PLEASURE ISLAND HAPPENINGS!

Big Print Block Party Art Exhibition presented by Cape Fear Press – The past met the present when twelve contemporary artists took on the oldest form of printmaking to make giant, original prints on May 16th. Come see the giant 4x8 foot prints that were printed with a steamroller in Carolina Beach. This work is from the first event of its kind in the southeast. Participating artists included Stephan Bode, Todd Carignan, Alex Clark, Kristin Gibson, Jennifer Page and many more. The opening reception is July 24th from 6-9 p.m. at 110 N. Water Street in Downtown Wilmington and the show will run until August 15th. www.capefearpress.com or call 458-4647.

The Help Center of Federal Point to Hold Chinese Auction – This Saturday at 1:00 p.m. come to the Katie B. Hines Senior Center for the Help Center’s Summer Fundraiser. The Senior Center is located at 308 Cape Fear Boulevard in Carolina Beach. Admission is only $5.00 and includes mini-raffle tickets as well as a chance for a door prize and great sweepstakes items. Tickets will be sold at the door and refreshments will be available. Come join us for an afternoon of fun for the whole family with prizes galore. For more information, please call Jan Truelove at 458-1920.
Island of Lights Reception – Everyone is invited to the introduction of the Island of Lights 2009 Christmas Card and Ornament. The artists will be on site to sign the cards and ornaments on Sunday, July 26th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at The Frame Mart located at 1009 N. Lake Park Boulevard. Light refreshments will be served. www.islandoflights.org.

John the Ashley High School Boosters for a Beach Sweep – This Sunday starting at 5:00 p.m., come down to the public access at Tennessee Avenue to help with this year’s beach sweep. Check in with Sara Hartman who will check you in and give you gloves and trash bags. Parents, if you drop off your children, please plan to pick them up in about an hour. The area to be cleaned is from Tennessee Avenue to Spartenburg Avenue. Please park in the Ocean Grill Parking lot across the street from the restaurant. Let the attendant know that you are with the Ashley boosters and have permission to park there. DO NOT park in the hotel’s parking lot. For more information, please contact Deb LeCompte at dlecompte@bellsouth.net.

Economic Recovery Workshop to be Held in Wilmington – On July 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., come to St. Phillips AME Church at 815 N. 8th Street in Wilmington for an Economic Recovery Workshop for small and historically underutilized business HUBs. This workshop will give an introduction to the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA); NC Recovery Commitment to Small Businesses & HUBs; the Use of Local Recovery Dollars and Business Opportunities; making sure you have the needed resources and getting your questions answered. For more information please visit www.ncrecovery.gov or call 1-888-833-5003 or 919-733-1433.

Fundraiser Event for Step Up for Soldiers at The Last Resort – You are invited to join the members of The Last Resort on July 31st at 7:00 p.m. for a fundraiser for Step up for Soldiers in honor of North Carolina troops leaving Iraq who face lifelong injuries. Step up for Soldiers assists families making homes handicap accessible for those returning home with lifelong disabilities. Step up for Soldiers and its volunteers build ramps, widen doorways, do plumbing or anything else these injured soldiers need to make their lives whole again. There will be a Pig Pick’n with all the fixins and the rock band Bald Fury will provide live entertainment. Come on our & support this extraordinary organization. For information visit www.stepupforsoldiers.com.

Join your Local Law Enforcement Officers for National Night Out – The 26th Annual National Night Out, a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back. The Carolina Beach Police Department and Police Advisory Committee along with the NHC Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Unit will be on the Boardwalk with handout