Hurricane Earl and The Jersey Shore

Here comes Hurricane Earl!

The Coast Guard is urging mariners to heed warnings as Hurricane Earl is expected to affect the mid-Atlantic region between North Carolina and New Jersey Thursday and Friday.

As Earl approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following safety messages:

Anticipate bridge closures. Mariners are advised that during strong storms drawbridges along the coast may deviate from the normal operating procedures. Drawbridges are authorized to remain closed upon the approach of gale force winds or higher as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations 117.35, which applies to "natural disasters or civil disorders." Mariners should anticipate bridge closures by listening to the National Weather Service and Coast Guard broadcasts on the storm conditions.

Keep Track of The Storm

Stay off the water. The Coast Guard's search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72-96 hours after a hurricane has passed through an area.

Get Correct Information

Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to these evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.

Know Your Evacuation Route

Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure they are not actually people in distress.

NJ OEM

Be cautious of hazardous materials. If you have hazardous materials on or near the water you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.

Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Earl. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.

Be Careful of Rip Tides

Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Earl through local television, radio and internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF channel 16.
See previous blog on Hurricane Season, here.

Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on The Jersey Shore
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Beach Access Rules Changing on The Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore municipalities will have more power to restrict public access to waterways under a state proposal.

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comment on new beach-access rules, described as a compromise that will let people enjoy the water without imposing demands on shore towns. The proposed regulations roll back the requirement that towns provide 24-hour beach access to receive state funds for beach-replenishment projects. Jersey Shore towns, like Barnegat Light or Stafford Township can set beach curfews, businesses can expand or renovate without adding more water access and the state will not withhold beach-replenishment money from resort towns that want their own stricter rules.

In an unusual move, the DEP released its proposal weeks before publishing it in the New Jersey Register to give people more time to comment.

Likewise, marinas along The Jersey Shore will not have to provide 24-hour access to the public if they want to renovate or expand their operations, and towns will not have to subscribe to strict rules about parking, public restrooms or beach access at state-designated intervals. And existing businesses will not have to provide new public access if they want to repair or expand.

Not everyone is a fan of the DEP's kinder, gentler approach to beach rules.The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club said the new rules are too lax and could limit public access to the water. "We knew the old rules were a bit of a reach, but we think the department went too far the other way," said Sierra Club spokesman Jeff Tittel.

The new rules, which will be drafted on a town-by-town basis, seem to give too much ground to municipalities like Beach Haven or Surf City that might see cost-savings in curbing waterway access.
The concern we have is there is no requirement for the towns a;ong The Jersey Shore to commit to public access. There is no hook to make them comply because (the DEP) took the beach-money incentive away. And there are no penalties for towns that do not comply.

In Long Beach Township, the public is denied entry to beach spans of up to two miles. In the Loveladies and North Beach (like Barnegat Light) sections, where street parking is prohibited and there are no public lots, there is virtually nowhere to leave a vehicle. Restrooms are equally rare.

With the new rulses, there is no real standard for what should be in a town's plan - so many access points per mile of beachfront, so many restrooms, and so many parking spaces. You don't want to make the rules hard and fast, but you want a range so towns have guidance, which could lead to less beach access along The Jersey Shore.

The state will publish the proposal Sept. 1 and conduct public hearings on the changes.


Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on The Jersey Shore

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Barnegat Library Hosts Farmer Jason

Farmer Jason at the Barnegat Library, Today!

I know you're thinking, ‘who?' Well, Farmer Jason is the alter-ego of Jason Ringenberg, a well know country music star.

When internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Ringenberg created his family music character Farmer Jason in 2003, he had no idea he was launching what would prove to be the most commercially successful creation of his storied career. With Jason and the Scorchers, he pioneered the fusion of punk rock and country that turned the music world on its ear in the mid-1980s. Their first record, Lost and Found, still shows up on critics' "best of the 1980s" lists, and there is an exhibit of them in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

Jason wanted to make a cd that his kids could listen to while he was out globetrotting. Since they lived on a small farm in Tennessee, he reckoned that a roots oriented record about farming and farm animals was just the ticket. Hence the first Farmer Jason cd, A day in the Live of Farmer Jason, was born. He released it "purely for fun" in the fall of 2003, delighted to hear his daughters singing along. That was the peak of his ambition for it.

To his surprise, soon lots of other daughters and little sons were singing along as well. Disney's magazine called it "one of the Top 5 Family CDs of 2003. "Farmer Jason," was soon doing concerts from inner city schools in Brooklyn to country fairs in rural Norway. In 2006 he released Rockin' the Forest with Farmer Jason. With its stick in your head hooks and subtle lessons about ecology and nature appreciation, the record earned rave reviews, including the Parents Choice Gold Medal. Its success generated even heavier touring around the world, including many major European and US festivals. USA Today has called the Farmer Jason show "one of the most memorable.
What started out as a simple side project to entertain his own daughters has grown into a worldwide band wagon pulled by a tractor and a singing farmer. You can bet the tractor will keep on rolling.

The Barnegat Library contains thousands of books, scores of reference volumes, audio cassettes, videos and other materials for public use. All books are searchable by subject, title, or author in the library system's computerized database that is tied into the county-wide system. You can even reserve a book and have it sent to the Barnegat branch when it becomes available. The library has full PC workstations and a children's area.

Ocean County Library, Barnegat Branch
112 Burr Street, Barnegat - (609) 698-3331

Karl Hess, Barnegat, Your Agent on The Jersey Shore

Hurricane Season on The Jersey Shore

or "Why are they naming Hurricanes after my family members?" (see bottom of post).

The coming Atlantic hurricane season could be one of the busiest on record, with the possibility of the next 2 months bringing nearly as many hurricanes as in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf coast, federal forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said.

More recent hurricane seasons have been relatively easy on the U.S. coast, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projected a 70% chance of 14 to 23 named storms this season, with eight to 14 growing into hurricanes. Three to seven of those hurricanes could be major, NOAA warned, citing a brew of hurricane-friendly conditions, including warming ocean water and a weakening El Niño system.

Forecasters say conditions for hurricanes are favorable because of rapid warming of the Gulf of Mexico and the ebbing of El Niño, a warming of surface ocean waters in the Pacific that also produces wind shears in the Atlantic that can tamp down storm development. It is especially important if you live on The Jersey Shore in places like Long Beach Island. Click here for NJ Office of Emergency Management

PREPARATION: Before you see this on your TV screen, have a disaster plan:

Again, be prepared BEFORE disaster strikes: HAVE A DISASTER PLAN. Planning information is also available at FEMA web-sites.
1. Arrange NOW with a relative or friend out of this area to take messages from you in an emergency and to have worried relatives call ONLY that telephone number to inquire of your safety. Phone lines in the area might be damaged and, if not, they will be heavily utilized.

2. Keep irreplaceable papers, such as birth & marriage certificates, deeds, car titles, FLOOD insurance and HOMEOWNER policies, etc., in one spot so they can be easily placed in plastic and ready for transport in the event an evacuation is ordered.
3. Stock up on non-perishable essentials such as canned food and bottled water. Include manual can opener and utensils.
4. Have a battery operated radio and flashlights with supply of batteries. Keep an adequate supply of prescription drugs on hand.

5. Keep tree limbs trimmed, especially if they hang over wires or your house. Remove any loose lying materials from your yard; i.e., chairs, tables, wood, propane tanks, trash cans, etc.

6. If you have a pet, purchase a pet carrier and arrange with a vet to have your pet housed in an emergency. Pets are not allowed in shelters.

7. Make sure your vehicle is serviced with a full tank of gas.

As a lighter note, here are the list of names for the upcoming hurricane season, and my name is on the list, as well as my son's, my daughter's, a nephew, two brothers and a sister...that doesn't sound like a good omen...maybe I should move inland.

Karl Hess, Barnegat,
Your Agent on the Jersey Shore

Barnegat Light on "Coolest Town" List

Barnegat Light, on The Jersey Shore, has been selected as one of 21 nominees for “America's Coolest Small Towns.” from coast to coast.

Barnegat Light is located at the northern end of Long Beach Island. This quaint little borough of less than one square mile has a winter population of a little more than 700 and hasn't changed much over the last century.

Fishing is still "big business," just as it was when the English Crown first deeded the area in 1692. Barnegat Light is the homeport to many members of the East Coast's Longline Fleet. These fishermen set their sights on larger fish such as tuna and swordfish and regularly fish in high seas several hundred miles offshore, along The Jersey Shore.

 

Barnegat Light's most famous inhabitant is "Old Barney," the red and white-banded Barnegat Lighthouse situated at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. This 172-foot-tall structure, designed by Gen. George Meade and commissioned January 1, 1859, is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States. Although the tower's light was "snuffed out" in 1944, "Old Barney" still attracts thousands of visitors every summer to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.

 

Besides being home to Barnegat Lighthouse, one of the last remaining tracts of maritime forest on Long Beach Island is also located in the park. Birdwatchers can view some diverse species of our "feathered friends," as the park is a key resting and feeding ground for birds migrating to and from their breeding areas.

Barnegat Light is a mostly inhabited by retirees and former "Long Beach Islanders," who now maintain summer homes there.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a New Jersey icon, is one New Jersey's longest offshore island, about four miles at sea, but able to reached by car.

Unlike many state and federal parks, admission is free, parking is conveniently close to the lighthouse, one of the tallest in the nation and there is an interpretative center open limited hours which has displays on the history of this lighthouse, the environment around it and the wildlife, particularly birds, that frequent it. If you are lucky, in the winter you may catch a Harbor Seal taking a sunbath on the jetty which extends out into the ocean. The part is extraordinarily small, but in addition to the lighthouse, walkway jetty and interpretative center, there is a small maritime forest with a trail. Jan. 1, 2009 the light was reactivated after six decades of darkness with a pencil-beam that can be seen 21 miles from The Jersey Shore.

The Friends of Island Beach State Park sponsor activities including a seasonal lecture series.  The slender round tower is red on top and white on the bottom. The 217 steps can be climbed for $1 in season; free out of season. The view from the top is breath-taking and tells the story of The Jersey Shore. To the north is Island Beach State Park, looking much the way it did when Henry Hudson sailed in the area. To the south is dense development with the Atlantic City casinos visible on the horizon on a clear day. There's fishing for the jetties and docks, but no swimming.



Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on The Jersey Shore

Walking to School in Barnegat

Walking to School in Barnegat

I know this is going to sound like one of those “when I was kid we had to….” stories, but this “new” idea of encouraging children to walk to school has me smiling.

Growing up in Cape May, it was an unspoken reality that almost everyone walked to school. My childhood home was about 1 mile from Cape May Elementary School, so I started walking when I was 7 or 8 years old. The only kids that didn’t walk, if I remember correctly, where the children from the Coast Guard Base.

So this new imitative in Barnegat to build sidewalks for kids to walk to school has me a little amused and, I must admit, I little befuddled. Befuddled, because I’m not sure what took the city administrators, both past and present, so long to come up with the idea.

The construction has begun on nearly two miles of sidewalks that will connect some neighborhoods to schools — making it safer for students to walk and saving the school district thousands of dollars a year in transportation costs. Crews began pouring cement last week on a length of sidewalk along Bengal Boulevard leading to the Donahue Elementary School. More sidewalks will be constructed on from surrounding Barnegat neighborhoods and a new pathway will connect the Brackman Middle School and Cecil S. Collins Elementary School.

The sidewalks, which have long been discussed among activists as an alternative to expensive busing, will cost the township about $500,000 in bonded money. The cost of the sidewalks will run about $230,000.
Barnegat school superintendent said that the district's transportation budget will decrease by $675,000 as a result of adopting the Safe Routes to Schools program, staff cuts, administrative reductions and not purchasing new buses. "The sidewalk project should reduce our transportation budget annually by an estimated $150,000 to $200,000 per year, so, over a 10-year period, that is over a million dollars," he said.

My question remains; “Why did it take so long to figure this out?” Besides, when I was a kid, I had to walk to school, barefoot, in the snow, and uphill…both ways!

Looking for Barnegat Homes for Sale, within walking distance to area schools...look no further than "TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com"

Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on The Jersey Shore

Double Trouble State Park

Watershed that supplies Barnegat linked to State Park In Ocean County

Double Trouble State Park offers an outstanding example of the Pine Barrens ecosystem and a window into the Pine Barrens history. The park provides the protection and interpretation of over 8000 acres of significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources representative of the Pinelands National Reserve.

Its location and resource base afford an opportunity to introduce visitors to The Jersey Shore's natural and cultural heritage. Both the natural environment, consisting of a high quality Pinelands watershed, and an extremely well preserved historic village associated with New Jersey cranberry agriculture and Atlantic White Cedar logging and milling industries are available to visitors at Double Trouble State Park.

There are conflicting stories about the naming of Double Trouble. Most of the common legends centered around the dam on Cedar Creek. The earliest story attributes the name to Thomas Potter who coined the words "Double Trouble" after spring rains washed out the dam two times in one season.

A more colorful legend involves local muskrats that persisted in gnawing at the dam, which caused frequent leaks. Such leaks gave rise to the alarm "Here's trouble", upon which workmen would rush to repair the leak. One day two breaks were discovered and one worker overheard the shout "Here's double trouble". Whatever the origin of the name, most sources suggest that the unusual title was born with the start of the cranberry industry.

Double Trouble Village was typical of company towns built in the Pine Barrens. These isolated communities were entirely self-sufficient and totally dependent on the success of the particular industry. The restored sawmill and cranberry packing house contain nearly intact equipment. Those two buildings were the focus of life and work in the village, which also includes a late 19th century one room schoolhouse, general store, bunk house, cook house, shower house, maintenance shop, pickers' cottages and the foreman's house. The restored sawmill and cranberry packing house are open during guided village tours, while the remaining buildings have been adaptively reused or are not restored and are closed.

The village was purchase by the State of New Jersey in 1964 to help protect the Cedar Creek watershed. The Double Trouble Historic District was placed on the State Register of Historic Places in 1977 and on the National Register in 1978.

The Cedar Creek watershed lies mostly in Berkeley and Lacey Townships and drains an area of 54.3 square miles and drains into Barnegat Bay, and is part of the Barnegat Bay Watershed Management Area.

This move in condition colonial, near Double Trouble State Park has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, new eat in kitchen, dining room, living room with fireplace and a family room. Large master suite has walk in closet and full bath. Entertain on multi decked back yard with heated in ground pool. Walking distance to all schools and easy access to Garden State Parkway. Minutes to Barnegat Bay and Long Beach Island.

Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on the Jersey Shore

Popcorn Park Zoo on The Jersey Shore

Zoo on The Jersey Shore (no, not that MTV show!)

About ten miles west of Barnegat Bay, you’ll find The Popcorn Park Zoo which was established in 1977 by the Associated Humane Society for the sole purpose of providing a refuge for wildlife that were sick, elderly, abandoned, abused, or injured, and which could no longer survive in its natural habitat. As time went on, they expanded to include exotic and domestic animals. Over 200 of these animals and birds now live in spacious surroundings in the heart of the scenic Pine Barrens in southern Ocean County. The Zoo, which is federally licensed, comprises seven acres and is graced by the indigenous Scrub Oak and Scrub Pine.

You may be greeted at the gate by a gaggle of geese, which is no suprise this close to Barnegat Bay, but soon you will see a marvelous array of animals including African lions, tigers, mountain lions, a camel, emus, rheas, Australian wallabies and more. Many different types of monkeys clamor for your attention in the monkey house, and the Zoo abounds with all kinds of native wildlife such as white-tailed and fallow deer, bobcats, an American black bear (which is ingenious to The Jersey Shore), and a raccoon. Farm animals such as horses, steer, sheep, pigs and goats often look for a handout, and reptiles and tortoises enjoy their own special house. In addition, you¹ll find numerous species of birds have made themselves comfortable throughout the zoo.

But what makes Popcorn Park so special is that each animal was rescued from suffering, exploitation and/or death - each has its own unique story to tell. You can learn these stories as you walk through the Zoo.

The Associated Humane Societies is a full-service humane society operating three animal care centers in New Jersey, and Popcorn Park Zoo, a refuge for handicapped, abused, exploited, ill, injured and elderly wildlife, birds, exotic, and farm animals.

You can visit the Popcorn Park Zoo regularly from this beautiful home located in Forked River on The Jersey Shore. This house has been completely renovated with 2 bedrooms and a guest/office room. Open floor plan, breakfast bar, and dining area overlooking lagoon, minutes to Barnegat Bay.  Enjoy the views from your two level deck…a great find.

Karl Hess, Barnegat
Your Agent on The Jersey Shore