These are a few of my favorite things………..

Yes, this is a line in a song from one of my favorite movies, (The Sound of Music) but I also think it is an appropriate headline for this long over due entry. It is a fun exercise to create a list of your favorite things; I encourage you to take time during this busy time of year to stop and make your own list and share it with your friends and
family – they just might learn something new about you!

Here is my list of my favorite things about Harbor Heights and downtown Norfolk. My colleagues and many of the residents at Harbor Heights have told me these are some of their favorite things too.

•Harbor Heights’ central and convenient location makes it easy to get to all
my favorite things in the heart of Downtown Norfolk
•The gorgeous views from every unit inside – especially the sunsets
•Being able to run down to the Market on the 1st floor to grab a quick bite, or a Starbucks coffee – café mocha is my favorite, or even picking up some groceries
before heading home
•Stepping out of the lobby door and easily catching The Net (Downtown’s free electric powered bus system) to make a visit to the Chrysler Museum for the latest exhibit – the current exhibit featuring Norman Rockwell is supposed to be great! – I plan to go during the holidays
•Shopping at the great stores at MacArthur Center –just a few blocks away and easily in view from Harbor Heights – Pottery Barn is my personal favorite
•Catching the latest movie at the cinemas at Regal MacArthur Center 18 - of course with buttered popcorn and a diet coke – my favorite
•Walking to one of my favorite downtown restaurants like Byrd & Baldwin, The Bistro, Sterling’s or Trilogy for a delicious and memorable meal
•Enjoying a seasonal production at Chrysler Hall (my December favorite - The Nutcracker) or the current feature at the historic Wells Theater produced by The Virginia Stage Company (I can't wait to see A Christmas Carol on Saturday)

These are just a few of my favorite things; they all make the time I spend at Harbor Heights and in downtown even better. If you have your own list of favorite things you would like to share, please send me an email; I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Last week the sales team and I joined some other colleagues from Harbor Heights for some after work mingling at The Big Easy Grill and Oyster Bar. Located at 111 Tazewell Street, right across from the entrance to the parking garage, The Big Easy, is Harbor Heights’ newest neighbor. In addition to the convenience of being right next door, The Big Easy offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with good food and drinks. We sat downstairs in the “Absinthe Bar” but none of us was brave enough to try the recently legalized green potion that tastes of licorice and is 68% alcohol. I would recommend trying the Abita Pecan Harvest Ale, a pecan flavored seasonal beer from Louisiana, and the shrimp and grits appetizer with sausage; it offers a true taste of Louisiana flavor. Of course, as the name indicates, there are a variety of oysters from which to choose. For those of you who prefer them raw, you can find them chilling on ice just behind the bar. While we were there, a few other Downtown residents and friends stopped by and joined in on the fun as our group began to take over the bar area. A good time was had by all as we “welcomed our new neighbor” and enjoyed each others company on a rainy Thursday night. I have a feeling The Big Easy could become a new Downtown favorite. Hope to see you there next time! http://www.bigeasygrillandoysterbar.com/


Great Service!

Recently, one of the Harbor Heights residents mentioned they would like to have access to a full service pharmacy here. She, like many of you, may not know, but we have a great full service pharmacy right around the corner from Harbor Heights, MacArthur Good Neighbor Pharmacy. It is centrally located, at 261 Granby Street, near Tropical Smoothie. Owners Chris and David and their friendly staff are always there to help you when you shop in the store. One special feature you will find there that you won’t find at most pharmacies these days is free DELIVERY SERVICE! Yes, that’s right; they will pick up and deliver for you in the Downtown area between 9am and 7pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturday. If you are driving by, you can even have someone meet you at your car to “hand-off” your prescription – just give them a call to make arrangements. You can contact MacArthur Pharmacy at 757-533-6566.

Welcome

My name is Ashley Swindell. I am a Realtor with Nancy Chandler Associates, and one of the three site agents at Harbor Heights, along with Terri Baker and Joyce McKeever. Since I work at Harbor Heights five days a week, I am able to experience the great views and other amenities Harbor Heights offers and enjoy the benefits of being in the center of Downtown Norfolk.

I will be writing on a regular ( hopefully weekly) basis about news and events at Harbor Heights and The Market as well various topics that relate to Downtown Norfolk. Downtown Norfolk has really become its own unique neighborhood; there is a real sense of community among downtown residents and business owners. One of the best things about any neighborhood is being able to get out and enjoy things around you and share the experiences with your neighbors and friends. Living and / or working in downtown Norfolk really allows you to do that and in ways that are unique. My hope is that I will introduce you to some new things and places to visit and explore including to Harbor Heights - but not limited only to it - and perhaps some new ideas. I also hope through your participation you will do the same for me.

I encourage you to email me comments, photos, feedback, and questions and become an active participant in this dialogue. In the meantime be sure to look through the rest of this website for information on Harbor Heights and for more information on Downtown Norfolk visit http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/