Earl Advancing on US Coastline

Boat Owners Group Says 2008 Hurricane Has Lesson for Boaters

Hanna's Rains - Not Surge - Damaged Hundreds of Boats

 ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 31, 2010 - Four days before 2008's Hurricane Hanna struck the South Carolina coast and ran up the eastern US seaboard, she was downgraded to a tropical storm. But that still didn't stop the damage to hundreds of recreational boats deluged by the storm's intense rains. And with Hurricane Earl now forecast on a parallel course just eastward of Hanna's old track, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is again urging boaters from the Mid-Atlantic to New England to protect their vessels from the forecasted heavy precipitation.

"Normally it's a hurricane's storm surge and high winds that cause the most damage to recreational boats," said BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. "But a hurricane doesn't have to score a direct hit to sink boats. Heavy rains can cause significant damage, especially with boats stored on lifts, or those stored in the water that have their scuppers or drain holes clogged by leaves or other debris."

Adriance says boaters should be prepared to remove boats from lifts and store them in a safe area and ensure drains remain clear and any drain plugs are removed. Or, if your boat is stored in a slip it's a good idea to add extra dock lines and chafe protection. With any boat, windage such as sails or biminis should be removed.

To help boaters make preparations, BoatUS has some free online "tools" available at the BoatUS Hurricane Resource Center at 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. Marina and yacht club managers also have the free 24-page What Works, A Guide to Preparing Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boats for Hurricanes available, which shares success stories as well as failures of dozens of facilities that have experienced a hurricane over the last two decades.

While the safest location for a boat during a storm is on land, boaters may also want to ask their insurer if their policy offers help in paying for the cost of a storm-related haul-out. Boat owners seeking the services of a professional delivery captain to move a vessel to a safe location can go to the online BoatUS Captains Locator at .http://www.boatus.com/procaptains/

For more information, go to http://www.boatus.com/Hurricanes/

Olde Towne First Events

FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth

First Friday in Olde Towne

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.

  September 3rd, 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 OTBA- 757-405-3500

Lady Antebellum in concert

NEED YOU NOW is the title of Lady Antebellum’s second album, lifted from its leadoff track, which explores the desperate longings that make separated lovers yearn to reconnect in the wee small hours of the morning. But that “need you now” mantra isn’t just a refrain that exes leave on each other’s answering machines in the middle of the night. That message could just as easily serve as an SOS sent out to the group from fans and the music industry.
Showtime: 8:00 PM at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion
• Click here for concert details and ticket information

September 4th, 2010

Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market

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!

757-405-3500

Olde Towne Farmers Market

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.

Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale
Olde Towne Portsmouth
10am - 5pm

High Street corridor

Bargain hunters can expect to find treasures from a huge variety of merchandise on sale all along High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth as the merchants take to the sidewalks. The event, held the last five years over Labor Day weekend, has proven so successful that it has become an annual event. Vendors selling jewelry, artwork and other interesting items will be part of the sale. Come enjoy antiques, art galleries and restaurants throughout the day.

September 5th, 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.

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.