It's Starting to Look Like Spring!

I hope everyone (in the Wilmington area and below) is enjoying this BEAUTIFUL weather we've been having the past few days! And to everyone else...I'm sure your beautiful weather will be coming soon!

For those of you who want to get out and enjoy what looks like a great weekend to come, here are things happening in our area:

Thursday, March 1st

'Flapper'

7:00 AM

at Community Arts Center, 120 South Second St. A Madcap Musical comedy tribute to the 20’s by Thalian Association Children’s Theatre (TACT.)3 p.m. Feb.18 Community Arts Center. $7. Public contact: 251-1788.

Annual Adult New Play Festival 2007

at Big Dawg Productions, P.O. Box 12086, Wilmington. Interested writers should send 3 copies of their one-act play (with a simple set and a small cast). Big Dawg will produce the winning plays on stage at Thalian Hall May 24-27 and the winners will also receive a cash award. Do not include your name on the play itself. Deadline for submissions is March 1. $10 entry fee. Public contact: Virginia Davis, 799-5043; Martha Rusnak, 256-7962; www.bigdawgproductions.org.

Live Music - Peter Anthony (acoustic guitar)

11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

at Water Street Restaurant, 5 Water St.
. Public contact: 343-0042; www.5southwaterstreet.com.

Wilmington Wine Shoppe

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

at Downtown Wilmington, 110-A South Front St. Wine tasting every Thursday night. Free. Public contact: 772-2077.

Friday, March 2nd

A Wedding Affair Workshop

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

at 380 Graybridge Rd., Shallotte. Info at the Thursday workshops will include learning how to make your own: bouquet, bridal veil, favors, floral arrangements, and bridal jewelry. $12 each session or $50 for all sessions. Public contact: 287-5510; weddingworkshop@atmc.net.

Winter Jazz

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

at Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St. Entertainment by The Laura McFayden Quartet. Snacks and beverages permitted. $5. Public contact: (910) 798-4370.

Live Music - Peter Anthony (acoustic guitar)

11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

at Water Street Restaurant, 5 Water St.
. Public contact: 343-0042; www.5southwaterstreet.com.

Saturday, March 3rd

CHILDREN'S MARKET

8:30 AM

in the gymnasium of Hoggard High School, 4305 Shipyard Blvd. By Mothers of Preschoolers No strollers please. $3 admission.

OYSTER EDUCATION AND RESTORATION

10:00 AM

at Airlie Gardens, 300 AIrlie Road. Oyster Speaker Series featuring oysters experts, scientists and aficionados. Free, but reservations are suggested. Public contact: www.airliegardens.org.

BARBECE PORK OR CHICKEN DINNER

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

at Rocky Point Volunter Fire Department, Ten plates minimum to deliver in the Rocky Point/Burgaw Area. Barbecue pork also available at $7 per pound. $6 per plate. Public contact: 675-0105.

Murder Mystery dinner theater

7:00 PM

at Indigo Room at House of Blues, Barefoot Landing, 4640 U.S. 17 S., 12 miles south of N.C./S.C. border. An interactive comedy “Who dunnit” dinner show. Recommended for ages 14 and up/or parents discretion) $39.50. Public contact: (843) 272-3000


Sunday, March 4th

A Wedding Affair Workshop

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

at 380 Graybridge Rd., Shallotte. Info at the Thursday workshops will include learning how to make your own: bouquet, bridal veil, favors, floral arrangements, and bridal jewelry. $12 each session or $50 for all sessions. Public contact: 287-5510; weddingworkshop@atmc.net.

Live Music - Peter Anthony (acoustic guitar)

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

at Caffe Phoenix, 9 S. Front St. Public contact: 343-1395.

Live Music - Peter Anthony (acoustic guitar)

5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

at Water Street Restaurant, 5 Water St.
. Public contact: 343-0042;

SHAG LESSONS - BEGINNER

4:00 PM

at Fran Russ Recereation Center, Wrightsville Beach. No partner needed. Intermediate class begins at 5:30 p.m. $20 for Wrightsville Bech residents; $30 nonresidents. Public contact: Registration, 256-7925.

**Information courtesy of www.starnewsonline.com**

Here's a special treat for the ladies this week:

A "netflix" type company that allows you to essentially "borrow" handbags and jewelry, keep them as long as you would like, and then either "steal" them or return for something else on your list.

www.bagborroworsteal.com

• + Low monthly membership and no late fees.
• + New bags added every day!
• + Create a Wish List-don't lose track of your favorite bags.
• + If you fall in love with a bag, you can Steal It.
• + Fabulous deals on gently used bags in our Outlet Store.

• There is no time limit—keep your item for six months or keep it for a year! As long as your account is in good standing, borrowing frequency is completely up to you.
• Borrow any item, whether it's Trendsetter, Princess, Diva or Couture Collections. You'll be charged an additional fee either by-the-week or by-the-month for each item you borrow.
• For the first three months of membership, you can borrow up to three items at a time. Only one of those items can be from our Couture Collection. After three months, you can borrow as many as five items!
• See Membership Agreement for details.

• Couture—Runway worthy handbags and jewelry from top designers such as Gucci and Rosiblu starting at $175 a month.
• Diva—Luxurious, dream bags and jewelry from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Charriol starting at $90 a month.
• Princess—Confidently versatile accessories from designers such as Betsey Johnson and Pianegonda starting at $40 a month.
• Trendsetter—Fresh, trend-forward accessories from designers such as Dooney & Bourke and Lori Bonn starting at only $20 a month.

Wendy's Helpful Hints of the week:

Now that spring is quickly approaching, here are some spring maintenance tips for your home:

• Replace your furnace filter
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check your electrical system
• Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
• Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Check for damage to your roof
• Run through a severe-weather drill with your family
• Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
• Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Check your water heater
• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Replace or clean your furnace filter.

It should be checked once a month and replaced or cleaned as needed. Some filters are reusable and are supposed to be taken out, washed with a hose and re-inserted. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating costs and cause fires.

Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter.

Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.

Check your electrical system.

• Look for burn marks at the main electrical panel; they can be a sign of arcing inside the panel, which can easily lead to a fire. Loose connections or damaged insulation can cause the arcing. Note: Only a qualified electrician should remove the front panel cover.
  
  
• Trip and reset the circuit breakers regularly.
  
  
• Remove any combustible materials such as paper boxes or flammable liquids from the area near the main electrical panel. Sparks caused by arcing inside the panel can ignite material stored nearby.
  
  
• Check all electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs they are an indication of a worn out receptacle. Worn receptacles should be replaced as they cause overheating and fires. Also check electrical outlets and switches to be sure they work properly. If any switches, outlets or receptacles do not work, have a qualified electrician determine the problem and fix it to avoid fires inside the walls of your home.
  
  
• Install safety covers to help protect children from electrical shock. Any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock should be unplugged and checked by an electrician or repair shop.

Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.

Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.

Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage

The light fixture manufacturer recommends the correct wattage. If too high a wattage bulb is used in a light fixture, heat produced inside the fixture can lead to fire inside the fixture, ceiling or wall.

Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home.

Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning.

Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer.

Maintenance should include:

• Cleaning the evaporator coil
  
  
• Lubricating fans and motors
  
  
• Tightening or changing the belts
  
  
• Checking electrical safeties
  
  
• Checking the drain pan for leaks
  
  
• Testing the capacitors
  
  
• Check the condensate drain
  
  
• Test the crankcase heater
  
  
• Calibrating the thermostat
  
  
• Visually checking the wiring for potential short circuits

These steps can help decrease the chance of fire, save money by making the system run more efficiently and help prevent breakdowns.

Things you can maintain:

• Check the condensate hose to be sure it is not blocked with algae.
  
• Clean the outside condensing unit screen of leaves.
  
• Listen for unusual noises.

Check for damage to your roof

Signs include missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.

Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface.

This will help prevent guests and family members from slipping, tripping or falling.

Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses

Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration.

These areas can become weathered and worn and may lead to potential water damage.

Check your water heater.

• If you have a gas-fired water heater, check to make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don't blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn't, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other combustibles can build up in the home.
  
  
• Check around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced.

Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function.

Know the location of all valves and what equipment and water lines they serve. Teach all family members.

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer.

Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and cause fire.

Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged.

Exposed wires may cause arcing, which will produce heat and can start a fire. Care should also be taken to keep appliances and their power cords away from water or a heat source because this will damage the cord's insulation.

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

**Information courtesy of State Farm Insurance**

I hope you have a great weekend!

**And don't forget to visit my website www.wendyinwilmington.com and log in to the Property Search page for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card sponsored by Kendee Blake of Alpha Mortgage, and also check out my new "funny stuff" page for 50 fun things to do in an elevator!