West End's Best Jan/Feb 2018 by Advertising Concepts, Inc.

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CONTENTS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018

20 10 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

That’s Why.

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18 WashYourWayRVA

SENIORS

25 Reigniting Resolutions

HEALTH

30 Keep It Moving! 32 What to Wear to Work Out

FLAVOR

47 In Search Of: Pizza 51 Tastebudz 56 Happy Hour Guide

HOME

20 A Housing Market of Their Own 68 Closets That Work

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62 Monterey

32 12 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

From the Editor

Contributors

I’ll begin the editor’s letter with an admission — a confession — if you will. Speaking generally, I hate editor’s letters. I never read them and if I can get out of writing them, I will. I wonder if anyone actually reads them. I’d love to hear from you on this matter. Of course, if you’re one who doesn’t read them, then you won’t be able to take part in this poll, so it’s pretty skewed from the outset. It’s my personal opinion that editors, themselves, are not all that important to the final product, which you hold in your hand. You certainly don’t need me to give you a preview of what’s inside. You’re smart enough to just start flipping pages. It’s our writers, most of whom are freelancers, and our talented graphics people who really make the magazine what it is. My contribution is rather minimal. So, how about if I tell you about those talented guys in graphics. We already do a contributors page to tell you a bit about our writers, but no one ever says a word about the graphics team. It’s true that most graphics folks are a little weird in their artsy sort of way and I guess our team is no exception. However, they’re all fun to work with. So, here goes: First, our creative director, Michael Lay. As an example of the quirkiness of which I speak, Michael lists lava lamps as among his favorite things. He has many years of experience squeezed into his relatively short lifespan, beginning with a Communications degree from Virginia Tech. He’s been a writer, an editor, an artist, a graphic artist, an illustrator, a photogDancer, linoleum block print – Michael Lay rapher, a pirate, a puppet, a poet, a pawn and a king (much of that is true). To learn more about Michael and to see some examples of the wide range of his artistic talents, visit his website — MLayDesign.com. Ryan Hooley, who has about 18 years experience in the business, is also a vital part of our team. I knew that Ryan is a cartoonist, but what I did not know until recently is that as an pixel artist and animator, Ryan has done some work for Marvel Entertainment. I guess that explains why he wears a Spider Man outfit to work on casual-dress Fridays. You can see examples of Ryan’s work at instagram.com/pxlflx/. The third member of our team, Joey Wharton, does some of the layout for the magazine, but as the Batman, pixel art – Ryan Hooley youngest employee, he has been instrumental in bringing our website (RichmondNavigator.com) and our social media sites into the 21st century. Joey used to be our creative director, but he cut back on his time to start his own photography business. And wow, has he been successful, making quite a name for himself. While he does a variety of work, including wedding photography, he has become the “photographer of choice” by many local and not-so- local entertainers. You can check out his work online at JoeyWharton.com. Be sure to click on his Live Music page. He really is very talented. I can’t imagine what Joey will acThao and The Get Down – Joey Wharton complish when he actually gets old enough to shave. I happen to think that visually, our family of lifestyle magazines are among the most attractive publications in town. And, of course, we owe that all to our graphics team. (Insert applause here) Okay, I think this editor’s letter turned out pretty good, better than most. I’m just sorry that most of you will never read it.

Susie Galvez

Steve Cook,

Steve@RichmondNavigator.com 14 West End's Best

RichmondNavigator.com

Susie Galvez is an internationally-known beauty expert and a leading consultant in the spa industry. The founder of a day spa in Richmond, VA, Susie is an esthetician, makeup artist, cosmetic product formulator, and author of eight beauty and lifestyle books. She is a frequent speaker at international spa conventions and has been featured on radio and TV programs around the nation, as well as in international, national and regional publications.

Lisa Puster

Lisa Puster is a web content manager, writer and mom of two teenage daughters, Meredith and Morgan. Lisa is a selfproclaimed shopping, yoga and wine enthusiast. Her interest in wine began after working for a wine distributor years ago. She enjoys pairing her love for wine with her love for writing!

Melanie Rasnic

Melanie Rasnic is a Richmond area native and a big fan of all things RVA. She graduated in 2014 from VCU with her bachelor’s degree in science, and in 2017 from Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia with her master’s in physician assistant studies. She is thrilled to be back home and promises to never leave Richmond for that long again.

Josh Young

Josh Young is a photographer and educator, as well as a recent Richmond transplant. He earned his degrees from West Virginia University where he worked as a photo journalist, and an event and portrait photographer. His news photos have been used nationwide through the Associated Press. When he’s not behind the camera, he can be found reading a good book, or trying to sample all the great food that Richmond has to offer. To see some of his work, view his Instagram: @joshuayoungphoto.

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CAR WASH NOW OPEN IN THE WEST END PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER

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Cheryl T. Davis DIRECTOR OF SALES AND OPERATIONS

Paul Pearlman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Steve Cook ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tammy Wersinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michael Lay GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ryan Hooley DIGITAL MANAGER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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ALL ARTICLES AND CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINIONS OR THOUGHTS OF WEST END’S BEST MAGAZINE, ADVERTISING CONCEPTS, INC OR THE PUBLISHER.

Spa is so Delightful!

ABOUT OUR COVER

It’s always good to start the new year determined to make some self improvements and this issue of is designed to help you stick with your goals. We take a look at exercise and make up trends and examine popular diets to help you choose which is best for you. Don’t miss our feature on sleep disorders as well as tips on getting better sleep. And if you really want to feel good, join us as we go in search of the West End’s best pizzas.

16 West End's Best

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ROCKIN’ IT AT by Lisa Puster

e’ve all heard about the benefits of music for babies, toddlers and young children and how it can brighten their mood, benefit their brain, and boost early language and math skills. But did you know it can also help older children and teens foster important life skills, such as self-regulation, self-confidence, leadership, and social skills? At School of Rock, they believe the best way to learn music is to play music. Their immersive method and performance-based approach to music instruction inspires students by having them perform as soon as possible. Taking students from the lesson room to the stage develops both confidence and musicianship. But it’s not just about playing an instrument - it’s about playing as a team. Learning to play by jamming together with fellow students takes the focus off the individual and creates a team dynamic, allowing students to enjoy a more supportive, motivative, learning environment. Parker and Matt Alter own both the Short Pump and Midlothian schools. The couple was looking for an investment opportunity when Matt came across an online ad for School of Rock franchises. As a musician and former band member, Matt called Parker and said, “I think I just found the perfect opportunity for us!” Intrigued by the idea of helping kids learn more about the benefits of playing music, they opened the Short Pump location in January 2013 and the Midlothian location in June 2016. When asked what makes School of Rock different, Parker explains, “School of Rock is a safe haven, where students grow together and work as a team, while developing important life skills such as social, listening and communicating skills.” Parker adds, “Students actually want to practice and improve because it’s a fun, inspiring, team environment.” Thalia Tymowski, a talented vocalist and 16-year-old junior at James River High School joined the Midlothian School of Rock in the fall of 2015. “I always loved music,” says Thalia, “As a little kid I was always singing and making up songs about whatever was around me.” She says that School of Rock provides the full package by helping students learn about different types of music, vocal and performance techniques, as well as how sound works, and then tying it all together. Thalia says she likes that School of Rock is performance-based and gives her the opportunity to work with a group, perform frequently and make new friends, “It’s cool

to work with others who love music as much as me!” With true front-(wo)man personality and enthusiasm, Thalia adds, “School of Rock is super-awesome, and everybody here rocks!” Camden Harrahy, a gifted guitarist and 17-year-old senior at Goochland High School, first came to the Short Pump school when he was 12 years old. Says Camden, “I was struggling with the motivation to play and was only so-so on the guitar.” He liked the idea of performing with an ensemble at School of Rock and says, “I was immediately more motivated to practice because it was so much more fun to learn in that type of environment.” Camden says his experience at School of Rock has made him more outgoing and confident and he enjoys being around like-minded people. He is now one of the school’s best guitarists and has also learned to play bass, drums, and keys. School of Rock made him realize he wants a career in music; he plans to major in Audio Production in college. With the thought and depth of a true musician, Camden says, “School of Rock is a great place to develop yourself as a musician and as a person, honestly!” Learn more about School of Rock at SchoolOfRock.com. Or phone 804-212-3900.

January / February 2018

West End's Best 17

FIRST OF ALL

Photos: David Masucci

It’s a Dirty Job, But Somebody Loves to Do It

by Steve Cook

etting all the necessary gear together and washing your car is probably not at the top of your To Do list, especially this time of year. It’s not a subject that we even give much attention to, except when our car is filthy, which it often is, especially this time of year. While most of us don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about washing cars, it’s a subject that Max Koehler, who has recently opened WashYourWayRVA car wash near Innsbrook, has been thinking about ever since his college days in North Carolina. That’s when he took a part time job with a popular car wash business and got hooked. Now, you might be wondering just what is the hook? Max explains that from the start, “I was always trying to figure out how to do things better. I always had my heart in (the business).” I have a feeling after having spent an hour or so visiting with the West End businessman, that what really excites Max is good customer service. Washing cars is just the vehicle he uses to provide that service. So, if you’ve been seeking a truly professional car wash coupled with exceptional customer service, my advice is to head into WashYourWayRVA Car Wash at 4040 Sadler Road. In determining how to improve the car wash business, Max discovered the importance of giving customers the options they desire in order to wash their car in the way that they want. Not everyone needs full service, he says. “Sometimes a customer just wants a quick exterior wash.” So, when you visit WashYourWayRVA, you really do get to have it 18 West End's Best

washed your way. Your experience begins with an attendant assisting you in selecting the options you desire. If you just want to ride through and be on your way, that’s your choice. If you want to wash the exterior and then pull over to a spacious after-wash space to vacuum your car and do any follow-up, that’s available, too, at no additional charge. Your basic exterior wash starts at just $7. However, if you want additional services, there are a host of options from which to choose, including interior vacuuming, washing your windows, carpet shampooing and wheel and tire cleaning Max doesn’t advertise it as a full detail service in deference to true detailers. I can tell you, though, that the full service at WashYourWayRVA costs considerably less than a complete detail. “We call it an affordable alternative to detailing,” Max tells me. However you choose to have your car washed, you can be assured that Max and his staff are committed to doing it your way. “We have a great team who enjoy what they do,” he assures me. WashYourWayRVA also offers unlimited monthly service, loyalty programs and fleet service. Check their website for more info (WashYourWayRVA.com). You may not be in love with the idea of having to wash your car, but when it needs a good wash (and it probably does right now, doesn’t it?), isn’t it nice to know that you can have it washed by folks who truly love what they do?

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West End's Best 19

A Housing Market Of Their Own

Age-targeted communities offer designs and amenities for older generations

Photo: Cornerstone

“Older homeowners have specific preferences when searching for the community that is right for them. Friendships, health, wellness are at the top of the lists”. — Roger Glover, principal, Cornerstone Homes

by Tom Gresham

he housing industry is working to build neighborhoods and communities that target a very specific demographic — those homeowners who are 55 years or older. The reason for the trend is as simple as the sheer size and purchasing power of the Boomer Generation. “Each year more than 3.5 million boomers turn 55 years of age, and there are 74.9 million boomers in the U.S. today,” said Roger Glover, principal and founder of Cornerstone Homes and its sister building companies, Villa Development and RT Homes. The upshot, Glover said, is that boomers are “the most powerful consumers in the marketplace.”

Communities for homeowners who are 55-plus abound in the Richmond area and elsewhere in the country. Glover has developed and built 16 active adult communities, and Cornerstone Homes itself has self-developed eight active adult communities with nearly 1,000 homes in Virginia and North Carolina. Current local projects include the Villas at Ashlake in Chesterfield, an age-restricted (55-plus) community of 82 homes; the Villas at Magnolia Lakes Phase 2, The Cove, in Chester, an age-targeted community of 68 homes; Chickahominy Falls in Hanover County, a farm-centric, age-restricted (55-plus) community of 400 homes; and Barley Woods, an age-restricted (55-plus) community in Fredericksburg of 124 homes.

Photo: Viniterra

Custom homes at Viniterra often feature three to four bedrooms with a first-floor master suite and special attention given to outdoor living areas.

Age-targeted and age-restricted communities vary in their settings, housing styles and amenities, among other characteristics, but Glover said older homeowners have some chief preferences when searching for the community that is right for them. “Friendships, health, wellness are at the top of the lists,” Glover said.

though Russell said older buyers are not always seeking homes on the small side. “We’ve seen the desire by homeowners to ‘right-size’ but not necessarily downsize,” Russell said. “Our custom homes still feature three to four bedrooms with a first-floor master

ter in their lives and also very clear on what they want in their new home,” she said. In particular, Russell said, “in creating age-targeted communities, we’ve found that homeowners are looking for diverse amenities, smaller home sites and quality, custom homes.”

Active lifestyles

Photo: Viniterra

In any community for older homeowners, offerHomeowners who ing features that encourknow what they want age healthy activities is In addition to large comcritical. munities geared specifi“Today’s age-targeted cally to the older age decommunities are changmographic, Holly Russell, a ing daily to accommodate sales executive with Long & today’s active boomers,” Foster for Viniterra, a develGlover said. “They are not opment in New Kent with yesterday’s grandparents.” homes, a winery and a golf Russell said outdoor course, said homeowners features such as walking 55 and older are increastrails, paths, and pocket ingly showing an interest parks are key to any resiin smaller age-targeted dential development, not neighborhoods planned just those neighborhoods The Rees Jones-designed 18-hole golf course is one of Viniterra’s biggest selling points. within larger communities that are focused on an that include homeowners of all ages. Viniterra, suite. There’s particular focus placed on nice older generation. One of Viniterra’s biggest for instance, has a new section called The Viloutdoor living areas as well.” selling points is The Club at Viniterra, its Rees las that comprises custom homes on smaller Russell said working with older homeownJones-designed 18-hole golf course that was sites and is geared toward older homeowners. ers is “thoroughly enjoyable.” ranked No. 5 in the state by Golf Week magaThe home designs emphasize first-floor living, “They are very excited about this new chapzine.

Photo: Cornerstone Homes

“Preferred on-site amenities for age-targeted communities include walking trails, natural water elements, clubhouse and pool, indoor and outdoor exercise, and, recently, gardening of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers,” said Cornerstone’s Glover.

Glover said preferred on-site amenities for age-targeted communities include “walking trails, natural water elements, clubhouse and pool, indoor and outdoor exercise, and, recently, gardening of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.” Those interests align with trends that indicate older adults are seeking to be more aware of themselves, others, and their surrounding world, he said. “Boomers have a renewed focus on fitness, wellness, and mindfulness,” Glover said.

A social focus For older homeowners, an emphasis on activity aligns with an interest in maintaining engaged social lives. “Retirees, mainly boomers, are expecting to live where they enjoy a sense of place and truly connect with their neighbors and community,” Glover said. “To meet this expectation, communities must be created to meet that purpose and desire.” Russell said older residents appreciate an active social events calendar in their community and see structured opportunities to engage with their neighbors and others to be 22 West End's Best

a draw. Viniterra offers weekly events for its homeowners through partnerships with both the vineyard and the golf course, among other ways of sparking social connections.

Nature’s call Glover said the role of the outdoors in creating vibrant communities that are both social and active has made an attention to nature an integral part of Cornerstone Homes’ design focus. He said Cornerstone hopes “to perfect an enduring, living, and supportive connection between nature and people in these outdoor spaces.” One of the communities Cornerstone Homes currently is constructing is Chickahominy Falls in Hanover County, a farmcentric, age-restricted (55+) community that Glover said is the first “agrihood” of its kind in the area. A community built around a farm is a natural progression for boomers who show an increasing emphasis on food and a healthy lifestyle, Glover said. In addition, he said, food plays a focal role in many social gatherings. “Boomers are a social group, no doubt, and RichmondNavigator.com

food has always been a central theme when any gathering occurs in our clubhouses or individual homes,” Glover said. “With the renewed interest in ‘farm to table,’ we offer community gardens and soon a community built around a living farm. Gathering around food and getting involved in growing the food makes for giving pause in today’s busy world. This is where our boomers are at in this stage of their lives.”

What lies ahead The development of age-targeted communities shows no signs of slowing. Glover said, “along with millennials, the boomers will be the fastest and predominant segment of the new home market for the next 15 years.” Russell said age-targeted communities for those 55-plus have arrived for good. In fact, she said, she expects they “will only grow in popularity” going forward and developers will continue to create new and innovative ways to appeal to this demographic. “Plans and amenities will evolve based on this target audience for years to come,” Russell said.

Savor

Sip . Play . Live

he finest private community in Virginia Wine Country, Viniterra epitomizes living at its finest with custom estate and villa homes.

• Sip award-winning wines at the on-site vineyard – New Kent Winery. • Play our Rees Jones championship golf course – The Club at Viniterra. • Live your best life in the home of your dreams – built by the area’s top custom home builders. Homes from the $450s • Open Tuesday – Sunday 8637 Angel’s Share Drive • New Kent, VA 23124 877.808.6111 • viniterra.com

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

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Combining the power of Magazine Media with the impact of Direct Mail, Richmond Navigator has been publishing beautiful four-color lifestyle magazines – presently one of the fastest growing media in the United States – for more than 20 years.

Our eye-catching, large-format Shoppers target Metro Richmond’s most popular, yet most underserved, regional markets, giving our readers concise locally focused editorial, recipes and calendars of events in addition to attractive ads and money savings coupons.

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Introducing the latest member of our family – this helpful, attractive guide to the best of the Richmond region will be popular with visitors and newcomers as well as long time residents.

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To support and complement our growing family of print publications, Richmond Navigator expertly utilizes the best of social media to keep our followers and viewers informed and up-to-date. RichmondNavigator. com houses the best of our print in addition to unique interactive digital content. It is an increasingly popular resource for those who turn to electronic media to stay informed.

SENIORS ADVENTURES IN AGING

REIGNITING RESOLUTIONS by Constance Whitney

hough I am writing this at the beginning of November, I can predict that by the time you read this in the middle of January, I will have broken my New Year’s Resolution. I’m sure if Benjamin Franklin had been truly honest, his quote would be that the only certainties in life are death, taxes, and the fact that New Year’s resolutions are rarely kept. The idea of committing to a resolution is nothing new. Four thousand years ago, the ancient Babylonians would resolve to return borrowed farming equipment. The bigwigs of ancient Rome would take an accounting of the previous year’s accomplishments and resolve to do better the next year. Since the Roman Empire folded, and much of what was Babylon is now a desert, it’s logical to assume that someone broke a resolution. And yet the majority of us still valiantly attempt to make, and keep, our commitment to do whatever it is that we thought so important to do that, instead of just saying we would do it, we actually resolved to do it. And then break the resolution. According to Google searches, of the 58 percent of us who make a New Year’s resolution, a mere 9 percent are successful in keeping it. Unless my new New Year’s resolution involves permanently removing Brussel sprouts from my diet or forgoing weekend trips to the Antarctica for bikini shopping, I’m almost certain I’ll never be in that 9-percent bracket. I am, however, in good company with other resolvers. Over 40 percent of people who make resolutions do so with self-improvement or education-related topics in mind. I remember being back in college and resolving that I would definitely make it to most of my 8 a.m. classes on time. I left a lot of ambiguity as to what ‘on time’ was and hedged my bets by not registering for any 8 a.m. classes,

but the intent was genuine. The second largest group of resolutions is unsurprisingly centered on weight-related issues followed closely by money-related commitments. Given the, at times, herculean efforts that resolutions require to be successful, it is not surprising that a whopping 72 percent are broken within the first week. There’s something a little sad in that statistic. Perhaps the reason why all my younger years’ resolutions failed is that they were focused on me. What if I had changed my college resolution from, “I am going to force myself out of bed to get myself to my class on time” to, “I will honor my instructors, and my parents’ tuition money, by acknowledging their commitment to my education by showing up and participating?” Would my quintessential “must-please-everyone” personality have gone into overdrive to ensure that the professors knew how much I appreciated their efforts to make me a contributing member of society? I think so. So, in 2018, I resolve to test the theory of externally focused resolutions centered around the effects my resolutions will have on those around me. Instead of resolving to hit the gym most of the days in a week and eat healthier because it’s better for me, my 2018 resolution is that my partner, my family and my grandson deserve to have me at the highest level of health and fitness to be able to fully participate in the enjoyment of their lives. I will honor them by being all I can be. I also resolve to deliver at least one fully authentic, completely sincere compliment to at least one person every day so that they know how truly grateful I am to be a part of their lives. And, in a world that seems to be chaotically changing at every turn, I resolve to be kinder, gentler and more accepting, in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same. My persistent hatred of Brussel sprouts necessitates the steadfast resolution to avoid them no matter what. Some things never change.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

The Dynamic Living Tooth By W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., DDS

The tooth is a living entity like the heart, kidney or big toe. They all exist due to arteries which supply nutrients, toveins which carry away waste, and to nerves which control all of their functions. The tooth begins as a soft tissue blob we call the tooth bud. In time, the bud lays down minerals from the arteries and makes enamel, dentin and cementum to make the complete tooth which you see every day. This complete tooth still has soft tissue inside its hard resistant structure. That remaining soft tissue’s role now is to protect the tooth from decay by laying down more tooth structure to ward off the invasion of decay. It is nature’s way of doing a root canal. However, it does not always win the battle. If the soft tissue inside the tooth is destroyed by disease, trauma or removed by a root canal then that source of pain is removed. But teeth still have pain connections to the body by nerve endings on the side of the root that connects the tooth to the bone. Often, a toothache is actually a bone ache. The tooth itself is not hurting, the bone around the tooth is hurting. But it’s still painful! Pressure and heat often cause an increase in pain.

The complexity of dental pain is seen in this scenario. Physical history, examinations, radiographs, and heat and cold experiments have to be used to determine the underlying cause of the pain and thus the proper treatment for a positive outcome. Dentistry is complicated and multifactoral on so many levels. The more we understand the body as a whole, the more we will learn the secrets of dentistry.

W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., DDS, is the founder of Virginia Family Dentistry. He retired from the practice of dentistry in December 2017 after serving the needs of dental patients of all ages for 45 years. Virginia Family Dentistry is a group practice of more than 50 doctors specializing in Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Implants, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Cosmetic and General Dentistry. With 14 convenient locations in the Richmond Metro Area, we can assist you in creating your youthful smile. For a location near you, visit VAdentist.com.

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HEALTH

Keep It Moving!

Look at What’s Hot in Exercise Trends by Susie Galvez

“I have already logged in my 10,000 for the day!” Even if you don’t know exactly what that statement means, you can bet your fitness that someone standing an arm’s length from you does. It’s the number of recorded steps that have been taken in the day...so far. Think fitness tracking device. Be it strapped to your wrist, clothing, or in the smart phone in your back pocket, keeping tabs on every move you make is making big strides in the world of fitness. Tallying steps is one thing, determining the best fitness method to reach your fitness desire is another. Before you take off running toward the newest fitness trend, you might need to pause and think about what is best for your lifestyle, budget and end-result goals. 30 West End's Best

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Functional Fitness (FF) exercises are a great way to train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. Functional exercises tend to use multiple joints and numerous muscles. Instead of only moving the elbows, for example, a functional exercise might involve the elbows, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and ankles. A squat is a functional exercise because it trains the muscles used when you rise up and down from a chair or pick up low objects. Exercises can be done at home or at the gym. Gyms may offer FF classes or incorporate movements into boot camps or other types of classes. Exercise tools, such as fitness balls, kettle bells and weights, are often used to increase results. If you’ve ever taken a Zumba, aerobic, cycle, boot camp or yoga class, you’ve tried Group Fitness. That term encompasses any and all forms of fitness that are done in a group setting, led by an instructor. Group exercise not only helps to improve motivation, but can also enable us to perform better, while keeping up with other fitness attendees. There’s a whole world of group fitness options out there, from gym-based classes to more extreme outdoor sports like obstacle races and Navy Seal-type training, among others. We will continue to see a rise in group exercise thanks to its sociable nature and motivational new styles. Small Group Personal Training is akin to group fitness with the added benefit of a personal trainer working with each member of the group. However, instead of an instructor working out with you, a group personal trainer instructs and guides each participant through the session by coaching and instructing. It’s just like an individual session, except in a small group of eight or less. Small group personal training has been gaining popularity because it’s an affordable, fun way for clients to take advantage of a trainer’s expertise at a lower financial investment — all while keeping the fun and competitiveness of a group.

Heart Rate Based Interval Training, like Orangetheory, is a full-body workout, focused on training, endurance, strength and power. Class attendees wear heart rate monitors throughout the class. Your personal real-time results are displayed on large screens throughout the studio. Intensity is based on your individual heart rate zones, making the workout effective for all fitness levels. Backed by the science of Excess PostExercise Oxygen Consumption (or EPOC), Orangetheory’s heart rate monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. They call it the ‘afterburn’ because calorie burning is accelerated during the workout and continues to rev up the metabolism for up to 36 hours post-workout session. “By far, Orangetheory is the best program for my busy schedule,’’ says member Erica Hayman. “I run when time permits, but to make sure that I get great full-body workouts weekly, I make time to attend two sessions every week.” Of course, if structured fitness is not your thing, you can always add to your fitness level by simply getting out there and moving! It’s easy; it’s free; and you might be surprised just how quickly you get your 10,000 in. Be sure to keep track! Susie Galvez is an international image consultant, esthetician, speaker, author, and beauty industry expert. For more, visit www.susiegalvez.com

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What To Wear

To Work Out by Susie Galvez

Photos this page: courtesy Athleta

ou may have heard the phrase “dress for success” for your professional attire, but does it also apply for workout wear as well? The short answer is yes. There’s actually a reason (other than simply looking chic) why coordinated workout tanks, leggings and sneakers have become the standard at the gym and in the studio. They give your brain a boost. When you put on a fun, colorful tee and cut-out leggings with wildly fun shoes, you might experience something the experts are calling “enclothed cognition,” which refers to a sort of mental shift you experience when you wear certain clothes. So, if you wear a fun crop top sports bra hybrid, you might, in turn, feel more “fun” and happy yourself. One study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology suggests that clothing influences behavior and attitudes because it carries a symbolic meaning. So, what you wear is actually subconsciously changing how you act. Dr. Jonathan Fader, sports psychologist for the New York Mets, says these findings totally hold up in real life. He believes that when you put on new fitness gear, you begin to get into character, like an actor putting on a costume for a performance. As a result, you could expect to have a better performance, making you more mentally prepared for the task. Basically, when you wear flattering workout wear, you are more in32 West End's Best

clined to be active and feel more confident in your abilities, which could lead to improved focus, motivation and gains. Luckily, RVA has lots of choices to find the perfect workout gear for your next session! In addition to fitness sections in the major department stores, discount stores offer a plethora of options to suit up. But what if you don’t know what you need or what’s best for your chosen exercise method? It might be best to seek out the professionals before hitting the course. Athleta, a GAP Brand company, is a premium fitness and lifestyle brand that creates versatile performance apparel. According the company’s website, their goal has been to “inspire a community of active, confident women since 1998.” Designed by female athletes and active women, Athleta integrates performance and technical features “to carry a woman throughout her life in motion.” The stores offer fashion-fueled fitness and lifestyle apparel for women and girls, as well as free fitness classes with local instructors. They also host complimentary events to fuel your active way, plus all the musthaves: customer service, personal styling and perks for fitness pros. Located in Short Pump Towne Center, 11800 West Broad St., Suite 1066, Richmond, Virginia.

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Suited For Success Avoid wearing clothes that are very tight. You need to be able to move freely. And if you want to stay cool, air needs to reach your skin so it can dry your sweat. Color matters (really). In the summer, lighter colors will help you keep cooler. In the winter, dark clothes trap light and help you stay warm.

Photo: courtesy Athleta

Wear layers when it is cold out. You can take some off as you warm up.

Think about your head. Wear a hat or cap for sun protection. In cold weather, wear wool or a ski cap to stay warm. Find the right fabric. If you are going to sweat, you may be more comfortable in material that soaks up wetness. Try a synthetic, like polypropylene. Cotton may be less comfortable because it stays wet longer. Consider wearing a comfortable sports bra. Wearing a supportive sports bra can help protect and support. Most stores offer free fittings to help select the perfect style for your body type and exercise program.

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Founded in Vancouver, Canada in 1998, lululemon is a yoga-inspired, technical athletic apparel company for women, girls and men. What started as a design studio by day and yoga studio by night soon became a stand-alone store in November of 2000. “The vision for our stores” their brochure says, “is to create more than a place where people could get gear to sweat in, we wanted to create a community hub where people could learn and discuss the physical aspects of healthy living, mindfulness and living a life of possibility.” When starting out, the first designs were made for women to wear during yoga. After receiving feedback in the early years from their customers wanting more choices, Lululemon began designing yoga, running, cycling and training apparel for women, girls and men. Located in Short Pump Towne Center, 11800 W Broad St., Suite 1128, Richmond, Virginia. Photos this page: courtesy lululemon

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Photos this page: courtesy New Balance

Stepping Out Make sure your shoes protect your feet. They should be sturdy and have cushioned soles. They should also have arch supports (the raised part inside that curves under the bottom of your foot). Make sure the shoe is right for what you do. If you plan to run or play a certain sport a lot, consider shoes made for that activity. For example, tennis players should wear tennis shoes and runners should wear running shoes. Ask a sports shoe salesperson for help – that is why they are there. Get the right fit. Ask a salesperson to measure your foot and then to check the fit. The wrong fit can hurt or even cause foot problems. Try to shop at the end of the day when your feet are a little larger (just like they are when you exercise). Also, when trying on shoes, wear the kind of socks you wear to work out.

New Balance first began by designing arch supports for shoes over 100 years ago, and then branched out to creating running shoes and baseball shoes in the 1930s. In the mid-1970s, the soon-to-be famous athletic footwear company started designing performance alternatives for the “sneaker” class of weekend warriors, as well as a full performance range of foot solutions for every level of fitness. Now at their stores, you find the perfect shoe for your sport, as well as clothing, accessories and more for women, girls, men and boys. Located in Short Pump next to Trader Joe’s. 11341 W Broad St., Suite 171, Glen Allen, Virginia. Susie Galvez is an international image consultant, esthetician, speaker, author and beauty industry expert. For more, visit www.susiegalvez.com

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Sleep Disorders GIVE ‘EM A REST ALREADY

by Melanie Rasnic

t has been said that fatigue makes cowards of us all, and anyone who has felt the effects of a night of poor sleep can probably attest to the truth in that. The word sleep is often used conversationally to convey the idea of healing, clarity and the promise of a successful day. “Did you sleep okay?” is a common cheery morning greeting. “Why don’t you sleep on it?” is a thoughtful friend’s advice. Or the brutally honest coworker who says, “Man, you look like you need some sleep!”

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Lack of sleep, either in quality or quantity, can lead to poor work or school performance, an impatient or crabby mood, and impaired judgment and decision-making abilities in life. In other words, it can basically sabotage everything that we need in order to get anything. You know…that’s all. Since sleep is so near and dear to our hearts, our sanity and our success, let’s look at some of the main sleep disorders that clinicians report treating and the suggestions they have to help us deal with them. As the topic is extensive and much is still being researched on the causes and treatments, there will be some inevitable overlap in the descriptions and suggestions, but here are some of the basics:

Insomnia

The inability to sleep is a common sleep disorder and can further be broken down into onset and maintenance insomnia (as in, do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Or both?), acute (situational and quick to self-resolve) and chronic (more than three times a week for more than three months). From here on out, it can get pretty complicated, as the causes can range from very simple and easily fixable (uncomfortable bedding, poor room temperature regulation, a noisy environment or a sleepmate who steals the covers and wraps up like a burrito every night) to complex and requiring professional help (depression or other psychiatric causes, chemical imbalances, neurological or endocrine issues, and many more). A licensed professional can check for a medical condition that is causing your insomnia and assist in the appropriate treatment for it, or discuss if medication would be right for you.

Abnormal Sleep Behavior Disorders

These people won the battle of getting to sleep, but are losing the war of getting good sleep due to odd behavior that occurs once they get there. By now most of us have learned that sleep falls into two broad categories of REM (rapid eye movement) and nonREM, with the majority of vivid, memorable dreams occurring in the REM stage. Normally during REM sleep, we experience relative muscle atonia or paralysis, which is a good thing because that keeps us from acting out dreams and hurting ourselves or others. When this built-in safety device isn’t functioning properly, it is known as REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. This can be dangerous for the sleeper and for anyone else nearby. Remove dangerous or sharp objects

from the immediate vicinity if this is a common occurrence. Keep a close eye out for other neurological symptoms, as those who experience this have an increased chance of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. Sleepwalking, sleep talking, and excessive nightmares would also fall under the category of Abnormal Sleep Behavior Disorders. These are more common in children and in males, and causes range from sleep deprivation, fever, excessive alcohol intake or certain medications.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorders

While either one of the two sleep disorders mentioned already can lead to daytime sleepiness, one of the primary causes has been identified as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA.) People with OSA wake up many (sometimes more than 100) times during the night as they struggle to breathe, and often they never make it to that deep, restful sleep that we all long for and truly need. If you know that you snore at night, or have woken up suddenly because you weren’t breathing, you should be evaluated by a health professional for OSA. A simple sleep study can assess your sleep health and patterns, and a CPAP machine trial can be ordered as needed. Most have found these machines to be extremely beneficial. OSA is not just an annoyance and a sleep-stealer, it is a potentially lifethreatening situation that should be taken seriously. Other common causes of daytime sleepiness include sleep deprivation, sedating medications, and less commonly, narcolepsy (falling asleep unwillingly and briefly during the day.) In addition to these main categories of sleep disorders, some people simply have unfortunate life circumstances that make sleep difficult, such as shift workers and those who suffer from chronic pain or debilitating anxiety. Other causes can be over-sensitivity to light, sound or certain smells in your bedroom, or frequent travel. There is a wealth of helpful information at SleepFoundation.org for almost every sleep challenge imaginable, including how to overcome bad sleep habits and form new healthy ones. If you are still stumped, try keeping a sleep journal to help you zero in on recurring culprits (eating certain foods, eating late at night, watching TV in bed, or other habits.) Making a few simple changes on your own can make a big difference, but asking your healthcare provider for personalized tips can help you get the rest you deserve. Peaceful slumbers and sweet dreams to you all.

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HEALTH

Designing

THE

Perfect Bedroom For a Great Night’s Sleep by Melanie Rasnic

When someone says, “I didn’t sleep well,” I think of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea. You may recall that once upon a time, there was a prince who searched near and far and unsuccessfully for a real princess. On a dark and stormy night, a sodden and bedraggled woman claiming to be a princess showed up at the royal gate. The prince’s mother, scenting a possible fraud, devised a secret low-tech DNA test. “‘Well, we’ll soon find that out,’ thought the old queen. But she said nothing, went into the bed-room, took all the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds on top of the mattresses.”

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Well, we non-fancy people can have trouble getting comfortable at night, too. Here are some modifications all of us can make to our bedrooms to promote blissful slumber, even if we don’t have a princely budget. •••••

Mattress. If you can’t recall how old your mattress is, or if you wake up every morning feeling achy, it may be time for a new one. Experts recommend replacement every seven years or so as the cushion and/or springs wear out over time and become less supportive. Consider spending a little more on a high-quality and appropriately sized mattress for your needs; your body will thank you for the investment. When you consider the amount of your life spent in bed, this is money well spent.

Temperature.

The recommended room temperature for sleep is 65 °F. If the room is too warm, or we have too many blankets piled on, we may be inhibiting good, deep sleep. There are many variables to this, such as pajama material, thickness of sheets and blankets, another warm body next to us, etc. Remember, if one of you doesn’t sleep well, both of you don’t, so adjust thermostat settings, pajamas, and blankets accordingly.

Noise. Most people find that having some ambient or white noise allows for better sleep than total silence. Noise machines, fans, air purifiers, or even a small water feature can create a sense of calm, drown out other sounds, and promote sound sleep. If your noise problem involves a snoring partner, consider nasal strips or even a sleep study to assess if the snoring is indicative of a more serious health problem. Lighting. Some people love to get up with the sun while others need a cave-like setting for good sleep. Blackout curtains are an effective way to block light until you’re ready to face the world. Choose your window coverings based on your needs. Be mindful of electronics that light up during the night. Several research studies show that the blue light emitted by most electronics can decrease levels of melatonin in the body, which is our own natural sleep-aid. Consider dimmer switches to control lighting, or even simple changes in bulbs and lampshades.

Bedding.

The right pillow is so crucial to good sleep that some of us even travel with our own. The pillow’s height or thickness, its material, and the way it hugs your head can affect the way you sleep. Side sleepers need different support than back sleepers, so test before you buy. Floor model beds and pillows work great for this. Check out thread counts for sheets and the warmth and fabric of blankets to find the perfect ones for you. Aromas can affect mood and some people report a better night’s rest on freshly washed sheets. Splurge on a soft rug to greet your feet each morning and guide you into bed every night.

Atmosphere/Appearance. As long as there have been beds, there have been arguments about whether or not they should be made each morning. You might enjoy the visual appeal of a neatly made bed and look forward to unwrapping your bed like a present each night. Someone else might prefer burrowing into a nest of blankets; to each their own. Try to keep clutter to a minimum by finding a place for both clean and dirty clothes, shoes, jackets, and any items that may end up living on the bed, a chair, or other part of the bedroom for days at a time. Be sure you have a clear path to safely enter and exit your bed in the dark. Experiment with colors; warm colors (red, orange, yellow) can make the room cozier, cool colors (green, blue, violet) can be very soothing. Shades of blue are reportedly the most sleep-inducing color. ••••• Sleep experts suggest designating a place for everything in the bedroom, including items and activities. Interpreting that is up to you, but using your bed as a dining room table, desk, or anything other than what a bed is designed for can interfere with your sleep. Perhaps you’d benefit from a consistent nightly routine to sweet-talk your body into getting sleepy. You might try a relaxing cup of chamomile tea, a few chapters of a book, a warm bath, comfy clothes, or some deep thoughts by Jack Handey. Hey, this is your time … whatever works for you. The point is that we can actually train our bodies to wind down for the night through mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, listening to music, and other soothing habits. These suggestions do not take the place of appropriate medical advice. If you’re concerned that your lack of sleep has less to do with your environment and more to do with a physical or psychological condition, please seek professional help. If you have 20 mattresses piled up and still can’t sleep because of a pea-sized lump, congratulations, you’re a bonafide princess! For most of us, however, implementing a few of these ideas could be just enough to help us sleep as deeply as Brier-Rose. For more ideas on transforming your bedroom, check out BetterSleep.org or PsychCentral.com for mental exercises to promote sleep. Sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you all!

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DISSECTING DIETS by Melanie Rasnic

Diet has been cursed as a detestable four-letter word, conjuring up images of denial, gnawing hunger and pushing sad lettuce leaves around while pretending to be full. “Oh, I’m fine, I had a bag of pumpkin seeds earlier. Or maybe it was birdseed, hard to tell. Either way, I’m totally stuffed.” Whether you ask or not, there’s an overabundance of advice about dieting. “This book says eat bacon for every meal, but is that right for me? (Please say yes).” An overview of popular and trusted diets categorized by their main goals may be helpful. Most diets recommend some type of regular physical activity, and we advise that you consult a physician before undertaking any diets or exercise regimens on your own. According to Consumer Reports and U.S. News & World Report, these diets hit the mark on eight different ranking lists:

Best Diets Overall

These scored the highest in the combined categories of long- and shortterm weight loss, ease of following and overall healthiness for the average person. DASH diet. The purpose is to prevent and lower blood pressure, as hypertension is one of the primary silent killers in our nation, leading to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and other illnesses. It emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains to daily meals while limiting red meats, sweets and processed foods. Limiting salt is also crucial, allowing for exploration of other seasonings and spices (like marjoram and tarragon — they need love too.) Mediterranean diet. This approach incorporates foods eaten in areas noted for lower rates of heart disease, obesity and chronic ailments. Encouraging balance and moderation over deprivation and strict adherence to measurements, it’s a great way to explore fun recipes with new physical activities; even to open up an interesting red wine on occasion. The menu revolves around fresh produce, legumes and nuts as well as fish and seafood at least twice a week. It also limits sweets and red meats to special occasions.

Best Weight-loss Diets

Weight Watchers scored high in helping participants achieve regular, safe weight loss (up to 2 pounds per week) while encouraging healthy and meaningful lifestyle changes to keep weight off and establish long-term nutritional habits. The program assigns a point value to foods, decides the allowance (usually three meals and two snacks per day), and the participant decides how to spend them. There is a fantastic level of support available (some is free, some is available for a fee), and members can sync their phone to several different apps for easy monitoring.

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Jenny Craig and Volumetrics tied for second. Jenny Craig offers a personalized menu that includes packaged meals and an exercise plan designed by nutrition and fitness professionals based on your goals and level of motivation. Very appealing to people who are either too busy to cook or who prefer not to, this well-respected program tends to be more expensive due to the high level of preparation offered. Volumetrics categorizes food based on its density (calorie per gram) and water content, with a goal of getting more mileage out of your food. There are no “offlimit” foods. Instead you refer to a chart to pick the low-density, highwater foods over the others, or make a trade for a special treat. So, if you’re a fan of soups, fruits, veggies and math, you will love this.

Best Diabetes Diets

The DASH diet was number one for helping manage both those who already have Type 2 diabetes and those who are borderline diabetic. The Mediterranean diet ties with the vegan diet for second place. The vegan diet excludes all animal parts and products, including dairy and eggs, from the menu. This diet requires a lot of discipline and planning, as well as checking ingredients on prepared foods to ensure that no gelatin, albumin, lard, stock or other animal parts are attempting to sneak back into your life without your knowledge.

Best Heart Healthy Diets

The DASH and the Ornish diets tied. The Ornish diet was created by Professor Dean Ornish over 20 years ago and focuses on categorizing foods based on healthiness, as well as incorporating physical activity and stress management through yoga, meditation or other deep-breathing exercises. This program works on a “spectrum” system, meaning you can take it to a level of intensity that works for you Do you just want to be healthier and lose a few pounds or reverse existing heart disease? His diet claims to do both.

Best Commercial Diets

Weight Watchers and Mayo Clinic diets tied. Mayo Clinic takes it back old school to a food pyramid. There are two initial very strict weeks of avoiding top of the pyramid foods and junk food, loading up on base foods (grains, fresh fruits and veggies, etc.) along with moderate physical exercise. After that, there is some math in the food transactions, but most found it easy to stick to and noticed weight loss as well as more energy. There is a slight variation for diabetics.

Easiest Diets to Follow

Four-way tie between Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, the Fertility diet (which is exactly what it sounds like, go ahead, look it up), and the MIND diet, which is a combo of DASH and Mediterranean with a focus on brainhealthy foods (green leafy veggies, legumes, nuts, fish, whole grains, berries, etc.) that have been proven to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Depending on how rigorously you follow the plan, your risk of developing these could be reduced by as much as 53 percent, according to the research. As is the case with fashion and karaoke, what works for your friend may not work for you when it comes to diets. Do the research, use good judgment, be patient, focus on health over appearance and on long-term modifications over trendy quick fixes. Good health to you all.

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by Susie Galvez

XPRESS YOURSELF 42 West End's Best

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MAKEOVER TRENDS O

ur faces are always in motion. We express our thoughts by smiling, laughing, crying, frowning, winking, blinking, kissing and more. Did you know that the majority of wrinkles and crinkles around the eyes and mouth are created simply by expressing ourselves? In fact, they are called expression lines, which are part of the aging process. As we age, we lose bone mass, and facial fat migrates downward, adding to the wrinkle/crinkle factor. But there is no need to frown about it because there are ways to keep you smiling…and defying age at the same time!

Injectable Fillers.

To minimize deep-set lines, doctor’s use a combination of injectable fillers like Juvederm Voluma and Vollure XC, which subtly lift cheeks and gently ‘fill’ in the nasolabial folds (also known as marionette lines) to reduce the look of “parenthesis” around the mouth area. Results can last up to 2 years. The cost can average from $400 to $800 depending on the area treated.

Laser. Treatments using lasers are among the most beneficial nonsurgical treatments for skin renewal and resurfacing. The resurfacing laser improves the look of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks and uneven pigmentation issues by generating new collagen production. Collagen is the main structural protein in the skin that gives it strength, elasticity, smoothness and youthfulness. For example, think of a brick wall. The bricks are skin cells, and the mortar represents the collagen, which holds the bricks firmly together. Without a firm foundation, the bricks (skin cells) break away. Treatments take about 30 to 45minutes and cost, on average, from $2,100 to $2,300. Universal Professional Peel. This treatment improves the appearance of dull and uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and sun damage, discoloration, large pores and skin roughness. “The Universal Peel is not a lunch-time peel,’’ explains Gaylin Vanderbroucke, master esthetician for West End Facial Plastic Surgery. “This is a true medical-grade, blended chemical peel that features layered technology, meaning the active ingredients work together over the course of a few days peeling the skin, resulting in a noticeable, beautiful and radiant skin in a week’s time.” A one-hour appointment can cost about $125.

Radio Frequency (RF). The RF procedure is used for non-surgical tightening of the early signs of loose or sagging skin; ideal for those people who don’t want a surgical procedure. The Accent, Pelleve, Thermage and Tripollar RF devices are used to treat skin laxity by facial tightening and is best suited to patients with mild to moderate sagging of facial tissues. It is commonly used to treat the forehead, under the eyes, cheeks, mid-face, jaw line and neck. “This treatment is wonderful for revving up your skin’s elasticity,” Vander-

broucke says. “I recommend a series of three treatments spaced every three to four weeks for optimal results.” Appointment time is about an hour, depending on the area(s) treated. Cost averages $200 to $500, depending on the treatment area covered.

Oxygen Infusion Facial. Topical hyperbaric oxygen pressure to the skin is used while applying an anti-aging mixture of lightweight Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins A, C and E, and Green Tea. It is pressurized to increase the skin’s absorption of the treatment’s highly effective serum cocktail. Results — which are not only instant but continue to improve in the following days — include smoother skin with reduced fine lines and wrinkles, better volume and increased firmness. For optimal results, a series of treatments are recommended. A one-hour appointment can cost an average of $120 to $150. Okay, maybe you are not ready to age-defy. You can always age “deflect.” One of the surest ways to deflect is to enhance your eyes. After all, the eyes are known for being the windows of our souls, so why not premiere your peepers?

Lash Extensions.

Once reserved for proms and weddings and then peeled off at the end of the night, eyelash extensions now add a dose of glamour to everyday life and can last for weeks. Today, licensed professionals attach the tiny lash extensions one-byone to your eyes to create a look that’s dramatic yet natural. If your lashes have lost volume, or are naturally sparse, adding lash extensions could be a way to bring a fresh wink to your look. Appointment time varies from one to two hours depending on lashes needed. The cost averages from $150 to $200 and lasts about four weeks.

Eyebrow Microblading. If your eyebrows are thinning, sparse, or barely there anymore, and eyebrow pencils can no longer fill in, microblading could be the answer for fuller, natural-looking and face-framing eyebrows. A small hand microblading pen is used to create fine strokes to mimic individual hairs. Unlike a tattoo, semi-permanent ink is applied rather than permanent ink. The end result is much more natural looking than the old tattooing of the past and lasts between two and three years. Average appointment time is two hours, and costs between $600 and $800. Let’s face it. Your face is uniquely yours — your very personal calling card. Now, thanks to the incredible advancements in the beauty industry and skilled licensed professionals, tweaking a thing or two is easier than ever. Susie Galvez is an international image consultant, esthetician, speaker, author, and beauty industry expert. For more, visit www.susiegalvez.com

January 2018 March/ /February April 2017

West End's Best 43 43 Chesterfield Living

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46 West End's Best

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1840 Manakin Road, Manakin, Virginia 23103

Belmont Pizzeria

201 Towne Center West Blvd., Short Pump; 804-658-2790; BelmontPizzeria.com If you’re in the Short Pump area, and you haven’t stopped by Belmont Pizzeria’s new location, you might be making the wrong lunch choices. There are always weekly specials topping their menu. May we recommend the Belmont Supreme, featuring sausage, pepperoni, veggies and ham on a handmade crust. The fresh pizza dough, with just the slightest sweetness, pairs so well with the myriad of savory toppings. And don’t’ forget their original location at 602 N. Belmont Avenue in the Museum District.

Photo: Josh Young

California Pizza Kitchen 1800 W Broad St. (Short Pump Town Center); 804-364-9047; CPK.com

California Pizza Kitchen strives to match its namesake’s cultural West Coast identity. It’s fun, vibrant, and yet immensely professional. Head chef Adon Reyes and Pizza Chef Sergio Flores run a tight ship to give their customers the best dining experience. The menu has something for every palate. If you’re unsure of where to start, the Vegetarian Pie, the BBQ with pineapple, or the California Club are three good pizzas that will be sure to hit the spot.

Photo: Josh Young

January / February 2018

West End's Best 47

Frank’s West Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

11238 Patterson Ave. (Tuckahoe Shopping Center); 804-754-8380; FranksWest.com Pizza often serves as a last minute dinner decision; something you pick up on the way home. But, at Frank’s West Italian, your pizza-dining experience is never an afterthought. The interior is warmly lit with visions of Old Italy displayed on the walls, and you’ll find the likes of Dean Martin soothing the airwaves. Owner, Tony Badalamenti loves what he does, and it shows. The ingredients in his San Daniele Pizza are as fresh as is the creativity on the menu. This delicious pie features pizza sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, fresh basil, and shaved parmigiano cheese, which come together to make for one incredible dinner. Photo: Josh Young

Gino’s Pizza

10444 Ridgefield Pkwy.; 804-740-5001; GinosPizzaShortPump.com Gino’s Pizza has become a staple for pizza lovers in the West End, and for good reason. This Mom and Pop is serving up hundreds of pizzas a week, all while maintaining a consistent quality pie. Everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients, including their special: Pepperoni pizza with freshly sliced sausage, mushroom, green peppers and onions. For groups or if you’re feeling especially hungry, you can upsize your order to their 28-inch party size.

Photo: Josh Young

48 West End's Best

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Extreme Pizza – Short Pump 11653 West Broad St.; 804-360-3123; ShortPump.ExtremePizza.com

Using only the freshest of ingredients, an amazing choice of tasty toppings and a mouth-watering store-baked crust, Extreme Pizza offers your pizza favorites plus an array of topping combinations you may never have dreamed of, such as their Ghost Wave Pizza (pictured at right), featuring Italian sausage, green peppers, creamy mascarpone cheese, mozzarella, ghost peppers, cheese and honey. Another favorite, The Free Climb Pizza (pictured in their ad in this section of the magazine) combines Chipotle sauce, mozzarella, tortilla strips, pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. And for dessert, try Nonna’s Meltdown featuring baked dough with creamy mascarpone cheese, freshly sliced apples, cinnamon and drizzled honey.

Photo: Dave Masucci

Chianti Ristorante & Pizzeria

1304 Gaskins Road; 804-740-5050; ChiantiRichmond.com This family-run dining spot offers the freshest of ingredients to produce authentic Italian dishes, using recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. One taste and you’ll understand why they say, “Our food is our passion.” We get rather passionate, ourselves, over their Pescatore Pizza, brimming with clams, shrimp, calamari and smoked salmon.

January / February 2018

West End's Best 49

The Greek Taverna

1903 Staples Mill Road; 804-477-6216; TheGreekTavernaRVA.com You already know that this popular Greek dining spot specializes in delicious, authentic, made-from-scratch Greek cuisine, such as moussaka, pastichio and souvlaki. But did you know they also make a mean pizza. Our favorite is the Taverna Special, which is prepared with red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, homemade sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions and black olive. Enjoy this flavorful pie in both 10” and 14” varieties.

Photo: Josh Young

Palermo Italian Restaurant 5717 City View Dr., Midlothian; 804- 378-7643; DineAtPalermo.com

Chef Gaspare Cruciata’s latest creation, the Chicken Pesto Pizza, has quickly become a crowd favorite at this family owned and operated Italian restaurant. While they’re known for their Sicilian cuisine, marsala and fresh seafood catches, they also make an impressive pie. The mozarella used is made in-house twice each week, and the flavor combination of caramelized onions, balsamic, and house made pesto is a perfect fit for the chicken pizza.

Photo: Josh Young

50 West End's Best

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tastebudz with Steve Cook

As I was putting together this edition of TasteBudz, it dawned on me that when it comes to West End dining, I have a bit of a wait problem. Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Read on: TARDY CRAB: When I first spoke with Tommy Pham late last summer, he told me that he was hoping to open his new West End restaurant, Tasty Crab, by mid-October. I spoke with him again in mid-October and he told me he hoped to be open by Thanksgiving. However, the sign on the restaurant in the Olde Town Shopping Center at 7801 W. Broad still says, “Tasty Crab – Coming Soon.” So, as I was putting together this edition of TasteBudz, I stopped in again. The place is definitely further along than it was in mid-October and it looks as if that “Coming Soon” promise is about to be fulfilled. Tommy says he hopes to open in mid- or late-January. The menu, as Tommy described it, sounds promising, too. Tasty Crab will be featuring Po’boys, fried catfish sandwiches, clam chowder, gumbo, soft shell crabs and more. They’ll also be doing the boil-in-a-bag seafood combos. Tommy says in addition to specializing in some of the great dishes from the South, he’ll also be offering some New England -style seafood dishes. I’m going to keep driving by and checking on the restaurant. It just better be worth the wait. SOMETHING FISHY THIS WAY COMES: While, this blurb also entails a bit of a wait, one thing for sure, we don’t have to wait to discover just how wonderful the seafood is at Latitude Seafood Co. We can just hop across the river to Westchester Commons and enjoy their bounty of crab cakes, crab legs, oysters, shrimp and so much more. But come spring, we’ll have a Latitudes closer to the West End. I say “closer” because you’ll still have to wend your way across the river, but not to worry. The Willey Bridge seems safe and sturdy and the Stony Point Fashion Park is just on the south side of the bridge. That’s where you’ll find the new Latitude Seafood Co. You just have to wait a bit longer. MERENGUE YOUR WAY OUT TO WEST BROAD: The wait has been worthwhile as regards the new West End version of Havana 59, which opened at 8902 W. Broad Street in early December. The owners have done an excellent job of re-creating

the feel of the 17th Street Havana in its West End location. As to the reasons for opening a second location, general manager Jessica Halasz says, “People told us that the West End needed something like this.” Jessica says the dinner and brunch menus, as well as the dessert menu, are identical to the Shockoe Bottom restaurant. But since the new place is also open for lunch, the staff has cooked up a great lunchtime menu. The new Havana, like the original, has a rooftop patio bar with walkthough garage doors opening up onto the patio. There’s also a separate cigar bar on the second floor of the West End version. The bar still offers your old favorites such as Havana’s famous Mojito. One difference, however, says Jessica, is that the West End bar offers draft beer. She says that there are also plans to introduce Salsa dancing later this spring. Salsa, including danced lessons, has been a long-time favorite on Tropical Thursdays at the original Havana 59. DAYS OF WINE AND PIZZA: While we didn’t include Azzurro Ristorante in this issue’s search for great pizza, I do want to azzure you that Azzurro is still serving its delicious brick-oven pizzas. Sometimes, because this excellent River Road dining spot features such a wide array of Italian delicacies, we (I) tend to forget that it’s also a first choice with many locals when it comes to great pizza. Something else that I tend to overlook is the fact that this cozy, elegant restaurant also has one of the best wine-lovers Happy Hours each day. The Happy Hour runs from 5 until 7 p.m. and offers wines by the glass and draft beers at half price. This daily feature provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy some excellent wines at a very reasonable price. FROM ONE FUN GUY TO ANOTHER: I was speaking with David Crabtree Logan, the co-owner of a cool, new Carytown Restaurant, The Broken Tulip, recently. The restaurant, located at 3129 W. Cary Street, offers a unique dining concept , which you can read more about in the River City version of TasteBudz (on the flip side of this magazine). David and his wife, Sariann Lehrer, are dedicated to utilizing the best from local farmers and foragers. When David told me that he would be the first area

January / February 2018

West End's Best 51

restaurant purchasing mushrooms from Eugene Hudders of Foraged Kingdom, he aroused my curiosity. Regarding Eugene, David told me, “He’s been researching wild mushrooms and other edibles for the last decade and has a phenomenal knowledge of the fungi of this region.” As a fun guy myself, I wanted to know more. I contacted Eugene, who is a chef at the Horseshoe Restaurant in South Hill, and asked him to tell me more about his new business. He says, “Foraged Kingdom focuses on locally grown and wild foraged gourmet mushrooms. My goal is to bring to light the health benefits as well as unique flavors and textures of different mushrooms. I will be selling Shiitake mushrooms that I grow and wild foraged mushrooms such as the elusive morel in the spring and the delicious chanterelle in the summer just to name a couple. It all sounds pretty cool to me. Eugene won’t just be selling to restaurants, either. He plans to be offering his mushrooms to individual consumers, as well as doing some cooking demonstrations at various farmers’ markets throughout the region. If you want to know more, check out his Facebook page: Central Virginia Mushroom Hunters. AWE, SHUCKS: I had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with some fantastic Northern Neck oysters recently when I attended Virginia River Realm’s Oyster Academy at The Tides Inn. The approximately four-hour event includes an opportunity to get out on the water aboard an authentic oyster boat piloted by William Sanders, one of the area’s last independent oystermen. Learn the history as well as the future of what has for centuries been one of the Northern Neck’s most vital industries. In addition to the on-thewater excursion, there’s a short seminar plus an oyster and wine pairing event hosted by the Tide’s Inn’s culinary staff. For more information on this totally unique event, visit VirginiaRiverRealm.com.

CAN YOU EAT AT LARK IN ANY OTHER PART OF TOWN: Okay, I’ll admit it — that’s a pretty bad paraphrase of the question posed in the song “On the Street Where You Live” from the musical My Fair Lady. The answer to the question is “Yes!” Come the middle of this month, West Enders will have access to the delightful pastries that residents of Hanover County have been enjoying for quite some time at Lark Baking Co. & Market in Mechanicsville (6102 Brashier Blvd.). To be perfectly honest, Lark has already been supplying many of their baked delicacies to The 21 Hundred espresso and gelato shop in the far West End’s John Rolfe Commons Shopping Center (2100 John Rolfe Pkwy.). However, Kenny Mullins, owner of Lark Baking, is taking over ownership of the 21 Hundred and renaming it CafeLark. Kenny says he expects to be open by mid-January. 52 West End's Best

CafeLark will continue to serve espresso. In fact, Kenny says that he’ll be featuring Lark’s signature brew from Ironclad Coffee Roasters, in Scott’s Addition. But the newly renamed cafe will be offering much more. Kenny says that CafeLark, which will be open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays for starters, will be offering such breakfast treats as lemon blueberry scones and banana espresso chocolate chip muffins. Wow, I gotta get me some of those. In addition, Kenny says, “We will offer a variety of gourmet sandwiches with all natural meats, local produce and fresh breads. On Saturdays and Sundays, he tells me, “We’ll be serving our signature cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. In case you’re familiar with Lark Baking’s special Friday cake nights, you’ll be happy to know that Kenny is planning on adding cake nights and other special events in the near future at his West End location. It all sounds quite delicious to me.

Got restaurant news to share? Send it to: TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.

Read Tastebudz Online each week at RichmondNavigator. com. If you have any restaurant news or recommendations, email us at TasteBudz@RichmondNavigator.com.

HAPPY

NEW YEAR!

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January / February 2018

West End's Best 53

FLAVOR

Romantic Dining by Lisa Puster

Mosaic

6229-A River Rd. Richmond, VA 23229 | 804-288-7482 | MosaicEdibles.com/richmond Mosaic is the perfect place for a romantic evening with that special someone. Offering nightly dinner specials, perfectly-portioned shareables, and Wine Down Wednesday, where you can enjoy a halfpriced bottle of wine with the purchase of an entree, there’s something for everyone. For Valentine’s Day this year, Mosaic will be offering a special menu with carefully chosen wine pairings. What makes Mosaic the ideal romantic restaurant? Says Earle Jones, Mosaic’s manager, “There’s soft candlelight on every table, the restaurant is decorated with hand blown art, and there’s contemporary jazz playing. Chihuly glass adorns the walls, the booths are cozy, and it never gets too crowded.”

Melting Pot

9704 Gayton Rd. Henrico, VA 23238 | 804-741-3120 | MeltingPot.com/richmond-va ‘Tis the season for romance and the Melting Pot’s warm atmosphere and private, cozy booths whisper “I love you.” In addition to their fabulous Fondue fare, they also offer one of the most extensive wine selections in town. Valentine’s Day will include a special menu, which has not yet been determined, but will include specialty cheeses and chocolates. When asked what makes the Melting Pot perfect for that special romantic date, manager Megan Feldt said, “The entire romantic experience takes between two to four hours, where our guests can truly connect with each other, while enjoying four decadent courses, including cheese, salad, entree, and chocolate.” 54 West End's Best

Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro

1840 Manakin Rd. Manakin, Virginia 23103 | 804-784-2000 | LolasFarmhouseBistro.com Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro is one of the more unique romantic dining destinations in Richmond. The family-run and owned restaurant, which opened in November 2016, has made quite a name for itself in a short period of time. The historic farmhouse bistro was built in 1865 and offers two cozy fireplaces, an outdoor firepit and a quaint bar with its own fireplace. Says Ronnie Hussey, co-owner with husband, Tommy, Lola’s chef, “Being family owned, we are able to provide special attention and great service to all our guests. We offer a unique setting, delicious, fresh food and a wine list made up of boutique wines, perfect for Valentine’s Day or a romantic meal.”

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Hondo’s

4120-B Cox Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060 | 804-968-4323 | HondosPrime.com Hondo’s is the ultimate romantic dining destination if you are looking for prime steak or succulent seafood in a classy, upscale atmosphere. Hondo’s is also known for their many specials from happy hour discounts and Sunday Surf & Turf to under $10 lunches and holiday brunch and dinner packages. Their Valentine’s Day menu will offer a full dinner menu and additional chef’s specials, including a specially planned dinner for two, perfect for you and your sweetheart! Says Toni Peebles, Director of Marketing and Sales, “Hondo’s exudes romance with its dark wood decor, low-lighting ambiance, and extensive wine selection. We also can offer personalized dining arrangements for an extra-special occasion if you contact us ahead of time.”

Chez Max

10622 Patterson Ave. Richmond, VA 23238 | 804-754-3464 | ChezMaxVa.com Chez Max offers authentic French cuisine in a casual, comfortable, yet elegant atmosphere. One of the things that makes Chez Max such a romantic destination is the large stone fireplace in the main dining room, which casts a soft glow and a warm and inviting ambiance, ideal for that special Valentine’s Day dinner. Annie Lecomte, co-founder says, “Chez Max thrives on its romantic atmosphere with traditional French cuisine, cozy fireplace and candlelit dining. The traditional country French decor makes you feel like you are dining in a romantic village in the heart of France.”

Hanover Tavern

13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover | 804-537-5250 HanoverTavern.org When you step into the beautiful Hanover Tavern, you step back in time to one of only a few surviving colonial era taverns in the United States. You step into an era of genteel elegance accompanied by exceptional customer service. The menu offers a bounty of Southern fare, such as fried green tomatoes, Rappahannock fried oysters, Blue Ridge chicken and crab cakes, all expertly prepared under the creative direction of Executive Chef Mary Catherine Ortolani. Isn’t it romantic? Indeed! Check their website for information on this year’s special Valentine’s Day Dinner.

January / February 2018

West End's Best 55

Happy Hour Guide Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen 11800 W. Broad St. (Short Pump Town Center); 804-377-9060; BakersCrust.com

If you want your happy hour to be an “appy” hour, this is the place. Baker’s Crust offers some amazing appetizer specials during their Happy Hour.

8052 W. Broad St.; 804-747-9573; KabutoWestEnd.com Sunday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. Domestic beers - $2.50 House wines - $3

Daily 3 to 6 p.m. (Bar area and patio only)

Select cocktails - $4

Beer, on tap - $5 Wine, on tap - $5 Cocktail, daily special - $6 Pork belly taco - $5 Chicken taco - $3.50 Cheese pizza - $6 Tavern chips - $4 Fried calamari - $4 Fries - $4 Caprese bruschetta - $5 BBQ chicken slider - $4

One More Thing: The sushi bar offers discounts on select rolls during happy hour.

Keagan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 2251 Old Brick Rd. (West Broad Village); 804-360-9240; KeagansRichmond.com

Dublin-inspired pub fare and local bands in an Irish pub setting with patio seating

One More Thing: The restaurant offers nightly specials Mondays through Thursdays. Check their website for details.

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint

Monday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drafts, 20-oz (Miller Lite, Coors Light, Yuengling, Bud Light) – $3 Select craft imports & premiums (16 oz. drafts) – $2 off House highballs – $2 off House wines – $2 off One More Thing: Monday night is “all day” Burger Night. Cheeseburger and one side – $5.

5810 Grove Ave.; 804-285-1758; JackBrownsJoint.com The name says it all. Jack Brown’s offers beers from around the corner and from around the world, along with an award-winning burger menu. Monday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m. Drafts – $1 off Beer, domestic – $2 One More Thing: Did we mention beer? This joint has over 100 craft beers. 56 West End's Best

Kabuto Japanese House of Steaks

If you are a restaurant or beverage manager, please send your Happy Hour specials to Steve@RichmondNavigator.com. Our Happy Hour Guide is provided as a service to our readers. This is not an advertisement, nor is any compensation involved. All happy hour listings are subject to change. Please drink responsibly.

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fresh & local

FARM TO PLATE SALADS

Crafting SOMETHING FRESH ALL NEW COCKTAILS AT KONA GRILL

We’ve crafted all new cocktails infused with fresh squeezed juices and handmade simple syrups. Stop in and give them a try! WEST BROAD STREET VILLAGE 11221 West Broad Street Glen Allen, VA 23060 804-364-5660 • www.konagrill.com

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BakersCrust.com Short Pump Town Center 11800 W. Broad Street 804-377-9060 Carytown 3553 W. Cary Street 804-213-0800

Join us on Wednesdays for The Wine Down! January / February 2018

West End's Best 57

RICHMOND’S PREMIER CHOPHOUSE

4120 Cox Rd., Glen Allen

804-968-4323

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Midlothian Innsbook Downtown Richmond

AND OTHER GREAT ITALIAN FAVORITES...

11238 Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23238

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CapitalAleHouse.com 58 West End's Best

WE KNOW YOU'LL BE IMPRESSED! RichmondNavigator.com

r e e B udz B by John Stoner

Wintertime makes you want to find cozy, friendly and indoor places for your beer-related adventures. This month’s BeerBudz has searched out a few spots to help you imbibe in comfort. Bottleworks

does the staff that seems to know everyone who comes in – even it it’s your first time. They’re open for lunch and dinner, and have cheese and meat boards for other hours, featuring sausages locally made by Sausage Craft. Sixteen taps of great beers, local to international, plus bottles and a wine list provide plenty of options. There is a restaurant pop-up every month. A tap takeover with local favorite Final Gravity coming up soon. They advise that you check their Facebook page for the exact date and time.

Hardywood Park Brewing Company

3078 Stony Point Road With over 600 beers, 300 wines and a good selection of ciders and mead in stock, you can be sure to find something that will perfectly suit your tastes at this Bon Air retail shop. Bottleworks offers tastings every Friday night from 5 to 7:30 And, says co-owner Barbara White, “We will be offering some Valentine’s Day specials.” “I’m sure it will be something wine related,” says her business partner, Geoff Hunt. Check their Facebook page for details. The store carries many locally produced products to complement their beer and wine, including a beer cheese and even a stout beer soap bar. So, whether you want to drink your beer, eat your beer or wash with your beer, there’s something for you at Bottleworks.

Kindred Spirit Brewing

12830 West Creek Parkway, Suite J Located at the back of an industrial park just across the county line into Goochland, this brewery was buzzing on a recent chilly and rainy Saturday afternoon. A large and inviting interior – lots of TVs, a game room, comfortable leather chairs, and a view of the brew house – and you can see why so many folks are there. 16 taps give plenty of choice – Beer Buds especially enjoyed the Headspace IPA.

The Cask Cafe

206 S. Robinson Street The brick interior really lends The Cask Cafe a “local pub” feel, as

2408 – 2410 Ownby Lane and West Creek Parkway The exciting news from Hardywood is that their big, new production facility on West Creek Parkway in Goochland County is almost finished. They hope to start brewing soon, with beers from the new brewery hitting the market in the spring. They anticipate having the taproom open by the end of April, and when you get there, the expectation is that you’ll find the entire campus a peaceful sanctuary in the woods. There will be live music inside the 4,000 square foot taproom, and outside on a stage in a natural amphitheater.

Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery 3445 W. Cary Street

Carytown is the location of Richmond’s first brewery and urban winery, and both wine and beer are available in the same location. Garden Grove has classic beer styles and classic wines (BeerBudz likes the Lord of the Ryes IPA and the Petit Verdot, respectively), interesting variations on both, and beverages that blur the line between wine and beer.

Dogtown Brewing Company 1209 Hull Street

There’s a new brewery coming to Manchester. Not this winter, but likely in time for next winter. The Dogtown Brewing Co. is going to be located in the former Thalhimers building on Hull Street.

Love the brew? Leave us your tasting notes for these beers, or any others you just have to share, on our facebook page: RichmondNavigator. January / February 2018

West End's Best 59

Events Calendar by West End’s Best staff

JANUARY 13

Henrico Humane Society Pet Expo Join the Henrico Humane Society for the 18th Annual Pet Expo. This unique indoor event allows you to bring your pet to enjoy a day of fun at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Over 50 exhibitors will be on hand offering a variety of goods and services All Proceeds benefit Henrico Humane Society and help homeless animals in the community.

Jan. 19, 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Jan. 21, 11 a.m.–5pm / $6.50 General Admission, $7.50 Weekend Pass, children 12 & under, FREE / Free parking / Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond / AntextOfNC.com

10 a.m.–3 p.m. / $12 adults, $5 children 2-12, under 2 (& pets) FREE, additional charges for some activities / Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond / HenricoHumane.org/pet-expo

JANUARY 18

Neko Case There’s a special challenge that comes with being an artist in this increasingly fractured cultural age; a delicate balancing act, between being of your time, and striving for timelessness. Few contemporary artists even try. Neko Case is an exception. Doors: 6:30 p.m. / Show: 7:30 p.m. / $22.50 advance, $25 day of show plus applicable fees / The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond / TheNationalVA.com

JANUARY 19 – 21

The 69th Richmond Antiques Extravaganza Richmond Antique Extravaganza Show and Sale returns to the Richmond Raceway Complex. It brings together over 100 select dealers from Florida to New England, featuring the finest quality antiques and old collectibles. 60 West End's Best

It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. This multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows, it is a true force to be reckoned with.

FEBRUARY 1 – 17

Brave New World

All My Sons

Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; matinees select dates at 2 p.m.; doors open for dining 2 hours prior to curtain, reservations recommended / Theatre Only: $38 plus service charge; Buffet & theatre: $55 plus service charge, meal tax; Senior, military, student rates; RUSH tickets: $20 door, 1 hour or less before any performance with available seats / Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., S. Chesterfield / 804-748-5203 / SwiftCreekMill.com

Gaelic Storm at the Tin Pan

Doors: 6 p.m. / Show: 8 p.m. / $42.50 advance, $47.50 door / The Tin Pan, 8982 Quioccasin Rd., Richmond / 804-447-8189 / TinPanRVA.com

JANUARY 18 – FEBRUARY 24 Arthur Miller’s classic drama is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1947. Based on the true story of an Ohio aeronautical corporation accused of conspiring with an army inspection officer to approve defective aircraft engines destined for military use, the play won Tony awards for both its author and its director (Elia Kazan). Idealism battles with reality and suspicions battle with truth as Miller unwinds this heart-wrenching story of a family torn apart by greed and guilt.

JANUARY 26

The Cultural Arts Center and Quill Theatre team up to bring Aldous Huxley’s brilliant novel to life on the Sara Belle November stage. Set in London in the year 2540, the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation, and classical conditioning that are combined to profoundly change society.

JANUARY 20

Poe’s Birthday Bash Join the Poe Museum for the world’s largest annual celebration of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday with an entire day of music, performance, tours, and (of course) birthday cake. Enjoy tours of the Museum, costumed interpreters, readings of Poe’s works, as well as light refreshments and a cash bar. At midnight, you’re invited to a toast to Poe in the Shrine. 12 p.m.–12 a.m. / Admission, $8; museum member & children 6 and under, FREE / Poe Museum, 1914-16 E. Main St., Richmond / 804-648-5523 / PoeMuseum.org

JANUARY 26

Night Light Science: Space Night Join the Science Museum of Virginia for a special night of imagination and adventure. Children ages 3-6 and their adults are invited to an exciting evening of space adventures, from learning about the constellations to “sailing” by the stars and more. Put on your favorite space-themed costume or your favorite pajamas and come on a journey of space exploration and discovery. 6 p.m.– 9 p.m. / Tickets: $25 general adult/ youth combo tickets; $20 museum members. Additional youth or adult tickets, $10. One adult is required for every four youths/ Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond / 804-864-1400 / smv.org

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Preview: Thu., Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.; Opening Night: Friday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. / $20, preview; $28, all other performances / Cultural Arts Center Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen / 804-261-2787 / ArtsGlenAllen.com

FEBRUARY 3

Pins & Needles – 17th Century Sewing Class for Adults Join the folks at Henricus Historical Park for an introduction to 17th century hand sewing class where you will make a very simple product – a utility bag with a drawstring or a handkerchief. Material will be provided. Attendees must provide sewing needles, pins, white quilting weight cotton or linen thread, and small scissors. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. / $10 includes material and admission / Registration required by Jan. 31; call 804-748-1611. Limited space available / Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Rd., Chester / Henricus.org

FEBRUARY 9

Harlem Globetrotters The Original Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their action packed 2017-2018 tour! A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrill fans of all ages. 7 p.m. / Tickets $22 (plus fees) at the Richmond

Coliseum SweetFrog Box Office, at Ticketmaster. com, area Ticketmaster outlets and to charge-byphone at 800-745-3000 / Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St., Richmond / RichmondColiseum.net

FEBRUARY 5 – 11

RVA Environmental Film Festival The Enrichmond Foundation, the Sierra Club – Falls of the James Group, the Capital Region Land Conservancy and Viridiant will partner to present the Eighth Annual RVA Environmental Film Festival. The festival takes place at locations across the city including the University of Richmond, VCU, public libraries, The Visual Arts Center, The Byrd Theatre and The Science Museum of Virginia. The week long event showcases local and national films that raise awareness of environmental issues relevant to the Richmond region, our nation, and our planet.

ready for winter, they did 400 years ago —only with different technology! Experience a home school education program designed to help meet curriculum goals in a fun, interactive environment at a living history museum. Our costumed interpreters will discuss preparations for a 17th-century Virginia winter. Students will be divided by age level to work on age-appropriate activities and curriculum. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. / $15, student, $9, accompanying adult; Henricus Patrons $13, student, FREE accompanying adult / Registration required by Feb. 12, call 804-748-1611 / Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Rd., Chester / Henricus.org

FEBRUARY 22 – 23

Tower of Power 50th Anniversary Tour Get funky at The Beacon Theatre with legendary soul act Tower of Power for two backto-back nights. Doors: 6:30 p.m. / Orchestra Level 1: $50 advance, $55 door; Orchestra Level 2: $45 advance, $50 door; Balcony: $35 advance, $40 door; plus applicable fees / Tickets available at Beacon Theatre box office and My TicketsToBuy.com / The Beacon Theatre, 401 N. Main St., Hopewell / 804-446-3457 / TheBeaconTheatreVA.com

See website for schedule / FREE / rvaeff.org

FEBRUARY 24 FEBRUARY 16 – MARCH 11

A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry’s Tony award-nominated domestic drama follows the story of the Younger family, as they discover the dangers of dreaming big and the heartbreak of reality. See website for full schedule & times / Tickets start at $30, $40 Standard, $50 Premium / Student, military, teacher discounts subject to availability / The November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St., Richmond / 804282-2620 / VA-Rep.org

Richmond Kids Expo The 15th Annual Richmond Kids Expo is the largest yearly event held in Central Virginia that’s specially designed to provide parents with an engaging trade show atmosphere while their kids enjoy an awesome day of fun and entertainment. Parents can shop and learn about products and services offered at exhibitors’ booths while spending the day with their children in a safe indoor environment. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. / $7 adults, $3 kids 2-12, Free for children under 2 / Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum A

FEBRUARY 16-18 FEBRUARY 9 – 11

Richmond Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty This enchanting family-friendly ballet has something for everyone. A young girl, Aurora, pricks her finger on her 16th birthday after being cursed by the evil fairy, Carabosse, and appears doomed. The kind and good Fairy of the Lilacs uses her power to save the stricken girl and, instead of death, Aurora now will sleep for 100 years, only to be awakened by true love’s kiss. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Fairies, Nymphs, Puss ‘N Boots, and Bluebird, while treated to some of the most universally famous pieces of choreography including the Rose Adagio and the wedding’s final grand pas de deux. Feb. 9, 7 p.m.; Feb. 10, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Feb. 11, 2 p.m. / Tickets: $25–$125 at Dominion Arts Center and Altria Theater box offices, by phone at 800-5143849 and online at etix.com / Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Arts Center, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond/ DominionArtsCenter.com

FEBRUARY 15

Home School Day – Life in a Virginia Winter (ages 4 – 14) Chores, get the crops in, preserve, cook, clean, plan! Whatever we do today to get

Richmond Boat Show For years the Richmond Boat Show has been recognized as one of the best boat shows in Central Virginia. Covering nearly 110,000 square feet in four buildings, it attracts dealers from throughout Virginia. 18 dealers will have boats on display plus additional exhibits will include boat lifts, floating docks, marine electronics, water sports and safety equipment. New for 2018 is the 26,000 gallon Paddle Sports Pool where you can demo your favorite paddle craft before you buy. Feb. 16, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Feb. 17, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Feb. 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. / $10 Adults; Children 12 & under FREE / Free parking / Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond / RichmondBoatShow.com

FEBRUARY 17 – JULY 8

The Horse in Ancient Greek Art From myth and legend to warfare, sport, and transportation, the horse played an integral role in ancient Greek culture. The Horse in Ancient Greek Art presents imagery of mythical horses like the winged Pegasus, who becomes a constellation, as well as horse-hybrids like centaurs and satyrs, creatures that are part human and part horse. Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu. & Fri. until 9 p.m. / FREE / Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond / 804-340-1400 / VMFA.museum

January / February 2018

FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 4

2018 Virginia Wine Expo The 2018 Virginia Wine Expo is a finely curated, destination wine, spirits and food event held at the spectacular, revitalized Main Street Station and nearby venues. Enjoy 23 events, including the Walk-Around Grand Tastings, SMOKED!, Burger Blast, Bounty of Virginia, A Noodle & Dumpling Affair, Rooted in Richmond, Master Class Seminars and more. Walk-Around Grand Tastings, March 3-4 (VIP $80, except Sunday VIP $55, General $55); SMOKED!, March 2 (VIP $120, General $90); Burger Blast, March 1 (VIP $85, General $65); A Noodle & Dumpling Affair, Feb. 28 ($70); Bounty of Virginia, March 3 ($85); Rooted in Richmond, March 4 ($65) / Schedule of events, tickets and prices available online / Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond / 804-349-6909 / VirginiaWineExpo.com

West End's Best 61

TRAVEL

Travel Navigator Your Guide to All Things Travel

Photo: Doug Puffenbarger

SMALL TOWN VIRGINIA:

MONTEREY It Just Feels Like Home

“It just feels like home,” says Dorothy Stephenson, executive director for the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Now, Dorothy has lived in the county for most of her 33 years. So, there’s a good reason that it feels like home to her. What’s my excuse? I can’t exactly figure it out, but Monterey and Highland County feel like home to me, too. I can’t wait to go back. I love the quiet, slow pace and the friendliness of the town, which offers a handful of restaurants, a really cool

by Steve Cook

cidery, a smattering of gift shops, a Dollar General and a few quaint places to spend

I should know better than to take a trip into the mountains of Virginia. Every time I do, I come back to Richmond ready to pack my bags and head for the hills. Although, I had been wanting to visit Monterey, Virginia ever since I first heard about their annual Highland Maple Festival over a decade ago, I had never been until this past November. Now, I can’t stop thinking about how much I love this little town, located in Highland County. U.S. routes 250 and 220 intersect in the heart of town, which sits about 10 miles from the West Virginia border. 62 West End's Best

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the night (more about that later). The annual maple festival, which celebrates its 60th year on March 10 to 11 and 17 to 18, is, indeed, the big draw. During the two weekends, more than 50,000 people will flock to Highland County, which has a population of just a little over 2,000. So, you can imagine how the festival must impact the community, especially the folks who make the maple syrup.

Photo: Steve Cook

Photo: Michael Bedwell

Meadows Pride Farm in Highland County

Photo: Steve Cook

I had the pleasure of meeting a few of those than that and the apples will burn. They’re hardy and hard-working folks during my visit. beginning to bubble and spit as we talk. DurI spent one morning with Tim Duff, who, along ing the last hour of the process, he’ll be adding with wife, Terry, runs Duff’s Sugar House. Tim, in his sugars and secret spice recipe. Dorothy, one of the most interesting people you’d ever who is serving as my tour guide for the day, chance to meet, grew up helping his parents takes over the stirrer while Tim gets me a taste produce maple syrup of his apple butter. about 600 miles north “Highland County is like Disneyworld Absolutely delicious! of Highland County, Between Septemfor the Little House on the Prairie ber and December, in the Adirondacks. “I hated it,” he says of the Duffs will make crowd.” — Tim Duff those early days. Afabout 90 pints of this ter retiring from the tasty concoction, all military, he and his wife of which they sell in ended up in the hills of their Sugar House. Virginia. Now, he tells You can’t buy it onme, he loves his small line or find it in the syrup-producing busigrocery stores. “You ness. Pretty much evhave to come here ery ounce of syrup that and enjoy the expehe produces — about rience,” Tim says. 38 gallons a year — he As with his maple sells during those two syrup production, weekends in March. he wants visitors to The day of my visit, come and see the way Tim is busy stirring folks in this neck of the seven bushels of apples woods have been doing to produce apple butter, which he it for well over 200 years. sells in the cozy, little Sugar House. He “Do you let visitors stir?” I ask. makes apple butter in much the same “Oh my gosh, yes,” he laughs. I guess that manner as he makes his syrup — “the old was a dumb question to ask a man who has fashioned way.” been stirring apples for five hours straight. I arrive at the sugar house about 9 a.m. In addition to making syrup and apple Tim has already been stirring his apples butter, Tim also carves duck decoys and by hand since five that morning, and he’ll builds old-fashioned flintlock rifles. In fact, continue to do so until about five in the he tells me that he’s building a re-creation of evening. I ask him if he has to stir continan 18th-century gunsmith shop out behind uously. “I can stop for about 30 seconds the Sugar House. By the time you read this, the at a time,” he tells me. Anything more shop should be open, which is another reason January / February 2018

Tim Duff makes his apple butter (and maple syrup) the old fashioned way.

I want to go back to Highland County. While Tim prides himself on doing things in the primitive way, Ronnie Moyers, his wife Sandy and daughter Missy Moyers-Jarrell, are very much into applying the modern technology that has changed the way that many maple syrup producers are doing business in the 21st century. The family’s Laurel Fork Sap Suckers Sugar Camp (10677 Mountain Turnpike, Clay Hise Lane, Hightown), allows them to produce about 200 gallons of syrup a year. As a forester and logger, Ronnie is constantly experimenting with ways to increase the sugar water production in his maple trees. One way that he does this is by thinning the non-maple trees, which block the sunlight in his sugar bush, or the “stand” of maple trees that he taps each year. Instead of using buckets to capture the syrup, as does Tim Huff, the Moyers use tubing to collect the sap, which then runs down the hill to the holding tank outside of the sugar camp. Once the sap (sugar water) starts running, it has to be cooked almost immediately. “We treat it like raw milk,” Missy tells me. “The sugar water is not shelf-stable. It will spoil in one to two days.” Now, comes the hard work. For the next 36 hours or so, the sugar water will be cooked down. Someone has to be watching the pans continuously to prevent both the product and the pans from burning. If you ever tend to quesWest End's Best 63

Virginia is th southernmost stete where maple syrup is produced commercially. Highland County leads the state in maple syrup production.

Photo: Tony Hall

tion the price of maple syrup, consider this: It takes anywhere from 35 to 50 gallons of the sugar water to produce one gallon of pure maple syrup. The Moyers sell their syrup along with baked goods, sandwiches and other food items in a little wooden hut at the top of the hill a few hundred yards up from the camp. Calling it a “hill” is somewhat an understatement. At over 64 West End's Best

Photo: Steve Cook

Dividing Waters Farm in Hightown. The headwaters of both the James River and the Rappahannock River originate here.

4,000 feet, their sugar camp is the highest in the state. There are a handful of additional sugar camps in the county. Some, Ronnie tells me, have modern equipment (“All the bells and whistles”) and can produce over 100 gallons of finished product a day. “The biggest day we ever had,” he says, “was about 15 gallons.” There’s no time of year that’s not a perfect time to visit. Each season in this picturesque region, which has been dubbed “the Switzerland of Virginia, has its own beauty and pleasures. The trees put on a show each autumn that’s not to be missed. Visit Hightown, about five miles from Monterrey and see Dividing Waters Farm. They say that the rainwater that rolls off one side of the barn roof forms the headwaters to the Potomac River. The water on the other side eventually becomes the James River. Meander through the county on the barn quilt trail. Discover the wildflower RichmondNavigator.com

and artisan trails, as well. Many bikers and bicyclists love the winding highways with gorgeous scenery at every turn in the road. Tim Duff had told me during our visit, “Highland County is like Disneyworld for the Little House on the Prairie crowd.” With that analogy in mind, here’s my advice: Pa should grab Half Pint and the rest of the family and head on “home” to Monterey Virginia. Know before you go: I wish I had the space to tell you more about so many of the wonderful people of Monterey and Highland County who showered me with hospitality during my visit. In this brief directory below, I’ll try to, at least, introduce you to some of them. Learn more at HighlandCounty.org.

ATTRACTIONS

Big Fish Cider Co.

59 Spruce St., Monterey; 540-468-2322; BigFishCider.com I spent a couple of hours talking and tasting ciders one evening during my visit with Kirk Billingsly, owner of this microcidery. Kirk truly is (and I mean this in the nicest possible way) an apple geek. I don’t’ mean the computers. I

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Photo: Steve Cook

mean the fruit. As a kid, he loved both apples and sweet apple cider, which his father would make. He loved traveling the county looking for the wide varieties of apple trees. He was fascinated by the antique child, says you can also and heritage apples. find a variety of stained While in college (JMU), glass gifts, such as minhe says he jumped at the Kirk Billingly shares the secrets of great iature maple leaves and apple cider as he pours a sample of his Big opportunity to learn the Fish Allegheny Gold. stepping stones, in the science of grafting apstore. ples and got hooked on producing hybrid varieties. After he was grown Ginseng Mountain Store and married, he decided to try his hand at makU.S. Highway 220, Bluegrass ing hard cider, which he did for close to 20 years 540-474-5137; Ginseng Mountain.com before doing it commercially. He bought an old I went in expecting to find cracker barrels on the restaurant that had a 30-foot neon sign featurfloor and cured hams hanging from the ceiling. ing a big trout on the roof. The neon’s gone, but This is not your typical country store. Debora the sign remains. It was the inspiration for the and SKE Ellington, who own and operate this name of the business. He opened his cidery in very unique store, also own the nearby 260-acre 2015 and in his first year his flagship cider, AlGinseng Mountain Farm, where they raise cattle legheny Gold earned the “Best in Class” award and sheep. Their store offers sheepskins from at the Great Lakes International Cider Compethe farm, which proved to be very popular with tition in Grand Rapids Michigan. “No Virginia some shoppers who happened by during my cider had ever gotten that,” he said. visit. The store is a true artisans’ delight, featurOther favorite ciders (my assessment) ining braided rugs, handmade pottery, Highland clude the Highland Scrumpy, which is made County maple syrup, the Ellington’s grass-fed with over 20 local varieties. The wild yeast used Angus beef and lamb, and much more. in fermentation gives this a real old-fashioned cider taste. I also enjoyed the Monterey Maple, ACCOMMODATIONS & DINING which is fermented with maple syrup.

Virginia Trout Company

68 W. Main St., Monterey; 540-468-2143; Highland-Inn.com The historical Monterey Hotel, built in 1904 in the heart of town, has been beautifully renovated as the Highland Inn. The Inn, now owned and operated by the Highland Center, offers 18 guest rooms. During my visit, I enjoyed a fabulous meal prepared by their young, talented and much acclaimed chef, Dan Evans.

SHOPPING

The Arborgast Inn

101 W. Main St., Monterey First and foremost, this is a floral shop, offering seasonal arrangements, including poinsettias in the winter, hanging baskets in the spring and mums in the fall. But Susie Newlen and Erica Stephenson, who operate the place, offer much more than flowers. The shop offers such gift ideas as maple syrups from Laurel Forks Sapsucker (Susie is another daughter of the Moyers), as well as wooden boat bowls and wooden vases made from Highland County trees. Erica, who learned the art of stained glass design as a 66 West End's Best

writer), Mrs. Cockerham admits that Dickens is not one of her favorite authors. She is an avid reader and the hallways are filled with a variety of books. If I had more time, I would have curled up with a good one. Maybe next time. Here’s a hint: If you’re planning a ski trip to Snowshoe, it’s less than an hour away from Monterey and the rates at the Arborgast and the Highland Inn are much more reasonable.

The Real Deal Market & Grill

11 E. Main St., Monterey 540-292-5137 The Real Deal is a great deal. Owned by the Ellingtons (of Ginseng Mountain), the market offers a variety of locally made products. You can even buy the lamb and beef fresh off the farm. The restaurant has recently added a breakfast menu. I enjoyed a delicious homemade biscuit topped with egg and bacon. They smoke their own barbecue, which gets lots of rave reviews as does their beef stew. Their smoked chicken salad is out of this world.

Highland Inn

5840 Potomac River Road, Monterey; 540-468-2280; VirginaTroutFarms.com You’ve never seen so many rainbow trout, which are offered fresh, frozen and smoked. The fish are available year-round for stocking ponds and streams and eating, of course. Many local restaurants serve their fresh trout. Recreational fishing for a fee is offered at the hatchery.

Highland Mountain Flowers

The Arborgast Inn in “downtown” Monterey offers three guest rooms in a beautiful historic setting.

364 W. Main St., Monterey 540-468-3278; ArorgastInn.com This quaint Victorian Queen Anne-style bed and breakfast served as my home away from home during my visit. And it truly felt like home — had I grown up in a beautiful mansion. The three guest rooms (two with private baths) offer warm, cozy and comfortable accommodations. Each room is named after a Victorian-era author. I enjoyed visiting with the proprietor, Mrs. Betty Cockerham. While her very name sounds like a character out of a Charles Dickens novel (one of the suites is named after the RichmondNavigator.com

White’s Wayside

2175 Hanky Mountain Highway, Churchville 540-337-8004;WhitesWayside.com Jack and Mary Wilson, the owners of this wonderful little restaurant, are an amazing and interesting couple. Even if their food were bland (which it’s not), I’d stop in just to visit with the Wilsons. They love all things Highland County and sell many of the county’s products in their restaurant and bakery. White’s is actually located in Augusta County, about half an hour from Highland County, and serves as the perfect spot to begin or end your Monterey getaway. By the way, they serve the best apple pie in the state.

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HOME

CLOSETS THAT WORK

by Lisa Puster

’m famous for the morning clothing crisis. It’s not that I don’t have enough clothes. Full disclosure: I’m actually a bit of a clothes-aholic and love keeping up with the latest fashions and design trends. If I’m being completely honest, the real issue is that I have

more clothes than I can keep up with and sometimes get overwhelmed when trying to pull together an outfit in my small, disorganized, walk-in closet. I usually end up superfrustrated and running late with a pile of clothes on the floor to clean up later. Ugh. What’s a fashionable, clothing-addicted girl to do? For my sanity and my closet and clothing’s sake, I decided to find a better solution and check into closet organization for the new year and share my findings with you! 68 West End's Best

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Custom Walk-In Closets Wouldn’t it be nice to have a custom, walkin closet that makes you excited to get out of bed and get dressed each morning? Amy Dowdy at Interior 2000 says, “When it comes to master closets, our clients today are looking for functionality meets style.” A stylish yet functional closet design will maximize your space and provide a space that organizes not only your clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories, but your life, as well. Some popular features for custom walkins include islands with drawers, shoe shelves, built-in laundry hampers, jewelry storage space, lingerie drawers, hidden ironing boards, belt and scarf racks, and valet rods for dry cleaning and outfit planning. According to Hugh Toland of Closets by Design, “Our clients don’t just see a change in their closet, but by organizing the closet to fit their needs, they see a change in their everyday life.”

Photo: courtesy Closet Factory

“When it comes to master closets, our clients today are looking for functionality meets style.” – Amy Dowdy, Interior 2000

A good closet designer will get to know you, your closet and the closet stressors you experience every day. They will take inventory of your closet contents and measure the space to come up with a customized design to fit your needs, style and budget.

Photo: courtesy Closet Factory

Custom Reach-In Closets Do you not have a walk-in closet space? Are you struggling with utilizing that small master bedroom closet that sometimes come with older homes or kids’ and guest rooms? Consider installing a well-organized, reach-in closet in lieu of a walk-in space. A well-designed, reach-in closet is a small but efficient space created with a custom closet organization system that can store a lot despite its size. A custom reach-in closet will often include space-saving options, such as multiple hanging areas, adjustable shelving, drawers, baskets, and hampers, as well as pull-out accessories and valet rods to maximize space and organization. When it comes to kids’ rooms, Amy adds, “Adjustable shelving is a great option to use in children’s closets to allow for change as the child grows. Additional drawers, baskets, and other accessories can easily be added, as they become necessary.” A small set of drawers in a reach-in closet can add storage capacity and put everything within easy reach, while closet sides and corners can be utilized to add custom solutions and take advantage of small, unused spaces.

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West End's Best 69

Photo: courtesy Closet Factory

Custom Closet Lighting Lighting is important business when it comes to closets. Every walk-in closet needs a focal point, so adding a central lighting fixture, like a chandelier or a pendant lamp with the right style and wattage, will go a long way toward making your space more pulled-together and functional. Plus, you can’t create the perfect outfit with well-coordinated accessories when the lighting is not right. Choosing a focal ceiling fixture with multiple bulbs will really increase the ambient light in a shadowy space,

“Our Clients don’t just see a change in their Closet, but by organizing the closet to fit their needs, they see a change in their everyday life.” – Huge Toland, Closets By Design

Photo: courtesy Closet Factory

70 West End's Best

resulting in a soft glow without glare. You’ll also want to add in additional lighting elements, such as recessed LED lights throughout the closet, allowing you to see individual accessories and clothing items in department-store brightness so colors and textures really stand out. Most reach-in closets don’t come with lighting, which is unfortunate since part of the closet is usually lost in the shadows. If space permits, adding some recessed lights to the inside of your closet will highlight your clothes and their color and textures. Linear LED strips are perfect for adding splash lighting above the inside of the closet door, because they shine a glow over the ceiling and into the corners of the closet without ever being seen. Another option is to opt for a battery-operated LED light to avoid the need for electricity, including special sensor lights that are motion activated so they turn on when you need them, and off when you don’t.

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Custom Closet Touches Closet Finishes: Glass and mirrored doors can add style and beauty to a functional but otherwise bland space, but don’t forget about drawer and door hardware options to finish the look of your custom closet. Using different, yet coordinating, colors for shelving and drawer fronts is another great way to personalize your closet, while the option to have closet systems installed using crown and floor molding completes the built-in look.

ibility for pants, purses and other items. Jewelry Drawer Dividers: Jewelry drawer dividers showcase your most cherished and valuable accessories to simply your morning routine and organize every precious piece of jewelry, making it easy to select accessories and give you the feel of shopping in your own personal jewelry store. Trays and inserts can be configured in various ways, providing custom storage, while the lining carefully protects your treasured items in a variety of colors and finishes.

Shoe Storage: Your treasured shoe collection deserves proper display within your custom closet system, allowing each pair can be easily seen and accessible. An array of configurations and organization options will ensure space for every type of shoe, from high heels to sneakers, sandals, and boots. Photo: courtesy Closet Factory

Photo: courtesy Interior 2000

Drawer and Shelf Dividers: Clear clothing dividers are designed for both drawers and shelves and keep items separated, organized, and easy to access to ensure the space doesn’t get too cluttered or crowded, while pull-out shelf options offer storage flex-

While there are plenty of DIY options for closet organization and lighting out there, before you purchase a DIY closet organization or lighting system to try and save some money, first consider getting a complimentary quote from a closet design professional. A professionally designed, custom-built, and installed system may end up costing less than you think, save you the hassle of do-it-yourself installation, and improve the look and functionality of your closet, as well as the value of your home, for many years to come. Here’s to a new year, new you and new closet!

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MIRACLE METHOD SURFACE REFINISHING MIRACLE METHOD SURFACE REFINISHING Offering Exceptional Quality, Value and Customer Service Offering Exceptional Quality, Value and Customer Service

WHAT DO YOU DO The two most attractive features, as she explains, involve the great value WHAT DO YOU DODO WHEN, TheIN two most attractive features, as she explains,time. involve thechances great value WHEN, IN THE MIDDLE WHAT DO YOU THE MIDDLE OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, in price and quality as well as theAN quick turnaround But, are WHEN, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ECONOMIC in price and quality as well as the quick turnaround time. But, chances are youOUT may want to know more. LEAVING Such as: OF AN ECONOMIC YOUR COMPANY OF BUSINESS, YOU OUT OF A JOB? DOWNTURN, YOUR GOES you maydoes wantittowork? know more. Such as:Method process, whether it be for DOWNTURN, YOUR How The Miracle COMPANY GOES How doesbathtubs it work? Miracle Method process, whether it be for COMPANY GOES OUT OF BUSINESS, countertops, or The flooring, involves the application of a nine-layer OUT OF BUSINESS, LEAVING YOU OUT OFin backcountertops, bathtubs or flooring, involves the application of a nine-layer hat’s the situation one Goochland resident found himself in stone and there are over 60 options to choose from. Along with new counters, non porous coating which bonds to the existing surface. LEAVING YOU OUT OF JOB? porous coating which bonds to the existing surface. 2009, when his employer, CircuitACity, closed their doors for good. non cabinets are also beautifully refinished to look like newlike in any color or stain A JOB? What will my countertop look like? “It looks natural stone, That’s the situation one Goochland resident found

What will myhave countertop look like? “It looks natural decide to go into business for yourself, ” explainsfound David Dowdy. desired. That’s“You the situation one Goochland resident says. “We over 60 options of different stonelike finishes withstone, lots himself in back in 2009, continued when hisinemployer, City, in “David “David says. “We have optionsthat of different stone finishessink with lots Although his wife Elizabeth her career Circuit asCircuit a consultant cusForchoose bathtubs, theover finish60 resembles of a brand new porcelain or tub. himself in back in 2009, when his employer, City, of colors to from.” closed their doors for good. ofFor colors to choose from.” tomer service training, David says the two of them decided that they wanted “Customers get so resembles excited when we of work together toporcelain create the tub. new She look closed their doors for good. bathtubs, the finish that your typical “You decide to go into“Ifbusiness for yourself,” explains the finish resembles that of yourinfo typical porcelain She to control their owntodestiny. we ever found outexplains of work again, itFor bathtubs, they’vevisiting envisioned their kitchen orcontact bathroom. Often the to updated is “You decide go intohis business for ourselves yourself,” recommends thefor showroom (see below) taketub. alook look David Dowdy. Although wife Elizabeth continued in visiting the (see contact info is below) to take9aa.m. look would be Dowdy. because ofAlthough decisions we had made, ” he says. continued in atrecommends even greater than theyshowroom expected, ” says Elizabeth. David his wife Elizabeth the textures and colors on display. The showroom open from her career as a consultant in customer service training, atin.5the textures andthrough colors on display. showroom is open from 9 a.m. So the Dowdys forcustomer a franchiseservice that theytraining, could believe‘til IsMonday it durable? Definitely. TheorDowdys have many commercial customers her career as abegan consultant p.m. Friday byThe appointment. David says the two ofsearching them in decided that they wanted to ‘tilIs5itp.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Their search ledthe them to of Miracle Method, thethat largest bathwanted and kitchen refinand the process works well for high-use areas. For added peace of mind, your David says two them decided they to durable? Definitely. The Dowdys have many commercial customers control their own destiny. “If we ever found ourselves out Isthe it refinishing durable? Definitely. The Dowdys have many commercial customers ishing company in the country. comes with a five-year adhesion warranty, although David says control their own destiny. “If we ever found ourselves out and process works well for high-use areas. For added peace of mind, of work again, it would be because of decisions we had and refinishing thethat process works well for high-use areas. be Forable added peace of20 mind, “The owners were such good, Christian people, with an outstanding prodthrough normal use, a homeowner should to enjoy 15 to years of work again, it would be because of decisions we had your comes with a five-year adhesion warranty, although David made,” he says. yourthat refinishing adhesion warranty, made,” says. uct, ” Elizabeth Dowdy says, searching explaining why chose this of through their newcomes surface.with says normal use,a afive-year homeowner should be ablealthough to enjoy David 15 to So thehe Dowdys began for athey franchise thatparticular they busisays that through normal use, a homeowner should be able toorenjoy 15 isto So the Dowdys began searching for a franchise that they ness. What about mold and mildew? If there is an existing mold mildew 20 years of their new surface. could believe in. Their search led them to Miracle Method, 20 years of their new surface. could believe in. and Theirkitchen search led to company Miracle Method, Whatsue, about mold andwill mildew? If there is anofexisting mold mildew The Dowdys recognized the valuerefinishing thatthem the company brings Miracle Method handle the abatement such. Once theor coating has the largest bath into the theconsumWhat about andhandle mildew? there is an existing mold orgrowth mildew the largest bath and kitchen company in the kitchen issue, Miracle Method will abatement such.and Once the coating er. Instead of homeowners spendingrefinishing $20,000 or more on a complete bonded tomold the original surface,the theIf likelihood ofofmold mildew is country. issue, Miracle Method will handle thethe abatement of such. Onceand themildew coating country. has bonded to the original surface, likelihood of mold remodel, they could invest a small fraction of that and have a beautiful “new” eliminated. “The owners were such good, Christian people, with an has bonded to the original surface, the likelihood of mold and mildew “The owners were such good, Christian people, with an growth is Are eliminated. kitchen. there any other services I might want to know about? Yes. outstanding product,” Elizabeth Dowdy says, explaining growth is eliminated. outstanding product,” Elizabeth Dowdy says, explaining Are there any other services I might to know about? Yes. As a wife and a mother of three daughters, Elizabeth also recognized the Miracle Method can also make bathing saferwant with their Easy Step®. “We cut an why they chose this particular business. Are there any other services I might wanttheir to know about?“We Yes. why they chose this particular business. Miracle Method can also make bathing safer with Easy Step®. benefit of being able to offer counter top refinishing with much less disruption opening in your existing tub which allows easier entry and exit for seniors and The Dowdys recognized the value that the company Miracle Methodincan make bathing witheasier theirentry Easy and Step®. The recognized theofvalue that thecan company youralso existing whichsafer allows exit“We for to the family. typical kitchen refinishing, she says, be done in acut dayan opening the mobility impaired, ” Davidtub explains. brings toDowdys theThe consumer. Instead homeowners spending cut an opening in your existing tub which allows easier entry and exit for brings to the consumer. Instead of homeowners spending seniors and the mobility impaired,” David explains. and a half.or more on a complete kitchen remodel, they could More even the quality and value, Elizabeth says, is the cus$20,000 seniors and theimportant mobilitythan impaired,” David explains. $20,000 or more on a complete remodel, they could Moretomer important theexceed quality value, expectations Elizabeth says, is the The two most attractive features, askitchen shehave explains, involve the great value in service.than “We even strive to ourand customer’s on a regular invest a small fraction of that and a beautiful “new” More important than even the quality and value, Elizabeth says, is invest small as fraction of that have a time. beautiful “new” are customer service. “We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations onthe a price anda quality well as the quickand turnaround But, chances you basis. ” kitchen. customer service. “We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations on a kitchen. regular basis.” may to know Suchofas:three daughters, Elizabeth also But Elizabeth and David Dowdy’s commitment to service goes beyond Aswant a wife and amore. mother regular basis.” As adoes wifeitthe and a mother three daughters, Elizabeth But Elizabeth andAsDavid Dowdy’s commitment to service beyond recognized benefit of ofbeing able to offer countertop How work? The Miracle Method process, whether it bealso for counter their careers. residents of Goochland county for past goes 11 years, they But Elizabeth and David Dowdy’s commitment to the service goes beyond recognized the benefit of being able to offer countertop their careers. As residents of the county for the past 11 years, they are both refinishing much less disruption to the family.ofThe tops, cabinets,with bathtubs or flooring, involves the application a nine-layer are both active in community service as well. He is a volunteer firefighter and their careers. As residents county for the past 11firefighter years, they areEMT both refinishing withwhich muchbonds lessshe disruption family. The active inEMT community serviceof asthe well. He&isRescue a volunteer and typical kitchen says, cantosurface. bethe done in a day non porous coatingrefinishing, to the existing with Goochland County Fire and she firefighter serves on the Board of active in community service as well. He is a volunteer and EMT typical kitchen refinishing, she says, can be done in a day with Goochland Fire &Chamber Rescue and she serves on the Board of and a half. What will my counter top look like? The counters will look like natural Directors forCounty the Goochland Commerce. with Goochland County Fire & Rescueofand she serves on the Board of and a half.

Directors for the Goochland Chamber of Commerce. Directors for the Goochland Chamber of Commerce. “My ugly kitchen counters now look like natural stone! These guys are professionals and their "Outstanding job...5 timesreplace better than we imagined, recommend Miracle Method!" work shows it. Don’t call Miracle Method highly for top notch refinishing!” "Outstanding job...5 times better... than we imagined, highly recommend Miracle Method!" Dave R, Richmond - Richard McKann, radio host of WRVA’s Home Improvement Show - Dave R, Richmond

2410 Granite Ridge Rd. • Suite 1 • Rockville, VA 23146 2410 Granite Ridge Rd. • Suite 1 • Rockville, VA 23146

Take 1-64 to the Rockville/Manakin exit. Go North on Ashland Road for one mile to Left Take 1-64 to the Rockville/Manakin exit. Go North Ashland Road isforonone to Left on Commerce Center. First Left is Granite Ridge andon Miracle Method themile Right. on Commerce Center. First Left is Granite Ridge and Miracle Method is on the Right.

Visit the Showroom: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm or by appointment Visit the Showroom: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm or by appointment 804-749-8990 • MiracleMethod.com/richmond 804-749-8990 • MiracleMethod.com/richmond

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