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
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This Weeks News 7/29/2015


THE BUSIEST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER is upon us! Not only is it peak vacation time, but two major events will help draw traffic to the Island:

--THE BRENDAN BOREK 25th ANNIVERSARY Beef & Beer and Surf Memorial take place on Saturday, along with many other associated activities throughout the weekend. This is the final year for the Surf Memorial, but other Brendan Borek events are expected to continue in future years.

--STONE HARBOR'S ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL takes place on Saturday & Sunday at the 81st Street recreation field. More than 200 artisans from a dozen states will offer their work for sale at the event, now in its 53rd year. See below for many more events this weekend and next!
 
A DAY AT THE BEACH wouldn't be complete without an airplane pulling an advertising banner overhead. Paramount Air Service makes approximately 2,000 flights each summer, pulling banners along the beach advertising everything from restaurant specials to local band performances. The company has just celebrated its 70th anniversary, and currently operates a dozen single-engine planes based right in Cape May County.
 
BLUE MOON ON FRIDAY! A second full moon will occur during the month of July, making it a "blue moon". No, the moon won't actually be blue, but it should be magnificent if skies are clear. Be sure to step outside, take a walk, and look skyward Friday evening!
 
Snowy Egret
There's stunning beauty to be found all over the Island! Here a snowy egret searches a tidal pond for his next meal.
 
AVALON MANOR'S FISHING PIER could be rebuilt with the help of grant money. The pier, which first served as the roadway into Avalon before the Avalon Boulevard Bridge was relocated in the 1960s, juts into the bay along the Intra-Coastal Waterway. Middle Township officials hope to apply for two grants to fund the rebuilding of the pier. A meeting has been set for August 3rd to discuss plans for the pier. For more details see this article: Avalon Manor Fishing Pier Meeting Set August 3rd
 
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS ARE BACK! The world famous Harlem Globetrotters are back at the Wildwoods Convention Center for four games and four clinics through Saturday, August 1st. The video below shows off some recent trick shots that Bull Bullard made on the beach. If you have kids the Globetrotters are a must see. Save $7 off each ticket using the online promo code "PTPA" at Ticketmaster - Harlem Globetrotters Tickets - or show this email to the box office.
 
Harlem Globetrotters on the Beach
Click above to watch Globetrotter Bull Bullard make some incredible trick shots on the Wildwood beach!
      
WHATEVER YOUR BUDGET, there's a perfect shore property waiting for you! Call or email me today to begin your search!

This Weeks News 7/22/2015

MARKET STATS: During the month of June, 32 units were sold in the local market, up 7% from last year. The number of active listings was 329, down 22% from last year. For more market stats, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report. Ready to make your next real estate move?  Call me to get started!
The Long & Foster Market Minute Report
Click above for the latest Market Minute report from Long & Foster.
 
CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO--No. 13 IN THE WORLD!  Congratulations to the Cape May County Park & Zoo for winning a Traveler's Choice Award and ranking as the 13th highest rated zoo in the world. The Zoo rated 5th best in the United States. In addition to excellent animal exhibits you'll find a playground, picnic shelters, and hiking trails. The Cape May County Park & Zoo is free to visitors, though donations are appreciated!
 
THE BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN: Need some recipes for your summer menu? Check out the food blog TheBeachHouseKitchen.com for some great ideas! Local Avalon summer resident Mary Ann Dwyer started the blog back in November 2014 and has wowed her readers with some delicious, easy to make recipes for casual entertaining. She has been featured on Delish.com, CountryLiving.com, TownandCountryMag.com, Buzz Feed and thekitchn.com! Check out The Beach House Kitchen Press Page to view the featured articles, and be sure to follow Mary Ann's blog so you don't miss her next creation!
 
TAKE A RIDE ON THE QUIET SIDE! Want to see the area's wildlife from a unique perspective? Tour the Island's back bay waters while paddling a kayak! The silence of a kayak allows you to approach and view wildlife from much closer than you otherwise could. Tours take place several times a week throughout the summer, and cost $54 per person; Call The Wetlands Institute at (609) 368-1211 for information and reservations. For a truly special experience, sign up for a full moon kayak tour to enjoy the setting sun and rising full moon on the evenings of July 29th & 30th and August 27th & 28th.
 
THE OCEAN WATER TEMPERATURE has reached a delightful 75 degrees--just about perfect for a refreshing swim or splashing in the surf. Long periods of southerly ocean breezes have moved warm ocean surface water right to the beach. Shifting winds can easily blow the warm surface water offshore again, causing it to be replaced with cooler waters from deeper depths, so enjoy the warm temperatures while you can!
 
SAILING is a popular sport right here on our Island. If you've never tried it, a look at this aerial video will make you want to! It's a Hobie Cat, sailing right off the beach at Stone Harbor Point, then skimming across the ocean waves! Stone Harbor Sailing 7/7/2015

THERE'S STILL TIME to locate and purchase your own shore property allowing you to enjoy the remainder of the summer season, and the beautiful fall months. Whether you're interested in a getaway condo or a castle by the sand, call me to begin your search!

This Weeks News 7/15/2015

WHAT'S ON YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST? Summer's here, and the time is now! Whether you want to catch a sunrise on the beach, or teach your grandchild to catch a fish, set aside some time to tackle your Summer "Bucket List!" If acquiring your very own place at the shore is on your Bucket List, please give me a call!
 
CHECK OUT AVALON'S NEW BEACH! After the recent completion of the beachfill project, you'll find wide, gently sloping beaches that are perfect for sunbathing, digging in the sand, or swimming in the surf!

Avalon's North-End Beaches
Avalon's new north-end beaches offer plenty of sand for summer time fun!
 
TRAVELLING NORTHBOUND on the Parkway will soon be a little easier as vehicles are routed onto the new mainline bridges recently constructed, eliminating traffic signals and delays. Northbound travelers wishing to access Stone Harbor Boulevard will temporarily have to exit at Shellbay Avenue and follow detour signs, until new access ramps to Stone Harbor Boulevard can be completed. The ongoing Parkway project has already eased traffic snarls that used to plague the area as summer traffic backed up at traffic signals. Although jam-ups are expected as the new traffic pattern is phased in while construction is completed, it'll be worth it in the end!
 
STONE HARBOR POINT, beach, and back bay users: Stone Harbor wants to hear from you! Complete a brief survey about your personal usage of the Point, as well as the beach and bay, to provide Stone Harbor officials with more insight on how these natural resources are utilized and enjoyed! Click here: Stone Harbor Natural Resources Survey - Beach, Bay and Point.
 
"AMERICAN PICKERS" will be in South Jersey in early August. The History Channel show which features Mike and Frank, a pair of antique-hunting "pickers", is looking for interesting characters to star in the episode. If you have a large collection of antique items, email the show at: americanpickers@cineflix.com.
 
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND--Stone Harbor's Festival of Lights! Last year's parade of boats along the bayfront was a great success, with many dozens of boats and bayfront homes featuring lights, decorations, or both. The event will return again this year on Saturday, August 15th.  Don't have a boat or a bayfront home? You can watch the parade from the 83rd Street pier, or from the municipal marina at 81st Street & the bay.

TWO EXTRAORDINARY PROPERTIES became available this week--see the last two 'new listings' below. 10501-10507 Golden Gate Road is a stunning bayfront location, with 150 feet of bay frontage and expansive westerly views. 4555 Dune Drive offers a private "high dune" location, ocean views, plus plans and permits for a new home. For expert guidance on the high-end market--whether buying or selling--please call me.

This Weeks News 7/8/2015

GOOD WEATHER, GOOD CROWD, GREAT WEEKEND! By all accounts the July 4th weekend was a huge success in Avalon & Stone Harbor. Mother nature cooperated by diverting rain to other areas, leaving all three days dry here. From the beach to local restaurants to ice cream shops--there were good crowds everywhere. The weekend was capped by two outstanding fireworks displays in Avalon & Stone Harbor!
 
Fireworks Display
Fireworks displays were visible from all over the Island Saturday night. Here, Avalon's display (left) and Stone Harbor's display could be seen simultaneously over the bay.
 
AVALON BEACHFILL NEARLY COMPLETE: By Tuesday over 600,000 cubic yards of sand had been pumped onto Avalon's north-end beaches. Barring a mechanical failure or weather event, sand pumping was expected to conclude Tuesday evening, with dredge pipes and equipment to be removed in the next week or so. For the latest Borough update on the beachfill project, read more:

Borough of Avalon - Beach Fill Update.
 
NORTHBOUND GARDEN STATE PARKWAY TRAFFIC will soon be routed onto the newly built "mainline" and bridges, with traffic flow unimpeded by traffic lights. Northbound Exits 9 and 11 will be operational, while an exit ramp will be constructed at Exit 10. A detour at Exit 9 will divert traffic for Exit 10 through approximately Labor Day. The newly built southbound mainline and bridges have eliminated the massive traffic jams that used to occur on summer days as traffic headed to the shore. The new northbound mainline is expected to have a similar effect as shore vacationers depart.
 
AN OSPREY CHICK hatched this past Sunday in the nest behind The Wetlands Institute, the first of three. Observers continued to monitor the nest as the first chick has not been begging for food. Check here for a live view of the nest, and an update on the chick's progress: Osprey Camera.
 
THE JERSEY SHORE POPS kicks off their popular summer concert series this weekend, with a Saturday show entitled "The True Voice of Elvis" starring Doug Church. The show will take place at 7pm at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center. Other upcoming shows include "Twist and Shout" and "Back to Broadway". Tickets range from $25 to $40 and can be purchased at the PAC box office. Call (800) 838-3006 for more information.
 
THANKS TO ALL who stopped by our office on Saturday during our Customer Appreciation event. An estimated 1,000 clients and friends stopped by to enjoy a burger or hot dog and refreshments. We appreciate your visit, and your business! Thanks as well to Waterfront Marine for displaying a beautiful Chris Craft Launch 25 in our parking lot last weekend!

This Weeks News 7/1/2015

LONG & FOSTER'S CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY--Saturday, July 4th, 11am-3pm. Please stop by our office for complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs, refreshments and desserts! We look forward to seeing you and saying "thank you" for your business!
 
Customer Appreciation Day

A BIG 4th OF JULY WEEKEND is planned on the Island! Many events will occur in both Avalon and Stone Harbor including concerts, family activities, boat parades, a home run derby, and, of course, fireworks! 
 
30-YEAR MORTGAGE RATES inched up to an average of 4.02% this past week--up slightly, but still VERY attractive. At that rate, a 30-year mortgage costs just $479 per month for each $100,000 borrowed--extremely affordable by historical standards. If you can buy now before rates (and prices!) rise, it's a great time to do so! Call or email me to begin your search!
 
265,000 CUBIC YARDS of sand have already been added to Avalon's north-end beaches as of Monday. The ongoing replenishment project will add a total of 700,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach; the project is expected to conclude around July 14th. Beaches outside the immediate work area are open and accessible.
 
CHICKEN BAR-B-Q: Give your favorite cook a break on Sunday and enjoy a delicious chicken barbeque platter from Our Savior Lutheran Church at 9212 Third Avenue in Stone Harbor. Tickets are $15 each and are available by calling (609) 368-3031. The barbeque runs from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, July 5th.
 
CHECK OUT TWO AMAZING VIEWS OF NATURE right here, on our Island:

1--BABY DOLPHINS are a rare sight, but Avalon local and stand-up-paddleboarder Nik Pattantyus captured some incredible video of them just a few days ago, just off Avalon's beach. Take a look--you'll be mesmerized! The Matriarchs
    
2--WATCH A PAIR of nesting ospreys as they incubate three eggs in their nest, courtesy of The Wetlands Institute's Osprey Camera. The eggs are expected to hatch around Independence Day. Thanks to night vision you can watch any time! The Wetlands Institute Osprey Camera     
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to you and your family! Best wishes to all for a warm and enjoyable weekend as we celebrate the birth of our great nation!

BEAUTIFUL CHRIS CRAFT ON DISPLAY! A friend of mine from Waterfront Marine in nearby Somers Point will have a beautiful Chris Craft on display outside our office through the weekend. Stop by, climb aboard and see this brand new 25-foot vessel! If you're in the market for a new boat, a representative from Waterfront Marine will be glad to talk with you. If you're in the market for a place to dock your new boat, please call me and I'll be happy to help you find the perfect bayfront location!