If you live near one of Chesapeake's many rivers or streams then you already know that spiders can be a problem.  Here are a few tips to help keep them out of your home.  Look for gaps and crevices around your home and seal them, especially around and under a balcony.  Look for and remove webs as well as crush any egg sacs you may find.  Keep outside lighting to a minimum.  Clean up any brush, leaves or wood from around the house and mow long grass.   If all else fails, use an insecticide that is labeled for exterior use.  look for nooks and crannies where spiders might hide. 11/28/2007

What does a NFL star do when he retires?  Hopefully move back home and do some good work.  North Cascade Boulevard Park where Ken Easley learned to play some ball has gone downhill over the last 25 years.  It was an all black park and once integration started to mostly work the importance of the park went away.  Blacks had better places to play and no longer had to go long distances to get to the park.  The city now wants to upgrade the park and Ken Easley has promised to put some money towards reviving the leagues that once played there.    11/27/2007

Chesapeake city council said no to the ethanol plant   Residents from Portsmouth and Chespeake spoke in droves at a recemt council meeting about the proposed plant and not many were for it.  The owner of the property was disappointed but will move on.  There are plenty of other commercial enterprises he can put up without asking for the council's approval.  Hopefully none will be as smelly as the ethanol plant. 11/24/2007

Landowners found themselves on the right side of the law for a change.  George and Margaret Osipovs sued the Chesapeake airport in 2004 over low flights they contended destroyed the tranquil, rural atmosphere of the the area.  Their property sits about a mile or so from the end of the runway.  A judge recently ruled in their favor and said they must be compensated or a jury of landowners will determine the compensation.  No monetary damages have been set up yet and the case is a long way from being settled but at least they are on their way.  11/22/2007

Landowners found themselves on the right side of the law for a change.  George and Margaret Osipovs sued the Chesapeake airport in 2004 over low flights they contended destroyed the tranquil, rural atmosphere of the the area.  Their property sits about a mile or so from the end of the runway.  A judge recently ruled in their favor and said they must be compensated or a jury of landowners will determine the compensation.  No monetary damages have been set up yet and the case is a long way from being settled but at least they are on their way. 11/22/2007

I commented a few days ago on a new homes community in Chesapeake called Westchester.  My builder decided to do a a quick Sneak A Peek.  The date is Nov 17 and the time is from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Please come and take a look see.  These are great semi-custom built homes built by a great custom builder.  I am putting up two pictures of homes that are representive of the homes we are building.  The price is from the low $400's.  From I64 take the Greenbrier exit towards the mall.  Greenbrier Blvd will turn into Butts Station Rd.  We are a mile or so down on the left.  Look for the sign that says "Westchester Estates.  Do not stop at the models on the right.  Look for my sign with the models on the left.  Look for the GSH sign.  11/16/2007

Are you ready to purchase a home?  Are you looking for a great deal on new construction?  Today I meet with the representative of a new home builder in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.  As of today, this builder has slashed their prices by $40K, these well built spacious home are now available in the mid to upper 300's.  Due to the fact that I am not their listing agent, I have been asked me not to use their name.  However, if you would like the information please call or email me. This is a great example of the savings buyers have when purchasing homes, in addition VHDA is offering home loans at 5.5%!  This is a great deal, don't miss out on this opportunity.  Sean SchroederThe Real Estate XChange757-839-3954seanschroeder@757realproperty.comhttp://www.757mls.com/ 11/14/2007

In case you didn't know, Chesapeake does have an Arboretum.  Not only does Chesapeake have an Arboretum but the city was asked to invest some money into it.  The total cost is not known at this time.  Some of the improvements include restoring the original farmhouse and establishing a 5-acre tree nursery site that will used  replace trees that will be planted in city parks, public buildings and along city roads.  Makes since to me and hopefully the council will spend the money to make this a success. 11/09/2007

Turns out these beautiful lighted domes featured in all the ads and newspaper articles are just a figment of Smiling Earths imagination.  There will be two 100 foot tall domes but they will be just regular old concrete form domes.  The 320 million gallon plant has been approved but the owners have yet to purchase the land.  Aren't we putting the cart before the horse?  Hopefully the plant will be built because diesel cars are expected to start increasing market share steadily in 2008 and beyond.  I would hate to see diesel go much higher as that is what I put in my car. 10/31/2007

Dollar Tree recently announced the recall of four brands of childrens's jewelery.  The reason?  High levels of lead of course.  This seems to be a constant the last few months.  Dollar Tree has pulled the products from its shelves and will no longer stock them.  Parents are encouraged to take the product away from children and return them to the store.  The products are Beary Cute pierced earrings: Expressions beaded necklaces/bracelets; and Sassy and Chic necklaces, bracelets and charms.  Some other jewelry include flashing rings and pins designed with Shrek and Spider Man characters.  Hopefully these and other importers will wake up and start using some oversight on their products. 10/28/2007

The Witchduck Road homes are going away.  31 homes on the road between Princess Anne and I264 are scheduled for demolition.  At first, several of the residents were quite unhappy but after moving the pain is not as bad as when it was first announced.  These homes were here before the city became a city and part of Princess Anne County.  Several of the homeowners are the original owners and did not want to move.  The road is expected to be finished around 2013 (long lead time).  10/24/2007

South Hill residents aren't sure but some want to move and the $5 million dollars the plant has provided should help some of those residents.  It may not be enough to move all the residents but some don't want to move anyway.  I am thinking ten years from now when they are by themselves they may have wanted to move when they had the chance.  No one will be forced to sell their homes but the properties are zoned industrial and can not be rebuilt or added onto.  Hopefully the Chesapeake Housing and Redevelopment Authority can come up with a viable solution to the problem.  They did redevelop Foundation Park into Campostella Square. 10/24/2007

Thousands of motorist drive past a historic land mark without ever knowing it is there.   The battle of Great Bridge occurred on December 9, 1775.  When British Royal governor Lord Dunmore moved his troops from Norfolk to Great Bridge to await the American forces.  In a brief and decisive battle the British forces were pushed back to Norfolk by the American forces.   This action occurred not far from where the Chesapeake Municipal Center is located.   On the inter coastal water way, tucked in a clearing, were a museum will one day be built, stands a monument to this battle.    Here of photo of Monument:   10/22/2007

My wife loves to eat hot wings, the hoter the better. Me on the other hand, l ike to tast my food without the worry of a heart attack, or burning off my tast buds. So, one night she wants to get hot wings.  Yes I could have suggest hooters - yea right for the wings.  We have driven by this Crazy Wing Cantina, right off of Battlefield Blvd, and figured we would give it a try.Now Crazy Wing Cantina is right on the sound, its a great view when you are eating your wings and drink a cold one, Crazy wings bills itself as an "Crazy wing cantina is an authentic buffalo new york style chicken wing restaurant."So the first night we got there, my wife asked for hot wings, well they have 25 different flavors.  So, she asked for HOT WINGS, and the waitress suggest two of their hottes.  The first was... 10/22/2007

It is the current state of the moisture testing industry that has prompted me to join this blog network and ask the question; "Shouldn't EIFS inspections be conducted by EIFS industry professionals." I know that many of you are thinking, "Gee I took the 40 hour course and paid the $900, doesn't that make me an expert?" Well to put succinctly, no. My name is Rob Santana, owner of Modern Wall Systems and On Point Consulting (OPC) and I would like to present our opinions so that awareness is raised and better decisions may be made regarding structures and moisture testing in general. Presently, there are many individuals without the basic understanding of construction and building sciences that are utilizing questionable methods to analyze moisture issues in, specifically but not limited ... 10/15/2007

Conditions may be unfavorable for Belharbour to get off the ground at SoNo (South Norfolk).  The developer is supposed to build the first phase of 220 condos and homes within four years.  It doesn't look like that will happen in this market.  City officials are pushing the issue but it doesn't make sense to build homes that people aren't interested in purchasing at the moment.  The city is tasked with providing $37 million in infrastructor and is trying to find ways to pay for it.  One includes the community taxing itself to pay for the upgrades. Lets hope it gets going soon as the city needs this kind of developement in SoNo. 10/08/2007

The on again, off again plant is off again with the city citing concerns about the developer.  There are financial as well as continuing surprises about members of the development team and environmental issues.  Give credit to the council for going slow and to the biodisel people for hanging in there.  09/22/2007

A group citizens and city officials from Portsmouth and Chesapeake made a visit to two ethanol plants in Wisconsin.  Some said it was purtrid and sickening.  Some of the officials thought it wasn't that bad.  Of course these plants were ten times smaller then the plant proposed for Chesapeake so comparasons may not be possible and the technology is five years old.  Of course to me smelly is still smelly. 07/18/2007

The powers that be want to know if an ethanol plant will smell so they are taking a field trip to the midwest to find out.  The plants are nowhere near the size that will be built in Chesapeake but hopefully the officials will find some answers.  Stay tuned. 07/11/2007

This is a great community.  I sold all of the homes several years ago as I was the site agent.  Because the homes were built with all vinyl they stand the test of time.  The community loods as good today as it did when it was finished.  Some credit can go to the association manager who oversees the landscaping and watering.  Yes!! watering.  The community waters the front and rear yard.  Hows that for relaxing.  I64 and Greenbrier Mall are only minutes away but for that upscale shopping bug, McArthur Mall is just over the bridge. 06/26/2007