Attn: We are looking for housekeeping an

Attn: We are looking for housekeeping and maintance staff immedietly! Please stop in to fill out an application asap if you are interested!

Stay safe in the hurricane! Make sure to

Stay safe in the hurricane! Make sure to evacuate if you are being told to! #hurricansandynj #staysafe #evacuate

Go Green and Be Seen at the Belmar St. Patrick Day Parade

It’s that time of year again for Belmar’s Annual St. Patrick Day Parade. This year it is set for Sunday, March 4. Start time for the parade is 12:30 on Main Street, but it is highly suggested to arrive prior so you can secure an excellent viewing spot as well as a parking spot for your car.
Since 1974 this parade has been hitting the streets and each year the spectators increase. Join the locals and the not-so-locals at the parade of the year! This year the parade’s Grand Marshal is John Carr and the Grand Deputy Marshal is Jane Catherine Guild. Wonderful bios about both of these honored folks can be found on the Belmar Parade Website.
Firetrucks, Marching Bands, Cheerleaders, Bag Pipers and more. You will see it all! Grab your green and be seen, but only at the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Not Irish? Not a problem…. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
Make it a Family Sunday Funday! After the parade’s conclusion, visit the wonderful eateries in Belmar, then take a trip to Point Pleasant and visit Jenkinson’s Aquarium.

Ka-Boom went Ker-Splat in 2012

Well it’s a shame that this happened and I am sure there are people who are still lingering in disappointment since hearing that KaBoom Fireworks will not be displayed along the Navesink River in Red Bank this year.

It broke my heart when I saw it come across the wire.  For 50 continuous years, a fun family time of food, entertainment, catching up with friends, and most importantly fireworks was celebrated in the 2.2 square miles of Central New Jersey called Red Bank.  It was the party of all parties, a display of lights flashing across the night sky bedazzling spectators while synchronized to music played on Q104.3, but this year the night sky will be only illuminated from the light of the stars swirling around our universe.

I will need to rethink my plans for this year.  After all, there is still Long Branch.  They have Oceanfest along the boardwalk and promenade on Ocean Avenue.  Oceanfest lasts all day long and will tire out even the most energetic child.

Farewell KaBoom, maybe next year or possibly the year after, but I truly hope to see you again.  

Girlfriends’ Valentine Luncheon

Are you looking for a great reason to have lunch with your BFF? The Monmouth County Historical Association is hosting RED, A Girlfriends’ Valentine Luncheon. This event is occurring on Thursday, February 9th at the Rumson Country Club. I did call ahead to double check everything and this is what I found out.

• You do not have to be a member of the Historical Association to attend this luncheon

• You also don’t have to bring a friend (although that is much more fun)

• Men are welcome to attend (it is not just about the ladies)

• You will definitely have to find a sitter if you have children

I checked out the menu and it looks delicious! In fact, my belly starting rumbling thinking about the Butternut Squash Soup and the Chocolate Mousse Cake with Berries. Isn’t it about how you start and end your meal?

The MCHA has kindly posted all information including an RSVP card on their website. For more information you can call 732-462-1466. All proceeds benefit the continuing operation of the Historical Association. We are fortunate to live in an area that is rich with history – help the Historical Association continue their mission of educating us and future generations.

Pet Owners Should Prepare for Emergencies

Okay the winter season is upon us.  So far we have been spared the brutal forces of Mother Nature (insert big smiley face here), but winter is not over yet.  It is always best to have a plan set up in advance, especially when you have four legged family members living with you.  Below is a guide to what you should consider.  The Comfort Inn Middletown is pet friendly all year round.

If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

Plan for Pet Disaster Needs

• Identifying shelter. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets — well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter’s number in your list of emergency numbers — they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
• Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they’re not available later. While the sun is still shining, consider packing a “pet survival” kit which could be easily deployed if disaster hits.
• Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
• Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can’t escape.

Prepare to Shelter Your Pet

• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information.
• If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your pet. Find out where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close.
• Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will need your pet’s medical records to make sure all vaccinations are current. Include copies in your “pet survival” kit along with a photo of your pet.
• If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your pet at home alone can place your animal in great danger! Confine your pet to a safe area inside — NEVER leave your pet chained outside! Leave them loose inside your home with food and plenty of water.  Remove the toilet tank lid, raise the seat and brace the bathroom door open so they can drink. Place a notice outside in a visible area, advising what pets are in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.

During a Disaster

• Bring your pets inside immediately.
• Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
• Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
• Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
• In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

After a Disaster

• If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
• In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
• The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water. 

EMACC Super 50/50

The EMACC Educational Foundation was established to assist students (both full and part time) who have worked very hard to enrich their future through higher education. The foundation grants scholarships each year. In 2011, the Educational Foundation granted an incredible 11 scholarships totaling $17,500.00 – it was through your contributions and the diligence of the Foundation Committee that this was even possible!

EMACC is holding a SUPER 50/50 where the proceeds will benefit this wonderful foundation. You can buy a book of 5 tickets for $100.00 or you can purchase single tickets for $20.00 each. This is a definite win-win situation! You might be the winner of a couple thousand dollars AND your act of kindness by purchasing a ticket will help a determined student in need.

You can find more information about EMACC and the Foundation by visiting www.emacc.org. The drawing will be held at 7pm on January 18, 2012 during the EMACC Annual Meeting being held at the Shadowbrook (1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury). Good Luck!

Free Stuff and Elvis.. Can it get any better than this?

Can’t believe it’s Free!  Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank is offering a free viewing of “Desperately Seeking Susan” starring Madonna on Tuesday January 10, 2011 at 7pm.  Get out those leg warmers, wigwam socks and fluorescent clothes and celebrate a brief trip into the eighties.  Score those free tickets at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247232

Stepping further back in time – January 20^th at 8pm Count Basie Theatre will present The Elvis Birthday Bash.  This popular event is back for its 8^th year.  Tickets start at $19.50 and can be purchased online, at the box office or over the phone.  Slip on a pair of your favorite blue suede shoes and celebrate the memorizing career of “The King”.  Visit http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247064 to reserve your seats.

Count Basie Theatre is only 3 miles away from us at the Comfort Inn Middletown.  Reserve a room for the nights of January 10^th or 20^th and enjoy a discount at our fine hotel by mentioning rate code LCBTH.  Our friendly staff can be reached at 732-671-3400.

The free fun continues at Count Basie Theatre on February 14^th at 7pm with a viewing of “Garden State” starring Zach Braff.  This comedy-drama was filmed over 25 days with New Jersey being the primary filming location.  It made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004.  Tickets can be found at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247235

Value is in the eye of the beholder

Much discussion is spent on value.  Value is equally important to the consumer and the merchant.  The merchant wants to provide a value so more people return and the consumer wants value because they want to feel good about the money about to be spent.

Value means different things to people.  To some it can represent a product that is well made and will hold up over the test of time despite the cost.  To others value is getting the most “product” for the least amount of money spent.

Hotels use the verbiage “Value Added” when referring to their properties.  In the beginning, hotels simply offered you a place to sleep.  The guest of yesterday was looking for a place to spend the night.   Now hotels offer so much more than a place to rest your head.

So let’s get into what is considered value (in the general scope) of hotel offerings.

Pre-booking rates/Advance Purchase rates:

This is a value for the committed guest.  You know when you want to stay and you know your travel dates are rigid.  Advance Purchase rates rewards the guest with a discount for being committed.  Choice Hotels offers Advance Purchase rates at their hotel properties.  Bookings can be made 7, 14, or 21 days in advance of your arrival date.

Travel Programs/Loyalty Programs:

Hotels and Loyalty Programs seem to go hand-in-hand nowadays.  Hotels offer points, miles, free nights and the like to get you to return to them time and again.  The best programs offer redemptions that are easy to redeem and no blackout dates.  Choice Privileges is one of those programs.   You earn points and can use them however and wherever you like.

Free Stuff:

Back in the day hotel rooms did not have refrigerators, microwaves, hairdryers, or irons/ironing boards in the actual room (and we are only going back 14 years).  Slowly these items made their way into the guest room because it created value to the guest.  Now you find all those things plus HSIA in most midscale hotels, and they are included in your rate.  Breakfast is an evolving value add product.  Free Breakfast whether a simple continental or a full hot breakfast (like we offer at the Comfort Inn Middletown) add value to the guest.  These guests no longer have to spend additional money on breakfast so it makes it easier to budget your travel expenses.

These conveniences all add value to your stay.  However, you may not find value in all those things each and every time you travel.  You might not eat breakfast in the morning so it might not matter to you if breakfast is included in your rate.  But if you want it – it is there for the taking.

Hugs….

Yesterday a favorite guest of mine pulled into the parking lot. Mr. M. has been coming here for as long as I can remember, always gracing us with a smile and a cheery hello.
It was no different yesterday, except for one thing… an embracing hug. In a world where no one has any idea of who is around them, I found this personal gesture to be refreshing.
Hugs make you feel good and they certainly make the recipient feel good too. I can’t recall the last time I was greeted with a hug that didn’t come from a family member. What truly made it different is that it was a hug offered through sincerity versus obligation. Hotels are different – you are welcoming someone technically into your “home”. You treat them like family. You have time to learn about them; what they like to eat, where they enjoy spending their free time, why they come into your area. They become more than a guest in a hotel room.
So I would really like to say Thank You so much Mr. M. It is a pleasure to know you, it is a pleasure to see you on a regular basis and it was a pleasure to be the recipient of a hug!  It was a great day at the Comfort Inn Middletown