2016:

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This Weeks News 10/27/2016

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WELCOME HOME JONATHAN SCHWARTZ! After returning from a six-month deployment at Incirlik Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey, near Syria, Jonathan was welcomed home by an enthusiastic crowd along with a large flag draped across Avalon Boulevard by the Avalon and Stone Harbor Fire Departments. Jonathan volunteered for the deployment at the base, where air strikes against ISIS were launched. He has served for five years with the Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing, Atlantic City. Welcome home, Jonathan, and thank you for your service!
 
STONE HARBOR PROPERTY OWNERS will soon receive a notice from Vital Computer Resources explaining the inspection process for an upcoming revaluation. Property inspections will begin in November and will continue through the spring and summer of 2017.
 
US COAST GUARD CUTTER TAMAROA will reach her final resting place on October 30th, when she will be sunk to form a reef off Cape May. It's the 25th anniversary of the Tamaroa's rescue of a sailboat's crew and a downed helicopter off the New England Coast during a storm in 1991, which was later featured in the movie The Perfect Storm. She first saw service in World War II, and was later the first on the scene of the sinking Andrea Dorea. The Tamaroa reef is expected to support marine life, draw game fish, and help recreational fishing.
 

US Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa will be sunk to form an artificial reef off Cape May. (USCG Photo)
 
THE AVALON SEAWATCH counts migratory seabirds as they make their way southward between September 22nd and December 22nd. Staffed seven days a week from sunrise to sundown, counters identify and record the species and number of birds flying by. Based at the seawall at the east end of 7th Street, the location was chosen because Avalon's north-end projects a mile further seaward than the surrounding area, offering an excellent vantage point. An average of 800,000 birds are counted each year.
 
THE SECOND PHASE of back bay dredging in Stone Harbor began on October 7th.  A new dewatering process, which mixes dredge material with Portland cement, is speeding progress, and some dredge material has already been trucked off the island. Contractor Sevenson Environmental hopes to complete its work by the first week of January.
 
TRICK OR TREAT Monday evening in Avalon & Stone Harbor, from 5pm to 8pm. Happy Halloween!

This Weeks News 10/20/2016

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SEPTEMBER'S MEDIAN SALE PRICE in the local market increased to $1,200,000, up 3.6% over September 2015. The number of active listings decreased slightly versus a year ago, as did the average number of "days on market".  View The Full Long & Foster Market Minute Report. Ready to find your own place at the shore? Please call me!

 Click above for Long & Foster's latest Market Minute report.
 
AERIAL DUNE GRASS FERTILIZATION is planned in Avalon and Stone Harbor on Thursday, October 20th. The operation is expected to take place in the morning, finishing around 11am. Recently volunteers planted additional dune grass in Avalon's dune system.
 
BEACH SWEEPS will be conducted in Avalon & Stone Harbor this weekend. Volunteers are needed to assist with cleanup efforts in both towns on Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm. In Stone Harbor, volunteers are asked to report to the 95th Street beach; in Avalon volunteers are asked to report to the 80th Street beach. Volunteers will be provided with trash bags, gloves, and datasheets.
 
DID YOU SEE IT? Monday evening an Antares rocket was launched from Wallop's Island, Virginia, after several days of launch delays. The rockets fiery trail was visible to sky watchers all over South Jersey, with Cape May County's beaches offering some of the best views. After arcing into the sky for a few minutes it suddenly went dark, then became visible again as the rocket's second stage began.


The latter part of the Antares rocket's initial burn is visible in this photo, looking southward from Ocean City's 9th Street causeway.
 
THIS WEEK'S WEATHER has been super, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s, along with gentle breezes and clear skies. Occasional showers are expected late in the week, with cooler, dryer air moving in for the weekend. Enjoy the fall weather while it lasts!

This Weeks News 10/13/2016

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SEA TURTLE UPDATE: A sea turtle rescued from Avalon's north-end beach is finally eating at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, after refusing to do so initially. Now that she's eating, she can be transferred to another facility for further rehab. She'd been scheduled for an Air Force transport flight to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina, but the flight was postponed due to weather brought on by Hurricane Matthew.
 
TWO STONE HARBOR BRIDGES will close temporarily for inspections next week. The Ocean Drive Bridge linking Stone Harbor to Nummy Island, locally known as "the free bridge" due to its lack of a toll booth, will close to automotive and marine traffic intermittently between 9am and 1pm on October 19th. The following day the 96th Street Bridge will experience intermittent closures as well. (See the nautical chart image below to find Nummy Island!)
 
AVALON is considering a monthly stipend to help increase firefighter response rates during the overnight hours. As Avalon's population has aged and property values have increased, fewer firefighters live in town, with more choosing to reside offshore. Chief Ed Dean has proposed a maximum $400 per month stipend for firefighters who staff four overnight shifts at the firehouse. Stone Harbor and Sea Isle City fire departments have similar programs that have increased turnout, while costing the towns far less than staffing paid fire departments.
 

Seven Mile Beach as depicted in NOAA Nautical Chart 12316. This type of chart is used by boaters to navigate the IntraCoastal Waterway, marked by red triangles and green squares. Modern GPS navigation units have electronic charts built in. View Larger Chart
 
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE...it's an Antares Rocket! The fifth such rocket will be launched from Wallops Island, Virginia at 8:03pm Sunday evening. New Jersey's coastal areas could have a good view of the launch, depending upon weather, as the rocket's exhaust trail should be visible from the beach. The scheduled launches are frequently postponed though, so check  Wallops Flight Facility for the latest launch updates from NASA.
 
BOO AT THE ZOO returns to the Cape May County Zoo on Saturday, October 22 from 10am to 2pm. The free family-friendly event includes a costume contest, crafts, children's amusement rides, a magic show, and more. The annual event is a big hit with kids young and old! Visit Cape May County Zoo for more info on the event, or other zoo programs!

This Weeks News 10/6/2016

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88 PROPERTIES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT in the local market! Asking prices range from $139,900 (for a lot in Stone Harbor Manor) to $4,999,999 (for a large bayfront home in Avalon). The wide range of property types--and prices--means there is something for everyone in the local real estate market! Ready to make a move? Please call me!
 
THE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE rescued from Avalon's 12th Street beach last week is being cared for in a pool at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The 280-pound female was said to be dehydrated, but seems healthy despite not having eaten properly since being rescued. If the turtle begins eating again it could be released to the ocean in a month.
 
NEED TO SEE THE BEACH even when you can't be here? You can check it out any time thanks to Avalon's webcams! See the beach and bay here:

Avalon Chamber of Commerce - View Avalon WebCam (Best displayed in Chrome!)
 

What a view! This home in Avalon Manor is surrounded by tidal creeks and marsh, and enjoys a view that stretches for miles.
 
AVALON'S SEAFOOD FESTIVAL takes place Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm, at 30th Street & the beach. Stop by and enjoy some chowder, crabcakes, or your favorite seafood treat! Beer & wine will be available, along with live NFL and college football games on TV, plus music and activities for the kids!
 
SAVE THE DATE! Plan ahead and spend your Thanksgiving weekend here on the Island! After a traditional turkey dinner on Thursday you'll find plenty to do the rest of the weekend. From "Festive Friday" in Avalon to "It's a Wonderful Life" in Stone Harbor, to a huge parade Saturday evening, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Watch our future event lists for more details!