The Keels of Victory: the City and the Shipyard, 1921-1945

Launching of the U.S. Ship Shagri-La

Laying Down Keels of Victory in the Newest Exhibit at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Opening on June 4, 2010, is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, The Keels of Victory: the City and the Shipyard, 1921-1945. The exhibit will discuss the history of Portsmouth and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the 1920’s and the Great Depression. The exhibit will also examine the role of the city and the shipyard during World War II. Topics highlighted in the exhibit will   include  warship construction, Portsmouth’s wartime homefront, and the shipyard’s “Rosie the Riveters.” Keels of Victory opens with a reception from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on June 4th inside the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Enjoy refreshments, living history, and World War II era music while touring our newest exhibit

The opening weekend activities continue at the museum on Saturday, June 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Discover the rigors of shipbuilding through hands-on activities, talk with costumed World War II soldiers & sailors, and learn about the role of lightships during the war as you walk the decks of the Lightship Portsmouth. As a part of our First Saturday programs, admission will be FREE to both the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth!

To find out more about this special program please contact Corey Thornton at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum at (757) 393-8591. http://www.portsnavalmuseums.com/

Have Boaters Forgotten About Hurricanes?

Hurricane Season Begins June 1; BoatUS Urges Preparations Start Now

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25, 2010 - Last year's Atlantic hurricane season saw the formation of just nine tropical storms -- the fewest since 1997. And with news headlines focused on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, marina operators in the Gulf and Atlantic seaboard are questioning whether boaters are distracted or have simply forgotten about making annual storm preparations for the upcoming hurricane season, which begins June 1. Adding to the operators' worries are forecasts warning that 2010 could be a much more active hurricane season with as many as 18 named storms.

On Florida's east coast, Sebastian River Marina & Boatyard owner Doug Hillman is concerned. "Unfortunately, some of us have short memories," said Hillman, who recalls the last significant storm that struck his region five years ago. "There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency this season."

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising recreational boaters in hurricane states to start making plans now to protect their boat from damage. "If you wait until a storm watch is posted, it may be too late," said BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance.

To make storm preparation easier, BoatUS has free resources online for boaters, boat clubs, marinas and private dock owners that can help them survive hurricane season:

BoatUS Hurricane Resource Center at http://www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes : The website offers easily downloadable storm planning materials including a hurricane preparation worksheet, an in-depth Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes, and checklists for what to do before and after a hurricane strikes. Sample hurricane plans for boat and yacht clubs as well as up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools with live satellite images are also offered.

BoatUS Captains Locator at http://www.BoatUS.com/procaptains : While the safest location for a boat during a storm is on land, boaters may also want to ask their insurer now if their policy covers any of the costs of a storm-related haul-out. With help from the Locator, boat owners can seek the services of a professional delivery captain to move a vessel to a safe "hurricane hole" or to a haul out facility. If moving the boat is not possible, BoatUS suggests owners contact their marina now to enroll in hurricane "clubs".

Help for Boat Clubs, Yards and Marinas: Written for marina and yacht club managers, the free 24-page What Works, A Guide to Preparing Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boats for Hurricanes shares success stories as well as failures of dozens of facilities that have experienced a hurricane over last two decades. The guide covers floating docks with tall pilings, strapping down boats ashore, developing hurricane clubs for customers, dealing with boats at fixed docks, moving boats to hurricane holes, and how to install better moorings. Also included is a sample Marina Hurricane Preparation Plan that can be customized for any boating facility, as well as a Hurricane Preparation Worksheet that can be copied and given to individual boat owners. To download a copy of the guide, go to www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes . To get a paper copy, call 703-823-9550 ext. 3525.

Portsmouth to Salute Armed Forces with 126th Memorial Day Parade

The nation’s oldest annually held parade turns 126 this year! The City of Portsmouth presents the 126th Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31st at 11 a.m. parade starts at 11:00 a.m. (Rain or Shine) in downtown Portsmouth. The first parade started in 1884.

Annually, the Memorial Day Parade salutes the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and celebrates Portsmouth’s proud military heritage. This year’s parade will include floats, marching band units, armed forces units, lots of excitement, and much more.

Grand Marshall Rear Admiral Wayne E. Justice, Commander of the Fifth District of the United States Coast Guard, will be the Grand Marshal for this historic parade, the first since Portsmouth was named an official “Coast Guard City” in December 2009.

The Parade Route The 1800 block of High Street at I.C. Norcom High School will be the starting point for the parade which will travel east on High Street; turn right on Crawford Street; and end at Columbia Street.

For more information, call the Portsmouth City Clerk’s Office at 757.393.8639.

Hog Island Light at High Street Landing, Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

The old Hog Island Lighthouse Fresnel lens was originally
from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and is now on display at the
 High Street Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

There is always a plethora of photo opportunities around and about Mile Marker Zero, whether it be the constantly changing river traffic of all different designs, the quaint shops and museums, the one-of-a-kind historical sites, all with some of the best weather in the U.S. as a backdrop. *Here is just one of the unique sites found on the bank of the Elizabeth. You can't miss this one. It sits at the doorstep of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery. Link to photo  Comment and picture from Clyde Nordan.


*Image emailed to Chance's human.

Welcome to Mile Marker "O" Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway: Please share your experience with us!

Welcome to Mile Marker "O" Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway: Please share your experience with us!

Cruising the ICW Near Mile Marker "0" Please share your experience with us!

Boaters visiting Olde Towne Portsmouth at the High Street Landing

Have you recently visited Portsmouth, Virginia or plan to visit us as you cruise along the Atlanitic ICW? Please share your experience with us as well as other boaters traveling the ICW! Your opinion matters, so let us know what we can do to improve your stay.

 Please E-mail your comments to cjosephelder@gmail.com (pictures are great so please include them) or leave your comments below so we can post them on this blog site: Welcome to Mile Marker "0" AICW.

 You can also stop by and visit us at Skipjack Nautical Wares located at the High Street Landing, tell us in person and pick up our NEW Unofficial Boaters Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia!. We look forward to hearing from you and have a safe and memorable trip as you pass through the Virginia waters of AICW and beyond! Click here to go to our most recent Mile Marker "0" blog posts.

The New Colony Theater Presents: the Alborado Trio

Friday, May 14, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

The Alborado Trio performs at the New Colony
Theater , Friday, May 14th at 7:30 PM.

Enjoy cafe music done with style and elegance. Experience this wonderful chamber music ensemble and delight in the music of Viennese cafe society - perfect for the intimate confines of the New Colony Theater! The group includes Lee Jordan Anders - piano, Jeff Phelps - 'cello & Jorge Aguirre - violin.

Tickets prices are $12 adult , $10 senior, student & military. Only full-price tickets can be purchased on-line. Click here, to purchase tickets online. Discount tickets (with ID) can be purchased at the door. Tickets are sold on a general admission basis and are non-refundable. Tickets can be picked up at the New Colony Theater Box Office.

The New Colony Theater as a total of 267 seats. All seats have great visibility. There are no bad seats in this intimate hall

Tickets are on sale now by telephone at 757.625.1212 and/or in person at the New Colony Theater. Tickets are also available at Starboards Coffee Kiosk at High Street Landing.

The New Colony Theatre is located at 430 High Street in Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth-just a few short blocks from the High Street Landing and the North Landing where you can dock your boats for free. You may also wanr to vist our numerous restaurants and pubs, specialty stores, boutiques and galleries as well as The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and city museums including the Courthouse Galleries and the Portsmouth Shipyard Museum.


Olde Towne Portsmouth-the Jewel of the Elizabeth!

Mile Marker "0" AICW Event: 40th Annual Gosport Arts Festival May 8th and 9th in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

40th Annual Gosport Arts Festival in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

by David Cartier
Author "A New Day in Olde Towne"

If it's Mother's Day Weekend, it must be time for Gosport Arts Festival. This year, it's the 40th year for the event - the 10th festival held in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Plan to attend the event on May 8 and 9, 2010. The hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Weekend activities will be held along the High Street corridor from the Elizabeth River to Dinwiddie Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia's quaint historic seaport. Proceeds from the event will benefit Edmarc Hospice for Children.

Traditionally, more than 135 artists have represented a wide variety of mediums, styles, tastes and cultures. Past shows have included artists presenting oil, watercolor, pastels, charcoal, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, photography, pottery, sculpture, fiber, stained glass, jewelry, metal, wood, clay, clothing, furniture, musical instruments, paper and much more. 

Many Olde Towne galleries, antique and specialty shops, fine dining establishments, and cafés will feature special offerings.

An Artist in Action stage and entertainment stages will feature events by artists and performers. The Edmarc Kid's Park will be set up in front of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, for face painting and creating Mother's Day gifts. Artisan demonstrations and make-'n-take activities for children will take place in the courtyard of the Courthouse Gallery at High and Court Streets.

"The arts festival has something for everyone from the kids to grandma," said Millie Johnson, Director of the Gosport Arts Festival. "We've put a lot of effort into making navigation of the Gosport Arts Festival and Open House easy for our visitors." adds Millie. In its 40 years, the juried Gosport Art Show has donated over $400,000 to Hampton Roads communities.

Visit the Gosport Arts Festival website at http://www.gosportartsfestival.com/

Boaters: Both Tidewater Yacht Marina and Ocean Marine yacht Center are both just a short walking distance to this event.  You can also dock your boat at both North and High Street Landings on a first come basis.
Ride Portsmouth's Downtown "LOOP" for FREE to get around our downtown area. The LOOP will also take you to Food Lion for groceries and other necessaries. There are LOOP stops at both North and High Street  landings.
Questions? e-mail me at cjosephelder@gmail.com or give us a call at Skipjack Nautical Wares at (757) 399-5012