The Gazette of Really Small News

We've added a  page of photos from the Gazette's library of photos taken during the fire that destroyed Ocean Grove's North End pavilion on April 14. The library is posted in response to requests for a photo record in the aftermath of allegations of firefighters taking selfies when they should have been fighting the blaze in which several businesses and a popular boardwalk food court were lost. The photos are published in chronological order.

Sunlight shines through rabbit ears as the small fluffy mammal munches grass at sunset in Ocean Grove July 19.

A party boat on sparkling waters behind the ruins of Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion symbolizes the happy-but-sad nature of this year's Memorial Day Weekend. The unofficial start of summer kicks off today with sunny skies, temperatures in the low 70s, but also with the absence of both the North End pavilion and Nagle's Apothecary Cafe,  which for nearly two decades was a popular eatery at the northeast corner of Main and Central avenues. The pavilion, which was home to several boutiques, the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe food court, and the Crooked Snook restaurant, was destroyed by fire in April. Nagle's has been closed since January because of the illness of one of the owners, according to published reports. (Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Is your name on the list? The list of names for this season's hurricanes, that is. Here's the 2019 list released by the World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy. "Andrea" has already been used. The first named storm of the season developed earlier this week as a subtropical storm in the Atlantic but weakened fewer than 24 hours later without affecting land.

Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News

This year's Atlantic hurricane season could be near-normal, according to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The chances are 40 percent for a near-normal season, 30 percent for an above-normal season,  and 30 percent for a below-normal season, NOAA said today in a statement. Near-normal activity means between 9 and 15 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, NOAA said. Of those storms, 2 to 4 could become major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher. An average hurricane season can produce 12 named storms, with 6 becoming hurricanes, and at least 3 of those becoming major hurricanes, NOAA said. The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and will run through Nov. 30.

Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News

Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News

A female wild turkey strolls around Founders Park in Ocean Grove Thursday, May 16. Some residents said they had never before seen wild turkeys in this area. (Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Godzilla invaded Asbury Park Tuesday afternoon in the shape of a cloud. (Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Hurricane season doesn't start until June 1, but it's not too early to prepare for a hurricane, especially now that we're in National Hurricane Preparedness Week. The National Hurricane Center recommends a basic disaster supplies kit that includes the following items: --One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. The water is for drinking and sanitation --At least three-days worth of non-perishable food --Manual can opener --A battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, as well as a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio with tone alert --Flashlight --First aid kit --Batteries --Whistle (to signal for help) --Moist towelettes and garbage bags with ties in case you're sheltering in place. The items are useful for purposes of hygiene and sanitation if you end up sheltering in place. --Feminine supplies --Baby supplies and baby food --Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape are also recommended if ...

Merchandise mingles with heaps of charred lumber, siding, and other debris that was once part of the North End Pavilion in Ocean Grove. Officials today said that the cause of the April 13 inferno remained under investigation, though it is believed to have started under the east side of the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kaan Williams of the township police department at 732-988-8000, or Detective Patrick Petruziello of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News

Spectators watched from under the Asbury Park Arcade as the remains of Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion were razed Sunday, April 14. The pavilion was devastated the day before by a five-alarm fire that summoned responders from around Monmouth County and as far north as Union County. Investigators believe the fire began under the boardwalk at the east side of the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe. (Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

The fire that led to the destruction of the North End Pavilion in Ocean Grove last weekend began under the boardwalk on the east side of the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe, officials said. "The area of origin is an area where homeless have resided in the past," the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement posted on social media. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the prosecutor's office said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Patrick Petruzziello or Kaan Williams of the Neptune Township Police Department, 732-988-8000.

Daily Dawn, June 22, 2017 Daily Dawn, October 20, 2017 Superstorm Sandy Retrospective, October 28, 2017 November 12, 2017 Retro View in Fog, February 21, 2018 Daily Dawn, February 27, 2018 Ground Fog Day, May 11, 2018 Daily Dawn, May 24, 2018 Daily Dawn, June 22, 2018 Reflection at Dawn, July 10, 2018

A firefighter trains a hose on the crawl space under Dunes Boardwalk Cafe on the north end of the Ocean Grove boardwalk Saturday, April 13. A fire that began in the pavilion Saturday  morning was said to be contained but erupted in a fireball in the afternoon, gutting the restaurant and several small stores that were part of the pavilion. The cause of the fire is under investigation, although authorities reportedly said the fire began under the cafe and spread up and into the building. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Demolition of the pavilion on the north end of the Ocean Grove boardwalk continued Sunday afternoon. There is as yet no official cause given for the April 13 fire that destroyed the building, which housed assorted small eateries and retailers, although some reports say the fire began beneath the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe and spread up into the building. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Firefighters continued to put water on Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion Sunday morning as the remains of the landmark structure were being torn down. According to media reports, county officials think the fire that  ravaged the building the day before began under the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe, an enclosed food court on the boardwalk. The pavilion was also home to several small clothing retailers and was slated to open for the season in mid-May.

Clouds of smoke partially conceal still-burning remains of Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion Saturday, April 13. Officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The five-alarm blaze damaged the boardwalk and claimed the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe and several small shops only six weeks before the Memorial Day weekend.

Hundreds of firefighters from Monmouth County converged on the Ocean Grove boardwalk Saturday, April 13 at what began as a smokey fire at the North End Pavilion. The fire was said to be contained but revived in a fireball hours later. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Bits of Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion smolder in the night Saturday, April 13, hours after fire ravaged the building, home to Dunes Boardwalk Cafe and several small stores. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Firefighters continued into the night to pour water on the smoking remains of Ocean Grove's North End Pavilion, hours after lames destroyed the building, home to Dunes Boardwalk Cafe and several small stores. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Fire bursts through the roof of Dunes Boardwalk Cafe late in the afternoon Saturday, April 13 after gutting stores to the left of the popular summer restaurant. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

Only six weeks before Memorial Day weekend, a major fire has devastated Ocean Grove's north end pavilion, taking a popular seasonal eatery and several small stores. The blaze Saturday, April 13, reportedly began in Dunes Boardwalk Cafe late Saturday morning, was contained by early afternoon but flared up shortly after 2 p.m. in what one witness described as a fireball. No injuries were reported. Fire departments from around Monmouth County and as far north as Union County responded to the five-alarm conflagration. The pavilion was heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012 and rebuilt and reopened by 2015. (Photo: Gev Sweeney/The Gazette of Really Small News)

This faux retro image of the Stokes statue facing east was captured at sunrise February 5. Elwood Stokes was a founder of Ocean Grove and the first president of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting association. His statue sits in front of the Great Auditorium.

Seniors and the disabled have until the end of the month to buy seasonal beach badges at $15. The price is expected to double to $30 on March 1, according to reports in the Asbury Park Press and the online outlet tapinto.net. The borough also raised the senior discount age from 62 to 65. Price hikes are also in store for adult seasonal badges and daily badges, with seasonal badges going from $55 to $70, and daily badges from $8 to $9.. The badges went on sale for the season on December 3, 2018. As of this morning, the Badge Fees page on the borough's website still showed the rates and criteria in effect since that date.

A closeup of sunrise off Asbury Park, February 4.

Monmouth County is in a Code Blue alert until 7 a.m. Sunday, February 3, a period in which temperatures can plunge into the single digits and wind chills enter minus-double-digit territory. The Monmouth County Sheriff's Department advises calling the county division of social services, 732-431-6000, ext. 4613, if you end up going without heat during business hours. Those who fter business hours, contact your local police department. The sheriff's department issued the advisory by way of a post on its Facebook page. Code Blue is issued when temperatures fall below freezing and/or conditions endanger the homeless and allows authorities to bring homeless of the streets and into shelters or other places authorized to act as warming centers. But it's not just for the homeless. Warming centers are for anyone who has lost heat or is unable to find a warm shelter. According to the United Ways of New Jersey's  NJ 2-1-1's  website   there are only two warming centers ...

The gazebo on the Fletcher Lake end of the Bradley Beach boardwalk sits in silhouette against a hard, cloudless sunrise on January 27.

Unruffled by wind, Wesley Lake reflected Asbury Park's landmark steam plant and carousel building shortly after sunrise January 26.

A fishing boat heads north off Ocean Grove at sunrise on January 26.

The surf off Ocean Grove at sunrise January 26. No filter was used.

Wide shot, captured from the Ocean Grove beachfront.

This image of Asbury Park buildings reflected in Wesley Lake was captured after sunrise on January 25.

"Red sky at morning, sailor's warning." The National Weather Service says to expect rain tonight and heavy rain tomorrow. A flood watch has been issued for Thursday, January 24, from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Spring Lake Theatre Company will hold auditions for its spring production of The Producers on Thursday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. Auditions will be at company headquarters in the Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Ave., Spring Lake. All roles are open. Auditioners are asked to prepare 16 bars to sing and to bring sheet music. Performance dates are March 29 and 30, and April 5, 6, 12 and 13. Tech week is March 24 to March 28. No conflicts will be accepted, according to the company's release on social media.

Bradley Beach. Image captured around 1 p.m., January 22, 2018.

Sunday, January 20, is your last chance to see La Strada Ensemble's production of La Bella Familia  at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, 66 South Main Street Ocean Grove (near Ocean Grove's North Gate). Edwin Sanchez's play depicts what happens when a hit woman, her mentally challenged son, and a janitor with nothing but fatherhood on his mind end up living next to the neighbors from hell. Performance time is 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 students and senior citizens, and can be purchased at www.lastradaensemble.org.

Valentine's Day arrived early at the Asbury Park boardwalk. These artsy symbols were reflected in a puddle north of the casino building.

Distant Ocean Grove rooftops seem to sit atop the dunes in this photo taken December 23, 2018.