Raise your hand if you occasionally get a little nostalgic for actual film cameras and the days of tangible prints. See, that's the thing about the internet though, is we can't see you raising your hand or physically join in because while we love us some iPhoneography and DSLR fun, every so often we're still reaching for our throwback Lomography camera. And apparently so is the entire state of Virginia, since their freshest tourism endeavor involves pitting real photos from Lomo cameras against each other for chances to win all-expenses-paid, experiential trips to the state that is famously "for Lovers."

Contest

Here's the deal: the Lomographic Society has turned out a "Virginia is for Lovers" special edition of their newish 35mm La Sardina camera, and to celebrate, anyone with a Lomo camera is welcome to submit a photo to the contests to win a Virginia trip. There'll be a contest every month, starting now through December 2012, and each has a specific theme for your photo. Right now, it's "Love Surrounds: Show us the people that mean the most to you." ]]> JetSetCD 2012-02-03T08:41:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/1/27/132237/815

The much beloved Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has announced they are expanding their operations next year with a new location on the outskirts of Washington, DC, in Ashburn, VA.

The Alamo Drafthouse isn't your run-of-the-mill movie theater. They serve up gourmet food and drinks every night (there is a bar in every lobby) and host fun pop culture-themed events, like the Dazed and Confused Feast taking place tonight at their Houston location.

Construction on the 34,000 sq. foot theater in Ashburn in a planned community called One Loudoun will begin this spring, with hopes to open in the spring of 2013. ]]> cmb 2012-01-27T14:07:52-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/12/9/2132/17965

If driving through snowstorms to crowded malls isn't exactly your idea of holiday cheer, we have a better way to get into the spirit of the season. For those lucky enough to find themselves in Washington D.C. this month, take a ride down to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate for the popular Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tour.

Each night, "Mrs. Washington" welcomes visitors for candlelit tours of the grounds, fireside Christmas caroling, hot cider and ginger cookies. The tour, which is guided by characters from the Washingtons' time, includes the first and second floors of the home authentically decorated for Christmas. Mount Vernon's modern buildings will also be open for live musical performances and shopping until 9 p.m.

The tour continues on December 11 & 12 and December 18 & 19. Adults tickets are $20 while children 11 and under get in for $14. Tickets are still available at Mount Vernon's Ford Orientation Center or at MountVernon.org.

[Photo: DayLife]]]> cmb 2010-12-09T11:40:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/9/23/82626/7718

The theme park season is starting to wind down, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Now that the roller coasters have shut things off for the season, there’s plenty of time to start planning for the next big thing. One theme park with an eye on the future is Busch Gardens Williamsburg, as they just announced that they’ll be investing some serious cash into their park over the next two years.

Beginning this year, the park is going to up the ante on its Christmas Town attraction. The holiday celebration will be focused on their idea of an Italian Christmas—we’re hoping for something a little more authentic than Olive Garden’s idea of what Italy is like. Expect decorations, golden colors, traditional fare, and a warm and fuzzy feeling during your walk back to the minivan. ]]> kjb 2010-09-23T11:48:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/14/124042/515

Looking for something to do this summer? Why not join a group of recent college grads who are traveling across the country picking up trash and inspiring others to join the movement toward zero waste?

Pick Up America is currently in their third month of a year-and-a-half long hike across the country where they are picking up trash on the side of the road. As of June 26, 2010, the "Pick Up Artists" had already traveled 338.4 miles and removed 37,048 pounds of litter with 182 volunteers. The group is currently working their way across Virginia and they want your help!

You can join the Pick Up Artists for up to a month this summer as they move west across the country. The group is also looking for locals to come out and help them pick up trash along the road as they pass through your part of the country. To get more information about where and when they are going to be near you, e-mail pickupamerica@gmail.com. To apply to be for the TRASH-ternship Program in which you can travel with the group and put your skills to work on special projects, submit this application. If you're interested in donating to Pick Up America, check out their page on PayPal.

Related Stories:
· Official Site [Pick Up America]
· How to help [Pick Up America]
· Volunteer Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Pick Up America]]]> cmb 2010-07-14T13:21:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/24/7940/69161

Airplanes make unscheduled emergency landings every now and then, but we usually don’t even mention them since they are somewhat routine. Pilots are professionals who are trained in safety and prepared for all kinds of situations, but a recent incident really caught our attention because it involved both flames and celebrities.

Recently, a United Airlines flight was scheduled from New York to Los Angeles when it was forced to divert to Washington-Dulles due to a cockpit fire.

The flight crew was all over the in-flight fire immediately, using fire extinguishers to get things under control while returning the airplane safely to the ground. The captain actually had to discharge two different fire extinguishers as the fire continued after the first extinguisher was used. We’re really happy that everyone made it home safely, but we’re especially glad that all the celebrity cargo made it back to their mansions as well.

So who's life was at risk?... ]]> kjb 2010-05-24T09:00:43-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/4/28/8611/68163

The weather is getting warmer, and if there’s no room in the budget for a tropical vacation this year, you can always hit up one of our strange scuba spots. Lake Rawlings in Southern Virginia offers a full-service scuba solution—including non-strange diving trips—but they also have a spring-fed lake with crystal clear water. Visibility usually runs between 30 and 60 feet, but in the winter when the algae finally kicks the bucket, it can often exceed 100 feet.

There’s plenty of fish in the lake including large-mouth bass, and there’s even some freshwater clams that call the lake home sweet home. However, this underwater life isn’t worth a trip to the lake. It’s all the sunken junk that makes the lake famous. ]]> kjb 2010-04-28T15:45:29-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/