The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce Annual Carousel Awards was a tribute to the city’s most gregarious and recognizable faces and to those who shy away from the spotlight but work equally as hard. Held Friday at The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, hundreds gathered to honor a judge, VFW commander, a veteran police detective, editor, business […]

At 25, David Ross Lawn of Ocean Grove has achieved musical composition accomplishments that are rare for anyone in his age bracket. The Scotland native recently obtained a master’s degree from Princeton’s Westminster Choir College and has traveled the nation, working with Grammy-nominated Williamson Voices, the Jubilee Singers, and choral commissions in Kansas City and […]

Asbury Park Board of Education newcomers Joe Grillo and Eric Pinkney were sworn into office Thursday night alongside incumbent Carol Jones. The trio were the top vote-getters in the April 25 election. The school district’s governing body unanimously reappointed Angela Ahbez-Anderson as board president and appointed Sheila Etienne as its vice president. Outgoing Board member […]

There’s no worry about the day’s rainy forecast – the Fifth Annual Pugapalooza weekend in Asbury Park sets off indoors at 5 p.m. Friday with a meet and greet at Dark City Brewing Co, located at 1001 Main St. But a close watch on the weather will remain to ensure the Saturday and Sunday outdoor […]

What would you do for a one-on-one collaboration with Quincy Mumford or Deal Casino’s Joe Parella? For 13-year-old Juels Acevedo of Eatontown, it was simply a matter of wanting to learn how to play the guitar. Drawn to the 1950s sound, Juels wanted to emulate the musical style. His parents bought him a guitar for […]

Neptune Township Superintendent Tami Crader issued a formal statement via the school district’s website Thursday addressing the social media post involving students standing before a wall graffitied with a racial slur and anti-Semitic symbol. While Crader could not be reached for comment at the time of this posting, her letter states that she and the […]

A Charity Challenge was elevated Thursday morning when Interfaith Neighbors announced a one-day fundraising initiative in support of Kula Cafe, located at 1201 Springwood Ave. Executive Director Joe Marmora announced OceanFirst Foundation will sponsor the Bonus Challenge, running through 5 p.m. only. Kula Cafe opened its doors in April 2013. Since then, a host of […]

Prom season is on its way and with it comes the Fifth Annual Pink Prom event at Hotel Tides on Seventh Avenue. “Living in the gay scene of Asbury Park, the prom holds such a special meaning for me,” founder Eric Pinckney said. “I look forward to it every year.” This year’s event will occur […]

A Toms River woman was arrested Tuesday night for prostitution and drug possession, according to a news release from the Ocean Township Police Department. Marina Sviridenko, 28, was charged with possession of cocaine and engaging in prostitution, officials said. Sviridenko was stopped near 7:09 p.m. in the area of Allen Avenue. An investigation also found […]

The Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation [JOCEF] on Monday awarded $32,500 in scholarships to eight students at the Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park. “This scholarship means that I can finish school,” said a surprised Meghan Trivett of Highlands who received $15,000. “I talked with my dad the other day and he said he didn’t […]