Today is a picture perfect spring day on the Outer Banks; 80 degree weather, clear blue skies, an amazing blue-green color in the ocean, and a calm day on the beach and Avalon Pier. It’s hard to beat a spring day on the OBX!
2010 Heritage Park Summer Concert Series
2010 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Currituck Heritage Park
MP 11.5, Rt. 12 N. Corolla, NC
252-453-9040
www.whaleheadclub.org
Thursday, July 1—Jazz & Funk
CONNECTED
Thursday, July 8—Rhythm & Blues
PAIRADOCS
Thursday, July 15—Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
KIM KALMAN
Thursday, July 22—New Acoustic
BACK PORCH STRING BAND
Thursday, July 29—Main-stream Rock
9:58 BAND
Thursday, August 5—Folk, Blues & Americana
RUTH WYAND
Thursday, August 12—Classic Rock
SEA LEVEL
Thursday, August 19—Rock, Blues & Oldies
AQUARIUM
Thursday, August 26—Folk & Pop
JULIE CLARK
The Outer Banks is full of surprises, and the surf and weather conditions are an unpredictable breed.
For surfers along the OBX, surf reports generally go hand in hand with morning staples like a bowl of Cap’n Crunch or a cup of “Joe,” but surf reports can’t always be trusted and there is no substitute for an eyes-on visual of the conditions. And to add to the mysterious hunt that personifies the Outer Banks surf, the coast is winding and the sand bars are a moving target, so no spot offers identical conditions, and as the weather and swell conditions adjust, conditions on a spot by spot basis also adjust. The hunt can be frustrating at times, but it is also part of the mystique that makes OBX surf so great…and unique.
This past weekend was a prime example, and ESPN Surfing captured some great OBX waves, albeit a bit unexpected. As the reports were predicting small’ish swell and variable wind conditions, the actual conditions shaped up much better. Chest high sets and winds straight off shore wound up sculpting some perfect Outer Banks barrels, and the Hurley East Coast surf team was there to reap the benefits.
ESPN surfing has some great shots from the session.
Surfside Scute 2010
Surfside Scute 5K and Tiny Turtle Kids Fun Run to be held May 22, 2010 in Corolla to support Corolla Ocean Rescue.
This family-friendly run or walk finishes in Monteray Plaza with prizes, food, live music and lots of fun!
The race begins at 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday, and would be a great way for tourists to begin their vacations, or as the perfect ending to a fun-filled week.
Proceeds go to Corolla Ocean Rescue and help fund the OBX public ocean safety programs such as the S.E.A.L. program and Junior Lifeguards.
The June issue of Surfer Magazine features a double page picture spread of Oliver Kurtz in Rodanthe taken by local surf photographer Matt Lusk.
Congrats to Matt and Oliver for scoring such a prominent placement in Surfer showcasing the world-class waves the Outer Banks has to offer.
Some of Matt’s OBX surf images are also featured in the current issue of Eastern Surf Magazine.
June 2010 Surfer Magazine
Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation describes itself as “a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.” Naturally, such an organization would have some interest in the ongoing debate over possible beach closures along the Outer Banks, and now you have the opportunity to offer your support.
Below is information from a recent Surfrider email promoting action by all Outer Banks and surf lovers:
The National Park Service has been considering changes to the management of off-road vehicle (ORV) access along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Several alternatives are being considered and our Outer Banks Chapter has taken a position supporting balance between protection of sensitive species and access to the coast. This position is best represented by “Alternative C” in the review process. See the bottom of this email to read the Chapter’s full position.
The Park Service is now asking for input from the public. Please visit their site to submit your comments and thoughts. Below is a sample letter you can feel free to copy/paste and edit to make it your own. Adding personal experiences is best.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore holds a unique ecological, recreational and economic value. I believe that beaches are a public resource and should be held in the public trust for their preservation.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides some of the best recreational resources on the East Coast, including surfing and fishing, but I recognize that if not regulated correctly ORV use may detrimentally affect migratory species that nest in the area. I believe that a balance between access and preservation can be achieved and that allowing continued access with improved management of ORV use to the National Seashore is the optimal solution for this area.
I support Alternative C, a balanced solution that benefits the animal species while guaranteeing humans can continue to enjoy and protect this most-precious coastal resource for years to come.
Please also consider attending one of the upcoming hearings so that your voice can be heard on this issue.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE click for details:
Ocracoke, NC – Monday, April 26, 2010, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Buxton, NC – Monday, April 26, 2010, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Kill Devil Hills, NC – Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Raleigh, NC – Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Hampton, VA – Thursday, April 29, 2010, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Outer Banks Chapter Statement on ORV Access in Cape Hatteras
The Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation recognizes the unique ecological, recreational and economic value of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We further recognize that beaches are a public resource and should be held in the public trust for their preservation. We understand that for decades the Park Service has allowed access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches by Off Road Vehicles (ORV) with minimal restriction or oversight and that if not regulated correctly ORV use may detrimentally affect migratory species that nest in the area. The Outer Banks Chapter supports beach preservation and protection efforts, but feel that a temporary and or permanent ban on ORV access to these beaches could have an immediate detrimental impact on the Outer Banks economy, and severely limit public access to groups that appreciate, use, and support the protection of these coastal resources. We believe that a balance between access and preservation can be achieved.
It is difficult for one that has not spent significant time on the Outer Banks to consider how limited access to beaches would become without ORV use, access that is the very reason that people from all over the world come to the Outer Banks to visit. In our small community where much of the oceanfront has been developed by homes, this small stretch of National Park is truly one of the last protected places to enjoy the unique resources on Hatteras Island. Hatteras Island offers world class surfing and fishing, much of which can be attributed to its remote location that is accessible only by ORV’s. At this time the Outer Banks Chapter of Surfrider Foundation believes that allowing continued access with improved management of ORV use to the National Seashore is the optimal solution for this area.
The Outer Banks Chapter implores all parties involved in this issue to find a balance between access, protection and preservation. We recommend managing access of these areas through a combination of permitting, limiting the number of vehicles, and closures when necessary to protect the migratory species that use this area seasonally. The Outer Banks Chapter of Surfrider Foundation supports protection and preservation, and in this unique situation does support the reasonable use of ORVs to allow public access to this area.
The pristine natural environment is one of the Outer Banks’ hallmarks that attracts visitors year after year. A wide array of wildlife, long stretches of gorgeous beaches, protected conservation lands all offer a connection to nature that is rare in today’s world. It is crucial to keep these attributes protected, and the OBX continues to pursue ideas that offer an increased awareness and protection (ban on plastic bags and possible wind farms to name a couple).
As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”…or something like that.
The town of Kill Devil Hills is now offering a program to residents that not only offers some great environmentally friendly products at great prices, but also helps residents understand how to build and use them on their own.
The Outer Banks Voice points out that, Kill Devil Hills’ “[c]ommissioners gave the go-ahead for the town’s ‘green challenge’ in 2008 with its mantra, ‘to live green you’ve got to save the blue in Kill Devil Hills,’ placing an emphasis on conserving water, which is not always abundant on the Outer Banks.” And, “[l]ast year, the town demonstrated how to plant ‘upside down tomatoes’ near the entrance to Town Hall. Holes were cut in the bottoms of hanging buckets and the tomato plants grew downward. Visitors could help themselves.”
This year, the town is taking this program a step further and offering a workshop, including needed materials, that instructs participants on how to build and use rain barrels and composting barrels, extremely effective ways to conserve water and improve home gardens.
Outer Banks Compost Bin
Kill Devil Hills’ Water Conservation Education Program
How to Construct and Use Rain Barrels and Composting Barrels
Not specific to the Outer Banks, but still closely related, here’s a simple yet hilarious website that chronicles a comical breed; Dads on Vacation.
Vacation gives everyone the chance to relax, unwind, and lose some inhibitions, and the sometimes stoic father figures are no exception. You now have an online outlet for all of the great photos of Dad enjoying himself on the OBX.
Dads on Vacation
Dads On Vacation
Duck & Wine Festival 2010
Coastival is an annual festival hosted by the Currituck-Dare Community Foundation, an Affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation.
The Currituck-Dare Community Foundation is pleased to again team up with Coastal Provisions and the Duck Waterfront Shops in hosting the Duck & Wine Event for 2010.
Mark the date: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time: 12:00 – 3:00
Where: Duck Waterfront Shops, Duck, NC
The event is held at the Duck Waterfront Shops in Duck and will feature a duck and wine cook-off by 19 selected restaurants/chefs. Each chef will create a special dish, paired with a selected wine chosen by Coastal Provisions. Prizes will be awarded for Best Dish, as determined by a panel of judges and People’s Choice, voted on by participants.
Come enjoy great food, a fantastic location, good music, and wonderful wines! Proceeds will benefit the Currituck-Dare Community Fund, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, and Currituck Kids, all charitable organizations.
Ticket holders each receive a signature wine glass and wine tote bag in appreciation for their support. Wines used in the event will be available for purchase from Coastal Provisions at a special rate that day. There will be drawings for gift certificates and other prizes throughout the day.
Outer Banks Shootout
