May 22, 2013

More Stone Harbor News

By ann

beacBeach fill progress: sand pumping and grading, and actively building a new beach on 113th Street as of this morning. The equipment and crew members will steadily move north until the project is completed.  Beaches south of 115th Street are open, and sand  paths will be built over the rubber pipe that carries new sand to the beaches.

For more info: www.dredgingtoday.com/2013/05/21/usa-stone-harbor-renourishment-moves-ahead/

Foodie news: although Bradley’s Steaks moved to 83rd Street and Third Avenue, their former location will continue to offer sandwiches and cheese steaks to the hungry south end crowd. Sunset Steaks & Shakes will join Clarke’s Sunset Market next door.  108th and Third Avenue.

Posted in Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
May 19, 2013

Big Stone Harbor News

By ann

hutNoticed the return of a concession hut on the beach the other day.  And today, I heard the details.

Three years ago, the DEP forced the Borough of Stone Harbor to remove the wooden sheds because they viewed the structures as permanent. Odd, because the huts were placed on raised platforms and hauled off the beach each fall.

Obtaining the proper permits took several years…and now, we can once again buy ice cream without tracking down the Fudgy Wudgy guy 😉

The stand locations will remain the same as in years past. Some will offer beach item rentals, too.

 

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May 19, 2013

Busy Week Ahead

By ann

Most of the vehicles on the island this week? Contractor and delivery trucks.

Trades people are working long hours to complete projects in time for Friday; outdoor furniture and gas grills will be delivered to numerous homes; food stores and restaurants are stocking up; and Borough workers continue to prep the beaches and town for the big holiday weekend.

shellflagStone Harbor will officially “open” the beach on Thursday, 5/23. Avalon will join other Jersey shore communities for a symbolic ribbon cutting on Friday, 5/24.  The mile long ribbon will be held by local business owners, residents, and school children.  8:30am on the 30th Street beach.  Should be a nice event.

On Memorial Day (Monday), there will be 2 parades:  Avalon at 9am; and Stone Harbor at 12 noon.  A great excuse for a bike ride to catch both events.

 

P.S. Stone Harbor will also join in with the Jersey shore ribbon cutting Friday morning.  9am at the 95th Street beach. Encouraging business owners, residents, and visitors to help with the event.  This will replace the Thursday beach opening.

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May 18, 2013

Mountains versus Beach

By ann

mountainsEven on a quick visit, the differences between the mountains of North Carolina and our simple beach town are evident.

Walmart- they sell both gluten free/organic food…AND guns (seriously, in adjacent isles).

Their ice cream shop offers goat milk ice cream on gluten free cones (will take a closer look at the menu in Springer’s to compare).

I hear “Yes, Ma’am” often- and it sounds polite and respectful.

I’m self conscious when I say “water”.  And, I talk WAY too fast!

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
May 17, 2013

Back to Work

By ann

A few days out of town for a family visit. I will be back in the office tomorrow.

Lights on in homes, and more businesses open- happy to see the island come back to life!

P.S.   Picture taken last night of the beach fill crew working under the lights- operating 24/7 to make sure we have a nice beach for summer!

FridayNight

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May 14, 2013

Prince Harry and the media

By ann

We appreciate the positive press from Philadelphia news stations (and British royalty)- encouraging people to vacation at the Jersey shore.  The message is clear:  We are open and ready for summer!

See you soon 🙂

101stStreet

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
May 14, 2013

Tuesday Sights

By ann

Great progress in the past 24 hours with the Stone Harbor beach fill.  The beach is growing before our eyes!

That black plume in the center of the picture is sand shooting out from the pipe.  It looks like black mud- yet dries to soft, gray sand.

TuesdayBeachFill

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May 13, 2013

Shore Property Owners

By ann

FloodingHearing from contractors working for local homeowners in preparation of the summer season.

Two issues related to Sandy are causing great concern: electrical and air conditioning.

If there is a possibility that any salt water was in your crawl space during the storm (even if it quickly drained), please take the time to inspect the area.

I looked in a crawl space hatch for a house in Avalon last week-  the duct work was on the ground, and the insulation hanging down.  Now, with just a few weeks left before the first tenant arrives, an HVAC company has to remove all of the insulation, duct work and trunk lines, and replace with new.  An expensive and time consuming job; and the central air will not function until the work is complete.

Electricians are making repairs to junction boxes in crawl spaces, too.  Property owners may find their breakers tripping or appliances not working.  The cause: corroded wires in the crawl space (even with enclosed junction boxes) from salt water.  This is a serious safety issue and warrants an inspection by a licensed electrician.

Tenants expect their rental property to be fully functional and safe for their vacation.  If you need a recommendation for a local contractor, please let me know.

 

 

Posted in Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
May 13, 2013

Preparing for Summer

By ann

A sand wall built to block the incoming tide.  We see large family groups do this (on a smaller scale) to avoid the dreaded retreat to the soft sand.  Moving 4 umbrellas, 10 chairs, 5 boogie boards, 2 coolers, and several beach carts filled with toys is no easy task!

In this case, the beach fill crew starts with the wall, and back fills the area between to create a new beach. Picture taken this morning- 123rd Street looking south.

MondayBeachFill

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May 12, 2013

Mother’s Day Weekend

By ann

96thStreetDid you manage to visit your favorite food spots this weekend?  So many options…and so little time.

We had breakfast at Uncle Bill’s in Stone Harbor on Friday.  Several feet of water from Sandy forced a complete renovation, and an empty adjacent store allowed for needed expansion.  Check out the restored wall paper discovered during the renovations (it’s in the background of a picture with the original “Uncle Bill” hanging nearby).  The furniture and decor are all new; yet traditionalists will be pleased to see the t-shirt uniforms remain the same 😉

Kohler’s Bakery in Avalon yesterday- to buy my first cream donut of the season.  And sticky buns to take home. They will be open again for Memorial Day weekend; Father’s Day weekend; and full time in late June.  That’s good, because it allows me to burn off the calories in between!

The last hurrah of the weekend may be Mack’s Pizza in Stone Harbor for my Mother’s Day dinner…followed by a LONG walk on the beach.

Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
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