Rosetta Stone featured on NPR for reviving dead language

Rosetta Stone, the software company located in downtown Harrisonburg, was recently featured on NPR’s All Things Considered for its work in preserving and reviving the Chitimacha language. According to NPR’s website, the language spoken by the Chitimacha tribe of Lafayette Louisiana has laid dormant since the last native speaker died 70 years ago. Although Rosetta Stone works with several Indian tribes as part of their endangered language program, this the first time they’ve undertaken an effort without the aid of any native speakers. Listen to the full story of how Rosetta Stone and Chitimacha members are working together to preserve the tribe’s cultural identity.

Stonewall Jackson Inn named best B&B in Mid-Atlantic

The Stonewall Jackson Inn at 547 East Market Street was selected as the Mid-Atlantic region’s best bed and breakfast inn. The awarding agency, BedandBreakfast.Com, is the world’s largest reservation system in the B&B industry, processing thousands of reservations every year.  The award is based on unsolicited reviews by guests who rate B&Bs on service, cleanliness, rooms, value, and dining. In addition to the rating, guests write a narrative paragraph reporting on their experience during their stay.

Love, Downtown.

Valentine’s Day specials abound in downtown Harrisonburg! Below are specials and events in honor of the holiday of love. Check back often as we’ll be adding more to the list as we hear about them!

Brooklyn Café & Lounge is on the way

HDR volunteer blogger Judy Morehouse recently sat down with the new owners of the Brooklyn Café  & Lounge, formerly Franklin’s Café. Read on to get the low-down on changes to the restaurant (it’s going Mediterranean with Wi-Fi!) and learn more about the new owners (immigrants from the Kurdish region of Iraq).

Court Square Theater presents an evening of art and dance

Painting by Susan Zurbrigg

Join Court Square Theater for an evening of art and dance on February 6. The night begins at 6pm with a catered art show featuring the abstract paintings of Susan Zurbrigg, an associate professor of art at James Madison University, dovetailing into a command performance by modern dance company Jane Franklin Dance at 7:30. Tickets are available in advance by calling (540) 433-9189 x 2 or visiting www.courtsquaretheater.com.  Benefit tickets are $30 and include hors d’oeuvres from Cally’s Restaurant & Brewery and truffles by Warfels Sweet Shoppe.

After the benefit, Zurbrigg’s work will be on display in the Darrin-McHone Gallery at the Smith House until February 26.

Beyond restaurant holding Haiti relief benefit dinner Sunday

As you know the tragedy in Haiti has been in the minds of many people. In an effort to make a difference, Beyond restaurant will be offering a benefit meal (3 courses) on Sunday between Noon and 3 or between 6 and 9. A minimum donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund is requested, and all proceeds will be donated to that effort. Call Beyond at 432-0105 for reservations. See below news release for more information.

Eddie

Welcome To Cuchi Guidos – Are You Hungry? (Review)

By Judy Morehouse

“Welcome To Cuchi Guidos – Are You Hungry?”

That’s the cheer that greets you when you enter our newest downtown eatery, located at 95 S. Main Street.  Being opening day, there were lots of customers coming and going, but the staff was handling the confusion very well.  I sat at a table to look over the limited menu (the full-scale menu is not available until Monday, January 25) when the General Manager, Ross Teague, appeared with 2 complimentary “Cuchi Guidos Cup Cakes” that were very good.  They reminded me of a moist corn muffin with a hint of coconut, baked in a banana skin and topped with a drop of cream cheese.  Ross stated that his top three specialties (but everything is good!) are the “Cup Cakes”, the “Philly Cheesesteaks”, and, the “Panzarotti”, so I tried them all!!

Midtowne Market to Close

With regret, this post is to inform downtown supporters that Midtowne Market is closing. The convienence store located on Water Street across from the parking deck will shut its doors after Sunday. Please come out and patronize the establishment in its final week of business.

Pennybackers restaurant opens today

Pennybackers restaurant opens today! Check out their great sandwiches, Ott-tots and more at 14 E. Water Street. The HDR staff went to lunch during its soft opening this Wednesday and had an enjoyable experience. The family-friendly restaurant offers “casual food and fun” and is already up to 241 fans on its Facebook page. Visit the page for photos of the building renovation and some of the dishes being served on their opening menu.

We’d love to hear your reviews and thoughts on downtown’s latest dining spot! Post comments below.

In other downtown food-related news:

1) Franklin’s Cafe is under new management. Stop by and welcome the newcomers to downtown.

2) Cuchi Guidos will be filling the gap left by Luigi’s Pizza Co. at 95 S. Main St. They will be offering Philly cheesesteaks, Jersey hoagies and hand tossed Brooklyn-style pizza.

Ten Last Minute Gift Ideas from Downtown Harrisonburg

Shopping in downtown Harrisonburg is an unrushed, pleasant experience, even this close to Christmas. Having difficulty finding a gift for that special someone? Here is a sampling of unique gift ideas you can’t find anywhere else in Harrisonburg:

1. Downtown Gift Certificate from Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance - It works just like cash and is good at approximately 50 restaurants, shops, attractions and spa services. You can pick them up at the Hardesty-Higgins House at 212 S. Main Street. HDR also sells “Do Downtown” t-shirts.

2. An ornament from You Made It…made by you! – A few years ago, the HDR staff all went to You Made It paint-your-own pottery studio for a little bonding time. It was great stress relief and we got to keep what we painted! I went back later to decorate an ornament for my sister-in-law with her children’s names on it. It’s now one of their favorites. It’s too late to have a piece ready by Christmas, but if you go in and paint something now, it’ll be ready in about a week. Definitely worth giving out an I.O.U. on Friday.

3. Couture lollipop from Madison Interiors – Yes, a rhinestone-encrusted lollipop holder is the kind of frivolous item that wouldn’t exist if not for holidays like Christmas and Hollywood culture (Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears have all been spotted with them). On the other hand, it’s shiny…and sparkly!

4. A grandparent membership to Harrisonburg Children’s Museum – Let’s face it: most grandparents already have everything they need. What they really want is more time with the grandkids. A grandparent membership gives just that — access for a full year to two grands and all of their little ones to Harrisonburg’s only kid-focused museum.

5. Lucky Brand patchwork bag from The Yellow Button – Who says you have to go all the way to Tyson’s Corner for good shopping? On their blog, The Yellow Button describes this striking bag as “big enough to carry anything you could possibly need, and colorful enough to spruce up any Neutral Nancy’s wordrobe.”

6. A hand cut filigree ring from Hugo A. Kohl, III Custom Jewelry Designs – Hugo Kohl is a master goldsmith, combining traditional and modern methods to create exquisite filigree jewelry. With a collection of 3,000 hand-engraved dies in his Federal Street workshop, most dating from the 1800’s, Kohl offers some of the most incredible – and exclusive – rings in the industry.

7. An Amish-made acorn birdhouse from Downtown Fine Furniture Company – Downtown Fine Furniture Company specializes in Amish-made furniture and accessories. “Cheap cheap!” is for the birds — not only is this acorn-shaped birdhouse darling, but it’s also handcrafted from solid wood and built to last.

8. Bum Genius cloth diapers from On the Turtle’s Back – Amazingly, at a time when many people are more conscious about environmental impact and sustainability, On the Turtle’s Back on Water Street is the only place where you can find this popular brand of colorful, reliable cloth diapers. Perfect for crunchy parents and moms-to-be.

9. Tickets to the Hank Williams Sr. Tribute with Robin and Linda Williams at Court Square Theater – Tickets to this annual concert celebrating the life and songs of the late country music icon traditionally sell out fast. Luckily for last minute shoppers, however, there are still a few seats left if you act now!

10. A Hummel figurine from Glen’s Fair Price Store – Back in the day, women used to camp out overnight on South Main Street whenever M.I. Hummel released their latest figurine. Demand is not quite so high now, but these little ceramic collectibles still make great nostalgic gifts.