Family owned and operated for more than 20 years, it doesn't get any better than a visit to C. Melini. Walk-ins welcomed, check them out! << MORE >>

What a history we have with the Briney family - congrats to Kaycee and to C. Melini! << MORE >>

The granddaughter of the founder of Hager Real Estate is loving life at RE/MAX. With 35 years experience, she's seen the good times and come and go. The market is all about confidence, right now buyers are waiting for the bottom. Have faith, she advises, people always want to own a piece of Ocean City. << MORE >>

Rain, rain go away and don't come back, says Mike Walsh of Domino's. Summer looks to be great, but what about spring? Can't we bring more people to town? << MORE >>

Asbury and West Avenues are hot - the higher price ranges are struggling. Summer rentals are hopping, it looks like a great summer from his standpoint. << MORE >>

The contractors for the new bridge had nothing but praise for the community. Ocean City, they say, is very welcoming, extremely gracious. << MORE >>

They want every last coin you have - they're calling it a fee, but let's be real; it's another tax, folks. As the state's Chamber of Commerce Presidents Jim Leonard says, the answer can't always be "let's add another tax." << MORE >>

A David vs. Goliath type story about this wonderful little book store ran in the Upper Township Gazette this week. Sun Rose was busy, busy this afternoon - and several of the customers were Gazette readers who came in to check it out! Lots and lots of Mother's Day gifts, great for last minute items. They even have cards and will happily gift wrap for you. << MORE >>

"What's next, a tax on air," said state Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris. "Haven't the taxpayers already had enough?" Yes, we have sir, thank you! << MORE >>

Karen's in favor of BYOB "just to see what the citizens felt about it," and no, no no to tropical hardwood, as there are "less expensive, longer lasting products," according to the citizenry. What's wrong with this picture? Know of anything that last longer than tropical hardwood? Nothing more dangerous than a constituent armed with the Internet, other than a council person who "listens" to them! << MORE >>

From beautiful concerts to free rides and flowers, you can't beat Mother's Day in Ocean City! << MORE >>

Hip, hip hooray! The beaches are opening! If only the weather clears up, we might be able to enjoy them! << MORE >>

Another soccer game on Mother's Day for the Williamson family. Ten years ago it was the Comet's in Berlin - How terrific to watch a grown up player for the Baron's. << MORE >>

The firemen are logging their own times, but that is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse, according to the fourth ward councilman. What an awful thing to say publicly about hardworking professionals! << MORE >>

The clock is ticking - it will be Memorial Day before you know it. Summer will be here soon, let's hope the sand arrives first. << MORE >>

I'm boycotting Cadbury Schweppes! I love Wendy Kaufman, the Snapple Lady! How refreshing is it that she is energetic and positive? She has a fun personality and devoted herself to the Snapple brand. After making the company hundreds of millions of dollars, the company unceremoniously dumped her. Is she too old and too fat? << MORE >>

Check them out - the sunbursts are really cool! Using DuraTherm technology they really brighten the downtown! << MORE >>

A day at Perry Egan is like a day at the beach, so they say. Check it out! << MORE >>

The grand opening, just in time for the summer season. It's an incredible property - I'll report in tomorrow! The developer is offering a new BMW Roadster for selling the most desirable property in Ocean City? Anyone interested, step up now! << MORE >>

The breast cancer survivor – an energetic, enthusiastic former college basketball legend and ESPN commentator – told her poignant story, what she referred to as her “journey with breast cancer,” with frank illustrations and a healthy dose of humor.<< MORE >>

There's always something exciting going on at the Ocean City Arts Center! Rooftops is a themed exhibit featuring recent works by invited artists through the month of June. Come to the reception and meet the artists on June 6! << MORE >>

I don't like long lines at the checkout, or a lack of checkout aisles, but the self-checkout is far worse to me! Interesting data on what bothers people about grocery shopping. << MORE >>

It's pretty obvious ethanol is a huge reason why food prices have spiked- interesting that some of our lawmakers have noticed. Nothing will come of this, however. There is a big ethanol industry to contend with and too much money to be made feeding it. Sad, isn't it? We pony up at the grocery store as the ethanol industry counts their millions. << MORE >>

If customers aren't buying, more often than not it is an indication that a company is targeting the wrong people. We all know the saying about one man's trash being another man's treasure, and you just need to find the man who treasures your trash.<< MORE >>

A new, updated look for Washington Street in Cape May. Imagine if we could EVER do something like this in Ocean City. "A face lift that has erased the ravages of time," an exciting new look, including 200,000 brick pavers, new walkways, lighting, fountains, trees, flags, benches and planters. In Ocean City we spend our money on surveys, what a shame. << MORE >>

A supporter of the Arts, a former councilman, a respected citizen. If I am to be of the same "ilk" as someone, I couldn't do any better than Bill Woods. The long saga of 318 East Surf Road may never, ever really be put to rest, but we're both glad we spoke out about it. << MORE >>

Empty vendors stay empty, but put a decoy out front who looks happy shopping, and the vendor gets instantly busy. Crowds attract crowds! We helped Diane Reese more than double her business for a while! If you were a merchant, where would you rather be located? << MORE >>

If Wawa is too cool for Fourth Street, no sweat off my back. I'm going to the Sunoco Station on Ninth Street for my ice-cold fountain Diet Coke. We will survive! Funny how the Sunoco Station, or any other little store, has not picked up the mantle to "fill the void" for the Wawa refugees. There are a lot of us, wouldn't you think someone would be after our business? << MORE >>

At best, my Pig Iron machine, gas hog that she is would cost $3.65 less to refuel if you saved 17 cents a gallon. Would it ever be worth waiting in line for 60 to 90 minutes and risking an altercation with a nutsy motorist? << MORE >>

It was the big environmental deal when we built our house 15 years ago - energy efficient and all that happy BS - bottom line, it's the worst thing you could do to heat and cool your home. I just got a new unit - seven months later!! << MORE >>

The notion of taxing a Big Mac or a Wendy's burger came up at a New Jersey Hospital Association meeting where Gov. Jon S. Corzine was asked if it could be an option to help fund struggling hospitals. At the meeting, he reportedly called it a "constructive suggestion." << MORE >>

A quite enjoyable afternoon - it wasn't crowded. Good for shoppers, but a less than stellar day for merchants. << MORE >>

Junk sprawling out of some of the stores, cheap ticky tacky stuff unbecoming of the Boardwalk. Must we endure a flea market on our world famous thoroughfare? << MORE >>

Bills in New Jersey legislature would allow cash rebates, cash incentives for buyers and sellers. Fraught with peril and potential illegalities and ethical issues, why would the legislature consider this? << MORE >>

Don't panic, he says. South Jersey is not a sellers market, but it's not dooms day either. An interesting read on the local market. This just in: South Jersey is living a double life; one that resides inland, and another that kisses the Atlantic Ocean and her cool, sandy beaches on a daily basis. While this may not carry all the sinister salaciousness of a bigamous love story, the dichotomy is very important to consider when surveying the health of the region’s housing market. See, “down the shore” real estate works a little differently than it does in the cloistered hinterlands of Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties. The majority of shore property is comprised of second homes, many of which are rented to mainlanders during the peak summer season. Moreover, the prices of shore property are determined by almost freakishly different market factors than comparable housing inland. << MORE >>

We slash and burn our employees, even those who save lives and prevent tragedy and disaster. Get this - collectively, governments across America have added 76,800 jobs - since the beginning of the year!!! << MORE >>

Adding a few minutes to each flight saves the airlines millions. Southwest is extending flights one to three minutes for a savings of over $42 million this year. No dramatic changes, just flying a little slower makes a world of difference. << MORE >>

A Mother's Day delight for me - Jean Shaw at the book store! One of the most delightful women I've ever met. The little wooden telescope book chair is a must-see. << MORE >>

The police chief says regulations concerning parking will be strictly enforced. That means, of course, that merchants and Asbury Avenue residents can't hog the parking spots. There are city ordinances and regulations to keep that from happening. Seems odd that the police chief has to remind merchants that they are not allowed to park on the main shopping thoroughfare, you'd think common sense would dictate that, no? << MORE >>

The meters are going up quickly, as we speak they are appearing! There is a bit of a grace period, so to speak, the parking enforcement officers will not be writing tickets until they come on duty, May 14<< MORE >>

Light up your real estate sign for $50 and six C batteries, that is until someone steals the sign or the wind knocks it over. There are better ways to lose 50 bucks - and it's probably against some kind of ordinance. Everything else is! << MORE >>

No big surprise here. They might blame the slumping U.S. economy and housing market on this one, but the lazy attitude on the part of some employees didn't make the big box a pleasant place to shop. << MORE >>

Impaired or failing memory as we get older is one of life’s major inconveniences. Scientists have known of the potential health benefits of diets rich in fresh fruits for a long time. Could blueberries be the answer? << MORE >>

Kudos to Dr. Berk Clark who is filling in for Dr. Sue this week. What are the odds that we are on our fourth root canal for three people in as many months? << MORE >>

If a favorable appraisal from Frommer’s travel guide and Yahoo’s travel website have any influence on the traveling public then Cape May County is poised to have a banner summer season.<< MORE >>

My dear friend never ceases to amaze me!! Impressive!! She'll be at the block party with her extraordinary Ocean City photos! You go girl!! << MORE >>

Stop the presses!! Exciting news as RE/MAX continues to grow! << MORE >>

The subprime mess is glass half full - for some. A lot of people are profiting from the same economy that is bankrupting others. There are fortunes to be made on the mortgage mess. << MORE >>

Interesting - tracking the comments made by National Association of Realtors chief economist David Lereah. From a "strong demand for housing for a growing population" in 2005 to a prediction of stabilization in the "second half" of 2008. << MORE >>

The FMBA puts on a really good show - what an honor to be in the company of these wonderful people! A special thank you to all of them. << MORE >>