2018: | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
NEED AN UPDATE ON AVALON WEATHER? You can check current
weather conditions in Avalon in an instant, thanks to a new weather station
installed 65 feet above ground on the radio tower adjacent to Avalon's
public safety building. In addition to providing real-time wind speed,
direction, temperature and humidity, historical data will be maintained as
well. You can access the weather station via a link on Avalon's website, or
by visiting
WunderGround.com - Weather History for Avalon, NJ.
An egret quietly searches beneath a dock at low tide...and finds a crab
to enjoy for dinner!
RECYCLE COACH APP: The Borough of Stone Harbor is
participating in a new app designed to provide information on recycling and
proper waste disposal. The mobile app allows users to set reminders for
collections, or search a database for detailed disposal instructions
specific to the area. The Recycle Coach app can be downloaded from the App
Store or Google Play.
BEACH SWEEPS will be held in dozens of locations along the
New Jersey coastline in October. Avalon will conduct a beach sweep on
October 20th (volunteers should meet at Community Hall at 30th Street at
8am.) Stone Harbor will conduct a beach sweep the same day, scheduled for
9am at the 95th Street beach. Beach Sweeps are planned for Cape May, North
Wildwood, and Sea Isle City as well. Visit
Clean Ocean Action
for more details or to register for a Beach Sweep.
PORTUGUESE MAN O'WAR SIGHTINGS: From time to time ocean
currents and winds conspire to bring the Portuguese Man O'War to local
beaches. They were spotted last week on Stone Harbor beaches after winds
from Florence pushed offshore water in our direction. The Man O'War looks
like a jellyfish but has a distinct sail-like flap on top, and long
tentacles underneath. They should be avoided whether in the water or washed
up on the beach, as contact can result in a painful sting.
PLAN AHEAD: AVALON'S SEAFOOD FESTIVAL takes place on
Columbus Day Weekend. On both Saturday & Sunday, from 10am to 5pm, you'll
find local seafood vendors along with beer & wine, kids' activities, music,
face painting, and more. It all takes place at 30th Street & the beach in
Avalon. Mark your calendar!
MARKET STATS: 45 new sale contracts were written during the
month of August as the number of active listings declined slightly. The
median sold price was $1,355,000 last month. For a detailed look at the
latest market stats see the
Newest Long &
Foster Market Minute Report.
R.U.S.T. IN WILMINGTON, NC: Cape May County sent members of
its Regional Urban Search Team (RUST) to Wilmington, North Carolina as part
of a task force to assist local authorities. The team is trained in
high-water rescues, and has assisted with evacuations in Wilmington. They
are expected to remain in the area for a couple of weeks.
NO MORE COIN TOSSING on the Garden State Parkway! Coin
collection machines at the Parkway mainline toll barriers will be removed,
meaning those wanting to use coins or cash must travel through a toll lane
staffed by an attendant. The aging coin machines are difficult to maintain
with parts becoming scarce. Coin collection machines will remain at Parkway
entrances and exits, and parts from the decommissioned mainline machines
will be used to keep those operating.
IT'S 14.8 MILES AROUND! With the Townsend's Inlet Bridge
now closed until next May, traveling from 7th Street in Avalon to 93rd
Street in Sea Isle City is now a 14.8 mile trip. The bridge closed early
Monday morning as heavy equipment moved in to begin the 8-month, $8.6
million project to replace seven of the bridge's 27 spans. No vehicles,
bicycles, or pedestrians will be allowed on the bridge during the project.
Crossing the bridge from Avalon to Sea Isle City would normally take just a
few minutes. Google Maps now calculates "the long way around" at 27 minutes!
CAN'T MAKE IT to Stone Harbor for a Council meeting during
the off season? Watch online, whether you're back at home or across the
country!
Watch Mayor and Council Meetings Online | Borough of Stone Harbor
THANK YOU, GOODRICH FAMILY! Fifty nine years ago Bernard
Goodrich and his young family visited a friend in Avalon, and stayed for a
week at The Princeton Hotel. The family has returned to Avalon each year
since, renting numerous vacation homes through Avalon Real Estate Agency,
and later Long & Foster. The family has enjoyed many locations over the
years including 42nd Street & the bay, 72nd Street, Avalon Avenue, and most
recently, First Avenue. Bernard's wife Peggy passed away recently, but as he
says, "I continue to look forward to our relaxing Avalon August [vacation]
and hope it comes around quickly again for 2019. Look for the us on the 11th
Street beach." We will, Mr. Goodrich, and thank you for allowing Long &
Foster to help with your vacation plans for so many years!
Bernard Goodrich on the beach in Avalon, surrounded by his late wife,
Peggy, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.
THE LOWEST PROPERTY TAX RATES: NJ.com recently ranked the
30 New Jersey towns with the lowest property tax rates, and Cape May
County's beach towns made an impressive showing. At #15 on the list was
Ocean City, just behind #14 Cape May. Sea Isle City holds the #5 spot, with
Cape May Point taking #3. Stone Harbor took the #2 spot, while Avalon topped
the list with the lowest property tax rate in the state. The ranking was
made by comparing the equalized property tax rates for 2017.
30 N.J. Towns With The Lowest Property Tax Rates
BE PREPARED and informed in the event of a coastal storm,
flooding, or other weather emergency on Seven Mile Beach. As the Carolinas
brace for the landfall of Florence, it's always wise to be prepared and
informed in advance of severe weather conditions. When Avalon & Stone Harbor
experience severe weather, check
www.AvalonEmergency.org and
www.StoneHarborEmergency.com for periodic updates. For phone
notification, there is a sign up form on each of those sites where you can
request notifications for your telephone or mobile phone.
Long & Foster Newsroom: 8 Tips to Prepare for an Emergency
SAVE THE DATES for two of the area's most popular
activities: on Saturday, September 22nd, the 7th Annual Savor September
Food, Wine, and Beer Festival takes place from noon to 9pm on 96th Street.
Enjoy tasting tents, live music, vendors, and more! Columbus Day Weekend
marks the return of Avalon's Seafood Festival at Community Hall on Saturday
& Sunday, October 6-7, 10am to 5pm. In addition to local seafood, enjoy
music, kids activities, football, shopping, and more!
THE MARKET IS STILL MOVING! Ready to buy or sell this fall?
Please call or email me today--let's get started and accomplish your real
estate goals!
ALL WEEKEND LONG giant warbirds from a bygone era flew up
and down the beaches of Cape May County as part of the annual Airfest at
Naval Air Station Wildwood. The Collings Foundation organized flights aboard
World War II-era aircraft, including B-17, B-24, and B-25 bombers, and a
TF-51D. The giant bombers' engines could be heard rumbling their way around
the county as they made numerous flights, at a cost of $400 per passenger
and up. Those not flying aboard the vintage aircraft could have a look at
them on the tarmac, and visit other NASW museum displays, while listening to
live music and enjoying a beer garden & food.
A World War II bomber flies over Seven Mile Beach Sunday. Several
vintage warplanes flew around Cape May County as part of Naval Air Station
Wildwood's annual Airfest held over Labor Day Weekend.
OPRAH WINFREY made a special visit to nearby Whitesboro
this past Saturday. Winfrey flew aboard her private plane to attend the 30th
Annual Whitesboro Reunion. Oprah's long-time partner Stedman Graham grew up
in Whitesboro, and also attended the reunion.
BARRACUDA & WAHOO have been caught in the past couple of
weeks. Large wahoo up to 80 pounds have been landed at the 28-Mile Wreck and
Wilmington Canyon, while a 35-pound barracuda was caught just off Townsend's
Inlet last week. Perhaps the most surprising local catch wasn't a catch at
all: in Longport a large tuna was chasing baitfish and jumped out of the
water--and landed on a jetty, where it became stuck. Two local fishermen
were on the jetty--fishing for other species--and one carried the tuna home.
No official weight was reported, but based on its size it appeared to be
about 75 pounds. Tuna often jump when feeding, but finding them close to
shore in this area is exceedingly rare, as they prefer much deeper "bluewater"
far offshore.
OUR "SECOND SUMMER" BEGINS NOW! The peak summer months of
July & August are now behind us, but we've got two wonderful months ahead!
Trade in the heat & humidity for cooler, drier weather, but still-warm ocean
water, and smaller crowds. Locals and seashore regulars know that September
& October are a great time to enjoy the best of the shore!
FALL WEEKENDS bring an array of weekend activities to the
area, and there's a little something for everyone. Whether you enjoy food,
music, fishing, fire trucks, or wildlife, you'll find a weekend event to
match your interest!