~ Local Folks doing interesting things ~

• Cookies - you order various ingredients and put the combo together yourself - yum
• Gluten Free mixes and bakery items - this is really hard to find - thank goodness for this site!
• Everything you wanted to know about Scotch (the drink that is)
• Harry Kollatz Jr. (of Richmond Magazine fame) has a new book out - True Richmond Stories: Historic Tales From Virginia's Capital. I haven't read it, but I really enjoy his columns.
• Green product baskets for all types of uses.
• Sean Mussenden writes financial columns for the paper. His blog has loads of tips.
• Every year, artrists are chosen for the Teresa Pollack awards. The winners for 2007 are Johnny Hott (vocalist & drummer)... Georgianne Stinnett (artist)... Jack Wax (a sculptor in glass)... Pam Turner (dancer)... Modern Groove Syndicate (band)... Sonali Gulati (film maker)... Gerald Donato and Joan Gaustad (artists)... Colleen Curran (author)... Karl Green (theater costumer)... Richmond Shakespeare Theatre... and Laura Browder (documentarian)
• When it comes to restoring older properties, some Richmonders have really unique talents. If you're on the hunt, try some of these folks. Faux Painting (Ann Jackson ~ 564.2949) or (Susan Hicklin ~ 400.7288)... old house carpentry (David Cooley's Restoration Builders of Virgina)... restoring old windows (Dixon Kerr ~ 788.0711)... brick masons (Jimmy Price of Virginia Lime Works)... old tin and slate roofs (Jamie Ryland ~ 648.4525) and (Graham Aston of Paul Saunders Roofing)... fountains (Charlie Ponticello ~ 467.6444)... upholstery (George Athy ~ 648.8095)... plaster work (Lewis Friend ~ 467.9606)... stained glass restoration (Scott Taylor ~ 230.0056)... old locks (Virginia Key & Lock ~ 794.5555)... and old plumbing (Stemmle Plumbing).
• Ray McAllister, a RTD columnist, has written Wrightsville Beach:The Luminous Island.
• Political statements in the form of seeds wrapped in bomb balls and guns.  Check out Christopher Hume and Noah Scalin's site.
• Our very own cooking school, Mise en Place offers amazing classes.
• For over 100 years, Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church has been making and selling traditional plum puddings.
• Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet make very quirky "found art".
• Learn how to cane a chair at Steve Culler's store, The Cane Collection. It's located in Lakeside.
• Cupcakes are oh so popular these days. You'll love the ones from Cupcakes By Design - 804.339.0457
• Are you hankering for an authenic New Orleans beignet? We've got 'em at Louisiana Flair, located at 322 E. Grace St. Yum.
• We have a plethora of handmade sausages. The Bratwurst (by Faith Farm Foods and sold at our farmers markets), Cajun Sausage by the Butcher at Bon Air and Della Nonna by the Belmont Butchery are some of the best.
• You can get yummy soups delivered to your home of office - every Wed. by one of our steller local chefs Melissa Christian. Her email is chefmchristian@verizon.net . 
• Got Kids? Check out this website for activities and this one for not only things to do - but for a wide glance at all things kid and Richmond related.

~ Travel ~ 

Tips:

• put your credit card company's number in your cell. You can call if you've lost it.
• ask your cruise steward to remove everything from your room's bar refrigerator. You'll know you won't be incorrectly charged for any items.
• Get your kids to write on a postcard everyday, or take photos for a scrap book. It makes a great journal.
• Have your doctor prescribe a broad spectrum antiobiotic. It might save the day!
• Budget Travel has a new book out called The Smart Traveler's Passport. It's chock a block full of tips.

The Bed Piece:

• wouldn't it be helpful to actually see what's around and in your hotel?
• With the dollar's varying exchange rates, comparing less expensive hotels in Europe is helpful.
• to get a real time check on the details of where you're going, trip advisor offers reviews from visitors who've been there.
• There are loads of monasterys that offer overnight stays in Italy.

The Transportation Piece:           

• I'm always looking for ways to save on flight costs. Check this site out. It actually predicts if the price you've found is good and it will also let you know if a better price is posted.
• You're doing the wait and watch dance for the best price. How about an alert to let you know when it falls? 
• Choosing flights and lines that run closer to on time is a help, as well as knowing when is the best time to arrive/leave from specific airports.
• You've bought it - was the deal the best you could get? Maybe you can pay less!
• You can also check non-traditional airlines. They often have more capacity and more space.
• I also always check the seating charts.
• Can't stand layovers?  Having the luxury of a VIP lounge can really help.
• Using your frequent flyer miles can be difficult. Mile Maven, Web Flyer and the Award Grabber sites can help.
• Here are the dimensions you need to remember for your luggage - carry ons - 22" for USA and 20" for international; checked baggage is 62". 50 lbs total weight for no more than 2 bags. The liquid issue is 3-1-1 (3 oz., 1 quart bag per 1 person). Don't try a bottle that's partially filled (to meet the 3oz.) I lost some toothpaste that way. 
• rentals of apartments can save some serious money. Some sites to visit include these options - #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
• How about a cheaper flights from JFK in NYC and Boston's Logan to Europe?
• You can have your bags picked up, and check current weight/# standards.

The Researching Where You're Going piece:

• Kango is an archive of articles and travel reviews.
• Getting reduced rates on tickets to shows and plays is easy at Option  #1, option #2 and option #3.
• Getting a group together can be challanging. Doodle let's everyone weigh in with opinions and calendar issues.
• Figuring out how to bid for lower prices - is it worth doing?
• Here's a site to check out the weather.
• If you like to cruise, you can check out all types of issues here.
• How about taking advantage of special events while you're there?

The Food Piece:

• Make reservations all over the US
• Zagat has great reviews. You can usually trust them if you just happen to walk up to a restaurant with their emblem in the window. You can also join them.
• On your first night. go to a great restaurant - either early or late when they aren't busy. Ask your waiter where they'd go. You'll often get a great suggestion.
• Two spots to sleuth good "foodie" restuarants when you travel. Here's another one.
• If you want to try to "eat green", there are several sites that help you find sustainable oriented eateries. One focuses on the MidWest and the other one works by zipcodes.

The Health Piece:

• If you have allergies, you can get cards with pictures to explain your symptoms.

The Places to Visit Piece - local and in Virginia:

• Virginia tourism
• Day trips in Virginia - of towns that are designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street program. The goal is to support and enhance the commercial districts of downtowns through out the US. We have a number of these designated towns in Virginia.
• How about our own Carytown - where my office is located?
• Glen Allen has a very active arts center.
• We enjoy our history. Learn more about Virginia's past.
• Mary McMillan does some great day trips around Richmond. She has her own website that gives the "inside" scoop.

Local Activities Right Around Here:

• cool your toes in the James River or the Pamunkey while rafting, kayaking or canoeing.
• or practice rowing and sculling. We've got an active club.
• Fishing abounds - how about trying Powhatan Lakes (all 66 acres)
• Biking is very popular here in Richmond. There are many great loops as well as the what many consider the toughest XTERRA course in the US. Other sites are found in Pochanatas State Park (Chesterfield), Poor Farm Park in Ashland and in the Larus Park by the Stony Park Shopping Center. Several groups hold various contests and events. Among them are the Muddy Buddy July event and off - road enthusiasts events in all of our City parks (James River, Powhite, Forest Hill, Larus, Dogwood Dell and Bryan).
• Birding is a fine hobby that is alive and well here, and treks and social events locally and through out the state that include day hikes, over nights to long weeks are held year round by the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club.
• Many groups sponsor evening programs for adults and for families. Check out the calendars of Dogwood Dell, Lewis Ginter, Pochantas Park, Science Museum, Forest Hill Park, Maymont and the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.
• We even have a zoo!
• We have a lot of locations where your dog is the true "king". You can let them run leash free after 5 pm at Lewis Ginter (check their calendar) and they are always welcome at Stony Point Fashion Park. The Valentine Richmond History Center has tours where dogs are welcome and the SPCA and All Dog Playskool offer obedience and agility classes. In addition, Belle Isle, University of Richmond, the Robious Landing Park, Deep Run Park and the Point of Rocks Park have great dog trails.
• Do you remember the days of movie drive-ins?  I do. My parents packed a picnic, and with the kids dressed in jammies, we went to the drive-in for an evening dinner, playground fun and then night night. We snuggled like puppies, sound asleep in the back of the wagon while my parents enjoyed a flick. There are 3 within a fairly easy drive of us - Winchester's Family Drive-In (this is a fun website!), Fork Union's Drive-In & Hull's Drive-In in Lexington. There are also plans afoot to bring a drive-in back to Goochland. Several web sites keep tabs on what's playing and what's open. Check them out!

 The Places to Visit Piece - outside of the US:

• Many European cities offer Museum cards.
• Free deals in Europe are always a grand find!

 Tour Groups - these sound as though they could plan some great experiences!

• Women Traveling Together
• Adventure Women
• Adventurous Wench
• Gutsy Women Travel
• Going Places!
• Going "green" in your travel is easier than ever.

The Vegetarian Piece:

• Lodging 
• Food  and food 
• Vacation packages 
• Guide book 1 and guide book 2 (in England)