Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Island Gardens

    The salt air can be a challenge for home owners who want a colorful seaside garden.  Yet there are numerous blocks in town with beautiful lawns, colorful trees, and flowers. 

    Green thumb owners create peer pressure within a neighborhood.  The plain stone yard with minimal landscaping previously represented the typical shore house.  On some blocks, that property now looks out of place.

    Related observation:  Have you noticed how many landscape vehicles are on the island each week?  Obviously, most owners do NOT have a green thumb 😉

  • Mold

    We live on an island…surrounded by water.  There are many days when we can actually SEE the moisture in the air.

    This unique environment requires homes to be properly vented to prevent damage from moisture and mold. 

    1) Crawl Space: open the foundation vents in the spring and replace the crawl space door with a screened door (Richardson’s Screen on 39th and Ocean Drive will make one to fit).  Remove any debris in the crawl- especially wood products.  Left over decking is “lunch” for termites.  Unless your ground regularly floods, a vapor barrier is recommended (basically, a thick plastic cover for the dirt).  Close the vents/ crawl door in the fall to protect exposed water pipes during the cold months.

    2) Attic: The soffit vents (around the perimeter of the house) need to be clear of insulation.  Newer homes have ridge vents to help with air flow.

    3) Drainage:  Most newer homes do not have gutters.  This drives the home inspectors crazy!  Make sure water does not flow toward the house (and into the crawl space) after a heavy rain.  Also check the water flow from the outside shower- proper grading will help.  Trim landscaping away from foundation vents.  And remember the old landscaping design with raised beds and railroad ties?  This is a termite and moisture combination that will ultimately cause major problems.

  • Comcast Boxes

    Years ago, when you sold a home- the phone had to be returned to the phone company (the equipment was leased- not owned).  We now face with the same requirement with cable boxes.

    Am I the only one who finds this a bit complicated?  The television, DVD player, and often a stereo share what seems like hundreds of wires.  Will the average homeowner be able to re-configure this set up?

    Yesterday, I returned 3 boxes to Comcast on behalf of a seller.  After settlement, the new buyer will have to pick up 3 new boxes and connect them back in.  Seems like an odd procedure to me…

    Also, if you subscribe to seasonal service (May-Oct), Comcast requires the return of the boxes for the winter.  This will obviously encourage owners to keep full service year round to avoid the hassle.

    P.S.  In our second home market, most properties are sold furnished, including electronics (flat screen TV’s and the associated equipment).  This difference makes the return of the cable box (one piece in the puzzle of boxes and wires!) more complicated.

  • Sand Shark

    Great sand sculpture on the beach in Stone Harbor spotted during an evening walk.

    Very creative people on the beach… while the rest of us feel productive with a beach chair, umbrella, and a good book!

  • A Day To…

    Surf with the Nuns (111th Street surfing contest)… go fishing… walk the beach & sing along with your iPod (sorry, that was me)… get married (congrats to Pat and Alli)… celebrate a birthday… be thankful… and remember the profound shared grief  9 years ago today.

  • September Sky

     

    There is something unique about the sky in September- more contrast with the clouds and sun, especially near the ocean.  The view during my morning beach walk changes with the seasons-  so fortunate to be a year round observer!

    Weekend events:  Nun’s Beach Surf contest Saturday on 111th Street, Stone Harbor; and the Avalon Street Fair- Sunday on 30th Street, Avalon.

  • Sand Removal

    Strong south west winds today- blowing the soft sand across the beach.

    My mission today was sand removal- from my house and car. 

    Although I love living at the shore…I prefer the sand stay on the beach.  Somehow, it sneaks in when I’m not looking!    Thank goodness for my favorite household amenity:  central vac  😉

  • Empty Beach

    Labor Day at sunset…very quiet on the beach!

    Other than random storms, September is known as the best month at the shore.  Make sure you schedule a beach day soon.

    P.S.  It’s bulk trash week in Avalon– last day to put unwanted items on the curb is Monday morning, September 13th.  Bulk trash in Stone Harbor is September 20th.

  • Race Day Results

    Did you or someone you know participate in the race this morning? 

    There were 1,020 registered runners and walkers.

    The results for the Tim Kerr 7 Mile and 5K race will be posted on:  http://compuscore.com/cs2010/sept/index.htm

    Event pictures posted on http://www.uscandids.com/

    Proceeds from this event are distributed locally by TK Charities : http://www.timkerrcharities.org/

  • Stone Harbor- Borough Meeting

    Joint Meeting of ROA and Borough Council Sept 25

    Saturday, Sept. 25 – Unique Joint Meeting of ROA and Borough Council (notice copied from e-mail sent to ROA Members)

    The Realty Owners Association September General Meeting will be held at Borough Hall, and then will be followed by an official Borough Council Meeting. The Mayor and the full Council will conduct their regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting at this time to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the work of each committee. People will be able to ask questions about Borough issues during the Public Comment part of the agenda. 

    Come to Borough Hall at 8:30am for coffee and refreshments outside council chambers. The general ROA meeting begins at 9:00 am. and will include the introduction of seven new trustees and the presentation of the 2010 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award. Stay for the Borough Council meeting that immediately follows.

    Round out your day by attending the Fire Safety Day to learn more about fire safety and have your fire extinguisher re-certified at the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company #1 from 12:00 to 2:00. More information on this event soon.

    All Realty Owners’ Association general meetings are open to the public.