Pic of the Day: Photographing the Rising Sun in Carolina Beach

Cool shot from Carolina Beach by Greg George. Nothing like an early morning stroll with camera in hand to capture the waking sun. 

Video: Waterspout at Bald Head Island

This waterspout was spotted north of Bald Head Island at around 8:45am this morning, Friday July 31, 2012.

Following the sighting of this waterspout, the National Weather Service issued a special marine warning for coastal waters from Cape Fear to Little River Inlet in South Carolina.  The warning expired at 9:15a.m.

The video was posted on Youtube by gripitdoes.  At the time of filming, he was on the ferry so the audio is quite rough.

Quick Trips from Carolina Beach: Some Exciting Destinations for a One-Day Getaway

By John Egan

July 31, 2012 

Although each day may feel like a holiday when you live at the beach, everyone needs to get away once in a while. And for visitors to our lovely area, it's great to know that a diverse mix of exciting adventures is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. In fact, residents of and vacationers to Carolina Beach/Kure Beach are fortunate to have a unique variety of easily accessible destinations a short drive away. So whether you're looking for a sophisticated experience in a major metropolitan area, or if you're more interested in the slow pace of a more relaxed locale, the only thing that stands in your way is the open road and a tank of gas. Most of the following destinations are close enough that a one-day excursion to get away and explore – or just unwind – is a real possibility.

Wilmington, North Carolina. Like Carolina Beach/Kure Beach, the beautiful port city of Wilmington is located in New Hanover County, so it's just a short drive away. Steeped in history, Wilmington is nestled on the bank of the Cape Fear River, and the city's Riverwalk is one of its top attractions. Wilmington's scenic downtown is filled with fantastic shopping and some of the best cuisine in eastern North Carolina. For history buffs, several impressive museums call Wilmington home, and tours of the USS North Carolina, a World War II battleship, are quite popular.

New Bern, North Carolina. Located at the convergence of the Neuse River and the Trent River, the town of New Bern is another nearby destination that offers a great deal of historical interest. New Bern is one of the oldest settlements in North Carolina, and it once served as the state capital. Today, visitors can enjoy a trip back to that time by touring Tryon Palace, North Carolina's first state capital and the home of the state's first governors. Today, New Bern is a small, quiet community that has an unusually vibrant arts scene.

Edenton, North Carolina. Further to the north is the quaint town of Edenton. Located on the Albemarle Sound, Edenton has become a popular retirement community, in part, because of the town's quiet charm. Some of the homes in Edenton date back to the 1700s, and the town's well preserved architecture contribute to its beauty. Today, Edenton is famous for its interesting mix of Victorian, Greek Revival, Federal, Georgian, and Jacobean architecture.

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Heading inland, just a few hours away is one of the most energetic areas in the Southeast. Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Triangle region of North Carolina. The state's capital, Raleigh, is a hot spot for business, innovation, and the arts. It is also the home to North Carolina State University, a major research institution, as well as several other smaller colleges and universities. Durham is widely known as the "City of Medicine," because of its cutting edge health care industry, which includes Duke University and its world-renowned medical center. The campus of the nation's first public university, the University of North Carolina, is in Chapel Hill, a vivacious town with a funky vibe and an eclectic mix of residents.

Pinehurst, North Carolina. Golf enthusiasts will want to check out Pinehurst, a perfect place for a quick golf getaway. The small village of Pinehurst is home to approximately 30 golf courses, many of which were designed by some of the most prestigious names in the sport.

Charlotte, North Carolina. A little further to the west is the "Queen City," North Carolina's largest municipality. Charlotte emerged on the international scene by becoming the United States' second largest banking center. Although Charlotte is a bit of a trek for a one-day stay, consider staying overnight, as there is plenty there to fill an entire weekend. A trip to Charlotte is a must for sports fans. The city is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of NASCAR's most important venues. Charlotte also boasts numerous museums, shopping centers, and fine restaurants.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The only destination on this list outside the state of North Carolina, Myrtle Beach, is one of the nation's most popular vacation spots. Residents of Carolina Beach/Kure Beach might decide to skip the main attraction: the beach itself. Instead, venture out to explore everything else the town has to offer, much of which can't be found anywhere else around. Countless miniature golf courses, water parks, shopping centers, and other family friendly attractions line "the strip" in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach may resemble Las Vegas more than it does the rest of the Carolinas, which makes it all the more worth the drive.

John Egan is managing editor of www.carinsurancequotes.com, a leading online provider of car insurance news.

Photo: Waterspout in Dare County, NC

This photo was taken by Zachary Kenny of the Nags Head Ocean Rescue at around 10:45am this morning July 30, 2012 in Wanchese, NC. 

Shortly afterwards, the National Weather service initiated a tornado warning for mainland Dare County and the central Outer Banks.

There were no reports of injuries or property damage and the tornado warning expired at 11:15am.

Thanks to Zachary for use of his dynamic photo.

UPDATE: The below photo from the same storm was posted by www.lonelyanchor.com and shows the Outer Banks Pier.  Thanks for allowing us to post it here.  Photographer: Daryl Law.

Last year in Carolina Beach, we had a waterspout that came ashore for a brief period of time. To view photos and videos, click here.

Photos: Thunderstorm Stalls Over Pleasure Island

Photo by Nikki French as the storm came into town

Photo by Robin Alexander from Canal Drive.

We needed some rain and boy did we get it today.  A thunderstorm rolled into town late this afternoon and the center appeared to have stalled over Carolina Beach which led to some pretty have rainfall.

I haven't hear an official count of the total rainfall but I wouldn't be surprised if it was several inches.

Our followers on Fabebook captured some great shots of the storm and were nice enough to allow us to share them with blog readers.

As of 7:00pm, the rain has tapered off to just a drizzle but radar does show another cell moving this way.  The good news is that this cell appears much weaker.

Photo by Hal Hiatt from the 1400 block of Canal Dr

Photo by Hal Hiatt from the 1400 block of Canal Dr

Photo by Diane Berry-Klutz at the corner of Lake Park Blvd and Cape Fear Blvd.

As so often happens on the coast, the storm gives way and leaves us with a beautiful sunset. Photo by Jennifer Friend

Busy Year for the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Patrol

As of this past Thursday, July 26, 2012, the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Patrol has located six nests in Carolina Beach and nine in Kure Beach. 

The nest shown in these photos was found Wednesday morning at around 6:30am during the morning patrol. It was located at Freeman Park but was moved to an area near the center of Carolina Beach due to the risks associated with vehicular traffic at the park. 

The nest contained 101 eggs and each egg was very carefully removed and relocated to their new location by PISTP volunteers Nancy Powell Busovne, Karina Como (black shirt), Barbara Tilllison (blue shirt), and Johnathan Como (green shirt). 

Paul Como sent us the photos and informed us that the first nest of the season should be ready to hatch any day now. To get updates and keep up with the latest, follow PISTP on their website and/or on their Facebook page. 

Note: We just checked the PISTP site prior to hitting the post button and it looks like they have discovered a 10th nest this morning in Kure Beach. The good news just keeps coming!

Pic of the Day: Surfers at the Hamlet Beach Access in Carolina Beach

Michael Sing's awesome HDR photo of surfers at the Hamlet St. beach access. Taken on Wednesday, July 25th.

Rumor Has It...Carolina Beach Harris Teeter to Begin Construction in Fall 2012

As some may know, we have been sending emails to the Harris Teeter corporate office every few months asking if they had any updates as to when construction might begin on the Carolina Beach Harris Teeter. Our last request was earlier this month and we were once again told that they "didn't have an updates to offer." 

But official channels are but just one way to get info and when you consider folks at corporate tend to be the most tight lipped about future plans, you may not learn anything until a crane shows up on the property. 

Fortunately, we have the rumor mill to help stoke the fires of anticipation ;-) For nearly a month now, we've been hearing from multiple sources (to include some higher ups at Harris Teeter) that they have already obtained their permits and that they plan on starting construction in Fall 2012.  Is it true?  We don't know but we will continue to keep our fingers crossed. 

So that's it for now. If you have heard anything that you would like to share with blog readers, please send us an email at admin@carolinabeachtoday.com

Pic of the Day: Storm Over the Kure Beach Coast

Cool shot by Linnie Walker of a storm earlier this week over the Kure Beach coast.

WBTV: Alligator washes ashore on Isle of Palms

Jul 23, 2012 
By Cameron Easley 
WBTV 

ISLE OF PALMS, SC (WCSC) - Some beachgoers were treated to a surprise on Monday morning as a small alligator emerged from the surf on the Isle of Palms. 

According to reports from the scene, the alligator washed up around 11 a.m. and made its way towards a couple of chairs and umbrellas before coming to a rest. Animal Control responded to the scene to remove the gator... 

Read the full article here (with numerous photos) 
Photo from article

Oxford American: THE HABIT OF EATING: Donuts on The Boardwalk

July 24 2012 

By Erin Sroka 

Oxford American

Britt’s Donuts in North Carolina 

The same smell of donuts frying has been wafting over the Carolina Beach Boardwalk every summer for seventy-three years. It’s a small boardwalk, a Legoland of tourism against the Atlantic Ocean. It’s seen a lot of crowds come and go, and in 2012 the souvenirs for sale are new batches of the same old things: booty shorts, sand pails, foam footballs, picture frames, a T-shirt with a squirrel holding two giant nuts around its groin. A person can go to an arcade here or get a henna tattoo; it’s a place that seems to reward the teenager. But the origin of the donut smell is a shop run by a pair of grandparents. Britt’s Donuts is the Boardwalk’s longest running business, the only one that’s been a consistent draw for both locals and tourists since 1939... 

Read the full article here 

Photo from article

Pic of the Day: Downtown Wilmington, NC at Night

Although we typically feature shots from Pleasure Island in our Island Pics album, we just had to share this fantastic shot of downtown Wilmington by Mike McGirt.
http://www.mikemcgirtphotography.webs.com/

Video: 7 Possible UFO's Descend Over Myrtle Beach

Well it's been awhile but here's another possible UFO sighting from the coastal Carolinas. And to keep with our spotty tradition, we've included a silly UFO cartoon to help ease the apprehension felt by some who may be troubled by pretty blinking lights. 

The following video was posted on Youtube by RaleighUFO.  Per the description, the video was shot in Myrtle Beach on the 14th floor of a hotel at 7100 North Ocean Blvd.  The poster states that the video shows 7 satellites or possible UFO's moving across the night sky.  So take a look...and you decide.

For past UFO stories covered by the blog, click here.

Photo: Wall Cloud in Jacksonville, NC

The following photo was posted on Facebook by Christine McElroy and shows a wall cloud near Gumbranch Road in Jacksonville, NC.  The photo was taken today at 6:45pm by Christine's friend Zach Schiller. Very cool shot! 

Video: Spearfisherman at Frying Pan Tower in NC - "Holy Sh*t, did you see that tiger shark behind you?"

Let me start by saying that I’ve never spearfished.  But if I had, I’d imagine that the very last thing I would ever want to hear from my fishing buddy after returning to the surface would be, “Holy sh*t, did you see that tiger shark behind you?”

That’s exactly what Tom Horn heard from his fishing partner Zach Dunlevy after surfacing from a free dive at the Frying Pan Tower earlier this week.

As they arrived at the tower for a day of spearfishing, they prepped their gear and Zack took the first freedive.  He spotted a good size cobia but missed the shot.  When he surfaced, he told Tom to go after the fish.  Tom breathed up and then descended in pursuit of the cobia.  He was facing the tower support legs and was distracted by numerous amberjacks in the area.  He searched for the cobia but had no luck.  As he reached his air limit, he resurfaced and that’s when Tom surprised him with the tiger shark question (35 sec mark).

Although Tom had his GoPro HD 2 camera mounted on his head, he did not catch a shot of the tiger shark but you do get to hear his response when asked about the shark.  After learning of a tiger in the water, the two calmly returned back to the boat.

Back at the boat, Tom and Zach told the other spearfishermen about the tiger encounter and the large cobia.  Their response was to jump right in as they didn’t want to miss a chance at seeing a tiger shark, nor did they want to let that fish get away.  Tom and Zach were a tad more cautious.  Zach had a device in his gear bag called a Shark Shield and it supposedly deters sharks using an electric field.  Zach strapped it on and they both reentered the water with a slight sense of increased safety.

On Tom’s next dive, he shot a large permit fish as shown in the video.  His primary concern at that point was that the struggling fish might attract the lurking tiger shark but fortunately for him, the tiger was never seen again.  Tom said he was relieved when some smaller, less pugnacious sharks (seen in the video) showed up and took interest in his catch.  Tom knew from his past experience of fishing in Hawaii, that if a tiger shark was still in the area, the smaller sharks would not have approached.

Tom stated that he was able to secure the permit fish with no issues and attributes the Shark Shield as possibly helping keep the smaller sharks at bay.  

The fishing trip was a success as they bagged grouper, amberjack, taug, sea bass and a huge hog fish.  And although the tiger shark was camera shy that day, Tom did capture some fantastic underwater images from around the Frying Pan Tower.

Video: Bear Encounter on Hwy 64 in Dare County NC

The following video was posted on youtube by sks1024 and shows a driver coming across a bear on the side of the road in Dare County.  So keep your eyes wide open when travelling to the Outer Banks as you never know when you might have a lucky encounter.  (32 seconds in length)

Christina and David: Early Morning Beauty on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Here is a blogger's wonderful description of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk in the early morning hours.  The post features numerous photos from the boardwalk and beach. 

"Morning time at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is quiet and still. It feels as if you just stepped back into time where the physical structures still exist, but all the life has moved on, leaving this place behind. But that feeling only lasts a few hours. Later in the day the boardwalk will begin to fill with the hustle and bustle of shoppers, families, high school couples, the whirring noises and flashing lights of amusement park rides, and screaming kids running around carrying cotton candy..."

Read the full blog post and view the photos here.

Photo from blog post

Post and Courier: Sea turtle poaching ‘a macho thing’

by Bo Peterson 
Post & Courier 
July 19, 2012 

The crowd at the bar is getting rowdy, and $10s and $20s are laid down. A rubbery sea turtle egg is brought out. Somebody swallows it whole and raw, chasing it with a beer. 

That, believe it or not, is what turtle conservationists say is the heart of the sea turtle egg black market. “The eggs are considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures. 

It’s a macho thing in some bars,” said Todd Steiner, Sea Turtle Restoration Project executive director... 

Read the full article here. 
Photo credit

Video: Waterspout 35 Miles Off the Carolina Beach Coast

When fishing in the East Coast Got-Em-On Classic tournament, one can expect to capture some great video images of prized fish catches. But one doesn't typically expect that they will capture some amazing video of a waterspout churning up the Atlantic waters.

On Saturday, July 14th, 2012, Brian Stancil was fishing with James Harris and Brian Allen approximately 35 miles off the Carolina Beach shoreline.  Shortly after 12 noon, they noticed a storm beginning to build. They watched the storm from a distance as it grew in size and based on their radar, they estimated that it was about four miles wide.  

After about 40 minutes, they decided for their own safety that they better move out of the storm's path.  It was at about that time that the storm produced a funnel cloud.  They watched the water spout for about 10 to 15 minutes before it retreated back into the clouds. 

The video was shot by Brian Stancil while he was aboard the boat, WallHanger, owned by Captain Brian Allen, Raleigh, NC.

Thanks to the boaters for providing us with the information about the day's events and for okaying the use of their info in this blog post.  As for the actual fishing, they didn't catch any kings but they did catch some sharks, amberjacks and one dolphin.

NOTE: On August 18, 2011, a waterspout came ashore in Carolina Beach causing minor damage.  The spout/tornado was widely photographed and videotaped, to see images from that day, go here.

 

Wrightsville Beach Hosts Surfers Healing for Children With Autism on Aug 19 & 20

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. — One of the world's 20 best surf towns (National Geographic, 2012) will host Surf Gala 2012 and Surfers Healing, an international surf camp for children with autism, Aug. 19-20.

Sunday, Aug. 19, Surf Gala 2012 will be hosted by widely acclaimed Port Land Grille. Owners Anne Steketee and husband Chef Shawn Wellersdick will prepare a magnificent multi-course dinner, with an evening of live music (Kyle Lindley), video clips, and silent auction.

Diners will have the opportunity to meet, greet and eat with Izzy Paskowitz, Surfers Healing founder, and his ohana (family) of legendary Hawaiian surfers. Advance copies of Izzy's memoir "Scratching the Horizon" will be signed and provided to each guest. All income from this special evening will be used to pay for the cost of the Surfers Healing surf camp for children with autism at Wrightsville.

On Monday, Aug. 20, 200 families from across the United States are visiting Wrightsville Beach to witness the miracle of Surfers Healing, an international surf camp for kids with autism.

This event takes place at the popular Stone Street Public Beach Access located in the heart of downtown Wrightsville from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Spectators are welcome to "cheer" the children.

Surfers Healing (www.SurfersHealing.org) was founded in California by professional surfer Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz for his son, Isaiah, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Because Izzy discovered the positive impact surfing had on his son, he shared this unique therapy with other children diagnosed with autism.

Surfers Healing Camps are now hosted in Hawaii, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico and a few surf towns like Wrightsville Beach. These camps enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Members of the international surfing community travel with the event and work one-on-one to coach children with autism to ride the waves.

Volunteers are welcome at the Stone Street Public Beach Access.

CONTACT: John Pike 910-471-7453

john@surfershealingstore.com

Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue Make Numerous Rescues in Ten Minute Period

Susan Kranyik messaged us on Facebook to let us us know about a harrowing day for our island lifeguards.

At around 2:00pm today, Susan was enjoying the beach at Harper Ave when an ugly rip tide developed. She was surprised to see a it form because the day prior, the conditions had been perfect at the same spot. Within minutes of the rip forming, swimmers began to get pulled towards deeper water and the Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue (CBOR) immediately jumped to action.

She estimates that during a ten minute time period, at least a dozen swimmer had to be rescued by lifeguards. Approximately seven guards responded to the scene and ultimately, all the swimmers were pulled safely to shore and no one required medical attention. Following the rescues, the guards closed that section of beach. 

Susan made it a point to seek out and thank the guards who were available.  She said that "it made me cry with gratitude that these lifeguards had saved a bunch of teenagers lives today."

Susan wanted to get the word out about what a wonderful job the Carolina Beach Ocean Resue did today and added that they truly deserve a "HEAP of applause and honors." 

Talk about having a job where you can truly make a difference in somone's life...and in this case, I mean that literally. We all extend major kudos to the men and women who make up the CBOR, you really are genuine heros!! And to members of the Kure Beach Ocean Rescue, your daily efforts in keeping beachgoers safe is equally appreciated.

To learn how to avoid a rip current, visit our earlier blog post here (includes photos and videos). 

Photo: CBOR rescue training.

Guest Photographer Series: Glamour Shots by R. Douglas Kadan Featuring Danny Boucek

Doug is a fashion and beauty photographer and he frequently photographs models in various locations throughout Pleasure Island.  He enjoys working on the island as he can always find new and fresh locations for his shoots.  His work has been featured in various publications including the Island Gazette.

Doug is available for both commercial and independent work and he can be reached at 919.208.0725 and via his website at www.kadanphotogroup.com. 

This photo shoot was done in early summer 2012 at Freeman Park and features local model Danny Boucek,  She is featured in a bikini from Bert's Surf Shop which has a location in Carolina Beach. 

GMA: A "Dawson's Creek" reunion is looking more likely

By LUCHINA FISHER 

Good Morning America 

Monday, July 16, 2012 

Three of its four stars, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and James Van Der Beek, have each expressed an interest in returning to Capeside. Just last week, Williams, who played blonde bad girl Jen Lindley on the 90's show, said at a Comic-Con press conference for "Oz: The Great and Powerful" that she "would happily" take part in a reunion special. 

"I've always said that I would really love to and I think independently, we've all been saying that," Williams told reporters... 

Read the full story here 

So hang on Wilmington, NC fans, the Dawson's Creek gang may soon once again be roaming our streets. 

Masonboro Island Reserve Hosts Educational Field Programs This Summer

WHAT: “Meet Me at Masonboro” Educational Field Programs

WHEN: 10 a.m. July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4

WHERE: Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, Wilmington, N.C.

WILMINGTON – Learn about sea turtles, estuarine ecology, and the plants and animals of the Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve during three educational field programs led by reserve staff on Saturdays in July and August.

All sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and will last for one to one-and-a-half hours.

The scheduled field programs are:

• July 21, Sea Turtles – Endangered sea turtles nest on Masonboro Island during the summer and use the nearby waters regularly. During this guided field trip, learn about their life history, nesting habits and conservation efforts.
• July 28, Estuary Ecology – Estuaries are special places where dynamic forces are the norm. Learn about the tides, currents and winds that bring nearly constant change to the specially adapted habitats and organisms that call the estuary home.
• August 4, Plants and Animals of the Reserve – Visit several distinct habitats during this field trip across the island from sound to sea. Learn about the unique organisms that live in and use each habitat in this hands-on exploration.

Programs will take place near the north end of the island. Participants should meet just below the north cove at “First Beach” on July 21 and July 28, and should meet just below the second cove at “Third Beach” on Aug. 4. Look for the white tent with the Coastal Reserve banner. Transportation to the island is not provided.

For more information or to register for a field trip, please contact site manager Hope Sutton at 910-962-2998 or suttonh@uncw.edu. Participants can also register at the N.C. Coastal Reserve’s website at www.nccoastalreserve.net.

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 41,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.

Masonboro Island (seen here) will be the setting for three educational field programs in July and August.

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Seen here in the beach on Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wilmington.

Pic of the Day: Shower Off Carolina Beach

Cool shot by Paul Boroznoff of a shower off the Carolina Beach shoreline this past Sunday.  

PS.  Do you see the bear in the clouds, if not, click here.  Credit goes to Pam Mabe for being the first one to spot this.

Pic of the Day: Cool Northend Sunshine

85 degrees & beautiful blue skies on the Northend. Get out there and enjoy the day. Thanks to Laura Kooken Snyder for sharing this 'beachy' photo!

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Named in Food & Wine's Top 10 Boardwalks in the U.S.A.

America's Best Boardwalks

By Julie Alvin

Fri, Jun 29, 2012 9:24 AM EDT

There are over 60 boardwalks dotting America's coastlines, ranging from iconic destinations that have lured seaside-goers for over a century (Coney Island, New York) to newer attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement park built overlooking Galveston Bay outside of Houston. For those who also love boardwalk foods, advanced planning for summer trips to these tourist haunts can mean the difference between frozen fries or terrific meals that match the allure of the beach...

Carolina Beach Boardwalk:  
Carolina Beach, NC 

Though this historic boardwalk on the northern end of Pleasure Island is lined with carnival rides, arcade games and numerous food stands, one of the oldest and best draws is Britt's Donut Shop. Fans line up under the blue-and-white-striped awning for traditional glazed pastries—no sprinkles or cream fillings in sight—made with a secret recipe passed down its 70-plus year history. Originally a nickel a piece, each doughnut is now 85 cents.

Read the full article here.

Photo (flickr): Kure Beach

Check out this beautiful shot from Kure Beach.  The photo was posted on Flickr by BJ Taylor and was taken on March 24, 2011.

Here is the photo description:

This was snapped yesterday about 20 mins or so after the other one. Sun just came out for a few mins before setting behind another storm front that can barely be seen in this shot. The wind calmed and was quite nice for a bit...

Click here to view the full size image on Flickr and you can see the other photo taken 20 minutes early (black and white).

WWAY: 'Flocking' friends helps raise money for beach wheelchairs

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) -- You could wake up to find a flock of flamingos has landed in your yard. It's all part of an effort to raise money for people who need help getting on the sand at Carolina Beach...

There are only two of these beach wheelchairs available for use on Carolina Beach, and the Weatherfords say they call ahead months in advance to reserve one. 

Now the group Island Women, Inc., is doing something to help the disabled get on the beach...

Read the full WWAY story here. (with video)

Follow the Beach Bound Project on Facebook

The Worldwide Trend Towards Banning Smoking on the Beach

Next month, the Carolina Beach Town Council will decide whether to ban smoking on certain beach areas in Carolina Beach.  If passed, Carolina Beach would be the first beach in North Carolina to pass the ban.  

Two other neighboring beach towns are also looking at the issue.  In Wrightsville Beach, the voters will get to decide if they want to initiate a ban in this year's November elections.  And in Kure Beach, they just announced today that they will begin looking into the issue.

As each council person and voter weighs the merits of a ban, I thought it would be interesting to look around and see what other beach locations have banned smoking.  Obviously the amount of data is bit overwhelming, but here is a small sampling of some of the articles I came across:

Australia (Victoria): Beach smoking ban stretches west  (Sydney):Sydney's Manly and Bondi Beaches ban smoking

Canada: Beach smoking ban sparks defiance

France (Cannes): Cannes Beach Visitors Face New Smoking Ban

Hong Kong: Hong Kong wakes up to smoking ban

Ireland: Irish Health Minister seeks to ban smoking in cars, beaches and parks

Italy (Venice): The beach “no smoking”, The experiences in the Veneto Bibione

Japan: Kanagawa smoking ban leaves beaches clean, safe

The list from the United States was actually larger than I anticipated:  Listing of all municipalities with Smokefree Beach Laws (as of July 1, 2012).

Here is an interesting research paper from the Laboratory for Coastal Research (dated January 2012) discussing the pros and cons of banning smoking on beaches.  No-Smoking Policies and Their Outcomes on U.S. Beaches

Lastly, an argument being made against the ban in Carolina Beach is that legally, the town would only be able to enforce the ban to the high tide line because beyond that, the town has no legal authority.  The thought is that smokers will just smoke in ankle deep water which will ultimately lead to even more butts being discarded in the ocean.  It might happen but the offender would be subject to NC law if they do indeed discard the butt into the water.

North Carolina has two separate statutes that could cover anyone who illegally throws their butts into the ocean waters.

First:  § 14‑399. Littering.
(a) No person, including any firm, organization, private corporation, or governing body, agents or employees of any municipal corporation shall intentionally or recklessly throw, scatter, spill or place or intentionally or recklessly cause to be blown, scattered, spilled, thrown or placed or otherwise dispose of any litter upon any public property or private property not owned by the person within this State or in the waters of this State including any public highway, public park, lake, river, ocean, beach, campground, forestland, recreational area, trailer park, highway, road, street or alley except:
http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-399.html

Second: § 76‑40. Navigable waters; certain practices regulated.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to place, deposit, leave or cause to be placed, deposited or left, either temporarily or permanently, any trash, refuse, rubbish, garbage, debris, rubble, scrapped vehicle or equipment or other similar waste material in or upon any body of navigable water in this State; "waste material" shall not include spoil materials lawfully dug or dredged from navigable waters and deposited in spoil areas designated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; violation of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.
http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_76/gs_76-40.html  

Photo credit

Pic of the Day: Sea Turtle Patrol at Kure Beach

A cool shot by Lisa Michele Hagan taken earlier this week of the PISTP checking out a possible sea turtle nest in Kure Beach. Unfortunately, this one turned out to be a false crawl but the good news is that there are currently 8 nests in Kure Beach and 4 in Carolina Beach.

Examiner: 'Safe Haven' star Josh Duhamel praises 'beautiful' N.C. and Southport seafood

July 11, 2012

By: Gina Carbone

It's a little surreal to hear celebrities discussing your small town on the radio — especially when the radio station is based in L.A. 

Ryan Seacrest had actor Josh Duhamel on his radio show today and they discussed the movie "Safe Haven," which Josh is currently shooting in Southport, N.C., alongside Ryan's girlfriend, Julianne Hough...

“We’re having a great time," Josh said. "It’s beautiful out here. I hadn’t spent that much time in North Carolina, but it’s one of the better kept secrets, I think. Every time I tell somebody the beaches are unbelievable they're like 'Shh. Don't tell anybody...'"

Read the full Examiner story here
Photo: Josh Duhamel and girlfriend Fergie!

WECT: Unique military watercraft could become common sight in WB

WECT

By: Sanah Sayan

 
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) – Folks often see jet skis ripping through the waters of Wrightsville Beach, but they may soon see a different kind of watercraft in the area that's one-of-a-kind.

Peter Maguire of Rapid Response Technology is the mastermind behind a super fast military rescue craft.

Read the full WECT story here (additional photos). 
Photo from story.

Shark Surprises Angler in Myrtle Beach, SC

Sarah Brame posted the below video yesterday on Youtube.  The video shows Sarah fishing with family/friends on the sound side of Myrtle Beach when they all got the surprise of their lives. As she was reeling in a sizable Red Drum fish, out of nowhere, a shark explodes out of the water and takes the fish.  Fortunately for Sarah and her companions, no one was hurt.  Fortunately for us, the whole thing was captured on video.  Speculation is that it was a bull shark.

I attempted to get some additional details from Sarah but she is being inundated by the press looking for an interview.  Look for this video to go viral as she is now receiving comments every few seconds.

***CAUTION: Adult Language***

Why we support the Carolina Beach smoking ban

Tonight the Carolina Beach town council will be hearing public comments regarding a possible beach smoking ban.  As we saw earlier this year in Wrightsville Beach, the emotions run hot on both sides of the issue.  Here are our thoughts on the ban:

We favor a smoking ban on Carolina Beach. Of course we all know that cigarette litter is a big problem on our beaches and that this can be addressed with current littering laws. However, smoking on the beach is also a public health issue. Beach goers who do not want to be subject to second hand smoke should not have to take proactive measures to avoid it. It should be the right of all individuals to enjoy the beach in a smoke free environment.

There is nothing worse than enjoying a relaxing day at the beach when a nearby smoker lights up and you find the winds are bringing their stink right into your area. You then have three options, confront the person and tell him/her to put it out, move yourself, or just suck in the unhealthy air. I generally will use option one but that occasionally leads to the smoker becoming defensive and it creates friction.

Please don't let people try to dismiss the smoking ban idea by saying it is a littering problem. It is more than that, it his a human health issue as well as a marine life safety issue. And for the people who bemoan the idea of 'big government' taking away more rights, I see it as the government protecting the rights of the majority who want to live a longer life. Smokers have every right to smoke, but they don't have the right to infringe on the rights of others who choose not to smoke.

UPDATE:  At the meeting, town council showed support for the ban and they will vote on it at the August meeting.  Star News Story

Video: Experience Pleasure Island!

Welcome to Pleasure Island, North Carolina!  Discover our beaches, our history, and our hospitality

Plan this year's summer vacation to include Pleasure Island, one of the east coast’s favorite year-round Island destinations with miles of beautiful North Carolina Beaches and a little something fun for everyone.

As we settle into the summer season and celebrate weekly outdoor events on the island, we're all enjoying our favorite summer activities. From boating, surfing, and the beach, to fishing, camping, golfing, and waterfront dining, Pleasure Island has it all in a low-key, relaxed, and affordable coastal setting. Now is a great time to make your plans for a fun and relaxing Pleasure Island vacation!

Here you'll find everything you need to create your own custom itinerary. Check the Event Calendar see what's happening on the island. Find out Where to Stay and book your reservations now. Then choose ideas for Where to Eat, Where to Play, and any Local Services you might need along the way. We've got all your Pleasure Island vacation planning right here!

pleasureislandnc.org

Bobcat Spotted in Carolina Beach

A bobcat was spotted near Carolina Sands last week. A resident stated that he took his dog out at 5:30am and spotted a bobcat in his neighbor's backyard. The cat jumped up on a fence and they stared at each other for about 30 seconds before it ran off. 

The resident messaged us on Facebook with the info because he wanted to let folks know so they could keep an eye on their pets. 

Per the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, the NC Coastal Plains and mountain areas support the largest numbers of bobcats in the state.  You can read more at the NCWRC website.

Photo from website.

Carolina Beach To Consider Smoking Ban

The town council will hold a public hearing on a possible smoking ban at the beach during its next meeting on Tuesday 07/10/2012. 

Item #15: http://www.carolinabeach.org/site_new/pages/documents/Agenda7.10.2012.pdf 

You can read local news accounts here: WWAY and WECT 

We have received quite a few comments on our facebook page about this proposal, you can read them here.