Happy Halloween from the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce!

We hope you all enjoy a safe, fun, and happy Halloween!

~ from Gail, Aimee and everyone at the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce

Creating the Magic in the Hospitality Industry - CFCC Free Seminar

If Disney ran your organization, what would it look like?

Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center (CFCC SBC) recently announced it's upcoming seminars for the Fall/Winter season.  Among the free seminars is one called "Creating the Magic in the Hospitality Industry" with John Formica.

Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce members may want to take note of this offering designed for resorts, hotels, restaurants, and other tourist-related businesses and their employees.

Speaker John Formica spent 30 years as a leader with the Walt Disney World Resort organization and other top service industries. He will share Disney’s Success Model on People Management, Exceptional Service and a Positive Working Environment, that has helped hundreds of organizations and professionals, “Create the Magic” for success.

CFCC SBC previously held a workshop with Mr. Formica called "Creating the Magic in the Healthcare Industry - Sharing Disney's Customer Services Practices."  It was a great success and very well received.

For details and more information, please visit www.CFCC.edu/sbc or call Kim LeClair at 910-362-7216.



This seminar will be held on January 28th, 2010.

US Police Canine Association Region 2 Dog Field Trials

The Carolina Beach and Kure Beach Police Department K-9 Units have the honor of hosting the Region II Police Dog Field Trials October 28-31, 2009.

This is the first time the Trials are being held in Carolina Beach. The week-long event is expected to bring up to 50 K-9 teams to Pleasure Island.

On October 29th at 8:00 drop by Mike Chappell Park in Carolina Beach to observe the Obedience and Agility portion of the trials.

Get more information on this event at the Island Gazette online: Police Dog Training Trials.

Trick or Treat Under the Sea at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Tonight and tomorrow night, October 28th and 29th from 5:00 - 8:30 pm, the Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents Trick or Treat Under the Sea featuring No Sleeves Magic. 

Tickets are $6.00 each and children 2 and under are free.

Dress up in costume (no masks for adults though), rake in the candy and play games with prizes. Enjoy face painting, story-telling and haunted gardens. Look for their spooky divers in the big tank.

Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult and only umbrella strollers are allowed.  For more information, please visit Trick or Treat Under the Sea or call 910-458-8257.

Spotlight on Business - Bluewater Carpet Solutions, Inc.

Locally owned and operated, Bluewater Carpet Solutions, Inc. is “Professional Carpet Cleaning at Its Best!”

Specializing in both residential and commercial carpet and upholstery cleaning, Bluewater features a truck-mounted steam cleaning system and guarantees that all products used are 100% safe and non-toxic.

Owner Travis Koontz takes pride in providing quality cleaning services to his neighbors and offers many solutions to solve your cleaning project needs. There are no hidden charges and each service is fully insured. Services include: pet stain removal, cigarette odor elimination, mattress cleaning, water extraction, oriental rug cleaning, and boat and RV carpet cleaning. Janitorial services are also available. Same day service and regular maintenance schedules are available.

Own a rental property? Schedule Bluewater Carpet to clean and sanitize your unit between renters.

Have company coming? Most carpets are usually dry in 2-4 hours!

Need to revive an old couch or recliner? Bluewater’s upholstery cleaning methods are effective and safe.

Suffer from allergies? Having your carpet and upholstery cleaned is an excellent way to remove both dust and mold.

Bluewater Carpet Solutions has been offering quality carpet and upholstery cleaning services since 2006. Contact Travis today at 910-297-0568 or visit www.BluewaterCarpetSolutions.com for more information.

Submitted by:
Brittany Koontz
Bluewater Carpet Solutions, Inc.

Ashley High School Athletic Boosters to Host Golf Tournament

Joint the Screaming Eagles Football team and the Boosters from Ashley High School in a football fundraising golf tournament.

Details:

• What: Swinging Iron for the Gridiron Golf Tournament
• When: Saturday, October 24th at 1:00 pm
• Where: Wilmington Municipal Golf Course
• Info: Cost is $60 per person or $220 per team

There will be a 1:00 shotgun start, Captain's Choice.

For more information, please contact Butch LeCompte at elecompte@bellsouth.net or call 910-398-2785.

New Members of the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce - August 2009

Catching up on our blog announcements of the new members of the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. Now announcing August, 2009....

The following businesses realized the importance of economic growth for Pleasure Island, and have pledged their support by investing in your Chamber of Commerce. Please support your community by calling on these businesses when you are in need of products or services!

Tom Campbell
Beach PC - Computer Repair, Security Cameras, Web Site Design and Hosting
1018 N. Lake Park Blvd. #17
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-458-3188
tom@beachpc.com
www.BeachPC.com

Bryant Bass
Bass Built, Inc. - General Contractor, Custom Homes and Renovations
117 Leeward Ct.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
910-367-0874
bassbuilt@charter.net
www.BassBuilt.com

John Batson
Capt. John Batson Charter Boats - Charter Fishing
PO Box 172
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-367-0653
capt.johnbatson@yahoo.com
www.CarolinaBeachCharterFishing.com

George Godwin
Godwin Associates, P.A. - Architects
505 N. Church St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-377-4051
george@godwinassociates.com

Hal Smith
Merrill Lynch - Financial Advisor
1123 Military Cutoff Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
910-256-7717
hal_smith@ml.com

Elaine Stewart
Prepaid Legal, Inc. - Providing Access to Legal System with Provider Law Firm
408 Carolina Sands Drive
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-458-7490
elaines_island@yahoo.com
www.PrepaidLegal.com/hub/estewart1l

Ed Moseley
Rapid Refill - Selling Refilled Ink and Toner Cartridges, Refurbished and New Printers and Office Supplies
3715 Patriot Way, Suite 123
Wilmington, NC 28412
910-313-6992
ed.moseley@rapidrefillink.com
www.RapidRefill.com

Cameron Edwards
Rent-A-John - Rental of Portable Sanitation Units
PO Box 15549
Wilmington, NC 28408
910-791-8333
cedwards4@ec.rr.com
www.RentAJohnInc.com

Bill Wells
Wells Construction Corp. - Construction
713 St. Joseph Street
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-458-9907
wellsconstructioncorp@charter.net
www.WellsConstructionCorp.com

Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross Red and White Fundraiser

The 2nd Annual Red and White Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross is coming up!

Details:

• What: 2nd Annual Red and White Fundraiser
• When: Friday, October 23rd from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm
• Where: Beau Rivage Golf Resort
• Info: Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple

 Ticket price includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, over 40 varieties of wine, plenty of micro-brew beers to taste, and a silent auction.  The wine will also be available for ordering at a steep discount rate.

For more information, please contact Audra walker at 910-392-9021 x 254, visit www.BeauRivageGolf.com or purchase tickets directly at the Red and White Fundraiser page of the Cape Fear Red Cross website.

Town of Carolina Beach NC to Purchase Lots to Build Aquarium Pier

The Star-News and Snows Cut Monthly reported last week that the Carolina Beach Town Council voted 3-2 to approve the purchase of six empty lots from the former Arcadius development project located on Carolina Beach Avenue North to build out site of a new Aquarium Pier.

The Town Council also voted to approve the purchase of an additional Carolina Beach Avenue North lot where they held the winning bid in a bankruptcy auction.

The aquarium pier would be a joint project between the Town of Carolina Beach and the North Carolina Aquariums. The Star-News reports:

The pier would be a 1,000-foot concrete pier with wooden decking, including fish tanks and educational and event facilities. The town also has discussed putting a beach access, bathhouse and park there.

 The details of the project are still in the works.  The cost of purchasing the land and building the pier could mean higher taxes on residents or it could be covered by grants.  For now, the purchase price of the lots will be covered by funds from a town parking lot (which was not paid for with tax money).  Also, several uses for the lots are in consideration.

For more details on this story, please visit:

Carolina Beach approves buying aquarium pier lots

or listen to the Carolina Beach Town Council meeting from October 13th here:

http://www.carolinabeach.org/site_new/pages/council_min.html

(Photo credit to Diane Berry-Klutz via via the Facebook Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Fan Page)

Thank You for a Successful Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival!

The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a huge

THANK YOU

to all our supporters, volunteers, musicians, chefs, participants, and to Mother Nature for a fun and successful Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival!

It was a gorgeous weekend in Kure Beach - perfect for the festival! We could not have done it without all of you and we truly appreciate all of your support!

If you have photos of the festival, we'd LOVE to see them. Please upload to our Pleasure Island Facebook Page (you have to become a fan first - but of course we know you're a fan - it's just a formality).

Until next year......

Island Women to Host 2nd Annual Women's Health Summit

Saturday, October 17th at the Beach House at Fort Fisher Recreation Area, Island Women will be hosting the 2nd Annual Women’s Health Summit.

Registration Fee is $75.00 but if you register before October 15th, the fee is only $55.00. This fee covers spa snack, spa lunch, seminars and Exhibit Hall fees.

Topics to be discussed include “Educate before you Vaccinate”, “What in the Cell if Going On?”, “Do you need to Detox”, “Bio-Identical Hormones for Women 35 and up” and “Thyroid Dysfunction Despite Normal Test Results”.

You can register online at www.IslandWomen.org. For more information, please contact Caroline at 910-458-0079.

Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival, October 10+11, Featuring Delbert McClinton

The 16th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival is this weekend but there's still time to buy your tickets - $30 in advance or Saturday only for $30 or Sunday only for $15.

Read today's Star-News article about the festival:

Seafood Jazz and Blues Festival features children's zone, chowder and music

The Headliner for this year's festival is Delbert McClinton. We are SO excited to have him play for us here in Kure Beach, NC. He has a new album out now called "Acquired Taste." Read more about Delbert and his album here:

Delbert McClinton mines styles from honky tonk to soft rock

Can't wait to see you at the festival!

3rd Annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge

The 3rd Annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge, brought to you by Fisherman’s Post Newspaper, will be held on October 16- 18, 2009.

This tournament, which attracts roughly 300 participants each year is only $55 per person to enter and is a fundraiser for the Big Buddy program.

Participants will be fishing from any of the Pleasure Island beaches (it’s a land-based tournament – no boats) for bluefish, speckled trout, flounder, red and black drum, whiting and pompano.

Registration is on Friday, October 16th on the grounds of the Federal Point Shopping Center or you can pre-register at Island Tackle and Hardware or go online to www.FishermansPost.com and click on the “Surf Challenge” link under “Tournaments”.

For more information on the event, you can also call Eddie Hardgrove at (910) 264-5487 or email at surf@fishermanspost.com.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach Debate

Be sure to turn out for the 3rd Annual Snow's Cut Town Hall Debate featuring candidates from both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.

Details:

• What: Snow's Cut Town Hall Debate for Carolina and Kure Beaches
• When: Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm
• Where: Shanty's Beach and Blues Club, Carolina Beach

The Kure Beach debate will go first, followed by the Carolina Beach debate.

The event welcomes questions from the voters in attendance.

The town hall style debate will be broadcast live on 106.3 FM the Big Talker.

Spotlight on Business - Ocean Breeze Properties

OceanBreeze Properties was formed by Cindi Jacobs to service the
property management needs in the community.

Property Management is their chosen profession and they focus on long term rentals as well as vacation rentals. While they acknowledge that property management requires real estate skills, (Ms. Jacobs was first licensed in 1988) they feel strongly that experience and customer service are close seconds. They listen to you and create a plan to help you reach your desired goals.

Ms. Jacobs believes that "Building relationships with our property owners and tenants alike is the cornerstone of our business. Our goal of providing quality service outweighs the need to increase the number of homes we manage. Our high rate of referrals are proof that we provide excellent service and communication to all of our customers and clients. We offer flexible terms and conditions based on our customers needs."

The company is locally owned and operated and they strive to be an altruistic member of the community. Their office is located in suite 22 in the Federal Point Shopping Center at 1081 N. Lake Park Blvd. For your convenience, they are available seven days per week by appointment.

They can be reached at 910~707~0308 or 910~508~4339. Visit them on the web at www.OceanBreezeNC.com.

Submitted by: Cindi Jacobs for the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Fort Fisher & Carolina Beach State Parks Show Big Summer Crowds

The Star-News reports that local N.C. State Parks and attractions drew strong summer crowds this year, including Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Carolina Beach State Park.

Officials credit both the economical advantages of the parks in a challenging financial climate as well as great weekend and holiday weather throughout the season.

Read the full article at:
Local N.C. state parks, attractions draw strong summer crowds

Winner of the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival Poster Contest

Kelly Hawes submitted the winning design for the 16th Annual Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival Poster.

We are so excited about this year's poster and think it truly captures the spirit of not only the Festival, but of Pleasure Island itself.

We hope you'll be sure to:

1. Buy your Seafood, Blues, & Jazz Festival Tickets in time for Saturday, October 10th
2. Visit Kelly at her booth in the Fine Arts Plaza during the festival next weekend
3. Purchase a beautiful, autographed Festival Poster
4. Enjoy headliner Delbert McClinton on Saturday night
5. Have Fun!!

Thank you to Kelly Hawes and all the artists who submitted poster design entries this year.

For more information on Kelly, please check out the recent Star-News article:
Winner of Pleasure Island festival poster contest has several artistic outlets

Please visit our website for more information on the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival.

Residential Building Code Change Workshop

Do you have questions about the recent changes in the State of North Carolina Residential Building Code? Town officials from Carolina Beach and Kure Beach will be on hand to present a workshop regarding these changes.

Details:

• What: NC Residential Building Code Workshop
• When: Wednesday, October 7th from 4:00 until 6:00 pm
• Where: Carolina Beach Town Hall Offices, Police Training Room
• Info: Contact Van Paxton at (910) 458-8238 with any questions
  

Van Paxton from the Town of Carolina Beach and John Batson from the Town of Kure Beach will be conducting this workshop regarding the recent changes in the State of North Carolina Residential Building Code.