AquaCamp - Animal Valentines

Ever wonder how animals pair off in the ocean? Come to this camp and discover all the amazing adaptations animals have for finding mates and keeping dates. Games and activities demonstrate just how hard it is to survive, even with plenty of fish in the sea. Children are invited to participate in a special day at the aquarium. Live animal presentations and more are all part of this exciting program. Come and join the fun! Snacks are provided. Kids will need to bring a bag lunch. Pre-registration required.

Date: Saturday, February 13

Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Ages: 7-10

Fee: $40.00 per participant

For more information contact the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher at 910-458-8257 or visit our website at www.ncaquariums.com/fortfisher

Thats A Moray!

Celebrate each other this Valentine’s Day at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. “That’s A Moray!” is an exclusive evening for just 26 couples, featuring a four-course dinner, a souvenir photo and dancing while surrounded by the magic of the ocean. Private tables for two will be placed in front of captivating exhibits such as Cape Fear Shoals, Sharktooth Ledge, Hawaiian Fishes, and Moon Jellies.

Couples may reserve the table/exhibit of their choice on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the private or engagement minded couple, one exclusive table boasts its own dining room and personal view of the Cape Fear Shoals Exhibit in the “A Moray” Eel Cave with elegant décor.

“That’s A Moray” is Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The all-inclusive price is $200-$300 per couple, dependent on table location or $500 for the “A Moray” private dining room. For reservations, call (910) 458-8257, ext: 218 or 202 or email terry.bryant@ncaquariums.com or emily.bullock@ncaquariums.com.

For more information, visit http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher/rent-the-aquarium/thats-a-moray

Electronic Recycling 101

E-Waste is one of the fastest growing types of wastes in the world. E-waste is electronic products, such as computers, radios, cell phones, and televisions that have not been properly discarded causing health and pollution problems from the serious containments, such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, and brominated flame retardants. Most consumers don’t know how and where to appropriately recycle these types of items.

One effective way to dispose of electronic items is during periodic disposal dates that counties set throughout the year at various locations. Bring your used electronic items to a disposal site and allow them to recycle them for you. This is a simple option to help reduce the environmental problems that are caused by the incorrect disposal of electronic items. To learn more about when and where these events will occur visit your county’s website.

Most people think of Best Buy as a mega electronic store, but Best Buy created Greener Together™, a program to assist people in safely disposing of their old electronics. They have coined the term “e-incarnated” which they use to describe how they accept old electronic products in an effort to turn them into new and better products in the future. People can bring in up to two items a day, per household. A few items come with a $10 charge, yet Best Buy will reimburse you with a $10 gift card. There are only a few items that Best Buy does not accept in the program which include, internal and external computer hard drives, electronics containing Freon, appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers.

If you are having trouble locating a periodic disposal site or don’t have a Best Buy in the neighborhood, landfills will often accept electronic products to be recycled free of charge. All of these options are an effort to help reduce the environmental impacts that e-waste causes the planet.

Aquarium Collects Old Fishing Equipment

That old rod and reel in your attic or garage may be worth more than you think. It could put a big smile on a needy youngster’s face. Rick Wilkinson, a surf-fishing instructor at the aquarium, spends his spare time rebuilding donated fishing gear as a volunteer. He then hands over the good-as-new rigs to area youth and adult groups.

The refurbished equipment goes to groups like Big Buddy, Community Boys and Girls Club, the Brigade Boys and Girls Club, and St. Mary’s Social Ministry. “I really like bringing old fishing gear back to life,” Rick says. “And if a fishing rod I reworked can make someone’s life a little happier, then that’s just great.”

How to Donate

Anyone wanting to donate a used rod and reel can drop the gear off at the Aquarium Visitors Service Desk between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day. Even an old tackle box is welcome, especially if it has some lures and tackle inside. Please ensure that the rod and reel is in somewhat workable order and has no missing parts.