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Winter Wildlife Festival Registration Begins November 15
 Get ready for our 2014 festival! This year's event will be held January 24 - 26 and will feature educational workshops, outdoor excursions, children's activities and an exhibit hall at Princess Anne Recreation Center.
Past participant or recreation center member?
Registration will be available online through EZreg. To register through EZreg, you will need your client barcode and family PIN. If you do not have this information, you can visit any recreation center or contact the Outdoor Programs office at 757-385-4461 or outdoors@vbgov.com prior to the registration start date. In-person and mail-in registration will also be available.
New participant?
For those wishing to register for the first time, registration will be available in person at any recreation center or by mailing in a registration form.
Visit VBgov.com/WinterWildlife for up-to-date event information and to download a registration form beginning November 15. Want an opportunity to get out and see wildlife before January? Then check out what our neighbors to the east have going on during the Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival October 11-13.
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It's Pumpkin Season at Your Local Farmer's Market
 Everyone's talking about buying local, but why should we? Buying locally grown food is a great way to support our local economy and get delicious fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. This fall consider buying your pumpkins from a u-pick farm or farmer's market.
Not only are you investing money in your community, but you are also building relationships with the people who grow your food and learning how your food is grown. You are able to ask what pesticides and chemicals are being avoided, and what is being used instead. Local produce is very fresh and tends to taste better than the supermarket variety that has to use many preservatives to keep it fresh during shipment.
Spending just $10 a week on local produce could make a huge difference, but planning out weekly meals can be difficult when you don't know what is in season. Here's a few items you might want to pick up at your local farm or farmers market when you go food shopping next:
September - apples, black-eyed peas, broccoli, butter beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, collards, crabmeat, eggplant, figs, grapes, pumpkins, watermelon, zucchini
October - brussels sprouts, croaker, green beans, kale, leaf lettuce, leeks, peaches, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, rockfish, spinach, winter squash
Remember to eat what is in season, as it will taste even better and is packed with nutrients! Visit buylocalhamptonroads.org for seasonal recipe ideas and to get started eating local.
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Race Sign Ups Open for Sandbridge Paddle Fest
Saturday, October 12 & Sunday October 13 | Little Island Park & Back Bay
 Paddlers, you don't want to miss this event - two days of paddle races (SUP, surfski, outrigger & kayak) at Little Island Park and Back Bay on October 12 & 13! Compete for awards, or just come out and enjoy the festivities while supporting the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation. Weekend festivities also include a paddle expo, demos, kids beach obstacle course and post-events party at Baja Restaurant.
Saturday, October 12
- SUP Open Ocean Race: Long Course (4-5 miles) or Short Course (2 miles)
- Kids' SUP: 1-mile course in Back Bay following the adult races
Register
Sunday, October 13
Kayak, Surfski, OC-1: 6-mile Back Bay Challenge or 6-mile Fun Paddle in Back Bay
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation and be used to help Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation provide youth program scholarships and specialized equipment for Therapeutic Recreation Programs. Contributions to the Foundation through this event are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
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How to Choose a Rain Jacket
Don't let the rain keep you from participating in outdoor activities this fall. Invest in a great rain jacket that will keep you active and dry. So, what makes a great rain jacket? Staying dry is of course the ultimate goal but there are other important factors to consider:
Breathability 
You don't want to swelter, so look for breathable materials such as multi-layer laminates and soft shell. Soft shell jackets are a great budget-friendly option for high activity levels due to their stretch and moisture-wicking capabilities. If you prefer a thicker jacket, look for vents that can be open or closed for circulation.
Waterproof vs Water Resistant
A waterproof jacket will keep you completely dry whereas a water resistant jacket really only delays the rain from making its way in. A water resistant jacket, such as a soft shell jacket, is best for light rain and can often be lighter in weight than waterproof jackets. Due to their construction, waterproof jackets will not whisk away sweat from your body as quickly as you may like, so look for breathability features like armpit and chest vents.
Weight
The weight of a jacket can vary depending on materials and the number of layers. Extra zippers and pockets can add weight too. Consider the type of activity you will be doing to balance the right amount of weight needed for warmth or the lack of weight needed for freer movement.
The Bells & Whistles
The options are limitless. Some jackets have waterproof pockets and extra zippers; others have adjustable hoods, arm and waist cuffs. You can even find designs that add a soft fleece material at the top of the front zipper for comfort when fully zipped up.
Prefer to choose a rain jacket by sport? Read recommendations from REI. Choosing the right jacket has a lot to do with personal preference, so be sure to try a few on at the store before purchasing.
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Please Note Our Upcoming Facility ClosuresBow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project. Williams Farm Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, September 23 through Sunday, September 29 for annual maintenance. The pool will remain closed through Sunday, October 6. Kempsville Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, October 7 through Sunday, October 13 for annual maintenance. The pool will remain closed through Sunday, October 20. Don't forget that your membership is good at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!
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Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child requires additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services. |
We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at fun@VBgov.com. |
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. |
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