A crowd of happy people ran into the ocean today! Â Now, they are getting even “happier” at the Fred’s after party 
The 3rd Annual Stone Harbor Shiver (I did not participate…maybe if the event was held in July???)
Photo credit- 7MileIslandHomes Facebook page
This is a quote from a blog post I wrote in 2007:
Every location has its share of natural events: hurricanes, mud slides, wild fires, earth quakes, tornados, floods, blizzards, etc. For each beautiful area in the country, there is an associated weather issue. We prefer to focus on positive side, and hopefully, are smart when dealing with the reality of Mother Nature.
I needed that pep talk after seeing the beach erosion in Stone Harbor during my morning walk 
 Picture taken at high tide, of an already “Sandy weary” section of sand.
Thankfully, the beach fill project is starting soon…
The bay is back to normal…and the Avalon Wawa is almost ready for their 3/14 opening day
Thankfully, the over night tide was no worse than the high tide in the afternoon. Â The flooding was significant in the low lying areas, yet not unusual for a typical winter storm.
Stone Harbor Boulevard remains closed for repairs to the poles- crews will be working there today.
The sun has returned and it will be very spring like by the weekend 
Pictures from yesterday: Â 7th Street and First Avenue at the inlet, and Ocean Drive at 69th Street looking south, Avalon.
P.S. Â Just completed another quick tour and posted beach pictures on Twitter. Â The beach erosion in Avalon was minimal. Â New sand from the recent beach fill is still holding on. And workers are back at Wawa preparing for the 3/14 re-opening!
5pm– Â Took a walk along a section of the beach in Stone Harbor. Â Unfortunately, the Sandy damaged dunes faced more abuse during this storm. There is limited beach at high tide, and the wooden ramps and pavilion need additional repairs. Thankfully, the beach replenishment project is on schedule to start later this month. Â Posted a few pictures on Twitter.
I posted photos and updates on my Twitter account.
Overall, I didn’t see anything out of the norm for a nor’easter. Â Yes, it’s VERY windy and many sections near the bay have street flooding. Worried about beach erosion from the sustained winds and high tides.
Will continue to update on Twitter.
With only a few birds to disturb…I am free to sing along to the music on my iPod…for now
An important statement from Stockton College coastal engineering expert Stewart Farrell in today’s edition of The Press of Atlantic City  (credit to reporter Sara Watson):
Farrell also brought up the concerns many residents have about the advisory flood maps adopted by emergency order in January as the state standard for rebuilding.
While elevations in the advisory maps are not necessarily contested because the data are strong, Farrell said, what is contested is the expanded highest-risk velocity zone to include areas along the bay as well as some interior areas of barrier islands and mainland shore communities.
Farrell said he expects those zones to be scaled back significantly due to a wave analysis model that still has to be completed. Additionally, Farrell said, “bay waves are nowhere near as energetic as ocean waves.â€
We are hearing similar statements from construction/zoning officials in Avalon and Stone Harbor regarding the far reaching v zone classification. Unfortunately, this will take time to resolve.
Day light Savings time; The Concord Cafe re-opens; the post- Sandy renovated Wawa in Avalon will finally open; and Easter…all in March.
I will ignore the forecast of snow later this week, and count on dragging my bay kayak out from under the house on the first warmish day.
And, I will continue to stalk and post updates on island restaurants and businesses as they return for the season (pictured- Uncle Bill’s on 96th Street, Stone Harbor, renovating AND expanding for 2013).
Bright sunshine…with the dunes blocking the chilly breeze. Â Pretty morning on the beach before work!
Stone Harbor Beach Fill
Waiting for the arrival of the dredge and additional equipment needed to start the beach fill in Stone Harbor. Â The staging area will be the 123rd Street parking lot.
Looking forward to a drastically different beach view by May!