On the beach

I'm feeling loser-ish because I haven't been to the beach in months! Sure, I've done my daily "hello ocean" drive-by with the carpool kids to check the waves and water color, and I've stepped out there for a bit to inhale a few breaths of fresh air, but I haven't spent any quality time on that beach since December. * Every other winter since I moved here in 1994 I've gone for long, bundled-up, cold-weather walks or runs on the beach at least once or twice a week, and I was always rewarded with beach glass, whelks and crazy bird and animal sightings. * And, out there alone, I admit I was a little judgmental of the people who weren't there: Why do they live here year-round if they're not going to come to the beach year-round. * Now I'm one of those people, a fair-weather beach friend. * Hopefully a little burst of warmth this week will get me back out there. * What about you? Do you spend time on the beach in the cold months? Did you find anything good out there this winter?...

And here we are already, in the first week of April. Less than 50 days of school left in the school year. Less than two months until Memorial Day. Here's what's going on this week in the lightning speed of life:

The Land of Beginnings Festival is going on this week, starting on Monday with the Living Legend Community Luncheon. Local author Suzanne Take is being honored as this year's Living Legend. The luncheon will be/was (depending on when you read this) at the Ramada Inn in KDH. * Also part of the festival are three Storytelling Sessions. The first one is on Tuesday at The Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk with moderator Bill Harris at 7 p.m. The second one is Wednesday at the Dare Center in Manteo with moderator Wayne Gray at 7 p.m. The final storytelling session is on Thursday at the Fessenden Center in Buxton with moderator Danny Couch. * Footprints in the Sand on Friday is an overview of the local historic sites and attractions. This will be held at COA-Dare Campus in Manteo starting at 9 a.m. * Wrapping up the Land of Beginnings Festival is The Lost Colony's Fire & Ice Gala at the Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion in KDH. Cost is $100 and includes live music, auctions and catering by Kelly's. If you want to go, call (252) 473-2127 early in the week!...

This week is Outer Banks Sporting Events' First Flight 5K and Flying Pirate Half-Marathon. The 5K will be held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The Half-Marathon starts in Kitty Hawk at 7:20 a.m. and ends at the YMCA in Nags Head, with the post-race party at Pirate's Quay. The EXPO runs Friday and Saturday at a new location - the Comfort Inn North in KDH. The First Flight 5K is full, and the Flying Pirate Half, with just more than 2,000 runners still has some spaces left. I'll be running; come run with me! * Volunteers are still needed! If you can help out (you get a cool crew shirt) during the week, at the EXPO or at the races, click here: http://doitsports.com/volunteer2/jobs-by-date.tcl?event_id=202429. Profits benefit Dare Education Foundation and Outer Banks Relief Foundation...

There's a lot more going on this week:

Monday through Friday, it's the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island's Weather Wise Week. From Monday through Friday, they're holding special weather-oriented programs all week. Guest speakers from the meteorology fields will be appearing throughout the week. Call (252) 473-3494 ext. 227 for info. Programs are included with paid admission...

On Tuesday, The Outer Banks Hospital is giving Free Health Screenings at the Baum Center, in partnership with the Dare County Senior Games. They'll check glucose, cholesterol and blood-pressure levels. Call (252) 449-9184. * Tuesday is also Sheep Shearing Day at Island Farm in Manteo. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., they'll be shearing sheep, washing fleece, spinning yarn and weaving cloth. Cost is $6 per person, with kids 5 and younger getting in free...

On Wednesday, the outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar called Develop Your Disney Team. It's about creating a team atmosphere in your business, maintaining morale and loyalty and celebrating team accomplishments. It'll be held at the Ramada Plaza in KDH. Call (252) 441-8144...

Thursday is Dare County Arts Council's Literary Open Mic Night. This week there's a very special guest - best-selling children's book author and illustrator Brandon Dorman. Dorman will lead a 45-minute discussion of his adventures in publishing, followed by a Q&A and then the open mic readings. This event will be held at Outer Banks Brewing Station from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is free...

On Friday, it's the Outer Banks Senior Games Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. at the Baum Center. The Silver Arts Exhibition will be on display indoors until noon. * On Friday evening, An Evening for Life, a Relay for Life fund-raiser, will take place at Pamlico Jack's in Nags Head. It's an around-the-world wine tasting hosted by Native Vine, and it includes tapas and a silent auction. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. * Friday night is also Dancing Through the Decades, a 60s/70s/80s/ Dance Party at Outer Banks Brewing Station. Admission is $10 for the VIP party with appetizers and a silent auction, or $5 for general admission. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. This one benefits Heron Pond Montessori School and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation...

On Saturday, help out The Nature Conservancy at an Oyster Shell Bagging and Reef Building project. From 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., they need volunteers to report to the Alligator River NWR kiosk on Milltail Road. Call (252) 441-2525 with questions. * Saturday is also Bark for Life from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Promenade in Kitty Hawk. This is the Outer Banks Hospital's Relay for Life team's fund-raiser. It includes a group dog walk followed by dog activities, awards, canine demonstrations, dog massages, a dog yard sale and more. Cost is $10 per dog in advance. At the door it's $25 for one dog or $30 for two. Bring your leash and poop bags!...

On Sunday, Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse is hosting Protect Our Youth, an informational session from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at First Flight High School. They'll have a mock teenage bedroom display, a workshop, parent resources and interventionist and addiction expert Dr. Jim Tracy. Call (252) 449-2272. * Outer Banks Brewing Station is hosting the 3rd Annual Island Games Bartender Mix Off. Bartenders from local restaurants will gather in the back yard (weather depending) to mix rum drinks. A panel of judges and attendees vote on the best drinks. This one benefits Interfaith Community Outreach and our local restaurants...

Next Monday is the Viewpoint 2011 Legislative Breakfast at the Ramada Inn. Senator Stan White and Representatives Tim Spear and Bill Owens will update the business community on state issues and answer questions. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Time is 8 a.m. Call (252) 441-8144...

Several art shows opened this week and will last almost all month: The Dare County High Schools Art Show opened at Roanoke Island Festival Park and includes student work from all three Dare County high schools. The opening reception is on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. * Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head opened its Sixteenth Annual Self-Portrait Exhibition. There are 55 entries. * Dare County Arts Council opened two shows with two different painters: Mike Lay and Phil Cameron...

So, where will you be this week? If I've missed something, please tell us about it in the Comments section below. And keep looking around the site for other things to do. Don't miss the Deal of the Day coupon! There have been some good deals up there...