Nantucket News

Bob Matthews has announced his plans to convert the Point Breeze into a $100 million private club and condo residence. Phase one of the project, opening in the summer of 2008, will consist of 32 residences, a mix of one and two-bedroom condominium units and six cottages with up to 2,176 square feet. Prices for the residences will start at $1 million and will include club membership. The club will include a spa, fitness center, restaurant, cabaret, swimming pool, tennis courts, screening room, cigar room and wine-tasting room. The grounds will include a nature walk, meditation garden, and underground parking.

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The Nantucket Historical Association Whaling Museum was voted Best Nantucket Museum and Best Rainy Day Activity, and won second place in the Best Kids Activity category in Cape Cod Life’s The Best of The Cape & Islands reader’s survey. The Whaling Museum was also voted Editor’s Choice for “Best Place for a Wedding,” and The Museum Shop was Editor’s Choice for Best Gift Shop.

Leslie Linsley/Nantucket at Zero India St. was voted Editor’s Choice by Cape Cod Life magazine for the store with the best crafts and handmade gifts. Wolfhound was voted Editor’s Choice for best men’s clothing.

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The Town of Nantucket has launched its new website with new features to better serve the public. Information typically available only at the actual Town Offices will now be accessible to the public online. A Public Meeting Calendar which will contain the schedule of all town board and committee meetings, including the agendas when available.

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Never one to miss a chance to have fun with their business, Young’s Bicycle Shop at 6 Broad Street is now selling the island’s first custom packed Island Punch flavored gourmet purple Jelly Belly jelly beans, 1 oz bags for 99 cents.

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The Boston Herald reported yesterday that the state’s real estate prices and sales are dropping, “but on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, the real estate party that came to a crashing halt across the state in 2005 never really stopped, it only slowed down a bit.” While Massachusetts home prices have dropped over 12% in the past year, single-family home prices on both islands are up. “On Nantucket, the median home price is now $1.63 million, up from $1.55 million the year before.”

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Hurricane season begins today. Here is a summary of NOAA’s predictions for the Atlantic, based on warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, and an expected La Nina pattern:

• Named Storms: 13 to 17 (average is 11)
• Hurricanes: 7 to 10 (average is 6)
• Major Hurricanes (Cat. 3 or more): 3 to 5 (average is 2)
• Chance that season will be above normal: 75%