 2020.

TEDDY THOMPSON.        “King of the Road.”

Read Full Post »

Bradley Beach downtown. A park for the citizens and housing for most. Paul Goldfinger photo.  1/26/25.  Click once to enlarge.

Paul Goldfinger MD, Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. USA

Where is the affordable housing in the Grove?   How can young people, OG “Underground,”  find a place to live in the Grove?   How much will the new North End condos cost?

Who is looking out for the young families, workers, students, artists, singles, seniors, disabled  and others who would like to live in our town?

The OG Community Association say that they are about quality of life for our “community” but how do they define “community,” and don’t expect the Neptuners to care.

It’s nearly impossible to find affordable efficiencies or one bedroom apartments in the Grove either for rent or to buy.  And the small cottages are no longer affordable either.

But Bradley Beach has thought about affordable housing (see above) and they have a good supply.  And keep an eye on the transformation of Memorial Drive.  They place their citizens first, and tourism last.

Ocean Grove is a prime location with an ocean, a unique history, special architecture, nearness to 2 big cities and A. Park, but there is no diversity, and a large number of folks are over 60.  There are no other towns like ours,  and who will monitor our need for more affordable  housing?

UPDATE:   From the Asbury Park Press 2/6/25:

“Some 40% of Monmouth and Ocean County towns are pushing back against New Jersey’s newly calculated affordable housing obligations, a review by the Asbury Park Press has found, offering to build far fewer units than the state has assigned them or simply removing themselves from the program altogether.”

A Blogfinger  review of this article reveals that Neptune Township is negotiating with the State over this issue, and Ocean Grove is not mentioned in the charts.

Affordable housing mandated for Neptune probably won’t pay attention to the Grove.  But the “Association”  formerly known as the “OGHOA”   has removed all references to “homes” on their new and vaguely titled “Ocean Grove Community Association.”

At least their prior name made reference to a specific interest, but now they need to define what they mean by “community.”

So which OG entity will concern itself with our shortage of affordable housing?

And by the way, who is monitoring the demographics in our town besides the census?  Such data is critical for planning the Grove’s future  life styles.

KEELY SMITH:

Read Full Post »

Nancy and Seamus 8/12/21. Dusk.  Paul Goldfinger photographs for Blogfinger.net © Click image to enlarge.

“The Agony of Defeat.” Test driving our sand washers. Blogfinger.net I suggested one of them should run for mayor.

EMMY ROSSUM:

Read Full Post »

JEAN BREDIN reports from the OG Live Nativity. 12//6/25:

The Live Nativity was almost full capacity.
It was very beautiful, visually and musically.

After the performance, as we left the Great Auditorium, there was the Christmas Tree lighting and Victorian carolers.

One of the best nights in Ocean Grove.

Jean Bredin, Blogfinger.net, attends the OG Live Nativity. “Angels we have seen on high.”  Dec 6, 2025.  The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ, USA.   Jean’s video below.

JOHN RUTTER AND THE CAMBRIDGE SINGERS.   “A Gaelic Blessing”

Read Full Post »

 Ocean Grove. 2022. Paul Goldfinger photo.

Michelle Branch.  “Strange”

Read Full Post »

Boys and  their toys, playing in the sand. March 26,2026,  2pm . Paul Goldfinger photo. Ocean Grove beach. 

From HBO’s TREMÉ.  “Spring Can Really Hang  You Up The Most.”

David Torkanowsky (piano) and Lucia Micarelli

And here is Karrin Allyson with a version with words:

Read Full Post »

A Gypsy funeral for Ada, from Netflix “Peaky Blinders.” Paul Goldfinger still image from the movie.

Bryan Hyland.    “GYPSY WOMAN.

Read Full Post »

Heck Avenue block party. Paul Goldfinger Ocean Grove photo. Blogfinger.net

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net.  8/29/24.  Re-post.

I love what NJ.com writer Peter Genovese said about Seaside Heights.  (#25):   “OK, so maybe  Seaside Heights is on here mostly because of its boardwalk.   For liveliness, licentiousness, looniness, libido and all-around low-rent charm, no boardwalk comes close to Seaside.”

My Rutherford High friends and I loved to go to Seaside for all those L’s,  but far and away, at age 16, “libido” wins the prize.  We couldn’t get near the missing link  (liquor) because we were all too young to get into the bars, and that ruined our chance to see some live bands.

But we did live there, however  it was only for one summer when my band  “The Paul Gary Quartet” played fox trots and jitter-bugs  at  a Lavallette bar and restaurant.

We lived in an apartment in Seaside above a garage, but mamma mia, what a summer that was, especially after work. That Seaside boardwalk did stay awake, just for us.

But this list which is supposed to be about the “best” and most livable shore towns is, albeit amusing,  quite a mish-mash.  He didn’t even mention “life-styles.”   And we really shouldn’t be #5 without mentioning some of our strong points.   (See my comment in the “comments” section below.)

5. Ocean Grove.  

By Peter Genovese of NJ.com:

“There is no Jersey town quite like Ocean Grove, the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore.” Oceanfront setting, charming main street (Main Avenue), cute shops, ample restaurants, maybe the state’s most splendid structure (the Great Auditorium).

“And did we mention  100 or so tents residents call home in the summer (rules: no barbecues, no dogs, and definitely no loud music). Ocean Grove, part of Neptune Township, is a dry town, but you can have beer or wine on your tent porch, as long as it’s in a cup (no cans or glasses allowed). They don’t make towns like this anymore.”

Visit: The splendid Great Auditorium; Day’s Ice Cream.

BOB MARLEY

Read Full Post »

Paris subway. Paul Goldfinger ©. Click to enlarge le plaisir.  (pleasure)

MILES DAVIS SEXTET. featuring John Coltrane (sax)  and Paul Chambers (bass)…”Someday My Prince Will Come.”

Read Full Post »