November/December 2015 Chesterfield Living

Chesterfield Living BEAT DIABETES NATURALLY p. 17 WELCOMING GUEST BATHROOMS p. 53 INTERNATIONAL DINING p. 29

November/December 2015

RichmondNavigator.com

2015 SHOPPERS’ GUIDE Grandma’s Got a Boyfriend 10 Must-See Museums Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée

Ch

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Barnes & Diehl, P.C. is pleased to announce the relocation of their Chesterfield office to Boulders Office Park, in heart of North Chesterfield, effective on November 1, 2015.

Our new office is conveniently located at 7401 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23225. We can easily be reached as we are situated between the Powhite Parkway, Midlothian Turnpike and Chippenham Parkway.

We are very excited about our new state of the art facility and, as always we remain committed to a Tradition of Experience and Devotion to Family Law services which you have come to rely upon since 1978. The only thing that’s changed is our Chesterfield address.

Since 1978, Barnes & Diehl, P.C. has been dedicated to protecting their client’s best interests. Their experience, reliability and results are widely recognized by legal peers and former clients alike. They have resources, skills and experience necessary to handle high-asset divorces and other complex family law matters. Their offices are located in Richmond/Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover.

www.BarnesFamilyLaw.com A Tradition of Experience and Devotion to Family Law *as listed in US News-Best Lawyers: Top Tier Richmond Family Law (NEW ADDRESS NOVEMBER 1, 2015) RICHMOND/ CHESTERFIELD Boulders VI 7401 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23225 Ph: 804.796.1000 Fax: 804.796.1730 2 Chesterfield Living

HENRICO Three Paragon 6806 Paragon Place, Suite 110 Richmond, VA 23230 Ph: 804.762.9500 Fax: 804.762.9654

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2 Chesterfield Living

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RichmondNavigator.com 5

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 10

17

First of All

News from Around Town 20

Finance

Don’t Miss This Annual “Sale” 22

Dental Health

Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

25

Art

Get Creative

Flavor 29

In Search of

International Dishes 33

Food For Life

Healthy & Convenient with Personal Chef to Go 37

TasteBudz

Dining & Drink News 40

26

Cookbooks & Recipes

Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée

34

42

Events

Local Happenings

Home 51

The Home Library

Practical and Inspirational 53

Features

17

DIABETES ON THE HORIZON? Beating the Disease, Naturally

Guest Bathroom A Welcoming Refuge

COURTESY OF SOUTHBOUND

55

A Warm, Allergy-Free Home with Air Resolutions

26

GRANDMA’S GOT A BOYFRIEND An Over-50 Conundrum

Travel 57

An Elegant, Easy Escape Keswick Hall

34

CHESTERFIELD FOODIES No Longer an Oxymoron

6 Chesterfield Living

45

SHOPPERS’ GUIDE Fabulous Places to Shop

60

10 Must-See Museums Top Regional Attractions

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

THE STATE BALLET OF VIRGINIA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STONER WINSLETT

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additional SUPPoRt PRoVided bY RichmondNavigator.com 7

FROM THE EDITOR

Blending & Melding

Chesterfield Living PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

William J. Davis, Jr.

Like the colors in a rainbow gradually blend together, for a more spectacular result than any individual color – like observing the landscape on a cross-country trip, morphing from one terrain to the next, granting a broader appreciation for the diversity of our earth – so several articles in this issue of Chesterfield Living blend, in some cases intentional and others serendipitous.

Though “interdisciplinary studies” is a 20th century label, the melding of disciplines is also an intriguing reality.

COURTESY OF KESWICK HALL

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 DESIGNERS

Tara Bouldin-Evans ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Jared Davis, Amanda Langford, Beverly Montsinger, Jenny Price DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Jimmy Davis PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rick Bancroft, Derek Bennion, Rachel Marsh, Nick Mastro, Alex Tensor, Joey Wharton CONTRIBUTORS

G. Carl Mahler Jr., Rachel Marsh, Colleen Nash DDS, Jody Rathgeb, Angela Weight, Constance Whitney ADVERTISING

An interdisciplinary ah-ha moment arose during my trip to Keswick Hall, as I visited the upscale resort to provide a travel report to readers. Upon learning that the wine and restaurant are named after one of Thomas Jefferson’s cooks, Edith Fossett, I was puzzled, recalling that James Hemings was Jefferson’s cook. A bit of research led me to the book Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America (reviewed in this issue). The book blends colorful personalities, fascinating food history and 18th century political history, including a look at the French Revolution from an American expat’s perspective.

Our travel section also blends 10 top regional museums: learn how spies must understand psychology as well as technology at the International Spy Museum; learn a mix of culture, music, history and people at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum; feel the tragedy and humanity in history’s darkest chapters at the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum; and experience other museums, from fun and fascinating to informative and interactive.

Home features in this issue guide you in creating an exceptional home library (attractive, functional and inspirational) as well as the perfect guest bathroom (minor changes can help keep your guests healthy and make your party perfect!).

And don’t miss the Shoppers’ Guides, our annual opportunity to share our best advertising partners with our readers. This year, we tell you just what makes each of them so fabulous!

Also in this issue, you’ll find insightful laughter in “Grandma’s Got a Boyfriend,” useful tips on keeping diabetes at bay, photos of some great international dishes at local restaurants, our regular TasteBudz restaurant news and a look at Chesterfield’s burgeoning foodie scene.

New at RichmondNavigator.com, we offer an article peeking into Jackson Ward, which blends with another on a Jackson Ward historic female, Maggie Walker, and with Ms. Walker’s spiritual descendants – Richmond’s enthusiastic professional women’s organizations.

In Entertainment, you can read about two of Richmond’s well-known, long-time professional musicians, Susan Greenbaum and Lindy Fralin.

Any chef worth his salt knows the power of blending the right flavors. I hope you enjoy some tasty reading within the covers of this month’s magazine!

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. MARKS ADVERTISER-SUPPORTED CONTENT.

Chesterfield Living BEAT DIABETES NATURALLY p. 17 WELCOMING GUEST BATHROOMS p. 53 INTERNATIONAL DINING p. 29

November/December 2015

RichmondNavigator.com

2015 SHOPPERS’ GUIDE Grandma’s Got a Boyfriend 10 Must-See Museums Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée

Ches

Annie Tobey Annie.Tobey@RichmondNavigator.com 8 Chesterfield Living

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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COURTESY OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

FIRST OF ALL

MID-LOTHIAN – RENEWING THE OLD MINES

You may have noticed that the park at the old Mid-lothian Mines has been going through some renovations. Apparently, this isn’t just a cosmetic facelift – the work has been supported by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) as well as by Chesterfield County.

Mid-Lothian Mines Park is the site of the first commercial coal mine in America, one of the first major industrial sites in the United States. The stone ruins of the mines, surrounded by beautiful suburban woodland and trails, stand as a tribute to those who helped to start the U.S. industrial revolution.

DMME partnered with the county in 2010 for mine-shaft closures, ruins stabilization, expanded access and other reclamation activities for the park, which opened in 2004, providing numerous grants and other support.

“We are excited about recent improvements at Mid-Lothian Mines Park,” said Mike Golden, director of the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We are working with our partners at the Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads Foundation and at the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to tell the history of coal mining and to provide an inviting place for residents to walk or jog.”

And if you’ve been out there at all, you already know: it is indeed a great place to walk or jog, becoming even better!

For more information on the park, its trails and its history, go to MidloMines.org.

THOMAS JEFFERSON SLEPT HERE AND YOU CAN VISIT THIS CHESTERFIELD HOME

COURTESY OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

O

– founding father, statesman, architect, scholar and third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson – has ties to Chesterfield County. His wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, was cousin to Francis Eppes VI. Circa 1768, Eppes built Eppington, a stately Georgian mansion of “perfect proportions” near the banks of the Appomattox River, south of 360 near Winterpock.

Thomas Jefferson visited Eppington on several occasions. When Jefferson was serving as minister to France, the Eppes family cared for two of his daughters, Lucy and Polly (aka Mary and Maria), as Martha Jefferson had recently died during childbirth. Lucy tragically died NE OF VIRGINIA’S FINEST HISTORICAL FIGURES

10 Chesterfield Living

of “Hooping cough” at age two and a half while at Eppington, succumbing within a week of a cousin, the youngest of the Eppes children. Lucy is reportedly buried at Eppington, though some claim her father reinterred her at Monticello.

Polly soon left Eppington to join her father and her sister Patsy in France. In 1797, she married Francis Eppes’ son, John Wayles Eppes, who served as a member of U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

Eppington is protected by a historic preservation easement, on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, the historic house was donated to Chesterfield County, which now manages nearly 400 acres of the original plantation through the Chesterfield Historical Society and the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., the home will be open to the public. Visitors can learn what plantation life was like in the 1700s, about the families that resided at Eppington and about the Eppes family.

Admission is $8, with registration and advance payment required. The home is located at 14201 Eppes Falls Rd. For more information, contact Bryan Truzzie at 804-751-4946 or truzzieb@chesterfield.gov

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

RichmondNavigator.com 11

COURTESY OF HENRICUS HISTORICAL PARK

FIRST OF ALL

GET A TASTE OF VIRGINIA

HOPS IN THE PARK HARVEST FESTIVAL

The Commonwealth is a tasty place to live – Hanover tomatoes, Smithfield ham, Virginia peanuts and hops.

Hops?

Though not yet a big money maker, Virginia hop growers have grown hops such as Cascade, Chinook, Nugget, Zeus and Crystal and are experimenting with others, with the goal of selling to local craft brewers. The inaugural Hops in the Park Harvest Festival, at Henricus Historical Park on Nov. 14 from noon to 6 p.m., will highlight Virginia beers as well as meads and ciders.

Each producer will pour a fermented beverage made with at least one Virginia-grown ingredient.

Breweries pouring at the festival include Ardent, Triple Crossing, Hardywood, Devils Backbone, South Street, Strangeways, Lickinghole Creek, Blue Mountain, Three Notch’d, Lost Rhino and Center of the Universe – plus a taste of Chesterfield’s first craft brewery, Steam Bell Beer. Hard cider comes from Bold Rock and the honey-based mead from Black Heath Meadery.

But the harvest festival will feature much else that grows well in our soil and climate, too.

In addition to the Virginia Grown farmers’ market, guests can enjoy foods inspired by what the early settlers would have eaten from the fruits of the land and the James River, such as oysters, smoked turkey legs and more rustic foods from Virginia.

A VIP pass is available for extra food treats in the tavern or Mount Malady. Capital Ale House will host a VIP experience with fare inspired by those who once called Henricus home.

The event features education as well as entertainment.

Speakers will address the history of beer in Virginia, hops farming, operating a farm brewery in Virginia and more. Visitors can talk to Henricus re-enactors about what it was like living on the banks of the James in the early 1600s.

Musical acts include Markiss Blowfish, Brackish Water Jamboree and more.

Henricus Historical Park is located at 251 Henricus Park Rd. in Chester. For more details and updates, visit HopsInThePark.com.

CHESTERFIELD STEPS CLOSER TO BECOMING MORE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

In October, the Chesterfield County Planning Commission signed off on the draft of a plan calling for 360 miles of bicycle pathways and trails in the county. The plan now must go before the Board of Supervisors for their vote.

The proponents of a walkable and bikeable Chesterfield County argue that the trail system will benefit all residents, providing health benefits, connectivity and economic rewards. Viable trails can attract new businesses, giving the county a better reputation and improving home values.

Chesterfield officials report that approximately 50,000 people use county parks and trails, exhibiting an interest in a trail system.

Opponents cite possible private property infringements and funding concerns. Though some claim negative environmental impact, broad public studies demonstrate that increased exposure to natural areas increases individual concern for protecting the environment.

The Board of Supervisors has set its public hearing on the bike plan for Nov. 18. Residents are invited to voice their opinion to their supervisors: Sportsbackers.org/blog/act-now-to-supportbikeways-and-trails-in-chesterfield-county/.

12 Chesterfield Living

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

RichmondNavigator.com 13

What is In-Home Care?

I

n its truest meaning, in-home care refers to any type of care (medical or nonmedical) that is provided to clients in their home. In recent years, there has been a slight shift in using the terminology to emphasize nonmedical in-home care such as companionship/ homemaking services or personal care services.

Home health care (medical) typically refers to the provision of skilled nursing care and speech, physical or occupational therapy in the home environment.

In-home care is rapidly becoming the most commonly asked for service among today’s aging population. For many seniors and adults requiring care, having an in-home care provider is the difference between staying at home and being admitted into a nursing home.

Reputable in-home care agencies employ their caregivers and provide a series of screens and operational checks and balances. Some families may consider hiring an individual private caregiver instead of a full employer agency. If you secure an independent to provide in-home care, you are now the employer. That means you are responsible for all employment taxes and deductions for your employee, the caregiver. You also become responsible for securing the appropriate insurance coverage such as Workers’ Compensation in case the caregiver is injured while providing

14 Chesterfield Living

care in the home and general liability insurance in the event the caregiver causes property damage. Most homeowners’ policies do not cover the expenses associated with an injury or damages sustained while a caregiver is in your employ. It is also important for your own safety and security that you procure appropriate background checks and validation that the candidate is a capable, appropriately trained, quality care provider. Is there a backup caregiver in the event the primary caregiver is ill ?

Is there professional supervision of how well the caregiver is meeting the needs of the individual ?

A care plan is developed to ensure the care your loved one receives is personalized to meet his/her exact needs as well as his/her schedule.

Because the in-home care provider comes to the senior’s home, he/she is able to continue living independently, in familiar surroundings. An added benefit is that the in-home care service provider gives the senior something his/her life may be lacking – companionship. The types of day to day assistance can range from transportation, meal preparation, light housekeeping, to bathing, feeding, incontinence care, etc. There are also a wide range of home technology solutions available such as personal emergency response systems, automated medication solutions, etc., all with an aim to promote safe and independ-

ent living. Many children of aging parents choose in-home care because it offers them a level of peace-of-mind knowing their loved ones are cared for when they can not be there.

Most in-home care is private pay which means the client and/or the family is responsible for payment. Although some families are able to fund in-home care through long-term care insurance, Medicaid programs, reverse mortgages, or other payer sources, the majority of in-home care is private pay. Hourly rates will vary substantially by market and the type of care provided, usually in the general range of $18 to $25 per hour.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 HEALTH

DIABETES ON THE HORIZON? SMALL CHANGES HELP YOU AVOID THE DISEASE, NATURALLY N

By Jody Rathgeb

O ADULT SIMPLY WAKES UP ONE DAY WITH DIABETES. Resistance to insulin is a problem that grows

over time. Yet according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 37 percent of Americans – 86 million people – have the rising blood sugar levels and increasing insulin resistance known as prediabetes. Without intervention of some sort, a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is on the way.

“On the way,” though, means there’s still time to do something about it.

Don’t look for symptoms. “By the time you have any symptoms, you have had diabetes for some time,” said Matt Petersen, managing director of medical information for the ADA. Instead, take a look at your risk factors, particularly the ones Petersen calls the “Big Three”: increasing age, high weight and family history.

RichmondNavigator.com 17

HEALTH

...

A BOATLOAD OF INFORMATION

Knowing your genetic background can give you a heads-up on a possible future problem with diabetes.

“You inherit the blueprint,” said Dr. David Pong, staff physician and medical director of executive health and wellness programs at PartnerMD in Richmond. The more family members with diabetes you have, the better are your chances of developing the disease. Other genetic factors are racial, with nonwhite African Americans, most Asians and Native Americans bearing higher risk.

Being overweight is another major risk factor, because the body must work harder to process the extra glucose coming its way.

“Insulin is all about not starving,” Pong said, explaining that generations ago, when humans found it challenging to consume enough calories to keep going, the hormone helped to regulate glucose. But with today’s sedentary lifestyles and easy access to food, the body cannot produce enough insulin to keep us regulated, eventually leading to diabetes.

Awareness of the risks gives you the chance to avoid diabetes, and the sooner you take precautionary steps, the better. Pong likens the situation to being on a boat: “Your goal is to not hit one of those big tankers out there,” he said. “Now, if you see one on the horizon, it’s easy to make small adjustments to avoid it. But if you wait until you’re five feet way, your changes will have to be more extreme.”

The early changes are natural ways to beat diabetes: lose weight and keep a healthy diet; exercise regularly; and manage your stress.

GOOD ADVICE FOR ALL

Of those changes, Petersen says weight loss is number one.

“Losing even some of your excess body weight will help,” he said.

“Every little bit helps.”

He added that it doesn’t matter how you reduce – any weight-loss program can be effective – but keeping the weight off and being able to make new eating habits a part of your life is what’s important.

Pong said the best diet uses more produce and protein and fewer processed foods, which have extra sugar and fat. Even more effective is combining a healthy diet with regular exercise. Again, the type of exercise is less important than finding some sort of physical activity you can stick with.

Another of those small adjustments to help you avoid that big tanker is stress management, as stress can precipitate any sort of physical problem. Lifestyle changes, meditation and yoga are often recommended.

Pong pointed out, “It’s worth doing these things anyway, even if you’re not prediabetic or diabetic,” and the same list of changes can help people lower their chances of cancer, vascular disease and a host of other problems. “It is generally true that you can avoid diabetes,” he said. “It’s not universal, but it’s the right thing to do.”

STAY VIGILANT

All this good advice doesn’t mean you can skip the doctor’s office entirely. If you have a high risk for diabetes, it’s best to consult a physician early on and have your blood glucose level tested and monitored.

Also, get to know the early symptoms and seek help when they appear: increased thirst, frequent urination, neuropathy (tingling in feet or hands) or vision problems. As the disease advances, medical intervention will be necessary, and for some people the genetic predisposition for the disease will win despite even the best weight maintenance, exercise and stress reduction.

Also, be aware that the American Diabetes Association offers lots of help through its website (Diabetes.org) and local offices. The ADA designates November as American Diabetes Month and steps up its awareness programs, but they are available year-round.

“The many complications of diabetes can be treated and can be avoided,” noted Petersen. CL

18 Chesterfield Living

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DON’T MISS THIS ANNUAL “SALE”

By Carl Mahler, Jr., CFP®

P

ICK UP YOUR TV REMOTE .

Press the “off ” switch. Step away from the TV or you might find yourself doing something that negatively affects your long-term financial health. I cannot tell you how angry I get every time I listen to commercials touting impending doom and the loss of your hard-earned assets. There’s one in particular that talks about “the next market CRASH.” Are you kidding me? Crash! The last real crash we had in the markets began in 1929, lasted about four years, then totally re-inflated itself in another four years. Yes, there have been several other notable periods that have been called Black Swans where the markets have been down over 40 percent, but each one has corrected and markets have gone on to new highs. These people are playing with your emotions and, as I have suggested before in these articles, it’s your emotions that make you a bad investor.

Each of us has to realize we aren’t hotwired to be successful investors in the markets. To do so requires you to sometimes sell your winners and buy your losers. Further, it begs you to invest when there’s blood in the streets and markets look like they’re going to zero. Ask yourself what you have done during this very volatile year. Have you added to your portfolio? Have you been buying those categories that have lost the most in the recent past? Why not? That’s generally where the best returns have come from in similar situations in the past.

There’s a saying that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme a lot. If you take a moment to look at a graph of market history, you will see it has a natural rhythm. It goes up for several years then falls back, goes up again beyond the amount it fell, then gives some back. Over longer periods, it historically ends up.

The S&P 500 was around 40 at the end of WWII. It’s over 2,000 today. How did investors lose money there? Remember, it’s more important to your long-term success what you did during the bad times than what you did in the good times.

Good news, the “sale” is still on. We’ve got this market just about where we want it right now. Good hunting!

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Magazine Archives Find old Carl Mahler, Jr., CFP® The Pinnacle Group, An Independent Wealth Management Firm, RJFS 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.

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. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Holding investments for the long term does not insure 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.

20 Chesterfield Living

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ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DENTIST? “ N O O F F E N S E , B U T I R E A L LY D O N ’ T L I K E T H E D E N T I S T.”

By Colleen Nash, DDS

Y

EAH, I HEAR THAT ONE A LOT. The state of your mouth

is not only important to your health but affects confidence as well. An unhealthy mouth can lead to pain, tooth loss, decreased ability to eat and a lack of confidence in one’s smile. The effects can be far-reaching and at times overwhelming for many patients.

There are many reasons why people avoid going to the dentist. It may be due to dental anxiety stemming from a previous unpleasant experience or a bad memory from childhood visits to the dentist. It may be that there is a feeling that their dental problems are just too bad to be fixed. It may be that the potential costs involved are too frightening. Whatever the reason, there are options available to ease the process and achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

On a daily basis we work with patients with dental anxiety.

The use of laughing gas or various levels of sedation allow for dental procedures to be accomplished in a comfortable manner. These modalities work for patients who would otherwise not tolerate treatment.

I often hear from patients who feel hopeless and embarrassed because they think their mouths are too far gone.

Patients will ask, “Is this the worst you’ve seen?” Well, guess what, I’ve seen worse. But if you are sitting in my chair, then you are in the right place to do something about it and make a positive change in your health and the appearance of your smile.

Sometimes the thought of the costs involved with dental

TFG_ChesterfieldLiving_PRINT.indd 1 22 Chesterfield Living

treatment will prevent a patient from ever coming into the dental office. There are often multiple options for treating dental problems, with a spectrum of associated costs. By learning about the options, patients can evaluate what will

work best with their budget and their lifestyle.

Oral health is something that is important yet often neglected. The appearance of your smile can affect the way you present yourself to the world around you. The entire dental team has the goal of helping patients overcome impediments to seeking dental treatment.

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24 Chesterfield Living

CREATIVITY: FUN & HEALTHY!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

F

lexing your creative muscles helps you maintain both mental and physical health – so taking part in a local crafts class is like a trip to the gym! Here in Richmond, beginners and experts can take part in classes on painting, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, photography and more.

Develop your inner artist in order to:

1. Try something new.

2. Escape winter cabin fever.

3. Hang out with friends new and old.

4. Expand your mind in different directions.

5. Get a new perspective.

And after your trip to your crafty “gym,” you’ll even have a new piece of art to take home with you!

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RichmondNavigator.com 25

FEATURE

Grandma’s Got a Boyfriend

By Constance Whitney

IN SIXTH GRADE, A VERY CUTE BOY NAMED HUNTER CAUGHT MY EYE DURING HISTORY CLASS. HE SMILED AT ME, AND AT THAT MOMENT WE WERE, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, DATING.

W

ith three older sisters, I knew a few of the rules of dating that were pervasive in the early 70s, including our parents’ strict edict on no dating until high school. Consequentially, I kept my relationship with Hunter a secret. The fact that no one other than the two of us knew we were “going steady” did not diminish the truth. During the totality of our relationship, we talked on the telephone once, passed triangle-shaped notes in class, and pretended not to know each other in the lunchroom. He was my boyfriend for a total of four days. At 11 years old, it was a lifetime.

Now, in my 50+ status, I gleefully find myself in a somewhat similar situation as my sixth grade quagmire – a new relationship for which I am navigating unknown territory. It’s amazing how similar the two scenarios are!

WHAT DO I CALL HIM?

I’m a writer – appropriate terminology is important to me. When introducing him to my friends and family, I’m at a loss as to what label I should use. “Boyfriend”?

That’s too teeny-bopper-ish. “Male friend”? Too MagicMike-ish. “Friend”? Not significant enough. I’ve played with the labels “partner” and “significant other,” but both reek of the politically correct mumbo-jumbo that I abhor.

Perhaps it is best to just leave the label off the introductions and let people draw their own conclusions.

They will anyway, regardless of my choice of modifier.

WHAT DO I TELL THE CHILDREN? You know how, at times, the room comes to a screeching halt? All conversation stops, all eyes whip around with laser-targeted accuracy and instantly YOU become the center of the universe? Trust me, nothing causes 26 Chesterfield Living

that moment like “Hey, Grandma’s got a boyfriend!”

Surely, there has to be an easier, less rift-in-the-timewarp-continuum way to announce the news.

According to several Google sites (yes, you can actually Google “how do I tell my adult children I’m in a relationship” – truly, there is nothing that can’t be Googled!), the typical adult child’s first reaction is fear! Fear that Mom is making a mistake. Fear that the new man is taking advantage of Mom. Fear that their place as the apple of Mom’s eye is being usurped. Personally, I think that is bizarre, but if it’s on Google, it must be correct.

To help mitigate this reaction, the consensus of Internet advice seems to be to introduce the person as a friend and NOT to do it during Thanksgiving dinner.

And to assure the adult children that, in addition to being able to raise them to adulthood and make decisions that have helped them become successful contributing members of society, you also have the ability to make sure your new (see label choices above) isn’t a serial killer/bank robber/con artist who will steal their inheritance and end up on John Walsh’s Most Wanted!

MY PLAN

After careful consideration of the available expert opinions, I have developed a plan. I think it compassionately deals with my children’s and grandson’s emotions while achieving my goal of acknowledging the presence of an important person in my life.

You know how, at times, the room comes to a screeching halt? All conversation stops, all eyes whip around with laser-targeted accuracy and instantly YOU become the center of the universe? Trust me, nothing causes that moment like “Hey, Grandma’s got a boyfriend!”

First, I’ll start subtly start plugging his name into Facebook posts mixed in with the names of well-established, known friends. Then I’ll host several group events where he is just “one of the crowd.” And finally, I’ll include him in conversations and events with increasing frequency as the children’s tolerance grows.

Or, I’ll just write an article and publish it in a magazine.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 FLAVOR

ISO IN SEARCH OF:

International Dishes RACHEL MARSH

COTTAGE PIE

The food at the new White Horse Tavern is the bee’s knees, mate. The classic, hearty British pub fare is house-prepared with local produce, artisanal sausage and breads. The savory cottage pie combines ground beef with local vegetables, topped off with milled potatoes, oven browned for a touch of crust. Avoiding meat? Try the fish and chips with mushy peas or the vegetarian pie. Pair the fare with one of the beers from the tavern’s lineup, packaged or 12 taps, including two British hand pumps, one of the few Virginia restaurants with these tributes to “real ale.”

White Horse Tavern 3410 Semmes Ave., Richmond Facebook: The White Horse Tavern RichmondNavigator.com 29

FLAVOR

TORTELLINI MILANO

JOEY WHARTON

Though the pizza will always please at this classic Italian restaurant, the variety extends to fresh salads, calzones and Stromboli, subs and sandwiches, seafood, chicken, veal and, of course, pasta. For a rich, creamy, soul-satisfying option, choose the tortellini Milano: puffy pasta pillows stuffed with cheese and tossed with savory sautéed sausages, meaty Portobello mushrooms, shallots and red peppers, all blended in a delicious creamy pink sauce. Meals can be enjoyed with a fine bottle of wine or beer from Sergio’s well-curated beer list, plus cider and mead, on 26 taps.

Sergio’s Authentic Pizza & Pasta 4824 Market Square Ln., Midlothian SergiosVA.com

CARNITAS

At Rico’s Mexican Grill, every menu item has been prepared entirely in-house, with only the finest and freshest ingredients, guaranteed. Their carnitas, a Mexican specialty, are made by simmering fatty cuts of pork in enough lard to cover them until the meat is a crisp golden brown on the outside and extremely tender and juicy on the inside. They are served with Rico’s homemade Spanish rice, fried beans, guacamole salad, pico de gallo and tortillas. The dish is thought to have originated in the Mexican state of Michoacán, where it is found everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants.

Rico’s Mexican Grill 11321-D Nuckols Rd., Glen Allen RicosMR.com

GOONG PHUKHET RACHEL MARSH

Savor the flavors of Asia at Siam Paragon Thai Cuisine: spring rolls, chicken satay, curry, fried rice, Thai-inspired salads and soups, pad Thai and so much more. Choose your level of spice, from mild American to hot and spicy. With the flavorful Goong Phukhet, you can bask in the melding of grilled black tiger shrimp served atop a bed of lettuce, in turn topped with ground chicken and crab meat, with a side of vegetables. Delightful!

Siam Paragon Thai Cuisine 13120 Midlothian Tpk., Midlothian SiamParagonThai.com 30 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

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FLAVOR

KB

AN

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OF

T

MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT

RIC

Rich, luscious and decadent – these three words epitomize classic French cuisine, both savory and sweet. At Les Crepes, you’ll find plenty of both, and plenty of untraditional options as well. Be sure to save room for dessert. The presentation of this gluten-free Mousse au Chocolat is as marvelous as the creamy richness that plays on your palate. The chocolate mousse is served in a chocolate crepe, topped with sculpted strawberries and blueberries and drizzled with chocolate sauce, a dollop of whipped cream on the side. Ooh-la-la!

Les Crepes 9200 Stony Point Pkwy Ste 152 Richmond LeCrepe.net

GREEK PIKILIA I PLATTER

If the 12 months between each annual Greek festival is just too long for you, then BellGreek can fill that gap – many times over! For a tasty sampling of Greek Islands cuisine, order one of BellGreek’s samplers. The pictured platter comes with flaky savory spanakopita, cheesy layered tiropita, tangy dolmades, creamy hummus, rich tzatziki and feta cheese, plus fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and kalamata olives. Finish off with a scrumptious mouthwatering dessert, like baklava or chocolate macaroons. The Mediterranean beckons!

RACHEL MARSH

BellGreek Cuisine 11307 Polo Pl., Midlothian BellGreekCuisine.com

POLLO ALLA ROMANO

Owned and operated by the Parlantis since 1999, A Taste of Italy serves traditional Sicilian cuisine and culture to Chesterfield. Rosario and Marianna Parlanti wanted to pass family culinary traditions down to their children and to share their modern take on traditional Italian fare. The Pollo alla Romano special was so popular with customers that they’ve recently made it a menu regular. Lightly battered, Francese-style chicken is topped with a creamy lemon sauce, sautéed mushrooms and artichokes, roasted garlic spinach and mozzarella cheese. You’ll no doubt understand its popularity at the very first bite!

A Taste of Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria 13547 Waterford Pl., Midlothian ATasteOfItaly.net 32 Chesterfield Living

RICK BANCROFT

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FOOD FOR LIFE: NICK MASTRO

Healthy & Convenient

B

PERSONAL CHEF TO GO

esides convenience, Personal Chef to Go provides meals that are delicious and nutritious. But the vision doesn’t end there.

Chef and co-owner Blair Grossman explained. “We provide an experience that gives our customers the ability to slow down, come together over the family dinner hour and relax, restore their bodies and restore their relationships. The food really is a stage for creating memorable meal experiences that are becoming rare in today’s time-strained society.”

In order for many busy families, couples and individuals to take advantage of a relaxed dinnertime, a meal should be four things: delicious, nutritious, affordable and convenient.

Grossman and his partner, Gene Castelluccio, both professionally trained chefs, have taken their decades of restaurant experience and fine-tuned a business that meets all four criteria.

Delicious: “Our restaurant-quality meals are all scratch-made cooking,” said Grossman. “Real food made by real chefs.” Like

pecan-crusted North Atlantic salmon, Chesapeake jumbo lump crab cakes, chicken coq au vin and Barcelona strip steaks.

The prepared meals are always made and delivered fresh, never frozen, using an oxygen-free packaging system that seals the flavor and freshness for up to 10 days.

Nutritious: “I’ve taken the classic recipes and lightened them up,” said Chef Castelluccio, “using ingredients that enhance flavors but make it healthier. All meals are free of additives and preservatives.”

The healthy meals adhere to the guidelines of both the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.

Affordable: Personal Chef to Go offers meal plans for individuals, couples and families.

The most popular plan, Busy Singles, provides five meals with sides plus three entrée salads for only $11.24 per meal, with a weekly subscription. Even without a subscription, the five-dinner plan costs less than $14 per meal.

Convenient: The company delivers meals in and around Richmond, and ships meals throughout the continental United States – directly to the home or office. Meals are shipped using highly insulated packaging

technology and long-lasting gel packs.

Once the meals arrive, they can go from refrigerator to table in less than three minutes, with next-to-no cleanup involved.

The owners’ training and experience enable them to meet these needs for customers.

Chef Grossman worked as chef de cuisine in Hawaii and Oregon and received his formal culinary training and undergraduate degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

Chef Castelluccio has been in the food service industry for over 30 years. In addition to training at the Culinary Institute of America and Ecole Hotelier in Switzerland, he holds a bachelor’s in hotel restaurant management.

He helped open The Mirage in Las Vegas and worked with The Marriott Marquis, Radisson and Richmond’s Omni Hotel.

Castelluccio initially left restaurant work to become a personal chef. However, “I was only able to provide meals for one family,” he said. “I wanted to extend this service to more people.”

Fortunately, Personal Chef to Go does just that, providing delicious, nutritious, affordable and convenient meals to lots of people.

For Holiday Orders & Gift Ideas: 804-477-8353 • www.PersonalChefToGo.com

RichmondNavigator.com 33

FLAVOR

CHESTERFIELD FOODIES: NO LONGER AN OXYMORON R ICHMOND IS THE HUB OF GREAT FOOD. Boasting hun-

dreds of restaurants, our city provides dining for any palate, ethnicity, budget and craving. New eateries are consistently popping up in the Fan, Shockoe Bottom and Church Hill.

But what about Richmonders living outside of city limits?

For years, residents who have chosen the white-picket-fence lifestyle over city dwelling have been pinned with an abundant offering of run-of-the-mill chain restaurants. Limited to “Fried Jalapeño Poppers!” and “Jumbo Blue Raspberry Margaritas!” and “Kids Eat Free Tuesdays,” Chesterfield-area residents have had to cross over the James and through the woods to encounter fresh and local cuisine.

But lately, the food scene has expanded across the river to cater to those mortgage-paying-minivan-driving-lawnmower-owning suburbanites.

Though Chesterfield has hosted its share of diners and firstgeneration ethnic restaurants, one of the initial local foodie joints to break the mold of chain restaurants was Sedona Taphouse in 2011. Not only does their menu consist of highquality ingredients, their bar boasts 50 craft beer taps and an extensive bottle selection. Located in Westchester Commons, on the border of Midlothian and Powhatan, Sedona and the concept it presented felt like a breath of fresh air for local residents.

Not long after Sedona opened, Brew, another suburban craft beer bar, sprouted near Chesterfield Courthouse in 2013.

Karen Verdisco, owner of Brew, says that business took off pretty quickly, even among the fast food and chain restaurants that local residents were used to.

“Shortly after we opened, I heard someone say, ‘I’ve never heard of this chain before,’” Verdisco remembers. But even for such a novel concept, “We have really been well-received.” So well received, in fact, that they recently expanded to another location in the Bellgrade shopping center in Midlothian.

Among the most current additions to the suburban restaurant scene is Southbound, a locally sourced and family-friend34 Chesterfield Living

By Rachel Marsh

ly restaurant located in the heart of Bon Air. Southbound came as the result of a collaboration between Joe Sparatta and Lee Gregory, the brilliant minds and talented chefs that brought us the legendary Heritage and The Roosevelt. After years of success with their own restaurants in the Fan and in Church Hill, respectively, Sparatta and Gregory decided to expand across the river to the original Stony Point shopping center.

“There was definitely a void,” said Sparatta. “We live out in Bon Air and have lived here for a long time… We saw that there wasn’t a lot of dining that was accessible for families… We wanted to provide people with options that didn’t want to necessarily leave the suburbs or cross the river.” And so far, since their opening in November 2014, business at Southbound has been abundant. “We’ve had lots of good press and have continued to stay busy.”

And the community’s independent foodie craze isn’t slowing down. Urban Farmhouse and Tazza Kitchen have expanded to Chesterfield County. On the horizon, Steam Bell Beer Works is expected to open in Chesterfield towards the end of 2015. They’re a local taproom and brewery that will seek to provide consumers with great beer, a warm atmosphere and some solid Southern hospitality.

In addition to close proximity to home, customers of suburban restaurants can enjoy other benefits as well. Parking, for example, is much easier. In the city, consumers battle one-way streets, parallel parking and VCU freshmen who still don’t quite know how to use a crosswalk. Most businesses don’t have guaranteed parking spots, so hungry patrons may be forced to walk multiple blocks to and from their cars. But the world of strip malls, shopping centers and parking lots eliminates that issue altogether.

Another great advantage, both for restaurant owners and for customers, is the matter of space. Patrick Harris, owner of both Boka Tako Bar restaurants, is familiar with the struggle that city restaurants face. With one location in the Fan and the other on Forest Hill Avenue, Harris is easily able to compare

COURTESY OF SOUTHBOUND

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

...

the benefits of city restaurants versus suburbia.

“The square footage [of the Forest Hill location] is really nice,” said Harris. “We actually have two kitchens.” Because of the size, chefs are able to provide a much broader menu on a daily basis.

The size is also advantageous for families. As Sparatta pointed out, Southbound was created to be more family friendly. Like most suburban restaurants, the dining room is more spacious, allowing for larger tables and pathways that make it easier to fit slings, high chairs, booster seats and energetic kids.

Overall, the local restaurant surge has been a welcome change, and so far, suburban inhabitants have eaten it up.

Restaurant owners concur that business has been great.

After they first opened Boka Tako on Forest Hill, “A lot of people were thanking us for coming to the neighborhood,” said Harris.

Karen Verdisco agreed. “So many people say it’s a nice alternative.”

So fear not, Richmond surburbanites.

You no longer have to choose between deep-fried, all-you-can-eat popcorn shrimp or a 30-minute commute for your next night out. Restaurant entrepreneurs have heard the demand, and your dining choices will only continue to flourish.

CL

RichmondNavigator.com 35

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

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TasteBudz with

TAZZA WOWS THE

FLAVOR

Steve Cook

DEREK BENNION

MID-ATLANTIC

H

ave you checked out the new Tazza Kitchen in Midlothian (1244 Alverser Plaza)? While there’s nothing that feels chainlike in this amazing restaurant, you may not realize that this small Richmond-based restaurant group is really garnering high praise through Virginia and the Carolinas. VacationIdea.com, in an article entitled “Best Things to do in Raleigh,” listed the Tazza Kitchen there as a great dining option. And in a review of their Arlington location, Washingtonian magazine wrote, “Tazza Kitchen, part of a Richmond chain, proves that crowdpleasing doesn’t have to feel corporate.”

I have a feeling that Jeff Grant, who lives in Chesterfield, and partners John Haggai and John Davenport, have discovered the secret of creating a chain concept that maintains that local, neighborhood restaurant feel.

That’s definitely the case with their Midlothian store. The food is amazing. We featured their mouth-watering tacos in a previous issue of Chesterfield Living, but that just barely scratches the surface of an inspired menu, served in a casual, comfortable environment and featuring an open kitchen concept.

While the folks at Tazza Kitchen don’t try to ram the farm-to-fork concept down your throat, it’s clear when you peruse their menu that they have created some excellent partnerships with leading farms and other quality suppliers.

But enough talk. If you haven’t visited, I’d highly recommend you check the place out. I’m not a pitchman for the restaurant, but I’ve met these guys and I really like their concept and their attitude.

LATITUDE SEAFOOD COMPANY

GETTING FRESH

H

ave you heard it said that there’s no great local restaurant where one can enjoy truly fresh seafood? Well, I’m thinking that one visit to Latitude Seafood Company in Westchester Commons in western Chesterfield may put an end to such talk. Of course, you will likely find that one visit isn’t enough to satisfy that seafood craving.

Latitude, which is in the former Game On sports bar space, opened in early October, and, said Jonathan Knizatko, who owns and operates the business along with partners Kevin Grubbs and Jennifer Robinson, “We’re blowing folks away with our food and drink.”

Jonathan told me that it was one thing when he and his partners’ friends and family came in and told him how much they liked the place. “But,” he added, “when you begin to hear strangers say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing,’ it really is awesome.”

I asked him about the quality of the food being served at his place. “We should be charging prices like you’d find at Ruth’s Chris or Flemings,” he said. “Our food is like what you’d find at a really nice oceanfront restaurant.”

But don’t worry. He added that he and his partners, who have all worked together at one time or another in local restaurants, don’t want to do that. They prefer to provide a high quality restaurant experience at reasonable prices.

Although the fresh fish, such as salmon and mahi mahi, along with shrimp, crab legs and more delicacies from the sea, are the stars of the show, Jonathan says the homemade desserts and the craft cocktails are also very popular. And, I hear, they have a fantastic happy hour.

So if someone tells you there’s no place for good seafood in Chesterfield, you can tell them where to go.

RichmondNavigator.com 37

FLAVOR

TasteBudz with

Steve Cook

NOW THAT’S ITALIAN I ran into Vito Bellantuono in his restaurant the other day, which, when you think about it, would be the logical place to run into him.

He and his wife, Joann, own and operate La Cucina Ristorante Italiano & Pizzeria in The Shoppes at Bellgrade. While La Cucina has only been around five years, Vito has been cooking up some of the most authentic Italian fare this side of the Atlantic for 35 years, 20 of which have been right here in Richmond.

Although he’s from southern Italy, Vito said his food primarily represents the tastes of northern Italy. The veal scaloppini and seared salmon are two of the more popular items on the menu, but I’d have to say at the top of my list is his chicken picata.

Of course, don’t forget, this is also a pizzeria, and his New York style pizza is always a hit.

Vito told me that he still has a few dates open for private parties and banquets. He can accommodate groups of up to 65.

Check out his menu at LaCucinaVa.com.

THE BRITISH HAVE COME, THE BRITISH HAVE COME!

T

here’s a touch of merry ol’ England over in the Forest Hill area. Although they were just in the process of opening when I went in, it looks like the White Horse Tavern, at 410 Semmes Ave., holds out promise of offering those on the south side of the river more of a Thames River than a James River dining experience. The Tavern is owned by James Talley, formerly of the Commercial Taphouse, along with Eden Brown, Jim Dickerson and Harrison Steel.

Beer is obviously a major player on the menu, considering Talley’s background and the fact that this is a British pub, with 12 taps and two British hand pumps. I’m told that at least one British beer will always be on tap.

Pasties (you know, the Cornish kind) and fish and chips are also featured items, but menu items are more creative than stereotypical English fare. Check out their Halloween specials as an example: pumpkin crème brûlée with peanut brittle, veggie skewers with curried rice and beer cheese soup. Nothing spooky there.

38 Chesterfield Living WHITE HORSE TAVERN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

RichmondNavigator.com 39

FLAVOR

QUIRK BOOKS

Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America

by Thomas J. Craughwell Quirk Books, 2012

A Taste of History

By Annie Tobey

I

didn’t find exactly what I was looking for, but I discovered much more in the pages of Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée.

My search was for recipes with a dash of back-story. I craved the story of how Thomas Jefferson took James Hemings to France to master the art of French cooking, so Hemings could bring those skills back to Jefferson’s kitchens at Monticello and Poplar Forest, with recipes to allow me to reproduce Jeffersonian meals.

What I found instead was an intriguing look into channels of history I’d never traveled before. What I found was a fun mix of American personalities and foodie trivia.

Perhaps I could have been annoyed that the book’s subtitle, How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America, seemed a tad misleading, that author Thomas J. Craughwell seems to wander up random pathways on a regular basis. After all, I expected that the story would stick with Jefferson, Hemings and their travels to France.

However, all of Craughwell’s tangents were so interesting that my patience never wore thin.

For example, I enjoyed reading about the witty, flirtatious and affable Benjamin Franklin in Paris and the stodgy curmudgeon John Adams’ reaction to his peer; about the charms of the strong-willed Polly Jefferson; and about the familial connections between the Jeffersons and the enslaved Hemings family.

I enjoyed reading about France’s political struggles of the time, a tale made more relatable when set in the context of these visiting Americans.

Having visited Monticello and Poplar Forest, I appreciated the opportunity to eavesdrop on James Hemings’ and his sister Sally Hemings’ experiences abroad, reading 40 Chesterfield Living

about Jefferson’s enjoyment of Paris and his studies of wine and local produce as he traveled the French countryside – and about our third president’s activities as an illegal rice smuggler.

As a culinary history, the book also tells readers about the beginnings of cafés, coffeehouses and restaurants (which arose from the preparation of bouillon as a restorative food), about Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy of food, about the spread of potatoes and about French cooking of the time.

And upon the narrative’s return to America, we learn more about the dinners, kitchens and food service that immigrated to the New World, delighting Americans and merging with “native victuals.” And we see that James Hemings’ culinary education finally earned him his freedom and that his heritage continued with James’ brother, Peter; with Edith Fossett, who served Jefferson in the White House; and up to Cincinnati, where Edith’s son Peter opened a successful catering business.

In short, the book is a smorgasbord of information, directly and loosely related to Jefferson and Hemings.

Though it’s not the recipe collection I expected from the book’s description, it includes a few clippings of handwritten recipes.

If it’s merely the recipes that resulted from the men’s time in Paris that one seeks, many were modernized in 1938 to be included in Thomas Jefferson’s Cook Book by Marie Kimball. The classic Hemings/Jefferson recipe for crème brûlée, published on the publisher’s web site, has been reproduced here.

But for a back-story entrée with plenty of side dishes, Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée satisfies like a rich, sumptuous meal. Bon appétit!

CL

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

RichmondNavigator.com 41

Events Calendar

OCTOBER 10 - FEBRUARY 21

COURTESY OF EVENT HOSTS

Alien Worlds and Androids

NOVEMBER 27-28

Are we alone in the universe? Join scientists in the search for alien life and discover strange alien-like creatures found here on Earth! Alien Worlds and Androids brings guests face-to-face with worlds far beyond their own and unearths the technology that takes them there.

Richmond Coliseum

Science Museum of Virginia

Explore cutting-edge science and intelligent technology created by The Jet Propulsions Laboratory and NASA. Come face-to-face with the fantastic worlds depicted in your favorite science fiction films and books. How close are we to discovering new alien worlds and alien life? What are the differences between androids and robots? What will the Mars rover uncover? Find out!

SMV.org

NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 3

Cirque du Soleil Presents: TORUK – The First Flight TORUK – The First Flight takes place thousands of years before the movie AVATAR and before any humans visited Pandora. Lead by an actual Storyteller character, the show will follow three young adults – Ralu, Entu, and Tsyal – and the first flight of the Toruk.

CirqueDuSoleil.com/Toruk

RVA On Ice

6th and Broad St, Richmond, VA Come ice skate in the great outdoors on a rink nestled in the heart of downtown amidst the city skyline and entertainment area of Richmond located at the corner of Broad and 6th streets. This unique downtown experience is for everyone and any group including families, singles, schools, church outings, corporate events and private parties.

RVAOnIce.net

THROUGH NOVEMBER 29

Beard Wars Exhibit The Valentine

On view during the final year of the American Civil War’s sesquicentennial commemoration, Beard Wars features local photographer Terry Brown’s portraits of members of the RVA Beard League, inspired by images of Civil War generals in the Valentine’s collection.

TheValentine.org

42 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 27

38th Annual Model Railroad Show

Science Museum of Virginia Become a conductor at the 38th Annual Model Railroad Show!

Featuring all the bells and whistles, guests will enjoy unique and traditional model train displays from across the state. Prance with Clydesdales, see healthy holiday cooking demonstrations and take a ride on the Teddy Bear Train! Learn how trains work, conduct experiments, check out special demonstrations and enjoy a holiday weekend filled with fun for the whole family.

NOVEMBER 29

Peppa Pig to Make a Big Splash Carpenter Theatre New live-action adventure “Peppa Pig’s Big Splash” is an action-packed live show based on the popular Peppa Pig television series, designed to deliver to preschoolers and young fans an unforgettable first live theater experience. The show, a full immersive musical production featuring a dozen familiar and original songs as well as an interactive sing-along, will have fans laughing and dancing - just like Peppa.

RichmondCenterStage.com

SMV.org

NOVEMBER 27-28

Ragtime: The Musical The Altria Theater

RAGTIME returns to the road in an all-new touring production directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and produced by the team that most recently brought you The Addams Family, Spamalot, Rock of Ages and The Color Purple. The stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold – set in turn-of-thecentury New York – all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony Award®-winning score

by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

Winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Musical Score, this 13 time Tony Award-nominated musical is a timeless celebration of life – what it could and should be!

BroadwayinRichmond.com

DECEMBER 2-20

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy!

Gottwald Playhouse Steve Solomon’s two-time awardwinning show has met with rave reviews and great audience acclaim throughout the country, becoming one of the longest-running one-man shows in Broadway history. Once again, we meet the people that we’re all too familiar with: the family members that make you remember why you left home in the first place. It’s a laugh-filled fest of everybody you know, have known, and some you’d want to forget but can’t, all brought to life on stage by the comic magic of Steve Solomon.

RichmondCenterStage.com

RichmondNavigator.com 43

44 Chesterfield Living

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

November/December 2015

WE ASKED, THEY ANSWERED: WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS A FABULOUS PLACE TO SHOP?

RichmondNavigator.com 45

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS The Olive Oil Taproom

A:

We’re the only “free tasting room” store in Richmond. Our 50+ varieties of healthy and delicious extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars will enhance your cooking, salad dressings and even drinks. You’ll find olive oil with dill, basil, garlic and more, plus non-flavor-infused EVOO from Spain, Portugal, Chile, Italy and California. Balsamic vinegars come in flavors such as blackberry ginger, cranberry and pear – aged 12 years, no added sugars or coloring, from Modena, Italy.

200 Towne Center W. Blvd.

11400 W. Hugeunot Rd. Suite 607, Henrico Suite 116, Midlothian 804-360-7929 804-897-6464 (Behind Ethan Allen) (Shoppes at Bellgrade) TheOliveOilTaproom.com See our Ad on pg. 31

Plato’s Closet

A:

We’re fabulous because we serve a need in our community. We provide a variety of clothes and accessories at affordable prices, 70% below retail – brand names that guests may not otherwise be able to afford. We provide an enjoyable shopping experience, where you can walk out with an entire outfit for under $30. Buy, sell, and trade – we buy all seasons, all year, girls and guys, and CASH on the spot.

9127 W. Broad St., Richmond 804-273-0834

9766 Midlothian Tpk., Midlothian 804-323-7711 PlatosCloset.com

See our Ad on pg. 23

Cottage Lane

A:

There’s a loyal following for this little shop! It’s been around for 12 years now! Folks tell their family and friends about the fun, cheerful shop that offers trendy and – at the same time – timeless gifts. Come see the fabulous assortment of Scout Bags, Simply Southern tees and S’well water bottles. Lots more, including Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Space gifts, Jellycat plush … to name a few! Treat yourself and those special to you!

Sycamore Square, Midlothian 804-379-5263 CottageLaneHomeAndGarden.com See our Ad on pg. 21

Schwarzschild

A:

Since 1897, Schwarzschild Jewelers has been committed to providing an exceptional shopping experience. We take great pride in our long-standing partnerships with some of the finest jewelry and timepiece brands in the world, such as Hearts On Fire, David Yurman, Mikimoto, John Hardy, Omega, Breitling and more.

1200 Alverser Plaza, Midlothian • 804-344-0150 Short Pump Town Center, Richmond • 804-967-0800 Cary Court, Richmond • 804-355-2136 Schwarzschild.com See our Ad on pg. 3

46 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

A FABULOUS PLACE TO SHOP? Sassy Bee

A:

At Sassy Bee, it is our goal to be your “go-to” spot for gifts and seasonal home décor! Offering fabulous finds for every reason and season, Sassy Bee is a store that you can run in to pick up a birthday gift for your best friend, spot something perfect to use for entertaining throughout the holidays and walk out with a cute tennis, golf or fitness outfit that you won’t see on everyone else at the club! Sassy Bee, a unique shop filled with fabulous finds for life and play.

11400 Huguenot Rd., Suite 115, Midlothian 804-794-6363 See our Ad on pg. 13 ShopSassyBee.com

Saxon Shoes

A:

For the largest selection of top-quality shoes and boots in Richmond, shop Saxon Shoes. We stock 200 well-known brand names for men, women and children, offering a wide selection of sizes and styles, from the classics to the latest trends. Featuring shoes, boots, handbags and accessories from designers such as Sam Edelman, Cole Haan, Toms, Dansko, Johnston and Murphy, Vera Bradley and Brighton, Saxon offers endless options for gift giving or for treating yourself. Saxon’s superior customer service makes your shopping experience enjoyable, comfortable and efficient.

See our Ad on pg. 1

11800 W. Broad St., Short Pump 804-285-3473 SaxonShoes.com

Vino Market

A:

Locally owned Vino Market has been providing customers with fresh, wild-caught seafood; all-natural, cut-to-order meats; gourmet cheeses; and the best wine and beer for almost seven years.

Specializing in small, family producers with organic and sustainable practices, the Vino Market sells products it believes in: “If we won’t eat or drink it, we won’t sell it.” It’s a great lunch spot, too: made-to-order panini, salads and subs; and the best box lunches for meetings and company outings. Plus a Tasting Party every Friday, 5 to 8.

3730 Winterfield Rd., Midlothian 804-594-0044 TheVinoMarket.com

A:

See our Ad on pg. 39

Coalfield Station

With over 75 vendors in a newly renovated 10,000-square-foot space, we offer a wide selection of “antiques and uniques.” Our extensive, ever-changing collections include primitives and country, retro and mid-century, upcycled and repurposed. You’ll find furniture and decoratives for your home as well as collectibles, coins, books and even vintage clothing. Join us soon, perhaps for one of our sales. “See you at the Station.”

13597 Midlothian Tpk., Midlothian 804-794-7425 CoalfieldStationAntiques.com See our Ad on pg. 15

RichmondNavigator.com 47

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS Indigo Home, Garden, and Holiday

A:

(formerly Plant Peddler’s Corner Store)

We have a new look and more Christmas than ever. Find collectible gifts such as Department 56 villages and snowbabies, Possible Dreams Santas, Byers Carolers, Fontanini nativities and Mark Roberts fairies. We offer one-of-a-kind and custom wreaths or we can bring new life to your favorite holiday wreath! Discover the perfect bow for treetops and other holiday decorating. Our customers tell us this store is a fun and friendly place to get in the seasonal spirit!

1101 Crowder Dr., Midlothian 804-794-6972 IndigoHGH.com See our Ad on pg. 56

She Chester

A:

Locally owned and operated for seven years, She Chester Boutique offers a wide selection of jewelry, clothing and gifts, all which can be gift-wrapped for you. We have something for everyone! Personal shoppers are eager to assist you with your selections as well as with gift registry. We present Ladies’ Night on Dec 10 and Men’s Night on December 16.

Please come in and enjoy the holiday season with She Chester Boutique.

11884 Chester Village Dr., Chester 804-717-5305 Facebook.com/SheChester See our Ad on pg. 14

Thrill of the Hunt

A:

Our unique store can transform your house! We turn tired, faded furniture into stunning, upcycled works of art. Let our interior decorator and upholsterer style your rooms and renew your chairs, couches and footstools. Our creative staff aspires to inspire, poised to take your creativity to the next level. We also are a stockist for all Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® products. Come see why Thrill of the Hunt is one of a kind!

315 England St., Ashland 804-368-0184 ThrillOfTheHuntVA.com See our Ad on pg. 54

A:

Upscale Resale Boutique

A Wonderful Place to Shop & Consign Women and young women of all sizes (00 to 32) enjoy 50% to 90% off designer and name-brand clothing. You can find NEW treasures every day – from new or nearly new handbags, shoes, clothing, gowns, jewelry and more. You can always find a unique piece in our cute boutique.

We offer gift cards and layaway. Our goal is to provide superior service to help you look your best and save money. We look forward to your visit.

See our Ad on pg. 18 48 Chesterfield Living

12010 Southshore Pointe Dr., Midlothian 804-608-1875 Facebook.com/UpscaleResaleVA

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

A FABULOUS PLACE TO SHOP? Bon Air Hearth, Porch and Patio

A:

Our company was founded on the concept of exceptional products and exceptional customer service; and we realize our greatest asset is you, the customer. As a locally owned family business, we view our customers as friends. Whether it’s a new fireplace, patio furniture, grill or whole-house generator, we’ll bring your vision to life. We want to be your hearth, porch and patio partner.

8801 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond 804-320-3600 BonAirHearthPorchandPatio.com See our Ad on pg. 56

Roomers

A:

At Roomers, you’ll discover unique and one-of-a-kind home accessories to brighten up any decor. We’re the home of “Almost Custom” window treatments and bedding, and we offer a full range of home décor – window treatments, lamps, rugs, upholstery, bedding, gifts and accessories. There’s something for every taste!

1364 Gaskins Rd., Richmond 804-740-0231 RoomersDesign.com

Hello, World Inspiring excellence in learning and life.

“I don’t know what I want to be yet when I grow up, but Collegiate is giving me the confidence and the courage to keep exploring until I figure it out...”

Wyatt 5th Grader

Join us for an Admission Program or Call for a Tour!

For more information or to register, please call the Admission Office at 804.740.7077

JK / KIndergarten November 11 November 17 grades 5 – 8 November 6

Co-Ed | JK–12th Grade www.collegiate-va.org Collegiate School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

RichmondNavigator.com 49

1516 Koger Center Blvd Richmond, VA 23235 804-794-2100 50 Chesterfield Living

8235 Mechanicsville Turnpike Mechanicsville, VA 23111 804-746-7781

1042 Temple Ave Colonial Heights, VA 23834 804-722-3201

THE

HOME

HOME LIBRARYPRACTICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

YOUNGBLOOD PROPERTIES IN HALLSLEY

By Annie Tobey

As

A CHILD, I HAD TWO FAVORITE SPOTS FOR READING . One

was on a comfy, cushioned bench in my bedroom dormer window, the other in the branches of a perfect climbing tree. Though distinctly different, they had one common denominator: both provided a familiar, comfortable setting for transporting my mind into the pages of a book.

As a young bookworm, I read because I wanted to, ignorant of and apathetic to its benefits. As an adult, I read in the conscious pursuit of knowledge, relaxation or escape.

Whether as an adult maintaining that passion for books or a parent wanting to instill a love for reading in kids, crafting an ideal home library considers both the practical and the imaginative – creating a space that draws the whole family in, providing a positive connotation with books and with reading.

As I explored recent designer-home models in search of library ideas, I found examples of dedicated rooms as well as nooks. In a Hallsley model home by Biringer Builders, a front room housed shelves on three walls, with two matching chairs for reading and a desk and other furniture for book storage and display. A Youngblood Properties home, on the other hand, used a generous open space on a second-floor landing for shelves, a cushioned chair and a desk.

Both dedicated spots provided relaxation while highlighting the homeowners’ books – which brings us to the need for shelves. Though much can be said in praise of public libraries, owning a book makes it part of our psyche. Displaying that book, if only the spine, affirms its value, like a wall of family photos. Having plenty of shelf space for a book collection celebrates the value of reading.

Once you pull your current title off the shelf, you’ll need a place to read. In seating, only one word really matters: comfort. Don’t let discomfort distract!

You’ll want to situate that comfortable seat near a source of light and a storage-happy end table.

Walter Froh from Shades of Light offers some practical recommendations for lighting your library. “Like many lighting projects, it is probably going to require ‘layering your light,’” he suggested.

“One light source is not going to provide all your lighting needs.” Froh recommended a combination of ambient light sources, accent lighting and task lighting.

The best task lamp provides directed light, such as a floor lamp or a desk lamp. “I read from a chair/sofa, so a floor lamp works best for me,” Froh said. “That way my limited side table space is not occupied by a table lamp.” In fact, he said, he uses Shades of Light’s Times

Square Floor Lamp.

A storage-happy end table keeps your reading accoutrements handy, so you won’t burst your thought bubble whenever you need reading glasses, bookmark, notepad, highlighter or pen.

Yes, highlighter and pen. I was raised to see books as sacred, never to be defaced. However, once I learned that books are happy to be notated, used and fondled, they became more like best friends and partners than arms-length celebrities (except perhaps a first edition classic!). As Jules Verne said in Journey to the Center of the Earth, “Instead of letting books grow moldy behind an iron grating, far from the vulgar gaze, it is better to let them wear out by being read.”

A 21st-century library also requires storage and connections for your e-book devices: charging cords, outlets and Wi-Fi. You can keep a drink within reach, too – satiate your thirst and build the pleasant connotation of reading.

For even more fun and inspiration, provide a little whimsy in your library.

My favorite, a bookish gargoyle, perches in a prominent place to remind me to pick up a book.

Creative book posters project a bookish bent. Picture an image representing Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, The Great Gatsby, Macbeth, or Jane Eyre on your wall. Notable sources for book art include PosterText.com, Litographs.com and SpinelessClassics.net. These creative posters combine tiny text from featured books with simple graphics to create memorable representations of the written word. Spineless Classics even includes the entire book on the print, at four-point font!

Looking to learn? To escape? To teach your kids the value of reading? Perch in your own perfect library, then take the “Second star to the right, and straight on ’til morning!”* Litographs After all, there really is no place like home. * J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

CL

RichmondNavigator.com 51

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HOME

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

WELCOMING GUESTS INTO YOUR BATHROOM

L

est you think that Chesterfield Living is about to “sink” to a new low, I’ll assure you that this article is filled with practical information that hosts often fail to consider. So take the plunge and read on!

Your guests will begin dropping by any minute. You’ve cleaned house, prepared food and drinks, set out serving pieces and started the musical playlist. You feel confident that your event will make a social splash, as your friends recall the feast and festivities for months – or years – to come.

But for those few moments when they step away to attend to personal needs, as they must, will their experience overshadow an otherwise perfect event?

A little planning can round out the affair.

CREATE A TASTEFUL HAVEN

Besides heeding nature’s call, a few moments in the can can provide a quiet break. Your guest loo need not be commodious. Simply upgrade the room with eye-catching tile, sparkling lighting and modern fixtures to make a radiant impression.

You don’t have to be flush with money to create a welcoming water closet. Even attractive accessories can pump up a room, including basic touches such as cabinets and hardware, faucet sets, wall coverings and accessories.

EMBARRASSMENT IS NOT A WELCOME GUEST

Since visitors may not want everyone to be privy to their movements, label the bathroom clearly. Make sure that the door locks securely – you may spare red-faced awkwardness for at least two of your friends! Provide curtains on windows to assure guests of their privacy and a candle to cover unwanted odors. And be sure the plumbing is working correctly, too.

CONSIDER GUESTS’ HYGIENE CONCERNS

Of course, you will have cleaned the bathroom thoroughly, but a few minor though important extras can set your hosting skills apart, especially for guests who may have compromised immune systems.

First, use liquid soap dispensers instead of bar soap.

Next, offer disposable hand towels instead of shared cloth towels. If the environmental aspect of paper hand towels concerns you, consider that you’re saving the extra facial tissues that will be necessary if your guests share their colds with each other! If the aesthetics of paper towels bother you, realize you can find attractive paper guest towels and holders online and at local boutiques.

PROVIDE A’PLENTY

Start the party with a fresh box of facial tissue. So your guests don’t have to sink to asking for more toilet paper, set out a few extra rolls. Look for decorative and even whimsical toilet paper stands at local home stores.

ADD THE EXTRAS

Consider providing some toiletries for unexpected needs: a basket of inexpensive travel-size products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair spray, lotion (scented and unscented), and a box of help-yourself feminine products. Set out some light reading material as well.

Welcoming guests to your bathroom needn’t drain your bank account, but the few extra bucks you spend will all come out in the wash, adding to the positive vibes from your hospitality. CL RichmondNavigator.com 53

54 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

KEEP YOUR HOME WARM AND ALLERGY FREE THIS WINTER WITH AIR RESOLUTIONS

A

By Angela Weight

CCORDING TO THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC, this

coming winter is all set to outdo last year’s bone-chilling freeze.

YOU REMEMBER LAST WINTER, RIGHT?

That was when our home’s heating unit nearly wore itself out, while our hardwood floors felt like ice to my bare feet and the bone-dry air played havoc with all of our sinuses. I swore, before it got cold again, that we’d look into a more efficient heating system that would keep our whole house warm, not just some of the rooms.

And we’d get a humidifier to pump some moisture back in the air.

Turns out we don’t need either one. A few months ago, I called Air Resolutions to come out and inspect my home for air leakages, allergens, mold and dust. My neighbor suggested it because our utility bill was so high each month and we were constantly sick with allergies.

Chris Joyner and Charlie Martin, owners of Air Resolutions, have been solving energy efficiency and air-quality issues for Richmond homeowners for over a decade. And they received an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau for excellent customer service.

Martin, who inspected our home, found all kinds of air leaks in the crawl space and ducts. He also pointed out that our AC unit couldn’t be working effectively with so much indoor air seeping through those cracks. And my utility bill money was leaking out with it. Ouch!

The next step was to install new insulation and encapsulate the crawl space. The positive change in our home’s air quality was noticeable almost immediately.

I recently spoke with Martin about how the work they did back in the summer would benefit us this winter.

A valuable by-product of sealing our crawl space is having pipes that don’t freeze and burst. “Last winter, not a single one of our customers with encapsulated crawl spaces had a water pipe burst,” noted Martin. If you’ve ever been through that headache, Air Resolutions’ preventive services are a must.

The professionals at Air Resolutions begin each project with a visual inspection to reveal the sources of air leakage, dust, allergens and humidity. Then they’ll recommend solutions that homeowners can take in steps, as their budgets allow. Some services they provide are insulation sealing and replacement, duct cleaning and sealing, vapor barrier installation, moisture control, crawl space encapsulation and drainage systems.

Set up a consultation and free estimate by visiting www.airresolutions.com or calling 804-887-0229.

As for my home, thanks to Air Resolutions, we’re all ready for winter.

“Using good insulation and sealing up the crawl space are essential for keeping your home warm and your utility bills manageable,” said Martin. “Insulation is like a thick wool sweater. It keeps you warm until the wind picks up. Sealing your crawl space is like putting a heavy windbreaker on over that sweater. They’re equally important and work together to keep the cold outside where it belongs.”

RichmondNavigator.com 55

56 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 TRAVEL

Keswick Hall

COURTESY OF KESWICK HALL

An Elegant, Easy Escape

By Annie Tobey

I knew the name. I’ve been in Virginia long enough for it to ring a bell. But I had no idea. No idea.

IN

SEARCH OF A NEARBY VENUE FOR THE ULTIMATE GETAWAY, I was recommended to seek

out Keswick Hall, within an hour’s drive west of Richmond. And there I melted into the quiet of elegant escape.

The comfortable luxury of Keswick Hall begins at the front door – no cold, stodgy reception desk here, merely two small desks with gracious staff poised to greet you.

The experience extends into the hallways, the community areas and the guest rooms and suites.

In the original part of the country hall (called Villa Crawford, erected as a private residence in 1912), the generous staircase and winding halls lead to rooms that are tastefully and classically decorated, clean and uncluttered.

With bright walls, scattered lamps, comfortable seating and windows to let in the natural light, the room helped establish my sense of calm.

RichmondNavigator.com 57

TRAVEL

...

Of course, the bottle of Keswick Vineyard’s signature Edith Viognier wine helped. I postponed my dinner reservations so I could sip and relax.

The hallways in the newer areas of the building (added in 1990 by Sir Bernard Ashley, widower of designer Laura Ashley) continue the comfortable feel. Rather than the practical straight shot of a hotel, the halls are graced with archways and stately furniture.

In fact, the entire building has more the feel of a residence than a hotel – like visiting friends, albeit friends who are unobtrusive and quite undemanding.

Fireplaces scattered around the property fairly beg for your company. The snooker room (i.e., billiard room) hosts a grouping of chairs in addition to the snooker table, welcoming both relaxation and gaming. The library, featuring works by Virginians and about the commonwealth, provides seating, lending privileges and an excuse to escape into the pages of a book.

Distinct dining options provide distinctive experiences. Find a seat in the community spaces of Villa Crawford for lunch buffet or a la carte lunch, or order room service.

The menu at the Villa Crawford bar includes specialty craft cocktails, wine, local craft beer and cider, plus starters and sandwiches, which you can enjoy at the bar, on the terrace or by the fireplace.

Since all Keswick Hall registered guests are club members during their stay, you can eat and drink at 58 Chesterfield Living

the Club Grill, too.

But for the crowning culinary experience, you’ll want to reserve your table in Fossett’s. Named for one of Thomas Jefferson’s top chefs, Edith Fossett, who served in his kitchens for 24 years, from the time she was 15 years old, the menu reflects Jefferson’s preference for cuisine: local, Southern influence with the flair of classic cooking techniques. As U.S. senator and statesman Daniel Webster said, the food on Jefferson’s table was “served in half-Virginian, half-French style, in good taste and abundance.”

Given the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, you can pair your breakfast, tea or dinner with panoramic views of the rolling golf course, hills and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The lengthy wine list at Fossett’s includes wines from across the globe, including the Keswick “Edith” labels, also named for Jefferson’s chef.

If your idea of a retreat includes a bit more activity than simply relaxing in comfortable elegance, Keswick offers those options, too – even in the chilly months of the year. Indoors,

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

... you can enjoy board games, yoga, the fitness room, wine cellar or kitchen tour and wine and beer tastings. Settle in to the spa for a proper pampering of massages and luxurious body wraps.

Outdoors, as the weather and your constitution allow, you’ll find golf, tennis (seven courts on three different surfaces), croquet, bocce ball, badminton and biking. You can take a garden tour or history tour or wander miles of hiking trails, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Virginia countryside.

Although not on the Keswick Hall activity list, my nighttime walk, lit only by a waxing crescent moon, revealed another fabulous occupation: stargazing under the marvelous canopy of a sky dotted with millions of pinpricks of light. Heavenly!

The estate also hosts three swimming pools. Two are for the whole family: the seasonal Pavilion pool and the indooroutdoor pool (with only the indoor open this time of year). The most breathtaking amenity at Keswick is its Horizon Pool, a saltwater, heated infinity pool for adults only, affording stunning views that seem to stretch seamlessly from the water across the estate to the mountains beyond. Enhanced with underwater music, the Horizon is the ultimate in relaxation.

And when I awakened the next morning, with fog rising from the Horizon Pool and the ponds of the estate, with a rim of orange cresting the mountains in the distance, I knew that I had achieved the peace that I sought. WEB

Keswick Hall 701 Club Dr., Keswick 434-979-3440 Keswick.com

HOMESTEAD RESORT CELEBRATES ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY THROUGHOUT 2016

By Steve Cook

THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT

“Very few companies can truly claim 250 years of service,” said Lynn Swann, director of marketing and communications for the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.

“It is an incredible honor to be able to celebrate the rich legacy of The Omni Homestead.”

The Homestead will commemorate the milestone with 366 days of anniversary celebrations, which include afternoon anniversary parties with a different flavor of cake each day, a monthly speaker series, fireside chats, historic menu items in the main dining room, special concerts, firework displays and much more.

In preparation for the big 2016 celebration, the resort has been making some major renovations.

“In 2012,” Swann said, “we enhanced our outdoor pool area by adding water slides, a lazy river, water play zone, whirlpool and cabanas, as well as a miniature golf course.”

Of course, some things never change. “The genuine and gracious hospitality of our associates and time-honored traditions will always remain as part of our resort experience,” said Swann.

For more information, visit OmniHomestead250.com or phone 800-838-1766.

WEB

RichmondNavigator.com 59

10

MUST-SEE REGIONAL MUSEUMS

By Annie Tobey

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MUSEUMS

NEWSEUM

Have you ever wondered what happens between newsworthy events and the broadcast or article? Do you care?

You should, and this museum explains why, focusing on media and the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Interactive, engaging exhibits examine news stories past and present through the eyes of the journalist. At the time of this writing, over two-dozen exhibits include “Reporting Vietnam,” “1965: Civil Rights at 50,” Pulitzer Prize photographs and an interactive newsroom for testing your journalistic skills. Films include a 4-D time travel adventure, “The Lighter Side of the News” and a history of sports reporting.

“A free press, at its best, reveals the truth.”

The Newseum 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Newseum.org While you’re there, see where news is made: VisitTheCapitol.gov

ANNIE TOBEY

FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM

The early pioneers pulled up their roots to make a new start in America, building lives in an unsettled land. Early Virginia settlers came from England, Germany, Ireland and West Africa, joining the First Americans.

Stroll around this living history museum: see early homes and trades, from farming to blacksmithing, from the 1600s to the 1850s, and learn the settlers’ stories. Understand the beauty and challenges these pioneers faced and appreciate the contributions they’ve made to America.

“The American idea is as promising, imaginative, and full of the unexpected as the land itself. The land represents freedom – the frontier, the ability to make a new future with your own bare hands.”

Anna Deavere Smith, actress, playwright & professor 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton FrontierMuseum.org While you’re there, VisitStaunton.com

60 Chesterfield Living

TRAVEL

CENTER IN THE SQUARE MUSEUMS The Harrison Museum of African-American Culture showcases the art and history of African Americans in the region through memorabilia, photographs, artifacts and oral stories from community elders. Explore the History Museum of Western Virginia and the compact but entertaining Science Museum of Western Virginia, with a beautiful Butterfly Garden to boot. Finally, don’t miss the Roanoke Pinball Museum, for your chance to play on 45 machines from the 1930s to today.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Mahatma Gandhi One Market Square SE, Roanoke CenterInTheSquare.org While you’re there, VisitRoanokeVA.com

U.S. ARMY WOMEN’S MUSEUM

Those who risk their lives to protect our nation deserve to be honored.

Those who have dedicated themselves to our nation in the face of disrespect, committing themselves to the cause even when others believed they were incapable, deserve great honor as well.

This museum is dedicated to women throughout U.S. history who have worked and fought for their beliefs – from Mary Corbin, who during the Revolutionary War became the first servicewoman, to women’s new roles in today’s U.S. Army.

“Let the generations know that the women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom. That our resolve was as great as the brave men who stood among us, and with victory our hearts were just as full and beat just as fast. That the tears fell just as hard for those we left behind us.”

1st Lt. Anne Sosh Brehm, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, WWII 2100 “A” Ave., Bldg. 5219, Fort Lee AWM.lee.army.mil While you’re there, visit PetersburgArea.org

BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM Surround yourself with exhibits and sounds that tell the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions – the musical genre’s big bang and its spread throughout Virginia and beyond.

Permanent exhibits include artifacts, theater experiences, a working vintage radio station and interactive displays. Learn about evolving sound technologies and see how this rich musical heritage continues to thrive.

Whether country music is your go-to or not, you can enjoy the spirit of talented, hard-working musicians.

Then step outside into the streets of Bristol, where you’ll find live music of all types.

“The mountain music ... is compelling music in its own right, harking back to a time when music was a part of everyday life and not something performed by celebrities.”

Ethan Coen, co-director of O Brother, Where Art Thou?

520 Birthplace of Country Music Way BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org While you’re there, PickBristol.com RichmondNavigator.com 61

TRAVEL

VIRGINIA BEACH AQUARIUM

Take in 800,000 gallons of aquariums and animal habitats. Experience hands-on exhibits, a scenic nature path and marshlands. For an extraspecial treat, take one of the behind-the-scenes tours. Kid-centered activities include Nurturing Naturalists interactive programs, crafts, games and hands-on activity stations for all ages.

Through Jan. 3, 2016, a dinosaur exhibit highlights eight animatronic beasts from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

And when you’re done, sail through the air at the adjoining Adventure Park, conquering ziplines and challenging bridges, from easy to expert.

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

Jacques-Yves Cousteau, French explorer, scientist & marine conservationist

CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART Explore one of America’s great fine art museums, housing nearly 30,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history: European and American painting and sculpture; one of the nation’s greatest glass collections; Federalist and Art Nouveau furniture; and art from Africa, Asia and Egypt. See works of artistic giants like Lewis Tiffany, Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, Henri Matisse, Adolphe William Bouguereau, Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt, and stop by the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio for demonstrations and classes as well as the museum’s two historic homes.

717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach VirginiaAquarium.com While you’re there, VisitVirginiaBeach.com

“Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.”

Pablo Picasso, artist 1 Memorial Pl., Norfolk Chrysler.org While you’re there, VisitNorfolkVA.com

INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM

A mysterious, dangerous world lurks in our midst – unseen, it threatens and protects.

This expansive, fascinating and interactive museum provides a global perspective on espionage and intelligence through film, state-of-the-art exhibits and spy-related artifacts. Explore audio surveillance, threat analysis and maintaining cover. Learn about the history of espionage from biblical times on, including stories of real-life spies. Your eyes will be opened!

“You only live twice: once when you’re born, and once when you look death in the face.”

Ian Fleming, You Only Live Twice 800 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. SpyMuseum.org While you’re there, tour Washington.org 62 Chesterfield Living

TRAVEL

SMITHSONIAN AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, UDVAR-HAZY CENTER Explore two huge hangars filled with thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including hundreds of aircraft from floor to ceiling.

Get up close to a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery. Hop in simulators and get a taste of doing a barrel roll while racing through enemy fire or flying jet age combat sorties.

Settle in to the Airbus IMAX® Theater and watch films like Journey to Space or Hidden Universe.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Leonardo da Vinci, scientist, inventor & artist While there, visit Fairfax: FxVA.com

14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly AirAndSpace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL A pile of 4,000 shoes – a tiny fraction of those found at only one concentration camp, Majdanek – representing those victims who wasted away, were murdered, and no longer needed to cover their feet.

Merely reading of the atrocities of the Holocaust is sobering, but the exhibits in this museum help make the utter cruelty of the slaughter so much more real, as the Nazis targeted Jews and others whom they considered “inferior.” Exhibits tell of those who ignored or even aided the evil and those who courageously fought against it. Most importantly, the museum reminds us of the need for vigilance, to guard against the repetition of history’s worst chapters.

“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.”

Elie Wiesel, author and Holocaust survivor 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl., SW, Washington, D.C. USHMM.org Cross the Potomac to StayArlington.com

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64 Chesterfield Living

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Shop the brand’s boots, slippers, and casuals for men, women, and kids plus loungewear, blankets, handbags, and care products.

SHORT PUMP TOWN CENTER 804.285.3473 THE VILLAGE AT TOWNE CENTRE in Fredericksburg 540.736.8600

www.saxonshoes.com RichmondNavigator.com 66