Take the Pleasure Island Plunge and Try Something New!

Have you heard the old saying, “Variety is the spice of life?” We couldn’t agree more and believe that springtime is an excellent time to try something new and different. You can always blame it on spring fever! There’s another saying that we like in these parts: “Do something that’s a little bit dangerous every day.” Of course, should you choose to take a walk on the wild side, we encourage you to proceed with caution while maintaining your sense of adventure. Finally, to provide you with that extra nudge, here is a quote from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

So there will be no excuses, here’s a handy list of possibilities to get you started:

* The world is your oyster! Common culinary lore holds that oysters should be consumed only in those months that contain the letter "R." With March and April on the way, it’s high time to get your fill before the season is over. In the quest to try something new, consider consuming a raw oyster with just a dot of Texas Pete or Sriracha. The truly brave ones in the bunch could opt for a popular new underground trend-oyster s’mores! We thinks these folks can help you out: http://www.theshuckinshack.com/

* Experience the natural beauty of Carolina Beach State Park. Spring’s warmer weather and longer days means it’s the perfect time to pitch a tent, hike, bike the trails, fish or kayak. Have you ever tried the 25-ft hike to the top of Sugar Loaf Trail? It’s a great vantage point for bird watching and spotting vessels of all shapes and sizes making their way through Snow’s Cut.

12th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Day Lo Tide Run

Mark Your Calendars for the 12th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run to be held Saturday, March 12th, 2016 in Carolina Beach!

This fun and inspiring 5K and 10K race brings the community together for a great cause - helping New Hanover County residents who are battling cancer. Through an all volunteer board, generous donations and special fundraising events like this, the Lo Tide Run organization can provide financial assistance to cancer warriors in our area.

If you'd like to participate in the run, you can click here to register early before March 1st. If you want to mail in a registration form, do so quickly, as forms must be received by March 1st!

You can still register at Omega Sports on Oleander Drive Friday, March 11th from 12-6pm during early packet pick-up and on Race Day at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk from 7am-7:45am.

For more race details and the schedule of events click here.

2016 Summer Movies at the Lake Schedule Announced

The Sunday Night Movies at Carolina Beach Lake are a popular, family-friendly event that both residents and visitors look forward to year after year. This year, we'll be featuring 15 different family-friendly films, including both recent releases like Inside Out, and classics like The Sandlot.

Our Sunday Night Movies will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. As always, the Sunday Night Movies at Carolina Beach Lake are absolutely FREE!

Here's the 2016 schedule. Feel free to print it out to help you plan your summer weekends at Carolina Beach!

2016 Free Sunday Movies at Carolina Beach Lake

• Movies start at dusk (around 8:45)
• Movies are subject to change and weather permitting

May 29 - MINIONS (PG-2015)
June 5 - MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS (PG-2011)
June 12 - RIO-2 (G-2014)
June 19 - CINDERELLA (PG-2015)
June 26 - HOME (PG-2015)
July 3 - THE SANDLOT (PG-1993)
July 10 - HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 (PG-2015)
July 17 - STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS (PG-2015)
July 24 - THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG-2015)
July 31 - INSIDE OUT (PG-2015)
August 7 - NORM OF THE NORTH (PG-2016)
August 14 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (PG-2013)
August 21 - THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
August 28 - MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION (1962)
September 4 - THE PEANUTS MOVIE (PG-2015)

Remember, popcorn, candy and refreshments will be available for sale! You are also welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

Plan Your Winter Escape to Pleasure Island

Are you someone who thinks that the only time to enjoy a trip to the Cape Fear Coast is during the warm months of summer? Well, if that is the case, we’d love to let you in on a little secret: an off-season wintertime visit to the beach can take you a world away from the stressful daily grind. You may be surprised with how rejuvenating just a weekend getaway can be. Please look over the following suggested itinerary and see for yourself…

Race into Spring on Pleasure Island!

Cold weather got you down? Have you already fallen behind on those New Year’s goals to get in shape? With Pleasure Island’s breathtaking coastal backdrop, brisk, sunny days and several noteworthy sporting events on the horizon, it’s time to borrow Nike’s catch phrase and "Just Do It." So, whether you’ll need track shoes, Polar Tech clothing, a wetsuit, paddle or iPod, gather your gear and get ready! Best of all, these activities will get you through those dark winter days and in perfect shape for summer! Here’s what you have to look forward to:


12th Annual Polar Plunge - Saturday, February 13th
Make like a polar bear and take a refreshing wintertime dip in the invigorating waters of the mighty Atlantic! A number of other activities will be on tap to coincide with this frosty fun including live music, a silent auction and the always popular costume contest. With the plunge set for 3:00 in the afternoon, there are also two excellent warm up activities: a 5K and 1-Mile Walk, both at 1:30 pm. The Carolina Beach Boardwalk will serve as the official event hub. Of course, you will be “Freezin for a Reason," as all proceeds benefit New Hanover County Special Olympics. For all of the details including registration information, please use this link: http://www.plungenhc.com/Polar-Plunge/polar-plunge.html

Spotlight On Business - Coastal K-9 Bakery

Coastal K-9 Bakery opened for business June 2004 with a mission to offer healthy dog treats to local pets. Following much research I realized there were many, many people, other than I, that were unaware of some of the very undesirable ingredients that were included in their pet’s food and treats. Using organic and natural ingredients I offered eight delicious flavors named Tippy’s Treats. The bakery also made muffins, doggie pastries, and our most famous doggie birthday cakes, in three sizes.
As we grew we began to offer dog accessories and dog food.

12th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Carolina Beach

Are you brave enough to face the frigid waters of Carolina Beach in February? If so, you could help raise money and awareness for a very good cause next month!

The 12th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge, 5K Run-N-Plunge, and 1 Mile Fun Walk takes place Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, next to the Courtyard Marriott. Contestants can choose to participate in the 5K Run-N-Plunge, a 1-mile fun walk, or just the plunge by itself.