You've got a friend at Mile Marker 0

Mile Marker "0" Marine Supply is located at the High Street basin, Portsmouth, Virginia

By Karen and Jeffrey Siegel
aCappella
Castine, Maine

Our own cruising this week brought us to Portsmouth, Virginia and mile marker 0 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. While there we met the owner of a new marine supply store, Robert McBride. He told us that he wants to help cruisers coming through the area. He specializes in getting parts, holding them for arrival, and providing service above and beyond the call. We wish he hadn't said that to us.

Our generator's raw water pump started dripping while anchored off the Chesapeake a week ago. We knew a rebuild was coming but Westerbeke parts are difficult to get and we hoped it would wait until we got settled in Florida. Right after talking to Robert, the pump started spraying water. It needed attention now.

So we show up at the store at 9 am and give our tale of woe along with the part numbers. Let's see what you can do Mr. McBride. Normally, I'd expect Westerbeke parts to take a few days since the common distributors don't carry them. Two hours later I get a call - a new pump and a rebuild kit will be at the store that afternoon. That afternoon? Robert drove to Norfolk to have the parts available that same day.

Before dinner that night we installed the new pump and it's working perfectly. We'll rebuild the old one in the next month. The prices for everything were exactly what we expected. The service was way, way above our expectation though. Remember this store if you're passing through Portsmouth and need anything. Propane, parts, beer, anything.  Robert is more than a supplier - he's a friend to all of us.

www.activecaptain.com
The Interactive Cruising Guidebook

Mile Marker "0"

One High Street

Portsmouth, VA 23704

757-673-4816

milemarker0@cox.net

40th Annual Seawall Art Show

Top Art Buyers' Event
Portsmouth Art Show Expects Big Crowd

If you want to find that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, then the waterfront at Portsmouth, VA's historic Olde Towne is the place to be August 28th and 29th. High Street and the waterfront will be hosting the 40th Annual Seawall Art Show, with some 90 juried artists. As in previous years, expect to find a little of everything, from wood carving to oil paintings, handwoven clothing to art glass, fine jewelry to pottery, and more.

 According to the review of the 2008 Seawall show in Sunshine Artist (the national trade publication which covers this kind of show), you can expect to see a lot of art-savvy buyers. According to the reviewer, "most come to buy and not just kick tires." Earlene Lampman, one of the volunteer organizers and Artist Liaison for the show, estimates a crowd of about 15,000 visitors to the show this year.

Saturday, August 28, 2010  10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
 Sunday, August 29, 2010   10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission to the show is free, as is the street parking on the weekend. Boaters can also dock in the High Street and North Landing basins or stay overnight at Tidewater Yacht Marina or Ocean Marine Yacht Center
Aside from works for sale by nearly 100 artists, the show also features a student art show, entertainment, and food. Artists vie for many thousands of dollars in awards gathered from exhibitor fees. The show is run by volunteers, and is supported by the Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission.

With more than 30 years experience showcasing juried fine arts and fine crafts on the Portsmouth waterfront, the Seawall Art Show draws large crowds of art buyers to this prestigious event. With the assistance of the Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission, it is an all volunteer run show. Show proceeds always go to support the arts in Portsmouth.

The NEW Unofficial Boater's Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia

This is the “unofficial” Boater’s Guide for our great neighborhood, Olde Towne. “Unofficial” since any descriptions may be colored by our personal opinions as business owners and residents of Olde Towne – this is not an official publication of the City of Portsmouth. We have worked hard to provide information specifically useful to boaters and to do so as accurately as possible.

State law (no pump-out facility or electricity) prohibits Portsmouth from making its landings (High Street Landing and North Landing) officially available to overnight stays. But the landings are perfect for tying up and enjoying the many great shops, restaurants and attractions in town. We also have 2 great marinas on each side of downtown: Tidewater Yacht Marina and Ocean Marine Yacht Center, both of which have transient slips (see “Marinas” for more info).

We love boaters and we’re glad you’re here or coming here! Olde Towne Portsmouth is an historic seaport conveniently located at Mile Marker Zero of the Intracoastal Waterway and we have the deepest natural harbor anywhere.

You can pick up a copy of the "Unofficial Boaters Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth" at Skipjack Nautical Wares next to the High Street basin or at the Starboard Coffee Kiosk (also located at the High Street basin)

You can also download the guide as a pdf. file by clicking on the link here.

If there is a piece of info we have overlooked, let us know! We
intend the “unofficial Boater’s Guide” to be updated regularly.
Write us at askus@skipjacknauticalwares.com.
Welcome!
– the gang at Skipjack Nautical Wares
(One High Street next to High Street Landing, facing the river!)
http://www.skipjacknauticalwares.com