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

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

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

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

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.