Friday Stuff

A little of this and a little of that heading into Easter weekend:

Opening night of the Lakewood BlueClaws 2009 season featured an unusually mild evening, an enthusiastic crowd, the Phillies World Series Trophy and another season-opening loss for the home team. Just under
7,000 fans were on hand at FirstEnergy Park and unlike most of the previous openers they were not bundled up in blankets and wearing hats and gloves…some even had shorts on. However the one trend that did continue was a BlueClaws loss, 2-1 to the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds. Lakewood won it’s first-ever home opener in 2001 but has lost every one since….that’s 8 in-a-row. The BlueClaws are home for the rest of the weekend before embarking on a 7-game road trip.

Joe Leone’s is known around the area for their great Italian food and catering and the day before Easter would figure to be a very busy one at their retail locations in Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt. That’s why Joe decided the make tomorrow one in which he could help the victims of this week’s devastating earthquake in Italy. He will donate 10% of all purchases tomorrow to relief efforts and in addition there will be an outdoor festival in the parking lot of his store on Route 35 South in Point Pleasant Beach from noon to 8pm. With the help of his vendors 100% of the proceeds from the festival, which will feature food and music, will go to relief efforts. Joe Leone himself will travel to Italy next week and deliver to the money to those in need.

The band Hometown Roll and Bum Rogers Crab House in South Seaside Park will team up on Saturday, April 25th to hold a fundraiser for Ocean of Love. The event starts at 3pm and will feature afternoon activities for kids and families and then music in the evening. The Magnums will play at 6:30 and then Hometown Roll will take the stage at 9pm…the evening will also feature a free buffet and Chinese auction. Tickets are just $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with will proceeds going to Ocean of Love…a non-profit organization that assists Ocean County children with cancer and their families.