Right Whale Birth off the Cape Fear Coast

Following the earlier story this month about the young Right Whale that washed up on the Outer Banks shoreline, it was nice to read about the other end of the cycle of life.

So it is with this happy 'baby new year' story that we close out this blog for 2008.

We hope you all have a very happy New Year and we look forward to sharing with you some of the many positive changes happening on Pleasure Island in 2009.

Wilmington Star
December 30, 2008

Researchers taking an aerial survey Tuesday morning saw two (Right) whales moving south about 10 miles east of Masonboro Inlet.

A review of the natural and unique skin growths on the whale’s face identified the larger of the pair as Calvin, a whale so named for her inquisitive nature before her sex was known.

But the other whale, a small gray animal that was too young to have developed any callosity pattern, had never been seen before.

“It was very clear this was a new, new animal,” said Ann Pabst, a marine biologist with the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

While it wasn’t exactly certain to determine where Calvin gave birth, it’s very likely it was somewhere near where she was spotted Tuesday.

“It’s definitely exciting that we have a brand new right whale on the surface of the planet,” Pabst said, alluding to the fact that only around 350 of the endangered marine mammals exist...

Read Complete Wilmington Star Article

Photo Credit. Story/additional photos of Right Whale giving birth off the GA/FL coast

December 31: Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Countdown Party/Fireworks

The Island of Lights fun continues with the not to be missed New Years eve party at the Kure Beach Pier. This family-fun event features fireworks, music, dancing and neighborly cheer. The events start at 9:00pm and culminate with the New Year’s Eve countdown and the lowering of a giant lighted beach ball followed by fireworks.

And for one very lucky person, there will be a raffle with the winner taking home the original artwork for the Christmas card and ornament. You can purchase chances for the raffle at the Checkered Church gift shop. Call (910) 458-0211 for more information.

Christmas Already?

If you are one of those people who haven't yet started Christmas shopping or have a few remaining gifts to purchase, check out Cinema Jane's "What to Buy Your Girlfriend" blog for some wonderful last minute ideas. She has some good suggestions and most of the items can be snagged at local stores. And of course, she has a few DVD ideas as well.

What to Buy Your Girlfriend

Pleasure Island Special Olympics Polar Plunge Feb, 21, 2009

Dare To Bear It
for
Special Olympics New Hanover County

Take the Polar Plunge on Feb. 21, 2009 at the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach, NC. Proceeds from the event help the New Hanover County Special Olympics.

To pre-register or to get general information about the plunge, please visit the Special Olympics website.

[EDIT 02/21: Click here to see photos of the 2009 plunge.]

NC Polar Plunge Photo Credit

Island Greenway...Now it is Your Turn Kure Beach

Pedestrian path plan takes step ahead

Monday, December 22, 2008

CAROLINA BEACH – Plans for a pedestrian path that would connect the north end of Carolina Beach to the south end of Fort Fisher are one step closer to becoming reality.

Earlier this month, the Carolina Beach Town Council approved the Pleasure Island Greenway Committee's proposal...

However, Kirkbride said the residents and town council's approval was just phase one. Phase two will consist of getting support from the Kure Beach Town Council and the other government entities that own pieces of land which the path runs through.

The Greenway Committee is also looking into extending the pedestrian path over the bridge so that it is accessible to both people on the island and in Wilmington.

Full Story and Video

So to the Kure Beach Town Council, please step up to the plate and help keep this wonderful Island initiative moving forward. The time is now and we need your help.

No frowns in 2009 please!


Bike Photo Credit
Frown Photo Credit

Surf's Up

OK, so maybe this picture isn't from the North End of Carolina Beach. But when you run across a picture like this, you just gotta run with it. To see more pictures and read the story about Kerby Brown surfing this 41 foot wave off the waters of Western Australia, click here.

Closer to home, you can keep tabs on the surfing conditions here on Pleasure Island by clicking on the following links (they are also listed on the lower right sidebar):

• Carolina Beach Surf Update

• Carolina Beach Surf Report

• Hot Wax Surf Shop

• Surfline

Carolina Beach Hilton Garden Inn Update

With all the permits, approvals and regulatory requirements satisfied, construction on the Hilton Garden Inn is finally able to proceed.

When they completed their underground infrastructure in late Summer 2008, one may have assumed they would roll into the construction phase. Unfortunately, the developer faced some last minute hurdles and the project was delayed.

But after months of delays, everything has fallen in line and we may soon see cranes in our vista. The developer, Russ Maynard, has stated that the project would take between 18 to 21 months to complete. Assuming that they may want to tap into the 2010 tourist season, we may see the start of construction in the coming weeks.

So thank you to Mr. Maynard for believing in our town and for continuing to back this project. This hotel, which will bookend the boardwalk along with the Marriott, will have long term positive effects on our local economy.

(click pic to enlarge)
Update on the Right Whale story, unfortunately, the whale did not survive.

Right Whale Beached in Outer Banks

AVON, N.C. - Rescuers are trying to save a stranded Northern Right Whale calf that washed up on the beach in Avon, North Carolina Tuesday.

Right Whales are the most critically endangered whales. Only about 350 to 400 exist.

Because the whale is so rare, federal officials are on the scene working with members of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wavy_avon_stranded_whale_20081216

Gnarled and Twisted Trees

Here is a blogger's wonderful description of Fort Fisher. After reading her post, I felt compelled to go for a morning visit. It truly is a wonderful place to just wander about.

http://musingsofthemuddled.blogspot.com/2008/12/imagination.html

Kure Beach Christmas Fantasy Show This Weekend

It is once again time for the Kure Beach Christmas Fantasy Show. The show will be held on K Avenue near the Kure Beach Pier and will feature dancing snowman, the Grinch, Rudolph and of course Santa Claus himself. In addition, there will be many other holiday acts which will surely get even the most fatigued of shoppers back into the Christmas spirit.

The show starts at 7:00pm and there will be showings on December 12th and the 13th. As for any naysayers who say you can't have a Christmas show without snow, bring your goulashes for you will be in for a big surprise as it always snows at the Kure Beach Christmas Fantasy Show.

One last thing, we may not have a white Christmas here on the island but when one lives at the beach, one learns to improvise. Who needs snow for a snowman?

Photo Credits:
Snowman
Suntan Santa

Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride Through Pleasure Island, NC

Here's a great first hand account of the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride Carolina Challenge detailing stops throughout the area. He has posted some wonderful pictures as well.

...On to Carolina Beach where we stayed at the Golden Sands Hotel right on the ocean. It was about 60 degrees and some of the group went SWIMMING!! Dinner at the Golden Corral in Monkey Junction capped off this day.

The next morning began with breakfast at the Ocean Grill, followed by a ceremony at Lake Front Park.

Students from Lake Park Elementary cheered us on. Six miles to the Ft. Fisher Ferry where we crossed to Southport....

Read the full post and check out the pictures here

Photo Credit: From the blog post

NC Aquarium Photo Contest

Press Release:, NC Aquarium.
December 7, 2008

Before you send your list of wishes to Santa, be sure to mail in your best snapshots for the North Carolina Aquariums Photo Contest. All entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, Dec. 31 to be eligible.

Amateur and non-professional photographers can enter photos in three categories – Underwater Open, Underwater Close-ups and Aquatic Life in the Aquariums.

For the two underwater categories, photos must be taken in the waters off the coast of North Carolina or within the state’s freshwater systems. The Aquatic Life in the Aquariums category is for photos taken at any of the three state-operated Aquariums – at Pine Knoll Shores, at Fort Fisher and on Roanoke Island.

Participants can submit up to three photographs in each category. Cash prizes of $500 for first, $200 for second, $100 for third and $50 for honorable mention will be awarded in each category. East Carolina Bank sponsors the contest.

Entries must be accompanied by a completed application form, and delivered or mailed to the Aquariums Division office: Photo Contest, North Carolina Aquariums, 3125 Poplarwood Court, Suite 160, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Visit www.ncaquariums.com for complete contest rules, to download an application form and to see last year’s winners, or call 252-247-4003.

2008 Island of Lights Christmas Parade

The 2008 Carolina Beach Christmas Parade was a great success (and a whole lot of fun). Here are a few pictures from the parade as seen from the Island Greenway entry.

The Island Greenway entry had cyclist, in-line skaters, walkers and families with strollers who handed out candy and provided parade watchers with pamphlets that outlined the goals of this civic volunteer organization. In short, the goal is to create a multi-use trail system connecting both ends of the island so that residents and visitors have an alternative yet safe means to traverse the island by bike, foot, etc. Please visit the Island Greenway website for more information.

(click photos to enlarge)

(PS: Kudos to Tom who jumped to the rescue when the Island Greenway parade coordinator, Eileen, broke a chain on her trike bike. Tom, who was a well lit in-line skater, provided her with caboose service along the parade route while still managing to hand out candy.)

Island of Lights..."I love Christmas"

"I love Christmas" was the reaction by one young visitor who took in the wonderful lighting display at Carolina Beach.

The family’s trip to see the lights was recounted by the young girl’s mother, a Wilmington Star correspondent, in a recent blog entry:

...The girls were just delighted, from the moment we drove into the darkness and saw a clear night with a sliver of moon up high. As we crossed the bridge, they started counting off decorations. Rudolph. A star. A candle. When we passed the lake, they could hardly stay in their seats. "Ooooh," was all my 3-year-old could say. "There's a sleigh, and balloons. There's so many of them. Mommy, it's so pretty. I want to come tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after, and the day after," said my 6-year-old...

Read the full blog entry here

NJ Message in Bottle from 1969 Found in Outter Banks

December 2, 2008
Associated Press

NORTH HALEDON, N.J. (AP) - A message in a bottle tossed into the ocean off Barnegat Bay has turned up in North Carolina 39 years later. The note was sealed in a Schaefer beer bottle. It was dated Aug. 17, 1969 and read: "If found notify the North Haledon Fire Co. 2."

Mark Ciarmello and his 3-year-old daughter found the bottle along a beach in Corolla, N.C., in October. That's about 400 miles from where it was released.

The Downingtown, Pa., resident said he got on his cell phone, called North Haledon and e-mailed photos of the bottle to the firefighters.

No one is sure who tossed the bottle. But firefighters suspect it was during one of the many fishing trips that they used to take years ago.

CBS Video
Detailed Article & Photos in Daily Advance (Ablemarle, NC)

Breakfast with Ole' Saint Nick on December 6th @ Courtyard Marriott

Click here for more information.