This weekend we went on family vacation to Rosemary Beach in Florida.  My brother and his wife got married there 3 years ago and it has become a tradition to go back each year.  This year for my dad’s birthday, my brother, sister and I paid his entrance fee into the Seaside Half Marathon, and got him some gear to get serious about getting in shape.  He hasn’t been in a race since college but we wanted him to start setting some goals for himself to get healthy in 2010.  Thinking back now, that’s not a very sweet present to give someone, but, we just want him to be around for a long time and we hoped that training for this race would be the inspiration he needed for a healthier lifestyle.

I’m so proud of my dad.  He completed the whole race in 3 hours!  His very first half marathon, and he even beat some other people in his age group and a lot of people in the race.  We all jumped in and ran/walked with him.  It has motivated my whole family to want to do another race.  We feel like it was a little overly ambitious of us to give him entrance into a half marathon, but we ‘re all so happy that he was up for the challenge.

Suggestions?  What race do you make it a point to be a part of every year?

Charlottesville has some neat ones…  The 10 miler, the women’s 4 miler, triathlons, and pretty much any weekend out of the year you can be a part of something active in Charlottesville.

I got our tshirts made at BlackCat Sk8Shop over on the UVA corner.  On the front there was a runner with “Go the Distance” under it.  43 was my dad’s number when he played sports in school.

If you haven’t booked a place to stay for graduation you’re not completely out of luck yet!

I’ve never viewed a house on hotpads before, and still don’t love the website, but this Montrose home is pretty amazing if you have a big family that’s coming in for graduation.  717 Montrose is within walking distance of the downtown mall and 2 blocks from Belmont and IX building restaurants that would be perfect for graduation dinner.  If you’re interested in walking to dinner while you’re in town you should make reservations at Tavola, Mas, Bel Rio or The Local.  Also Montrose is 2 blocks away from the IX building, a building full of restaurants and stores that are sadly overlooked by so many UVA students.  If you venture the 2 blocks down Montrose to the IX you’ll find Al Dente and Al Hamraa (Al Hamraa.)  I think the setting at Al Hamraa would be really fun for graduation, it’s an experience to eat there.  When you call check on the room that you sit on the floor.  I’ve seen the rental house in person and it’s so cozy and nice.  You might also be interested in this house if you have a big family because the back deck is great for hanging out and they have a grill so it would be a fun house to rent if you want to cook out and hang out at the house instead of going out for every meal.

503 Rialto, another Charlottesville rental house, is also still available.  Rialto is 4 blocks closer to the downtown mall, but 4 blocks further from the IX building.

Walk to Roast(formerly La Taza) to get your coffee from either of these rental homes.

If you’re looking for something less expensive UVA is offering dorm rooms Friday May 21st at 2pm through Monday May 24th at 11am.  They’re charging $140 for 2 nights and the 3rd night is free.  Included in the room rate is a set of sheets, pillow, washcloth, towel, and Sunday breakfast/brunch.

Today was day one in my new goal of riding my bike to work.  I loved it!  I found myself smiling for absolutely no reason as I was riding down the street just because it was so fun!  I decided since I lost my parking spot at work that riding a bike would be better than paying to park downtown.  3 months of parking in the garage = the cost of my new bike.

Since I know nothing about bikes I decided to get one from The Bike Factory.  The Charlottesville Bike Factory is tucked away right off 29 over by Snap Fitness and Giant.  They’re really helpful and I felt like they knew what they were talking about.  I picked a mountain bike since it seemed like the best fit for what I need.  It’s lightweight and easy for me to carry up the steps when I get to work.  And relatively inexpensive!

Perfect timing to start biking because google just released bike maps to their directions feature!

I need to read up on the traffic laws that apply to bicyclers.  I know there is no helmet law, but what about at intersections when you’re stopped with cars and there isn’t a bike lane?  Does the bike pull to the front beside the cars?  Or am I supposed to wait in the line like I am a car?

Milano needs new ownership!  The C-ville reported that Milano is closing on March 31st.  I like Milano, I forget about it in the winter, but I loved stopping in in the summertime.  I hate when I don’t support a local business that I really love and then they close.  This news about Milano makes me sad.

Read the full release at Restaurantarama in the Cville.

Just Listed and newly renovated house in Orange.  The backyard is obviously the selling point of this house and I like that right in the middle of the yard they have posted a no trespassing sign.  It’s probably better that they didn’t take it down for picture.

It does make me wonder who comes and stands in the middle of their backyard.  I think the sign is just warning you that if you lived in the house that your backyard would be so beautiful, people would want to trespass.  Just a heads up.

Don’t you think it adds a little something extra to the appeal of the house?

Check out the full listing here.

This is the 6th annual Cinderella’s Closet sale at Monticello High School.  From now until March 20th, stop by Monticello High School (1400 Independence Way) to donate prom dresses.  Donations can be made a the Guidance office between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday.  The dresses and prom accessories will be sold at the Cinderella’s Closet event to girls that would like a prom dress, but don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on one.  No dress will be priced at more than $25 dollars.  Email Lydia Koon at thetoystory@embarq.com for more information about the sale.

Proceeds from the sale will be given to the Make a Difference Fund at Monticello High School that helps students with school related expenses.  The Cinderella’s Closet event will be on March 20th between 9-3pm at Monticello High School.

Photo Credit

Did you know Chef Peter Chang has a restaurant in Charlottesville?  No, not a P.F. Changs restaurant, but a new restaurant called Taste of China.  The New Yorker explains why you should check out the nationally acclaimed Chef Peter Chang’s new restaurant.  The Chef has a large fan base, even forcing his loyal followers to create a blog to track his movements to different restaurants across the world.

You can taste Chef Peter Chang’s menu at Taste of China in the Albemarle Square shopping center.  Read about Jed and Erin’s experience at Taste of China on their restaurant and food blog, Mas to Millers.

Photo Credit

A doorknob? This house is actually really beautiful on the outside, so I’m not making too much fun, but why put a picture of your door knob?  If you buy this house, this will be your door knob!  Exciting!  Now I want the house.  It’s recently on the market for 300K.  You can view all the pictures here.

Paint is so funny, you either love it or hate it.  I would love this house if I didn’t hate the paint so much.  The red is overwhelming and I’m definitely not a fan of the pink room, it makes you overlook all the good qualities of this home.  There are hardwood floors, 10 foot ceilings, 2 fireplaces, a brick exterior, beautiful front porch, and crown molding throughout.  But, the doorknob is what attracted me to it!

Photo credit

Directions: 105 West Street, Louisa

I’m excited to hear about the stories coming in for the Charlottesville Wedding Project.  Engaged couples in the Charlottesville area have until March 25th to submit their love story for a chance to win the wedding of their dreams, with the help of some of the best people in the wedding business.  Email your story with a picture of the two of you to Jack Looney at jack@jacklooney.com.

The winner will receive planning from Easton Events, photography by Jack Looney, a wedding at the Montfair Vineyards in White Hall, and chef Mark Hann will help you devise the perfect meal for your guests.  Your wedding will take place on November 5th or 6th of 2010.  Keep in mind your story and photos will be displayed in magazines and that your wedding will have a maximum of 75 guests.  How great is this?  I think it’s the best idea.  Do you already have someone in mind that you have to tell about this?  I thought of someone right away!  The wedding will be beautiful, with the Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains as your scenic backdrop for your special day!

Read more of the participating vendors.

Read the rules.

Enter by emailing Jack Looney: jack@jacklooney.com

Check out The Charlottesville Wedding Project for more details.

Photo Credit: Cramer Photo

You can stay the night in the house that you’ve always talked about.  It’s funny, I remember siting at La Taza(now Roast) on several occasions and friends looking up the street talking about the house on the hill.  It gets a lot of attention, even getting written up in The Hook.

Rentals start April 1st for the Cville Rental House.  Currently, graduation weekend is still open!  It’s the perfect house to rent if you love to walk and get the best feel for Charlottesville.  You’ll be able to walk to eat, get coffee, and shop on the downtown mall.

See photos of the house and book your stay: Charlottesville Rental House.