Every year the Carolina Chocolate Festival is held in February in Morehead City at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. This year there are several noteworthy events and attractions. One great fundraising idea is selling chocolate bars. If you buy the bar that has the golden ticket you will win a trip for 4  to Hershey. It’s straight out of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The best part of this event is it generates alot of funds for charity. So it’s a doubly sweet event, no pun intended. There’s also so many interesting events before, during, and after the festival. Emerald Isle Wine Market is hosting an event “Chocolate Uncorked!” on the second floor of the civic center Saturday February 4th from 2-5pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Another event I always thought interesting was the Carolina Chocolate Festival Spa. This is a spa, obviously, but with some interesting twists. For instance there is chocolate facials. hmmmm.

The festival opens at 9am on Saturday Feb. 4th and is open until 6pm. The tickets are $8.Sunday from 10am to 3pm the Carolina Chocolate Festival gives its finest offerings of sweet chocolate.

Just a little insider tip: A few years ago I worked a booth at the festival. I noticed on the second day (Sunday) many things were sold out. However, what was left was sold at great prices. So if you have something in particular in mind, arrive early. If not I would go the second day and try to score some great chocolate at a discount rate.

 2010 Carolina Chocolate Festival

2009 Carolina Chocolate Festival

We went on a Sunday evening and the restaurant had a good crowd in it, but we found seats right at the bar and enjoyed watching the games on giant TVs. The service was prompt and courteous.

My buddy is a big fan of their spicy garlic sauce and the sweet BBQ. I tried the Caribbean jerk and the Asian zing. Both of which were amazing. They also have an extensive selection of both bottled beers and draft.

I was shocked to learn we were even getting a Buffalo Wild Wings on the Crystal Coast. It sure is nice they picked our area for one of their newest restaurants. Its a great place to hit up and catch the game with some good food.

I will definitely be back for another visit to this Morehead City restaurant. Especially with the NFL playoffs coming up and March Madness not too far off, you’ll want to hang out here so you don’t miss any of the action.

So for many of the kids, Cape Lookout High School is their last chance to make it to graduation. November 4th the Board of Education came down with a decision to close the school by month’s end.

Emerald Isle attorney Mike Lincoln, who represents the school, is working on appealing the state’s decision. The students have been busy writing letters to the board as well as to local newspapers. Back in August this issue was brought to an administrative hearing. It was in this hearing that Judge Joe Webster gave the school two years to improve the dropout rate. So the school’s students and faculty felt they at least had some time to improve. However, in true bureaucratic fashion the board of education decided to overturn Judge Webster’s ruling.

What I find hard to believe is they want to close the school in the middle of the year. There’s kids who have been working hard to overcome their hurdles, and the state isn’t even going to let them finish high school?

All of this is because of a high dropout rate? Well at least SOME of the kids are graduating. Not to mention the fact that many of these kids were planning to dropout of other high schools in the county. And instead of just letting them drop out, they send them to Cape Lookout High School.

Let’s look at what happens when we close this school. Instead of having a second chance high school to send struggling students, they will have no other option and dropout. Now ALL high schools in the county have their dropout numbers go up. You see, it isn’t that Cape Lookout is doing a poor job. Its our wonderful State Board of Education that is FAILING to deliver a promising future for Carteret County.

Morehead City – Its that time of year again. The Crystal Coast welcomes the 8th annual Carolina Chocolate Festival. I first went to this event 5 years ago. Needless to say it’s something I look forward to each and every year. This year it will be held from February 5th-7th.

• On Friday February 5th at 11:00am there will be a Tee off FORE Charity and Chocolate golf event at Brandywine Bay Golf Course in Morehead City. I’m not much of a golfer, so I’ll likely be sitting this one out. Cost is $45 and includes lunch, chocolate desserts, and a golf cart.
• Then at 6:30pm prepare for An Evening Wrapped in Chocolate at Shepard’s Point. This will feature a chocolate dinner from Chef Charles Parks. Tickets are $160/couple or $80/person. Proceeds benefite Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina.

• Saturday February 6th at 9am the Carolina Chocolate Festival opens its doors at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. The festival runs until 6pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, $2 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 are free admission.
• Also on Saturday from 11am to 3pm is the Chocolate Spa at the Sheraton in Atlantic Beach. Get a facial or mini massage and enjoy champagne and gourmet chocolates. Reservations are required and tickets are $60 and include admission to the Chocolate Festival.
• From 2pm to 5pm stop into the Chocolate Uncorked event on the 2nd floor of the Civic Center. Emerald Isle Wine Market will have some decadent wines to sample and a silent auction.

• Sunday February 7th is the second day of the Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City. The hours are from 10am to 3pm and the ticket prices remain the same except for free admission to Active Duty service members with I.D.
• From noon to 3pm check out Potters for Parkinsons Bingo on the Civic Center’s 2nd floor. There is going to be prizes and surprises for all.
• The Carteret County PAWS sunday brunch will run from 11am to 3pm at Floyd’s 1921. Costs $20 per person and reservations are required. Call (252) 727-1921 or (252) 726-7925 for reservation/ticket information.

So I hope to see you out at one or more of these wonderful events that all support great charities in our area. Just remember not to eat too much chocolate.

2009 Carolina Chocolate Festival

Officials closed the bridge from Morehead to Beaufort for most of the day, but have re-opened it.

Port representatives explained they were aware of the shipment, and had extra security in place. If you recall PETN was one of the substances used by the Nigerian terrorist on Christmas day in his attempt to blow up a flight to Detroit on Northwestern Airlines. According to Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones, the spill appears to be an accident and not an act of terrorism.

From what I can read on this material, its pretty benign until mixed with other chemicals to then make it highly explosive. However if it is contaminated with sand, dirt, or grit it can become explosive. I also read that if the material is deemed as waste, it is potentially regulated as a HAZARDOUS WASTE!

I sure hope it is properly cleaned up and disposed of. Our fragile coastal estuarine waters that surround us in Carteret County are already stressed enough. We really can’t afford to allow any more contaminants find their way into our coastal environment. Our ecosystem is the main attraction for visitors to our area, and it’s also how many of our local residents make a living.

Surprisingly, the only thing I saw people complaining about was the traffic rerouting. Well I’m sure that is annoying, but let’s also remember to keep in our natural environment in mind when allowing businesses and government decide what is coming into or out of our port.

Chances are there far more toxic chemicals coming and leaving our port everyday. What will we do when there’s a larger spill of a more toxic chemical that decimates one of our beloved fisheries, or makes the water unsafe for recreation? Food for thought.

This really helped me with getting in shape for summer. It was a lot of fun, even though it was pretty chilly, windy, and raining. But the proceeds of the race went to charity, so it was a lot of fun knowing that I was helping out those less fortunate than myself, while getting in shape for summer.

Last year we registered, started, and finished at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. This year the start/finish will be at the east end of Arendell St. in Morehead City. There is another event using the civic center, but this new route will make it more entertaining for spectators.

As much as I’d like to run the half marathon portion of the race. I’ll just stick to the 5k since I know I can make that run It smoked me last year, and I’m in even worse shape this year.

Last year I was right in the middle of the pack with a time of 31 minutes and 13 seconds. I really hope I can do better this year. The sad thing is I know that if my mind keeps telling my legs to move at a fast pace, they have to. But I remember walking about a block of the race. This year my goal is to not walk ANY of the race.

I think last year my shoes came untied TWICE too, so I will double knot them this time to prevent those delays.  So come on out and run with me for a good cause. Or just cheer us on, whatever works for you.

Races will start Saturday February 28th at 8:00am for the half marathon and 8:15am for the 5k. For more information visit ncraces.com. Hope to see you there.

2012 Carolina Chocolate Festival

Morehead City – The Crystal Coast plays host to the 7th Annual Carolina Chocolate Festival. Today there was a charity golf event at Brandywine Bay Golf Course. Tonight there was an Evening Wrapped in Chocolate at Shepard’s Point in Morehead City. This tasty event benefited the Girls and Boys Club of Coastal Carolina.

The tickets for the Shepard’s Point event were a bit steep for me, but tomorrow is when the good stuff happens. The festival opens at 9am and I’ll try to get there for some photos and pick up some chocolate for a special someone

Tickets are $8 for adults, Kids 5-12 are just $2, and kids under 5 are free admission.

The festival will run until 6pm so make sure to drop in for an hour and peruse the exquisite chocolate treats. This event should be a hit with most of the kids too. Really though, who doesn’t like chocolate?

Also check out the Chocolate Spa at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlantic Beach. For $60 a person you can immerse yourself in chocolate relaxation. There will be facials, hand massages, as well as mini-massages. All of this accompanied with champagne and gourmet chocolates.

From 1-4pm on the 2nd floor of the Crystal Coast Civic Center there will be a Champagne and Truffle VIP Party. This party will showcase local artists, and have cooking demonstrations.

On Sunday the Chocolate Festival is open from 10am to 3pm. Admission is the same as Saturday. Except it is FREE for Active Duty military personnel with ID. This is good, because I’ll let you in on a little secret. Sunday the prices on chocolate goods come down, as the vendors do not want to have to pack all of it up and take it home.

Carteret County PAWS will also be hosting a brunch from 11am to 3pm. The brunch benefits our local pet welfare and adoption society.

So as you can see there’s going to be plenty to do this weekend. Come on down to Morehead City and check it out.