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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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 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.
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 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!
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!
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!