Wildwood Walks to Cure Diabetes for JDRF Saturday, May 18 on the Wildwoods Boardwalk

Wildwood, NJ – Wildwood is calling all walkers to participate in the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes, Saturday, May 18, at Morey’s Adventure Pier. The event is sponsored by the South Jersey Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the City of Wildwood, Morey’s Piers, WAWA, AtlantiCare, Tony Luke’s and Hutchinson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling.

 

Everyone is welcome to participate: individual walkers, families, groups, businesses, schools and anyone who shares the JDRF’s goal to raise money for research that will lead to better treatment and prevention of Type 1 diabetes, and ultimately find a cure for the disease.

 

“It’s great to partner with JDRF and work together on this important goal – curing a disease that kills one American every three minutes,” says Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano.  “This year, we invite everyone, from kids to grandparents, to take part.  Walk for someone you know, or for one of the 3 million other Americans who have Type 1 diabetes.”

 

Registration is 9:30am at Morey’s Adventure Pier/Guest Services with the Walk starting at 10:30am.  The Walk is a 3.0 mile route on the Wildwood’s famous Boardwalk.  Adding to the fun is live entertainment and a DJ spinning tunes to motivate the walkers.

 

Actor-musician Nick Jonas is the National Chairman of JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes.  This is Jonas’ third year as a celebrity advocate for JDRF. He has been living with the disease for the past eight years.  “As a person living day to day with diabetes and recognizing the tremendous contribution the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has done for our community, I couldn’t be more honored to serve as the National Chair for the Walk to Cure Diabetes,” says Jonas.

 

JDRF Walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide.  Nearly 600,000 people in the United States walked last year, raising $86 million to cure diabetes, which costs the nation more than $174 billion in health care each year.

 

Since its inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and education. JDRF’s mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

 

To register, sponsor, build a Walk team, or for more information, please visit http://www.jdrf.org or call (856) 429-1101.

 

You Can’t Handle the Truth – Mercury in Retrograde?

Speak, don’t speak, stay, wait, go, no don’t Ahhh!

The dictionary says of “diplomat”: “one skilled in diplomacy.” Under “diplomacy,” it reads: “tact in dealing with people.”

The dictionary doesn’t say so, but being diplomatic also means not always saying what you think. “Tact” can mean saying something that’s less than the whole truth in order to influence or avoid offending someone.

Today I was reminded of a movie I saw a while back called; “A Few Good Men.” You may remember it – Demi Moore was in it before she went crazy over Ashton Kutchner – oops, did I say that. Yikes, I better get my writing shield of diplomatic tact out. Tom Cruise was in it, I think he was still married to Nicole Kidman and not that into his religious beliefs full force and Jack Nicholson and Kevin Bacon – really I can’t say anything negative about those two because they’re good in anything they do, and frankly this isn’t personal it’s really business. In any event they’re all good actors that gave an outstanding performance in this movie. There is one line in the movie that we say in my family a lot where at the end of the trial Jack Nicholson screams in the courtroom; “You can’t handle the truth.” Great line.

In fact there are quite a few movies where we know most of the dialogue and quote from it often. The Godfather comes to mind with classic lines too. “It’s nothing personal…”

For anyone that follows their horoscope or birth chart, Mercury is in Retrograde. In particular, we should use caution when communicating for the next month.

What?

Hold back on everything that you stand for or that means something to you? Turn away, pretend not to hear or see. That’s the coward’s way out.

Like most things in life we sometimes plow through an unfamiliar chart. Perhaps for reasons not known to mankind, is it a lesson from the universe to let us realize that it might not be a good idea to blurt it out, or say something that might be the truth, because maybe whomever we are speaking to “can’t handle the truth?” (Great line spoken by Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men.”)

It’s mystifying, literally. Isn’t plowing through unfamiliar waters what life is all about? Taking a chance, taking the risk? Madison Avenue advertising gurus have bombarded us in every known possible medium telling us to; “Just Go For It, Just Do It,” etc.; but when we do and the consequences back fire then what’s the lesson, what’s the point? Why bother? We walk away scratching our heads thinking; “geeze, that wasn’t a good idea.”

Listening to your inner self is a lost art in our techno savvy world. While we can educate and better ourselves through online programs, nothing is really left to the imagination. Gone are daily real life conversations and interactions. We have pretty much alienated human relations in our non-confrontational society. Lost is our sixth sense, or conscience. Has the internal alarm system within been turned off?

“BADA-BING, BADA-BOOM.”

One of the beauties of the movie the Godfather is that their alarm systems were never turned off, just like Jack Nicolson’s character in “A Few Good Men,” didn’t have a filter. Their sixth sense was ready, willing and so able to speak, draw, fire. They spoke their minds, they got it out there on the table and regardless if Mercury was in Retrograde, they didn’t give a crap, bada-bing, bada-boom, gone were their preconceived notions that everyone plays nice and above board. Not so true.

Chose to go with your inner voice, your sixth sense and when you speak your mind expect to pay the price, but feel good that you spoke the truth.

Weather Predictions, Now I Get It?

Live from my home office in Wildwood NJ – it’s raining. Heavy at times and coming from the North East. Us Jersey girls are use to this, its no big whoop!

I’ve become so tainted by the weather people in my area and for that matter around the world that I don’t pay attention to their predictions anymore. Truthfully I don’t even listen to the news nor do I watch the weather channel or view weather.com, because their predictions are far from predictable. But truth be told – the word “forecast,” means a statement about the way things WILL happen in the future, often but not always based on experience or knowledge.” Now I get it – the weather person/forecaster isn’t any different than a palm reader, psychic or fortune teller? Oh, it all makes so much sense to me now.

Apparently I am not alone in my moment of truth, there are a few of us that really don’t pay attention – the non believers. However from the looks of the Super Fresh parking lot last night on my way home from work I think all 1,500 people that live on the island were picking up the required; “milk, eggs and bread.”

Let’s talk about these required staples for a moment. My brother and I have a long standing joke. He’ll call me during all of the breaking storm news and will ask; “did you pick up milk, eggs and bread?” I will laugh and then we both discuss how ridiculous the news is and that they lacked a good story so they need to overcompensate.   We will laugh again and he’ll ask me; “do we live out on the Prairies?” I’ll laugh again and he’ll say, “geeze, the way everyone runs to the grocery store for milk, eggs and bread, it seems like they’re never going to get out of the house for months at a time, just wondering?” It’s a ritual that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world, it makes me laugh every time.

We laugh again and the conversation continues to include the usual; “if you ever did that in your job, made gross mistakes, got cities and towns all worked up over nothing, you’d be fired without severance or a two week notice, in fact they’d probably pack your desk up immediately and have security escort you out the door. But not the weather forecaster (predictor).”  

Ok, in the weather persons defense when they say it’s going to be in the high 60s and it turns out to be 70 we hardly notice it, but make a snow or hurricane prediction and the world becomes on edge, even undone by these forecasters as we tend to lose all common sense. And granted over the years our weather patterns have become, “weather gone wild!” Rains that are almost biblical, heat waves that don’t end, tornadoes that strike repeatedly. What’s going on?

As the oceans warm, they’re giving off more water vapor. Dig back into your 5th grade science class – remember how water evaporated if you turn up the heat? Well, the same thing is happening in the world. Oceans are becoming warmer causing an increase in water vapor which is causing all sorts of crazy weather patterns. So is it just bad luck or global warming? Probably both but here are some ideas to reduce your carbon footprint.

Here are the Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Talking from my own experience I lose sight of just how much I buy. Try buying less, and reusing and fixing things when you can instead of buying new. And for a lot of people, recycling is as easy as rolling the trash bin to the curb. Just remember to do it at work, too.

So let’s get back to the subject at hand. The weather person once again blew everything out of proportion.

Here’s what I predict:

It’s raining today, at some points the rain will be heavier than other times and it will be windy. There may be coastal flooding if the moon is full, if not, the tides may be a little higher than normal and it’s windy. If your car is parked in a low laying area move it. If not, stay dry, stay home if you’d like and make some french toast.

 

Farewell My Foot Warmer

There is a saying based on dog philosophy;

“Listen more than you speak,

always act like you have a purpose,

appreciate a simple life,

give more than you receive,

be happy with what you have,

be a best friend.”

I’d like to live my life like that, and I had a good example to follow.

After being hit by a truck he laid on the side of a road for three days – everyone thought he was road kill. When the county crew street cleaners went to retrieve his little lithe body they were surprised to find he was still alive. A county vet put him back together – his broken pelvis, broken back legs, numerous ribs and a severed penis in addition to neurological damage. But he survived and recovered like a trooper or a little fighter. He wasn’t perfect, and often had no control over his bladder, probably the reason no one wanted him. But he found a home with me and we both learned that nothing in life is perfect. His little legs were wobbly, yet he could run around in the back yard like there was no tomorrow – big ears flopping in the wind. No one could ever deny that he wasn’t the happiest little dog. Every day he greeted me “bark, bark, bark, notice me, I am over here, come say hi.” And I would walk over and give him a little hug and kiss on the top of his head, then let him outside where he would run free. Before he went through the doors to the freedom of the yard there was always a big wet lick on my shin. And when he was ready to come back inside, he’d sit in front of the door, “bark, bark, bark,” and that was my que: “let me back in!” He would wobble in and find his favorite spot under my desk where he would satisfy his need for human contact and rest his head on top of my feet. We both felt comfort in the warmth. He was my little foot warmer but more, my little heart warmer. And every morning whether I liked it or not, he’d wake me up at 5am and I would walk down stairs groggy eyed and say good morning while I feed my little friend first then made my coffee. Usually I was happy that we were both early risers, he made me get on with my days when I wanted to just stay in bed. Rudy would have no parts of it. Bark, bark, bark (always in 3′s) and that was my call to get up and start the day new and we did. While the other dogs slept in, it was Rudy and I taking our first walk of the day around the block. Just the two of us, in the calm peace of the morning, when the sun was starting to rise. This morning, I woke up on Rudy time automatically, the 3 bark alarm didn’t go off. When I walked into the laundry room where Rudy sleeps, he was laying on his side, unable to move and looked up at me helplessly. My other dogs Jack and Honey had slept with him all night and where watching vigilantly over him, they even brought him comfort toys, which surrounded his bed this morning. Animals know and have an innate intuitiveness, an uncanny six sense. I picked Rudy up and brought him outside. He made no motion to run and I knew what Jack and Honey already knew – it was time.
The sun has set on my little Rudy. Thank you dear friend, your positive attitude and sweet disposition will be forever in the many hearts that you warmed, and the many people that you inspired to keep on going through their challenges – you touched so many with your little fighter attitude – even till the end. Semper fi, little friend. We will miss you.

Understanding Scrooge

If Dickens’s character Scrooge were a real person, he or she would have a different name. His name would be 21st Century. Scrooge took a bum rap and here’s why.

He was cheap or was he? Was he greedy too? His lodgings were sparse; his meals were prepared by himself and probably enough made for 12 days of leftovers. He paid no one to wait on him. His house seemed dark, dreary, cold and unwelcoming. The man himself, well he was stingy, insensitive and unkind. He cursed too – Bah Humbug – was his Victorian use of profanity. His Christmas spirit left him after all the numerous disappointments life handed him. I get it, I understand Scrooge. Come to think of it we all have a lot in common with Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge.

Buying presents, wrapping presents, baking, parties’, decorating to the hilt and commercialism everywhere, whew it’s a lot of work. And as we tick off and count down the number of days leading up to Christmas, one can only hold back long enough, why it’s hard not to rain on this parade as it’s downright insanity.

Christmas is a holiday and maybe the world’s most endeared day, sure, it’s all about commerce, and department store decorations, but it’s also a time when soldiers put down their guns for a 24-hour truce and churches fill with families and friends and all the ugliness of the world is muted in the background.

Jingle Bells will never replace Silent Night and Christmas day will always be filled with spirit no matter what the mood of the world is at that moment. Our spirit and strength always shines through. So while we all get ready to do our yearly Olympian sprint to make sure all of the trimmings are taken care of, let’s think about Scrooge for a moment and realize that he was no different than you or me and let’s remember that in our darkest time we will never forget the basic meaning that Dickens was trying to convey.

God Bless Everyone.

Wildwood Fire Department Saving Lives and Dogs

The Wildwood Fire Department pushing a rowboat filled with islanders (and their pets.) That’s me in the life jacket.

Fabulous 50s and 60s Weekend in Wildwood (october 12 – 14)

The weather is fine, wish you were here, and you’ll be wishing it to when you hear the line up of fun activities that the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce has lined up for you this weekend. Back again is the Fabulous ’50s weekend plus the 60s and beyond.
Here’s the line up:

Friday, October 12th
Dance Party with Jerry “The Geator with the Heater” Blavat
$13.00/Person

Time: 7pm to 11pm, Oceanfront Arena ~ Wildwoods Convention Center, 4500 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Hosted by “The Geator with the Heater” Jerry Blavat.

Saturday, October 13th
Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend FREE Street Fair

Time: 11am to 5pm, Fox Park, Burk and Ocean Avenues, Wildwood
Live Entertainment, Food Vendors, Classic Car Show, Craft Vendors, Fun Contest, Doo Wop Bus Tour and So Much More!

Saturday, October 13th
The Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Concert

Time: 7 pm Oceanfront Arena ~ Wildwoods Convention Center, 4500 Boardwalk, Wildwood.
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Concert Starring:

Kenny Vance & The Planotones, The 5th Dimension featuring Florence LaRue, The Orlons and Paul Revere & The Raiders

Ticket Information
Stadium Seating ~ $49.50 per person tax included
Floor Seating ~ $65.50 per person tax included

Tickets available at the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce, 609-729-4000, and Ticketmaster starting Tuesday, May 1, 2012