Good Things to Do under Sunny Skies

By Molly Harrison | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Bring your dog to the Y for a walk and a pool swim on Sat.

Don't know about you, but I feel like we're due for some sun this week. * Did you know that in the last 30 days the total rainfall in this area was more than twice the amount recorded in the previous four months? * I love a rainy morning/afternoon/evening as much as the next person, but I am feeling the need to get my vitamin D naturally. And I'm also feeling slightly cheated out of the last few days of September, which usually still feel like summer. * But as I don't like to complain, I'll say this: At least it's been a warm rain. We've done many things in the warm rain that we wouldn't do in a cold rain: went to the surf contests at Jennette's, swam in the ocean, rode bikes, ran, stuff like that. And I've made great strides in cleaning out closets on the past two rainy weekends, so, all in all, it's been OK. * The forecast apparently is for consistent sun by Thursday and throughout the weekend, but it's going to be a cooler weekend. Perfect for all the upcoming events. Lots of stuff going on this weekend, so let's get right to it...

Dare County Arts Council's super-fun Artrageous Art Extravaganza is this weekend. On Saturday it's the daytime event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dare County Recreational Park in KDH. Activities include dozens of hands-on art projects, a professional artist show and sell, a live artist "Quick Draw," healing arts, live music and food. Bring a kid to this event - it's a guaranteed good time. It's free to get in, but activities cost a small amount. Bring lots of $1s and $5s. * On Sunday, the Artrageous After Party is at Kelly's Restaurant in Nags Head. There will be food, drinks and entertainment (a hoedown jamboree), but the highlight of the night is the auction and a chance to bid on the works of 15 highly collectible local artists. Tickets for the After Party are $25 for DCAC members and $35 for nonmembers. Go to www.brownpapertickets.com or pick up tickets at the DCAC interim location in Kitty Hawk (next to Trio), at ARTspace in Southern Shores, KDH Coop in KDH or Front Porch Café in Manteo...

Nags Head Elementary School is holding its 6th annual Pumpkin Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They'll have hundreds of pumpkins to choose from, along with fall decorating items like mums, gourds, straw bales and Indian corn. * If you've got kids in tow, stick around for games and activities, pony rides, a moon bounce, mini golf, raffles, an auction and lots of food - High Cotton Barbecue, Tubbs Hot Dogs, OBX Kettle Corn and a bake sale. It would be worth it to try to do both this event and Artrageous. * Commercial orders (with delivery) are available for local businesses. Call (252) 305-0238 before Friday for commercial orders. Call (252) 480-8880 for other info...

Last weekend's rain forced the Outer Banks Family YMCA to reschedule its annual 5K Dog Walk and Swim to this Saturday. Arrive about 9 a.m. to take your dog on a nice long walk with other dogs and then take a dip in the pool. You can walk an SPCA pet if you don't have your own. If you don't want to do the walk, you can just bring your dog to play in the pool until noon. Cost is $15 for Y members and $25 for nonmembers. You must bring proof of shots in order to participate. Call the YMCA at (252) 449-9987 for info...

For the yoga enthusiasts out there, there's a great Yin Yoga with Johnny Stuhr workshop on Saturday at Outer Banks Yoga in Kitty Hawk. Yin Yoga is slow and quiet and poses are held longer. It sounds like heaven to me. * He'll do two sessions: 9 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m. Cost is $75 for both or $45 for one class. To register, call (804) 815-8153...

Want to help someone? Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Dare Literacy Council's ESL Tutor Training workshop. Go to (252) 216-7773 or www.dareliteracy.org...

Currituck Heritage Day is Sunday at the Whalehead Club. It's a big lawn party with local choruses and marching bands, a car show, wild horses, carriage rides, arts and crafts booths, food and more. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Currituck County residents get in free; nonresidents are charged $7 per adult, $5 per child. Be sure to take a tour of the club while you're there...

The Whalehead Club is holding its Wednesday Wine Festival this week - the last one for the season. From 3 to 7 p.m. you can enjoy wine, a souvenir glass, music by Kim Kalman, great food from Northern Lights Bakery and kite flying with Flying Smiles Kites. All this for only $20! * On Thursday, Whalehead Club has its Moonlight Legend, Lore and Ghost Tour. Beginning at dusk you can tour the club by lantern light. * Call (252) 453-9040 for info on either event...

Now for a little planning ahead. Get creative and decorate a bra for the Save Our Sisters (S.O.S.) Breast Cancer Fund-raiser at the Baum Center. Decorate a bra in any way and bring it to the Baum Center between now and October 18 for judging on the 20th. Call (252) 475-5635...

Better sign up now for the 3rd Annual Outer Banks Gobbler 5K in Nags Head on Thanksgiving morning. It's a great way to kick off a day of eating! The 5K run starts at 8 a.m., with the Giblet Fun Run at 9:10 a.m. There's a party after the run, with everyone in a festive, holiday mood. To register, go to www.fsseries.com and search for Outer Banks Gobbler 5K...

Registration is also open for the Lost and Found 5K on Saturday, October 15. This is a fun run on the north end of Roanoke Island, and it benefits The Lost Colony and Food for Thought. To register, go to www.fsseries.com or www.outerbanksrunningclub.org...

If you're planning on going to any events with Wings Over Water (November 8 through 13), you should register now. The website has the full list of events, which include birding, photography, hiking and kayaking trips in the wildlands of northeastern North Carolina. Go to www.wingsoverwater.org or call (252) 216-9464...

That's all for now. Keep looking around the site for more fun things to do...

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.