Community Announcements (7.12.07)

Meetings

SF Christian Women’s Club

A Christian Women’s Club has recently started up in Sneads Ferry. The group is made up of all denominations and it meets the first Thursday of the month, from September through May, at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to noon. While a study program is part of the meetings, the group also exists for women to enjoy meeting with each other, commenting on the lessons and sharing thoughts and prayers with each other. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Ida McNamara at 910-327-0718 or idamac1@earthlink.net.

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.

Holly Ridge

The Holly Ridge Steering Committee and the Division of Community Assistance will hold a meeting on Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall to discuss the Town’s Land Use Plan.

Sneads Ferry Extension Club

Come one, come all. The special program this month will be "Medicare Issues:  Facts and Myths About Medicare Coverage," presented by our own Pat Schmauss. A nice homemade luncheon served by our hostesses of the month. We'll start planning for our booth at  the Onslow County Fair in October, as well as other upcoming activities. Join us on July 19 at the Senior Citizens Building on Route 172, from 1 to 3 p.m.  For more information, call Barbara Nichols at 327-3893.

Events and Celebrations

Local debut of short film “Whispers”

HighFall Productions, Ltd. proudly presents the premiere of “Whispers,” a short film based on a true story. The drama was written and produced by Le Ann Cheri (local actress and film producer).

Log line: A young woman confides in her friend regarding circumstances surrounding unsettling whispers.

The film will premiere on July 14, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the following two locations:

New Life Christian Center (New Life Christian Center is not affiliated with Whispers or it’s production in any way) located off Highway 50 in Holly Ridge at 1053 E. Ocean Blvd, Holly Ridge, NC 28445 (910-329-1100).

Sneads Ferry Community Center (Sneads Ferry Community Center is not affiliated with Whispers or it’s production in any way) located at 126 Park Lane, 910-327-3335. The show begins at 9 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. The film length is 10 minutes and appropriate for all ages. Production Company and Writer/Producer will be available for Q&A for 30 minutes after the premiere. Support local talent in pursuit of their dreams.

Sneads Ferry Lions Club Pinfish Tournament

On July 21st, at the Community Building in Sneads Ferry, the Lions Club will host their 7th Annual Pinfish Tournament (inshore). Registration forms may be obtained from Yopp Brothers Marine, 883 Hwy 210, Sneads Ferry, or at the pre-registration on July 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. and onsite from 6 to 8 a.m. on July 21. Registration fee is $60. Each entry will be allowed one fish per category: pinfish, flounder or trout. If entry is received before July 1, the registration fee is $50.

First prize for the largest pinfish is a 16-foot Carolina Skiff. The runner up and biggest fish prizes will be savings bonds/cash. Prize for Junior Angler as well as terrific “fish bowl” prizes will be awarded, so plan to stay for the awards ceremony right after the weigh-in.

Proceeds go to support local charities. For additional information call 910-327-7601, 910-327-2831 DWH or 910-327-4721 AWH.

Poplar Grove Plantation presents Baskets of Summer 2007

Poplar Grove’s annual summer Basketry Celebration is being held on July 28. Get a refreshing change from the beach at the plantation’s air-conditioned basket workshop where you’ll find fellowship, fun and a new heirloom you’ve created yourself to bring home.

Photographs and descriptions of the baskets as well as registration information are available on Poplar Grove’s Website, www.poplargrove.com. This year, the plantation is offering a unique group of baskets for you to create from colored gourds, bead embellishments, hanging cherries, geodes and a reed wagon complete with wooden wheels. Baskets with classic appeal are also on the roster -- a stand planter, melon baskets, pine needle weaving and the perennially popular Nantucket class.

There are morning, afternoon and all day classes. Students may take one or two basket classes. Workshop manager B.J. Ryan recommends that you select two basket classes in order of preference since class space is limited and they fill up quickly. Registrations are taken on a "first come, first serve" basis so place your reservation as soon as you can.

All classes are held in the air-conditioned Cultural Arts Center “Barn.” The two all day classes are held on the upper level, which is unfortunately not handicap accessible. The basketry workshop is open to all skill levels, beginner to advanced.

Bring standard basket making tools -- sharp scissors or clippers, old towel, pencil, knife, clothespins (20 or so), awl or ice pick, sponge and spray bottle, tape measure or yardstick and a water bucket. Morning refreshments are included. You may bring your own lunch or purchase a box lunch from Corianders.

Poplar Grove Farmers Market.

Poplar Grove Plantation will be the site of a weekly Farmer’s Market, featuring foods and crafts from state sources. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, the market will carry a variety of in-season fruits, vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers, cheeses, meats, seafood, baked goods, nuts, jams, pickles, herbs, honey and related products as well as handmade one of a kind crafts such as hand crocheted spring time shawls and multi-colored fused glass jewelry.

Poplar Grove’s Farmers Market is just a stone’s throw north of the New Hanover County line at 10200 U.S. Highway 17. Dates and times are Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from through December 19. The market will be held outdoors rain or shine. Health regulations prohibit dogs, so please do not bring them into the market.

Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce Spot Festival Open Golf Tournament

Olde Point Golf and Country Club will host this year’s Spot Festival’s Open Golf Tournament benefiting the Spot Festival and Chamber activities.

The tournament is Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. (shotgun start). The format is four man teams, captain’s choice, for $60 per person. The cost includes golf, cart, beverages, supper, one mulligan per side and ticket for door prize.

For more information, contact The Chamber office at 270-9642 or Kermit Forbes at 270-9392.

Korean War documentary screening

Judge Stuart Namm (Ret) of Hampstead created a Korean War documentary of Legal Eagle Productions. The project has been in the works for the past 18 months, and will have its premiere public screening in September 2007 at the annual reunion of the 17th Infantry Association in Mystic, C.T. The release seeks volunteers for a private screening of the three-hour plus documentary before a focus group. On July 19, at the Hampstead Public Library, at 1:30 p.m., the Namm’s will have a private screening for no more than twenty five to thirty volunteers over the age of 18, who will serve as a focus group from which constructive comments will be sought before the final completion of the project. If anyone is interested in viewing this very compelling documentary about “the forgotten war,” they need to contact the Namm’s at 910-270- 1405, or by e-mail at retjudges1@aol.com or nananamm1@aol.com, or Director Marsha Dees at the Hampstead Library. They are especially seeking Korean War veterans and/or their spouses, but all adults will be more than welcome! Refreshments will be served, and there will be a short intermission during the screening. However, any prospective audience members are forewarned that this documentary is over three hours in length, and contains some graphic stories and photographs of the Korean War.

Arts/ Exhibits

Onlsow County Museum presents Genealogy 101

The Onlsow County Museum and the Colonel Thomas Johnston chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are pleased to announce a special workshop on Saturday, July 28, 2007 from 10 a.m. to noon. The program is entitled Genealogy 101: How to Get Started. Other topics include Finding Resources, Local and Beyond and Technology and Electronic Searches. Participants will receive a variety of materials to help them begin their genealogical search. Refreshments will also be served. The program is free and open to the public; pre-registration is not required.

For more information, contact 910-324-1241 or the museum at 910-324-5008.

Art at Pasta Grille

Wilmington artist Eunice Gray Andrews will be exhibiting oils, pastels and watercolors at the Pasta Grille in Hampstead’s Olde Point Country Club beginning July 2. The display will be open starting at 3:30 p.m. daily. For information, contact Joan Millette at 910-270-9610.

‘Pirates of the Carolinas’

The Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach will open the season with a captivating “Pirates of the Carolinas” exhibit.” Learn about the life of a pirate, tales of adventure, piracy and about the most famous of the area’s pirates, Blackbeard and his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge.

The museum hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.; The Missiles and More Museum is located at 720 Channel Boulevard (the Assembly Building). For information, call Rose Peters at 910-328-2488.

Summer boat tour sponsored by Missiles and More Museum

“Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum!” Well, maybe not a bottle of rum, but certainly a barrel of fun. The public is invited to bring their lunch and join the Missiles and More Museum of Topsail Island for its first season of Museum Boat Tours. The tours are part of a summer fundraiser and are scheduled for July 26 and August 16, 23 and 30. The time will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and admission is $25 per person. They will begin in the Museum with a half hour tour featuring the Pirate Exhibit and Operation Bumblebee, the U.S. Missiles project that operated on Topsail Island during the 1940s. Following the inside tour, participants will gather at the Museum’s boat dock for an hour and a half boat tour of the Topsail Sound featuring local pirate folklore and other important history of the island. Adults and children are invited but children must be 8 years or older. For more information or to make reservations, the public is asked to call 910/ 545-RIDE (7433).

Aquarium ‘Octopus on the 8s’

On the 8th day of August, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will celebrate that fascinating eight-legged wonder, the octopus, and its various aquatic cousins. This once-a-month festival, called “Octopus on the 8s,” focuses most of the aquarium’s daily programs on octopuses, squids and cuttlefish -- all members of the cephalopod class of the phylum known as mollusk.

The eight-armed animal called octopus has fascinated mankind for centuries. Sailors called them the “devil fish” and invented stories of massive monsters that could take down a ship. Fossils of octopus-like creatures nearly 300 million years old have been found in various locations around the word. Many cultures have relied on the 289 species of octopus as a food source, and employed their ink for uses as diverse as spaghetti sauce and dye for olives. Scientists believe the octopus may be more intelligent than the dog, and have trained them to open jars and solve puzzles.

Every free and paid program on the 8th of each month will feature either the octopus or one of its relatives -- squids, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Preschoolers can sign up for the Children’s Discovery Time, a special program delivered by an educator. The newly renovated auditorium will feature an octopus film. Visitors touring the aquarium can watch the feeding of the octopus and the cuttlefish, and take their picture with an octopus-costumed staffer.

The aquarium exhibits an octopus of the Octopus vulgaris species. This octopus calls the waters off North Carolina home and can be seen seven days a week in the aquarium’s Oceans gallery.

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, on U.S. 421. Hours: 9 to 5 daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). Admission: $8 adults; $7 seniors; $6 ages 6-17. Free admission for: children under 6; registered groups of N.C. school children; and N.C. Aquarium Society members.

Aquarium summer camps

Kure Beach — North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has again expanded its offering of summer camps for kids, with week-long sessions now scheduled in July and August. Each camp is offered simultaneously for three age groups, with age-specific activities planned for each group. The camps run each day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, rain or shine.

“As always, our camps are all about water,” said Renee Weeks, the aquarium’s special activities coordinator. “We focus each session on a general theme, but all of them give the kids a chance to learn about life in aquatic environments and meet different kinds of animals.”

Weeks said 5 and 6-year-old campers respond best to role-playing, songs, storytelling, crafts, and hands-on activities that introduce basic concepts. The 7 and 9-year-olds are ready for inquiry-based activities, including outdoor excursions to investigate concepts

in depth. Older campers, ages10 through 12-years-old, also enjoy outdoor exploration, and may spend additional time in behind the scenes activities.

This summer’s camps are scheduled for July 23 to 27, August 6 to 10, and August 20 to 24.

Each aquarium summer camp includes lunches, snacks, field trips, crafts, a water bottle and a camp T-shirt.

The cost for each session is $200 per camper ($180 for North Carolina Aquarium Society members). There is a 10 percent discount off the total amount for multiple siblings registered in the same camp session, or for multiple camp registrations.

For more information and registration, contact the aquarium at 910-458-7468.

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located fifteen miles south of Wilmington on US 421, just beyond the town of Kure Beach. For additional information on programs and fees, visit www.ncaquariums.com.

Aquarium’s ‘Family Night’ series

Kure Beach — The aquarium’s Family Nights are scheduled for Thursday nights in July to offer families - and others - an opportunity to enjoy special programs after normal visitation hours.  Each Family Night begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Visitors pay the usual admission prices, with the last ticket being sold at 8. 

To provide variety and to give visitors a reason to come to more than one Family Night, each of the four July evenings will have its own theme.  

On July 19, the theme is “Swamp Soiree!”  With entertainment by Mojo Collins playing blues and Southern rock.

On July 26, the Sea Pans steel-drum ensemble returns for another performance for the summer’s final Family Night. This time the theme is “Shark Shindig” — it’s an exciting kickoff for Shark Week, which runs from July 29 through Aug. 4.

More details about Family Nights are available at 910-458-8257.

Sneads Ferry Branch Library

“Get a Clue at Your Library” Summer Reading Schedule

Be a summer-long sleuth and solve the many mysteries of Summer Reading! All programs are free and open to children 6 months old to high school. Programs run through July 19. This year OCPL is featuring “Get a Clue in Onslow County” Community Seek and Find! Every summer reading participant will receive a free stamp book and can visit participating local area businesses to get their book stamped for free. Stamp books are then turned in to OCPL to be entered to win super summer reading prizes at OCPL’s Summer Reading Wrap up Party on July 20. Prizes include a laptop, PSP, iPod, digital camera, bike, scooter, leap frog, gift certificates and more. Free and open to all registered summer reading participants. For more information, please call OCPL’s Youth Services Dept. at 910.455.7350 ext. 231.

Pender County Public Library

Calling all parents, grandparents, and caregivers! Now that school is out, are you looking for a clue on what to do to pull your kids away from the television or computer, or from climbing the wall? Then the public library says come and Get a Clue to enter a world of stories, imagination, creativity and live entertainment until August 10.

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.

Join the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher presenting Heart to Heart Storyteller, on July 19, The Magic Trunk Theater Company presenting “The Mystery of the Magician’s Riddle” on July 26, Julie Fogleman with “Magic by Julie” on August 2, and The Cape Fear Museum presenting “Wild Weather” on August 9.

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

Shrimp Festival needs volunteers

The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival Committee has issued a call for volunteers for the county’s largest annual festival. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Community Building (126 Park Lane). For more information, contact Tim Supple at 910-327-2707.

Surf City Community Center needs volunteers

Surf City Community Center is seeking volunteers to help with Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park. Assistance is needed with set up, clean up and concessions. For information, call 910-328-4887.

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation

Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation is planning their 28th annual Holly Fest for Saturday, November 3, 2007.  If you would like to help organize or have a booth at the fest, contact Anita Dingler at 329-0074 or parksandrec@townofhollyridge.com.

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program seeks volunteers

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program is seeking volunteers to train as

court appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children. The free

training prepares volunteers, paired with an Attorney Advocate, to represent

the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. The next

training session is scheduled for August 13 through 16 and 20 through 22, from 5:30 to

8:30 p.m. at 604 College Street in Jacksonville, NC. For more information, call (910)346- 5335, 340-8970 or visit www.gal4kids.org.

Firefighter Appreciation Day

Hampstead/ Sloop Point — Goin’ Postal would like your help to raise money for the two local volunteer fire departments, which keep us safe and have contributed so much to the quality of life in our community.

The event’s organizers, Bob and Leslie Servicky, are asking all of the businesses and residents in the greater Hampstead area for items which they can donate in order to hold a community-wide yard sale and multi-prize raffle. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your support for our volunteer fire departments, and to get rid of any useable but unwanted items that are cluttering up your home or garage.

This event will take place on July 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hampstead Community Center. Volunteers are still needed to help work the event. Donations of items to sell at the yard sale and new items to raffle off are still being sought. All monetary donations will be given to the fire departments. 

To help with the event or to make a donation, contact Bob or Leslie Servicky of Goin’ Postal Hampstead at (910) 270-6184 or hampstead@goinpostal.com.

Parks and Recreation/ Classes

Turtle Talks at Surf City Community Center

Turtle Talks have begun and will continue all summer, every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. until Labor Day. Turtle Talks are appropriate for Kindergarten through adults. Bring a camera for a photo-op. There will be educational materials to take home and things to share when you go back to school and the teachers ask, “What did you do last summer?”

The talks will be held at Surf City Community Building. While there is no charge, tax-deductible donations are appreciated. Bring a gallon of Clorox to clean turtle tanks. The turtles will appreciate you.

For more information, contact 328-4887.

‘Stories and More’ at Missiles and More

The Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach is offering a summer program for children ages 5-7. Each “Stories and More” session will feature stories, activities, arts and crafts and refreshments. Class size is limited to 12, so call 910-328-2488 to reserve a spot. These free sessions will be held on Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m. on July 19, August 2 and 9. Pre-register no later than the Wednesday prior to each Thursday’s free event.

Aquarium’s 2007 photo contest welcomes amateurs

RALEIGH - The North Carolina Aquariums are looking for excellent photos from amateur photographers. Each year, the state’s three public aquariums conduct an Underwater Photography Competition. The contest is designed especially for amateur and non-professional photographers. No entry fee is required. Deadline for entries is Dec. 31, 2007. Winners will be announced on or before March 31, 2008.

The aquariums stage the underwater photo contest to highlight the state’s rich aquatic resources, and to recognize excellence in amateur photography.  The contest, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by East Carolina Bank.

For complete contest rules and an entry application, or to view last year’s winning entries, visit www.ncaquariums.com. Mail entries to Photo Contest, North Carolina Aquariums, 417 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC  27601.  All mailed entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2007, to be eligible. 

Aquarium Summer Outreach

The N.C. Aquarium Summer Outreach Program will make its return for a third year of weekly sessions at the Assembly Building starting in mid-June. Sponsored by the Topsail Island Historical and Cultural Arts Council and presented by Dee Thonnard from the Fort Fisher Aquarium, these free programs were a great success in years past and a great opportunity for children visiting the island. Barry Newsome of TIHCAC has done much to coordinate this program, and event hostesses Dot Hargrove and Anne Kerr return to facilitate the weekly gatherings.

Each class is held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays until Aug. 15 at the Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. The sessions are free, but donations for the building will be accepted. Topics are as follows: Wonder of Whales; July 25, Scaly Survivors; Aug. 1, Shark Attack; Aug. 8, Amphibians (or, The Frog Prince); Aug. 15, Fishy Facts.

Poplar Grove Children Classes

Kids love the original arts and crafts that Judy Mitchell teaches them to make using their imagination and creativity. All classes are one-day events from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and appropriate for ages 5 and older. Each class is $12 (registration fee), plus a $5 materials fee (all supplied by Judy). Call or e-mail to reserve your place in any of these exciting classes. Registration fee must be paid in advance.

Classes offered: July 19, Let’s Draw Bugs; July 20, Personalized Bulletin Boards; July 23, Coconut Jumping Bugs; July 24, Glass Tie-Dye Plates; July 25, Animal Pillows; July 26, Let’s Draw; July 27, Paper Dolls.

Dolphin Aquatics and Fitness

A non-profit organization is building a community and wellness center in Pender County.

Swim Lessons at Lanier’s Waterside Campground in Surf City have begun and will continue through August 10 for ages 18 months to 18-years-old and varying abilities. Week 1 Session is M to F for $65, and Week 2 session is MWF for $75. Stroke technique class is offered for those 7 to 10 years of age from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursday for $170.

For more information call 681-1597 or e-mail lthacker@dolphinaquaticsandfitness.com.

See website for registration info: www.dolphinaquaticsandfitness.com.

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.

* The Hip Circle presents Belly Dance classes every Monday at 7 p.m.

at the Holly Ridge Fire Department meeting room. The classes will be a gathering of ladies learning belly dance together for exercise, to build self esteem and feel good about your body. Cost is minimal. For more information, Contact LuAnn Hooper at 910.470.2700 or thehipcircle@yahoo.com or Anita Dingler 910-329-7081.

* The Holly Ridge Parks and Recreation is starting to plan for the 28th Holly Fest in November. We are looking for anyone interested in sharing their ideas or helping to plan this great event. If you would like to help or would like to have a booth at the Holly Fest contact Anita Dingler at parksandrec@townofhollyridge.com or 329-0074. 

Surf City Parks and Recreation

* Movies in the Park: The summer movie series returns at Soundside Park, with pictures starting at dark and popcorn and drinks available for purchase. Dates for the family events are June 30, July 28 and Aug. 25, beginning at dark.

* Concerts in the Park: These free shows start at 6:30 p.m. at Soundside Park, and refreshments will be available for purchase. July 14 - Waterline; August 11, Topsail Underground; September 1, The Sea Pans.

Classes and workshops at the Community Center:

* Aerobic Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bring a towel, water bottle and hand weights.

* Advanced Bridge: Mondays from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

* Art: Contact Jill Strohpaul at 910-270-6333 or information.

* Ballroom Dancing: Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. Call Davis Canady at 910-270-3014 to pre-register.

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

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

* Music Lessons: For information, e-mail Steve Toll at steve@stevetoll.com.

* Knitting: Every Wednesday from July 11 through August 15 for ages 12 and older.

* Open Basketball Play: Monday, 6 to 7 p.m., ages 12 and under; Monday, 7 to 8 p.m., ages 13 to 17; Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m., age 18 and up.

* 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.

Support Groups:

Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays 10 to 11 a.m.

Surf City’s Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce they will be teaming up with the Wilmington SeaDawgs for a Fall Basketball League, along with Carolina Beach Recreation Center.

The season will begin August 20, 2007 with games held at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Surf City Community Center on Monday and Wednesday nights and Carolina Beach Recreation Center on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Each team is guaranteed eight regular season games, with tournament play determined by the top four teams of both the Surf City League and Carolina Beach League. The cost is $425 per team registration with a max of 10 players or $50 per individual registration. Individuals will be randomly placed on a team.

All Surf City Community Center members and Carolina Beach Recreation Center members who participate will receive season tickets to the Wilmington SeaDawgs 2008 regular season. All players will receive a free t-shirt and two tickets to a Wilmington SeaDawgs regular season game and all team captains will receive a SeaDawgs basketball.

All men ages 17 and are up are invited to participate. More information and registrations forms can be found at www.wilmingtonseadawgs.com, www.carolinabeach.org, www.townofsurfcity.com, Surf City Community Center and Carolina Beach Recreation Center. Please call (910) 798-2332 with any questions.

Schedule: The Surf City Community Center continually works on its schedule. If you would be interested in teaching or attending any activities we currently do or do not offer, please contact the center at 910-328-4887 or by e-mail, parksandrec@townofsurfcity.com.

CFCC Continuing Education Classes

* Spanish Conversation in the Workplace II: July 9 to Aug. 29, 6 to 8:30 p.m., M/W, $60

* Ltd. Electrical Contractors License Exam Prep: July 9 to Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m., M/W, $65

*Spanish Conversation in the Workplace I: July 10 to Aug. 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m., M/W, $60

* Computers for Beginners: July 10 to Aug. 9, 6 to 9 p.m., T/Th, $60

* NC Electrical Code Inspection, Level II: July 14 - July 22, 8a.m.-5p.m., S/S, $60

* Electrical Contractor License Renewal: July 21, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sat., $50

* N.C. Electrical Code Inspection, Level III: July 28 to Aug. 4, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., S/S, $60

Pre-registration is required, for more information call 362-7319 or 362-7196.

Burgaw Classes

CPR: July 10, 9 a.m. to 4p.m., Tue, $50

Escort Vehicle Operator Certification: July 10, 8 a.m.to5 p.m., Tue, $50

Escort Vehicle Operator Recertification: July 11, 8 a.m. to noon, W, $50

Fire Prevention Inspection Level III: July 17 to19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., T/W/Th, $55

Pre-registration is required, for more information call 362-7900 or 259-4966.

For Your Information

American Flag replacement project

Goin’ Postal Shipping Store Chain Replaces Faded American Flags for free.

The 250+ family-owned stores in the Goin’ Postal packing and shipping nationwide chain will be banding together as part of the chain’s patriotic beautification plan to offer free replacement American Flags to anyone who brings in a tattered, torn or faded American Flag during the month of July. Each Goin’ Postal store owner will have a minimum of 75 American Flags on hand to give out as free replacements, with a limit of one per family per physical address (no P.O. Boxes) while supplies last.   

Bring your tattered, torn, or faded American Flag to any Goin’ Postal store during the month of July to receive a free 4 x 6 American Flag, compliments of that individual store owner. 

Tell your friends and relatives about this project so that they can beautify their towns and cities by proudly displaying beautiful, vibrant American Flags. To find other Goin’ Postal stores across the nation, visit www.goinpostal.com. 

Goin’ Postal Franchise Corporation would like to thank, in advance, the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Posts, VFWs, and other entities nationwide that will be aiding the Goin’ Postal store owners with the proper disposal of the tattered, torn or faded American Flags.

The Hampstead location is located at 14562 US Highway 17 North. For more information, call (910) 270-6184.

Sales-Tax-Free Shopping is coming to North Carolina

August 3 to 5, 2007. This tax-exempt weekend applies to both state and local sales and use tax, including remote sales (mail order, internet, telephone, etc.). During the sales tax holiday period, retail sales of specified articles of merchandise are exempt from both state and local sales and use tax. Holiday Period: The sales tax holiday begins immediately after midnight Thursday, which is 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 3 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 5, 2007.

N.C. Oyster Hatchery Program Web Site

The North Carolina Aquariums’ Oyster Hatchery Program (NCOHP) has launched its official Web site, www.ncoysters.net. This powerful educational tool enables the public to learn about North Carolina’s native Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) while presenting recommendations developed by the NCOHP to enhance oyster education and restoration efforts within the state.

The design of the site should increase public awareness of the economic and environmental benefits derived from oysters. The Web site introduces the biology of the oyster reef and discusses the factors influencing our oyster stocks’ precipitous decline during the last century. Site visitors can click on videos to see inside the hatchery, students will discover interactive learning games, teachers will find activity outlines, and program links will provide interested citizens an opportunity to get involved. The Web site will also include a downloadable version of the much anticipated final report and recommendations of the NCOHP.

In recognition of the Eastern oyster’s role as a keystone species, the Governor and General Assembly supported initiatives in 2005 and 2006 that would make significant progress toward protecting and restoring native oysters and their habitat. The North Carolina Aquariums Division created the NCOHP and appointed the interagency Oyster Hatchery Planning Advisory Team in response to legislation cosponsored by Senators Julia Boseman and Scott Thomas (Senate Bill 550), and budget appropriations starting in 2005. The Advisory Team developed program recommendations after meeting throughout 2005-2006, conducting public meetings and visiting existing shellfish hatcheries in Virginia and Maryland.

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.