Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Neighborhood Throws a Great Show!

I just received photos of last weekend's Pine Ridge 5th Annual Car Show and Picnic, and from the looks of it, the neighborhood sure knows how to throw a good party. The fun-filled event was held last Sunday, October 19th at the Pine Ridge neighborhood park in Virginia Beach.

Sam Gassel, the car show organizer, tells me they had a really nice turnout, and everyone enjoyed themselves. A lot of great cars (and their owners of course) turned out for the show. Checkered Flag also joined in on all the fun by sponsoring the event and bringing several cars for display in the show (some are pictured below).

Proceeds raised from the car show and picnic benefitted both the Pine Ridge Civic League and the Virginia Beach SPCA. They were able to raise $800 for the SPCA!

The Virginia Beach SPCA also brought a few special "guests" for adoption, including Winston, a very sweet black Labrador Retriever mix, who from what I hear, was the star of the show. How cute is he! In fact, Sam says the lucky gentleman who won the 50/50 raffle generously donated his $220 winnings to Winston and the SPCA. Winston is still looking for a good home, so if you’d like to get to know him better, visit here.

Special thanks to Sam for sharing these photos with us, and great job to the Pine Ridge Community for putting on an awesome event!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkered Flag Sponsors 5th Annual Pine Ridge Car Show & Fall Picnic

Hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, plus cars! Talk about an awesome combination that's sure to make for a good time. Checkered Flag is sponsoring the 5th Annual Pine Ridge Car Show & Fall Picnic this Sunday, October 19th from 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Pine Ridge community welcomes everyone to a fun-filled day at their neighborhood park (located off of London Bridge Rd. in Virginia Beach).

The event festivities include something for every member of the family: a moon walker; FREE snow cones; live music by TRIPLESHOT and other local neighborhood bands; a 50/50 raffle (tickets are $1) and other great prizes. They'll also have plenty of grub for you to enjoy. Food and drink tickets can be purchased in advanced or at the park. Tickets are $5 for food and $1 for drinks.  

There'll also be cars galore. Sam Gassel, the car show organizer, tells me that last year's show had 100 cars, 23 judged trophies were awarded, and they expect this year to have a great turnout too. Cars from Checkered Flag will be on display at the show, so be sure to check those out. Members of the Porsche Club and other local car clubs will also be joining in on the fun.

Entry into the car show is $20 per car. You can register at the park up til 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. For advanced registration and details email Sam at samg@air-tite.com.

Proceeds from the show and picnic will benefit the Pine Ridge Community Civic League and the SPCA. And as a head's up...they will have pets available for adoption.

For more information please visit www.neighborsofpineridge.com. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed for no rain, but if the weather doesn't cooperate, the rescheduled rain date is Sunday, Oct. 26th. Happy Weekend, Checkered Blog readers!

Hampton Roads Weekend Outlook

Happy Friday Checkered Blog readers! We've made it to the weekend, and if you don't have plans yet, you're in luck because there's lots going on in Hampton Roads. Here are a couple events you might want to check out.

First off, the National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week starts Saturday, September 20 and lasts through September 28. Drive Safe Hampton Roads kicks off the week long event, promoting the proper use of child safety seats and safety belts. On Saturday, they're offering free child safety seat checks at AAA Tidewater, 5366 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. If you've got young ones riding along, they urge you to come out and learn about the potential dangers of improperly installed child safety seats. I did some research myself, and found that child safety seats can reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years! Keep our young motoring passengers protected by getting your free safety check. If you'd like more information visit www.drivesafehr.org or call (757) 498-0214.

Also, the 2008 Golden Anniversary Air Show lands this weekend at Naval Air Station Oceana. The 50th year celebration takes off this evening at 5:30pm with the Twilight Air performance and fireworks display (gates open at 5:00pm). Festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday. Performances include: the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Mike Goulian, Patty Wagstaff, John Mohr, Manfred Radius, Bill Leff, the GEICO Skytypers and much more. The U.S. Navy Leap Frogs and the British Red Devils will also perform thrilling parachute jumps! Admission and parking are free. Gates open at 8:00am and the show starts at 10am. For details visit here http://www.oceanaairshow.com/.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Remembering September 11

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks. We would like to take a moment to honor the memory of the innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts of support to their families and friends, and thank all the heroic men and women who serve to protect our country. Here are some events in Hampton Roads to remember 9/11.

Chesapeake:

World Day of Prayer 7 p.m., Unity Renaissance Church, 1120 N. Eden Way. For more information call (757) 420-5280 or visit www.unityrenaissance.com.

Norfolk/Virginia Beach:

Freedom Walk 5:30 p.m., from Harbor Park to Wisconsin Square, followed by ceremony and collection of children's letters to troops. For more information visit: www.hamptonroadsfreedomwalk.com.

Flower Memorial 7:30 p.m., Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road. Music, Honor Guard, tribute to local emergency personnel. Call (757) 652-0814 for details.

Suffolk:

Freedom Walk 5:30 p.m., Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 N. Main St. Information: (757) 514-7257 or www.suffolk.va.us.

Charity Car Show a BIG Success

The 4th Annual End of Summer Super Bash Charity Car Show and Bass Off held Monday at the Chesapeake City Park, was a huge success. I got the chance to spend a few minutes talking with Seven City Scions founder and president, Joe "J.R." Drake. He says the turnout was great; approximately 730 people came out to the fun-filled automotive extravaganza.

Car aficionados and families alike enjoyed a display of close to 200 cars! J.R. says "every car you could imagine was out there," from "Old Skool" classics (1969 and older) to "Generation X" (1980-88) and beyond. Even young car fanatics competed in the Power Wheels division (adorable!!!). A total of 42 awards were given to show participants.

Here's a rundown of some of the competition winners:

Best in Show, Best Scion, & People's Choice Award: Mike Canoy, 2006 Scion TC (He drove 6 hours from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to be part of the show!)

Best Car: Joe Tarpani, 2007 Nissan 350z

Best Bike: Greg Grimana, 2000 Harley Ultra Classic

Best Truck: Skip Foy, 1995 GMC Sierra

Proceeds from the show raised $2,600 to benefit the Intrepid Fallen Hero's fund and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.

Seven City Scions is Hampton Roads' largest Scion enthusiasts club. Since their founding in 2004, the club has grown to approximately 320 members. J.R. says they're planning to hold two smaller charity events by the end of this year. If you're interested in finding out more about the club or the events, contact J.R. aka "Scion Man" at scionman1@sevencityscions.net.

Spend your Labor Day at the 4th Annual End of Summer Super Bash Charity Car Show and Bass Off

If you're looking for something fun to do on this Labor Day join Hampton Road's Largest Scion Enthusiasts Club, Seven City Scions as they host the 4th Annual End of Summer Super Bash Charity Car Show and Bass Off Competition. Come out to the Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake (just past Greenbrier Mall) from 9 AM to 5 PM.

They're expecting to have over 700 cars in the show this year! Lawrence Doligosa, Scion Champion and Internet Sales Manager tells me that Checkered Flag will have cars out on display, so be sure to check them out. There'll be something for every member of the family, including a dunk-tank, food, games and a performance by nationally recognized band, Nemesis. 

Admission is free to the public. Entry into the car show or bass off competition is a $20 donation, $30 for both. All donations collected this year will benefit two charities: The Intrepid Fallen Hero's fund (visit here for details on the organization) and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Event sponsors are Scion Corporate (CAT) and Sam's Clubs of Hampton Roads.

Pictures below are from last year's show. For more information contact Joe "J.R." Drake  at scionman1@sevencityscions.net or (757) 235-7928. Happy Labor Day everyone!

Hollywood Drives into Virginia Beach

If you were anywhere near the Virginia Beach Convention Center yesterday afternoon, I'm sure you caught whiff of burning rubber and heard the echoes of screeching brakes. The IFPDI (International Film & Precision Driving Instructors) team held live demonstrations there to kick off the official launch of their International Stunt Driver Training Program.

You've seen many of these professional stunt drivers before in movies such as Mission Impossible II, Bad Boys II, X-Men, Independence Day, Die Hard, and 2 Fast 2 Furious, just to name a few. Stunt driving is no joke and these guys really know what they're doing. They have more than 270 years of combined experience as stunt performers, coordinators, and directors!

Yours truly got the opportunity to sit shotgun with Shane Cardwell, the founder of IFPDI and experienced stunt professional, while he demonstrated some precision tricks. I jumped in not really knowing what to expect, but it proved to be such an adrenaline rush. Thanks, Shane! Even Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf came out to enjoy the exciting stunts. See the pictures below.

You too can get behind the wheel with members of the IFPDI team. Visit their website for more information on the stunt driving training program, or contact Tania Cardwell at (757) 333-2600. Also, be sure to check out the compilation of video clips below from yesterday's demonstrations.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hampton Roads Salutes Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend has come full swing and it appears that a good number of Hampton Roads residents have opted to spend the holiday near home. I spent a few hours at the 25th Annual Strawberry Festival in Pungo today, and if you get a chance to head over there, the strawberry shortcakes are a must have!

Aside from the festival, there are a number of Memorial Day observances scheduled throughout the Tidewater /Hampton Roads area. There is a strong military presence here, so we at Checkered Blog would like to extend a very Happy Memorial Day weekend to all military personnel.

As promised here is a list of events occurring this weekend.

Virginia Beach

May 23-25 -Remember the Music-Remember the Heroes: Commemorate the memories of the men and women who spent their lives protecting our country through live music and entertainment. Dont miss the  Heroes Walk on the boardwalk.

May 26- The 2008 Memorial Day Ceremony & 20th Anniversary of the Tidewater Veterans Memorial: A fly-over featuring military and WWII aircrafts will follow the ceremony.

Norfolk

May 24-26 -The 25th Annual AFRAM Fest- AFRAM Fest is held every year by the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA) and is the largest African-American event held in the state.

Newport News

May-26- Memorial Day Remembrance: Following the ceremony, all are invited to learn about American military history at the Virginia War Museum.

Williamsburg

May 26- Memorial Day Program at Colonial Williamsburg: Observe Memorial Day and remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country.

Yorktown

May 24-25- Yorktown Civil War Weekend: Special activities include encampments, military and surgical demonstrations, campfire program, and walking tours. Wreath laying ceremonies occur on Sunday at the Yorktown National Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery.

The National Moment of Remembrance occurs on Monday, where Americans around the country will pause at 3pm for reflection.

The forecast for this weekend calls for sunshine and dry conditions, so take advantage of the amazing weather, while remembering the holiday. For more information on these events and others visit the Virginia is for Lovers website.

How to Help Your Neighbors

The Checkered Blog sends our thoughts and prayers to those affected by yesterday's tornadoes.  For anyone looking to help out, The Virginian-Pilot recently published the following list of relief organizations that are accepting donations to assist Virginia tornado victims.

United Way of Central Virginia www.unitedwaycv.org

United Way of the Virginia Peninsula www.uwvp.org

American Red Cross www.redcross.org – Suffolk, Southeast, Petersburg and Greater Richmond Chapters

Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org

Federation of Virginia Food Banks www.foodbankonline.org

Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia www.cceva.org

Lutheran Disaster Response & Lutheran Family Services of Virginia www.ldr.org

Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia www.sbcv.org

Virginia Baptist Mission Board www.vbmb.org

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance www.pcusa.org

Virginia United Methodist Church Conference Disaster Response www.vaumc.org

Adventist Community Services www.communityservices.org

Virginia Beach Society for the Preventions of Cruelty to Animals www.vbspca.com

The Humane Society of the United States www.hsus.org/disaster

Suffolk Foundation. Contributions should be made payable to “Suffolk Foundation" and marked “Tornado Relief Fund.” Mail or deliver to 1426 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. These gifts will be dispersed by the Suffolk Foundation to 501(c)(3) charities and government agencies qualified to meet the specific needs of individuals requiring financial support. For more information, call (757)923-9090.

Virginia International Tattoo This Weekend at Scope

It's Friday.  The weather is cooperating nicely.  Good weekend to go out and see what is happening in Hampton Roads.  The Virginia International Tattoo  roars into town this weekend at Scope Arena in Norfolk and more than 850 performances will take place. Click here for information on schedules, ticket prices and more!