So much has happened this year and I'm still not caught up! I'm trying though!
Bear with me.
Life: My Song of the Week
I'm always looking for something new to listen to. In our family we like to share good stuff we find, this week Marleigh asked if I ever heard of Duster. I love post-rock, instrumental music and the song she sent me fits the bill. I only wish it was a longer! Here it is, enjoy.
Back Bay Brewing - 15 Oct 2015
Stopped by Back Bay Brewing Co. to grab Jasper a pour after the Old Beach Farmers Market. Funny thing is he didn't drink it so I had to. We also met a kid who just turned 21, he was down from Hampden-Sydney College with his buddies. His parents were taking all the boys out on a local brewery tour. I thought that was a pretty nice idea. Oh, also got to chat briefly with Travis about his trip to Canada and California and Josh Malbon dropped in waiting or his order from Gringo's next door.
Chris Ludford at Terrapin's Merroir Terroir.
Pleasure House Oysters Needs Your Help!
Living near the Chesapeake Bay allows us to eat some of the best oysters in the world but for a while some of our waterways were in trouble. After years of rehabilitation, oysters are making a comeback due conservation efforts and good stewards like Chris Ludford of Pleasure House Oysters.
Chris comes from a line of local watermen and he grew up harvesting what our waters have to offer. When switching from crabs to oysters years ago he has made it a point to ensure sustainable practices that allow us to enjoy his beautiful Pleasure House Oysters from the Lynnhaven River. He makes sure he takes only what he needs to allow what he harvests to mature and promote population growth in these waters once world renowned for their delicious and bountiful oysters.
Chris is a proponent of educating the public on how oysters live, how they grow and their contribution to our area. The Merroir Terroir oyster dinners Terrapin holds once a month, that's Chris at one above, allows him talk about what is in our waterways and how we all can be conscience of what it is we're pulling from it.
i can think of no better person to be responsible for harvesting oysters from the Lynnhaven than Chris Ludford. His passion to do things the right way, to make sure he leaves no footprints when caring and harvesting from the waters here is obvious when you spend any amount of time with him. He'll take you out on his boat if you want to learn more or see for yourself how he operates.
Help him and his team out to get their lease renewed. Read his personal plea below and write Commissioner John Bull letting him know you support Chris and responsible oyster farming. Share his message too!
Pleasure House Oysters on Instagram:
We love the Lynnhaven River and everything in it and we work hard to make it a better place but it seems that some folks just don't want oyster farming activities in the waters near their homes. We have an oyster lease application that is being protested by residents that are scared, misinformed and in many cases being inflammatory. We have no ill will toward these folks. We need your help letting the State of Va know we are the best candidate for this lease. If you could take the time to write a letter to;
Commissioner John Bull
Va Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Ave
Newport News, Va. 23607
Reference Ludford Application 2014317
Please let them know that our operation takes great care in being a good neighbor on the river and that we should be able to continue our work growing oysters and cleaning the river on the lease we have applied for. Now is the time to act if you can please find the time. Letters carry a lot of weight. Thank you!
This year's Treasure Chest icon - "Hula Gal"
Green Flash Treasure Chest 2015
Green Flash Brewing's annual cancer benefit and awareness event called Treasure Chest is happening this Sunday (11 Oct 2015) in Virginia Beach! Throughout the week, in the Hampton Roads area, Green Flash will be throwing #raiseaglass2015 events to raffle off tickets to this great event and help advertise the cause.
(Check out photos from last year's Treasure Chest - Virginia Beach here.)
Green Flash's Phil Shannon and me (always with something strapped to my shoulder)
Treasure Chest was founded in 2011 by Green Flash Co-Founder and breast cancer survivor Lisa Hinkley. All the Treasure Chest related events raise money to support breast cancer charities. A beer and icon are released with the announcement of the event.
This year's Green Flash Treasure Chest beer is a naturally pink IPA with grapefruit and prickly pear juice and hibiscus flowers. I haven't had it yet, but plan on grabbing one this week! Last year's was great, barrel-aged Belgian style saison with plum. It was fermented in red wine barrels with house Brettanomyces, then conditioned with plums for six months. It was very good!
The Green Flash crew at The Birch, Norfolk, VA
Hampton Road's 2nd annual Treasure Chest event will be held at the same place it was last year - on the Green Flash Brewing property connected to where the new brewery will open in 2016. Like last year, they have invited other local breweries and shops to participate as a community to throw the big bash.
The new "Hula Gal" icon glass! Cute!
I was one of the photographers last year (you can see some of my photos in the video linked above) and can tell you it was a great time. Everyone was having fun (some a little more than others, you know who I'm talking) drinking some great beers and eating delicious food. The first time I ever had a sample of Home Republic food was at Treasure Chest 2014. That's saying something because I get out a lot! Another thing is that my wife, Shelby, will be volunteering at the event too. I can't wait to see her in action.
If you want a chance to win tickets, hit up one of the #raiseaglass2015 events in the area leading up the actual Treasure Chest October 11th. I've sorted them out for you below:
Mahalo!
- 10/6 - Tubby's Tavern from 5:00-8:00 PM (Virginia Beach)
- 10/7 - DoG Street Pub from 5:00-8:00 PM (Williamsburg)
- 10/8 - The Public House from 5:00-8:00 PM (Norfolk)
- 10/9 - Home Republic from 6:00-9:00 PM (Virginia Beach)
- 10/10 - Lynnhaven Pub from 6:00-10:00 PM (Virginia Beach)
Buy tickets to Treasure Chest on this page.
Photos included were from The Birch's Treasure Chest event last week.