Chesterfield Living magazine - March/April 2015

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One redbud seedling can change the way a child cares forthe world. Project Plant It! is a hands-on educational program that uses trees to connect environmental awareness with science, technology, engineering and math—connections that can grow into a greener future for us all.

Project Plant It! is a partnership between Dominion and the Arbor Day Foundation, and is offered at no charge to elementary schools in Dominion service regions.

Trees that grow communities.

ProjectPlantIt.com

6 Chesterfield Living

RichmondNavigator.com 7



First of All News from Around Town

LocalThe Next Name in Lights

ArgentGood News for Homeowners

Titan Tire & AutoHonest Car Care

Project Plant It!Dominion’s Enviro-Education

FinanceWords on Retirement

HealthDigital Titanium Age of Dentistry

SeniorsGaming After 50

Senior Living GuideChoosing The Perfect Home

ShoppingRecycle Your Gucci

FlavorIn Search ofSweet Spots

TasteBudzDining & Drink News

Sandwich and a BeerClassic Combos

EventsLocal Happenings

HomeRoom Makeovers6 Quick Tips

Virginia ExteriorsOuter Beauty

AntiquesContemporary + Collectible

Rooms with a ViewMerging Indoors & Out

TravelOuter BanksSalt Life

AN OREO-TOPPED DONUT IS JUST ONE OF THE SPECIALTY

DESSERTS AT SWEET SHOP DONUTS IN POWHATAN

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MARCH/APRIL 2015

MARCH/APRIL 2015Contents



Chesterfield Living

Renewal

THIS TIME OF YEAR, clichés pour from my tongue like waterfalls after snowmelt. Those over-used phrases flit through my mind like butterflies fresh from a chrysalis. I think of “bright beginnings” and “new life” as I “spring into action.” The writer in me flinches,

but this warm-weather outdoors lover can’t help but bask in the promise of tender blossoms, bright green foliage and short-sleeve weather.

And thus I see this issue of Chesterfield Living.The home decorating focus provides inspiration to bring new life to your living spaces. First, six

Central Virginia decorating businesses present “6 Tips for a Room Makeover.” Jody Rathgeb gets advice from two local designers for mixing antiques into home décor. And Vicki O’Neil guides you in creating a more vibrant connection between indoors and out.

Spring inspires personal makeovers, too, and impassioned consignment store shopper Lane Burgess shares tips for getting top designer clothes at killer prices.

Let the enthusiasm of youth energize you in this issue, as Jack Trammell looks at performing arts and entertainment in Chesterfield schools.

Yes, spring is sweet, so what better to feature in this month’s In Search Of department than bak-eries and other sweet spots? Donuts and cupcakes and tarts, oh my! Other Flavor features this issue are TasteBudz, our regular roundup of the top local food and beverage news, and a guide to pairing sandwiches and beer.

You may have noticed that travel also invigorates us at Chesterfield Living. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page,” said Augustine of Hippo. Although we’ve seen a trend in other magazines to merely bullet-point travel articles, we believe that readers want to journey with the writer, to hear their experiences, their passions, their humor and their angst! When you read our travel pieces, you will know the traveler as well as the spirit of the destination. If you want merely a listing and synopsis, an area’s visitors’ center is sufficient. In this issue, Steve Cook shares a side of North Carolina’s beloved OBX that many Richmonders often overlook.

Most of all, let Chesterfield Living inspire you to venture out into the community, to explore the businesses, restaurants and groups that make this place a garden of delight!

Annie [email protected]

MARCH/APRIL 2015From the Editor

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

William J. Davis, Jr.

VICE-PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Cheryl T. Davis

MANAGING EDITOR

Annie Tobey

FOOD EDITOR

Steve Cook

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tammie Wersinger

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Joey Wharton

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Nora Bollinger

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Jared Davis

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE

Beverly Montsinger

CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANT

Colleen MacCabe

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Justin Warner

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rick Bancroft, Tony Giammarino, Temple Hill, John Magor,

Jerome Prebois, Anna Shcherbakova

CONTRIBUTORS

Lane Burgess, Vicki O'Neal, Erin Pittman,Jody Rathgeb, Jack Trammell,

Angela Weight, Constance Whitney

ADVERTISING

Chesterfield Living magazine is published bimonthly by Advertising Concepts, Inc.,

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ABOUT OUR COVERSweet Creations Bakery, run by award-winning chef Sana Aziz, makes our In Search of Sweet Spots list

Photo by Joey Wharton

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GRAB A TEAM OF FELLOW RUNNERS AND RUN 136 miles straight through at the first-ever Pocahontas Tent-to-Trail Relay at Pocahontas State Park. That’s not 136 miles each, but ap-proximately 17 miles apiece.

During the relay, teams of eight will have each member run three selected trails in the park, each runner passing off to the next team member. The race will last between 18-30 hours, depending on team speed. True trail warriors also have the option to sign up for a team of four with each member running each of the three trails twice. The selected trails and approxi-mate mileage are Beaver Lake Trail (3.8 miles), Old Mill Bike Trail (5.2 miles) and Findley Station North Trail (7.9 miles).

Each team will have a campsite for members to converge, relax, eat and, perhaps, sleep when not running. Other available activities include yoga, food vendors, varieties of beer including Sierra Nevada products, a bonfire and live music throughout the two days of the Pocahontas Tent-to-Trail relay. Participants

can also take advantage of park amenities including fishing and canoeing.

“The camping element combined with running on the awesome trails at Pocahontas State Park will provide a unique overall event experience and help meet the demand for a team relay event in the Richmond region,” says Megan Schultz, event director for Sports Backers.

“Pocahontas State Park is thrilled to partner with Sports Backers to host the inaugural Tent-to-Trail Relay event,” says Bryce Wilk, assistant park manager for Pocahontas State Park. “We’re excited to introduce people to the great trail system and beautiful scenery the park has to offer and this event will show a unique perspective of the trails at night.”

Yes, you will run at night, using headlamps or other run-ning lights!

The relay runs April 17 to 18. Registration and more infor-mation can be found at SportsBackers.org.

EXCITING NEW RUNNING EVENT IN CHESTERFIELD

First Of All MARCH/APRIL 2015

The relay runs April 17 to 18. Registration

and more information

can be found at SportsBackers.

org.


GET IN THE SPIRIT OF SPRING while taking free lawn and garden seminars from the Chesterfield Cooperative Extension Services.

WEEDS March 4, 6 p.m., Clover Hill Library

There are different ways to deal with weeds in the lawn and landscape. To prevent a “hostile takeover,” begin by controlling weeds when they first show up.

SELECTING AND PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS March 11, 6 p.m., LaPrade Library

Successful landscapes depend upon an orderly process of site analysis, plant selection, site preparation, planting procedures and post-planting care. Plantings properly incorporated into an overall design create a landscape that is beautiful and functional.

WHY CONTAINER GARDENS ANYWAY? March 25, 6 p.m., Clover Hill Library

Container gardening is easy. Even a novice can create a spectacular container garden economically, growing vegetables, succulents, herbs and even trees.

SLAYING THE DRAGONS OF GARDEN MYTHS March 25, 6 p.m., LaPrade Library

Don’t limit your possibilities by relying on myths about what successful gardening entails.

WARM SEASON LAWNS April 7, 6 p.m., Chester Library

Learn about grasses that thrive in the intense heat of southern summers, produce well in the summer and thrive in poorer soils, such as Bermuda grass, Centipede grass and Zoysia grass.

PROBLEMS WITH MATURE TREES April 8, 6 p.m., LaPrade Library

Homeowners who are concerned when the leaves on their trees turn brown, branches are dying or the tree is beginning to look sickly can learn more in this class. This class will teach how to recognize the more common problems and how to collect a sample.

Spaces are limited, so call 804-751-4401 or email [email protected] to register.

GARDENERS GROWING THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

HISTORIC SOUTH SIDE DEPOT BEING RESTORED BUILT DURING THE 1850S, Petersburg’s South Side Depot is the oldest railroad station in Virginia. The building consists of a two-story center section, which served as the passenger depot, and freight wings on either side.

Five railroad lines converged in Petersburg during the Civil War, bringing thousands of Confederate soldiers into the city. The depot was a critical part of the 1864-65 Siege of Petersburg. A 30-pound Parrott shell hit the western freight wing – the damage can still be seen.

The structure was used in the filming of the movie Lincoln in December 2011.

In 2015, the depot is being restored as part of a public-private part-nership. When restoration is complete, the National Park Service will operate a visitor contact station in the depot. This contact center will be essential during the 150th anniversary of the Siege of Petersburg to accommodate increased tourism traffic to the area.

For more information on the depot, visit PreservationPetersburg.org/explore_southside_depot.html.

CHESTERFIELD CENTER FOR THE ARTSIT’S STILL IN PLANNING, BUT THERE’S PROGRESS!

The Chesterfield Center for the Arts recently received a $150,000 grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, moving the project even further forward following years of uncertainty for the once-struggling center.

At the August 27, 2014 Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors meeting, County Administrator Jay Stegmaier announced that the Ches-terfield Center for the Arts Foundation had met its initial fundraising mandate and that the county would begin the process to build the center. A Memorandum of Understanding between the foundation and the county was approved by the Board of Supervisors at a Nov. 19 meeting.

The 20,000+ square-foot facility is projected to cost $8.5 million and will be located on county property adjacent to the existing library in the Chester Village Green development. The county is providing $6.9 million, and private donations will provide an additional $2 million to cover the remaining construction costs and to help establish an opera-tions fund. The center will be owned and maintained by Chesterfield County and leased to the foundation under a long-term agreement.

Preconstruction work should be completed by the end of 2015 and construction is expected to take another year. The center will include a 350-seat performing arts theater, a multipurpose room that can ac-commodate approximately 75 people, a lobby/art gallery, classrooms, a catering kitchen and support areas. For more information, visit ArtsChesterfieldVA.org.

COURTESY OF CHESTERFIELD CENTER FOR THE ARTS

If you have news you’d like to share with Chesterfield Living readers, send it to us at [email protected].


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Kimbrough has not stopped encouraging others. “Have the ability to see inside yourself and hear the meaning of your words and know the quality of your touch,’’ she tweeted in 2011. “Know how special you are!”

Reynolds started his acting career while attend-ing Monacan High School and worked at King’s Dominion near Ashland, Virginia. He is known in part for originating the role of Seaweed in the Hairspray Broadway adaptation, which earned him a Tony nomination. He has played various roles in film, on television and on stage.

Robin M. Yohe, instructional specialist in the Performing Arts Department for the Chesterfield County Public Schools, believes that it is not an accident that so much talent comes out of the local schools while providing so much entertainment for the area community.

“Our performing arts students are a clear reflec-tion of the importance the arts have in our culture and communities,” Yohe says. “Both teachers and students work hard to cultivate performing arts connections within their homes, schools and larger communities, which allow deeper understandings of how the arts are integrated into everything we do.”

The variety of arts-related events to choose from is quite impressive, ranging from traditional band performances to avant-garde art displays and traditional favorites, such as the musical Annie that was performed last fall at Thomas Dale High School.

Upcoming events this spring include the Chesterfield County Public Schools Performing and Visual Arts Festival for 2015 at Cosby High School April 25 and 26, an annual event open to the public. It will feature performances from the all-county elementary honors choir, the all-county jazz band and the all-county middle school drama festival, as well as performances in music, drama and dance from ensembles representing schools throughout the county. In addition, special guest performers share their skills at the Thomas Dale High School Performing Arts Specialty Program.

“We believe that arts education is a core curriculum in Chesterfield County Public Schools,” Yohe says. “Every student will have ongoing access to performing and visual arts.” And the public and community are happy beneficiaries of this effort.

Patrons of the arts can find an updated calendar of cultural events for Ches-terfield County Public Schools at MyChesterfieldSchools.com/about/calendars.

Private schools also promote the arts, including a number that emphasize it within the curriculum as well as for the benefit of the community: Collegiate, Liberty Christian School, Richmond Waldorf School, Southside Baptist Christian School and St. Catherine’s are just a few of several dozen.

Collegiate School, for example, which includes boys and girls from the greater Richmond area in grades K through 12, has impressive facilities for the arts, including the Hershey Center for the Arts, with the 620-seat Oates Theater; studios for art, music, and drama; and a darkroom for photography. Famous Collegiate graduates in the arts include cartoonist Steve Kelley, musi-cian David Allen Schools and actress Scottie Thompson. Collegiate provides many arts events for the community every year.

If you’re looking for quality entertainment, try out the arts in the schools. You never know who you will see who may be in Hollywood or on Broadway later on. To quote from Annie, “I think I’m gonna like it here!”

Patrons can have a good time, see quality entertainment on a reasonable budget, and support local schools and students.

THE LIGHTS DIM; the crowd quiets; the curtain slowly rises. An 11-year-old red-headed orphan is about to make her mark. Broadway? No. It’s a school right down your street, where you might be seeing the next Sarah Jessica Parker!

Some of the best entertainment and performing arts in the area are gener-ated by students at local schools. Many of the events are not just for parents and friends, but open to the public as well. The best part is that patrons can access affordable and quality entertainment – and likely see future stars in the making – all while supporting their local schools, students and teachers.

Many well-known performers got their start in the local Chesterfield schools, where they sang, played roles on stage, danced or in other ways displayed their artistic gifts. Nikki Kimbrough attended Manchester High School and later debuted on Broadway in A Night with Janis Joplin; Dr. Daniel Galyen is now professor of music at Northern Iowa University; Kate Lindsey is a mezzo-soprano opera singer; Christina Hedrick is a Rockettes performer; Corey Reynolds is an actor on The Closer and in the motion picture Selma. All of them got their start in the Chesterfield area, where the performing arts and schools have long been a vibrant part of the community cultural fabric.

Kimbrough, who was also part of the Dreamgirls cast in 2010, attended the University of Virginia and Syracuse University. Her bio states that she has appeared on Star Search and opened for Anthony Hamilton, is the Get Fit w/Nik, Inc. CEO (featured in Bally Total Fitness commercials) and hosted fitness segments on The Early Show, Makeover Manor, BET, CNN and NBC.

MARCH/APRIL 2015Local

Students in an elementary chorus

perform at a recent fine arts festival in

Chesterfield. Photo Courtesy of Chesterfield County Public

Schools

PERFORMING ARTS AT LOCAL SCHOOLS Entertainment & Rising Stars for All to Enjoyby Jack Trammell



MARCH/APRIL 2015Business

MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY BOUGHT our first home in the Richmond area. We’re fairly savvy consumers and thought we knew all the different home loan options available. Even with decent credit,

there was no getting around the hefty 20 percent down payment required for our $200,000 home. Having to fork over $40,000 up front completely emptied the nest egg we’d spent most of our marriage accumulating. New furniture and updated kitchen cabinets would have to wait.

You can imagine my after-the-fact surprise to learn that we could’ve bought our new house and kept our nest egg mostly intact. Low down pay-ment home loans do exist! And you don’t have to be a billionaire with an 850 credit score to qualify for them.

In fact, Richmond’s own Argent Credit Union offers mortgage loans requiring a miniscule three percent down payment with private mortgage insurance. In our case, that would’ve been $6,000 down. And $34,000 left in our pockets for furnishings, kitchen cabinets and other upgrades.

According to Rose Gilliam, Argent Credit Union’s president and CEO, affordable home loans are just one of their competitive f inancial service offerings. “We can also help those who already own a house but need extra funds for remodeling or repairs. Homeowners can take advantage of our home equity loans and lines of credit to make those goals a reality.”

In hearing about Argent’s competitive products, accounts and five conveni-ent branch offices, I couldn’t help but wonder, what exactly is the difference between a credit union and a bank?

“The first thing that most consumers don’t know is that credit unions

FINANCING OPTIONS THAT LEAVE MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKETArgent Credit Union

are owned by their members,” Gilliam points out. “Argent’s board of direc-tors is made up of unpaid volunteers, elected to represent the interests of their fellow members. Banks’ boards of directors, however, are paid and legally bound to make decisions that benefit stockholders, not custom-ers. Our volunteer board and supervisory committee are all credit union members, local people who might work at your same company or attend your same church.

“Credit unions offer the same types of products and services that banks do,” Gilliam continues. “You can open a savings and checking account the same way you would from any local bank. Our accounts are free with no hidden fees, not even when your balance falls below a certain amount. That’s something you’ll often find with credit unions, fewer fees associated with our products.”

Based right here in Central Virginia with their home office in Chester, Argent’s volunteering spirit isn’t limited to their board of directors. Community involvement is important to them. The Salvation Army, Lucy Corr Village and Chesterfield Food Bank are just a few of the local organizations where you’ll find Argent employees lending a hand.

As for my husband and me, it’s not too late for us to take advantage of Argent Credit Union’s competitive

home loans. Right now we’re looking into refinancing our adjustable-rate mortgage to a lower fixed rate. Looks like I’ll get those kitchen cabinets after all.

Argent’s board of directors is made up of unpaid volunteers, elected to represent the interests of their fellow members.



IF YOU HEAR THE TERM “HONEST MECHANIC,” you might think, “Yeah, right.” Sadly these days horror stories abound about unnecessary work and rip-offs in the auto repair industry, making it stressful when your

car is in need of repair. Butch and Kim Taylor, owners of Titan Auto & Tire, are out to ease the minds of Richmonders when it comes to vehicle maintenance and repair.

Titan Auto & Tire is family owned and has been in Richmond at their South Chesterfield location on Jefferson Davis Highway for 11 years. The Taylors re-cently opened a second location on Hull Street to expand the company’s ability to serve their customers.

“We pride ourselves on being honest with our customers to show them how valued and respected they are,” says Kim. “We show each customer what’s going on with the vehicle and offer options and advice.”

Customers are regularly invited into the service area and are shown worn or broken parts, to further explain the reasons why they are recommending a particular repair or service. Titan Auto & Tire ca-ters to women and families and strives to help them feel empowered about their auto care and repair decisions. Their service managers and technicians explain recommendations in plain language that everyone can understand.

Titan Auto & Tire’s skilled mechanics have years of experience. Many have worked for dealerships and are experts in their field. Mechanics

RICHMOND’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY CAR CARETitan Auto & Tire // by Erin Pittman

regularly attend continuing education courses to stay up to date on the latest trends in auto repair and diagnostics.

The business also invests heavily in technology to stay competitive in the field. “We offer the latest in computerized diagnostics and alignments,” Kim says.

Titan Auto & Tire offers a complete range of services. From basic oil changes and tire rotations to complex diagnostics and computer reprogram-ming, they have drivers covered. Servicing all makes and models, including European and Asian imports, they provide all factory-scheduled maintenance such as 60,000 or 90,000 mile tune-ups, state inspections and new tires. “We are an authorized dealer for Cooper, Michelin, BFGoodrich and Pirelli tires,” says Kim. “And we can get any tire that a customer wants.”

Titan Auto & Tire was recently awarded 2014 Small Business of the Year by the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, the Taylors will continue striving to deliver stellar service every step of the way. From service writers and manag-ers to mechanics, the employees are available to answer questions and meet each car owner’s needs. “We want our customers to feel comfortable and informed so they know that they are getting good, quality auto care,” says Kim.

Check them out online at TitanAutoTire.com. You’ll find an online appointment scheduler and tire quotes. Their convenient online services help you plan costs as well as the dates of your repairs or maintenance. Additionally, you can download their mobile app on your Apple IOS or Android device to learn about automotive topics and receive tips for your car or truck. You can snag a coupon from their website to save on your next service. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

“We want our customers to feel comfortable and informed so they know that they are getting good, quality auto care.”

MARCH/APRIL 2015Business

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EACH SPRING, school systems throughout the Richmond region partner with Dominion’s Project Plant It! to teach third-grade students about the starring role that trees play in the ecosystem.

Now in its ninth year, Project Plant It! provides teachers with a variety of nature-based lesson plans and activities to transform the classroom into an indoor/outdoor laboratory where students can connect with the environment. All of the instructional materials – including the teacher’s manual, posters, certificates, the website and more – support state learning standards and essential knowledge skills in math, science, language arts and social studies.

Each April, Project Plant It! participants receive a redbud tree seedling in honor of Arbor Day. This culmination inspires children to plant their own tree and care for it over the years.

Laura Marshall, third-grade teacher at Grange Hall Elementary School in Chesterfield County, loves teaching about trees and the envi-ronment with Project Plant It!

“The program encourages students to take initiative and be proactive about planting the redbud seedling with their families,” she says. “Project Plant It! has been an important component of my spring curriculum for more than five years. The students really enjoy the activities, especially when they can go outdoors to practice their math/science skills in investigation, measure-ment and analysis. Thanks to Project Plant It!, learning is so much fun!”

New this year is an opportunity to nominate a teacher who creatively incorporates the Project Plant It! lesson plans, instructional tools and website activities into the classroom curriculum. Later in the spring, Dominion will recognize several outstanding teachers and will share some of their innovative teaching ideas. Details about the nomination process can be found at ProjectPlantIt.com in mid-March 2015.

More than 43,000 third-graders across the Commonwealth, including 12,000 students in the Richmond region, are participating in Project Plant It! in 2015. Dominion, parent company of Dominion Virginia Power, es-tablished the program in 2007 to educate children, plant trees and improve the environment. Since that time, more than 288,000 tree seedlings have been distributed to students in areas where Dominion conducts business.

For more information about Project Plant It!, visit the website or Facebook page.

DOMINION’S PROJECT PLANT IT!BLOSSOMS WITH EDUCATIONAL TEACHING TOOLS

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MARCH/APRIL 2015Finance

IT’S FUNNY HOW MANY THINGS go full circle in life. One that seems a fair proxy is men’s unwillingness to toss out old neckties. The ties hang there in the closet for years as styles come and go, and if you ignore

them long enough, those skinny things from thirty years ago come back in style. Two old-guard products that are gaining some traction in the area of personal finance are annuities and life insurance.

Much has been written about how grossly inadequate savings levels are for families hoping to retire. The Boomer Generation reportedly has an average of $100,000 in retirement accounts, an amount that won’t get you but a few scant years down the road, much less than the thirty years you’re supposed to live in retirement. One of the f irst questions we ask potential clients is, “What do you want to achieve with your assets?” The most frequent answer is, “We want them to provide income through retirement and to preserve the principal for our children.” For the vast majority, their assets won’t come close to providing enough income, so they’re forced to liquidate principal to make ends meet. Their only hope is to accurately calculate their date of death with the simultaneous consumption of their last dollar. Forget it, kids. There’s nothing left for you.

For a couple who aren’t average and have managed to create a few more assets, but who likely will also be forced to tap into their principal

during their retirement, we’ve been bringing up the possibility of using some portion of their income to buy a life insurance policy payable to the children. For many, that’s about their only hope to provide a family legacy.

For almost all my career, I have not been a fan of annuities for more reasons than I have space in this column to share, but that’s changed. Today’s historic low interest rates and longevity are becoming bigger factors every year. I have to admit, fixed annuities are becoming one of the only games in town to provide a guaranteed pay-ment that you can count on and, very importantly, cannot outlive.

I’m not advocating annuities in general. Far from it. There’s still a lot of trash out there, so you need to know what to look for. All I am say-ing is that we all have to be willing to recognize then respond to change. These products have been hanging in the closet for many years and are worth considering.

by G. Carl Mahler, Jr, CFP®

The Pinnacle GroupAn Independent Wea l th Management Fir mYour Wealth . Your Life. Our Focu s.374 8 W i n ter f ield RoadM id lo thia n , VA 231138 0 4 - 378 - 1624P i n n acleGrou p . net

G. Carl Mahler, Jr. is a Certified Financial Planner®. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Any opinions are those of G. Carl Mahler, Jr. and not neces-sarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. This material is being provided for infor-mation purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any investment. Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. A fixed annuity is a long-term, tax-deferred insurance contract designed for retirement. It allows you to create a fixed stream of income through a process called annuitization and also provides a fixed rate of return based on the terms of the contract. Fixed annuities have limita-tions. If you decide to take your money out early, you may face fees called surrender charges. If you're not yet age 59½, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax pen-alty on top of ordinary income taxes. A fixed annuity contains guarantees and protections that are subject to the issuing insurance company's ability to pay for them.

Like us on Facebook to re-ceive daily f inancial informa-tion on your newsfeed.Search: “The Pinnacle Group, An Independent Wealth Man-agement Firm, RJ FS”

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IT AMAZES ME, and I lived through it one day at a time. The revolution and innovations that occurred in dentistry in my career of 45 years (and still going) are astounding.Many things I learned in dental school, like anatomy and other basic

sciences, have not seen the dramatic changes that attitudes, materials and technologies have seen.

Dentists in the era before me were basically taught to maintain teeth until they were “bad” and then make dentures or removable false teeth. A great deal of my dental education was about extracting teeth and making false teeth. Dental floss, extensive fluoride use and overall dental hygiene were not everyday things in the mid-20th century (1950-1975).

Composite resin, which replaced silver fillings, happened during the journey to the moon. Metals like titanium and bone grafts became the basis for implant dentistry today because its properties were not known earlier. I’ll only mention the computer and the Internet, which, even daily, change my work as a dentist.

They used to say that there was a golden age of dentistry, but then it became the platinum age, and today I believe it would have to be called the digital-titanium age. What will the future hold for dentistry? I can only imagine!

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VAdentist.com

by W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., D.D.S.

FORTY-FIVE YEARS OF A CHANGING PROFESSION

Health MARCH/APRIL 2015


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I ADMIT IT. I WAS A VIDEO GAME NEOPHYTE. Despite my son’s best ef-forts to lure me into the Legends of Zelda, my gamer IQ was stunted in the early 80s at the PacMan and Pong stage. According to my

perspicacious offspring, in much the same way as the shoulder pads and spiral perms of my college days are no longer cutting-edge fashion, so too my Atari-based knowledge is now antiquated. It was, he explained, time to update my gamer knowledge bank.

Though I hold nothing against Zelda, or World of Warcraft, or any of the other wildly popular cyber-realities that mesmerize the youth of today, I wondered what was available in the less-lethal, more entertain-ment section for those of us not in the youth-of-today category. On the recommendation of my friend Dawn, who adamantly assured me this was fun, I downloaded Kirby’s Epic Yarn. With a look and feel of PacMan on technological steroids, Kirby’s back story as published on their intro page had me in stitches (pun intended): “After eating a tomato belonging to the evil sorcerer Yin-Yarn, Kirby is banished

into Patch Land, a world completely made of fabric, which turns him into yarn and removes his abilities to copy his enemies by swallowing them and takes away his abil-ity to fly.” Realism at its finest. After four hours in couch-potato heaven, I can attest, Kirby was an addictive blast. There might be something to this video game stuff after all.

Turning to another of my illustrious sources, my quasi-sister-slash-best friend, Denise, suggested I look at the games that

promote movement, activity and exercise. Denise is an adrenaline junkie and an enthusiastic participant in anything outdoorsy. Heeding her veiled commentary on the obvious issues caused by my oneness with my sofa, I shifted my research to the more active game options.

There are verifiable health benefits to exer-games like Wii Sports and Dance Revolution. For several years, researchers around the world have shown that video games may offset or even reverse the effects of aging on seniors’ brains by altering their ability to change function-

GAMEFOR HEALTHby Constance Whitney

ally over time, a process known as plasticity. Games that require concentration, problem solving, and strategizing are shown to be the most beneficial in keeping our brains firing on all cylinders. Senior centers and long-term-care rehab centers use active video games such as Wii to pro-mote recovery, health and fitness in their communities and can be used for all mobility and interest levels.

Always one to reap health benefits whenever I can, I took a shot at Wii sports, literally. Playing Wii basket-ball, I channeled my inner Kobe Bryant and threw shot after shot at the virtual hoop. I mimicked the Williams sisters with my dazzling backhand on the tennis court, and I gave Katniss a run for her money with my superior bow-and-arrow skills. I was a virtual sports prodigy! I would love to say that my Ginger Rogers/Julianne Hough imitation was just as stellar on Dance Revolution, but truth be told, I can’t dance – virtually or otherwise. But it sure was fun to try!

Am I a convert to the gamer realm? I definitely ap-preciate the enormous variety of video games that are now available, and I’m glad that options other than shoot-’em-up-blow-’em-up games are out there. The fact that the various Dance Revolution editions cover every era, including 70s disco (which I believe we can all agree was the uncontested pinnacle of dancing!) is testament to the gaming industry’s intention to provide options and choices for all ages. And there is no doubt that keeping your mind and body active is important to healthy aging, whether that’s video gaming, doing crossword puzzles or fishing on Swift Creek.

For me, though, I will always prefer spending an evening curled up with a glass of wine and my much dog-eared copy of Wuthering Heights – such is the bane of the English major. Tackling the amusing challenges of Kirby aside, Heathcliff wins every time.

MARCH/APRIL 2015Seniors

I channeled my inner Kobe Bryant and threw shot after shot at the virtual hoop.

BENEFITS OF VIDEO GAMES FOR SENIORS• Improves social

interaction • Alleviates boredom

and loneliness• Improves dexterity

and coordination• Improves brain

function• Improves vision• Reduces stress and

depression• Provides fun and

entertainmentSource: GreyGamers.org

SOURCES FOR GAMESMindBloom.com

BigFishGames.com

GreyGamers.org

Anti-AgingGames.com/

games.html

+

SENIOR LIVING GUIDE

Finding the Perfect Fit

IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL LIFE, full of laughter and love. Oh, there have been challenges, no doubt, but the joy always prevailed. Now, after years of hard work and sacrifices, the time has come to relax, and even to let someone else do the work!

If this describes you or a loved one, it might be time to make a move. Choosing the perfect senior home can be a challenging decision, and often even a heart-wrenching experience.

Living options for seniors provide opportunities from a low-maintenance lifestyle to full-time nursing care, for rec-reation and fitness, for shuttles and dining services. When looking for the right fit, there’s much to consider.

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14001 TURNBERRY LN.MIDLOTHIAN, 23113

804.897.2727SPRINGARBORLIVING.COM

An HHHuntCommunity

SPRING ARBOROF SALISBURYSPRING ARBOR provides independence and peace of mind for seniors ready to downsize as well as those needing assistance with many activities of daily living – providing peace of mind for families, too.

Our staff at Spring Arbor treats residents with dignity and thoughtful concern, respecting their emotional needs as well as their physical needs. Each resident receives a Custom Care Plan, created in conjunction with family and physicians to assure that each person receives the care that best suits their unique needs.

LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCESpring Arbor of Salisbury offers six different levels of care. Apartments, in a single-level setting, allow for residents to live independently, while their safety is always a top priority. With Spring Arbor’s 24-hour onsite nursing staff, residents and their families can be assured they will be cared for in all situations. Within the community, apartments are available for

both assisted living and Alzheimer’s/dementia care.Options include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

ACTIVITIES & AMENITIESActivities to exercise mind and body are an extra bonus at Spring Arbor of Salisbury, from art lessons, chair fitness classes, and discussions of current events to outings to museums, parks, restaurants, and more. The vibrant social calendar includes a broad array of activities. Recent events have included visiting musicians, formal tea, a puppet show, flamenco dancers, and a pontoon boat ride for residents and their guests.

Amenities include cable in each apartment, three nutritionally balanced meals every day, a lending library, 24-hour café, a wellness spa, a beauty shop/barber-shop, and transportation to get residents to and from doctors’ appointments.

For more information, call Sally Sperberg, Executive Director, or Jen-nifer Kelsey-Backus, Marketing Director, at the number listed.

SENIOR LIVING GUIDE


BETH SHOLOMA LIFECARE COMMUNITY

THE BETH SHOLOM LIFECARE campus offers a variety of living options for seniors. Welcoming new residents and families into our community wholeheartedly is an important aspect of Beth Sholom’s culture. Our caring, professional and experienced staff prides itself on accommodating each resident’s needs and offering individualized services and amenities. Our residents are our number one priority. Located in Richmond’s Far West End. There are no entrance fees.

ON OUR CAMPUS WE OFFER:• Two distinct assisted living options, Beth Sholom Gardens &

Parkside – high levels of assisted living care including memory enhancement programs are offered. A variety of floor plan options are available.

• Beth Sholom Health Care Center – skilled nursing services and rehabilitation care.

• Beth Sholom Woods – affordable independent living apartments.

• Beth Sholom Rehabilitation Clinic – outpatient therapy services, including a therapeutic pool.

1600 JOHN ROLFE PKWY., RICHMOND, 23238 804.750.2183BETHSHOLOM-LIFECARE.ORG

THE HERMITAGE AT CEDARFIELDEVERYTHING ABOUT CEDARFIELD represents the lifestyle you want for yourself. Built on the solid foundation of Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc., Cedarfield is an accredited Lifecare continuing care community attractive to active older adults 62 or better.

Because of its West End location, Cedarfield exclusively offers a quiet setting on 90 private acres, yet minutes from Short Pump’s upscale shopping and fabulous restaurants.

The expanse of the property combined with endless amenities gives Cedarfield the atmosphere of a resort with the spirit of an intimate community. Choices in cottage homes or spacious apart-ments make Cedarfield the preferred choice in retirement living. Most important, should the need for assistance arise, there is a full range of exceptional health services available on site: assisted living, memory support and nursing home care.

A huge part of this lifestyle is about discovery: new friends, trying a new hobby or simply learning all over again how to enjoy life to the fullest – on your own terms.

2300 CEDARFIELD PKWY., RICHMOND, 23233 804.474.8800HERMITAGE-CEDARFIELD.COM

SENIOR LIVING GUIDE


7015 CARNATION ST.RICHMOND, 23225

804.320.1412RUI.NET/THE-TOWERS

THE TOWERSRETIREMENT COMMUNITYTHE TOWERS is a retirement community located in Richmond, just south of the James River and minutes from Bon Air, Westover Hills and Stony Point Fashion Park. Our campus sits amidst a beautiful landscape of sheltering pines and fragrant magnolias that provide a secluded and relaxing feel; yet our campus is easily accessible, close to many conveniences and adjacent to Chippenham Hospital.

We offer independent, assisted living and memory impaired op-tions and have studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments that include a private bath and full kitchen. We also offer delicious meals in our full service dining room plus a wide variety of wonderful activities and events.

The Towers is also well known for our state-of-the-art memory community called The Grove. The Grove offers a clinical program for dementia management that utilizes the Allen Cognitive Battery, a proven framework for identifying the dementia resident’s highest

level of function in all activities. The Grove team works in partner-ship with our in-house rehab team and a local neuro-psychiatrist to identify the type of dementia and then uses that information to develop an Individual Care Plan that encompasses everything from recreational, social and functional activities to Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy. At The Grove we are committed to ensuring that each resident has access to services aimed at maintaining his/her highest level of function and independence.

Additionally, The Grove offers a brand new, secure environment that has been specifically designed for residents with dementia. For more information call Lauren Friedman at 804-320-1412.

SENIOR LIVING GUIDE

30 Chesterfield Living 3 0 C h e s t e r f i e l d L i v i n g

IndigoAvenue

MARCH/APRIL 2015Shopping


ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I rushed out in search of the perfect outfit for a first date. I’m known to shop at the last minute, seeking some-thing that will stand out with a bit of distinct flair, but without a

giant price tag.After a quick look around the store, I found myself a hardly used pair of

black leather boots from Banana Republic for $80 and a golden baby-doll dress from Anthropologie for $45. In less than 15 minutes at my favorite consignment store, I had found a flawless, inexpensive combination for a lovely evening out on the town.

In every corner of Richmond, locally owned upscale consignment shops offer a distinct spin on shopping. For shoppers with expensive tastes but tight budgets, consignment stores offer the perfect way to fill a closet with designer pieces at discounted prices. Beyond buying at a discount, the super trendy can sell their outgrown or outworn items for cash.

CONSIGNING: HOW TO START For anyone who has never stepped into a consignment shop before, there’s a small learning curve, but don’t worry, because most stores follow several of the

same rules, with a few distinct differences. It’s important to note that upscale consignment shops are not thrift stores

or a place to drop off bags of old clothes. Upscale consignment shops take gently used designer clothing and sell it for a fraction of its original price. The store and the original owner split the proceeds from the resale.

“More and more people are seeing the benefit of getting better-made clothes for less money,” says Remi Williams, manager at Indigo Avenue.

BUYING: HOW TO FIND THE BEST FOR LESSUnlike department stores or other retail shops, items are all different and rotate in and out on a daily basis. Products typically sell from 40 to 60 percent off the original retail price. To move unsold items, shops drop the prices, usually every 30 days.

At a typical upscale consignment shop, prices can start as low as $10 and go into the thousands. Racks may hold Armani and Ralph Lauren skirts, fur coats by Alan Furs and Miller and Rhoads, leather jackets by Dolce and Gabbana and Coach, and Jimmy Choo shoes. At another consignment store, brands could range from Talbots and Anne Taylor to Gap and Kate

Upscale Resale Boutique

UPSCALE SHOPPING More for Your Money // by Lane Burgess

Photos by Joey Wharton


Spade. Shops may carry jewelry and other accessories as well.Purses are a big seller, and consignment shops are a great place to find one

new or slightly used. You can even find designer names like Prada, Cole Haan and Marc Jacobs at prices from $50 to $1,000.

In many consignment stores, designer men’s clothing sections are small but growing.

SELLING: HOW TO GET THE MOST FOR YOUR ITEMSSelling clothes in a consignment shop is a great way to refresh a closet – the money made can go toward buying something new.

Before taking clothes, purses, jewelry and shoes to a consignment shop, make sure to look up the rules on the store’s website. Find out what days they accept clothes, what brands they take and if there’s a limit on how many items you can bring. Some stores require an appointment.

Williams advises sellers to look carefully for spots and wrinkles. “Take a second when you’re at home to look over the items. If you think it’s a little too worn, it’s probably a little too worn,” she says. “All a buyer will see is the first impression of the item.”

Make sure all clothes are clean and ironed, if not dry-cleaned, and on a hanger.

If the store takes the items and they are sold, you’ll make 40 to 60 percent of the sale, depending on the store. Don’t get discouraged when a store doesn’t take your items. Items may be denied at one shop and accepted at another, or the shop may suggest you hold onto it for another season.

In the growing business of consigning, more and more shoppers are seeing fashion through a new lens of sharing and reselling clothes.

“It’s recycling for clothes,” says Williams. “You have so many different personalities that drop off clothes here, so you can find a more unique style.”

Louis Vuitton Purse at Upscale Resale Boutique.

ALICE MCQUEENPopular fashion brands like Chanel, Kate Spade and Christian Loubou-tin as well as brands that diehard fashion lovers know. Clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. Rent items to use for that one-time event.2235 Old Brick Rd., Glen Allen // 804-364-1500 AliceMcQueenConsignment.com

BAGGIOBaggio is a consignment boutique in Richmond, Virginia, offering upscale designer clothing and accessories to discerning fashion enthusiasts at a fraction of the retail cost. The inventory is one of a kind and changes daily. If you love it, don’t pass it by!9734 Gayton Rd., Gayton Crossing, Henrico // 804-754-1163 Baggio.myshopify.com

INDIGO AVENUEStylish consignment items in an upscale environment. Find great deals on purses, jewelry, shoes and clothes including Anthropologie, Frye, Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Eileen Fisher and J. Crew. 448 N. Ridge Rd., Henrico // 804-288-0160 3324-A W. Cary St., Carytown // 804-354-0914 IndigoAvenueClothes.com

IT’S CHIC AGAINChanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach and many more designers that you will find from 50 to 80 percent off original retail prices. Jewelry from local artisans as well as high-end consigned jewelry. Nice designer items for men, too. One hundred new items arrive daily.1225 Sycamore Square, Midlothian // 804-897-CHIC (2442)ItsChicAgain.com

TUNIC CONSIGNMENTWomen’s designer clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags and scarves for a fraction of the original retail price: Anthropologie, Chicos, Coach, Cole Haan, Ella Moss, Tory Burch, True Religion, and many more.3416 Pump Rd., Henrico // 804-364-0363 TuniConsignment.com

UPSCALE BOUTIQUESave 50 to 80 percent off retail on clothing, gowns, handbags, shoes, jewelry. Accepting consignors. Misses, plus sizes, petites. New items daily, includ-ing Louis Vuitton, St. John, BCBG, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Chicos, White House|Black Market, Burberry, Brighton, Gucci, and many more. 12010 Southshore Pointe Dr., Midlothian // 804-608-1875UpscaleResaleVA.com

ONE OF THE MOST RECESSION-PROOF, fastest-growing retail segments, resale stores appeal to consumers for a variety of reasons, including bang for the buck, eco-awareness and status appeal. These stores boast a combined annual revenue of about $12 billion in America. According to America’s Research Group, 12 to 15 percent of U.S. consumers from across economic levels visit a consignment shop each year.

Want to join the trend and build a beautiful wardrobe at bargain prices? Check out these great local upscale consignment shops:

Shopping


Best Women’s BoutiqueBest Consignment

Clothing StoreBest Store Customer Service

WOMEN • MEN • VINTAGE • ACCESSORIES

Celebrating our 5 year anniversary!

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IN SEARCH OF

Sweet Spots

Delicious, delightful, scrumptious, ooey-gooey, rich, ambrosial, mouthwatering, yummy – the list of “sweet” words is as long as our love for sweets! Explore the variety of sweet spots throughout the

Richmond area, each with a mouth-watering, mind-blowing explosion of tasty treats. Try them all, discover your favorites, share with your family and friends, celebrate a special occasion or just celebrate

today. Your taste buds will thank you!

Turn the Page to Begin

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Flavor

All photos on this page by Rick Bancroft

One bite and you’ll know that Sweet Creations custom-catering bakery prepares its products fresh from scratch using high-quality ingre-dients. Creations include wedding cakes, birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies and brownies, as well as breakfast and dessert pastries, pies, bagels and sweet rolls, artisan and traditional breads. Award-winning Chef Sana Aziz followed a career recipe for achieving her bakery dreams, including Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts for Baking & Pastry Arts, receiv-ing certification as a pastry chef by the American Culinary Federation. Come enjoy her sweet creations!

12012 Southshore Pointe Rd.804-639-7933SweetCreationsVA.com

Sweet Creations

Bakery

Rich, sweet goodness fills your mouth with every bite from Sweet Shop Donuts Café. The café serves inspired classic flavors and styles, including raised yeast and cake do-nuts, with unique flavors and toppings, like maple bacon, Samoa, peanut butter blast and sea-salted caramel. You can also enjoy the bakeshop’s cinnamon rolls and fritters, espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and café clas-sics. Sweet Shop carries Blue Bell ice cream and milkshakes and homemade classics, including slow-roasted barbecue and sand-wiches such as Waldorf chicken salad, egg salad, club and BLT. There’s also a special event room for meetings and parties. It’s a comfortable community place with Wi-Fi for friends and family to gather.

1800 A South Creek One, Powhatan5 minutes west of Westchester/288804-379-6800SweetShopDonuts.com

Sweet Shop Donuts Café

MARCH/APRIL 2015Flavor

PHOTOS: JOEY WHARTON

PHOTO: RICK BANCROFT


You’ll savor the fresh new flavors from Pink Belle Cake House cakes and cupcakes. Owner and baker Eunice Kim uses Euro-pean-style recipes, for creations that are distinctive and delicious! Originally from Seoul, Korea, Kim is also an accomplished pianist. “Piano and making cake are my two passions,” she says. She originally made her cakes as simply a hobby, but people begged her to open a shop. “I love to make them!” she adds. While you’re there, also try her popular cranberry-pecan chicken salad sandwich.

13211 Midlothian Tpk.804-897-8288

Pink Belle Cake House

Inspired by scrumptious family recipes, this scratch bakery pre-pares all of their creations on site daily: cakes, cupcakes, pies, cook-ies, bars, breakfast pastries and more. The Wicked Whisk uses real butter, sugar, pure extracts, eggs and flour – no preserva-tives, artificial flavors or artificial coloring here! Delightful, creative products include the Magnum, P.I., a pineapple cupcake with pineapple buttercream frosting and toasted coconut; banana bread with brown butter frosting; lemon blueberry scone; and chocolate chess bar. Wicked is delicious!

1248 Sycamore Square804-379-8324WickedWhiskRVA.com

The Wicked Whisk

PHOTO: TEMPLE HILL


PHOTOS: RICK BANCROFT


PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WILLIAMS BAKERY


One of Richmond’s oldest bakeries, The Mix-ing Bowl Bakery has been baking memories since 1926 – nearly 90 years! The kitchen’s decorating staff makes customers’ sweetest dreams come true in cake form. Spend some time on the bakery’s Facebook page and take in the fabulous, creative decorated cakes and cupcakes and their scrumptious cookies. And don’t miss the creative UPSIDE-DOWN CUPCAKES. Yes, I said “upside-down”! The bakery’s morning menu also features Danishes, sticky buns, cinnamon buns, fruit-filled turno-vers and much, much more. Visit the bakery to take a look and have a taste – you’ll know why they’ve delighted so many generations of Richmonders!

Ridge Shopping Center, 8903 Three Chopt Rd.804-288-2712Facebook.com/MixingBowlBakeryRVA

The Mixing Bowl Bakery


The Rogers family has been serving fine baked goods to West Enders since 1976. The full-service retail bakery sells a wide range of donuts and Danish pastries, breads and rolls, coffee cakes, pies and cakes. Elegant Westhampton cakes have been a welcome guest at many weddings, sending the bride and groom off on a sweet note. Known as the headquarters of the “WPS Donut Squad,” Westhampton bakes these morning rounds of goodness fresh every morning, using a 30-year-old family recipe, perfected long before the recent Richmond doughnut craze.

5728 Patterson Ave.804-282-4413

Westhampton Pastry Shop


Visit RichmondNavigator.com/Flavor for a more extensive list of sweet spots from around the Richmond area!


URBAN FARMHOUSEOpening its second loca-tion earlier last year, the Urban Farmhouse hosts a café, coffee and brunch menu. Choose from items such as Irish oatmeal and a baby portabella mush-rooms and winter veggies sandwich.

13872 Coalfield Commons Pl.804-378-3366TheUrbanFarmhouse.net

Spotlights

SERGIO’SEstablished in 1990, Sergio’s offers authentic pizza and pasta as well as an extensive catering menu. Check out their menus of pizza, paninis, pastas, seafood, chicken, veal and desserts. Or enjoy their stellar selection of craft beers on tap.

4824 Market Square Ln.804-744-0111SergiosVA.com

TAZZA KITCHENSlated to open its doors in early April, Tazza Kitchen will open its fifth loca-tion in the country right across from Chesterfield Towne Center. Come for their pizzas (from mar-gherita to prosciutto and arugula) but don’t skip over their list of cocktails, beers and wines.

1244 Alverser PlazaTazzaKitchen.com

CAPITAL ALE HOUSEThis year’s Elby awards, celebrating local Richmond restaurants, nominated Capital Ale House for the “Beer Program” award for its high-caliber, wide selection of beer and informed staff. Visit one of its four Richmond locations.

13831 Village Place Dr.804-897-5815CapitalAleHouse.com


SCOOP DU JOURFELIZ ANIVERSARIO – Mexico Restaurants – with six locations around the metro area, including one in Woodlake at 12031 Southshore Pointe Rd. and one at 7001 Forest Hill Ave. – is kicking off its big silver anniversary celebration, which will be running through much of 2015.

It’s their anniversary, but it’s their guests who will be getting the gifts. Prizes to be awarded through the coming months include free lunches and dinners, gift certificates, merchandise, even cash. And then there’s the big giveaway. The grand prize is so grand that I’m not even allowed to tell you what it is…yet. But stay tuned – owner Maria Garcia, whose parents started the business back in 1990, says come May 1, she’ll be announcing the grand prize.

Why all the giveaways? “We have always strived to give our best to the community,” Maria says. “This celebration is not just about ourselves. We’ve been blessed to have been in business these 25 years and we want to reward our customers and our community.”

In addition to some fantastic prizes, Mexico Restaurant is of-fering great 25th anniversary specials virtually every night of the week. From family nights on Monday with free meals for the kids to Throwback Thursdays, when you can enjoy Mexico’s all-time favorite meals for just seven bucks each, you’re gonna want to get in on all the festivities.

To learn more about the specials, the prizes and the celebration and to share your personal memories of Mexico Restaurant, visit their website, Mexico-Restaurant.com.

OPENINGSWHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND – Thirty years ago, Nino Bussa, who’s been in the restaurant biz for more than 40 years,

opened his first Italian Delight Pizza Restaurant near Chippen-ham Hospital, which he eventually sold. For more than a decade, he’s been delighting the folks out in Powhatan with real Italian cuisine in his Italian Delight restaurant at 1795 Southcreek One. Now, Nino is back near Chippenham. He’s recently opened a new ITALIAN DELIGHT PIZZA RESTAURANT in Stony Point Fashion Park.

“I felt like I should come back to Richmond and get some of my old customers back,” he says.

Of course, located right in the popular outdoor mall, Nino is going to be introducing his authentic Italian fare to a bunch of new customers as well. If you love pizza pies, Nino has ’em, everything from New York style to Sicilian pies and a host of specialty pizzas. The eatery, located between Dick’s Sporting Goods and Saks Fifth Avenue, also offers a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches and spaghetti, along with mouth-watering desserts. It’s all fresh and made daily. Italian Delight is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

MORE THAN A KERNEL OF TRUTH – If you’ve heard the rumors that Chesterfield is poised to get its first dine-in movie theater, you heard correctly. Carmike Cinemas, 1100 Alverser Dr., Midlothian, is on the verge of reopening following an extensive renovation that turned part of the lobby into a kitchen.

Interestingly, the trend in the industry to offer dinner with a movie is fueled by the same thing that brought popcorn and candy to the movies during the Depression – the desire for additional revenue. In recent years, the local Carmike and many other the-aters across the country have suffered from dwindling audiences. While the theater has had to sacrifice some seats, it will continue to house 10 screens. An early spring re-opening is anticipated.


FROM NEW FORMAT TO A NEW MENU to a revival of a long-time Chesterfield favorite restaurant, there’s a lot happening on the local dining scene, including Mexico Restaurant’s big 25th anniversary celebration. If you have any restaurant or brewery news to share, drop me a line at [email protected].

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FROM THE KITCHENSIMPLY DIVINE – “We’ve become a dining destination,” says Karin Rau of DIVINE

RESTAURANT at 13127 Rivers Bend Blvd., Chester (Divine-RB.com). “We have guests coming from all over the Richmond metro area plus from as far away as Charlottesville and Fredericksburg.” It’s no wonder. Finding a truly authentic German restaurant is not so easy around these parts.

Karin and her husband, Willy, who hail from Stuttgart, are not resting on their laurels, either. “We’ve brought on a new chef, Charles Zeran,” says Karin, “in an effort to revamp our menu and to reflect a more modern and innovative cuisine.”

The traditional German dishes will be kept, Karin says. Regarding their more contemporary approach, she tells me the changes have been well received by guests.

Zeran, who serves as the restaurant’s executive chef, will also manage the wine program, which will offer an eclectic variety of wines from around the world. “We also have the best German beers on tap,” Karin says.

Whether you’re in the mood for more traditional authentic German fare or are looking for more contemporary cuisine, you may want to check out this very cozy and inviting South Chesterfield dining spot.

Divine Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, for dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and for brunch on Sunday.

BREWS IN THE NEWSLOOKING AHEAD – While it’s still going to be a year before we get a taste of their brews, Mike Blevins and Dave McCormack are about to get started on construction of Petersburg’s first brewery, TRAPEZIUM BREWERY, at 420 Third St. in Old Town. The two men are converting an 1890 coal and ice plant into a 15,000-square-foot, 30-barrel brew house. Mike says that virtually everything inside the building is going to be demolished before renovations can begin. But by this time next year, the brewery should up and running.

Asked about the beers that Trapezium will be producing, he tells me, “We don’t want to give too much away right now. We’ll be doing an IPA, a brown and a pale ale, but we’ll also have lots of specialty and limited items. It’s going to be a wide mix.”

So how did they come about selecting that name? “We threw about 200 dif-ferent names on the wall,” Mike says. “We wanted something with local relevance [the Trapezium House is a Petersburg landmark], but not too specific. Besides, it’s a fun word to say.”

The brewery will include a full-service restaurant featuring a wood-fired pizza oven.

THE COLD ONE HUNDRED – The state’s 100th licensed brewery has opened in Carytown. GARDEN GROVE BREWING COMPANY, at 3445 West Cary St. (Garden-GroveBrewing.com), opened in mid-February, offering an impressive array of ales, including Carytown Brown, Ronnie’s Red, The Farmhouse Saison, Southern Hemi IPA, and The Knight Belgian Tripel. There’s one more that especially caught my eye, and my taste buds – the Sparkler. Reminiscent of a fine sparkling wine, this brew is formulated with white sorghum and orange blossom honey and finished with a touch of the French hop variety, Strissepalt.

Brewer Michael Brandt (co-owner with Ryan Mitchell) began his professional career as an assistant brewer at Calhoun’s Brewery in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He moved through the ranks of the Virginia wine industry and served as head winemaker and viticulturist at Naked Mountain Winery and assistant winemaker at Linden Vineyards.

The tasting room is open Tuesday through Sunday, and in an effort to attract families, Garden Grove is brewing non-alcoholic root beer, Creamsicle and ginger ale, including a ginger ale variation with lemongrass and grapefruit. They’re also planning a family movie night.

THE SPIRITS WORLDPLAYING FAVORITES – In the September/October issue of our sister publication, River City, we’re going to be saluting the area’s top mixologists. This is your chance to vote for your favorite bartender. You might even win some great prizes. Send us the name of your favorite mixologist and the bar in which he or she works to [email protected].

What a classic combination! A generous portion of the perfect

savory filling, leaking out the edges as it’s wedged between

masterfully matched bread – and as if that wasn’t enough, the

sandwich is paired with the perfect craft beer, a melding of

flavors that accentuates the savory, the malty and the hoppy!

Several Richmond restaurants can serve you this winning

combo. Pay them each a visit and enjoy a satisfying sandwich

paired with just the right beer!

SandwichAND

A BEERA BEERA BEERA BEER

CHESTERFIELD LIVINGWhere to find the best beer and sandwich combos

SEDONA TAPHOUSE

Offering serious food and over 500 craft beers in a fun and sophisticated setting, Sedona Taphouse offers The Tuscan panini, a crispy, toasted sand-wich served with imported prosciutto and topped with roasted onions and peppers and melted mozzarella and fontina cheeses. The panini pairs perfectly with a Devils Backbone Eight Point IPA, a medium-bodied beer with an intense hoppy finish from Nelson County, Virginia.

15732 WC Commons Way, Midlothian SedonaTaphouse.com

DIVINE

Contemporary American and German cui-sine. The Wiener Schnitzel sandwich fea-tures a seasoned veal cutlet with lemon-caper aioli, baby greens and a fried egg, served on brioche. The beer is the Aventinus wheat doppelbock by Germany’s Schneider Weisse brewery, offering notes of ripe bananas, rai-sins and plums, with hints of licorice and roasty aromas.

13127 Rivers Bend Blvd., Chester Divine-RB.com

CAPITAL ALE HOUSE

Richmond’s Beer Authority. The Prime Rib sandwich is coupled with Woodbooger Belgian-style brown ale from Richmond’s Strangeways Brewing. The beer’s dark, chocolate notes work perfectly with the hot, thinly sliced prime rib, which is served on a soft onion poppy seed roll and topped with Havarti cheese and horserad-ish sauce, served with au jus.

13831 Village Place Dr., Midlothian CapitalAleHouse.com



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AWFUL ARTHUR’S SEAFOOD COMPANY

Seafood’s on a roll at Awful Arthur’s. This eight-ounce, sushi-grade yellow fin tuna (prepared grilled or blackened) is served on a toasted Kaiser roll and topped with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, paired with Pottsville, Pennsylvania’s Yuengling Lager, which is, apparently, President Obama’s favorite brew.

1300 Sycamore Square, Midlothian AwfulArthurs.com

CAFÉ CATURRA

Although known for its boutique wines, this is a great place for a sand-wich and a beer, too. The River City steak sandwich features sautéed onions, peppers, beef and Swiss cheese with Sriracha and aioli. The meaty sammy is paired with Wild Wolf Brewing Blonde Hunny Ale from Nelson County, Virginia.

13830 Village Place Dr., Midlothian Cafe-Caturra.com

UPTOWN ALLEY

Enjoy a world-famous Uppy Burger, featuring basted ground chuck, prepared using a favorite family recipe, grilled and topped with melted Wisconsin cheddar and jack cheese, plus caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Served here with fries and a Samuel Adams Cold Snap, a crisp and lively Belgian white ale from the Boston, Massachusetts, brewery.

6101 Brad McNeer Parkway, Midlothian UptownAlleyRichmond.com

PALERMO ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Both the sandwich and the beer provide a distinctly Italian f lavor. The Steak Burrata sandwich features tender meat and fresh made mozzarella and cream, served on a homemade roll and topped with homemade sweet peppers and arugula. The beer is a Peroni, the number one lager in Italy.

15717 City View Dr., Midlothian DineAtPalermo.com


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MARCH 26-29French Film Festival // The Byrd Theatre

For 23 years, the French Film Festival has earned acclaim in the U.S. and in France for introducing more than 400 French and francophone films to American audiences. Since 2003, it has been recognized formally by former French ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Jean-David Levitte, as the most important French film festival in the country. FrenchFilmFestival.us

APRIL 1 - JUNE 1A Million BloomsLewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Spring arrives with magnificent splendor! See a succession of breathtaking blooms that color the landscape with beauty. Enjoy entertaining activities, exhibits and family events. Check the website for a month-by-month bloom chart. Also, Butterflies LIVE! starts on April 17.LewisGinter.org

To Do

APRIL 12Bob Dylan and His BandAltria Theater

For one night only, Bob Dylan returns to Richmond. Tickets range from $47-$77 and go on sale February 20 at 10 a.m. AltriaTheater.com



MARCH 26 - MAY 16, SELECT DATESTwo Bits: The Barbershop Musical Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Lots of silliness and a heartwarming story for the whole family: the hero, Danny Boy, found his Million Dollar Baby at the Five-and-Ten-Cent store. Classic barbershop harmonies are sung in a classic barbershop setting as this original musical unfolds on the Mill stage. SwiftCreekMill.com

APRIL 19Explore the OutdoorsHuguenot Park

Families can explore the natural environment and enjoy nature walks, hands-on science and nature activities, scavenger hunts, geocaching, outdoor adventure demonstrations, animals, and other exciting activities. Special guest is Curious George.IdeaStations.org/ExploreOutdoors

APRIL 18Fool for ArtJohn Tyler Community College

Shop at original art and craft vendors and get your hands dirty celebrating Earth Day.JTCC.edu/FoolForArt

MARCH 27 - 29Virginia Horse Festival Meadow Event Park

Join the industry’s top experts for engaging and educational clinics, experience a diversity of horse breeds during the parade of breeds, and purchase boots, barns, and food from vendors.VirginiaHorseFestival.com

All dogs must be current on vaccines and rabies shots. All dogs must be leashed at all times on aleash no longer than 6ft. RAL reserves the right to refuse admission to any owner and their dog.

SaturdaYApril 2510am–2pm

music, adoptions,

games,andfun!

Rt. 288 and Midlothian Turnpike


View our full event calendar online at RichmondNavigator.com.

MARCH 20-22Spring Market of the Bizarre Bazaar Richmond International Raceway

If you enjoyed the Christmas market, you won’t want to miss the 23rd annual Spring Market. The show will present more than 275 juried exhibitors in two contiguous buildings featuring seasonal gifts and decorations for spring and summer, garden and coastal-themed decorative home accessories, gourmet foods and cookbooks, fine linens, designer women’s and children’s clothing, toys, fine crafts and artwork, furniture and jewelry.TheBizarreBazaar.com

APRIL 10TEDxRVACarpenter Theatre

TEDxRVA was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue.TedXRVA.com

APRIL 25Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup SeriesRichmond International Raceway

Experience the thrill of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing at Richmond International Raceway “under the lights.” Defending race winner Joey Logano will battle Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and all of the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around the 3/4-mile track for the checkered flag in the TOYOTA OWNERS 400.Rir.com

APRIL 6-10Archaeology at Henricus: Spring Break CampHenricus Historical Park

Part ic ipate in a week-long archaeological program at Henricus Historical Park. Learn about the tools and strategies used to help locate and excavate sites and the archaeological methods used to create a living history museum. Help sort, catalogue and clean artifacts found in the area and help us locate the 1611 Henricus fort! Take a field trip to an active archeological site. Registration required by April 1.Henricus.org

APRIL 25Ironworks Annual EventFalling Creek Ironworks Park

Join us for an exciting exploration of America’s f irst iron furnace, the 1619-22 i ronworks on Falling Creek. Tours wil l be led through the archaeological r u ins of both the 1619 ironworks and Archibald Cary’s Colonial grist mill. Activities include guided tours, exhibits, costumed interpretation, living history, period demonstrations, Native American dancing and children’s activities. A special dedication ceremony will unveil the recent site improvements.FallingCreekIronworks.org

APRIL 21Historic Garden Week Tour Petersburg, Prince George & Dinwiddie

Each spring, visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes and histor ic landmarks dur ing “America’s Largest Open House.” This 8-day statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color. Tour proceeds fund the restoration of Virginia’s gardens.VAGardenWeek.org

MARCH 22Opechancanough’s 1622 Offensive at HenricusHenricus Historical Park

Experience f irst-person, historical interpretation of English readiness and Virginia Indian prowess at Henricus on the eve of the coordinated military offensive of Powhatan leader, Opechancanough, on March 22, 1622.Henricus.org

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PRESENTS

EXHIBITORS FROM ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC

Arts • Enrichment • Sportsday & overnight camps

VENDORS: THERE’S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP!

call Margaret Thompson at: 804-241-7678or email: [email protected]

mark your calendar now for the summer camp fair you won’t want to miss!

All you need to know about summer activities for the kids

FREE and FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

PLUS the Diggity DudesLIVE in Concert!SUNDAY

March 29 1:00 to 4:00 pm

SUNDAY March 29

1:00 to 4:00 pmRAIN OR SHINE – INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

AT Peak Experiences INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

11421 POLO CIRCLE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA


MARCH/APRIL 2015

HOME

Attractive window coverings, like these blinds available from MannKidwell, add decorative touches while allowing you to direct and control the light. Photo courtesy of MannKidwell.


3. FURNITURE: REJUVENATE OLD PIECES. If you’re not ready for new furniture but your current pieces are tired and lifeless, you might be able to perk them up.

Thrill of the Hunt and Renew 4 You can help. Thrill of the Hunt specializes in upholstery

and “up-cycling,” making cosmetic and even design improvements to furniture. If you want to DIY, their Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Clear and Dark Waxes workshops teach techniques for transforming dull furniture into eye-catching conversation pieces.

Renew 4 You focuses on reupholstering, repair, refinishing, and painting furniture using solid colors or the artistic flair of faux finishes, dry brush, chalk paints and vintage glaze and wax finishes. Besides helping you hang on to coveted pieces, Renew 4 You reminds you that these options help you go green by renewing and rejuvenating existing home furnishings.

1. WALLS: PERK THEM UP WITH PAINT. “Not only is paint inexpensive, but it is the largest surface area in a room,” says Susan Jamieson of Bridget Beari Colors. “Paint creates a mood, creates non-existent architectural features or a delightful background.”

Based on her years of experience as a designer, Jamieson produced a rich, vibrant palette of paints that has become Bridget Beari Colors, available in Richmond at Palette Paint and Home. “The best part about Bridget Beari Colors is I have done all the selection for you. I’ve picked the best hues and tones.”

Jamieson offers two tips for picking great colors:

As new life springs up outside, your rooms inside may seem dull and old. Their comfort carried you through the winter, but now you’re ready to usher in the new season with a new look. Here are six suggestions from the experts for rejuvenating your space.

2. WINDOWS: CHANGE YOUR VIEW. “Controlling the light is one of the most important things you can do for a room,” says Tracy Gaulton of MannKidwell Interior Window Treatments. “This is especially true for blinds, which allow you to direct the light, to light up a room without glaring sunlight.”

Window treatments are more than just functional. As window coverings, Gaulton explains, they introduce different colors, patterns and textures – whites, pastels, or deep, rich colors; wood stain; woven wood as grass cloth and bamboo blinds; or cloth shades in a limitless range of fabrics.

Like a dimmer switch or a lamp globe, however, window coverings can also shape the light as it enters: mute it or color it, accentuate the best parts of the outside landscape, create a mood, or change the room’s dynamics.

Change your windows – change your outlook.

6 TIPS FOR A ROOM MAKEOVER

Tip #1: “Pick your paint color last, after you have

picked fabrics and rugs.”

Tip #2: “Always go a shade lighter than you think.

Colors are always darker on the paint chart.”

by Annie Tobey

The musical elements of this custom-made rug reflect the homeowner’s interests while adding a dramatic design element to the room. Photo courtesy of RugRats Fine Carpets and Rugs.


4. RUGS: SPLASH A STATEMENT ON THE FLOOR. “The floor is a room’s ‘fifth wall’ and will anchor the decor to a room or space and can create a focal point,” explains Sandy Henderson, owner and designer at Rug Rats in Farmville. “A rug is the first decor element you see when entering a room. Adding an area rug can totally modify the feeling of any space, as well as changing a color scheme. A rug can be the runway to a room, a palate for which colors are chosen, and often an expression of one’s unique style.”

And talk about style! Rug Rats custom rugs draw from many creative inspirations: art, such as Matisse or Kandinsky; historic styles and classic architecture, including Art Deco, Prairie or Mission; modern design forms; logo rugs that reflect your passions; swirls and shapes – the options seems endless.

“I like to custom design rugs to reflect our client’s aesthetic sense – that of style and beauty,” says Henderson.

5. MINIMIZE: REMOVE AND RE-PLACE. Start your room rejuvenation by removing accessories that you no longer like, items you aren’t using, or those pieces that are tired and outdated, advises Alicia Wilson, design consultant at Ethan Allen in Richmond. “You can even take all of the accessories out of the room. Start fresh with that blank canvas, pick your five favorites and re-place them, maybe in a new way.”

As guidance in placing these items, Wilson suggests varying the heights. For example, start with the tallest item, like a tabletop lamp, followed by an accessory that’s shorter, perhaps halfway between the lampshade and tabletop, like a large framed photograph. End with something small, such as a piece of pottery or perhaps a beautiful shell.

Acknowledging that we all have lots of “stuff,” like magazines and books, remotes and chargers, Wilson advises having a table with a drawer or a shelf for storage, or even using a pretty basket.

6. EMBELLISH: ADD EYE-CATCHING TRIM. Windows, pillows, furniture – take what you have and embellish it.

Plain linen window panels are trending now, says Patrick Williams, owner of Williams and Sherrill. These can easily be dressed up with an inset band around the edge of the panel. The Greek key motif is especially popular.

“Another simple, less expensive way to embellish a room or change the look of the room,” Williams says, “is with pillows. We do an enormous amount of custom pillows here.” In addition to making you a basic pillow with a punch of color, Williams and Sherrill can add a brush trim or tassel, set an inset band, use multiple fabrics on the front of the pillow, or even miter a strip diagonally for a box pillow.

Williams and Sherrill provides design services and creates custom window treatments, bedding and pillows, with plenty of samples of materials and trims to choose from.

Whether you do it yourself or enlist the assistance of a professional, these six easy tips can help you bring new life to your home.

Bridget Beari paints make a bold, beautiful statement on

these bookshelves (orange Bella No. 41 and white

Snowball No. 2). Photo courtesy of Susan

Jamieson, ASID of Bridget Beari Designs.



FORM & FUNCTION LLCCreating and implementing functional,

integrated, and harmonious Interior Design and Landscape Design solutions. From

consultations to turn-key construction for projects large and small. FORM & FUNCTION,

LLC turns your priorities and needs into creative designs for additions, renovations, new

construction, outdoor living, and landscapes.

HELPING YOU BUILD YOUR DREAMS! visit FormandFunctionllc.com for more

Vicki O’Neal, ASID, CID, VSLD804.897.8558FormandFunctionllc.com

Landscape Design

Interior Design


MARCH/APRIL 2015HOME

WHEN I PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, my home is like a welcoming beacon. It’s my haven of rest and my proudest possession. That’s why I want it to look its best.

Enter Virginia Exterior Products. Not only do they offer products that beautify my home, they provide the best in quality, price and service, too.

This family-owned company was founded in 1962. George Yesbeck Jr. and Michael Yesbeck purchased the business from their father in 1998, widening the product lines while maintaining the commitment to top-notch customer service.

Virginia Exterior Products focuses on residential customers who are seeking an upgrade, customers who want to lower their maintenance needs and maintain the architectural integrity and detail of their homes while beautifying the exterior. To achieve this, Virginia Exterior Prod-ucts offers only top-quality products. Siding and replacement windows and doors are their specialties, but their work encompasses most any ex-terior project, including porch rails, enclosures and gutters as well as col-umn and shutter replacement.

Two of their most popular siding options are James Hardie fiber-ce-ment siding and insulated vinyl siding.

“James Hardie siding provides the quality and value that consumers want,” says George Yesbeck Jr. “It’s both practical and attractive.”

Fiber-cement siding looks a lot more like wood siding than vinyl does, while offering superior fade resistance. James Hardie ColorPlus® technol-ogy, George explains, “involves applying consistent coats of color and bak-ing them on to stand up to the demands of climate… [The finish is] backed by a 15-year limited warranty against peeling, cracking and chipping.”

“These factors are important to your home’s aesthetics and to its long-

HELPING YOUR HOME LOOK ITS BEST Virginia Exterior Products

term value,” notes Michael Yesbeck. “With high-quality fiber-cement siding, homeowners avoid costs of replacing warped and cracked wood siding and frequent repainting. They even see the resale value of their home increase.”

In addition to providing quality products, the Yesbecks are determined to provide the best service, too. Each crew is professionally trained, with one of the Yesbecks on each job site daily. The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and won the 2014 Super Service Award through An-gie’s List.

“Virginia Exterior Products did eve-rything right on schedule and told us upfront what our siding and windows would cost,” reports customer Grey Sey-mour. “It wasn’t a penny more.”

Most of their products come with lifetime warranties, and Virginia Exterior Products encourages customers to call directly with any concerns, even years down the road. The Yesbecks’ promise is superior service, and they live up to that promise.

“I could not recommend a better company to work on your home. They did what they said they would do,” Seymour says. “I recommended them to a friend, who was equally pleased with their work, and I will recommend them again.”

Quality siding, beautiful and low-maintenance replacement windows and doors, and more – not only do I feel pride in my home, enhanced by products from Virginia Exterior Products, I feel equally satisfied at the price and service I received.

To start your home improvement project, visit VirginiaExteriorProducts.com or call 804-399-8060.

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Commissioned to renovate a house in Windsor Farms, interior designer Jennifer Stoner pairs an antique Italian farm table with custom modern lighting from local designer Nicholai Jerome of Spartan Studios. Photo by John Magor Photography.



Designer Jennifer Stoner brings antique pieces into a modern space: a restored

Steinway piano, an ivory inlaid rosewood cocktail table and a Moroccan game table with marquetry detail. “These pieces have

such beauty and detail that we wanted to complement them with quieter, more

clean-lined pieces,” Stoner said. Photo by John Magor Photography.

THE WAY SOME PEOPLE react to antiques, you’d think that claw-foot Edwardian chair had real claws, or that a 1750 longcase timepiece was actually a time bomb!

Are antiques really that scary? They shouldn’t be, and adding a bit of the old to a contemporary room shouldn’t be daunting. Blending older traditional pieces with a sleek modern home, or vice versa, is a great way to make your décor dynamic.

Rick Friedrichsen, design specialist and events coordinator at LaDiff, a Richmond furnishings and design store, says an eclectic décor adds more interest to a home. “Don’t be mired into one style,” he says. “I like a juxtaposition of things. It’s a yin-yang tension.”

His colleague Lea Huggins, another LaDiff design specialist, agrees. “Everything is just so one-note if you keep it all the same.” The comple-mentary forces of yin and yang, she adds, bring out “the fun of it.”

Micheal Sparks, owner of Micheal Sparks Design and MSDModern

in the Manchester area of Richmond, also favors blending period pieces and modernism. “Highlight that [antique] piece because of its craftsman-ship, and bring in modernism for design,” he states, adding that a modern setting can elevate an antique to a higher level.

ECLECTIC HOMESAll three designers practice what they preach. Sparks favors modernism, yet lives in a Georgian house that includes pieces dating back to 1780. Friedrichsen says the master bedroom in his 18th-century home is traditionally furnished, but dis-plays contemporary art. Huggins is his opposite, leaning toward animal prints and bright colors, yet her leopard-print dining room includes an 80-year-old server.

How do you lose the fear of the claw and the time bomb to blend an-tiques that you might have inherited or collected with an existing contem-porary room, or bring a modern piece into your traditional house? The designers offer a few tips.

THE BEAUTY OF THE BLEND Tips from Designers // by Jody Rathgeb


DON’T CHOOSEStop thinking of your house or even a room as traditional, period or modern. Friedrichsen says it’s important to realize that contemporary furniture merely distills what came before. For example, “A Barcelona chair is just a take on an ancient Roman piece,” he says. “Contemporary furniture doesn’t spring from nothing.” Look carefully at what is modern and you can identify classics such as the wing chair. “There’s nothing new under the sun,” Friedrichsen adds.

The key is to focus on the continuity of time while adding touches of the new to the old. “Bring in the edges of modern design or use a fabric with a pop of color,” suggests Sparks. Above all, be fearless. “When doing the eclectic mix, it’s never a mistake,” he says.

YIN AND YANGEclecticism is all about bringing opposites togeth-er for a more intense experience. Friedrichsen uses the metaphor of cooking to explain the process: “When you bake, you add a little salt because it complements the sweetness.”

Huggins agrees. “It’s always a give and take. You tend to look for the continuity,” she says, but adds that refining the blend is paramount.

“I have two rules,” she continues. “First, start with what you love and get rid of everything you don’t. Then, edit, edit, edit.”

Editing means finding a way to use your “op-posite” piece as if it is sculpture or art rather than a mere addition, or giving it a new purpose. Want to add your collection of old bottles to a modern room? Friedrichsen says, “Use them in a sculp-tural way,” and suggests perhaps massing them at the fireplace. Sparks likes the idea of adding new functionality to old pieces, such as rewiring an ice box so that it can be used as a refrigerator.

“I’m a firm believer that if you add elements you have to use them,” he says. “Only bring something in that you can use. Use that antique china or put the old armoire to use holding towels. I wouldn’t bring in an old Victrola unless it played. If you display something, display art, not things.” So that bottle collection? Sparks would fill the bot-tles with specialty vinegars and oils to serve at the dinner party that features music from the Victrola.

POP WITH COLORWhile color follows fashion and there are hues and combinations that recall certain eras (think “Williamsburg blue” and the oranges and avo-cados of the 1970s), it remains both emotional and personal, even among designers. Huggins,

for example, never met a color she didn’t like, while Friedrichsen prefers earth tones. Recognize the power of color and refuse to be bullied into using a color just because it is trendy or is historically correct. When you “add a little pop” with a red, yellow or cobalt accent, be sure it’s not something you will hate within a month.

The beauty of the blend remains, in short, the realization that décor need not be just a moment in time. Eclecticism gives a room the most personality possible – your personality. So if you love the old pie safe as much as you love your Wolf range, there’s no reason that they can’t live together in the same kitchen.

After all, a little time warp never hurt anyone.

Micheal Sparks Design, 205 Hull St., Richmond // 804-230-4855 MichealSparksDesign.com or MSDModern.com

LaDiff, 125 S. 14th St., Richmond // 804-648-6210 // LaDiff.com

TOP: Designer Micheal Sparks blends period pieces and modern designs in his own home. Photo by Rick Bancroft.

BOTTOM: Creative agency WORK Labs sports a vintage eclectic style inspired by deconstructionist architect Frank Israel. The Monument Avenue house-turned-studio was contracted by Steve Berg and is equipped with whimsical objects such as an old birdcage rewired into a lamp. Photo by Tony Giammarino.





ROOMS WITHA VIEWBy Vicki O’Neal, ASID, CID, VSLD

Vi c k i O' N e a l , owner of FORM & FUNC TION, provides commer -c ia l and res ident i a l inter ior and l andscape des ign . She i s a pro -fess ional memb er of ASID, VA C er t i f ied In -ter ior D es igner (C ID) , Master Gardener, and a VA C er t i f ied Landscape D es igner (VSLD) and a

Hor t icu l tur i s t .

804-897-8558

FormAndFunctionLLC.com

OPPOSITE PAGE Natural light dramatically impacts the character and appeal of any interior space and produces a spacious look and feel.

THIS PAGE To maximize enjoyment of the outdoors from the inside, evaluate what is seen from each view and locate landscape features and focal points for optimum enjoyment from multiple vantage points.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON spends in excess of 90 percent of each day indoors? It’s not surprising that your interior environment − its ambience, comfort, function and features − has a major impact on your day-to-day experience and quality

of life. Two of the essential elements impacting the character and appeal of any interior space are the visual connection to the outdoors and the amount of natural light entering the space.

Expectations about the connection between interior and exterior translate into nearly universal design norms. For example, homeowners expect a window above a kitchen sink. If a home layout makes that impossible, designers will mimic the experience of visual relief, perhaps by locating the sink on an island looking towards the exterior.

As this design standard demonstrates, the importance of connecting the interior to the exterior cannot be underestimated. I don’t have concrete data to back this thinking, but I do believe a home with a strong link between outside and inside is more valuable in every way. For many

reasons, I like to assess both when designing either. In other words, I approach a project from the inside out and the outside in. Designs that integrate interior and exterior produce an intrinsic sense of cohesiveness and harmony that is unlikely to be achieved any other way.

To create this indoor/outdoor connection, focus on blending aesthetics, capitalizing on views, integrating circulation and improving functional relationships. You can achieve these goals by making simple interior or exterior changes, by engaging in more complex exterior projects or by bringing the outside in.


EXTERIOR TOOLSOutdoor rooms extend the livable spaces of your home conceptually and functionally, creating a more expansive feeling.

• Consider how to best use the outdoor spaces that are physically adjacent to your home. Focus on primary needs of specific areas, such as cooking, eating, relaxing or simply enjoying nature.

• Blend your home’s indoor aesthetics into your outdoor spaces.

• Alternatively, craft a complete departure between indoor and outdoor spaces. If you’d like a mental getaway, choose a particular style or motif that perhaps mimics a favorite vacation destination, such as the beach, a mountain cabin or an urban setting. You can use architectural features or accessories to achieve that look.

• Repeat design elements from inside, including colors and flooring.

EXTERIOR PROJECTS Improve the connection between the interior and the exterior through more involved project ideas.

• Imagine an arbor with the romance of a flowering vine wrapping through it, an architecturally built roof with attractive columns for support, or a retractable awning for maximum versatility. Structures like these help to generate a strong sense of enclosure plus a visual extension from the inside.

• Consider constructing a screened porch to provide a cool, protected retreat and a comfortable space from which to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

• Give thought to installing a grade-level patio to replace your deck, especially if it has seen better days. Decks, with their pickets and railings, can be a major visual obstacle to enjoying outdoor views.

CONNECTING THE SPACES Optimize the indoor-outdoor connection by adding or upgrading exterior lighting. This not only provides important safety but also produces an opportunity to enjoy outside features that would otherwise be lost in the dark. Bring nature inside by cutting early blooms, evergreens and grasses or by collecting branches with berries, cones or unique bark. Naturalistic arrangements are stunning and unusual and can brighten any setting.

Engage these design concepts when any interior or exterior project is on the horizon. These double-duty and mirror-image principles can take the best advantage of all your home has to offer – inside and out!

INTERIOR TOOLSTo blend the inside with the outdoors, take note of exactly what you see from each view when looking through windows and doors. Improve connection by:

• Locating outdoor features and fun focal points so you can easily view them from inside.

• Configuring spaces to increase natural light, thus making a room look and feel larger.

• Using window coverings that maintain views and are easy to open. Consider using lighter fabrics, blinds or shutters, or even no window dressing at all. If strong sunlight is an issue, translucent shades or sheer fabrics can control light while maintaining the view and minimizing heat gain from direct sunlight as well as fading of upholstery and surfaces. When hanging draperies or window toppers, install them higher on the wall so the full height of the window is unobstructed.

• Creating new openings, extending your views and dramatically expanding a room’s visual space. For instance, a window can be converted to a glass door, creating new outdoor views and access. A new window can be installed or an existing one enlarged to enhance visibility.

• Removing detachable window grills, especially on the back of your home, where there is less need for uniformity.

I approach a project from

the inside out and the

outside in.

Visit the FORM & FUNCTION Lifestyle blog by Vicki O’Neal for more information on entertaining, interior design, and landscape design at FormAndFunctionLLC.com.

Screened porches provide a cool, protected retreat and a comfortable space from which to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

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A PLACE EVEN LANDLUBBERS WILL LOVE

T R AV E L outer banks

FIRST VISITED the Outer Banks in the early 70s. Back then, there were very few motels, only a handful of restaurants, and, except for a Brew Thru or two, virtually no retail. In those days, there was only one reason I loved to go to Nags

Head, and that was for the fantastic beach and the best surf that I’d ever seen. I would spend most of the daylight hours fighting the waves.

As I’ve matured, so have the Outer Banks (Out-erBanks.org). Today, riding the waves, while still quite enjoyable, is more tiring than it once was. So, on my last visit, I took the time to get away from the beach and see some of the other sites. I had no idea that the Outer Banks had so much to offer. Let me share some of my recent discoveries. We’ll start with one of the area’s top non-beach tourist sites.

Wright Brothers National MemorialCan you believe over the past 40 years or so I’ve never been to the site of the first flight? I’d always wanted to, even planned to visit, but the siren sounds of the sea kept calling my name.

Did you know that when Orville and Wilbur Wright first arrived on the Outer Banks in 1900,

Ionly about 200 or so people lived in the entire area? That was one of the things that enticed the brothers to bring their gear and their dreams to the Carolina Coast.

In 1900, they asked the Weather Bureau where they could find the windiest places in the country. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, was the only place on the list that they’d never heard of, so they contacted the local postmaster for more information. He replied that the small fishing community had lots of wind, lots of sand (great for crash landings) and lots of isolation.

For three years, the brothers experimented with gliders. On Dec. 17, 1903, Wilbur Wright took off on a 59-second, 852-foot journey in The Flyer, their hand-crafted powered aircraft. The memorial to the Wright Brothers makes for a perfect launch pad to learn more about the history of the Outer Banks as well as of controlled human flight.

Very few paid attention to that first flight. It wasn’t until five years later, when the brothers per-formed in Europe, that they became “overnight sensations.” By the early 20s, local politicians capi-talized on the Wright Brothers in a dual effort to develop the region as a tourist attraction and get

the government to fund infrastructure for the future development of the small string of barrier islands.NPS.gov/wrbr

Roanoke Island Long before man took to the air, travelers were heading to the Outer Banks by sea. In fact, you might say, the New World’s first European tourists slept here. On July 4, 1584, a British expedition led by Philip Armadas and Arthur Barlow arrived on Roanoke Island (RoanokeIsland.com), just five miles from present-day Nags Head. That was almost a quarter century before the landing at Jamestown.

Another personal first during my visit last fall was a stop at Roanoke Island Festival Park, a 25-acre interactive historic site that helps visitors relive the first attempt at European colonization. Here, you can board the Elizabeth II, a representational ship that interprets one of the seven English merchant vessels from the Roanoke voyage of 1585. Experi-ence the life of the 16th-century settlers as you discover the way they lived, worked and played. Just three miles away is Fort Raleigh (NPS.gov/fora).

by Steve Cook // photos courtesy of Outer Banks Visitors Bureau / OuterBanks.org

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS MONUMENTOrville and Wilbur Wright culminated four years of venturing to the Outer Banks from 1900-1903 with the construction of The Flyer, a plane whose maiden flight forever changed the world.


DINING The Black Pelican Oceanfront RestaurantFresh grilled seafood, homemade crab cakes, wood-fired pizzas, great burgers and refreshing adult bev-erages. Built in 1874 as a life-saving station, it was from here that in 1903 the Wright Brothers sent a

telegram announcing their successful flight.BlackPelican.com

The Blue PointEvery dish is a masterpiece at this perennial

OBX favorite. TheBluePoint.com

Café PamlicoThis cozy Hatteras Island dining spot comes as close to perfection as one could hope, includ-

ing serving up the most incredible sunsets.InnOnPamlicoSound.com

Kimball’s KitchenThe folks at Kimball’s Kitchen have a real

knack for combining all of the elements of fine dining in a totally non-stuffy atmosphere.

Sanderling-Resort.com

TrioThis combo cheese, wine and beer retail shop

is coupled with an inviting bar and bistro. ObxTrio.com

ACCOMMODATIONSThe Inn on Pamlico Sound

At this relaxed and elegant sound-front inn, you can grab a bike or kayak for free and explore. Guest refrigerators are stocked with beverages and snacks.

If you see something you like, take it! Really.InnOnPamlicoSound.com

The Sanderling Resort This fabulous four-diamond resort offers views of the Atlantic and Currituck sound, so you can

watch the sunrise and sunset both. Features a spa, tranquility pool, family pool, stand-up pad-

dle boarding, kayaking, surfing and biking.Sanderling-Resort.com

Southern Shores RealtyFrom a secluded one-bedroom getaway to multi-room mansion, Southern Shores can

accommodate you.SouthernShores.com

Discoveries from archaeological digs there may help to solve this centuries-old American mystery.You can get another glimpse into tales of the early settlers at The Lost Colony (TheLostColony.org), America’s oldest outdoor drama and where Andy Griffith got his show business start.

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site and Museum“These were heroes like never before or since,” says James Charlet, author and general manager of this fascinating Hatteras Island attraction. The heroes of whom he speaks were the men of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. The Chicamacomico is the most complete site of remaining life-saving stations in North Carolina and one of the nation’s most complete sites. The service merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to form the Coast Guard.

Charlet says the number one question he gets from visitors is, “Why have I never heard of this place before?”

The exploits of the men who manned the station from the late 1800s until it was decommissioned in

1954 are nothing short of amazing. It was a major highlight of my visit.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Charlet says the second most frequently asked question is, “Where’s that house from the movie?” Nights in Rodanthe, a 2008 film starring Richard Gere, was filmed just down the road from the life-saving station.Chicamacomico.net

Equine Adventures Although I didn’t have time to enjoy this attrac-tion last fall, it’s definitely on my to-do list for next time. Imagine a two-hour guided horseback tour through the coastal reserve and the maritime forest to the beach. About 30 minutes of the ride is right along the beach. I thought that was the sort of thing that only happened in the movies. EquineAdventures.com

I regret that it took me so many years to discover just how much the Outer Banks has to offer, both in and out of the water.

TOP: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore enjoys a wide variety of recreational uses, one being

horseback tours along the Atlantic Ocean beaches provided by local outfitters.

BOTTOM: The Elizabeth II is a representation of a 16th-century sailing vessel, much like the ship the first English colony to America would have used to cross

the Atlantic Ocean.


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Documents

Chesterfield Living magazine - March/April 2015