2015:

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This Weeks News 9/24/2015

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MARKET STATS: The latest Long & Foster Market Minute report is in and shows that August 2015 sales were up over last year, while the number of active listings and the average "days on market" both decreased significantly. For the full Avalon/Stone Harbor report click here:

  The Long & Foster Market Minute Report

August sales were up while inventory and "days on market" decreased from last year. Click above for the full Market Minute report.
 
A 1/8 MILE WALKING AND RUNNING TRACK was recently opened by the Avalon School District at the Elementary School. Adjacent to the track is new exercise equipment and a resurfaced basketball court. Avalon Elementary School Students had a chance to jog a ceremonial first lap around the track on the first day of school. When not in use by the school district the track will be available to the public.
 
HOW ABOUT A SUNSET WINE CRUISE? The Cape May Lewes Ferry is offering three more wine cruises this fall, on September 26th, October 3rd, and October 10th. Cruises depart the Cape May ferry terminal at 6pm and feature a variety of wines, live music, and fabulous views of the sunset over Delaware Bay! Visit The Cape May-Lewes Ferry for more on wine cruises and other ferry trips.
 
WATCH THE SKIES the night of September 27th into the early morning hours of September 28th for a Super Blood Moon lunar eclipse. The moon, at its perigee, or closest point to earth, will appear up to 14% larger than normal. It will also pass behind the earth, putting it in shadow and giving it a red color. The last time this event occurred was 1982, and it won't happen again until 2033. Click here for a brief video explaining the event:  Rare Super 'Blood Moon' Lunar Eclipse Coming, Last Until 2033 | Video.
 
A PAPER SHREDDING EVENT has been sponsored by the Cape May County Association of Realtors on October 24th, from 11am to 12 noon. Bring your bags or boxes of papers to the CMCAR office at 1546 Route 9 in Swainton. No plastic, metal, or binder clips please (paper clips and staples are ok). Your documents will be placed in bins and fed into a mobile shredding unit. All paper will be recycled!
 
ONE FROM THE HISTORY FILE: The year was 1967 and Phil & Eddie's Surf Club in nearby Wildwood had a heck of a summer line up on the calendar. Performing that summer were Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Vinton, and The Platters! The Surf Club sure lived up to its "Home of the Stars" slogan that summer! Were you there to take in one or more of these performances in person? Let me know! Thanks to Diane Myers of California for sharing this memory with us!

This Weeks News 9/17/2015

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A TASTE OF FALL: This week dry, clear days and cool, crisp nights made it feel like fall on the Island! The fall season traditionally brings delightful weather for the beach, fishing, or bird watching, smaller crowds, and a relaxed pace. More warm weather is expected to return over the next few days, but the taste of cooler weather is a sign that fall is coming!
 
250 MILLION YEARS! That's the estimated age of a horn coral fossil found on Stone Harbor's 98th Street beach by 7-year old Ryan Fedok of Virginia. Ryan found the two-inch object at the water's edge, but neither he nor his family could identify it. Ryan's father Jason Fedok emailed the American Museum of Natural History in New York, which identified it as a horn coral fossil that lived 250- to 500-million years ago--at least five million years before dinosaurs. According to Carl Mehling of the museum, the horn coral was not native to Stone Harbor and was likely transported here by ocean currents or glacial movement.
 

An egret searches a tidal pool for a meal on a beautiful September afternoon. The vibrant green marsh grasses of summer are gradually giving way to golden fall colors. Sea Isle City's water tower is in the background.
 
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES GALORE! From nature & wildlife to food, wine, & beer, to surfing & dancing, you'll find plenty to enjoy at the shore over the next several weekends. Check the list of events below! If you're looking for quieter pastimes, try a walk on the beach, fishing for stripers on the jetty, or a stroll through the shopping district.
 
PROJECT TIME: If you've been wanting to add a new deck, replace your appliances, or have a new coat of paint put on, now is a great time to do so. With the rush of summer now past, contractors aren't quite as busy, and you'll have plenty of time to finish your projects well prior to next season. If you need contractor recommendations call or email me!
 
SEASON OVER, TIME TO SELL? With the summer season drawing to a close it may be time to evaluate your vacation home situation. If your family has grown and you need more space, or you're ready to move closer to the beach, or you need a bayfront home to dock your boat, please call me! The local real estate market has been quite strong and you may be pleasantly surprised to find out what your present property is worth!

This Weeks News 9/9/2015

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LABOR DAY WEEKEND saw beautiful weather and good crowds at the Shore! From beaches to restaurants, the three-day weekend was a wonderful end to an already-successful summer season. Long traffic backups were reported on local highways Monday afternoon--but it's well worth it for a perfect weekend at the Shore!
 
STILL MORE TO COME: Even with the traditional summer season now past us, there's still plenty more to look forward to here on the Island! From refreshing fall weather to great weekend events, be sure to take part in our "Second Summer," which is about to begin! See the Upcoming Events list below!
 
UPGRADES TO AVALON'S electrical infrastructure began this week at the Peermont Substation between Dune and Ocean Drives and 60th & 61st Streets. Work will continue at the site through Spring 2016 and is expected to be completed before Memorial Day. At the same time, utility pole replacement will occur along portions of Ocean Drive.
 
CHUBBY CHECKER DID THE TWIST in Wildwood over the weekend as the city paid tribute to him and the song he first sang there 55 years ago. A mural was unveiled by the city celebrating Chubby Checker and "The Twist," which played over loud speakers as Checker and his family looked on.
 

Ospreys are often seen nesting or hunting for food in the marshes. Thanks to Long & Foster friend Joseph Van Thuyne for sending us this picture, which he shot from his kayak.
 
STONE HARBOR FIREFIGHTERS battled a blaze at a Bayfront home on Golden Gate Road on Labor Day afternoon. Thirty Stone Harbor firefighters were assisted by Avalon, Cape May Court House, Rio Grande, and Upper Township fire companies for nearly three hours. No injuries were reported.
 

A smoky fire on Golden Gate Road on Monday was extinguished by the Stone Harbor Fire Department with the help of surrounding fire companies. Photo from Stone Harbor Fire Department.
 
FALL MIGRATION FESTIVAL: The Wetlands Institute will host its annual Fall Migration Festival on September 19th & 20th from 9:30am to 4pm. Live presentations, nature walks, boat and kayak tours, plus games and activities are all included. For tickets or more information visit The Wetlands Institute.
 
DUNE GRASS PLANTING is scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd at 8:30am in Avalon. Help give back to the Island by volunteering to help plant dune grass seedlings, which stabilize the dunes and protect the Island! Volunteers should meet at Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am for coffee, donuts, and a brief demonstration of planting technique. 10,000 seedlings will be planted, so many volunteers are needed! If your group or organization would like to volunteer please call Sue Keen at 609-967-5924 or Chuck McDonnell at 609-967-3066 by September 28th. Volunteers will receive lunch at 12 noon. If necessary more planting will take place at 1pm.

This Weeks News 9/2/2015

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FROM $180,000 to $14,500,000, there's something for everyone in our local real estate market. Whether you're looking for a one-bedroom getaway cottage, an oceanfront masterpiece, or a property with great rental income, we've got something to meet your needs. Email or call me--I'll listen to your needs and help you find the perfect property!
 
PROPERTY OWNERS, STAY INFORMED at upcoming property owners meetings on Saturday, September 12th. The Stone Harbor Property Owners Association will hold a general meeting at 9am at the Stone Harbor Elementary School. That same day Avalon's Home and Land Owners Association will meet at 10am at the Avalon Senior Center. 
 
MORTGAGE RATES are below 4% again for both conforming ($417,000 and under) and jumbo loans. If you're considering a purchase, take advantage of extraordinarily low financing--make your purchase now, and lock in low financing costs for the duration of your ownership. It's also a great time to refinance an existing loan at the shore or at home. Either way, call me and I'll put you in touch with reliable lenders!
 
THE AJ MEERWALD, New Jersey's Tall Ship, is offering public sails from Cape May for a few more days. For the past couple of weeks the Meerwald has been seen plying the waters of Cape May Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean as passengers enjoy two-and-a-half hour sails.  September 5th is her last sail from Cape May. Ticket cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children, and are available here: Bayshore Center at Bivalve - A.J. Meerwald Tickets. On September 6th the Meerwald will depart Cape May for Bivalve, NJ.

THE BLUE ANGELS made a surprise appearance this past Sunday evening as they flew in perfect formation over Stone Harbor and Avalon enroute to Atlantic City for Wednesday's air show. Seven US Navy F/A-18 Hornets flew in perfect formation at low altitude over Stone Harbor, then Avalon, as the team made their way toward Atlantic City. The Blue Angels performed at an air show in Michigan earlier on Sunday, and before heading to Atlantic City took a "detour" over Washington, DC. Their route northward to Atlantic City took them right over the Island, to the delight of anyone who happened to catch them fly by!    IF YOU MISS the Atlantic City Air Show, check out AirFest at Naval Air Station Wildwood over Labor Day Weekend. WWII vintage aircraft will be on display and making scheduled flights. Throughout the event you'll find food trucks, a beer garden, kids' activities, plus static displays of the museums two-dozen aircraft. For more information on the museum or admission to AirFest, visit NASW Aviation Museum.

The Atlantic City Air Show featured a USAF F-22 Raptor and the US Navy Blue Angels, among many other performers!

Splash says "Life is better at the beach!" and we couldn't agree more!