Pirates, Food, and Fun at Wilmington Riverfest

Don't miss the pirate-themed fall fun at Wilmington, NC's 31st Annual Riverfest this weekend.

Don't be surprised if you see Blackbeard look-a-likes walking around downtown Friday evening. The celebration kicks off with a street dance and beer garden in Riverfront park on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 from 8:00PM-11:00PM.

Saturday activities begin in historic downtown Wilmington at 10:00AM and include live music, food and craft vendors, a skateboarding contest, exhibits, displays, shows, and tons of activities for kids. Don't miss the Children's Treasure Hunt from 1:00PM-4:00PM. Highlights of the events include the Invasion of the Pirates lighted flotilla at dusk (approximately 7:00PM) and a fireworks show at 9:05PM.

Similar events continue on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010 at 10:30AM. The Run the River 8K Race begins at 8:00AM. One event you don't want to miss the The Great Waiters Wine Race at 2:00PM in the East parking lot at Cape Fear Community College. In this hilarious event, area waiters with trays loaded with full wine glasses race through an obstacle course to see whose skills are best.

For a full schedule of Riverfest events, please visit www.wilmingtonriverfest.com.

Sea Coast Realty Will Build Habitat for Humanity Home

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is pleased to announce that it will begin work this fall on a Habitat for Humanity home. Sea Coast Realty president Tim Milam pledged his company’s sponsorship at Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s 9th Annual Golden Hammer Pledge Breakfast held May 25, 2010.

The breakfast marked Executive Director Barbara Birkenheuer’s retirement from Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity after ten years of service. In honor of her leadership, Milam announced that the Habitat home Sea Coast Realty builds will be dedicated as the “Barbara Birkenheuer House.”

By sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity home, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty will provide $60,000 in financial support and volunteer labor each week of the home build. Sea Coast Realty has sponsored three other Habitat homes since it began its involvement with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity in 1997. Sales associates and staff from Sea Coast Realty’s Leland office also helped with construction of a Habitat home in Navassa in January 2010. Next month, Russ May, a sales associate from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Wilmington, N.C. office, will become president of the Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.

“While sponsoring three homes in the Wilmington area, we have learned how valuable homeownership is to those who thought they would never own a home,” said Milam. “I cannot think of a more worthy housing organization.”

Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity is one of 76 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in North Carolina and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information about Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, please visit capefearhabitat.org

First Home Seller Signs Up for Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus Program

Meet Susy King of Wilmington. Susy was the first Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty home seller to sign up to participate in our Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus program.

By participating the the Buyer Bonus program, King is offering buyers a refund of 3 percent (up to $8,000) of the purchase price at closing. That's great news for home buyers, because it means less cash that they'll need when they close on their home.

For more information about 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condominium in The Village at Mayfaire that Susy is selling, please visit http://www.seacoastrealty.com/448544.

To search for homes participating in the Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus program or to read program details, please visit http://www.coldwellbanker.com/BuyerBonus.

"Cash for Appliances" Expected to Boost NC Economy

North Carolina shoppers only have four days to take advantage of a "Cash for Appliances" program offering 15% off new Energy Star appliances. Some local retailers are staying open longer and offering extra discounts to cash in on the anticipated rush.

North Carolina chose Earth Day to kick off the NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. The program offers North Carolina residents a 15% instant savings when they purchase new Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers to replace old appliances. That means that an appliance that normally costs $500 will only cost $425. Shoppers will have to hurry to take advantage of the savings though. The program only runs from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25, 2010.

The so-called "Cash for Appliances" program is similar to its predecessor, "Cash for Clunkers." The $8.8 million North Carolina program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Each state decided how to distribute their allotted funds. This program is designed to stimulate the economy with sales of new appliances and create energy savings by getting Americans to trade older appliances for newer, more energy efficient models.

"Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there's enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month," said Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a press release. "These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs."

North Carolina's program is similar to a program Florida launched last week. Florida planned for its program to last 10 days, but after the second day, the $17.5 million it allotted for the program had been exhausted. Florida's program offered 20% off the purchase of new energy efficient appliances. That means that Floridians spent $87.5 million on appliances in just two days. That means North Carolina shoppers may want to get out and take advantage of the offer sooner, rather than later.

Local appliance retailers are anticipating many more shoppers than usual, thanks to the program. Some are planning extended hours to accommodate the rush and others are even offering additional savings.

"I think a lot of people have been aware of the program and they've been looking ahead," Mindy Hughes of Crossroads Appliance Center in Supply told the Wilmington Star-News. Her store launched an advertising campaign about the rebate last month. "We've got a couple of remodels that have been sparked off by this program, which is great for us. Once they get one new item, they look at remodeling the whole kitchen." Hughes is planning on opening her store an hour early and staying open as late as necessary to serve her customers.

Atlantic Appliance is normally open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Instead, it will stay open until 8 p.m. these days. It will still be closed on Sunday.

Just across from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's main office, retailer hhgregg in Mayfaire Town Center will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday. It's also offering 30% off Energy Star appliances those days. The store is also open Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., but some anticipate the funds for the "Cash for Appliances" program may be exhausted by then.

Lowe's and Home Depot are offering an additional 10% off Energy Star appliances more than $398. Both retailers are open Thursday thru Saturday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m, though Home Depot will open at 5 a.m. Thursday.

Thru Saturday, Sears is offering 30% off Energy Star appliances, in addition to the 15% "Cash for Appliances" savings. Its store hours vary by location.

To qualify for the North Carolina "Cash for Appliances" program, Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers must be replacing an older appliance that will be recycled. Sales tax will be applied to the price of the appliance prior to the 15% instant rebate. Buyers must be North Carolina residents and purchase the new appliances from a participating North Carolina retailer. For more information on NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program, please visit ncappliancerebate.com.

Participating retailers in our area are:

Onslow County

• Best Buy, 1116 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Boomtown Furniture, 625 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville
• Freedom Furniture and Electronics, 2153 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 507 Bell Fork Road, Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 2015 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Home Depot, 479 Western Blvd. Hwy 17, Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 1255 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 425 Yopp Road, Jacksonville
• Major Appliance & Furniture Co., 2129 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Marine Corps Community Services, Birch and Holcomb Streets, Camp Lejeune
• Sears, 344 Jacksonville Mall, Jacksonville
  

Pender County

• Lowe's, 106 Wilkes Lane, Hampstead
• Sears, 15530 US Highway 17, Hampstead
  

New Hanover County

• Atlantic Appliance & Hardware, 914 S. Kerr Avenue, Wilmington
• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 2642 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Best Buy, 309 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, 1925 Dawson St., Wilmington
• hhgregg, 830 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 5511 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 210 Eastwood Road, Wilmington
• Island Appliance, 5946 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Kitchen Dreams, 700 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 5110 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 354 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Sears, 3500 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
  

Brunswick County

• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 4511 N. Main Street, Shallotte
• Crossroads Appliance Center, 50 Green Swamp Road N.W., Supply
• Home Depot 150-1 Shallotte Crossing, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 351 Whiteville Road, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 5084 Southport Supply Road S.E., Southport
• Sears, 5302 Main Street, Shallotte
• Shallotte Electric Stores, 4900 Main Street, Shallotte
  

Duplin County

• Brandsource, 111 E. Southerland Street, Wallace
• Brewer Co. True Value Hardware, 348 N.E. Center Street, Faison
• Harrell's Department Store, 107 S. Wright Street, Burgaw
• Lanier & Smith Ace Hardware, 4646 South NC Highway 50, Chinquapin
• Page Audio-Video-Appliances, 312 N. Front Street, Warsaw
• Rochelle Furniture Co., 111 W. Fremont Street, Burgaw
• Sears, 1315 N. Norwood Street, Wallace

Wilmington Opens NC's First Bicycle Boulevard

Saturday, North Carolina's first bicycle boulevard will open in Wilmington.

The Ann Street Bicycle Boulevard is part of the River to the Sea Bikeway, an 11-mile bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line, which carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach by trolley.

Officials hope the project will reduce traffic and pollution by providing appealing alternative to gas-burning vehicles.

Grand opening festivities will take place Saturday, 10am-1pm on Ann Street, between 9th and 10th Streets and will include giveaways, music, games, and activities.

For more information, please visit www.rivertoseabikeway.com.

Wilmington to Add Another City-Owned Golf Course

Soon, the City of Wilmington will have another municipal golf course.

On March 23, 2010, the Wilmington city council voted to purchase the 18-hole Inland Greens golf course. The city plans to maintain part of the course and turn the rest into a park.

The existing City of Wilmington golf course off Pine Grove Road, will remain open. It is one of the most-played municipal golf courses in the United States.

Sea Coast Realty Voted "Best of Wilmington 2010"

Readers of Wilmington's Encore magazine have voted Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty as Wilmington's Best Real Estate Company in their "Best of Wilmington 2010"!

Thanks go out to everyone that voted for for us. Though this isn't our first "Best of Wilmington" award, we're still thrilled by this honor. Our more than 300 agents and staff take great pride in the fact that every year for the last decade, we've sold more homes in southeastern North Carolina than any other real estate company.

Check out the nice things Encore had to say about us:

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

The local and national housing markets may have taken a hit due to the recession as of late, but Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is soaring high above the rest with their win for Best Real Estate Agency. Serving the cities of Wilmington and Jacksonville; the coastal communities of Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach, Surf City, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, North Topsail Beach, Kure Beach, Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach; and coastal communities, including Porters Neck, Southport, Sneads Ferry, Leland, Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Camp Lejeune, New River, Bolivia, Shallotte, Boiling Spring Lakes and St. James, Sea Coast is without a doubt a leader in its industry. In fact, it is the number-one real estate company in southeastern North Carolina, selling more properties than any area firm for the past eight years.

With 300-plus agents and seven convenient locations (two in Wilmington, on Military Cutoff Road and at Porters Neck) Sea Coast is more than equipped to satisfy anything their customers desire. They can handle relocation needs, from start to finish, and even offer a 100-percent Satisfaction Guarantee. In an ever-changing real-estate climate, Sea Coast has remained true to its roots and continues to offer first-class service with a reputation clients have learned they can trust. Their easy-to-navigate Web site, www.seacoastrealty.com, only adds to what Wilmington recognizes as dependable, up-to-date and quality service.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, or Onslow County, North Carolina, shouldn't you have the "Best of Wilmington" working for you? Visit us online at http://www.seacoastrealty.com/ or call us at 1-800-522-9624.

Coastal Living Show This Weekend

Looking for things to do around Wilmington North Carolina this weekend? Check out the 31st Annual Coastal Living Show.

This annual Wilmington Woman's Club fundraiser features over 90 vendors showcasing their wares and services. Everything from jewelry to pottery to rain barrel technology to hurricane shutters will be for sale. In addition there will be great door prizes and raffles. All proceeds from the show go to organizations in our community like the Boys and Girls Home and Carousel Center.

The Coastal Living Show will be held at the Schwartz Center at 601 N. Front Street in Wilmington, March 20 and 21, 2010. Admission is $4 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Doors open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.