Jim Brickman Beautiful World Christmas in Roanoke Dec 6th!

This innkeeper's all time favorite artist - piano sensation Jim Brickman will be on tour here in Roanoke December 6th "Jim Brickman Beautiful World Christmas"


MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Tickets go on sale in Sept. You can purchase tickets online here.


I know what my entire family are getting for Christmas! When Jim and friends were here he mentioned he loves playing Roanoke Civic Center as the acoustics are fantastic. How do I know this? Jim and friends stayed with us at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast...just for a short time off the tour bus to kick back and relax inbetween gigs.



This Christmas season, pianist Jim Brickman is creating a "Beautiful World" for audiences seeking an escape from the hectic demands of the holiday season!



In a very special Christmas concert, Jim and guests present an evening of dazzling solo piano, vibrant vocals plus warmth and humor.



Jim weaves together new and old traditional holiday favorites, all the hits and songs from the fall album release, Beautiful World, to create an unforgettable night to remember with Jim Brickman's Beautiful World Christmas 2009

Jim has a knack for discovering up and coming new talent and allowing us to enjoy some of the seasoned artists who we adore and miss seeing in concert over the years.



Here is Canadian singer Mark Masri on tour with Jim Brickman, he will be performing here in Roanoke in December as well as our beloved Ann Cochran.

VIRGINIA IS FOR BRICKMAN LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival Sept 26-27

21st Anniversary SML Wine Festival Tickets on sale now

SML Wine Festival Tickets ON SALE NOW! Purchase Online

MONETA, VA -- The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival’s participating area ticket outlets are in high gear selling for the lake’s popular autumn celebration. The 21st Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival will be held the last Saturday and Sunday in September (26th and 27th).

This year, 27 Virginia wineries will be participating as well as 85 juried craft and food vendors. Three popular live bands will also be there to entertain festival-goers.

Saturday crowds will enjoy the band Domino. Sunday’s festivities feature the bands Fuzzy Logic and Clue.

The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival will be held at LakeWatch Plantation in Moneta, directly off of Route 122, about 1 mile south of Hales Ford Bridge. This venue allows for easy access to the site, an abundance of free parking and more space for festival-goers to enjoy the festivities.

For a third year in a row, the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, hosting the event, is offering tickets via PayPal on its website.

Buy early for discount pricing

By purchasing tickets in advance, festival-goers can take advantage of the advance-sale discount. Advance ticket prices are effective through September 23 at 5 p.m. at all ticket outlets. Tickets are $18 for tasters and $22 at the gate.

Designated drivers will pay $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Proceeds from the festival enable the SML Chamber of Commerce to support many new and growing programs for area businesses. For more information about the 2009 Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, visit the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber’s website at: www.visitsmithmountainlake.com

For other things to see in the area visit our Sites of Interest page and keep an eye on this Coffee Talk blog for upcoming events.

Lakewatch Plantation is just 17 miles from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount VA.

VIRGINIA IS FOR WINE LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

The Time to Relax is when you don't have time to

May we recommend The Vintage Spa

Try a little southern comfort Blue Ridge style

I just booked a massage at The Vintage Spa on our corner and thought I better let y'all know how fantastic it is!

I have had guests show up at check in time and ask about Spa Services and to book a massage or mani-pedi at Vintage Spa. Unfortunately, like most salons/spas you need to make a reservation in advance, there is no walk in service there.

You can reach them at: (540) 489-7721

HOURS: Tues - Fri 10AM - 6 PM, Sat 10AM-4PM

They will be happy to stay open later by appointment only for guests of The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast. Ask for Teresa. The Vintage Spa is located on the Corner - just 1/2 block from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast at The Park's Edge.

Serving both Men & Women

Some of the fine services available at The Vintage Spa are as follows:

• MASSAGE: Swedish, Sport, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone
• BODY TREATMENTS: Seaweed Wrap, Sanita's Body Wash, Facial, Alpha Peel, Beta Peels, Sauna, Waxing
• HAIR CARE: Haircuts, Color, Retouch, Foils, Perms, Scalp Treatments, Deep Conditioning
• NATURAL NAIL CARE: Spa Manicure, French Manicure, Spa Pedicure, Polish

For a nominal fee, you may have a catered RED CLAY lunch added to your time at The Vintage Spa. So you can stay and soak up the luxury.

The Time to Relax is when you don't have time to

VIRGINIA IS FOR SPA LOVERS

Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Whatever Floats Your Boat - Nano-breaks

We'll call them nano-breaks, and as the economy and demanding jobs present challenges, these short breaks fit the bill for vacation-starved travelers. The key to a successful B&B nano-break is spending as much time relaxing and as little time as possible getting there.

Whatever floats your boat, here is one fun idea for floating or boating from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast for a nano-break:

Virginia is for Lovers Mountain Cruise & Schmooze Getaway Package - Spring, Summer and Fall

With over 500 Miles of shoreline and 23,000 acres of water, Smith Mountain Lake is the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cost is $285 per couple. Package Includes:

• Friday or Saturday night stay (any available room)
• 
  
• Sparkling cider and fresh fragrant flowers in your room upon arrival
• 
  
• Sunset Sail for 2 aboard a side-wheel paddle cruise boat. (2 hour cruise and lunch or dinner included)
• 
  
• Inn-credible breakfast in the morning

Cost is $285 per couple (includes all tax)

Add on a 2nd night at regular room rate for a two night package

Life is too short for bad coffee...

Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia

http://www.claibornehouse.net

2nd Annual Franklin Street Festival on The Crooked Road

Held in downtown Rocky Mount, Saturday August 29th -- 9am to 5pm.

Great food - music-street musicians - air brushed tattoos - kids zone - funnel cakes - face painting - mini horses - lots of crafters - artisans - vendor to visit.

Walk to the end of our block from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast and you are there. We are the official gateway to The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Throw a rock in any direction and hit a musician here in Blue Ridge country Virginia.

VIRGINIA IS FOR MOUNTAIN MUSIC LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Who can it be now? Men at Work's Colin Hay is coming to Roanoke

Who can it be now? Men at Work's Colin Hay is coming to Kirk Avenue Music Hall

If you were around in the mid-1980s, you could not escape Men at Work's big pop hit, "Who Can It Be Now?". A tune, and frontman Colin Hay, made an appearance a couple seasons ago on a particularly good episode of "Scrubs." (Thanks for the heads-up, Ralphie.)

Hay is on the long, quality list of acts coming to Kirk Avenue Music in the next few months. So are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen (of the Byrds). Also, look for Bill Kirchen, Nick Curran and Paul Thorn on the list below.Downtown Roanoke is 25 minutes from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast.

http://www.myspace.com/kirkavenuemusic and official website http://www.kirkavenuemusic.com/

Aug 15 2009 8:00P

SCYTHIAN Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 2 2009 7:30P

An Evening with Town Mountain Roanoke, VirginiaSep 3 2009 7:30P

Enter The Haggis & Bonnie Bishop Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 4 2009 8:00P

COLOURSLIDE & MY RADIO Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 10 2009 7:30P

Parachute Musical & Keegan DeWitt Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 11 2009 8:00P

Bill Kirchen & the Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods with Nick Curran Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 12 2009 7:30P

The Gregory Brothers Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 14 2009 7:30P

Sinking Creek With Special gust Mafia Track Suit Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 16 2009 7:30P

Vandaveer w/ Extinctions & The Missionaries Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 19 2009 8:00P

NIKI BARR BAND w/ Triscale Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 23 2009 7:30P

GEOFF ACHISON Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 24 2009 7:30P

Shannon Whitworth Band Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 25 2009 8:00P

The Chapmans Roanoke, Virginia

Sep 26 2009 8:00P

Colin Hay Roanoke, Virginia

Oct 2 2009 8:00P

Last Train Home W/ Fayssoux Roanoke, Virginia

Oct 3 2009 8:00P

Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen Roanoke, Virginia

Oct 9 2009 8:00P

Amy Speace CD release with Jonathan Byrd Roanoke, Virginia

Oct 22 2009 8:00P

ERIN McCARLEY / BUTTERFLY BOUCHER / K S RHOADES Roanoke, Virginia

Oct 23 2009 8:00P

Wink Keziah & Delux Motel Roanoke, Virginia

Nov 5 2009 7:30P

The New Familiars Roanoke, Virginia

Nov 12 2009 7:00P

USAF Heritage of America Band Roanoke, Virginia

Nov 13 2009 7:30P

The Gibson Brothers Roanoke, Virginia

Dec 2 2009 7:30P

PAUL THORN with Corey Hunley Roanoke, Virginia

Dec 3 2009 7:30P

PAUL THORN with Corey Hunley Roanoke, Virginia

Dec 9 2009 7:30P

The Waymores, Alt-Nashville Writers-in-the-Round Artists: Don Henry, Sally Barris and Tom Kimmel Roanoke, Virginia

Dec 10 2009 7:30P

CATIE CURTIS Roanoke, Virginia

May 5 2010 7:30P

Melanie Dekker‏ Roanoke, Virginia

Kirk Avenue Music Hall on MySpace. Kirk Avenue Music Hall official website here.

Information taken from music report Tad Dickens blog Cut N Scratch at Roanoke.com

Shellie your innkeeper must remind you of the comment a guest made to her "Roanoke is awesome, it is like Charlottesville's quirky funky little sister" there you have it! We are quirky! We are funky! For all of those who love music, this place IS music. The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail starts right here in Rocky Mount.

Listen to Colin Hay's pre-released album and order it on his website here. He is incredible! "Oh, California" is a great song. If you go to this show, you might see your Innkeepers there.

VIRGINIA IS FOR WHO-CAN-IT-BE-NOW LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Mancation Ideas - What does HE really want to do?

What do men want? More specifically - what does YOUR man want? Wait, don't answer that...Let me rephrase - what ELSE does your man want?

Does he want breakfast at Denny's and a tie for his birthday or anniversary? Or does he want fun and adventure? At The Claiborne House we serve scrumptious He-Man breakfasts - CONTINENTAL IS NOT SPOKEN HERE! and we offer a central location for great activities for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors.

DOES HE HAVE 'NATURE DEFICIT' DISORDER?

Definition: the desire to sit inside and be entertained by electronic devices instead of getting into the great outdoors. Here is your innkeeper's new catch phrase - “Geo-travelers – hike bike swim or paddle” whichever you choose get out here to Virginia, she's a real beauty!

Here are some ideas that will beat a tie any day:

• Fishing Charters, Jet Skis, Ski Boats
• History, Battlefields, Museums
• Music, Muscle Cars and Mountains
• Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Clay Shooting
• Golf, Horseback Riding (Moonlight or Adventure), Llama Trekking
• Massage, Hot Air Balloon, Holding Hands by the Pond

Visit our Sites of Interest page for some ideas, or the sidebar of this BLOG. Look at old blog articles as well - Shellie your innkeeper tries to blog about anything and everything interesting to see and do in these parts...the list is endless.

VIRGINIA IS FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

What's happenin' at The Jefferson Center in Roanoke 2009-2010

Jefferson Center's 2009-2010 season lineup includes Los Lobos, Leo Kottke, Bela Fleck, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman

Here's the Jeff Center's Star City Series, Jazz Series and Jazz Club lineups:

Star City Series (in Shaftman Hall)

• 8 p.m. Sept 15 -- Sweet Honey in the Rock
• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 -- The Robert Cray Band
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 -- Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
• 7:30 p.m. March 24 -- Los Lobos with Leo Kottke

Jazz Series (in Shaftman Hall)

• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 -- Christian McBride and Inside Straight
• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 -- Dee Dee Bridgewater
• 8 p.m. May 1 -- Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau

Jazz Club (in rehearsal hall)

• 8 p.m. Nov. 13 -- The Blue Ridge Jazz Ensemble and The Lenny Marcus Band
• 8 p.m. Jan. 16 -- The Hod O'Brien Trio and The George Melvin Jazz Trio
• 8 p.m. March 20 -- Hope Clayburn Band and The Pace Brothers Trio

List courtesty of Tad Dickens cut n scratch blog at The Roanoke Times

The Jefferson Center is located in downtown Roanoke - just 20 minutes from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast. Visit their website here. For tickets, directions and upcoming show information. Toll Free: 866.345.2550

Downtown Roanoke has some fantastic restaurants your innkeeper can recommend, from CAL-MEX, Indian, Mediterranean, Seafood to Blues and BBQ. Fine dining, casual and quirky all in one place. Parking is free after 5pm in the City lots. You can park adjacent to the Market Square and visit the old time Farmer's Market and listen to live music before and after your show at The Jeff. Here is a website with some of the offerings in downtown Roanoke.

VIRGINIA IS FOR JAZZ LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Year-round skiing in Virginia opening Aug. 29

A year-round ski facility called the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is scheduled to open in Lynchburg, Va., at Liberty University on Aug. 29. ...

Liberty University/Lynchburg is an hour 10 minutes from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast.

Winter sport enthusiasts now have something to cheer about every season... a year-round ski slope in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University's Snowflex Centre, located on Liberty

Mountain, is a synthetic ski slope featuring the most innovative technology in the snow sports industry, and its the only one in the United States.

Snowflex is a multi-layer, material that simulates the effects of snow, allowing maximum speed and edge control for turns. Misting devices give it the slip and grip of real snow. Extra padding and support enhances the most extreme maneuvers and stunts, culminating in the ultimate adventure.

Mountain ski resorts are only accessible during winter, but Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre will be accessible during all four seasons, day and night.

Snowflex offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and equipment rentals.

HOURS & PRICING

Hours of operation through Aug. 28 are 5 – 10 p.m. daily.

Monday – Wednesday are non-peak; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are peak hours.

Public

$5/hour non-peak

$7/hour peak

Equipment rental:

$12 (ski set or board set, including helmet)

$5 tubing rental

Click here to visit their website or call (434) 582-2000

VIRGINIA IS FOR SNOWBOARD LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net

Discover the distinctive beauty of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

Pursuit of Happiness

Story by Lynda Imirie Photo courtesy of the Corp for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

Long before Smith Mountain Lake became a retreat/retirement destination away from the frenzy of city life, one of the United States’ most famous presidents chose this corner of Southwest Virginia to build his own private getaway in a quiet, then-remote area just outside of Lynchburg.

In 1773, three years before he authored the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson inherited a 4,800-acre tobacco and wheat farm from his father-in-law. Jefferson didn’t begin construction on this second, more private home – a three-day ride by horse carriage from his Charlottesville home at Monticello – until 1806, when he already was president.

Perhaps anticipating his need for "personal time and space," a craving noted by historians, Jefferson welcomed friends and guests to Monticello, but not many knew he was building a retirement retreat at Poplar Forest. And only a few close friends were ever invited to visit.

"I have fixed myself comfortably, keep some books here, bring others occasionally, am in the solitude of a hermit and quite at leisure to attend to my absent friends," Jefferson wrote in 1811.

He visited Poplar Forest three to four times a year, staying two weeks to two months at a time. He often was accompanied by two of his granddaughters, Cornelia and Ellen Randolph, who willingly served as hostesses for the widowed former president.

Discovering this nearby historic site was a special treat for Moneta resident Lib Walker when she and husband Charlie retired to the SML in 1995. Passionate about history, Lib Walker answered an ad for volunteers at Jefferson’s home, recently "rescued" from encroaching development by a fledgling nonprofit group of local residents.

Acknowledging a slight-but-possible genealogical link to the former president (her maiden name is Jefferson), Walker said she enjoys sharing details about his life and many talents with visitors to Poplar Forest.

"It was here he enjoyed his three favorite pastimes, according to his granddaughters: reading, thinking and studying," Walker said. "Poplar Forest reflects his creativity. He was truly a man ahead of his time."

Before he died in 1826, Jefferson had willed Poplar Forest to his grandson, Francis Eppes, who sold the home two years later. Although it was maintained as a private residence for the next 150 years, it repeatedly was remodeled and eventually fell into disrepair.

Now owned by the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, a massive restoration of the home true to Jefferson’s original design has been a work in progress since 1983. Trained as a docent (tour guide), Walker accompanies groups through the home, pointing out architectural highlights, archeological findings and dozens of unusual features.

Jefferson indulged his self-taught architectural talents by creating a unique and innovative octagon-shaped home at Poplar Forest, built on a hilltop overlooking a view of the forest, the Peaks of Otter and the frontier beyond. Uncommon in homes of the era, massive windows allowing natural light inside and integrating the interior with the outside landscape were enhanced by the symmetry of the octagonal foundation Jefferson designed.

"My favorite room in the house is the cube-shaped dining room," Walker said. "It’s 20-feet-by-20-by-20. There’s a huge skylight and the floor is a herring bone design," she said, sharing a small sample of the information she’s learned as a docent.

Jefferson’s fascination with geometric design is reflected in the series of elongated octagons surrounding this center cube. Walker also reveals to visitors other special features of the home, ongoing excavations, as well as information about Jefferson as a person and his talents as a landscape gardener.

"They’ve just recently completed the ‘wing of offices’ Jefferson added to the home in 1814," Walker said, explaining the wing was actually a collection of utility rooms including a kitchen and other service areas. Archeological digs are still being studied at the site to re-create the adjoining gardens and landscape.

Located less an hour from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast, Poplar Forest is open April through November. For more information, call 434-525-1806 or visit poplarforest.org.

2009 is the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's retirement from public office and first stay at his Poplar Forest retreat. Shellie says come on out to Blue Ridge Country Virginia and walk in the footsteps of history!

VIRGINIA IS FOR THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee... Shellie @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia http://www.claibornehouse.net