April 10th, 2012 by Sherry Friel
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” ~Buddha
I’m lucky to be surrounded by people with a great deal of wisdom–sage souls who consistently and naturally blend experience, knowledge and good judgment. They’re also a fabulously creative group, with a uniquely balanced approach to “Living the Life” in beautiful Virginia Beach. I’d like to think I am wise too, or at least on my way. I know I certainly try to heed the wisdom of close family members and friends because collectively, they have it in abundance.
Lately I’ve been contemplating wisdom I’ve attained through my son because I have so much respect for the complex and thoughtful way he considers his world and the people in it. At 8 years old, Nathaniel is startlingly honest, direct and verbal–more so than I was at his age. He expresses unique opinions on a variety of subjects, from the fact that he does NOT like when I paint my toenails pink (it just doesn’t look right), or that the music I listen to makes him feel sad sometimes. Of course he is absolutely correct on both counts. The toxic fumes of freshly painted nails are not natural or healthy and some of the music I listen to is sort of moody and slow in tempo.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Living the Life in Virginia Beach
Posted in Living the Life
April 9th, 2012 by King Neptune
As the last bit of morning frost makes its exodus off my bronzed brow, my king-sized heart begins to flutter with excitement as summer planning season has finally risen to greet me like a Virginia Beach sunrise. Yes my friends, it’s that beloved time of year again when the sun of spring foreshadows the amazing beach season that lies ahead. But now is not the time to rest on your beach towels and relish in the moment. No, we must be diligent in our summer planning to ensure we get the most beach life for our buck. So to help you get started, I’ve put together a Neptune plan of action to tackling summer.
First things first, you need to have a smile on your face while reading this plan. After all, summer is the world’s greatest creation since the King Neptune statue at Thirty-first Street.
Like any great endeavor, you need to have a home base. Virginia Beach has a king’s bounty of places to stay, from amazing ocean side hotels to welcoming vacation rental homes. It’s best to find out what works best for your brood, and your budget, and plan accordingly.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: First Landing State Park, King Neptune, Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach boardwalk
Posted in Living the Life
April 1st, 2012 by Mike Halperin
- Captain Jonathan Carter nabbed this monster 17 lb., 8 oz. citation Tautog in mid-March on an offshore wreck
Virginia’s spring saltwater fishery is just getting started with many sought after species making their arrival. With fishing season coming right behind a very mild winter,
Virginia Beach anglers are hopeful that all of their favorite species will soon return. It is expected that because of warmer water temperatures and an abundance of bait this past winter, many species may even arrive ahead of schedule. Since inshore and bay waters have warmed, several target species are already here.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Flounder, golden tilefish, gray trout, grouper, speckled trout, yellow bellied rosefish
Posted in Fishing, Living the Life
March 30th, 2012 by Teresa Diaz
Spring is in full bloom and summer is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to look into your next Virginia Beach vacation, especially if you are interested in booking a rental property. There are many hotel and motel lodging options in Virginia Beach, and we have some awesome campgrounds too, but you can take your visit to an entirely different level by staying in a fabulous rental. It’s a fantastic way to experience a true beach vacation. Virginia Beach offers everything from quaint cottages for couples and small families to majestic, luxury homes for large groups. Visit our website for some important lodging information and an entire section on rental options but don’t wait too long - rentals go quickly!
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 8th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, free things to do in Virginia Beach, vacations rentals in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach lodging
Posted in Accommodations, Living the Life, The Beach Report
March 27th, 2012 by Katherine Jackson
Spring came early to Virginia Beach this year, long before the official first day. And that means beach weather is not far behind! It also means that just about anywhere in Virginia Beach is a good place for a walk as Mother Nature puts her glorious powers on display. Everywhere I look, flowers are bursting into bloom, and pale green and yellow leaves are breaking out on trees. Neighborhood gardens, street medians, and city parks are exploding with color. The Bradford pear trees with their white blossoms are spectacular. Yellow forsythia bushes and purple irises and beds of lilac-colored phlox have begun their annual displays. Thousands of yellow and white daffodils are blooming, thanks in part to a grass-roots campaign a few years ago to plant an abundance of bulbs. Around the city, and especially at Red Wing Park, the cherry blossom trees are ethereal with their frilly pink flowers. And the dogwood trees have begun to push out petals. I even have a magenta azalea bush blooming in a sunny corner of my yard. Whenever I take a walk around my neighborhood at this time of year, I like to make an inventory of all the flowers I see, and that often spurs me to walk a few more blocks. Look, there! A tulip, opening its pink petals to the world. Pick any neighborhood or park. With temperatures in the seventies, there’s simply no better weather for walking. And in the midst of Virginia Beach’s springtime parade of flowers, there’s simply no more beautiful place.
Tags: Red Wing park, springtime in Virginia Beach
Posted in Living the Life