In This Cape Local Scoop Issue…

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 📆 Cape May Events

 🐣 Easter Parade Screening at Cape May Stage Supports Local Food Closet

🏛️ New Jersey Senators Propose Bill to Criminalize Squatting, Aiming to Protect Property Owners

 🔎 Last Chance to Unlock the Fun: Escape May Too Extends Closing Date to October 13

 🚢 Baltimore Bridge Collapse Linked to Ship's Troubled Past

👇 Here’s What’s Goin On In The Cape May Local Area 👇

March 27th

• Chakra Balancing Sound Bowls with Chrissy Ennis - 6:00pm - 7:00pm

• Caught in Monhegan’s Trap, Presented by the Cape May Bird Observatory - 6:00pm - 7:30pm

March 28th

• Crochet for Absolute Beginners Instructed by Carole Murry - 2:30pm - 4:00pm

• Creative Construction - 5:00pm - 7:00pm

• Joe Napoli @ Brown Room At Congress Hall - 6pm

March 29th

• Doug Kaetz @ Elaine's Cape May - 5pm

March 30th

• Easter Brunch in Cape May @ Harry's Bar & Grille - 10am

• Easter Kegg Hunt - 12pm

March 31st

• Easter Brunch at Cape May Winery - 11am

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Easter Parade Screening at Cape May Stage Supports Local Food Closet

Celebrate Easter Eve with a touch of nostalgia and community spirit at Cape May Stage! This special evening is set to feature the 1948 technicolor musical classic, "Easter Parade," starring the legendary Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, and Ann Miller. Not only will attendees be treated to some of Astaire and Garland's most memorable performances, including timeless Irving Berlin hits like “Easter Parade,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” and “We’re a Couple of Swells,” but they'll also enjoy this cinematic gem entirely free of charge.

In the spirit of community and giving, this event doubles as a "Film-Raiser" to support the Cape May Community Food Closet. While admission is free, guests are encouraged to come dressed in creative Easter attire and will be treated to complimentary Easter treats. Donations of non-perishable food items and cash are welcomed to aid the Cape May Community Food Closet in their mission to support local families in need, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year.

This G-rated movie, with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes, promises an evening of entertainment and unity at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. "Movie Night at Cape May Stage" is part of a series designed to bring the community together for fun, family-friendly films while supporting great causes. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a classic film, indulge in some Easter fun, and make a difference in your community.

New Jersey Senators Propose Bill to Criminalize Squatting, Aiming to
Protect Property Owners

Senators Doug Steinhardt (R-23) and Michael Testa (R-1) are advocating for a legislative measure in New Jersey to address the issue of squatting, aiming to transform it from a civil to a criminal matter. This bill, if passed, would introduce criminal charges for the unlawful occupancy of properties, a move designed to expedite the eviction process for property owners and hold squatters accountable.

The proposed legislation, referred to as S-725, outlines three new criminal offenses: housebreaking, unlawful occupancy, and unlawful reentry. Each of these offenses is categorized as a fourth-degree crime, encompassing scenarios where individuals forcibly enter or unlawfully reside in a property without the owner's permission, or reenter a property after being legally evicted.

This initiative emerges in response to ongoing challenges faced by property owners in New Jersey, where current laws treat squatting as a civil issue, leading to lengthy and costly eviction processes. The senators argue that this bill will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to address squatting incidents more efficiently, preventing potential harm to homeowners and neighborhoods.

Furthermore, Senator Steinhardt is working on additional legislation aimed at further streamlining the eviction process against squatters. This bill would allow property owners to initiate a fast-tracked 72-hour eviction proceeding, bypassing traditional landlord-tenant court avenues, under specific conditions. This includes situations where the squatter was never a tenant, never had a lease, never paid rent, and never received written permission to occupy the property.

Last Chance to Unlock the Fun:
Escape May Too Extends
Closing Date to October 13

Escape May Too, the beloved escape room adventure located above the Philly Pretzel Factory, has joyfully announced an extension of its operations. Originally slated to close sooner, the venue will now welcome puzzle enthusiasts until October 13. This extension offers guests additional opportunities to immerse themselves in the thrilling challenges of the Frankenstein, Library, and Pharaoh rooms.

The announcement comes as a pleasant surprise to fans and newcomers alike, encouraging them to book their experiences in these intricately designed rooms. Each room offers a unique narrative and puzzle set, promising an engaging and memorable adventure for teams of friends, family, or colleagues. This extension not only allows for more memorable moments but also highlights the popularity and demand for such immersive experiences in the area.

Escape May Too’s decision to extend its closing date ensures that more visitors can enjoy the creative puzzles and storylines before they vanish. It's a call to action for those who've yet to experience the intrigue or wish to revisit their favorite rooms. With the final closing date now set for October 13, enthusiasts are urged to secure their bookings and embark on these adventures while they still can.

Baltimore Bridge Collapse Linked
to Ship's Troubled Past

The Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge early on a Tuesday, leading to the bridge's complete collapse into the Patapsco River. This startling event mirrored a past accident involving the same vessel in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016, raising concerns over the ship's safety record and operational integrity.

The collision in Baltimore has been declared a mass-casualty event by authorities, though details regarding injuries or fatalities were not immediately available. Preliminary reports from ABC News suggest that the Dali experienced a loss of propulsion shortly before the collision, a detail supported by livestream video evidence showing the ship's lights extinguishing moments before the impact.

This is not the first instance of the Dali's involvement in maritime accidents. The ship, which was built a year prior to its 2016 collision in Antwerp, experienced a similar mishap when it scraped against a quay, as documented by maritime blogs. This earlier incident was attributed to an error made by the ship's master and pilot, according to VesselFinder, though it resulted in no injuries but did cause damage to the vessel's stern.

The Dali has since changed ownership and registration, moving from the Marshall Islands to Singapore and now being managed by Synergy Marine Group under Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. Despite these changes, the ship, which was carrying cargo for Maersk at the time of the Baltimore incident, has come under scrutiny for its history of accidents. Maersk has expressed its horror over the recent crash and clarified that while the Dali was transporting its cargo, no Maersk personnel were onboard.

These successive incidents underscore the necessity for a thorough investigation into the Dali's operational practices and safety protocols. Identifying patterns or warning signs from the ship's past could provide crucial insights into preventing similar accidents in the future, ensuring maritime safety and protecting infrastructure.