Local Living March/April 2014

Tricks to E-Z Spring cleaning The Unsung Mudroom

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Top Chef Nicholas Elmi

57 Successful Home Décor with Jennifer Adams

what’s cooking 24 Our Sommelier suggests Divine Wine pairings for the perfect match every time.

travel 64 Local Goes Local: It’s always spring at the United States Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C.

living humor 41 Musings of Motherhood: How a new baby rearranges all your furniture.

61 Male Bag: Time. You can’t bottle it, so remember to enjoy it.

fashion & beauty 39 Fashionista explains the logic of a closet re-org. It’s worth it!!

33 Duchess Gabrielle’s Beauty Lab shows you the s ecrets of red clay.

home 12 The Unsung Mudroom

law & finance 17 Harvest Group Financial Services and Financial Divorce Plan LLC: How Much Do You Need To Retire?

49 Cooley & Handy, Attorneys at Law: Divorce Demystified.

30 62 High Swartz LLP: New Friends This Summer

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51 St. Luke’s University Health Network 55 Dr. Robert J. Willard: Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Center Local Living Magazine takes full responsibility for the incorrect information in Dr. Willard’s profile in last issue’s Best Docs. The new ad in this issue has all of the correct phone numbers and correct addresses. Local Living Magazine apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused.

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Local Living March | April 2014

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Local Living March | April 2014

Writer Queries or Solicitations If you’ve got a must-read story or a good idea for an upcoming issue, what are you waiting for? Email us or send it through the mail at the respective addresses in the section above. (Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your mail. Local Living Magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.)

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DIRECTOR OF sales Blair W. Johnson FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR Gabrielle Mwangi FOOD EDITOR Kimberly Cambra Director of photography Amy McDermott CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason A. Bleecher, Mike Hirata Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Burns, Jillian Dunn, Carrie Hagen, Holli Harms, Blair Johnson, Hope Kumor, Pattie Krukowski, Gabrielle Mwangi, Carla Papciak-Glatts, Loretta D. Hutchinson, Michele Kawamoto Perry, Susan Taylor, Lisa Walters, Michelle Welliver

I

I believe there comes a time in everyone’s life when you ask yourself the question, “Am I happy with my career or personal life?” For me, that question arose this year regarding my career, and to be honest, I wasn’t quite sure of the answer.

Local Living is approaching its third-year anniversary, and the journey has been filled with lots of hard work, struggles, accomplishments, successes, and failures. To say it has been a roller coaster ride would be an understatement.

Launching a new company requires extreme dedication and a lot of work, especially when you decide to start in the midst of a recession.

The long hours have been taxing on my health and personal relationships. Because of my work demands, I have missed many events with my friends and family and have had to watch from the sidelines as life moved forward. Recently, a friend of mine was facing a life-threatening illness, and she shared with me that when she thought about the fact her life may end, she didn’t think about her career.

She thought about all the time she wanted back with her family. That statement shook me to my core. It made me ask myself, “Is what I’m spending my time on really that important?”

After many weeks of soul searching and reflection, my answer is a resounding “Yes!” I realized that I am doing exactly what I want to do. I did decide to relocate to the Jersey Shore, which will hopefully bring some much-needed balance in my life.

Local Living is not like other magazines. It is a constant reinforcement of inspiration, motivation, and education for its readers and the community it serves. In a world where most media focuses on the negative, Local Living reflects the positive and encourages.

With this in mind, and with the overwhelming support of my friends and family, I move forward with more passion and drive than ever before. I will continue to guide this magazine to be what it is meant to be—a success!

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March | April 2014 Local Living

7

Broadway’s Classic Killer Comedy!

Building Endless Possibilities

Spring Outdoors

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ven though most people reserve the word “miraculous” for extreme, supernatural goodness, I have no problem applying it to the first sunny day this spring. The three or so frozen months beforehand almost made me forget how blissful it is to feel the warmth of sunlight. Of course, right on the heels of my reverie was the reality of yard work and spring cleaning. I hired someone to do the windows, but I’m looking forward to getting my hands dirty planting and pruning.

For all the rest, you will enjoy our newest writer’s tricks and tips. Michelle Welliver put together the best list of cleaning secrets ever. And all of the agents are easy to find, easy on the nose, and easy on Earth. What could be better? I guess dinner made for you could be better.

By Nicholas Elmi. Sorry, can’t arrange it, but new writer, Carrie Hagen, got up close and personal with the chef to talk about winning “Top Chef ” on Bravo’s cooking competition and running the acclaimed restaurant, Laurel, on Philly’s East Passyunk Avenue.

We hope you enjoy Hope Kumor’s exclusive Q & A with award-winning decorator Jennifer Adams. Adams’ new book is about to be everywhere, titled “Bedrooms That Inspire: Rest, Relaxation & Romance.” Hope joins us while simultaneously accomplishing her internship with Family Circle in NYC. We are glad to have her fresh, talented take on home, house and beauty.

And once again, it is with great honor that we partner with Pearl S. Buck International as they host their decadently delicious “Taste of the World” event May 16. Restaurants, caterers and chefs will be vying for the coveted Top Taste title in entrees and desserts. Our own Kimberly Cambra will join the likes of Robert Simone and others as they make the hard decisions on the best of the best.

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Local Living March | April 2014

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Mudrooms calm the chaos by providing a place for everything and everything in its place.

HOME

The Unsung Mudroom

By Pattie Krukowski

I

t’s 7:30 am and all inhabitants of my household are in a subconscious type of synchronized activity. My contractor husband sits on a cushioned storage bench chewing a mouthful of some kind of Kashi while double knotting the laces on his steel toed boots. Our 9 year old is about to pull a hoodie over his head and hang a bookladen backpack on his shoulders, unfortunately for him, in the wrong order. Our cat is pacing patiently waiting for someone to meet her “feed me” gaze while our dog paces less patiently in anticipation of the leash making its morning debut. I am deciding which outdoor slippers to settle my feet into as I grab my car keys off a wall hook, jabbering “go for a ride?” repeatedly in baby talk. All this takes place in a logical yet charismatic space known as “The Mudroom.”

12

Local Living March | April 2014

Although mudrooms originated in rural regions to keep inhabitants from dragging the elements of the great outdoors indoors, they have since evolved. No longer the basic muck hut, these rooms have become problem-solving yet stylish “hello” and “goodbye” staging areas in the suburban dwelling.

Housing the secondary and most frequented entrance to a home, they are more than a cloak room yet less than a foyer.

They calm the chaos by providing a place for everything and everything in its place. They can be outfitted with an arsenal of organizational elements to fit your individual needs. They can be embellished to mimic the determined style of your home or they can make a unique declaration of their own.

My mudroom is more of a “Mud Space.” It is part of an open floor plan and not defined by four walls. It is a wide, hall-type

space that leads you from the back doors to the kitchen. A group of custom painted, locker type cabinets resting on open shoe cubbies lined with rubber boot trays occupies one wall.

An open space immediately located between the door and the lockers is equipped with hooks of multiple shapes and sizes, hung at varied heights to literally hang one’s hat and several sodden jackets. Yet another boot tray below catches wayward drips. On the opposite wall is a wainscoted, simple flip-top bench measuring the same width and painted the same shade as the lockers. The tufted, Sunbrella fabric bench cushion was chosen in colors to complement the kitchen and also plays upon the same tones of the easy-to-rinse-with-a-hose indoor/outdoor Turkish look rug. Each locker has a separate

proprietor and therefore, separate contents besides the usual coats, hats and shoes. Sports equipment, several dangerous looking foam swords, pet, art and gardening supplies all fit neat and tidy while the space hardly yells “utility room.”

An easy-to-see dry erase board and a bulletin board ensure everyone’s on time.

Updated amenities improve a mudroom’s function immensely. An outdoor faucet with handheld shower head strategically placed low to the ground makes cleaning clay caked cleats a cinch. Radiant floor heat speeds up the dripdrying process while assisting in insulating heat loss when the outside door is open. Boot/shoe/hat heaters are affordable luxuries guaranteed to impress any snow bunny and can be unplugged and easily stored during the warmer seasons.

Towel warmers keep pool or beach linens toasty. Utility sinks afford a place to tackle a muddy mutt or clean paint brushes.

Some prefer to combine their laundry room and mudroom for ultimate proficiency. Water dispensers and small beverage refrigerators keep kids from traipsing through the house to quench their thirst. A friend of mine has a custom-built dog crate for her two yappy dogs that doubles as a bench in her mudroom, which doubles as spoiled dog central.

Bringing character to your mudroom is easier than you think. It’s the perfect place to actually use Grandma’s Antique Wardrobe Armoire. Gel stain or custom lacquer it to either blend or make a statement. Tie tassels on it knobs and pulls to add interest. Drawer label holders clearly identify contents.

Built-in cabinets always make for a handsome catchall.

Also, favorable lighting in this room is a must. I love the convenience of an automatic door light switch. Every time you open the door, the light comes on to pave your way. An artfully framed, hanging mirror assists in last minute touchups when running out the door. Picture collages sporting the family enjoying their favorite activities feel at home here.

Spend some time to determine your specific needs for this high volume, multi-tasking space known as the mudroom and create the perfect territory to emerge from the wild into civility.

Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer and interior decorator currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

March | April 2014 Local Living

13

style. luxe. life.

Six Easy Tricks to Take the Chore Out of Spring Cleaning

By Michelle Welliver

S

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pring is the season I most look forward to. Flowers are in bloom, birds are chirping and the sun graces all of us with its presence. With all the chores on my “spring cleaning” to-do list, I appreciate these tips and tricks to help me accomplish the tasks faster. I am sharing them here so we all have more time to enjoy nature’s splendor.

1. Speed Clean the Microwave. Unwanted leftovers clinging to the walls of your microwave? Combine ¼ cup of lemon juice or 3 to 5 drops of essential oil with 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe measuring cup and heat for 3 to 4 minutes. When you open the door the inside of the microwave will be slightly wet from the steam and the gunk will have loosened. Remove the measuring cup and wipe the walls with a clean, damp sponge or cloth. Voila! Fresh smelling and clean!

2. Quickly Cut through Hardened Spills in the Fridge.

Missed spills that have hardened below the crisper drawer or elsewhere in the fridge? No worries. A liquid dishwasher tab dissolved in a ¼ cup of hot water and then poured on the spillage will do the trick. Wait about a minute after pouring and wipe with a paper towel. All g1 and with ease!

3. The ‘No Scrub’ Way to Clean Stove Burners and the Oven. The daunting thought of this chore tends to make us, well, put it on the “back-burner.” But here is an easy solution!

Put ¼ cup of basic ammonia in a gallon-sized sealable bag along with the burner. Seal tightly and leave on a cookie sheet overnight. The fumes from the ammonia, not the soaking, will dissolve the grease and oil. Remove the burner from the bag the next morning and just wipe clean.

This same method can be applied to cleaning your oven.

Place a pan filled half way with ammonia in a cold oven

overnight. (If there is heavy build-up, this may take slightly longer.) Let the fumes do the dirty work while you sleep! By the next morning, you can wipe it clean easily. *An important tip to remember! Never mix ammonia with anything that has bleach in it. The fumes will be toxic.

4. Say Goodbye to Soap Scum and Buildup. Measure separately 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of Dawn dish washing liquid. Place the vinegar in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Mix the vinegar and Dawn together and pour into a spray bottle. Spray and scrub with a sponge and then rinse away any remaining suds with water. To ensure a sparkling glass door, use a bit of glass cleaner and give it a final wipe down.

5. Sparkling Light Fixtures with Just Seconds of Effort.

Glass pieces of lamps and chandeliers tend to collect dust that deters from the beauty they hold. If they are removable, you can help them to regain their sparkle by giving them a quick and effortless run through the dishwasher.

To reduce any spotting that may occur, be sure to run the drying cycle as well.

6. Swiftly Deodorize and Deep Clean Your Mattress.

Spruce up your sleeping place with just 1 ingredient and the aid of your vacuum. Sprinkle 2 cups of baking soda across your entire bare mattress and let sit for 1 hour.

Then, using the brush attachment on your vacuum, pick up all the baking soda. Now you have something to look forward to at bedtime!

Michelle Welliver is a freelance writer currently pursuing a BA in media at Delaware Valley College while winning track meets and raising a son and daughter with her husband, a US Navy veteran.

March | April 2014 Local Living

15

FINANCE

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

By Loretta Hutchinson CDFA, NCC Tax Efficient Investing

What it means, why it counts

“W

hat’s NCC my number?” A common conLoretta D. Hutchinson CDFA,

cern for those of us approaching our second capital half isgains. confusion over to counterbalance In this scenario, the capital how are much we should save capital for gains to lowlossesjust you incur applied against your retirement. This “number” represents the amount of you’re funds making lemoner your personal tax liability.

Basically, and resources weade willout need to lemons enjoy an activeportfolio. life and feel of the in your productive in our remaining years without running out of money. This is not a one-size-fits-all Another rather basicanswer. tactic intended to work over the long When I sit withrun: mytax-efficient clients, I first get themare talking about investments placed in taxableminded accounts,of the risk inherent in various investments. By carrying too much risk in your portfolios, your income from what their pictureand of less retirement looksinvestments like. Will are theyheld work tax-efficient in tax-advantaged your investments fluctuates wildly with the vagaries of the thisgolf presumes hold investments part-time, maybeaccounts. volunteerOforcourse, just play all day?that Doyou they market.

But if you are a super-conservative investor, your boththey typestraveled of accounts.

If allin your investment money is in want to travel orinhave enough their proportfolio could be so risk-averse that it can’t earn enough your 401(k) or IRA—just focus on asset allocation and infessional life and are just looking forward to staying home. vestment selection.

The bottom line is you may have a lot to keep up with even moderate inflation, and over time, you Only after we develop a Lifestyle Retirement Plan with the Don’t play games with your retirement. of control when it comes to maximizing your after-tax will have less and less purchasing power. how, what, where and when of their remaining years do we wealth.

First, decide on a suitable asset allocation.

Next, seAnd what will happen with our Social Security income begin to talk about the “number.”

An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is one of the safest you read about investing and other finanlect investments that make sense for you.

Then, be tax-smart (or lack thereof )?

In 2005, SSI represented 39% of a typical How much retirement income will you really need? If and easiest ways to reduce your taxes now while saving cial topics, you occasionally see the phrase “tax efficiency” about where you hold your investments.

65-year-old retiree’s income.

But by 2030, Social Security you’re considering retiring in the near future, you’ve probor a reference to a “tax-sensitive” way of investing.

With the for retirement later. may only replace 29% of that income, after deductions for ably heard or read that you need about 70% of your salary new Medicare surtax (officially termed the Unearned How tax-efficient is your portfolio?

It’s an excellent quesMedicare premiums and income taxes.

Since 1983, retirees to live comfortably in retirement. This estimate is frequently Medicare Contribution), increasing tax brackets Regardless of whether you choose a Traditional orIncome Roth IRA, tion, one you should consider.

But this brief article shouldn’t earning more than $25,000 in SSI have had to pay income repeated… but that doesn’t mean it is true for everyone. It and deduction limitations, tax efficient investing is even be interpreted as tax or investment advice.

If you’d like to contributions grow very fast because the interest you earn is tax on a portion of their benefits.

This is all presuming Somay not be true for you. In order to form a realistic picture more relevant in 2014. As an investor, the proper asset alfind out more about tax-sensitive ways to invest, be sure to tax-deferred. cial Security is still around in 2030. of our income needs we need to account for our lifestyle as location and investment selection decisions are important melongevity, and let’s explore today. What you Solearn will you have enough? When it comes to retirement well as healthcare call costs, portfolioyour riskoptions and inflation. buton keeping costs and taxes low should also be considered. could be eye-opening. Hanging onto as much of your hard-a casual assumption may prove to be woefully inPlus, your contributions may be totally tax-deductible income, Most of us will face a major health problem at some point Ignoring the effects of costs and taxes on your earnings earned money as possible is the goal of tax-advantaged in-Call my office at 215-860-6056 and make an apaccurate. your 2013 tax returns. Check with your tax advisor. can be a drag on your overall portfolio returns. in our lives – perhaps even multiple or chronic health probWhere we vesting. I can help you invest with this goal in mind.pointment to discuss your Lifestyle Retirement Plan and lems.

We don’t want to think about that reality. Accordhave the greatest degree of control is in the area of expenses your “number.”

Visit our website or contact Cheryl Allen at our Jamison office ing to Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), and tax-efficient implementation. So why not exercisethe some Looking for financial advice from a trusted Looking for financial advice from a trusted advia 65-year-old couple with median prescription-drug exbefore April 15 for more information. control through tax-efficient investing? advisor? Loretta Hutchinson CDFA, NCC is a Fisor?

Loretta Hutchinson CDFA, NCC is a Finanpenses who retired in 2013 will need $295,000 to enjoy a nancial Advisor with Harvest Group Financial cial Advisor with Harvest Group Financial Serchance of being able to all their PA remaining lifetime Lower taxes now, more money later.

Everyone wants their investment portfolio75% to perform Services in pay Langhorne, and Naples, FL. She vices in Langhorne, PA and Naples, FL. She can be medical bills, andcan $360,000 to have a 90 percent chance. well. But it is your after-tax return that really matters. be reached at Loretta@HarvestGroupFireached at Loretta@HarvestGroupFinancial.com Those figures in the or premiums for Medigap and It’s a win-win situation.

If your portfolio earns you double-digit returns, those re- factor nancial.com 215-860-6056. or 215-860-6056.

Part D outpatient drug benefits to supplement turns really aren’t so great if you end up losingMedicare 20% or 30% Any information contained herein should not be basicyou Medicare, with out-of-pocket for preof them to taxes. In other words, it is not just what make along Any information containedexpenses herein should not be construed as tax or legal advice. It is always recommended that drugs. Those figures doornot include of recommended but what you keep after taxes that counts. In scription periods when construed as tax legal advice.the It iscost always you consult a qualified tax or legal professional regarding your nursing homes long-term care ainsurance. the return on your investments is low, tax efficiency takes on orthat you consult qualified tax or legal professional regardWarrington Hatboro Lending Office Warminster Jamison personal situation.

Another concern affects our “number” even greater importance. ingthat your personal situation. is how long will 215.675.4000 215.675.4424 215.672.1010 215.343.0344 215.918.2722 we live? If you come from a representative family where people frequently Registered offering securities and Registered adviso- representative offering securities and advisory serbank online at hatborofed.com • bank-by-phone 1.877.HFS.2323 vices through Centaurus Financial Inc., a registered investment Some tax-sensitive thatinto are their de- 80sryand 90s, you may Centaurus live as longFinancial or longer.

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Member FINRA and SIPC, Superviso- Thursday: 9 am - 4:30 pm • Friday: ers 9 am commonly - 71.877.HFS.2323 pm State Street, bank onlineMonday at hatborofed.com • bank-by-phone consider these strategies whenneed determining 40-45 years ry of steady income.

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Weare have been reand be Centaurus Financial notall affiliated. don’t apply to your individual retirement accounts or qualiMarch | April 2014 Local Living 17 fied retirement money.

WARMINSTER WARRINGTON JAMISON 215.672.1010 215.343.0344 215.918.2722 One possible method for realizing greater tax efficiency is

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you. They don’t have the emotional attachment that you do.)

Clutter takes up more home space than anything else, depriving you more than fulfilling you.

2) YOUR FURNITURE: Find pieces that do more than one thing. Find a couch that is also a bed, an ottoman or bench that is also storage, or a table that is also a cabinet.

Many of these pieces can be found at stores such as IKEA. Take a walking tour and/or virtual tour of IKEA and see what they have.

HOME ORGANIZATION

How to Live Well in a Small Space

By Holli Harms

L

ike the multiple blades of a Swiss army knife, many of our living situations require that the rooms in our homes be multi-functional. The important idea to keep in mind as you work to create, or recreate, your living space is: Construct spaces within spaces.

Having lived in small spaces in urban as well as rural settings for most of my adult life, I have found that it can be done both beautifully and functionally. You must complete a few steps first however: 1) CLEAR THE CLUTTER! You must take this allimportant first step and clear out all the “Stuff ” you don’t need. Give away to friends or donate what you can and throw away what you can’t. This step is tantamount and you must be brutal. (Helpful hint: Have a friend come in and do it for

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3) THINK UP! Go vertical. Wall space is space often not used.

In our 400 square-foot, three room apartment (my husband, daughter and I live and work there) we needed to find something to do with our books. A bookshelf would have taken up much needed floor space. The books needed to either get out or go somewhere else. We chose to have them go up. We built a bookshelf shaped like an arch that spans one whole wall. The sides of the arch start three feet off the ground giving us enough space for bed and table. Also with an arch design it leaves the middle of the wall open, giving the room an uncluttered feel.

Our bedroom also serves as the TV/sitting room and office. The bed and dresser drawer are at one end of the room and two chairs flank a filing cabinet/table at the other creating a sitting area. The television lives on the opposite wall of the bookshelves on a double-duty cabinet that provides storage and holds the television. We converted our closet into the office. We built a desk in the closet for the computer and shelving above the desk for printer, papers and office supplies.

Our kitchen area has to function as kitchen/living room and dining room when we entertain. We swapped out our square four-top table for a smaller round café table that serves as both seating for dinner as well as everyday living room use. Two small slipper chairs on either side of the couch were added for additional seating. Slipper chairs have no arms and that allows for more space. A carpet underlying this eating/living area visually separates it from the rest of the room helping to define the space.

Many of us need to scale down for various reasons. You’ll find it is only a matter of reconsidering a room to create a space as multi-functional as a Swiss army knife.

Holli is a writer living in NYC and the Poconos of Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter. Her play “Make John Patrick Shanley Go Home” will be produced this summer in Miami.

Garden Tour du Jour of Six Bucks County Gardens

Presented by the New Hope Historical Society for the 21st Time!

Save the date, Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine.

Purchase your tickets before May 1 and save $5 on each ticket.

Or purchase afterward for the general admission price of $35.

Order garden tour tickets online at www.newhopehs.org or call 215-862-5652.

“The garden is a love song, a duet between a human being and Mother Nature”—Jeff Cox

profile 10 Ways to Wake UP Your Kitchen!

By Susan Taylor

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kay, so you have a perfectly good kitchen… layout works, and the cabinets are solid, but something needs a little lift! There are plenty of ideas that don’t involve a demo team or disrupting your life and home. Here are a few.

Color is one of my most transforming magic tricks. If you don’t feel like trying the new Radiant Orchid or my personal favorite, SW Yam on your walls and ceiling, you could get a pop of style with an oversized sculpture… try a lacquered orange 14” apple. Oh. My. Using my paint wand, transform the entire kitchen with painted cabinets. If you are ambitious and willing to do a little Internet study, you can tackle this yourself with success… or you can call me for a professional! I just finished a fabulous kitchen in Charleston, SC in three shades of gray… it’s a show-stopper!

While you are mulling over your new painted doors, consider new hardware. New jewelry always picks up my mood, and it can do wonders for your kitchen too… new hardware and wow light fixtures will put you on the road to style.

Why not remove the top doors of your cabinets for the look of more industrial open shelving? Paint the backs of the shelves with a pop of color… turquoise, chrome yellow, or porpoise. Add a colorful rug, and voila! Your room sings.

Your kitchen walls become the canvas for personality when you hang a favorite collection. A vintage tea towel becomes a focal point when hung under an old carved frame. This favorite collection of special sterling forks hung within the footprint of an ornate oval frame has always been a personal favorite for me. A modern kitchen gets instant character and smiles with style.

Hang a wild card light fixture, such as a turquoise papier Mâché chandelier or an unexpected purchase from the Paris Flea Market, dripping with crystals… my personal choice! It will travel with me to any kitchen. Wow. Wallpaper is so unexpected in the kitchen and more durable than you think. Bold graphic pattern or tone on tone neutral… it could be the personality you need. Anaglypta paper on the ceiling is a great way to add instant age and architectural interest. It resembles old tin pressed tiles and can be found in a variety of patterns. Paint it in a metallic sheen or stunning satin hue. You’ll get a rave review.

Bring in a tall glass vase with oversized branches and blooms. Seasonal cuttings are always dripping with drama and you will find their fake cousins at my store for substituting when needed. Your friends won’t know the difference!

Yellow, orange, white, lime… oh so Susan.

Several years ago, while designing a kitchen in Charlotte, NC, I substituted antique mirror for glass in an accent cabinet.

It was the drama we needed and the wow factor of the mirror also eliminated the need for interest or neatness behind the glass. It’s an easy substitute and we even sell DIY kits for antiquing mirrors. You’ll love this easy transformation.

With a little imagination and energy from a few of my tips, you can wake up your kitchen with a new look, outside the box design and original style. Go for it.

Susan Taylor is the Owner and Designer at Blackeyed Susan.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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Divine Wine Pairings

By Michele Kawamoto Perry

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hile wine is certainly a wonderful drink of choice on its own, it can be almost magical with the right food pairing. Wine can serve as a palate cleanser preparing you for the next bite or it can create a harmony in combination with food. Ultimately, the perfect pairing enhances the experience of both the food and the wine.

With so many wines and different dishes, pairing may seem overwhelming. But, not to worry, following are some basic principles that will help to guide you through the pairing journey: -Wines with high acidity, such as Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc, will help to cut through salty or oily foods. Try these wines with oysters, sardines or deep-fried foods. Ever wonder why lemons are often served with these foods? Now you know.

• Tannic wines provide the ideal balance rich and fatty foods. Proteins and fats soften the effects of tannins. Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah match up well with steak, lamb, and grilled sausages. Avoid salty dishes with tannic wines as they can heighten the saltiness of the dish.

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• Sweet wines create a wonderful counterbalance to spicy and salty foods. Try a Kabinett or Spatlese (sweeter than the Kabinett) Riesling from Germany, a Gewurztraminer for Alsace with Indian or Thai food. Sauternes, Muscat or Tawny Port with Blue Cheese. Of course, sweet wines can also provide a tantalizing complement to desserts, like Riesling icewine with a crisp apple tart.

• Take a regional approach with pairing food and wines. Regional wines and specialty dishes are not mere coincidences. Try a Provençal Rosé with bouillabaisse, a Chianti with truffle risotto or Albariño with Paella.

With the above pointers, you are well on your way to creating some fantastic pairings. Most importantly, have fun! Experiment with your favorite wines and foods. You may find some surprising and unique pairings to showcase at your next dinner party!

Michele Kawamoto Perry is a wine industry veteran, sommelier, and international wine educator.

Michele is a Certified Sommelier and instructor through the International Sommelier Guild, and co-owner of Rouge-Bleu winery in southern Rhone, France. She received her MBA from Bordeaux Business School with a focus on the wine industry, and her BA from Harvard University.

Aroi Thai Bistro Authentic Thai food in a traditional Thai house atmosphere. Experience flavor honed by generations of past Masters when you enjoy Aroi.

727 Second Street Pike • Southampton, PA 215.322.8889 www.aroithaipa.com Open daily for lunch and dinner

Mt. Fuji Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse 459 Second Street Pike • Southampton, PA • 215.396.8985 43 Summit Square • Newtown/Langhorne, PA • 215.860.6888 Ardmore Plaza • 36 Greenfield Ave. • Ardmore, PA • 610.658.9888 Reservations Welcome • Gift Cards Available Join Our VIP Program Today!

Lunch Mon. - Fri. 11:00am to 3:00pm Dinner Mon. - Thurs. 4:30pm - 10:00pm Fri. 4:30pm - 11:00pm Sat. 2:30pm - 11pm Sun. 2:30pm - 9:30pm

Celebrity Emcee - Eve Tannery

Restaurants and Caterers Compete 10th Annual Top Taste in Bucks County’s Celebrity Culinary Competition Celebrity Chefs at Taste of the World on May 16

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culinary fusion takes place at the site of the national historic landmark where Pearl S. Buck bridged the East and West on Friday, May 16 when Pearl S. Buck International hosts the 10th Annual Taste of the World from 7-10 pm.

Building on the success of last year’s event, restaurants, caterers and culinary professionals will be vying for the coveted Top Taste title in two categories: entrees and desserts.

This year’s judging panel includes the distinctive palates of Kimberly Cambra, Local Living; Kimberly Graziano, Graziano Food & Wine Works; Barry Sexton, The Opinionated Palate Catering Service; and Robert Simone, Bobby Simone’s Bar & Restaurant.

WFMZ-TV69’s Eve Tannery emcees the culinary competition, as gala attendees weigh in by voting for their favorite dish in a Fan Favorite competition. The evening also includes silent and live auctions as well as opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for chances to win a one-of-a-kind Sherry Tinsman necklace and earring set that evening and $10,000 in a special drawing taking place June 7 at the organization’s 50th Anniversary Gala. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the sponsors, culinary participants and auction items, visit www.pearlsbuck.org/taste.

Proceeds from the Taste of the World event enable Pearl S. Buck International to build a global community through child adoption, child sponsorship and multicultural programs at the Pearl S. Buck House. Pearl S. Buck International’s mission upholds the legacy of Pulitzer and Nobel-prize winning Pearl S. Buck, whose humanitarian and child advocacy efforts have touched the lives of over two million since 1949. Headquartered in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pearl S. Buck International (www.pearlsbuck.org) carries out its mission both domestically and internationally with a global footprint through its country offices in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.

Eve Tannery joined the WFMZ news team in September of 2005. You can catch her anchoring 69 News at Sunrise and 69 News at Noon with Jaciel Cordoba Monday through Friday.

Eve’s responsible for daily guest segments on the morning show, and she has created and produced segments like “Music Monday,” “Ask the Anchors,” “Up and Atom Science,” and “Early Risin’ with Eve,” to name a few. Eve is heavily involved in charity work in and around the Lehigh Valley, and she is an avid supporter of Cops ‘n’ Kids, The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, The State Theatre, Go Red for Women, The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Child Care Information Services, and other organizations that support both of our local hospitals.

Eve got her start at WBOC, a CBS affiliate based out of Salisbury, Maryland. During her time at WBOC, Eve worked as a General Assignment Reporter out of the Dover, Delaware newsroom and filled in as both an anchor and producer. At WBOC, Eve won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and an Associated Press Award for continuing coverage of the Delaware Department of Correction Hostage Investigation. Her station also submitted her work on the same story for Peabody Award consideration.

Born and raised in Bucks County, Eve attended Wake Forest University. There, she received a BA in Communication and a minor in Journalism. She also earned membership into the National Communication Honor Society. While at Wake Forest, Eve interned with WXII, an NBC-affiliate out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she worked on the morning show. Eve was also actively involved with the college station, WAKE-TV. She served on the board and appeared in a co-produced and co-created show, “The Eve and Alison Show.” One day, she hopes to be able to cook, ski, and sing on Broadway.

Judges Kimberly Cambra

As a passionate gastronome with an equal appetite and love of food history, Local Living’s Food Editor Kimberly Cambra resides in Buckingham with her husband Marcelo and 14 year-old-son, Rudy. Kimberly is also Executive Director, CB Cares Educational Foundation.

Kimberly Graziano

Kimberly Graziano is a consultant specializing in food and beverage. She is a passionate local food advocate and loves a good conversation! Kimberly regularly trades in her laptop and apron for a hammer and nails as Co-Chairperson of the Women Build Committee for Habitat for Humanity BC. She lives in Bucks County with her husband, Andrew Hinckley.

Barry Sexton

Philadelphia native, Chef Barry E. Sexton has successfully acquired over thirty years experience in the culinary arts. This award-winning chef is known well for his keen sense of creativity. His cuisine integrates the sophisticated flavors of African, Caribbean, Italian and Asian all infused with a cultural blend from around the world. In 1995, he was voted the Top Chef to watch, while working at Striped Bass, a well-known restaurant that specialized only in seafood flown in from around the world. Chef Sexton created dishes that reflected his proven track record among those with discerning taste. He also helped launch Zanzibar Blue, a popular upscale jazz/blues restaurant located in the Philadelphia Hyatt Hotel. He was featured on the popular Food Network Show, Dinner Impossible starring Robert Irvine. Already a name in culinary circles within the community, keep your eyes open for this star on the rise!

Robert Simone

Before opening Bobby Simone’s Restaurant and Bar in 2004, Robert Simone honed his entrepreneurial skills as an industry leader in the business world, growing his copy paper business to become one of the largest resellers of paper to the retail market. Upon retiring from the paper business, Simone told his wife Michelle, that he wanted to own a restaurant, bar and men’s clothing store. Today, this modern day Renaissance man owns all three. Bobby Simone’s Restaurant & Bar located in the heart of historic Doylestown Borough offers creative cuisine and exceptional beer and wines in a casual comfortable atmosphere. Beginning in spring 2014, Bobby Simone’s will offer a new Italian/Mediterranean menu. The new menu was inspired by Simone’s culinary roots honed while cooking alongside his mother in their family kitchen in North Philadelphia. Simone’s life passion is his family, including his wife Michelle of 47 years, daughter and three grandchildren. For more information, visit www.ilovebobbys.com or call 215-340-1414.

Competing Chefs All About Catering, Inc.

All About Catering, Inc. was created in 2003 by Steve and Emily Vincent. Through a passion for cooking and a desire to create a team-oriented environment, Steve formulated a customer-oriented and professional full-service catering staff. All About Catering flourished, as the company became known for its culinary and service excellence. As the business grew, the need for a larger facility became necessary. In 2009, All About Catering relocated to its current location on Bustard Road in Lansdale, PA. With the recent addition of chef Kevin Farrell, Steve has brought together a reliable and committed staff at Pigs and Gigs and All About Catering, while staying committed to local traditional roots, and keeping pace with new trends in the industry.

Amy’s Creative Cakes

As a cake artist and instructor, Amy Recinos’ passion for baking started at an early age with her mother in the kitchen. In 2004 she started teaching the art of cake decorating as a Wilton Instructor. In addition, she teaches special cake artistry classes at the Upper Bucks Vo-Tech School evening program and out of her home. Since then, she has taught over 2,000 students including girl scouts in the Quakertown and surrounding areas. In 2006 Amy’s Creative Cakes, a home-based custom bakery, opened in Quakertown. All made from scratch, their specialties are in wedding cakes, special occasion cakes, cupcakes, custom cookie favors, cookie trays and homemade candy. Their cakes hold many awards not only on design but on their cake flavors as well. To keep current with trends and further her skills, Amy attends classes with renowned sugar artists from around the world. For more information, visit www.amyscreativecakes.com or call 215-529-5763.

C&C Catering Service LTD

C&C Catering Service LTD. began in Brooklyn, New York in 1927 when Mr. and Mrs. Cutaneo established the first Italian-American grocery store in the Sheepshead Bay area. Grandma Cutaneo was an outstanding cook and, along with her son Emilio, began selling prepared hot foods and sandwiches. In 1965, Emilio’s son Nicholas and his wife Frances began catering parties for customers who requested their delicious food. In 1978, as their reputation as caterers grew, they moved to larger quarters in the Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst area of Brooklyn to accommodate their growing clientele. Since 1978, C&C Caterers has opened new locations in Long Island, Staten Island, and Bucks County, in addition to beautiful banquet rooms in Brooklyn and Bucks County. C&C continues to be operated

by Nicholas and Frances and family members John Pallonetti, Peter Young, and Emilio Cutaneo.

The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Bakery

As the old saying goes, necessity is often the mother of invention. It was just that necessity that inspired Timothy Mourer, owner, to put his culinary skills to use developing his new line of gluten-free goodies.

Mourer, a seasoned baker and business owner, was diagnosed as gluten intolerant in early 2009. At the time, the self-proclaimed sweet tooth owned a perennial “Best of Bucks” traditional bakery. After fourteen years in the industry, he could no longer consume his delicious baked goods.

When his cravings finally became too strong, Mourer sold his traditional bakery and set out to master gluten-free baking.

After a year of trial and error, his top-secret custom flour blend was finally perfected. His unique custom blend is now the basis for all of the goodies featured in his line. The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Bakery, which opened its doors in December of 2013, is quickly improving the lives of gluten-free children and adults in the Philadelphia area, and setting a higher standard for gluten-free baking.

Joey G’s Catering

The story behind Joey G goes something like this…. As a boy Joseph a.k.a. Joey G loved to cook with his grand mom. Joey G decided to make cooking his career so he chose to attend Johnson & Wales College, the prestigious culinary arts school. Joey G garnered his culinary and hospitality experience by working as the Executive Chef for Disney World, Hilton Hotels, and Hershey Hotels. He desired to express his diversity so he opened a catering operation in 1988. The operation started out as “Creative Cuisine,” a gourmet deli and off premise catering facility. Joey G loves a new challenge and he wanted every event to be a little different so the business progressed to catering upscale special events and weddings. In 1995 Joey G took over The Brick Hotel as executive chef Joseph A. Garvey.

He received many accolades for “Best of Bucks” and excellent Zagat survey reviews. He brought new flare to Newtown by offering horse drawn carriage rides. Chef Joe spent twelve years at the Brick Hotel creating diverse, seasonal menus and setting culinary trends. He was also featured on the Food Network, and he had two culinary shows, “All About Mushrooms”

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and “American Gourmet Barbeque.” His vision of elaborate parties and diverse menus turned him back to his passion and love, catering. Visit their locations in Newtown, Yardley and Princeton or inquire about catering at your location. Join their email club and like them on Facebook for daily specials and offers, and visit www.JoeyGsGourmetDeli.com.

Karlton Café

“Fresh, local, wholesome ingredients done right!” says Chef & Owner AJ Buehrer. Growing up on a produce farm and working in the restaurant business from a very young age, the Chef has the experience and knowledge to run this quaint restaurant. From vegetables and meat to cheese and other food items, the Karlton Café only offers real food. Although the main ingredient in every dish is love, the second main element is a fresh, wholesome product. Located in downtown Quakertown, the Karlton Café, once known as the Karlton Theatre, has a sufficient history as well. Open seven days a week serving breakfast and lunch and dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the same passion for every meal. Every day there are six house made soups available (from scratch!). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available as well. But, it doesn’t stop there! Catering, weddings, in-house parties, take out and more are available as well. So visit the Karlton Café and join Chef Buehrer for a fresh, real meal cooked with love!

The Lucky Cupcake

A small custom bakeshop located in Pipersville, The Lucky Cupcake opened its doors in spring 2010 and they’ve been excited at the community support for their shop. Everything is made from scratch, using only the best and freshest ingredients. They specialize in filled cupcakes and have a nice selection in their cases Tuesdays thru Sundays. Everything they make as a cupcake can be special ordered as a cake with just a few days’ notice. They make three sizes of cupcakes but serve the regular ones on a daily basis. They also make homemade cookies, muffins, crumb cakes and other delicious pastries. They offer fruit tarts, lemon meringue tarts and chocolate pecan tarts just to name a few. While they do not stock a wide variety on a daily basis, they can easily take orders to be filled the day they are needed, ensuring quality and freshness. If there is a special flavor that you are looking for and cannot find, The Lucky Cupcake is eager to try new recipes. They also make wonderful cupcake and regular style wedding cakes for your special day, offering a free cupcake tasting to brides and grooms who call for appointment. They offer seating in the shop so you may come in and enjoy a cupcake and a cup of coffee. They have “build your own” cupcake parties in the shop for children ages five and older, so be sure to check out their birthday parties page online for more information.

Marsha Brown Creole Kitchen and Lounge

Marsha Brown is the owner of three Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses located in Center City, King of Prussia, and Garden City, NY. Her namesake restaurant, Marsha Brown Creole Restaurant, is in New Hope.

Marsha was born and raised in New Orleans. Since she was a little girl, she enjoyed cooking and appreciating Creole food. After moving to this area, her dream over the years was to bring New Orleans food to the Northeast Corridor. That desire culminated with the opening of Marsha Brown Creole Restaurant in New Hope in 2003. This restaurant continues to receive national acclaim with its authentic Creole food in a stunning atmosphere. The restaurant is housed in an 1874 Olde Stone Church on Main Street and serves all Marsha’s family recipes while growing up in New Orleans. “We had amazing cooks in my family, and there was always a competitive love to see what Grandmother, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Uncle or Cousin could cook up. The best gumbo, jambalaya or basic soul food… it was a great, delicious way to grow up around the dinner table,” comments Marsha. You can feel the spirit of the soul in Marsha Brown Creole Restaurant.

McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn

Executive Chef, Todd Chiaradia grew up cooking. His Italian grandmother, Freda, owned a small store on Jordan Street in Allentown. It was a typical neighborhood store; people could pick up bread and milk and she also made soup and sandwiches. People loved her soup. Todd can remember chopping vegetables, and making soup and gravy and pasta with her. Most of all, he says, “I remember the love she put into everything she made.

So for me, food is love.” Todd’s first job was at a large busy restaurant, Trainers, and he started out in the dishwashers’ pit. He was eventually apprenticed under Chef Harry there for about five years, learning the art of German and European cuisine.

He then went to Benetz Inn where he eventually became the Sous Chef. Upon the closing of Benetz Inn, Todd was hired as an Assistant Chef at a fine dining restaurant, The Century House. In 1991 he was promoted to Executive Chef. In 2009, Todd found a perfect fit at McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn. Here, he’s been able to utilize his skills as an Executive Chef, while maintaining his high standards for quality in the preparation and presentation of food served with love.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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Pasqualina’s

Peter Lochetta is the owner of Pasqualina’s Italian Market and Deli in Blooming Glen. Peter made a lifelong dream come true when he partnered with his sister, Fran, to buy the market just a year and a half ago. The siblings grew up in a family who loves food, and although Peter has no formal training in the industry, his love for cooking has inspired him to create unique pasta meals, homemade sausage, roasted meats and traditional Italian desserts. The Market is filled with interesting gourmet items, olive oils and cheeses to tempt the appetite. Peter’s talents in the kitchen have established a loyal following for the food he serves on-site, catering for large scale parties and corporate events, and even for his monthly hands-on cooking classes held at the store. The Market was awarded the Best of Bucks Mont for 2014 in the categories of Deli, Hoagie and Caterer. Peter is a graduate of Millersville University, served in the Army ROTC, and held executive level positions in the technology sector prior to Pasqualina’s. He resides in Doylestown with his wife Jennifer and two sons, Chris and Jamie.

Piccolo Trattoria

Just as family is the heart and soul of authentic Italian cuisine, Fami is the heart and soul of Piccolo Trattoria. Fami’s passion for fresh, homemade Italian fare, served to his guests as if they were his own family, is the driving force behind both of the Piccolo Trattoria restaurants. In 2001, Fami opened his first Piccolo Trattoria in Newtown. While his vision for Piccolo Trattoria continues to evolve, his passion remains focused on his devo¬tion to his guests and the quality of his authentic Italian cuisine. Piccolo Trattoria offers specialty signature crab cakes, Old World Brooklyn Pizza, homemade pastas and gnocchi, bread baked fresh daily, freshly made mozzarella and marinara and specialty Bronzini dishes. The latest addition to the growing menu is Fami’s own signature house dressing which is bottled and available to take home to enjoy.

Quinoa Peruvian & Mexican Restaurant

Having relocated to the United States from Peru in 1992, the Egoavil and Anguino Family sought the opportunities their new home offered. Together they have successfully realized their family dream of owning and operating two unique and amazing restaurants, Quinoa Peruvian & Mexican Restaurant in Doylestown and El Tule Mexican and Peruvian Restaurant. Both restaurants were previously the home of other restaurants offering American and Mexican fare respectively. The Egoavil and Anguino Family have infused the eatery with a vibe all its own. Quinoa & El-Tule’s Peruvian-Mexican-Latin fusion includes traditional Peruvian offerings as well as the addition of Mexican menu items. Peruvian food has been gaining momentum among foodies across the nation for its unique harmonious flavors and mindfully crafted dishes that are both delicious and healthy.

S & B Event Concepts and Catering

Born in New Jersey, Owner and Chef Sodiah grew up in Aurora, Colorado and found her way back to the East Coast. Her love for people pulled her away from an engineering career as hospitality is where she belongs and chooses to stay! Her passion for cooking developed in the kitchen with her mother and sisters. Being the youngest she wasn’t able to do much so she watched them prepare meals. Every Sunday the family would get together, all the girls in the kitchen, husbands in the living room. There she would sit and see the love that was poured into every dish. As she grew older she learned how to put that same love into meals for her husband, two children and friends. Picking up a few tricks along the way and utilizing her main ingredient, LOVE, Sodiah was able to hone her skills. It worked! S&B Event Concepts and Catering was formed. Now serving the tri-state area for the past seven years, her complete staff has over twenty five years of experience. There are no limits to what S&B can do for you… Weddings, Anniversaries, Showers, Soirees, Corporate Galas and Meetings, Tea Parties, Barbeques, Man Cave Events and Themes too.

Every Event Deserves to be Successful & Beautiful!

The Standard Club

The Standard Club is devoted to a mission of excellence, while raising awareness of and contributing to those in need within Bucks County. The club features a farm to fork restaurant, ballroom wedding facility and private dining areas. Chef Justin McClain and his team create a new menu each day from a fresh list of local ingredients. Their pride for the craft and inventive techniques are evident in each dish served. They are grateful to None Such Farms, Blue Moon Acres, Haring Bros., Heller’s Seafood, Zone 7, Doylestown Fresh and Topp Notch Farm; great ingredients lead to great food. The Standard Club is proud to call Bucks County home and proud to be a part of the Pearl S. Buck community. For further information, please visit at www.DoylestownStandard.com.

Steam Pub

Executive Chef Travis Minio is a native of Southampton. He is a graduate of Council Rock South High School and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology where he studied professional cooking under Chef McComb and Chef Gage. Travis has been employed at several Bucks County landmarks such as Northampton Country Club, Parx Casino, and Tony’s Place before joining Steam Pub. He began here as a Sous Chef for two years before he was recently promoted to the Executive Chef position. Travis started cooking for his family when he was twelve, helping his dad. Travis is expecting his first child the middle of May with his beautiful girlfriend Lindsey.

Martin Hoeger, Owner and General Manager, is also a native of Southampton. He has been in the restaurant and bar business since his first job at The Village Inn at the age of fourteen, all the while keeping his career as a musician going as a part of many national touring acts. It’s through these tours that he took ideas from the venues he was playing all over the world to bring back to Southampton for the design of Steam.

Steam Pub is an American Fusion pub open seven days a week serving lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night. Steam has 21 drafts and 109 bottles. On and off-premise catering, live entertainment six days a week from DJ’s, Acoustic Acts, Open Mic and Full Bands, both Local & National.

Tabora Farm and Orchard

Winner at Taste of the World 2013! Tabora Farm and Orchard in Chalfont, Bucks County, has been a family-owned and operated farm market for over thirty years. Owners Caleb and Patricia Torrice, along with their four children, offer the freshest quality products from their from-scratch bakery, full-service deli, country store, gift basket business, and fresh fruit and vegetable farm. Recently they have added to their growing list of offerings the “Catering” and “Gourmet Food to-go” services of Executive Chef Tom Fetters. Chef Tom brings over thirty years of experience in the Hospitality industry. His resume includes: The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern, the Historical Valley Green Inn in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia and The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, the pairings of Chef Tom and the Torrices have brought a new level of gourmet experiences to Tabora Farm, including cooking classes in both their Chalfont and Lansdale locations making them a true Bucks County Delight.

Shelby’s Sweet Things

It was the summer of 1979 when Owner Richele Brisbon made her first wedding cake. Ever since, she’s known that her passion for baking would someday be her business. When Richele graduated from the JNA Institute of Culinary Arts in Philadelphia in 2006, she started planning her business. Today Shelby’s Sweet Things, although known for her many delicious varieties of pound cake, provides all types of dessert items to individuals, specialty shops such as the Craft Boutique at Moyer Farmhouse, and the Doylestown Country Club. Shelby’s also specializes in custom baking for people who have special needs including vegan, gluten-free, diabetic or allergies to specific food items. Shelby’s also provides custom wedding cakes and specialty cakes for any occasion.

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March | April 2014 Local Living

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Exclusive Interview

with Bravo’s Newest Top Chef Winner Local Restaurateur Nicholas Elmi

By Carrie Hagen

P

hiladelphia’s culinary attention has focused on East Passyunk Avenue for some time now. On February 5, the dining district earned more applause when Nicholas Elmi, owner and executive chef of Laurel (1617 E. Passyunk Avenue), claimed the title of “Top Chef ” on Bravo’s reality competition. The next day, Inquirer food critic Craig Laban praised Laurel, saying that Elmi’s New American dishes “resonate with a focus on good ingredients rendered with distinctive pairings and pristine modern technique.”

Nicholas Elmi, 33, grew up with five siblings in Bradford, Massachusetts. Because each was busy with extra-curricular activities, the family “never really had time to go out to dinner.” So his mother “made a bunch of food” and put it on the table at 6:30 pm every evening. “If you weren’t there, you didn’t eat,” said Elmi. He started cooking as a young teenager at a pizzeria; after high school, he attended New York’s The Culinary Institute of America.

Nicholas Elmi has been a presence in Philadelphia’s food scene off and on since 2001, when he came to work for George Perrier at Brasserie Perrier. Over the next decade, he followed cooking jobs to New York, Paris, Atlantic City and back to Philadelphia, where he took the executive chef spots at Le Bec Fin and Rittenhouse Tavern before announcing in May of 2013 that he would start his own restaurant. Elmi opened Laurel, a 22-seat BYOB, six months later. At the time of our interview in late February, Laurel was booked through May. One might think that a successful young celebrity chef would plan to expand his business, but Elmi says he is “trying to keep hold” of his craft by practicing in a small environment – one that he protects from media intrusions by turning off his cell phone every day at noon. It’s a good thing he does. Since his win, reporters and fans have flooded Elmi and his publicist with requests for interviews, comments and photos.

Like every other season of Top Chef, Season 11 drew inspiration from its host city. This year’s New Orleans setting challenged contestants to draw inspiration from the region’s French and Spanish influences as they added original touches to traditional dishes. The focus of this cast, according to Nicholas Elmi, differed from that of past participants.

“The producers told me,” said Elmi, “that as the [seasons go] on, chefs get caught up and start cooking like each other.” This time around, that didn’t happen – cooks

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Local Living March | April 2014

stuck to their own repertoires throughout the series. Elmi says that he and producers attribute the anomaly to “the different backgrounds, flavors and techniques” highlighted by this season’s chefs. Of the different plates he sampled throughout the challenges, Elmi seemed most impressed by Chef Brian Huskey’s use of gochujang, a Korean spice made of red chili powder paste.

Nicholas Elmi has an easygoing manner, one that contrasts with the persona created on Top Chef. For much of the second half of the season, Elmi teetered on the precipice of becoming the show’s villain: Scenes focused on his irritation with competitor Carlos Gaytan and suggested that he facilitated another’s (Stephanie Cmar’s) elimination. Elmi laughs when asked how he responded while watching the show with his wife Kristen.

“Remember that it takes two to three days to tape one episode,” Elmi told Local Living. Just as Top Chef ’s editors highlight “bits and pieces” from challenges, they edit conversations and testimonials that highlight kitchen dynamics: Elmi says that this background knowledge allowed him and his fellow competitors to maintain like-mindedness throughout episodes with tense narratives. “We communicate all of the time,” he said, singling out the friendship between himself and Carlos Gaytan. In addition to “talking a lot,” the men have exchanged symbolic gifts. After an episode where Elmi lent Gaytan a knife and then chastened him for neglecting it, Gaytan sent him one in the mail.

Elmi then mailed Gaytan a pressure cooker, an instrument

he taught him to use during the show’s run. This March, the two men will reunite for a fundraiser in Chicago, where Carlos Gaytan owns and operates Mexique.

Nicholas Elmi has risen fairly quickly in the culinary world since arriving as an intern at Brasserie Perrier in 2001. It was around that time that he had one of his first great Philadelphia meals: Dinner with his parents at Django, a former BYOB in Queen Village. The dish that he remembers was a baked chicken crepe with a spring onion garnish. “I remember thinking they were doing cool things.

They made really, really good food.”

Now it is he who creates memorable plates at Laurel. The city’s food bloggers rave about an albacore tuna horseradish and yogurt appetizer, and a seared ocean trout. They echo Craig LaBan’s appreciation for Elmi’s signature ricotta gnocchi with pancetta, and his Berkshire pork with chestnuts and huckleberry-kale vinaigrette.

At home, Nicholas Elmi cooks on Sundays, catering to the “simple pasta” tastes of his two young children. But the dish he appreciates most is made by another chef in the house— his wife Kristen. “She makes a great grilled chicken dish with radish and bacon salad,” raved Elmi. “It’s good and it’s healthy.” And after weeks of eating – and months of watching himself eat – the cuisine of some of the nation’s sharpest young chefs, Elmi wants healthier platters at home.

“I’m trying to diet,” he said.

Carrie Hagen lives and writes in Philadelphia.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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Duchess Gabrielle’s

horseradish d e v i l e d Ingredients • 12 Eggs • 4 tbsp. Mayonnaise • 5-6 tbsp. Kelchner’s Horseradish

e g g s Directions:

• 2 tsp. Sweet Pickle Relish • Salt & Pepper, to taste • Garnish with Paprika & Chives

Fe a t u r i n Kelchne g ® H o r s e r a r ’s dish

• Place 12 eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water.

• Bring to a boil, cover, turn off heat and let sit for 13 minutes. After 13 minutes, remove eggs and place into a bowl with ice water to shock and stop cooking. After 2-3 minutes, remove shells from eggs and slice in half lengthwise.

• Separate egg yolks and place into a bowl.

• Place whites on a separate platter.

• To yolks - add mayo, Kelchner’s Horseradish, relish and salt and pepper, to taste, and mix together with a hand mixer until creamy and smooth.

• Using a resealable plastic bag, spoon the mixture into the bag, and cut one small piece off of the bottom of one corner. Pipe the yolk mixture back into each egg white, enough to fill yolk holes completely. You could also spoon into egg whites.

Refrigerate and serve cold. Serves 12.

kelchnershorseradish.com

By Gabrielle Mwangi

p

b a l y t u a e b

eople often ask me to name the one product that I absolutely cannot be without in my skincare regimen. That’s easy.

“Rhassoul clay,” I say. At this point I am often faced with either a bewildered expression or an inquisitive one. Sometimes I even get one of those “so you have been keeping this a secret all along” looks. So I am officially spilling the beans. (I can imagine the look of horror on grandma’s face if she read this phrase. Beans are a sacred food in Kikuyu tradition. She wouldn’t get why anyone would want to spill them.)

Egyptians and Romans were among the first to discover the amazing benefits of this mineral-rich volcanic ash mined deep beneath the Atlas Mountains in eastern Morocco. History indicates the clay has been used since the 8th century as a mud bath. Present day rhassoul clay is used in Turkish baths. It is unmatched in its ability to absorb impurities from the skin and hair.

The clay is extracted from naturally occurring lakeside deposits in large clods, then it gets washed, sun-dried and micronized into a smooth powder. The clay oxidizes to a beautiful pinkish undertone.

The word rhassoul comes from the Arabic word “rasala” which literally translates to “washing.” It’s a versatile clay that can be used as a mud mask for hair and skin. When mixed with water, the clay becomes negatively charged, which gives it the ability to attract toxins like metallic residues that tend to be positively charged.

Two research laboratories have conducted studies of rhassoul clay, International Research Services, Inc. (www.irsi.org) and Structure Probe, Inc. (www.2spi.com). The statistical results on a rhassoul clay mask showed that just one use produced the following effects: Reduced dryness (79%) Reduced flakiness (41%) Improved skin clarity (68%) Improved skin elasticity/firmness (24%) Improved skin texture (106%) Beauty spas charge a small fortune for rhassoul clay body/face masks because it has suddenly gone mainstream (remember when no one knew what shea butter was?) but with a little savvy you can duplicate the spa treatment in the comfort of your kitchen. Here’s a simple yet

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Local Living March | April 2014

effective mud mask that can be used for hair, face or even the entire body if you are so inclined. You need only two things: Rhassoul clay (great options from Amazon. com) Aloe vera juice (yes, the same one you drink) Take a teaspoon of rhassoul clay and mix it with enough aloe vera juice to make cake batter-like paste.

i Cleanse your face and neck with a mild soap. i Apply a thin layer of the mask. It will harden. Resist the urge to move facial muscles when the mud is dry. We don’t want to tear the skin. i Relax and let the rhassoul detox your pores while the aloe soothes the skin. i Once completely dry, wash off with warm water. i Slather on moisturizer like you mean it.

Now you know the secret. Shall I divulge another? I use this rhassoul every night to detox my face. You should too.

PS: Other names for rhassoul clay include ghassoul clay, red clay, red Moroccan clay or oxide clay.

Gabrielle is Fashion & Beauty Editor for Local Living Magazine. Her YouTube channel, Duchess Gabrielle, focuses on homemade skin and hair care products. She has modeled for Bergdorf Goodman, Lucky and Glamour. She left East Africa in 2006, where she was an actress and radio personality.

March | April 2014 Local Living

33

profile Tabora Farm & Orchard Fortunately, History Repeats Itself

By Sharyl Volpe

“A

nything you want, it’s on us.” Owner Caleb Torrice told me to take something for the road after our lively conversation and I already knew what I wanted. On my way through the marketplace earlier, I’d seen a heaping pile of huge brown cookies, cracked like cooling lava, dusted with confectioner’s sugar. There were dozens of other choices, but the chocolate orange pillow was speaking to me, and was I glad. This cookie was so good I tried to make it last for three days.

This kind of experience is no accident. Caleb and his wife Patricia, along with their talented staff, take enormous pride in the quality of their output. Tabora Farm and Orchard in Chalfont, Bucks County, has been a family-owned and operated farm market for over thirty years. Since the Torrice’s took the farm over in November 2008, the excellent reputation already in place only expanded further, figuratively and literally, with an added location in Landsdale. Parenting four

34

Local Living March | April 2014

young children, the hard-working couple is perfectly positioned to take Tabora even further. With award-winning Executive Chef Tom Fetters spearheading gourmet catering offsite, and onsite amidst spectacular renovations to the property, more successful growth is just a matter of time.

“Since I was nine-years-old I knew I’d own a farm market,” says Caleb, who grew up in Oswego, New York, north of the Finger Lake region. He graduated from Cornell with a B.S. in Agriculture, and an M.S. in Agricultural Marketing. During Caleb’s early childhood, his father worked in Boston, but he eventually tired of the urban drag. “His gut took us to the middle of nowhere, Oswego, New York. We drove up the driveway on our first visit to a fruit farm and my dad said, ‘This is it.’”

Several years after finishing at Cornell, Caleb started a farm market on Long Island which he named “Fruggies” (a clever combination of the words “fruit” and “veggies”).

There he met Patricia and started their life together. Growing up on 165 acres, Caleb yearned to get back to the “country”, so he convinced Patricia, a teacher at the time, that they needed to start their own adventure together.

After a single search online for property and farms, Tabora came up on the first list. One could say history repeats itself and Caleb would have to agree: “We pulled up and said, ‘This is it.’”

Currently no less than fourteen bakers create those cookies and so much more in the from-scratch bakery. Using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients in everything they make, there’s a full-service deli, a country store, a booming gift basket business, and of course, fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm. A bar made of 18th century barn board is the focal point in their cozy winery tucked in the back of the market. Tabora makes their own wine, stocking their shelves from floor to ceiling with over ten varieties. Tastings are available at anytime the market is open.

Chef Tom brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including Best Chef at last year’s Taste of the World, an annual event of Pearl S. Buck International, sponsored by Local Living Magazine. He will be in this year’s event as well. His resume also includes The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern, the Historical Valley Green Inn in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia and The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, the pairings of Chef Tom and the Torrices have brought a new level of gourmet experiences to Tabora Farm, including cooking classes in both their Chalfont and Lansdale locations making them a true Bucks County Delight.

“We used to cater for events where the food could be picked up and taken. We needed to hire a chef to take the next steps in growing the catering for onsite events, here and other places.” Enter Chef Tom. “Now, for example, you could have something like a small pasta station at your event, with Tom there, or something more formal, all the way up to a two-hundred person party at Tabora.” Tabora provides wait staff, linens, stemware, and everything else required for an impressive occasion.

Tabora Café in Lansdale, the aforementioned new location, has proven to be a second business venture for the Torrices. There you will find a bakery, coffee house, deli, and spice shop, in a very comfortable newly renovated space. This space has also been rented out for parties, which has been exciting and very busy for the Torrices and the Tabora staff.

“We will be doing a lot more outside events this year in Chalfont,” Caleb said as we walked up a winding wooden staircase to see the barn, which sits atop the marketplace.

Appearing somehow bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside, impressive original beams soar an epic fifty-two feet overhead. The rich, handsome grain of timetested wood showed brilliantly in the streaming sunlight.

It was stunning. Any event booked here would be unforgettable. It would be at least as memorable as those pillow cookies.

For more information on Tabora Orchard and Farm visit online at www.taborafarms.com, or call (215) 249-3016.

Sharyl Volpe is Editor-in-Chief of Local Living Magazine.

March | April 2014 Local Living

35

• All Breeds Are Welcome

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• Call for a Tour

Learning to Cope with a Broken Heart

by Carla Papciak-Glatts

E

mber, our 11 year-old German Shepherd, was a very special dog to us. My husband and I got her while we were dating and she was there to see us get married and watch our family grow. She was a gentle giant, she loved to play ball, go on long walks, enjoyed car rides and was once a therapy dog. She was our first child, a beautiful solid black German Shepherd and we loved her so much.

We were looking forward to celebrating Ember’s 11th birthday mid-January, but we never got to see that day.

On January 4th Ember passed away suddenly from pericardial effusion. It is a condition in which an abnormally large amount of fluid collects in the pericardial sac that surrounds a dog’s heart. She had a tumor near her heart that burst and she went into cardiac arrest and died. Ember showed no signs of any health issues previous to this. She was a loveable, goofy, energetic dog, whose life was cut way too short.

When a dog passes suddenly, you tend to put a lot of blame on yourself and try to remember if there were any signs leading up to the death. Losing a beloved pet is never easy, and when I tried to weigh the two circumstances we are faced with, dying suddenly with minimal or no pain or having to make the decision to put your pet to sleep, neither scenario is comforting. Your best friend is gone, your heart is broken and you are left to pick up the pieces. No matter where you look in your house, you are reminded of them. Pets give us unconditional love and it is hard to imagine our lives without them. We go through stages of grief after losing a pet and it is important that we reach out for support. Sharing memories and pictures helps tremendously in the grieving

36

Local Living March | April 2014

process. I was fortunate to have a lot of support from my family and friends. Sympathy cards filled my table from animal lovers to the veterinarians that cared for her. There was one sympathy card in particular that caught my attention.

It had a poem inside called “The Rainbow Bridge.”

You may have heard of the Rainbow Bridge as a place, before heaven, where pets go upon their deaths to be reunited with their owners. If you are an animal lover, you want to believe that there is such a place, where our pets can be free from pain, run through the bright green meadows and play with others for endless hours. It is a place where pets will spend their time in complete happiness, having every need fulfilled, until their owner comes to greet them and they walk together side by side to heaven, never to be separated again. There is a poem about the Rainbow Bridge, author unknown, but it sends a message of peace to comfort those in mourning.

So now Ember is youthful again, running and playing over the “Rainbow Bridge.” She will be deeply missed by our family and her 4-legged brother, Rowshon. Shortly after her death, I prayed for signs to know that she was ok and that she didn’t suffer. My prayers were answered and it gave me peace. I even caught a glimpse of her sitting by the door, with a ball in her mouth, waiting to go outside.

It was as if she never left us that day! Rest in Peace my sweet “Emmie Lou.” LL

Carla Papciak-Glatts is an animal activist, shelter volunteer and a busy mom of two girls and a German Shepherd, residing in Upper Bucks County.

Daycare • Boarding Training • Grooming

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How to Make Your Closet Work For You and How Not to Be a Slave to It!

H

ave you ever gazed into your closet and felt like you were looking into the great abyss? You know you have all of these amazing pieces in your wardrobe but can never seem to find them when you need them. Sometimes we spend more time looking for that perfect top or pant in our messy closets than we spend actually getting dressed.

So how does a busy and fashionable woman solve this problem? By actually taking the time to organize your closet rather than praying it will miraculously happen on its own.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to hire someone to help you, by all means DO IT! As a guide, $50 an hour is a reasonable fee. Anything more might not be cost effective as it could take five or more hours and two appointments to complete the project.

If you want to hire help but keep the costs down, do the simple sorting yourself and then let the expert set up your closet for fashionable bliss. It is worth the investment if you are able to find and wear more of your clothing. You will start to feel like you are not always wearing the same thing, which can be so depressing to the truly fashionable woman who sometimes even tires of an item the minute she rips off the tag.

Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, here are a few tips that always help me when I feel like I am a slave to my closet.

Decide how you want your closet to look. Do you like it by tops, bottoms, or dresses? I prefer to sort by season and then category. If you have the space, take anything you cannot see yourself wearing in the next few months and store it in another closet. I started renting a small storage space to store a season’s clothing in to give me more living space.

Check your local area; you get deals for spaces for as little as $25 a month and then just change what you store based on the season.

Anything that does not fit, or you just don’t see yourself ever wearing but is relatively new, take to a local consignment shop and you will be able to get some money for them. Or find a local charity and feel good about doing a good deed for someone who will appreciate your clothing. We all make impulse purchases and mistakes; that’s the fun thing about fashion.

We can make bad decisions and make better ones next time.

You are almost ready to start organizing! Get a few rolling racks if you can and take everything out of your closet. It sounds like a lot of work but this really helps you see everything you own and what you really wear and use. It also helps us make better buying decisions in the future when we see what we really have and then honestly admit what we really do wear.

The key to looking fashionable in less than ten minutes is putting the effort into organizing what you own and only keeping what you know you love and will truly wear! LL - Anonymous Self-Proclaimed Shopaholic

March | April 2014 Local Living

39

musings of motherhood

Shopping that’s

refreshing!

Stroll our sidewalks and enjoy the warm spring breeze as you browse our many fine shops.

Afterwards, take a break and enjoy a delicious treat at one of our restaurants and eateries.

This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things..

The Shops at Valley Square... delightful!

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Over 35 great shops, restaurants & services DSW SHOES ~ EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS ~ BANANA REPUBLIC ~ J.JILL ~ LOFT ~ CHICO’S WHITE HOUSE | BLACK MARKET ~ EUROPEAN WAX CENTER ~ ESSENTIALS HAIR SALON ~ CHIPOTLE ~ PANERA BREAD ~ THE MELTING POT TED’S MONTANA GRILL ~ P F CHANGS ~ YOGURTLAND ~ COMING SOON: CARMEL CAFÉ 267.487.3000 • Route 611 at Street Road • Warrington, PA (across from Wegman’s) • www.ShopValleySquare.com

Managed by The Wilder Companies

By Lisa Walters

y baby shower was on a Sunday afternoon.

Hurricane Sandy blew in later that evening.

As I was hunkered down with my husband and the dogs, I looked around my living room at the overwhelming piles of new things. I couldn’t help but think that the rain and winds outside were foreshadowing the hurricane that was about to happen with my home decor.

Babies are those blessings that fill your heart with love and suck all formality out of your downstairs. No need for your grandmother’s wingback chair when you have a swing that puts on a light show, plays nature sounds, and snuggles your baby so you can go to the bathroom in peace. What? You don’t think high chairs look ravishing with a cherry wood dining set? Any new mom will tell you it’s impossible to live without these things, and it’s also impossible for any of these items not to stick out in your home like a priest at a strip club.

As our son grew week by week, my husband assembled a new contraption causing another piece of our furniture to go on vacation to the third floor. Yes, this is the first phase of the baby home decor destruction. I like to call it, “The phase of Oversized Plastic Stimulation Monstrosities.” Less than a year later, the swing, car seat carrier, pack and play, exersaucer, and floor mat play zone have all been put away until baby number two. (Or a garage sale.)

Currently, my husband and I are experiencing Phase Two: Toddler Home Destruction. Instead of huge plastic blobs engulfing the square footage of the living room, it’s a twenty-four pound mobile monster sporting a well-grown horseshoe mullet that rampages through the Pottery Barnesqe first floor daily. Yes, it’s time for gates, cabinet locks, and outlet covers. Oh, my!

At first you rearrange how all your cabinets are organized.

My hutch no longer contains glass vases and candles. Those things have since been relocated to the basement so that safer items, aka Jack’s toys, could be stored there. (Surpris-

ingly, Jack never opens the hutch now that it contains things he is actually allowed to play with.)

Then you realize objects that aren’t toys seem to be the most appealing (TV remotes and keys have gone missing for days) so we are constantly racing to put things out of Jack’s reach. If the dogs’ water bowls aren’t moved to higher ground first thing in the morning, they are used as a splash zone for Jack’s water park. He is fascinated with dipping his hands, toys, and shoes in those water dishes.

Although the large Phase One items have been removed, they have been replaced by a LEGO dump truck, power wheels quad, police car, and tricycle. Each one takes a joyride around the downstairs and crashes into my ankles before returning to “Jack’s Parking Garage” underneath the sideboard behind our couch.

I stare in my kitchen and sigh. It’s hard to clean up after every meal with a child that wants nothing more than to climb up on the windowsill and bang the glass with his xylophone mallet. At one time, my fridge door was crisp and clean, maybe a Save the Date or two hung there, but now it is covered with animal magnets and alphabet letters to entertain active Jack while I attempt to load the dishwasher.

My drying rack used to be adorned with wine glasses from relaxing nights with my husband. Now it has sippy cups and Elmo plates. And even with all the changes I’ve had to make these past fourteen months, I can’t help but think how Jack has turned our beautiful house from a catalog spread into the greatest home ever, full of love, laughter, and life. I have a toddler. He is safe and he is loved. And this is why we can’t have nice things. For right now...

Lisa is a freelance writer, elementary school teacher, and new mom. She resides in Perkasie with her husband Jason, son Jack, and two dogs Winchester and Trigger.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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ore people are becoming aware of the statistics. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. With treatment options that number in the hundreds, most are unaware of effective treatments available for this developmental disorder. Add to that the sensationalism of news magazines and celebrities, and you have families who don’t know what is best for their child.

The only scientifically based treatment that addresses all of the symptoms of autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA treatment for autism employs the science of behavior to teach meaningful skills and reduce problem behavior if it is present.

Some of the most important skills taught are communication, socialization, and learning to learn skills.

There are many myths out there about ABA that simply are not true. For example, many believe that ABA treatment is “robotic” and only teaches rote skills that aren’t meaningful. I have also heard people say that it is cold and uncaring. While ABA does emphasize practicing skills, this is what enables the child to learn. The key to the success is not only practice, but collecting data to evaluate progress on a daily basis. That way if the child isn’t learning, the therapist can change how they are teaching.

There are many tools in the ABA toolbox. Implementing them in a way that is positive, fun, and meaningful is harder than rocket science.

The most important thing when selecting a treatment is a quality provider.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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LEGAL other is intentionally delaying the divorce. For example, to keep heath insurance coverage, to remain in a home they cannot otherwise afford, or to get support that they will lose post-divorce. Other times, a spouse is not being cooperative with revealing marital assets, thus delaying the divorce. The good news is that other than getting remarried, once you are legally separated from your spouse, you can generally go about living your personal life as if you were not married.

Divorce Demystified

Rumors, Myths and Misconceptions

By Kevin J. Handy, Esquire

M

ost potential clients who consult with our firm have common fears and concerns about getting divorced. Most of those fears arise out of the myths of divorce that are reinforced on television and in the movies. This article is meant to dispel some of the most common myths under Pennsylvania divorce law.

Won’t we have our dirty laundry aired in court?

The answer to this question is probably “no.” First, most divorce cases settle without ever going to court. Second, at least with regard to divorce proceedings, bad behavior is not really relevant or considered by the court. Pretty much everyone going through a divorce has some skeletons in their closet or complaints about their spouse’s behavior (you are getting divorced, after all). And, the court doesn’t have the time or inclination to hear your secrets. Child custody cases, however, are another story.

My ex cheated on me; shouldn’t that work in my favor in the divorce?

The corollary to this question is the one from the guiltridden spouse, saying in effect that, “I cheated…shouldn’t I give him/her everything he/she wants?” This question is really similar to the previous question about “dirty laundry.”

Unless someone is actively pursuing a “fault divorce,” which is very unusual for a variety of reasons, the answer again is “no.” Infidelity has little to no impact on both divorce and custody cases, often to the great disappointment of the spouse who was wronged.

Will I have to appear in court?

Court appearances are only necessary if you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, support or custody of your children. If you are able to negotiate a settlement, no court appearance is necessary in Pennsylvania.

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Local Living March | April 2014

Isn’t my spouse going to get 50% of everything I own?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about divorce law. In Pennsylvania divorces, marital property is divided equitably (i.e., according to what the court thinks is “fair” after considering a list of factors), not equally (i.e., 50-50). Property is divided 50-50 in “community property” states, which Pennsylvania is not. Plus, only marital property is divided equitably, not everything. Certain property you own may be considered non-marital, such as property you acquired before the marriage, by way of gift or inheritance, or post-separation. Analyzing the marital estate and equitable distribution can be quite complicated.

Am I going to lose my home?

Many people going through a divorce are afraid they are going to be kicked out of their house or are going to lose their home. There is some truth to this concern. In most cases, both parties are permitted to remain in the marital residence while the divorce is pending, even if the home is technically owned by only one party. Usually, however, one party will voluntarily leave the home because living together has become too uncomfortable. In the end, the court will almost always allow one party to retain ownership of the marital residence if they want to and can afford to “buy out” the other party’s interest through equitable distribution or otherwise. Ultimately, however, one party or the other is going to have to find a new place to live.

Can’t it take years to get divorced?

Yes, it can. I have a case right now that I took over from another attorney that has been going on for eight years (though I haven’t had it that long). That, however, is an exception. In general, cases take anywhere from six months to three years to resolve, depending on the parties, the other attorney, and the details of the case. In cases that take over a year to resolve, there is usually a reason one spouse or the

Will I have to pay alimony forever?

Indefinite (lifetime) alimony is rarely awarded in Pennsylvania. Most likely, if you are the higher-earning spouse, you will have to support your ex for some period of time, depending mostly upon your ages and the length of your marriage. A typical marriage of ten years might result in support/alimony payments of two to four years. The amount of alimony is set based on each party’s respective earnings or earning ability, and is usually modifiable based on a change in employment and earnings. The courts’ decision to award post-divorce alimony is factor-based.

Wouldn’t it be better for my kids if we stayed together?

Probably not. Yes, divorce is extremely difficult on children, but so is living with parents who are constantly fighting. If you and your spouse can work together to ease the transition on the kids, avoid conflict in front of the children, and keep them out of your disputes, your kids will most likely be better off.

Won’t I only be able to see my kids every other weekend?

This is usually a fear of fathers, but more frequently now mothers have this same concern. You have to examine your personal situation. If you travel frequently for work or are planning on moving a significant distance away (i.e., an hour or more) from your spouse and your children’s school, then the answer is probably “yes.” However, if you have been actively involved in their lives, work a regular schedule and live nearby, it is likely you can get equal (50-50) or even primary custody of your children. Courts are much more inclined nowadays to assume both parents should be equally involved in their children’s lives. Ultimately, however, it will depend on your individual situation.

Doesn’t it cost a small fortune to get divorced?

Most people have heard horror stories about divorce costing fifty or a hundred thousand dollars or more. While such cases do exist, they are much more of the exception than the rule. And, they almost always involve highly litigated child custody issues that generate the vast majority of the fees and costs. However, there is no getting around the fact that divorce can seem expensive. A typical divorce can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for filing fees for a non-contested, do-it-yourself divorce, to ten to twenty thousand dollars for a more complex divorce involving a relatively large marital

estate and several litigated issues. That may sound like a lot.

Consider, however, that if you are selling a home, which is a relatively routine and non-adversarial transaction, the realtors will take 6% of the sales price of the home off the top. If your average home costs $300,000, that’s $18,000 for comparatively minimal work. An attorney can provide great value in a divorce, essentially more than paying for their services, by saving you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars or more compared to going it alone.

Can’t I just process the divorce myself?

After hearing how much attorneys cost, many people think about trying to go it alone. For most people, that ends up being a huge financial and personal mistake. It’s really pennywise and pound foolish to try to handle your divorce yourself to save on attorney’s fees. Divorce laws are complex, and without in-depth knowledge of the laws, it is incredibly easy to make a mistake that will cost you tens, if not hundreds of thousand of dollars. I can’t tell you how many times people have come to our office after trying to go it alone in the hopes that we can fix their case and financial mistakes. In most cases, it’s too late. Even most lawyers who do not regularly practice divorce law hire divorce lawyers to represent them in divorce proceedings. That should tell you something. Just trying to figure out the paperwork to process a simple divorce can take most non-lawyers days or even weeks. Trying to handle your own divorce is like spending hours trying to figure out how to change the oil in your car, wasting time and getting dirty, just to save $20 at Jiffy Lube—only to find out later that you have ruined your engine.

Shouldn’t I hire an aggressive attorney?

Probably not, at least if that is what the attorney is best known for. Most non-attorneys perceive the notion of an aggressive attorney as someone who fights about everything and is generally a jerk to the other side. I promise you that you do not want that kind of attorney. They waste your money, delay your case, and do not get you better results. I can think of at least one divorce attorney who is well known for those types of “aggressive” tactics. As far as I can tell, however, the only thing her tactics are good at accomplishing is running up her client’s bill. What you do want is someone who can properly analyze your case, knows how to negotiate, knows when to litigate, and does so in a professional and respectful manner. You also want an attorney who fits with your personality and style.

When considering attorneys, make sure you feel comfortable with the person you hire, because that person will be working with you closely and intimately, usually for a year or more. LL Cooley & Handy, Attorneys at Law focuses its practice in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody and support. They can be found online at www.cooleyhandy.com March | April 2014 Local Living

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Help is just a phone call (or click) away.

St. Luke’s Goes MOBILE! www.sluhn.org

It Wasn’t the Stork Who Helped Deliver this Precious Bundle

For more information please visit www.sluhn.org from your mobile device or call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at 1-866-STLUKES.

Feel confident and comfortable knowing our team of five obstetrical physicians are here to deliver your baby.

Make the right choice. Call for an appointment today.

1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) JEAN O. FITZGERALD, MD • VIVIAN YEH, MD • CAROLYN IANIERI, DO NESTOR I. SENDZIK, MD • TUAN A. LE, MD 708 Shady Retreat Rd., Suite 7, Doylestown, PA 18901 215.340.2229 • www.doylestownwomenshealth.com Most Insurances Accepted

Call St. Luke’s InfoLink for physician referral, information on health screenings, lectures, support groups and community programs.

On the

Road AGAIN

Olympic Hopeful Chooses St. Luke’s Physical Therapy Elite runner Kathleen Jobes of Bethlehem didn’t start running until her mid-twenties. It started out simply as a way for a “nonathlete” to get in shape. Kathleen has beenon the move ever since, conquering the St. Luke’s Half Marathon five times in the women’s category, most recently in 2013.

She also qualified for the Olympic trials in 2008 and competes in races all across thecountry while caring for her family and a career at Runner’s World Magazine.

Kathleen showed no signs of slowing down, until a hamstring injury sidelined her a fewyears ago. Hamstring injuries are among the most common soft tissue injuries in athletes. Kathleen turned to St. Luke’s Physical Therapy to get back on track.

“I looked at a lot of different centers to try and find therapy that would get me back on my feet and back on the road,” says Kathleen. “I was lucky to come across physical therapist Jill Civic Eisenberg at St. Luke’s Physical Therapy. Jill and

her team worked wonders and exhausted all techniques and alternatives to get me back on the road.”

Kathleen’s rehabilitation included the Graston technique which uses mechanical force. Curved metal tools are used to apply pressure and friction across the injured muscle to break up scar tissue and rejuvenate the muscle. “The unique thing about St. Luke’s is they treat each personal individually,” she says. “Jill was able to psychologically, as an athlete, understand my frustration and my drive. The Graston technique she used on my hamstring was the key to my rehab. It takes a unique eye and a unique facility to treat athletes and I think St. Luke’s has that formula. I recommend St. Luke’s to a lot of my running friends.”What’s down the road for Kathleen? She’s getting ready to compete for a 6th title at the St. Luke’s Half Marathon April 27, 2014, and will try again to qualify for the Olympic trials in 2016. For Kathleen, the best is yet to come.

Did you know…

St. Luke’s offers outpatient physical therapy services throughout St. Luke’s University Health Network.

St. Luke’s Physical Therapy Locations Near You In Pennsylvania, outpatient physical therapy services are available in Allentown, Andreas, Bethlehem, Blakeslee, Center Valley, Coaldale, Easton, Emmaus, Hellertown, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Macungie, Mahanoy City, Nazareth, Northampton, Orefield, Pennsburg, Quakertown and Wind Gap. In New Jersey, outpatient physical therapy services are available in Phillipsburg on the St. Luke’s Warren Campus and coming soon to Washington.

For information, call St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) or visit www.sluhn.org/physcialtherapy for additional information.

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Local Living March | April 2014

Community Talks Running Injuries with a Video Motion Analysis

An evidence-based discussion on current concepts in hip, knee, ankle and foot running-related injuries; injury prevention strategies; trainingtips; and conservative rehab for pain management.

Thursday, April 17 • 6 – 7 pm • St. Luke’s Anderson Campus

Kathleen Jobes is the first femaile finisher in the 2013 St. Luke’s Half Marathon.

Treatment and Prevention of Common Running Injuries

Tips and tools on how to prevent and treat common running injuries.

Thursday, May 15, 7 – 8 pm • Barnes & Noble • The Promenade Shops 2960 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley, PA March | April 2014 Local Living

53

MOHS SURGERY

GENERAL DERMATOLOGY

Robert J. Willard, MD, FAAD Board-Certified Dermatologist Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon

Mark E. Levenberg, DO, FAOcD Board-Certified Dermatologist

Austin Liu, MD, FAAD Board-Certified Dermatologist Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon

Randi M. Rush, DO, FAOcD Board-Certified Dermatologist Jennifer McFadden, PA-c Dermatology Physician Assistant

Specializing in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Skin Cancer and in General Dermatology Dr. Willard and Dr. Liu are the only Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeons in Central and Upper Bucks County.

NEW! State of the Art Facility Bucks-Mont Dermatology is now a part of Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Center, PC Accepting new patients at both locations Doylestown Executive Quarters

2003 Lower State Rd • Building 200 • Doylestown, PA 18901

Summit Building (Next to Grandview Hospital) 920 Lawn Ave • Suite 3 • Sellersville, PA 18960

(215) 345-6647

(267) 354-1440

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hours: Mon., Tue., Wed. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

www.dermatologyandmohs.com

health Dr. Willard is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College and a Philadelphia native.

Following graduation from Jefferson, he entered active duty in the U.S. Army and completed an internship in internal medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Following a tour as a general medical officer in South Korea, he returned to Walter Reed and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD for his dermatology residency, which he completed in 2003. He served as the dermatologist at Fort Campbell, KY and then spent time in private practice before seeking further sub-specialty training in Mohs surgery. He completed his fellowship training in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology at Brown University Medical School before establishing Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Center in Doylestown.

Mohs surgery is a highly advanced treatment for skin cancer requiring extensive fellowship training beyond dermatology residency. In this technique, the physician serves as oncologic surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Willard has performed over 10,000 Mohs surgery cases and reconstructive surgeries, and is among only approximately 1100 physicians in the country who are fellowship-trained

in this field. He is currently the chief of the Division of Dermatology at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Willard is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He has authored book chapters in general dermatology and laser surgery, has published several articles in prominent medical journals, and has lectured at several national meetings.

Dr. Willard is currently on staff at the following hospitals: Abington Hospital, Doylestown Hospital, Grand View Hospital.

Doylestown Executive Quarters 2003 Lower State Rd. • Building 200 Doylestown, PA 18901 (215) 345-6647 Summit Building (Next to Grandview Hospital) 920 Lawn Ave., Suite 3 • Sellersville, PA 18960 (267) 354-1440 www.dermatologyandmohs.com

March | April 2014 Local Living

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Exclusive Interview with Jennifer Adams

Successful Tidbits on All Things Home Décor

By Hope Kumor

A

ward-winning interior designer Jennifer Adams spoke softly about her true passion in life-home décor. We were unable to meet face-to-face due to her busy schedule, so we chatted by phone for approximately 45 minutes. With a sweet and enthusiastic tone, Jennifer enlightened me about her first encounter with home décor. You don’t necessarily need to have a ton of money to remodel a room.

LLM: When and how did your passion for home décor come into play?

JA: I think it started when I was young, watching my mom literally build our sofa and making our draperies, and making everything in the house. Now, this is a trendy thing on Pinterest! My mom would cut the fabric, frame it and put it on the wall. So, early on, I learned to be creative with different things and I was constantly rearranging my room.

With my space and seeing what my mom would do to our home, I think that was when I got the bug. Now, I’m focused more on product design for homes, content and messaging. What makes me the happiest is being on the Better Show, or doing things like my interview with you; these are messages to inspire other people that they can do it as well without a lot of money. Going from learning how to do

things without spending anything to then designing very extravagant homes, then it comes full circle. Teaching people how to create a better home for themselves is so great because it comes from me being inspired at home as a kid.

Jennifer also provided these great but simple tips to spruce up your home.

Make your bed daily – and change the sheets weekly!

This is a little gift of luxury you can give yourself every day.

Don’t waste a whole weekend on cleaning chores. Choose just one task you know you can finish in a morning, and do something else the rest of the day!

Light the edges and corners of the room, not the middle.

If you have a single light fixture in the center of the ceiling, you will always be working in your own shadow and the room will feel dark.

Banish computers, desks or exercise equipment from your bedroom. They add stress by reminding you of tasks you haven’t finished.

Electric candles are just as romantic as real ones, and a lot safer!

Get rid of your alarm clock! Or at least, turn it around so you don’t see the light or stress out about sleep you may be losing.

And remember, “You don’t necessarily need to have a ton of money to remodel a room,” Jennifer says. “You can act and think like a designer on your own.”

Not only does Jennifer have an awe-inspiring and luxurious home product line, she also has a clothing line as well and a book coming out in March, Bedrooms That Inspire: Rest, Relaxation & Romance. Be sure to check out Jenniferadams.com for more information.

Hope Kumor is a health and fitness freelance writer, who is interning for Family Circle Magazine in New York City in the Home Décor Department.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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EN 7

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60 James Way #2, Southampton, PA 18966 • 267.989.1481 | info@LocalArtisanMarket.com (Corner of County Line Rd. Located next to Domenic Graziano flowers)

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BOOK RELEASE ANNOUNCING THE ACTION PLAN TO RESTORE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO ITS POSITION AS THE WORLD’S FOREMOST ECONOMIC SUPER POWER

MADE IN AMERICA 2.0 “10 Big Ideas for Saving the United States of America from Economic Disaster” In his newest book, J. Henry Warren presents a concise discussion and a practical action plan for addressing the need for job creation in the manufacturing sector of the United States. An author and natural entrepreneur, Warren’s experience over decades as an American manufacturer bring credibility and common sense to his perspective on how to reinvigorate the industry.

Available through your local bookstore’s order desk or at these online bookstores: Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Xlibris.com or by phone at 1-888-795-4274 ext. 7879.

ocal Living Magazine is proud to announce international editor, author and columnist Donna Dvorak as a featured artist at Abington Health Lansdale Hospital throughout April and May. In addition to this limelight, Donna’s newest novel, Friendly Sins, has also recently become available. Donna’s ability to weave provocative tales of romantic mystery results in stunning page-turners, and this work is no exception. Friendly Sins reels readers into a world of suspense with extraordinary characters, intriguing romance, and a surprise ending.

“Friendly Sins is a powerful tale filled with daring encounters, betrayals and mystery,” says Donna. “I’m also the author of Chelten Manor and Sensational Singles. I love writing in this genre as it provides me the chance to immerse myself in characters that behave in ways opposite from myself!”

This prolific talent has nine original paintings on display in the main hall and Founder’s Hall at Abington Health Lansdale Hospital.

All are bright and cheery and bring joy to the patients who stroll by them each day. Although most people know her as a writer, Donna finds a parallel between writing and painting.

“When painting a canvas I’m capturing a scene with color,” she says. “When writing a book or article, I’m creating a picture with words. Creativity flows either

cultural corner

OP

way, as well as presenting a whispered glimpse into my mind about how I view the world. I prefer to use bright hues, which trigger happiness and wonderful memories. Sometimes people will approach me because they recognize a particular scene. This is when I realize I have captured their attention in a positive way.”

Although this region is known for its bucolic, pastoral scenes, Donna finds the allure of her worldwide travels more captivating. She prefers to vary her subjects and loves the excitement of diversity. Whether it’s painting a Tuscan Villa or a vineyard in Italy, the Plaka in Greece, a Parisian terrace, or a beach, from Gibraltar to Turkey, from Israel to the Jersey Shore, Donna finds beauty everywhere she travels. “Anywhere in the world inspires me and opens my mind to the simple values and pleasures of the soul. This is what I strive to project in my art. Even during this time of worldwide strife it’s still apparent how beautiful the world is.”

From acrylics to oils, on either canvas or board, Donna is adept at wielding a palette knife to provide texture.

Whether she is painting a huge, textured modern abstract or a stucco wall, the wall appears as stucco. Bricks blend perfectly, harmoniously. Donna’s paintings line the walls of art galleries, restaurants and private homes worldwide. LL For more information or to purchase paintings please contact Donna Dvorak directly at donnadvorak@comcast.net.

Her novel, Friendly Sins, is available at the Doylestown Bookshop, Farley’s Bookshop, the Newtown Book Store, Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com.

March | April 2014 Local Living

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profile

By Blair Johnson

Time.

From the haunting lyrics of “Cat’s in the Cradle” and “Time in a Bottle,” it is clear time is the great

A1 Concrete is Ready to Pump Up Philadelphia

S

pring is here and we will be looking forward to enjoying the season outdoors. As you walk around your property or place of business you may notice a few things out of place. It might be a sidewalk that has sunken, resulting in a tripping hazard. Perhaps your driveway has shifted creating a bump you have to drive over every day, or a step that has settled to create an impossibly large climb to your front door.

In the past there weren’t many options for these problems. Either a temporary patch was applied, or it was torn out and replaced. A1 Concrete Leveling is now providing Greater Philadelphia with an alternative. Concrete leveling, also known as mudjacking or slabjacking, uses pump equipment mounted on a truck to hydraulically lift concrete slabs. The process raises and levels existing concrete slabs to put them back in their original position, extending their use into the future.

Take the case of Chris Q., a Willow Grove homeowner.

He had a walkway slab and step that had cracked and sunk, creating a nasty trip hazard of two inches of jagged concrete.

Replacement costs would have required a new set of steps and walkway slab, with a price tag of nearly $1000. It would have also blocked the main entrance to the home for nearly a week, and resulted in a mismatch of slabs as the existing walkway was made of a beautiful exposed aggregate concrete. Instead, Chris one day saw an A1 Concrete Leveling advertisement and decided to give them a call. It took under two hours and only few hundred dollars to bring the slab back up to its original position. By raising the concrete instead of replacing it, 60

Local Living March | April 2014

Chris managed to eliminate the dangerous trip hazard, save nearly 70% of the cost to replace, retain the consistent look of the walkway and avoid the inconvenience of having the front entrance blocked for a week.

Typical of Chris’ experience, using A1 Concrete Leveling has numerous benefits over replacement, namely consistent savings of both time and money. Concrete leveling typically costs 30-70% less than the cost of replacement. This can significantly cut your budget for concrete work which can then be used elsewhere in your home or business. The time savings can be just as crucial. Whereas replacement can take up to a week, with A1 Concrete Leveling most jobs are ready to use the same day.

Concrete leveling is also a “green” process and is actually a form of recycling. The process of replacing concrete is very costly to the environment in terms of resources, fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the space the old concrete takes up in landfills. Concrete leveling ensures no new concrete needs to be produced and that slabs still in good shape can continue to be of definite further use. The material used by A1 Concrete Leveling is agricultural limestone, an environmentally friendly material that is actually used by farmers as a fertilizer, so it is safe for use anywhere around your home or business.

A1 Concrete Leveling provides free and flexible estimates.

Consultations can be done in person or in some cases simply by sending pictures and a description via email. Call toll free at 855-A1-PHILLY (217-4455), locally at (215) 395-6878, email info@a1philly.com, or visit www.a1concrete.com. LL

equalizer. We cannot buy more time, nor can we revisit a past time. Living in the moment is the key to enjoying life. I, like many, have earned and lost incomes and opportunities. That regret will weigh you down.

It’s a funny thing, in marketing they used to teach that the average human needs to hear something three times to take stock in that idea, principle or fact. I think in today’s multisensory input society, the number of repeats will need to be a lot higher. Does that make us dumber?

Doesn’t matter. In either case, I hope this tidbit, taught to me by my dog, sinks in no matter what time it is when you hear or read this message: Live in the present. That’s it. There it went. That “present” is gone… See how that happened? My point is you have one chance for the present. Put down the Smartphone and take your son and/or daughter outside. Throw a ball, go for a hike, take in a show. Take some time and look deep into their eyes, enjoy the peace of a quiet moment. Take the time to know what matters to your child. It could be their music or perhaps a new fad that all their friends are talking about. Listen and don’t judge. (Those loom bracelets may remind you of the thousands of plastic “o” rings you could not get enough of in the 80s.)

Discipline, order, consistency, all important. And as a parent you need to set a responsible example. Don’t dwell on the negative, correct the problem and move on. If you are a single parent, you may not have the luxury of the team work partnership.

day first thing in the morning, she looks to me with anticipation; when I get home from work, you would think a miracle had just happened.

If this is not a new concept for you, perhaps it is the magic hypothetical “third time.” Hug your children, reach out to a friend. Say something nice to your ex. What if we could bottle that good feeling? Wouldn’t that be the “Time in a Bottle” you want to remember?

Till next time…

Originally from New Orleans, Blair Johnson, consultant, writer, creator, and compulsive over-thinker, currently lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with his daughter and dog.

Live in the present.

My dog has modeled this with unconditional love. If anyone came with emotional baggage it was the dog. Yet every

March | April 2014 Local Living

61

LEGAL

New Friends This Summer

By Mary Cushing Doherty, Esquire High Swartz LLP | mcdoherty@highswartz.com

F

or parents with school-age children, early summer is a time of transition for the family. Once the last days of school wind down, children begin their summer routine. Will the children attend a summer enrichment program? Part or full-time day camp? Swimming pool activities? Sports camp?

During the summer activities many children will meet new kids from the area who are not in their class at school. Your child may find a new BFF: Best Friend Forever.

How would you reply if your child comes home and asks you: “Are you getting a divorce?” If you discover your child has a close friend who talks about divorce in his/her family, what would be your reaction? You may wonder what was happening in that household; is there something wrong with one or both parents? Do you need to protect your child from an unhappy home? Or does this new friendship bring an opportunity to teach your child how to be supportive and non-judgmental? Caring lawyers who work with parents during the divorce, and sometimes nasty custody litigation, secretly hope the children of separated parents have many safe havens where they can “just be kids.”

In the fun days of summer, when they make new friends, children of separated parents could gravitate towards those people who are not intimately familiar with the parents’ marital strife. Your child could be the friend who simply accepts another kid who also struggles with math, loves baseball or wants to get to the next swimming level. These summer activities may be the very opportunities that chil62

Local Living March | April 2014

dren from divorced or separated homes embrace to insulate themselves from the tension at home.

Back to that question – “Are you getting a divorce?” Your child may have heard that the separated parents fight often.

Do you want your child to learn that arguments can result in compromise? That harsh words can lead to apology? You and your spouse could use this as an opportunity to talk openly about any tensions in your home. Consequently, your child’s worries may lead to a healthy dialogue about a taboo subject leading to a warmer atmosphere in your home.

If the BFF becomes close enough to your child to justify other play dates, you could make a point of meeting each of the parents. It could be complicated if you find yourself sympathetic to one parent over the other. If a separated parent urgently tells you about the flaws of the other, you may want to distance yourself from appearing to take sides.

The child of divorce needs role models for those who don’t engage in the verbal battleground. The child with divorced or separated parents needs to know children and adults who remain neutral about the parents’ difficulties.

The day may come when your child’s BFF invites your child to be an overnight guest at mom’s or dad’s home. Your child could become the special visitor so the child of divorce has someone who is simply there to play. The child of divorce will benefit from a friend who can “normalize” his or her childhood where the transition to summer and back to school is inconsequential compared to adjusting to divorce in the home.

Mary Cushing Doherty is a family lawyer and partner at High Swartz LLP, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. In recent years, she has received recognition from her peers and the community, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Lynette Norton Award in 2012 and one of the 2012 Women of the Year by the Legal Intelligencer. She was one of the Women of Distinction chosen by the Philadelphia Business Journal and received the Margaret Richardson Award from the Montgomery Bar Association. Mary can be reached at mcdoherty@highswartz.com.

Local

goes local

Washington, D.C.

By Diane Burns

W

ere you tired of the snow, rain, sleet, ice covered roads and freezing temperatures?

Were you frustrated searching for the first signs of spring, such as a robin, or a crocus or daffodil peeking its head out of the last snowfall? If so, it sounds like you may need a real taste of spring and I know just the right place: The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Botanic Garden was established in 1821 by President James Monroe as a national greenhouse and was mostly swampland until 1823. It was drained and leveled and an elliptical pond was created with an island in the center, along with four tree-lined walkways. It is on the Capital grounds near the Washington Monument.

The Garden is a living plant museum

featuring an impressive in-door layout with over 4,000 seasonal, tropical and subtropical plants. The museum offers many educational events and exhibits throughout the year. A fountain created

by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, famous French sculptor best known for designing the Statue of Liberty, is the Garden’s centerpiece. Beautiful landscaped flowerbeds surround it.

An extension of the U.S. Botanic Garden is the National Garden, which serves as an annex and learning lab. One of its main features is the First Ladies Water Garden with its elaborate rose garden, butterfly garden and a variety of regional trees, shrubs and perennials. There are classrooms where students of all ages can learn more about the stewardship of environmental and horticultural practices.

Many and varied restaurants can be

found around the Garden; whether you are looking for something light for lunch such as a pizza or a sandwich, or a fine dinner, there is a restaurant that will satisfy your palate.

While in the D.C. area, take the time to include some of the Nation’s many historical monuments, buildings and museums, or consider visiting the National Zoo. There is something to see and do for young and old alike. It will be a trip to refresh your spirit with a taste of spring at the Gardens, and inspire your soul with our Nation’s rich history.

The Gardens are open year round. For more information visit www.usbg.gov.

Diane Burns is a freelance writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.