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This Weeks News 2/27/2020
Avalon is Cooler By A Mile! Here's why: Avalon's north end projects
seaward about a mile further than surrounding beaches, as shown in the
photo. This picture was taken from Strathmere's beach, looking southwesterly
toward Avalon's north end. Avalon's 13th Street water tower is on the left,
and the 38th Street water tower is on the right. A stiff westerly breeze is
blowing the tops off the waves rolling in toward Strathmere's beach.
41 PROPERTIES HAVE ALREADY SETTLED this year, and 54 more
are under contract. Imagine the excitement of knowing summer is on its way,
and being able to spend it in your own shore home! Why not take steps to
make YOUR dream happen? Whether you want a weekend getaway, a luxurious
oceanfront, or an income-producing property, there's something to fit your
budget! Call or email me today!
MORE SEALS have recently been sighted in the back bay
waters. While not common in the area, they're not uncommon either, and
numerous sightings have been reported this winter. Seals often perch on a
dock, the marsh, or the beach to rest, and usually return to the water in a
short while. Never approach a seal as they can cause an injury if they feel
threatened. If in doubt about a seal's health, report the sighting to the
Marine Mammal Stranding Center's 24-hour hotline at 609-266-0538.
SUNDAYS AT SURFSIDE: A new concert series has been
announced for the 2020 season at Surfside Park in Avalon. Each Sunday at 7pm
popular entertainers will take to the stage, with different themes each
week, including Jimmy Buffet, country, Beatlemania, and Irish Night. All
performances are free, so bring your beach chair or blanket and settle in
for a great evening of entertainment!
DUNE GRASS PLANTING helps strengthen the dune system, which
helps to protect the island in the event of storms. Avalon's spring dune
grass planting effort is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, beginning at
8:30am. Volunteers should report to Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am for a
brief planting demonstration. Tools specially designed for planting will be
distributed. If you're interested in volunteering, please RSVP to Chuck
McDonnell at Community Hall at 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924 in
advance. In the event of rain, the planting session will be held Sunday,
April 19th.
TAKE THE TRIP! 27 year old Vicki Tate says if you're
thinking about a vacation but not quite sure, "Take the trip!" Her short
article appears here:
LOVE WHAT MATTERS: TALE THE TRIP. Vicki's key takeaway? "Time is
precious and we're not promised tomorrow."
This Weeks News 2/20/2020
An adult eagle and a juvenile were both spotted along Avalon Boulevard
earlier this week. Eagles often perch atop trees or utility poles to search
for prey moving across the marsh. The adult on the left finished feeding (at
the top of the pole!) shortly before this photo was taken.
THE AVALON BOULEVARD BRIDGE will be closed to all traffic
from 7pm Monday, February 24th until 5am Tuesday morning. Work has continued
daily on the new bridge surface, with an alternating traffic pattern in
place most of the time. (Note: an earlier announcement released to local
media incorrectly stated the bridge would close to all traffic on February
20th; the bridge will remain open on that date.)
STONE HARBOR'S NEW FIRE TRUCK has been delivered. The
Pierce Impel pumper will carry six firefighters and the latest firefighting
gear.
LAST WEEKEND'S POLAR BEAR PLUNGE drew thousands to Sea Isle
City for a weekend of activities. The annual Mike's Seafood Polar Bear
Run-Walk for Autism had a record breaking number of participants this year,
including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy who participated to lend his
support for the event. The Run-Walk is organized by Mike and Jeannie
Monichetti and is now in its twelfth year. Last year the Monichetti family
raised over $140,000 for autism.
AVALON MANOR'S NEW FISHING PIER will be ready soon, as
reported at a recent Middle Township Committee meeting. The pier is
currently under construction after receiving approval in 2019. The new pier
replaces an older one that was closed in 2016 due to deterioration. The site
used to host the (Old) Avalon Boulevard Bridge which crossed into Avalon via
21st Street. When the new bridge was built it was realigned to enter Avalon
via 30th Street, and the old bridge was removed.
TROPHY STRIPERS OFF LIMITS: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries
Council updated its striper regulations to allow anglers to keep one fish
between 28 inches and 38 inches in length. A limited number of “bonus
permits” would allow for the retention of one additional fish between 24
inches and 28 inches, but the state rejected retention of “trophy” sized
fish. Fishing regulations are adjusted periodically to ensure the survival
of various species. New Jersey's new regulations now go to the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Council for approval.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING! Perhaps you've noticed that we're
gaining a minute or two of daylight each day, with sunrise occurring earlier
and sunset occurring later. Even better, we're only 14 weeks from Memorial
Day Weekend! That means it's time to plan for Summer 2020. Whether you're
planning to vacation for a week, or going to buy your own shore home, it's
time to get started. Call or email me today!
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This Weeks News 2/13/2020
Three seagulls oversee the beach, standing atop a sandbar at the edge of
the surf.
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS are expected to descend upon Sea Isle
City for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. With the ocean temperature currently
at 43 degrees, it'll be a chilly dip in the water at noon on Saturday. But
even for those not plunging, there are activities throughout the town,
including Sunday's Walk-Run for Autism organized by Mike's Seafood. Based on
past experience, local businesses are expecting crowds rivaling those of a
summer weekend. Stone Harbor's Shiver Weekend takes place the weekend of
March 20th.
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER JOB! Spend your day on Avalon's beach
protecting swimmers or checking beach tags! The Avalon Beach Patrol
announced that it will be hiring lifeguards and beach tag inspectors again
for the 2020 season. Interested applicants can check out the info here:
AVALON SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR BEACH PATROL/BEACH TAG CHECKERS
A BIT OF SOUTH JERSEY'S RAILROAD HISTORY was demolished
this past week, as the former Wildwood Junction Station building was torn
down. Well hidden in the trees just west of Route 9, the station had been
out of service for several decades, and had fallen into disrepair. Despite
its out-of-sight location, the station had become an attractive nuisance,
and the building was condemned. At one time two railroads carried passengers
to the South Jersey Shore, running multiple trains daily from Philadelphia
and Camden to every barrier island from Atlantic City southward. The last
regular passenger rail service in Cape May County ceased operation in 1981.
THE JERSEY SHORE POPS will return for another summer
concert series in 2020, including a show at the Middle Township Performing
Arts Center in Cape May Court House on July 25th, as well as one at Cape May
Convention Hall on August 21st.
LINDA
GENTILLE & THE JERSEY SHORE POPS - SHOW INFORMATION AND TICKETS
ØRSTED NORTH AMERICA, the firm planning to build a wind
farm off Southern New Jersey, held public information sessions in Atlantic
City and Ocean City last week. The wind farm is not expected to produce
power until 2024 and construction is not expected to begin until 2022, but
numerous constituencies have attended the information sessions. Among the
topics discussed are the impact on tourism, the effect on fish and birds,
safety of boats and shipping traffic, and the location of power transmission
cables. The now-closed B.L. England power plant in Beesley's Point is under
consideration as a location to receive wind farm electricity. The Cape May
County Chamber of Commerce has also scheduled a session to discuss jobs
related to ocean wind farms. The session will take place on February 25th in
Ocean City and representatives from both the NJ Board of Public Utilities
and Ørsted will be present.
This Weeks News 2/6/2020
Warm weather at the beginning of the week made fishing and beach walks
quite pleasant!
AVALON'S FLOOD MITIGATION EFFORTS have improved its
standing from Class 5 to Class 3 in the FEMA Community Rating System. The
improved rating comes about due to Avalon's ongoing effort to reduce flood
insurance losses, and will save property owners an estimated $1.6 million in
2020 premiums. Avalon and Sea Isle City are the only two municipalities in
New Jersey to achieve a Class 3 rating, and among only 13 nationwide. For
more on Avalon's flood mitigation savings, see this Atlantic City Press
article:
AVALON RESIDENTS TO SAVE $1.6 MILLION ON FLOOD INSURANCE IN 2020
NEW JERSEY BOATERS need a valid boating safety certificate
in order to legally operate a vessel in NJ waters. Numerous certification
classes are available in the coming months, in a variety of locations along
the coast. Some are 8-hour classes held in a single day, while others are
split into shorter sessions over multiple days. To find a class that suits
your location and schedule, use the US Coast Guard Auxiliary class finder
here:
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY CLASS FINDER
EAGLES ARE HERE AGAIN! Not the Philadelphia Eagles, but
rather the kind that live in the wild and often take up residence in Cape
May County. Increased sightings of the magnificent birds have been reported
lately. Last year many utilized empty osprey nests during the winter months,
and were seen perched atop tall utility poles near the wetlands while
spotting prey.
"THE LUDLAM," a 74-room hotel redevelopment project in the
center of Sea Isle City, received zoning board approval Monday night. After
significant discussion, multiple variances were granted for the project,
which will include hotel suites, a restaurant, banquet room, and outdoor bar
at its location at the corner of JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. LaCosta
Lounge, which currently occupies the site, will likely be demolished in the
fall to make way for the new project.
HAVE YOU PLANNED YOUR 2020 VACATION YET? It's
time--Memorial Day is less than four months away! Browse my rental guide,
then email or call me to get started!
2020 LONG AND
FOSTER AVALON AND STONE HARBOR, NJ RENTAL BROCHURE