2016:

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

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Dec.

This Weeks News 8/25/2016

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MIGRATING SHOREBIRDS are visible in many locations throughout Cape May County at this time of year. Mid-August through mid-September are peak times for spotting birds as they travel southward, with Cape May County's geography acting as a funnel for birds preparing to cross Delaware Bay, increasing the number of birds visible compared to other areas. Stone Harbor Point is a great location for spotting birds, and so is Avalon's north-end, where First Avenue and Avalon Avenue hit the seawall. Grab your binoculars or camera and have a look!
  
SAILOR'S DELIGHT! For those with sailing in their blood, August is a great month at the Shore!

The AJ Meerwald, New Jersey's official tall ship, has been in Cape May for a couple of weeks, and will be here through the end of the month. Various public sails are offered. 

   Ticket Information - Bayshore Center - A.J. Meerwald

At the end of the month a replica of the schooner "America", the first winner of the "America's Cup", will be in Cape May. Dockside tours and sailing trips are available on August 30th and 31st.

   More Information - Schooner 'America' Replica To Visit Cape May

And, finally, if you're willing to take a ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, you can visit the Kalmar Nyckel, a replica of the Colonial-era original. She'll be in Lewes, Delaware through September 5th.
 
   More Information and Tickets - Kalmar Nyckel
 
STONE HARBOR'S BACK BAY DREDGING contractor has proposed resuming the operation via mechanical dredging, as opposed to hydraulic dredging. Last year's hydraulic dredging was suspended after problems with the dewatering of dredge material at the 81st Street Municipal Marina parking lot. Mechanical dredging--scooping up material with backhoe-like buckets--allows for dredged material to be dewatered more easily, utilizing Portland cement. The cement will be mixed with dredge material before it is trucked off site. A formal notice of the requested change of methods was recently posted on the US Army Corps of Engineer's website.
 
"THE SECOND SUMMER" is almost upon us! As Labor Day approaches you can sense the crowds thinning a bit, and cooler weather is around the corner. The "Second Summer" also brings with it a lineup of great events and activities. See below for a list!
 
WHY NOT MAKE AVALON & STONE HARBOR a permanent part of your life? If you enjoyed your summer vacation here on the Island, consider purchasing a place of your very own, to use and enjoy any time you want! Call me to discuss your needs and begin your search!

This Weeks News 8/18/2016

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AN OCEAN DRIVE PROJECT between 29th and 62nd Streets in Avalon is anticipated next spring. The county project would bring that section of the roadway into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act with new sidewalks, and also elevate the roadway to help alleviate flooding and improve drainage. Work is anticipated to begin in March 2017, breaking in June for the summer season, and then resuming in September.
  

Click above for the latest report on the Avalon/Stone Harbor market!
 
FROM 83 TO 69! The ocean surf temperature reached a record 83.3 degrees last Wednesday in Atlantic City, with Cape May seeing 81.7 degrees. By Friday the wind had shifted to a southwesterly direction, moving the warm water offshore. "Upwelling" brought cooler water to the surface, taking the surf temperature back down to a refreshing 69 degrees. The average surf temperature at this time of year is 74 degrees.
 
FALLFORTHEJERSEYCAPE.COM highlights great fall events in Cape May County. The county's Department of Tourism operates the site as part of their "Boomerang" marketing campaign, designed to bring visitors back to the Jersey Cape for fall (and spring) getaways, in addition to traditional summer vacations. From classic car shows to theater events to nature celebrations to airshows--you will find a great line up of Jersey Cape events on the site! Visit Fall For The Jersey Cape to check it out!
 
FALL MIGRATION FESTIVAL: Speaking of fall activities, one of the most popular is The Wetland's Institute's annual Fall Migration Festival, which will be held Saturday & Sunday, September 17-18. This year's festival will feature guided nature walks, back-bay boat and kayak tours, live butterfly presentations, crafts, and more. Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for a child; two-day tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for a child. Visit The Wetland's Institute's Annual Fall Migration Festival for more details.
 
SUMMER BUCKET LIST TIME! With just a couple of weeks of "prime" summer season left, it's time to check your Summer Bucket List for those "gotta do it!" items. Take a little time for you and your family--enjoy the summer and make some memories!

This Weeks News 8/11/2016

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LOU BACHMAN, long-time proprietor of Smuggler's Cove in Stone Harbor, passed away last week, at the age of 88. Generations of Stone Harbor fishermen and crabbers remember Lou fondly. Whether you needed bait, a rod or reel repair, advice on how to catch fish, or just a cup of coffee on a rainy morning, a visit to Lou was in order. Lou was a well-known icon throughout the community, having been a "local" since the early 1970s. Several years ago Stone Harbor's "North Basin" was officially renamed "Smuggler’s Cove" indicative of the influence Lou and his tackle shop have had on the town. I was fortunate enough to spend several summers working as a dockboy at Smuggler's Cove during my youth, as did my brother, Mark. Lou was often gruff on the exterior, but had a heart of gold. Mark and I, along with several dozen former dockboys and other employees, are grateful for the time we had there, and we'll miss Lou terribly. Visitation will be held from 10am to noon Saturday at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, at 93rd and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor, with a memorial service to follow. After the memorial service friends will gather on the dock at Smuggler's Cove to share memories of Lou.
 
A WAYWARD DOLPHIN was rescued from a small creek off Delaware Bay, near West Hand Avenue in Middle Township on Sunday. The 400 lb. dolphin likely entered the creek at high tide while searching for food. After being rescued it was examined and found to be healthy, and was then released into Delaware Bay.
 

The US Air Force Thunderbirds will return to Atlantic City for the first time since 2014.
 
THE US AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS will return to Atlantic City on Wednesday, August 17th, for the annual Atlantic City Air Show. The air show, which can be seen anywhere on the Atlantic City beach or boardwalk, is said to be the largest on the east coast aside from Fort Lauderdale, and features numerous jets, vintage aircraft, and other aerial demonstrations. Last year's show took place in early September and was centered around the US Navy Blue Angels. Decreased attendance due to the September date lead to the change back to the show's traditional August date.
 
PERSEIDS "OUTBURST": Early August brings the annual Perseid meteor shower, and 2016 is predicted by NASA to be an "outburst year", with up to 200 meteors visible per hour Wednesday and Thursday. South Jersey's pinelands and beaches are some of the best viewing areas, so long as the skies are clear enough.
 
WHITE MARLIN are showing up in the canyon waters off the New Jersey coast, about 65 miles from shore. Gulfstream water as warm as 82 degrees has been reported, making for near ideal fishing conditions. If you don't have your own offshore-capable boat, charters can be arranged, including daytrips or "overnighters." For those who wish to stay a bit closer to home, flounder are still being caught in the bay and inlet.
 
A SECTION OF OCEAN DRIVE will be closed over the next several days for an emergency sewer main repair. Ocean Drive will be closed in both directions from 38th Street to 42nd Street beginning Wednesday, August 10th. The street will reopen for the weekend, then will be closed again Monday, August 15th. Repairs are expected to be finished on or before Friday August 19th.

This Weeks News 8/4/2016

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ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: The 54th Annual Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Festival takes place this weekend, August 6th & 7th. More than 200 artisans from a dozen states will display their work at the 80th Street Recreation Fields. The show runs from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, and 9am to 4pm Sunday. Complimentary shuttle service will run from a half-hour before the show until a half-hour after on each day to ease traffic and parking. Designated pickup locations include 60th Street & Dune Drive, 81st Street & the bay, 94th Street & Second Avenue, 95th Street & Second Avenue, 96th Street & First Avenue, 98th Street & Second Avenue, and 123rd Street & Second Avenue.
 
A FEDERALLY FUNDED BEACH REPLENISHMENT project is out for bids, according to Avalon Business Administrator Scott Wahl, who recently reported to Avalon Council. The project will benefit both Avalon and Stone Harbor, with a hoped for October 1st start. Stay tuned for more details!
 

A hot, humid summer afternoon gives way to a peaceful evening, as the last crescent of the sun slips below the horizon.
 
"YOUR MAJESTY, THERE IS NO SECOND." That report was allegedly delivered to the Queen of England in 1851, as the original yacht "America" crossed the finish line, with her competitors still not even in sight. After being awarded a silver cup for her victory, the tradition of the "America's Cup" sailing competition was born. A replica of the original "America," said to be the fastest sailing yacht built in her time, will sail into Cape May Harbor later this month, and dock at South Jersey Marina August 30th & 31st. Public tours of the yacht will be available, along with afternoon sails. For more information or tickets, visit Next Level Sailing.
 
NEW AT THE ZOO! The Cape May County Zoo--recognized as one of the top zoos in the country--has some new improvements to make it even better. For example, the zoo's snow leopards received a new habitat over the winter, and an Asian Amur leopard has received a special cage. For adventurous souls, try the new Tree to Tree Adventure Park that recently opened, featuring four adventure courses and a zipline course. Visit Tree To Tree Adventure Park, Cape May New Jersey for info & tickets.
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO AVALON BEACH PATROL on defending its title at the Dave Kerr Memorial, held this past weekend in Avalon. Avalon BP scored 22 points, well ahead of Longport's second place finish at 11 points.

THANKS TO EVERYONE who stopped by our open house at 9911 Sunrise Drive in Stone Harbor this past Sunday. We had 200 visitors! If you didn't make the open house, you may want to read about this amazing home in an article from Sunday's Press of Atlantic City: Beauty on the Bay.