Columbia Living Mar-Apr 2014

www.columbialivingmag.com

March/April 2014

Springtime Mountain Getaway Respite for Body and Soul

Plastic Surgery

Trends & Insider Tips

We’ll Always Have Paris

Foodie Finds + Recipes

Outdoor Rooms Living Large al Fresco

Summer Camp

Let the Good Times Roll

March/April 2014 | 1

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Features March | April 2014

55

Outdoor Lifestyle

Used to be, a pool in the backyard was about as upscale as it got.

Today, we want so much more – outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, water features, pools, spas, and of course, a TV for the big game. Good times.

By Katherine Pettit

40

Springtime in the Mountains

Our own Appalachians are gob-smacking beautiful, and so accessible from Columbia. From the funky Asheville vibe, to the village feel of Black Mountain, you’ll be inspired to greet morning skies near those lofty peaks.

By Katy Osteen

48

Summer Camp Directory

Learn to cook, ride a horse, swim, draw, shoot a basketball, play an instrument, act, build things, and have a good time! So many summer camps in the midlands, plus one fantastic camp-like getaway.

66

Foodies Rejoice!

We’ll always have Paris

If you’ve never been to Paris, this will compel you to start planning. For those in love with the City of Lights, take a nostalgic trip back in your mind. Forty-seven tips for foodies in Paris seals the deal. Bienvenue!

By Kim Byer

4 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

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March/April 2014 | 5

» March / April 2014

DEPARTMENTS

20

Buzz 16 A rt in the Affirmative

This prolific artist can do it all. His work will amaze and delight you, and perhaps compel you to add one of his works to your personal collection.

20 B allet Springs Forth

Columbia native Sara Mearns and friends are leaving the Big Apple to ignite the Koger Center stage. Don’t miss their breathtaking performance on April 11.

24

29

T ruly All American This family business works together and loves it. They share enthusiasm for their country and the military who protect it.

S taff Picks Everyone’s guilty pleasure.

Learn the background story of the real Downton Abbey and so much more.

32

Well Styled 32

estore, Rejuvenate, R Enhance and Improve Look around. You’d be surprised how many of your friends (male and female) have joined the plastic surgery club. Remember, 60 is the new 40.

36 Don’t Bug Me

38

6 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

60 S outhern Greens

These nutritional winners may help protect you from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, as well as offer beauty benefits for healthy, glowing skin and hair. Put these powerhouse vegies on your table tonight.

64

Dining Review Basil Thai

66 I n The Kitchen

We’ll Always have Paris

74 R estaurant Guide

Best bets for delectable dining

Fundamentals 8 Reader Services 10 Editor’s Letter

After-the-Baby Beautiful New mothers have plenty to do and think about, caring for that precious bundle of joy. Guess what?

All of you can now regain that pre-baby body. Talk about having it all!

www.columbialivingmag.com

March/April 2014

Travel 76 We’re going to

76

Springtime Mountain Getaway Respite for Body and Soul

Plastic Surgery

Trends & Insider Tips

We’ll Always Have Paris

Foodie Finds + Recipes

Outdoor Rooms Living Large al Fresco

Summer Camp

Let the Good Times Roll

1 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Disney World Children of all ages fall in love with Mickey and his famous friends. There’s plenty for the grown-ups, too. Make this a vacation everyone will remember.

26

66

Food+Drink

Health

Finally. There is a way to rid your child of those pesky critters. Moms, this is the article you’ll be thanking us for writing.

Southern Drawl 26

How does his Garden Grow?

Andy Cabe, Director of Riverbanks Botanical Garden, knows what it takes to produce the showstopping beauties in our favorite garden. Just wait til you learn what’s coming next.

60

March/April 2014 | 1

ON THE COVER

»

Having fun near Looking Glass Falls on the Davidson River, in Pisgah National Forest.

Photographed By TRACY TURPEN/ TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM

INstyle

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March/April 2014 | 7

Publisher Robert Sweeney ■■■ Managing Editor Katherine Pettit Fashion Editor Lisa Arnold ■■■ Senior Account Executive Michele Chapman Graphic Designers Nicole Szews Shanna Thomson Carl Turner

Mom or Dad needs help.

Are you worried?

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Contributing Writers Deena Bouknight, Kim Byer, Rachel Haynie, Cecile Holmes, Linda Lamb, Todd Lefkowitz, MD, Katie McElveen, Katie Osteen, Jackie Perrone, Edna Cox Rice, Amy Rogers, Courtney Webb

Lutheran Homes’ Assisted Living programs can help. Guided by licensed nurses, caregivers provide help with personal care, medications, and supervision as needed.

Photographers Jay Browne, Kim Byer, Sally Taylor, Rob Wilson

There are plenty of people to enjoy spending time with and a full schedule of award-winning activities. Tasty meals, transportation, salon and other amenities are all close at hand.

Production Coordinator Dana Maskin

Caregivers certified in essentiALZ— the Alzheimer’s Association’s education program, are best prepared to understand the special needs of persons with memory loss.

Flexible Assisted Living and Homeward Bound programs offer short-term stay options.

Learn more.

Discover how our assisted living programs can help support your family.

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■■■

Distribution Coordinator Les Gibbons ■■■ Customer Service (843) 856-2532

Columbia LIVING (Vol. 4, No. 2) ISSN 21579342, is published 6 times per year by DueSouth Publishing, LLC, 3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466. The entire contents of this publication are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or part, without written permission. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited materials. Copyright © 2014.

All rights reserved. SUBSCRIPTION price is $18.95 per year. POSTMASTER send address changes to Columbia LIVING, 3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.

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Be confident that your finances are going in the right direction. You don’t have to go far. Because right here in Columbia, you’ll find Morgan Stanley offices staffed with capable, experienced Financial Advisors.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can help you sort through the complexity of wealth management and investing. Call us today to set up an appointment, and find the experience you need, right where you need it.

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© 2013 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

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March/April 2014 | 9

READER SERVICES Subscriptions Subscribing to Columbia LIVING is easy, and you save 20 percent off the newsstand price. Your subscription includes 6 issues, delivered right to your door. Subscriptions and billing are handled in-house, providing you with the best in customer service.

Please call or email us if you experience any problems with your subscription, and we will assist to resolve them right away. You can subscribe by calling Customer Service at (843) 856-2532 or reach us via email at service@columbialivingmag.com or on the web at www.columbialivingmag.com.

Gift Subscriptions Columbia LIVING magazine makes an excellent gift! Use the subscription card found in each issue or order by phone, email, or our website. We will send out a complimentary gift card to each recipient indicating who the gift is from.

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Send letters to Columbia LIVING, 3853 Colonel Vanderhorst Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 or contact us via the web at www.columbialivingmag.com.

Please include your phone number in case we need to contact you.

Happy Springtime! from our family to yours!

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10 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Back Issues When available, back issues of Columbia LIVING can be purchased for $7.00, postage included.

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March/April 2014 | 11

From The Editor

? t s i L r u o Y What’s on

H

ere’s the deal. Grand bucket lists are great and we all should have them (One of mine is living in Europe for a year – exploring all the seasons, acting like a local, making friends and settling in. A big wish, for sure.)

But, can’t we have room in our to-do files for smaller conquests? Vowing to read a good book, finally plant a glorious garden, try a new restaurant each month, or add a new food to our fridge. All noble goals, for sure, and very achievable.

OK, I’m not sure the glorious garden is possible in my world. I have a certifiable brown thumb – but, it’s a nice idea and I could do it if I really tried – maybe.

As Spring thankfully arrives in the Midlands, we should take a bit of time to reflect on the incredible winter we’ve had. Makes warmer weather even more appreciated.

What’s more, I plan to sit down and work on that smaller bucket list. I will go to a new restaurant every month. My deck will showcase at least one glorious container garden (baby steps, my friends). And my reading will include a bit more brain candy.

You’ll find lots to love in this issue, including two great articles on plastic surgery trends, large and small. You may be surprised how common it’s become.

Want a springtime mountain getaway? We’ve got the scoop. And is it too early to consider where your youngsters will go to summer camp? We think not, and with our summer camp directory, you’ll have great new ideas for the family to consider.

Can’t go to Paris this year? Travel vicariously with our foodie tips and recipes. Still want a trip that works for the whole family? Consider Disney World. You’d be surprised how it can entertain every age and we’ve got tips to prove it.

Ah Spring. For a list-maker like me, it offers a new opportunity to plan ahead and make some commitments to myself and others. When December arrives, let’s compare notes. Hopefully, we’ll have accomplished at least some of those small goals, and checked one biggie off the real bucket list.

Maybe Paris, after all …

www.columbialivingmag.com

March/April 2014

Springtime Mountain Getaway Respite for Body and Soul

Plastic Surgery

Trends & Insider Tips

We’ll Always Have Paris

Foodie Finds + Recipes

Outdoor Rooms Living Large al Fresco

Summer Camp

Let the Good Times Roll

March/April 2014 | 1

1 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Give the gift that lasts all year long... a subscription to magazine!

Just fill out the postcard in this issue, call 843.856.2532 or go to www.ColumbiaLivingMag.com

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Katherine Pettit Managing Editor Editor@ColumbiaLivingMag.com

12 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

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14 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Buzz art seen

business

southern drawl

staff picks

The artist at work Creativity in oh-so-many ways.

March/April 2014 | 15

BUZZ art seen

Art

Art in the Affirmative

HH

Roy Paschal: Artist and ‘Yes’ Man

By Rachel Haynie

is talent and technical skill destined Roy Paschal’s works to be desired and collected, shown and revered. But his art would never have gotten such solid legs under it, would never have taken him on such lively adventures if he hadn’t said ‘Yes’ to so many overtures.

Thinking quickly through his artist’s bag of styles and techniques – and how he could extrapolate those into new ways of making art – cleared him to say ‘Yes’ to caricatures, then forensic facial reconstruction. In time, those skills eased him into archaeology projects and sculpture. Along the way, he said ‘Yes’ to colleagues who wanted him to explore remote natural sites in which to paint, new to him and friends, old to artists who had painted there before.

“It’s natural for us all to play to our strengths,” Paschal said, “and Ringling School of Art and Design exposed me to what mine were, then, expand them. That first year in Sarasota was focused primarily on the basics: perspective, color, design. Fortunately, I had a good art teacher at Lower Richland High School – Alan Whitaker – but art had not been foremost in mind during my studies at (then known as) Baptist College (now Charleston Southern University). I majored in chemistry, and I quickly took note that art and chemistry are closely related.”

By his second Ringling year, when the finer points of art were taught, he spent many lunch breaks sketching in galleries of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Riding his bicycle around the neighborhoods, Paschal often ogled clowns practicing

their juggling in their driveways or families perfecting trapeze acts in their backyards.

Not knowing whether art could suffice as a career, though, Paschal began applying for jobs a few months prior to completing his Ringling studies. “I had the idea I’d like to be a field chemist and was headed to what I thought was South Carolina Wildlife (now South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) to file an application. By mistake, I ended up at SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Department). When I realized my mistake, I thought, Well, I may as well ask.” Yes, they did have a lab at SLED, but no vacancies at that time. Paschal left his application anyway.

Soon after, when he got a call for an interview, he said he’d be back in Columbia in a few weeks for Spring Break (everyone else was going to Florida; Roy was coming home from Florida.)

“I thought about it and decided, yes, I’d better get on up there, not wait until Spring Break to interview for that job.” Offered and accepted.

SLED co-workers took note of his doodles and drawings, as well as his caricatures done of for certain individuals’ retirement celebrations. Other Paschal caricatures were framed and, for years, graced the walls at Diane’s before the popular Devine Street restaurant closed.

One work day a SLED officer came to Paschal asking if he thought he might be able to do a sketch of an armed robbery suspect. “Yes, I think I can do that,” he said. “They caught the guy, and before long Robert Stewart (who later became Chief Stewart) found budget to send me for FBI training where I learned skull reconstruction, a three-dimensional version of a suspect sketch.”

Paschal’s title at SLED was soon upgraded to Lieutenant, and for Left: Paschal was asked to reconstruct scull remains of a man who lived in 800 B.C. for a Mexican museum in Mascota. After reconstructing skull remains unearthed on Folly Beach, Paschal created a mold and cast these heads of two Union soldiers with the Massachusetts 55th. One set is owned by South Carolina State Museum; a second set is part of a held-over exhibition at Boston Museum. Right: Wall Sitter caught Paschal’s eye when he and a group of artist friends followed in the footsteps of Van Gogh during a Provence trip a couple of years ago.

16 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

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March/April 2014 | 17

BUZZ art seen the remainder of his career there, he worked as a forensic artist; in addition to drawing sketches of suspects, he helped set up a state-level program to benefit the long reach of law enforcement.

Fine art ran parallel to the practical art Paschal practiced in his job. When his talent was recognized with a top State Fair prize, he already had been painting for a number of years with About Face, an affiliate of the Columbia Museum of Art. About Face members meet regularly for portrait and figure work; from a sprawling space below the museum’s gallery levels, they draw from life – meaning, with live models. Their output and concerted contributions bolster the community’s art backbone and provide its members a source of staunch friendships and unswerving support.

One Saturday a month, “Paint Out,” an About Face splinter group paints off-site at a pre-scouted location - in plein air, in the time-honored tradition. “Paint Out gets me out into nature, into a different environment, and closer to some very good friends,” Paschal said.

Precedent for such outdoor site work had already been set when the late Ted Rathburn, who chaired the South Carolina Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, asked Paschal if he would attempt to reconstruct skulls of two African-American Union soldiers who had served with the Massachusetts 55th. remains were recovered from a Folly Beach archaeological site. “I said ‘Yes, I think I could do this, although I knew it would require art applications I had not done yet.’ “

Later, Paschal created a mold from which he has cast two sets; the South Carolina State Museum purchased a pair, and the Boston Museum just held over a popular exhibit in which the other pair is on view.

“By the time Ted asked me if I’d reconstruct the Union soldier heads, I already had worked on another archeological project, with some similarities, but this one in Mexico. When I got that call, from the Museo Nacional de Antropología, I would have answered more confidently, felt more comfortable reconstructing 800 B.C. skull remains here, where I knew my equipment and setting.

But Mexico was not about to let its artifacts leave the country. So, I said ‘Yes,’ took annual leave and went to Mascota.”

Whether on an archaeological site or in a Carolina eddy or meadow, Paschal revels in foraging in nature and, in About Face, found three others who shared his penchant. So that he and the rest of a loose-knit team – comprised of painters David Phillips, Jim Finch and sculptor Kris Merschat - could make the first foray of what quickly became a greatly-anticipated tradition, he said Yes, he would get the necessary permits, maps and charts as well as directions and some of the provisions.

The artists first chose one of South Carolina’s barrier islands, set up camp for several days of gourmet meals cooked on a twoburner Coleman stove, and committed to painting a couple of landscape paintings each day. Those adventures, to Capers, Edisto and Hunting islands as well as the Georgetown Lighthouse, have sourced many stories about time and weather surprises – and some “keeper” pieces of art.

Following his post-retirement Grand Tour of Europe’s art cities, Paschal spoke so glowingly about what he experienced on the continent that his About Face buddies begged him to lead the way back. This time his Yes played out in a rented villa from which a cadre of artists – who by then had named themselves the Van Go-Goghs – ventured forth each day, retracing and painting where Van Gogh had painted. “I went ahead of the group by several days to check everything out, get the rental cars lined up and plot our itinerary. We spent nearly two weeks painting in Provence locations we knew, from history, Van Gogh had set up his easel,” Paschal said.

Most recently Paschal traveled solo to remote Cabaya Isle, a small fishing village in Costa Rica where children from the nearby huts clamored around him after he finished dinner in a small family restaurant. “They wanted me to draw their pictures.”

You can guess by now what Paschal said.

Now he is learning more about sculpting by helping his friend, sculptor and monument creator Ron Clamp of Memorial Designs carve a California gentle -woman’s likeness - out of granite. “Ron asked me to come over and give him a hand. What else could I say?” ◼

Above left: Senanque Abbey was inspired by Van Gogh and painted during an independent artist group’s trip to Provence. Below left: Paschal painted this waterfall in plein air in Costa Rica. Right: L’Isle sur la Sorgue was painted on the Provence trip Paschal took with a group of artist friends from About Face, a Columbia Museum of Art affiliate.

18 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Education: Dr. Fred Sykes: BS, Virginia State University, Meharry Medical College.

Dr. Chandra Sykes-Smith: BS, University of SC, Meharry Medical College, MSD, Case Western University

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We strive to provide the best quality of care to the most vulnerable (those in pain); to make pain go away and stay gone.

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Residency: Dr. Fred Sykes: Endodontics at Eisenhower Medical Center, US Army and Medical College of GA. Dr. Chandra Sykes-Smith: General Practice Residency at Samuel Stratton VA Hospital, Endodontics at Case Western University Specialty (both): Endodontics

Professional Affiliations (both): American Assn of Endodontics, American Dental Assn, SC Dental Assn, SC Assn of Endodontics, Greater Columbia Dental Assn; Dr. Fred Sykes: American Board of Endodontics

Awards: Dr. Fred Sykes: Various military awards after 26 years of active military service including service in the Republic of Vietnam, Retired from active duty as a Colonel.

Dr. Chandra Sykes-Smith: Ohio Dental Assn Table Clinics Presentations; Table Clinic Presentations at American Assn of Endodontics (2009), Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary Int’l

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March/April 2014 | 19

BUZZ art seen

Ballet Springs Forth New York Ballet Stars return

By Rachel Haynie

And if she comes back. . .

Columbia native brings New York City Ballet friends home for gala event

I

I

n April, Columbians will live out a beloved quotation attributed to Kahlil Gibran. Locally paraphrasing Gibran relates to a ballet dancer who launched from the University of South Carolina Dance Company with talent, sound fundamentals and skills, as well as performance presence remarkable enough to get her into the New York City Ballet Company. If the dancer, so loved by local audiences, was ours and we let her go – so she could make her way onto one of the world’s most venerable stages – she will come back.

If not, she was never ours to begin with.

She was, she has. And she will again, on Friday, April 11 when Ballet Stars of New York ignite the stage at the Koger Center for the Arts.

She is home town girl Sara Mearns, now a New York City Ballet Principal Dancer. And, fortunately for this capital city, she will return with five friends from the company. Together with current USC dance students, they will perpetuate one of the city’s most anticipated Spring cultural events.

Professor Susan Anderson, who leads USC’s dance program, said: “This April, the connectivity of this event and Columbia’s immutable place in the world of ballet is Benjamin Milliepied who recently ascended to the directorship of the Paris Opera Ballet. Like Sara is now, he was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet when he came to Columbia earlier in this series. For a dancer who graced the Koger Center stage, dancing with USC student dancers, to now be called to direct the world’s oldest and still most prestigious ballet company brings this event full circle.

USC student dancers never know where this experience can lead.”

Anderson credits dance faculty member Stacey Calvert for conceptualizing, then actualizing the highly-successful series. Also a Columbia native, Calvert was reared in dance by her mother

20 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Naomi Calvert and her godmother Ann Brodie, whose names were locally synonymous, for decades, with dance. Before Mearns danced her way into the New York City Ballet Company, Calvert was a soloist there. Since returning to Columbia, Calvert has been teaching and serving as associate artistic director of the USC Dance Company. In keeping with the tradition she set in motion, she will direct the concert again this April. And, again, the pieces will be quintessentially Balanchine.

“We are one of only a few colleges or universities approved by the George Balanchine Trust to dance his signature ballets,” said Calvert, who has danced featured roles in numerous Balanchine ballets.

Each year, the Balanchine trust approves USC Dance to present one of its approved ballets, matching the request with the roles to be danced and the available number of student dancers technically ready for the challenge.

“The chance to be chosen for one of these roles, to be on stage with the New York City Ballet dancers, is a strong incentive,” explained Anderson, whose most recent academic accolade was being named Carnegie Foundation’s Professor of the Year for South Carolina. She also has been the recipient of the South Carolina Governor’s Professor of the Year, and the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor. Since founding the USC dance program, Anderson has led it to an enviable position within dance academics.

About this year’s concert, Calvert added: “We are doing Stars and Stripes, Balanchine’s patriotic tribute to America, set to music

by John Philip Sousa. Being accompanied by the USC Symphony will make this evening even more spectacular!”

Anderson, also a dance historian, explained the significance of Balanchine’s creating Stars and Stripes. “When he came to this country from Russia and founded American neo-classical ballet, he fully embraced his new homeland, and this is an enthusiastic expression of his love for the American culture.”

Chairman of the USC Dance Board Jan Jernigan said: “We offer this gift to our city, thinking especially of those who may not have the opportunity to experience New York City Ballet in New York. And Stars and Stripes is particularly timely. Memorial Day is just ahead, and June 6 is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.” Calvert added: “That we have thirty student dancers ready to be cast for this piece is proof of the USC program’s advances. In those first couple of years, we had two or three juniors or seniors to dance on stage with six New York City Ballet dancers.”

While dance majors rehearse their roles locally, the New York Ballet stars will be brushing up on well-familiar leading roles from

their repertoires. “The New York dancers only arrive with enough advance time for one rehearsal with our students, and with USC Symphony,” Calvert said.

Stars and Stripes is noted for its exuberance and patriotic flourishes, from color and costumes to military elements. While the concert will feature two other Balanchine favorites, this 28-minute ballet will be the highlight.

“Columbia City Ballet has been very generous is lending some

of its male dancers to aid in the casting,” Anderson explained.

When the applause for the ballet dies down, another component of the eventful evening will commence, and those holding separate tickets for the gala will follow the distinctive sounds of Reggie Sullivan’s music to the Atrium of USC’s Public Health Building.

There patrons will meet, have photo opportunities with, and dine with the ballet stars. Proceeds from this extraordinary post-concert party will fund scholarships for USC dance students. ◼ For tickets and other information on the eighth annual Ballet Stars of New York Gala Performance, contact Rona Walstra, 803.777.1001 or walstrar@ mailbox.sc.edu.

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22 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

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BUZZ business

Truly All American A red, white, and blue color scheme, an eagle symbol, and a focus on God, country, and family distinguish this company and its owners.

By DEENA K. BOUKNIGHT Photographs by DEENA K. BOUKNIGHT

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alf of the employees of All American Heating and Air are family members, some employees are veterans, and annual charity support focuses on the military.

One employee quips that a reality show needs to focus on owners Gene and Debbie Royer as well as the blood relations and “work family” that make up the 20-plus-year-old West Columbiabased company. Turnover is low as the atmosphere at All American Heating and Air is a combination of hard work, integrity, honesty and fun. A few dogs accompany employees to work, and children or grandchildren sometimes hang out in Gene’s office and watch television.

A Family Affair Gene Royer grew up with his hands on appliances. His father worked in refrigeration, and by the time Gene was 12 years old, he was changing compressors and welding. As an adult, his patriotic fervor motivated him to enlist in the Army with the hopes of fighting in Vietnam, where his brothers were. They were wounded in battle; he was stationed in Germany and never experienced war but was implanted with a life-long appreciation for the men and women who serve America. (One of his brothers is retired military, and both received injuries in the Vietnam War.) After the war, Gene became licensed in plumbing, heating, and electrical. He attended and graduated from a six-month program at Whirlpool College, Michigan, in 1982. Eventually, he decided to open his own company – instead of working for others. Naming the business All American was a no brainer.

Gene’s wife Debbie is also ex-military. She was in the National Guard for 12 years and served as a military nurse. Besides hosting the annual Vet’s Christmas Charity Ride, which involves presents and donations to hospitalized veterans, All American offers a discount on products and services to military customers.

All American is not just about focusing on its own families – and military families – but they consider customers as extended family as well. Television commercials and informational videos highlight their family-owned and operated status, and tout this message, according to Debbie: “We are right here in their community with common interest and goals. We are here to get them the best equipment for their needs at an affordable price with the best warranties and service available.”

24 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

L-R: Gene Royer’s daughter, Bobbi Kowalewski, dispatcher, and Linda Royer, Gene’s sister-in-law, office manager and head dispatcher.

The company’s main slogan, in fact, is “Let our Family Help Your Family!” Even though Debbie says it might sound like All American is running for a political office, the words that truly define the company are quality work, professionalism, dependability and focus on family.

Two of the Royer’s sons and one of their daughters works at All American. The other two daughters, in college, assist with creative marketing ideas. Also employed at All American are a few nephews and a sister-in-law.

They also consider employees family and treat them as such.

“We’re a party bunch of fools here,” jokes Gene.

The company throws a large Christmas party for employees.

Fo r H a l l o w e e n , American rents space at Fort Wilderness C a m p g ro u n d a t Carowinds in Charlotte and treats employees and their families to Scarowinds.

“We have a blast!

We just want to treat people the way we would want to be treated,” says Gene.

Instilling Integrity All American does not employ a separate sales staff. Gene believes that in order to sell a product, he or she must know how it works and how to install it. “Our technicians are our sellers,” he says. “A technician that comes out of school and hasn’t worked on the product or installed it must get that experience.”

Technicians, some of whom are also installers, have the ability to sell – and are encouraged to sell. However, they are not paid on a commission basis. Gene believes commission-based pay results in “too much temptation for employees to be crooked. We pay them good salaries; we don’t want them to pressure customers for sales.

We also pay bonuses instead of incentives.

“We want our guys to have the utmost integrity,” adds Gene, “not just try to sell customers on products just to get a commission.

They need to be completely honest … look at a customer’s whole picture, and assess the situation. Someone with a problem might not be able to afford a completely repaired or new system right away. Our employees need to give them honest options.”

Adds Debbie, “Our employees have to be straight with our customers. They have to tell them the truth – always. A lot of people say things, as a company, but our employees really follow through. Customers know that. They trust us.”

With more than 80 percent of customers residential (about 20 percent is light commercial), the All American staff is in contact with homeowners daily. All American installs more than 500 products in homes annually. “One of our biggest issues is education,” says Gene.

“We want to make sure they do not just buy our products, but they know how to use them to get the greatest savings when heating and cooling. Because our technicians, who are also selling the products, know how they work, they are able to educate customers on the spot.”

Once a week in a staff meeting, employees are provided with additional education information to pass onto customers; it is also time to talk about customer service issues.

For example, All American will explain to customers that keeping a thermostat at a consistent temperature saves greatly on bills. Gene points to the savings, from $5,000 a month to $3,400 a month, for a motorcycle shop just by updating some equipment and keeping the thermostat consistent: “Customers need to know about the bells and whistles,” says Debbie.

Even the products All American carries focus on integrity.

They are American made – a must. Plus, the main two products – Westinghouse and Goodman – carry the weightier warranties.

“Westinghouse, in fact, will completely replace the product, not just repair it, within 10 years,” says Gene.

Besides providing heating and air units, All American installs, repairs, or replaces ultraviolet lights, humidifiers, attic insulation and duct systems.

All American keeps a warehouse stocked with these products – as well as replacement parts. Typically, the company provides same day or next day service. During inclement weather, when systems are bound to fail, All American technicians are on hand all through the night. Often, Gene is right there assisting technicians – or handling the call himself.

Weathering the Economic Storm Gene and Debbie attribute their focus on honesty and integrity as being the main reasons they were able to weather the economic downturn and avoid laying off any employees. Plus, Gene says he “saw it coming.” He says that when builders began to have trouble paying for products, the writing was on the wall. He stopped selling so many units to builders “way before things came crashing down.”

The Royers also centralized a few others locations into one location in West Columbia. The headquarters and warehouse are now in two buildings totaling 10,000 square feet. Their trucks are dispersed daily throughout all areas of Columbia and beyond so that technicians are never too far away from a customer. IPhone and IPad are provided so that there is efficient communication to the trucks from the headquarters.

Plus, Gene and Debbie make sure every existing employee is working efficiently. “We have no dead weight,” he says.

Finally, the couples say a key has been to focus on what they know they are good at. “We want to be masters of our trade, not a jack of all trades,” says Gene.

Instead of enduring some of the drastic blows that other companies have experienced in the past few years, All American has maintained consistency. As a result, they have enjoyed awards, such as Angie’s List Super Service Award for the past four years.

All American Heating and Air was also named Southeastern Dealer of the Year in 2010, and Lexington Life Magazine’s Best Heating and Air Conditioning Company for 2012 and 2013. ◼ All American Heating and Air www.allamericanheatingandair.com Columbia, Northeast, 803.788.6681 Garners Ferry, Downtown, 803.776.5838 Irmo, St. Andrews, 803.731.2568 Cayce, West Columbia, Lexington, 803.796.8356 March/April 2014 | 25

southern drawl

How Does His Garden Grow?

Hometown boy Andy Cabe was in the right place at the best time. Skill, vision and superb training helped seal the deal.

o one knows better than Andy Cabe that March, April and May are magical months in South Carolina gardens. “It’s when everything comes together to show off for us,” he says. This gardener, Director of Riverbanks Botanical Garden, also knows that the other 10 months of the year showcase beauties of their own, and are important for successful gardening. He and his staff are at it month in and month out, planning, ordering, stockpiling, digging and preparing for a bloomin’ success.

Andy Cabe is himself a home-grown product, born in Columbia, graduating Irmo High, a Clemson graduate with a B.S. in Horticulture. It was a natural progression, as his father was with the S. C. Forestry Commission. Upon graduation, he marked time for a bit in the restaurant business, but when an opening came along at Riverbanks Botanical Garden in 2000, he stepped to the front of the line and started his career part-time in the greenhouse.

It was a perfect fit from the start.

“I had a lot of luck,” he likes to say. “Other staff members left and I was able to move into full-time, first as a Horticulturist, then a Curator, and now Director of the Riverbanks Botanical Garden. I couldn’t be happier to be right here, right now.”

Riverbanks Zoo, co-supported by Richland and Lexington counties, is a Midlands success story, ranking among the top zoos in the country and drawing thousands of visitors to the area. Maybe not exactly blood, toil, sweat and tears, but the Zoo was created in effort, dedication and generous support a short 40 years ago. It’s birthday party time at Riverbanks, and celebration is in the air.

The Botanical Garden was added in 1995, thus it is now coming up on 20 years.

“A Richland-Lexington bond issue in the amount of $32 million has been approved,” says Cabe. “Now we have the green light for some much-needed additions and improvements. A new sea lion exhibit will bring back fond memories of one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits from years ago. The million-plus visitors headed here will find easier navigation at the expanded entrance and ticket booth, improved guest amenities, renovated retail and dining facilities, plus plenty of additional parking.”

“But the most exciting project on our Botanical Garden drawing board is the Children’s Garden coming soon. We think family visits to the Zoo are going to be fascinated with all the things they will find in the Children’s Garden. It’s to be on three acres adjacent to the big garden, educational and important but at the same time a lot of fun for kids. They’ll look, play, dig, wade, and learn while parents can relax nearby.”

This innovation lists heady activities, indeed. At the “dinosaur dig,” kids will simulate the work of archeologists unearthing history.

26 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

A moving stream invites wading and exploring of small marine plants and life. A working pond will demonstrate an eco-system approach to sustaining life while protecting the environment. And hey, a tree house calls out for climbing, adventure and imagination. Of course an educational building is planned, as well as a vegetable garden; look, kids, tomatoes don’t grow on the shelf at the grocery store!

The architecture team and zoo staff visited other such facilities around the country in order to choose the best features of each.

Site work begins soon, and the Children’s Garden should be up

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY RIVERBANKS BOTANICAL GARDEN

NN

By Jackie Perrone

Andy Cabe

» Birthplace: Columbia, SC

» Family:

Wife Margaret, Son Dylan

»

Education: BS Aquaculture and Horticulture, Clemson University, 1997

» Career

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden since 2000

» Affiliations:

American Public Gardens Association International Bulb Society Southeastern Palm and Exotic Plant Society

» Activities And Honors:

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAY BROWNE

Eagle Scout Contributor to professional publications and The State newspaper First Aid/CPR/AED certified

March/April 2014 | 27

southern drawl how gardens evolve,” says Andy Cabe. “It’s progress.”

Donor opportunities abound at Riverbanks. Benches and rocking chairs may be dedicated to honor someone, or as a memorial.

In the rose garden, blue lights, handmade of blown glass, are given.

All year round, busloads of schoolchildren and other visitors arrive at Riverbanks. Special science camps are offered, geared to the age of the student, and summer day-camps combine learning with fun.

Away from work, the Cabe green thumb shows up at home also. Yes, he has a home garden, beautiful bulbs and flowers but also practical with herbs and veggies. Cook-able items are grown in containers on the patio. “I like to cook,” he says, “on the grill outdoors whenever it’s nice out. Just-picked fresh herbs and vegetables are important.”

Does a professional horticulturalist have favorites among the plants? “Bulbs,” is Cabe’s prompt response. “And I like big-foliage plants such as elephant ears.”

It’s a safe bet that Andy Cabe’s wife Margaret and young son Dylan will be even more frequent visitors to the Zoo when this enhancement opens. Cabe points out, “It’s hard to do everything at the Zoo in one trip. Several hours viewing the animals, and several more in the Garden – some people can walk and stand that much but young children might not hold out as long. Some families may want to focus on Riverbanks as a two-day experience; do the zoo one day and the garden the next.”

Andy Cabe says that the Zoo and Gardens survived the recent economic slump pretty well, instituting some cost-effective changes in order to maintain high standards. It has continually drawn big crowds over recent years, with an all-time high of 1,039,372 visitors during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Lookin’ good for the next 40! ◼

and running in late 2015.

The horticulture and landscaping at the Zoo proper is separately administered, with Melodie Scott-Leach serving as Director of Habitat Horticulture. These two departments often share resources and expertise to get big projects done throughout the zoo and garden.

Perhaps one of the best-known features of the original Botanical Garden is its Old Rose Garden. Here’s how the Director describes it: “Heirloom roses are special in several specific ways.

They have a disease resistance that is not always found in newer varieties. Their fragrance is distinctive, and ease of maintenance is an important asset also. It’s easy for people to associate them with memories of grandmother’s garden. We like to display them, but it’s not a static exhibit, it’s more fluid. We mix with shrubs and trees and vary the setting.”

Different areas of the garden have themes. Perennial border plants may be divided according to “hot colored” or “pastel” or “purple” borders. Different shrubs may be featured for seasonal effect. After two decades, this is a mature garden rather than a new one. Young trees have become big ones, and the amount of shade or of sunlight must be considered for every plant. “That’s 28 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Events at Riverbanks Botanical Garden are accelerating into their spring-and-summer mode. The official countdown for Riverbanks 40th Birthday Party begins on Monday, March 17: weekly discounts, specials, and fun happenings promised.

Saturday, March 22, sees the annual Springtime in the Garden Festival, an all-day celebration for kick-starting local gardening. “Dig up inspiration!” is this year’s slogan, with Master Gardeners from Clemson Extension on hand with advice. In addition to garden-related activities, live music and arts-and-crafts stations just for kids is offered. Free with membership or general admission.

Friday, April 25, Wine-Tasting: 7 to 9:30 p.m. for adults.

This is also the day that Riverbanks marks its 40th Birthday celebration.

An eagerly-anticipated annual occasion is the Spring Plant Sale, being held this year on April 26 through the morning hours. Free admission, thousands of annuals, perennials, shrubs and more, with experts on hand to advise and assist – crowds flock to the Garden Growing Center, 1201 Seminole Drive, West Columbia to add to their planting landscape and tackle new garden projects.

Every Thursday in May, Rhythm and Blooms: evenings from 6 to 9: come for Family Night. Live music, food and beverages, visit with the staff as well as other gardeners, relax, learn and enjoy.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden www.riverbanks.org

BUZZ staff picks

The Undeniable Dazzle of Downton Abbey

FF

By Courtney Webb

or four seasons many of us have been captivated by the British drama Downton Abbey, the show has secured the minds and hearts of millions all over world with it’s famed sweeping castle vistas, riveting plot and unforgettable characters. Sometimes waiting for the next installment can be quite tortuous so why wait to get your period drama fix?

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle, and Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess Carnarvon

Penned by the current Countess of Carnarvon who now resides at Highclere castle where Downton Abbey is filmed, these non-fiction companion books delve into the history that inspired much of the series. Lady Almina, wife of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who is best known as the discoverer of King Tut’s tomb, is most notably recognized for her nursing of wounded officers in the aftermath of World War I when she chose to open her home as a hospital for recovering soldiers.

The American wife of the 6th Earl known as Lady Catherine in turn almost certainly launched the creation of Lady Cora who as we all know helped renew the fortunes of the family estate with her significant dowry at the time of her marriage. Diving into the family archives, records and photographs allows readers unique insight into the very real people who once inhabited the life, time and place that Downton now represents so well.

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

Take a dash of modern women, a spoonful of good southern charm and a generous helping of a very Mr. Carson-like British concierge and you have the new novel While We Were Watching Downton Abbey. The mix of female characters lovingly concocted by Atlanta author Wendy Wax represents a tellingly true depiction of the wide range in audience that the beloved series has drawn as devoted followers and how this camaraderie has lead to many moments of bonding among both strangers and dear friends alike. Newbie watchers of the series beware however as the book does contain some major plot spoilers from the very first season.

Habits of the House Series by Fay Weldon

Writer Fay Weldon known most notably as the award-winning writer of Upstairs, Downstairs has turned her immeasurable talent to another historical hit in this new trilogy.

Set slightly before the Downton era towards the end of the London season in 1899, readers will once again be transported to a time and place far from their own. Devotees will enjoy reading along as the Earl of Dilberne finds himself in deep financial troubles that will threaten to upset the aristocratic family and its staff both upstairs and down at 17 Belgrave Square.

Additional Reading for the Devoted Downton Fan

Mouseton Abbey: The Missing Diamond by Nick Page (Ages 3-7) Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Tale Memoir that inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey by Margaret Powell Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

March/April 2014 | 29

Restore, Refresh, and

Rejuvenate

WITH LEXINGTON PLASTIC SURGERY Todd Lefkowitz, MD, a dual board-certified plastic surgeon with Lexington Medical Center, is now accepting new patients at his practice, Lexington Plastic Surgery. A West Columbia native, Dr. Lefkowitz provides a full range of plastic surgery services, including surgical and non-surgical aesthetic facial rejuvenation, Todd LefkowiTz, Md

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Well Styled beauty

grooming

newsmaker

Looking Good, Feeling Great ŠIstock.com/Malyugin

Trends and tips on making small (or large) changes in your appearance and for your health.

March/April 2014 | 31

WELL STYLED beauty

Restore, Rejuvenate, Enhance, Improve Restore, Rejuvenate, Enhance, Improve Restore, Rejuvenate, Enhance, Improve

32 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

By CECILE S. HOLMES

in the number of men pursuing procedures.

That also includes noninvasive procedures: Botox, lasers to the face,” Culbertson says.

“Remember that plastic surgery has two largest branches or wings,” he says.

“One is reconstructive surgery or rebuilding an individual. In such cases, we’re most concerned about closing the wound, maintaining the function. Our last concern is the appearance.

“The second wing is aesthetic or cosmetic surgery. This is surgery that is not medically necessary. It restores or improves the appearance of a normal individual.

Someone comes to you who has aged, or

they may have been a model.”

In a sense, the goals are different when it comes to rejuvenation. Physicians are seeking to help patients gain confidence and look younger and refreshed. Especially with men, plastic surgeons strive for subtlety and for keeping the results natural looking.

Once middle-aged men went to plastic surgeons seeking liposuction to get rid of the paunch or spare tire they’d put on over the years. Nowadays, however, young men come in for more high definition liposuction, the kind of body sculpting that lends itself to an abdominal six-pack.

As patients’ desires and demands

©Istock.com/Stefanolunardi

PP

lastic surgery is on the rise across the nation and in South Carolina. From tummy tucks to Botox to liposuction, even men and women are getting in line to achieve the face or body of their dreams.

“In fact, the largest number of plastic surgeons per capita isn’t in Hollywood. It’s in Salt Lake City, Utah. I couldn’t believe it, “ says Dr. Gary Culbertson, a Sumter plastic surgeon and past president of the South Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and a diplomat for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

“I like to think of what we do as kind of like the specialized contractor you call to fix the house,” Culbertson says. “We restore, rejuvenate, enhance and improve the appearance of the individual.”

While men still fall behind women in the number of cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries performed nationwide, plastic or cosmetic surgery for men is much more common now than it was just a few years ago. Men may enter the plastic surgery arena at the encouragement of their significant others or while they are undergoing a difficult life transition such as a divorce.

Men are now requesting a variety of cosmetic procedures. In the U.S. in 2012, men numbered nine percent of all cosmetic procedures. That’s a 121 percent increase over 1997.

Topping the list in popularity of cosmetic procedures for men, according to one medical source, are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), eyelid surgery, gynecomastia (the removal of excess breast tissue) and ear reshaping.

“Nationally there has been an increase

If you’re not happy with your body, your nose has always bugged you or those wrinkles are making you sad, join the club.

Physicians are seeking to help patients gain confidence and look younger and refreshed. change, plastic surgeons are keeping up.

Ragan Communications and PR Daily, producers of the ACE awards (Awarding Communication Excellence), has named The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) winner of the 2013 award

medical information from plastic surgeons, in addition to tool kits, product giveaways, and well known bloggers offering their take on plastic surgery. It also provides questionand-answer snippets on various procedures and details on new trends in plastic surgery.

Choose a surgeon you can trust.

Plastic surgery involves many choices.

The first and most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust.

Choosing an ASPS Member Surgeon ensures that you have selected a physician who:

» » » » »

Courtesy American Society of Plastic Surgeons

for its effort in changing perceptions of the plastic surgery industry using social media.

The ACE Award honors individuals, agencies and in-house teams who have used communication to overcome obstacles.

The society even created its own special guide for consumers looking for “accurate, unbiased information” on various aspects of plastic surgery. (The information is accessible by typing Smart Beauty Guide into a browser, tablet or smart phone.)

The service took two years to develop.

Aesthetic surgeons created it to serve as the consumer face of the society for their patients. Smart Beauty Guide showcases basic

“Our new Smart Beauty Guide demonstrates not only our commitment to providing consumers with a real and unbiased source of knowledge but also goes a long way to ensure that everyone has the information they need to make informed and safe decisions,” Dr. Jack Fisher, the society’s president, says on the group’s website (www. surgery.org).

Trends in plastic surgery for men and women in South Carolina follow national trends though the Palmetto State tends to be a little more conservative, according to Culbertson, the Sumter plastic surgeon.

“As you get toward Charlotte, you’re

»

Has completed at least five years of surgical training with a minimum of two years in plastic surgery.

Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.

Operates only in accredited medical facilities Adheres to a strict code of ethics.

Fulfills continuing medical educ ation requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.

Is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or in Canada by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.

Courtesy American Society of Plastic Surgeons

March/April 2014 | 33

WELL STYLED beauty going to see a little bit more of an uptick (in such surgeries) because there will be more disposable income, “ he says.

“And, when you’re down along the coast, there tends to be a bit more cosmetic surgery,” says Culbertson. “Again, there tends to be more disposable income. Charleston is kind of artsy and patients in the region seem to have more aesthetic surgery.”

Like his counterparts in other regions, Culbertson views himself as a patient advocate. For example, plastic surgeons worked hard to establish laws to for safer ambulatory (outpatient) surgery and pushed for health insurance companies to cover breast reconstruction in SC for women who have had breast cancer long before the national mandate.

“It makes sense,” he says. “If you have surgery for breast cancer, why not start on the road to reconstruction. It’s psychologically important to the woman.” ◼ Cecile S. Holmes is an associate professor of journalism at the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Courtesy American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery urges patients ask themselves three questions before submitting to plastic surgery. www.surgery.org

1.

Is this really what I want?

Unless you’re getting reconstructive or reparative plastic surgery, you’re likely considering a cosmetic procedure.

Thousands of people book aesthetic surgeries every year, but before you join their ranks, make sure you actually want the procedure. If you feel like you’re being pushed into the decision to get a breast augmentation or tummy tuck by a significant other, family member or friend, it’s time to pump the brakes. Though you can certainly ask your loved ones for their input, the decision to go under the knife should be yours and yours alone.

2.

Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS www.garyculbertson.com

34 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Have I considered all of my options?

It’s not uncommon for patients to get their hearts set on a certain procedure, but sometimes, there may be plastic surgeries that you aren’t aware of that could better help you achieve your goals. For example, you may come to your cosmetic surgeon saying you want a tummy tuck to help you lose weight, not realizing that tummy

tucks are actually about tightening skin, not shedding unwanted pounds (although liposuction may be a good alternative.)

3.

Have I found a qualified plastic surgeon?

Imagine you’re on your way to the emergency room with a broken arm. As you get out of the ambulance, someone approaches you and says they can fix your broken arm for a much better price if you’ll go back to their office. Most people would say, “No way!” That’s exactly how you should react to individuals who try to offer you discount plastic surgery.

Before you agree to go under the knife, you must have evidence of your cosmetic surgeon’s training and board certification.

Don’t be afraid to ask about it during your consultation - if your doctor is qualified, he or she will have no issue showing you proof. Should an aesthetic surgeon refuse to answer your inquiries, it’s time to move on to a more qualified individual.

Questions to Ask My Plastic Surgeon You’ll achieve the best results from plastic surgery if you and your surgeon communicate openly and work together to achieve realistic goals. An understanding of your goals, expectations and motivation is essential to a successful partnership between you and your surgeon, helping both of you to determine whether plastic surgery is the right choice for you.

Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

• Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?

• Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?

• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?

• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?

If so, at which hospitals?

• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?

• How many procedures of this type have you performed?

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

• Where and how will you perform my procedure?

• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?

• How are complications handled?

• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery?

• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Courtesy ASPS

The Price of Beauty

The following average prices are from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. National average for physician/surgeon fees per procedure.

PROCEDURE Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)............................... $5,419 Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) ............... $3,205 Breast Augmentation, silicone-gel implants........... $3,918 Breast Augmentation, saline implants..................... $3,535 Breast Lift................................................................ $4280 Breast Reduction (women)...................................... $5272 Buttock Lift............................................................. $4,820 Chin Augmentation................................................ $2,480 Facelift...................................................................... $6,607 Forehead Lift........................................................... $3,358 Lower-body Lift...................................................... $8,085 Otoplasty (cosmetic ear surgery)............................. $3,205 Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping).................................. $4,436 Thigh Lift................................................................ $4,933 Upper-arm Lift........................................................ $4,055 INJECTABLES Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox, Dysport)............ $326 Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radeisse)....................... $634 Hyaluronic Acid (including Prevelle, Belotero,....... $550 Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane, Elevess) Poly-L-Latic Acid (Sculptra).................................. $941 SKIN REJUVENATION Chemical Peel.......................................................... $560 Dermabrasion.......................................................... $1,590 Fractional Resurfacing, ablative............................... $1,948 Fractional Resurfacing, nonablative......................... $1,161 IPL/Photorejuvenation........................................... $381 Laser Skin Resurfacing, ablative.............................. $2,349 Laser Skin Resurfacing, nonablative....................... $1,357 Microdermabrasion................................................. $122 Nonsurgical Skin Tightening.................................. $1,563 Other new products: Liposonix average starts at $1,103.

LaViv is $2,250 for the cells to be taken and grown and then $1,000 for the injections (three times, bringing the cost of the injections to $3,000).

March/April 2014 | 35

Well Styled grooming

Don’t Bug Me A better way to wipe out head lice.

T

wo little boys can be a handful, but try coping with two little boys who have head lice. Columbia mom Kim Redd was at her wit’s end: worried, embarrassed and frustrated.

Her sons Hampton, then six, and Manning, five, probably picked up head lice from a playmate who was infested with the pesky parasites. It was absolutely effortless for the boys to get a headful of the tiny bugs, and seemingly impossible to eradicate them.

“I tried over-the-counter treatments,” Redd said. “I tried prescription remedies. I couldn’t get rid of them.”

Her frustration was financial, as well – she estimates she spent about $250 on the anti-lice treatments that didn’t work. Then a

Working as an RN, Sheila Fassler quickly discovered that head lice could be a difficult and stressful problem to eradicate. She found a solution. Today, young patients such as Piper find the treatments to be soothing and comfortable.

36 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

friend mentioned a place in Charlotte – Pediatric Hair Solutions – that used a new, scientific method to wipe out head lice. And that’s what finally worked on her kids.

“It was the best thing – 30 minutes and done.”

Two years later, there’s a new Pediatric Hair Solutions in Columbia and Redd is on staff, bringing people good news about their treatment options as well as the compassion that comes from personal experience.

“Once you experience something like this, as a mother, you really feel for people,” she said.

Persistent Cycle The story of Pediatric Hair Solutions includes scientific/ academic research, a case study in entrepreneurship, and the public health concerns of the married couple – a doctor and nurse – who head the company. But at the heart of the business is the story of another compassionate mother: Sheila Fassler.

Fassler, a registered nurse, moved from Ohio to Charlotte with her physician husband in 1996. Their son and daughter never had a problem with head lice. But as a volunteer nurse at her children’s school, she saw it plenty of times.

A major misconception about head lice infestation is that it only occurs in families with poor hygiene, careless health practices and sloppy housekeeping. “That’s just not true,” Fassler said.

“I urge people to be aware of the sensitive nature of having head lice,” she said. “There should not be a stigma about it. Anyone can get head lice.”

And they can be a persistent problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head lice are sixlegged parasites whose only hosts are humans. A single louse is only about the size of a sesame seed. It feeds on blood and cements its eggs to hair close to the scalp. Lice only live about 30 days, but they lay eggs, called nits, that also stick to the hair. Nits hatch in about a week and the cycle starts again.

During her eight years as a school nurse, Fassler noticed that parents increasingly were having a terrible time getting rid of their children’s head lice. Just like some bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the bugs were gaining resistance to lice treatments.

“Then, manufacturers made strong, then stronger pesticides, resulting in lice who became more resistant to the chemicals,” Fassler said. The CDC describes several home and prescription treatments that can be safe if used correctly – but also notes that some have the potential to irritate skin, be toxic to the brain and nervous system, or even catch fire. An estimated six million to 12 million head lice infestations occur each year in the U.S. A New Option Concerned about kids’ health, Fassler began a search for a safer solution. It led her to the University of Utah. Biologists there invented a device they called the LouseBuster, about which a study was published in the 2006 issue of the journal [Pediatrics.]

Photograph by John Mullally

T

By Linda H. Lamb Photographs by Sally Taylor

Basically, it uses heated air – sort of like a hairdryer – to dehydrate and kill lice and their eggs.

Fassler received permission to use the device, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and rebranded as the Air Alle. Now she is owner, and her husband, John, is medical director, of Pediatric Hair Solutions. Their other treatment centers are in Atlanta; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, Raleigh and WinstonSalem, NC; and Columbus, Ohio. To date, they’ve treated more than 4,000 people.

Treatment with the Air Alle device is not cheap. But Pediatric Hair Solutions also offers a less-expensive “traditional” option. The 30-minute Air Alle treatment is $185 per person, which includes an initial consultation, diagnostic head check and 30-minute comb-out.

Clients also need to use a nontoxic pretreatment shampoo ($25) that kills all of the live bugs. The “traditional”package starts at $85 per family and includes consultation, head check, instructions and a demonstration.

It comes with enough anti-lice shampoo to treat two people (depending on hair volume) and also includes a follow-up office visit.

The more expensive option with the Air Alle device is “for the person who wants the problem to go away immediately,” Fassler said. She added that many people who come to Pediatric Hair Solutions have already spent money on remedies that didn’t work.

“It’s a nuisance that needs to be addressed, because it won’t go away on its own,” she said. “The whole point of this is to help families during what can be a very stressful and anxiety-provoking experience.” ◼ Pediatric Hair Solutions: 217 Pickens St., Columbia, SC 29205 Hours: By appointment Online: www.PediatricHairSolutions.com Phone: 803.730.43

Kim Redd of Pediatric Hair Solutions demonstrates the Air Alle device used to treat head lice. Her 8-year-old patient reports that it “feels really, really warm.”

HEAD LICE MYTHS & FACTS Myth: Only people in unclean living conditions get head lice.

Fact: Anyone can get head lice if exposed to someone else who is infested – often, preschool or elementary-aged kids who are in close contact.

Myth: A child easily can develop head lice by playing with an infested child’s toys.

Fact: That’s not impossible, but it is much more common to pick up head lice through head-to-head contact – as is common when children are together at a playground, sports team, camp or sleepover.

Myth: If someone in the household has head lice, the whole house should be sprayed or fumigated.

Fact: These products can be toxic and aren’t necessary. Lice die within a couple of days after they fall off a person. However, it’s recommended to wash and dry the infested child’s clothing, bedding and other items; vacuum floors and furniture; and definitely check others in the household for head lice.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention March/April 2014 | 37

Well Styled

Photographs Courtesy Lexington Medical Center

newsmaker

After-the-Baby Beautiful Helping Moms regain their bodies after babies and the aging process.

W

By Dr. Todd Lefkowitz

We caught up with Dr. Todd Lefkowitz of Lexington Plastic Surgery, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice, to discuss several options to help new Moms look and feel their best after the new arrival. In his own words …

Motherhood will change a woman’s life forever. Welcoming a baby into the world is undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences we can ever imagine. But while giving birth is a tremendous gift, it often leaves women’s bodies changed forever, too.

Pregnancy stretches the skin in the tummy area. During this time, the skin often loses its elasticity like a stretched rubber band.

Pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall, too, because the weight and growth of the baby in your belly spreads out the abdominal muscles toward your sides. After pregnancy, no matter how many sit-ups you do, the abdominal muscles might not go back into their original position. While it’s at times possible to regain a flat belly after pregnancy, it’s not a reality for most women.

In addition, hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, combined with breastfeeding, can cause breasts to enlarge, then shrink, leaving excess skin and a deflated looking breast.

Post pregnancy, many women are back in the gym and

38 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

exercising. Their weight may even be the same as it was before they became pregnant. But they often tell us that they just can’t get their body back. Sometimes, there are certain things only surgery can fix.

That’s where a surgical procedure known as the Mommy Makeover comes in. This operation combines a breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction to address the issues that are common to post-pregnancy bodies. The Mommy Makeover is for women who’ve decided that they are finished bearing children. We tailor the procedure specifically to each patient to help her achieve the best results for her body.

First, the Mommy Makeover will restore a woman’s breasts so that they are more similar to pre-pregnancy. This part may include a breast lift, implants or both. Second, the procedure will improve and tighten the tummy to eliminate excess, stretched skin and reorient the abdominal muscles to their normal position.

Third, liposuction will help to remove unwanted fat, especially in the love handles. The goal of surgery is to help you regain that body you once had. Sometimes, moms only want to address one particular body part, while others prefer to address the breast and

Dr. Todd Lefkowitz of Lexington Plastic Surgery, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice.

tummy at the same time.

We also know that motherhood and long recovery times don’t mix. So, our team works to get patients back to their routine as soon as possible. In most cases, the Mommy Makeover is an outpatient procedure at Lexington Medical Center’s ambulatory surgery center in Lexington. Usually, women will be able to go home in the early evening on the day of their surgery. They are able to return to their normal activities in two weeks.

It’s important to point out that the Mommy Makeover is not a weight loss procedure. We recommend waiting at least six months after delivering a baby before having a tummy tuck in order to allow the body to fully recover. Also, patients should wait about

three months after finishing breastfeeding in order to achieve the best results from a breast lift.

Further down the road, another popular surgery that many patients choose, often as they reach their late 40s, is a facelift and necklift. After all, your face is the first impression that you make to everyone and the first thing people notice about you.

As we age, the effects of gravity, genetics and environmental factors such as sun exposure cause sagging skin in the face and neck, loose jowls and loss of volume that can accentuate wrinkles and folds. In fact, the neck is one of the first places to show the ageing process with sagging skin. During facelift and necklift surgery, the skin is restored to a more youthful position.

Usually performed in our outpatient surgery center in Lexington, patients should be able to return home in the evening on the same day of their surgery. They can return to work in approximately 2 weeks and begin exercising again in 4 to 6 weeks.

And just like women, men can be ideal candidates for facelift and necklift surgery, too.

We usually see our patients twice before surgery to make sure they are comfortable and happy with their treatment plan. Our goal is to give patients a refreshed, rejuvenated and natural look.

How we feel about our appearance is important to our overall well-being. Achieving beautiful and natural results is our goal at Lexington Plastic Surgery. ◼ Lexington Plastic Surgery Lexington Medical Park 1, Suite 105 2728 Sunset Boulevard West Columbia, SC 29169 (803) 936-7045 www.lexplasticsurgery.com March/April 2014 | 39

The Great Outdoors

Springtime in the Mountains Sometimes, you want to find a different direction.

Sometimes, you need a mountain view from your room!

ah,

By Katie Osteen

the Appalachians. Oldest in the world, these mountains look and feel mysterious – and yet, somehow accessible. For generations, families all over the Carolinas hopped on trains and headed for those cool, blue-tinged hills. Boarding houses and oletimey campgrounds attracted folks who wanted hills, dark shadows, a different feel. Guess what? It’s the same in 2014 as it was in 1914 – with a few more creature comforts.

Where do you want to go as the weather warms and the green foliage returns? Bumpy land lovers, the time is now to plan your springtime mountain getaway.

Asheville www.exploreasheville.com 800.257.1300 Asheville is surrounded by one million acres of forest – a springtime heaven on earth for outdoor aficionados. Gentle breezes, clear skies and gorgeous flowers are all hallmarks of springtime downtown and the nearby wilderness. Hikes, a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a spring festival, strolling through a farmer’s market – it’s all good. Be sure to catch the vibe that resonates here – an adventurous spirit with a strong commitment to the land and local food movement.

specialties and fun-filled tastings.

For another tasty ramble, consider the WNC Cheese Trail. It connects farms making delicious goat and cow’s milk cheeses.

Biltmore Estate: the gardens come alive in the spring and as everything greens up, the long drive to reach Biltmore House is cool and lovely. Shopping at the village is a must-do, as well.

Shopping is king. You will find quirky stores and boutiques and one-of-a-kind artist’s offerings in dozens of galleries and stores. Take your credit card and get a head start on holiday gifts.

Big Canoe, North Georgia www.bigcanoe.com 770.893.2733 Big Canoe’s park-like setting includes 8,000+ acres of pristine woodlands, meadows, lakes and streams, of which over 2,000 are accessible greenspace. With the added punch of resort-style amenities like golf, tennis, swimming, state-of-the-art fitness center, over 22 miles of trails and more than 50 clubs and organizations, there is simply never a lack of things to do. Amenities are available to overnight guests. Some require fees.

»» Insider tips:

Springtime is a great time to visit several of their 250 restaurants and sit outside. It’s as if every restaurant tries to outdo the next. What a delicious competition.

Take note: 18 breweries have great 40 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

»» Insider tips:

The Village Festival, just outside the gates, is held each Saturday from 9-12, starting April through October. More than 60 vendors participate each week.

There are many interesting towns nearby to visit such as Dahlonega with its wineries and Blue Ridge with all its great shops.

A 27-hole Championship golf course, with mountain peaks as backdrop, winds through valleys, rushing streams, clear lakes and cliffs where you can watch your drive soar off mountain tops. A beautiful Clubhouse at Lake Sconti has a restaurant and golf shop.

The Tennis Center includes eight outdoor courts (4 lighted) and 2 indoors.

A 16,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art fitness facility has top of the line equipment, court for racquetball/squash and a five-lane indoor pool.

Over 22 miles of hiking and biking trails connect to lush scenery, trout streams and various meadows.

Three lakes for swimming, fishing and boating. Fishing is one of the most popular amenities with 1,000 lbs. of Rainbow trout stocked in Lake Petit each month except in summer.

Three pools. Lake Disharoon is popular with its sandy beach, free form pool, picnic area, paddleboats, canoes and the famous rockslide.

Boone, NC www.exploreboonearea.com 828.266.1345

Blowing Rock www.blowingrock.com 800.295.7851 The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right beside their beautiful village – how photogenic.

Tweetsie Railroad – creating wonderful childhood memories since 1957. Outdoor activities in abundance, including Ricky Knob Mountain Bike Park, with 185 acres of great mountain biking.

There’s so much to see and do around Boone in all seasons. Although ski season has wound down, March Madness offers end of the season low rates for skiing at Ski Beech, Ski Sugar and Appalachian Ski Mountain. Hawksnest offers snow tubing and also features the longest zipline in the region, open year-round (weather permitting.)

Once Spring officially arrives, Tweetsie Railroad opens on April 11, giving the entire family a fun way to experience the wild, wild west. A springtime visit would have to include a trip to Grandfather Mountain, with its magnificent views and occasionally surprising weather. Bring a warm jacket and camera, just in case you spot black bears, deer, river otters, cougars, or perhaps, predatory birds.

Beech Mountain Resort www.BeechMountainResort.com 800.438.2093

Boone Photograph by Carly Fleming

»» Insider tips:

Shopping in March and April in Blowing Rock is great. Shop owners have deep discounts on winter merchandise, plus feature their new spring inventories.

Westglow Spa – Spend the day at the #4 spa in the world according to Travel + Leisure 2013 World’s Best List – amazing!

Vx3 Trail Rides – small group guided horseback riding in and around the area; an entertaining guide who knows history and more.

Hiking. Try the trails at Moses Cone or the Glen Burney Trail.

Blowing Rock Ale House – their own brews accompanied by fabulous chef creations, casual but extraordinary.

Lodging available if you are “overserved.”

Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival– April 10-13. Food, wine, craft beers and fun.

The beautiful, historic Hemlock Inn, set just off main street in downtown Blowing Rock, is within walking distance to many of the high country’s activities and attractions for all seasons. All the amenities, close to all the attractions in the area. A true mountain retreat, it’s in the middle of everything.

up the mountain, or the 13-mile Tanawha Trail. Try entering from the parking area at popular Rough Ridge Overlook on the Parkway, (milepost 302).

Linville Caverns is a great attraction in any weather! It’s all underground.

An easier walk is the trail around Bass Lake, which also offers access to the Moses Cone Estate. (The trail also connects to the entire 26-miles of former carriage trails at the estate (for adventurers with more endurance).

During your stay, two restaurants to consider are the Gamekeeper, with a menu that offers unexpected delights, such as ostrich, bison, rabbit and mountain trout.

Family-style, country cooking can be found at the famous Dan’l Boone Inn. Need accommodations? Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis is famous for luxurious hospitality an gourmet dinners. In Boone, consider the Lovill House Inn, a consistent AAA Four Diamond Award winner.

Beech Mountain Resort’s trails will cover a wide range of skill levels, challenging riders from novice to pro. The trails, scenic lift rides, the Beech Tree Bar and Grille, and the new Skybar “5506” will be open this summer every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from June through September. Scenic lift rides to the Skybar “5506” are also available to patrons.

The Skybar is the highest in the East.

It’s a glass roundhouse named for Beech Mountain’s superlative elevation and offers food and beverage service in comfort. A new observation deck is ideal for relaxing with friends.

»» Insider tips:

At Grandfather, you can take behindthe-scenes tours of animal habitats, as well as naturalist guided tours of trails and forest area. At 11am each day, members of the naturalist staff take weather and climate observations in front of the Fudge Shop (and enjoy a piece of chocolate heaven). For hikers, consider the tough, three-mile hike March/April 2014 | 41

The Great Outdoors

Black Mountain www.blackmountain.org 800.669.2301 Take a walk through historic downtown and find unique gift shops, galleries, craft stores, and frequently, local craftsmen demonstrating iron works, dulcimer making, and throwing pottery.Forty restaurants range from upscale cuisine, to country cooking and BBQ. Visitors in the spring will enjoy dining al fresco, light sweater recommended.

»» Insider tips:

Enjoy a round of golf at Black Mountain’s famous 747 yard par 6 course (one of the longest in the world). Outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in hiking and biking along the area’s numerous scenic trails.

Don’t miss the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Stroll around Lake Tomahawk. Drink in the ever-changing mountain views.

Luxuriate in the peace and fresh air.

Visit during the 38th LEAF Festival, May 11-14, in downtown Black Mountain.

Music, crafts, fun and food bring folks back to the twice yearly festival to enjoy a super fun, entertaining weekend. www.theleaf.org 42 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Discover more about their great arts festivals, including Blue to Black Art Weekend, Black Mountain Arts & Crafts show and Art in Bloom. It’s an appealing town with lots to do, especially when spring weather hits and everyone enjoys the views, artistic talent, and great people.

angling for a good time (and a rainbow trout), there are over 500 miles of fishable streams within a one hour drive of downtown Brevard. And the nearby Davidson River is ranked as one of the top fly fishing rivers in the U.S. The many wonderful galleries and restaurants in charming Downtown Brevard may lure even the more hardened outdoorsperson out of the woods and into a boutique. Of particular note are Drew Deane Gallery and Red Wolf Gallery, both in downtown Brevard. Mud Dabbers, in Cedar Mountain, is a great spot to find high quality, locally made pottery. You can even take a class and wheel-throw your own masterpiece.

Cheers! Brevard Brewing Company, in downtown Brevard, specializes in lagers. Sample their flagship Germaninspired lager at 63 E. Main. Just outside

Brevard and Transylvania County www.visitwaterfalls.com 800.648.4523 Spring is a superb time to get to know Transylvania County before summer summons campers and adventurers alike.

The usually mild temperatures make for great exploring. There’s almost always something going on around town. Check the calendar at visitwaterfalls.org for updates. Come experience the wonder of Appalachian Spring.

With more than 250 waterfalls to choose from, visitors can easily find a cascade to call their own. The intrepid can take the trip down Sliding Rock, where 11,000 gallons of water a minute flows over a smooth rock into a chilling pool.

Check out their website for the skinny on their best waterfalls and swimming holes.

»» Insider tips:

Over 300 miles of outstanding singletrack in Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest have earned Transylvania County a reputation as a mountain biking mecca. In fact, Bike Magazine calls Transylvania County “America’s Best Kept Secret.” This is a great time of year to hit some singletrack and see the sights.

Fly fishing is tops, here. For anyone

of downtown, beer fans can stop in at the Oskar Blues Brewery and the Tasty Weasel Taproom to sample the wares and hear live music almost every night of the week.

For live music, consider checking out the line-up at 185 King Street, a cool little venue that regularly hosts great local bands as well as surprise performances from music legends. The same goes for The Phoenix, a hip, comfy venue offering an eclectic mix of bands and solo acts.

Cashiers www.DestinationCashiers.com 828.743.5941 Enjoy the beauty and drama of the area’s many waterfalls, the Cashiers’ Area authenticity and village charm, world class recreation, plus seasonal festivals,

Brevard Photograph By TRANSYLVANIA TOURISM/TRACY TURPEN

Beech Mountain Resort’s newly constructed disc golf course offers a challenging and unique design. Play nine holes with one lift ride, or play a full eighteen, requiring three lift rides.

The newest craft brewery in Western North Carolina has opened in the Alpine Village. Beech Mountain Brewing Co. has the capacity to brew up to 100 gallons per day and will be open year round to serve skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and other resort visitors.

The brewery features three distinct ales created on-site, with consulting from award-winning brewer Will Young of Blind Squirrel in nearby Plumtree. Heading the list of beers is the 5506 Pale Ale, followed by the Cream and Scotch Ales available by the pint or the growler. Flight tastings are also available, along with brewery tours, which include a pint and a keepsake glass.

Beech Mountain Brewing Co. is open Thursday through Sunday. Visit BeechMountainResort.com for more information and details.

Come see what the fuss is all about...

So Many Places to Bike!

Ask for your FREE! Travel Guide today!

Wineries & Breweries Tasting Tours

Garden Jubilee

Memorial Day weekend NC Apple Festival Labor Day weekend Flat Rock Playhouse mid-April thru late-December North Carolina Mountain State Fair early September Music On Main Street June thru late-August, every Friday

Carl Sandburg Home

al Historic w o n Downt

Flat Rock Playhouse

Annual Events

DuPont State Recreational Forest

Street Dances July thru mid-August, every Monday Art On Main first Saturday & Sunday in October Farm City Day first Saturday in October

Check out

800.828.4244 historichendersonville.org

March/April 2014 | 43

The Great Outdoors Western North Carolina

art exhibits, outdoor concerts, dining and shopping. Western North Carolina’s Jackson County tourism opportunities range from “up-mountain” visits to the Cashiers area, to “down-mountain” stops in Sylva/Dillsboro, or Native American celebrations in Cherokee. Play On.

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800.872.4681

May 3: Take the 22nd annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain cycling Experience.

Century, Metric & ¼ Century bike rides across scenic, high-elevation byways with more than 10,000 feet in altitude gains (www.TourdeCashiers.com) May 24-25: Mountain Arts & Crafts Show presented by the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley – a popular annual event featuring Appalachian region artisan demonstrations and displays ranging from quilting to woodwork, painting to jewelry, set among the flowering colors of the Village Green park at the Crossroads.

Held twice each year, bookending the summer months.

Hendersonville and Henderson County www.historicHenderonville.org 800.828.4244 Whether you’re looking for great entertainment, great adventure, or just a great view, Hendersonville and Henderson County, NC, just several short hours away, has something for everyone as warmer weather arrives.

»» Insider tips:

Take in a comedy, drama or fantastic musical at Flat Rock Playhouse, the official state theater of North Carolina. For show information or tickets, visit their website at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

If it’s the outdoors you crave, make a visit to The Carl Sandburg Home. Enjoy a guided tour, walk through the grounds, hike or greet the descendents of Mrs. Sandburg’s 44 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

dairy goat herd.

Take in the downtown and enjoy some tunes at Rhythm & Brews, a music series scheduled for the third Thursday of May, June, July and August. A free event, the concert series brings an exciting line-up of bands to the district. The venue for the concert series is the Azalea Lot in Historic Downtown Hendersonville, which sits adjacent to King Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues in downtown.

Want to challenge your athletic abilities while having the time of your life? If so, Hendersonville offers two events you won’t want to miss: The Mad Mountain Mud Run is three miles of 30 + obstacles and muddy challenges with lots of music, food, and local craft beer for your post-race party.

Photograph Courtesy Historic Hendersonville.

To sign up, visit their website at www.

Madmountainmudrun.com. The Run will be held Saturday, May 31st.

Foxworth Advisor’s Gear Grinder in the Green River Valley is a 6 hour endurance mountain bike race that has something for the whole family. To register, visit www. pre-reg.com before April 23rd.

Brewing and Tipping Point Brewery. Look for special offerings during April.

Spring Hiking on Purchase Knob provides easy access, an abundance of butterflies and wildflowers, amazing panoramas and historical significance.

Naturalist Ken Czarnomski brought to life a unique illustrated free guide available exclusively in Haywood County.

Visit Wheels Through Time, the world’s premier All-American motorcycle museum which houses over 300 of America’s

rarest and most historic classic motorcycles.

Find it in Maggie Valley.

Quilting enthusiasts will enjoy the Haywood County Quilt Trails. These colorful wooden blocks are installed on barns and buildings and a drive through the county, following their map, will reveal almost 50 of them. Each has a story worth learning.

Spring birding is very popular here and with seven suggested areas in the county that boast an abundance of bird species,

BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT FUN FOR ALL SEASONS!

Waynesville and Haywood County www.visitNCsmokies.com 800.334.9036 Waynesville and the surroundings areas offer fresh new ways to enjoy a springtime getaway. Haywood County offers year round activities and events centered around their five homegrown initiatives: Food, Heritage, Art, Music and the Outdoors. A 46-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway can be enjoyed in the county, too. Sounds pretty appealing to us.

»» Insider tips:

April is North Carolina Beer Month, and in Waynesville, that means celebrating at one of the town’s three craft microbreweries: BearWaters Brewing Company, Frog level

1007 Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC 1-800-438-2093 beechmountainresort.com

Experience the new Mountain Bike Park. Riders can rent downhill or cross country bikes, and trails cover all skill levels.

Step off the chairlift at the new 5506 Skybar, where you can enjoy food and drinks at the top of the mountain.Beautiful panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

March/April 2014 | 45

The Great Outdoors bird lovers will have a wonderful time adding to their life lists in such picturesque surroundings. http://ncbirdingtrail.org offers details.

tubing in Deep Creek.

When it’s time to dine, consider Bryson City Cork and Bean, and its fresh, farm to table menu with a downtown vibe. ◼

Swain County www.greatsmokies.com 800.867.9246

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad www.gsmr.com 800-872-4681

With more than 40% of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located in Swain County, natural beauty is everywhere. And there are so many ways to enjoy the scenery.

»» Insider tips:

Take a scenic rail excursion aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad which offers trips to the Nantahala River Gorge, as well as themed seasonal experiences.

Enjoy a waterfall walk in the woods of Deep Creek; located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park only minutes from downtown Bryson City.

Get a new perspective of the mountains as you zip along the treetops. Choose from two great zip-lining experiences, both located in the Nantahala River Gorge.

Spend your downtime downtown!

Shop and dine your cares away in their

picturesque downtown filled with boutique shops, art galleries, old-fashioned general stores, and dining sure to please any palate.

And don’t forget all the water – they’ve got fishing galore in their streams, rivers and Lake Fontana as well as whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River and creek

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers scenic rail excursions taking riders from the historic depot in downtown Bryson City through the beautiful countryside of Western North Carolina. There are various train excursions and special event trains, making it a perfect experience. You can even dine in a first class car with a private attendant. Or ride in an open air car.

There are special excursions as well as enduring favorites. Families enjoy time well spent and for the older generation, it’s a nostalgic return to days when train travel was the way to go.

“THE NATIONALS” SILVER AWARD WINNER 2014 Masterplanned Community Of The Year THE BLISS AWARD™ 2014 Mountain Community Of The Year GREATER ATLANTA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION 2012 Best Amenity Package, 500 units & above 2011 Mountain Community Of The Year

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Summer Camp Guide

Summer will be here before you know it.

Let the good times roll.

Ah, camp. What a wonderful way to meet new friends, learn (or perfect) a new skill such as tennis, swimming, or horseback riding, and simply get away from it all.

Lucky for us, there are lots of opportunities that will offer your children all kinds of ways to have fun during the Carolina summer.

Traditional EdVenture Summer Camps

Be a junior firefighter, experiment in a lab, become the next top chef or have a bubble party! Camp EdVenture is jam-packed with active, hands-on learning activities that are certain to inspire your child to imagine, discover and understand something new every day of the week.

Campers 3-4 years old Camps include: Eddie’s World, Giggle Science, Edible Adventures, Junior Firefighter, and Mini maker.

Campers 5-7 years old Camps include: Spa Science, Eddie’s Cookbook, Three-alarm Fire Camp, Tinker Toys: Camp MAKE, and The Living World.

Campers 8-10 years old Camps include: Global Eats, Robotastic, Make it! and BioLab Detective.

48 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Campers 11-12 years old Camps include: Five-Alarm Fire Camp, BioGene-ius, Eddie’s MakeShop and Camp Chef.

Costs for all EdVenture regular camps: $125/week/camper (EdVenture Chidlren’s Museum members) $145/week/camper (non-members) Specialty camps: $145/week/camper (EdVenture Chidlren’s Museum members) $165/week/camper (non-members) 803.779.3100 211 Gervais Street www.edventure.org/camps_summer.aspx

Hammond Summer Programs

Hammond School Summer Programs provide an opportunity for every participant to develop skills and interests in a variety of areas. Enrollment is open to boys and girls, both students and non-students, unless the specific program is specifically suited for one gender group, such as boys basketball. There are more than 150 programs offered in 2014, including topics such as (but not limited to): Racing Games, Building with Legos, Mystery Madness, World of Robotics, Baseball, Basketball,

Camp T.A.L.K.

Family Wealth Education, World Traveler, Cooking and so much more.

Check website for dates, times and prices, as well as a complete list of programs.

803.776.0295, ext. 2002 www.hammondschool.org under Campus Life/Summer Program

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission

Hundreds of young people enjoy the many summer camps produced by ICRC. All ages and interests are covered, as campers enjoy good times and learning new skills, as they develop interests which will carry them through to adulthood. Please check with each center for specifics, pricing and ages.

803.772.1228 www.icrc.net

Crooked Creek Park

Crooked Creek Park offers a wide variety of recreational, cultural, instructional and social activities, and hosts visitors of all ages throughout the day. The park offers users many fun and recreational outlets

Camps include: Sailing, Cheer, Fishing, Sports, Gymnastics, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Theatre, Dance, Crafts, Fused

Glass, Stained Glass, Cooking, Mad Science, Soccer, Softball, Rugby, Wrestling, Football, and Super Summer Camp.

803.345.6181 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin www.icrc.net/crooked-creek-park

Seven Oaks Park

Seven Oaks Park’s special events, recreation programs, and volunteer opportunities are designed for youth, adults, seniors and persons with special needs.

Camps include: Princess Ballet, Junior Jazzercise, Karate, Arts, Basic Pottery, Fishing, Gymnastics, KidFit Hip Hop, Create-A-Play, Circus Camp, Sports Galore, Basketball, Football, Baseball, Wrestling, Soccer, George Bryan Golf Camp, Midlands Offensive Line Camp, Softball.

803.772.3336 200 Leisure Lane in the St. Andrews area www.icrc.net/seven-oaks-park

Saluda Shoals Park

Located along the banks of the beautiful Saluda River, Saluda Shoals Park is a premier, natural, environmentally sensitive

riverfront park that invites visitors to experience the treasures of the Saluda River.

Camps include: Bugs in Beasties, Adventure, Kayak, Outdoor Skills, Super summer Camp, Safari.

803.731.5208 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia www.icrc.net/saluda-shoals-park

Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission

Each summer, hundreds of boys and girls enjoy the Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission’s Summer Camps.

Campers learn new skills, make new friends and build self-esteem in these camps, held in facilities around the county. Activities include sports, arts & crafts, games, field trips and special programs. Each week offers different themed events and activities to keep the campers active and excited for the next day!

These are action-packed camps with weekly theme-based activities and field trips. www.lcrac.com; Email: Justin@lcrac.com

Batesburg-Leesville Leisure Center Summer Day Camp

June 9 – start of school Coed, rising 1st9th Grade Cost: 1st – 5th $25/day or $80/week; 6th – 9th $20/day or $55/week 803.532.3810

Lexington Leisure Center Summer Day Camp

June 9 – August 18 Gender/Age: Coed, rising 1st – 6th Grade Cost: 1st – 6th $25/day or $85/week 803.957.7828

Spires Gym Summer Day Camp June 9 – start of school Coed, rising 1st-9th Grade Cost: 1st – 9th $10/day or $40/week 803.791.1361

Tri-City Leisure Center Summer Day Camp June 9 – start of school Coed, rising 1st – 6th $25/day or $85/week 803.939.9309

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E d u c a t i o n | Fa m i l i e s | Re t r e a t s March/April 2014 | 49

with and through music; participate in voice, music reading and rhythm exercises; and learn about set lighting and costume design. Basic knowledge of music and singing is required.

Beyond the Notes String Chamber Music Workshop Carolina Summer Music Conservatory, Conductors Institute, Drum Major Clinic, Southeastern Piano Festival, String Project Summer Camp, Summer Chorus, The Savvy Musician in ACTION. www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ community/summer_programs/ Richland County Recreation Commission

Richland County Recreation Commission

Summer camp programs are great services for parents of children in K5-8th grade.

Campers enjoy their days in a safe and fun environment, which helps develop the child mentally and physically. Students are able to receive schoolwork assistance, enjoy physical fitness activities, travel on field trips and be exposed to cultural activities. They also participate in the M.A.D. (Making a Difference) program, which actively involves students in character building, leadership and citizenship programs.

Summer camp sites include these parks: Caughman Road, Forest Lake, North Springs, Polo Road, Blythewood, Meadowlake, Killian, St. Andrews, Friarsgate, Hopkins, Eastover and Bluff Road.

Summer Showcase: 6:00pmThursday, April 24, Forest lake Park, 6820 Wedgefield Road, Columbia.

803.754.6720, ext. 218 www.richlandcountyrecreation.com

University of South Carolina Summer Camps

USC offers more than 50 camps for middle and high school students that are full of challenging activities, exciting learning opportunities, and tons of fun. Campers can choose from a variety of subjects they want to explore, from art to pharmacy, from criminology to marching band, from bionanotechnology to visual arts.

The Arts Summer Drama Conservatory is a series of camps for elementary students and high 50 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

school students. Taught by talented theatre faculty, campers will learn the fundamentals of acting, with a focus on character, action, physicality, and ensemble.

For the Love of Art: A Camp to Explore the Arts, a camp for kids ages 6-12, is an interdisciplinary arts-based camp hosted at the Columbia Museum of Art featuring poetry, studio art, and dance workshops, as well as tours of the museum’s exhibits. This camp is sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s Arts Institute and the South Carolina Poetry Initiative in partnership with the Columbia Museum of Art.

Sports Gamecock team coaches and players instruct campers in the following sports camps: basketball, baseball, football, soccer, equestrian, golf, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, cheerleading. www.gamecocksonline.com/camps/scar-camps.html Music Between 400 and 500 students come from across the Eastern United States to attend Carolina’s Summer Music Camp.

Open to rising seventh grade through twelfth grade students, the band camp includes Marching Percussion, Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Percussion camps.

Other camps include Carolina Opera Experience Kids learn the art of props, make-up, costumes, scenery and musical preparation in this week-long experience for 5th through 10th graders.

Children work with professional-level opera singers, directors and designers as they explore the basics of creating characters

Arts, Music and Performance Chapin Theatre Jr. Company Summer Production

The Magical Land Of Oz Come get blown away and travel don the yellow brick road with Chapin Theatre Company this summer!

The CTC will be staging the musical The Magical Land of Oz. Auditions will be held for the main roles for teens and adults. Children are invited to register for a summer camp workshop which will include theatre games, training and fun and everyone involved will get a part in the show. Workshop participants will have the opportunity for great roles as Munchkins, Winged Monkeys etc. and even Toto.

Show rehearsals will mainly be Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Show dates: August 1-3 and 8-10, 2014

Auditions for main roles: Saturday, May 17th, 2014, 4pm-6pm and Sunday, May 18th 6pm-8pm

Workshop/Camp: (for children 6 to 14) Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd 3pm-6pm Everything held at the Old Chapin Firehouse located at 102 Old Lexington Rd., Chapin, SC 29036 The cost for the workshop is $125 and space is LIMITED. www.chapintheatre.org.

Columbia Arts Academy/ Lexington School of Music

Summer music lessons for ages 5 and

up. Guitar, Piano, Voice, Drums, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo and Ukulele. Lessons from 9am to 9pm available. Parents can enjoy music lessons at our Columbia or Lexington location.

3630 Rosewood Drive, Columbia 803.787.0931

711 East Main St. Suite A2, Lexington 803.929.7867 www.ColumbiaArtsAcademy.com

We CAN teach you how to play – bringing results for over 10 years!

Beginners, Children and Adults Guitar ● Voice ● Bass ● Piano ● Drum Lessons South Carolina’s Largest Nationally Famous Music School.

SC State Museum

Education South Carolina State Museum Summer Camps

Engineering for Kids The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is excited to present another year of entertaining and educational summer camps. In partnership with Engineering for Kids, the museum will present five weeks of day camps that will focus on combining engineering and science with fun for all campers.

Each week, the camp days will be broken down into morning and afternoon sessions.

Campers are able to sign up for weekly full days or weekly half days.

Two Locations in Columbia and Lexington.

Ten years and over 1,600 families.

www.ColumbiaArtsAcademy.com

803-787-0931 3630 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29205 803-929-7867 711 E Main St, Suite A2, Lexington, SC.

www.LexingtonSchoolofMusic.com

Reaching for the stars, literally.

The weekly full day price is $220 ($200 for members) and the weekly half day price is $130 ($115 members). Not a member?

Join today!

June 16 - July 25, 2014

803.898.4921 www.museum.state.sc.us/

Sylvan Learning Centers

Day camp provides opportunities for children to learn/improve skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Elementary: Perfect Print—helping our little one’s write beautifully between the lines

Planetarium, Observatory and 4D Theater coming summer 2014 Find out more at

scmuseum.org March/April 2014 | 51

Conquering Cursive—your elementary school kids will make you proud with their improved cursive skills Camp Sum Fun—addition and subtraction has never been so fun!

Multiply Divide—increase fluency in multiplication tables and division Solve This—problem solving using deductive reasoning Fraction Action--add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with ease Write on—students practice writing creative essays through brainstorming, rough drafts and utilizing the writing process Read Ahead--improving fluency and comprehension to make the starting classes in the Fall easier Middle and High School: Algebra Jumpstart—get your student prepared this summer for pre-algebra and algebra I Study Skills—test taking, note taking, goal setting and organizational skills Getting into College—students leave this program with their college entrance essays complete Advanced Reading—increase speed and comprehension making study time faster

Camp T.A.L.K.

ACT and SAT programs--helps students to score higher on those important exams Camps will be held at both centers: Lexington/Irmo 1270 Bower Parkway

803.781.7323

Northeast Columbia 130 Forum Dr., Suite 9 803-741-0999

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M e d i ca l / Sp e c i a l Needs

Sports

Camp T.A.L.K.

Carolina Aquatics Swim School offers lessons to swimmers of all ages and levels including adults. Participants are taught the proper skills to be good swimmers as well as safe swimmers. Lessons are offered throughout the calendar year in a series of four-week sessions with swimmers attending class twice a week. We also offer Saturday morning classes. For dates, times and registration, please visit our website.

Camp T.A.L.K. is an inclusive social skills day camp focused on children who have a diagnosis of Asperger’s, Autism or PDDNOS. Campers work on practicing social skills and building friendships in a highly supervised, safe setting that includes field trips, team building games, guest speakers, music and movement.

Ages: 10 and up

Held at Willow ridge Church, 104 Sycamore Tree Road, Lexington,

Session I: June 17,19,24 and 26.

(Application deadline is June 7.)

Session 2: July 8,10,15 and 17 (Application deadline is June 28.)

End of camp party: July 17.

803.466.7387 www.camptalk.org support@camptalk.org

Service

Carolina Aquatics Swim School

Carolina Aquatics Swim School

Kitty Konkle, Swim School Manager, kitkonklessm@gmail.com 803.348.3652 Pool Location: Greer Natatorium on the campus of Columbia College 4804 Burke Avenue, Columbia, SC carolina-aquatics.com under the swim lessons tab

Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission

Tennis Camps For beginner, advanced beginner and Intermediate players, using age appropriate

tennis format for younger players, slip ‘n slide, snack provided. For boys and girls, ages 6-14. www.lexingtonCountyTennis.com Held at both locations: Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center 1120 Fort Congaree trail, Cayce 803.227.3030

Lexington County Tennis Complex 425 Oak Drive, Lexington 803.957.7676

Summer PAALS

Ever wonder how PAALS teaches dogs to turn on lights for people who use wheelchairs? Learn the basics of service dog training, how to help people in the community, and work side by side with other youth and youth with disabilities, all while pairing up to train a service dog candidate.

Ages 11-14 (ages 11-19 youth with disabilities).

Summer PAALS 2014 will be held during the following weeks:

C LL T RESEA RV ODAY T 1-800 E YOUR SPOOT !

-ED

June 20 – 24, June 23 – 27, July 14 – 18

UCAT

Summer PAALS 2014 registration fees will be the same as 2013:

E

Early Bird Registration (register by May 17, 2014) – $225 Regular Registration (after May 17, 2014) – $275

A down payment of $150 is required to reserve a space at Summer PAALS camp.

Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary 225 N. Brickyard Rd, Columbia www.paals.org/doggone-days-of-summer-camp

C RESEALL TOD R A 1-800VE YOURYSTPO OT! -EDU

CATEO T ODAY TO TTODAY !

Sylvan & Lexington OTIrmo ALLLearning CCALL SPof UR SPOT! O Y RESERVE YOUR E V R E S E R 781-7323 •U sylvanlearning.com/irmo CATE D 1-800-EDUCATE

1-800-E

CALL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

1-800-EDUCATE

Sylvan Learning of Columbia 741-0999 • sylvanlearning.com/columbia March/April 2014 | 53

Nature Camps

Earthshine Discovery Center Make your personal connection to nature

I

f you haven’t heard about Earthshine Discovery Center, you soon will. The property offers a wonderful opportunity for families (as well as school classes, scouts and businesses) to connect and learn something about themselves as well as the remarkable natural world of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families of all ages will enjoy the perfect combination of recreation, outdoor activities and learning.

On Pioneer Mornings, all ages will learn to press apple cider, make handdipped candles, spin wool and take a turn at blacksmithing. Cherokee Morning offers opportunities to grind corn, make clay beads and throw tomahawks. Critter Hunts open up more than 80 acres of mountain land to inquisitive eyes.

The High Adventure activities offer quite the challenge for those ages 10 and up. Try out the seven-stage zip line course,

54 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

including a 400-foot tandem run – not for the faint of heart. Equally non-wimpy is the high ropes course – an obstacle course that ends with the Leap of Faith.

Families build team spirit (and precious memories) with a multi-challenge low-ropes course designed for all ages. How does the Puzzle Platform of Doom sound? We thought so. There’s also the climbing wall, creek hikes, and in the midst of it all, killer views and up-close encounters with the creatures who live on the property yearround. (Goats are actually very nice, once you get to know them.)

Nature hikes, archery, treasure hunts, nighttime campfires (with s’mores, of course), and scavenger hunts round out the activities the whole family will enjoy.

Mealtimes offer hearty, tasty fare and the chefs know how to grill some perfect ribs, or fry a mountain trout to perfection.

Sounds like it’s a lot of fun – and it is!

Just as important, there’s time to unwind and be with the family on an entirely different level from your everyday school and work routines. It’s the best of summer camp with the whole family.

Hint: Bring outdoor shoes, bathing suits and layers of clothes. Earthshine is quite comfortable and the staff feels like visiting old friends. You will leave with great photos and long-lasting memories.

As one family said, “Why would we ever go anywhere else?” ◼ Lake Toxaway, NC 828.862.4207 www.earthshinediscovery.com

Outdoor Lifestyles

By Katherine Pettit

As comfortable as your living room, with views that won’t quit.

It’s time to spend more time outside.

AA

sk transplants from northern environs what attracted them to the midlands, and they usually talk about the climate (not so much this past January, but usually) and the joy of living outdoors more months than not.

For some of us who’ve been here since forever, we already know

Jack Oliver’s Pool and Spa creates an outdoor oasis for this country home.

the appeal – we’ve been living it for years. For the generation just past, however, the outdoor lifestyle seemed to take a back seat to a different outlook. Thankfully, we’re coming back to our roots, and in a big way.

March/April 2014 | 55

Architect Michael Haigler has helped many midlands families create a natural connection to their outdoor living space. Porches provide outside ambience without the Carolina critters.

Architect Michael Haigler was raised in Columbia (his father was a professor at Columbia College), graduated from Clemson, joined the Peace Corps, lived in West Africa, and got his graduate degree from the University of California at Berkley. From there, he went on to design for GAP and other retailers, and taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in San Francisco among other endeavors. Eventually, a longing for more community and a sense of family – plus aging parents – made him realize that what he missed could be found back in Columbia.

For the past five years, he’s worked and lived in the midlands, and recently has specialized in creating renovation plans for existing homes. As a result, he’s spent a fair amount of hours considering how times have changed.

“It’s interesting how little we often connect with our back yards,” he explained. “Air conditioning had a detrimental effect on the way people began to drive into their garages and enter their homes for the rest of the day – as little connection with outdoors as possible. Homes were built in lovely locations, but without easy access to appealing backyards. It was that way for years, until we all began to reconsider our underused assets.”

It’s been Michael’s experience that people live in what they have. If there is no back deck or porch, they just stay inside. “Air conditioning keeps you from having to deal with the elements, but it also keeps you from enjoying the outdoors.”

Now, he’s working on many projects that involve redirecting and opening existing or new construction to add high-end outdoor features, including pools, spas, water falls, porches (screened or not), loggias, decks and outdoor rooms, complete with TVs, rugs, 56 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

outdoor kitchens, showers, and entertainment areas.

A client in the King’s Grant neighborhood wanted a strong connection from the interior of their home to their outdoors.

He planned for the addition of a porch, screened and open ( and accessed by sliding doors), as well as an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and his-and-her garages. (His has double doors which can be opened on both ends to greatly expand the entertainment area.)

“This couple wanted to create a home that was a magnet for their children’s friends, with as much comfort as possible,” he explained. “They wanted a pool, covered space, outdoor kitchen, ceiling fans, a chiminea, outdoor TV, and fencing for safety – all in about 2,000 square feet of outdoor space.”

Michael worked with another family whose ranch home had a lovely backyard and lake frontage – but no doors or views that capitalized on the scenery. “We re-oriented the back part of the house to focus on the view and yard,” he explained. “Now, the family enjoys being outdoors.”

For homeowners considering adding outside living space, the options are more varied than ever. Floors can be constructed from IPE wood, artificial or recycled flooring, stone and slate, among others. Personal preference, costs and planned usage all enter into the mix.

No water view? Add a waterfall, small fish pond, or water feature. Not much of a backyard? Incorporate the back wall of a pool as a privacy feature, extended upwards. Little privacy? Design accordingly.

Another indulgent add-on can be an outdoor shower.They’re very practical, yet just a tiny bit indulgent – naughty, even – and ultimately

Photographs By JAY BROWNE

For this family who wanted a kid-friendly outdoor area that was equally appealing to adults, Michael Haigler added ample space for relaxing and one beautiful water feature.

March/April 2014 | 57

Above: Michael Haigler says outdoor rooms are growing in popularity, as families see the advantages of a fresh-air lifestyle. Right: This lovely home has great private space and a Key West feel, despite its midlands address.

luxurious, despite their practicality.

“This market is still evolving as more people visit friends and find outdoor elements they’d like to incorporate into their own houses,” he said. “Almost everyone who sees an attractive, outdoor space wants to find a way to add that element to their own homes.”

At Casual Living, Dottie Reynolds reports that outdoor living continues to be a top priority for home owners with no end to its growth in site. Products continue to get better: appliances for outdoor kitchens continue to include more choices; the line between indoor and outdoor fabrics continues to blur; the amount of time we all want to spend on the patio, porch, or deck continues to include more of our at-home hours. Just take a look at Pinterest and you will see that many boards are devoted to the outdoor lifestyle – and what a lifestyle!

“What has attracted my eye is the level of sophistication and detail we are putting into the design and decoration of our outdoor living rooms – and, yes, rooms they are,” she shared. “Today, it is normal to include a television and some sort of sound system along with comfortable and stylish furniture, area rugs, outdoor lighting, draperies, and accessories. Increasingly, homeowners are including

outdoor kitchens and fire pits or fireplaces. Even outdoor movie systems are becoming more common.”

According to Dottie, the desire is clear – somehow, sitting outside in the nice weather has an effect on us that we can’t get enough of. When faced with the option of dining inside or out, people are choosing the outdoor dining room, and the meal isn’t

Go ahead and build your dream pool. At Jack Oliver Pool & Spa, folks order every size and shape for the back yard.

always hot dogs and hamburgers. There’s a growing trend toward preparing gourmet meals outside, as well.

“All of this points to the fact that we have passed the “trend” phase and now have entered the “here-to-stay” element in home design,” she said. “It’s impossible to imagine anyone searching for a new home telling their builder or real estate agent, ‘No thanks.

No outdoor living area for me.’ They will be looked at as if they are missing something big which they will regret later – and they will. This lifestyle has become de rigueur in the twenty-first century home. It’s expected and, increasingly, it’s expected to charm, wow and impress. But most of all, it is expected to make our home more of a haven, where we can relax and recharge or have fun and entertain, all in one place any time we choose.”

At Jack Oliver’s Pool and Spa, owner Jack Oliver is seeing a growing emphasis on outdoor living as the complete lifestyle experience. “Our hot tub line is ever-evolving and has become a very sought-after outdoor option,” he said. “Among other things, our clients are looking for more natural rock – the entire natural theme is very popular and the pool, hot tub and entertainment area flow seamlessly together.”

Jack has also seen an increase in the desire for water features and waterfalls. The pools and tubs have grown increasingly energyefficient and the salt water pools are kinder to skin and hair.

“There’s a give and take on chlorine versus salt water,” he explained.

“Chlorine is a bit tougher on the skin and clothing, but easier on the life of the motor. With salt water, it’s the other way around. It comes down to personal preferences and everyone is different. It’s also very important that new pool owners learn how to properly care for their pools, which incidentally are so much easier to care for than ever before.”

It’s also critical to work with the zoning regulations which are different for each community. “We know the guidelines and

how to work within them,” Jack said.

In recent years, pools have become a bit smaller, with many of them running 20 feet x 40 feet. Of course, virtually any configuration is possible, within the area available, surroundings desired, and regulations to be followed. Free forms are just about as popular as rectangles in today’s market.

“We talk with the client and our graphic designer provides a 3-D layout,” he said. “Either I, or my brother, Stephen, go out and look at the yard personally, to make sure there are no challenges to be overcome.”

Jack, a Florida State Graduate, started his pool and outdoor living career in Florida. He’s been in the pool business for 15 years, returning home about five years ago and starting his business. He’s only recently moved to his new, larger location on Forest Drive.

“Now, folks want more of a turnkey approach, so in addition to pools and spas, we offer grills, furniture, outdoor heaters and more.”

With the recent move, they’ve also been hearing from folks who don’t want a pool, but do want outdoor space.

“I consider it a very healthy approach to living,” Jack said. “You feel better outside, swimming is super exercise and we all know what hydrotherapy can do for the body. We’ve even had a fair number of people inquiring about saunas, indoor and outdoor. When people want to invest in their backyards, it’s good for property values and it’s great for mental health and wellbeing.”

Michael Haigler says that adding an attractive outdoor element is the next most popular step after expanding the master bedroom and bath, or the kitchen. “After it’s all completed, it’s been my experience that the outdoor living has the most appeal and use for the family. They entertain more, and the children enjoy the opportunities for play and entertaining their friends. And despite our four-season climate, families find more ways to use the space practically year round.” ◼

health

Southern Greens

Once considered “just” Southern Comfort Food, now we know the truth. They are so good for you.

VV

By Edna Cox Rice RD, CSG, LD

egetables, in general, provide you with a lot of nutritional bang for your buck. If you want to improve your health, including these southern favorites – collards, kale, turnips, and cabbage – in your diet regularly may make the biggest impact on your overall health. Unfortunately produce doesn’t carry nutrition labels, but you may see benefits of specific items posted on their stand.

Green leafy vegetables are powerhouses, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that contain numerous healthful benefits. These nutritional winners may help protect you from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, as well as offer beauty benefits for healthy, glowing skin and hair.

Greens are low in calories, high in fiber, and have a negligible fat content. Because of the high fiber content, they are digested slowly and keep you feeling fuller longer. Almost carb free, greens are considered “freebies” on most diet plans. Depending on the green, a single serving, one half to one cup, will provide only 15 – 50 calories, making them an excellent choice for any weight loss plan.

iron. One cup of greens provides 20-30 percent of your daily value of calcium.

Dark leafy greens are brimming with phytonutrients including lutein and zeaxanthin which protect cells from damage and protects eyes from age-related problems – cataracts and macular degeneration, among many other effects.

Deeper colors, as in spinach, Swiss chard and broccoli, offer greater nutrient benefits than their paler relatives such as Boston lettuce, Belgian endive, and iceberg lettuce. These lettuce varieties, though not devoid of nutrition, are mostly water and last on the list of health benefits. Even so, iceberg lettuce is the most popular leafy green in the United States. Annually, Americans eat 17 pounds of iceberg lettuce per person. Try using this as a salad starter, but combine with the darker green varieties to maximize the health benefits.

So good for you Greens

» Kale: The current “it” food is popular to add to a smoothie, in

salads, or baked as a chip. Just one cup provides only 33 calories and is an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, and K, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Our bodies absorb the calcium in kale better than the calcium in spinach because of the lower oxalic acid content in kale. Oxalates bind with calcium, interfering with absorption. The heat during cooking reduces the oxalic acid content and releases more of the dietary calcium.

Curly kale, the most widely available, can be used as an alternative to cabbage in most dishes, including slaw. It’s wonderful in soups, salads, or sautéed with olive oil. The red, purple veined Red Russian variety is sweet enough to even eat raw.

» Collards: This southern classic originated in the Mediterranean

basin and was a favorite of the Greeks and Romans. Nutritionally, collards are similar to kale, but have a heartier, chewier texture. The typical southern cook uses ham hocks to season these greens. To lighten up on the sodium and saturated fat, try fat free chicken stock for flavor.

»

Turnips: A staple of southern cooking, these are best from October to February. Turnips with the tops offer two vegetables – the greens and the root. Of all the greens, turnips are the most tender variety requiring less cooking, yet still have a sharp flavor.

This bitter flavor is linked to the high calcium content. Turnips, like collards, are rich in Vitamins A, C and K, iron, folic acid, calcium and potassium.

»

Mustard Greens: Another southern favorite, they provide beta-carotene, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin C. Mustards can have a sharp, peppery taste; adding lemon juice or vinegar at the end of cooking helps to decrease the spiciness.

»

Spinach: This versatile treasure routinely makes the top ten super foods’ list because it is loaded with vitamins A, C, folate, iron and calcium. It does contain oxalates which can combine

©Istock.com/Gravicapa

Dark leafy greens are some of the best sources of both water soluble vitamins: B and C; and fat soluble vitamins: A and K. The B vitamin, folic acid, has been shown to decrease the risk for colon cancer. Kale, collards, and spinach are the leaders in folic acid content. Vitamin C has many important functions: it boosts the immune system; fights infections; promotes healthy skin.

Foods rich in vitamin C increase the absorption of iron. Greens are rich in the beta-carotene form of vitamin A which is known to maintain healthy vision, radiant skin and hair.

Recent research indicates that vitamin K may be even more important than once thought and many people do not get enough of it in their daily diets. Vitamin K regulates blood clotting; protects bones from osteoporosis; protects against inflammatory diseases like arthritis; and may help to prevent diabetes.

And there’s more. These vibrant vegies also contain a high amount of minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and

Basic Greens with Garlic and Red Pepper

»Tip: one pound of greens cooks to 1–2 cups

One pound greens – kale, collards, turnips, mustards, spinach are great choices for this recipe

with calcium and can be a concern for anyone who is prone to kidney stones. Cooking spinach decreases the oxalic acid content and provides more nutrition than raw. More calcium is released when it is cooked. So you benefit from adding spinach to soups and stews or stuffing lasagna and chicken with this green.

»

Swiss Chard: It’s a member of the beet family, and is most often identified with Mediterranean cooking such as bean soups and lasagna. The stalks come in shades of yellow, purple, orange, and red; the entire plant is edible. This veggie is a rich source of vitamins A, C, K, folic acid, and carotenoids.

• • • • • •

Olive oil Garlic, thinly sliced Crushed red pepper, a pinch Lemon juice, cider vinegar, wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar (optional) Salt & pepper to taste

• • • •

Cook greens stovetop for 5–10 minutes, drain.

Press with back of spoon to release excess water.

Heat olive oil and garlic in a skillet until garlic sizzles Add red pepper, stir and cook until garlic is tender and a light golden color, 1-2 minutes Add greens and toss to distribute the hot oil Splash lemon juice or vinegar and toss One half cup serving = 45 calories

• •

» Broccoli: It’s one of our more popular vegetables and is readily

Kale Slaw with Peanut Dressing

available in all grocery stores. Americans eat about 6 pounds a year. Broccoli is steamed, added to stir fries, pureed for soups, or used for dipping. This super food is packed with vitamins A, C, K, calcium, folate and potassium.

» Cabbage: An international vegetable, it’s grown statewide in the

©Istock.com/NiDerlander

Carolinas. It is universally available in all countries and cultures and is a staple of cooking world-wide. Varieties include Savory, used in American dishes such as soups and stews; Red Cabbage commonly used as an accompaniment with German meats; Bok Choy, a favorite for stir fries; and Napa fermented for Korean kimchi. It is a great source of cancer-fighting compounds and vitamin C. ◼ Any fresh produce must be properly washed and cleaned before cooking. Be sure to wash greens thoroughly.

Fill a sink with water and swish the greens to loosen dirt and grit from the leaves. Drain the sink and repeat the rinse until free of all dirt. Even if greens are labeled “prewashed,” be sure to rinse thoroughly. Store washed greens in a plastic bag; these should stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. It helps to wrap tender greens such as spinach and Swiss chard in paper towels, before placing in a plastic bag.

Greens are relatively easy to cook.

Substantial nutrition is lost when greens are boiled, fried, or over cooked. Steaming greens, lightly sautéing, roasting, or stir fry preserve more of the nutritional value. These cooking methods allow you to appreciate the natural flavors of the veggies.

Green leafy vegetables are widely available in grocery stores making it easy to incorporate them into your daily diet. Collards, kale, cabbage, turnips, and mustards are grown locally, right here in the Carolinas. So take advantage of this local fare and enjoy those foods that are so good for you!

2 bunches kale (2 pounds), washed well and drained; stems and center ribs removed; leaves very thinly sliced crosswise • • • • • • • • • • •

1 yellow, red or green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, halved crosswise and thinly sliced lengthwise 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise ½ cup roasted, unsalted peanuts ½ cup neutral-tasting oil (such as canola or sunflower) ¼ cup apple-cider vinegar 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar Coarse salt In a large bowl, toss together kale, bell pepper, and carrots.

Puree ¼ cup peanuts, oil, and vinegar with the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth.

Coarsely chop the remaining peanuts.

Pour dressing over vegetables. Sprinkle peanuts on top and serve.

One half cup serving = 110 calories

“Our fixed-price menu features hand-cut beef, poultry, pork and lamb. The salad buffet selection, which includes fresh seafood and sushi, rivals any other in the Carolinas.

We invite you to come enjoy the feast.”

OPEN DAILY 4PM DINING WITH UNLIMITED SERVINGS PERFECT FOR LARGE PARTIES PRIVATE DINING ROOMS AVAILABLE

410 Columbiana Dr. Columbia, SC 803.708.3151

RIOZ.COM

South Carolina’s Premier Churrascaria

62 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

Food+Drink dining review

in the kitchen

restaurant guide

Fresh, mild, spicy, hot and sour Chef Ivan Rodriguez makes this cuisine sizzle.

March/April 2014 | 63

Food+Drink dining review

Basil Thai Try a little Thai today – it’s so good.

W W

By Amy Rogers Photographs By Sally Taylor

ith food that’s colorful, fresh and flavorful, it’s no surprise that Thailand has become trendy during the last few years. And with the newest location of Basil Thai now open in Columbia, residents can easily visit the popular restaurant that once meant driving north to Charlotte or south to Charleston.

The restaurant was founded by Cambodian-born brothers Henry and Chai Eang, who arrived in the U.S. as children in 1979.

Exposed to restaurant life by relatives back home who owned a traditional noodle shop, they were familiar with the demands and pace that running their own place would require. They opened the first Basil Thai in 2002 in Charleston, where the Post and Courier reviewer lauded them with high praise, calling the restaurant “Attractive, hip, and sophisticated.” A Mount Pleasant location followed, then Charlotte, and the Columbia eatery was the fourth to open in spring 2013.

To begin a meal, appetizers are abundant. Fresh basil rolls are a light first course of noodles, shrimp, and greens in a rice paper wrapper; dip them in the house sauce for a bit of spicy soy flavor.

Satay chicken or beef grilled on skewers are complemented by peanut sauce. Fried wontons are a Basil Thai specialty. With meat and cream cheese, they are puffier than their Chinese counterparts and served with a sweet-and-sour sauce.

Yum Neua turns up the taste on a traditional steak salad with a dressing that along with the expected onions and tomatoes also includes mint, cilantro, chili and lemon. An authentic green papaya salad called Som Tum contains the fruit, green beans, shrimp, palm sugar, fish sauce and lime. Both salads are gluten-free, as are more than a dozen of the menu offerings.

Soups aren’t just for cold weather. Traditionally, they are served year-round. Chicken and coconut milk make for a wonderfully mellow Tom Kha Gai. Hot and sour soups with shrimp or other seafood are more pungent but still delicate.

By far, the most familiar and often-ordered item on the menu is Pad Thai, known by many as “the national dish of Thailand.” This mild but satisfying dish of rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables can be prepared with or without meat. It arrives garnished with fresh cilantro, crunchy bean sprouts, and lime wedges. It can be spiced up easily with chili sauce for a bit of heat.

Crispy Red Curry Duck is sublime with meat that is fried, then topped with vegetables and a sauce that’s mostly on the mild side where curry is concerned. Three Flavor Fish is a whole, deep-fried fish that nearly falls off the bones, served with pleasingly sweet and garlicky sauce And yes, the fuchsia orchid garnish atop the grated root vegetables is edible!

All sauces are made in-house for the freshest, most intense flavors. Despite the reputation of over-the-top spiciness that may make some diners reluctant to experiment, curries range widely in intensity from mild to hot. Chef Ivan Rodriguez hails from Mexico, but has extensive experience cooking Asian cuisine. He now helms two Basil Thai locations, those in Columbia and in Charlotte. He cautions that the green curry sauces can look deceptively tame but tend to be some of the hottest. He recommends that beginners start

64 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

by sampling the milder Massaman curry dishes with potatoes and cashew nuts, before attempting to take on the more challenging levels of heat.

No matter the level of spice, dessert is a sweet finish. Try a fried banana with coconut ice cream and raspberry puree, or fried green-tea ice cream. Both are fanciful and fun treats to enjoy as the weather begins to turn warmer.

The strong and bracing Thai iced tea that’s traditionally served with cream or condensed milk gets an audacious but delicious update in a “Thaitini” cocktail that adds vanilla vodka to the mix.

Another Asian-themed drink is Basil’s “Sake-tini’; it exchanges the customary vermouth for dry sake, and the olive for a cucumber.

A spring-like blend of flavors can be found in a fruity lychee martini, or a pineapple mojito. Westbrook White Thai beer is brewed in Mt. Pleasant, and has notes of lemongrass.

Top to bottom: Three Flavor Fish, Red Curry Duck, and Pad Thai. Dishes can be spiced up and the fuscha orchid is edible.

Each of the restaurants has its own style. Columbia’s Basil Thai is sleek and modern, with décor that evokes a cosmopolitan vibe with notes of the tropics. Soft greens and plummy browns create a balance of warmth and coolness inside the restaurant that seats about 100. Outside, the patio is more casual with industrial influences and a brighter green color scheme that can accommodate about 30. A louvered canopy above the patio deflects sun and directs airflow for comfortable dining during both daytime and evening hours. Some patrons like to dine at the convivial bar, too.

Whether or not the small Basil Thai group of restaurants will continue to expand remains to be seen. After all, when the Eang brothers opened their first place on King Street, no one could predict it would succeed, or if expansion would be fruitful.

But the Carolinas are wonderfully welcoming that way. When something is good, we enjoy it fully, tell our friends, and keep coming back for more. ◼ Basil Thai 702 Cross Hill Rd. Suite 300A Columbia, SC 803.782.0716 www.eatatbasil.com Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner: Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm Sun 12noon-9pm March/April 2014 | 65

Food+Drink in the parisian kitchen

Foodies Rejoice!

“We’ll Always

have

Paris”

Text and Photographs By Kim Byer

I

n the sunshine of my thirteenth year, while the tips of our South Carolina pines toasted, and the lake thickened into a red clay soup, I spent my summer inside. Not moping or brooding, but instead, mesmerized by the towering woman on the cooking show. My infatuation grew and, for weeks on end, I looked across our kitchen counter and gave my best high-pitched French Chef impression to an imaginary camera. I brandished salad tongs and gestured authoritatively to an invisible audience while following recipes in my mother’s church cookbook. Not exactly Mastering the Art of French Cooking, nevertheless, you never forget your first French toast.

Ah, Julia, you inspired us all.

Years of French toast and French lessons later, I am in Paris, walking alone. The cold morning air is as blunt as a slap. While the city (along with my husband) is still sleeping, I descend into the Metro and travel across town to the 15th arrondissement. Crossing Rue de Vaugirard and turning right, then left, I spot a dozen people standing in front of a modern, downright nondescript building.

Walking closer, I see their faces. They are star-struck. Quiet.

Nervous, no doubt. After all, this feels like the first day of school.

They are foodies and certainly Julia Child groupies, too, and we 66 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

are a scattered clan, now collected.

Le Cordon Bleu Paris, founded in 1895, is the most revered academy of culinary arts. It houses the very halls where our heroine first honed her knife skills. Or… Not. Child did visit the current halls once; however, it was long after she mastered classes in the original school in central Paris.

When I compare this building before me with my imagined Le Cordon Bleu Paris or even the vision brought to us in flashbacks of Technicolor on the big screen via Julie & Julia – of a stone carved structure clutched by ivy, wound with marbled hallways where students glide over golden floors of waxed herringbone that all lead to a grand kitchen where ancient copper cauldrons hang from the rafters and the smell of simmering bouillon perfumes the air – I am a bit disappointed, but not discouraged.

For the next twenty minutes, I skip alongside my American, Canadian and Japanese classmates as we eagerly follow Chef Bruno Stril and his translator, Deborah, along sidewalks and across intersections to the Saint-Charles market twenty minutes away.

Shopping in any Paris market is a sensory feast, but when led by a Le Cordon Bleu Master Chef, the colors seem more vibrant, the smells and sounds, more intense. Our collective adrenaline continued on page 68

©Istock.com/anshar73

If the city of lights is your home-away-from-home, you’ll enjoy a nostalgic tour through the twists and turns of this culinary capital.

If you’re still planning that first visit, you’ll want to keep this issue in a very safe place.

47

Tips for an American Foodie in Paris 1. Dust

off your French dictionary. Although many Parisians are bilingual, they appreciate your attempting French. If you find yourself misunderstood -- or worse -- speechless, they will gladly finish your sentence, or thought, in English.

2. Make reservations well in advance. Want to attend a class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris?

Want to snag a table at Le Meurice, Le Chateaubriand, or Spring? Most restaurants, classes and tours are accessible online, but the best may require reservations weeks in

advance. Don’t have a French dictionary or even a good fake accent? Contact the concierge at your hotel or try to book online.

3. Read the former Chez Panisse pastry chef and ex-pat David Leibovitz’s The Sweet Life in Paris and his blog, davidlebovitz.com.

4. Before deciding where to stay, research the various arrondissements (areas surrounding the center of Paris like a spiral) and decide which area appeals to you the most.

5. In Paris, Google’s street views are only as good as the day and hour they were shot.

Parisian shops can have odd hours, so if shops were closed when the Google mobile made its way down a street, you may not realize how bustling a street can be when the shop doors are lifted and the horns are honking.

6. Make a list of all of the sites, restaurants and markets that you want to see and plot

them out on a paper or mobile map.

Shop for cookware at E. Dehillerin in the 1st arrondissement. 18 – 20 rue Coquillière 8. The New York Times is a great source for Paris restaurant reviews 9. Familiarize yourself with the VAT (European value added tax). It’s around 20% on goods you purchase and if you buy anything heavy, e.g., Le Creuset or Staub, you’ll likely incur extra baggage fees.

10. Vegetarians and vegans beware: Parisians love their meat. And rather than risking the wrath of a French chef, plotting a map of veg-friendly stops will make your trip much more pleasant. The Hungry Hungry Hippie blog has a good list, as does Trip Advisor.

11. Stroll along the Rue de Buci in the 6th arrondissement and gather a bouquet of flowers along with a basket of cheese, wine, 7.

March/April 2014 | 67

Food+Drink in the parisian kitchen

could lift a food truck.

Whole fish are cataloged in icy rows of grays and pinks.

Mounds of blood sausage curl across wooden planks like serpents.

Small gray shrimp, antennae intact, are offered up for the tasting, and a lone stall of crimson horsemeat opens for business, shocking the occasional American tourist. Under the produce awning there are crates of thumb-sized radishes, miniature wild asparagus and a cache of sage-green ice lettuce that looks as though it were picked straight out of the tundra. And all along the block, buckets of flowers stand in the morning sunshine as thick as a meadow.

Watching Chef Stril operate, it’s clear that it will take bravado and our finest French accent to order, but the bounty is ours for the taking. However, it’s not ours for the picking or bagging. Vendors

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk, heated ¼ teaspoon salt Pinch of nutmeg 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan 4 slices hearty, day-old white bread, crusts removed Dijon mustard 2 slices of ham 1 tomato, sliced (optional)

47

insist on selecting the plums that will be perfectly ripened at a specified future meal of our choosing.

Paris —the epicure’s epicenter—is a compulsory pilgrimage for cooks and foodies from all over the world. It’s where, in the 1800s, Escoffier created veal stock and in doing so, freed umami—our dormant fifth taste; it’s where Julia Child and Simone Beck wrote the book that started an American French cooking revolution; it’s where Saturday night dinners inside Gertrude Stein’s salon began with hashish fudge and ended with framboise at sunrise; and it’s where, in the bottomless belly of the now bygone Les Halles, farm-to-table food was bought and sold for over eight hundred years. When you walk the streets of Paris, you walk in the wake of culinary giants.

Directions Æ Melt butter in a shallow saucepan. Æ Add the flour and stir for a minute then slowly add the hot milk, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened. Æ Off the heat, add salt, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese and one-third of the Gruyere cheese. Æ In a toaster or in the oven, toast the bread and then brush all four slices with Dijon mustard. Æ Next, pre-heat the broiler. On two slices of toast, top with ham and tomato slices and another one-third of the Gruyère. Add the second slices of toast and top with the cheese sauce. Æ Broil for a few minutes until the cheese turns golden brown.

tips bread, fruit and sausage.

12. Picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower. Gather your wine, cheese, pâté, etc., in each of your neighborhood’s specialty shops and lounge the day away on the lawn.

13. Take a tasting tour. Ruth Reichl enjoyed her tour with Meg at “Paris by Mouth.”

And if it’s good enough for Ruth… it’s good enough for me.

14. Marvel at the macarons in the windows.

Each vibrant hue or pale shade represents a delightful flavor or combination of flavors: ginger-tangerine, hibiscus, currents-violets, 68 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

banana-coco, rose petals, pomegranate and salted caramel. Ladurée, Pierre Hermé and Gérard Mulot are three of the finest macaron houses.

15. Read Clotilde Dusoulier’s Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris and her blog, Chocolate and Zucchini.

16. Enjoy a champagne brunch at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots.

17. Buy a Poilâne loaf and a linen shopping bag at the flagship Poilâne store in SaintGermain-des-Prés.

18. Sign-up (early!) for a cooking class with

Patricia Wells.

19. Download Wells’ Food Lover’s Guide to Paris app for your iPhone. Billed as “the most authoritative guide to eating well in the City of Light,” the app guides you towards the best Parisian restaurants, markets and shops in your vicinity.

20. Buy a colorful set of Opinel or a treasured set of Laguiole knives at the knife shop on Ile Saint Louis.

21. Enjoy a pain au chocolat on a sidewalk café.

22. Speaking of chocolate, visit the Maison

There’s no need for timidity. And no time. If it’s your first visit or your twentieth, Paris is a city best devoured by the impetuous and free-spirited, yet organized foodie. On your first few visits, there are the obligatory sites: the museums, the cathedrals, the parks, the shops, THE tower, etc. And every visit after that will have you returning to your favorites. For example, my husband and I never miss the Musee D’Orsay or a quick respite beneath its massive clock face in the Café Campana. And although the chandeliered and gilded dining room on the first floor, where the food is said to be as luxurious as the surroundings, has beckoned us for years, we’ve yet to break our sentimental tie to the café.

Surely, the clock has us spellbound.

Over the years, we’ve accumulated dozens of sentimental treks: Les Deux Magots for Sunday brunch, the park pavilion at the foot of the Champs-Élysées for banana and hazelnut crepes, the Ile Saint Louis for Berthillon gelato, the Jardin des Tuileries for croque madames and a bistro along the rue Saint-Benoit where meringues bob like snowballs in baths of crème anglaise.

du Chocolate and indulge your sweet tooth.

23. For an elegant patisserie showcasing sumptuous, perfectly sculptured sweets, visit Dalloyau.

24. Enjoy a delicious dinner at Bistroy Les Papilles near the Luxembourg Gardens. The food is grand but the prices aren’t. Best of all, the staff seems to genuinely like Americans.

25. When in the park, eat the park food. There is little more relaxing than an afternoon spent in a Paris park, drinking cold beer and eating a croque monsieur. This quintessential French treat is made using

However, our essential trek is to the French version of a neighborhood steak house— le Relais de l’Entrecote. This restaurant breaks two fundamental French taboos: one, it’s a chain, and two, it’s all-you-can-eat. Stay with me, though, because it’s also phenomenal.

And please don’t be put off by the long line of people waiting for a table. Despite the hunger-pang-inducing, often cold, but rarely long wait, inside, the atmosphere is warm and lively. Once you’re seated, your server will ask you two questions: “How do you like your steak,” and “What would you like to drink?”

Quickly. “Rare and red wine.” Or better yet, “Saignant et vin rouge.”

Instantaneously, (Yes!) a saucer heaped with delicate lettuce is placed before you. By now, you’re beyond hungry, and yet the pile of lettuce is surprisingly satisfying. It’s simply lettuce - no tomato wedge, no olive, and not a shred of cheese. Lettuce. Tossed with a light vinaigrette. And it’s delicious.

Next, dinner leaps from the magical simple salad into the

day-old white bakery bread, which is filled with ham and topped with a Mornay sauce and melted Gruyère or Emmentaler (Swiss) cheese. These superior Swiss cheeses have a nutty, sweet flavor and, when melted, taste like sinfully nutty butter. A croque madame adds an egg to the top of the sandwich. You can typically take a bite into this for less than 5€. But don’t be mislead, a slightly more substantial lunch (with alcohol) at a park café can easily run up to $100 USD. 26. Berthillon, on the Ile Saint Louis serves wonderful gelato and sorbet. Order a double

cornet in a scrumptious moka dauphinois (mocha with chocolate, almond paste, rum, nougat, nuts) or pamplemousse rose (pink grapefruit sorbet).

27. Avoid Paris in August. The best chefs and wait staff are on vacation, along with every other Parisian. And despite the heat, even Berthillon is closed.

28. Eat a crêpe, made fresh-to-order, filled with Nutella® and bananas.

29. Two words: duck confit.

30. Rent Julie & Julia or the original Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn.

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mythic main course. The l’entrecote, a cut of beef similar to the flat iron, arrives, draped in a cloak of buttery herb sauce. The steak is supple and tasty, but it’s the sauce that would make Escoffier stir with pride. Your tongue tastes hints of anisette or perhaps whispers of tarragon and parsley or a soupçon of herbal heaven that you cannot — for love or espionage — deconstruct. Silver tongs appear and release stacks of long, thin, (ahem -- Authentic) French fries onto your plate. Finish these and more appear, along with more steak and more sauce, until you neither remember nor care where you ate the previous night.

Fortunately, there are kilometers of walking waiting for you after every meal, so burning off the butter isn’t a worry. While out wandering, one shopping destination you won’t want to miss is

Ingredients

3 pounds of fresh mussels 1 pinch of saffron threads 1 cup (or more, if needed) good quality white wine 2 teaspoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 shallots, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped 1 handful Italian parsley leaves, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

the venerable E. Dehillerin — the cookware mecca of Paris. Part of the pleasure of shopping anywhere in Paris is knowing that you’ll be able to coolly mention your shoes, scarf, copper saucier, etc., were picked up on your recent trip. Although I’ve never been able to be very cool about it. From my mouth, it’s more like a gush.

I mean, really, a copper saucier from E. Dehillerin?! This line of provenance merits a gush.

After your shopping spree, you should be armed with enough copper and enamel to properly cook a wolf. And I hope you bought a pot rack, because if you’re renting an apartment in Paris, your kitchen is likely an Ikea-appointed galley with miniature appliances, but with a scarcity of countertops and cupboards. In fact, excepting the price, most things concerning the Parisians and their homes

Directions Æ Scrub mussels to remove beards and grit. Discard any with open shells. Æ Steep saffron in wine for 5-10 minutes. Melt butter in a large stockpot. Add shallots, garlic and a pinch of salt. After you begin to smell the garlic cooking, pour in wine (with saffron). Æ Add tomatoes and half of the parsley and bring to a boil. Æ Add mussels and stir, adding more wine, if necessary. Cook until all are open, about 5 to 10 minutes. Æ Discard any mussels that don’t open. Add salt and pepper to taste. Æ Scoop mussels into low bowls, top with remaining parsley. Serve with chunks of buttery, toasted bread.

47

tips 31. Take the Paris Market Tour with lunch and a demonstration class at Le Cordon Bleu. Spend the morning in a Paris open-air market, eat a beautifully prepared lunch at the school and sit back while a master chef teaches you how to prepare a few exquisite French dishes. 145€ /~$195 USD 32. Read The Sharper your Knife, the Less you Cry by Kathleen Flinn, an American-born graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

33. Latin Quarter wanderings call for falafel sandwiches. Yes, French falafel. For sit-down meals, try Chez Marianne, or for a quick bite,

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try L’As du Falafel.

Get thee to a Fromagerie! France produces over 400 types of cheese. Try them all before you leave.

35. The best goat cheese on earth is found at a friendly farmer’s stall along the SaintCharles market. He’s been there every Tuesday and Friday for many years.

36. When entering a store say, “bonjour;” when leaving, “au revoir.” Always.

37. Meet other foodies at Jim Haynes’ house. Every Sunday evening for over thirty years, Jim Haynes has invited strangers 34.

(upwards of 70) to dinner. Although the experience is more the draw than the food, there is a nominal donation requested. See Jimhaynes.com for more information.

38. Attempt to decode the buttery herb sauce at le Relais de l’Entrecote.

39. Fresh marshmallows from Gérard Mulot or Pain de Sucre. Cut into perfect cubes, these soft sweets come in an assortment of pretty pastels.

40. Skip the absinthe and sip on a pastis.

Mixed with a small amount of ice-cold water, pastis transforms before your eyes into a pale

(particularly rentals) are petite and, relative to we-who-hail-fromexcess, sparse. Coffee machines are single serve over-the-stove espresso makers. On a shelf adjacent to the kitchen, you may find two espresso cups, two wine glasses and two champagne flutes.

Overabundance is as rare as in-home entertaining. Parisians eat out. However, if you’re staying in Paris for an extended time, eating in will save you a few Euros (these will come in handy for the European VAT tax on your cookware) and will allow you to shop at markets and bring home bags overflowing with exotic fare.

Back in our Le Corden Bleu Paris classroom, Chef Stril answers technique questions while mincing mounds of perfect brunoise for a mirepoix. In the mirror above the range, his hands command our attention. Dressed in his whites and quintessential toque blanche,

he mans the grill, doesn’t use a timer, scoffs at measuring and, by three o’clock, plates our Tatin de Tomates Confites au Crabe -- layers of lump crab and sautéed vegetables, tucked between rounds of puff pastry. Fillets of John Dory Grenobloise over a potato puree strewn with lemon segments and capers follow. For dessert, he carefully spoons strawberries macerated with wine and blackcurrants over Arborio rice steeped in coconut milk and rum.

Despite the paper napkin and the plastic desks for chairs, the exquisite lunch lingers in my mind beyond the cement walls, beyond the Metro where I wave goodbye to my new friend, Louise, beyond dinner where I relay every detail to my husband, beyond the flight home, beyond Paris.

◼

“There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived it differs from that of any other. We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be reached. Paris was always worth it….” Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

yellow cloud of licorice-laced liqueur.

41. Visit a local wine store where terrific regional wines are relatively inexpensive. No need to stop at “vin blanc” or “vin rouge.” Tell the sommelier what you’re cooking for dinner and he’ll suggest several bottles in your price range.

42. If you find yourself longing for the English language, drop into Fish: La Boisonnerie (a wine and seafood bar) on the rue de Seine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The staff will happily speak English while pouring you the wine of your dreams.

43.

Stow a culinary giant in your carry-on: M.F.K. Fischer’s How To Cook a Wolf, the A.J. Liebling collection Liebling Abroad, or Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast.

44. Ina Garten, Dorie Greenspan, and Patricia Wells are superb cooks and Paris aficionados who wax poetically about their favorite haunts and foods. They’re also all (part-time) residents.

45. Want to hang where the bobos (bourgeois bohème) hang? Read the blog wwwparisbobo.com

46. Visit an open-air food market. You’ll find a full list on www.parisianlocal.com 47. The perfect baguette should be flaky, fragrant and golden on the outside with a hollow sounding inside. If there are pointed ends, even better — it’s handmade. The crust will explode into slivers of buttery goodness.

Eat one with every meal. Eric Kayser makes some of the city’s best. When you return home you will realize that no matter where you live, there is sadly no equivalent to the baguettes of Paris.

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Food+Drink in the parisian kitchen

Caramel Sauce

1½ cups sugar ½ cup water ½ teaspoon good quality vanilla extract Æ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt caramel sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Don’t stir. When it becomes a clear toasted caramel color, add ½ cup of water and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Æ Bring up to 250 degrees (no higher!) on a candy thermometer. This is the thread stage. Set aside.

Meringues 9 egg whites (large eggs) 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup of sugar 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract Æ Lower the oven temperature to 250 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Æ Whisk egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until frothy.

Add the cup of sugar and beat until the meringue forms glossy, stiff peaks. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Æ With your largest soup ladle, gather a mound of meringue and form it into a huge ball with your hands.

Make four of these and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Æ To serve the giant beauties, place a ladle of crème anglaise in a shallow bowl and float a meringue on top.

Spoon over the caramel sauce, sprinkle with almond praline and serve

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Almond Praline Crunch Topping 1 cup of sliced almonds Æ On a cookie sheet, coat a piece of parchment with half of the caramel sauce. Sprinkle almonds on top of the sauce. Æ Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes or until almonds are lightly browned. Cool praline, then break into pieces.

Crème Anglaise (Vanilla Sauce) 5 egg yolks (large eggs) ½ cup sugar ½ teaspoon cornstarch 1¾ cups scalded milk 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract 1½ teaspoons cognac or brandy Æ Beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes, until very thick. Reduce to low speed and add the cornstarch. Æ Pour the hot milk into the eggs. Æ Next, cook this mixture in a saucepan and over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened. Don’t cook it above 180 degrees or the eggs will begin to scramble. Æ Pour the sauce through a fine strainer and add the vanilla extract and cognac. Chill until you’ve made your meringues.

Tart Shell (or substitute pre-made pie crust) ½ cup cold, unsalted butter 1 cup flour ¼ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons cold water

Filling 3 tablespoons olive, canola, or grapeseed oil 1 tablespoon butter 5 cups onions, sliced thin 1 teaspoon salt A pinch of sugar 2 eggs, beaten ¼ cup heavy cream, half-n-half or dairy of choice 2 tablespoons cognac or brandy (optional) Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded 4 to 5 fresh thyme stems

For the Tart Shell Æ Cut the butter into small squares. In a mixer (using an S-hook) or food processor, combine or pulse first three ingredients until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Æ Sprinkle in water and pulse again until clumps form. Remove and knead by hand. Cover with wax paper and place in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Æ Dust work surface with flour before rolling or place dough between two sheets of plastic wrap and roll dough until thin. Place dough into a 9 or 10-inch tart pan (pans with removable bases are easiest) and place inside the freezer for 15 more minutes. Æ Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake shell for 10 to 20 minutes until the bottom is dry, but not golden.

For the Filling: Æ In a large Dutch oven, sauté onions in the oil and butter. Add sugar and salt and stir occasionally, until onions are caramelized and golden. This step can take up to 30 minutes. Æ Remove from heat. In a medium-sized bowl, add eggs, dairy, cognac, and a few grinds of pepper. When the onions have cooled, add them to the mixture. Æ Using a pastry brush, spread the Dijon mustard inside the tart shell. Æ Add the onion mixture and top with the cheese and thyme stems.

Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with a green salad.

Restaurant Guide Ready to Eat?

Use our restaurant listings to find the best eating and drinking in Columbia.

Locations: (C) Chapin ; (D) Downtown; (DS) Devine Street; (F) Five Points; (FA) Forest Acres; (I) Irmo; (L) Lexington; (N) Northeast; (R) Rosewood; (V ) Vista Area; (W ) West Columbia

American

Cellar on Greene (F) 2001 Greene St., 343-3303. Unique combination of wine shop by day and wine bar by night. Offering 3 course meals with steak, seafood or duck as well as pizza and desserts. Dinner, Tue-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm.

City Center Grill (D) 1200 Hampton St. (in the Columbia Marriott), 744-6940.

Traditional American favorites with regional fare. Breakfast, Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30am, Sat-Sun 6:30-12, Lunch daily,11:30am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-10pm.

WEEKNIGHT SPECIALS AT TOMBO Join us during the week for these great specials:

MONDAY!

Kick off your week with a burger & a beer for only $9, plus great local live music.

TUESDAY! $5 Pizzas and $15 Bottles of Wine Live music with Billy Sloan every

WEDNESDAY!

THURSDAY! Date Night: Three-course dinner for 2 for $49, plus $10 off any full bottle of wine.

803.782.9665 4517 Forest Drive Forest Acres, SC (across from Trader Joe’s)

tombogrille.com

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Cola’s Restaurant (V) 1215 Assembly Street, 803.451.0051 The menu is eclectic and evolvng, located in an historic and recently modernized building. Menu items include lamburger, beef short ribs, shrimp succotash. Bar open daily 5pm-unitl. Dinner, Monday - Thursday, 5:30pm-10:30pm.

Friday-Saturday, 5:30pm-11pm.

Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries (D) 931 Senate St., 799-0441; (FA) 4751 Forest Dr., 787-3178; (I) 285 Columbiana Dr., 407-6443; (N) 460-2 Town Center Place, 788-6200. Hamburgers, with an array of other options available. Daily 11am-10pm.

Harper’s Restaurant (F) 700 Harden St., 252-2222. Enjoy casual dining with an array of American cuisine, including steak, chicken, seafood, BBQ, burgers and salads. Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Thurs 11:15am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:15am-11pm, Sun 10:30am-10pm.

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House (D) 900 Main St., 748-0540. English-style brew pub with a variety of fresh homemade dishes. Brewhouse serving continental fare and regional favorites. Handcrafted beer made in-house. Lunch, Tue-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Sat 4-11pm.

Liberty Tap Room & Grill (V) 828 Gervais St., 461-4677. Handcrafted brew-pub with rich ethnic cooking styles serving seafood, steak, chicken, burgers, soups and salads.

Mon-Sat 11am-until, Sun 10am-until, Sun Brunch 10am-3pm.

THE VISTA 828 Gervais St IRMO, SC 1602 Marina Rd libertytaproom.com 11am DAILY

THE VISTA 936 Gervais St. pearlzoysterbar.com 4pm DAILY

NOW OPEN

HARBISON AREA 410 Columbiana Drive rioz.com 4pm DAILY

THREE DINING CHOICES. ONE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

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Restaurant Guide The Oak Table (D), 1221 Main Street, 803.563.5066The restaurant serves modern American cuisine with a high level of hospitality, service and excellence inspired by sister restaurants, Oak Steakhouse and The Macintosh in Charleston and features classic American staples, from steak to seafood.

Open for Lunch, Mon-Fri: 11:30am2:30pm. Open for Dinner Mon-Thurs: 5-10pm. Fri and Sat: 5-11pm. Sun: 5-9pm Open for Brunch Sun, 11:30am-2:30pm Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar (N) 841-4 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-6966. New American grill with extensive wine list. Serving seafood, pork, chicken, salads. Lunch TueFri 11:30am-2pm, Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5:309:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm.

Tombo Grille (FA) 4509 Forest Dr., 782-9665. Forest Acres hotspot serving incredible food, wines, and high-gravity beer.

Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30 10:30pm.

Yesterday’s (F) 2030 Devine St., 799-0196.

Relaxed family atmosphere serving up regional dishes made fresh daily. Menu items include beef stew, BBQ, lasagna and chicken.

Lunch and Dinner, Sun-Thurs 11:30ammidnight, Fri-Sat 11:30-1am.

Asian Baan Sawan Thai Bistro (DS) 2135 Devine St., 252-8992. Quaint bistro offering traditional Thai dishes with seafood, chicken and beef. Choose from a variety of Curry flavors. Dinner Tue-Thurs 5:30-9pm, Fri 5:30-10pm, Sat 5:30-9pm.

Take out is available.

Basil Thai (D) 702 Cross Hill Rd. Suite 300A, 803.782.0716. It’s been called fresh, sophisticated and creative. Award-winning cuisine with a welcoming feel. Lunch, MonFri 11:30am- 2:30pm, Dinner, Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun, 12noon-9pm

M Café (D) 1417 Sumter St., 779-5788.

Fresh Asian cuisine and Mandarin tea room.

Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 5-10pm.

M Grille (V) 530 Lady Street; 708.8881; Fresh Asian and American cuisine and sushi. Lunch, Mon-Fri,11:30am-2:30pm, Dinner, Mon-Thur, 5:30-9:30pm, Fri & Sat, 5:30-10:30 pm

Miyo’s (D) 922 S Main St., 779-6496; (FA) 3250 Forest Dr., 743-9996; (I) 1221 Bower Pkwy., 781-7788; (N) 715 Fashion Dr., 788-8878; (V) 701 Lady St., 255-8878.

Unique Asian flared foods, sushi, fine teas and specialty entrees. Hours vary by location.

SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar (V) 807 Gervais St., 931-0700. Serving up award winning sushi with fresh ahi tuna. Grill menu includes steak, chicken and beef.

Dinner, Mon-Wed 4:30-10pm, Thurs-Sat 4:30pm-midnight.

Bakery

Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery (N) 8502 Two Notch Rd., 736-2253. Full service delicatessen and custom bakery. Specialty is wedding cakes. Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm.

BBQ

Hudson’s Smokehouse (I) 301 Park Terrace Dr., 661-7533; (L) 4952 Sunset Blvd., 3561070. Voted some of the best BBQ in all of Columbia, offering full menu or Southern buffet with all the sides. Lunch and Dinner.

Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-3pm.

Deli/Café

DiPrato’s (F) 342 Pickens St., 779-0606. New York style delicatessen serving Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with signature sandwiches, soups and salads.

Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sat brunch 10am1pm, Sun brunch 10am-4pm.

The Gourmet Shop (F) 724 Saluda Ave., 799-3705. A local favorite, serving homemade sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. Menu items include turkey pesto, reuben, chicken salad, and smoked salmon. Mon-Fri 9am3:45pm, Sat 9am-4:45pm, Sun 10am-3:45pm.

Groucho’s Deli (F) 611 Harden St., 799-5708; (N) 111 Sparkleberry Ln., 419-6767; 730 University Village Dr., 754-4509; (I) 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4515; 2009 Broad River Rd., 750-3188; (FA) 4717 Forest Dr., 790-0801; (L) 117 ½ E. Main St., 356-8800. A local favorite featuring made-to-order sandwiches, lowfat options, soups and salads. Lunch and Dinner. Hours vary by location.

Le Peep (D) 1701 Gervias Street, Suite 110, 254-1200. Great breakfast, brunch and lunch food. Mon-Fri 7am-pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Closed Sunday.

Rosewood Market and Deli (R) 2803 Rosewood Dr., 256-6410. Wide variety of menu selections such as coconut shrimp, gumbo, pasta, soups and salads. Low carb healthy dishes available. Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, Sun 10am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 5-7:30pm.

Dessert

Café Strudel (W) 118 State St., 794-6634. European style café serving an array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers. Breakfast and Lunch Mon-Wed 8:30am-3:30pm, Thurs-Sat 8:30am10:30pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm.

Nonnah’s (V) 930 Gervais St., 779-9599. Offering a lite lunch and dinner menu, with some of the best desserts in Columbia. Relaxed, yet upscale atmosphere wonderfully decorated with original artwork from local artists. Lunch MonFri 11:30am-2pm; Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12:30am.

Fine Dining

Al’s Upstairs (W) 300 Meeting St., 794-7404. Romantic and elegant Italian restaurant overlooking the Columbia skyline.

Entrees include fresh fish, steaks, chops, pasta and lamb. Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-10pm.

Arizona’s (N) 150 Forum Dr., 865-1001.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily, SunMon11:30am-9pm, Tue-Thurs 11:30am10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm.

Columbo’s (D) 2100 Bush River Rd. (in the Radisson Hotel), 744-2200. Unique Italian cuisine, prime steaks and a superior wine list served up in a casual intimate atmosphere.

Breakfast daily, 6:30-11am, Lunch and Dinner daily 11am-midnight.

Garibaldi’s (F) 2013 Greene St., 771-8888.

Sophisticated neighborhood café with an art deco bar, serving classic Italian fare and delectable seafood. Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm, Sun 5-10pm.

Hampton Street Vineyard (D) 1201 Hampton St., 252-0850. Offering an array of cuisines with seafood, pastas, beef and chicken.

Menu changes quarterly. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 6-10pm.

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Momo’s Bistro (DS) 2930 Devine St., 252-2700. Fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Choose from seafood, steak, pork, chicken, lamb and salads. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30-10pm, Fri 5:30-11pm, Sat 5:30-10pm, Sun Brunch 10:30-2:30pm.

Motor Supply Bistro (V) 920 Gervais St., 256-6687. Serving up innovative food with a menu that changes twice daily. Lunch, Tue-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, Sun Brunch 11am-3pm, Dinner, Tue-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm, Sun 5:30-9pm.

P.O.S.H. (D) 1400 Main St. (in the Sheraton Hotel), 988-1400. Breakfast only, Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30am, Sat-Sun 6:30-11am.

Ristorante Divino (V) 803 Gervais St., 799-4550. Authentic Northern Italian cuisine, serving homemade pastas, seafood, duck and beef. Reservations suggested.

Dinner, Mon-Sat 6pm-until.

Terra (W) 100 State St., 791-3443. Great neighborhood restaurant serving wood-oven pizzas, quail, red drum, steaks and salads.

Dinner, Tue-Sat 5pm-until.

Greek

Grecian Gardens (W) 2312 Sunset Blvd., 794-7552. Authentic Greek cuisine including an excellent wine list. Menu selections include chicken, seafood, steaks, Greek pizza, salads and sandwiches. Lunch and Dinner, Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm.

Italian

Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar (DS) 2406 Devine St., 521-5063. Experience Italy first hand at this authentic pizzeria & wine bar. Made in-house panini, pizzas, pasta, mozzarella & desserts. Lunch and Dinner, Tues-Thurs, 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 4-11pm.

Closed Sun-Mon. Moe’s Grapevine (R) 4478 Rosewood Dr., 776-8463. Casual and personal dining experience with an Italian flare. Lunch, Tue-Fri 11am-2:30pm, Dinner Tue 5-9pm, Wed-Sat 5-10pm.

Rosso Trattoria Italia (FA) 4840 Forest Dr., 787-3949. Elegant casual Italian food fare serving up local, seasonal products, Menu boasts an array of pastas, grilled meats, steaks, and excellent wine list. Dinner, MonThurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm.

Travinia Italian Kitchen (L) 5074 Sunset Blvd., 957-2422; (N) 101 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd., 419-9313. Contemporary Italian cuisine serving fresh pasta, soups, chicken, pizza, veal and seafood. Lunch and Dinner Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 12-9pm.

Villa Tronco (D) 1213 Blanding St., 256-7677. Enjoy casual fine dining in

Columbia’s oldest Italian restaurant.

Old world charm with authentic recipes.

Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:00am-3pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 5-10pm.

Japanese

Camon Japanese Restaurant (D) 1332 Assembly St., 254-5400. Hibachi-style cooking with seafood, steak and chicken.

Dinner, Mon-Sat 5-9:30pm.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant (FA) 4827 Forest Dr., 738-9330. A local favorite serving up an array of tasty seafood and sushi dishes prepared fresh daily. Lunch, Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:309:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm.

Sato Japanese Steak & Seafood (FA) 1999 Beltline Blvd., 782-1064. Authentic Japanese cuisine prepared at your table with the finest chefs. Dinners include appetizer, soup, and salad. Choose from steak, chicken or seafood. Lunch Tue-Fri 11am-3pm, Dinner 4:30-10pm.

Mediterranean

Gervais & Vine (V) 620-A Gervais St., 799-8463. Spanish-styled Mediterranean wine and tapas bar offering a wide selection of beers, outside seating and a menu with culinary influences from across the Med. Dinner, Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm.

Seafood

Blue Fin (N) 461-4 Town Center Place, 865-7346. An upscale yet casual atmosphere with a full bar. Dishes include seafood, pasta, chicken, soups and salads. Lunch daily 11am-2:45pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 3-10pm, Fri-Sat 3-11pm, Sun 3-9:30pm.

Blue Marlin (V) 1200 Lincoln St., 7993838. Serving dishes with a Cajun and Creole influence. Menu includes seafood, steaks and chicken. Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:302:30, Dinner Mon-Fri 5:30-10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-11pm.

Bonefish Grill (FA) 4708 Forest Dr., 787-6200; (I) 1260 Bower Pkwy., 407-1599.

Great seafood dishes prepared on a woodburning grill, all within a relaxed casual atmosphere. Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 4-11:30pm, Sun 4-10pm.

the freshest seafood in a casual dining atmosphere. Daily 4pm-until.

Southern

Mint Julep Bistro & Lounge (N) 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Dr., 419-7200.

Mediterranean style “small-plate” dining with traditional Southern ingredients.

Selections include shrimp & grits, gumbo, BBQ, chicken dishes, soups and salads. Full wine and liquor bar. Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-10pm, Fri-Sat 4-11pm.

Mr. Friendly’s (F) 2001 Greene St., 254-7828. Serving new Southern cuisine including seafood, chicken, beef and wild game. Sophisticated and casual atmosphere, extensive wine list and a wide variety of micro-brew beer. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am2:30pm, Dinner Mon-Thurs 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm.

Steaks and Seafood

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse (D) 1508 Main St., 728-0887. A unique, all you can eat Churrascaria located in the historic Kress Building. Featuring a full salad bar, Brazilian hot dishes and 16 different types of meats sliced at your table. Full bar and wine cellar. Mon-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun Lunch 10-4pm, Dinner 4-9pm.

Reservations suggested.

Rusty Anchor (C) 1925 Johnson Marina, 749-1555. Located on Lake Murray the restaurant offers a picturesque and unique lake side dining experience. Specializing in fresh seafood, with favorites such as cedar plank salmon, broiled scallops, and chicken and steak. Outside dining available, full bar.

Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House (D) 924-A Senate St. (in the Hilton Hotel), 212-6666.

U.S.D.A. prime beef, chops, chicken and fresh seafood. Reservations recommended.

Breakfast daily 7-10:30am, Lunch daily 11am-3pm, Dinner Sun-Thurs 3-10pm, Fri-Sat 3-11pm. European style café serving an array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers. Breakfast and Lunch Mon-Wed 8:30am-3:30pm, Thurs-Sat 8:30am10:30pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm.

Catch 22 (I) 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4700. A fine-dining seafood restaurant with an array of seafood dishes, steak, chicken, sandwiches, soups and salads. Kids menu available. Dinner Tue-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm.

Saluda’s (F) 751 Saluda Ave., 799-9500. Rich mahogany and white linen tables is what you can expect at this fine dining eatery. Located in the heart of Five Points, featuring Southern cuisine with French and Italian influences.

Entrees include Fish Du Jour, shrimp & grits, steaks, chops, and an excellent wine list.

Dinner nightly, 5:30-10pm.

Pearlz Oyster Bar (V) 936 Gervais St., 661-7741. Fun, eclectic restaurant serving

Area restaurants provide this information to Columbia LIVING magazine. It is published according to space availability. No advertising or other considerations are accepted in exchange for a listing. To participate in our restaurant guide, call 843-856-2532.

The Oyster Bar (V) 1123 Park St., 799-4484.

Columbia’s original oyster bar, serving the freshest Gulf oysters, steamed or raw, soups, and shrimp and grits. Mon-Sat 4-until.

March/April 2014 | 77

travel

We’re going to Disney World It’s every child’s dream, but before you go, take advantage of expert advice to get the most out of the Magic Kingdom.

By Katie McElveen

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Photos Courtesy The Walt Disney Company

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ike most couples with school-aged children, Kristy and Jack Ellenberg need to plan their vacations well ahead of time. But not always. Case in point: their most recent trip to Disney World. “It was the weekend before fall break, and Jack and I decided, totally spur-of-themoment, to take the children to Disney,” laughs Kristy. Instead of getting online, though, and wading through the Disney website, Kristy made a phone call to her friend Margaret Bauer, who, along with her sister, Daisy Miller, owns and operates Forest Lake Travel. “I said, ‘Margaret, is it crazy to think about going to Disney in four days?’ She cracked up, but then she got really excited about it and started asking me what we wanted to do, how long we wanted to stay and how much we wanted to spend. By the end of the conversation, we’d planned every day, including dinner reservations, tickets to the Not-So-Scary Halloween party and finding an easy place for us to meet up with Jack, who would be flying in from a meeting in Denver. All I had to do was pack.”

It may be every child’s dream to visit Disney World, but for many parents, planning that trip can be a logistical nightmare. It’s easy to see why. The Disney World entertainment complex includes 35 hotels, six parks and four golf courses within its nearly 40 square miles. Add new attractions, vacation packages, endless food choices and ticketed special events to the mix, and suddenly even the savviest parents can feel like they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. “We’ve been to Disney before, but this was the first time we had help,” says Kristy. “It made a huge difference.

Margaret knew what was new and was honest about what was worth our time. She also helped us fit things together logically so we weren’t running from one end of the park to the other. We were really able to focus on the fun and not the planning.” Kristy also appreciated that Margaret had noted on the family’s reservation that Larrabee would be celebrating her birthday during the trip. “When we arrived they gave her a birthday button. Everywhere we went, cast members wished her a happy birthday,” says Kristy.

“She felt like a princess!”

For Margaret, those special moments are why she loves Disney. “Not only do I adore Disney myself, but I think it’s a fabulous place for a family vacation.” She should know. For the past few years, Margaret, along with her coworker Shelley Bohlman, has worked as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. “Years ago Disney was easy to navigate,” says Shelley. “Not any more. Since you can pre-register for almost everything, making all those decisions can get complicated very

travel

80 | ColumbiaLivingMag.com

» Disney tips and tricks

Considering a trip to Disney? Here are just a few tips.

If your children are young, you’ll probably only need to plan for half a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “They’ve got a great preschool component, but the park is mostly geared toward older kids,” says Shelley.

If you’ve registered for a nighttime event at the park, be sure to pick up a special armband when you arrive that day.

It will allow you to play in the park between the time that it closes to the public and the event begins.

Magic Bands are bracelets which store each guest’s room key, park tickets, meal plan and other information. Wear one, and you don’t need to carry a wallet or keep track of your room key. They’re still in the testing phase, but Forest Lake Travel clients have access to this new technology before it’s available to the public.

For more help, call 803.738.1520 or visit forestlaketravel.com

Photographs (top right, bottom left), courtesy Daisy Miller

quickly. Since we know Disney, we can guide you from the time you leave your house until you get home. It’s a real time-saver there is no additional cost for Disney planning.” As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, Forest Lake Travel has access to money-saving specials before they are offered to the general public. “Once I have your dates, I can call and find out what kinds of specials they have during that time,” explains Shelley. “And if a special comes up after you’ve made your reservation and it is available, we can usually rework it to include the new offers.”

To become authorized planners, Margaret and Shelley as well as several other advisors at Forest Lake Travel completed a series of courses through the College of Disney Knowledge that familiarized them with the parks, their offerings, lodging options, transportation and dining. Once they’d completed their training, they joined a cadre of planners around the world who are among the first to know about new programs, attractions and packages. Even better, taking regular Disney cruises and making visits to the parks mean they’re loaded with tips, tricks and advice that come either from on-the-ground experience or too many hours on the internet reading Disney vacation blogs. Take, for instance, dinner in Cinderella’s castle, one of the most popular events in the Magic Kingdom. “It’s a wonderful experience, but it’s also very expensive and can be hard to reserve,” says Shelley. “I’ve sent a lot of clients instead

to the Princess Dinner at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot.

It’s more intimate and there are always several princesses around to talk to the children. They’ve got time for photos and autographs, too.” Daisy Miller, who recently took her daughter Madge to Akershus, agrees. “Madge’s eyes were huge when one of the characters leaned down to whisper a princess secret in her ear.

She was absolutely thrilled.”

Shelley Dempsey discovered the benefits of working with Shelley Bohlman and Forest Lake Travel almost by accident. “I mentioned to Daisy one day how much Scott and I wanted to take the boys back to Disney, but that it was just too overwhelming to plan,” she recalls.

“When she explained all they can do for us at no additional cost, I called Shelley Bohlman immediately.” One of the first things Shelley did was help the Dempseys make the most of the money they’d budgeted—so much so that they were able to extend their trip from four days to seven. “I thought we’d need a top dollar hotel,” says Shelley Dempsey. “But when we explained that we spend very little time in the room, Shelley suggested we book a less expensive hotel that had particularly boy-friendly amenities and use the money we saved elsewhere.” Shelley Dempsey hadn’t considered purchasing Disney’s dining plan, but when Shelley Bohlman explained it to her, she was sold. “She planned out each day to include dining and we never had to run from one end of the park to the other,” she says. “Everything was perfectly organized, down to which restaurants had the best breakfast, lunch or dinner and a note in our file alerting staff to my son’s food allergies. At every restaurant someone walked us through the menu or the buffet line and explained what he could or couldn’t have. The whole week was incredible and I’d go again tomorrow—but only after I’d called Shelley!” ◼

Everybody has two sides. There’s your normal, everyday side that goes to work, studies for school and doesn’t do anything crazy.

But you also have another more fun side—your Disney side. That’s the side you simply can’t wait to share as a family. It’s the side of you that laughs bigger, screams louder, says “yes” more often and just plain lives life to the fullest. It’s the side of you that comes out to play the moment your family steps through the gates of the Walt Disney World® Resort.

So why wait? Share the magic right now and come show your Disney side!

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©Disney

FOREST LAKE TRAVEL (803) 738-1520 (800) 554-8758 info@forestlaketravel.com www.forestlaketravel.com

1500 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 • 803-779-2250 www.sylvans.com