Community Announcements 2.28.08

Meetings

Hampstead Al-Anon to Meet at HUMC

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

The Hampstead Al-Anon Family Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Hampstead United Methodist Church on Hwy 17 about one mile north of the Food Lion Shopping Center.

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.

New River Garden Club

Ah, it's time to talk about preparations for spring planting, so why not join us for helpful tips for your lovely flowers. Either Jeff Morton, from Onslow County, or our own member, Bob, will present our program. Join us on Feb. 28, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Salem Baptist church, (rear building). We will also be discussing upcoming events, such as our October Luncheon, our upcoming field trip, our garden plots and nominations and election for our new year, plus, we'll have a nice, homemade brunch prepared by our hostesses of the month. 

We are also happy to announce that the winners of our recent raffle all live in Sneads Ferry:  $100 Melissa Thompson, $50 Michelle Geahagon, and $25 Carol Bean. For more information, please contact our President, Jan Steimers, 327-2927, or jsteimers@embarqmail.com.

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.

March for Babies

March for Babies in Wilmington on April 5 at Greenfield Lake Park- formerly called WalkAmerica. All proceeds from this walkathon benefit the March of Dimes efforts to improve the health of babies by preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. Family and business teams are welcome to participate. For more information, call the March of Dimes at 452-1515 or log onto www.marchforbabies.org.

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.

Poker Run to benefit Josiah Allen

On March 15, the Sharks MC and Ricks Restaurant & Sports Bar will co-sponsor a poker run. Sign up starts at 9:30. The ride will leave Rick’s Restaurant at 11 a.m. Stops will include Gilligan’s, Shaw Motor Sports, Lo-Re-Lei’s Pub, Bottoms Up Sports Bar and return to Rick’s for a Pig Pick’in. Door prizes will be awarded. $5 BBQ plates will include all the fixings. Live music will be provided. For more info, call 910-330-0789. Winning hand will receive $500.

Dixon High School Project Graduation BBQ

Catered by Sneads Ferry’s very own JC’S BBQ and held at the Food Lion Shopping Center on Hwy 210 & Old Folkstone in Sneads Ferry on Friday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. BBQ, potatoes, slaw, cake and rolls for $5.

Kids! See The Easter Bunny!

The Easter Bunny will be hopping down the bunny trail, all the way to Goin’ Postal Hampstead, located next to Food Lion, on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Moms, dads, grandparents and guardians, bring your cameras and take free photos of your little ones with The Easter Bunny!

CFCC to hold Faculty Concert at the North Campus

Wilmington: Cape Fear Community College will present a Faculty Concert featuring works by local composers Barbara Gallagher and David Key. Performers will include current and former faculty and friends.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on February 28, 2008 in the BB&T Auditorium, McKeithan Center, at CFCC's North Campus on Blue Clay Road. Admission is FREE!  For more information, call Peggy Lupton at 362-7242.

Arbor Day

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department, North Carolina Forestry Service, Keep Onslow Beautiful are sponsoring an Arbor Day Celebration at the Jacksonville Mall on Saturday, March 8, 2008. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Come out and visit Smokey the Bear! There will be lots of prizes for the children and free trees for the adults. If you have questions about this program please call the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department at 347-5332 or visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks

Easter Egg Hunts

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring four Easter Egg Hunts for Onslow County on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The first Easter Egg Hunt will be at Richlands/ Steed Park beginning 9:15 a.m. The second Easter Egg Hunt will be at Onslow Pines Park beginning at 11 a.m. The third Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Stump Sound Park beginning at 1:30 p.m. The fourth Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Hubert By-Pass Park beginning at 4:15 p.m. There will be prizes and candy, and even a visit from the Easter Bunny. Program is designed for children 10 years of age and under. If you have questions about this program please call the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department at 347-5332 or visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks

Surf City Ocean Pier reopens

The Surf City Ocean Pier will reopen on Wed., March 19 at 6 a.m. The first Va. Mullet caught after that time will win the '08 Season Fishing Pass. For more info or questions, email Vinita@surfcityoceanpier.com or check out the updated website.

Arts/ Exhibits

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre News

• 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.

• Auditions for “Spider Island”, a murder mystery

Need six women

Readers Theatre March 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.

• “Starstruck” by Judy S. Cook

Readers / Staged Theatre • April 5 and 6

Directed by Karen Sota

• “Spider Island” by Joseph Spalding

Readers / Staged Theatre • May 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9

• Auditions for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, a musical;

need three women and theree men; June 26 and 27, 7 p.m.

• “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, by Clark Gesner; main stage production; September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14.

• “The Santa Class”, written and performed by David Bartlett; Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 at 3 p.m.

• If you can sing and are interested in performing in musical productions

with SFCT, please call Marcia Hamilton at 910-358-1298.

• If you are interested in performing in Readers Theatre which requires

no memorization and only 3 or 4 rehearsals, please call Doris Brady at

910-327-0951.

• Friends of the Theatre is an organization established to support our community theater in Sneads Ferry. It offers a host of volunteer opportunities for people who want to get involved in the SFCT in all capacities: on, off, even behind the scenes! If you’re interested in getting involved with a first-rate community theater group, please call Jan Ladd at 910-327-6477.

Onslow Senior Games Performing Arts

The Onslow Senior Games is currently accepting entries for the Performing Arts program

to be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 14 at Onslow Senior Services. Performance categories include dance, comedy/drama, instrumental, and vocals. Individual and group acts are both accepted. Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 7. Participants must be 55 years of age by December 31, 2008.

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

North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program seeks volunteers to train as court appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children. This free training prepares volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. The next training session runs on March 3 through 6 and March 10 through 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Jacksonville, NC. Call 910-346-5335, 910-340-8970 or visit web site www.gal4kids.org

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

Youth Baseball/ Softball Registration

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department will conduct registration for youth

base­ball and softball on the following dates and times: Sunday, March 30, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 6, 1 to 5 p.m. Participants must register in their residential or school district. Regis­tration sites are: Dixon Middle School, Trexler Middle School, Southwest Middle School, Summers­ill Elementa­ry School, Morton Elementa­ry School, and at Sanders Park in Swansboro. Registrants must be at least 5 years old before August 1, 2008 and cannot turn 19 on or before April 30, 2008. A copy of a legal document that clearly indicates the child's birth date must be submitted at registration. All returning players must register. Registra­tion fee is $20 and is payable to the district at registration. For more information, contact the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department at 347-5332.

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 6:30 p.m. at the Surf City Community Center.

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. 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

• 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!

Contact Amy now at (540) 392-9138 or ddreams2000@aol.com for more information and registration.

• ABC Boating Class

This short class, taught by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, will cover the basics of safe boating including types and parts of boats, trailering, weather, safety equiptment, float plans, pcws, and more. Classes will meet at Surf City Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., April 4 to 10. 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.

Other 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.

• Tennis Lessons (Children and Adults): Call Jeff at (910) 520-9182 for more info.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Watercolor Club: Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Yoga (Beginner/Gentle): Tuesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. and Wednesdays 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.

Upcoming Continuing Education Classes

• Electrical Journeyman Test Prep:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 4 to April 10, 6 to 9 p.m., Wilm. Campus, $60 plus book

• Mechanical Code Inspection Level II:  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 7 to 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wilm. Campus, $55 plus book

• Electrical Code Inspection Level III:  Saturday and Sunday, March 8 to16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wilm. Campus, $60 plus book

• Clinical Research Overview —This class is for professionals who may want to consider a career as a Clinical Research Associate in the rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 11 to April 17, 6 to 9 p.m., Wilm. Campus, $60.

• Electrical Contractor's License Renewal:  Saturday, March 29, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wilm. Campus, $50.

For more information or to pre-register, call 362-7319.

Poplar Grove News

Second Session Classes:

• Poplar Grove Plantation’s Spring Classes

Check website for latest info. February through May classes:

Rug Hooking, One-Stroke Painting, Lampwork Glass Bead Making, Pine Needle Basket Making, Tatting, Basket Weaving, Redwork Embroidery, Canine Massage for your Pet, Basic Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3 for Photography, Etiquette Classes for Children.

Class Registration: Class fees are due at least one week prior to the beginning of the class. Call (910)686-9518, ext. 26 or visit www.poplargrove.com.

Historic Poplar Grove Plantation is located at 10200 highway 17 N. Wilmington at Scotts Hill.

• 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.