Easter, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day- all target dates for the return of activity at the shore.
 Owners are starting to arrive for the holiday weekend- good to see more houses with lights!
Beautiful here today. The official full moon is tonight- a great excuse for a walk along the beach at sunset.Â
For a beach experience on Easter Sunday, the island churches participate in a community sunrise service- held at the 88th Street pavilion at 6:15am.
 A bright fireball for the sunset tonight- blinding to view, and coloring the neighborhood with a soft orange glow.Â
In the summer, this type of sunset precedes a hot day…if only that were true in April! Today’s 48 degree temperatures felt soooo much colder with the strong north west winds.
Save the date: bulk trash pick up is scheduled in Avalon and Stone Harbor for Monday, May 11th. Homeowners are permitted to put items to the curb the weekend prior.
Two ways to enjoy this event- 1) sitting in your house watching others make their selections (fun to guess what they will take); or 2) going out and searching for treasures yourself (best at dark so your neighbors can’t see you!).  This is an earth friendly event- fewer items for the landfill by the time the trucks drive around for the final collection.
I will clean out our storage space…to make room for the “new to us” bicycles that are bound to find their way to our home  🙂
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/448732.html
Article in today’s Press regarding the north end beaches of Avalon. Sand will be delivered by trucks to 10th, 12th, and 15th Streets, and spread by heavy machinery from 9th through 18th Streets. All in time for the 2009 beach season.
 No word yet about the pending Stone Harbor beach fill project (between 98th and 111th Streets). Survey markers are in place near the dune line, but no other activity to date.
A sunny weekend after several days of rain. It’s windy, but temperatures are mild at the shore. Even better weather expected tomorrow.
Nice to finally see color around the island- spring flowers, green grass, and budding trees.Â
Uncle Bill’s in Stone Harbor is back open 7 days a week (the Avalon restaurant is open year round), and we are seeing more “Open” signs on the weekends around town.  The old Henny’s building on 97th Street is getting a facelift in preparation for the Mother’s Day weekend opening of BlackFish Restaurant. Avalon Coffee, The Concord, and Windrift are weekend options, too.
Glad to see the return of businesses and people!