The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is closed to the public Thursday, Sept. 2, in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Earl. Check the Aquarium website after the storm passes for the date and time of reopening.

The Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station owned by the North Carolina Aquarium was recently renovated for future generations to use and see for educational purposes.  This historic structure stands proudly as it has for years at the mouth of Oregon Inlet, sometimes treacherous and deadly to mariners as they dodge shoals and waves to reach the Atlantic Ocean.  The 2010 NC AIA Design Award for Historic Renovation will be presented on September 18th to Chip Hemingway of Bowman Murray Hemingway Architects of Wilmington, N.C.   Congratulations to Chip and the North Carolina Aquariums on winning this prestigious award!

The Aquarium is seeking vendors to sponsor booths during its 8th annual Trick or Treat Under the Sea (TOTUS) event.  TOTUS gives local business and organizations a way to support the community by providing treats for the children who attend, and has become the largest Halloween event on the Outer Banks. This year’s event is on Thursday, October 28 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Aquarium.

To find out how you can become a booth sponsor, call 252-473-3494 ext. 258 or ext. 247.  Special recognition is given each year to the best booth at the event.  Spaces are limited, and tickets go on sale October 1 at the Aquarium!

Get all the angles on surf fishing in the Aquarium’s 20th annual Surf Fishing Workshop, Oct. 8-10. Expert instruction and hands-on practice cover rods, reels, weights, line, tackle, knots, bait, fish identification, catch and release, cast netting, reading the surf, locating fish from the beach and caring for your catch.

This comprehensive course provides a great beginnin for novice fishermen and a thorough refresher for all skill levels.

The cost is $150 per person, with a 10 percent discount for North Carolina Aquarium Society members. The course begins with sessions Friday evening and culminates with a Sunday day trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore so anglers can put their new skills to use — see more details and the schedule. Ferry transportation is included in the course fee.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Call the Aquarium at 252-247-4003, or toll-free at 800-832-3474 for more information or to register.

Baby animals of any kind are sure to put a smile on your face and box turtles are no exception. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has created a new exhibit starring five tiny turtles.

Baby turtles were a popular request from visitors, so Aquarium staff created a permanent exhibit within the existing box turtle exhibit to house the turtles, ranging in age from one to two years old. The baby box turtles are offspring from the adults on exhibit. The eggs were removed from the nest and placed in an incubator to hatch. Otherwise, if the babies hatched on exhibit, they hide so well, it is hard to find them to make sure they eat enough. The juveniles are fed a mix of fruit, vegetables, and turtle gel. They are also fed earth and meal worms for added nutrition.

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Professional chefs team up with the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores again this fall to dish out tips and techniques in the  Succulent Seafood series.

Island Grill in Atlantic Beach sets the scene on Sept. 13 for the first gathering of the fall-winter season. The Island Grill also hosts Succulent Seafood on Oct. 11 and Nov. 8. Fishtales at Town Creek Marina in Beaufort hosts Succulent Seafood on Sept. 27 and Nov. 1. Other dates and participating restaurants will be announced later.

The courses, offered at local restaurants on selected Mondays, feature the area’s top chefs serving up tricks of the trade and delicious samples. Additionally, an Aquarium Educator explains how to select fresh, seasonal seafood and provides information on conservation.

The sessions begin at 2 p.m. and conclude with a taste-test. The fee is $15 per person, per class. Advance registration is required - 252-247-4003, ext 257 or 225. Space is limited so early registration is advised.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores invites businesses and organizations to sponsor trick-or-treat booths at the fifth annual “Trick or Treat Under the Sea (TOTUS).” The 2010 Halloween event  includes two nights - Wednesday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 28. The fun begins at 4:30 p.m. Booths remain open for trick-or-treating continues until 8:30 p.m.; ticket sales end at 7:30 p.m.

Indoor trick-or-treating for children at decorated booths throughout the Aquarium is the highlight of  TOTUS. Sponsorship provides a fun way for businesses and groups to interact with the community.

Booth space is available for $50 for a single night or $80 for both nights. Sponsors provide treats for the children attending. Sponsors also decorate their booths, which are automatically entered in a decoration competition. Sponsors bring their own tables, decorations and power cords.

The Aquarium closes at 1 p.m. for set-up and decoration, and reopens for TOTUS at 4:30 p.m. Public admission is $6 per person; no charge for children ages 2 and under. Aquarium Society memberships, discounted tickets, complimentary passes and admission paid before 1 p.m. cannot be used for admission to this special event.

Booth sponsorships are available first-come, first-served before the Oct. 8 reservation deadline. For more information or to register, call Special Events Coordinator Becky Davis at 247-4003, ext. 291.

The Aquarium is looking for some helping hands to deliver its conservation message. The Volunteer office is hosting an open house on Saturday morning, Sept. 25, for potential future volunteers. Anyone age 18 and older interested in possibly volunteering is invited to drop by between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to meet the staff, talk with current volunteers and get an overview of the various volunteer positions.

Aquarium volunteers assist with visitor education, exhibit interpretation, special events and other Aquarium activities. In turn, volunteering offers hands-on learning and social opportunities.

“Aquarium volunteers are conservation ambassadors who share with our visitors a message of animal and habitat preservation,” said Aquarium Volunteer Coordinator Chris Carlin. “Additional perks are the friendships made and the fellowship enjoyed. Volunteering at the Aquarium provides food for the brain and fun for the spirit.”

Additional benefits include discounts at the Aquarium Gift Shop and on special activity programs.

No prior experience is necessary. The Aquarium provides training in environmental education and animal handling. Flexible schedules are available. Contact Chris Carlin at 252-247-4003, ext. 286 for more details on the open house or volunteer opportunities. Read more about volunteering at the Aquarium. The Aquarium also has a summer Junior volunteer program and other opportunities for high school students.

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has added carnivorous plants to its lush gardens thanks to Jacob West, a junior volunteer at the Aquarium. The 40 square foot stone garden was built within the Aquarium’s garden, and houses several types of carnivorous plants.

Jacob West, a senior at Isaac Bear Early College High School in Wilmington, has always loved the Aquarium. This 17-year-old enjoys outdoor hobbies such as scuba diving, which led him to volunteer at the Aquarium for the last two years. During the completion of his Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America, West had to plan and implement a service project that benefits the local community. He knew immediately he wanted to pursue his Eagle project at the Aquarium. After clearing a 100 square foot area in the garden, Jacob constructed the stone garden where the carnivorous plants would be placed.

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The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on Monday celebrated its two millionth visitor since reopening in 2006 after a major expansion.

At 10:16 a.m., Aquarium Director Allen Monroe welcomed Gray and Tara Sherrill and sons Charlie, age 6,  and Sam, age 3. Aquarium staff greeted them with cheers, a kazoo band and a special appearance of the Aquarium’s Sunny the Shark mascot.

The Sherrills, from Greensboro, didn’t know about the countdown and were pleasantly surprised with the fanfare - and a package of prizes.  “We just decided to come and let the boys see the fish this morning,” Mrs. Sherrill said.

It was the Sherills’ first visit to the expanded Aquarium. They made the outing with friends Jennifer Cross-Green and Michael Green and their two young sons, also of Greensboro, who are regular summer visitors.

“It’s great to see so many families come to the Aquarium,” Monroe said. “Whether it is Mom and Dad with the kids or grandparents bringing their grandchildren, they all enjoy spending time together while they look at the beautiful and interesting fish. Plus they get a chance to learn more about the fascinating aquatic environments of North Carolina.”

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