Fun Chicks for Causes has launched as new website featuring products available to purchase online with a percentage of all sales donated to local non-profit.

Vew their products online and in person at Fun Chicks for Causes Events. Celebrating our one year anniversary in March 2012, with the communities help and support, we have assisted in raising more than $4500 for local nonprofit organizations. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

The Outer Banks Chapter of SCORE is looking for volunteers with management and business experience to counsel business startups and ongoing businesses in need of advisc. Provide counseling once a month or more. Share your knowledge and experience to advance businesses on the Outer Banks.

SCORE has served the Outer Banks since 1981 and presenting have 20 members. SCORE works in conjunction with the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. Attend a recruitment lncheon, noon, thursday, March 23 at the Western Sizzle in KDH. Email rakmeck@aol.com or call 252-261-8213 to reserve a spot or get more information.

if you need advice, support, help with your business plan, marketing, financial recordkeeping, incorporation, name protection, commercial lease review, loans, etc.m SCORE business counselors will be at the Outer Banks Chamber office 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesdays. Stop by the chamber office on Colington Road or call in your questions to (252)441-8144. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

World Book Night is an celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. To be held in the U.S. as well as the U.K. and Ireland on April 23, it will see tens of thousands of people go out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free World Book Night paperbacks.

Volunteers from Outer Banks organizations will go out into the community on April 23 in search of those who don’t read much, or don’t readily have access to books. This is not so folks can give books to book groups, friends or family. All givers must be 16 years or older. (Anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult..) World Book Night books are specially-produced, not-for-resale paperbacks

The Island Book store is coordinating this effort in the Outer Banks. The store in Kitty Hawk will prepare five boxes of 20 copies of the same book. [The book selected will depend on availability of the World Book Night organization]. Givers will be responsible for any expenses incurred in picking up their carton and distributing the books. Authors are foregoing royalties to make this possible, and American book publishers, the American Booksellers Association, Barnes and Noble, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, Ingram Book Company, UPS, and a dozen printers and binders have paid for the production and shipping.

Nonprofit groups who would like a box of books to distribute can contact Island BookStore. The five boxes will be reserved on a first come, first serve order. Please contact Meaghan Beasley, 252.255.5590, islandbksobx@yahoo.com. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

The North Dare County Minister’s Association will again host a Lenten Lunch series at Noon from Wednesday, February 22, Ash Wednesday, through the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 4 at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church at Milepost 8.5 in Kill Devil Hills.

A short service led by local clergy with organist Jason Evans will be followed by lunch. Proceeds from lunch will be donated to local food pantries. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

Duck and Wine Festival is April 28 from noon to 3:00 p.m., at the Duck Waterfront Shops in Duck.

Chefs from 20 local restaurants compete with delicious duck dishes and wine is paired with each dish. Katie Hill, Currituck Kids Fund official coordinator, is seeking volunteers to assist at the festival. Tickets to the event are $30. per person and Currituck Kids will pay $15 towards your ticket if you will volunteer for 2 hours. Last year’s volunteers had a great time and many signed up for this year’s event right on the spot last time.

Contact Katie at katiebug917@gmail.com as soon as possible. Tickets sell out fast . . . and we expect volunteer positions to be filled quickly. You can check out the event at www.coastival.org. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

Fox trot, tango, the waltz and swing, anyone – or just judge.

Attend the 2nd annual “Dancing Under the Stars” event Saturday, February 25 at the K.E. White center on Elizabeth City State University’s campus. The event will feature local celebrity dancers as well as professional ballroom dancers from Virginia. There will be a “People’s Choice” award given to the celebrity dancer receiving the most votes. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased from any First Citizens Bank in Elizabeth City or Chowan Hospital’s Gift Shop in Edenton.

For information call 252.333.1510. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)

In recognition of Black History month, the Outer Banks Peace and Justice Interfaith Coalition will be showing “Soundtrack for a Revolution” on Tuesday, February 21, at 7 p.m. at Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern, MP 10.5 in Nags Head. Wait staff will be available to take food and beverage orders.

The freedom songs that propelled the civil rights movement — from the Montgomery bus boycott to lunch counter sit-ins, from Birmingham to the March on Washington and to Selma — evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. They enabled African Americans to sing words they could not say, and were crucial in helping the civil rights activists as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The film weaves together contemporary performances of such timeless songs as “Eyes on the Prize,” “Wade in the Water,” and “We Shall Overcome,” with heart-wrenching interviews and dramatic footage from the front lines of the fight for freedom.

All are welcome to participate in the discussion following the film.

For more information regarding the film and the Peace and Justice Interfaith Coalition go to: http://obxpeaceandjustice.org/.

The North Dare County Minister’s Association will again host a Lenten Lunch series at noon from Wednesday, February 22, Ash Wednesday, through the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 4, at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church at Milepost 8.5 in Kill Devil Hills. A short service led by local clergy with organist Jason Evans will be followed by lunch. Proceeds from lunch will be donated to local food pantries.

The Ash Wednesday service will be led by The Rev. Joseph (Jody) Gilbert Moore, interim pastor at Outer Banks Presbyterian. Lunch will be provided by Outer Banks Presbyterian as well. 

On the first Thursday of every month, North Dare County Ministers Association meets to break bread and join together for fellowship, devotions, and programming. Ministers of any denomination are welcome whether currently serving a congregation or in retirement.

If you would like to learn more about the association, you may contact the current president, the Rev. Spottswood Graves, currently serving Calvary Presbytarian in Swan Quarter at spottswoodgraves@gmail.com.

ICO (Interfaith Community Organization) and the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick have teamed up for a family fun event while helping our neighbors in need. Those with Irish heritage or those who simple would like to wear green and march in the Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day parade will be encouraged to join in the fun. The plan calls for a green float, Irish music and dancers, green candy, leprechauns and possibye even a pot of gold. A small free-will donation to ICO will be appreciated but not required to join in the fun.

ICO is heading into year number eight as a 501(c) 3 non-profit whose mission is to “Provide assistance to people who are facing a temporary, emergency crisis”. In 2011 they provided $228,745 in direct payments to assist 1149 families comprising of 2731individuals with emergency services to include rent, mortgage payments, to prevent utility disconnects, food, transportation needs, medical and a myriad of other necessary services. The ICO is temporary located at the YMCA, (door by the skate park). ICO is always looking for new volunteers from intake, data entry, home rehab, fundraising, etc. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact ICO at 480-0070. If you know of anyone who is facing a temporary emergency crisis, please have them call 480-0070 for assistance. For more information about joining in this event, email FriendlySonsAndDaughters@charter.net or call ICO at 480-0070.