Virginia Beach Va

Wildfires at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge were discovered around 7:00 p.m. on Thursday August 4, 2011.

According to officials, two wildfires were located southwest of Lake Drummond off Interior Ditch Road. It is believed that the fires were ignited by lightning during a recent thunderstorm.

By August 5th, the larger fire  was estimated at 15 acres and the smaller fire was a single tree fire.

Area closures have included the Railroad Ditch Road and trail as well as the bus tour to Lake Drummond.

For up-to-date information on the Lateral West Fires, please visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/

A local performer became interested in Mermaids began at the age of five after seeing the film Splash. With her mother being skilled in water ballet, Ellie began swimming lessons and trained with a ballet company for the next fifteen years.

The ballet training helped her develop flexibility which allows the performer to bend in half and swim with a tail weighing up to 35 lbs underwater.

When her family moved to Florida she made a mermaid tail out of old towels, sheets and a coat hanger. Ellie didn’t have any help with her mermaid tails like today‘s mermaids; she had to figure it out on her own.

Growing up near the beach was a very enlightening experience for Ellie. Witnessing the effects of red tide, littering, oil spills and other impacts influenced Ellie’s decision to use her mermaid performances for environmental projects and educational programming.

Proceeds from her appearances enable her to perform for local Environmental Projects and Organizations. She is available for underwater modeling, beach shoots, educational programming and conferences. She is also trained to swim in an aquarium, fountain, or chlorine environment.

She can be reached at 518-925 5169

For  more information, visit:
www.norfolkmermaid.jigsy.com
www.twitter.com/Elliemermaid

The Winter Wildlife Festival is presented the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Partners for the event include the Virginia Aquarium, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park, First Landing State Park, Lynnhaven River NOW, and the Virginia Audubon Society.

Would you like to know more about the Snow Geese who visit Virginia in the winter? Maybe you are more interested in Whale Watching or owls in First Landing State Park. A wide range of workshops and excursions offer something for everyone at the Winter Wildlife Festival.

Registration runs from November 15 through January 21. Space is limited for the excursions and workshops, so register early to secure your spot! There is no cost to attend the festival, but some sessions and excursions do have a fee. You can register online, in person at any recreation center, or by using the mail in registration form.

For more information on the wide variety of programs and how to register, visit:  www.vbgov.com/winterwildlife or call 757-385-4461.

Virginia Regional Ballet will present its 33rd annual production of “The Nutcracker” Sat. Dec. 18th @ 2pm and 7:30pm and Sun. Dec. 19th @ 2pm at Phi Beta Kappa Hall at the College of William & Mary.

Seating is reserved for this event.

For more information, see: www.danceVRB.com or call (757) 221-2674

Saving oyster and clam shells to be used for reef restoration is a great way for citizens to help rebuild the oyster population in the Lynnhaven River. Two locations are available to drop off shells:

The east parking lot of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center on General Booth Boulevard and now, in the Bayside area, the public drop off will be in front of the Lynnhaven River NOW office at 1608 Pleasure House Road, Suite 108.

Lynnhaven River NOW will also make arrangements to collect shells from events and fundraisers. Please call in advance and to obtain baskets for the shells and schedule a pick up after events.

Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes the following restaurants for their participation in the shell collection program:

Bubba’s
CP Shuckers on Pacific Avenue
CP Shuckers on Shore Drive
Dockside Restaurant
Harpoon Larry’s
Lucky Oyster
Rockafellers
Seaside Raw Bar
Steinhilber’s Restaurant