Kristi Lee Pawlus Named Miss Avalon 2009 During Weekend Pageant

(Avalon, NJ) - Kristi Lee Pawlus was selected as Miss Avalon 2009 during a pageant held on Saturday, October 25^th, at the Avalon Community Center.

Pawlus is 23 years old, and she captured the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview portions of this year’s pageant, which included 11 contestants. Pawlus is a graduate of Rutgers University where she earned her Master’s Degree. She is employed as a full time director of Social Services at Courthouse Convalescence Home, and also is seen on local cable television hosting a program called “Happenings TV’.

Pawlus will be involved in many activities in Avalon during her reign. Her first official event as Miss Avalon 2009 will be judging the Halloween Costume Contest at Avalon Community Hall this weekend. She will also be part of Avalon’s official tree lighting ceremony which will be held on Friday, November 28^th in Avalon.

She will now be a contestant in the Miss New Jersey Scholarship Pageant in June, 2009 in Ocean City. The Miss Avalon pageant started three years ago, and every Miss Avalon has placed in the top ten during the state competition.

Pawlus won a total of $800 in scholarship money during the Miss Avalon Pageant; $300 was donated by the Avalon Lions Club. She has previously held the titles of Miss Cape May County and Miss Shore Resort during her pageant career. Pawlus will replace Ashlyn Shawah, who held the title of Miss Avalon 2008.

Avalon To Commemorate Veterans Day On Tuesday, November 11^th

(Avalon, NJ) - Avalon veterans, public officials, and residents will be gathering on Tuesday, November 11^th to commemorate Veteran’s Day with a special ceremony that will take place at the Avalon Veterans Plaza, 21^st and Dune Drive. The ceremony will begin at 11am.

“It’s very important every year to thank the men and women who have served our country with honor and dignity”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “I encourage all Avalon residents to attend this very important ceremony, and also ask that people in other communities also take time to attend events in their hometowns as well”.

The commander of the American Legion Post 331 will arrange for the color guard at Veterans Plaza; the ceremony that follows will include:

*Flag Presentation, Al Carusi, Commander American Legion Post
*Flag raising ceremony: Post Flag Detail
*”God Bless America”
*Invocation by Rev. Vena Murphy
*Veterans Day message from Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi
*Comments from Al Carusi, Post Commander
*Presentation of wreath by Post 331
*”Star Spangled Banner”
*Rifle salute, post rifle detail
*Taps
*Benediction

Avalon’s Borough Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 4^th, on Election Day, and will also be closed on Tuesday, November 11^th, for Veteran’s Day.

Sea Grant Project Study Underway On Avalon Beachfront

(Avalon, NJ) - Visitors to the Avalon beachfront are seeing some experimental equipment on the beach near 40^th Street during the post-summer season. Investigators are taking a look at the differences between surface sediment characteristics, topography, and aeolian transport on raked, and unraked beaches, in the community.

“Dr. Karl Nordstrom from Rutgers University asked for permission to conduct a study on Avalon’s beachfront during the offseason”, Avalon Mayor Marty Pagliughi said. “Avalon has always been a leader on various environmental projects, and we’re pleased to make a few blocks of Avalon’s beaches accessible for this important research effort”.

Dr. Nordstrom and his team of experts have installed small wind-monitoring equipment on, and near, Avalon’s 40^th Street beach. The primary research being conducted will determine the movement of sand and other sediments over beaches which are raked, and on beaches that are left alone. The research team is primarily interested in monitoring wind speed, and the amount of sand that is being moved by using sand traps. The traps, along with anemometers, are being used to conduct the study.

The equipment that has been placed on Avalon’s beach will be in place for three weeks in October, and will return for another 3-4 week period in March. Dr. Nordstrom says that one goal of the study will be to improve decision-making on various beach and dune protection practices. The evolution of habitats will also be a major part of this study. The anemometers and sand traps will be put on both raked and unraked beaches to determine the difference.

“This is not a project that is trying to answer a specific question raised by the Borough of Avalon”, Dr. Nordstrom said. “Avalon is the best place to conduct a study that could have universal applications throughout the United States. We applaud Avalon for being a front runner in beach management activites.”

According to a project summary provided to Avalon officials:

“The opportunity exists to provide increased resilience of nourished beach and dune systems that sustain both human and ecological communities. Knowledge of the transport potential across the backshore of nourished beaches and the spectrum of ecological niches that are capable of emerging on the backshore over time can reveal the frequency and magnitude of adaptive measures to increase both human and biological values….the real time imagery will be uploaded to a web site to provide the public with an understanding of the impact of storm events and the value of dunes in protecting against runup in addition to providing data on conditions for aeolian transport and changes in dune topography”.

Project participants for this study include Dr. Nancy Jackson from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Dr. Jack Puleo of the University of Delaware. This project is funded through the Sea Grant program.

Avalon Implements New Procedures For Planning/Zoning Applications

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Planning and Zoning Board announced that there are new procedures for the applications that go before the board for approval.

Click to download Planning and Zoning Application

“We believe that the changes are very beneficial to the public because they streamline the process and help prevent extra work from being done to make the process go more smoothly, and more quickly”, said Avalon Planning and Zoning Board Secretary Paul Short, Sr.

The changes that have been made the application forms include:

*The initial submission of one original copy, and three photocopies of a completed application. Previously, applicants had to provide one original and 16 photocopies from the beginning of the process. The 17 total copies are still needed at the end of the application, but not at the beginning. This will prevent extra copies and extra work in case the application is faulty, or incomplete.

*Along with proof of payment of taxes, applicants will now have to provide proof of payment of water and sewer bills through the New Jersey American Water Company. A one-page form is now part of the new application.

*The submission must include completion of “checklists” that are included in the application. Depending on what the applicant is seeking, up to five checklists will have to be completed. This helps the applicant make sure the paperwork is complete from the beginning of the process.

“Avalon conducts a periodic review of the master plan, and is required to review procedures and zoning ordinances from time to time”, Short said. “We believe that these changes will help applicants submit accurate and complete paperwork from the beginning of the process.

The new, revised application was approved during the September 2, 2008 meeting of the Avalon Planning and Zoning Board. The application is available at the Planning/Zoning Board office at the Avalon Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ. The application can also be emailed from the office, or available for view and download from the Avalon Borough Website, www.avalonboro.org.

Avalon Lions Holding Fundraiser For Volunteers In Medicine October 12^th

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Lions Club is holding a beef and beer fundraiser this weekend to raise money for Volunteers In Medicine, a local organization that provides medical care for Cape May County residents who are uninsured or are in need.

The Avalon Lions Club event will be taking place this Sunday, October 12^th, from 4-7pm at the Windrift. Tickets cost and will be available at the door. Guests will be able to enjoy watching the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers during the beef and beer fundraiser.

The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Urges Avalon Residents
to “Prevent Home Fires”

Avalon, NJ, September 29, 2008— A pot holder too close to a lit burner or a space heater left on overnight could be all it takes to start a home fire. In fact, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

That’s why the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with NFPA from October 5-11 to urge Avalon residents to “Prevent Home Fires” during Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing all the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating and electrical equipment, and smoking materials. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

According the latest research from NFPA, more than 2,500 people died in home fires in the United States in 2006, and 12,500 were injured. Fire departments responded to 396,000 home fires, which accounted for 80% of civilian deaths and 76% of injuries that year.

“While the number of home fires is daunting, the good news is that many are easily preventable when residents take simple steps to increase their safety from fire,” said Fire Chief Ed Dean, “Whether it’s smoking outside the home, keeping space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, or staying in the kitchen when you are using the stovetop, there are easy things you can do to keep your home and family safe from fire.”

Do you know how to keep your home safe from fire hazards? Reviewing the following information and taking action can help you “Prevent Home Fires” during Fire Prevention Week and year-round.

• Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
• Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
• Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

For more information on “It’s Fire Prevention Week – Prevent Home Fires!” visit www.firepreventionweek.org

Avalon To Conduct Dune Fertilization Effort On Monday, October 6^th

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon will be experiencing a dune fertilization program on Monday, October 6^th. A yellow and blue plane will be fertilizing the dunes from 8^th to 80^th Streets, starting Monday morning around 7:30am. This is an annual project conducted by Avalon. Only the dune areas will be fertilitzed.

Avalon Chamber Of Commerce Presents 20^th Annual Seafood Festival

(Avalon, NJ)—Final preparations are being made for one of the largest post season events at the Jersey Shore during the fall "shoulder season". The Avalon Chamber of Commerce will present its 20^th Annual Seafood Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 11^th and 12^th, at 30^th Street and the beach.

"It's the chamber's 20^th year of putting on one of the best events of the entire year", said Avalon Chamber of Commerce President Ed Galante. "This year's event will be spectacular, with plenty of activities for children and adults, and of course the big draw—the best local seafood at the shore".

This year's Avalon Seafood festival will once again feature the chowder contest on Sunday, from 1-3pm. Several prominent restaurants from the Avalon region will be participating in the event. Last year's winner was Sylvester's, which took home the chowder trophy and also received notice on the chamber's website as having the best chowder in Avalon.

The Avalon Seafood festival will be held on Saturday, October 11^th from 11am-5pm; on Sunday, October 12^th, the hours will be from Noon-4pm.

This year's festival includes live music/entertainment during the entire event. Additionally, there will be dozens of vendors selling items like jewelry, clothing, crafts, and homemade items. There will also be more than a dozen food vendors featuring chowder, lobster tails, blackened scallops, rib eye, London broil, crab cakes and more. Adult beverages (beer and wine) will be available for purchase.

"It's a cliché, but truly there is something for every taste at the Avalon Seafood Festival", Galante said. "Families book weekend vacations in Avalon to attend this event every year, and the Avalon Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a terrific weekend of fun and food in October".

Here is the entertainment lineup for the 20^th Annual Avalon Seafood Festival:

Saturday, October 11^th:

11:00—11:30am—Snake Brothers

11:30—12:15pm—Joanne Regan Dancers

12:15—1:00pm—Snake Brothers

12:30—4:00pm—Pumpkin Painting for Kids

1:00—2:00pm—Magic Show

2:30—3:00pm—Gerry the Stiltwalker

2:00—5:00pm—Snake Brothers

Sunday, October 12^th:

12:00—2:45pm—Snake Brothers

12:00—2:00pm—Gerry the Stiltwalker

2:45—3:30pm—Joanne Reagan Dancers

3:30—4:00pm—Snake Brothers