North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Named One of the Best Aquariums in the U.S.

The Travel Channel published their list of the Best Aquariums in the U.S. and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher came in at #4 out of 20 on the list! 

Of course, we're not surprised because we know and love our Fort Fisher Aquarium. From the live alligator feeding to hands-on exploration of horseshoe crabs, snails, and hermit crabs, live diving exhibits, and up-close-and-personal encounters with the sharks in the big tank, the Fort Fisher Aquarium is an amazing place for discovery and exploration.  It can also be a wonderfully peaceful place during some of the less busy hours. It is truly a destination for every age!

The location along the southernmost tip of Pleasure Island provides a spectacular backdrop for the Aquarium, quickly putting the exhibits in context.

The Travel Channel loves the Fort Fisher Aquarium for the "fear-factor moments" you'll experience here:

"Touch a live shark, discover North Carolina’s fiercest predator and come face-to-face with an alligator … if you dare."

The Aquarium is open from 9am to 5pm daily and is only closed 3 days a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).  That means it will be open all through Labor Day Weekend!  Come and enjoy one of the Travel Channel's favorite Aquariums right here in our own backyard.

Learn more about the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Labor Day Week On Pleasure Island (8-26 to 9-1)

Labor Day Holiday offers Pleasure Island a great week of FREE activities for your vacationing and leisure-time fulfillment. There is always something for everyone on our little slice of paradise.

Please plan on joining us for Friday nights’ FREE concert on August 30th from 6:30 until 9:30 featuring the Country Rock selections from 40 East. And don’t forget to stay for our fantastic T-R-I-P-L-E Fireworks show at 9:00 pm (weather permitting). Come join your family and friends at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for a night of FREE fun, music and fireworks.

On Thursday night, August 29th, the Town of Kure Beach in conjunction with the Chamber will be presenting Spare Change at the Ft. Fisher Air Force Recreation Area (118 Riverfront Road) as the final segment of the FREE Summer Concert Series.

Don’t forget about the final Family Night this Tuesday at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk from 6:30-8:30, followed by the final Cash BINGO at the Gazebo Stage from 7:00-9:00 on Wednesday evening. Let’s not forget, the very popular Carolina Beach Farmer’s Market held every Saturday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Carolina Beach Lake.

Also, this week wraps up the final week of the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park’s programs including:

•  Monday evening Turtle Talks with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project from 7-8 pm on August 26th
• Kure Beach Open Air Market on Tuesday, August 27th from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Story Time By The Sea Thursday, August 29th from 10:00 – 11:30 am
• Saturday DJ Night featuring Jolly Mon Da from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
• Boogie In The Park featuring a Variety of Rock & Dance from 60’s to 90’s selections from Seneca Guns

To close out the season on Sunday, September 1st, the final movie at the Carolina Beach Lake will be the exciting and artistic “OZ – The Great & Powerful” featuring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachael Weisz and Michelle Williams. The showing will be at 8:45 pm at the Carolina Beach Lake at the corner of South Lake Park Boulevard and Atlanta Avenue. All movies are weather-dependent, so be sure to call ahead (910-458-8434), if the weather seems threatening to make sure the show will go on. These films are free and open to the public. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, cotton candy and other popular concessions are available at reasonable prices. This is a true summer time treat for adults and kids alike.

Disney's fantastical adventure "Oz The Great and Powerful," directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well. When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great wizard-and just maybe into a better man as well.

Also, please note the Carolina Beach Amusement Park will be closing up for the season after the close of business on Monday, September 1st. Please plan on stopping by for one last ride.

Please contact the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce if you have questions and don't forget to check out our exciting Pleasure Island Calendar of Events.

For more information please call the Chamber at 910-458-8434 or email at greg@pleasureislandnc.org.

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Improvements

Earlier in August, the New Hanover County Commissioners Meeting heard a grant request for the redevelopment, reconstruction, and expansion of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.  This request by the Town of Carolina Beach for a $500,000 grant from the County was approved on August 19th, 2013.  The full renovation of the Boardwalk is slated at $1.6 million with groundbreaking to happen as early as September 2013.

This is a BIG Win-Win for the Town of Carolina Beach, Pleasure Island, and all of New Hanover County including residents and visitors to our little piece of paradise.

A big congratulations to all involved including the Town of Carolina Beach, the Boardwalk Makeover Committee, the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce and its members, and countless hours from caring volunteers. 

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk was recently named Top Ten in a list of America's Best Boardwalks compiled by Food and Wine Magazine.  The Magazine mentioned carnival rides, arcade games, and numerous food stands, with emphasis on Britt's Donut Shop, one of the oldest draws on the Boardwalk, as the reasons for this recognition.

The Boardwalk was also recently awarded a spot in USA Today's compilation of Best boardwalks for food across the USA. Coming in at #8, Britt's helped propel the Carolina Beach Boardwalk to yet another Top Ten spot in the national spotlight.

And this is just the beginning of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk's resurgence. This recent grant for redevelopment and expansion of the Boardwalk is an investment in our island and our region that will continue to provide benefits well into our future.

Related Article: County grants funding for Carolina Beach boardwalk; $500,000 to be pulled from reserves

THIS WEEK ON PLEASURE ISLAND (8-19 to 8-25)

Pleasure Island has another great week of FREE activities for your vacationing and leisure-time fulfillment. There is always something for everyone on our little slice of paradise.

Please plan on joining us for Thursday nights’ FREE concert on August 22nd from 6:30 until 9:30 featuring the Fantastic Blues selections from Billy Walton Band. And don’t forget to stay for our fantastic D-O-U-B-L-E Fireworks show at 9:00 pm (weather permitting). Come join your family and friends at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for a night of FREE fun, music and fireworks.

The following night, The Town of Kure Beach in conjunction with the Chamber will be presenting "The MAKO Band" at the Ft. Fisher Air Force Recreation Area (118 Riverfront Road) as part of the FREE Summer Concert Series.

Don’t forget about Family Night every Tuesday at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk from 6:30-8:30, followed by Cash BINGO at the Gazebo Stage from 7:00-9:00 on Wednesday evenings. Let’s not forget, the very popular Carolina Beach Farmer’s Market held every Saturday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Carolina Beach Lake.

Also, in case you haven’t heard, Kure Beach Ocean Front Park is offering Monday evening Turtle Talks with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project from 7-8 pm; Kure Beach Open Air Market on Tuesdays from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm; Thursday mornings Story Time By The Sea from 10:00 – 11:30 am, Saturday Family Night featuring Lynne & The Wave from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and then the ever-popular Boogie In The Park featuring 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & Modern Rock selections from Uncle Harry.

To close out the week on Sunday, August 25th, the movie at the Carolina Beach Lake will be the classic Beach movie "Beach Blanket Bingo" featuring Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon and Linda Evans. The showing will be at 8:45 pm at the Carolina Beach Lake at the corner of South Lake Park Boulevard and Atlanta Avenue. All movies are weather-dependent, so be sure to call ahead (910-458-8434), if the weather seems threatening to make sure the show will go on. These films are free and open to the public. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, cotton candy and other popular concessions are available at reasonable prices. This is a true summer time treat for adults and kids alike.

Part of American-International's "Beach Party" series, Beach Blanket Bingo was directed by William Asher. Frankie (Frankie Avalon) briefly deserts Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) in favor of pop star Sugar Kane (Linda Evans). Also around and about is a mermaid, appropriately named Lorelei (Marta Kristen). Scurrilous cycle gang leader Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) finds time to sing a tune, while Paul Lynde sneers a lot, Don Rickles insults a lot, Buster Keaton mimes a lot, and columnist Earl Wilson lets everybody know who he is by exclaiming "That's Earl, brother." The whole cast rushes to the rescue when South Dakota Slim (Timothy Carey) binds the lovely Sugar Kane to a buzzsaw.

Spotlight on Business - United States Postal Service

Did you know when you use the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), you are working with one of the most trusted and recognized brands in America? The U.S. Postal Service continues as a $65 billion company serving more than 150 million American homes, businesses and Post Office boxes in every state, city, town and borough in the country — delivering nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail and serving seven million retail customers a day. For as little as 46 cents, customers can send a one ounce letter across the country or down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon by way of mule. For $1.10, you can send a one ounce letter to countries around the world. That said, The Postal Service is a powerful brand that is, “Affordable, Universal, and still making house calls.

USPS has a national commercial sales force of 800 strong. Across the country, sales professionals like me consult with businesses to help them realize their stated business objectives. We work together with business professionals to show how the use of Direct Mail alone or when integrated with other media can enhance marketing efforts and drive growth. Additionally, the USPS offers a robust and highly competitive suite of domestic and international shipping products and services with appropriate levels of tracking and no hidden charges. Upon request we will perform a free analysis on current ship-ping methods and make recommendations that positively affect the bottom line.

What you need to know is there are two sales specialists domiciled in the Wilmington area here to help you use the mail to grow your business. As an example, I used Direct Mail to help a grocery store owner competing with larger chains, increase his sales of featured items by 100%, and by 30% in all other departments. Who can argue with that ROI? On the shipping side, I worked with a large tactical supply company to switch their packages to Priority Mail, which in turn saves them over $100,000 per year in delivery charges. Together we can enhance your current efforts by determining appropriate ways for you to drive similar outcomes. The Bottom line is we are ready, willing and able to help you drive positive business results. A partnership with the Postal Service can be a great win/win for all. Call me at 910-368-7989 or email me at Linda.C.Gordon@usps.gov for a free consult.

Healthy Living on Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island, NC may be known for those world famous donuts, but don't let that fool you - this beautiful island is the perfect place to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Eat Right

The towns Carolina Beach, NC & Kure Beach, NC offer many places to fuel a healthy diet, whether you prefer to cook it yourself or eat out. All of the markets and grocery stores on the island have lots of good for you options, but health conscious shoppers might also want to check out:

•  The Carolina Beach Farmers Market held each Saturday during the summer at the Carolina Beach Lake from 8 am - 1 pm.
• The Open Air Market at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park held Tuesday mornings from 8 am - 1 pm
• Island Wellness Market at 1140 N Lake Park Blvd, Suite G in Carolina Beach
• The Veggie Wagon at 608 S Lake Park Blvd in Carolina Beach

The options are just as varied when it comes to Pleasure Island Restaurants offering healthy selections. Steamed seafood is a great choice for many diets, and fresh fish and shellfish from the waters just off the island is plentiful. Find a wide variety at the Shuckin' Shack, Michael's Seafood, Nikki's Sushi, the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, or Surf House.

Stay Active

The gorgeous NC beaches offer plenty of ways to stay fit - whether you prefer to swim, surf, stand up paddleboard, kayak, or kite surf. Even a walk or jog along the water's edge is a great way to get moving. When you venture off the sand the options continue...

Runners love Pleasure Island for the scenery and variety - run on the road, beach, or on trails in the Carolina Beach state park (which are also great for hiking). The popular Lo Tide Run brings thousands of runners to the island, everyone from beginners to elite runners, each year for this wildly popular event held in March. In addition to the Lo Tide several other races are held on Pleasure Island each year ranging from 1 mile fun runs to triathlons.

Other popular activities include biking (either for exercise or just as a way to get from place to place,) yoga, tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, skateboarding, soccer, frisbee golf, baseball & softball, and much more! And of course, once you've worked up a sweat at your favorite sport that's just the excuse you need to go grab one of those mouth watering donuts!

To learn more about how you can live a healthy lifestyle on Pleasure Island, whether you're a local or vacationing here, check out http://www.pleasureislandnc.org/

Spotlight on Business - Cindy Linville - ASG Home Security & Small Business Specialist

Hi, my name is Cindy and I’m a security consultant with ASG Security, one of the largest monitoring and full service providers in the nation, located in Wilmington, NC. I live at the north end of Pleasure Island and enjoy everything we have as a lifestyle and I’m here to help you protect it.

ASG is much more than a security company. Not only can we protect families or your business from burglary, fire and medical emergencies, we are also energy and home management specialists. We can help save up to 20% on total heating and lighting expenses. Our systems run off the Verizon network so everything is completely wireless. Free install with monthly monitoring starting at $27.95. We can also take over existing systems with a landline for monthly monitoring of $19.95. Call me for a free consultation.

*Color Touch Screen Display
*Z Wave Programmable Thermostat
*Wireless Door/Window Contacts
*Wireless Pet Immune Motion Detectors
*Wireless Smoke Detectors
*Remote Control Key Fob
*Complete Installation
*Smart Security – Arm and Disarm Remotely, Watch Live Streaming, Video & Recorded Clips, View Current Status, Search Event History, Get Mobile Alerts via App or Text Message