2020:

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This Weeks News 12/23/2020

PEACE & JOY to you & yours this holiday season! From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!
 
THANK YOU for your business and referrals in 2020! I sincerely appreciate it and look forward to working with you in 2021!
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you're ringing in the New Year here on the Island, be sure to take a walk on the beach January 1st. It's a great way to kick off the New Year!
 
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the week of January 4th.

 

This Weeks News 12/17/2020

Off season sunsets often produce deep pink and blue skies; here marsh grasses are set against a colorful backdrop.
 
BEACH TREES have appeared on local beaches as a way to brighten the holiday season. Some even have lights and decorations. Ocean City and Sea Isle City have beach trees; Avalon's is on the 30th Street beach. Stop by and have a look!
 
A NEW VILLA MARIA BY THE SEA gained approval at a recent Stone Harbor Planning Board meeting. The current 250-bed retreat house at 111th Street was built in 1937 and lacked heat, making it unusable in the off season. A new, smaller 52-bed retreat house will take its place. A portion of the existing land will be subdivided as part of the project, and a paper street (part of First Avenue) will have to be vacated by the Borough; there will be no loss of street parking in the area.
 
LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL TOURISM helped to offset business lost during the spring shutdown. According to a recent Cape May County Herald article, data from the New Jersey Treasury shows August occupancy tax revenue to be just 7.5% below the 2019 figure, while September's revenue was up 17.3% over 2019. Cape May County's figures beat other shore counties, according to Diane Wieland, Director of County Tourism. Rentals of private homes and condominiums, which are not subject to the occupancy tax and thus not part of the state's figures, were strong during the summer and throughout September as well.
 
LANE CLOSURES are a part of visiting the shore in the offseason--especially this year! If you're travelling Route 9 between Sea Isle Boulevard and Avalon Boulevard, expect alternating lane closures from 8am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, as new utility poles are installed and adjacent trees are trimmed. Atlantic City Electric has upgraded electric service in the area in order to minimize outages; the new poles are part of that ongoing effort. The alternating lane closures are expected to continue until the project is completed in April 2021.
 
ADD A LITTLE SEASHORE TO YOUR HOLIDAY! Our local stores and shops are ready to help you complete your holiday shopping! From stocking stuffers to sweets and treats to restaurant gift cards, why not put a little "shore" under the tree? Here's a sampling of stores that are open and ready for you: Armadillo; Blufish; Complete Interiors; Global Pursuit; Hoy's 5&10; The Preppy Palm; Seashore ACE; Shorely Chic.
 
FOR THE ULTIMATE GIFT, BOOK OR BUY NOW! Nothing beats shore memories, whether it's a one-week vacation, or a shore home to call your own! Either way, call me so we can get started!

 

This Weeks News 12/10/2020

Cape May Seashore Lines is running Santa Express trains again this season. See below for details!
 
SHOP LOCAL! Seven Mile Island merchants could use your support more than ever this year, so why not put a little "beach" in your stocking? Consider picking up a box of fudge, a bottle of cheer, a gift card to your favorite eatery, a sweatshirt from your favorite surf shop, or a holiday beach tag from your favorite shore town. If you can't get here to pick up an item, many merchants will ship to you!
 
A COLD-STUNNED SEA TURTLE was rescued earlier this week by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The turtle was lethargic after being exposed to cold water for a prolonged period of time, which the MMSC says happens if water temperatures drop before the sea turtle moves to warmer southern waters. The MMSC transferred the turtle to the Sea Turtle Recovery unit for rehabilitation.
 
TOYS FOR TOTS: Consider brightening the holiday of a child by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at our Toys for Tots drop off location in our lobby, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
 
SANTA IS RIDING THE RAILS again, aboard the Cape May Seashore Lines! Using vintage passenger equipment that once carried passengers to and from shore towns on a regular basis, CMSL offers a chance for Santa to visit with children between now and Christmas. Based in nearby Tuckahoe, but departing from historic Richland Village, more than a dozen Santa Express trains remain this season.

TICKETS & SCHEDULES: THE SANTA EXPRESS - CAPE MAY SEASHORE LINES, INC.
 
PLANNING AHEAD FOR YOUR 2021 VACATION? Now is the time! Email or call me and I'll help find you the perfect vacation retreat!  We've got rental properties to match nearly any budget. Of course, if you'd like to have your own permanent vacation home on Seven Mile Island, I can help with that, too! Either way, plan ahead and enjoy Summer 2021 at the shore!

 

This Weeks News 12/3/2020

A Whale-y Great Thanksgiving! Nik Pattantyus has done it again, capturing this fascinating video of two whales as he was paddle boarding just off Stone Harbor! It's worth the watch!
 
WORK ON THE 96TH STREET BRIDGE CONTINUES, but will shift to daytime hours from Monday through Thursday. From 7am to 5pm the bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic using signage and flaggers, so expect delays. No lane closures are expected Friday through Sunday, and the project is expected to be completed December 23rd. With Avalon Boulevard undergoing a redecking project, and also reduced to one alternating lane seven days per week, expect delays when entering or exiting the island via the mainland. The Great Channel Bridge (linking Stone Harbor to Nummy Island and North Wildwood) and the Townsend's Inlet Bridge (linking Avalon to Sea Isle City) remain open if you're traveling north or south.
 
THE CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE LOAN LIMIT was increased to $548,250 last week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, up from 2020's limit of $510,400. The increased loan limit will allow more borrowers to qualify for conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, according to Mike Mento of Prosperity Mortgage. Current conventional thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage rates remain under 3%, as do rates for jumbo mortgages.
 
AVALON & STONE HARBOR WILL SHARE COURT SERVICES as part of a newly announced agreement. Beginning January 1st, a shared court will be located in Avalon Borough Hall and provide court services for both towns. Annual savings of $150,000 are expected as a result of the shared services agreement.
 
OUTDOOR WATER LINES should already be winterized, but if they're not, call your plumber now. While we haven't had a deep freeze yet, they're getting closer. In addition to shutting off your outdoor shower and hose, foundation vents should be closed to prevent cold air from blowing through and reaching pipes in your crawl space. Interior heat should be set 55 degrees to keep moisture levels low and protect interior pipes from freezing. Need a plumber? Let me know and I'll send you some recommendations.
 
OFF SEASON PROPERTY CHECKS are offered by both Avalon and Stone Harbor Police Departments. During the off-season officers check the perimeter of unoccupied homes as part of their patrols. If you'd like to add your property to the department's list, fill out a request form and return it to the appropriate police department. Request forms can be found here:
 
AVALON - OFF SEASON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CHECK FORM (PDF)
 
STONE HARBOR - OFF SEASON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CHECK FORM (PDF)
 
Of course, I'm available to help, too. If you realize you left the window open or the air conditioning running, need a package put inside the door, or need a special property check after a storm, please call or email me!