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This Weeks News 12/23/2020
PEACE & JOY to you & yours this holiday season! From my
family to yours, Merry Christmas!
THANK YOU for your business and referrals in 2020! I
sincerely appreciate it and look forward to working with you in 2021!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you're ringing in the New Year here
on the Island, be sure to take a walk on the beach January 1st. It's a
great way to kick off the New Year!
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the week of
January 4th.
This Weeks News 12/17/2020
Off season sunsets often produce deep pink and blue skies; here
marsh grasses are set against a colorful backdrop.
BEACH TREES have appeared on local beaches as a way to
brighten the holiday season. Some even have lights and decorations.
Ocean City and Sea Isle City have beach trees; Avalon's is on the 30th
Street beach. Stop by and have a look!
A NEW VILLA MARIA BY THE SEA gained approval at a
recent Stone Harbor Planning Board meeting. The current 250-bed retreat
house at 111th Street was built in 1937 and lacked heat, making it
unusable in the off season. A new, smaller 52-bed retreat house will
take its place. A portion of the existing land will be subdivided as
part of the project, and a paper street (part of First Avenue) will have
to be vacated by the Borough; there will be no loss of street parking in
the area.
LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL TOURISM helped to offset
business lost during the spring shutdown. According to a recent Cape May
County Herald article, data from the New Jersey Treasury shows August
occupancy tax revenue to be just 7.5% below the 2019 figure, while
September's revenue was up 17.3% over 2019. Cape May County's figures
beat other shore counties, according to Diane Wieland, Director of
County Tourism. Rentals of private homes and condominiums, which are not
subject to the occupancy tax and thus not part of the state's figures,
were strong during the summer and throughout September as well.
LANE CLOSURES are a part of visiting the shore in the
offseason--especially this year! If you're travelling Route 9 between
Sea Isle Boulevard and Avalon Boulevard, expect alternating lane
closures from 8am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, as new utility poles
are installed and adjacent trees are trimmed. Atlantic City Electric has
upgraded electric service in the area in order to minimize outages; the
new poles are part of that ongoing effort. The alternating lane closures
are expected to continue until the project is completed in April 2021.
ADD A LITTLE SEASHORE TO YOUR HOLIDAY! Our local stores
and shops are ready to help you complete your holiday shopping! From
stocking stuffers to sweets and treats to restaurant gift cards, why not
put a little "shore" under the tree? Here's a sampling of stores that
are open and ready for you: Armadillo; Blufish; Complete Interiors;
Global Pursuit; Hoy's 5&10; The Preppy Palm; Seashore ACE; Shorely Chic.
FOR THE ULTIMATE GIFT, BOOK OR BUY NOW! Nothing beats
shore memories, whether it's a one-week vacation, or a shore home to
call your own! Either way, call me so we can get started!
This Weeks News 12/10/2020
Cape May Seashore Lines is running Santa Express trains again this
season. See below for details!
SHOP LOCAL! Seven Mile Island merchants could use your
support more than ever this year, so why not put a little "beach" in
your stocking? Consider picking up a box of fudge, a bottle of cheer, a
gift card to your favorite eatery, a sweatshirt from your favorite surf
shop, or a holiday beach tag from your favorite shore town. If you can't
get here to pick up an item, many merchants will ship to you!
A COLD-STUNNED SEA TURTLE was rescued earlier this week
by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The turtle was lethargic after
being exposed to cold water for a prolonged period of time, which the
MMSC says happens if water temperatures drop before the sea turtle moves
to warmer southern waters. The MMSC transferred the turtle to the Sea
Turtle Recovery unit for rehabilitation.
TOYS FOR TOTS: Consider brightening the holiday of a
child by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at our Toys for Tots drop off
location in our lobby, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
SANTA IS RIDING THE RAILS again, aboard the Cape May
Seashore Lines! Using vintage passenger equipment that once carried
passengers to and from shore towns on a regular basis, CMSL offers a
chance for Santa to visit with children between now and Christmas. Based
in nearby Tuckahoe, but departing from historic Richland Village, more
than a dozen Santa Express trains remain this season.
TICKETS
& SCHEDULES: THE SANTA EXPRESS - CAPE MAY SEASHORE LINES, INC.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR YOUR 2021 VACATION? Now is the time!
Email or call me and I'll help find you the perfect vacation retreat!
We've got rental properties to match nearly any budget. Of course, if
you'd like to have your own permanent vacation home on Seven Mile
Island, I can help with that, too! Either way, plan ahead and enjoy
Summer 2021 at the shore!
This Weeks News 12/3/2020
A Whale-y Great Thanksgiving! Nik Pattantyus has done it again,
capturing this fascinating video of two whales as he was paddle boarding
just off Stone Harbor! It's worth the watch!
WORK ON THE 96TH STREET BRIDGE CONTINUES, but will
shift to daytime hours from Monday through Thursday. From 7am to 5pm the
bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic using signage
and flaggers, so expect delays. No lane closures are expected Friday
through Sunday, and the project is expected to be completed December
23rd. With Avalon Boulevard undergoing a redecking project, and also
reduced to one alternating lane seven days per week, expect delays when
entering or exiting the island via the mainland. The Great Channel
Bridge (linking Stone Harbor to Nummy Island and North Wildwood) and the
Townsend's Inlet Bridge (linking Avalon to Sea Isle City) remain open if
you're traveling north or south.
THE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE LOAN LIMIT was increased to
$548,250 last week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, up from 2020's
limit of $510,400. The increased loan limit will allow more borrowers to
qualify for conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, according to
Mike Mento of Prosperity Mortgage. Current conventional thirty-year
fixed-rate mortgage rates remain under 3%, as do rates for jumbo
mortgages.
AVALON & STONE HARBOR WILL SHARE COURT SERVICES as part
of a newly announced agreement. Beginning January 1st, a shared court
will be located in Avalon Borough Hall and provide court services for
both towns. Annual savings of $150,000 are expected as a result of the
shared services agreement.
OUTDOOR WATER LINES should already be winterized, but
if they're not, call your plumber now. While we haven't had a deep
freeze yet, they're getting closer. In addition to shutting off your
outdoor shower and hose, foundation vents should be closed to prevent
cold air from blowing through and reaching pipes in your crawl space.
Interior heat should be set 55 degrees to keep moisture levels low and
protect interior pipes from freezing. Need a plumber? Let me know and
I'll send you some recommendations.
OFF SEASON PROPERTY CHECKS are offered by both Avalon
and Stone Harbor Police Departments. During the off-season officers
check the perimeter of unoccupied homes as part of their patrols. If
you'd like to add your property to the department's list, fill out a
request form and return it to the appropriate police department. Request
forms can be found here:
AVALON - OFF SEASON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CHECK FORM (PDF)
STONE HARBOR - OFF SEASON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CHECK FORM (PDF)
Of course, I'm available to help, too. If you realize you left the
window open or the air conditioning running, need a package put inside
the door, or need a special property check after a storm, please call or
email me!