Plus Fundraiser for Batsto Village Dec. 4; the Album of the Week (Kate Bush), and DrewToonz on Occupy AC
Rich Carty
Climbing the Holiday Lighthouse
Now that the turkey is carved, all thoughts turn to Christmas and, of course, lighthouse climbing. Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City has lined up a couple of holiday events for families that offer climbs of the lighthouse for a great look at Christmas decorations around the city. The first event is Saturday, Dec. 3, a Drop and Shop event where parents can leave the kids while they hit the holiday shopping scene at The Walk (or really anywhere, who’s to know?). For $10, kids get to explore Victorian holiday traditions and make crafts, including a take-away keepsake ornament. There will also be snacks and a lighthouse tower climb. Gift bags from The Walk will be provided to parents, filled with coupon books and other values, plus there is free parking at Ohio and Fairmount avenues. The day costs $10 per child and reservations are required. The event is open to children 7-12 and runs from 11:30am-3:30pm. On Saturday, Dec. 10,, the lighthouse celebrates its annual “Light Up the Holidays” event and tree lighting. The evening, 6-8pm, includes refreshments, sing-a longs, and the tree lighting. Holiday Cheer, a professional a cappella caroling group, will sing carols of the season. A night lighthouse climb to view the Atlantic City skyline is also included. Light refreshments, wine, beer and soda will be served. The cost is $20 per person and, again, reservations are required. The lighthouse is also offering $1 off normal admission with a food donation to the Community Food Bank, Southern New Jersey Branch through Dec. 15. To make reservations for events call 449-1360 or visit abseconlighthouse.org. — Mike Pritchard
Help Batsto Get Back on its Feet
Still reeling from severe flood damage caused by Hurricane Irene, Batsto Village, a nationally recognized historic site in the Pine Barrens, is hosting a multi-faceted holiday fundraiser called “A Victorian Christmas to Remember” on Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon-4pm. Arranged by the Batsto Citizens Committee, the festivities start with the soothing sounds of Rich Carty performing on the hammered dulcimer (pictured) from noon-1pm. Rich and his wife Mary co-own the Pinelands Folk Music and Basketry Center in Mount Holly. Then, starting 1pm in the Batsto Visitor Center auditorium, the Pinelands Regional High School (PRHS) Thespian Society will present three short vignettes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The PRHS students, dressed in period costume, will give the audience a glimpse of the Dickens’ classic they’ll perform in its entirety in the PRHS auditorium later that week. The day will also include performances by Stockton Oratorio Society members Preston Forchion and Doug Laubert, a free tour of the holiday-decorated Batsto Mansion for the first 100 customers, a blacksmith demonstration in the Batsto Blacksmith Shop, and several activities in the Batsto Post Office Exhibit Room including the chance for the young ones to have their photo taken with Santa Dear. The cost is $10 per person and the hour-and-a-half auditorium presentation starts promptly at 1pm. Call 609-561-0024 or visit batstovillage.org. — Ray Schweibert
Kate Bush
‘50 Words for Snow’ (ANTI-)
Featuring seven new songs set against the backdrop of falling snow — with a total running time of more than an hour — the legendary British singer-songwriter Kate Bush’s highly anticipated new album, 50 Words for Snow, was released earlier this week. One listen and you could very likely think up at least 50 words to describe the sounds and songs. (Haunting, lush, sweet, sensuous, dream-like, wintry, experimental, soothing, wonderous and gorgeous are 10; your turn for the next 40.) Bush, regarded as one of the most groundbreaking and influential British solo artists in 30 years, has only toured once, so don’t expect to hear these songs live. The album, however, couldn’t be a more perfect stocking stuffer. — Jeff Schwachter
Drew Toonz (See more comics here)
Here is a list of what we think are the cream of the crop for 2011 — the Top 14 Drew Toonz comics of the year.
Ask the average non-southern New Jersey resident what images the Pine Barrens conjure up and you might hear about the endless tract of trees they drove through to get to the seashore, the folklore of the Jersey Devil, or the place where Paulie and Christopher got lost trying to bury a body on The Sopranos.
In addition to the area’s beautiful beaches and busy boardwalks, as part of the scenic Garden State, southern New Jersey has a number of parks and picturesque wildlife reserves for you to explore as you re-discover the concept of ambulatory movement.
In October 2003, U.S. News and World Report ranked the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey among the top five national public liberal arts colleges in the country. It was the second time in four y...
ATLANTIC CITY — America’s original and largest lighthouse festival returns Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, when the 2011 Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey visits the Absecon Lighthouse. The event helps raise awareness and much-needed funds for all of New Jersey’ historic sites and museums. Eleven historic lighthouses, two life-saving stations and two museums are all taking part in this annual event that “challenges” you to visit as many of the states historic beacons as you can over one weekend. Visitors may buy a souvenir booklet for $1 and then get a free lighthouse stamp placed in it at each stop along the way. The Challenge is free, requires no registration or signup, and participants can begin at any of the 15 locations. Most of the lighthouses will be available to climb for a small fee and several will offer rare opportunities to climb after dark. Atlantic City-based watercolor artist Donna Elias created the artwork for this year’s official Challenge souvenir booklet, stamps, posters and T-shirts. Elias is well known by lighthouse enthusiasts as the artist behind the Great American Lighthouses Collection, a series of over 300 paintings celebrating historic beacons nationwide. Her paintings and prints, which also adorn several home decor lines, are...
Plus the latest on the map of the Atlantic City Tourism District, DrewToonz takes on Snooki and the Situation (and the Jersey Shore), and the Album of the Week: Emmylou Harris' 'Hard Bargain'
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