FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth

Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens it's doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.

 

July 2nd, 2010

First Friday in Olde Towne 5 - 8 p.m.
12 Historic Squares of High Street

First Friday is a stage for local merchants & restaurants in Portsmouth's Historic Olde Towne and one of the city's most popular evening escapes. Held the first Friday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's thriving arts & antiques community opens it's doors along the 12 historic squares of High Street located between Effingham Street and the riverfront where crowds of casual browsers as well as serious buyers come to each festive event to visit our fine art galleries, quality antique shops and unique specialty stores, some host receptions and art exhibition openings.
First Friday is held each month, rain or shine, year round. There is no admission fee for First Friday - participating galleries are open to the public.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-405-3500

FREE: Three Exhibits, Entertainment, and Light Refreshments at the Courthouse Galleries 5:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy this free event with admission to three exhibits on view at Courthouse Galleries: 2010 Outdoor Sculpture, Trains & Transportation, and Fairytale Art: Illustrations from Children’s Storybooks • Wine and refreshments will be served • Live Dixieland Jazz Music by Swing-Time Jazz Ensemble lead by Larry Weintraub • Art Activities • Next door, the Museum Shop offers unique gift items for sale including locally made arts, crafts, and more • This event is in conjunction with the Olde Towne Business Association’s (OTBA) First Friday Series Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer's Market 5-8 p.m. Located on the corner of High and Court Street in front of the Courthouse Galleries Museum. Items for sale include fresh seasonal produce, flowers, plants, canned goods, jams, breads, honey and more. Check out the Portsmouth Farmer's Market Blog for the latest news.

July 3rd, 2010

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market Conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Always Free Admission & Free Parking!
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-405-3500

Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer's Market 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Located on the corner of High and Court Street in front of the Courthouse Galleries Museum. Items for sale include fresh seasonal produce, flowers, plants, canned goods, jams, breads, honey and more. Check out the Portsmouth Farmer's Market Blog for the latest news.

Third Annual Patriot’s Day!  

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, corner of High and Water Streets
Lightship Portsmouth Museum, London Slip (foot of London Street)
July 3, 2010, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Fee: Free Admission
Registration: No registration required

As a part of our First Weekend Series, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth will be celebrating their third annual Patriot’s Day on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010. From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, step back in time! Enjoy craft demonstrations, musical performances, games, military drill, food and fun! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum in collaboration with the Portsmouth Museums. As with all our First Saturday programs, admission will be FREE to both the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth!   Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, corner of High and Water Streets | 757-393-8591 www.portsnavalmuseums.com

 

July 4th, 2010

First Sunday Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch Participating Restaurants: A Taste of Culture, Brutti's, The Coffee Shoppe, The Deck, Flagship, Foggy Point Bar & Grill, Gosport Tavern, Logan Raye's Key West Grille, Longboards, Olde Towne Bakery & Cafe, Paddy O'Brian's, Starbucks, Starboards, Stove.

Click here to go to Cruising the ICW  to Mile Marker "O" home page.

Boating and the July 4th Holiday: Does Alcohol Mix with Water?

The Busiest Boating Day of the Year and Alcohol's Influence

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 29, 2010 - The July 4th holiday is expected to bring record numbers of boaters, sailors and anglers to the water. Along with hot dogs and apple pie, alcohol will be on hand for many on this national day of celebration. Boat Owners Association of The United States(BoatU.S.) has three tips that can help ensure it's also a safe holiday for everyone aboard.

· Designated drivers are good - but don't forget your guests. "To use a designated skipper would seem like welcome advice," says BoatU.S. Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. "However, having a designated skipper aboard may suggest to everyone else that they are free to drink as much as they want, and that's the trouble."

The BoatU.S. insurance claims files don't lie -- statistics show that sober boating guests are much more likely to be injured on a boat than the captain and regular crew. Adding alcohol to the mix only increases the risk for injury.

Adriance says guests' lack of basic boating skills are the main reason. "Someone who boats infrequently may not be familiar with wakes, docking, or boarding, which increases their chances of falling overboard," he said. "Boat operators need to really ask themselves, how much attention can I devote to watching inebriated guests while trying to safely make my way home?"

· For the boat's operator, even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of an accident. The July 4th celebrations mean many boaters will be running at night. The challenge is that small amounts of alcohol lower a boater's ability to discern moving objects, faint lights, and unlit objects on the water, and it also takes very little alcohol to affect a person's night vision. Glare from a masthead light or the moon can significantly impair night vision when blood alcohol levels are as low as .01%, or about half a beer.

Alcohol also affects peripheral vision. Even small amounts affect a person's ability to judge the speed and distance of an approaching boat -- all conditions expected on recreational boating's busiest traffic time of the year.

· Sun, wind and waves take their toll. On the holiday weekend many boaters, sailors or anglers will stay out all day. However, a few hours in the sun combined with the wind, motion, noise and vibration typically found aboard a boat can produce "boater's hypnosis," which reduces an operator's performance as much as alcohol would. U.S. Coast Guard tests found that an operator who has two beers and four hours of exposure to the elements can be expected to demonstrate the equivalent performance of a rested operator who has had six beers.

The best advice? "Know when it's time to call it a day and save the alcohol for when you are safely back home," said BoatU.S. Foundation Director of Boating Safety Chris Edmonston.

For more information on alcohol and boating, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation/guide/trip_12.html. To see how some boaters faired in a test of operating a boat under the influence, visit www.BoatUS.com/foundation/Findings/new_alcohol_boating.html .

GIANT WAVE VS. BOAT

Care to comment? Write to cjosephelder@gmail.com. Have a fun and safe 4th of July Weekend!

Comment from Kim Carver- Over a year ago I commented on this youtube video about how idiotic this man was for taking a two year old out to sea by himself. What was this guy thinking? And look how the rescue workers nearly die during the incident. One of the people in this helicopter chimed in - apparently the guys' sheets had fouled the prop and rudder and he'd completely lost steerage. Maybe he lost control of the sheets while changing diapers?

Comment from Linda Anderson- Ya know Kim.... I wondered about the child too. Perhaps it's good the economy has tanked for a bit. Too many idiots buying boats without any thought process (and many times training) as to the dangers at sea. Risking not only themselves but the lives of the rescuers. Seems to be more of that in the last ten years. I see that here in our own little harbors on the Great Lakes too. No experience, never crewed - buy a boat one day - sail across Lake Michigan the next. WTF?

Don't want to drive to nTelos Pavilion? Bring your boat instead!

Enjoy nTelos Pavilion concerts at Ocean Marine Yacht Center

Rent a boat slip from Ocean Marine Yacht Center and dock right next door! Ocean Marine is conveniently located on the Elizabeth River in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA, directly adjacent to the nTelos Wireless Pavilion.

For information on boat slip rentals, contact Ocean Marine Yacht Center at 757-321-7432 or online at www.oceanmarinellc.com.

Visit nTelos Pavilion's website for upcoming events at http://www.pavilionconcerts.com

23rd Annual Cock Island Race- June 18 & 19, 2010

Starting line at Portsmouth's Annual Cock Island race

23rd Annual Cock Island Race
2010 DATES:
June 18th : 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
June 19th : 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.

WHERE:
North Landing
Portsmouth, Va
Neighborhood: Olde Towne Portsmouth

Called the "Best Sailing Event on the East Coast" by landlubbers and sailors alike, this waterfront sailing classic features Friday and Saturday night live entertainment. Saturday is Race Day on the Elizabeth River.

COCK ISLAND RACE EVENTS SCHEDULE:
Friday night: Cool'In Out on stage: Seafood Festival at North Landing Park
Saturday: 9:00 am Race starts
7:30 pm Awards presentation
8:00 pm Island Boy on stage: Seafood Festival at North Landing Park

For more information, visit the City of Portsmouth's events website at  http://www.portsvaevents.com/
or call 757-393-8481.
For race information, go to Portsmouth Boat Club at  http://www.portsmouthboatclub.org/

* Warning to boaters traveling the AICW near mile marker "0" The North and High Street Landings (also referred to as the North and South basin or High Street basin) will be filled with sailboats from Cock Island Race participants throughout the  June 17th-19th weekend. We suggest that you stay at Tidewater Yacht or Ocean Marine. You may also choose to moor your boat at Hospital Point, just a short distance from Tidewater Yacht and the North Landing. This is an exciting weekend here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, so stop by and share in the fun!

Seawall Music Festival

Live Music on the Portsmouth Waterfront 

June 11-12  2010

Come out and enjoy FREE entertainment from local and regional acts. Saturday night music followed by Fireworks at 9:30.
Vendors include: Jay's Barbecue, Shakey's, Dominos Pizza, and Mr. Cream Cones.
Special apperance by the "Mack Mack Game Bus"
Friday:
6:00PM - 8:30PM: GoodLife Band
8:30 PM - 11:00PM: The Original Rhondels

Saturday:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Swingtime
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Jesse Chong
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Joe Tann
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: RaJazz
7:30PM - 9:30 PM: Bak N Da Day

Kalmar Nyckel in Drydock At Ocean Marine Yacht Center, Portsmouth, VA

Kalmar Nyckel under sail . Photo by Laura Ann Haggerty-Spangler

The Kalmar Nyckel arrived at Ocean Marine Yacht Center for drydock  repairs and  bottom painting. Here's a number of pictures of the Kalmar Nyckel in drydock with the crew and yard crew hard at work.

Capt. Lauren takes her into the slip. We just barely fit, but on slack tide, no problem!

The Syncro-lift brings the ship out of the water. This year we weigh 309 long
 tons...Putting on a bit of weight, last year we were 306 long tons.

The ship is ready to be pulled along the rails, but Luke's going to need some help!  Luke Synder

Bill Boston removes the old worm shoe.

Jeff Emmons prepares the fore foot shoe (also known as the worm shoe) for a new shoe.

John Marcone, caulker extraordinaire, works on the starboard side of the ship.

John Marcone applies bottom paint onto the Kalmar Nyckel

The crew who sailed her down and the yard crew come together for a picture.

The pictures were taken by the crew of the Kalmar Nyckel with these photographers listed in no particular order: Sharon Dounce Litcofsky, Nolan McDermott, Richard Huse, Lara Whitmore, John E Marcone . Visit the Kalmar Nyckel's facebook page and preview the total photo albums as the work progresses. Kalmar Nyckel on Facebook . For more information about Ocean Marine Yacht Center, visit their website at: http://www.oceanmarinellc.com/

FirstEvents in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

Held the first friday through sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens it's doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.

 For additional information about this weekend's events, go to A New Day in Olde Towne by David Cartier  and PortsVaEvents

June 4

First Friday in Olde Towne: 5 - 8 p.m.

12 Historic Squares of High Street

First Friday is a stage for local merchants & restaurants in Portsmouth's Historic Olde Towne and one of the city's most popular evening escapes. Held the first Friday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's thriving arts & antiques community opens it's doors along the 12 historic squares of High Street located between Effingham Street and the riverfront where crowds of casual browsers as well as serious buyers come to each festive event to visit our fine art galleries, quality antique shops and unique specialty stores, some host receptions and art exhibition openings.

First Friday is held each month, rain or shine, year round. There is no admission fee for First Friday - participating galleries are open to the public.

June 4

Olde Towne Farmer's Market

5 - 8 p.m., Courthouse Galleries Parking Lot - The Olde Towne Farmer’s Market has items for sale including fresh seasonal produce, flowers, plants, canned goods, baked goods, jams, breads, honey, and more!

Check out the Portsmouth Farmer's Market Blog for the latest news at Portsmouth Farmers Market

June 4

THE KEELS OF VICTORY: The City & the Shipyard, 1921-1945

5 - 8:00 p.m. - The museum's newest permanent exhibit, The Keels of Victory, 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.”

Enjoy refreshments, living history, and World War II era music while touring our newest exhibit. Admission is FREE.

Presented by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

2 High St.
757-393-8591
http://www.portsnavalmuseums.com/

June 4

Hot-Time in Olde Towne

5 - 8:00 p.m. - Offering demonstrations in the courtyard and galleries. Featured are hot wax make-n-take demonstration with printmaker and art educator Martine Strohmeyer and hot glass demonstration with master glass artist Ed Francis of the Visual Arts Center at Tidewater Community College. Adult beverages and light refreshments offered.

Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth

757-393-8543
http://www.courthousegalleries.com/

June 5

First Saturday

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market

Conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Always Free Admission & Free Parking!

Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association

757-405-3500

June 5

Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer's Market

9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Open on the first Saturday of the month through November 7. Located in the first block of Middle Street, between High and Queen Streets, adjacent to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Items for sale will include fresh seasonal produce, flowers, plants, canned goods, jams, breads, honey and more.

To become a vendor (there are no fees or costs to participate) please contact Andrea Graham at 757-537-9482 or 757-397-2616 or via email at agrahamm11@cox.net.

June 5

THE KEELS OF VICTORY: The City & the Shipyard, 1921-1945

10:00 a.m. - 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. Admission is FREE.

Presented by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

2 High St.

757-393-8591

http://www.portsnavalmuseums.com/

June 6

First Sunday Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch

Participating Restaurants: A Taste of Culture, Brutti's, The Coffee Shoppe, The Deck, Flagship, Foggy Point Bar & Grill, Gosport Tavern, Logan Raye's Key West Grille, Longboards, Olde Towne Bakery & Cafe, Paddy O'Brian's, Starbucks, Starboards, Stove