Community Announcements 2.7.08

Meetings

PenderWatch & Conservancy will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the Hampstead Public Library. The public is invited to attend. For further information on PenderWatch & Conservancy or to become a member, call 270-3839 or sign up for PenderWatch e-notification by emailing vufinder@mac.com

Topsail Township meeting

The annual meeting of the Topsail Township Friends of the Library will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. The meeting will be at the Pender County Library’s Hampstead Branch, 75 Library Drive in Hampstead.

At this meeting, officers for the 2008/ 2009 fiscal year will be elected, the annual financial report will be presented, and the budget for 2008/2009 will be reviewed and approved. Members of the public are welcome to attend this meeting. For more information, please call the library at 270-4603.

Josiah Allen benefit meeting

The Sharks are planning a large benefit for Josiah Allen on the March 15. An organizational meeting will be held Thursday Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at Lo-Re-Lei’s Pub in Sneads Ferry.

As you know there is a lot to do in order for these events to be successful and we will need a lot of help. If you feel that you can help us with this in any way, please come to the meeting, it shouldn’t take long and will go a long way in helping us to help this family in need. — Rick Bumgardner, Sharks MC

Community Blood Drive

Sponsored by and held at Surf City Community Center, a Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 328-4887 for more information. Appointments are not necessary, however, an appointment will reduce wait time. Bring photo I.D.

Sneads Ferry Beautification Committee

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from September through May at the Clubhouse in Escoba Bay beginning at 9:30 a.m. The objective is to beautify Sneads Ferry. Currently we maintain several plant beds plus the attractive banners hanging throughout the Community. New members and guests are always welcome. For more information, contact Claire Wunder (327-2435) or Lois Rupert (327-1069).

Sneads Ferry Rotary Club

Members of the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club meet every Wednesday at noon. Visitors are welcome to join us and have the opportunity to meet local ladies and gentlemen of the community of Sneads Ferry and the adjoining areas. New members are welcome. Contact Pres. Bob McLaughlin for details. The meetings are held at the North Shore Country Club in Sneads Ferry, NC.   

Topsail Ladies

The Topsail Ladies meet every second Monday of the month with the new season beginning September 2007 through May 2008 at North Topsail Beach Town Hall, 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach. Join in for social enjoyment and fun and an opportunity to meet ladies from Sneads Ferry and adjoining areas. New members are welcome. Contact MaryAnn Brannan 910-327-1638 or Robin Dowden 910-327-1684 for details.

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts meet the second and fourth Thursdays at 3:30 at Holly Ridge Town Hall. For more information call Traci at 910-265-9086. Sign up is free and for ages 4 and up.

Al-Anon

Is your life affected by someone's drinking? Al-Anon is for you! The Al-Anon Serenity Group meets every Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church, 776 Highway 210, Sneads Ferry, N.C. 28460. Anonymity is respected. For additional information please call 327-2600.

Sneads Ferry Community Council

The Sneads Ferry Community Council meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

Events and Celebrations

“Josiah’s Day” Benefit for Josiah Allen

On March 8, 2008 a Motorcycle Run, bike games, prizes, music and lunch will be held for Josiah Allen who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

Ride registration will be a donation. Dinner plates $5 donation (call 910-327-6624 for delivery). Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., kick stands up at 11 a.m.

Directions to Benefit: Highway 172 toward the back gate in Sneads Ferry. Look for the big blue sign that says New River Community Church. Turn right onto Wheeler Creek Rd. Church is on the left.

Relay for Life Valentine’s Day Dance

Pender County Relay will hold a Valentine’s Dance and BBQ Chicken Dinner on Thursday, February 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Topsail Island Moose Lodge. Dance to the tunes of DJ Jim Rocks featuring a mix of country/ oldies/ beach/ big band and swing. This is a non-alcoholic event. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Those interested in distributing tickets may do so by calling 470-3603 or 328-6088.

Fifteenth Annual Lunch with the Author.

The Sneads Ferry Friends of the Library will host a very special lunch with guest Bill Thompson, author of Sweet Tea, Fried Chicken, and Lazy Dogs on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at noon at the Sneads Ferry Community Center.

Bill Thompson is a native of North Carolina and has for most of his adult life been involved in various public relations activities, which have allowed him to travel extensively throughout North Carolina and much of the southeastern United States. He has had the unique experience of serving as an emcee for every conceivable festival and celebration held in towns and communities in that area. This background has given him the unique perspective with which he writes his newspaper columns and his monthly column, “Front Porch Stories” in Our State Magazine. Bill’s book, Sweet Tea, Fried Chicken, and Lazy Dogs, is a humorous and nostalgic work that is quintessentially Southern and uniquely North Carolinian. It is a collection of short stories that views life from the vantage point of a native Carolinian who has had the opportunity to leave the area and return home again.

Tickets are $15 and available at the Sneads Ferry Branch of the Onslow County Public Library or by calling 910.327.6471.

UNICEF Charity Dinner

The Holly Ridge Smokehouse will host a charity dinner to benefit UNICEF on Saturday, Feb. 16. Shawn Christian and Carlos in concert, dinner served at 7 p.m. All you can eat spaghetti, ravioli, salad, garlic bread, tea, coffee and dessert. Tickets are $20 per person and available from Tracey DeBow, Nancy Taylor, Louria Norris or call 327-4151 for reservations.

Make it snow in North Topsail Beach

For the fifth holiday season North Topsail Beach is sparkling with illuminated snowflakes. The Recreation and Appearance Committee started off funding 12 snowflakes, we now have 56, enough to sparsely cover all of N. Topsail Beach, with 28 placed north and 28 south of Town Hall.

The Committee is again looking for donations to purchase more "Snowflakes" to decorate North Topsail Beach. One "Snowflake" costs approximately $300 (includes taxes, shipping and electrical hook-ups). We are looking for donations and any amount will be appreciated. We would like all of North Topsail Beach to sparkle next year! Please consider being a part of this beautification project and send in your donation today.

Anyone who makes a donation will be listed on the town’s Website — under the heading "Donate a Snowflake." Please make out your check to: Recreation and Appearance Committee and note that the donation is for "Snowflakes." Mail in your donation to Kathleen Clough, Recreation and Appearance Committee, 2068 Loggerhead Court, N. Topsail Beach, NC 28460 or you can drop off your donation at Town Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Your donation will be appreciated by everyone who visits North Topsail Beach during the holidays! We plan to leave the Snowflakes up from Thanksgiving to Valentines Day for everyone to enjoy longer.

Arts/ Exhibits

Thurston Art Gallery Upcoming Events

• “Love of the Arts Show”

Opening February 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. Featuring singers Will Revo and Cathy and Poets Patsy Lain and Sandra Adams will perform. Thurston Art Gallery is located at 328 Peru Road in Sneads Ferry. The public is welcome. Call 327-1781 or (cell) 526-9988 for more information.

• Thurston Art Gallery in Sneads Ferry will host an Art Show “Meet the Artists beginning

February 2 through March 1.

We are sharing our space and time with you to show off North Carolina artists who live among us featuring visual artists, writers, poets and musicians. Our goal is to embrace these talented people.

Their artworks, books and cds will be available for sale after the show and through the month.

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre present "Squabbles”

The Sneads Ferry Community Theatre will present "Squabbles" by Marshall Karp on Friday, March 7; Saturdays, March 1 and March 8 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, March 2 and March 9 at 3 p.m. at the Sneads Ferry Community Center. Tickets are $10 at the door

For more information, contact Gaylene Branton at branton@att.net or (910) 389-8776.

Pender County Public Library

• Fall Library Story Times Begin

The end of summer brings new Story Time hours for both the Burgaw and Hampstead locations of the Pender County Public Library. In Burgaw, Thursday pre-school Story Times will be at 11 a.m. in the Story Time Corner. Pre-school Story Time in Hampstead will at 10:15. Parents and caregivers are invited to accompany their children to the 30-minute sessions each Tuesday and Thursday that the libraries are open.

• Discover the magic of live theater at your library

Get A Clue at the Pender County Public Library in Burgaw and Hampstead is for children ages 2 to 12 years old and offers seven weeks of free activities. The free summer program offers two opportunities weekly: “Story Explorations” and “Thursday Performances.”

• Story Explorations are 45-minute opportunities for children and their caregivers to “’Get A Clue’ by listening, singing, reading, writing and creating projects to carry home,” says Youth Specialist Ann Mendenhall. Kids first gather to hear a story, then choose from a number of follow-up activities designed to appeal to many different learning styles. Each week a different mystery, or question, from the stories will be explored.

This year, Story Explorations in Hampstead has been moved to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays in Hampstead, and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in Burgaw. No registration is required. Children can attend every week or occasionally to suit the family schedule.

The Thursday Performances this year will feature entertaining and informative shows that are most suitable to children ages 4 to12. The library just asks that caregivers attend with their children. On Thursdays, the shows run from 11 to11: 45 a.m. in Hampstead, and in Burgaw from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

“The free shows are made possible through funding by the Pender County Arts Council and the Friends of the Library,” shared Mendenhall.

For more information, check the calendars on the library homepage at http://www.youseemore.com/PenderPL/. Fliers are available in the libraries located at 103 S. Cowan St. in Burgaw, and 75 Library Drive in Hampstead. You can also call 259-1234 in Burgaw, or 270-4603 in Hampstead for questions.

Volunteer

Hardee Bucks

Hardee Bucks fundraising booklets are now available for purchase at the library in Hampstead. Purchases of books help to support the Topsail Township Friends of the Library as they buy books and other supplies for the Hampstead library.

The booklets contain $35 in coupons and may be purchased for only $5 each. They’re a great bargain for you and a great gift for your children, grandchildren, and friends. Please take advantage of the savings and support your local library.

Sports

Dixon Youth Basketball Officer Election Meeting

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department’s Dixon Youth Basketball District will hold its officer election meeting on Sunday, February 10 at 1 p.m. at the Dixon Middle School gym. The meeting is open to the public, but nomination and voting is limited to adults 18 years of age and over, who reside in the Dixon District or have children attending school in the district.

30 and over Soccer League

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting teams for its 30 and over 7-on-7 soccer league. The team fee is $ 225, plus $ 8 per player. The deadline for team entry is Friday, February 8. Call 347-5332 for more information.

Contact Rick Perry, Recreation Supervisor at 347-5332 for more information.

Late Registration for Youth Sports

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department's five youth basketball/ cheerleading districts are conducting late registration on a space available basis. The registration fee is $19 and a copy of the birth certificate or other legal document stating the date of birth is required. For more information, please contact the department at 347-5332.

Parks and Recreation/ Classes

• Zumba Fitness Classes

Zumba is a little bit shimmy and shake with a whole lot of fun. Classes are Tuesday at 8:30a.m. and Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Pete-Eze Skating Rink. First class is always FREE.

After that, classes will be $4 at the door or $20 for a six class pass. Zumba is for anyone, any age, any size, and any level of fitness.

• Health and Wellness Talk Shop

• Abnormal Metabolism and Weight Management

Local natural health professional, Cookie Tilghman, will be offering a free Health and Wellness Talk Shop on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Surf City Community Center. The next talk shop — Abnormal Metabolism and Weight Management — will be held on Feb. 18.

Cookie co-owns and operates The Health Nut in Hampstead. She has over twelve years of experience in wellness counseling, as well as training in Reiki, kinesiology, weight management, and more. Cookie’s passion is to educate and motivate the community about leading a healthier lifestyle.

Participants are asked to register by calling Cookie at (910) 330-3838 or Surf City Community Center at (910) 328-4887.

• The Health Nut also holds free classes on the second Saturday of each month at 4 p.m. and the following Tuesday at 6 p.m. The next talk shops will be held on Feb. 9 and 12 at the Health Nut in Hampstead.

To register for classes at the Health Nut, call 910-270-0608. Cookie is also available for talk shops for other businesses and civic organizations. Contact Cookie for more details or to arrange your talk shop.

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation

• The Picnic in the Park Preschool Playgroup meets at noon on the second Wednesday of the month. Preschool age kids can bring a picnic lunch, meet new friends and play at the park. The bathrooms will be open during this time.

• Parks and Recreation meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. If you would like to volunteer, donate items or funds, or for more information, contact the Holly Ridge Town Hall at 329-7081, or Anita Dingler at dinglerchics@yahoo.com.

• 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.

• 8-week Middle Eastern Dance class:

The Hip Circle has begun offering 8 weeks of Middle Eastern dance classes for basic beginner and intermediates for ladies 18 and older at the Holly Ridge Fire Department on Mondays.

The basic belly dance class will concentrate on the very basic movements of belly dance.  This class will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, $15 for 8 weeks. The basic class will be informally instructed, with visual and open discussion.

The intermediate class will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday nights, and will be taught by a professional Middle Eastern dance instructor. The cost is $30 for 8 weeks. The intermediate class will cover advanced movements with an introduction to zeels and veils. Come with comfy clothes, water and a towel or yoga mat.

For more information, please call Lu Ann Hooper at 910-470-2700 or Anita Dingler at 910-329-0074. 

Surf City Parks and Recreation

• For the Love of Prismacolor

Join Prismacolor artist Cindy Rhodes for a 10-week open-studio-style session of working with Prismacolor colored pencils. Bring your Prismacolors, current projects, and drawing supplies. We’ll enjoy each other’s company as we work on our projects together in a comfortable, music-bathed environment.

Classes will be held at Surf City Community Center on Wednesdays from February 20 to April 23. For more information and class registration, please call Cindy at (910) 616-9016 or email her at mermaidbooty@yahoo.com.

• Beginner’s Clogging

Surf City Community Center is pleased to announce a new beginner’s clogging class.

Instructor, Amy Pike, has been teaching dance for 16 years and is a former Ms. American Clogger. She will offer the class each Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

If you are looking for a great way to exercise and meet new friends, then this is the class for you!

Classes start on February 6, so contact Amy now at (540) 392-9138 or ddreams2000@aol.com for more information and registration.

• Safe Boating & Seamanship (Advanced)

This class, taught by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, will include navigation, powering your boat, radio use, and more. Classes will meet at Surf City Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., February 12 through March 6. Cost is $35. Please call John or Mary at (910) 270-3138 to register.

Wellness Groups:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m.

• TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly): Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Special Classes:

• Beginning Beading: Call Rhonda at 329-1682 to register.

• Elementary Etiquette Class (Grades K-5). Cost: $30 for a two-session class. Call Laurie Wierse at (910) 686-5175 to register.

• Knitting (All Levels): Call Gethyn Soderman at 270-4218 to register.

• Safe Living for Kids (Ages 3-5) Cost: $20 for a one-hour class. Call Laurie Wierse at (910) 686-5175 to register.

• Surf City Singers: Meets Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m.

• Surf City Singers is looking for members to sing for fun, health and well-being! Contact Steve Toll at (267) 992-6414 or steve@stevetoll.com.

Current Classes at the Community Center:

• Advanced Bridge: Mondays from 12 to 4 p.m.

• Altered Art: First Monday of the Month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This class will resume on January 8.

• Beginning Bridge: Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Body Sculpting: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Book Discussion and Swap: Second Monday of the Month, 9 to 9:45 a.m.

• Cardio Workout: Meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cardio Kickboxing: Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. No class on December 27.

• Mah Jongg (Beginner): Mondays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Nia: Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

• Open Basketball Play: Thursdays, 6 to 7 p.m., ages 12 and under; Thursdays, 7 to 8 p.m., ages 13 to 17; Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., ages 18 and up

• Scrapbooking: Last Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Sweat & Stretch: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30am to 10:30am.

• Scrabble class meets every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

• Yoga (Beginner/Gentle): Tuesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

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 us at parksandrec@townofsurfcity.com.

Holly Ridge Hobby Shop

Jewelry Class Feb. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. $15 includes supplies. Create your own

earrings. Kids Jewelry Class Monday Feb. 18 from 12 to 2 p.m. $5 includes supplies. Call to register. Live Acoustic Music Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Hours M-F 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 329-1874.

Poplar Grove News

Second Session Classes:

• BASKET WEAVING by Donna Meinert

Poplar Grove's resident basket maker, Donna, is always happy to teach you the craft of basket weaving. You may call or e-mail us to schedule a one-day basket-making lesson for one or more students. Fee: $50 per student includes instruction, all materials, and you go home with a beautiful basket! Students will have a choice of several basket styles to

choose from. Available most Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and some weekends. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will work to schedule a day convenient for you.

The Onslow County Schools Preschool Program

The Onslow County Schools Preschool Program is currently accepting application for the 2008 school year. Children must be four years old by October 16, 2007.  Parents will need to provide a certified birth certificate and current shot record for their child, proof of residence and proof of income for the application to be complete. For more information, please call 989-2021 ext. 334 or visit the Preschool office at 200 Broadhurst Road to complete an application.

For Your Information

Alert: What’s your name worth?

Your name is worth everything to you... It’s your identity, it’s you. 

Few people realize that each time their credit is checked, the information provided to the credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Innovis or Experian) immediately becomes a commodity that is sold not only to other lenders but also to companies that sell and resell the names and personal information.

The credit bureaus have found a way to increase their revenues at your expense and without your permission. These inquiry leads include name, address, phone numbers (including unlisted numbers), credit score, current debt and debt history, property information, age, gender and estimated income. They are marketing your personal, confidential information to competing creditors and making millions. Your privacy is being sold, not just once, but over and over again.

The lenders that have purchased these leads at a premium will then do everything they can to recoup their investment and turn a hefty profit. Often, bait and switch tactics are being used to lure clients away from their reputable lender.

The good news is that you can make it stop. The consumer credit reporting industry has provided a way for you to opt out or remove your name from these lists. You can contact them by phone at 1.888.567.8688 or online at www.optoutprescreen.com. You must opt out at least 48 hours prior to having your credit checked to make sure it is processed in time. You can choose a five-year or a lifetime option. The lifetime option does require a signed form.At this time the practice of generating and selling these lists is allowed by the law. If you would like to complain about this law or have been targeted after opting out, you can contact the FTC or your state Attorney Generals Office. These agencies will investigate reported violations. In most cases, an agency’s primary source of information is complaints from the public.

As a consumer, it is your right to shop for the best service and price for a product, but this should be when and how you want to shop. These unsolicited marketing tactics are a nuisance and intrusive. 

— Eastern Mortgage 

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.