Belinda Schultz

"I Promised A Teen I'd Vote!" was the stickers worn and soon to be distributed by hundreds of teens from across the state. Rally The Vote was a non partisan event hosted by the Girl Scouts in Raleigh, NC on September 20th, 2008 to educate teens on the voting process and how to help adults register to vote. We showed the teens and adults how the voting machines operate and they got a chance to use the machines and vote with sample ballots. The sample ballots had questions like, favorite city in NC, and favorite team mascot, etc...

We live in an age of upward spiraling gasoline prices, with no hope in sight of it ever returning to below $2.00 per gallon. So isn't it about time our county and surrounding areas start catching a vision for the future and at least begin planning alternative safe transportation routes? Specifically designated and marked bicycle lanes?

My husband and I caught the cycling bug on a trip to Clearwater Florida, where we found paved bike paths through town (the Clearwater Trail), connecting towns (the Pinnellas Trail), and outside of town, built alongside the highway (the Suncoast Trail). These last two are over 40 miles long! It was apparent that a lot of planning and design, and money went into the building of these trails. They have widened roads, built completely seperate lanes alongside existing roadways and utilized abandoned rail lines to construct these trails.

Why can't we do this here?? Is it going to take a groundswell of people to raise their voices and demand something be done? I've been told that there are government funds available for our use on such a project! Where do we start?

I commend Morehead City and Emerald Isle for the paths they have started. It's a beginning. But I want to see something much bigger! SAFE lanes to ride from Morehead City to Newport to Havelock to Beaufort and the entire length of the island from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach!

I live off of Highway 101 between Beaufort and Havelock. It is amazing to me that some genius put bicycle route signs on highway 101! Those of us who actually LIVE here know how deadly that can be! Highway 101 has no shoulders, and is heavily travelled by commercial vehicles and trucks. My husband has had several close calls, instead of using the brakes and passing a cyclist when the oncoming lane is clear, drivers just try to squeeze past alongside! I won't even risk riding on that road - but it is a designated and marked bike route! Unbelievable!

I would love to be able to ride my bike on a 20 or 30 mile ride, without the danger of getting hit by a car or truck! If we had the paths, I believe more people would also ride to work and school!

In addition to the economic benefits, the health benefits are just tremendous! It is one of THE BEST exercise activities you can do! My husband lost over 60 lbs in a year - just by bike riding!

So where do we start?? Who do we contact?? How do we get the ball rolling? All comments welcome!!!!

Part of living here on the Crystal Coast is dealing with the occasional storm, hurricane or nor'easter when they blow through, and being prepared! Here is a great list of items to have in your emergency supplies!

An emergency preparedness kit should include enough of the following items to last a family for at least 3-5 days:

· Water - 1 gallon per person per day (a week's supply of water is preferable).

· Water purification kit or bleach.

· First aid kit and first aid book.

· Pre-cooked, nonperishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup and cereals.

· Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices.

· Nonelectric can opener.

· Antibacterial hand wipes or gel.

· One blanket or sleeping bag per person.

· Portable radio or portable TV and extra batteries.

· Flashlight and extra batteries.

· Essential medications.

· Extra pair of eyeglasses.

· Extra house and car keys.

· ABC-type fire extinguisher.

· Food, water, leash and carrier for pets.

· Cash and change.

· Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes.

A generator is a great thing to have on hand, but if you hook it up to your house be sure to have it done by a licensed electrician!! Improperly connecting it can result in electrocution to you or the linemen working to restore power after the storm!

And NEVER operate a generator where it's exhaust fumes can get into the house. That's a deadly mistake many people make.

I just use an outdoor extention cord and run them directly into the house to the refrigerator, a light, and the TV.