I Luv Norfolk

Zombie Time! Survive Norfolk 2011 - Ghent, Norfolk, VA

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Last year on a trip to the grocery store I stumbled into the middle of a group of Zombies. Very strange when you didn't know there would be a couple thousands wandering around your neighborhood - but good strange and fun to watch. My kids and I spend the next few hours sitting on the porch watching and laughing. This year, I'm joining in. You can read all about it on their facebook page and blog.

Ghent to survive in the most epic race for your life. It’s part tag, part footrace, part zombie Get ready to run, duck, hide, outwit, and outmaneuver your opponents as you take to the streets of apocalypse. Do you have what it takes to Survive Norfolk? Again?

Summer Vacations Near Norfolk

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Living in Norfolk gives you access to some amazing vacation locations. This week, for my parents 50th Anniversary celebration we rented a beach house in the neighborhood of Croaton, Va Beach, VA - just 25 minutes from home. Croaton is a neighborhood just past the Va Beach Boardwalk. Far enough away from the crowds, but close enough to ride your bike to all the cool restaurants, rides and oceanfront fun. What a great vacation - and my favorite part? It's so close to home.

From Destination360.com

Croatan Beach is only a five-minute drive from the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and oceanfront, and though it is only a short distance, it can feel like it’s many miles away. The Croatan area is upscale, with numerous high-end, multi-million dollar homes lining the beachfront. The area is largely not touristy, but there are many vacation rentalsavailable. Croatan Beach Virginia Beach is almost a mile long and spans from the Rudee Inlet to camp Pendleton. The soft, sandy beach is very well kept and is serviced by lifeguards dispersed along the shoreline, watching both swimmers and surfers alike.

Trail of the Tiger at the Norfolk, Va Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:43:00 +0000

I love taking my kids to the Zoo here in Norfolk. No matter how many times we visit we see something new and exciting. The latest new exhibit is called the "Trail of the Tiger" and it is SOOOOOO cool. If you live near or visit the Hampton Roads area you MUST visit. Here are a few facts from the The Virginia Zoos website:

"The dynamic exhibit features wildlife from throughout the Asian continent, nearly doubling the number of large animals we have for visitors to see. Among the new residents are carnivores, including Malayan tigers and Asian small-clawed otters; primates, including orangutans, siamangs and white-cheeked gibbons — exceptionally vocal primates; forest dwelling creatures, including Malayan tapirs (they’re related to horses, but don’t look like them) and binturongs (bear cats); and a colorful collection of birds, including extravagantly beaked rhino hornbills, brilliant fairy bluebirds, azure-winged magpies, chestnut-breasted malkohas and many more species that live in niches reaching from the ground to the forest’s upper canopy.
A series of 12 thatch-roofed pagodas — the highest is nine stories tall — set the stage for your journey through Asia along the Trail of the Tiger. Along the way, you'll get “up close and personal” with wildlife from an array of unique viewing environments. The raised boardwalk over the “Asian forest” allows you to observe the scene below. A one-of-a-kind viewing cave offers a dramatic look into the tiger and orangutan exhibits. There’s even a special area where you can watch tigers and otters swimming from an underwater perspective."

Lion Cubs

Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Garden at Zoo

Springtime In Norfolk, Virginia

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:31:00 +0000

Spring in the south is always beautiful. So many beautiful colors. Here are some images from my neighborhood in Ghent, Norfolk, Virginia:

Norfolk VA to Host Operation Sail 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:45:00 +0000

(Photo: Lawrence Jackson/Va Pilot)

Although it's more than a year away I was so excited to learn that Norfolk, VA will be a host port for Operation Sail 2012 - A commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.. If you have never seen the majesty and spectacle of a parade of sails (including many tall ships) of this type you should mark your calender now. Are you close to one of the ports these tall ships will be sailing by?

(From Festevents/Opsail 2012)

Operation Sail, Inc. (OpSail) and the U.S. Navy announce the participation of five historic U. S. ports in the forthcoming 2012 events that will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the birth of The Star-Spangled Banner. The ports include New Orleans, Norfolk/Hampton Roads, Baltimore, and Boston. Events in 2012 will also include New York City's Fleet Week.

OpSail and the U. S. Navy will bring tall ships, naval vessels, and the Blue Angels flight demonstration team to each port city, beginning in New Orleans in May 2012 and ending in Boston Harbor on July 4, 2012.

Norfolk and the Port of Hampton Roads will host the OpSail flotilla from June 6-11, 2012, in conjunction with Norfolk's annual Harborfest celebration.

"As home to the largest Naval Base in the world and site where many of the battles of the War of 1812 were fought, Norfolk and the Port of Hampton Roads are particularly honored to host this event that recognizes the history of our U. S. Navy", said Paul D. Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk. "We understand and appreciate the significance of maritime history and events like OpSail that are tremendous opportunities to educate and enlighten our citizens, especially our youth, about our history and the importance of our military forces." (Read More)

Hampton Roads Bridges and Tunnels

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:26:00 +0000

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - For over 46 years, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has captured worldwide attention as a modern engineering wonder and an important East Coast travel convenience. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Bridge-Tunnel provides a direct link between Southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware plus the Eastern Shore counties in Maryland and Virginia), and cuts 95 miles from the journey between Virginia Beach and points north of Wilmington, Delaware. Following its opening on April 15, 1964, the Bridge-Tunnel was selected "One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World" in a worldwide
competition that included more than one hundred major projects. In addition, in 1965, it was distinguished as "The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement" by the American Society of Civil Engineers. (Read More at CBBT.com)

Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) is the 4.6 mile-long (7.4 km) Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 664. It is a four-lane bridge-tunnel comprised of bridges, trestles, man-made islands, and tunnels under a portion of the Hampton Roads harbor where the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth Rivers come together in South Hampton Roads, in the southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States.

It connects the independent cities of Newport News on the Virginia Peninsula and Suffolk in South Hampton Roads and is part of the Hampton Roads Beltway

On Camera

The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) is the 3.5-mile-long Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64. It is comprised of bridge trestles, man made islands, and tunnels under the main shipping channels for Hampton Roads harbor. The HRBT and I-64 connect the South Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach with the Peninsula cities of Hampton and Newport News. The facility is toll-free and is operated and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The HRBT holds a place as an engineering milestone: the world's first underwater tunnel connected to man-made islands. Hampton Roads is the historic name for the five-mile wide, last ten miles or so of the James River before it empties into Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay is an ocean estuary, the lower end of which is about 15 miles wide, and Hampton Roads is about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. A line from Old Point Comfort to the west end of Willoughby Spit, comes close to demarking the point where Hampton Roads becomes Chesapeake Bay; and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel also crosses close to that line. (Read More at dailypress.com)

Norfolk Virginia at Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:35:00 +0000

At Christmas time in Norfolk, VA you can see the city from miles - heading in from Va Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth - it's beautiful.

God I love Christmas, the lights, the smells, the crowds and traffic - But seriously, there are always certain traditions in every city that will excite the youngest through the oldest - and my favorite traditions? Christmas. If you live in or around Norfolk, Va here is a list of some of my favorite ways to get the holiday spirit flowing. For a full list you can visit the city website here.

1. MacCarthur on Ice - Every year the big mall in Downtown Norfolk pours out a skating rink. Loads of fun for family, friends and guests and what better way to get the holiday spirit flowing? Find more info on that here.

2. Norfolk Botanical Gardens (Garden of Lights) - Norfolk Botanical Gardens are beautiful all year long and my kids always love to visit, but, at Christmastime they are magical. Find all the Info you need at their site here.

Now, not everything worth seeing is actually IN Norfolk, of course -

3. Va Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk light spectacular. You actually get to drive on the boardwalk and see millions of lights - We always choose a really cold night and swing by starbucks so we can bring hot chocolate with us. Find Info here.

4. Colonial Williamsburg is a 30 minute drive from Norfolk and has many wonderful Christmas traditions. I think this is the first year I will take the kids with me for some of the celebrations. Find out about "A Colonial Christmas" here.

Apartment in Norfolk Va or a Beach House in Va Beach?

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:35:00 +0000

My husband and I are selling our Condo in Ghent, Norfolk, Va and looking at houses around the Tidewater area. One thing this area is not lacking in is the number of beach houses for sale and the amount of condos and apartments for rent or sale in Norfolk. There has been a huge amount of new building and updated old apartments that have been turned into places for sale instead of for rent.

The only two places I will consider is the Ghent area in Norfolk or the Oceanfront area in Va Beach. Thank God for the internet. You can find almost any type of place you are looking for, with any type of amenities and even go on virtual tours BEFORE you hire someone you're going to have to pay for your time. I've lived here in Norfolk for most of my life and most of that time has been spent in Ghent - this is just about the oldest area in the area with some of the most beautiful houses - they range from 300,000 to over a million. So I definitely have to shop around. Luckily, we aren't in a huge hurry and can shop and look and be picky.

If you are new to the area it must be really hard to find a place in a good area, with good schools and short commute times. Here are some links that may help:

Norfolk Apartments for Rent
Beach House for Sale

Cape Henry Lighthouse - Va Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:51:00 +0000

Built in 1792, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay and the third oldest still standing in the United States. The sandstone tower, reinforced with a brick lining, stands 90 feet tall. It is the official symbol for the City of Virginia Beach. Alexander Hamilton contracted John McComb Jr. as its designer and mason in 1791. Once the lighthouse was completed in Oct. 1792, George Washington checked the list of candidates who applied to be the keeper. The first keeper was Laban Goffigan of Norfolk, who used fish oil to light the lamps. During the Civil War, Confederate troops purposely damaged the light to make navigation of the Bay more difficult and dangerous for Union troops. In 1870, it was considered unsafe because of large cracks found on six sides of the octagonal tower. Today it is maintained by the Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and is open to the public.

HISTORY:
From early colonial times Chesapeake Bay had boasted a substantial volume of shipping. For decades, however, efforts at gaining the benefits of a lighthouse were unsuccessful. The division of the Bay between Virginia and Maryland made unified action difficult; the comparative regularity of the Virginia coast made the need for a lighthouse seem less pressing; and there was difficulty in reaching agreement among all the many interested, and often conflicting, parties--the Virginia and Maryland Assemblies, the British Government, Lord Baltimore, and British mercantile interests. The lighthouse was not erected until the establishment of the Federal Government. Then it became the first whose authorization and complete construction were undertaken. The oil-burning lamps of the Cape Henry Lighthouse were first lit in October 1792. The light at Cape Henry shone with great dependability for 89 years, until it was replaced by a new lighthouse some 350 feet southeast of the original one in December of 1881. After the new light was put into operation, the old tower remained a daymark and a basis for coast survey triangulation. On April 26, 1896 the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities placed a tablet on it marking the first landing of English colonists on Virginia soil. The old tower thus became a forerunner of the Cape Henry Memorial. The greater significance of Cape Henry Lighthouse derives from its position as the first material proof of the advantages of a Federal Government. A badly needed lighthouse remained unbuilt for decades due to the squabblings of State governments and local interests. With the creation of a strong national authority, construction was begun almost immediately. Cape Henry Lighthouse is a monument to the benefits of centralized power judiciously handled.

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is located within Fort Story military base. To visit the lighthouse, you must pass through the security gates of Fort Story. Please call the Lighthouse before visiting as requirements for identification may change from day to day.

St Pauls Church Norfolk

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:53:00 +0000

One of the most notable Norfolk landmarks, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located in the heart of downtown, right off St. Paul’s Boulevard, which of course took its name from the church. Complete with a cannonball imbedded in an exterior wall, the church has stood for more than 200 years, and received its cannonball decor courtesy of Lord Dunmore’s infamous attack on Norfolk on January 1, 1776.
Saint Paul's Church, built in 1739, occupies a unique place in Norfolk's history, in that it is the only link between modern Norfolk and the city's colonial origins. The church continues to be not only a reminder of our past, but a living church as well.

In the 1620's, settlement began on the land that would eventually become the county of Norfolk, and about 1637 the Elizabeth River Parish was created. The first recorded minister was the Reverend John Wilson. The earliest "Parish Church" was erected between 1638 and 1640 at "Mr. Sewell's Point" (on or near the grounds of the modem [modern] Norfolk Naval Base). However, this location was inconvenient for colonists who lived in the Elizabeth River region, which was rapidly becoming the population center of the parish. The colonists agreed to pay the Reverend Thomas Harrison 100 pounds a year, for preaching at a new "Chapel of Ease," a building that would be easier for people to attend. Like most buildings of the day, both the Parish Church at Sewell's Point and the Elizabeth River Chapel were constructed of wood.

In 1686, glebe land (parish land) of about one hundred acres was granted to the parish by Governor Howard of Virginia to support a minister and the parish. By 1700 [no, 1690], a brick and wood building had replaced the earlier "Chapel of Ease," and it had become the Parish Church. The church was erected in the southeast corner of the church yard (the corner of what is now Saint Paul's Boulevard and City Hall Avenue). In 1701, Samuel Boush, who was one of the church leaders, had a chalice made in London to present "the Parish Church of Norfolke Towne."

Around 1736, Norfolk Borough was established by Royal Charter, and Samuel Boush was chosen as the first mayor. By 1738 the old church had become inadequate for the needs of the thriving Borough, and the vestry decided to erect a more suitable structure. The new church was based on the cruciform design, which had first been used in Virginia in 1715 at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg. In keeping with 18th century Virginia standards, emphasis was placed on balance and restraint, so the church was not highly decorated. The church was completed by 1739, and the date was picked out in bricks over the south transept door. The churchyard wall was built in 1751.

On January 1, 1776, Norfolk was shelled by ships commanded by Lord Dunmore, the last Colonial Governor of Virginia. A cannonball lodged in the southeastern corner of the church. Not long after Dunmore's attack, Norfolk was burned by Virginia patriots. The church walls remained standing, though the rest of the structure was destroyed. Hessian troops used the burnt out church in 1781 as a fort. The church was rebuilt in 1785-1786, and thus remains as the only relic of colonial Norfolk. In 1840, a cannonball believed to be one which had lodged in the wall of the church, was discovered underground, beneath a depression in the wall. The ball was replaced in the hole and remains there today.

During the Civil War, Norfolk was occupied by federal forces and Saint Paul's became a Union Army chapel. Seven months after General Robert E. Lee surrendered, the building was returned to the parish. It required many repairs, and received an elaborate Victorian interior in the style of the day. A vestry room was added at the northeast corner in 1877, the present tower was added in 1901, and a parish house was built in 1909.
In 1912-1913, the church's interior was restored to its Colonial style, and in the 1980's, under the direction of the Rev. Hugh White, further changes were made, with hand-made glass windows and a period reredos (altarpiece) from the 1750's donated by Saint John's Church in Hampton.

Today, Saint Paul's continues its long history as an urban center of worship and ministry, drawing members from all parts of the Hampton Roads community. We invite you to share the rich heritage of our Church, our commitment to the present and our hope for the future. (from WebArchive.org)

Norfolk Virginia Historic Houses - Moses Myers House

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Like most cities Norfolk, VA has it's own historic houses. Each help tell a tale which helps us understand the beginnings of our city - the people who started it and made it what it is today. One of my favorite is the Moses Myers house, probably because my mother worked there for years and I spent a lot of time exploring and learning about the Myers family.

"When Eliza Abraham and Moses Myers were married in 1787 they chartered a boat and moved from New York to Norfolk Myers was the first Jewish settler in Norfolk Within four years, he had established a five-vessel fleet for his import-export business and built a classic Georgian townhouse. The oldest four-square portion of the house was constructed of 18th-century English ballast bricks. In 1796 the Moses Myers House was expanded from 10 to 13 rooms. From the outside you can clearly see the difference between the English and American bricks. Five generations of Myerses lived here and 70 percent of the furniture is original. Moses Myers was a community leader and his home reflects his successful life style. Myers was president of the common council, a major in the Virginia militia, consul from the United States to France, the Netherlands and Denmark, president of the Assembly Ball, superintendent of the Bank of Richmond and collector of customs. From the moment you pull the old English bell to gain entrance, you'll be intrigued by this remarkably well-preserved old city mansion. The Myerses did not carry door keys; servants were always on hand with a massive one pound key to unfasten the English triple box lock. The entrance hall still has the original four-inch native heart pine floor boards and a decorative snowflake pattern plaster ceiling. In the formal parlor you'll see Gilbert Stuart's portraits of Moses Myers painted when he was in his early fifties, and of Mrs. Myers when she was in her early forties. The parlor's Portuguese tole chandelier is a curiosity---the light prongs surrounding the eternal flame bear the supposed likeness of Christopher Columbus. The mantle decoration around the parlor fireplace also reveals the visage of an important historical figure. George Washington gazes out from the rosettes flanking the fireplace on this unique mantle. The dining room is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the South. Here the Myers' family entertained the Marquis de Lafayette, President James Monroe, Daniel Webster, Stephen Decatur, Henry Clay and General Winfield Scott. In the china cabinet you'll see Mrs. Myers’ apricot Spode tea and coffee set. The white, grey and silver decor combines with the black and white patterned canvas matting on the floor to create a surprisingly modern look. The Myerses were all musical and their music room has a pianoforte and harp. The family reputedly had the largest collection of musical books in early American, with George Washington a distant second. The three Myers daughters copied musical scores in quite a number of books. Displayed in the upstairs hallways are the dueling pistol possibly used in the 1820 Barron-Decatur duel. Another room has a seven-lock iron money chest that Myers anchored to the floor with iron bolts. There is also a grand harmonicon. Only five of the 25 glasses have survived, but it is enough to give visitors a look at an instrument for which both Beethoven and Mozart composed. Over the Myers's bed is a carved acorn, symbol of fertility. It obviously was effective; they had 12 children. In Mrs. Myers's bedroom you'll see her oriental sewing worktable. The back bedroom had a six-foot modified sleigh bed. Before ending your tour be sure to visit the outside kitchen and the garden." (Read More Here)

Norfolk Naval Base Admirals Row

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Norfolk Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in the world. I was lucky and I lived and worked on the base for 5 years. There are hidden treasures there that not many are aware of such as Admirals Row. It's so strange to see this picture. The house I lived in was behind Admirals Row. I've been lucky enough to be invited to different parties at a couple of these houses while living on the base. I wish I had done some research back then - I had no idea of the history behind this beautiful area of the Naval Base. Here are some of the pictures during the Jamestown Exhibition (Which was where the Norfolk Navy Base Admirals Row is Now)

The land on which the naval station is located was originally the site of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. During this exposition, high-ranking naval officers agreed that this site was ideal for a naval activity. A bill was passed in 1908 proposing Congress to allow $1 million for the purchase of the property and buildings, but it died when the Assistant Secretary of the Navy was given a choice between this property and a new coal ship. He replied that a new ship was an absolute necessity. However, immediately after the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the Secretary of the Navy was persuaded to buy the property. A bill was passed for the purchase of 474 acres (1.9 km²); it set aside the sum of $1.2 million as payment for the property and an additional $1.6 million for the development of the base, including piers, aviation facilities, storehouses, facilities for fuel and oil storage, a recruit training station, a submarine base and recreation grounds for fleet personnel. Rear Admiral Dillingham was assigned the task of coordinating the area's development.

The Jamestown Exposition Site Buildings, also known as Admirals Row, were constructed in 1906 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown, the first successful English colony in the New World. In 1901, at the instigation of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the Tidewater Commercial League, the General Assembly of Virginia authorized the Governor to proclaim the tercentennial of the landing at Jamestown to be celebrated in 1907. The General Assembly granted a charter to the Jamestown Exhibition Company to hold the exposition. Governor Fitzhugh Lee was elected president of the Company. Due to the efforts of the citizens of Norfolk, the Tidewater area was chosen for the approximately 340-acre exposition site. At the time the site was equal distance from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Hampton, but since that time, it has been incorporated into the city of Norfolk.

The project was not completed by the opening day on April 26, 1907; the planned Historic Art and Education buildings remained incomplete by the Exposition’s end in late November. President Theodore Roosevelt opened the exposition and presided over the naval review. After opening day, attendance dropped sharply, and never again achieved projections.

The Jamestown Exposition buildings are located between Sewallis Point and Willoughby Bay. The U.S. Navy acquired the buildings and surrounding land in 1917 and the entire area is now part of the U.S. Naval Base. As originally laid out, the Exposition grounds included 21 state buildings arranged in two equal rows separated by five blocks of grounds. Both rows faced north over Hampton Roads. Located between the two groups and set back three blocks were the History Building and the Auditorium with its two detached wings. The Auditorium burned in 1941 and was replaced by Building N-26, Headquarters of the Fifth Naval District. The wings were not damaged and were converted into Administrative Buildings N-21 and N-23.

Of the surviving state buildings only the Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia buildings remain on their original sites. The state buildings of the eastern group were moved to the western complex in 1934 when the naval base required land for new construction. All of the buildings have been modified over the years, but most retain their architectural integrity.

Each of the state buildings is distinctive. The Delaware building is an example of a Colonial Homestead with a gable roof and dormers. The Georgia building was modeled after the home of President Theodore Roosevelt’s mother, Georgia native Marta Bulloch. The Maryland Building is a replica of Homewood in Baltimore. The North Dakota Building is a bungalow-style cottage. The Virginia and West Virginia Buildings are Georgian Revival in style, and the Pennsylvania Building is a replica of Independence Hall, Philadelphia.
The nineteen remaining buildings of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition form a rare surviving collection of Edwardian exposition buildings and were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 20, 1975.

(Read More)

The Awakening - A Little More Than A Day Trip From Norfolk, VA

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:46:00 +0000

You could take this trip in a day if you really wanted to. It's about 4 hours one way so if you have someone else helping with the driving and you only want to visit this one place you could absolutely do it in a day. But, there is so much to see in this area of MD/DC/VA you could easily make it a weekend or week trip if you have the time and money. This is one of my FAVORITE places to take a vacation. I lived in DC for years and used to love to go to Hains Point - a little strip of land between the Washington Channel and the Potomac River on the south side of the Tidal Basin. It's secluded, beautiful and features many of Washington's famous cherry trees, has terrific views of the city and is a popular place for biking, running, fishing and picnicking. The main reason I kept going back? An Amazing, Crazy sculpture that thrusts itself from the ground of the park:

I was in for a real surprise a couple years back when I headed out to Hains Point to find the Giant had escaped. I sat at the end of Hains point in my car and googled "The Awakening" only to find out that the sculpture had only been on loan for the last 20 years and had been sold to some glitz, over commercialized site in MD called The National Harbor.

The sculpture, entitled, "The Awakening," will be moved from Hains Point near the National Mall to a location in Maryland near the Potomac River this March, said Amy Blank, the associate curator of The Sculpture Foundation, which owns "The Awakening," by artist J. Seward Johnson Jr.
Some have interpreted the piece as an expression of anger with the pollution of the earth, or a benevolent figure rising to spread his joy. Blank said that Johnson wanted the piece to be ambiguous.
"He wants to encourage everyone who sees it to come up with their own interpretation for what it means; why this giant is there, why he is coming out of the earth, and what his message might be," Blank said.
The statue cannot remain in its present location because Congress has reserved the site for a future presidential monument, Blank said.
The National Harbor, its future home, is a 300-acre business and recreational development project on the Potomac River in Prince George's County, Md.

This is it's new home- makes me sad, out in the hot sun and sand. I wonder if you get the same feeling of awe in this new location. I'll definitely check it out again. It's like seeing an old friend.

Advertise

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:21:00 +0000

Here is a list of the advertising you can get on I Luv Norfolk:

Featured Article/Review - Post an article in my "featured article" spot with a link to your site, article will run in the featured ad spot, then will remain a permanent link in the site.

Featured Article/Review - $125

125 x 125 ad in the top right hand corner - 1 month $15 -

125 x 125 ad in the top right hand corner - 3 month $30 -

1 year 125 x 125 plus featured post - $240

Pay through paypal, sheila.sultani@verizon.net. Forward a copy of your paypal reciept with the following info:

For 125 x 125 ads

url to site:

url to image:

For featured article, send

Subject:

Body:

url to your website

(you may also send a url to an image if you want)

Once I recieve your payment and your info I will send you an email stating what dates your ad will be running.

Thanks!

Sheila Sultani

Questions: Email me at sheila.sultani@verizon.net

Azalea Gardens, Norfolk Botanical Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:10:00 +0000

25 years ago my mom used to take all six of us kids to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens every Good Friday between noon and three for a picnic. While it was a nice retreat for a quiet picnic it wasn't exactly a huge blast of excitement for any of us. It was always so calm, peaceful and above all very quiet. Well, that has certainly changed these days. So much has been added to the gardens my kids look forward to visiting the kids WOW Garden and can't wait for the Butterfly House to open this Saturday.

Located adjacent to Lake Whitehurst, Norfolk Botanical Garden is an oasis of 30 themed gardens encompassing 155 breathtaking acres. In addition to a variety of idyllic outdoor settings, the garden offers more than 17,000 square feet of indoor banquet and meeting space suitable for a variety of events, including ceremonies, receptions, parties, and reunions. It is the ideal site for corporate meetings, parties, and retreats. The possibilities are endless at Norfolk Botanical Garden, call our office or visit our website for more details.

Excitement is in the air for the opening of the Butterfly House on Saturday, July 3rd. The enclosed house provides an unbelievable opportunity to observe butterflies as they circle and land on their favorite nectar flowers providing guaranteed amazement and educational opportunities. It’s the perfect compliment to the 2.5 acre Bristow Butterfly Garden and the giant Butterfly Maze.

Graceful flight and dazzling colors mesmerize the children and the adults. Learn about the habits and life cycles of each type of butterfly, as you spot their eggs on host plants and watch as the caterpillars continually eat and grow. The opportunity to witness their final transformation as the chrysalis opens to reveal a winged beauty is what makes the Butterfly House so thrilling. Hours are from 10AM to 5PM daily through September. Look for special children’s activities in the house each day.
WOW Childrens Garden

This three-acre garden is dedicated to families and children. WOW has several distinct areas, each offering different interactive lessons, but all offering excitement, enrichment and entertainment.
Come prepared to get wet. Shoes are required
WOW Garden Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (April 1 - Oct. 15)

Check Out all The Fun Activities for Kids Here

Now that I'm a mom I have started my own tradition with Azalea Gardens like my mom did so many years ago. At Christmas time I throw all the kiddies in the car. We swing by Starbucks and by some hot chocolate and cruise on out to Azalea Gardens to see the beautiful Christmas displays. Truly Amazing and Beautiful.

But My VERY Favorite part of The Norfolk Botanical Gardens are the Eagles. We have been following the Eagle cam for ages. It's been so much fun watching the Ealges and waiting for eggs to hatch. This past year my kids school would update the kids almost daily on the status of the eggs. You can watch the Eagles by visiting Norfolk Botanical Gardens website.

Day Trips From Norfolk, Virginia - Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:20:00 +0000

Norfolk Zoo - I've lost count of the number of visits I have made to the Norfolk Zoo. My kids have been there with their schools and have attended summer camp offered by the zoo. It is an amazingly beautiful location with a large selection of animals for everyone to enjoy. The kids have been bugging me to go since they got out of school last week so yesterday we headed out - early, cuz, man was it freakin hot. Luckily, the zoo has water fountains that shoot up out of the ground and of course the kids head straight for it to cool off. They have a huge globe/fountain that the kids can run their hands over, it's really beautiful.

Norfolk zoo is also know for it's beautiful landscaping. It is also home to the Virginia Barn where those interested in horticulture can see an extensive collection of both heirloom and modern plants. The zoo gardeners also keep the exhibits looking as authentic as possible by keeping the flowers and plants healthy in and around each of the animal exhibits.

(From Hamptonroads.com) - About 350 animals call the 53-acre zoo home. The Africa exhibit is the zoo’s showcase, and it features elephants, giraffes, white rhinos, zebras, ostriches, red river hogs, meerkats and gazelle. There’s even a male lion named Mramba that shows off by parading around with a huge tire around his neck. The elephants play around with a couple of big barrels and that loud crunching sound may be them munching on tasty stocks of bamboo.
You won’t want to miss the Siberian tigers. Sisters Shere Kahn and Shaka Khan weigh approximately 300 pounds each. Over at the Waterfowl Pond, you’ll find resident swans and turtles. Many of the Canada geese and ducks just drop in from the nearby Lafayette River. The Nocturnal Habitats building is where snakes, reptiles and monkeys hang out. You’ll also find a sloth, an ocelot and prickly porcupines. To be expected, the Barnyard exhibit features chickens, goats, cows and a pig named Francis. Other animals include baboons, antelope, llamas, emu and the bison, who have an area to roam. A must-see is the prairie dog town, home to about a dozen of the cute little guys. Visitors may climb under the exhibit and view them up close through a pop-up dome.

Virginia Zoo
3500 Granby St.
Norfolk VA 23504
757-441-2374
http://www.virginiazoo.org

Quick Facts

Hours: 10 to 5 p.m. daily
Price: Adults $7, Children (2-11) $5, Seniors (62+) $6, Zoo members are free
Amenities: Rentals Available: 1 seated stroller $5, with canopy $6; 2 seated strollers with canopy $7; Wheelchairs $6; Wagons $8; Towels $2 with a $3 refundable deposit
Other Amenities: School group discounts available. All Norfolk public schools admitted free of charge.
Credit Card Info: Visa, MasterCard, cash; ATM available at the zoo entrance in the gift sh

Day Trips From Norfolk, Virginia - Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:23:00 +0000

Another favorite day trip for the family is Va Beach. Only 20 minutes away, we're talking beautiful beaches, boardwalks, festivals, great food and if you're having too much fun to go home, make it an overnighter at one of the many oceanfront hotels. I have stayed at so many different hotels over the years. The first time I came to Va Beach I was living in Washington, DC and came here for my high school spring break. My goal since then is to get back there as often as possible. Now, once you've taken the kids to the beach for the day and they are well-sated and extremely worn out, you can head back out to party at some of the great night spots like The Jewish Mother or Abbey Road. Some of the better hotels would be The Cavalier and if you want to stay at a real haunted hotel you've got to check out one of Va Beaches most historic sites The Old Cavalier.

Before scheduling a day at Va Beach I always check out a couple sites to find out what's going on, VirginiaBeach.com . There's always lot going on.

Day Trips From Norfolk, Virginia - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:06:00 +0000

If you have kids and you are visiting Norfolk, VA you absolutely MUST take them to Busch Gardens. My dad used to take me and my sisters once a year, about a week before schools got out for summer. The lines were small and we could go on our favorite rides over and over again. These are some of my fondest memories. Now I take my kids there and we go on some of the same rides I loved as a kid like the log flume and the Loch Ness Monster. Of course I have to mention our lunch at Oktoberfest - some serious singing, dancing and drinking of beer. We go for just the day because we live so close. If I had to travel to Williamsburg I'd probably take a couple days so I could also visit Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.

Busch Gardens located in Williamsburg, VA at Exit 243A on I-64. Major nearby cities include Norfolk, (30 miles) Virginia Beach (55 miles), Richmond (55 miles) and Washington, DC (150 miles).

You can plan a trip, find a place to stay, buy tickets and find any other information you need at Busch Gardens.

Day Trips From Norfolk, Virginia - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:55:00 +0000

Norfolk, VA is a great area to live if you receive a lot of visitors. There is always something to do no matter what time of year it is.

Williamsburg - about 45 minutes from Norfolk, Williamsburg is a stimulating way to spend a day. There is so much to see here you can go back many times and it never loses it's charm. There is so much history in Williamsburg it's one of the most historical locations in the US. Tickets are a little pricey for a day trip but well worth the investment. You can buy a day pass for between $36-$46 or if you are going to go more than once a year buy an annual ticket for $58.

Experience life as it was in our nation's yesterdays. Explore the homes and buildings where men like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry inspired the fight for independence. Scores of original buildings, hundreds of homes, shops, and public buildings are reconstructed over 301 acres - most on their original foundations. Rare animal breeds, trades, and gardens add layers of authenticity to the recreated town.

A couple of great sites to visit if you'd like to plan your trip: History.org, visitwilliamsburg.com and colonialwilliamsburg.com.

Norfolks Harborfest and Parade of Sails

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:38:00 +0000

Every year thousands of people converge on Downtown Norfolk at Town Point Park for a long week of extreme partying - awesome music, great food, fireworks and tons of fun. Some residents refer to this event, somewhat fondly as "Harbor-mess" because the heat, traffic and crowds will make it very difficult to do anything else in downtown Norfolk that weekend. Streets are shut down, so make sure you check out http://norfolk.gov for more information.

This year’s Harborfest begins at noon on Friday June 10^th. To facilitate the early start time, Waterside Drive will be closed between Main Street and Martin’s Lane at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9^th. Additional street closures will take effect starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The two outside (curb) lanes on Waterside Drive, between St. Paul's Boulevard and Atlantic Street, will stay open for the westbound direction throughout the event. Both lanes will be directed to turn right at Atlantic Street, one lane for entry into the garage, the other to continue on to Main Street.

This huge nautical event begins with a spectacular Parade of Sail ...cruising down the Elizabeth River to downtown Norfolk at Noon on Friday. I like to take the kids down by Old Dominion Univeristy at the end of 48th Street by the Sailing Center to have an awesome view of the parade of sails.

Norfolk Scope

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:44:00 +0000

The Norfolk Scope is one of the coolest buildings you will find anywhere. It's spherical shape takes up almost a full city block and is a venue for a wide range of events - the Ringling Brothers Circus, Music, The International Tattoo and tons more cool events.

Norfolk Mermaids

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:39:00 +0000

Founded in 1682, Norfolk grew up on the water, and its miles of lake, river and bay front are central to many of its neighborhoods and more than 241,000 people who call these communities home. The city's popular logo -- an elegant young mermaid, which can be spotted in outdoor sites from Downtown to Ocean View -- symbolizes 300 years of maritime and naval heritage and its modern reputation as a city on the move.
You can read all about the mermaids at Mermaids on Parade

The Norva

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:34:00 +0000

The Norva is a fabulous music venue in downtown Norfolk.

A music-lover’s fantasyland. There is a state-of-the-art sound system it's bigger, better and clearer than anywhere else. There is a 36X24X4.5 ft. stage with 30’ of clearance for hanging sound and lights systems. You will have a great view of the stage from anywhere in the venue and to be sure you don’t miss a single thing there are several video screens and monitors located throughout NorVa that show the concert. And it looks cool. With wooden floors, brick walls, two full bars and two minibars, the room’s clean design and sharp style make any patron (and band) look good.You can visit their website here.

Nauticus, Downtown Norfolk

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:18:00 +0000

Nauticus is a favorite site for tourists and residents alike. I've been five times with my kids they absolutely LOVE it.

Nauticus is an exciting interactive science and technology center that explores the naval, economic, and nautical power of the sea. Home of the Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus features Battleship Wisconsin-related exhibits, hands-on exhibits, national-caliber traveling exhibits, HD films on a giant screen, sharks, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and more!

You can visit their website here.

Downtown Norfolk

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:52:00 +0000

I luv living in Norfolk Va. I've lived here on and off for 15 years. My dad is Navy so it seemed like we just kept coming back here. I finally settled here and now have my own family. I live in Ghent which is right outside of downtown Norfolk.