Symphonicity - Playing and Singing: Bruckner, Respighi, Vaughan-Williams, Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3pm, Tickets are $19, $24, $29 and, as always, $10 for active duty military and groups. To purchase, call (757) 385-2787 or click here to purchase online.

Virginia Aquarium - Winter Wildlife Boat Trips See Multiple Whales While Underway! The numbers speak for themselves - since January every Winter Wildlife Boat Trip has seen whales. And most trips see more than one whale. This past week each trip saw at least five humpback whales. The "Best Trip of the Week" saw pairs of humpback whales breaching all around the boat for an extended period of time. Another boat trip saw a few breaches from one of four pairs of humpback whales that they spotted.

Winter obviously changes our familiar landscape but the sea offers some amazing differences as well. To get a different perspective, the Virginia Aquarium offers two hour Winter Wildlife Boat Trips. Guests will find on the 65-foot catamaran Rudee Whaler or Rudee Flipper, a heated cabin as well as outdoor seating on both the upper and lower decks. Guests can sip a hot beverage as they cruise along with knowledgeable Virginia Aquarium educators and scan the horizon looking for birds, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and whales.

The Virginia Aquarium has extended its Winter Wildlife Boat Trip season through April 1. Trips typically run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the upcoming holiday Monday February 20. The two hour adventure costs $28 per adult (ages 12+) and $24 per child (ages 4-11). Tickets may be purchased at Aquarium Guest Services or at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center. Call (757) 385-FISH for more information and/or visit VirginiaAquarium.com for a complete boat schedule. Boat trips may be cancelled due to weather which may affect safe boating conditions. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Town Center Fitness and Dance offers Zumba classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6am and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15pm? Come this Friday at 6am and get your sweat on!!!

 Urban boot camp Town Center Virginia Beach - Experience a one of a kind work out that tackles the uptown urban landscape of town center. Special Forces sergeant will lead a group of recruits inside and outside town center. Rain or shine you won't get wet, so there's always an effective and fun experience.

 Climb the tallest buildings in Virginia. Hit the streets and around famous landmarks. Take your fitness to another level. Great for friends and groups to join and have fun. All levels welcomed. Looking to be a big loser of weight, get fit, lose inches and shape your body to be the best.

  Where: Town Center Fitness. 205 Town Center Drive. Va. Beach. Va. 23462 

 When: Monday. March 5th 2012 @ 0600 am, call for more info: #757-962-3778

The Arthritis Foundation Mid Atlantic Region invites you to the Luck O’ the Irish 2012 Arthritis Ball on Saturday, March 31, 6:00 PM at the Sheraton Oceanfront. For more information click here: Luck O' the Irish

Town Center Fitness and Dance presents - fight the urge...quit for good!! Stop smoking in 14 days or less! Learn the secrets to quitting the addiction and learn how to never go back! Join Sean David Cohen for a 1 hour seminar that discusses the keys to quitting and nutritional supplement replacements. Saturday, February 11th, 2012, 10:00am, cost: $10.00 for more information, please visit: http://www.14andout.com/

Virginia Aquarium - Locals and tourists are responding to the news of this year’s “epic” whale sightings as last weekend’s Virginia Aquarium Winter Wildlife Boat Trips broke season records. Additional boats were launched to accommodate the crowds and none were disappointed with their sightings. One boat was fortunate enough to see 10 individual whales on their outing.

Winter obviously changes our familiar landscape but the sea offers some amazing differences as well. To get a different perspective, the Virginia Aquarium offers two hour Winter Wildlife Boat Trips. Guests will find on the 65-foot catamaran Rudee Whaler or Rudee Flipper, a heated cabin as well as outdoor seating on both the upper and lower decks. Guests can sip a hot beverage as they cruise along with knowledgeable Virginia Aquarium educators and scan the horizon looking for birds, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and whales.

Virginia Aquarium Winter Wildlife Boat Trips are offered now through March 18. Trips typically run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the upcoming holiday Monday February 20. The two hour adventure costs $28 per adult (ages 12+) and $24 per child (ages 4-11). Tickets may be purchased at Aquarium Guest Services or at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center. Call (757) 385-FISH for more information and/or visit VirginiaAquarium.com  for a complete boat schedule. Boat trips may be cancelled due to weather which may affect safe boating conditions. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. 

Don't Miss These Valentine's Day Specials at Town Center:

The Royal Chocolate~

Opening early for you starting at 8:30 in the morning on the 14th! You can get a more traditional box of chocolate or try something more unique, like the buy 5, get one free dipped strawberries. Perfectly boxed for your gift! There's the chocolate fondue for dessert too.

Cuddle over the fondue after an amazing dinner or go with your girlfriends and celebrate each other!!! Check out the flier attached, you'll see that they have specials starting this Friday, the 10th, for fondue seatings and tasting events. Call for your reservation, 757-557-6925. (I made mine for Saturday!)

Just Cupcakes~

Who doesn't love a cupcake picked out especially for them??? Pick up a few for your kids to let them know they're your Valentines too!

Specially decorated V-Day cupcakes for only $28 on all preorders!

They'll be in the shop too, but regularly priced for $33 per dozen.

Some of the flavors featured are Pink Prosecco with Strawberry Italian Meringue, The Hurricane (from Cupcake Wars), the classic Buttercake, infused with Rose Water, Chocolate Cherry Lava and a Chocolate Ganache with marshmallow filling. All made with LOVE for your LOVE!!! The perfect way to say "you're special" to your staff? A tray of 3 dozen mini cupcakes and cupcake truffles delivered to your office, $44 & FREE delivery!!! They are also extending hours and will be open to until 9 pm - so stop by for a sweet treat with your sweetie! Call - 671-2020 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eclectic Design Florist & Gifts~

Maria is busy making the most beautiful arrangements for you surprise your lovely lady with! Call 757-425-7646 and she will help you pick out just the right thing to make her say, WOW!!! The attachment below has a few examples of arrangements, but don't be afraid to think outside of the box, sometimes the most unique leaves the lasting impression!

Dr. David H. McDaniel, M.D. Laser & Cosmetic Center~ If you know someone that loves a little pampering, don't forget, tomorrow, February 7th, 10 am -4 pm, is Dr. McDaniel's FREE Open House!!! Please see the attached flier and make note that Gift Certificates are available for purchase for your Valentine as well!

There will be one day only specials so stop in tomorrow on your lunch break, call 757-437-8900 or go to www.DrMcDaniel.com for more details.

Town Center Dance~

Located within Town Center Fitness, the dance instructors of Town Center Dance, invite you to make Friday, February 10th, a fun date night!!! The Dessert & Dance night will be from 8-10 pm and is only $5 per person. What an exciting way to make a special memory this Valentine's Day! You can find the flier attached...

Teens With a Purpose - Register for the "Teens With a Purpose Open House at the Attucks Cultural Center featuring vignettes from Imagine Me and Interactive Workshop". Teens With a Purpose Open House at the Attucks Cultural Center: featuring vignettes from Imagine Me and Interactive Workshop TWP-The Youth Movement , DATE: Monday February 13^th, TIME: 6:30pm, LOCATION: Crispus Attucks Cultural Center, 1010 Church Street, Norfolk, Virginia.

"Imagine Me - A Theatrical Experience" is a powerful and entertaining original production, written, produced, and presented by TWP's: theatrical team, 4Reel Productions; Poets, Hampton Roads Youth Poets; Musicians, singers and song writers, Music Made Simple and the TWP Dancers.

"Imagine Me" will inspire today's youth to make conscious decisions. Wth this production we will continue to inspire our future mentors and community leaders. This production will also raise awareness among young people about the possible consequences of their actions thus reducing their risk of: HIV/STDs, teen pregnancy, dating, bullying, suicide, gang violence and high school dropouts. Prizes and Teen Safe driving information provided by GEICO. Hurry up! Reserve your seat & register by February 10th at the TWP - The Youth Movement website.

Town Center Fitness and Dance - Thanks everyone for making their Grand Opening a success! Come join us for our Valentine's Day Party! Friday, February 10, 8-10PM, only $5/per person! Dress in red & bring a dessert to share!

Dance with us at our weekly Group classes: Mondays - 7pm Intermediate Salsa, Tuesdays - 7pm Intermediate/Advanced Int'l Samba and 8pm Intermediate/Advanced Int'l Tango, Wednesdays - 6pm Beginner Line Dance and 7pm Beginner Ballroom class

We started brand new Kids classes: Tuesdays - 4:15pm Kids Disco/Freestyle, Thursdays - 4:15pm Kids Street/Hip Hop, Fridays -6pm Kids Ballroom/Latin. Only $5 per class, Ages 6 & up.

We are now selling dance shoes, make sure you get yours today! High quality shoes, just what your precious feet deserve! Come & check them out!

Retail Alliance invites you to MediaFest 2012 - Thursday, February 23, 2012, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, 5655 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452.

Platinum Sponsor: Customer Magnetism, internet marketing agency

Educational Seminars

4:30 PM   Customer Service Marketing, Michael Daniels, Banana Republic  (How excellent customer service helps to brand your business)

6:30 PM   How to Measure ROI for Advertising, Media Panel Discussion    (Track your return on investment for marketing campaigns)

Event Features: Networking, Entertainment, Media Exposure, Advertising Opportunities, Educational Seminars, Food Sampling (from local restaurants), Cash Bar, Door Prizes

Registration: Pre-register online by February 20, 2012 to enter the event for FREE and for a chance to win an iPad 2 or a Nikon S3100 Cool Pix Digital Camera! Register at www.retail-alliance.com

Town Center Dance - Pre-opening specials end January 31. Get your lessons, punch card or VIP membership now! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center whale experts would like to remind fishers to be aware of whales in Virginia ocean waters and to remove fishing gear from the water so that it will not harm them.

On Thursday, January 26, the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team received a report of a humpback whale that had been entangled in recreational fishing gear. The gear has been identified as a striped bass lure called a 'mojo' parachute lure which has a heavy lead head surrounded by a 'skirt' of fringe. At least one hook appears to be embedded in the whale's skin.

 The major concern with this type of entanglement is not the hook, but the trailing monofilament which, depending on how much line is attached, may wrap around an animal's flippers or jaw and cause lacerations, loss of circulation and/or infection,” said Susan Barco, Virginia Aquarium research coordinator and senior scientist. 

If boaters encounter an entangled whale, please maintain a safe distance while attempting to keep the animal in sight and call the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team immediately at 757-385-7575.

Announcement from HBA Architecture and Interior Design, Inc. - The E.V. Williams Center for Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) will present the 17th Annual Hampton Roads Real Estate Market Review and Forecast on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the Ted C. Constant Convocation Center on the campus of Old Dominion University from 3:00 p.m.  - 6:30 p.m.

CREED thanks our past sponsors and attendees and we invite our members to not only attend this year's presentation, but also encourage your organizations to consider participating at the 2012 Market Review as a Booth, Program or Industry Association Sponsor. 

Sponsorship and event registration forms are available online at www.hrmarketreview.com. 

As a reminder, all current CREED members receive complimentary registrations to the Market Review event; however, a completed registration form is necessary to confirm members' attendance at the event.  Registration forms are accessible for download at www.hrmarketreview.com

We thank you in advance for your continued support of the Hampton Roads Real Estate Market Review and Forecastwhere, as you know, more than 700 of the region's best from all sectors of the real estate and economic development industry come together to benefit from quality market analysis, industry projections and forecasts, and great professional networking.  

Don’t miss the Grand Opening of Town Center Fitness and Dance on Saturday January 28^th. Join us for an exciting day filled with class demos, food, and prize giveaways!! Festivities begin at 7am! At night, the dance floor heats up with a special performance by World Champion dancers! Come join the party from 7pm-10pm! Ticket price for evening event $15.00 (advance) $20 (at the door) *Ticket price includes food, drink, performances and general dancing.*

CURRENT MEMBERS - ONE DAY ONLY!! Do you know someone who is looking for a full service gym? Encourage them to join yours! Bring your interested friend or family member to our facility on Saturday (1/28). Should they sign up for a membership, (1) month of your current membership is FREE! -or- You may choose (1) of our services: -1/2 hour massage, 1/2 hour personal training session, $30.00 worth of nutrition bars, or $30.00 worth of protein shakes. There is no limit on referrals- 12 referrals=1 year membership FREE

Symphonicity Continues its 31st Anniversary Season with “Bruckner and Respighi”, featuring the Symphonicity Chorus, the Old Dominion University Concert Choir, and soloists

 (Virginia Beach) Symphonicity, the City of Virginia Beach’s own symphony orchestra, presents its third subscription concert, “Bruckner and Respighi”, on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 3:00pm at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462.

 Featuring: Symphonicity Chorus, directed by Deborah Carr and the Old Dominion Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Nancy Klein. Soloists are Kimberly Markham, Dr. Kelly Montgomery, Brian Nedvin, and Chris Hanson. On the program: The Pines of Rome and The Fountains of Rome by Respighi; the Serenade to Music of Vaughan-Williams, and the Te Deum of Bruckner.

For single tickets, call 1-888-3COXTIX, logon to www.coxtix.com, or visit the Sandler Center Box Office. Tickets range from $10-$29. For group rates, call (757)-671-8611.

11 TROUTMAN SANDERS ATTORNEYS NAMED VIRGINIA’S ‘LEGAL ELITE’  

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – January 23, 2011 – Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce that 11 of its Norfolk and Virginia Beach attorneys were selected as 2011 Legal Elite by Virginia Business magazine.For inclusion and distinction as a member of the Legal Elite, attorneys are selected by their peers based on an extensive balloting system. Virginia Businessmagazine’s editorial staff along with the Virginia Bar Association mail out ballots to several thousand lawyers who are members of the state bar, practice law in Virginia and whose practice areas correspond to those being highlighted in this special edition.  

 The Troutman Sanders Norfolk and Virginia Beach attorneys included in the 2011 edition of Legal Elite are:

Richard C. Beale - Business Law, Virginia Beach

Robert P. Beaman III - Young Lawyer (under 40), Virginia Beach

Michael J. Gardner - Construction, Norfolk

Jonathan L. Hauser -Bankruptcy, Virginia Beach

Thomas C. Kleine - Legal Services/Pro Bono, Virginia Beach

John C. Lynch -Civil Litigation, Virginia Beach

Jason E. Manning -Intellectual Property, Virginia Beach

Jessica Link Martyn - Young Lawyer (under 40), Norfolk

R.J. Nutter II - Real Estate/Land Use, Virginia Beach

Ethan G. Ostroff  - Civil Litigation, Virginia Beach

John M. Ramirez (CBDA Board Member) - Business Law, Virginia Beach

Troutman Sanders LLP Earns Top Marks in 2012 Corporate Equality Index
Law firm scores 100 in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Tenth Annual Index

ATLANTA – January 23, 2012 – Troutman Sanders LLP is proud to announce that, for a fourth consecutive year, it has earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The firm joins the ranks of 190 other major U.S. businesses, which got top marks for their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees and consumers.

 “This year’s CEI tells a powerful story of American businesses willing to meet that higher bar,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human rights Campaign Foundation. “A remarkable 190 businesses succeeded in scoring 100 percent. This rating reflects equal health care coverage for all LGBT employees and their families, including full parity for domestic partner benefits not only in basic medical coverage, but in dependent care, retirement and other benefits that affect families’ financial and medical well-being.”

 The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year. To achieve a perfect score and the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” companies are required to have fully inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship.

 A total of 850 businesses were rated in the 2012 CEI, including the entire Fortune 500. Two-hundred seventy-seven Fortune 500 companies submitted surveys voluntarily; the remaining 214 were rated based upon data available to the public. In addition, 65 Fortune 1000 companies, 134 law firms and 160 other companies voluntarily participated in the 2012 CEI. For more information on the 2012 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

TROUTMAN SANDERS PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS BY 11 – Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of 11 attorneys who have been elected partners. "These 11 attorneys have worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone in their careers,” said Stephen E. Lewis, managing partner of Troutman Sanders. “The firm appreciates their hard work, dedication and commitment to the firm, and looks forward to their continued success as partners at Troutman Sanders.”

Jason E. Manning, the new partner in the Virginia Beach office joined the firm in 2006. He is a member of Troutman Sanders’ Financial Services Litigation, Business Litigation, and Intellectual Property practice groups.

The Virginia Aquarium – There are a number of programs and events happening at the Virginia Aquarim. Click here www.VirginiaAquarium.com or call to learn more about:

- Volunteer Open House – January 26 and February 16

- Winter Wildlife Boat Trips - Now through March 18.

- Playing at the Virginia Aquarium’s 3D IMAX Theater through March 31 is the newly released film Born to be Wild 3D and the film Wild Ocean.

- Virginia Aquarium Otter Days - February 25 & 26, 10a.m. - 4 p.m

- Toddler Tuesdays, Ages 2 - 5 - Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in the Marsh Pavilion. Puppet shows are on February 21, March 20 and April 24.

- Toddler Trek Thursdays, Ages 2 – 5, Thursdays at 11 a.m.

- Discovery Days, ages 4 – 6 - All programs are from 2-3:15 p.m. in the Marsh Pavilion Discovery Room unless otherwise noted. Fee: $7 members, $10 non-members

-  Love Animals, February 2; Slithery Snakes, February 16; It’s not easy Being Green, March 1; and Wonderful Wind, March 15

Divaris Real Eastate - Divaris Brokers Sale of Former Kimnach Ford Dealership To Auto Connection for $3.85 Million

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA: Gerald S. Divaris, chairman and CEO of Divaris Real Estate, Inc., (DRE), announced that the former Kimnach Ford Dealership property, located at 6401 Virginia Beach Boulevard in Norfolk, Virginia, has sold for $3,850,000. The transaction’s closing took place at the end of December, 2011. David Bickford, of DRE, represented the buyer, Auto Connection. The new owner will relocate and expand their business from across the boulevard to the 8.85-acre site which has 65,000 square feet in existing buildings.

Divaris Real Estate Inc. is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA with offices in Chesapeake, downtown and suburban Norfolk, Newport News, and Richmond, VA; Charlotte, NC and Rockville, MD. Divaris Real Estate and Divaris Property Management Corp. are divisions of The Divaris Group, an international real estate brokerage and property management company that currently manages and/or leases in excess of 27 million square feet of prime office, retail and industrial space throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Gerald S. Divaris is chairman of the Board, and Michael B. Divaris is president of Divaris Real Estate, Inc.

The Instrumental Music Department of The Governor’s School for the Arts is seeking silent auction donations in conjunction with their concert with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on March 17, 2012, 7:30 pm, at The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. This is a rare opportunity for high school age music students to play with a nationally recognized professional Symphony Orchestra.

You can help support these young musicians by making a donation of a gift certificate sponsored by or from your business to be included in gift baskets that represent each of the communities the school serves. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and will be listed in the performance program book. Please contact Silent Auction Committee Chair, Kim Calantropo at 757.469.3737 for more details.

The Governor’s School for the Arts is a center for innovation that develops excellence, nurtures creativity, inspires artistic vision and builds communities with a passion for the Arts, serving the school divisions of Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.

TROUTMAN SANDERS GARNERS FIRST TIER RANKINGS IN “BEST LAW FIRMS” SURVEY

ATLANTA, GA – U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ 2011-2012 “Best Law Firms” edition gives Troutman Sanders LLP its top rankings in 54 practice areas. The firm also ranked in an additional 43 practice areas in second- and third-tier rankings. “U.S News has more than two decades of experience in providing the public with the most accurate and in-depth rankings of a wide range of institutions, including our Best Law Schools rankings,” says Tim Smart, executive editor of U.S. News & World Report. “Law firms are an integral part of our rankings and a natural accompaniment to the law schools rankings.”  

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers released their Best Law Firms rankings in November, marking the second publication of this annual analysis. The rankings are posted online at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/firms/troutman-sanders-llp/overview/19062/, providing a comprehensive view of the U.S. legal profession that is unprecedented both in the range of firms represented and in the range of qualitative and quantitative data used to develop the rankings. The national first-tier rankings are featured in the November 15 print issue of U.S .News & World Report’s Money magazine, as well as in a “Best Law Firms” stand-alone publication.

The law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Kristen D. O’Connor as an associate to its Corporate practice group in Virginia Beach, Va. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, O’Connor served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Mary Jane Hall and the Honorable John R. Doyle, III of the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk. O’Connor’s practice will focus on the representation of business owners and privately held, closely held and publicly traded companies in general corporate matters. O’Connor received a B.B.A. from James Madison University where she graduated summa cum laude in 2007, and received a J.D. from The College of William and Mary in 2010.

Poole Mahoney PC is pleased to announce that the following attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in their respective areas of law: Albert H. Poole: Corporate Law, Reeves W. Mahoney: Family Law and Jeffrey F. Brooke: Personal Injury Law.

 The Sandler Center’s fifth season continues through the next six months. Go to http://www.sandlercenter.org/ for more information.

Rubin Communications Group shares the following about MACS, Inc. - MACS, Inc. is a non-profit organization that employs special needs adults and provides mailing, assembling and copying services to a variety of companies throughout Hampton Roads. If you're planning to send a large holiday mailing, or another bulk mailing, MACS would love to help.

 By working with MACS, you are providing jobs for special needs adults and therefore contributing to an important cause in our community. Additionally, your organization can take advantage of MACS’ bulk postage rate, which can save you money. For more information about MACS, Inc. and its services, visit http://www.tothemacs.org/or call 757-502-0330.