Canine Costume Contest @ Beach Dogs on Carolina Beach

Bring your favorite four-legged friend out in his Halloween costume tonight for a Canine Halloween Costume Contest.

Details:

• What: Canine Halloween Costume Contest
• Where: Beach Dogs Restaurant, 304 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach NC
• When: Tonight, Halloween Night, from 4-7. Judging starts at 6pm.

This is sure to be a blast for all dog lovers - plus prizes will be awarded.

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Celebrate at the Carolina Beach Halloween Carnival

The Carolina Beach Department of Parks and Recreation continues the Halloween Fun tomorrow at their 2008 Halloween Carnival.

Details:

• What: Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation 2008 Halloween Carnival
• When: Saturday, November 1st from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Where: Carolina Beach Recreation Center
• Ages: 12 and under
• Cost: $1 plus at least 1 canned food item to be donated to the Federal Point Help Center
• More details: Carolina Beach 2008 Halloween Carnival
  

The evening will be filled with games, candy, a haunted hallway, and spooky prizes as well as a costume contest to be judged at 8 pm sharp. There will also be Halloween cake and drinks.

So wash that costume (or don't) and come on down to join the festivities!

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

Breakfast to Meet the Candidates

Here is another opportunity for Pleasure Island residents to meet our New Hanover & NC State candidates for public office.

Details:

• What: Complimentary Breakfast to Meet the Candidates
• When: Friday, October 31, 2008 6:00 am to 10:00 am
• Where: Harbor Masters Restaurant, Carolina Beach NC

Candidates expected to attend:

• Michael Lee - NC State Senate District 9
• Ted Davis - County Commissioner
• Bill Kopp - County Commissioner
• Jason R. Thompson - County Commissioner

This will be a great opportunity to meet these candidates and personally ask them your questions. The event is hosted by Big Talker Radio and the Republican Party.

Thank you!

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents "Trick or Treat Under the Sea"

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents their annual Halloween celebration, "Trick or Treat Under the Sea."

Details:

• What: "Trick or Treat Under the Sea" at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Pleasure Island
• When: Thursday, October 30th 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Children of all ages are invited to dress up in their Halloween costumes, rake in the candy, and participate in games with prizes, face painting, story-telling, a haunted cave featuring Scotty the Pirate Magician for younger kinds and a spooky trail for older children.

Bring your Halloween bags because children can trick-or-treat among the many booths operated by local businesses and organizations.

Tickets for NC Aquarium Society Members are $5; $6 for the general public; and children under 2 are free of charge. Only umbrella strollers will be allowed in the building for this event. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event from 5 to 8 p.m. Advance tickets are available and include early admission.

For more information, please contact the Aquarium at 910-458-8257 or visit their website at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Pleasure Island Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival Posters & T-Shirts Available

Don't forget that the 15th Annual Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival commemorative posters and t-shirts are available for purchase at the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Office, 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach.

The Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival t-shirts feature this year's winning artwork by Carolina Beach resident Robert Knowles. The t-shirts are available in pink, white, and grey solids (short and long sleeve) and pink and blue tie dye and are $15 each.

The first 200 posters have been signed and numbered by the artist Robert Knowles and are available for $20 each.

If you attended this year's Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival, you know what a special event it was to have renowned legends Johnny and Edgar Winter perform for us right here in Pleasure Island! Add the 15th Annual Festival poster & t-shirt to your collection to remember and support this truly unique music and cultural festival for years to come.

Thank you!

Reception to Meet the New Hanover County & NC State Candiates

2008 Election Day is coming up soon - Only 9 days to go!

If you have not yet voted in the early, one-stop voting, please take advantage of this opportunity this week and up until November 1st. Find more details here: Carolina Beach Early Voting.

In case you're waiting to learn more about local issues affecting Pleasure Island, New Hanover County, and the State of North Carolina, you are invited to a reception to meet the candidates running for local and state office.

Details:

• What: A Reception to meet the New Hanover County & North Carolina State Candidates
• When: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Where: American Legion Post 129 in Carolina Beach

Light hors devours and a cash bar will be available.

The following candidates and representatives are expected to attend:

• State Senator Julia Boseman - Senate District 9
• Jonathon Barfield - Candidate for County Commission
• Jan Brewington - Candidate for School Board
• Pat Chappell - Candidate for School Board
• Dorothy DeShields - Candidate for School Board
• Jennifer Hardison - Candidate for Registrar of Deeds
• Staff representative for Kay Hagan for US Senate
• Staff representative for Barack Obama for President
• Representative for Bev Purdue for Governor

We hope you'll take this opportunity to educate yourself about the candidates and make an informed decision for this important election.

Thank you!

Carolina Beach Special Public Meeting - Master Development Plan

The Town of Carolina Beach will hold an informational meeting concerning the Master Development Plan and Central Business District.

Details:

• When: Thursday, October 30th, 2008, 6:30pm
• Where: Council Room of the Carolina Beach Municipal Administration Building, 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC

For directions, please visit the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Directions webpage.

For questions, please contact the Town of Carolina Beach.

The Steve Miller Band in Concert at Legion Sports Complex, Wilmington NC

IBX Promotions presents an intimate evening with The Steve Miller Band. Steve Miller will be the first to play at the 6,000 seat, seasonal amphitheatre that IBX Promotions is creating at the Legion Sport Complex in Wilmington, NC.

Details:

• What: The Steve Miller Band live in Wilmington, NC
• Where: Legion Sports Complex, Carolina Beach Road
• When: October 26th, 2008 at 7:00pm
• Tickets: $46.50 for reserved seating and $25.50 for seated, general admission
• How: Tickets can be purchased online at Frontgate Tickets and IBX Promotions or by phone at 1-888-512-SHOW.

Enjoy the Show!

Got 'Em On Live Scholarship Golf Tournament

On Monday, October 27th, the Got 'Em On Live Bait Club will be hosting their 11th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament at Echo Farms in Wilmington. Check-in is at 11:00 am with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. A social will be held afterward at the Echo Farms Clubhouse.

For more information, please contact Donna Gurganuas at (910) 470-1374, by email at dgurganus@firstcancorp.com or visit the Got 'Em On Live Bait Club Golf Tournament webpage.

Proceeds from this Golf Tournament will help create fellowships that benefit graduate students in Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Carolina Beach Special Public Meeting - Arts & Activities Committee

The Carolina Beach Town Council Ad-Hoc Arts and Activities Committee will hold a special meeting to continue discussions about upcoming events:

• When: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008, 10:00am
• Where: Conference Room at the Carolina Beach Municipal Administration Building, 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC

Please contact the Town of Carolina Beach for further questions.

Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge

The 2nd annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge will be held October 24-26, 2008. This tournament is brought to you by Fisherman's Post Newspaper and features over 40 ways to win an estimated $12,000 in prize money.

Saturday,October 25th will feature the Big Buddy/Little Buddy fishing tournament from 9 am until noon. This tournament will bring nearly 60 youths out for a special day of fishing. Many of these kids have never experienced the thrill of surf fishing, spending the day at the beach, and experiencing the excitement of catching their first fish.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Big Buddy Program and the Cape Fear Volunteer Center. For more information, please visit Fisherman's Post or call (910) 264-5487.

Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross Wine Tasting at Beau Rivage Clubhouse

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the American Red Cross - Cape Fear Chapter, a Red and White Taste and Toast Reception will be held on October 24, 2008 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Beau Rivage Clubhouse located at:

649 Rivage Promenade in Wilmington

Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple which includes tasting of over 45 varieties of wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres. All proceeds benefit the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Want to help save a life? Donate Blood today!

Click here for Wine Tasting Details.

Fort Fisher Ferry to undergo Repairs & Maintenance

As of December 1st, 2008, the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry will suspend it services for approximately 2 months while T.A. Loving Co. contracting company rehabilitates ramps at both ends of the route.

This will no doubt be an inconvenience to the hundreds of regular commuters who use the ferry to travel between southern New Hanover County and Brunswick County. Pleasure Island residents will have to travel north over the Snow's Cut Bridge through New Hanover County and enter Brunswick County via the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge or the Isabel Holmes Bridge during the two months of work on the ferry.

Commuters who hold annual passes will have their passes extended two months after the work is completed.

The nature of the work is routine maintenance to avoid any problems down the road. The DOT chose December and January to do the work because those are traditionally the slowest months on the Fort Fisher ferry.

Will affect your commute? Please leave a comment to let us know how you plan to work around this transportation issue.

Source: Star-News: Ferries will suspend runs

More area resources: Fort Fisher, NC

One Stop Voting - Carolina Beach Election Polls Open 10/16

One Stop Voting for Pleasure Island Residents

Avoid the long lines on Election Day and vote early at a One Stop Voting Site.

From October 16th through November 1st, One Stop Voting locations will be open across the county for your convenience. For Pleasure Island residents, stop by the Carolina Beach Recreation Center at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. to cast your vote.

For directions: Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Directions

One Stop Voting will be open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

For more information about early voting, please contact the New Hanover County Board of Elections at (910) 798-7330.

Thanks to everyone for a great Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival

The skies may have been cloudy on Saturday, but that didn't stop our festival-goers from having a great time at the 15th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival. The food was great, the music was awesome, the Kidz Zone was better than ever and the festival was an all-around success.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and enjoying this event! Thanks to all the bands who entertained and the food vendors who fed us all! We already can't wait for the 2009 Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival.

Also a huge Thanks to our Sponsors for helping make this event such a success:

Bank of America
Bryant Real Estate
BB&T
Coca Cola
Michelob Light
Island Gazette
Intracoastal Realty
Secof Construction
Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
106.7 The Penguin
103.7 The Bone
WWAY TV 3
All American Bail Bonds
Charter Business
Lambeth Pools
Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach
Progress Energy
Time Warner Cable

Carolina Beach Special Meeting - Land Use Plan

The Town Council of the Town of Carolina Beach will hold a special meeting to consider a Land Use Plan Amendment to modify the limitations to building height in the Commercial 2 Land Use Classification Area.

Details:

• When: Friday, October 17th, 2008, 6:30pm
• Where: Council Room of the Carolina Beach Municipal Administration Building, 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
• What: Land Use Amendment regarding building height

Copies of the amendment are available for your review and may be checked out for a 24-hour period at the Carolina Beach Town Hall during normal business hours.

Your comments are invited and important to the Carolina Beach Town Council.

For questions, please contact Gary Ferguson, the Director of Planning & Development, at the Town of Carolina Beach.

[from the Notice of Public Meetings of the Carolina Beach Town Council]

Carolina Beach, NC "Summer Never Ends" Celebration

On Saturday, October 18th from 10 am to 9:30 pm, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Makeover and your Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce presents "Summer Never Ends."

This celebration takes place at the Boardwalk Gazebo with

• arts & crafts
• live music
• pony rides
• dance demos
• the bounce house
• face painting
• a dunking tank
• Police K-9 demonstrations
• fabulous fireworks display

The arts and crafts begin at 10 am with all other activities starting at noon and fireworks rounding out the evening at dusk.

Mark your calendars - We hope to see you there!

Press Release - Pleasure Island Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival

Please visit our link to the Pleasure Island Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival online press release:

15th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival Featuring Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter

We also have an online press release for acknowledging the 2008 Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival Poster Design Contest Winner, Robert Knowles:

Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Event Poster Design Winner Announced

Thanks and Enjoy!

We'll see you there.

Official Posters for the 2008 Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival

The Official 15th Annual Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival Poster is now available for purchase in the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce office (Directions to Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce). This year's winning artist is Robert Knowles of Carolina Beach.

Don't miss your opportunity to purchase the Official Poster, signed and numbered by the artist, for only $20.00. If you haven't already seen the poster, please stop by the Chamber offices to view the original which will be up for auction at next year's Touch of Class Charity Auction on May 8th, 2009.

You may view posters from past festivals on the Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival page on our website. Links to images of past posters are on the right-hand side. You'll also find complete festival information including the artist lineup and ticket info.

Congratulations Robert Knowles! Keep up the great work.

Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival 2008

The annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, October 11th and Sunday October 12th 2008 at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area along the Cape Fear River in Kure Beach, NC.

We hope you will join us for some amazing music from brothers Johnny Winter & Edgar Winter, performing their own sets and then together for the first time in years. This is an event not to be missed!

You'll also want to be sure and catch our other talented performers including:

• Blues World Order
• Sean Carney Band
• Robin Rogers
• Harper
• Delta Moon
• Lightnin' Wells
• 10 Dollar Thrill
• Medusa Does the Blues
• Mardi Gras with Sammy O'Banion
• Wahl Project
• Kevin Kolb Trio
• Dusty Long Trio
• Bill Garfield Jazz Combo
• Benny Hill Trio
• EL JAYE Johnson & Port City Allstars
• Charlie & Rose Lucasa

Please check our Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival Event Schedule & Ticket Information as well as our commercial for the event.

Tickets range from $15 to $30 depending on how many days you plan on attending and if you purchase in advance. Children 12 and under are free.

Tickets can be purchased from the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce with a Visa or Mastercard.