Take it outside

Don't want to admit it because I'm not a technology junkie, but I love my new Kindle. * Actually, it's not a NEW Kindle, it's a hand-me-down OLD Kindle from my mother-in-law, who got the brand-new Kindle. But it's new to me, and I like it -- even though I was one of those who always pooh-poohed the Kindle (and the iPad). I've been sneaking it with me into the carpool line, the doctor's office, the hair salon, the family camping trips - anywhere I might have a wee bit of wait time or down time. * My fantasy is to have two hours - only two hours! - to sit on the beach by myself in this awesome fall weather this week and finish the book I'm reading on my Kindle...

It's not a crazy busy week events-wise on the Outer Banks (which means I should be able to find that two hours, right?). * I'd say we can't go wrong with anything we do outside. All indoor events should officially move outside this week, at least for the first part of the week when it's supposed to be really warm. * The ocean is still warm enough for a dip, you know. Just get in before the weekend, when it's supposed to cool down considerably...

An interesting historical exhibit is coming to Currituck County this week: The Moving Wall. It's a mobile version of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and it lists all of the 58,284 people who were listed as casualties or missing in action during service in the Vietnam War. The wall has traveled to more than a thousand communities in the nation and now it's coming to us. * You'll find it at Sound Park in Harbinger from October 14 to 18 (Thursday through next Monday), and you can visit starting at 7 a.m. An opening ceremony is schedule for Thursday at 6 p.m...

This weekend is the 8th Annual Outer Banks International Wine Festival. On Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., swing up to Native Vine in Point Harbor for wine and beer tastings, food and live music. * Becky Kessler and Friends and 9:58 are playing on Saturday, and Mojo Collins and Karl Werne Project are playing Sunday. Tix are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and if you're not tasting you get in free. Proceeds will go to the Currituck Animal Shelter...

Meanwhile, Outer Bankers who love their wine shouldn't miss these free tastings: The Wine Specialist in Kitty Hawk offers free wine and cheese tastings every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Chip's Wine and Beer in KDH offers free wine and beer tastings on Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m...

For a little culture, on Friday, we've got a rare chance to see an internationally celebrated cellist in KDH. Soo Bae is playing First Flight High School on Friday at 7 p.m. Her list of accomplishments is quite impressive. The evening also includes a performance under the direction of Soo Bae from the Dare County Youth Orchestra with students from throughout the county. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Dare Education Foundation, Outer Banks Patrons of the Arts and Dare County Arts Council are bringing us that one, and it's so nice of them to make it free...

Saturday there's a Jazz Combo playing at Roanoke Island Festival Park. At 2 and 7 p.m. N.C. Central University will present jazz in the indoor theater. It's free too!...

If you haven't already seen the Beach Book Cover Art Competition Show at the Dare County Arts Council in Manteo, stop by to check it out. The winner of the Beach Book cover this year is Katy Caroline for a cool, summer painting called "Nags Head Hammocking." You can still vote for the People's Choice Award through the end of the month...

Want to be of service this week? On Thursday, the N.C. Aquarium on Ronaoke Island is holding a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Donors will receive a pair of flip flops and can tour the aquarium for free after your donation. * Also, here's a website to put on your list of Favorites for the month of October: (http://www.refresheverything.com/combatingprescriptiondrugabuse.com). Voting here possibly will help two concerned mothers in our community bring a week of learning and educational seminars to healthcare professionals and community members in Dare County in April 2011. If they get enough votes, they'll get a Pepsi Refresh grant of $50,000, which will assist then in their goal of combating prescription drug abuse in our county. I had to search "Prescription Drug Abuse" and then find the one about two mothers and then hit VOTE...

If you're into yoga, think about the Thursday Community Yoga class at the Unitarian Church. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs only $5 to attend the monthly class. * Spa Koru in Avon is offering a yoga workshop this weekend: Yin Vs. Yang Yoga with Johnny Stuhr. It's going on all weekend, but you can drop in for class if you want to. Price for the whole weekend is $160! That's a great deal...

If you're into running, you'd better get on with it and register for the Outer Banks Marathon events. I hear the Half-Marathon is about to sell out. The 8K and 5K and Fun Run on Saturday are great events as well, so get those kids signed up for the Fun Run...

If you're into something else and I haven't mentioned it here, please make a comment below. If your comments are helpful and tasteful, we'll publish them for all to see so it's a great way to further publicize an event...

And before I sign off, I just want to say "WELCOME HOME!!!" to Isabela Rainey! * This 13-year-old girl was in the hospital since July 31, but she got home Friday. We're all so glad to have her back on the beach...