Randy Leiser, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2997 Dune Drive, PO Box 10, Avalon, NJ 08202
toll-free: 800-967-7796 x212  |  local: 609-967-3001  |  fax: 609-967-3057  |  e-mail: Randy@RandyLeiser.com
2011: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.  

March 24, 2011


STONE HARBOR'S first annual "Stone Harbor Shiver" was a success as fearless swimmers plunged into cold ocean water last Saturday, while onlookers cheered.  In case you are wondering what you missed, the surf temperature was a chilling 43 degrees.
 
OCEAN DRIVE MARATHON: the annual event will be held Sunday, March 27.  Runners will begin in historic Cape May and will follow Ocean Drive north through the Wildwoods, Stone Harbor, and Avalon, then finish on the Promenade in Sea Isle City. 
 
A FARMERS MARKET may open at the Cape May Lewes Ferry terminal in North Cape May.  The Delaware River & Bay Authority, which operates the ferry and terminal, hopes to open the market on the terminal green, just outside the terminal building.  A decision is expected in the next month or so.
 
March 17, 2011

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!  Did you know that Cape May County's population is 24 percent Irish-American?  That's the highest percentage in the state.  Sea Isle City, with 50 percent of its population reporting Irish heritage, is the "most Irish" town in the county.
 
C'MON DOWN!  Has the recent taste of warm weather given you spring fever?  Make an early trip to the Island!  Each week more and more people return to enjoy spring weather and activities.  Don't have a place of your own?  Contact the Golden Inn (866-343-6111) for weekend getaway packages, then contact me to look for a place of your own!
 
CONSTRUCTION PERMITS issued in Avalon during 2010 totaled 591, up from 534 in 2009.  Stand on nearly any street corner and you'll see a construction project going on nearby.
 
ORDER YOUR BEACH TAGS!  Seasonal beach tags may be ordered by mail at preseason rates! 

For Avalon tags, send a stamped, self addressed envelope, along with a check for $21 per season tag, payable to the Borough of Avalon.  Mail it to Borough of Avalon, Avalon Tax Office/Beach Tags, 3100 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202.  A receipt will be mailed to you; on your next trip to Avalon, redeem your receipt for the number of tags you ordered.

For Stone Harbor tags, send a check payable to the Borough of Stone Harbor, 9508 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247.  The tags will be held in your name at the beach tag office at 95th Street & the beach.
 
FREE BEACH MOVIES!  Continuing the tradition, Avalon will present its "Best Ever" line up of free beach movies during the 2011 season.  This year's movies include "The Karate Kid," "Shrek Forever After," and "Clash of the Titans."  Movies will be shown on Tuesday evenings on the 30th Street beach.  They are free and open to the public.

 
March 10, 2011

BIGGER BEACHES will be in store for Avalon and Stone Harbor this summer.  The US Army Corps of Engineers is expecting to award in mid-March a contract for emergency beach replenishment on Seven Mile Island.  Under the plan Avalon's beaches from 16th to 30th Streets would receive 120,000 cubic yards, while Stone Harbor's beaches from 90th Street to Stone Harbor Point would receive 280,000 cubic yards.  Sand will be pumped by a dredge from both Townsend's Inlet and Hereford Inlet. 

Since the project is considered an emergency beach fill, it will be funded entirely with federal money.  However, the towns may elect to expand the project, thus saving "mobilization" costs since the dredge and other equipment will already be in place.  The expense of any expanded beach fill would be covered under the usual funding formula: 65% by the federal government, and 35% by state and local government.  Of the 35%, New Jersey would pay 75% and the towns 25%.
 
SPRUCE UP NOW!  Beat the rush--contact your service providers now and schedule repairs, painting, or other "get ready" jobs before spring weather hits.  Contractors and repair services aren't swamped right now, but they soon will be.

If you should need a recommendation for a contractor or other service provider please let me know.
 
DUNE GRASS PLANTING will occur in Avalon on Saturday, April 30.  Volunteers are needed--report to Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am that day, where coffee and donuts will be served, followed by a demonstration on how to plant dune grass.  After planting, a complimentary lunch will be served to volunteers at noon at Community Hall.
 
CHARGE IT!  Avalon will host a new electric vehicle charging station for those that own electric vehicles.  The recharging dock will be located in front of the Public Safety Building at 30th Street & Dune Drive.  Users of the recharging dock will be able to pay via credit card.  The borough will soon be seeking bids for the project.
 
BULK TRASH will be collected in Avalon and Stone Harbor.
 
     Stone Harbor: March 21.  Place items curbside up to 72 hours prior.
 
     Avalon: April 30 through May 9.  Place items curbside no later than 7am on May 9.

SPRING FORWARD!  Set your clocks forward by one hour at 2am Sunday, March 13.

March 3, 2011

THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY BRIDGES over Great Egg Harbor Bay will receive repairs to their steel and concrete structures.  Work is expected to begin this summer with completion due by the fall of 2012.  Eventual replacement of the 55 year old southbound bridge is being planned for the future. Legislators have also called for the swift demolition of the nearby Beesley's Point Bridge, which carries Route 9 over Great Egg Harbor Bay between Upper Township and Somers Point.  The Beesley's Point Bridge has been closed for several years due to structural problems.
 
"OUTSPOKEN LIBRARY":  Avalon's Library will feature talking books to assist those who cannot read due to vision problems.  A kiosk at the library will provide access  to thousands of audio books that can be downloaded to portable digital book players.  Major newspapers and magazines are available, too, all at no cost to the library or its patrons.  The "Outspoken Library" program's expense is borne by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
 
MARKET STATS:  31 new purchase contracts were written in the local market from January 1 through February 15, 2011, up 72% over last year's figure of 18 for the corresponding period.  Also up during the same period was the average sale price of $1,342,500, up 15.7% over last year's figure of $1,159,805.  Data was obtained from the Cape May County Multiple Listing Service.
 
PHOTOGRAPH THE SHORE!  Tune up your photography skills at a two-day nature photography workshop offered at the Wetlands Institute on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7.  The cost is $50 per person, and some knowledge of photography and cameras is necessary.  Call (609) 368-1211 for information.