The Piedmont Virginian's blog http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog Serving and Celebrating America's Historic Heart Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:56:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en 2360197http://www.feedburner.com Hot Tamales, It’s a New Year at the Candy Factory in Historic Manassas. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/503614106/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/hot-tamales-its-a-new-year-at-the-candy-factory-in-historic-manassas/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:56:34 +0000 Margaret McCann http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=756 Whatever your New Years Resolution this Special Salsa Workshop is bound to cover it somehow, exercise, meet new people, learn to dance, MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE! There is a four week Salsa Workshop at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory. The workshop runs from January 6th - 29th from 7:30-8:30 pm. Learn to Salsa in an intensive 4 week workshop by learning basic timing and footwork. Fourth week to finish with a guest dancer and refreshments - singles welcome! The Candy Factory is located in Historic Manassas, (close to the VRE) for more information contact Louise Noakes or call 703.330.2787.

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/hot-tamales-its-a-new-year-at-the-candy-factory-in-historic-manassas/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/hot-tamales-its-a-new-year-at-the-candy-factory-in-historic-manassas/ Winter Chocolate Happy Hour at Todd Gray’s Equinox Restaurant http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/503391341/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/winter-chocolate-happy-hour-at-todd-grays-equinox-restaurant/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:29:25 +0000 Mary Nicklin http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=744 Fans of Equinox Restaurant (and Chef Todd Gray, who’s also at the helm of Middleburg’s Market Salamander) will be thrilled to learn of the Chocolate Happy Hour at D.C.’s award-winning restaurant. And chocoholics will certainly love getting their fix at this innovative event taking place every Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. until the first day of spring. We can’t think of a better way to warm up and kick the winter blues. You’ll relish all the complimentary snacks (bittersweet chocolate “popsicles,” Camalier Farms Angus beef meatballs with chocolate red wine sauce over polenta, warm fry bread with butternut squash puree and coco nibs) while sipping chocolate elixirs like the “Modern Chocolatini.”

Image via DECLAN MCCULLAGH PHOTOGRAPHY

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/winter-chocolate-happy-hour-at-todd-grays-equinox-restaurant/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/winter-chocolate-happy-hour-at-todd-grays-equinox-restaurant/ The World Knows: Green Homes at the Greenbrier http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/502138034/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/the-world-knows/#comments Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:07:27 +0000 Judy Liberson http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=748 Once again the national press has recognized a property in our area. The Greenbrier Sporting Club received a nod in the Breaking Ground section of the January 2nd New York Times. The article “Green Homes at the Greenbrier” talked about the resort and its newest addition, the 56 homesites that comprise the Sporting Club. Houses will be built to conform to sustainability and environmentally sound guidelines. Golfers will have found nirvana with the two new Tom Fazio-designed courses that complement the three courses at the five diamond historic Greenbrier Resort.

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/the-world-knows/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/the-world-knows/ Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall on the National Stage http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/500926802/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/charlottesvilles-downtown-mall-on-the-national-stage/#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:19:05 +0000 Mary Nicklin http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=741 Charlottesville's Downtown MallIn a recent article in The Washington Post, C-ville’s Downtown Mall is described as “giving a pleasureable new meaning to the term ‘mall-walking.’ ” Lined with boutiques, the pedestrian zone is mostly chain-free, as most locals happily appreciate. The Post gives a shout-out to such lovely shops as Alakazam! (a toy store), the Cat House (catnip and pleasantries for felines), and restaurants like C & O, which undoubtedly deserve an “over-night stay.”

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/charlottesvilles-downtown-mall-on-the-national-stage/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2009/01/charlottesvilles-downtown-mall-on-the-national-stage/ Happy Holidays from The Piedmont Virginian http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/492305520/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-from-the-piedmont-virginian/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:27:36 +0000 Mary Nicklin http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=738 Wishing you a merry Christmas from all of us at The Piedmont Virginian. We’ll be back soon with news and stories from around the region!

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-from-the-piedmont-virginian/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-from-the-piedmont-virginian/ Friday Photo: Happy Holidays! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/489710529/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-different-view-on-the-holidays/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:38:47 +0000 Margaret McCann http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=726

This is a great shot from the Boar’s Head Inn - Stop by and see the festive Gingerbread Village.
Jack Looney Photography
PO Box 518
Crozet, Va 22932
434-249-6266
www.jacklooney.com

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-different-view-on-the-holidays/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/happy-holidays-different-view-on-the-holidays/ American Chestnut Foundation Celebrates Opening of New Office in Marshall http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/488597760/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/american-chestnut-foundation-celebrates-opening-of-new-office-in-marshall/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:07:09 +0000 Mary Nicklin http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=733 Come celebrate the opening of the Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation’s new office in Marshall. The reception will be held on Friday, December 19th from 3-6 p.m. (read: abundant refreshments), with a tree planting at 4 p.m.

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/american-chestnut-foundation-celebrates-opening-of-new-office-in-marshall/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/american-chestnut-foundation-celebrates-opening-of-new-office-in-marshall/ Iron Bridge: One of Washington’s 50 Best Resturants Close By in Warrenton http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/487659584/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/iron-bridge-the-gift-card-that-keeps-giving-one-of-washingtons-50-best-resturants-in-warrenton/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:24:14 +0000 Margaret McCann http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=718

Too many choices for the holidays– can’t find the perfect gift for that special someone? May I suggest the gift that keeps on giving: an Iron Bridge Gift Card. Iron Bridge in Warrenton has a wonderful selection of wines and great food. Sample superlative wines in the The Enoteca Lounge. Why not stop by the restaurant for Green Drinks tonight from 6-8 p.m and do your holiday shopping at the same time? Or visit the secure online store at www.ironbridgewines.com.

The Late Show Presents…..
“The Top Ten reasons why an Iron Bridge Wine Company Gift card is the perfect Holiday gift”
#10 - So simple to use, even Paris Hilton can figure it out
#9 - The Bridge is not going out of business. (I mean come on, have you been by the place lately!)
#8 - Stores easily in the overhead baggage compartment on airplanes for holiday travel.
#7 - Good for great food and wine at the Bridge, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. (Hey, even we need a little sleep.)
#6 - Scores more points with family and friends than the Redskins Offense!
#5 - One of Washington & Baltimore’s 50 Best Restaurants, and Outback isn’t!
#4 - You can never have too much wine…ever!
#3 - Now takes reservations so you never have to wait 3 hours for the greatest culinary experience of your life.
#2 - Friends and family will be amazed at your sudden “great taste”.
And the #1 reason…….
Now till Christmas, you’ll get an additional $25.00 gift card with every $100.00 gift card purchase!

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/iron-bridge-the-gift-card-that-keeps-giving-one-of-washingtons-50-best-resturants-in-warrenton/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/iron-bridge-the-gift-card-that-keeps-giving-one-of-washingtons-50-best-resturants-in-warrenton/ Cookies for a Cause at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/487676569/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/cookies-for-a-cause-doubletree-hotel-charlottesville/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:38:12 +0000 Margaret McCann http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=697 I was lucky enough to be have some extra time to stop by the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville, just one day after Greg’s House opened. The gingerbread village is such a great display, with a few special messages and a lot of holiday spirit. The Gingerbread House made by Greg and his friends is over 10 feet tall! Greg Holder is a graduate of the William Monroe High School Special Education program, and a dedicated employee of the Doubletree hotel. Greg’s House is a fundraiser for Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity. Come visit and you get to walk away with a yummy cookie that Greg has made– one of over 35,000 that he makes each year for the Doubletree Hotel. The fundraising effort runs through New Year’s Day.

]]> http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/cookies-for-a-cause-doubletree-hotel-charlottesville/feed/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/cookies-for-a-cause-doubletree-hotel-charlottesville/ O Tannenbaum, How Lovely Are Your Branches! Find Your Tree at a Local Christmas Tree Farm http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ThePiedmontVirginiansBlog/~3/487676570/ http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/2008/12/o-tannenbaum-how-lovely-are-your-branches-find-your-tree-at-a-local-christmas-tree-farm/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:26:53 +0000 Margaret McCann http://www.piedmontvirginian.com/blog/?p=556 I am not sure of the politics of Christmas Trees anymore, but the botttom line is: Buy Local! Any way you “chop” it, there is nothing more exciting then walking into your home and smelling that “fresh pine” at Christmas.  VDACS has helped us out by creating a list of Virginia Christmas Tree Farms. Simply click on your county and there will be a list of Christmas Tree Growers in your area. Don’t forget to check with your local government about mulching the trees after the season.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me
That hope and love will ever be
The way to joy and peace for me.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me.

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