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4this week 12 27 18 - 1 2 19 BOX OFFICEHAVELOCK AMC CLASSIC:500 McCotter Blvd., Havelock252-447-0131Matinee (before 4 p.m.): 4.99 for everyone. Regularshowing: 6.99 for adults and seniors 60 or older, 4.99 for children. 3D showing: 9.99 for adults andseniors 60 and older, 7.99 for children. Purchasetickets online at amctheatres.com.“Aquaman” . rated PG-13“Bumblebee” . rated PG-13“Mary Poppins Returns” . rated PG“Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse” . rated PG“Mortal Engines” . rated PG-13“Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” . rated PG“Vice” .rated REMERALD PLANTATION:8700 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle252-354-5012Matinee: 8.25 for adults, military and seniors, 7.25for children. Regular showings: 9.75 for adults, 8.75 for military and seniors, 8.25 for children.Visit emeraldplantationcinema.com for more info and tickets.“Aquaman” . rated PG-13“Bumblebee” . rated PG-13“Mary Poppins Returns” . rated PG“Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse” . rated PG-13CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKEnjoy a night outATLANTIC STATION:1010 W. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach252-247-7016Matinee: 8.25 for adults, military and seniors, 7.25for children. Regular showings: 9.75 for adults, 8.75 for military and seniors, 8.25 for children.Visit atlanticstationcinema.com for more info and tickets.Theater currently closed due to damage fromHurricane Florence.(AP photo)Review: Jason Momoa swims,but ‘Aquaman’ sinksBY JAKE COYLEASSOCIATED PRESSSuperheroes who travel by seahorse never get any respect.Since Paul Norris and MortWeisinger first dreamed him up in1941, Aquaman’s fate has largelybeen as the Rodney Dangerfieldof DC Comics – a regular punchline for his not-so-potent powers.Sure, he can talk underwater andbrandishes a big fork for a weapon. But like Luca Brasi, he sleepswith the fishes.Yet Aquaman’s day has finally arrived. And if there was oneinspired stroke behind the firstsolo movie for the Atlantis hero,it was in casting Jason Momoain the Justice League role, onehe begun in 2016’s “Batman vSuperman.” It’s almost a dare:Try telling this guy your Aquamanjokes.In James Wan’s waterlogged,fitfully entertaining “Aquaman,”a heavy metal guitar riff blaresat our first close-up of the longhaired, much-tattooed, shirtlessMr. Momoa. “Permission to comeaboard?” he says with a sly, overthe-shoulder grin.It’s a welcome arrival. As Mr.Momoa showed on his recent“Saturday Night Live” hosting gig,his charisma is as formidable ashis brawn. So why is “Aquaman”so soggy with Atlantis mythologyand drowning in special effectswhen all it really needs to do is letMr. Momoa’s Aquaman rock?There are pleasures in Mr.Wan’s extravagant underwaterpageant. It’s surely the only moviearound where you can enjoy afloating Willem Dafoe (as Vulko,royal counselor to Atlantis rulerOrm, played by Patrick Wilson),see a gladiatorial showdownsounded by an octopus on drumsand, in one of the many sceneswhere water is weaponized, witness death by Chianti, in a tusslethat tumbles into a Sicilian winestore.“Aquaman” weighs in somewhere between the lugubrious“Justice League” and the lessleaden “Wonder Woman” onthe uneven scales of recent DCfilms. To both the movie’s benefitand detriment, the seas here arechoppier than in the predictably(and sometimes boringly) smoothsailing of a Marvel movie. But thebright spots (Mr. Momoa, thatoctopus) can be difficult to reallyrelish amid the oceans of exposition and a typically pulverizing,overelaborate screenplay.A war is brewing underwater, but David Leslie JohnsonMcGoldrick and Will Beall’s scripttakes a while to get us there.They have origin stories to mapout, beginning with Atlanna, thebanished Atlantis princess (NicoleKidman, a screen goddess without the need to play an aquaticone), washing up on the rockyMaine shores of a lighthousekeeper (Temuera Morrison).They fall in love and have a childnamed Arthur (our Aquaman tobe) before Atlanna is forced toreturn to the sea.As an adult, Arthur – trainedby Vulko as a kid –moonlights asa hero in between happy-hourtrips to the bar. But he’s reluctantly drawn into a struggle forthe throne of the seven seaswith his younger brother Orm,who’s plotting a battle with “surface dwellers.” After centuries ofinvisibility and peace, Orm andhis conspirators have had enoughof the landlubbers above. (Whythey weren’t earlier pushed overthe edge by jet skis or, for thatmatter, “Baywatch,” is unclear.) Inone tidal wave of vengeance, hewashes the ocean’s garbage andwarships onto beaches aroundthe world.The movie zips along tooquickly before we get much morethan a float-over view of Atlantis.But in almost “Tron”-like contoursof luminous neon, Atlantis is a cinema world well built, at least onthe outside. But the movie’s onlytruly visually stunning sequence isa deep-sea chase lit by a lone flarewhile hordes of frightful creaturesclose in.“Aquaman,” a Warner Bros.release, is rated PG-13 forsequences of sci-fi violence andaction, and for some language.Running time: 143 minutes. Twostars out of four.

For other seasonal recipes, coupons, tips and nutritional information, visit crunchmaster.com.Healthful and heartyFew things go together quite like coldweather and comfort foods. However,those hearty dishes that are typicallycraved on blustery days are usually notclassified as “healthy.”With the right approach, though, youcan put a better-for-you twist on someof your favorite dishes that can keepyou cozy and satiated during the winter season. For example, you can puta grown-up twist on grilled cheese andtomato soup with this recipe for CreamyTomato and Roasted Pepper Soup withCheddar Cracker Melts.Pairing flavorful seasonal dishes likesoups and stews with a wholesomesnack cracker like gluten-free, non-GMOCrunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Crackerscan help satisfy those comfort foodcravings while also contributing to ahealthy lifestyle.With 20 grams of whole grains perserving, these crunchy, robust bakedcrackers are also cholesterol-free,allowing you to take a back-to-basicsapproach to your diet using simpleingredients and no artificial flavors orcolors.(Content and images provided by Family Features.)12 27 18 - 1 2 19Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 25 minutesServings: 6Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup:2 tablespoons olive oil1 onion, chopped1 carrot, chopped3 cloves garlic, chopped1 teaspoon salt, divided½ teaspoon pepper½ teaspoon paprika1 pinch chili flakes4 cups organic no-salt-added vegetable broth1 can (28 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes1 cup chopped prepared roasted red peppers2 bay leaves1/3 cup 35 percent heavy cream2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided1 teaspoon cider vinegarCheddar Cracker Melts:24 Crunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Fire Roasted Tomato Basil Crackers¾ cup shredded cheddar cheeseIn Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onion, carrot, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt,pepper, paprika and chili flakes about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are slightly softened.Stir in broth, tomatoes, roasted red peppers and bay leaves; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.Simmer 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaves. Let cool slightly. Transfer to blender; puree in batches until smooth. Stir in cream, remaining salt, 1 tablespoon chives and vinegar.To make Cheddar Cracker Melts: Heat broiler to high and position rack in center of oven. Arrange crackerson parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.Divide soup among six bowls. Sprinkle with remaining chives and serve with Cheddar Cracker Melts.Tip: Use mild, medium or aged cheddar cheese. Smoked mozzarella can be substituted, if desired.this week CREAMY TOMATO AND ROASTED PEPPER SOUPWITH CHEDDAR CRACKER MELTS5 Fight the cold with better-for-you comfort foods

6this week 12 27 18 - 1 2 19 Camp Happy Kids hosted early Christmas Librarystocksnew bookBY CHUCK WATERSCONTRIBUTOROh, the weather outside wasfrightful. But the glow inside wasdelightful More than 150 youngstersand their parents braved howling winds and driving rain Dec.15 for a magical, one-on-oneencounter with Santa Claus atthe Morehead City train depoton Arendell Street.Each child who attended the“Saturday with Santa” celebration was given a toy and hadthe opportunity to have a portrait taken with Mr. and Mrs.Claus (Brian and Susan King)by Luis Robles of Main StreetPhotography in Swansboro.For every 5 portrait sold, 1 was donated back to CampHappy Kids of Carteret County.In all, the event raised morethan 300. Participants werealso treated to cookies and hotcocoa.“It was a great day,” eventorganizer Cindy Blizzard FieldsCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKResident inChicken Soupfor the SoulMorehead City residentMildred Farrior’s story is includedin the new Chicken Soup for theSoul: The Wonder of Christmas.Ms. Farrior is a retired registered nurse who lives on theCrystal Coast in the same townshe was raised.She enjoys beachcombing,writing poetry, dressmaking andworking as a licensed manicurist,according to a recent release.Shawn Tray Wilson Jr. of Morehead City is shown with Santa andMrs. Claus during Camp Happy Kids of Carteret County’s event,Saturday with Santa, which was Dec. 15 at the Morehead City traindepot. (Main Street Studio photo)said. “We saw over 150 childrenthat day, and gave out almostall of the toys we had collected.The remainder of the toys weredonated to the Toys for Totsdrop-off location at ShortwayBrewing Company in Newport.Despite the weather, we thinkeveryone had a wonderful time.We are planning to do it againnext Christmas.”Ms. Fields added that Dec. 15donations will be added to theCamp Happy Kids fund with thehope of sending 20 children tocamp in summer 2019.“We would like to express ourappreciation to all of the volunteers, sponsors and participantswho joined in to make the eventsuch a success,” she said. “Wecouldn’t do Camp Harry Kids ofCarteret County without them.”On June 2, Ms. Fields, alongwith many community leaders,organized a motorcycle rally,which drew approximately 75bikers from all across CarteretCounty and raised more than 6,000.That amount was enough tosend 17 children to a participating summer camp of theirchoice.For more information aboutCamp Happy Kids events andactivities, visit the Facebook page“Camp Happy Kids of CarteretCounty” or call 252- 342-4392.USCG Auxiliary to conduct Change of Watch ceremonyThe U.S. Coast GuardAuxiliary, which includesFort Macon, Atlantic Beach,Morehead City and Beaufortareas, will conduct its Changeof Watch from one flotillacommander to anotherSaturday, Jan. 12.The ceremony is from 69 p.m. at Table 9 SeafoodRestaurant & Oyster Bar inAtlantic Beach.Flotilla Commander PhillipAmanna will be relinquishing the helm to Vice FlotillaCommander Mark Sonder.Vern Scott will be installedsetiKetc.UnlimitedKites of All TypesWindsocksKlutz BooksAward-Winning GamesWooden ToysJigsaws 8-32,000 Pieces!Card Games& More!Commercial, Wedding and EventBanners and Feather Rentalsas vice flotilla commander.All flotilla staff officers willbe present.The public is welcome toattend the dinner and tomeet their local U.S. CoastGuard Auxiliary memberswho patrol and educatethose who live in the AtlanticBeach, Morehead City andBeaufort communities.For reservations, leave avoicemail or email includingyour name and how manypeople will be attending.Dinner and the ceremonyis set at 23, including taxBE KIND TO YOUR FEATHERED FRIENDS!ServingCarteretCounty forOver 30Yearsand gratuity.The flotilla supports public,recreational and commercialboaters operating around thenorthern end of Bogue Banksand operations at Coast GuardStation Fort Macon.Flotilla officials also instructon local boater knowledge,as well as provide U.S. CoastGuard certified About BoaterSafety classes.The County Public Library inBeaufort has a New Young Adultbook on the shelf.ExtremeLongevityDiscovering Earth’s OldestOrganisma is written by KarenLatchana Kenny.This nonfiction book’s flyerreveals that the GreenlandShark might live for 400 or 500years.Remarkable moments, suchas finding a century-old harpoontip in a bowhead whale, havehelped biologists discover thelife spans of the oldest organisms on Earth.Geneticists are working inthe lab studying the genes andcells of such organisms to learntheir longevity secrets. By applying these discoveries to humanmedicine, scientists might figureout how to extend human life.The Carteret County PublicLibrary summary states the following:“Meet the science expertswho study specimens of extremelongevity in both the plant andanimal kingdoms, such as the80,000-year-old root system ofPando (a colony of male quakingaspens), 11,000-year-old deepsea sponges, and 400-year-oldsharks. Learn about technologies used to determine age andlongevity, including DNA sampling, growth rings, and radiocarbon dating. See how scientists located these long-livedspecies and why and how theyresist disease and aging. Anddelve into how scientists areusing what they know aboutaged plants and animals toresearch how we can promotelongevity in humans.”Those who are interested inany of the listed topics shouldstop by the County Public Libraryin Beaufort to take a look at thisnew book.The Area’s LargestSelection of Feed & SeedWe CarryOutdoor Decor, Feeders,Birdhouses, Bird Baths,Music of the SpheresWind Chimes, Sloggers,Tilley Hats & More!Located in Atlantic Station Shopping Center 252-247-7011 kitesandbirds.com1010 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic BeachHandcrafted Items & Local Artists Estate Sales Services AvailableWE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS& A HAPPY NEW YEAR!Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-5pm

on it,” Mr. O’Keefe said. “Weboth really appreciate this.”The Hereth Garden that theO’Keefes have been maintaining was dedicated in 1999 toPeg Hereth and her husband,Lee. Ms. Hereth was a longtime member of the gardenclub in her own right, servingas ecology and conservationchairman and publicity chairman during her lifetime.After Ms. Mereth’s deathin 1998, her family donated 10,000 to the club. Mr.Mereth died six months afterthe donation was made, andthe club – with permissionfrom town officials – createda memorial garden dedicatedto the Mereths in front oftown hall.Amped Up for You-tilities makesimpact on community witha donation to The Salvation ArmyThe N.C. Seafood Festivaland The Big Rock Blue MarlinTournament are well-known forgiving back to the Crystal Coastcommunity, but this time whenthe two event-producing powerhouses joined forces the result isgoing to hundreds of individualfamilies directly.After the 32nd annual N.C.Seafood Festival was canceled,the N.C. Seafood Festival Boardof Directors felt they needed todo something to help their community after the devastation ofHurricane Florence, which hit thecounty in mid-September.According to a release, organizers knew trying to pull somesemblance of the award-winningN.C. Seafood Festival would betoo much stress for the people,businesses and general well-beingof the entire area.“Even though many of theboard members themselves weresuffering personal displacementand loss off property, they wererelentless in their efforts to makean event to benefit their belovedhome,” organizers said.It costs money to put on anevent, and that is when 2018 N.C.Seafood Festival Chairperson EdStack made a connection with theBig Rock Blue Marlin Tournamentto join forces with the festival tocreate an event that would giveback and support the needs ofpeople in this area.On Nov. 3, the N.C. SeafoodFestival teamed up with the BigRock Blue Marlin Tournament toproduce a new event as their wayof outreach.“We knew that the needs ofthe community would be differentas weeks went by, so we did someresearch,” Mr. Stack said. “That iswhen we found out that peoplewould need money; money tohelp with bills, food and basicnecessities.”After feeling what it is like tobe without power for a weekor more, the board decided todonate the money raised to TheSalvation Army, which has a program in place to vet families inneed to assist with payment ofutility bills, amongst other needs.After the Amped Up for You-tilities event, the funds were configured and allowed for a donationtotaling 50,000 to The SalvationArmy.“Both the N.C. Seafood Festivaland the Big Rock Blue MarlinTournament are proud to presenta check for 50,000 to the localdivision of the Salvation Army toanswer the needs of their belovedcommunity of Carteret County,”the release said.The N.C. Seafood Festival isa nonprofit organization whichpromotes the positive social andeconomic impact of the seafoodindustry. To learn more about theN.C. Seafood Festival and stayupdated on the 2019 event, visitncseafoodfestival.org.Passing the gavel2018 N.C. Seafood Festival Chairperson Ed Stack, right, passes the presidential gavel to incoming2019 Chairperson Mitch Gay recently to continue the tradition of excellence in bringing the 33rdannual N.C. Seafood Festival to the county Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6. (Jody Merritt photo)LIVE MUSIC8,CEMBER 2 11:30 PMED,YAIDFR8:30-FREE TO POONBLUE Ms! like uJAZZ31, 8 PML AY - CJANUARY3, 8 PMIVIA’‘ TEAMTO TPLRAY - GREAT PRIZES!Y,THURSDANOCOVERCEMBERROCKS’& MORE!DNOCESRIZE‘30ASH TOP PDEMONDAY,9,CEMBER 2ED,YADRERSATU NO COV8 - 11 PMk 7 Days a Weeaufortsuhitwxla Reet, Bener Stre120 Tur8-3066(252)72aufortcru.comewww.bFREEr updatesok page foobecvents.farsee oull of our eanosiletaand full dCRUT FAREBAR LABIGC H& ice creamEINWCOFFEE shop storefull12 27 18 - 1 2 19Paul and Lois Jean O’Keefe sit Dec. 19 on the new bench dedicated tothem by the Pine Knoll Shores Garden Club in recognition of their 20years of service. (Mike Shutak photo)The Pine Knoll ShoresGarden Club recognized twoof its long-standing membersDec. 19 with the dedication ofa public bench at town hall.The club gathered in frontof town hall at 100 MunicipalCircle to unveil and dedicatea bench to Lois Jean O’Keefeand her husband, Paul. MayorKen Jones was present for theunveiling and dedication.Club President Susan Kingsaid the bench is being dedicated to the O’Keefes for their20 years of service to theclub and the community. Ms.O’Keefe is a former club president, and she and her husband have been regular care-takers for the Hereth Gardenat town hall.“Every Sunday they’re here,weeding and planting,” Ms.King said.Mayor Jones said he can’tsay enough good things aboutthe O’Keefes.“I can’t count the times I’vecome out and it’s been so hot,and they’re still out working in thegarden,” the mayor said. “Thesetwo have been around for a lot ofthe history of the town.”Ms. O’Keefe said she’s“overwhelmed” by the dedication, while Mr. O’Keefe saidit’s appropriate that his wife’sname is on the bench, sinceshe’s been an active memberof the club for years.“I’m surprised my name isthis week BY MIKE SHUTAKNEWS-TIMES7 Garden Club dedicates bench to 20-year members

8this week 12 27 18 - 1 2 19 SUDOKUHere’s How It Works:Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, brokendown into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Eachnumber can appear only once in each row, column andbox. You can figure out the order in which the numberswill appear by using the numeric clues already providedin the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier itgets to solve the puzzle!Calendar deadline is two weeks prior to the start date of the event. Send an email that includes the eventtime, date, location including address, admission price and contact information tomegan.soult@thenewstimes.com.Event placement on a specific date is not guaranteed, asevents run as space is available.Find the full calendar online atcarolinacoastonline.com by hovering the pointer over TWM andchoosing the “Calendar” option,or on a mobile device, choose“Calendar” from the drop-downmenu. To have an event added,email information to megan.soult@thenewstimes.com.Kids and FamilyPREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWERSLevel: IntermediateCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKENTERTAINMENT CALENDARLunch will be provided for fullday programs, and snacks will beavailable every day. Programs willbe held on the following dates:Full days – Monday-Wednesday,Jan. 21-23. Half days – Tuesday,Dec. 18, Monday, Feb. 18, Friday,March 8 and Friday, April 19.Spring Break is Monday-Friday,April 22-26. The cost for individual days is 70 for full days and 30 for half days. Spring Breakweek is 300. If you wish tosign your child up for all dates,you may do so at a special rateof 800. To register, go to campalbemarle.org and click on the“Register Now” button. For moreinformation about the program,payment options or campership opportunities, contact SamStone at sam@campalbemarle.org or call the office at 252-7264848.HOLIDAY HANGOUT CAMPMonday, Dec. 31 at Fort BenjaminRecreation Center in Newport.Holiday Hangout Camp will beoffered for children ages 6-10.Participants will play games, goon outdoor adventures, makeholiday themed snacks, complete art projects and more. CallWhitney at 252-222-5858 formore information.SEA SCOUT SHIP 1810 SSS SEAWOLF CMAST now has its veryWINTER HOLIDAY CAMP 7:30 own Sea Scout ship for studentsa.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, ages 13-18 interested in boatDec. 31 at the Morehead City ing and all things maritime. SeaParks and Recreation Center, Scouts are a division of Boy1600 Fisher St., Morehead City. Scouts. Sea Scouts is for youngThis holiday camp is for stu- men and women ages 14-20. Seadents ages 6-12. Registration is Scouts will learn boating skills,available in person or online at water safety, maritime heritagemoreheadcitync.org. The cost is and citizenship through limitless 15 per day. Campers need to opportunities and exciting chalbring their lunches daily. Camp lenges. For more information,staff supervises recreational visit sciencehouse.ncsu.edu,activities in the classroom, game cmast.ncsu.edu or facebook.room, gymnasium and play- com/CMASTYouth.ground. For more information,call Victoria Ward at 252-726- STORY TIME AND PRE-K PLAY5083, ext. 1, or email victoria. 9-10 a.m. Mondays for childrenward@moreheadcitync.org.from birth to 5 years, accompanied by an adult. Bring any supGLOW IN THE DARK CAPTURE plies needed, such as

First up is a free champagne tasting at the Boathouse at Front Street Village. This event is from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Then, celebrating festivities a day early is Atlantic Beach with a cozy bonfire. The event, Smoke on the Water Annual Bonfire, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 on the beach near the Circle. There will be a bonfire made