Spotlight on Business - Island Chic Consignment Boutique

ISLAND CHIC CONSIGNEMENT BOUTIQUE opened two months ago on the island. This store has been a large success for the island! They carry NEW and OLD ITEMS...promoting recycling and buying local....with a large variety for all women!

Kim Foust, Owner, has given back to the island in many ways in the short two months she has been opened! Island Chic has FREE WINE NIGHTS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT hosted by local artists and home-based businesses to help their businesses grow and also help promote her store as well! Recently she donated some turtle items for the Sea Turtle Auction held on the Island to help them raise money. They donate monthly to the Chamber events, donated a few jewelry items for the Bride, Amber, with Operation Military Marry Me. Island Chic has also had a fund raiser for the month of October donating to the Pink Ribbon Project. They sold many breast cancer awareness items in the store and raffled a painting donated by Paint The Island; another Island small business!

In two months, Island Chic has grown with now over 100 consignees! Her inventory changes daily! Whether you need a cocktail dress, work attire, or just a casual outfit.....ISLAND CHIC HAS IT ALL! Come and shop for the holidays for gifts and also your party attire! They carry pam-pering items such as soaps, lip balms, lotions, oils, and bath salts that have been made by a local companies (stocking stuffers). They also carry local artists jewelry items, homemade recycled scarves and hats, paintings, and a lot of NEW GIFT items such as designer socks, frames, hats, wallets, manicure kits, monogrammed totes and tumblers, and many other accessories! The pric-ing is also very reasonable on all of the new items, as well as, their designer consignment items!

They want to be the store you come to shop for your holiday gifts! Once you go, you will want to keep going back! They truly strive to give you a BOUTIQUE experience in every way by also offering cookies and waters while you shop daily! If it's after 5.....we may offer a glass of wine or beer (if over 21)! The store is unlike anything else on the island! It's a "feel good" store you WANT TO visit and hang out in! Join them for FREE WINE NIGHT also on Thursdays 6-8 pm! Island Chic will be participating in Pleasure Island Shopping Spree and encourages everyone to SHOP PLEASURE ISLAND AND SUPPORT ALL YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES! If you haven't been in to see this Boutique, please do so!

Artists Draw Beauty from Nature at N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Come take "A Walk in the Woods" and explore colorful art at the N. C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

The newest installation in the Aquarium's Spadefish Gallery, entitled "A Walk in the Woods: North Carolina's Maritime Forests," showcases the artistry of the Raleigh-Durham Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). On display from now to March 1, the creative works celebrate the rich animal and plant diversity of maritime forests along our coast.

These unique ecosystems have adapted to the effects of salt spray and wind because of their proximity to the ocean. Each of North Carolina's maritime forests is slightly different from the next and provides habitat for migrating and resident wildlife and a great array of plant species.

All pieces in the show are original and while other medium, such as watercolor or pastels, can be used, these pieces are at least 75 percent colored pencil.  Fine art colored pencils offer color intensity, depth and the ability to create fine detail ideal for illustrations, representational art, nature paintings and portraits.

The Spadefish Gallery at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium's mission of "Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina's Aquatic Environment" is located on the second floor of the Marine building, near the auditorium.

The Raleigh-Durham chapter of CPSA has a mission to support artists throughout the Carolinas.  For more information, visit the Colored Pencil Society of America website atwww.CPSA.org.

Spotlight on Business - Baker & Colby

Baker & Colby, PLLC was founded in Wilmington in 2004. Since that time we have grown to include five attorneys, six support staff and five office locations. We offer legal services to the surrounding nine counties. In an effort to offer greater service and support to the Pleasure Island Community we have recently opened a permanent office location at 703 St. Joseph Street, Suite 204. Our firm has focused its practice primarily on real estate transactions and development. We have recently expanded our service offerings to include criminal, traffic, DWI, estate and family law.

Service and efficiency is the key to our success. We understand that to effectively service our clients that having a team approach and attitude is everything. We increase our efficiencies with the aid of some of the most recent technological advances. Our offices are all inter-networked for both voice and data. This enables team members from other offices the ability to quickly and easily communicate and access information to offer additional assistance when necessary. All of our files are stored digitally which allows for real time date retrieval. We also employ Transaction Point which permits clients and other team members access file information via a secure web portal on a 24/7 basis, even if our office is closed.

We strive for the highest level of service and satisfaction. Please contact us at 910-343-5775 or visit our website at www.bakercolby.com for more information or if we may be of assistance.

Step Up For Soldiers Backyard BBQ Cook-Off - January 28, 2012

Where the BBQ Meets the Beach

Carolina Beach, NC - On Saturday, January 28, 2012 twenty-five teams will take to their grills, forks in hand, secret recipes folded and stashed in pockets, all for the glory of the title and the satisfaction of knowing they've helped to raise a significant amount of money for Step Up For Soldiers.

The competition will start with a level playing field: everyone will have the same meats, be in the same location and have the same time constraints. But thrown into the mix will be individual rubs, sauces or marinades, grill temperatures and methods of cooking that will leave someone going home with braggin' rights for the next year.

The cook-off will be held at the lake in Carolina Beach at the junction of Lake Park Blvd. and Atlanta Avenue and everyone is welcome. Admission is free. Tickets can be purchased to sample the BBQs after the double-blind judging is completed. There will be music, raffles, arts and craft vendors and additional food and drink for purchase. Gates open at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded at 2:00pm. And all to benefit Step Up For Soldiers.

Step Up For Soldiers is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of our disabled veterans and their families. Step Up For Soldiers was started in November 2004 by Tom Russell, a retired Port Authority police officer and Vietnam Vet. His intent was to assist wounded soldiers who were sent overseas in response to the 9/11 terrorist attack and he began with building wheelchair ramps for two soldiers who returned home paralyzed from the waist down. The organization has increased from a single person to a small family of nine dedicated volunteers and continues to develop as it grows. Russell's goal is to help as many families of active and non-active duty soldiers as possible in the Fort Bragg to Camp Lejeune areas by modifying homes and providing other services to veteran and active duty soldiers.

There is no better way to spend the day than tasting the best BBQ around, maybe eating some oysters or a burger, listening to great music and browsing through the goods from the arts and craft vendors while helping support such a deserving organization.

To volunteer during the event contact Kevin Holton at kwholton@gmail.com or call 919-274-8617. For more information contact Rose McConville at rosemc110@gmail.com or call 910-547-0087.

New Years Eve on Pleasure Island!

Welcome in 2012 on beautiful Pleasure Island, at some of the most beautiful North Carolina beaches. Here are just a few of the exciting ways to ring in the new year:

Island of Lights New Year Celebration
Fun for the whole family - dj, dancing, and the dropping of the huge lighted beachball at midnight, followed by an amazing fireworks display. It all starts at 9 pm at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

New Years Eve Party Cruise
All aboard the Royal Winner Princess II, one of the Winner Boats fleet, for a New Years Party at sea! $25 per person includes a champagne toast, dessert, and party favors - a cash bar will also be available. Dance the night away and have a great view of the fireworks at midnight. Reservations required - 910-458-5356.

4th Annual New Years Eve Bash at Tangerine's Caribbean Bar & Grille
This years theme is the "Roaring 20's" so put on your best Gangster / Flapper gear and enjoy a night of live music from 6 - 10, a DJ dance party to bring in 2012 from 10pm - 2am, balloon drop, champagne toast, party favors and lots of drink specials.

New Years Eve Party at SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar
Great music from Beachbilly Brothers and DJ Lil Mike. $10 per person. Seats are limited so call 910-707-0533 for a reservation.

However you spend New Years remember to be safe, and always have a designated driver. You can also get a ride from a local taxi company such as Lett's Taxi & Limousine - 910-458-2222.

Spotlight on Business - Keith Bloemendaal

Keith Bloemendaal is a resident of Pleasure Island and has been in internet marketing since 2008. He is well versed in web design, search engine optimization, social media as well as branding.

Keith has helped local businesses with websites, marketing and social media here on Pleasure Island. Some of the local businesses include:

• Tangerine Caribbean Grille Uncle Vinny’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
• Island Pet Shop Beach Blooms
• Secof Construction North End Jet Ski
• Red Hotz Beach Car Rentals Island of Lights

Keith was born in Central Florida and now calls the Southeast NC Coast home, loves warm weather but visits the mountains several times a year. In his off-time, Keith enjoys photography, sports, fishing, surfing, good wine & food, golf, the beach, cycling and music.

Please contact Keith if you need any help with web design, website hosting, marketing, social media, copywriting and more.

keithbloemendaal@gmail.com
Carolina Beach, NC
910.305.4604

Step Back In Time at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Take part in a historic tradition, posing with the Carolina Beach Crescent Moon, at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Create your own reminder of fun times spent on Pleasure Island with a photo with the Crescent Moon.

Show Your Island Pride with CB and KB Stickers

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach car stickers available at the Pleasure Island Chamber Office and Island Tackle & Hardware for $2.00. Show the world your Pleasure Island pride!

Have you seen Santa yet?

Don't miss your chance to see the big guy at Christmas by the Sea at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

Christmas by the Sea (CBTS) continues every night through the New Year's Eve celebration. The CBTS activities (Santa's workshop, fire, pit, live nativity scene, hot coco, etc) will be open every Saturday (except for Christmas eve) beginning on Nov 26th and ending on Dec 31. This year both the displays and the activities will be open on New Year's Eve prior to the dropping of the ball!

Kure Beach Christmas Fantasy Show - December 9, 10, & 11

If you want to see all of your favorite Christmas characters like Frosty, Rudolph, Harriet Hippo, The Grinch and, of course, Santa Claus, come on down to the Kure Beach Fantasy Christmas for Friday, Saturday and, new this year, SUNDAY, December 9 through 11, beginning at 7:00 pm. 

You'll be treated to song and dance numbers sure to put you in that festive, holiday mood. A pre-show featuring South of K bluegrass music will begin at 6:30 pm. Don't miss this little slice of Americana in Kure Beach!

Show being held on K Avenue, near the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.   


For additional information, contact Diane Heglar at 910-279-0459.


For more fun and festive holiday events check out the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar.