BASEMENT WATERPROOFING IN Long Branch

The transition from one coach to another can be tricky if not handled correctly. For Chad King and Long Branch, it was flawless.

On Thanksgiving Day, the season culminated for the Green Wave with a 35-28 victory over rival Red Bank Regional in Little Silver. This was the 99th all-time meeting between the two sides and the Green Wave lead the series 64-32-3.

“It just shows that tradition never graduates,” King said. “It’s an opportunity to play football. Meaningful football on Thanksgiving Day. To be able to play one more game with the seniors, it means a lot to everyone on both sides of the ball.”

King took over for legendary coach Dan George, who retired following the 2021 season. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant under George and also played for him at Ocean Township.

Long Branch began the season 1-3 before winning six of its final seven games, including one forfeit.

“It’s always good to win. Winning heals all,” King said. “Mainly for the seniors. For the seniors to go out with a win and winning six of the last seven, it’s just a testament to how hard they worked. They fought really hard all season and wanted to go out with a win.”

Early on, the Green Wave hit on big plays to gain control. Earnest Reevey hit Shamar Williams for a 60-yard touchdown followed by a 62-yard strike to Akeel Gaines.

Red Bank Regional would get even at 14 with 19 seconds left in the first half but Sekou Kamau returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to regain the lead.

“They made a few more plays than we did,” Red Bank Regional head coach Shane Fallon said. “We’ve had this never-say-die attitude all year and they’ve practiced better as the year went on, which is something we loved as a coaching staff. In the end, you have to credit Long Branch for what they did.”

Reevey finished 14-for-21 for 296 yards and three touchdowns. With the game tied at 28 in the fourth quarter, the Green Wave faced third-and-18. Reevey sent a pass down the right sideline and Michael Hall was able to make a diving catch for 43 yards.

This play set up the game-winning touchdown run from Gaines, who finished with 129 total yards and two touchdowns.

“The kids were committed,” King said. “We wanted to be in a football game and that’s what happened. When the heat is on, the lights are on, the pressure is on, the kids want to show up and prove it. They were able and ready to win this one.”

Williams led the Green Wave with 102 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Red Bank Regional rode Gunnar Eckerstorm on the ground to the tune of 65 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce Olsen finished 13-for-23 for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite losing Olsen to graduation next season, the Bucs return plenty of experience. This is a team that began 0-2 and was able to win seven of nine to finish the year.

“We’re a heck of a lot better than we were a year ago,” Fallon said. “There has been tremendous growth. That’s a credit to our seniors and all of the pieces in the puzzle. I’m so proud of the seniors and the leadership that they gave us this season.”

“We played a lot of juniors this year. We have a lot of kids coming back. The growth that we showed throughout the season, digging ourselves out of a hole, I’m proud of our growth.”

Next year, these two teams will meet for the 100th time, continuing one of the best traditions in the state. For both sides, this is a rivalry that brings communities together.

“It’s a great tradition and means a lot to both communities,” Fallon said. “Both teams played their hearts out. It’s the kind of rivalry you like to see. Alumni on both sides are still friends years later. These kids today have been playing against each other all their lives. There is competition, absolutely but the rivalry extends itself off the field in a good way.”

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Three new retail leases have been signed to the already exciting business lineup at Pier Village, the year-round oceanfront residential, retail and recreational destination in Long Branch, according to a Tuesday announcement from Kushner Cos.

Salt Life, Strand Salon and Remedy Realm will bring lifestyle, beauty and health care to the oceanside shops and in-demand retail destination.

All three businesses are scheduled to open by the spring of 2023.

Based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Salt Life will lease 3,453 square feet, marking its first Northeast retail location. Salt Life merchandise can be found in surf shops, specialty stores, department stores and sporting goods retailers across the country, as well as in the brand’s 21 retail locations.

Strand Salon will expand its beauty concept, opening its fourth location, leasing 5,000 square feet. Strand Salon is a unique concept that provides beauty professionals with customizable room rentals curated to meet their needs. Currently operating three locations, with two in Paramus and one in Englewood, the company will significantly grow its footprint and geographic reach with the opening of its space at the Shops at Pier Village.

Remedy Realm will open its first permanent location, taking 1,729 square feet at the Shops at Pier Village. Created by Dr. Avraham Schreiber, Remedy Realm is a health care concept offering a range of IV drips, peptide injections, facial aesthetic treatments and other services designed to help people live and feel their best. Previously operating as a successful pop-up at the Shops at Pier Village, Remedy Realm’s new permanent home will ensure convenient access to all its services for both residents and visitors of the development.

“We have always known that the success of Pier Village has relied upon making it a sought-after destination for retail and service tenants from January to December,” Nicole Kushner Meyer of Kushner said. “These three leases showcase our success in making that vision a reality and we are proud to welcome each of them to our one-of-a-kind community.”

Since being acquired by Kushner in 2014, the Shops at Pier Village’s retail spaces are paired with access to over 2.3 million annual visitors as well as 493 luxury rental apartments, 243 upscale condos and 91 hotel rooms at the property. In addition, Kushner has created a variety of programming and community events that attract visitors throughout the year, including a Fall Festival and Pooch Parade, Halloween Spooktacular, winter ice skating rink and a wide variety of holiday programming.

Ryan Starkman, director at Pierson Commercial, the exclusive retail leasing agent for the Shops at Pier Village, stated: “The wide range of business models for each of these three tenants speaks to Pier Village’s ability to provide the type of real estate that businesses of any kind need to thrive. We are excited about our continued work with potential tenants to welcome them to the property and further cement its status as one of New Jersey’s most successful and desirable retail developments.”

Pier Village is already home to over 140,000 square feet of retail, amenities, fitness and food and beverage operators. It features retailers such as aXd by Alba, Baldy Art Gallery, Doggie Sweets and Molly and Zoey, as well as leading fitness brand Gold’s Gym and Phorm’s private training studio.

Further bolstering its tenant offerings are a diverse slate of food and beverage businesses, ranging from casual dining and café options like The Turning Point, Art of Salad, Branch Cantina, Simply Greek, Tony Boloney’s and a soon-to-open Starbucks, to award-winning restaurants like Salt Steakhouse and Avenue Le Club. In addition, longtime tenants such as McLoone’s Restaurants have continued to expand their presence at the property through establishments such as the Robinson Ale House and McLoone’s Pier House and the recently opened Kahuna Burger concept.

With a track record of international success, renowned chef Nina Clemente has arrived in Long Branch with MAYA, located within Pier Village’s WAVE Resort.

This brand-new concept is about to be a destination for anyone looking for unique, healthy Italian and Mediterranean options.

Chef Clemente describes the menu as “seasonal, fresh, and clean.” Pairing fresh seafood with the Garden State’s finest produce, she highlights local ingredients to create unique versions of the Southern Italian cooking she grew up with.

Notable dishes like branzino served with salsa verde, asparagus, and sunflower sprouts exemplify Clemente and the staff’s vision. Other menu standouts include entrees like spiced Romanesco (served with beluga lentils and chimichurri), as well as za’atar lamb chops (served with Israeli salad and herb tahini).

Whether you’re on a date, celebrating a family milestone, or having a friendly get-together, you can expect top-notch appetizers and salads. MAYA’s team has worked hard to accent entrees with salads like the beets and oranges, and appetizers like the bigeye tuna crudo and grilled octopus.

“I want to serve food that makes you feel good,” Clemente said in a release. “Food that you can eat multiple times a week, that leaves you feeling satisfied, and that incorporates the fresh ingredients of the region. Local oysters, Jersey tomatoes, peaches, cherries, fresh corn—you’ll find it all on the menu.” MAYA’s menus also offer a range of vegan and gluten-free options.

The restaurant includes a 70-seat indoor dining room and an airy, outdoor section. Either way, you’ll never be far from an oceanfront view of the breezy Atlantic. Designed by Kevin O’Shea, chief creative officer for Salt Hotels, MAYA’s modern aesthetic features Mediterranean-inspired deep reds, earthy greens, raw concrete, and hand-glazed tiles.

The knowledgeable bar staff will kickstart any evening with its custom cocktail menu, local brews, and fine wines. Key options include the Low-Hanging Fruit (a mezcal drink with apricot, Strega, and lime), craft beer (Asbury Park Brewery, Carton Brewing, and more), and chef-selected wines from the Mediterranean coast.

Born in Italy and raised in NYC, Chef Clemente has worked all over the world—from LA, to NYC, back to Italy, in St. Barts, and now New Jersey.

Clemente also noted, “My family has always taught me to see food as the anchor for friends and family to gather around a table, share their stories, and create memories.”

Clemente’s resume includes Osteria Mozza, the Standard, and the High Line. She’s worked with the Smile Group, and has spent time under the tutelage of Enrico Crippa at his three-Michelin-star Piazza Duomo, in Alba, Italy. And her inspiration for MAYA is Maya Gurley’s Restaurant in St. Barts, where she worked under Chef Maya Gurley.

While Clemente has built the restaurant from concept to creation, Executive Chef Dan Schreiber will handle MAYA’s day-to-day kitchen operations.

From the bartenders to the kitchen staff and management team—the entire team feels that Long Branch is the perfect place for MAYA due to the coastal community’s bustling seasonal crowd in the summer and the consistent local crowd throughout the year.

The menu is fairly set for now, but options will change and evolve with every season. Variations will depend on the fresh produce and ingredients procured at their individual peaks. MAYA will embrace seasonal changes and celebrate the produce from New Jersey’s farms throughout the year.

Hours (subject to change):

Reservations at OpenTable: MAYA 110 Ocean Ave N Long Branch, NJ 07740

Stephen Ordille ran for three touchdowns to power third-seeded Mainland, No 20 in the NJ.com Top 20, to a 34-20 win against seventh-seeded Long Branch in the semifinals of the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics Central Jersey, Group 4 playoffs in Linwood.

Mainland (9-1) will play top-seeded Middletown South for the championship next week.

Ordille got things going with an 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He then added a 1-yard jaunt in the second. Just before halftime, Villanova commit Ja’Briel Mace broke free for a 39-yard run. Mace reversed field from left to right juking and shedding tacklers along the way to the end zone.

Long Branch (5-4) got on the scoreboard with an 11-yard scoring run from quarterback Earnest Reevey. Ordille, though, burst through for a long 55-yard touchdown on the ground to make it 27-7 in the third.

Reevey and Long Branch wouldn’t go away however as he completed a 33-yard touchdown pass. The Green Wave would then recover the onside kick, and Shamar Williams caught a 25-yard scoring pass from Reevey. Just like that it was a one-score game at 27-20 in fourth.

Cohen Cook, who earlier was on the receiving end of a 2-point conversion, but the game on ice with a 6-yard touchdown with less than three minutes left.

Ordille now has six rushing touchdowns on the season while Mace has 24 and Cook has seven. For Long Branch, Williams has caught two scores and Reevey has thrown eight touchdowns and ran for three more.

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LONG BRANCH - The district's leaders brought something special back from their annual pilgrimage to the school board workshop in Atlantic City: the Sustainability Champions award.

The honor was bestowed on the district from Sustainable New Jersey, a nonprofit that helps towns and schools make community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental equity. As of 2020, at least 219 towns and 321 schools achieved certification in the program. In return, the nonprofit connects the schools to grant opportunities, awarding nearly $6 million in funds since the program started in 2009.

“As we stand at the climate crossroads, what we do now will define the fate of the planet and human life on it," said Randall Solomon, the executive director of Sustainable Jersey. "That is why the accomplishments of the 2022 Sustainability Champion award recipients are so important. They demonstrate what is possible when you combine vision, hard work and collaboration."

Both the Long Branch Middle School and George L. Catrambone Elementary School received the champions award. One of the main programs that got them the achievement were their farmer's markets. Students at these schools help raise crops in the schools' gardens, which they then give out for free at their farmer's market in the lunch room. Produce includes peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and zucchinis.

"The dedication our students and teachers have shown is nothing short of incredible," said Superintendent Francisco E. Rodriguez.

He said sustainability education is "near and dear" to school officials' hearts and they're working to promote a sustainable mindset not only in the schools but throughout the Long Branch community.

Through the program the district won a Waste Pilot Grant that allowed it to purchase an industrial composter at the Cantrambone school. The composter turns up to 250 pounds of food waste a day into rich compost that is mixed with soil at the district's gardens and facilities. It usually takes the machine about 12 hours to turn out a five-gallon bucket of compost.

Students participate by sorting the food waste at lunch using a sorting table in the cafeteria. The waste then gets added to the machine by adult staff members.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; [email protected].