BAYSHORE BREAK-INS

The article below was on the front page of the Wilmington Star News, and as you know, Bayshore is almost in our back yard.  If you have a security system, please make sure that you are arming it when you leave your home and also when you go to bed at night.  If you do not have a home security system and would like some information, I’m a District Manager with ADT Security and I will be glad to schedule a time to meet with you.  Due to the fact the break-in was so close you will be inundated with “Security Deals” and offers.  Just remember that anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is.

CLICK HERE for the article:  "Burglaries, other crimes have Bayshore residents on edge"

Thanks,

John Hicks, ADT Security, 813 Wine Cellar Circle

(910) 445-6733 or (910) 792-9228

CANDYLAND CHRISTMAS - CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Mark your calendars for Candyland Christmas at the Children's Museum!  Sunday, December 5th from 1-5pm at the Children's Museum of Wilmington (116 Orange Street, Downtown).  Members - $20 per child, Non-members - $25 per child.  Parents and Grandparents are free.  Activities include - Picture with Santa, Making Holiday Picture Frames, Mixing Reindeer food, Sharing wish lists with Santa, Building Candy Cottages, Decorating Cookies.

Questions, please contact Amy Kline:  910-228-3585 or amyckline75@gmail.com

CLOTHING DONATIONS NEEDED

Alex DeFilippis is in the 6th grade at Holly Shelter Middle School and is working on a community clothing drive to benefit the Good Shepherd House Homeless Shelter in Wilmington. Please consider donating to this wonderful cause by going through your attic and closets to find gently used clothing. On Saturday, December 11th Alex will be picking up these items to be delivered the following week.  Please call 319-3274 or send an email to sheiladef@yahoo.com, if you have a donation to be picked up.

LIFT UP FOUNDATION SILENT AUCTION

There will be a silent auction to benefit the Lift Up Foundation in honor of Ellie Potvin, who lost her battle with pediatric cancer earlier this year.  The fundraiser will be held at Porters Neck Country Club, Saturday, November 20th at 5:30 pm.  $25 per person at the door which includes 1 drink ticket, food, non-alcoholic beverages and music.

Enjoy a nice evening out and get a jump on holiday shopping!  If you are unable to make the event, you can make a donation directly to the Lift Up Foundation or donate an item for the silent auction.  Lift Up Foundation donations go to support families battling cancer and to cover the costs of medical care and quality of life activities.

To visit the Lift Up Foundation, click here.  Questions or silent auction donations, contact Mary Wood:  marywood@sent.com (910)262-8655

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Blue Moon Gift Shop is having their 'Christmas Open House' this weekend from 10-6 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday.  There are approx 120 vendors inside this upscale gift shop...don't forget to visit Regina Meachem's booth 'Milk & Honey'.

www.bluemoongiftshops.com

CHILDREN'S BOOKS NEEDED

The teacher cadets at Laney High School are collecting children's books for teenage mothers to read to their children. These books need to be cardboard and in good condition. If you have any to donate, please email Laken Flanders at rileyandoliver@hotmail.com and she will gladly come pick them up! Thank you!

2ND ANNUAL FALL PIG PICKIN'

The 2nd Annual Fall Pig Pickin' will be held on Saturday, November 13th at the Vineyard Plantation Clubhouse.  Hang out with friends & neighbors, eat some BBQ and enjoy a great time in the hood!

The details...

* $5 per person
* Bring a side dish to share
* Beer and BBQ provided
* Cornhole, Bounce House and more
* Kids are welcome

Didn't get eVite?  CLICK HERE

PORTER'S NECK PLANNING MEETING

New Hanover County Planning Staff will present an evaluation of the 1989 “Porters Neck . . . Facing the Future” Community Plan on November 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Plantation Village Auditorium (1200 Porters Neck Road - just passed Champions Assisted Living).

Staff will discuss how the plan was implemented; will receive comments about changes that have occurred in the area; and hear what the residents wish to see in the future. Feedback from this meeting will help guide the department’s future planning efforts...including any changes to the current plans for higher-density housing in the Vineyard Plantation Registry.

If you have concerns - time to get involved!!!
(click here for a link to the Porter's Neck community plan)

FOUND - LT. PINK CROCS

A pair of girls light pink Crocs (size 8) shoes was found after the Halloween Fall Festival this past weekend.  They have butterfly jibbitz on the side.  If they belong to someone in your family, please contact jsheally@sent.com to claim.

AREA SCHOOLS ON LOCKDOWN

Tuesday October 26, 2010 11:20 AM EDT

Hoggard, Roland Grise and Alderman schools are currently on administrative lockdown. Wilmington Police Department and Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit are currently searching for a subject that has ran into the woods behind the Verizon building on Shipyard Blvd. Any new information will be release as it becomes available.
For full details, CLICK HERE.

EATON HOLIDAY BAZAAR - VENDORS NEEDED

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20th FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 PM

The 3rd Annual Eaton Elementary Holiday Bazaar

The Eaton Holiday Bazaar is an efficient and economical way to advertise, bring in new clients and sell your product or service. Previous vendors benefited from the amount of advertisement and shopper traffic. Vendors were able to expand their client base, gain valuable feedback and sold their product or service. 

Space is limited!  Sign up today and reserve your booth by contacting:

Tracy Willis at 264-3490 or eatonholidaybazaar@yahoo.com.

Single Booth Fee is $35.00; There is an additional $10 Table Fee, if provided by Eaton.

Concessions will be sold during the event

TRICK-OR-TREATING

Currently, there are no plans to move trick-or-treating to a different day...it is still planned for Sunday, October 31st in our neighborhood.

FOUND - CAR KEY

A Lexus car key was recently found at the clubhouse...please contact vineyardplantation@sent.com if it belongs to you.

COYOTES SPOTTED IN NEIGHBORHOOD

UPDATE:  Additional sightings of  a pair of coyotes in our neighborhood.  Keep your pets on a leash when going outside.

Be on alert!!!  There was a coyote spotted on Winery Way this morning around 7:00 am.  It darted out of a wooded area and went after a small dog (the dog escaped unharmed).  There was also a previous sighting of two coyotes drinking from the pond on Chablis Way.  Please keep a close eye on your pets and your children, and be aware of your surroundings.  The wildlife authority has been notified; any updates will be posted to the blog.

KIDS FALL FESTIVAL

The time has come for our annual Kids Fall Festival!  Saturday, October 30th, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.  There will be a costume contest, face painting, games, a hayride, and scarecrow stuffing.
 
 *If you have older kids that may be interested in helping facilitate the games, please email Allison Luckadoo: allibear214@yahoo.com

*Also, please bring an old shirt (with long sleeves) and pants to create your scarecrow!

If you didn't receive the eVite, CLICK HERE to RSVP.

CAbi PARTY

Patty McCumbee is hosting a CAbi 2010 Fall/Winter Collection show at her house on Thursday, October 14th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm (trunk show starts at 6:30).  Patty's address is 703 Chablis Way and her email is patty.mccumbee@gnf.com if you would like to RSVP or if you need more info. Drinks and appetizers will be served.

To preview the collection online, click here.

LABOR DAY POOL PARTY

Come and get your lounge on...Sunday, September 5th at the VP Pool & Clubhouse!  Bring a dish to share, hang out with your friends and neighbors and enjoy an afternoon of fun in the sun!

DJ Rick will be spinnin' the tunes, we'll have pool games and hopefully some great weather, so pack up the floaties and slather on some SPF before the summer is over!

(This party is BYOBeverage...no glass please)

If you didn't get the eVite:  CLICK HERE

FOUND: CAT WITH STRIPES

A brown and gray striped cat has been visiting Donna Owens house on Reisling Avenue.  He or she has brown and gray stripes with a white chest and white paws.  If this cat belongs to anyone, please contact Donna at 319-7455...before her other 2 cats stage a walk-out.

UPDATE:  The lists are up at the register.

The Porters Neck Walgreens will have school supply lists for Eaton Elementary (by Teacher/Class) posted in their school supply aisle by 5:00 pm today.  (Thanks Teresa DeMarco!)

BALLOON RELEASE

There will be a nationwide balloon release in honor of Ellie Potvin on Saturday, June 26 at 1:00 pm EDT.  Please release a pink or white balloon in celebration of her life and her amazing fight against cancer.  If anyone has organized a centralized location to do this in our neighborhood or nearby, please post a comment to let others know where, or email vineyardplantation@sent.com.

ELLIE POTVIN

Ellie Potvin gained her angel wings at 11:35 am yesterday morning, surrounded by her brave and loving family. A wake will be held at Calvary Church this Friday at 6:00 pm and the funeral will be held at Calvary Church Saturday at 11:00 am to celebrate her life (in Charlotte, NC). Please wear pink to the funeral or pastels - Ellies's favorite colors.

Flowers can be sent to Calvary Church on Pineville Matthews Road in Charlotte, NC in care of Ellie Potvin.

Donations can be made to Ellie's fund:  www.liftupellie.com

Or mail check payable to:
Ellie Shoal Potvin Supplemental Trust Fund
9218 Ginhouse Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Potvin Family as we celebrate Ellie's amazing life and spirit!

PLANTATION LANDING POOL

Just a reminder that in order to use the pool and/or kiddie pool in Plantation Landing (Gaskins Lane), you must actually be a resident of that community.  There have been complaints that non-residents, including some from Vineyard Plantation, have been using their pool.  Please do not use their pool unless you own a home in Plantation Landing.

STRANGER DANGER WORKSHOP

The Vineyard Plantation Community Watch Group Invites you to a Stranger Danger Presentation given by McGruff the Crime Dog and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Department on June 6th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the VP Clubhouse.  Kids will get to meet McGruff in person, and families will receive lots of information on how to keep kids safe along with a child ID kit.  For eVite, click HERE.

Afterwards - meet poolside for snacks and a swim.
* Please bring a snack to share

LIA SOPHIA PARTY

Christy Punzalan is hosting a Lia Sophia jewelry party on Tuesday, May 25th at 6:30 pm at her house (515 Chablis Way). Try on beautiful jewelry, hang out with friends and enjoy some wine and appetizers - there's no pressure to purchase!  If you can't make it, the website is: http://www.liasophia.com/ - you can place orders or request a catalog through Christy: 686-7906.

FLOOR, CORE & MORE

UPDATED - NO CLASS MAY 22
If you're looking for a new, fun way to workout, "Floor, Core & More" is a great addition to any fitness routine. This hour-long class will introduce Pilates and Yoga techniques that are effective for improving muscle endurance, core strength, range of motion/flexibility, balance and coordination.  The cost is $6 per person, per session, and the class will be held every Saturday morning from 9:00 - 10:00 am at the VP Clubhouse.  No sign up necessary, just show up - bring a mat and water.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Need a plumber or a carpet cleaner?  CLICK HERE to access the VP Service Directory where you'll find a list of trusted service providers.  Also, if you have had experience with a great (and trustworthy) painter, electrician, plumber, landscaper, cleaning service, babysitter, etc. that you'd like to add to the directory, please email Julie Olivier with their name/s and contact information:  julie.olivier@ge.com

ALLIGATOR WARNING

A five foot alligator has been spotted in the pond by the clubhouse on Gaskins Lane in Plantation Landing. The NC Wildlife Office has been notified, however since it's "endangered" they cannot remove the gator.

• DO NOT visit the ponds for any reason until the situation is remedied
• Alligators are very fast and can easily outrun humans on land
• Alligators are carnivores and can be deadly
• It is a federal offense to harm or feed alligators, so please STAY AWAY 

If you want to express your concern about this situation for your safety and the safety of your kids/pets, please call: NC Wildlife Biologist, Robbie Norville at 252-523-8540.

WILMINGTON RESTAURANT WEEK

If you've ever wanted to try out a local restaurant, now's the time...April 28 - May 5 is Wilmington Restaurant Week where you can find amazing deals & specials on many restaurants around town. Just visit this site: http://www.wilmingtonrestaurantweek.com/RWindex.html and follow the instructions to print out your savings pass. Happy dining!

ELECTRICAL HELP

If anyone is looking for someone to help with small electrical jobs, please contact Mike Messineo at 632-4258 or mess472@gmail.com

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

UPDATE:  The Topsail Voice newspaper ran an article today, which includes a sketch of the suspect (left).  Click here to read it.

UPDATE:   The SUV in question was reported being seen in the parking lot beside Blair by the recycling bins. The School resource officers at Blair and Noble were made aware of this and the area was patrolled. We need to make sure we are all talking to our children and making them aware that there could be a possibility of him or someone else coming to our neighborhoods. Also, if you see anything that is even somewhat suspicious don't hesitate to call 911. They would rather come check it out than have anything bad happen. This pertains to anything going on that seems suspicious.

There have been reports of a suspicious dark blue SUV going around Scott's Hill taking photos. Driver is man wearing a brown wig. Car has Duke sticker on the back and silver along the bottom of the car. Recently, he stopped 2 kids and asked them to help him find his puppy. Keep your eyes out for this car and eyes on your kids!

WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

Debby Flanders is participating in the ALS Association's Walk to Defeat ALS on April 17 at UNCW as part of the Ward's Warriors Team.  The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front.  If you would like to support the Team's fund-raising efforts through a tax-deductible donation, please contact Debby at:  nc4flanders@hotmail.com

ART CLASSES FOR KIDS

Lil Picasso is offering art classes for kids ages 5-13...the program uses a weekly 1 1/2 hour class to provide lessons in sketching, enlargement, scale and composition as well as the use of color.  Classes are $25 for an 8 week minimum package, plus a one-time $33 supply fee.  They also offer summer camps and birthday parties!  For more info:  www.lilpicassoart.com or 910-540-5967.

KIDS BOOK SWAP

There will be a Book Swap at the Clubhouse at 3:00 pm, Sunday, April 11.  Kids age birth through teen are invited to bring books, puzzles or video games that you no longer want.  We will put them out for display and each child gets to select "new" items to take home.  

*Any left over books will be donated to the public library book sale and/or a downtown elementary school for the classroom library.  Questions, email Kristie McGrady:  kmcgrady@century21sweyer.com or Sheila DeFilippis:  sheiladef@yahoo.com
(A book swap for grown-ups will be scheduled at a later date)

ABANDONED BIKE

If anyone left their black bike next to the retention pond on Chablis (nearest Riesling), it has been moved to Mary Wood's front walkway - 734 Chablis Way.  Please pick it up at your earliest convenience.

WOUNDED WARRIORS - BEACH RUN

The Coast Guard is sponsoring their 1st Annual Recognition Run on Saturday, April 3rd.  The 3.4 mile race will be held at Wrightsville Beach and racers will run from pier to pier (on sand - 1.7 down & back).  Registration is at 0800; race begins at 0845 starting from Johnnie Mercer Pier.  For more information and to register for the race, go to:  http://recognitionrun.eventbrite.com/

All proceeds for this event will go to support the Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  If you have any questions, please contact Gregg Hoss at 408-515-5121.

SEEKING JOB OPPORTUNITY

Sheri Early is currently looking for a full-time accounting, office management or human resource position with a local business, available to start immediately.  She has her BA in Accounting and over 15 years of experience.  For a resume, more information or if you have any leads to pass her way, please contact Sheri:  slearly@comcast.net or 239-272-6709.

TEXAS HOLD'EM TOURNAMENT

Don't forget, the Texas Hold'em Tournament will be held at the Clubhouse this Saturday at 8:00 pm.  Players - please bring $10 entry fee and a dish to share.  Also, this is a BYOB event.  There will be March Madness brackets available for $5 so the more you play, the higher the payout.

Update:  Poker tournament registration is currently closed...there's always next year!

PAMPERED CHEF LUNCHEON PARTY

YOU'RE INVITED TO A PAMPERED CHEF LUNCHEON PARTY!!!
 
Date:  Saturday, January 9th
Time:  11:30 - ~ 1:00 p.m.
What:  Pampered Chef Party / cook in
Place:  Cathy VanGilder's home, 8510 Jadewood Drive

RSVP is not necessary, and you are welcome to bring friends.  You can just stop by, and not stay the whole time.  We look forward to a very relaxed party.

p.s.  Dennis is going to share his famous chocolate Martini recipe for anyone that is interested!