Blogfinger

Paul Goldfinger from Peacock. August.2024

Jacque Brel is Alive and Well in Paris:   “Madeleine”

Blue Tuesday. Paul Goldfinger. 8/6/24. Broadway. OG. Click once.

KEITH URBAN: “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

By Paul Goldfinger,  Editor Blogfinger.net.

Blogfinger  cow.  Paul Goldfinger photo while grazing.  (The cow, not me.)

a. Wegmans bakery:   Superb peach muffins. Only available this time of year.  They also have very fine croissants baked  each day.

8/4/24 Blogfinger photos.

b.

Blogfinger.net received  3,582 hits on 8/1. Over 3,000 were from Germany. These fans are from Great Britain.  From Peacock.com screen photo.  Paul Goldfinger.

c.    Blogfinger Netflix movie now streaming:

If you don’t mind some raunchy swearing, see “Wicked Little Letters”.    We loved this movie.

d.   If you are a cinema buff, the old Brando directed movie “One-Eyed Jacks” is streaming.

Derek Delorenzo. Ocean Grove.  Carpenter.  “All gas, no brakes.”     Blogfinger photo

e.     Carpenter opens his own business called “In House.”     Derek Delorenzo is a talented young carpenter who lives in town with Crystal his wife.  Derek’s self described title is “Remodeling and Repairs.”  He likes to work on old OG homes  and he has done excellent and creative work for us, even with small annoying jobs.

Derek is eager and patient  and will take  on small jobs so he will say “Yes.” if a client calls.    Derek is reliable and nice to work with.

Derek:    908 675 4183.

f.  Medical bits of tid:

—If you have low back pain, there are some new approaches that may replace surgery  (laminectomy).  In particular I heard of a minimally invasive procedure that takes about an hour under local and is safe.

It relieves pressure on nerves within the spinal canal.  It is called the “mild procedure.”   That may be the best name ever for any surgery in medicine.    Talk to your spine doctor about it.

–If you take Vitamin D, you should know that it  is a complicated subject.    Just so you can get a feel for it, here is a cute doctor who is an expert from Harvard and  who has made a video.  Link below.

One item for me to mention is that when you take calcium supplements you must also take Vitamin D, and many calcium pills already have  Vitamin D.  But you may need  extra D  besides.  And D  blood tests are of questionable value, and sometimes your insurance won’t pay for them.

There are new D guidelines, so verify your dose with your doctor.  Some people think that you can just pop vitamins, but not D.

Here is Dr. JoAnn Manson from Harvard. This video is meant for doctors, but some of you won’t be intimidated.    Paul Goldfinger, MD

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/vitamin-d-who-benefits-supplements-now-2024a1000cqg?ecd=WNL_240730_MSCPEDIT_CS_mscp_medbt_etid6705720&uac=440673EX&impID=6705720

There is a blood test for colon cancer.  Ask your doctor, especially if you have rejected screening colonoscopies.

THIS IS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY:   8/6/24:

Supplements are regulated as food:

“The FDA is responsible for regulating dietary supplements,” said Dr. Cohen, noting that while “we might think of them—because they’re health products—as being a subcategory of medication … the FDA regulates them as a subcategory of food.

“This has huge consequences for the whole category of dietary supplements—from vitamins, minerals, probiotics and all sorts of new ingredients,” he added. “What it means is that the manufacturer can introduce anything into the market that they believe is safe.”

“The FDA’s job is to identify the products that are causing harm after they’ve been on the market and remove them from store shelves,” Dr. Cohen explained.

OG flowers by Paul Goldfinger. Click once.   Asbury Avenue. Who will confer with them?   2022.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net.   8/5/24.  Ocean Grove, NJ, USA.

DEP deficiency letter

On May 28, 2020, OGNED received a deficiency letter from the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)  referencing the North End Plan and discussing deficiencies in Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, Stormwater Management Rules,  and issues raised by the State’s Historic Preservation Office  (HPO.)

Seeing this letter from 4 years ago, and we are still in the midst of the North End nonsense, I wonder who has responsibility for following up on these issues?

Somebody at Neptune Township must have done so, but maybe they didn’t, and if they didn’t, perhaps the Home  Groaners might take an interest in stormwater issues, flood hazard issues and ancient history at the North End  and  maybe the new President Joyce Klein might take a chance and do something really useful with her board to look at the results of this letter.

Here is an  excerpt from that letter.;

” A subterranean parking garage is currently proposed as part of the project. Due to the parking

garage construction and based on the project site’s proximity to a stream/ocean confluence, the

project area has a high potential to encounter deeply buried Pre-Contact period shell mounds, burial

complexes, and habitation sites. In addition, the project area has a high potential to encounter

possible buried historic period maritime and/or shipwreck-related archaeological resources.

“Therefore, a Phase IB archaeological survey must be conducted within the proposed project are

prior to permit issuance. Additionally, any geotechnical data shall be provided to the archaeological

consultant for evaluation as part of the Phase IB survey and included in the technical report.

“The HPO requests documentation of the review and approval of the project by the Neptune

Township Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). If the project plans change, the HPO requests

review of the architectural drawings to ensure compatibility with the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting

Association Historic District.”

So  HPC and HOA:  how about looking into these issues?

And don’t forget that there are many teens in town this summer. You need to provide them some habitation sites.

George Washingmachine:

This  page 6 article provides some good reporting by William Clark.  He quotes the Mayor as calling the increases “shocking.”  And he is showing signs of real journalism.  But we need to watch for that. It’s not  usually their style.

She blamed most of the increase on an increased school budget.

Joyce Klein, the new OGHOA President,  said that increased home valuations in Neptune  are a problem for Grovers in particular.   She claims that increased valuations in OG are “disproportionate..”  and that many who have been increased have done no improvements in their homes to justify such assessments.

She worries that some residents will be forced to sell their homes. And then she claims that buyers will be investors.  But what evidence is there for that claim? What we are getting are 2nd homers, and that is often just fine.

The Coaster is still the best source of OG news coverage and their e-edition is very well done.

Note:  Eileen and I went up 21% without any new work done in our home. I guess it’s about the rising market values for our homes.  But what percent occurred in Shark River Hills or elsewhere in Neptuneland?

An.  anonymous commenter sent in two on the same day and then complained that I was ignoring him/her.   I don’t know what went wrong,  but if you have trouble with our comments button, then just send us your comment by email:  Blogfinger@verizon.net

Comment:    Disagree. 2nd home buyers are often not necessarily a good thing. No longer are blocks stable without regular daily neighbor. Vacant unlived-in homes on a block are not secure – safe.

I do agree that OG taxes and  tax increases are unfair . Taxes should be based on services rendered not on homes value

If that can’t happen then I think to protect seniors (many on limited income) valuations and  taxes should be on their original purchase price.

Let the affluent new buyers who are paying very high prices pay taxes based on their purchase price. Of course this would never fly but seems fair to me and a way to allow long time seniors to remain . It is a shame that high taxes drive people to sell and  leave.

And:        While improvements might increase assessments and taxes, the main cause is increased valuation.

That is : Higher and higher sale prices of nearby homes raise one’s valuation and assessment and taxes. Taxes should be based on services rendered not on nearby home sales.

Editor:  There are many reasons why people sell, and probably most of the time it is not the taxes.  But there should be more relief for seniors, and the Governor is working on a dramatic change in that.   And how about discounts for those who have no kids in the school. There was a small town   near us in Chester which had large beautiful homes on big properties, but relatively low taxes because their kids went to private schools.  Any further comments will be shown on the comments section.

Does Mack the Knife work at Neptune Tax Office?  What did they do to Louie Miller?

Jack and Jean were on their OG porch last night  during an electrical blackout.   Jean Bredin photo.

But let’s’ go back in time when Jack and Jean Bredin could go to the park and do some dancing.  Here they are:

Ocean Grove Flea Market. . Jean Bredin of  Blogfinger.net looks into the Grovarian mirror. Did she see a revolution?  2017. Click to enlarge.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @blogfinger. Re-Post

On January 4, 2018, Blogfinger received a comment from Ken Buckley,  an HOA Trustee.  He said,    “Paul, I can see an interesting POLL QUESTION for your readers:
Where would you prefer to live: Ocean Grove or Spring Lake?”

Hmmmm.  Did good old Ken forsee today’s news?

From the Dept. of Fake News at Blogfinger.net:

An ad hoc committee of Ocean Grovers has announced that the Grovarian Village called “the Grove”  will secede from the infernal and unfair association with  Neptuners at the Mother Ship who have repeatedly shown their double dealing, favoritism, taxation without representation, and indifference when it comes to the “Historic District” of Ocean Grove.  This movement is in keeping with legislative efforts in Trenton to encourage consolidation of like-minded communities.

“We have had it” said Fernwood Trollop, the revolutionary-in-charge of this movement. He said, “Not only are we sick and tired of all the crap, but we are also fed up, disgusted, disoriented, and we have had enough!”

This Sunday, a demonstration will be held at the entrance to town on Main Avenue, where Trollop and his angry crew will rebuild the gates and will only admit those who sign our Declaration of Independence which begins with a preamble:

“We the people of Ocean Grove, in order to get our town back from exploiters, will secede from Neptune Township to insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, establish fair and honest local government for and by the people, and secure the blessings of liberty to all our citizens, do ordain and establish a merger, a more perfect union,  between us and the fair Irishmen of Spring Lake.”

“We promise our citizens parking permits, friends with benefits, low taxes, and fine expensive bar mitzvahs for all.”

After the gates demonstration, 500 Grovers will go to Wesley Lake to protest by throwing tea bags into the polluted water.

Trollop promises to establish a legal fund which everyone can contribute to in order to make this happen, even if we have to take it to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch will help us.

*This quote is from the US Declaration of Independence when Thomas Jefferson said this while whispering in the ear of  Zelig, played by Woody Allen.  Later Groucho stole the line.

The movement’s hero is the fearless knight Sir Lancelot.  The Lancelot song is from Spamalot:

Paul Goldfinger. Ocean Grove.   2019

“Ave Maria:”  Vienna Boys Choir.  Schubert.

Paul Goldfinger photo. 7/30/24.  Downtown Spring Lake.   But here’s a surprise, this business offers a small park- like setting to rest, find shade, have a snack, and smell the flowers.

Spring Lake downtown. BF photo.

This Jersey Shore town, unlike Ocean Grove, has seating all over 3rd Avenue.  It has  a beautiful shopping downtown. They often exhibit outdoor art, and their restaurants, art , decor,  and clothing stores are terrific.

When I was strolling there one afternoon, there were many teenagers in their summer clothes:   They also have a few indoor-outdoor restaurants.   There is an excellent art gallery where Paul Goldfinger had an exhibit..

Is this a teen uniform to wear in summertime Spring Lake?  Blogfinger.net  photo.

FRANKIE AVALON FROM GREASE.