Outer Banks – Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season is in full swing, and it can be a major concern on the Outer Banks. A large storm can interrupt vacations and wreak havoc on local living conditions.
Hurricane Season refers to the period in the year when hurricanes usually form.
Worldwide, tropical cyclone activity peaks in late summer, when the difference between temperatures aloft and sea surface temperatures is the greatest. However, each particular basin has its own seasonal patterns. On a worldwide scale, May is the least active month, while September is the most active.
In the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a distinct hurricane season occurs from June 1 to November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September.
Tropical disturbances that reach tropical storm intensity are named from a pre-determined list. On average, 10.1 named storms occur each season, with an average of 5.9 becoming hurricanes and 2.5 becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater). The statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September 10.
We are in the midst of the most active period of the Northern Atlantic Hurricane season, and the statistical peak of September 10 is fast approaching. The activity in the tropics seems to be falling in line with these statistics. We presently have Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, and a tropical depression is growing in the mid-Atlantic.
For all of the grief we give weather predictors, their predictions seem to be improving. The 2008 Hurricane Season is coming pretty close to the predictions climatologists made preceding the season. “NOAA scientists predict(ed) 12 to 16 named storms, with six to nine becoming hurricanes, of which two to five could become major hurricanes of Category three strength or higher.” An average season sees 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes.
Up to this point, the 2008 Northern Atlantic Hurricane Season has seen:
- Tropical Storm Arthur – First reported Tropical Storm to form in May since 1981, but died out quickly.
- Hurricane Bertha – Intensified as high as a Category II, but stayed in the Atlantic. Bermuda felt the brunt.
- Tropical Storm Cristobal – Stayed parallel to the Carolina coast, but never made landfall.
- Hurricane Dolly – Intensified to a Category II and made landfall in Texas
- Tropical Storm Eduardo – Made landfall in Texas
- Tropical Storm Fay – Made landfall four times in Florida.
- Hurricane Gustav – Predicted to make landfall in the Gulf Coast in the next few days
- Tropical Depression Eight - Computer models have it tracked to stay in the Atlantic Ocean
So far, the Outer Banks has faired very well this season (knock on wood). We felt the impact of Bertha in the form of increased wave swell, and from a surfer’s perspective, this is not a bad thing…especially in July! We are currently feeling the effects of Fay’s remnants in the form of a couple days of rain. Lastly, Tropical Depression Eight seems to be tracking into the mid-Atlantic (more hopes of good surf?!).
As we move past the peak and into the tail end of hurricane season, hopefully the Outer Banks’ good fortune continues. All in all, the summer has been beautiful, and it seems the fall should be as well.
This is a great time to take advantage of all the Outer Banks has to offer. The weather is mild, the water is warm, the crowds are decreasing, and with the help of a mid-Atlantic storm (or two), the surfing and fishing could be second to none.
Great rental homes are still available. Your vacation may be more affordable than you think. (www.OuterBanksVacations.com)
Outer Banks – Free Tai Chi & Pilates
TAI CHI AND PILATES BEING OFFERED
ON THE DUCK TOWN GREEN THROUGHOUT THE FALL
Duck, NC – The Town of Duck is continuing its successful morning exercise program throughout the fall.
Tai Chi will be offered on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. through Tuesday, October 28. Tai Chi is an exercise using slow, relaxed, and graceful movements and is appropriate for people of all ages. Julia Daniel from Outer Banks Yoga and Pilates in Kitty Hawk is the instructor.
Pilates will be offered on Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. through Thursday, October 30. This class is for all fitness levels. Participants should bring a Pilates/yoga mat or a beach towel. Patti Waller is the instructor.
The classes will be held on the Duck Town Green, 1200 Duck Road. They are free of charge and are open to the public. No registration is necessary.
Since the classes are being held outside, there is a risk of cancellation due to weather. For additional information on these classes or any other Town of Duck event, please visit www.townofduck.com or call the Town events hotline at (252) 255-1286.
Free Outer Banks Detailed Street Maps
New Detailed OBX Street Maps are available free of charge at the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce office in Kill Devil Hills.
Need help finding your way around?
These maps are great for vacationers, new residents and guests, delivery drivers, sales representatives, and customers…even seasoned locals can make use of such a detailed map!
Stop by the chamber office to pick up your complimentary copies.
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce: 101 Town Hall Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Outer Banks August & September Events
August 24
Al and Amy
4 p.m. Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Award-winning, critically acclaimed, passionate and playful, Al & Amy are an acoustic music duo that draws inspiration from musical traditions across the globe and distills these myriad styles into a rich and unique voice – a timeless recipe for healing, heartfelt music. During an Al & Amy performance, the audience is treated to a variety of acoustic stringed instruments and percussion with a dash of pristine vocals. They capture the hearts of their audiences with colorful stories of wildlife in their own back yard in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina and the people and places along the way that have influenced their music. Al & Amy invite their listeners to celebrate beauty and joy in all aspects of life. The price of admission is included in the general admission ticket to the Park. (252) 475-1500.
August 31
Labor Day Concert – Hunt Family Fiddlers
8-10 p.m. Outdoor Pavilion. The Hunt Family Fiddlers are an award winning family of Irish step dancers, fiddlers and singers that marvel crowds everywhere! This family of nine performs Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and popular tunes, offering a unique blend of diversity to every show. Audiences love to experience their high-powered step dancing, fast fiddling, and vocal talents, as well as their other instrumental talents including drums, accordion, keyboard and guitar. Songwriters and performers Clint and Sandy, along with their seven children Jessica, Jennifer, Joshua, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin and Jamison, have released four albums and have won numerous awards in fiddle, Irish dance and singing contests around the nation and the world. Tickets are $15 adults and $10 students. (252) 475-1500.
Outer Barks – Yappy Hour
Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. Canine cocktail hour open to all canines and their humans. For schedule call (252) 261-6279 or (888) 870-6279 or visit outerbarks.com
August 6, 13, 20 & 27
2008 Red Wolf Howling
Join the Red Wolf Coalition and staff from Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge for an evening of howling good fun! Come join us for the chance to hear the howl of a red wolf and learn more about this endangered species. Registration is required. Visit www.redwolves.com or call 252.796.5600. Click Here for a brochure.
August 27 Wednesday 7:30 pm
September 3 Wednesday 7:30 pm
August 5 – September 30
The Night Before Take Off
Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Doors Open 6:30 p.m. Cash bar with complimentary hors d’oeuvres by THE PEARL REATAURANT Show starts: 7:30 PM (duration approx: 50 minutes). A short would-be historical play about what might have happened to the Wright Brothers the evening before their historic First Flight. Originally written and presented for the MAN WILL NEVER FLY SOCIETY. For more information, please call (252) 715-0258 or visit www.outerbankstheater.com
Show location: THE PEARL OCEANSIDE RESTAURANT at The Sea Ranch Hotel,
MP7, Beach Road, Kill Devil Hills
PLEASE CALL FOR ADVANCE RESERVATIONS (252) 715-0258
(Advance attendance count is needed for the hors d’oeuvres.
Please note that there will be limited, if any, WALK-UP availability)
No credit cards – cash or personal check at the door please.
Did Wilbur and Orville really think about going back to Dayton on December 16th?
Did the Wright Brothers resort to spirits to find the courage to carry on?
Laugh with us as we relive history as it might have been!!!
Shows performed Tuesday and Thursday evenings in August and September
|
14 to 64: $16.00 |
Doors Open: 6:30 PM |
|
Under 14: $14.00 |
Cash Bar : 6:30 PM |
|
Over 64: $14.00 |
Show Starts : 7:30 PM |
September
Whalehead Club Wednesday Wine Festivals
Starting June 25 every Wednesday afternoon in July, August and September. For more information please visit www.whaleheadclub.org or call (252)453-9040.
September 5
First Friday
Downtown Manteo Waterfront. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. First Friday is a fun-filled, family oriented street festival held the first friday of each month. Join us for live music, magic, artisans, actors in period dress, a rockclimbing wall and more. For more information visit firstfriday-roanokeisland.com
September 5
Bark 2 School
For more information please call (252) 473-2094 or visit puparazzi.tripod.com
September 5
First Friday Pet Parties
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Costume contests, games, treats and fun for pets and their people. Call (252) 473-2094 or visit puparazzi.tripod.com for party theme.
September 5, 12, 19, 26
Outer Barks – Yappy Hour
Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. Canine cocktail hour open to all canines and their humans. For schedule call (252) 261-6279 or (888) 870-6279 or visit outerbarks.com
Outer Banks Summer Events
Events throughout the Summer
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Maritime Forest Walk
Hike through the maritime forest at Currituck Banks National Estuarine Research Reserve, and see the wildlife and plants that call the Outer Banks home.
Maritime Forest Walk Educational Programs are for all ages. The class meets in the parking lot of the reserve.
Pre-registration is required.
Date: Sun, Aug 24 & Sun Aug 31, 2008
Address: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education 1160 Village Lane, Corolla
Info: 252-453-0221
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Fish Scales and Crabby Tales
Enjoy seaside stories told with a “wild” twist where characters come to life on the big screen! Stick around after and create your own take-home creature or hike to see some of the real-life heros.
Fish Scales and Crabby Tales Educational Programs are for ages 3-7 and their families. The class meets in the lobby of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.
Pre-registration is required.
Date: Sun,Aug 24, 2008
Address: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education 1160 Village Lane, Corolla
Info: 252-453-0221
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Fishing The Sound
Come fish with us! We have the bait, poles and information on the fish you can catch in Currituck Sound. Learn how to cast, safely release fish, and even how to grow your own bait.
Fishing the Sound Educational Programs are for ages 7 and older. The class meets in the lobby of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.
Pre-registration is required.
Date: Tue, Aug 26 & Thu Aug 28, 2008
Address: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education 1160 Village Lane, Corolla
Info: 252-453-0221
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Corolla Wild Horse Fund Paint your own wild Colonial Spanish Mustang
Paint, brushes, and smocks are provided for kids of all ages to join in the fun. Artists can choose from large horses attached to trees that stay up all week for passersby to admire or horse cut-outs to go!
Artists who can’t stay to paint or arrived too late can purchase kits complete with paint to take home.
All proceeds benefit the wild horses fund.
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund sponsors horse painting for kids every Tuesday and Thursday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Date: Tue, Aug 26 & Thu Aug 28, 2008
Address: Old Corolla Schoolhouse/Wild Horse Museum 1126 Old Schoolhouse Lane, Corolla
Info: 252-453-8002
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Price: Donation of $5.00 for large horses; $3.00 for cutouts.
Event Web site: click here
Email: info@corollawildhorses.com
click here
Email: info@corollawildhorses.com
The Whalehead Club Wine Festival
Come and celebrate the interesting world of wines! All wine connoisseurs and novices are welcome! Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting and entertainment under the tents on the north lawn of Currituck Heritage Park.
Adults can sample wines from North Carolina and the world; keep your souvenir glass; take a complimentary tour of the Whalehead Club; listen to popular local musical artists perform on the stage; sample food from local vendors.
Children and leashed pets are welcome. Parking is free.
Date: Wed, Aug 27 & Wed Sep 3, 2008
Address: The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Dr., Corolla
Info: 252-453-9040
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Price: $20.00 per person
Event Web site: click here
Email: events@whaleheadclub.com
click here
Email: events@whaleheadclub.com
Whalehead Club Summer Concert Series on the Lawn
Relax on the south lawn at Currituck Heritage Park and enjoy the musical talents of students from the NC School of the Arts and local musicians. On the historic Whalehead Club front porch, a variety of music from past to present to please all ages will be performed; including jazz, blues, folk, and classic rock.
Bring a beach chair or blanket and watch the sun set over the Currituck Sound while supporting the musical arts! Snack concessions will be available.
Leashed pets are welcome. Sponsored by the local business community.
Date: Thu,Aug 28, 2008
Address: The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Rd., Corolla
Info: 252-453-9040
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Email: events@whaleheadclub.com
click here
Email: events@whaleheadclub.com
Native Vine Grand Reserve Tastings
The tasting features high-end, hard to find wines. Past wines poured include Silver Oak, Opus One, Caymus, Ornellaia, Hundred Acre…..and many more!
Reservations are required.
Date: Fri, Aug 29 & Fri Sep 5, 2008
Address: 9138 Caratoke Hwy, Point Harbor
Info: 252-491-5311
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Price: Price depends on wine
Event Web site: click here
Email: nativevine@aol.com
click here
Email: nativevine@aol.com
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education Fish Sticks
Pass on our local heritage to the next generation. Join your young ones while we teach them the basics of fishing. We provide the bait and poles, and you create the memories.
Fish Sticks Educational Programs are for ages 3-7. The class meets in the lobby of the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.
Pre-registration is required.
Date: Sun,Aug 31, 2008
Address: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education 1160 Village Lane, Corolla
Info: 252-453-0221
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Coinjock Ruritan Club 5th Annual Currituck Wildlife Festival
Hailed for its abundance of wildlife, Currituck County boasts one of the finest annual wildlife festivals in the state. On Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Coinjock Ruritan Club is proud to present their 5th Annual Currituck Wildlife Festival at Currituck County High School in Barco, NC.
Steeped with the traditions of a vibrant coastal community, local vendors will be on-hand selling wares ranging from hand carved decoys to scenic wildlife paintings. With nearly a century of lifetime experience, delight in the art work of this year’s featured artist.
Boat shows, foods, sweets, entertainment, auctions, and artisans from all persuasions make this event a major success each year.
Dates: Sat,Sep 6, 2008 to Sun, Sep 7, 2008
Address: Currituck County High School, Barco
Info: 877-287-7488
Time: Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Price: $5.00 per person
Digger’s Dungeon Autograph Signing with Dennis Anderson
Spend a Saturday afternoon touring the Diggers Dungeon and checking out the most popular monster truck in racing history.
The Grave Digger with it awesome black and green paint job is a must visit for any monster truck fan. Add in the opportunity to get Dennis Anderson’s autograph and you have a day that you will not soon forget.
Date: Sat, Sep 6, 2008
Address: Grave Digger 5650 Caratoke Hwy., Poplar Branch
Info: 252-453-4121
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Event Web site: click here
Increase in Outer Banks’ Tourism
Outer Banks’ tourism up in June despite economy
A recent article in the Virginia-Pilot (Outer Banks’ tourism up in June despite economy) pointed out some positive news for tourism on the Outer Banks.
More people visited the Outer Banks in June 2008 than in June 2007 despite a slowing economy, soaring gas prices, drifting smoke from two area wildfires, and beach closures due to nesting birds.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported that statistics compiled by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau show a 7 percent rise in occupancy in June over the same period last year. The figures show that the gains were in rentals of houses. Occupancy at campgrounds, hotels, and motels were down in June.
Visitors bureau director Carolyn McCormick says the overall gain shows the viability of the Outer Banks, and she remains “cautiously optimistic” for the remainder of the year.
Outer Banks: 2008 Summer Concert Series
2008 Summer Concert Series
At Currituck Heritage Park
Just past Milepost 11,
Route 12 N in Corolla, NC
Performances by Popular Local Musicians.
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. each Thursday on the South lawn of the Historic Whalehead Club
Free Admission
Relax with the family and enjoy the concert atmosphere on the green lawn as the sun sets over the Currituck Sound.
Bring a blanket or a beach chair and listen to these talented performers.
Leashed pets are welcomed.
Concessions available. Free parking.
2008 August Concert Schedule
Thurs Aug 7 Kim Kalman – with her hearty melodies, crisp vocals and understated guitar licks which have made her one of the area’s most popular solo acts
Thurs Aug 14 Mojo Collins with his jazz, blues & classic rock brilliance much loved and appreciated by blues lovers, casual listeners, and children
Thurs Aug 21 Ruth Wyand, local award winning guitarist, songwriter and singer with a strong blues influence and whose style harkens back to the early grassroots of Americana.
Thurs Aug 28 Scott Franson & Christine Young, performing the total range of music from pop, folk rock to beautifully executed classical works
For more info call: 252-453-9040
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