The Snow's Cut E-news (12/18/08)
Your source for up to date happenings all around Snow's Cut
If it's happening in Kure Beach, Carolina Beach or Monkey Junction, you'll find out about it here first. The Snow's Cut E-news is the bi-weekly, email version of Snow's Cut Monthly. For the latest news, events, social happenings and entertainment options sign up for it today.

Carolina Beach news * Kure Beach news * Pleasure Island events * Monkey Junction news * Pleasure Island Politics * Carolina Beach politics

 
In this E-dition:      
       
- Can they do that!? Yes, they can.
- Island Greenway gets Town Council support
- Seriously good deals
- Cool pictures from the Christmas Parade
- This Weekend on the peninsula  
       
**We hope you like the Snow's Cut Update. We'll tell you something you don't know, give you some ideas for the weekend and show you some cool links.
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NCDOT to delay funding for Lake Park landscaping  
Merry Christmas from the DOT! Carolina Beach just received news that the $250,000 committed by the DOT for the Gateway Project will not be released until at least July 1, 2009 - or perhaps later (or not at all). The same goes for the $50,000 awarded to the Island Women for landscaping Lake Park Blvd. near Atlanta Avenue.
  
To refresh your memory, the Gateway Project is a massive landscaping improvement for Lake Park Blvd. in and around the intersection with Dow Road. Town Manager Tim Owens was hoping to have the project start early this spring.
  
The money is from a DOT enhancement grant that was awarded way back in 2004. The town is required to match it with $40,000. Here’s how these grants work; first the town does all the work—then they get reimbursed from the state.
  
So, can the state just withhold funding like that?
  
“Yes they can,” says Town Manager Tim Owens.
  
Can the state just renege on the entire deal?
  
Again, the answer is yes. While Mr. Owens is cautiously optimistic that the funds will become available, the DOT’s money problems are well-publicized. I'd love to share his confidence.
  
What lesson did we learn here today? If you get money from a state or federal agency - spend it. This money has been sitting around for almost four years. It's a shame it wasn't spent a long time ago.

The Island Greenway gets town blessing 
"This sure adds some pre Xmas jingle to our holiday season," says bicycle enthusiast Mike Kirkbride.

At their December 9 meeting the Town Council of Carolina Beach unanimously approved the Island Greenway Committee's proposal to bring a system of bike paths to Pleasure Island. In plain english this means that the Council officially supports their plan and will cooperate with their efforts to make it a reality.
 
The next step is to adopt a formal resolution of support so that the committee can take the following steps:
 
1. Have the county request an easement through the US Army land west of Carolina Beach for an off-road portion of the path.
 
2. Begin discussions with the DOT about getting a bike lane across the Snow's Cut Bridge.
 
3. Ask the US Army Corps of Engineers for more space along Snow's Cut to improve the off-road bike path that already exists there. (The Army Corps of Engineers controls the land on either side of the cut.)
 
The Island Greenway is a long-term project. The members of the committee cite the lifestyle, safety and economic benefits of creating a system of bike paths and I for one, agree completely with them. At this stage they're trying to develop a plan and get approval from the many levels of government that have a say. So far so good.
 
Some seriously good deals are out there
Want to save money? Check out these places:
  
Carolina Beach Furniture is having a year-end clearance sale. Everything is marked down 50%. Nobody is cheaper than me - and I say that's a good deal. Carolina Beach Furniture is located at 1021 N Lake Park Blvd.
 
The Lime & the Coconut is closing in mid-January (they plan to re-open this spring in another location) and the prices reflect a desire to shed inventory.
 
The Unique Boutique is having a clearance sale in January. Stop in to find discounted prices on cool fashions.
 
Wild Bird & Garden wants you to come in and save money.
Bringin this email and save:
$5 off your next purchase of $25 or more
$10 off your next purchase of $50 or more
$15 off your next purchase of $75 or more
 
Christmas Parade Slide Show 
A reader named Sandra Hall sent me this slide show of the Pleasure Island Christmas parade. Her husband Bill took the pictures and she turned them into a nice video.
  
It's so darn Christmassy that I just had to pass it along. Parade Pictures
  
Thanks Sandra.  
  
This weekend on the Cape Fear Peninsula
Check out the SCM Pleasure Island Event Calendar. We list everything that is happening around town and update it whenever something comes up. We have the major events for 2009, the local government meetings and even who's playing at the local clubs. 
  
Friday, Dec 19 - Divine Wines' weekly free wine tasting will focus on sparkling wines for the holidays. You can call Ernie anytime at 791-1251 for a little advice or order online for the holidays.
  
The Black Horn – Makin’ Rent plays from 7-11pm, DJ Jazz B spins from 11pm-close 
 **The Black Horn has changed their entertainment schedule for the winter. Every Friday night they'll have acoustic happy hours from 7-11pm. On Saturdays they'll still have live bands from 10pm-close.
The Shuckin' Shack - It's Rum Night at the 'Shack
The Ocean Grill - The "OG" has $16.99 prime rib
Jack Mackerel's - It's Beer Night - $2.50 Modelo, Red Stripe and Land Shark
  
Saturday, Dec 20 –  
 
MOMMY AND ME at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Moms and their children learn together about aquarium animals. Afterwards, you can enjoy free playtime in the Freshwater Wonders Room.
  
The Ocean Grill - The "OG" has $4.99 appetizers all day, plus drink specials 
The Black Horn – Sai Collins plays from 7-11pm, DJ Jazz B spins from 11pm-close. Click his name to check out a video.
  
Sunday, Dec 21 – 
Like football? These places all have the NFL package so you can watch whatever game you like. They all have drink and menu specials as well. Check out page 43 in this month's SCM for more information.
  
The Ocean Grill - $2 Miller Lite, $4 Mango mimosas & bloodies
The Shuckin' Shack - $10 domestic buckets, $5 bloodies (The Cincinnati Bengals are riding a 1-game winning streak so Shuckin' Shack owner Matt Piccinin will be extra exited for the 'Battle of Ohio' with the equally impressive Cleveland Browns.)
Michael's Seafood – 1/2  price apps & pizza, beer & drink specials (Michael’s is a Steelers bar – I won’t hold that against you Mike)
Jack Mackerel's - $2 Bud Select, $4.75 bloodies and mimosas
The Black Horn -  $2 Bud Light pints, Trivia Tournament

In closing, everyone here at Snow's Cut Monthly wishes you all a great holiday - whatever you choose to celebrate.
  
We truly do love each and every one of you.
 
 
New Years Eve at the Ocean Grill
You spent all summer there, why not New Years Eve? You can holler at the stars whn the clock strikes midnight.
 
The OG will have a special menu for those who want dinner, The Casserole will play their unique brand of rock/bluegrass/reggae from 9pm-1am, and they'll have appetizers from 10pm-midnight.
 
Along with other specials, they'll be serving $2 domestics, $3 imports and $3 house wines.
 
No reservations are required, but if you're not having dinner there is a $10 charge to cover the band, midnight champagne and party favors.
 
**The Ocean Grill is open 7 days a week all year.
 
**They'll be serving 1/2 price entrees during the entire month of January.