News & Notes
August 2008
The Update Sheet – Monkey Junction Superstreet
Back in April we reported that the “superstreet” was coming to Monkey Junction this summer. So where is it?
We talked to Ziff Properties, the developer of the Village at Myrtle Grove (where the new Home Depot resides), and were told that they are waiting for the streetlight poles to arrive before they’ll start the road work. It turns out that streetlight poles are made specifically for each individual job (who knew?) and that they take months to get built.
While the Department of Transportation approved the general layout for the intersection, they’re still reviewing the plans for the specific hardware that will be used—the lights, arrows, wires and such. The latest revised schedule has the intersection being re-configured sometime this fall.
If you’re wondering what a “superstreet” intersection is, take ride through Leland. Traffic coming from side streets is only allowed to make a right turn onto the main highway. To go left, you first have to make a right turn and then a U-turn a little way up the road. It takes some getting used to, but apparently it works. This is the plan for the intersection just south of Monkey Junction—where the Fire Station, KFC and Post Office are.
In other related news, the Staples office supply store is on target to open this fall. Other new tenants of the shopping center include City Financial, US Cellular and possibly a Hibachi Grill restaurant.Another Article about Bike Trails
For the second year in a row the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have failed in their efforts to get state grants for bike and pedestrian planning—but that hasn’t stopped locals from working on a new bike path.
Carolina Beach Town Manager Tim Owens tells us that bike and pedestrian routes are reviewed periodically and grants are applied for through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Department of Transport Enhancement Funds on an annual basis. Despite mounting gas prices he said that currently, there are many other local projects with higher priority.
Carolina Beach’s representative on the Bike and Pedestrian committee of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), Mike Kirkbride, remains optimistic that the towns will receive financial support from the county or state soon. He points to the recently adopted Wilmington Cross-City Trail linking downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach as evidence of public support bike and pedestrian trails.
Kirkbride also tells us that an advocacy committee has been formed to begin the process of creating a bike and pedestrian master plan for Pleasure Island. Members of the committee have already had discussions with the US Army about building a bike path in the Buffer Zone (the undeveloped western portion of Pleasure Island that is controlled by the federal government).
“Safety is a prime concern, because most of the island’s bike paths consist only of widened shoulders on high traffic routes,” said Kirkbride.
Kirkbride says that Federal Land can provide the opportunity to connect all the parks from the north to the south of the island and provide a safe route to our school. He added, “Where else do you have the opportunity to tie all those amenities together.”
The first step will be to present the plan to the citizens of the beach towns which will be done at a public meeting in late August or September. Then New Hanover County can apply to the US Army for an easement. (New Hanover County has to be the applicant because the land is not in either town.)
If the easement is granted, then the search for funding can begin. Kirkbride is confident that this can be successful because of the proven positive impact of bike routes on tourism in the Outer Banks. If you’d like to help with this endeavor you can call Mike Kirkbride at (910) 616-1324.Even Sea Turtles like the Ocean Grill Tiki Bar
On a recent Friday night, about an hour after the Noseriders finished playing surf music, the patrons of the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar got another thrill. At around 10pm a loggerhead turtle crawled out of the ocean and started to lay eggs.
This isn’t extremely newsworthy—it was the fourteenth turtle to nest on Pleasure Island this summer—but what happened next is a good lesson in what not to do. A few overly enthusiastic patrons got so excited that they ran down to the beach and started taking pictures. Luckily cooler heads prevailed (notably the management team at the Ocean Grill) and the amateur photographers were convinced to leave the turtle to its business.
Nancy Busovne, of the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project, tells us that bothering the turtles can cause them to abandon their nest.
“If a sea turtle abandons her nest two or three times, she’ll often drop her eggs in the ocean and they’ll be lost forever,” said Busovne. “If you witness a sea turtle nesting, please call me at (910) 538-2918 so our team can come and protect the nest.”
Usually the sea turtles shy away from busy, lighted areas, but this is the third year in a row that one has chosen the Tiki Bar as home for her new family. What’s the deal here?
“I really don’t have an explanation for it,” said Busovne. “It seems like we get a nesting turtle at the Tiki Bar every year.”
They must like the music.Drifters Reef gets a Face Lift
If you haven’t noticed the lighthouse-style folly that adorns the front of the Drifters Reef Motel in the heart of Carolina Beach then you must be driving with your eyes closed, but you may have to take a closer look to appreciate the recent renovations that have taken place.
According to owner David Pierce, they have torn down 24 rooms and added 24 new suites. Each new suite has its own living room to complement the standard bedroom and bathroom combination. After 15 years owning the motel, Pierce is really going all out because he has also started work on another new addition: a sports bar and grill that he expects to have opened by October.
Located at 701 North Lake Park Boulevard and built around a Key West theme, Pierce said, “It’s the best value on the beach and is one of the nicest hotels here.”
Call (910) 458-5414 for more information and to make reservations or check them out at www.driftersreefmotel.com.New Dentist at Coastal Dental Care
Dr. Bryan Bush is soon to be the newest addition to Coastal Dental Care, 1300 Bridge Barrier Road in Carolina Beach. Senior partner, Dr. Smith, is at the helm of this well-established 20-year-old practice and is already known for offering new technologies like digital X-rays and one-day ceramic crowns. Bush brings with him a new technique for easier and more efficient root canals.
Originally from Georgia, Bush graduated from Nova South Eastern College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2006. He has been working at another practice in Wilmington for the past two years and is excited to be making this transition. “I wanted some private practice experience and know a lot of people in Carolina Beach,” said Bush who would like to eventually own a practice.
For more information or to make an appointment, call (910) 458-9401.Preserving Trees with History at Magnolia Trace
A mile north of Monkey Junction on Carolina Beach Road is a new development with an old twist that may be of interest to locals. The new Magnolia Trace luxury town home development has been designed with tree preservation in mind. But these are not just any trees, as a local woman named Peggy O’Leary can attest.
Magnolia Trace is built on property previously owned by Peggy O’Leary’s Aunt Mable. They had owned the property for more than 50 years and her husband’s family had owned it for some years before that. Peggy’s Aunt Mable was one of 12 children— five sons and seven daughters—and the six Holly Berry trees that stand in front of the retention pond are named for each of her sisters: Maggie, Minnie, Retha, Vera, Lucille and Jasemine. The Magnolia was named for Mable.
Sadly, one of the trees died, and before Mable had chance to replant it she became very ill. Eventually the property was sold for redevelopment, and the trees were protected. Peggy O’Leary was so pleased to see that the developers had preserved the trees that she contacted them to
But that’s not the end of the story. When the developer, Cliff Schwenker of World Properties International, heard the story he was so touched that he had his landscaper plant a new Holly Berry tree to replace the one that had died and had name plaques made for all of the trees. He then invited Peggy to the property to hang the name plaques on the trees that will be memorialized.
In keeping with the tradition, Mr. Schwenker even named a new tree after his late father-in-law.
Built by Mike Johnson construction, the first phase comprises eight luxury town homes with prices starting at $274,900. The development received the 2008 Parade of Homes Gold Award.
For more information or to view a property, contact broker, Kathy Wenz at (910) 799-3000 or visit www.magnoliatrace.net.Same Publisher, New Imprint, New Book
Daniel Ray Norris of Slapdash Publishing in Carolina Beach has already established himself as the king of all things related to local culture. Now he has started a new imprint called NC Starburst Press, to focus on regional and Civil War history.
The first book from NC Starburst Press will be out in September. Louis Froelich, Arms-Maker to the Confederacy, by Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. and John W. McAden, tells the story of a sword factory that was operated in Wilmington during the Civil War.
Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Jr. is a professor of history at UNCW. He provides the historical perspective in the book, which tells the tale of Louis Froelich, a Bavarian born immigrant who wound up becoming an important weapon manufacturer for the Confederacy.
“The south literally underwent an industrial revolution during the Civil War,” said Fonvielle. “There was very little industry in the southern states before the war, and entrepreneurs like Froelich wound up supplying roughly half of the manufactured goods needed for the war effort.”
John McAden is an avid collector of Louis Froelich weapons and he provides insight into the making of the arms.
Dr. Fonvielle tells us that more titles are planned for NC Starburst Press. The tentatively titled Faces of Fort Fisher, which tells the stories of the soldiers, and Fort Fisher Illustrated, an examination of the fort itself, which was an engineering marvel in its day.
The First Piece of the PuzzleOne shouldn’t be overly optimistic about anything in life, but the early returns on the Carolina Beach Master Plan are very encouraging.
On June 24, the Town Council voted 5-0 to adopt the plan “in principal.” The “in principal” part is important because the plan is very specific and it’s unrealistic to expect it to be followed to the letter.
Councilman Dan Wilcox summed up the feelings of the Town Council when he said, “We agree with the key elements of the plan, but we can’t know exactly what the finished look will be.”
Of the principals of the master plan a few are as follows:
“Reestablish the Boardwalk area as the primary destination in Carolina Beach and the focal point of civic activities…”
“Create an environmentally-based signature destination…”
“Preserve and enhance visual and physical access to the ocean…”
A boardwalk area pier addresses all of these principals and may become a reality. In July, the Town of Carolina Beach and the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher announced that they are in serious and open discussions about building a pier at the Boardwalk. Town officials are looking into possible locations and researching the cost of building a parking deck. Considering that few (if any) private investors are interested in building a pier, the town is quite lucky to find a state agency to be their partner in this venture.
The NC Aquariums are working to build three piers to be associated with each of their aquariums. One is soon to be under construction in Nags Head and land has been acquired for another in Pine Knoll Shores.
A pier at the Boardwalk makes a lot of sense for the Fort Fisher Aquarium. While it would have been convenient to operate a pier right next to the aquarium, there were numerous problems with the site. The beach is eroding quickly, the area is environmentally fragile, and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation (which operates the state park north of the aquarium) did not support the idea.
Meanwhile, the Town of Carolina Beach has emerged as a willing and excited partner. The town can help with infrastructure and provide amenities around the pier to will help to attract visitors.
“I think this is will be great for the aquarium and great for the town,” says Aquarium Director Donna Moffitt. “Having the population so close to the pier will be a great feature.”
The Most Colorful Bird in America
The Painted Bunting may be the most spectacular bird in North America and it can only be found in two small regions. One the regions is—you guessed it—the southeastern Atlantic coast. The other is a swath of land in Oklahoma and Texas.
They don’t live here all year though—by the end of August they’ll have left their breeding grounds in North Carolina for their winter homes in Southern Florida and the Caribbean. (And you thought those New Yorkers hated the cold!)
If you want to see this colorful bird, Carolina Beach State Park has a great viewing area. As you drive in the main road of the park, it will make a sharp turn to left as you approach the marina. At the bend in the road, you’ll see a hill off to the right hand side. On the other side of the hill there is a special bird feeder set up with a seed that the Painted Bunting loves.
Unfortunately, the Painted Bunting’s numbers have been on the decline ever since scientists began counting them in the 1960s. Their breeding areas consist mostly of scrub brush that is being cleared every year for development and farming.
Scientists studying the Painted Bunting have devised an interesting way to track the bird. They have formed a team of “citizen scientists” who track the bird their own back yards. The citizens can simply count the birds that they witness or be more specific about the length of the visits and whether or not the birds have been color-banded.
If you’re interested in this program, you can check out www.paintedbuntings.org. If you’re just interested in bringing them to your backyard, you can find seed and birdfeeders at Wild Bird & Garden in Wilmington. You can contact them at (910) 343-6001.Michelin Tires is running a special through August 15. If you buy four Michelin tires, they’ll send you a $50 gas card. If you need tires, now’s a good time to buy them.
For information call Jeff Fountain Tires at (910) 799-4110.
Openings at Children 1st PreschoolBy the end of this month, your kids will be back in school and everyone’s schedule will change once again. Now is the time to think about preschools and after school care.
Childrens 1st Preschool has two locations (Carolina Beach and Monkey Junction) and openings for all age groups—part time and full time. They accept children from the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years.
They also have a wonderful after school program. They’ll pick your child up from school (Anderson, Bellamy Carolina Beach or Coddington Elementary) and bring them to the location that is most convenient for you. They provide snacks and insist on quiet time for the kids to do their homework. Kids enrolled in the after school program will also be cared for on school holidays and teacher work days. Childrens 1st even schedules field trips for these special occasions.
SCM has a personal interest in recommending Childrens 1st. Our little boy moves on to kindergarten this year, and after being lovingly nurtured by his teachers at Childrens 1st, he is more than ready for school. It has been like a second home for him and his sister.
For information call (910) 458-7242 or (910) 392-1515.New Hanover County Commissioners - July 7
(Next meetings August 4 & 18)CAROLINA MARINA & YACHT CLUB – The commissioners unanimously rejected the proposed marina on Burnett Road. The marina called for a 40’ tall dry-stack storage building to accommodate 100 boats.
The property owner maintains permission to build a marina with two piers, a fuel dock, a clubhouse and parking to store about 40 boats.
Carolina Beach Town Council – July 7
(Next meeting August 12)SURF CONTEST – The 3rd Annual IBX Pro/Am Silvagni Benefit Surf Contest and concert was approved. The contest will be held in front of the Boardwalk and the concert will be on the beach.
EFFICIENCY HOTEL ROOMS – The zoning ordinance was amended to allow hotels in the T-1 district to have up to 50% of their rooms be efficiency units. Efficiency units have small kitchens with a stove.
COMPACT CAR PARKING SPACES - The zoning ordinance was amended to allow up to 20% of required parking spaces to be designed for compact cars.
BRIDGE LIGHTS – After receiving public input, the Council voted not to provide street lights on the Snow’s Cut Bridge. The cost of maintaining the street lights was estimated to be $12,000 per year.
ELECTRIC TAXI CABS – The Town Council approved a request to operate a taxi service made up of 6-seat electric golf carts. Street legal golf carts are allowed to operate on any street that has a speed limit of 35mph or less.
STOP SIGNS IN CAROLINA SANDS – The council received a request from the Carolina Sands HOA for additional traffic control, specifically new stop signs to slow traffic in the neighborhood. The issue will be considered at the August 12 meeting.
Kure Beach Town Council – July 15
(Next meeting August 19)BOARDWALK BLUES – The town plans to extend its oceanfront boardwalk from the business district all the way to the end of Atlantic Avenue. They have received grant money from the state and approved a plan at their June meeting, but opposition from homeowners along Atlantic Avenue has convinced the council to take a second look at the plans.
The homeowners fell that they were not properly notified and that the plan is very different from the one that the Shoreline Access and Parking Committee approved. The council has scheduled another public hearing for August 22, to allow the citizens to voice their concerns.BILINGUAL SIGNS AND BATHROOMS– After much discussion, it has been decided that Kure Beach will not put bilingual signs or portable toilets at their beach accesses.
CIVIL WAR MONUMENT – The town staff has been asked to research the feasibility of moving the town’s Civil War monument (commemorating the landing of Union troops) to the site of their future oceanfront park.
Office: 910-458-0120Fax: 910-458-0490
