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Safety crews warn of dangerous conditions at Gulf Coast beaches this weekend - FOX10 News

Southern California has long been a place people want to live and where vacationers want to travel.

In the new normal forged by the coronavirus, people have had precious little to laugh about as they deal with complications brought on by the pandemic.

For one night, a couple of comics were able to provide such an escape on Friday in Huntington Beach.

Ian Bagg and Lachlan Patterson headlined Comedy on the Beach, a show that was free at SeaLegs at the Beach.

Where theres a will, theres a way, John Johnson, the shows producer, said of being able to put on the event. I just am itching to get back to putting on these shows again and being able to have a chance with this unique venue has just been a blessing.

Johnson added that this was the eighth Comedy on the Beach show that he has put on at SeaLegs since 2018, but it was the first time since the coronavirus shutdown.

Patterson, a Venice Beach resident who said he turned 46 this week, said he could not think of a better way to celebrate a birthday than a return to doing standup comedy.

While he is conscious of the need for safety precautions to protect against the spread of the virus, Patterson said he has come around to the idea that laughter can provide its own form of healing for those who have been cooped up in quarantine.

At first, I thought my goal as a standup comedian during this pandemic, I felt like, was just to get out of everybodys way, dont be part of the problem, stay home, stay safe, Patterson said. When people say, We need laughter, I kind of said, Well, we need to be safe, but Ive had very few opportunities to laugh during these last six months, and I have laughed.

Seeing comedy on the internet, Ive had some good outward laughs at things and social media posts, and that feeling is therapeutic, and I cant ignore that. I think people really do need to laugh.

John Johnson warms up the crowd at the Comedy on the Beach show at Sea Legs at the Beach on Friday.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Patterson and Bagg are both alumni of the hit show, Last Comic Standing. Bagg said there is no replacement for the energy of live entertainment, and he shared how he got his start in the business.

I just started on an open mic in Vancouver, Bagg said. I was supposed to be going to college to become an explosives engineer. I went on this open mic, and I never went back to school.

Bagg referred to comedy as a feast-or-famine industry, not only with audiences but with family members. He said that to this day, his father still shakes his head in disbelief that he took this path and it worked out.

Those in attendance came ready to enjoy themselves on Friday night.

Karri Fuqua, 51, of Huntington Beach said that she and her husband, Mike, are regulars at SeaLegs at the Beach, but they had never attended a comedy show at the venue.

The couple brought Beth Reed, a friend who was visiting from Las Vegas.

I think comedy in the middle of COVID is a great idea, Reed said. People need to laugh. Being secluded, isolated, all that, this is what people need.

Reed described the Las Vegas Strip during the pandemic as desolate.

I keep telling people, If you want to see what the end of the world is going to look like, go drive on the Strip in Vegas. Vegas, always people are there, its lit up, everythings going. Its like the end of the world [now].

Singer Johnny Luv plays an extended set at the Comedy on the Beach show at SeaLegs at the Beach on Friday. The music and comedy show was free to the public.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Johnny Luv opened as a live musical act, and some danced in front of the stage. Several sung along during a rendition of Bob Marleys Three Little Birds.

A crowd of more than 300 took in the show, dozens of which viewed it from beyond the venue on the sand.

It can bring the community together, Drew Campolito, 22, of Huntington Beach said of the show. Definitely, for free is really nice, too. Its been hard times lately.

Diondre Miller, 20, Campolitos partner, agreed that making the show free gave it a feeling of community.

Its really cool, Miller said. Its really fun. It made us want to come out and support.

The crowd enjoys the music at the Comedy on the Beach show at Sea Legs at the Beach on Friday.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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"Comedy on the Beach" provides a welcome escape - Los Angeles Times

A hot and steamy day brought people out to Jersey Shore beaches in droves Saturday afternoon, one day after two towns announced that they were planning on limiting the number of beach badges they could sell on any given day.

The beaches at Belmar looked crowded during the afternoon but it was not clear if officials there ever had to cut off the the sale of badges.

Belmar has capped the number of daily beach badges that can be sold at 7,500 per day. Nearby Manasquan set a limit of 1,000 per day on Saturdays and Sundays for any type of beach badge.

Meanwhile, in the popular beach towns of Asbury Park and Ocean City, where no such restrictions were in place, beachgoers headed down to bask in the sun and take a dip in the ocean to escape the searing temperatures which crept into the low nineties.

Temperatures will stay hot for the next few days, with heat indexes of 100 degrees possible at times between Sunday and Tuesday.

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Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com.

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See packed N.J. beaches as sweltering weekend begins (PHOTOS) - NJ.com

My first holiday memory was potentially a horror story. I was five and my parents had taken us to Deauville, an oddly fateful holiday that led to me writing a book 35 years later (have I mentioned, Ive written a book?). But it also could have been the holiday that doomy movie music, whirl to camera ended life as I knew it.

It was the last day of our vacation and I, chubby as a tomato, pottered off to look for shells. (People with children, you may want to look away now and rejoin in two paragraphs time.) Alas, I failed to inform my parents, because they were being extremely boring, talking to a couple theyd met on the beach and possibly glancing through three-day-old newspapers (note to younger readers: befriending strangers and reading out-of-date newspapers was how people distracted themselves on holiday before the smartphone). Too late, I realised Id lost sight of them and was now lost in northern France, where my language skills were limited to pain au chocolat useful at the hotel buffet, less helpful in getting me back to my mother. I calmly walked on, in the wrong direction, while my poor parents hysterically scanned the ocean. I spotted some French children, who seemed enormous to me but were probably all of 10. I cant find my parents, I said. Miraculously, one spoke English. Come with me, she said.

Spoiler: she did not lead me to a circus troupe, and I did not become a tiger trainer named Mademoiselle Sans Peur. She took me to the authorities, who announced over the speaker that an American child had been found. I still remember how the boardwalk bounced as my frantic mother ran towards me.

While my parents continue to suffer from PTSD, this experience was so formative and so devoid of any negative associations for me that the one lesson I took from it was that holidays mean beaches. Deauville was my first small taste of independence and self-sufficiency, and I still celebrate my adult landmarks on the beach, including my 30th and 40th birthdays, and the first big holiday I took with my boyfriend, to a beach in Sri Lanka. On the first morning, post buffet breakfast, I flopped into a sun lounger, picked up Slashs autobiography, ready to settle in for the next two weeks, when my boyfriend said something odd.

So is this what you do on holiday? he asked. I looked at him as if hed asked if I would have a pia colada before 10am: ummm, yes? Obviously this is what I do on holiday. What else is there?

For Sartre, hell is other people; for me, hell is other peoples holidays. When I was young and eager to please, I agreed to go on holiday with friends. This turned out to mean, horrifyingly, a cycling holiday a contradiction in terms. From then on, I dragged people to the beach with me or often went on my own. My boyfriend is generally happy to join me, but I (sort of) accept that I occasionally have to go on his idea of a holiday, too, which is a decidedly English one. Namely, it doesnt count if there isnt some kind of discomfort to overcome.

How about camping? he asked early on. I explained that this was impossible because we Jews have bad associations with camps, and to question this was a form of violence. I once interviewed Nick Jones, the founder of the Soho House chain, and he said something that I have thought about at least three times a week since: Why go on holiday to somewhere worse than your home? Some people get their mantras from wise gurus, I get mine from Soho House. And while my house is messy at times, it does have a functioning toilet, meaning its a hard no to camping from me.

But since having children, my grip on holidays has been slipping. Its expensive to take three children on a beach holiday, although my boyfriend has tried his best. The first year, we took a (6am! Death!) ferry to Deauville, where the beach was a lot colder than I remembered, although at least I didnt lose myself or a child. The second year we went to Cornwall, which is lovely but the weather was dismayingly English for all that money. Next year, I promised myself, sheltering behind a windcheater, I would have palm trees and coladas, even if I had to sell one of the children to get there.

Well, we all know how that turned out. By default, my boyfriend has won this years summer holiday. Yes, he makes sympathetic clucks, but he thinks I cant see him gleefully Googling campsites within driving distance. Treacherously, my two older children are excited about this, suggesting they may need a maternity test. God knows the coronavirus has had worse side-effects, but the beach is where I blow off steam. So now here I am, full of steam, a kettle without a spout.

This year has become, for me, about compromise, but also about knowing myself. For our summer holiday, the boys will go camping with their father, while I stay home and watch movies with the baby, revelling in my indoor plumbing. Then he and I will go for a one-night mini-break. After all this, 24 hours in a Kent B&B will feel like a fortnight in Barbados. And if thats not growing up, Ill eat a palm tree.

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My beach holiday is out. Ill forgo the palm trees, but I draw the line at camping - The Guardian

We headed to Dennis Port on a Sunday. We zipped down in about 80 minutes a record, I think. We breezed over the Sagamore Bridge, and I was quietly relieved that my 3-year-old didnt demand to stop at a bathroom a public bathroom! on the way. Plus, our car looked like wed just robbed a Target. We packed the usual stuff, like sand toys, but we also had a weeks worth of food; a suitcase stuffed with our own sheets and towels; a bag brimming with cleaning supplies; and a mask-filled glove compartment. We werent going on vacation so much as switching fortresses.

The cute cottage was already spotless, but I wiped down every surface to soothe my own paranoia. Normally my kids jump on the beds when we enter a new place to mark their territory. Do not touch the bedspread! I yelped at my preschooler as he began discoing. I stripped the sheets and replaced them with our own. I placed tubs of Purell in the car and in the kitchen as if they were floral bouquets. I sprayed Lysol in random corners. Only then could we rest.

Or could we? A nearby friend had texted me, stressed: A mask-less family had plunked down next to her crew at the beach, forcing them to scuttle sideways like crushed snails lest they risk confrontation. What was wrong with people? Dennis helpfully tweets which beaches are full, and we made our way to Mayflower Beach with high hopes. Everything was fine until the tide lapped in, mouth-breathing sunbathers began squishing together, and a game of volleyball came claustrophobically close to our little unit. My husband and I looked at each other: We had seen the enemy, and we needed to flee. My kids reflexively affixed their masks, and we trudged back to the parking lot. It was fun while it lasted.

We had better luck elsewhere. Nauset Beach, in Orleans, was a public health officials dream: perfectly spaced groups, nearly everyone in masks when walking to and from cars, and plenty of signage reminding people of proper safety measures. Truro, too: nothing but dunes, sandy expanse, and a drooling fox carrying a dead mouse in its teeth. (Somehow, the prospect of other humans threatened everyone more than the hungry wildlife.) We made smores with friends at dusk, from a distance, a bag of marshmallows sitting next to a canister of Clorox wipes as the sun glinted off the water. The poetry of summer 2020.

Speaking of food: a moment for the teens at Sundae School who combine military precision with ballet-like grace and the attitude of a stern neighborhood crossing guard. Your chipper young ice cream scooper is now equipped with a mask, flashlight, reflective vest, and baton and, sometimes, reinforced by police so please tip accordingly. The outdoor lines stretched for blocks (nobody seemed to want to order inside, even though they could); everyone was masked and 6 feet apart, marked with taped Xs on the pavement like some kind of deranged choreography for a Broadway show. There was a sense of communal goodwill in the (germ-free?) air. When my rogue toddler scrambled across a filthy picnic table, a nearby diner chimed in.

I have Clorox wipes in my car, she offered. I would have accepted them, except would I then need to Clorox her Clorox?

At Kream N Kone in Dennis, there is a system: Phone in your seafood order, and theyll call you back when ready. Do not enter the premises until summoned, and when you do, youd best look like Hannibal Lecter no mask, no service. A lobster roll tastes even better when youve prepped for it.

Pirates Cove in South Yarmouth, too, was a model of efficiency. Normally a free-for-all of sticky children and gaggles of families nipping at the heels of sluggish mini-golfers, now everyone kept their distance. There was no crowding, no antsy hoards clamoring to play through. This didnt stop me from wiping down every ball and golf club, of course. I felt momentarily insane until I glanced toward the parking lot and spotted another parent doing the exact same thing. And at the Wellfleet Drive-In, the list of social distancing precautions was as long as the movie itself.

Which is also why its nice to be home. Overall, we had a wonderful time. My kids had a blast. They didnt complain about their masks or about my dousing them in Purell every hour. The beauty of the beach endured: a gauzy orange Truro sunset doesnt know were in a pandemic. But in my own home, surrounded by my own germs, I could finally let down my guard. No more mental calculations of 6 feet versus 5 feet; no more droopy masks; no more Purell. No more worrying whether I infected someone or whether someone infected me. Were all in a perpetual state of risk-benefit analysis. The benefits of going away definitely outweighed the risks, but its so nice to stop doing the math and to stop internally apologizing for trying to protect myself all while evaluating the danger of everyday situations that used to be so innocuous. In a pandemic, what is rational? What is paranoid? Where is my lobster roll?

Vacationing right now going anywhere now carries an undercurrent of awkward guilt. Occasionally, someone would come perilously close without a mask, and I was forced into fast mental gymnastics, calling up the endless diagrams Id seen calculating danger: We were outdoors! Interaction was minimal! The clueless child who began spitting into the sand near our umbrella was likely fine; the unfortunate fellow who had a sneezing fit in a parked car several spaces down from us probably wasnt possessed of industrial-strength aerosols. And, really, what would I say if he were? There is no etiquette handbook for a virus. For a society that is mostly kind, polite, and diplomatic, the thought of asking someone else to please stand back or to put on a mask requires a strong tropical drink. At the beach, its tough to make waves.

Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @kcbaskin.

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When vacationing at the beach during COVID-19, theres an undercurrent of nervousness - The Boston Globe

Long Beach

By Gary Metzker

The golden years arent so golden for many these days, as the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of abating.

At least 38,000 U.S. residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for older adults have died from the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 142,000 people at those facilities have contracted the virus, and at least 90,000 more cases are suspected.

In California, there have been more than 2,400 deaths in long-term care facilities, and according to the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department, 118 deaths have been associated with long-term care facilities in the city.

Many families are not aware that there are other alternatives besides skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, especially during this health crisis.

WelbeHealth is an operator of Medicaids Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) across California. Its newest facility is in Long Beach at 1220 E. Fourth St., but because of the coronavirus pandemic, no one is visiting the location. Instead, the company has transitioned to a remote, at-home care model to serve seniors while keeping them physically shielded from the spread of the virus.

According to Sophia Guel-Valenzuela, regional vice president and executive director of the Long Beach facility, having seniors in a PACE program is a safer alternative because it can provide necessities, meal deliveries throughout the day, assistance in the home and meaningful social engagement.

There has never been a stronger imperative to keep seniors living more independently in their homes and communities, she said. Our goal is to keep seniors socially engaged through games and special events. Its important to keep people safe.

Guel-Valenzuela said each client gets a 4G LTE tablet to use that enables them to talk to a doctor or a social worker as well as interacting with other people.

The highlight of my week is to see the engagement going on, she said. Engagement coordinators host trivia games, bingo, card games. Its like a big Zoom meeting.

Guel-Valenzuela believes the combination of staying at home with interactivity is the template of the future for senior care.

Its safer to stay at home now, she said. Ive been doing this for 18 years and this model of coordinated care is something I believe in.

PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services enabling older adults to live in the community instead of a nursing home or other care facility. Its services are available at no cost to most participants as part of their Medicare and MediCal benefits.

In our HomePACE model of remote care, we help seniors stay healthy and thriving while avoiding nursing facilities, which have tragically become hotbeds for the spread of coronavirus, said Dr. Si France, founder and CEO of WelbeHealth in a statement. Were excited to expand our all-inclusive model of care into greater Long Beach to serve more vulnerable seniors when they need it most.

WelbeHealths Long Beach location is accepting applications. Families can call 1-800-734-8041.

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Firm offering at-home alternative to nursing homes opens in Long Beach - Long Beach Press Telegram

A week after closing its beach parking lots to non-residents, Gloucester announced on Tuesday that it will reopen some spaces this weekend.

The parking lots for Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach will reopen for non-Gloucester residents at a reduced capacity, the city announced.

The decision to close the lots to non-residents followed complaints of of excessive traffic, illegal parking, littering and increased public safety concerns by city officials. Closing the lots also helped promote social distancing amid COVID-19 due to beach capacity concerns around the scheduled tide cycle, the city said.

On Tuesday, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief Edward Conley, Director of Public Works Michael Hale and Public Health Director Karin Carroll said it was safe to reopen a portion of the parking spots beginning July 25.

This weekend we saw far less traffic, and Im thankful to everyone who helped everything go smoothly, including my staff, the City Council, Department of Public Works, the Police Department, our new Beach and Park Rangers, the Health Department, Bob Ryan and the Traffic Commission, as well as our residents, Romeo Theken said in a statement. If our beaches become overwhelmed or if capacity is reduced because of tides, we may have to limit access again in the future.

Parking lots at Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Beaches will be open to residents and a limited number of non-residents at a reduced capacity. Stage Fort Park will be open to the public and non-residents will be required to pay daily parking rates at the gate. Residents can park in the lots with either a 2019 or 2020 beach sticker or a car registration and license with a Gloucester address.

For the remainder of the summer, Gloucester officials will announce any parking restrictions for the coming weekend on the Wednesday prior.

On weekends, city officials said, the parking lots typically fill up by 9 a.m. and begin to reopen in the afternoon.

All of our public spaces are busier than ever this summer, Romeo Theken said. Our beaches are beautiful, but there are so many other things to do in our great City. We love life here in Gloucester and know you will too.

Last weekend, the Gloucester Police Department issued 153 parking violations and five cars were towed, the city said. An emergency order from the city, citing public safety concerns, deemed nearly three dozen streets as resident parking only to reduce traffic. Additional streets are being added to the list near beaches to limit non-resident street parking in neighborhoods.

Gloucester plans for increased police patrols on the beaches for the remainder of the summer.

We will be closely monitoring parking violations in the City for the remainder of the summer, and its essential that everyone continues to follow any future limitations the City may place on the public parking lots or on residential street parking near public spaces, Conley said. Thank you to everyone for your continued patience and understanding.

Those visiting beaches in Gloucester beaches must follow these guidelines:

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Gloucester reopens limited number of public parking space to beaches for non-residents after issuing 153 tick - MassLive.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) An arrest has been made after a man was killed in a shooting on Holland Road on Wednesday night.

25-year-old Dornell Marcus Collins Jr., of Virginia Beach, was arrested and charged with murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Police say they responded to the homicide in the 3300 block of Holland Road around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and found a man who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the preliminary investigation showed the victim was walking with a friend down Holland Road when Collins opened fire.

.Regina Darden, who lives a few blocks from the crime scene, says she heard the five gunshots that apparently ended the young mans life.

Its sad its really sad that a life was taken and with this epidemic going on and everything else going on its just sad, said Darden.

Witnesses at the scene gave police information that led to officers to Collins, who was taken into custody without incident early Thursday morning in the900 block of Truro Court.

WAVY-TV 10 has learned Collins from 2012 to 2014 was a member of the football and track and field programs at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. In recent years, videos posted to YouTube show Collins using the name Nic3 Da Velie as a rapper. WAVY-TV spoke to a local music producer who said Collins reached out to him in April to book studio time for a recording but Collins never followed up with a deposit.

Collins remains behind bars in the Virginia Beach City Jail on no bond. Authorities have yet to release the name of the victim.

More information will be released once its available, police said.

Stay with WAVY.com for updates.

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Suspect arrested after man killed in shooting on Holland Road in Virginia Beach - WAVY.com

Startled beachgoers were joined by unwelcome visitors on Tuesday in Cape May when thousands of began swarming before settling on a towel hanging on the back of a chair.

The strange scene unfolded around 3 p.m. at Steger beach between Jackson and Perry streets when a group of bees began buzzing overhead, according to a witness and a video.

Thousands of bees settled on a towel hanging on he back of a beach chair on the sand in Cape May on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.Dean Bloemer

Within five minutes thousands of bees had clustered on the back of the chair, according to Dean Bloemer a retiree who lives in Cape May and was on the beach with several others. The bees werent aggressive, according to Bloemer, who wasnt sure if anyone got stung.

Bloemer quickly contacted Allen Brown, a local beekeeper, who collected the bees in a cardboard box within 15 minutes of arriving as lifeguards worked to keep people away. Bloemer said Brown told him the bees likely converged on the beach because they were following a queen that was there.

The bees were docile because they were already full of honey, Brown explained to Bloemer. The beekeeper planned to take the bees to empty hives.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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WATCH: Thousands of bees descend on Jersey Shore beach - NJ.com

On June 27, I saw something that will stay in my mind forever: a 16-year-old boy stepping into the water just beyond the Lewes Beach shoreline and doing a short, simple dive. Moments later - when it was apparent that he had hit his head on hard sand and couldnt move below his neck - his aunt raced in, supported him so that he could keep his face above the water and breathe, then turned him over to off-duty paramedics who applied CPR and stabilized him so he could be transported to Beebe Healthcare.

An hour later he was on his way by helicopter to A.I. duPont Childrens Hospital in Wilmington. Nearly two weeks later hes beginning a long road to a hopeful recovery with the love of a wonderful family with long ties to Lewes, and support from a wide group of medical professionals and representatives of the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

I dont think anyone who saw what happened to that boy has slept well in the time since. It was terrifying and has brought an intense sadness into the lives of many people.

We can cry and pray and beg whatever God we believe in to keep it from happening to other kids, but we can - and must - do more. Beginning immediately, the City of Lewes needs to erect signs warning people not to dive into the water anywhere along the beach - including off of the recreational mats that are often put several dozen feet offshore, or off the many boats that come close to shore so kids and others can disembark in shallow water.

While I havent had time to consult medical professionals, I believe many who work here at the beach will agree based on what I learned from Dr. Paul Cowen at Beebe Healthcare, who spoke at length with me for a 2018 article on surf zone injuries. He described many days when the emergency rooms waiting area was filled with the scent of suntan oil because so many beachgoers had been slammed by breaking waves into the sand. Many suffered life-altering spinal injuries, and many reported being completely surprised at the force of the waves even on days when the winds were low.

Today, many more people are aware of those dangers on the ocean beaches, and thanks to public education efforts have learned not to turn their backs on breaking waves.

Many have personally experienced the steep drop-offs that can result in standing in waist deep water one moment and neck-deep water two steps later. While there isnt sufficient scientific evidence to prove it, that experience has led many to believe sand replenishment on the ocean beaches is creating more dangerous conditions. As a result theyre more careful around those breaking waves along the ocean.

Right now it isnt reasonable to expect that same level of intuitive caution in the bay. The drop-offs and sudden rises are more unexpected under the calm surface of the water. And most of Lewes Beach isnt protected by guards who could warn folks to be careful. I can already hear pushback from locals who will tell you about how theyve been swimming in Delaware Bay since childhood without danger.

Unfortunately, the past isnt an indication of the future. Upcoming work on the breakwaters, eroding shorelines and increasingly intense storms due to climate change along with more unpredictable water depth tied to the tides are bound to make diving dangers more common.

For these reasons and more, warning signs are a crucial first step. We also need a longer-term educational effort to ensure more people understand that diving into water when you cant see the bottom is as dangerous as diving into a shallow swimming pool. Local students need to learn about this in Cape Henlopens public and private schools.

Visitors checking into summertime rentals need to be warned so they can enjoy the beach safely. And public officials need to recognize their responsibility to warn the public right now, and in the years to come.

This boys recovery will be long and complicated. Preventing future injuries can and should be simple.

We need to act responsibly by posting warnings and heeding them.

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Lewes needs to act now to prevent injuries at beaches - CapeGazette.com

NEWPORT A City Council resolution that would have allowed only residents of Newport to use Rejects Beach, as it is widely known, was doomed before discussion of it took place Wednesday evening, never mind a vote on it.

The resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Kathryn Leonard called for stationing a staff member or police officer at the beach daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow entry only to people who could provide identification showing they were Newport residents, "while the COVID-19 health issue compromises the health of Newport residents."

Before discussion began, Mayor Jamie Bova cited a memorandum from City Solicitor Christopher Behan that said the resolution would be illegal under the conditions of the beachs deed.

The Spouting Rock Beach Association, the owners of the adjacent Baileys Beach, granted the beach property to the city in February 1970 for use by the "general public" in return for two other city-owned parcels.

The council cannot legally take away beach access from the general public and restrict the right to Newport residents, Behan said.

Bova asked Leonard to withdraw the resolution but Leonard refused, saying the resolution "warrants a bigger discussion."

After reading her resolution, Leonard made an amendment to the resolution that instead asked City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson Jr. "to implement a plan to limit parking in the area of Rejects Beach." The reworded resolution ultimately passed 7-0.

The beach earned that name locally because residents said it was for people who could not get into the private Baileys Beach. When the land was granted to the city, it was called in the deed "Peoples Beach," or "east beach" because the beach club has the larger western section of the beach.

By ordinance, the city does not allow parking on Bellevue Avenue, Coggeshall Avenue, Lakeview Avenue and most of Ledge Road, all roadways close to Rejects Beach.

Neighbors said people have been parking illegally in surrounding residential streets, many of them on Ledge Road and on Rovensky Avenue, where there are also legal parking spots for non-residents.

"We have illegal parking that leads to a proliferation of people on this beach," Leonard said. "I want people who live here to have access to their beaches and feel safe."

"Cars from New York and Massachusetts park in front of my house," said Lisette Prince of 2 Rovensky Ave., during the public comment period. "People from New York would rather pay the $25 (parking) fine. Its not just weekends if the weather is not crummy, they show up every day. Theres drinking and pot on the beach."

"This year is worse than ever," said Mark Lewinstein of 61 Ledge Road. "Ledge Road is a circus Theres vandalism, evidence of human defecation. Dogs dont use toilet paper."

"Shrubbery has been torn up," he said.

Lewinstein suggested the city install bollards along Ledge Road to limit access to the end of the road, where parking is allowed.

Leonards resolution said Rejects Beach "continues to be a gathering place for large, uncontrolled crowds of people," but City Manager Nicholson pushed back on that claim.

He said the city has a police officer or private security personnel there daily to make sure no more than 200 people are on the beach.

Councilman Justin McLaughlin said he went to the beach this past Sunday afternoon about 2 p.m. and there were about 150 people on the beach.

Nicholson said parking aides and police officers have been enforcing parking restrictions. During the Fourth of July weekend, more than 800 parking tickets were issued throughout the city, he said.

The $25 parking fine may not be much of a deterrent because "you can pay that at some downtown parking lots," Nicholson said. He will consider increasing those fines under the emergency powers granted to him by the council because of the pandemic, he said. Those powers expire on July 28, he noted.

Nicholson said he will consider other traffic control and monitoring measures, such as putting up traffic cones along some problem streets or installing a camera near the entrance to Rejects Beach.

He reminded council members there are parking problems throughout the city, not only in this area around the relatively small beach.

"We do get onslaughted by cars on the weekends," Nicholson said.

sflynn@newportri.com.

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Rejects Beach to remain open to non-residents of Newport - newportri.com

Looking to support downtown businesses, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted unanimously in favor of offering Meterless Mondays through at least August.

As approved during a special meeting July 21, Meterless Mondays will begin Monday, July 27, and run through Monday, Aug. 31. The promotion offers limited hours of free parking in the evenings. There are five Mondays in August, making six Mondays for the promotion. For years now, Dewey Beach has held a similar promotion, allowing free parking after 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, through the entire summer.

Anything the city can do these days to help stir up business is a good thing, said Mayor Paul Kuhns.

The business-friendly move came hours after commissioners learned Delaware had been placed back on the regional quarantine lists of a few states. Last week Delaware had been removed from the same lists.

Whatever good was done a week ago has been undone, said Kuhns.

There was some discussion by commissioners about waiting until the first Monday of August because they wanted to make sure Monday was the best day to hold the promotion, and they wanted to know how suspending the meters would affect city revenue. Ultimately, they decided to move forward with the promotion.

The sooner we do this the better, said Commissioner Pat Coluzzi. Businesses are suffering. I do want to know the data, but I dont know if it would change anything.

Commissioner Richard Byrne supported moving forward on the action because he thinks it will take a week or two for it to gain steam. This is probably something the city should have done four or six weeks ago, he said.

Commissioner Lisa Schlosser said she would like to get support from the business community especially from the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce and Rehoboth Beach Main Street.

Chamber President Carol Everhart said she would have to run the promotion by the chamber board, but she didnt imagine theyd be against it.

Main Street Executive Director Dan Slagle was the person who suggested the promotion to commissioners after speaking with businesses over the past week. He said he would also have to run the idea by his board, but he thought they would be supportive.

The exact hour of day when paying the meters will end has not yet been determined, but its expected to begin at 4 or 5 p.m. Ultimately, commissioners decided to leave that decision up to City Manager Sharon Lynn and put it in place by next Monday.

Also left undecided was if parking would be enforced all day on Labor Day, which is Monday, Sept. 7. According to city code, meters are supposed to be in effect through the second Sunday following Labor Day.

Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski said it would be tough for the city to pass up the holiday weekend revenue, but Byrne said the issue could be revisited sometime in August. The other commissioners agreed the issue could be revisited.

Meterless Monday coincides with another business-friendly initiative Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce have started Christmas in July.

Slagle said its short notice, but businesses are hurting, and he hopes this is something that can help. The idea is to shop here in July for December holiday gifts, he said.

Slagle said businesses are encouraged to decorate and play holiday music.

Everhart said the chamber is supporting the campaign. Hopefully it helps, she said, adding the chambers decorations are already up.

Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks updated commissioners on the operational ongoings of the city during the meeting. He said of the 15 lifeguards that were out because of COVID-19, all were back except two, and they were expected to be back by the end of the week.

Banks said the two cadets who had been quarantining due to possible exposure to COVID-19 were back on duty after negative tests came back. To date, he said, the city has handed out over 17,000 masks to people on the streets and Boardwalk, and also written 57 citations related to COVID-19 violations.

Banks said cadets continue to be berated by people who dont want to wear masks. He said a cadet recently quit because he was tired of the harassment.

Its similar to concerns Banks voiced weeks ago. People have drawn a line in the sand and they either comply or they dont, he said. Most of the people are complying, but some people arent even stopping when approached, he said.

Our main function is to continue to educate and ask for compliance, said Banks, recognizing the recent heat and humidity. Were trying to be tolerant.

Editors note: This story has been updated with additional information from the July 21 meeting.

Read more:

Meterless Mondays coming to Rehoboth Beach - CapeGazette.com

Startled beachgoers were joined by unwelcome visitors on Tuesday in Cape May when thousands of began swarming before settling on a towel hanging on the back of a chair.

The strange scene unfolded around 3 p.m. at Steger beach between Jackson and Perry streets when a group of bees began buzzing overhead, according to a witness and a video.

Thousands of bees settled on a towel hanging on he back of a beach chair on the sand in Cape May on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.Dean Bloemer

Within five minutes thousands of bees had clustered on the back of the chair, according to Dean Bloemer a retiree who lives in Cape May and was on the beach with several others. The bees werent aggressive, according to Bloemer, who wasnt sure if anyone got stung.

Bloemer quickly contacted Allen Brown, a local beekeeper, who collected the bees in a cardboard box within 15 minutes of arriving as lifeguards worked to keep people away. Bloemer said Brown told him the bees likely converged on the beach because they were following a queen that was there.

The bees were docile because they were already full of honey, Brown explained to Bloemer. The beekeeper planned to take the bees to empty hives.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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WATCH: Thousands of bees descend on N.J. beach - PennLive

A beachfront residence is seen in East Hampton, New York.

Jeffrey Basinger | Reuters

Home prices in the Hamptons hit new records as wealthy New Yorkers fled the Covid-19 troubles of the city for the beach, according to a new report.

The median price of a single-family home in the Hamptons reached a record $1.1 million in the second quarter, an increase of 25% over last year's second quarter, according to the report from Miller Samuel and Douglas Elliman. The average sale price hit $2.1 million, as the sale of several eight-figure mansions drove up the average.

The rebound in the Hamptons, after nearly two years of weakness in 2018 and 2019, shows how the coronavirus is remaking the real estate landscape, as affluent people flee big cities for the suburbs and vacation communities. While the Hamptons has long been the summer playground of the Manhattan elite, brokers say the current wave of buyers are making the Hamptons their main home, returning only occasionally to the city for meetings or events.

"These aren't weekenders, or people just here from Memorial Day to Labor Day," said Gary DePersia, a top broker in the Hamptons with Corcoran. "They plan to be here full time for the duration."

DePersia said he recently sold a house for $10 million after a bidding war, to a buyer who was moving from New York City. "The buyer said he just doesn't need to be in the city as much anymore since he can do so much through technology," he said.

Overall sales in the Hamptons fell slightly in the second quarter, by 15% compared with last year, as brokers were banned from showing homes in person for much of quarter. But the decline was much less than in Manhattan, where second-quarter sales fell 54%. When the lockdown ended in June, sales in the Hamptons exploded. Signed contracts nearly doubled in June, according to Jonathan Miller, CEO of Miller Samuel.

Adding to the allure of the Hamptons is that many of the top restaurants, art galleries, stores and luxury brands in Manhattan have opened outposts there, to follow the wealthy buyers. That's given full-time residents more to see and do, and pulled even more business from New York City.

Miller said that even after a vaccine, many wealthy families will spend less time in the city, and so they're upgrading or buying more year-round homes in the Hamptons.

"I call it 'co-primary' residences," he said. "It's not just using the Hamptons for summers and occasional weekends. It's equal to their Manhattan residence."

The strong quarter also shows how Covid-19 has been a windfall for suburbs and beach communities like the Hamptons, which have lagged in the housing rebound after the Great Recession. The Hamptons saw seven straight quarters of declining sales in 2018 and 2019, and the median sales price of a single-family home dipped to $812,500 in 2018.

The declines led to social-media and news commentary that the Hamptons was "dead" as a status symbol and real estate market.

"This has given the Hamptons a new lease on life," Miller said. "The pandemic may have started the trend, but it's the technology, and the acceptance of working from home now, that will make it more lasting."

The rest is here:

Home prices in the Hamptons hit record as wealthy New Yorkers flee to the beach - CNBC

Beachgoers in Cape May, New Jersey, had a close encounter with a swarm of bees and their Queen.

Dean Bloemer, of Cape May, told NBC10 he first noticed several bees swarming around a mans umbrella on the beach on Perry Street around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. He then saw an entire swarm land on a womans towel about 50 feet away from him.

At that time we turned around and a woman was saying, Oh my goodness, bees are landing on my towel, Bloemer said.

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Bloemer later found out that the swarm was following the Queen Bee that had landed on the towel. A crowd gathered to watch though they kept their distance.

"People are going crazy," Wayne Carson said. "And then they all landed on one towel and it looked like a huge beehive on one towel."

About an hour later, Allen Brown, a beekeeper by hobby, arrived and was able to safely capture the Queen and most of the bees.

"Never seen or heard of it on the beach," Brown said.

Brown put the towel and as many of the docile honey bees as possible into a box and brought them to his backyard in West Cape May. There were no reports of anyone being stung.

Brown told NBC10 the bees likely ended up on the beach while looking for a new hive.

"They land there to protect the Queen," he said. "And they're just hanging around the Queen, watching her as they send out scouts in all directions to find a new home."

Brown said the bees already seem to be adapting well to their new environment and beachgoers shouldn't worry about seeing them again.

"I believe they found a home," Brown told NBC10. "Made it easy for them."

Brown said he'll continue to try to collect the bees still lingering around the lifeguard stand at the beach if needed.

Meanwhile, those who witnessed the spectacle are still buzzing about it.

"It was like you thought the locusts were coming except they were bees," Ina Brown told NBC10. "It was one of those odd moments in time in 2020 that you experience only probably once in your lifetime."

More:

Queen and Swarm of Bees Land on Towel at Cape May Beach - NBC 10 Philadelphia

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) plans to develop a Beaches Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The resort company acquired the Buccament Bay Spa and Resort, which closed in 2016. The property will be completely transformed into the fourth Beaches resort. The other Beaches Resorts are in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos.

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The minute our customers land in St. Vincent, they will be enchanted with its magnificence, said SRI Founder and Chairman Gordon Butch Stewart. The resort hugs the Caribbean Sea and is nestled within a lush mountain range and neighboring rainforest. Best of all, its only a short drive from the newly constructed Argyle International Airport.

Adam Stewart, deputy chairman of Sandals Resorts International, confirmed the news in a post on LinkedIn.

We are excited to share the news of our companys expansion to a new destination and our eighth island in the Caribbean, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Stewart wrote. Through a partnership with the government and people of this beautiful island, Sandals Resorts International will be introducing a new Beaches Resort.The company did not reveal when construction would start or when the resort could open but did say the agreement has been in the works for nearly a year. Currently, Sandals has been reopening resorts in the Caribbean in phases.

Butch Stewart said investing in St. Vincent is a natural next step for continued expansion" in the Eastern Caribbean.

Beginning with our first entry in Saint Lucia many years ago and more recently Grenada and Barbados, we are champions of growth for the Eastern Caribbean, and it has remained at the forefront of our expansion strategy, Butch Stewart said.

Read more:

Sandals Plans to Develop a Beaches Resort on the Island of St. Vincent - TravelPulse

Some remakes are class acts well cast, well written, and modernized just enough to reach a new audience while still drawing in the original fanbase. Successful remakes are rare and few, for it not easy to strike the proper balance between originality and familiarity, between reference and reinvention. While the recent takes on A Star Is Born, The Jungle Book, and Dawn of the Dead got it right, the same cant be said about the remakes of classic 80s movies below.

The original Beaches starred Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler as two best friends from childhood two best friends with vastly different personalities, from different walks of life, who loved each other like sisters. One is a wealthy debutante; the other is a to-be entertainer. And, through thick and thin, sickness and health, they remain united.

RELATED: Bette Midler Net Worth and How She Makes Her Money

While the original movie was deemed melodramatic, audiences raved for Midler and Hershey. Though the script was trying a little too hard to conjure those tears, the leading actors made up for the deficit in other areas. Unfortunately, without Midler and Hershey, the movie no longer worked. The remake starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long became pure schmaltz without the sincerity and weight Hershey and Midler offered the film.

The original A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise was known for its twists and turns, as well as its tendency to veer into the campy horror direction. Robert Englund was animated and flamboyant, while Jackie Earle Haleys Krueger was purely malevolent.

RELATED: Revisiting Wes Cravens Masterpiece, A Nightmare on Elm Street

The 2010 movie focused on Kruegers darkness and sinister behavior, and abandoned the characters original duality; his twisted sense of humor and bizarre behavioral illustrations were amiss. The tendency to make all horror utterly dark is a contemporary genre trend that did not suit the source material. Thus, it failed to pay homage to the Englund-led movies, which thrived in the campy 80s space.

Red Dawn was not entirely realistic when it first premiered, but the remake was utterly out of time. When the first version came out, Reagan had recently labeled the Soviet Union an evil empire, as The Atlantic notes. Thus, placing a Cuban-Soviet invasion at the center of a narrative wasnt too far a stretch.

In the remake, North Korea invades. And, the logistics dont exactly add up. Audiences appreciated the original as it felt timely and reflective (to an extent), despite the harsh critical response. Yet, the remake was condemned by audiences and critics alike.

The original Fame tackled difficult and heavy themes, which many musicals do not dare venture into. From class issues, academic struggles, race conflicts, and more, its not just about kids trying to make it as dancers, singers, and actors. Unfortunately, thats all the remake really is. The remake completely sanitized the original, gutting its grit and leaving its sincerity and poignancy dead on arrival.

The original Conan the Barbarian features Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime; the movies got action, its got funny and memorable lines, and its got just enough story and characterization to keep it afloat. Unfortunately, the remake with Jason Mamoa focused so heavily on graphics and cinematography that the basic blocks of filmmaking didnt make the cut. The characters were bland, the story was flat, and the themes werewere there any bigger themes?

Read the original:

The 2017 'Beaches' and Other Misguided Remakes of '80s Movies - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Incumbent Neptune Beach City Councilor Kerry Chin is seeking reelection to Seat 3 in the August 18 primary.

Hell be facing off against Esther Byrd and John Cauley.

Beaches Watch, nonprofit, citizen-based organization, has invited the Seat 3 candidates to a virtual forum on July 30 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Related: Local, State And National 2020 Election News

At the time of this storys publication, Beaches Watch had not yet announced how the public can log in to take part in the forum. Additional details will be posted on this Beaches Watch webpage.

Other Neptune Beach races are:

Mayor, Seat 1: Currently held by Mayor Elaine Brown. Brown has been reelected by default because she is unopposed for a second term.

Council, Seat 2: Currently held by Councilor Scott Wiley, who will have served two consecutive terms. Lauren McPhaul has been elected by default because she is running unopposed to replace Wiley.

Additional information about Neptune Beachs upcoming election is available on this city webpage.

Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.

See more here:

Neptune Beach Seat 3 Candidates Invited To Take Part In July 30 Virtual Forum - WJCT NEWS

You might not be able to take a vacation now, but you can dream of one and even make plans. To inspire you, were selected a list of the best Oregon getaway ideas, from beaches and rivers to vineyards and mountains.

Before you go, check govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 for the most current travel recommendations and best practices to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Also read 10 things to consider before going back outside during the coronavirus pandemic in Oregon.

The landmark Salishan Resort on 250 forested acres in Gleneden Beach has upscale guest rooms with views and even an aerial adventure course.Salishan Resort

Click here>Wild, romantic honeymoons: Start a marriage off right or rekindle your relationship. Which destination is right for you two? Youll find it on the coast or in the mountains, desert or forest. Or maybe in a lighthouse?

Sahhali Luxury Beach House is in Neskowin.Vacasa

Click here>Zen-like getaways: Oregon offers calm vacation destinations. Are you ready to relax and only hear the sounds of ocean waves, rustling leaves or chirping birds? Safely escape to a peaceful place or if youre looking for home design ideas and serene colors that promote tranquility, youll find inspiration looking at photos in this getaway gallery.

Tomahawk Island houseboat: Linger on the deck while docked at the marina on Hayden Island and take in the Columbia River or use the two kayaks and set out on an adventure.Airbnb

Click here>Oregon getaways for the whole family: Are you ready to plan for fun on the water? When you and your family feel its time to break away from home, Oregons wide open spaces and waterways will beckon. How about boarding a houseboat or yacht?

The GetMyBoat app lets you search for boat rentals, fishing charters or other water experiences in a desired location by price, type of experience and number of guests.

Sunny studio with private deck/Vacasa

Click here>10 ideal rentals in Cannon Beach: For people who dream of having a beach house, an Oregon Coast vacation rental is a sweet substitute.

In addition to hotels and B&B, Cannon Beach visitors can check into a cottage or condo, wrapped in classic cedar shingles and equipped with a kitchenette and patio, thats operated by hospitality professionals as well as homeowners with space to spare.

Airbnbs research found visitors book their Cannon Beach getaway at least two months before their trip. Nightly rentals are restricted and people devoted to special events like the crowd-pleasing Sandcastle Contest and hilarious corgi run race to reserve a place.

Chalet Log Home In The Heart Of Wine Country in CarltonVrbo

Click here>Where to stay in Willamette Valleys Wine Country: Thanksgiving weekend in Oregons wine-growing regions is an action-packed chance for Pinot noir fans to barrel taste this years vintage as flavors mature and to enjoy food pairings with bottles that have been released (and perhaps are on sale). Stay in a tiny house to vineyard villa.

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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The best of Oregons getaway ideas: Escape to beaches, vineyards, mountains - oregonlive.com

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VERO BEACH Mask mandate advocates and opponents crowded City Hall Tuesday, as much as possible under social distancing guidelines.

The City Council discussed whether it shouldmandate people wear masks in public, but didn't have enough members to support the measure.

The council neededa supermajority of the five members to pass an emergency mandate, Mayor Tony Young said, but JoeGraves and Robbie Brackettopposed it.

The city currently requires people wear masks only inside city-owned facilities.

Vero Beach Mayor Tony Young(Photo: Provided by American Cancer Society)

The city needs to do something more to slow the spread of the coronavirus, said Young, who advocated for a mandate.

"We cannot do nothing," Young said. "Doing nothing is negligence."

More: Indian River County delays start of 2020-2021 school year

Joseph Graves, Vero Beach(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM JOSEPH GRAVES)

Graves said there was not conclusive scientific evidence to pass a mandate. Brackett agreed, saying masks were a matter of "personal responsibility." While both said the city should encourage people to wear masks, amandate would be difficult to enforce, resulting in confrontations at stores and in public, they said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "reviewed the latest science and affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19," the CDC website says. "There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others."

Councilman Rey Neville, who is recovering from COVID-19, had asked the council to consider a stronger mask mandate requiring the public and business employees who serve the public to wear masks. He called the two opposing votes "disappointing."

Rey Neville, Vero Beach(Photo: PHOTO SUBMITTED BY REY NEVILLE)

"What I don't want to have happen in our community is go back to anothershutdown," Neville said.

Wearing masks, along with social distancing and hand-washing, can help slow the spread of COVID-19, said Dr. Charles Callahan of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, which currently has enough available capacity to treat patients.

If action is not taken, "we're going to be just like South Florida, and it's going to be within the next 30 days," Callahan said. "If we wait a month, we're going to be in much worse shape than we are in."

A crowd of about 50 residents gathered outside the Vero Beach City Hall on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, showing their support for or against a city mandate requiring citizens to wear face masks. With two councilmen Joe Graves and Robbie Brackett opposed to a mandate, the council opted against moving forward with drafting a proposed ordinance.(Photo: PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM)

About 50 people waving signs and flags for their position stood outside City Hall and in the building's lobby.

"I hope they vote for science, and I hope they vote for safety," said Vero Beach resident Gary Kendrick. "The numbers don't lie. It's not about politics. It's about health."

Kathy Brayton held a sign urging people to "be a good neighbor, wear a mask." It's the right thing to do, she said."How hard can it be?" she asked.

Others said mask mandates infringeon their rights.

"Freedom to me is all about choice," said Vero Beach resident Richard Allen. "If you take my choice, you take my freedom."

More: Hospital board asks County Commission to mandate masks in public

Lindsay Lacy, of Sebastian, shows her support of wearing face masks on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in front of the City Hall in Vero Beach. The council held discussions on whether to draft a mandate, but with two councilmen - Joe Graves and Robbie Brackett - opposed to a mandate, the council opted against moving forward with drafting a proposed ordinance. (Photo: PATRICK DOVE/TCPALM)

The scene was similar to the July 14 County Commission meeting, where over 50 peopleprotested a proposed mask mandate for the public, excluding young children and those unable to wear a mask because of health conditions.

The County Commission rejected themandate 3-2, withSusan Adams and Peter O'Bryan supporting the mandate.

The county currently mandates masks only for restaurant servers and people visiting county facilities.

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Vero Beach City Council rejects more restrictive mask mandate for the public - TCPalm