Expressing My Admiration for Our Community and a Word of Caution on Waiting to Sell

I just have to take a moment to express how much I adore this community! It's impossible not to feel the love that permeates throughout. And, have you taken a stroll around town to see all the love signs? They're just one of the many unique touches that make our town special.

In real estate news, if you're contemplating selling, it's time to take action! Clean up, spruce up, and list! The Spring market has already begun, and if you wait too long, you might miss out on potential buyers. Day-trippers are already scouring for beach getaways. Don't let them pass up on your property!

Jenn

February Events

Every Wednesday 5-7pm Wine Down Wednesday

Samplings of select wines, cheeses, and pairings. Check the calendar for specifics

https://www.circa1892.com/events-and-offerings/

Host - Circa 1892 Wine & Cheese 106 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

Every Thursday All Day 22443 Day Discount

22443 residents receive 20% off bottles of wine and packs of beer all day at Circa 1892

https://www.circa1892.com/events-and-offerings/

Host - Circa 1892 Wine & Cheese 106 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

22443 residents receive 20% off select items at Beach Paws Boutique

.https://www.facebook.com/BeachPawsBoutiqueCBVA/

Host - Beach Paws Boutique 116 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

22443 residents receive discounts off select items at Hawthorn Mercantile

https://www.facebook.com/Hawthornmercantile

Host - Hawthorn Mercantile 116 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

Tuesday, February 6 6-8pm Northern Neck Networking Meet-up

Are you a small business owner in the Northern Neck who wants to network with other business owners while promoting your own business? Do you want to create business connections and collaborations while also supporting local businesses in our community? Do you want to share your challenges as a small business owner with others who may have solutions and tips for your success?

Then please consider coming to one of our meetups and become a NNN member which is FREE. We are a small but mighty group of business owners growing everyday that want to create a community where local businesses support each other through referrals and collaborations. That's it. No bells and whistles.

If you plan to attend any of our meetup please bring your business cards and be prepared to introduce you business, yourself to all that attend as we start our meetups with introductions. This relaxed approach has made our group super personal and super effective!

Host - CB Train Junction, 509 Colonial Ave, Colonial Beach

Saturday, February 10 6-9pm Mardi Gras Gala

Join the Downtown Colonial Beach organization for an evening to celebrate Mardi Gras and Carnival!

Your ticket will include dinner catered by local Colonial Beach restaurant Fire Escape Grill (choice of steak, shrimp or veggie pasta) with tableside wine, followed by authentic King Cake, Beignets, and Cafe Au Lait.

Fredericksburg jazz duo, JAM - Jazz & A Mission, will provide New Orleans style jazz for dancing and celebrating Carnival.

Local businesses and community members are donating items for an exciting Silent Auction. The "Winning Wine" raffle will give 20 lucky ticket holders the opportunity to win a fantastic bottle of wine curated by Colonial Beach business Circa 1892. All proceeds from this event will be used to benefit the revitalization efforts of the Downtown Colonial Beach organization in order to strengthen our community through preservation-based economic development.

Tickets: $125 per person, $225 per couple (Sales close 2/2/24). Semi-formal Dress

Wednesday, February 14 8:30am Coffee with a Cop

Don't like coffee? Let's break bread with breakfast! We would like to see you there!

Host- Eugene's Sausage and Fries 119 Monroe Bay Ave

Wednesday, February 14 5-7pm Valentine’s Fondue for Two

Please join us for our Valentine's Day CHOCOLATE Fondue For Two!

This delicious event will feature a decadent chocolate fondue served with perfectly paired accoutrements and sweet dippers. Also includes your choice of any bottle of our house wine. The price is $75 for two people, reservations required.

https://www.circa1892.com/events-and-offerings/

Host - Circa 1892 Wine & Cheese 106 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

Thursday, February 15 6-7:30pm Colonial Beach Welcome Meet-up

Hosted by the Colonial Beach Community Foundation at a different location each month the Welcome Meet Up is a great way to meet new people, reconnect with neighbors and friends, and learn about what’s going on in Colonial Beach.

The speaker for February is Joanie Millward with the Virginia Osprey Foundation.

Host - Dockside Realty-Colonial Beach 104 Taylor St, Colonial Beach

Saturday, February 16 11am-1:30pm The Remote Workers Potluck

An opportunity for remote employees to celebrate achievements, socialize, and collaborate on work matters in a more relaxed setting. It fosters a sense of community.

Host - CoBe Workspaces 100 Hawthorn Street Colonial Beach, VA

Please email georgia@cobeworkspaces.com to RSVP and let her know what food you’re bringing.

Saturday, February 24 12-3pm Live Music with Carlos Castro

Warm up and meet your friends for an afternoon of live music and a bottle of wine and maybe a charcuterie board

https://www.circa1892.com/events-and-offerings/

Host - Circa 1892 Wine & Cheese 106 Hawthorn St, Colonial Beach

Saturday, February 24 2-4pm

Documentary Screening – The Biggest Little Fish You’ve Never Seen

Virginia Osprey Foundation partners with the College of William and Mary and The Center for Conservation Biology to present this documentary on the plight of Menhaden, a nutrient rich fish that Osprey in the lower Chesapeake depend on to sustain their population. We hope you will join us on February 24, 2024 at 2:00 to learn how you can help! Michael Academia, Osprey Researcher from the Center of Conservation Biology will be present to answer any questions and talk Osprey Watch. This event is FREE to the public. Light refreshments will be provided and there will be door prizes! Please share and invite your friends, you do not want to miss out!!! We are the voice of the Osprey!

Please go to our website to RSVP.

https://www.virginiaospreyfoundation.org/

Host - St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 203 Denison Street Colonial Beach, VA

Fun Indoor Activities to Warm Up Late Winter

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season behind us, winter can be a much-needed season of rest and restoration. But as the days get longer, some of us start to feel a little stir-crazy wishing for warm spring days. If you’re getting tired of cozy slippers and evening cocoa, let this list inspire you to pick up something you forgot you love and make the most of this winter.

Make Something

There’s an endless list of hobbies and crafts to choose from. Warm up the kitchen with fresh bread or cookies, make-your-own pizza night, or an online cooking class. Join a book club, knit a hat, build a bookshelf, put together an old-school photo album, or make your own candles and soaps. Make unexpected gifts like friendship bracelets, bookmarks, or painted rocks to send to your favorite people.

Play Games

Playing is serious business. Not only is it essential for both children and adults, but it’s the best way to have fun. From board games, cards, and puzzles to scavenger hunts, whole-house toy race tracks, and living room obstacle courses, there’s so much to play! Put together a garage band, learn to dance in the living room, or make a mini movie with toy action figures – or act it out yourself.

Make It an Event

Even everyday things can be special with a tiny bit of effort. Instead of lunch, have an indoor picnic! Have a movie or video game marathon day, complete with your favorite snacks. Host a home spa day, paint night, afternoon tea party, or a summer-themed dinner. Have a living room campout – complete with a tent or blanket fort, smores, and ghost stories!

Get Together

If you find yourself spending too much time with, well, yourself, it might be time for a gathering. Free from the traditions and expectations of the holidays, late winter get-togethers are a low-stress way to lift your spirits and have fun. Plan a get-together, anything on this list will be twice as fun with friends and family!

Sources: everydaythrifty.com & rediscoveredfamilies.com

Ingredients

Directions

1. Place chicken wings in a bowl. Sprinkle salt, cayenne powder, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder over the chicken. Toss until evenly coated.

2. In a separate container, mix flour, black pepper, garlic powder, creole seasoning, and salt.

3. Lightly coat the wings in the breading mixture. Shake it off to get rid of excess breading.

4. In a large pot, pour 1.5 inches of canola oil and heat over medium heat until the temperature reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Fry the wings for 7 minutes. Place cooked wings on a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb the excess oil from the chicken.

6. Bake the wings at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

7. While baking, make the garlic parmesan sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic powder and minced garlic.

8. Add the parmesan cheese and mix. Turn off the heat as soon as the cheese is incorporated with the mixture.

9. Place the baked wings in a bowl. Pour the garlic parmesan sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.

10. Garnish the wings with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Source: insanelygoodrecipers.com

A Quick Look at Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollutants in your home can have an impact on your health, with symptoms ranging from eye, ear and nose irritation to headaches and dizziness. If you spend more time indoors over the winter, now might be a good time to have a quick look at the air quality in your home.

Potential Air Quality Issues

You can look around yourself and identify many of the potential sources of air pollution. If you’re concerned that you may have an air quality issue, both at-home and professional testing are available. Sources that release gasses or particles into the air cause most home air quality issues.

• Paints, thinners, glues, cleaning products, newly installed flooring, and some pressed wood products can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds - gasses) into the air that can be harmful over time.
• Excess moisture - leaks, wet spots, and high humidity - can cause mold and bacteria to grow.
• Pets, dust, tobacco products, deteriorated asbestos insulation, and your ventilation system can release irritating particles into the air.
• Combustion of oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, or tobacco releases gasses and particles.
• Outdoor sources like outdoor air pollution, pesticides, and radon can infiltrate your home as well.

Simple Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

There’s a lot you can do to improve the air quality in your home with just a little thought and care.

• Move VOC- containing items like paints, thinners, and glues from the house to the garage or an area with good ventilation.
• Consider safer, non toxic cleaning products, paints, and glues. Limit the scented items in your home.
• DIY outdoors if you can. Always ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area when using products with warning labels that indicate ventilation is needed.
• Use exhaust fans for bathrooms, kitchens, and any other high-moisture areas.
• Eliminate leaking pipes or roofs and areas with pooling water.
• Inspect air ducts for proper installation and to keep them clean.
• Change air conditioning and furnace filters regularly, as well as vacuum filters and air cleaner filters. Keep vents for clothes dryers and kitchen fans clean.
• Clean moldy surfaces with a bleach cleaner and remove moldy carpeting, drywall, and items that can’t be cleaned. Get professional help if needed.
• If fighting allergies, vacuum and dust regularly, use HEPA filters and replace those regularly, choose hypoallergenic pillows and impermeable mattress covers, and brush and bathe your pet regularly

And always, consult a professional if you have concerns you need help addressing.

Sources: petro.com & realsimple.com

Recent Colonial Beach Real Estate Happenings!

SFH= Single Family Home

U/F/A= Unit/Flat/Apartment

TH=Townhouse

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Information is provided as a courtesy, sourced from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and neither suggests nor infers that Jennifer Ellington nor DockSide Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted.