2020:

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July

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Dec.

This Weeks News 2/27/2020

Avalon is Cooler By A Mile! Here's why: Avalon's north end projects seaward about a mile further than surrounding beaches, as shown in the photo. This picture was taken from Strathmere's beach, looking southwesterly toward Avalon's north end. Avalon's 13th Street water tower is on the left, and the 38th Street water tower is on the right. A stiff westerly breeze is blowing the tops off the waves rolling in toward Strathmere's beach. 
 
41 PROPERTIES HAVE ALREADY SETTLED this year, and 54 more are under contract. Imagine the excitement of knowing summer is on its way, and being able to spend it in your own shore home! Why not take steps to make YOUR dream happen? Whether you want a weekend getaway, a luxurious oceanfront, or an income-producing property, there's something to fit your budget! Call or email me today!
 
MORE SEALS have recently been sighted in the back bay waters. While not common in the area, they're not uncommon either, and numerous sightings have been reported this winter. Seals often perch on a dock, the marsh, or the beach to rest, and usually return to the water in a short while. Never approach a seal as they can cause an injury if they feel threatened. If in doubt about a seal's health, report the sighting to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center's 24-hour hotline at 609-266-0538.
 
SUNDAYS AT SURFSIDE: A new concert series has been announced for the 2020 season at Surfside Park in Avalon. Each Sunday at 7pm popular entertainers will take to the stage, with different themes each week, including Jimmy Buffet, country, Beatlemania, and Irish Night. All performances are free, so bring your beach chair or blanket and settle in for a great evening of entertainment!
 
DUNE GRASS PLANTING helps strengthen the dune system, which helps to protect the island in the event of storms. Avalon's spring dune grass planting effort is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, beginning at 8:30am. Volunteers should report to Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am for a brief planting demonstration. Tools specially designed for planting will be distributed. If you're interested in volunteering, please RSVP to Chuck McDonnell at Community Hall at 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924 in advance. In the event of rain, the planting session will be held Sunday, April 19th. 
 
TAKE THE TRIP! 27 year old Vicki Tate says if you're thinking about a vacation but not quite sure, "Take the trip!" Her short article appears here: LOVE WHAT MATTERS: TALE THE TRIP.  Vicki's key takeaway?  "Time is precious and we're not promised tomorrow."

 

This Weeks News 2/20/2020

An adult eagle and a juvenile were both spotted along Avalon Boulevard earlier this week. Eagles often perch atop trees or utility poles to search for prey moving across the marsh. The adult on the left finished feeding (at the top of the pole!) shortly before this photo was taken.
 
THE AVALON BOULEVARD BRIDGE will be closed to all traffic from 7pm Monday, February 24th until 5am Tuesday morning. Work has continued daily on the new bridge surface, with an alternating traffic pattern in place most of the time. (Note: an earlier announcement released to local media incorrectly stated the bridge would close to all traffic on February 20th; the bridge will remain open on that date.)
 
STONE HARBOR'S NEW FIRE TRUCK has been delivered. The Pierce Impel pumper will carry six firefighters and the latest firefighting gear.
 
LAST WEEKEND'S POLAR BEAR PLUNGE drew thousands to Sea Isle City for a weekend of activities. The annual Mike's Seafood Polar Bear Run-Walk for Autism had a record breaking number of participants this year, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy who participated to lend his support for the event. The Run-Walk is organized by Mike and Jeannie Monichetti and is now in its twelfth year. Last year the Monichetti family raised over $140,000 for autism.
 
AVALON MANOR'S NEW FISHING PIER will be ready soon, as reported at a recent Middle Township Committee meeting. The pier is currently under construction after receiving approval in 2019. The new pier replaces an older one that was closed in 2016 due to deterioration. The site used to host the (Old) Avalon Boulevard Bridge which crossed into Avalon via 21st Street. When the new bridge was built it was realigned to enter Avalon via 30th Street, and the old bridge was removed. 
 
TROPHY STRIPERS OFF LIMITS: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council updated its striper regulations to allow anglers to keep one fish between 28 inches and 38 inches in length. A limited number of “bonus permits” would allow for the retention of one additional fish between 24 inches and 28 inches, but the state rejected retention of “trophy” sized fish. Fishing regulations are adjusted periodically to ensure the survival of various species. New Jersey's new regulations now go to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council for approval.
 
THE CLOCK IS TICKING! Perhaps you've noticed that we're gaining a minute or two of daylight each day, with sunrise occurring earlier and sunset occurring later. Even better, we're only 14 weeks from Memorial Day Weekend! That means it's time to plan for Summer 2020. Whether you're planning to vacation for a week, or going to buy your own shore home, it's time to get started. Call or email me today!
 
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This Weeks News 2/13/2020

Three seagulls oversee the beach, standing atop a sandbar at the edge of the surf.
 
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS are expected to descend upon Sea Isle City for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. With the ocean temperature currently at 43 degrees, it'll be a chilly dip in the water at noon on Saturday. But even for those not plunging, there are activities throughout the town, including Sunday's Walk-Run for Autism organized by Mike's Seafood. Based on past experience, local businesses are expecting crowds rivaling those of a summer weekend. Stone Harbor's Shiver Weekend takes place the weekend of March 20th.
 
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER JOB! Spend your day on Avalon's beach protecting swimmers or checking beach tags! The Avalon Beach Patrol announced that it will be hiring lifeguards and beach tag inspectors again for the 2020 season. Interested applicants can check out the info here:

AVALON SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR BEACH PATROL/BEACH TAG CHECKERS
 
A BIT OF SOUTH JERSEY'S RAILROAD HISTORY was demolished this past week, as the former Wildwood Junction Station building was torn down. Well hidden in the trees just west of Route 9, the station had been out of service for several decades, and had fallen into disrepair. Despite its out-of-sight location, the station had become an attractive nuisance, and the building was condemned. At one time two railroads carried passengers to the South Jersey Shore, running multiple trains daily from Philadelphia and Camden to every barrier island from Atlantic City southward. The last regular passenger rail service in Cape May County ceased operation in 1981.
 
THE JERSEY SHORE POPS will return for another summer concert series in 2020, including a show at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center in Cape May Court House on July 25th, as well as one at Cape May Convention Hall on August 21st.

LINDA GENTILLE & THE JERSEY SHORE POPS - SHOW INFORMATION AND TICKETS
 
ØRSTED NORTH AMERICA, the firm planning to build a wind farm off Southern New Jersey, held public information sessions in Atlantic City and Ocean City last week. The wind farm is not expected to produce power until 2024 and construction is not expected to begin until 2022, but numerous constituencies have attended the information sessions. Among the topics discussed are the impact on tourism, the effect on fish and birds, safety of boats and shipping traffic, and the location of power transmission cables. The now-closed B.L. England power plant in Beesley's Point is under consideration as a location to receive wind farm electricity. The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce has also scheduled a session to discuss jobs related to ocean wind farms. The session will take place on February 25th in Ocean City and representatives from both the NJ Board of Public Utilities and Ørsted will be present.

 

This Weeks News 2/6/2020

Warm weather at the beginning of the week made fishing and beach walks quite pleasant!
 
AVALON'S FLOOD MITIGATION EFFORTS have improved its standing from Class 5 to Class 3 in the FEMA Community Rating System. The improved rating comes about due to Avalon's ongoing effort to reduce flood insurance losses, and will save property owners an estimated $1.6 million in 2020 premiums. Avalon and Sea Isle City are the only two municipalities in New Jersey to achieve a Class 3 rating, and among only 13 nationwide. For more on Avalon's flood mitigation savings, see this Atlantic City Press article:

AVALON RESIDENTS TO SAVE $1.6 MILLION ON FLOOD INSURANCE IN 2020
 
NEW JERSEY BOATERS need a valid boating safety certificate in order to legally operate a vessel in NJ waters. Numerous certification classes are available in the coming months, in a variety of locations along the coast. Some are 8-hour classes held in a single day, while others are split into shorter sessions over multiple days. To find a class that suits your location and schedule, use the US Coast Guard Auxiliary class finder here:

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY CLASS FINDER
 
EAGLES ARE HERE AGAIN! Not the Philadelphia Eagles, but rather the kind that live in the wild and often take up residence in Cape May County. Increased sightings of the magnificent birds have been reported lately. Last year many utilized empty osprey nests during the winter months, and were seen perched atop tall utility poles near the wetlands while spotting prey. 
 
"THE LUDLAM," a 74-room hotel redevelopment project in the center of Sea Isle City, received zoning board approval Monday night. After significant discussion, multiple variances were granted for the project, which will include hotel suites, a restaurant, banquet room, and outdoor bar at its location at the corner of JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. LaCosta Lounge, which currently occupies the site, will likely be demolished in the fall to make way for the new project.
 
HAVE YOU PLANNED YOUR 2020 VACATION YET? It's time--Memorial Day is less than four months away! Browse my rental guide, then email or call me to get started!

2020 LONG AND FOSTER AVALON AND STONE HARBOR, NJ RENTAL BROCHURE