Bubba Dogs

Bubba Dog Hot Dog Eating Contest link will soon be posted above. In the interim, details for the contest can be found if you scroll down this page.

Folks have been asking how to contribute to Fallen Heroes Fund. Below is direct link to their site. If you choose to contribute, in the comments section of the contributions page, please note relationship to Bubba Dog Hot Dog Eating Contest. We’d like to ensure that we have an accounting of our contributors in order to properly thank and recognize them.

Click to contribute to the Fallen Heroes Fund

Lots of interest in the contest, though not many eaters just yet. Great prizes rolling in: limo for the night, several restaurant gift certificates, rock show tickets, and more.

If you’d like to support us in putting on the contest by way of providing prizes similar (or better) than those previously mentioned, please consider it. Keep in mind that the intent is to support our sailors and soldiers who have selflessly given so much.
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New Orleans, my favorite city on the planet (besides Philly) is still suffering on the two year anniversary of Katrina. I was fortunate to attend this concert by Springsteen and the Seegar Sessions Band at the 2006 New Orleans Jazz Fest. It remains the highlight of all live shows that I’ve ever seen. Jazz Fest that year was held only 8 months after Katrina and it was a miracle that they were able to pull it off. An image that I will never forget is the water stains 4 feet off the ground on every building in the city. The incompetence of our federal, state and local governments still perplexes me. This song is a tribute to all those still suffering and a slap to the lame politicians on both sides of the aisle that blew it then and are still blowing it now.

Nice Striper, 43!

Volunteers are still desparately needed to assist in rebuilding. If you’d like to lend a hand, visit this link:SAVE NOLA

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LET”S GO BIRDS!!! Eagles vs. Pats Superbowl rematch!

I know, we lost…but what a great hit by Sheldon Brown:

Remember this? Still waiting for B Dawk to knock his block off:

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A shout out to one of my best buddies Joe Mannix who has made the transition from almost rock star to super duper skater. Myself and many in our circle believe that he had all of the talent to be playing music for a living, but he has since given that up to pursue a career in education. His site is still active, however. Check it out: Joe’s Website
Joe had an amazing collegiate wrestling career while we were at GWU together. He won 137 matches in college, and was inducted into the GWU Athletic Hall of Fame last year. As you can tell from this photograph, he was wide awake and really into the ceremony (that’s him on the right):

Joe appears to be a lot more into his skating (at age 40). Not bad for an old guy.

Hot Dog Contest Information can be found below. In the meantime, I found these two beauties on my buddy Joshqpublics website.

Listen to classy Brett Myers after he blew a save which could have dropped the Phils out of contention for good:
Real smart to tell a reporter that you’ll knock him out after you did just that to YOUR WIFE a year ago. Loser…

The Wife Beater Lashes Out Again

In case you hadn’t heard, former Phil Placido Polanco just ended his streak of games without an error at 147. HIS FIRST ERROR OF THE SEASON! It’s a record for MLB second basemen. You remember Polanco, the former Phil who played 3rd base for us a couple years back. We traded him for Ugeth Urbina and Ramon Martinez. While at the time it seemed a decent trade by Ed Wade, in typical Phillies fashion, it backfired. Urbina is now in jail in Venezuela for attempted murder after he and a group of men allegedly attacked several employees at his family home using machetes and trying to set them on fire. Can you make it up? Martinez, a utility infielder, has been shipped off to the Dodgers. Oh yeah, Polanco is batting .334 and is the best second basemen in the AL. Had he stayed with the Phils, the infield would have been Polanco at 3rd, Rollins at short, Utley at second and Howard at first. Easily the best in the majors. Instead, we’re stuck with a Dobbs, Nunez and Helms platoon at third with their combined 10 plus errors and average (at best) offensive production. Does anyone really have any confidence at all that the Phils will make the playoffs?

I’m guessing she didn’t win:

Well folks, it’s official. The first annual Bubba Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place on September 22nd in Sea Isle City. Entry fee has been reduced, while prizes for competitors are getting really great. Entry is now only $15.00. It is limited to 25 competitors. Some of the prizes that we have gathered thus far are: limousine service for an evening, gift certificates to area restaurants, gift baskets from area package goods stores, and many more. As the days go by, many folks are stepping up and offering goods and services for this worthy cause (details below).

While we don’t anticipate the Black Widow, Joey Chestnut, or Kobayashi (all pictured above) to make an appearance this year, we do expect to have a great time. Chestnut, by the way, won the Nathan’s contest this year by eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes. That’s one every 11 seconds! You think you have what it takes?

Lots of positive chatter about the event, but, in order for it to take place, WE NEED CONTESTANTS!!! You may sign up using form below, or pick up a registration form at Bubba Dogs on 59th street.

The purpose of the event is to solicit both corporate and private donors in order to generate funds to benefit the Fallen Heroes Fund whose mission is to assist the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans.

Please consider sponsoring and keep in mind that every dollar raised will be going to the Fallen Heroes Fund. One of the purposes of this fund, for example, is to provide college scholarship money to the children of military killed in combat. Could there be a more worthy cause?

In order to own and operate a hot dog cart in Sea Isle City, namely Bubba Dogs, one must have served in the military. The fortunate success the business has achieved would not have been possible without having served in the military, nor would the business even exist if not for those that are willing to sacrifice it all for the folks back home. It seems fitting, therefore, to give back to those that made it possible for us to spend time in this wonderful resort town.

To learn more about the charity, click below:

The Fallen Heroes Fund official website

If requiring additional information, contact Bubba using link at the top of home page.

ENTRY LIMITED TO FIRST 25 APPLICANTS!!

To register, click here:

Hot Dog Eating Contest Registration Form

Details are as follows:

When: September 22^nd, 2007; 4:00 pm

Where: JFK and the Promenade, Sea Isle City, NJ

What: 1^st Annual Bubba Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest benefiting the Fallen Heroes Fund

Who: Bubba Dogs (ilovebubbadogs.com). 59^th & the Beach, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243

Prizes: To Be Awarded

Contest Rules:

• The use of alcohol before or during the event is strictly prohibited
• Only adults 18 years or older may compete.
• There will be prizes awarded for first, second and third place.
• During the event, the field of 25 contestants sits behind a long table with drinks and hot dogs in buns.
• Most contestants drink water, but other kinds of drinks (non-alcoholic) may be used.
• Condiments are allowed, but are usually not used.
• The hot dogs themselves are allowed to cool slightly after cooking to prevent possible mouth burns.
• Whoever consumes (and keeps down) the most hot dogs and buns in twelve minutes is declared the winner.
• A designated scorekeeper is paired contestants.
• The scorekeeper records the number of hot dogs consumed.
• Partially eaten hot dogs count and the granularity of measurement is eighths of a length.
• Hot dogs still in the mouth at the end of the 12 minutes count only if they are swallowed.
• There can be deductions in score for excess hot dog bun debris.
• Both hands may be used.

Many thanks to Jim Bennett of La Costa Lounge http://www.lacosta-seaisle.com/, Bill McGinn of Re/Max Realtors http://www.wmcginn.remax-nj.com/remaxnj/index.asp?acc=89473 and Marcus Dent of Global Capital Management http://www.gcmonline.com/ for all of their assistance in putting this event together.

Chris McMullin on the other side of the globe.

A couple of things to report. As much as I like the seafood at both Mike’s and Marie’s here in Sea Isle, if ever shopping for lobster or king crab, head to Carmens. The lobster has been $9.95/lb. all summer, while at the other establishments it’s over $12.00. The same goes for king crab; $9.95 at Carmen’s and over $12.00 at the other two.

Avalon Beach Patrol did it again. They won the Kerr Memorial races held in their town for the umpteenth time in a row. Get a load how they pulled it off this time. The final event is the surf dash, a four or five person relay where you start 40 yards from the waters edge, run out to chest deep water and run back for the tag. Avalon’s last leg (Captain Murray Wolf’s son) left about 10 feet too early for the Avalon win. It was so obvious to everyone in attendance, that the host patrol, Avalon, had to disqualify themselves from the surf dash. No surprise that they once again attempted to do whatever it takes to win a race.  How and why it is that the patrols that compete, including Sea Isle, continue to do so when such disregard for the rules is so transparent is beyond me. 

Enough sour grapes, I got weenies to sell.

Check out this youtube video. Shout out to C. Brady for passing along. It’s about 8 minutes, but, believe me, you’ll be talking about it around the water cooler, or hot dog cart. Tug of war between crocodile and lions for baby buffalo. Unbelievable.

Teddy DelFranco, a friend who provides the surf reports for Heritage.com, got some pub in this morning’s AC Press regarding this summer’s lack of waves. By my count, there have been two good days of surf all summer.

Summer’s lack of warm fronts leaves surfers with no waves

Hope we can finish up strong before I have to start teaching history again….

This graphic shows how waves work.

Some pics from cart yesterday:

Which is better? Long Island or Jersey Shore beaches? Philadelphians already know the answer, as does anyone that has spent time on the beaches of South Jersey. Still, Click below for an interactive flash presentation that’s entertaining at the very least.

Is it me or are more New Yorkers spending time in Sea Isle? That should be telling part of the story anyway.

Battle of the Beaches: New York vs. Long Island

Kristen recently took a cruise around Manhattan and snapped some great photos of the Statue of Liberty while the sun was setting.

Happy birthday Charlie and Rosie!!

If anyone has old surfboards you’d like to sell, shoot me an email. Often, I have people at the hot dog cart inquiring about used boards.

Chris Farley, one of the funniest comedians ever, passed away in 1997. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. He did, however, have a daughter prior to his passing. I’d offer that she looks a bit more like Dad than Mom. (shout out to Joe Zog for the pic).

No waves, man it’s been a while. I snapped a couple photos instead.

Great day at the cart yesterday.

5 of the 18 McNamara Grandkids, pictured with Nan.

I’ve mentioned it in previous posts, but it’s now official. The first annual Sea Isle City Hot Dog Eating Contest, presented by Bubba Dogs, is to be held on Saturday, September 22nd. The purpose of the event, besides watching people house ridiculous numbers of weenies, is to raise money for the Fallen Heroes Fund whose mission is to assist the children of those service members killed or maimed in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If anyone would like more information, please email via “Contact Bubba” link above right. What we’re hoping to do is garner corporate sponsorships for this more than worthy cause. Please touch base if you think you can help out. I’ll even buy you a weenie.

I’ll leave the Phillie talk at this: If this team makes it to the playoffs, don’t you (gulp) have to give Charlie Manuel a new contract? I’ve never experienced a Phillies team with more players having spent time on the disabled list and yet they’re still only 4 out.

I can’t believe I just said Manuel may deserve a new contract.

One of the great things about spending summers down here, correction, the GREATEST thing about spending summers down here is the relationships formed throughout the years. One of my closest friends as a kid was Chris Carlin. We partnered as lifeguards for three years as teenagers after having been surfing buddies on 76th street since age 9. Chris and I have been fortunate to re-connect lately and hopefully he’ll get a place in SIC so we can hang that much more. His father and mother were two of the kindest people I’ve ever come across. Chris’s pop is THE ticket guy for the Eagles. Email me for his cell phone number (just kiddin’ Mr. C). Mr. Carlin is celebrating a major birthday milestone this evening and I had the occasion to wish him a Happy B-Day just last night. When at work during the Terrell Owens fiasco a couple years back, his tag line when answering the telephone was, “Forget about T.O., you’re talking to Leo.” Having heard him say it on WIP radio, I had to inquire about it last night, much to the chagrin of his kids. They were hoping to never hear it again. Happy birthday, Mr. Carlin.

A Great Man - Leo Carlin

I had an “Only at the shore” experience just the other day. I was talking to my friend Dan who was coincidentally meeting at another friend Mike’s office in Manhattan. As soon as I hung up the phone, Dan’s wife came to the hot dog cart, bought 6 dogs and a bunch of tee shirts. When Maura left, Mike’s wife Tee walked by and said hello. All of it by chance. None of it planned. Only at the shore.

Congrats to those that are renting this week and next week. Just checked the 10 day forecast. Not a chance of rain, per weather.com, through Saturday, August 10th. 92 degree highs through Saturday, before high 80’s the rest of the week. Heat wave is upon us folks, and no complaints here! Nothing like perfect weather during the two busiest rental weeks of the summer. The water is about 72 degrees, though lots of seaweed. If only we could get some waves! My buddy Danny dove into a wave yesterday and came up through a school of about 20 skate. They often appear in the surf as the water warms up. Nothing to fear as they are harmless. I intend to start bringing a fishing pole to the cart each day as it’s at this time of year when you often see birds working in the surf. This usually means schools of bluefish. The blues feed on baitfish and the gulls go for the scraps that make their way to the surface. I took this picture at the start of a doubles lifeguard race in Strathmere Tuesday night (more below). I wish I could have gotten a shot of the 5 ft. porpoise that dove vertically out of the water attempting to feast on the mullet that were swarming the beach.

I took a walk with the little guy on the beach at 8:00 the other night and came across 3 guys spear fishing off of the JFK Blvd. jetty. One of them came up with a 23″ flounder on the tip of his spear. I now know what I want for Christmas.

FYI, the sunsets during the last 4 or 5 nights have been spectacular. With this amazing weather, they should continue to be great all week. I recommend going down to the Deauville or the Beach Bar (northern side of the Deauville) to catch one. The Beach Bar is kid friendly. Make sure the little ones wear their bathing suits as they can wade in the bay. They used to have a toy box for the kids as well, though I have yet to be there this summer. Bring the camera and email me some photos. I’ll post them here. While food at the Deauville is sub-par, there is no better place to have a drink and watch the sun setting.

Just ate at the Whitebrier in Avalon last night. Supposed to be half-priced sushi. A scam. The sushi was ok, but it took an hour and a half to get it. The service was brutal. Forgive me for the tough review, but they deserve it after that fiasco. Maybe if restaurants realize that patrons can more easily spread the word (via email/blogging, etc..) about their establishments, both positive and negative, their product will thereby improve and the consumer will benefit. That’s how capitalism is supposed to work, is it not?

Took some pix recently of lifeguard races that were held on Tuesday evening in Strathmere. The Tri-Resorts, originally comprised of Sea Isle, Avalon and Stone Harbor, were dominated by Sea Isle this year with Wildwood and Upper Township competing.

Sean Riley won both doubles, with partner Colin Corcoran, and singles. Both of these guys are La Salle High School grads. Corcoran is on his way to Yale to row while Riley is at St. Joe’s.

Riley winning singles: (click on link) Riley

Corcoran and Riley:

and the finish

Shortly, Sea Isle City Beach Patrol will be hosting the first annual South Jersey Beach Patrol Surfing Contest whereby each patrol, from Brigantine south, is invited to send 5 participants to compete. All proceeds for the contest will be contributed toward melanoma research. Every patrol has elected to participated EXCEPT for……Avalon. Anyone have any idea why? I’m guessing that the captain knows they don’t have a shot or he’s brainstorming ways (both legit and illegit) in which he can assure another victory in the Kerr Memorials. We all know you call the start of races from directly behind Avalon’s #1 singles and doubles crews, Murray, ensuring that Avalon has a lull (flat water, for the uninformed). I’ll be there watching this year as well, with my camera.

Break

At the Sea Isle Yacht Club, sipping on a Shirley Temple, compliments of Eddie Clark. MC

Wrapping up another great beach day on August 1st: A, M and T

Happy Hot Dogs, everyone.

Hey Evan! Thanks for the Biz!