Archive for the 'Entertainment' Category
When Karaoke Just Won’t Do
September 10th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Relocating
One of the many pleasures in life is being entertained. For some of us, the convenience of the family room and big screen T.V. on a Sunday afternoon is about as good as it gets. I mean, how many armchair quarterbacks have ever been wrong?
But, hopefully, other than your daily back and forth to work, you get out every now and then to enjoy the people, places and things your community has to offer. Our Stafford & Fredericksburg area offers a variety of entertainment outlets for both young and old. One of the attractions that suits just about any taste is the Bella Cafe which sits on Route 1, just North of Stafford, VA.
The Cafe is not your everyday attraction. While it’s been called a restaurant or eatery, it’s anything but. Known for its Tuesday and Thursday Chess nights, the pieces and chess boards are actually in use whenever there’s table space and players ready to play. While the chess nights seem to attract an older crowd, it’s the Open Mic nights on Friday and Saturday that really draws the twenty-something and younger crowd. The “open mic” is just that.
While there is the line-up of regular performers, the microphone is open for all comers. As a matter of fact, it’s the ideal place for any and all beginners to get some experience. Whether its an instrument you play, or you just like to sing, there’s no better place to get your feet wet. For those with a bit more experience, what better place to hone their skills? Most of us do our best singing in the shower. For us, Bella offers us a comfortable place just to sit back and enjoy the entertainment. You won’t be disappointed. Of course, what’s a Cafe without food?
Bella is an all day affair. In other words, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. While open, food is served. Hours are:
Monday – Thursday 9:00AM – 10:00PM
Friday 9:00AM – 10:30PM
Saturday 9:00AM – 11:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Menu items include many different offerings of various types of sandwiches, wraps, bagels, & soups, among other things. Drinks available include expresso drinks, gourmet coffees, smoothies, custard shakes, and the regular lineup of soft drinks. Teens stand in line for the 21 oz custard Brainfreeze which comes in an assortment of flavors. While I have yet to have one, the numbers don’t lie. The Brainfrreze must be tasty! But, it’s their Shrimp and Roasted Corn Bisque that I find hard to pass up. If a soup can be labeled gourmet, then it is gourmet.
The Bella Cafe isn’t you’re everday hangout. Not only is the food very good and the entertainment enjoyable, but, what keeps the faithful coming back is its charm and sense of community. So, next time you decide to turn off the big screen T.V. and head out for a bite to eat, by yourself or with friends and family, stop by the Bella Cafe. If you’re lucky, you may have the chance to listen to the next star of “America’s Got Talent.”
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A Beach With a View
July 8th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations
It seems that as the end of June rolls around, its thoughts of how we’re going to spend July 4th that begins to be discussed. Another day of having friends over for the annual backyard BBQ? Another evening of local fireworks, all seventeen minutes.
Fortunately, for Virginians, specifically, Northern Virginians, there are plenty of options outside of the normal fare. For us beach lovers, Virginia Beach is only a couple of hours away from historic Fredericksburg. And, if you choose to avoid the Interstate, the ride can be extremely enjoyable along the Virginia countryside. If you haven’t, make the trip via US17 and the Tidewater Trail. You’ll not only avoid the trucks and wall to wall traffic, but you’ll get a glimpse of a relatively unmolested area of the state. This ”road not taken” is the perfect place to put the top down, relax, and just enjoy the beauty the tidewater area has to offer.
Viriginia Beach on July 4th weekend is not for the faint of heart, unless you like lots of traffic, crowds, and lines. But, once you get there, there’s lots to do & see, and no shortage of good places to grab a bite to eat. If you’re like me and you’re an early riser, and even if you prefer to sleep in, for breakfast you’ve got to stop at Mary’s Restaurant on 17th Street. It’s not only a favorite of the locals but offers a wide variety of choices for breakfast. For those on a budget (hmmm…”beach budget”…is that an oxymoron?), you can take advanatage of the Early Bird Special which costs only $2.50, runs until 9:00AM, and features:
2 eggs any style with grits, toast
and choice of 2 bacon strips or 2 sausage patties
(Substitute home fries or spiced apples
instead of grits for 40¢)
OR
2 eggs any style and 2 pancakes with
warm syrup and whipped margarine
Whether it’s the bargain you’re looking for, or a bit more in the morning, you’ll enjoy the warm embrace of Mary’s atmosphere and service as well.
The city has a wide variety of activities available on the 4th, from their normal beach tourist offerings, to those tailor made for Independence Day. If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your fill of T-Shirt, Tattoo & trinket shops, but the good news is, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy beginning with a day on the beach and in the ocean, and ending with a casual stroll along the famous Boardwalk. It provides plenty of room whether you navigate it by bike or foot.
Prior to the evening’s fireworks, we had the opportunity to listen to the symphony orchestra of Virginia, Symphonicity accompanied by the Virginia Beach Chorale. After an enjoyable hour of tunes that spanned the spectrum from Broadway to patriotism, we sttled down a bit after 9:00 for what most of the crowd had travelled miles to see, the Fireworks show. We weren’t disappointed!
Since the fireworks are actually launched from a barge a few miles off shore, and can be seen from miles around, it isn’t a must to get “good seating”, however, 20th street appeared to be the location of choice for the best viewing. And, if you want to sit back, relax, and do so with a bit of room, do yourself a favor and take a seat on the grass between the hotels and the boardwalk, instead of the beach. You’ll be glad you did.
Unless you’re staying in a hotel within walking distance the the beach, you’ll have to decide where you want to park. If you’re driving, you can’t beat the free parking in the Convention Center parking lot. You may have to walk a few blocks to the beach, but, after all the fireworks and fun are over with, and you’ve made it back to your car, amid the barely moving bumper to bumper traffic, it’ll only take you a few minutes to leave the parking lot. With the Convention Center’s departing traffic a priority, the local police force very conveniently directs the parking lot’s traffic seamlessly into the normal flow of departing city traffic, making it a much smoother departure from the city than those parked closer to the beach.
Next July 4th, consider doing something a bit different than the normal holiday backyard BBQ. For those of us with military ties, if you don’t want to fight the Virginia Beach crowds & prices, there are a number of places to stay, like Langley AFB, Ft Story, and Oceana Naval Station, among others. The accomodations are clean, well kept, and pretty much what you can expect, and the prices can’t be beat. But remember, you’ll have to supply your own sun block!
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Living to Fight Another Day
June 9th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations, Relocating, Spouse Stuff
Road expansion is something most of us can’t get enough of in Northern Virginia. For those travelling North or South, Interstate 95, or Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) are the only direct corridors available for vehicles heading toward a destination. While we applaud the road widening, the new development also resulted in some casualties along the way. When the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) decided to widen Route 1 in Prince William County, just north of Quantico, the Globe & Laurel restaurant found itself on the chopping block. 
In business for nearly 40 years, it now found itself out in the cold. The Globe & Laurel closed its doors on April 30th. For the second time, its owners, former Marine Major Rick Spooner & his wife Gloria, had to find a new home. Their first such venture occurred after the original Globe & Laurel, which opened in 1968, located in Quantico Town, burned down. After attempting unsuccessfully to find another location in Prince William county to begin again, the Spooner’s were able to find some help a little further South along Route 1, in Stafford County. With the assistance of Stafford’s Economic Development Authority, they were able to secure the building that formerly housed The Keep, and then Philly’s, both restaurants, similar to The Globe & Laurel. With loads of renvoations needed, Stafford’s EDA pitched in both short term and longer term contributions, the former being $50,000, the latter $33,000 per year for the next three years.
In the food business, one’s reputation is priceless. Do a google search for the The Globe & Laurel, and see what you find. What you’ll find is visitor after visitor, patron after patron, that can’t say enough about the food, the atmosphere, and the great hosts it has. It truly is a unique establishment. Beginning with the tartan carpet, you’ll find a familiar pub like interior design, a distinctive selection of wines, and the a local favorite brew, Leatherneck Lager. While the atmosphere sets it apart from the everyday eatery, Maj Spooner has never wavered from his desire to provide his patrons more than just a meal. He wants them to leave not only well fed, but also well cared for. The service is second to none with the Spooners leading by example as they greet those heading in to dine. Often , you’ll find the Major making his way around the restaurant, ensuring those already dining are enjoying themselves. 
The Globe & Laurel is a rare find. While you’ll enjoy the food & drink, you’ll take away much more after a visit. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a chance to chat with the Spooners, especially the old Marine who has already shown that it takes more than the government to keep him down. As Yogi likes to remind us, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” And, for Major Spooner, this new venture probably seems more like, ”deja vu all over again!”
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Memorial Day With The Corps
May 23rd, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations, Spouse Stuff
After years of learning more lessons than I care to mention, avoiding the Interstate, any Interstate, on holidays is one thing I’ve been pretty successful at the past few years. So, this Memorial Day weekend, I’ll more than likely spend a few hours just next door at Quantico, enjoying the many activities taking place at The National Museum of the Marine Corps.
The abundance of activities taking place include childen’s workshops, new displays in the Global War on terrorism gallery, a “how to” session with a Marine Corps Combat artist, a performance from a local fife and drum corps, and much more. The Museum, which opened in November, 2006, is not only a wealth of information on the history of the Marine Corps, bit it’s lots of fun too, with many indoor and outdoor activities and sites. Whether it’s a walk accompanied by a National Park Service ranger discussing the history of the USMC Heritage Center site, or time for the teens to enjoy a Physical fitness Training (PT) session at the Playground with Marines, trying to see everything in a day is a chore.
So, if you’re like me and you’d rather celebrate this Memorial Day a bit closer to home, take a few minutes to stop by and enjoy the Memorial, or just to say “thanks for your sacrifice.”
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Running For Honor
May 20th, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Military Installations
The weekend’s inaugural Marine Corps Historic half marathon was remarkable in many ways. Not only was it a first (more on that later), but more significantly, the run was dedicated to a fallen soldier, Army Ranger 1st Lt. Benjamin Hall, who was killed in Afghanistan on July 31, 2007. Hall, a platoon leader of one of the Ranger’s Airborne Brigade Combat Teams, had been in Afghanistan only seventy days when he lost his life.
Hall’s parents, Sarah and John Hall are residents of Fredericksburg. The marathon dedication is a remembrance they say is a chance to celebrate their son’s approach to life, one characterized by an active spirit. Ben Hall was a runner. In high school he ran cross country, and continued his quest for testing the limits of his endurance by competing in marathons in the years that followed. And, many of these adventures were shared with family and friends, which Ben made a priority in life. So, it was no surprise that a number of friends took part in the inaugural event honoring him. Many of those participants ran wearing shirts bearing Ben’s picture and the words, “Be Like Ben”. And, Fredericksburg’s first half marathon was the perfect place for this run to remember. 
Last year the Marine Corps decided to move its half marathon to Fredericksburg in order to accomodate a larger pool of participants. Previously called the Quantico Half Marathon, the event had usually seen about 1500 participants, mostly Marines and their families. While many of the usual suspects showed up for this annual competition, the number of runners in this new venue exceeded 6,000.
The large turnout was a result of a joint effort between the Marines Corps Marathon team & Fredericksburg leadership. The Half-Marathon’s 13.1 mile course began and ended at Fredericksburg’s Expo & Conference Center just behind the Central Park complex. For those that hadn’t been to the city’s Old Town area previously, the route included a tour of its paved brick walkways and many of the shops that tourists just can’t get enough of. For watchers and participants alike, this inaugural run was not only fun to be a part of, but meant much more than a few hours of sacrifice. As one of the participants, Army Capt. Brennan Speakes from Fort Benning, who ran cross country as a high school friend of Ben Hall said, “it’s the farthest I’ve run in a long time, but the cause is worth it.”
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But At Some Point, You Have To Be Right
May 3rd, 2008 categories: Entertainment, Market Trends
One of my simple pleasures is Sports Radio. Just yesterday, I caught ESPN’s Mike Tarico already discussing some of the rumors about coaching changes in the National Basketball Association (NBA), now that the regular season is over. Tarico, who took over ESPN Radio’s time slot from Dan Patrick, who now can be found at rival Sports Illustrated, mentioned the coaching change rumors were rampid this time of year. According to Tarico, with the web’s blogosphere, “You can say anything you want, but at some point, you have to be right.” 
I suppose he’s correct. We know that everybody’s got an opinion. But, how much stock do we put in the information we consume, whether it’s a coaching change, a restaurant review, or a real estate agent’s advice? More importantly, do we care if they’re right? Or, do we simply assume the material we consume, whether it’s a T.V. commercial, a recommendation, or the free and abundant variety found on the internet, is correct? I can’t begin to relate the # of conspiracy theories my son has asked me about the past couple of years. You guessed it – stuff he found on the web. Whether it’s the existence of alien life, the JFK assasination, Area 51, or the American Airlines Flight 77 crashing into the Pentagon on Sept. 11th, he’s convinced that there’s more than meets the eye. Unfortuntely, he’s not alone. Many of us, instead of verifying information, take what we hear, or see, as true. And, undoubtedly, much of it is. But, when it comes to significant decisions, in any matter, it’s always good to do the necessary research before taking the plunge!
The importance of the right information is extremely important when you’re making large purchases. And, there aren’t many more costly than a home purchase. Just who are you relying on for your information? The internet? The agent you just met over the phone via a cold call? Perhaps you called that number that was plastered on the rear window of the car in front of you in this morning’s rush hour. Do you ever wonder how those people see through that stuff?
Whether buying or selling a home, the best agent is the one who can accomplish the mission. And, what, per se, is the mission? We’ll, as any trained agent can testify, if you’re selling, their job is to get you the best price for your property, in the shortest amount of time, and, if you’re buying……hmmm…to get you the best price for your property in the shortest amount of time. Actually, there are some other considerations to take into account, but, you get the picture. In either case, you need an expert, one who knows the market, especially the local market, who is able identify overpriced homes, negotiate with confidence, and can find you a bargain. Today’s online resources, for buyers or sellers can be a proverbial two-edged sword. While there are loads of places to go to educate yourself on the world of real estate, ensure that the information you’re putting your faith in is accurate. During the past few years three specific websites have been used by home buyers and sellers, more and more, for information on the market. Realtor.com (the current 800 pound gorilla of online/open source ”homes for sale” website), and two newer members to the online housing business, Zillow.com, and Trulia.com. If you haven’t, when you get a minute, take a look at each and see what you think. The latter two are the New Age version of their predecessor, Realtor.com
While Realtor.com’s traditional mission was listing homes for sale, it now also offers other features like current mortgage rates, provides assistance with finding movers, reports on local market conditions, and will provide information on determining the value of your home. Zillow.com takes this last tool a bit further by providing what they call a ‘Zestimate” of your home’s value. In other words, this Zestimate is what Zillow thinks your home is worth. Zillow is honest enough to admit that their estimate is simply a starting point when valueing a home. The problem is, many homeowners mistake this starting point for the bottom line.
Like Zillow, Trulia.com provides buyers and sellers another resource for real estate information. Like the other websites, you’ll find homes listed for sale here also. You’ll also find a discussion forum where you can get your questions about homes, buying or selling, or communities, answered by simply posting your questions. But, beware, those answers can come from anywhere, including left field. 
For homeowners, or those looking for homes, the internet provides you more information than you need to make intelligent decisions on buying and selling. But, much of that information is unfiltered. In many cases, it needs to be aggregated, analyzed and accepted for what it is – simply data. How valuable and pertinent it is, may be another matter entirely. So, before you begin making desisions on how to proceed, sit down with your local area housing expert, your Realtor, and look over that data to ensure it is accurate. Much of the information each of these websites use to determine home values is open source information. Simply put, it isn’t the whole story. For instance, modifications in any property is sometimes not recorded in the public record. Most of these are property improvements of one kind or another that essentially raises the value of the home. Another may be local market conditions that affect a home’s value, adversely or positively. Things like these are left unrecorded as well. These are shortcomings of both of these new online home buying or selling resources that don’t tell the whole. And, left alone, will lead to inaccurate conclusions.
At the end of the day, these online resources provide consumers with more information to consider when making house/home valuations. While this data can be immensely helpful, if not effectively “scrubbed”, it may lead to mistaken assumptions. On the other hand, used properly, these tools can aid you and your Realtor in successfully, and more efficiently handling your transaction.
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