September 30th, 2011

What’s Going On? Coast Day!!, Lectures, Chemical Magic Show, Treasure Hunt Map, Crab Cake Cook-Off, Chowder Challenge, Entertainment, Crab Races, Boat Show, University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Lewes, Delaware Beaches, Sunday, October 2nd

“Coast Day emphasizes the value of our coastal and marine resources and highlights how our work benefits those resources as well as the citizens of our state and nation.”  nancy targett, ceoe clean and Delaware sea grant director

A free and annual event in Lewes is now in its 35th year.  On Sunday, October 2nd, rain or shine from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. the whole family can enjoy a fun day of activities and entertainment.  You can even learn a lot from the lectures that will be on going throughout the day.

Location?  The University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.  It is sponsored by the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.

Parking and admission are free.  Vendors will be selling food and other items.  The program is available on www.decoastday.org.  You can also call 302-831-8083

I think the kids have the most fun on this day; hands-on view of the ocean and coastal environment, touch live marine animals, learn all about rocks and fossils, and see robots used to perform marine science research.

Many many years ago I used to take my own kids there.  They have always had the “touch live marine animals”.  My oldest son loved it.  As we were walking back to the car I noticed he was carrying one of the fish with him.  Yikes!!  Took it back, don’t worry.

If you decide to go as a family, just stop at the Information Tent as you come in.  The Coast Day event program will show which activities are especially kid-friendly.  Exhibits and demonstrations that kids will like will marked with special children’s activity icon. 

Look for the “Chemical Magic Show”, which features dazzling chemical magic tricks that will be amazing but will also explain various marine-related phenomena.  That show will be at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m.

There is a Treasure Hunt map, which let kids answer questions related to Coast Day events and win cool prizes.

It has been 1 year since the start of the 2-megawatt wind turbine went into effect.  This wind turbine provides all the electricity needed for the event.  Guests will be able to visit multiple exhibits focused on the turbine, which provides energy for the campus year-round.  At 12:30 p.m. there will be a seminar that reviews the turbine’s energy generation over the past year and highlights some of the turbine-related research that UD and other scientists are conducting.

You know how crazy our weather has been this year.  At 1:30 p.m. a lecture by a special guest speaker and Delaware native Bill Read, who is the Director of the National Hurricane Center.  The topic?  “What’s a Former Delaware Kid Doing at the National Hurricane Center?

Recycling bins will be available and compostable plates, cups, napkins and utensils will be used for the Crab Cake Cook-Off and Chowder Challenge seafood cooking events. 

The UD Cooperative Extension will show visitors how composting works.

Measures have been taken to reduce the event’s environmental impact, including the sale of environmentally friendly reusable bags and the printing of the event program and other promotional materials using paper from forests managed in an environmentally friendly manner.

Note to the University of Delaware Community:  Free bus transportation to Lewes from Newark will be available for UD students and employees.

Full week-end ahead for the beautiful and historic town of Lewes….the weather promises to be gorgeous…talk to you later..

May 4th, 2010

Lewes, Delaware, Core Values, Delaware Beaches, Pilottown Rd., UD Wind Turbine, State Boat Launch

I don’t know if you had the chance to experience what a beautiful evening it was on Tuesday night in Lewes.  I talk about this town frequently, but how could you not?  Every time I visit Lewes, I leave with a sense of relaxation and happiness.

In the past I have mentioned that one of the most important features of Lewes are its residents.  They are always ready to showcase their town.  Tonight was no exception because I was invited by one of its own to just come for drinks and sit on his front porch.  I really could have stayed there all night.  It was so comfortable and more so after residents would wave at us from their cars. Big smiles on their faces.

The City of Lewes has a list of Core Values and these are:

Lewes has a special and historic relationship with the sea.

Lewes is a community of diversity.

Lewes values its human town scale and sense of face-to-face intimacy that is characteristic of its quality of life.

Lewes is a town of busy days and quiet nights.

Lewes recognizes and maintains its internal communities.

Lewes has a unique historical origin and strives to highlight its heritage through building design and architectural preservation.

Sitting on this front porch I was able to enjoy the protected “vistas” of the Canal. So much open space; fencing and landscaping has been limited.  The Pilottown Rd/Gillis Neck corridor was officially designated as one of Delaware’s Scenic and Hitoric Byways.

We finally decided to go check the new University of Delaware Wind Turbine, which looms over the Lewes’ skyline.

A wind turbine is a machine that harnesses the kinetic energy in the wind and converts it to electrical energy.  Mechanical energy created by its rotating blades turns a generator that creates electricity.

It is located at the College of Marine Studies, at the end of Pilottown Rd.  If you get a chance just drive over, you will not miss it.  Here are the specifications:

The tower is 256 feet. 

It will stand approximately 400 feet high from its tower base to the apex of its blade at peak rotation.

Weighs 203 tons.

Blade length is 144 feet (3 blades).

Rotational directions are clockwise from front view.

9-19 Revolutions per minute.

From the College of Marine Studies we continued our guided trip towards the State of Delaware Public Boat Launch.  This is a state of the art facility.

The scenery was magical; watching flounder fishing and an amazing sunset.  The marshes added their touch with expanse views.

We finished our evening at Agave, the Mexican restaurant I have also talked about so much.  Its location is right in the center of the town, on Second St. It was such a good meal in the company of a great friend.  Perfect!!

I will talk to you later…..you know I cannot help it.

Note:  Information for this post was taken from www.ci.lewes.de.us/core-values/ and from http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/lewesturbine/