News flash: Summer is not over! The beginning of the school year and the approach of Labor Day do not constitute the end of summer. * Summer will officially end on the autumnal equinox - and that's not until September 23 at 3:09 a.m. So we've got almost a month of summer left, and I, for one, am going to eke every last bit of joy out of it. * Who says you can't go to the beach after school?...
The ocean will stay warm for at least another month or more, but please remember to respect Mother Ocean. * Five people have drowned in the ocean on the Outer Banks this summer, so use your common sense: Swim near a lifeguard whenever you can. Don't swim alone. Wear a lifejacket if you're not a strong swimmer. Learn how to get out of a rip current (click here). Don't even think about swimming if the red flags are flying. Never take your eyes off your children...
Beyond the beach, there's still a lot of summery stuff going on. * Check around our site for info on watersports rentals and lessons. * The crowds are thinning out, and I'm thinking it would be a good time to rent a Waverunner or paddleboard, take a kiteboarding lesson or go on a sailing tour or Parasailing trip...
One thing I'd like to do this week, but won't be able to make personally, is the Full Moon Tour of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. * It will be held on Tuesday, one tour at 7:30 p.m. and one at 8:30 p.m. Each tour is limited to 30 people, and you have to purchase tickets in advance at the lighthouse. Ticket sales started on Sunday...
Another news flash: The National Park Service's Summer Programs only run through Labor Day. There are some great programs this year at Fort Raleigh, Wright Brothers National Memorial and in Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Bodie Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Pick up a copy of In The Park, the NPS newspaper, to see a list of the daily programs...
For the young ones, Wednesday is Kids Day at Kitty Hawk Kites locations. They've got free kids' activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Nags Head and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Waves Village in Rodanthe. Get your face painted, shoot water balloons, fly kites, try new toys and games and more. * Wednesday is also Kids' Story Hour with Pirate Pamlico Jack at the Front Porch Café in Nags Head. Stop by from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to hear Pamlico Jack entertain with stories of pirates and let the kids drink the kids' tea. * A real kid-pleaser is the OBXtreme Magic and Comedy Show at the Outer Banks Music Showcase. Clive Allen and Tracy do incredible magic and illusions. See them on Wednesday and Thursday at the Showcase in Kitty Hawk...
Front Porch Café in Nags Head has an interesting event every week. They do a Coffee Cupping (big in the cities but new to the OBX) on Thursdays at 10 a.m. It's kind of like a wine tasting where you pay close attention to the aroma, acidity, body and flavor of different coffees...
Up in Corolla, the Whalehead Club is still hosting its popular summer events. In addition to regular tours, they've got the Wednesday Wine Festival. This week the Front Porch String Band is providing the music. Also at the festival will be Brick House Bash promotions selling cigars. Some people might like that. * The Whalehead Club's Summer Concert Series on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. will feature nationally touring folk/pop artist Julie Clark. It's a chance to see an upcoming star - for free. * Don't miss the Moonlight Legends, Lore and Ghost Tour on Thursday beginning at dusk - a tour of the club by lantern light. * And if you're in Corolla, you might as well climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, take a program at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education and visit the Corolla Wild Horse Museum (paint a pony on Tuesdays and Thursdays; pet a pony on Wednesdays)...
On Saturday, don't miss the Manteo Farmers Market for your fruits and veggies and treats. Plus you can pick up prepared food items, art and crafts. * BTW, Hatteras has its own Hatteras Farmers Market on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hatteras Realty office in Avon...
If you love playing in the ocean, you really should hit the Ocean Games in KDH on Saturday. The games, held at Ramada Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., feature kayak and paddleboard races all day long. There's also a sandcastle building contest...
There's still a pretty kickin' music scene on the Outer Banks. As I said, summer is not over. * The local clubs and restaurants have bands all week. * The biggest name coming to town is Keller Williams at Outer Banks Brewing Station on Thursday. * All girls should gather up their girlfriends and go see the movie Eat Pray Love. Had to laugh the night I went: rows upon rows of girls and a sprinkling of men. "It's just like a yoga class," said one of the more enlightened men in the crowd. * Check around our site for lots of other nightlife happenings this week...
Keep looking around the site for many, many more things to do, places to eat and where to shop. * More businesses and attractions are coming on board and adding new information every day...
And put your 2 cents in. If you'd like to contribute or add your voice to this blog, you can do that below. Keep in mind that the blog comments are moderated so that this site is only putting positive vibes into cyberspace...
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
