Soccer by the shore

Soccer on the beach isn't very practical -- the ball rolls into mini dunes and sometimes stops dead -- but it sure is fun. The Pleasure Island Soccer Association (PISA) has married this fun with a friendly competition with the inaugural Carolina Sand Blast tournament, to be held in Carolina Beach overlooking the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean the weekend of April 5-6.

The tournament is open to boys and girls U9 to U19 (that's under age 9 up to under age 19 in soccer speak) as well as adult divisions, over-30, and co-ed. Each game features 4 against 4.

Registration deadline is March 26. Please contact admin@pleasureislandsoccer.com for registration and details.

Bloom City

A lot of visitors to our area might not be familiar with the term "Azalea Coast". But if you've ever been in or around Wilmington in spring time you'd be amazed at the sheer number and beauty of azaleas, the aggressively flowering bush that blooms in spring with intense hues of red, purple, pink and yellow. Nearly every home with a yard boasts at least one plant, and many offer whole yards filled with them. The overall effect is like a flashback to the 1960s , or a floral candyland (ooh, remember that board game -- I loved it!)

With the help of some unseasonably warm weather (and a little much-needed rain), some azaleas are already blooming. But to see the real show, you'll likely need to wait till early April, or better yet, visit during Wilmington's 61st Azalea Festival, slated for April 9-13.

For more information, please visit http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/