Last night, we saw the familiar flash of “blue”, and heard the snap, crackle, pop of a nearby transformer. The town fire siren went off…and so did our electric.
Fortunately, power was restored after a few hours. This morning- the only way to describe the weather is UGLY.  Sustained high winds with freight train like gusts. Snow blowing sideways from bay to beach. Not huge amounts of snow, but it’s still coming down and drifting.
This certainly has been a memorable February at the shore!
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/59499-avalon+awards+beach+fill+contract
The Borough of Avalon awarded a contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company for the planned spring beach fill project. This will be a joint project between Avalon and Sea Isle City. More information in the attached article from the Cape May County Herald.
How to prepare for yet ANOTHER snow storm at the shore?Â
I saw 3 surfers taking advantage of the waves (that faint dot on the right hand side of the photo is a surfer).
And IÂ enjoyed a long walk on the beach while the sun faded behind the incoming clouds.
The realities of living on an island: if the 96th Street bridge is up…and stuck…it’s not easy to get home. Thankfully, there are other bridges on/off our barrier island.  Eventually, one driver in the long line of cars decides to turn around in search of another route, and many follow behind.
Of course, that’s when the bridge finally closes 🙂
Weather notice forwarded to me by my brother in law:
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
YET ANOTHER COASTAL STORM IS FORECAST TO AFFECT OUR AREA LATER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY…WITH THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT THE PRIME TIMES FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW. AT THIS TIME SNOW AMOUNTS MAY AVERAGE AT LEAST 4 INCHES OVER THE NORTHEAST MARYLAND SHORE…DELAWARE…SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY…AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA…AND 6 INCHES OVER EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY…BUT SIMILAR PREVIOUS STORMS HAVE DEPOSITED HEAVIER SNOW AMOUNTS. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS POTENTIAL STORM…SO DRIFTING AND BLOWING SNOW ARE POSSIBLE AS WELL.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
Found beneath the melting snow: a large piece of corner curb and sidewalk displaced by a snow plow.Â
And speaking of melting snow – the distinct difference between north and south. Homes on the north side of the street have visible sidewalks and yards; the south side homes are still covered with snow. Today’s heavy rain should speed the process along!
I work for/with 2 former professional ice hockey players- both originally from “up north”.    The closest I’ve come to watching hockey is the movie Miracle on Ice.
Last night’s Olympic rivalry between Canada and the United States was a required viewing in our office.  And it was a good game, eh??
 The new 95th Street ocean side deck is set for summer…will be better once the snow melts!
Also new for this season- Avalon and Stone Harbor combined their annual Chamber of Commerce publications to create the  “Seven Mile Beach” 2010 Vacation Guide. Available in local businesses and Chamber offices now.
Strong west winds and sunny skies at the shore. Much of the snow has melted, and today’s warmer temperatures are a hopeful sign of spring!
Cape May County property owners receive a green postcard each year stating the tax assessment for their property. It’s not a new figure each year- unless the owner challenged the assessment or the town was recently re-assessed (Stone Harbor for example).
In years with appreciating values, we didn’t give these figures much thought. However, with the assessments established during the “boom years”, the old values are often out of line with the current market.
Property owners have the right to challenge the assessment through the Cape May County Board of Taxation. Visit the web site for additional information: http://www.capemaycountygov.net/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=439
A few tips: Owners must prove fair market value as of October 1, 2009. Therefore, comparable sales to support value should be between 10/1/08 and 10/1/09. There is a 15% leeway of assessment to fair market value- an appeal of value of 15% or less will not be successful.Â
I am happy to e-mail you comparable sales within the permitted dates for your neighborhood.   Drop me a note ann@anndelaney.com with your request.