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This Weeks News 6/25/2020

This past weekend brought the longest days of the year, with sunset not occurring until nearly 8:30pm. A few minutes after 9pm, above, the sky was still glowing red. The American flag in the picture flies over the bay behind Stone Harbor, and is lit at night.
 
INDOOR DINING WILL RESUME July 2nd at 25% capacity according to the latest New Jersey regulations, and restaurants are now making plans for indoor service. Most restaurants are already offering takeout, with many offering outdoor seating. Take advantage of outdoor dining options to enjoy your favorite restaurants in a new way!
 
SEARCHING FOR A SUMMER JOB? In addition to calling or stopping by various locations in order to apply, the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce has a list of businesses looking for summer help. Send an email to ADMIN@STONEHARBORBEACH.COM with "HELP WANTED" in the subject line, and they'll send you the list.
 
BEACH TAGS are not required in Avalon until July 3rd this season. To purchase tags, visit the Beach Tag Booth from 10am to 4pm daily, at 30th Street & Avalon Avenue. Seasonal tags can be purchased for $25 through June 30th, and $30 from July 1st onward. In Stone Harbor beach tags are now required. Tags can be purchased at the Beach Tag Booth at 95th Street & the beach from 10am to 4pm.
 
THE CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO reopened last week after a three month closure. If you've never visited the Zoo, you'll be amazed at the animals on display, and the beautiful habitats in which they reside. The Zoo is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. (Note, face masks are required to protect other visitors, and the animals, and visitors are asked to observe social distancing. The reptile house and aviary remain closed, as does the playground.)
 
FISHING OF ALL KINDS has been great, from flounder to tuna. Whether you're a novice or an experienced fisherman, visit Avalon Hodge Podge, Smuggler's Cove, or Moran's Dockside for the latest fishing tips, and to stock up on bait & tackle.
 
NEED TO GET AWAY IN JULY? I've just listed a one-bedroom, one-bath beachblock condo in Avalon, and it's available during the month of July with weekly prices ranging from $1,400 to $1,800. It's got central air conditioning, and a pool, plus an ocean view from your front door. Email or call me if you're ready to escape it all and spend a week (or more!) at the beach!
 
OCEAN WATER TEMPERATURES are now in in the 70s making for pleasant swimming in the surf. Lots of wind last week helped push warm surface water toward the coast, raising surf temperatures.
 
C'MON IN, THE WATER'S FINE! Not only is the ocean water temperature heating up, but so is our real estate market!  Right now there are 87 properties currently under contract...and there's no better time to become number 88! Why not provide your family with a lifetime of memories? Call or email me today so we can achieve your real estate goals!

 

This Weeks News 6/18/2020

A whale of a video! This video clip from Dan McCarthy was shared by Seven Mile Times and shows a whale jumping just off Avalon's north-end beach! Watch here: SEVEN MILE TIMES (FACEBOOK)
 
 
VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
 
MARKET STATS: During the month of May the median sale price increased to $2,215,000, and the number of active listings declined by 12% to 204. The number of units sold also declined, held back by tight inventory. For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report above.

OUTDOOR DINING began earlier this week and many restaurants on Seven Mile Island are now offering the option. Check out a list of local restaurants open for takeout and outdoor dining here:

RESTAURANTS OPEN FOR TAKE OUT & DELIVERY
 
INDOOR SHOPPING also began this week. Here's a list of local shops open for business: 

RETAIL STORES OPEN ONLINE FOR GIFT CARDS, SALES AND CURBSIDE PICK-UP
 
REMINDER: WATCH THOSE TURTLES! Keep an eye out for turtles crossing local roadways for the next few weeks, as they seek high ground on which to lay eggs. If you are inclined to help a turtle across the road, grasp them by the back of the shell and move them in the direction they were originally crossing. Be careful to ensure your own safety on the road first. 
 
HORSESHOE CRABS could play a role in testing coronavirus vaccines, according to an article in the USA Today. According to the article "Because of its quick and detectable response to bacteria, horseshoe crab blood is used in testing anything that can be surgically implanted, injected or swallowed as medication. That includes hip replacements, heart stents, pharmaceuticals, intravenous solutions and vaccines such as the annual flu vaccine, and the coronavirus vaccines now in development with potentially worldwide distribution." Horseshoe crabs are often found in Avalon & Stone Harbor waters, and are plentiful along shores of the Delaware Bay. Read the rest of the USA Today article here: 

HORSESHOE CRABS MAY BE THE ANSWER TO A SAFE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE NEXT YEAR. HERE'S WHY.
 
OCEAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER SIGNS WITH PHILLIES. Jake McKenna signed with the Philadelphia Phillies this week, accepting an offer to play minor league ball for the team he grew up watching and rooting for. The 6'-7" left-handed OCHS pitcher has a 93mph fastball complimented by a curveball and changeup. This year's MLB draft was shortened to five rounds from the usual 40 in order to cut costs since teams are not playing during the pandemic. After the draft concluded teams were allowed to sign additional players; the Phillies had been talking to McKenna for some time and called him the moment he was eligible. "I accepted their offer right away," McKenna said. My son, Paul, who is also a pitcher for OCHS, sent Jake a message to congratulate him on joining the Phils!
 
IT FEELS LIKE SUMMER! With vacation rentals underway, restaurants and stores back in operation, beautiful weather and the ocean warming up, it feels like summer! Need to book your summer vacation? Let's find you the perfect place! Want to make it permanent? Seven Mile Island offers a little something for everyone--why not purchase a shore home to call your very own?  Call or email me today to get started!

 

This Weeks News 6/11/2020

Last weekend's weather was perfect for the beach or the boat! The boat above was cruising along Avalon's north-end beach just outside Townsend's Inlet, as beachgoers relaxed on the sand and in the surf.
 
OUTDOOR DINING was approved last week by Stone Harbor's Borough Council, and will allow restaurants to serve food at outdoor tables on private property or portions of the sidewalk. Stone Harbor joins Avalon, which also approved outdoor dining as a way to help restaurants recover after being restricted to take-out service only. Outdoor dining will begin June 15th.  
 
OUTDOOR RETAIL was also approved in Stone Harbor, immediately allowing stores limited outdoor operations through June 15th, at which time even non-essential stores can have customers inside while adhering to social distancing and mask requirements.
 
MORE BRIDGE WORK! The 96th Street Bridge is undergoing more emergency repair work to its drawbridge span during the overnight hours, and will close to vehicular traffic from 8pm to 6am Monday through Thursday. This round of repair work will address a structural girder that has deflected due to the buildup of rust, plus small cracks that had previously been discovered in other structural members. Work is expected to be completed about June 25th. During the overnight hours vehicles should enter or exit Stone Harbor via Avalon Boulevard or Ocean Drive Bridges.
 
SPEAKING OF AVALON BOULEVARD, a bit more work is going on there, too. Additional lane closures will occur from June 8th to 11th and again from June 15th to 17th, as crews patch cracked road surfaces. Traffic will flow in alternate directions between 8am and 4pm on those days.
 
6ABC (WPVI) in Philadelphia ran a news story about the reopening of the Jersey Shore, broadcasting from Stone Harbor last week. Watch the three-minute clip here: 

JERSEY SHORE BUSINESSES GRADUAL REOPENING AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC - 6ABC.COM
 
FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT! Good catches of flounder have been occurring in the back bays, including both keepers and "shorts." Offshore the first catches of tuna have been reported and are increasing. Party and charter boats are running if you'd like to spend a day on the water.
 
DOLPHIN SIGHTINGS have occurred all over recently along local beaches. Last week they were outside Townsend's Inlet and along Avalon's north end beaches; more were spotted swimming along Stone Harbor's beach a few days later. On Sunday a large pod of dolphins was feeding on fish at the mouth of Cape May Inlet.  
 
MAKING THE VERY BEST OF IT! Things have been a little bit different here this spring, but they're gradually returning to normal. In the meantime, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the shore--just like you always did! Take a walk on the beach; set up your chair on the sand and read a book; swim or surf; watch a sunset; order takeout and enjoy dinner on the deck; visit your favorite street end or municipal dock and throw a line in the water; visit your favorite ice cream shop. These quintessential shore activities are all available, and are as enjoyable as ever!

 

This Weeks News 6/4/2020

"From beginning to end, a beautiful day in Avalon!" Thanks to Long & Foster friend Mac Groce for capturing both the beginning and end of the day (Sunday) in Avalon. We couldn't agree more, Mac!
 
OUTDOOR DINING & RETAIL will be permitted in Avalon this summer. Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi has signed an executive order allowing restaurants and businesses to provide outdoor dining & retail on privately owned property or on borough sidewalks, subject to limitations, through October of 2020. The plan is aimed at helping restaurants and businesses as they reopen, while still allowing for social distancing. Merchants must submit an application to the borough zoning official for approval. There is no permit fee and no approval is needed from the Planning and Zoning board.
 
RENTAL PROPERTIES: GET 'EM READY! Make sure to have your rental property in tip-top condition--well in advance of your first check-in. Delivering your property clean and with a full array of amenities helps assure a trouble-free season and maximizes your chances of earning repeat business from your tenants. Here are some tips:

• take a step back and view your property as if it's the first time you've ever seen it. Is it clean? Is the paint fresh? Do the windows sparkle?
   
• check all your appliances to make sure they're in good working order. Does the oven ignite easily? Does the refrigerator chill properly?
   
• double check your WiFi. It's the most common issue during the summer time. Log on with your phone, tablet, or computer to verify your username and password, and test your internet speed.
   
• have your air conditioning system checked and serviced. It's the second most common issue faced in the summer time. Make sure it's up to the job and ready for the season.
   
• little things matter. An extra set of dishes and silverware means your guests won't need to run the dishwasher as frequently; a nozzle on the outdoor hose saves water; ceiling fans circulate cool air and ease the load on your air conditioner.
   
• schedule changeover cleanings NOW, and provide your cleaning service with our cleaning guidelines, plus any information unique to your property.

Need help with a particular issue? Call or email me!
 
TURTLE CROSSINGS are a common sight at this time of year. Although turtle fences help prevent diamondback terrapins from crossing roads, there are still many that make their way onto local roadways. The Wetlands Institute recommends letting a turtle cross on its own if it can do so safely. If you must help it, move it across the road in the direction it was headed (and don't relocate it to another area.) Lift a turtle by grasping the back of its shell, not by grabbing the tail. Remember to look out for your own safety, and never put yourself in danger.
 
SEASHORE ACE is collecting non-perishable food items at its store at 260 96th Street, through June 20th. Seashore Ace is a "go to" location for everything from tools and hardware to deck furniture to decorative items, and always looks to give back to the community. Seashore Ace will provide the non-perishable food to those in need in the county.
 
FULL MOON RISING! Friday night a full moon will rise over the ocean just a few moments after sunset, and it should be a beauty! Look seaward at 8:27pm to catch it!
 
THE BEACH IS OPEN, restaurants and stores are open for takeout and curbside pickup, the weather has been lovely, and the fish are biting. All we need is you! Ready to plan your 2020 vacation? Don't wait!  Call or email me to get started!
 
WANT TO MAKE IT PERMANENT? If you find yourself wishing for more than just a week at the shore, why not make it permanent? No matter what your budget, we've got a vacation property for you. Check out the featured property below...you might just find yourself owning a beachblock condo in Avalon--for $359,000!