Monthly Archives: May 2013

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Mid County Park-Kidsburg to re-open in July 2013

. News, Parks

imageThe renovation of Mid County Park, including the Kidsburg playground, is well underway. Significant rains and modifications to the soils have delayed the project; however, much progress has been made.

The old Kidsburg structure was removed, and contractors have prepared the site and installation of the new playground structure has begun. The new Park Office (pictured background) building is near completion and will include improved restroom facilities, a vending area, two staff offices and a fee-based community meeting room.

Both picnic shelters (foreground) received new roofing, and one shelter was enlarged due to the removal of an old concession room.

Improvements to the front parking lot are scheduled to take place in June. The basketball, tennis and volleyball courts as well as the walking trail remain open during daylight hours with parking available in the back parking lot. The park is expected to open in its entirety in mid-July.

During the Kidsburg renovations, please enjoy the playgrounds located within our other County parks and facilities—Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Forest Glen Park, Ironbound Park, Little Creek Reservoir Park, Upper County Park, the James City County Recreation Center, the James River Community Center and the Warhill Sports Complex. In addition to these sites, all Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools playgrounds are open to the community during after school hours.

The old Kidsburg, a community-built playground, opened in 1994 and no longer meets ADA guidelines or current standards for public-use playgrounds. The new playground will be fully ADA and safety compliant, universal and barrier free.

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New boat ramp opens in Charles City County

. Boating

boat rampOne of the most beautiful tidal stretches of the James River is more accessible to boaters today, thanks to a new boat ramp in Charles City County made possible by a $120,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic organization for Dominion Resources Inc.

Dominion, Charles City County and the Chesapeake Conservancy officials cut the ribbon today to open the boat landing at Lawrence Lewis Jr. River Park.

“The James River is Virginia’s treasure, bound intrinsically to its history and commerce,” said Robert M. Blue, senior vice president-Law, Public Policy and Environment, State and Federal Affairs. “Dominion believes that the best way to help people appreciate and protect the river is to get them to travel its waters, explore its wonders and marvel at its beauty. We are proud to have played a role in creating this new landing that will open the river to even more people.”

The opening culminates a 20-year effort by county officials and river enthusiasts to have a boat ramp built at the historic 24-acre park, which is where the Union Army crossed the James River in 1864 to lay siege to Confederate forces in Petersburg during the Civil War.

“This is a dream finally come true,” said Floyd H. Miles Sr., chairman of Charles City County Board of Supervisors. “Thanks to the support of Dominion, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Chesapeake Conservancy, our residents can now enjoy the beauty and the history of the James River without having to tow their boats to another jurisdiction.”

In addition to Dominion’s funding, the county provided $125,000 and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation put in $50,000. The county built the 50-foot by 28-foot concrete ramp which also has two tending piers, a bulkhead for protection and parking for 12 boat trailers.

The new ramp provides the only boating access on the north side of the James River for a 36-mile stretch that runs from Henrico County to James City County. The ramp will also serve as an important access point to the James River Section of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The Capt. John Smith Trail is a water route that follows the course of the English explorer on his voyage to map the Chesapeake Bay in 1607.

The Chesapeake Conservancy, based in Annapolis, Md., has a goal of developing new access points along the bay and its rivers. The conservancy sought and received the Dominion Foundation grant that provided the final dollars to make the ramp a reality.

“Improved access is vital to helping even more people develop an appreciation for nature and to help build support for the restoration of the bay and its rivers,” said Joanna Ogburn, program director for the Chesapeake Conservancy. “This new landing in Charles City County provides access to a long and beautiful stretch of the James, and we encourage canoeists, kayakers and boaters to follow Capt. Smith’s lead and get out and explore.”

More info on the park here

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Colonial Williamsburg’s Golden Horseshoe Golf Hosts Junior Golf Clinic / Camp Summer 2013

. Camps, Golf, Golf academies

Colonial Williamsburg’s family friendly Golden Horseshoe Golf Club welcomes junior golfers to its annual Junior Golf Program Clinic and Junior Golf Camp in June and July.  The historic destination commemorates the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course’s 50th anniversary this year and junior golfers and their families are encouraged to join the celebration.
Junior Golf Clinics will be held Mondays (June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22 and July 29) and are open to girls and boys ages 6 -16.  The 6 -10 year olds meet from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. and ages 11-16 receive instruction from 5 to 6 p.m.  One-hour sessions will be taught by Head Golf Professional Jeff Winters, PGA, and associate PGA Golf Professional Greg Lynch, who will cover fundamentals of the golf swing, use of short and long irons, woods and short game topics of pitching, chipping and putting.  The Rules of Golf and etiquette will be incorporated in each session, which take place at the Golden Horseshoe Green Course’s driving range and practice putting green. The cost is $105 per junior and includes instruction (7 sessions), pizza party and awards ceremony on the final day.
Junior Golf Camp will be held July 22-25 and is open to junior golfers ages 8 to 17. Golden Horseshoe’s golf professional staff has more than 70 years of combined PGA instruction experience and will offer a personal approach (six students-to-one instructor) ratio to assure that each junior golfer receives the individual attention needed to become a better golfer.  Junior golfers will have the opportunity to play golf with counselors each afternoon on the Spotswood Course, as well as the option to play all three Golden Horseshoe Courses with their parents (special twilight green fees available for parents).
Junior Camp includes afternoon golf on Spotswood with counselors (optional), range balls during the session and in the afternoon, instruction Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until noon, refreshments at 10 a.m. daily, play day with prizes on Thursday, golf gift, before-and-after swing video analysis for campers to take home, and golf on Golden Horseshoe courses in afternoons with paying parent at special twilight fees.
On the final day of Junior Golf Camp, Thursday, July 25, the golfers will test their skills and vie for prizes in a nine-hole tournament.  The cost for day campers is $299; special rates are available for Colonial Williamsburg hotel guests and Golden Horseshoe Golf Club members and their families.
The award-winning Gold Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., opened in 1963 and plays to 6,817 yards from the championship tees.  It is noted for its excellent collection of par three holes.  Additional golf experiences include Golden Horseshoe’s Green Course, designed by Rees Jones, and the nine-hole Spotswood, perfect for family golf outings.  Playing to 1,865-yards, the par-31 course includes one 470-yard par 5, two par 4s of 260 and 325 yards, and six par 3s ranging from 90 to 215 yards.
Early registration is encouraged as these sessions fill rapidly.  Deadline for Golf Clinic enrollment is June 16 at 5 p.m.  For more information or to register, call Jeff Winters at 757-565-8697.  For more information about Colonial Williamsburg and its hotels, call 800-447-8679 or visit colonialwilliamsburg.com.

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2013 Williamsburg Summer Breeze concerts @ Merchants Square

. Concerts

Come party in downtown Williamsburg all summer long in celebration of Merchants Square’s 85th anniversary. The 22nd annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concert Series begins Wednesday, June 19 and runs weekly through August with a blockbuster lineup of bands. In addition, the Square will host a special birthday bash concert on the eve of An Occasion for the Arts, Friday, October 4. Unless otherwise noted, the free outdoor concerts are held on Wednesdays beginning at 7 p.m.

Slapnation (formerly the original Slapwater Band) will be performing in Merchants Square on July 31

June 19: Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra                                         7–9 p.m.
The WCSO is a 16-piece authentic big band playing all the best swing music from the height of the swing era as well as some popular swing hits of today.

June 26: Party Fins                                                                                               7–9 p.m.
Showcasing the songs of Jimmy Buffett, Van Morrison and other longtime favorites,

                        the Party Fins are a tropical/jam-rock festival band that specializes in audience engagement.

July 2: Independence Day Concert                                                  6:30–7:45 p.m.

(Tuesday)     U.S. Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band—
Back for the 22nd year, the full Heritage of America concert band will play
American favorites and patriotic tunes in honor of Independence Day.

July 10: Butter                                                                                                        7–9 p.m.

Audiences love to dance to this 4-piece high-energy rock band. Based out of Virginia Beach, the name Butter has become synonymous with music at the Beach over the past seven years.

July 17: Kings of Swing                                                                                      7–9 p.m.

This versatile dance and show band from Richmond plays beach music, Motown favorites and everyone’s favorite music of the 1970s – 90s.

July 24: RareMixx                                                                                                7–9 p.m.

RareMixx entertains audiences with a wide variety of music from the 60’s to the present. Whether your preference is soft jazz, standard dinner music, or high-energy dance RareMixx plays it all.

July 31: Slapnation (Formerly the original Slapwater Band)                7–9 p.m.

                        Virginia’s premier party and dance band! Bring your dancing shoes and lawn chair as Slapnation boogies down in Merchants Square.

Aug 7:            US Army TRADOC Rock Band                                                   7–8:30 p.m.

A versatile and energetic ensemble, TRADOC Rock brings contemporary styles          
such as classic rock, pop and country music to soldiers and audiences worldwide.

Aug 14: USAF Heritage Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble                   7–8:30 p.m.           

A versatile 13-piece ensemble, Rhythm in Blue performs a wide variety of jazz, blues and funk.

Aug 21:          US Army TRADOC Jazz Band                                                     7–8:30 p.m.

Audiences of all ages are enthralled by the classics, ballads, blues, soul,

                        bossa nova, and contemporary tunes performed by this jazz combo.

Aug 28:         USAF Blue Aces Ensemble                                                          7–8:30 p.m.

                        The energetic productions of this 10-piece ensemble encompass a wide variety of musical styles.

  Oct 4:           Special 85th Anniversary Concert                                                   7–9 p.m.

Right On Band

                        Specializing in Motown, disco, and 70’s funk, Right On Band has been keeping the 70’s alive for 20 years.

Beginning with the June 19 concert, Merchants Square also offers children’s entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. including face painting, bubble making and clowns. There will be no children’s entertainment during the Independence Day concert.

For more information about weather-related cancellations, please see the Merchants Square website, www.merchantssquare.org, or call the events hotline on concert days: (757) 565-8889.

All concerts are free, and are  sponsored by Merchants Square, and the City of Williamsburg

Map/ Directions

image

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Shagging returns to Yorktown for 2013

. Concerts .

Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, is a regional genre which developed from various rock/R&B/pop music of the 1950s and 1960s. Beach music is most closely associated with the style of swing dance known as the shag, or the Carolina shag, which is also the official state dance of both North Carolina and South Carolina. Recordings with a 4/4 “blues shuffle” rhythmic structure and moderate-to-fast tempo are the most popular music for the shag, and the vast majority of the music in this genre fits that description.

imageThose eager to scratch their shag-dancing itch will find what they’re looking for at the Yorktown waterfront starting next month.

The Riverwalk Beach Music Concert Series begins June 6, 2013 and will continue most Thursdays through Aug. 1, 2013. The shows are free and take place at Riverwalk Landing near the foot of the Coleman Bridge.

Entertainment will take place on the performance stage at Riverwalk Landing, overlooking the York River in Historic Yorktown.

     This seven-week concert series will feature some of the area’s top acts playing beach favorites, oldies, Motown and more.  Start your weekend early this summer, and join us for Shagging on the Riverwalk every Thursday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., June 6 through June 20, and again from July 11 through August 1.  The Colonial Shag Club will again provide shag lessons, demonstrations, club information, and will answer questions related to this popular form of dance.

     Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes, as one of the area’s largest outdoor dance floors will give you the opportunity to practice your shagging: 

v June 6             Band of Oz

v June 13            The Embers

v June 20            Atlantic Groove Band

         – – – – – 2 Week Break – – – – –

v July 11             The Rhondels

v July 18             Mark Roberts and Breeze

v July 25             The Main Event Band

v August 1         The Holiday Band

     This series is free and open to the public.  Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs.  Food will be available for purchase.  Free parking is available at the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace, York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, County Administration Building, and other designated public parking lots throughout Yorktown.  Signage directing motorists to parking lots will be in place.

     For more information about Shagging on the Riverwalk or any other events in York County, call the York County Parks and Recreation Office at 890-3500 or visit www.visityorktown.org. Event Weather Hotline: 890-3520.  This event is sponsored by York County.

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Cap2Cap Ride Saturday May 11. 2013

. Cycling . ,

Next weekend on Saturday, May 11, you can join over 2000 bike riders for one of Virginia’s largest cycling events — the Capital to Capital ride, aka Cap2Cap — a fundraiser for the Virginia Capital Trail FoundationNext weekend  on Saturday, May 11, you can join over 2000 bike riders for one of Virginia’s largest cycling events — the Capital to Capital ride, aka Cap2Cap — a fundraiser for the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

Cap2Cap is a unique in having starts at both ends — Richmond and Williamsburg — with 15, 25, 50, and 100 mile out-and-back options. Pedal through 400 years of Virginia history, and help raise funds to make the Virginia Capital Trail a world-class experience.

When completed, the 55 mile Virginia Capital Trail will connect past and present capitals of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Richmond along the scenic Route 5 corridor.

For more information and to register, see the event page at the Foundation website.

2013 Schedule

Friday, May 10, 2013
4:00-8:00 pm   Packet Pick Up, Ride Day Registration at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for Richmond riders

5:00-8:00 pm   Packet Pick Up, Ride Day Registration at American Family Fitness for Williamsburg riders

Saturday, May 11, 2013
Ride Day Schedule
6:30-8:45 am     Check-In for 25, 50 and 100 mile routes
8:45-9:15             Check-In for 15-Mile ride (Williamsburg Only)
7:30                       SyCom Century Start.  Course Support Begins
8:30                       Sands Anderson Half-Century Start
9:00                       Busch Gardens 25-Miler Start
9:30                       Eco Discovery Park 15-Mile Fun Ride (Williamsburg Only)  on the Virginia Capital Trail
11:00                     Vendor Expo Opens
11:30                     Lunch and Musical Entertainment Begins
3:30                      Vendor Expo Ends
4:00                      Lunch Ends
4:30                      Course Support Ends

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Shady Area Rain Gardens topic of New Quarter Park program

. Gardening

Visit New Quarter Park on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. and learn how a unique rain garden was built to capture runoff in a shady area. The program will be presented by Jeanne Millin, Virginia Master Gardener, Tree Steward, Water Steward, and Virginia Master Naturalist.
Jeanne will lead visitors to the Rain Garden on the park’s Teaching Garden Trail, which has been developed with a variety of native plants that grow well in the dappled shade and are heat and drought tolerant. She will explain how the rain garden was constructed by several local groups and volunteers with native plants (lists of plants will be available). The rain garden calms and filters  stormwater runoff from the parking lot while taking advantage of the natural slope and not damaging tree roots. Participants are invited to explore the demonstration garden and ask questions about building rain gardens on their property for similar beautiful and environmentally sensitive results.
New Quarter Park is located in upper York County at 1000 Lakeshead Drive, next to the Queens Lake neighborhood. For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at 890-3500.