Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 102: Irene is coming

I leave for four days and miss an earthquake and the first freak out about a hurricane. Jeez. Maybe I'm not meant to leave the region.

So as I'm sure you heard (as it was plastered across every single TV at the gym this morning), Hurricane Irene is barreling toward the East Coast and is set to make a mess of the weekend. The weather reports keep changing (yesterday it was YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIE and early this morning it was more MEH and now it's back up to WE MIGHT DIE again), but know this: hurricanes are NOTHING to mess around with. Take this from someone who went to college in Florida and was evacuated from her dorm her freshman year.

So pay close attention to the weather. Be smart. Waiting around to just "see" if Irene is ratcheted up to a category three, four or five for its Jersey Shore hit is just stupid.

If this does drop down to a tropical storm and you ride it out down the shore, please be careful about flooding, which will happen quickly and often. Also, if you plan on getting out of dodge sometime on Saturday, you might want to leave early. You'll already be battling rental changeover traffic - add in hurricane fleers and it's going to be a mess.

But boy will Monday make a great beach walking day.

P.S. Moreys will be making a call about the Wild Half tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 101: Strathmere's getting another $4 million of sand

Strathmere has one of my favorite beaches. And now it's going to get wider - $4 million worth of sand wider.

This is on top of the $6 million dredging project of 2009. Interesting wording in here about why they're spending the money - because Strathmere has "$400 million in ratables."

So again we're back to the tax issues in Strathmere and why Upper Township wants to hold onto it, even though the township is primarily mainland.

Sometimes local politics in shore towns are so off the wall that I think I'm reporting on fictional towns. That or it's August and I've been writing about this stuff for too long in a row.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 100: BYOB vote coming to Ocean City

100! Woooooooo! I realize I might have messed up on the numbers somewhere along the way, but I'm not sweating it. I don't think you guys expect me to be perfect ;-)

This again. So those who want BYOB allowed in Ocean City got enough votes to put BYOB on the ballot. And in the process, has torn the town in two and splashed negative headlines about the town all over local media.

Congrats, everyone (and I don't mean this toward one side or the other - it's ugly both ways). This is now going to drag out until November. Lovely.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 99: Cape May revenues are up

Cape May revenues are up - at least when it comes to parking in beach tags.

Parking meters: Revenue through July 31 is up 14 percent from 2010 for a total of $538,792

Beach Tags: Revenue through July 31 has exceeded 2010 by 9.5 percent for a total of $1.4 million.

These numbers were funneled through the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May. Not bad, especially for those who rely on tourism in Cape May ESPECIALLY in these grim economic times.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 98: You can visit alpacas in West Cape May

I've written about this on the blog before, but since someone else just did a story about it, I'll make it today's fact of the day: alpacas! In West Cape May!

Bay Springs Farm is a working alpaca farm that you can visit on weekends. They're funny creatures, which makes for a fun visit. There's an attached farmhouse store, too, with plenty of alpaca wool goodies for sale.

You pass it right on you way to Higbee Beach, which I wrote about yesterday.

And with that, I'm off to a short trip to the Adirondacks in a place with no electricity and I'm told no cell phone service (HOORAY FOR A TECH BREAK!). I'll be back in the middle of next week. That means pre-written Facts of the Day. So if something big happens - the ghost of Frank Sintra shows up at the White House Sub Shop or something - and I'm not writing about it, that's why.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 97: AAA Can't Help You on the Atlantic City Expressway

It's true, and unfortunately I found this out myself yesterday.

I left for the shore bright and early at 6am yesterday to get to a breakfast meeting at 8:15 in Cape May. Windows slightly down, gorgeous day, lalalalalaaaaaaaaaaa!

And then my radio dies. And then all the meters in my car - speed, gas level, everything - hit zero. The car is still working just fine, but something was obviously wrong ESPECIALLY since I had to have my car jumped on Saturday for no apparent reason.

I make it to the Farley Service Plaza, park by the Sunoco, turn off the car. Try to turn it on. It's dead, of course. Then I called AAA.

Turns out AAA is not allowed to help their customers who are stuck on the Atlantic City Expressway (and I have been told that this is also the case with the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway). My only option was to be transferred to the people who run the Expressway and have them tow me to the nearest exit and THEN call AAA to tow me home.

I N S A N I T Y

Fortunately the AC Expressway service guy was great. He ended up jumping my car again with the hopes that I would have enough juice to drive to my garage in Bellmawr. If I died again and was still on the Expressway, he said he'd just jump my car again. So I avoided that tow. But still. Really? Also, if you do get stuck, you can call AAA and they will transfer you over to the Expressway folks who can help you.

I almost canned the entire trip, but it was such a nice day, and the people I was scheduled to meet with could move their appointments back, so my mom picked me up from the garage, took me to the PATCO High Speedline, which I took into Philly, onto the subway, and to where my boyfriend's car was. Then I headed BACK down the shore. In total, the trip took 6 hours and $500 (approximate cost to replace my alternator).

Thank goodness it was a gorgeous day. Unfortunately, the whole car thing meant my plans to both run and then sit on the beach after my appointments wasn't going to work. I only had time for one of those activities.

I think I chose wisely. This is Higbee Beach if you're wondering.

ALSO! Please be extra careful in driving in traffic that's moving slightly faster than stop and go. This was the case for parts of the AC Expressway on my second drive yesterday and I saw what looked like a four car pile up happen because someone rear ended one car, which caused a chain reaction. So be careful, folks.

ALSO AGAIN! I have another piece about running in the New York Times - ran today. Click here to read along. It involves a cow....and the Asbury Park Half Marathon and the Ocean Drive 10 miler.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 96: Two and a Half Weeks Left

Am I depressing you with this one? I really don't mean to, but it's true: we only have 2.5 weeks left of the 2011 summer shore season.

I tell you this now, and not next week or the week after that, because I want you to have ample warning that NOW IS THE TIME to get in any last must dos for the shore this year. Didn't get your cone from Kohrs, or your slice of Mack & Mancos, didn't see that sunset at Higbee Beach or that Big Night Out in Atlantic City? GET ON IT.

GET ON IT if you need to do this in, as the Beach Boys called it, the Warmth of the Sun. All of these things are available to you year around. But I know it's not the same if you're a summer fan. So. You've been warned. Get to work.

(I'm down the shore today, but last night, I spent a good chunk of time settling details of the slew of fall trips I'm taking, which include stops in the Outer Banks and Vancouver, among many many more - some for work, some not. As I was looking at those September and October dates, I realized I was automatically skipping over the next two and a half weeks. Writing for magazines will do that to you since our deadlines are so very far in advance. Hence the thought behind this fact of the day.)

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 95: The Atlantic City Airshow is tomorrow

It's almost Thunder Over the Boardwalk time!

The annual Atlantic City Airshow is tomorrow, and it will fill the skies over the Boardwalk and casino with planes from U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, U.S. Navy Super Hornet, and a lot more. Check out the details here.

My two tips:

1. If you can, go today. It's their practice day, and the crowds will be much smaller (estimates are that the Wednesday event draws 750,000 people). There's no schedule for practice because that depends on the weather, but if you're in town or thinking about sneaking down, this could be a reason why.

2. If you go tomorrow, do not plan on leaving right after the show. Atlantic City (and Ventnor, Margate and Longport for that matter) are paralyzed by traffic when the show is over. So make other plans (dinner anyone?) to avoid that crush.

And enjoy! I'll be in Cape May working tomorrow. Maybe I'll catch sight of a few planes on my way home.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 94: Use vinegar for jellyfish stings

The weather Saturday was gorgeous - a perfect beach day.

The creatures living in and around the beach, though, were not. I already mentioned the incident with the seagulls. I finally left the beach when I was stung by a jellyfish.

For all my time down the shore, I don't think they'd ever gotten me before. I could tell right away - a pin point burning on my back. I got out of the water and immediately applied pressure with my towel. It wasn't TOO bad, but it hurt. After about five minutes, the pain and itch went away. I guess it just tapped me.

If you do get stung, go to a lifeguard. In Ocean City, they were spraying jellyfish stings with plain old vinegar which, according to the New York Times, deactivates the "venomous nematocysts that jellyfish release." I was in Strathmere, so no lifeguard to spray me. But my sting was so mild I didn't need it.

And no, urine doesn't work. That's gross.

Of course, not all jellyfish stings are alike. Read here for more information.

Thanks to reader John Tomlinson for giving a heads up as to what Ocean City lifeguards were doing on Saturday.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 94: If you go in the water for five minutes, seagulls will find your unopened bag of tortilla chips, open them and eat them.

Fact.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 93: Watch the Globetrotters, Please

The Harlem Globetrotters are playing tonight in Wildwood, and as a promo to the event, took a ride on the famous Tram Car. The recording was changed in their honor (temporarily) to say "Watch the Globetrotters, Please."

The Press of Atlantic City has a great story about it, with video.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 90: For a last minute trip, start dialing

It happens every year, like a prelude to Back to School shopping mad dash: "Where can I book a cheap vacation down the shore right now?"

Yes, you see the date of this post correctly. In the last two weeks, I've been flooded with requests of where to go for cheap in these last few weeks of August.

My best advice? Pick up the phone and start dialing.

Your best chance on getting a good deal late is to find a place with a cancellation. Assuming said cancellation happened recently, the hotel, motel, or B&B already got at least part of the payment for the room. They'll want to put someone in there vs. no one.

Is it labor intensive? Of course. But it's your best bet.

Another tip: be flexible. Saying you must have oceanfront in Cape May might cramp your options (not that it isn't lovely. It is).

Of COURSE, feel free to keep asking me for suggestions. I can give you tips on who to call. Just realize I'm not a miracle worker ;-)

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 89: Humpback Whales spotted of Cape May

The Cape May Whale Watcher has been posting photos of what they're seeing on their daily trips, and we have some guests who are a bit early for vacation: humpback whales.

The best time to see whales at the Jersey Shore is typically in the fall, but they've been saying hello to visitors now. Check out their Facebook page if you want to see pictures.

If you're into Groupon, there's a deal today on dolphin and whale watching from the Starlight Fleet in Wildwood Crest.

I love dolphin/whale watching. It's a great non-beach way to enjoy a perfect summer day. I have gotten seasick on a whale watching trip though. If that happens to you, just know it's fairly common. They won't make fun of you a bit.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 88: New Beer Festival Coming to Atlantic City

The Golden Nugget (a.k.a. what was Trump Marina) is hosting a Craft Beer Festival on September 17 and 18.

September 17 is being billed the "All American Craft Beer Tasting," while September 18 will be Oktoberfest. The Saturday event is indoors; Sunday event is outside.

Sounds cool. The brewery lineup is pretty good, too: Flying Fish, Left Hand Brewing, Yards, Long Tail, Allagash, Hofbrau and Leinenkugel are just a few. Tickets are $49 a person.

I'd go if I were in the area - September 17 kicks off a week plus long vacation that is not in New Jersey. I love the shore, but I can't help but work when I'm there. So this will get around that, and I'll be visiting parts of the country I've never seen before. Should be a fun time.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 87: Miss America was in Atlantic City

So maybe it's not the greatest Fact of the Day, but I really just wanted to post that picture.

On July 28, current Miss America Teresa Scanlan toured the Trop's new Cielo Suites - the same one I stayed in for my birthday. I did not, however, have a pool table.

I'm writing an article about high roller suites and will get to tour a few more next week. I'm fascinated by this stuff - who gets to stay there? What's the value of them? And, as you know, I'm also oddly interested in the whole Miss America concept.

Hence why you get a picture of Miss America in a high roller suite on the blog. Voila.

I apologize for the lateness of this post today, too. I have a big piece coming out tomorrow on a major new outlet that I had 24 hours to write (they asked me). I'm wrapping it up this morning. It'll be a doozy.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 86: Mack & Mancos Delivers to Philadelphia

Yes, really. It won't be cheap, but they have done it before. What would be a better surprise for your employees while working on a long, drawn out, and/or tense project than some #saucehose pizzas?

I've never done it, but when I worked with M&M to get pizzas on the NBC 10! show back in 2008, they told me they do this all the time.

You can also get a half backed pie to bring home and finish in your oven. I've done that too. Works like a charm.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 85: Right now, the ocean is very warm

When I was on my shore vacation two weeks ago, the ocean temperatures hovered in the 60s. One day, it was 60 - even though the heat index topped 100.

My my my how things have turned. According to Ocean City Patch, the ocean temperature has hit 80 degrees.

"That's the warmest of the year and a mark that Ocean City often goes years without seeing," wrote Douglas Bergen.

That's amazing. I can't remember an 80 degree ocean day. Is it too warm? I have spent a lot of time on the gulf coast in Florida and hated that bathwater temperature water, which it tended to be on our day trips out from college (University of Tampa to Clearwater trips were fairly common).

If you're down there, what are your thoughts? I'm headed down to Ocean City on Saturday and will let you know how it is, if that temperature holds. But knowing how up and down this summer's been, I wouldn't count on it.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 84: The Food Network Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival is this weekend

FOODIES! Get your butts to Atlantic City for the Food Network Food & Wine Festival, which started yesterday. Don't worry that you're late on this. You can still grab tickets to hang out with celebrity chefs and drink and eat to your heart's content.

Believe it or not, I've never been to the event. There's always been something the weekend of the event (this year, it's a memorial service and a christening). I mean, how could I deny this little guy?

Ryan, on the left, is the one being Christened. Drew, on the right, will be in attendance with his parents who are coming up from Baltimore. Who are these adorable creatures? My nephews - and Phillies fans - of course.

I'll be back down the shore next weekend. I was going to hop into the Captain Bill Gallagher 10 Mile Island Run in Sea Isle but I think we're going to be a little silly and do the No Shower Happy Hour at the Ocean Drive. Why not?

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 83: You CAN suffer from the heat down the shore

I was down the shore for part of that monster heat wave. Yes, some days it was cooler because of wind blowing off the 60-degree water. But when that breeze turned and passed over the land instead, the only cool place was to actually be in the ocean. It was the only place you could escape the greenhead flies, too (partially - I stood in the water and read my book but one of them STILL got me on the back).

Looks like we're getting another heat wave shortly, so please be careful if you're down the shore. Hydrate more than you usually do, and be careful if you plan to run or bike while you're there. My suggestion for runners: jump into the ocean after. It's no longer 60 degrees, but it's a wonderful cool down.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 82: Avalon was once covered in juniper trees

That is a branch with berries from a juniper tree. These kinds of trees used to cover the island that is now known as Avalon.

I learned this while having diner at the Diving Horse last week - my favorite meal of the six fancy dinners I enjoyed while on vacation. The dude took notes and will be posting reviews on the blog in the near future. Until then, though, I wanted to share that juniper tidbit.

The reason I learned this is because we were served a dish that involved juniper. I don't have the dude's notes, or I would share. Until then, how about a picture from dinner?

This is their tomato and watermelon salad, served with feta, avocado, mint and cured olives. And that was just the start...