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
2017: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
 
This Weeks News 7/27/2017


RIDE THE 7 MILE JITNEY! Back again this summer is the 7 Mile Jitney, which operates nightly from 6pm to 2am. Jitneys run every ten minutes following a regular route from 20th Street south on Dune Drive to 80th, turning left on 80th Street then right onto First Avenue from 80th to 83rd Street, then turning left onto Second Avenue from 83rd to 96th Street. The jitney turns right on 96th Street, then right on Third Avenue and proceeds back to 20th Street. The cash fare is $2 from 6pm to 11pm, and $4 from 11pm to 2am. The jitney is air conditioned and can seat up to 13 people, and can be flagged down at any corner along the route. Save the hassle of parking and catch a jitney!
 
Fisherman at Sunset
This fisherman caught a beautiful sunset, too!
 
THE "TWIN CAPES," one of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry vessels that used to carry passengers across Delaware Bay, will become part of an artificial reef off the Delaware and New Jersey coasts. The 320-foot vessel was mothballed in 2013 after many years of plying the bay. Artificial reefs have become increasingly popular for boosting marine life in designated areas off the coast. All vessels turned into artificial reefs are stripped of harmful materials before being sunk. This past May the US Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa, made famous by the movie The Perfect Storm, was turned into an artificial reef about 26 miles off Cape May.
 
WATERSPOUTS are a fairly rare occurrence in this area but one was spotted over the Delaware Bay this past Sunday, and photographs of it appeared in social media. Later Sunday evening weather radar picked up rotational movement, leading to a tornado warning for areas of northern Cape May and southern Atlantic Counties. For the rest of the week, clouds and rain showers should give way to sunshine over the weekend.
 
SURF TEMPERATURES are up! Bathers on the beach have enjoyed warm water, as surf temperatures of 76 degrees have been observed recently. Steady sea breezes and warm sunshine have brought warm surface water into the beach. Back bay waters, especially areas further from the inlets, have seen temperatures into the low 80s.
 
A TOTAL ECLIPSE of the sun will occur on August 21, 2017. Although Seven Mile Beach does not lie along the "path of the totality," we will experience a magnitude of about 0.8, with roughly ¾ of the sun in shadow about 2:45pm local time. Experts caution that observers should not look at the sun or eclipse with the naked eye; protective eclipse glasses should be worn, in order to filter the sun's light. For more on the eclipse, visit Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely).

This Weeks News 7/20/2017


MARKET STATS: The ratio of sold prices to list prices increased by 4% in June in the Avalon-Stone Harbor market versus the same month last year, while the number of new listings was down 33% versus last year. The number of units sold last month increased slightly from a year ago.

View A Detailed Look At The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report
 
DOLPHINS EVERYWHERE! Lots of dolphin sightings have been reported just off Avalon & Stone Harbor beaches. Sometimes playing just beyond the surf, and sometimes a bit further off the beach, dolphins routinely travel up and down the beaches. Occasionally they'll venture into the inlets or even the back bays, if following a food source. Whether you're spotting them from the beach or from a boat, they're always a joy to see!
 
Dolphin Pods off of 96th Street Beach
Several pods of dolphins swam along Seven Mile Beach last Sunday. This pod was seen off the 96th Street beach.
 
"SORRY CAPTAIN, the bridge can't be opened for a couple of days!" That's the answer boat captains heard this past Sunday when a critical part on the 96th Street Bridge failed, leaving the bridge "stuck" in the closed position. Automobile traffic could flow freely, but boats needing an opening couldn't get one. The only choice? Take "the long way" around via the ocean. At the time of this writing, new parts were on order and expected to be installed this week, returning the bridge to normal operation. There has been significant discussion about Cape May County bridges recently. The Townsend's Inlet Bridge was closed to automobile traffic earlier this season while it underwent emergency repairs, and the Grassy Sound Bridge (linking North Wildwood to Nummy Island and eventually Stone Harbor via Ocean Drive) doesn't open for boat traffic during hot weather due to mechanical issues. Combined with the 96th Street Bridge, that's three bridges surrounding Seven Mile Island with issues. Replacement of even a single bridge is extraordinarily expensive, but last week county freeholders discussed potentially issuing an $18 million bond, including $8 million for local bridge work.
 
TAKE A RIDE INTO YESTERYEAR! Historic Cold Spring Village features its annual "Railroad Days" this weekend. Visitors will find working model trains, garden railways, and railroad displays. Just added to the event are historic railroad motorcars, often known as "speeders", which will take patrons for a short ride along the historic railroad tracks adjacent to Cold Spring Village. The tracks once carried steam trains from Philadelphia and Camden into Cape May, and served as the main method of transportation to and from Cape May County's seashore towns for decades. Cape May Seashore Lines will run the trips, which will depart every 30 minutes from 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, July 22nd and 23rd. Speeder car tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. (Patrons must purchase tickets for entrance to Historic Cold Spring Village, which are $12 for adults and $10 for kids.)
 
Cape May Seashore Lines Railroad Days
Visit Historic Cold Spring Village for "Railroad Days" and take a ride on a "speeder car" this weekend!
 
AVALON LIFEGUARD Erich Wolf took first place in the 49th Annual Beschen-Callahan Lifeguard Championships in North Wildwood. Thanks to Wolf's first place finish, Avalon finished in a three way tie for the team championship. After a tiebreaker Avalon finished second overall. Congratulations to Wolf and all Avalon lifeguards!

This Weeks News 7/13/2017


SECRETS OF THE DEEP: An exhibit at the Cape May County Museum features artifacts recovered from ships sunk off the Cape May County coast. Storms, collisions, and even enemy torpedoes have sent dozens of ships to the bottom in local waters. Scallopers avoid the wrecks to prevent losing their gear; sport fisherman seek out wrecks due to the marine life that congregates around the sunken hulls. But it's divers that visit the wrecks and occasionally retrieve artifacts from them. The exhibit at the museum will be on display Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9am to 4pm, through October 6th.
 
"AVALON AWARE" PUBLIC INFORMATION SERIES: The Avalon Library will host the upcoming "Avalon Aware" series, featuring talks on a variety of topics of interest to the public. On Monday, July 17th Dr. Brian Reynolds will discuss the importance of Avalon's dune system. On July 24th Dr. Stewart Farrell will speak about the evolution of Avalon's beaches over the past three decades. On Monday, July 31st Borough Engineer Tom Thornton will discuss new FEMA flood maps. All sessions begin at 7pm and are free.
 
Beautiful end to a summer day, sunset on the water.
What a beautiful end to a summer day!
 
RIDE ALONG with the dolphins and Nik Pattantyus! Nik is known for his videos recorded while paddle boarding in the ocean, and his latest video makes you feel like you're out there too! Watch as dolphins swim alongside and under his paddleboard! Rolling Deep Video (Vimeo)
 
PHILLIES MANAGER Pete Mackanin took a three-day break in Stone Harbor while Major League ballplayers were on their all-star break. The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Mackanin as saying he'd "eat, have a few drinks, and sleep." Mackanin also added that he'll "go to the beach." Hopefully Mackanin and the Phillies will have a better second half of the season!
 
THE WINDRIFT TURNS 50 this summer! A Seven Mile Times article by Dave Coskey in their July edition recounts the development of the Windrift in 1967, as the Seven Mile Beach responded to growing demand for more accommodations. (The Golden Inn was built in 1966.) Over the years the Windrift has grown to offer several restaurants and entertainment along with beachfront accommodations. Pick up a copy of Seven Mile Times and take a trip down Memory Lane!

This Weeks News 7/4/2017

WISHING YOU a relaxing and fun-filled Independence Day! Whether you're on the beach, barbequing with family, or entertaining friends, best wishes to you & yours from me!

Fireworks - Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ