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This Weeks News 2/28/2019
SOAR HIGH ABOVE AVALON, Sea Isle City, and Townsend's
Inlet! This new drone video from Remington & Vernick Engineers shows
construction crews rebuilding part of the Townsend's Inlet Bridge. Crews can
be seen inspecting components as an outgoing tide rushes past the bridge
structure. You'll also enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding area,
including the inlet and Avalon's north end, too!
This new drone video shows the work being done on the Townsend's Inlet
Bridge--and stunning views of the inlet and Avalon!
AVALON FIREFIGHTERS WENT SWIMMING this week, but not for
fun! Members of the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Water Rescue Team
received special training from instructor George Ward of the Pennington
School, who volunteered his expertise to help members of the fire department
improve their efficiency when swimming. The session took place at the Cape
May County Special Services School District in Cape May Court House. The
fire department operates a 25' Sea Ark boat, two Jet Skis, and a pair of
inflatable boats for responding to various water-based emergencies.
FENCING AT STONE HARBOR POINT: Volunteers are needed for a
fencing project at Stone Harbor Point; the Endangered and Nongame Species
Program will install posts, string, flags, and signage to protect the beach
nesting bird habitat at Stone Harbor Point. The project will last from two
to four hours; volunteers should be able to walk long distances in the sand,
dress for the weather, and bring their own water and snacks. Membership in
the Wildlife Conservation Corps (run by the Division of Fish and Wildlife)
is required. An application can be found here:
Application For The Wildlife Conservation Corps (PDF); contact Christina
Davis at
Christina.Davis@dep.nj.gov to register.
TURTLE FENCING has been installed along Sea Isle Boulevard
in order to prevent nesting turtles from crossing the road and being run
over. Black coated chain link fencing is being installed between guardrails
and the ground, providing a safety barrier for nesting turtles seeking high
ground on which to lay eggs. Sea Isle Boulevard recently underwent a
multi-year project to elevate the roadway; the new turtle fencing is the
latest phase of the project.
BOATING, ANYONE? If you're in the market for a new boat,
the Atlantic City Boat Show runs through Sunday, March 3rd, at the Atlantic
City Convention Center. Featuring hundreds of new boats, plus over 400
booths showcasing the latest in marine engines, accessories, and technology,
the mid-winter show allows snow-bound boaters the chance to jump start their
boating season! The National Marine Manufacturers Association says New
Jersey ranks 19th in the US, spending $394 million on boats in 2017. The
five day show runs from 11am to 8pm Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 8pm on
Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults; children
12 & under are free.
STORM OF '62 SLIDESHOW: The Avalon History Center will host
a slideshow titled "Storm of ‘62" on Saturday at 1pm, at the Avalon History
Center. Learn about the famous storm and its impact on the Island!
PLAN YOUR VACATION NOW! Don't wait too long! Browse our
rental brochure, identify your vacation dates and your price range, and then
call or email me!
View The Brochure - Avalon & Stone Harbor Vacation Rentals
This Weeks News 2/21/2019
Fire in the Sky! This gorgeous photo of a vibrant sunset was captured by
Rebekkah Davies of Stone Harbor. The windows of the Bayfront homes are lit
by the sunset!
MARKET STATS: The number of units sold in January decreased
slightly versus last year, while the number of active listings remained
about the same. For detailed look at the market, see the latest Long &
Foster Market Minute here:
View The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report |
Download/Print
PDF
THE TOWNSEND INLET BRIDGE is still expected to reopen in
time to accommodate summer traffic, despite bad weather that has affected
the ongoing reconstruction of the bridge. The span has been closed since
September to allow for the complete replacement of seven of its 27 spans.
Weather conditions have hampered construction work in recent weeks, but the
contractor making repairs has shifts working around the clock in order to
speed the project along. When the bridge is closed, a trip from the northern
end of Avalon to the southern tip of Sea Isle City takes about 27 minutes
via the mainland, instead of just a few minutes.
BRIDGES ARE A PART OF LIFE IN CAPE MAY COUNTY, with
numerous inlets and waterways spanned by a variety of roadways. The ongoing
construction of the new Garden State Parkway Bridge spanning Great Egg
Harbor Bay is expected to be completed in May, followed at some point by the
opening of the pedestrian walkway built into the bridge. Also under
discussion is the Middle Thorofare Bridge, which links Ocean Drive between
The Wildwoods and Cape May. Replacement of the existing drawbridge with a
fixed span bridge was discussed by county freeholders. The fixed span under
consideration would have vertical and horizontal clearances of 80 feet in
order to accommodate the numerous commercial fishing vessels that regularly
travel under the current drawbridge. The elevated fixed span would make
drawbridge openings a thing of the past, easing summer traffic congestion,
but would come with an estimated price tag of $242 million.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S POLAR BEAR PLUNGE in Sea Isle City?
There's still plenty of time to sign up for the Stone Harbor Shiver, which
takes place on March 16th. Proceeds from the event will benefit Family
Promise of Cape May County, and the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Registration fees include a long sleeve tee shirt or hooded sweatshirt. In
addition to the plunge, enjoy a Pre-Plunge party at the Reeds Friday
evening, Kegs & Eggs at Fred's Tavern Saturday morning, and a post-party,
also at Fred's.
Details & Registration Info: Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge 2019
NEW FIRE TRUCK FOR AVALON: A new Pierce Enforcer PUC pumper
is nearing completion and is expected to be delivered to Avalon in early
March, and will feature a 750 gallon water tank, a 1500-gallon-per-minute
pump, and a compressed air foam system. After delivery, fire department
engineers will be trained by the manufacturer on the operation of the new
truck. A 1996 truck will be traded in for credit.
This Weeks News 2/14/2019
Monday's snowfall turned to freezing rain on the Island. Here, blades of
dune grass laden with ice stand above a light coating of snow blanketing the
dunes.
A RECORD 932 OSPREYS were counted in New Jersey in 2018,
according to an Atlantic City Press article. Of the state's 589 active
nests, 423 were located in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties.
During the summer months ospreys can easily be viewed in and around the
wetlands behind Avalon & Stone Harbor.
THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE celebrates its 50th Anniversary of
its founding on February 17th. The non-profit organization has a mission to
preserve, protect and steward wetlands and coastal ecosystems and fulfills
its mission through programs in research, conservation and education.
Executive Director Dr. Lenore Tedesco said "The Wetlands Institute was
founded with an understanding that wetlands and coastal ecosystems are
immensely important and needed to be studied and protected. We have stayed
true to that mission." The Wetlands Institute is planning celebrations
throughout the year including a weekend-long open house and celebration in
June and free admissions days on the first Wednesday of June, July, August
and September.
Visit The
Wetlands Institute Online
This Victorian home left Avalon a year ago and awaits another move. See
below for info.
ABOUT A YEAR AGO the Victorian home (above) was
disassembled and removed from its lot in Avalon in order to save it from
demolition. Today it sits in storage on the mainland, awaiting a move to its
new location in Cape May. See this Atlantic City Press article for more on
the house and its future:
Press of Atlantic City: Why One Of Avalon's Oldest Homes Is Sitting In An
EHT Storage Yard
THE AVALON MUSEUM has more than a dozen oral histories
recorded detailing a variety of things from Avalon's past. The Museum is
also seeking additional oral histories to add to its collection.
Avalon History Center: Listen Online Or Contact The Museum About Adding To
The Collection
THIS WEEKEND: Catch Polar Bear Weekend in Sea Isle City,
including the Plunge on Saturday at 2pm. If 39 degree ocean water is a bit
too chilly for you, consider the Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism on Sunday,
on the Promenade.
Sea Isle
City Polar Bear Weekend: Information & Events
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you & yours!
This Weeks News 2/7/2019
Avalon's Fishing Pier extends over the ocean on a rough, windy day.
North Wildwood and amusements on the Wildwood Boardwalk are visible in the
background.
FROM ICE TO NICE! Several days of ice and bitter winds have
given way to warm sunshine, with mid-week highs pushing 60 degrees this
week. Ice was still present in the back bays on Monday afternoon, but by
Tuesday all traces of it were gone after Monday's sunshine melted it away.
LAST WEEK'S EXTREME COLD has disappeared, but not before
the Wildwood Police Department made a great impression on residents and
others in the area. The Police Department announced that students walking to
school in the frigid temperatures could flag down an officer for a ride to
school instead. The department received numerous favorable comments on its
Facebook page as a result of the offer.
A NEW FISHING PIER in Avalon Manor was discussed at the
January 23rd Middle Township Committee meeting. The old fishing pier, which
used to be part of the Avalon Boulevard Bridge, was closed in 2016 due to
its poor condition. A new fishing pier could cost $800,000, including
$75,000 for demolition of the old pier. Open Space funding could cover much
of the cost of the project.
204 BALD EAGLE NESTS exist in New Jersey, including 185
with eggs, according to a recent USA Today article. That's up from just one
documented nest in 1973. The population has rebounded dramatically since the
1972 banning of the pesticide DDT, which had caused eagle egg shells to be
too thin to survive incubation. Many of today's active nests are located in
Cape May County, with many more along the Delaware Bay shoreline; one pair
of bald eagles was sighted behind Stone Harbor in an osprey nest this past
fall.
AVALON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT sponsored a training class
titled "Ladder Company Officer" last week, hosting instructors from the
Camden City Fire Department and Newark City Fire Department. Avalon FD also
extended an invitation to all neighboring fire departments to attend the
class free of charge. 134 fire fighters from New Jersey and as far away as
Pennsylvania attended the class hosted in Avalon.
THE 11TH ANNUAL POLAR BEAR RUN/WALK FOR AUTISM takes place
in Sea Isle City on Sunday, February 17th. The family friendly event raises
funds for special services schools, autism support groups, and families of
special-needs children in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. The 5K run and
1-mile walk will begin at noon from JFK Boulevard and the Promenade; the run
will proceed south and the walk will proceed north.
Online
Registration - Polar Bear Run Walk For Autism
PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL has predicted an early spring; when asked
for comment, Phil let it be known that, truth be told, he actually prefers
summer instead. If you agree with Phil, check out our 2019 Vacation Guide
and contact me to arrange your summer vacation!
View The Guide - Avalon & Stone Harbor Vacation Rentals