: December 2010

Shortly before Christmas, Sammy who lives down the street, asked his Mom if he could have a new bike. She told him that the best idea would be to write to Santa Claus.

But Sammy, having just played a vital role in the school nativity play, said he would prefer to write to the baby Jesus.

Sammy went to his room and wrote, "Dear Jesus, I have been a very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas."

But he wasn't very happy when he read it over. So he decided to try again and this time he wrote, "Dear Jesus, I'm a good boy most of the time and would like a bike for Christmas."

He read it back and still wasn't happy with that one either. He tried a third version, "Dear Jesus, I could be a good boy if I tried hard, especially if I had a new bike."

He read that one too, but he still wasn't satisfied.

So, he decided to go out for a walk while he thought about a better approach. After a short time he passed a house with a small statue of the Virgin Mary in the front yard.

Sam crept in, stuffed the statue under his coat, hurried home and hid it under the bed.

Then he wrote this letter, "Dear Jesus, If you want to see your mother again, you'd better send me a new bike."

Only in New Jersey!

The schools at the Jersey Shore dismiss students early today for Christmas break.  And there's plenty to do before Christmas, but what about next week?

By Monday, you'll be hearing the kids repeating of oft spoken kids mantra, "Mom, I'm bored!"

So, here's a week long guide to 'What to do at the Jersey Shore after Christmas!'

Monday - December 27th is the reenactment of the Affair at Cedar Bridge in Barnegat, on Old Halfway Road off Route 72.  It's a reenactment of the last skirmish of the American Revolution.  It begins at 2pm, and lasts until 4pm.  

The reenactment is a wonderful way for kids and adults to learn of the Jersey Shore's Revolutionary history.  You'll be outside, so bundle up!

Tuesday - December 28th is story time at the Long Beach Island Branch of the Ocean County Library.  Register here, or call 609-494-2480 for the Family Story time program which begins at 3:30.

Wednesday - December 29th take a drive up the Parkway to the Ocean County College's Novin's Planetarium.  They have three programs that are sure to spark interest in kids of all ages.  

At 11:30 it's The Stars from my Backyard, then at 1pm Wonders of the Winter Sky and at 2:30 Season of Light.  These programs are scheduled daily between Christmas and New Years.

•     'The Stars from my Backyard' program offers the youngest Planetarium visitors discoveries from the incredible night sky.
•     'Wonders of the Winter Sky' is a chance tosee some of the bright stars, constellations and other celestial highlights of the current night sky.  
•     'Season of Light' is the feature presentation this year.  It's a look at holiday traditions from around the world that are meant to bring light into this darkest of seasons, as well as some possible astronomical explanations for the mysterious Star of Bethlehem.

Thursday - December 30th at the Tuckerton Seaport  there are  family activities (these programs happen each day this week) and admission is only $5!!  Family craft activities in Tucker's Lighthouse -- winter themed make and take crafts!  All crafts are from 1 pm to 3 pm, but check with the Tuckerton Seaport.

Friday - December 31st, you've made it (almost)!  The big event happens in Seaside Heights on the Boardwalk. It's First Night Ocean County, a family way to celebrate the New Year.  The Boardwalk stands are open and there will be fun for the whole family from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm with fireworks at 5:00 pm

And of course throughout the week, the Barnegat Lighthouse is open from 8am until 4pm Monday through Friday.  For hiking and nature Cloverdale Farm Park in Barnegat is open during daylight hours, and there's nothing better than the Library (find an Ocean County Library branch near you)  on a cold winter day.

Now you have the weekend to recover, and it's back to school on January 3, 2011!

And now the battles begin!

The US Census Bureau announced yesterday the first of is findings for 2010.  In New Jersey that means; we're still #1 in population density among all states* with 8,791,894 residents stuffed into our 7,417 square miles and despite a subdued population increase, we're loosing a congressional seat.

It's apportionment, a process of dividing the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states based on the population figures collected during the decennial census. And redistricting is the process of assigning residents to congressional and legislative districts, in accordance with the 1965 Voting Rights Act and it's one-person, one-vote principle. 

Redistricting has always been contentious in New Jersey, it means political manuevreing on a grand scale. While the big news is the loss a House seat, the immediate focus will be on redrawing the state's 40 legislative districts.

New Jersey is one of four states with legislative races in 2011, so it will be among the first states to receive local census details, probably by early February.  And that's when the battle begins!

For the redrawing of the state legislative districts a commission of five NJ Democrats and five NJ Republicans will devise a map dividing the nearly 8.8 million people into 40 roughly equal districts. Populations will have to be within 5 percent either way of 219,797, meaning up to 10,990 above or below the average. 

Legislative redistricting could mean big changes in Ocean County's representation in Trenton, because as of last year Ocean County's population estimates had increased by more than 12% over the figures from 2000.  If you'd like to take a look at an interactive Census map, it's here!

It's December 21, the winter solstice.  And, if you got up early enough and the skies were clear, you witnessed a total eclipse of the moon.

Hanging high in the sky, the moon slowly turned from bright silver into a red disk early Tuesday.  Actually in New Jersey it was an orange-ish color, the say from pollution.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth casts its shadow on the full moon, blocking the sun's rays that otherwise reflect off the moon's surface. Some indirect sunlight still pierces through to give the moon its eerie hue.

The 3 and a half hour eclipse was visible from North and Central America where skies were clear. Portions of Europe and Asia only caught part of the show.

Since the year's only total lunar eclipse coincided with winter solstice, the moon glowed high in the sky.  The last time this occurred was more than three centuries ago on Dec. 21, 1638. It will happen again on Dec. 21, 2094, according to U.S. Naval Observatory spokesman Geoff Chester.

I can just imagine the views from the New England mountains!  Not great pictures, but reminders of what I'll see again in 2094!  LOL

Jersey Shore Views...Lunar Eclipse 2010

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor - Little Egg Harbor NJ - Monthly Housing Market Report - November 2010

There were an average of 413 homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor throughout the month of November 2010, up slightly from the October 2010 Little Egg Harbor Housing Market Report.  The price for Little Egg Harbor homes sold in November decreased, and a decrease was also recorded for Little Egg Harbor homes under contract when compared to October.

 Compare that to the Little Egg Harbor homes sold one year ago.

The steep decline in Little Egg Harbor homes sold is due in part to the 2009 tax incentives that expired at the end of November last year.  

Of the homes sold, three Little Egg Harbor waterfront homes,  four were Little Egg Harbor short sales, one bank owned, one condo and four Little Egg Harbor adult community homes sold.  Three were new construction.

If you'd like more information on the housing market in Little Egg Harbor, or would like to discuss buying a home or selling a home in Little Egg, you should contact Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta (609.384.6121).

The Daily Little Egg Harbor Housing Reports is available here. 

Little Egg Harbor, NJ

The National Association of REALTORS® may say that median single family housing values increased during the third quarter of 2010 by 2.5 per cent in the northeast (which is New Jersey's cubbyhole).  They may even say housing sale prices rose in the Atlantic City area by 2.9 per cent.  

But where do they get these figures?  Little Egg Harbor is just 30 miles from Atlantic City, and Atlantic City is the only region close to the Jersey Shore on NAR's radar.  Ocean County isn't even mentioned on the NAR New Jersey list, but that's another story.

 It wouldn't be the first time NAR got it wrong in New Jersey!  The Association had to adjust the housing market figures for the state in 2008's first quarter.  Ouch! NAR Corrects NJ First Quarter Stats

Again, where did these people learn math and do these figures translate into a 2.9% increase?  Take a look at the figures...

Little Egg Harbor 2010 Third Quarter Housing Market 

Little Egg Harbor 2009 Third Quarter Housing Market

I was never a math whiz, but those figures don't add up to an increase in home values or an improvement in the housing market in Little Egg Harbor, my little piece of the world.

So take with a grain of sand NAR's figures, and if your looking to buy or sell a home at the Jersey Shore get someone that knows the market, The Local Market. 

My friend had her grandchildren spend the night last weekend, and as usual at bedtime the youngsters knelt beside their beds to say their prayers.  

From the living room my friend heard the normal prayer.  

The youngest began praying, "God Bless Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa."

But then at the top of his lungs he yelled, "I also pray for a new Power Wheels, a new Transfromers Helmet and an XBOX 360, Amen."

His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." 

The little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

Homes for Sale in Tuckerton - Tuckerton, NJ Housing Market Report-November 2010

There were about 70 homes in Tuckerton actively marketed for sale during November.  That is down a bit from the homes for sale in Tuckerton report for October.

Compared to one year ago, you'll see a great increase in days on the market, and a substantial decrease in the Tuckerton home sale prices.

Two homes that sold in November were Tuckerton waterfront homes, one was a Tuckerton foreclosure and one was a Tuckerton condo, and it was also a Tuckerton short sale.

If you'd like information on Tuckerton homes for sale, or the Tuckerton homes in this report, contact Tuckerton REALTOR® Laura Giannotta, or call 609-384-6121.

Coastal Heritage Trail at the Seaport, Tuckerton NJ

Information contained in this report is from the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service, and deemed reliable but not guaranteed.       

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin - Manahawkin NJ - Housing Market Report - November 2010

Homes for sale in Manahawkin averaged about 500 during the month of November, stable from the October Manahawkin Housing Market Report.  The report of homes for sale in Manahawkin is much better than the October report for our neighbors to the north in Barnegat.

The November 2010 Manahawkin Housing Report is not that different than the report for November in 2009.

Only one of the homes in Manahawkin that closed in November was a short sale and one was a Manahawkin foreclosure.  There were 4 Manahawkin adult community homes sold, 2 new Manahawkin condos, and 8 Manahawkin waterfront homes sold.

Do you have questions about this Manahawkin Housing Market Report?  Would you like to buy a home in Manahawkin,or have a home to sell? Click to contact Manahawkin REALTOR® Laura Giannotta or call 609.384.6121.  Laura is an Accredited Buyers Representative, listing and selling homes in  Manahawkin, Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton.

Monument to those lost at sea Manahawkin, NJ

Information in this report is from the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

Little Egg Harbor Open House Schedule - December 12

Four homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor can be viewed at Open Houses this weekend.  All the Little Egg Harbor Open Houses are scheduled for Sunday.  

If you have a buyer’s agent representing you, be sure to tell the REALTOR® conducting the Open House.  If you don't yet have an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), with advanced training in representing Little Egg Harbor home buyers, I'm Laura Giannotta, Little Egg Harbor REALTOR®.  Give me a call at 609-384-6121 or click here!  

If you’re planning to attend any Little Egg Harbor Open Houses on Sunday, remember to schedule some extra time to visit to Tuckerton Seaport for CHRISTKINDLMARKT.  Or better yet visit CHRISTKINDLMARKT Saturday and on Sunday, December 12th visit Little Egg Harbor Open Houses!

CHRISTKINDLMARKT is a two Day Spectacular...An old-fashioned Christmas featuring holiday crafts and gifts under huge heated tents. Sip hot mulled cider, enjoy chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sing-a-long with strolling carolers, children’s rides, horse drawn cart, entertainment, decoy carvers, quilt making, crafters, vendors, food, refreshments plus wine tasting by Valenzano Winery. New for 2010 – A Gingerbread Contest!