Bingo is Back at the Boardwalk – This summer, bingo was a huge hit at the Boardwalk. This is to let everyone know that Wednesday night Bingo will be continuing at the Boardwalk through December. For the rest of this month, bingo will still take place at the Gazebo on Cape Fear Boulevard. Starting October 7th, bingo will be moved into the Arcade. For more information, please visit www.boardwalkmakeover.org.

Free Small Business Resource Summit – If you own or are thinking of starting a small business, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has partnered with organizations that provide services to prospective and current small businesses to hold a Small Business Resource Summit. This Summit will be a “one-stop shopping” opportunity that brings together 50 small businesses and farm service providers including providers of loans, grants, contracting and procurement opportunities and technical and educational services. The Summit will be held on September 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at UNC Wilmington in the Burney Center. For more information, please contact John Meeks at (919) 787-8727 ext. 4915 or email at jmeeks@fdic.gov

Residential Building Code Change Workshop – On Wednesday, October 7th from 4:00 –

6:00 p.m., Van Paxton from the Town of Carolina Beach and John Batson from the Town of Kure Beach will be conducting a workshop regarding the recent changes in the State of North Carolina Residential Building Code. The workshop will be held at the Carolina Beach Town Hall Offices in the Police Training Room. If you wish to attend or have any questions prior to the workshop, please contact Van Paxton at (910) 458-8238.

The Big Beach Sweep is Coming – On September 26th at 9:00a.m., the Annual Big Sweep will take place. If you would like to help in cleaning up our waterway, meet at the Boardwalk Gazebo in Carolina Beach or the Kure Beach Pier in Kure Beach. Bring sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Bags and gloves will be provided. Big Sweep is a part of the International Coastal Cleanup. For more information please visit www.oceanconservancy.org or call 798-4404.

Third Annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge is Coming – The 3rd Annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge, brought to you by Fisherman’s Post Newspaper, will be held on October 16- 18. This tournament, which attracts roughly 300 participants each year is only $55 per person to enter and is a fundraiser for the Big Buddy program. Participants will be fishing from any of the Pleasure Island beaches (it’s a land-based tournament – no boats) for bluefish, speckled trout, flounder, red and black drum, whiting and pompano. Registration is on Friday, October 16th on the grounds of the Federal Point Shopping Center or you can pre-register at Island Tackle and Hardware or go online to www.fishermanspost.com and click on the “Surf Challenge” link under “Tournaments”. For more information on the event, you can also call Eddie Hardgrove at (910) 264-5487 or email at surf@fishermanspost.com.

Quintify Database Solutions to Host Free Seminar – On October 14^th at the New Hanover County Library, Quinitfy Database Solutions will host a free seminar. Learn how local businesses are using databases to achieve their goals, increase their revenue and become more efficient. Speakers will cover topics including email marketing and other CRM, project management, order fulfillment/operations and accounting. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.quintify.com/seminar.html or contact Kelley Rodill at Kelley@quintify.com.

Salty Paws Festival Coming October 17^th – On Saturday, October 17^th, bring your leashed pets and head down to the Carolina Beach Lake Park for the first ever Salty Paws Festival. From noon to 5:00 p.m. there will be kids activities, best pet costume, best pet/owner look alike contest, food & music, arts & crafts, Netop “The Painting Dog”, Microchipping for pets, pet adoptions and pet awareness & education. Donations will be accepted in lieu of admission fees. All proceeds benefit local animal rescues. For more information, call Linda at (910) 617-5945.

Red and White Fundraiser for the Red Cross to be held at Beau Rivage – The 2^nd Annual Red & White Fundraiser will be held on October 23^rd from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Beau Rivage. Tickets will be $35/person or $60/couple. This includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, over 40 varieties of wine, plenty of micro-brew beers to taste and a silent auction. The wine will also be available for ordering at a steep discount rate. For more information, please contact Audra Walker at (910) 392-9021 x 254 or visitwww.beaurivagegolf.com

Ghost Hike at Ft. Fisher – October 9^th, 10^th, 23^rd, 24^th & 29^th a Ghost Hike will be taking place at the state recreation area.  The hike begins at 8pm and you will hear stories as you are hiking. Call (910)458-5798 to reserve your spot or for more information.

Pleasure Island Oktoberfest – originally scheduled to be held at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, will not be taking place this weekend.  Instead, it will take place at the Racine Commons Shopping Center on October 16^th and 17^th.

Real Estate – This past week we had 9 new listings, 8 under contract, and 4 closed sales.

Weather – It looks like a wet weekend, but starting Monday we will have sunny weather all week long.

The Seventh Annual Southern Coastal Bluegrass Festival is Coming– The Thalian Association is proud to present the 7^th Annual Bluegrass Festival at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on September 19^th and 20^th. This year’s bands include A Deeper Shade of Blue, Carolina Junction, The Hagar’s Mountain Boys, Ken Scoggins & Miller’s Creek, L Shape Lot, R.C. Harris and Blue Denim, Ted Jones & The Tarheel Boys and the Wells Family.Tickets are $15.00 each day or $25.00 for the weekend.www.coastalbluegrassfestival.org.

Town of Carolina Beach to Host Ribbon Cutting – On Friday, September 25^th, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., the Town of Carolina Beach will be hosting an Entryway Enhancement Project Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The Ceremony will take place at the intersection of Lake Park Boulevard and Dow Road, in front of the CVS. Parking will be available at the Carolina Beach Town Hall, CVS or at the Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church. www.carolinabeach.org

Salty Paws Festival Coming October 17^th – On Saturday, October 17^th, bring your leashed pets and head down to the Carolina Beach Lake Park for the first ever Salty Paws Festival. From noon to 5:00 p.m. there will be kids’ activities, best pet costume, best pet/owner look alike contest, food & music, arts & crafts, Netop “The Painting Dog”, Microchipping for pets, pet adoptions and pet awareness & education. Donations will be accepted in lieu of admission fees. All proceeds benefit local animal rescues. For more information, call Linda at (910) 617-5945.

Red and White Fundraiser for the Red Cross to be held at Beau Rivage The 2^ndAnnual Red & White Fundraiser will be held on October 23^rd from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Beau Rivage. Tickets will be $35/person or $60/couple. This includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, over 40 varieties of wine, plenty of micro-brew beers to taste and a silent auction. The wine will also be available for ordering at a steep discount rate. For more information, please contact Audra Walker at (910) 392-9021 x 254 or visitwww.beaurivagegolf.com

Sea Turtles Make Safe Journey Back to the Ocean – On Monday, September 14^th a nest of 70 turtles made a safe journey to the ocean.  Thanks to the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project.  This was truly a rare occasion since Leatherback nests have never been documented south of the Outer Banks.  It was a sight worth seeing.

Real Estate – We have seen good activity over the summer.  This week there were 17 new listings, 6 under contract, and 10 closed sales.

Weather – It looks like we are in for a wet weekend; however, next week starts off nice and sunny. It looks like Fall is here, the temperatures are cooling down and feeling great.