Our Beach Place

Filmmakers look to promote Pleasure Island

2012-01-18T06:24:00.001-08:00

There will soon be a new "welcome to" video to promote Carolina Beach and Pleasure Island, according to the Star-News.

Albert Hedgepeth III, founder of Rendered Communications and a producer, is hiring seven or eight people who have experience in the local film industry to help him with the video. They'll be shooting at various events and venues in Carolina and Kure beaches for the next several weeks, including inside one of the tanks at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
"Our objective is to give a modern, hip overview of the island to show the activities that are going on here," Hedgepeth said.
While he already has some of the footage on file from summer months, one of the biggest challenges will be shooting warm-weather activities now, such as surfing, paddleboarding and kiteboarding, he said.
The video should be a part of the site by mid-February, Hedgepeth added.
Blu Zeus Interactive Marketing of Wilmington is designing the new website. The last time it was updated was in 2007, said Gail McCloskey, president of the chamber. ...
"Our goal is to get people across the bridge, and once they do that they'll see all the things we have to do," [Chamber Assistant Director Greg] Reynolds said. "They'll say, ‘Wow, I didn't know that about that place. I didn't know there were so many things to do.'"

Get creative and original this winter in Carolina Beach

2012-01-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

From a press release:

This winter, the adventurous are skipping the trip westward and trading their snowmen for sand castles. Why hit the slopes when you can hit the sand with an original winter getaway at Carolina Beach?

For some travelers, Carolina Beach (http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com) puts a decidedly original spin on the winter getaway they seek. Lively local festivities, including the 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher, complement a fantastic variety of area amenities, including locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as rentals and accommodations at discounted rates.

Budget-Friendly Beach
Looking for a wallet-friendly winter getaway after the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Carolina Beach makes it easy to plan for a long weekend or extended family getaway with rental options for any budget. Motels, hotels and many beach condos offer low off-season rates that make Carolina Beach an attractive destination during the winter and throughout the year(http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com/lodging/). Others might check out the special offers at area hotels and motels (http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com/lodging/hotels_motel ...).

A Different Kind Of Winter Chill
With high temperatures often reaching into the 60s in January, Carolina Beach offers milder winter getaway weather than other traditional destinations. Outdoor adventurers seeking an active getaway will be pleasantly surprised at nature’s bounty this time of year. Speckled trout and striped bass are especially plentiful in area waters, much to the delight of both seasoned and amateur anglers (http://bit.ly/
pLY3Uv). And an array of unique birds make their winter homes at Carolina Beach State Park, from the belted kingfisher and Boat-tailed Grackle, to Bonaparte’s Gull, the Bufflehead, Forster’s Tern and more (http://bit.ly/oY5L9N). Bundle up and hike along one of the park’s six nature trails. Sugarloaf Trail, named for the 50-foot sand dune near the bank of the Cape Fear River, offers a three-mile journey that is an excellent place for watching water birds, exploring the tidal marsh, and observing fiddler crabs as they travel over the mudflats.

...

CB gets another grant, but pier project still on hold

2012-01-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

From the Star-News' Shannan Bowen:

Another state grant has been awarded for Carolina Beach's proposed Ocean-to-Sound Park and state fishing pier, but the project itself still remains on hold.
The N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund awarded $369,179 to Carolina Beach for the project, and the town will have to match that amount, according to a news release Wednesday from Gov. Perdue's office.
The town already received $250,000 in state grants, and all grants will help pay off $4.3 million in land the town purchased in hopes the state's Aquariums Division would build its third aquarium fishing pier here.
Carolina Beach manager Tim Owens said the town is still applying for other grants to help cover the costs of the land. He said the council, which has three new members, will decide the future of the park and fishing pier.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Now get down here and enjoy the beach!

One of these days we'll actually see this in person

2011-12-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Flotilla was held recently, and it sounds like an extremely cool thing.

"It’s a floating parade with fishing boats and pleasure craft decorated with thousands of lights that present a spectacular display on the intracoastal waterway," says WWAY. "Hundreds venture down to Pleasure Island each Christmas season to watch the sparkling event."

Unfortunately, we typically have a little holiday party of our own (in Raleigh) the same day as the Flotilla, which means we've never been able to enjoy it. Some day.

"We just thought it would be different. A lot of places in Raleigh, you know, there are parades and the usual Christmas stuff, but there are no flotillas because there's no ocean nearby,” Joan Plotnick of Raleigh said. “So we thought, we want to do something we've never done before, and then I saw this flotilla listing in the magazine and thought, that's different!"

It's the most wonderful time of the year ...

2011-11-23T09:43:00.001-08:00

Well, if you're at the beach, perhaps SUMMER is the most wonderful time. But, aside from that. the holidays can be nice too.

From a press release ...

Celebrate the season coastal-style and experience the color and pageantry of holiday events that reflect the traditions, creative culture and independent spirit of Wilmington, North Carolina's historic river district and island beaches. Visitors can choose from more than 40 holiday events to create a meaningful vacation or memorable getaway in Wilmington, N.C. and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. Annual traditions include candlelight home tours, light displays, Colonial & Victorian celebrations, flotillas, cruises, parades, and fireworks. And that's not all-the arts are alive with music and theatre galore! To download a holiday events brochure, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com/holiday or call 1-866-266-9690 to request a free copy. For holiday specials, featured events and experiences, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com.

Among the CB items highlighted are:

-Nov. 25-Dec. 17-Christmas by the Sea. Boardwalk lights up at 8pm on Nov. 25. Then on Saturdays from 5pm-9pm, enjoy family holiday activities & entertainment. Carolina Beach Boardwalk, www.boardwalkmakeover.org

-Nov.25-Dec.31-Island of Lights Festival. Holiday lights & events. Carolina/Kure beaches. www.islandoflights.org.

-Nov. 25-Dec. 31-Light-Up Celebration & Walking Tours of Lake. 7pm. Ceremony (Nov. 25) begins "Island of Lights Festival," Carolina Beach Lake. Lit nightly for walks thru Dec. Free. 910-458-6885. www.islandoflights.org

-Nov. 26-Dinner Cruise to view NC Holiday Flotilla. Board at3pm. Admission charge. Advance reservations. Royal Winner Princess, Carolina Beach Marina. 910-458-5356; www.winnerboats.com

-Dec. 2-Island of Lights Christmas Parade. 7:30pm. Extraordinary nighttime lighted parade announces Santa's arrival on the island. Lake Park Blvd/ Hwy 421 S, Carolina Beach. Free. www.islandoflights.org

-Dec. 31-Island of Lights New Year's Eve Countdown Party. 9pm-12am.Music, fireworks, lighted beach ball drop. Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Free. www.islandoflights.org

N.C. still committed to an educational pier in CB

2011-11-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

From WECT:

Council members in Carolina Beach have been hoping to build a pier near Carolina Beach Avenue by 2014, but there has been some issues with funding.
Last week, Town Manager Tim Owens received and email from the NC Aquariums Division Director David Griffin saying the state is still committed to an educational fishing pier in the area.

Griffin said the economy is to blame for the delay.

There is still an $800,000 grant available, along with an additional $350,000 from the aquarium that could be used to purchase the ocean front lot.

CB keeps its character

2011-10-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

From a press release:

There’s always something new and nostalgic to discover in Carolina Beach (http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com), a North Carolina beach destination known for its vintage and authentic appeal.

Thanks to the vision of community leaders, Carolina Beach is experiencing a revitalization of its boardwalk that helps to preserve the vitality and originality of this classic beach town. These efforts will also ensure that Carolina Beach remains a fun, safe and clean place for families and future generations to enjoy. Family-friendly events and new businesses help to keep things fresh and exciting for visitors, all the while enhancing the personality and allure of Carolina Beach.

While the classic Carolina Beach Boardwalk evokes nostalgia for the past, a variety of shops and activities put this local and visitor favorite very much in the present (http://bit.ly/jKDdqW). New shops, restaurants and rental stores provide visitors with a fresh alternative to the “same old, same old” beach trip. Families can enjoy everything from riding around in surrey carts to tasting the best of the beach’s culinary delights.

Carolina Beach businesses, residents, and civic groups are committed to an ongoing “boardwalk makeover” campaign to restore the Boardwalk’s charm and to keep people coming back year after year. As a result, visitors now enjoy a Boardwalk with park space, aesthetic improvements, blossoming local businesses, and year-round activities.

This fall and holiday season, fishing tournaments and holiday events draw visitors to Carolina Beach, including the annual Christmas by the Sea celebration and month-long Island of Lights Festival, which both kick off in November.

For fall visitors who enjoy supporting local farmers and producer growers, the Pleasure Island Fresh Market serves up a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables at the Carolina Beach Marina each Saturday through early December (http://bit.ly/rr8xfa). Fresh food and a fun atmosphere contribute to the constant renewal and community evolution of Carolina Beach.

Click here for more.

CB has possible pier land buyer

2011-10-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

From the Star-News ...

A developer is interested in purchasing two Carolina Beach hotel properties that were supposed to be used for a future state-operated aquarium pier and park, the town's attorney said at the Tuesday night council meeting.
But the developer did not present a written proposal, so the council will continue to move forward with its plans to find a new manager for the hotels, which are in poor shape and need renovations, and to discuss the project's chances with state officials.
Steve Coggins, the town's attorney, said he met with a hotel developer and was told that the purchase price "would certainly encompass that all debt on the property would be paid off."
Unless additional state grants or assistance come through to cover the cost of the properties, Carolina Beach taxpayers are on the hook for paying more than $4 million in debt on the land purchase.

We've got Wi-Fi!

2011-09-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

We actually made it down to Our Beach Place on Sunday for the first time in months, and we're happy to say that you all have taken great care of it. Everything looks great. (And Irene did no damage - yeah!)

In the coming months and years we plan to do a few minor modifications. The first priority is to replace the couch. It wasn't nearly as awful as I was expecting -- in fact, it looks great! -- but we do want to upgrade it, perhaps as early as this fall. Our other future plans include replacing the carpet with some nice hardwoods or pergo, and perhaps a better TV. But all in all, OBP looks fantastic!

One small upgrade we made: we now have wireless internet for our guests. We have had a modem for some months, but we had not gotten around to actually adding a wireless router. Now we have. Now our guests can surf on the beach and ALMOST surf from the beach.

It's all good

2011-09-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering, Our Beach Place made it through Hurricane Irene unscathed. We brought in the porch furniture and that seemed to be enough.

So, if you wanna enjoy Carolina Beach in the late-summer or early fall, let us know. Personally, it's my favorite time of the year to enjoy the beach.

In case you haven't heard, there were waterspouts in CB

2011-08-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Some waterspouts came ashore in Carolina Beach last week. But those wanting to get away to the beach should not be alarmed. I've been going to the beach on a regular basis for more than 30 years, and I've seen waterspouts just once -- and I've never seen them come on shore.

For those unaware, waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that form over the ocean. On Thursday morning, up to three -- according to officials -- came on shore in Carolina Beach near Atlanta Ave., Canal Drive and the Boardwalk area of Carolina Beach, according to NBC17.

An initial storm survey report from the National Weather Service indicates that 65 mph winds from the waterspout moved onshore near the Marriott in Carolina Beach, then tracked south paralleling the beach to around the Boardwalk.

It then moved inland and dissipated over Carolina Beach Lake.

A witness says 20 feet of decking south of Hamlet Ave. was lifted by the tornado. Umbrellas were also reportedly tossed near the same location.

Towns pitching in for CB Inlet

2011-08-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Like many inlets along the N.C. coast, Carolina Beach Inlet is filling in with sand and is in need of some serious dredging.

Unfortunately, the Army Corps of Engineers has no money to dredge, so the towns of S.E. N.C. are being asked to pony up, according to reports.

Carolina Beach on Tuesday agreed to pay as much as $55,000 for the $450,000 project. Other communities in New Hanover County will consider money for the dredging at meetings in the coming week. The state has already said it will pay half the cost of the project.

Pleasure Island known for the water sports

2011-08-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

(From a press release)

Visitors to Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beaches find ample opportunities to dive into water sport activities. Whether it is taming the area's world class surf, trying something new like stand-up paddle boarding or simply grabbing the boogie boards with the entire family, the three communities offer a variety of options for all ages and skill levels entering the last weeks of summer fun. Area residents and visitors alike are expected to flock to this year's 15th Annual East Coast Wahine Surfing Tournament, held at Wrightsville Beach Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21. The nationally-recognized tournament draws almost 200 women surfers and even more surfing fans each year to the renowned Columbia Street surf break. The area is also known for the annual Southeast SUP Championship, drawing stand-up paddle surfers from around the region since 2009 for the nationally-recognized competition. Those considering a trip to one of the beaches might want to check out the rich local surfing culture. At Carolina and Wrightsville Beaches, families can take advantage of a number of surf school and camp options that make life easy for adults and children alike. Both private and group lessons are available for novice as well as advanced surfers. At Kure Beach, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher hosts summer surf camps for children ages 10 and up. ...

Carolina Beach, part of North Carolina's coast, remains a uniquely "original" beach. With a classic boardwalk, fascinating festivals and colorful characters, the beach remains an enjoyable destination for the entire family all year. For more information, visit http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com or call (800) 641-7082. ...

CB Brew Thru feels the love

2011-07-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Brew Thru at Carolina Beach is getting some love from Wilmington's Encore publication.

Having first originated in the Outer Banks back in the late ‘70s, the Carolina Beach location opened in May 2009. Store owner John Childers explains it’s “the original drive-thru convenience store, where you can actually drive into the store and be waited on by our ‘cartenders.’”
Yes, it’s true. Customers drive through the store, as rows of coolers align either side, along with snacks, ice, tobacco products, kegs and even tchotchke beach memorabilia like t-shirts. In the coolers aren’t only bottles of water and soda, but the finer adult beverages so many associate with beach lounging.

Outside of the establishment, the building resembles the colors and architecture of a car wash. When pulling through, customers are greeted with a huge selection of craft beer, domestics and imports, and a friendly cartender who aims to provide a unique and personal experience. Anyone who’s in a rush to get home after a hard day’s night will find Brew Thru’s to-go convenience top notch. “One of the things we really love about North Carolina is that it is one of the top states in the craft beer movement,” Childers says.

Presently, the Carolina Beach store carries 50 different craft beers and they hope to keep expanding in that department. “Just in the last couple years, we have seen customers come through who previously only drank domestics, gradually move into the more complex flavors of craft beers. It is really exciting watching the change and seeing our customers’ knowledge increase. At the store, the staff and managers continuously educate themselves, so that we can make suggestions and recommendations to customers who want to explore the world of craft beers.”

...

Some CB food thoughts

2011-07-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

I don't know Don Lesser, who has a blog devoted to seemingly food and eating, but he recently visited Carolina Beach (and is still there?) and wrote about his experiences there. You can read the full post here.

[M]y brother offered us his condo in North Carolina and we both thought a change would be good. Not to mention water that is actually warm enough to get in. Anyway, the trip included a BBQ stop off 95 in North Carolina and then on to the home of sweet tea and fried food, Tiki bars and “Island” cuisine.

I’ll leave out the duds for the moment. We did find two places that I’d call worth visiting. Bowman’s at the Beach we found on our own. It looks old-school, a brick building nestled on the strip, and inside, it feels like it’s been there for a while. The staff is incredibly friendly and, yes, most of the food is fried, but unlike a lot of the places at the beach, the food feels like it was made in the back rather than defrosted. I had some fried oysters, with mac n cheese and fried okra. Sarah had the BBQ pork. The basket of hushpuppies accompanied the meal were the best I have had on this trip. The oysters were fried but greaseless and the BBQ pork tasted meaty. The sweet tea was also the best we’ve had this trip. Sarah, who normally eschews anything with sugar, has been scarfing down the sweet tea like a pilgrim at the holy waterfountain. Sarah pronounced the fried okra great, so I’ll go with her. She makes it rolled in cornmeal, which is the way I’ve gotten used to it. Around here, they cover the pieces in batter. Still, the frying was pretty greasefree–not much grease left on the plate when we were done and I never got the “whoa, too much grease” feeling hours later. ...
The other place we liked was Gulfstream Restaurant, another old-time place. We got that recommendation off of chowhound.com and it was good. I’m a little overloaded on fried food, so I opted for the broiled flounder covered with deviled crab stuffing. Not exactly diet food, but the broiled fish at the previous night’s Deck House had left me ready for something with a little flair. The fish was fresh and the crab stuffing had crisped up nicely without extending the cooking time into the overdone phase. Good cole slaw and the baked potato I opted for over the french fries was wrapped in foil but OK. Hushpuppies and sweet tea not as good as Bowmans, but there was a Shrimp Creole on the menu that I want to try. There is someone cooking out back, not just some college kid with a fryolator and a freezer. ...
Thursday nights there are fireworks on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is small and slightly seedy, like all boardwalks I’ve been to since I was a boy. But there is live music. A good Southern rock n roll band was playing before and during the fireworks which were going off behind their stage. The fireworks were low and some of the shells seemed packed with a little more explosives, leading to a big POW as it blew apart the chrysamthum shells. But listening to good rock n roll while they were going off was a real treat. Aside from some choreographed fireworks in New Orleans that were “big city” fireworks, this is the first time I’ve heard that at local fireworks. Highly recommended.

Column: Carolina Beach is 'my beach'

2011-07-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Came across this touching column from Carolina Beach native Kris Worrell, editor of the Utica Observer-Dispatch about her memories of what she called "my beach."

... I’ve lived at (and visited) many beaches in my day – Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, the Cape, Galveston, Ocean Beach in San Diego – but nothing compares to “my beach.”

My beach is Carolina Beach, a small, unpretentious place about 15 miles outside Wilmington, N.C., between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. My grandparents built a house, which my grandmother designed, and two cottages next door during the 1950s. My mother and aunt spent summers there, then my cousins and I did the same. The four-bedroom house never had air conditioning other than the breeze blowing from the ocean but we could always keep cool with a dish of Grandmother’s homemade peach ice cream.

All summer long, Grandmother would rent the two cottages out, mostly to families from West Virginia or Kentucky who saved up all year for this one week in the sun. They would drive up in their cars, the kids pressing their faces to the windows as they saw the ocean for the first time. After they got the key, and often before even unpacking the car, the whole pack would run, stripping off shirts and shoes, arms outstretched, into the waiting surf.

I was born in Wilmington, but only because Carolina Beach, where my parents lived at the time, didn’t have a hospital. Years later while I was pregnant with my first child, my cousins went to the beach house and scooped up a container of sand and shells, then mailed it to me in New York. My husband placed it under the hospital bed (both times) so my children would be born over Carolina Beach soil.

The last time I saw the house and beach was 2001. Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, to be exact. We had gone to meet my cousins and show my new husband this place I’ve talked about for years. The vacation didn’t turn out as planned, as we spent most of the week trying to contact our friends in New York City and watching news of the terrorist attacks instead of lounging in the sand.

My kids had never seen the beach or the house, which my grandmother sold decades ago when the upkeep became too much. So, on this trip, we drove over the bridge and into the small town. The boardwalk, though a bit bigger, still had the obligatory arcade and the wonderfully simple Britt’s Donuts shop, voted the best in the country by numerous magazines, tourists and natives alike. They’ve been selling one kind of donut – basic, glazed, perfect – since 1939. Donuts, coffee, milk. That’s all that is on the menu. What else do you need? ...

I snapped pictures of my kids in front of the house, with the same view I used to see spread out behind them. There were lots more people on the beach than I ever had to tolerate, the tide was coming in and we got caught in a terrible lightning storm that sent us under the porch for a time.

Still, like a sweet, delicious donut, it was perfect.

Michael's does it again!

2011-06-08T10:46:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Carolina Beach's Michael's Seafood and Catering for winning firstplace at the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Rhode Island for a third straight year.

Unfortunately, there can be no four-peat.

Now that his world-famous clam chowder is a three-time winner, Chef Michael McGowan from the Carolina Beach restaurant has to retire the champion chowder from the competition.

Paul Tarasco has worked at Michael's for six years. After the first win in 2009, Tarasco said that the three-peat was no surprise to anyone who has tasted the soup.

"We knew for a fact we were going to sweep it ," said Tarasco. "There's no way we weren't going to win the next two years."

Don't believe us? Then read this!

2011-05-31T11:32:00.001-07:00

We LOVE Carolina Beach. (Of course we do; we wouldn't have Our Beach Place if we didn't.) But don't just listen to us.

With temperatures and gas prices on the rise this summer, many families are planning affordable getaways to Carolina Beach, N.C. Coastal breezes and free seaside activities combine to offer great value, family fun and a refreshing break for everyone. With a conveniently-accessible location, Carolina Beach is also easy on the gas. Major highways make the trip there quick via I-40, US-74, or NC-421.

Carolina Beach offers the best of a North Carolina beach experience. A variety of free events and affordable activities create a destination that is literally music to the ears. In June, vacationers can dance barefoot in the sand at the Pleasure Island Beach Music Festival—the largest and only music festival held on the beach along the North Carolina coast. There are also free concerts every Friday evening throughout the summer at nearby Fort Fisher.

One of the “must-sees” of Carolina Beach summer vacations is the free “Film & Fireworks Series.” On Sunday evenings, visitors grab beach chairs or blankets and head over to Carolina Beach Lake Park for free, first-run, family-friendly movies. On Thursday nights, the place to be is on the beach, near the boardwalk, where there's a spectacular display of fireworks. And, any night of the week, families can take in the sights and sounds of Carolina Beach's classic seaside amusement park.

Whether combing the beach for shells or treasured sea glass or taking in all the shopping, dining and arcade activity along the boardwalk, there's something to engage and delight everyone. There are water sports galore including surfing, boating and fishing. Or enjoy a slightly slower pace of life at Carolina Beach Lake by renting a paddleboat, canoe or kayak. Landlubbers can enjoy a hike along the many scenic trails at Carolina Beach State Park or rent a surrey bike and pedal through the center of town. ...
For all shaggers and beach music fans, the 26th Annual Pleasure Island Beach Music Festival on June 4 is an opportunity to sway to the beat. Widely recognized as the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast, this fun festival is hosted by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. ...

With so much to see and do in Carolina Beach and its surrounding areas, it's no wonder visitors call it the summertime headquarters of sun, sand and smiles!

Click on the link at the top for more.

Surfing is big biz in CB

2011-05-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

From the balcony of OBP, you can watch for hours the many surfers who make the trek to Carolina Beach. The stretch in front of our condo seems to be one of the most popular spots on the island for catching waves.

Apparently the influx of surfers is a great economic boon for the town, according to WECT.

Memorial Day weekend is considered the start of the summer tourist season, but it's starting early for local beachside businesses. ...

Carolina Beach already has a vibrant surfing community, but it's the out-of-town wave riders that make summer so profitable.

Do you love beach music?

2011-05-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

Then the Cape Fear Coast is the place to be!

[B]oogie on down to Wilmington and North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast during the month of June for back-to-back weekends of beach music festivals. Two summer festivals will feature the best in beach music, a laid-back style of rhythm-and-blues with roots on the Carolina coast. On Saturday, June 4, Carolina Beach is the place to be during the 26th Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival. The following Saturday, June 11, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA will host a Beach Music Festival at Battleship Park to celebrate the ship’s 50th Anniversary as a World War II attraction in Wilmington.

Kick up some sand at Carolina Beach on Saturday, June 4th during the 26th annual Carolina Beach Music Festival (formerly Pleasure Island Beach Music Festival). Held on the beach near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk between Harper and Hamlet Avenues, the annual summer music extravaganza features beach music where it originated—on the Carolina coast. The fun begins on Friday during a kickoff party with music by The Carolina Breakers and DJ Mike Worley at the Sea Witch Café & Tiki Bar. The Carolina Beach Music Festival gets rocking on Saturday at 11:00am with continuous live music until 4:30pm. This year’s bands include: Jim Quick & Coastline (11:00am); The Band of Oz (1:00pm); and The Fantastic Shakers (3:00pm). Gates open at 10:30am, so bring your chairs, sunscreen, beach blankets, and coolers (no glass; no pets) and spend the day enjoying classic beach tunes. The 26th Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival is presented by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the gate (no refunds). Advance tickets (cash-only) are available at the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce (1121 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach) and the following Carolina Beach businesses: Courtyard by Marriott, Olde Salty’s, the Silver Dollar, and Touchè. For details and online ticket purchases (credit card only), please visit www.pleasureislandnc.org/beachmusicfestival.asp or call 910-458-8434. A shag dance contest with over $4,000 in cash prizes follows on Saturday night at the Sea Witch Café & Tiki Bar. To register for the shag contest or to purchase contest tickets, call 910-231-8212. The party continues on Sunday at the Sea Witch with music by Soul Beam.

Editorial: Treat Masonboro like a jewel

2011-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

We've briefly discussed Masonboro and its "issues" before. Recently, the Star-News in Wilmington weighed in.

In an area rich with natural resources, undeveloped Masonboro Island stands out as a gem. The barrier island between Wrightsville and Carolina beaches is a nature reserve and also a popular destination for beachgoers.

Unlike our beach towns and the popular north end of Carolina Beach, there is no regular supervision on the fragile barrier island, which is a sea turtle nesting area, important marine nursery and wildlife haven.

Unfortunately, another sort of “wildlife” has put its mark on the island at times, leaving the beach trashed after busy summer weekends, especially holidays. In addition to trash, there have been fights and injuries amid the throngs of people and anchored boats along the island’s shoreline.

After one particularly wild weekend a few years back, New Hanover County sheriff’s deputies ferried ATVs to the island and patrolled the area. Most people seemed to get the message about the trash, and officials and island supporters were pleasantly surprised to arrive on the island the day after a big holiday weekend and find very little litter. ...
With the weather warming up and people beginning to take the short boat ride to the island, it’s important to get the word out that, although a closure to the public is not imminent, it is always a possibility.
With the folks at the N.C. Coastal Reserve taking a hard look at the rules for Masonboro and all its other sites up and down the North Carolina coast, folks using the island need to be on their best behavior.

And not simply because access could be restricted, but because it is a fragile and unique place that we share with all sorts of marine life, and because taking special care of this jewel is the right thing to do.

Visit Masonboro. Enjoy its isolation and its beauty. And honor it by being a good steward

Water project gets funding

2011-04-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

According to news sources, Carolina Beach has received a $100,000 grant from the state to go toward buying a .287-acre parcel that will become part of the Ocean-to-Sound Access Park and future home of the NC Aquarium Pier.

The grants are meant to help towns and counties restore streams, improve stormwater collection and benefit other water resources.

Now if we can only do something about the foul-smelling water ...

Report: Snakes, Venus fly traps and pirates - oh, my!

2011-04-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

A nice piece from the Miami Herald about the Cafe Fear Coast.

We thought we’d done every “trail” imaginable, from wine trails to art trails to birding trails. But...a Venus flytrap trail? Sure enough, Wilmington has 12 sites devoted to this carnivorous plant, since this city is the only place in the world, they say, where you can see the Venus flytrap in its native (boggy) environment. That attraction alone was enough to draw us to Wilmington, a city that’s never been on the top of our “must-see before you die” list.
Our young traveling companions were skeptical. “Plants?” Raevin, 7, asked. “Seriously? We’re going to look at a bunch of plants?” She gave us a look that said “Totally lame!” We promised her we’d make a trip to the beach after we visited the flytrap trail at Carolina Beach State Park.
Once Raevin saw the bug-eating plants, with their teeth-y leaves, she was captivated, busily snapping photos. When we decided to check out some other walking trails at the park, there were no complaints from Miss Raevin.

It turns out that Wilmington had other surprises. Far from a snooze, we found Wilmington to be wildly kid-friendly.

Among the highlights were, naturally, the beaches.

The Cape Fear Coast has 31 miles of beach, and they’re a big draw. Everyone raves about Wrightsville Beach, but we found it full of co-eds in teensy bikinis. (What Mom needs that? We were here to have fun, not to feel self-conscious about the muffin-tops sprouting under our tankinis!) So we spent most of our beach-time at Carolina and Kure beaches — especially the fishing pier at Kure Beach, one of the oldest on the East Coast. We didn’t fish ourselves, but it was fun to see what other fisher-folk were pulling out of the water. Carolina Beach has a retro-looking boardwalk (circa 1896) with carnival rides (in season), Trolley Stop Hot Dogs, a local landmark, and Britt’s, one of the top donut shops in the U.S. What’s not to like?

Metered parking costs to go up

2011-04-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Beginning today, it will cost $1.25 an hour to park in CB metered spaces from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., according to WECT.

Parking on the island will still be free after 7 p.m.
There are several pay station lots to make parking more convenient. Those stations accept $10, $5, $1, nickels, dimes and quarters in addition to Visa and Master Card.

[See a detailed map of parking lots and spaces at Carolina Beach (PDF)]

Freeman Park passes will also cost a little more starting April 1. They could be purchased for $60 until the end of March, they jump to $100 in April.

Just know that if you rent Our Beach Place and just hang out and relax, parking isn't a problem.

Don't let the rain and cold weather fool ya: Summer's on its way!

2011-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's somewhat abnormally cold and dreary, but don't let that trouble you. Summer (and warmer weather) is on its way.

How do I know that?

Britt's Donuts is open!

Life is good.

Freeman Park passes have doubled

2011-03-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

People are lining up to get their passes to Freeman Park in Carolina Beach. Last year the town agreed to increase fees after March, so beachgoers are rushing to pay the lower price, according to WECT.

Town officials Freeman Park pass sales have more than doubled compared to last year. This time last year, Carolina Beach sold 1,655 passes. This year they've already sold 3,491.

"We've had a big rush for people who want to get in and save that $40," said Dennis Barbour, owner of True Value in Carolina Beach.
Passes can be purchased for $60 until the end of March. After April 1 the price rises to $100.

Bike Week coming? Maybe. Wing Fling? Definitely

2011-03-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Update: OK, so looks like no Bike Week in CB after all.

Danny Swinson, a Carolina Beach citizen, requested that council consider hosting a Bike Week in Carolina Beach, but withdrew his proposal after a public outcry against it.

The concerns in the community centered around the congestion and potential crime associated with an event of this kind. Council voted not to endorse bike week.

There's some chatter about a Bike Week in Carolina Beach, according to WECT.

Carolina Beach Town Hall will vote [tonight] whether or not to host the motor-friendly event.
Danny Swinson is the man behind the idea, and he said it's not meant to be a replacement to the Myrtle Beach Bike Week that has had problems in the past.

Swinson's event would be more like Shallotte's Bike Week, which has become a refuge for bikers wanting to escape the Myrtle Beach hassle.

Carolina Beach already has a couple biker clubs populating the boardwalk area, and the local businesses WECT spoke with said they're ready for more bikers. ...
If residents are worried about rugged, hard-nosed bikers rolling into town, Swinson said they have the wrong idea of bikers. The three biker clubs he plans to invite to the event are Rolling Thunder, The Blue Knights and The Red Knights, which include retired servicemen, police officers and fire fighters, respectively.

One thing that is definitely coming to CB is Wing Fling, again according to WECT.

After some controversy and confusion, it appears the Wing Fling festival will take place in Carolina Beach.

Organizers were recently turned down for an ABC permit to hold the event in downtown Wilmington. Weeks before, they had been turned down by New Hanover County leaders to hold the event at Hugh McRae Park.

In the 11^th hour, Carolina Beach leaders gave the organizers their approval. The event will be Saturday, March 26^th at Cape Fear Boulevard. Tickets cost $15 and must be bought in advance. Bringing your own alcohol is not an option.

Vendors at Freeman Park?

2011-03-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Freeman Park has long been revered for its unspoiled simplicity. But that could change.

"Town leaders in Carolina Beach are looking for ways to enhance the beach experience," says WECT.

Town council members are expected to talk about allowing push cart vendors at Freeman Park this season. A discussion about the topic is set for a special meeting Tuesday.

Last year the town allowed the delivery of beer from the Brew Thru.

What are your thoughts? Will this "enhance" the beach experience? Or just clutter it?
(Image from foreveryoungphotos)

Azalea Festival: An institution

2011-03-15T18:17:00.001-07:00

Wow, 64 years is a long time for one event to have kept on, keepin' on. But the N.C. Azalea Festival has been bringing it for that long.

This year's version will take place April 6-10 in Wilmington.

A springtime tradition since 1948, the 64th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival(April 6-10, 2011) celebrates the rich history, arts, and culture of Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast(Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach). During April when our region’s landscape is dominated by thousands of brilliant pink, white, and purple azaleas, we pay homage to these dazzling flowers during the annual N.C. Azalea Festival, a five-day celebration that ushers in spring with Southern hospitality and fanfare. This is why Wilmington, N.C. was recognized as an “Azalea City” by The Azalea Society of America in December 2009.

Highlights of the N.C. Azalea Festival include Azalea belles dressed in period hoop skirts, a parade, juried arts and craft shows, a traveling circus, concerts, fireworks, and a street fair with exhibits, vendors, live entertainment, and kids’ activities. Signature events include the Cape Fear Garden Club’s Azalea Garden Tour (April 8-10), one of the South’s longest-running and most popular garden tours.

Click here for even more information.

80 degrees? I need to be at the beach!

2011-02-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

It was tough to do yard work in Raleigh today knowing that the weather was perfect -- especially when we could be at the beach.

Hopefully this warm weather will stick around. And let us know if you want to enjoy the ol' Beach Place.

Whatta sunset!

2011-02-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to Renae again, or I would never have seen this. Enjoy!

Oh, and if you want to enjoy these types of sunsets, just let us know!

Pleasure Island among best beaches in the state

2011-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

According to Yahoo, Carolina Beach is among the best beaches in North Carolina. (Well, duh!)

"Back on July 1, 2010, Yahoo contributor Tricia Sabol wrote an article titled 'The Best Beaches in North Carolina' and she chose the beaches of Pleasure Island as the best in the state. The three beach areas of Pleasure Island were lumped into one due to their close proximity to each other," writes Carolina Beach Today.

Ms. Sabol noted in her article that because North Carolina is filled with so many wonderful beaches that it can often be difficult for visitors to chose one for their vacations. To help them out, she came up with her list of the top three in the state and here is what she had to say about naming the beaches of Pleasure Island as her top pick:

This is my pick for the best beach area in North Carolina. I have lumped Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher into one entry because of their very close proximity to one another on the southeastern coast of North Carolina. This area is less commercially developed than nearby Wrightsville Beach, so there are not many great options for shopping. However, what you will find at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher are fewer crowds, gorgeous beaches, and a very relaxed atmosphere.

Both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have small fishing piers, and Carolina Beach even has a small boardwalk with an arcade. A visit to Britt's Donut Shop on the Carolina Beach boardwalk is a must!

'Welcome to Pleasure Island'

2011-01-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

Our friend (and Realtor) Renae Perrett, has put together a lovely video on the beautiful Pleasure Island, which you can view on YouTube. Nice work, Renae!

As Renae says, if you have "six minutes to relax, sit back and enjoy." Indeed.

CB trying to resolve 'road diet' problem

2011-01-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

"Last year the Town of Carolina Beach trimmed down it's main road from four to two lanes. The 'road diet' for Lake Park Blvd. has caused some huge headaches for people," said WWAY. The CB town council recently met to talk about possible solutions.

The road diet not only did away with lanes of traffic. It also added a dual purpose turn lane, bike lanes and diagonal parking spaces. Severe congestion problems, safety of bicyclists and small business sales suffering are just a few of the problems the diet has caused.

Book now for great summer deals

2011-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

It may be freezing around these parts, but if you want to plan ahead for your summer getaways, start planning now.

For one thing, we may be willing to offer cut-rate, early-bird specials on the ol' Beach Place. Be sure to check out our VRBO.com site -- you will see that the calendar is WIDE OPEN for '11. Let us know when you'd like to go to Carolina Beach, and we'll easily work with you on a good rate.

Happy vacationing!

No more 'Cape Fear Coast?'

2010-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

There's a move afoot from Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach to move away from the branding of "Cape Fear Coast." But it has received some push back.

Tourists want to plan a vacation using easily accessible information, and those who loyally choose to vacation on Pleasure Island want things to stay familiar, said Judy Randall, owner of Randall Travel Marketing, told the Star-News.

She suggested the town spend less time focusing on re-branding the area – despite the ongoing mission by the county's three beach towns to phase out the "Cape Fear Coast" logo to better identify each town.

Town boards in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach each adopted a joint resolution this month that addresses desired changes to the way the Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau markets and promotes each town.

The resolution, which came out of a meeting Nov. 18 of the three towns' mayors and other representatives, states the towns' leaders believe the CVB's marketing and public relations efforts "may not effectively represent the respective beach communities in their best possible light and could hamper their full potential for their growth and development in tourism."

The resolution recommends phasing out the term "Cape Fear Coast" as the official brand name for the three beaches and placing each beach name along with Wilmington in official logos and marketing materials.

But Randall, who works out of Charlotte, said research showed most people vacationing in the area refer to the area collectively as "Wilmington."

Someone sitting on the beach, she said, won't necessarily say they are in Kure Beach or Carolina Beach but will say they're in the Wilmington area if asked.

Councilman Dan Wilcox argued that the issue to bring the names of the beach towns to the forefront of advertising campaigns was not about creating a slogan but about recognizing the beaches' identities.

"When we talk about branding we're talking about our name as the beach and being advertised as Carolina Beach, not a subsidiary of Wilmington," Wilcox said.

The joint resolution is awaiting signatures of all three beach towns' mayors and will be submitted to the CVB and other agencies for consideration.

Book your New Year's beach stay now

2010-12-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

The beach is a wonderful place to ring in the New Year. And our place just happens to be free. So contact us now for some wonderful bargains.

For more information about OBP, go here.

CB State Park among 5 most popular in state

2010-11-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

According to WECT, Carolina Beach State Park has made the top five most popular parks in the state of North Carolina, according to statistics from the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Through the year ending July 30th, Carolina Beach State Park registered 4,410 camping and picnic reservations. In all, more than a quarter million people visited state parks in the state.

The top five most reserved sites in the state are:

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area 14,124
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area 6,162
Hanging Rock 5,256
Stone Mountain 5,062
Carolina Beach 4,410

Reservations can be made up to 48 hours in advance, online at www.ncparks.gov or by calling toll-free 1-877-7 CAMP NC (722-6762).

CB marina on 'cleanest' list

2010-11-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

A marina in Carolina Beach has joined the list of North Carolina Clean Marinas, according to the state.

The Joyner Marina in Carolina Beach joined a growing list of marinas that go beyond the state's environmental regulations, says WECT. The point of the Clean Marina program is to show how operators are safeguarding the environment in their operations. To get the designation, owners have to prepare spill prevention plans and do safety and emergency planning. The marinas need to get recertified every two years.

The Clean Marina program began in 2000.

CB board: Give boardwalk year-round status

2010-10-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

From the Star-News:

The end of the summer season is known to arrive when Britt's Donut Shop serves its last tasty treat and shuts its metal drop-down doors on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. ...
And as the crowds dwindled at the end of September and the last batch of doughnuts were out the door, many other Boardwalk businesses followed suit and decided to close for several months or for certain days each week.

But with the help of the town's Boardwalk Makeover Committee, some have vowed to reach a goal of making the Boardwalk a year-round destination.

The effort faces an uphill battle against perception, however. People don't want to visit the Boardwalk because they don't think any shops are open, while shops don't want to open because they don't think people will visit, said Councilman Dan Wilcox, co-founder of the Boardwalk Makeover Committee.

"To work toward that, what we're trying to do each year is to extend the season a little bit," he said.

Bye bye Britt's (for now), and CB is in the spotlight

2010-09-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

"Donut lovers who can't get enough of Britt's Donuts in Carolina Beach are going to have to wait several months before eating them again," says WECT.

"Sunday, the donut shop officially closed for winter. ...

"Every year in the fall the donut shop closes for the winter and reopens in the spring...."

However, the good news is that CB is getting some nice notoriety.

"Carolina Beach is the perfect destination for a fall getaway," says Travel Video News. "Fall means family-friendly festivals and events. It’s always play time. The autumn is special in Carolina Beach where events and activities happen nonstop. There’s a lot to do and an added bonus of uncrowded beaches. Carolina Beach is a popular summertime destination, but in the fall, with its special rates on accommodations, it delivers exceptional value."

(Ahem -- like Our Beach Place.)

"There’s lots of ways to relax and have some traditional family fun. Stroll hand-in-hand along the shore or on the boardwalk. Leave your cares behind and have a picnic, hike along the nature trails and do a little bird watching, or rent a paddleboat at Carolina Beach Lake Park. If you love to fish, grab a pole and join a fishing excursion. Several charter fishing boats are available for rental at the Carolina Beach Fishing Center and Marina. Drop a line off the pier or try your hand at surf fishing. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your cares away. Take a ride through town on a surrey bike. Outdoor adventure is all around."

The Gazzetteer and Carolina Beach

2010-09-22T09:26:00.001-07:00

The highly entertaining and educational North Carolina Gazetteer has been updated for the first time since it was first published in 1968. (Kudos to Michael Hill at the N.C. Office of Archives and History for undertaking the updating of William Powell's monumental publication.)

So what info does it have in there about Carolina Beach?

Carolina Beach, town in (southeast) New Hanover County on the Atlantic Ocean. Alt. 5. Settled about 1885; inc. 1925. Sugar Loaf, a former community at or near the site, was the scene of an engagement between Confederate and Union forces after the capitulation of Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865.

Also ...

Carolina Beach Inlet, (southeast) New Hanover County, an artificially created inlet from the Atlantic Ocean through the barrier bar about 2 1/2 mi. (north) of the town of Carolina Beach. A dredged channel extends from the inlet to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Consider yourself "edumacated."

The North Carolina Gazetteer is published by UNC Press. To order one, click here.

Screaming kids? Take your business elsewhere

2010-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

This article has sure gotten a lot of publicity (and so has the restaurant in question).

The owner of a coastal North Carolina restaurant is fed up with screaming children who bother other diners.
So Brenda Armes has posted signs at Olde Salty restaurant in Carolina Beach that read “screaming children will not be tolerated.” She told WECT-TV in Wilmington that the signs have worked by attracting more customers than they turn away.

Customer Gary Gibson agrees, saying he likes the signs because a meal isn’t enjoyable when kids are screaming.

But a mother of two, Ashley Heflin, says parents can’t help it if their children scream.

If a child is screaming, Armes says a restaurant employee will ask the parent to take them outside. They won’t be asked to leave the restaurant for good.

I have two very small children, and you never know when they're going to "go off." Having said that, Armes has every right to put up those signs and enforce it. Heck, I actually see her logic in it.

I think the key is understanding what kind of establishment you are running. (I can say that I've never been to Olde Salty.) If it's a loud, kinda run-down beach place, then maybe telling families not to bring their screaming kids isn't such a good idea. If it's a white tablecloth kinda place, then you probably shouldn't bring the "young'uns" there in the first place.

Folks are going back to the beach

2010-08-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Despite the slumping economy (or maybe because of it?), people are still heading to the beach, says this article in the News & Observer.

Longer lines, fewer discounts and more "No Vacancy" signs indicate that tourism business along the North Carolina coast has been better this summer than in the previous two. State tourism figures confirm that travel is up across the state, with the southeast region, which includes New Hanover and Brunswick counties, showing the biggest increase - 9 percent - in room occupancy rates for June compared to last year.

"And we expect to see the same for July and August," said Margo Metzger, public relations manager for the state Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

It's not clear whether business is better because the economy has improved in general, or because some visitors came to North Carolina this year instead of Gulf Coast states to avoid the oil spill, or because the division of tourism amped up advertising last year as room occupancy rates flagged.

Tourism is big business in the state, accounting for more than 190,000 jobs and more than $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenues.

Students study the N.C. coast

2010-08-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

The (Raleigh) News & Observer has an interesting piece on college students and professors studying the N.C. coast to get a "baseline" for the just-in-case chance that Gulf oil makes it this far. (Fingers crossed that it won't!)

Seven people walked the 50-meter-long seine net into chest-high water, then slowly returned to the beach with scores of Florida pompano, striped mullet and gulf kingfish, among others.

Destined for labs at UNC Wilmington, the fish, along with water and sediment samples gathered nearby, will be used to create a baseline measurement of what the coastal environment is like now, unsullied by oil from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico or anywhere else.

The oil apparently has not left the gulf. State officials who gathered last week at UNC-Chapel Hill for an oil-spill forum were told that the probability of crude reaching North Carolina was extremely small.

"It's beyond remote now," said Kenneth Taylor, disaster response coordinator for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "The oil is breaking up in the gulf all by itself."

But that does not mean the science has stopped. On Wednesday, about a dozen researchers, many of them students, worked with UNC Wilmington professors to gather samples. N.C. Sea Grant provided $6,000 for the research, which will eventually encompass visits to six beaches, from Ocean Isle to Hatteras.
...

In the weeks immediately following the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the gulf, scientists along the East Coast began forecasting the oil's movement. The National Center for Atmospheric Research released a computer model that showed how currents could bring oil to North Carolina waters, though the conditions that would have made that happen haven't materialized.

This week, Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law a bill that lifts the cap on damages that can be recovered as the result of an offshore oil spill. She had previously directed state officials to update the state's oil spill contingency plan to prepare for the unlikely event that the leaked BP oil makes it to North Carolina.

In June and July, the state gathered extensive samples of sea life from 34 spots up and down the coast. Oysters, shrimp, crabs and a wide variety of fish were collected as part of a separate effort to create a snapshot of an oil-free environment.

Even if tar balls never reach the North Carolina coast, the samples gathered and the science collected from them will not go to waste.

(Image via the N&O)

Michael's Seafood: America's Chowder Champion

2010-07-22T09:40:00.001-07:00

For the second year in a row, Carolina Beach's Michael's Seafood beat out the competition (including those from New England) be crowned as having America's best chowder.

By the way, if you're interested, you can now buy the chowder in stores.

It was biz-ay at the beach on the Fourth!

2010-07-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Of course, if you were down here, you would know this already!

"Traffic lined up for miles at times during the Fourth of July weekend in New Hanover County's beach towns, and parking lots were nearly full at area attractions," says the Star-News.

According to surveys and guest lists at several hotels and attraction sites, the bulk of this weekend's visitors came from just hours away on Interstate 40.
Jimmy Pope, owner of Golden Sands Motel in Carolina Beach, said 70 percent of the people who stayed at the hotel during the weekend were from North Carolina cities such as Raleigh, Durham, Kernersville and as far west in the state as Boone.

That's not surprising considering that in-state travel is both convenient and a constant trend, said Kim Hufham, president of the Wilmington Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Our largest feeder market we have is the Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill area," she said. "It's a great drive. You hit I-40, drive for two hours and you're here."

There were non-Carolinians around too.

Like many attraction sites, the Battleship North Carolina tracks where visitors live by asking for their ZIP codes. The results of this weekend's ZIP code survey were not available Tuesday, but Heather Loftin, promotions director for the N.C. Battleship, said she noticed a colorful array of license plates just by scanning the parking lot.
"I saw New Jersey. I saw New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas," she said.

"It was all over the board," Loftin added. "It wasn't necessarily from the East Coast."

Pope said he met a couple from Alabama who were visiting Durham last week and decided to travel to Carolina Beach for a day-trip since they wouldn't be visiting a Florida beach like they usually did.

Carolina tourism up

2010-07-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Tourism is up in our great state, according to the Charlotte Observer, who says the "beach is beckoning this year - good news for North Carolina's tourism industry."

AAA Carolinas predicts a 12 percent increase over last year in Fourth of July holiday travel. And along the coast, businesses say they're seeing more tourists than in the past two years. ...
It's too early to tell whether the trend will carry through the summer - school hasn't been out that long. But Caroline Meeks, who runs Victory Beach Vacations in Carolina Beach, said her rentals recently jumped again after a strong early spring, then a lull in May.
"If I look at the numbers for the whole year, we are up," Meeks said. "Unfortunately, some of our reservations are from the Gulf Coast. People are saying they had to cancel their reservations there and make new ones."

Like it did last summer, the company is still getting a lot of last-minute reservations, Meeks said. Customers also are asking for shorter rentals.

"We've adjusted," she said, by cutting required lengths of stay and by staffing the office until 9 p.m. "If the mom says, 'OK, we can go. Let's see if we can find a place,' and they want to go tomorrow morning and it's 8 o'clock on Thursday, you want to have somebody there to answer the phone."

We have noticed some of these trends as well. In fact, a recent visitor changed up his original Alabama Gulf Shores trip because of the Gulf oil spill and instead came to Carolina Beach. We're always happy for the business -- just wish it was for another reason.

We are also getting many more "last-minute" requests. Whereas a year ago people were planning their vacations a couple of months ahead of time, now we're getting those calls and emails just a couple of weeks before. And instead of week-long stays, we are seeing more and more 3- or 4-night sojourns at OBP.

State planning to deal with oil (if necessary)

2010-06-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Oil from the BP spill in the Gulf may or may not make its way up to the North Carolina coast. But if it does, state officials are ready.

"North Carolina has a plan for dealing with the possible incursion of the BP Deep Horizons oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico into the state’s coastal waters," says the Washington News.

"That plan may be found on the N.C. Department of Crime Control & Public Safety’s Web page under the heading for the Division of Emergency Management, said department spokesman Ernie Seneca. The department’s Web page may be found at www.nccrimecontrol.org. ...

The plan was developed in the “remote chance some of this oil will make its way up here,” Seneca said in an interview with the Washington Daily News. ...

Meanwhile, the state is preparing to act if oil threatens its waters.

“North Carolina has an oil spill-response plan that defines roles and responsibilities for responding agencies,” Seneca said. “The state of North Carolina is closely monitoring BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. State and federal agencies are coordinating plans to be fully prepared to respond in case the oil reaches our state. The U.S. Coast Guard is currently projecting that there is a remote chance that the oil could reach this far north and threaten North Carolina’s coast.”

North Carolina’s plan makes the Coast Guard the lead agency in charge of oil threatens coastal waters, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the lead agency in charge if oil threatens inland waters. The N.C. Department of Crime Control & Public Safety, which includes the Division of Emergency Management, is the lead state-response agency. The N.C. State Emergency Response Team, headed by the state’s emergency-management director, assists federal agencies, coordinates state preparations and response activities and works with local communities and responders.

Glad to hear that state officials are planning ahead. Hopefully it is unnecessary planning.

Britt's Donuts: Well worth the drive

2010-06-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Raleigh News & Observer begins its summer "Open Road" series with a look at a CB institution: Britt's Donuts.

Traveling 129 miles from Raleigh to the beach to try an 80-cent doughnut is to put faith in those who have come before, to trust in their ability to judge grease and glaze.

Because even with rhapsodic testimonials posted across the Internet, driving that far to eat Britt's Donuts is a gamble because there are no choices. If you prefer chocolate, and your buddy eats jelly-filled, that's fine, but you can't have either. Britt's sells only fried glazed doughnuts.

There is a simple reason for this, insists owner Bobby Nivens.

"When we get busy," he says of his airy, hand-cut delicacies, "we don't have time for other doughnuts."

After the first one, you might not either. ...

The doughnut has devoted fans, but Nivens isn't the sort of cook who shares his techniques with friends. Only he and his wife, Maxine, know the exact recipe. One of them has to mix the dough so the employees can make the doughnuts. Even their daughter isn't privy to the doughnut's innards, although she knows where the recipe is written down in case anything happens to the secret-keepers.

Nivens dreamed years ago of expanding his deep-fried empire to include shops in other cities, but he eventually decided against the plan. Money, he says, isn't everything. Plus he and Maxine enjoy their time off, which is pretty much October through March.

The shop opens at 8:30 a.m. every day during the summer. It closes each night when business slows, and Nivens never shuts the garage doors if there are people in line.

"I don't want to get killed," he says, laughing.

Raleigh-to-Wilmington train eyed

2010-05-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Now THIS could be very cool.

From uber-reporter and hell of a guy Chris Baysden:

N.C. DOT's Rail Division "has applied for almost $7 million in federal planning funds that would allow for the expansion of intercity passenger rail service in the state – including between Raleigh and Wilmington. ...

"The funds, from the Federal Rail Administration, would be used to conduct environmental studies, engineering and design work for future intercity passenger services, NCDOT said in a written statement. These studies would assess ridership, revenue, construction and operating costs on two routes: between Raleigh and Wilmington and between Salisbury and Asheville. ...

"North Carolina already won a large chunk of federal money for rail improvements this year. In January, North Carolina announced grants of $545 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for further development of sections of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor located in the state."

Granted, it would be tough to hit the train in Raleigh, get off in Wilmington and then find our way to CB, but it's at least a start.

The rides are back and a new Thai restaurant has opened

2010-05-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

The rides at the Carolina Beach boardwalk are now back, just in time for the busy summer season.

"This year there are about a dozen more rides, including the 'Ring of Fire' which will go 70 feet in the air. There will also be bungee jumping and new kiddie rides," says WECT.

"After last year's success, the Town of Carolina Beach worked with the ride company to expand, which is good news for the bad economy.

"The prices will remain the same, but there will be rides on three different lots near the boardwalk.

"The rides will be open by Friday night and could be open as early as Thursday night if the inspections are complete by then."

Ida Thai now open

Chef Jackie Bongkotmanee’s Ida Thai is now open in CB. The Thai restaurant is named for Bongkotmanee’s toddler daughter, Ida.

"Ida’s menu features easy Thai favorites such as satay, spring rolls, pad Thai, and all the correct curries but also Paradise Ginger, a stir-fry containing ginger, mushrooms, celery, carrots, bell peppers and onion," says the Star-News. "Garlic & Pepper Chicken brings chicken sauteed with fresh garlic and ground pepper topped with cilantro. Prices range from $5 to $10. Take-out is available. Call (910) 458-8136."

Well, darn

2010-05-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Wrightsville Beach has apparently decided against banning smoking on the beach. I was really hoping this would go through, and that WB would set a precedent for other beach communities. Oh, well.

Instead, the WB Board of Alderman have decided "to raise the fine for littering, including those who drop cigarette butts.

"The fine is going from $100 to $250."

The board heard from about a dozen supporters and opponents and Mayor David Cignotti then asked for a show of hands. More than 30 people favored the ban, and about 10 people opposed it.
But Alderwoman Susan Collins said she wanted to tighten the litter ordinance by handing out more tickets instead of banning smoking.

Whoo-hoo! There's now more beach to enjoy!

2010-05-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the busy beach time of the year, comes these photos courtesy of the missus, showing the beach renourishment process as it is underway. We are particularly excited because while we've enjoyed being able to see the OCEAN from the porch of Our Beach Place, we can now see the BEACH as well. Yippee!

Here is the before photo (from a year or so ago) ...

... and here is a photo as of May 1.

Note the pipeline on the beach in the second photo. The wife says the beach goes well even beyond it. Nice.

In other words, now is a good time to get down there and enjoy the sand and surf. (Hint, hint.)

Boy, don't miss out on this great weather we're having

2010-04-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed (or in case you live in a less-moderate part of the country), the weather in North Carolina has been spectacular of late. All signs point to that continuing for quite some time. And then it will be summer. So, in other words, now is the time to book those Carolina Beach weeks and weekends (or longer, if your heart desires) at OBP.

Don't miss this opportunity to get a steal of a deal -- just steps from the beach.

Remember, if you are interested in renting Our Beach Place for just a weekend, week or longer, just email us at collards12@yahoo.com.

(Image from cape-fearguide.com)

CB native Munley deservedly given key to the city

2010-04-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

"Still leaning on her cane but smiling broadly Tuesday night, Sgt. Kimberly Munley accepted the key to the town from the Carolina Beach Town Council," writes the Star-News.

You'll remember that Munley was the "hero cop" who brought down Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan back in November after he had opened fire on the base at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 and wounding more than 30 others.

Munley is the daughter of former Carolina Beach Mayor Dennis Barbour.

The council declared Nov. 5 a day to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the Carolina Beach native, who was shot in both legs and once in the wrist while helping stop a deadly shooting at the U.S. Army base in Fort Hood, Texas, on that date last year. Flanked by her family, including her 3-year-old daughter, Munley thanked the council for the "tremendous support" she received from the town and county since the incident.
"It was a big job that day and a group effort – I just happened to be the one, with Mark Todd, to get there first," Munley said.

In other CB news, the council is apparently getting an earful about the new traffic patterns.

Watch out for a new traffic pattern

2010-04-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

WECT is reporting that a new traffic pattern in CB has caused some confusion.

Lake Park Boulevard used to have two lanes in each direction, but now it only has one. Officials say they are trying to help the flow of traffic, but residents say one lane just isn't enough.
"I mean, two lanes coming off the beach, just makes sense," said pizza delivery driver Lanelle Barrow. "Maybe in the long run it will be a good idea, but right now, I don't see it."

The plan to change traffic patterns has been in the works with town leaders for five years. They hope the changes will give the area a more traditional "downtown" ambiance.

Amusement rides to return; a water park available as well

2010-03-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

Visitors to Carolina Beach will once again get to enjoy the tourist-season amusement park this year, according to WECT (via CarolinaBeachToday).

In addition, a water slide will accompany the rides this year.

Carolina Beach town council members unanimously voted to bring the popular rides back to the beach for the summer. This year, it will be even bigger, with a second area nearby filled with more rides.

The rides should open around Memorial Day and officials are excited about the boost the park brings to the area...

When in CB, you have to try Britt's Donuts

2010-03-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

We finally experienced the wonder of Britt's Donuts last summer. It was well worth the wait.

The donut shop, a staple of Carolina Beach, closes each year in October but offers their donuts (just one type: glazed) during the high-tourism season.

Well, according to WECT, Britt's opened back for the spring and summer this past Friday.

Owner Bobby Nivens started working at Britt's Donuts in the 1950s and has been the owner for 36 years, though the shop has been in business for 76 years.
In 2008, MSN City Guide ranked the donut shop as the second best doughnut in the nation.

Get bloggy at the beach

2010-03-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Shannan Bowen with Talk & Squawk has put together a list of Carolina Beach-area blogs. (She somehow left this one off! ;) You can read her thoughts here.

She mentions one of our favorites, CarolinaBeachToday. She also mentions the now-defunct Snow's Cut magazine, which is now an e-zine (online only).

"The Snow’s Cut e-zine features coupons, events, business news and interesting posts like one about the smallest house on the island (300 square feet)," writes Bowen.

Also listed are blogs at the N.C. Aquarium, and one from Kure Beach called Seawatch Happenings.

CB restaurant news

2010-03-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

The Dish has some updated news about CB restaurants, including a new joint.

At Carolina Beach, Rachanee Wechamongkolgorn and husband “Jackie” Bongkotmanee on April 1 transport their native Thai cuisine to Ida, at the previous Beach Dogs (304 N. Lake Park Blvd.).
Around the same time, Chef Danielle Cousler, formerly of Michael’s Seafood Restaurant, and husband, Jeff, reintroduce Black Horn (15 Carolina Beach Ave. North) with a cozy bistro feel, wine bar and “Southwestern Latin fusion” menu. The couple also owns Wilmington’s Thyme Savor Personal Chef and Catering.
Courtyard by Marriott (100 Charlotte Ave.) is shaping Courtyard Bistro. Starbucks coffee and more sandwiches, soups and salads will be served in a redecorated lobby dining area.
And despite the “for lease” sign out front, Tuscan Grill (720 North Lake Park Blvd.) is open. The banner refers to other units on the property.

You'll easily be able to hear the music from our place

2010-03-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

Town officials are considering allowing a weekend-long music festival at Freeman Park this summer, according to the Star-News. There are some hurdles; there are worries about vendor facilities, bad behavior and drug use.

At its Tuesday meeting, the town council gave preliminary approval to Michael Oliver's Revolution Evolution of Love Music Festival.

Oliver, who said he has nearly five years of experience planning similar festivals in Ohio, proposed a weekend-long festival at the north end of the park to raise money for the Carolina Beach lifeguard program. The festival will be free, he said, but accept donations. It will also feature paid vendors to help offset the costs of insurance, generators and other expenses.

It will feature local bands such as reggae, folk, bluegrass, classic rock and jam bands, Oliver said.

Bluegrass, reggae, folk and jam bands? Yeah, I can kinda see the drug concerns.

Town Manager Tim Owens questioned whether food vendors could get the necessary health approvals, given that they would need places for employees to wash their hands and other requirements. He also had concerns about the need for extra police and portable toilets. He suggested that if the council approves the festival, that it be held in May instead of April to avoid a possible conflict with beach nourishment (emphasis mine).

(Aside: This is very good news regarding beach nourishment. Yeah!)

The board voted unanimously to approve the festival with some changes to be worked out between Oliver, Owens and Younginer to address the board's concerns.

If this is your "thang," you will easily be able to enjoy the music from the porch of Our Beach Place. Now it's up to you to book the available weekend -- whenever that is!

Wrightsville's board wants to kick butts on the beach

2010-03-03T09:47:00.001-08:00

How would this fly in CB? Personally, I'd LOVE to see it.

"Butts will have no place at the beach if some Wrightsville Beach officials can get their way," says the Star-News. "Mayor David Cignotti has raised the possibility of banning smoking on the strand, and most of his colleagues supported the concept at an aldermen's retreat Saturday.

A state law went into effect on Jan. 2 that banned smoking in bars and restaurants. It also allows municipalities to enact their own stricter bans.
Alderman Bill Sisson said he has been on numerous beach sweeps picking up litter, and it's impossible to pick up all the cigarette butts in just a one-block area. "The turtle people would love (a smoking ban)," he added, referring to the harm that cigarette toxins left in the sand can do to wildlife, in addition to the litter problem. ...
Alderwoman Lisa Weeks said a smoking ban would discourage smokers. "If we can deter half the people from smoking," she said, the effort would be worthwhile.
Cignotti said that a public hearing should be set on the topic.
If family-friendly Wrightsville Beach passed a smoking ban for the strand, it would be the first beach town in North Carolina with such a policy, although Sally Malek, a tobacco coordinator with the N.C. Division of Public Health, said that Buncombe County has banned smoking on all county-owned property, including parks.
Surfside City in South Carolina has a beach smoking ban, according to Erin Morrissette, the tobacco prevention coordinator for New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. ...

Raleigh was looking into a smoking ban in parks at one point as well.

New curtains, decorations and porch furniture

2010-02-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Because of the aforementioned snow, we didn't have a ton of things to do in CB over Valentine's Day weekend. SO ... we decided to make some improvements to the joint.

The biggest improvement was that we took down the nasty old, twisty, plastic blinds and replaced them with 4 panels of curtains.

You can see the "old" here (to the right) ...

... and here is the new (all four closed) ...

... and here (showing how "customizable" they can be).

We also added some shelves in the kitchen. And you can't have shelves without putting something on them.

We think we've done a pretty good job of making storage space in a space not meant for such.

New pictures/art were added to the walls in the living room and in the bedroom.

We also replaced the crumbling porch furniture with a set of nice, new 4 tables and chairs. Unfortunately, I neglected to shoot a photo of it.

And, finally, here's a shot of the glass tile work in the kitchen, of which we are very proud.

Remember, if you are interested in renting Our Beach Place for just a weekend, week or longer, just email us at collards12@yahoo.com

Snow ... at the beach?

2010-02-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

The family had a nice, cozy time at OBP this past Valentine's Day weekend. The snow came down in droves on Friday night, meaning we were pretty much house/condo-bound on Saturday. No worries. We watched movies, ate frozen pizza and pretty much stayed in our PJs all day. All in all, a great day.

Here are some photos of things you don't see often: snow at the beach. Enjoy.

Farmers Market set to open April 24

2010-02-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

Want some fresh veggies and fruits while you're enjoying your CB stay this spring and summer? The Carolina Beach farmers market is set to run every Saturday from April 24 through October 9. Vendors will begin setting up at 7 a.m., with the market open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., according to the Star-News.

The market will operate in the rain, it will close for possibly harmful weather such as storms with lightning. While most vendors will be set up in the park area around the lake, some requiring refrigerated trucks will be able to set up in the nearby school parking lot.

CB may add lifeguards, parking meters

2010-01-12T11:19:00.000-08:00

From the Star-News:

The town is considering adding parking meters along Lake Park Boulevard. Officials from Lanier Parking, the company that manages the town’s paid parking, also reviewed parking revenue for the past year and presented several new ideas, some of which are already implemented in other towns.

Click through to see the various options.

In addition, Carolina Beach officials "discussed expanding the beach area covered by lifeguards. Asked what he would recommend with unlimited resources, Ocean Rescue Director Simon Sanders suggested adding five lifeguard stands and creating a third shift, keeping lifeguards on the beach until 9 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.

The lifeguards, in addition to performing water rescues, also help enforce flag warnings that keep people out of the water when rip currents are especially strong, Fire Chief William Younginer said.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

Unless your name is Taylor Swift, I can probably safely guess that 2009 was not the greatest year ever. Here's to hoping 2010 is much better.

At this point, we have quite a bit of availability for our condo at Carolina Beach. We have recently listed it on a vacation rental website, so we do hope it will be rented through much of the spring and summer, as it was last year simply by word of mouth. But Charity and I wanted to give you all a reminder in case you are interested in staying.

Here's the juice on the place (in case you've never read any of these posts before):

It's a 1 BR/1.5 bath unit right across from the beach that sleeps 4 (1 queen bed and a pullout sofa). Enjoy the ocean breeze from the patio, or walk just feet to any one of the three beach accesses close by (one literally right across the street). We did some updating to it last year but have since added a new hot water heater. The unit also has a brand new range, microwave and the rest of the appliances are updated as well. There is a pool on sight as well as cable TV in the unit.

Let me know if you are interested in staying there anytime this year. We will also rent it for weekends as well.

collards12@yahoo.com

Don't miss the Island of Lights New Year's Celebration

2009-12-15T11:38:00.001-08:00

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are proud to offer the Island of Lights celebration each holiday season. The event(s) features a host of activities: a flotilla, a Christmas parade, a homes tour and much more.

New Year's Eve will be celebrated Pleasure Island-style with the "dropping of the lighted beach ball." (And we in Raleigh thought our Acorn was nifty.) The beach ball drops at midnight followed by "spectacular" fireworks.

This free family-friendly event will feature a DJ and dancing with refreshments available for purchase.

In an Island of Lights tradition, there will be a raffle, with the winner taking home the original artwork for the Christmas card and ornament.
Bring the family to the Boardwalk at 9 pm to join the festivities.

Sorry -- Our Beach Place is already reserved for this wonderful event. Maybe next year ... Of course, you could try to catch the fashion show in the spring. If interested in renting our unit, email us at collards12@yahoo.com or call us at 919-325-2941.

(Photo of the flotilla from islandoflights.org)

Extended hours for the Boardwalk?

2009-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

"The Ferris wheel and other rides have been gone for months, but a new form of family entertainment is taking shape on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk long before summer's return," says the Star-News.

"An empty lot on the south end of the beachfront business district now holds a 26-foot lighted tree, and more lights are going up all around. About a dozen local businesses are pitching in to decorate the coves leading to the ocean, some with clever themes to combine the holidays and their products.

"It's all part of Christmas by the Sea, the first-ever Christmas celebration on the Boardwalk, an area that in previous years has been all but barren during the off-season.

"The Boardwalk Makeover group, a nonprofit organization started in late 2007 to revitalize the once-booming locale, is hoping to build on the success of the rides last summer that brought to the area a number of visitors unprecedented in recent decades."

Hey, in this economy, if you can capitalize on any momentum, by all means, go for it.

“I wonder if we can fit anymore people on the island than we did this year,” said Dan Wilcox, Carolina Beach town councilman and founder of the Boardwalk Makeover group. “Our goal is to maintain momentum during the peak season and then move on to find ways to enhance our shoulder season.”

Fort Hood hero has strong CB ties

2009-11-09T06:09:00.001-08:00

Sgt. Kimberly Munley is the "hero cop" who brought down Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan last week after he had opened fire on the base at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 and wounding more than 30 others.

Munley is the daughter of former Carolina Beach Mayor Dennis Barbour.

Munley, according to reports, has been credited with shooting Hasan four times "despite being wounded herself.

For a few minutes on Thursday, Fort Hood Texas was a war zone. Those who were caught in the crossfire say the suspect, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychologist, was calm and methodical as he shot at fellow soldiers.

Army Combat Engineer Howard Appleby was on his way to treatment for post traumatic stress disorder when he stopped to help the wounded.

He said people were, “Using shirts to ties up legs - it was busy - just like back in Iraq.”

12 soldiers and one civilian died in the assault. Major Hasan, was among the more than 30 wounded. He was a practicing Muslim. Some soldiers say he shouted “Allah Akbar”, an Arabic phrase meaning “God is Great” before opening fire.

However, it’s still not clear why he did it. Army Chief of Staff George Casey said, “This was a kick in the gut, not only for the Fort Hood community, but for the entire Army.“

Civilian Police Officer Kimberly Munley stopped the bullets, shooting Hasan four times.

But it was too late for some, like 21 year old Private First Class Michael Person, who was set to deploy to Iraq.

Jessica Koerder is a family neighbor. She said, “That family lost their gem.“

As for the heroics, of Officer Munley, her step mother told Wilmington media that she has great spirit and that she knew Munley was involved when she heard a female officer shot and wounded major Hasan.

Officer Munley is in stable condition recovering from her injuries and her family is headed out to see her.

Bowman's: Even the waitresses like it

2009-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

The Wilmington Dish blog has a nice review of Bowman's Seafood in CB.

"This is where the Carolina Beach locals eat seafood. FRESH seafood! Though the curb appeal might not lure you in, their food will have you hooked," says the site.

Bowman's family atmosphere just makes you feel right at home. Even the waitresses love working there. One said, "If you want a job here, one of us will have to die first." If a seafood platter is screaming your name, you will get bang for your buck here. Very reasonably priced food for the amount you get! And you'll be temped to eat it all...though you shouldn't...because they feed you well! Make sure to check out the hallway headed back to the restrooms - they walls are covered with postcards, pictures, and hurricane history of Carolina Beach.

One more cool thing about Bowman's: they deliver. Nice.

Masonboro to remain open

2009-10-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

Masonboro Island has a habit of getting, um, colorful during summer holidays. But the barrier island won't be closed to the public anytime soon.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported Friday that the North Carolina Coastal Reserve program held a hearing in Wilmington to hear from the public about how to protect the island from holiday revelers.
Hope Sutton with the program says people have enjoyed walking, kayaking, surfing and sunbathing at the island, but in recent years, the number of visitors has increased dramatically. Trash covered a quarter-mile stretch of beach after the July 4th holiday.

Meeting held to clear up re-nourishment confusion

2009-09-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

From the Star-News:

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers, a private engineering firm and New Hanover County met with Carolina Beach and Kure Beach officials Tuesday to discuss the details of beach nourishment in the island towns.
The meeting was intended to clear up confusion about the current Carolina Beach project, including the re-nourishment scheduled for 2010, as well as options available to the town after the federal project expires in 2014, said Town Manager Tim Owens.
Concerns had been raised about the scope of the re-nourishment planned for 2010; though mobilization costs will be combined where possible, the scope has been scaled back and will likely not include parts of the beach originally planned to receive nourishment, town officials had previously said, as a variety of factors have combined to raise cost estimates above those previously expected. ...

CB approves new towing ordinance

2009-09-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

When we were first looking at our soon-to-be-our condo in Carolina Beach, one thing no one mentioned was just how fast "they" are to tow at our location. It was only after we bought it and started having guests that a neighbor stopped us in the covered parking area (we must have had that new neighbor look about us) and told us that cars get towed with the quick-fast. She even suggested that we make sure to put a temporary tag in our car first thing when we or anyone else arrives.

She wasn't kidding. One of our first renters had their car towed, and a couple of weekends ago, our neighbors below our unit -- who were just stopping in for a bit -- had to go from CB to Monkey Junction to retrieve their vehicle.

Well, at least now it looks like there may be some slack on this issue.

According to the Star-News, "Carolina Beach passed a new towing ordinance Tuesday night restricting towing companies, but not requiring individual signed requests for each tow."

The new ordinance contains several measures intended to protect town residents and visitors from perceived predatory towing. Lots must have specific signs posted warning of parking and towing practices. Towing companies must release vehicles on site for a fee of $25 and must release a car that is on the truck but not to the lot for a fee of $50; lots may not be more than 20 miles from town limits. A representative must be available at all times to release a vehicle in a timely manner.
However, the new ordinance does not contain one of the more controversial measures, which would require a signed request by the property owner or representing party for each individual tow.
While many people spoke at the town’s last meeting about perceived predatory towing in the town, representatives from condo buildings and associations asked that the burden of enforcing parking regulations not be left to private citizens. Several said signing individual towing requests for each vehicle towed put an unfair burden on homeowners. Others said that confronting illegal parkers could be dangerous for residents.

It is important that visitors and homeowners follow the rules and make sure it's obvious that they are allowed to park where they are staying. But they should also be give a fair amount of time before their car is towed away. At the same time, it's vital that the "first come, first served" or "you snooze you lose" attitude with regards to close-to-the-beach parking be addressed.

(Image from fotosearch.com)

Video: Sea turtles hatching at CB

2009-09-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

A YouTuber posted a video recently of sea turtle hatchlings emerging from a nest in Carolina Beach.

Quote the poster: "This nest hatched on July 20, 2009. Due to diminishing light conditions, I switched to infrared light to video the hatchlings going into the water. This was the 2nd of 12 nests laid on Carolina Beach, NC this summer."

Very cool.

Beach nourishment plans slashed

2009-08-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

Carolina Beach will be receiving approximately half the sand it had expected next spring, Town Manager Tim Owens announced at the town’s special meeting Tuesday, according to the Star-News.

The project had been intended to nourish the beach from the north end of the town to near Atlanta Avenue, but now the project will stop at Sailfish Lane.
“We’ve lost over a mile of beach nourishment that was going to happen,” Owens said, adding that the depth of sand placed on the beach in the nourished part has been reduced as well. Between those two factors, the beach will get half the amount of sand originally expected.
The southern part of the town, which was to originally get sand as part of the Kure Beach project, will still receive its planned amount of sand.

I'm a bit confused here. So will the northern beaches be renourished? The second graf makes it sound like that. However the fourth graf makes it sound like it will be the southern part that gets the work. Hmm.

New hot water heater!

2009-08-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, chalk up another "improvement" to Our Beach Place.

We replaced our hot water heater last week; the old one (not really that old, but still ...) was giving us fits. Our renters happened to wake up one morning to water leaking out of it. That is never good (especially when you're on the very top floor).

The good news is it was A) a sign that it just needed to be given the boot, and B) the good folks caught it early so we didn't have hot water heaters or people plunging to floors below.

Snow's Cut ramps to be renovated, pier to be added

2009-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

From the Star-News:

The Snow’s Cut public boat ramps in Carolina Beach will soon be closed for improvements that some say are much-needed.

Others aren’t so sure.
In addition to replacing the boat ramps, the state Wildlife Resources Commission plans to add a small fishing pier at the busy site near Snow’s Cut Bridge. And some think that will create an overload.
The free boat ramps are scheduled to close in late fall or early winter, said Erik Christofferson, division chief of engineering services with the Wildlife Resources Commission. The work is expected to take three to four months, allowing the boat ramps to reopen in early spring. ...

Pier sunset

2009-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a great shot of Carolina Beach from "Forrest L Smith" - courtesy of Flickr.

CB: Top beach getaway for Ohioans

2009-07-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

From Carolina Beach Today ...

Carolina Beach, N.C. is the top choice for vacationing motorists from Ohio, according to the results of a readers' poll that appeared in Home & Away magazine's July/August 2009 issue. Home & Away, an American Automobile Association (AAA) publication distributed to over 580,000 drivers in Ohio, placed Carolina Beach atop a list of five favorite beach destinations including Poipu, Hawaii; Sanibel Island, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Seabrook Island, South Carolina.

Let us know if you want to 'get away' to CB

2009-07-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that our adorable (well, we think so) little condo is available to rent -- and at a VERY fair rate, we might add.

Just contact us and let us know about rates and availability. I should note that July and August are quickly filling up, and dates are getting fewer and far between in September though there are some free times in September and October, so act fast.

To recap: The place is literally 100 feet from the ocean with 3 public accesses within a short walk. (One of which is Freeman Park.) We have cable in the living room, a queen bed in the bedroom and a pull-out sofa.

And to those who have already enjoyed OBP, please share your thoughts here.

Town of CB hoping to run its own marina

2009-07-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

WHQR is reporting that the town of Carolina Beach is "proposing legislation that would let the town run its marina."

Carolina Beach Town Attorney Steve Coggins says they need authority from the state to govern the town marina effectively.
During the past 50 years the marina has been governed by multiple state and federal agencies. Coggins says overtime the marina traffic has increased and so has the number of agencies that oversea it, making it difficult to take needed immediate action.

Oh no they didn't

2009-07-08T05:22:00.001-07:00

Apparently folks got a little out of control around the Fourth of July at Masonboro Island, according to the Star-News.

Here’s one species Masonboro Island could do without but is sometimes overrun with: the litterbug.
They come in all shapes and sizes, but all have in common the nasty habit of not picking up after themselves. They’re particularly numerous on holidays such as the Fourth of July, when they have a predilection for leaving behind beer cans.
Approaching the barrier island after this Independence Day, Hope Sutton, of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, was met with the unmistakable mark of the beer-loving litterbug.
“It was polka-dotted with beer cans,” Sutton said of the northern end of the island, which is between Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. “By the time I was in the inlet, I could smell the beer.”
Sutton said a quarter-mile of the 8-mile-long island was covered with cans, beach chairs and even tents on Sunday. The trash can poison animals and kill vegetation and micro-organisms that live in the water, said Sutton, who manages Masonboro Island for the state.

Click here to read the rest about this travesty.

(Image from the Star-News)

Quirky Carolina Beach: Floating convenience stores, donuts and more

2009-06-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

One thing that drew us to Carolina Beach was its "feel" as an old beach town. You can still walk a little ways to a run-down (yet charming) little store for the necessities and there's that perfect mix of old and new.

Apparently I'm not the only one who feels that way.

This beach still has a bit of an old school flavor, especially at night [says the Daily Reflector].
Wednesday night there was a DJ blasting oldies at the boardwalk, while children rode the carnival rides and about 100 adults played cash bingo just a few feet from the beach.

Oh, and don't forget Britt's Donuts.

This places rocks.
Open since 1939, Britt's Donuts has the best donuts I have ever tasted.
This unassuming spot was probably my favorite shop or restaurant that we visited.
It is just a simple counter with a very simple menu.
They have donuts, coffee and soda. That's it. And it's not a bunch of different flavors. It's one flavor: glazed.
So don't order a chocolate filled or something like that. Just say, "I want two donuts and a coffee." Better yet, make it a half dozen.
We went there Wednesday night and we just had to go back Thursday morning before we left Carolina Beach. Britt's Donuts is awesome.

In addition, there's just enough quirkiness in Carolina Beach to keep you on your toes.

Case in point: The Bait Barge, a floating convenience store.

Yes, a floating convenience store.

If you’re a boater and frequent the waters near Carolina Beach Inlet, you’ve likely noticed the Bait Barge [says the Island Gazette]. It’s a convenient location where boaters can buy live bait, ice and other necessities.

Owner Nick Kintner was informed by the Division of Coastal Management earlier this month that state law considers his operation a “floating structure” and regulations prohibit it from staying in one location more than 30 days.

Kintner said he wasn’t aware of that law and didn’t intentionally try to violate the rules. To resolve the situation, Kintner registered the floating bait shop as a vessel.

The Bait Barge sells both live and frozen bait for all types of fishing.

In addition to ice and bait, they also sell snacks, beverages, sun block, and many other items.

The entire Bait Barge is run on electricity that is self generates through solar panels and windmills. They run business hours every day of the week opening at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and on weekends they open early at 6:00 a.m. Barring inclement weather the Bait Barge will be open and available as your convenient bait shop on the water.

The Bait Barge accepts credit and debit cards and they hope to be an asset to all of the water loving people in our area. Stop by the bait barge for all of you bait and supply needs the next time you are on the water.

(Photos by the Island Gazette and the Daily Reflector)

Economy slows travelers

2009-06-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Because of the economy, fewer people are visiting the Cape Fear region, according to the Star-News.

More than 15,000 fewer commercial passengers have flown into or out of Wilmington International Airport this year. Through May, 311,852 passengers flew ILM, down 4.6 percent from 326,947 a year ago. Gary Broughton, ILM operations director, said discretionary travel is down because of the economy. But, he added, June’s numbers are looking up.
“I’m hoping now that schools are out the vacation travel might start picking it up pretty well,” he said. ...
From February through May, 49,026 vehicles took the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry across the Cape Fear River, down 13 percent from 56,234 in 2008. The ferry was shut down in January for maintenance.
The biggest hit to ferry travel is coming from out-of-state travelers. From February through May, 2,793 out-of-state vehicles crossed the Cape Fear River on the ferry, a decrease of 48 percent from 5,320 vehicles during that time last year, according to N.C. Ferry Division statistics.

All the [hint] more reason [hint hint] to look for an affordable [hint hint hint] vacation option in Carolina Beach!

The place is 99.5 percent done

2009-06-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

We've gotten the correct shade of yellow painted, so here are some new photos of the place. (We even added some orange Adirondack chairs to the porch, which the girls love!)

Catch free flicks at CB

2009-06-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Enjoy free fireworks and movies this summer in Carolina Beach. The fireworks take place at 9 p.m. on Thursdays at Lake Park.

Here is the movie schedule (via the Pleasure Island blog) ...

Sunday June 14 | Hotel for Dogs (G)
Sunday June 21 | The Tale of Despereaux (G)
Sunday June 28 | Indiana Jones, Crystal Skull (PG-13)
Sunday July 5 | Madagascar II (PG)
Sunday July 12 | Pink Panther II (PG)
Sunday July 19 | Space Chimps (G)
Sunday July 26 | Ironman (PG-13)
Sunday August 2 | Monsters vs Aliens IN 3D (PG)
Sunday August 9 | Journey to the Center of the Earth IN 3D (PG)
Sunday August 16 | The Goonies (PG)
Sunday August 23 | Bedtime Stories (PG)
Sunday August 30 | Wall-E (G)
Sunday September 6 | Night at the Museum II (not yet rated)

Star-News: A postcard history of CB

2009-06-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

From the Star-News (article and photo):

The rides are back on the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach, and Elaine B. Henson thinks they're picture-perfect. Well, she'd actually be happier if the rock music coming from them weren't so loud. But as a longtime devotee of Carolina Beach, she likes the idea of carnival rides returning to the beach.
She said the carnival rides and stores opening in the Boardwalk area are bringing new life to the heart of the beach town.
Henson is author of "Carolina Beach: A Postcard History," part of Arcadia Publishing's Postcard History Series.
The book, available at stores and shops in Carolina Beach and at Barnes & Noble, traces the beach town's history through postcards. ...

Something close by to do: Catch the Hammerheads in action

2009-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Full disclosure: I've never been to a Wilmington Hammerheads match, but the fact that the soccer team has been around since 1996 (longer than many Major League Soccer teams) is a testament to the enjoyment of the games.

The Hammerheads play in the United Soccer League (USL)'s second division, and are Wilmington's first professional sports team. They play at Legion Stadium on Carolina Beach Road, just miles from Pleasure Island.

Here's some info on "Sledge," the Hammerheads' mascot:

While traveling the depths of the Atlantic, Sledge became separated from his family and ended up drifting off the shore at Fort Fisher. He was spotted by staff at the North Carolina Aquarium, looking tired and lost, and was brought to a tank there until he recovered his strength.

During his stay at Fort Fisher, Sledge got along well with the other sharks but was happiest when children would come up to his tank to watch him swim around. Many of these children would wear their Hammerheads strip when visiting Sledge. Over time, the staff at the aquarium started to notice how happy Sledge would get when he saw these children. They decided to contact the Hammerheads about making him part of the team.

Now that Sledge is with the Hammerheads, he is even happier than he was when he lived in the ocean. He loves soccer and never imagined that cheering on the team would be so exciting. Sledge is looking forward to his second season with the Hammerheads and spending time with all of his soccer friends!

To purchase Hammerheads tickets, go here.

Pleasure Island: A NY Times 'Summer Destination' spot

2009-06-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

The New York Times recently featured Pleasure Island in its "One Summer, 14 Weekends" piece.

"The Cape Fear River rambles past the historic and picturesque city of Wilmington, N.C., widening and creating slivery barrier islands with the river on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other," says the paper. "Pleasure Island, about 12 miles south of Wilmington, has the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach as well as pleasurable beaches for catching a tan.

"But you can tackle the area by hiking in Carolina Beach State Park (910-458-8206), home to the carnivorous Venus’ flytraps. Or you can rent a surfboard or body board at SandBarz Surf and Skate Shop on the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach. ..."

The renovation is (99 percent) complete!

2009-06-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it wasn't easy, but we spent all day on Saturday putting the finishing touches on the Carolina Beach condo. Aside from a minor communication flub on the paint color for the living room, everything looks fantastic. (We'll be getting a brighter shade of yellow painted next week.)

Around 2 p.m. on Saturday the place looked like this:

Finally, around 11 p.m., it looked like this:

If you are interested in staying at our place, please email us. June is pretty much booked, but we have some weeks and weekends available in July, August, September, October and so on. Contact us with your interested dates and we'll "sea" what we can work out.

The place is literally 100 feet from the ocean with 3 public accesses within a short walk. (One of which is Freeman Park.) We have cable in the living room, a queen bed in the bedroom and a pull-out sofa. Also (not pictured) is a 9 feet-by-10 feet porch with ocean views.

Oh, and if the above shots aren't promising enough, here is a reminder about the pool and view.

A 'before' shot

2009-05-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Here is what OBP (Our Beach Place) looked like "before" we attempted to take it out of the 1980s. Stay tuned for the "after" shots.

And here's a shot of the view. Not too bad, eh?

Here come the rides!

2009-05-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

The new Boardwalk amusement park ribbon cutting will take place on Friday at 4 p.m. The rides are slated to by open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Here's more from the Star-News.

Robert Megerle and his partner Harlan J. Bast II from Megerle’s Magic and Hildebrand Rides of Gibsonton, Fla., have been working on the project for a couple of months.
“Everyone in the city worked at helping get it together,” Megerle said.
Bast said it’s an opportunity to bring family fun to the Boardwalk, in addition to the eateries and bars already there.
“I really feel like it’s going to draw a lot of people to the Boardwalk that haven’t been drawn in the past,” he said.
The eleven rides will include two fun houses -- one for adults and one for children – and a Ferris wheel.
Architect Greg Reynolds, who was hired to help with the process of fitting the rides into spaces along the Boardwalk, said Megerle brought in about $3 million worth of rides that he already owned for the amusement park..
“We started working about three years ago in the big picture, but we started working with this vendor two months ago,” Reynolds said. ...
Bast said the plan is to open the amusement park Friday, but the rides still need to go through state inspections to make sure everything is ready, which he stressed is very important. ...
Tickets will cost $1.50 each, and rides will be worth about two or three tickets.
All-day passes will also be available for $25.
The park will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

(Image from the Star-News)

CB gets bike grant

2009-05-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Carolina Beach was one of 12 municipalities across the state to get a bicycle and pedestrian planning grant from the DOT, according to a recent Star-News article (read down). The N.C. Board of Transportation awarded $315,850 to 12 municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian planning. Carolina Beach gets $20,000.

"The DOT anticipates that the municipalities selected will begin the planning process this fall. The department also will be available to provide technical assistance to the municipalities. Since 2004, 92 N.C. municipalities have been awarded grants for comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans."

Weekly featured CB photo

2009-04-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

(From Trip Advisor)

A look back at yesteryear

2009-04-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

From CarolinaBeachToday ...

Here come the rides!

2009-04-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

According to CarolinaBeachToday ...

On Tuesday, "the Carolina Beach Town Council approved the request to allow amusement park rides at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. A 60' Ferris wheel, with majestic views of the Atlantic ocean, will be the center attraction. Let the fun begin this summer in Carolina Beach!

"And to anyone who might not think this is a good idea or that visitors wouldn't be interested, just check out the comments to this earlier story when it was first hinted that amusement rides might be coming to the boardwalk. The comments are at the bottom of this WWAY March 23rd story."

Yeah!

Chowder Cook-Off this Saturday

2009-04-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

From the Cape Fear tourism site ...

The 13th annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off will take place Saturday at Carolina Beach Lake Park.

"Attendees can enjoy and vote on chowder from various restaurants and groups. In addition to serving up the area's best chowder, this daylong event includes live music and the Kidz Zone which will have face painting, balloon art, giant inflatable slide and more. There will also be fudge, hotdogs, funnel cakes, luna pops, pizza, bloom'n onions, soft drinks and beer and wine for sale. (No coolers, no pets please!). $5 per person 12 and under free. Park for free at Federal Point Shopping Center and ride the trolley for free to Carolina Beach Lake."

The contestants will be:
Harbor Masters Restaurant (Carolina Beach)
Jack Mackerel's Island Grill (Kure Beach)
Michael's Seafood Restaurant (Carolina Beach)
O'Charley's (Monkey Junction)
Olde Salty's (Carolina Beach)
RuckerJohns (Monkey Junction)
Seaside Grill at Courtyard Marriott (Carolina Beach)
Tangerines Caribbean Grill (Caribbean Grill)