Sleepover at Sea

The Battleship New Jersey is offering the Overnight Encampment program again this summer. For a fee you can enjoy dinner and breakfast served from the Crew's Mess, a ride in the 4D Flight Simulator, a tour of the ship -- which includes the new City at Sea Tour and the chance to sleep in the bunks that the crew of the USS New Jersey once did. For details and pricing see the battleship's website.

Camden, Home of the Drive-In

Carrie Rickey reported on www.philly.com on June 5 ("Camden's immortal contribution to film ")

The drive-in, that convergence of two late-19th-century technological innovations, cars and cinema, was born in Camden County, N.J., one sultry June 75 years ago. “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are,” advertised innovative exhibitor Richard Hollingshead, Jr., who opened the first drive-in on Admiral Wilson Boulevard, charging 25 cents, the price of a ducat at a conventional moviehouse, but offering the advantage of not having to dress up (as people did in those days) or worry about the conduct of your children.

Parada San Juan Bautista

Parada San Juan Bautista is celebrating a 51st anniversary this year. The annual parade will be this Sunday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7th and Elm Streets onto Market St, proceed to the Camden Waterfront.

The post parade concert will be from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Wiggins Waterfront Park.

Left on a Bench?

Someone, most likely a woman, left something that is probably of value on a bench behind the Walt Whitman Art Center. It was turned in to the security guard at the Board of Education Building.

Sea Movie!

Looking for something to do this weekend? The Battleship New Jersey and Sunoco Welcome America are presenting a free family movie, "Happy Feet," on the ship's pier on Sunday, June 29th at 8 pm. There will be food, drinks and prizes.

PATCO Tunnel Reopening?

This morning in the PATCO station, the gates were open to the tunnel under the street. The entrance on the other side has been closed for years if not decades. Is this a sign of things to come or just someone doing some spring cleaning? Time will tell.

Update: On the way home the gates were closed. Just a momentary thing apparently.

West Oak Lane Jazz & Artz Festival

The 5th annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival will be held June 20-22, on the 7100 to 7400 blocks of Ogontz Avenue in Northwest Philadelphia. Live music by, among others, the Benny Golson Quartet, The Whispers, The O'Jays, Mandrill, War, Kevin Eubanks, Ashford & Simpson, and Pieces of a Dream.

Susquehanna Bank Branch Coming to Victor Building

Steve left a comment on yesterday's post saying that yes, indeed, that is a Susquehanna Bank branch moving into the corner of the Victor Building. It is expect to open in the fall. Someone I know is already planning to open an account there. Thanks, Steve, for the news.

Riverwalking Notes

Something is moving into a corner of the Victor Building, between the concierge / front entrance and the Victor Pub. I'm not sure what but workmen are putting up drywall, etc. The permit taped to the window says Susquehanna Bank, 1 Market St. but that could just as easily be the organization paying the bills as the one moving in.

For the curious, the Crossroads Cafe by the Adventure Aquarium does not start serving lunch until 11:30 but Jordan's Place, the hotdog cart on the edge of campus is almost always open. You can get a hotdog, some chips, and a drink for around $3.00, which is a good price.

The white hydrangeas (?) blooming in front of the Rutgers Campus Center smell wonderful. The bees are in heaven, zooming around the blossoms.

That beautiful red brick building on the corner of 3rd and Market is finally being renovated. A workman who paused to answer my questions pointed out the herringbone brickwork near the top. He said it was a lost skill, setting bricks in that pattern. He did tell me what the building was going to be used for but it would be better to get confirmation before posting it. It sounds like the former Hector's Place restaurant next door will be incorporated into the new venture. The gentleman was very well-read and I was impressed with his gallantry (reminding me to watch for traffic) and his use of historical allusions in describing the building's architecture. You could tell he truly loved his work.

Now, if only we could get La Riviera back.....

Rutgers Summer Writers Conference

The 22nd annual Rutgers Camden Summer Writers' Conference will be held June 23 through July 2.

An intensive program of workshops and readings, featuring a staff of nationally-known writers, poets and editors. The series of workshops, lectures and lunch meetings is open to both Rutgers students and the community, though some prior workshop or professional experience is required. It may be taken for either undergraduate or graduate credit as well as on a non-credit "certificate" basis. See the course listings for Undergraduate and Graduate course numbers.

EVENING READINGS
The 2008 Summer Writers' Conference features evening readings by the staff members and students. These affairs with refreshments begin at 7pm and are free and open to the general public. All readings will be in the Stedman Gallery in the Fine Arts Center.

SUMMER 2008 SCHEDULE
Monday, June 23: J.T. Barbarese and Lisa Zeidner
Tuesday, June 24: Aaron Hamburger and Karen Karbo
Wednesday, June 25: Moira Crone and Jim Daniels
Thursday, June 26: Rodger Kamenetz and Sidney Wade
Monday, June 30:Jonathan Galassi and Rachel Pastan
Tuesday, July 1: Victoria Chambers and Lauren Grodstein
Wednesday, July 2: Students from the program

Riviera Update

My favorite lunch spot, La Riviera, has been closed for a few days now. A sign has been put on the door saying it is closed for the day. A little snooping has led me to believe this is temporary, but that isn't certain. The Camden Courier Post ran a story "Waterfront eatery closes," on June 11, which implies the closing is permanent. Hope springs eternal -- I'll assume it will re-open in good time.

Camden Shipyard & Maritime Museum

Another cultural gem in our fair city is the Camden Shipyard @ Maritime Museum, located at 191o Broadway St. According to their website:

The Camden Shipyard and Maritime Museum is a new, family oriented, interactive, cultural and educational facility that is being developed near the Delaware River in a beautiful, historic (1881) church that was built using ballast stones brought from around the world in the holds of sailing ships. Situated in the historic district of Waterfront South in Camden, New Jersey, the aim of the Museum is to present a variety of programs and exhibitions related to local and regional maritime history and host a variety of recreational boating programs for children and their families. The Museum’s programs will have a thematic orientation to the people, places, enterprises, and events associated with the maritime history of the New Jersey side of the Delaware River estuary.

More on this museum later.

World Oceans' Day at the Aquarium with Joe Piscopo

Joe Piscopo will be at the Adventure Aquarium this Sunday, June 8, to celebrate World Ocean's Day:

Enjoy a day complete with arts & crafts, activities, and displays presented by various conservation-minded organizations. Also, meet our volunteer divers and learn about their dive equipment and methods of care for the aquarium's animals. Guests will also have the opportunity to watch as a 530-lb artificial reef ball is placed in the Aquarium's underwater exhibit to help raise awareness as to the importance of creating and maintaining sustainable marine life habitats.

Also on-hand for World Ocean's Day will be actor and comedian Joe Piscopo, who, along with his three children, is featured in a brand new Adventure Aquarium Public Service Announcement that highlights the damage that ocean pollution can cause. More importantly, the video urges viewers to commit themselves to keeping our oceans clean by becoming ocean champions! Piscopo will also lead guests in a World Ocean's Day Pledge:

"I pledge to do my part to help protect our oceans. From this day forward, I will never litter. I will pick up trash. I will help make our world a better place."