Home Care In Beachwood, NJ

Recently, I've seen some work being done and more demolition of "things" in the plaza.

Do you know of anything new happening in this location in Ocean County?

There were so many Facebook comments on this when we first heard about what might be moving in there.

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There were negatives and some positives with Amazon coming to Berkeley Township.

If an Amazon warehouse and distribution center was to come to Berkeley Township so many different organizations and people would have to sign off on it. And, that's a clean-up site, which means in order to build on there, it has to be cleaned up from underneath. And that raises another question, are we as Berkeley Township residents paying for that?

Remember the letter that was public on the Pine Beach Borough's page and Berkeley Township's website? There was a meeting... In the public meeting notice, it states that there has been an amendment to the original "Town Center Redevelopment Plan."

I do know one thing. Driving from Bayville to Toms River, I pass Pine Beach and Beachwood, it looks horrible and we need something to look nice as we drive by. Wouldn't we all like to go by the old Beachwood Plaza in Berkeley Township and see something nice? It was supposed to be a retail hub with a restaurant or two, but since the big box stores are disappearing because of online buying and Covid-19, it looks like the township opened it up to warehouses and distribution sites on that land, also.

If Amazon or another warehouse would come to Berkeley it could bring jobs to the area and it will clean it up. Imagine driving by and seeing lovely landscaping and more lighting along Rt. 9. I know friends who wouldn't even buy in this area because they would have to drive through the area of Beachwood and Pine Beach. I love both of these towns including Bayville and for it to look like that, just brings us all down including house prices. The traffic is horrendous through that area most of the day and on weekends, but if there was a way of bringing the traffic in another way or from the back of that property, that might help. Hopefully, there will be some ideas thrown out.

Have you heard any more about this? Are the plans for the Amazon warehouse still happening?

As the days get longer, so does the list of new restaurants across the Garden State. Check out these 12 new and about-to-open eateries in New Jersey.

Calling all pernil lovers! Stop by Carmen’s Cocina, now open in Beachwood. This new spot serves authentic Puerto Rican meals, including empanadas, carne guisada, pollo frito, and more. Please check the website for hours and menu announcements.

Carmen’s Cocina 244 Atlantic City Blvd Beachwood, NJ

Created by Guy Fieri and Robert Earl, a new Chicken Guy spot just hit Atlantic City. Stop by Harrah’s and walk on in for fries, macaroni and cheese, fried pickles, slaw, and of course, chicken. Be sure to check out the 22 options on the Signature Sauces menu. Finally, if you have a sweet tooth, try out one of the Flavortown shakes before you go.

Chicken Guy 777 Harrah’s Blvd Atlantic City, NJ

The owners of East Hana recently introduced a new Japanese spot, also in Jersey City. Located at the Goldman Sachs tower on the waterfront, East Hudson Cafe offers a range of options. The menu includes noodles, dumplings, rice bowls, and more. Fresh ingredients are sourced from local farmers markets.

East Hudson Cafe 30 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ

Garden State Plaza, in Paramus, welcomes Fogo de Chão. Enter the two-story Brazilian steakhouse and watch the chefs do their thing at the open-air churrasco grill. Or have a seat at Bar Fogo and enjoy a cocktail to remember.

Fogo de Chão 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd, Unit B2 Paramus, NJ

Now open in East Brunswick, the Habit Burger got its start in California, in 1964. Stop by their 15th Garden State location for s Santa Barbara Char, served on grilled sourdough, or one of the many other charburgers or signature sandwiches.

The Habit Burger 751 NJ-18 East Brunswick, NJ

Taste authentic Thai cuisine at Khao Thai restaurant in Englewood. Choose from an extensive list of options for dinner, including duck tamarind, a shrimp claypot, and Northern Thai-style egg noodles. And if you’re in the area for lunch, check out the lunch combo menu.

Khao Thai 4 E Palisade Ave Englewood, NJ

Now open in Bridgewater, Kerry & Naan specializes in Tandoori appetizers, seafood dishes, special lamb and goat curries, vegetarian dishes, Biryani specialties, and more.

Kurry & Naan 1303 Prince Rodgers Avenue Bridgewater, NJ

A 45-year career in the restaurant business has prepared Luigi Tripodi for his next adventure. Luigino’s Parmigiano opens April 5, in Montclair, New Jersey. Exciting menus for lunch and dinner include pork belly; soft polenta; beef, veal, and pork meatballs; and stuffed gnocchi.

Luigino’s Parmigiano 173 Glenridge Avenue Montclair, NJ

Miami party vibes are on the scene in Clifton, New Jersey. Made in Miami offers a unique dining and high-energy experience inspired by Miami’s culture. Check out the menu of creative tapas and entrees. And make a note of the specialty cocktails created by award-winning mixologist Carlos Ruiz, including Only Fans, We Outside, and of course, Miami Nights. Make a night of it!

Made in Miami 39 Harding Avenue Clifton, NJ

Coming soon to Plainfield, NJ, Mamajuana continues to grow. When the doors open you can enjoy Dominican and Caribbean cuisine, including paella, ceviche, baby back ribs, and more.

Mamajuana Cafe 44 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant QDoba recently opened its 22nd New Jersey location in Manalapan, NJ. Conveniently located on US Highway 9, locals and passers-by alike have easy access to grabbing a quest bowl, surf-and-turf burrito, or maybe an order of chips and guacamole.

QDoba 33 US-9 Manalapan Township, NJ

Now open in Florham Park, Taim Kitchen serves vibrant and fresh dishes featuring a range of Mediterranean herbs and spices. The build-your-meal spot originated in NYC’s West Village.

Taim Kitchen 176 Columbia Turnpike Florham Park, NJ

Editor’s note: All photos are published with permission.

We are getting ready for what is usually a very busy time of year here at the Jersey Shore. Spring and summer are always very busy for local businesses here in Ocean County, people are out and about and there are many activities going on, especially with the nice weather.

We also see an increase in tourism in the area with people coming to the Shore for vacation. So this would appear to be a perfect time to open a new business here in the area and that's just what's happening right here in Beachwood.

While I was surfing around Instagram this week, I came across an intriguing post which pointed out that Mason's Bar and Grill is set to open soon in Beachwood. Mason's highlighted that they will feature classic cocktails, ice-cold beer, pizza, and American favorites. Sounds great and they will be open soon.

Mason's Instagram pointed out that the new location will be locally owned and operated and will be located at 400 Atlantic City Blvd in Beachwood. Mason's will not only feature on-site dining and drinks but also "to-go" options for carry-out as well.

According to their account, Mason's Bar and Grill in Beachwood will be opening "very soon" this spring. Mason's is also currently hiring. They are hiring for all positions. Full and part-time options are available. So if you are currently looking for employment or looking for a change, reach out and see what options they have for you.

Welcome to Mason's and best for your new business here in Ocean County, looking forward to stopping by.

Speaking of Ice Cold Beer

LOOK: Best Beers From Every State

To find the best beer in each state and Washington D.C., Stacker analyzed January 2020 data from BeerAdvocate, a website that gathers user scores for beer in real-time. BeerAdvocate makes its determinations by compiling consumer ratings for all 50 states and Washington D.C. and applying a weighted rank to each. The weighted rank pulls the beer toward the list's average based on the number of ratings it has and aims to allow lesser-known beers to increase in rank. Only beers with at least 10 rankings to be considered; we took it a step further to only include beers with at least 100 user rankings in our gallery. Keep reading to find out what the best beer is in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C.

4-minute read

Special to the Asbury Park Press

BEACHWOOD — Growing up in Lakewood, Darren Lee loved being outdoors and building things from natural elements.

In 2020, he successfully combined his love of art and nature by launching D. Lee’s Things Adrift, through which he crafts handmade driftwood art that helps celebrate and preserve the unique experience of life at the Jersey Shore.

“As a kid, I had fun with projects I was assigned in school,” recalled Lee, a Beachwood resident. “I built three-dimensional maps with different things I found in the yard and always loved to co-exist with and never harm nature.”

After high school, “I started off as a marine biology major at Ocean County College in Toms River, but I also loved human ecology, history and art history courses and especially enjoyed how architecture and artwork reflected people’s lives,” said Lee, who ultimately graduated from Rutgers University in 1998 with a degree in history and a minor in education.

Is an artist hiding inside you?Brick painter will find it

After a stint as a substitute teacher at Lakewood High School, “I went back to Stockton University in Galloway for my degree in education, taught American history at Lakewood High School for seven years, and have been teaching American history at Lakewood Middle School since the mid-to-late 2000s.”

To Lee, an artist and environmentalist who enjoys making indelible memories for others and organizing fun special events for his students, “everything is art and a creation,” he said. So it came as no surprise that in his free time, he relished the opportunity to preserve the special gifts offered by Shore living and build things out of materials others might not even notice.

'What they can be'

“I started as a kid taking pictures and videotaping my friends at concerts,” Lee explained. “I knew those moments wouldn’t last forever, so I liked to document things and capture the experience. As an adult, that desire transformed itself into creating art from different natural things I’d see floating by when I was out in the water.

"There are always different things on the beach, including pieces of wood in all sizes that come adrift on the shore or float by when I paddleboard,” he said. “I see them in terms of what they can be and know that I can design them into a special piece of décor that will resonate for others.”

Business of art:Jersey Shore filmmaker Kevin Smith among those who love Brick woodcut artist's 'babies'

Since launching D. Lee’s Things Adrift in 2020, Lee said that the process of procuring pieces in nature is half the fun.

“I love scavenging for things and determining what I can make out of them,” said Lee, who specializes in nautical, beachy designs crafted out of driftwood and broken dune fence slats for display on mantles, shelves, tables, walls, and other spaces.

“I make a lot of furniture, lamps, sailboats, whales and lighthouses as well as custom pieces that clients request, such as mantles themselves,” he said. “I select pieces of wood that have character and like to incorporate other media as well, such as nautical fabric or wrought iron.”

Welding wonders:'Punk rock' welding drives Netflix 'Metal Shop Masters' judge at her Lacey business

'Pieces that bring the outdoors in'

According to Lee, “I start the process by going on an adventure — typically paddleboarding or canoeing — to find something, then bring in the haul in my Jeep, clean off the dirt and grime, and sun-bleach the piece for a couple of weeks.”

Working in his garage shop with such tools as a Dremel rotary device, a belt orbital sander and other sanders, and chop and band saws, Lee brings his vision to life and then applies polyurethane to the final piece.

“There’s a lot of labor involved in this and a piece like a sailboat can take several hours to put together,” said Lee of his array of works, which typically range in size from one to nearly three feet in length and are priced from $50 to $300.

“I’m currently working on a piece formed out of the root of a cedar tree that will ultimately be called ‘Octopus’ and feature hand-painted glass eyeballs,” he said.

Lee has amassed a large local customer base, thanks to his participation in events such as Ocean Grove’s 2023 Spring Fling Arts & Craft Show this past May, a summer show in Point Pleasant and an ongoing display at Big Ed’s Produce in Lavallette, where the owners (the Morales family) have been extremely supportive of his artistry and even hosted an art expo of his earlier this month.

“People love nostalgia and local, handmade pieces that bring the outdoors in and help them remember the things they love,” he said. “People take so much pride in the Shore area and they appreciate the backstory on these one-of-a-kind pieces,” noted Lee, who signs, authenticates and completes each piece by sharing details of its origin and experience.

'I loved the history':Asbury Park shop owner salvages wood to create new furnishings

'Nature is chaotic and beautiful'

Lee noted that the bulkiness of his pieces can sometimes make it challenging to bring all of his works to shows, but that hasn't been an obstacle for him, as D. Lee’s Things Adrift is a labor of love.

“Nature is chaotic and beautiful and my works resonate with the energy of the earth and ocean and become talking pieces,” he said. “The raw wood I find has been formed and twisted by the ocean, sun and sand. It’s always evolving and moving, like life, and can become something else that touches on people’s experiences of the shore, the ocean, the bay or even a dusty beach road and captures memories that can transcend time and space.”

“I love being out in nature and having the time to find the materials I work with. You never know what’s around every corner,” said Lee of his favorite part of his business.

“I also love people’s response to my pieces and the opportunity to work with them to make something to their exact specs,” added Lee, who hopes that one of his pieces will someday grace every Jersey Shore residence. “When people like your work and share it in their home — that’s the biggest compliment you can get!”

D. Lee’s Things Adrift

Location: Beachwood

Phone: 732-773-2281

Owner: Darren Lee

Launched: 2020

Charlotte Cohen, 12, will be one of dozens of children, teens and adults featured in a Down syndrome awareness video in Times Square.

BEACHWOOD, NJ — Since she was young, Charlotte Cohen has appeared in ads here and there: a Toys R Us gift guide, and for Legoland for Macy's, among others.

On Saturday, she will appear in the largest ad she's ever been part of, when the 12-year-old Beachwood resident's photo is displayed on a pair of billboards in the heart of Times Square.

The display is part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society Times Square video presentation, which aims to help promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

The photo of Charlotte — wearing a gold dress and boots with Christmas decorations around her — was chosen from 2,400 photo entries and is among 500 photos that will be shown during the hourlong presentation. The photos include children, teens and adults from all 50 states, the organization said.

"She's excited about it," Charlotte's mother, Jen, said in an interview with Patch. "It just brings awareness to Down syndrome," a genetic condition that occurs when a person has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

About 1 in every 772 babies is born with Down syndrome, and about 5,100 babies are born each year with it in the United States, the National Down Syndrome Society says, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite being the most common chromosomal condition, many people are still not familiar with it or what the condition means for a person who is born with Down syndrome.

"Before we had Charlotte we didn’t know anyone with Down syndrome," Jen Cohen said. What she and her husband, Jim, have learned is that their daughter has plenty of abilities that allow her to live a happy life.

"She’s got the biggest personality," Jen said.

"She can make anybody smile," Jim said.

Charlotte is the Cohens' third child — they have a son, Jimmy, who's 21, and a daughter, Samantha, who's 18. When Jen was pregnant with Charlotte, prenatal testing revealed the Down syndrome.

The couple said her doctors, especially Dr. Elsa Castro, were positive from the start.

"When we got the diagnosis, she was amazing," Jen said. "She told us 'We’re going to get through this, everything is going to be great.' "

"When you hear your child is going to have a difficulty, it's stressful," Jim said.

People with Down syndrome can have a range of challenges, from intellectual disabilities to physical disabilities. Beyond certain physical characteristics, including a slightly flattened facial profile and smaller stature, how each child is affected varies widely.

For Charlotte, one of the biggest issues was she was born with only two chambers in her heart, Jen said.

"They rebuilt her heart" after Charlotte was born, Jen said. She has had two additional heart surgeries, including one in April.

"We’ve been very fortunate," Jim said. "There are a lot of children who have Down syndrome who have other challenges that come with it. We are very fortunate that she’s as capable as she is."

Charlotte, who started sixth grader at Toms River Intermediate South on Tuesday, attended Pine Beach Elementary School.

"They loved her there," Jen said. "They all looked out for her."

Her favorite subject? "Math," she said via speakerphone.

Charlotte also loves sports, and participates in Special Olympics in gymnastics, soccer and track. She also is part of a cheerleading team for children with special needs, run out of the Southern Rams American Youth Football organization in Manahawkin.

"They have two competitions and they cheer at all the (AYF) games," Jim said.

Most of all, she's "very, very social, very personable," Jen said.

When she was 2 years old and participating in the Young Athletes program through Special Olympics, "she would just wave and blow kisses," Jim said. She did the same at a talent show at school.

That social personality that lights up a room has opened doors, literally, her parents said.

"We went to see the musical Six" in New York, Jen said. Afterward, they asked Charlotte if she wanted to wait outside the stage door to meet the actors.

"All of sudden she starts talking to the security guard and soon he's her best friend," Jen said. The security guard ushered them in and introduced Charlotte to the actors as his friend, giving them a chance to meet the actors.

"We have done so many great things because of her," Jen said.

On Saturday Charlotte, Jen and Jim will be in New York City to see Charlotte's photo on the billboard for the National Down Syndrome Society video presentation, which will be on the two JumboTron screens above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square.

Jen follows the organization on Facebook and submitted the photo, taken by Halpin Studios when she saw the call for entries, then got the pleasant surprise that Charlotte's photo had been chosen.

The presentation, which will be live-streamed on the society's Facebook page beginning at 9:30 a.m., kicks off the organization's annual New York City Buddy Walk, which aims to celebrate and promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk has taken place in New York City since 1995 and expanded to a National Buddy Walk Program with events across the country and some internationally.

This is the first time the Cohens have participated in an event with the national organization; they are part of the New Jersey chapter of Network 21, a support group for families that has meet-ups and events, as well as local connections for those needing help finding information or resources to help family members with Down syndrome.

Saturday will be just another adventure for Charlotte, just another opportunity to light up the world with her smile.

"She’s just out there living her life to the best of her ability," Jen said.

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