Since 1992, Brendan’s Fund has provided compassionate assistance to Cape May and Atlantic County’s pediatric cancer patients.
Now affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the endowment fund will continue to help local families.
Yesterday, the skies cleared just in time for the 11th Annual Golf Tournament. Ă‚Â A fun event…even for non-golfers!
Observations from my walks:
A new gelato shop on the north side of 96th Street (near Global Pursuit) and a creperie across the street just below 96th Street Pub.
Douglass Candies moved in to the corner spot at 96th and Third Avenue (previously the glass shop).
Eco-Alley moved from the opposite corner (next to Green Cuisine) just across the street on Third Avenue (near the Christmas Paisley Shop). Ă‚Â Gypsy Lane (a design company) now occupies the corner location.
Waypoint (gift shop) moved from the alley at 97th Street to a street front location (previously Christina’s). Ă‚Â And next door, there are signs for a market (thinking a gourmet deli?).
Spiaggetta Trattoria on the corner of 98th and Third Avenue is expanding with a panini shop – using the space of the former barber shop next door.
The exterior of the Coffee Talk building received an attractive facelift, and a new tenant: Fishin’ Pier Grill South (open for breakfast and lunch).
And of course we are all waiting for the grand opening of the new movie theater!
Summer home owners are getting ready for the warmer weather.
I saw this pretty setting while walking by wearing a fleece jacket, and hat 🙂
Yes, chilly by the beach today!
Selling real estate on the island for 30+ years, I can’t tell you how many home owners proclaim that their property is located “on the highest part of the island”.Ă‚Â Ă‚Â I’ve even heard my husband make the claim about our street when talking with neighbors!
For clarification, the Borough of Stone Harbor provides supporting data – a color coded brochure mailed to each property owner (and available on their web site):
http://stone-harbor-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/GeneralElevationMapColor.pdf
The green sections are the true “highest points” in Stone Harbor.Ă‚Â Most are along theĂ‚Â beach/ dunes,Ă‚Â and in the south end past the Bird Sanctuary.Ă‚Â The white areas are next, and cover mostĂ‚Â of the blocks between First and Second Avenues.Ă‚Â The blocks between Second and Third Avenues are a mixture of white and yellow elevations.Ă‚Â In my experience, the yellow areas will see standing water in the street during a heavy rain storm/high tide combination.Ă‚Â The bayside of town is mostly orange, with sections of pink (the lowest elevation).Ă‚Â These areas will flood during storms.Ă‚Â Residents are told to move their cars to avoid salt water damage. Flooding may be limited to the street and just over the sidewalk- but potential buyers should be aware of the situation.
The elevation levels in Avalon follow a similar pattern- Ă‚Â the highest sections are closer to the beach rather than along the bay (with the exception of the man-made lagoon area- Pelican, Seagull, Flamingo, and Heron Drives).
Bottom line? When you live in a beautiful community surrounded by water, understanding the lay of the land is just part of the deal 🙂
AĂ‚Â common question from prospective buyers: Ă‚Â “What is the cost for flood insurance?”
The variables:  elevation of the street (typically, the blocks closer to the beach have a higher elevation than those by the bay), and elevation of the structure.
An elevation certificate is required for an insurance agent to quote a new policy. Ă‚Â The certificate (prepared by a surveyor) will state the elevation at the curb and the lowest floor of the structure, as well as details regarding vents.
Homes built prior to 1974 were not subject to the elevation requirements of FEMA, and may sit lower than required by the current code. This translates to a higher rate for flood insurance.
Newer homes and those elevated (see related blog post) benefit from a more favorable rate.
Re-posting this info after a recent conversation with an Avalon property owner. By adding 6 Smart Vents, owner will save $3600 per year on flood insurance!Ă‚Â
Original blog post- Ă‚Â 4/18/13
Worth searching through your shore house paperwork:
Find your flood elevation certificate (the report is supplied by a surveyor; a separate document from the plot plan). If you do not have a copy, your flood insurance agent should have a copy of the elevation certificate on file.
Near the top of the first page, look at line A-8; a). Ă‚Â This is the square footage of your crawl space. Ă‚Â In the example pictured below, it’s 589 square feet (a small cottage).
Compare this number with A-8 c). Ă‚Â In the example, the net area of flood openings is 168 square inches, with no engineered flood openings (vents).
If the property otherwise meets the current elevation standards, yet the venting square inches do not MATCH the crawl space square feet, the property owner will pay significantly more for flood insurance.
Solution? Ă‚Â Add more vents- specifically engineered vents (like the brand name Smart Vents). Ă‚Â The typical metal grate vent may only provide as little as 42 square inches of qualified venting; in comparison, a Smart Vent = 200 square inches.
Quick math with example: Ă‚Â 589 minus 168 = 421 square inches of additional venting needed. Ă‚Â 3 Smart Vents (at 200 square inches each) solve the problem.
Both Avalon and Stone Harbor provide Bulk Trash pick up days in May to help with spring cleaning of your garage, shed, closets, etc.
Specifics from the Borough web site:
Curbside placement of old furniture, appliances and “junk” permitted within 72 hours prior to these dates. Construction debris will not be removed.
In Avalon, bulk trash pick up starts this Friday April 29th, and continues until after the Borough wide yard sale weekend.  All items to be on the curb no later than Monday, May 9th.
In Stone Harbor, curb side pick up is the following Monday, May 16th.
That’s Better!
The sun has returned 🙂