Executive Chef Colin Auckerman is busy making a special for Taste of Downtown week: house-made fettuccine with local braised pork, local kale, smoked paprika and parmesan. If you only know Bella Luna for its incredible wood-fired pizzas, you’re missing out on some of the best pasta dishes in the Valley and Auckerman’s latest creation will likely join their ranks. more
Last week, Ruby’s Arcade set the stage for one of downtown’s best parties of the year – Celebration & Reception. It’s our favorite event that we produce because we get to show our appreciation for the people, businesses, and partners who keep downtown thriving, as well as for our supporters who believe in HDR’s mission. It’s a great night of optimism, excitement, and gratitude; you’d expect nothing less from a room full of people who are passionate about our city. Plus, thanks to our sponsors, we had plenty of beer, wine, and tasty pizza and BBQ to elevate spirits. more
So this is a regular conversation in our house: more
It happens most weeks: I’m sitting in front of the monitor in my home office, tapping my fingers along the desk, and endeavoring to stay focused while writing a poem, a blog post or an upcoming speech. The moment my fingers touch the keyboard’s home keys, I’m distracted by Winston and Rosie’s paws tapping along the hardwood flooring towards me, nudging their noses on my leg in hopes that I’ll take them outside again. Or, I’ll catch a glimpse of the mountain of laundry (involving single socks I don’t even recognize) which I should sort, fold and carry upstairs. Once I see it, it’s all I can see. Because the laundry doesn’t disappear upon me wishing it away, and because I’ve yet to train my dogs how to open the door whenever they want to chase that squirrel they never catch, I need to write where I’m comfortable and in an environment conducive to productivity. more
On the first Friday of every month, families, couples, groups and individuals stroll downtown’s sidewalks, rain or shine, in celebration of the current month’s art openings. With approximately 30 participating venues — each featuring a separate artist — there’s no lack of variety anywhere in sight during Harrisonburg’s First Fridays. What began, in 2009, as a partnership between Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, the Virginia Quilt Museum, and Harrisonburg Tourism, as a biannual event, is now organized by the Arts Council of the Valley and embodies the arts-related culture that downtown residents observe on a daily basis. more
2016 was a pivotal year for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. It was a year of reflection, change, and growth as an organization. Here's a look at some of our most memorable moments: more
After waiting several months, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance finally got the word that a $15,000 grant from the Virginia Dept. of Housing and Community Development will be coming our way! more
Busy schedules can make it difficult for families to gather around the table to enjoy a home-cooked meal. But Jamie Eanes, owner of Meals 4 Home, is making it easier. Being in the food industry for 20 years as a Vice President and General Manager of Japanese Company, Ariake, he was constantly met with dilemma of working or being home in time to enjoy dinner around the table with his family. By the time he got home, there was no time left for a home-cooked meal. Fast food was traditionally the option his family resorted to. But, he wanted a better alternative. This dilemma led him to do research; research that affirmed him that he was not alone in this struggle. more
“You do know I’m still in school, right? more
As a local-turned-expat now living in Amsterdam, visiting downtown Harrisonburg after two years away was such a treat. It’s as if I traveled for only a month and came back home. Everything felt the same, but the momentum for it to evolve into an even more amazing place to live or spend a day continues. more