Coastal Studies Institute on the Outer Banks?

Posted on April 19, 2010

UNC Coastal Studies - OBX

A vision that has been six years in the making is begining to come together. A conditional use permit was issued to build a UNC Coastal Studies Institute campus by the board of commissioners.

The site was originally planned to be constructed near the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Changes to plans have lead planners to develop on a 200-acre site in Skyco, located on Roanoke Island. This project is estimated to cost $30 million and will include a 56,800 square foot building, a 9700 square foot building, two dormatories, a boat storage building, boat slips and parking. “

The OBX has a strong “green” presence, and the campus will be no exception; it will include environmentally friendly equipment and methods of operation. For example, geo-thermal heating systems will be put in place, cisterns will be used to reuse water, and lighting that shuts off when a room is empty will be installed.

The project is projected to be completed by September 2012 and will have a staff of 60 and 120 students that will be living on campus.

An exciting addition to Dare County!

Crabbing & Fishing Rodeo on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 19, 2010

Blue Crab

Each year, the Pea Island Crabbing/Fishing Rodeo is held the second Saturday in June from 9 am until noon.

Participants are encouraged to bring everything they need for the morning, including sunscreen, insect repellant, food, drink, chairs, etc.

Success varies from year-to-year. Some years, almost everyone (sometimes as many as 500 people) takes home a full bucket of crabs. Some years, catch is much smaller. But, it’s always a fun time for the entire family.

For more information, contact the Refuge Visitor Center at 252-987-2394.

Surfer Magazine Looks Into Off Road Vehicle Driving on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 16, 2010

Surfer Magazine

Surfer Magazine recently ran an article discussing the issue of off road vehicle (ORV) driving along the beaches on the Outer Banks. It’s a controversial issue with locals, business owners and tourists who believe beach driving is a way of life on the OBX and a large draw for tourists pitted against environmental groups attempting to save nesting birds.

As a general theme, surfers usually side with environmental groups; afterall, the beach and the ocean are treasures that surfers want to maintain and preserve. However, access to the same beaches and oceans they want to preserve is cruical…there isn’t much sense fighting to preserve a secluded break if you can’t get to it. So, this is one issue where it seems surfers and environmentalists are parting ways.

Surfer takes the opportunity to interview local OBX surf pro Jesse Hines to get his thoughts on the matter. Here’s a great quote from Jesse:

“To me, driving on the beach defines this place. It gives you a sense of freedom and adventure that only the Outer Banks can offer.”

World’s Tiniest Full-Service Bar Located on the Outer Banks?

Posted on April 15, 2010

Flying Fish Cafe - Outer Banks

The Guiness Book wasn’t referened, but a local Outer Banks bar and restauarant, The Flying Fish Cafe (located in Kill Devil Hills), is laying claim as the world’s tiniest full-service bar.

With only 6 bar seats, The Flying Fish believes they have the world’s tiniest full-service bar and that’s the way they like it! Patrons have the opportunity to enjoy an intimate night out with a few friends at the solid walnut bar. The entire menu is available at the bar as well as the great wine selections. (See the Yelp review here.)

You can even call ahead 252-441-6894 to reserve your spot there, and better yet, if you’ve never tried The Flying Fish, they are willing to give you free food! Simpley sign-up for their newsletter, and they will give you a $15 coupon for your first visit!

Earth Day on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 15, 2010

Outer Banks Earth Day

The natural environment is extremely important on the Outer Banks. From beach cleanliness and nourishment, to the ban on plastic bags, and the recent focus on an Outer Banks wind farm, the OBX is leading the way in “green” movements, and Earth Day provides a good reason to celebrate.

Planet Pleasing Goods

Local Outer Banks store, Planet Pleasing Goods, is stretching the Earth Day celebration into an entire week…Earth Week, and they are celebrating with some good savings (15% off all “reusable” products in store and online) and some great events.

April 20th 5-7pm: Green Cleaning & Green Wine Tasting at Chip’s Wine University. Cost is $10 for each, you can do both for $20 or just choose to participate in one! Call 449-4326 to reserve your spot- limited to 18 participants. Each participant will make $20 of green cleaning concoctions to take home!
April 21st 6-7pm: Body Burden at Planet Pleasing Goods- Learn more about reading cosmetic and bath product labels and navigate the Cosmetic Database by The Environmental Working Group. FREE and open to the public.
April 22nd 4-7pm: Earth Day Celebration at Outer Banks Brewing Station. Join green businesses and organizations for an afternoon of fun underneath the wine turbine. There will be activities for the kids, information on sustainable living and how to get involved in an environmental organization near you! FREE and open to the public, cancelled if rain.
April 23rd (4-6pm) and April 24th (10am-noon): MYO (Make Your Own) SnackTaxi. Kids will get to decorate their own SnackTaxi (reusable snack bag). $5 per child, materials are limited call to guarantee a space 449-4326.

Seaside Vacations is a Proud Sponsor of the Outer Banks Bluez & Brewz Festival

Posted on April 14, 2010

Brew Thru’s Bluez’N Brewz Festival – August 21, 2010

This is the Outer Banks biggest party! We have combined two great events: A Blues Festival and a Beer Festival in one location all at the same time!

3 great blues bands are coming to town to entertain us and show us how they do it! At the same time, several breweries will be bringing their best brews for the title of the “People’s Choice” award. Last year’s winner was Heavy Seas, Loose Cannon!

The gate open at 4:30pm and everything get’s kicked-off at 5pm and ends at 10pm. Save some money and get your tickets online in advance: www.BluezAndBrewz.com

Outer Banks Bluez & Brewz

Outer Banks History: The Nags Head Casino

Posted on April 12, 2010

Nags Head Casino

The Nags Head Casino and was a very popular attraction to locals and visitors alike. According to many locals who remember this Outer Banks institution, it was the place to be.

The Casino reached its height of popularity in the 1960s and was located in a two story building near the beach. The bottom floor was a family arcade with duckpin bowling, pinball machines and a variety of game. But second floor drew most of the crowds.The second floor of the building was dedicated as a dance hall with slick floors great for dancing. The Casino’s ballroom was also the spot where some legendary musicians would play on the Outer Banks; Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Artie Shaw to name a few.

Unfortunately, after 40 years of OBX fun, the Nags Heads Casino collapsed in 1976 after a big storm.

In July, a fundraiser will be held to help recreate the Casino vibe. An exhibit is planned be on display on the side deck at the Museum of the Albermarle. “We’ll recreate the old Nags Head Casino on the side porch (of the museum),” said MOA’s exhibit designer Don Pendergraft in a recent Daily Advance interview. “We’re going to try and take people back to the old Casino.”

The exhibit will also display decorations from the old casino to keep it as original as possible. Visitors to the exhibit will be allowed to come forward and share some of their fond memories of the casino.

For more information, or to share your oral histories with the museum, contact Don Pendergraft at 252-335-1453.

Kitty Hawk Kites Offers “Kids Day” All Summer on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 12, 2010

Kids Day at Kitty Hawk Kites
June 9th – September 8

Every Wednesday at the Nags Head Kitty Hawk Kites from 10 am – 2 pm, starting the second week of June and running until Labor Day. Everyone is welcome to the Kitty Hawk Kites Nags Head store at mile post 12.5 on the Outer Banks. It’s filled with FREE face painting, toy demos, parachute races, games, kite making, and more!

Kids Day Times and Locations: June 9th – September 8

Nags Head Kitty Hawk Kites
Every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm
click here for map

Corolla Kitty Hawk Kites
Every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm
click here for map

Outer Banks Represented at the World Beer Cup 2010 – Congrats to the Brewing Station

Posted on April 12, 2010

Outer Banks Brewing Station

There are some great micro brews offered on the Outer Banks, and the purveyor of most of these libations is the Outer Banks Brewing Station (Brewing Station review on Yelp here).

Here’s how their Brew Master describes their brewing process: “I like to think of our pub brewery as a kitchen rather than a factory. I never stop experimenting. Every brew is the result of the culmination of everything I’ve learned about brewing to date. Sort of the way a jazz musician approaches music.”

The Brewing Station recently participated in the World Beer Cup 2010, and took home a silver medal! Their Lemon Grass Wheat Ale won silver in the Herb and Spice Beer category.

Congrats to the Brewing Station for a great local OBX business and some awarding winning beer.

Another intesting point about the Brewing Station…they provide their own power with the first private wind turbine on the Outer Banks.

Volunteers Save Outer Banks Shipwreck

Posted on April 9, 2010

On Tuesday morning, 25 volunteers labored diligently to uncover what is believed to be the oldest known shipwreck on the Outer Banks from the grip of the OBX beach.

The crew had limited time to uncover the wreck as the tide began to move in. This was quite the task considering that the ship weighs an amazing 12-tons. The fact that this could be the oldest wreck off the NC coast, out of 5000 recorded wrecks, makes this a pretty phenomenal discovery.

“We just don’t find ships of this age in this good shape,” said Richard Lawrence, director of the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch.

45 minutes into the excavastion, the top of the ship was uncovered. Soon after the top was uncovered, a crowd of spectators stopped to watch. The crowd continued to grow as the day progressed and more was uncovered.

Archaeologists believe this could be the HMS Swift, a British ship about 70 feet long and 16 feet wide that ran aground off Point Comfort in the Chesapeake Bay in 1698. The ship was abandoned by the crew, according to an account in the North Carolina Historical Review by Samuel Margolin. The current carried the vessle southward, where it ran aground on the Currituck County Outer Banks. Residents, known as “bankers,” scuttled the ship, cutting a hole in the bottom to make sure it didn’t float away. A hole of about 6 inches by 3 inches is visible today in the hull planks. That hole, scientists believe, is the one cut by the bankers to scuttle the Swift, said Nathan Henry, an underwater archaeologist. The British sent officials to lay claim to the ship and prosecute those who had plundered it. Nine were arrested, including Capt. Anthony Dawson, who was the leader. Six were found not guilty. Dawson’s sentence of hanging was commuted to exile from the colony. One man was branded with a “T” – for thief – on his left thumb and given 30 lashes, according to Margolin’s account. British authorities were angered at the North Carolina leniency for most of the defendants.

By noon Tuesday, the old ship’s skeleton rested under a large oak tree.