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YOU’RE INVITED to an OLD-FASHIONED , CHRISTMAS on the Washington Street Mall IN CAPE MAY Shop our Victorian Mall this Christmas/ Enjoy our wreaihs, gas lights, our sparkling garlands, find trees, our specialty shops and our festivities.

DISCOUNT DAY! THURSDAY, DEC. 9th On this day the merchants turn bach the clock to Christmas past! ' Participatinx shops discount merchandise for holiday piftinx.

EVENING HOURS STARTING DEC. 9th, Many Shops Open til 9 PM CAROLERS STROLLING ‘ THROUGHOUT THE WEEKENDS SANTA IS ON THE MALL WEEKENDS WITH EARLY GIFTS FOR EAGER CHILDREN Pl.kNTY OK FliKK I'AltKINO GIFTS ARE OUR SPECIALTY

Because I am a sometime bird watcher I’ve grown accustomed to associating the seasons with certain species. Winter is definitely owl time. Any self-respecting Christmas counter must get up at 3 a.rp. so he can search for owls. One of my favorite, and indeed one of the most beautiful, is the short-eared owl, a marsh dweller. A roosting spot which I check is Stone Harbor Point where the birds secrete themselves behind the dunes. Essentially the size of a large crow the shorteared owl is generally a light warm buff to deep sandy color. In flight, the short-eafed owl ranges back and forth in a zig-zag over marsh grasses p and meadows, often low to the ground. At first glance this bird may be mistaken for a marsh hawk but it can be distinguished from that bird by its blunt-headed, seemingly neckless appearance and lack of white rump patch. There is a distinctive oblong black patch on the underwing near the wrist as well as large buffy wing patches which are very evident even from a considerable distance.

Most often when Mind these owls it is somewhat of a surprise as they blend beautifully withthe marsh grasses and will often not flush until you are quite near. If I go looking lor them they are never to be found — if not particularly expectinglhom — theifc they are. Occasionally as I drive home along Stone Harbor Blvd. at dusk I see one flying over the marsh Sometimes they will roost along the back land of the Wetlands Institute and an early morning walk to the end of 1 the lane will flush them into the open. A truly lovely sight. . (Anne Galli is the public education coordinator at the Wetlands Institute. The ' drawing is by Tony Hillmaj.)

Santa’s Box Parades Sat.

LOWER TWP. - The Lower Cape Optimist are sponsoring their annual Santa's Mailbox float in the West Cape May Christmas Parade this Sat., according to vice president Jim Kelly. Cheerleaders will accompany the float amj collect letters to Santa from youngsters. Notices have been sent to

local schools announcing the project, and parents are urged to have their chidden participate. In some years, more than 500 letters have been collected. The Lower Cape Optimist is dedicated to serving the are youth. The organization sponsors various projects for Lower Cape communities.

THIS MUMV SEASON Enjoy the unhurried pace of yesteryear while shopping our Victorian Mall and other fine gift stores. Don't miss the festive activities every week through New Years Day. Highlighting this year's activities will be the "Candlelight Walk" on the Mall on Dec. 16th and the historic house tour on Jan. 1st. j HAPPY HOLIDAYS l j Arthur Blomk vest, Mayor |(Q . Adrian Capehart, Deputy Mayor Harry Gilbert, Councilman Fred Coldren, City Manager