published Atlantic Highlands Herald 10 August 2006

press release

KEYPORT, NJ — Keyport residents are banding together to help fix the parks in their town. An organization called "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks" has been created to take on the renovation work. The volunteer organization is hoping to get a big boost from a benefit concert by Keyport's resident rocker, Jon Caspi, on Saturday, August 12th at McDonagh's Pub.

Last year, Jon Caspi helped put Keyport on the map with the release of his CD entitled "This Town." This time around, the man who recently had a sandwich named after him by a diner in town and who many residents jokingly refer to as "Keyport's next mayor" will celebrate the release of his latest CD, "I'm Not Angry... Anymore" and give the proceeds from the show to "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks".

Caspi moved to Keyport in 2002. Since falling in love with the town, he's lent his musical talent to several benefit causes. He's performed benefit concerts in town for such causes as "The Keyport Friends of the Arts" (a privately funded off-shoot of the Board of Education that encourages arts in the classroom); "American Recreational Military Services" (which raised money for troops overseas); and wrote and donated sales from "This Town" (a song written about Keyport) to the family of Ronald Fisler who died after falling into a coma because of complications from gastric bypass surgery.

"I try to promote Keyport when I can," Caspi said. "I think it's a great place."

The small town of Keyport is fortunate to have several neighborhood playgrounds; however, many of the playgrounds are currently outdated or dilapidated, posing significant safety problems to the town's children.

Metal equipment and under-maintained sand or dirt surfaces, for example, no longer meet government standards for playground safety. The poor physical and aesthetic condition of the parks has led to the underutilization of these valuable open spaces.

Over the last few months, members of the Browns Point community have met with the Town Council and the Recreation Committee to launch a grassroots park renovation project. Their mission is to renovate Keyport's parks, one at a time, through a combination of fundraising, grants, and volunteerism.

The organization intends to start with the renovation of the Therese Street Park in the Browns Point section of Keyport. Upgrades to this park will include state-of-the-art play structures and swings, maintenance-free playground resurfacing, perimeter trees and landscaping, and seating areas. Upon completion of the Therese Street Park renovation, fundraising efforts will be continued for the renovation of Keyport's other parks and playgrounds.

"With this vision and the support of (Councilman) Joe Sheridan and the Keyport Recreation Committee we have been working very hard over the past few months to put a grassroots effort together to accomplish these goals," explained Jennifer Flynn, Chairperson for the Open Hearts For Keyport Parks Recreation Sub-Committee. "This re-development initiative will begin with the Therese Street Park in the Browns Point Section of Keyport and continue to all other existing parks in Keyport. With all of the beauty Keyport has to offer, we hope to add playgrounds and family-friendly areas for our communities to access."

In addition, the organization intends to support the utilization of the renovated parks for family-oriented cultural arts and education events such as children's concerts, storytelling, arts and crafts, bay/waterfront preservation, anti-littering campaigns, and annual park clean-up/beautification days.

Jon Caspi's CD Release party at McDonagh's Pub (2 West Front Street, Keyport) on Saturday, August 12th will be the kick-off fundraising event for "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks". Future fundraising plans will be announced in the near future.

Keyport's resident rocker has not only become a regular in local venues like McDonagh's and Espresso Joe's but has performed at nationally known rock clubs like The Saint and The Stone Pony (both located in Asbury Park) and has shared bills with artists like John Eddie, Jeffrey Gaines, Joe Grushecky, and Joe D'Urso.

Caspi has seen a major resurgence in his career in the past year. "This Town" received airplay on hundreds of radio stations across the country; was selected as "Album of the Week" by many websites and local venues; was named on several Top 10 Albums Of The Year lists; and sold out the entire first pressing of the CD. He was featured in such publications as Upstage Magazine, The Asbury Park Press, Jetty Magazine, Njcoast.com, and the Independent. He was also nominated for an Asbury Music Award in the Top Male Solo category and picked up the Boston Herald's pick for Best Hanukkah Song of the Year for "Eight Days", his contribution to Volunteer Record's holiday compilation CD, "Holiday Heart."

His legendary status in Keyport history was cemented recently when the Seaport Diner named a breakfast sandwich after him. "The Caspi Special" is comprised of eggs, cheese, and sausage in between two pieces of French toast. Betty Laspis, one of the diner's owners said, "Jon is a great performer and a nice guy, and he has done a lot for Keyport, raising money for the school and promoting the town."

Keyport Councilman Joe Sheridan agrees with her. "Jon Caspi has a sandwich named after him at the Seaport Diner...that says VOLUMES about his support in this town!" said Sheridan. "He really has a vision to make Keyport a better place, and an infectious attitude that you just WANT to help him do well!"

"I think the town of Keyport knows Jon Caspi well, and we are all lucky to call him our neighbor," added Sheridan.

Tickets for the CD release party are $12 and are available in advance from Jon's website (www.joncaspi.com). Tickets are also available at McDonagh's Pub and Espresso Joe's. The show is expected to sell out and tickets are going quickly.