Wilmington, NC -Architectural Styles- The BUNGALOW

Wilmington has many of these cottage-y style homes - the bungalow. An abundant number of these houses were built in the 1920's and were clustered around and in the historical area of downtown Wilmington. They were used as homes by merchants, shipworkers and storeowners. They usually consisted of 3 bedrooms, one bath, kitchen, dining and living room. They are very desireable today as they are small and rather affordable if they have never been rehabbed. People configure them in all different ways to make them more liveable. This one currently listed by the company I work for - Intracoastal Realty & its address is 2007 Metts Avenue - a desireable area. It is in a centrally located, leafy neighborhood close to shopping and downtown. It is about 20 minutes to Wrightsville Beach. It has been renovated by a couple with experience rehabbing bungalows. Inside one would think you were in a "Country Living home". It has very cute features- modern, open, updated. Outside it has that de rigeur front porch for lots of late afternoon naps. Let me show you this beauty.

We've got the Spirit on 17 th St in Wilmington NC

They've got the spirit in Wilmington, NC.

Lots of lots, lots of characters. The Holidays are

here. This is 17 Th in Wilmington.

Thalian Hall In Wilmington, NC is 150 Years Young

This grand old lady in Wilmington is now 150 years old. The majestic pediments, pilasters and pillars hide a lotta secrets. This old building was a government building in its younger days.

It is now a grand ole theatre which boast Broadway tunes, shows, cabarets and famous folk alike.

It is also the site of the Cucalorus film festival which hosts an international crowd of filmmakers and buffs viewing and discussion movies for the week long celebration. If you are ever in town take a tour over and visit Thalian Hall - there may be more to see there than meets the eye.

WILMINGTON NC BY CANDLELIGHT TOUR TONIGHT

Explore the historical homes in the coastal city of Wilmington, NC today and tomorrow. The Latimer House on 3rd Street is where you can buy tickets for this tour called - Old Wilmington by Candlelight - Silver Bells and Oyster Shells, A Carolina Christmas by the Sea. If you go to the Latimer House website all the houses on the tour are shown with their addresses. You can buy tickets at the locations show on their website or at Latimer House. Tickets are $ 30 today and tickets can also be used tomorrow. These homes dating back to early 1800 have significance in Wilmington as they were the residences of ship captains and merchants and built in the style of the day. There are even slave homes to view. Queen Anne style homes, Craftsman style and tudor style homes are represented on the tour. The tour is today 4-8 and tomorrow 2-6. It will be a great opportunity to take in the significant historical sites of Old Wilmington. The Latimer website address is www.latimerhouse.org to idenify homes on the tour and buy tickets.

New Mega Screen Theater coming to Wilmington, NC

Yeah - a new place for the kids to enjoy their movies on Fri and Sat nights - a new mega complex theatre coming to Wilmington. This will be in the Belle Meade complex that faces out on Carolina Beach Road.
It had been in the works for a while but the final planning board approval just came through. This will help out that strip mall established at the back of the Belle Meade subdivision which was built on the old Belle Meade plantation. It will be a welcome addition to this growing part of town. Yeah!!!

Pleasure Island Holiday Events - Carolina Beach, NC

Pleasure Island just south of Wilmington has some exciting holiday events planned for this weekend. The Pleasure Island parade is Friday night and takes place in downtown Carolina Beach - running north on Lake Park Blvd. Kids of all ages will love the many entries that include floats, bands and entertainers. On Saturday night Pleasure Island has its own version of the Holiday Flotilla. All boats that take place travel down the Canal to the big boats on Winner St and then back up North in the channel in front of Canal St. This is another well attended holiday event in Carolina Beach. See ya there!!

Wilmington, NC In Running For Air Force One Museum

Local officials met today to endorse the possibility of the new Air Force One Museum being built in Wilmington, NC. Howie Franklin, a local resident, is on the board of the search committee. Mr. Franklin previously served 5 presidents as their coordinator for all flights and details for each activity planned for Air Force One. Due to his experience Mr. Franklin was selected for this committee. Other locations, besides Wilmington are also being considered. The Wilmington location would be in an area near Kerr and Randall Parkway on a plot of land owned by the state DOT. Wilmington was chosen since it was the first state for air flight. The Wright brothers paved the way for this great opportunity. The museum will be built somewhere in NC. What a tourist coup for the winning city!!

Enchanted Airlie - Spectacular Holiday Event at Wilmington NC Gardens

Don't miss this holiday family spectacular event - Enchanted Airlie opening this week at the beautiful Airlie Gardens. The lighting displays including the bottle house and the lighted bottle trees are too tempting to miss. The sensational displays will include 5 trains. The whole garden comes to life at night. There will be hot chocolate and cookies to keep you warm. Tickets must be purchased separately at the gardens' website - http://www.airliegardens.org/. The event is on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday nights til Christmas. Don't miss this special event!!

ART SHOW IN WILMINGTON, NC - Novermber 22, 2008

Art for the Masses - art show will take place on Saturday November 22, 2008. This show will be attended by over 250 artists who will be selling their creations directly to the public. Most work will be under $ 250. Show will take place in a 30000 sqft warehouse, rain or shine behind the Steinmart store in the Hanover Plaza on Oleander Drive. All kinds of media will be represented - acrylics, photography, metal, oil paintings, pottery and many more works of art.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH FLOTILLA - 25th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

The Wrightsville Beach Flotilla will take place on November 29, 2008. This is the 25 th anniversary of this very special event on Harbour Island and in and out the Wrightsville beach boat basins. Boats of all kinds decorated to the max participate with lights, trees, santas and all kinds of holiday regalia. There are singers, dancers, and all kinds of people acting on these floating holiday specters. It is an all day event on Harbour Island with a craft fair with all kinds of vendors. People line up all along the banks of the water to see the holiday parade. Prizes are awarded for the best boats in a number of categories based on size of boats. If you plan on attending -please come early as parking can be tough as there are so many spectators at this very popular holiday event.
For more detailed information on this event and to see the actual parade route please check out the website www.NCholidayflotilla.org

NEW DOWNTOWN HOTEL PLANNED FOR WILMINGTON NC

Another hotel is planning on breaking ground in downtown Wilmington. A Courtyard Marriott based out of Greensboro, NC the hotel will use the county lot across the street for parking. This hotel will have 125 rooms. Construction is scheduled to start on this hotel in 3rd quarter of 2009 and be completed in 2010. This hotel will have a bar and a pool. It will be located at the corner of 2nd and Grace This is only 1 block away from another hotel scheduled to be built on Grace Street. This hotel will have over 150 rooms. Interest in Wilmington is due to the new convention center scheduled to be built on the river. This also will have a new hotel - an Indigo, a swanky upscale hotel that will cater to the convention attendees. This is an exciting development for the city which is totally undergoing a renaissance as a destination convention center.

Jacksonville NC Set to Explode in Population

Did you know that Jacksonville NC is set to explode in population? Camp Lejeune is expected to grow by 10000 people within the next 4 years. If you include family members the town could grow by as much as 40000 people in the next 4-6 years. Many of this increase in population is due to the US Marines moving troops from closed bases all over the country. This does not even take into account the numbers of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan according to media reports. Pender county is already experiencing this growth. It is finding increased traffic and the schools are quickly filling up. The middle schools are really affected according to county officials. There are bills being proposed in the state legislature to support and bolster the infrastructure in the area to accommodate this growth but it not a sure thing these bills will pass due to the current economic climate.
Word has it that real estate is being snapped in these areas also. At least one area is booming in this otherwise tough economy.

Latino Fest on Saturday - Wilmington, NC

Experience the annual Latino Festival this weekend in Wilmington, NC. Held in Hugh McRae Park on South College Road, you can enjoy Spanish food and drink. This is where you can savor the real heritage foods not normally found in restaurants. This festival will take place in the park setting where the colors are just changing and you can dance your heart out to Hispanic beat from 12pm to 8 pm.

WILMINGTON NC TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TOWARD NORTHERN RIVERFRONT PROJECT

The city of Wilmington, NC has agreed to contribute $ 7 million towards a huge north end Riverfront project. The city council passed this resolution November 5, Wednesday night to assist in extending the Riverwalk to this project and with installation of some of the infrastuture and help with the riverfront bulkhead of this project. This is a $750 million project of over 200 buildings scheduled to be constructed within the next 20 years. It will consist of a marina, commercial, retail and condos all just north of the new Wilmington convention center. Funding is also scheduled to assist in extending our famous RIVERWALK to the north of the city just along this new project. Visitors and city dwellers alike enjoy this attractive city feature.
This is another exciting new project to be undertaken on the riverfront in Wilmington. Recently in October another project was approved by the Wilmington City Council of another riverfront condo complex on the southern end of the city of over 100 condos included in this mixed use project. These 2 projects will define the skyline and riverfront elevations of our fine city.

Film Festival - 14th Cucalorus film festival in Wilmington,NC in Nov. 12 - 15

The 14th Annual Cuculorus Film Festival will take place November 11- 15 in Wilmington, NC. This is a chance for all film buffs to take in all kinds of films. Wilmington welcomes this festival to "Hollywood East" as Wilmington is becoming known - the home of EUE Screen Gems Studio. Screen Gems is responsible for producing many huge screen hits along with many pilots and weekly shows such as Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill. People are expected to come from all over the country and the world to participate in this festival to celebrate the emerging artists of the screen world. You will be able to take in short films, documentaries and all sorts of film experiences. It is also a chance to view our beautiful city and visit its gorgeous beaches. You can find out more details at www.Cucalorus.org.

CONSIDER CLARENDON PARK - 1st time homebuyers

Consider Clarendon Park if you are in the market for a home in Wilmington, NC . Ranging from 1300 to 1600 sq. ft. you can find the perfect place to call home at a great price. Homes start at
$ 159,000. and have a bunch of floorplans with features including - hardwoods, white cabinets, fences, front porches, and great storage. Amenities to include community dock on a Smith Creek, walking trails, sidewalks, street lighting. Community is close to downtown Wilmington and is a find for those looking for new homes within blocks of downtown Wilmington. The historic district is also only blocks away for exploring and checking out century old architecture. Restuarants, riverwalk, shopping, cafes, museum and concert hall all withing close proximity. Beaches are only 15 - 20 minutes away. Enjoy the good life at a good price in Clarendon Park.
Let me show you the neighborhood.