TOWN September 2014

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Graze and Nibble: Dan Weidenbenner, executive director of Mill Village Farms, stands amid the animals at The Farm at Rabon Creek in Fountain Inn. For more on Mill Village Farms and its important community work, see “Spreading the Wealth,� page 84.

(Photograph by Paul Mehaffey)

SEPTEMBER 2014 / 9

Contents 17 27

THE LIST

See, hear, read, react.

The month’s must-dos.

ON THE TOWN

Pics of the litter: Upcountry fêtes & festivities.

39

WEDDINGS

43

TOWNBUZZ

Painter Janina Tukarski Ellis, Charlotte-based jewelry brand Twine & Twig, the Swamp Rabbit Inn, and more.

61

STYLE CENTRAL

66

MAN ABOUT TOWN

69

SIDEWAYS

91

EAT & DRINK

99 104 112

6 7 4 8

POWER PLAY The Center for Educational Equity partners with Greenville Boxing Club to offer kids a one-two punch.

/ by Steven Tingle // photography by Paul Mehaffey

SPREADING THE WEALTH For Dan Weidenbenner of Mill Village Farms, community growth begins in the dirt.

/ by Ruta Fox // photography by Paul Mehaffey

Like tailgates and pumpkin spice, boots and denim are a sure sign of fall.

The Man observes there’s more to networking than handshakes and chit-chat.

Charlotte, NC, has plenty of regal riches in store.

Café 17 brings delectable pastries to Hotel Domestique.

Plus, hard cider for crisp fall days, and Tandem Creperie.

DINING GUIDE TOWNSCENE

Got plans? You do now.

THIS PAGE: Mill Village Farms’ Youth Partner program encourages teens to be entrepreneurs.

For more, see “Spreading the Wealth,” page 84.

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey COVER: Ernie Cuevas, Jr., 14, boxes at the Center for Educational Equity’s Greenville Boxing Club.

For more, see “Power Play,” page 76.

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

SECOND GLANCE

Daniel Cromer explores the origin of cultural differences via watercolor landscapes.

10 TOWN / towncarolina.com

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EDITOR’S

Letter

Photog r aph by Paul Meha f fey

Mark B. Johnston PUBLISHER mark@towncarolina.com Blair Knobel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF blair@towncarolina.com Paul Mehaffey ART DIRECTOR ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrew Huang

Home Grown

S

winging punches seems a lot different from swinging shovels.

Yet, boxers and gardeners are each concerned with timing and results. And in the case of two Greenville organizations, the connection draws deeper.

The Center for Educational Equity, based in West Greenville, was once run out of the Phillis Wheatley Center before transferring to Greenville Tech. It began in 2000 as a means for students in low-income neighborhoods to gain scholastic help and mentorship. The Greenville Boxing Club found itself homeless when Phillis Wheatley restructured its services.

With foresight and heart, boxer Shakir Robinson, the co-founder of CEE, saw an opportunity to combine both outlets in 2009 as a means to offer at-risk students a faceted after-school program of academics, athletics, and guidance.

Boxing is a secondary, though beloved, aspect of the Center for Educational Equity—a sport that goes beyond blows to teach youth focus, stamina, and respect (see “Power Play,” page 76).

Mill Village Farms takes the punches to the ground, where executive director Dan Weidenbenner and dozens of inner-city youth maintain multiple gardens to deliver local, healthy produce to underserved Greenville neighborhoods. Beyond the educational benefits of exposure to local farm culture and food distribution, Weidenbenner helps kids gain a foothold in community engagement—growing, marketing, selling, and essentially improving the lives of others and their own (see “Spreading the Wealth,” page 84).

The volunteers at the Center for Educational Equity and Mill Village Farms each understand the community benefit of investing in these kids. They aren’t giving handouts so much as a hand, instilling a sense of ownership and selfsufficiency, which leads to active and well-rounded citizens who believe in their home and their place in it.

These stories are the crux of our “People & Education” issue, but they are threads of a tapestry of voices, events, and style that we strive to highlight each month. At heart, our community is like a crop, and each child is part of our collective root system. It’s our challenge to help them grow.

Blair Knobel Editor-in-Chief

Our runner-up cover choice for the September issue. Give us your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter!

12 TOWN / towncarolina.com

THE CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND MILL VILLAGE FARMS AREN’T GIVING HANDOUTS SO MUCH AS A HAND, INSTILLING A S ENS E OF OWNERSHIP AND S ELF- SUFFICIENCY.

CONTRIBUTING SENIOR EDITORS M. Linda Lee Steven Tingle Jac Valitchka CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Cathryn Armstrong Ruta Fox Laura Linen Kathleen Nalley Stephanie Trotter CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & DESIGNERS Chelsey Ashford Jeremy Fleming TJ Getz TJ Grandy Kate Guptill Cameron Reynolds EDITORIAL INTERN Erin Cullum

Holly Hardin PRODUCTION MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kristy Adair Michael Allen Whitney Fincannon MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Kristi Jennings Donna Johnston Annie Langston Lindsay Oehmen Pam Putman Kate Madden DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES kate@towncarolina.com

Emily Price DIGITAL STRATEGIST Lorraine Goldstein Sue Priester Hal Weiss CONSULTING MEMBERS

TOWN Magazine (Vol. 4, No. 9) is published monthly (12 times per year) by TOWN Greenville, LLC, PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602, (864) 679-1200. If you would like to have TOWN delivered to you each month, you may purchase an annual subscription (12 issues) for $65. For subscription information or where to find, please visit towncarolina. com. Postmaster: Send address changes to TOWN, PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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List z

THE

THE MONTH’S MUST- DOS

September 2014

z

TOP OF THE

List

KEB’ MO’

Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center

“I never set out to be a ‘blues guy’” is a surprising revelation for an artist with three Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album to his name. Hot on the tails of the 2014 release of his 12th full-length album BLUESAmericana, Keb’ Mo’ comes to Greenville with his masterful storytelling and visionary roots music in tow.

The Peace Center 300 S Main St, Greenville.

Tues, Sept 16, 7:30pm. $35-$45.

(864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

SEPTEMBER 2014 / 17

List z

HUB CITY EMPTY BOWLS SOUP DAY

zWhat-Not-To-Miss / INDIE CRAFT PARADE

FARM FRESH FAIR

Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E St John St, Spartanburg. Sat, Sept 27, 11am–6pm. $15 per bowl.

(864) 542-2787, chapmanculturalcenter.org

The Farm at Rabon Creek, 125 Phillips Rd, Fountain Inn. Sat, Sept 20, 10am–5pm. Adult, $5; child, $1. thefarmatraboncreek.com/farmfreshfair

Celebrating the art of the handmade, the Indie Craft Parade exposes the creative expression of craft artists from around the South, ranging from paper goods to prints and unique wearables to artisanal food. You’ve never seen so much artistry under one roof, so join the Parade. For a sneak peek at vendor wares (and to skip the crowds), drop by the VIP Gala on September 12.

Huguenot Mill, 101 W Broad St, Greenville. Sept 12–14. VIP Gala, Fri, 6–9pm; parade, Sat, 9am– 6pm; Sun, 11am–5pm. VIP Gala, $30; parade, $2. indiecraftparade.com

Photograph by Danielle Paul

The word entrepreneur does not typically draw to mind a farmland teeming with animals and greenery. Nevertheless, the Farm Fresh Fair is dedicated to opening the door for the purveyors of handcrafted goods, homemade eats, and everything organic. Benefiting sustainable farming at Mill Village Farms, the crisp day will feature antique shopping, artisan crafts, farm fare, and even live music. Pick up some eats or just a home accent—it’s all in the spirit of shopping local.

Photograph courtesy of the Chapman Cultural Center

Last year, the Empty Bowls program raised more than $20,000 to fund the nonprofit charity TOTAL Ministries, which directly benefits local families that are in the wake of financial crises. The handmade bowls crafted by public participants in Spartanburg will be on display for diners to select from and enjoy an unlimited amount of soup provided by local restaurants, before taking the bowls home.

The event will also host a silent auction, music, and plenty of good company.

Photograph by Jeff Hall

THE

”We provide the PERFECT

Lesley Griffeth, Brenda McKay, Rob Reeves, Nelson Poe, Don Kiser, Jessica Pigott, Lauren McCallister 18 TOWN / towncarolina.com

OUR SOUTHERN KITCHEN

ONCE

SYMPHONY TOUR OF HOMES

It’s no coincidence how much we treasure family recipes passed down, generation to generation. After all, where there’s food, there’s family, friendship, and good times to be had.

Chef Mark Pollard taps into Southern hospitality and traditional Southern cooking with this series of lunchtime demonstration cooking classes.

Previous installments of the class have featured fried chicken, tomato basil pie, and blackberry cobbler—expect nothing but a menu inspired by the season’s freshest ingredients.

A hit film turned bigger-hit musical, Once is a winner of multiple awards for its honest portrayal of the complexities that come with falling in love. When a young Irish street musician falls in with a random passerby, their emotional connection comes alive through the beauty of song, creating a unique landscape of feeling. The fact that all musicians on stage play their own instruments in a simplistic setting truly lets the music speak for itself in this romantic story.

Take a gander inside some of the Upstate’s most regal homes—without breaking and entering. The Hidden Hills and Chanticleer communities will host this year’s event, showcasing the latest and greatest in home fashions and residential styles. As always, the tour will kick off with a celebratory patron party, held on September 23 from 7–9pm at the home of Ann and Todd Taylor. Light lunches, fashion shows, and afternoon shopping are also on the itinerary.

Charleston Cooks!, 200 N Main St, #101, Greenville.

Sept 4, 6, 11–13, 18, 20, 25–27. 1pm. $25. (864) 3352000, charlestoncooks.com/greenville/classes

The Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Sept 23–28. Tues–Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2pm & 8pm; Sun, 1pm & 6:30pm. $45-$75. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

Locations vary, Greenville. Sept 26–28. Fri–Sat, 10am–4pm; Sun, 1–4pm. Advance, $20; day of, $25. (864) 370-0965, guildgso.org

September 2014

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

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List z

THE

Quick HITS

PRESERVATION RIDE z Held on a course favored by local cycling celebrity George Hincapie, the third annual Preservation Ride also includes two other courses that are fitting for athletes of any skill level. Other stages roam through the breathtaking pastures of the Greenspace Fairview along the North Pacolet River. Following the serene yet stimulating ride, cyclists can dig into a fully catered lunch at Strawberry Hill USA and mingle with other athletes for new tips and tricks.

Strawberry Hill USA, 3097 Highway 11, Chesnee. Sat, Sept 13, 8am. Registration, $60. upstateforever.org/2014-preservation-ride

GREENVILLE HEROES SERVE & PROTECT AWARDS LUNCHEON z Proving that real heroes don’t need to wear capes, this special luncheon honors those who risk life and limb to protect ours. One member each of both the Greenville City police and fire departments will be given the Hero Among Heroes Award in recognition of their service and commitment to the community. Additionally, the ceremony acts as a fundraising platform for both the Harold C. Jennings Foundation and the Rama Scholarship Fund, providing financial aid for the children of these brave men and women.

Photograph by TJ Getz / courtesy of Euphoria

Hyatt Regency, 220 N Main St, Greenville. Thurs, Sept 11, noon. $50. (864) 248-1568, greenvilleheroes.org

ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA z His father Frank may have made the Zappa name famous with his experimental albums of kooky and clever music, but Dweezil Zappa has carried on this legacy with the same passion and proficiency for guitar. Drawing on inspiration from numerous classic rockers (including dear old dad), the younger Zappa is mostly self-taught—a fact that certainly doesn’t detract from his skillful, fervent pickin’. Preceded by a master class session for learning musicians, this is one piece of music history you will want to be a part of.

The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. Thurs, Sept 11: master class, 2:30pm; show, 8pm. Advance, $28; doors, $30; VIP, $50; master class, $75. (828) 225-5851, theorangepeel.net

MUSIC OF JAMES BOND z Perhaps even more famous than 007’s female companions are the tunes that have accompanied this franchise’s nail-biting scenes of gunplay and espionage. With original tracks crafted by the premier songbirds of our time, this showcase brings to life all the tunes you wish were your own theme songs. “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Skyfall,” and “Live and Let Die” are only a few pieces to be performed on Flat Rock’s Mainstage.

Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC. Sept 11–21. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Thurs, Sat, Sun, 2pm. $30.

(828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

20 TOWN / towncarolina.com

Euphoria For an 8th year, Greenville sets the stage for the sublime at this four-day fest of fine wine, music, and food. Numerous guest-chef wine dinners, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and tastings round out the roster of events including Swine and Dine, Taste of the South, Traffic Jam, the South State Bank Jazz Brunch, and—new this year—Lambs + Clams. Proceeds go to local charities, so don’t sit this one out.

Locations, times, and costs vary.

Greenville. Sept 18–21.

For a complete listing of events, times, and ticket prices, visit euphoriagreenville.com

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ON THE Daniel & Melanie Brake with Brent & Stacie McKinney

Nicole & Claude Robinson

Euphoria’s Tapas & ’Tinis July 17, 2014 The Loft at Soby’s was buzzing with the energy of 200 local foodies dining, drinking, and mingling. Tapas and ’Tinis, presented by TOWN and Euphoria, featured brews by Thomas Creek Brewery and signature drinks

by Van Gogh Vodka. Performance Foodservice’s Chef Derin Moore primed guests’ taste buds for this month’s food festival with delectable bites while guests on the rooftop soaked in the summer sun and live music by the Erica Berg Collective.

Wellington & Meredith Payne

By Chelsey Ashford Photography

))) Find more photos at facebook.com/towncarolina

Kym Petrie, Heather Winburn & Gina Boulware John Michael & Bryant Byrne with Jennifer & Scott Merriam

Robin & Reagan Steeling

Chuck & Kenya Ford Mary Beth Alexander, Holly & Ryan Herron, Patrick & Angela Halpin, and John & Ali Nagle

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Greenville’s Design Destination Furniture Rugs Accessories Artwork Labels Designer Consignment’s 5th Anniversary July 10, 2014 Since opening its doors in 2009, Labels Designer Consignments has seen more than 40,000 consignment pieces exchange hands. About 25 guests joined founder Bentley Mitchell for a VIP celebration, enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and special discounts to celebrate the store’s fifth anniversary. Labels is a store for the economically savvy, fashion-conscious woman, offering discounted brands including Chanel, Prada, J. Crew, and Dior.

Photography by TJ Grandy

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ON THE

Town

Laurens Electric Cooperative’s Poker Run August 2, 2014 Laurens Electric Cooperative hosted its annual Poker Run, a day of Harley riding, card-drawing, and fundraising for 75 Acts of Kindness, a community initiative in celebration of Laurens Electric’s 75th anniversary. More than 250 participants rode and rested at various locations to draw cards, enjoy food from Quaker Steak & Lube, and hear live music by local rockers Loose Change. Ron Kostolanci of Woodruff won the grand prize for the best poker hand, and Josh Medlin of Easley took the prize for the worst—the title that Kostolanci earned just last year.

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Warehouse Theatre’s 40th Season Opening Celebration July 24, 2014 Greenville’s Warehouse Theatre celebrated the opening of its 40th season with a group of 100 guests including season subscribers, donors, and community partners. After attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres catered by Saffron, executive director Paul Savas recognized those who have played key roles in the theatre’s continued success, including longtime supporters Alan Ethridge of the Metropolitan Arts Council, BMW Manufacturing Company, and the TD Charitable Foundation.

Photography by TJ Grandy

Katie Leckenbusch & Paul Savas

Tom Donnelly & Dan Belvey 30 TOWN / towncarolina.com

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ON THE

Town

Twill Preview Party July 27, 2014 More than 250 guests gathered to check out Twill, a denim and lifestyle store on Augusta Street that specializes in clothing for women, men, and expecting mothers.

Shoppers enjoyed food provided by Prep, and 10 percent of all denim sales went to A Child’s Haven, a nonprofit in Greenville that provides therapeutic intervention services for families and children who experience developmental delays as a result of abuse, neglect, or poverty.

Photography by Cameron Reynolds

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Sounds for Hounds July 27, 2014 The Greenville Humane society presented Sounds for Hounds as part of the four-day-long Summer on Augusta series. The family-friendly event saw around 300 people and their furry friends enjoying a day of dancing to live music by local bands Dead 27, The Bad Popes, and Simple Syrup. To temper the midday heat, guests dug into homemade peach ice cream and refreshments from Augusta Grill.

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ON THE

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Live Life Beautifully…

Thorn Boutique

Smart. Strong. Healthy. Your Best You.

August 1, 2014 Around 75 guests joined Greenville City Councilwoman Susan Reynolds as she cut the ribbon at Thorn Boutique, marking the grand opening of the women’s clothing and accessories store on 7 West Stone Avenue. Shoppers perused the boutique’s selection of rustic and modern looks, which includes acclaimed apparel brands such as Lola Jeans and Angelrox.

By Chelsey Ashford Photography

Elizabeth Rouprich & Debbie Hensley

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SEPTEMBER 2014 / 33

Ladies Clothing Accessories Lingerie Shoes

Boutique Pawleys Island

Greenville

Fairview Builders Open House August 2, 2014 Fairview Builders of Travelers Rest hosted an open house of its model home at The Cliffs at Mountain Park in conjunction with Habersham Home and Villa Verona Design.

About 60 guests walked through the home, which showcases the handcrafted cabinetry and interior finishes for which Habersham Home and Villa Verona Design are known.

The award-winning home has received multiple accolades, including Southern Home’s best kitchen.

Photography by TJ Grandy

Jerry Laskoski & Byron Elmore

Featuring Designs By Susanna Monaco Lilla P Annie Griffin Nicole Miller Amy Matto Trina Turk Laundry Michael Stars BCBGMaxazria Ecru Muse

... and many more

101 Main Street (Across from Tupelo Honey)

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Debra Owensby, Roxanne Kowalski, Diane Laskoski & Karl Harte

Gerrie & LeRoy Adams 34 TOWN / towncarolina.com

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ON THE

Town

Mainstream Boutique Opening Just the Facts

August 6, 2014 Women’s fashion and accessories store Mainstream Boutique opened a new location at 716 South Main Street, and 100 ready-to-shop guests browsed collections of dresses, tops, scarves, jewelry and more throughout the evening. The franchise boutique, which has 40 locations nationwide, prides itself in providing fashionable items for women of all ages—a perfect shopping stop for mothers and daughters on a girls’ day out.

Regionally accredited

by SACSCOC, just as Clemson and USC are, so students receive a quality education and credits transfer easily.

Offering relevant education that prepares graduates for excellent opportunities in the workforce or to transfer for further education.

Photography by TJ Grandy

Eight of the last nine recipients of the full tuition, two-year Alden Transfer Scholarship at Furman University have come from Greenville Technical College, and this year is no exception.

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Greenville Technical College is helping Nehemiah become the teacher students will remember as being the best.

Of all the teachers who’ve impacted his path, Nehemiah points to a middle school English teacher who changed the way an eighth grader looked at education. At GTC, the Southside High School graduate is involved in the Call Me Mister program and plans on transferring to Coastal Carolina for a bachelor’s degree in education and from there, to his dream job at the front of a high school classroom.

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Hayden Brewer, Heather Hasuly & Donna Swanger

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Lynn Odum, Hannah McCullough & Brittany Langley SEPTEMBER 2014 / 35

Out of the Park August 6, 2014 The Greenville Drive and Clemson’s Center for Visual Arts–Greenville rang in their inaugural “Out of the Park” event with 48 invite-only guests and an exclusive showcase of the Village of West Greenville. Guests began the evening with hors d’oeuvres at Fluor Field before taking a trolley tour of the Village of West Greenville. The tour included a presentation of CVA– Greenville’s Sense of Place exhibit, led by local historian Don Koonce.

Afterwards the group returned to Fluor Field to watch the hometown team defeat the Augusta GreenJackets.

By Chelsey Ashford Photography

Emily Dymski with Tom & Karen Eller

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Don Koonce, Richard Goodstein & Greg Shelnutt with Gretchen & Joe Erwin 36 TOWN / towncarolina.com

8/11/14 5:35 PM

ON THE

Town

Greenville Literacy Association Hosts Author Liz Murray August 7, 2014 Liz Murray’s story has reached audiences everywhere thanks to her memoir Breaking Night and the made-for-TV movie Homeless to Harvard. The inspirational speaker joined the Greenville Literacy Association at the Greenville Country Club to share her story of determination, grit, and courage: Murray overcame the loss of her parents to AIDS and homelessness to gain acceptance to Harvard University. Carol Goldsmith of Greenville’s WYFF served as the moderator of the Q&A.

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Weddings

/ by Andrew Huang

Flint and Tinder Gather close and snuggle up. There’s more to winter warmth than the fire.

Amanda Pepper & Ross Squires March 22, 2014

Love isn’t unlike cooking: even with the right ingredients, you still need the right timing. Amanda and Ross first met through mutual friends at an Independence Day celebration at Lake Hartwell in 2010. Despite hitting it off, the timing wasn’t right. After a year of seasoning, the two crossed paths again at the same lake house, and this time it stuck. Ross quickly asked for Amanda’s number, and after bonding over Sufjan Stevens, a shared favorite musician, and with the approval of Ross’s cat Linus, the two began dating. The two were married at Furman University’s Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel and held their reception at the Westin Poinsett. Each added their own touches to the day, with Amanda wearing her mother’s veil for the ceremony, while Ross brewed his own beer for the reception. Amanda, an English teacher at Palmetto High School, and Ross, a software engineer at Zipit Wireless, live in Powdersville.

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA GRIFFIN // OLIVIA GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY SEPTEMBER 2014 / 39

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Weddings Mary Ellen Faircloth & David Lane Prophitt May 31, 2014 For two diehard Bulldog fans, there could have been no more promising an omen than having legendary University of Georgia coach Vince Dooley present when Mary Ellen and David met. The couple met in the fall of 2010 at a UGA football kick-off party at the home of Betty Farr and dated for just over two years. On New Year’s Eve of 2012, while on a Faircloth family vacation at Ormond Beach, Florida, David proposed near the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. The wedding festivities were held in the mountains, with the ceremony at Glassy Mountain Chapel and the rehearsal dinner and reception at Hotel Domestique. The weekend featured numerous personal touches by the couple, including a rehearsal dinner menu showcasing Faircloth family recipes, raspberry tea by the groom’s mother, and nods to the couple’s Georgia roots.

They now live near Lake Robinson in Greer.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICK COX // COX PHOTOGRAPHY

Leah Rice & Jeff Davis June 28, 2014 Jeff didn’t bother trying to surprise Leah with his proposal. Instead, he had a mutual friend (the same one who set them up on a blind date in 2011) deliver a note on April 20, 2013, that stated it would be a very important day ending with a very important question. What followed was a full day of building anticipation: manicures and pedicures with Leah’s sister, mother, and friend, followed by lunch with Leah’s grandmother, and then shopping for an outfit specifically for the evening. After Leah’s entourage delivered her to Falls Park, she received a final note telling her where to stand. When she looked up, she saw Jeff walking toward her. Under the Liberty Bridge, Jeff dropped to one knee and finally asked the question Leah had been waiting for all day. Leah, an interior designer at Rowan Company, and Jeff, an account manager at Merit Technologies, live in Greenville.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KIM DELOACH // KIM DELOACH PHOTOGRAPHY

Lauren Harper & Matthew Newton May 3, 2014 Chinese fortune cookies are often a better source of lucky numbers and amusing predictions than actual fortunes. However, that was far from the case for Lauren as she and Matthew settled down to a meal from Oriental House on Augusta Road. The couple had ordered takeout from their favorite spot to ease a night of frantic packing in preparation for a weeklong trip to Isla Mujeres beginning the next day. When Lauren opened her fortune cookie, she found a slip of paper that read: “Our future looks bright and promising. Will you go to Mexico with me as my future wife?” The couple was married in the Founders Hall Chapel at The Reserve at Lake Keowee and held their reception under high-peaked tents and café lights arranged on The Reserve’s lawn. Lauren and Matthew live in Greenville.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LISA CARPENTER // LISA CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY HEARING WEDDING BELLS? TOWN Magazine wants to publish your wedding announcement. If you currently live or grew up in the Upstate and were recently married, please write to us at TOWN Magazine, Attn: Andrew Huang, P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602, or e-mail ahuang@towncarolina.com. Due to space constraints, inclusion is not guaranteed.

40 TOWN / towncarolina.com

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Buzz

OUTSIDE THE BOX / BY DESIGN / PROFILE

Crowd Source

Photograph by Eli Warren

Passing strangers and unassuming moments inspire Janina Tukarski Elli s

SEPTEMBER 2014 / 43

OUTSIDE THE

Box

Janina Tukarski Ellis illuminates the intricacies of daily life / by Kathleen Nalley

M

any things inspire Greenville artist Janina Tukarski Ellis: a golden sunflower arching over a slender vase, a calm seaside the morning after a storm, a lush Tuscan valley vineyard, a rainy day on Main Street, the collision and juxtaposition of the natural and built environments.

But, perhaps, what stirs her most are everyday people doing everyday things: the normalcy of walking through a train station, the dynamics between strangers as they engage in passing conversation, the way one admires another from afar, even if only for a second—in short, the complexity of simplicity.

“As you travel and journey, there are always people you’re watching and admiring,” claims Ellis, who considers both Greenville and Munich, Germany—where she has lived four times for a total of twenty years—home. “I’m intrigued by people’s subtle interactions and subconscious gestures,” she says.

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These sentiments weave their way into Ellis’s paintings of small crowds, her main body of work. Ellis shoots reference photographs while at a location, whether a bustling train station or a beach. She sifts and sorts through the photographs, choosing ones that catch her eye. “Usually,” she says, “because a person or a group of people are doing something intriguing.”

She then stretches a canvas, lays down a basic layer of acrylic paint, and, using oils, begins a very deliberate focus on one area at a time—color, design, contrast, shadow, and, finally, quick strokes to complete a subtle detail—a technique she learned from a portrait class long ago.

Ellis’s aesthetic, however, thrives on spontaneity. “I always choose spontaneity over accuracy, simplicity over detail,” she says. Her recent works, a series of crowds on a Charleston beach, have taken her art in new directions. “I realized I’d never painted people in relaxed positions,” Ellis says. “And I had never painted that much skin before. Clothing is much more forgiving than skin tones!”

Like her other works, the beach series carries Ellis’s signature style, wherein she captures the colors and contrasts in a scene rather than minute details, where the “allure of a painting derives from its implication rather than its precision.”

Photographs by Eli Watrren; portrait by Paul Mehaffey

Sublime Simplicity

Personal Connection: For more information, visit the Ellis Gallery and Studio in the Village at 1207 Pendleton St during First Fridays (6–9 pm) or by appointment. View Ellis’s portfolio at janinaellis.com

Buzz

T

Latin Fusion Dancing with the Carolina Stars shines because of instructor Cesar Jaramillo / by Stephanie Trotter

he mix of music and movement can unite, inspire, and entertain. Audiences experience all three as Latin dancer Cesar Jaramillo glides across the hardwood floor with jumps, spins, and lifts that would leave men half his age in traction.

“Dance is the expression of the music,” he shares in heavily-accented English. “It makes the person, and makes you relax. It takes the strife away from you, and it takes you to another world.”

The professional instructor has spent more than a decade introducing the colorful world of his native Colombia to the Upstate through Latin dance and music. The staccato sounds and sensual steps of the samba, salsa, and cumbia take him back to his childhood, when as a 12-year-old he snuck off after school to take classes without his family’s knowledge.

“When I performed my first dance and heard the applause of the people—I liked that and it motivated me to keep doing it. I knew I wanted to do it for the rest of my life,” says the energetic 40-year-old.

Cesar sashayed his way to success in the upper levels of social ballroom dancing, all the while keeping it a secret from his mother. When she moved to Greenville, he hung up his silks and shoes to follow her, taking work at a textile company in 1996.

As the years passed, he discovered exotic rhythms still pumped in his heart. He started choreographing numbers for a local studio and opened his own in 2005 with his wife Diana’s help. “That’s when my mother found out,” he recalls with a smile. “People started calling her saying they’d seen notices about my studio.”

Jaramillos Latin Dance Academy on Cedar Lane has gained raves from regional dance troupes, as well as attention from Cesar’s involvement with Dancing with the Carolina Stars. The charity event copies the hit ABC television show while raising money for Senior Action. Cesar has served as a professional dancer since its inception. He and his partners have raised more than $20,000, and he even won the competition in 2012.

Finding success and giving back to the community is Cesar’s life focus. Not only does he want to share the rhythms of his birth country, but he also wants to help build a center where each country’s artistic expressions can be cultivated. “My dream is to have what they call a culture house in Colombia,” he says. “I want to feature every kind of art, music, and dance from all of the nations. Dance is the universal language.”

For more information on Cesar’s studio, visit jaramilloslatindance.com

Dance Floor Showdown: See Jaramillo in action at Dancing with the Carolina Stars, which supports the nonprofit Senior Action: Sat, Sept 27, 6pm TD Convention Center 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. dancingwiththecarolinastars.com

46 TOWN / towncarolina.com

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

TOWN

FIRST SNIFF WHERE WE BELIEVE IN LOVE AT

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BY

Design

S

Sister Craft Handpicked and hand-stitched, Twine & Twig’s rustic jewelry is heart and soul / by Erin Cullum

isters Elizabeth Stafford White and Jacquelyn Stafford Buckner are Carolina girls, but their globally-sourced jewelry might lead you to assume otherwise.

Using organic, eco-friendly materials gathered from all over the world (shells from the Philippines, naturally shed deer and elk antlers from the West, carved beads from India and Nepal, to name a few), the duo crafts one-of-akind necklaces—truly, as no two are alike.

“We often call Twine & Twig ‘world peace on a necklace,’” they say.

The Greensboro-raised sisters attended UNCChapel Hill and College of Charleston, and creating their own jewelry company was not a part of their foreseeable plan. “Our jewelry line was really a happy accident,” say Elizabeth and Jacquelyn. “Sometimes the best things start when you don’t actually sit down and try to plan it.”

Though the company launched in late 2013, Twine & Twig has already amassed a following of 6,000 Instagram followers and 1,400 Facebook fans, not to mention the 50plus boutique retailers in the United States that carry the brand. Almost a year later, sibling entrepreneurs credit their widespread popularity to social media.

“We are still surprised at how much we’ve grown in under a year. We try to capture a really interesting image and post a photo every day to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and House Account,” says Elizabeth.

The inspiration to create Twine & Twig speaks to the authenticity of the sisters’ passion.

When they couldn’t find the specific jewelry they wanted to wear, they decided to design their own, using pieces like African beads they had been collecting for years. “Between the two of us, we probably have over 300 vintage African trade bead necklaces. They were a given element of our jewelry line because of how much we treasure them.”

That has translated into their handpicked “Shore Collection,” comprised of beaded necklaces handmade by women in Ghana.

However, Twine & Twig’s trademark necklaces are created completely by hand in Elizabeth’s home in Charlotte. The bold, rustic statement pieces in their “Trail” and “Cliff” collections involve a process of hand-cutting each strap and meticulously stitching it—seven times—with a T on each side. “It has become the signature look of Twine & Twig, and it’s certainly created out of a labor of love.”

Twine & Twig necklaces are available at Savvy (1803 Augusta St, Ste E, Greenville), and Vann & Liv (2 N Main St, Greenville), which carries the kid-friendly “Little Twigs” line. To browse the complete collections, visit twineandtwigstyle.com 48 TOWN / towncarolina.com

Photographs courtesy of Twine & Twig

Finders, Keepers: Elizabeth Stafford White (below, left) and Jacquelyn Stafford Buckner (below, right) are the sisters behind Twine & Twig’s organic designs of collected treasures from around the globe.

JUST THE

Answers > The Primrose School of Greenville was built because there is a huge need in the downtown Greenville community for high-quality childcare for the working parent. In 2009, several of my friends were struggling to find high-quality childcare in the downtown area because of long wait lists and few programs that operate on working-parents’ schedules. After listening to their concerns and doing research, plus realizing that we would need this for our own children, I decided to forge ahead and build a high-quality child care center. > I came across Primrose Schools through research and felt that their program was the best fit for the families of Greenville. In order to make the Primrose School of Greenville a reality, I had a lot of work to do: I had to find a site large enough in the downtown area to build a facility, find a program that was great for our families, and convince Primrose Schools that we were a good fit for them. > I love helping the community, and I have always had a special place for children in my heart. The majority of my community involvement and volunteer hours have been spent with programs, such as A Child’s Haven, that benefit children from a low-income background. > Primrose Schools offer families an all-encompassing childcare experience, beginning by offering working families a schedule that works for them. We are open 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and are closed for only 9 days during the year. > I like to say our children will not just learn their ABCs and 123s, but they are becoming good little citizens. In November, we will have a can-a-thon where our families bring in canned goods. Older children will make a grocery list of food eaten during the holidays, and we will take the children in our Pre-K and After-School programs to the grocery store to purchase the items on the list.

Then, we’ll take the children to a food bank so they can donate all of the food themselves. This allows the children to learn about giving back.

Care Bare Primrose School fills a childcare void in downtown Greenville / by Andrew Huang

I

n 2011, real estate professional Lauren Briles, co-founder of the Briles Company with her husband Tim, discovered firsthand the difficulty of finding high-quality childcare in downtown Greenville as she began looking for future options for their newborn daughter. Instead of settling for the status quo, Briles put her real estate expertise and her love for children together to build a tailor-made childcare service for working parents: the Primrose School of Greenville.

The school is a franchise of a private preschool organization that specializes in educational childcare for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-kindergarten children. Primrose and its curriculum have earned the highest-levels of accreditation through AdvancED Corporate Systems Accreditation.

Briles gave TOWN Just the Answers about the opportunities offered by the Primrose School of Greenville.

50 TOWN / towncarolina.com

> A program that has been huge for me as a mother is meals. We offer breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily. A dietician created the menu, and our chef, who is incredible, prepares everything.

A couple of my favorites are the whole-wheat quesadillas and tortellini with homemade marinara sauce. > Our programs are child-initiated and teacher-directed so they allow children to “enjoy their childhood” through play. Each day is structured with a schedule. However, within that schedule, there is teacher instruction as well as free-choice centers for the children to choose. All of the learning we do comes through play. We do not have worksheets or homework. > Communication with parents is vital. Many times, we spend more waking hours with children than their parents do, and that can create “parent guilt.” The more that we can communicate with parents about their child’s day and experiences, the better the parents can focus on their work and know that their children are loved and happy. We are fortunate to be doing a pilot program for Primrose Schools that allows us to send photos and daily reports to our parents via email, and it has been amazing!

Fill in the Blank: Primrose School of Greenville 404 Houston St, Greenville (864) 370-8118 primroseschools.com/schools/greenville

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Bunk

Wheel & Deal Cruise in to the Swamp Rabbit Inn for urban charm and trail access / by Jac Valitchka

// photography by Cameron Reynold s

L

et’s just say it was an idea that got her wheels turning.

“My nails match my bike,” says Wendy Lynam, looking down at her cheerful robin’s egg blue manicure. “That’s what I’m wearing the most, my bike.” Soon, she married her love of cycling with another she’d found new velocity in: real estate.

Lynam’s own marriage had ended, and she was more than ready to head down a new trail, if you will, and the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail proved to be just the place. Last year, when Lynam began buying up rental properties, she kept thinking of the potential of the home at 1 Logan Street, just two blocks west from the trail and two blocks east from downtown Main Street.

Renovations (including the all-Ikea furnishings) totaling $150,000 later, the six-room, European-style Swamp Rabbit Inn opened in June for travelers, bikers, wedding weekenders, girls trips, and more, and Lynam couldn’t be happier. “I am able to do everything I love through this property,” she says. “It’s so cool because it’s this perfect blend of cycling, real estate, decorating, meeting people, entertaining—all of the things that I love doing.”

It definitely shows. The colorful décor is sleek, sexy, and modern, but not afraid to get dirty—there are bike racks in every room as well as Keurig coffee machines in each—for those early birds that love a sunrise ride. Four bedrooms share a hallway bathroom, with two second-floor “deluxe” rooms

52 TOWN / towncarolina.com

having their own private bathrooms. The difference in price is a reasonable $50. The whole house is available for rent ($700 per night), and so far it’s been going at quite a clip since opening. Breakfast is included, and Lynam, originally from Racine, Wisconsin, who has lived in Greenville since 2005, makes sure the delivery of her beloved flaky Danish pecan, cheese, or raspberry pastry called “Kringle” from the O&H Bakery in Racine is part of it.

The front steps, painted with a bohemian script welcoming you, are in good company to the front porch purple rocking chairs and festive bicycle-spoke wreath bedecked in bright pink and silver tinsel that adorns the front door. The Swamp Rabbit Inn’s design and details make it feel urban and cool, yet comfortable, and as Lyman happily describes, “It’s more their home than it is our home. People can come here and take over.” Muralist and artist Kathleen King’s pieces adorn the walls as do her stencils in each of the rooms, which are named for their corresponding linens: The Moose Room, Chicken Room, Sheep Room, Mountain Goat, Owl, or Double Owl Room. A bicycle fleet of eight bikes is available for rent (free with a whole house rental or $45 for a full day; $25 for half) and the inn’s manager, a smiling gal with the name of R2, also functions as the in-house bike mechanic.

This is not your gap-year hostel stay or the overly “homey” and sometimes allergenic B&B that make you wonder why you didn’t just book the Marriott already. “Bike Inn. Bike Out” is the inn’s tagline, but whether you ever get on one or not, the Swamp Rabbit Inn, just like its proprietor, is a fresh, new contender for some serious trailblazing.

Swamp Rabbit Inn, 1 Logan St, Greenville. (864) 517-4617, swamprabbitinn.com; rates $125-$175/night, $700/night for entire house

Urban Charm: The Swamp Rabbit Inn, located in downtown Greenville near Fluor Field, offers easy access to the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Its six cheerful rooms have a modern flair, while the inn itself is European in style, offering both hall baths and private suites.

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TOWN

Profile Hail to the Chief: President Elizabeth Davis comes to Furman after spending two decades at Baylor University and rising to the position of executive vice-president and provost.

Davis’s duties are far more demanding than redecorating an office traditionally held by men. The university’s first female president is charged with redefining the institution’s vision and image in a time of rising costs and increased competition. “We need to communicate how distinctive a Furman education is from the other options out there,” she says. “We need to get real clarity and then get everyone on the same page and move forward.”

To move forward, Davis is looking to the past, specifically Furman’s history. She’s also listening to every staff member and student who will talk. It’s a methodical process she used across two-plus decades at her alma mater Baylor University, where she rose to executive vice-president and provost. “I would call her a process person,” shares Dr. Bill Bellinger, chair of Baylor’s department of religion. “She listens well and communicates well. At the same time while listening to people, she has no trouble making decisions. She’s evidence-driven as a decision maker, and she can make the difficult decisions when needed.”

And Bellinger admits they’re most likely needed at Furman, which is his alma mater. Davis is taking over after a tight fiscal year that included the controversial decision to dismantle and then reinstate the golf program through alumni funding. Bellinger feels secure about Davis’s leadership under such circumstances after witnessing her rehabilitation of Baylor’s budget about ten years ago. “We’re certainly stable now. She played the most significant role in getting us there. She’s a very good negotiator. She understands the budget decision-making process and its impact on academics and recruiting and quality education. She sees how all the moving parts fit together,” he says.

That ability to monitor movement, assess, and adapt is something the married mother of two has nurtured all of her life through music and numbers. Born in Beaumont, Texas, she grew up outside New Orleans in Metairie, where the self-described “nerd” and “rule-follower” learned to play the trombone. “It was a lot of fun,” she recalls. “My claim to fame from New Orleans is that I Dr. Elizabeth Davis ushers in a new era played with Wynton Marsalis in high school in an honors band and youth symphony.” She says her entire family is at Furman University pretty musical, including husband Charles who plays the / by Stephanie Trot ter clarinet. “We met our very first day of class in a seminar at Duke. We were both getting our PhDs in accounting, which I know sounds so exciting, the two of us living in the same house,” she chuckles. he heavy bookshelves and smoldering cigars That house now includes two children, Chad, a finance are long gone. Visitors entering the president’s major at Wake Forest, and Claire, who’s opted to spend her office at Furman University today will last year of high school at Christ Church Episcopal, rather encounter blush-colored orchids, Impressionist than in Waco. At home, Charles cooks, Elizabeth cleans, paintings, and a Waterford crystal cross. “It’s just such and they all play Taboo. “We’re big into games,” she says. a good fit,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Furman “We love sitting around the table playing. I grew up playing University’s twelfth president. “I have really felt at games and so did Charles, so that’s something we’ve home here. It’s a nice, welcoming place.” always enjoyed doing together.” (continued on page 58)

Photog r aph by Jeremy Flem i ng

New Girl on Campus

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No doubt, Davis is now engaged in the biggest game of her life, trying to guide Furman out of a rocky transitional period following former president Rod Smolla’s unexpected resignation in 2013. Her strategy, after initial assessment, is to communicate and unite the campus, community, and alumni. “I’m not going to articulate my vision. When the time comes, it’s going to be our vision. I don’t see this about me—I see this about the institution. We all know that the life of the university lasts a whole lot longer than any of our individual time here,” she says.

Although Davis keeps a keen eye on the ledger, her heart resides with students. She views herself as an educator first and believes managing the cost of college is the biggest challenge co-eds face. She hopes Furman can present itself as a place where paying a premium brings promises of a bright future. “Students can be disappointed with how college turns out when they only look at cost,” she explains. “So picking an institution that has the right values and then putting them with the right experiences can set them on a course of lifelong learning. And this is about making our nation a better place. When students can think a little beyond themselves and ask, ‘How can I help provide value to society,’ then they are going to have the right experience in college.”

The new president wants to contribute beyond administrative walls, as well. Her family is visiting churches, she’s hoping for an invite to her sorority (Alpha Delta Pi), and who knows, she just might pull out that trombone. While working at Baylor, she played with the mini-band alongside students at a basketball game. Recalling the performance,

58 TOWN / towncarolina.com

she laughs, “Claire said, ‘Mom! You were the only one not moving.’

Ever the rule-follower, I was trying to read the music and play the notes. Others said they were faking it.”

This strong, decisive (and tall) woman will now usher in a new era at Furman, South Carolina’s oldest private university, balancing her bythe-books mentality with a feminine touch. “I think it’s one of the things people have to get used to; women may do things differently. I’m really humbled they [Furman’s board of trustees] picked me.” And while final grades are months away, progress reports have been positive. “I just truly believe and have such hope for the future. I love what I’m doing,” she shares. “My goal is for all of us to have a whole lot of fun here while we’re doing something we really believe in.”

DAVIS’S PAST & PRESENT

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WACO, TEXAS

FURMAN UNIVERSITY GREENVILLE, SC

>> Executive VicePresident and Provost >> 15,000+ students >> 900 full-time faculty >> $34,480 annual tuition >> $518 million budget for 2014–2015

>> President >> 2,700+ students >> 235 full-time faculty >> $44,288 annual tuition >> $135 million budget for 2014–2015

Photog r aph (far lef t) by Jeremy Flem i ng ; photog r aph s ( black and wh ite) by Paul Meh a f fey

Talking Points: Communication— with students, faculty, staff, community, and alumni—is key to Davis’s approach as she takes the helm at Furman.

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Photog r aph by T J G et z

Southern tradition and contemporary elegance mesh at Twill

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Denim gets the attention it deserves at Twill / by Andrew Huang

enim is the everyman and everywoman of every man and woman’s closet, demonstrating panache for nearly every occasion short of the boardroom. Co-owners Carolyn Haas and Lauren Page opened Twill, a denim and lifestyle boutique, to give this staple its due.

Although Twill opened in July, the concept has been incubating for years. Page studied fashion merchandising at the University of Georgia, while Haas studied fashion design in Italy through Clemson University. Both have worked in boutiques and showrooms throughout the Southeast. “We asked ourselves, ‘What’s missing [in Greenville]? What kind of store do we want?’” says Page.

They looked to other boutiques for inspiration and their own lifestyles and tastes. “Both of us live in jeans and have a casual lifestyle, so we just decided to go that route,” says Page. At the end of the day, the goal was simple. “We just wanted this to be a place you could hang out and feel at home,” says Page. More like a Restoration Hardware–inspired living room than a retail store, the interior pays homage to the South’s agricultural and

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// photography by TJ Getz

industrial roots with salvaged wood accents, a deep, well-worn leather 7couch, sliding barn doors, vintage factory carts converted 7 into display racks, and steel-pipe shelving. The result is subdued, refined, casual, and lived-in—a vision of a modern, urbane South.

Of course, the centerpiece of Twill is an expansive wall of jeans that spans an entire side of the store. Neatly hung and folded along this wall are 15 denim lines, including J Brand, Frame, Genetic, Citizen, and Mother. There’s even a selection of maternity jeans (inspired by Haas’s motherhood) and a small-butgrowing men’s section. Tops, jewelry, and accessories that mirror denim’s versatility round out the store. As Page puts it, “We try to pick pieces you can mix and match, dress up and down.”

That’s the humble promise of denim—most of the time, it just works. And with Page and Haas at the helm, Twill is set to deliver that promise to just about everyone.

Twill 2222 Augusta St, #7, Greenville (864) 520-2486, twillsc.com Mon–Fri, 10am–5:30pm; Sat, 10am–5pm

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Pull on your boots—it’s tailgating season / styled by Laura Linen // photography by Paul Mehaffey

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From Lebo’s 3 POLISH OFF Vintage cowboy boots, $90. From Traveling Chic Boutique, 122 N Main St, Greenville. (864) 365 -5501, travelingchicboutique.com 4 WHORL WIND Damiana snip toe boots, $20 0, by Justin Boots. From Lebo’s.

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MAN

About TOWN

Each month, the Man About TOWN will share his Upstate rendezvous, which may or may not involve cocktails.

Smooth Talker The Man analyzes the art of networking

A

few weeks ago I found myself at one of those tedious events where business folk gather to wear nametags, talk loudly, and pat one another on the back. I’d been dragged there by the beautiful blonde who inexplicably enjoys my company. I had not wanted to attend. I find these types of mixers similar to a prostate exam: awkward, uncomfortable, invasive, and all done while standing up. The beautiful blonde said, “Come on, it will be a good networking opportunity.” She should have known that wouldn’t change my mind since I tend to avoid anything with the word work in the title. “Forget it, I’m not going,” I said. She then gave me the look that translates to “It’s adorable when you try to put your foot down.” Finally, she played her ace: “There’ll be free booze.”

The problem with networking is that most people are not very good at it. It’s sort of like a tango: anyone can do it but there is an enormous difference between moving effortlessly and simply following the steps. Over the years I’ve come to realize the people who excel at networking are the same ones who excel at friendships. It comes naturally to them. But why?

Is it charisma? Is it charm? Is it something one is born with, or can it be learned?

At one point during this particular event, I became trapped in an endless conversation with a man whose favorite subject was himself. He told me about his career, his golf game, his worldwide travels, his brilliant children, his new home. No matter what I said he somehow managed to bring the topic

66 TOWN / towncarolina.com

back to himself. I decided this is what it must feel like to be caught in an undertow. This man was certainly important, but I wanted a piano to fall on him.

On the other hand, later in the evening I ran into a gentleman I had met briefly at another event a month or so earlier. This man remembered my name, asked about my children and my current work, and inquired to my thoughts on various subjects. No matter what I asked him, he seemed to bring the conversation back to my favorite subject, me. This guy was a natural. I was ready to drive him to the airport or help him move.

On the way home I told the beautiful blonde, a networking natural herself, about my two distinctly different encounters.

“Being impressed is always better than being impressive,” she said. I’ve since formed a friendship with the second man and have discovered he is far more successful than the selfabsorbed undertow. And isn’t that how it should be? Shouldn’t our success mirror our sincerity? Shouldn’t our relationships themselves be a large part of how we define success?

Yesterday I asked the beautiful blonde if there were any more networking opportunities coming up. “There’s one next week but you won’t go,” she said. “Why not?” I asked. She then spoke the two words that always make me cringe: “Cash bar.” ))) Catch up on the Man at towncarolina.com/blog

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SIDE

Ways Knight & Day: Banking center Charlotte was once the gold capital of the United States.

Now, it thrives in culture and entertainment, thanks to an inviting array of neighborhoods including the Fourth Ward, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, and South End.

Queen City Riches Charlotte’s distinctive neighborhoods are a web of treasure / by M. Linda Lee

I

t may surprise you that America’s first gold rush started not in California, but in North Carolina. In 1799, a 12-year-old boy found a 17-pound gold nugget just outside of Charlotte in Cabarrus County. Riding on his find, the U.S. Mint established a branch in Charlotte in 1837.

Until gold was discovered in California in 1848, the city ranked as the country’s largest producer of that precious metal. These days, residents and visitors in the Queen City—named for Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England—still strike gold in the glittering necklace of neighborhoods that encircles the city center.

The jewel at its core is Uptown. Epicenter of the city’s prominent banking industry, Uptown sprang up around the crossroads of two Native American trading paths. Today, the Square, as it’s called, marks the hilltop intersection of Trade Street (a former Catawba Indian trail) and Tryon Street (once a well-traveled wagon route), and divides Uptown into four wards, all within the ring I-277 ring. Geographical center of the city, the Square is marked on each of its four corners by bronze sculptures that perch atop granite columns. Each sculpture represents a different facet of the city: Industry, Commerce, Transportation, and the Future.

Uptown also contains the majority of Charlotte’s arts institutions, most of them along Tryon Street. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, designed by prominent architect Cesar Pelli, is home to the Charlotte Symphony, Opera Carolina, and the North Carolina Dance Theatre, as well as traveling Broadway shows.

Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the Bechtel Museum of Modern Art holds works by twentieth-century artists including Picasso, Calder, Warhol, and Le Corbusier. Next door, the Mint Museum Uptown, a satellite of the original Mint Museum on Randolph Street, displays the Mint’s internationally renowned Crafts + Design collection. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, named for Charlotte’s first black mayor (1983–1987) and located a block south, honors significant AfricanAmerican contributions to art, history, and culture.

The southern ward of the Square is also home to one of the city’s most popular attractions: the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The exterior of this gleaming curvilinear metal and glass structure suggests a racetrack with its sinuous sloped curves, while interactive exhibits inside capture the dynamism of NASCAR racing.

For a foodie feast, head for the 7th Street Public Market, sandwiched between the lightrail station and the Levine Museum of the New South. Not only do the 14 vendors at this indoor

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Ways STAY

ON THE ROAD Greenville to Charlotte: 1 hr, 35 min Pit Stop: Cowpens National Battlefield, site of the Battle of Cowpens, a turning point of the Revolutionary War. 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC Mention-Worthy: For mouthwatering fried chicken, try Price’s Chicken Coop, featured on Food Network’s Diners, DriveIns, and Dives, in South End. 1614 Camden Rd, Charlotte. (704) 333-9866

70 TOWN / towncarolina.com

The Dunhill

At this Uptown boutique hotel built in 1929, you can expect tasteful European ambience, fine contemporary Southern cuisine at the Asbury restaurant, and gracious service throughout. 237 N Tryon St. (704) 332-4141, dunhillhotel.com Duke Mansion

The Duke family’s white-columned estate, built in 1915, is tucked amid 4.5 acres of landscaped gardens in Myers Park. The estate now welcomes guests in 20 individually decorated rooms—6 of which boast sleeping porches. 400 Hermitage Rd. (704) 714-4400, dukemansion.com EAT Amélie’s French Bakery

Any night of the week, lines stretch from the register into the adjoining room of this funky French bakery in NoDa. Once you taste the addictive salted caramel brownies, you’ll understand why. 2424 N Davidson St. (704) 376-1781, ameliesfrenchbakery.com Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth

Off the lobby of the Mint Museum Uptown, Halcyon echoes its artsy neighbor in organic décor, while farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and a deft hand in the kitchen insure memorable meals. 500 S Tryon St. (704) 9100865, halcyonflavors.com SHOP 7th Street Public Market

Housed in a converted grocery store, the market presents a foodie’s fantasy of regional and artisanal products. 224 E 7th St. (980) 8196682, 7thstreetpublicmarket.com The Boulevard at South End

Cool women’s designer clothing, locallycrafted jewelry, and hand-painted furniture are just a few of this shop’s many retail temptations. 1440 S Tryon St. (980) 219-7526, blvdatsouthend.com Paper Skyscraper

For unusual gifts from blown-glass vases to the hottest new fiction, you can’t beat this delightful bookstore/gift emporium in Dilworth. 330 East Blvd. (704) 333-7130, paperskyscraper.com SEE Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Paintings by Romare Bearden (a Charlotte native), Elizabeth Catlett, and others number among the 58 works in the Hewitt Collection of African-American Art. 551 S Tryon St. (704) 547-3700, ganttcenter.org The Mint Museum Uptown

Don’t miss the stunning pieces commissioned in each medium for Project TenTenTen (10 works of art by 10 leading craft and design artists to celebrate the museum’s opening in 2010), which are contained within the permanent collection. 500 S Tryon St. (704) 337-2000, mintmuseum.org NASCAR Hall of Fame

Satisfy your need for speed at interactive stations such as the qualifying simulator and the pit crew challenge. 400 E Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (704) 654-4400, nascarhall.com

Photograph (far left) courtesy of Amélie’s French Bakery

Modern Luxury: Charlotte’s neighborhoods are arrayed around the core of Uptown, home to institutions such as the Bechtel Museum of Modern Art (below right).

To the north in NoDa, Amélie’s French Bakery (below left)makes a strong case for sweet indulgences.

market provide fantastic opportunities to nibble on North Carolina cheeses, buy pasture-raised meats, and sample artisanal chocolates and breads, but the market also serves as an incubator for foodrelated start-ups.

Charlotte’s true charm, however, resides in its neighborhoods.

Drive through the Fourth Ward for a look at a beguiling residential district chock-a-block with historic homes dating back to the 1800s. Also adjacent to Uptown, residential Dilworth boasts wide avenues built to accommodate now-defunct streetcars, while tranquil Myers Park is lined with 100-year-old willow oaks and an eye-catching architectural mix of historic homes. Farther south, tony SouthPark is where you’ll find SouthPark Mall and Phillips Place, both upscale shopping haunts.

East of Uptown, funky Plaza Midwood embraces Craftsmanstyle cottages and a vibrant international dining scene. After hours, Soul Gastrolounge, which sits above an art gallery on Central Avenue, is the place to enjoy sushi, tapas, and hand-crafted cocktails along with a late-night DJ. With new bars and breweries popping up along the light-rail line, the former mill village of South End is seeing more young people moving into this hip yet swanky quarter. It’s no wonder, with galleries including the Charlotte Art League; restaurants like Price’s Chicken Coop, whose Southern fried chicken has been lauded on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; and nightlife venues such as Stache House, an upscale hookah bar, and Amos’ Southend, hosting live indie bands. On Friday evenings, locals gather at the corner of Camden Road and East Park Avenue for Food Truck Fridays, a tasty roundup of food on wheels.

Another erstwhile mill village, up-and-coming NoDa (for North of Davidson, the main drag) exudes a boho-chic vibe in its murals, renovated bungalows, and historic mills repurposed into loft apartments. On North Davidson, between East 34th and 36th streets, popular eateries like Cabo Fish Taco, Crepe Cellar, and Growlers Pourhouse cluster alongside cool shops and even a Dog Bar with a fenced area for four-legged patrons. To delve deeper into the neighborhood’s artsy side, come for the NoDa Gallery Crawl on the first and third Fridays of the month.

Throughout the city, a sizzling restaurant scene is fed by graduates of Johnson & Wales University, celebrating 10 years in Charlotte. Accommodations range from high-rise national brands serving the Charlotte Convention Center to The Dunhill, Uptown’s only historic hotel.

Surprises lurk around every corner, and like that little boy who struck gold centuries ago, you never know what you might discover in the Queen City.

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That’s a Wrap: Fifteen-year-old Khaliid Johnson preps his hands before suiting up for the ring.

Ropes Course: Ernie Cuevas, Sr. (opposite, top) is one-half of the duo, including Coach Shakir Robinson, responsible for operating the Center for Educational Equity and the Greenville Boxing Club.

the fighter

sweat He’s been in the ring for almost an hour, but now he’s ready for an interview with a magazine writer. He seizes a chair and leans back spreading his arms and legs to take up as much space as possible, the body language of an alpha male. The fighter’s name is Ernie Cuevas, Jr., and he’s been boxing for 10 years. He also just turned 14. Do the math.

A few minutes earlier Ernie Jr. was sparring with fifteen-year-old Khaliid Johnson. In the ring, the two boys glared at each other with pure rage.

At one point Ernie Jr. backed Khaliid into a corner and delivered a fury of lightning fast punches to his midsection. Khaliid absorbed the attack and with some agile footwork danced out of the corner and back into the center of the ring. Ernie Jr. immediately began stalking him again as someone yelled “Time.” The boys then pulled off their gloves and disappeared through the ropes chatting like best friends, which they are. During the interview, Ernie Jr. is so serious and intense that the writer has to keep reminding himself he’s talking to a kid. How long have you been boxing? “Since I was four.” Are you ranked? “I’m number-two in the nation for my age and weight.” What goes through your mind when you enter the ring? “When I step in the ring, all I’m thinking about is hurting you,” he says. rnie Jr. and Khaliid train in an unadorned building on Pendleton Street in West Greenville. You could drive by the place a hundred times without ever knowing what’s going on inside. There are no windows, and the doors remain locked most hours. A sign posted on the front reads “Center for Educational Equity (CEE)” and under that “Greenville Boxing Club.” The names are listed in order of importance.

On a recent summer’s day, the place seems abandoned. Then at about a quarter after 4pm, several kids appear and linger on the covered porch. Most are black, a few are Hispanic. Some were dropped off by a parent, but many walked. A few minutes later a man arrives and unlocks the door. This is Ernie Cuevas, Sr., who along with Shakir Robinson, operates the facility, which is a combination boxing gym and after-

e

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school tutoring center. Ernie doesn’t fit the mold of a normal after-school program director. His head is shaved, and he’s dressed in a white t-shirt and sweatpants. A tattoo reading “San Diego,” his hometown, adorns his right forearm. The kids on the porch are ecstatic to see him.

Inside the building, the main floor is one large open space with a boxing ring in the center. A few punching bags hang from the ceiling, and in the back corner a weight bench sits next to a stereo blasting hip-hop. More kids arrive, and

it may seem a little confusing at first, but the c.e.e. is basically an after-school academic program that happens to be located in a boxing gym, or vice versa.

soon about 40 boys and girls, from grade school to teenagers, are doing what kids do best: being loud. Ernie leads everyone downstairs to the basement, which is the complete opposite in look and feel of the upstairs. Shelves lined with books dominate one wall, while in the center of the room several cafeteria-style tables are connected to form one long workspace. “Everyone has to come down here at least thirty minutes,” Cuevas tells me. “Well, during the summer we’re a little more lenient, but during the school year you have to do thirty minutes.” Cuevas explains that ‘doing thirty minutes’ means a half-hour of tutoring with the CEE staff, which includes Ernie, Robinson, Ernie’s wife, and several school teachers and parents who volunteer their time. t may seem a little confusing at first, but the CEE is basically an after-school academic program that happens to be located in a boxing gym, or vice versa. Kids can come and get help with schoolwork and then take off, or they can hang around and work out and socialize. If they want to box, that’s an option too. And if they’re good enough, they can join the club’s competitive boxing team. But the academic component is a requirement. “Kids can choose what they want to do here,” Robinson says. “But whatever they choose, we give them our full attention.”

The CEE was created in 2000 by Robinson and his mother Leola Robinson-Simpson, the former director of ISP Tutoring and Support Services for students at Greenville Technical College. “We started the program as a Saturday school,” Robinson says. “My mom was on the Greenville County School Board, and we wanted to do something to help kids with low test scores.” The CEE Saturday School was held at the Phillis Wheatley Center for the first year then at Greenville Tech until 2009 when the program moved to its current location. The Greenville Boxing Club, which had also been located at the Phillis Wheatley Center, found itself without a home when the center was restructured in 2007. Robinson had trained at the club alongside Greenville resident Lamar “Kidfire” Parks, who in 1993 became the world’s number-one ranked contender in the middleweight division. When the CEE moved into its own space in 2009, Robinson saw an opportunity to combine academics and boxing and at the same time revive the Greenville Boxing Club.

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School Workout: Shakir Robinson (opposite, bottom-right and middle-right, this page) and Ernie Cuevas, Sr., with the help of volunteer parents and school teachers, provide academic assistance to West Greenville’s underserved youth before allowing them to step foot in the ring.

While boxing and physical fitness are important components of the program, Cuevas and Robinson always put the main focus on academics and life skills. “It’s not just homework,” Robinson tells me, “It’s about learning to look someone in the eye and shake their hand. We teach these kids confidence; we teach them to be leaders.” Cuevas and Robinson expect the older kids to act as examples to the younger ones. “They are the production managers,” Cuevas says. “The younger ones see how well the older kids are doing and want to follow that path.” Ultimately what Cuevas and Robinson have created is a community. Watching the kids jump rope or punch the heavy bags or spar in the ring, one can’t help but think this is the highlight of their day. “You know a lot of these kids don’t have a father figure,” Robinson says.

“But here, these kids support each other, they pick each other up.”

Counter Punch: Two student fighters spar (above); Khaliid Johnson (above-right)

82 TOWN / towncarolina.com

his summer the CEE offered an Academic Boot Camp where kids would run, then be led through a calisthenics routine, then head downstairs for vocabulary, math, science, and art. “We had an art teacher from Clemson come in,” Robinson says. “He taught the kids basic art skills like coloring and shading.” According to Robinson, some of the kids weren’t taking the art lesson seriously. “I told them these were important skills,” he says. “When I told them these skills could help improve their grades in other areas, they started paying attention.”

During the school year, Cuevas and Robinson ask the kids to show to their school progress reports and report cards. The kids reveal them with either hesitation or pride. Cuevas lowers his head and squints his eyes. “You don’t want to come downstairs with us if you have a bad report card,” he says. Robinson laughs and adds, “Nah, we just remind them of the importance of academics. It’s all positive. It’s nothing but positive here.”

For many of the kids who regularly hang out at the CEE, any type of positive influence is important. For a kid, life in West Greenville is tough. According to the US Census in 2012, the median household income in the neighborhood surrounding the CEE was $20,000. In the neighborhood on the other side of Pendleton near Woodside Mill, it was $9,700. Let that number sink in for a moment. At Carolina Academy High School, the public high school for West Greenville, 80 percent of students were eligible for free lunch last year. It’s not a huge leap to assume that the school breakfast and lunch might be the only two meals some of those kids get each day. Carolina Academy also reports an on-time graduation rate of just 62.4 percent, well below

t

South Carolina’s average of 74 percent. And on the end-of-course tests, only 55.7 perecnt of Carolina Academy’s students scored 70 or above.

According to Robinson, the graduation rate for kids who regularly come to the CEE is 100 percent. hile there is a lot of excitement in some circles about West Greenville’s impending gentrification, the neighborhood’s kids aren’t exactly the beneficiaries of new condos, coffee shops, or art studios. For the kids in the community, the CEE is providing a muchneeded social outlet. “This gives kids a place to go instead of just being on the street,” Robinson says. “They have a sense of family here. There’s a core group, and they’re like glue.”

w

w h at c u e vas a n d r o b i n s o n a r e d o i n g i s n ot a b o u t b ox i n g — i t ’s a b o u t t ry i n g to r i g h t a w r o n g . t h e ’v e s e e n t h e i n eq u i t i e s , t h e b a d l u c k , a n d t h e low e x p ectat i o n s fo r k i d s i n t h e c o m m u n i t y, a n d t h e y ’v e d ec i d e d n ot to sta n d fo r i t. t h e c e n t e r fo r e d u cat i o n a l eq u i t y i s g i v i n g k i d s m o r e t h a n j u st a p l ac e to h a n g o u t— i t ’s g i v i n g t h e m a p l ac e to b e lo n g a n d r e m i n d i n g t h e m o f t h e i r va l u e .

The socioeconomic inequities that Cuevas and Robinson are trying to combat sometimes force them to dig into their own pockets. “Say we take eight kids to a boxing competition, and someone there is selling ten dollar t-shirts,” Robinson says.

“Four of the kids will have money to buy a shirt, and four won’t. That’s when I look at Ernie and say, ‘Twenty/twenty?’” Both Robinson and Cuevas mime pulling out their wallets and removing bills.

Cuevas says that on longer competition trips, those requiring hotel stays and restaurant stops, the digging can get even deeper. “On those trips, Coach Robinson will say to me, ‘One-fifty/onefifty?’ I may have to put off a personal bill for a month, but we always make it work,” he says.

The CEE is a nonprofit organization, but it does ask those attending to donate $25 per month.

“That money goes toward gear and equipment,” says Robinson. “But if someone can’t donate the $25, we don’t stop them at the door.” The center receives a few other donations here and there, and Cuevas and Robinson regularly try to raise money to take the kids to boxing tournaments and shows, but that money is more of a trickle than a steady stream. Recently Cuevas and Robinson had hoped to be able to fly the competitive team to a boxing show in San Diego, but the funds just weren’t there. Instead, the men rented a van and took turns behind the wheel. “We drove day and night,” Robinson says. “It was a long ride, but we did it.”

During the day, Cuevas builds and repairs hearing aides for Hearing Health Care Center, and Robinson works as a certified personal trainer. Both admit the rigors of their day jobs sometimes get the best of them, and by 4:30 they are exhausted as they head to the CEE. But as Robinson explains, “When you pull up and see 15 kids waiting for you at the door, that’s some real motivation.”

What Cuevas and Robinson are doing is not about boxing—it’s about trying to right a wrong.

They’ve seen the inequities, the bad luck, and the low expectations for kids in the community, and they have decided not to stand for it. They’re teaching these kids by example and showing them that you can be strong, you can be tough, but most importantly you’d better be smart. The CEE is giving kids more than just a place to hang out—it’s giving them a place to belong and reminding them of their value. Whether it’s a tutoring center in a boxing gym or a boxing gym in a tutoring center, the Center for Educational Equity represents a bold exception to the typical after-school program.

“Here, we give them some of that tough street love,” says Cuevas. “But I hug most of them before they go out the door.”

SEPTEMBER 2014 / 83

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A CROP OF INNER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS IS REAPING THE BENEFIT OF FRESH PRODUCE THANKS TO MILL VILLAGE FARMS AND THE FORESIGHT OF A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

SPREADING

THE WEALTH

by Ruta Fox

A RIOT OF SUNFLOWERS atop a roof on a Main Street building must signal something. And it does. It’s an urban farm project, the first one in South Carolina, created by Mill Village Farms.

Dig In: (opposite) Dan Weidenbenner, executive director of Mill Village Farms, a nonprofit that grows and distributes food to underserved areas, is spearheading the development of a rooftop urban farm in the heart of downtown Greenville.

Heading up this venture is Dan Weidenbenner. The bright, cheerful 25-year-old is the executive director of Mill Village Farms, and he’s part of a new breed of innovative thinkers deemed “social entrepreneurs.” He is completely committed to making the rooftop farm a reality, along with other creative ideas to improve the life of Greenville’s citizens.

Weidenbenner, a 2011 graduate of Furman, spent a year working with Greenville’s Grace Church in Allendale, South Carolina, a small town an hour and a half outside of Beaufort, South Carolina. His background as a psychology major formed the basis for the idea that gardening could be a platform for social change. His experience in the Low Country exposed him to organizations all working together to make positive differences in the community: curing joblessness, lowering crime rates, and helping to alleviate other problems that plague inner-city neighborhoods. “I became interested in a more holistic approach to business, integrating school, church, nonprofits, and political organizations to make an impact on social and economic development. This framework allowed me to bring this idea to a nonprofit in Greenville,” he says.

photography by Paul Mehaffey

Urban farms have been trending in major cities across the country, and Greenville, with its burgeoning local foodie culture as well as its tradition of community engagement, is the perfect fit. Soon, the salad you’re eating in one of Main Street’s restaurants will contain fresh ingredients that were grown and harvested a few blocks away—right on top of the former Windstream Building located at the corner of East Washington and Main Street, which has been transformed thanks in part to Hughes Development.

Downstairs, the building houses OpenWorks, a coworking space where Mill Village Farms holds their entrepreneurship classes for teens. Up on the roof is where the one-acre aeroponic garden initiative, inspired by the Brooklyn Grange farm project in New York, will blossom.

Brooklyn Grange’s two, one-acre plots of urban farming opened in 2010 on rooftops in Queens and Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn Grange operates the world’s largest rooftop soil farms “to create a fiscally sustainable model for urban agriculture and to produce healthy, delicious vegetables for our local community while doing the ecosystem a few favors as well,” according to its Web site. Brooklyn Grange’s green-roof system is layered with soil and felt, allowing the ability to grow hundreds of thousands of plants: tomatoes, salad greens, kale, chard, bok choy, and many more throughout its nine-month growing season. It also houses hens and raise bees. (continued on page 86)

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really love sharing their experiences about growing food,” Weidenbenner says. The Good To Go mobile food truck packed with local produce also shows up on Wednesdays at ScanSource and at the GHS ill Village Farms’ first Hillcrest Memorial campus in Simpsonville.

Mill Village Farms is not only growing produce downtown rooftop project but growing entrepreneurs, as well. The Youth aims to have fifty 8-foot-tall Partner program reaches out to local teens, both towers of leafy greens and inner-city and suburban kids, who are selected other vegetables grown with through an application process. In addition to the farming experience, the teens go through an aeroponic technology (where intense 8-week program that runs from June to the roots are suspended in August. The weekly, all-day classes are taught at open-air cylinders), which uses OpenWorks, where they learn everything from less water and allows growth how to dress professionally, to how to dine in a two times faster than traditional soil farming. restaurant, along with valuable entrepreneurship skills—market research, social media, business The project hopes to expand to rooftops ethics, and financing. across the city, growing berries, peppers, They listen to top-level CEOs who advise them and tomatoes all over town. Fortunately, on their home-grown businesses, plus get to work with the Greenville branding agency ZWO to Greenville’s city leaders have shown interest come up with their logo. The Youth Partner’s first and support. product offerings will be part of a fundraiser at the Farm Fresh Fair, taking place on September 20 at The Farm at Rabon Creek in Fountain Inn. The rooftop will open this month, although Mill (Another program from Mill Village Farms called Village Farms is interested in finding additional the Village Wrench, sponsored by the Village investors who believe in the community and Church in West Greenville, helps kids “earn and environmental benefits of such a venture. And, just learn” about fixing bikes.) like Brooklyn Grange, Mill Village plans to give This past June at The Farm at Rabon Creek, a private tours and hold cocktail parties and other fundraising events in the open-air garden, up on the Secret Supper was hosted by Dishcrawl and Larkin’s Restaurant, where the location was undisclosed until roof, smack dab in the middle of downtown. the last moment. The fundraiser featured a six-course, But the rooftop garden is just one of Mill Village Farms’ network of small, local, urban farms growing farm-to-table meal, wine pairings, specialty cocktails, and a Sangria Mix-Off. In the early evening, 90 produce in vacant properties. Weidenbenner’s people sat outside at a long farm table graced with mulitple gardens support his model: to grow the linen napkins and fresh-picked flowers, under produce, market it, and then plow the profits back twinkling lights as they enjoyed cheddar and goat into underserved neighborhoods. cheese biscuits, Naked Pasta’s duck confit ravioli, The first garden was planted in the Sullivan Heritage Farms’ Cheshire pork loin, and strawberry neighborhood, located just behind Greenville High shortcake drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

School. There, Mill Village Farms brought the Another dining extravaganza is scheduled community together to launch its first urban farm, for September 14, according to Will Morrin, the Dishcrawl MILL VILLAGE FARMS IS NOT ONLY GROWING PRODUCE representative. This one, titled BUT GROWING ENTREPRENEURS, AS WELL. WEEKLY CLASSES Secret Supper: 500 Years of American Culinary History from TEACH EVERYTHING FROM HOW TO DRESS PROFESSIONALLY, Early Colonial to the 23rd Century TO HOW TO DINE IN A RESTAURANT, ALONG WITH VALUABLE of Star Trek, will feature James LEADERSHIP SKILLS. Beard Award nominee Chef Ben Vaughn of Atlanta and other Growing Season: empowering local youth with opportunities to learn notables who’ll be dishing up the delicacies. (This Mill Village Farms’ how to grow crops and work in a garden, helping location is top secret, as well. For tickets, go to Youth Partner them to harvest and sell to residents who did not dishcrawl.com/500years.) program empowers have access to healthy produce.

Downtown restaurant Tupelo Honey has hired teens to grow healthy According to Weidenbenner, “Low-income many youth as waiters, runners, and platers who produce for their neighborhoods usually have chronic problems such have gone through the Mill Village Farms program, neighborhoods as drug abuse and homelessness, which adversely and provides and as Weidenbenner says gratefully, “They’ve entrepreneurship affects the family. Our urban farm model allows been a good partner helping us. We would love to training and life-skills teens to rise above their circumstances and grow have 30–40 kids each growing season go through mentorship. in a positive direction through our Youth Partner our program.” program. They grow the vegetables from seeds, Mill Village Farms’ programs provide harvest them, and then load our Good To Go opportunities for teens to not only learn about mobile food market truck, which drives around sustainable agriculture, but to acquire job skills, as Greenville selling the fresh produce.” well as get them thinking about starting businesses The urban gardens are also planted in the Mills of their own. “Our goal is to get the seeds planted, Mill neighborhood, and the Good To Go market so to speak, to get kids to think entrepreneurially truck route goes to the West Greenville, Southside, and be successful in the workforce. Ultimately, we and Hampton Pinckney neighborhoods. “The kids want them to give back and be able to invest in the also learn customer service and sales, and they community of Greenville.”

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SIDE DISH / OPEN BAR / DINING GUIDE

Tall Order

Photograph by Paul Mehaffey

Rustic and refined define the menu at Hotel Domestique’s Café 17

Pressed for Time: Chef Adjryche Channing offers a selection of panini on house-baked bread at Café 17.

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SIDE

Dish

Sweet Dreams

Café 17 is a charming addition to Hotel Domestique / by M. Linda Lee // photography by Paul Mehaf fey

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hefs Adam Cooke and Adjryche Channing know a thing or two about teamwork. They should. They’ve worked together for the past eight years, since they met at Blackberry Farm, where Cooke worked as executive chef and Channing presided over the pastry kitchen. These days, their collaboration continues at Café 17, the newest addition to Hotel Domestique in Travelers Rest.

Set to the right of the restaurant entrance, the café occupies a tiny space with a pastry case and a small counter, where customers place their order and then take a seat on the patio or in the dining room.

The original idea was to provide a place where hotel guests could grab a breakfast pastry and a cup of espresso. Now expanded to lunch, the menu consists mainly of panini, along with a fresh salad and soup du jour. Try tender house-cured pastrami accented with spicy mustard, muenster cheese, pickled cabbage, and chili slaw between its covering of New York rye. Vegetarians will prefer the panino featuring layers of goat cheese with summer squash and spiced tomato jam.

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The real stars here, however, are the sweets.

The likes of sunny yellow lemon bars, carrot cake, decadent chocolate cake, and Chef Adjryche’s signature cream-filled chocolate éclairs—so far, the customers’ hands-down favorite—vie for attention in the pastry case. “The idea behind the café is to showcase our baking and pastry program,” says the executive pastry chef. “We make everything in-house, including the pickles that accompany the lunch plates and 10 types of bread from sourdough to brioche.”

The chef, who hails from Knoxville, didn’t get bitten by the baking bug until he was in school at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. “I don’t have one of those cool stories where I baked with my grandmother as a boy,” the chef admits. Instead, in culinary school at the age of 26, he was blown away by the precision and scientific nature of baking.

“I enjoy the challenge of taking malleable ingredients and turning them into something beautiful,” he says.

Channing studied under master pastry chef and chocolatier Richard Ruskell (you might have seen him on an episode of Sugar Rush) and was lucky enough to do an internship with his mentor at Montage in Beverly Hills. “I love doing anything involving chocolate!” exclaims Channing, whose repertoire encompasses simple candies to chocolate showpieces.

At Café 17, be forewarned that the overwhelming temptation is to go straight for dessert.

Café 17 at Hotel Domestique 10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest.

(864) 516-1715, hoteldomestique.com Open daily, 7am–3pm

Dessert Landscape: (This page) Peanut butter nougatine with blackberry curd, glaçage miroir, and peanut butter powder (opposite, clockwise from left) pastry chef Adjryche Channing; Café 17’s signature cream-filled chocolate éclair; buttermilk panna cotta with peach jus, pecan florentine, petite madeleine, and local blood sorel; French sourdough bread with butter

Tour de Plats: (opposite page, from far-left) Housemade charcuterie; ricotta cavatelli with duck confit; Captionhead:: Chef Adam Cooke; endive (this with page, salad cheddar clockwise from (this mustard dressing; far-left) text here page) saddle of rabbit with texttrumpet here mushrooms king

OPEN

Bar Cider House Jewel Windy Hill Orchard makes a standout hard cider to welcome fall days / by M. Linda Lee

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he first days of fall bring to mind the crisp bite of justpicked apples, along with the craving for home-brewed cider.

Enjoying a renaissance today, hard (fermented) cider became popular in colonial times when settlers realized that apples grew better in the New England soil than did the grains required to make beer.

Find hard cider to serve at your table (pair it with everything from fine cheeses to Thanksgiving turkey) at Windy Hill Orchard, on Highway 5 in York, SC. Beginning in late August, you can buy five types of apples, fresh apple cider, apple-cider vinegar, and award-winning hard cider at this roadside orchard and farmstand. Both are owned by the Gusmer family, who moved to South Carolina from New Jersey in 1978 and produce cider from the fruit on their seven-acre orchard.

Proving that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Matthew Gusmer, Fritz and Catherine’s youngest son, now presides over the on-site cider mill. He ramped up the hard-cider production about five years ago, riding the wave of a craft beer boom.

In addition to seasonal quaffs, Windy Hill produces four main styles of hard cider: Ginger Gold, a traditional British style; Hoppin’ Johnny, a dryhopped cider; sweet Gala Peach; and the most popular, Rusty Gold, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel. All are made from the tart juice of Stayman Winesap apples (an old Southern variety) and aged for about six months.

Find Windy Hill Cider locally at The Community Tap, Greenville Beer Exchange, Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery, and more. For a complete list, visit windyhillorchard.com

APPLES TO APPLES From September to December, buy fresh-pressed cider at these area farms

CHATTOOGA BELLE FARM >> Some 14 varieties of apples are ripe for the picking, and cider is available at the farm store. 454 Damascus Church Rd, Long Creek, SC. (864) 647-9768, chattoogabellefarm.com

NIVEN’S APPLE FARM >> Apple season brings bushels of fun for the whole family at Niven’s. 130 Orchard Dr, off Hwy 290, Moore, SC. (864) 574-8889, nivensapplefarm.com

>> Pair your cider with a can’t-miss fried pie or cider donut, against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 3404 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC. (828) 692-7930, skytoporchard.com

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Photog r aph by Paul Meha f fey

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Sunday, October 19th 2:00pm

Historic Hopkins Farm Simpsonville, SC Tickets are $25 For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit greenvillepoloclassic.com or call (864) 235-8330.

SEPTEMBER 2014 / 85

SWEET

Spot

Natural Pair Tandem Creperie & Coffeehouse lends a sweet touch to Travelers Rest / by Ruta Fox

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wo under-thirty entrepreneurs. Check. Both foodies. Check.

Abandoned building. Check. Combine the above, stir in a phenomenal Kickstarter campaign, a pinch of love (because the couple is also married), and right from the start Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse in Travelers Rest had to be a success.

The building of this recently opened restaurant, owned by TR couple Kristen and Brad Hartman, had been through many iterations, among them a post office and, rumor has it, even a jail. The condemned building was ready for rebirth.

Brad was impressed by the flavorful crepes he ate overseas while in the Air Force, so as soon as he got home, the couple bought a griddle and started experimenting. Kristen became so proficient, she actually got hired by a creperie. But they longed to start something together.

96 TOWN / towncarolina.com

Now Tandem, their sleekly modern place, features original exposed brick, as well as original maple hardwood floors. They added recycled light fixtures, gleaming white tile, and a bright, cheerful pop of color with lemon yellow chairs. The chalkboard offers items that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serving cult favorite Counter Culture coffee, grinding their own whole-wheat grain for the savory crepes, and using almond flour or cornmeal for the gluten-free offerings, the emphasis is on superb ingredients with everything brewed and made to order.

Dig into the savory Fiesta with chicken, black beans, avocado, and salsa, or the vegetarian with roasted asparagus, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, garlic, and a béchamel sauce. Try the peanut butter and raspberry or banana nut, with Nutella, for dessert. Waffles are chockfull of chocolate chips or heaped with blueberry compote, sure to fuel the bike riders coming off the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

They’ve been overwhelmed with the support of the local community, who believed in their vision and pitched in to help with everything from painting, to building tables, to planting the outdoor patio flowerboxes.

As for names, the couple thought of many, but then suddenly Tandem popped into their heads. And it seemed exactly right.

Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse, 2 S Main St, Travelers Rest, SC. tandemcc.com; Tues–Thurs, 8am–8pm; Fri–Sat, 8am–10pm; Sun, 10am–3pm, closed Monday

Photog r aph s by Paul Meha f fey

Crepe Escape: Brad and Kristen Hartman, owners of Tandem Creperie & Coffeehouse on Main Street in Travelers Rest, offer savory and sweet crepes, such as the Key Lime Pie (above), and homemade waffles. They also serve a variety of espresso drinks and coffee from Durham-based roaster Counter Culture Coffee.

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DINING

Guide

BARS, CAFÉS, & RESTAURANTS

THE GREEN ROOM Like a European brasserie, the Green Room’s diverse menu changes with the time of day. Crab Benedict, French toast, or a tarragon, tomato, and feta cheese omelet are breakfast standouts, while the Lil’ Piggy, with house-made BBQ sauce, offers a toothsome lunch.

For dinner, the melt-in-your-mouth, sweet chipotle meatloaf is the ticket.

Stop by the bar to get your fill of the game and a pull from the tap.

Photog r aph by Cameron Rey nold s

$$$, B, L, D, SBR. 116 N Main St. (864) 335-8222, thegreenroomupstate.com

BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS

GAME TIME BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA

Pizza and beer—flowing from more than 27 taps downstairs and another 31 upstairs—are what bring students and young revelers to Barley’s. Besides the tap, there’s a list as long as your arm of selections by the bottle. Try your luck upstairs at the billiards tables and the dartboard lanes, or crowd around the downstairs bar for a closer look at your team. $-$$, L, D. 25 W Washington St. (864) 232-3706, barleystaproom. com/greenville

Bellacino’s, in the former historic Carpenter Brother’s Drugstore, specializes in hot, savory sandwiches. If you’re not looking for a sandwich, that’s okay too.

Pizza, pasta, salads, and wings round out the menu. Try any of the indulgent Italian options for your next tailgate, as the catering menu offers servings for 10-12 people.

$$-$$$, L, D. Closed Sunday. 123 S Main St, Greenville. (864) 242-6009, bellacinosupstate.com CAROLINA ALE HOUSE

Regional chain Carolina Ale House serves up all-American bar fare of gooey cheese fries, thick Angusbeef burgers, finger-lickin’ ribs, and specialty desserts, like the Dessert

Nachos and Ale House Mud Pie. This joint satisfies both foodie and fan alike. And while the raucous sports bar atmosphere is plenty fun, you can also bring Ale House home with you with 20-person party platters for your next footballfilled afternoon. $-$$, L, D. 113 S

Main St, Greenville. (864) 351-0521, carolinaalehouse.com

THE COMMUNITY TAP

Convenience and expertise collide at the Community Tap, Greenville’s neighborhood craft beer shop.

Take your time to browse their extensive selection—more than 180 local, national, and international brews—or fill up a TCT growler for your tailgate at one of their ever-rotating taps. Mon–Thurs,

11am–8pm; Fri & Sat, 11am–9pm; Sun, 1–6pm. 217 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville. (864) 631-2525, thecommunitytap.com CORK & TAP

Located across from the historic Mills Mill turned luxury lofts, Cork & Tap gives you a chance to sample your wine or beer selection from their inventory on site. And while you’re staying, you might as well treat yourself to a boutique cheese platter or the Quesadilla du Jour to complement your beverage of choice and cheer on your team.

Mon–Sat, Noon–12am. Closed Sun. 409 Mills Ave, Greenville. (864) 2412022, corkandtapsc.com

KEY : Average price of a dinner entrée (lunch if dinner isn’t served): Under $10 = $, $10-$15 = $$, $16-$25 = $$$, $25+ = $$$$ Breakfast = B Lunch = L Dinner = D Sunday Brunch = SBR SEPTEMBER 2014 / 99

DINING

Guide

FORD’S OYSTER HOUSE

Ford’s combines fresh seafood with Cajun flavor straight from New Orleans. The gumbo or shrimpjalapeño beignets are satisfying starters. Try the BLT po’boy, with thick-cut, smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Creole mayo, stuffed in a soft sub roll. After all, if you’re going to be watching the Bayou Bengals, you might as well eat like ’em, too. $-$$, L, D, SBR. Ford’s Oyster House & Cajun Kitchen, 631 S Main St. (864) 223-6009, fordsoysterhouse.com

GREENVILLE BEER EXCHANGE

Tucked off Main Street, the Greenville Beer Exchange is overflowing with all the craft beer varieties you could want (more than 1,200 choices, but who’s counting?). Broaden your horizons—and taste buds—with brews from all over the country. Mon–

Sat, 11am–9pm; Sun, 12–6pm. 7 S. Laurens St, Greenville. (864) 232-3533, greenvillebeerexchange.com

GROUCHO’S DELI

Quality is the key ingredient at this deli franchise begun in Columbia in 1941. Specialty sandwiches cover the bases, from the Cole Special Dipper (turkey and bacon crumbles blanketed in cheddar cheese) to the Brown Moose (a roast beef and provolone melt with Groucho’s signature Formula 45 sauce, a spicy, herb-infused blend of Russian and Thousand Island dressings). Pick up a party platter of

assorted meats, cheeses, and bread if you’re looking for an easy crowdpleaser—or get it delivered. $-$, L, D

(closes at 3pm Sun). 20 E Coffee St, Greenville. (864) 552-1541, grouchos.com HENRY’S SMOKEHOUSE

It’s no secret that tender, flavorful barbecue requires time and high quality ingredients. That’s why Henry’s cooks their pork butts and ribs for up to 12 hours over hickory logs.

To complement the hickory flavor, Henry’s has both a mild tomato-based sauce as well as a spicy mustard-based sauce. Offering buffet-style pork BBQ, chicken, and ribs on their catering menu, Henry’s takes the hassle out of feeding a hungry crowd. $, L, D (closes

at 3pm Sun). 240 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville. (864) 232-7774, henryssmokehouse.com LARKIN’S ON THE RIVER

Located fortuitously between the Peace Center and the Reedy River, Larkin’s seeks to balance upscale dining with comfort. Start with shecrab soup, then an entrée from the day’s selections—or opt for an aged filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Book Larkin’s catering for your next event or game-day party—they specialize in everything from in-home dinners to extravagant galas. $$$-$$$$, L, D. 318 S Main St, Greenville. (864) 467-9777, larkinsontheriver.com

LIBERTY TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL

STICKY FINGERS

Located next to Fluor Field, Liberty Tap Room Bar & Grill is both pregame watering hole and after-work hangout. Dinner choices range from the classic burger and juicy steaks to spinach pizza. Gather with friends around the long bar to enjoy one of the nearly 50 brews on tap—or try the signature Bloody Mary with your favorite brunch meal. $-$$$, L, D,

Where there’s award-winning BBQ and ribs, there’s a happy crowd. With a catering motto of “taking the pork to the people,” Sticky Fingers offers buffet-style hickory-smoked pulled pork, chicken wings, and much more with sides to share like homemade coleslaw and hush puppies. For full-service catering, they’ll provide delivery, tables, linens, and cleaning.

It’s a no-brainer for game day. $-$$, L,

SBR. 941 S Main St. (864) 770-7777, libertytaproom.com

THE LOCAL TACO

Blending the traditions of Mexican and Southern food culture, the Local Taco offers new twists on old favorites. Try corn tortillas filled with buttermilk fried chicken and honey-lime mayo, and swap a traditional side of rice for Mexican tater tots. Add some spice to your next party with their catering service, which includes crowdfavorites like queso and house-made guacamole. $-$$, L, D. 15 Conestee Avenue, Greenville. (864) 509-1081, thelocaltaco.com

MAC’S SPEED SHOP

Across from Liberty Taproom, Mac’s looks to be family-friendly for both the Harley-set as well as the post-Drivebaseball crowd with plenty of brisket, ribs, and beer-can chicken. “Start your engine” with a plate of Tabasco fried pickles, washed down with one of the 50 craft beers on tap. Daily drink specials and live music every Sunday make it a go-to spot for winding down the weekend. $-$$$, L, D. 930 S Main St, (864) 239-0286, macsspeedshop.com

RICK ERWIN’S DELI

Dedicated to both quality and variety, Rick Erwin’s Deli serves up favorites from classic Reubens to daily-made fresh pastries. Come back for dinner for an upscale twist with entrees like grilled steak with mushrooms and onions. Bring the deli’s excellence with you by taking advantage of its catered deli trays, filled with an assortment of sandwiches (including roast beef and chicken salad), freshbaked cookies, and sweet tea by the gallon. $-$$, L, D. 101 W Camperdown

Photog r aph by Paul Meha f fey

Way, Greenville. (864) 312-9060, rickerwinsdeli.com

THE GROWLER STATION With stores and express locations nationwide, The Growler Station boasts a foam-free method for a faster, cleaner growler fill. Greenville’s downtown location has selections from Brewery 85, Thomas Creek, and Quest Brewing on tap, making this a one-stop-shop for all your Upstate favorites. Mon– Wed, 11am–9pm; Thurs–Sat, 11am–10pm; Sun, 1–6pm. 109 Augusta St, Greenville. (864) 400-8327, growler-station.com 100 TOWN / towncarolina.com

D. 1 S Main St, Greenville. (864) 3317427, stickyfingers.com

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Located in the West End Market, Smoke on the Water has a homey feel, with a separate street-side dining area and outdoor tables great for sunny days. Choose something from the smoker (Beer-Butt Chicken), or pick from sandwiches, burgers, or salads. Smoke ’n’ sides vary from mac ’n’ cheese to a bowl of greens, and even spinach casserole. Bring a dose of their Southern hospitality to any event with their flexible catering options. $-$$$, L, D. 1 Augusta St, Ste 202, Greenville. (864) 232-9091, saucytavern.com

TWO CHEFS DELI & MARKET

Count on this deli for fast, highquality food. Hot and cold lunch fare, ranging from homemade soups to a traditional grinder or turkey melt, are popular options, as is the Salad Sampler, including three of the day’s fresh gourmet selects. If you’re not up to cooking, there’s a case of “crafted carryout” entrées and sides to go. Impress your group with catering platters of unique sandwiches including the stuffed baguette with turkey, ham, applewood smoked bacon, muenster, and mixed greens.

$-$$, B, L, D. Closed Saturday & Sunday. 104 S Main St, Greenville.

(864) 370-9336, twochefsdeli.com UNIVERSAL JOINT

Everyone needs a neighborhood bar. Where better to cheer with (or heckle mercilessly) your friends? This hangout is within walking distance of the North Main area and features roll-up garage doors—perfect for the cooling autumn weather. Rotating bottle and draft selections and plenty of outdoor seating keep things fresh.

And since Universal Joint is open late, you can stay to celebrate after your team wins—or commiserate with fellow fans after a loss. $-$$, L, D. 300 E Stone Ave, Greenville. (864) 252-4055, ujgreenville.com WILD WING CAFÉ

Chicken wings and football: it’s a match made in heaven. Wild Wing Café knows this, so they offer catering packages fit for a party, like the Picnic: your choice of 80 wings with four sauces, 20 halved deli wraps, a quart of spinach dip with chips, two sides, and brownies. If you’ve got enough mouths to feed, it’s the perfect option for a fun tailgate at a moment’s notice. $-$$, L, D. 15 W Washington

St, Greenville. (864) 242-9453, wildwingcafe.com

TOWN Magazine accepts no compensation for Dining Guide reviews and selects entries by its editorial discretion. Reviews are conducted anonymously.

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Scene Thru Sept 21

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP

SEPTEMBER

Thru Sept 30 OUR SOUTHERN KITCHEN Family recipes are treasures.

After all, food goes hand-in-hand with family, friendship, and good times. Chef Mark Pollard taps into Southern hospitality and traditional Southern cooking with this series of lunchtime demonstration cooking classes. Previous installments of the class have featured fried chicken, pimiento cheese grits, tomato basil pie, and blackberry cobbler— expect nothing but a menu inspired by the season’s freshest ingredients.

Charleston Cooks!, 200 N Main St, #101, Greenville.

Thurs–Sat, Sept 4, 6, 11–13, 18, 20, 25–27, 1pm. $25. (864) 3352000, charlestoncooks.com/ greenville/classes

No, your mind isn’t playing tricks; there really are only two actors playing eight different roles in this peculiar farce. A ridiculous comedy barely disguised by a blend of Victorian literature, Hitchcock, and “serious” stage drama as a gothic horror story, Lord Edgar and Lady Enid are under constant attack by a slew of penny-dreadful beasts including vampires and werewolves.

Will they ever make it out alive? Can a man really pull off that dress in that color? Nothing is ever what it seems on the gloomy moors.

Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, 125 S Main St, Hendersonville, NC. Thurs, Sat–Sun, 2pm; Wed– Sat, 8pm. $40. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

3, 10, 17, 24 FIDELITY MOONLIGHT MOVIES SERIES

Paying homage to the drive-in days of yore, Moonlight Movies showcases some of the best vintage flicks in scenic Falls Park. September’s selections include 1938’s The

Adventures of Robin Hood, cult classic The Princess Bride, Bogey and Bacall hit Casablanca, and the whipwielding Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Snag your spot under the stars and settle in for a quick trip back to a simpler time where smartphones didn’t rule the world.

Falls Park, 601 S Main St, Greenville. Wed, 8pm. Free. greenvillesc.gov

5

SIPPIN’ SAFARI

Having more than a few cocktails on a Friday night may leave you feeling like an animal, but how about actually partying with the animals? This annual event supports the Friends of the Greenville Zoo program, mixing cocktails with cockatoos to fund our beloved hometown creatures. There will be zoo tours for visitors, musical acts, and a silent auction loaded with plenty of must-have items. Baboon imitations are strongly discouraged.

Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville. Fri, 6:30– 9:30pm. $40. (864) 467-4300, greenvillezoo.com

5

SEEING TOMORROW: A CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY

One of the few organizations dedicated to transforming a philanthropic organization from the inside out, AidJoy has partnered with numerous charities, corporations, individuals, and foundations to pioneer life-changing projects globally. In announcement of their first U.S. venture, AidJoy will host its inaugural gala fundraiser, complete with live music by Matt Morgan, boutique wines from Quigley Fine Wines, and high-end hors d’oeuvres. There will be both live and silent auctions, offering up unique items from the Amazon, experience packages, and more.

Zen, 924 S Main St, Greenville.

Fri, 7–11pm. $75. (864) 246-8123, aidjoy.org

5–7

SESAME STREET LIVE: MAKE A NEW FRIEND

Whether you’re five years old and eating glue sticks at recess, or 35 and eating someone else’s leftover chow mein on lunch break, making new friends is never easy. Cue our favorite band of fur-covered, singing, and dancing characters who just happen to specialize in

Highlands 8th Weekend Highlands 8thAnnual Annual Culinary Culinary Weekend Fall in Highlands has never tasted better than during the 8th Annual Fall in Highlands has never tasted better than during the 8th Annual Highlands Culinary Weekend.

This event, created Highlands Culinary Weekend.

This4-day 4-daydestination destination event, created by by The Highlands Chamber of of Commerce Center,promises promises The Highlands Chamber Commerceand and Visitor Visitor Center, to to the highlights season.Join Join us as Highlands’ be onebeofone theofhighlights of of thethe season. aswe weembrace embrace Highlands’ majestic mountains, boundless activities, appealing accommodations, majestic mountains, boundless activities, appealing accommodations, shops extraordinarycuisine. cuisine. This uniqueunique retailretail shops andand extraordinary Thiswill willbebea weekend a weekend you will never forget. you will never forget.

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CAN’T-MISS CULTURE / EVENTS / ATTRACTIONS

11

GREENVILLE HEROES SERVE AND PROTECT AWARDS LUNCHEON

that very thing. When Chamki moves to Sesame Street all the way from India, Grover, Elmo, and Abby Cadabby learn powerful lessons about acceptance and new cultures, not to mention the universal language of being a pal.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville.

Fri, 10:30am & 6:30pm; Sat, 10:30am & 2pm; Sun, 3pm. $20-$52. (864) 241-3800, bonsecoursarena.com

Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center

11

ANA POPOVIC

What do Serbia and Memphis have in common? Both have played an integral part in molding talented blues artist Ana Popovic. A prolific guitar player since the age of 15, Popovic’s expansive career led her across Europe and eventually to the Blues City. The award-winning musician now brings her flair to Greenville, promising the perfect blend of soul and style to close out the Summer Nights series.

TD Stage at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thurs, 7:30pm. $20-$30. (864) 4673000, peacecenter.org

Proving that real heroes don’t need to wear capes, this special luncheon honors those who risk life and limb to protect ours.

One member each of both the Greenville City police and fire departments will be given the Hero Among Heroes Award in recognition of their service and commitment to the community.

Additionally, the ceremony acts as a fundraising platform for both the Harold C. Jennings Foundation and the Rama Scholarship Fund, providing financial aid for the children of these brave men and women.

Hyatt Regency, 220 N Main St, Greenville. Thurs, 12pm. $50. (864) 248-1568, greenvilleheroes.org

WAITING ON IMAGE

11ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA

His father Frank may have made the Zappa name famous with his experimental albums of kooky and clever music, but Dweezil Zappa has carried on this legacy with the same passion and proficiency for guitar. Drawing on inspiration from numerous classic

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TOWN

Scene

rockers (including dear old dad), the younger Zappa is mostly selftaught—a fact that certainly doesn’t detract from his skillful, fervent pickin’. Preceded by a master class session for learning musicians, this is one piece of music history you will want to be a part of.

The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. Thurs: master class, 2:30pm; show, 8pm.

Advance, $28; doors, $30; VIP, $50; master class, $75. (828) 2255851, theorangepeel.net

11–21 EASE INTO FALL WITH

Style

MUSIC OF JAMES BOND

Perhaps even more famous than 007’s female companions are the tunes that have accompanied this franchise’s nail-biting scenes of gunplay and espionage. With original tracks crafted by the premier songbirds of our time, this showcase brings to life all the tunes you wish were your own theme songs. “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Skyfall,” and “Live and Let Die” are only a few pieces to be performed on Flat Rock’s Mainstage.

Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Thurs, Sat, Sun, 2pm. $30. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

11–27

HANDS ON A HARDBODY

This may sound like part two of Fifty Shades of Grey, but this stage act is a hilarious musical comedy written by Doug Wright packing in plenty of laughs with lovable characters. With songs by Amanda Green and Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, the story follows the lives of ten contestants in Longview, Texas, as they vie for the prize of a “hardbody” pickup truck.

Throughout each musical number, audiences are given an inside view to these quirky contestants’ lives and an appreciation for the hardworking American.

Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. $25-$35. (864) 233-6733, centrestage.org

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12–14

INDIE CRAFT PARADE Celebrating the art of the hand-made, the Indie Craft Parade exposes the creative expression of craft artists from around the South, with media ranging from paper goods to prints and unique wearables. You’ve never seen so much artistry under one roof, so join the Parade. For a sneak peek at vendor wares (and to skip the crowds), drop by the VIP Gala on September 12.

Huguenot Mill, 101 W Broad St, Greenville. VIP Gala, Fri, 6–9pm; parade, Sat, 9am–6pm; Sun, 11am–5pm. VIP Gala, $30; parade, $2. indiecraftparade.com

12–14

WEECYCLED WEAR CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE Baby Gap is cute, but it sure can get expensive. Besides, it takes all of two months for your adorable little one to grow out of that pastel pink onesie.

Enter the Weecycled Wear Children’s Consignment Sale. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just stocking up for the new school year, this sale has thousands of new and gently-used items perfect for all of your child’s micro fashion statements.

TD Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Fri, 9am– 7pm; Sat, 9am–5pm; Sun, 12–5pm.

Free. weecycledwear.com

13

OOH LA LA CURIOSITY MARKET

Standing apart from other downtown markets that only offer a few items for sale, this umbrella-style, open-air market serves up an armful of artistic and original handiworks. This day’s event caps off the Ooh La La Market season, with local crafters selling jewelry, artworks, pottery, and much more for the eclectic shopper. There’s even a raffle for a basket of selected market goods—valued at $200.

Proceeds from the market help to fund Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter located in Asheville.

Pritchard Park, 67 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC. Sat, 10am–4pm.

Free. (828) 669-7467, facebook. com/OohLaLaCuriosityMarket

13

PRESERVATION RIDE

Held on a course favored by local cycling celebrity George Hincapie, the third annual Preservation Ride also includes two other courses that are fitting for athletes of any skill level. Other stages roam through the breathtaking pastures of the Greenspace Fairview along the North Pacolet River.

Following the serene yet stimulating ride, cyclists can dig into a fully catered lunch at Strawberry Hill USA and mingle with other athletes for new tips and tricks.

Strawberry Hill USA, 3097 Highway 11, Chesnee. Sat, 8am.

Registration, $60. upstateforever. org/2014-preservation-ride

16–17, 23–24

YOUNG NEGRESS STEPPING OUT OF THE RIVER AT DAWN

The 2013 winner of Centre Stage’s New Play Festival, Dean Poynor will debut his winning piece on the big stage. The story trails the lives of New York transplants Alyze and Martin, whose traditional Rwandan culture often collides with their need for acceptance in the modern world.

Incorporating aspects of Rwandan dance, song, and religion, this original play challenges the concepts of building a new life while still holding onto the roots of the past.

Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Tues–Wed, 7pm. $15.

(864) 233-6733, centrestage.org

17

MATISYAHU

Matisyahu’s journey through music has been both spiritual and gripping for his millions of fans in every corner of the globe.

In celebration of his fifth studio album Akeda, Matisyahu’s intimate live performance is guaranteed to showcase his signature beatbox handiwork and provocative lyricism. The artist has maintained his powerful vocals and authentic song themes, and his latest work has

been touted as some of his best yet.

The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. Wed, 9pm.

Advance, $28; doors, $30. (828) 225-5851, theorangepeel.net

18–21

EUPHORIA

For an 8th year, Greenville sets the stage for the sublime at this four-day fest of fine wine, music, and food. Numerous guest chef wine dinners, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and tastings round out the roster of events including Swine and Dine, Taste of the South, Traffic Jam, the South State Bank Jazz Brunch, and—new this year—Lambs + Clams.

Proceeds go to local charities, so don’t sit this one out.

Locations vary, Greenville. Thurs– Sun, times vary. Costs vary. For a complete listing of events, times, and ticket prices, visit euphoriagreenville.com

19–Oct 1 LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL

Lots of pink? Check. Pint-sized chihuahua co-star? Check. Groovy musical numbers that actually make law school seem like something fun and easy? Check and check. Venture along with sorority sweetheart Elle Woods as she climbs her way to the top of Harvard Law School, squashing mean girls, making new friends, and even finding love along the way. It may not be realistic, but Elle’s constant cheerful nature and can-do attitude Megan Town Sept14.indd make her a heroine for all women, young and younger.

Greenville Little Theatre, 444 College St, Greenville. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. Adult, $30; senior, $28; junior, $20. (864) 233-6238, greenvillelittletheatre.org

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Scene

DOWNTOWN BITES

Downtown Greenville isn’t the only place to enjoy a showcase of local food. Downtown Bites is a oneday extravaganza of all that makes the Hub City gourmet marketplace so special. This family-friendly event plates up specialty dishes from local eateries for your tasting pleasure, not to mention live music, kidfriendly activities, and adult-friendly beverages. It’s the perfect excuse to test out that cute little restaurant you’ve been waiting to try.

Main Street and Morgan Square, Spartanburg. Sat, 1–8pm. Free. visitspartanburg.com

20

FARM FRESH FAIR

The word “entrepreneur” does not typically draw to mind a farmland teeming with animals and greenery. Nevertheless, Farm Fresh Fair is dedicated to opening the door for the purveyors of handcrafted goods, homemade eats, and everything organic. Benefiting sustainable farming at Mill Village Farms, the crisp fall day will feature antique shopping, artisan crafts, farm fare, and live music. Pick up some eats or just a home accent—it is all in the spirit of shopping local.

The Farm at Rabon Creek, 125 Phillips Rd, Fountain Inn. Sat, 10am–5pm. Adult, $5; child, $1. thefarmatraboncreek.com/ farmfreshfair

108 TOWN / towncarolina.com

23

FASHION ON THE TOWN VIP PARTY

High fashion and elevated taste collide at the exclusive roll-out party for this year’s Fashion on the TOWN shopping crawl. Sink your teeth into couture samplings of whiskey chili BBQ and white mousse strawberry shortcake in the ethereal, upscale atmosphere of the Garden Terrace.

Then on October 2–3, pack up your purse for TOWN’s signature retail extravaganza throughout the downtown and Augusta Street areas.

The Garden Terrace, 55 E Camperdown Way, Greenville.

Tues, 7–10pm. $100/ticket; $175/ pair of tickets. FOTTVIP2014. eventbrite.com

23–28

ONCE

Following the timehonored tradition of translating a hit film into an even bigger hit musical, Once is a winner of multiple awards for its honest portrayal of all the complexities that come with falling in love. When a young Irish street musician falls in with a random passerby, their emotional connection comes alive through the beauty of song, creating a unique landscape of feeling. The fact that all musicians on stage play their own instruments in a simplistic setting truly lets the music speak for itself in this romantic story.

The Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Tues–Thurs, 7:30pm;

Photograph by Danielle Paul

TOWN

Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2pm & 8pm; Sun, 1pm & 6:30pm. $45-$75. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org

25

ENTREPRENEURS FORUM GALA

With more than 400 business and community leaders slated to attend, there’s no better occasion for mixing and mingling—all the while supporting student scholarships and critical needs at Greenville Technical College.

The Entrepreneurs Forum will also recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the economic prosperity of the Upstate through their business and community leadership.

TD Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Thurs, 6pm. Young professionals, $75; individuals, $125; couples, $250. (864) 250-8497, greenvilletechfoundation.org

26–28

SYMPHONY TOUR OF HOMES Take a gander inside some of the Upstate’s most regal homes—without breaking and entering. The Hidden Hills and Chanticleer communities host this year’s event, showcasing the latest and greatest in home fashions and residential styles. As always, the tour will kick off with a celebratory patron party, held on September 23

from 7–9pm at the home of Ann and Todd Taylor. Light lunches, fashion shows, and afternoon shopping are also on the itinerary.

Locations vary, Greenville. Fri– Sat, 10am–4pm; Sun, 1–4pm.

Advance, $20; day of, $25.

(864) 370-0965, guildgso.org

27

DANCING WITH THE CAROLINA STARS

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got two left feet or if you can’t tell a salsa from a waltz. Just come to this year’s edition of Dancing with the Carolina Stars to see a competition that pairs your favorite local celebrities with dance professionals. In addition to tearing up the ballroom, this black-tie-optional charity event will benefit Senior Action, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for Greenville’s senior citizens.

TD Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Sat, 6pm. $125; other sponsorship opportunities available. dancingwiththecarolinastars.com

27

HUB CITY EMPTY BOWLS SOUP DAY

Last year, the Empty Bowls program raised more than $20,000 to fund the nonprofit charity TOTAL Ministries, which directly benefits local families that are in the wake

of financial crises. The handmade bowls crafted by public participants in Spartanburg will be on display for diners to select from and enjoy an unlimited amount of soup provided by local restaurants, before taking the bowls home. The event will also host a silent auction, music, and, of course, plenty of good company.

Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E St John St, Spartanburg.

Sat, 11am–6pm. $15 per bowl. chapmanculturalcenter.org

28

TASTE OF OUR CAROLINA FOOTHILLS

Normally, four towns and two states would be an ambitious itinerary for a whole weekend, not to mention a single afternoon. Luckily, Landrum, Tryon, Columbus, and Saluda join forces on this Sunday for a fall food and wine event. Join local restaurants, food trucks, wineries, a cheese maker, chocolatier, distillery, and brewery at Overmountain Vineyards as they serve up the unique and diverse tastes found in the region.

Overmountain Vineyards, 2012 Sandy Plains Rd, Tryon, NC. Sun, 1–5pm. $35. (828) 817-1079, ourcarolinafoothills.com

28–Oct 2 CENTRE STAGE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL

Breaking into the world of playwriting is no easy feat. Local theater Centre Stage is giving aspiring writers a leg up on the competition. After whittling countless entries to three finalists, the organization will present staged readings of each script followed by a discussion with the guest playwrightin-residence. Workshops for budding scriptstars will also be offered.

Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Sun–Thurs, 7pm.

Free. (864) 233-6733, centrestage.org

Oct 4

AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW

For those struck with a case of “only-child syndrome,” American Girl dolls are a godsend.

Fortunately, this fashion show marks the perfect occasion to show off all of the requisite ensembles and guarantee a fun-filled day with your little one. In addition to three presentations, there will also be mini-shopping stores, a hair salon, and even a photo booth.

Hyatt Regency, 220 N Main St, Greenville. Sat, 9am, 1pm & 5pm. $35. agfashionshowSC.com

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Sherry, Jason, and Katie in Beijing on buying trip.

WHERE: Trade Route Import Furniture & Accessories (located behind Haywood Mall) 1175 Woods Crossing Road Greenville, SC | 864-234.1514

A PREMIER SOURCE FOR UNIQUE LIGHTING

WHAT: You’ll find a large selection of centuries-old Asian furniture and accessories beautifully mixed with one of a kind contemporary Asian home furnishings, all expertly hand crafted, painted and selected from China, Thailand, Mongolia and Tibet.

ure urnit s F t r Impo cessorie c &A www.TradeRouteImport.com 110 TOWN / towncarolina.com

WHO: Living and traveling in Asia for more than 15 years has instilled in owners Sherry and Fred Smid a true passion for all things Asian. Their greatest enjoyment is being able to share the beauty of Asian style and culture with their customers.

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Estates Homes as distinguished as our readers.

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards® 108 Elderberry Way, Waterfront with Dock

5BR, 6BATH · MLS#20144657 · $1,950,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864)481-4444

10 Scotts Moor Dr

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards® 124 Wood Sage Court, Waterfront with Dock

5BR, 5Full/3Half Bath · MLS#20147814 · $6,495,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864)481-4444

206 Wild Ginger Way

4BR, 4.5BATH · MLS#20149909 · $1,395,000

124 Grey Widgeon Trail

The Cliffs at Keowee Falls South®

Cliffs Realty Sales SC, LLC Vince Roser (864) 660-8422 CliffsLiving.com

4BR, 4.5BATH · MLS#20152362 · $989,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864) 481-4444

613 Brixton Circle

200 Grandmont Court

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Melissa Morrell (864) 918-1734 www.greenvilleagent247.com

3 Joshua’s Place

5BR, 6.5BATH · MLS#1283945 · $1,375,000

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Kathy Cassity (864) 414-8408

3BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1258870 · $1,295,000

5BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1278749 · $959,900

Cliffs Realty Sales SC, LLC Vince Roser (864) 660-8422 CliffsLiving.com

Cliffs Realty Sales SC, LLC Ivy Nabors (864) 660-8401 CliffsLiving.com

4BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1283701 · $1,340,000

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Margaret Marcum (864) 420-3125 www.margaretmarcum.com

8028 Glassy Ridge Road

3BR, 6BATH · MLS#1282548 · $2,500,000

4BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1270466 · $569,000 JOY Real Estate Co. Marcia Cox (864) 884-9007 www.hearthstonedevelopers.com

818 Alder Point Way, Waterfront with Boat Slip

204 Grandmont Cour

5BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1270467 · $529,000 JOY Real Estate Co. Marcia Cox (864) 884-9007 www.hearthstonedevelopers.com

TOWN Estates is a monthly feature of TOWN Magazine.

To advertise your listing in TOWN Estates, contact Annie Langston at 864.679.1224 or alangston@communityjournals.com

SECOND

Glance

Cross-Cultural

G

eographic divisions—natural and sometimes arbitrary—are what ultimately separate people. After living within many different geographic entities—Spartanburg, New York, London, Japan, Spain, South Africa, and beyond—Daniel Cromer celebrates the complexity of landscapes to determine culture. “I have learned that all people are the same. In its complexity and mood, landscape not only naturally differs but is ultimately the greatest cause for apparent differences in the people of this earth,” Cromer once said. Wherever he goes, Cromer captures the beauty he witnesses with watercolor as it allows him to “establish a pictorial idea fast and spontaneously.” The Spartanburg Art Museum hosts Daniel Cromer: A Retrospective, an exhibit displaying the full spectrum of his work. With everything from sketches from his days as a student to works from the ’60s and landscapes painted onsite in Greece, the exhibit is equal parts geographic and cultural exploration.—Erin Cullum

Daniel Cromer: A Retrospective is on display through October 5 at the Spartanburg Art Museum, located at 200 E St. John St. The museum is open Tues–Sat, 10am–5pm and Sunday, 1–5pm. For more information, call (864) 582-7616 or visit spartanburgartmuseum.org

112 TOWN / towncarolina.com

Daniel Cromer, Blue Train, 1992. Watercolor on paper, 44” x 30”. Artwork courtesy of the Spartanburg Art Museum

Watercolorist Daniel Cromer comes to understand people through landscapes

A culinary experience of artistic proportions

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