This Just In

Despite the rather dreary weather we've been experiencing the last few days, the free concert at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area will go on as planned this evening (the radar shows decent clearing through the night).

Tonight’s band is Mako, which features a variety of Top 40, Classic Rock and Blues. The concert starts at 6:00 p.m. so bring your lawn chairs and snacks.

Rock on.

As we slide into the weekend, I'll leave you with a classic scene from the classic mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap":

Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

The Latest Fishing Report

Angling fans might want an update on the latest fishing activity in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Here's the catch:

Lots of flounder lately around the inlets, in Snow's Cut and in the Cape Fear River. The river is also producing puppy drum and speckled trout.

For surf fishing aficionados bluefish, pinfish, spots, croaker, a few flounder and plenty of small black tip sharks are turning up. Spanish mackerel are in the area (I know first hand; a friend dropped off 7 pounds last week).

Farther off shore (out to 20 miles) king mackeral are being snared while barracuda and mahi mahi are being caught in the 10-20 mile range.

I'll sign off with a favorite quote from Jaws:

Quint: Y'all know me. Know how I earn a livin'. I'll catch this bird for you, but it ain't gonna be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin' bluegills and tommycods. This shark, swallow you whole. Little shakin', little tenderizin', an' down you go. And we gotta do it quick, that'll bring back your tourists, put all your businesses on a payin' basis. But it's not gonna be pleasant. I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, chief. I'll find him for three, but I'll catch him, and kill him, for ten. But you've gotta make up your minds. If you want to stay alive, then ante up. If you want to play it cheap, be on welfare the whole winter. I don't want no volunteers, I don't want no mates, there's just too many captains on this island. Ten thousand dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing.

Beach Overload: Alternate Fun for the Dog Days of Summer

With so much going on these days at Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, it's easy to overlook some nearby attractions.

Located in the heart of Wilmington, Jungle Rapids is just 20 minutes from Carolina Beach, and is a terrific place for fun of all sorts. The park features a water slide, go-karts, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, and miniature golf plus free parking.

For more information please visit www.junglerapids.com.