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This Weeks News 9/26/2019

Cruising the bay on a warm afternoon!
 
FROM SWEATERS TO FLIP FLOPS! After a very brief taste of fall weather, summer-like conditions returned to the Island this past weekend. Warm temperatures are expected to remain for the next week or so. The ocean water temperature is still in the low 70s, meaning a late-September dip in the surf is still very pleasant!
 
A BEACH REPLENISHMENT PROJECT is anticipated on Seven Mile Beach later this fall, but a couple of factors make this project more controversial than prior projects. Avalon beaches are expected to receive more than 400,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from Townsend's Inlet, which will be pumped onto beaches as far south as 19th Street. But Hereford Inlet can no longer be dredged due to its protected status, according to a 2016 ruling by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Therefore, instead of receiving dredged sand on its beaches, the Army Corp of Engineers is considering harvesting sand from Stone Harbor's oversized dunes, and redistributing it onto the beach in order to widen it. Some dunes exceed the minimum size profile established by the Army Corps of Engineers, and thus are candidates for sand harvesting. US Representative Jeff Van Drew has sought to remove the restriction on dredging in Hereford Inlet, but has not been successful to date. Meanwhile, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and North Wildwood are expected to retain legal counsel to challenge the restriction on dredging.
 
THE LAST TRAIN: Two weeks ago a mile-long coal train rumbled through Cape May County, enroute to the B.L. England Generating Station in Beesley's Point. Unlike thousands of southbound coal trains before it, this one was empty, having been dispatched to collect the remaining coal stored at the now-decommissioned power plant, which was taken out of service on May 1st. Two prior empty trains had been sent to B.L. England in August, and both left fully loaded with coal. The final coal train departed B.L. England on September 19th, with 63 of its 110 cars hauling away the last of the coal from the plant. The plant was first put into service in 1961, and during its peak was served by several coal trains each week. The large smokestack is visible to those entering and leaving Cape May County via the Garden State Parkway, as they cross Great Egg Harbor Bay. The trains themselves were visible at numerous grade crossings, as well as the Cedar Swamp Creek Bridge, where the railroad line parallels Route 50.


The last coal train sent to the Beesley's Point Generating Station was empty, and collected the stored coal remaining at the shuttered power plant. Here the train crosses the Cedar Swamp Creek Bridge, alongside Route 50.
 
FISHERMEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE WINDFARM planned off the coast of Atlantic City had a chance to voice their opinions at a meeting last week. US Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ) and Alan Lowenthal (CA) listened to fishermen who expressed concern about the potential impact of the windfarm on offshore fisheries, due to its proposed location in an area commonly fished by both commercial and recreational fishermen. A spokesman for Ørsted, the firm who will build the wind farm, acknowledged the need to recognize the concerns of fishermen.
 
SEA ISLE'S NEW PIER: Sea Isle City expects to open a new Bayfront pier at its 60th Street recreation field. The pier will offer fishing and a kayak launch area, not to mention a great place from which to watch sunsets. A newly erected sign at the site shows the layout of the pier, which is expected to open in 2020.

 

This Weeks News 9/19/2019

OH, THAT FALL WEATHER! From warm sunshine and gentle breezes to cool, crisp evening air, Mother Nature has not disappointed us this week! Combined with warm ocean water, it's made for some delightful beach days this week--with more to come!
 
MARKET STATS: The number of units sold during the month of August increased over last year along with the median sale price, as inventory remained tight. For full details on the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report:
 
VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
 

 
WHALE SIGHTING! While fishing off Sea Isle City, Mark Bevevino captured an unbelievable video clip showing a whale surfacing amidst a school of bunker. Bevevino and his son were catching bunker when he started recording, only to see the whale break the surface of the water, sending bunker leaping out of the way. 
 
6ABC.COM - PENNSYLVANIA MAN, SON CAPTURE VIDEO OF MASSIVE WHALE FEEDING OFF SEA ISLE CITY, NEW JERSEY
 
EAGLE SIGHTINGS are occurring again around the Island. The tops of the utility poles along Stone Harbor Boulevard have proven to be popular with bald eagles, who can scan the area from their high perches. They've also been spotted at the tops of poles along Dune Drive and Ocean Drive, as well as flying overhead.
 
WHERE'S MUNCHKIN? The New England Aquarium spent several months rehabilitating a loggerhead turtle, readying her for release back to the ocean. Munchkin was released in July, and a special transmitting device fitted to her back provides her GPS position each time she surfaces. The story of her rehabilitation is documented in a series of videos, along with her GPS track. After being released into Nantucket Sound, Munchkin swam southward off the New York and New Jersey coasts until she was about fifty miles off Cape May. Earlier this week she was tracked about the same distance off Atlantic City.

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM - MUNCHKIN'S JOURNEY.
 
THIS WEEKEND: FALL MIGRATION FESTIVAL & SAVOR SEPTEMBER! The Wetlands Institute's Fall Migration Festival and Stone Harbor's Savor September both take place Saturday. The Fall Migration Festival begins at 9:30am and features a variety of activities including Monarch butterfly tagging, guided back bay boat tours, kayak tours, and a terrapin release. Savor September gets underway on 96th Street at noon and features food, wine, beer, vendors, music, art, and kids' activities. Check them out while you're in town!

 

This Weeks News 9/12/2019

Early morning fog partially obscures The Wetlands Institute from view. As the sun rose the fog burned off, increasing visibility across the marsh.
 
FRIDAY THE 13TH FULL MOON: A full moon occurs Friday night, just past midnight--but Friday evening's moonrise over the ocean at 7:22pm should be spectacular! If you can't make it Friday, the moon rises again at 7:48pm Saturday evening!
 
IT'S THE SEASON OF FALL FESTIVALS! Fall weekends at the shore are known as a time of special events and activities for all to enjoy. Just this weekend it's possible to catch a seaside market, classic cars, a fire truck parade, and an airshow! Toss in a walk on the beach and dinner at your favorite restaurant and it could be the perfect weekend!
 
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP RESTAURANT WEEK takes place Sunday, September 22nd through Friday, September 27th. A dozen restaurants and wineries will offer discounted dinner options all week. Check MIDDLE TOWNSHIP RESTAURANT WEEK for a list of participating restaurants and wineries. 
 
LOOK FOR SOUTH JERSEY GAS to continue installing excess flow valves (EFV) at homes in Avalon. Installed between the gas main and a home's gas meter, EFVs protect homes by restricting gas flow to safe levels.  SJ Gas will contact approximately 400 homeowners directly to advise of their installations.
 
STONE HARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT conducts off season property checks for registered properties. If you'd like your Stone Harbor home added to the property check list, click here for the registration form:
 
OFF-SEASON PROPERTY CHECK REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)

Of course, if you need your property checked on a special occasion (such as after a storm, or if you think you forgot to close a window) call me any time!

 

This Weeks News 9/5/2019

WHAT A SUMMER! The beautiful Labor Day Weekend capped off a summer that was widely considered to be one of the best in recent years, with plentiful sunshine and very little rain. Restaurants and shops reported good crowds all summer, especially on weekends. Labor Day Weekend was no exception, and the Island was busy until Monday afternoon.
 
WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT rumbled their way up and down the beach over the holiday weekend, taking passengers on half-hour tours from Cape May Airport. The US Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum hosted its annual AirFest this past weekend, with numerous aircraft on display, including B-24 and B-25 bombers, and a P-51 Mustang. Those who opted for a flight got to ride above the beaches to Strathmere, where aircraft circled and then made their way southward back to Cape May Airport.


Vintage WWII aircraft flew over the beach all weekend long!
 
SO THAT'S A WRAP? NOPE! Labor Day may have passed but there's still more fun to come over the next few months...beautiful fall weather, plenty of weekend activities & festivals, great fishing, and smaller crowds. Known locally as the "Second Summer," it's often considered to be the best time of year here on the Island. Check my "Upcoming Events" list below and keep watching for more as you plan your own Second Summer!
 

Villa Maria By The Sea, at 111th & the beach in Stone Harbor.
 
VILLA MARIA TOUR: The iconic Villa Maria By The Sea, located at 111th & the beach in Stone Harbor, is slated for demolition so that a modern retreat can be constructed in its place. If you'd like to see the retreat before it's gone, an open house guided tour of the existing building will take place from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 7th, with light refreshments to follow.
 
MONARCH SEASON is now beginning, as the black and orange butterflies begin their annual migration southward. Peak migration times run from mid-September through mid-October, and since local geography funnels them into this area they can frequently be seen in Cape May County. Keep an eye out for them as they land on local foliage to rest during their journey to Mexico.
 
INTEREST RATES touched 3.5% last week for jumbo mortgages (over $484,351), with conventional mortgages (under $484,351) just a bit higher. It's an incredible opportunity for those interested in purchasing a shore property--lock in a low mortgage rate for the duration of your ownership! Ready to own your own shore property? Let's talk!