Freeholder meetings today

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold its workshop and regular meetings today.

The workshop meeting will be held at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Records, located on East Main Street in Downtown Freehold.

The regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m., also in the Hall of Records.

Both meetings are open to the public.

For the agenda, visit the county’s Web site.

M’town Library Board meeting tonight

The regular meeting of the Middletown Township Public Library’s Board of Trustees will take place today at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the Community Room of the Main Library, located at 55 New Monmouth Rd.

For more information, call the library at 732-671-3700.

Oh no, where’d those dolphins go?!

A message from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (sent at 4:53 p.m. Friday):

“NOAA staff made observations from numerous locations along the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers today. They did not observe any dolphins. They reported that during this time, the area east of the Oceanic Bridge was ice free down to the confluence of the two rivers and northward toward open ocean. Also, the Shrewsbury River was free of ice from the confluence of the two rivers at least up to Sea Bright, where the dolphins spent considerable time this summer.

If you have see the dolphins, please let us know.”

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning . . . I hope they’re warm, wherever those creatures are.

Aki Sushi in Port Monmouth

Foodie Dani and Exit 117a reminded me just how much I adore Aki Sushi, on Route 36 South in Port Monmouth.

I’ve been there several times since first being recommended the place by a friend. It’s located right next to Salon Da Vinci (great place for a fantastic hair cut).

All I have to say about Aki is YUM. It’s truly one of the Bayshore’s hidden treasures, particularly as sushi goes. Their fish is exceptionally fresh, and the chef often uses different types of paper (i.e. soy) to wrap with.

My pick thus far (I haven’t had the entire menu yet!) is the Ocean Roll (pictured here). It’s on the larger side, as far as hand rolls go. I need a few bites for each piece, or a sharp pair of chop sticks. 

I’ve had it wrapped in both pink and green soy paper. There’s an excellent description of what exactly soy paper is here, including nutrition facts.

Back to the Ocean Roll . . . So there’s pepper tuna, which is pretty much my all-time favorite sushi or sashimi (for now, at least). (Nobi Sushi, on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, has a killer pepper tuna app; more on that another time.) 

There’s also crab legs, avocado, mango and shrimp.

I enjoy tearing the roll apart and rearranging it into mini rolls. The mango is divine. I’m not sure where they get it, but it’s awesome. As is the sauce that’s drizzled on the roll: It’s a fusion of sweet and tangy, but it’s not heavy at all. (It’s the green stuff at the bottom of the container.)

When you order this roll at the restaurant, the presentation is beautiful.

As far as Aki Sushi goes, they can do no wrong, in my sushi book. The Ocean Roll goes for less than $14, including tax. Their other rolls and sashimi are affordable, too.

No Web site, unfortunately, but word of mouth is only positive for this place. I would recommend calling ahead to make sure they’re open (732-471-8811), as Aki closes between lunch and dinner hours. 

*Heads’ up: A sign on the door today said Aki would no longer be opening on Mondays :-( So, if you’re looking to hit it up, make it another day. 

Trenton Devils face Bombers tonight

The ECHL Trenton Devils will host the Dayton Bombers tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Despite their No. 6 ranking in the American North Division (seven teams), the Devils are a pretty decent AA team.

Check back for more either tonight or tomorrow for results and semi-decent commentary ;-)

Click on the headline for game notes.

Best quote ever about the dolphins

“Well, animals do die.”

— Sue Barco, on the death of any type of area, over-wintering dolphins.

Barco presented during the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration’s second public seminar at Monmouth University this week. She is affiliated with the Virginia Science Museum and has been working with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center regarding the Shrewsbury River pod of dolphins.

Sue could have perhaps used a little sensitivity during the seminar’s public comment portion, as many audience members were not very happy with what some deemed “mis-information,” such as the actuality of at least 10 dolphin deaths recently — not all being bottle-nosed creatures, though.

Guess they only count if they’re bottle-nosed.

Dolphin Dollars

Cost to observe and monitor the Shrewsbury River dolphin pod, to date?

Approximately $100,000, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials.

Cost of a summons for the average resident that got too close to the pod during the summer months?

Anywhere from $100 to $1,000, according to Scott Doyle, of NOAA’s Fisheries Enforcement. Doyle said approximately 10 violations were issued for such summonses.

Potential cost to the Department of Transportation of shutting down operations for a week with the hope of seeing the dolphins fearlessly return to sea?

Priceless.

A letter from Angelini regarding medical marijuana

Medical Marijuana: Pandora’s Box?

To the Editor:

Marijuana has been shown to affect short-term memory, disrupt cognitive functions, and lead to depression and anxiety. Studies have also demonstrated occurrences of heart attacks, strokes and abnormalities in the brain. Our country is currently struggling to control this substance and policies must be initiated that will further restrict access to this drug versus granting permission to obtain the substance.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which opposes the use of smoked marijuana, is the federal agency that certifies what drugs are safe and those which have a medicinal benefit. It is critical that scientific research be conducted to determine what the ramifications are as a result of smoking a potentially dangerous substance. In 2006, the FDA declared that marijuana has a high potential for abuse and that there is a lack of accepted safety for its use, even under medical supervision.

The potential for the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act to become law is reckless public policy. I empathize with the stories described by the bill’s supporters of the relief that smoking marijuana gives those with debilitating diseases, but I fear that New Jersey would be making a mistake with unforeseen and unintended consequences.

It has been stated that medical research suggested that smoking marijuana may alleviate pain or other symptoms associated with certain medical conditions. Yet, there have been no studies conducted by the FDA to substantiate this claim.

I am sensitive to the pain that individuals endure from disease, but that does not make it appropriate to sanction the medical use of marijuana. The ends do not justify the means. Allowing either the patient or their caregiver to possess six marijuana plants for harvesting, or creating alternative treatment centers to dispense this product, should raise a red flag to those concerned with executing sound public policy. Who will oversee its output and ensure that patients do not over-medicate, or that the excess production is not diverted for recreational purposes? I would argue that New Jersey is opening Pandora’s box by traveling down this road.

What is troubling about this legislation is the message it sends to our youth. I have seen firsthand the devastation that drugs and alcohol bring not only to the individual who uses these products, but upon their families and friends, as well. We should not be in the position of trying to justify to young people that smoking marijuana under certain circumstances is permissible, but unlawful and harmful under others. There are too many unanswered questions regarding this serious public policy issue to justify it becoming law. And once the box is opened, it will be difficult to return its contents if things do not work out.

Mary Pat Angelini
11th District Assemblywoman
Executive Director of Prevention First

Handlin, Thompson to run for 13th

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin and Assemblyman Sam Thompson will both seek re-election come November, a source reported.

I was surprised about Thompson, as there was considerate speculation as to his upcoming “retirement,” if you will, from the political arena. Guess he wants another go at it.

Handlin, on the other hand, should get her act in gear. I hear she can’t raise funds to do much of anything these days. I don’t really blame the GOP, either, considering Handlin throws them under the bus every chance she gets.

It will be interesting to see who the Democratic candidates will be.

Tamari Malbec: An Argentinian ruby

Most wine lovers fall under the impression that ‘good’ red wines come from only European countries.

Yet the 2006 Tamari Malbec Reserve hails from South America, specifically the Mendoza region of Argentina, and it is one of the finest reds on the shelf.

In the Huarpe language, native to the indigenous people of the region, the word “tamari” means “everything to do with passion.”

Just one look at a bottle of Tamari and one is convinced it is packed with a punch—the markings on the bottle are almost tribal, reminiscent of battlegrounds and bravehearts.

The Tamari contains its own grape varietal, as well as about three-percent Cabernet Sauvignon and approximately two-percent Bonarda grapes.

Malbec originated in the Bordeaux region as a black grape varietal; it is now the most important strand of grape in the Mendoza region. Differing from the Bordeaux, the Malbec grape is ripe, lush and capable of extended aging. It is characterized as fresh and often acidic.

The wine’s deep, intense red color lends itself to an expressive aroma. Slightly more acidic at 14-percent alcohol content, the fragrance is subdued with floral notes, including violet and jasmine; plums, cherries and chocolate. Additionally, notes such as hazelnut, almond and cinnamon are released, the wine having been aged in oak barrels.

If the aroma sounds complex, the taste will revive the senses. Slightly fruity, the Malbec is a complete wine that invites sip after sip. It is ripe with sweet tannins—not a sweet taste—and finishes smoothly nearly the moment it hits one’s lips. Its’ fruitiness has been described as ‘retro,’ as the taste isn’t overwhelming or delicate.

The Malbec is suggested for grilled red meats, quail, partridge, strong cheeses and fish, such as salmon or tuna, with heavy sauces.

It is not a dessert wine, nor is it an appetizer wine. The Tamari Malbec is a huskier, strong blend that can stand up to some of the boldest flavors—and compliment them well.

The Mendoza region is reputed as the most prestigious fine wine zone in Argentina. Founded in 1561, the city was developed by Spanish missionaries in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. During the 1900s, Italian, Spanish and French immigrants brought their own unique grapes to the region, thus the amalgamation.

The region is now known for its ideal growing conditions, including soil, altitude and latitude. The soil is stony and drains well; the winters are cold yet the summers are highlighted by warm days and cool nights.

Thus, the long and dry growing season results in small grapes with concentrated, fresh flavor, vibrant colors and fresh tannins.

The 2006 Tamari Malbec is not a wine to pass up, especially at a cool $13 a bottle.