Who isn't looking for new ways to save money? Here in the Garden State (New Jersey), what better way to save some cash this summer than a vegetable and/or herb garden.   While it's still a little early to get vegetable plants in the ground here at the Jersey Shore, it's not too early to prepare. For example, this year I'm planting tomatoes (if you haven't tasted a Jersey Tomato you don't know what you're missing), oregano, basil and maybe some peppers.   The first step in starting your garden is choosing an appropriate size and site. Here's a graph to help determine what will grow best in the garden area you select.  You can also sketch out your garden and select the types of plants.No matter what you grow, the most important consideration is the amount of sunlight. A successful vegetab... 03/29/2009

  Ocean Ice Cream in Manahawkin Is Now Open for the Season!   It's that time of year again when the well known Ocean Ice Cream opens for a new season of homemade ice cream delights.     They are open EVERY DAY from 12-8. (Hours will expand during the summer months)   Come and try one of their many delicious flavors of their homemade ice cream.  They also offer soft ice cream along with flavor burst.  You can turn any of these into sundaes, banana splits, and much more.  For those looking for a lighter dessert, they offer low fat frozen yogurt in several flavors and sugar free ice cream also.   Ocean Ice Cream Owner: Dick Knowles Rt. 72 West in Manahawkin, NJ 609-597-3440   Jennifer Kipila Muldowney Family Team Van Dyk Group     03/10/2009

There are many reasons we love the month of March here at the Jersey Shore.  Among them, we're very close to beach badge season and that means summer's almost here.     But there's another reason, it's Girl Scout cookie season! Unlike the days when I sold cookies door to door, we now have booth sales.  This way the girls have supervision to keep them safe.  Even better, you get your cookie on the spot!  If you're jonesing for Girls Scout cookies, here are the booth dates in Barnegat, Manahawkin, and Tuckerton!   Manahawkin, NJ Girls Scout Cookie Sales  Date Location City Start Time End Time Mar 7, 2009 LowesRoute 72 Manahawkin 10:00 am 3:00 pm Mar 7, 2009 Ocean Acres Community Center207 Nautilus Dr Manahawkin 8:00 am 12:00 pm Mar 8, 2009 LowesRoute 72 Manahawkin 10:00 am 3:00 pm Mar 8, ... 03/06/2009

 In reading the Most Recent post by Jim Crawford-  Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO Buying the Listing! Understanding Deceptive Listing Techniques. -  I needed to follow up as he sparked a controversial subject and one that it seems to be the  in my own area seems to be the practice-,It amazes me  when I look at the daily updates posted on the MLS board.   I can pick out immediatly who the culprits are- It's the Same Agents- From the Same Agencies- Over and Over Again-  They are making false promises to sellers about the current market and what They can sell their home for- only to have the home sell 6 to 8 months later for 30%  Less.  What are these agents thinking?    My question to them is:  Do you really need the signs out on non saleable inventory?  Do you think that to... 01/25/2009

It was sort of a gray day at the Jersey Shore today...fog, snow and a chill in the air!  Nonetheless, fresh snow on the pines is beautiful...    This is a photo from the Park just up the street from my house in the Ocean Acres section of Manahawkin, NJ.  Everything looks great with a little snow! I'm sure the kids weren't happy the snow came today, when they already had a holiday!  (Snow days are still my favorite!)  The kids are behind me sledding and sliding down the hill (actually it's a small slope, but that's the Jersey Shore)! 01/19/2009

Our Gang Players, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is southern Ocean County's not for profit community theater group! And this Easter they're bringing Kansas to southern Ocean County with a production of the Wizard of Oz. Right now they're looking for little munchkins (not the doughnut kind) for the show, and a well behaved little dog to play ToTo.  If you're small of stature or have a little dog that's itching to be a star, contact the Our Gang Players at 609-597-0553 or email them.The Easter show will be held at the Stafford Township Arts Center OceanFirst Theater on April 8 - 13, with no shows on Good Friday or on Easter Sunday.   Click here for a complete schedule of 2009 shows.  The first 'Our Gang Players' show in December 1977 was performed in Surf City, since then the group has call... 01/09/2009

Can it really be December?  Weather is unpredictable here at the Jersey Shore, but this is crazy!The temperature out side is hovering around 60 degrees!  Way too warm for December 28th, but no matter how shortlived, I'll take it!Just to remind myself that 'tis the season, I checked out some recent photos of my neighborhood, Ocean Acres in Manahawkin!   And of course, the Christmas Table! Even in the 60 degree weather, it's Christmas at the Jersey Shore! Keller Wiliams Atlantic Shore Laura Giannotta 12/28/2008

  Some Additions to the Standard Questions When planning to sell or rent a property, landlords or sellers should always have a list of questions to ask each REALTOR® when interviewing their prospective agent. It’s important to know your agent is full time, has experience or works with experienced REALTORS®, and can implement a successful marketing plan. There are other core questions, but there are also some that don’t receive the attention they deserve. Does This Agent Play Well With Others? As important as market questions and overall strategy, what are your REALTOR’s® view on working with other agents? How will your REALTOR® handle… The Phone…is it answered or is the call returned immediately? Marketing…will your listing be updated promptly so agents aren’t showing my home that’s alr... 12/28/2008

Tis the season, so let's make it safe for both pets and pet owners.  Here are some things to remember as we finish decorating for the holiday.     +Secure the Christmas tree so it doesn't tip or fall.  Make sure your 4 legged friends can't get to the water, which may contain fertilizers.   +Kittens, cats and even my little dog, love tinsel!  They think it's a toy, but when swallowed it can lead to obstructions in the digestive tract.   +Make sure the gifts you give your pet are safe and appropriate!  If your pet enjoys opening gifts, make sure they're supervised to they don't ingest bows or wrapping paper. Even better, get your pet an Emergency First Aid Kit for Christmas.  It should include:        -a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)        -a turke... 12/22/2008

Homes in Beach Haven West! The Beach Haven West section of Stafford Township or Manahawkin, NJ began in the mid 50’s.  It is located on was known as Remson Meadows (which were salt marshes) along the Manahawkin bay front. In 1950, the salt marshes were bought by the Shapiro brothers.  They developed vacation homes up and down the Jersey Shore. Using a dredge towed up from North Carolina, construction began on Beach Haven West's 130-plus saltwater lagoons and 5,000 single-family homes. Beach Haven West was built in phases, the first opening in 1957. The first phase contained the lagoons and cul-de-sacs between Morris Boulevard and Jennifer Lane. The second phase was completed in the 60’s and covered the area between Jonathan Drive and Walter Boulevard.  The third phase followed, and tha... 12/18/2008

Southern Ocean County, New Jersey can be a bit confusing. Take, for example, Stafford Township. While Stafford Township is the name of the actual municipality, our post office is Manahawkin, NJ 08050. The population stands at nearly 25,000 and is nearly fully developed according to the Stafford Township Master Plan. The final build out is expected to be completed by 2014, bringing the total population to approximately 28,000. Within the boundaries of Stafford Township there are several communities. Communities within Stafford include Manahawkin, Cedar Run, Mayetta and most of Warren Grove. Moving counterclockwise from the western boundary, housing areas include Warren Grove, Ocean Breeze, Fawn Lakes and Atlantic Hills (adult communities), Ocean Acres (by far the largest development), De... 12/17/2008

 It would be hard to find anything really good in the current economic crisis that is affecting nearly all of us whether it is directly or indirectly. However what has happened or will happen is an appreciation for the simple things in life like having a job, roof over your head and food to eat.  I have heard many people in the past few weeks say they are just happy to have a job andthey don't even care that some of the perks that might have gone with that are gone.  Is it possible that we will learn to live with less and in the end not worry about trying to keep up with others but be content with what we do have? Only time will tell but we are heading in that direction, not by choice but by necessity. As long as people have a few dollars they will spend during the holiday season but th... 12/15/2008

While it might not seem like much to Jesse in Fairbanks, Alaska or Steve up on Loon Mountain, New Hampshire...it's cold at the Jersey Shore. Now I know I'm whining and winter's not even here yet, but it's 25 degrees out there!  It's going to be colder tomorrow. It's windy, the sun's not shining and look what appeared on my deck overnight...That's snow!!!! We probably won't get much more snow than this, since I now have a snow blower and it's all gased up!  (That purchase was made several years ago, and since then we haven't had enough snow to use it!) So brace yourself for my "It's cold at the Jersey Shore Whine..." Beach badges go on sale in May! Keller Williams Atlantic Shore, Laura Giannotta www.JerseyShoreViews.com  12/07/2008

121 Bowsprit Rd., Stafford Township, NJLocation: Ocean AcresThis 4 bedroom 2 bath cape with decking off the Master Suite upstairs. Spacious open floor plan brings natural lighting. New tiled bathroom, skylights and full appliance package makes this a GREAT summer retreat or year round living.InformationContact Information Janis OlsonSoldbyJanis@aol.com609-978-4046Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingPrice: $299,900.00Visit Website: www.SoldbyJanis.comCall Me Direct: 609-276-1741Property Location121 BowspritManahawkin, NJ 08050View MapFeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2Year Built: 1979Subdivision: Ocean AcresLot Size: 75 x 120School District: Stafford Twp./Southern RegionalSquare Footage: 1476Agent Name: Patricia M. RomanoBroker: RE/MAX At Barnegat BayMLS #: 3029908Bu... 12/03/2008

Tired of the Malls? If you’re tired of shopping malls, Sunday will provide you with the perfect opportunity to get some gifts for anyone on your list with a love of all things comic books. It’s the 14th Annual Atomicon Comic Book Exposition at the Holiday Inn on Route 72 East in Manahawkin! The show is put together by Tuckerton resident Ken Fedunieweicz, a comic book artist and colorist. He holds two to three shows annually, giving an opportunity to independent comic book creators to showcase their work. Admission is free, and the Exposition opens at 10am and is open til 4pm, Sunday November 30th. The show includes hourly raffles and T-shirts, DVD’s, action figures, collectible comics and video games will be sold! See you there! Homes for Sale in Manahawkin Keller Williams Atlantic Shor... 11/27/2008

Mortgages Are Still Available, Despite the Credit Crunch The recent months have been marked with great chaos and disruption as the financial crisis took its toll on the mortgage, investment and lending markets. Our nation, as well as the rest of the world, has feared for a total collapse until the financial problems were one-by-one resolved and the gravity of its effects countered. Presently, despite the fact that a credit crunch still exists, current homeowners and prospective home buyers still have much to look forward to. Government Bailout and Interest Rate CutsCredit may be tight, but it is not frozen! Thanks to the government's recent bailout, individuals throughout the nation are still able to find conforming and FHA-insured mortgages. With the United States Department of Housin... 11/23/2008

October, 2008 Manahawkin (Stafford Twp) Market Report New listings in Manahawkin dropped slightly in October when compared to September, with 86 new single family residential units coming on the market. Compared to October, 2007 sales are down slightly (2 units) as well. The important thing to note is the list price and sales price. In 2007, homes sold much closer to list price than they did this past October. So if you’re planning to sell, and want to sell quickly, use recent comparables (homes like yours and in your neighborhood). If you’re a buyer, comparables will be invaluable in making a fair offer and getting the best deal! You can view the entire Manahawkin (Stafford Township) October, 2008 Market Report here. If you’d like comparables (comps) in your neighborhood or your prefe... 11/11/2008

How It Came About...A Brief History   Veterans Day, honoring military veterans is an annual holiday. It is not only a federal holiday; it is recognized and celebrated by every state. It is usually celebrated on November 11th. In other parts of the world it is also celebrated, but called Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, by Germany, that ended World War I. The major hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.   It was first celebrated on November 11th in 1919, with a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson.  However, it was Al King, a shop owner in Emporia, Kansas and active member of the WW II American War Dads, and the local Chamber of Commerce that kicked it up a notch. They had ... 11/10/2008

Are you curious as to what the action going on in the real estate market in Manahawkin, NJ?  Here is a list of what has recently gone under contract in Stafford Township. Curious about what they sold for compared to thier list price?  Sign up for auto emails of what has sold in your neighborhood.  Email me at CharleneGrantRealtor@yahoo.com or call 609-312-6625.   Charlene Grant, Realtor Associate Century 21 Pacesetter, 325 E. Route72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 609-978-5000 Call Direct at 609-312-6625 Visit online: www.ShopJerseyShoreHomes.com  to sign up for auto-emails of all the new hot listings!  Probate homes, foreclosures, short sales, hud homes, waterfronts, vacation homes, residential re-sales, adult communities, new construction, co-ops, rentals.       55 Dogwood               List P... 11/02/2008

A Purr-fect Day!   The Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter hopes to start a tradition tomorrow, November 1st…the Annual Fall Fur Fest! There’s a Halloween Pet Party, with prizes for best, scariest and most original pet costumes. Come by between 1pm and 4pm for tips on animal health, grooming and training. You can also check out the Ocean County K-9 unit, a truly amazing group of dogs and handlers. If you haven’t been to the new facility on Haywood Roadin Manahawkin, this is the purr-fect opportunity to tour the new shelter. It’s also a great time to sign up as a volunteer at the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility, or interview a new pet pal for his or her forever home! Now is the time to put the Mittens and Rowdy campaign aside, and have some fun!  (Please make sure your pets are up... 10/30/2008