Feb. 15--Q. What are the dates that the beaches on the Outer Banks open and close for vehicular traffic, including beach buggies? -- S.H.

A. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach in certain areas of Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands from Sept. 16 to May 14. ATVs must be street legal to be allowed on the beach.

There are new restrictions on night driving. Vehicles are not allowed to park on the beach from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. from May 1 to Sept. 15. This is to protect such wildlife as nesting sea turtles.

Some beach areas are closed to off-road vehicles during busy summer months.

The National Park Service, which enforces the driving rules, has information on its Web site about off-road vehicles on the beaches of the Outer Banks. Go to www.nps.gov/caha.

Q. Was George Washington, whose birthday we celebrate on Monday, the highest ranking member of the military, in terms of stars? -- V.T.

A. George Washington achieved the highest military rank, general of the armies.

This rank is above a five-star army general, and therefore is a six-star rank. But Washington never wore six stars during his lifetime, according to the Naval Historical Center.

As the nation's first lieutenant general, Washington wore three stars.

In 1976, Congress authorized the president to name Washington as the general of the armies of the United States and specified that Washington would rank higher than any other officer, past or present. His title is "general of the armies of the United States."

There is someone else who also had a similar high rank, although it was attained differently. In 1919, John Pershing was promoted by the president to the rank of general of the armies of the United States, a title he held until he retired in 1924. He chose his own insignia, which was four stars. During World War II, Congress created the rank of general of the army, which carried a five-star insignia. This would rank Pershing above any other five-star general, but after Washington.

More information about generals and rank is on the Web site of the Naval Historical Center, www.history.navy.mil.

Q. My friend has a problem. For the last three months, her kilowatt usage has doubled, but nothing has changed in her appliances, except for a recent purchase of a tankless water heater. Duke Energy states that the meter is fine and that she needs to find the problem. She and her neighbor had similar bills until the last few months. Any help would be greatly appreciated. -- B.C.

A. "Except for a recent purchase of a tankless water heater" is enough for SAM to guess that the tankless water heater could be the reason.