Soccer by the shore

Soccer on the beach isn't very practical -- the ball rolls into mini dunes and sometimes stops dead -- but it sure is fun. The Pleasure Island Soccer Association (PISA) has married this fun with a friendly competition with the inaugural Carolina Sand Blast tournament, to be held in Carolina Beach overlooking the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean the weekend of April 5-6.

The tournament is open to boys and girls U9 to U19 (that's under age 9 up to under age 19 in soccer speak) as well as adult divisions, over-30, and co-ed. Each game features 4 against 4.

Registration deadline is March 26. Please contact admin@pleasureislandsoccer.com for registration and details.

Bloom City

A lot of visitors to our area might not be familiar with the term "Azalea Coast". But if you've ever been in or around Wilmington in spring time you'd be amazed at the sheer number and beauty of azaleas, the aggressively flowering bush that blooms in spring with intense hues of red, purple, pink and yellow. Nearly every home with a yard boasts at least one plant, and many offer whole yards filled with them. The overall effect is like a flashback to the 1960s , or a floral candyland (ooh, remember that board game -- I loved it!)

With the help of some unseasonably warm weather (and a little much-needed rain), some azaleas are already blooming. But to see the real show, you'll likely need to wait till early April, or better yet, visit during Wilmington's 61st Azalea Festival, slated for April 9-13.

For more information, please visit http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/

Rebirth for Carolina beach boardwalk?

People over the age of 50 can recall a Carolina Beach boardwalk that steamed in the summer with dance halls and raging shag contests. Younger folks remember arcades with the latest games and rides that provoked squeals over the Atlantic. As the area slowly moved from mecca to blight, regulars can glumly recall bar fights that involved more than fists and testosterone.
But that could change as early as this summer because lawmakers and friends with influence and deep pockets have teamed up to spruce up the once revered area.
Earlier this year the town council unanimously approved $53,000 to kick-start renovations for what is rather prosaically called Boardwalk Makeover. Ideas for the coming vacation season are to provide family friendly live music and other entertainment during weekly summer fireworks.
Longer term plans call for development that could include wide swaths of public space complemented by high-rise commercial and private buildings. That term "high-rise" is what scares many locals, who fear unchecked Myrtle Beach-type growth. This is unlikely in our small town since even developers seem eager to keep the feel of quaint Carolina Beach.