Your Carriage Awaits

VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS

Laurel Springs Percherons has horse drawn carriages for hire for your romantic celebrations.  

Virginia is for Romance Lovers

Your carriage awaits me lady!

They have both casual and elegant horse drawn carriages for any type of romantic celebration.  Laurel Springs Percherons will travel to Rocky Mount! 


For more information, call 540-763-2409 or you can email Laurel Springs Percherons at jlee@swva.net  Visit their website: http://www.laurelspringspercherons.com

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BAD COFFEE!   Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.    We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate!

*Note - information is provided to help plan a spectacular visit to Blue Ridge Country Virginia!  We are not responsible for changes to hours of operation or anything else from third parties, give them a call or visit their website for more details.

A Full Tilt Primitive Revival Jug & String Band Style

YOUR INNKEEPER IS SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS WITH Y'ALL!  Grab your washboards...I am about to tell you about a very special show at Kirk Avenue Music Hall in downtown Roanoke.  THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011, 7:30PM

Rootstone - Star City Roots Music

Rootstone is a group of versatile young musicians who conjure the ancient strains of American music with a fearless old school sensibility.

This is not Roots Music with a modern twist, or a dash of punk added; It's a full tilt primitive revival that conjures the sounds of Memphis' great jug bands and songsters, Mississippi's Blues and Fiddle masters, and the Blues greats and superb string bands of the Carolina Piedmont.

Around one mic, they sing the songs with their regional accents, and use a rotating arsenal of guitars, banjos, fiddle, upright bass, washboard, jug, harmonica and more to make a glorious ruckus, in full harmony with the ghosts of 400 years of American Roots Music. LISTEN HERE.

Come out and experience it for yourself! We hope to see you at this Kirk Avenue show, you know the Claiborne House innkeepers will be there! I already bought out tickets - you can get yours click here. $15 for a first class performance by TWO fantastic old style bands! It doesn't get any better than this!

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011, 7:30PM

Foghorn String Band (photo credit: Mike Melnyk)

Foghorn Stringband plays old time string band music deeply rooted in the American folk tradition. It’s a pre-copyright, post-bluegrass style, but the Foghorns put their own stamp on it. It’s a sound that could be coming to you from a big console radio in a 1930’s living room, or an Appalachian front porch; instead it’s being delivered by a group of players from the thriving old time music scene of Portland, Oregon. The band’s ass-kickin’ acoustic ethos stems from their belief that old time music, played in a traditional way, is still very much alive in the 21st century. http://foghornstringband.com/

Touring the musical back roads of the American South, Rootstone Jug Band revives the regional accents of southern roots music.  Summoning the sounds of Memphis' great jug bands and songsters, Mississippi's Blues and Fiddle styles, and Piedmont Blues and String Band traditions of the Carolinas, the band conjures long forgotten titans of American music and brings them alive again.  These are not museum replicas - the primal power of this early American music transports the band, and the audience to another time, when hand-made music was woven into the community fabric.  Playing guitars, banjos, fiddles, upright bass, jugs, washboards, harmonicas, and more this versatile group channels sounds which have floated through the air for ages, and reminds us that the tradition is alive.

www.rootstone.net

Directions click here, Kirk Avenue Music Hall is just 25 minutes from The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast.  Stay with us and go to this show and we will give you a $20 discount!

VIRGINIA IS FOR ROOTS MUSIC LOVERS

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BAD COFFEE!   Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.    We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate!

Balds are Beautiful!

Appalachian Balds are beautiful

There are places along the ridge tops of the Appalachian Mountains that are strikingly barren of trees.

Known as the Appalachian Balds, they look like patches on a tennis ball where the fuzz has been worn away.

Bald at Roan Mountain, NC

Furthest Guests

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
Each year over NASCAR weekend, when we have a full house bubbling over with excited race fans, I ask who has come the furthest to go to NASCAR at Martinsville?

Shellie says "GO HARVICK!"

Oftentimes year-round our guests want to know where our guests come from? It is a mystery to them, they are truly intrigued by this!  As I told a wonderful repeat guest yesterday, there is no rhyme or reason that people are here at the same time. Many times we will be full midweek and each guest is here for a different reason.


2011 will be our eighth year in business as the owners and innkeepers here at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast (21st year as a B&B in this circa 1895 Queen Anne.)  Wintertime we are doing renovations, repairs and maintenance.  In this slower season we often reflect on the past guests who have innhanced our bed and breakfast by staying with us.

• Last year we had our first ever couple from Russia.  Yes, Moscow Russia.  It was a short stay, but we thoroughly innjoyed having them!
• We also had a young couple from Sydney Australia (of course we lived in Sydney and were married in New South Wales Australia 22 years ago this month!)
• Another visiting DC and swinging south to travel The Blue Ridge Parkway from near Auckland New Zealand (this was exciting as Tony was born in Howick New Zealand, and this chap was living just a few minutes from Tony's birthplace!)

Smell that?

ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR!
Virginia is for lovers y'all...especially here in these Blue Ridge Mountains.  
Bring your sweetie out to celebrate your love this Valentine's Weekend and get a whiff of that good ol' fresh mountain air.
Romancing ideas:

• Stay with us at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast.  You can place your order for a innstant romance add ons like flowers by booking our Valentine's Weekend Package here.  
• Take in some live music "Romantic Strings" performed by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Feb 13/14.  
• or if you prefer something more contemporary try Dirty Guv'nahs at Kirk Avenue Music Hall in Roanoke Feb 12th. Tickets just $12! Buy them here.
• Dinner in downtown Roanoke at Arzu or one of the many fantastic restaurants!

VIRGINIA IS FOR ROMANCE LOVERS

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BAD COFFEE!   Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.    We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate!

*Note - information is provided to help plan a spectacular visit to Blue Ridge Country Virginia!  We are not responsible for changes to hours of operation or anything else from third parties, give them a call or visit their website for more details.

Virginia is for Mountain Lovers

SPGH0140
Originally uploaded by pcopros

Come out and get some of this! Plan your Spring Getaway Today


VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS


LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BAD COFFEE! 
Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/


The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway. We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate!

Just ignore the blood, sweat and tear stains...

January = Renos at The Inn

SO MUCH FOR OUR WINTER SLUMBER!

“A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.” Grover Cleveland

As you may or may not be aware owning an inn requires tons of maintenance and that is just the day-to-day stuff, never mind the renovations. This is in addition to the "putting out fires" that occur regularly when you have a houseful of guests. Every minor repair turns into a "pro-ject" and new discoveries of cheap/instant fixes gone bad.

If I had a dime for every time I said to a guest when they ask "Did you do all the renovations here?" and my reply is always "Everyone who has ever lived here has done renovations" and that's the truth!  This Queen Anne Victorian was built in circa 1895.  So as you can imagine, just like Joan Rivers, the work on the old girl never ends.  

We hope you will find things to your liking, and an innjoyable experience when you visit! (Just ignore the blood, sweat and tear stains on some of our old tshirts).

I will now just add a few images from Tony's labor and toil (this is in addition to his regular outside-the-outside-of-the-inn job where we works for a paycheck.)

The fun never ends at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast

My Sweet Patootie at Kirk Avenue in Roanoke

COMING UP THIS WEEK AT KIRK AVENUE MUSIC HALL!

About

Roanoke’s premiere live music venue, Kirk Avenue Music Hall presents musical events in a relaxed, smoke-free setting with the focus on the stage. We feature local and nationally-known musicians performing a wide range of music: from roots and Americana, blues and bluegrass, to good ol¹ rock & roll. With our state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, unobstructed views of the stage, and intimate setting, Kirk Ave captures live, raw performances that makes you feel as if you¹re sitting in the artist¹s living room. Doesn¹t get much better than that!

Kirk Avenue Music Hall is 25 minute drive North on HWY 220 from The Claiborne House B&B in Rocky Mount, VA. We love Kirk Avenue and encourage you to take in a show, you will be pleasantly surprised by this small and amazing venue!  We might just see you there.

Sat, Jan 22, 2011 | 8pmKIRK AVENUE MUSIC HALL, 22 KIRK AVENUE SW, ROANOKE VA 24011
	Robbin Thompson Robbin Thompson is a Virginia-based singer/songwriter and has been recording since 1976. He been in bands with Bruce Springsteen, co-written songs with Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, won the American Song Festival twice, and has written tons of music for commercials and films. His song, "Sweet Virginia Breeze", has also been nominated as the new state song of Virginia. ADD TO CALENDAR  FORWARD TO FRIENDS
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 | 7:30pmKIRK AVENUE MUSIC HALL, 22 KIRK AVENUE SW, ROANOKE VA 24011
	Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys Mention Alejandro Escovedo to a casual music fan, and you’ll probably get a shrug of indifference. But mention him to fans of punk, alt-country, blazing guitar-rock or confessional string-quartet pop, and you might get a big smile. And mention that the Texas-based singer/songwriter/guitarist appears January 28 at Kirk Avenue Music Hall with his hard-rockin’ group, the Sensitive Boys, and it’s a serious reason to rejoice. For those not aware of the Mexican American musician’s talent, experience and rich history, suffice it to say he’s a sort of a musical “Zelig,” although hardly ordinary or unimportant.He was named Musician of the Decade by No Depression magazine in 1998. Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, USA Today and Entertainment Weekly have all done loving profiles. He’s appeared on “Austin City Limits,” “Late Night With Conan O’Brian,” “Today,” “Tonight,” with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and at the Democratic National Convention. ADD TO CALENDAR  FORWARD TO FRIENDS

Got Quail? Southern Traditions Run Deep in Virginia

PLANNING YOUR NEXT MANCATION?

Franklin County native son Demas Boudreaux invites you to Commonwealth Birding

Meet Demas Boudreaux

Commonwealth Birding exists for the preservation and promotion of our great Southern tradition of upland quail hunting. It's hard to beat a great hunting trip, with fast-flying birds and sharp dogs.

As a private quail hunting outfitter, Commonwealth Birding can provide guided quail hunts just about anywhere during normal quail season - November 6 through January 31st, or on a licensed preserve September 1st through April 30th.  We supply everything:  birds, dogs and guides, guns, lunch- you name it.

Commonwealth Birding Celebrate Southern Tradition

We measure success in good times and great hunts

Commonwealth Birding

www.CommonwealthBirding.com

804-372-7237

*Shop Online for that perfect gift at Commonwealth Birding

*Gift certificates are available

Look Who Rolled Into Town!

Steam engine enthusiasts gushing

The Chesapeake and Ohio 614 has rolled in at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Photo by Thomas Johnson FB 

Few locomotives in this world could make the Norfolk and Western 1218 take a back seat at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

The Chesapeake and Ohio 614 is one of them.

The 434-ton steam locomotive, which has been called the last commercially manufactured mainline passenger steam engine made in America, arrived in Roanoke on Thursday for a three-month stay. It will be officially unveiled Feb. 12 as part of a two-locomotive exhibit alongside the museum's other prized steam behemoth, the streamlined N&W 611.

The exhibit, titled "Thoroughbreds of Steam," will also include a display inside the museum with photographs and historical information, museum officials said. They are considering keeping the 614 under wraps until then -- although that's a lot of wrapping. As of Friday, the gargantuan 614 was fully visible beside the 611 under the museum's Claytor Pavilion.

Time to Explore - Roanoke Valley Visitor's Guide 2011

EXPLORE THE ROANOKE VALLEY - WHERE IT'S ALWAYS A BLUE RIDGE DAY!
The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 19 miles to Roanoke Virginia.  

Tons of things to see and do!

Roanoke is the foot of the Shenandoah Valley, and if you cross over the Blue Ridge Mountains on HWY 220 you will come to our Franklin County and Rocky Mount Virginia.


Click on the 2011 Visitor's Guide to see all there is to do in this region. The possibilities are endless! From Hiking, biking, canoeing to museums and fine dining!  This official guide is here to assist you in planning a perfect “Blue Ridge Day.”  


Visit the Roanoke website www.visitroanokeva.com and let us know if there is anything we can do to make your visit more innjoyable! 


Don't forget: 

Virginia Writers, Journalists and Artists!

Writers, journalists and artists from Virginia include Pulitzer Prize winners, poet laureates, and sculptors of larger-than-life figures. 
We have so many authors, many who have written popular books, but these are the "Famous" Virginian Authors.photo © 2010 Ginny | more info (via: Wylio)

You Just Might Get Lucky!

AS OUR GUESTS FROM CONNECTICUT AND PHILLY DID THIS WEEK!

They had lunch and espresso at the Daily Grind Coffeehouse here in Rocky Mount.  I had to explain why we are not well known over at the Daily Grind (other than Tony taking vendors there for lunch for his other job, which he does regularly.)  They are not open evenings and weekends, they pretty much follow the courthouse hours.

Susie and David Pegler, owners of the Daily Grind Coffeehouse in Rocky Mount

CD Review City of Refuge by Abigail Washburn

PREORDER THIS CD - RELEASED JANUARY 2011~ CD Review from Cybergrass

Abigail Washburn

Got Skis?

GET OUTSIDE! We have more than 10 ski resorts within a few hours drive 

Winter Sports

CROSS COUNTRY SKIINGWhen the conditions are just right, you can find excellent cross country skiing opportunities hidden throughout the region. When it snows, the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed to vehicles but open to skiers. Another hidden gem is Mountain Lake. It sits just above 4,000' of elevation and tends to attract and hold snow longer than any other area.

ICE SKATINGThe Roanoke Civic Center has indoor ice skating sessions during the winter months. The schedule vaies and it is best to view their online calendar of events to see when ice skating is available.

HIT THE SLOPESSnow skiing is popular activity for residents of the Roanoke Region. Fortunately, there are plenty of ski resorts and mountains to take a day trip to in the winter!