Manahawkin's recent snow storm did not come cheap!  Manahawkin (Stafford Township) officials report the snow cleanup cost Manahawkin residents $216,000. The $216,000 expenditure includes overtime, materials and repairs to the trucks in Manahawkin. According to the National Weather Service, snow in Manahawkin totaled 2 feet during the storm on December 19th and 20th. Some interesting factoids about snow removal in Manahawkin: Manahawkin streets consist of 675 lane miles. Manahawkin snow removal is a joint effort between the Stafford Township Public Works and Water & Sewer Departments. The Public Works Department in Manahawkin has 9 salt spreaders with plows and 24 trucks with only plows. The Water & Sewer Department in Manahawkin has one salt spreader truck and 7 with plows only. It ta... 01/01/2010

The Affair or Battle of Cedar Bridge 2009, 227 Years Later The 2009 reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Bridge in Barnegat took place on December 27th, 227 years after it was originally fought.  The weather was warm and sunny, I wonder how much different the scene at the Old Cedar Bridge Tavern really was. The original Cedar Bridge Tavern in 1782 had no porch, and the two windows to the left were part of an addition in the 1800's. The Burlington Militia stops for refreshment at the Cedar Bridge Tavern, after a fruitless search of Manahawkin for John Bacon and other Loyalists. What do they find on the Bridge, Bacon and some of his followers. A skirmish ensues (at that time they called it an Affair). Finally locals, hearing the commotion rally and provide cover for Bacon and his men to esc... 12/27/2009

If you’re Christmas shopping in Manahawkin, think spending locally! With only 4 shopping days until Christmas, why not bypass those big box stores and put some money back into the local economy. Here are some suggestions: A gift certificate for a great seafood dinner at Exit 63 Seafood Corner.     Have friends with pets, or does your pet need a vacation after a busy holiday?  Try a gift certificate or a pet spa visit at Lucky’s Bed and Biscuit. While the outside shopping stalls are closed, at the Manahawkin Flea Market you can find a number of indoor shops.  Great for gifts and gift certificates. Still haven’t picked up your Christmas Tree and wreath?  Just up Route 72 in Manahawkin is the Green Tree Garden Center. They have cut and fresh trees!   All that shopping and you’ve not left M... 12/20/2009

What do you do at the Jersey Shore in the middle of the season’s first snow storm?     Manahawkin’s snow plows haven’t yet been deployed, and the snow is still heavy.  So what to do? It’s Christmas, make biscotti! The word Biscotti means a twice baked cookie or biscuit.  The word is from the Latin biscoctus, meaning "twice-cooked/baked".  The Latin word described oven baked goods that were baked twice, so they were very dry and could be stored for long periods of time. Pliny the Elder, an early Roman commander, historian and philosopher, boasted that these goods would be edible for centuries.   Perhaps a very early version of a fruitcake!   Chocolate Biscotti, cooling after the second bake!   Chocolate Biscotti 2 cups all purpose flour ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¾ tsp baking soda ½... 12/19/2009

Manahawkin Homes For Sale - November 2009 Manahawkin, NJ Housing Market Report Manahawkin homes for sale increased in November with inventory at about 450.  But the November sales of Manahawkin homes also increased, more than doubling 2008 numbers. Manahawkin,NJ NewListings UnderContract Expired Sold Days onMarket MedianSold Price November  2009 58 32 39 36 119 $285,750 Take a look at November, 2008... Manahawkin,NJ NewListings UnderContract Expired Sold Days onMarket MedianSold Price November  2008 51 30 36 15 138 $325,000 While the median price of Manahawkin homes sold in November saw a dramtic drop since one year ago, it is up from October, 2009 by about $3,000.  Only 11 of the 36 Manahawkin homes that closed in November were waterfront, ranging in price from $245,000 to $600,000. Al... 12/17/2009

Can I use the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if I don’t have perfect credit?You might have thought that you couldn’t meet the deadline to qualify for a tax credit on a home purchase because your credit score is less than perfect.  But the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey is now law, and you have six more months!  That will give you some room to work on your credit score.  The extended tax credit program offers first time home buyers six more months to get a home under contract to qualify for the $8,000.  The expanded tax credit program allows homeowners, who’ve lived in their homes for five of the last eight years, to qualify for a $6,500 credit. The first step to see if you can take advantage of the expanded and ... 11/08/2009

Homes for sale in Manahawkin - October, 2009 Housing Market Report Manahawkin, NJ New Listings Under Contract  Expired   Sold  Days on Market MedianSold Price October 2009 94 47 35 32 110 $282,450 October 2008 92 23 56 33 122 $298,500 The number of homes for sale in Manahawkin (inventory) was down in October, 2009 over 2008 by more than 100 units.   As you can see, prices are also down.  With enactment and expansion of the homebuyers tax credit, I expect the prices of homes for sale in Manahawkin to continue to inch up.  The median sold price of homes in Manahawkin increased in October, 2009 more than $10,000 over September, 2009.If you'd like neighborhood specific information on homes for sale in Manahawkin (Stafford Township, NJ), or are interested in pricing your home to sell, contac... 11/07/2009

Home lookings and home buying dreamers.  You only have 65 days left to take advantage of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit in which you can deduct from your 2009 income taxes.   Also, have you owned a home in the past and sold it and rented for the past 3 years?  Guess what, you qualify as a first time home buyer again.    There are many mortgage programs available for you with FHA 3.5% down and USDA 100% financing.  In todays market you can also negotiate the sellers to pay your closing costs.   Home prices are dropping and now is the time to make an offer.  Call me for a home buying consultation and let me assist you in the emotional roller coster of the transaction of purchasing your first home in Manahawkin New Jersey at the Jersey Shore.  As of today in Manahwkin, NJ ther... 09/28/2009

Buying a home at the Jersey Shore – What you need to know about homes and communities.New Jersey has a long coastline, and most waterfront communities in Monmouth County and south call themselves the Jersey Shore.   My Jersey Shore is southern Ocean County, from Waretown (Ocean Township) down to Little Egg Harbor.  Each town, Waretown, Barnegat, Manahawkin, Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor have waterfront sections.Homes in these communities vary, from old summer bungalows to new 3500 square foot mini mansions.  While you’re deciding on the type of real estate agent and mortgage lender representation you want, you’ll probably be narrowing your internet search for a new home. Here are some things to take into consideration in narrowing your search for the right home and community. What are... 08/22/2009

The 'Hawkin Deli in Manahawkin brings real NJ deli taste to the Jersey Shore! While New Jersey might be informally known as the Diner State, we do love our delis.  If you grew up in New Jersey, deli sandwiches are a way of life! The 'Hawkin Deli is a relative newcomer to Manahawkin.  But it brings great deli sandwiches to the Jersey Shore.  Used to be the only deli available around here was from specialty shops (too expensive) or chain sandwich stores (too boring). Located at 100 McKinley Avenue (the road running from Route 9, parallel to Route 72, behind ShopRite and Wal-Mart), the 'Hawkin Deli offers the usual hot and cold subs, plus specialty sandwiches, great for lunch or a fast dinner. I’ll often stop for my mid morning breakfast sandwich, the New Jersey staple, Pork Roll, Egg and ... 08/13/2009

Green Tree Garden Center and Landscaping in Manahawkin, NJ provides area residents with healthy indoor and outdoor plants, as well as great landscape design.  Located at 1412 Route 72 (just past the WaWa) in Manahawkin, I'm always stopping by to check out the shrubs and trees, and to chat about my small garden.Yesterday's visit was to pick up organic fertilizer for my tomato plants.  They're having a tough summer. Loads of tomatoes early on, but nothing new!   I found out from Jim Ruta, owner of Green Tree Garden Center, that I'm not alone.  It's the wet summer at the Jersey Shore that's caused many a home gardener problems with their crops.Manahawkin's Green Tree Garden Center and Landscaping offers a full range of organic fertilizers for everything from flowers to tomatoes.  It's the ... 08/09/2009

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin Housing Market Trends July, 2009 Take a look housing market trends in Manahawkin.  More homes in Manahawkin were listed in July and fewer sold than in June, and the number of listings to expire also increased in July.  With time running out on the first time buyer $8,000 tax credit , home buyers in Manahawkin should act now!  Inventory stands at 378 single family homes for sale in Manahawkin.  Homes in Manahawkin, NJ New UnderContract Sold Days onMarket MedianSold Price January, 2009 98 25 15 128 $295,000 February, 2009 101 24 20 118 $271,250 March, 2009 105 28 18 123 $275,000 April, 2009 97 45 22 103 $248,195 May 2009 103 45 39 115 $259,000 June, 2009 83 56 45 146 $275,000 July, 2009 95 47 29 111 $297,000 You can compare the figures above to those for the s... 08/07/2009

Fresh seafood in Manahawkin does not have to involve a ride over the Causeway to Long Beach Island.  A great Manahawkin seafood option is the Exit 63 Seafood Corner, located at 743 E Bay Avenue in Manahawkin! Open year round, Exit 63 Seafood Corner combines great prepared seafood and a fresh fish market.  On my last visit, I had Blackened Tuna over rice ($19.00), while my dining partner had a wonder seafood combination in a white wine garlic sauce over linguini (also $19.).  There are daily specials, and it's the freshest seafood in Manahawkin. This time of year it's good to have a local Manahawkin seafood restaurant, because after a long day the last thing you want is to battle the crowds at restaurants on Long Beach Island. The Exit 63 Seafood Corner building itself is small, and it's... 08/05/2009

Shop the Manahawkin Flea Market…You’ll find something for everyone! The Manahawkin Flea Market burned to the ground in 2007, but it’s back and shopping in Manahawkin is better than ever! Outside shopping from Friday through Sunday is from 10 til 5, but Manahawkin Flea Market’s inside vendors are open daily.  You have to keep coming back…the outside weekend vendors change!  The Manahawkin Flea Market now has a new name (since the 2007 fire)…It’s called the Manahawkin Mart, but it’s still as good as you remember. Want sun glasses, try the Manahawkin Flea Market, how about some beach towels, sun dresses, a new handbag or something to replace that pottery you smashed in your rental?  Find it all at the Manahawkin Flea Market! If you have stuff to sell, rent an outside table and someone will... 08/02/2009

Lucky’s Bed and Biscuit in Manahawkin has taken pet boarding and pet day care to the next level! Lucky’s B & B pampers its canine guests with what you’d expect, pet grooming and boarding.   But Lucky’s kicks it up a notch offering an indoor salt water pool, a full room service menu, all spa services (massage, pedicures and facials), indoor and outdoor activities, one on one time with humans and for those social canines, Yappy Hour. You can even check in on your pooch via a live webcam on the Lucky’s B & B website. There are 76 suites available for dog vacationers, and 25 suites available for our feline friends.  In the VIP suites, your dog can watch his favorite TV shows.  Not to worry if TV’s not his thing, there’s always soothing music playing and 24/7 human supervision. Lucky’s Bed a... 07/31/2009

Monthly Housing Market ReportManahawkin (Stafford Township), New Jersey 08050June, 2009Single Family Sales Comparisons Manahawkin,New Jersey  NewListings UnderContract Expired Sold DaysMarket MedianSoldPrice Jan 2009 83 24 48 15 130 $295,000 Feb 2009 77 18 25 20 119 $271,250 Mar 2009 84 25 35 17 122 $275,000 Apr 2009 84 39 26 21 98 $255,000 May 2009 82 39 37 36 111 $276,250 Jun 2009 65 49 30 41 122 $295,000 Compare these figures to those during the same period of 2008 Manahawkin,New Jersey NewListings UnderContract Expired Sold Days onMarket MedianSold Price Jan 2008 93 27 54 22 102 $275,000 Feb 2008 91 39 34 23 92 $288,400 Mar 2008 92 34 21 25 88 $330,000 Apr 2008 97 41 42 32 94 $278,500 May 2008 89 33 34 32 92 $299,255 Jun 2008 89 29 36 30 91 $268,750 Keller Williams Realty - Atlanti... 07/06/2009

It's late spring at the Jersey Shore, and that means the American Cancer Society's signature activity, Relay for Life, is fast approaching in southern Ocean County.  If you haven't heard of Relay for Life, it offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the battle to end cancer.  Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking a path or track.  Participants get friends, neighbors, relatives and businesses to sponsor their miles in this two day event!  Here in Manahawkin, (Stafford Township) New Jersey Relay for Life takes place at the Southern Regional High School, beginning Friday, May 29, 2009.  If you'd like to participate, there's still time to join a team, build a team, or just donate! More information for the Manahawk... 05/17/2009

Going green could be a double edged sword for Jersey Shore utility customers. Atlantic Electric, the company that serves most of South Jersey and customers in southern Ocean County, wants to raise its rates 3.5%. The reason it quite surprising!  Utility generation costs are too low!  Now, you say, wait shouldn't our rates being going down?  Well that would be the case anywhere else but here in New Jersey.  Back in the 1980's, in an effort to encourage independent energy production (that includes the excess generated by residential wind and solar power generation and sold back to the utility), New Jersey government set policies to allow a utility company to recover above market costs on power from independent generators.  This electricity is not sold to AC Electric customers, but it's de... 05/16/2009

You might think it’s all scrub pines and sand here at the Jersey Shore.  But this area has played an important role in our nation’s history, and the evidence everywhere! Just a short 30 minute drive from Manahawkin, NJ, you can find the Weymouth Furnace Park.      This 19th Century south Jersey iron furnace produced iron from 'Bog Ore'.  The Bog Ore was mined in the swamps surrounding the Great Egg Harbor River and brought to the furnace by small barges, poled along canals.The Weymouth Furnace cast cannons and cannon balls for the War of 1812 and the first iron pipe for the City of Philadelphia.  Stoves, pots and pans were also forged. The site originally had a furnace, forge, gristmill, Methodist Church, sawmill, large owner's mansion, store, 20 workers' houses, a blacksmith shop, and ... 05/03/2009

On May 7th, we will boldy go where no man has gone before!  The new Star Trek movie (Star Trek XI) will be released, and this is what we'll see. Kirk as an angry, wayward and headstrong young man looking for trouble.  Since Kirk has always thought outside the box, he wreaks havoc on Starfleet’s rules and regs.  Mr. Spock begins his career as a tortured soul.  His mixed heritage has him battling his emotions, as he decides which path to follow; a life in the Vulcan world (which views him as an outsider and 'half human') or Starfleet Academy, worlds away from everything he has ever known.  We’ll also meet Dr 'Bones' McCoy (maybe we’ll find out why he’s always so cranky) and a young linguist Uhura at the Academy. Of course, Starfleet is mobilized to save the Federation.  And Kirk and Spock... 04/18/2009