2015:

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This Weeks News 8/26/2015

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THE SECOND SUMMER...those lucky enough to be here on the Island during the months of September and October know that it's the best kept secret around! The next couple of months will bring us warm days & cool nights, smaller crowds, and an opportunity to enjoy all the traditional summer activities at a more relaxed pace. As the peak summer season winds down, say hello to our "Second Summer!"
 
THE MIDATLANTIC Fishing Tournament concluded with more than 600 fish caught last week. Most were released, but gracing the scales were a 566lb. blue marlin, a 199lb. tuna, and a 77lb. white marlin. The white marlin was worth more than $700,000 in prize money, representing more than a quarter of the total prize payout, and was landed by a boat from Brooklyn, NY.
 

This postcard was likely used in the early 1900s to promote visits to Stone Harbor. 
 
FULL MOON PADDLING--LAST CHANCE! Catch the setting sun and the rising full moon, while paddling a kayak through the back bay! The Wetlands Institute holds the last of its Full Moon Paddling tours Thursday & Friday, August 27th & 28th. What a great way to experience nature's beauty from a different perspective! Visit The Wetlands Institute or call (609) 368-1211 for details.
 
MORE WORK ON THE TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE will occur this winter. The bridge will be closed again so the roadway on the Avalon side can be rebuilt to better withstand wave action encountered during storms. A complete closure is expected for about two months during the winter.
 
TWO GREAT AIRSHOWS will be in the area next week. First up is Thunder Over the Boardwalk in Atlantic City on Wednesday, September 2nd, which will feature four hours of aerial performances, including a United States Air Force F-22 Raptor and the United States Navy Blue Angels. On Friday, September 4th Airfest lands at Naval Air Station Wildwood, with WWII-era aircraft flying in for the weekend display. For more information on the shows visit Atlantic City Airshow  and Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum.
 
THINKING ABOUT SELLING? If you're considering placing your property on the market, contact me now to take advantage of the busy fall season! Not sure? You may be surprised to learn what your home is worth in the current market! Call me to find out!

This Weeks News 8/19/2015

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MARKET STATS: The latest Long & Foster Market Minute report indicates that sales for the month of July were up compared to a year ago, along with the median sale price. Both the number of active listings and the average "days on market" decreased compared to last year. Purchase demand has remained steady in our market. For the full Market Minute report click here:
 
   The Long & Foster Market Minute Report

   Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report!
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO AVALON LIFEGUARDS, who took home a team championship at last week's South Jersey Lifeguard Championships in Margate. It's the beach patrol's first South Jersey team title since 1992. Helping to secure the championship were Matt and Erich Wolf, under the leadership of Avalon Beach Patrol Captain Murray Wolf, who joined the Avalon Beach Patrol 60 years ago in 1955, and has led the team since 1967!
 

Click above to check out this pod of dolphins outside Hereford Inlet!
 
A SUMMERTIME THRILL! Lots of dolphins have been seen just off the beach this summer...but this pod swam right alongside a boat outside Hereford Inlet, to the delight of my kids, Paul, Dan, and Grace, who were on board!  Earlier this week a Pod of Dolphins was seen in Stone Harbor's back bay--a rare, but not unheard of occurrence, as the dolphins pursue baitfish wherever they're plentiful. Next time you're on the beach or the bay, keep an eye peeled for the dolphins!
 
139 BOATS CAUGHT 154 FISH on the first day of this year's Mid-Atlantic Tournament. Boats from all over the east coast are gathered in Cape May as well as Ocean City, MD to compete in the week-long offshore fishing tournament, with $2.8 million in prize money up for grabs. Catches so far include a 543lb blue marlin and a 65lb white marlin, though the vast majority of fish are released. To keep track of this year's tournament leaders, visit The MidAtlantic.
 
LOCAL WEATHERMAN DAN SKELDON will give a talk at the next meeting of the Avalon Civic Club on August 24th. Skeldon was NBC-40's TV weatherman for years before the station went off the air, and now works for the Atlantic City Press. His detailed reporting of South Jersey weather patterns make him a tremendous local resource both on a daily basis and during storm events. Skeldon's talk is titled "Predicting South Jersey's Weather" and will be held at the Avalon Community Center on Monday, August 24th at 12:30pm. The meeting is open to the public.
 
CALLING ALL SHOPPERS! Two annual events are always popular with those shopping in the local business districts! Stone Harbor will hold its annual Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, August 29th, and Avalon will hold its End of Summer Shop Hop on September 12th & 13th. Whether you're looking for a t-shirt to commemorate the 2015 summer or a gift for a loved one, check out the offerings of local merchants!

This Weeks News 8/12/2015

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CAPE MAY COUNTY'S mid-summer tourism report indicates that the first half of the summer was a successful one. Occupancy was up, as were traffic counts on the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. Other indicators such as beach tag sales and parking meter revenues are up as well. In 2014 tourism expenditures in Cape May County reached $5.79 billion, a record that was up 5.2% over the prior year. Based on the strong 1st half report, things are looking positive for yet another increase this year.
 
AVALON MAYOR Martin Pagliughi addressed the Avalon Home and Landowners Association last Saturday at Community Hall. If you missed the Mayor's presentation, you can view it here:

Mayor Pagliughi's State of the Borough Address Delivered At AHLOA Meeting
 
BAYFRONT DREDGING in Stone Harbor is expected to begin as soon as this fall, and the Borough is in the process of obtaining permits. The project will be done in phases over at least two years, due to the narrow time window in which dredging is allowed by the state. A Borough letter mailed to bayfront property owners indicates that private slips may be dredged in conjunction with the project, at the expense of the property owner.
 

Thanks to Long & Foster friend Kathleen Reilly for capturing and sharing this beautiful sunrise shot!
 
SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Catch Stone Harbor's Festival of Lights boat parade Saturday evening, as boats of all shapes and sizes parade along Stone Harbor's entire waterfront, beginning at the Stone Harbor Yacht Club at 7:30pm. In addition to boats displaying lights and decorations, bayfront homes will be decorated as well. If you'd like to view the parade but don't have a boat, Stone Harbor's Municipal Marina at 81st & the bay and the fishing pier at 83rd & the bay are great spots to take it all in.
 
FLY A KITE, CATCH A FISH, walk on the beach at sunrise, try a new restaurant, play miniature golf, sip your morning coffee on the deck, dig in the sand, enjoy a glass of wine with friends...whatever is on your summer "to do" list, take time and do it! If you'd like to enjoy your favorite Island during the rest of the year, call me to begin your search for the perfect vacation home!

This Weeks News 8/5/2015

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243 PROPERTIES HAVE SOLD in the local market through July 31st of this year, up 38.8% over last year. Prices have increased as well: the average sold price is up 4.8% to $1,356,943, while the median sold price is up 7.8% to $1,100,000. The highest sale to date this year was $8,000,000 (an oceanfront high-dune property in Avalon), and the lowest was $76,500 (a 2-bedroom cottage in Stone Harbor Manor). With a broad price range like that, there's something for everyone in our market! Call me today if you're ready to find your own place at the shore!
 
AVALON MAYOR MARTIN PAGLIUGHI will speak at Saturday's Avalon Home and Land Owners Association meeting. Mayor Pagliughi will discuss the "State of the Borough" and take questions. Also speaking will be Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director of The Wetlands Institute, who will discuss "World Class Research and Conservation." The meeting will be held at Avalon's Community Hall at 30th Street & the beach; refreshments will be served at 9:30am and the meeting will start at 10am. All are welcome!
 
HOME & HEALTH SHOW and DESIGNER HOUSE TOUR. Catch the Cape Regional Home & Health Show on Saturday, August 8th, from 9 am to 2 pm at Avalon Elementary School. Admission is free, as are health screenings. Cape Regional's Designer House Tour also occurs Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Seven homes will be featured on the tour, and tickets are $30 per person. Tickets are available by calling 609-463-4040, at the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, or on Saturday, August 8 at the Avalon Elementary School.
 

Keeping cool and having fun on a hot summer day!
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO AVALON BEACH PATROL for winning the David J. Kerr, Jr. Memorial Lifeguard Races in Avalon this past weekend. This is the fifth consecutive year that Avalon guards have won the contest!
 
TIME IS GETTING SHORT! With just a month left in the prime summer season, time is running out!  Be sure to enjoy your favorite summer activities, or venture out and try something new. Take a kid fishing... try parasailing... take a sunrise walk on the beach... whatever you choose to do, make time and DO IT!

MEET SPLASH, the newest addition to the Leiser family!