In this E-dition:
(October 16, 2009)

- Carolina Beach buys land for a pier
- Fred Pickler will visit the Book Shop tomorrow
- Save the Date! The Holiday Walk is November 22
- This Weekend on the Peninsula

**We hope you like the Snow's Cut E-news. 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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$4.3 million for 1.8 acres
Proving once again that they are dead serious about bringing a North Carolina Aquarium Pier to downtown Carolina Beach, the council approved purchasing roughly 1.8 acres of prime land for roughly $4.3 million. (It was a 3-2 vote with Alan Gilbert and Jerry Johnson voting against it.)

The town has agreed to purchase land for a peir house and parking lot so that the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher can build and operate a 1,000' fishing pier with educational and event facilities.

Considering that the town has an $8.5 million annual budget, this purchase is - how should I put this - friggin 'uge! But grants may offset much of the cost.

Consider Kure Beach. They paid $3.6 million for 1/2 acre of oceanfront land for a park. Grants have already covered $2.5 million of that. They also have almost $1 mill in grant money to build it. (See the October edition of SCM for more info about this.)

Check out this map to see the properties.
This article appeared in the Star-News.

The Hermit's best friend will speak tomorrow
The Fort Fisher Hermit was closer to Fred Pickler than any man alive today. Tragicly, Fred Pickler was also the crime scene investigator assigned to investigate the Hermit's mysterious death. He authored and took pictures for his book Life and Times of the Fort Fisher Hermit.

He is a fascinating man to talk to, and he visits the Snow's Cut Book Shop from 12-2pm this Saturday (October 17). Come meet him.

The 4th Annual Holiday Walk - November 22
Christmas season starts on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. That’s the day the downtown Carolina Beach businesses open their doors for sales, open houses, specials and general holiday merriment.

During last year’s Holiday Walk, the sidewalks were quite literally more crowded with foot traffic than any other day of the year (not counting the Christmas parade).

It was like a Bing Crosby music video. Seriously.

It works like this: In the November edition of SCM, you’ll find an insert with the names and locations of participating businesses. Stop in to 3/4 of those listed and you’ll be eligible for a drawing for great gifts from all of the merchants. The drawing is on December 15 – just in time to re-gift your prizes if you’re a cheap skate.

This newsletter is a little weak (and a day late)
Sorry, but my computer broke down yesterday, which is a major drag for a guy like me. Never fear, the next one will be back to normal, because my good friends at Beach PC are on the job. Thanks Tom and Jon.

This weekend on the Cape Fear Peninsula

Friday, October 16 - Divine Wines' weekly free wine tasting from 4-7pm will focus on closeouts and on sale wines. Even though the wines are great, nothing is over $10. 791-1251

Shanty's - Puttin' on the Hits is open to the public

The Wilmington Oktoberfest starts on Friday night and lasts all day on Saturday. Check it out if you like beer, brats and oompah music. It's at Fat Tony's in Racine Commons (250 Racine Drive). Call 452-9000 for info.

Saturday, October 17 – Divine Wines is having an afternoon wine tasting and closeout sale from 1-5pm. 791-1251

Visit Fabulous Finds for their annual fall open house from 11am-4pm. They'll have drawings, silent auctions and lots of great deals on home furnishings. DJ Linda from Double Q 101.3 FM will broadcast live from 12-2pm. Fab Finds is located at 3605 Carolina Beach Road. Call 395-0688 for directions.

Fred Pickler at the Snow's Cut Book Shop from 12-2pm

The Salty Paws Festival from 12-5pm.
Shanty's - Puttin' on the Hits is open to the public

The Black Horn welcomes Brad Benson starting at 9pm.

Sunday, October 18 – Sunday Brunch at Havana's.

The Black Horn has free wings during football and they do a fun pick-em contest where you try your luck picking the winners of this weekend's games.

Can you beat the master? I'll bet you can't. Here's my picks:

Falcons over the Bears
Texans over the Bengals (The Bengals aren't for real)
Packers over the Lions (Final score 100-0)
Eagles over the Raiders (Do Eagles fans really deserve a good team?)
Ravens over the Vikings (You heard it here first!)
Patriots over the Titans
Saints over the Giants
Jets over the Bills
Steelers over the Browns
Seahawks over the Cardinals (Those desert boys can't handle the rain)
Buccaneers over the Panthers (This Pantrhers team is a disaster)
Chiefs over the Skins (This would be my upset special, but is anyone really an underdog against the Skins?)
Jaguars over the Rams (Who cares?)
Chargers over the Broncos (I still think the Broncos will finish 8-8)

Earth Save is sponsoring An Afternoon of Blues, Jazz, and Funk at the Amphitheater from 1-6pm (the Greenfeild Lake Ampitheater).

Leroy Harper Jr., (The Weather Channel Boyz) along with Painted Man's 9 piece band, will be our headliners. These dudes are amazing.

Benny Hill, Groove Campaign, Wilmington Drummers and Dancers, and David Key will also be performing.

Nikki's Fresh Gourmet will be serving vegetarian fare, and you canb also try organic beer and wine. Earth Save promotes green businesses and non-profits, as well as alternative/holistic health care providers.