CB has possible pier land buyer

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!

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

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

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

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

(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

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.”

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