Emerald Isle Blog

Save Gas on Island Time

Your DisplayName here! — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:30:01 GMT

Haven’t planned your summer beach vacation yet? Are gas prices keeping you from your long awaited beach trip? Well, wait no longer! We’ve got some helpful hints to help you get to the beautiful Crystal Coast AND save on gas. So pack up the family, the beach bag and get ready for some barefoot fun! Note: Slowing down to island time can do wonders for your gas tank! >

General tips>>

The folks at Edmunds.com decided to test which gasoline-saving tips really work. They conducted their tests under real-world conditions. Here are the tips that they say will make a real difference in your gasoline mileage. >

1. Take the pedal off the metal.>>

The Edmunds' test showed you can reduce your gas consumption by 31 to 37 percent simply by gently accelerating rather than gunning it. You can also save money by taking your foot off the accelerator as soon as you see a light ahead of you change. >

2. Drive the speed limit or less.>>

Driving at slower speeds can save 12 to 14 percent in gas consumption. Allow a little more time to get to your destination. Not only will you reduce your stress, you'll save dollars at the pump as well. >

3. Use your cruise control.>>

Humans don't accelerate or decelerate as smoothly as a computer does. Save 7 to 14 percent in gas consumption by using your cruise control whenever possible. >

4. Leave your air conditioning on; it doesn't change your mileage.>>

5. Keep tire pressure at recommended levels.>>

According to Edmunds, tire pressure has little effect on gas mileage. Nevertheless, keeping your tires inflated at optimal levels increases safety and reduces wear. The cost of tires has increased dramatically because of the petroleum products used in their manufacture. >

6. Avoid excessive idling.>>

It's common for people to leave their cars running when they're logging their mileage, waiting for someone to get in the car, or stopping for just a couple of minutes. Eliminating these behaviors can save you up to 19 percent in gas consumption. Bottom line, if you're going to stop for more than a minute, shut it down. >

7. Combine multiple stops into one trip.>>

If you do your own errands, do them all in one trip. Hit the cleaners, the bank, the grocery store, post office, beauty salon, and gas station in a single trip. >

If you want to take away the pain at the pump, implement these few simple changes for major savings.>

Heidi Barlow >

Last Chance to Enjoy Family Fun after 5 at the NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores!!!

Your DisplayName here! — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:05:32 GMT

This Thursday, July 31st the NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores is hosting its final Family Fun Night for 2008. The event runs from 5-9pm with the last ticket being sold at 8pm. All activities are free with regular admission or membership.

This Week: Glow Wild!

Bring the family on down to the Aquarium to bask in the gleam of nature’s own nightlights. Be fascinated by the mysterious creatures that illuminate the deep ocean blue. To top it off, divers will be turning the Living Shipwreck into an aquatic light show. Sure to make kids of all ages glow wild!

A live performance by Crystal Coast favorite Panyelo, is sure to set the mood for the evening. The soothing sounds of the steel drums will surely take you on a musical trip to warm breezes and tropical islands afar. Hope to see you there!

Activities are free with regular admission or membership. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores , 252-247-4003, >

www.ncaquariums.com> .

Heidi Barlow>>

Family Fun Nights after 5 at the NC Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores

Your DisplayName here! — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:39:15 GMT

Every Thursday in July, the Aquarium extends its hours until 9 p.m., with activities that follow a different, fun theme each week. Leap Year bonus: five Thursdays in July means five Family Nights!> >>

This Week: Bringin’ Carolina Heritage Back!

On Thursday, July 24^th the Aquarium will be hosting Banjos to Beach Music for Family Night. It’s sure to be a North Carolina cultural experience you don’t want to miss! Vendors from the mountains to the sea will be featured at this all age’s event. Chat with potters and decoy carvers as they create unique masterpieces.

Bring your dancin’ shoes to tap your feet to the bluegrass sounds of the Bridgewater Band. Or… kick your shoes off and do a little shaggin’ with the Atlantic Beach Shag Club. A proven Crystal Coast tradition! (Local Tip: Wear your flip flops, shagging is done best barefoot. So kick off your flops and get down)!

Activities are free with regular admission or membership. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores , 252-247-4003, >

www.ncaquariums.com> .

Heidi Barlow >>

July Brings Family Fun after Five at the NC Aquarium

Your DisplayName here! — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:22:07 GMT

Pirates and paw prints, salamanders and sand sculptures, foot-tapping music and nature’s own nightlights…. July isn’t just about the 4th and fireworks. It’s the month for Family Nights at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores .>>>

Every Thursday in July, the Aquarium extends its hours until 9 p.m., with activities that follow a different, fun theme each week. Leap Year bonus: five Thursdays in July means five Family Nights!>>>

Family Night activities begin at 5 p.m., and are free with regular admission or membership.>>>

On Thursday, July 10^th the Aquarium will be hosting CSI: Critter Signs Investigation for Family Fun Night. You’ll be able to explore scents, scat, tracks and other clues to identify out-of-sight animals. Investigate “animal” tracks in a match-up scavenger hung, and make your own mark in a finger-printing session. The folks from the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter will be giving live owl presentations inviting you to meet an array of feathered friends. Pack up the family and head to the NC Aquarium for CSI: Critter Signs Investigation, there’s plenty of fun to be had by all!>>

Heidi Barlow>>

July Brings Family Fun after Five at the NC Aquarium

Your DisplayName here! — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:33:46 GMT

Every Thursday in July, the Aquarium extends its hours until 9 p.m., with activities that follow a different, fun theme each week. Leap Year bonus: five Thursdays in July means five Family Nights!>>>

Family Night activities begin at 5 p.m., and are free with regular admission or membership.

Kicking off family nights on Thursday, July 3^rd is Slime, Scales and Salamander Tales a feature program of amphibians and reptiles. In the front parking lot you’ll see famed sand sculptors, Sandy Feat, creating a larger-than-life masterpiece to be enjoyed by Aquarium goers young and old. Deborah Van Dyken is also on tap to read from her book, “The Little Turkle.” Don’t miss the amphibian carnival! It’s sure to be a blast! A scavenger hunt and puppet show is also on the schedule for the evening. Pack up the family after a day at the beach and head to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores !

Heidi Barlow

The Kites, the Bagpipes and a Hero

Your DisplayName here! — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:39:56 GMT

Any week that includes bagpipes, a fleet of kites, staying on the oceanfront in Emerald Isle and a hero is alright by me. For the past several days the Wax tribe have been enjoying these first hot June days in the Breezy cottage on the oceanfront in Dolphin Ridge.

It’s enough to be enjoying sun, sand and turquoise blue surf with my two grandsons….but we loved the vivid primary colors of the large scale kites from a kite flying family from Colorado that greeted us on arrival. They made a daily ritual of coming down the neighborhood walkway with kites and gear stowed in their bicycle basket. Kites up, up and away by 9:00 am then reeling in, in, in by early evening when the light becomes soft and golden on the beach. Our generations watched their generations carry on that magnificent tradition day after day.

It’s enough to be feasting on crabs night after night….first crab cakes, next night North Carolina’s finest delicacy, soft shell crabs, then steaming blue hard crabs til they turned bright crimson with spicy crust flaking off ….then we heard the sweet strains of Amazing Grace played on bagpipes just a few porches down each evening at sunset. Oh, how sweet was the sound.

It’s enough to wade through ocean tidal pools with my 2 year old grandson, then swim with my proud 8 year old grandson as he reaches the sand bar for his first time…then we learn of an heroic ocean rescue of a 67 year old man staying just three homes from ours by a young man employed by Island Essentials who was picking up beach gear. Without hesitation, and without even stopping to take off his shoes, he ran into the white capped ocean and helped the gentleman to shore.

Just another week on Emerald Isle…with the kites, and the bagpipes and a hero.

Julia Batten Wax

Flying High at the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show

Your DisplayName here! — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:25:39 GMT

After much anticipation, the 2008 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show is back again this year and better than ever! The show runs from June 6th to June 8th at MCAS Cherry Point in Havelock, NC. Back on the schedule of exciting events are The Blue Angels, which is one of the most popular flight acts in the nation. The unique and exclusive night show on Friday, June 6th cannot be missed! The incredible pyrotechnic and fireworks display is a personal favorite of mine. A flight-line view of this one of a kind experience will bring smiles to the faces of spectators both young and old. If you miss the night show, definitely take an opportunity to visit on Saturday or Sunday and catch a day show. You’ll see flight demonstrations from reputable squadrons throughout the country performing, as well as aerial shows and other gravity defying acts. Remember to wear comfortable shoes so you can walk around and visit the displays. Admission and parking are free, but you’ll need to bring some extra cash for food and beverages. Leave your pets at home, but bring the whole family and friends too! The earlier you get there, the better! You don’t want to miss it! Check out www.cherrypointairshow.com for more details.

Heidi Barlow

Child of Emerald Isle

Your DisplayName here! — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:59:47 GMT

It was the summer of ’72, the last summer of my childhood, when I fell in love with Emerald Isle. That fall I would start my senior year in high school and meet my husband of 34 years. Through June, July and August I lived quietly and simply with my Aunt Mildred and Uncle Clarence in a tiny bedroom in their green and brick house on the corner of 2^nd Street and Ocean Drive. Just 10 years earlier they had retired to Emerald Isle to pursue their passion for salt water fishing. Other friends bought modest beach homes nearby and asked them to be caretakers and rent to other friends, and Emerald Isle Realty was born

Summer suppers for us meant fresh caught blue fish and flounder, shrimp purchased from friends and neighbors in Salter Path, or crabs netted ourselves to go with clams we raked up from Bogue Sound. Aunt Mildred had other friends I got to know that summer from early morning visits to the Evans Street Curb Market in Morehead City , where we bought fresh tomatoes, corn, butter beans and watermelon salt-kissed by our south-westerly ocean breezes.

Situated mid-island, their beach home meant I was a baseball throw’s distance from the ocean or the sound. My summer job was to help Aunt Mildred answer the phone to take reservations from families in NC, VA and PA looking for a beach cottage. We’d answer their questions, “That’s right, no air-conditioning, just open all the windows and let that ocean breeze cool you down.” Or, “Yes ma’am, there is one TV, but most folks just like to sit on the porch when evening comes.”

Noon-time, I took a 2 hour break to swim, sun and walk on the beach. Sunsets after supper, I’d often take long walks on the beach toward Salter Path, running up and down wild sand dunes with the closest cottage hundreds of yards away.

My love affair with my island home continues to this day. After college, my husband Mark and I settled here and raised three island children of our own. Best of all though, not so much has changed and you can still enjoy just such an idyllic vacation in our little village by the sea. We’re still welcoming the children and grandchildren that I got to know that summer of ’72. Farm families like Winberry Farms are still growing world famous Bogue Sound watermelons, and at Capt. Willis’ Seafood Market (with the red roof) you will always find fresh, local seafood. We are still famous for those soft, south-westerly breezes, but the homes are now air-conditioned, so it’s your choice whether to turn the AC off and throw the windows wide open. Sitting on the porches though is down-right encouraged.

From time to time, I’ll be sharing what I love about life on Emerald Isle and help you to discover some truly special places to visit on the Crystal Coast . Stop by and visit often—that’s what we mean by Southern hospitality. You’ll become a friend and neighbor, too.

Julia Batten Wax