January/February 2016 Chesterfield Living by Advertising Concepts, Inc.

ChesterямБeld Living HOME LIGHTING

January/February 2016

TOO FUN TO BE FITNESS

IN SEARCH OF: SOUPS

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CONTENTS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

First of All

News from Around Town 12

Seniors

Breaking Up with Your PCP 14

Finance

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Time to Get Serious 42

Events Calendar Local Happenings

Legal Matters

Estate Planning Check-Up

Flavor 28

Meat the Challenge Local Butchers & Recipes

In Search Of Soups

TasteBudz

Dining & Drink News 40

Happy Hour Guide Your Local Resource

Home 46

Bright Ideas

Lighting Your Home & Spirits 50

Features 16

RICHMONDERS ON THE BIG SCREEN

Behind the scenes with some local extras

LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD

Wisdom from local professionals

6 Chesterfield Living

Home Retreat Rooms Everyone Needs Their Space

Travel TOO FUN TO BE FITNESS

Bath County

Area exercise classes with a twist

TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING

Easy-to-remember advice from those in the know

Beauty and Tranquility 10 Presidential Itineraries Historic Virginia Destinations

Treat Yourself Loudoun County

EXPERIENCE US AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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Salmon • Crab Cakes • Scallops • Stuffed chicken MONDAY

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WEDNESDAY Date Night

2 dinners & a dessert to share

THURSDAY Seafood Night

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SUNDAY - Brunch 10:00am - 11:00am HAPPY HOUR - 3:00pm - 6:00pm Monday-Friday

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Chesterfield Living PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

William J. Davis, Jr. VICE-PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Cheryl T. Davis MANAGING EDITOR

Annie Tobey FOOD & TRAVEL EDITOR

Steve Cook ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tammie Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Taylor Esteves-Pearce GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Tara Bouldin-Evans ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Jared Davis

From the Publisher

It came as quite a shock to me when an employee reminded me a few weeks ago that 2016 would be Chesterfield Living magazine’s 20th anniversary. Has it really been twenty years? As they say, when you’re having fun, time seems to fly. The last 20 years have done just that. And yes, sharing all the positive, amazing things about our county has indeed been fun. I pulled the very first issue of Chesterfield Living from my desk drawer and compared it with our most recent issue. Wow, if I may say so myself, we sure have come a long way. Perusing that first issue, I recalled the reason we started publishing this magazine. Back in 1996, it was an exciting time to live here. Chesterfield was growing. Things were happening. We knew that the county deserved its own magazine … a magazine designed to celebrate all the wonderful things about Chesterfield. Today, this is more true and fitting than ever before. In looking through our archives, I’ve been taking a walk through the last twenty years and reflecting on the county’s growth, both business and residential. Beautiful new communities have popped up. I drive through neighborhoods filled with families and recall that when Chesterfield Living first hit the stands, these areas were fields, woods or farmland. The same is true of new office parks, shopping centers, medical centers, restaurants and other attractions and amenities that contribute to the unique lifestyle offered in Chesterfield. In the early years of this magazine, we used “Today’s Southern Lifestyle” as a caption. While Chesterfield County continues to grow, the residents still reflect a Southern lifestyle: embracing Southern comfort food and traditions, showing pride in their homes, neighborhoods and communities, and displaying an attitude both exuberant and laid back. Advertising Concepts, Inc. (ACI) has published Chesterfield Living for 20 years now. We have told you the stories of the people, places and events that make our county such a wonderful place to live, work, shop and play. Throughout 2016, we will be sharing some of the memories from past issues. But our goal, more than ever before, is to continue to bring you all the positives that make our county a truly distinct place that honors its rich history, embraces its present and welcomes its future. We look forward to continuing to give our readers a taste of Chesterfield’s Southern Lifestyle. It’s been a good ride, but the view ahead looks even better. We invite you to come along and enjoy. Billy Davis, Publisher

8 Chesterfield Living

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Beverly Montsinger, Jenny Price DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Jimmy Davis PHOTOGRAPHERS

Temple Hill, Rachel Marsh, Robert Thomas, Joey Wharton CONTRIBUTORS

Rachel Marsh, Jody Rathgeb, Angela Weight, Constance Whitney ADVERTISING

Chesterfield Living magazine is published bimonthly by Advertising Concepts, Inc., 6301 Harbourside Drive, Suite 100 Midlothian, VA 23112 P: 804-639-9994 E: Info@RichmondNavigator.com ONLINE / SOCIAL

RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Twitter.com/RVAnavigator All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

A PUBLICATION OF

ALL ARTICLES AND CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINIONS OR THOUGHTS OF CHESTERFIELD LIVING MAGAZINE, ADVERTISING CONCEPTS, INC OR THE PUBLISHER.

ABOUT OUR COVER All this year, Chesterfield Living celebrates 20 years of serving the community.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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FIRST OF ALL

Positively Great Music Comes to Chesterfield

There’s more to ease the soul than the easy, rhythmic sounds of The Wilhelm Brothers. The lyrics nurture hope and light hearts as well. On Jan. 28, 7 p.m., the Asheville, North Carolina-based duo will bring their inspirational folk rock to Central Library in Chesterfield. The band released their first studio album, The Sea of the Unwritten, in August 2015. The musicians draw their inspiration from rock classics such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Simon & Garfunkel, blending folksy melodies with acoustic guitar and vocals of Chris Wilhelm and mesmerizing cello bass lines and vocal harmony from Cristof Ensslin. The album adds bass guitar and grand piano from Henry Hirsch plus percussion from Ernesto Karolys. Positive messages from The Wilhelm Brothers rise from the lyrics as well, pulling inspiration from positive writers Michael Roach, Jack Canfield and Kahlil Gibran. Listeners can sing along to lines such as “I have seen grace in the plainest of faces, I have found hope in the darkest of places”; “There are no future worries by and by”; and “If you cut your own wood it warms you twice.” Chris Wilhelm was originally from Hudson, New York, and Ensslin from Germany. The Wilhelm Brothers performance is part of the Acoustic Concert Series at Chesterfield County Public Library, presented at Central Library, 9501 Lori Rd. No charge for admission. Children are welcome at this family-friendly performance.

UPCOMING SEMINARS INCLUDE Weeds 101: providing techniques to help you work smarter in combating those pesky weeds. Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. Going Native: suggesting native plants (not the same as wildflowers or weeds) that beautify gardens with sustainable gardening practices. Feb. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.

Chesterfield Gardening Classes Anticipating the warmth and new growth of spring can mean considering our lawns and gardens, rolling up our sleeves for plant therapy – for ourselves and the growing greens! For some guidance, Chesterfield residents can turn to the county’s Spring Garden Series classes, taught by trained and experienced Virginia Cooperative Extension master gardener volunteers. 10 Chesterfield Living

Growing Mushrooms at Home: informing participants how to grow these fat-free, low-calorie, nutrient-rich plants. March 1, 6-8 p.m. Safety in the Garden. March 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Pruning for the Terrified: when, where, why and how to prune small trees and shrubs and produce healthier, more attractive plants. March 5, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Attracting Specific Birds to Your Yard: landscaping and planting strategies for attracting the birds you want. March 9, 6:30-8 p.m. Classes later in March and in April cover spring lawn care and selecting and planting trees and shrubs. Check the calendar for updates at http://goo.gl/LTyAg9. Pre-registration is required: http://goo.gl/forms/OErm5gkGu1.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Chesterfield History Lectures: Figures from the Past

The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia (CHSV) presents its ninth annual winter lecture series, every other Friday at 7 p.m. from Jan. 8 through March 18. The ninth annual CHSV Winter Lecture Series takes place in the Community Hall at Lucy Corr Village, 6800 Lucy Corr Boulevard, Chesterfield. Two historical figures will speak from the past, as portrayed by professional interpreters. The first lecture features John Rolfe, Pocahontas’ husband, who will talk about the founding of the United States. Rolfe is portrayed by historic interpreter Dick Cheatham, founder of Living History Associates. Sean Edwards, historic interpreter at Henricus Historical Park, discusses Virginia Indians’ reaction to colonial contact on Jan. 22. The third lecture, on Feb. 5, is presented by Sandy Parker, member of the Chesterfield Historical Society’s African-American History Committee, addressing the Richmond abolitionist, philanthropist and spy, Elizabeth Van Lew. On Feb. 19, in conjunction with Black History Month, Harriett Tubman comes to Chesterfield, portrayed by living history interpreter Charmaine Crowell-White. March brings Buddy Cranford and Scott Williams of the Chesterfield Historical Society’s Military History Committee, presenting “World War I Comes to Chesterfield” and historic stereoscopic glass slides taken in Europe during the war (March 4); and Chesterfield author and historian Kitty Snow showing “Movies of Richmond, 1929-1934” (March 18). All lectures are free to members of CHSV, $5 for non-members. For more information, call 804-796-7121. HISTORIC INTERPRETER DICK CHEATHAM AS JOHN ROLFE

Law Firm Moves to Serve Clients Better “When it comes to divorce, most people don’t know where to begin,” said Rick A. Friedman, II, Esquire, attorney at Friedman Law Firm, P.C. Friedman Law Firm specializes in divorce and family law, but their attorneys want to do more than simply address legal problems. “We are first and foremost a law firm,” Friedman explained, “however, we have a referral network of mental health providers, counselors, physicians and other providers to help our clients through their family law matters. In our experience, addiction and mental health problems top the list for reasons clients divorce, and we want to do more than just put a band-aid on the problems.” Achieving such grand purposes requires plenty of space for staff and resources, so the firm recently moved to new offices near Chesterfield Courthouse (at 9401 Courthouse Rd., Suite A). “I am extremely pleased that we moved to our new location,” said Friedman. “It will give us a chance to grow and provide more clients with more services in the future.” As evidence of their legal skills, the Friedman Law Firm team has earned top credits and distinctions, including listings in Super Lawyer, Super Lawyer’s Rising Star, Top 100 Litigators in Virginia, a 10/10 rating in AVVO and Virginia Business Legal Elite. As evidence of the firm’s attitude, Rick Friedman said, “There is nothing more fulfilling than having a client visit us two years after a divorce and tell us how well they are doing.” Learn more about Friedman Law Firm at FriedmanDivorce.com or call 804-717-1969. ADVERTISER SUPPORTED CONTENT

LIVING HISTORY ASSOCIATES

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SENIORS

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

By Constance Whitney

conduct the conversation and clearly articulate my intentions. I pulled up my big-girl panties and went to the doctor – who walked into the room, gave me a big hug, and asked about my fabulous grandson – by name! So unfair! Using the Grandson Card! I didn’t anticipate that. I crumbled like an apple pie. Marshmallowbased backbones don’t do well in the face of hugs and grandsons. So, yes, I did eventually get through the discussion, with buckets of tears, smeared mascara and a few more hugs. I have “closure” and a degree of “conscious uncoupling” that works for me. My advice, though, for those who have more intestinal fortitude than a slug, would be that the decision to change doctors needs to be done swiftly, with a straightforward conversation and a professional ending. Unless, of course, the grandchild card is played …

ave you ever noticed the visceral reaction caused by breaking up? Or defriending? Or conscious uncoupling? The “you go your way and I’ll go mine” is never a fun conversation. If you’re ending romantic relationships, you’re in luck. All of the information to “find closure,” “move to the next chapter,” “reclaim your independence” or whichever cliché catch phrase you wish to employ is clearly delineated through Taylor Swift’s lyrical tutorials on the extraordinary advantages of kicking someone to the curb, or the sage advice of the Stylistics, who promise that a breakup is really just a roundabout way to get back together, or any of the 18 million advice columns in Cosmopolitan. Personally, my favorite breakup line is “We were, now we’re not, thanks.” Short, sweet, and leaves no room for dramatic recaps and sobbing pleas. It’s perfect for ending a romantic relationship. It is not, however, appropriate for ending an even more personal and intimate connection with someone who not only knows your innermost secrets but has records to prove them. How, pray tell, does one “break up” with a doctor? In my long and storied life, I have changed doctors numerous times, but each time I had the convenient excuse: “I’m moving overseas,” “I’m moving back home,” “I’m moving to Virginia,” etc. Pending relocation is a fabulous all-purpose excuse. Short, sweet and simple. This time, however, it won’t work. I’m not moving. I’m staying right here. I will likely still see my doctor at neighborhood parties, the grocery store, at the mall. I’m at a loss as to how to proceed with this discussion, no doubt as a result of my mother’s incessant coaching that ‘If you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing at all.” How does one say, “You made a huge mistake for which I have suffered, you have not taken any accountability in this mistake and I have lost confidence in you” but in a nice, genteel way that leaves no hard feelings? My go-to advice guru, Google, says that this breakup must be done in person with a lengthy, gut-wrenching diatribe of the reasons we’ve reached this impasse, a mutual discourse of why there is no other alternative, and many, many tears (okay, Google didn’t say to cry, but, come on, “gut-wrenching diatribe” pretty much demands the waterworks!). And apparently there is no waiver of this face-to-face obligation for a total wimp, like me, whose conflict-avoidance personality is so paralyzing it’s nearly a pathological diagnosis (just ask my doctor … with whom I need to break up!) So, marshalling all of my marshmallow-based backbone, I made an appointment with the doctor. My goal was to explain the various series of events that have led to, and made inevitable, my decision to go elsewhere. I steeled myself for every possible argument the doctor could raise with detailed responses and justifications. I even role-played with a few friends so that I was totally prepared to professionally 12 Chesterfield Living

STEPS TO CHANGING PRIMARY PHYSICIANS 1. Have a frank and open conversation with your physician on your issues and attempt to reach a mutual agreement. Your doctor doesn’t want to lose you as a patient and deserves a chance to rectify whatever the reason is for your decision to leave. 2. If step one fails, get all of your prescriptions updated and filled so that you have a few months to get everything shifted over to your new physician. (Note: if you take any type of controlled substance – think pain pills – you have likely signed a contract with your doctor stating you agree not to get these types of meds from any other source. You’ll need to rescind this.) 3. Let the doctor/practice know you will be transferring your records and to whom you’ll be transferring. (You did find a new physician before you broke up, right?) 4. Let your pharmacy know that you’ll be switching doctors. 5. Call your health insurance to let them know to change your PCP on record to your new physician. (You did find a new physician before you broke up, right? And made sure the new doc takes your insurance, right?) 6. Let all of your specialty doctors (i.e., ob/gyn, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, etc.) and your imaging center (i.e., mammography center) know that you’ve changed physicians. 7. Let your spouse/children/significant other know the name and phone number of your new doctor. 8. If you have a card in your wallet, or an app on your phone, with an “In case of emergency, call this doctor,” change it to the new doctor.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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QUIT FOOLING YOURSELF. IT’S TIME TO GET SERIOUS.

y the time you see this article, 2015 will be gone. Can you believe it? How many of you began 2016 with the best of intentions to get better prepared for retirement? Or was it last year, or the year before, or … Well, you get my meaning. Almost all of you are woefully ill prepared for that monumental event. Statistically, most will not be able to retire and will have to continue working if physically able and if their employers will allow them to stay, or live off the generosity of friends and family. Not exactly the picture you painted for yourself when you finished school now some many years ago. If you’re having difficulties understanding this concept, I urge you to go to my website, www.pinnaclegroup.net, and view the podcast about time and compound interest. You might even consider attending an hourlong investor boot camp that we offer several times a year to help lay the foundation for a successful path to retirement. Call or email my office if interested. So, maybe this year will be your starting point. Just maybe, years from now, you’ll look back to this year as that point in your life when you took charge and committed to start creating some personal wealth. It took me a very long time in my career to listen to what I was preaching on a daily basis. I was just as out of control as my clients. Life kept getting in the way, and life costs a lot of money. If it wasn’t something absolutely critically needed for my wife or kids, it was a new toy I personally couldn’t live without. I mean, I work hard and am entitled to some rewards, aren’t I? It just took a really long time before I finally had that moment when I realized, “If I don’t do it, it won’t ever get done.” Then I started treating retirement as importantly as I treated paying down my mortgage. I paid myself first. I invested. It started growing, and as my retirement assets got larger and larger, it became infectious. Getting started was toughest. The rest was easy. I had a really great “financial advisor.” I mean this "guy” was tremendous. Not only did “he” find investments that were suitable for me to buy, but “he” showed me the potential benefits of sticking to the strategy when markets were down. You won’t believe this, but “he” even educated me on why I should take advantage of adding more money when the markets looked like they were going down. My “financial advisor’s” recommendations and strategies in my portfolio helped me work towards my goals in the long run. It could potentially do the same for you, too. If you need a financial coach, I’d be happy to work with you. Just call my office and I’ll get you pointed in the right direction. Make 2016 a start to taking charge of the rest of your life. KEEP THE FAITH. FAITH IS THE SPIRIT. G. Carl Mahler, Jr, CFP® The Pinnacle Group An Independent Wealth Management Firm Your Wealth. Your Life. Our Focus. 3748 Winterfield Road | Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 378-1624 | www.pinnaclegroup.net Like us on Facebook to receive daily financial information on your newsfeed.

14 Chesterfield Living

Search: “The Pinnacle Group, An Independent Wealth Management Firm, RJFS” G. Carl Mahler, Jr. is a Certified Financial Planner®. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of G. Carl Mahler, Jr. and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Holding investments for the long term does not insurance a profitable outcome. There is no guarantee that using an advisor will produce favorable investment results. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. ADVERTISER SUPPORTED CONTENT

17th Annual

Virginia Dance Festival Saturday, February 6th, 2016 Two Shows at 2:00pm & 7:00pm The 17th Annual Virginia Dance Festival to benefit Children’s Hospital Foundation will be held at James River High School in Midlothian, VA on Saturday, February 6th, 2016 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The event will feature over 400 dancers performing traditional and cultural dances as well as a silent auction during our 2:00 pm show.

A Benefit for

Tickets are $18 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $15 for children (ages 3-11). For those interested in attending both shows, the cost is $30.50 for adults and $21.50 for children. You may purchase tickets online at virginiadancefestival.com. (*An additional service fee is applied to the final ticket sale). We welcome your items/donations from your business or a monetary donation as a sponsor. Visit our website for more information, sponsorship and silent auction forms. — Chairman: Jessica Morgan, 804-363-9680

www.virginiadancefestival.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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FEATURE

BIG STONE GAP, WITH (LEFT TO RIGHT) WHOOPI GOLDBERG, PATRICK WILSON, JANE KRAKOWSKI AND ASHLEY JUDD

A Taste of the Big Screen

for Richmonders

Excerpt from a film review: It was crazy, stressful, chaotic and confusing, and yet fascinating, inspiring and exciting. By Jody Rathgeb

VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE

ound like something you’d want to see? Or how about something you want to be, since this “review” by Paul Radabaugh is on his experience working in the Virginia film industry. Our commonwealth might not be a hub of cinematic activity, but Virginia gets its fair share of attention from the film industry, thanks to an abundance of camera-ready historical locations and the work of the Virginia Film Office (VFO). Locally, we’ve been starstruck recently by Lincoln, Ithaca, Killing Kennedy, Iron Jawed Angels, Turn, Loving and Mercy Street, among others. Farther afield, there have been Big Stone Gap in Big Stone Gap, Letting Go in Lynchburg, Almost Royal in Northern Virginia, Kicked by Grace in Roanoke and parts of Captain Phillips in Hampton Roads. For the people who get work on these productions, that means rubbing elbows with such celebrities as Sally Field, Daniel Day-Lewis, Meg Ryan, Gary Cole, Anjelica Huston and Steven Spielberg. The Virginia Film Office, based in Richmond, does much to keep the cameras rolling here: pitching locations to production companies, maintaining a resource list of professionals to provide technical support and 16 Chesterfield Living

offering news and tips to those who want to get in front of the camera. The VFO ensures that there are opportunities for both professionals and neophytes.

From Henrico salesman to Union guard

Radabaugh was just such a neophyte when he went to work on Mercy Street, a TV miniseries (due 2016) set during the Civil War. Director Roxann Dawson filmed in Richmond and Petersburg, using Palmyra House in Richmond for some scenes. Radabaugh, who lives in Lakeside and sells wine and beer at a specialty shop in the Far West End, became curious about the trucks parked near his gym and learned that the production was still looking for extras. He sent in a photo and was quickly scheduled for a fitting and his first call. “I’m glad I had no idea how arduous the whole thing would be in advance or else I might have not jumped in like I did!” he commented. Radabaugh said the extras were often reused in several ways, but he primarily played a guard at a Union-controlled field hospital in Alexandria. “The most directly involved I got was acting as the door guard, since I got to open the door for Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character and other principals. Getting given

MERCY STREET

a cue by the director to open the door and effectively kick off the scene on action was so cool!” He was surprised by how long the days of work could be. “The average work day while on Mercy Street was 12 hours for me, with the longest being about 15.” On what he calls his most difficult day, when the company was shooting in Petersburg in heat and humidity, he was wearing a wool uniform and doing a lot of marching with a heavy period musket; he nearly passed out from heat exhaustion. “Still, as physically exhausting as it all was, I would definitely do it again because it was exciting as much as it was tiring,” he said. “Being on set was chaotic and stressful and crazy, and extras aren’t exactly high up on the food chain, but

...

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

it felt good to be a part of it and to learn how a show is made. In some ways it was like taking a very hands-on film studies course, but being paid to do so.”

From stage to film

side for various historical films shot in the Richmond area, including Lincoln. “It was dumb luck,” he said of his participation. “I took some vacation time, and there were a lot of emails in prep work. They wanted to know things like who would be on the porch at Appomattox and what would they be wearing in January. As an historian, you don’t often ‘dress the set’ in your mind.” He found the questions intriguing and a good way to expand his understanding of history. Gorman also was brought on to the set of Lincoln to help in the staging of such historical scenes. “A couple of times what happens on the screen is something I did. It was a lot of fun to do, especially for a geek like me … hey, I’m blocking sets for Steven Spielberg!” He added that nothing went to his head, though, because at the time he had an infant at home, and dealing with diapers and childcare certainly keeps one grounded.

The excitement and learning don’t stop, even for a pro. Bridget Gethins of Richmond, who now has much work in television, film and commercials on her résumé, started as a stage actor and acting coach. She toured with Theatre IV and the Richmond Shakespeare Company, taught at SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community) and worked with WCVE public radio’s Rocket Radio children’s theatre. In the late 1990s, she landed some on-camera work with a Virginia Lottery commercial and from there decided to learn about acting on camera as an extra (also known as a continuity/background actor). From her work on 1999’s Legacy, she Learn, learn, learn was quickly upgraded to a speaking role, and No matter the level of participation, the she moved into jobs with Tim Reid’s thenfinal takeaway seems to be that working on new New Millennium Studios in Petersburg a film set is always a learning and enriching and with Homicide: Life on the Street. Most experience. Radabaugh noted, “While recently, she played the court secretary in the there’s plenty of opportunity to socialize, it upcoming Loving feature film and continues pays to shut up and listen because you can to travel regionally for work. learn so much about the process if you aren’t She said her best experience doing gabbing on with the other extras or, worse, continuity/background was working in [messing] around on a smart phone like so Baltimore on Washington Square, a film many seemed wont to do.” that included Albert Finney, Jennifer Jason Other bits of advice from those who have TURN: WASHINGTON'S SPIES Leigh, Maggie Smith, Jennifer Garner and had the experience focus on the practical. Judith Ivey. “Albert Finney was my teacher,” she said, noting that Gethins suggests wearing “good, healthy shoes” and looking on the the actor took the time to explain what was going on and make her Internet as your friend when it comes to finding casting calls. Radabaugh understand how working in a 360-degree environment is different from cautions others to be proactive about taking care of themselves: “No the stage. “Lighting is everything,” she concluded. “They are setting up one’s going to hold your hand through the experience.” He added, “And a whole world for you.” if you wear glasses normally, for God’s sake, get contacts.” Although he is only a bit near-sighted, without his glasses he found it a challenge to A new angle on history A little bit of Tinseltown coolness can also creep into life for those who read hand signals from the assistant director and to navigate the set. Above all, added Gethins, “Just have a jolly good time.” are never kissed by the camera. Mike Gorman, known for his history chops in his work for the National Park Service, has consulted on the

For more information: www.film.virginia.org

LINCOLN

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18 Chesterfield Living

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Too Fun to Be Fitness

FIGHTING GRAVITY FITNESS USES A STURDY HAMMOCK TO COMBINE STEPS FROM YOGA, PILATES AND GYMNASTICS FOR A FUN FITNESS EXPERIENCE.

COURTESY OF FIGHTING GRAVITY FITNESS

If you’re like me, thoughts of working out are consistently riddled with boredom, monotony and repetitiveness. By Rachel Marsh So when I received the assignment to write an article about fitness, I nearly turned it down. Noooo thank you; give me a call when you need information about perfecting microwave popcorn or the art of napping. But then I learned that it was not just research on fitness, but on fun fitness around the Richmond area. You mean there’s more to exercise than riding an elliptical and tediously watching the time go by? I thought not, but just as with the unexpected ability to host a worldwide bike race, Richmond proved me wrong. To kick it off, I delved into a company called Orangetheory Fitness, with a Richmond location in Short Pump. Orangetheory offers classes with a strong mix of cardio and strength training, but they also provide a heart rate monitor to each user to wear during the workout. The fitness room has a screen at the front with everyone’s usernames plus heart rate number and color, allowing participants to easily keep track of their pace. Heart rates are broken up into colors, to help you decipher if your pace is too light, right on target or a little overzealous. Monitors are lightweight, and you can wrap them around your chest, tucked into your sports bra to keep them pressed on your chest (or if you’re a man or a free-spirited lady, they have a gel to help keep it on during inevitable moments of sweat). Throughout my workout, the entire hour melded into a blur of sprints, power walking, squats, lunges, push-ups and other uncomfortable things that made me regret agreeing to this article. But burning lungs and sore muscles aside, I did really benefit from seeing my progress. I could tell, based on my color zone, if I needed to slow down (okay, okay ... or in most cases, if I needed to push myself harder). And at the end of my session, Orangetheory sent me an email with my stats: how long I was in each color zone, my average heart rate and the calories that I burned – 545 calories later, that class wasn’t so bad after all. The next class I tried was at the Hot Yoga Barre in Willow Lawn. The first thing I noticed inside the fitness room was the temperature. In case you couldn’t tell by the name, all of their classes are situated in a heated room. There’s a long list of reasons for doing yoga in the heat – something scientific about toxins and metabolism. But basically it’s a way to burn fat more effectively and increase blood flow while working out. And Hot Yoga Barre uses far-infrared radiant heat, which is much cleaner and less stifling than simply blasting the thermostat. You know, science.

Aside from sweating, classes focus on stretches, balancing and core work. They told me upfront that no experience is necessary; and as someone with no flexibility and very little yoga background to speak of (give or take a couple of YouTube videos), I can confirm its accuracy. Even so, I definitely got in touch with muscles that I had completely forgotten existed. But the instructors are great at one-on-one correction without being patronizing. For my third stop along my fitness journey, I ventured into CrossFit territory. To be honest, all I knew about CrossFit is that people who do it become not-so-secretly obsessed, and that it seemed really intimidating (based on the physique of those not-so-secretly obsessed users). Even so, I reluctantly signed up for a trial session. The main focus for CrossFit users, both beginning and advanced, is using as few machines as possible while utilizing personal body weight for exercises. The gym is open for individual workouts, or they have a variety of courses throughout the day. Each class blends cardiovascular and endurance training, leaving participants with a well-rounded workout – and, in my case, walking like a 76-year-old with severe arthritis for days afterwards. I know that any CrossFit user would be more than willing to give their own input, but here’s a quote from new member Kira Siddall: “Seven weeks ago, I found myself in a CrossFit [Full Circle] gym, for a free trial workout … I’m stunned to say, I love this gym. It’s fun, supportive and one of the most positive environments I’ve experienced.” Personally, though I was only brave enough for a trial session, I can vouch for her claims. The atmosphere wasn’t nearly as exclusive as I had anticipated, all fitness levels are welcome and the instructors are extremely supportive. I received an abundance of high fives, and no one laughed at my weak squats. Or my looks-more-like-power-walking run. Or the time I almost fell down because I tried to do another pull-up but physically could not. So don’t let the stereotypes deter you if you’ve ever thought about trying CrossFit. Plus, if you join, you’ll have something to brag about to all of your friends. The final fitness course I explored during my fun-fitness-programsin-Richmond quest took me to Fighting Gravity. Even though I’d done some research on this company, I didn’t really know what to expect when I came in for my class. And I realized, that’s because I have never RichmondNavigator.com 19

...

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS CLASSES USE HEART-RATE MONITORED TRAINING TO KEEP HEART RATES IN A TARGET ZONE THAT SPIKES METABOLISM AND INCREASES ENERGY. COURTESY OF ORANGETHEORY FITNESS

SEAL TEAM TRAINING WORKOUTS OFTEN TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE, FOR ALL THE WET, MUDDY FUN THAT CAN COME FROM USING THE ENVIRONMENT AS YOUR FITNESS CLASSROOM. COURTESY OF SEAL TEAM TRAINING

seen a fitness class like this before in my life. Basically, Fighting Gravity combines steps from yoga, Pilates and gymnastics, all done in the safety and comfort of a soft-and-stretchyyet-so-stable-it-holds-over-1,000-pounds hammock. We each found our own hammock, and, throughout the class, our instructor showed us moves that would provide an effective stretch; it almost felt like doing yoga in the air. And at the end, all eight of us in the class got on our stomachs in our individual hammocks, held hands and rocked back and forth. I had so much fun in this class, swinging from the ceiling and doing spins, that I actually giggled. I have never literally laughed while exercising. If you can’t tell yet, this was easily the most unique form of fitness I’ve ever experienced. So, there’s one last workout opportunity in Richmond, SEAL Team Physical Training, that I want to give a shout-out to. I know I’ve lost half of you already just because of the name. But don’t be intimidated; there are no angry instructors barking orders or scrub-the-bathroom-with-a-toothbrush punishments. Founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL John McGuire, each course includes principles

inspired by the Navy SEALs, such as teamwork, leadership and camaraderie. In fact, all fitness levels are welcome. “Some people start the class not even knowing how to do a pull-up,” McGuire told me. Participants work together and encourage each other to push and succeed; and, in fact, sessions are frequently more teamwork than individual. Each training session takes place in a local park or university, such as Dogwood Dell or Bryan Park. Sessions last for an hour and include workouts utilizing the environment (for example, paddling a boat across the James River or jogging through a low stream). Participants range from high school students to retirees, with an almost-even mix of men and women. So, to those of you who avoid working out because of its monotony, I apologize for taking away your only excuse. Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pitch the story about microwave popcorn. HL

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HEALTH

The Pediatric Dentist:

Does Your Child Have One? By Jeff Laughlin, DDS MPH

“They are just baby teeth!” This common statement is often heard by the pediatric dentist at a child’s first dental visit. This simple belief implies that because those baby teeth will fall out, there is little care that needs to be devoted to them. Yet it is well documented that a child with poor oral health is unable to eat and thrive, sleep uninterrupted, concentrate in school or socialize without embarrassment. The mouth is considered a “mirror” to the rest of the body. In other words, a healthy mouth free of tooth decay, pain and swelling positively “reflects” a child’s overall health. However, 4.5 million U.S. toddlers and preschoolers (over 25%) still experience tooth decay, which is five times more common than childhood asthma. It is important that your child visit a pediatric dentist as early as age 1. A dentist who specializes in children understands that kids are not just small adults. Each child is unique and requires an age-specific plan for prevention and treatment that may involve more advanced behavior management techniques, such as oral sedation or general anesthesia. Your child deserves a positive experience in a kid-friendly dental environment that is comfortable and fun, allowing their trust with the pediatric dentist to be strengthened over time. It is no longer accepted that baby teeth are unimportant or that a child does not need to be seen by a dentist until age 3. An infant with no cavities can quickly progress to a toddler with decayed teeth, causing dental pain and disability—a scenario that can be prevented. Establishing a “dental home” with a pediatric dentist is essential to a healthy mouth and teeth, which can have a tremendous long-term effect on your child’s general health and well-being.

Dr. Laughlin is a Pediatric Dentist with Virginia Family Dentistry and board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He completed his dental degree at Columbia University’s School of Dental Medicine and received his pediatric dentistry specialty training at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Laughlin enjoys working with children and their parents to make dental visits fun and pain-free. When not practicing, Dr. Laughlin enjoys traveling, soccer, and spending time with his wife, Anna, and their 3 wild children, Charlie, Garnes, and Helena.

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Moderate to intense endurance exercise and strength training deplete glycogen stores. Sedentary behavior keeps glycogen stores full. You can empty your glycogen stores and the associated water with 30 to 45 minutes of intense cardio or strength training. It takes three to four days to empty glycogen stores if you are sedentary and not eating carbohydrates.

One of the most powerful causes of daily weight fluctuations is glycogen. Glycogen is stored glucose, which holds water in the muscle and liver and is utilized for quick energy in your muscles, to maintain blood glucose levels and to supply the brain with energy. If you are eating carbs in a normal fashion and have not just depleted your glycogen through intense exercise, then you probably have about 1 to 1.5 pounds of stored glycogen and at least four to seven pounds of water.

Did You Stop Exercising?

You are defined by your daily challenges, achievements and even your missteps. You have chosen to take on the challenge of positive change. Trust yourself, and trust that you will ultimately reach a positive result from consistently following a scientifically based nutrition and exercise game plan. The scale can go up and down daily. If you are following a plan that promotes health, you will ultimately reap the benefits.

Did You Eat Higher Carbs?

The Scale Does Not Define Your Success

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HEALTH

LEFT TO RIGHT - DAVID B. GLAZIER, MD, BRUCE C. ROWE, MD, MEGHANA GOWDA, MD, DAVID E. RAPP, MD

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IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO gain real benefits from working out, no matter when you start. Countless research studies over the past two decades confirm the indisputable benefits of exercise, and more keep coming. The most significant and prevalent findings of recent research into aging is that it is never too late to start an exercise program. Major health benefits will result, regardless of your age when you start. But getting started is the real challenge for many people. Finding the right place and program is the key to both sticking with it and finding something that gives you the results you desire. If you are new to exercise or it’s been a long time since you last exercised, consider finding a place that will help you gauge what you should be doing as well as direct you in how to get started. The Physician Referred Exercise Program, or p.r.e.p®, at acac Fitness & Wellness Center connects new exercisers to fitness professionals, an on-site nurse, and the prescribing physician to create a team of people that will guide them through the first 60 days of an exercise program. Participants commit to two 30-minute weekly sessions. In addition, they have access to a free personal training session and nutrition consultations, plus use of the fitness center for the entire 60 days. p.r.e.p.® costs only $60, and there is no commitment beyond the 60 days. However, many participants find it’s something they can stick with because the benefits are so great. “We see participants get off their high blood pressure and cholesterol meds, lose weight, and just be generally happier with life,” says nurse Cathy Adams. Prescribing physicians can receive regular updates on their patients’ progress in the program. To learn more about how to achieve your fitness goals, p.r.e.p.®, or acac Fitness and Wellness Centers, go on the web to www.acac.com or call acac Short Pump at 804-464-0990 or acac Midlothian at 804-378-1600. acac Amenities : Cardio & strength-training equipment • Functional training space • Indoor aquatics, including warm water • Supervised exercise circuit • Tennis and squash • Fully equipped locker rooms • Outdoor pools • Access to personal trainers and nutritionist • Group exercise, water exercise, and mindbody classes • Indoor track • On-site childcare

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22 Chesterfield Living

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Can Comfort Keepers Help Those with Diabetes?

eniors with diabetes face unique challenges. Your carefully selected Comfort Keeper can offer the valuable assistance that may allow diabetic clients to remain living at home. Proper care is critical since many diabetic seniors encounter a decrease in cognition, increased risk of falls, difficulties performing many activities of daily living, and depression. Our trained and caring Comfort Keepers can make sure that their diabetic clients are reminded to take all necessary medications and help them with bathing and dressing and provide nutritious meals. We can provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping and podiatric care sessions. If you have a senior loved one with diabetes, call us to see how we can assist and provide you with the necessary assistance and respite. All the home care services provided by Comfort Keepers are designed to help seniors

and others maintain optimal levels of independence in the comfort of their own homes. We are dedicated to providing in home care that enriches our clients' lives and helps them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. Please call (804) 750-1123 for more information or to schedule a complimentary in home assessment. Our non-medical care services are available 24/7. The quality of our service is due to the excellence of our caregivers. Sometimes all you need is a little assistance. Ask about our Personal Emergency Response System, a monitored personal safety device, to get emergency help when needed.

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TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING “Shop the perimeter.” These three words contained the simplest advice I’ve ever received on healthy shopping and eating. Around the perimeter of a grocery store, you find primarily fresh foods – produce, meats and fish, and dairy – while the inner aisles showcase unhealthy, processed and additive-laden foods. That advice has improved my shopping habits ever since. If instead I’d received an extensive list of appropriate versus inappropriate foods, with no overarching principle to make sense of the choices, I doubt I would have changed my ways. For other easy-to-remember tips, I reached out to some knowledgeable local resources. First, I connected with clinical dietitian Frances K. Elwood, MS, SPHR, RD, currently at Johnston-Willis Hospital and starting a new business, CommonHealth Wellness Solutions, LLC. EAT FOR HUNGER. I can pull several elements from this single tip: don’t eat just because it’s mealtime, out of boredom or because you’re watching TV; satiate between-meal hunger with healthful snacks and avoid ravenous gorging at the next meal; and don’t keep eating when full! CHOOSE A VARIETY OF REAL FOODS – WITHOUT LABELS! Easy! This just means to go for fresh, fresh foods and choose different ones to get a diversity of benefits. HEALTHY HYDRATION AND SATISFYING SLUMBER HELP TAME TEMPTATION. If you drink enough water and get enough sleep, you’ll be stronger, more alert and better able to avoid those sugar- and fat-laden, so-called treats. BE PREPARED! You never know when hunger may strike, so pack healthy, convenient snacks – such as water, stick cheese or an apple – so you don’t succumb to a candy bar or fast-food burger. Next, I ran to Paula Inserra, PhD, RD, CSSD, professor of biology at John Tyler Community College. Inserra also leads the nutrition clinic each year for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. Her advice applies to anyone, but especially to the active reader. CHOOSE FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN HEALTHY CARBOHYDRATES. This means whole grains and cereals, such as 100% whole wheat, oatmeal and brown rice. “These will provide you with the fuel you need to complete your runs,” Inserra told me. “These foods are good sources of natural fiber that will help to keep you full and, in turn, decrease possible overeating.”

By Annie Tobey

EAT PLENTY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Choose a variety of colors to ensure a variety of nutrients, she suggested. CHOOSE LEAN PROTEINS. This includes beans, soy, eggs, fish and poultry. “Protein helps to not only build and repair muscle during and after workouts but to keep you feeling full and less likely to overeat throughout the day.” COOK WITH HEALTHY FATS. Nice to know there is such a thing! Inserra recommends using canola or olive oil instead of butter, lard or shortening. My next source was Christine Wansleben, owner and culinary director of Richmond’s Mise En Place cooking school. IF YOU CAN’T GET FRESH, GO FROZEN. Producers pick fruits and vegetables at their peak and don’t need to use additives or preservatives, she explained. Canned goods, on the other hand, often contain sodium. Chopped onions and peppers, mixed berries – just use what you need and keep the remainder in the freezer. IF YOU CAN’T PRONOUNCE THE INGREDIENTS, BEWARE! When choosing packaged items, read the label. If you can’t pronounce many of the ingredients, that may not be a healthy choice. CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS. Introduce yourself and your family to a variety of foods, perhaps even from your own garden. “Kids don’t have to like all the foods,” Wansleben assured me, but new items will open their minds to the possibilities, and the products of the garden will remind all of you where food really comes from. For a different approach, I went to beauty and image expert Susie Galvez, author of nine beauty and lifestyle books. Galvez teaches women how to achieve beauty inside and out. SEIZE THE C. “Vitamin C is important in … the formation of collagen, which helps to keep your skin firm and sag-free,” she told me. “Choose Vitamin C rich foods such as berries, citrus fruits and dark green vegetables to keep your skin looking its best.” EAT LOW AND GLOW. “Low-glycemic foods, such as whole grains, legumes and sweet potatoes, tend to be higher in fiber and complex carbohydrates,” Galvez explained, “while high-glycemic foods, such as white rice, white breads and pastas, have hardly any fiber.” Pick your favorite healthy-eating tip and keep it with you. It won’t rot, spoil or go to waist! CL

24 Chesterfield Living

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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Flavor Bringing You the Best of Local Food Dining & Drinks, Recipes & News

MEAT THE CHALLENGE:

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BUTCHERS, MEAT TIPS & RECIPES

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MEAT THE CHALLENGE:

SEE WHAT LOCAL BUTCHERS HAVE TO OFFER By Annie Tobey

As a writer, I acknowledge that the word butcher holds a negative connotation: an actor butchered Hamlet’s role, a singer butchered the national anthem and the movie version butchered the masterfully written book. When using the word literally, however, the reverse is true, unless, of course, you’re an ethical vegetarian. For carnivores, a butcher turns an animal’s carcass into tasty morsels of meat, cuts that chefs and home cooks turn magically into scrumptious meals. By visiting a butcher instead of simply browsing grocery store meat cases, you benefit from professional knowledge and expertise, Tanya Cauthen of Belmont Butchery told me. “We’ve been in business for over nine years, and our primary focus is meat and charcuterie.” Belmont Butchery (15 N. Belmont Ave., Richmond, 804-422-8519, BelmontButchery.com) offers artisanal, hand-cut beef, poultry and pork. Ever prepared exotic meats? Belmont carves up meats such as camels and wild boar, as available. You can also pick up house-made sausages and charcuterie, including bacon, duck confit, pancetta, pastrami, rosemary ham and duck mousse terrine, as well as prepared foods. Cauthen, Belmont butcher, owner and a Swiss-trained chef, has plied her trade in Switzerland and Australia. She began work in the Richmond restaurant industry in 1993, opening Belmont Butchery in 2006. “We custom cut for you,” Cauthen said – large and small cuts, butterflying and other special preparations. “Get just one steak or sausage, three strips of bacon – you’re not forced to buy an entire package. Ultimately, you’re saving money by buying exactly what you need.” At a butcher, “You get higher-quality meats, better service and meats cut to order,” said Jonathan Nadolski of Nadolski’s Butcher Shop (2913 River Rd. West, Goochland, 804-556-4888, online at NadolskisButcherShop.com). The Goochland butcher prepares dry-aged beef and uses the animal’s whole carcass. Nadolski also pointed to the benefits of working with a butcher who has a culinary background, enabling customer and butcher to explore preparations, wine pairings and even potential side dishes. The discussion “takes the intimidation out of entering the world of culinary home cooking,” he added. Nadolski has been in the restaurant business since 1986 and still spends much of his free time reading recipe books and preparing new dishes. The butcher shop makes its own sausages, cures pancetta and smokes bacon. You can shop their meats as well as the wines, beer and cheeses, which have been chosen to complement the meat. “The first time you go to a butcher, buy something you’re familiar with,” Cauthen recommended. “That way you can taste the difference in quality … How would you know our tri tip or hanger steak is good if you haven’t had it before?” On your next trip, she said, you can begin exploring different options. Bring in a recipe, decide upon your preparation method (grilling or roasting, for example) and ask the butcher for a recommendation. “Most recipes call for the cuts that a grocery store has available, but not the traditional cut for a recipe,” Cauthen explained. “The more-progressive food magazines have options based on whole carcass, more traditional cuts.” 28 Chesterfield Living

Just south of the James, visit Barry, The Butcher at Bon Air (2720 Tinsley Dr., Richmond, 804323-6328, Facebook: The Butcher at Bon Air). There you’ll find certified Angus beef, ribs and other prepared entrées and side items, spices and sauces, and more. In Midlothian, The Boneyard Butcher & Seafood Shops (12046 Southshore Pointe Rd., 804-739-1500, BoneyardButcher.com) stocks certified Angus beef; heirloom pork; fresh, natural, air-chilled Bell and Evans poultry; bison; specialty cuts of meat; sausages; fresh, wild-caught seafood; and prepared food items, including crab cakes, meatloaf, stuffed peppers and seafood quiche. Better yet, The Boneyard also offers packaged beer as well as draft beer to take home in growlers! BEEF WELLINGTON COURTESY OF BONEYARD BUTCHER

BUTCHERS’ RECIPES

In this issue of Chesterfield Living magazine, we give a local butcher shop a chance to prove their chops, providing recipes to complement their wares.

Boneyard Butcher Boneyard Butcher Boneyard Beef Wellington Boneyard Beef Wellington Will Birdsong Will Birdsong Serves 4 4 6-8 ounce beef tenderloins 1 pound white mushrooms 1 shallot 1 teaspoon fresh or dried rosemary 4 tablespoons butter

4 teaspoons Dijon mustard 4 sheets of puff pastry (about 8” x 8”) 1 egg 1 tablespoon water

Sear beef tenderloins over medium-high heat for about 1 minute on each side. Place in the refrigerator to cool. To make the duxelles, chop mushrooms and shallots finely in a food processor. Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, shallots and rosemary to the melted butter. Sauté until all the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated and you’re left with a paste. Place in the refrigerator to cool. After the tenderloin and duxelles have cooled, place the puff pastry on a floured surface and roll out with a rolling pin. In the center of each puff pastry, place 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, keeping it about the size of a quarter. Then place 1 to 2 tablespoons of mushroom duxelles on top of the Dijon. Place the seared, cooled tenderloin on top of the duxelles. Wrap the puff pastry around the tenderloin and trim the excess. Seal the pastry with a little bit of water. Place the Wellingtons on a parchmentlined baking sheet with the folded side down. Pre-heat the oven to 400°. Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of water together. Brush on the top of each Beef Wellington with the egg mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown.

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FLAVOR

... A MEATY EXPANSION IN RICHMOND’S FAN A Charlottesville-based whole-animal butcher has been operating a meat counter out of Harvest Grocery & Supply at 5301 W. Main St. for nearly a year. This January, they’re expanding their presence at the market, shifting to full-service butchery, staffed full-time. By extension, the shop name is changing from Harvest Grocery to JM Stock Provisions. The reinvented shop will renew its focus on whole-animal butchery – known in restaurant lingo as nose-to-tail cooking. In short, both use the entire critter, not just the popular parts. Considered trendy, arising from The Whole Beast book by Chef Fergus Henderson, the practice is actually ancient, from our ancestral hunters to pioneers and farmers who raised their own stock. Importantly for today’s consumers, whole-animal practices are sustainable, cutting waste, improving efficiency and trimming costs. After all, a farmer can’t raise merely slices of bacon, pork chops, loins and spareribs. The pigs also come with jowls, feet and chitlins – prepared properly, even these parts can please the palate. Matthew Greene, co-owner of JM Stock Provisions, points to their commitment to local sourcing and to butchery practices that emphasize sustainable agriculture as well as humane slaughter. As part of the growth, JM Stock will increase the number of whole animals received direct and processed in the shop, allowing for more to-order cuts and for more prepared foods, including stocks, sauces and stews. The shop will also add morning ham biscuits, Saturday sandwich specials using JM Stock meats and condiments, and more charcuterie, sausages and other in-house provisions.

Interested in learning more about butchery? The butchers will offer classes, beginning with a 90-minute pig course on February 15. “JM Stock is executing a butchery program at a high level,” said Hunter Hopcroft, owner of Harvest Grocery & Supply. “They are hands-on with their farmers, very skilled at their craft, and have an intensely loyal following. By making it the cornerstone of the shop, we can offer the community something truly authentic and uncompromising.” “We are fortunate to be part of this robust local food industry and hope that our contributions will only add to its growth,” said James Lum, co-owner of JM Stock Provisions. Since Matthew Greene and James Lum opened JM Stock in 2013, the business has been awarded a 2015 Good Food Award for their Paté de Campagne, nominated for a 2016 award for their Tasso Ham and featured in Travel & Leisure, The Wall Street Journal and Richmond Magazine. The grocery element of the Richmond shop will remain strong, continuing to offer local and unique quality food, beer and wine. So next time you’ve got meat on the menu, head to one of your local butchers. What’s the wurst that could happen? CL

For more recipes from butchers around the Richmond area, visit the Flavor section of RichmondNavigator.com

THE OWNERS OF JM STOCK PROVISIONS HAVE FINE-TUNED THEIR BUSINESS IN THIS ORIGINAL CHARLOTTESVILLE LOCATION. COURTESY OF JM STOCK PROVISIONS

30 Chesterfield Living

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Hire Your Own Personal Chef for $12 per Meal

Do you ever have those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking – but you also don’t feel like having to go out to eat? Wouldn’t it be great if you had your own chef who could prepare a delicious dinner for you and your family? You may be thinking that this would be a great solution if you’d just won the lottery. But think again. One of the most surprising things about Personal Chef To Go is its affordability. Imagine enjoying delicious and nutritious meals prepared by trained, professional, seasoned chefs and delivered right to your door, all for less than $12 a meal. But wait! It gets even better. These are not simply glorified TV dinners. When you and your family sit down to share a relaxed, enjoyable meal together, you’ll be feasting on fresh, never-frozen fare that has been handcrafted to create memorable meals. Of course, healthy eating is a top priority, too. Rest assured that every meal from Personal Chef To Go has been prepared from scratch using all-natural ingredients. No preservatives or additives here! Plus, your “personal” chef has prepared your meal in strict compliance with guidelines set out by the American Heart Association as well as the American Diabetes Association. All of this without you having had to lift a finger – besides ringing the dinner bell, of course. When the family joins you at the table, you’re relaxed rather than worn out from having rushed home and gone right to work in the kitchen. Your time is valuable. Make the most of it, and still enjoy healthy, delicious and nutritious meals. Personal Chef To Go offers a plan to fit your lifestyle. Visit online to learn more. www.PersonalChefToGo.com or call 804-477-8353

INTRODUCTORY OFFER 10% OFF Any phone or online order use code AC10

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Friends, family & fun with great food and Craft Beer!

DAILY & WEEKLY SPECIALS Happy Hour 3pm - 7pm (dine in only): 1/2 price Appetizers and Drink Specials

Featuring 30 Rotating Local and National Craft Beers 2 for $20.00 $ Tuesdays! Beer to go and Growler fill specials on Sundays Wine Down Wednesday wine bottle specials

Starting February Saturday & Sunday Brunch from 9-3

804-744-0111

Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 11:30am-9:30pm

4824 Market Square Lane • Midlothian, VA www.sergiosva.com 32 Chesterfield Living

2016 marksthe the 2016 marks 20th Anniversary 20th Anniversary of Chesterfield of Chesterfield Living, We we are Living. are proudto to be proud beaapart part ofthe the Chesterfield of Chesterfield Community. community. Sharing the best Sharing the best that the County that the county has to offer, from has to offer, from restaurants to restaurants to personal wellness personal to home wellness décor. to home décor.

ISO

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

In Search Of: Soups Positive Vibe & Urban Farmhouse

RACHEL MARSH

Positive Vibe – Sharp Cheddar and Ale Soup

Urban Farmhouse – Tomato Bisque with Rice Urban Farmhouse was founded in Shockoe Bottom in 2010 to bring the farm to town, providing area residents with local, wholesome food in a warm, rustic environment. Since then, the concept has grown beyond its roots, including its Chesterfield location. Like other Urban Farmhouse dishes, the healthy, all-natural soups vary with seasonal availability – including this rich, satisfying tomato bisque with rice. Nothing artificial, no MSG, yeast extracts, preservatives, additives, hydrogenated oils or modified food starches. Just yummy goodness! 13872 Coalfield Commons Pl., Midlothian 804-378-3366 | TheUrbanFarmhouse.net

This Stratford Hill restaurant gives you positive vibes from your soul to your palate. You see, besides creating tasty food, Positive Vibe Café provides training and food service experience to people with disabilities, building their abilities, self-confidence and employment opportunities. Talented local chefs assist with menu development, highlighting local, natural and organic ingredients. The vegetarian sharp cheddar and ale soup is the perfect pairing of tangy cheese and a touch of malty ale, topped with pretzel croutons. Not a vegetarian? The kitchen will add some bacon to the soup, too! 2825 Hathaway Rd., Richmond 804-560-9622 | PositiveVibeRVA.com

RACHEL MARSH

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ISO

In Search Of: Soups Tavern 19 & Latitude

COURTESY OF TAVERN 19

Tavern 19 – She Crab Soup

Latitude – Latitude Lobster Bisque Fresh fish delivered daily, to be paired with one of 45 wines, 49 beers or 15 craft cocktails – such is your ocean-air paradise at Latitude Seafood Co. at Westchester Commons. Even the menu tickles the imagination: hellfire shrimp, ceviche, salmon avocado salad, herb-crusted wild grouper, scratch sides, desserts, plus meats and more. Begin your meal with the Latitude lobster bisque. Starting the scratch soup with a stock made from vegetables and nine, yes nine, lobsters, the chef continues by adding heavy cream and seasonings, dry sherry and brandy. You’ll want to savor every bite of this creamy richness with chunks of lobster! 15532 WC Commons Way, Westchester Commons, Midlothian 804-379-8100 | LatitudeSeafoodCo.com

RACHEL MARSH

34 Chesterfield Living

After 18 holes at Independence Golf Club, you can stop by Tavern 19 to revisit those amazing shots as well as the ones that made you question your devotion to the game. Or you can come here simply in search of great food. The menu includes soups, salads and thincrust pizzas for a light repast and entrées with a choice of two hearty sides. The she crab soup, a customer favorite, begins with a sherry and crab stock base, finished with cream and jumbo lump crabmeat. The flavors of Old Bay and parsley garnish the flavors of the creamy delight. Tavern 19 at Independence Golf Club 600 Founders Bridge Blvd., Midlothian 804-601-8611 | IndependenceGolfClub.com/tavern-19/

ISO

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

In Search Of: Soups Howlett's Tavern & Awful Arthur's

RACHEL MARSH

Howlett’s Tavern – French Onion Soup

Awful Arthur’s – Oyster Stew Combine fresh seafood with stellar preparation for a glorious taste of ocean delight. Awful Arthur’s at Sycamore Square in Midlothian serves up just that perfect combination: an extensive raw bar, seafood platters prepared grilled, blackened, broiled or fried, crab balls, shrimp in many preparations, tuna and more. Even landlubbers can enjoy the steak, chicken, sandwiches and other delicious fare. An Awful Arthur fan favorite, their traditional oyster stew is prepared to order: succulent oysters in a creamy soup base. You’ll practically hear the seagulls! 1300 Sycamore Square, Midlothian 804-893-4093 | AwfulArthurs.com

Great food and a cozy atmosphere define Howlett’s Tavern in the heart of Chester. Local favorites include prime rib, crabcakes and other seafood, and juicy steaks. You can also stop by for their extensive lunch menu and made-from-scratch desserts. Kick off your meal with the savory French onion soup. A rich broth with bits of onion soaks in to the homemade croutons, all topped with melted provolone cheese. The cheese presents with a crispy flambéed top and plenty of that gooey cheesy goodness – oh my! 3530 Festival Park Plaza, Chester 804-930-1034 | HowlettsTavernChester.com

RACHEL MARSH

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Come in and try out any of our 100 taps...30 at our Centralia location and 70 at our new Bellgrade location! With that many options you're sure to find something that will keep you coming back again and again.

Weekly Specials

Monday - $5 burgers starting at 6pm (with beverage purchase)

Tuesday - Kick the Keg(s) with 1/2 price pints of select drafts

Wednesday - 1/2 PRICE GROWLER FILLS ALL DAY! Thursday - Come in for our beer braised brat and any $6 pint for $10...all day!

Friday - Chalkboard specials kick off at 5pm. We

change up our entrees weekly so we can provide you with the freshest ingredients we can get our hands on...come out and see what we can do! Saturday - Beer school at 4pm at both locations Sunday - Brunch coming soon...Yum! We're a gastropub, so pairing our beverages with incredible food is what we're all about. We look to local vendors to compliment our food offerings and local breweries to complete our tap lists. BE ON THE LOOKOUT IN THE NEW YEAR FOR NEW MENU ITEMS AND NEW CRAFT COCKTAILS!

804-454-0605 www.brewgastropub.com Chesterfield Meadows Shopping Cntr. 6525 Centralia Road Chesterfield, VA

36 Chesterfield Living

The Shoppes at Bellgrade 11400 West Huguenot Road Midlothian, VA 23113

tastebudz

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

LEARNING HANDS-ON IN THE KITCHEN AT MAX'S POSITIVE VIBE CAFE. COURTESY OF MAX'S POSITIVE VIBE CAFE

SHARING POSITIVE VIBES

When Garth Larcen and his son Max opened Max’s Positive Vibe Cafe nearly 11 years ago, their intention was to create restaurant jobs and offer training for persons with physical and cognitive disabilities. Garth, who had operated a restaurant previously, returned to the business in order to provide work for Max, who has a form of Muscular Dystrophy. Garth told his son, who could not find work due to his disability, “You’re not going to get off that easily.” He said that he and Max felt that perhaps they might be training from five to 20 disabled persons a year for restaurant positions. “When we opened in January, 2005,” Garth said, “we hired about 16 persons with disabilities for various part-time jobs, such as hosts, dishwashers, bussers and some kitchen prep positions.” The original employees didn’t have the benefit of formal training. “It was just on-the-job,” said Garth. “About six months later, we began our training program.” When the Larcens hold a graduation ceremony for their current master program, they will be honoring their 1,000th graduate. Pretty

remarkable when you consider they have achieved this in less than 11 years and that their original goal was to train about 20 people per year. However, the training program proved to be so valuable that typical classes today have eight students. “We now have two different classes [two-hours each] every day for four weeks,” Garth said. The students also have to do an internship in the restaurant to better understand the real nuts and bolts of the restaurant business. “We never charge a tuition,” Garth said. “Each student who is accepted is offered a scholarship. Students come from local high schools throughout the Richmond metro area. Some students are referred from private rehab facilities as well.” The training program is funded exclusively by Positive Vibe Café through profits from the restaurant operation, fundraising events and private donations. For more information, visit PositiveVibeRVA.com. Better yet, visit the restaurant and enjoy a great meal, including one of Positive Vibe’s fantastic hamburgers, made with locally raised, grassfed beef.

tastebudz AN AWFUL DEAL

As a reminder, each day at RichmondNavigator. com we present our TasteBudz Dealz of the Day. We scour the city looking for “Kids Eat Free” specials, or that two-buck burger deal, or any other budgetpleasing specials that may be out there. One of my favorite Chesterfield restaurants, regardless of whether they have a deal or not, is Awful Arthur’s in the Sycamore Square Shopping Center in Midlothian. But they really do have some Awful deals … Awful good, that is. For instance (and this is one of my favorites), every Wednesday they offer a full pound of steamed shrimp for just $15. I wasn’t sure I could eat a pound by myself, but you’ll be proud of me. I finished them off with ease. They offer fried, scampi and Alfredo shrimp dishes for 12 bucks on Wednesdays as well.

FIND GREAT DEALS ON ALL TYPES OF SEAFOOD AT AWFUL ARTHUR'S. COURTESY OF AWFUL ARTHUR'S

38 Chesterfield Living

Ringing the Beer Bell

Out in the country, the clanging of the dinner bell means head home to eat a hearty meal. Here in Chesterfield, Steam Bell Beer Works will soon be beckoning us to drink, a call I’m happy to answer. Chesterfield’s first craft beer brewery will soon be pouring to the public from its tasting room at 1717 E. Oak Lake Blvd. in Midlothian – that’s near 360 and 288, off Genito Rd., so convenient and easy to get to from all areas of the county and then some. “Buildout is progressing pretty quickly,” owner Brad Cooper told us. “[I’m] looking to getting up and running late January or early February.” In naming his brewery, Cooper plays off his last name, which traditionally meant “barrel maker.” In barrel making, a steam bell is used to steam wooden staves so that they’re soft and pliable. The barrel theme also carries into the beer portfolio, which will include barrel-aged, sour and Brett beers.

FLAVOR

THE BREWERY, STEAM BELL BEER WORKS, IS ALMOST UP AND RUNNING. COURTESY OF STEAM BELL BEER WORKS UPTOWN ALLEY OFFERS FUN, FOOD, GAMES, MUSIC AND DRINKS. COURTESY OF UPTOWN ALLEY

PLAYOFFS AND PIZZA

Put ’em together and you get the Playoff Pizza from Uptown Alley. With a month full of NFL playoffs ahead of us, this is a great time of the year for both football fans as well as pizza lovers. Paul Spada, GM at Uptown Alley, is asking patrons to count touchdowns and not calories as they enjoy what sounds like an amazing pizza. Here’s how the folks at Uptown Alley are describing it: “A 16” pizza with kicking chili, cheddar, jack, pickled jalapeños, bacon, pepperjack queso and scallions, topped with pulled pork and fries!” You can eat in or take out – either way it’s just $21. Of course, if you eat in, you can chow down on pizza while you watch the playoff games in their fantastic sports theater with a 16-foot projection screen and more than 70 HDTVs. Uptown Alley is located at 6101 Brad McNeer Parkway in Midlothian.

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HAPPY H OU R G UI D E

TEMPLE HILL

Sergio’s Authentic Pizza & Pasta 4824 Market Square Ln., Midlothian 804-744-0111 | SergiosVa.com Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m. All drafts - $2 off 10-oz. pours - $1 off All appetizers - ½ off One More Thing Sergios’s features 30 rotating local and national craft beers.

Sedona Taphouse

15732 WC Commons Way, Midlothian 804-379-0037 | SedonaTaphouse.com Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m. All drafts - ½ off House martinis and margaritas - $5 House wine - $3 Corona and Corona Light - $3 Flatbreads (except canyon crab) - $5 2 Kobe sliders - $5 Fish taco - $5 One More Thing Happier Hour runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday with $3 for select drafts; $5 for cosmo, apple, and vodka and gin martinis; $3 house wines and Corona/Corona Light; and the same appetizer specials as offered during happy hour.

Joe’s Inn at Bon Air

2616 Buford Rd. 804-320-9700 | JoesInnBonAir.com Monday through Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m. Sundays, all day Legend drafts - $3 Bud Lite/Miller Lite - $2 House wines - $2.75 Well liquor - $3 One More Thing Although there are no appetizer specials during happy hour, Joe’s Inn at Bon Air serves a bruschetta for $7.95 that’s big enough to feed a (small) army.

Tazza Kitchen

1244 Alverser Plaza, Midlothian 804-415-6224 | TazzaKitchen.com Monday through Friday, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Select cocktails - $5.50 Spanish house wine (red and white) - $5 Featured Italian wine (red and white) - $5 All drafts and cans - $1 off Guacamole - $5 Five-spice chicken taco - $3.50 Chorizo taco - $3.50 Flautas - $5 One More Thing Tazza Kitchen also offers nostalgic cans of National Bohemian, Tecate and Genessee Cream Ale during happy hour for $2.50 each. 40 Chesterfield Living

Riptides Seafood Restaurant 11212 Iron Bridge Rd., Chester 804-748-8899 | RiptidesSeafood.com Tuesday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. 16-oz. drafts - $1 off House wine - $1 off Rail liquor - $2 off Margaritas - $2 off One More Thing Riptides offers special dining discounts each night. For instance, on Tuesdays, enjoy a 12oz. slow-roasted prime rib for $22.95.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY *All happy hour specials contained in this guide are subject to change and may be discontinued without notice.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

ROBERT THOMAS

Celebrating our 16th Year in Richmond

Private Rooms are available for up to 70 guests. Please visit our website for more information.

2015

RichmondNavigator.com 41

Events Calendar FEBRUARY 17 – 21 VIRGINIA WINE EXPO

Enjoy Virginia and Italian wines, craft beers, whiskeys, ciders, artisan burgers, smoked cuisine, specialty food and more at the nation’s premier single-region wine and food event. Greater Richmond Convention Center and nearby venues, 403 North Third St. For tickets and more information visit VirginiaWineExpo.com

JANUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 20 CHASING YOUR ANCESTORS: BEGINNING GENEALOGY

The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia (CHSV) offers a six-class course, meeting on consecutive Saturdays at 1 p.m. The classes discuss compiling pedigree charts and family group sheets; establishing proof of reliable sources; abstracting pertinent facts from federal census records; using online research sources; genealogy by mail; and compiling oral histories. $25/person, $5 discount for CHSV members. Class size limited and registration required. Held in the society research library located in Historic Trinity Church, 10111 Iron Bridge Rd. in Chesterfield. For more information, call instructor Betty Kot at 303-520-2903. Register at ChesterfieldHistory.org

FEBRUARY 27 RVA PLUNGE WINTER FEST

JANUARY 28 – MARCH 5 THE LITTLE LION

Set in and around the Kovno ghetto in Lithuania during World War II, the story chronicles the struggle of a Jewish family to survive, including the heroic efforts of teenager Laibale Gillman, known as The Little Lion. Thursday through Saturday evenings, 8 p.m.; matinees on select dates, 2:30 p.m. Theatre only, $38 (plus service charge); buffet & theatre, $55 (plus service charge and meal tax). Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., South Chesterfield. SwiftCreekMill.com

Wear your swimsuit and take a cold plunge into the winter water at the RVA Plunge Winter Fest and raise money for Special Olympics. This year at its new location at The Shops at Willow Lawn. Online registration is strongly encouraged, but if you can’t register online, download a printable pledge and registration form to take on event day. PolarPlunge.com

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Events Calendar NOW – March 26 A WINTER’S FARMERS’ MARKET

Each Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., a winter farmers’ market will be held in the perennial greenhouse at Boulevard Flower Gardens. This market will offer locally produced seasonal vegetables, fruit, eggs, poultry, beef, pork, flowers, bread, cheese, pasta and other foods. Local artisans will have jewelry, clothing, wooden toys and other items. 2100 Ruffin Mill Rd., South Chesterfield. 804-526-4000. BoulevardFlowerGardens.com

March 12 1964 THE TRIBUTE

“Best Beatles tribute on Earth,” said Rolling Stone magazine. This rocking tribute band takes audiences on a musical journey to one of rock history’s most memorable eras. Choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era, “1964” astonishingly recreates an early-60’s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter. Appearing at the Carpenter Theatre for one night only, at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Carpenter Theatre and Altria Theater box offices, by phone at 800-514-ETIX or online at Etix.com RichmondCenterStage.com.

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to all of the wonderful families that have allowed me to be of assistance in 2015. You have made it a truly wonderful year.

2015 Sales

If you or anyone you know needs help buying or selling a home in 2016 donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to give me a call.Â

Cell: (804) 536-6100 Office: (804) 545-4128 Fax: (804) 545-4129

Jared@CentralVARealty.com 11551-D Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059

RichmondNavigator.com 45

By Angela Weight

Bright Ideas for Lighting Up Your Home … And Your Spirit We’re all painfully aware that winter nights are longer than their summertime counterparts, but have you ever noticed that they seem darker, too? This isn’t simply the cold temperatures playing tricks on our brains. The sun actually sets lower into the horizon each evening, making the nighttime sky appear a little darker than it was, say, back in July. Even daylight hours are often gloomy and overcast. Having the right kinds of home lighting this time of year can make quite a difference both indoors and out. Check out these bright ideas in residential lighting. Not only will they add safety, security and beauty to your surroundings, but they might just brighten your spirits as well. OUTDOOR LIVING BRANDS

Outdoor Lighting = Curb Appeal and Security Homes with ample exterior lighting are much less likely to be burglarized than their “in-the-dark” neighbors. Aptly named because it looks like the full moon shining down through the trees, moon lighting is subtle, yet impactful. According to Jason Holder, chief designer at Virginia Outdoor Lighting, the effect is created by installing a large LED light high up in a tree and angling it toward the ground. “This type of down-lighting does a great job of adding a soft ambiance to the backyard,” he said. Path lighting along walkways and borders has long been popular for adding safety and highlighting selected landscape features. But even these long-time luminary staples are evolving. According to Erin Zide of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives in Richmond, homeowners are opting for taller individual fixtures with large radiuses to do the job of a half dozen closely spaced, staked path lights.

“One of these larger fixtures placed every 12 to 15 feet will do the job of a whole row of smaller lights,” Zide said. “I recommend fixtures with all-natural metals, like bronze or copper, that will patina over time. They blend in beautifully with landscaping during the day and do great things at night.” In addition to the classic standard porch and perimeter floodlights, security-conscious homeowners are using automation tools like duskto-dawn photocell sensors and GPS-directed astronomical timers to manage their outdoor lighting. Devices like these are especially helpful to those of us who are frequently away from home. They detect when the sun rises and sets each day and turn exterior lights on and off accordingly.

OUTDOOR LIVING BRANDS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

High-Tech Tools = Comfort and Convenience Inside WiFi enabled switches, such as Belkin’s WeMo, enable you to turn your home’s lights on and off (and even dim them) from anywhere, using an app on your smart phone. Forget to flip off the lights before heading out the door? No problem! These high-tech tools allow you to give the appearance that you’re at home, even if you’re vacationing on the other side of the globe. BELKIN INTERNATIONAL,INC.

This same technology makes staying in for the night easier, too. It used to be that coming home from a long day at work and fumbling your way into a dark house was just part of life. Today, with the right switches and apps, you can click a button on your smartphone labeled “coming home” and be greeted by a bright and welcoming entryway, with the task lighting in your bar area ready and waiting for you. A few hours later, when you’re curled up in bed, click the button labeled “good night,” and your bedroom lighting will slowly fade to black.

These are just two examples of the hundreds of lighting “scenes” you can create based on your lifestyle and comfort needs. A residential lighting professional can make this helpful household technology part of your everyday life. Not quite ready for such a high-tech leap? Here’s a smaller change that can yield notable benefits. LED, or light-emitting diode illumination, continues to surge in popularity. Today’s LED bulbs are seven times more efficient and can last up to 25 times longer than their traditional counterparts. Over time, this can lead to noticeable savings on your utility bill. To brighten those unfortunate rooms in your home where natural light is a scarcity, try adding a torch light or uplighting floor lamp. These energy and cost-efficient fixtures do a great job of filling the space with warm illumination. For those of us who struggle with wintertime depression (seasonal affective disorder) and sleep disorders, full spectrum indoor lighting may offer help in alleviating these conditions. During gray winter days more than ever, our bodies crave the sun’s rays, which often aren’t available. Full spectrum lighting, found at home improvement stores and online retailers, mimics natural, health-promoting light by providing a more even distribution of wavelengths throughout the visible color spectrum. For bright ideas that are unique to your property and lifestyle, make an appointment with a local lighting specialist. They’ll design a plan to fit your budget, take care of installation and even teach you how to use your new lighting tools. HL

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Is It Time for an Estate Planning Check-Up? By Irene C. Delcamp, Esquire Barnes & Diehl, P.C.

elieve it or not, one critical financial planning tool is very often neglected. You know you should have one, but you just keep putting it off: your will. Other basic estate-planning documents most people need to consider include the general power of attorney or durable power of attorney; advance medical directives or living wills; and trusts. You should consult an attorney regarding each of these.

The first step towards taking control of your financial future is meeting with an estate-planning attorney to discuss what best suits your situation and plans. Each of these core documents has a distinct function, and each can be very useful in taking control of your healthcare, long-term future care and finances. Your plan can also relieve your family of many difficulties upon your death.

Why (and When) a Will

Major life events may make it necessary to have an “estate planning check-up,” including a new marriage, the death of a loved one or a growing family. Whatever the reason, it is always prudent to take control of the future of your estate. Without clear instructions regarding the distribution of your assets, your loved ones could be left with a great deal of work in locating, valuing, managing and distributing the assets. A cohesive, updated will simplifies the probate process and may eliminate the need for probate or reduce probate costs. How does the testate process (with a will) compare to the intestate process (without a will)? Both situations involve going through the probate process. However, without a will, Virginia law determines the manner in which property is distributed, including the apportionment of transfer taxes and the source of funds to settle up the decedent’s debts. The 48 Chesterfield Living

best way to control how your assets are spent, therefore, is to have a will that has taken advantage of appropriate premortem and postmortem tax planning. This will allow you the opportunity to minimize transfer taxes and income taxes stemming from your estate.*

What Is in Your “Estate”?

Look first at what is not typically included in an estate: bank accounts that are POD (payable on death), retirement plans that include beneficiary designations (unless you name your estate as the beneficiary), most life insurance policies and real estate held as tenants by the entirety (TBE). Oftentimes, these assets already have a built-in mechanism wherein a beneficiary or co-owner automatically assumes ownership interest in the asset when you die. For instance, typically, a home owned by husband and wife together will become the wife’s property after husband passes away when the home is held by the parties jointly as tenants by the entirety with rights of survivorship (TBE). Check the status of all such designations and titles of assets prior to embarking upon the estate-planning process with an attorney. Bringing copies of such materials to your consultation provides the attorney with a clear picture of your estate. In your will, you may leave your beneficiaries gifts of personal property (such as jewelry

or family heirlooms), real estate, intangible assets (business interests and brokerage accounts) and money. You may also leave specific burial instructions in your will. Your will also distributes the residuary estate (i.e., the part of your estate that remains after debts, expenses and taxes as well as bequests and gifts are satisfied). Everything must be distributed. The provision of your will referring to the residuary estate serves as a “catch-all,” preventing assets from being undistributed.

Basic Transfer Tax Considerations

Identifying the net value of your estate (the federal gross estate less deductions) is important in determining tax implications. The Tax Act provides a tax exemption for estates that are valued now under the amount of $5.4 million dollars. Knowing the value of your gross estate, therefore, is critical. If your estate is not exempt, the estate-planning process will be more complex because you will want to identify the best ways to minimize transfer, estate and income taxes.

Special Provisions Regarding Your Children

Many people mistakenly believe that you can assign custody of your children in your will. While this notion would be reassuring to the parents, it is not entirely true. What you can do is leave a statement of your wishes with

...

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

respect to the future custody of your children. The executor should provide your will to the court for consideration in determining custody of your children. What happens when you leave property to a beneficiary, such as one of your children, who is under the age of 18? Or, what if he or she is an adult, but you feel they are too young to inherit and manage a substantial lump of assets or money? The approach most lawyers take is drafting a will that provides for a testamentary trust taking care of children’s assets and funds, outlining a schedule of distribution so that the beneficiary receives sums of money or percentages at certain ages: for instance, 25 percent at age 21, 25 percent at age 25, and the remainder at age 30.

When May a Trust Be Appropriate?

Trusts (transferring property to be held by a trustee for a beneficiary) come in several forms, including revocable, irrevocable, and others. A revocable trust can be revoked, altered and amended; an irrevocable trust typically cannot, and may also involve gift tax considerations. Under certain conditions, trusts can provide significant tax advantages. For instance, when a grantor of an irrevocable trust has turned over all power over the assets, the grantor may not be taxed on the income generated by the assets in the trust and those assets may not be part of his federal gross estate. Another potential advantage to having a trust is that the assets may be transferred without going through probate.

Other Important Estate-planning Tools

The general power of attorney grants your trusted agent the power to manage your affairs in the event you are unable to do so. You should specifically outline all of your agent’s rights and responsibili-

ties to avoid later pitfalls. The advance medical directive empowers your trustee/agent(s) with the ability to tell your treating physician when it’s time to withhold lifeprolonging measures set in place if you are ever completely incapacitated. Sure enough, the subject matter of these documents is bleak enough to encourage procrastination, but it is better to be prepared. An attorney can assist you and guide you.

Conclusion

Estate planning documents give you the control that old age, death and disability take away, enabling your wishes to be carried out and providing peace of mind. Review your estate planning documents – is it time for a check-up?

Irene Delcamp is enjoying her ninth year at Barnes & Diehl, where she practices family law and estate planning. She began her legal career as a prosecutor in the juvenile court for Henrico County. She is an active member of the Virginia Bar Association, where she serves on the Domestic Relations Council for her seventh consecutive year. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002 and from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2005. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Irene Delcamp and her husband, Dudley, live in Midlothian with their three children. *Paragraph 3.7, COMPARISON OF TESTACY AND INTESTACY, page 126-27, Estate Planning in Virginia (2014).

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HOME:

Everyone Needs Their Space By Annie Tobey

Home.

Yes, it provides that welcoming space for living life together with family, for sharing memorable times with loved ones and for entertaining friends. But home also shelters us as individuals, granting opportunities for renewal and relaxation and meeting personal needs. Aware of the need for alone time, today’s builders and decorators create spaces that meet the needs of individual family members, building homes to accommodate these personal time or utilizing existing spaces. “A lot of move-up buyers are looking for four bedrooms and a loft,” Lloyd Poe of LifeStyle Builders told me. “The loft can be converted to a fifth bedroom (or) a second-story family space … suitable for a media room, game room and kids’ gathering area upstairs.”

50 Chesterfield Living

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... RELAXING SPACES

Consider what relaxes each of you and build that into your home: reading in a comfy-cozy chair; soft music; candles; a fireplace. Perhaps you’re relaxed by nature: if a great view awaits outside your house, ensure a window to the outdoors; if not, use art and natural colors to simulate your restful habitat. If your home can be noisy at times (with enthusiastic fans of video games, sports or music), be sure this room has a door, white noise or noise-cancelling headphones! For spa relaxation, think hot tub, steam room, relaxing colors, mood lighting, heated floors – those touches that put cleanliness next to “ahhhh.”

HOBBY ROOMS

Having dedicated space for a hobby enthusiast’s materials and equipment makes pursuit of the hobby more enjoyable while enabling opportunities to work even in quick snatches (sometimes, that’s all that any of us have these days). A dedicated space may result in creative products and a more relaxed hobbyist!

PERFECT BEDROOMS

My recent exploration of open houses in Hallsley revealed two masterful master bedroom layouts (The Perkins, built by Ray Williams Custom Homes; and The Barrett, by Biringer Builders). Besides the main doorway, the bedroom had a separate door to the master bathroom and from thence to the closet, which had its own door to the hallway – meaning one spouse can dress and exit without disturbing the other. Perfect for those couples with varying schedules and internal clocks! Another convenient new feature, said Poe, are more elaborate closets off of the owner’s suite, housing islands with countertops, a vanity, built-in shoe racks and jewelry cases, drawers, mirrors and more. Convenience plus organization equals time-savings and sanity!

WORK SPACES

Having handy, well-equipped areas to chip away at the to-do list can make chores less unpleasant. In describing home-building trends, Poe mentioned spatial allocation, wherein multiple tasks are being combined into one room. For example, he said, “Coming in off of the garage, there will be a bench, hooks, cubbies and cell phone plug-ins. Then off of that transitional entrance space, there may be a (laundry room), craft area and desk for bills, etc.”

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KIDS’ SPACES

Like many other kids, I once asked my mom why there wasn’t a kids’ equivalent to Mother’s Day. “Because every day is Children’s Day,” she replied to her selfcentered offspring! Most kids don’t need many more at-home perks, but creating appealing spaces for younger family members can simultaneously grant the adults some quiet respite elsewhere in the house. A well-equipped space may be more inviting to your children’s friends, too, giving you the peace of mind of knowing where they are. Falcone Custom Homes created an adorable kids’ room in Hallsley. The room above the garage utilized the sloping ceiling to create a crawl-through space at one end, perfect for pretend play, with windows between the crawl-through and the room, practically begging for a puppet show. Homes can create the atmosphere for healthy family time, but they also nurture individual rejuvenation – meaning we’re more likely to have the positive attitude and patience for quality interactions with loved ones!

RichmondNavigator.com 53

National Recognition for the 2015 Massey Street of Hope

ast West Communities coordinated the 2015 Massey Street of Hope in the Hallsley community September 11-27, 2015, raising an unprecedented $1 million for VCU Massey Cancer Center. In recognition of their efforts at Hallsley, East West has received a Best Community Spirit Silver Award from the National Association of Home Builders and is being considered for the overall gold award for the Massey Street of Hope. The total contributions came from several creative avenues. First, eight fully decorated designer homes were open for tour on Massey Hope Street, hosting over 10,000 visitors. In addition, Perkinson Homes and other vendors, including East West Communities and Ferguson, contributed to building the Home of Hope, a beautiful 2,846-square-foot Maine cottage-style residence that was sold with proceeds going to Massey. Ticket sales from special events, a matching grant of $337,500 and generous sponsorships also contributed to the benefit. “East West Communities has been overwhelmed by the generosity of our builders, sponsors and supporters,” said Kathy Pearson, COO and CFO East West Partners. “The success of the Massey Street of Hope surpassed our expectations and would not have been possible without the countless many that worked on and contributed to this event.” VCU Massey Cancer Center (www.massey.vcu.edu), designated by the National Cancer Institute as a leader in America’s cancer research efforts, works with all kinds of cancers in research, treatments and cutting-edge clinical trials as well as in oncology education, teaching and training

54 Chesterfield Living

and in cancer prevention education. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by discovering, developing, delivering and teaching effective means to prevent, detect, treat and ultimately cure cancer. “Massey Street of Hope was a great experience and we are enormously grateful to East West Communities and all of the sponsors for their efforts,” said Becky Massey, Co-Chair of Massey Cancer Center Research for Life Campaign. At Hallsley, East West Communities has demonstrated its experience in developing successful environmentally sensitive, master-planned communities with resort-style amenities. The developer created the Hallsley Residents Club, featuring a clubhouse with outdoor entertainment areas, waterpark-like pool, treehouse playground, playhouse village, tennis, sand volleyball, a 120-foot zipline, dog park, six miles of nature trails, fishing pond with dock, bocce ball, and full-time director to provide year-round events for residents of all ages. The company has sold has sold 160 homes since January 1, 2015, averaging over $600,000 per home. Hallsley was named “Best Community in Richmond” by the Home Builders Association of Richmond and voted “2015 Best Community by readers of Richmond Magazine and the Richmond TimesDispatch. Daniel Jones, East West Communities vice president and project manager for Hallsley said, “Even during a stagnant job growth year for Richmond, Hallsley’s sales soared due to its appeal across all age groups. It features a diverse offering of housing styles and pricing, plus residents enjoy a wide array of

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

resort-like amenities, events and activities.â&#x20AC;? The Nationals sales and marketing award program will be held at the 2016 International Builders Show in Las Vegas on January 19. The gold winner award will also be announced that evening. CL

RichmondNavigator.com 55

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COURTESY OF THE OMNI HOMESTEAD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Awash in the Beauty and Tranquility of Bath County By Steve Cook

It was a pleasant mid-fall afternoon when I turned off Interstate 85 near Staunton. I was heading towards Bath County. While I had grown up in the mountains of Virginia, in Franklin County, I had never spent any time in this neck of the woods. Almost immediately, as I made my ascent into the mountains, a warm feeling of nostalgia washed over me. It was as if I were coming home, but even better. I couldn’t put my finger on it. It was like I was awash in a certain feeling of peace and contentment that I normally only feel when I’ve had a few sips of my favorite cocktail. The next evening, while visiting Garth Newel Music Center in Hot Springs in Bath County, Shawn Puller, the executive director there, made an observation that helped me to better understand the feelings that I had been experiencing since I started up winding state Route 42. Perhaps I should start by telling you a bit about Garth Newel. First tip, don’t make the mistake that I made and ask, “Who is Garth Newel?” “There is no ‘who,’” said Puller. “Garth Newel is a Welsh phrase that means ‘new house.’” Puller shared the fascinating history of this facility. You can read that history on their website (GarthNewel.org). The venue, a restored barn, offers an amazingly unique and intimate performance center showcasing chamber music. The Garth Newel Piano Quartet performs over 50 concerts a year there. But here’s what makes this somewhat unique. After each evening’s performance, the audience sits down at communal tables, with the performers, to enjoy a truly delicious fivestar meal. The venue’s website quite accurately describes it this way: “Shared gourmet meals, the exquisite Bath County setting, and some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet make each visit a one-of-a-kind experience.” Puller explained that this interaction of, oftentimes, total strangers, who have, for whatever reason, been drawn there makes for some fascinating conversations. That leads me to his reply to my question as to why anyone would think to put a world-class chamber music center in the middle of the mountains of western Virginia. I could understand a bluegrass music hall, but chamber music? “Sit for a minute,” Puller replied. “This area calls you to be here, to be still, to be quiet, to become mindful.” He paused for a moment before proceeding. “I get choked up when I think about it,” he admitted. “There’s a spiritual quality to this place. When I first came over Warm Springs Mountain, I felt the world falling away. It was a moment of Shangri-La. Something is different here. I think that happens here. I don’t know why, but it happens.” I realized that the emotions that continue to impact Puller, even after years of having lived in the region, were very similar to the feelings I was experiencing. RichmondNavigator.com 57

TRAVEL He continued. “I don’t think Garth Newel should exist here. Can you imagine anything more esoteric than chamber music in an old barn? Classical music requires something of you … to sit still and to listen. It calls you into stillness and quiet. It shouldn’t be here, but this is the only place it could be.”

COURTESY OF GARTH NEWEL MUSIC CENTER

COURTESY OF THE OMNI HOMESTEAD

I didn’t fully appreciate just how special Garth Newel is until our group had enjoyed our meal and a magnificent performance by the quartet. Garth Newel, like the county in which it resides, offers something very unique. While there are a variety of amenities designed to cater to the interests of all, the area set in the majestic highlands of western Virginia do inspire one to be still, to listen. Bath County was so named due to the many hot and warm springs throughout the region. Those springs have drawn folks to the relaxing, curative waters for thousands of years. The Homestead Resort, which will mark its 250 years in existence in 2016, has provided luxurious accommodations for many of those seeking such respite.

In the early 19th century, Thomas Jefferson soaked in the warm waters at what is now known as the Jefferson Pools. The gentlemen’s pool, built in 1761, is the oldest such wooden spa in the nation. There are both men’s and women’s pools, housed in separate wooden structures. And while The Omni Homestead’s amenities, including the fabulous Aqua Thermal Suite, are world class, there is still a pervading feeling of peace and quiet. The Omni Homestead offers many Shangri-La moments. For those who perhaps yearn for an even more authentic going-back-home moment, I’d recommend the Vine Cottage Inn, which sits virtually next door to the Homestead. “It’s really like coming home to Grandma’s,” said Jonah Windham, who along with his wife, Jo, has operated this comfortable bed and breakfast since 2004. “Have you ever seen a movie where everyone gathers at the old home place?” Windham asked. “That’s what the inn is like. It’s not a dark, harsh hotel.” One thing for certain, Grandma would have a hard time duplicating the delicacies that Jo Windham serves up for breakfast at the inn. Fresh-baked pastries greeted us each morning, followed by eggs and bacon, or perhaps apple pancakes or waffles. The rooms are cozy, comfortable and beautifully appointed. And you have your own private bathroom. You’ll sleep well. While I didn’t stay there, I visited Fort Lewis Lodge. My, what a true get-away-from it-all experience this resort offers. Mountains, forests, fields and stream provide the setting. Owners John and Caryl Cowden provide the rest, including Caryl’s culinary magic for breakfast and dinner, which are included with your stay. There is something very special about Bath County. It offers a variety of activities for those who want to commune with nature, to lie back and relax or to enjoy world-class cuisine. Though Shawn Puller had keyed in on the same emotions I felt when first arrived, perhaps Maggie Anderson, director of

tourism and economic development for the county, expressed it most eloquently. She told me, “The first time I came here to visit from Los Angeles, which was then my home, I felt a shift. It was tangible. There is something special here. It is like living in a Disney movie – a storybook place.” I can almost hear Bath County calling me home. And I’m listening. Anderson summed it up this way, “You know you have entered an almost sacred space. It stays with you. It is truly magical. And it calls you back. ”

COURTESY OF FORT LEWIS LODGE

For More Information

Garth Newel Music Center: 403 Garth Newel Ln., Hot Springs; GarthNewel.org Omni Homestead Resort: 7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs; OmniHotels.com Vine Cottage Inn: 7402 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs; VineCottageInn.com Fort Lewis Lodge: 603 Old Plantation Way, Millboro; FortLewisLodge.com Bath County Tourism: DiscoverBath.com

Bath County Dining

Les Cochons d’Or: 2829 Main St., Hot Springs; 540-839-8900; LesCochonDOr. Inspired rustic American dining with a French twist. Sam Snead’s Tavern: 7696 Sam Snead Hwy., Hot Springs; 540-839-7666; OmniHotels.com. Homestyle cooking in a comfortable Virginia tavern. There are several other fine dining options at the Omni Homestead Resort. Waterwheel Restaurant: At the Inn at Gristmill Square; 124 Old Mill Rd., Warm Springs; 540-8392231; GristMillSquare.com/dining. Fresh seasonal selections with the finest local ingredients in an elegant country setting. Also houses the Simon Kenton Pub, billed as the “smallest pub in Virginia.” 58 Chesterfield Living

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Ten Presidential Itineraries The Birthplace of Presidents Landmarks & Nearby Attractions By Annie Tobey

Among bragging rights claimed by the commonwealth, the title “Birthplace of Presidents” provides both historic pride and an enjoyable, educational travel itinerary. In Virginia, we can boast eight native sons who were elected to the highest United States office, including four of the first five presidents, more than any other state. Several tourist sites highlight these presidents’ lives. Scattered from the Bay country to the Blue Ridge Mountains, these sites are begging for your attention, as are nearby attractions you can enjoy while there. Our first president was born in Westmoreland County on Virginia’s Northern Neck. Today, you can visit the colonial farm at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, where costumed interpreters recreate 18th century plantation life. nps.gov/gewa While there: Visit Stratford Hall, home of the historic Lee family; play at Westmoreland State Park; and eat at The Inn at Montross. NorthernNeck.org SARAH HAUSER VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION

From age 3 through adulthood, Washington made his home at Mount Vernon in Alexandria. The estate now includes the restored mansion, original outbuildings, a farm with heritage-breed animals, costumed interpreters, gardens and a restored, working distillery. MountVernon.org While there: Enjoy tunes from top musicians at The Birchmere; bike, run or walk along the scenic Mount Vernon Trail; and have a beer at award-winning Port City Brewing. VisitAlexandriaVA.com Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle County. Our third president designed his home, Monticello, beginning to clear the mountaintop land when he was 25. The impressive Roman neoclassical house reflects his creative, active mind. Even the gardens, an experimental lab of ornamental and utilitarian plants, demonstrate Jefferson’s curiosity. Monticello.org While there: Digest colonial atmosphere and fare at Michie Tavern; travel the Monticello Artisan Trail; and enjoy heritage apple cider at Albemarle Cider Works. VisitCharlottesville.org Jefferson also built a retreat home. Poplar Forest, in Bedford County near Lynchburg, showcases the property’s history along with the processes of preservation, reconstruction and restoration. PoplarForest.org While there: Honor our veterans at the National D-Day Memorial; 60 Chesterfield Living

find inspiration at the Booker T. Washington National Monument; and find food and fun at Clam Diggers Pub & Eatery. VisitBedford.com James Madison, our fourth president, was born in Westmoreland County at Belle Grove Plantation. In addition to tours, the antiquefilled mansion and historic grounds host a bed and breakfast. BelleGrovePlantation.com VIRGINIA.ORG, VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION

While there: Hike the trails and spot the eagles at Caledon State Park and Natural Area; browse the wares at Unique House Antique Mall; and sip the wines at Oak Crest Vineyards. NorthernNeck.org You can also visit Montpelier in Orange County, Madison’s later home. This mansion and landscape have been masterfully restored, including décor and furnishings. Visitors can also take in enslaved community sites, formal gardens, 2,650 acres of rolling hills with hiking trails and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Montpelier.org While there: Take the Tracks Through Time self-guided tour of the county’s historic railroads; enjoy some of Virginia’s best wines at Barboursville Vineyards; and please your palate with French fare at Restaurant Pomme in Gordonsville. VisitOrangeVirginia.com Like Madison, our fifth president, James Monroe, was born in Westmoreland County but later moved near Monticello in Albemarle County at his friend Thomas Jefferson’s suggestion. Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland home is open for tours and features 18th- and early 19th-century furnishings, many original to the Monroes. AshLawnHighland.org While there: Stroll and shop the Downtown Mall; catch a concert at The Southern Café and Music Hall; and imbibe a pint at Champion Brewing. VisitCharlottesville.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Ohio tries to claim William Henry Harrison as its own, but the ninth president was born and raised at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia. The plantation property also boasts other claims to fame: the first official Thanksgiving celebration; the birthplace of Declaration of Independence signatory Benjamin Harrison V; the ancestral home of our 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison; and the site where Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed “Taps.” BerkeleyPlantation.com

VIRGINIA.ORG, VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION

Center; blow your own glass ornament or blow your mind with amazing professional artistic products at Sunspots Studio; and sup on fine farm-to-table cuisine at Zynodoa. VisitStaunton.com

While there: Visit the other historic James River plantations; play at the Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area; and eat at Cul’s Courthouse Grille. CharlesCity.org/attractions.shtml

Virginians deserve to be proud of their home. Explore our presidential sites and their surroundings and inflate your chest just a little bit more.

John Tyler became the first U.S. vice president to ascend to the presidency upon the death of the president – in this case, William Henry Harrison. Like Harrison, Tyler hails from Charles City County. Beginning in 1842, he made his home at Sherwood Forest, also in Charles City County. Sherwood Forest is one of the plantations along Route 5 (also named John Tyler Memorial Highway, not coincidentally) between Richmond and Williamsburg. The plantation showcases a mid-19th century lifestyle, including the 300-foot-long Tidewater-style frame house and 12 dependencies. SherwoodForest.org While there: Continue down Route 5 to historic Jamestown Settlement; ride your bike along the scenic Colonial Parkway; and indulge in retail therapy at Williamsburg Prime Outlets and Williamsburg’s charming shops. VisitWilliamsburg.com Although 12th president Zachary Taylor was born in Barboursville, his family moved to Kentucky when Taylor was young. No significant historic sites remain to entertain and educate visitors. As the U.S. population moved westward, Virginia faced competition for sprouting national leaders – our next native president, Woodrow Wilson, served as the 28th. Like Zachary Taylor, Wilson moved from his Virginia birthplace as a child. Wilson, however, maintained his Virginia ties throughout his lifetime, visiting family in Staunton, attending law school at the University of Virginia and marrying another Virginia native. Wilson’s Staunton birthplace and the adjoining chateau-style mansion now house the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. Exhibits explore Wilson’s first home and his later public life, including his Great War peace efforts, suffrage and Prohibition, a moving recreation of a World War I trench and the president’s Pierce-Arrow limousine. WoodrowWilson.org While there: Catch a comedy or tragedy at American Shakespeare RichmondNavigator.com 61

Because You Deserve It:

By Annie Tobey

Treat Yourself to Salamander Resort in Imagine yourself in a graciously appointed inn, one designed to create an elegant but comfortable, home-like atmosphere. Wander past the lobby to the living room and library, where people linger to chat, read or sit by the fire. Feel your cares melt away as you snuggle in your room, relax on your balcony overlooking the expanse of tree-rimmed green lawn and bask in the spa’s treatment amenities. And once you feel revived and energetic, you’ll find plenty to do – onsite or just a short walk or drive away. Whether solo, coupled or with family – even with your dog – you’ll experience restful, luxurious accommodations at Salamander Resort (SalamanderResort.com) in Loudoun County, Virginia. Created by successful businesswoman Sheila Johnson, the 340-acre resort opened in August 2013. Already, Salamander has garnered commendations, including Condé Nast Traveler Top Ten Resort as well as Spafinder Wellness 365 Best New Travel Wellness Property. The details make the difference at Salamander. Elegant décor reflects a natural heritage, with each of the four Main House floors reflecting the seasons of the year. The manicured back lawn sports a croquet set, large chess game, corn hole, bocce, patios and fire pit. Spacious guest rooms include fireplace, balcony, dual sinks and shower with body jets. Conference and event facilities reside in a separate wing, removing them from the quiet comfort of the inn. Equestrian roots run deep in the surrounding countryside, reflected in spades at Salamander. The equestrian program offers lessons and programs that extend far beyond the basics of guiding this beautiful beast. Beginning with sedate hour-long trail rides, offerings extend to a mindfulness trail ride (fine-tune your skills alongside your horse), English and Western riding lessons for all levels, yoga on horseback and equine communication, as well as the unique Equi-spective self-discovery and leadership program. STABLES AT SALAMANDER RESORT. COURTESY OF SALAMANDER RESORT

62 Chesterfield Living

Luxurious Loudoun

Other resort activities and amenities include hiking trails, falconry, fitness equipment and classes, ziplines, billiards, swimming pools, culinary classes and special events. The 23,000-square-foot spa houses 14 treatment rooms, an outdoor courtyard and a stunning pre-treatment area with whirlpool, steam room, heated tepidarium chairs, programmable experiential showers and much more. The resort lies behind the historic village of Middleburg – and its 145 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places – which served as the White House weekend retreat for the Kennedy family. Though leaving Salamander may take an act of discipline, you’ll enjoy exploring Middleburg and the rolling countryside in this part of Loudoun County. Charming shops make their home along the brick sidewalks of Middleburg: art and antique galleries, apparel stores and gift shops, plus riding supplies and horse-themed products. Check out Duchessa of Middleburg designer boutique and Home Farm Store local products. Nearby wineries – among Loudoun County’s 39 wineries – build upon the luxury and relaxation theme, with elegant settings as well as quality wines. The Boxwood Estate Winery (BoxwoodWinery.com), established by former Redskins owner John Kent Cooke, produces dry estate-grown red wines in the Bordeaux tradition. The contemporary facilities are small but impressive, designed by Danish architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen with clean, sharp lines in stainless steel, glass, concrete and stone. The modernistic chai and barrel cave serve as artistic frames for their utilitarian purposes. BARREL CAVE AT BOXWOOD ESTATE WINERY.

RACHEL MARSH

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

AERIAL VIEW OF THE BACK OF THE SALAMANDER RESORT INN. COURTESY OF SALAMANDER RESORT

For the complete experience at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards (GreenHillVineyards.com), take the Grapes to Glass Tour. The knowledgeable guide will lead you through the vineyard, winemaking and wine-tasting process with an enjoyable, easy-to-follow presentation. Wines include a sparkling, whites and reds, with a port to be released in February. Stone Tower Winery (StoneTowerWinery.com) presents one of Virginia’s most beautiful settings, overlooking vineyards, fields, foothills and distant mountains. The reds and whites currently consist of estate wines and a Wild Boar label, using grapes grown off site. Wild Boar wines use the same grapes being planted in their vineyards, building towards an ultimate goal of all estate wines. Families at Stone Tower enjoy the Harvest Barn, while the over-21 crowd can gather in the spacious and gracious new building. While both structures showcase refined rustic, the new building adds an abundance of space in multiple rooms, beginning with the large, high-ceilinged Tower View Tasting Room. Distinctive dining opportunities abound in the area (with

SPACIOUS TASTING ROOM AT STONE TOWER WINERY. COURTESY OF STONE TOWER WINERY

a shortage only of mediocrity and chains). In the village of Middleburg, find fresh, lighter fare at Market Salamander or a hearty traditional Virginia repast in the historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern, established in 1728. Should you choose to return to Salamander Resort for your meals, your taste buds will be pleased – small plates at Gold Cup Wine Bar or fine dining at Harrimans Grill, inspired by and infused with Virginia piedmont cuisine and ingredients. Sample the best of the Harrimans gastronomic team with their chef’s tasting plates or build your own memorable culinary experience. You’ll also appreciate the easy stroll from dinner to your room, especially on a cold winter evening. No need to imagine the renewal you’ll find at Salamander Resort in Loudoun County, Virginia – treat yourself to the experience and make it a reality. WEB

WELCOMING ENTRANCE TO SALAMANDER RESORT. COURTESY OF SALAMANDER RESORT

RichmondNavigator.com 63

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