The sun sets over the IntraCoastal Waterway as a boat enters Smuggler’s Cove basin. This stunning scene was captured by Dori Conlin of Grace Note Music, as she walked the area. Beautiful shot, Dori! Check out Grace Note here: https://www.facebook.com/gracenotemusic
FIREWORKS! After a one-year hiatus, July 4th fireworks are back in a big way in both Avalon & Stone Harbor! Both towns are planning impressive displays to celebrate Independence Day. Avalon’s show kicks off at 8:45pm on Sunday, July 4th, at the 30th Street beach. Stone Harbor’s show begins at 9:15pm on the 96th Street beach. Beach chairs or blankets are recommended for the best viewing!
RESTAURANT APPRECIATION WEEK is underway on Seven Mile Island, and runs through Sunday, June 13th. Traditional discounts and specials are not occurring this year, as so many restaurants are just reopening, returning to full capacity, and recovering after a difficult year. For a list of suggested restaurants, including menus, phone numbers, website, and social media links, check here: https://www.visitavalonnj.com/restaurants-open-take-out-delivery
GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND, and it’s no different for the beach patrols that guard our beaches and swimmers. Late last summer a shortage of guards led to unfilled positions, and both Avalon and Stone Harbor have since raised their lifeguard pay to $20 per hour in order to attract and retain lifeguards. Nearly all businesses are reporting the same problem–a lack of available employees to fill positions–and many have raised hourly rates in response.
CAPTURING BEAUTIFUL SHORE BIRDS on camera can be tempting, but also a challenge. From seagulls to egrets to herons, these iconic shore birds are representative of the island and its ecosystem. While long lenses and pro gear help, there are techniques that anyone can use to improve their images of local shore birds. B&H Photo offers this tutorial (among many others) on getting better shore bird photos: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/shorebird-photography-beat-the-heat-this-summer?
IF YOU’D RATHER NOT haul heavy camera gear and a tripod, but still enjoy up-close views of shore birds, check out the Wetlands Insitute’s live cams. Their close-up nest-view camera allows you to watch an osprey nest live from anywhere–including the first chick which arrived Tuesday morning! Other live-view cameras show areas of the marsh and bay–great for watching on both sunny days and during thunderstorms! Check out the live views here: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/visit-us/livecams/
BILL SWARTZ BICYCLING ACROSS AMERICA–FROM STONE HARBOR! Bill Swartz is in New Mexico, on his way to San Diego–by bicycle. And he departed from, of all places, Stone Harbor. Bill’s coast-to-coast ride is designed to raise awareness and funds for the homeless–specifically Bell Socialization, which runs a homeless shelter in his hometown of York, PA. Bill’s story has been documented via news reports and social media. Check out his website here: https://thisclearbluesky.com/ or browse his Facebook page and enjoy his many photos and stories about stops along the way: https://www.facebook.com/coasttocoastbicycleride If you’d like to donate there are links at each site.
New Listings:
2158 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 211999
2188 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 212000
4327 Fifth Avenue, Avalon, $4,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 212012
Properties Under Contract:
456 Avalon Blvd, Avalon Manor, $529,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 202995
243 102nd Street, East Side, Stone Harbor, $1,549,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 212029
46 E. 18th Street, Avalon, $3,049,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 212044
9031 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $3,500,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 211902
24 E. 19th Street, Avalon, $4,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 204588
2 90th Street, 4 90th, Stone Harbor, $13,900,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 210106
Properties Sold:
319 62nd St., Avalon, $7,500,000, SOLD MLS#: 204223
74 38th Street, Avalon, $9,100,000, SOLD MLS#: 211261
