Event: Long Beach Island Stand Up Paddleboard Pro-Am Relay Race July 17, 2011 Organizer: The New Jersey Windsurfing and Watersports Association. Venue: Competition will take place within the cove at Bayview Park, 68th St., Brant Beach, Long Beach Island, New Jersey. (Little Egg Harbor). A limited number of SUP boards will be available on a first come first served basis. Teams: Younger/Inexperienced Paddlers will be paired up with Older/Experienced Stand-Up PaddleSurfers. The race is open to men, women, and children age 10 years and older. All competitors are encouraged to join the NJWWA Courses: A course circuit will be set within the harbor, between the boat channel and the shoreline. Marks may consist of buoys, no-wake markers, and islands. The Amateur/ First Leg will be a shortened ... 06/22/2011

Monday June 20th:    1.  Storytime: Island Branch Ocean County Library, 217 South Central Ave., Surf City. Ages 4-8. 1:30pm. Call 609-494-2480 to register.     2.  Surf Fishing 101, Parts 1 & II: Island Branch Ocean County Library, 217 S Central Ave., Surf City. 7pm. Call 609-494-2480 to register.   Tuesday June 21st:   1.  "Blooms Abuzz with Bees" Drop-in Craft: Island Branch Ocean County Library, 217 S Central Ave., Surf City. For all ages. 3:30pm. Call 609-494-2480 for more information.   2.  Adult Writers Group Meets: Island Branch Ocean County Library. 217 Central Ave., Surf City. 1-3pm. Call to register at 609-494-2480.   Wednesday June 22nd:   1.  Surf Fishing 101, Parts 1 & II: Island Branch Ocean County Library, 217 S Central Ave., Surf City. 7pm. Call 609-494-2480 to register... 06/20/2011

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR LBI HOUSE COOL DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS  Spin it: Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep everyone cool, and some are a great room accessory as well.  Did you know that they can also help you save on your energy bill?  By circulating cool air throughout your home, you won't need to keep the thermostat set as low as you would without the help of one, two or more well-placed fans.   Green is good: There's no debating how refreshing a large patch of shade can be on a hot summer day...so why not invest in some shade of your own?  Planting trees is an excellent way to ensure shade and to keep your house cool in the warmer months.  Already have shade trees?  Make the most of the summer foliage by relaxing beneath a large tree and sipping some cool lemonade.    Clea... 06/14/2011

Here's What's Happening on LBI this week..... Monday June 13th:   1.  Friends of the Library Meet:  10am at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  All are welcome, call 609-494-2480 for more information. 2.  The Morro Castle:  6:30pm at the Beach Haven Library on Third Street in Beach Haven.  Deborah Whitcraft and Gretchen Coyle present the program. 3.  Opera Program, "Verdi's Operas-Emotions and Conflicts": Island Branch Ocean County Library at 6pm. Call 609-294-2480 for more information. Wednesday June 15th:   1.  Book Discussion:  7:30pm at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  The title is The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information. 2.  Reading Isn't Ruff:  6pm at the Island Branch of the Ocean Coun... 06/13/2011

LBI Fest on Long Beach Island! This Saturday, June 11, is LBI Fest located in Brant Beach (Long Beach Township Municipal Complex - 6805 Long Beach Blvd.) from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (rain or shine!) Admission is FREE and this year, they have added shuttle buses that will run the entire length of the island so EVERYONE can enjoy it!  LBI Fest is really a fun activity for the entire family!  Last year, I found a great buy on my favorite sunglasses - classic Ray Ban Wayfarers for $45.00 !!!  There was also a nice variety of vendors selling everything from surf clothing and accessories to beach toys, tee shirts and food.  Local artists are there to showcase their creations as well.  Most of the vendors are under a tent so you don't have to worry about the sun blazing down on you. I heard there ... 06/09/2011

Jersey Shore temperatures are expected  to be close to 98° again today.  That's hot for this time of year! The Jersey Shore has some of the best beaches on the east coast, and temperatures will be a little cooler here.  On top of cooler temperatures, Jersey Shore beaches generate $35 billion every year in tourism dollars for the state. To protect this resource, the state takes water quality very seriously. New Jersey's Sanitary Code requires beaches to be closed when bacteria exceeds a certain level.  The beach will remain closed until a sample within the standard is obtained.  The first water quality tests this season indicate the Jersey Shore is ready to go! On top of weekly testing from May until September, helicopter observation gives advance notice of any algae blooms or other prob... 06/09/2011

The Communities of Long Beach Island - Harvey Cedars   Located in the middle of the "north side" of LBI. Harvey Cedars is truly one of the little gems on Long Beach Island.   When you walk some of the streets, you almost feel as if you are in New England with the beauty of the shade trees but the bay or beach still within view.  Harvey Cedars does have some commercial businesses but it is primarily a residential community.  Year round residents number only in the 300's here but the area swells with visitors and homeowners in the summer months.   Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company is a favorite restaurant there with outstanding fresh seafood and an inviting, casual atmosphere.   There is plenty of room to ride bikes or jog on the path along Long Beach Boulevard and the beaches are quite ser... 06/07/2011

  LBI Fest is this coming Saturday!! Here are the other events taking place this week....  Monday June 6th: 1.  Card Party & Luncheon:  12 noon at the Engleside Inn in Beach Haven.  Hosted by the LBI Chapter of Deborah Hospital Foundation.  Admission is $20, for menu selections and reservations call 609-597-3746.Tuesday June 7th: 1.  Music and Movement:  10:30am at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  For ages 2-6.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information. Wednesday June 8th:1.  Decorate Your Own Birdhouse:  7pm at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  For ages 8 and older.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information.2.  Garden Party by the Sea:  at the Bonnet Island Estate.  Friends of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Center host the event, fea... 06/06/2011

  The musical RENT will be at the Surflight Theatre until June 19th. Starring "American Idol's" Justin Guarini (direct from Broadway's American Idiot) RENT, the pop culture phenomenon, forever changed the Broadway musical. Inspired by La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's revolutionary rock musical RENT is set in New York City's gritty East Village and tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. Celebrating its 62nd Season of Broadway at the Beach, Surflight Theatre is a Jersey Shore entertainment destination, located in Beach Haven, New Jersey on Long Beach Island. Now under the leadership of Producer and Surflight alum Roy Miller, Surflight is a professional regional theatre that produces numerous Ma... 06/02/2011

ALL OF LONG BEACH ISLAND                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   497   33   31               Average Price   1,318,874   1,001,773   1,026,645               Median Price   925,000   747,500   815,000               Average Days on Market   195   159   172                             SOUTH SIDE (Ship Bottom to Holgate)                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   267   17   20               Average Price   1,027,918   812,788   946,700               Median Price   799,900   745,000   793,000               Average Days on Market   172   139   162                                           NORTH SIDE (Surf City - Barnegat Light)                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   230   16   11               Average Price   1,651,323   1,282,219   1,172,000          ... 06/01/2011

What Happens to the Vacation Rental Leases when you Buy or Sell an LBI Property? Many of the houses on Long Beach Island are rented out during the summer season.  This is a great way to offset a mortgage and all the other expenses incurred from owning a 2nd home.  BUT....what happens if you sell a house that is fully rented for the summer season?  Who gets the rental income?  Does the seller get to keep any deposit money he/she already received? If a buyer is NOT planning on renting the property out and wants if for personal use, can they terminate the leases so they can enjoy the house once they close on it? These are all questions that we hear on a regular basis in our market.  Everything is negotiable when buying or selling but the majority of the time, future rental leases go with t... 05/26/2011

  What Makes Long Beach Island SO Special?  (Part 2 - the South Side)   If you were to make a right just over the bridge, you would be in the town of Ship Bottom.  Similar to Surf City on the left ("north" side), Ship Bottom is well populated with both residences and businesses.  There are restaurants, shops and many service businesses located there as well.  Both Surf City & Ship Bottom are popular with people who like an "easy on/easy off" location on the island. There's lots of lively activity in Ship Bottom.  Continue on and you reach the many communities that are a part of Long Beach Township such as Brant Beach, Haven Beach and Spray Beach.  These areas are mostly residential with a few retail businesses & small eateries sprinkled in.  Excellent areas for families to vacation with... 05/25/2011

What Makes Long Beach Island SO Special? (Part 1 - The North Side) I have frequented and/or vacationed in many of the towns along the Jersey shore, including:  Sandy Hook,  Asbury Park, Belmar,  Point Pleasant,  Seaside Heights, Lavalette, Chadwick Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Spring Lake, Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Cape May.  Each of those places have something special also but, to me, what makes Long Beach Island SO special is the fact that there is a different "flavor" to each section of the island.    Just over the bridge and to your left is Surf City - a really fun, vibrant section.  There are lots of young people and, of course, surfers to be found.  A nice mix of restaurants, shops and other businesses make this a very c... 05/19/2011

Long Beach Island will present 65 films as part of the Lighthouse International Film Festival, June 3-5, 2011. Securing some key programming from Sundance, Toronto, South-by-Southwest and the Tribeca film festivals, including "Gun Hill Road," "Prairie Love," "Surrogate Valentine," and "The Trollhunter," the festival will open with "Salvation Boulevard" (Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei and Ed Harris) and close with Michael Winterbottom's "The Trip." The Lighthouse International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to showcasing new and innovative films and fostering the next generation of filmmakers. The festival offers three days of films, panels, Q&A's, networking, parties and surfing, and draws some of the industry's top film critics, producers ... 05/17/2011

It's Beach Badge Time at the Jersey Shore - Long Beach Island Beach Badge Info  I've been waiting for this since the first Jersey Shore snow storm of 2011! Beach badges are now on sale up and down Long Beach Island!  All communities offer pre season beach badge sales at a reduced rate. Barnegat Light - (609) 494-9196 - Pre Season badges are $18 through June 15th Beach Haven - (609) 492-0111 - Pre Season badges are $25 through June 25th Harvey Cedars - (609) 494-2843 - Pre Season badges are $20 through June 15th Long Beach Township - (609) 361-1000 - Pre Season badges are $25 through June 15th Ship Bottom - (609) 494-2171 - Pre Season badges are $30 through May 31st Surf City - (609) 494-3064 - Pre Season badges are $25 if brough or reserved by May 31st. If you're renting a home on Long ... 05/15/2011

The Communities of Long Beach Island - Barnegat Light   Deeded by the English Crown in 1692, Barnegat Light is the northernmost community on LBI. It is less than one square mile and has a winter population of  just over 700. Most of the residents are retirees or LBI natives who own summer houses. The mainstay of this adorable community is fishing (as it has been since it's inception) and is the home port to many members of the East Coast's Longline Fleet where the fishermen travel out to the high seas way off shore for tuna & swordfish. The pride of Barnegat Light is "Old Barney", the red and white-banded Barnegat Lighthouse.  Old Barney is 172 feet tall and was designed by General George Meade, commissioned in January  of 1859,  it is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States.... 05/13/2011

About: LBI Home Patrol House Watch & Handyman Service. LBI Home Patrol is a full service house watch and handyman company offering reliable, professional service at competitive prices.  Ben is a 25 year veteran police officer and possesses the knowledge, experience and expertise to give you the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to one of your biggest investments - your property on Long Beach Island. In addition to Ben's tenure with the police, he has owned & operated his own handyman business for 6 years.  Some of the services his company provides are: Long & short term house watch service Post storm inspections Concierge service (arranging and meeting with technicians/contractors) Repairs Interior painting CO requirement repairs & installs Lock changing And much more! Ben can be ... 05/12/2011

I was reading about this new beach umbrella invention and thought it a brilliant idea and wanted to share:  Anyone who has been to the beach, on even a moderatly breezy day, knows the hazard of not having a property 'anchored' beach umbrella.  This new gadget was invented by a former lifeguard on Long Beach Island. What the "Shade Anchor" does: Ballast keeps umbrella stable from the top - no chance of wiggling out Effective up to 30MPH+ winds Holds up to 50 pounds of sand Even if umbrella tips in very high winds, the Shade Anchor weighs it down to prevent blowing across the beach Doubles as a beach bag - transport your towel, water bottle, lotion, book, magazine, snacks and other beach gear Convenient straps for carrying your Bag over your shoulder Tough 600D military grade material for... 05/11/2011

Events on LBI (Long Beach Island) RENT is coming to the Surflight Theatre! Do you remember Justin Guarini?  He was the runner up (to Kelly Clarkson) on the very first season of American Idol.  Can you believe that was almost 10 years ago??  So now, Justin is coming to LBI and the Surflight Theatre in their production of "RENT".   "RENT" is a rock opera, based on La boheme.  This musical introduces us to a group of impoverished artists & musicians struggling while living in New York City's lower east side.  Justin will play "Roger", a singer/songwriter who is HIV positive.   The Broadway play gained both critical raves and enjoyed a successful 12 year run as well as earning a Tony for Best Musical before closing in 2008.  Guarini currently lives in Doylestown, PA with his wife and daught... 05/09/2011

Why do people move down the shore?If you live anywhere near the coast in New Jersey and you're a New Jersey native you tell people you live 'down the shore'.  So why is southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore so popular?  Why has the population increased so dramatically over the last two decades?The Jersey Shore is less crowded than the Garden State's regions to the north.  As a result things are a little slower 'down the shore'.Much of the growth of the communities down the shore is in retirement communities.  There are more than 5 adult communities in Barnegat, one in Waretown, four in Manahawkin and Little Egg Harbor has 5 retirement communities.  In fact even the small town of Eagleswood, barely a blip on the map between Little Egg Harbor and Manahawkin (Stafford Township), has a ... 05/08/2011