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Black History Month in Virginia

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

“The African-American experience is one of the most important threads in the American tapestry.”  –Bill Frist

When one thinks of the month of February, the first event that comes to mind is probably Valentine’s Day. However, February also possesses a celebration of much more historical and hereditary significance—it is Black History Month.

Virginia will be celebrating Black History Month with music, films, lectures, dramas, tours, and many more events and gatherings. So, while you’re enjoying a much-needed vacation at one of our B&Bs, why not celebrate the culture, traditions, and heritage of our African-American citizens?

Locomotion, February 28, 2012, Virginia Beach, VA- This theatrical production is written by Jacqueline Woodson and is based on her Coretta Scott King Honor book of the same title. It follows the story of Lonnie Collins Motion, his triumph over hardships, and his passion for writing. (Click here for inns near Virginia Beach).

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra Presents Buddy, Woody, and Stan, February 25, 2012, Fairfax, VA- This musical event is a must-see for admirers of jazz classics. The program features renowned alto sax virtuoso Jim Carroll, the founder of the Met Jazz Orchestra. (Click here for inns near Fairfax.)

12th Annual Virginia Black History Month Formal Dinner, February 25, 2012, Fredericksburg, VA- The Keynote Speaker for this event is Hollywood actress and producer Vivica A. Fox. Enjoy a night of delicious food, wonderful speakers, lively dancing, and a number of other features of entertainment. (Click here for inns near Fredericksburg.)

Ezibu Muntu African Dance Group, February 18, 2012, Richmond, VA- Gather the kiddies, take them to the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and delight in a performance by this renowned African dance group. (Click here for inns near Richmond.)

Performing Arts Live Presents Ladysmith Black Mambazo, February 14, 2012, Winchester, VA- Make your Valentine’s Day special with a performance by this Grammy Award-winning, all-male, a capella group. (Click here for inns near Winchester.)

 

 

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Bed and Breakfast Babymoons in VA

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

They say that pregnancy is beautiful, that the glow of an expectant mother is one of the most simplistic forms of natural beauty. Of course, “they” don’t take into consideration the morning sickness, the stretch marks, the mood swings, and the many other forms of nine-month-long discomfort. While pregnancy may be beautiful, it certainly can be stressful for both the mother and the father.

Don’t worry; there is a point to that seemingly irrelevant introduction. You may be asking yourself, “How does that relate to the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia?” I’m glad you asked. If you are an expecting couple in desperate need (or in not-so-desperate need) of a getaway, then reserve a few days for a babymoon at one of our BBAV inns.

Magnolia House Inn, Hampton, VA- Your babymoon at Magnolia House includes homemade desserts, a picnic with sparkling cider, a full breakfast, two nights’ accommodations, and a gift for your little one. (Add a massage to the Babymoon Package if you’re needing some muscle relaxation.)

South Court Inn Bed and Breakfast, Luray, VA- South Court Inn’s Babymoon Pakcage includes a one-hour, in-room massage for both the parents, a dozen roses, two lead crystal champagne flutes, a gourmet dinner for two, and decadent chocolates.

The Hummingbird Inn, Goshen, VA- Enjoy your time together before the baby arrives by spending an amazing two nights at the Hummingbird Inn. Delight in roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling cider (and wine for Dad), a massage for two, a carriage ride through Lexington, dinner at Bistro, and a special gift for your baby.

Chestnut Hill Bed and Breakfast, Orange, VA- Chestnut Hill’s add-on package consists of an aromatherapy facial massage for Mom, a deep tissue massage for Dad, chilled sparkling cider, and gourmet chocolates.

© Stuart Miles

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BBAV Holiday Packages

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

If you read our last BBAV blog entry, you know that we encourage you to shop and buy locally to acquire all of your holiday gifts. And did you realize that the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia is also a local business??? You could purchase a BBAV gift certificate if you would like, or you could partake in one of the holiday packages that some of our bed and breakfasts offer.

1. Serenity’s Edge!- The beautifully romantic cottages of Serenity’s Edge are located in Braxton, Virginia (near Roanoke). For a $35 add-on during the month of December, you can enjoy a Holiday Escape Package, which includes a holiday basket, cookies, assorted snacks, a keepsake collector’s ornament, and a CD of holiday music. Contact Serenity’s Edge for more information.

2. Belle Hearth B&B- Belle Hearth in Waynesboro, VA is another inn that offers a holiday package, which includes the following: “Reserve any room, anytime, for two nights and take 50% off the second night rate. Must mention this special when reserving by phone or online and cannot be combined with any other offer or special.”

3. South Court Inn Bed and Breakfast- This lovely inn offers a 3- or 4-day Fantastic Christmas Getaway and Dinners for $680. This includes a Christmas Even dinner, a Christmas Day lunch buffet, a Christmas present opening breakfast buffet, and a Christmas evening tea. Contact the South Court Inn for more information.

These are only two of the BBAV’s many inns, and there are many more offering holiday specials. If you would like to know if a bed and breakfast offers a special or package, check out our website, find an inn, and give them a call!

Photo by JJ Harrison

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Shopping Locally in Virginia

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011


There are many, many benefits to buying locally, especially during the holiday season, and Virginia has no shortage of small businesses from which it would be advantageous to make your purchases. Many of the art-related establishments such as 16 Hands in Floyd, VA, Sunspots Studios in Staunton, VA, and Glenfiddich Farm Pottery in Leesburg, VA even feature local artisans who display and sell their beautiful pieces of artwork.

It would take an abundance of time and energy to research every single small business in Virginia, not to mention that it would be a very long, increasingly dull blog entry. Thus, I would encourage you to do a google search for downtown shopping in Virginia, and I guarantee that you will find a vast amount of small, eclectic shops that will fulfill all of your gift-giving needs.

If you have read any of the BBAV’s previous blog entries, you know that I, your humble blogger, love a good list. Therefore, enjoy yet another list, this one presenting you with a few reasons as to why you should shop and buy locally:

1. Obviously, by buying locally, you are supporting your local economy which is an indirect benefit to yourself because of the re-circulation of money and all that jazz. See? It’s good for you!

2. Small, local businesses provide a wide range of unique holiday gifts. From jewelry to artwork to random trinkets, downtown shops offer any type of item that you can think of, and gifting someone with something unique is sure to make you the most celebrated gift-giver of them all.

3. You avoid the crabby crowds that infest big retail stores during this time of year. I mean, really, who wants their toes run over by cart-pushing grinches and line-cutting scrooges?

You know what? Those three reasons pretty much sum it all up, so Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

 

Photo by Patrick Neil

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BBAV Gift Certificates

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011


The usual holiday gifts include such dull items as a tie for Dad, a scented candle for Mom, sets of lotion and bodywash for the girlfriends, and moderately pleasant aftershave for the boyfriends. While these are not necessarily bad gifts, they’re not particularly memorable and certainly not personalized enough to express how meaningful a relationship you have with these individuals. Although, if you’re not terribly fond of these acquaintances, a bodywash set might be appropriate.

All of the previous is to lead up to my pitch, so here goes: Instead of the usual generic gift sets, how about presenting your friends and family with Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia gift certificate? You can buy them in $25 increments between the prices of $25 and $500. (For those who are mathematically challenged or just too lazy to calculate, that means you can purchase these gift certificates in the amounts of $25, $50, $75, $100, etc. all the way up to $500.) They are redeemable at any inn that is a current member of the BBAV. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. ANY INN!

Besides the fact that these gift certificates would make wonderful presents to the holidays, you might be wondering why else you should purchase one. I like a good list, so I’ve decided to present to you a list of three reasons why you should pick up a BBAV gift certificate:

1. You will undoubtedly be the most envied of all gift-givers at your holiday party.

2. You don’t have to fight the Black Friday crowds to buy your gift. In fact, you don’t have to fight any crowds, since the gift certificates are available for purchase online.

3. BBAV gift certificates have no expiration date. Much like that fruit cake that you’re thinking about giving the neighbors. But a BBAV gift certificate is much more appealing than fruit cake.

Photo by Kelvin Kay

 

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Veterans Day in Virginia, 2011

Monday, November 7th, 2011

 

November 11 is Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, commemorating the end of World War I and honoring all the men and women of the armed forces.

Woodrow Wilson was the first to declare a November 11th celebration of Armistice Day, and he did so with the proclamation, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

 

Joseph Ambrose, 86-year old World War I veteran

There will be celebrations, free museum admissions, and military discounts all over the United States on Veterans Day, and Virginia will be no exception:

Mount Vernon, VA- free admission for active duty, former, and retired military personnel; free community concert by The Harmony Heritage Singers.

Grey Swan Inn, Blackstone, VA- 10% discount to military personnel

Montpelier, Orange, VA- free admission to all military personnel

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, Staunton, VA- free Veterans Day Program

Besides these specific events, there are a number of national parks that are offering free admission to everyone on Veterans Day:

  •     Colonial National Historical Park
  •     George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Great Falls Park
  •     Manassas National Battlefield Park

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy

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Lung Cancer Awareness, 2011

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

The month of November is both Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and this blog will focus on lung cancer awareness.

Anyone who has fought cancer or known someone with cancer understands how devastating it can be, and the statistics for lung cancer are pretty staggering. In the United States, lung cancer is the “leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States,” and is responsible for one in three cancer deaths. As of 2009, it kills an average of 437 people daily.

Making healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking can seriously reduce the risk of getting lung cancer, as can regular checkups at the doctor’s office. The Lung Cancer Alliance emphasizes the importance of early detection, which increases the 10-year survival rate to 92%.

Perhaps this seems like nothing but numbers and redundant advice that you’ve heard many times before. But because this is the month for awareness, we here at the BBAV encourage you to support those in the fight against lung cancer. While we are a group that delights in travel and vacation, we cannot forget those who are unable to partake in these activities due to their illness. And so we remember them with our support, our thoughts, and our prayers as they face an uncertain future.

 

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Howl-O-Scream, Williamsburg, VA

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Everywhere you look in Virginia, you will find some sort of Halloween party or harvest festival during this time of year. While you’re making yourself at home at one of our cozy bed and breakfasts, perhaps you will want to attend one of these celebrations. If you have children, there are some spectacular family-friendly opportunities.

One such event is the fabulously scary Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Traverse through the foggy gloom of the Fear Fair. Explore the vampire-laden “Bitten” house. Rock out to Monster Stomp Revamped. Sneak through the woods of New France while trying to avoid the Widow Makers. If you enjoy that heart-pounding rush of adrenaline brought about by fear, then Howl-O-Scream is certainly the event for you! However, if the kiddies aren’t so keen on monsters popping out at them, you can visit Busch Gardens during the day for plenty of non-scary fall fun. Once 6pm hits, though, the park becomes a haven for horror! *cue thunder sound effects*

Howl-O-Scream is hardly the only Halloween celebration in Virginia, so click here for a lovely little list that highlights different events based on region and city.

Be smart and safe, everyone! (And parents, kindly refrain from adorning yourselves with costumes that would severely embarrass your children…)

Lastly, I feel that no Halloween blog would be complete without this classic tribute to all things that go bump in the night:

 

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Short Pump Town Center: Richmond, Virginia

Monday, August 29th, 2011

When one thinks of tourism in Virginia, he or she usually imagines historic sites, pleasant wineries, warm beaches, and fantastic hiking trails. One, however, does not usually think of Virginia as being a shopping destination, but we do in fact have an incredibly popular location that is perfect for a lively girls’ day out, a well-needed personal shopping spree, or a fun family outing.

Short Pump Town Center is a 1,200,000 square foot open air shopping mall in the West End of Richmond, Virginia. It provides a wide array of fashion boutiques, department stores, well-known retailers, and specialty stores, as well as a plethora of dining options. Their seemingly endless list of stores includes such places as Swarovski, Cold Stone Creamery, the Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, Macy‘s, the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, and Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Honestly, it would take a few days to visit every single desired store and restaurant, not to mention that you would have to make time for one of Short Pump’s special events (such as Fashion’s Night Out on September 8, 2011). Shopping is fun but exhausting, and after you’ve spent a day on your feet, at the spa, in an upscale restaurant, or at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, you’ll need a place of comfort where you can relax with your purchases. So, your best bet would be to include one of our spectacular bed and breakfasts in your vacation itinerary!

If you’d like to stay updated with special events and sales at Short Pump, follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Happy Shopping!

© ShortPumpMall.com

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Virginia Lighthouses, Summer 2011

Monday, July 18th, 2011

“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”
- Anne Lamott

Lighthouses have been a source of fascination for people for many years, and we here in Virginia are lucky to have some of these beautiful structures decorate our coasts. They stand with silent strength, with few frills or ornamentation, and yet the light that shines from them cannot go unnoticed. For many years, these lighthouses kept ships from crashing to shore, ensuring safety to the crew aboard the vessels. Now these structures are sources of history and, as always, symbolic representations of hope and guidance. And, of course, they are a wonderful destination for those on a Virginia vacation.

The lighthouses of Virginia include the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, the Assateague Lighthouse, built in 1833, the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, built in 1802, and the New Point Comfort Lighthouse, commissioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1804. As you can imagine, each of these lighthouses possesses a deep history, having survived battles and skirmishes and years of being weathered by ocean waves.

If you’re planning to visit one of these lighthouses, be sure to check out their schedules. Some allow tours during most of the years, but others have set times that the outside public is allowed to see the inside. (Also, toughen up those leg muscles if you plan to climb up the inside of the lighthouse. Those stairs give you a good workout!) Be sure to check out our list of bed and breakfasts to find the perfect inn for you to relax at during your trip to visit the lighthouses.

© 2011 http://www.virginia.org/lighthouses/

© 2011 http://www.virginia.org/lighthouses/

© 2011 http://www.virginia.org/lighthouses/

 Facts courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation, © 2011.

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