Ocean City – Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) is spreading the love just in time for Valentine’s Day with its Cabaret of Broadway Love Songs show happening at the Music Pier Saturday, February 11 at 8pm.

“The cabaret is a lovely evening with performances from OCTC favorites. Members of past professional shows will return to Ocean City in a elegant performance of Broadway songs with a love theme,” said artistic director Michael Hartman.

This is the fourth year the OCTC is performing its cabaret. It’s especially sweet thanks to the dessert reception in the Music Pier Solarium that precedes the show.

“Our main dessert feature will be two chocolate fondue fountains with a variety of treats for dipping. Other desserts will include small tasting samples of sweets from cookies to cakes. Starbucks of Somers Point is donating coffee and tea for the event.” Hartman said.

Guests will be treated to solo, duet and trio performances from shows including Hair, Seussical, Showboat, and Aida, plus three group performances. “Day by Day” from Godspell, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from All Shook Up, and the new Broadway masterpiece “It Gets Better” will all be part of the cabaret.

“OCTC was granted the rights to perform this new song by the Broadway composer who organized the original recording. Much like the song ‘We Are The World,’ our finale featured all of the stars of Broadway in one song created to bring awareness to bullying. The song is a unified stance against bullying and the power of love,” Hartman explained.

The OCTC’s cabaret is a fast-paced variety of musical selections and includes the official announcement of the 2011 Mikey Award winners, selected by votes from previous audiences.

Also during the evening the entire 2012 season will be announced.

Here’s a sneak preview of what to expect this coming season – one where Hartman hopes to have six musicals, two youth productions and over five camps/classes for kids.

“Big news for 2012 is the expansion of a five-show “Theatre for Young Audience” series. These shows will be performed Monday mornings in the summer as affordable family entertainment shows that feature professional actors,” said Hartman.  ”The series will include staged versions of Charlotte’s Web, Fabulous Fable Factory, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Red Riding Hood’s Woods and The Three Bears.”

As the OCTC goes from being in prep mode to performance mode, audience members can look forward to a fabulous season filled with professional talent and affordable prices with the first kicking off February 11. Come early for the dessert reception at 7:15pm, and stay for the main event at 8pm. You’ll fall in love.

To learn more about the Ocean City Theatre Company, please visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com. To purchase tickets for the Cabaret of Broadway Love Songs, please visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice, in City Hall or cal (609) 525-9300. Ticket prices are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door.

mysterious island in Indonesia, Ocean City has you covered. And with a twinkle in our eye, we begin our Christmas countdown (we just can’t wait).

We understand it’s still November so with a nod to the turkey, we present our Thanksgiving shopping wish list for Tuesday, November 22 and it’s… Mallon’s Sticky Buns! Mallon’s is mostly closed for the season, but if you want some sticky buns for Turkey Day (it’s sticky buns only tomorrow) they’ll be at their shop at 14th and Asbury tomorrow (Thanksgiving Wednesday) from 8am till about 3pm. But get there early, when they’re gone, they are GONE. Mallon’s will be open the rest of the weekend from 7am to 3pm.

OCEAN CITY – This year’s Earlier than the Bird Downtown shopping extravaganza was another success. Pajama-clad shoppers came out to get great deals as early as 7am Saturday morning November 19. Stores all over Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Street participated in the event, with many posting the sales on their front door. Discounts ranging from 10 to 5o percent off and higher in some cases brought huge smiles to customer’s faces.

The event was a sight to behold. Fuzzy, Feety, and Furry pajamas were spotted, as well as fantastic headbands and slippers. To call it festive would be an understatement. Prizes are a big part of the event too. Free turkeys, gift certficate drawings and other giveaways were worth the early rise.

At the City Hall annex (9th Street and Asbury), the check in point for the shoppers, reusable bags were given out, along with Ocean City magazines, hot chocolate, cider, and coffee, and free Main Street mugs. Santa Claus was even on hand, posing for photos and signing copies of the magazine (he is on the cover).

Here are some photos of the event

November 17, 18-19 Ocean City High School Drama Club Production of “You Can’t Take it With You” Ocean City High School, Hughes Performing Arts Center, 501 Atlantic Ave. Showtime is 7:30pm on the 17-19 and 2pm on the 19th; tickets are $10. More information: 399-1290 ext. 1442

November 18-22 Registration for Dodgeball League. Ocean City Intermediate School, 1801 Bay Avenue, Co-ed league, games on Tuesday nights, must be over 21. For more information, go to  www.southjerseysportsleague.com  

November 18, 19, 20 and 23 8am-4pm: Full Day Fishing, Ocean City Fishing Center, 300 Bay Avenue, Eight-hour fishing trips for Tog, Sea Bass, Cod and Ling. Four days weekly through Dec. 31. $70, For more information, fo to www.fishocnj.com

November 18 10:30am, Seashore Story Hour, Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue. Stories, music and crafts for ages 3-5 in the Activity Room, Room L106. Parents must stay with children. For more information, go to www.oceancitylibrary.org or call 399-2434 ext. 5241

November 18-23 10am-4pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm. Our Heritage in Quilts Exhibit, Ocean City Historical Museum, 1735 Simpson Avenue. Free admission, On-going exhibit, 27 rarely seen antique quilts from the museum’s collection.

November 19 7am-3pm, Earlier than the Bird Shopping Extravaganza, Downtown Ocean City. Shop in your pajamas, free turkey given away to the best PJs. Free coffee and other giveaways in addition to early bird specials. Free horse and carriage rides , facepainting and photos with Santa from 12pm-3pm. For more information, call (609) 398-4662.

November 19 & 20 10am-5pm, Holiday Celebration of Fine Crafts, Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace. Free Parking. Presented by the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild. Donation of $3 to support local charities. No charge for children under 12. For more information, call (800) 822-4112

November 19 5pm, Bounce Night sponsored by the OCPTA, Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, E 6th St & Wayne Avenue, five Inflatables, Music, Snacks for purchase, Admission $5; Grades K-3: 5pm-6:30pm; Grades 4-6: 6:30p,-8pm; Grades 6-8: 8pm-9pm. A waiver must be filled out by a parent at the time of drop off. For more information, call (609) 517-5049.

November 19 8pm Ghost Tour, Outside City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue, $14, $8 ages 4-12, Candlelight walking tour with folk tales. For more information, call (609)  814-0199 or go to  www.ghosttour.com/oceancity.html

November 20 12pm-3pm Free Horse and Carriage Rides, In front of City Hall, 9th Street & Asbury Avenue. For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

November 20 12pm CPR Certification Class to Benefit the Jennifer Ward Memorial Fund, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2998 Bay Avenue, $7 for training for a 2-year certification from American Heart Association/processed by Shore Memorial Hospital; donations will be accepted for the Jennifer Ward Memorial Fund for purchase of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), Must pre-register by Saturday, November 19 by e-mail: DaisyG1953@yahoo.com

OCEAN CITY – The Aquatic and Fitness Center will re-open for the week beginning tomorrow, Thursday, following general refurbishing and the installation of a new chlorination system. The new system has been changed from the typical chlorine system to one which uses saline and Ultra Violet technology, recycling a small amount of salt rather than consuming it. This process separates the same amount of salt in the pool water to produce chlorine, after which the chlorine is eventually recombined back into salt. The Ultra Violet system uses lamps to emit germicidal rays that allow for the reduced level of chemicals in the water. This new technology means that members will be exposed to fewer skin and eye irritants and the water will be both softer and fresher.

The pool schedule for Thursday November 17 and Friday November 18 is as follows: 

3-5pm OCHS Swim Team

5-7pm C-Serpants Team

7-8:30pm Rec (3) Adult Lap (3)

The Aquatic and Fitness Center will be closed for the weekend for final touch-ups and complete refinishing of the floors, after which the Winter schedule will go into effect beginning Monday November 21. 

The updated schedule will be posted at the front desk and can also be found here: http://www.ocnj.us/Aquatic-and-Fitness-Center/

OCEAN CITY – Folklore and local history have always had a certain attraction and charm, especially in Southern New Jersey. The recent popularity of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire seems to have inspired many locals into researching the area’s past. For some, local history has been a lifelong passion. Fred and Susan Miller of the Ocean City Historical Museum are continuing their passion with their upcoming book Legendary Locals of Ocean City.

 The eighth book published by the couple in nine years, Legendary Locals utilizes the Millers’ vast collection of historical photos to showcase Ocean City’s generations of residents. Although notable Ocean City residents have included actress Grace Kelly and author Gay Talese, this collection focuses more on everyday locals.  Since 1879, these citizens have built the community into the family oriented resort whose traditions still remain strong. Fred Miller himself emphasizes this, saying, “we’re looking forward to the book coming out because it is all about the people. It’s 175 people profiled from the Lake family who founded the town to the Gillian family. They’ve all helped to make Ocean City the great family resort it is today.”

 Legendary Locals of Ocean City will be available on March 28, 2012 through Arcadia publishing. Check ArcadiaPublishing.com for details, pre-order information and other historical books published by the Millers.

OCTOBER 28 & 29 The Ocean City Repertory Theater, 813 Asbury Avenue, presents POE EVERMORE in keeping with the scary season of Halloween. There will be spine tingling performances by candlelight of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most chilling stories including The Bells, Annabel Lee, The Black Cat, The Tell Tale Heart, the Raven and more. The shows are set for 8 p.m., admission is $10. For information, call (609) 457-6686 or access www.ocrep.org.

 OCTOBER 28 The COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT (CAP) will hold its 5th Annual Costume Party “Lost at Sea” from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Flanders Hotel, 11th and Boardwalk. This is a Shipwrecked-Ghost themed party and a great way to celebrate Halloween with friends while assisting a worthwhile cause. The party features food, refreshments, dancing and a complimentary photograph. Tickets are $65 a person, call (609) 425-2687 or visit www.communityartprojects.com. CAP sponsors projects that beautify the City with artwork.

OCTOBER 29 2-4pm Downtown Trick or Treating. Look for the pumpkin poster in the window of participating stores.

OCTOBER 29 Paint a Pumpkin at Butterfly Boutique, 943 Asbury, 609-391-0812. $5. All day event.

OCTOBER 29 11am Mummy Pizza Making Kidz Workshop at Kidz Creations, 811 Asbury Avenue, $15 per child (plus tax). 609-399-9922. www.kidzcreations.biz.

OCTOBER 30 How does one get into holiday spirit the night before Halloween? Come out to the Repertory Theater at 8 p.m., Oct. 30 and listen to selections from the award winning Broadway musical Wicked. Wicked is the story of the two witches of Oz and how one became The Wicked Witch of the West and the other, Glinda the Good. Come dressed up in costume and receive $5 off admission. Performers include Amanda DeSouza, Molly Huber, Kameron Ghanavati, Angelica Mathis and Rachel McGettigan. Admission is $10 if not in costume. Door opens 7:30 p.m. for candy and desserts.

OCTOBER 30 –  TRICK OR TROT, a Halloween 5K and 1 mile fun walk begins 7:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. For information www.njshorerun.com/trickortrot5k or call (609) 624-1040. The event is sponsored by the Upper Township Soccer Assn.

 OCTOBER 30 Who will win Ocean City’s DOG OF THE YEAR CONTEST? The triumphant pooch will be named on Sunday on the Sun Deck of the Port ‘O Call at noon. The contest is sponsored by the Ocean City Dog Park Assn., a location where doggies can get together to frolic and have a grand time. The announcement will be followed by Howling for Hounds, a costume contest for canines in keeping with the “Howloween” season at 12:30 p.m. All dogs and their best friends are welcome to the event which is free and open to the public. For more information on the good work of the Dog Park Assn., access www.oceancitydogpark.org.

MARMORA – Could it be what we’ve all been waiting for? One can only hope.

There’s been a serious need for a coffee and bakery joint in Upper Township and it may just be coming to fruition.

Baked, Your Confection Connection appears to be moving into the left most spot in Wayside Village. It was formerly the home of Good Vs Evil Comics.

Though we couldn’t get ahold of the owners despite calls to Upper Township City Hall, a peek inside the windows of the new shop showed cool painted walls and coffee urns. The sign is up and all signs point to a business about to open.

Once more information is released, we’ll bring it to you.

MARMORA – One day the Marmora Wendy’s was open and serving customers, the next it was completely boarded up and shut down. In these past few weeks since then, someone has been spray painting phrases on the front of the boards, such as “I want a Taco Bell.”

But what is the fate of the property on the busy intersection of Route 9 and Roosevelt Boulevard?

That question remains unanswered as of today. Amy at Ocean City Realty, the real estate office representing the property, says that there are a couple possibilities for the location, but nothing has been confirmed. Though the sign on the property says SOLD, no information is being release on who purchased it or what any plans are for filling the spot. Amy did say it was not necessarily going to be a restaurant.

The property goes to settlement in the middle of November and more details should be released at that time.