Phil Hargis – A Man Of Many Interests

Back on My Feet Charity Poker Tournament

Save the Date: Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at 4PM

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Almost everyone knows, I kinda like to run….and run…and run….long distances. For the past 4 years I have been running 6-7 days a week every week, year round, including 6 full marathons. I like to stay in marathon shape year round and plan to for the rest of my life.

Back in March I started volunteering with a new non-profit in the area called “Back on My Feet”. They are an amazing charity that promotes self sufficiency for homeless men and women in Washington DC using running as the means to create peer support and morale development for these amazing people. So, the marriage between charity and running made this a no brainer group for me to support.

It was so important to me that I made them the very first guests on my latest TV show “Gotta Get Running” last June. Chris and I interviewed the Senior Program Director Wyle Belasik. You can watch the first show on http://www.gottagetrunning.com . Just last month, the group that I run with weekly, Clean and Sober Streets, had 6 of its members complete their first ever 1/2 marathon….after less than 6 months of training, it was a remarkable achievement. Next spring, they will be running their first

Recently the opportunity presented itself that would allow me to raise $$$ ($7,200 to be exact – the cost to finance 4 members in the program @ $1,800 a pop) for Back on My Feet and run the Boston Marathon at the same time. The Boston Marathon is the oldest marathon in the US and entry to the race is highly coveted. Normally admittance is only available through extremely challenging qualifying standards (like running fast as hell for 26.2 miles…something that is tough for a guy the size of an NFL offensive lineman)….so this makes the opportunity even more unique.

All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of the funds go directly to Back on My Feet.
Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

The address is:

Breakers in Fairfax
9715 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031

(Between the Harley Davidson dealership and Fast Eddies / Bowl America) on Lee Hwy (29) / Arlington Blvd (50))

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

3 Weeks Until the Boston Marathon

Please donate here today:
http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis
Hey guys.  The Boston marathon is in 3 weeks…I can’t wait.  My training has been going great….and I just wrapped up a great, crisp 20 miler on St. Patrick’s Day.  I have a final tune up race at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler this weekend, then a 5k and then it’s race time.

Most of you know that I have committed to raise $7,200 for Back on My Feet so that I can run the Boston marathon on their behalf on April 18th this year.

I know that times are tough…but if you could help me out with any donation…literally no donation is too small and will go a long way in helping me meet my goal and support an outstanding charity the same time.

Please donate here today:
http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Here is a video I helped pull together for the Back on My Feet DC chapters One-Year Annivesary Bash.  It provides highlights of the awesome successes that we have achieved in the pat year.  Mastermind video editor Willie Karell did a hollywood job bringing this all together.

Please watch and enjoy:

100% of all donations actually benefit Back on My Feet.  BOMF does an incredibly awesome job at running their operation on very low operating expenses.  For example, the entire DC BOMF chapter has only 5 paid employees.

This is a picture of me and two of my best BOMF buddies, Dave and Ed at the Back on My Feet One-Year Anniversary Bash on March 24th

Please donate here today:
http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Top Chef All-Star Rankings

I am running the 2011 Boston Marathon for the non-profit Back on My Feet.   I need to raise $7,200 by May 1st, 2011.  That is the amount it costs to fund 4 members of the program from cradle to grave.  Thanks and every little bit will help.

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Click here for more info on Back on My Feet.



Help Me Run the 2011 Boston Marathon for Back on My Feet

Save the Date: Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at 4PM

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

Almost everyone knows, I kinda like to run….and run…and run….long distances. For the past 4 years I have been running 6-7 days a week every week, year round, including 6 full marathons. I like to stay in marathon shape year round and plan to for the rest of my life.

Back in March I started volunteering with a new non-profit in the area called “Back on My Feet”. They are an amazing charity that promotes self sufficiency for homeless men and women in Washington DC using running as the means to create peer support and morale development for these amazing people. So, the marriage between charity and running made this a no brainer group for me to support.

It was so important to me that I made them the very first guests on my latest TV show “Gotta Get Running” last June. Chris and I interviewed the Senior Program Director Wyle Belasik. You can watch the first show on http://www.gottagetrunning.com . Just last month, the group that I run with weekly, Clean and Sober Streets, had 6 of its members complete their first ever 1/2 marathon….after less than 6 months of training, it was a remarkable achievement. Next spring, they will be running their first

Recently the opportunity presented itself that would allow me to raise $$$ ($7,200 to be exact – the cost to finance 4 members in the program @ $1,800 a pop) for Back on My Feet and run the Boston Marathon at the same time. The Boston Marathon is the oldest marathon in the US and entry to the race is highly coveted. Normally admittance is only available through extremely challenging qualifying standards (like running fast as hell for 26.2 miles…something that is tough for a guy the size of an NFL offensive lineman)….so this makes the opportunity even more unique.

All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of the funds go directly to Back on My Feet.
Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

The address is:

Breakers in Fairfax
9715 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031

(Between the Harley Davidson dealership and Fast Eddies / Bowl America) on Lee Hwy (29) / Arlington Blvd (50))

Donate NOW:  http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFBostonMara2011/PHargis

All About Ozzie’s Corner Italian in Fairfax Towne Center

The long awaited opening of Ozzie’s Italian restaurant finally came today.

I wanted to beat traffic and the crowds out there so I left my house around 5pm and got up there in no time.  I was greeted by some hostesses outside welcoming everyone and handing them paper menus to look at while they waited.

I made my way to the bar and a couple was just getting up to leave, freeing up the last 2 seats at the corner of the bar, so I had a seat, ordered a glass of water from friendly bartender Melissa, and started checking out the menu.

I zeroed in on the Caesar wedge, which came out right away.  I nice, small portion of romaine, sprinkled with a little bit of bacon (wish there was more), a nice splash of their dressing, and  a couple of croutons, a couple kalamatas and some miniature capers.  and some lovely, explosive shavings of parmegiano reggiano.  It was lacking the key ingredient though…..anchovies…so I asked the food runner to grab some and a nice plate was promptly delivered and poured all over the salad completing the dish perfectly.

As I was preparing for an 18 mile run in the morning, I wanted to keep the meal somewhat healthy, so I went for the Bucatini and Meatballs for my main course.

While I was waiting for the main course, I got into the homemade focaccia bread.  I drew my knife out of the napkin sheath,and plunged it into the butter and to my delight, the butter was soft.  A huge buzzkill in any nice dinner is frozen butter.

When will restaurants stop freezing the damn butter?  It ruins the bread.

A generous spread of butter went atop the bread and pop into the mouth…..it was so good.  It had a nice salty and oily texture to the outside of it and nice soft and warm on the inside.

I grabbed a glass of the Super Tuscan red to go with dinner and soon enough the meal arrived.  A generous portion of pasta was placed in front of me with 4 golf ball sized meatballs that the menu claims is veal, pork and beef balls…i diced up the balls…mixed it all up and started shoveling into my mouth.  I felt it did require some salt to draw out the flavoring which was good.  Just not quite :the best”  but damn good.

Brussel sprouts are my absolute favorite, so anytime I see those on the menu I have to get em.  These were call “smashed” and that was exactly the right name for them….practically a creamy, brussel sprout puree with bread crumb crust on top was heavenly….almost reminded me of the Great American Restaurant’s famous spinach and artichoke dip.

It was good, it was all good.  I loved the salad, the bucatini and meatballs was good, darn good…..I’ve simply had better and that is what is going to cost this review a full 5 stars.  So, it get’s 4.

Total dinner tab for little, old me…$35 bones.

If you feel like the splurge, the have Plump Jack Cab on the wine menu at $134 a bottle, but it’s the only place around that I have seen that sells it.

The parking here is tough.  If you go and want to get a table, make sure you phone ahead so they can add you to the list.

Beautiful restaurant.