Friday, July 31, 2009

Welcome

The Next Media Radio stations in Eastern North Carolina understand our responsibilities to enhance the quality of life throughout our region. That’s why we’ve created this website, a joint venture between our stations and East Coast Equipment, your John Deere dealer. This month our spotlight is on the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the upcoming September New Bern Bike MS event. Proceeds from the Bike MS event are used to fund research, programs, services, education and advocacy for the over 4,700 individuals living with multiple sclerosis in eastern North Carolina. NextMedia Radio and East Coast Equipment, your local John Deere dealer, thank you in advance for your support of the New Bern Bike MS ride and ENC Cares.com

Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride




The 2009 Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride is scheduled for September 12-13. Over 2,500 participants are expected to attend this 21st annual event. Bike MS proceeds are used to fund research, programs, services, education and advocacy for the over 4,700 individuals living with multiple sclerosis in eastern North Carolina.


Start a team today with friends, family or coworkers. Bike MS is a boutique ride, and a weekend retreat for the entire family. Join thousands of cyclists from eastern North Carolina for a weekend of cycling, live entertainment, delicious food and friends. Unlike a racing event, Bike MS is designed to provide a scenic, challenging ride for both the experienced cyclist and the energetic novice. The ride includes fully-stocked rest stops with bike mechanics; support and gear vehicles on the routes with the cyclists in case of mechanical problems; and dinner with live entertainment at the end of the day.



Help us create a world free of multiples sclerosis by meeting this year’s fundraising goal of $1.7 million. An unforgettable ride. An unbeatable destination. Bike to create a world free of MS. Visit Two Wheeler Dealer in Wilmington or www.msbike.org for registration information and additional details.



About Multiple Sclerosis:

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States , someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Fireworks Safety Month

The Next Media Radio stations in Eastern North Carolina understand our responsibility to enhance the quality of life throughout our region. That’s why we’ve created this website, a joint venture between our stations and East Coast Equipment, your John Deere dealer. This month our spotlight is on Fireworks Safety. The July 4th holiday and other summer celebrations can tempt people to experiment with fireworks, despite the many legal restrictions on their use. However people forget that fireworks are extremely dangerous. Every year there are thousands of fireworks related injuries-many quite serious-reported during the summer season. Please take our advice and protect yourself and your family by avoiding fireworks and only attend authorized public fireworks displays. For more safety information related to fireworks, check this web page to help you practice fireworks safety, not only in July, but year round. Thanks to our partners at East Coast Equipment, your John Deere dealer, for their support of ENC Cares.com

Click HERE to take a quiz about fireworks safety.

Leave It to The Professionals!

This 4th of July, leave fireworks to the professionals! We've compiled a list of July 4th celebrations from around the state...so you can sit back and enjoy a professional show, without the danger of personal fireworks displays.

MCCS Camp Lejeune 4th of July Celebration - Jacksonville, NC

The festivities start at 5pm at W.P.T. Field on Camp Lejeune. Come out and celebrate the Nation's Birthday with the Crystal Coast Choral Society, 2d Marine Division Band, food, beverages, kids activities, and the famous Lejeune fireworks! It's free and open to the public! Please no pets, alcohol, sparklers, or personal fireworks.

Annual July 4th Parade and Celebration - Bellhaven, North Carolina

One of the longest running July 4th events in the eastern United States and the oldest in North Carolina, this annual celebration features a mile-long parade, concerts and events during the day and fireworks at dark.

Fish for Free - Any Public Water in North Carolina

On July 4 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., anyone, including residents and non-residents, can fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters, without the purchase of a fishing license or trout privilege license.

Annual Fourth of July Celebration - Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Activities include live bands, patriotic music, carnival rides, the Golden Knights Parachute Team, a popular flag ceremony, food beverages and, of course, fireworks. Free and open to the public.

Outer Banks Fourth of July Celebrations - Various Locations along the Outer Banks, North Carolina

From Currituck Heritage Park fireworks and Duck's annual Fourth of July Parade to Roanoke Island Festival Park's fireworks and performances by the North Carolina School of the Arts, and on to Hatteras Island (just to mention a few), many events and celebrations take place all along the North Carolina Outer Banks throughout the July 4th weekend.

Pleasure Island Independence Day Fireworks - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Held on July 3rd at dusk, fireworks are launched on the beach in front of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

July 4th Celebration at the N.C. State Fairgrounds - Raleigh, North Carolina

Daytime events include interactive games, inflatables, live entertainment, food vendors and more. A nighttime fireworks finale at 9:15 p.m. caps off the event. (In the event of inclement weather on July 4, all indoor activities will remain as scheduled and outdoor activities will be canceled. Fireworks only would be postponed to July 5th.)

Fourth of July Celebrations - Raleigh, North Carolina

Enjoy an Independence Day Olde Time Celebration, an Independence Day Concert and Fireworks and more. - Also see: About.com's City Guide to Raleigh

Fourth Of July in Old Salem - Salem, North Carolina

The Historic Town of Salem recreates aspects of early Independence Day celebrations, which began on July 4, 1783.

The Official 2009 North Carolina 4th Of July Celebration - Southport, North Carolina

July 1 - 4, 2009 - The patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport. For over 200 years the small maritime community of Southport has celebrated the nation's independence, beginning in colonial times when ships shot their cannons from the harbor to today's festival where 40,000 to 50,000 people come each year to enjoy the spirit of commemorating Old Glory. Incorporated as the NC 4th of July Festival in 1972, the festival committee strives to keep the focus on honoring our nation's birthday with some added patriotic fun.

4th of July Riverfront Celebration - Wilmington, North Carolina

The 440th North Carolina Army National Guard Band will provide entertainment at Riverfront Park in downtown Wilmington. There will be plenty of fun and food from 5 - 9 p.m. preceding the annual Battleship Blast fireworks spectacular, one of the largest choreographed fireworks displays in the Carolinas.

4th of July Parade & Community Picnic-Beaufort

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

An old-fashioned tradition continues in historic Beaufort on July 4 with a parade on the downtown waterfront that includes kids, pets, wagons, & red hats. Parade begins at 11AM at the fire department, procedes through downtown along the waterfront.

Carteret County Arts & Crafts Coalition Summer Show-Beaufort

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009 – Sunday Jul. 5, 2009

Juried sale of arts and crafts of coastal artisans held three weekends a year. Held at the Beaufort Historic Site on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, and at another venue for a three week show between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is the perfect occasion to browse and buy the work of coastal artists and craftsmen.

Fourth of July Fireworks-Holly Ridge Park

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Entertainment by DJ, fun and fireworks are the agenda for the evening at Holly Ridge Park.

Greenville's Fourth of July Celebration

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Bring the entire family as you celebrate the 4th with carnival rides, arts and crafts, music, vendors, food, a a fantastic display of fireworks.

Fourth of July-New Bern

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Visitors on this patriotic day will enjoy performances by the Fife and Drum Corps, free family entertainment including crafts and games for children and have the opportunity to mingle and chat with colonial characters presenting views of those loyal to the crown and those supporting the colonys independence. Reading of the Declaration of Independence is at 11am.

Fourth of July Parade-Oriental

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Join the folks of Pamlico County as they celebrate the Croaker Festival and Independence Day with an awesome parade through the streets of the village, ending at the Croaker Festival grounds at Lou-Mac Park on the Neuse waterfront. The Festival ends with a huge fireworks display over Oriental's Harbor.

Fourth of July Picnic & Carnival-Bald Head Island

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Bald Head Island, NC

Located at Harbourside Pavilion. Catered by the River Pilot Cafe. Enjoy a hot dog or hamburger with all the fixings, children's games and live entertainment. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. 910-457-7440.

Annual 4th of July Celebration-Edenton

Saturday Jul. 4, 2009

Edenton, NC

Food, entertainment and more. 4-9 pm Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party, arts and crafts, food, entertainment and more ending with a great fireworks display over the water around 9 pm.

Fireworks Safety Quiz

Did you know that fireworks are dangerous, and can cause serious burn and eye injuries? Each year, over 8000 people are injured using fireworks.

How much do you know about fireworks? Take our quiz (each answer is either true or false):

1. Children should never play with or light fireworks.
2. Adults should always keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
3. Adults should read and follow all warnings and instructions before using fireworks.
4. Adults should be sure that other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
5. Sparklers burn at such high temperatures that they burn clothing.
6. A 7-year-old boy lost half of his left hand, including his fingers when he lit an M-80 he found hidden in a family bedroom.
7. An 8-year-old girl received second and third degree burns to her leg when a spark from a sparkler she was holding ignited her dress.

All of the above are True.

(Taken from http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/kiddfwks.html)