Rather than post all the current events here, I highly recommend that you check out www.outerbanks.org. They have a great new look and it’s easy to navigate. The current calendar of events is found here. For art happenings, check out Dare County Arts Council’s stylish new website here.

Be sure to check out Sip & Dip, offered at Art Space in Southern Shores. Workshops by local artists. www.artspace.com.

Off Season usually means discounted rates and local specials.  And to me, that means  WINE. We are fortunate here to have several great wine shops with knowledgeable vintners and incredible selections.

The Wine Specialist in Kitty Hawk is located at Buccaneer‘s Walk (next to Capt’n Franks). Owned and operated by my friend Christine and her husband, Fernando  da Mota, they offer free wine tastings on Wednesday nights from 5 until 8 p.m. It’s a great way to sample new wines before purchasing. My husband especially liked the Highway 12 Cabernet Sauvignon, admiring the ripe aromas of dark berries and soft French oak nuances. I especially like the name.

We recently discovered ½ Price Night at Trio in Kitty Hawk – on Mondays, starting at 5 p.m., all wines by the glass, draft beers and wine station tab cards are 50% off. The wine station is the talk of the OBX. It’s a help-yourself automated station where you can enjoy a taste, half or full glass from a selection of high and medium priced wines. I tried a glass of the Biltmore Viogner 2010 and can heartily recommend it as a well balanced white wine with a smooth finish.

Check back again and I’ll share more on restaurants, shopping and what’s fresh at the Beach Road to Manteo.

photo from www.outerbanksvoice.com

The Return
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Relish the incredible sounds of The Return bringing you the best songs of The Beatles appearing live on the Outer Banks. Step back in time, listen to the music that has had a profound effect on the world’s musical scene, and be excited by these amazing young musicians.
www.thereturnonline.com.
Performance at First Flight High School Auditorium
100 Veterans Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

The largest striped bass ever caught by angling was a 35.6 kg (78.5 lb) specimen taken in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 21, 1982. The record-holder is Albert McReynolds, who fought the fish from the beach for an hour and twenty-minutes before landing it in the surf.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass.

While the Atlantic striped bass is the state fish of Maryland, Rhode Island and South Carolina, it’s easily the fish of choice during the winter on the Outer Banks.

Also known as rock fish, or ocean rock, these fish migrate between fresh and salt water; and its during the colder months when the rockfish show up along the Outer Banks that makes prime fishing time.

Ocean rockfish is definitely the best fish I’ve ever tasted. If you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks soon, check in with any of the local fish stores, such as Carawan’s in Kitty Hawk, and ask if they have fresh ocean rockfish or striped bass. Get them to filet one for you, take it home, rub it with olive oil, salt and pepper and grill about 5-7 minutes on each side. If unable to grill outdoors, fish can be broiled 4-5 minutes from heat, turning once, 10 to 12 minutes total. 

Grilled bass with Salsa

This view is facing east from the Currituck Sound near Sanderling in Duck.

The colder weather, the better, that’s when the ducks get up and move. Life on the Outer Banks brings you close to living off the land and sea.