Community Announcements 1.28.10

Meetings

New River Garden Club

Everyone is invited to join the New River Garden Club on Jan. 28. We meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Salem Baptist Church (rear building). Our fun craft for this month will be working on our scrapbook and our monthly hostesses will serve us a nice homemade brunch. Plans for speakers and projects for the coming meetings will also be discussed. Sure hope you join us. Should you have questions, please contact Elizabeth Simmons at 327-1320 or elizabethsimmons@embarq.com.

Young in Heart

Membership in Young in Heart is open to all Topsail area residents who are 50 years of age or older. The dues are $6 a year. For more information, please contact President Rosemary Krug at 270-1875.

Sneads Ferry Bingo

Every Monday Night at Sneads Ferry Community Center located at 126 Park Lane. (910) 327-3335. Warm-up Games 6:30 p.m., Regular Games 7 p.m., $300 Progressive Game. Jackpot Game – The more players, the bigger the prize. Free coffee. Refreshments available. Smoke free. Proceeds to support the community through the Sneads Ferry Community Council. Volunteers are needed! Leave a message for Ruth Clifton at 327-3335 or sfccoffice@netscape.com!

Sneads Ferry Rotary Club

Members of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club meet every Wednesday at noon at the North Shore Country Club in Sneads Ferry. Contact President Erik Shaar at (910) 327-9680 for details. Come join in helping to continue to make Sneads Ferry a better place to live.

Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee

New Dining and Value Guides are here and can be used through December 31, 2010.  From fast food to fine dining, you will find an enormous selection of restaurants to choose from, many offering "two for the price of one" meals, discounts for many area businesses such as Sears, Best Buy, Walgreen's, Advance Auto, golf courses, amusements, and many more. Areas served are: Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Sneads Ferry, Topsail, Jacksonville and adjoining areas. With all of the discounts offered, the $25 cost will come back to you after one or two uses. The holidays are coming, they

make great gifts too. Contact: Ruth Furr-327-0302, Karen Ilsley-327-0716,

Claire Wunder-327-2435, Lois Rupert-327-1069 or any committee member to purchase.

Guide sales are our major fundraiser and enable SFBC to continue maintaining several plant beds in our area and support our colorful banner program.

New members and guests are always welcome. Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month from September through May. For more information, contact Lois Rupert (327-1069) or Claire Wunder (327-2435).

VFW Post 9983 Holly Ridge

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a non-profit service organization for men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States in combat areas. Please contact any member for eligibility rules.

We strive to "Honor the dead by serving the living." We are active in many military and community programs. 

Ladies Auxiliary is now accepting original artwork for the Patriotic Arts contest from high school students. Deadline March 31. Visit www.lavfw.org for rules and application. 

Our canteen is open from 3 to 7 p.m. daily with extended hours for special events. Our hall is available for rental and catering is available. Special considerations for nonprofits needing meeting space.

Support your local Veterans by supporting the VFW. 188 Hines Stump Sound Church Road Holly Ridge. 910-329-1881. One mile north of Holly Ridge, turn at flags.

Upcoming events:

•Win a beach house for a week. See any Ladies Aux. member for details. 

• Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. Valentines Dinner Prime Rib $9. Donation tickets must be purchased in advance.

Events and Celebrations 

Onslow County Public Library Events

• Celebrate Black History Month with Blues Journey

Onslow County Public Library celebrates Black History Month with Blues Journey: award-wining children’s book of poetry read by premier children’s author Walter Dean Myers with musical interpretation by renowned Blues musician Mike “Lightnin” Wells

(Onslow County)  Bring the entire family for an afternoon journey into the art and origins of Blues music in celebration of Black History Month. Onslow County Public Library hosts Blues Journey: an award-wining children’s book of poetry read by  premier children’s author Walter Dean Myers with musical interpretation by Mike “Lightnin” Wells on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Jacksonville High School.

Walter Dean Myer’s Blues Journey is an award-winning picture book of poetry that both explores and exemplifies the Blues tradition and is a celebration of the African experience in America. Mr. Myers is the winner of the Newbery Honor Award, Caldecott Honor Award, and the Coretta Scott King Honor Award among many others for his body of children’s books.

Mike “Lightnin” Wells is a renowned North Carolina folk and blues musician who has been at the forefront of traditional blues revival music. Mr.Wells performs a musical style that is personal and energetic and true to the original piedmont Blues form.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. For more information about Walter Dean Myers, please visit www.walterdeanmyers.net.  For more information about Mike “Lightnin” Wells, please visit www.lightninwells.com. For more information about this event, please contact Onslow County Public Library at 910.455.7350 or visit us online at www.onslowcountync.gov/library.

This project received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts through the Council for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

• Winter Used Book Sale

February 18 through February 20

(Onslow County)  The Jacksonville Friends of the Onslow County Public Library will host their winter three-day book sale at the Main Library in Jacksonville on Thursday, February 18 from 7 to 8 p.m. for Friends members only. Not a member? Sign up at the door for only $5. The sale will be open to the general public on Friday, February 19 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, February 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All audio, video and books for adults are on sale for $2; Children’s books are $.25. On Saturday only, shoppers can fill a bag of books for only $5.

Book donations are being accepted at the Main Library in Jacksonville up until the date of the sale. All proceeds from this used book sale directly benefit the library. For more information, please contact the Main Library in Jacksonville at 910.455.7350.

"Harlem Ambassador's" basketball team comes to Hampstead

The biggest event ever to come to Hampstead will be on Sunday, March 7 at 6 p.m.

The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the THS Athletic Boosters to bring the "Harlem Ambassador's" basketball team to Hampstead. They will play the Topsail Fury at the new Topsail High School Gym. 

Confirmed Topsail Fury Players include: Cullen Moss - "Junk" on One Tree Hill, DJ Foz - 107.5, David Williams - County Commissioner, Marcus Skipper - THS Principal, Janet Redinger - TES Principal, Dean Loher -TMS Teacher, MD Coleman- Burgaw Middle School Principal, Thurmond Lewis - Burgaw Elementary Principal, Aaron Combs - Sea Dogs player, Carson Smith - Pender County Sheriff, Ben David - District Attorney, Judge Faison - District Court Judge. (Awaiting confirmation from eight others)

A Harlem Ambassador's Basketball Show is high-flying slam-dunks, hilarious comedy, and fun for the whole family!

There will be 1,400 tickets sold, and are on sale now. No, it is not too early to buy tickets, because they will go fast! When they are gone, they are gone for good!

Tickets are $10 for Adults, $8 for kids 3 to 7 years of age, and free for kids two years of age and under.

For tickets or to become an event sponsor, call or email Sheri L. VanVekoven at 910-619-7178 or www.youravon.com/svanvekoven

Arts/ Exhibits

Surf City Art Guild

• The Turtles are Coming!

The Surf City Art Guild has extended the deadline for artists to apply for the Turtle Project. The new deadline is February 15. The Guild is also looking for sponsors who are willing to donate $1,000 to purchase a turtle for the project. The $1,000 will cover: cost of the turtle, shipping, and a protective coating to preserve the art of the turtle. The sponsors will ultimately be able to choose an artist and have the turtle displayed in front of their business or office for three months with their names engraved on the turtle.

Later the turtles will be auctioned off and all proceeds will be presented to the Turtle Hospital. For more information e-mail: surfcityartists1@gmail.com, or call Jane Shaar at 910-328-1900 ext. 2012.

Ongoing Events:

• The Surf City Art Guild sponsors art shows at the Surf City Community Center and the Greater Topsail Chamber of Commerce each month. For more information contact: Jill Strohpaul at 910-270-6333 or jstrohpaul@bellsouth.net

• The Guild continues to meet at ArtExposure on the first Friday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit the Guild online at www.surfcityartists.com

Sports

Topsail Ball Club

Registration for spring baseball is this Saturday and Sunday at the public library.  We will be there as follows: Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 2 to 6 p.m. Please go to the document center on the league web site (www.tbcbaseball.com) and print the registration form, fill it out and bring it with you to save time.  Registration will be in the meeting room to the right when you first enter the library doors.

If you previously turned in a copy of the child's birth certificate, we do not need it again.  If you have not, please bring a copy and turn it in with the registration.

There is a $10 discount if you register this weekend so don't wait. 

 Volunteer

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina

Wish Granting Volunteers are needed for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina! Wish Granters visit the family and help determine the wish of the child while explaining wish procedures and using their creative side to make the wish truly magical.  Wish Granters see first-hand the impact a wish can make on a child with a life-threatening medical condition! For more information, contact Lisa at 919-821-7111 or
e-mail lbrinkerhoff@eastncwish.org.

2010 Census

2010 Census now accepting applicants. 2010 Census Jobs $11.50/ hour. Call 1-866-861-2010 for test dates and times in your area. Contact www.patrickraynor.com

Village Volunteers needed now! 

The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival and the Sneads Ferry Community Council relies solely upon volunteers! If you’d like to volunteer for the Historic 40th Annual Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival please contact: Chairman Hillary Boutwell at 327- 2631 or hillaryboutwell@yahoo.com. Or if you’d like to have input on Village affairs through the Sneads Ferry Community Council please contact: Chairman Ed Sota: 327- 0546 or esota@att.net

Vintage photographs and stories of Sneads Ferry are wanted!

Do you have archives of old photographs or vintage postcards? Are you knowledgeable about your local history? Would you like to help preserve your community’s fascinating history? Local residents Sherry Thurston and Joshua Thurston are currently compiling a photographic history of Sneads Ferry and are looking for your help! They are assembling historic images of Sneads Ferry and the stories that go with them to include in an upcoming book to be published by Arcadia Publishing, the nation’s leading publisher of local and regional history. To share your photographs and stories, please contact Sherry Thurston or Joshua Thurston at 910-327-1781 or sherrythurston@charter.net by fall 2010. Help keep local history alive!

Parks and Recreation/ Classes

Fundraiser for Haiti's Recovery

Come be part of a local fundraiser for Haiti and meet the newest Yoga Instructor to Topsail Area, Valerie Baltzer, E-RYT 500. Her first Mindful Yoga class will be offered on January 30 at 10 a.m. at the GypsySun in Surf City. All proceeds from this first class will go to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund through the Red Cross. 

Valerie is a registered Experience Yoga Teacher and she has taught in schools, community centers, wellness and support groups, fitness centers, private sessions, studios, colleges and universities throughout the US. She will be teaching this weekly class to help you cultivate a deep sense of awareness and inner peace. The practice of yoga helps you increase your flexibility, strength, and stamina while gently erasing the traumas that everyday life can imprint. The first Mindful Yoga class will be donation-based for Haiti and the suggested donation is $10 and up.

She is also co-founder and Director of Teacher Training with Transcending Yoga, a yoga teacher training school, registered with Yoga Alliance. Beginning in April, Valerie will be directing the new Yoga Teacher Training programs on Topsail Island for aspiring teachers and students who wish to deepen their yoga practice. You can get more information or sign up for classes by calling 910-328-0328.

Surf City Parks and Recreation

All classes and events take place at Surf City Community Center, unless otherwise noted. Our address is 210 Community Center Dr. (off J.H. Batts Rd. on the mainland). 

Current Classes:

• Adult Tap Dance: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m.

• Advanced Bridge: Monday, 12 to 4 p.m.

• Basketball (Open Play for 18 and over): Tuesday 6 to 9 p.m.

• Beginning Bridge: Wednesday, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Belly Dance (Beginner): Monday, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

• Body Sculpting: Monday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cardio Blast: Monday, 5 to 5:30 p.m.

• Cardio/Core/Strength: Tuesday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cards and Games:  Monday, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Gentle & Beginner Exercise:  M-F, 10 to 11 a.m. 

• Language Arts Tutoring: Flexible schedule.  Call Carol Overstreet at (910) 467-7173.

• Pilates: Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (begins Jan. 21)

• Scrabble: Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

• Step Aerobics: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Tae kwon do (ages 3-12): Monday and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Tae kwon do (ages 13 & up): Monday and Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m.

• Tennis Lessons: Call Phil Edwards at (910) 338-7519 for more information.

• Total Body Conditioning: Wednesday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

• Twirling (ages 3 and up): Monday evenings, Call Susan at (910) 284-0719 for more information.

• Watercolor Club: Wednesday 8:30 to 10 a.m.

• Writing Forum: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

• Yoga (Beginner): Monday and Wednesday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Zumba:  Monday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursday, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. (Starts Feb.1)

Personal Training:

Scott Bellamy:  Flexible schedule.  Call (910) 616-9136.

Mike Taranto:  Flexible Schedule.  Call (910) 231-6405.

Wellness Groups:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m. and Wednesdays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Alcoholics Anonymous for Women: Thursday from 12 to 1 p.m.

• Weight Watchers: Thursday at 5:30 p.m. 

Cape Fear Community College Classes at Surf City Community Center:

• GED Course: Tuesday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: Free. Call CFCC at (910) 362-7349 to register.

Schedule: The Surf City Community Center continually works on its schedule. If you would be interested in attending any current activities or teaching a new class, please contact the center at 910-328-4887 or e-mail parksandrec@townofsurfcity.com. The current class schedule is also available online at www.townofsurfcity.com.

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation

• Girl Scouts: Meetings are the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. For more information, call Traci at 910-265-9086. Sign up is free.

• Holly Ridge Parks and Rec Meetings

The Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation Committee meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the Holly Ridge Community Building on Sound Rd. Come out and be a part of the fun in Holly Ridge!

Wellness Facts Talkshops

Educational talkshops are free! Sponsored by Nature’s Sunshine Products and The Health Nut located at 16865 US Hwy 17 N. in Hampstead. 910-270-0608. The Health Nut’s mission is to educate, motivate and empower all towards achieving optimal health and wellness.

For Your Information

Junk mail reduction

You may be able to reduce your junk mail as much as 65 percent within three months by asking credit card companies and other organizations you do business with to not sell, rent or trade your name. Call 888-567-8688 to require credit-reporting firms to delete your name from their mailing list. One call reaches four major credit bureaus.

For more ideas on waste reduction contact:

N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance; 1629 Mail Service Center; Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1639. You can also call them at 919-715-6500 or 800-763-0136, or e-mail to nowaste@p2pays.org.