It's WINDSday | April 16, 2025

Celebrating the Power of Wind, Clean Energy and a Green Environment

Offshore wind is under the microscope in Washington, which makes the 2025 International Partnering Forum (IPF) a particularly timely event. And good for us, it will take place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Oceanfront Marriott April 28-May 1.

“This year’s IPF is the first U.S. industry gathering under the new federal administration, making it an essential platform for sharing vital information, strategizing on future directions, and bringing our community together,” says Liz Burdock, CEO of organizer Oceantic Network, a 400-member group that helps businesses engage in offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries. “Now more than ever, it’s critical that the full industry convene and advance American-made offshore energy.” 

Yes, there will be frank discussions about the future of OSW (and it’s not all bad) but also a first time focus on other potential ocean renewables, like wave, tidal, offshore solar, and more. That will be on the 30^th. On the 28th, Korean manufacturer L.S. Greenlink will host the groundbreaking for its big cable plant in Chesapeake. WINDSdays will cover that too.

Given that the largest OSW project in America, Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, is rising rapidly 27-42 miles off Virginia Beach, it’s no wonder that city is “honored” to host the IPF.  “Virginia Beach is uniquely and proudly positioned to be the global hub of collaboration for offshore wind,” says Mayor Bob Dyer, making his city “a natural choice” for the summit.

If you’re eager to learn more about the future of renewable energy at sea, and how it can benefit you or your company, CLICK HERE to register. See you there.

At WINDSdays, we always look forward to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s annual Save the Bay Photo Contest. This year 800 nature lovers, pros and amateurs, with a good camera, lens and luck (right place, right time) submitted entries. CLICK HERE to view the ten finalists including the one shown here that is near and dear to us along the coast. Shooter David Jacobs dubbed it “Smile”.

We get to choose who wins the $500 first prize. Voting closes April 25 so click and pick.

And while you’re clicking, consider participating in CBF’s annual “Clean the Bay Day”, which will be Saturday morning June 7.

Since it began in 1989, more than 165,500 volunteers have removed approximately 7.18 million pounds of debris from our land and waterways. There are many sites locally where you can help, but just one link to register.

When your name is Rubin, you might be partial to Reuben Sandwiches. And I am. So when an email from Yelp reported that the most popular one “near me in Virginia Beach” was at the Shopwise Meat Market on Seaboard Road, I said “What? Where?”

Let me tell you, if you’re into quality midwest beef, this is the real deal. Owner Jerome Persichina though is all Bronx, with the accent and attitude of his native borough still intact, 32 years after relocating to our region to escape the craziness of the Big Apple where he was also a meat merchant. “I love it here, so peaceful,” says perhaps the Beach’s Best Butcher. “Up there, you are so frazzled by riding a subway back and forth to work, you are always uptight.”

Jerome loves his customers, like a Croatan woman I met who was making her first visit on her brother’s recommendation to buy a big tenderloin to serve 16 at her granddaughter’s first birthday.

I left with a couple beautiful rib eyes (Jerome’s top seller) and my oversized Reuben, served on a sub roll, which clearly is a fan favorite.

“I knew nearly nothing about Yelp when I learned how many people had rated us best,” says Jerome who claims he doesn’t really need social media to sell more chicken, pork, and filet mignon.

Word of mouth is working just fine; and by the way, it’s all pick up at Shopwise, meaning no tables, no chairs, no wait staff (or tips).

And this is a true family business. With Jerome is his wife of more than three decades Janice and her son Sean, recently retired from the Military Sealift Command and now learning how to make heroes and marinade steak from his 75-year-old stepdad who has no plans to hang up the apron. This is one Yankee who loves the South.

Mandy Schindhelm is a professional engineer, but she prefers to do her work below, not above, the water.

“I’ve been a diver for 27 years,” says Mandy, “the last six for Marine Solutions,” a Kentucky based woman-owned firm that specializes in underwater and topside inspection, imaging, design, repair, and construction of waterfront and bridge infrastructure. “We have nine offices, and our newest one just opened in Virginia Beach, which I manage along with our Baltimore operation.”

That’s why Mandy was wo(manning) a table at a recent conference on offshore wind sponsored by ODU. The helmet she’s holding weighs about 35 pounds, heavy to lift but light on the head, she says, when under water. “I’ve done inspection of bridges and other waterfront structures, and our team assisted with the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.”

How long can you stay down there?

“It depends on the depth, but at 60 feet, you can be beneath the surface for 60 minutes, longer if you utilize a recompression chamber. I have been at 200 feet.”

If this firm (or vocation) interests you (or someone you love) and clearly the skills necessary are gender neutral, email Mandy. 

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