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This Weeks News 6/24/2021

A Seven Mile Island house portrait by Lisa Cunningham.
 
HOUSE PORTRAITS are a wonderful way to capture the charm, fun, and memories of your seashore home. Lisa Cunningham's work makes a great gift--hang your house portrait at home, or in the office as a conversation starter! Visit LISA CUNNINGHAM FINE ART for more info!
 
STONE HARBOR'S SUMMER TRASH COLLECTION remains at one pick up per week for residential properties, instead of the usual two, due to a labor shortage. Stone Harbor property owners--especially rental property owners--may want to purchase extra trash and recycling containers to provide enough capacity to make it through the week. On Saturdays homeowners may drop off trash and recycling at the Municipal Marina lot between 80th & 81st Streets, between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
 


VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
 
MARKET STATS: Sales have remained about even with this time last year, while the number of active listings is down more than 50%. For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report above.
 
NEED SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR YOUR PALATE? Here are a couple of things to try: Croce's To Go is opening at 67th Street & Ocean Drive, specializing in pasta & Italian dishes, plus catering. For seafood lovers check out Bayside Seafood Company's Dock-to-Door delivery service. If you're too busy having fun to make it to their store on Stone Harbor Boulevard, they'll deliver fresh seafood right to your door. Place an order at BAYSIDE SEAFOOD CO. - DOCK TO DOOR SEAFOOD DELIVERY.
 
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELLING, CALL ME. Let's take advantage of tight inventory and place your property on the market now, with closing to occur in the fall. Capitalize on strong demand--and still enjoy the summer!
 
THE CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY is updating its Marine Master Plan. Data gathering and system analysis are underway, and future vessel requirements will eventually be determined. The ferry has operated since 1964 and provides daily service across the Delaware Bay. Check out the master plan here: CMLF MARINE MASTER PLAN To view ferry schedules or book fares visit CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY. 
 
NEXT WEEK: Stay tuned for a full list of July 4th events and celebrations!

 

This Weeks News 6/17/2021

Such a simple composition, yet this photo says so much about the shore! Nature, tranquility, the power of the ocean, the lure of the sand...Amy Jordan captured this beautiful image. Thanks for sharing, Amy!
 
AVALON BOULEVARD BRIDGE WORK is scheduled to conclude on June 17th. After two long off-seasons of alternating traffic, who isn't ready for clear sailing across the bridge when entering or leaving Avalon? The new concrete decking installed on the bridge has been grooved, striped, and sealed, and the asphalt approaches to the bridge have been repaved.
 
ANOTHER LOCAL BRIDGE, the Townsend's Inlet Bridge, is a candidate for future replacement, according to a recent SeaIsleNews.com article. The 81-year-old bridge has undergone extensive repairs in recent years, and numerous closures have occurred. The Cape May County Bridge Commission has a plan for its eventual replacement, the cost estimates for which range from $65 million to $167 million. A projected timeline puts the earliest possible date of a new bridge opening in 2029, and funding is far from certain.
 
READ THE ARTICLE: PLAN FOR NEW TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE TO BEGIN 
 
THE US COAST GUARD rescued six people from a pleasure vessel that began taking on water in rough weather 34 miles from Atlantic City earlier this week. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter hoisted two persons aboard, while a nearby Good Samaritan brought four others aboard their vessel. The Coast Guard maintains helicopters and rescue vessels of various sizes at numerous points along the coast, including Atlantic City, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, and Cape May.
 
GIVE 'EM A BRAKE! Turtle season is in full swing, and they can frequently be seen crossing local roadways. Slow down to avoid them, as they seek higher ground to lay eggs. If you're inclined to help them, first assure your own safety, and then cross the turtle in the direction it was headed. For those turtles not fortunate enough to make it across the road, local "turtle patrols" frequently stop to harvest and incubate turtle eggs.
 
ANOTHER FAVORITE SEA CREATURE needs our help, too. It's dolphin calving season, and the best thing we can do is give them extra space while boating according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Young dolphins cannot swim as quickly as adult dolphins and may be struck or injured by nearby boats or jet skis. Slow down on the water and give them a little extra room for safety.
 
SUNDAYS AT SURFSIDE! The summer concert series kicks off June 27th at 7pm with Jimmy and the Parrots. Bring a beach chair or blanket and enjoy some music along the beach! Stone Harbor's Tuesdays at the Tower concert series will kick off July 6th.
 
THIS SUMMER IS EXPECTED TO BE A GREAT ONE! Beach tag sales are strong, restaurants have been busy, vacation rentals are up, real estate sales are booming--everyone is anxious to enjoy summer at the shore as restrictions ease and things return to normal. Make it great for your family! Take that vacation, try that new restaurant, book that whale watching trip! Take advantage of everything that "summer at the shore" has to offer!

THANKS to those who said hello at the Stone Harbor Property Owner's Association meeting last Saturday. I was delighted to be part of the real estate panel for a 45-minute discussion on the state of the market!

 

This Weeks News 6/10/2021

The sun sets over the IntraCoastal Waterway as a boat enters Smuggler's Cove basin.  This stunning scene was captured by Dori Conlin of Grace Note Music, as she walked the area.  Beautiful shot, Dori!  Check out Grace Note here: FACEBOOK - GRACE NOTE MUSIC.
 
FIREWORKS! After a one-year hiatus, July 4th fireworks are back in a big way in both Avalon & Stone Harbor! Both towns are planning impressive displays to celebrate Independence Day. Avalon's show kicks off at 8:45pm on Sunday, July 4th, at the 30th Street beach. Stone Harbor's show begins at 9:15pm on the 96th Street beach. Beach chairs or blankets are recommended for the best viewing!
 
RESTAURANT APPRECIATION WEEK is underway on Seven Mile Island, and runs through Sunday, June 13th. Traditional discounts and specials are not occurring this year, as so many restaurants are just reopening, returning to full capacity, and recovering after a difficult year. For a list of suggested restaurants, including menus, phone numbers, website, and social media links, check here:

RESTAURANT APPRECIATION WEEK - RESTAURANT INFORMATION

GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND, and it's no different for the beach patrols that guard our beaches and swimmers. Late last summer a shortage of guards led to unfilled positions, and both Avalon and Stone Harbor have since raised their lifeguard pay to $20 per hour in order to attract and retain lifeguards. Nearly all businesses are reporting the same problem--a lack of available employees to fill positions--and many have raised hourly rates in response.  
 
CAPTURING BEAUTIFUL SHORE BIRDS on camera can be tempting, but also a challenge. From seagulls to egrets to herons, these iconic shore birds are representative of the island and its ecosystem. While long lenses and pro gear help, there are techniques that anyone can use to improve their images of local shore birds. B&H Photo offers this tutorial (among many others) on getting better shore bird photos:
 
SHOREBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY: BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
 
IF YOU'D RATHER NOT haul heavy camera gear and a tripod, but still enjoy up-close views of shore birds, check out the Wetlands Institute's live cams. Their close-up nest-view camera allows you to watch an osprey nest live from anywhere--including the first chick which arrived Tuesday morning! Other live-view cameras show areas of the marsh and bay--great for watching on both sunny days and during thunderstorms! Check out the live views here:

WETLANDS INSITUTE - LIVE CAMS
 
BILL SWARTZ BICYCLING ACROSS AMERICA--FROM STONE HARBOR! Bill Swartz is in New Mexico, on his way to San Diego--by bicycle. And he departed from, of all places, Stone Harbor. Bill's coast-to-coast ride is designed to raise awareness and funds for the homeless--specifically Bell Socialization, which runs a homeless shelter in his hometown of York, PA. Bill's story has been documented via news reports and social media. Check out his website or browse his Facebook page and enjoy his many photos and stories about stops along the way: If you'd like to donate there are links at each site.

THIS CLEAR BLUE SKY  |  FACEBOOK - COAST TO COAST: BIKING ACROSS U.S. FOR HOMELESS
      
HOPE TO SEE YOU SATURDAY MORNING at the Stone Harbor Property Owners Association meeting, where I'll be a part of the guest expert panel discussing the current real estate market. From Covid to mortgage rates to tight inventory, find out what's driving the real estate market--and why. Located at the covered basketball court at 81st Street and Second Avenue, doors open at 9am and the meeting kicks off at 9:30am with an update on the State of the Borough. The real estate discussion is next up, followed by an update on future beach replenishment. Hope to see you there!

 

This Weeks News 6/3/2021

The flounder are here! Scott Zimmerman avoided raindrops but found some flounder while fishing on the 83rd Street pier this weekend with his brother. Scott caught flounder from 16 to 19 inches.
 
RAINY WEEKEND; REMEMBRANCES UNHINDERED: Just as Memorial Day Weekend crowds made their way toward the island, rain clouds approached as well, reaching the area Friday afternoon. Saturday and Sunday were marked by long, steady rain showers, giving the entire county a thorough soaking. Visitors were undeterred, though, as evidenced by full restaurants, shops, and bars. Things began to dry out in time for Monday morning's Memorial Day ceremonies, and by Monday afternoon clouds had given way to sunshine again.
 
AVALON-STONE HARBOR RESTAURANT WEEK begins Sunday, June 6th and runs through Sunday, June 13th. It's a perfect time to try out a new restaurant or an old favorite. Either way you're helping a local business recover from a tough 2020 season. Check with participating restaurants for specials on drinks and meals.
 
SEA ISLE CITY'S FARMER'S MARKET will return Tuesday, June 22nd at 8am at Excursion Park, and will run each Tuesday through September 7th. Grab a coffee and browse local vendors for your favorite produce and crafts, then finish with a shopping or a meal in town.
 
RETIRED AVALON BEACH PATROL CAPTAIN MURRAY WOLF was honored this past Saturday, as a new Avalon Beach Patrol boat was named after him. The "Captain G. Murray Wolf" honors the 65 years its namesake spent with the Avalon Beach Patrol.
 
SUMMER BUCKET LIST TIME! With the season underway, it's time to make that Summer Bucket List! Catch a sunrise, teach your grandchild to fish, walk the Bird Sanctuary trails, rent a Wave Runner, visit the Zoo, explore Cape May...take a moment to ensure your future memories are made!
 
"PUT REALITY IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND DRIVE TO THE BEACH HOUSE IN YOUR MIND." --JIMMY BUFFETT. Jimmy's advice is great, but instead of visiting the "beach house in your mind," wouldn't it be better to be heading to the real thing? Whether you need a beach house for a week, or one for life, call or email me!