James McHone: A Jewel of a Person

James McHone in front of his business. Photo by Nicole Martorana.

“Harrisonburg and downtown have been good to me, so there is not a better place to put my investment and donation money.”  This sums up the philosophy of James McHone, a successful downtown business owner and supporter of many community causes.

James was born in Harrisonburg and grew up in the area attending Harrisonburg city schools.  He graduated from James Madison University (then Madison College) and came within 6 hours of receiving an MBA from JMU.  So how did James become interested in antique jewelry?

Due to his father’s health situation, when he was a youngster, James’s family spent time each year in Hot Springs, Arkansas for his father to receive treatment. In order to keep James occupied but safe, he was given $5 and allowed to visit the area of town known as “Antique Row.”  With the money, he bought bargain gifts for his mother.  While still in high school, he expanded to purchasing items from yard sales and selling them for a profit.

James McHone Jewelry specializes in antique jewelry. Photo by Nicole Martorana.

The roots of James McHone Jewelry can be traced back to these childhood experiences in Arkansas and Harrisonburg.  The store specializes in antique jewelry, particularly diamonds and engagement rings. James also purchases gold and estate items, and the shop offers GIA appraisals, custom design, resets, and repairs. His client base includes many local professionals and residents, and his largest customer base is local college students. James says there is less competition in antique jewelry, and the market is remarkably consistent.

Summing up his business philosophy, James says, “I try to treat people like I want to be treated.”  He uses no sales pressure and prefers to offer customers information about an item and allow them to make their own decisions. He finds his most effective advertising is in the Massanutten Villager and the JMU Breeze. One unique marketing tool is the shop’s $100 giveaway.  JMU students receive notice in the Breeze when and where a store representative will be on campus, and a lucky student seen wearing a James McHone t-shirt will be awarded a $100 bill.  This promotion has become so popular, it was voted a “Top 100 Reason to Attend JMU.”

James McHone Jewelry, located at 75 Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg. Photo by Nicole Martorana.

James McHone Jewelry, located at 75 Court Square, opened 29 years ago in 1983 when James purchased the building. James says he was drawn to downtown because of its safety and friendly people. Since that time, he has purchased several other downtown properties, including the Bank of America building next door. Over the last few years, James has observed the progress with downtown revitalization, and he feels this has made his investment in downtown real estate a wise decision.

The friendly and knowledgeable staff of James McHone Jewelry. Photo by Nicole Martorana.

As James looks toward the future of downtown, he is very “bullish” and optimistic.  He is amazed at how well downtown businesses have weathered the recent economic challenges, and he sees more retail shops coming to downtown, as well as more parking decks, new construction, and perhaps a hotel/conference center.

Eddie Bumbaugh is the Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

The 1990s make a comeback at Renaissance Night

Flash back to the 1990s with HDR’s Renaissance Night on May 12 at Dave’s Downtown Taverna.  This annual fundraiser for downtown revitalization features dinner, drinks, dancing, live music, live and silent auctions, and a raffle.

The decade theme has been fresh and fun each year and also an ideal theme for Renaissance Night considering how much downtown has changed over the decades. Historically, downtown has served as the area’s center of commerce and government since 1779, when the first court house was built, experienced further growth in the 1850s when Isaac Hardesty served as Harrisonburg’s first mayor, and continued expansion until the 1980s when many businesses moved east to Valley Mall. Many people described downtown as a ghost town until the early 2000s when the city and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance began promoting downtown revitalization.

What were the 1990s?  This was a favorite decade for me. I was young; I enjoyed the music, fashion, entertainment, and technology boom of the decade.  The 90s were “like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”  From “Seinfeld” to “Friends,” flannel shirts to spandex shorts, Bill Clinton to Kurt Cobain, and the World Wide Web to cell phones, there really is no one way to define the 1990s.

So come join us to relive the decade on May 12.  There will be a costume contest, so please dress in your 90′s best or as a personality from that decade.  If you are stumped, visit this website to get inspired and connect with our event on Facebook for more ideas and event updates. If you still aren’t sure, we will have a costume box set up with 90′s attire and accessories you can choose from to join in the fun when you arrive.  See you there!

Melanie Woodard is the owner of Polished, Inc. in downtown Harrisonburg and a member of the HDR Organization Committee.

Your Downtown Real Estate Manager – Friend or Foe?

If you are preparing to work with a real estate manager, you may be wondering what we’re all about and what you can expect. Most of us are friendly! Most of us like to have fun!  Most of us don’t take ourselves too seriously! And, believe it or not, most of us DO want you to enjoy your property and get your security deposit back!

Managing real estate is simple yet very complex at the same time. Here’s how the relationship generally works – the real estate manager is always employed by the owner of the property and has an agency relationship with that owner that must be honored, with an overarching duty to treat all parties honestly. Most real estate issues that arise have a clear solution, often with only one appropriate action to be taken as is dictated by regulation or by a written agreement. However, just like anything else in life, there are times when judgment calls must be made.  While no one likes making these types of decisions, they must be made and many times influence whether or not a productive relationship grows or expires.

I like to believe that most of the community we work with at Matchbox are rational people…most times true, but sometimes not true.  I also like to believe that real estate managers want to treat others the way they want to be treated…most times true, but sometimes not true (unfortunately).

If you ever have a real estate issue that arises, judge the action of your real estate manager with one of the following questions: After the fact, would you ever join your real estate manager at Pennybackers for a Mason Jar?  Or Jack Brown’s for a burger? Or Capital Ale House for a…but I digress.  If the answer is no, then there wasn’t a win-win solution to your issue.  If the answer is yes, then, in the words of James Taylor, “You’ve got a friend!”

We manage many residences and commercial suites in the downtown area and we intend to create long-term relationships through what we do.  Managing these properties gives us the ability to participate in the continued growth of downtown and the re-use of some unbelievable properties that would otherwise be vacant remnants of the past.

At the Urban Exchange, City Exchange, Walton Hotel, and Wine Bros. Building, we get to work with so many different people and, like each of these properties, every interaction with them is unique and makes what we do worthwhile!

Urban Exchange, home to 194 condos and 12000 SF of retail space, at 238 E Water St. in downtown Harrisonburg.

City Exchange, constructed in 1908 as a produce exchange building and now home to 26 luxury one- and two-bedroom flats, Local Chop & Grill House, and offices. Located at 56 West Gay Street in downtown Harrisonburg.

Formerly the Walton Hotel, this building was given new life and is now home to the Ethiopian restaurant Blue Nile and apartments. Located at 181 North Main Street in downtown Harrisonburg.

The Wine Bros. Building is now home to the Fairfield Center, You Made It! Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio, and offices at 165 South Main Street in downtown Harrisonburg.

Our interest in bringing new life to old properties isn’t limited to the locations we manage. Instead of choosing a traditional office setting for our new Matchbox offices, our main operation is located in a renovated service area of a former car dealership on North Liberty Street. We feel it has served us well in helping facilitate friendly relationships. We always hope to relate to our customers, clients, and tenants and we feel that the design, atmosphere, and décor of our new offices are modern yet still very inviting. This space reflects who we are and the progressiveness of how we do business.

The former Buick dealership, now home to Matchbox.

The Matchbox offices at 202 North Liberty Street, Suite 101, in downtown Harrisonburg.

At Matchbox, we plan to be around for a very long time managing properties in downtown Harrisonburg.  With this kind of long-term view of real estate management, we hope to be friends with many of you and serve you in the future in one of our residences or in one of our commercial buildings.

Join us in downtown…there’s always something interesting to discover!

Michael Hendricksen is the Chief Operating Officer, Portfolio Manager, and Associate Broker for Matchbox Realty. If you’d like to talk more with Mike, please contact him at Mike@MatchboxRealty.com  or (540) 434–5150 x112.

A New Definition of the South Beach Diet

What do Lebron James, Miami, downtown Harrisonburg, and great food have to do with each other?  As a fan of team loyalty and commitment in professional sports, I was with the throng of Cleveland fans who thought Lebron James’s decision to “take his talents to South Beach” was the most selfish and self-promoting act in professional sports history.  I had personally committed to never root for anything from Miami as long as LBJ continued to razzle and dazzle with his showy moves on the court and his even showier wardrobe and persona off the court, even as his downtrodden community in Ohio continues to struggle financially in a very depressed economy.

That all changed during a recent visit to one of the most unique eateries in the ever-growing downtown Harrisonburg restaurant scene. CubanBurger, operated out of Wine on Water’s location at 70 West Water Street, is truly an experience you won’t forget. General Manager Steve Pizarro has been staying busy making authentic, scrumptious, and incredibly well-priced grub that is sure to satisfy even the most choosy of taste buds. Pizarro has directly promoted his business by providing quality service to each customer who comes through the door of Wine on Water, and this in turn has led to customers coming back, as well as telling people they know about their experience.

“We have a lot of business from word-of-mouth advertising,” says Pizarro, who credits the people who live and work downtown in the Friendly City for helping his name get known.

“Everyone is so hospitable and nice here,” he states, referring to the Harrisonburg area. “You don’t see many people leaving town; they are sticking around, having kids, and starting their lives here.”  That is what led Pizarro to consider opening up his business in Harrisonburg.

Formerly hailing from Miami, Pizarro vacationed at Bryce Resort in Bayse, VA and got to experience and become familiar with the surrounding area.  Feeling stuck in his job in IT Healthcare, Pizarro says his true passion was to work in the restaurant business to create a unique, yet simple product for customers. Visits to the college town of Harrisonburg during his vacations sparked him to consider relocating from Miami.  While he started on a smaller scale, selling authentic Cuban burgers at Cave Ridge Vineyard, Pizarro felt that more people wanted his product and that there were definitely revenue opportunities in downtown Harrisonburg.

Wine on Water

Wine on Water, Cave Ridge Vineyard’s tasting room in downtown Harrisonburg, provided a perfect opportunity for Pizarro to open on a small scale, although he has ambitions to grow larger.  Featuring wines from local Shenandoah Valley wineries such as Cave Ridge Vineyard, Bluestone Vineyards, and Barren Ridge Vineyards among others, Wine on Water offered Pizarro a mutually-beneficial opportunity to operate CubanBurger out of their location on Water Street. Pizarro respects and recognizes that much of his business comes from patrons of Wine on Water, who can order his food while enjoying the wide variety of wines offered, yet he also wants to promote his delectable menu to those who work and live downtown.

“I would say the majority of my business comes from people who live and work here in Harrisonburg,” states Pizarro.  The store also gets heavy foot traffic from people walking around and shopping at the many stores that have helped create Harrisonburg’s vibrant downtown. But, Pizzaro says there are still many who haven’t heard of, or experienced, what CubanBurger is all about.

Fritas Sliders

One of the fundamental elements of CubanBurger is simplicity.  The Fritas Sliders I tried seemed extremely simple, and at the same time were unique and authentic.  Pizarro uses locally-sourced meats from Country Roads Farms, and the sliders are a mixture of beef and pork, which Pizarro blends with spices to create a milder form of Chorizo. The result is incredible. Although the only product on the sliders other than the meat was ketchup, the taste told a different story. The burger was juicy, extremely flavorful, and yet light at the same time, unlike your traditional patty on a bun.

Likewise, the fried plantains are relatively self-explanatory and simple, but also combine authentic and chef-inspired ingredients. Pizarro starts with a green plantain (similar to a banana) which he slices and fries, then flattens and fries again.  But the mojo sauce for dipping that accompanies the plantains, and is featured on other sandwiches on the menu, is anything but ordinary. Consisting of a combination of onion, garlic, and citrus, Pizarro credits his sister-in-law for forming this variation of the distinct sauce.

Grilled Chicken Mojo

“It’s basically a traditional mojo sauce, with a little tomato sauce added to give it color for presentation,” Pizzaro says. The sauce is light, and yet has a bit of zest and full-body flavor.  It was so good that I demanded a to-go container for the extra sauce. The pairing of Bluestone Vineyard’s Beau white wine was the perfect complement to the citrus in the mojo, and I instantly recognized the connection between Pizarro’s craft and the fine wines featured on the wine list at Wine on Water.  It is an art, a skill, and evidence of the passion behind the doors leading to the kitchen of CubanBurger.

Cuban Sandwich

“That’s why I love what I do,” says Pizarro as a patron compliments him on his Cuban Sandwich. Instant customer feedback and immediate reaction to the art of his craft make him realize why he pursued starting CubanBurger. “I waited six, eight, twelve months before I got any feedback when I was doing Information Technology. Now, you can tell when someone takes that first bite…they either like it or don’t. Someone saying, ‘eh, it was okay’ is a bummer for me,” says Pizarro.

Miami-Style Burger

As I finish the last bite of my Miami-Style Cuban Burger (Miami-Style meaning only onion and ketchup with matchstick fries on the side), I think about Pizarro’s ties to Miami where he first started perfecting his Cuban burgers. “Are you a Lebron fan?” I ask, as I think through loyalty to my hallowed sports teams. “I’m a fan of the Miami Heat, so in a way,” Pizarro states. I smile to myself. At least he is one talent South Beach doesn’t have any more.

Derek Blyer is a member of the HDR Promotions Committee.

Rocktown Beer & Music Festival Goes Green

This year, Rocktown Beer & Music Festival  is proud to announce that it’s GOING GREEN! In its second year of operation, the festival is now officially a  Virginia Green-certified event. Festival organizers have made serious efforts this year to adopt environmentally conscious practices, including recycling, waste reduction, and even a bicycle valet!

Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like- a valet service for your bike. Shenandoah Bicycle Company will be teaming up with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and Northend Greenway to sponsor the valet this year, in an effort to cut down on polluting car emissions and provide a safe and secure place to park your bike . Leave your keys at home, ride down to the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival, and drop off your bike at the entrance. They’ll watch over it while you sample beers from over 30 breweries. When you’re ready to leave, head back to the valet at any point to pick up your bike.

Eco-friendly is a trend also evident in a number of the breweries featured at the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival. In particular, Blue Mountain Brewery- local brewery and festival sponsor- prides itself on sustainability. The Virginia Green member’s environmental efforts are reflected in their daily practices related to irrigation, energy usage and recycling. Additionally, this Afton, Virginia brewery grows their own hops, truly brewing their beer “from scratch.”

Tickets for the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival are going quickly! Online ticket sales, with tickets available for $32 each, will close at 11pm tomorrow (Thursday, April 19th). Any remaining tickets will be sold at the festival entrance for $40. Check out previous “Do Downtown” posts for more information on the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival and the Beer Week festivities leading up to the main event.

And make sure to attend the main event and keep an ear out for our big special announcement that will be revealed during the festival!

Katina Stevenson is the Promotions Intern for Spring 2012. She is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations at James Madison University.

Beer Week is Near

By now, most of you know that next weekend, Saturday, April 21st, marks the return of last year’s hugely popular Rocktown Beer & Music Festival. What’s new this year is the addition of Beer Week- that’s right, an entire week devoted to the celebration of craft beers, many of which will be available at the Rocktown Festival.

How are we celebrating? Steal-a-pint nights, tastings, tap takeovers, dinner pairings, and opportunities to meet the brewers in bars and restaurants throughout downtown every night of the week starting tomorrow, Saturday, April 14th, and leading up to the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival.

Beer weeks aren’t anything new. According to co-founder of the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival and Beer Week, not to mention co-owner of Jack Brown’s and Billy Jack’s, “Beer weeks are something that are popping up in cool ‘Beertowns’ all around the country, in cities like Portland, New York City, Richmond, and now Harrisonburg!”

The week will be filled with about 20 events taking place at Jack Brown’s, Billy Jack’s, Blue Nile, Ruby’s, Capital Ale House, and Downtown Wine & Gourmet. It’s a lot to keep track of, so here is a rundown of everything happening this week:

Saturday, April 14th

• Beer Week starts out with Downtown Wine & Gourmet’s Epic Brewery tasting. Epic Brewery is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah and is the first brewery to focus purely on high alcohol content beers after the state lifted their prohibition laws. Stop by Downtown Wine & Gourmet between 1 and 4pm to sample four of Epic Brewery’s craft beers.
• Later that night, check out the Blue Nile from 9 to 11pm for the New Belgium Can Release and Beer Tasting. In honor of one of the brewery’s most popular beers, Flat Tire, all guests who arrive on bike get in free! Stick around for the No Requests Dance Party later that night.

Sunday, April 15th

• 10am on a Sunday might seem a little early to crack open a beer… but not a cider! Jack Brown’s will be hosting a Morning Cider Tasting featuring six ciders.

Monday, April 16th

• On Monday, Billy Jack’s will have Belgian Beer Steal-a-Pint Night. This is no average Steal-a-Pint; a ceramic chalice will be replacing the usual complimentary pint glass. The night will feature five different breweries all united by their commitment to the Belgian tradition. Stillwater Artisan Ales, operated by a DJ-turned-brewer, and Brewery Ommegang, based out of New York, are both participating in the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival. In addition, beers from three foreign breweries, Duvel, Liefman, and Mardesous- brewed by Benedictine Monks- will be featured.
  
  

  Belgian Beer Night at Billy Jack's

• That same night, Capital Ale House will have Port City Steal-a-Pint. The Alexandria brewery won Washington’s Best in 2011.

Tuesday, April 17th

• Breckenridge Cask Night starts at the Blue Nile at 5pm. Featured that night is the Colorado brewery’s small batch 471 double IPA, promising “more hoppiness than you’ve ever had at one time!” 
• Come by Jack Brown’s starting at 5pm for Blue Mountain Steal-a-Pint and an opportunity to meet the brewer. The local brewery, based nearby in Afton, Virginia, focuses on sustainability and grows their own hops on site.
• Additionally, Capital Ale House will have Allagash Tap Takeover. The beers, all the way from Portland, Maine, are a rare find in Virginia.

Wednesday, April 18th

• On Wednesday, Jack Brown’s will have Devil’s Backbone Steal-a-Pint in addition to beers by BrewHaha, all served in a brown bag. Devil’s Backbone, out of Roseland, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was awarded one gold and three bronze medals at the 2010 Beer World Cup after just two years of operation.
• Capital Ale House will also be hosting a Steal-A-Pint, featuring Foothills Brewery, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Foothills offers a variety of craft beers from light golden ales to deep amber stouts.
• Wednesday from 7 to 9pm, Ruby’s will have Bell’s Tap Takeover. The Michigan brewery, which began with just a 15-gallon soup kettle, focuses on robust full-bodied ales. In addition to the brews, there will be live music by Jeremiah Prophet and Friends.

Thursday, April 19th

• Come to Billy Jack’s to experience Brewery on Brewery Love: A Night with Left Hand and Terrapin Steal-a-Pint. Terrapin, out of Athens, Georgia, and Left Hand , from Colorado, have teamed up to collaborate on four signature beers. Come in to try Terra-Rye’zd (black rye lager,) Depth Charge (espresso milk stout,) Oxymoron (American style IPA,) and Peaotch (brewed with peaches from both Georgia and Colorado.)
  

  Terrapin Takeover at Billy Jack's

• Downtown Wine & Gourmet will have a tasting from 5 to 7pm featuring Caldera, Laughing Dog, and Troegs Breweries. Beer representatives will be on hand to tell you all you need to know about these craft beers.
• At Capital Ale House, Epic Brewery is back, this time not for a tasting but a Steal-a-Pint.
• LOCAL Chop and Grill House is getting in on the Beer Week action as well. Call in for a reservation to enjoy a 5-course meal paired with beers from local brewery, Flying Dog.

Friday, April 20th

• Between 5 and 7pm, stop in at Downtown Wine & Gourmet to meet the brewers of Stillwater Artisan Ales and Brewery Ommegang while sampling their craft beers.
• Capital Ale House will be hosting Blue Mountain Steal-A-Pint. The brewery’s Dare Hollow Artisan Ale will be on draft, an imperial stout aged in American oak bourbon barrels.
• Make a reservation at Joshua Wilton House to enjoy their featured dinner inspired by and paired with beers from Six Point Brewery at 6:30pm.

After a full week of events, the main celebration, Rocktown Beer & Music Festival, will take place on Saturday, April 21st starting at 2pm.

But that’s not all that’s happening Saturday! After the festival ends, Capital Ale House will have Stone Brewery Steal-a-Pint night. For more live music, come to Clementine Cafe at 9:30 to listen to YARN, also playing at the festival, or stop in at the Blue Nile for Cinnamon Band’s CD Release Party.

Yarn at Clementine

According to Ludwig, Beer Week is ”a great way for beer lovers to get together, support a good product, and most importantly, support the town and culture.” With so many events in downtown this coming week, there’s no shortage of opportunities for beer lovers to support our local community and most importantly, enjoy a craft beer… or two.

Katina Stevenson is the Promotions Intern for Spring 2012. She is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations at James Madison University.

Screen, Engage, Impact

After living in Harrisonburg for the past four years, I think it’s safe to say that people here really like to talk about food. And not even just talking about it but thinking about food, dreaming up recipes, and, of course, eating the best meats and produce in possibly all of Virginia. And I know it sometimes seems like the community has been drilling the whole local, healthful, and sustainable food thing into our heads latel, but let’s be honest, we could all go for a little bit more, right? That’s why I am so excited to announce that the Reel Change Documentary Film Festival is starting tomorrow, Thursday, April 12, and running through Saturday, April 14.

Reel Change started as just a small and simple idea: to show some cool movies about food. But from there it turned into the foundation for what will be an annual documentary film festival for the JMU and Harrisonburg communities to enjoy. And although the theme of this year’s fest is food, it will change every year to showcase documentaries that highlight and discuss issues relevant to the interests of people at the time.

The festival is a way for the entire community to come together and hopefully become inspired to engage in positive activism and promote helpful change in their surroundings. Along with that, it will allow for open discussion amongst community members by inviting filmmakers and local activists to give their opinions, explanations, and advice. As the title implies, it seeks to use the art of the documentary film medium as a means to motivate realistic and constructive change.

This year’s films deal with a variety of food topics. The festival starts with two documentaries: JMU student-produced The Farm Course and Grow! Though short in length, they are tremendous in inspiration as they explore the growing community of youth and students who are turning away from their set career paths and taking a chance in farming instead. Friday’s film, Cafeteria Man, takes viewers into the depths of city school cafeterias and shows the efforts of the community to provide local and healthful foods and nutrition education for their children. A Q&A session with Richard Chisolm, the filmmaker, and Andrea Early, the Executive Director of School Nutrition for Harrisonburg City Schools, will follow. Finally, with another double feature on Saturday, the festival presents Apple Pushers and The Love of Beer. The former displays the efforts of immigrant pushcart sellers as they try to provide fruits and vegetables to the residents of inner-city neighborhoods. The Love of Beer follows the struggles and successes of several women as they make their living in the craft beer industry.

Reel Change is sure to be a moving and exciting event for the entire community to enjoy and provides the special opportunity to view recent documentaries and hear commentary from filmmakers and topic experts immediately following each film. I hope to see you this weekend as we work to inspire some real change in the community!

For more information on the times and locations of the films, please visit the website at http://reelchangefest.com/.

Katie George was the HDR Promotions Intern for fall of 2011. She is a senior Media Arts & Design major at James Madison University.

Poster designed by Maggie Josey.

LOCAL Flavor

Nicole from HDR asked whether I’d write a little bit about my work after I talked her ear off at a recent Art Lotto event – I can go on and on about my job these days.

I’ve been the resident pastry chef at the Local Chop and Grill House for about two months, which means I bake bread and come up with desserts and make ice cream and write in chocolate on birthday plates – “work” that I can hardly believe I’m being paid to do.

Operating in a commercial kitchen has meant learning to bake in a new way. Something I didn’t anticipate about the job is the sheer scale of everything; a mixer that sits on the floor and stands four feet tall, heavy pans that get heavier once they’re full of cream and sugar, and recipes that call for 32 cups of flour or 64 eggs or 16 vanilla beans (delightful!).

One thing that ISN’T big, however, is the size of the raw food deliveries. The restaurant gets a large percentage of ingredients from small local farmers. Being the first one in the kitchen each day, I get to accept morning deliveries from these farmers. The doorbell rings and it’s the goat cheese man, then the bison guys, then the hickory syrup lady, then someone with baby greens.

Each farmer is proud of their product and has a personal relationship with chef Ryan Zale. These items are then put to use that very day, which is why your food tastes so fresh! Peas are shucked, fish butchered, cheese grated, and corn roasted. Pretty cool.

When you dine at the Local Chop and Grill House, you’ll likely note that the word ‘LOCAL’ is used time and again on the menu and by your server. They’re not kidding, and I think you’ll taste the difference that is the result of thoughtful food purchases, seasonal menu planning, and a behind-the-scenes kitchen that just plain has FUN cooking for you.

Don’t leave without ordering some fruit crisp for dessert – I chopped that local rhubarb by hand.

And if you’re interested in having your own experience meeting and talking with a local food producer, make a reservation for the Chop House’s five-course LOCAL Beer Dinner with Flying Dog Brewery on Thursday, April 19 at 6:00 pm. Harrisonburg’s own Jamie Long from Flying Dog will be on hand to talk about the beers he helps brew.

Rachel Herr is the resident pastry chef at the Local Chop and Grill House and co-owner of Brown Butter Bakery.

All photos © 2012 Rachel Herr.

Art Lotto connects artists

Harrisonburg’s FIRST EVER Art Lotto will be held in August of 2012. Art Lotto is a juried art show comprised of portraits of artists created by other artists.

The original idea for Art Lotto was born in the summer of 2011. Local artists and friends, Brandy Somers and Denise Kanter Allen, discussed the idea of bringing creative, artistic people together for a portrait show. That is, an art show that consisted only of portraits of artists done by other artists.  That idea soon morphed into what is now known as Art Lotto.

Denise Kanter Allen and Brandy Somers. Photo by Pat Jarrett.

The purpose of Art Lotto is to create a unique event that inspires artists to collaborate with other artists and also to celebrate the creativity and artistic efforts presented by multiple levels of artists. There was a three-month call for artists in which interested individuals signed up to participate.  The goal for this inaugural year was to encourage at least 30 artists to sign up.  They surpassed their goal and gathered 43 participants!

Armed with a bingo cage filled with 43 ping pong balls with 43 names written on them, Brandy and Denise hosted the Luck of the Draw event at Blue Nile in Harrisonburg on March 13.  Nearly all participants were in attendance.

The Bingo Cage holding the artists' names. Photo by Sarah Murphy.

Each artist was randomly called up to spin the cage, reach inside, and pull out a ball with a name on it.  The name they selected is the artist they will portray in their own artistic medium and style for the August Art Lotto Art Show. The group of artists involved use a wide range of media including photography, wood sculpture, painting, drawing, and collage.

Ping pong balls with artist names for Lucky Draw Night. Photo by Brandy Somers.

With the passing of the Luck of the Draw event, all artist were informed of the artist they will portray and also the artist that will portray them.  Each participant will connect with their two artists to gain inspiration and form ideas for their portraits. Many artists have already begun this exciting process by setting up meetings to get together and start a conversation with fellow artists.

The hunt for sponsors to fund the Art Lotto will take place during the first few weeks of April.  Money raised for this event will go towards providing refreshments on opening night, awards and prizes, advertising, and an artist “yearbooklet,” and all leftover funds will be presented as a donation to benefit a local organization. To involve sponsors in the fun, a portrait of a rep from each business will be drawn in contour line (coloring book-style) and  any child that joins the First Friday opening in August will get to color a sponsor in the Kids Corner for a chance to win a prize!

The public can stay up-to-date via the Art Lotto Facebook page or Brandy Somers Photography Facebook page. You can also email questions to  Brandy Somers or Denise Kanter Allen.

 

And speaking of art, tonight marks the kick-off event (5-8 pm) for the 2012 First Fridays season downtown! The following Art Lotto artists will be holding show openings tonight:

April Sedeen at Ten Thousand Villages (181 S. Main Street)

Denise Kanter Allen at Mint (128 W. Market Street, Suite 103 )

Nicole Martorana at The Yellow Button (192 S. Main Street)

Pat Jarrett at Friendly City Food Co-op (150 E. Wolfe Street)

 

Brandy Somers and Denise Kanter Allen are local artists and co-founders of Art Lotto.

MACRoCk is Coming!

This Friday and Saturday, the Mid-Atlantic College Radio Conference (MACRoCk) will sweep the streets of downtown Harrisonburg for the 15th year in a row. Can you sense my excitement? I attended MACRoCk for the first time last year and my only regret is that I hadn’t gone sooner. The two-day celebration of all things indie music will take place in a variety of venues all within walking distance, including Artful Dodger, Blue Nile, Clementine Cafe, Court Square Theater, Downtown 34, and Little Grill Collective this Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th.

I got a chance to speak with this year’s organizer, Philip Kim, about MACRoCk- past, present, and future. MACRoCk began back in 1997 with the idea that music can thrive independent from corporate influence. The conference was hosted by WXJM, JMU’s college radio station, and took place on the university’s campus. It wasn’t until about 10 years later that MACRoCk officially became a non-profit and moved into the heart of downtown Harrisonburg. Since the move, MACRoCk has thrived and become the largest independent music conference on the East Coast! Some nationally recognizable past acts MACRoCk has showcased include Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith, Saves the Day, and Coheed and Cambria.

MACRoCk isn’t just your typical music festival, it’s a conference meaning that, on top of the 90 or so acts concert-goers get to enjoy, there are also a number of topic panels and a label expo. This year, 3 panels- “Gotta Get Dat News,” “Kinda Like Woodstock,” and “Spice Up Your Shirts”- will take place on Saturday afternoon. “Gotta Get Dat News” between 12 and 1pm at Ruby’s will give MACRoCkers a chance to catch up on recent music news as told by some of the most popular industry bloggers of the moment. You don’t have to go far for the second panel, also at Ruby’s beginning at 2pm, “Kinda Like Woodstock” features first-hand accounts from a variety of past festival-goers. Between 12 and 2pm, make sure to stop in at Laughing Dog for “Spice Up Your Shirts.” Bring your own blank t-shirt (or buy one on-site) and receive a free screen print of this year’s MACRoCK logo!

In addition to the panels, during the day on Saturday, the Blue Nile will host a label expo. Independent labels, booking agencies, PR groups, distros, local businesses, and independent vendors will all be in attendance from 11am to 3pm.  Kim noted that panel and label expo aspects of the conference are particularly important because “…these exchanges and ideas can inspire or encourage other people to create in their respective ways…whether that be making music, making a record label, making their own music event, or something not yet thought of.”

2008

2009

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2012

With a 15-year history, MACRoCk seems to have found a wonderful home for itself in the streets of downtown Harrisonburg. Something I gathered from my conversation with Kim was how important the community is in MACRoCk’s success. He pointed out that  ”MACRoCk thrives in Harrisonburg because of the dedication of committee members and supporters past and present who step up to the plate…venues and businesses seeing something positive come out of MACRoCk and continu[ing] to support it” and “enthusiastic volunteers helping us out the weekend of.” The conference “does not happen without all the other pieces involved.”

Kim used the “Spice Up Your Shirt” panel to highlight the cooperation and community support integral to MACRoCk. “We have the Laughing Dog letting us use their space and donating their time and services. At the same time, we have artists donating their time and talent to develop designs for the shirts, and we have volunteers overseeing operations of the actual screen printing…and the attendee does their part by bringing in their own shirt. This all comes together to result in a free screen print.”

He noted that while MACRoCk has expanded and evolved over the years, at its core, it remains the same- “We still do not cater to corporate sponsorship, we still hold DIY ethics as our standard, our revenues still come from ticket sales, we are still run by volunteers, and we still wish to further independent music.”

Friday, Saturday, and all-access weekend badges will be offered the day of at the Court Square Theater Box Office from 3-9pm on Friday, April 6 and 12-8pm on Saturday, April 7. Single-day passes are $15 or grab a weekend badge for $26.

Katina Stevenson is the Promotions Intern for Spring 2012. She is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations at James Madison University.