Barnegat Morning Report, Aug. 24

Hi, everybody. Today is Wednesday, Aug. 24.

WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

Coming up first thing this morning, we'll have a report out of last night's heavily attended Planning Board meeting, where the focus was on a future shopping center planned for the southeast corner of West Bay Avenue and Sandpiper Road.

And as if yesterday's wasn't enough to give us our fill of natural disasters, we're also looking at the possibility of a major hit from hurricane Irene. The storm is still wrecking her way through the Caribbean, but could pick up steam and speed and threaten the entire eastern seaboard by the weekend. The latest forecast models have her swinging slightly further out to sea than expected yesterday, but the Shore is still likely in for a rough ride. 

We'll have the latest on the storm from the experts, and keep you up to date on county and local emergency preparations.

Also on the way is a story on Marchioni's Pizza & Pasta, a local favorite that recently gained some statewide recognition right around its eighth anniversary. (Update: Look for the story on Marchioni's tomorrow; storm coverage took center stage today.)

EVENTS:

• Incoming freshmen at are invited to the school for today at 10 a.m.

• An experienced dancer will perform and explain the ancient art of at the  at 6:30 p.m.

• The musical  continues its run at the Stafford Performing Arts Center, 1000 McKinley Ave., Manahawkin. The well-loved play based on Charles Dickens' Victorian masterpiece shows every day at 7 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 26.

WEATHER: 

Irene may be gunning for us, but for now, our streak of perfect weather continues.

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind between 6 and 14 mph. 

• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 15 mph. 

BARNEGAT INLET TIDES:

• 10:20 a.m.: Low
• 4:08 p.m.: High
• 11:23 p.m.: Low