From left: KW agents Christa Preville, Kriby Keene and Becky King at the 2008 Fashion Victims’ Ball

Keller Williams Realty and WWAY-TV3 have teamed up to host Wilmington’s 2nd Annual Fashion Victims’ Ball, December 6th from 7 to 11 pm at the Coastline Convention Center downtown. This holiday event has attendees wearing wacky, outlandish attire (”sacrificing fashion to benefit local charities”) and enjoying hefty hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, a silent auction, raffle give-aways, and dancing to the music of Lenny Frank.

Charities benefiting from the affair include: Boys and Girls Club, Breast Cancer Awareness, Carolina Canines, Habitat for Humanity, Project Linus, and the Ronald McDonald House in Raleigh that helps out the parents of critically ill children from our area.

Last year, Keller Williams raised over $11k for local charities and danced the night away with over 500 “fashion victims” in attendance.  For more information, including how you can reserve your tickets for $25 each, please call the Fashion Victims’ Ball Hotline at 910-442-1728.

Please click the image below to view photos from the Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday. Enjoy!

Our grand opening party was a huge success! While Keller Williams Realty has been in Wilmington for over four years, we just recently moved to a new office space located at 5911 Oleander Drive. The chamber kicked off the event at 4:30PM with a ribbon cutting, and the rest of the evening was a social whirlwind of friends, family, clients, vendor partners, and Realtors. We estimate several hundred guests came through our doors! From the Champagne fountain to the sushi, there was no shortage of great food and drinks. Currently, Keller Williams in Wilmington has just over 80 agents. Nationally, KW has over 73,000 agents and is the fourth-largest U.S. residential real estate firm. Our company believes in treating associates as partners and shares knowledge, policy control and profits on a system-wide basis. This is truly a phenomenal place to work! Thank you everyone who attended our grand opening party- your support is invaluable!

Well it’s official – summer is here! With July 4th around the corner and temperatures reaching the 90s, there’s no denying it. Wherever the summer takes you this year, remember to pack lots of water and sunscreen.

Speaking of July 4th, please click here for your copy of the Declaration of Independence. I thought it would be worthwhile to take a moment to reflect back on history and remember how this holiday got started. With all the fun and festivities happening this week, it’s easy to forget what the celebration is all about.

I hope you enjoy reading what our founding fathers said about the independence we often take for granted. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, please let us know.

I don’t know about you, but this is my favorite time of year in Wilmington. The weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors- from running the loop at Wrightsville Beach to riding bikes around Greenfield Lake. And, of course, springtime in Wilmington would not be complete without mention of the North Carolina Azalea Festival!

Founded in 1948, the Azalea Festival has emerged as Wilmington’s premier spring event- an annual community celebration and the largest festival of its kind in the state. Each April, a full week of natural beauty, big-name entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and Southern hospitality come together to showcase the charms of the Wilmington area. Festival highlights include the Queen’s coronation, a three-hour parade, two-day street fair, the circus, home and garden tours, and concerts.

Please keep on reading for a summary of events happening this weekend during the festival. I hope to see you there!

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I wanted to take a moment to tell you about Art of the Table, a fund-raising event that I’ve had the pleasure of helping plan at the Bellamy Mansion. During February 22 – 24, thirty artfully themed tabletops created by local designers will be displayed throughout 12 of the mansion’s period rooms. It’s a great opportunity to explore the mansion’s beautifully restored antebellum architecture and get ideas for creating your own memorable tabletops at home. The weekend schedule is as follows:

Table designers include:

Proceeds from the event will go towards the mansion’s ongoing operations and restoration. Please click here or call 910-791-7813 to reserve your tickets. I hope to see you there!

Above: CB with wife, Carissa, kids Caleb (age 4), Oran (age 2) and Ava (age 1), and Grady, the family dog

November 23 - 24: Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla
Since 1983, locals have come together to kick off the holiday season during a family-friendly weekend that ends with a breathtaking parade of illuminated ships and fireworks along the Intracoastal Waterway. Flotilla has made the top 20 list of “Must See Events in the Southeast,” bringing over 50,000 people each year to the shores and docks of Wrightsville Beach.  Visit ncholidayflotilla.org or call 910-256-2120  for more info.

November 23 - December 22: Enchanted Airlie
This third annual event is a local favorite with a spectacular show of lights, carolers, musicians, and local vendors throughout Airlie’s 30 acres of gardens.  Visit airliegardens.org or call 910-798-7700 for more info.

November 23 - December 9: Santaland Diaries
For the 4th year, City Stage at Level 5 presents a merrily subversive true-life account of working as an elf at Macy’s Department store by NPR humorist, playwright and best selling author David Sedaris. You can catch the live performance on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  Visit citystageatlevel5.com or call 910-342-0272 for more info.

November 24 - December 2: Festival of Trees
Celebrate the diversity of worldwide seasonal traditions with beautifully decorated trees, silent auctions, entertainment, holiday shopping and more. Festival scenery and decorations draw inspiration from the variety and uniqueness of international holiday cultural customs.  Call 910-772-5444 for more info.

November 30: Island of Lights Parade
Join the Carolina Beach locals at 7:30pm for a Christmas parade featuring exceptional night time electric displays, featuring floats, bands, queens, clowns, horses, Santa Claus and more.  Call 910-458-5507 for more info.

December 1: Carolina Beach Holiday Flotilla
Fishing boats and pleasure crafts electrically decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade of boats will cruise from Snows Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back.  Call (910) 431-0190 for more information.

December 6: Lighting of the World’s Largest Living Xmas Tree
Gather in Hilton Park at 6:00pm for a meet and greet with Santa followed by the 78th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.  Call 910-341-4602 for more info.

December 6 - 9: A Christmas Story
Thalian Hall presents the Wilmington premiere of “A Christmas Story,” a live version of one of the most beloved holiday films of recent times.  This memoir of growing up in the Midwest during the late 30’s follows young Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.  Visit thalian.org or call (910) 251-1788 for more info.

December 7: Homemade Holiday Shorts
Gather in the WHQR gallery to listen to holiday stories read live by a panel of entertaining guests including Carl Kasell, Margaret Maron, Kimberly McLaughlin Smith, and Master of Ceremonies, Peter Jurasik.  The show is followed by a light reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.  Visit whqr.org or call 910-343-1640 for more info.

December 8: Keller Williams Fashion Victim’s Ball
The 1st annual Fashion Victim’s Ball is a holiday event designed to raise money for local charities.  Ball guests will dress funky and enjoy live music, appetizers, drinks, dancing, and silent auction.  Visit kwwilmington.com or call your favorite Keller Williams Realtor for more info.

December 9: Wilmington Holiday Parade
Celebrate the holidays in historic downtown Wilmington with the 5th annual holiday parade featuring area schools, bands, businesses, organizations and community groups.  Visit wilmingtonrecreation.com or call 910-341-4602  for more info.

December 31: Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Countdown
Party and view fireworks on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.  The 2008 countdown features the lowering of a giant lighted beach ball. A street dance featuring live music precedes a spectacular fireworks display to welcome in the New Year.

Whether you’re new to Wilmington or have lived here for years, you’re sure to enjoy the holiday spirit and creative effort displayed at the Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla. Since 1983, locals have come together to kick off the holiday season during a family-friendly weekend that ends with a breathtaking parade of illuminated ships and fireworks along the Intracoastal Waterway.

The weekend helps support coastal businesses, local charities, and beach re-nourishment projects. Since its inception, Holiday Flotilla has become one of the top 20 “Must See Events in the Southeast,” bringing over 50,000 people each year to the shores and docks of Wrightsville Beach. What started as a way to extend the beach tourist season has turned into a time-honored institution in southeastern North Carolina. If you have yet to experience this magical event, make sure to mark your calendars this year!

Friday November 23rd

Saturday November 24th

Sunday November 25th

If you have yet to experience this magical event, make sure to mark your calendars!

Taste and Travesty: Costume Designs by William Ivey Long closes October 14th after 5 1/2 successful months at the Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum. If you haven’t had a chance to take a tour (or if you’re like me and just can’t get enough), make sure to reserve your seat for the going-away party next Saturday. This is your chance to support the arts and view the exhibition one last time before its gone!

DATE: Saturday October 13
TIME: 7:30 – 11:00 pm
LOCATION: Cameron Art Museum
(3201 S. 17th Street, Wilmington)
COST: $35 members; $50 non-members

Guests will dance the night away to DJ Scott Huckstep while noshing on appetizers and enjoying cocktails. For your convenience, you can click here to buy tickets or call 910.395.5999 x 1005.

If you can’t make the Curtain Call party, make sure to catch a tour at 11:30AM or 2:00PM Tuesday – Sunday (closing day).

I hope to see you Saturday!