The James City Jaguars Youth Football and Cheerleading organization (ages 6-14) is holding a charity golf tournament at Ford’s Colony on May 3rd, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. They have 150 football players and cheerleaders from the city of Williamsburg. All proceeds from the event will be used for new equipment and uniforms for the players and cheerleaders. The registration form and details are at www.jamescityjaguars.org. Businesses can
I had so much fun cheering my friends when they ran in the Blue Talon Bistro 5K Turkey Trot a couple of years ago that I decided to check it out again this year. They’ve almost doubled the number of participants in two years! I’m not surprised, because it’s great exercise and entertainment for the whole family on Thanksgiving morning. Registration money benefits the Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels program, a very worthwhile organization.
Having the whole family in town for Thanksgiving? You’ll need to plan some activities for the non-football fans. There’s always shopping on Black Friday, but if that’s not your thing, try these ideas:
2011 Howl-O-Scream Cast at the Members' Preview
It was worth getting soggy in today’s rain to romp around Busch Gardens on Members’ Appreciation Day. We were treated to free breakfast in the Festhaus while we waited for the Howl-O-Scream preview and unveiling of the new rollercoaster planned for 2012: Verbolten! You won’t see me riding Verbolten. I’ll heed the warnings not to go into the Black Forest. Bad things happen there.
I’ll let my friends try Howl-O-Scream first, because I’m a horror show weenie. The park directors report that folks have been begging for scarier stuff, so this year, they’re pulling out the stops. Parents are cautioned that after 6:00 p.m., the themes will be “very dark” and to use discretion before letting kids attend. For family-friendly “silly scares” attend Howl-O-Scream during the day.
Williamsburg Native was contacted by Master Joseph Ash of BAEPLEX Family Martial Arts Center with news of his free workshops for families. Teaching kids how to be more confident and to know how to respond to predatory behavior is a valuable community service. Attending a workshop also sounds like a great way to learn more about martial arts and to see if it’s right for your children.
From Master Ash’s press release:
BAEPLEX Family Martial Arts Center invites parents to bring their children to the school’s FREE Beat-the-Bully Workshops, August 5, 12, & 19 from 5 – 5:45pm at both locations 3435A John Tyler Hwy and 7500A Richmond Rd.
According to many government and institutional studies, thousands of children stay home from school everyday because of their fear of bullies. This is an opportune time for children and parents to arm themselves with current mental and physical skills to avoid Bullies this coming school year.
BAEPLEX emphasizes that the purpose of martial arts is not to teach children how to fight, but, in fact, quite the opposite. It’s learning the skills to project an attitude of self-confidence that deter bullies before they even challenge children, to become more aware of one’s surroundings and to report such incidents to the appropriate adults.
“This is definitely one of those issues where knowledge is power and now is the time. As we approach another school year, I would like to open my schools to all area families so we can share our knowledge and skills about making our community a much safer place for children to play, go to school and walk the streets,” says Master Ash.
“Our Beat-the-Bully Workshops will also include other personal-safety skills, such as abductor and Internet predator awareness, self-defense and developing the self-confidence to put these skills into action.”
Please contact BAEPLEX for more information about attending these FREE Workshops;
(757) 229 – 2237 or (757) 645 – 4030.
Respectfully,
Master Joseph B. Ash
Baeplex Family Martial Arts
(757) 229-2237
Waller Mill park rents kayaks and offers classes for beginners/intermediate and advanced. It’s a great way to learn how to be safe on the water, control your kayak, and enjoy beautiful scenery.
The weather was so nice on Saturday that I couldn’t resist a swing by Water Country USA to renew my annual pass, get my walk in for the day, and take a look at the new ride: Vanish Point. A couple of big men who rode it appeared to be staggering a little when they got up, so I asked a brave twenty-something young woman what the ride was like. She said, “it was fun! My heart is still pumping.” Then, I asked, “how hard was the landing?” and she replied, “not too bad, but it did give me a giant wedgie!” Here’s a short video to get you in the mood for summer fun:
My first kayaking experience was so much fun that I posted a video of it last year. Here’s your chance to rent a kayak and give it a try with experienced “yakers”:
Get set for BYOK (Bring Your Own Kayak) this Saturday, May 21. Participants should arrive at 9 a.m., drive 1 mile to the put-in site with park staff, and expect to launch by 9:20. The paddle will last about two and a half hours with take-out around noon. The program is free if you BYOK, but kayaks are available to rent for BYOK from Chesapeake Experience for $25 by calling 757-890-0502 or e-mailing Jill@chesapeakeexperience.org no later than Friday noon before the Saturday paddle. The weather forecast looks good: high temps in the 80s and a 90% chance of sun! Low tide is at 8 a.m. and high tide is at 2 p.m., so we will be paddling on a rising tide. – Sara E. Lewis, Park Interpreter
New Quarter Park, near Queens Lake subdivision and easily accessible from the Colonial Parkway, seems to be one of Williamsburg’s least-known treasures. They have fun and interesting education and recreation programs. Past programs have included kayaking and edible plants. (Pawpaw smoothies, anyone?) This Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon you can join a Walk and Talk led by master gardeners who will teach you about native plants, including bluebells.
Williamsburg Native is not biased toward events within the corporate limits of our fair city. No, she often wanders out into the “country” of Toano when she needs to commune with four-legged friends. Stonehouse Stables is a great place to go for a trail ride, take riding lessons, or just admire the beauty of horses running in the pastures. This Sunday the Mathews and Bests are hosting the 15th Anniversary of Stonehouse Stables and we’re all invited for BBQ from Noon – 3:00 p.m. You’ll find more information on their web site (full disclosure: Williamsburg Native’s business Brown Mouse Productions developed their web site.)
