Medicine Drop

In today’s culture, creating a healthy environment is a priority for many people. As a society we value recycling, carpooling, and turning off the lights when we leave a room. One critical step towards a cleaner environment is often overlooked.

In the past, most people flushed old medicines down the toilet. This was done to prevent accidental poisonings of children and animals who may find medicines in the trash. But today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no longer recommends this. Improper disposal of medicines allows the chemicals to contaminate ground water as well as the public water system. Sewage treatment plants may not be able to clean all medicines out of the water. This may harm fish and wildlife.

If throwing medicines away is not the answer, and we cannot just leave them sitting around the house, then what should we do with them? Enter Safe Kids North Carolina. You can dispose of your unused and expired medications during the second annual Operation Medicine Drop. Bring your medications to Pender Adult Services on 901 S Walker Street in Burgaw or the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Medical Mall, 2243 S. 17th St., located beside the main hospital Saturday, March 26 between 9:00AM and 1:00PM.

Your medications will be safely disposed of, without any negative impacts on the environment. Law enforcement agencies as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will be present to handle controlled substances. Herbal medications and vitamins will also be accepted.

Trail of Spray

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Spadefish Gallery newest showcase is an exhibit entitled “High Surf Advisory” featuring works created by world acclaimed artist, Gary Cleaveland with Red Flag Surf Studio. Cleaveland is a self taught artist who uses the rhythm of ocean tides as his muse to create sensational works of art.

Cleaveland catches the raw beauty of waves using an array of non-traditional mediums. He captures deep blues, vibrant turquoises and crisp whites by using cans of ordinary spray paint. This exhibit showcases a stunning collection of original, recently completed, large-scale, wave paintings. Works are for sale and can be purchased by contacting the artist directly at www.redflagsurfstudio.com. “High Surf Advisory” will be on exhibit March 1 - April 28, 2011.

The Spadefish Gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor of the Marine building, near the auditorium.