Friday, May 29, 2009

Richard Triebe to Speak on Confederate P.O.W.’s

May 29, 2009 – Southport, North Carolina (NC) - Richard Triebe, author of "On a Rising Tide: a Tale of Running the Civil War Blockade" will speak on "Confederate P.O.W.’s" at the Friends of the Maritime Museum’s Third Tuesday program on Tuesday, June 16. More>>>

Saturday, May 23, 2009

It's a Beautiful Day in Southport!!!

What a difference a week makes!

Last week at this time, Southport was a ghost town. This week the tourists have arrived en masse.

If you are looking for something to do in Southport today there will be no shortage of sales to keep you busy. Yard sales, garage sales, side-of-the-road sales, store sales, tent sales, sidewalk sales... everything is on sale this weekend!

What a great way to kick-off the summer season!!!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Tips For Preparing For Hurricanes

Hurricane Facts:

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating on a hurricane’s intensity.
  • Category 1 Hurricane – Winds 74-95 mph
  • Category 2 Hurricane – Winds 96-110 mph
  • Category 3 Hurricane – Winds 111-130 mph
  • Category 4 Hurricane – Winds 121-155 mph
  • Category 5 Hurricane – Winds 156 and greater


2009 Hurricane Predictions:

# Named/# Hurricanes/# Major Hurricanes

Colorado State/Bill Gray - 14 Named, 7 Hurricanes, 3 Major
Weather Research Center - 7 Named, 4 Hurricanes, 0 Major
Weather Services Inc. - 13 Named, 7 Hurricanes, 3 Major
Accuweather - 13 Named, 8 Hurricanes, 2 Major



Before the Storm - Preparing Your Family:

  • Develop and practice a family emergency plan.
  • Create a disaster supply kit for the home and a separate one to take in case you must evacuate.
  • For your “stay at home” emergency kit include flashlights, batteries, tarps, duct tape, non-perishable foods and water for the entire family and pets. Don’t forget a battery operated radio, disposable camera, medicines and critical paperwork.
  • For your “evacuation” emergency kit, include the following in a watertight container: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, important papers (i.e. passports, birth certificates, copies of insurance papers and wills, health insurance paperwork, pictures of furnishings, listing of medications, policies, deeds, stocks and bonds, titles to cars), checkbooks, record of all bank numbers, inventory of valuable household goods, address book with contact information for doctors, insurance agents and relatives, safety deposit box keys, evacuation map of area.
  • Make sure your homeowner policy is updated and includes flood insurance.

When a Storm is Forecast for Your Area:

  • Fuel your car.
  • Fill bathtubs and sinks with water.
  • Review your evacuation route.
  • Get cash in case you must evacuate.
  • Have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio available.
  • Use your family’s evacuation and family emergency plans.
  • Make sure all family members wear closed-toe shoes or sneakers.
  • Make arrangements to board or evacuate pets. Take shot records, rabies certificates and tags and vet information.
  • Have supplies and basic foods available. For comprehensive checklists of basic foods, supplies and emergency home repair items to have on hand if you live in a coastal area, visit the “Shopping List” section of the Weather Research Center’s Family Hurricane Survival Kit at http://www.wxresearch.org/family/hur2.html

Safeguarding Your Home:
  • Secure all loose objects (such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and planters) that can become flying missiles when hurricane winds intensify.
  • Turn off your gas, water and electricity before evacuating.
  • Unless you have impact-resistant glass in your windows, make sure to shutter up or board up windows and doors.
  • Tape over and seal all soffit vents and roof vents to prevent wind-driven rain from splashing into the vents and flooding the attic.
  • Add bracing to the interior of garage doors to reinforce them against wind damage.
  • For “after storm” cleanup, have the following items available: tarps, duct tape, heavy work gloves, gas cans, batteries, chain saws, shovels, rakes, water filters, cleaning supplies, first aid kits and extra strength large garbage bags.
  • Trim tree limbs near or touching the home.

Creating a Secure Home:

  • Windows – The biggest cause of devastation during a hurricane is the ability of wind to enter a structure through a broken door or window. This causes a build-up of pressure inside the structure that can literally blow out the roof and walls. Homeowners with code-approved impact-resistant windows like Simonton StormBreaker Plus® are designed to withstand flying debris during brutal storms. They help provide maximum protection and add beauty to the home, without the need for unattractive shuttering systems, or board up windows and doors.
  • Roofing - When having a new roof installed or an old roof replaced, select impact-resistant roofing tiles and those that can withstand high wind speeds. Make sure the installer follows the roofing manufacturer’s warranty guidelines for installation. Proper nailing will help your roof make it through severe weather.
  • Entry Doors - Install door that swings out instead of in. These doors have welded hinge pins, so security is not a problem and the wind actually helps to keep the door secured properly.
  • All Products - When building or remodeling, make sure to use the latest weather-resistant building materials available, such as hurricane strapping, clips, corner bracing and tie-down systems.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Bald Head Island To Open New Ferry Terminal on June 2, 2009

Bald Head Island Limited announces that Deep Point Marina, the new mainland ferry terminal for Bald Head Island, will open to the public on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Ferry operations from Indigo Plantation & Marina, the current embarkation point for Bald Head Island, will be suspended permanently at that time. A ribbon cutting ceremony at the new ferry terminal at 10 a.m. on June 2 will celebrate the Deep Point Marina grand opening.

The 40,000-square-foot ferry terminal consists of two levels, similar to an airport, with arrivals and departures on separate levels. The facility provides a host of creature comforts, including indoor and open-air waiting areas with dramatic views of the Cape Fear River, as well as a snack bar, the Deep Point Galley, which offers grab-and-go food options, soft drinks, beer, wine and coffee. Guests vacationing through Bald Head Island Limited enjoy an easy start to their stay at the rental check-in desk, while The Island Agency's professionally staffed real estate sales desk answers questions relating to island properties for sale.

Ultimately, Deep Point Marina will house a number of other functions for Bald Head Island Limited, including administrative offices, a marine maintenance facility, a shipping and receiving center, and a harbour master building that will accommodate the recreational marina operation. The site also features a new 82-slip marina, opening later in June, which provides fuel and transient dockage, as well as short-term and long-term slip rentals.

Deep Point Marina is located at 1301 Ferry Road in Southport just before the state-operated Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Landing. Entering Southport on Route 211 South (Howe Street), take a left on East Moore Street and then a right onto Ferry Road at the roundabout. Proceed about a half mile and then turn right into the entrance to Deep Point Marina, following the signs to the ferry terminal.

We hope you enjoy the amenities, services and conveniences offered by Deep Point Marina, the modern new gateway to Bald Head Island. For more information on Deep Point Marina or to download a complete ferry schedule, visit www.ferrytobhi.com. Ferry reservations can be made by calling 910-457-5003.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Captain Henry's Country Buffet - Southport, NC

Captain Henry's Country Buffet located at the intersection of Southport-Supply Road and Long Beach Road in Southport, NC has officially closed. Located in the former Golden Corral building, Captain Henry's only survived 4 months in this tough economic environment. It's a shame they could not hold on a little longer as the busy tourist season looms just ahead.

The consensus around town and on Internet Restaurant Review Sites is that this restaurant is essentially the same as the former Golden Coral, just a different name. If the Golden Corral could not make it, it should come as no surprise that Captain Henry's would fare the same.

This business closing is one of many local businesses that have closed in the Southport area due to the economic downturn.

Unfortunately, I think there are still more to come.