In case you don’t know it, I hate the cold. I like spring and fall. It’s only October and I’ve already had to use the car window defroster! I could really go for one of those Outer Banks beach rentals right about now. The average temperature in that part of North Carolina is 70 degrees, something I could definitely appreciate since our average in October is probably about 55 degrees. We’ve already had tempsjust under 40 this year. What’s the averge temperature for October where you live?

One of the popular activitites here at the Jersey shore is baseball. Little League is very popular around here. Adults even have leagues. And the state of New Jersey is within driving distance of two major baseball markets – New York and Philadelphia. With baseball season just beginning and the new Yankee Stadium now open the stadium has been getting lots of press. I’m hearing that people want to buy New York Yankees tickets now more than ever just to get a look.  Many things are different about the new rendition of the stadium but according to the team website the field size remained the same. If you’re going to be in the tri-state area in the near future add Yankee Stadium on your list of things to see.

It was about a year ago that as part of a celebration for my Dad a large group of us took a day trip to the Statue of Liberty. The weather that day was cold and rainy, at times it was torrential. Nevertheless, my son TJ and I persevered and explored the island and the statue. The Statue of Liberty cam provides a terrific shot of Lady Liberty. If you’ve never been there it’s a must see if you’re in the area. Just looking at the picture on the webcam is inspiring for me.

Well, my little portion of New Jersey got a lot of snow last Sunday – more than one foot! School was closed for two days. Snowmen could be seen in many yards, as could children playing and adults shoveling. I found a webcam called the Snowman Cam, which is located in Gaylord, Michigan. This webcam has won awards because it’s so unique and interesting.

If you’re planning to drive through New Jersey you should bring more money with you. As of December 1, 2008 the tolls on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike have been increased again. On the Turnpike, the toll for the average 22-mile trip will rise from $1.25 to $1.70. On the Parkway, tolls on the parkway will increase by 15 cents and tolls for on and off ramps will increase by 10 cents. Many people like myself already avoid toll roads when possible, using roads and highways like 18, 9, 35, 1 and 295. This will only increase the likelihood that we continue to do so.

This week’s a bit closer to home. This week’s webcam is at the Absecon Lighthouse, located right here in New Jersey. The lighthouse is in Atlantic City, about an hour south of me. (I’ll be going to Atlantic City for a concert later this month.) It’s the tallest in the state and the third tallest in the country. The view from there is breathtaking on a clear, sunny day. If you’re planning a trip to the Atlantic City area you should definitely include this as one of your stops.

Seaside Heights is a community sitting on the Atlantic Ocean and the Barnegat Bay and is aobut fifteen minutes from my home. They’re having free movies on the beach this summer. Two special movie events are also planned. Here’s the schedule, copied from the Seaside Heights PR blog.

07/11 -  Back-to-back triple feature Amityville Film Festival, featuring all 3
franchise movies filmed in Toms River: The Amityville Horror, Amityville II: The Possession, and Amityville 3-D The Demon. Raindate Sunday July 13th.

08/16 – Madonna Birthday Party and Film Festival. At 6:30pm cake and refreshments will be served in honor of Madonna’s fiftieth birthday. A special triple feature of Madonna films including Desperately Seeking Susan, Evita and Swept Away will follow. A Madonna look alike contest will be held. In case of inclement weather events will be moved into the Seaside Heights Community Center.

Children friendly nights (Thursdays)
07/17: Muppet Movie
07/24: E.T.
07/31: Uncle Buck
08/07: Annie
08/14: Bee Movie
08/21: Harry Potter #1
08/28: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Kids over 13 night (Sundays):
07/20: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
07/27: Talledega Nights
08/03: Jaws
08/10: Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
08/17: Grease
08/24: Apollo 13
08/31: Gone With The Wind

All movies start at dusk at the Hiering Avenue beach. If weather interferes the movie will be rescheduled to a different night as soon as possible if it’s possible to reschedule. Check the Seaside Heights PR blog for updates.

If you’re a gambler and live in New Jersey you’ll be glad to hear this news. Law was passed yesterday that states casinos and racetracks will not be forced to close if the state government ever has a shutdown as it did in 2006. In 2006 a state government shutdown forced casinos to close for three days, which caused the casinos an estimated loss of about $55 million. The law now allows casinos to regulate themselves on a temporary basis if state inspectors are not available. State inspectors are not considered essential personnel so they don’t work during a government shutdown. Under the new law if certain laws are broken the governor could order the casino to close and fines of up to 10 times the normal amount would be issued.

The soap, or daytime drama if you prefer, One Life To Live spent some time in April filming not fifteen minutes from my house in Seaside Heights. If you happen to watch One Life To Live (and I do) and were watching Friday or today, the scenes filmed here include the characters Starr and Cole, as well as Jon, Talia and Antonio. Yes it looks just like that. Yes I’ve been to those spots. I should do an article on Seaside, there’s an idea. I’m including a YouTube clip of some of the setup and shooting from when they were here.

As of 03/01/08 The speed limit on the Garden State Parkway in Ocean and Monmouth counties between mile markers 80 and 100 has been reduced from 65 to 55 miles per hour. This is being done as part of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s Safety Program. Part of the reason this area has been selected is because there have been twelve fatalities in that twenty mile stretch in five years. Police have announced they will be enforcing and ticketing drivers who break the law.

I can also say police were out in full force up and down the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike yesterday, presumably looking to enforce the new hands free cell phone law as well as that new speed limit in the Ocean-Monmouth county area. If you’re planning on driving through New Jersey be aware of these two new laws.