JMU Students Market Downtown Businesses Online

Two teams of marketing students from JMU’s College of Business partnered with downtown businesses to compete in the 2009 Google Online Marketing Challenge.

The team of Jessica Jacklin (team captain), Stephanie Scheper and Nicole Thornton worked with with James McHone Jewelry. Nancy Woody (team captain), Kye Swenson and Tim Seher partnered with Gentry Photography.

Using a $200 voucher from Google, the teams designed and executed a three-week AdWords campaign for each business. Their results netted them a spot in the top 50 of some 2,100 teams from 57 countries. Another JMU team was named the winner of the Americas region.

Massanutten Regional Library Gets Big Grant for Big Read

Massanutten Regional Library today announced that it has received a $10K grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read for the third consecutive year in a row. MRL is one of 269 nonprofits–including arts, culture, and science organizations; libraries; and municipalities–to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2009 and June 2010.

The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. The Big Read this time will focus on the collected works of Edgar Allan Poe and activities will take place throughout the month of October 2009.

Massanutten Regional Library has been honored with this grant two previous times for the following works/Big Read projects: To Kill a Mockingbird – Fall 2007 and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Fall of 2008.   During these projects, MRL distributed over 10,000 free books and materials to Valley readers and hosted numerous literary and artistic events to support the program and to pique residents interest in reading classic literature.

Components of the 2009 Edgar Allan Poe Big Read will include:

• Distribution of 5,000 free copies of the collected works of Edgar Allan Poe (including 1,000 to area middle and high schools) beginning October 1, 2009.
• POEtry nights at local non-profits and community gathering places
• POE man’s lunch weekly book discussions
• Reading and screening of Fall of the House of Usher
• POEtry lock-in for teens at Main Branch featuring a POEtry slam, Goth fashion show and more.
• Weekly children’s Poe-related crafts at all MRL branches
• Candlelight tour of downtown area cemeteries to “meet Poe Contemporaries”
• Final celebration at Halloween on the Square featuring Poe readings, programs for children and performances by Scott Jones, a noted Poe dramatist.

For more information about The Big Read please visit www.neabigread.org.  For more information on Massanutten Regional Library, log on to www.mrlib.org.

Downtown Dominates DNR “Best of the Valley” Awards

Once again, Daily News-Record readers have shown their overwhelming support of downtown Harrisonburg shops, restaurants and other businesses with their votes in the annual “Best of the Valley” survey. Running away with the most honors is Clementine with EIGHT awards, including best renovation and best place to be seen. Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market made its first appearance on the list as the best place to take visitors, likely aided by its new location under the Turner pavilion constructed since the last poll.

Some favorites, like the Little Grill Collective, James McHone Jewelry, and Jess’ Quick Lunch, retained their titles as best vegetarian/breakfast, jeweler, and cheap eats, respectively, while the Artful Dodger showed its expanding versatility by winning the best dancing and best karaoke titles. Downtown services also got a shout out on this year’s list, with the Studio winning best salon and the Beauty Spa taking best day spa. Congratulations to other downtown businesses listed below – 16 in total!

Similar to last year, downtown as a whole won both accolades and criticism, with voters choosing downtown revitalization as the best use of taxpayer money and listing downtown among their favorite part of Harrisonburg, while displaying a lack of fondness for our new blue and yellow wayfinding signs as their least favorite part about the ‘burg.

DNR’s “Best of the Valley” Winners: Downtown Highlights

Cheap Eats
Jess’ Quick Lunch

Vegetarian
The Little Grill Collective

French fries
Dave’s

Late-night eats
Dave’s

Coffee
Shank’s

Drink specials
Clementine Café

Best atmosphere
Clementine Café

Place to take your family
Clementine Café

Place to be seen
Clementine Café

Place to sit and read
Earth and Tea Café

Outdoor dining
Dave’s

Place to blow your diet
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Place to take a date
Clementine Café

Downtown restaurant
Clementine Café

Best appetizers
Clementine Café

Best breakfast
The Little Grill Collective

Salon
The Studio

Day Spa
The Beauty Spa

Wine shop
Downtown Wine & Gourmet

Jeweler
James McHone

Best dancing
Artful Dodger

Best entertainment value
Court Square Theater

Best cheap date
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Karaoke
Artful Dodger

Museum
Harrisonburg Children’s Museum

Best place to take visitors
Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market

Best renovation
Clementine Café

Best use of taxpayer money
Downtown revitalization

Best way to spend a Saturday morning
Farmer’s market (Dayton, Shenandoah and Harrisonburg)

Best place to propose
Joshua Wilton House

Vote for Downtown – “Best of the Valley”

Message from Andy Perrine, HDR Board President:

The Daily News-Record is conducting its annual “Best of the Valley” survey. Because you have shown an interest in helping to revitalize downtown Harrisonburg, I suggest that you participate in the survey and vote for your favorite downtown attractions in the many categories.

The deadline for submissions is this Friday April 24. Please take a minute to vote. In addition to the many fine downtown restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural and recreational attractions, please vote for “downtown revitalization” in the “Best use of taxpayer money” category.

This link will take you directly to the survey:  http://www.dnronline.com/bestofvalley.php

Thanks you.

Andy Perrine
President, Board of Directors
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

Stonewall Jackson Inn Nominated “Inn of the Month”

The Stonewall Jackson Inn on East Market Street (photo from stonewalljacksoninn.com)

The Stonewall Jackson Inn has been nominated as the Inn of the Month by Mariah Morris CEO of TheInnkeeper.com Bed and Breakfast Guide.

Foyer of Stonewall Jackson Inn (photo from stonewalljacksoninn.com)

From The Innkeeper’s blog:

The Stonewall Jackson Inn, as a (circa 1870) Queen Ann mansion, sits on “Nob Hill” overlooking the Historic District of downtown Harrisonburg. Historically called Rocktown, the city played a central role in the Civil War as it was the supply stand distribution depot for General Lee’s major campaigns. General Stonewall Jackson was on the faculty of the famous Virginia Military Institute, knew the Valley well, and was General Lee’s first choice to be the “Valley’s Defender”. There were 11 assaults on the City, but it was never taken until he was killed. His Headquarters for his brilliant 1863 summer campaign was just outside the city at Elkton.

Congratulations, Stonewall Jackson Inn!  Read reviews of the inn here.

Eightyone Readers Heap Praise on Downtown Restaurants (March 2008)

Dear Eddie: Why are downtown Harrisonburg restaurants so popular?

EB: The simple answer is because local people and tourists like what the downtown restaurants have to offer. Our restaurants have unique menus, interesting architecture, great service, local ownership and outstanding food. Eightyone magazine readers rated The Joshua Wilton House – the Best Fine Dining, Downtown 56 – tied for Best Rookie, The Little Grill Collective – the Best Breakfast, Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co. – the Best Bar, Earth & Tea Cafe – the Best Cozy Cafe, The Artful Dodger – the Best Coffee Shop, Dave’s Downtown Taverna – the Best French Fries, Jess’ Lunch – the Best Hot Dog, L&S Diner – the Best Diner, Shank’s Bakery – the Best Bakery, and Downtown Wine & Gourmet – the Best Wine Shop. Several restaurants received multiple awards (not mentioned here). The competition included the remainder of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Augusta County, Waynesboro and Staunton. Congratulations to the winners!