Now Open!  Highlander Bicycle Company

Heavy rains and predicted continued bad weather put off the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the Highlander Bicycle Company, but neither stopped a crowd of cyclists, families and others from visiting the new business.

The official opening of the Highlander Bicycle Company is now set for Saturday, October 21 at 10 a.m., when Mayor Loretta Gluckstein and local officials will cut the ribbon at 28 First Avenue, the former laundromat at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and First Avenue.

But local resident Jason Chabak already has the shop and repair section open for what looks to be a very welcoming addition to the borough’s business district.

Chabak chose the name of the business from an old local newspaper name and also has tee shirts and sweat shirts in the shop promoting it. There are also shirts from Ron Jon at LBI as well as a large assortment of other colors and designs.

A bike shop it may be, complete with bikes of all sizes and types for all ages, including mountain, road, cruiser and e-bikes, but it is also filled with a variety of other cyclists needs, including helmets, shirts, eye glasses  candles and water bottles as well as hand and xbody wash and aromatic body bath!

The repair station at the rear of the shop is open for business with a mechanic on duty, and Chabak and his team of part time employees are eager to help.

The Highlander is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 .am. to 6 p.m..

For more information go to Info@Highlandernj.com or call 732-413-4022. Or Instagram @highlanaderebicycleco.

 Blue Mass

The 20^th annual Blue Mass will be offered at Saint Agnes Church Wednesday, October. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

The mass honors all volunteer fire and first aid members as well as local police departments, keeping them all aware of the appreciation and thanks local residents have for their services. The mass also is said to honor their service and continue to pray for continued safety for each.

The mass is open to all and all are invited to attend. A reception follows at the Shore Casino after the mass for continued rapport among the police, volunteers and all those who appreciate all their efforts.

The mass is sponsored by the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus. Music during the mass is under the direction of the parish music coordinator Courtney Grogan.

Atlantic Highlands Borough Council Happenings

Borough Council unanimously adopted the ordinance re-naming the Center Avenue Park the Helen Marchetti Park at its meeting Thursday.

There were no objections during the public hearing on the proposed code and plenty of applause and affirmative head nodding after it was official.

In response to a question from resident Mark Fisher, Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina confirmed that once the Center Avenue park is extended to include a portion of the Denholtz property, the ordinance will be amended to include that portion into the Helen Marchetti park.

Patrolman Joseph LaBella was honored as the Employee of the Month. The police officer, who has been on the department for two years, was cited for his positive energy, outgoing personality and spirit of volunteerism all of which are assets to the police department and the borough residents. Council President Lori Hohenleitner, who made the presentation in the absences of Mary Loretta Gluckstein who was ill and did not attend the meeting, said LaBella is “the epitome of small-town police.”

In other business, council introduced an ordinance amending the development regulations in the Central Business and Historic business districts and set the public hearing for the November 20 meeting. Because the ordinance is designed to amend Chapter 150, development regulations to further regulate Development and Design in the districts, it must also go to the planning board for its input before it is finally adopted.

Council members made it clear they are in support of Israel in the current crisis in the Middle East, offering a silent prayer at the beginning of the meeting, the council president offering comment and Councilman James Murphy making a statement during the meeting. Ferragina also noted that in compliance with Governor Murphy’s directive, the borough’s state and national flags are at half staff honoring Israel until sundown October 13.

Jessica Jackson was named payroll clerk on a part time basis and council authorized a state contract purchase of an emergency mobile generator.

Council also authorized a $25, 710 contract with Reily Paving Company for paving the borough hall parking lot, and a $550,928 contract with D’Avellino Contracting Company, Freehold for improvements to East Garfield and Grand avenues.

 Postponed

The weather postponed Atlantic Highlands Day until tomorrow, Sunday, October 15 at the Municipal Yacht Harbor, and still numerous events, activities, foods and beverages will be on hand to draw crowds throughout the afternoon.

The Touch a Truck event, always a popular favorite, will include numerous municipal vehicles from police cares and fire trucks to sanitation vehicles and more.

In addition at the beginning of the event, at noon there will be a ceremony honoring the borough as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony and take price in  have borough residents and business people in our town, we have been able to accomplish the Community certification, a designation given by the National Wildlife Federation and NJ Audubon.

This make Atlantic Highlands one of only municipalities throughout the state who have achieved this honor.

Kristin Hock, Habitat Outreach Coordinator for NJ Audubon’s Garden for Wildlife Program, will be on hand to make the presentation.  Visitors will also be able to honor local persons who became and are committed to creating wildlife habitats from the start..

Although thrilled by the accomplishments and support of the entire borough, Wildlife leaders Marilyn Scherfen and Elain Egidio also warn  “It feels great, but we have lots more work to do!  Birds and bees and butterflies are still disappearing at an alarming rate.” However, they said, “as public awareness is raised, and actions are taken to protect and increase habitat, we can help stem that decline.”

The nature lovers also invite others to have their gardens certified. Interested persons can learn more by going to nwf.org/certify.