Carolina Beach Today

Wilmington Star: Military Museum Lies Hidden in Kure Beach

2010-07-30T06:34:00.012-04:00

Wilmington Star
By Amy Hotz
July 27, 2010

The N.C. Military History Museum is in a popular tourist beach town. Its front lawn is decorated with real tanks, a large artillery piece and a helicopter.

Can’t miss it, right?

But there’s a good chance you’ve never been there. Or even heard of it.

The museum sits on the back side of the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach. It’s housed in a building that looks like all the others at the facility – light desert-tan-painted rectangles with brown shingled roofs.

But while the recreation area is mostly for active duty troops on leave and military retirees to enjoy the nearby beach, the museum can be visited by anyone. Don’t let the chain link fence fool you. Just drive right in and park near the helicopter...

As museums go, this one is small and low-tech. The “gift shop” is one small glass counter. The rest of the place is built more like a bunker than a tourist attraction. Most of its operating costs are covered by private donations, and there’s no admission fee.

Yet nearly every inch of every wall, shelf and cabinet is packed with goodies. Some go back as far as the Civil War, but for the most part the museum focuses on World War I through present-day conflicts...

Read the full Wilmington Star article here

Check out the museum website here. (above photos from their website)

Museum Location at the Ft Fisher Air Force Recreation Area:

Fireworks, Films, Seaside Amusements And The Beach Make Carolina Beach The Ideal Destination For Affordable Family Fun

2010-07-29T16:01:00.002-04:00

Free Summer Fun Makes North Carolina Beach Town A “Must Visit” Before Summer Fades And The Kids Go Back To School

Carolina Beach, NC (PRWEB) July 28, 2010

A variety of free entertainment options make Carolina Beach a “must visit” destination this summer. Unlike other coastal resorts, this charming seaside village offers a getaway that won't “break the bank.” It's the perfect place for a fun family vacation before the kids go back to school.

Carolina Beach has much to offer those looking for an affordable family getaway. It has quaint beach cottages, bed & breakfast establishments and mid-rise condo villas and hotels suited to any budget. In addition to a boardwalk that lines several miles of clean, Atlantic oceanfront, it also has a variety of charming shops, and restaurants.

Bask in the warm Carolina sun or take a stroll on the pristine beach. Gather the kids to watch the fishing charters return from a day at sea. Or show the kids how to bait a hook and see what you reel in. Everyone will enjoy spending time on the boardwalk where there's entertainment and summer-long festivities.

During summer, the Carolina Beach boardwalk is definitely the place to be. Everything from arcade games and homemade treats to surrey bike rentals and shopping is within walking distance. The "Boardwalk Blast" Summer Event Series has something to please everyone. Tuesday night is Family Night with fun activities for kids, teens and adults that include karaoke, bouncy toys, line dancing, face painting, and more. Wednesday night is Bingo at the Boardwalk. Just steps from the boardwalk are seaside amusements, including a Ferris wheel and popular rides like the Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl.

On Sundays, Free family-friendly movies like Up, The Princess & The Frog, and Twilight: New Moon are held at Carolina Beach Lake Park. Every Thursday, families can enjoy live music followed by a dazzling display of fireworks on the beach near the boardwalk. There's something fun for everyone all week long.

Just south of Carolina Beach is Kure Beach. Families will find affordable options here as well. Vacationers can explore the Fort Fisher State Historic Site & Civil War Museum, which is home to the largest earthen fort in the South. History buffs will also want to visit the North Carolina Military History Museum, which has a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits encompassing all branches of the military. If visiting the area on August 14th, step back in time and explore the world of 1865. Vendors and demonstrators will exhibit and sell traditional mid-eighteenth century crafts and the Fort Fisher staff will offer costumed tours and weapons demonstrations.

For a unique opportunity to see nature at its best, head over to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Center, which offers a five-mile stretch of undeveloped beach that is home to nesting loggerhead sea turtles. It also has a swimming area, picnic area with grills and a visitor’s center. On the second and fourth Fridays of summer months, there will be a series of live free concerts, weather permitting.

The visit will not be complete without spending some time at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. It features a 235,000-gallon saltwater shark tank, the half-acre Cape Fear Conservatory with alligators, sturgeon and other freshwater species; and the Open Oceans Gallery that focuses on marine creatures and the nearby ocean reefs.

Enjoy one last summer getaway before school starts. Get away from it all, have a fun, family vacation and still have some money for those school supplies upon returning home. Make some memories to last a lifetime or at least until next summer when the family returns to Carolina Beach.

For additional information, visit www.CarolinaBeachStories.com.

16 Year Old Receives 40 Stitches Following a Shark Bite at Isle of Palms, SC

2010-07-29T15:50:00.005-04:00

This past Sunday, a 16 year old tourist from Indiana was bitten by a four foot shark and needed 40 stitches to repair the injury. Here's a video from News2 with an interview of the victim, Alex Stamm, as he explains what happened:

SC Rocket Debris Headed to a Museum

2010-07-27T07:46:00.005-04:00

Well, that large piece of satellite covering that washed up at Hilton Head a few months back now has a home at the Beaufort County Coastal Discovery Museum. The Island Packet reports that the 12 foot by 20 foot piece of rocket fairing will be moved to the museum for a four month special exhibit. Following the exhibit, it may be cut into small pieces and given to local schools for their science programs.

Read the full Island Packet story here.

4-minute Documentary on the Fort Fisher Hermit

2010-07-25T20:02:00.006-04:00

Here's an interesting student documentary (UNCW Department of Film Studies) on the Fort Fisher Hermit. The video was posted by Joseph Albino on Vimeo approximately 2 months ago. The film is titled "The Hermit" and is approximately 4 four minutes.

Check out the Fort Fisher Hermit Facebook page. There are currently 972 members.

Beautiful Sunrise at Kure Beach

2010-07-25T08:54:00.004-04:00

This wonderful pic was posted as a fan photo on the Kure Beach Facebook page.

The Pleasure Island Brewery Invitational July 31st

2010-07-25T07:19:00.009-04:00

When: Saturday July 31, 2010 3:00pm till 8:00pm

Where: Carolina Beach Lake

Tickets: $30 advance purchase; $40 at the event
Advance Ticket Purchase Locations:
Online:
•www.goodvibesbrew.com
Carolina Beach
•Treehouse Bistro/The Grind
•Black Horn Bar & Kitchen
•Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden
Wilmington
•Cape Fear Beer and Wine
•Pravda
•Yellow Dog Discs
•Front Street Brewery
•Gravity Records

Attendance Info:
•The show and festival are all ages, families are welcome but with parental guidance, due to ABC law
•21 to drink
•12 and under free
Discounted Designated Driver Tickets will be available for $20 dollars at the gate

Entertainment:
•Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
•Toca Trio
•Medlin Kidz

Breweries Representing:
Good Vibes Brewing Company Wilmington, NC
Wolf Beer Company Wilmington, NC
Front Street Brewery Wilmington, NC
Foothills Brewing Winston-Salem, NC
Natty Greene’s Pub and Brewing Company Greensboro, NC
LoneRider Brewing Company Raleigh, NC
Big Boss Brewing Company Raleigh, NC
Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery Farmville, NC
Highland Brewing Company Asheville, NC
Catawba Valley Brewing Company Morganton, NC
Huske Hardware House Brewery Fayetteville, NC
Craggie Brewing Company Asheville, NC
Kind Beer’s Brewing Charlotte, NC
Terrapin Beer Co. Athens, GA
Thomas Creek Brewery Greenville, SC
New South Brewing Company Myrtle Beach, SC
Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY
Jones Brewing Company Latrobe, PA
BROUWERIJ BAVIK Bavikhove West Flanders, Belgium

Portion of Festival Proceeds Help
NC Brewer's Guild (www.ncbeer.org)
Sea Turtle Project: (www.seaturtleproject.org)

Volunteers Needed at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk

2010-07-24T10:28:00.007-04:00

The Boardwalk Makeover Group is looking for a few volunteers to help during and after our Thursday Night Music and Fireworks shows from 8-10pm. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the raffles and help put away chairs at the end of the night. If you would like to volunteer, even once a month, please see us at the CB Boardwalk Tuesday OR Thursday nights. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you from the Boardwalk Makeover Group
http://www.boardwalkmakeover.org/

Myrtle Beach Shark Bite Victim Tells His Story

2010-07-24T10:03:00.005-04:00

Ten year-old Josh Myers is home in Gettysburg, PA and tells a reporter with WPMT about his shark encounter that left him with 19 stitches while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Fox43 News Video:

Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden: A Great Addition to the Island

2010-07-23T09:31:00.005-04:00

If you haven't yet tried Hoplite Pub and Beer Garden, now is the perfect time as they are currently offering a 50% off opportunity. At WWAY, you can buy a Hoplite $50 gift certificate for just $25. This is a limited offer and there are only 35 certificates left to purchase. So go here to check it out.

Hoplite is a European style pub offering a unique selection of beer, wine and dinning choices. On the beer front, I can't seem to order anything other than their draft Smithwicks which I blame on my partial Irish roots. They offer two sizes of draft beers with the largest being the best value. Of course when Smithwicks is being served on draft , a "small" size just seems unholy to me.

As for their pub food, I've really enjoyed everything that I've tried. But so far, my two favorites are their Bangers n’ Mashed and the Corned Beef n’ Cabbage. If you've had the opportunity to taste these dishes across the proverbial pond, then you will be pleased with what Hoplite has accomplished here. Both offerings are significant and you won't walk away feeling hungry. Toss in a Rugby game on one of their numerous TV's, and I'd probably never leave.

Some of the other menu selections that I've tasted and would recommend are the Sheppard's Pie, Reuben, Fish & Chips and the Meatloaf (it doesn't come with carrots but they'll include a few if you ask). On the appetiser list, their onion rings are very good and have a little kick similar to Outback's Blooming Onion. I'm also a big fan of the chicken legs that are served hot, BBQ & plain. Mind you, these are actually full size legs so don't order dozen as an appetizer.

The outside beer garden is very welcoming and makes for a nice place to just hang out with friends and enjoy a cold beverage. I always felt that when Tuscan Grill occupied the space, they never made good use of that unique and inviting area.

So if you haven't checked them out, there is no time like now. And while you're there, say hello to the affable owner Chazz. He's easy to spot, just look for the guy who played college football...you'll know.

Hoplite Pub on Facebook

Carolina Beach Farmers Market Going to the Dogs

2010-07-22T16:56:00.003-04:00

Carolina Beach Farmers Market has more than fresh vegetables and fruits; there are special products and treats for your pets.

My Porch Dawg Gourmet dog treat bakery offers made-to-order treats made with human grade ingredients without preservatives, artificial dyes or chemicals and slow baked for a full flavor and snappy crunch. All treats have been lab tested and registered with the NC Department of Health.

Glynnels Soaps makes a variety of all natural soaps for dogs. Coalman's All Natural Dog Soap made with lavender and oatmeal oil with antibacterial and anti-itch properties helps clear up skin allergies. Franklyn's Dog Soap, made with eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils, is known for its flea and mosquito repelling properties.

For the sweetest pictures of your best friend go to Snyderneff Pet Photography's booth. Beach portraits, Christmas Cards or just a special picture can be ordered or purchased from the collection of pictures and posters. Critters on the Move takes photos of your pets and makes decals to be placed in the car windows.

Other products for your pets include hand-made silver and brass charms by Fishbone Designs, and dog accessories from Dog Perils.

Shoppers and dogs love coming to Carolina Beach Farmers Market and walking the lake. But remember dogs can quickly get overheated. Be sure to keep them cool with lots of water and a rest in the shade while listening to this weeks entertainer!

Carolina Beach Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am to 1pm atthe lake.

Farmer's Market Facebook page.

Lumina News: Warmer Waters Blamed for Shark Bites

2010-07-22T12:30:00.004-04:00

Lumina News

by Brian Freskos
Thursday, July 22, 2010

Three days after a shark bite off Wrightsville Beach’s north end, a leading expert on July 20 pointed a finger at higher than average ocean temperatures, saying the high temps had opened early predatory feeding grounds along the North Carolina seaboard.

George Burgess, director of Florida’s shark research program and curator of the International Shark Attack File, suggested the unusually high ocean temperatures had accelerated northern migratory patterns at the same time droves of people were flocking to area beaches, enhancing the probability sharks and humans would interact...

Ocean temperatures have been unseasonably warm. Meteorologist Josh Weiss, of the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said in-water July temperatures have historically averaged 81 degrees. But temperatures have lingered in the mid-80s since June.

Between 2003 and 2009, shark bites in North Carolina averaged 1.5 per year, Burgess said. That is lower than South Carolina, which saw three per year on average during that same time period.

South Carolina has already met its yearly average. Bites have occurred at Otter Island, Fripp Island and most recently at Myrtle Beach, Burgess said...

Read the full article here.

Wildlife in North Carolina Magazine Announces Annual Photo Contest

2010-07-22T12:11:00.003-04:00

RALEIGH, N.C. – Wildlife in North Carolina magazine again welcomes entries for its sixth annual nature and wildlife photo competition.

“Last year, we received more than 8,800 entries—by far our most ever, and almost too many for our staff to handle,” said Greg Jenkins, editor of the national-award-winning monthly. “In response, we are reducing the number of photos that an individual can enter in a single category from three to two.”

Founding partner, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, returns as a co-sponsor, as does the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Great Outdoor Provision Co. returns as a corporate sponsor. Another important co-sponsor returning for the second year is UNC-TV, with entertaining and educational programming about the state’s wonderful natural resources.

“These sponsors are valuable resources on so many levels,” Jenkins said. “The museum is a fantastic place to learn about the state’s wildlife and habitats. Our outstanding state parks are ideal places for photography, and park rangers can give photographers expert advice on the best subjects and the best times and places to get that ideal image.”

All winners will be published in the January 2011 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine, with the grand prize appearing as the cover illustration. Thanks to exhibition sponsor, JW Photo Labs of Raleigh, the winners will be exhibited at the Museum of Natural Sciences and at other science museums and wildlife education centers across the state in 2011.

The deadline for entry is Sept. 1. Rules, more information and entry forms are available at http://www.ncwildlife.org/contest/

Flags Signal Summer Fun at Fort Fisher Saturday, July 24th

2010-07-22T09:11:00.003-04:00

KURE BEACH -Lifeguards use them to show surf conditions. Olympians use them to convey pride and patriotism. But did you know that Civil War soldiers used flags for military movement and coordination on the battlefield? Learn more about these vital-and fun-communication tools at Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s program “Coded Communication in the Civil War” on Saturday, July 24.

At scheduled times throughout the day, historic site staff will demonstrate and teach visitors to use signal flags as they were used during one of the nation’s most turbulent periods, 1861-1865. Coded messages will be sent via flag signals, and participants will be able to “decode” the message using cipher discs provided by the site.

“Inside the visitor’s center, kids can participate in our Morse Code exhibit scavenger hunt to discover interesting artifacts in the museum,” said Fort Fisher Assistant Site Manager Amy Manor Thornton.

Visitors can also tour the remaining portions of Fort Fisher’s historic earthworks. Tours led by a costumed interpreter begin at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Regularly scheduled tours are hourly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fort Fisher, the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy, once protected the port of Wilmington and the vital blockade running trade on the Cape Fear River. After two massive bombardments, the fort fell to a Union infantry assault on Jan.15, 1865. With the capture of Fort Fisher, Wilmington’s port-”the lifeline of the Confederacy”-was closed to foreign trade.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located at 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South, Kure Beach, N.C. 28449. For more information on this program or the site, call (910) 458-5538 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. Information on Cultural Resources is available 24/7 at www.ncculture.com.

'The Dive Food & Spirits' Review at Encore Online

2010-07-22T08:12:00.005-04:00

Dive in, the Water’s Fine: Carolina Beach burger joint makes perfect pit-stop after ocean dip
Encore Online
Jun 16, 2010
by: Shea Carver

...So began our hunt for a good burger joint on Pleasure Island. Being semi-connoisseurs of the all-American ground-beef sandwich, we knew what we wanted: fresh, hand-pattied burgers, not frozen blocks of questionable meat, piled high with ripe veggies. Not living on the island meant it would take some work to stumble upon the perfect spot. After all, the best burgers come from the most unlikely places. Readers should try Winnie’s Tavern off River Road to taste what I mean. Needless to say, our instincts led us to the right place, The Dive Food and Spirits. What we found: The Dive burger could rival Winnie’s any day of the week...

Though the “best fish tacos on the island” sounded rather tempting, topped with mahi-mahi and avocado salsa, I couldn’t be persuaded from the Spartan Burger. The Angus patty came smothered in sauteéd mushrooms and onions, topped with Swiss cheese. Matthew also stuck with the original plan, ordering the Inside-Out burger, a style we like making at home, where cheese gets pattied into the middle of the meat rather than atop it...

Mushrooms and onions swam in viscid Swiss that oozed out the side of my order, while Matthew’s Inside-Out spurted cheddar and pepper Jack, onion and bacon straight from the middle. The juiciness of the burgers came from their charbroiled preparation, cooked perfectly medium-well, without any hint of dried-out charring. (Whether or not The Dive grinds their own meat, I do not know; but diners who prefer less cooked meat should ask, as when the meat gets ground onsite, restaurants are allowed to cook them rare and even medium rare in NC.) The crisp bite of lettuce, red onion, tomato and pickle perfectly finished off another layer of flavor, fresh from the garden.

A nice surprise to our wonderfully crafted hunks of meat came in the form of hand-cut fries. “They are outstanding,” Matthew said, mouthful after mouthful. And he was right. They didn’t come with anything other than salt—no lemon pepper, paprika-chili dust, garlic powder or whatever new fads restaurants flock to nowadays. They were simply prepared, yet packed with all-natural, starchy potato goodness.

I know some people think a burger is a burger is a burger. To them, I would point my finger in disapproval. The Dive should be added to the short list of local places that do the American classic right. I am sure if Mr. Buffett stumbled upon its doorstep, he, too, would agree—maybe even right another song about it (God help us!).

This is just a snippet of this detailed review. Please visit the Encore website for the full write-up.

http://thedivefoodandspirits.com/

PISTP Volunteers Work Hard to Protect Sea Turtle Nest

2010-07-21T07:55:00.005-04:00

07/20/2010 07:52 PM
Volunteers work hard to protect sea turtle nest
By: News 14 Carolina Staff

Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project: http://www.seaturtleproject.org/

Win a T-Shirt from NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

2010-07-20T20:38:00.011-04:00

Hey guys, jump on over to the Fort Fisher Aquarium and become a fan (click on 'like') and you could win an aquarium t-shirt. But more importantly, you'll help the Aquarium in reaching their goal of having 5,000 Facebook fans. Plus it's a great way to stay up to date with all the latest aquarium news.

So don't delay, Flipper needs you!!! Click here for their page.

The VA Pilot: Colonial-era shipwreck moved to Hatteras museum

2010-07-20T18:15:00.005-04:00

Here's an update to the earlier blog post ("Beachcomber stumbles upon historic shipwreck in Corolla, NC") about a ship wreck discovered on the beach in Corolla early last month. The 400 year old wreck is being moved to a new resting spot at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras. So very cool!

The Virginian-Pilot
July 20, 2010
COROLLA, N.C.

After surviving perhaps 400 years in the sand and surf off the North Carolina coast, the 12-ton remains of a shipwreck are making their final port-of-call.

What could be the oldest wreck ever found on the North Carolina coast was loaded onto the back of a truck Monday for a 90-mile trip to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras.

Salvaged from the pounding surf in April, the wreck has rested under the shade of an oak tree near the Currituck Beach Lighthouse for the past three months.

But the massive beams have shrunk a little and cracked in the hot, dry weather. Experts plan to place the wreck on a concrete slab next to the museum and soak the 17-by- 37-foot remains in hopes of arresting the deterioration.

One possible preservative is a mixture of water and Elmer's wood glue, said David Moore, curator of nautical archaeology for the North Carolina Maritime Museum...

Read the full article here (includes video and photos).

Kure Beach and Carolina Beach Lifeguards Making Good News Headlines

2010-07-19T17:04:00.006-04:00

Kure Beach Lifeguards Placing Rip Current Signs Along Beach To Alert Public
Island Gazette
Thursday, 15 July 2010

KURE BEACH - The Town of Kure Beach is taking efforts to be proactive in educating the public on the dangers of rip currents when hitting the beach this summer. In addition to the red flags placed on lifeguard stands, guards are now putting large a-frame signs on the beach alerting the public.

Many people identify red flags with a warning, but a sign spelling out the reason is a more direct line of communication...

Click here for the full Island Gazette story.
====================================================================
Lifeguards Succeed in Regional Competition
WECT
July 18, 2010

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT)- Lifeguards in Pleasure Island and Wrightsville Beach proved they are among the best during a regional lifeguard competition in Virginia Beach.

They competed in several events including, a rescue relay.

Pleasure Island Lifeguards placed 3rd in the large beach category, and Wrightsville Beach placed 2nd in the small beach category...

Simon Sanders with the Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue (stated),"We finished 3rd competing against lifeguards all the way in Virginia Beach and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, so for our lifeguards to rank up there with those guys, we've definitely got a good group of lifeguards this year..."

Click here for the full WECT story.

Mike Corrado and Machine Gun Will Perform at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Gazebo on July 22nd.

2010-07-19T16:16:00.002-04:00

The Boardwalk Makeover Group is proud to announce that Mike Corrado will be performing for free at the Boardwalk Gazebo stage on Thursday, July 22, 2010 from 6:30-9:30pm. He will be joined by well- known Wilmington band Machine Gun.

Singer/songwriter and U.S. Marine Mike Corrado garnered national radio and television airplay after releasing his song “On My Watch Tonight” from his 2005 album Falling Awake. The song, which features guest vocals from friend and multi-platinum artist Edwin McCain (I’ll Be/I Could Not Ask For More) is the story of a Marine’s journey from Boot Camp to the front lines, and quickly became an anthem for service men and women past and present around the world.

Mike has shared the stage with: Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Edwin McCain, Black Eyed Peas, Donovan Frankenreiter, Train, Vertical Horizon, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Robert Cray, Pat McGee Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks Band, Angie Aparo, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Ryan Cabrera, The Wailers, Hootie & The Blowfish and many more.
http://www.boardwalkmakeover.org/

10 Year Old Boy Possibly Bitten by Shark at Myrtle Beach

2010-07-19T14:45:00.010-04:00

The Sun News
Monday, Jul. 19, 2010

A doctor has examined a 10-year-old boy who reportedly was bitten by a shark in the area, and thinks the boy's wound is a bite mark, said Capt. David Knipes with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

"Photos of the injury were taken and will be sent off to see if it can be determined what it was that struck him," Knipes said.

The boy had a bandage on his left leg when paramedics put him the ambulance at the beach access at 69th Avenue North...

Beachgoers at the scene reported seeing a shark in the surf at the time of the incident.

Jamelle Blasko of Pittsburgh said she saw a shark's fin in the water a few minutes before the incident...

Read the full Sun News article (along with video) here.

Unfortunately, if this turns out as reported, this will be the forth shark bite in the Carolinas this year. Last year, the Carolina's only saw three shark bites for the full year. And to put things in perspective, last year there was one fatal attack in Corolla but prior to that, the last fatal attack in NC occurred back in 2001.

As an interesting aside, last week a sea turtle at North Mrytle Beach washed up on shore with what appeared to be a shark bite. This probably occurred well out to sea and the turtle may have already been dead prior to the bite. Click here for more photos from the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol blog and a brief description of the events.

Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach & Fort Fisher) Facebook Links

2010-07-19T08:32:00.019-04:00

The days of blogging have been quickly replaced with the likes of Facebook. Well, we're fond of the Carolina Beach Today blog format and we'll just stick with it. But many of our island friends have made the switch to (or just added) Facebook. So in order for our readers to find these sites more easily, we'll start a running collection of Pleasure Island Facebook links.

For Island blogs, be sure to check the lower left side of CB Today for a listing, including snippets of the most recent postings.

If you have a blog or facebook page that you would like added, feel free to send us the link for consideration. On average, CBToday now gets between 200 to 400 unique visitors a day with some days nearing 800. So hopefully, we can help direct some additional visitors to your site.

Tourism/Island sites:
Carolina Beach Tourist Info

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

Carolina Beach Farmer's Market

Carolina Beach State Park

Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

Freeman Park

Kure Beach

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce

Restaurant/Pubs

Blackhorn Bar & Kitchen

Britt's Donuts

Freddies Restaurante
Havana's Fresh Island Seafood
Hoplite Pub & Beer Garden

Michael's Seafood Restaurant
Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar

SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar

Surfhouse Cafe and Shop
The Island Ice Factory

Treehouse Bistro

Other Sites of Interests

Cape Fear Fishing Guide

Fort Fisher Hermit

Indo Jax Surf and Kiteboarding School

Surf Carolina Magazine

Tony Silvagni Surf School

13 Year Old Bitten by Shark at Wrightsville Beach

2010-07-17T22:23:00.020-04:00

Wilmington Star
July 17, 2010
North Carolina

Doctor: Sand tiger shark likely culprit for 13-year-old bitten near Shell Island Resort

Wrightsville Beach A 13-year-old girl reported being bitten while swimming near the Shell Island Resort on Saturday.

Kendall Parker, of Davidson, was in waist-deep water at about 1:30 p.m. when she felt something bite her arm, said her father, Mike Parker.

A doctor at Cape Fear Hospital said the attack appeared to come from a 4- or 5-foot-long sand tiger shark, Mike Parker said.

Kendall received 40 stitches and was released from the hospital...

Read the full Wilmington Star article here

Related posts:
•June 29, 2010: 6 Year Old Bit by Shark Near Beaufort, SC
•June 28, 2010: 13 Year Old Topsail Island Swimmer Bitten by Shark

Also, below is an interesting Youtube video posted by TheTrackjunkie01 of scuba divers swimming with sand tigers approximately 18 miles off the coast of WB. The video was shot about 10 days ago.

Personally, I have always enjoyed diving with sharks and am thrilled when one makes an appearance. In all my years of diving, I've never felt threatened during the encounters--even when a 10' tiger made a surprise appearance while wreck diving in Truk Lagoon. So enjoy the water, enjoy the beach and just know that in the vast, vast majority of cases, sharks won't even give you a second look if they happen by. But if you are concerned, you can follow these guidelines to help further reduce any risks.

General Beauregard Shipwreck off Carolina Beach

2010-07-16T08:35:00.013-04:00

This wreck photo is courtesy of Broad and Reel (now My Friend Grayson).

The wreck is located near the end of Spartanburg Ave and is visible during low tide. It is approximately 100 yards from the shore. Also, if you visit the public gazebo at the Lake Dr beach access, they have several boards with historical information on the General Beauregard.

From the NC Office of State Archaeology
The General Beauregard was built in Glascow, Scotland in 1858. It was built as a coastal ferry boat but was converted for blockade running in early 1963. The vessel was an iron sidewheel steamer 223 feet in length.

The vessel was on its seventh attempt at running the blockade into New Inlet when it was stopped short of its destination. The vessel was run ashore and destroyed north of Fort Fisher. There was no report of salvage by either Federals or Confederates.

Today, the vessels steam machinery is intact with its paddlewheel shaft and hubs remaining in place. Cooling tanks, grated cargo hatches, water tanks, a large rectangular aft boiler, bollards, and a davit exist on site. Both bow and stern sections are broken but not removed from the body of the wreck and are for the most part covered with sand. Although small artifacts have been recovered from the site, the wreck apparently has escaped serious salvage attempts.

From the US Park Service Archaeology Program:
General Beauregard. The remains of this iron hulled side-wheel blockade runner (ex-Havelock) are buried in 15 feet of water in the Atlantic Ocean near Carolina Beach. Built in 1858 and sunk in 1863. Owned by the State of North Carolina. Listed in the National Register as part of an archaeological district, this wreck is nationally significant.

Photo: Beauregard is located in foreground during a battle in Memphis, TN in 1862

Telegraph: NC Free-Diver Hitches a Ride with Sand Shark

2010-07-15T12:09:00.006-04:00

The female free-diver Ashley Futral has been pictured catching a ride on the back of a 10-foot-long deadly sand shark off the coast of North Carolina, USA.

The fearless extreme sportswoman has swum over 100 times with the creatures in an artificial reef created by the sinking of two copper dredgers.

Even pausing to touch the nose of one of the 250-pound sharks, Miss Futral, 27, kept her nerve...

Able to hold her breath for five minutes, Miss Futral had no experience of sea diving before she began her steep learning curve in free-diving three years. But she can now confidently swim with sharks that grow to four yards long...

"I have swum with these sharks and other swirling Amberjack fish repeatedly and I feel comfortable in their presence and I think that they are comfortable with me," said Miss Futral who owns her own free diving firm in Wilmington, North Carolina...

Read the full Telegraph.co.uk article here (plus many more fantastic photos)