First Flight 5k

The Inaugural First Flight 5K will be one of the most exciting 5K’s in the area!  Not only will you run UP to the Wright Brothers National Memorial (with the most spectular views of the Outer Banks!) but you will finish in the presence of Orville and Wilbur Wright…literally! 

Flying Pirate Half Marathon - Outer Banks

The 5k is the same weekend as the Inaugural Flying Pirate 1/2 Marathon. 

Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade

This Sunday, the Outer Banks will celebrate the 21st Annual Kelly’s  St. Patricks Parade. 

The OBX is a pristine natural environment, with many concerned about keeping it that way, and this year’s parade theme will focus the environment.  Officially, the theme has been named Blue Green Outer Banks, Tommorow Matters.  Blue Green Outer Banks is a non profit organization promoting the preservation of the environment, particularlly local.  The organization believes that we all play a vital role in the relationship between the shore, the ocean, and the sound.

“To care for the Outer Banks, we must be more than green, we must be Blue Green,” said Willo Kelly, executive director of Blue Green Outer Banks.

The parade will kick off at 1pm, March 14^th.  The one-mile parade route will stretch from MP 11.25-10.25 Nags Head, so come and be a part of an Outer Banks Tradition.  Attendees are also invited to Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern for an after party!

• Boats out of Oregon Inlet continue to pull big numbers of Bluefin tuna and striped bass.
  • There are reports of one party out of Oregon Inlet on Monday catching and releasing approximately 125 stripers in the 25-pound range.
  • Catch reports from boaters fishing the warm water of the Gulf Stream off the OBX are showing bluefin averaging between 150 and 175 pounds, with fish up to 225 pounds reported by the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
  • Boats offshore raked in up to 12 bluefins (keeping the limit of one per boat), with the average size scaling about 160 pounds.
• Waters off Hatteras are seeing quite a few bluefin with charters reporting some great catches.
• Puppy drum in the Ocracoke Island surf on lures.

Seaside Vacations' Club Seaside

Guests enjoy golf and tennis clinics, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 8, 2010) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2010 Club Seaside program.

Believing that a vacation should be more than just a house at the beach, Seaside Vacations is continuing to redefine the Outer Banks vacation experience by combining the best things about staying in a private vacation home with the best things about staying in a luxury resort.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly 2010 Club Seaside events include professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons, and circuit training – and new this year, stand-up paddleboarding.  In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club.  Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer.  By giving guests the added value they desire, Club Seaside has become a favorite among Seaside Vacations guests.

Seaside Vacations Jerry Knight commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

Seaside Vacations looks forward to yet another successful year with Club Seaside. For more information on the exclusive benefits of Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas.  Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 877.392.2710

Shag OBX

1st Annual SHAG OBX!

to benefit the

Community Care Clinic of Dare

Live Music!    DJ’s!    Dance Classes!

• Jim Quick and Coastline

• Ed Timberlake and David Jones

• Sam and Lisa West

Come SHAG with us at the first annual SHAG on the OBX
fund raising event for the Community Care Clinic of Dare.

Matt Lusk

The Outer Banks is a very unique surfing environment, especially during the winter months.  The remote location of the OBX along the mid-Atlantic coast means that the beach breaks are generally empty during the winter, but mid-Atlantic waters are still plenty cold. 

Days are short, water is cold, but the breaks are empty, and great surf doesn’t hibernate for the winter.  So, while surfing in early March may not be on the “to do” list for most, there are hardcore surfers along the Outer Banks that see a great opportunity for beautiful surf with no competition for waves. 

Last week, Matt Lusk traded his digital camera for a video camera to capture two local Outer Banks pro surfers enjoying thick, chocolate barrels all to themselves.  It takes a strong commitment and a thick wetsuit, but the payoff is huge.  The video highlights Jesse Hines, who is recently back to the lineup after broken leg last fall, and Brett Barley, who captivated the surfing world in January with his “Cinderella story” at the Pipeline Pro. 

View the video here.

2^nd Annual  Running of the Leprechauns 8K

Saturday, March 13, 2010
9:00 am Nags Head, NC
Kellys Restaurant
Outer Banks Running Club
$30/Pot of Gold
$15/Blarney Stone

The 2^nd Annual Running of the Leprechauns is expected to be one of the club’s largest events building upon a successful inaugural year.  The run coincides with the OBX Taste of the Beach Weekend, so interest will be high.

• This event is open to runners and walkers of all levels and paces.  Strollers, bikes, dogs, and bandits are prohibited.
• This is a point to point course combining paved surface and trail including hills and inclines. 
• The course conditions will be monitored and the exact route will be posted online Friday, March 12^th on the Kelly’s website, www.kellysrestaurant.com. 

COURSE: The course begins on Villa Dunes Dr. in Nags Head, NC.  The course takes a right turn onto a private non-paved road and continues through Nags Head Woods with a right turn and loop around the Twiddy cemetery; right turn onto  Ocean Acres Drive (Water Stop/Portojohn location); right turn and parallel to US 158 (not on the bypass) to Kelly’s. 

REGISTRATION/FEES

• Register On-line at http://www.fsseries.com.
• Field Limit 250.
• Pot of Gold:  $30 Through Midnight March 1.  March 2-March 7, $35.
• Includes race shirt, running gloves, and post race party.
• First 100 Pot of Gold Registrations receive a “Lucky Charm” bonus gift.
• Pot of Gold Registration Deadline: Midnight March 7^th.  No exceptions.  This data is used to order and process the race shirts.
• Blarney Stone:  $15 Through March 9^th. Includes race fee, running gloves, and post race party.  This option is for those who “just have enough shirts” or just want to run.
• Paper Registration: We will take paper registration, exact cash only, if space remains, Friday, March 12^th at packet-pick-up and from 7:30-8:15 am race day.  This option is available for $20/Blarney Stone level only.

AWARDS:

First 150 finishers get to dip into the Pot of Gold.

Fastest Leprechaun

• Top Three Male Runners
• Top Three Female Runners
• 1^st-3^rd Age Group Ribbons
• Best Irish Costume
• Emerald Isle-Selected by race staff during the event.
• Luck of the Irish-We just love surprises!

IRISH TAVERN PARTY:  Post Race hospitality and awards will be held in Kelly’s Tavern. 

Menu:

• Kelly’s Signature Sweet Potato Biscuits
• Irish Stew
• Irish Soda Bread
• Sugar Cookies, sponsored by Just Desserts
• Cup Cakes, sponsored by Leanne Macklin
• Water, Coffee, Tea
• Guiness Beer (runners only)

CHARITIES:

• Race proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Community Foundation, www.obcf.org.
• Food Drive: We are collecting food items for Food for Thought.  This volunteer organization provides meals for Dare County school children over the weekends.  Visit www.foodforthoughtobx.org  to learn about this need that could easily fall through the cracks. 

• Suggested items: oranges, apples, microwave popcorn, cereal bars, granola bars, juice boxes, and snack packs-pudding, apple sauce, crackers, raisins, and cookies. 
• One World Running: The best reason to clean out the closet.  Donate your old/used/worn-out/much loved running/athletic shoes for refurbishment and recycling.  This endeavor supports our sport, the environment, and those in need. www.oneworldrunning.org

RAFFLE: All participants are entered into a raffle.  Bring  a non-perishable food item( see list) and receive an additional  raffle ticket for prizes.

Race Time: 9 :00 am

Parking: Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern

• Participants/spectators will be shuttled to the start line.  ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING at the START LINE.
• Runner Check-in: Saturday, March 13^th  7:30-8:30 am@ Kelly’s.
• All participants, including those who pick up packets Friday evening, will confirm their participation at check-in.  We will be checking in runners in the restaurant.  Water will be available and you will enjoy the interior warm restrooms. 

Shuttle: Runners and Spectators will ride the bus to the start line and gather in the parking lot of the International Ark Church.  The shuttle runs 7:30-8:40 am. 

Post Race Start: The shuttle will transport spectators to the finish line and Kelly’s. 

BlueGreen Outer Banks: This Saturday’s 8K Running of the Leprechauns is the Outer Banks’ first certified BlueGreen event! The event has banned plastic water bottles and styrofoam cups; includes online registration; BlueGreen’s Tees to Totes reusable tote bags given to runners – no plastic bags; and BYOWB – Bring Your Own Water Bottle. All paper will be recycled.

Wind Turbine

The Outer Banks wind energy  project continues to make progress.   It was recently announced that Army Corps of Engineers has asked Duke Energy to perform an environmental impact assessment.   To begin the assessment process, Duke Energy will be holding a public meeting this month to discuss the project.

The meeting will be held in the town of Manteo, and the new environmental impact study will be the main topic of discussion.  A Duke Energy spokesperson mentioned that the project is contingent on permits and that there is no specific start date for the project.  The meeting will serve as a means of letting locals voice their opinions and express their concerns.

In addition, Duke Energy is currently working in conjunction with UNC Chapel Hill to conduct a demonstration project.  The purpose of the demonstration project is to determine the feasibility of offshore wind turbines off the North Carolina coast.  The demonstration project is capped by North Carolina statute at three offshore turbines.  A UNC representative points out that a small demonstration project like this has the potential to move forward more quickly than larger projects and could be the first offshore wind project built in the United States.

Early flowers are poking through, birds are singing, the sun is shining in the bright, Carolina blue skies, and the temps are heating up while the winds are calming down. 

This past weekend saw sunny skies and temps climbing into the 50’s; still a bit below average, but the 5 day forecast shows sunny skies and temperatures approaching 60 this week.  Looks like great weather for the Taste of the Beach and the St. Patrick’s Day parade this weekend. 

The fish are still biting, and surf is always inviting…especially with empty beaches.  

It’s always a great time to be on the Outer Banks.  Gorgeous vacation homes available!