Virginia is for B&B Lovers

Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Blue Ridge Country VA - Meet Virginia she'll take your breath away! 



Book your room today - see our website for special rates and packages:  http://www.claibornehouse.net/


VIRGINIA IS FOR B and B LOVERS
Life is too short for bad coffee...Your innkeeper Shellie at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast

Blue Ridge Marathon on The Parkway April 24, 2010

Welcome to the Blue Ridge Marathon

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon will be run on April 24, 2010. The building of the Blue Ridge Parkway was an amazing feat as anyone who completes this marathon will see.

Local runners have crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons on the east coast. The full marathon course includes 3,076 feet of total elevation gain and 6,140 feet of total elevation change. The uphill portions will test each runner’s strength and endurance while the equally challenging downhill sections are sure to weed out those who are unprepared. The breathtaking views and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery are sure offer some reprieve to runners as they persevere to the finish line!

Not only does the course include beautiful mountain scenery, it also offers an iconic START and FINISH in front of two well-known and historic locations in downtown Roanoke: The Taubman Museum of Art and the historic Hotel Roanoke.

• What: Full & Half Marathon. 5-Person Team Relay. Walking  Half. YMCA Kids Marathon
• Award: $5000 Tag Heuer watch to top male and top female marathon finisher
• Where: Roanoke, VA and Blue Ridge Parkway
• Date: April 24, 2010
• Start Time: 7:30 am
• Begins: Taubman Museum of Art
• Ends: Hotel Roanoke (one block from the start)
• Total Climb: 3,076 ft. (full marathon), 1,399 ft. (half marathon)
• Total Elevation Change: 6,140 ft. (full marathon), 2,779 ft. (half marathon)
• Most Difficult Section: Roanoke Mountain
• Beneficiary: Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Honorary Race Chair: Rep. Bob Goodlatte (Va)
• Magnificent Views: Plenty

Net proceeds from this race will go to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway – the official National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway’s 501(c)(3) membership organization for visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway works tirelessly to protect, preserve, and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway – a national treasure!

The organizers would like to thank the National Park Service for its support of this event. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Honorary Race Chair Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke.

Get Running!

Visit the website here

The Claiborne House B&B is approx 20-25 minutes to downtown Roanoke - Taubman Art Museum and Hotel Roanoke.

VIRGINIA IS FOR BLUE RIDGE MARATHON LOVERS

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

Need a Soul Revival? From Africa to Appalachia Sat Feb 27th in Roanoke

Kimoyo! Presents: Music, Movement and the Mask
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 7:30pm
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Gold $25

Music, Movement and the Mask is Kimoyo's major fundraising event, and it supports all five Kimoyo, LTD. projects. It is an innovative celebration of the diversity in our community. Crossing generations and cultures, mixing local and national talent on the same stage, Kimoyo! provides a wonderful expression of the creative energies within our community. Music, drama, art, dance: all are part of the annual celebration.


From Africa to Appalachia
Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven - Franklin County's Own


Walter Starkey on harmony: "That comes from just a family thing. We sing in the car. We sing at the dinner table, on the bus, whatever."

Need a SOUL REVIVAL?  Larnell and The Spiritual Seven are playing  at The Jefferson Center in Roanoke Feb 27th, 2010 at 730pm as well at The Wright Kids - finalists in "America's Got Talent."  Get your tickets here or directions - http://www.jeffcenter.org/

Franklin County-based gospel music act Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven perform Saturday in Roanoke and Sunday and Blacksburg. Read story, get show details.

Here is some audio of a recent rehearsal at their home church, Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, in Wirtz.

The Group's influences include the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Slim and the Supreme Angels, the Dixie Hummingbirds.

Walter Starkey on harmony: "That comes from just a family thing. We sing in the car. We sing at the dinner table, on the bus, whatever.

"I think most family groups have the best harmony. You take The Easter Family. They’ve been together for years, and those guys, they got the harmony. … That harmony don’t come just off the street."

CD review here

Listen to Don't Give Up mp3 - HERE.

or listen to more songs here:

For Bookings: 540-721-1628 

Myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/spiritualseven

VIRGINIA IS FOR GOSPEL LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast, Rocky Mount Virginia

Covered Bridges in Virginia

Covered Bridges in Virginia

Patrick County's Covered Bridge Festival
takes place every June in Woolwine in Patrick County.

Virginia's Covered Bridges - also known as "kissing bridges" - numbered more than 100 back in the early 1900s, dwindling down to about 50 in the mid-1930s. Today, only eight authentic timber-covered bridges survive.
You can visit five of them, all of which have been preserved as landmarks.  (The bridges located in the Blue Ridge Highlands in Patrick County are the nearest The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast - Bob White and Jack's Creek are both within 30 minutes drive from Rocky Mount VA).


Blue Ridge Highlands
Giles County
Pearisburg - Sinking Creek Bridge is a 70-foot-long red, wooden bridge with a tin roof. It was built in 1916 and is located just off Route 601 between Route 42 and Route 700.
Patrick County
Stuart - Bob White Covered Bridge is an 80-foot truss construction over the Smith River. It was build in 1921 and is located on Route 869, about 1/10 mile south of Route 618.
Woolwine - Jack's Creek Covered Bridge is a 48-foot oak bridge constructed in 1914. It crosses the Smith River on Route 615 just west of Route 8.

Shenandoah Valley

Humpback Bridge stood derelict from 1929-1954 and was used by a farmer to store hay.

Shenandoah County
Mount Jackson - Meem's Bottom Bridge is a 204-foot bridge over the North Fork River built in 1894. It was burned by vandals on Halloween in 1976 but rebuilt. It is located on Route 720 just off Route 11.

Alleghany County
Covington - Humpback Bridge - Virginia'soldest covered bridge - was built in 1857 and spans 100 feet over Dunlap Creek. It is 4-feet taller at its center, which gives the appearance of its humpback. It is located on Route 60 just off exit 10 from I-64.

VIRGINIA IS FOR COVERED BRIDGE LOVERS  

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

Scenic Rivers Program 40th Anniversary

Virginia Scenic Rivers Program

A small group of people sits on the banks of the Rivanna River next to the remains of the Woolen Mills Dam in Charlottesville. The only things left of this dam are rock walls and debris on the river banks. Downstream are fishermen and a hill overlooking Monticello; upstream is a tree-shaded road. The site is near civilization at Charlottesville, but the call of the bullfrog can be heard, and pileated woodpeckers fly by.

The group is debating the scenic quality of this river. Who could deny that Virginia’s rivers are beautiful? But is this river one of the best Virginia has to offer?  Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010, Virginia’s Scenic Rivers Program honors the highest quality, natural waterways in the state. This means that views of development – of bridges, power lines, roads, buildings, parks, man-made fishing areas, dams, etc. – are limited along the river’s main course.

Just before the group gathered on the shore of the river, the team floated a length of the river from Route 29 to the dam. Six boats carried 11 people through a quiet stretch with just a few small rapids. The team was to identify and record details about vegetation on the banks, human modifications to water flow, signs of development, parallel roads, and utility line and road crossings. The details gathered are added to previously collected information, including water quality, presence of endangered species, quality of fisheries, historic features, land conservation measures and river access points.

Group members gave each criterion a score and came to a consensus within the group; that score is weighted against an ideal to see if the river even qualifies to be in the program. In this case, the score allowed it to be added to an adjacent downstream stretch already in the program.

But the Scenic Rivers Program is more than just a few people paddling a river and saying that it’s one of Virginia’s prettiest rivers. To get to the field study, each locality adjacent to the river or river segment must agree on and submit a request for the study. After it’s complete, it takes an act of the Virginia General Assembly to add the river into the program.

“This program would never exist without community involvement and government support at all levels within the state,” said Lynn Crump, manager of the Scenic River Program. “But mostly, it’s amazing to see all of the communities around the river come together to honor their beautiful natural features. So far, there are 24 rivers or river segments in the program, and the number grows almost every year.”

The Scenic Rivers Program also has an associated governor-appointed board to enhance and promote the program. Virginia Scenic Rivers Board members make recommendations on the stewardship of scenic rivers and advise on the addition of river segments.

Richard Gibbons, chair of the Scenic Rivers Board, stated, “It’s an honor to work for the promotion of Virginia’s finest scenic features. The team of dedicated board members comes together from across the state to give local residents a voice in river-related issues.”

Inclusion in the Scenic Rivers Program encourages protection and preservation of the river, but does not give the state control over land use decisions. Nor does the state commercially promote designated rivers or give public access to private lands. Designation is truly just a celebration of the wonder and beauty of the resource.

For more information about the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program, please visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/srmain.shtml

Franklin County has a few rivers (we call them Blueways) for you to enjoy.  The Annual Canoe/Kayak race is in May14-16 on the Pigg River.  It is a three day event that kicks off with a night float down The Blackwater River. Click here for current details.

Here is a list of our Franklin County Blueways and our local Creek Freaks paddling club website here

VIRGINIA IS FOR SCENIC RIVER LOVERS
Life is too short for bad coffee!  Shellie at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA www.ClaiborneHouse.net 

John Gorka at Kirk Avenue Music Hall March 5th

John Gorka

Date: Friday, March 5, 2010Time: 7:30pmDoors Open: 7:00pmKirk Avenue Music Hall - Roanoke, VA
Tickets/Reservations
Tickets: $20

John GorkaWebsite

JOHN GORKA is an honored icon of folk tradition. Energetic acoustic music that is not a trend, not a fad, but an expression of everyday life, is his trademark. John's rich baritone voice and unique songcraft weave a magical spell that can only be described as 'Gorka.'

Calendar of Events at Kirk Ave

How to Find Kirk Ave Music Hall

What is Kirk Avenue Music Hall? It is an intimate setting to be up close and personal with some amazing artists.  The price is always right, the setting superb!

We recommend The Music Place 101.5 listen online too! Website here

VIRGINIA IS FOR JOHN GORKA LOVERS

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

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail - Peaks of Otter Loop: Warbler Road

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

From the Atlantic Ocean on Virginia's eastern border, to the towering Mt. Rogers at its southwest corner, the Commonwealth includes every bird and animal habitat that occurs naturally between Maine and Florida. The state also offers a long history, rich culture, and tradition of warm hospitality to welcome visitors.

Within Virginia's 43,000 square miles of diverse natural habitat, you can find some 400 species of birds, 250 species of fish, 150 species of terrestrial and marine animals, 150 species of amphibians and reptiles, and a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail celebrates this diversity. In fact, it is the first statewide program of its kind in the United States. In Virginia, three phases of the trail link wildlife viewing sites throughout the state.

  

Mountain Trail

The Mountain Phase was the second phase to be developed. It features expansive mountain vistas, endless forest trails, large inland reservoirs and a taste of the western Piedmont. Here are 34 loops for you to explore. Now don't forget your binoculars!

Peaks of Otter Loop

Description

This loop offers venues that are all within sight of the Peaks of Otter, named for the three peaks at the headwaters of the Big Otter River. This is a loop that is sure to satisfy every wildlife-watching aspiration in the mountain region of Virginia, including views of the James River, stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway, historical sites, and large areas of neotropical breeding grounds. Of particular interest to nature enthusiasts may be Warbler Road, known as a great migrant "trap", as well as breeding habitat for songbirds, or the Peaks of Otter, which is home to the endemic Peaks of Otter salamander. For visitors that welcome a rich historical experience to their nature explorations, the Natural Bridge is an imperative must-see.

Peaks of Otter

·         MPO01: James River Heritage Trail at Percival's Island Natural Area

·         MPO02: Old City Cemetery

·         MPO03: Blackwater Creek Natural Area and Hiking Trails

·         MPO04: Ruskin Freer Nature Preserve

·         MPO05: Buffalo Creek Nature Area

·         MPO06: Trail of the Trees

·         MPO07: Locher Tract

·         MPO08: Natural Bridge of Virginia

·         MPO09: Warbler Road

·         MPO10: Peaks of Otter Recreation Area

·         MPO11: Claytor Nature Study Center of Lynchburg College

·         MPO11A: Johnson's Orchards-Peaks of Otter Winery

·         MPO12: Harvey's Knob Overlook

Your innkeeper wants to highlight a special part of the Peaks of Otter Loop called Warbler Road.  It is known as a great migrant "trap", as well as breeding habitat for songbirds

Site MPO09: Warbler Road

Description

Elevation: 3548 ft. Appropriately named, Warbler Road traverses 13 miles of old-growth hardwood forests, hemlock-lined trout streams, open meadows and clearings, and pine stands. From the overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Warbler Road's end at the James River, the altitude of this road descends a total of 2700 feet. The variation of habitat and elevation make this site a particularly attractive birding venue. At high elevations, nesting neotropical migrants include Canada, chestnut-sided, black-throated blue, and Blackburnian warblers, as well as veery, rose-breasted grosbeak, and ruffed grouse. Occasionally, least flycatcher or black-billed cuckoo will nest within these woodlands. Middle elevations can be productive for cerulean and worm-eating warblers. Hillside clearings can produce Kentucky and prairie warblers, yellow-breasted chat, and possibly golden-winged warbler. At lower elevations, look for northern parula and black-throated green warbler. Spring migration is a spectacular season to search for migrant passerines. In the spring, in addition to finding the plethora of nesting songbirds hoping to establish territories, you may spy blackpoll, Cape May, and Tennessee warblers. Other wildlife abounds, so while on this driving tour, keep an eye out for the numerous white-tailed deer, the sly red fox, or a slithering black rat snake crossing the road.

Directions

From Natural Bridge, continue west on SR 130 less than 0.1 miles to US 11/Lee Highway. Turn left on US 11/Lee Highway; proceed 1.8 miles south to I-81. Go south on I-81 for 8.1 miles to Exit 167. Go left on US 11/Main Street; travel south for 1.3 miles to SR 43. Turn left onto SR 43 and continue 4.7 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go north on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 12.7 miles to Sunset Field Overlook, at milepost 78.4, on the left. From the parking lot of Sunset Field Overlook, take Rt. 812 for 5.8 miles and turn left onto FR 768. After 2.7 miles, turn right onto FR 59/North Creek Road and follow this road for 2.9 miles to Rt. 614. Turn right onto Rt. 614 and drive 1.6 miles to the James River. This drive, from Sunset Field Overlook to the James River, is referred to as "Warbler Road."

Site Access: Free, Daily  Site Contact: (434) 321-1136 Parking available, picnic tables, and hiking trails

This is not the closest loop to The Claiborne House B&B, the closest loop would be Sweet Mountain Laurel Loop found here.  Smart View Recreation Area is 33 miles SOUTH on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke/Highway 220.

VIRGINIA IS FOR WARBLER LOVERS

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

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/ to see Coastal, Mountain and Piedmont Trails

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/trail.asp?trail=2 to see all of the Mountain Birding and Wildlife Trails

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is a part of the Virginia Green Program - It is run as a partnership between DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association.

The New Familiars at Kirk Ave Music Hall in Roanoke Sat March 6th

The New Familiars

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 8:00pmDoors Open: 7:30pm

Kirk Avenue Music Hall - Roanoke, VA

Tickets/Reservations

The New Familiars WEBSITE 

Calendar of Events at Kirk Ave

How to Find Kirk Ave Music Hall

What is Kirk Avenue Music Hall? It is an intimate setting to be up close and personal to some amazing artists.  The price is always right, the setting superb!

We recommend The Music Place 101.5 listen online too! Website here

VIRGINIA IS FOR NEW FAMILIARS LOVERS

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