So many stories in the neighborhood! I thought this was supposed to be a slow news week.
The Press of AC’s Nicole Leonard has two great feats of journalism: One on the recent spike in methamphetamine in South Jersey, often overlooked because of opioids. The other is a profile of the drug court and Judge Sandson.
Meanwhile, the Root Beer Barrel in Brigantine is closing for good after Labor Day and the incomparable Kevin Riordan has a profile on the shop John Garbries opened in 1974.
“I was 18. The summer ended and I had $1,500 saved from busboying at the Lagoon Restaurant.”
Tall Mel Taylor at AC Primetime asks a pair of questions on many people’s minds: Why are there so many insane, loud, overlapping ads on the AC Boardwalk and why can’t you see the ocean?
“Is Atlantic City trying to create an uncomfortable environment? Maybe it’s all designed to push you into the casinos?”
Longtime resident Sonny Ireland, of the Boardwalk Committee, is considering ways to push back.
Elsewhere in Acoustic Pollution, the artist known as “Paul Flart” who farted his way to viral fame and a write up in VICE is actually a 31-year-old from Cumberland County, Cat Country reports. God bless us, every one.
Marcus Samuelsson – the Most Interesting Chef in the World – tells NJ Monthly why he decided to open a restaurant in Newark. Atlantic City’s kind of like Newark, but we have nicer beaches.
Lastly, Atlantic City got a new piece of signage, out on West End Avenue. I think it’s very evocative. History and all that. You can check it out on Councilman Jesse Kurtz’s Instagram page here. (Full disclosure: I still don’t understand Instagram.)
For more feats of journalism from across your region, do see below:
Pickleball craze spreads to Ventnor–The pickle ball craze has spread to Ventnor. After installing two pickle ball courts at the Suffolk Avenue recreation area earlier this summer, Ventnor Recreation will sponsor its very first Pickleball Tournament Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. www.downbeach.com
Marcus Samuelsson: Why I Chose Newark–Growing up in Sweden, what I knew about Newark was Whitney Houston and hip-hop. njmonthly.com
VIC’S SUBS COVER STORY: HAVING FUN HELPED NORTHFIELD BECOME ACBL CHAMPION–You know who gets told that winning or losing doesn’t matter, and the most important thing on a baseball field is having fun? Kids in tee-ball. The last time most college ballplayers heard that from a coach their pants drooped onto their shoes and their batting gloves were two sizes too big. glorydaysonline.com
Miss N.J. made the gym her temple. Then Miss America torched swimsuits and sparked a pageant holy war–A sign outside a liquor store in Wildwood cheers a local's recent win at the Miss New Jersey pageant. www.nj.com
100 people turn out for rally in support of rebuilding Margate Boardwalk–About 100 people turned out Sunday evening in front of Lucy the Elephant Sunday for a rally encouraging the city commissioners to pursue rebuilding the city’s boardwalk. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Attorney General, County Prosecutor Appear At Pemberton Addiction Forum To Announce Expansion Of “Straight… To Treatment” Program–The “unprecedented” nature of the deadly opioid crisis, and the expansion of a program designed to rescue those who have become caught up in its resulting spiral of addiction, were stressed by top law enforcement officials for both New Jersey and Burlington County at an Aug. 15 forum held at Friendship AME Church in Browns Mills. pinebarrenstribune.com