2015:

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This Weeks News 11/24/2015

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FOOD DRIVE SUCCESS: Long & Foster agents, staff, clients, and friends all contributed to our annual food drive, making it a big success. 15 turkeys, 6 large boxes of non-perishable food items, 6 cases of vegetables, and over $1,300 in monetary donations were delivered to Holy Redeemer Food Bank this week. Thanks to all who contributed to help those in need.
 
THIS WEEKEND THE ISLAND will be filled with holiday activities, shopping, events, and appearances by Santa. (See below for more.) While you're here do some holiday shopping--here are just a few gift ideas: Holiday beach tags make great stocking stuffers; the Fudge Kitchen will ship a pound of homemade fudge to the recipient of your choosing; Uncle Bill's will ship pancake mix and syrup; Avalon Coffee offers an Island Sampler; a Wetlands Institute membership makes a great gift! Visit local shops for more. Can't find the perfect gift? Purchase a gift certificate from a local store or restaurant for your favorite Seven Mile Island fan!

   Annual Holiday Beach Tags will be available this weekend!
 
WEDNESDAY EVENING the weekend kicks off with the Festival of Trees at The Whitebrier in Avalon. Trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses will be available for auction beginning at 5pm Wednesday. Bidding resumes Friday from noon till 8pm. Winning bidders can take their decorated tree or wreath that night.
 
THE TURKEY TROT 5K RUN will take place Friday morning at 10am, in support of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. (Packet pickup begins at 8am at Community Hall.)
 
AVALON'S FESTIVE FRIDAY begins at 11am and will feature iceless ice-skating at 21st & Dune Drive, along with face painters, bounce houses, crafts, plus a visit from Santa as he helps Mayor Pagliughi light the Christmas tree at Veteran's Plaza at 5pm.
 
SNOWFEST SATURDAY will transform Dune Drive into a winter carnival from 11am to 4pm, including games, rides, bounce houses, and more iceless skating. Santa will be posing for photos at Veteran's Plaza. For full details on Avalon's events click here:

   Festival of the Trees / Festive Friday / Snowfest Saturday!
 
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" IN STONE HARBOR occurs on Friday and Saturday, where you'll find breakfast with Frosty, a scavenger hunt, letter writing to Santa, a holiday dash with George Bailey, a magic show, and more. For full details on Stone Harbor's events click here:

   It's a Wonderful Life in Stone Harbor! Island Holiday Nov 27-28
 
SATURDAY NIGHT'S PARADE in Stone Harbor will step off at 6:30pm from 111th & Third Avenue, and will turn onto 96th Street toward the beach.  Floats, music, antique vehicles, and decorated fire trucks from all over will be featured in the parade, along with Santa, the guest of honor! Look for me driving Truck 6414, my antique American LaFrance aerial ladder truck!
 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family!  Wishing you a warm & wonderful day with your loved ones!

This Weeks News 11/19/2015

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MARKET STATS: The latest Long & Foster Market Minute shows 39 sales during the month of October, down 17% from last October. The number of properties currently for sale is 334--down 14%, due to strong sales over the summer months. To view the full report, click here:

  The Long & Foster Market Minute Report

  
WHAT A CATCH! According to Seven Mile Times, Fred Mellon of Sea Isle City and Bob Tartaglione of Avalon landed a 48-inch, 43lb striper while trolling the Sea Isle Lump, just a couple miles off the beach. Meanwhile, the Miss Avalon has reported nice catches of sea bass. Don't let the fall chill stop you--grab your fishing tackle and head to your favorite spot!
 
ON THE ISLAND over Thanksgiving, but don't want to cook? Make a reservation at your favorite local restaurant! Several area favorites will be open and will be happy to do the cooking and clean-up for you! Here are just a few of the options: The Golden Inn is offering Dine & Stay packages; The Reeds at Shelter Haven is offering bayside dining on Thanksgiving day; Stone Harbor Golf Club and the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor are offering Thanksgiving meals to go. Call early to make your reservations or place your order.
 
FOOD DRIVE ENDING SOON! Our annual food drive will conclude Monday, November 23rd.  We've collected a large supply of food as well as monetary donations, but we could still use your help! If you'd like to contribute, stop by our office with your non-perishable food item or a check! On Monday, all donations will be delivered to Holy Redeemer Food Bank, in time for holiday distribution.
 
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS will be available for purchase in Avalon and Stone Harbor over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Avalon Holiday Tag will be premiered at Festive Friday on Nov. 27 and Snowfest Saturday on Nov. 28. Stop by the Avalon Rescue Squad building from 10am to 4pm to pick up the gingerbread-themed tag. If any remain, you can purchase them at the Tax Collector's Office in Borough Hall during office hours. The sale of Stone Harbor's Holiday Tag will begin at the Island Holiday Celebration set for Nov. 27 and 28. Tags will be available for purchase from 10am to 2pm at the Water Works Building, as well as participating stores throughout town. If any remain following the holiday weekend, they will be on sale Saturdays and Sundays beginning Nov. 30 at the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce from 10am to 3pm. 

PASS IT ON! If you know someone who loves Avalon & Stone Harbor as much as you do, please pass along my newsletter so they can sign up for weekly updates; I love sharing shore info with folks who enjoy "our little corner of the world!" To subscribe, send an email to Randy@RandyLeiser.com.

This Weeks News 11/12/2015

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SEVERAL HUMPBACK WHALE SIGHTINGS occurred this week just off Cape May County beaches, as reported by the vessel Cape May Whale Watcher. As many as twenty whales have been spotted within a few miles of the beach between Avalon and Cape May, and have been seen feeding, breaching, and slapping the water with their fins. Cape May Whale Watcher has more cruises planned for the next few weekends. Visit Cape May Whale Watcher for the schedule and rates; check out their Facebook page for photos and video from recent cruises.
 
WIND FARMS OFF THE JERSEY COAST, much-discussed for many years, may now be a step closer after two firms won a federal auction to lease 344,000 acres for future wind farm development, according to the Atlantic City Press. Actual construction could still be years away due to a required anti-trust review, followed by up to a year for each firm to submit a plan for surveying the ocean seabed, and up to four and a half years to submit construction plans. For more details see the article in the Atlantic City Press: Two Firms Win Federal Leases For Possible Wind Farms Off South Jersey
 

Armchair adventurers--enjoy a five-minute break from reality! Climb aboard the sailboat "Puffin" for a four-day round trip between Havre de Grace, Maryland, and Cape May New Jersey! Along the way you'll enjoy beautiful scenery and get a taste of the sailing lifestyle!
 
CENTRALIZED DISPATCH of emergency services will help save lives and money, according to Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, who also serves as Cape May County Director of Emergency Management. The county recently approved a plan to centralize dispatch services at the Cape May County Airport in Erma. By doing so costs can be reduced while still having enough dispatchers available to handle multiple medical , police, and fire-related incidents simultaneously.
 
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED: Operation Fireside is underway, matching Coast Guard recruits with host families for Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. Host families pick up their recruit at noon and return them to the Coast Guard base by 8pm, allowing the recruit several hours of relaxation, a chance to call home, and a home cooked meal. To register to be a host family, contact Georgianna Engels at 609-646-8330 or Georgianna.Engels@redcross.org.
 
MUSIC, SEMINARS, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, AND A HOLIDAY PARADE--you'll find it all on Seven Mile Island during the next several weeks. Check below for a long list of upcoming events. Be sure to set aside the Thanksgiving Weekend for a visit to the Island--what a great way to kick off your holiday season!

NEED A PLACE of your very own here on the Island? Whether you want an Island getaway or you're looking for a property to maximize rental income, I'm ready to help. all me--I'll listen to your needs and help you find the perfect place!

This Weeks News 11/05/2015

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MARKET STATS: Forty properties sold during the month of September, up by 3% over September, 2014. The number of active listings declined to 327, down 20% from last year. The median sale price also declined to $1,157,500, down from $1,420,000 last year. For more market stats, click here for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report.
 
ONE WINTER INSTEAD OF TWO! The Townsend's Inlet Bridge roadway project will last just one winter instead of two, as originally expected. A meeting between Avalon Business Administrator Scott Wahl, Avalon Police Sgt. John Roscoe, Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster, Sea Isle City Mayor Len Desiderio and other officials led to the change. During the project, slated to begin in November, one lane of alternating traffic will be maintained when possible, with the majority of work expected to be done by Presidents Day weekend, with the rest completed by March 15, 2016.
 

The sun sets over the bay on a peaceful fall evening!
 
CALL YOUR PLUMBER now to schedule the winterization of your outside shower and water lines. Foundation vents should be closed prior to the arrival of frigid weather to prevent frozen pipes in your crawlspace; set your thermostat to 55 degrees. Consult with your plumber and/or contractor about any other winterization procedures unique to your property.
 
AN 1889 PAINTING was donated to the Avalon History Center by Dee Phillips. The piece was painted by Joseph Wells, a founder of the Seven Mile Beach Development Company, and shows the north end of the island including the Avalon Hotel. The Avalon Historical Society will fund a restoration of the painting to reverse deterioration and protect it for the future; the cost may exceed $7,000. If you'd like to support the project visit Avalon Historical Society and click the "Donate" button in the top right corner.
 
STONE HARBOR BAYFRONT PROPERTY OWNERS are invited to attend an informational meeting regarding the back bay dredging project and the dredging of privately owned boatslips. The meeting will be hosted by Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc., the contractor conducting the project. The meeting will be held Saturday, November 7th at 10am at the Stone Harbor Elementary School.