10 Things I Think About South Jersey This Week

As the calendar flips from February to March, there are a ton of things happening through South Jersey.

In this weeks edition of 10 things I think I think in South Jersey, I will look at a bunch of bars, restaurants, shops and random observations that stood out to me over the past week.

In this weekly column, I will share experiences of places I like, didn't like, food and drinks to try and random things that just come across my mind each day.

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I will put these 10 thoughts out every Tuesday and I hope you find them helpful and enjoy.

1. The traffic light at the corner of Tilton Road in Northfield and New Road.  There is no reason to have a “No Turn on Red.”  I sat at the light there for probably 10 seconds with no traffic coming, with tons of chances to make a simple right-hand turn.  I understand there are times where the traffic is heavier, but most times a right on red is a pretty easy thing to accomplish. Lets revisit this.

2. Charlie's Bar in Somers Point came up with a fun idea to celebrate the career of Jason Kelce.  They will be having "Jason Kelce 6-2 Day" on June 2nd, with food and drink specials along with giveaways all day on June 2.

The guys at Charlie's always seem to do a great job putting on these type of events, and I wouldn't past them to get Kelce to show up!

St. Patrick's Events at the Jersey Shore

3. We are closing in on St. Paddy's Day, which is a big day event in South Jersey.  Here are some of my favorite spots in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties to go when I am around for St. Patrick's Day.

4. Atlantic City Saint Patrick's Day Parade

The 36th Annual Atlantic City Saint Patrick's Day Parade takes place this Saturday at 1 p.m on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. The parade is back with grand marshal's Steve Troiano and Kelsey Grammer and includes many school, string and piper bands, Irish dancers, and floats on the boardwalk.

South Jersey Sports News

5. The MAAC Basketball Championship will be back in Atlantic City, but I hope its not for the final time. I really enjoy going to the games, Boardwalk Hall is such a great venue, I just hope the area supports this event.  The attendance has been hard to gauge with COVID years and other things impacting thing around the early years of the deal.  I've been to a few games where the attendance hasn't been great and a few, like the 2022 championship game which had a great atmosphere and a big crowd. Do yourself a favor, head over and check out a game, so the tourney comes back to the area.

Read More: Is MAAC Basketball looking to leave Atlantic City?

6. The Mainland basketball programs had quite a week.  Both the boys and girls basketball teams won state titles on the same day with the girls beating Absegami, racking up their second South Jersey Group III title in three season.

The boys won a triple-overtime thriller, 69-67 over rival Ocean City to win their first South Jersey Championship since 1981.

Earlier in the week senior Cohen Cook, a Somers Pont resident, became the school's all-time leading scorer. Cook scored his 1,753rd point in a Mainland uniform, passing Joseph “Skip” Castaldi's 1,752 which was set in 1965.

Boys head basketball coach Dan Williams also picked up his 200th career coaching win after a 55-38 win over Moorestown.

7. Cedar Creek Alum shines at the NFL Combine

Former Cedar Creek start Max Melton, who played his college football at Rutgers, had an outstanding week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Melton ran a 4.38 40-Yard dash time, which could get him drafted as high as the second-round talent evaluators tell me.

Melton's brother Bo played in the NFL playoffs this year with the Green Bay Packers and is another South Jersey athletes to make it at the professional level.

Here is Melton talking about fellow Rutgers graduate and Vineland High alum Isiah Pacheco, who won his second Super Bowl in as many seasons with the Chiefs.

South Jersey Breweries

8. Last week I talked about taking a trip out to Hammonton for the day to check out the three great local breweries they have out there, 3 Three's. Vinyl and Chimney Rustic Ales.

Well now they are giving you a reason to go, and I think its a great idea to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend. The three local Hammonton breweries are coming together to a beer crawl, which is just $10 and includes an event exclusive glass.

Sign me up!

9. Cape May Beer Trails!

Its a new event for 2024, which is a must for any craft beer fan.  I mentioned doing the Hammonton breweries, but you can't go wrong by doing the Cape May County either.

Craft beer drinkers will get to sample beers at Cape May Brewing Co., Behr Brewing, and Gusto Brewing Company, plus stop for lunch at Cape Square Kitchen & Craft.

There are a few dates with the first one coming March 16, then another one on Sun, Jun 16 and Sat, Oct 12.

Get tickets here.

10. Check out the Hook.

Went to the Hook a few weeks ago at Caesars in Atlantic City and had a blast.  We had brunch and saw the show for my cousins birthday with a group of about 20 people. Highly recommend it, but I will say its for a mature audience.

I thought the show as highly entertaining and very well done.  Its a bit crude, but the performers were outstanding.  I think the juggling scene is one of the best things I have seen in Atlantic City.