Dare Launches County Wide Mosquito Spraying

Posted on September 7, 2011

If anyone is here in the OBX this week they know that the outbreak of mosquitoes in the area is terrible! Dare County announced today that they have scheduled an aerial spray operation this week for over 50,000 acres to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in our area. The abundance of mosquitoes comes in the aftermath of hurricane Irene and the amount of standing water she left behind.

The aerial application will begin Thursday evening, September 8 at approximately 6:30 pm and continue until about 2:00 am, weather permitting. September 9th and 10th will be back up days in case of bad weather. The aerial application may take 2 days to complete. Dibrom® is the pesticide being applied at the rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre. Aerial spraying is necessary to combat and control mosquitoes where ground spraying is less accessible and effective. This is the first aerial treatment this year in Dare County NC.

Vector Disease Control, Inc. (VDCI), a mosquito control company operating out of Dare County Regional Airport will be conducting the aerial spray operation. VDCI holds contingency contracts with multiple Counties and FEMA to provide application of adulticides on an “as-needed” basis.

VDCI will be using multiple twin-engine aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet to conduct the aerial application. Each aircraft is equipped with an aerial spray guidance system specifically engineered for mosquito control operations. The planes are able to receive in real-time, meteorological conditions such as temperature, wind speed and wind direction. “This onboard equipment allows us to optimize the application within the intended treatment areas, while minimizing drift outside the target zone”, according to Malcom Williams, Manager and Chief Pilot Aerial Division VDCI.

Residents and visitors are asked to dump any standing water, as mosquitoes like to lay eggs in flowerpots, cups and old tires. Hopefully these spray treatments will help reduce the mosquitoes in the area and allow people enjoy the outdoors-scratch free! We will keep you updated on any further information released by the county. Remember if you are spending an ample amount of time outside, make sure you apply bug spray, especially during the evening.

Outer Banks: Hurricane Irene Update – 8.24.11, 9:00 PM

Posted on August 24, 2011

Hurricane Irene Projected Path - 8.24.11 - 9 PM

It sure is gorgeous on the Outer Banks right now. Perfect end of summer beach weather.

Unfortunately, that could all change very soon. Hurricanes tend to be pretty erratic. Their path can change drastically, and computer models tend to have a wide range of error. However, as the storm draws closer, the models get stronger, and Hurricane Irene is getting pretty consistent.

At this point, Hurricane Irene is a category 3 hurricane, and the projected path brings it to Ocracoke late Saturday night and into Sunday.

However, it’s too early to know for sure. We are starting to implement emergency plans. As of tomorrow (Thursday, 8.25.11) at 8:00 AM, all Dare County guests are required to evacuate.

From Dare County:

The Dare County Control Group has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout all of Dare County effective 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 25.

All visitors are urged to make preparations and leave the area. Dare County Emergency Management urges visitors to take all personal belongings with them during evacuation. Other preparation steps are available at www.ReadyNC.org and www.darenc.com

Although the mandatory evacuation order is for all Dare County visitors, residents are advised to take proper precautions and make general storm preparations. This effort should include securing all loose items outdoors. Monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

The Dare County Control Group will meet again on Thursday, August 25 after the 5:00 p.m. storm advisory has been issued by the National Hurricane Center. Further evacuations should be anticipated as Irene moves closer to the Outer Banks.

At this time there are no new reentry stickers being issued. The previously issued stickers, for 2008/2009, are still valid. Residents can also use a North Carolina driver’s license showing a Dare County address. Property owners may use a Dare County tax bill with proper identification for reentry.

Updates and bulletins will be issued on an as needed basis and will be available on www.darenc.com and Government Access Channel 20.

From The Weather Channel:
Hurricane Irene, a large, powerful Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, continues to plow through the Bahamas, with more impacts in its sights.

As you can see on our projected path map above, Hurricane Irene will track towards the East Coast this weekend. It is still too early to determine the exact path and the potential impact to the Outer Banks.

Dare County: A Moonshine Mecca Way Back Yonder

Posted on August 14, 2011

Came across a great article in the Virginia Pilot about a little piece of Dare County that was once a major hub in the moonshine making business in North Carolina.

Little is left of this former logging town on the Dare County mainland, which was born in Civil War times and morphed decades later into a haven for bootlegging moonshine makers. Its legacy survives in the aging memories of long-ago residents and a dusty gravel road through the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge that bears its name. Otherwise, Buffalo City today belongs to the swamp.

But while there are still memories to preserve and artifacts to collect, staff at the wildlife refuge are working to ensure that Buffalo City does not disappear altogether. At a new visitors center set to open next year, refuge officials plan to build a theater reminiscent of the general store where Buffalo City residents once shopped.

Its history dates from the mid-1800s through the 1950s, when the last Buffalo City residents deserted the town, about 20 miles west of Roanoke Island.In its heyday, Buffalo City boasted multiple logging companies, a hotel, a post office, railroad service and its own currency. It was once Dare County’s largest community.

By the late 1920s and early 1930s, however, with the logging industry losing steam, residents began making moonshine to survive. The illegal liquor was transported north by boat to places such as Elizabeth City.

Wildlife and habitat are the primary focus of the new visitors center that will soon be under construction on the northern end of Roanoke Island, near the entrance to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The Gateway Visitor Center, expected to open in spring or early summer next year, will introduce people to 11 refuges in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, including Buffalo City.

I feel an Outer Banks Treasure video in the works here.

Reality Television Show Set to Shoot in Corolla

Posted on July 3, 2011

Getting Away Together

Yes we are serious! The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported that a new series “Getting Away Together” on PBS will begin filming in Corolla tomorrow for the 4th of July celebrationat Heritage Park.

The series is going to spotlight vacationers at 13 spots around the country and one of them is the Outer Banks! It will include a week of sightseeing for 17 family members, most of them from Atlanta Georgia.

Currituck and Dare counties split the $97,500 cost of producing, filming and promoting the show as a way of also promoting the Outer Banks. The series is expected to air this Fall on PBS. Yay for reality TV!

Another Wind Turbine Proposal on the Outer Banks

Posted on March 30, 2011

Outer Banks Brew Station - Wind Spill, No Damage

The wind on the Outer Banks is pretty relentless. A continuous stream of wind flows through the OBX, some days stronger than others, and it shifts directions, but almost always there. The Wright Brothers chose the Outer Banks wisely.

It almost seems like a natural fit for wind power to be generated by the endless breeze. But can a 500 foot wind turbine be considered a “natural fit?”

We’ve mentioned the quest for OBX wind power in previous posts. Up to this point, those wind projects have run aground for various reasons, but a new project is in the works. The Virginia Pilot is reporting that another attempt at an alternative source of energy is making headway.

An experimental wind machine that could reach 500 feet into the Outer Banks skyline will be the subject of a public hearing April 18. Gamesa Energy and Northrop Grumman have partnered for plans to build a one turbine control group near Skyco on Roanoke Island. The turbine is part of a broader plan, aimed to perfect offshore wind-energy generators. Plans are also in the works to build an additional experimental turbine somewhere off the coast.

In a presentation last month, Gamesa representative Todd Hopper said that Skyco is the ideal place for the project’s land-based turbine because of its proximity to water and isolation from development. He asked Dare County commissioners to consider amending zoning laws to accommodate the project.

The news comes as no surprise to Dare County, as there have been wind turbines put in at Jockeys Ridge State Park and the Outer Banks Brewing Station, as well as previous plans to build a wind farm along the Outer Banks by Duke Power last year.

Gamesa intends to sell the electricity generated by the wind turbine to recover costs of the design and building costs. With costs of $20 million, the company aims to install the turbine next year.

What do you think? Are these wind turbines productive “gentle giants” or do they take away the gorgeous OBX views?

Outer Banks Art Shows – Art Tales 2011: A Year of Narrative Art Exhibitions

Posted on February 21, 2011

Outer Banks - Roanoke Island Festival Park Art Gallery - 2011 Schedul

2011 Art Tales: A Year of Narrative Art Exhibitions

February 27 – March 26: Priceless Pieces Quilt Show
April 1 – 21: Dare County High School Art Show
May 1 – 31: Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
June 3 – 28: Photojournalism of Chris Bickford

The shows and receptions are free and open to the public

Gallery Hours:

Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM

www.RoanokeIsland.com

Outer Banks Art Exhibit

Posted on August 25, 2010

Outer Banks Art Exhibit

Local Outer Banks artists Ben Morris and Ben Miller are combining their efforts to display some recent works on at the Dare County Arts Council Gallery in downtown Manteo.

The exhibit opens on the “First Friday” of September, including an opening reception – September 3, 6-8 pm.

The vibrant colors and seaside flare in their works of art are definitely worth a look.

Duck & Wine Festival on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 21, 2010

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 Charity Event

Posted on February 11, 2010

Empty Bowls Charity Soup Dinner

Empty Bowls Charity Soup Dinner & Silent Art Auction

February 25
5 – 7pm at First Flight High School

Donate $10 and receive: a ceramic bowl, soup, bread, and entertainment
Soups supplied by local Outer Banks restaurants
Entertainment provided by Dare County schools
Proceeds benefit local OBX food pantry
Takeout orders available

Calling All Outer Banks Artists

Posted on February 5, 2010

Paint a Beach Trash Can Through OB Can
Friday, February 05, 2010 at 2:40 PM

OB Can – Call for Artists

OB Can Nags Head is a community arts project that addressed the problem of littering on Nags Head’s beaches.

Artists are invited to apply to paint a new trash can, which will grace the beaches throughout Nags Head.

The Town is working with the Dare County Arts Council on this project.

Who Can Apply?Any artist residing in Dare County.

Selection Process

Artists need to fill out an application (link is below) and return it, along with 5 digital images of their work to the Town of Nags Head or the Dare County Arts Council.

Work samples must be in digital form on a CD, with the artist’s name and contact information printed on the disc.

The application materials will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and artists will be notified of their acceptance.

Contact the Dare County Arts Council at 252-473-5558 or info@darearts.org if you have any questions.

Calendar

March 9-11
Application and digital images of artwork must be turned into the Dare County Arts Council or Nags Head Town Hall.

March 15
Submissions will be judged. Artists will be notified of acceptance within 48 hours.

March 18 and 19
If you are chosen as an OB Can artist, you may pick up your trash can on these dates from Nags Head Town Hall

April 22 and 23
Drop off your finished trash can at Nags Head’s Town Hall

May 8 – Before being placed on the beach, trash cans will be unveiled at a Garbage Gala hosted by the Dare County Arts Council at Pamlico Jacks.

Design Criteria

We want variety! You are encouraged to show off your own personal style.

Be original! No reproductions of other pieces of artwork.

No 3D elements! Please limit this project to 2D materials. Remember, these will be functional trash cans.

The theme is open to your interpretation. Keep in mind, however, that these will be placed on public beaches, so create accordingly.