| 2013: | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
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
MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK! With July 4th falling on a Thursday, there will be plenty of activities on and around the Island during the whole week. From beach movies to concerts, a home run derby, and fireworks displays, there’s something for everyone. See below for a list of events before, during, and after the July 4th holiday!
| SPECIAL GUEST: R2-D2!
Star Wars fans young and old remember the famous round-topped droid
from the movies…here’s your chance to meet a real, working R2-D2 in
person, right in Avalon! Long & Foster friend Bob Ross has
designed and built his very own R2-D2, and will conduct a
demonstration beginning at 6pm on July 4th , right up until the
fireworks begin. Bob has demonstrated his R2-D2 at national
shows, and even garnered a visit from Star Wars movie creator George
Lucas. Mr. Lucas was impressed, and you will be too!
Stop by the Avalon Family Fun Fest on the 4th at Community Hall and
the entire 30th Street beach area. Pictured Right: The Phillie Phanatic enjoyed meeting Bob Ross and R2-D2. |
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HOT & HUMID air has moved into the area, and finally, it feels like summer! Not to worry though, temperatures along the beach are expected to be around 80, several degrees cooler than most mainland areas. For those who want to feel even cooler, the ocean water temperature has been a refreshing 72 degrees in the surf.
“NO MINNOWS!” That’s been the situation for local fisherman as bait and tackle shops have had difficulty obtaining supplies of the staple live bait fish. “Too much rain,” says Lou Bachman of Smuggler’s Cove in Stone Harbor. Recent rain has apparently changed the salinity of the back bay waters enough to alter the feeding habits of local minnows, making it difficult to trap them. According to Bachman, instead of his usual local supply he’s been getting minnows from as far away as Virginia to keep his customers supplied with live bait.
BOATERS IN AVALON are hopeful that a back bay dredging project will come to be, as years of sediment have filled in many areas. Avalon Council will make the final determination on the project, but before any dredging could begin, the dredge material deposited on Macchia’s Island, in the back bay west of Avalon, must be removed to make room for new dredge material. That would necessitate construction of a temporary road to Macchia’s Island from Avalon Boulevard allowing dump trucks to haul away the dredge material from a 2000 dredge project. Although permits must be secured and final plans decided upon, a tentative plan could see the project’s first phase begin in September, with dredging to begin in the fall of 2014.
STONE HARBOR’S LIBRARY could be under construction in the fall. The 4,200 square foot two-story building will be built at 96th Street and Second Avenue, on the site of the former Bank of America building, which was demolished just over a month ago. The new library has been highly anticipated as a focal point in the center of town.
Fireworks over the Island…catch them on July 4th!
HAPPY JULY 4th TO ALL! The Avalon/Stone Harbor Update will return the week of July 8th.
June 20, 2013
BIG BEACH MOVIE: Avalon kicks off its Big Beach Movie series on June 25, when "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" will be shown at the 30th Street beach. Movies are free to all and will play at 8:45pm on Tuesdays throughout the summer. In the event of rain, the movies will be shown inside at Community Hall at 30th Street & the beach.
SEASONAL LIBRARY CARDS are available to those vacationing in Avalon. The $20 library card allows free access to DVDs, Wi-Fi, video games, and public computers. To obtain a seasonal library card bring your driver's license and local address to the Avalon Library at 235 32nd Street. The cards are good through October 15th.
THE REEDS AT SHELTER HAVEN formally opens Thursday, June 20th. The Reeds features 37 guest rooms & suites, two restaurants, and a ball room. The new building has transformed the intersection of 96th Street and Third Avenue; the lot upon which The Reeds now stands was vacant for years. The original Shelter Haven was built in 1912, and was later replaced by a new building in the 1960s. The Reeds will serve as a new year-round anchor to Stone Harbor's business district. I was fortunate to tour the Reeds this week and I'm certain guests will enjoy the elegant accommodations, bay and town center views, and fine service.
Even an overcast sky can yield a pretty sunset. This one was taken from the Great Channel Bridge at the south end of Stone Harbor.
TWO MILITARY BANDS will perform in Avalon this summer, offering concerts free to the public. The United States 63rd Army Band will perform on Friday, July 5th at 7pm at Veteran's Plaza (21st Street & Dune Drive). The United States 78th Army Band will perform a beach concert on Friday, August 2nd at noon at the 30th Street beach.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE: This past Sunday I enjoyed watching my son Paul's Upper Township 9 & Under All Star baseball team win the Father's Day Tournament in nearby Egg Harbor Township. Paul's teammates have been practicing (and I've been coaching) since January; there could be no greater Father's Day gift than seeing the smile on his face as he received his first place medal on Sunday. His brother Dan and sister Grace were there to watch, as was my wife Sheri, who took the picture!
June 13, 2013
IT'S TURTLE SEASON! Watch out for turtles crossing local roads to lay eggs on high ground. There have been quite a few spotted on Avalon and Stone Harbor Boulevards, and, unfortunately, many have been struck. Keep an eye out for turtles and if you spot one "give 'em a brake!" If you should attempt to help a turtle cross the road, please help it cross in the direction it was originally headed - and please make your own safety the top priority.
INTEREST RATES have inched upward over the past couple of weeks, but remain low by historical standards. Most lenders are now offering 30-year fixed rates at about 4% for loans to $417,000, with slightly higher rates for loans over that amount. Rates are still so attractive that it's a great time to buy and "lock in" low financing for three decades! For the names of reliable lenders please call or email me.
READY, SET, GO! The rental season is now upon us! Rental property owners: please make sure your property is in top condition, sparkling clean, with all amenities ready for your guests. Tenants, if you haven't booked yet please check my rental section or call me or MaryAnn at (800) 967-7796 to get started.
| HOUSE PORTRAITS by
Lisa Cunningham are a great way to enjoy your shore house even when
you can't be there! With one of Lisa's portraits in your home or office, it'll serve as a reminder of fun times. Check out Lisa's website at: www.LisaCunninghamfineart.com |
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BASKETBALL ANYONE? Shore Shot Basketball Camp will hold summer workouts for ages 6-16 at the Stone Harbor Rec Center at 82nd Street from 6-7:30pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings all summer. Visit their website at www.shoreshot.net or call 609-463-0676 to register.
THANKS TO BLOOMS FLORIST! Karin Parker of Blooms Florist generously provides a beautiful flower arrangement in our reception area each weekend. Visit Karen at Blooms at 11 South Main Street in Cape May Court House, or call her at 609-465-1662 for flowers for any occasion!
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HOW ABOUT A GETAWAY for you and your significant other? I've got just the place: a beautiful one bedroom/one bath beachblock condo at Oceanview at Avalon, complete with a pool plus a view of the ocean from the balcony! This unit was just added to the rental market, and several prime weeks are available with rates ranging from $800 to $1,550. Call me or MaryAnn to book your week!
June 6, 2013
SEVEN MILE BEACH RESTAURANT WEEK runs through June 7th. Over 30 restaurants are participating this year, featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. It's a great opportunity to try a new restaurant you haven't sampled before! Learn More: Participating Restaurants & Menus
STONE HARBOR OR HOLLYWOOD? Those entering Stone Harbor via Ocean Drive from North Wildwood over Memorial Day Weekend were treated to a strange new sight: a Hollywood-style "Stone Harbor" sign perched atop the marsh on Nummy Island. The new sign appeared mysteriously and is said to be the work of a few local boys who wish to remain anonymous. No word yet on whether the sign will stay long term.
A VIEW FROM ABOVE: This aerial photo was discovered as we prepared for our office renovation. It shows the center of Avalon, from bay to beach (for reference, the Avalon Real Estate Agency office - now Long & Foster - is visible in the left-center area of the photo). We believe the photo to be from the mid-1970s. Can you help to better narrow down the date it was taken? If so, please let me know!
The center of Avalon, circa mid-1970s. Quite a lot has changed since then!
THE REEDS AT SHELTER HAVEN will open on June 20th. The all-new hotel will feature the following: 37 guest rooms; Sax at the Reeds, a 64-seat restaurant and lounge; the Water Star Grille, overlooking the bay; conference and meeting space; a ballroom for weddings and other events; a bayfront sundeck and veranda. The upscale appearance of The Reeds compliments the Stone Harbor shopping district. Stop by and have a look the next time you're in Stone Harbor!
THE CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO is ranked number 3 in the country by TripAdvisor! The Zoo is a fantastic resource right in our own 'backyard', and admission is free! (Donations are appreciated!) Take the family and spend the day enjoying all kinds of wildlife - add it to your "Summer To Do" list!