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Girls Weekend did not disappoint in Ocean City, judging by the pleased shoppers on Asbury Avenue on Saturday afternoon. The Downtown Merchants Association hosts the annual event each year. It kicked off with a sold-out fashion show at the Ocean City Yacht Club on Friday. Deals on merchandise and discounts at restaurants were the main attractions. Visitors also enjoyed discounts on hotel and bed and breakfast accommodations. The shopping, dining and entertainment continue on Sunday for Girls Weekend.

The New Jersey Department of Education released the state’s School Performance Reports this week for the 2022-2023 school year, providing some key education information and data for school districts and schools. So how well did the nearly 2,000-student Ocean City School District perform? Above average at the High School and Primary School, but weaker results at the Intermediate School.

Girls, get ready for a spectacular weekend in Ocean City, where shopping, dining, a fashion show and even a dance showcase will fill the days and nights. Throughout the April 5-7 weekend, there will be deals on merchandise, dining specials throughout town and even a couple of new activities to shine a spotlight on the resort. Not to mention, hotel and bed-and-breakfast packages, prizes, wellness classes, craft projects and demonstrations at locations throughout town.

For the past few years, the Ocean City Municipal Airport has been the topic of discussion by city officials noting its need for a major facelift. But the project to replace the aging and small terminal building has stayed in the preliminary phases, while the city looks for funding. In the latest development, the airport was part of a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Frank Donato on Ocean City’s five-year capital plan.

The Boardwalk and downtown merchants are ready to welcome back the throngs of visitors that make Ocean City their summer vacation destination, not to mention the second homeowners who come year-round. And in welcoming back visitors, merchants are filling their inventory, amusement rides are ready to go, and the hiring of summer help continues. Merchants said Tuesday that the majority of their summer help is hired, but more employees are always needed.

The unveiling of an architectural rendering of the "new" Bayside Center suggests that the existing 108-year-old landmark may, at some point, be history. Ocean City officials insist it is premature to talk about the Bayside Center's future. But first, it would have to be something agreed to by both the city and Cape May County officials since the county is the building's owner and the city leases the space.

Visitors to Ocean City on Sunday had plenty of events to choose from to make memories with their families and friends and to observe the Easter holiday. The Ocean City Tabernacle hosted a sunrise service at the Music Pier and at noon crowds gathered to listen to the annual lively performance of dueling pianos courtesy of the Philly Keys, also at the pier. While people clapped and sang along to the tunes, a cheerful Easter bunny greeted children and posed for photos with them in a lifeguard boat.

Charges against six wind farm opponents arrested in a rally last September in Ocean City were dropped this week and their records were expunged. About 60 protesters attended the rally with the goal of stopping workers from drilling holes in the street in an early step in Orsted’s proposed Ocean Wind 1 project.

The team at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) has been working overtime rescuing injured and sick seal pups stranded on beaches over the winter season. Some of the young seals have become beached while migrating from New England and even Canada to New Jersey waters. And on March 25, some of the MMSC staff’s lifesaving efforts came in full view with the release of six seals.

Cape May County has created its first-ever quarterly newsletter — chock-full of information to keep residents and visitors in the know with what is going on in their hometown or vacation destination. Specifically, the newsletter provides valuable information on county projects, programs, events, and highlights important county news.