UNCW Moves Up in 2008 Rankings

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has once again proven its commitment to continued education in the Cape Fear Region. In the recently-released US News and World Report 2008 College Rankings, UNCW made the Top Ten list of Public Master’s Universities in the South for the tenth consecutive year. Ranked seventh last year, the 2008 rankings saw UNCW moving up a spot, to sixth among public universities. In the overall rankings for master’s universities in the south, both public and private, UNCW placed a very respectable 14th.
 
UNCW has continually had an impact on the Cape Fear Region, with a steadily-increasing number of students looking to continue their education on the North Carolina Coast. The University recently announced plans for a further multi-million dollar expansion to bring better services, smaller class sizes, and a wider selection of graduate programs to the area.
 
Platinum Properties USA would like to commend UNCW on their commitment to education here in the region, and looks forward to seeing many more years of positive growth with new students and proud alumni.
 
You can read the article directly from UNCW’s website by clicking here.

Milk Bum - A Local Film Short

Here at Platinum Properties USA, we often talk about the healthy Film Industry in the region.  Along with major productions, it is often the creativity of individuals that contributes to our area being well known in the Independent Film circuit.  Any day of any week you are likely to see someone or something being filmed on the streets of Wilmington and all through the surrounding area.

Recently, Platinum Properties USA's own Sean Scanlon, along with Harper Peterson, served as Executive Producers for a local Short called "Milk Bum."  Though it is a Short, it is not lacking in either suspense or substance.  Written and Directed by Tim Parker of Wilmington, NC, and released through Outhouse Productions, we would welcome you to watch and enjoy this local Short!

 

Interview from our President and CEO

Recently, Platinum Properties USA President and CEO Sean Scanlon was interviewed by Joel Finsel for local media.  In the interview, Mr. Scanlon spoke all about Platinum Properties USA, from our dedication to excellence to our environmental conservation efforts, along with the significant growth and changes that our area is going through.  You can watch the video of the interview below!

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Cape Fear Kayak Paddle and Demo Day

Here at The Landing we like to invite visitors to explore Town Creek by canoe, kayak or motorboat. Chris and the fine people at Cape Fear Kayaks have been extremely helpful in providing kayaks for our gatherings. In fact, if you joined us for Kit Peterson’s Fish Fry this week, you may recognize Chris as the fly-fishing kayaker. We’ll have photos from the Fish Fry up shortly and you can check it out.

This Saturday, July 14th, Cape Fear Kayaks will be holding their annual “Cape Fear Kayak Paddle & Demo Day” at Greenfield Lake from 10:00am – 4:00pm.

The public is invited to try different kayaks and canoes with Cape Fear Kayak's personal instructors in the safe waters of Greenfield Lake. Children under 16 must have a parent present. All skill levels are welcome, free to the public. Demo day will include paddling and kayak fishing instructors on hand, demonstrations on kayaking, canoeing and kayak fishing, and register to win a free kayaking trip for two from Cape Fear Kayaks. Call 910.798.9922 for more information.

Town Creek Fish Fry

Yesterday, July 11th, Property Consultant Kit Peterson welcomed a number of friends, associates and Ambassadors to a Fish Fry and Fun day here at The Landing. The food was absolutely delicious, with fresh fried grouper caught and cooked by our own Mike Merritt. Joe Abbate of Cape Fear River Watch treated our guests to an excellent presentation on the different types of wildlife in the area and all around Town Creek. Although we had a very brief period where thunder was heard in the distance, the weather cooperated through the entire gathering and late into the day. Chris from Cape Fear Kayaks was on hand and brought kayaks for anyone who wanted to paddle along the calm waters of Town Creek, and some even took the opportunity to tour all of Town Creek and around to Cypress Bay by motorboat.
 
We are planning a larger event for Town Creek, and we will be sure to let you know as soon as everything is in place, and we appreciate the effort Kit Peterson put forward to invite guests down for a more personal gathering. Be sure to check with your Property Consultant to stay up-to-date on any upcoming events and activities, and remember that you can always find the latest happenings here at The Landing Blog!
You can view photos from the Fish Fry by clicking here!

Vonta Leach Football Camp 2007

Lumberton, North Carolina native Vonta Leach, now a Fullback for the Houston Texans, held the 2nd Annual Vonta Leach Foundation Football Camp on June 30th. This camp, designed to bring together youths ages 9-18, helps teach the importance and value of teamwork and dedication. Along with getting the opportunity to meet Vonta and a number of other professional and college football players, camp attendees were taught important skills to take with them throughout their continued activities.
 
Prior to the camp, a Casual Mixer was held in Lumberton to help raise money for the Vonta Leach Foundation and to serve as a meet and greet for the stars and sponsors alike. A silent auction featuring NFL memorabilia was also held at this event.
 
Platinum Properties USA is proud to have been one of the sponsors for this wonderful experience to benefit the youth and community in and around Rowland, NC.
To learn more about the Vonta Leach Football Camp and Foundation, you can visit the website here.

Town Creek Nature Park and Access site

 Brunswick County is requesting proposals (RFP) for site planning and design services for the Town Creek Nature Park (Project 1) and the Town Creek Access Site (Project 2). Projects #1 and #2 are located along Town Creek, which is currently an undeveloped pristine blackwater creek. The varying topography, recreational opportunities and diverse vegetation on both project sites are ideal for a variety of different passive, active and

educational uses. Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state with population growth increasing 43.5% between 1990 and 2000. The Town Creek Nature Park (Project 1) and the Town Creek Access Site (Project 2) is located in one of the most rapidly growing areas of Brunswick County and both sites are conveniently located off of major growth corridors - US 17 & NC 133. Additionally, two major transportation projects are also being proposed in the areas that will connect Brunswick County to New Hanover County via a proposed Skyway Bridge and the I-140 Bypass.

In 2003, Brunswick County completed a Shoreline Access Plan that designated both Town Creek locations (out of 15 Brunswick County sites) as high priority sites that need to be developed in the future. This was based upon current needs, user analysis, and projected growth. The Town Creek Boat Access Site (Project 2) is designated as one of the first locations to begin implementation. Brunswick County also is in the process of drafting a Greenway/Blueway Master Plan. Funding for this plan came from a technical assistance grant awarded by the National Park Service. This plan will designate Town Creek as a vital location that will provide connectivity to Brunswick County's proposed greenway/blueway network. Together, both the Town Creek Nature Park (Project 1) and the Town Creek Access Site (Project 2) will provide essential connections along Town Creek needed to create Brunswick County's first Blueway.

Read complete proposal by clicking the link below.

http://www.brunsco.net/Portals/0/bcfiles/2006_Town_Creek_RFP_-_Final.pdf

Brunswick developer takes meaning of Earth Day to heart

Platinum Properties has taken a stand against the status quo. Instead of creating huge tracts of homogenous sprawl, Platinum Properties USA CEO Sean Scanlon has chosen a more eco-friendly way to provide a true sense of community for Brunswick County’s ever-increasing population.

“Our mantra at Platinum Properties USA is Creating unique coastal neighborhoods, one family at a time,” Scanlon says of his 3 current projects – Oak Creek, Cypress Bay, and Spring Lake at Maritime Shores – each slated to contain approximately 50 home-sites.

“Instead of going out and clear-cutting vast terrains of pristine woodlands,” Scanlon continues, “our intention is to revitalize transitional neighborhoods while preserving the natural beauty inherent to the land, along with incorporating traditional southern architectural themes and use of indigenous construction material and plantings for landscaped gardens. We hope that from our example of implementing the appropriate infrastructure elements and construction guidelines, residents will be encouraged to build more greenly so that their children and grandchildren will have access to the same precious natural resources too many developers tend to ignore.”

Environmental protection infrastructure elements for Platinum Properties USA neighborhoods include: utilizing state-of-the-art storm water run off measures that exceed both Federal and State requirements which includes the implementation of pre-treatment bio-filters that remove any solids or contaminants in the storm water runoff before it seeps into the ground where the Earth’s natural filtration takes place. Other measures required by homeowners include, time-release fertilizers and specific clauses that protect all trees outside of the specific home’s building envelope. Homeowners are encouraged to leave as much of the natural environment as possible while planning their home design and property layout. Platinum Properties USA is also actively pursuing partnerships with local builders who specialize in Green Home Building.

Link to artice on  www.wilmingtonstar.com

Town Creek Presentation

As mentioned in the last entry, those joining us for our Coastal Discovery Weekend were treated to a presentation by Joe Abbate of Cape Fear River Watch.  We wanted to share this wonderful presentation with everyone, so we have put it all together for you to see!  You should see the video player below, so simply click play and enjoy this very interesting and informational video about Town Creek and the wonderful area ecosystem!

 

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Another Exciting Weekend!

This past weekend, June 1st-3rd, we welcomed a number of friends and family down for our Coastal Discovery Weekend. For those who were unable to attend, we are sorry we missed you, but here is just a taste of the great time we all had!
 
Friday evening, for our Welcome and Reception, we gathered at The Balcony on Dock, the restored third floor of the historic Roudabush building in downtown Wilmington. Aside from the excellent food and the great opportunity to meet many new friends, the evening held a very special treat.
 
We have talked numerous times about just how beautiful the calm black waters of Town Creek are, and how that beauty led us to create not only Cypress Bay at Maritime Shores, but also The Landing on Town Creek, our multi-community activity and information center. While we can all appreciate the beauty, there is a lot more to this outstanding environment. As a way to educate us all of the very unique and outstanding ecosystem of Town Creek, we were treated to a presentation from Joe Abbate from Cape Fear River Watch. Joe Abbate is officially the “Coordinator of Greenfield Lake,” and as a naturalist, Environmental Scientist, and a graduate of UNCW, Joe has an outstanding knowledge of the area’s environment.
 
Joe’s presentation was amazingly educational and exciting. We learned a lot of great things about the Town Creek area and ecosystem that we may never have known without his generous knowledge. In the coming weeks, we hope to bring this presentation to all our Platinum Properties USA friends and family as an online presentation, so everyone can understand both the beauty and uniqueness of our natural surroundings.
 
To learn more about Joe Abbate and the Cape Fear River Watch organization, you can visit their website for information about their history and dedication to preserving this amazing area.
 
After Mr. Abbate’s presentation, our own President and CEO, Sean Scanlon, treated us to a brief presentation that was informative and at the same time very humorous. Combining photos of the area with information on all our wonderful communities, Mr. Scanlon did a great job of showing just what drives our dedication to this outstanding coastal region.
 
Saturday, despite a few minutes of light rain, everyone took the opportunity to explore our coastal neighborhoods in person and see all the natural beauty of the area. Taking advantage of special weekend-only purchase incentives, many people even took the opportunity to select their ideal homesite, and we are very excited to welcome them as our new neighbors!
 
If you weren’t able to join us for this wonderful weekend, we hope that you can join us for our next event, which we hope to announce very soon! We would like to thank everyone who joined us for this great weekend, and we will have photos and much more very soon!
VIew photos of the weekend here.