SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | December 28, 2022

Free Early January 2023

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

New Year's Events & January Happenings Roundup of Local Leader's Resolutions New Business Buzzing for 2023 Be a HERO: Celebrate Safely Discover Shooting Island

SCAN TO READ ONLINE

Great Job 2022 Lisa Alper-Russo Sales Associate

609-289-2384

Art Barrera

Broker Associate

Michele L. Jackson

Realtor/Broker

609-287-0923

609-335-8598

Adam Bruno

Matt Boyd

Office: 609-641-3400 Michele Zelig

Sales Associate

609-432-3589

Greg Neder

Margarita Cozzi

609-805-3465

609-442-7716

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Meredith Punthrangkul

Dominika Narewska

Samantha Tabasso

609-233-6411

609-271-8032

609-774-8098

Franklin Rosales

Ludwig Capozzi

Lorraine Barnicle

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

609-380-6297

Joseph LaMaina

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

609-214-1573

609-442-4957

Erin Kentos

Talia Preissman

609-377-6371

609-517-8183

Sales Associate

Casey Faden

Sales Associate

Andrea Vicente

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

215-432-8181

412-953-6361

Sales Associate

609-442-6815

609-214-6609

Happy Holidays To You And Yours

Barbara Jolly

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

609-335-7553

702-410-4173

Iana Berger

Karen Oostdyk

Sales Associate

Broker Associate

609-408-3354

609-432-0506

Catherine Davis

Christina Scoleri

Sales Associate

Office Admin

609-206-9706

Reynold Triboletti

Ireany O’Donnell

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

727-560-0899

609-457-3578

Bryce Zelig

Sales Associate

609-513-9837

Michael Damiano

Sales Associate

609-214-9357

David Rodriquez Sales Associate

609-576-4795

Sharon Ellenberg Office Admin.

Mary Steen

Karen Rando Nehmad

609-377-7899

609-675-6260

609-513-6532

Edward "EJ" Nistico

Alex Terranova

609-377-6371

973-615-5061

Colleen Grist

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Sales Associate

Kate Ryan

Sales Associate

609-382-7494

LINWOOD GREENE PLAZA, 210 NEW ROAD #5, LINWOOD, NJ 08221 | 609-641-3400

Jim Malamut 609-432-2829

Mike Ryan 609-677-6800

1555 Zion Road, Northfield, NJ

Whale Washes Up 510 New Road, Somers Point 609-927-4656 Open Mon-Sat 8am to 6pm, Sun 9am to 3pm 325 E. Jimmy Leeds Rd. Galloway 609-652-5252 Open Mon-Sat 8:30 to 6pm, Sun 10am to 3pm

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THIS WEEK'S SPECIALS Valid 12/29 thru 1/2

T

he cold winter storm brought an unlikely visitor ashore in Atlantic City last week. A 30-foot humpback whale washed up dead on the Chelsea Avenue beach amid the rough surf.

The Marine Mammal Standing center was called in, who tested samples of the tissue to determine if it had any diseases. The whale was buried in the sand because its remains are too big to move.

“The city went down and pulled it up out of the surf. We really couldn’t go into the surf to try to do anything with it because it was too dangerous,”

said Sheila Dean, co-director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

“We have to bury it right where it is because it’s 25 tons, so it’s not easy to move it,” Dean said.

Once considered an endangered species in the 1970s, humpback whales have become more common on the Jersey Shore.

Another dead humpback whale was found on a Strathmere beach just a few weeks ago. The 30-foot 20-ton whale appeared to be dead when it washed ashore, which was spotted by a surfer. The cause of death of both whales have not yet been determined.

FRESH

CUCCUMBERS RED

ONIONS SEEDLESS COTTON CANDY

GRAPES LIMES

CALIFORNIA SEEDLESS

2/28/22

$1.25 2 LBS FOR

$1.50 LB

$2.49 8 FOR

$2.25 8 FOR

NAVEL ORANGES

$2.00

GRAPE

2 PINTS FOR

TOMATOES

2/28/22

4 FOR

$3.00

AMERICAN CHEESE.........................................................$4.99LB HAM CAPOCOLLA...........................................................$6.99LB BEEF BOLOGNA.................................................................$5.29LB BUFFALO CHICKEN BREAST.........................................$6.99LB MOZZARELLA CHEESE.................................................$4.99LB GOURMET LITE HAM.....................................................$6.99LB LACEY SWISS CHEESE....................................................$5.99LB ITALIAN STYLE ROAST BEEF......................................$9.69LB STORE SLICED PROVOLONE CHEESE........................$5.29LB

Enjoy fresh, quality produce at wholesale prices. Santori's has the healthy food your family loves.

Check out our produce specials on

December 28, 2022

3

Another Trip Around the Sun

year ahead, I try to ask myself a few questions.

What belief did I hold in 2021 that changed in 2022, and why did it change? What was a turning point in my life over the past 12 months? What did I accomplish? What could I have done better? How can I improve my life From the Editor personally and professionally?

Many of us feel pressured to have e made it. specific goals in mind. However, someAfter a long season times it is the more subtle changes that of holiday celebrations make all the difference; recognizing and a busy year, we what you want more of and what you have finally arrived at 2023's doorstep. want less of.

Time has a funny way of slipping Like many, I want more contentthrough our fingers while we’re caught ment, more gratitude, patience and up with our busy lives. It’s so easy to grace, and much less drama and negget wrapped up in the day-to-day deativity. I want clearer boundaries and I want to be able to communicate them tails that we often don’t realize how confidently. quickly time is passing. Suddenly, we look up and it’s another New Year’s Yet life is messy. There are always Eve. going to be frustrations, disappointI can remember as a child how long ments and plans gone awry. It's how we a year seemed. Now, in the midst of respond that will either make us joyful or irritable. life’s hustle and bustle, time seems to fly by.

Regardless of what life throws at My favorite part about this time you, I challenge you to choose joy. That of year is that it commands a pause, simple decision gives us our power a reflection on the passage of time back.

They say the calmest person in the and an analysis of where we’ve been and where we're going. As I shift my room is the most powerful. I believe Cover photo of Carter Doorly by Dawn Doorly. focus and set new intentions for the that, but not for any of the reasons one

W

Issue 221

might expect, like they have the most money or assets or an important title after their name. They are the most powerful because they repel life's messiness and chaos like a duck sitting in the water, yet not getting wet.

If we can do the same we become unstoppable. It’s not a "one and done" kind of deal. We have to keep choosing it again and again until eventually it becomes a way of being.

And then one day, in the midst of 101 problems, you will be as calm as a cucumber; smiling even when you don't realize you're smiling because you’ve got this. That's my take on life. Every day I try to be more like a duck, not letting the water get to me.

I recently learned that substituting the phrase “I have to” with “I get to” helps me with gratitude. I get to take my dogs for a walk. It may feel cold outside, but I can move my body and enjoy nature while caring for my sweet pets. I get to cook dinner, and nourish my family while we discuss everyday highs and lows.

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the craziness of our jobs and routines.

For me, I am going to press pause on the hustle and bustle and work to become more mindful of my blessings.

Pull out a journal and sit somewhere cozy and calm. Write down your

thoughts and dreams and find a way to manifest them into reality. It’s amazing how the simple act of writing can be so therapeutic. Here's my list: 1. Say “yes” to more memorable experiences.

2. Say “no” to things that are unproductive, negative or simply not for me. Guard and protect my time like the precious resource that it is.

3. Do not say "maybe" when I mean no. Have clear boundaries and communicate them confidently.

4. Grow gratitude. Talk about my life in a manner that expresses gratitude.

5. Be patient and kind, especially when it's hard.

6. Grow grace. We are all learning as we go. Forgive more.

7. Do not gossip. Do not even listen to gossip.

8. Speak only the truth. There are no little lies.

9. Do not take things personally.

10. Get the routine medical screenings my doctor has been insisting on.

Lose weight, exercise more and eat healthier.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Peace & Love, Cindy

Established 2016

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore Office - (609) 788-4812

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch Staff Writer - Sarah Fertsch Digital Marketing Director - Marc Berman Web Designer - Holly Martin Contributors –Charles Eberson, Dina Guzzardo, Scott Cronick, Dan Skeldon, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Steffen Klenk, Nancy Adler, Donald B. Kravitz, Joe Massaglia, Fred Miller, Krystle J. Bailey, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Jeff Whitaker, Elisa Jo Eagan, Michael Bray, Heidi Clayton, Sharon Harris Zlotnick, Eric Reich

Cover photo of Claridge Hotel reflecting off Bally's of Atlantic City by Marc Berman

Mo re N e w s , Podcasts at wwFwe.Satures, Video an d horeLocalNews.com

399

399

Follow us on

Look for our next issue January 20 Deadline January 16 Advertising Inquiries (609)334-1691 or Shorelocalads@gmail.com

The opinions expressed by our columnists are independent of Shore Local's owners, staff and advertisers.

4

December 28, 2022

World Famous Wings & BBTs

At the Shore Since '44

(Boneless Tenders) Entrees, Burgers, Sandwiches, Wraps, Soups, Nachos, Tacos and Fries.

Annual New Years Eve Party!

Celebrate with us!

Sunday Breakfast 9am-11am

Watch The Eagles Flyers and Sixers on 21 TVs!

Serving our nearly famous Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese

Bar Open Everyday 8am to 2am • Kitchen Open Everyday 11am to 1am

800 Shore Rd. • Somers Point • (609) 927-3663

www.charliesbar.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM FITZ

DINNER SPECIALS SOUP OR SALAD & ENTREE $22 CHICKEN PARMESAN over fresh fettucini in marinara sauce CHICKEN MARSALA served over mashed potatoes & grilled asparagus KOREAN BBQ SHORT RIB sauteed bok choy & mashed potatoes CLAMS CASINO FETTUCINI steamed clams in a white wine butter sauce with red and green peppers, crispy bacon topped with toasted bread crumbs

FITZ HOLIDAY CATERING ON-SITE OPTIONS Private & Semi-private rooms to 75 Buffets/Banquets/Chef Tables OFF-SITE OPTIONS Gourmet Buffet/Sandwich Trays/ Grilled Veggie Platters/Cheese & Meat/ Cookie Trays

Enjoy Holiday Shopping with Fitz Gift Cards Order online or in-store for easy shopping.

MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS served over fresh fettucini & marinara sauce STUFFED PORK CHOP roasted pepper & spinach stuffed pork topped with Bleu cheese sauce over mashed potatoes & asparagus CRAB MAC & CHEESE with stewed tomatoes

WEEKDAY SPECIALS

NEW YEARS EVE SPECIALS

WITH ANDY BERLIN 5-8 PM

16 OZ COWBOY STEAK 38 served with garlic parmesan, brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes

8 OZ TUNA STEAK 30

Sesame crusted rare tuna topped with lemon caper sauce, Soba noodle salad

18 OZ PORK OSSO BUCO 30 over mashed potatoes and grilled baby carrots

SAUTEED SCALLOPS 30

over spaghetti squash with green onions and sun-dried tomatoes

CHEERS!

TO A HAPPY & HEALTHY 2023 Fitz is Closed NY Day

SWEET SMALL

The Gift of Fitz is Back!

ENTREES

ENTREES

650 New Road, Somers Point, NJ 08244

TUESDAYS 16 oz. Prime Rib 26 WEDNESDAYS 12 oz. Sirloin 30

2 COURSES SOUP OR SALAD and ENTREE

SPINACH FETA PIE 7 KOREAN BBQ SHORT RIB ON WONTON CHIP 10 CARAMELIZED MUSHROOM ONION TART 5

GINGERBREAD CHEESE CAKE 7 CHOCOLATE CREME BRULEE 7 CRAN APPLE COBBLER 7

NJ Dream Builders to host Second Chance fundraiser

By Krystle J Bailey

N

J Dream Builders is hosting “Second Chance,” a fundraiser for mental health and addiction awareness, Saturday, January 14th.

The event will be hosted in the lobby at Boardwalk Hall from 12-4 pm and will feature a silent auction, a full dinner, and special guest speakers.

NJ Dream Builders, a construction company, founded by Mike Waters in 2018, creates opportunities through employment and trade skills for individuals in addiction recovery. Waters, who has faced his own struggles with addiction, believes in the power of changing the personal narrative.

Since finding his own path to sobriety, Waters has made it his mission to help people get their mindsets back on track and help turn their pain into their superpower.

Each Christmas, Waters and his

December 28, 2022

team deliver warm clothes and bags of food to the Kensington area of Philadelphia, where many men and women struggling with addiction and homelessness find a place to sleep.

“I do whatever I can to help people realize that there’s a way out,” explains Waters.

“I feel like my purpose is to show people that you don't have to run from pain. You can deal with it, learn from it, and move forward. There’s a way to have a million things going on and stressors in your life and still have peace inside.”

The Second Chance fundraiser is an extension of the love, compassion, and grace that Mike Waters and his team deliver. Known as “The Dream Team,” they are dedicated to helping others find a path to healing and recovery. Each person that works for NJ Dream Builders has their own unique story of addiction, recovery, and hope. It’s that hope that they are passionate about giving to others through events such as this one.

The Second Chance event will feature guest speakers, including a representative from Interim House,

Inc. out of Philadelphia, as well as individuals in recovery sharing their stories.

“I’m really excited about this,” shares Brandon Diaz of NJ Dream Builders. “Being in recovery myself, I know from experience what it can be like when you need treatment but don't have the appropriate money or resources to access it.”

Proceeds from the event will be donated directly to Interim House, Inc and Atlantic Prevention Resources out of Pleasantville. The two non-profit organizations offer specialized treatment and access to mental health resources for those struggling with addiction.

Interim House provides comprehensive services to women in Philadelphia facing substance abuse and mental health issues.

The non-profit organization offers outpatient care as well as residential and halfway house programs.

Atlantic Prevention Resources is a New Jersey-based organization that provides treatment solutions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and other solution-focused interventions while advocating for the dignity and respect of every client.

Tickets for the Second Chance fundraising dinner are $25 and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/NJDreamBuilders. To make a direct donation, contact 609-746-2049.

“We’re trying to bring people together and help people find solutions,” shares NJ Dream Builders owner Mike Waters. “We want to help people who need treatment and guidance.”

Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.

Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5

7

2022: The year in weather review Weather

By Dan Skeldon

A

year that started with a January designed for snow lovers is fittingly ending on a wintry note as well, with some bitter cold and an arctic invasion that will make for a Top 10 coldest Christmas this year. But in between these wintry goalposts, there was a lot of other eventful weather with a less wintry flair, from droughts to coastal storms to remnants of once powerful hurricanes. Mother Nature seldom gives us a “year off” from noteworthy weather, and 2022 was no exception…

JANUARY: The year started off with a bang, well actually two bangs. Back-to-back blizzards on January 3rd and January 29th each delivered over a foot of snow to the shore, and set up the snowiest January on record in South Jersey! And quite impressively, over 99% of our snow for the entire winter came during the month of January.

Several arctic blasts also provided short-

lived shots of bitter cold, with the month as a whole running about 4 degrees colder than average.

FEBRUARY: An unexceptional month, with just a thin coating of snow during what is normally our snowiest month of the winter. Temperatures weren’t that far off from average overall, but we did have a one-day warm surge that brought 70-something-degree warmth our way on February 23, tying a record high of 72 degrees at the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). Of course, we tied with February 23, 2017, and that February saw six record highs and was our warmest ever!

MARCH: While March can and recently has been a fickle month, March 2022 wasn’t as wild and crazy. March has become a magnet for Northeast snow over the last decade, but that wasn’t the case this year, with just a trace of snow observed. We did see an early spring of sorts with record warmth into the 70s on back-to-back days on March 6-7, followed by an extended stretch of consistently warmer than average temperatures through the middle of the month. The groundhog actually said six more weeks of winter, so he, like most meteorologists, had a bad forecast. It happens to the best of us.

A strong storm brought a soaking rain for the first week of spring, with a few inches of rain spread out over a few days on March 23-24. The month overall ran about three

New & Top Quality Used Bikes

New Bikes include Road - Mountain - Gravel - BMX

Accessories & Gear Repairs & Tune Ups

Top Brands Built To Last & Professionally Assembled

Meteorologist Dan Skeldon has a degree in meteorology from Cornell University. He has forecasted the weather in South Jersey for the last 18 years, first on the former television station NBC40 and then on Longport Media radio. Dan has earned the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval for Broadcast Meteorologists, and now does television broadcasts on WFMZTV in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Look for our Fo

Build your custom E-Bike

602 New Road/Route 9 Somers Point | (609) 365-2959 somerspointcycles@gmail.com | SomersPointCycles.com 8

southwest Florida) was the highlight of our September and October weather. Ian’s remnants came up the coast in early October, dropping 4 to 8 inches of drought-busting rain over much of New Jersey. While most of the area (and the state) was in a moderate or even severe drought due to persistent dryness from late summer through early fall, much of that was erased due to average rainfall in September and record October rain. In fact, October 2022 ranked as the fourth wettest October on record.

END OF 2022: I guess you could say 2022 is the year that came in like a polar bear with our two January blizzards, and it will go out like a polar bear with our Christmas weekend arctic invasion. With a very favorable pattern I’ve written extensively about in recent columns, it could have been a “December to remember” for snow lovers. But while much of the country got sizable snows, we come out of this perfect setup for snow with nothing to show for it, except the bitter cold and gusty winds for Christmas weekend. If you’re not one for the cold though, there’s an equally impressive warming trend which starts after the holiday and peaks around or just after the New Year.

Here’s forecasting you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season!

The Freshesto,dTTar usctki!est Food Around!

Cycling Computers

Kids Bikes

degrees warmer than average.

APRIL AND MAY: Our South Jersey spring had plenty of April showers, which led to some great May flowers, with no signs as of yet that a drought would develop later in the summer. Rainfall for both months was above average, with temperatures pretty on par with average in April, followed by May running a little warmer than normal.

We soaked up our first 80-degree day of the year on April 14, right on target as midApril is when we normally expect our first foray into the 80s. Minus our two January blizzards, it was a quiet late winter and spring regarding coastal storms, until early May. A slow moving storm brought strong winds and heavy rain our way, with several inches of rain and 60+mph wind gusts along the coast. While May is late in the season for a coastal storm, they do occasionally happen, the strongest being the Mother’s Day weekend storm back in 2008.

SUMMER OF 2022: We snuck in a couple of 90° days in late May, and then a couple more in June. So the heat started slowly this year, but then we jumped right into the frying pan in July and August, with almost half of the days each month soaring past 90-degrees, often accompanied by high humidity naturally. We ended up with the fifth warmest July and fourth warmest August on record in South Jersey. Most of our rain came from hit-or-miss summertime thunderstorms, which hit some areas hard and largely missed others, which was in retrospect the start of a dry spell that morphed into a drought. For example, ACY had 3-4 inches of rain on July 25, and another 3-4 inches of rain on August 28, but very little in between. In many cases, it was drought or deluge.

FALL OF 2022: Hurricane season spared South Jersey any direct hits, but the remnants of what was once powerful Hurricane Ian (which devastated parts of

Homemade Soups including Our Famous Cream of Crab Crab Melt - Guy Fieri's Favorite!

Triple D Melt, Salads, Half-Pound Burgers Create Your Own Grilled Cheese FAST DELIVERY BY and Mac & Cheese UBER EATS Party Trays & Platters DOORDASH

As Seen On

New Gluten-Free Items Open Everyday

GRUB HUB

55 West Laurel Dr. Somers Point, Near Parkway (609) 601-7533 www.grilledcheeseandcrabcakeco.com

December 28, 2022

2022 WAS HOT WILL 2023 BE EVEN HOTTER?

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, December 29th

Beth Tinnon 6pm A Touch of Italy 6629 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township Doug Jennings 6-9pm Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Lisa Bouchelle Duo 6pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Nick Blum 6-9:30pm Council Oak at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City The Feel Good Music Band | Jeff, Tommy & Josh 6:30pm Josie Kelly’s Public House 908 Shore Rd. Somers Point John Wood 7pm Gregory’s 900 Shore Rd. Somers Point The Whitewalls 7-11pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Karaoke Hosted by Eric Johnston

8:30pm

Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers Point Kono Nation 9pm Mountain Bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Go Go Gadjet 9:30pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, December 30th

DJ Philly Will 5-9pm The Yard at Bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City SideStory 5-9pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Greg Clarke 5:30-9:30pm Bocca. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Indelible Groove Trio 6pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Jonathan Daddis 6pm-12am Council Oak at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Dueling Pianos 7-11pm. Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Greg Clark 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora The Customers w/ Bare Bodkin & Frankie Mermaid 8pm Anchor Rock Club 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City Jeff X 8-11pm. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall. 133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City No Clue Trio 8pm. Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers Point Duran Duran 8pm Ovation Hall at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Earth, Wind & Fire 9pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

SHE'S BACK!

Grand Re-Opening Celebration Dec. 28th 5:30pm

HOLIDAY HOURS Mon thru Fri: 11am to 4pm Weekends 10am to 5pm

1 Lucy Plaza (9200 Atlantic Ave.) Margate, NJ 08402 (609)823-6473 www.LucyTheElephant.org

Guided Tours Through the Interior of Lucy Every 45 Minutes

VISIT AMERICA’S OLDEST ROADSIDE ATTRACTION • FREE LIMITED PARKING

TAKE $1 OFF ADMISSION OR RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR GIFT SHOP PURCHASE *Coupon must be surrendered at the time of purchase and may not be combined with any other offer. No cash value. Discount is limited to four (4) admission tickets. Gift Shop discount excludes the purchase of selected jewelry as well as Steven Winkelstein (a.k.a. “The Winkle”) and Aunt Evelyn books. Coupon expires December 31,2022. Valid in-store only. Coupon Code: SL The Save Lucy Committee, Inc. received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

10

Goodman Fiske 10pm The Yard at Bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Gypsy Wisdom 10pm Mountain Bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Sensational Soul Cruisers 10pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, December 31st

Dane Anthony Band 1-4:30pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Chris Yoder Duo 5-9pm Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers Point DJ Sepper 5-9pm. The Yard at Bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Dirty Dance Band 5:30-9pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Beth Tinnon Party Duo 6-9pm Superstar Theater at Resorts 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Matt Tobin 6pm. 1927 Lounge at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Steve Myerson 6pm-12am Council Oak at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Independence Day 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora Jerry Blavat and The Intruders 7:30pm. Bally’s Grand Ballroom 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Chris Devine & DJ Dnial 8pm The Pool After Dark 777 Harrah’s Blvd. Atlantic City No Clue Duo 8:30pm-12:30am Bocca. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Cash Cash 9pm. Premier Nightclub 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City DJ Josh 9pm-1am. Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers Point Garden State Radio & Lost in Paris 9pm. Mountain Bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Earth, Wind & Fire 10pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Element K 10pm. Villain & Saint at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Priceless 10pm. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock. 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Sad & Boujee NYE Emo & Trap Party 10pm. Anchor Rock Club 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City Stealing Savannah 10pm The Yard at Bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Forever Motown 10:30pm Superstar Theater at Resorts 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, January 1st

No Clue Trio 1:30-4:30pm. Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Dane Anthony Band 4-7:30pm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Epic Soul 8:30pm-12am The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Thursday, January 5th DJ Luap 8pm. Nola’s Bar at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, January 6th

Stephanie Owens 6:30-9:30pm Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Atley Moon Duo 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora Brandon Ireland Band 7:30pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Countdown to Ecstasy – Steely Dan Tribute 9pm The Wave at Golden Nugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Saturday, January 7th

Sound Factory Marathon w/ DJ Jonathan Peters 4pm HQ2 Nightclub at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Andrew Moorer 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora Originaire Duo 7:30pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, January 13th

BMW 7:30pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Nolan Quinn 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora Cherry Poppin’ Daddies 8pm Anchor Rock Club 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Saturday, January 14th

Adam Holcombe Trio 7:30pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City The Part-Timers Duo 7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora Chuck Ragan 8pm. Anchor Rock Club 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City Dancing with the Stars Live 8pm Borgata Event Center 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City Wayne Newton 8pm Sound Waves at Hard Rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, January 15th

All Stars of Hip Hop feat. KRS-One, Redman, and more 7pm Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Rob Thomas 8pm Borgata Event Center 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City Events subject to change.

December 28, 2022

FRI & SAT, FEB 10 & 11

UPCOMING SHOWS

EARTH, WIND & FIRE FRI & SAT, DEC 30 & 31

FLOGGING MOLLY FRI, FEB 24

JANET JACKSON SPECIAL GUEST LUDACRIS SAT, MAY 20

DANCE TO THE MUSIC

VALENTINE'S SOUL JAM

A 60s CELEBRATION

SUN, FEB 19

SUNDAYS WAYNE NEWTON SAT, JAN 14 VAN HALEN NATION SAT, JAN 21 THE ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE SAT, JAN 28 DAVID SPADE SAT, FEB 4 SOLD OUT BILLY STRINGS THU-SAT, FEB 16-18

THE SOUL II SOUL TOUR SAT, MAR 4 LESLIE JONES: LIVE SAT, MAR 11 THE KILLERS THU, MAR 16 CHICAGO SAT, APR 15 ANITA BAKER THE SONGSTRESS TOUR FRI, NOV 24

KEITH URBAN FRI & SAT, SEP 1 & 2

FREE PLAY MULTIPLIERS

PLAY YOUR FAVORITE SLOTS AND EARN.

10X

FREE PLAY

DECEMBER 28 8PM - MIDNIGHT

DECEMBER 31

10X

FREE PLAY

15X

FREE PLAY

11AM - 2PM

4PM - 7PM

FOR TICKETS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY, VISIT: HARDROCKHOTELATLANTICCITY.COM Multipliers can only be earned during dates and times listed. Free Play Multiplier is valid on eligible slots only; including but not limited to electronic table games and video poker. Free Play cannot be redeemed for cash. Must be a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Wild Card Rewards Member. Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to participate and participants must provide valid proof of age. Management reserves the right to change or cancel. Certain rules and restrictions apply. Participants must not be part of any exclusionary list. For a full list of rules & regulations, visit Wild Card Services. Bet with your head, not over it. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2022 Boardwalk 1000, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

More major investments to come as business community looks ahead to 2023 Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

T

his article takes a look back at 2022 and a look ahead to 2023 at what we can expect in Atlantic and Cape May counties. We will include viewpoints and opinions from area economic leaders and experts.

For the most part it was a great

year, especially for those who live on the islands. Real estate activity was off the charts, highlighted by multiple offers and higher prices. Even home rental prices set new records.

Let’s first look at activity reported

by Michael Chait, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. The hospitality industry continues to be the main economic engine of the region with an average of approximately 20 million visitors per year. In 2022 there were 47,000 jobs directly associated with the gam-

Rock In The New Year!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30 No Clue Trio 8pm SATURDAY DECEMBER 31 Chris Yoder Duo 4pm-8 DJ Josh 9pm-1am SUNDAY JANUARY 1 Go Eagles!

Danny Eyer 3pm OPEN MIC WEDNSDAY NIGHTS KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHTS

450 Bay Avenue, Somers Point, NJ www.carolinesnj.com • 609-927-9007 12

ing industry. Call Miichael Chait at 609-345-4524 to learn more.

The post-COVID comeback had a positive impact on brick and mortar businesses, online sports betting and gaming. Atlantic City non-gaming activities were highlighted by a number of new major projects, including Showboat Raceway, indoor electric go-karts, and its $100 million Island Water Park.

Many thought this would National Aviation Research and Technology Park never happen. However, it will be in Egg Harbor Township a welcomed addition to the city as the effort to diversify non-gaming, rounding towns. It is expected to be family attractions continues. It will an economic boost by adding dozens consist of water slides, pools, and lazy of new facilities in and around the city. rivers, with an all-season retractable Don’t forget Bader Field with two roof. The Showboat also received distinct major proposals now under approval to convert 300 rooms into consideration for the former airport. apartments.

Either way the region should come out Stockton University and Atlana winner from the thousands of jobs tiCare (eds and meds) will continue that will be created. Stay tuned. to provide thousands of quality jobs.

The legislative team of state Sen. Vince Polistina and Assembly These anchor institutions have spread members Claire Swift and Don roots throughout the county and they are likely to continue expanding in the Guardian have targeted their efforts region. to strengthen the Atlantic County In the fall, AtlantiCare completed economy by cleaning up Atlantic City and diversifying the local economy. its $38.3 million Medical Arts Pavilion in Atlantic City. The new facility will They made great strides in both expand AtlantiCare programs and areas in 2022. Rather than just conservices aimed at increasing access tinuing to talk about having clean, safe, to care and addressing healthcare and well-lit streets in the city, they disparities. took action led by new Atlantic County To address the growing need for Prosecutor William Reynolds. He has physicians in New Jersey and the anprioritized targeting shoplifting, drug ticipated nationwide shortage of medactivity, homelessness, and getting ical professionals, the Medical Arts the streets lit in Atlantic City. The year Pavilion will broaden AtlantiCare’s also saw a record commitment from graduate and undergraduate physician the state with investments at Stockeducation program opportunities. ton for infrastructure repair, funds to Stockton University expanded its bolster the emerging aviation industry, commitment to Atlantic City by breakand the establishment of ANCHOR, ing ground on Phase 2 of its Atlantic the largest property tax relief proCity Campus. The 416-apartment gram in the history of the state.

We don’t have a choice about getstyle residence hall expansion is a $70 million project set for completion in ting our A Game together. It’s not a 2023. matter of “if” we are going to be facThe Denmark-based wind power ing stiff competition from New York firm Orsted has been approved to gaming, it’s a question of “when.” The develop two offshore wind farms. It time is nigh. will bring significant economic investThe economic efforts will continue ment to the state totaling more than in 2023. A groundbreaking at the Na$1.5 billion, which is expected to spur tional Aviation Research and Technol$5 billion in economic activity in New ogy Park at Atlantic City International Jersey.

Airport is expected to take place, with Atlantic City will be the hub for Building 2, the next phase of develmaintenance operations, housing opment at the Egg Harbor Township offices and serving as a warehouse site. The NARTP to date has been a location for equipment. It will also be a success, with momentum leading to home base for the technicians who will further development. Stay tuned. be transported directly to the Ocean Max Slusher, director of business Wind 1 and 2 offshore wind farms to development for the Atlantic County do installation and maintenance work.

Economic Alliance, checked in to inKeep an eye on the anticipated dicate that after five years they have expansion of the cannabis industry been able to develop relationships and in Atlantic City and many of the surlure the investments to see tangible,

December 28, 2022

FAMILY FIRST

visible results throughout the county.

Slusher said there are dozens of projects at various stages of development, and three of them have tremendous potential to go vertical in 2023.

In Atlantic City the ACEA has been working with the Ducktown Neighborhood Community Development Corporation to help secure funding from the state Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credits Program for the renewal of the city’s historic and central Ducktown neighborhoods.

This should be the year that an air cargo hub begins to take shape on 400 acres of land adjacent to the Atlantic City International Airport. The ACEA is partnering with the South Jersey Transportation Authority to bring in California-based Industrial Realty Group to develop a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility along with up to 1.5 million square feet of air cargo space - both in higher demand than ever thanks to the growth of

Rendering of the waterpark at Showboat ecommerce. In the short term, hundreds of jobs would be created in the construction of the facilities: and in the long term, up to 1,600 jobs would be created within the air cargo hub.

Finally, success has been achieved with tenant interest in the aviation park. The NARTP, with funding acquired, is set to break ground for a second building in the spring of 2023.

This will provide construction jobs in the short term, and ultimately 200 high-paying permanent jobs once the building is completed in 2023.

They are expected to assist many businesses to diversify the local economy. If you need economic assistance, reach out to Max Slusher 609 2450019.

Now turning to Cape May County: Vicki Clark, interim president and CEO of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the primary industry, tourism, has recovered from the setbacks seen in 2020 caused by COVID. Experts predicted it would take at least five years to recover.

There are some businesses that continue to struggle, but for the most part all of the islands have experienced tremendous activity.

December 28, 2022

Looking at the 2022 data, it showed that the visitor base remained strong and vacancies very low with more properties. While the crowds were strong, spending was lower because people had less disposable income. Tourists tended to cut back spending on souvenirs and excursions, Clark said.

With the higher gas prices and inflation, visitors are expected to be looking for packages in 2023. However, despite the higher interest rates, Cape May County resort towns are experiencing a very active real estate market. You can reach Vicki at 609425-5380 to find out more.

Joe Molineaux, economic development program coordinator for Cape May County, has been continuing his efforts from 2022 to provide resources to assist businesses and residents.

Tourism remains the economic driver, but diversification into technology innovation and aviation will be important elements to pursue in 2023.

Some specific priority areas include Wildwood’s Pacific Avenue Corridor redevelopment project. Cape May County will also undertake creating a marketing plan for its new Tech Village at Cape May County Airport.

In 2021, the The Economic Development Administration awarded a $3 million grant to the county to build a new Cape May County Airport Hangars Technology Park.

The county will use funding from the USEDA to assist in building Phase 2 after units in Phase 1 were successfully filled. There are many other projects taking place in an effort to diversify the economy. If you have any questions, reach out to Joe at 609-465-6875.

My note for Cape May County is to keep an eye out for Icona Properties.

They are developing first-class resorts in virtually every shore town, including plans for a major resort in Upper Township. Eustace Mita, CEO of Icona, is creative, ambitious and a true mover and shaker with an appetite for quality developments.

In summary, in Atlantic and Cape May counties, we should be looking at the glass half full. The ball is in our court. It is up to us to stay positive and hit it out of the ballpark.

Remember to stop, shop, play and stay in Atlantic and Cape May counties. Support the dozens of businesses that I reported on all year.

Rich Baehrle of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach.

Can be reached at 609 226-6680 or 609-641-0011 r i c h a rd b a e h r l e@g m a i l . co m www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

Open Monday thru Sunday 8am-6pm

People who want the BEST for LESS shop at M&S.

FRESH SPECIALS FOR THIS WEEK! SALE PRICES GOOD 12/30/22 thru 1/05/23

MARGHERITA

PROSCIUTTO

12

$

69 LB

SWEET-EATING

MANGOS

2 1 FOR

$ 50

DIETZ & WATSON

GREEN LEAF

LETTUCE

1

$ 49

A HEAD

GOLDEN

PINEAPPLES

1

$ 99

EACH

Store Sliced

CORNED BEEF AMERICAN CHEESE

9

99

$

LB

BOAR'S HEAD OVEN GOLD

TURKEY

11

$

99 LB

3

$ 99 LB

RED RIPE

TOMATOES

2 3 LB BAG FOR

$ 00

STORE SPECIALS

ALL ASSORTED BIGELOW TEAS

4

$

29

LARGE PEPPERIDGE FARM COOKIES

3

$

99

EACH

ALLESI SOUPS & RISOTTO

3

$

29

EACH

STORE SLICED FRUIT

2

$

99 LB

CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE – CALL 609-383-8323 WWW.MANDSPRODUCEOUTLET.COM Serving the Community since 1991 6020 Black Horse Pike, EHT • 609-383-8323

13

Circle Liquor Store Stop In For All Your Holiday Party Needs!

Large Variety Of Gift Baskets And Gift Sets Now Available

Comfort Now brings the gift of heat to EHT family

By Steffen Klenk

W

ith the cold of winter settling into the South Jersey region, Bob McAllister and the team at Comfort Now made one very special visit to assist a local

Giveaway. Comfort Now's tradition of gifting a heating system began several years ago and has helped nearly a dozen families throughout Atlantic and Cape May County, with nominations submitted by area residents every December.

“When we opened the business, we wanted to give back, so we gave away our first heater to somebody after being open only a month,” Bob McAllister said to Shore Local.

This year, the company received a record high number of nominations and total votes, with the community selecting from five residents in need

Need A Special Order Filled? Call Us!

Check Out Circle's Outstanding Selection of Wine, Beer and Liquor...

Helpful Service Too Open 7 Days A Week • 9am-10pm 1 MacArthur Boulevard, Somers Point, NJ • 609.927.2921

CURBSIDE PICKUP AVAILABLE Delivery to Ocean City, Somers Point & Linwood 14

family in need. On Wednesday, December 21st, McAllister arrived at the front door of Egg Harbor Township residents Liam and Amanda Healey to install a brand-new furnace. The news couldn’t have come at a better time, with bitter cold temperatures arriving just days later.

The Healeys, and their two kids have been without heat since early this year. Their furnace went out last spring, and the family has been relying on portable heaters to keep their house warm. While both parents work incredibly hard, they have been tending to medical needs for their son, Logan.

Over half a dozen people nominated the family for the new heater as part of Comfort Now’s Holiday Heater

of assistance. In 2020, thanks to the generosity of an out of state donor from Michigan, all five finalists, in the running, received a brand-new heater. McAllister says the secret donor read news of the giveaway on social media. “She wanted to donate, to be generous.”

You can watch Healey’s entire reaction to the news by visiting Shorelocalnews.com Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.

December 28, 2022

Events and Happenings

Saturday, December 31st First Night Ocean City 2023

▶4pm-12am

For the 30th Anniversary of First Night, two headliners will be entertaining crowds, Brass Transit, The Musical Legacy of Chicago, and Stayin’ Alive, offering audience the songs and sights of a full Bee Gees play list. The Civic Center will also feature music by Captain Jack: The Ultimate Live Billy Joel Tribute. The Sensational Soul Cruisers will provide the ultimate dance party with the best of Motown and Disco hits in the Hughes Performing Arts Center. Plus, over 70 opportunities to catch multiple shows and activities at 22 venues throughout the town, and fireworks from 5th Street Beach at Midnight. For the most up to date schedule, visit firstnightocnj.com.

Margate New Year’s Eve Concert w/ Bay Atlantic Symphony

▶7:30pm

Potena Performing Arts Center 7998 Monmouth Ave. Join your neighbors for an evening of celebration sponsored by the City of Margate and the Margate City Public Library as they begin a whole new year with the Bay Atlantic Symphony. They will be accompanied by soloist, Min Jin. The concert will feature selections from Mozart, Verdi and Puccini. Tickets are

December 28, 2022

free and available on a first come, first serve basis. Two tickets per household.

For reservations, please email mcplnj@ gmail.com or call 609-822-4700 Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm.

Groovy New Year’s Eve Bash at Sweetwater

▶8pm-12am

Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck 2780 7th Ave. Break out your bell bottoms because Sweetwater Marina is taking it back to the 70s this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy live music, signature cocktails, and delicious food. Tickets are available at SWnye22. eventbrite.com.

Boogie Nights NYE Bash

▶9pm

Tropicana 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Get your tickets now for the ultimate 2023 NYE celebration. Doors open at 8:30pm, with a balloon drop and champagne toast at Midnight with live footage of Times Square, non-stop entertainment from the Boogie Nights Super Stars, and much more. For admission tickets, go to boogienightsac.uvtix.com.

Sunday, January 1st

First Day Shopping Extravaganza

▶9am-5pm

Downtown Asbury Avenue, Ocean

City. Welcome the New Year by shopping for tremendous bargains in Downtown Ocean City, Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 14th Street. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge

▶10am

On the Beach at Landshark Bar & Grill 1133 Boardwalk Join the Atlantic City Polar Bear Club for their 31st Annual Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge, benefiting Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club.

The event will be held New Year’s Day 2023 on the beach at Landshark Bar & Grill. All proceeds directly benefit people impacted by cancer in the Southern New Jersey community. Registration and t-shirt is $25. For more information, visit cscnj.org.

Sweetwater Polar Plunge & Party

▶11am-3pm

Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck 2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater Sweetwater Marina is freezing for a reason. Make a splash into the New Year on January 1st by plunging into the Mullica River, then party with Sweetwater for a good cause. Proceeds will be donated to the Alesia Shute Foundation, an organization that aims to improve the lives of families facing childhood disease. Sign up today at SWplunge23.eventbrite.com.

Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge

▶12pm

16th Street Beach The Brigantine Polar Bears will meet at 16th Street Beach on New Years Day. Opening ceremony will be held at 11am with Military Honor Guards, Presentations to Fisher House, costume contest at 11:15, followed by the Plunge at Noon.

Visit facebook.com/BrigantinePolarBearPlunge for additional information.

Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

▶12-3pm

6th & Asbury Avenue Enjoy Horse and Carriage Rides along Downtown Asbury Avenue. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

First Day 5K Boardwalk Run

▶1pm

Ocean City Music Pier Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk OCNJ’s First Day Run and Walk will be held in front of the Music Pier.

Pre-register online at ocnj.us/raceevents or on race day 11am-12:30pm.

Ventnor New Year’s Day Polar Plunge

▶1pm

Newport Avenue Beach Save the Date for the City of Ventnor’s New Year’s Day Polar Plunge,

↘Continued on 16

15

↘Continued from 15 presented by the Ventnor Business Association (VBA). Start the new year off with friends, family, and neighbors.

This year’s event begins at 12 Noon at Santucci’s, then onto Newport & the beach for the plunge at 1pm. Then, head back to Santucci’s between 1:30-4pm to warm up, drink, eat and celebrate. Learn more at ventnorcity.org.

First Day at the Beach Polar Plunge

▶2pm

Ocean City Music Pier Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk Join Ocean City for the city’s first dip in the ocean for the New Year. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Tuesday, January 3rd Dance Society

▶Tuesdays at 7:30pm

Somers Point Fire Co. 1 455 Bethel Rd. Somers Point Enjoy an evening of social dancing and line dancing at the Fire Company Hall. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, contact Rita Voli at (609) 408-3619.

Wednesday, January 4th Nurse’s Roundtable: Beating the Winter Blues

▶10:30am

Self-care tips for getting through the shorter, darker, colder days of winter before the lovely early morning sounds of the song birds return in March. RSVP

by January 2 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.

Thursday, January 5th

Positivity Project: Morning Refresh

▶10:30am

Learn ways to boost wellness – mind, body and soul. Topics include self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, and resiliency. RSVP by January 3, 609-2878872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Clothing and Accessories – Jewelry – Candles - Handbags Shoes from Steve Madden, Vintage Havana and Archies!

Monday, January 9th

Experience the thrill of capturing your life’s adventures, history, and ancestry at the Memoir Workshop led by award-winning author and Drexel University Professor or Creating Writing, Harriet Levin Millan. Learn about publishing your work. You’ll need a laptop or pen/paper for the workshop. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC or via Zoom.

RSVP by January 10, 609-287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

ARTeriors Opening Reception

eating and gardening guru, as she takes us on a food journey using farm fresh ingredients. You’ll learn about cooking your favorite winter meals in new ways by taking existing ingredients and substituting healthier options. RSVP by January 11 by contacting Tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic. org.

A discussion about the movie, Colette, starring Keira Knightly as author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who moves to Paris after agreeing to ghostwrite a semi-autobiographical novel for her husband. The book’s success inspires her to fight for creative ownership and overcome the societal constraints of the early 20th century. The movie can be viewed on Netflix. RSVP by January 5, 609-287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

2022 Baltic Ave. Atlantic City The Atlantic City Arts Foundation invites the public to experience the transformation of the former Payless Shoesource into an immersive pop-up installation created by 17 artists. Enjoy an evening of art, food, drink, and live entertainment. Mix and mingle with the community and meet the installation artists while you experience this one-of-a-kind exhibition, only in Atlantic City Visit atlanticcityartsfoundation.org for tickets and more information.

▶Wednesday, December 28th from 7-8:30pm

Wednesday, January 11th

Monday, January 16th

Story Time Yoga

▶10am

Ocean City Library 1735 Simpson Ave. Warm Up with Story Time Yoga featuring Kelly Dougherty. 10am in the Children’s Activity Room on Monday, January 9th, and January 23rd. Don’t forget to bring a yoga mat or beach towel. Best for ages 3-5. Limited seating.

Tuesday, January 10th The Village Film Society

▶10:30am

Tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series

▶7-8:30pm

▶12pm

Friday, January 13th

Tuesday, January 17th

Memoir Workshop: Hybrid

▶10:30am

Katz JCC 501 N. Jerome Ave. Margate

15% off any item*

Just mention this ad exp 1/31/23

16

Ocean City Music Pier Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Martin Luther King Community Services Award will honor local volunteers. The event will be followed by a complimentary buffet luncheon in the Music Pier solarium. For more information, visit ocnj.us.

Comfort Cooking Health & Delicious: Winter Warmth

▶10:30am

Join Bernadette Getzler, healthy

Virtual NAMI Family Support Group on Zoom NAMI is offering a virtual Family Support Group on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Links for this Zoom meeting can be found on www.namiacm.org, go to the calendar at the top of the page. Select the meeting you would like to attend and click on the link.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, January 4th at 2pm

Earth Angels for Dementia 115 Route 50, Mays Landing Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

▶Tuesday, January 17th at 4pm

22 W. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Galloway The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm.

This is an opportunity to learn about resources, find strategies for dealing with a loved one with memory loss, and meet others in similar circumstances.

To take part, contact Katrina Schnepp at (609) 404-4848 or schneppk@seashoregardens.org.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

The New Talk of the Town!

“Excellent Food” “Friendly Service” “Great Healthy Options” “We’ll be Back!”

Open for Breakfast & Lunch Deli – Catering - Dine In - Takeout – Delivery Outdoor Seating

WE CAN DRESS YOU FOR ANY OCCASION!

(609) 365-2140

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony in Ocean City

Gregory’s 900 Shore Rd. Somers Point The South Jersey Jazz Society presents an evening of jazz with Tom Angello on the Drums, with Special Guest Musicians Demetrios Pappas on piano, Carl Cox on tenor sax, and Andy Lalasis on bass. Admission is free but reservations are strongly recommended by calling 609-927-6665. Goodwill donations accepted.

Brands including Hidden, Unpublished, Free people, Z supply, Michael Stars, Wildfox, Lucy Paris and so much more!

Linwood Greene Plaza, 210 New Road, Linwood

▶5-9pm

Health and Wellness

excluding Candles and Rocks & Stars Jewelry

*

Center Point Plaza, Northfield Tilton Road & Route 9 (609) 380-4937 Closed Monday

December 28, 2022

Shore Local 2022 Recap

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

I

t’s been quite a year for locals and visitors down the shore. It’s easy to gloss over the big changes in our area, so let’s celebrate and honor the major happenings in Atlantic and Cape May counties. Here are 20 highlights from 2022: 1. Phillies play in the World Series Thanks to Bryce Harper and an underdog spirit, the Philadelphia team surprised the nation by playing great in the World Series this past October, finishing second in the MLB. 2. Major Fire in the Pinelands Almost 15,000 acres of the Wharton State Forest got scorched this past June, ranking one of the biggest fires in New Jersey history 3. We Say Goodbye to Local Businesses Many businesses put up the “closed” sign one last time in 2022, including Voltaco’s, Ward’s Pastry, Gaspare’s Bistro, English Creek Auto, and the Ocean City Surf Cafe.

4. Welcome a New Era for Businesses The Deauville Inn purchased Yesterday’s and plans to revitalize the Upper Township tavern, and Bourre of Atlantic City will come back as Cardinal Restaurant at some point in 2023.

5. Vice President Pays a Visit to AC Atlantic City proudly hosted the NAACP national convention this past summer, and Vice President Kamala Harris flew in from DC to the AC Convention Center and spoke

to thousands on her and President Biden’s goals for America’s future.

6. Lucy the Elephant Dons a New Look After 15 months of scaffolding and curtains, the New Lucy was revealed in December. Her makeover was pretty expensive, costing over $2 million.

7. Mary J. Blige Attends AC Mayoral Ball Early this past summer, Mayor Marty Small welcomed Super Bowl performer Mary J. Blige to his annual gala at Harrah’s.

8. Recreational Marijuana is Legalized Atlantic County residents celebrated the legalization of recreational marijuana by lining up for hours outside The Botanist, a marijuana dispensary and growing facility.

9. Big Plans for Bader Field Tower Investments made a press statement in November, unveiling plans to develop the historic airfield to house retail and office spaces as well as 10,000 residential units. An estimated $3 billion will be poured into the space, which will take Atlantic City to the next level. This is the second of two major proposals. The city and state will decide which plan to accept for the public space.

10. B.L. England Gets Imploded (in part) This past September, the cooling tower at the former B.L. England power station was imploded. The defunct plant will be completely torn down in coming years and replaced by condos.

11. Plastic Bags are Banned In early May, a new state law required grocery stores and retail spots statewide to have customers bring their own reusable bags or purchase them at the counter.

Supporters of the ban hail the change as a victory for the environment.

12. LGBT Club Affirmed in Ocean City After years of existing without school sponsorship, the PRISM club was officially formed at Ocean City High School. The

Serving Hoagies, Wraps, Bagels & More Healthy Smoothies, Soups & Salads Salad & Sandwich Saturday Specials Smoothie Sunday $1 Off Drinks Tuna Tuesday $1Off Sandwiches Waterbottle Wednesdays Just $1 with gym card Delivery with Uber Eats

Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri 9am-3pm Sat, Sun Located in the Ocean City Community Center 1735 Simpson Ave. (609) 814-6500 18

December 28, 2022

school district came under fire for its opposition to new state sex education standards, and students worked hard to garner support from the community.

13, Funny Farm Gets an Origin Story Laure Zaleski, the founder of an animal sanctuary in Mays Landing, made headlines nationally for her New York Times bestseller, “Funny Farm.” The memoir, published this past February, has been featured in People magazine, The Washington Post, and ABC News.

14. Windmills Create Controversy Orsted, the Denmark-based company which plans to build two offshore wind farms in South Jersey, hosted several town hall meetings to address ongoing concerns about and opposition to the project.

15.Girls Basketball Team Fights for Change The Ocean City Girls Basketball Team stood up for their well-being at multiple school board meetings, ultimately earning a new head coach for the 22-23 season.

16. Moorlyn Theatre Promised a Sequel Town Square Entertainment, responsible for the Tilton Nine and Ventnor Square theaters, purchased the historic space with hopes of bringing movies back to America’s Greatest Family Resort.

17. Shark Fishing Banned in Sea Isle After giant sharks were caught on Sea Isle beaches, Mayor Desiderio took a stand for the safety of beachgoers and prohibited hauling sharks onto the shore, mostly for Instagram clout.

December 28, 2022

18. AC Finally Gets a Christmas Tree For the first time in 152 years, the Atlantic City Boardwalk has its own live, 50-foot Christmas tree. Check it out outside the Showboat Hotel and Lucky Snake Arcade.

19. 10 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy Jersey Shore locals looked back with gratitude that they survived the superstorm that destroyed homes and major infrastructure 10 years ago. May we never forget.

20. Miles Teller Spotted at the Lobster House “Top Gun: Maverick” was the highest grossing film of the year’s blockbusters, and one of the stars has been known to enjoy Cape May with his family. Teller was spotted this summer at the Lobster House, hopefully treating his family to delicious Jersey seafood.

21. Festivals, Festivals, Festivals From the Downbeach Seafood Festival to the Ocean City Block Party, it was a big year for community events. Highlights include Smithville’s Dickens Festival, the Margate Fun Fest, and Christmas at the Mansion.

22. Another Great Summer Down the Shore After years of pandemic regulations and fear of COVID-19, families were back and happier than ever in Ocean City, Wildwood, Avalon, Sea Isle, Brigantine, Absecon Island, and Cape May. The 2022 season was one of the top-grossing summers of all time for the Jersey Shore.

With a New Year brings a New Derby OFFICIAL KENTUCKY DERBY 149

Available Now At MY Derby Stainton's Gallery By The Sea 1216 Boardwalk, Ocean City

19

Shooting Island restoration creates protection for wildlife and humans

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

D

id you know that a little island exists in the bay behind Ocean City? Me neither.

A couple hundred feet off Tennessee Avenue around the 17th block, Shooting Island can be found. The 150-acre island serves as a wildlife preserve and a vital storm barrier, protecting OC residents and their properties.

In the past 80 years, Shooting Island has experienced significant flooding, with almost 60 feet of the island eroding into the bay. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 decimated the little isle, so much so that boats cannot get too close because of the dangerously shallow waters: a byproduct of dredging.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released a statement that predicted that if no action is taken, Shooting Island will be completely underwater by 2100.

In 2018, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of New Jersey, and the City of

“How often do we have the Ocean City announced a $2 milopportunity to save an island?” lion plan to save Shooting Island.

Ocean City Public Information asked Beske. “Protecting our Officer Doug Bergen explained planet and the little corners of that the project is divided into our home, that’s what matters.” two main parts: development of Last month, the “living about 3,200 linear feet of living shoreline” project entered shoreline rock sill to protect Phase 2, meaning that the rock existing marsh, and allow for sills and oyster habitats have further development of marsh been constructed and are ready on the island, and construction to be filled in. “The mayor (Jay of approximately 1,900 linear In 2018, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Gillian) is grateful to the state feet of living shoreline using Engineers, the State of New Jersey, and the City of Ocean Department of Environmental oyster “castles.” The oyster cas- City announced a $2 million plan to save Shooting Island.

Protection, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the tles are man-made blocks, like Legos, that provide the ideal habitat “Ocean City will experience less storm National Marine Fisheries Service and for shellfish. damage because Shooting Island will the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for take the brunt of whatever hurricane Locals fear that the city is comtheir partnership and financial supmitting too much time and resources comes next,” said Beske. “Also, we port in this groundbreaking project,” said Bergen. to the island, especially because it is should take pleasure in supporting uninhabitable marshland. “Who cares the greater good, like giving coastal Almost 3,000 feet of rock sill have if it sinks, honestly,” said Mike Hardy, birds a safe home.” been installed to protect the marsh, who lives on the south end of Ocean Beske pointed to the successful and the oyster castles are ready to City. “Why not reduce the price of preservation of Poplar Island, a simhouse and feed thousands of shellfish, beach tags or get rid of parking meilar marshy isle of about 1,700 acres which help absorb the impact of any large waves or strong winds. ters instead of saving a sinking ship?” off the shore of Maryland in the Carol Beske, an executive with the Chesapeake Bay. The channels there “We are building a wildlife comU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke are more easily navigated by larger munity from the ground up,” said with Shore Local News on the benevessels, and the wildlife seems to be Beske. “I don’t think anything could thriving, according to Beske. fits to Ocean City due to the project. be cooler.”

Chill Out at the Library

With best-selling books, DVDs, games, online resources, and more, the Ocean City Free Public Library has everything you need to keep the family entertained all winter long. Drop in for in-person events, sample our virtual programming for adults, or take advantage of cool digital content from Hoopla, Overdrive, and NewsBank.

IN-PERSON EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS FREE DIGITAL CONTENT Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of resources, policies, and procedures.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW APP

Visit our website and click “Newsletter Sign Up” for the latest news on our events and programs.

20

LIBRARY HOURS IN-PERSON Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm Sun. 11am-4pm

OCEAN CITY FREE PUBLIC

LIBRARY

www.oceancitylibrary.org 1735 Simpson Ave. | (609) 399-2434

December 28, 2022

nj’s premier waterfront destination waterfront dining | seafood bar | sand bar | package goods

201 willard road, strathmere, nj 08248 | 609.263.2080 | deauvilleinn.com

rsday nights u h t join us for a

1

$

stone h pearalrbor s

seafood night out $

$ $

3 Miller Lite Drafts

3 Amstel Light and Stella Artois Cans $

with seafood night out

6-9pm

2 Local Oysters All Day

8 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

39 Chef’s Seafood Platter dinner salad, 1 1/4 lb. crab legs, shrimp, fish cakes, deauville donuts $

check out our new nightly specials monday

All-U-Can-Eat U-Peel $ 24

tuesday

Trivia Night $ 3 miller lite drafts

wednesday

Wings & Yuengs 8 jumbo wings $10

thursday

Buck a Shuck Night at our indoor oyster bar

join us for deauville happy hour monday - friday 4-6pm

friday

Prime Rib Dinner $ 39

sunday

Surf & Turf $ 39

O

Celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Ocean City

cean City’s popular New Year’s Eve event will return for the 30th time this year, and families throughout the region are ready to celebrate. First Night offers 40 different shows and activities at 23 different venues throughout town.

The lineup includes entertainment to satisfy every taste and age group.

A fireworks display rings in the new year at midnight. The fun continues on New Year’s Day with a 5-kilometer run on the Boardwalk and the First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean.

Spend “Saturday in the Park” and catch “Saturday Night Fever” at the Music Pier on Saturday, Dec. 31 as the Music Pier features the BeeGees tribute band Stayin Alive and the high-energy Chicago tribute band Brass Transit as headline entertainment. The Civic Center will feature more classic rock with “Captain Jack: The Ultimate Live Billy Joel Tribute.”

The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating, Boardwalk rides, magic shows, the Harlem Wizards, Japanese drummers, the Ocean City Pops, and a variety of other mu-

sical performances also highlight the entertainment lineup. Ocean City will ring in the new year with a fireworks display at midnight.

Here’s our guide to how to enjoy First Night and First Day in Ocean City.

WHEN: First Night events run 4 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. The First Day 5K starts at 1 p.m. and the First Plunge goes off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.

ADMISSION BUTTONS: Buttons ($20) are good for all events.

Children under age 2 are free. Buttons are on sale now.

Online: Visit firstnightocnj.com.

By phone: Call 609-399-6111.

At our City Hall Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Avenue (9th Street entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve).

At the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (9th Street causeway): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday.

At the 46th Street Welcome Center (4500 block of West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY

OPENING SOON!

8 Courts Locker Room Pro Shop Players Cafe & Lounge In Boscov's Shopping Center 6725 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp. MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

Join at www.playproshot.com Questions? hello@playproshot.com

Pro Shop is now Open by Appointment

Call 215-680-6768 or Open 24/7 online at www.LCpickleball.com

22

Pickup at will-call will be available daily at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street entrance). Button sales and will-call pickup will be at the City Hall Welcome Center 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on the day of the event (Dec. 31).

FULL SCHEDULE: The full schedule of events and activities and a printable grid is available at firstnightocnj.com.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION: All municipal parking lots and metered parking spots are free. Jitneys will provide free transportation from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for button-holders, operating continuously between all venues starting at the Ocean City Transportation Center (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and Seventh Street Parking Lot (Seventh Street and Central Ave.). For a route map and complete information, visit the guide page at firstnightocnj.com.

FIREWORKS: A fireworks display (weather permitting) will be launched from the beach at Fifth Street at midnight on Dec. 31. The display will best be viewed from the beach or boardwalk in the blocks surrounding Fifth Street. There will be no rain date for the display.

DINING AND SHOPPING: Food and drink will be for sale at Ocean City High School, Wonderland Pier (6th Street Pizza and Grill) and Ocean City Community Center (at the cafe) with snack stands at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

KICKOFF: Everybody is invited to the Ocean City Music Pier at 3:45 p.m. for the official ribbon-cutting to open the 30th anniversary of the festivities.

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES: Stop by the Music Pier to see the First Night ice sculpture. Interactive photo booths will be set up in the Ocean City High School cafeteria, the Community Center and the Civic Center.

HISTORY: First Night in Ocean City was modeled after an alcohol-free

New Year’s Eve celebration in Boston that marked the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. The first celebration in Ocean City in 1992 included 25 entertainment acts in five different locations with admission buttons selling for $8 ($5 before Dec. 26).

About 800 buttons were sold. While other First Night events have faded, Ocean City's has only grown more popular with families making it an annual tradition for a safe New Year's Eve. Today, attendance is capped at 10,000 with admission buttons selling out year after year.

Through the years, the event has been sustained by the selfless dedication of volunteers, board members and sponsors.

FIRST DAY AT THE BEACH BOARDWALK RUN: A 5-kilometer run starts at 1 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. Race-day registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. First Day blankets will be given to who who pre-register and while supplies last.

Race-day entry fee is $35 ($25 if you register by Dec. 24 and $30 if you register by Dec. 30). For full information, links to online registration and printable forms, visit www.ocnj.us/ race-events.

FIRST PLUNGE: The ocean plunge starts at 2 p.m. on the beach adjacent to the Music Pier (on the Eighth Street side). Participants should register inside the Music Pier before heading to the beach. Registration is free, but all participants must sign a waiver. First Day At The Beach shirts will be on sale at the Music Pier.

SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: There will be an all-day shopping extravaganza with discounts at stores on Asbury Avenue and the boardwalk from 5th to 14th Streets. Free horsedrawn carriage rides on downtown Asbury Avenue will be available noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1. Board at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

December 28, 2022

New Experience.

Specials Every Night.

Thursday

monday WING NIGHT

Tuesday TACOS & Beer

Wednesday Trivia Night

Catch the game here

friday live acoustic music

Saturday Live Acoustic Music

Sunday Snow Crab Special

Happy Hour Monday – Friday 4 – 6PM

Join us for the birds pregame show live from 10am - 12pm before every 1pm game!

scan for weekly specials

yesterdaystavern.com / 316 roosevelt blvd, marmora, nj 08223 / 609.390.1757 liquor | beer | wine

ces

next door to

Bo

Monday – Saturday 9am – 10pm Sunday 10am – 10pm

t Pr Bes i $ on t he $ ul e vard

Download our app save money, order ahead

Wonderful possibilities were seen for Ocean City A Look Back

By Fred Miller

O

ne hundred and twenty years ago, R. Curtis Robinson, owner and editor of the Ocean City Sentinel, wrote: “With what Ocean City has as the twentieth century dawns, there are wonderful possibilities for the future.

Look back during the past twenty years and note the progress. No other seaside resort can begin to compare with

it in achievements. The public spirit has been of a magnificent character. The city can well feel proud. It has all the modern conveniences of a greater city.

It is possible to do business here under twentieth century conditions.”

Robinson knew not everyone agreed with his rosy picture of the city’s future. He wrote, “There is an occasional disappointed chap who will knock his heels together out upon the cold curbing and say mean things about the city. He tells you the place is dead.

Has gone back. It is not what it used to be. Will never amount to anything in the future, and a lot of rot like that.”

Robinson responded to the negative comments writing, “Can anybody deny that Ocean City is bigger than ever was before? There are more homes

She'z The Boss

Clothing & Accessories Jewelry - Candles - Handbags Fun Gifts

10% OFF Any item

R. Curtis Robinson, a community leader 120 years ago, saw wonderful possibilities to Ocean City in the 20th century.

Not to combined with any other offer.

Expires 12/31/22

GET IN STYLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

and more people. There are more cottages and boarding houses.

There are more people at work. There is more money invested in enterprises. There is more money paid out every week in wages. People are living more comfortably. Their homes are better furnished. They have more advantages for the people. Schools are greater and better.

There are far more school accommodations. The young man and young women are obtaining a much higher education.”

Robinson ended writing, “Sounds like a romance to the poor, misguided disappointed fellow who is finding so much fault, but there are the facts, and it will make the best of them spend sleepless nights to get anything like a argument to oppose this proposition.”

Reel in

Unique & Comfortable Fashions XCVI Exclusive to Ocean City!

709 Asbury Ave. Ocean City ● (609) 226-4880

L

SAVINGS

Refinance to a Lower Rate CHOOSE YOUR WAY TO SAVE!

Eliminate Debt FASTER Lower Your PAYMENT Consolidate DEBT 4 Mortgage 4 Home Equity 4 Credit Cards 4 Auto Loan

SAVING YOU MONEY IS A SHORE THING!

Imported Italian Pasta CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS & APPLY AT

Marinades - Cheeses Natural Skin Lotions

609-568-6659 11123 12 Asbury Ave. Ocean City 24

JerseyShoreFCU.org/refinance OR CALL 609-646-3339, OPT. 2

Must be a member of Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union to apply for a loan. Contact us or submit your request for savings proposal at JerseyShoreFCU.org/refinance and a Member Service Representative will assist you in joining the credit union. A minimum $25 deposit is required to open an account. Current Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union loans are not eligible for refinance promotion.

Federally Insured

by NCUA

December 28, 2022

How to survive the Polar Bear Plunge

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

C

ongratulations! If you are reading this, you are thinking about jumping into freezing-cold ocean waters. That is quite a feat. The Polar Bear Plunge has been a Jersey-Shore staple for almost one hundred years.

On January 1st of every year, millions of Americans bring a sense of adventure into their next era and ring in the New Year with fun and community connection.

You’ll want to do a little preparation before the big day to ensure safety and well-being. No one wants to be soaking wet, shivering and stranded on the beach. Here are a couple tips to help you have the best Polar Bear Plunge ever: Dress Appropriately You’ll wanna put some thought into your plunging outfit. Focus on function, meaning that you’d be better off choosing a swimsuit with more coverage than a skimpy bikini.

Remember that you’ll likely be running! Make sure to pack a change of

dry, warm clothes for after the plunge to help your body readjust. Lots of plunge veterans wear silly costumes, so if you’re an experienced polar bear, try something silly!

Bring a Buddy Buddies are very important for the Polar Bear Plunge. A friend on the sidelines can hold your belongings, take pictures, and care for you in case of an emergency. Offer to buy your girlfriend a warm coffee if she accompanies you, but the whole beach feels like a party, so she might be down either way!

Watch Others Before Plunging If this is your first time, you won’t know how your body will react until you’ve tested the waters, literally. Let the champions sprint to the ocean when the whistle blows, and pay attention to any drop offs or sandbars, and how deep each participant goes.

There is no shame in waiting for a minute before joining in on the fun!

Pack It All Make sure to bring a change of warm clothes, a towel, and a warm drink to help your body recover. A pair of shoes like Crocs or Sanuks will make getting on and off the beach easy. If you have one, bring a GoPro camera to capture the shenanigans in and out of the water.

Know Yourself Experts suggest that if it's your first polar bear plunge, try a cold shower before the big day to see how you react to cold water. Athletes have been practice cold exposure

therapy and swear by its benefits.

If you are not a polar bear throughand-through, set a goal to jump in the ocean up to your waist, then run out. If you aren’t afraid, consider even dipping your head underwater. Do not spend more than two minutes in the water to avoid hypothermia.

Have Fun! The Polar Bear Plunge has become a coastal tradition because it's an adventure! It’s a great way to take a risk and get a little uncomfortable.

Don’t get too caught up in the details and try to live in the moment. What a great start to the new year!

OPEN DAILY

SHOP LOCAL

10AM-6PM SUNDAY 10AM-5

OCEAN CITY’S

S OA P S H O P Artisan Handcut Soaps FEATURING

Vegan ~ Organic ~ Glycerin Men’s Shave Products & Soaps Razors • Brushes Gift Baskets • Bridal Favors

Visit us for a Sensory Experience!

920 Asbury Avenue · Ocean City · 609-398-5661

Visit us on Instagram or Facebook ARTISAN_BODY_PRODUCTS

December 28, 2022

25

Gift shopping done: Now take the HERO Pledge to be a designated driver for friends and family

By James FitzPatrick Contributing Writer

W

hat if you could give your friends and family a holiday gift that is as fun as a night on the town, costs almost nothing, yet is as precious as life itself?

It’s easy. All it takes is a few clicks online and a commitment to take the HERO Designated Driver Pledge.

It’s the season when social calendars are packed with happy gatherings that often involve the consumption of alcohol. People will be drinking beer for the Eagles vs.

Cowboys on Christmas Eve, wine and eggnog at Mom’s Christmas dinner, or champagne at the neighborhood New Year’s Eve party. Celebrations can turn into tragedy if the participants

fail to plan ahead for their transportation, or make poor choices about who’s drinking and who’s driving.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), crashes involving an impaired driver killed 937 people in December 2020 alone. Nationwide, drunk driving-involved crashes kill more than 11,000 people each year.

In all of 2021, 697 people were killed in traffic crashes in New Jersey; 125 of those fatalities were due to a drunk driver, according to the state Division Highway Traffic Safety. By getting behind the wheel while alcohol or drug impaired, you risk lives, not to mention arrest and severe penalties which can include loss of license, heavy fines, and even imprisonment.

The good news is, the story doesn’t have to end that way. Lives can be saved when people make good choices and there’s plenty of support available for those who are willing to make a small sacrifice to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

In South Jersey, and growing throughout the region, is a movement

The HERO Campaign was launched in 2000 after the tragic death of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed by a drunk driver just two months after his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. to make drunk and impaired driving a thing of the past, and designated drivers as automatic as wearing a seatbelt.

Most area residents have probably heard of the HERO Campaign. It was launched in 2000 after the tragic death of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of

Egg Harbor Township, who was killed by a drunk driver just two months after his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. HERO was created by his parents, Bill and Muriel Elliott, who were determined to turn their tragedy into an opportunity to help others.

The centerpiece of the HERO Campaign is the HERO Designated Driver Pledge. Anyone can take it at herocampaign.org. It states: “I pledge to be a HERO by being a safe and sober Designated Driver for my friends and family.”

Taking the pledge generates a digital ID card, which is honored by more than 50 local restaurants, bars and taverns in Atlantic and Cape May counties by providing free, nonalcoholic beverages for designated drivers. Some places even offer mocktails or HEROtinis as a reward to designated drivers for their willingness to forgo some revelry to make the world safer. To date HERO has certified approximately 200,000 pledges.

Sober means “a non-drinking driver. Not someone who’s just under the legal limit,” said Bill Elliott, father of John R. Elliott and CEO of The John

The Godfrey Funeral Homes T

Ocean City

he holiday’s can be a difϐicult and challenging time if you have lost a loved one.

In an effort to help those who have lost loved one’s during the year we offer the “Thoughts for the Holiday’s” booklet.

Whether we had the privilege of serving your family or not; we would like to offer this booklet to you free of charge.

Stop by any one of our locations to pick up or call and we will send you your free copy.

Established 1896 Sallie J. Godfrey, Manager NJ Lic. No. 3898

809 Central Avenue Ocean City NJ 08226 (609) 399-0077

Palermo

Egg Harbor Twp.

644 South Shore Road Palermo NJ 08223 (609) 390-9699

4008 English Creek Avenue Egg Harbor Twp. NJ 08234 (609) 241-6460

E bli h d 1971 Established John K. Baltz, Manager NJ Lic. No. 3715

E bli h d 2017 Established Herbert L. Godfrey II, Manager NJ Lic. No. 4362

Serving the Communities of Cape May & Atlantic Counties Godfreyfuneralhome.com

William C. Orr, Director, NJ Lic. No. 4896 26

Michelle R. Orr, Director, NJ Lic. No. 4804 December 28, 2022

R. Elliott Foundation. Just because a driver is below the legal blood alcohol level of .08 doesn’t mean they’re not impaired, according to the NHTSA, which notes that a blood alcohol reading as low as .02 can still cause a decline in visual function and the ability to perform two tasks at the same time.

Elliott noted that HERO will be active over the holidays with a TV, radio and print advertising campaign through New Year’s Day, reminding the public not to drink and drive, and to always have or be designated drivers.

HERO, which is headquartered at Stockton University, is constantly looking for new ways to spread its message through programs at high schools and colleges, distributing thousands of car badges, partnering with professional sports teams and Clear Channel, a major outdoor advertising agency.

It also works with law enforcement to deliver the message. So far, 11 local police departments have had one of their vehicles wrapped with the HERO brand and message: “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.” It holds a HERO Walk and 5K on the Ocean City Boardwalk every year, partners with taxi and ridesharing services, and provides victim advocacy for families of DWI accident victims. It recently added distracted driving to its driver safety message.

“We also are contacting area high schools to offer them our new HERO DWI simulator, featured at our October HERO Walk, which teaches students the perils of drinking and distracted driving using a videogame-like virtual driving experience,” Elliott said.

If being a holiday hero isn’t incentive enough to motivate drivers to do

HOMEMADE SOUPS SERVED DAILY Open Daily

HERO is offering a DWI simulator to area high schools to demonstrate the perils of drinking and distracted driving. the right thing, maybe fear of getting caught will.

Police departments from New Jersey and across the country are participating in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, a program originated by the NHTSA, to help states fund stepped-up local police patrols. In New Jersey it’s run through the office of Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. It’s under way now and runs through Jan. 1.

The state has awarded more than $600,00 in grants to 98 police agencies to fund high-visibility sobriety checkpoints and patrols during the month of December. Local police departments receiving funds include Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway, Hamilton, Hammonton, Linwood, Mullica, Northfield, Pleasantville and Ventnor.

Although Egg Harbor Township did not receive a grant and is not doing checkpoints, it is devoting extra resources from the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund to pay for roving DWI patrols to deter intoxicated driving and to keep the roads safer over the holidays, said Sgt. Edward Stearns of the Egg Harbor Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.

So far in 2022, EHTPD has arrested 96 people for driving under the influence and has responded to 39 crashes related to DWIs. Stearns said DWI arrests are running about the same as in 2021, but DWI-related crashes are down about 26 percent.

“We are hoping the decline in DWI-related crashes has some relationship with either the use of designated drivers, public transportation, or ride-share applications,” he told Shore Local News.

If you become intoxicated the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program advises to take mass transit, a taxi, rideshare service or ask a sober friend to drive you home. Or, see if you can spend the night where the activity or party is held.

With the holidays upon us, EHTPD is reminding the public not to risk their lives or the lives of others by driving under the influence. The bottom line is there are lots of things that people can do to keep the town-

Eleven police vehicles, including this Longport Police Department Hummer, have been decorated in the distinctive HERO Campaign blue and gold wrapped in the “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver,” brand and message. ship’s 300 miles of local roads safe.

“Plan to spend the night where the event occurs, designate someone to be a sober driver, or use ridesharing companies and other means of public transportation,” Stearns said. “Ultimately, if you are planning to drink or use impairing substances, please do not drive.”

Copyeditor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.

SOUP & BREAKFAST SANDWICH SERVED SPECIALS ALL DAY

Serving from 7am to 2pm

Take Out Available

415 Eighth Street • Ocean City • 609-399-4418

December 28, 2022

27

Postcards from the Past

Ice skaters had lots of fun on Bargaintown Pond in Egg Harbor Township, shown here in 1948. The frozen pond attracted skaters from Atlantic City, Absecon, Somers Point and areas in between. The Linwood police were assigned to handle traffic on the roads leading to the pond. Night skating could be enjoyed with the help of flood lights. The gals in the front are Betty McNeill, Joan Ellis, and Judy Smith. Other popular places to skate were Ott’s Pond near Mainland regional High School in Linwood, Birch Grove Park and Smithville Lake. Credit: Greate Egg Harbor Township Historical Society

28

December 28, 2022

The immersive artistic experience, ARTeriors returns to Atlantic City

By Krystle J Bailey

A

RTeriors AC returns to Atlantic City this January for the 9th installation. The highly-anticipated pop-up exhibits transform unused spaces into collaborative and imaginative art installations. Old restaurants, retail stores, and residential properties have served as homes for ARTeriors since 2015. Since its inception, the program has transformed eight different spaces across Atlantic City into one-of-a-kind art experiences. They don’t last forever, though. The spaces are eventually transformed and renovated, and the art lives on in pictures and memories.

"ARTeriors AC presents a unique creative challenge to artists, offering the opportunity to repurpose found materials and unconventional locations

to create imaginative art installations in a high-intensity environment where artists have just two weeks to transform their spaces," shares Kate O'Malley, Interim Executive Director of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation. "This program highlights transition and transformation, shining a light on spaces with potential for reimagination and inviting the public into a unique and thought-provoking art experience that has become characteristic of Atlantic City art culture."

This year’s collaboration features artists Shari Tobias, Heather Deegan Hires, John Morris, Miko Beach, Kenneth Lazan Faulk Jr., Bernard Delacruz, Alissa Eberle, Yelixza Figueroa, Victoria Katherine, Michelle Franzoni, Gary Lindley, Heather and Samantha Howley, Lennox Warner, Chanelle Rene, Travis Gibson, and Helen Clymer.

“ARTeriors is a fun, exciting way to bring artist and community together,” shares artist Heather Deegan Hires.

“ARTeriors builds relationships among artists, offering us an opportunity to work together and create great memories in the process.”

This is the fourth ARTeriors that Heather has been a part of. She will

be creating a spontaneous experience using vivid colors and imagination.

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public art access and fostering community art education in Atlantic City, NJ. In addition to the production of ARTeriors, ACAF also hosts the annual 48 Blocks celebration and Chalk About AC. Both events are intended to cultivate community, promote arts-based tourism, and spread awareness about the arts in South Jersey.

The 9th rendition of ARTeriors will take place in the old Payless Shoesource at Tanger Outlets until February 19th.

The opening reception on January 13th from 5-9 pm is an opportunity to meet the artists, hear about their installations, and mingle with the Atlantic City

arts community. It is still uncertain who will become the future tenants of 2022 Baltic Avenue, however for the next month, it will provide a home for a creative experience that can’t be missed.

Tickets are $30 and include access to the party, passed hors d'oeuvres, and your choice of wine, beer, or horchata.

Food and drinks will be provided by Wingcraft, Bar 32 Chocolate, The Seed Brewery, and Taqueria Rendon. Parking is available nearby at the Noyes Arts Garage located at 2200 Fairmount Ave. This event is made possible by generous sponsorships from SOSH Architects, AC Devco, Caring INC, AtlantiCare, and the Casiello Philanthropic Foundation. The ARTeriors program is in partnership with Tanger Outlets and the Noyes Museum of Stockton University.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.tinyurl.com/ arteriors2023.

Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.

Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5

50

SUNDAY & MONDAY ONLY

FULL BAR

HAPPY HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK 4-7PM

% OFF

Sushi Rolls

AS MANY AS YOU WANT • ALL DAY & NIGHT ',1( ,1 21/<

WITH COUPON EXPIRES SL NOT VALID HOLIDAYS (CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS)

Reduced Price on a Selection of

Bottles of Wine Sun-Thurs 1pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 1pm-11pm GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

www.miyakomargate.com

9210 Ventnor Avenue, Margate • (609) 822-4759

December 28, 2022

29

Brighten your new year with fragrant paperwhites Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

20% OFF SKATING in January and February Use Promo Code LOCAL22 to receive 20% off Valid through MLK Monday

WINE & DINE ICE SKATING LOCAL CRAFT VENDORS 72 NORTH BREMAN AVE. EGG HARBOR CITY NJ 08215 WWW.RENAULTWINERY.COM 30

W

elcoming in the New Year means beginning anew and afresh. As we take away the tree and the tinsel, we start with a clean slate (well almost, pine needles and glitter seem to last forever). But as we haul away all those extras from the holidays and pack them back in the attic, things can look a little sparse and bare.

Throw in the winds and frigid temperatures, and it can feel a bit bleak. Before the winter blues set in, add new life to your home by planting flowers. Yes, you heard that right. Plant flowers in January, namely paperwhites.

If you’ve never planted paperwhites before, you are in for a treat. These beautiful plants with tall green stems and topped with small, snowwhite flowers make the perfect winter decoration. Their intoxicating scent will fill the room and make you dream about summer nights. Like daffodils, paperwhites are in the narcissus family. You can see the family resemblance in their dainty, daffodil-like faces.

In warmer, Mediterranean climates, paperwhites can be grown as perennials, but in our area they bloom in winter because they grow from bulbs that you force to bloom. One of the interesting things about paperwhites is that they can be grown without soil. Simply place a few of the bulbs in a decorative bowl or vase, add a few stones to support them, and add water, barely touching the base of the bulb. In a few weeks, you will see them sprout and the stems will seem to reach for the sky. Soon you will see the buds of the fragrant flowers open, releasing their perfume throughout the house. Keep your paperwhites in a cool area, out of direct sunlight to keep them from growing too tall and flopping over. If they do start to fall, simply tie the stems together with a

decorative ribbon or twine. You can also get a little artsy and add willow branches or branches from your own yard. Paint the branches white or leave them au natural and insert them between the stems of the narcissus for support.

For continuous winter blooms, plant new bulbs every few weeks.

Their sleek stems and simple white flowers make for an elegant plant that fits any decorative style. You can get creative by growing them in different types of containers or using colorful glass marbles to cover the bulbs. Just don’t allow the bulb to be submerged in the water or they will rot. As the roots form, you can keep

the water at a lower level, touching only the roots. For a fun project with the kids, plant your narcissus bulbs in a clear see-through vase. These fast-growing flowers will seem to sprout roots before your eyes and you can observe the changes with your little ones each day.

We love to hear from our readers.

What is your favorite way to fight the winter blues? Kindly send your comments, pictures, and questions to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

Wishing you all peace, love, and hope in the New Year.

Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.

December 28, 2022

From 1876...

A Reputation Well Built Quality Service for Over 146 Years

...to Today

0% FINANCING OPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE! Call Today 1-800-757-4122

• Heating & Cooling • Equipment Replacement and Service • Maintenance service plans • Ductless Heating & Cooling • Generators • Indoor air quality • Financing & Rebates Available

12, 18 and 24 month 0% Financing Options available $15,000 at 0% financing through SJ Gas Rebates up to $1,500 from SJ Gas and Atlantic City Electric Reliable service and quality products Quick responses to all emergency repair situations Absolute guarantees on services and installations Ongoing training for all team members Clear-cut and honest pricing

"We can't control the weather, but we can control your comfort"

800-757-4122 | www.McService.com Call today for a FREE estimate NJ MASTER HVACR LIC#19HC00685700 NJ Lic: 13VH01483100

IMPROVE YOUR HOME All of us are due and ROOFS WINDOWS deserving of a happy new year in 2023 SIDING DOORS

$0 Money Down, $0 Payments, $0 Interest up to 18 months

WE SELL

FOR LESS!

TILT-IN WINDOWS

& SIDING, INC.

1000

$

TILT-IN WINDOWS & SIDING, INC. 609-646-3636 With this coupon at time of estimate. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Expires 02/28/22

2101 NEW RD. ROUTE 9 NORTHFIELD • 609 646 3636 mon.-fri. 8am-5pm • sat. 9am-1pm

Petrille & Sons Since 1985

OFF Any Complete Siding Job

VISIT OUR AMAZING PREMIER SHOWROOM!

WWW.TILTINWINDOWS.COM

229 500

WINDOWS FROM

$

TILT-IN WINDOWS & SIDING, INC. 609-646 -3636 Must present coupon at time of estimate.

Ask for details. Not valid with other offers or 02/28/22

Live Entertainment

$

OFF Any Roofing Job

TILT-IN WINDOWS & SIDING, INC. 609- 646 -3636 Must present coupon at time of estimate.

Ask for details. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Expires 02/28/22

By Scott Cronick

L

et’s face it: As a society, we have not been on a good run.

A pandemic. Political turmoil that has divided our country in half. Crazy inflation rates.

Horrific gas prices. A recession (yes, we are in one even if no one will officially say we are). An abundance of mass shootings … Do I need to go on?

Going into 2022, I said, “Well, 2022 can’t be any worse than 2021, right?”

I should have bitten my tongue. And I won’t make that same mistake predicting 2023.

So, I asked my family, friends, local celebrities, national celebrities, politicians and those in my life whose opinion

TICKETS

$30

ARTeriors Baltic Avenue

matters, what they hope to accomplish or see in the new year.

For me, I want a lot of the things I have wanted in the past that most people want: To lose weight; to eat and be healthier; to continue to be a better man and husband; continued health for my wife, my in-laws, my mom, who turns 80 this year, and my son, who turns a quarter century old in January; to continue to love what I do professionally and find new challenges; to see Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall and the Orange Loop and North Beach evolve and prosper; and to see Atlantic City get cleaner and safer.

There are some things in 2023 that I am really looking forward to: I can’t wait to slide my big butt down Atlantic City’s first waterpark at Showboat; I look forward to see what will happen with Atlantic City’s Bader Field; I hope Atlantic City Wing Fest sells out Feb. 4 at Golden Nugget; I will announce some personal ventures of mine that I think will excite everyone who knows me and knows what I like to do; I will travel as much as possible, including taking mom

Community Art

Scan to purchase your party tickets!

POP-UP ART EXHIBIT at 2022 Baltic Avenue, located in Tanger Outlets Atlantic City

OPENING RECEPTION PARTY Friday, January 13th · 5 pm

Food Drinks

32

Be the first to experience the transformation of the former Payless Shoesource into an immersive pop-up art installation created by 15 artists. Enjoy refreshments from Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar and drink selections from Bar 32, The Seed Brewery, and Taqueria Rendon.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:

arteriorsbalticave.eventbrite.com

December 28, 2022

to Italy for her big birthday; I hope to continue my impressive concert-going habits by seeing Bruce Springsteen (at Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla.,), Metallica at MetLife Stadium, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks together in Philly, Motley Crue and Def Leppard at Hard Rock Atlantic City, see Dead & Co. for the first time before they call it quits, and hopefully jam with Phish on the beach again; and I will jump in my new pool for the first time as soon as humanly possible.

Most of all, I hope all of the below resolutions – and yours – come true.

The old sports betting adage of being due couldn’t be more appropriate for the new year.

We are due – all of us – for a better 2023!

Happy New Year!

LaRissa Cronick, Wife I am finally going to get my motorcycle license!

Sam Cronick, Son I think this year I want to start cooking at home more and stop finding excuses to get fast food.

Nancy Cronick, Mom My 2023 wish is that our entire family has a healthy and happy year. My personal wish is that I enjoy this year’s “big” birthday on our family trip to Europe.

Greg Perks, Father-in-Law Exercise more. Eat less bread and pasta. Stop buying motorcycles.

Brian Cahill, Marketing Director, Shore Medical Center That’s obvious: Seattle Mariners to win the World Series

continue to have the city, county and state work together to make A.C. clean and safe.

Vince Polistina, State Senator I would like to see real, substantive, bipartisan discussion and efforts to finally start to get property taxes in New Jersey under control.

Kaleem Shabazz, Atlantic City Councilman I would like to see the supermarket project completed. I want to see the ribbon cutting for Weekes Park and all neighborhoods well lit. I hope for a prosperous summer for all, and the closing of health, education and economic gaps and disparities for our residents. And, of course, all violations cleared at Stanley Holmes Village.

11 SINGLE-FAMILY EXECUTIVE HOMES FROM $479,999

↘Continued on 34

Jeff Van Drew, United States Congressman To work as hard as I can to bring our America back home. To work day and night to make America No. 1 again.

To ensure that it is the shining city on the hill again. To restore our military, to restore our police, fight crime, lower inflation, stop extreme spending, close the southern border, increase our energy portfolio and, most of all, to stand up strong for America and fight hard for the strong moral fiber of this nation.

Don Guardian, State Assemblyman My goals are for smoke-free casinos for employees; mental health courts to address homelessness; through Councilman Kaleem Shabazz’ committee,

December 28, 2022

33

↘Continued from 33 Will Reynolds, Atlantic County Prosecutor To be better every day than I was the day before.

Mark Giannantonio, Resorts Casino Hotel President and CEO To continue to work with state and local stakeholders and political leaders to make Atlantic City the jewel that everyone knows it can be.

Mike Woodside, Hard Rock Atlantic City Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing I want to be more present, to not be distracted in meetings with cell phones and laptops. I also want to spend more time involving my children with various volunteering events.

Joe Lodise, Caesars Atlantic City President and General Manager This is our year to really make a difference in A.C., so I would say our collective resolution - and ours at Caesars - is to make the city a safer and cleaner place for people to live, work and play.

Peter Caporilli, Entrepreneur, Founder of Principle Academy Charter I am looking forward to the reopening of Cardinal Bistro (on Tennessee Avenue). I am eager to see what magic Michael Brennan can work in a larger kitchen and more resources!

Mark Callazzo, Entrepreneur, Tennessee Avenue Developer I'd like to see a year filled with noth-

ing. 2022 was supposed to see the end of the pandemic, and instead we had the great omicron surge. This was followed by inflation that we haven't seen since the Love Boat made its maiden voyage.

This was followed by interest rates going up almost 3x in a 6-month period. If you’re in a debt-driven business like real estate, this really stinks. So, for 2023, I hope for nothing radical … and for Scott to make his long awaited apology to Bart Blatstein.

Michael Chait, Greater Atlantic City Chamber President Personal and professional New Year’s resolution: Celebrate more! I want to celebrate good things when they happen. I think that we can be happier, feel more fulfilled and build and maintain better relationships if we celebrate all of our accomplishments. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. A phone call instead of a text or email, grabbing a cup of coffee, or a walk on the Boardwalk will suffice. The easier and simpler can make this a habit. These little moments can make a big difference.

Vince Mazzeo, B.F. Mazzeo Co-Owner, Former State Assemblyman The new year brings new ideas for me. I intend to focus on my business by perhaps freshening up and updating the store while continuing to expand my culinary ideas. I am also looking to start a nonprofit organization and to have more time with family.

GET YOUR GRUB ON! Award Winning Hoagies, Hoagie Trays, Italian Samplers & Gourmet Sides

Reward Members get

$3 OFF Whole size every Saturday!

$2 OFF Primo size every Mon. & Wed.

Denny Levinson, Atlantic County Executive Maintaining Atlantic County’s position as the finest run county in N.J. Larry Sieg, Meet AC President and CEO I hope that we can all work collectively for our destination to once again be the crown jewel in the tourism and hospitality industry that it once was.

Rebecca Thiry, Ocean Casino Resort Advertising and Media Director Implement a consistent early morning routine: meditation, gratitude, exercise, coffee.

Jamie Hoagland, Resorts Casino Hotel Director of Advertising and Public Relations I would like to become a morning person - go to bed earlier and get up earlier - exercise and journal in the a.m. before work. I would like to read at least one book a month and visit my parents in Florida this winter.

Bob Fertsch, Shore Local Co-Owner I hope to be more content with what I have and the people around me rather than striving for more 24/7. Slow down, relax and enjoy life.

Frank Becktel, Jitney Guy This is my year to actually attend

some of the great festivals and concerts that come to Atlantic City instead of always working.

Lisa Johnson, Lisa Johnson Communications Owner Doing whatever I can to help convert some of the toxic negativity in the world - and right here in A.C. - into constructive, positive energy and actions. We need to stop battling each other and work together. On a personal note, I want to get more sleep!

Caren Fitzpatrick, Atlantic County Commissioner My wish/resolution has been the same for many years: To NOT gossip, and that has evolved to believing what I see with my own eyeballs rather than whispers I may hear. For 2023, I’d like my family to be healthy and happy and to travel with my hubby.

Sonny McCullough, Consultant and former State Senator and Egg Harbor Twp. Mayor Make my company, Mccullough Consultants, Inc., bigger and better, and to support and help my clients’ projects succeed.

For more resolutions from local leaders visit shorelocalnews.com Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades.

He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also coowns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.

PARTY TRAYS!

www.primohoagies.com

SOMERS POINT

Target/Acme Shopping Center 278 NEW RD UNIT #24, SOMERS POINT, NJ 08244

(609) 365-2933 34

December 28, 2022

TRUSTED SINCE 1949

Kitchen, Bathroom Renovations

Your One Call Comfor t Solution

BOSCH Tankless Water Heaters and AC/Heating Units

1/31/23

1/31/23

1/31/23

2022 end-of-year best buys in wines

By David Setley

I

don’t know about you, but this year has flown by for me. It is almost time for the ball to drop in Times Square. As 2022 ends and we anticipate all that 2023 will

bring, I thought it fitting to look back at some of the best buys in wine from the year. I have always said that you do not need to spend a fortune to have a great wine experience; this year was outstanding for great, budget-friendly wines. Drum roll, please!

Here is my top 10 for 2022: 10. Nerea Reserva Tempranillo-Syrah 2015. This 50%- 50% from Catalunya, Spain is a classic Spanish red blend. Bold flavor, soft tannins and well balanced. The flavors are dark berries, leather, vanilla, and baking spices with a touch of oak.

ORDER

SO MERS PO INT & EG G HARBO R TO WNSHIP

36

9. Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc 2021. From Marlborough, New Zealand, this single vineyard wine features grapes that are harvested 3 weeks later than many other wines from this region. The result is a richer, smoother Sauvignon Blanc that has all the citrus flavor of other NZ wines but with greater structure and complexity.

8. Pehhcora Pecorino 2019. This delicious white wine from the region of Abruzzo, Italy is made from 100% Pecorino grapes. It is a crisp wine with the light flavor and aroma of tree fruits, like peach and mango, and has a lovely minerality. If you haven’t tried a Pecorino wine, this is the one to try.

7. Lobetia Tempranillo-Petit Verdot. From the Tierra De Castilla in Spain, this blend is made from organic grapes and is vegan friendly.

The grapes are night-harvested and cold-crushed before fermentation.

The aroma is warm spices and coffee and the pallet has rich velvety tannins, excellent complexity, and a long finish.

6. L. Tramier & Fils Coteaux Bourguignons Taverdet 2020. This 80% Gamay and 20% Pinot Noir offers the medium body and mild tannins of these two Burgundian varietals. It has a classic red fruit flavor with mild baking spices and a wonderful earthiness. I am a big fan of Gamay and this blend takes it to the next level.

5. Ancient Peaks Zinfandel 2020.

Paso Robles, California currently produces some of the best Zins; this is a perfect example. The unique environment of the volcanic, shale soil and the close proximity to the cool breezes of the Pacific Ocean creates a wine with a sense of place. With juicy flavors of cherry, raspberry and wild berries and a light pepperiness, this is a crowd pleaser.

4. The Allumea Trio. There are three different wines under this brand of Organic Wines from Italy and I wasn’t willing to pick just one.

The first is a white blend (70% Grillo and 30% Chardonnay) from Sicily. The second is 100% Montepulciano from Terre Di Chieti, and the third is a Nero D’Avola from Sicily. Grillo, Montepulciano, and Nero D’Avola are fantastic Italian varietals that deserve to be tried. All three wines are excellent representations of the diversity of Italian wines.

3. Chateau Carbonneau Sequoia Bordeaux Blend 2019. Bordeaux is an iconic wine region known for blending the indigenous grapes from

the region into some of the world’s greatest wines. The Sequoia is no exception at 66% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bold flavor, well-structured tannins, with notes of earthiness and oak. A Bordeaux classic.

2. Paul Goerg Premier Cru Champagne Brut. New Year’s Eve is time to splurge a little. Go to the source with this Champagne that has an excellent level of dryness with notes of the toasted brioche that only true Champagnes can deliver. Enjoy!

And, my number one pick for 2022……….

1. Settevigne Vin Rosso Italiano.

Settevigne translates to the Seven Vines. This unique wine blends the seven indigenous grapes of Italy in equal proportions: Corvina, Primitivo, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Aglianico, and Sangiovese. This is an intensely dark, well-balanced red wine with the aromas and flavors of dark fruit, roasted coffee, baking spices and cocoa beans. It offers smooth, velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish. This pairs well with classic Italian meals, of course, but try it with charcuterie, roasted meats, or poultry. Settevigne is worthy of the number one ranking this year. Give it a try; it won’t disappoint!

I hope you like my top 10. As always, you are welcome to contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com. I am eternally grateful for your comments, feedback, and suggestions. I would also like to take this moment to thank my wife, Gwen, who is my muse and my editor on these articles. I look forward to writing more in 2023. Happy Wining, and Happy New Year!

David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.

December 28, 2022

Quinoa is a heart healthy superfood

GOOD TIMES THAT KICK AXE

Throw a Great Party!

Company, Team Building Birthday, Bachelor/ette Parties

Nutrition

By Nancy Adler

Q

uinoa is a whole grain, technically a seed that’s a good source of plant protein and fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa provides about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

Because it’s gluten free, it’s a great choice for someone who has a gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

Adding fiber-rich foods such as quinoa to your diet can help support digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and fueling beneficial bacteria in your gut. Quinoa also supports healthy weight loss as fiber helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.

Eating quinoa balances gut bacteria by suppressing imbalances so the good bacteria can do its job, and it’s a great colon cleanse as well.

Eating grains like quinoa will help boost your metabolism and burn body fat at a higher rate. This grain is a complete food containing proteins, fiber, carbohydrates and vitamins, especially vitamin B. A heart healthy, superfood quinoa is a better choice than rice and has many more benefits including antioxidants. Use quinoa in recipes in place of rice and noodles.

Please enjoy this healthy recipe from my cookbook, “Nancy’s Recipes for Life,” available in my Linwood office location and Capellas Oil and Vinegar Store in Ocean City.

Quinoa Lasagna

Ingredients ● 1 can peeled tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes chopped ● 1 lb. hamburger or veggie burger ● (2) 8 oz. cans low sodium tomato sauce ● 2 cups quinoa, cooked ● ¼ lb. low fat Mozzarella cheese, crumbled ● ¼ lb. Parmesan cheese, crumbled ● ¼ lb. low fat Parmesan cheese, grated ● ¼ cup olive oil ● 1 tsp. salt ● 2 tsp. oregano ● 1 cup onion, minced ● ½ lb. low fat Ricotta cheese ● 2 cloves garlic, minced

December 28, 2022

Directions Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until browned. Add hamburger cook until browned. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, salt and oregano. Simmer preheat oven 350. Put a layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 13x9x2.5 inch baking dish, following with a layer of quinoa and a layer of cheese.

Repeat two more layers ending with sauce and extra Parmesan cheese on top. Bake about 35 minutes, Serves 6 Nutritional Info per serving ● Calories 599.4 ● Total fat 42 grams ● Cholesterol 93.5 mg ● Sodium 733.6 grams ● Total carbs 27.4 grams ● Dietary fiber 3.7 grams ● Protein 33.8 grams Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood. Her office is located in Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Rd. Learn about her practice at ww.nancyadlernutrition.com (609)653-4900. Nancy is the Recipient of the Best of The Press 2020, 2021, and 2022 Gold Award. You may listen to Nancy every Saturday at 11 am Nancy Adler Nutrition LIVE! NewsTalk 1400 WOND and 92.3 the station is fm

AXE THROWING Anyone can do it with friendly instructors to help.

(609) 246-7283 WESTECUNKAXE.COM BYOB. Adjacent to Little Water Distillery and The Seed Brewery.

BOOK NOW!

westecunkaxe@gmail.com 807 Baltic Ave, Unit C Atlantic City, NJ Free Secure Parking

NANCY ADLER NUTRITION 1201 New Rd. Suite 131. Cornerstone Executive Center.

Linwood, NJ 08221

Get Results with METABOLIC TESTING Regularly $170 Now $145 Advanced Metabolic Rate Testing. Only takes 10 minutes. Know How Many Calories You Burn at Rest. Personalized Nutritional Counseling. No More Struggling With Your Weight. 10% Discount Towards Nutritional Program with the Purchase of Metabolic Testing.

For a Personalized Weight Loss Consultation Call 609-653-4900 Today 37

Phillies, Eagles top an exciting year in local sports

By David Weinberg

H

appy New Year, everyone!

From lifeguard racing to the Eagles, from boxing to the Phillies, the local sports landscape was filled with fantastic performances by various teams and athletes.

From a personal perspective, it's been a pleasure to chronicle some of these achievements for you since joining Shore Local a few months ago.

I'm looking forward to bringing you more stories about the events and achievements that take place in 2023.

Before we look ahead, however, let's take a look back. Here's one opinion, in reverse order, of the top 10 local sports stories of 2022.

10. Margate ends Longport's reign: The Margate City Beach Patrol ended Longport's impressive winning streak by winning the team title at the

75th South Jersey Lifeguard Championships on Aug. 13.

Longport had won the previous five events. Chris Spiers led Margate with a victory in the singles row. Bob Bechtel and Chuck Gowdy placed second in the doubles row and Zac Vassar took second in the swim to give Margate its first South Jersey crown since 2014.

Brothers Sean and Rick Blair of Atlantic City won the doubles row while Avalon's Dolan Grisbaum earned a victory in the swim.

9. Surf's Up: Manager Jeff Ball and the South Jersey Surf won the South Jersey South Shore Baseball League championship by beating the manager Jim Kurtz and the Buena Blue Dawgs for the second straight year. Outfielder Monny Strickland led the Surf while pitcher/DH Denny Brady was Buena's top player. The league will get a boost in 2023 when the Margate Hurricanes join it after a long and successful run in the Atlantic County Baseball League.

8. Stockton reaches Sweet 16: Stockton University's men's basketball team enjoyed a fantastic season in 2021-22. The Ospreys, coached by Scott Bitner, advanced to the Sweet

16 of the NCAA Men's Division III tournament in Marietta, Ohio. Firstteam All-American and NJAC Player of the Year D.J. Campbell (Vineland) led the Ospreys, averaging 19.9 points per game. Kyion Flanders (Wildwood) was the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Ospreys are off to a 9-2 start this season.

7. Ask and ye shall receive: No New Jersey high school football player has ever caught more passes in one

season than Holy Spirit senior wide receiver Gavin Roman. The senior finished the year with 112 receptions, breaking the state record of 111 set by Butler's Mike O'Brien in 1997.

6. MAAC Attack: Saint Peter's University from Jersey City won the 2022 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, then embarked on an enthralling run in the NCAA Division I tournament. The Peacocks became the first-ever 15th seed to reach the Elite 8 before losing to powerful University of North Carolina. Fairfield won the women's MAAC tournament before losing to Texas in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The tournament returns to Boardwalk Hall in 2023 from March 7-11.

5. Buddy system: Buddy Kennedy (Millville) made his Major League debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks in late June and his first home run wound

Somers Point Chiropractic

HEALTH CENTER

Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions including:

• Neck/Back Sprains/Strains • Sciatica • Bulging/Herniated Discs • Degenerative Disc Disease • Piriformis Syndrome • Headaches/Migraines • SoftTissue Injuries • Injuries due to Motor Vehicle Accident

Dr.Pol Miranda, DC DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC • Gentle, low force chiropractic care

• ART (Active Release Technique) "Your Health, My Passion"

320 Shore Road, Somers Point · 609-653-8300 somerspointchiro.com 38

December 28, 2022

up being a grand slam. Kennedy became the sixth former Cape-Atlantic League player to reach the majors in the last 12 years, following Vineland's Darren Ford (Giants 2010), Millville's Mike Trout (Angels 2011), Lower Cape May Regional's Matt Szczur (Cubs 2014), Atlantic City's Brett Kennedy (Padres 2018), and Oakcrest's Cody Stashak (Twins 2019).

4. Boxing packs a punch: Atlantic City hosted its first world championship boxing match in two years on January 22 when Mark Magsayo upset Gary Russell, Jr. to win the WBC featherweight title at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. It was the first world title bout held in town since Claressa Shields won the women's WBC and World Boxing Organization welterweight belts by beating Ivana Habazin at Ocean Casino Resort on January 10, 2020. The last time a

men's championship fight had taken place in Atlantic City was November 24, 2018, when World Boxing Association light-heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol beat Jean Pascal at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

3. ShopRite Classic was a classic: The area's top local sports event - the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic - featured an exciting rally this year. Brooke Henderson rallied from four shots behind entering the final round to finish in a tie for first after 54 holes, then defeated Lindsey Weaver-Wright on the first playoff hole at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway Township to earn her 11th career LPGA Win. The tournament returns to Seaview in 2023 on March 5-11.

2. Eagles flying high: Coach Nick Sirianni has the Eagles in contention for another championship. The Birds

entered their Christmas Eve game at Dallas as the NFL's top team at 13-1 and they appeared on track to win the NFC East and earn the top seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs. Quarterback Jalen Hurts recently suffered a shoulder injury, but is still among the leading candidates for NFL MVP. Seven other Eagles were selected to the Pro Bowl.

1. Ring the bell: The Phillies turned Philadelphia into a baseball town again during a magical run through the postseason. The Phils entered the playoffs as a wildcard, but knocked off St. Louis, Atlanta and San Diego to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Whenever

the Phils needed a hero, someone emerged, capped by Bryce Harper's epic, eight-inning home run in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Padres.

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.

He can heard on 97.3 ESPN on Wednesday with Josh Hennig and on Newstalk 1400 and 92.3 WOND on Monday and Thursday as part of Off the Press with Scott Cronick.

SHORE SIM GOLF We Are Year Round Golf!

Always 70 & Sunny!

JERSEY LAWMAN

A Life on the Right Side of Crime

by Jim Plousis & George Ingram

“A good book for a good cause”

All proceeds benefit the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund

www.jerseylawman.com December 28, 2022

• INDOOR 4 BAY GOLF SIMULATION FACILITY POWERED BY TRACKMAN GOLF • INDOOR DRIVING RANGE • OVER 150 COURSES AND COUNTING Full Pro • PRIVATE AND GROUP LESSONS FROM Shop ONE OF OUR TWO PROS including PXG and TaylorMade clubs • JR GOLF PROGRAM for sale or rent • LEAGUES / TOURNAMENTS

28 INDIAN TRAIL ROAD UNIT #101 Cape May Court House

(609) 972-4725 WWW.SHORESIMGOLF.COM 39

Experience Pink Floyd like never before in their immersive light show

Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

W

hen you hear the name, “Pink Floyd,” several phrases come to mind. “Psychedelic,” “greatest band of all time,” and “legendary” are often up there. The band is undoubtedly one of the most iconic rock bands of the 1970s, with their music continuing to capture audiences of all ages.

They are credited with the formation of two major music movements – psychedelic space-rock and bluesbased progressive rock. Although those may be considered niche categories, their music seems to resonate with everyone in some way. They are known for a combination of powerful vocals, gritty lyrics, and mythical mu-

Over 50Years of Goodness

sical riffs. Although you won’t find the living members all performing together anymore, drummer Nick Mason and guitarist/vocalist David Gilmore, both of whom are well into their 70s, are still rocking in front of huge audiences internationally, sometimes together and sometimes solo. Past member, Roger Waters, is also still touring solo and turns 80 next year. They are the epitome of classic rock stars.

Pink Floyd’s most famous songs include rebellious masterclass, The Wall, and the more melodic and enchanting, Wish You Were Here. Seeing them live would have been an experience you would never forget. Although you won’t get the chance to see them all perform together live again, you can still experience what it would have been like at one of their gigs at The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City (777 Harrah's Blvd) on Saturday January 21.

This multimedia laser and light show features the recordings of all of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, carrying listeners away on a mind-expanding journey, with high-powered lasers, a large screen video projection, and

B.F.Mazzeo

Voted “Best Produce Store”

by The Press of Atlantic City

Largest Selection of Organic Produce • Carrots • Canned Tomatoes • Red & Green Peppers • Cucumbers • Lettuce • Squash • Beets • Kale • Leeks • Beets • Celery • Apples • Bananas • Cranberries • Grapes • Strawberries • Pears

Highest Quality Products

what your mind is ‘seeing’. That is why people love this show so much”.

The show is hugely popular with Pink Floyd fans, with many opting to experience it several times. “I have seen It before..last Sunday at the Barrymore! If not so soon, I’d definitely go again. What a fantastic show!” exclaimed one showgoer. “I grew up listening to them because my parents are huge fans of their music. They just have something that no rock band today has anymore. This show made me feel like I got to experience what it was like seeing them live when my parents were my age!” said Sebastian, aged 25.

The entire show lasts 2 hours and 5 minutes with a 20 minute interval between sets. There is no profane language or explicit references meaning the show is appropriate for all ages.

Pink Floyd’s music is timeless, with an ever growing fanbase including those who were teenagers in the 70s and teenagers of today. Tickets start at only $29.50 and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com. To make a night of it, Harrah’s have great rates for staying in their hotel, with rooms starting at only $39. You can find out more and make a reservation by visiting their website here: https:// www.caesars.com/harrahs-ac.

Dina Guzzardo is the Owner and Creative Director of Dina Productions Group. Dina Productions Group is an innovative event design and execution company that designs and executes all types of corporate and private parties and events. Obsessing over every detail is the reason why DPG is one of the most sought out event production companies in our area.

For more information visit www. dinaproductionsgroup.com

Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training, and Opportunity Center A 501(c)(3) Charitable Nonprofit Corporation

Prepared Foods, Fresh Baked Goods, Pasta, Cheeses and Groceries

Gift Baskets on For Every Occasi

B.F. Mazzeo 601 New Rd. Northfield | 609-641-6608 | www.bfmazzeo.com Open: Mon-Sat 7am-6pm | Sun 9am-4pm

40

cutting-edge effects. The show is designed to transport you through the sensations the band envisaged when writing their hugely successful albums.

The first half of the show is experienced through 3-D glasses and features music from the award-winning Dark Side of the Moon, which catapulted the band to commercial success and is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time. It features hits such as “Money” and “Us and Them” and is regarded as a concept album to document the troubles faced by the band during their arduous rock and roll lifestyle, while addressing the mental decline of their former bandmate and founding member, Syd Barrett. The second half of the show is viewed through prism glasses with audience members listening to The Wall, which features hits such as “Comfortably Numb” and “Is There Anybody Out There?”

Paramount produced the show, and the first Laser Spectacular was performed all the way back in 1986.

After more than 30 years of touring, it has become a cult classic, presenting the music of Pink Floyd like you have never seen before. You can expect 50,000 watts of concert quality sound with your senses confronted by an array of glowing visual effects.

“This show has become a rite of passage for the younger Floyd fans. You aren't rock certified unless you have experienced the Laser Spectacular” explains Paramount’s Producer, Steve Monistere. “You can imagine images when you listen to Pink Floyd's music, without any lighting effects at all. And there is still a show in your mind! Now imagine using lasers, lighting, video and other special effects to interpret

In the spirit of the season and to give back to the community that we're so proud to call home, we've donated $50,000 toward food distribution in Cape May County.

Assemblyman Antwan McClellan was on hand as we announced the donations to 25 food pantries. www.jerseycape.org • www.jerseycapetags.com

December 28, 2022

The Wyatt Strong Foundation collects and distributes 2,800 toys for kids in need

...When nothing else will do!!!

LaPizzatega

Restaurant & Pizzeria

Veal • Chicken • Seafood • Pizza • Pasta • Subs Salads • Party Trays • Gluten Free Pizza & Pasta

I

n honor of their precious little boy, Wyatt, Desiree and Rob Hopkins, of Somers Point, held their annual Blue Christmas Toy Drive. This year they collected and distributed a whopping 2,800 toys!

With 60 collection bins spread out all over South Jersey, the toy drive begins each year on Wyatt’s birthday, November 8 and continues into the second week of December. "Desiree then works very hard in the final days to count, separate, and organize everything based on toy type, age range, and where it’s going," shared Rob Hopkins.

"We want to thank everyone who donated toys, volunteered their time, and helped behind the scenes to make it all possible," added Rob. The toys were distributed to local children in foster care through CASA of Atlantic and Cape May County, more than 20 separate local families in need, Virtua Pediatric Mobile Services, and DuPont Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

The initiative began in memory of Wyatt Hopkins, a young boy who was loved by all who knew him. Wyatt passed away suddenly at the age of four. However, his legacy lives on through the Wyatt Strong Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded by his parents, Desiree and Rob Hopkins.

The organization has been bringing light into the community, helping others and spreading unconditional love.

You can learn more about the Wyatt Strong Foundation and its mission

December 28, 2022

by visiting www.OldSoulWyatt.org and Wyatt Strong Foundation on Facebook. Contact email: WyattStrong@yahoo.com

Serving Up Quality and Value for nearly 30 Years

Dining Room Fully Open Take Out - Delivery Catering For All Occasions

Linwood Greene Shopping Plaza 210 New Road (Rt 9), Linwood

653-8442

Are you READY TO BUY or SELL YOUR HOME NOW?

COMMISSIONS ROBERT SHAMBERG

AS LOW AS

2%

Owner, VP of Sales

Top 1% Producer = Excellent Full Time Service Continuous Multimillion Dollar Winner in Sales Selling at Top Dollar at Lowest Commission, Saving you Thousands of Dollars

Why Pay More

For The Same Service?

Call Today To List Your Property &

SAVE THOUSANDS! 609-335-5711 Cell

RobShamberg@comcast.net The Courtyard at Galloway 28 S. New York Rd (Route 9) Galloway NJ 08205 41

House House Cleaning Cleaning Services Services and and Power Power Washing Washing

www.oceancityclean.com

Five Healthy Meals to Support Your 2023 Wellness Resolutions

LONGPORT

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

www.oceancityclean.com

O

ver 95 percent of New Year's resolutions have to do with health and wellness . Whether CLEANING - POWERWASHING you want to start lifting weights, Fully Insured practicing meditation or lose a few pounds, we all hope to get a little more pep in our step in the upcoming year. An excellent way to boost our personal wellness is by eating whole foods and cooking at home more often.

The following recipes are warm, max value) comforting and easy to make. They utilize classic flavors and a balance of fresh veggies, whole grains and protein so you’ll feel revitalized after dinner. It’s all too easy to just eat bland salads and zucchini noodles when pursuing health goals, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five recipes, packed with flavor and nutrition,to kickstart your new year:

GIVE609-380-0131 THE GIFT OF CLEAN! 609-380-0131 LONGPORT

HOUSE PurchaseATLANTIC a discounted SERVING AND 609-380-0131 gift certificate of $100=$125 HOUSE CLEANING - POWERWASHING CAPE MAY COUNTIESValue Fully Insured Can be used for any type of cleaning - Power Washing, Windows, Grill Cleaning Fully Insured

($800 purchase per property = $1000

609-380-0131

SERVING ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES Fully Insured

Calabrian Chili Salmon with Rice and Broccolini

Ingredients: ● 1 and ½ pounds of salmon filet, skinon, bones removed ● 2 lemons ● ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil ● 2 ounces of brocolini, cleaned ● 1 cup of jasmine rice, rinsed ● 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar ● 1 cup of vegetable or fish broth ● 5 cloves of garlic, crushed ● 2 teaspoons of Calabrian chili paste ● 2 teaspoons of fish sauce ● 2 tablespoons of anchovy paste ● Salt ● Pepper Rinse rice and place into a large pot with broth and the juice of 1 lemon. Bring to a low simmer and cover, cooking until the liquid is absorbed, 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Placer salmon, skin-side down on a sheet pan, drizzling with the juice of the second lemon and adding salt and pepper.

Who is Your Designated Driver HERO? Pledge to be a HERO for your friends and family or to use a sober designated driver when going out.

Take the HERO Pledge to Never Drive Drunk @ HEROcampaign.org Receive a free digital HERO Membership Card.

42

info@HEROcampaign.org 609.626.3880

Headquartered at Stockton University

December 28, 2022

In a small bowl, whisk together chili paste, vinegar, and ⅛ cup of oil.

Pour over the salmon and bake for 15 minutes.

Baste the salmon with extra marinade and bake for another 8 minutes until pink and flaky.

Saute the broccolini over medium heat with fish sauce, anchovy paste, salt, pepper, and remaining olive oil, 5-6 minutes.

Serve in bowls with rice on the bottom, salmon and broccolini on top. Add extra lemon juice for additional flavor.

Falafel Gyros

Ingredients: ● 2 cups of canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed ● 1 cup of chopped parsley ● 1 cup of chopped cilantro ● 4 cloves of garlic, crushed ● 1 teaspoon of baking powder ● ⅓ cup of tahini ● 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt ● 2 lemons, juiced ● 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour ● 1 tablespoon of hot sauce ● 2 scallions, diced ● 6 pieces of large pita bread ● 3 tomatoes, finely diced ● 1 cup of microgreens ● Salt ● Pepper Use a food processor to blend chickpeas, flour, baking powder, cilan-

December 28, 2022

2 pounds of bay scallops 1 pound of large shrimp, deveined ● 15 small clams ● 2 cups of crabmeat ● 1 cup of fresh oregano ● 1 teaspoon of dried basil ● 1 teaspoon of dried cilantro ● 2 bay leaves Melt butter in a large stock pot over medium heat and add onion, oregano and garlic. Stir until fragrant and translucent, three minutes.

Add tomatoes, chicken broth, wine, water, basil, cilantro, and bay leaves.

Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes to develop flavor.

Add crabmeat, shrimp, clams and scallops. Cover and let cook for 5-7 minutes until seafood is pink. Turn off the heat and serve warm with crusty bread and wine. ● ●

tro, hot sauce, and salt. Pulse until a crumbly dough is formed.

Form the dough into 1-inch balls and place in the refrigerator on a covered sheet pan for one hour.

Whisk together yogurt, tahini, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic to create the sauce and set to the side.

Lightly sprinkle each ball with olive oil and carefully place into the air fryer.

Cook for 15 minutes at 375 until falafel is crispy and browned.

On each pita, spread a spoonful of tahini sauce with a scoop of tomato and microgreens. Add 3 falafel per pita. Enjoy!

West Coast Cioppino

Ingredients: 1 large onion, diced ● 2 sticks of unsalted butter ● 2 cans of stewed tomatoes ● 2 cups of dry white wine ● 1 cup of chicken stock ● 1 cup of water ●

Mushroom Pizzas

Ingredients: ● 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems and gills removed ● 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning ● ¼ cup of pizza sauce ● ¾ cup of grated mozzarella cheese ● 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced ● Salt ● Pepper Preheat the oven to 450° and sprinkle olive oil on a large sheet pan.

Assemble the pizzas by placing the mushroom round-side down, adding

pizza sauce, mozzarella, tomatoes, salt and pepper.

Sprinkle olive oil on each pizza and bake for 8-10 minutes. Top with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Escarole and White Bean Soup

Ingredients: ● 4 cups of unsalted chicken stock ● 1 large sweet onion, diced finely ● ½ cup of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese ● 3 garlic cloves, crushed ● 2 bay leaves ● 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ● 6 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil ● 1 pound of escarole, cleaned and chopped ● 2 teaspoons of salt ● 2 teaspoons of dry white wine ● 2 teaspoons of black pepper In a large soup pot, saute onion in 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic, 1 minute.

Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add chicken stock, white beans, escarole, bay leaves, salt and pepper.

Let stock reduce by ⅓, covering the soup and heating it on a low simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add Parmesan and olive oil and stir.

Serve with crusty bread.

43

Setting realistic fitness goals Shore Fit

By Bonnie Dodd-Miller

S

ometimes the hardest part of achieving your goals is being realistic. I truly believe this is one of the main reasons why New Year’s resolutions fail miserably.

Everyone wants to set the bar high, and there’s nothing wrong with that in the sense that you should want to strive to become the best you that you can be. However, it takes time.

You have to be consistent, long term.

Unfortunately, it’s not a quick process. Look at the reality that we live in. Everything is instant gratification these days. You want something, you order it and you either get it immediately or it’s there the very next day.

Fitness never worked like that and never will. Setting realistic goals in a time sensitive manner is the best approach to goal setting.

My first recommendation is to be specific. This may sound like common

sense, but you’d be surprised how many clients I meet who have a goal of “getting fit,” or “getting in shape.”

At the end of the day, statements like that mean absolutely nothing.

Setting a proper goal means first determining what the final product should be. People usually train to either build muscle, lose weight or burn fat. This can be achieved, but you need to hone in on one. The other two may follow suit and just be an added bonus.

So we’ve established that we would like to build muscle. I picked this one because it’s my current goal.

The next question is, “how much?”

It’s important that your goal has a numerical component to it. Like if it’s weight loss, then how much weight do you want to lose? This will make it easier to track your progress and hold yourself accountable.

A goal of adding 10 pounds of muscle is a good example of applying this concept. If your goal isn’t measurable, you’ll hardly be able to make and follow a program to attack it.

A goal has to be attainable as well and based on your body’s physiological boundaries. Any program promising a 20-pound weight loss in two weeks is not telling the truth.

It has to be sustainable and done the right way. Quick fixes do not work long term. On a similar note, not only do your goals need to be attainable, they also need to be realistic for your body’s physiology and your lifestyle.

The results you see will depend highly on your discipline in life. I listen to a podcast regularly and one of their favorite quotes is, “How you do something is how you do everything.”

That really resonated with me.

Think about it. If I don’t brush my teeth before bed, what will happen?

I’ll get cavities. If I don’t do my laundry, then I’ll never have clean clothes.

Same goes with fitness goals. If I don’t put in the work, then I won’t be able to reach my goals. You must do the necessary steps for the results

that you want to achieve.

Timing is important too.

It’s invaluable to realize that a goal should have a deadline.

The deadline also needs to be appropriate for the goal.

If your goal is to train hard for the next three months, and your desired goal is weight loss, then set a goal that suits that time frame such as 12 to 15 pounds.

Your goals will be reached if you realize that at the end of the day, consistency is the key.

What you see as far as results depends on what you put into it. This involves making the necessary lifestyle changes to improve your physique or health, a reality.

Take the time, figure out exactly what you want and write it out. Make it visible. Place it on your mirror in the bathroom or on your front door as you’re exiting as a strong reminder of what you’re working towards.

Bonnie Miller is certified fitness instructor at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and Atilis Gym in Galloway. She is a mom of three and resides Somers Point.

KITCHENS VANITY TOPS FIREPLACE SURROUNDS TILES FOR FLOORS & WALLS BACKSPLASH MARBLE CERAMIC TILE PAVERS Visit Our New Location 129 PHILADELPHIA AVENUE EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ

44

December 28, 2022

At Reich Asset Management, we help you have an enjoyable retirement. As your guide, we want to help you reach your goals and believe in building a long-term relationship that stands the test of time. Our commitment is to provide you with leading edge financial advice supported by a team and the systems to deliver consistently on that promise.

Your Enjoyable Retirement SolutionTM at the shore.

110 Roosevelt Blvd, Ste 2W • Marmora, NJ 08223 609-486-5073 • www.ReichAssetManagement.com

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

ACPD saves Christmas for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission

By Heidi Clayton

I

n 2015 when I was still an Atlantic City police officer, Ptl. Michael Gavin went on a domestic dispute call at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. A veteran officer at the time, he discovered only then that the mission housed homeless families with their children.

Many of the women who find themselves homeless are victims of domestic violence and are housed at the mission when they have nowhere else to turn. Being the Christmas season, Mike was sad to see the children there had very little in the way of anything, let alone presents.

He sent out a department-wide email asking for gifts for the kids and within hours, Christmas was delivered to those children who were truly

in need. Mike’s simple act of compassion started an Atlantic City Police Department tradition.

Every year since, Atlantic City Rescue Mission staff member Toni Jordan provides us with a wish list from the children living at or dependent upon the mission for housing or food.

Once the list is received, each unit in the Police Department sponsors a child and together, money is pooled and each and every gift on their lists is purchased. The moms of the ACPD always go the extra mile with stockings and extra treats just like they do for their own children.

My involvement post retirement stems from my last two years as a cop when Gov. Chris Christie drastically cut all our salaries. A few of the wishes on the lists were pricey things that all normal kids ask for like Ugg boots, laptops, and iPads.

One of my besties, Barbara Gutjahr, and I thought that as small

business owners we could raise extra funds by asking our clients to sponsor a child or gift. We also held our first Santa Paws fundraiser where we raised enough to purchase five laptops and two iPads. Since then we have created a non-profit charity specifically for providing Christmas for homeless families.

Our list this year consisted of six families that were struggling to keep their housing and had been in and out of the rescue mission. The families were spread out between three

towns and when asked to join in on delivery, the Pleasantville and Egg Harbor Township police departments gladly said yes.

On Dec. 22 despite the rain, a caravan of 15 police cars from Atlantic City, Pleasantville, and Egg Harbor Township assembled in the rear of the Public Safety Building and together with Santa Claus, went with lights and sirens to each child’s home to deliver their gifts.

It made me very happy to see not only the surprise on the faces of the children, but to see police officers I used to work with forget the weight of their often very stressful and difficult jobs and be legitimately happy.

The State of New Jersey has finally come to its senses and promoted James Sarkos to chief of the Atlantic City Police Department. I can’t think of anyone more deserving or capable for the position. He has never said no to any one of the requests for

WATCHE ALL THS GAME! HERE

46

December 28, 2022

manpower this event needs and our thanks to him is beyond measure.

For many years this event went on with little fanfare other than the police officers of the Atlantic City Police Department wanting to help those in need and giving back to the community. I am proud to still partner with the Police Department and commend the officers who donate their time and money to not just shop for the gifts, but to wrap them as if they are for their own children.

Chief Sarkos is equally proud of the men and women of the department who step up and volunteer their time and money to give back to the community and bring Christmas to these children who truly appreciate it and are so deserving of the holiday cheer.

Toni reported to me later that the children were overwhelmingly happy and she and the staff of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission are so very

grateful the ACPD holds this event every year.

The mission receives little to no funding from the state. They rely heavily on donations to care for not just the homeless families they help, but to feed the swelling population of homeless persons in the City of Atlantic City.

You can help them all year round with a donation by going to acrescuemission.org.

Heidi Clayton started Four on the Floor Dog Training as a result of her own struggle to find a positive and reward-based dog trainer in South Jersey. She breeds, trains, and shows her own bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloor.dog.

Heidi Clayton is a retired 25 year veteran of the Atlantic City Police Department. She started Four on the Floor Dog Training a result of her own struggle to find a positive & reward based dog trainer in the South Jersey area. She is passionate about giving every dog, even the difficult ones, a voice and the skills they need to thrive in life.

She breeds, trains, and shows her own Bull Terriers under the SoraBullys’s Kennel Name.

Personalized Service

Seasonal Items

MON-F RI 10AM7PM SAT & SUN 10AM5PM

10% OFF

S& BREAD FRESH IVE R IES AR PASTR AY D TUES EVERY

Coupon Cant̀ be combined with any other offers.

One coupon per customer per day.

Expires

December 28, 2022

1/31/22

47

Shoobies and Snowbirds

By Charles P. Eberson

Senior Moments

W

ith the flip of a calendar, it all changes.

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the hordes of Summer travelers descend on the communities near the water seeking the comforts that come with the change in seasons.

Some come for a short respite from the daily grind and uncomfortable weather conditions, while others make it their home for a few months.

Although they bring with them the promise of prosperity for local businesses, many true locals look upon them as an unwanted intrusion. Increased traffic, crowded restaurants, parking challenges and impatience demanding some degree of tolerance. People often vent their frustrations on their community Facebook Forums citing specific

displeasures they encounter.

Little did I know that come winter, I would be a member of a similarly maligned community. They have a name for us. No, it is not Shoobies, the uncomplimentary name associated with people from communities to the west of us. The name I am referring to is a “Snowbird.”

Yes, my wife and I have taken to visiting Florida periodically in the winter to escape the cold and found that we are now members of the very group we have to tolerate in our summer months at the shore; the seasonal tourist.

Unlike at home, where visitors from Cherry Hill, Marlton and similar regions can sneak in “under the radar” so to speak, since they still display New Jersey tags on their cars, in Florida our New Jersey tags scream “SNOWBIRD” so we must remind ourselves to drive and act accordingly.

Florida has some of the more liberal gun laws in the country so hanging out the passenger window up to my waist voicing my displeasure at other drivers is discouraged. My wife trying to be heard through the windshield is of less concern unless

the other driver can see her bared teeth in his rear-view mirror. Yes, driving in Florida is a competitive sport with many drivers thinking they are in a Grand Theft Auto game and others exhibiting various degrees of impairment.

I have taken additional measures to distance myself from the “Snowbird” moniker when heading to the downtown area. Favorite T-shirts from my local surf shops or sports teams identifying me as a tourist from out of state are replaced with golf or fishing shirts. Cargo pants and sneakers are replaced with Bermuda

shorts and loafers with no socks. I have even had to work on my New Jersey scowl to a more relaxed, semi baked expression characteristic of Florida natives.

These natives have never experienced the involuntary tensing of their muscles as an icy chill found its way through the chink in the armor of winter clothing to find its way right into their bones.

And just when I feel like I have managed to somewhat blend in with Floridians, it will be time to return home. It will be time to return to that Jersey Strong state of mind; that edge that has become synonymous with Jersey natives. I can drive my car proudly displaying my New Jersey tags without fear of reprisal. It’s good to be a local right up until I turn around and once again be that dreaded “Snowbird.”

Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson. fineartamerica.com

CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS Custom Made Draperies Pleated Shades & Wood Blinds

All Types Of Shades Pleated - Roman - Skylight - Sunroom

Comfertex Ovation

ShangriLa Shades

with Remote Control On Sale Now!

48

Car, Boat and Truck Interiors & Tops REUPHOLSTERY SERVICE

Custom Upholstery Center

420 S. New Rd. Pleasantville, (609) 641-1010

We Measure & Install

December 28, 2022

10 5 $

OFF OFF

Target/Petsmart Center 259

any purchase of $50 or more (excludes boots) Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items

any purchase of $25 or more (excludes boots) Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items.

Expires 2/28/23

Expires 2/28/23

• 609-926-0688 • (new store location next to West Marine)

We Shorten Pants for FREE

$

Why buy and sell a home in the winter?

Show Off Cozy Qualities

yourself putting up less of a fight for the home of your dreams.

Motivation

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

I

f you are thinking about buying or selling, take a closer look at why winter could be the perfect time.

Winter weather usually has everyone hiding indoors, anxiously waiting for the spring to start the home buying and selling process. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, don't wait. There are plenty of advantages to buying and selling during the winter season.

People who buy and sell in the winter are not typically looking to just get an idea; they know what they want. If people are taking the time to stage and hunt during this season, it usually

Get Loans Fast

Less Competition

Many people wait until the warmer months to get the ball rolling on house hunting and staging. This means that you are going to have a lot of competition. If you can tough out the cold, you may find

50

means they are serious and want to close before the competition rolls around in the spring.

With fewer people applying for loans because winter is a less competitive season, lenders are going to be less busy. Which is good news for those that do decide to buy and sell as you will get the undivided attention and service that you deserve.

Take advantage of the snow on the ground if you are selling. Show buyers distinct aspects of your home that may be more appealing during the winter like a fire pit, fireplace, insulated attic - anything to grab their attention.

Buying and or selling your home doesn't have to be long and arduous. Check buying and or selling your home off of your list of things to do this winter!

Wishing you and yours a very healthy and prosperous 2023. With hugs, love, and warm regards…

The quest of home ownership is quite an adventure. To discuss your specific needs and real estate goals, call or text Elisa Jo Eagan at 609703-0432 or visit TheRealEstateGodmother.com.

For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"

December 28, 2022

Estate Planning in a Changing Interest Rate Environment

By Eric Reich

T

his week I wanted to share an informative article provided by the Planning Group of our broker/dealer, Kestra Financial. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023!

When interest rates change, we rarely consider how those changes could impact an individual’s estate planning strategy.

Some strategies are more impactful when interest rates are relatively low, while others offer more benefits when interest rates are relatively high.

If your estate is nearing or exceeds the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, implementing one of the strategies below could potentially reduce the size of your taxable estate. Below, we outline strategies for both sides of the interest rate spectrum.

3 STRATEGIES FOR LOW-INTEREST RATES Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) A GRAT is an estate planning strategy that can help reduce your taxable estate by freezing a portion of your estate’s value today while transferring the appre-

ciation of those assets to beneficiaries, potentially mitigating estate and gift taxes.

As the GRAT’s grantor, you start by transferring assets into an irrevocable trust, and you must designate a trustee other than yourself. In return, the grantor receives annuity payments, at least annually, which are calculated and determined by the IRS’ Section 7520 rate, or hurdle rate.

If the trust is structured properly, any remaining assets will pass to your beneficiary’s estate gift tax-free at the end of the trust term.

Be cautious when setting up your GRAT and choosing a term. GRAT terms vary, although they are generally set anywhere from 2-10 years. If you pass away before your GRAT term ends, the value of the remaining assets, including earnings, will be included in your taxable estate.

Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) A CLT uniquely combines the two sides of a giving strategy. They allow you, as the donor, to support the charity of your choice during your lifetime while preserving assets for your beneficiary’s inheritance. Like a GRAT,

a CRT is an irrevocable trust that can carry the same risks as well as set up and administration costs. The primary difference between a CLT and GRAT is that instead of receiving the annuity payments yourself, you’re paying it to a charity. The remaining assets will pass to your chosen beneficiaries at the end of the trust’s term.

CLTs can be set up in two ways: As a grantor CLT or non-grantor CLT. A grantor CLT treats the donor as the owner of the assets for income tax purposes. This allows the owner to take a charitable tax deduction in the year the trust is funded equal to the current market value of the transferred assets.

As the grantor, you are also responsible for paying income tax on trust income during the term. Because of this, grantor CLTs are generally more appropriate for income-tax planning rather than estate-tax planning.

A non-grantor CLT treats the trust as the owner of the assets, allowing it to take an unlimited charitable tax deduction over its term. Although you, as the grantor, do not receive a charitable tax deduction for the transferred assets, you are not liable for any taxes during the

term, nor is the remainder beneficiary liable for future taxes on the trust assets’ appreciation.

The IRS requires actuarial tables to determine the present value of the charitable annuity for tax purposes. The law requires that you apply an interest rate equal to the IRS’ Section 7520 rate at the time of the CLT’s creation. The lower the Section 7520 rate, the larger the value of the annuity—and the smaller the value of the remainder interest for gift-tax purposes.

Intrafamily Loans An intrafamily loan can be a practical strategy to transfer the earnings on wealth to other family members without reducing the lender’s lifetime exemption.

When making an intrafamily loan, you’re required to charge a minimum interest rate based on the term of the loan, known as the Applicable Federal Rate (AFR). The borrower can use these loans to buy real estate, pay down high-interest debt, or invest in a business. If the borrower purchases assets that yield a higher rate of return than the loan interest rate, those gains are effectively transferred to them without impacting the lender’s lifetime exemption.

MINNETONKA MOCCASINS BOOTS & HATS Lots to Discover, including: Jewelry - Artifacts Pottery - Belts Crystals - Stones Animal Skulls American West Handbags In memory of "Coach"

Richard Luttrell Come Visit Us in Historic Smithville (in the train station) Rt 9 (609)748-8900

Open 10am-7pm Mon. thru Thursday Fri. & Sat. 10am-9pm Sun. 11am-7pm 52

December 28, 2022

Intrafamily loans are a nuanced planning strategy that can have potential tax repercussions if not executed correctly.

If you want to implement an intrafamily loan, consult with a legal and tax advisor to ensure the transaction follows the IRS guidelines as a loan rather than a gift.

2 STRATEGIES FOR HIGH-INTEREST RATES Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) CRAT mirrors a CLT. With a CRAT, you, the donor, place assets in a charitable trust with the annuity payments paid to a chosen beneficiary for a term of years or a lifetime. At the end of the term, any remaining assets are distributed to the qualifying charity of your choice.

A benefit of the CRAT is its tax-exempt status. It is not subject to income tax a t the trust level, so it is beneficial to fund the trust with a low basis or highly appreciated assets. Once the appreciated assets are in the trust, the trustee can sell the assets and reinvest them in a diversified portfolio.

The value of the annuity payment made to the non-charitable beneficiary is calculated as a fixed percentage of the initial value of the trust’s assets, no less than 5%. The value of the remainder interest is calculated at the time of the trust’s creation, and the donor receives an income tax charitable deduction. The value of the remainder (the amount going to the charity) must meet a minimum threshold to pass IRS requirements.

When the IRS Section 7520 rate is higher, the value of the charitable interest is higher, and the more likely the trust will pass IRS review.

Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) QPRT allows a homeowner to remove their personal residence from their estate by transferring the ownership to a trust. The homeowner retains the right to use the home for a specific term, but at the end of the term, the home is passed to the beneficiary of the trust.

The transfer of the home to the QPRT is treated as a taxable gift of the

remainder interest calculated using the IRS Section 7520 rate. The value of the gift is reduced by the value of the grantor’s retained interest at the time the transfer was made. The higher the interest rate, the lower the value of that gift, and the less estate and gift tax is consumed when funding the QPRT. These concepts outlined are complex.

Work with a financial planner, estate planning attorney, and tax professional who understand all the implications of implementing these strategies, in addition to state and federal law. Revisiting these strategies is vital as law and tax implications change over time.

WM-10949-22 | ACR# 5352734 | Copyright © 2022. Kestra Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC (Kestra PWS), Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS) and Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Securities offered through registered representatives of Kestra IS. Investment advisory services may be offered through appropriately licensed representatives of Kestra AS or Kestra PWS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide legal or tax advice. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax adviser with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. A lifelong resident of Cape May County, Eric resides in Seaville, NJ with his wife Chrissy and their sons ,CJ and Cooper, and daughter Riley.

Indoor Dining, Take Out and Delivery 34

34

DISCOVER

Amazing Mexican Food Locals are Raving About!

Tacos - Burritos Quesadillas

Corn & Flour Tortillas Fresh Beef - Steak Chicken - Pulled Pork Short Rib – Tuna Mahi Mahi - Shrimp Vegan Grilled, Fried, Street Style Rice Bowls – Nachos Soups - Kids Items Shoprite Plaza, 4 West Roosevelt Blvd. Marmora

CALL 609-624-9322

(609)938-2419

Order Online! Lasolastaquerianj.com Open Tue, Wed, Thurs 11:30 am - 7:30 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am - 8:00 pm Closed Sun & Mon.

December 28, 2022

53

The need to become intentional Buy $25 get 1 Range Token Buy $50 get an extra $5 Buy $100 get an extra $10 We Carry New & Used Clubs for Every Budget

FREE CLUB FITTING with purchase of Iron Set ($30 value)

Jeff's Journal

By Jeff Whitaker

I

don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to believe we are on the verge of a new year once again. We have hit the point where daylight will get later and later.

That is cause for excitement, in my opinion. I think there is something to the notion that the older you get, the faster time seems to go. However, we know that can’t literally be the case.

So, what makes us think that time is going faster?

There’s nothing scientific about this, but I think it’s because we fill our days with jammed packed hours and pre-committed minutes. There is very little or next to no intentionality about how we carve out our time.

Let’s face it, for most of us, someone else sets our agenda and determines how we spend our time each day, whether at work or otherwise (if we let them).

I always feel like it’s Monday.

Then, the next time I turn around, it’s Monday again. As a kid, I thought Christmas Day would never come.

Nowadays, it seems like Thanksgiving was yesterday, and summer ended just last week.

So, what’s my point? In 2023, we all need to take better control of our

lives. I want to urge you to try some things which might make time slow down a bit. Personally, I’m learning (and have to remind myself often) that the best way to slow down this hectic pace is to live each day with intentionality. If I’m to make the most of each day, then I need to get better at planning, goal-setting and intentionally living. It’s kind of like taking a road trip. If I just got in the car and started driving without knowing where I wanted to end up, then I would probably just drive aimlessly around in circles.

As you and I welcome 2023, we must make a deliberate effort to live each day with intentionality. Live each day on purpose. Otherwise, one week will turn into the next and the next, and then life will pass us by. I suggest you consider incorporating a structured plan into your life. Plan out what you want to accomplish by this time next year, and then map out a dayby-day intentional plan to help you get there. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. It just has to work for you. Here’s to a productive and intentional 2023. Happy New Year!

Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com

Elisa Jo Eagan

I Love Refe�als!

GOLF RANGE

I Love �rst-Time Buyers!

"There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home"

54

I'd Love � Help Sell � �nd Your Home!

TheRealEstateGodmother.com For Everything Real Estate

December 28, 2022

Largest IMAX Screen in NJ

Leather Reclining Seats 331 Tilton Rd. Northfield (609) 830-3566 Dec. / Jan.

For Updated Movie Listings, go to www.Squaretheaters.com or Scan with your Phone

1/13, 14, 15 Ventnor All tickets $6

Newly Renovated 5211 Ventnor Ave. (609) 830-3566 Dec. / Jan.

Updated Movie Listings at www.Squaretheaters.com

Info on Each Movie and Updated Schedules at www.Squaretheaters.com

Shore Local Trivia Test Your Local Knowledge

WHERE LOVE MEETS LUXURY

2. Pleasantville legend Max Manning was a: a) Boxer b) Baseball Player c) Singer d) Football Player

Sandals® is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts. 7619/0922

Top Baby Names of 2022

56

S Y T J H U Q F H O P M S T U I X C R B

N D R X A U T A M M U T N W Y D V A Z B

D H N I E F R J C A T J W D R E V E P I

K A M J E L I A M T J L M K E A F O L C

W O R M O V I V I E Q N L Y V L Z M V S

J N I T Q M E D Z O X U R O I D I G W N

X J T V Z M S L W E N E R Y L Q V J T Q

V E U I B V Z P Y A M T V A O N G M A R

M S O P H I A A J N F W K S A C U L M H

S H A D M V S Q A S V E D H I P L L E I

J Y C Y C Y F K M F B N K E I X O E L Y

Y Q J A I S A B E L L A K R I R Y O I U

A I V I L O O M S I A L Z E M M A L A Q

OLIVIA LIAM EMMA NOAH AMELIA OLIVER AVA ELIJAH SOPHIA MATEO ISABELLA LUCAS LUNA LEVI MIA ASHER CHARLOTTE JAMES EVELYN LEO

6. What was name of the low bridge that ran parallel to the Parkway bridge that connected Atlantic and Cape May County? a) Great Egg Harbor Bridge b) Cape Atlantic Bridge c) Somers Point Bridge d) Beesley’s Point Bridge

3. What band/artist that played Atlantic City has sold the most concert tickets over the years? a) Frank Sinatra b) The Rolling Stones c) Jimmy Buffett d) Bruce Springsteen

7. Oceanville is a part of this township on the mainland. a) Egg Harbor Twp. b) Upper Twp. c) Galloway Twp. d) Hamilton Twp.

Answers to Trivia Puzzle:

SusanBerman@BermanTravel.com

5. How many covered bridges (or replicas) can be found in Atlantic County? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) None

5. B. Two. A replica covered bridge in Birch Grove Park, Northfield and Smithville.

6. D. The Beesley’s Point Bridge is now gone.

7. C. Oceanville is just south of Smithville in Galloway Township.

(609) 345-2129

4. This town is named after the mythical town in the Legend of King Arthur. a) Avalon b) Margate c) Brigantine d) Ventnor

1. C. Sindia. It actually ran aground.

2. B. He was a pitcher with the Newark Eagles.

3. B. The Rolling Stones’ have played concerts for over 50 years.

4. C. The mythical King Arthur was believed to be buried in Avalon, England.

Call Susan Berman at

G E X L H I A Y M C L R G F B P R N P A

1. What is the name sunken ship with its remains just off the beach in Ocean City? The mast was long visible from the boardwalk. a) SS Minnow b) Mayflower c) Sindia d) Titantic

SHORE FUNNY What do you get if you cross a snowman and a witch?

A cold spell What happens when a baby snowman has a temper tantrum?

He has a meltdown.

What kind of cycle can you ride in the snow?

An Ice-Cycle.

Why was the snowman rummaging in the bag of carrots?

He was picking his nose.

What did the snowman and his wife put over their baby’s crib?

A snowmobile

December 28, 2022

OPEN FROM 11AM CLOSED MONDAY

609-645-0500

THEME: YEAR IN REVIEW

SUDOKU Solution on page 58

December 28, 2022

ACROSS 1. Coalition of countries 5. King trump-er, sometimes 8. Cuckoo bird 11. ____ weevil 12. Smelting waste 13. Kitchen-wear 15. Coke or Pepsi 16. Check-in via text, email, etc.

17. Settler transport 18. *2021 Super Bowl winner, two words 20. Before long, to Shakespeare 21. Jeopardy 22. Auction action 23. Puts down 26. Coroner's performance 30. Band booking 31. Snicket of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" 34. Stravinsky's "The ____ of Spring" 35. Mine passages 37. *Build Back Better ____ 38. Eucharist plate 39. Table hill 40. Good review 42. "Tit for ____" 43. Buck feature, pl.

45. *First female VP 47. Evergreen creeper 48. It goes with gin, according to Snoop Dogg 50. Mongolian desert 52. *COVID-19, e.g.

55. Poison ivy or Poison oak 56. International Civil Aviation Org. 57. Distinctive smell 59. House coat 60. Asian cuisine food thickener 61. Pelvic parts 62. Gallery display 63. Self-proclaimed greatest boxer 64. Count on

DOWN 1. "Monty Python" broadcaster 2. Rioter's take 3. Cantina pot 4. Fasteners or holders 5. Cover story 6. *Suez ____, too tight for Ever Given 7. Like custard 8. Mythological ship 9. "High" time 10. Wayside stop 12. Thinly spread 13. Look forward to 14. *____ Papers, leaked offshore account information 19. Banana refuse, pl.

22. Exchange for money 23. Old World lizard 24. *January 20th honoree 25. Anti-elderly one 26. Those not in favor 27. Pita, alt. sp.

28. Take without asking 29. Gossiper, Yiddish 32. *Perseverance landing spot 33. Edible tuber 36. *Kabul's organization in power 38. *The Nobel ____ Prize was awarded to Ressa and Muratov 40. Snoop around 41. Snowmobile brand 44. Give the boot 46. *"Stronger" by Cindy McCain, e.g.

48. Southwestern hut 49. Sushi restaurant staple 50. ____ gum, food additive 51. Leave out 52. Home to the Leaning Tower 53. Not in use 54. One in mattress 55. Spot for a facial 58. *Actor Liotta, star in "The Many Saints of Newark" See Solution on Page 58

57

SHORE PRO MARKETPLACE Let Progressive Help You!

• Fencing • Railing • Decking • Gates • Pergolas • Arbors • Roofing • Siding

• Windows • Trim Boards • Column Wraps • Awnings !

• Sheds & More • Play-Sets • Outdoor Showers • Trash Enclosures

609-449-8079

www.ProgressiveFenceAndRail.com NJ Loc#: 13VH07478800

January at the Shore makes us shiver, but live music will deliver

Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

E

Landing and Hammonton. I started booking my own events in 2019, the first one called Punk for Pets, benefiting a local cat rescue. It’s all about working together to create the bigger picture.” Tickets are $15. 247 S. New York Ave. (609) 808-4990.

Lizzie Rose Rocks is one of the coolest live music venues in the area, located in Tuckerton. Lou Reichert has worked tirelessly for years to bring high-quality original acts to the small-but-mighty venue. On Jan.

mma Sanborn Presents is doing a cool show at the Anchor in Atlantic City on Jan. 20. In Emma’s own words,“This show is a mixed metal bill consisting of five bands throughout the NJ region. From death metal to metalcore to post hardcore, all these bands have a little something different about them to bring to the table. The lineup is Sunburner (Tabernacle, NJ), Float Omen (Toms River, NJ), 9 Dead (Atlantic County), Papier-Mâché (Atlantic County), and Plead The Widow's Cause NJ metal group 9 Dead headlines a five-band (South Jersey). show at Anchor Rock Club January 20.

Sanborn, who moved to our area from Arizona, and her contem7, singer, songwriter and multi-inporaries Tina Marie Notaro and Maristrumentalist, Eliot Lewis visits the beth, are three movers-and-shakers in ‘Rose. Lewis has toured all over the the original music scene here, making world as a member of the Daryl Hall things happen with great shows, maand John Oates band, as well as a key ny on virtually a monthly basis. If you member of longtime Scottish funk think that’s easy, think again. “I moved outfit, The Average White Band. Then to New Jersey in 2013 and very quickly on Jan. 13, legendary rock drummer found the local scene,” says Sanborn, Carmine Appice will share tales of “primarily going to events in Mays Hollywood and beyond from all his

Solutions to pages 57 puzzles. Check yourself!

58

December 28, 2022

The Premier Window, Roofing & Siding Company In Atlantic & Cape May County years in the music business, as part of the Lizzie Rose Storyteller Series.

Appice is repeatedly included on Top Drummers of All Time lists, including those by Rolling Stone and Modern Drummer magazines. He’s drummed with, among others, Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Cactus, and of course, Beck Bogart & Appice, and is widely credited as an influence on top rock drummers including Led Zeppelin's John Bonham and Queen’s Roger Taylor. 217 E. Main. www.lizzierosemusic.com (908) 310-2491.

This from indefatigable AC promoter Stephen Weiss: “Here's your Christmas Day Miracle. NorStep hosts fifteen amazing bands for our new friends at Bamboozle Festival, at one of our new homes, (Upstairs at) Kaycee Ray’s Sports Bar and Pub. Check out all the bands, then meet us in Vineland on Jan. 8 for the Bamboozle Break Contest!” $15. 830 E. Landis Avenue. (856) 839-0902. Bamboozle Festival will be May 5-7 at Bader Field in Atlantic City.

If you had your local radio dial tuned to 91.7 WLFR last week, and were lucky, you hopefully caught some or all of Bob’s yearly, epic “Christmas Chaos” show. “December marks the 37th Anniversary of my Christmas Chaos radio show. I kept the name going through the years,” Portella told us recently. “Back then, before ‘Transmission,’ my show was called FM Chaos. I usually say that ‘Christmas Chaos’ is a different look at the holidays, the sound of things not always going quite right. A dysfunctional marathon of holiday music, haha. Obviously, the focus has always been on indie and alternative music, but I also play jazz, instrumental, ambient electronic, folk, hip-hop, soul, country, occasionally some metal, and maybe some world music.” The really good news is, Bob will be doing a New Year’s Eve Christmas Chaos show on December 31. For the record (pun intended), he’s as music knowledgeable as anyone you’ll likely to meet and a really good guy to boot. Tune in to Bob’s NYE show here: https:// stockton.edu/wlfr/index.html.

Get ready for a special treat when jazzy ska-swing rockers Cherry

December 28, 2022

Poppin’ Daddies visit Anchor Rock Club on January 13. “I started the band after having been in a number of punk and psychedelic style bands previously. The DIY ethos of punk initially informed my aesthetic, so I really liked music with energy that made people move,” said CPD’s co-founder, guitarist/vocalist Steve Perry, recently by email. The septet, formed in Eugene, Oregon, are widely known for their impossible-not-todance-to 1997 hit, “Zoot Suit Riot,” which launched the CPD’s to star status. Their eleventh album, the punk and ska-influenced Bigger Life, was released in June 2019. Not to be missed! Backyard Superheroes open. $25. www.anchorrockclub.com/.

Who knew legendary comedian Robert Klein could sing so well, much less play the harp like Kim Wilson?

Well, not quite as good as The Fabulous Thunderbirds front-man, but well enough – especially on “They’re Playing Our Song,” for which he earned a Tony Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical Nomination’ for his performance in Neil Simon's musical comedy of the same name, as well as several other well-performed musical numbers. Klein delighted a full house with his worldly views and stories at the JCC in Margate Christmas night.

Have a fun, safe New Year’s Eve and maybe I will see some of you at the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day in Brigantine, with the Billy Walton Band performing 12:30pm4:30pm, at the Polar Bear Plunge After-Party at the Brigantine Elks.

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail . com and www.facebook.com/ dougdeutschpublicity.

Your Home Deserves The Best

Owens Corning Roof Shingles Exceptional Performance In High Wind To Protect Your Shore Home.

Great Looks with Lasting Duration Shingles and SureNail Technology.

Simonton Windows Great Looks & Energy Efficient Awarded Best Window by JD Power

Honest, Up-Front Pricing & Top Quality Work

By Dedicated Crew.

The Sign of a Smart Homeowner

Windows Installed

By In-House Professionals

A & C WINDOWS, ROOFING & SIDING

609-601-2601 www.acwindowsandroofing.com

Lic# 13V05099400

59