What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 4/20/16
Weather prognosticators and vacationers alike experience a tinge of excitement as Martin Z. Mollusk Day on May 7 nears. Will the city’s relatively famous hermit crab see his shadow, thus assuring the populace that summer will arrive one week early?
Born along the Great Zambezi River in Africa, Martin was deserted at an early age. Forced to fend for himself, Martin adopted the surname “Mollusk” from a sign he noticed on a passing commercial boat that read “Mollusks for Sale, $1.99.” The “Z” stands for Zambezi, the river that coddled him. He selected the name Martin because it goes well with Mollusk.
In his teens, he stowed away on a “red eye flight” to Tepid Swamp, Louisiana where he attended Tepid Tech, a school noted for environmental studies. There he majored in “Weather Prognostication.” Upon graduating Magna Cum Summer, he answered Ocean City’s classified ad for a weather prognosticator, and the rest is history.
Martin will creep onto the Ocean City Beach at Ninth Street, beside the Music Pier at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7. There will be lots of hoopla, including music by the world’s only Wind Chimes Band and “Some Enchanted Morning” sung by Suzanne Muldowney aka Shelley the Mermaid. Martin is 102 years old in hermit crab age, so his vital signs will be checked by Dr. Frankenstein and Nurse Perfect before he is permitted to look for his shadow in the “Circle of Truth” in the sand. Youngsters who attend will be given a miniature shell replica of Martin. This year’s event will honor the memory of Daniel Bready, a long time supporter of Martin Z. Mollusk Day.
(April 20) ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE SERIES on Beach Nourishment and Dune Vegetation with Crist Robine from the Coastal Research Center of Stockton University takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall of the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th Street and Simpson Ave. Free admission. For more information, contact Julie (609) 399-2434 x5222.
(April 21) The Ocean City Historical Museum will present its popular ANTIQUE APPRAISAL NIGHT (think “Antiques Roadshow”) 7 p.m. in the Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Ave. Register your items at the Museum in the same complex from 6 p.m. The charge is $5 per item to learn how much your treasured keepsake is really worth. There is a limit of three items per participant. Bruce Dooley and Bill Booth of Elwood Antiques will be the appraisers. The general public is invited to attend. For information, call (609) 399-1801.
(April 23) New Jersey NATIONAL TEENAGER SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. Adults, (12 and over) $20, Children (11 and under) $10.
(April 30) CLEAN OCEAN ACTION BEACH SWEEP, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check in at Music Pier for cleanup supplies. All organizations and families are encouraged to participate in this annual statewide event to help keep our beaches clean and safe and protect our coastal environment. Call 609-399-6111, x 9711.
(April 30) OCEAN CITY GREAT STRIDES WALK: 10 a.m. registration at the 6th St. Practice Field, 11 a.m. Walk. Great Strides is a family oriented event with a healthy 5K Walk, children’s activities, food and festivities that participants look forward to every year. The walk benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is its largest national fundraiser. For information, call (610) 325-6001 or visit www.cff.org/greatstrides.
(May 5) The Environmental Commission will present a free lecture on SEASIDE GARDENING 6:30 p.m. in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall of the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th Street and Simpson Ave. Pat Sutton, a renowned ornithologist and naturalist will lead the lecture. The presentation is titled “Seaside Gardening With Native and Hardy Vegetation. For information, call (609) 399-2434, x5222.
(May 6-7) BOARDWALK AND DOWNTOWN MERCHANT TABLE SALES — (no vendors) 6th to 14th Sts. on the Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
(May 13) A NIGHT OF ROCK ‘N ROLL, an Oldies Concert sponsored by the American Legion featuring “The Brooklyn Bridge.” The program also includes 45 RPM, Billy and the Essentials, and The Soul Survivors. Tickets are $39 at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice or by calling (609) 399-6111.
(May 13-14) BOARDWALK AND DOWNTOWN MERCHANT TABLE SALES — (no vendors) 6th to 14th St. on the Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
(May 14) SPRING BLOCK PARTY — 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. from 5th to 14th Streets on Asbury Ave. Over 350 crafters, food vendors, music and more. For information call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
POPS ANNOUNCES 2016 SEASON: Maestro Bill Scheible has announced the Pops season will open on June 19 with headliner Deanna Martin, talented daughter of Dean Martin. The show will be an exciting tribute to both her father and Frank Sinatra, celebrating his 100th anniversary year. Other entertaining highlights will include Rock On, Dick Van Dyke Tribute, The Great American Songbook, West Side Story, Mozart Mania, Richard Troxell in a Broadway Tribute, Jerome Kern’s SHOWBOAT (in concert version) and cartoon classics. The Music Pier Box Office opens May 21 at 9 a.m. Call (609) 399-6111 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.
A fireworks display will cap off the City‘s NIGHT IN VENICE boat and bayfront celebration this year. The colorful 62nd annual event is set for Sat., July 16. The suggested optional theme for this year’s gala is “Destination America.” Boats and homes may be decorated to embrace the cultural and regional pride of great Cities and Landmarks throughout the United States. Boats and homeowners are free to use any theme they wish if they have something different in mind.
Also new this year: A Collegiate Cup will be awarded to the boat that best celebrates school pride. College and alumni associations have been contacted to spark interest. Two other new categories, Best Non Profit/Community Organization and Best Commercial Entry, have been added.
Boat owners can register early to take advantage of a $50 decorating gift card. All participants receive a commemorative mug and boat owners are also given a photo of their boat in the Parade. Categories in the boat contest include Most Original, Musical, Comic, Classic (25 years or older with historic value) and Children’s Division, (completely decorated by children 15 and under.)
Entries for boats and homes are being taken online at ocnj.us/NIV or by calling (609) 399-6111. Please contact event coordinator, Michael Hartman, if you are an owner willing to enter your boat to host dignitaries, special guests or other entries (but don’t have time to decorate.)
REMINDER: The Ocean City High School will hold its annual student Art Show, April 25-28 in its Library. There will be an award ceremony and reception 7 p.m. on the April 28th at the Library. The event is free and open to the public.
