Features

Because of sold-out shows in August, Bill and Cathy Furpless of Historic Amuzu Theatre at 111 N. Howe St. in Southport are adding encore performances of “Remember ‘50s and ‘60s Rock and Roll” Sept. 7-9.

Tickets, $20 cash each, are available at Ricky Evans Gallery at 211 N. Howe St. in Southport and Color Me Carolina 4143 Colfax Lane in Oak Island for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Skin allergies are one of the top reasons for veterinary visits, affecting millions of pets and costing owners tens of millions of dollars. These pets are suffering; it’s not unusual for an allergic pet to chew off half its fur in a desperate effort to stop the itching.

The main causes of allergic dermatitis in dogs and cats are pretty straightforward: insect bites, inhaled allergens and food. However, the diagnosis and treatment options can be more complex.

Biting bugs

Hot cars and trucks are in the spotlight for the 15thAnnual Leland Under the Lights Car Show from 3 to 8 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 18, at Lowes Foods in the Villages at Brunswick Forest, 1152 E. Cutlar Crossing.

More than 15 trophies will be bestowed in a wide range of categories, including Best in Show, Most Unique and Club Participation. Goody bags will be given to the first 100 vehicles registered.

There will also be car show vendors, and admission is free.

Brian White with Jammin’ 99.9 will be on-site with music.

By John Nelson

Plant Columnist

What we eat and feed our pets affects their oral health. Everyone agrees that sugar contributes to the formation of cavities, at least in humans. About 90 percent of U.S. school children develop tooth decay, largely because they eat too many sweets. What about dogs and cats? Do they get cavities? Can certain foods cause oral health problems? Cavities are extremely rare in pets, affecting less than 5 percent of all dogs and even fewer cats. Why?

A Gator Cam, late-night summer hours and a new zipline trek are among the latest seasonal offerings at Shallotte River Swamp Park at 5550 Watts Road, Ocean Isle Beach.

New for 2018 is the Swamp Park Gator Cam, viewable at shallotteriverswamppark.com or on the park’s Facebook page, which scans and focuses on the swamp park’s renowned alligator sanctuary.

Swamp Park manager George Howard said the park now has 13 rescued American alligators in its sanctuary, which has been built up to about 8,000 square feet.

By John Nelson

Plant Columnist

Last week I journeyed to Nebraska, and I’m here to give you a very brief report (which must begin with my first and almost certainly last dinner of mountains oysters …).

Wide-open spaces! Gorgeous scenery with farms and windmills, little towns with grain silos. Here and there were pronghorn antelopes, which I had never seen before. Meadowlarks, hawks and bluebirds were common companions as we filled our plant presses with botanical treasures.

Every pet owner I know wants to provide the best for their dog or cat. When it comes to best care, one thing every pet owner can, and should, do is have their pet’s teeth cleaned by their veterinarian at least yearly.

This is nonnegotiable for me. Even if you can’t brush, rinse, give treats or apply gels, you can take your pet to the veterinarian for professional teeth cleaning.

I know why you don’t; you’re worried about cost and concerned about safety. I get it. Let’s explore these objections a little further.

National Lighthouse Day is officially recognized next Tuesday, Aug. 7.

In commemoration of that, it’s an ideal time to shine some light on Brunswick County’s two public-friendly lighthouses.

The Old Baldy Foundation is celebrating with National Lighthouse Weekend, an array of events Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4 and 5, centered around North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse, Old Baldy, which turned 200 last year on Bald Head Island.