ALL AVALON BEACHES OPEN SATURDAY, AUGUST 30^TH, FOLLOWING TWO BEACH SWEEPS

(Avalon, NJ)—All beaches in Avalon, New Jersey were re-opened today following two comprehensive beach sweeps.

One was conducted Friday night just before the high tide event, and a second beach sweep was conducted Saturday

morning between the hours of 6am-9am. No additional medical debris was found on the beaches, so all of Avalon’s beaches

were allowed to open for the day.

“We’re taking it one day at a time”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “In Avalon, we’ll continue to have the policy of

closing any beach immediately that has evidence of medical waste. Fortunately, we’ve now experienced more than 24 hours

of no waste found on the beaches, and two complete beach sweeps that have turned up nothing”.

Early Friday morning, six pieces of medical waste were found on the beaches during a beach sweep operation. The six

items recovered were different from medical waste that began appearing on the beaches one week ago today. All of the

medical waste recovered is immediately recovered, secured, and taken to the Avalon Police Department for processing as

criminal evidence. On Friday, the entire Avalon beachfront was closed from 10am-Noon so a second beach sweep could

occur. During that time, no additional medical waste was recovered, and beaches south of 32^nd Street were opened; beaches

north of 32^nd Streets were closed. People were allowed on the dry sand, but they were not permitted east of the high tide

line, into the ocean.

Avalon has experienced four different incidents regarding medical waste coming onto its beaches in the past seven days.

Each time, select beaches where the waste came ashore were closed immediately. All beaches in Avalon south of 32^nd Street

have been unaffected by the medical waste problem and have been open continually. During the majority of this event, medical

waste has been found on less than ten percent of Avalon’s entire beachfront.

“We’ll continue to be diligent with the search and recovery effort”, Pagliughi said. “Every evening, and every morning we will

continue to search the beaches to make sure that they are safe. Safety comes first, and Labor Day weekend fun on the beach

will remain second. We want people to know that if an Avalon beach is open, it’s safe and clean”.

There has been no reported human contact nor any reported injuries associated with this medical waste problem on Avalon’s beaches. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office continues to treat this incident as a criminal case, and is the lead investigative authority. The office has also posted a $10,000 reward that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for putting the medical waste into the water. If you have a lead in the case, you’re asked to call 1-866-TIPS-4CJ.

If you find any medical waste on an Avalon beach, do not pick it up. Contact a member of the Avalon Beach Patrol immediately or call the Avalon Police Department at (609) 967-3411.

AVALON PLANS MORE BEACH SWEEPS; DECISION ON BEACHES COMES SATURDAY

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon officials have decided to keep a section of North end beachfront closed for the remainder of the day on Friday so two additional beach sweeps can be conducted.

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi closed all beaches in Avalon from 10am-12:15pm on Friday, August 29^th after six pieces of medical debris were found on the beaches from 14^th Street south to 32^nd Street. The beaches from 32^nd Street south to 80^th Street were allowed to reopen during the early afternoon; beaches north of 32^nd Street remained closed. Beachgoers were allowed on the “closed” beaches west of the high tide water line, in the dry sand. They were prohibited from being east of the high tide line, in the wet sand, and prohibited from being in the ocean on the beaches that were closed.

“We maintain that safety comes first before suntans”, Pagliughi said during an afternoon press conference at the 18^th Street beach. “Avalon will conduct another beach sweep Friday night, and yet another one Saturday morning. Sometime between 9am-10am Saturday we’ll make a decision on what beaches, if any, will need to be closed”.

A beach sweep was conducted Friday morning and officials recovered, and secured six pieces of medical waste before the beaches had opened for the day. The medical waste was much different than other debris that had come ashore on three separate days earlier in the week (Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday). It was immediately handed over to the Avalon Police Department and entered as criminal evidence.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office/Division of Criminal Justice continues to be the lead investigative agency during this event. A $10,000 reward has been offered by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this criminal act.

Another sweep of the entire Avalon beachfront will be conducted Friday evening before the high tide event; a second complete sweep of the Avalon beachfront will be conducted Saturday morning between the hours of 6am-9am. A decision regarding what beaches will be closed, if any, will be made Saturday between 9am-10am. If there is no additional medical waste recovered Friday afternoon, Friday evening, or Saturday morning, it’s possible that all beaches in Avalon will open when lifeguards go on duty Saturday at 10am.

12:15pm UPDATE: 32^ND TO 80^TH STREET BEACHES IN AVALON OPEN AGAIN

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced at 12:15pm Friday that the beaches from 32^nd Street south to 80^th Street have been reopened today. A comprehensive beach sweep was conducted from 10am-12:15pm of all of the Avalon beaches, and so far, no additional medical waste has been recovered. People are now allowed back on the wet sand and ocean from 32^nd Street south to 80^th Street. A decision is expected to be made by 1pm about the other bathing beaches in Avalon. One additional note about today’s event: The six insulin-type syringes were found today on the Avalon beaches from 14^th Street south to 32^nd Street. Press conference still at 2pm today, with the mayor.

Who: Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi
What: Will hold a press conference to discuss Friday’s closure of Avalon’s beaches
When: Friday, August 29^th, 2pm, on the 18^th Street Beach in Avalon
Why: On Friday, August 29^th, Avalon Public Works officials conducted a thorough beach sweep of the Avalon beaches from 9^th Street to 32^nd Street during the hours of 6-8am. They recovered six pieces of medical debris, believed to be insulin syringes. These syringes MAY be consistent with debris that was found on other beaches north of Avalon.

Precaution: At 10am, Mayor Pagliughi (who also is Avalon’s Emergency Management Coordinator) decided to Public Works officials and Avalon Beach Patrol members are currently doing a sweep and inspection of the entire Avalon beachfront, looking for more medical debris. The debris that was recovered this morning is not consistent with the medical debris that washed onto the Avalon beaches from 9^th to 24^th Streets beginning on Saturday, August 23^rd. People are still allowed to enjoy the beach on the dry sand away from the water; they are not permitted on the wet sand or in the ocean until Avalon officials are 100 percent assured that the beaches are safe, and free of any medical debris.

Duration: Avalon experienced two event-free days on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27^th and 28^th.

BEACHES CLOSED IN AVALON FRIDAY, PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2pm

Who: Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi

What: Will hold a press conference to discuss Friday’s closure of Avalon’s beaches

When: Friday, August 29^th, 2pm, on the 18^th Street Beach in Avalon

Why: On Friday, August 29^th, Avalon Public Works officials conducted a thorough beach sweep of the Avalon beaches from 9^th Street to 32^nd Street during the hours of 6-8am. They recovered six pieces of medical debris, believed to be insulin syringes. These syringes MAY be consistent withdebris that was found on other beaches north of Avalon.P recaution: At 10am, Mayor Pagliughi (who also is Avalon’s Emergency Management Coordinator) decided to close the entire Avalon beachfront to bathers until at least Noon, on Friday August 29^th. Public Works officials and Avalon Beach Patrol members are currently doing a sweep and inspection of the entire Avalon beachfront, looking for more medical debris. The debris that was recovered this morning is not consistent with the medical debris that washed onto theAvalon beaches from 9^th to 24^th Streets beginning on Saturday, August 23^rd. People are still allowed to enjoy the beach on the dry sand away from the water; they are not permitted on the wet sand or in the ocean until Avalon officials are 100 percent assured that the beaches are safe, and free of any medical debris. Duration: Avalon experienced two event-free days on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27^th and 28^th.

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE OFFERS $10,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION
ON THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR WASHUP OF MEDICAL WASTE IN AVALON

Attorney General Anne Milgram today announced that she has authorized the posting of a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for causing syringes and other medical-type waste to wash up on Avalon beaches in recent days.

In announcing the reward, Attorney General Milgram noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has a toll-free hotline for the public to report any information on the case. The statewide tipline is 1-866-TIPS -4CJ. Additionally, the public can log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org to electronically report information. All information received by the Division of Criminal Justice will remain confidential.

“We are making every effort to find the person or persons who caused this medical-type waste to wash up in Avalon,” said Attorney General Milgram. “We are committed to protecting the Shore and its visitors, and will prosecute to the full extent of the law anyone found to have violated our criminal statutes by dumping this waste into the ocean.”

The reward is funded through the New Jersey Clean Water Enforcement Fund. The Clean Water Enforcement Fund collects fines and penalties from defendants and corporations convicted of environmental crimes. The fund is used for clean water enforcement investigations and initiatives conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice Environmental Crimes Bureau.

At approximately 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, bathers at Avalon’s 9^th Street beach advised lifeguards that they had found syringes washing up on the beach. Lifeguards notified local officials, who contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection. The Environmental Crimes Bureau in the Attorney General’s Office was alerted, and detectives from the Bureau commenced an investigation with the Avalon Police Department on Saturday. The investigation is being coordinated with the DEP.

On Saturday morning, between 100 and 200 syringes washed up along with gauze and other medical-type waste on the Avalon beach between 9^th and 24^th Streets. On Sunday afternoon at high tide, an additional 25 to 35 syringes were found on the beach between 9^th and 17^th Streets. A small number of additional syringes were discovered on Tuesday. Local officials have closed the beach three times because of the waste.

Two Beach Sweeps Completed, No Additional Medical Debris In Avalon

(Avalon, NJ)—After two thorough sweeps of the Avalon beachfront over the past 12 hours, all of the beaches in Avalon are open for Wednesday, August 27^th, 2008.

Avalon emergency management officials, public works employees, and volunteers carefully combed the

beaches of Avalon from 9^th Street to 32^nd Street on Tuesday night, and again Wednesday morning, following another wash up of a small amount of medical debris late Tuesday afternoon. Both of the beach sweeps turned

up no additional medical debris on the beaches. Sand between 14^th Street and 22^nd Street was also sifted

Tuesday night to see if any medical debris was below the surface of the sand, and nothing was found.

Wednesday morning, public works crews raked the beach after the morning beach sweep and went through the materials that were collected. Again, no additional medical debris was found.

“Once again, safety comes first when it comes to reopening our beaches”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We do not give any consideration to reopening a beach unless that beach goes through at least two tide events, and at least two very careful inspections of the beach occur. Less than ten percent of Avalon’s entire beach front was affected by Tuesday’s event”.

On Tuesday, Avalon’s Beach Patrol closed a section of the beach from 14^th Street to 22^nd Street after 20 items identified as medical debris came on shore. The debris was consistent with the debris that came up over the weekend: IV –type needles, plastic caps, and eight inch long cotton swabs. There has been no reported

human contact with any of the medical debris that has been recovered, and no reported injuries.

The investigation into the weekend incident is being handled by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office,

who is treating the case as a criminal investigation, which is ongoing.

Avalon borough officials have received assistance from the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and from the Cape May County Health Department during this event.

“I want to commend the residents and vacationers in Avalon for being supportive of the Borough’s proactive approach when it comes to safety along our beaches”, Pagliughi said. “It’s fortunate that they understand and appreciate that we’ll only open a closed beach if we’re certain it is 100 percent safe”.

More Medical Debris Comes Ashore On Avalon Beaches Late Tuesday

(Avalon, NJ)—About 20 pieces of medical debris was recovered from the North end of the Avalon beachfront late Tuesday afternoon, causing another beach closure in that section of the community.

The Avalon Beach Patrol ordered the beaches closed from 14^th Street too 22^nd Street late Tuesday afternoon after the medical debris was found, and recovered immediately on the beach. The debris is consistent with the items that were found on Saturday and Sunday: iv needles, needle caps, eight inch long cotton swabs, and an item that resembles a pill casing. The items were immediately collected from the beach, and turned over to the Avalon Police Department. The items are being turned over to an investigative team with the New Jersey State Attorney General’s office, the lead agency handling this incident. This four-day event continues to be treated as a criminal investigation by state authorities.

At approximately 3:30pm Tuesday, one needle was found on the 18^th Street beach, and a second needle was found just moments later at the 15^th Street beach. Both of those beaches were immediately closed to bathers, and an emergency plan of action was implemented. The entire debris field for Tuesday afternoon’s wash up was in a five block area, from 15^th Street south to 20^th Street. As a precaution, beaches were closed from 14^th Street to 22^nd Street.

An immediate response involved Avalon lifeguards, EMT’s, volunteers with the fire department, and Avalon Public Works officials. Cape May County Emergency Management Coordinator Frank McCall was also on the scene, lending assistance along with the Cape May County Health Department.

All beaches opened Tuesday morning following two thorough and complete beach sweeps. Beaches were carefully inspected from 9^th Street South to 32^nd Street Monday evening, and again Tuesday morning, both following high tide events. No medical debris was found on the beaches, and they were allowed to reopen on Tuesday. The conditions along the Avalon beachfront Tuesday afternoon involved a northeast wind, and a north-to-south current along the beaches.

This is the third time in four days that new medical debris has been recovered on the North end beaches in Avalon. On Saturday, approximately 150 pieces were collected and late Sunday afternoon, an additional 25 pieces were collected.

On Tuesday evening, members of the Avalon Public Works department and other Borough officials conducted a very careful inspection of the impact area, recovering 20 pieces of medical waste. Following that inspection, sand sifting was planned between 14^th and 22^nd Street as a precaution to see if any debris was buried in the sand. And on Wednesday morning, another comprehensive beach sweep will again be conducted between 9^th and 32^nd Streets. A determination of whether or not all beaches will be open on Wednesday will be made mid morning.

There has been no reported human contact involving any of the medical debris that has come ashore, and no reported injuries.

Avalon officials will continue to monitor the situation around the clock, and will continue to insist that safety comes first regarding any decision to open or close beaches during the duration of this event.

Avalon Beaches Reopen Today Following Monday Beach Sweep

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon’s beaches were reopened on Monday, August 25^th following a comprehensive beach sweep effort conducted by the Avalon Department of Public Works. A portion of Avalon’s beaches were closed Saturday afternoon, and again on Sunday afternoon following a wash up of medical waste on North End beaches.

Beaches were carefully inspected by the Avalon Public Works Department between 7am-9am Monday. Eight additional items were recovered: two small needles, two caps for the needles, and four cotton swabs. The items appeared more ‘weathered’ than other items that have been recovered from the beach, and very likely did not wash ashore during the overnight high tide event. Since no additional medical waste came on Avalon’s beaches during the overnight hours, all beaches were reopened this morning at 10am.

“Safety always comes first in everything we do”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We are carefully and continually monitoring the Avalon beaches during this unfortunate event, and will do everything we can to keep the beaches safe, and open”.

On Saturday, approximately 150 pieces of medical debris washed ashore in Avalon during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Beaches from 9^th Street to 24^th Street were closed during this event. Avalon officials were joined by the Cape May County Department of Health and the Cape May County Emergency Management office to lend assistance to the situation. On Saturday evening, an inspector with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office came to Avalon to inspect and secure the debris that was removed from the beach.

On Sunday morning between 4-6:30am, the Avalon Fire Department and public works officials scoured the affected area of the beach, and found no additional items. All beaches were open Sunday morning, into the late afternoon hours. Shortly after 4pm, some additional medical waste was found on beaches between 9^th and 18^th Streets; those beaches were closed for the rest of the day. All other beaches in Avalon have remained open during this event.

“This is being treated as a criminal investigation”, said Pagliughi. “Avalon is aggressively and immediately pursuing answers. We want to find out who’s responsible for this act. Authorities were fortunate to get some clues early in the investigation. Let me make this clear. This is believed to be a purposeful act.”

Avalon is conducting a public notification of its residents about the status of the beaches through the Global Connect phone system, which automatically dials every household in Avalon in the event of a need for public notification. Beaches in Avalon will again be carefully inspected after a high tide event this evening. There has been no reported contact between humans and any of the medical debris that has come ashore, and no injuries. Anyone who finds any debris on the beach should immediately contact a member of the Avalon Beach Patrol, or call the Avalon Police Department at (609)-967-3411.

Additional Medical Debris Found On Section Of Avalon Beach Sunday
Small amounts of medical waste come ashore Sunday afternoon resulting in some beach closures

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon officials closed a section of the North End beach to bathers late Sunday afternoon after some small amounts of medical debris came ashore on beaches from 9^th Street to 18^th Street.

Approximately 25 pieces of medical debris came ashore after the mid afternoon high tide event. The debris consisted of the same exact type of material that also washed up on Saturday, August 23^rd. The debris consisted of iv-type needles and casings, along with a few eight-inch long cotton swabs. On Saturday, approximately 150 pieces of medical debris came ashore during the late morning and early afternoon hours.

The Avalon Beach Patrol immediately secured the affected beaches and cleared bathers out of the water. The beaches where the debris came ashore were closed just after 4:30pm, shortly after the medical debris was spotted and safely collected. The Avalon Fire Department, Avalon Emergency Management Department, and Avalon Public Works all responded to the scene and assisted the Avalon Beach Patrol with the effort. For the second consecutive day, there were no reported injuries or incidents of anyone coming in physical contact with the medical debris.

On Sunday morning, a beach sweep effort was conducted by the Avalon Fire Department and Avalon Public Works Department. Between the hours of 4am-6:30am, the beaches were searched for any additional medical waste that may have washed ashore following an early morning high tide event. No debris was found, and the beaches were allowed to reopen

Another comprehensive beach sweep effort will be conducted by the Avalon Public Works Department just after dawn on Monday morning. A decision on whether or not to reopen the beaches affected by the wash up of medical debris will be made at that time. The Avalon Police Department will also patrol the beach Sunday evening.

The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management was in Avalon to assist during both events. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office/Division of Criminal Justice is investigating the weekend incidents, along with the Avalon Police Department.

Avalon Beaches Reopen Sunday, August 24^th Following Isolated Incident

(Avalon, NJ)—All beaches in Avalon are reopening on Sunday, August 24^th following an isolated incident on Saturday which resulted in medical waste coming ashore onto a section of beachfront.

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, the Avalon Fire Department, Avalon Public Works, and Avalon Emergency Management team conducted an early morning beach sweep from 4-6am on Sunday, August 24^th and found no additional medical waste on the beach. Avalon officials decided to re-open the beaches to bathers as a result of no additional materials being recovered.

On Saturday, August 23^rd, approximately 150 pieces of medical waste washed ashore onto Avalon’s beaches from 9^th Street to 26^th Street. The medical waste consisted of eight inch long cotton swabs that are used in a medical facility, along with iv needles and some other debris. All of the materials were safely collected from the beachfront following a high tide event, and secured. The items were taken to the Avalon Police Department. Staff from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office came to Avalon Saturday evening to investigate.

There were no injuries relating to the medical waste coming ashore on the Avalon beachfront.

If you are on the beach and come across anything that looks like medical waste, you’re asked to contact a member of the beach patrol immediately, or call the non-emergency number for the Avalon Police Department at (609) 967-3411.

The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and the Cape May County Health Department both came to the Avalon beach on Saturday to lend their assistance to the cleanup and recovery effort.

Major Check Presented By Avalon Yacht Club To Avalon Fire Department

(Avalon, NJ)-A check totaling $1,150 was presented by the Avalon Yacht Club to the Avalon Volunteer Fire

Department on Saturday, August 16^th. The money will be put into a brand new Avalon Volunteer Firefighters’ Memorial fund. 

Avalon Yacht Club members were on hand to make the formal check presentation to members of the fire department in front of the Avalon Yacht Club. Event organizers Jay and Betsy Mallon, along with Avalon Yacht Club Commodore Don Avellino, and his wife, Carolyn were on hand for the check presentation. The check was presented to Avalon Fire Chief Ed Dean, along with Avalon Fire Department Member/Mayor Martin Pagliughi.

Pagliughi and others participated in a “Dunk Tank” event sponsored by the Avalon Yacht Club which generated the donations for the new Avalon Volunteer Firefighters’ Memorial fund.

(Photos by Avalon Public Information Officer Scott Wahl)

Avalon Police Warn Drivers About Back To School Driving

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department is advising motorists that they should exercise greater caution

in Avalon during early September, especially in the vicinity of the Avalon Elementary School and Avalon

Free Public Library. The school and library are located at 32^nd Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon.

“Avalon children will be returning to school on Wednesday, September 3^rd”, said Avalon Police Chief David

Dean. “We want to make sure that motorists follow some common-sense tips when driving around Avalon, and especially near the school. In September, Avalon still experiences a very healthy tourism population at the same time our children are walking across local streets to get to class”.

“Back to school week presents a good opportunity for motorists to apply safe driving habits”, Dean said. “We’re confident that motorists will heed our advice, and be very careful as our children head to school in the morning, and return home from school later in the day”.

The Avalon Police Department offers these common-sense driving tips when school is back in session:

• Slow down in and around school and residential areas.
• Obey school zone speed limit signs and come to a complete stop at intersections.
• Always stop for school buses loading and unloading students
• Drive with your headlights on -- even during the day -- so children and other drivers can see you.
• Drive without distractions. Don't use cell phones, eat, drink or engage in any activity that could take your attention away from the road.
• Scan between parked cars as children could dart into the street near school zones, playgrounds, school bus stops and in residential neighborhoods.
• Leave for your destination early, so you don't have to speed to arrive on time. Take the possibility of traffic delays into consideration when planning your departure time.

Major Golf Outing To Be Held To Raise Money For Avalon Fireman’s Memorial

(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon invites you to participate in the annual Joseph N. Grillo Sr. Memorial Golf Outing, which will be held on Saturday, September 20^th, at the Avalon Golf Club.

The cost for this year’s tournament is $85, and includes golf, lunch, and awards. People who are not golfers can still participate by having lunch at the course that day; it’s only $15 per person, with kids 16 and under free. Hole sponsorships are still available, for $50 a hole. The golf tournament is scheduled to tee off at 8am with a shotgun start; golfers are asked to arrive for a 7:30am check in.

“We’re very pleased to offer this outstanding event again this year”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This year, all proceeds will benefit the Avalon Fireman’s Memorial. We’re very grateful to Mrs. Anna Grillo for her support and love of the Avalon community”. Last year, The Avalon Rescue Squad received a $3500 donation from Mrs. Grillo for the 2007 golf outing.

If you would like more information on the golf tournament, call George Gioffre at (302) 740-5311 or email George at ggioffre@gbsinc.org.

Avalon, Nj Named “Great Adventure Town” By National Geographic

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon, New Jersey has been named one of the “50 Places Where To Live And Play” by the September, 2008 edition of “National Geographic Adventure” magazine.

“This is a major honor for Avalon”, said Avalon Public Information Director Scott Wahl. “Avalon has been recognized by a leading magazine for providing an outstanding quality of life, and for making the pristine environment a top consideration for residents and visitors”.

“National Geographic Adventure” magazine selects the Top 50 places to live, calling them the “50 next great adventure towns”. Avalon, NJ was the only New Jersey community to make the 2008 list. Sarah Tuff , one of the two journalists who wrote the magazine story, was in constant contact with the Avalon Public Information Office, gathering information about the quality of life and the environmental beauty of Avalon.

In the story, “National Geographic Adventure” says:

“While boardwalks, amusement parks, and McMansions engulf the rest of the Jersey Shore, Avalon has stayed relatively sprawl free. Its newly protected beaches—habitats for both surfers and terrapin turtles—have some of the last high dunes in the area”

The story also says of all 50 towns that were selected “…So this year we selected 50 innovative towns that aren’t just prime relocation spots right now, but smart choices for the future. Not only do they have the action. They’ve got a plan”.

The story appears in the September, 2008 issue of “National Geographic Adventure” magazine, and is the featured story on the front cover. The story, along with an interactive map, is available online at www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure. The magazine also features a four-page pullout map that shows where all 50 of the “next great towns” are located, including Avalon.

“National Geographic Adventure” magazine won two national awards at the 2002 American Society of Magazine Editors awards ceremony in New York City. The magazine won the “General Excellence Award” for magazines with a circulation of between 200,000 and 500,000; since then, the circulation of the magazine is guaranteed at 525,000 per issue.

Diller Vacation Home Receives $10,000 Donation From Conway Family

(Avalon, NJ)—The Helen Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children received a $10,000 donation on Monday evening, August 4^th, 2008. The donation was made before a regular meeting of the Avalon Lions Club, which supports the Home’s efforts.

The donation was made in the memory of Joseph Conway, who was a founding members of the Avalon Lions Club organization. Conway was a full time resident of Avalon, a charter member of the Avalon Lions Club, and a strong believer in the summer camp program at the Home. Joseph Conway Jr. and his four brothers attended the event, along with members of the Avalon Lions Club. Avalon councilmen Chuck Covington and Joe Tipping were also on hand.

Children who are currently vacationing at the home also were present for the donation, and sang the National Anthem before the donation was made to the Diller Home.

Children between the ages of 7-15 years old attend the Helen Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children every summer for one week to experience a summer vacation at the Jersey Shore. The Home opened for the first time during the Summer of 1970.

Avalon’s New Overnight Curfew Goes Into Effect August 6th

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department wants to remind all Avalon residents and visitors that a new overnight curfew approved last month by the Avalon Borough Council will be enforced starting Wednesday, August 6^th, 2008.

The Avalon Borough Council approved a new curfew ordinance during a meeting on Wednesday, July 9^th, 2008. The curfew ordinance was passed unanimously by a 5-0 vote.

The new curfew ordinance applies to individuals who are under the age of 18. The ordinance reads:

“It shall be unlawful for any juvenile to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, park in a car or other vehicle, be on a bicycle or other form of transportation, or play in, remain in, or be upon a Public Place within the territorial limits of the Borough between the hours of midnight and 6:00am Sunday through Saturday”

The ordinance also makes provisions for mischief night, which is held the night before the celebration of Halloween. The curfew that evening will be at 7:00pm.

The ordinance contains certain exemptions, and will not be applicable to a juvenile in some cases, which include:

*Travel to and from a place of employment

*Travel to and from a place of instruction where the juvenile is in bona fide attendance

*Travel that is necessitated in the carrying out of an errand of an emergency nature

*Travel to a place at which a bona fide, supervised social meeting, gathering or assemblage has taken place

*Travel to a place at which a function may be held that shall be, or had been sponsored by a religious, school, civic, or other properly supervised event or program

Warnings will be issued; punishments included in the ordinance include serving up to 90 hours of community service and a fine that would not exceed $1,000.

Upcoming Event News In Avalon, New Jersey For Aug/Sept 2008

August 4^th—The estate of the late Joseph Conway will make a major donation to the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home For Blind Children. The presentation will be made at the Home on Monday, August 4^th, at 6:30pm. Family members from the Conway estate will be on hand to make the donation. The home is located at 127 26^th Street in Avalon.

August 15^th—The Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund has plenty of great events throughout Avalon in August. On Friday, August 15^th, the 2008 Skate Jam hosted by the Avalon Recreation Department will take place at the Avalon Skate Park. On Saturday, August 16^th, the 18^th Annual Brendan Borek Surf Memorial will take place at the 30^th Street Beach in Avalon from 6am-4pm. For more information, log on to brendansfund.org.

August 23^rd—The Bay Atlantic Symphony returns to Avalon for its summer concert series. The symphony will present a “Tchaikovsky Jubilee” on Saturday, August 23^rd, at 7pm. The performance will be held at the Avalon Elementary School’s multi-purpose room, at 7pm.

August 30^th-31^st—Registration will be held on Friday, August 30^th for the Tim Kerr 7 Mile Island Run. Registration for the event will take place on Saturday, August 30^th, from Noon-5pm. The Tim Kerr 7 Mile Island Run will be held on Sunday, August 31^st, from 8am-Noon. Visit Avalon’s Community Hall for more information.

September 9^th—The Borough of Avalon invites you to our 15^th Annual Street Faire. The big street faire event will take place on Sunday, September 9^th from 10am until 4pm. You’ll find this year’s street faire at 30^th Street, between Ocean and Dune Drives. There will be plenty of music, food, crafts, and much more for the entire family.

Saturday, September 20^th—The Joseph N. Grillo Sr. Memorial Golf Outing will be held at the Avalon Golf Club, Route 9 in Swainton. All proceeds will benefit the Avalon Fireman’s Memorial. The cost is $85 which includes golf, lunch, and awards. A lunch only is available for $15. Hole sponsorships are just $50. For more information, contact George Gioffre at ggioffre@gbsinc.org. There is an 8:00am shotgun start for the golf tournament.