food/ART Exhibit on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 26, 2010

Salty - A foodART Exhibition

salty food/ART exhibit featured in March

Salty foodART Exhibition is a collaborative between Outer Banks Epicurean, a local culinary business, and Dare County Arts Council. The event will be held at Dare County Arts Council Gallery in Manteo and Amy Huggins, owner of Outer Banks Epicurean, will curate the show. There is no fee to attend the exhibit, which will be on display through the month of March.

The inspiration for this exhibit is from Dare County Restaurant Association’s annual Taste of the Beach Weekend. Salty foodART Exhibition will feature artwork inspired by food, eating and all things culinary. Invitations were extended to local artists to exhibit their own culinary art. Pottery, Glass, Textiles, Photographs, Paintings, Metal, Wood, New Media and more will be represented. These highly accredited and internationally collected artists who will be exhibited all live on the Outer Banks.

The groups will be hosting two receptions introducing the Salty artists. The public is invited to both events.

DCAC hosts the First Friday Opening Reception on March 5, 6-8 pm. This is always a lively gathering which includes light fare, libations and often live music.
Thursday, March 11, Outer Banks Epicurean hosts Amuse Bouche: A Collector’s Reception from 6 – 8pm. It is presented for serious art collectors and art buyers who are interested in purchasing original artwork.

Both receptions will be held at the DCAC Gallery, located at 104 Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Downtown Manteo.

In support of the local culinary arts, a Salty themed collection jar for the Dare County Arts Council’s Scholarship Fund, which now includes the culinary arts, will be on display throughout the exhibition.

For more information, please call (252) 473-5558 or visit the Dare County Arts Council website.

The Outer Banks is a Great Vacation Home Market

Posted on February 26, 2010

"The Good Life"

The Outer Banks of North Carolina has become the prime east coast destination for vacationers to escape to the beach and relax. The OBX offers unique local appeal with historic relevance like the legends of Blackbeard the Pirate or the birth of aviation.

The east coast is covered with resort towns that have become heavily populated, and most beach towns on the east coast are covered with shopping, high rise developments, parks and huge condo units. The Outer Banks has preserved its quaint charm throughout the years, and its unique feel attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Starting at the Virginia Border, the Outer Banks spans three counties and runs south along the North Carolina coast for about 130 miles. One reason for underdevelopment on the OBX is the thinness of the islands. Most homes are either oceanfront or within short walking distance to the ocean. Towns such as Duck and Corolla have become very popular for vacation home owners because these are popular rental markets.

In a recent USA Today article the Outer Banks was classified into three different areas. They are as follows:

• Northern beaches: This area includes the towns of Duck, Corolla, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills. “Favorites include Duck and Corolla, and it’s mostly single-family homes, though at the low end you can get a one-bedroom waterfront condo for under $200,000. Most homes are in the $400,000-$800,000 range, though Corolla is known for larger oceanfront homes up to $5 million,” a local Outer Banks realtor notes. North of Corolla, where Highway 12 ends, nearly 15 miles of dunes stretch to the Virginia border, dotted with vacation homes accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles: “That’s a whole different buyer seeking remote privacy.”

• Southern beaches: Hatteras Island is even less developed than the Northern beaches, and it is well-known for its excellent fishing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and surfing. It is also at least another 30 minutes farther from the mainland bridges and includes more protected lands. Avon, Hatteras Village and Rodanthe, where the Richard Gere romance Nights in Rodanthe was set, are the most popular towns, and prices are lower than farther north. “Low-end one-bedroom condos start around $100,000, and the high end would be a seven-bedroom oceanfront home for about $2.5 million,” a local Outer Banks realtor notes.

• Mainland: The main bridge from the Outer Banks connects to a peninsula jutting into Albemarle Sound, including the town of Powell’s Point 4 miles from the bridge. “We consider it part of the Outer Banks even though it’s on the mainland,” notes a local Outer Banks realtor, who mentions that the Kilmarlic Club is popular with second-home owners. A master planned golf community with amenities like tennis and health club “started less than 10 years ago. All are single-family homes, from the mid-$300,000s to the $600,000s.”

Continually increasing in popularity, there is enormous opportunity in these rental markets. If you are interested in owning a second home on the Outer Banks, contact sales@seasiderealty.com or visit www.coldwellbankerobx.com.

Outer Banks Wind Farm Update

Posted on February 25, 2010

Wind Turbine

As a follow up to a previous post about the potential for a “wind farm” on the Outer Banks, here is an update on the Offshore Wind Project:

The US Army Corps of Engineers has asked Duke Energy Co to undergo environmental impact reasearch on an offshore wind project that will take place in the Pamlico Sound. The project plans for three wind turbines within 3 square miles and 7.3 miles west of Avon and 9.1 miles of Frisco. The Turbines will be connected to the island from an underground electrical cable. This project was announced last September.

The project is being conducted as a test by Duke Energy and UNC Chapel Hill of commercial wind energy along the OBX coast. One of the most common concerns at this point for tourists and residents is the site of the large wind turbines.

As a results of this impact study, 9000 permant jobs could be created. The Corps announced on Tuesday that undertaking this study could take about two years. A public meeting to discuss the scope of the study will be held in Manteo on March 18. Written comments will be taken until April 2. Write: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Regulatory Division, Attn: File Number SAW 2009-01880, P.O. Box 1000, Washington, NC 27889-1000.

Regulation Starts for Outer Banks Wild Horse Tours

Posted on February 24, 2010

Outer Banks Wild Horses

As of 2010, guided tours in search of the Outer Banks wild horses will have new regulations to comply with. Tours to see the OBX wild horses will be required to have permits, a guide, and a sign on the tour vehicle. Commissioners approved the requirements in September.

Two nonprofit companies have been issued their permits over the last week and four others have applied. In the past, driving in this area has been considered a nuisance to many residents of the Carova area, reporting trespassing and reckless driving. The goal of the newly adopted regulations is to increase safety for all the residents of the area, including the horses.

As a membership benefit, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund plans to offer a private tour in one vehicle driven by herd manager Wesley Stal-lings, “You’re going with the guy who sees these horses on a daily basis,” said Karen McCalpin, director of the nonprofit. “It’s almost like a National Geographic experience.”

Photojournalism Exhibit on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 24, 2010

BruceRobertsPhotography.com

Bruce Roberts discovered his fascination for photography at a young age. When he was a teenager, he set up a homemade darkroom in the basement of his family’s home to develop photos that he had taken. He then went on to earn a degree from NYU and spend two years in the Air Force. After serving in the Air Force, Roberts made his way to North Carolina where he began his professional photography career taking pictures that were published in the Hamlet News Messenger, and his work then went on to be published in national publications, as well as the magazine “Our State.” Roberts has received a variety of accolades, including two time Southern Photographer of the Year, and he is often associated as the person who pioneered the use of 35 millimeter cameras in photojournalism.

To honor his great work, a photojournalism exhibit will open on March 5th at the Outer Banks History Center. This exhibit will include varied aspects of Roberts’ work, from black and white to color, from the Blue Ridge to the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks History Center Gallery is located in Manteo at Roanoke Island Festival Park. For additional information call (252) 473-2655.

The Outer Banks History Center, within the Office of Archives and History, is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. Information about the Department of Cultural Resources is available at www.ncculture.com.

Outer Banks Spring Weekend Full of Music & Fun – Pat McGee Heading to the OBX

Posted on February 23, 2010

: Pat McGee on the Outer Banks

Pat McGee’s Down The Hatch OBX
Thursday May 20 to Sunday, May 23

Pat McGee is a singer/songwriter with more than 15 years of music behind him. He offers a great easy-going style that is a perfect fit for the OBX. McGee and his fellow musicians were on the Outer Banks last spring, and the weekend was such a hit that they are back for round two. The weekend is packed with great events and great music.

TWO Full Rock Shows with Pat McGee, Songwriter Sessions with McGee, Kellogg, Tolcher, and other guests!, Toga Party, 80’s Night, Beach Olympics, BBQ, Late Nights, “Bareoke,” Band Camp, B-Ball Tourney, and so much more . . .

Dolphin Research on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 19, 2010

Bottlenose Dolphin

Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research

The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, established in November 2008, is a non-profit organization engaged in a long-term photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Their research is a continuation of a photo-identification study conducted for more than 11 years aboard the Nags Head Dolphin Watch. They seek to learn more about the population abundances, movement patterns, and behavior of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks and to expand public knowledge and concern for these marine mammals.

The OBXCDR currently conducts a photo-identification monitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. Data is collected via dedicated small boat surveys as well as opportunistically from a local dolphin watch.

Information from the current long-term study will provide a basis for initiation of studies involving habitat utilization, social associations, and anthropogenic effects on the dolphins. For more information about the OBXCDR, please visit: www.OBXDolphins.org.

Vacation Rentals are a Great Value

Posted on February 19, 2010

Over the past few years vacation rentals have begun to increase in popularity. Knowledge of the great value and unmatched amenties has spread as more people travel and make use vacation rental properties. The current economic climate is also drawing increased attention towards vacation rental homes as a means of spending travel dollars wisely. Vacation Rental Properties are available on a global scale and in all shapes and sizes. Weather staying in a condo on a ski mountain or an oceanfront property footsteps from the ocean, vacation rental properties allow travelers to enjoy a vacation experience that most hotels cannot deliver.

Kitchens that are fully supplied with utensils and cookware allow for travelers to prepare meals that will save significant dollars over dining out. Substantially larger spaces allow groups to gather and stay in one location during a vacation.

So, How much can you save on your next vacation by staying in a vacation rental property? USA Today recently released a study to answer this question. The results are listed below:

Hilton Head, South Carolina
A one-bedroom penthouse condo rental on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. For $123 per night, you get:

One bedroom with a king bed
Living room with a pull-out couch
Two bathrooms, one with a jetted tub
An outdoor pool, deck, and patio
Fully equipped kitchen
Washer and dryer
TV with DVD and VCR

The total cost for a five-night stay comes to $615 before taxes. Split four ways, the condo rental works out to $154 per person (or $31 per person per day). That’s quite a bargain.

A deluxe hotel room with two queen beds at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort, also on Hilton Head Island, $229 per night, you get:

A private balcony
A mini-kitchen with microwave and refrigerator
High-speed Internet access
Television
Access to the resort’s pools, fitness center, private beach, and outdoor recreation facilities

The total price for the hotel room over five nights works out to $1,145, or $286 per person. Broken out per day, the per-person cost is approximately $57.

You decide: The hotel, in this case, costs $26 more per person, per day than the vacation rental, and comes with significantly fewer amenities. You’ll also have to account for having more restaurant meals, and paying for laundry. However, you will get daily cleaning service and access to the resort’s many facilities. Which would you choose? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Paris

An apartment rental in Paris’ Latin Quarter includes:

Two bedrooms, each with a private bath
Kitchenette
High-speed Internet access
Cable television

The property is a five-minute walk from Notre Dame and features antique furnishings. It’s available for ?1,050 per week (or $1,465). Divided between four people, the cost works out to $366 per person, or $52 per person per day.

Compare this apartment to the Adagio City ApartHotelParis Opera. The suite-style room features:

One bedroom with two single beds
Living room with a double sofabed
Kitchen
One bathroom
High-speed Internet access
Cable television

The hotel room costs $2,904 for a one-week stay, or $726 per person. The per-person per-day charge works out to $104.

As a traveler who likes to have some downtime after exploring, I love that the apartment has two bedrooms—convenient if one wants to take a nap or rest while others may still have energy to burn. The apartment’s two bathrooms also add extra convenience. Given that the apartment is about half the price of the hotel, I’d go with the rental in this case. Leave a comment and let us know which one appeals more to you.

Orlando

Rentals are ideal for family vacations, as you’ll have more space for the kids to relax, as well as extra amenities (such as a pool) to make downtime more entertaining. A resort condo rental, one mile from Disney World, rents for $109 per night and includes:

Three bedrooms
Screened-in balcony
Fully equipped kitchen
Use of the property’s pool and fitness center
Cable television
High-speed Internet access
On-site parking

The total cost for the condo rental for a four-night stay is $436, or $109 per person. The total per-person charge, per day, comes to $27.

Alternatively, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive offers suites from $99 per night. Each suite features:

A kitchenette
One king bed and one sofabed
Two television sets with cable programming

Guests also receive daily complimentary breakfast; use of hotel’s fitness center, pool, and whirlpool; and parking. The total cost for a four-night stay totals $396, or $99 per person. The per-person, per-day cost is $25.

In this case, the vacation rental costs $2 more per day than the suite-style hotel. Although the hotel does offer daily breakfast, I’m still a stickler for space. When comparing amenities side by side, I would pay the slightly more expensive price to get the three bedrooms, the full kitchen, and other perks—and enjoy my morning coffee in the enclosed balcony, even if I did have to pay for and brew it myself. Which one sounds better to you?

Breckenridge, Colorado

A condo rental in Breckenridge, Colorado, may be a popular choice for groups of skiers, be it families taking a few days on the slopes or friends taking some time off for a wintry getaway. The condo features:

Two bedrooms, each with a king bed
Two bathrooms
Living room with sleeper sofa
Full kitchen
Internet access
TV with VCR
Fireplace
Access to the property complex’s pool and hot tubs

It’s also a five-minute walk from both ski lifts and downtown attractions. The cost is $360 for a four-night stay, or $90 per person. The per-person, per-day cost is $23.

Or, there’s the Quality Inn & Suites Summit County in nearby Silverthorne. Rooms feature:

One king bed
One sofabed
Kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave
High-speed Internet access

Guests also receive daily continental breakfast, discounted ski tickets (in season), and use of the hotel’s heated pool, hot tubs, and fitness center. Total costs work out to $560 for a four-night stay, or $140 per person. Broken out per day, the per-person cost totals $35.

In this case, I would do a bit more legwork to determine the value of the discounted ski tickets from the hotel. If the savings were substantial, that and the daily breakfast might be enough to convince me to choose a hotel over the vacation rental in this case. If the savings were less than stellar, I’d go with the rental. What can I say? Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a fireplace for less are just too appealing.

Cancun

A land of sprawling resorts, Cancun may not be the first place you think of when considering vacation rentals. However, I found a one-bedroom condo in the Hotel Zone featuring:

One bedroom with two double beds
Sleeper sofa
Full kitchen
Cable television
Internet access
Outdoor grill and patio
Pool

The condo is available for $49 per night, or $196 for a four-night stay. The cost works out to $49 per person, or an astonishingly low $12 per person per day.

By comparison, the Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas offers suites with one king or two double beds and a living room with sofa and cable television; some have balconies with ocean views. The hotel is on beachfront property with cabanas and also has three pools facing the ocean. The cost for a four-night stay at the Omni totals $1,116, which works out to $279 per person, or $70 per person per day.

In this case it’s a no-brainer: $12 per person per day makes for a very affordable vacation, and the condo comes with plenty of amenities for such a low price. I would book the vacation rental. Readers, what would you do?

Great Outer Banks vacation rentals available!

Segway Tours on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 19, 2010

Kitty Hawk Kites Segway Tour

Kitty Hawk Kites Segway Tours in Duck

Don’t miss the opportunity to get around town on the newest transporter vehicle. Come and take a Segway tour starting from the Kitty Hawk Kites location in Duck. You don’t want to let your week at the beach pass by without a chance to glide through this beautiful beach community on a Segway. The Guided Segway Tour is approximately 1.5 hours with a 15 minute lesson to make sure you’re safe and comfortable riding. You’ll discover gorgeous views of the sound and beach while scooting along through one of the Outer Banks’ nicest communities.

Call to make reservations at 1-877-FLY-THIS or 252-441-4124

About the Segway PT

The technology inside a Segway PT consists of an intelligent network of sensors,mechanical assemblies, and control systems that balance and move you on two wheels. The second you step on, five micro-machined gyroscopes and two accelerometers sense the changing terrain and your body position at 100 times per second – faster than your brain can think.

Charity Golf Tournament on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 19, 2010

Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament

Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament
Date: March 13, 2010
Time: 10:00a.m. Shotgun Start
The Pointe Golf Club: (252) 491-8388

4-Man Superball Tournament.

Cost is $200.00 per team (includes food and prizes following play). All proceeds, including a raffle, will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registration deadline is March 8, 2010.

Hosted by Chelsea Walsh
Currituck County High School Senior