October is National Pet Wellness Month.  So animal hospital employees at Banfield are educating new pet owners on preventive pet healthcare.  Employees recommend that young pets (under a year old) visit the vet every three weeks and older pets should visit twice a year.

Veterinarians say they are also seeing more cases of obese pets.

“A lot of pets are overweight and clients are surprised when I tell them their pet is obesity. They just think they are pleasantly plump,” says Duane Blanton a veterinarian.

Doctors suggests feeding smaller more frequent meals. But, each pet is different so it’s important to ask your doctor what will be best kind of food for your specific breed.

Veterinarians are working to form personal relationships with owners and pets in order to provide better care and resources to help pets stay healthy for life.

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It is Riverfest weekend in Wilmington. More than 160 craft vendors, concession stands and entertainment acts will be in full effect on Water Street. Vendors set up Friday and the festival will kick off Saturday morning and runs until Sunday.

In conjunction with Riverfest, it’s the 10th Annual Brits and Battleship Car Show. More than 200 cars are expected this year. Come as a spectator for free or enter your car.

Avid readers will want to scoop up this deal from the New Hanover County Public Library. The fall book sale kicks off Saturday at the Northeast Regional Library on Military Cutoff Road. Prices start at $1 per item, but prices drop each day the sale continues. The saIe will run until next week.

Saturday night, you can help children in the community by attending the 8th Annual Cabaret and Silent Auction. It is the major fundraiser for Dreams of Wilmington. It takes place from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the UNCW Burney Center Ballroom. Tickets are $50 each.

The Second Annual Sunset at Sunset Community Block Party is happening Saturday at the Village at Sunset Beach. It starts at 1:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band. As well as several other bands taking the stage, the party will feature planetarium shows, arts and crafts for kids and local artisans. You can buy food from vendors or pack your own picnic. Read the rest of this entry »

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The Battleship North Carolina has a temporary new neighbor across the Cape Fear River.

Thursday, the USS Navy Squall traveled docked along water street to the delight of curious onlookers, including Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo.

“It’s becoming quite popular to bring a Navy vessel up the Cape Fear River.  This is the 30th year of Riverfest.  We haven’t had a Navy Ship or ship of any sort up here for many years.  It’s a big thing for the community,” said Saffo.

You can tour the Squall during Riverfest.  The ship is primarily used to defend oil platforms in the Arabian Gulf.

The ship is open for tours Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  The crew is excited to show off their ship and explain what they do.

Lt. Emily Cathey is a North Carolina Native from Satesville, and is commanding officer aboard the Squall.

“It’s great to be back.  What better place is there to be?” said Cathey.  “Things have been going great.  I have in my unbiased opinion, the best crew.  They’ve taken good care of me, the ship, and each other.”

In two months, Cathey will embark to the Middle East with her 26 crew members.  She said they’ll cherish the memory of this Saturday and Sunday in North Carolina, because there’s no place like home.

The USS Squall is the seventh cyclone class patrol ship. She was commissioned by the United States Navy on July 4, 1994.

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The NBA Charlotte Bobcats are making Wilmington their home this week. UNCW’s Trask Coliseum is the team’s home away from home for the next 7 days.

The Charlotte Bobcats have never made the playoffs; it is Larry Brown’s job to change that. Brown is the Bobcats new head coach. He wins practically everywhere he goes. He expects to win in Charlotte.

“I just want us to understand what are goals and priorities are and build on that. I think if we get better everyday, if we play hard, if we are in great shape, if we rebound and defend we will be productive,” said Brown.

With this team, it is going to be an uphill battle, but the Bobcats are talented. Over the summer, they signed center Emeka Okafor to a 6 year $72 million extension. They will surround him with Adam Morrison, and two Tarheel players - Sean May and Raymond Felton. But just how healthy is Sean May’s knee?

“I feel great. I’m moving pretty well, I think. I’m just going to try and get better everyday and take the positives from it,” said May.

Coach Brown said, “Based on what are expectations were, I think he is really fine.”

The Bobcats will hold an intra-squad scrimmage at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. It is open to the public and free.

So far, there were no Michael Jordan sightings. Jordan is Head of Basketball Operations and will likely show up at one point this week.

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The whole current financial crisis seems to center on housing loans and shrinking credit, and the government’s financing plan will affect all of us in one way or another. But one local housing expert has a surprising analysis.

 http://www.wwaytv3.com/video/area_housing_market_in_good_shape/09