Carolina Salt February Edition

FREE! TAKE ONE! FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2014

your life on the Crystal Coast

Healthy Kids 101 Wigging Out! for ‘Locks of Love’

10

BIRD FEEDING MISTAKES

CELEBRATE SPRING

Mardi Gras Down East!

LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN & FREE

THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–FEBRUARY THROUGH MID–MARCH page 8

ASK THE AQUARIUM:

WILDLIFE SHELTER:

ART EVENT:

Whale Migration

The Water Witch

Art from the Heart

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M ID - FE BRUA RY TO MID-MA RCH 2 0 1 4

Inside This Issue TH E CRYSTAL COAST LI F EST YLE

F E AT U R E S 14 Ask the Aquarium: Whales Did you know that our coastline is, at certain times of the year, a good place to witness the migration of great whales?

15 OWLS: The Water Witch The Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter is currently hosting an unusual bird: the pied-billed grebe.

Find out more about this adorable guest.

21

17 Wigging Out!

TOP 10 BIRDFEEDING MISTAKES FREE! TAKE ONE!

FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2014

your life on the Crystal Coast

10

Healthy Kids 101 Wigging Out!

BIRD FEEDING MISTAKES

CELEBRATE SPRING

Mardi Gras Down East!

for ‘Locks of Love’

LOOK INSIDE FOR FUN & FREE

THINGS TO DO ON THE CRYSTAL COAST MID–FEBRUARY THROUGH MID–MARCH page 8

ASK THE AQUARIUM:

WILDLIFE SHELTER:

ART EVENT:

Whale Migration

The Water Witch

Art from the Heart

ON THIS MONTH’S COVER Our cover photograph for February comes from the talented lens of local photographer Casey Futrell. She sent us a bunch, and it was hard to choose! Visit her online at caseyfutrellphotography.com.

We’re looking forward to the ‘spring thaw’—daffodils and camellias!

Enjoy a fashion forward night of fun and wigs, wigs, wigs to benefit the charity Locks of Love, which helps children with medical hair loss.

18 Healthy Kids 101 Healthy kids need exercise, but it doesn’t have to be a strenuous gym workout. It can be fun family time, too.

19 Art from the Heart The Arts Council of Carteret County opens its signature event, its annual Art from the Heart exhibition and sale, on February 14.

21 Top 10 Birdfeeding Mistakes Don’t worry … it’s not just a list of problems!

Backyard birdlovers can get practical and easy solutions to some common mistakes.

15 WATER WITCH The wildlife shelter gets a visit from an unusual bird.

23 PARTY ON! The Gloucester Mardi Gras rolls for its 22nd year. Fun and free event!

The Regulars 8 Things to Do 14 Ask the Aquarium: Whale Migration 15 OWLS: Water Witch 30 Parrot Heads 31 Hooked Up Fishing 32 Diving the Coast 33 Tides

23 Party On! The Gloucester Mardi Gras gets ready to roll into its 22nd year. This event is free and open to the public, and is a guaranteed good time.

24 What’s Love Got To Do With It? Pastor Jonathan Day of the Watermark Church asks an important question, and answers from his own experience.

F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 5

PUBLISHER: Will

Ashby

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Chevy

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Keri McCann, Sherry White, Lee Lumpkin, Barbara Blake, Bill Thompson III, Linda Bergman–Althouse, Christis Raimo, Johnathan Day, Ken Stone, Capt. Jeff Cronk and Lee Moore.

E D I TO R I A L S & A DV E RT I S I N G Please contact the publisher at will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com or 252-723-7628 for ad rates and editorial ideas. Ad and editorial deadline for the Mid-March to Mid-April issue is February 16, 2013.

Email letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com. Next issue will publish March 7, 2013.

From the Publisher Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, published to depict your life here on the Crystal Coast.

All articles are written by locals. We cover a wide range of topics including local history, outdoor sports, wildlife, special events and more. Every month we look to you, our readers, to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote, an interesting local photograph or just some good times stories to share, send them our way. Participation is welcomed and appreciated. Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine. We want to be a local resource for you, our readers.

If you like what you see, tell people about it—especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns and more information about Carolina Salt, send e-mail to will@crystalcoastoutdoors.com or call 252-723-7628.

For up-to-date info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!

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Call 252-723-7628 if you’re interested in submitting an article or photo. Our local content is what keeps our magazine fresh and relevant.

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THINGS TO DO VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS FEBRUARY 9

✪ BHA’s Valentine Party [ 2–4 PM ] The Beaufort Historical Association invites current and prospective members to its annual Valentine Membership Party at the Beaufort Historic Site located at 100 Block Turner Street. Casual Dress.

Please RSVP by February 7 by calling 252-728-5225.

MOVIE NIGHTS FEBRUARY 14

✪ Friday Free Flick: ‘Planes’ [ 7 PM ] At the Emerald Isle Community Center at 7500 Emerald Drive. Free and open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drink for $1. Please bring chairs and or blankets, but no outside beverages or snacks. Call 252-354-6350 for more information.

FEBRUARY 21

International Film Series: ‘A Hijacking’ [ 8 PM ] The Carteret Community College Foundation’s International Film Series is held at Joslyn Hall in the McGee Building at Carteret Community College in Morehead City. This month’s feature is “A Hijacking” [Denmark, Rated R). Live music begins at 6:45 p.m.

Film begins at 8 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 per person. Call Tiffany Taylor at 252-222-6056 or visit carteret.edu/foundation.

ART | THEATRE | MUSIC

✪ =FREE

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 15

✪ Art On Display: The Newport Children’s Development Center

Nantucket’s Annual Heartbreaker Ball

During the month of February, The Webb will be hosting art work from the Newport Children’s Development Center. Please stop by and admire their work. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

[ 8 PM ] Join the fun at The Morehead Center for Nantucket’s Annual Heartbreaker Ball and Tommy Redd’s Birthday Bash. Tickets are $20 and are available online at www.themoreheadcenter.com or at the box office the day of the show. The Morehead Center is located at 1311 Arendell Street in Morehead City.

FEBRUARY

✪ Library Gallery: Debra Hill This January at the Carteret County Public Library in Beaufort, Debra Hill exhibits her photographs. In the display cabinet, Clyda Lutz displays her jewelry.

FEBRUARY 7

Comedian James Gregory at The Morehead Center [ 7:30 PM ] James Gregory, the funniest man in America. All tickets are $25. Visit themoreheadcenter. com for online ticketing. Box office sales are available the day of the show. The Morehead Center is located at 1311 Arendell Street in Morehead City.

FEBRUARY 8

Down East Folk Arts Society Concert: Brian Ashley Jones [ 8 PM ] A true American songwriter and recording artist, Brian Ashley Jones incorporates elements of country, blues, folk and bluegrass into a fresh sound.

See him upstairs at Clawson’s Restaurant in Beaufort.

Visit www.downeastfolkarts.org or call 252-646-4657 for more information.

FEBRUARY 22

American Music Festival Concert [ 8 PM ] American Music Festival (AMF), a nationally acclaimed chamber music series, offers you, the passionate music lover, an opportunity to experience the intimacy and richness of chamber music right here in coastal North Carolina. At The History Place Museum, located at 1008 Arendell Street in Morehead City. For information on performances and tickets, www.americanmusicfestival.org or call 252-728-6152.

CRAFTS | HOBBIES WEDNESDAYS IN FEBRUARY

✪ Knit-Wits Program [ 11:30 AM–12:30 PM ] Limber up your fingers, bring your current project or just get some helpful hints from experienced knitters. For more information on programs or to receive email updates call 252-7263012 or email webbprograms@gmail.com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

FEBRUARY 1 | FEBRUARY 15 | MARCH 1

FEBRUARY 14– MARCH 1

✪ Teen Knitting and Book Chat

Carteret Community Theater’s Production of ‘Annie’

✪ Art From The Heart Reception and Exhibition

The Carteret Community Theatre, in conjunction with West Carteret High School, presents the beloved musical “Annie” at the West Carteret High School.

Cost is $5 for students, $15 for adults and $20 for preferred seating. For more information visit www.

CarteretCommunityTheatre.org or call 252-726-8971.

February 13........................................................ 7 p.m.

February 7, 8, 14, 15.......................................... 8 p.m.

February 10, 17.................................................. 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County, this three-week exhibition and sale of original works by area artists opens with a free reception on February 14 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Combined with an annual exhibit of work by area children, the exhibition is a great opportunity for art lovers to view and buy original artworks. The show is open seven days a week from through March 1. For more information, call 252-7267901.

[ 12–2 PM ] All teens are invited to come and learn to knit or work on current projects. For more information on programs or to receive email updates call 252726-3012 or email webbprograms@gmail.com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 15

✪ Kids Decoy Carving and Painting Workshop Throughout the year, the third Saturday of most months Decoy Guild members work with budding decoy

✪ =FREE carvers and painters at the workshop. Youngsters from ages 7 to 15 gather to learn how to carve and paint ducks and shorebirds. Pre-registration is required. Call Bob Sebecke at 252-269-2088. You can also call the Guild building on the Thursday prior to the workshop between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 252-838-8818. Visit the Decoy Guild online at decoyguild.com.

HISTORY | EDUCATION FEBRUARY 8

Historic Beaufort: Spirit Hunters of the South [ 11 AM | 2 PM | 4 PM ] Paranormal investigators Ashley Field and Pam Nance return to Beaufort for a special program on paranormal activity at the Beaufort Historic Site with three presentations in the Carteret County Courthouse at the Beaufort Historic Site. Tickets are $12 and must be purchased in advance by calling 252-728-5225.

FEBRUARY 14

Junior Sailing Program Registration Opens [ 9 AM ] The Junior Sailing Program uses sailing to teach boating safety, seamanship, navigation and sailing techniques. The Junior Sailing Program at the North Carolina Maritime Museum offers two-week sailing sessions starting in early June for ages 8 and up. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

FEBRUARY 14

Summer Science School Registration Opens

FEBRUARY

[ 9 AM ] Summer Science School investigates our coastal environment and maritime history through creative, hands-on experiences. Courses are offered from June through July. Emphasis on small class size.

Students travel with instructors by van or boat to field sites. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

✪ Brown Bag Gam Lunch Hour

FEBRUARY 20

{ 12–1 PM ] A gam is defined as a friendly conversation between whalers, or to visit with another ship while at sea. So pack a lunch for and join special guest speakers at the Maritime Museum at 315 Front Street in Beaufort for a free, fun and informative hour.

Free admission. Advance registration preferred. For information call 252-728-7317.

February 12..........................Crystal Coast Love Stories February 14...............Heart of the Sea: A Whale’s Heart February 19.................................... Piracy In Our Times February 26......................................The Crissie Wright

Boatbuilding Past and Present

FEBRUARY 10

THINGS TO DO

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H

FR EE FLICK S

✪ FRIDAY FREE FLICKS at the Emerald Isle Community Center on February 14 at 7 p.m. Popcorn and a drink for only $1. Bring chairs and blankets, but no outside snacks.

[ 9–11 AM ] This program will take participants on a tour of exhibits highlighting early wooden boats.

Next go behind the scenes at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center where the art of learning how to build wooden boats is kept alive. The program ends with a factory tour of a local modern-day boat manufacturer. Transportation is provided to Moore’s Marine Yacht Center. Reservations required. Cost is $10. Not suitable for children under 12. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

✪ Let’s Talk About It: ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’

FEBRUARY 22

[ 7 PM ] Lucinda MacKethan of NC State University is coming to the Carteret County Public library to discuss Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

The lecture is part of the winter Let’s Talk About It series entitled “Mad Women In the Attic.” The Carteret County Public Library is located at 1702 Live Oak Street in Beaufort. For information, call 252-7282050.

[ 2 PM ] The Carolina Maritime Model Society exists to promote the active participation in building ship models, a craft as old as shipbuilding itself. The group is the only such organization in the entire state and has become a major vehicle for widening public interest in North Carolina’s maritime history and culture. Membership is open to all members of the Friends of the Maritime Museum.

✪ Maritime Model Society

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THINGS TO DO

FEBRUARY 22–23

Contemporary Boatbuilding Carpentry Class

LO C A L KN OWL E D GE

PORTS & PILOTS tour of the State Port at Morehead City. Come see what takes place on a typical day at our local port.

Cost is $10. For information, call 252-728-7317.

[ 9 AM–4:30 PM ] This class teaches skills essential for building round-bottomed boats. Students learn to derive shapes of frames and planks, plank both carvel and lapstrake hulls and understand traditional construction techniques. They also examine the properties of boatbuilding materials, the advantages and limitations of different construction styles and the properties of a range of fasteners and adhesives.

Class is 12 hours (two 6-hour days) and can be used as a prerequisite for Nine-Day Boatbuilding Class.

Cost is $135. Minimum age is 16. Advance registration is required. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-7287317.

FEBRUARY 24

✪ Let’s Talk About It: Surfacing [ 7 PM ] Bill DiNome of UNC Wilmington is coming to the Carteret County Public library to discuss Margaret Atwood’s “Surfacing.” The lecture is part of the winter Let’s Talk About It series entitled “Mad Women In the Attic.” The Carteret County Public Library is located at 1702 Live Oak Street in Beaufort. For information, call 252-728-2050.

FEBRUARY 27

Ports and Pilots

FO R T H E R E A DE R

✪ BOOK CLUB at the Webb Library in Morehead City meets the first Wednesday of each month. In March, the group will read and discuss Immigration Wars by Jeb Bush.

✪ =FREE

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H

[ 1:30–3:30 PM ] Morehead City was encouraged to become a port terminal in the mid-19th century. With access to deep water and a rail line to Sheppard Point, in the late 1850’s the idea took hold. Come see what takes place at today’s State Port in Morehead City. Not suitable for children under 12. For security purposes, participants must give a driver’s license number to attend the program. Register by February 20. Cost is $10. Advance registration required. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

MARCH 5

✪ Join Our Book Club! [ 2–3 PM ] The Webb Library Book Club meets the first Wednesday of each month. In March the group will read and discuss “Immigration Wars” by Jeb Bush.

For more information call Kitty at 252-726-3012. The

Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

CHILDREN FEBRUARY AND MARCH

Family Fun Nights Join us at the Webb Library for pizza, games, Lego, puzzles and more unplugged fun. A donation of $5 per family for pizza is requested. The event is announced on our website, Facebook page and via email updates.

If you want to be notified about the next Family Fun Night call the library at 252-726-3012 or send an email to webbprograms@gmail.com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

✪ Stories and More [ 10:30–11:30 AM ] Join Ms. Laura each week for stories and more. If you have questions, call Ms. Laura at 252-726-3012. A simple craft and light snack are provided. A caregiver must accompany the children.

For more information on programs or to receive email updates call 252-726-3012 or email webbprograms@ gmail.com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

WEDNESDAYS

✪ Activities for Children: Preschool Storytime [ 10 AM ] A storytime program with Ms. Susan and Ms. Millie at the Carteret County Public Library in Beaufort.

FRIDAYS

✪ Activities for Children: Time for Tots [10 AM | 11 AM ] A storytime program for toddlers and younger children with Ms. Susan and Ms. Millie at the Carteret County Public Library in Beaufort.

FEBRUARY 7 | MARCH 7

Kids Night In, Parent’s Night Out [ 6–8 PM ] Calling all K-6th graders! Join Swansboro Parks and Recreation for an evening of fun and creative Valentine crafts, games and activities. Dinner and refreshments will be served. Drop the kids off for a safe and fun time while you head out for an evening on your own! Space is limited to 12 participants so

For the first time, our regional library system is offering eBook titles

1 0 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4

eBooks Visit carteretcplib.org & click on OneClickDigital!

✪ =FREE be sure to pre-register by February 3. Cost is $8 for the first child and $5 for each additional child. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

FEBRUARY 15

✪ An Afternoon Royal Tea Party at the Library [ 2–3 PM ] Wear your fanciest frock or most dapper duds and join us for an afternoon tea! This event is for elementary-aged children and their guardians.

Advance registration is required for the tea party; sign up by phone or at the front desk. The Carteret County Public Library is located at 1702 Live Oak Street in Beaufort. For information, call 252-728-2050.

FEBRUARY 17

✪ A Pirate’s Life for Kids [ 12–1 PM ] What is a pirate’s favorite letter? “Arrrr!”

Children grades 2–5 and their caregivers are invited to explore the life of a pirate by looking at pirate tools, weapons and, of course, treasure. After learning about pirates, children will get to go on their very own treasure hunt through the museum. Free admission.

The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

FEBRUARY 17

✪ Chick-Fil-A Morning Storytime [ 9–10 AM ] Join children’s librarian Ms. Laura at Chick-Fil-A in Morehead City for storytime. For more information on programs or to receive email updates call 252-726-3012 or email webbprograms@gmail. com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City.

FEBRUARY 21

✪ Snow Up the Park In Swansboro [ 6–10 PM ] Winter fun for the entire family! There’s a 100 percent chance of snow in Swansboro Municipal Park, which turns into a winter wonderland with slopes for sledding and a play area filled with two tons of snow. Grab your mittens and toboggan and come dressed to have snow much fun. Children’s activities, a live DJ, arts and crafts vendors and food vendors.

Free snow play area. Unlimited sledding for $5.

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H FEBRUARY 28

✪ Merry Times for Tots: Ahoy, Pirates! [ 10–11 AM ] Preschoolers ages 2–5 and their caregivers are invited to explore the world of pirates.

Following a story about a boy who joined a pirate crew, everyone will get to make their own pirate hats and explore a pirate treasure chest. No pirate program would be complete without going on an adventure to get some treasure! Free admission. Advance registration preferred. The Maritime Museum is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. For information call 252-728-7317.

WINING & DINING FEBRUARY 8

Crystal Ball Dinner Dance [ 6 PM ] The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Crystal Ball at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. The dinner dance will feature a buffet meal and entertainment by local DJ Rodney Leary of Blue Banyan Productions. Dress for gentlemen is black tie optional. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the dinner will begin about 6:45 p.m. Cash bar.

Cost is $45 per person. Sponsor tables for eight are $360 and can be invoiced. To make reservations, call 252-726-6350. For special overnight lodging rates, contact the Hampton Inn of Morehead City at 252247-5118.

FEBRUARY 8

THINGS TO DO

Cupboard Mission and Hope Mission food pantries and kitchen. The $20 donation enables patrons to select a lovely and unique handmade pottery bowl made by professional and student potters and choose from two soups donated by area restaurants to enjoy. Cookies donated by the National Charity League and bread, crackers and water or tea donated by area businesses will also be served. There will be a silent auction of art, jewelry, pottery and more. Other pottery will be available for sale. Purchase tickets in advance from Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness Center, the Webb Library in Morehead City or Handscapes Gallery on Front Street in Beaufort. For more information call 252-240-9841, 252-354-4591 or 252-515-4362.

FEBRUARY 24 | MARCH 3

Succulent Seafood [ 2 PM ] Get the dish on fish! The Aquarium once again teams up with top restaurants to dish up recipes and tips on selecting and preparing fresh, seasonal local seafood. Aquarium staff share information on the featured seafood species while chefs provide favorite recipes and insights on preparing finfish, shellfish and crustaceans. A taste test of the featured dish tops off each gathering. Succulent Seafood is for ages 12 and up. Cost is $15 per person, per session. Advance registration is required. At the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Call 252-247-4003 or visit ncaquariums. com/pine-knoll-shores.

February 24...................... Island Grille, Atlantic Beach March 3..................... Amos Mosquito’s, Atlantic Beach

Beaufort Olive Oil Company Luncheon at Circa 81

MARCH 1

Circa 81 will be hosting a Beaufort Olive Oil Company luncheon. This three-course luncheon will feature many of the oils, vinegars, salts and provisions offered at Beaufort Olive Oil Company. Clarke Merrell will discuss preparation techniques and recipes. Cost is $25 per person. Advance reservations are required.

Email clarke@circa-81.com for reservations.

Hosted by After Hours Rotary Club of Morehead City. At the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach. Proceeds benefit Crystal Coast Hospice House. Call 252-808-2244 for information.

FEBRUARY 19

[ 4–7 PM ] Enjoy dinner with local seafood prepared by Chef Tony Garnett of the Coral Bay Club and a special guest chef. The inspiration for a dinner was taken from the name of Jack Saylor’s signature painting, created especially for the Beaufort Wine & Food. As the Beaufort Wine & Food 2014 Artist, he will be on

Benefit Luncheon for Local Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens [ 11 AM–1 PM ] At the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Empty Bowls of Hope Mission of Carteret County luncheon raises funds for Martha’s

Mardi Gras Ball

MARCH 8

Beaufort Wine & Food: A Thirst for the Sea

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124 MIDDLE LANE DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT

B eaufort’s P rem r [ Behind Clawson’s on Middle Lane ] Sourcieefo r Live Mu sic!

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 1 1

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THINGS TO DO

✪ =FREE

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H hand for the unveiling of the painting and to discuss his artistic vision. Cocktails and trawler tour from 4 to 5 p.m. Dinner at 5 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person.

Proceeds benefit Carteret Catch and the Beaufort Wine and Food charities. For more information, visit beaufortwineandfood.com or call 252-515-0708.

HOME & GARDEN FEBRUARY 8

✪ Free Do-It-Yourself Seminar: Solving Drainage Problems

FAT T U E S DAY

✪ GLOUCESTER MARDI GRAS kicks off February 15 for the 22nd year in a row. Enjoy live music, crafts for kids, a great feast, a piñata for kids and much more. Cost is absolutely free.

[ 10 AM ] Carolina Home and Garden of Newport presents the second of their “Learn From The Pros” seminars. This month’s seminar will include topics such as soil saturation, pooling, erosion, French drains, dry wells, downspout drains, sump pumps, catch basins and more. Call 252-393-9004 for more information or to register.

FEBRUARY 10

✪ Organizing FUN-damentals [ 6 PM ] How many times have you tried to declutter and organized your home, and been disappointed?

Start off 2014 with Swansboro Parks and Recreation for a fresh start and a fun approach to getting your home organized. You will learn tips and tricks on the best ways to organize without spending a fortune.

Learn how to make everyday items reusable. You will take home an organizational item made from recycled materials. Class is free, but please pre-register

by February 7. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

FEBRUARY 17

✪ Free Home Safety Seminar

LE A R N F OR F R E E

✪ BASIC BALLROOM DANCE class is free at the Swansboro Recreation Center Wednesdays in February. Learn the foxtrot, waltz, swing and more!

For information call 910-326-2600.

[ 6 PM ] Swansboro Fire Department hosts a seminar on how to keep your home safe through the winter season. Topics will include home heating, cooking, electrical, smoke detectors and general fire safety. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

FEBRUARY 28

✪ Creating a Raised Bed Garden [ 5:30 PM ] Are you interested in building a raised bed vegetable garden? We will discuss the basics you need

to create a successful raised bed garden, including choosing a location, construction, soil selection and plant spacing. Class is free, but please pre-register.

The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-3262600.

MARCH 1–2

Coastal Home & Garden Show This annual trade show assembles the services, wares and expertise of local businesses involved in building, landscaping and decorating. With more than 65 exhibitors you can gather ideas, good advice and the right products for do-it-yourself projects. Or you can shop for professional services during the show. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance fee is $3. Call 252-2473883 for more information.

OUTDOOR FUN FEBRUARY 15–16

✪ The 22nd Annual Gloucester Mardi Gras Weekend Put on your dancing shoes and head to 476 Pigott Road in Gloucester for Mardi Gras! Friday come chop veggies or stir the roux on site from 6 to 10 p.m. Mardi Gras kicks off Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with the bands including the Lost Girls, Haw River Rounders, Gumbo Ya Ya and more! There will be a craft table for mask making and lots of cooking. Around 1 p.m. join the Fool’s Procession, leading to the feast (seafood gumbo, sausage chicken gumbo, red beans and rice, deep fried turkey, lots of sides, ice tea). Around 3 p.m. kids take a swing at the Red Pepper Pinata, join in the King and Queen’s march and everyone dances to the Unknown Tongues. At 6 p.m. Mardi Gras comes to a close after a final rocking set.

MARCH 4

✪ Nature Trek with Hammocks Beach State Park Rangers [ 5:30 PM ] Hammocks Beach State Park rangers are coming to Swansboro Parks and Recreation to offer a Nature Trek Series. A variety of programs will be offered that may include nature hikes, ocean studies, camping safety, sea mammals and so much more!

Open to ages 6–12. Free! Drops-ins welcome; pre-

Get ready for spring with a spot in the next issue of Carolina Salt!

252-723-7628

✪ =FREE

M I D – F E B RUA RY TO M I D – M A R C H

registration is encouraged. Refreshments will be provided. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

THURSDAYS IN FEBRUARY

Zumba Dance Fitness

TUESDAYS IN FEBRUARY

[ 6 PM ] Join us for Zumba every Thursday in February at 6 p.m. The four-week series registration fee is $20. The drop-in fee is $7. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

Bellydance Fitness

WEDNESDAYS IN MARCH

[ 5:30 PM ] Swansboro Parks and Recreation is partnering with Kaitlyn Bellydance to offer a Bellydance Fitness class. A 1-hour class that uses basic bellydance movements that are aerobically oriented through sustained drills and a variety of dance combinations to help sculpt and tone your body.

A fun and exotic way to get fit and feel fabulous all year! This multi-level class is great for newcomers or experts who want to keep up their stamina and technique; ages teen to adult. Cost is $15 per class.

The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-3262600.

Polynesian Dance Class for Fitness and Fun

FITNESS

WEDNESDAYS IN FEBRUARY

✪ Basic Ballroom Dance [ 6 PM ] Shall we dance? Are you interested in learning how to dance waltz, foxtrot, swing and more? Tired of sitting at the table and watching everyone else have all the fun? These basic ballroom dance lessons will help you learn shared patterns and elements common to different dances. Class is free. Pre-registration is preferred. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

WEDNESDAYS IN FEBRUARY

Circuit Training [ 5:30 PM ] Want to achieve maximum results in a short period of time? Circuit training may be just the class for you. Circuit training is a workout that combines cardiovascular fitness and resistance training. The exercises are always changing and are scaled for all fitness levels. Personal Trainer Alexis Toomey will be leading the series. Remaining classes are $10 each. Class size is limited. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

THINGS TO DO

[ 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM ] Try shaking your way into shape with hula and Tahitian dance at Swansboro Parks and Recreation. Polynesian Dance class offers a range of Hawaiian and Tahitian dance in a fun and hang-loose setting. Class covers the fundamentals of hula and Tahitian Dance as well as skills to improve muscle control, flexibility and tone. Students will learn hand motions, body movements and footsteps associated with graceful Hawaiian dancing. Ages 5–12 are welcome at the 4:30 p.m. class. Cost is $30 for all 4 classes or $10 per class. Ages 13 and up will follow at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $35 for all 4 classes or $10 per class. Please pre-register by March 3. The Swansboro Recreation Center is located at 830 Main Street Extension. For information call 910-326-2600.

G AR D EN IN G

✪ CREATE A RAISED BED vegetable garden with the knowledge you gain from this class offered at the Swansboro Recreation Center in Swansboro. For information call 910-326-2600.

ACTIVISM FEBRUARY 21

✪ American Red Cross Blood Drive on Emerald Isle [ 2–7 PM ] The Carteret County Chapter of the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center at 7500 Emerald Drive. Please give!

MARCH 12

✪ Friends of the Library of The Webb Center [ 10:30 AM ] Interested in getting involved at events at the Webb Library in Morehead City? Why not attend the next meeting of the Friends of the Library? For more information on programs or to receive email updates call 252-726-3012 or email webbprograms@gmail. com. The Webb LIbrary is located on the corner of 9th and Evans Streets in Morehead City. 

D O WN EAST FO LK ARTS

BRIAN ASHLEY JONES in concert at Clawson’s Restaurant in Beaufort on February 8. Visit downeastfolkarts.org or call 252-646-4657 for more information.

TREE MASTERS 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE

TREE & STUMP REMOVAL • TREE GRINDING • TREE TRIMMING 215 Manatee Street • Cape Carteret • 252-240-9551

A S K T H E AQ UA R I U M

N C AQ UA R I U M S . C O M / P I N E - K N O L L - S H O R E S

FAQ

Do whales migrate along our coastline?

T

hey sure do, and of the ten “great” whales—animals that reach lengths of 30 feet or more in the order Cetacea—eight have been reported in the coastal waters of North Carolina. Seven of these giant creatures are baleen whales, the largest animals that have ever lived. Baleen whales are members of the suborder Mysticeti or “mustached whales,” so called because of the bristle-like strands of baleen instead of teeth attached to their upper jaws. Baleen is used during feeding to strain krill or other types of plankton from seawater.

Minke, sei, Bryde’s, fin, blue, humpback and northern right whales have all been sighted in North Carolina waters. The minke is the smallest of the baleen whales, attaining a maximum length of 33 feet. The blue whale is the largest of all animals, reaching a maximum length of 98 feet and weight of 100 tons.

Most baleen whales are great travelers, making seasonal migrations from feeding grounds near the poles to tropical breeding areas. It is during these migratory treks that whale watchers are most likely to see one of these giants of the sea. One of the most predictable migrators is the humpback. December and January are prime months to spot them as they travel southward to the warm waters of the Caribbean where they breed or give birth. In spring, humpbacks return north to the cool polar waters for a summer of feeding and consume more than 1.5 tons of food a day! During their northward migration, humpbacks pass through the waters of North Carolina in March and April.

Humpbacks tend to swim near shore during migration, increasing the likelihood of a sighting. They are the most animated and acrobatic of the great whales. Humpbacks can lift their 40-ton bodies almost completely out of the water in a dramatic behavior called breaching. These graceful giants are also the most vocal of the baleen whales, producing an elaborate melody of moans, yelps and chirps that make up the most complex song in the animal kingdom.

The sperm whale, the largest member of the suborder Odontoceti or “toothed” whales, is also a visitor to North Carolina waters. Sperm whales, which reach a length of 50 feet and weigh about 40 tons, remain widespread in the coastal waters of the Atlantic despite a huge drop in their numbers from whaling activity earlier this century. Their smaller cousins, the pygmy sperm whale and the dwarf sperm whale, are rarely spotted in Carolina waters, but this may be due to their preference for deeper waters.

More than 20 other Cetaceans, which also include dolphins and porpoises, have been recorded in the coastal waters of the Carolinas. The most abundant Cetacean along the Atlantic Coast is the bottle-nosed dolphin; other visitors include the harbor porpoise and four species of beaked whales.

Spotting a great whale in North Carolina waters is a rare and special experience. Their numbers are few because of excessive whaling; many have been hunted to near extinction. All of the great whales are considered endangered species and are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the International Whaling Commission.

Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic animals and environments by visiting the aquariums on Roanoke Island, at Fort Fisher and at Pine Knoll Shores, or Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head.  1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

A right whale and calf pass just offshore near Beaufort.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Justice for the N.C. Aquariums.

about the

AQUA R I U M Information provided by the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The state operates three public aquariums; one in Pine Knoll Shores, another at Fort Fisher and a third on Roanoke Island, as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The facilities are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and are designed to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.

—F O R M O R E I N F O —

For more information, call 1-800-832-FISH or visit ncaquariums.com.

L I N D A B E R G M A N – A LT H O U S E

O U T E R B A N K S W I L D L I F E S H E LT E R

ABOUT O.W.L.S.

Take a tour of the facility at 100 Wildlife Way, Newport. To volunteer, call 252-240-1200.

If your organization would like to learn more about wildlife, the O.W.L.S. non-releasable education animals jump at the chance!

WATER WITCH A pied-billed grebe makes a rare appearance at the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport.

N

ot often do the volunteers and staff at the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport get their hands on a pied-billed grebe, but it happened just a few weeks ago. You see, grebes are extremely elusive and won’t be found on land unless something has gone wrong. When someone with a compassionate heart found the petite grebe scooting along the ground, it was thought at the time that the water bird must have a broken leg or two. So the rescuer scooped him up and transported the short-billed, wide-eyed critter to the shelter.

Our examination revealed no injuries to wings or legs and no presence of toxins or illness. Although grebes rarely fly, when they do, it’s usually at night. So, because the small grebe is not talking, our educated theory is during flight on a rainy night, an attempted landing on a shiny spot he misidentified as a body of water caused him to belly flop onto wet pavement. Fortunately for him, it was a landing instead of a dive, so although jarring, he survived the mistake but found himself displaced. We decided the best treatment plan would be observation, plenty of good food, water play and rest and recuperation so he could recover from the trauma of the predicament he found himself in before we return him to his happy place in the wild.

The pied-billed grebe, also known as American dabchick, devil-diver, dive-dapper and water witch, as well as a few other names, are excellent freshwater swimmers and divers, but they don’t walk very well on land because their feet are far back on their body, similar

to the loon. They can run for a short distance on water, but on land they are not stable and will fall over. Pied-billed grebes are small and stocky with short necks, compared to other water or marsh birds. They measure between 12 and 15 inches in length and weigh only 9 to 20 ounces. Their wingspan extends from 18 to 24 inches. Their chicken-like bill is short, blunt and light gray. The pied-billed grebe is mainly brown with a darker brown head and back, which serves as excellent camouflage in the marshes where they live.

In the summer the bill sports a black band and the throat area looks much darker, almost black. Grebe feathers are dense, soft and waterproof. Grebes have the ability to pull their feathers tight against their body to manage buoyancy.

If danger lurks, they will dive, subtly—no big splash, basically just sink like a gator—up to 20 feet rather than fly to avoid predators.

They stay under for about 30 seconds while moving to a safer location. They often swim low in the water anyway, exposing only their head and neck watching for potential threats.

During breeding season, the pied-billed grebe couple, who have courted by singing to each other or together, will use a variety of plant material and twigs to build floating nests on the surface of the water. The nests are built close to shore but far enough away to protect them from a predator attack.

They lay up to two sets of bluish-white eggs each year, numbering 3 to 10 per clutch.

Incubation takes about 23 days and both parents oblige, although the female will take over the responsibility toward the end of the incubation period. If the parents have to leave the nest unattended, they will cover all the eggs with nesting material to protect them from predators while they are away.

As soon as the youngsters hatch, they are able to swim (although not well) and will climb onto a parent’s back for much of their travels until they are skillful enough to dive, hunt and swim like Mom and Pop. Both parents raise the young and will even dive

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for food with young ones clinging to them. Pied-billed grebes prefer to dine on aquatic invertebrates such as crayfish, snails, leeches and insects, but will also feed on small fish, frogs and tadpoles.

Their stout, thick bills enable them to crush crustaceans like mussels. They sometimes add plants to their diet, too. An interesting and not well known fact about the “water witch” is they have a tendency to eat their own feathers and also feed them to their hatchlings. It’s believed that this odd diet choice assists in the formation of pellets containing indigestible material that can be expelled and to reduce vulnerability to gastric parasites.

The greatest threat to the pied-billed grebe is habitat loss.

They need wetlands and wetlands are being drained and filled for residential use. Grebes are shy and very sensitive to disturbances.

Even the waves from boats can destroy nests and cause frightened birds to abandon their nests. Grebes have been declared endangered or threatened in many states, although they haven’t made the list in North Carolina yet. Our pied-billed grebe is a cooperative cutie and doing very well. He will be swimming and diving waters near you soon. He may even be on the periphery of where you are by the time you are reading this article. Dive on little water witch, dive on! 

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63217

638 W Corbett Ave Swansboro, NC a0a1777@allstate.com

ears ago, Jack Best of Jack Best Hair Salon hosted an event he called The Hair Ball. The event took place in Beaufort, and the first year I lived here I attended and was asked to wear a wig. It was so much fun and I met so many great people. Fast forward to a couple of years later. My friend and hairstylist Tara Thomas and I were discussing everything going on in our lives while she worked tirelessly on my hair and we thought…Wouldn’t it be fun to start the Hair Ball back up again? Let’s get all the local salons involved and raise money for Locks of Love. Let’s do it around Valentine’s Day. Let’s get the boutiques involved. Let’s have a fashion show. Let’s do it at Jack’s!

With Jack’s blessing, we gathered friends and family to help. They decorated the room and made it fabulous. We borrowed a runway from Jame’s and recruited my husband Jeff and all of his friends to build what we needed. And then the night arrived. All of the lovely ladies and handsome men were dressed in their best. The “paparazzi” were out flashing photos of the guests. And a fabulous fashion forward night in February was born.

Local restaurants and caterers helped with food, the waitresses wore pink wigs while passing hors d’oeuvres, poker chips were sold for the People’s Choice Award, wigs were on display for a silent auction, raffle items were displayed and a good time was had by all for a good cause. Over the last two years, we have raised over $6,000 and created eight amazing hairpieces … and we’re still going strong.

Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1997. It utilizes donated hair and other resources to provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 21 who have medical hair loss.

WIGGING OUT FOR LOCKS OF LOVE AT JACK’S WATERFRONT BAR • FEBRUARY 22

Approximately two million children throughout the U.S. suffer from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes the hair follicles to shut down. Out of every 10,000 births, about seven will result in ectodermal dysplasia, another condition that can result in permanent hair loss. More than 1.5 million people suffer from serious burns each year. Burns to the scalp often cause permanent hair loss. Every year approximately 2,200 children under age 20 are diagnosed with brain tumors. Radiation treatment can cause permanent hair loss.

Though having a hairpiece is certainly not a cure for any of these conditions, it can help ease some social discomforts. Providing a hairpiece can help restore some of the normalcy to their everyday lives that most of us take for granted. It is Locks of Love’s goal to help provide a foundation on which they can begin to rebuild their self-esteem.

We are so excited to continue this wonderful event as Wigging Out enters its third year of providing a fabulous and fun fashion forward night. We couldn’t be more pleased with all the efforts of those involved. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the local salons, stylists, boutiques, models, businesses, donors and volunteers who generously donated all of their time and talent into making this a spectacular event. We look forward to continuing to have another successful event on February 22 and raising more money for our deserving charity. Locks of Love! 

BY KERI McKANN

The third annual Wigging Out for Locks of Love will be held February 22 at Jack’s Waterfront Bar, located on the Morehead City waterfront at 513 Evans Street.

Tickets are available in Beaufort at Absolute Hair, Jack Best Hair Salon, The Loft; in Morehead City at Blush Salon, Flipp Teaze, Kutt Upz, Neapolitan Hair Salon, Strandz Salon, Facials & Fillers, and Jack’s Waterfront Bar; and in Atlantic Beach at the Cutting Room.

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C R Y S TA L C OA S T S T R E N G T H & C O N D I T I O N I N G

CHRISTIS RAIMO

LIFESTYLE

Healthy Kids 101

T

his article is for parents who lead healthy lifestyles already, as well as those who are in the process of becoming healthier. You have an amazing opportunity to teach your kids health and fitness while they`re young. It’s much easier than trying to change unhealthy habits later. It’s important to balance teaching them about healthy eating and exercise while still allowing them to be kids. Be careful you don’t inadvertently give them negative body image issues—they get enough of that from the outside world. It shouldn’t be about aesthetics, it’s about their performance in daily activities or their chosen sports, and about how they feel.

Eating Habits If you have a new baby, you have a clean canvas to paint upon. Start them off with different foods at age appropriate times, keeping in mind food allergies. Don’t limit them only to what you like or what you think they’ll like. I myself do not like olives but my daughter loved eating them off her fingertips when she was about a year old. Taste preferences aren’t set in stone; they’re constantly changing. If a child doesn’t like something the first time, reintroduce it later. Try not to force it. My mother forced me to eat lima beans no matter how much I gagged or snuck them to the dog and I refused to even try them again until I was about 35. Today, I actually like them! Try offering a reward for trying something new, like cooking or baking a favorite meal or enjoying a sweet treat with you.

Let them help you prepare the new food you`re introducing. Kids are more likely to try their own kitchen creation. It’s also important that they learn the importance of breakfast.

Starting the day off right is key. Kids who eat a healthy breakfast are going to have more energy and be more focused in school, as opposed to those who have a sugary cereal and crash by late morning. Knowing correct portion sizes also is helpful in preventing unhealthy eating patterns. Check out choosemyplate.gov for guidelines.

Exercise An active lifestyle is not only important, it can be fun family time. Exercise for kids doesn’t need to be a rigorous workout at the gym. It can be as simple as walking or jogging with the family dog or bike riding. Set up an obstacle course in your yard with fun stations like hula hoop, jumprope, pushups and situps. Get creative! Play sports together or games like capture the flag. Most importantly have fun. Don’t make exercise too much like work.

Kids who are active will sleep better and will handle physical and emotional challenges better. Sports have many benefits, but it is different from intentional exercise. Kids are working incredibly hard for the season because they love the game and their team. When off season or summer rolls around they tend to get lazy. When they graduate high school and team sports comes to an end, you want them to know and enjoy intentional exercise.

Sleep Sleep is critical for healthy growing kids. They do most of their growing during times of sleep. Sleep helps repair and restore the body. Not getting enough of it has been suggested as risk factor for overweight children. If your kids are more active through the day they will be tired and sleep better at night. A good website to look at if you’re not sure how much sleep your child needs is www.sleepforkids.org. In short, the key to raising a healthy child requires a balance between diet, exercise and sleep.  Crystal Coast Strength and Conditioning is dedicated to increasing quality of life through sensible, personalized training designed to the specific individual with guaranteed results.

1 8 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

sample kids

WORKOUT —S TAT I O N 1 —

Potato Sack Race Use an old pillowcase, set up two cones about five feet apart and hop between cones for 30 seconds.

—S TAT I O N 2 —

10 Pushups —S TAT I O N 3 —

30 Second Hula Hoop —S TAT I O N 4 —

10 Squats —S TAT I O N 5 —

30 Second Jumprope Revolutions —S TAT I O N 6 —

10 Situps Rest for a minute or two and then repeat the circuit two or three more tines.

ARTS COUNCIL OF CARTERET COUNTY

Art FROM THE

Heart

BY LEE LUMPKIN

O

n Friday, February 14, The Arts Council of Carteret County (ACCC) will open its signature event, the 24th Annual Art from the Heart art show, an exhibition and sale of original works created by area artists of all levels of expertise from eastern North Carolina.

A non-juried show, Art From The Heart will be held at Units 6 and 7 at Morehead Plaza in Morehead City (adjacent to Lowes Foods) and will be open to the public for two weeks, ending Saturday, March 1. Admission to the show is free.

This show is open to artists over eighteen years of age from Carteret, Craven, Pamlico and Onslow Counties. Participants from those counties are encouraged but not required to be members of the ACCC. Artists from other counties may participate if they are members of the ACCC. Arts Council memberships for artists begin at only $25 per year.

Art From The Heart entries may include

oils, acrylics, pastels, watermedia, drawings, mixed media, photography, computer generated art, fiberarts, jewelry, pottery and all types of three dimensional artwork including those created from wood, metal and glass. Entries must have been created within the last two years and may not have been entered in previous Art From The Heart shows.

Awards of Excellence recipients will each receive $200; honorable mentions will receive $50. A People’s Choice award of $200 is also given. Awards typically total nearly $5,000, based on number of entries.

Artist registration for Art From The Heart will be February 7–8 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and February 9 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Non-ACCC members may register two pieces of artwork at $10 each. Member artists may register two pieces at $10 each and a third piece for free. The ACCC charges artists a 30 percent commission on artwork sold at the show.

Raleigh artist Bob Rankin will be the judge for Art From the Heart. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University School of Art, Bob began studying art and art history with the American Institute of Foreign Study in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Venice and Athens. After his time traveling, Bob began focusing on his artwork as well as his teaching career in the Wake County Public Schools.

With work ranging from representational paintings based on his travel experiences— most recently to the Umbrian region of Italy, the American Southwest and the coast of North Carolina—to abstract work and mixed media pieces, Bob has made Metro Magazine’s best in the Triangle list five times and was chosen as one of the top ten artists in the Triangle by Metro’s art critic. He has received numerous awards, including Best in Show five times at the State Fair, Raleigh Medal of the Arts Award and North Carolina’s NCAEA Secondary Art Educator

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of the Year. He has also exhibited in numerous solo and two-person exhibits, including the Cameron Museum in Wilmington and the Iredell Art Museum.

A critique and commentary session for artists will be conducted by Mr. Rankin at 6:30 p.m. on February 10 at the Art From the Heart gallery. Artists may sign up for the session at AFH registration. The cost will be $10 per participant.

The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours will be held at the Art From the Heart gallery on February 13 at 5:30 p.m. This event will be sponsored

by The Arts Council, Wells Fargo, The Carteret Community College Foundation and Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant. Tickets are available for $5 through the Chamber at 252-726-6350 and should be purchased in advance.

In 2013, Art From The Heart featured 311 pieces of artwork created by 169 artists. An estimated 1,800 people visited the gallery last year.  For complete details regarding this show including rules and entry forms please go to the Arts Council of Carteret County’s website located at www.artscouncilcarteret.org, contact the Council at P.O. Box 2294, Morehead City, NC 28557 or call 252-726-9156.

PHOTOS BY PROMISE LAND PHOTOGRAPHY

BILL THOMPSON III

CAROLINA HOME & GARDEN

TOP 10 BIRDFEEDING MISTAKES

I

f you feed the birds in your yard, you probably know that there are some things that work and others that fail miserably. In the spirit of David Letterman, here are the Top 10 Winter Bird Feeding Mistakes …

1 FILLING YOUR TUBE FEEDER WITH MIXED SEED. If you do this, all the seed will run out onto the ground, making the sparrows, pigeons and blackbirds very happy.

SOLUTION: Use sunflower seed instead.

2 GROUND FEEDING IN THE SAME PLACE. If you scatter seed on the ground all winter in one place, you will create a stinky, messy, unhealthy zone that will be hard to clean up in spring.

SOLUTION: Change feeding spots several times, especially during wet weather.

3 IGNORING FEEDER CLEANLINESS. Yes it’s cold outside, but dirty feeders can make birds sick.

SOLUTION: Wash your feeders at least monthly in a light (9:1) water-bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.

4 BUYING SEED AT THE GROCERY STORE. Some stores do sell good seed mixes, but usually they just sell cheap ones. And there’s a reason that seed is so cheap.

SOLUTION: Read the label! Ingredients should include sunflower seed, millet and cracked corn. If wheat, milo or barley are listed as the main ingredients, get your seed elsewhere.

5 FEEDING LAST YEAR’S SEED. Seed ages like any other food. Moths and weevils eat it. If your old seed is full of cobwebs, it’s been invaded by flour moths and is no good.

SOLUTION: Throw it out and get new seed.

6 NO VARIETY AT THE FEEDER. Ground feeding is fine, but many birds prefer to use hanging feeders. If you’re feeding on the ground and are wondering where the chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers are, try this …

SOLUTION: Use hanging hopper style or tube feeders and limit your ground feeding. You’ll soon attract the smaller songbirds.

7 BELIEVING THAT NO THISTLE SEED MEANS NO GOLDFINCHES. This is not true. Sure, goldfinches, siskins and other finches love thistle seed. But it’s an expensive seed to offer exclusively.

SOLUTION: All these species will come readily to feeders that stock only black oil sunflower.

8 FEEDING STALE BREAD. The birds may seem to love your stale bread, but feeding a hungry bird bread is like feeding popcorn to a hungry human—lots of filler, no nutritional value.

Bread also attracts mostly starlings and house sparrows.

SOLUTION: Offer apples, oranges, rendered suet, mealworms and other nutritional foods instead.

9 TRYING TO BAFFLE SQUIRRELS. Losing the squirrel wars?

SOLUTION: Offer dried corn, either loose or on the ear, away from your bird feeders. You might distract squirrels for an entire day. And you may learn to love them!  TAKING DOWN YOUR FEEDERS SO BIRDS WILL MIGRATE. It is simply not true that feeders keep birds from migrating. Birds that migrate know when to leave. Your feeders, no matter how nice and well stocked they are, will not delay a migrant sparrow, finch or grosbeak for even one second.

SOLUTION: Feed birds all year long if you like doing so. And don’t worry, be happy!  F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 1

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On February 28 and March 1, join the N.C. Coastal Federation and Swansboro Parks and Recreation in historic downtown Swansboro for a celebration of oysters, seafood and the healthy coastal habitats and waters that provide them.

Friday WINE TASTING & SEAFOOD PAIRING at White Oak River Bistro at 6:30 p.m. Call 910-326-1696 for reservations.

Saturday 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M. FROM FISH BITES TO SEAFOOD CHOWDER, ENJOY SWANSBORO’S PROGRESSIVE SEAFOOD TASTING. Bake, Bottle & Brew | Icehouse Waterfront Restaurant Nicky’s of Swansboro | Saltwater Grill Trattoria Gourmet Pizza and Italian Cuisine And other fine Swansboro restaurants Tickets are $40 for federation members ($50 for nonmembers) and can be purchased atnccoast.org or at Bake, Bottle & Brew, Icehouse Waterfront Restaurant, Lovely’s Boutique and Saltwater Grill in Swansboro. A marsh cruise aboard The Lady Swan is included in the ticket price.

11 A.M. TO 5 P.M. HABITATS, HEROES AND HALLELUIAH View the federation’s documentary on the hour at the Swansboro Town Hall Assembly Room. Educational booths, fish printing and seafood displays by the Swansboro Area Youth Development Foundation, Swansboro Historic Association, Hammocks Beach State Park and the Coastal Federation in the Swansboro Olde Town Square NOON TO 1 P.M. STORIES FROM THE PAST With Rodney Kemp at the Pug Pavilion in the Swansboro Olde Town Square 12:30 P.M. | 2 P.M. | 3:30 P.M. MARSH CRUISE ABOARD THE LADY SWAN Departures from the Main Street Dock. Cruise is 45 minutes. Tickets subject to availability.

1 TO 4 P.M. LIVE MUSIC With Honey & Jack, Pug Pavilion. Sponsored by the Swansboro Tourism Development Authority and the North Carolina Coastal Federation.  For more information visit the N.C. Coastal Federation at www.nccoast.org or call 252-939-8185.

LOCAL HAPPENING

GLOUCESTER MARDI GRAS

has been celebrated for 21 years. The event is always free and open to the public, and is made possible by cash and food donations. For informaiton visit unknowntongues.com, facebook. com/unknowntongues or call 252-729-8021.

PARTY ON! The 22nd Annual Mardi Gras will be celebrated in Gloucester on February 15. It’s fun, free and a guaranteed good time.

O

nce upon a February, deep amid the shivering pines and frosted marshes of Down East, a single speck of glitter fell from the sky and landed on a picnic table in Gloucester, North Carolina. All the people gathered around, wondering what to make of it.

As folks ruminated, a boat builder broke out a fiddle and started a crazy little tune. An accordion sang out and a fisherman on the fringe found himself shuffling his white rubber boots. Wishing her neighbors full bellies, a young mother showed up with butter and a sack of flour.

Then a welder from Marshallberg fetched his black cast iron pan and started making a roux. Around and around and around he stirred. Twenty years later he looked up to find the Gloucester Mardi Gras going full bore.

What is this mysterious Cajun spell spun by a single sparkle in the dead of winter?

Each February people far and wide gather at the Gloucester Community Club under sheets of rain, salty winds—even drifts of rare coastal snow—a motley crew dancing on the end of winter’s long tail.

Gumbos bubbling, turkeys frying, little kings and queens spinning in an orbit of beads. And the music: sweet Cajun fiddle, rocking accordion, thumping bass and drums, Zydeco rubboard, giddy jug band, craggy old time, the next generation’s voice and the Unknown Tongues and friends.

Here’s to twenty years of a little place and time touched by a wayward speck of something shiny.

The 22nd Annual Gloucester Mardi Gras, named North Carolina’s best February destination by Our State magazine, will take place on Saturday, February 15, at the Gloucester Community Club, located at 476 Pigott Road in Gloucester from 11 to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by Unknown Tongues Cajun/ Zydeco band, Gloucester Mardi Gras features the largest gathering of Cajun/Zydeco bands in the Carolinas as well as bluegrass, old time and roots rock.

Live music and dancing goes on all day, including a children’s King and Queen march and dance around 3 p.m. to the Unknown Tongues.

Gumbo and fried turkey is served in the early afternoon, announced by the Fool’s Procession. Feathered mask and hatmaking craft tables are available for kids and grownups alike. Costumes are welcome!

In the community spirit of southwest Louisiana’s rural Mardi Gras, this event is free and open to the public, made possible by your cash and food donations.

A portion of the proceeds goes to the Gloucester Community Club’s Woodrow and Mary Dudley Price Scholarship fund.

Gumbo preparation and a music jam take place on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, at 6 p.m. at the Community Club.

For more information, contact Bryan or Barbara at 252-729-8021 or visit unknowntongues.com or facebook.com/ unknowntongues. The good times will roll, rain, snow or shine! 

F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 2 3

J O H N AT H A N D AY

WA T E R M A R K C H U R C H

WHAT ’ S LOV E GOT TO D O WI TH I T? THE ANSWER? EVERYTHING.

I

ABOUT THE CHURCH If you are interested in hearing more from Johnathan Day, you can contact Watermark Church by calling 336-260-8774 or you can send email to jd@ watermarkchurchnc.org.

the fall of 1987, I walked through the back doors of a small country church in Alamance County and my life changed forever. My eyes fell on the most beautiful young lady I had ever seen in my life. Her jet black hair and bright red choir robe were captivating. At that very moment I knew that she was the one! Three years later she would become my wife. This June we celebrate 24 years of marriage.

I had the privilege of growing up in a home where love was shown in a very real and practical way. My home was not devoid of family problems and there were some challenges growing up with three older sisters, but at the end of the day we had a love for one another that grew stronger each day. As I look back, I must say that our faith in God and our church affiliation was the glue that held our family together.

At the age of eight I surrendered my life to Christ and began my journey of faith. I often wonder how much I really understood what a commitment to Christ was. There is only so much an eight-year-old can comprehend. In Mark 10:14–15, we are told: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

These verses have brought great comfort to me over the years. Maybe I didn’t fully understand all that becoming a Christian entailed, yet I knew in my childlike heart that there was someone who loved me and gave His life for me as a penalty for my sins.

As my faith continued to grow and my relationship with Christ became stronger, I realized that my first experience with love came when I was eight. The childlike faith referred to in the book of Mark is the exact faith that I had in Christ, and once I made the decision to trust him as my Lord and Savior the meaning of love was taken to a whole new level.

In 1 Corinthians 13, love is portrayed in a simple yet relevant way, giving us a clear example of the way Christ wants us to view love: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

All of us experience many different kinds of love on many different levels. For me, there are three levels of love that I base my life upon: First, my love for Christ, for without this love I have nothing and I would not be able to effectively love anyone or anything. Second, my love for my family. This is the love that keeps me going on a daily basis with encouragement and accountability. And third, my love for people. Since I am a pastor, it is my life’s passion to love people and help them to discover their fullest potential. So when we ask ourselves the question what does love have to do with it, we should answer, “Love is the very fiber of our families, our friendships, our hopes, our dreams, and most importantly our faith.” 

2 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

Winter Special!

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NEW INVENTORY HAS JUST ARRIVED…

baby gifts, handmade pottery, eclectic jewelry, original artwork, collegiate gear, coastal photography, gourmet foods and irresistible items for the kitchen!

And, as always, the freshest gourmet sandwiches around. www.VillageMarketofEI.com

deli • coffee • artwork • gifts • craft beer • wine

See you at Jack’s.

Friday, February 7 OPEN WITH DJ

Saturday, February 22 BACK YARD GROOVE

Saturday, February 8 MAC ATTACK

Sunday, February 23 SUNDAY FUNDAY

Sunday, February 9 SUNDAY FUNDAY

Friday, February 28 OPEN WITH DJ

Friday, February 14 OPEN WITH DJ

Saturday, March 1 BLP

Saturday, February 15 DUELING PIANOS

Sunday, March 2 SUNDAY FUNDAY

Sunday, February 16 SUNDAY FUNDAY

Friday, March 7 OPEN WITH DJ

Friday, February 21 OPEN WITH DJ

Saturday, March 8 DIGGERFOOT

Saturday, February 22

WIGGING OUT!

5-10 pm • A fashion forward event with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, hair cutting donations to Locks of Love, Wig Walk with wigs created by local stylists and modeled by local volunteers outfitted with our local boutiques, Raffle, Silent Wig Auction, Photo Booth and more!

WINTER HOURS Mon – Thu CLOSED • Friday 4pm-2am Saturday 4pm-2am • Sunday 12pm Until

513 EVANS STREET

MOREHEAD CITY WATERFRONT jackswaterfrontbar.com

Fresh Seafood Served Daily!

FLOUNDER • CATFISH • GROUPER SNOW CRAB CLUSTERS • SOFT SHELL CRABS DUNGENESS CRABS • MUCH MUCH MORE!

2383 Highway 58 • Swansboro

252-393-8838

3,000 SQUARE FEET of antiques & uniques

8201 Emerald Drive

CHANCES ARE...

always buying antiques & vintage

Mon & Wed–Sat 10am–5pm Sunday 10am–4pm

—ACROSS FROM JORDAN’S SEAFOOD—

252-354-1287

your ultimate antique destination

—CLOSED TUESDAYS—

CHANCESAREANTIQUES.COM

Chances Are Antiques has been commissioned to liquidate a large Richlands Estate. Name of the deceased is being withheld by the request of family.

SATURDAY February 15 8 am –3 pm

SUNDAY February 16 10 am –4 pm

FURNITURE • SMALLS PRIMITIVES • MORE View video on our website and Facebook.

EVERYTHING WILL BE SOLD! { Cash • Credit Cards with Fee } Sale Takes Place at Chances Are

KEN STONE

PA R R O T H E A D S

O NE M ON TH D OWN …

PARTYING WITH A PURPOSE ON EMERALD ISLE

february

B I R T H DAY S Happy birthday to our February Parrot Heads Candie Wilson, Ashton “Tex” Mayne, Jan Dunn, Mike Lincoln, Rebecca Schiebel, Bill Justice, Tim “Rowdy” Randall, Marcia McMahan, “Lady Jane” Allen, Debra Pontenberg, Alice Fowler, Deborah “Super Mom” Styron, Gary Hardee, Vickie Burgess, Mike “E Club” Haut, Kerry Yancey, Jan “First Lady Wild Woman” Hicks, Sue “Super Secretary” Stone, Janice Luttner, Joan Gerdsen and Mendy “Melinda Flipperz” Barrows.

T

he 2014 Parrot Head season is well underway starting with our PHirst PHriday PHlocking at the Emerald Club after surviving New Year’s Eve. Lots of locals showed up to just hang out and catch up after the holidays. No special games, just some good free grub, tunes in the background, lots of laughter, questionable resolutions and stories to be told. Plenty of folks lined up to begin paying their exorbitant annual dues ($10 for the year—no profit there) and started talking and scheming about community projects, fun times and charitable fundraisers ahead in 2014.

The official tally is in. Last year the club raised and donated $10,515 to local charities thanks to the hard work and generosity of our Parrot Head clan—partying with a purpose.

We’ll be having our annual PHluff up the PHlock gathering (probably while you’re reading this) to discuss the good the bad and the ugly from last year and how we can make things even better for this year. Lots of creative ideas are generated and we develop a flexible strategy for having a great time and helping out in our community throughout the year.

A townwide Scavenger Hunt, Spring Fling, Adopt-A-Highway pickups, St. Pat’s Festival, various fundraisers with local nonprofits and the town, the Beach Bicycle Poker Run, beach parties, holiday parties, float building, donation raffles, music and entertainment, etc., etc., are all on the docket with a lot of new ideas to discuss for the future.

The club now has over 300 funloving and community-minded members and we always look forward to new folks joining the fun and pitching in. Check out our website at emeraldisleparrotsheads.org or stop by the Emerald Club the first Friday of every month to get to know the crew.

That’s all folks! Here’s your cerebral thought for the month (told to me by a wise old Buddhist monk … or maybe I just read it somewhere): Life is short. Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can’t change.

Stay safe and smilin’ out there and we’ll see all y’all around the Isle. 

Thank you for picking up the latest edition of Carolina Salt.

Every month we will be featuring new writers and an assortment of colorful content you will not find anywhere else! If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved as a writer, photographer or advertiser contact the publisher, Will Ashby, at 252-723-7628.

3 0 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

C A P TA I N J E F F C R O N K

HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT

WINTER SIGHTFISHING A H O O K E D U P L O O K AT W H AT ’ S B I T I N G I N F E B R U A R Y

T

o be consistently successful landing speckled trout during the winter months it’s important to pay close attention to location and fish the right baits. By February, the water temperatures have usually reached their coldest point, typically ranging from 40 to 50 degrees depending on weather patterns, time of day and sunlight.

These cold water temperatures push our wintering populations of trout into the ocean or into deeper channels and creeks in the internal waters. Anglers can find plenty of small trout (10 to 14") in deep water holes around the inlets, especially on the falling tide. But the majority of our speckled trout, including our larger fish, can be found hunkering down along rock jetties or in mainland creeks, whether immediately off the ICW and sounds or up our rivers. Since location is key to finding winter populations of speckled trout, before your next trip this February study a map of creeks in your target area and make a plan to carefully dissect one creek each trip.

Regardless of which area you’re fishing, you’ll need the right baits. If you’re fishing deep water around the inlets and jetties you’ll want to use a ³⁄₁₆-oz. to ¼-oz. jighead tipped with a soft bait or a hard sinking twitch bait. A few of my go-to soft baits for targeting speckled trout include Berkley’s Saltwater Gulp 3" Smelt Minnow, 4" Shrimp and the 5" Jerk Shad. If fishing shallower creeks I switch to a ¹⁄₁₆ to ¹⁄₈-oz. jighead to allow them a moment to suspend after each twitch. Large wintering trout can be very finicky, but they love a slow-sinking or suspending bait.

Sightfishing reds!

FISH’N 4 LIFE Captain Jeff Cronk leads fishing and nature charters on the Crystal Coast. To get out on the water with him, call 910‑325‑8194. You can also visit him online at nccharterfishing.com.

The cold February water temperatures have less of an effect on the movement of our redfish populations. Knowing where these fish prefer to hang out is key to a successful trip.

Although a large number of the upper slot redfish population moves to the surf zone and slowly migrates southward, there are plenty of mid to upper-slot redfish that will remain in the lower rivers and sounds as well as the creeks and bays just behind our barrier islands. And many juvenile redfish will move up our rivers into the brackish waters.

The Crystal Coast is known for its crystal clear water which allows for some of the best sightfishing opportunities along the Atlantic coast. The countless miles of shallow flats along our coast will hold schools of several dozen to several hundred redfish looking for their next winter meal. These fish are very cold tolerant and will often feed even when temperatures have dropped down near freezing. It’s important to use your trolling motor and move slowly as these shallow cruising fish will spook very easily. Matching up the right size jighead and soft bait is crucial to enticing these lethargic cold water reds to eat. Regardless of the location, I always fish one of the various styles of Berkley Gulp Alive baits. The powerful attractant infused into these baits stimulates these lethargic fish to feed, even in the coldest water temperatures.

In the deeper creeks off the mainland, anglers should use an ¹⁄₈-oz. to ¼-oz. jighead which, I prefer to pair up with a Berkley Gulp Alive 3" Shrimp or Minnow in the new penny or pearl white colors depending on water clarity. These deep, often muddy creeks are protected from cold north winds and warm quickly on sunny days, causing these reds to become very aggressive. When targeting the shallow flats and bays just behind the barrier islands and in the sounds, anglers will have to use lighter jigheads or weightless hooks to avoid the slimy algae that grows in the high salinity water of the Crystal Coast during the coldest winter months. In these areas I prefer a ¹⁄₁₆-oz. jighead tipped with a 3–4" Gulp Shrimp or Minnow if the algae isn’t too thick. Otherwise I’ll switch over to a weightless hook and rig it with a 5" Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad, usually in the smelt or new penny color. In either situation, using Berkley Gulp Baits will undoubtedly give you a big advantage, especially in these cold water conditions.  F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | 3 1

DISCOVERY DIVING

LEE MOORE

DIV I N G OU R COAST IN FEBRUARY

T

JOIN DISCOVERY Contact Discovery Diving at 252‑728‑2265 or visit them on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up. You can also visit discoverydiving.com.

JOIN ECARA ECARA works to continue sinking ships to create artificial reefs here in North Carolina, but their resources are limited. To get involved with ECARA, visit carolinareef.org to check out their current project list.

he weather in the beginning of January seemed more like winter at the North Pole, but the water temperatures were in the 50s and 60s. Since the warmer water is farther offshore, charters that are going out are headed to the wrecks such as the Naeco, Cassimir, Papoose, U-352 and Schurz.

The Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA) will be having its annual fundraiser and membership drive on Saturday, February 22, at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Attending the event is free, but only ECARA members can purchase a ticket for the dinner that will be served at 5:30 p.m. in Soundside Hall. You may get a membership card and tickets to the dinner at the event. Following the dinner there will be speakers, displays, silent auctions and more. Memberships and tickets for the dinner can be purchased ahead of the event by calling 252-728-2265. They may also be purchased at the door the night of the event.

ECARA was formed in 2007 to raise funds for the development of artificial reefs out of Beaufort Inlet and to create habitat for marine life with clean and provide safe shipwrecks for the enjoyment of divers and sportfishermen. Since its inception, the non-profit organization has been promoting the creation and uses of artificial reefs on the Crystal Coast. Even though no aircraft carriers or other large vessels have been sunk yet, several smaller vessels have been.

In June 2010, ECARA sank its first wreck on the starboard side of the Indra at Artificial Reef 330 Site (AR-330). The Nepamuk, a 50-foot steel sailboat, was initially upright but has settled and is now leaning against the Indra.

The second wreck was a barge donated by Taylor Brothers Marine Construction. It was towed out to AR-330. After the barge arrived, a 150-foot steel cable was connected from the stern of the Indra to the barge. Patches were removed from the sides of the barge to allow water in. Then pumps were used to add water through openings on the deck of the barge.

As the water inside caused it to ride lower, more water began entering through the holes on the side of the barge. The stern slowly began to dip below the surface. Eventually it came to rest upright on the bottom off the Indra’s stern. On three corners of the barge, steel beams were inserted to create height for marine life. Five reef balls (hollow, dome-shaped concrete structures with openings in the sides)were scattered around the barge to provide habitat for small fish. Hurricane Irene moved the barge toward the starboard side of the Indra, but luckily the steel cable remained attached and the barge wasn’t able to move further.

The Hardrock, a cement sailboat, was the third wreck sunk. In June 2012 it came to rest off the starboard side of the Indra. The bow of the sailboat pointed at Indra and the stern rested on a rock ledge. By the end of 2012, the Hardrock began to show some signs of damage. In the early spring when divers returned they found only a section of the bow and part of the stern.

The rest of the ship had been broken apart.

The fourth wreck, a concrete sailboat, was added in July 2013. It was sunk between the stern of the Indra and the barge. The sailboat is now resting on its starboard side. Steel cables are in place to aid divers in locating the sailboat and barge.

The wrecks off the Crystal Coast attract divers from all over the world. A majority of were sunk during World War II. Whether the wrecks were sunk during war, bad weather or intentionally as a reef, they are all artificial reefs. With continued effort, ECARA will be able to sink large ships as they have in Florida, and draw large numbers of divers and sportfishermen to showcase the undersea environment that the Crystal Coast is known for.

If you would like more information about diving on some of the best wrecks with some of the best marine life in the world, contact Discovery Diving at 252-728-2265, email dive@ discoverydiving.com or like them on Facebook to see what events are coming up in the near future. For more information about ECARA, like them on Facebook at ECARA Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association. 

3 2 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

T I D E C H A RT CAPE HATTERAS TIDES FEBRUARY 7 TO MARCH 7

Your Complete Bait &Tackle Shop

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FLIP INTO

GYMNASTICS! Crystal Coast Gymnastics operates classes on an 8-week schedule. We run 6 sessions throughout the year. You can enroll your child at any time during a session. Tuition and registration are prorated depending on enrollment date. Class type is based on your child’s age, experience, and ability. Our staff will work with you to determine the appropriate class for your child. Call to enroll today!

300 GREENFIELD DRIVE • NEWPORT

www.crystalcoastgymnastics.com

252-222-4961 (GYM1) 3 4 | C A R O L I N A S A L T | F E B R U A RY / M A R C H 2 0 1 4

SEAFOOD • STEAKS • SANDWICHES 311 Mangrove Drive Across from CVS in Emerald Isle Closed Monday • Sun–Tue 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Fri-Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A casual Island eatery with a touch of class.

TUESDAY

All-You-Can-Eat Crablegs Shrimp-n-Grits

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Cordon Bleu Homemade Lasagna

THURSDAY

All-You-Can-Eat Crablegs Homestyle Meatloaf

FRIDAY

Flipperz Famous Prime Rib Chef’s Choice

SATURDAY

All-You-Can-Eat Crablegs

facebook.com/ flipperzemeraldisle

252.354.7775 • flipperz.net

FREE HALF FREE Buy 1 Lunch Get 1

CHIPS PRICE

With A Dinner Entrée!

Limit one per table or party. Offer cannot be combined. Expires 3/7/14.

Monday through Thursday. Limit one per table or party. Offer cannot be combined. Expires 3/7/14.

MONOGRAMMING On Any New Scout Bag!

Limit one per customer.

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What’s on your plate tonight?

W W W. R I B E Y E S S T E A K H O U S E . C O M

THREE LOCATIONS ON THE CRYSTAL COAST 104 Golfin’ Dolphin Drive • Cape Carteret • 252.393.2509 502 Front Street • Beaufort • 252.728.6105 313 Pollock Street • New Bern • 252.288.5814