Asbury Park, NJ: A Great Place To Call Home

There are simply too many reasons to list why I left New York City 10 years ago to call Asbury Park, NJ my home. I thought it was because I simply wasn't a "big city boy", and indeed that immediate sense of community that I felt that 4th of July weekend was perhaps what jump started everything. But ever since, it's been a journey of no regrets. Sure, the beaches, the restaurants, the boardwalk, the shops, the condos, the homes - their all great. But it's the people - and even more than that, it's the sense of belonging. The feeling that I'm a part of making my part of the world just a little bit better. I've never felt that anywhere else before, and I really don't want to feel it anywhere else again.

I'm very happy where I'm at, and plan on being here for quite a while। And for those that want to be a part of it all - I'm more than happy to help 'em out! :-)

Hot Sand Glass Studio

It was one of the very first, if not the first, "art centric" shop on the boardwalk, after the most recent redevelopment effort and Madison Marquette in particular stepped up and assumed the responsibility of building a world class boardwalk. And arguably, they've done a very good job. But I have to say, Thomas Stevens, owner of Hot Sands Glass Studio has taken his business and grown it from it's very inception - organically. As a fully functioning glass studio, Thomas and his staff are able to blow, fuse and mold glass. You can either watch the artists at work, or take one of the many classes. After living in town for many years, I finally did what I've said I've wanted to do for years - and visited the studio to have Thomas show me how to blow my own glass bubble - and I'm glad I did. It was a great experience, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. I got a great chance to do something I've never done before, and I walked away with an absolutely beautiful glass bubble. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!