This week

MORE THAN 50 PROPERTIES have been placed under contract since June 1. For those properties priced right, showing activity remains strong.

LAST MINUTE RENTALS continue to be booked, frequently just a few days before the week begins. Owners, make sure your properties are in rental-ready condition in case of last minute bookings.

WARMING UP: cold ocean water temperatures persisted well into the summer due to wind patterns that kept pushing warm surface water out to sea, allowing cooler, sub-surface water into the surf. That pattern has finally eased and surf temperatures have climbed into the low to mid-70s.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Veteran's Plaza Concert, Avalon, Saturday, 7pm, August 9; Big Band Dance, Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, August 9; Family Night, Stone Harbor Firehouse, Monday, 7pm, August 11; Sidewalk Sale, Stone Harbor, Saturday, August 23.

PRIME TIME: the prime weeks of the summer are upon us, and the Island is as busy as ever, particularly on weekends. Higher gas prices may have slowed shopping and restaurant dining, but they certainly didn't stop people from coming to the island.

TALL SHIP SAILING: the AJ Meerwald will spend the month of August docked at Utsch's Marina in Cape May, and offers sailing adventures to the public. The Meerwald is an authentic, restored oyster schooner, and serves as New Jersey's official tall ship. Call 856-785-2060 for reservations. Speaking from personal experience, it's a delightful trip!